SLEIGHT OF HAND

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Although things may have slowed down a bit for SLEIGHT OF HAND these days, the band’s strongly devoted fan base continue to show up and surge forward at the yearly showcase that is held in their hometown of Newcastle, NSW, Australia.

A live event highlight on the calendar, 350 capacity strong is always guaranteed and a highly sought after support slot for upcoming and coming rock bands from the local area.

When it all comes down to it, Newcastle’s shining star Sleight Of Hand are simply a powerful heavy rock band – one whose openly defiant attitude is met & matched with heavy grooves and addictive melodies. Their percussive and tactile approach to song writing, combined with their honest and insightful lyrics, creates a primal energy that pervades their high impact live shows. And it is the reputation for these captivating performances that has garnered Sleight of Hand the opportunity to share the stage with bands like The (international) Noise Conspiracy, COG, Sunk Loto, The Bronx and Karnivool to name but a few. In terms of official releases, kicking off with the their debut EP, ….BREATHE, in late 2005 produced by Phil Mckellar (silverchair, Grinspoon, Kisschasy, Something With Numbers). The truly breathtaking …BREATHE was released through Reign Records and MGM, and received praise from critics such as Justin Donnelly (Sain Magazine) who said of the EP “Sleight of Hand’s debut is an absolute killer on all accounts”, whilst Mark Neilson (The Drum Media) said that “it’s pretty powerful stuff, with every track absolutely thumping out of the stereos.” The release of the E.P saw SOH through a twelve month period undertake three East-Coast headline tours, gain airplay on national tv and radio like Triple J and Rage, and play as one of the draw cards of the recent Strikeback festival in Newcastle (where their fans actually pushed the crowd barrier over in their eagerness to rock out with the band). And it does not stop here…

Keeping the momentum rolling in 2007, Sleight of Hand entered Megaphon studios Sydney once more, this time with veteran producer Peter Blyton (Sick Puppies, Michael Hutchence, The Divinyls) to record the single, ‘Sitting on my Pelvis’ along with a cover of the classic Whitlam’s track ‘No Aphrodisiac’. One of SOH’s biggest highlights was being main support for band favourite and international touring act ‘Blindside’ on their first Australian tour.

Although officially hanging up the boots in 2008, Sleight of Hand reunion shows continue to draw a sell-out crowd and the individual members are pursuing other musical projects to keep creative and inspired.