Metal band Native Tongue preparing for farewell gig at Otherwise Bar

A Townsville metal band are hanging up their instruments, with one final farewell gig set to be a high-octane experience. See why they are calling time.

Simon Santos Rose and Jaden Joshlin from Townsville metalcore band Native Tongue which is playing their last gig this Friday. Picture: Evan Morgan

Townsville’s metalcore outfit Native Tongue will fall silent after their final gig this Friday which promises to be a high octane fuelled farewell.

The five piece band has been a heavy metal stalwart on the Townsville scene for the past six years but have decided to scream one final time before handing the metalcore baton on the next generation of up and comers.

Bassist and backing vocalist Jaden Joslin said they were all getting older, had young children and other music projects beckoned.

“We have been doing it for a long time, and we’re all getting older, and I think it’s time to kind of hand the torch to the younger fellas.

“I’ve just recently had a kid. Simon’s got kids. The guitarist has got kids and we’ve all got other stuff that we do in the music scene as well.”

Joslin said that although it was their last gig the Townsville live act music scene was pumping.

Simon Santos Rose and Jaden Joshlin from Townsville metalcore band Native Tongue which is playing their last gig this Friday. Picture: Evan Morgan

“I think the Townsville scene’s thriving after a bit of a lull in the last couple of years.

“Covid was rough for everyone, but coming out of it, there’s new younger bands joining the scene and more international and national touring bands are coming through Townsville - I think it’s a good opportunity for anyone young to get more invested and more involved.

“I think especially in Townsville, it’s starting to become a hot spot, you hear of people moving to the city for the music, which is crazy.”

He said their last gig would also be the first gig for Nexxius – consisting of 16 year-olds.

“I host a youth open mic once a month, and they pulled up and played some Pantera riffs and shredded it up. We just thought, give them a shot on a bit more of an official first gig.”

He said it would a sad moment when they played their last power ridden riff on stage at Otherwise on Friday.

“We’ve supported some pretty big bands, especially in the genre, like Northlane, Alpha Wolf and Polaris, to name a few and our local shows have always been really good. This gig coming up is looking to be our biggest one yet.”

Native Tongue with support acts Lost Beneath, Shell of Me, Xenomorth Aed and Nexxius are on at the Otherwise Bar from 7pm to 11.30pm tonight.

Originally published as Metal band Native Tongue preparing for farewell gig at Otherwise Bar