Dial

Dial

Dial was a post-hardcore band from Wellington that formed in 2005 following the dissolution of hardcore outfit, The Deadline, which had been fronted by vocalist Tali Williams. The band also featured Alex Backhouse on bass, Rich Burns on guitar, who was also playing in Guest Stabs Host, and a rotating lineup of drummers: Dan Fraser, Cameron Reid, and later Otis Chamberlain. Known for their crushing blend of hardcore, math rock, and metalcore, Dial delivered a visceral sound characterised by obscenely heavy guitars, bludgeoning percussion and Williams’ intense vocals. Their music leaned into thick, repetitive rhythms and minimalist yet powerful riffs, creating a robotic, screamo-infused metal onslaught.

Dial embarked on a national tour with Guest Stabs Host in September 2006 and played at the 10th anniversary Wellington Punkfest the following month. In 2007, they played extensively, including support slots for international acts Limpwrist (USA) and Napalm Death (UK). That July, with Chamberlain (also of tech-grindcore band Akaname) as engineer, Dial recorded a five-song demo, which caught the attention of US label Robotic Empire. The demo was released on CD and digitally in 2009, but by then the band had parted ways with Cam Reid and Chamberlain, who relocated to Melbourne with Akaname leading to Dial disbanding.

Years later Backhouse and Reid formed the band Society (2013) which further explored minimalist, disonant noise. Chamberlain and Backhouse also teamed up again in the post-hardcore band Stress (2018). As of 2024, Tali Williams has been playing in Auckland band Another Fucking Problem.


OriginWellington
Genrepost-hardcore
Years Active2006 – 2007
LabelsRobotic Empire
Associated ActsNeon Bastard, The Deadline,
Pedal Faster, Akaname
Guest Stabs Host
Past MembersAlex Backhouse (bass)
Rich Burns (guitar, vocals)
Tali Williams (lead vocals)
Dan Fraser (drums 1)
Cam Reid (drums 2)
Otis Chamberlain (drums 3)

Releases

TitleDateLabelTypeFormat
Dial2006, Aug/ Septdemo EPCD
Dial 2009, June 9Robotic EmpireEPCD/ DL

Timeline

2006, February 4, Vulture House

Matt’s Birthday carnage – Drug Problem, Dial, Workshy

2006, February 12, Blacknote
2006, September 21 – October 6, NZ Tour
2006, September, Dial demos
2006, September 29, Galatos
2006, October 6, Valve

DIAL, Guest Stabs Host, Damaged, The Actualities

2006, October 20, Punkfest

2007

2007, January 19, Blacknote
2007, March 15, Valve
2007, April 14, Happy
2007, June 2, Valve

Photos: Fuzz

2007, June 22, Happy

Donatello, Dial, The Wrongmen

2007, June 27, Valve

with Kill the Fake Patient, Dial, This City Sunrise, Punchbowl.

2007, July , Black Note/ STL Audio

Dial recorded their self-titled EP with Otis Chamberlain.

2007, September 10, SFBH

2008

2008, March 27-29, Bodega