Beat Magazine #1332 by Furst Media

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IN THIS ISSUE...

HOT TALK

TOURING

ALPINE

ARTS GUIDE, WHAT’S ON,

ART OF THE CITY,

STAR******S THE COMIC STRIP 23

INDIE GAME: THE MOVIE, THEATRE REVIEW

BEAT EATS

CHROMATICS

INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH A FAILSAFE HEART

CORE/CRUNCH!

NEW WAR, BITCH PREFECT,

MUSIC NEWS

ALBUM OF THE WEEK,

JOE MCKEE

SINGLES, CHARTS

STAR******S P. 20

JOE McKEE P. 44

ALBUMS

GIG GUIDE

BACKSTAGE

LIVE

THIS WEEK IN 100%:

HYBRID

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The Hives

For all the latest news check out beat.com.au

THE PRICE IS RIGHT ALPINE Cover stars Alpine are mighty busy as of late. Their album A Is For Alpine will reach your ears this Friday before they embark on a hefty national tour to celebrate it with you. They play the Corner Hotel on Saturday September 8 and we’re giving away two double passes.

CHILDREN COLLIDE Former cover stars Children Collide bring their monumental, um, Monument tour to The Corner Hotel this weekend, playing a sold-out show on Friday August 10, plus a second show on Saturday August 11. We have ﬁve (count ‘em!) double passes to give away to each show. F is for Free Shit. Head to www.beat.com.au/ freeshit

SOMETHING FOR KATE Something for Kate, one of Australia‘s most respected and enduring acts, this week unveiled Survival Expert, the first single from their highly anticipated forthcoming album Leave Your Soul To Science (released September 28). Survival Expert offers the first indication of the eclectic and adventurous nature of the band’s songwriting and sonic development. To celebrate the release, Something For Kate will play a super special show for fans ahead of a larger announcement later this month for a full album tour in October. The intimate limited capacity preview show will take place at the Northcote Social Club on Tuesday August 21.

The drip feed for the 2012 Falls Music And Arts Festival keeps on a-drippin', with a doozy of a dozen big-name acts added to the bill this week. The new announcement brings into the fold Angus Stone, Ash Grunwald, Ball Park Music, Cosmo Jarvis, Django Django, Jinja Safari, Lisa Mitchell, Matt Corby, Sharon Van Etten, The Hives, Two Door Cinema Club and Willis Earl Beal (Lorne only). These acts will be joining previously announced acts like The Flaming Lips, Hilltop Hoods and Beach House, plus heaps more. Falls Music And Arts Festival takes place from Friday December 28 until Tuesday January 1 at Lorne, and from Saturday December 29 until Tuesday January 1 at Marion Bay. The ballot is now closed and remaining tickets go on sale Thursday August 16 from their website.

THE RUBENS Menangle wunderkids The Rubens are back on the road for a national album tour, bringing with them their new single My Gun – a shining example of why The Rubens have managed to connect so eﬀortlessly with audiences around the nation. A blend of frontman Sam Margin’s soul-drenched vocals with steadfast blues swagger, My Gun has already proven to be a favourite with fans, being a highlight at the band’s recent sold out live shows. With no signs of slowing up, The Rubens are pleased to announce they will be touring the nation in celebration of their debut album, stopping into The Forum Theatre on Saturday September 15 with special guest Bertie Blackman. Tickets are $30+bf from Ticketmaster. Their self-titled debut album is out on September 14 through Ivy League.

NICKI MINAJ The previously postponed Nicki Minaj Pink Friday Reloaded tour has been rescheduled. Minaj will now play The Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday December 5, with tickets on sale from Ticketek from midday, Wednesday August 15.

Beat Magazine Page 12

FALLS FESTIVAL

PHIL JAMIESON This Saturday August 11 Phil Jamieson (Grinspoon) will play a one-oﬀ exclusive solo performance at Cherry Bar in AC/DC Lane supported by Matt Sonic (solo) and Holy Trash. Originally 67 Special were scheduled for a reunion show, but the guitarist had to have hand surgery after an accident and the Cherry Bar needed quickly replace that line-up. Rumour is that James Young has been talking to Grinspoon about playing in AC/DC Lane and chats with Phil over a beer or two led to this surprising and unique rescue show. Phil Jamieson, one night only, this Saturday at Cherry Bar. Tickets $15, only from the Cherry door.

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DONNY BENET Donny brings the heat to Sydney and Melbourne this September to launch his new album Electric Love released on September 7. 2011 saw Donny burst onto the scene with the release of his debut album Don’t Hold Back. Donny stepped up to the plate and delivered a sound full of sophistication, sexuality and street heat. Electric Love reﬂects the highs and lows of life on the road through the eyes of a modern day Italo funk artist. Themes of heat, love, war and selfbelief are played out in Donny’s latest oﬀering. He launches the album at The Workers Club on Friday September 14. Support comes from Aleks & The Ramps and Client Liaison. Don't hold back.

GREENTHIEF In support of releasing their new single, Mr Number 1, hard-hitting Brisbane rockers Greenthief will be bringing their unique blend of psychedelic audio mayhem to all corners of the country with their first national headline tour. The track is the first taste of their debut album to be released in 2013, which sees the band back in the studio with Aria-winning producer Steve James (Sex Pistols, The Jam). So far, 2012 has been a massive year for the band, recently completing a 23-date national tour in support of Australian rockers The Butterfly Effect. Mr Number 1 is to be released August 10. Catch Greenthief at their only Melbourne appearance at the Pony Bar on Saturday September 22.

THE COUNT WITH…

JORDIE LANE

Ten bands everyone should know about: Flying Burrito Brothers, Dawes, Francolin, Sam Baker, The Cheven, Will and Bella, Sweet Jean, Karen Dalton, Shilpa Rey, Man Man. Nine food items that you need to make a kickarse dinner party: For a cocktail party: Roasted garlic and sourdough cheese plate, peking duck, soft shell crab, mini pho soups, goats cheese stuffed mushrooms, wagyu beef cooked on Himalayan salt rock at table, sticky date pudding, mini raspberry cheesecakes, deep fried icecream. Eight possessions that define you: I don’t think possessions define a person but eight things I love are: My Herbert and Johnston brown hat, my grandfather’s rose gold ring, my ‘think I’m having stress’ 70s sweater, my various cameras, my Gibson J45 guitar, my camel leather bag from India, My '78 blonde Telecaster, my bright yellow Asics Gel Nimbus running shoes. Seven favourite movies/TV shows that go on your mix-tape: The Apartment (1960), The Wizard Of Oz, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Seinfeld, Six Feet Under, Walker Texas Ranger, and Mister T’s Flavour Wave infomercial. Six bad habits you can’t escape: Loud burping, not leaving the seat down for the ladies (actually I put the lid down too so both men and women have to do something, fair?), checking text/ email in the social company of others (this needs harsh punishment), wiping my nose on someone else’s towel, always running late, and doing a little poo in my pants on the first date. Five people who inspire you: Gram Parsons, my mum, my sister, Lady Gaga, Woody Allen. Four things that turn you on: The smell of food, the sound of a woman, the feel of a guitar, the sight of the moon. Three goals for your music: To do it 'til I die. To always keep searching further. To see the world’s places and people with music as the mode of transport. Two live gigs you’ll never forget and why: Spiderbait, The Palace (St Kilda), 1997. It was the first gig I ever went to. Justin Townes Earle, The Toff In Town. His first ever Melbourne show. The wit, and skill and power he wielded in that room was incredible. One day left before the apocalypse and you…: Jump out of a plane from 30,000 ft into a pool of lava in an active volcano. Go out with a bang before everything else does. When’s the gig / release? Friday August 17 at The Regal Ballroom, Northcote. It’s the first band show since I left for America back in February. We will preview the new single I recorded in L.A, and spin yarns from my crazy road trip across the states. Also playing Queenscliff Music Festival, taking place in Queenscliff from November 23 to 25.

RIVER OF SNAKES After what’s turned into a very busy year, including ﬁnding a new drummer and a stack of shows all over the east coast you're probably wondering where River Of Snakes found the time to record...well somehow they did between rehearsals and soy lattés on High St, and the new 7” is out now on Thornbury Records. Recorded in a 12 hour frenzy at Head Gap studios with Neil T on the desk, the tracks are raw and rockin'. Rebel Girl (a cover of the classic Bikini Kill song) and an original track Drink, are a blend of all things punk/ rock/scuzz/noise. The 7" comes out as a limited numbered run of 300 copies, half in black and half in baby pink, with download cards and everything! River of Snakes are damn exited to get this sucker out! Pick one up now or catch them at their launch with Damn Terran, Sun God Replica and Dead River on Saturday August 18 at the Northcote Social Club.

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360

Mia Dyson

PYRAMID ROCK FESTIVAL

ANGUS STONE Throughout November, Angus Stone will be touring his solo album Broken Brights nationally, including three Victorian dates. Released just last month, Broken Brights is Stone's second solo album, with his ﬁrst being back in 2009, Smoking Gun, and released under the guise Lady Of The Sunshine. Stone will be playing Melbourne at The Palace on Wednesday November 21, performing on Friday November 23 at the Ferntree Gully Hotel and then ﬁnishing up the tour in Frankston at Pier Live on Saturday November 24. Tickets for all three shows are on sale now from his website.

NEWTON FAULKNER Hot oﬀ the heels of his third studio album, Write It On Your Skin, Newton Faulkner will be making his anticipated return to Australia for a string of intimate club shows this September, including a show at The Corner Hotel on Tuesday September 18. Having previously toured Australia in theatres on the main stage at major music festivals, these shows are a rare opportunity to experience this incredible artist in intimate venues. Releasing Write It On Your Skin this year, the album is bristling with spontaneity, the best kind of DIY imagination, and songs from unlikely sources but with a very likely-lad appeal.

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QUEENSCLIFF MUSIC FESTIVAL Following on from a pretty damn incredible first announcement, the roster for this year's Queenscliff Music Festival has grown even stronger. The new announcement includes Mia Dyson, The Fauves, Jordie Lane, Deep Street Soul, Ngaiire, Jackson Firebird, Money For Rope, Lloyd Spiegel, Butterfly Boucher, The Dc3, Howlin' Steam Train, Kira Puru & The Bruise, Halfway To Forth, Keshie, The Joe Kings, Tom Richardson Project, The Bakers Digest, Juan Alban, Sweethearts, Shaun Kirk, Wishful, Luke Legs & The Midnight Specials, Lily & Kingal Parkinson, Alister Turrill, Catherine Sanzaro, Izzy Losi, Jamie Pye, Inertia Brass Band, Yirrmal And The Yolngu Boystides Of Welcome and Tane. As well as adding a massive batch of talent, the festival has just released single day tickets for sale. Queenscliff Music Festival takes place Friday November 23 until Sunday November 25. Tickets are through the official site.

It’s going to be a loud and proud party this New Year’s Eve at Pyramid Rock. Turning nine years old, Pyramid will see in the dawn of a new age in spectacular style, set on the majestic cliﬀ tops of Victoria’s Phillip Island with the ocean providing the dream backdrop. Pyramid is stoked to be presenting a killer line-up, and proudly, one with majority Australian artist representation. This is a line up harvested from the roots that Pyramid has grown from and signals The New Age. In alphabetical order it looks like this: 360, All The Colours, Anti-Flag, Blood Red Shoes, Children Collide, Closure In Moscow, Dangerous!, Dcup, Dead Letter Circus, Doctor Werewolf, Dream On Dreamer, Friendly Fires DJ Set, Hands Like Houses, House Vs Hurricane, Illy, Karnivool, Kingswood, Luke Million, Phetsta, Stoneﬁeld, Slow Magic, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Urthboy, Xavier Rudd plus more bands and DJs to be announced. The Pyramid Rock Festival takes place on Phillip Island between Saturday December 29 and Tuesday January 1. Two day and three day passes on sale 9am Tuesday September 4 from thepyramidrockfestival.com.

TZU One of the nation's foremost hip hop outﬁts have announced a brand new album, plus a massive run of dates around the country. TZU are back in the biggest way possible, ready to unleash new album (their fourth) Millions Of Moments on September 21 through Liberation Music. To celebrate, the band are hitting the road for a sprawling run of dates, showcasing new material as well as their much-adored canon of material. TZU perform at Frankston's Pelican Bar on Friday September 28, Ferntree Gully Hotel on Satuday September 29, and The Hi-Fi on Monday November 5.

60 SECONDS WITH…

KING OF THE NORTH

Define your genre in five words or less: Hard hitting riff rock. What makes you happiest about what you’re doing? Getting on a stage playing massive riffs over phat grooves to nodding heads, pumping fists and devil horns. And what makes you unhappiest about what you’re doing? Not doing the above every night of the week! When are you playing live/releasing your album/ EP/single/etc? We are releasing our debut EP at The Evelyn on Saturday August 11 with our good friends Don Fernando, My Left Boot, Hailmary, and DJ Danger. What can a punter expect from your live show? A very entertaining, high energy rock show. What advice would you give to bands that are new on the Melbourne music scene? Play rock and roll and play, play, play! If someone made a movie about your life, who would play you? John Candy. If you could go on tour with any musician or band, who would it be? AC/DC. Describe the best gig you have ever played. We supported Cold Chisel at Festival Hall to a packed crowd back in April. That was fucking unreal! CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU

Beat Magazine Page 13

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THE RAAH PROJECT

THE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS

Following acclaimed performances at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival (2011), KUBIK (2011) and MONA FOMA (2010) and two sell-out shows at the Melbourne Recital Centre, The Raah Project bring their unique 17-piece ensemble to The Prince Bandroom on Friday August 17. This special performance will celebrate the vinyl and remix download release of the album Score.

The Beautiful Girls are bowing out with a long goodbye. Adding extra shows around the country to their already extensive farewell tour, they’ll play three dates at The Corner Hotel celebrating their career, spanning a decade of surf-rock and roots. Tickets have now been released for a third and ﬁnal show on Sunday August 26 in what may be one of your last opportunities to bid the band farewell. Tickets from the venue box oﬃce and website.

ELECTRIC MARY Alternative rockers Electric Mary have a string of international shows coming up in France, Spain and the UK, but have conceded there’s some serious unfinished business in their home town of Melbourne. Launching Trak Lounge Bar’s new rock night entitled Nitro – Top Fuel Entertainment, the guys have come from successful shows in Japan to let loose their huge sound on the venue’s giant stage. Let the ear damage and sensory rehab begin with all your favourite hardedged and alternative tracks, plus there’ll be plenty of DJs and dancers. The first 300 through the door get a copy of Electric Mary’s two-track of previously unreleased recordings. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster, or if you get yourself an event flyer or cut out a Beat ad and book with the venue, you will get in $5 cheaper. This promises to be a huge night, so pop Electric Mary in your diary for Friday August 31.

ELVIS PRESLEY TRIBUTE SHOW AT YAH YAH’S Q&A THE SCARLETS As far as tribute shows go, there could be few more exciting in the land than that planned at Yah Yah’s for the 35th anniversary of Elvis Aaron Presley’s death. The King (of babes) had a lustrously versatile voice and received unusually widespread success covering many genres, which is why hearing a stack of your favourite and varied musicians play his material is going to be so amazing. With a star-spangled array of guest vocalists lined up to celebrate Memphis’ son, including Rob Snarski, Liz Stringer, Jen Cloher, Van Walker, Quincy McLean and Spencer P. Jones, classics from Elvis’s twenty-something years as a musical deity are sure to rock the crowd. We spoke to Oh Mercy man Alex Gow about his involvement in the show, and what we can expect on the night (aside from free peanut butter and jam sandwiches upon arrival).

Of the other performers, who are you most excited to see pay homage to Elvis on the night? Rob Snarski of The Blackeyed Susans. He’s a master.

What’s your favourite Elvis song? It’s called Let Yourself Go.

Tell us something we don’t yet know about the gig. The band are top notch, the singers are some of Melbourne’s best. It’s going to be a lot of fun.

What was it that made the King of Rock’N’Roll so unparalleled? Nan enjoys telling me that if it wasn’t for Elvis and Love Me Tender, “your father wouldn’t have been born!”

Do you have anything special planned for your section of the evening? A quiﬀ. Aside from the obvious Yah Yah’s, what other venues do you think Elvis would populate in modern-day Melbourne? LuWoW on Johnston Street. Or wherever the girls are. Can we expect any blue suede shoes or golden suits adorning your body on the night? I might don a pair of leather pants. Always wanted an excuse...

The Elvis Presley Tribute: 35th Anniversary Show will be held on Thursday August 16 at Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. Tickets are available from Oztix.com.au, or through Yah Yah’s site which also contains a full list of performers: yahyahs.com.au.

PONCHO PARTY Internet entertainment gurus Poncho have announced that they will be throwing a party, “to discover what life will be like in the mysterious future of 2013.” Musical guests will be New Zealand’s “hyper-charismatic one man disco” Pikachunes, Client Liaison, a DJ set from King Gizzard (of and the Lizard Wizard fame), Smoking Toddlers and I Oh You DJs – all acts that Poncho think will be grabbing 2013 by the balls. Poncho Twenty Thirteen Party will be at the Mercat Basement on Friday August 17. Tickets are $10 and available from Moshtix.

PEARLS Bar Open favourites Pearls return to play a show with Tax, Repairs and Exhaustion. Pearls deliver a forceful melancholy that captures the contradictions of what it feels like to love and be loved over the top of howling organ drones and screaming guitars. Second support comes from Tax (featuring members of Lakes, Mum Smokes and Collapsed Toilet Vietnam) with scream-esque Alan Vega lovin' repairs. Opening the night are freshies Exhaustion who make Antipodean-harshpub-psyche and boast members of Deaf Wish, Ooga Boogas and Keith Yards. Sounds sick right? Head down to Bar Open on Thursday August 16 at 9pm, entry is free. Beat Magazine Page 14

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THE BIGGEST IN INTERNATIONAL & NATIONAL NEWS John Butler Trio

LANIE LANE Having recently completed her sold-out national tour and supported her friend Jack White on his Splendour sideshows, Lanie Lane brings her solo regional tour to the Westernport Hotel in San Remo this Saturday August 11.

ALL THE YOUNG Morrissey-approved Britpop outﬁt All The Young have announced an Australian tour, heading around the country with three Victorian dates in a shared bill with Melbourne’s own King Canons. Formed as a creative outlet for monotonous life in their bleak industrial hometown Stoke on Trent, England, they’ve since charmed audiences along with fellow Britpop comrades Kaiser Chiefs and The Wombats. Their debut album Welcome Home, a series of blazing guitar tracks, is a feat of escapism which has proven eﬀective for the fourpiece. Catch them at The Loft in Warrnambool on Wednesday August 29, The Bended Elbow in Geelong on Friday August 31 and at The Corner on Saturday September 1. Tickets from oztix.com.

PONY FACE Melbourne trio Pony Face are ﬁnally announcing the release of their second album Hypnotised. Described as “a sonic kaleidoscope encompassing sweeping guitars, deep roomy drums, bass lines moulded from rock bottom and textural layers,” Hypnotised was produced by Casey Rice, who has worked with such acts as Dirty Three, Tortoise and Liz Phair. Before heading oﬀ around the country, Pony Face will be launching their new album in Melbourne at the Northcote Social Club on Friday September 7. Tickets are $15 and are on sale now from the Northcote Social Club website. Special guests are still yet to be announced.

PEATS RIDGE Peats Ridge Sustainable Arts & Music Festival have announced who will be performing at their 2012 event, already touting it as their “most electrifying line up yet.” What has been the festival’s most requested band, headlining the whole New Years shebang is John Butler Trio, as well as Sharon Jones joined by her everfaithful Dap Kings. Also announced to be performing is New Zealand’s The Black Seeds, UK rock pop due Blood Red Shoes, Kaki King, The Herd, Gossling, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, 65daysofstatic, some tunes spun by Friendly Fires DJs and “one man orchestra from France” Chapelier Fou. However, it’s not just bands at Peats Ridge, as there will be various showcases of art installations and many unusual venues housing theatre, dance, cabaret, comedy and circus performances. Peats Ridge runs from December 29 ‘til January 1, 2013 in Glenworth Valley, New South Wales. Tickets for the festival go on sale to the general public at 10am on Monday August 20. For all festival and ticketing information, head to the Peats Ridge website.

GIN WIGMORE Gin Wigmore returns to our shores, kicking oﬀ her full band tour in Sydney on Saturday August 24, in support of her brand new album, Gravel & Wine. Wigmore spent months traveling alone through the deep south of the United States, immersing herself in the musical religion of the blues, then heading to the Paciﬁc Coast to write and record Gravel & Wine with noted producer Butch Walker (Weezer, Pink, Panic! At the Disco, Katy Perry, Hot Hot Heat, etc). Her new found swagger and stage prowess will take you on a slightly darker musical journey this time round, she will lift you up and tear into your soul with her lyricism, all the while having you foot stomping and hand clapping in a haze of ballsy bliss. Wigmore will be performing a number of Australian shows including a Victorian appearance at the Northcote Social Club on Friday August 21, for tickets go to northcotesocialclub.com.

SPLIT SECONDS With a new single Top Floor in tow, Perth band Split Seconds are set to launch their debut at Ding Dong. Though now based in Melbourne, while living in London frontman Sean Pollard based the single heavily on distant observations of life in his Perth hometown. The all-singing quintet’s catchy pop sound speaks of tidied lawns and urban landscapes. The Triple J staples will release their debut album You’ll Turn Into Me on August 10. Catch them at Ding Dong on Saturday September 8.

EL GRAN COMBO For the ﬁrst time in their ﬁfty-year history, Puerto Rico’s most internationally successful salsa orchestra, the legendary El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, visits Australia as part of their mammoth 50-concert global golden jubilee tour. With over 40 albums and 2 Latin Grammys under their belt, El Gran Combo have sold over 150 million records worldwide; hold the record for the most No.1 Latin hits across the Latin Music Charts; continue to play the world’s most prestigious venues in around 200 concerts in 45 countries yearly, from Madison Square Garden to stadiums holding 30,000 fans and, over the last decade, four of their albums went to No. 1 on the Billboard Tropical Album Chart. They are coming to our shores for three shows, and you can see them in Melbourne on Wednesday September 26 at the Palace Theatre. CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU

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TOURING

WHO'S ON TOUR, WHERE AND WHEN

PROUDLY PRESENTS:

For all the latest touring news check out beat.com.au

INTERNATIONAL JINJA SAFARI, OPOSSOM, WHITE ARROWS The Hi-Fi August 10 BILLY TALENT Billboard August 12 KING SALAMI AND THE CUMBERLAND THREE The LuWow August 17 ZOOBOMBS The Espy August 18 GIN WIGMORE Northcote Social Club August 21 OBITS Northcote Social Club August 24 1927, THE REMBRANDTS The Palms At Crown August 24 BOB LOG III The Tote August 24 HAYES CARLL Northcote Social Club August 25 SLASH Hisense Arena August 26 PENNYWISE The Palace August 26 PITBULL Rod Laver Arena August 27 THE ENGLISH BEAT The Corner Hotel August 30 JOSE FELICIANO Palais Theatre August 31 THE BEACH BOYS Rod Laver Arena August 31 ALL THE YOUNG, KING CANNONS The Corner September 1 APOCALYPTICA The Hi-Fi September 1 MARIA MINERVA The Toﬀ In Town on September 1 AMERICA Hamer Hall September 6 SHIHAD The Hi-Fi September 6 THE BRAND NEW HEAVIES Trak Lounge Bar September 7 PATRICK WOLF Forum Theatre September 11 EARTH The Toﬀ In Town September 12, The Corner Hotel September 16 INGRID MICHAELSON The Corner Hotel September 13 JONATHAN WILSON The Corner Hotel September 14 HANSON The Palace September 14, 18 THE RUBENS The Forum Theatre September 15 RUFUS WAINWRIGHT Hamer Hall September 15 NEWTON FAULKNER The Corner Hotel September 18 FUTURE ISLANDS Northcote Social Club September 19 WHEATUS The Corner Hotel September 19 YELLOWCARD The Hi-Fi September 20, 21 GOOD CHARLOTTE Festival Hall September 20 NADA SURF The Corner Hotel September 21 MACY GRAY Hamer Hall September 23 MARIANAS TRENCH Corner Hotel September 24 LADY ANTEBELLUM September 25, 26 EL GRAN COMBO The Palace Theatre September 26 JAMES MORRISON Forum Theatre September 26 MYSTERY JETS The Corner September 26 SCISSOR SISTERS Hamer Hall September 26 MARTIKA Trak Lounge September 28

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FEAR FACTORY The Hi-Fi September 28 RUSSIAN CIRCLES, EAGLE TWIN The Corner Hotel September 28 TIM & ERIC The Forum September 29, 30 SNOW PATROL Regent Theatre September 30 KELLY CLARKSON Rod Laver Arena October 1 STEVE MALKMUS & THE JICKS The Corner Hotel October 3 CANNIBAL CORPSE Billboard October 5 PARKLIFE Sidney Myer Music Bowl October 6 NICKI MINAJ, TYGA Rod Laver Arena December 5 STEEL PANTHER Festival Hall October 7 XIU XIU The Gasometer October 9 JOE BONAMASSA Palais Theatre October 11 MELBOURNE FESTIVAL Various Venues October 11 - October 27 MAROON 5 Rod Laver Arena October 12 EVERCLEAR The Hi-Fi October 13 TORTOISE, GRAILS The Corner Hotel October 13 GOMEZ The Corner Hotel October 21, 22 MUMFORD & SONS Rod Laver Arena October 25 SMASH MOUTH The Palace October 25 SUNN O))) AND PELICAN The Hi-Fi October 26, The Corner Hotel October 27 WEDNESDAY 13 The Espy October 27 THE BLACK KEYS Sidney Myer Music Bowl October 31, November 1 GREGORY PORTER The Toﬀ In Town November 3, Wangaratta Jazz Festival November 4 THE CHERRY POPPIN’ DADDIES Corner Hotel November 5 BEN HARPER The Plenary November 10 HARVEST FESTIVAL Werribee Mansion November 11 COLDPLAY Etihad Stadium November 13 RON POPE Chapel Oﬀ Chapel November 15 RADIOHEAD Rod Laver Arena November 16, 17 GEORGE MICHAEL Rod Laver Arena November 21 VILLAGE PEOPLE The Palais November 24 NICKELBACK Rod Laver Arena November 27 SIMPLE MINDS, DEVO Palais Theatre November 29, A Day On The Green - Rochford Wines December 1 RICK ASTLEY The Palace November 30, Chelsea Heights Hotel December 1 THE SELECTER The Corner Hotel November 30 MEREDITH MUSIC FESTIVAL Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre December 7 - 9 REGINA SPEKTOR The Plenary December 14 FALLS MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL Lorne December 28, Marion Bay December 29

LAST DINOSAURS Ding Dong October 21 (U18), The Corner October 26 PEATS RIDGE Glenworth Valley December 28 - January 1 NIGHTWISH Palace Theatre January 14 WEEZER Sidney Myer Music Bowl January 16 BIG DAY OUT Flemington Racecourse January 26

NATIONAL GLASS VAULTS Grace Darling Hotel August 9 RICHARD IN YOUR MIND Ding Dong Lounge August 10 TOUCAN Northcote Social Club August 10 CHILDREN COLLIDE The Corner Hotel August 10, 11 CALLING ALL CARS Ding Dong Lounge August 11 NEW WAR Northcote Social Club August 11 THE SMALLGOODS The Toﬀ in Town August 11 THE LAURELS The Tote August 11 THE JUNGLE GIANTS Northcote Social Club August 12 KATE MILLER-HEIDKE The Corner Hotel August 14, 15, 16 JORDIE LANE Regal Ballroom August 17 SNAKADAKTAL The Corner Hotel August 17, 18 BLUEJUICE Monash University Gippsland August 16, Deakin University Melbourne August 17, 18 LAURA The Tote August 18 SOMETHING FOR KATE Northcote Social Club August 21 THE SMITH STREET BAND The Tote August 25 DIE! DIE! DIE! Ding Dong Lounge August 25 HILLTOP HOODS Festival Hall August 25 HUNTING GROUNDS The Toﬀ In Town August 25 SEEKAE The Corner August 29, 31 LOON LAKE Ding Dong Lounge August 31, Northcote Social Club September 1 JULIA STONE The Forum September 7 TIM HART The Workers Club September 7 BOY IN A BOX, KINGSWOOD Ding Dong Lounge September 7 CHET FAKER Revolt Artspace September 7, 8 ILLY The Corner Hotel September 7, 8

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ALPINE The Corner Hotel September 8 THE GANGSTERS’ BALL Forum Theatre September 8) THE SMART The Hi-Fi September 8 XAVIER RUDD The Palace September 13 TIM ROGERS The Regal Ballroom September 14 DONNY BENET The Workers Club September 14 THE MEDICS The Toﬀ In Town September 15 KATCHAFIRE Ferntree Gully Hotel September 20, The Forum Theatre September 21 MIA DYSON The Corner Hotel September 22 POND The Corner Hotel September 23 SIX60 The Forum September 28 SETH SENTRY The Corner September 29 THE AMITY AFFLICTION Palace Theatre October 4, 5 REGURGITATOR The Hi-Fi October 11, 12 ROCKWIZ Festival Hall October 12, 13 OH MERCY The Hi-Fi October 25 LAST DINOSAURS Ding Dong October 21 (U18), The Corner October 26 CLAIRE BOWDICH The Regal Ballroom October 26 KASEY CHAMBERS & SHANE NICHOLSON The Regent Theatre October 27 TZU The Hi-Fi November 5 ANGUS STONE The Palace November 21 QUEENSCLIFF MUSIC FESTIVAL Queenscliﬀ November 23-25 MISSY HIGGINS Palais Theatre December 4 GOTYE Sidney Myer Music Bowl December 8 THE LIVING END The Corner Hotel December 11 - 22 PYRAMID ROCK FESTIVAL Phillip Island December 29 - Jan 1

RUMOURS Twins sequel, Triplets, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny DeVito and Eddie Murphy. = New Announcements = Beat Proudly Presents

ARTISTS INCLUDE: SEUN KUTI AND EGYPT 80 (NIGERIA) THE BAMBOOS ARCHIE ROACH’S INTO THE BLOODSTREAM THE ABYSSINIANS (JAMAICA) JORDIE LANE THE BART WILLOUGHBY BAND THE BOMBAY ROYALE OKA IRATION STEPPAS (UK) HOUSE OF SHEM (NZ) CHARLIE PARR (USA) THE MEDICS HUGO MENDEZ - SOFRITO (UK) KUTCHA EDWARDS LADI6 (NZ) ELECTRIC EMPIRE JUMPS SIETTA SOPHIE KOH EDOU (NEW CALEDONIA) KINGFISHA EAST JOURNEY IVA LAMKUM (NZ) WATUSSI SASKWATCH TEK TEK ENSEMBLE BACHU KHAN (INDIA) SUE RAY THE GOOD SHIP MADRE MONTE PLUS MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON WEEKEND DELEGATE PASSES NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE

WEEKEND PASS ENABLES ACCESS TO ALL CONCERTS, FILM PROGRAM, WORKSHOPS & CONFERENCE SESSIONS

THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN ASSISTED BY THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE AUSTRALIA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS, ITS ARTS FUNDING AND ADVISORY BODY, AND THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT THROUGH ARTS VICTORIA.

