4/6/04 - A HUGE thankyou to everyone who turned out to our cd launch at the vine last night.  It was a great night and we were more than happy with the reception we got from the big crowd that came along.  A few personal thank you's - to Gibbo for mixin' the desk for us, Shannon for warming up the crowd and to Tim and Leonie from the Vine for having us.  Keep you eye's peeled on the Tours page for our next show coming up soon. 

We have generously uploaded 2 songs from the new album for to give people a taste of our new found sound.  Tracks no. 1 'Contagious' and no. 5 'Eye Opener' can be downloaded at your pleasure at our mp3.com site or go to our Discography page to check them out so enjoy and spread the word.

20/5/04 - The Violet Protocols will be live at the wireless on Chris Spencers Unleashed program on Triple C 89.5FM on Wednesday 26th of May from about 8:30pm onwards.  So make sure and be tuning in to hear an exclusive acoustic set of some of the songs off the new album and to hear what Phil and Dave have to say about the up coming release and CD lauch at the Golden Vine on June 3rd.

19/5/04 - The Violet Protocols new look website is now up and running, with even more features than before.  And the band have gone semi interactive - you can check out some video footage of the guys which was shot during the recording sessions at Cavalier Music for the up coming album 'Searching for Equilibrium' which will be out in June.  Just go to In the Studio to view some clips.  As well as this, you can download some tracks from their last two albums in the Discography section.  Also there are loads of new photos in the Images section to check out.  Oh yeah, dont forget the 'Protocols Store where you can purchase 'Protocols stuff.  So what'dya waiting for - get to it!

12/5/04 - The band are set to release their follow up album to their successful debut release 'Vast Expanse of Limestone Nothingness' last year.  The new 12 track album is entitled 'Searching for Equilibrium' and will be available in all good stores on June 3rd, corresponding with their hometown CD launch gig which will at the Golden Vine Hotel in Bendigo that night.  Support will come from Rutegers front man Shannon Wakefield doing an acoustic solo set.  Check out Ruteger's stuff at www.ruteger.com.au. 

8/3/04 - Well belated Happy New Year...been a while hasn't it!  Well, the past few months have been relatively quiet for us.  We have played a couple of shows at the Golden Vine Hotel in Bendigo which were very well received.  We have pencilled in a couple more gigs at the Hopetoun Hotel in April so check out the gigs page for more details on those shows. 

 But for the more exciting news, we have another album on the way.  It will consist of 12 self produced tracks which we have been fine tuning over the past few months and we start recording in May this year at Cavalier Music studio in Melbourne - www.cavaliermusic.com - All the art work for the cd has been completed and in the next few months the website will be updated to show some of it before the albums release which will be at the end of May this year.  An album launch will hopefully coincide with the release so stay tuned for details of when and where that will be.

Anyways, make your way down to our shows at the Hopetoun in April to check us out before we head into the studio.

12/12/03 - The band have scored another 'Vine' gig.  This is to happen on the 24th of January in the New Year.  Once again we will be supported by Frog in a Sock (www.mp3.com.au/froginasock), who played with us at our last gig at the Vine 2 weeks ago, which went very well by the way.  Those guys have a great catchy sound and have a lot of fun on stage and are well worth checking out again.

Phil, Trev and Gary did a short 3 piece set at the Edgecombe Hotel last Sunday which went ok, and was a change to not have Dave on the other Guitar as he was away on the day.

We are in the process of finding our next studio to do our follow up to 'Vast Expanse' and this will most likely take place in late January / early February.  The new songs we have been performing are a lot more rockier and are sounding pretty good at the moment so we are very anxious and excited to finally get them down in the studio.  Keep and eye out for when you can get your hands on a copy.

On the publicity front, Phil recently did an interview with Claire from Spectrum Magazine and below is an extract of her article which can be read in full in Decembers issue which is out in all good record stores, pubs and cafes in Bendigo.

"Since their beginning in 2000, four-piece Bendigo band, The Violet Protocols (TVP), has made a strong impression both locally and in Melbourne. The original outfit comes together with Phil Martins on guitar and vocals, Dave Turpie on guitar, vocals, and piano, Gary Bishop on drums, and Trevor Daly on bass.  The band’s influences include Something for Kate, Powderfinger, Paul Kelly, Tumbleweed and Third Eye Blind.

Dave Turpie has been a part of the local music scene for about 14 years and has contributed to a number of bands including Maine, Berth, Jettison, and Meester. As well as The Violet Protocols, he is also the drummer for Bendigo-based blue grass funk band, Clumpy Bogg, and local cover act, The Fat Bastards.
 

In 2000 The Violet Protocols recorded the six track EP, Care Factor, which was inspired by Phil Martin’s overseas adventures. The recording features emotive melodies like the aggressive, Power Tripping, and the hauntingly sweet, Chinese Tea.  ‘Chinese Tea seems to be a favourite of many people’, says Phil, ‘there’s nothing like a soppy love song.’

