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Friday
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A RAMBUNCTIOUS, ROLLICKING RIDE OF ORIGINAL BAR-ROOM STOMPERS, TALL TALES
SUNDAY 2ND SEPTEMBER 5.00PM
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SAT 2 SEPT TO CONFIRM DOES ANYONE HAVE HIS NUMBER?
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On Arts Centre Melbourne presents
Big Notes 2012 Music inspiring change – change inspiring music Friday 7 September, 7.30pm Pulsating performance and insightful conversation with enigmatic host Candy Bowers and frontline artists: Kutcha Edwards Mantra with the MASSIVE Hip Hop Choir The Sunshine Sisters and The PutBacks house band
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PRESENTS
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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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IN THIS ISSUE...
18
HOT TALK
22
TOURING, MIKELANGELO TOUR DIARY
24
ANIMAL COLLECTIVE
26
ARTS GUIDE, MELBOURNE FRINGE FESTIVAL, ICONS
28
ART OF THE CITY, COMIC STRIP
30
MTC 2013 SEASON, EPIC!, GENE GREGORITS
43
OH MERCY
44
INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH
46
THE BLACK ARM BAND
47
FABULOUS DIAMONDS
48
SEEKAE, TIM HART, THE VACCINES
THE MURLOCS P. 50
THE VACCINES P. 48
49
SILVERSUN PICKUPS
50
THE SPITFIRES, THE BENNIES, THE MURLOCS
51
SPLIT SECONDS
52
WHILE SHE SLEEPS, SHIHAD, ALL THE YOUNG
53
CORE/CRUNCH!, APOCALYPTICA
54
MUSIC NEWS
60
ALBUM OF THE WEEK, SINGLES, CHARTS
THIS WEEK IN 100%:
SHOCKONE
TIM HART P. 48
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SHIHAD P.52
PUBLISHER: Furst Media Pty Ltd. MUSIC EDITOR: Taryn Stenvei ARTS EDITOR / ASSOCIATE MUSIC EDITOR: Tyson Wray EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Bella Arnott-Hoare SUB-EDITORS: Michelle Aquilina, Alexandra Duguid, Scarlett Trewavis, Jac Manuell, Kelly Snyders. GENERAL MANAGER: Patrick Carr SENIOR ADVERTISING/EDITORIAL CO-ORDINATOR: Ronnit Sternfein BEAT PRODUCTION MANAGER: Pat O’Neill GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: Pat O’Neill, Rebecca Houlden, Mike Cusack, Baley Gaudin. COVER ART: Pat O’Neill ADVERTISING: Taryn Stenvei (Music: Bands/Tours/Record Labels) taryn@beat.com.au Ronnit Sternfein (100%/Beat/Arts/Education/Ad Agency) ronnit@beat.com.au Aleksei Plinte (Backstage/ Musical Equipment) mixdown@beat.com.au Adam Morgan (Hospitality/Bars) adam@beat.com.au Kris Furst (beat.com.au) kris@furstmedia.com.au 0431 243 808 Jessica Riley (Indie Bands/Special Features) jessica@furstmedia.com.au CLASSIFIEDS: classifieds@beat.com.au GIG GUIDE SUBMISSIONS: now online at www.beat.com.au or bands email gigguide@beat.com.au
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LIVE
SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR: Christie Eliezer SENIOR CONTRIBUTORS: Christine Lan, Simone Ubaldi, Patrick Emery, Jesse Shrock. COLUMNISTS: Emily Kelly, Peter Hodgson. CONTRIBUTORS: Mitch Alexander, Siobhan Argent, Bella Arnott-Hoare, Thomas Bailey, Graham Blackley, Chris Bright, Joanne Brookfield, Tegan Butler, Avrille BylokCollard, Rose Callaghan, Kim Croxford, Dave Dawson, John Donaldson, Alexandra Duguid, Alasdair Duncan, Cam Ewart, Callum Fitzpatrick, Jack Franklin, Chris Girdler, Megan Hanson, Rebecca Harkins-Cross, Chris Harms, Andrew Hickey, Nick Hilton, Peter Hodgson, Lachlan Kanoniuk, Cassandra Kiely, Joshua Kloke, Nick Mason, Krystal Maynard, Miki McLay, Jeremy Millar, James Nicoli, Oliver Pelling, Matt Panag, Jack Parsons, Sasha Petrova, Liam Pieper, Steve Phillips, Zoe Radas, Adam Robertshaw, Joanna Rolin, Leigh Salter, Side Man, Jeremy Sheaffe, Sisqo Taras, Kelly Theobald, Tamara Vogl, Dan Watt, Katie Weiss, Krissi Weiss, Rod Whitfield, Jen Wilson, Tyson Wray, Simone Ziada, Bronius Zumeris. © 2012 Furst Media Pty Ltd. No part may be reproduced without the consent of the copyright holder.
VCA S c h o o l o f F i l m a n d Te l e v i s i o n
Got a great story lurking inside? No matter what your background or area of interest, you will be pushed to explore your creative potential and tell your story at the VCA. We offer: Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television) Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)* NEW Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)* NEW Master of Screenwriting Master of Producing Master of Film and Television (Narrative and Documentary) Master of Fine Arts by Research (Film and Television) & PhD
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If you have a passion for storytelling, study at Australia’s leading film and television school. To find out how visit: www.vca.unimelb.edu.au/ftv
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THE PRICE IS RIGHT SHOCK FATHER’S DAY PRIZE PACK Your dad has had to put up with a hell of a lot of shit from you in your lifetime so you better goddamn treat him right this Father’s Day. To help the cause, our good pals over at Shock have gave us a few prize packs including DVDS from Pink Floyd, Duran Duran, Ozzy Osbourne, Peter Gabriel and a heap more. Sweet.
SIX60 Since their last sold out Australian tour in April, Six60 have not slowed down, living up to their reputation of being one of today’s hardest working bands. The band completed their first European tour selling out three London shows playing to over 3,000 people, and performing for the first time in Germany, France, Holland and Czech Republic. The Six60 September Australian tour sees the band taking their dynamic and energetic live show to much bigger venues where they will be treating fans to a brand new show. They play The Forum on Saturday September 29 and we’ve got two double passes to giveaway.
SPIRITUALIZED
LAST DINOSAURS
The Meredith sideshows are rolling in with space-rock progenitors Spiritualized locking in their peripheral Melbourne date. Spiritualized were last in the country performing their pristine record Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space for Sydney Festival, which followed on from their lauded appearance at Australia’s inaugural All Tomorrow’s Parties. Since their last visit, the outfit have upheld their legacy with album Sweet Heart Sweet Light released this year. As well as their stuning studio output, Spiritualized have built a reputation for putting on a spectacular live performance. Spiritualized perform at The Hi-Fi on Thursday December 6. Tickets onsale Monday September 3 through Moshtix.
Last Dinosaurs have announced a second show at The Corner Hotel for Thursday October 25 with guests The Jungle Giants. Last Dinosaurs have returned to home soil after their first European excursion and won’t be stopping anytime soon. On the back of unleashing their sounds in the UK they garnered the attention of global tastemakers including NME, Zane Lowe of BBC’s Radio 1, and The Guardian. Playing boutique festivals, headline shows and supporting Danger Mouse-produced duo and label mates Electric Guest, Last Dinosaurs got to show off their wares to more than one sold out show in Paris, London, Amsterdam and more. Playing the main stage at this year’s Splendour In The Grass as well as supporting Bloc Party in Brisbane, Last Dinosaurs’ global success is set to continue, with plans to return to the UK and a subsequent US tour. Tickets for both shows (the Friday October 26 date is selling fast) are on sale now from the venue box office and website.
SOMETHING FOR KATE Head to beat.com.au/freeshit for your chance to win.
After a string of low-key album preview shows in Ballarat, Melbourne and Sydney, revered outfit Something For Kate have announced a national headline tour – their first in five years. The tour is in celebration of Leave Your Soul To Science, the band’s stunning new full-length LP. With demand running incredibly high for the preview sets, tickets are sure to sell out quick smart for the album launch tour. Something For Kate perform at The Corner on Saturday October 6. Tickets onsale from the box office from Friday August 31.
HOT SNAKES
JOSH PYKE Before heading off into the sunset to write his next album, Josh Pyke is hitting the road for one last run of regional shows, unable to resist the temptation of performing and hanging out with fans before he knuckles down and writes. The Only Sparrows tour follows on from his acclaimed Love Lies theatre tour in May and this upcoming jaunt will be his last run of shows for 2012. Folsky, uplifting and often barefoot artist Jack Carty will be supporting. Josh Pyke’s Only Sparrows tour reaches The Palais in Hepburn Springs on Wednesday October 24, Karova Lounge in Ballarat on Thursday October 25, The Bended Elbow in Geelong on Friday October 26 and Meeniyan Town Hall on Saturday October 27. Tickets are available from Oztix and the venues direct.
Freshly reformed and announced on the very tasty 2012 Meredith Music Festival lineup, blistering rock’n’rollers Hot Snakes have announced a supplementary Melbourne date. With band members busy in a myriad of other musical pursuits, a Hot Snakes live experience is a rare blessing. The Australian shows will feature John Reis, Gar Wood, Rick Froberg and both drummers Jason Kourkounis and Mario Rubalcaba. Before hitting the Supernatural Amphitheatre, the outfit will hit The Corner Hotel for what is set to be an insane sideshow not to be missed. Hot Snakes perform at The Corner on Friday December 7. Tickets from the venue box office and website.