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Beat Magazine Page 17

Photo & cover photo by Ben Clement

ALPINE BY BELLA ARNOTT-HOARE

In the baptism of Alpine’s debut A Is For Alpine, titled like a rudimentary lesson, the sextet’s first full-length release acts as an introduction. Their whimsical melodies and almost childlike enunciation, in high falsettos, speaks of an innocence of formative years. But they’ve existed since 2009 and having now earned solid critique, record company approval and spots supporting some of the country’s biggest acts, this record can only represent their coming of age – asserting their musical matriculation and finding a niche. Since the jagged, haunting pop tune Villages was picked up by triple j and put on regular rotation, Alpine emerged as a band to watch, starting with their Zurich EP and recruited, in the process, to Sydneybased label Ivy League Records, home of acts like Lanie Lane, Catcall and Cloud Control. Now they’re poised to unveil a polished collection. Talking about its release, co-front women Phoebe Baker and Lou James are perched beside one another at the end of the table as exact contraries – Lou’s black, mechanical bob and sleek eye makeup starkly contrasting Phoebe’s strawberry blonde tresses and outspoken floral collar. It’s the start of a long day of interviews that will soon turn into photo shoots, as thus is the life of a now-professional band. But they’re continuing to learn the ropes. “I think when we got signed in ‘09 it felt like yesterday,” Lou considers. “It’s the middle of 2012 and I don’t understand where the time’s gone. Which is scaring me because we’ve done so much, when I do sit back and look back I’m like ‘holy bananas.’ We’ve written an album, and we went to Austin, and we’re sitting here doing an interview for the album – it’s crazy.” One of their toughest tests as a band was surviving SXSW. The Texan city welcomed the band but after transitory hell and an unfortunate time-difference they were thrust onstage with much less preparation than they would’ve preferred. “The first day we played everything screwed up for us,” Lou continues. “We didn’t end up getting into Austin until about 3am their time. It took us 30 hours or more when it was supposed to take about 15 to get to Austin. We got in and the first morning it was 10am in this expensive jazz bar. I was really tired and we had to play so we got the glitter and face-makeup and I was like, this is ridiculous for 10am. I look like a trannie. But everyone was so pumped.” Phoebe agrees that it was one of their biggest challenges as a band – but one that ultimately paid off. “It was really lovely to have such a friendly vibe and I think that came out in the shows – we were just ecstatic. We couldn’t stop smiling and being exhausted at the same time. And wanting Mexican food. By the end of it we were shattered.” And, as any rightful inbetweener does, they proved their experience with ink. “We got tattooed to show. Me and [Tim Royall] both got thumb ones.” For a band on the cusp, there may always be a moment the rest of the world is forced to take notice. Alpine’s could’ve been last November with the release of their film clip for Hands. With visuals of writhing, half-naked teens involved in pseudo-sexual activities, it certainly demonstrated their willingness to hazard a guess. Whether or not they were pleased with the final result, the piece by Lucy Schroeder illustrated their precarious status as a band in loose metaphoriBeat Magazine Page 18

cal terms. “It’s that stage between innocence and sexuality where it’s sensual, it’s awkward, it’s sexual. And having all those girls in quite a conﬁned space is quite confronting. It is a full on clip. But I like that it does make people talk, it does stick in your mind,” says Lou.

“IT’S LETTING OUT WHAT YOU DON’T LET OUT NORMALLY. I JUST WANT THE AUDIENCE TO FEEL LIKE THEY CAN BE INSPIRED, OR NOT FEEL NERVOUS.” “And it’s not necessarily exactly about the content of the lyric, which is kind of an acceptance of your emotions,” Phoebe continues, “but it could be in a way an acceptance of your newfound sexuality. It’s funny – all our videos, Heartlove, Villages, we let the directors explore what they want to explore and just go along for the ride. You get the treatment on paper and it’s nothing like how it comes out on the other end. But it was where we were at the time.” Nominated for the SoundKilda award for music videos and having reached an impressive number of YouTube hits though, it may be one of their defining moments – whether or not they agree. “Hands was a risk,” says Lou. “When I first saw it I thought it was full on, but you’ve gotta take risks as a band, and in life. Even my dad hasn’t seen it. But people do talk about it because it’s memorable, hopefully.” They’ve come a long way, evidently, from the high school friendships that have blossomed into band revelry. Teen friends Lou and Phoebe met Christian as a guitar teacher at their school. “After school Phoebe and Christian started writing music together and then they ended up writing Tough Skin and Too Safe, which blew my mind when I first heard [them],” says Lou. Phoebe continues to describe their formative experiences. “Then we thought, Lou can sing, let’s get Lou on board. And Phil can drum, let’s get Phil on board. And then Ryan we met backpacking at Cherry Bar. We were like oh, nice T-shirt. Let’s hang out.” After Tim and Lou met at university they all found themselves in the same group of friends, discovering that Tim played keys and Ryan played bass. “Although he lied and said he had a bass when he didn’t,” Phoebe interjects. “So cheeky!”

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And in a feat of providence they went on to play their first ever gig at Hamer Hall for a design conference, assembled quickly as they’d never performed together as a band. The seeds of Alpine were thus sowed. “I think it’s this crazy premonition for us, the fact that we ended up playing, we’ve been shoved in at the deep end from the beginning. Playing at Hamer Hall, we got really spoiled for our first official gig,” says Lou. Since then, the band’s sound and stage presence have been under construction; a kind of work in progress. With the creative input of six band members, including ex-punk performers Christian and Phil, their foothold has been asserted in part through compromise, and for the girls it’s been beside one another with the support of a best friend that’s helped ease out their stage personas. “We go way back so I think that’s really awesome, as two front co-lead chicks having your best friend on stage,” says Lou. Dressed in glittering onesies the girls command attention at centre stage, though the full musical complement is what makes the performance compelling – and which has seen their star rise rapidly. Their onstage performance is inspired by a number of their musical icons. “I’ve grown up with Roxy Music as a really cool band for me,” says Lou. “My dad loved them and I absolutely adore them, and I love the sort of theatrics of it. Whether or not it suits the music we don’t know. But it’s something we love and we want to kind of use – put it into our own stage presence.” For Phoebe performance is about exploring unexpected oddities, providing entertainment with the same experimental force as her idol, androgynous Jamaican diva Grace Jones. “We want to put on a good show and for the audience to have fun, like when I watch Grace Jones. Seeing her hula-hooping for a whole show with a glass of wine and a straw in a G-string. It’s letting out what you don’t let out normally. I just want the audience to feel like they can be inspired, or not feel nervous.” This kind of expression, considers Lou, has its own admonishing honesty. “The reason we go crazy on stage is when you’re kind of a dag you can do what you want. You don’t really care. That’s the same theory behind the performance, we’re just expressing our personalities.” But according to Phoebe it’s something they’ve had to work on. “We’re finding our feet, so we’re exploring being onstage and matching it with the music, or exploring the music.” All together they’re hard to pin down, ambiguous musically and visually. Whether intentionally or not they’ve rarely been considered an ‘Australian’ style band by critics, noted to have a European sound. Their Nordic fascination is obvious in a titular sense, but what about the music they produce? “A lot of people do say our music is European sounding which is funny because we didn’t set out like that, it just kind of happened,” says Phoebe. “But then when I think about the name Alpine I associate it with hiking and that fresh beautiful feeling when you’re up there and that’s what I want to put into the music.” “I can hear very Swedish bands like The Knife or Niki And The Dove and even Grimes,” says Lou, “but I think it’s the interesting way things are phrased. It stands out and it doesn’t sound very Australian and maybe that’s a little refreshing.” A Is For Alpine is out on Friday August 10. ALPINE launch the album at a series of Victorian shows – The Loft in Warrnambool on Wednesday September 5, Karova Lounge in Ballarat on Thursday September 6, The Corner Hotel on Saturday September 8 and The Bended Elbow in Geelong on Thursday September 13.

CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU

Beat Magazine Page 19

THIS WEEK: ON SCREEN West Side Shorts, presented by Angry Productions, is a monthly film night held in the western suburbs of Melbourne at the Customs House Hotel in Williamstown. Held on every second Tuesday of the month, the film nights are a chance to see shorts by local filmmakers. After the films are finished make sure to stick around for a couple of beers or two and talk shop with fellow filmmakers and actors. The next West Side Shorts is on Tuesday August 14 at the Customs House Hotel in Williamstown. Only $5 entry and doors open at 7.30pm.

ON STAGE

The story of Oedipus is one about fate, and how as much as we try and intervene it will catch up with us and set the record straight, for better or worse, in the end. However, On The Misconception Of Oedipus looks at Jocasta and Laius, the parents who birthed a child that would “bring about their downfall, and in so doing brought into the world more than a man - they created a myth.” On The Misconception Of Oedipus is a play which looks at the ancient play in a way seldom done before. Beginning this Friday August 10, catch On The Misconception Of Oedipus at the Malthouse Theatre.

ON DISPLAY This year celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Melbourne Zoo, and to share the festivities with the city, an installation of 50 ﬁbreglass ‘Mali’ elephants will be on display around the CBD. Each elephant sculpture will be designed and decorated by a variety of artists including Graeme Base, David Bromley and Mirka Mora as well as a range of community artists all with the ambition to turn our city’s streets, parks, neighbourhoods and public spaces into an “open air, free to view, visual cacophony of colourful stories, art and creativity.” Look out for Mali and her pals around the city from this Friday August 10.

BEAT’S PICK OF THE WEEK: 18 days is a long stretch. More than two weeks! It’s a long time between drinks, as Melbourne International Film Festival explain it, and so instead of having one big party to open the festival, and then having to wait so long till the goodbye party at the end, MIFF have decided to have another cinema-happy gathering smackbang in the middle, their Centrepiece Gala! This mid-way gala involves a special screening of the fantastic new ﬁlm Save Your Legs! followed by an exclusive after party with stars Brendan Cowell and Stephen Curry in the Festival Lounge. This is all happening at the Greater Union Cinema on Saturday August 11.

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STAR******S BY SIOBHAN ARGENT

Malcolm Whittaker, creator of Star******s, is in Reykjavik right now. His show about relationship breakdown, papier-mache and revealing too much to a live audience has him pumped, but right now it seems he’d be better off sleeping. He hasn’t even had a chance to check the weather outside. “I’m still in bed,” he says, but that’s fair – it’s 9am over there. “I toured a show, and now that’s finished, so now I’m just travelling on a bit of a whim, and that whim brought me to Iceland because I thought it would instill some adventure in me.” Throughout the interview, his speech is peppered with vaguely hidden yawns. Star******s, Whittaker’s latest show, is a performance installation that documents ten years of a relationship. Malcolm and his partner Laura Caesar read out diary entries that document their ups and downs, then use each page to create papiermache people. As you may have noticed, papier-mache relationship construction is not what most people do for a living. But how the heck do you define a guy who has done everything from a writing project about spoiling film endings (He Did It!), to a fitness test of speculative creatures (The Beep Test Of Imaginary Beings), to answering questions about a film that doesn’t exist in front of a live audience pretending to be a press pack (This Is It)? He seems at a loss himself. “I usually just say ‘artist’, but sometimes I facetiously say entrepreneur…whether [it] be a performance or an exhibition or a writing project or whatever’s right for the idea is the form [my] works take.” And his works – however they are structured – enjoy a certain degree of playfulness. In the case of Star******s, Whittaker quickly discovered that councils will pretty

much always nix the idea of using ‘fuck’ in a show title. “We originally called [the show] Starfuckers,” he says, “but when we did it before it was through a council-run theatre in Wollongong just south of Sydney. For reasons being associated with the council, they couldn’t bill a show like that. The same with Arts House being associated with the City of Melbourne, it couldn’t have a profanity in the title of works that were going to be splashed around. But then I thought it looked like a more interesting title this way anyway, this ambiguity of what it might mean.” Star******s is performed in collaboration with his long-time partner Laura Caesar, who is described on advertising as a ‘primary school teacher and arts and crafts enthusiast.’ (You’d want to be, with all the papier-mache.) She is not a performer by trade and shows a certain amount of gumption agreeing to perform a four-hour show about her relationship, with the performer standing right next to her. Revealing intimate details of your shared history can’t always be that easy. “I’m quite easy going. Laura…” here, he draws in his breath, “…not so much. There’s been a bit of bickering about that. We did a bit of a presentation of it at Wollongong. We hadn’t read any of our diary entries to each other before; we just read them out that opening night. So I got a bit of a telling oﬀ for the details from that night!” Audience members may come and go as they please

“THE SIMPLE STRUCTURE IS TO READ OUT THE DIARY ENTRIES. THEY WERE ALL LARGELY WRITTEN RETROSPECTIVELY, BECAUSE WE DIDN’T KEEP DIARIES TEN YEARS AGO. WE STARTED IT ABOUT TWO OR THREE YEARS AGO”

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while Laura and Malcolm rehash the past. And while four hours seems an unusual length for a show, Whittaker seems quite optimistic in general regarding audience participation, or their investment in one of his projects. Through his collaboration with collective art group Team MESS, for example, he performed This Is It. “We threw to the audience to ask questions on a film we haven’t made and the film sort of takes shape [with the audience] asking questions as if they’re in a press conference.” He says. “We got a local film critic to host the event to give it a little more authenticity and as soon as he turned to the audience…normally there’s a bit of a pause, but everyone just dived straight in.” Star******s is not quite as demanding of an audience. In fact, it seems as though it will be more of an introspective and retrospective excursion into someone else’s relationship more than anything. Whittaker admits that this type of show does have some unexpected drawbacks. “Laura and I have been together for quite some time. I think every now and again we touch on…” here, he struggles for the right words, “…previous goings on.” He can’t help but chuckle here. “The simple structure is to read out the diary entries. They were all largely written retrospectively, because we didn’t keep diaries ten years ago. We started it about two or three years ago, but then we also had some long chats about good times and bad from before that. We just wrote a big long list of memorable events that we could remember, banal events as well, and wrote down our own personal perspectives and our thoughts and feelings based on those occasions and those times. [It’s] just straight up personable storytelling for people with both short and long attention spans.” Star******s may be about the ups and downs of relationships, but it’s certainly no thorn in Whittaker’s side. “It’s like I’m living the dream at the moment, but the dream has become proper work. But that’s OK, it’s all I ever wanted.”

Star******s will run at the Arts House from Thursday September 6 – Saturday September 8. See artshouse.com.au for more information and bookings.

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Nikki Toole Daniel Whitechurch and Laura McKellar, Fitzroy, Melbourne, Australia (detail) 2009 inkjet print Reproduced courtesy of the artist

Skater—

portraits by Nikki Toole until 9 September Since July 2009 Nikki Toole has been making photographic portraits of skateboarders around the world. Her subjects are photographed in the spaces they inhabit, captured in still frontal pose against the textured backdrop of the urban environment. National Portrait Gallery and Geelong Gallery touring exhibition

Geelong Gallery Little Malop Street Geelong 3220 T +61 3 5229 3645

Free entry

Exhibition partner

Open daily 10am – 5pm Guided tours of the permanent collection Saturday from 2pm

geelonggallery.org.au

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Beat Magazine Page 21

THE COMIC STRIP CHECKPOINT CHARLIE

With Tyson Wray. Got news, gossip, reviews, thoughts, tip-oﬀs, complaints, hate mail? Email tyson@beat.com.au or send by ESP before Friday.

THE KITCHEN SINK It’s something that we can all relate to – family life and pipe dreams. But rather than being engrossed in our own ways, we might as well spend some time hearing about it through performance. Red Stitch is getting ready to present the Australian premiere of Tom Wells’ The Kitchen Sink, a touching comedy about the aforementioned. And for one family in the faded Yorkshire seaside resort of Withernsea, not all is going to plan. As it follows its characters throughout a year, The Kitchen Sink explores people’s capacity to change in small and unforeseen ways, and you can follow them too. The Kitchen Sink will head to Red Stitch from August 31 – September 22.

RED STITCH AUDITIONS If you can act (or think you can act), then this might just tickle your fancy. Red Stitch is putting the call out for submissions from dedicated professional actors of all backgrounds and demographics. In the last ten years, Red Stitch has established itself as one of Melbourne’s leading independent theatre companies by virtue of its sheer work ethic and critically acclaimed productions. Run by actors for actors, they’re now looking for people to join their already great force. If you’re interested in the opportunity to join such a dynamic team, email your CV, headshot and any relevant links to casting@redstitch.net. But hurry, ‘cause you’ve only got ‘til Saturday August 18.

The folks at ACMI continue to pay homage to the small screen with their Live In The Studio program. Dissecting, highlighting and relishing all things made for TV, this monthly series is back with its next installment, Boxcutters: When TV Goes Wrong. Later this month, The Boxcutters’ Josh Kinal and John Richards will return to Studio One to delve into the archives and address the diﬀerent ways that TV shows can go wrong – and the ingenious ways in which some have been able to turn potential bumps into ratings gold. When TV Goes Wrong will head to ACMI’s Studio 1 on Thursday August 30. Tickets available from acmi.net.au.

The Reel Anime festival is almost here, showcasing four of the freshest anime feature ﬁlms this side of Japan. The exhibition will bring the spectacle of Japanese animation back to the big screen, providing hard core fans, cinephiles and casual crowds alike the rare opportunity to relish the eye-popping action, masterful storytelling and moving moments that anime has to oﬀer. Plus those amazing graphics. Running from September 13-26, Reel Anime will be screened at Cinema Nova. Head to reelanime.com for more information.

Much like graffiti, the art of tattooing is seen as many different things by many different people. But to a lot of us, it is seen as one of the greatest art forms, and one to be celebrated. Good thing the folks at the NGV feel the same way. In collaboration with Craft, the gallery will bring us Tatau – an exhibition examining the history of permanent skin marking with a focus on Pacific Island culture, featuring live tattooing by three international and Australian tattoo artists. If you’re feeling up to it, you can be one of the many participants of the live tattooing too. Nothing like a great story behind some ink. Tatau is currently showing at NGV Studio.

FIGHT THE LANDLORD In a cross-continental collaboration, Ireland’s Pan Pan Theatre and Beijing Square Moon Culture Company are getting prepared to bring Sun Yue’s contemporary Chinese play Fight the Landlord to our shores. Wryly humorous and fast-paced, three women dressed in panda suits lament the banality of their lives while playing the card game Dòu Dìzh, or ‘Fight the Landlord’. The whole purpose of the performance? To test the boundaries of relationships and sanity with wicked humour and bittersweet sentiment. Performed by Bai Shuo, Wang Jinglei and writer Sun Yue, Fight the Landlord will make its way to The Arts Centre from August 30 – September 1. Head to artscentremelbourne.com.au for more information.

NO RESERVE ART AUCTION If you’re a fan of art and buying things, then this is just the thing for you. For one night only, each and every piece of artwork from Footscray Community Arts Centre’s Basement will be going up for sale, and much like the title emphasises – no reserves. It’s all about spontaneity, people. So if you’re keen, head to the Basement of Footscray Community Centre between 6.30pm – 8pm on Thursday August 23. It’s free entry so pop in for a drink, a nibble and support your local artists.

MEDIA TALKS If you’re interested in a media career, than look no further. Faustina (or Fuzzy as many would know her) is running an event for those interested in a career within media, but she’s not at this alone. Faustina will be joined by the likes of ABC journo Auskar Surbakti, feature writer for the Herald Sun, Megan Miller, and more. Deﬁned by Faustina herself as “a love project:, the event is free, and aimed at those predominantly in the 16-24 years age bracket. So if the above criteria applies to you, register for free online at faustinaagolley.com/mediatalks. Rokeby Studios will host Media Talks on Thursday August 30 at 6pm.

INK DOTS BLACK SPOTS There’s nothing that we love more than doing something for a great cause. In its inaugural year, Ink Dots Black Spots was born from the idea to share artwork from numerous artists to their fans and the public whilst contributing to those who support the ﬁght against cancer. Better yet, each sale will add to their total donation goal for Cancer Council Victoria. Including 50 artists, 15 studios and 62 artworks, Ink Dots Black Spots will launch on August 16 at The Vic Bar and will live there until September 16. Anything for a great cause and some exceptional artwork.

Beat Magazine Page 22

It’s only right that we celebrate those that are worth celebrating. Spanning a career of almost thirty years, Valerio Ciccone is an artist of complexity and subtlety and this major survey exhibition is a testament to the varied terrain he’s covered on his rich artistic journey. His latest exhibition, Peripheral Observer, is a major survey, his work reﬂecting his fascination with the world around him. Using drawing as his primary mode of expression, Ciccone and his artworks will come together in Peripheral Observer at Arts Project Australia from September 8 – October 16.

WHEN TV GOES WRONG

REEL ANIME

TATAU

VALERIO CICCONE

THE AUSTRALIAN BALLET The Australian Ballet is getting ready to celebrate its origins with a season of pivotal ballets from its formative years. Icons will showcase a triple bill of works commissioned over three decades: Robert Helpmann’s The Display, Glen Tetley’s Gemini and Graeme Murphy’s Beyond Twelve. Each of these works marked a turning point in The Australian Ballet’s history, and they’re now getting ready to be rediscovered by new audiences in the same light as the company celebrates its 50th anniversary season. Icons will head to the State Theatre from August 30 – September 8 for 11 performances. To book, head to australianballet.com.au.

THE STORY OF FILM As part of its insanely good First Look program, our good friends at ACMI are getting set to present The Story Of Film. From director, film critic and filmmaker Mark Cousins, The Story Of Film is the visual manifestation of his best-selling book by the same title. Fifteen hours, six continents, interviews with cinema greats and translated into ten different languages, this documentary has been created with an individual voice aiming to cover the art form in its entirety. ACMI’s First Look will host The Story Of Film from September 27 – November 11. Get down there and check it while you can.

FREEWAY After a sell-out triumph rocking the Sydney Opera House, Tim Draxl will make his keenly awaited return to the Melbourne stage in the acclaimed musical play, Freeway – The Chet Baker Journey. Conceived and written by Bryce Hallett and Tim Draxl, the intimate show intersperses fragments of Chet Baker’s radiant career and selfdestructive life amid his sparkling musical jewels, “the blue diamonds of jazz” that spoke of destiny, heartache, despair and love. Jam-packed with poignant ballads and classic songs including My Funny Valentine and Let’s Get Lost, Freeway – The Chet Baker Journey will head to Arts Centre’s Fairfax Studio from October 16-20.

AN ACT OF NOW As part of the Melbourne Festival, Chunky Move will present the world premiere of An Act of Now, the highly anticipated debut work under new Artistic Director Anouk van Dijk. Exploring proximity, isolation and humankind’s ability to coexist, An Act of Now is presented in a smoke filled glasshouse, and in a moment of precise, dynamic movement, the veil of smoke is broken and eight dancers fill the space, drawn to, yet confined by its boundaries. We can’t do it enough justice, so check out what all the hype is about as An Act of Now heads to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl from October 17-27.

LOL COMEDY We’ve picked the perfect trifecta tonight at The Portland Hotel with Tom Gleeson, Bob Franklin and Mick Neven hitting the stage. Let’s not forget to mention the amazing Peter Helliar will be headlining at The Hawthorn Hotel this Thursday too. Tuesday at The Local Port Melbourne we’re going to see Tommy Dasallo pay a visit along with Bob Franklin who can’t get enough of the LOL comedy rooms! All shows at 7:30pm. Ticket from $10, or treat yourself to dinner, drink and show package for only $35. Online bookings available or tickets at the door.

SUPER COMEDY CRAZY SHOW This Sunday gather everyone you’ve ever loved and bring them along to the Super Comedy Crazy Show, where mega host Matt Burton and super sound lord Silent Jay will transport you to another realm where stand up comedy meets a Japanese Game Show, takes it to the rail road and rides it all the way to heaven. Featuring stand up from Dave Thornton, Luke McGregor, Karl Chandler, Karl Woodberry and Daniello Connello, this show will also include many prizes, special guests and a super crazy collision course. The greatness will begin at 7.30pm on Sunday August 12, 303 on High St, Northcote and costs $10. 80th person through the door wins a vintage snowboard!

COMEDY AT SPLEEN Mondays at Spleen are always a full house and a great night. This week looks like another cracker with David Quirk hosting! Plus Josh Earl, Karl Chandler, Michael Williams, Jimmy James Eaton, Jason English, Hayman Kent, Matt Burton and heaps more. It’s Monday, August 13, 41 Bourke St, in the city at 8.30pm. It may be free, but we appreciate a good gold coin donation at the door!

BLUE TILE COMEDY

INDUSTRIOUS The Mercator studio artists and designers are getting ready to present their new exhibition. And if it’s not going to be cool enough, the upcoming display will be presented in the Old Industrial School at the Abbotsford Convent, providing an insight into the history of the unique venue, as well as the diverse creative practices of the enterprising Mercator Studios community. In 1870, The Industrial School housed 95 girls and consisted of work rooms, laundry, refectory and a boiler, with dorms on the ﬁrst ﬂoor. Slightly creepy, but all sorts of amazing, the exhibition will run from August 24 – September 2.

Tonight, Charlie has his biggest line-up yet. Ashley Filsaime, Harley Breen, Joel Creasey, Nick Cody, Khaled Khalafalla and more for just $5. You’re welcome. So come ﬁll yourself with cheap piss and put your continence to the ultimate test as some pretty damn rad comedians spit funnies into the business end of a loud stick. Check in 8pm tonight, Wednesday August 8 at Eurotrash Bar. Get down early for a seat.

MEOW MEOW International chanteuse and post-post modern cabaret diva Meow Meow is getting set to return to our shores for an exclusive encore tour with her unique brand of kamikaze cabaret and performance art exotica. Having already sold out seasons in New York, Berlin, London’s West End and the Sydney Opera House, the award-winning Meow will return to perform for her Australian audiences who love her oh so much. This cat is heading back. Be sure not to miss Meow Meow as she takes the Athenaeum by storm on Friday October 26.

RUSSIAN RESURRECTION FILM FESTIVAL It’s time to escape the chills of the winter season and enjoy some warm, proud and alluring Russian cinema. The biggest festival of Russian cinema glory outside of Russia itself, and now in its ninth year, the festival is a celebration of Russian culture showcased through a variety of ﬁlms ranging from comedies, dramas, thrillers, animations and more. And with a whole heap of special events and great cinematography, there isn’t much to not love about this event. Heading Australia wide, the Russian Resurrection Film Festival will grace Melbourne at Palace Cinema Como from September 5-16. Head to russianresurrection. com for more information.

BASE NATURE Delve into meanings and deep within as upcoming exhibition, Base Nature, provides us with an exploration of self projections – the ﬂickering, electric shadows that we unconsciously cast and allow our mind to interpret as true. An exhibition of new work by Taylor White, and featuring an original sound installation by Sophia Sin, Base Nature will launch at Just Another Project Space from August 9 – 31.

MICK HARVEY/ROSIE WESTBROOK/JP SHILO Hitting double digits is worth celebrating, and the folks at Brightspace deﬁnitely agree. In celebration of their tenyear anniversary, the gallery will host Rosie Westbrook, a regular performer at the venue since its inception. But she’s not ﬂying solo in her endeavours. Joining Rosie will be musical cohorts Mick Harvey and JP Shilo in an evening of solo and group performance with some tunes that you may have heard before, and others that you may not have. With their voices, guitars, double bass, violin and a whole heap of other magic, catch the three musicians as they take over Brightspace on Saturday August 11 at 7pm.

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Blue Tile Comedy boasts some of Melbourne’s ﬁnest comedians trying out their new material. It’s a fun night where the audience can get involved and witness the birth of some truly great jokes. Alternatively you could also catch some absolute shockers. Either way you will have a laugh with some of Melbourne’s favourites. This week at Blue Tile Lounge we have Trav Nash, Karl Woodberry, Adam Knox, Chris Knight and MC Bart Freebairn. As always we will also have some last minute guest spots for those who decide to drop by at the last minute. With $10 jugs of beer and guaranteed assured laughs, it’s the perfect midweek break. Catch some of Australia’s rising stars for only $5 at The Blue Tile Lounge, Fitzroy, from 8.30pm ‘til late.

LITTLE DUM DUM CLUB LIVE One of Australia’s most popular comedy podcast are doing their hundredth episode live this Tuesday! Join your favourite old mates Tommy Dassalo and Karl Chandler as they carry on with three surprise guests (at least) and join in on the dickheadery and shaker fries! Come be a friend of the show. It’s happening at Softbelly Bar, Tuesday August 14, 8pm for only $10 at 367 Little Bourke St, City.

QANTM COLLEGE OPEN DAY QANTM College are oﬀering a peek at their innards this open day as world-class educators in the media industries. For prospective students looking for an alternative path, QANTM oﬀer courses in Game Programming, Game Design, Animation and Graphic Design. Boasting four new state of the art computer labs featuring all the latest professional technology in game and animation software, laptop workroom, drawing room, hundred-seat lecture theatre, green screen room and a vast range of the latest computer and video equipment for use, the facilities inspire endless creative possibilities. Open Day will be held on Saturday September 1 from 11am-3pm at 235 Normanby Road, South Melbourne.

ANGRY BLACK SNAKE For six years, The Angry Black Snake has led Michael Corridore down a path of searching for ﬁction captured within real moments. After touring the country and more recently exhibiting in New York, Michael Corridore won the prestigious New York Aperture Portfolio Prize with his 2009 series. And as an ex-Melbournian, it gives us no greater pleasure than to embrace Corridore’s work and upcoming exhibition. Taken at numerous destinations, each photograph within the exhibition is surrounded in one way or another by a smoky haze. Check out Michael Corridore’s Angry Black Snake exhibition as it heads to Edmund Pearce Gallery from August 15 – September 1.

