Sonic Reducer tell us about their SQUEEZE parties – “We want it to be more fun than an ordinary show”

by Check Check | Thursday Apr 24, 2025 | Features

Sonic Reducer, Supplied

Canberra punk band Sonic Reducer are the latest act to sign to Ourness, the recording, publishing and management company that signed both Genesis Owusu and Royel Otis. Given the runaway success of those two acts, seeing Sonic Reducer’s name on the roster is enough to mark them as ones to watch.

The foursome will release their second EP, SQUEEZE, in June. The singles “BABYMAN” and “NEEDLES” are already out and the band aren’t waiting around till June to celebrate. They’re throwing a couple of SQUEEZE parties over the next few weeks in conjunction with queer party legends BONEZ.

The first stop is Melbourne’s Bar Open on Thursday 24 April, where Sonic Reducer will be joined by Mr Industry and Clit Split, along with DJ Genie and drag performer Theresa Problem. They’ll host a hometown SQUEEZE event on Saturday 3 May with support from SEX WITH MEN, Creeping Jenny and DJ uwuwuU.

We had a quick chat with the band to find out what inspired them to create a party rather than a conventional gig.

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Check Check: Your Squeeze parties will be a bit different to the average punk show. Tell me where the idea came from and what you want to achieve with these shows?

Sonic Reducer: We wanted to have shows that were more based in interaction with the fans and us being on the same level as them. We want it to be more fun and welcoming than an ordinary show.

Are there any shows you’ve been to that inspired you to create Squeeze?

We’ve been to a lot of house shows – and played a couple – which have a more welcoming and party-like atmosphere. We played one in late 2023 in Canberra and really enjoyed it. Quite a few DIY shows at houses and random locations have been happening in Canberra for a bit now.

What can you tell us about your support acts in Melbourne, Mr Industry and Clit Split?

Clit Split are a sick band that we had discovered just through social media. Mr Industry are also an amazing band that we’ve been friends with for a very long time as they used to be a Canberra band. We played our first ever show with them so it’s pretty cool that we get to play with them in Melbourne.

You’ll also have Genie DJing and a drag performance by Theresa Problem. Tell us about adding these acts to the lineup.

The idea behind having Genie DJing and Theresa Problem’s drag performance was so that we could make the night a bit more diverse performance-wise and making it feel like more of a party than just another show. We can’t wait to see them play.

The shows are presented by BONEZ. Have you been to their events, and what’s it like working with them?

This is our first time working on a BONEZ party but we’re all really excited to do it as it’s really important to us to play and work in inclusive spaces, and BONEZ of course fits that perfectly.

What’s on the cards for SQUEEZE in Canberra?

We’ve got a show on the 3rd of May at Dissent, which is a relatively new bar and hub for local Canberra bands and acts. We’ve also got a little something something in our back pocket that you’ll just have to keep your eyes out for!