GRIMES One of the first acts announced for the 2012 Meredith Music Festival, Grimes, has announced two Melbourne sideshows. The 23-year-old Montrealer has been rapidly gaining reverence within underground communities for her self-dubbed ‘post-internet’ style, which is an eclectic blend of diverse and indefinable genres, releasing her third studio album Visions earlier this year to critical acclaim. Grimes plays The Corner Hotel on Wednesday December 5 and Thursday December 6. Both shows are sold out.
TURBONEGRO Turbonegro have announced a Meredith Music Festival sideshow this December. The Norwegian punk rockers hit the high water mark in 1998 with the release of their fifth album, Apocalypse Dudes, an intoxicating mixture of glam, punk and US hardcore garnished with a healthy sense of the absurd and ribald and/or tongue in cheek (arse-cheek) humour. In 2012, their trajectory ever on the up, Turbonegro released their ninth album, Sexual Harassment to a universally ecstatic response. Turbonegro play The Hi-Fi on Friday December 7. Tickets through Moshtix. Beat Magazine Page 18
SPRAY ‘N’ WIPE The next installment of Spray ‘N’ Wipe is heading to The Espy, headlined by six-piece psychedelic dance rock band Northeast Party House. Northeast Party House have gone from strength to strength and are ready to bring their style of party to The Espy along with another local success story, Strange Talk, as well as Oscar + Martin, Dune Rats, Toucan and I’lls all performing and DJs such as Bossman, Gamegirls, Friends Of Dorothy and I OH YOU. Spray ‘N’ Wipe 2012 is happening across the whole Esplanade Hotel on Friday September 21, with tickets $20+bf and available from the Oztix website.
THE BRAND NEW HEAVIES Due to popular demand, The Brand New Heavies have announced a second Melbourne show at The Prince Bandroom on Tuesday September 11. Their first Melbourne date at Trak Lounge Bar on Friday September 7 has limited tickets left. Tickets for both shows are on sale now from Ticketmaster (Trak) and Moshtix (The Prince).
REFUSED It’s a reformation that we thought we’d never see, and a tour we’ve demanded since the band’s triumphant return to the stage at this year’s Coachella. Now Australian audiences can finally witness the glory that is Refused in the live setting. With reports from the States and beyond making it exceedingly clear that Refused have reclaimed their title as one of the best bands on the planet. Refused perform at The Palace on Thursday November 15. Tickets onsale 9am Friday August 31 from Oztix and Ticketek.
PRIMAL SCREAM British game-changers Primal Scream return to Australia this Dcember to headline Meredith Music Festival and have announced a Melbourne sideshow to complement the Supernatural Amphitheatre slot. Last seen here in 2011 performing their era-defining album Screamadelica in full, the cutting edge band now entering their fourth decade return armed with classics, fan favourites and brand new songs. Primal Scream play The Palace Theatre on Friday December 7. Tickets are via Ticketmaster and Oztix.
KINDRED SPIRIT FESTIVAL The inaugural Kindred Spirit Festival celebrates music, movement and meditation with a global view for peace and prosperity. Kindred Studios are gathering over 150 musicians, presenters, dancers, yogis, chanters and healers on 12 stages and studios over two days at the Kindred Spirit Festival site in Yarraville on Saturday September 8 and Sunday September 9, with performances, yoga classes and workshops all included in the ticket price. Local talent includes drumming master David Jones, The Melbourne Mass Gospel Choir, One Tribe (Perth) and much more. Kindred Spirit Festival also features numerous market stalls, the Holy Cow Chai Tent, food vendors, a continuous Kirtan room, Yoga Nidra, private meditation and many healing practitioners for private bookings. Tickets are on sale via Trybooking.com and prices start at $45. As an all ages event, children under the age of 16 get in for free. Head to kindredespiritfest.com for al details.
THE COUNT WITH...
KING CANNONS
Name/Band: Luke Yeoward/King Cannons. Ten bands everyone should know about: King Cannons, The Clash, The Mescalero’s, The Ramones, The E Street band, The Maytals, The MG’s, The Rolling Stones, The Animals, CCR. Nine food items that you need to make a kickarse dinner party: Meat, avocado, tomato, onion, cheese, beans, chilli, sour cream, bread. Eight possessions that define you: Possessions don’t define me, they are just a bonus. Seven favourite movies/TV shows that go on your mix-tape: TMNT, Batman, Avatar, The Sopranos, Sons Of Anarchy, Boardwalk Empire, The Young Ones. Six bad habits you can't escape: Swearing, occasional smoking, cleaning, eating too much, being impatient, and being blunt. Five people who inspire you: My mum, dad, wife, manager, and Joe Strummer.
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Four things that turn you on: A girl with long dark hair, who is happy, smells good, and dresses well. Three goals for your music: Global releases, global tours, and for it to be my primary income. Two live gigs you'll never forget and why: 1. Toots And The Maytals – I got into a scuffle with the bouncers and got kicked out three songs into the show! 2. Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band – best live show from a band of 60+-year-olds I have ever seen. One day left before the apocalypse and you : Should probably figure out what I’m having for dinner... KING CANNONS play with All The Young and The Hello Morning at The Corner Hotel on Saturday September 1.
HOT TALK
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DAVID HASSELHOFF LISA MITCHELL
Fresh off the back of performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, David Hasselhoff is bringing his live show to Australia. The Hoff’s live performances have been described as “an intimate, hilarious evening of song, dance and audience interaction. Knight Rider to Baywatch, Broadway and the Berlin Wall.” Well, alright then. An Evening With The Hoff comes to the Corner Hotel on Thursday February 14. Tickets on sale from the Corner box office now.
Lisa Mitchell has been announced as the next addition to November’s Queenscliff Music Festival. Mitchell is known for her ethereal voice and presence that propelled the success of her debut album Wonder. She recently toured a sell-out Australian tour and supported Mumford & Sons in their overseas dates. Her single Spiritus, from EP Spiritus, is a triple j favourite earning frequent radio play. If that wasn’t tantalising enough, Mitchell is currently putting the final touches on her long-awaited second album, which Queenscliff goers might be privy to. Either way, the Queenscliff Music Festival is sure to be grand with You Am I, Something For Kate, Jordie Lane, Kingswood, and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and many others performing. Queenscliff Music Festival will be held from Friday November 23 to Sunday November 25. Tickets are available from qmf.net.au
ELECTRIC JELLYFISH
LONG WAY TO THE TOP
This September, much-loved band Electric Jellyfish will be touring Australia in preparation for the recording of their sophomore LP. This will be their first trip around Australia since the release of Trouble Coming Down, and the first Australian shows since their recent US tour which included shows with Feedtime, Carlton Melton, Hank IV, The Men, and multiple shows at SXSW in Austin. Electric Jellyfish play The Bridge Hotel in Castlemaine on Saturday September 8, The Karova Lounge in Ballarat on Friday September 14 and The Gasometer Hotel on Saturday September 15.
Hey! It’s Father’s Day this Sunday September 2. Strapped for a gift? Well, Chugg Entertainment have announced the ten year anniversary tour of Long Way To The Top featuring 20 rock legends from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, including Mi-Sex, Dragon, Noiseworks, Marcia Hines, Ian Moss and heaps more. If these names don’t ring a bell, they certainly will for your dad. The arena tour reaches the Rod Laver Arena on Friday October 5 and tickets are on sale now via Ticketek. It’s not too late to impress your papa.
EVERMORE This October, Evermore are set to release their fourth studio album and the band has announced a set of shows to premiere the new material, including an intimate show at The Toff on Thursday September 27. The release and tour comes after a three year hiatus from the local scene as they toured the world with Pink, then traversed the globe a second time to start the album writing process. The album, titled Follow The Sun, will be released October 12. Tickets for the preview show are strictly limited and are on sale now from Moshtix.
ROYSTON VASIE & IMMIGRANT UNION Royston Vasie get set to release their highly anticipated debut album Tanah Merah and are giving you a taste of what’s to come in the way of the highly contagious second single Come On. A goodtime hit featuring harmonies from Courtney Barnett and Bob Harrow from Immigrant Union with its massive sing-along chorus and distinctive bass line, Come On is another great preview of what to expect from the popular Melbourne four-piece. The band will team up with Immigrant Union, led by Brent DeBoer from the Dandy Warhols, and hit the road this October including a hometown show at Ding Dong Lounge on Friday October 19. Tickets are from Oztix.
GARY CLARK JR Set to be one of the most electrifying artists on the 2013 Big Day Out lineup, Texan blues dynamo Gary Clark Jr has announced a warm-up sideshow at The Tote. A legend in the making, Gary Clark Jr has been blowing ‘em away since an early age – drawing comparisons to icons from every generation. The warm-up set at The Tote will be a rockin’ introduction for Australian audiences before the guitarist tears up the Big Day Out circuit. Support comes from Jackson Firebird and The Murlocs. Gary Clark Jr performs at The Tote on Thursday September 27. Tickets through Oztix. CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 19
HOT TALK
THE BIGGEST IN INTERNATIONAL & NATIONAL NEWS
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Laney Lane
LEHMANN B. SMITH Local legend Lehmann B. Smith celebrates the release of Girlfriends, his brand new album, launching it on Saturday September 22 at Bella Union at Trades Hall in Carlton. Girlfriends is the third album release from Lehmann B. Smith, his first for Melbourne label Sensory Projects which is home to artists Lost Animal, New War, Love Connection and heaps more talent. Girlfriends finds Lehmann at the top of his game, delivering 12 watertight pop tunes with the sort of style and panache of a musician many years older. The show will also feature very special guests Evelyn Ida Morris and The Ancients. Tickets are available now through the Bella Union website.