INDIE GAME: THE MOVIE BY CALLUM FITZPATRICK

Should a videogame be considered art? It’s been a relevant debate in game culture for years. Some struggle to see true artistic expression in a medium that’s usually backed by multi-million dollar companies and created by hundreds of people. But for others, it’s the ultimate art form – the “combination of storytelling, visuals and audio, wrapped up in an interactive package,” says James Swirsky, one of the filmmakers behind Indie Game: The Movie. And that’s why he says indie games are so different – a peek behind their vivid graphics reveals a true reflection of the developer’s personality. An Official Selection and winner of the World Cinema Documentary Editing Award at Sundance 2012, Indie Game: The Movie follows four game developers through their journey as they create and release their treasured videogames – Edmund McMillen and programmer Tommy Refenes as they eagerly await the release of their two-years-in-the-making Super Meat Boy, Phil Fish who’s set to unveil the hotly anticipated Fez which has taken him four years, and Jonathan Blow, contemplating creating a new game after Braid, one of the highest rated games of all time. First-time filmmaking duo behind the doco Lisane Pajot and James Swirsky say it was the individuality behind the games that attracted them to the concept in the first place. “Independent games are made by smaller teams – often one or two people, which really appealed to us,” James explains. “We looked around the landscape of the genre and we just kept seeing these really cool, unique games that just felt like they were doing something different. And when you look behind them you’ll often see that they’re insanely personal. They’re actually expressions of these people and reflections of themselves.” “Also, we’re now in this wonderful age of digital distribution with all these really accessible marketplaces that didn’t exist four or five years ago. These guys are making really personal games and putting them out there – and if it’s the right game at the right time, it can really take off. That might not be the end goal, but their lives can be changed overnight.”

It’s plain to see that the personality behind an indie game is the attribute that ultimately connects it to an audience in a way that blockbuster games never could. However, the downside of this is that because the teams are so small, they’re almost forced to have a transparent presence online – blogging the status of their creation while it’s still in production and responding to Tweets and feedback from the public. This undoubtedly has its advantages, but it also exposes the designers and can put them in an incredibly vulnerable position. “Because that person is so accessible, when the public has an issue with them, the internet is the kind of place that can swing negative pretty easily,” James says. “A lot of people don’t think twice about posting a whole bunch of stuff on a big game-developing company’s forums to bash their game. That’s kind of okay because there are people that are paid specifically to read the feedback and moderate forums. But when you do that to an independent developer, there’s so little separation. You’re pretty much sending an email that will pop up on their iPhone while they’re working on the game you’re complaining about. It can create a hell of a lot of pressure.” It comes as a surprise then that the filmmakers barely experienced any backlash themselves. In fact, it was quite the opposite – the movie was backed by two Kickstarter campaigns, both of which were a huge success. “We managed to raise about 35-40% of our funds on Kickstarter,” James explains. “Even from day zero, we had a whole bunch of people that put money

down for an imaginary movie that didn’t even exist yet. We did receive some ‘Hey where’s my movie?’ but it was mostly positive. The odd time you did get a complaint, it was amazing to see them do a 180 degree turn when you explained the situation to them.” Lisanne adds, “Having people giving money upfront, based on merely a short splice of a film meant so much to us and really built our confidence.” But the filmmaking process was never going to be easy when you’re faced with subjects who are trapped in a world of stress and anxiety, compounded by impending deadlines and social media pressure. So James and Lisanne were understandably concerned at times. “It was hard to watch people struggle and go through really devastating moments,” Lisanne says. “As the filmmaker you have perspective, but when you’re in the moment and stuff is happening to the project you spent years on, it feels like the world is ending. You act irrationally and you lose objectivity. These guys put so much into their work and it was such a big part of their lives that you did worry about them at times.” Most of us would be tempted to intervene, but as filmmakers they had to maintain professionalism and ensure they documented the story without altering it. “One of the things you worry about is changing a

situation or making it worse,” James says. “You just want to be part of everything, document it and watch things unfold. You don’t ever want to be one of the wrinkles. On the flipside, after Super Meat Boy was released, Edmund told us that our presence helped keep his mind off the game and stopped him obsessing over Twitter and Facebook. He said we acted as a soundboard, allowing him to talk things out in a way he wouldn’t have done otherwise.” Approaching the editing stage, Lisanne says the tricky part was trying to generate something that was relevant and ‘techy’ enough for an audience of gaming enthusiasts, while making it understandable for a broader audience. “It was difficult making a film that represented this intense emotional journey, had enough context for a general audience to get a sense of this world, but also had enough ‘meat’ around it to satisfy gamers. Luckily a lot of gamers and developers have enjoyed it and like the fact that they can show it to their family and say, ‘Hey, this is why I like games.’ That’s the ultimate compliment for us.”

it feels like Betzien and director Leticia Caceres have tried to do too much. Subplots are started but never continued, some themes are quite weak, and the use of sound is only occasionally eﬀective. All in all, however, Helicopter is an entertaining and thought-provoking addition to the 2012 Education

Season which will provide students and other theatre-goers with an enjoyable and interesting theatre experience.

daydreaming young man in The Old Familiar Juice, to the point where he is almost unrecognisable. The setting at fortyﬁvedownstairs is perfect for this production. Not for one second did I think about anything outside the walls of the prison cell – the

design and execution is a credit to Robertson and his crew. Great, gritty Australian theatre.

Indie Game: The Movie will be showing as part of ACMI’s Game Masters exhibition from Thursday August 23 to Sunday September 2.

THEATRE REVIEW: HELICOPTER BY JOSH FERGEUS

Helicopter, part of the Melbourne Theatre Company’s 2012 Education Season, opens with two actors positioned on an empty and starkly designed set. Something has happened. Something bad. Something which, it becomes quickly obvious, will change everything, perhaps forever. Commissioned by MTC and developed with the assistance of Playwriting Australia, Helicopter was written by the award-winning Angela Betzien. In this latest work Betzien has created a dark satire which aims to show the disconnection of many modern Western families from the realities of life. Jack, played by MTC debutant Charles Grounds, has been born to wealthy but emotionally distant parents. His mother, played by Daniela Farinacci, prefers to perform her parental duties to Jack and his sister respectively through dispensing money while ignoring her son’s concerning tendencies, and religiously checking the baby monitor instead of spending any real time with her daughter. Meanwhile

Jack’s father, played by Wilfred’s Paul Denny, works for a pharmaceutical company and has a tendency to self-medicate with prescription drugs and alcohol. Jack’s family had never given a thought to speaking to their neighbour Thomas, despite he and his sister living next door ever since their arrival as refugees from Southern Sudan several years prior. However, after a tragic accident, the family slowly starts to learn about a life very diﬀerent from their own. Terry Yeboah as Thomas makes his debut for MTC in brilliant form. Throughout the course of Helicopter he deftly manages to combine humour with great sadness, creating a window into a life that most of us will never know. The relationship between Jack’s family and Thomas, and his own relationship with both his parents and reality, play out over the course of Helicopter, as it nears its unexpected and sudden end. The actors are all talented and capable, and the primary plot is interesting and engaging. However in several places

Helicopter is currently showing at the MTC Theatre, Lawler Studio until Friday August 17.

THEATRE REVIEW: THE MCNEIL PROJECT BY JOSH FERGEUS In 1970, Jim McNeil (a man who happened to share my birthday) was in the early stages of a 17year stretch in prison at Parramatta Correctional Centre for armed robbery and shooting a police officer. He was also completing his first play, The Chocolate Frog. Malcolm Robertson, the director of this production, directed the original professional premiere of the play at Sydney’s Q Theatre Company in 1971 and McNeil’s next play The Old Familiar Juice the following year at the Melbourne Theatre Company after discovering McNeil’s work conducting drama classes at the prison. Forty years later, and 20 years after McNeil’s death, Robertson has revisited these two plays as a double bill of McNeil’s finest work. Having never had an opportunity to see the original production, I for one am pleased that he did. The McNeil Project is enjoyable, believable, challenging and thoughtprovoking – all the things which good theatre should be. In The Chocolate Frog, a young man experiencing his first night in prison (Will Ewing of Neighbours) is placed with two hardened inmates (Luke McKenzie

of Underbelly and NIDA graduate Cain Thompson) and given a quick education in the realities of prison life. Exploring the parallels between ‘society’ in prison and the mainstream, the young man and the cons challenge each other’s perceptions of what makes a good person and a good mate. In The Old Familiar Juice Robertson and his actors produce tension you could cut with a knife, as a brutish alpha male slowly circles his prey – a young, attractive inmate – while the young man’s old friend (veteran Richard Bligh) tries to avert the inevitable. The violence and aggression is mostly implied but the feeling of menace emanating from McKenzie is palpable. This second half of The McNeil Project in particular may be challenging for some, but it’s well worth it. Bligh in particular is excellent and extremely believable, tipping the scales in favour of The Old Familiar Juice when it comes to picking a favourite between the two halves, while Thompson displays his versatility by transforming from a slow, musclebound thug in The Chocolate Frog into a naive,

ARTS NEWS, REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS ONLINE – BEAT.COM.AU/ARTS

The McNeil Project played at fortyﬁvedownstairs. Beat Magazine Page 23

Do you want to be added to the menu? Advertising/editorial inquiries - adam@beat.com.au HOLGATE BREWHOUSE Holgate are releasing a new beer, Gruit Expectations! Based on their Belgian Blonde Bombshell recipe but using a special house blend of herbs and spices, instead of hops, The Holgate Gruit Expectations delivers a creamy malt and peppery spice on the aroma, with a slightly sweetish and spicy up-front palate balanced by a lingering dry and neutral finish. All resulting in a very quaffable ale harking back to ancient days of medieval brewing!

GRAVITY ESPRESSO Gravity Coffee Training Sessions: Gravity offers free barista training sessions for regular customers, on-site at our Richmond warehouse and training room. Classes are held every 3 - 4 weeks, usually on Thursdays, and are catered to the learning needs of participants. For example, if you are new to coffeemaking, we will teach you all the basics, from grind, to pour, to milk, to caring for the machine. If you are an experienced barista looking to fine-tune your skills, we provide more in-depth training so you can get the best out of your Gravity coffee blend. Call (03) 9428 3226 for more information.

THE PEACOCK INN HOTEL The Peacock Inn Hotel, offers relaxed, affordable and stylish dining in recently refurbished surrounds. Open seven days for lunch and dinner, the cafĂŠ serves contemporary bistro food and traditional pub favourites from both our specials board and our aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;la carte menu. Whether you want a light snack or a complete meal, The Peacock is a great place to dine. Now offering Breakfast from 8am in the restaurant on Saturdays and Sundays, plus $14 scotch fillet with chips, salad and choice of sauce on Tuesday nights. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s located at 210 High Street, Northcote.

BROTHER BURGER This Friday the doors are set to open for Brother Burger and The Marvellous Brew. Micro brews, burgers and classic counter meals will be the focus with an Australian twist. This is all part of the new complex of cafes and restaurants that are on the horizon at 413 Brunswick Rd. This new venue will quickly become one of the go to spots in the Fitzroy area, you can keep up to date with all of the new developments at facebook.com/brotherburger

CACAO GREEN Start your day with a fix at Cacao Green! They are now serving a wide range of healthy, organic and gluten-free breakfast items exclusively at their Bourke St. and Glenferrie stores. Get your morning kick with Cacao Greenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heart-healthy Bircher Muesli. Served with organic yogurt and a choice of mixed berries or tropical fruits, this flavourful menu item is guaranteed to satisfy your appetite. Cacao Green also recently introduced Quinoa Pudding into their menu. Known as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;mother of grainsâ&#x20AC;?, quinoa is a wheat free whole grain. Similar in texture to rice pudding, the pudding is served warm with fruit toppings. In addition to their range of frozen yogurt, Cacao Green is also now serving organic yogurt muesli; flavours include passion fruit & apple, orange & honey or fruits and crunchy nuts. This is a great option for those who are on the run! Craving for something even sweeter? Try Cacao Greenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gourmet waffles, available in Crispy Almond, Blueberry/Raspberry Almond, Cinnamon Apple and Signature Chocolate, guaranteed to satisfy those cravings! And donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to try their latest specialty dessert: Honey

Bread! The crispiness and softness of the bread, combined with the sweetness of our compotes and honey will be perfect for sharing with your loved ones â&#x20AC;&#x201C;that is if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re willing to share! Check out Cacao Greenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s breakfast menu at 235 Bourke Street and 696 Glenferrie Road.

RED SPICE ROAD Contemporary Southeast Asian cuisine is what Red Spice Road is all about. The restaurant is fast becoming a favourite for Melbourne residents. Lunch and dinner (banquet or ala carte) menu consists of standard chicken, beef, duck, pork belly, fish and seafood (salmon, oysters, prawns) cooked in distinctly Southeast Asian ingredients including tamarind, kaffir lime, coconut and snow peas, just to name a few. The tangy and spicy appetisers and mains are complemented by a wide beverage list. Desserts such as ice cream, sorbets and light pastries come in the intriguing flavours of Southeast Asian fruits. The communal dining design lends Red Spice Road an infectious warmth and energy. The staff is smart and friendly as well. At Red Spice Road, you can savour Southeast Asian flavours and aromatic spices in the dining hall proper or in a courtyard with a view of the Melbourne CBD skyline. Red Spice Road is also a unique and flexible venue that can host special parties and events and is located at 27 McKillop St.

THE B EAST If you need a burger and you are in Brunswick then you need look no further! The B.East is a great new burger bar/music venue.. If you need to cure that hangover and are ready to get into a food coma hit it up. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s located at 80 Lygon Street, Brunswick East.

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Want us to feature your favourite eatery? Contact adam@beat.com.au Beat Eats Page 24.....................

BEATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GUIDE TO EATING OUT IN MELBOURNE

CHROMATICS BY TYSON WRAY

There are few contemporary record labels with an aesthetic as refined as Italians Do It Better. Since first forging their imprint in the early ‘00s, the label has sculpted a sonic landscape of synth-tinged disco and electronic narcosis. At the forefront of this movement is Johnny Jewel. The label co-founder is also the mastermind behind outfits Glass Candy, Desire and most notably Chromatics. After taking a break from his many other projects, March this year marked the release of Chromatics’ critically acclaimed studio album Kill For Love. Released five years after their sophomore Night Drive in 2007, what was arguably the breakout year for Italians Do It Better (2007), Jewell shares why this lull could be perceived as abnormal in the notoriously hyperactive music industry, and why the complexities of Chromatics are fundamental to the group’s success. “It’s the way that I’ve always worked. I always make multiple versions of songs because I can never decide,” he notes carefully. “For me there’s two parts to the studio work – the song writing and the production. As a producer I’m always trying not to destroy the song, I’m trying to reinforce it. As a songwriter I’m trying to leave room for production. Because I do both roles in that way and because I collaborate with everyone else it leaves a lot of open-endedness with the music. With Kill For Love, for every song that was recorded potentially for the album there’s anywhere from six to ten different versions, edits or mixes where we focus on the drums or the piano to figure out what works best. The final versions that you hear are kind of like the ‘greatest hits’ of all the best moments that I found from working on all of the multiple angles of the songs. “The song that’s before a song and the song that’s between two songs – I needed to find the balance of which mixes I was going to use to bring out what I consider to be the strengths within the album and perhaps mask where I’m struggling, or what I perceive to be a weakness in a song. Some songs I needed to pull back in a certain way because I felt that the song before or after really needed to hit harder. Because I was treating it as an album and not a group of singles. Music is just a bunch of transient notes – the only real meaning in music is the space between the notes, what note is before it and what note is after it. That’s what makes music.” Released a mere three days after being mastered, Kill For Love was left with virtually no time for promotion or publicity. “Once I had the record finished I wanted everyone to hear it as fast as possible,” shares Jewel. “I wanted them to have a chance to listen to it before they had a chance to read about it. I wanted 14-yearold kids and music writers to all hear the record at the same time. It was a bit of an instinctive and reckless move on my part, but the record is doing well and a lot of people are getting into the conceptual side so I’m really happy with that - I wouldn’t change a thing about it.”

“I GOT FIRED FROM MY LAST JOB BECAUSE I TOURED TOO MUCH. FOR A WHILE I HAD TO DONATE BLOOD FOR MONEY” A working musician for the entirety of his life, Jewel notes the difficultly in sustaining a career in the contemporary industry. “For a big part of the time that I was doing this I always had a job. In fact I got fired from my last job because I toured too much. For a while I had to donate blood for money so I could still pay my studio rent,” he laughs amicably. “A career has never been the goal – music has always been the goal. I definitely think that if you’re going to try and stay afloat economically then you have to become more creative and kind of dangerous in the ways that you handle your business. You have to take more chances. It’s more necessary to be unique to survive these days. From a technological side, it’s really difficult for a blossoming artist to hold onto the attention span with all of the external pressures. I think it’s more difficult now than it ever has been. But so what? If people want to make a living then they should go and get a real job.” Last in Australia with Glass Candy for the 2008 V Festival, Jewel notes his excitement to finally bring the Chromatics live show for its debut down under. “We’ll have a bunch of electronics with us,” he divulges. “Ruth [Radelet] spends her time on stage singing, playing guitar and also playing a monosynthesiser from the ‘70s. I play synthesiser and a few drum machines and some processors that I’ve been messing with. Adam [Miller] plays guitar and also has a keyboard and vocal synthesiser and Nat [Walker, drummer] has a bunch of pads and triggers that hold down the rhythms. We’re kind of halfway between the rock band and the electronic band on stage - but all the tones have been blending together really well. By the time we get to Australia we’ll have done three tours in Europe and two in the US,” he laughs gently. “We’ll be nice and warmed up for you guys.”

CHROMATICS perform alongside Beck, Sigur Rós, Santigold, Liars and plenty more at Harvest, held at Werribee Park on Sunday November 11. DISCUSS WHAT? BEAT.COM.AU/DISCUSSION

Beat Magazine Page 41

INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH MUSIC INDUSTRY NEWS & GOSSIP

with Christie Eliezer * Stuff for this column to be emailed to <celiezer@netspace.net.au> by Friday 5pm MUSHROOM, RADIO, TEAM TO FIND NEW AUSSIE TALENT The Mushroom Group and peak association Commercial Radio Australia have teamed up to find new talent. ‘First Break’ is open to any unsigned act that has not charted in the top 100 national airplay chart. The winner gets airplay for two singles and radio ads for touring and marketing over 12 months valued at $1.9 million, and joint financing by radio and Mushroom for video clips, social media activation and on-road support over 12 months. The winner will perform at the Australian Commercial Radio Awards in Sydney on October 12 before 1,200 radio and music industry execs. “I’m excited to see what talent we can uncover from the length and breadth of Australia and utilise this amazing opportunity,” said Mushroom boss Michael Gudinski. ‘First Break’ replaces radio’s new talent quest New Artists 2 Radio (NA2R) which after ten years unearthed Delta Goodrem, Thirsty Merc, Jade McRae, The Sunpilots, The Smart, Emma Louise and Nine Sons of Dan. See firstbreak.com.au.

TWO MELBOURNE FINALISTS FOR ‘SHE CAN DJ’ Melbourne’s Girl Audio and Juliet Fox were among the ten finalists of the She Can DJ competition. They will join the others at Sydney’s Ivy on Wed September 5 for the final. The winner gets a record deal with EMI, a networking trip and her weekly mix on the Party People dance music show before its 600,000 listeners. The other finalists were Alley Oop, Cassette, Elly K, Fingertips and Natnoize all from Sydney, Adelaide’s Dusk and Leah Mencel, and Hannah Parker from Brisbane. See shecandj.com for more details.

VIV LEES BACK Nine months after splitting with Big Day Out, Viv Lees is back. His company, Viv Lees Presents, is touring Billy Bragg in October – and sold out its Melbourne show at the Recital Centre. After the split, Lees went surﬁng and travelling with his family. The new company will at this stage focus on tours.

THINGS WE HEAR * Van Halen have axed plans to tour here in November, promoter When The Lion Roars confirmed. Last September the US band bowed out of the Soundwave Revolution festival citing the need to finish off an album. * Flo Rida has to pay $400,000 to promoter Mothership Music for blowing out his headline appearance at last October’s Fat As Butter festival, the NSW District Court has ordered. The sum includes the $55,000 advance fee and $7,000 in air and ground transport Mothership forked out for. * Eminem set a new record for ‘friends’ on Facebook notching up 60 million (60,093,667 actually). Right behind is Rihanna with 59,381,829 “likes”. Em is the fourth most popular entertainer on YouTube.com, with two billion views. * Chart stuff: Justice Crew become the first Australian group to hit #1 on the ARIA chart in over five years, as their fourth single Boom Boom climbs to No.1 this week and goes platinum. Karise Eden’s My Journey spends its sixth week at #1 (and goes two times platinum). The last Australian to rack up seven weeks was Missy Higgins with 2004’s The Sound Of White. If Eden hangs on next week, she ties with Delta Goodrem’s Innocent Eyes for eight weeks. * Spotify has now got 4 million subscribers around the world. * Wollongong’s HostageX Nightclub was reprimanded by the Advertising Standards Bureau for using the phrase “cheap as fuck drinks” for a June event. * In a podcast for Media Week, Molly Meldrum complained that while he was having a leak during the Olympics, a fan was so excited at seeing him that he insisted on shaking his hands, and accidentally pissed over Molly’s shoes. * Azealia Banks who was in the country only for a few hours to do Splendour In The Grass, hit twitter to apologise to fans for playing for only 25 minutes. “We used the festival’s equipment and it wasn’t the best gear! I feel really REALLY bad. Like bad enough to cry. My first time in Australia and I feel like I’ve cheated you all.” She’s promising to return for a full tour.

* A married couple was refused an apartment in Toronto after the landlord discovered the husband played in a heavy metal band. * The Temper Trap were to play to 100,000 at Chicago’s Lollapalooza which was scheduled to be headlined by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. But a huge storm saw police step in and close it down just as the Trap were to go on. * Social media rules! A triple j listener who ticked oﬀ The Doctor on Facebook for his “constant self promotion douchebaggery” during the Splendour broadcast received nearly 10,000 “likes” before the post was yanked oﬀ. Wolfmother singer Andrew Stockdale’s tirade against triple j at a Sydney concert received 10,000 comments. Meantime a patron who slammed Canberra’s Academy nightclub on its Facebook over an incident – he claimed security wouldn’t let him back in when he realised he’d left the club without his wallet – got 1,600 likes and hundreds of comments, Canberra Times said. * Twerps, who just sold out shows in Sydney and Melbourne, saw their self titled album becoming third most added to college radio in the US. It debuted at #68 in the CMJ Top 200 airplay charts.

NEW SIGNING #1: VIOLENT SOHO AT I OH YOU

MUSIC VICTORIA WORKSHOPS

Five-month-old OSCL Records added two more acts: Blacklevel Embassy whose third album New Veterans is out in October (joint release with Battle Worldwide Recordings for CD/digital formats) and Montsalvat-based brooding The Process whose self titled album is out late October.

Music Victoria is hosting three workshops for musicians and the music industry this month as part of Small Business Victoria. The ﬁrst, covering social media and online marketing, was held earlier this week. The next, on ﬁnancial management is on Monday August 13 while the networking session is on Tuesday August 21. See musicvictoria.com.au for full details.

JUDGES ANNOUNCED FOR DAREBIN AWARDS Jen Cloher, Peter Farnan and Tristan Goodall of The Audreys are announced as judges for the Darebin Music Feast Songwriters Award. Over 100 writers who live, work or study in the City of Darebin enter. Deadline is August 16. “Year after year, we continue to be amazed by the sheer number of really talented people who live and work within our vibrant municipality” says festival director Craig Rogers. See musicfeast.com.au.

KRAVITZ TO SET UP STUDIO IN OZ? Lenny Kravitz has been approached to run a recording studio in Surfers Paradise. If he agrees, it will be set up in the $1 billion Jewel six star resort development, and used to attract international music acts and ﬁlm studios to the resort to use its luxury apartments, cafes, spa and conference rooms.

PEAS, DRAKE, FEUD WITH EX-MANAGERS Black Eyed Peas are suing former business manager Sean M. Larkin of “fraud and deceit”. They say he failed to ﬁle their tax returns between 2002 and 2009, which has seen them hit with a tax bill of US$3.2 million. Meantime, Drake’s original manager James “Jas” Prince – who triggered Drake’s rise by introducing him to Lil’ Wayne – is suing saying he’s been underpaid the money he was promised when he was elbowed aside by new management.

THE PUBLIC BAR ACQUIRED BY THE OLD BAR OWNERS Following its closure last September, North Melbourne venue The Public Bar has been acquired by owners of Fitzroy’s The Old Bar, Liam Matthews, Singa Unlayiti and Joel Morrison. Speaking to Beat, co-owner and booker for The Old Bar Joel Morrison shared: “The Old Bar is proud to announce that we’re taking over North Melbourne’s The Public Bar. Hopefully opening in October (in the hands of our liquor licensing overlords). Bands, late night license, food, good staﬀ and less dunny smell are all things that are on the cards. Basically it’ll mirror The Oldie.” The re-opening is slated for sometime between September and October. Will they bring back $1 pots? Only time will tell!

Violent Soho have landed at Johann Ponniah’s I Oh You Records. While they work in Brisbane on their 2013-due album, they will record two singles with Lindsay Gravina at Melbourne’s Birdland Studio, the ﬁrst out this month.

NEW SIGNINGS #2: ZOOPHYTE JOIN MUSHROOM PUBL After opening for INXS’s regional run to 20,000 people and new single Let You Go getting mainstream airplay, Zoophyte look like getting TV coverage after signing with Mushroom Music Publishing. “We expect their music will go down very well with the music supervisors at our two exclusive television shows – Home & Away and Neighbours,” said Managing Director Ian James. The band’s second album Somewhere Elsewhere is set for a September 21 release, giving enough time for singer Cam Lee to return from attending the Olympics!

NEW SIGNINGS #3: TWO MORE FOR OSCL RECORDS

CONTROL SEEKING APPLICATIONS FROM MANAGERS

LIFELINES Dating: Katy Perry and John Mayer? Dating: Taylor Swift and Robert Kennedy’s environmentalist activist grandson Conor Kennedy. Engaged: Managers Dave Batty (Jezabels) and Bonnie Dalton (Little Red, Vasco Era, Husky) during a holiday in Venice. Injured: Two broken bones for The Game during a basketball game in Los Angeles when a slam dunk went wrong. He fell, and someone accidentally stepped on his hand. Injured:A Tenacious D gig in Las Vegas was closed by cops after a man was stabbed in the leg when a brawl broke out. A person was arrested. Arrested: Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante and his wife for brawling in a hotel room in front of a child. In Court: Sydney wanna-be rapper Daniel McCoy, 20, turned his split from his girlfriend into a “stream of consciousness” rap posted on Facebook with lines as “a cheating slut” and “rip that bitch’s throat out and watch her choke”. But he was arrested and charged with threatening and intimidating his former partner and breaching bail conditions and an apprehended violence order. Died: Bill Doss, 43, of ‘90s band the Olivia Tremor Control. Died: Tony Sly, 41, singer with California punk band No Use For A Name, cause of death unknown at time of writing. Died: Classic Rock revealed that British artist Zacron’s death from bowel cancer in January has just been announced. An art student who studied with Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and the Yardbirds), Page got him to do the ‘rotating cardboard disc’ cover for Led Zeppelin III, which took four months

CONTROL, the five stage program to equip mid-career music managers with business skills, is calling for applications. Funded by the Federal Government, it is presented by the Australian Music Industry Network and supported by the Association of Artist Managers. CONTROL incorporates two residential workshops. The first is held in Terrigal near Sydney from November 25 to 28, moderated by lawyer Shane Simpson with advisers including managers Bill Cullen, Catherine Haridy and Andy Kelly. The program looks at different business models in the industry, and analyses each business model brought to the workshop. See amin.org.au, deadline is September 10.

TWO FROM MELBOURNE, HEAD TO RED BULL The two Australians chosen to attend the Red Bull Music Academy in New York City this northern autumn are both from Melbourne. Andy Donnelly (aka Kloke) and Julien Love will for two weeks attend workshops, concerts, club nights and studio time with 60 other DJs, producers, vocalists and multi-instrumentalists from across the globe. This year, Red Bull reports, 85% of those who applied were male, and 81% of those selected were male. They collected 12,482 stamps from the applications. Many cited Stevie Nicks as an inﬂuence. A disturbing amount ﬁlled out applications in mirror writing.

KOOL SKOOL DEADLINE JB Hi Fi and Kool Skools Project oﬀer a band under 19-years-old the chance of an all-expenses recording of an album. Past winners Natasha Duarté signed to Empire, Tom Ugly to Shock while The Razz have a new song on iTunes. Deadline is August 10, see koolskool.com.au.

GOOD WORKS: BONJAH MAKE A WISH Bonjah reached out to Make A Wish Australia and gave $1 from every ticket sold to their sold out Melbourne Corner show. They also asked Tilly Aries, a 17-year-old singer who had her wish granted last year to meet Christina Aguleira, to sing with them. She belted out Amy Winehouse’s song Valerie and blew the roof oﬀ. In between writing their third album, Bonjah are signing up to be ambassadors for Make A Wish and plan to raise more much need money to grant wishes to children with life threatening medical conditions.

EMPRA STRIKE BACK In their application to open for Weezer’s ﬁrst Australian tour in 16 years, Melbourne’s Empra also included a Weezer cake which they baked. The icing used the artwork from Weezer’s 1994 Blue Album, replacing Weezer’s heads with their own. Promoter Chugg Entertainment was so enchanted it posted a pic of cake on its Facebook, commenting, “Pretty awesome way to submit your band as a tour support. All bands take note, we like cake!”

GRABOWSKY SCORES APPOINTMENT

MONASH

Jazz pianist, conductor, composer and festival director Paul Grabowsky has been appointed to the position of Executive Director, Performing Arts, Academy of Performing Arts at Monash University.

GUDINSKI TO DELIVER THOMAS ROME LECTURE

NFSA

Chairman of the Mushroom Group, Michael Gudinski has been announced to deliver the 2012 National Film and Sound Archive Thomas Rome Lecture in Melbourne on Monday August 13 at Melbourne Town Hall. Gudinski will address the audience to talk about emerging challenges and opportunities for the music industry. The public are invited to be part of this free event and hear first hand from one of our most influential entertainment business leaders. Established in 2008, the Thomas Rome Lecture provides a platform for leading figures in the Australian sound recording industry to present their thoughts and ideas on current issues faced by the sector, and to generate debate about the state of the industry, relevant public policy issues and the role of sound in society.

