On a grassroots level, MySpace is, in some cases, the sole focal point of a band's promotional efforts, and a good marketing stretegy involving MySpace can be the difference between dining on caviar from the body of a 13-year-old Japanese girl and eating scrambled eggs with a comb from a shoe.

So the effect that Bushido felt when their MySpace profile was unceremoniously deleted for a number of weeks in 2006 cannot be overstated.

Luckily, though, it was restored and the hard-edged prog rock trio have gone from strength to strength ever since. Such is their popularity now, that when rumours surfaced amongst the modern progressive rock scene that they may be disbanding, the reaction was dismay from a who's who of Australian prog.

As guitarist and vocalist Guy Shenfield explains, it made them feel a little warm and fuzzy to know that they had that support behind them.

"You bet, especially when fellow bands started to contact us, that really hit home. We have so much respect for the bands that we enjoy playing with and listening to, and to have those people contacting us directly to make sure we weren't throwing in the towel was humbling to say the least."

"Things get shaky in most bands from time to time, I think we just wear our heart on our sleeve a little too much, and let's just say we tend to make irrational decisions. All is well now, in fact things are stronger than ever and we are all very excited about the record coming to fruiton."

That record is the follow-up to Bushido's 2006 EP Mercina and their recent single "Eye Of The Storm", two releases which garnered significant positive vibes from street press and fans alike.

"[Work is progressing] slow but steady. We all work full time so progress is slow. We are lucky though, each time we rehearse the creative juices seem to be flowing, so work is productive when it is being done."

And as Shenfield explains, the new tracks will take the Bushido sound in a new direction, while still rooted in their signature sound of hard-rockin' tunes and multi-part vocal harmonies.

"We have demos for five new tracks which are sounding pretty solid. We're happy with the direction of the songs, which will see the next Bushido record demonstrate a more mature sound. Some songs are quite heavy with a slighty different angle to previous heavy Bushido songs, they have a slighty more sinister, seethy element to them and are somewhat more abrasive.

"Jaymz is really starting to find his true vocal ability, he is really just finding his voice now, singing better than ever. And we are of course embracing harmonies where possible too."

Punters will get a taste of this new direction on the band's upcoming tour with fellow Melburnians Sleep Parade, on their double-header tour up and down and east coast. Bushido and Sleep Parade started gigging around the same period, and though their careers have taken slightly different routes over the years, they remain close.

Ask Bushido about Sleep Parade's debut album Things Can Always Change, and the hyperbole starts flying.

Bassist Jaymz Phillips and drummer Alex Dinic call it "simply awesome", with Jaymz adding that it is "the best Aussie release of 2008 hands down".

Adds Shenfield: "Let's just say it hasn't left the car stereo since its release, although [Cog's latest album] Sharing Space has done some miles too.

"I remember seeing the lads way back at Revolver one night," Shenfield continues, "and I was impressed straight up by their unique sounds and layers, Leigh's voice and the catchy melodies were a standout too. I've kept an eye and ear on the band since.

"Sleep Parade always impress live but you couldn't go past Leigh playing a Revolver gig with a broken finger. I couldn't believe it, there he was up in lights playing that axe like nothing was different! I think the finger had a big-ass bandage round it too! He played really well I heard no bum notes, it totally blew me away. I would always be a Sleep Parade fan from that night on."

As for what to expect from the upcoming shows, he jokes that the prog nerds might be in for a treat.

"Solid performances, we feel these will be our best shows so far especially with Sleep Parade raising the bar each night. Self Is A Seed do a great cover of "Dinosoar" by King Crimson, maybe the boys can rock down to the Excelsior to finish the night off with some Crimson magic!"

Bushido tour the east coast with Sleep Parade through June and July, presented by OzProg.com. Mercina and "Eye Of The Storm" are out now.

Friday 27th June - Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne
With Quiet Child. Tickets $12 + bf from www.moshtix.com.au and all Moshtix outlets. Doors open 8pm.

Friday 4th July - Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta
With Enacio. Tickets $10 at the door. Doors open 8pm.

Saturday 5th July - The Globe, Brisbane
With City Chalk Outline. Tickets $8 + bf from Oztix (1300 762 545) or www.globetheatre.com.au. Door open 8pm.

Sunday 6th July - The Northern, Byron Bay
With Enacio. Tickets $8 at the door. Doors open 8pm.

Thursday 10th July - Green Room, Canberra
With Escape Syndrome. Tickets $10 at the door. Doors open 8pm.

Friday 11th July - Oxford Tavern, Wollongong
With Earth Mechanics. FREE entry.

Saturday 12th July - The Excelsior, Surrey Hills, Sydney
With sleepmakeswaves. Tickets $12 at the door. Doors 8pm.