Formed in Newcastle in early 2008, The Protectors are Pete Stals – lead vocals/guitar, Sunny Wood – drums/backing vocals, Will Wood – bass/backing vocals & Willy Coleman – guitar/backing vocals.
Within months of relocating to Sydney, The Protectors intense and unique live set quickly won them summer festival spots alongside Cold War Kids, Crystal Castles and The Streets.
The Protectors also earned some major supports with the likes of Mercy Arms, The Vasco Era, British India, End Of Fashion, and Wolf & Cub.
In late 2008, The Protectors were pounding their way through another visceral live set, and one particular person who just happened to be in the venue and was quite simply “blown away” – triple j’s Lunchtime DJ Vijay Khurana. Triple j’s Home & Hosed host, Caroline Tran was similarly impressed; stating that The Protectors demo All Systems Go was “like a breath of fresh air blowing into your room”. Shortly afterward triple j began to play the bands demo!
Producer Scott Horscroft (The Presets, The Sleepy Jackson, The Panics) was also suitably impressed and quickly agreed to produce / record the band’s debut EP Tarantula. (Release date: Friday April 10th)
The Protectors are touring all over the country in May/June
Wed May 6 – Beach Rd Hotel, Bondi NSW
Fri May 8 – Club 77 – Sydney NSW
Thurs May 14 – Sand Bar – Mildura VIC
Fri May 15 – Ed Castle, Adelaide SA
Sat May 30 – WoW @ Inflation Nightclub Melbourne VIC
Thurs 4 June – Bon Amici Café – Toowoomba QLD
Fri 5 June – Fans Club Night, Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane QLD