A FAILSAFE HEART BY ZOË RADAS

Clearly just stoked the wheels were turning, the guys from A Failsafe Heart didn’t even know they had entered a competition when they played their first big show at The Espy. “We were like ‘Yeah, that was fun’, and we thought it was the best show we’d ever played,” says guitarist Kevin Hartje. “Then they messaged us saying ‘You’ve made it to the semi-finals,’ and we were like, ‘What the hell is that?’” Suffice to say it turned out pretty well for the Melbourne metal six-piece, with the guys taking the Espy Artist Showdown crown and getting themselves a deal with Gunn Management as the very shiny cherry on top. Now in the process of recording their four-track EP, they’re ready to roll their sound out of the Eastern ‘burbs and take on more of Melbourne. Hartje hedges that the band could be considered as five, as fellow guitarist Brad Geddes and vocalist Cody Spalding are such close friends they’ve been warped into one dude: ‘Brody’. “They’re the coolest guys in the world, I’ll be honest,” laughs Hartje. “They come up with some of the funniest things I’ve ever seen in my life.” It was Brody who proffered the idea of prefixing the band’s Espy

Beat Magazine Page 42

semi-ﬁnal gig with a hugely atmospheric Batman intro. Danny Elfman’s iconic dark strings swept over the venue before the Failsafe boys unleashed their super heavy riﬀs, thumping drums and growling vocals to an extremely appreciative crowd. Hartje says that not including setup and pack-down, they had 25 minutes to play their best. “But we never really were about playing as good

as we could; we just like people getting up and jumping around and stuff. It’s what we’re all about. We like to put on a show and play [well], but we have so much more fun when everyone else has fun.” So confirm the repeated entreaties on the guys’ Facebook page to come down to shows and “chuck a mosh.” Joining Hartje and Brody in the full line-up are Jonathan ‘don’t call me John’ Occleshaw on drums, Jayden Shillingford on bass, and Chris ‘Thrillho’ (one of the best Simpsons references ever) Millward taking on lead vocals in partnership with Spalding. Spalding is a powerful presence on stage; his muscular arms gripping the air in front of him like he’s ripping a Minotaur’s head off. The energy during the performance didn’t gelatinise at any point, and those judging the night clearly felt that positive force and saw fit to send the band through to victory. Like many musicians who move to a heavier style during

WATCH INTERVIEWS, CHATS & AWKWARD SILENCES..... WWW.BEAT.COM.AU/TV

the later years of their tuition, Hartje initially played classical guitar, honing his craft for six years. “When I ﬁrst said that I wanted to learn guitar my parents said, ‘Well if you’re learning, you’re learning properly’,” he says. “Looking back on it, classical guitar was the best thing I ever did. I’d love to do it again; it’s just become so much more expensive than it used to be.” Hartje favours Ibanez guitars and “stupidly low tuning” when playing. “I’m sort of looking at expanding [the guitar collection], seeing if I can ﬁnd a local dealer that makes guitars; see if I can help someone out,” he says. Paying it forward already, you’re likely to hear more about these young rockers soon. A FAILSAFE HEART play The Prague in Thornbury on Thursday August 9, and launch their EP at Ruby’s Bar in Belgrave on Saturday September 8.

CORE

PUNK, SKA, HARDCORE NEWS, REVIEWS AND GOSSIP BY EMILY KELLY: EK1984@GMAIL.COM

There’s no shitter way to start a day than scrolling through your twitter feeds upon waking DESCENDENTS up and discovering that someone relevant, young and talented has died. When I saw the Tony Sly tweets last week my heart sank. I had only met Tony a couple of times when No Use For A Name toured, each time I remember him being modest and overwhelmingly friendly, which tends to be somewhat of a rarity when it comes to front men and /or rock stars. I listened to NUFAN’s entire catalogue that day and shed a couple dozen tears along the way. Songs like Feels Like Home, International You Do and Dumb Reminders were always gut wrenching but they’ll be utterly heartbreaking from here on in. If you are so inclined to turn your grief into goodwill, a fund has been set up by Tony’s family to support Tony’s two daughters. The Tony Sly Memorial Fund is now accepting donations.

Soundwave have hinted that they’re likely to drop the 2013 lineup on us sometime this week. Of Mice And Men, Woe Is Me, Stone Sour, Blink 182, Cancer Bats, Kingdom Of Sorrow and Six Feet Under have already been conﬁrmed. You can expect some big headliners as the price of the event will apparently rise by $20 a ticket and organizer AJ Maddah has warned that tickets will sell out quickly. Melbourne will get a second Tim Barry show this weekend at The Gasometer. If you missed out on Friday tickets you can now see Barry, Josh Small and local lass Lucy Wilson on Saturday August 11. Thanks Resist!

Blacklevel Embassy are back. After a short absence, these guys will release their third album New Veteran on October 1 via OSCL and Battle Worldwide Recordings. Blacklevel will open for Shellac when they play their sold out show at The Hi-Fi in Melbourne as part of the Melbourne Festival.

CORE GIG GUIDE THURSDAY AUGUST 9: King Leghorn, Sun God Replica, Dick Finger at Bar Open No Way Out, Your World In Ruins, Culprits at Next

Randy Blythe of Lamb Of God has ﬁnally been released from a Prague prison on bail and is returning home to the USA. The band have already begun conﬁrming new dates across the US. Randy will be making a no doubt relieved statement to fans in the coming week.

Party Vibez, Distant Wreck, Grim Rhythm, Soil and Ash, Bloodwolves at The Gasometer

FRIDAY AUGUST 10: Tim Barry, Josh Small, Jamie Hay at The Gasometer The Workinghorse Irons, Slick 46, Prostitute Kills,

Details for this year’s Revolution Rock: A Tribute To Joe Strummer have been announced. This year The Reverence will host the gig on October 13. Bands are yet to be announced.

Boogie Woogie Boogie Board Boys at Pony

SATURDAY AUGUST 11: Antagonist AD, Lionheart, Shinto Katana, Heights at Bang El Alamein, Stockades, Cavalcade, Edison at

After recently revealing their new vocalist to tremendous intrigue, Hopeless will tour Sydney and Melbourne in the lead up to their second album. They’re hitting The Workers Club on Friday August 31 and Phoenix Youth Centre on Saturday September 1. Pencil it in. Poison City Records have added an acoustic show to their already tremendous Weekender Festival lineup. You can see Wil Wagner, Lincoln le Fevre, Lucy Wilson and Dave Drayton at The Old Bar from 2pm on Saturday September 15. Entry is $5 at the door. Axewound – a new supergroup featuring Matt Tuck of Bullet For My Valentine, Liam Cormier of Cancer Bats, Jason Bowld of Pitchshifter, Mike Kingswood of Glamour Of The Kill and Jo Copcutt of Rise To Remain – will oﬃcially release their debut album Vultures this October.

Reverence King Of The North, Don Fernando, My Left Boot, Hailmary at The Evelyn Calling All Cars, Gatherer, Them Bruins at Ding Dong In Malices Wake, Desecrator, Harlott, Blackened, Metal Storm at The Bendigo

SUNDAY AUGUST 12: Bastardfest have almost confirmed the lineup for their upcoming show at The Espy. The Kill, King Parrot, Internal Nightmare were all locked in last week with one final ‘special guest headliner’ to be confirmed in coming weeks. Lock in November 3 to see these guys join Blood Duster, Astriaal, Fuck I’m Dead, Disentomb, I Exist, Extortion, Captain Cleanoff, Frankenbok and Broozer. Br00tal.

Billy Talent, Kingswood at Billboard Antagonist AD, Lionheart, Shinto Katana, Division, Outsiders Code at Phoenix Youth Centre El Elamein, Stockades, Wil Wagner, Mr DNA at North Haverbrook Darren Gibson, Grace Lawry, Luke Thomas at The Old Bar

CRUNCH! RANDY BLYTHE FREE ON BAIL As you’ve probably heard by now, Lamb Of God singer Randy Blythe is now back in the USA. Prosecutors in the Czech Republic wanted him held behind bars because they said he might never return to the country, but their protests were overturned and Blythe was allowed to leave after posting $400,000 bail. He was being held on a manslaughter charge related to the death of a fan who fell into a coma after an incident at a Lamb Of God concert in 2010. Blythe vows to return for the trial. Search YouTube for an interview with Blythe after being freed.

GIG ALERT: HIGH SIDE DRIVER Melbourne’s High Side Driver launch their second single See You Next Tuesday (geddit?) on Friday August 17 at The Evelyn Hotel on Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. After the success of their debut single Dark Won’t Lie the band have been holed up in Industry Sound Studios with production great Steve Alexander to record the second single, with its B-side Voices (I Hear). The songs are the ﬁrst to feature new vocalist Rob Pearson. Headlining the evening will be Pandorum, who will be playing their last show in Australia for quite some time before heading oﬀ on another tour of Asia. Also on the bill are Disgruntled Bruntle and Written In Ruins.

GRAVEYARD READY NEW ALBUM Sweden’s Graveyard released a hell of a cool but criminally overlooked album in Hisingen Blues in 2011. They’ve already put the follow-up to bed: Lights Out will be released on October 26. Drummer Axel Sjöberg says, “The title Lights Out sums up the feeling of the new album, and a feeling that we have. That these times that we live in are strange times, where no one really sees anything straight/the way they are. …We all know that both we and pretty much everyone was really excited about the cover of Hisingen Blues. So we had to come up with a really strong idea to match the strength of that cover. It’s just about ﬁnished now, but even without having seen the ﬁnal version, we are convinced that no one will be disappointed by the cover to Lights Out. We’ve worked with several people that all added their part, and as the saying goes in Sweden: the sum of the parts is bigger than the parts alone. So sharpen your raven’s hatches and get ready for Lights Out.”

METAL, HEAVY ROCK, CLASSIC ROCK LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL GOOD SHIT WITH PETER HODGSON: CRUNCHCOLUMN@GMAIL.COM

STEVE TURNER RECORDING NEW MATERIAL Melbourne progressive rock composer/guitarist Steve Turner is recording a new seven-track release (hitting that perfect point between EP and album), featuring Evan Harris (Black Majesty) on bass and Chapman Stick, and Rob Brens of Alarum and now Hadal Maw on drums. Zoltan Csorsz from The Flower Kings is on drums for the track Recalibrate The Solar Wind Generators. Engineering and mixing by David Carr. I’ve heard a preview of a few in-progress tracks and it’s incredible stuﬀ. Atmospheric and melodic, some gorgeous sonics and brilliant musicianship. Turner has great guitar technique but he knows when to hold ‘em, knows when to fold ‘em and knows when to tear your head oﬀ. It’s the follow-up to Turner’s Not In Kansas Anymore EP from a few years ago.

GIG ALERT: ANARION, MASON, THUNDASTEEL, SOULFORGE & SEWERSIDE Metal Evilution present an atomic evening of thrash and trad metal in Melbourne on Friday August 17. Leading the charge are Melbourne titans Anarion ready to dissolve the weak. They will be ably assisted by thrashers Mason, Syd trad metallers Thundasteel, Broken Hill purveyors of the steel Soulforge and young mosh maniacs Sewerside. The Prague in Thornbury is where you will damage your neck muscles and the only thing more awesome than this line-up is that it is only $10 to see it! \m/

CANNIBAL CORPSE TOUR GIVEAWAY Cannibal Corpse are hitting town in October and you can win a fully signed Torture CD and Australian tour poster pack thanks to Metal Blade, Riot Entertainment and Soundworks Touring. There are three signed tour pack giveaways for each show! To be eligible to win, you need to have already purchased a presale ticket or buy one before August 31. Email your name and proof of purchase to promo@soundworkstouring.com or message them via Facebook to have your chance of winning. Winners will be notiﬁed by Soundworks Touring on September 1. Cannibal Corpse with Disentomb and Entrails Eradicated are performing at Billboard The Venue on Friday October 5. CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU

Beat Magazine Page 43

NEW WAR

BY JOSHUA KLOKE

Chris Pugmire answers the phone on a Wednesday evening with a quiet, thoughtful demeanour. “I’ve just put my son to bed,” says the New War vocalist. For the now, Pugmire has gathered a few precious moments of peace. Though with the release of New War’s self-titled debut full-length just days away, these moments of tranquillity Pugmire is enjoying could be considered the calm before the storm. With the record’s deft and dreamy edge however, Pugmire is quick to note that these kinds of moments gave heed to exactly the kind of headspace required to construct the majority of the tracks on the record. “You need quiet, if anything,” he says. “It’s definitely necessary to concentrate.” Allowing himself time to focus while navigating throughout his daily life with an honest and benevolent approach is another important element to many of New War’s tracks, continues Pugmire. “A lot of the songs are based around big ideas that I have every day. I write a lot, fragments of ideas, things I pick up while I’m reading, that kind of stuff. I’m constantly absorbing what’s going on in the world and that certainly finds its way into the writing. I’m not just into writing love songs.” And that’s a relief, considering how much trite love songs have saturated the music industry. Pugmire and New War offer a different approach; their self-titled debut exercises don’t bludgeon listeners with obvious

metaphors, instead allowing their dense sonic landscape room to grow with each listen. It’s a landscape that Pugmire admits took some time to master, and was not without input from the entire band. “We approached each song on the record differently,” says Pugmire rather pointedly. “They all took their time, in different ways, to develop. I’d say it all took around three years from us coming up with the ideas of these songs, working on lyrics and stuff, to the recording. There was a lot of talk within the band about what direction we wanted the songs to go in, lyrically as well.” Pressed further on how far the band will let their songs stretch in the songwriting stage and whether they face difficulty pulling in the reins, Pugmire again defers to the idea of New War as a unit. He acknowledges with ease that the idea of working towards a common goal is one that’s been present since the band’s inception. “As far as the band, we try to spend as long as possible with the songs, letting things happen organically. We’re not into super-structured songwriting. When we

get to a point where we want to take the songs further, we do. We played together for a good year or so before we even played a show. And then we played for another year before we even recorded. So there was deﬁnitely room for the songs to develop themselves. We let them go wherever they had to.” It doesn’t hurt to have an extra set of ears, however. With the critical success of their 2011 12” single, the ethereal and successfully brooding Ghostwalking, expectations were high for album New War. So the band turned to someone who knows them almost as well as they know themselves. New War is happy with the results, quick to yet again give credit where it’s due. “[The record] turned out as good as we could’ve made it, as we recorded it quite quickly. We wanted to work with (producer) Lindsay Gravina because he had a really good grasp of the band. Where we were coming from and where we wanted to go with the songs. I think we worked really well together and everything became quite well placed.”

With New War out in the world, the volume of Pugmire’s life is about to be turned up an increment. Ghostwalking may have introduced New War to the world, yet Pugmire insists there’s much more ground the band can cover. And all the while, it’ll be done for the right reasons. “Obviously [Ghostwalking] prepared us for the record as far as being able to see what happens. We got to test out a lot of songs during the release shows as well. As far as the industry, that’s not something we’re super concerned with. We like playing shows and we’re more focused on how we work as a band. Any success that comes along is great, but we’re not really doing it for those reasons at all.”

nothing really bad, but just hadn’t gone that well, and there’d been a series of bad things. So we ended up singing about all the dumb things that we’d done.” A couple of years ago O’Hara and Kenny left Adelaide and moved across to Melbourne, initially settling in Northcote before O’Hara headed out west to Footscray with his girlfriend (“It was either go out there or keeping heading north,” he explains). O’Hara looks back on his Adelaide days with the same bittersweet aﬀection many Adelaide expatriates do. “That dirgy sort of rock’n’roll Adelaide used to produce isn’t really coming out of Adelaide anymore,” O’Hara says. “Rock’n’roll seems to come more out of the inner-suburbs, rather than the pubs in the outer suburbs, like it did back in the day. It’s disappointing that people in Adelaide don’t know about bands like Grong Grong – we got to play with them the other night, and they just

absolutely killed it. But no-one knows anything about them in Adelaide, but they’re huge overseas.” With O’Hara’s other principal musical activity, dark punk outﬁt True Radical Miracle, having announced recently its decision to cease playing and recording, O’Hara expects to focus his creative energy on Bitch Prefect. “This is the ﬁrst time in my life I’ve only been in one band,” O’Hara says. “It was time to call it a day with True Radical Miracle, and I’ve got a ton of energy for Bitch Prefect. These days I don’t feel the need to play in 25 bands at once, but that might change,” he laughs.

wanted to seduce people with this record, rather than bludgeon them. It was a practice in restraint for me and it was about creating something delicate. It wasn’t an angry record for me; it was an escaping, cathartic record which I didn’t feel the need to exploit.” While catharsis isn’t always easily attained, McKee was able to realise the true aim of Burning Boy early on. What’s more, he understood exactly where Burning Boy needed to come into fruition as well. “A lot of this record was about trying to reconnect with my past and my childhood. That was part of the reason I came back to Australia to record it. Being dislocated and travelling a lot, you don’t necessarily have these kinds of triggers to remind you of things. I was just trying to explore this cosmic soup in my brain; so maybe this record is more internal than any external conceptual idea. It’s me trying to sort through some ﬁling cabinets in my cerebral cortex.”

With his mental cabinets sorted, McKee can now step onstage and give Burning Boy the wings it needs live to ultimately become a timeless record. But there’s a thirst and drive within McKee that means he won’t be happy until his music has found its rightful home. Lucky for his fans, McKee is ready to share. “You know, I’ve always enjoyed playing in kitchens and living rooms,” he says. “People come away with something that’s been shared. I just don’t like the divide of being up on stage. I’d much rather be in a place where we’re all on an equal playing ﬁeld and we can all share the music. I don’t want this to sound idealist or utopian, but I do want the experience to be shared. And that’s not too much to ask for.”

NEW WAR play the Northcote Social Club to celebrate the release of their debut full-length on Saturday August 11. New War is out now on Sensory Projects.

BITCH PREFECT

BY PATRICK EMERY

A few years ago Scott O’Hara was living in a share house in the inner-western Adelaide suburb of Keswick with Pat Telfer and Liam Kenny. As Adelaide suburbs go, Keswick isn’t the most charismatic. There’s the interstate railway station – the point of ingress and egress for many a dusty long distance train journey – and Vili’s Bakery, the source of some quality late night baked fare for O’Hara and his former housemates. And then there are the other hidden pleasures that don’t appear on tourist maps. “We also had this massive drain down the side of our house, which was pretty good fun on plenty of occasions!” O’Hara laughs. It was while living in Keswick that the seeds of lo-fi band Bitch Prefect were sown. “It was all pretty organic,” O’Hara explains. “We were all living in the same share house, and we had a four-track set-up in the house. We found ourselves sitting around and playing and recording together, and the band just formed from that. It was all fairly non-considered, really.” The band’s striking name was also, according to O’Hara, nothing particularly meaningful. “There’s nothing to it, really,” O’Hara says. “I don’t think there was anything to it. There were a lot of projects going around at that time in the house, and lots of names were being suggested, and Bitch Prefect just stuck.” Bitch Prefect’s lo-fi sound could be the sound of an Adelaide share house, where the days are filled with lying on tattered brown couches, necking Cooper’s Ales and pulling the occasional bong, punctuated with

barely functional attendance at some largely banal job. O’Hara doesn’t disagree that Bitch Prefect’s sound is commensurate with the lifestyle of his former house, but politely refutes any suggestion that it was deliberate. “I don’t know, and if it was, it wasn’t a conscious thing,” O’Hara laughs. “There’s nothing that’s ever been too considered about Bitch Prefect. We’re just good mates. But I suppose if there’s no real direction then you just sing about what’s around you at the time – which is maybe what life in an Adelaide share house is all about.” One such example is Bitch Prefect’s single, Bad Decisions, a catchy lo-ﬁ pop track that apologetically recounts a series of poor decisions, suggesting a pattern of behaviour founded on imperfect judgement. “I think on that particular day Liam was in a funk,” O’Hara says. “He’d had a particularly bad night the night before –

BITCH PREFECT’s album Big Time is out now on Bedroom Suck records. They launch it at The Liberty Social on Friday August 17.

JOE MCKEE

BY JOSHUA KLOKE

For a man readying himself to step onto stages throughout Australia all on his own, without his once iconic band standing with him, Joe McKee sounds remarkably selfassured. A humble determination and confidence can be heard in his voice, both throughout our 20-minute conversation and on his debut solo record, Burning Boy. It’s a bold reinvention of sonic character for McKee, whose time with Perth four-piece Snowman ended after eight years together with the release of Absence in 2011. On Burning Boy, McKee trades the aggressive energy of past Snowman releases for a more tempered yet distinguished approach, in which his deeply resonating pipes are brought to the forefront. For McKee, it wasn’t a calculated move. Though it wasn’t one he shied away from either. “I suppose so,” says McKee, after being asked if he felt the need to bring his voice to the forefront with his first solo record. “Maybe there was something subliminally that was telling me to do that. There are some people that think it’s shrouded in some kind of oceanic reverb, but to me it feels a lot more natured. When it has my name out there, I didn’t want to hide too much. Perhaps it was a bit of a coming out and that’s what this record is: burning off the past and moving forward. Stepping out. There was an intent to expose myself.” The need for McKee to let the world in, per se, had been building for some time. For the last three years, McKee has been travelling as much as possible, and writing along the way. When asked to name some of the places he’s hit up over the past three years, McKee lists off a barrage of countries throughout Europe that would make any Lonely Planet fanatic salivate with

Beat Magazine Page 44

envy. But for McKee, his travels weren’t about bragging rights, but instead to create experiences and absorb sounds that would eventually inﬂuence Burning Boy. “The more you travel and the more people you meet, the more sounds you pick up. It’s more about throwing yourself into any situation instead of being in a country and trying to pick up on the local sound. I didn’t go to Spain and try to get into Flamenco music. Through the people I met,” he continues, “I found myself experiencing records I hadn’t heard, books I hadn’t read and generally just having experiences that I wouldn’t have had normally.” After Snowman relocated to London in 2008, McKee experienced something of a disconnect with his Western Australia roots. Augmented by Snowman’s split, Burning Boy is the product of this disconnect. More contemplative than brooding, McKee’s approach exercises a manner of restraint not often heard in Snowman records. And it’s a level of restraint which he believes not only gives the record emotional weight, but will create a more meaningful resonance with those who hear it. “Restraint is something that comes with maturity. I

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JOE McKEE debuts Burning Boy at the Grace Darling Hotel on Saturday August 11. Burning Boy is out now through Dot Dash/Remote Control.

CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU

Beat Magazine Page 45

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THE MORRISONS Keen for a hump day pick me up? Head down to The Old Bar tonight and see The Morrisons tear it up with a little help from Sweet Teens and Battle Club. Tickets $8, doors open 8.30pm.

BURIED HORSES Ride out the end of winter every Saturday evening at The Tote with Buried Horses as they perform by the open ﬁre and warm surrounds of the front bar. At such close quarters, you will be able to count the whiskers on Mark Berry's chin and make yourself acquainted with the R.M Williams boot catalogue. This will be your last chance to catch the band before they ship out to Europe to promote the recent Beast Records release of their debut LP Tempest. For now this limited edition vinyl will only be on sale at shows. This Saturday August 11 support is from Suzie Stapleton.

LEGENDARY HEARTS

STRANGERS FROM NOW ON Formed in early 2010 Melbourne band Strangers From Now On began as a collaboration between vocalist Gabriel Santos’ theatrical and lyrically focused songwriting and Aidan Kelly’s guitar sound; a combination of atmospheric swirling, screaming noise and lead lines that roll with a kind of drunken precision. After the pair recruited drummer Miranda Holt, their songs took on an equally haunting and beautiful sound, snap changing from tense whispers to violent shrieks. Catch Strangers From Now On and Richard In Your Mind with guests Yolke, Shady Lane, and Magic Bones on Thursday 9 August in the Gershwin Room at 8pm. Tickets are $10 at the door.

RED SKY BURIAL

SET SAIL

Red Sky Burial are set to tear The Tote apart on Friday August 10 to launch their self-titled debut album. Joining them are the mighty riﬀ-lords Don Fernando, purveyors of technical sludge, Broozer and the progalicious Sons Of Abraham. This is a show not to be missed.

After a turbulent start to 2012, Sydney-based folk/ indie-pop trio Set Sail are ready to once again make their mark on the Australian music scene, embarking on a mammoth 18-date tour of the country. Parading a new collection of heartfelt rhythms in the form of their new six-track Hey!, released earlier this year in June, the band has promised a performance true to their trademark form, showcasing their infectious and energetic live performance in venues all across the Great Southern Land. Continuing to be celebrated for their guerrilla-style performances which has seen them arrested in Madrid for street busking, playing to a crowd of thousands in their under-jocks in London and performing 30,000 feet above sea level on a Virgin Atlantic ﬂight across the Tasman Sea, Set Sail promise to put on an entertaining show. So do yourself a favour and sail on down to The Toﬀ this Thursday August 9. Tickets available through Moshtix for $15+bf or $20 on the door.

HARTS Indie-rock lone wolf Harts is back at The Toff tonight ready to serve up a delicious mix of shredding guitar solos over synth pads and pounding electro drums, topped with surreal melodies and edgy vocals. His five-track EP, Offtime, set for release in 2012, was mixed by Lars Stalfors of The Mars Volta so is sure to take the edge off your mid-week blues. Special guests include Lost Weekends and Neon Knights. Tickets $10 on the door. Doors open from 7.30pm.

Fresh projects from some familiar faces; Legendary Hearts is a new duo from Andrew Cowie of Angel Eyes with Kieran Carpenter of Superstar combining Santana-esque noodling over thugged-out, deep-sea pop and screw electrics. People Person are members of Snawklor and The French, making blissed-out, casio-drone over midi throb, heartbroken circuits crying to the sound of their own demise. Down from Brisbane is Cured Pink the actionist instrument builder and destroyer ready as always to cause some danger. And ﬁrst but not worst is Michael of Mad Nanna and record label Albert's Basement's new solo project MU. Enjoy all of this for free on Sunday August 12, doors open 7.30pm.

AGILITY Melbourne psychedelic grunge band Agility are screeching it out at The Evelyn Hotel every Wednesday in August. With support from some of Australia's best young bands Sid Air and The Latonas, August's Wednesdays are sure to be absolute bangers. $5 on the door.

BRICKS Bricks is back with a whole new bag of tricks. Still playing some of the classics, Bricks has been writing even more kick-up-the-guts songs in this short hiatus they've experienced. Back with new strength, they have put together a show with well-known partners in crime, Moustache Ant. Also joining them are the punk sensation Japan For, the relentless Socially Handicapped, and the infectious sounds of Clowns in one ballsy night. The stage is set, the forum is The Evelyn, the time is 8pm. $5 at the door. Get your rock/ metal/punk on this Thursday August 9.

KING OF THE NORTH The powerhouse, hard rock duo King Of The North have been on the road nation-wide launching their self-titled debut EP. Saturday August 11 marks the day when their rock fury hits The Evelyn Hotel, launching their debut eﬀort with Europe's favourite Aussie stoner band Don Fernando, the almighty (Zep meets Queens) My Left Boot, Perth's hottest rock export Hailmary and House Of Rock's DJ Danger. Sure to be one of the hottest local rock shows of the year, doors 8.30pm.

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ROSIE WESTBROOK Rosie Westbrook has been a regular performer at Brightspace since its inception. In celebration of Brightspace's ten year anniversary, on Saturday August 11 Rosie will be joined by musical cohorts Mick Harvey and JP Shilo in an evening of solo and group performance – some tunes you may have heard before, others you will never hear again. Voices, guitars, double bass, violin and who knows what else. This will be a rare opportunity to hear these three musicians in a moment of musical exploration in an inspirational setting, before they set oﬀ for a series of Scandinavian dates in early September. Doors open 7pm, tickets $10.

THE SPOILS

BACK TO ATTACK

BLACK

THRASH

The most notorious and destructive Melbourne metal alliance, The Back to Back Thrash Attack, is happening this weekend. Witness live for the first time in 2012 Australian thrash metal heavyweights In Malice’s Wake, returning to storm the stage, set to deliver a thrash-ening live assault. Desecrator are hot off the heels of their first international tour, devastating audiences throughout South East Asia. Both bands are coming together once again for a night of mindmelting thrash metal mayhem at The Bendigo Hotel on Saturday August 11 with support from Harlott launching their new EP Blackened, plus the debut show from Metal Storm. Prepare for thrash metal warfare.

THE TRANSATLANTICS On the eve of the launch of their eagerly anticipated second album, Australia's most exciting new soul band The Transatlantics will be stopping through Melbourne for a one-oﬀ show at Fitzroy's Bar Open on Saturday August 11. Signed to UK-based Freestyle Records in 2010, The Transatlantic's amazing live show has taken the band across the country to perform at festivals including Falls Festival, Big Day Out, Playground Weekender and Parklife and the opportunity to share the stage with the likes of Marva Whitney, Roy Ayers, The Menahan St Band and Eddie Bo. Featuring a wealth of new material, this is a perfect chance to catch, for free, the ten-piece soulsters in an intimate setting with Max Savage kicking it early. Doors 10pm.

MARMOSET The lovely ladies of Marmoset present to you an afternoon of delight that oﬀers you not only music but also art work. See The Evelyn transformed into a creative space which showcases Melbourne's ﬁne young talent. Your Sunday will never sound sweeter. Relax to down-tempo electro and then be whirled away by pretty folk music. Supported by A Art, The Menstrual Cycle and Yorque. Sunday August 12, 1.30pm.

It seems The Spoils had such a ball at the Beast Records festival they've decided to stay out of hibernation and do it all again at The Old Bar with a reunion show for The Slaughtermen (goth-folk-gospel from the '80s feat. members from The Birthday Party, Models, The Sports, Sacred Cowboys and JAB) in their only Melbourne show. With Skyscraper Stan And The Commission Flats and the Ten In One supporting, it's gonna be a big one. Get down to The Old Bar on Friday August 10 from 8.30pm.

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THE SMALLGOODS Some erudite thinker once said all good things – big or small – must come to an end; a claim that certainly applies of some of our favorite bands. Awkward opening lines aside, we are saddened this week to hear news of the ﬁnal chapter in The Smallgoods chronicle; one that sprouted from the south-western Victoria in the late-'90s and followed the exploits of a band of handsome scruﬀs as they re-stumped in Melbourne, played to wide-eyed new fans at home and abroad, released a generous handful of critically-touted CDs, and were perhaps too heavily bound by their blithe nature to ever come into cooee of their true dangerous potential. The Smallgoods will be saying a small goodbye on Saturday August 11 and will be supported by Mid-State Orange, tickets $15+bf through Moshtix doors open 7.30pm.