PRIMITIVE CALCULATORS
CHOPPED ROD & CUSTOM FESTIVAL The Chopped Rod & Custom traditional hot rod, dirt drag and music festival returns in 2012 with its largest lineup yet. Celebrating its fifth year of tearing up the dirt and churning out the sounds of high-calibre Australian acts, the Chopped Rod & Custom Festival raises the bar and blows the roof off once again with its headliner Lanie Lane. Other musical acts include Howlin’ Steam Train, Frankie Albini & The Fugitives, Fraser A Gorman and plenty more. Attractions include dirt drag racing, vintage speedway, low brow art show and on-site camping. It’s a rip-roarin’ fun time, taking place at the Newstead Racecourse from Friday October 5 to Sunday October 7. Head to chopped.com.au for all information and ticketing.
ROCK FOR RECOGNITION A new series of concerts called Rock for Recognition has been initiated in order to raise awareness and promote the need for recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian constitution. The inaugural Rock for Recognition, headlined by Dan Sultan, will tour this November and features a varied bill of artists including sultry songstress Leah Flanagan and the genre-jumping PBS DJ Ken Eavel, plus more to be announced. Being a proud Gurindji man, Dan Sultan will ensure that ‘Rock for Recognition’ is one hell of a roof-raising concert event. It takes place at The Corner Hotel on Thursday November 8. Tickets are $30+bf from the venue box office and website.
DIDN’T IT RAIN Jason Molina is the sort of artist who attracts devoted fans. While his music is often labelled as gloomy, it is the stoicism and disarming honesty of Molina’s songs that has gained him such a passionate following. So when it emerged last year that the man behind Songs:Ohia and Magnolia Electric Co. was suffering from undisclosed health issues and was spending time in rehabilitation, his fans were deeply saddened. The music community rallied, raising money for Molina through various online benefits and tributes. Now it’s Melbourne’s turn to show their love for one of the most revered and unique songwriters of the last 20 years. Saturday September 8 will see a benefit take place for Molina at Tago Mago, featuring Sean McMahon, Wayward Breed, The Gypsy Curse, Orisha, Mikey Madden, George Hyde and many more. Tickets are $10 on the door with all proceeds going to Molina’s medical fund, and doors open at 8pm.
Melbourne synth-punks pioneers Primitive Calculators have announced a series of shows for their new release Sick/C**t. Mess+Noise premiered the song last week and it’s the band’s first recording since their single I Can’t Stop It/Do That Dance in 1979. Currently on the lineup for Sound Summit Festival, Primitive Calculators have an album expected for release sometime next year through Chapter Music. Fellow label mates Lost Animal and Standish/Carlyon have been announced as supports for the tour. Primitive Calculators will play at Northcote Social Club on Friday October 5. Tickets are through the venue website.
JOE BATAAN & THE DEL BARRIO ORCHESTRA
GEORGIA FIELDS She’s toured with her Mini-Indie-Orchestra, and duelled the legendary Normie Rowe on RocKwiz. Now, six-months after her sold out show at The Famous Spiegeltent, Georgia Fields returns with new single Snakes & Ladders. Collaborating with producerengineer Joe Hammond (The Harpoons; The Boat People; Otouto), Fields has relinquished her ukulele in favour of distorted combo organ, electric guitar, and the analogue purr of a 1981 omnichord. The result is part low-fi bounce, part dream-pop swoon. To celebrate the launch, Fields plays The Empress Hotel on Saturday October 6 with her band. Support comes from indiepop quartet Elephant Eyes, and spook-folk duo Major Chord. Tickets are $15, and doors open at 8.30pm.
Joe Bataan, the voice behind such Latin soul and funk anthems Subway Joe, Ordinary Guy, Gypsy Woman and Riot!, is playing is first and only Australian club show at The Hi-Fi on Friday October 5. The renowned son of AfricanAmerican and Filipino parents is a living legend from the golden age of Fania, when Puerto Ricans in New York blended their own Latin rhythms with 1950s doo wop and James Brown-era soul music, to create the what is now known as Latin soul, Latin funk and boogaloo. Self-taught singer, bandleader and pianist Joe Bataan is probably the most renowned of all Latin Soul artists in the world today. After disappearing for 20 years, the king of Latin soul is now in high demand touring the US, Europe, Asia and now Australia. Joe Bataan will be backed by the ten-piece Del Barrio Latin orchestra complete with backing vocalists, horn section and three percussionists. RRR’s Chris Gill and PBS’ Emma Peel will be hosting a big bad boogaloo vinyl party before and after the main performance of what is sure to be a rare and memorable night. Tickets are $49.
LOVESCARLETS MIGRATE Q&A THE
THE M.A.V.I.S. PROJECT The M.A.V.I.S Project, a collaborative effort between RMIT’s Music Industry and Audio Visual students, is back for another year of intense music. This year M.A.V.I.S have brought Barbarion, Wintercoats, Melbournian psychedelics Wolfy & The Bat Cubs, singer/songwriter Celery, and fresh off of Brunswick’s streets, Alfords Band of Bullwinkles and more along for the ride in an effort to raise money for Music Victoria. RMIT Presents M.A.V.I.S. is a one night only performance set across two stages at The Corner Hotel. With a raffle/auction planned to raise money (give you goodies), the night is sure to be a hit. RMIT Presents M.A.V.I.S. will be at the Corner Hotel on Monday September 17, tickets are available through the venue website and box office.
MATT WALKER In Echoes of Dawn is Matt Walker’s first album in seven years and it’s safe to say it’s a keenly awaited release. On the whole, it’s a somewhat sparse album, with his arrangements and playing having room to breathe and create dynamic flow. Acoustic guitar, mandolin, lap steel and piano passages dominate the album providing counterpoint to his ever poetic lyrical imagery. Seemingly bursting onto the scene some 15 years ago (and taking out an ARIA win in 2000), the young artist has built successfully on the accolades awarded early on in a career. He launches the album at The Toff In Town on Sunday October 7. Beat Magazine Page 20
If you could travel back in time and show one of your musical heroes your stuff, who would it be and why? I’d like to show my grandma but she died ten years ago. What’ve you got to sell CD-wise? Our debut record Plagued Are All My Thoughts, Like White Ants In The Fence is out on October 12 through Flightless. When’s the gig and with who? Thursday August 30 we’ll be launching our single Making This Hard with Emma Russack and Sam Cooper at The Toff In Town…. have you heard Sam Cooper? He’s special.
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When are you doing your thing next? I’ll have a shower in the morning How do you balance making and playing music with your other commitments? I’ve found that staying unemployed really helps. Anything else to add? Keep an eye out for our new video for Making This Hard.