Vast Expanse of Limestone Nothingness followed in 2003 featuring tracks that had evolved into a balanced mixture of rock and pop. This album offers eight original songs (plus a hidden track on some copies). It’s clear that such bands as The White Stripes, Feeder, and even The Beatles had an influence on the material. With Dave and Phil co-writing the album, a diverse sound was produced both musically and lyrically. If you like the catchy sound of ‘progressive pop’ coupled with meaningful lyrics, then this album is for you. 

What makes the journey of TVP so amazing is that every project they undertake is self-funded. Phil has designed and crafted every CD that TVP has released, and plans to do the same thing next year with the release of their new album.

‘We sold every copy we made of Limestone, so that was very encouraging.’

People can still order copies through TVP’s website.

The band is due to start recording an album in January. Again, copies will be available at gigs and through the website, with the band looking into distributing nationally through record stores. The song writing is shifting into a new phase, one that will no doubt carry fans along into a fresh and exciting period for the band.

‘You can expect a lot more rock this time,’ Phil says of their upcoming release."

Dave was also busy plugging our upcoming gigs a couple of Wednesdays ago on Chris Spencers Triple C unleashed program, who we must say has been a very big supporter of our music, and he also played a couple of his tunes on acoustic guitar which sounded great.

So anyway peoples, get yourself to the 'Vine' on the 24th.  Until then, see yas round'

TVP

28/08/03 - Been a quiet month for us.  But that's not to say we are sitting on our arses doing nothing!  In fact, tonight, Dave and I are playing in an acoustic comp at the Railway Hotel in Castlemaine (prize is a $1000 dollar Maton guitar....which will come in handy wont it given that both of us have already just gone out and got newies...maybe they could substitute it for cash, or beer - if we win....).  New songs are being developed which is another good thing.  We have finally got a gig in Melbourne which is coming up in October.  Check the gig guide for info.  Glad to announce Frog in a Sock will be supporting us on our whirlwind 2 night tour of Bendigo at the end of November.  Have a listen to their stuff at www.mp3.com.au/froginasock or go to our links page to have a look at their website.  The posters for the 2 night "Sell Out" tour (its not really, I just wanted to say that) will be going up around town soon. 

Check ya's....

26/07/03 - Last nights gig at the Hopetoun Hotel in Bendigo went really well.  The night kicked off with Punk Rockers If Need Be cranking out some very loud and fast tunes which sounded great.  Our slot went off without incident! as we tried out a number of new songs which will form part of our up-coming album which we'll start recording around November/December this year.  Resident followed us up with a fantastic set and they are definitely a band to watch out for in the future.  I've seen them a number of times now and they are well worth checking out.

Our next gig will be on Saturday the 9th of August, again at the Hopetoun Hotel in Bendigo, supporting Melbourne rock 4 piece Ground.  From all accounts Ground have quite a loyal following in the underground music scene of Melbourne and have supported some pretty big name acts in the past few years (including Something for Kate, Screamfeeder, The Screaming Jets and Motor Ace to name but a few) so its no doubt going to be a great night.

So until then..........:-)

18/07/03 - The band have received a great review of their CD 'Vast Expanse of Limestone Nothingness' by the Bendigo Advertiser's music writer Mark Smith in todays Advertiser.  Read on for the full review.  In other brief news, the gig next week Friday the 25th at the Hopetoun is set to be even more rocking with the addition of young Bendigo rockers If Need Be and Resident to the line up for the night.  So get down and see some great local acts for just $3 bucks CC.  The night starts off around 9:30pm.

Protocols progress – Mark Smith, Bendigo Advertiser 18/7/03

IF MOVING ballads and a touch of explosive rock sounds are your cup of tea, the Violet Protocols will sit right up your alley.  This week, the Bendigo Advertiser's MARK SMITH casts a spotlight on the bands debut release, Vast Expanse of Limestone Nothingness.

Progressive pop-rock sounds make the dynamics of four-piece band, the Violet Protocols.

The disc is packed with catchy licks and some of the finest two part harmonies seen on a Bendigo release to date.

The band shows an ability to handle both catchy pop and explosive rock equally well, with the album working on a series of up and downs, which are always entertaining.

One Selfish Act After Another has hints of Pearl Jam and Powderfinger, with an explosive rock chorus and brilliant screams, while tracks such as Jonas Laughs and Taking the Dive show the bands ability to explore meaningful ballads.

Dave Turpie and Phil Martins both shine, complementing each other's gentle vocal approach.

On a closer listen, one can pick up a trace of Beatles influence on Portrait, while the upbeat Bolgers Hill has the same kind of feel as Icecream Hands and Muzzy Pep.