PAINT ME A PHOENIX Paint Me A Phoenix is a musical side-project formed several years ago by its founding member Russell Knight. They'll be launching their two-track CD and introducing a new line-up including: Annie Sumner on cello, Rachel Snow on violin, Rohan Drew on bass, Chris Reid on keys/spaceship duties and Adam Davis on drums. Help them celebrate their ﬁrst headline gig this Friday August 10 at The Empress Hotel with guest painter Matty Taylor. Support on the night is Xenograft, LeBelle and Murdena.

YOHOSIE Yohosie broke up two years ago, and always regretted never doing a ﬁnal gig to say goodbye to their fans. Headed up by violinist Xani Kolac (The Twoks) and joined by Matt Kenneally (Canary), Lauchy O'Kane (The Word, Canary), Meg Kolac and Ed Harcourt, they are back for one last time. For farewell, they are playing a show in which all proceeds will go to the Royal Children's Hospital on Friday August 10, making for one special event. Support comes from the energetic Innperspace and Dear Ale with entry at $10 and doors opening at 9pm.

MILES BROWN Miles Brown, thereminist and synthesist with Melbourne dark synth heavyweights The Night Terrors, steps out for a special science-themed solo residency each Wednesday in August at the Gasometer Hotel. Brown’s solo work explores the analogue synth in a more electronic setting, ranging from morbid electro, to cold minimal synth and hyperactive space disco. Brown is part of this week's Science Club: a mid-week celebration of scientific inquiry from some of Melbourne’s finest musical experimentalists. Week one, Physics, features a collection of creepy electronic boffins from a range of malevolent methodological persuasions: Matthew Brown wrangles his 808, ARP and MS20 synthesisers into a beautiful computerised chaos that sounds like a steam train crashing into a spaceship in a nightclub. Other Places’ Mat Watson plugs his EMS Synthi AKS into his brain and carries the listener through a jungle of analogue wonder. Drill Folly (Sarah Phelan of Tantrums) plunges your ears through a wall of ones and zeroes to the farthest reaches of interstellar travel. DJ Luke Brown (PCP) will be taking you on a tour of experimental robotics between sets. A 7.30pm start, $8 on the door. Get down early for a free CD featuring all the Physics artists to the first 30 payers.

CLAIRE Despite garnering comparisons to an eclectic mix of artists – including Muse, Arctic Monkeys, and Foals – Claire have made a distinct eﬀort to carve out their own niche in a scene where originality and innovation are hard to come by. Their ability to share a bill and hold their own against such acts as Art Vs Science, Regurgitator, Dead Letter Circus, Bag Raiders, and The Beards is testament to Claire’s versatility. Claire perform this Saturday at The Retreat Hotel with The Dotcoms. Free.

CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU

Beat Magazine Page 47

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BONNIWELLS Bonniwells keep the yarn ball rolling after their successful album launch and a blitzreig of a 30 hour return car bop to Sydney. Puta Madre Brothers have been kind enough to share the stage this Sunday August 12 at AC/DC lane's Cherry Bar for their last Aussie show of the year. So set your pantaloons in ﬂames and run like a hot-sauced-stuﬀed-chicken all the way into town, come for your last ride on the donkey piñata to the place known as Meximotown and let them burn your ears into barbecued piglet.

CHERRY BAR This week at Cherry Bar kicks off with some loose rock'n'roll from the Vice Grip Pussies as they unleash their orgasmic sound over the course of an August residency. Aided by DJ Yuri Barbarion, you'll be rocking your August Wednesdays 'til 3am with free entry. If garage R&B and soul is what you're looking for, The Perfections and DJs Vince Peach and Pierre Baroni will fix you up for the measly fee of $10, head down on Thursday August 9. Friday August 10 offers up an epic hit of psychedelic grunge in the form of Apache Medicine Man. Accompanied by Buried Feather and The Hidden Venture and DJ Max Crawdaddy 'til 5am. Doors 5pm, door charge $13 from 8pm 'til 11pm, then $10 'til 5am. Alternative blues rockers 67 Special take up the Saturday night slot, rocking out with The Death Rattles, Little Wing and DJ Mary 10pm 'til 5am, door charge $13 from 8pm 'til 11pm, then $10. A seedy Sunday of Cherry Blues from 2pm to 7pm with two live sets from Chris Russell’s Chicken Walk with Dean Muller, DJ Max Crawdaddy & Ryan’s Cherry Chilli Con Carne plus free entry will inspire tired spirits to do it all again with the Puta Madre Brothers performing their last and only Aussie show for this year in the evening. Supported by The Bonniwells, tickets $10 on the Cherry door.

THE SIMON WRIGHT BAND

On Thursday August 16 it will be precisely 35 years since Elvis left the building forever. The star power of the King of Rock’n’Roll has yet to be unparalleled, loved by almost everyone despite their musical persuasion and where on the hipster scale they sit. It has been said, before Elvis there was nothing. Step in to Yah Yah's on Smith Street for this very special night paying homage to Memphis’ son. In alphabetical order these vocalists will be performing Elvis songs on the night – Alex Gow (Oh Mercy), Alison Ferrier, Courtney Barnett, Jen Cloher, Jess McGuire (RRR), Liz Stringer, Loretta Miller, Peter McManus (The Go Set), Quincy McLean, Richie 1250, Rob Snarski (Blackeyed Susans), Rusty Berther (Scared Weird Little Guys), Sarah Carroll, Spencer P. Jones, The Ukeladies, Van Walker and a few more special guests still to be announced.

A few of you may remember the good ol' days of Monday nights at The Evelyn with Simon Wright and The Eclective. Well they're back! Only now its Tuesdays. Each week The Simon Wright Band will be joined by some of Melbourne's freshest funk, soul and hip hop acts as well DJ Huw Joseph. So pull your drinking hat out of the closet and dust oﬀ your dancing shoes. Tuesday nights just got awesome. Doors 8.30pm.

Do you hear that? That's the sound of calm before the electric storm of the tantalising psych-rock of Sun God Replica performing live in the glossy red upstairs room of Bar Open Thursday August 9. Supported on the bill by thunderous bog stars King Leghorn and the wild mechanics of sludge Dick Finger. Don't miss out. Doors 9pm, free entry.

JEMMA AND THE WISE YOUNG AMBITIOUS MEN Jemma And The Wise Young Ambitious Men have been around a short while, with a mighty large name. They are pretty excited about spending two planned Sunday evenings in a row at Yah Yah's instead of accidentally leaving on a Sunday morning at 5am. They prefer their whiskey with sorrow on the rocks, and wash it down with songs about chickens, leaving people in Kansas city, and stealing klondike claim from thieven' ﬁshermen. They even have backup singer women. Jemma And The Wise Young Ambitious Men will be joined by The Bitter Sweethearts and Matty Green Band on Sunday August 12.

With The Weekender fest just around the corner, Poison City have announced the inclusion of an Acoustic Arvo show for Saturday September 15. The line-up will feature solo performances by Wil Wagner (The Smith Street Band), Lincoln le Fevre, Lucy Wilson and Dave Drayton (Milhouse/ Between The Devil & The Deep) and will run from 2 'til 5pm at The Old Bar. Entry will be $5 or free for anyone with a ticket to Saturday night's show at The Corner (including three-day Weekender passes).

Barﬂy Trevor Block wanted to recreate an archetypal '80s shelf of VHS tapes. He’s been sharing his collection at a casual, weekly VHS night at Fitzroy’s Old Bar. There’ll be cult classics like Mad Max, fan favourite sequels like Beneath The Planet Of The Apes, and deﬁantly obscure movies like Syngenor. There's no big projection to watch it on, just sit at the bar and watch it on the big TV. Although Trev might not be there every Monday, they've decided to keep it going. Popcorn, booze and VHS. Every Monday from 6pm, free. Check the website for which movies will be shown. Monday nights at The Old Bar.

ALBARE iTD has just completed a six-date jazz club tour in Europe, playing in France, Italy, Germany, Holland and the UK. His recent Australian tour garnered critical praise. Albare returns to Australia in August for a string of performances at both jazz clubs and festivals, including the Monash University Music Auditorium on Saturday August 15 and Bennetts Lane on Sunday August 26 and Monday 27.

Q&A PLASTIC SPACEMAN COLD HEART Cold Heart is a pure country band, old school with no drums just the slapping bass keeping the rhythm up. Add vocals and an electric guitar to the bass and you could be back in the ’50s at a Texan Honky Tonk. If you like the old sounds of Hank Williams, George Jones, Buck Owens and Johnny Cash, Cold Heart will soon be one if your favourites. Come on down with your drinking arms on as well as your dancing shoes. Cold Heart will be performing two sets in The Retreat front bar on Saturday August 11 from 4pm, and it's free.

THE UGLY KINGS Blues rockin’ bastards The Ugly Kings are set to blow your balls off as Russell’s drumming-singing whirlwind tears down The Curtin Bandroom. Yog float out of the studio, ready to unleash their psychedelic chaos with a second drummer. Let’s hope you find your feet after hearing Royal Ace’s crazy new drummer and who better for beer stretching and warm up back flipping than Rainbow Massacre. There will be drums this Friday August 10.

CERES Melting Pot presents a Thursday night debauch of live music and men in skinny jeans, now featuring more twisted testicles per square foot than any other venue in Melbourne. Aided by Jude St. Jude and Police & Thieves in their quest to entertain you, Ceres, summed up simply: born, bred and dead in Melbourne. Four dudes, one band and they'd like to say: Hi. How are you? All the action is going down on Thursday August 9.

Beat Magazine Page 48

POISON CITY WEEKENDER ARVO SHOW

ALBARE iTD

EL MOTH Melbourne's favourite party perpetrators, El Moth, have burst back onto the scene this year and are showing no signs of slowing down. Armed with their unique blend of funkin', punkin', drunkin' reggae, these hooligans are known for their high energy shows with slick, yet accessible musicianship that is topped oﬀ with a charismatic rock 'n' reggae attitude. The six-piece has been responsible for countless sleepless nights and angry neighbours around the underground Melbourne party scene over the years. Recently, El Moth has wowed audiences at the St Kilda and Apollo Bay music festivals and has been playing to capacity crowds at venues, always creating good vibes and a memorable experience that won’t be forgotten – at least until the hangover. From 10pm every Friday night in August at Bar Open, entry is free.

The Scatter Scatter Tropical Discotheque is back with two big August shows at The Prince! Get down to nothing but the deepest afro grooves and tropical funk. The first installment sees the triumphant return of The Shaolin Afronauts, launching their new LP Quest Under Capricorn. Alongside them will be local afro cats Papa Chango playing tracks from their recent album The Matador, as well as The Public Opinion Sound System with MC’s N’fa and 1/6 will bring their percussive dancefloor fire. Head to The Prince Bandroom on Friday August 10. Tickets are $15 and available via Moshtix.

VHS CLUB

ELVIS TRIBUTE NIGHT

SUN GOD REPLICA

THE SCATTER SCATTER TROPICAL DISCOTHEQUE

If you could assassinate one person or band from popular music, who would it be and why? It would have to be The Rivingtons who sang The Bird’s The Word. We believe that world peace may have been a possibility without the intrusion of one of the most important and devastating questions of all time, haven’t you heard? When’s the gig and with who? We will be playing The Brunswick Hotel on Saturday August 11 with The Ivory Elephant, The Cornish Arms on Saturday August 18 with The Vendettas, there’s a little road trip up to Morwell in November and although we are not releasing any names as of yet, we have created a charity event at The Tote on Sunday October 14 with some of the biggest bands in Melbourne. Keep an eye out, this one is going to be huge! So, someone is walking past as you guys are playing, they then go get a beer and tell their friend about you... what do they say? How hot is that drummer! Ha ha. Seriously, not joking. And no more questions regarding if she is taken, get some balls and ask her yourself you cowards.

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What inspires or has influenced your music the most? Chicks, more specifically Jamie’s chicks! Why should everyone come and see your band? We use up the entire stage and jump off of it regularly, the music has a groove to it which has gotten people up and dancing at every gig we have done! We rock it hard and appeal to most demographics. Tell us about the last song you wrote. It’s called My Valentine and is proving to be the best track yet. Most of the songs till this point have seen the vocalist screaming out loud about how much of a bitch his ex was, so this is a refreshing change. It’s a song about being lost, insecure and waiting to be saved. If someone made a movie about your life, who would play you? I think David Hasselhoff would have to play each one of us, even Lucy. That man can do anything! How do you stop your pre-gig jitters? Beer. Rhough Scotch for Russ ‘cos he’s fancy. Anything else to add? 3 + 1.

GARETH EDWARDS

MUSIC NEWS

Gareth Edwards (Corners, The Holy Rose, Sandro) returns to Melbourne’s Old Bar for the ﬁrst time in two years to launch his latest album Afterlife On Earth. He will be joined on the night by the sublime post-rock of Margins and the intense, minimalist folk of Matt Bailey. CD copies of Afterlife On Earth will be available at the gig, and the album may also be downloaded from his Bandcamp. The Old Bar, Thursday August 9.

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TERRY OLDFIELD World acclaimed composer and master of the flute Terry Oldfield is performing at Kindred Studios on Saturday August 18 promoting his latest album Journey Into Space, due for launch later this year. Featuring his brother Michael Oldfield, the composer says the album contains his “most joyful music to date” and hopes his music helps people experience peace in their lives. Accompanying him are local performers Vinod and Glen Kniebeiss (Tabla). Tickets for the show range from $20 to $25 for pre-sale and can be purchased via ticketbooth.com.au. Doors open at 7pm, Kindred Studios.

THE EXOTICS They took rock'n'roll’s head, put it in a pot, and cooked up a potent brew of primitive blues, lewd rockabilly, greasy rhythm and blues, crashin' surf reverb, stompin’ gospel, and garage trash. Guaranteed to leave an aftertaste. The Exotics are back at The Retreat Hotel this Friday August 10, support from Richie 1250 and The New Brides of Christ from 9.30pm, free.

SWEET TEENS Sweet Teens bring endless dangerous possibilities to The Tote for a month of Wednesdays this August. Hitting up the front bar for the ﬁrst three weeks and followed by two weeks in the band room out back. Sweet Teens recently released a free download only album This Ain't England & The Ominous Horror.

THE MIGRATIONS JAMES TEAGUE & THE BON SCOTTS Following on from the launch of his debut album Lavender Prayers, lyrical minstrel James Teague will be bringing his captivating live show to Melbourne, playing at The Grace Darling Hotel on Friday August 10. Teague’s melodic soliloquies aﬀorded him the opportunity to represent his hometown of Perth at the West Coast Blues ‘N’ Roots festival last year, supporting the revered Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello and Grace Jones. Teague’s diverse sound has evoked comparisons to artists such as Joanna Newsom, Devendra Banhart, Elliott Smith and Jeﬀ Buckley. James Teague will be backed by the freshly assembled The Bon Scotts and supported by Sleep Decade. Doors open from 9pm.

This is one Thursday to lock in your alibi! Melbourne’s own ‘doo rockers’ The Migrations join up-and-coming folk/ psychedelic kids Run Rabbit Run and those clandestine communicators Private Radio at Yah Yah’s on Thursday August 9. It’s a line-up that guarantees a night of fannies movin’ and brows a sweatin’. Phew. 9pm start and $5 entry.

THEM BRUINS A tin shed in Brunswick has given birth to a bitchin' rock band, Them Bruins. The band have smashed onto the Melbourne scene with a bunch of awesome shows up their sleeves and a debut release on the way. The boys are playing The Tote on Thursday August 9 with Sheriﬀ, Royal Blood and Dirty Little Rebels (NSW) and doors from 8pm. After smashing The Tote the boys with hit Ding Dong on Saturday August 11 to play with Calling All Cars, with tix available from Oztix. Feels like a Them Bruins kinda weekend.

CLAIRY BROWNE & THE BANGIN' RACKETTES Following on from their Love Letter tour, power diva Clairy Browne and her harmonising girl gang The Bangin’ Rackettes are getting ready to settle in at The Toﬀ for the month of August. Known for their dynamic live shows and their contemporary take on old sounds of soul, R&B and doo-wop, the songs tell a story of the here and now and are delivered through Clairy's voice and choreography of The Bangin' Rackettes and McNulty's baritone sax leading the big band. Clairy Browne & The Bangin' Rackettes will unveil their culty, family ways with a series of collaborations and special guests. Their residency continues at The Toﬀ on Tuesday August 14. Tickets are $20 on the door.

A FAILSAFE HEART A Failsafe Heart blend powerful emotive music with heavy as fuck riﬀs and beats. A mosh is a given at any of their shows and they will not stop at any stage throughout their set, bringing as much energy to the table as possible and leaving everything on the stage. Walking proud and promoting a positive message of letting people know to hold their head up no matter how hard it gets and always strive to achieve the very best in themselves. Having recently taken out the prestigious Gunn Music and ESP Guitars Espy Artist Showdown along with up and coming local act The Corner Shop Kids you can tell these guys are ready to take on the world. Catch them Thursday August 9 at The Prague playing at the new alternative rock night Kings And Queens.

THE OX AND THE FURY

SHERIFF

The Ox And The Fury have announced shows at The Laundry Bar on Thursday August 30 and Thursday September 13. They will be playing two sets a night, including the entire new album Peace Love And Music along with all the hits from their previous release Guitars Die In Hot Cars. Tickets are $10, available on the door, and support comes from the wonderfully dexterous Dom Italiano and The Upbeat Maﬁa (yes that Dom Italiano). And Zeke's Mum is doing the door and merch, it's a family thing.

Sheriﬀ hit The Tote again on Thursday August 9. What a way spend a delicious thirsty Thursday. Rockin' two piece Royal Blood will also be shaking things up along with dirty rock'N'rollers Dirty Little Rebels, straight out of Port Macquarie. If that wasn't enough, you'll be pleased to know Them Bruins will also be there to knock you right around the noggin. You want more? You got it. The evening will also include a special burlesque performance by Miss Shell Ma Bellle

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MUSIC NEWS

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THE CHARLIES The LuWow is easily one of the hottest new venues in Melbourne, with it's fabulous cocktails and tikilicious decor you know you're in for a treat. Now what happens when you mix cocktails with some of the best funk and soul music your ears can handle? You have the night of your life, that's what! The Charlies, Melbourne's funkiest, foxiest and freakiest dirty funksters will blow your mind and you'll have a soul ﬁst of a time on Friday August 10. Joined by some mighty ﬁne DJs Jumpin' Josh and Mickster, entry is $5.

GUITAR GALLERY SESSIONS

BLUEGRASS

That's right folks! Every Monday night in every month bring your banjo, mandolin, washboard, fiddle, flatmate and join in the old time bluegrass jam session. Or just come down and watch as The Oldie gets transformed to a scene from an Appalachian mountainside. A band plays first then the jam starts. 8.30pm start and it's always free. Monday nights at The Old Bar. Cheap jugs all night.

THE SMART The Smart are heading to the Melbourne Hi-Fi complete with 3D Glasses, headsets and a key-tar as they support the upcoming single release Hands Of Shelter. Following the airplay success of City Lights, Electrical and Cold Dark Room, The Smart silent show puts the crowd front and centre, wherever they are, and gives the audience the chance to take control of their own destiny with volume control to create their own personal atmosphere. This visually enticing performance will be an assault on the senses across three dimensions. Supported by Sounds Of Troy, Inc3do, Pludo and Pretty Dulcie, whilst encompassing the next generation of visual and performance artistry, The Smart’s electrifying sound and visuals are a must. See and hear live music your way as The Hi-Fi goes sci-ﬁ for The Smart Saturday September 8. Doors from 7.30pm.

JOE McKEE Joe McKee is embarking on an album tour this August to launch his debut solo record and recent Beat Album Of The Week Burning Boy. Recorded in Perth with long time collaborator Dave Parkin, the record was written over a three year period, in various countries all over the globe. Burning Boy itself is a bold shift for McKee. Gone is the pulsing rhythm section so often omnipresent in his work, replaced by a breathy and somewhat unexpected baritone. Catch Joe McKee supported by the Sydney's Melodie Nelson at The Grace Darling this Saturday August 11.

MICHAEL MEEKING & THE LOST SOULS

THE LAURELS Sydney four-piece The Laurels will celebrate the release of their debut album Plains by throwing some fuel into the Tarago and hitting the road this August and September. The Plains album tour will see the band embark upon their ﬁrst headline tour in a year and will take their renowned live show around the country, including The Tote this Saturday August 11. Having recently toured the country with Pond and following on from shows with likes of The Black Angels, Wooden Shjips, Swervedriver, Dead Meadow, Low and Tame Impala, The Laurels have developed a solid reputation as one of the country’s best live bands. Support comes from Witch Hats and Lowtide, and tickets are on sale through Oztix.

What becomes of the broken-hearted? Michael Meeking’s previous album, Where To From Here, was an acclaimed break-up record. Ride On is the story of what happens next – the sound of healing and hope. After six years in London, Michael returned home to Melbourne and re-formed The Lost Souls (Julien Chick on bass, Chris Gates on guitar, and Dave Kleynjans on drums). Their exquisite playing is a highlight of Ride On and soul queen Kylie Auldist (The Bamboos) pops up on a stunning duet. It’s called Gentle, but Michael and Kylie whip up a mighty groove. Meeking's new album shows that he’s capable of crafting classic songs that sit comfortably alongside Australian artists such as Neil Murray, Mick Thomas, Dan Warner and The Black Sorrows. The band launches the album on Sunday August 19 at The Penny Black with special guest Dan Warner, $10 entry.

PUTA MADRE BROTHERS The loose-ended Jalapeno garage triplets Puta Madre Brothers have landed back on Australian soil with a box of their latest album It's A Long Long Way To Meximotown on blue vinyl. The dirty philandering trio recently toured Europe which included such misadventures as electrocutions, the tour bus being quarantined in Austria, guitars falling to pieces mid set, and a head on collision with cult band No Means No somewhere in Belgium. Wild. These music matadors will sting you with their sharp geetars, conquer you with their infected melodies and beat you near to a heart attack with the triple bass drum boom. They play their ﬁnal Melbourne show for 2012 (sad face) at Cherry Bar on Sunday August 12. Head along for the ride.

SONGS FROM A ROOM So Far Sounds presents secret shows in Melbourne lounge rooms simulcast around the globe. Show number ﬁve happens this Thursday August 9 at 8pm with four bands in a secret living room location. Email melbournesofar@gmail. com to be put on the guest list.

WILD TURKEY Local Melbourne psychobilly and rockabilly trio Wild Turkey are celebrating 24 years on the road this month! Since forming in 1988 the band has released four CDs locally and also had international distribution through Nervous Record in the UK. Wild Turkey have songs on numerous compilation CDs and were also featured in several Australian TV show soundtracks including Good Guys Bad Guys and Stingers. Wild Turkey ﬁrst toured the USA in 2006 and have been back annually ever since – they are the ﬁrst and only Aussie band to perform at Bonneville Speedweek on the Salt in Wendover Utah. The band's iconic vehicle, a 1959 Ford Hearse, also shows the strong links the group has with the traditional '50s Hotrod and Kustom car culture scene where they perform at many events throughout Australia and the US. Wild Turkey are performing at Yah Yah's on Saturday August 11 with Dirty Harriet and The Road Ratz and have the huge 24th birthday party at The Retreat Hotel on Saturday August 18 with special guests Doubleblack.

Q&A RED SKY BURIAL

THE QUEEN AND CONVICT The songs of The Queen And Convict have travelled far and wide. Their tunes have been featured on ABC RN, ABC Dig, Radio Australia; and widely played on the BBC. Armed with just voices, guitars, and a ukulele, Justin Bernasconi (Guitarist To Watch – Australian Guitar Magazine) and Cat Canteri will be a treat for any fan of blues, bluegrass and Americana. They will perform two sets in the front bar of The Retreat Hotel, on Saturday August 11. Music starts at 4pm, and what’s more? There's no cover charge.

What is Dr Piffle And The Burlap Band? Wanderers, rambling gypsies, international street buskers, sultans of nonsense, or children of some mysterious forest commune? They may just be a family of forward thinking, socially conscious and environmentally aware humans. Maybe a gang, determined to break down old paradigms of corruption and greed that have separated people for too long. Adelaide’s Dr. Piffle And The Burlap Band are teaming up with the anthemic, polished, grade-edged punk-rock of Foxtrot to play The Great Britain hotel on Saturday August 11. Topping the night, Newcastle/Melbourne folk punk stalwarts Fear Like Us strum out their magnetic anthems. Free entry, the fun kicks off at 9pm.

As the rest of us burrow down further into our winter cocoons, Heavy Beach is breaking through the ice with its latest single Good Intentions. The track follows hot-on-the-heels of the release of 1963, which garnered great reviews and allowed the Melbourne three-piece to be a triple j Unearthed spotlight feature artist of the week. Good Intentions spins a tale of devilmay-care self destruction and Heavy Beach are launching it with a Beach Party theme at Yah Yah's on Friday August 10 with support from Ocean Party and Go Violets (Bris). Entry is free.

ALEX LASHLIE

MASS CULT Mass Cult return with their brand new single Time To Wait, the ﬁrst track released oﬀ their third album due early next year. Mass Cult have taken on a raw, heavy guitar driven approach to their own garage punk style, incorporating dynamic shifts, soaring guitar solos and a heavy rhythm section. Time To Wait will be launched at Yah Yah’s on Friday August 17 with special guests Heavy Beach, Smoke Signal and Cut. Free entry.

After a stellar performance at Charles Jenkins' Winter Ball and a swag of new songs, Alex will be moseying on down to Richmond’s Great Britain Hotel for a Sunday show on August 12. If you haven’t caught Alex before his music is full of complex melodies; countered by breathy vocals and chilling hooks that come from nowhere. 8pm. Free entry.

Deﬁne your genre in ﬁve words or less: Hooked up heavy angular grooves. What do you love about making music? Having four guys all banging their heads together in a small and stinky rehearsal studio until hey presto, a tune is smashed out. Making a dodgy recording of it on a phone wrapped up in a jumper comes next and hopefully we remember everything the following week. If so, it goes into our live set which is the icing on the cake. What’ve you got to sell CD-wise? We’ve recently put out our debut release through Rocket Distribution. It’s self titled with seven bangers on it and is available at JB HI-FI across the country (maybe not Perth, or Darwin for that matter), on iTunes and of course at our gigs. Keep an eye out for the cracking artwork by our mate Boyd. When’s the gig and with who? The CD launch is at The Tote this Friday August 10 from 8pm. Joining us are Sons of Abraham, Broozer

and Don Fernando. It’s going to be a cracker of a night and we’re really looking forward to it. In fact, even if we weren't playing, we'd be there cause that line up is shit hot. How long have you been gigging and writing? In this band we actually haven't been gigging or writing for that long, 18 months maybe. Staf and Poppy got the ball rolling at the end of 2010 and since then the tunes have just kept ﬂowing. Do you have a pre-gig ritual? If so, what is it? Send out a group text message to tell all our mates that we’re playing! Some people call this spam; we call it thoughtful, or at worst, borderline harassment. Anything else to add? If you’re into big riﬀs come on down Friday night to the Tote and shake out those winter blues. We promise good times. Album and merchandise will also be available on the night so bring ya’ bucks kids.

LOVE LIKE HATE

Melbourne FRIDAY AUGUST 17

Beat Magazine Page 50

CORNISH ARMS

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS THE DARK FAIR & THE DIVINE FLUXUS

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HEAVY BEACH

FURTHER TOUR DATES & EP STOCKIST:

DR. PIFFLE AND THE BURLAP BAND

WHERE WERE YOU AT LUNCH

MYRIDIAN Come this weekend, Pony will be playing host to a night of epic metal diverse enough for the whole family! Fresh out of the recording studio, melodic death/doomers Myridian are ready to tear into some tracks oﬀ their upcoming album Under The Fading Light. With Catacombs, Mardraum and Sewercide also churning out death, black and thrash metal anthems from their own recent releases, this is a night not to be missed! Pony – Saturday August 11. Doors at 9pm. Entry $12.

RETURN TO YOUTH Melbourne alternative-pop trio, Return To Youth are set to release a taste of their freshly-recorded material with the single Sail Away. Featuring sweet vocal harmonies, plus a sizeably-beefy drum break, the song tears down the walls of what a conventional pop song should be, or is expected to be. Return To Youth combine their characteristically-melodic and rhythmic elements to formulate the irrepressibly catchy, vibrant sound on the song Sail Away. To mark this release, Return To Youth will be launching their new single on Wednesday August 15, at The Grace Darling Hotel, with support slots from energetic indie-pop band Daydream Arcade, and indie-rockers Les Garcons. Free copies of the single will be handed out on the night, each inside individually handstitched cases. Tickets are $5 on the door.

Experimental trio Where Were You At Lunch bring their instrumental, distortion heavy tunes to the stage alongside Schoolgirl Report. This show is sure to be a treat for all the senses with both bands leaving traditional vocals behind and tantalizing punters with aural pleasures. WWYAL's erratic compositions can go from unnerving to delicate. Their nontraditional take on things see them using kitchen utensils as instruments alongside tight repetition at other times. Schoolgirl Report are self described as makers of "sex beats", known for noisy freak jams and maybe even an ESG cover. All the makings for what could be the instrumental talk of the town. No pun intended. Tonight at Bar Open, 8pm, free entry.

MUSIC NEWS

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LIKE LOVE HATE Brisbane dark pop outﬁt, Love Like Hate, release their debut EP Rabbit Hole; emotional, honest and instinctive rock, blended with hints of early post punk and delicate melodies that pay tribute to some of music’s most notables – PJ Harvey, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Pat Benetar, Joan Jett and Patti Smith. Bonding over a mutual love of epic ballads, Love Like Hate recorded the ﬁve track EP Rabbit Hole with Lachlan Mitchell (The Jezabels). Featuring lead single 21, Love Like Hate will be celebrating the new release with a launch at The Cornish Arms on Friday August 17.

LITTLE DESSERT Formulating an experimental window into vistas of wildﬁre; Little Dessert will be performing their debut show amidst a cacophony of psychedelic vibes and good tides with local ﬁre wonders Sun God Replica. Come down to The Retreat Hotel on Sunday August 12 for some fucked up, beautiful rock‘n’roll. Sun God Replica onstage from 7pm. Entry is free.

