SPARTA formed from the ashes of seminal rockers AT THE DRIVE-IN who disbanded in 2001. Released in 2002 to huge praise from postpunk and hardcore audiences, their debut album Wiretap Scars filled the gap left by their former group and won over the harshest critics. The album features the single ‘Cut Your Ribbon’ and epic live favourites ‘Air’ and ‘Collapse’.
Thursday May 16th BRISBANE, The Triffid
Friday May 17th SYDNEY, Metro Theatre
Saturday May 18th MELBOURNE, Croxton Bandroom
Wednesday May 22nd ADELAIDE, The Gov
Thursday May 23rd PERTH, Rosemount Hotel
The album served as a reminder of how important Jim Ward’s backing vocals were to the sound of At the Drive-In. Previously known as a side man, SPARTA gave him the kudos to bring his voice and ideas to the fore – creating incredible records like Wiretap Scars.
“Wiretap Scars echoes the reckless beauty of the trio’s former band”
“The thunderous vocals of Jim Ward mixed with that beefed up guitar sound push Sparta closer to the fault line”
“Their first album Wiretap Scars bears all the traces of classic ATDI — razor-sharp guitar slashes, aggressively churning punk grooves and emotional lung-shredding vocals — along with darker textures, quieter passages, smoother performances, and slower tempos”