Categories: Music

Power Pop Flag Bearers BENNY J WARD And LAVA FANGS To Release Combined EP

PERTH & MELBOURNE POWER POP FLAG BEARERS BENNY J WARD AND LAVA FANGS TO RELEASE COMBINED EP ON CHEERQUAD AHEAD OF SHOWS TOGETHER IN OCTOBER

Two of Australia’s flagship garage power pop acts, Benny J Ward from Perth and Lava Fangs from Melbourne, interrupt normal transmissions to present a split 4-song 7″ EP to consummate their mutual admiration and to mark the fact that they’re playing shows together in Melbourne in October. Benny J Ward is fresh from the release of

“Fear of Going Out”, the recent first single from his forthcoming second solo album, while Lava Fangs main mover Jamie Coghill is set to release a new album by his solo alter ego The Jimmy C entitled Pretending To Be A Person.

The Lava Fangs side of the EP kicks off with 60s rocker ‘Nothing Better’ written by Stu Manchu, followed by the Jamie Coghill led, power pop number, ‘Get Together’. Flipping to the BJW side, Benny J Ward presents his take on the Mono Men classic ‘Watch Outside’, ahead of new original instant classic ‘Short Lived’, both poppy garage ear worms.The EP will be available digitally and physically – 150 copies only on recycled vinyl.

Pre-orders of the EP (vinyl & digital) are available now via both artists’ Bandcamp, with the release date scheduled for 17 September 2026:

https://bennyjward.bandcamp.com/album/short-lived-watch-outside
https://lavafangs.bandcamp.com/album/nothing-better-get-together***

Benny J Ward and the Psych Ward and Lava Fangs will be officially launching the EP at The Tote Upstairs on Thursday the 1st of October with an opening solo set from Josie Jette of Pointless Daggers. Tickets on sale now Get tickets

Both bands are also playing with The Johnnys, 2 October at Barwon Club.
https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/890b903f-82b6-457d-b0f1-a3f12baaf273

Benny J & the Psych Ward support The Stems at the Corner, 3 October.
https://tickets.cornerhotel.com/outlet/event/bd932845-7b16-43d6-85ca-192067fadd7a

Lava Fangs supporting The Johnnys at Balnarring Social Club, 4 October.
https://www.socialclubbalnarring.com.au/gigs

***

In early 2025, Lava Fangs headed into their home studio, Casa de Kensington, to record some new material for the ‘Pop Aid 2’ benefit album, organised and released by US based Kool Kat Records, to raise relief money for people affected by hurricanes Helene & Milton. Two tracks were recorded in the sessions with one being contributed to the compilation, and the other patiently waiting to see the light of day.

With an eye to releasing these locally, and getting both on global streaming, Lava Fangs reached out to Cheersquad label mate Benny J Ward with a proposition to team up and release a double-A side, split 7″ vinyl EP. Obviously, Benny responded to the Lava Fangs proposal with two thumbs up.

Friendship between Benny and Lava Fangs stretches back to the mid 2000s when Benny first toured Melbourne with the Screwtop Detonators. Over the years, their paths intertwined and converged many times – notably with Stu and Benny joining forces in 2010 as half of Harvest Smoke, and then sharing the stage at The Gem as Lava Fangs and Benny J and the Psych Ward in late 2024, in support of their releases on Cheersquad Records & Tapes.

BENNY J WARD
Across more than two decades of making records and touring, Benny J Ward has built a reputation through bands including Rinehearts, LEECHES! and Screwtop Detonators, amongst others, before stepping out under his own name — bringing together garage rock energy, power-pop songwriting and a distinctly DIY spirit. Previous releases have been praised for their huge hooks, fuzzed-out textures and effortless ability to balance melody with chaos, while his output has consistently reflected an artist more interested in making meaningful records than following trends.

Over the years Ward has also become a trusted collaborator within Australian independent music circles, contributing to and developing creative projects alongside some of the country’s most respected artists including Davey Lane (You Am I), Dom Mariani (The Stems / Datura4), James Baker and Kim Salmon. Those collaborations — spanning recording, songwriting and broader creative partnerships — have helped shape a body of work built on connection, experimentation and a genuine love of Australian guitar music in all its forms.

Away from the spotlight, Ward is equally known as the engine room behind Pink House Studio in Perth, Western Australia — where he records, produces and collaborates with a broad community of independent artists while continuing to write and release at a relentless pace. His work has become synonymous with hands-on recording, big ideas and a belief that records should feel alive rather than overly polished.

LAVA FANGS
Lava Fangs are a four-piece garage rock / power pop band, based in Naarm. Formed in 2017, after collaborating on The Jimmy C’s 10 year anniversary live album recording project. The band consists of Jamie Coghill/drums (The Jimmy C, The Devilrock Four, Fez Perez), Stu Manchu/guitar (The Hybernators, Sons of Lee Marvin, Fez Perez), Andrew Horne/guitar (The Cordells, The Mystaken, Undecided by Default), and Wesley Fahey/bass (Maxine Gillon, Tamara and The Dreams, Stu Manchu and His Chosen Few). All four members sharing vocals, songwriting, arranging and production duties. As a live act, the quartet is joined by Ando Varone/drums (Lunatic, The Hybernators, Damn the Torpedoes) with Jamie stepping out from behind the kit for shared lead vocals, percussion and occasional bass duties.