SPENCER P. JONES & THE ESCAPE COMMITTEE Emerging from the primordial soup like some swamp-dwelling, Medusa-esque creation, Spencer P. Jones & The Escape Committee are setting up shop at The Retreat Hotel for the month of August. Spencer and his motley crew will performing every Thursday night, support acts on at 9pm, entry is free.

GLASS VAULTS Wellington band, Glass Vaults, make emotive music that could be described as layered-ambientglacialpop. Their live show takes the spaciousness and melodic clarity of their recorded work and stretches it into wall of sound environments moving through lush, fully realised universes of textural sound. They are currently touring in the US and Canada on the back of a two month residency in New York. Before heading back to their home land, they will be performing an especially intimate show in Melbourne at The Grace Darling on Thursday August 9 with support from These Patterns, Colourwheel, and DJ Lotion. Presented to you by Wolﬁe and Lotion, who champion music from the New Zealand and Melbourne underground.

KEITH! PARTY If you love shaking your perfect little tush to impossibly sexy dance-beats then come to The Evelyn on Monday August 13 for Keith is Dead #2. Australasia's spunkiest party posse Keith! Party have curated yet another night of cutting-edge beat-craft and irresistible doof - it's going to be a no-holds-barred ﬂirt-fest. Live sets by darkwave pin-ups Soccer Legends and future-garage duo Rachel Haircut. DJ sets from dead-sexy Orca Pod Elite. Keith is Dead will be held every Monday night in August. Doors 8pm, free entry.

BART THRUPP After successfully launching his single Everything You Own in his home town of Toowoomba QLD, Bart is now sharing it with the east coast of Australia. After winning a competition to play Blues fest last year, Bart has sold over 2,500 copies of his single by playing countless shows around Brisbane AND Toowoomba. He is excited to announce his single launch show at Gertude's Brown Couch in Fitzroy on Thursday August 9.

STREETLIGHT SYMPHONY Four-piece dance act Streetlight Symphony will be launching their new single Oz on Sunday August 12. The band will be playing their eclectic live set of originals and remixes at the Brunswick Hotel with Shoot The Sun and upcoming producer Friendships. The gig will kick oﬀ at 9pm sharp, entry is free. Originating from Adelaide, the last few months have seen some Streetlight Symphony members relocate to Melbourne while the band has branched out to play DJ sets and acoustic performances along with their live shows. The new single features remixes from a selection of other artists including Loot & Plunder, The Bottle Rockets and Capt and Cooked with CDs to be available for free on the night.

THE SPINSET Hailing from the surrounding suburbs of Melbourne, The Spinset are ready to show the pop punk music scene that they are a force to be reckoned with. Combining powerful, yet harmonious vocals with hard hitting drums and crunching guitars, these five young men deliver a high energy live show that does not disappoint. The Spinset are entertainment gold readily paving the way for a new flavour of Aussie pop punk. Get off your seat, push your way to the front, and prepare to be awestruck at The Curtin this Saturday August 11.

BUTTERFLY BOUCHER Originally signed to the now-defunct but once mighty A&M records, Boucher's 2003 debut Flutterby drew notable mentions from David Bowie, Madonna, Ben Folds and Sarah McLachlan. But Boucher was caught up in the decade's label maelstrom, and was unable to release her second album until 2009. Now, as not only a performing artist, but also a multi-instrumentalist, writer, arranger, and producer, she's funneled her multiple creative outlets into the making of Butterﬂy Boucher with an adventurous and experimental spirit, crafting smart indie-pop with alt rock muscle. Stretching the gamut from sincere to playful, her high voltage electric pop inhabits a world of pure creativity where fragility and force are complementary, where indie rock accompanies heartfelt vulnerability. The Toﬀ this Sunday August 12. Tickets $15+bf through Moshtix and $18 on the door, opening from 7.30pm.

CITRUS JAM Citrus Jam returns to The Great Britain Hotel on Thursday August 9 with his Epic Sea Monster Orchestra to unleash the chaotically fresh 'shredtacular' live show. A rare blend of the most extreme tropical acoustic metal material from the upcoming Oﬀ The Hook! album plus the usual pirate shred mayhem. Support comes from singer/ songwriter Domini Forster and her eclectic band armed with miniature folk instruments. Free entry, music kicks oﬀ from 8pm.

THE ESPY OPEN MIC Fancy yourself to be the next rock legend? Do you have the moves like Jagger? Come and strut your stuﬀ at the new open mic night at The Espy, happening every Thursday in the front bar. Sign up from 8.30pm in The Espy front bar. Entry is free.

THE HARLOTS The Harlots are playing every Sunday in August at The Old Bar, the 'Pryde of Fytzroy Towne', but they aren't doing it alone: The mesmeric Mojo Juju and the serendipitous Saint Jude are in on it too! Raw power. It works like this: August 12, you get The Harlots and Mojo Juju. On August 19 and 26, you get The Harlots and Saint Jude. They’ll be solving locked-room murder mysteries, creating perpetual motion, stalking your dreams and entering the dragon. Every night, the bill will be opened by another of Melbourne's ﬁnest boutique handcrafted micro-brewed shortbatch artists, all for only six of your shiny dollars. Sundays in August at The Old Bar. Yeah!

WILD TURKEY Original Aussie Rockabilly and Psychobilly

~ SAT 11TH AUGUST ~

Yah Yahs - Fitzroy with Dirty Harriet and Road Ratz

~ SAT 18TH AUGUST ~

Wild Turkey 24th Birthday Party at The Retreat Hotel, with Doubleblack Devil Riding Shotgun CD out now!

CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU

Beat Magazine Page 51

ALBUM OF THE WEEK

TOP TENS 3RRR SOUNDSCAPE

MIDNIGHT WOOLF

1. Commercial Music FABULOUS DIAMONDS 2. Quest Under Capricorn THE SHAOLIN AFRONAUTS 3. Heady Fwends THE FLAMING LIPS 4. Lake Air DAPPLED CITIES 5. Loving On The Flipside: Sweet Funk and BeatHeavy Ballads 1969-1977 VARIOUS ARTISTS 6. Heat WHITE HEX 7. Hypnotised PONY FACE 8. Ill Manors PLAN B 9. Girlfriends LEHMANN B. SMITH 10. MTMTMK THE VERY BEST

I’ll Be A Dog (Oﬀ The Hip)

WEDNESDAY 8 AUGUST RESIDENCY

AGILITY SID AIR THE LATONAS ENTRY $5, 9PM

THURSDAY 9 AUGUST

SOCIALLY HANDICAPPED BRICKS JAPAN FOR CLOWNS MOUSTACHE ANT

ENTRY $5, 8PM $2.50 POTS, $5 VODKAS!

FRIDAY 10 AUGUST

ROYAL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FUNDRAISER

YOHOSIE - FINAL EVER SHOW

The paradox of the developed world’s so-called progress is that we’re hell bent on making life more difficult and complex. Public infrastructure projects are suffocated at birth under the weight of nebulous feasibility studies, leisure time has become an exploitable commodity and the spell of modern technology has rendered us unable to perform the most basic of tasks without metaphorically fellating some Silicon Valley whizkid. Midnight Woolf is as simple as modern society is an indulgent Byzantine mess. The riffs have been around longer than Wall Street self-interest, and the lyrical themes as sophisticated as Chuck Berry telling dirty anecdotes in the schoolyard. It’s Love is three chords and an adolescent love-struck proclamation, Can’t Slow Down is unapologetic speed-fuelled rockabilly and Take It Off is the bastard garage rock child of Link Wray and Betty Page. Skin You Alive is spaghetti western rock decked out in stylish Spanish pop style, Let’s Dance offers a surf-and-grease alternative to vacuous romantic rhetoric and I’ll Be Your Dog takes political correctness and pummels it into submission with a Radio Birdman-filled frenetic assault. On Haircut, Midnight Woolf discovers its inner pop band, all smilin’ and lovin’; Natural Man has Brian Jones and Steve Marriot smiling from beyond the grave. Drink Wine discovers viniculture as metaphor for hot love; Fuss And Fight is all apple pie and distorted American morality. There’s a bunch of covers thrown in for good measure, including a faithful rendition of The Cramps’ New Kind Of Kick,

SYN SWEET 16

and a perfectly bastardised interpretation of Gloria, skinned and re-cut as Mongolia. Almost 40 years ago Ken Russell exhorted the English people to ignore Ted Heath and Harold Wilson in favour of The Who; in 2012, Midnight Woolf oﬀers us a simple path to satisfaction and enlightenment.

1. Plague CRYSTAL CASTLES 2. Today’s Supernatural ANIMAL COLLECTIVE 3. Straight Back WASHED OUT 4. Little Talks (Passion Pit Remix) OF MONSTERS AND MEN 5. Spinning Top ft. LA Mitchell SOLA ROSA 6. Super Rich Kids FRANK OCEAN 7. New God Flow KANYE WEST AND PUSHA T 8. Rip RINGO DEATHSTARR 9. Burner SCOTDRAKULA 10. She Will Never Know POLO CLUB

PATRICK EMERY

WOOLY BULLY

Best Track: Let’s Dance If You Like These, You’ll Like This: THEM, LINK WRAY, MUDDY WATERS In A Word: Primitive

INNERSPACE DEAR ALE ENTRY $10, 9PM

SATURDAY 11 AUGUST EP LAUNCH

KING OF THE NORTH DON FERNANDO MY LEFT BOOT HAILMARY (WA)

ENTRY $15 DOOR, $12 PRESALE THRU MOSHTIX, 8.30PM

SUNDAY 12 AUGUST

MARMOSET YORQUE THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE A ART ENTRY $5, 1.30PM

EVENING SHOW

HOWARD FUTURE FATHERS CAM LOPEZ ENTRY $5, 8.30PM

MONDAY 13 AUGUST

RESIDENCY - OPENING NIGHT

KEITH! PARTY RACHEL HAIRCUT SOCCER LEGENDS ORCA POD ELITE DJS DONATION ENTRY, 8:30PM $10 JUGS!

TUESDAY 14 AUGUST RESIDENCY

SIMON WRIGHT BAND LAMARAMA DJ HUW JOSEPH

DONATION ENTRY, 9PM $10 JUGS!

COMING UP TIX AVAILABLE THRU MOSHTIX: KEITH! PARTY (MON IN AUG) THE SIMON WRIGHT BAND (TUE IN AUG) AGILITY (WED IN AUG) MANSION, ALASKA (16 AUG) PANDORUM (17 AUG) SYDONIA – SINGLE LAUNCH (18 AUG) CLINT BOGE (24 AUG) THEY – VIDEO CLIP LAUNCH (25 AUG) URTHBOY (31 AUG) ANIMAUX (1 AUG) WHITAKER (8 SEP)

SINGLES BY SIMONE All that stands between me and death is a handful of dumb jokes.

ANIMAL COLLECTIVE

Today’s Supernatural (Domino/EMI) There’s a strident thread of vocals through Today’s Supernatural that should replicate the eﬀect of the vocals in My Girls – it should cut through the whirligig of technicolour noise and create an emotional anchor in this song. Here, it throws you even further out of whack. There’s an edge of aggression, a spitting, yowling air in Avey Tare’s voice that creates sharp peaks and drops in amongst the warped, blaring music. Oddly, it’s still kind of pop; big, dramatic and easy to follow. Animal Collective’s new album, Centipede Hz, is due out in September.

THE WALLFLOWERS

Reboot The Mission (Sony) The Wallflowers, still featuring Bob Dylan’s son Jake, return with their first album in seven years and the ten-years-too-late single called Reboot The Mission. It’s not just the title that’s dated – their breathy white boy funk has a late ‘90s LA goatee feel, a woefully straight-faced attempt to bring the soul in a world of booming, schizophrenic pop and infinite genrebending club-meets-hip hop collaborations.

PONY FACE

Silver Tongues (Independent) Melbourne’s Pony Face evoke Dinosaur Jnr with their guitar fuzz and low, cruising vocals. There are shades of The National in the opening verses but when the chorus opens out it is pure ‘90s noise pop, perfectly etched, maybe a little rounder at the edges. The rolling electro sample lifts the tune out of pure nostalgia and makes it new. Really interesting.

THE SMITH STREET BAND

Why Can’t I Draw (Poison City Records) The Melbourne ﬁve-piece, fronted by singersongwriter Wil Wagner, is set to release their second album in September. The ﬁrst single is a stompy, ferocious bit of uber-Okker folk pop, a yearning, energetic piece that reminds me of The Lucksmiths and The Whitlams. The similarity goes beyond Wagner’s accent, which is holy-smokes-local, and into the songwriting; like Tim Freedman and Tali White, Wagner’s lyrics are lithe and smart, full of heart-onhis-sleeve sincerity, tumbling out in one very long and very graceful stream of thought.

KATCHAFIRE

Irie (Independent) This honeyed slice dub soul seduction is the fourth single from Katchaﬁre’s latest album, and it’s icky: “I want to roll you and lick you and stick you down / Mama you make me feel so comfortable / Whenever Beat Magazine Page 52

you’re with me, feels to natural / You know exactly how to handle me.” At the risk of sounding like a nineyear-old, describing your sex acts to a slow burning musical tempo is gross. It’s gross when Marvin Gaye does it, it’s gross when Barry White does it, and it’s super gross when Katchaﬁre do it. No one wants to hear about how you lick your girlfriend while she handles you, dude. Not me, and none of my nineyear-old friends.

LEMONADE

Ice Water (True Panther/Remote Control) San Fran-via-New York outfit Lemonade return with third album, Diver, and this insipid single to kick it off. Ice Water is synth pop through a camp boy band filter, a softly bubbling Pet Shop Boys beat, a few muted Van Halen chords and a vocal melody that is slight and innocuous, almost girlish. A nothing song from the tail end of the ‘80s synth revival.

ARIEL PINK’S HAUNTED GRAFFITI

Only In My Dreams (4AD/Remote Control) Following Baby, Only in My Dreams is another lush and romantic retro pop excursion from Ariel Pink, a departure from his rough and ready bedroom creations. This song is sweet made, full of wistful guitar notes and warm rushes of vocal harmony, slow twirling psychedelia and an edge of dreamy West Coast surf. Lifted from his ninth album, Mature Themes, out August 17.

THE CITY LIGHTS

Without People You’re Nothing (Ivy League/ Mushroom) Dormant since 2004, Sydney’s City Lights have ﬁnally recorded their second album. Without People… is a smash of an opening single, fuelled by all the mess and noise of early punk, with breathing space in between each verse that lets you know they’re thinking hard. The lyrics are a chain of easy-rhyming political slogans, “I believe in democracy, don’t want no monarchy, bring back humanity.” (Maybe they’re not thinking so hard about the lyrics.)

SINGLE OF THE WEEK THE XX

Angels (Young Turks/Remote Control) The XX release Angels ahead of sophomore album Coexist, out September 7. Their trademark minimalism hits a golden new height here, thanks to Romy’s voice. Her rich, aching, understated song is barely dressed, but for the occasional shimmer of cymbals and the faintest whisper of bass and guitar. This is magic, like dusk, holding your breath while the light fades, too-strong emotions still trapped in your chest. Lovely, lovely, lovely.

FOR MORE REVIEWS GO TO BEATTV.COM.AU/REVIEWS

1. Shelley 7” WOOLLEN KITS 2. Big Time LP BITCH PREFECT 3. Commercial Music LP FABULOUS DIAMONDS 4. Sleeping Dogs Lie LP THE VICTIMS 5. Heat LP WHITE HEX 6. Cut Sleeves LP BITS OF SHIT 7. All Gone LP POP SINGLES 8. Everything Goes Wrong LP CONSTANT MONGREL 9. Nationalism 7” STRAIGHTJACKET NATION 10. S/T EP WHITE COP

AIRIT NOW 1. Elbow KING GIZZARD AND THE LIZARD WIZARD 2. Occupied THE CLUES 3. Your Love SASKWATCH 4. Hospital Song FRANCOLIN 5. Drums OH MERCY 6. Born At The Right Time DAPPLED CITIES 7. Felusine COGEL 8. Gasoline ALPINE 9. Riot VELOCIRAPTOR 10. Everything At The Same Time TOBY MARTIN

OFF THE HIP 1. Now is the Time 2x7” JOHNNY CASINO 2. Ultimate Collection ZOOBOMBS 3. Do The Wurst KING SALAMI 4. Back From The Grave LP VARIOUS 5. Fire Of Love LP GUN CLUB 6. I Know You Fine LP GORIES 7. Spilt Milk LP JELLYFISH 8. Born Innocent LP REDD KROSS 9. Boom LP THE SONICS 10. Left Nut Blues 7” THE SWINGIN NUTSACK

THORNBURY RECORDS 1. Sleeping Dogs Lie LP VICTIMS 2. Cut Sleeves LP BITS OF SHIT 3. Hard Rubbish LP LOWER PLENTY 4. Valtari LP SIGUR ROS 5. Aufheben LP BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE 6. Vaya 10” EP AT THE DRIVE IN 7. Your Love 7” SASKWATCH 8. in/CASINO/out LP AT THE DRIVE IN 9. Ex Tropical LP LOST ANIMAL 10. Noctourniquet LP MARS VOLTA

COLLECTOR’S CORNER MISSING LINK 1. Bitter Sweet Kicks CD LINEA DE FUEGO 2. Om CD/2LP ADVAITIC SONGS 3. Ministry DVD FIX - THE MINISTRY MOVIE 4. Baroness 2CD/2LP YELLOW & GREEN 5. Pop Singles CD/LP ALL GONE 6. Bonniwells CD SNEEZE WEED 7. Fabulous Diamonds CD/LP COMMERCIAL MUSIC 8. Oﬀ! CD/LP OFF! 9. Brat Farrar LP BRAT FARRAR 10. The Cure 2LP ENTREAT PLUS

BEAT’S TOP TEN SONGS ABOUT MOUNTAINS 1. Blue Ridge Mountains FLEET FOXES 2. Misty Mountain Hop LED ZEPPELIN 3. Sugar Mountain NEIL YOUNG 4. Bird Dream Of The Olympus Mons PIXIES 5. Thunder On The Mountain BOB DYLAN 6. Tennessee Mountain Home DOLLY PARTON 7.”River Deep – Mountain High IKE & TINA TURNER 8. 2 Mountains MOUNT EERIE 9. Running Up That Hill KATE BUSH 10. Whenever, Wherever SHAKIRA

ALBUMS

SURES

Stars EP (Ivy League) FOR MORE REVIEWS GO TO

BEAT.COM.AU/REVIEWS

JIMMY HAWK AND THE ENDLESS PARTY Liberty Sunset Blue (First Love Records)

Back in 1975, with the California hit parade producing hit records faster than Jimmy Carter could strangle his vowels, and the cocaine as plentiful as Richard Nixon’s paranoia, there did seem to be an endless party going on. From Fleetwood Mac to The Band, from David Crosby to Robert Evans, life looked pretty damn good – if only the drugs would keep working. Jimmy Hawk And The Endless Party capture the spirit of that time, mainly for better, and occasionally for worse. The marriage of soft and sexy guitar licks, solid polyester flared bass lines and upper pitch vocals that make up A Heavy Feeling is pure Californian hedonism, writ large. Waking In The Morning Light lays down in the back seat of a Lincoln convertible and heads down Highway 1 for some good West Coast rock lovin’; She Likes Her Make Up is more Walkmen than ‘Mac, and a helluva lot more sassy and spicy. Sunset Boulevard is a little bit dirty, a lot Lindsay Buckingham and just a vague hint of funk, and Taking A Ride Downtown could almost convince you that downtown LA isn’t one of the world’s most atrocious urban monstrosities. Crushing Waves is love in the shallows, Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr style. It’s arguable some of the material – Live Together, Meet Me At The Party, Love And Affection – is too buffed to make a strong impression in a world yearning for meaning and enlightenment. But nobody ever said mainstream California was a place of genuine philosophical depth. There is an end to Jimmy Hawk’s party, but Best Track: A Heavy Feeling If You Like These, You’ll Like This: FLEETWOOD it’s fun while it lasts. MAC, THE WALKMEN, STEELY DAN PATRICK EMERY In A Word: Sausalito

Sures are part of the wave of young ambitious indie garage bands that are surfacing all over the country at the moment. Following in the footsteps of such bands as Waaves and Best Coast, they embrace the slacker aesthetic and capitalise accordingly on their youthful tenacity. While Sures may fall into the category aesthetically, musically they are less formulaic than most of this new crop of garage bands. Sures’ music is dreamy shoegaze meets garage pop; and within this tapestry their inﬂuences weave together surprisingly well. With the use of gratuitous language in the verse title track, Stars smacks of youthful attittude as it tears the groupie to shreds. The ﬂoaty pop of the song contrasts starkly against the lyrical content, making for a nice juxtaposition and the track radiates a high output of cool. Poseidon is reverb soaked and echo laden, owing much to the girl groups of the ‘60s. It even features a speaking monologue directed at the listener as if they are the love interest, executed superbly by bass player Beth. Popularised in the ‘50s and ‘60s you might remember similar parts in such songs as Leader Of The Pack and Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance) etc. Third track The Sun rolls on placidly, sweet harmonising abounds but it feels rather lifeless. It seems that Sures came out with the big guns too early in the piece. Simple arrangements in Romeo leave plenty of space for the anti-love lyrics to shine but the song lacks the same impact that Stars and Poseidon possess. Closer L.A is ethereal shoe gaze that subtly swings from side to side in an overly hypnotic fashion. Reaching to the far ends of the pop and rock world for inspiration, Sures end up sounding like a mash up of Best Coast, Washed Out and The Raveonettes with some Beach Boys thrown in for good measure. Their songs have the potential to start sounding repetitive, but the EP is just an entree, we’ll just have to wait until Best Track: Stars If You Like These, You’ll Like This: WAAVES, they serve up the main course before casting any real judgement. WASHED OUT, BEST COAST

In A Word: Emerging

KRYSTAL MAYNARD

THE OFFSPRING

Days Go By (Columbia/Sony Music)

AMY MACDONALD

Life In A Beautiful Light (Melodramatic Records) Despite her relatively low profile here in Australia the down-to-earth, talented and rather gorgeous Scottish singer Amy MacDonald is a superstar in her homeland and has made a significant impression on the international market. She has, for instance, sold over four million albums and appeared on US TV while her 2007 debut album, This Is The Life hit the #1 spot in the UK, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Denmark. Life In A Beautiful Light is the 24-year-old musician’s third album and like its predecessors it features clever and passionate pop rock infused with an authentic folk‘n’roots spark and characterised by a larger-than-life sound sure to appeal to the massive audiences that flock to her concerts. MacDonald has an impressive vocal range and sings in such a natural and unaffected way that it is impossible to avoid being caught in her spell. Lyrically the album traverses an eclectic and intriguing range of topics that includes: the joys of fast cars (Slow It Down), the rescue of the Chilean miners (Human Spirit) and the rivalries that often define football culture (The Green And The Blue). MacDonald displays her skill at generating an anthemic vibe on the buoyant 4th Of July, the rousing yet gentle Pride and the thumpingly good Slow It Down. On this excellent album, MacDonald Best Track: Slow It Down demonstrates once again that she is a skilled If You Like These, You’ll like This: I Do Not Want purveyor of sparkling roots-pop fit for the stadium. What I Haven’t Got SINEAD O’CONNOR In A Word: Stirring GRAHAM BLACKLEY

Days Go By is the new offering from The Offspring, one of the great discoveries of many an adolescence. Featuring drummer Pete Parada, who replaced longserving drummer Ron Welty, and produced by the legendary Bob Rock, Days Go By is the band’s ninth studio album. After the less-than-inspiring Rise And Fall, Rage And Grace, released in 2008, a lot is riding on this album when it comes to the band’s continued longevity. Despite the band continually pushing back the release date while they continued writing new material, the result is sadly a long way from their best. Days Go By was recorded across six studios and two countries, which may have contributed to the piecemeal nature of the album’s 12 tracks. Dirty Magic from the band’s 1992 album Ignition was re-recorded for the record – goodness knows why – leaving 11 originals from which they could have selected a lead single, which leaves me wondering – why on Earth choose the worst track of the album, the abominable Cruising California (Bumpin’ in My Trunk)? Quite possibly the worst Offspring track I have ever heard, Cruising California is like a horrible mix between The Black Eyed Peas and Good Charlotte. The worst parts of Good Charlotte. The title track also lacks punch, as does the token semi-ska track OC Guns which attempts unsuccessfully to replicate the success of Why Don’t You Get A Job? and What In The World Happened To You?. There are a couple of enjoyable tracks which hark back to a younger, more exciting Offspring, even if they do sound a little more like the Foo Fighters than the rawer pop-punk sound of the early ‘90s. Opening tracks The Future Is Now and Secrets From The Underground Best Track: Slim Pickens Does The Right Thing And are both good value and Slim Pickens Does The Rides The Bomb To Hell Right Thing And Rides The Bomb To Hell should If You Like These, You’ll Like This: stand up okay next to the band’s classic recordings. GOOD CHARLOTTE, FOO FIGHTERS In A Word: Disappointing JOSH FERGEUS

GOJIRA

SERJ TANKIAN

L’Enfant Sauvage (Roadrunner Records) For over a decade Gojira has been demolishing the idea that France is just baguettes, berets and an unhealthy obsession with Jerry Lewis. Along with more recent counterparts like Anomalous and Wolves In The Throne Room the fourpiece, originally known as Godzilla, is one of metal’s brightest hopes. Their fusion of death metal, thrash and progressive metal with slightly more commercial elements is seamless and doesn’t compromise, ever. L’Enfant Sauvage is an unrelenting ride from the moment opening track Explosia kicks off. You are greeted by screeching guitar and rapid-fire drumming before the tempo drops off into a more melodic cavern. Before you can stop to breathe the title track is up next. The perfect example of their forward-thinking approach, the track finds them taking what could be a radio hit and smashing it over the head without sacrificing its listenability. Stand-out track Pain Is A Master is heavy on the thrash while remaining melodic. Again they switch things up with a chorus the would be perfectly at home on an ‘80s power metal effort. The closest L’Enfant Sauvage gets to containing a ballad is the epic Born In Winter, Best Track: The Gift Of Guilt If You Like These, You’ll Like This: OHMnivalent which allows lead singer Joe Duplantier to showcase ANOMALOUS, Celestial Lineage WOLVES IN THE a more brooding side of his vocal style. From topto-bottom Gojira once again deliver the goods. THRONE ROOM

In A Word: Savage

ANDREW ‘HAZARD’ HICKEY

EVERY MONDAY

POP CULTURE TRIVIA TUES AUG 14TH GRIZZLY JIM LAWRIE (EAGLE & THE WORM) TUES AUG 21ST

JIMMY PHOENIX (THIS PUBLIC LIFE) TUES AUG 28TH

SIME NUGENT

(THE WILSON PICKERS/SWEET JEAN) TUES SEPT 4TH

JIMMY STEWART (CLINKERFIELD)

Harakiri (Reprise Records/Warner) Since his time with System Of A Down, Serj Tankian has positioned himself as a political activist and social commentator. The volatile lyricist has never shied away from expressing his political views or personality quirks, allowing them to be shown openly to the world. Using hara kiri, the Japanese practice of ritual suicide, as a theme Tankian looks to explore society’s ills within his alt-rock framework. His third solo album, Harakiri is like the musical equivalent of his personality as it hits peaks and valleys of emotion. Things start off strong with Cornucopia, a straight-ahead power anthem, as Serj speaks of Mother Nature’s destruction. “We rape the earth and don’t know why it strikes,” he sings. While lyrically continuing his loose social commentary Ching Chime musically breaks away from the album’s formula. Tapping into his Middle Eastern roots over a minimalist backing track Serj goes bat-shit as he packs in nonsense rhymes about pop culture and STDs in a sing-songy cadence. The title track finds Tankian exploring mortality and life, again in loose terms. Harakiri is said to be the first of four projects. Perhaps that would explain why the album is somewhat unfulfilling. It could very Best Track: Forget Me Knot well be the start of a journey that will be paid off If You Like These, You’ll Like This: Yellow & Green at a later time. BARONESS, Anger Denial Acceptance SPINESHANK In A Word: Promising ANDREW ‘HAZARD’ HICKEY

THURS AUG 9TH

CERES THE UGLY KINGS JUDE ST JUDE AND POLICE & THEIVES FRI AUG 10TH

YOG, RAINBOW MASSACRE AND ROYAL ACE

WED AUG 15TH

MANDEK PENHA

ZANZIBAR-CHANEL, SEX ON TOAST ( DUO ) AND JULES + CHRIS THURS AUG 16TH

ALICE BLU

PAPER SKY AND BUSY KINGDOM FRI AUG 17TH

ASSEMBLE THE EMPIRE

SAT AUG 11TH

THE SPINSET

‘LIKE TEETH’ SINGLE LAUNCH WITH MY ECHO, NEIGHBOURHOOD YOUTH AND THE SINKING TEETH

‘CREATURES’ EP LAUNCH THE PLAYBOOK, MY FAVOURITE ACCIDENT AND RAISE THE STAKES

NEBRASKATAK

‘ IN A CAGE’ SINGLE LAUNCH WITH YOU AN YOUR FRIENDS, AVANTAIR AND STEPH HILL - COMING LATER -

FOR MORE ALBUM NEWS AND REVIEWS GO TO WWW.BEAT.COM.AU

FRI AUG 17TH

25/8 - THROWING FRISBIES PRESENTS... TEENAGE MOTHERS, FLYING COLOURS, RICHIE 1250 & THE BRIDES OF CHRIST + HEAPS MORE 1/9 FABULOUS DIAMONDS ‘COMMERCIAL MUSIC’ RECORD LAUNCH 21/9 CHARLES BABY ‘RECORD LAUNCH’

Beat Magazine Page 53

GIG GUIDE WEDNESDAY 8 AUG ROCK/POP AGILITY + SID AIR + THE LATONAS Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 2:14pm. $5. COLLAGE - FEAT: RED X + COPSE + HAIL MARY + JUNIOR BOWLES Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm. CONFIDER (THE PREFECTS/SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM LAUNCH) + GARAGEE + SUPER MAGIC HATS + WINTERPLAN Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 8:00pm. $7. HARTS + LOST WEEKENDS + NEON KNIGHTS Toﬀ In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $10. MINING BOOM + MISTERSPEAKER Workers Club, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. SCIENCE CLUB - FEAT: MILES BROWN + DJ LUKE BROWN + MATTHEW BROWN + OTHER PLACES + SARAH PHELAN Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 7:30pm. $8. SWEET TEENS + BEING AMAZING + MARICOPA WELLS Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. THE MORRISONS + BATTLE CLUB + SWEET TEENS Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $8. VICE GRIP PUSSIES Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. WHERE WERE YOU AT LUNCH + SCHOOL GIRL REPORT Bar Open, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.