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Beat Magazine Page 21
TOURING
WHO'S ON TOUR, WHERE AND WHEN
PROUDLY PRESENTS:
For all the latest touring news check out beat.com.au
INTERNATIONAL 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, The Prince September 11 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 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 FAR EAST MOVEMENT Trak Lounge Bar September 21 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 GARY CLARK JR The Tote September 27 MARTIKA Trak Lounge September 28 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 JOE BATAAN & THE DEL BARRIO ORCHESTRA The Hi-Fi October 5 LITTLE HURRICANE Ding Dong Lounge October 5 PARKLIFE Sidney Myer Music Bowl October 6 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 MATCHBOX TWENTY, INXS Rod Laver Arena October 20 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 The Corner Hotel November 5 TOUCHE AMORE The Reverence Hotel November 9, Phoenix Youth Centre November 10. BEN HARPER The Plenary November 10 HARVEST FESTIVAL Werribee Mansion November 10, 11 COLDPLAY Etihad Stadium November 13 REFUSED The Palace November 15 AUSTRALASIAN WORLDWIDE MUSIC EXPO Various Venues November 15 - 18 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, 28 SIMPLE MINDS, DEVO Palais Theatre November 29, A Day On The Green - Rochford Wines December 1 RICK ASTLEY The Palace November 30, Chelsea
LAST DINOSAURS Ding Dong Lounge October 21 Heights Hotel December 1 THE SELECTER The Corner Hotel November 30 NICKI MINAJ, TYGA Rod Laver Arena December 5 GRIMES The Corner Hotel December 5, 6 SPIRITUALIZED The Hi-Fi December 6 HOT SNAKES The Corner Hotel December 7 MEREDITH MUSIC FESTIVAL Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre December 7 - 9 PRIMAL SCREAM The Palace December 7 TURBONEGRO The Hi-Fi December 7 LAGWAGON Corner Hotel December 9 JLO Rod Laver Arena December 11 ALEXISONFIRE Festival Hall December 12 REGINA SPEKTOR The Plenary December 14 EVAN DANDO AND JULIANA HATFIELD Corner Hotel December 18 FALLS MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL Lorne December 28, Marion Bay December 29 PEATS RIDGE Glenworth Valley December 28 January 1 65DAYDOFSTATIC Corner Hotel January 4 NIGHTWISH Palace Theatre January 14 WEEZER Sidney Myer Music Bowl January 16 BIG DAY OUT Flemington Racecourse January 26 DAVID HASSELHOFF The Corner Hotel February 14 ALL TOMORROW’S PARTIES Westgate Entertainment Centre February 16, 17 SOUNDWAVE Flemington Racecourse March 1 ED SHEERAN Festival Hall March 5, 6
NATIONAL SEEKAE The Corner August 29, 31 LOON LAKE Ding Dong Lounge August 30, 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 ALPINE The Corner Hotel September 8, 9 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 KIRIN J CALLINAN Northcote Social Club September 15 THE RUBENS The Forum Theatre September 15 DAREBIN MUSIC FEAST Various venues September 20 - October 7 THE ANGELS Corner Hotel September 20
KATCHAFIRE Ferntree Gully Hotel September 20, The Forum Theatre September 21 FEELINGS Workers Club September 22 MIA DYSON The Corner Hotel September 22 POND The Corner Hotel September 23 CHICKS WHO LOVE GUNS Workers Club September 27 EVERMORE The Toff September 27 SIX60 The Forum September 28 SETH SENTRY The Corner September 29 THE AMITY AFFLICTION Palace Theatre October 4, 5 ***CHOPPED ROD & CUSTOM FESTIVAL Newstead Racecourse October 5 - 7 SASKWATCH Corner Hotel October 5 ***SOMETHING FOR KATE The Corner Hotel October 6 KING GIZZARD AND THE LIZARD WIZARD The Tote October 6, 7 REGURGITATOR The Hi-Fi October 11, 12 DAPPLED CITIES Corner Hotel October 12 ROCKWIZ Festival Hall October 12, 13 BRITISH INDIA Corner Hotel October 19 CREEPSHOW The Espy October 20 OH MERCY The Hi-Fi October 25 LAST DINOSAURS Ding Dong October 21 (U18), The Corner October 25, 26 JOSH PYKE The Palais Hepburn Spring October 24, Karova Lounge October 25, The Bended Elbow October 26 CLAIRE BOWDICH The Regal Ballroom October 26 KASEY CHAMBERS & SHANE NICHOLSON The Regent Theatre October 27 THE BEARDS The Hi-Fi November 3 TZU The Hi-Fi November 5 DEEP SEA ARCADE Corner Hotel November 9 MELBOURNE MUSIC WEEK Various Venues November 16 - 24 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 PARKWAY DRIVE Festival Hall December 22 PYRAMID ROCK FESTIVAL Phillip Island December 29 - January 1
RUMOURS N.E.R.D., Neko Case, The Roots, Daughn Gibson, Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti = New Announcements = Beat Proudly Presents
PROUDLY PRESENTS:
Lisa Mitchell
QUEENSCLIFF MUSIC FESTIVAL Queenscliff November 23-25 Beat Magazine Page 22
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Beat Magazine Page 23
ANIMAL COLLECTIVE BY LUKE TELFORD
It’s strange that Animal Collective is so popular. The quartet’s music may be pop at heart, but it’s riven with enough drug culture allusions and avant-gardism to make for a pretty gritty listen. The fact that the band is signed to the largest of major labels feels like a minor coup. In the same way that Revolution 9 exposed thousands of Beatles fans to musique concrete in the late ‘60s, it feels like a step forward for pop music in general that EMI’s marketing budget is now pushing their bristling psychedelia to the fore. The term ‘collective’ might seem appropriate on the surface – the dense arrangements suggest a communal approach that gives equal credence to each idea – but it’s pretty clear that there’s one person, in particular, calling the shots. Although Noah Lennox (aka Panda Bear) and Josh Dibb (Deakin) have both contributed songs, the vast majority of each album is given to the fidgety avant-pop futurism of David Portner (Avey Tare). The fact that his snarling voice is the most prominent might not be enough to support this hypothesis. But given that Lennox felt compelled to go solo to fully nurture his extraordinary songs, and that Dibb’s first and sole contribution came only recently after returning from a hiatus, you do have to wonder. If there is internal conflict in Animal Collective, then it certainly doesn’t get in the way of the music. Creatively resilient bands often have a current of social tension stoking their coals, and the bristling clutter of work like 2007’s meticulously gristly Strawberry Jam would not have been nearly as compelling if a single person had been pushing all the buttons. The group’s forthcoming record, Centpiede Hz, marks a return to the ‘band’ approach of earlier records. Over the past five years, their immersive arrangements have leant heavily on computers and samplers, but here, guitars and drums are the base materials. Still, most of the songs appear to have been penned by Portner. Although a number of interviews are set up with him, each falls through at his discretion. Eventually, a time is arranged with Noah Lennox, instead. When we speak, Lennox is at home in Lisbon. It’s an intensely hot day, but the oppressive weather doesn’t appear to have dimmed his excitement for the band’s new material. “We knew that we wanted to do something more performance-based, or rooted in performance. With the last group of songs, we had six sequencers of samples, and you’d be kind of manipulating the sound as it goes, but it was a real mental, more than a physical, thing,” he says. “I knew I wanted to play drums sitting down, which is something I haven’t done in eight years or so. The room that we started writing the songs and practicing in was pretty small. We were packed in there pretty tight, with the drums and everything, I feel like the impulse was to kind of just crank it up, which lent a lot of the songs a way more driving and propulsive feel.” Of the first tracks assembled, Lennox claims Today’s
Supernatural most excited the band, partially because of its energy, but also because it was such a challenge to play. “It had a real intense energy to it, way more than anything on the last album. It was kind of difficult to play, for me. We had it in sections. We could play each section in the beginning, but we couldn’t put them all together. It took a while before we could get all the way through it. I think, again, having something that’s really performance based, that’s really difficult like that, appealed to us. The last group of songs were kind of set in stone – we would just play around with the thing that was there already. Having something that was so, like, you never knew if you were going to make it – I think was kind of fun.” The energy Lennox talks about is plain to hear. Centipede Hz’s hooks are infectiously melodic, etching themselves into your memory after even a single listen. It’s also strangely great to hear Animal Collective actually riffing – Today’s Supernatural and Moonjock particularly have some undeniably stadiumsized guitar rock moments that are surprising and cathartic. Throughout, pieces are laced with snatches of faux-radio announcements and warped ad stings. These almost feel like a nod to retro revivalists like Ariel Pink or Neon Indian, whose songs evoke fuzzy facsimiles of tinny AM-broadcasts from decades past. On Centipede Hz, these surreal snippets lend the impression of some sumptuous alien transmission rather than a Top 40 flashback. “The idea of an alien sound or an alien music is really exciting to us,” says Lennox. “We threw around this idea of an ‘alien band’ a lot, or talked a lot about it, and joked about it, from the beginning, before these songs. That was a touchstone: we were always like, ‘This doesn’t really sound alien-band enough’. So we would always try to crank it up to that zone where it didn’t feel like something familiar to us.” Lennox responds cautiously to questions about Dibb’s return to the band. It’s no surprise that he’s reluctant to address exactly why the group was trimmed to a threepiece for their breakthrough 2009 album Merriweather Post Pavilion, but he speaks freely about the benefits and challenges of working as a four-piece again. “It’s a relief in that I’m seeing a lot of one of my best buddies again. Since I live sort of far away from the other guys, the only times I really get to see him and hang out with him is when we’re on tour or working on music,” says
“THE IDEA OF AN ALIEN SOUND OR AN ALIEN MUSIC IS REALLY EXCITING TO US,” SAYS LENNOX. “WE THREW AROUND THIS IDEA OF AN ‘ALIEN BAND’ A LOT, OR TALKED A LOT ABOUT IT, AND JOKED ABOUT IT”
Beat Magazine Page 24
DISCUSS WHAT? BEAT.COM.AU/DISCUSSION
Lennox. “I really didn’t see too much of Josh the last couple of years, so, that way, I’m really excited that we’re all doing this thing again. “At the same time, it’s a challenge, in that, whether it’s two, or three, or four of us, it’s a different set of personalities and a different set of characters, and you have to figure out a way to manage that,” he continues. “There’s frustrating times, always. Even if it’s just me working on stuff, there are times where I’m throwing around headphones. I feel like if you’re not getting frustrated, you probably don’t really care so much. But it’s just all part of the deal, you know? It’s par for the course, you could say.” One of the most admirable things about this band is how consistently singular they sound from album to album, irrespective of lineup changes. There are many things that distinguish them from their contemporaries, but two in particular stand out for most. The first is an open and full embrace of the notion of psychedelia – of stepping away from your preconceptions and endeavouring to perceive things differently. This commitment to seeing and hearing in new ways was once closely aligned with pop music, but now, most psych bands revel in the associated substances for their own sake, and choose to re-arrange their predecessor’s music rather than reinventing it, thereby sabotaging the original goal. Not so with Animal Collective. “I think [psychedelia] has lost its meaning because there’s been so many different interpretations of it, or so many different perspectives on it,” says Lennox. “On the drugs side of it, I’m not super-experienced. To me it’s just a blurring of boundaries, a kind of meshing of things. There’s something sort of magical about it. By that, I just mean there’s something out of the ordinary world, or the stuff that you see every day. There’s something different about it.” The second aspect that many immediately associate with Animal Collective is a kind of deference to childhood. In a review of Tomboy, Lennox’s last album as Panda Bear, Simon Reynolds criticised the emphasis on boyhood and adolescence as irresponsible musical touch-points. Similar comments are often made regarding the wide-eyed optimism and boundless energy of Animal Collective’s songs, and such flourishes are all over Centipede Hz. At times, it plays out like a collection of themes for cartoon serials. Lennox sounds crestfallen talking about Reynolds’ review, but he rises to put comments about childhood in their place. It turns out that the childish undercurrent harks back to his perspective on psychedelia – it’s about seeing and hearing the world anew. “I don’t know that it’s a childhood thing so much that it is hopefully an openness to stuff,” he says. “When you’re young, you don’t feel like you’ve got it all figured out. When you approach something, you approach it with a blank-slate-mind, you know what I mean? As musicians, we’re always trying, like in Star Wars, to unlearn the stuff that we’ve learned. To be in a situation or be playing an instrument that you don’t feel like you totally know, and you haven’t really figured out a system of working with it and making songs with it. When you’re in that danger zone, I feel that’s when the most interesting stuff comes out.” Centipede Hz is out this Friday August 31 through Domino/EMI. ANIMAL COLLECTIVE play the Big Day Out, alongside Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Vampire Weekend, Sleigh Bells, Foals, Alabama Shakes and heaps more, taking place at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday January 26.
