Twelve Foot Ninja

Twelve Foot Ninja
Origin Melbourne, Australia
Genres Alternative metal, experimental rock, progressive metal, reggae, funk
Years active 2008–present
Labels Volkanik, MGM
Website www.twelvefootninja.com
Members Kin Etik
Shane "Russ" Russell
Steve "Stevic" Mackay
Damon McKinnon
Rohan Hayes

Twelve Foot Ninja is a rock band formed in 2008 in Melbourne, Victoria. The band consists of Kin (Vocals), Russ (Drums), Stevic (Guitar) Damon (Bass) and Rohan (Guitar). They broke a world record for the most amount crowdfunded for a music video, raising $52,600 to make their video for 'Ain't That A Bitch'.[1]

Their debut album, Silent Machine, was released in November 2012.[2] The album's first official single 'Mother Sky' was released on 24 August and the video was premiered on Triple J's Home & Hosed blog.[3] The second single 'Coming For You' was released on 2 November 2012.

Each song from the debut album comes with a comic, created by Keith Draws (UK), inspired by the lyrics and based on the original fable of Twelve Foot Ninja (co-written by Steve "Stevic" Mackay)[4] The story follows a sole ninja’s mission to restore balance in a world headed toward a self-inflicted apocalypse [5] All the individual comics were later combined into a 72-page bound comic book.

In early 2013, Twelve Foot Ninja embarked on their first headline tour of Australia and sold out every capital city.[6]

Prior to the launch of their debut album campaign, the band had released 2 EPs. The first, New Dawn, resulted in the band earning a Triple J Unearthed Number 1 with the track ‘Dark Passenger’, various support slots, and an appearance at Sydney's Come Together Festival. Their second EP, Smoke Bomb, was released in November 2010. Produced by the band’s guitarist Steve "Stevic" Mackay in his Melbourne home studio, the EP was mixed by local producer/engineer Hadyn Buxton (Trial Kennedy, Jonesez, Blueline Medic, Dukes of Windsor, Felix Riebl) and mastered by Howie Weinberg (Deftones, Nirvana, Jeff Buckley) at Masterdisk, New York. Guest musicians on the release include Bär McKinnon (Mr.Bungle) on Saxophone and Ollie McGill (Cat Empire) on Keyboards.

In October–November 2013, Twelve Foot Ninja toured Europe and North America for the first time. Their first show in London at the Camden Barfly sold out 3 weeks in advance and they also played Euroblast in Cologne, selling the most merch after the headliners Meshuggah. Their US/Canada tour in 2013 was opening for progressive metal band Periphery.

In May 2014 Twelve Foot Ninja returned to North America for their first headline tour. They also played AEG festivals Rock On The Range, Carolina Rebellion, Welcome To Rockville, Rocklahoma. They were also invited to showcase at revered radio conference Sunset Sessions Rock in San Diego.

In July 2014, single 'Coming For You' was serviced to US Active Rock radio and reached #45 on the Active Rock charts.[7] The video of 'Coming For You' has reached over 1 million views on YouTube.[8]

The band is currently touring the US with In This Moment, Starset and 3 Pill Morning from Oct-Dec 2014.

Awards

YEAR CATEGORY AWARD
2014 Best New Talent Revolver Golden God Awards, USA
2014 Best Metal Music Video Independent Music Video Awards, Australia
2013 Best Artist Discovery SiriusXM Liquid Metal Awards, USA
2013 Best Song Discovery SiriusXM Liquid Metal Awards, USA

Discography

Album

EPs

Singles

US

Australia

Band Members

References

  1. ↑ http://themusic.com.au/news/all/2013/05/03/twelve-foot-ninja-smash-crowdfunding-records/
  2. ↑ H., Kane. "Journalist". Kill Your Stereo. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  3. ↑ Alessio, Dom. "DJ". Triple J. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  4. ↑ Rockbewithyou, Maythe. "Author". May The Rock Be With You. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  5. ↑ Lothian, Claire. "Owner". After Gig Guide. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  6. ↑ http://www.thebrag.com/music/twelve-foot-ninja-play-manning-bar
  7. ↑ http://hardrockdaddy.wordpress.com/tag/twelve-foot-ninja/
  8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/user/twelvefootninja

External links