ACOUSTIC/COUNTRY/BLUES/FOLK ACOUSTICS ANONYMOUS The 86, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. CORDIAL FACTORY (EP LAUNCH) + SECONDHAND HEART + THE FORMER LOVE Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 7:30pm. $12. DAVEY LANE Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 8:30pm. GEORGE HYDE & JOSHUA SEYMOUR Standard Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. LOUD N LIVE John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:00pm. $10. LOVE & REDEMPTION DUO + TWO PETE DEEP Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $5. MATT GLASS + KATE DUCARDIS Veludo Bar & Restaurant, St Kilda. 8:30pm. MATT WALKER Kent St Bar, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. OPEN MIC Dancing Dog, Footscray. 7:00pm. OPEN MIC Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm. OPEN MIC Great Britain Hotel, Richmond. 9:00pm. OPEN MIC Thornbury Local, Thornbury. 8:00pm. OPEN MIC & JAM NIGHT Grind N Groove, Healesville. 8:00pm. REBECCA BARNARD & BILLY MILLER’S SINGALONG

Jinja Safari

+ BILLY MILLER + REBECCA BARNARD Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 7:00pm. $15. THE CULT OF MARCUS AURELIUS + MIYAZAKI! + WHEN WE WERE SMALL Gertrudes Brown Couch, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $5. WINE WHISKEY WOMEN - FEAT: JEN & FLORA + AL PARKINSON Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 8:00pm.

JAZZ/SOUL/FUNK/WORLD MUSIC ALBARE + HENDRIK MEURKENS Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 8:00pm. $35. BOHJASS + EDELPLASTIK + TOM FRYER QUARTET 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. BOPSTRETCH Uptown Jazz Cafe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. DIZZY’S BIG BAND Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond. 8:00pm. $14. JAMES MACAULAY’S NEW OLD JAZZ BAND Open Studio, Northcote. 8:00pm. LOWTHER HALL RECITAL NIGHT - FEAT: BOB SEDERGREEN + ENZO RUBERTO Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 6:30pm. $25. MAKA KHAN + MATTRESS OF PAGAN HORROR Wesley Anne, Northcote. 8:00pm. $10. THE JAMES ANNESLEY QUARTET Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 8:30pm. $15.

THURSDAY 9 AUG ROCK/POP 1AM LATE SHOW - FEAT: VALJEAN + DJ GEEK PIE Pony, Melbourne. 1:00am. BOB STARKIE Fleece Hotel, South Melbourne. 8:00pm. CERES + JUDE ST JUDE + POLICE & THIEVES John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:00pm. DECADENCE OF CAIN + AVIRUS + STYX N STONES Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $6. GLASFROSCH + JAREK + MELLOW KITTY + TRAPPIST AFTERLAND Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm. GLASS VAULTS + COLOURWHEEL + DJ LOTION + THESE PATTERNS Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. $8. HOME TO KELLY + COLUSION + DIPROSUS + LEONARD’S BEARD + SEX ST Idgaﬀ Bar & Venue, Abbotsford. 8:00pm. KINGS & QUEENS - FEAT: RIOT IN TOYTOWN + A FAILSAFE HEART + MIMI VELEVSKA The Prague, Thornbury. 8:00pm. MADNESS METHOD + ECHO DRAMA + LOONEE TUNES Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm.

THE BLIND DATE TOUR This month, the nation has come together for an all-in blind date as three bands have gotten to know each other whilst blazing a trail across seven cities. New Zealand’s Opossom, Los Angeles’ White Arrows and Australia’s very own Jinja Safari have combed their hair, shined their shoes and put on their Sunday best for a triple-headline tour that is sparking some long-term relationships with fans. The tour reaches The Hi-Fi this Friday August 10. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the under 18s show on Saturday at The Hi-Fi has been cancelled. All online and phone purchases are automatically returned and store purchases can return to the same store. MADNESS METHOD + FEED YOUR MUNKIE + SHANTY TOWN Espy, St Kilda. 8:30pm. RUBY’S SHOWCASE Ruby’s Lounge, Belgrave. 7:00pm. SANS GRAS (EP LAUNCH) + CLAVIANS + HOWL AT THE MOON Workers Club, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. SET SAIL Toﬀ In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $15. SHERIFF + DIRTY LITTLE REBELS + ROYAL BLOOD + THEM BRUINS Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. SOCIALLY HANDICAPPED + BRICKS + CLOWNS + JAPAN FOR + MOUSTACHE ANT Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $5. SPENCER JONES & THE ESCAPE COMMITTEE + CHERRYWOOD Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. STRANGERS FROM NOW ON + MAGIC BONES + RICHARD IN YOUR MIND + SHADY LANE + YOLKE Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm. SUN GOD REPLICA + DICK FINGER + KING LEGHORN Bar Open, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. THE ELLIOTS + JESSE LEE RANDELL Veludo Bar & Restaurant, St Kilda. 9:00pm. THE EVERCOLD + DISASTERS + TREASON Pony, Melbourne. 8:30pm. THE FAKES (ALBUM LAUNCH) + CANARY + ROYAL MERCURY Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 7:30pm. $8. THE GREAT OUTDOORS + INEVITABLE ORBIT + YUKO KONO BAND Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 8:00pm. THE JUNGLE GIANTS + THEM SWOOPS + TOUCAN Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 7:30pm.

ACOUSTIC/COUNTRY/BLUES/FOLK BART THRUPP (EP LAUNCH) + JENNY BIDDLE Gertrudes Brown Couch, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $7. CHAD MASON Labour In Vain, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. CITRUS JAM + DOMINI FORESTER Great Britain Hotel, Richmond. 8:00pm. LUAU COWBOYS Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 8:30pm. MARGINS + GARETH EDWARDS + MATT BAILEY Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10. MIC CLUB Espy, St Kilda. 9:00pm. OPEN MIC Acoustic Cafe, Collingwood. 6:30pm. OPEN MIC Arcadia Hotel, South Yarra. 7:00pm. ROCKIN BLUES NIGHT - FEAT: THE JOE GALEA BAND + BLACKSHAWS BEAT Musicland, Fawkner. 7:30pm. $10. RPG RADIO + IVONA BUDYS Edinburgh Castle, Brunswick. 8:00pm.

SECONDS WITH...

SAINTHILL Tago Mago, Thornbury. 9:00pm. THE MIGRATIONS + PRIVATE RAPID + RUN RABBIT RUN Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. $5. TINKER MOUSTACHA + PAUL POMPHREY Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 8:00pm.

JAZZ/SOUL/FUNK/WORLD MUSIC ADAM KATZ & CHARLIE LIM Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $15. ALEISTER JAMES CAMPBELL’S EMBRACEABLE FEW Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm. KEREBOS Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond. 8:00pm. $14. KHRISTIAN MIZZI & THE SIRENS Wesley Anne, Northcote. 8:00pm. LACHLY DOLEY TRIO 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. $10. LANCE FERGUSSON QUINTET Uptown Jazz Cafe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. MOTOWN THURSDAYS Fashion Lounge, Melbourne. 5:00pm. RBS LIVE (MELBOURNE UNCOVERED) Red Bennies, South Yarra. 7:00pm. $10. RONIT GRANOT Wesley Anne, Northcote. 6:00pm. SALSA EXPLOSION - FEAT: DEL BARRIO First Floor, Fitzroy. 10:00pm. THE AUSTRALIAN ART ORCHESTRA Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 8:30pm. $20. THE OVEREASYS Claypots Evening Star, Melbourne. 7:30pm. THE PERFECTIONS + DJ VINCE PEACH Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 5:00pm. $10.

FRIDAY 10 AUG ROCK/POP 2AM LATE SHOW - FEAT: BUNNY MONROE + DJ WHITE RABBIT Pony, Melbourne. 2:00am. ALEX ANONYMOUS + JULY DAYS + THE SCARECROWS + VOLYTION Ruby’s Lounge, Belgrave. 8:00pm. $10. APACHE MEDICINE MAN + BURIED FEATHER + THE HIDDEN VENTURE Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $13. BELL BIV DEVOE & GINUWINE + BELL BIV DEVOE + GINUWINE Trak Lounge Bar, Toorak. 8:00pm.

JAMES TEAGUE

Define your genre in five words or less: Folk rock party mix. Bearing the terrible clichéd nature of this question, what do you reckon people will say you sound like? People will think I sound like a girl. I’ve been compared to Joanna Newsom... that ain’t so bad in my books. What do you love about making music? I love the way music distracts my soul and offers a few moments of peace. What do you hate about the music industry? The politics. When’s the gig and with who? Friday August 10, Grace Darling, 9pm, with Sleep Decade and The Bon Scotts.

Describe the worst gig you have ever played. My worst gig was at this little pub, where a drunken Irish man sat there yelling at me the whole time.

What inspires or has influenced your music the most? Poetry, nature, sex, heartache, heartbreak, the illusion of love, spiritual turmoil, loneliness... Just about anything that grips my heart and leaves a mark.

Tell us about the last song you wrote My newest song is called Fiend Engaged and I wrote it during a thunderstorm. The lyrics remind me of Poe.

Do you have any record releases to date? What are they? Where can I get them? My debut album Lavender Prayers is available at Polyester, Thornbury, Collectors Corner and Pure Pop. What makes you happiest about what you’re doing? When my music allows me to connect with someone, or myself. That’s what makes me happy. Beat Magazine Page 54

SUBMIT YOUR GIGS TO GIGGUIDE@BEAT.COM.AU

When, and why did you start writing music? I was 17 (six years ago) when I wrote my first song. It was about my girlfriend and I splitting up. No one shall ever hear it! Where would you like to be in five years? Touring the world. How do you stop your pre-gig jitters? Experience.

BELL BIV DEVOE & GINUWINE + BELL BIV DEVOE + GINUWINE Trak Lounge Bar, Toorak. 8:30pm. CENTRE & THE SOUTH + MICHAEL SHAUN + SLOWJAXX & HIS FLYING BONG BROTHERS + THE STONED MAGGOTS Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 8:30pm. CHILDREN COLLIDE (THE MONUMENT TOUR) + BAD DREEMS + DUNE RATS Corner Hotel, Richmond. 8:30pm. $25. DEAD STAR RENEGADE + DJ EVIL MAIDEN + KILL SHOT + LACED IN LUST + MOMENTS APART + ROYAL BLOOD Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 8:00pm. $10. DECIMATUS + DEVOID OF ALL + I AM DUCKEYE + MASTIFF + STATE OF INTEGRITY The Prague, Thornbury. 7:30pm. $12. EL MOTH Bar Open, Fitzroy. 10:00pm. FREEZA BATTLE OF THE BANDS (HEAT TWO) - FEAT: MASKETTA FALL + DANISH + ORANGE + RED ROOM + SYNTHETIC BEAST + THE HAZARD HOTEL + THE SLUDGE PUPPIES + THIS FIASCO + WELCOME HOME BRIAN Hampton Community Centre, Melbourne. 6:30pm. $12. HEAVY BEACH + GO VIOLETS + OCEAN PARTY Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. I SEE THE END + CITY OF SIRENS + EVACUTE THE FALLEN + SPEAR BRITNEY Idgaﬀ Bar & Venue, Abbotsford. 8:00pm. JINJA SAFARI + OPOSSUM + WHITE ARROWS The Hi-ﬁ, Melbourne. 8:00pm. $35. KIM SALMON & THE SURREALISTS Tago Mago, Thornbury. 9:00pm. $8. KING OF THE NORTH (EP LAUNCH) + HAILMARY + THE GREETING METHOD The Bended Elbow, Geelong. 8:00pm. LA DANSE MACABRE - FEAT: BRUNSWICK MASSIVE DJ COLLECTIVE Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. LEEZ LIDO + THICK LINE THIN LINE + THIS WEATHER Noise Bar, Brunswick. 8:00pm. $10. PAINT ME A PHOENIX + LA BELLE + MURDENA + XENOGRAFT Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $10. RED SKY BURIAL + BROOZER + DON FERNANDO + SONS OF ABRAHAM Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. RICHARD IN YOUR MIND + DIRT FARMER + LOWTIDE + SHADY LANE Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $10. ROYAL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FUNDRAISER - FEAT: YOHOSIE + DEAR ALE + INNERSPACE Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. $10. THE BON SCOTTS & JAMES TEAGUE + SLEEP DECADE Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. THE CHARLIES + DJS JUMPIN’ JOSH & MICKSTER The Luwow, Fitzroy. 10:00pm. $10. THE DELTA RIGGS + CERIES + THE PRETTY LITTLES + VIKING FRONTIER Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm. THE JUNGLE GIANTS + THEM SWOOPS + TOUCAN Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 8:30pm. $15. THE REASONS WHY (RAIN LAUNCH) + CLUB CRAIN + HUSK Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully. 8:00pm. THE SHARDS + MEDICATORS + TEN BONES Cornish

RETURN TO YOUTH

SECONDS WITH...

Define your genre in five words or less: Alternative pop. What do you love about making music? The creating and experimenting process. How long have you been gigging and writing? We’ve been gigging and writing as a band for about a year and a half now. What inspires or has influenced your music the most? We each have our own individual influences that we bring to our sound. Musically we are influenced by what we love most about the music we listen to, and we’re always striving for the interesting and unpredictable. Life in general, its experiences, going to live gigs, the people we meet and gigging with other musicians, also inspire us and our direction as a band. What do you think a band has to do these days to succeed? Defining success can be quite subjective, but it is achievable as long as you love what you’re doing and are ready to put in the hard yards: do the research, learn everything you can from those who have walked the road before you, and reach as many people with your music as you can by playing heaps of gigs. At the end of the day if you have an amazing bunch of people listening to your music and enjoying what you do, as well as working with committed musicians who love experimenting and discovering new ways of creating music, that’s success in Arms, Brunswick. 8:00pm. THE SPOILS + DJ SHITSHAKE + SKYSCRAPER STAN & THE COMMISSION FLATS + THE SLAUGHTERMEN + THE TEN IN ONE Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $12. THE UGLY KINGS + RAINBOW MASSACRE + ROYAL ACE + YOG John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:00pm. THE WORKINGHORSE IRONS + BOOGIE WOGGIE BOOGIE BOARD BOYS + PROSTITUTE KILLERS + SLICK 46 Pony, Melbourne. 9:00pm. $10. VICTOR PENDER Cape Cafe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.

ACOUSTIC/COUNTRY/BLUES/FOLK ALEXANDER FRANCIS + JAMES ALLEN + NIKOS SHANNON + ROSIE HILDER Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. $7. ASH GRUNWALD + LOST AT SEA + NAZ WILSON Pier Live, Frankston. 8:00pm. $27.

itself. Having a great team of like-minded individuals who are involved in the business/promotion and recording side of things helps a lot too. When are you playing live/releasing your album/EP/ single/etc? We have a single launch coming up at The Grace Darling in Collingwood, with Daydream Arcade and Les Garcons on Wednesday August 15. We’re also currently mixing our EP which will be released sometime towards the end of the year. If your music was a chocolate bar, which one would it be, and why? A Willy Wonka bar. They’re not always in your general food stores, and you might not think to search or crave for it, but when you do get your hands on one, you won’t forget it! GATOR QUEEN & J GOODY GOODMAN Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm. GRAVEYARD TRAIN + CHRIS RUSSELL’S CHICKEN WALK Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 8:00pm. $25. HEATHER STEWART Wesley Anne, Northcote. 6:00pm. MEG & PAUL Balaclava Hotel, Balaclava. 8:00pm. OLEANDER KISS Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 9:30pm. OPEN MIC Tonyk, Northcote. 7:00pm. SARAH CARROLL & HER PSYCHEDELLIC WILD MEN Penny Black, Brunswick. 9:30pm. SWAMP MOTH & HEAD HONCHO Victoria Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. THE CON ARTISTS Pascoe Vale Rsl, Pascoe Vale. 8:00pm. $8. THE EXOTICS + DJ SHAKY MEMORIAL + RICHIE 1250 & THE BRIDES OF CHRIST Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 9:30pm. THE TERRY MCARTHY SPECIAL Gem Bar, Collingwood. 8:00pm.

74 JOHNSTON ST FITZROY 9417 4155

www.theoldbar.com.au OPEN EVERY NIGHT 12PM - 3AM FREE WI FI

Wednesday 8th August

THE MORRISONS SWEET TEENS BATTLE CLUB

8:30PM $8

Thursday 9th August

MARGINS - LAUNCH GARETH EDWARDS MATT BAILEY

8:30PM $10

Friday 10th August

THE SPOILS

THE SLAUGHTERMEN SKYSCRAPER STAN & THE COMISSION FLATS THE TEN IN ONE 8:30PM $12 DJ SHITSHAKE

Saturday 11th August

BALACLAVA HOTEL 123 Carlisle Street, St Kilda East VIC 3183, Ph: (03) 9531 2709 www.facebook.com/BalaclavaHotel, Twitter: @BalaclavaHotel

BRUCE

WICKED CITY CUT, POLLOX B DJ JAM JAR

8:30PM $10

Sunday 12th August

HARLOTS

MOJO JUJU WAYWARD BREED 8PM $6 DJ KEZBOT ARVO GIG: DARREN GIBSON, GRACE LAWRY, LUKE THOMAS 2PM FREE!

JOHN LILLIS --- AUGUST RESIDENCY ---

AUG 10TH - WITH MEG & PAUL AUG 17TH - WITH GABRIEL ATKINSON AUG 24TH - WITH JOSH MOORE AUGUST 31ST - WITH CITRUS JAM

Monday 13th August

GUITAR GALLERY BLUEGRASS NIGHT JAM SESSION & BAND

CROTCHETY KNITWITS KNITTING, SEWING, BOOZING

8PM FREE 6PM FREE

VHS NIGHT

DRINK SPECIALS FRIDAY NIGHTS: 4pm – 10pm $5 Coronas, $5 Kopparberg Cider Bottles, $8 Cocktails, $8 Mountain Goat Pints MONDAY NIGHTS: 5pm – 9pm $12 Mountain Goat Jugs TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY: 5pm – 9pm $6 Mountain Goat Pints

FOOD SPECIALS MONDAY:$12 Curry Night. TUESDAY:$12 Parmas and Burgers. WEDNESDAY: $15 Steak Night THURSDAY: $12 Parmas and Burgers. SUNDAY:$12 Roast of the Day

CULT, B-GRADE VIDEO CHEAP JUGS ALL NIGHT

6PM FREE

Tuesday 14th August EXHIBITION OPENING

‘THE MOVEMENT’ - VIEWS

7PM $5

band bookings: bandbookings@theoldbar.com.au

SUBMIT YOUR GIGS TO GIGGUIDE@BEAT.COM.AU

Beat Magazine Page 55

PHIL JAMIESON Get well soon, guitarist from 67 Special who’s recovering from surgery and because of whom the band’s reunion show at Cherry Bar had to be cancelled. But don’t sit there sobbing, people. Cherry have moved quick-smart to Phil in the roster’s gap with Grinspoon’s fabulous frontman. Phil Jamieson will be playing this special oneoff show with Matt Sonic (solo) and Holy Trash, and you can only get your $15 tickets at the door so rock up early this Saturday August 11. THE TOOT TOOT TOOTS + FRASER A GORMAN + MADE FOR CHICKEN BY ROBOTS Workers Club, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. THE UNHOLEY RACKETTE + NICK TATE Thornbury Local, Thornbury. 10:00pm. TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC SESSIONS - FEAT: DAN BOURKE Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 6:00pm.

JAZZ/SOUL/FUNK/WORLD MUSIC ADAM PAGE 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. $10. HOWARD LEVY Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $30. JULIA MESSENGER Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 9:30pm. $25. JULIE O’HARA’S ULTRA FOX Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond. 9:00pm. $20. LACHLAN CROSS & CO Wesley Anne, Northcote. 8:30pm. STEVE RUSSELL TRIO Uptown Jazz Cafe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. TANUJA PORIA The Hammy, Melbourne. 8:00pm. THE SHAOLIN AFRONAUTS + PAPA CHANGO + PUBLIC OPINION SOUNDSYSTEM Prince Bandroom, St Kilda. 9:00pm. $15. TIM FREEDNAM’S FIRESIDE CHAT (EARLY SHOW) Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 7:00pm. $35. TIM FREEDNAM’S FIRESIDE CHAT (LATE SHOW) Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 10:30pm. $35.

NEW WAR Sailing their boat up the shimmering river of praise they’ve received from a whole novella-load of people who know what the goddamn they’re talking about, New War are celebrating the release of their debut album with a show for us at the Northcote Social Club. It’s going to be spooky, it’s going to be psycho-geographical, it’s going to be a journey into the heart of darkness. Tickets can be bought through northcotesocialclub.com for $12+bf or on the door, if they’re still available (better to be safe than sorry, Mr Brando).

SATURDAY 11 AUG ROCK/POP 2AM DOUBLE LATE SHOW - FEAT: LAMARAMA + DJ MR SHARP Pony, Melbourne. 2:00am. 67 SPECIAL + LITTLE WING + THE DEATH RATTLES Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $13. ARMOURED EARTH + BLACKWATER: EP LAUNCH + HEMERA + ORIONS FIRE + THE FOG The Prague, Thornbury. 8:00pm. ASH GRUNWALD + IAN RICKARD + SCOTT HANNAH Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully. 8:00pm. $27. BANG - FEAT: ANTAGONIST + HEIGHTS + LIONHEART + SHINTO KATANA Royal Melbourne Hotel, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $20. BROTHEL Noise Bar, Brunswick. 7:30pm. $10. BRUCE + CUT + DJ JAM JAR + POLLUX B + WICKED CITY Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10. BURIED HORSES + HUMANS Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 5:00pm. CALLING ALL CARS + THEM BRUINS Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $10. CHILDREN COLLIDE (THE MONUMENT TOUR) + BAD DREEMS + DUNE RATS Corner Hotel, Richmond. 8:30pm. $25.

CLAMPDOWN Rochester Castle Hotel, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. CLAYMORE Thornbury Theatre, Thornbury. 8:00pm. $20. DIRTY RATS Burvale Hotel, Nunawading. 8:00pm. DUVS + ALL DAY + ELOQUOR + LOW BUDGET Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm. GRASS TAYLOR + CISCO ROSE + HOLY TRASH + JAM ROOTS B’artiste Lounge, Frankston. 8:00pm. JACKET OFF Veludo Bar & Restaurant, St Kilda. 9:30pm. JINJA SAFARI (U18) + OPOSSUM + WHITE ARROWS The Hi-ﬁ, Melbourne. 12:00pm. $35. KING OF THE NORTH (EP LAUNCH) + DJ DANGER + DON FERNANDO + HAILMARY + MY LEFT BOOT Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $12. MECHANICAL PTERODACTYL + BAYCHIMO + TOM WOODWARD 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. $5. MYRIDIAN + CATACOMBS + MARDRAUM + SEWERCIDE Pony, Melbourne. 9:00pm. NEW WAR (ALBUM LAUNCH) + MAX CRUMBS + STANDISH/CARLYON Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 8:30pm. $15. PLASTIC SPACEMAN + POISON FISH + THE IVORY ELEPHANT + THE UNKIND Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 9:07pm. SCOTDRAKULA + WHIPPED CREAM CHARGERS Godzilla Bar, Melbourne. 8:00pm. SUNDAY SINGER-SONGWRITER SESSIONS - FEAT: PAINTER & DOCKERS TRIO Tago Mago, Thornbury. 9:00pm. TEX PERKINS Palais, Hepburn Springs. 8:00pm. THE BIG MOD SHOW - FEAT: BILLY MILLER Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 8:00pm. $20. THE KREMLINGS + AIDS + DIRTY CHAPTERS + RIGHT MIND Cornish Arms, Brunswick. 8:00pm. THE LAURELS (ALBUM LAUNCH) + LOW TIDE + WITCH HATS Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. THE SAVAGES + DJ BAGALICIOUS + DJ BARBARA BLAZE The Luwow, Fitzroy. 10:00pm. $10. THE SMALLGOODS (A SMALL GOODBYE) + MID-STATE ORANGE Toﬀ In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $15. THE SPINSET (CREATURES LAUNCH) + MY FAVORITE ACCIDENT + RAISE THE STAKES + THE PLAYBOOK John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:00pm. THE TEK TEK ENSEMBLE Wesley Anne, Northcote. 8:00pm. $8. THE THRASHENING - FEAT: IN MALICE’S WAKE + BLACKENED + DESECRATOR + HARLOTT: EP LAUNCH + METAL STORM Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 7:00pm. $12. THE VOLCANIKS + SMOKE MACHINE Town Hall Hotel, North Melbourne. 6:00pm. TREAD + FISKER + FREESTATE + HOWLING DOLLHOUSE Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm. $25. VICTOR PENDER Cape Cafe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. WILD TURKEY + DIRTY HARRIET & THE HANGMEN + ROADRATZ Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 9:00pm.

ACOUSTIC/COUNTRY/BLUES/FOLK ASTRAL SUNRISE + STAVROS BROTHERS Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine. 8:30pm. $10. BLUE DOG CRUISER St Andrews Hotel, St Andrews. 9:00pm. COLD HEART Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 7:30pm. COLD SNAP Ruby’s Lounge, Belgrave. 8:00pm. DAVE HOGANS’ MELTDOWN Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 9:30pm. FEAR LIKE US + DR PIFFLE & THE BURLAP BAND + FOXTROT Great Britain Hotel, Richmond. 9:00pm. FLOYD THURSBY Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 9:00pm. FLYING ENGINE Victoria Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. HANNAH CAMERON & GEORGIE DARVIDIS Open Studio, Northcote. 4:30pm. JOE MCKEE (ALBUM LAUNCH) + MELODIE NELSON Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. $11. LANIE LANE (ON MY OWN TRACK TOUR) Westernport Hotel, San Remo. 8:00pm. MATT GLASS Wesley Anne, Northcote. 6:00pm. MERRI CREEK PICKERS Post Oﬃce Hotel, Coburg. 10:30pm. MICK HART + NIC TATE + PINA TUTERI Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10. MICK HARVEY, ROSIE WESTBROOK & JP SHILO + MICK HARVEY + ROSIE WESTBROOK & JP SHILO Brightspace,

SECONDS WITH...

St Kilda. 7:00pm. MOONEE VALLEY DRIFTERS Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. NICK CHARLES St Andrews Hotel, St Andrews. 1:00pm. QUEEN & CONVICT Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 4:00pm. SAT NITE FISH FRY Gem Bar, Collingwood. 8:00pm. SATURDAY ACOUSTIC REVUE - FEAT: THE MIKE HAYNES TRIO + NOWRA + ROESY Chandelier Room, Moorabbin. 8:00pm. $10. SATURDAY NIGHT ACOUSTIC REVUE Chandelier Room, Moorabbin. 8:00pm. $10. SIMON ASTLEY + BEN HOOPER + UP FOR IT Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 3:30pm. SWEET SOMETHINGS Thornbury Local, Thornbury. 10:00pm. THE CHRIS WILSON BAND Union Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. THE DOTCOMS + CLAIRE + DJ KEN EAVEL Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 10:00pm. THE PHEASANT PLUCKERS Labour In Vain, Fitzroy. 5:00pm. THE SHIVERING TIMBERS Union Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. THE TOOT TOOT TOOTS + MADE FOR CHICKEN BY ROBOTS + MOJO JUJU Workers Club, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. THE UNMISTAKEABLE + KING HORN LEG HORN Penny Black, Brunswick. 9:30pm.

JAZZ/SOUL/FUNK/WORLD MUSIC EL BOLICHE DE SIMON Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm. GYPSY BROWN The Night Cat, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. HEATHER STEWART SINGS BILLIE HOLIDAY Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 9:30pm. $25. THE JOHN MONTESANTE QUARTET Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond. 9:00pm. $20. THE PAUL WILLIAMSON QUARTET Uptown Jazz Cafe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. THE TRANSATLANTICS + MAX SAVAGE Bar Open, Fitzroy. 10:00pm. TIM FREEDNAM’S FIRESIDE CHAT (EARLY SHOW) Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 7:00pm. TIM FREEDNAM’S FIRESIDE CHAT (LATE SHOW) Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 10:30pm. $35.

SUNDAY 12 AUG ROCK/POP BILLY TALENT Billboard, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $44. BROTHER & SISTER + MARY WEBB Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 5:30pm. BUTTERFLY BOUCHER Toﬀ In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $15. ELIZA HULL + ILUKA + TOM KLINE Workers Club, Fitzroy. 2:00pm. HARLOTS + BJ MORRISZONKLE + DJ KEZBOT + MOJO JUJU Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $6. HUNGRY JESUS + BAND BAND Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 5:00pm. JEMMA & THE WISE YOUNG AMBITIOUS MEN + THE MATT GREEN BAND Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. LEGENDARY HEARTS + CURED PINK + MU + PEOPLE PERSON Bar Open, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. LITTLE DESSERT + SUN GOD REPLICA Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 7:00pm. MATT DWYER & THE MAGNATONES + RUTH ROGERSWRIGHT Tago Mago, Thornbury. 5:00pm. OXFAM CHARITY GIG - FEAT: PLANET LOVE SOUND + DANCING HEALS Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 5:00pm. $15. PUTA MADRES BROTHERS + THE BONNIWELLS Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $10. STREETLIGHT SYMPHONY + FRIENDSHIPS + SHOOT THE SUN Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. THE SKA VENDORS + PAT POWELL + SHANTY TOWN Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 2:00pm. $20. WHO IS ZOE + LYDIA COLE Workers Club, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.

STREETLIGHT SYMPHONY

Define your genre in five words or less: Synths and electronics with soul. So, someone is walking past as you guys are playing, they then go get a beer and tell their friend about you... what do they say? When I heard that band I really wanted to dance… but not as much as I wanted a beer. How long have you been gigging and writing? Steve and Az started out writing together in 2009 making hip-hop beats. There were a few acoustic performances in 2010 but it wasn’t until the start of last year that we actually started playing as a live band. Which band would you most like to have a battle/ showdown with? Streetlight Manifesto. I’d like to know which Streetlight would come out on top. When are you playing live/releasing your album/EP/ single/etc? We’re launching the new single Oz on Sunday August 12 with a show at The Brunswick Hotel. We are playing with Shoot the Sun and a dude called Friendships who we are super excited to have on the bill. What can a punter expect from your live show? We play music to make people dance. So even though Beat Magazine Page 56

SUBMIT YOUR GIGS TO GIGGUIDE@BEAT.COM.AU

there’s not always a lot of dancing, it’s good to expect it so you’re not surprised when it happens. Also, you can expect a remix or two that we’ll play live with our instruments and some samples. Why should everyone come and see your band? Because some of our band members live in Adelaide, so it takes a fair bit of effort for us to play together. Plus the single launch is free entry: that should be a reason in itself. What’ve you got to sell CD-wise? We’ll be giving away CDs of the new single Oz for free at the launch; it comes with a bunch of rad remixes. Or if you don’t like free things it will be available from all good digital stores from August 13.