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 25
THIS WEEK: ON SCREEN We’ve been covering a few bits and pieces from the Game Masters exhibition happening at ACMI but be sure to catch Indie Game: The Movie – a film about a new breed of struggling artist, the indie game designer. This Sundance award-winning film captures the tension and drama created by the developers’ vulnerability and obsessive quest to express themselves through this 21st-century art form. First-time filmmaking duo Lisanne Pajot and James Swirsky capture the emotional journey of a group of meticulously obsessive artists who devote their lives to their interactive art. Indie Game finishes up at ACMI on Sunday, so head to the website acmi.net.au for session times and tickets.
ON STAGE Icons is a triple bill featuring three classic Australian ballets that look back to our history and forward to our future. The Display is Sir Robert Helpmann’s first work for the fledgling Australian Ballet. Inspired by a dream in which he saw a naked Katherine Hepburn on a dais surrounded by lyrebirds, it slyly relates mating rituals to the men fighting over a woman at an Aussie picnic. Gemini, created in 1973, is an original work that still looks contemporary today. Glen Tetley was a pioneer of a style that synthesised classical movement and a modern vocabulary, and set to Hans Werner Henze’s challenging score, this ballet stretches its dancers to the limit. Graeme Murphy’s Beyond Twelve, commissioned by Artistic Director Marilyn Jones in 1980, is a moving look at a dancer’s life, from larky, football-mad boyhood to young love and early success through to a hard-earned, lonely maturity. Icons begins its run from Thursday August 30 at the Arts Centre, and for all ticketing head to australianballet.com.au.
ON DISPLAY The Basil Sellers Art Prize is an opportunity for artists and viewers alike to engage with the broad range of issues and ideas that sport can provoke. Awarded to an artwork addressing the subject of sport, the prize recognises contemporary artists whose practices engage with the theme and encourage ambitious departures into new fields. The Ian Potter Museum Of Art at Melbourne University allows you to take part in a conversation between senior curator Bala Starr and exhibiting artists in the Basil Sellers Art Prize 2012. Listen to the finalists respond to their works and their experience of the prize as well as gain some insights into the artists’ processes, who and what inspires them and how their works relate to the theme of sport. The event will be held on Thursday September 6. RSVP for the free event art-museum.unimelb.edu.au.
BEAT’S PICK OF THE WEEK: The Environmental Film Festival Melbourne (EFFM) aims to inform and engage people and explore environmental issues with the medium of film. This year the festival premieres several home-grown movies including a personal story of climate action in Generation Green and a satirical look at caged hens in Chicken Karma. Cape Spin! An American Power Struggle launches the festival with a behind-the-scenes look at the lobbying efforts on both sides of the fight over an American wind farm proposal. Meanwhile, Academy Award winner Jessica Yu and the company behind An Inconvenient Truth offer the closing night film about the world’s water crisis, Last Call At The Oasis. From food and water to solar-powered cars, the films in this year’s program aim to inspire the audience more than ever. The Environmental Film Festival takes place from September 4-9 at the Kino Cinema in Collins Place. For more information about sessions and ticketing, head to the EFFM website at effm.org.au.
FREE SHIT LYRICAL Off the page, words are used to command some of our best-loved songs, and in Lyrical, songwriters delve into the inspiration behind their craft. Featuring David Bridie, Kate Fagan and Eva Popov, this personal insight into the work allows artists to connect with the audience on deeper and much more personal levels. But it’s an event for the musically inclined, with 10% talking and 90% music. We have some double passes to give away to the show on Saturday September 1. Head to beat.com.au/freeshit for your chance to win.
Beat Magazine Page 26
MELBOURNE FRINGE FESTIVAL BY TYSON WRAY
The role that the Melbourne Fringe Festival plays in nurturing, supporting and progressing the arts within this city is unparalleled. First established in 1982 following the closing of the legendary Pram Factory in Carlton, the festival has presented the artistic work of over 50,000 individual and independent artists to millions of Victorians, and its legacy in promoting and presenting the work and creativity of Melburnians and beyond is paramount to the cultural heart that this city is famed for. “The role that Melbourne Fringe plays within the community and why it exists is constantly changing,” notes Neal Harvey. As the Creative Producer of Melbourne Fringe, Harvey oversees the program of events produced by the festival itself, alongside encountering an eagle-eyed view of the innerdynamics of the festival. “We’re there to support independent artists and provide them with presentation and development opportunities. But having said that, there are a lot more of those opportunities now then there were three years ago,” he details carefully before drawing reference to other local arts organisations. “Melbourne Theatre Company have just launched their Neon program which is only for independent artists. Malthouse [Theatre] have just launched Helium which is just for independent artists to present work. Arts House have a very strong program, Darebin are looking to offer opportunities for independent artists as well. “Melbourne Fringe needs to constantly evolve and fit into the landscape that’s out there,” he continues. “[We need] to make sure that we’re providing surfaces that aren’t being duplicated by other organisations and that we’re actually meeting the needs of what our artists and stakeholders want. It changes a lot in Melbourne. There’s a lot that goes on here. Melbourne Fringe needs to be responsive and adaptive to that.” Celebrating its 30th birthday in 2012, the festival will this year present over 4,000 artists in 120 venues city-wide, showcasing the most poignant, inspirational and groundbreaking works in Victoria’s utterly diverse contemporary arts scene. “There’s definitely a celebratory aspect to the program,” shares Harvey proudly. “In the works that we’re producing and the nights that are on in the club that we curate. There’s definitely an air of celebration and an opportunity to look back on what the festival has been as well as what it’s going to be in looking
towards the future. I feel there’s definitely a landmark quality to the type of programming that’s going on. We’re doing a few new things as we do every year, but there’s also some call-backs to some old favourites and alumni artists. I think that once people start to delve into [the program] and make sense of it then it will feel like an anniversary and a birthday. “In the club we’re welcoming back The Last Tuesday Society, Die Roten Punkte will be hosting another circus and sideshow mash-up, Shut Up And Dance! comes back hosted by The Town Bikes. They’re perhaps not synonymous names but people really look forward to them. To be hosting these events again, even whilst there’s still so much going on out there, it’s important and we want to say ‘this has been everyone’s favourite so let’s try and do it again but bigger and better.’ “We’re doing a few new things as well which is exciting,” he continues. “On the first Saturday of the club, which is also the last Saturday of September, we’re hosting the first ever Melbourne Fringe call of the AFL Grand Final. Kate McLennan, Geraldine Hickey, Anne Edmonds and Declan Faye, who also share a podcast called The Downlow will call the game in the club. That afternoon is such a great tradition and I love that it falls during Fringe. I think it’s great that these two things are coming together. “In terms of the creative program and the big stuff that we’re producing, the very big one is Double-Take that is very much an anniversary and celebratory type project. We’ve created some photo albums of iconic Melbourne images from the past 100 years and we’re inviting people in the community to come and recreate these images with us. People can come down and select an image from the album and then go and work with our designers and photographers and go and pose in the exact same position in the exact same location and retake that
photo and then we’ll print out all of the recreations and hold an exhibition. There’s definitely an element of looking to the past and then contextualising it. As difficult as it is to have a ‘theme’ to an open access festival there’s a lot in there that will give people the impression that it’s a significant year and milestone festival.” Looking towards the future of the Fringe, Harvey details its past, and the incredibly diligent and diverse range of artists that have made the festival their creative home and the role it’s played in the progression of their careers and artistic development. “The number of artists and arts workers that have moved through this festival and either presented or assisted in the staging of work pretty much covers the gamut of who’s who in Australian arts practices here and overseas,” he details gleefully. “It’s pretty much a roll call of anyone who you could name. If they’re from Victoria and they’re artists then they’ve probably presented a show at the Melbourne Fringe Festival. It’s traditionally not a festival about infamy or recognition. That’s part of its role, and why artists choose to drop in and out at different stages of their career. There’s a very rich alumni and tradition of people who have a great deal of affection for this festival.” The 2012 Melbourne Fringe Festival takes place Wednesday September 26 – Sunday October 14 all over Melbourne. Head to melbournefringe.com.au for more details.