SECONDS WITH...

ITCHY FINGERS

Define your genre in five words or less: ‘50s and ‘60s, rock’n’roll, rockabilly, rhythm and blues. What can a punter expect from your live show? Great ‘50s and ‘60s music with plenty of oomph! Played by a group of guys just up there having fun, no ego trips. What’ve you got to sell CD-wise? Two CDs available from gigs, Money For Jam and Live at the Gully. Both CDs are live recordings, one from a gig and the other a live studio recording, available at our gigs, or via e-mail. When’s the gig and with who? Lucky 13 Garage, 8 Cochranes Rd Moorabbin on Friday August 10. How long have you been gigging and writing? Our band has been going for 20 years, three founding members still together, and our most recent member joined in January this year.

SECONDS WITH...

What inspires or has influenced your music the most? Early Sun sessions recordings artists like Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash to Blues artists like B.B.King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmy Vaughan and Fabulous Thunderbirds. Anything else to add? We play every weekend, and cater for almost any type of gig. As well as CDs we have T-shirts available. Feel free to contact us at itchyfingersband@hotmail.com, or itchyfingers.com.au.

BLACKWATER

Define your genre in five words or less: Progressive black metal. Bearing the terrible clichéd nature of this question, what do you reckon people will say you sound like? Soilwork meets Shining. What do you love about making music? Music is a language that connects everyone. It moves people. It inspires people. It changes people. It also brings five really good friends together once or twice a week and we never take that for granted. If you could assassinate one person or band from popular music, who would it and why? No-one. We are simply musicians. We don’t kill people. What can a punter expect from your live show? A show is exactly what we want them to see. We inject as much theatre and dark aura into our stage presence as we can. We want people to feel the dynamics of the

extreme power behind our grooves and the sombre melancholy moments of clarity to create their own interpretations behind what they are hearing, developing an eclectic taste for what is Blackwater. BLACKWATER launch their EP this Saturday August 11 at The Prague.

SUBMIT YOUR GIGS TO GIGGUIDE@BEAT.COM.AU

Beat Magazine Page 57

ACOUSTIC/COUNTRY/BLUES/FOLK

Z-TRIP You little legend, Z-Trip. One can’t have a proper party without you somewhere on the playlist. One can have an even better party if you are fleshly present at that party and playing live to all the party-goers, and that’s precisely what’s happening at the Prince Bandroom on Thursday August 9. Come one and all to be thrilled by the A/V spectacle, and generally get amongst the mash-up king’s first show in Oz for two and a half years. Tickets are $45+bf, and can be purchased either through the Prince’s site, Moshtix, or in person if you feel like a stroll down Fitzy Street.

60 SECONDS WITH...

MYRIDIAN

ALEX LASHLIE Great Britain Hotel, Richmond. 8:00pm. BANDSLAM The Prague, Thornbury. 8:00pm. CHERRY BLUES - FEAT: CHRIS RUSSELL’S CHICKEN WALK Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 2:00pm. CHERRYWOOD Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 4:00pm. CLAIRE HOLLINGSWORTH 303, Northcote. 3:00pm. DAN LETHBRIDGE & THE CAMPAIGNERS + MICK HART Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 4:00pm. DARREN GIBSON + GRACE LAWRY + LUKE THOMAS Old Bar, Fitzroy. 2:00pm. DOGEAR Penny Black, Brunswick. 5:00pm. GREEN’S DAIRY ANGEL ENSEMBLE Victoria Hotel, Brunswick. 6:00pm. JIMI HOCKING Bay Hotel, Mornington. 3:00pm. JULES BOULT & THE REDEEMERS Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy. 4:00pm. LANIE LANE (ON MY OWN TRACK TOUR) Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 8:00pm. LEGENDS ENCOURAGEMENT JAM Musicland, Fawkner. 2:00pm. LESLIE AVRIL BAND + MARTY KELLY & AUBURY MAHER Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 5:30pm. LIZ STRINGER & VAN WALKER Union Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. LUKE BRENNAN & THE STICKY VALENTINES + THE BITTER SWEETHEARTS + THE CLIFFORDS Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 3:30pm. $6. MARMOSET + A ART + THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE + YORQUE Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 1:30pm. $5. MR JIMMY Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm. ROSE WINTERGREEN Thornbury Local, Thornbury. 4:00pm. SONGWRITERS IN THE ROUND Wesley Anne, Northcote. 2:00pm. $8. SPECTRUM St Andrews Hotel, St Andrews. 3:00pm. SUNDAY SINGER-SONGWRITER SESSIONS - FEAT: JIMMY DANIEL + KYLE TAYLOR Chandelier Room, Moorabbin. 4:00pm. THE BAKERSFIELD GLEE CLUB Standard Hotel, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. THE CARTRIDGE FAMILY Carringbush Hotel, Abbotsford. 4:00pm. THE RECHORDS Gem Bar, Collingwood. 8:00pm. THE REVELATORS The Flying Saucer Club, Elsternwick. 3:00pm. $20. THE TRACY MCNEIL BAND Post Oﬃce Hotel, Coburg. 4:30pm. WAZ E JAMES BAND Labour In Vain, Fitzroy. 5:00pm. WINTER PALACE Town Hall Hotel, North Melbourne. 6:00pm.

JAZZ/SOUL/FUNK/WORLD MUSIC

Define your genre in five words or less: Melodic death/doom metal Bearing the terrible clichéd nature of this question, what do you reckon people will say you sound like? Opeth and Amon Amarth’s bastard son, according to various punters. We take it as a compliment. What do you love about making music? Being able to express emotions in more than just words. What can a punter expect from your live show? A powerful performance, a good crowd, and maybe a drinking buddy or two if you come say hey. How long have you been gigging and writing? We’ve been writing music for about three years now, but made our live debut in early February last year. When are you playing live/releasing your album/ EP/single/etc? We’re currently finishing up our debut album, and are aiming to release it before year’s end. How do you stop your pre-gig jitters? Whiskey, double. What advice would you give to bands that are new on the Melbourne music scene? Take the time to scope the scene out. Go to heaps of shows, support the bands you like, get to know the people, and you’ll be rewarded in kind! Oh, and be prepared to play some shit gigs; they’re inevitable, the experience is priceless in the long run and it makes the good shows so much more awesome. MYRIDIAN play Pony on Saturday August 11.

Beat Magazine Page 58

ENTROPY QUARTET Open Studio, Northcote. 4:30pm. JAMES SHERLOCK & THE STEVE RUSSEL TRIO Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 8:30pm. $12. RUMBEROS The Night Cat, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. THE DALE RYDER BAND + BAD BOYS BATUCADA + NUDIST FUNK ORCHESTRA Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm. THE FRODE GJERSTAD TRIO + DICK THREATS + DQTC + KUSUM NORMOYLE & SEAN BAXTER + LEON Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 7:00pm. $10. THE GRAND WAZOO Thornbury Theatre, Thornbury. 6:00pm. $10. WILL GUTHRIE (CD LAUNCH) Monkey Bar, Fitzroy North. 4:00pm. $7.

CLASSIFIEDS

33c PER WORD PER WEEK (INC GST) • Send your classified listing information to Beat Magazine at 3 Newton St, Richmond 3121 with a cheque, money order or credit card number (including expiry date and name on card, NOT AMEX or DINERS) (1.5% surcharge on Visa and MasterCard) OR deliver it yourself with cash OR you can email your classifieds to us - classifieds@beat.com.au with credit card details • DEADLINE IS THURSDAY 5pm, prior to Wednesdays publication • Minimum $5 charge per week. We do NOT accept classifieds over the phone - sorry.

MUSICIANS WANTED ACOUSTIC ACTS WANTED for Bar Betty in Smith Street, Fitzroy. Paid Gig. Please phone Sandra or Michelle on 9417 3937. Bar Betty - 129 Smith Street, Fitzroy. BANDS & PROMOTERS WANTED Any style for Collingwood venue. First gigs welcome, live CD recording available. Contact Jane after 12pm on 0425 796 828. BANDS WANTED for artist showcase in the Espy Gershwin Room. A great step towards bigger shows. Contact mark@ gunnmusic.com.au KILBY (INDIE/ROCK/AFROBEAT) LOOKING FOR MUSICIANS! Drums, Bass, Guitar/Keyboard/Female backing vox required. Please email kilbytheband@gmail. com - Demo available at triplejunearthed.com/Kilby *

MONDAY 13 AUG + BEAT PRESENT... ROCK/POP CHERRY JAM Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. KEITH! PARTY - FEAT: RACHEL HAIRCUT + SOCCER LEGENDS Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. MIKE NOGA Post Oﬃce Hotel, Coburg. 8:30pm. MONDAY NIGHT MASS - FEAT: INTERZONE + CIRCULAR KEYS + SPITE HOUSE Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 6:00pm.

ACOUSTIC/COUNTRY/BLUES/FOLK ANTHONY YOUNG Veludo Bar & Restaurant, St Kilda. 8:30pm. PAPA MAUL & THE SWEETS Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm. SECRET MONDAY ACOUSTIC SHOW Labour In Vain, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. THE MONDAY DRIFT Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 8:00pm.

JAZZ/SOUL/FUNK/WORLD MUSIC LEBOWSKIS 303, Northcote. 9:00pm. $8. THE ALLAN BROWNE QUINTET Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 8:30pm. $15.

TUESDAY 14 AUG ROCK/POP BELL BIV DEVOE & GINUWINE Trak Lounge Bar, Toorak. 8:30pm. BRUNSWICK DISCOVERY Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. COLLAGE - FEAT: JUDY BLUE + GABRIEL LYNCH + THE FAR + THE FOX PARTY Espy, St Kilda. 8:30pm. DRESSED TO CHILL The Prague, Thornbury. 8:00pm. KATE MILLER-HEIDKE (THE NIGHTFLIGHT TOUR) + THE BEARDS Corner Hotel, Richmond. 7:30pm. $47. MAX SAVAGE Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 8:30pm. PATRON SAINTS Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.

ACOUSTIC/COUNTRY/BLUES/FOLK CHARLES JENKINS Labour In Vain, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. GRIZZLY JIM LAWRIE John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:00pm. JACK JOHNSTONE Veludo Bar & Restaurant, St Kilda. 8:30pm. JIMI HOCKING Grandview Hotel, Reservoir. 8:00pm. OPEN MIC Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 7:30pm. OPEN MIC Wesley Anne, Northcote. 7:00pm.

JAZZ/SOUL/FUNK/WORLD MUSIC CLAIRY BROWNE & THE BANGIN’ RACKETTES + MARTIN MARTINI + TOMMY SPENDER Toﬀ In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $15. PUGSLEY BUZZARD Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm. THE CURTIS REARDON TRIO + CONCAVE + THE AGGLUTINATORS Gertrudes Brown Couch, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $6. THE SIMON WRIGHT BAND + DJ HUW JOSEPH + LAMARAMA Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. THE STEVE GRANT TRIO Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 8:30pm. $15.

SINGER & BASS PLAYER NEEDED. Inﬂuences Wavves, Ariel Pink, Mclusky, Dinosaur Jr, GBV, Buzzcocks, Zombies. Call Patrick 0414 609 862

SERVICES MAN WITH A VAN. Best value movers in Melbourne. Now with trucks!!!! Equip with 1 or 2 experienced men, trolleys and removal blankets. Available 7 days. Check out www. manwithavan.com.au or call us on 9417 3443.

EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCED BAND BOOKER WANTED. If you’re experienced in booking bands and want to work with an experienced well known venue booker at a great venue in Melbourne’s music heartland then send us an email. Let us know a bit about yourself, what type of bands you’ve booked, where, contacts you have and how long you have been in the game and importantly what you may be able to bring. Be quick. Send email to: shimgapi@gmail.com. FLAUNT IT. Internationally acclaimed producer of profeminist erotica looking for conﬁdent, adult women to smash the stereotypes and earn good money ($500 and up). Don’t overlook this til you’ve found out more about it. Rebecca 9495 6555 or www.feck.com. NEW DJ/SOUND N LIGHT BUSINESS SEEKS PARTNER. Must be driven to succeed and have relevant contacts. Text if interested: 0411 024 794.

SUBMIT YOUR GIGS TO GIGGUIDE@BEAT.COM.AU

whatson@thepush.com.au

ACCESS ALL AGES Wednesday August 8, 2012 With Ruth Mihelcic What’s on your all ages radar for this weekend? We’ve got Tonight Only Underage happening in Epping with SCNDL and Joel Fletcher ripping up the decks, and Auckland’s Antagonist A.D. doing the rounds of Footscray and Bendigo towards the end of the weekend and early next week. They’re on their Nothing From No One tour, with Lionheart and Shinto Katana supporting them. For musicians and those involved in the business side of music, Music Victoria is running the rather aptly named workshop “Financial Management for Musicians and Music Businesses” on Monday at the State Library of Victoria. They’ll show you how to read financial statements, balance sheets, and how to calculate profits and losses and the real cost of your business. It’ll be running from 6pm – 8pm and costs $20, with more details available from Music Victoria on (03) 9380 1566 or workshops@musicvictoria.com.au. If you know an awesome young person, why not nominate them for the Young Australian of the Year 2013? The award recognises and celebrates the outstanding achievements of young people aged 16 to 30 years across Australia. You’ve got until the end of this month to submit an application over at www.australianoftheyear.org. au so get cracking! If you’re a little creative behind a video camera, consider entering the BackMeUp anticyberbullying competition that’s being run by the Australian Human Rights Commission. Young people aged 13 to 17 are invited to create a two-minute video about how they would back up someone who had been cyberbullied, and enter it over at somethingincommon.gov.au by next Wednesday to win a professional film course at NIDA. Also this month we have an interview with Dream On, Dreamer coming up on our website, so check it out to see what the boys have been up to. We’ve also been busy chatting to hip hop extroadinaire Illy about his latest album, touring, and his views on the aussie hip hop scene. Check it out! Don’t forget if you have any all ages news that you want included in this column, send it to whatson@ thepush.com.au.

ALL AGES TIMETABLE Friday August 10 FReeZA Push Start Bayside Battle of the Bands Heat 2 w/ Danish, This Fiasco, The Hazard Hotel, Orange, Red Room, The Sludge Puppies, Synthetic Beast, Welcome Home Brian, and Masketta Fall, Hampton Community Centre, 14 Willis Street, Hampton, 6:30pm – 11pm, $12 or $10 with pass, Kelly Edwards on 9599 4622, AA Tonight Only Underage w/ SCNDL and Joel Fletcher, Epping Memorial Hall, corner Hall and High Street, Epping, 6pm – 11pm, $20, tonightonlyunderage@gmail.com, U18

Saturday August 11 Jinja Safari w/ Opossom and White Arrows, The Hi-Fi, 125 Swanston St, Melbourne, 12pm, $35 +bf, moshtix.com.au or 1300 438 849, U18

Sunday August 12 Antagonist A.D. w/ Lionheart and Shinto Katana, Phoenix Youth Centre, 72 Buckley Street, Footscray, 8pm, $23.50, oztix.com.au or 1300 762 545, AA

Tuesday August 14 Antagonist A.D. w/ Lionheart and Shinto Katana, Musicman Megastore, 363 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo, 8pm, $23.50, oztix.com.au or 1300 762 545, AA

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Wed. August 8th: wine, whiskey, women

8pm: Al Parkinson 9pm: Gen & Flora Thurs. August 9th:

8pm: Paul Pomphrey 9pm: Tinker Moustacha Fri. August 10th:

6-8pm: Trad Irish Music Sesh with Dan Bourke & friends Sat. August 11th:

9pm: Floyd Thursby Sun. August 12th:

4pm: Mick Hart 6:30pm: Dan Lethbridge & The Campaigners Tues. August 14th:

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;All Shows Always Freeâ&#x20AC;? The Drunken Poet, 65 Peel Street (directly opposite Queen Vic Market), Phone: 03 9348 9797. www.thedrunkenpoet.com.au

SUBMIT YOUR GIGS TO GIGGUIDE@BEAT.COM.AU

Beat Magazine Page 59

BACKSTAGE

COURSE PROFILE

JMC ACADEMY

THE PLACE FOR MUSICIANS

for more information or ad bookings call Aleksei on 9428 3600

18 Duffy street Burwood 3125 30m rooms s Air-con and ventilation in s 10everylargeroomand identical s PA/foldback combos at 1000w s Storage and amp/kit hire s Acoustic Engineer-designed soundproofing 2

PH: (03) 903 88101 M: 0417 000 397 Email: hydrastudios@bigpond.com

JMC Academy is celebrating 30 years in tertiary education and still remains Australia’s leading Creative Industries institution. The Academy oﬀers a wide range of Degrees and Diplomas including Audio Engineering, Music Performance, Entertainment Business Management, 3D Animation, Game Design and Film & Television Production. We caught up with JMC for some insight into their Audio Courses.

Toyland

Recording Studio Live Bands, Singers, Demos, Albums Analog or Digital, Neve Pres, Neumann mics Recording, Editing, Mixing, Mastering 25 Years Experience, we get the job done! Call Adam Cal on 9482 2111 or 0412 060 664

www.toyland.com.au

mage Asylum Photography

What skills can students hope to acquire from JMC Academy’s Audio Engineering and Sound Production courses? As a student at JMC Academy, you will gain in-depth knowledge into the operational and technical aspects of the audio production industry, with particular emphasis on production, editing, recording and mixing. During your course, you will also undertake studies in analogue and digital recording, studio operation, live PA, post production for television and video, acoustic design, electronics, music editing for picture, and midi sequencing. In addition to the audio specific units, you will also cover the business fundamentals of the industry. What sort of positions are graduates qualified to work in? By combining the fundamental audio principles with practical application and training on a range of equipment styles, students graduate with the ability and flexibility to undertake a wide range of

STORE PROFILE

industry projects. A few examples include Music Producer, Studio Engineer, Production Coordinator, Mastering Engineer, Stage Technician, AV Specialist and Radio Content Producer to name just a few. Why are these audio courses unique? An enviable reputation! JMC Academy has been delivering courses in Audio Engineering for over 30 years, responding to changes in the industry with vigour, a comprehensive and well structured curriculum and incomparable facility upgrades. Over this time, JMC Academy has earned the respect of industry leaders such as Yamaha, Shure Microphones, JVC, and Jands enabling our students to train in the highest quality of audio equipment. JMC Academy’s audio courses are seriously production based and will position you for a solid career path in the international audio industry. At which Australian campuses are you located? JMC Academy has three campuses located in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Students are able to transfer between campuses throughout their Audio degree. JMC Academy is now accepting applications for their 2012 October and 2013 February intakes. Contact your nearest campus to speak to a Student Recruitment Advisor today. Phone: 1300 410 311 Web: www.jmcacademy.edu.au

SKY MUSIC

BACKSTAGE NOW RUNS IN FULL COLOUR! For new full colour ad pricing please contact Aleksei on 9428 3600 or email mixdown@beat.com.au

Location: 2181 Princes Highway, Clayton, 3168. Directly opposite IKEA Springvale. Established: Since humble beginnings back in 2006, Sky Music has exploded onto the music retail scene. Its massive range of gear, competitive pricing and professional service has struck a chord with guitarists across Australia. Main brands and products Sky Music specialise in: It will be well worth poking your head into Sky Music this week where the team will unveil a huge stash of Gibson guitars at crazy prices, not to be missed. Hung alongside their massive range of Fender, Epiphone, Maton, Cole Clark, Martin and Indie guitars, these Gibson’s will be sold at the best prices ever seen Australia wide. Sky Music also sells Peavey, Marshall, Orange, Kustom, BOSS, Digitech, Roland and Yamaha products too and well worth checking out while you’re there.

Beat Magazine Page 60

BACKSTAGE: BEAT’S ONE STOP SHOP FOR MUSICIANS

Point of difference: Where else can you see over 700 guitars hanging on the walls? Sky Music has the biggest range of guitars and amps in Australia, and the staff will go out of their way to make sure you find the right gear at the best price possible. Upcoming sales: The Gibson Price Meltdown sale starts now, so come down and check it out. Check www.skymusic. com.au for the latest sale details or better yet, simply drop in to check out Sky Music’s collection of guitar gear – It must be seen to be believed.

Phone: 9546 0188 Website: www.skymusic.com.au

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Comprehensive PA systems delivered, set up and operated with crew. Compact, easy, sound systems you can pickup and assemble yourself.Components such as microphones, speakers and effects are also available separately. Lights also available. For details phone Mark Barry on 03 9889 1999 or 0419 993 966

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LIVE

Lana Del Rey

CASADELDISCO RECORDS 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY Saturday July 21, The Tote On this chilly Saturday night it was a bustling and packed Tote that greeted revelers. This was the second night of celebrations for proudly underground Melbourne label Casadeldisco that has been releasing local and international punk and rock acts for ten years. Tonight’s line-up was all about the harder edged side of Casadeldisco’s stable with The Grenadiers opening proceedings, then melodic punk legends Blueline Medic followed by New Zealanders Somerset and finally The Nation Blue headlining for what is tipped to be their only live show this year. For me, there exists a deeply personal relationship with The Nation Blue’s music that first started back in 2001 when I saw a stodgily made film clip on Channel V’s Late Shift. In the clip three guys who looked like they had just finished tagging a skate park were thrashing and lurching as the guitarist sang “my heart is a phantom limb” with a broad Australian accent. That was the beginning of my relationship with The Nation Blue frontman Tom Lyngcoln’s confessional and at time’s confronting lyricism and vocal delivery. The Nation Blue’s set for tonight consisted of songs from all stages of their 12 year/four album career. They opened with the ominous Exile from 2007’s Protest Songs. The song started with a slightly distracted Lyngcoln hitting the neck of his guitar with a drum

stick, creating an eerie echo effect. Then slowly the song began to take form as each strum built towards the avalanche of noise that was the first verse as both Lyngcoln and bass player Matt Weston shouted together, sounding like the footy team from hell. At the mid point of the set they performed two tracks from their 2000 debut Blueprint Modern Noise with the brutal Heart Is A Phantom Limb (Reaction Vs. Intention) and the cacophonous Higher Form. The song Higher Form has been a regular inclusion in The Nation Blue’s sets for the past 12 years and tonight the song was probably the highest impact point of the performance. It began with an achingly clean guitar riff before a head-injury worth mess of drums, bass and vocals overwhelmed and distorted what was once delicate and refined. Tonight’s show was a wonderful and successful celebration of Melbourne’s underground rock scene and the memory of The Nation Blue’s killer set will be there long after my ears stop ringing. DAN WATT LOVED: The emotion. HATED: The lack of moshing. DRANK: Bass Strait.

JACK WHITE Wednesday July 25, Festival Hall There he was, the defining rock star of the 2000s, indulging in what he denied himself for so long. These days, Jacky White is touring with twice as many backing bands than he once had bandmates. Tonight featured The Peacocks, whereas the following Splendour set alternated between The Peacocks and whatever the all-male counterpart is called. But it doesn’t really matter – the gimmick is probably White’s most excessive, but it is still a gimmick nonetheless. The old tools of misdirection – the endearingly absurd veneer of sibling, the cheap toy guitar – have been jettisoned. Some traits remain – the adherence to a tri-colour palette (baby blue in, red out), the sharply dressed roadies, and the fetish with the number three. White claims he still performs without the benefit of a setlist, but the raw spontaneity of The White Stripes’ live performance was not really present. It was a tradeoff of that it-all-could-go-wrong-any-second danger and more conventional musicality, and it was a fair trade at that. Tonight’s run-through was one third Blunderbuss, one third White Stripes, one third miscellaneous. The Blunderbuss material was a bit more involved than what the cavernous Festival Hall allowed, but provided a more levelled dynamic for the night. I might be missing the mark, but leading into a track called Top Yourself with a long recount of a suicidal Melbourne stalker seemed to be in pretty poor taste. Hank Williams’ You Know That I Know (the only cover of the night), was pretty pointless, with White failing to convey the frail heartache of the track’s writer. Weirdly enough, Raconteurs track Steady, As She Goes generated the most rapturous crowd response of the night. The whole darn barn was flipping their lid at that simple chorus. Good stuff. Stripes classics

Beat Magazine Page 62

pic by Mary Boukouvalas

My Doorbell and, of course, Seven Nation Army were surefire powerhouses. Ball And A Biscuit, one of the finest tracks White has ever crafted, rounded out the pre-encore portion of the evening in fine fashion. “Let’s take our sweet little time about it.” I guess what made me uncomfortable tonight was that this wasn’t The White Stripes. The White Stripes are gone. That time I given detention in year 8 for humming the Seven Nation Army riff nonstop is gone. Waiting hours, maybe days, to download the Fell In Love With A Girl filmclip from Kazaa. The Big Day Out where I missed an opportunity to climb onstage with The Stooges to try and gain a prime White Stripes vantage point. Dissuading the illegal download argument by talking with a friend about how good the inlay of the Get Behind Me Satan CD actually smelled. Starting a two-piece band like every other arsehole at the time; I think we might have covered Apple Blossom. Strumming along on a shitty nylon guitar, serenading my highschool sweetheart with Hotel Yorba at the foot of her bed. God, I haven’t thought about her in years. That overwhelming nostalgia was compounded with the overwhelmingly nostalgic We’re Going To Be Friends, the third last track of the evening. I miss Meg White. I miss my youth. Just silly thoughts going through my head. Jacky White and his Peacocks were Very Good and these songs are Very Special. LACHLAN KANONIUK LOVED: That organic ‘whoo!’ from the crowd that fills in the blanks on Slowly Turning Into You. HATED: Splendour FOMO. DRANK: Beer.

SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS Friday July 27-29, Belongil Fields, Byron Bay When you rock up to the first morning of a threeday festival, the last thing you want is to do is get pelted with pea-sized hailstones. But after that minor meterological fakeout, Byron Bay turned on an exquisite weekend to welcome Splendour In The Grass back to its spiritual home. Post-hail on Friday, we joined the moist masses at Alison Wonderland and Yacht Club DJs to dance ourselves dry. Then it was back to Big Scary, invariably the best choice for your mid-afternoon sing-along at every festival ever. After a quick trek to Hippie Corner for scoping out Michael Kiwanuka at the McLennan Tent, locating the kofta balls tent and laughing uproariously at the shocked, whining owners of now-mud-enveloped Chucks and thongs (did you know you can get the weather forecast on the internet now, guys?) we set up at the main stage for huge night of standing in the one spot. Few people seemed to mind that the non-Black Betty portion of Spiderbait’s set felt flat and toothless; The Shins played with the energy and cohesion that had been sorely missing from their Sydney sideshow a few days earlier; At The Drive-In tore strips off everything with a set that was mesmerising even for a reporter with the sorest of feet and familiarity with exactly one song. Then once grumbling punters had made the hardest choice of the whole weekend – bail for Explosions In The Sky or stay put – Jack White reassured everyone in the Supertop they’d chosen well. His bands (male to start, ladies swapped in at halftime) beefed up the crackling sparseness of White Stripes classics like a frantic Hotel Yorba and Slowly Turning Into You, while White’s towering guitars made the not-quite-so-classic new material sound rather biblical. At The Drive-In

Guitars were the real winners on Saturday; Last Dinosaurs and Bleeding Knees Club were an early highlight, the sonic equivalent of a Berocca Slurpee. Band of Skulls – on far too early at 5pm – had the crowd eating out of their hands tearing into enormous, languid riﬀs. Mudhoney visibly converted some of the young ‘uns crowding in for the next act, Lana Del Rey. This, incidentally, was the most genius scheduling decision of the weekend. (She looked pleased to be there and dressed like a ﬂower-girl and we left after four songs, the end.) The night ended with the biggest and baddest crowds we saw all weekend as both Miike Snow and Bloc Party put on raging sets (BREAKING: bellowing “SO FUCKING USELESS” is still fun.)

FOR MORE LIVE REVIEWS & PHOTOS GO TO BEAT.COM.AU

pics by Nicholas Irving

With Beth Ditto, Jack White and Omar RodriguezLopez in the mix, the contest for Best Frontperson was tight, but Josh Tillman as Father John Misty took it out on Sunday with his Jagger-meets-Nilsson, crazy-preacher snake-hips antics. Lord knows how he stayed behind a Fleet Foxes drum kit for so long – he’s a born bandleader, and easily locked up our set of the festival (although the thousands more people who went to Yuksek instead all threatened to physically ﬁght us on that). Man, people really love The Kooks and Blue King Brown, huh? Azealia Banks

Azealia Banks’ whelming 25-minute appearance was plagued by technical difficulties; she explained this repeatedly in a sugar-sweet Harlem accent whose tense undertones did not bode well for some sound tech somewhere. (“I guess that cunt gettin’ fired,” mused a friend.) But hey, that crowd was not there for the deep cuts, and 212 was as rowdy and sweaty and cunty as it needed to be for everyone to be happy. Rumours had been flying all weekend as to whether The Smashing Pumpkins would be playing nothing but new stuff or a greatest hits set, but either way Corgan has not been all about crowd-pleasing in his last two trips out here. So these Gossip virgins skipped what was apparently a blissful trip down Nobody Understands My Special Pain Lane – well worth it to witness the glory that is Beth Ditto in full flight. The band is a brilliantly tight unit but Ditto’s combination of sweaty punk-soul diva belting and drawling, sweet-as-pie patter steals the show no matter what anyone does. Reports from the main tent were positive, but nothing beats a party where there’s room to dance. CAITLIN WELSH AND HUGH ROBERTSON

LOVED: The vibe. A few individuals aside, I have never ever wanted to punch so few people at a festival. HATED: The thought that people had been able, nay, encouraged to pay $350 extra for a ‘VIP experience’ that bought you access to a cash bar and endless queues for one of just seven toilets. That’s rage-inducing even if you got in for free like us. DRANK: All of the Strongbow. All of it. And then one Black Ice on Sunday when the cider ran out. Ugh.

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