ICONS
BY BELLA ARNOTT-HOARE For many aspiring young dancers the Australian Ballet holds a quasi-religious power. After 50 years it’s a point of idealistic inspiration with its vision to represent the country’s unique cultural character. No dancer knows this better than Brett Simon, whose earliest memories of ballet were performed by the company. “I grew up watching the Australian Ballet because I’m from Adelaide, and the Australian Ballet was the company that I grew up watching, aspiring to, and not really understanding other countries and companies too much,” he says. In celebration of those 50 years of heritage, leading the charge in internationally announcing the country’s skill, The Australian Ballet will put on a show especially close to their hearts. Icons explores some of our most successful ballets with a nod to those who created them and their important role in shaping one of our most important cultural institutions. Simon, who will be dancing in two out of the three programmed performances, reflects on the importance of these ballets to Australian dance history. “They struck a chord in their time, and also since they were done. All three of them have been remounted at different times since they were created and have been popular every time; audiences have found them really memorable and they’re all really different, but they’ve all got a message that people can connect with and relate to that makes them really popular. “ The triple-bill features three works distinctive in their own right. Robert Helpmann’s The Display first premiered at the Adelaide Festival Of Arts in 1964, a few short years after the ballet was founded. Glen Tetley’s minimalist ballet Gemini, part of a movement away from narrative dance, confronted audiences with originality, and dance stalwart Graeme Murphy’s Beyond Twelve allegorically explored coming of age which Murphy, and the ballet itself, was experiencing. Simon’s first dance in the production is The Display, playing the part of The Leader in an ideological snapshot of 1960s Australia. “For us it’s an interesting look at how life was 50 years ago. We’ve just had Garth Welch in talking to us and
he was one of the original characters in The Display. He was telling us about the way society was so different in that time: they had the White Australia Policy and a completely different social atmosphere. “It’s sort of an exploration of that for us, but the part that I play is basically the leader of the pack, what he sounds like, a real Australian kind of guy of the time. They like to play footy, and drink beer, and just have a good time, but at the same time they’re cautious of all this other change that is happening to their culture at that time.” Gemini, he says, is a complete removal from the former, stripped back with minimal narrative and showcasing the experimental dance that was popular at the time. The ferocious piece has been applauded for the physical exertion it requires of its dancers. “It was done in the ‘70s when abstract dance was really being explored. There are only four dancers in Gemini, two men and two women. ‘Gemini’ suggests the twins, and the two aspects of different people and my part is more of a languid, softer side to my partner’s, one of the girls. She’s got a lot more attack, and a lot harder stuff basically. But it’s a very difficult piece for all four of us actually, it’s really demanding because it’s non-stop music and dance,” he says. While many would not look to this country as the home of a groundbreaking dance-troupe, Simon says the beauty of the Australian ballet is it revels in its identity. “We are Australian, and it’s nice to have things that were created in this country and for this company that we can continue doing.”
ARTS NEWS, REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS ONLINE – BEAT.COM.AU/ARTS
Though ballet in Australia may not have its own distinct style, he reflects, he believes the company itself does. The style of dance, he says, comes “from being in a different place, being a different company. Every company has its own style and its own way of doing things, even if they’re in the same country. Each company is a little bit different. And I think that depends on the director at the time, and the repertoire they choose, and the dancers they have there as well. “But we’ve got generations of Australian directors and Australian dancers now that’ve been doing it for 50 years, so we’ve definitely developed our own way of doing things over that time. And because we’re not really in the mix of Europe or America, that’s where our isolation becomes a positive because we’re not that influenced by other things, to a degree.” And having realised his boyhood fantasy of performing with the Australian Ballet, he notes that at times it feels dreamlike. “You’ve gotta pinch yourself sometimes to remind yourself what you’re doing, because even in the short time that I’ve been here we’ve done productions that I did see when I was younger, and I’ve been able to do some great roles in those ballets too. I think any Australian kid that watches the Australian ballet wants to do that.” Icons will head to The Arts Centre’s State Theatre from Thursday August 30 – Saturday September 8. To book or for more information head to australianballet.com.au
JOBLESS TORCHES HIPSTER BEAUTY QUEEN
FRIDAY NIGHT JOHNNY GHOST DIRECTOR :
Donna McRae
31.08 / Friday /11 pm
AN UNTIL SAT EVENING 01 SEPT WITH 2012 GENE Festival venue GREGORTIS REVOLT Cult writer from the US will read from ‘Dog Days’ and ‘Hatchet Job’
31.08 / Friday / 9pm
12 Elizabeth Street Kensington 3031 03 9376 2115 Opening / Closing / Evening with Gene Gregorits Sessions $20
13TH MELBOURNE UNDERGROUND FILM FESTIVAL CALLING ALL MAVERICKS
FULL CATALOGUE MUFF.COM.AU
Great new Aussie genre directed by a member of the female sex, Donna McRae. Millicent, a professional musician, lectures in music at a university. She is also a recovering alcoholic who has a commemorative tattoo that stretches across her shoulder. When she decides to remove the tattoo, she encounters ghosts of her post-punk past who won’t let her move on so easily. Well worth your attention at this years festival.
CLOSING NIGHT
Single sessions $15 each / $12 conc.
DADDY’S LITTLE GIRL
All tickets available at the door. Opening and closing night bookings can be made via: info@muff.com.au / revoltproductions.com
WRITER/PRODUCER/DIRECTOR :
Chris Sun (Australia)
01.09 / Saturday / 8pm
Original soundtrack by Dave Graney and Clare Moore.
MUFF YOU
MAJOR PARTNER:
SUPPORTING PARTNERS:
NOW HERE’S SOMETHING YOUR DAD WILL REALLY LIKE EYE VOLTAGE: A STONER’S BOOK OF 40 MINDBLOWING OPTICAL ILLUSIONS - SEYMOUR KINDBUD ($19.95) The Dude says, “It’s far out, Man.” Do we need to say more? These 50 optical illusions will provide hours of totally spaced out wonderment. It presents content that is confounding and stimulating to the sober viewer but adds extra irreverence by playing off--and playfully joking on--the possibility of the reader being in an altered state.
MUERTE! DEATH IN POPULAR MEXICAN CULTURE - HARVEY BENNETT STAFFORD ($24.95) Muerte! explores the lurid history of Mexico’s fascination with death, starting with preColumbian mythological depictions of death as part of a constant cycle, to the Colonial period’s unhappy marriage of native views with Judeo-Christian fire and brimstone, to J. G. Posada’s remarkable turn-of-the-century engravings of death that were popular images in newspapers of the time. The author has organized a compellingly dark array of paintings, engravings, and photographs from the grisly but popular tabloids Alarma! and Peligro! Essays by Diego Rivera and Mexican scholars offer insights on the Day of the Dead, Catholic ritual, and the current lust for sensational gore.
WOMEN - CHARLES BUKOWSKI ($23.95) Low-life writer and unrepentant alcoholic Henry Chinaski was born to survive. After decades of slacking off at low-paying dead-end jobs, blowing his cash on booze and women, and scrimping by in flea-bitten apartments, Chinaski sees his poetic star rising at last. Now, at fifty, he is reveling in his sudden rock-star life, running three hundred hangovers a year, and maintaining a sex life that would cripple Casanova.With all of Bukowski’s trademark humor and gritty, dark honesty, this 1978 follow-up to “Post Office” and “Factotum” is an uncompromising account of life on the edge.
THE BIG BOOK OF BREASTS 3D - DIAN HANSEN ($75) OK, imagine the best photos from the iconic first volume of the body parts series, “The Big Book of Breasts,” in their original 30 by 30 cm size, but popping off the page in state-of-the-art 3-D. An impossible dream? Not so, Luddites! In this wonderful modern world of digital magic, 90 photos from the original book, plus 18 stunning new photos, have been transformed from boring old last-century 2-D into cutting edge 21st century 3-D!
HILARITY ENSUES - TUCKER MAX ($29.95) Combining keen intellect, mischievous humor, and relentless sex appeal, the “New York Times”-bestselling author of “I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell” and “Assholes Finish First” transports readers into his hilarious and often surreal world with his true accounts of his sexual and drunken exploits. The Tucker Max formula for success? He interacts with people who have the rare disability of being even more moronic than he is - and so-called hilarity ensues.
HOW TO LIVE WITH A HUGE PENIS - RICHARD JACOB, OWEN THOMAS ($15.95) Here at last is the first self-help book for men with Oversized Male Genitalia (OMG), a genetic birth defect that grows the penis to absurd proportions. Every year, thousands of men are diagnosed with OMG. Sadly, most are banished to the fringes of society, victims of their own freakish length and girth. “How to Live with a Huge Penis “brings them an inspiring message of tolerance and hope--along with helpful information on: Unzipping: Coming Out to Your Friends and Family; Sharing Your Pain: Sexual Intercourse with a Huge Penis; Big Blessings: Unexpected Advantages of a Huge Penis and much more.
FEAR AND LOATHING IN AMERICA - HUNTER S THOMPSON ($29.95) Spanning the years between 1968 and 1976, these never-before-published letters show Thompson building his legend: running for sheriff in Aspen, Colorado; creating the seminal road book “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas;” twisting political reporting to new heights for “Rolling Stone;” and making sense of it all in the landmark “Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ‘72.” To read Thompson’s dispatches from these years - addressed to the author’s friends, enemies, editors, and creditors, and such notables as Jimmy Carter, Tom Wolfe, and Kurt Vonnegut -- is to read a raw, revolutionary eyewitness account of one of the most exciting and pivotal eras in American history.
THE BIG BOOK OF LEGS - DIAN HANSEN ($79.95) The female leg is a sexual oddity. Its non-genital, nearly identical in structure to the corresponding male body part, and there is no obvious reason why it should be eroticized. Yet, through much of history, across many cultures, the female leg was hidden from sight and treated as such a taboo topic that it became an object of intense sexual obsession. In the Victorian era, the word leg was so forbidden that it couldn’t be uttered in polite society. Even now, 80 years after women legs came out of hiding, their allure remains strong.
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Beat Magazine Page 27
THE COMIC STRIP CHECKPOINT CHARLIE COMEDY
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 HOUSING PROJECT
OUT AT SEA
EDGES
Sue Mcauley and Keith Deverell’s Greyspace studio is presenting a new initiative The Housing Project. The interactive installation allows people to generate urban audio stories by building a city using miniature ceramic objects created by award winning sculptor Ann Ferguson. It features electronic sounds and field recordings from around Melbourne, which have been composed and programmed by Melbourne artists Chris Knowles and Keith Deverell. It will run at fortyfivedownstairs from Tuesday September 11 until Saturday September 22. See fortyfivedownstairs.com for more.
Slawomir Mrozek’s Out At Sea follows the moral journey of three castaways stuck on a raft without food. The work explores ‘civilised savagery,’ with the three debating who should be eaten first as they strive to sate their hypothetical hunger. It is Thorny Devil Theatre’s second production since 2011’s critically acclaimed Til Divorce, directed by Eben Rojter, and will run from Thursday September 6 until Saturday September 15 at Revolt Productions, Kensington. Bookings can be made through revoltproductions.com.
Adding a little sharpness to the Boutique Theatre is the debut production of Edges, a musical comedy about growing up. The coming-of-age comedy is filled with witty, evocative songs created by award-winning team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Exploring those tumultuous years of self-discovery and the tentative, and often risky steps everyone makes into adulthood, their exploration includes the utterance of those three afeared words. Pasek and Paul have been touted as “the freshest musical voices of their generation” by Jeff Marx, creator of Avenue Q, and with a fresh cast of talent including Tegan Jones, Emma Caldwell, Grant Busé and Mitchell Sanfilipp, the musical is bound to be memorable. Edges shows at Revolt from Thursday September 6 - Saturday September 17. Tickets can be booked through boutiquetheatreco.com.
MIGRATION Following the success of their pop-up exhibition in Sydney, ARNDT will present a series of established and emerging artists from Germany and Eastern Europe entitled Migration. Hosted at Ormond Hall, the exhibition will include a collection of paintings, sculptures and other designs. A highlight of the exhibition will be the Design Chamber, showcasing an array of major works from the 20th Century including contemporary artists Franz West, Oscar Niemeyer and Erno Saarinen. Produced and created by gallery owner Matthias Arndt and wife Tiffany Wood, the exhibition will showcase their combined 45 years of experience within art dealership and curating. Migration will open on Thursday November 1 at Ormond Hall and run until Saturday December 15.
ELECTRIC SHORTS Calling all aspiring short filmmakers: Electric Shorts is hosting its 9th annual competition for short films at the Melbourne Fringe Festival this year. Each film must be under 30 minutes, in any genre or format, and production must be wholly self-funded. For the past eight years Electric Shorts have delivered a variety of 12 short films that challenge, inspire, entertain and sometimes shock their viewers. Ranging from two-minutes to half hour films, Electric Shorts is about cultivating truly independent films. Each year has been a success, with the audience eagerly participating in the selection of the winning entrant. Want to be a part of it? Simply submit your entries to orasy. com/electricshorts by Monday September 17. The twelve finalists will be screened at Loop Bar on Wednesday October 10.
SINGAPORE FILM FESTIVAL Following the success of the inaugural Singapore Film Festival Melbourne in 2010, the festival will return in 2012 with three diverse feature films. The festival will open at the Greater Union, Russell Street on Saturday September 1 with a screening of Kelvin Tong’s It’s A Great World, a historical look at the former Great World Amusement Park. Screened subsequently will be Eric Koo’s Be With Me, which only features two and a half minutes of dialogue and Ong Ken Sen’s film adaptation of Army Daze, both at Cinema Nova on Sunday September 2. Bookings through sffmelbourne.org
BOND-A-RAMA! James Bond fans rejoice – Bond-A-Rama has returned after a totally sold out season in 2011. Brush up on your Bond with this hilarious and hasty recap before Skyfall hits cinemas in November. 2012 marks the 50th Anniversary of the first Bond film, Dr. No, and what could be a more appropriate celebration than watching four actors recreate all 22 Bond films live on stage in a hectic 75-minute production? The show is directed by Russell Fletcher and stars self-confessed Bond nuts Michael Ward, Stephen Hall, Emily Taheny and Ben Anderson. It will take place at Chapel off Chapel from Wednesday October 17 until Friday November 9. Bookings through chapeloffchapel.com.
CREATURE FEATURE Illustrators Amz Kelso and Kitty Poduska have curated Creature Feature, an expansive interpretative exhibition that brings together 25 Melbourne creatives for a show based around the idea of Monsters. The theme allows the artists to unearth their own monsters, both real and imagined, from personal demons to legends and fairy tales. With a range from Emma Leonard’s realistic, feminine sketches to Shannon Keane’s street-styled bold paintwork, the exhibition includes highly stylised digital pieces, semi-realistic ink line-art and hand-painted recycled skate decks. The artists are illustrators, sculptors, installation artists, comic artists, animators and fineartists and the show will be hosted by No Vacancy Gallery from September 3 – 16. Opening night is on Thursday September 6.
SECRET WALLS Secret Walls is the only art battle in the UK and Europe and now Melbourne’s joined in. In this artistic version of Fight Club, the Melbourne offshoot will host its event on the last Wednesday of every month. Run over a sevenmonth period, Secret Walls forces artists – anyone with a pen really – to create a masterpiece in 90 minutes using only black markers and black acrylic paint on a pristine white wall. The winner is decided by two judges and the crowd. The next Secret Walls battle will be held at The Order Of Melbourne on Wednesday August 29. It’s a free event and you’ll get to see up-and-coming Australian artists perform under pressure.
ENTERTAINING COMPANY Can’t get enough of theatre culture in Melbourne? Entertaining Company is here to satiate your thirst with their first launch this September. Entertaining Company is an initiative to promote, encourage and nurture theatre arts within Melbourne. Its September launch will feature an array of professional and aspiring performers, including an option for people to register to perform during the night. Held at the Tuscan Bar, the event is sure to be a hit among theatre fetishists. Entertaining Company will be held at the Tuscan Bar on the first Monday of every month from Monday September 3.
WHISKEY SHOTS Underground comic artist Trevor Rogan is hosting a oneday-only exhibition in Brunswick East this September. Known for his innovative style using bold graffiti colours, Rogan has an impressive back-catalogue of work, including artwork for Unwritten Law and Kottonmouth Kings. His exhibition Whiskey Shots will feature new canvas works themed around the title. Back from the Medical Marijuana Expo in Orange Country California, Rogan brings Whiskey Shots to the Whole Lotta Love Whiskey Bar. You can view his artwork on Sunday September 9.
SWAN LAKE The Australian Ballet Company will mark its 50th Anniversary with a new, traditional production of Swan Lake. Enchanting audiences for over a century, the ballet was the first ever danced by the company in 1962. In his 20th work for the company, choreographer Stephen Baynes has joined forces with artistic director David McAllister. The show will premiere at the Melbourne Arts Centre on Tuesday September 18 and run until Saturday September 29, with 14 shows in total. Bookings through australianballet.com.au.
FINE DESIGN MARKET Market goers and lovers of all things handmade will be in for a treat this September as the eastern suburbs gets ready for the grand opening of The Fine Design Market. Curated and organised by Manningham residents Michele Stagoll and Susie Lunt, this new monthly independent design and arts market will feature up to 50 stalls by emerging and established Melbourne designers. The Fine Design Market will be a unique shopping experience, where buyers will be able to ‘meet the makers’ and find one off and original items ranging from fashion, accessories, jewellery, boutique crafts, homewares and textiles to art, illustration, photography and design. The Fine Design Market grand opening takes place Sunday September 16 at MC2, Civic Plaza Doncaster. Visit thefinedesignmarket.com.au for more information.
OURSELVES Curated by Juliana Engberg, the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) present Ourselves, an introspective art exhibition in collaboration with the Melbourne Festival. Featuring leading international artists such as Laurie Anderson, Sophie Calle and Gillian Wearing, as well as local artists, the exhibition is a collection where artists explore the ways they empathise with, perceive, and present themselves to the world. Considered an exhibition that unravels the constructs of masks, avatars and identity, the exhibition will also feature a video portrait of Cate Blanchett captured by David Rosetzky. Ourselves will be held at ACCA from Thursday October 11 – Tuesday November 25.
THE BABY SHOW Witty, callous and incredibly engaging, Donna Jackson is about to bring a unique tale of love, law, charity and shame to Gasworks Theatre this season with her performance The Baby Show. Part of Gasworks Moving Parts, The Baby Show is about a deliberately barren spinster and her bull terrier, and will be performed alongside a live canine. The one-woman act, described as a blend of stand-up and compassionate sympathy, explores the taboos of society while dealing with the idea of parenthood with compassion and wit. The Baby Show will be performed at the Gasworks Theatre on Friday August 31 and Saturday September 1.
WALKING TO WORK James Yuncken’s Walking to Work details the sights that he encounters on his routine walk to work. He has been exhibiting regularly in Melbourne for around 20 years, with his latest work capturing some of the landmarks and spaces of Melbourne’s inner east. In conjunction with the exhibition, fortyfivedownstairs is running a special public program on Saturday September 15, a guided walk along the route with the artist, concluding with lunch at his Fitzroy studio. The exhibition will run from Tuesday September 11 until Saturday September 22 at fortyfivedownstairs. More information at fortyfivedownstairs.com .
The past few weeks Charlie has featured a time helmet, a crowd member hypnotising the audience and a European celebrity sharing the stage with a singing busker. It got weird. No idea what will happen tonight but as always there’ll be cheap piss and piss-cheap entry. So come fill yourself with $6 drinks and put your continence to the ultimate test as Melbourne’s best comedians spit funnies into the business end of a loud stick. Check in at 8pm tonight at Eurotrash Bar, $5 entry. Get down early for a seat.
FELIX BAR COMEDY It’s gonna be another great Wednesday down at Felix Bar Comedy with the legendary Bob Franklin headlining! You’ve seen him on Jimeoin and The Librarians, now come see the deadpan genius live! Plus we’ve got Bart Freebairn, Elbowskin, Jack Druce and special guest from the US, Veronica Mosey! Come down and check out the biggest night of comedy in St Kilda, every Wednesday night! It’s happening this Wednesday August 29 at 8.30pm for only $12, at Felix Bar, St Kilda.
SOFTBELLY COMEDY Cal Wilson headlines Softbelly Comedy this Thursday night! New Zealand’s finest has been seen all over the telly on Good News Week, Rove plus all over the radio! Plus we’ve got Nick Cody, Geraldine Quinn, Veronica Mosey, Beau Stegmann and Jack Druce! It’s all happening at Softbelly, 367 Little Bourke Street in the city, this Thursday August 30, 8.30pm, for only $13! Get in early for a good seat!
BLUE TILE COMEDY 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 Beau Stegmann, Mike Nayna, Jason Chatfield, Tony Besselink, Charles Barrington, plus more. As always we will also have some last minute guest spots for those who decide to drop by. Catch some of Australia’s rising stars for only $5. Every Tuesday from 8.30pm.
EPIC! An exhibition of biblical proportions EPIC! 100 Years Of Film And The Bible explores the fascination that filmmakers from all over the world have had with the Bible for the last century. Comprising mostly rare vintage movie posters from as far back as the 1920s, the exhibition features ephemera, movie stills, lobby cards and press books. Delving into recurring themes that are integral to any biblical narrative; violence and catastrophe, gender and sexuality, magnificence and the monumental, righteousness and redemption, the historical fodder across the exhibition is sourced from some well-known films. These include David and Goliath starring Orson Welles, The Sins of Jezebel starring Paulette Goddard, The Private Lives of Adam and Eve starring and directed by Mickey Rooney and animation The Prince of Egypt with voices from Val Kilmer and Ralph Fiennes. Runs from Thursday August 30 until Sunday February 3, 2013 at The Jewish Museum.
UNTO THE LOCUST What happens when you combine classical ballet with metal? Unto the Locust of course. Unto the Locust is Brutal Ballet’s newest performance scheduled to hit Melbourne this October. Inspired by the metal band Machine Head, the dancers will perform choreography interpreting the Bay Area troupe’s album. All the dancers are classically trained in ballet and hope to convey the power, beauty and diversity of the album through arabesques and pirouettes. Held at the Clocktower Centre, Unto the Locust will be performed in two special shows, Saturday October 20, and Saturday October 27.
Late Night Exhibition Opening
100 YEARS OF FILM & THE BIBLE Thursday 30 August Bar open from 5:30pm Galleries close at 9:00pm
FREE jewishmuseum.com.au | 26 Alma Road, St Kilda Beat Magazine Page 28
ARTS NEWS, REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS ONLINE – BEAT.COM.AU/ARTS
B E A T M A G A Z I N E ’ S N E W M O N T H LY SECTION DEDICATED TO ARTS SPACES AROUND MELBOURNE. FROM GALLERIES TO CAFES, FROM ALLEYWAY STREET A R T T O P H O T O G R A P H Y, F R O M C O U R S E S TO EXHIBITIONS - ARTSPACE HAS IT ALL. artSpace is Melbourne’s newest space to talk about your upcoming events & points of difference with artist profiles, qna’s, news, event announcements, exhibition listings, photos and interviews with the people that create, nurture and support our arts community. artSpace is offering special packages to help get you on board including; • FREE EDITORIALS • FREE ARTISTS PROFILES & INTERVIEWS • FREE PHOTOS • FREE ADVERTISING ARTWORK DESIGN (IF REQUIRED) • FREE PROMO GIVEAWAYS • INCLUSION IN OUR MONTHLY ARTSPACE LISTINGS • HEAVILY DISCOUNTED PACKAGE RATES • FREE ONLINE COVERAGE As an advertiser in artspace your package will appear in full colour both in print and online for the same cost. With our www.beat.com.au traffic now reaching 64,000+ ubs plus having over 34000 printed copies available from over 1800 distribution points around Melbourne. ARTSPACE’S REACH OUT TO OUR READERS WILL BE MASSIVE. contact Ronnit - ronnit@beat.com.au for more info.
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Beat Magazine Page 29
MELBOURNE THEATRE COMPANY 2013 SEASON BY TYSON WRAY
First founded in 1953, the Melbourne Theatre Company (MTC) is the oldest professional theatre company in Australia and one of the most vital institutions to this city’s artistic heartbeat. Approaching its Diamond Jubilee in 2013, and while constantly evolving, progressing and revolutionising both Melbourne and Australian theatre, the Company still holds its treasured mission foremost, “to produce classic and contemporary Australian and international theatre with style, passion and world class artistic excellence in order to entertain, challenge and enrich audiences in Melbourne, Victoria and Australia.” “Theatre is where I came from,” notes new Artistic Director Brett Sheehy. The 2013 season will mark his first with the MTC following his succession of Simon Phillips, and while Sheehy’s recent history is deeply embedded in festival territory, following roles as Artistic Director of the Adelaide Festival, Festival Director and Chief Executive of Sydney Festival and his current role as Artistic Director of Melbourne Festival, he shares that theatre is his first and most cherished love. “I studied at University, even though I never obtained a degree. I stuck it out there for eight years and dropped out three times,” he laughs. “But obviously in that time I got to study a lot of stuff, and one of the things I loved was when I took English Literature and I focused on dramatic text. Not performance, but just dramatic language. That was my great love, dramatic writing. I moved to Sydney in 1983 and I started reviewing for a street paper called On The Street, it wasn’t very lucrative but I just loved theatre,” he continues. “Then a job came up at the Wolf Theatre as an usher and I just thought ‘How cool, I’ll get to see every show,’ seeing as I had very little money. Then a full-time job as a gofer came up for the directors at the Sydney Theatre Company and I just grabbed it. I was at the Sydney Theatre Company for 15
years and I just loved it. The reason that I went over to festival land was really just to try something new. But theatre’s really where I come from and what I love, so I’m really happy to be going back to it.” Unveiled last Thursday, Sheehy’s inaugural season will feature the world premieres of Joanna Murray-Smith’s True Minds, Simon Stone’s The Cherry Orchard and David Williamson’s Rupert, the Australian premieres of Nick Payne’s Constellations, Sharr White’s The Other Place, Jon Robin Baitz’ Other Desert Cities, Lara Foot’s Solomon And Marion and Katori Hall’s The Mountaintop alongside a banquet of other nationally and internationally revered plays including One Man, Two Guvnors and highly anticipated adaption of Arthur Miller’s classic The Crucible. “I went a different way around from what my experiences are of how Artistic Directors put a season together,” shares Sheehy. “That was not reading 500 plays and saying ‘these are the 12, now we need to find a director, we’ve got to find actors, we’ve got to find whatever.’ Given the need in any artistic pursuit for it to succeed it needs to be born out out of absolute committed passion I thought, ‘Why not see what the theatre-makers are passionate about?’ I was able to go to
EPIC!
BY PATRICK EMERY
Father Michael Morris remembers vividly the first time he watched a biblical film. “I remember my grandmother taking me to see The Ten Commandments in 1956,” Morris says. Directed by the legendary Cecil B. DeMille and starring Charlton Heston in perhaps his definitive role as Moses and Yul Brynner as the Pharaoh, The Ten Commandments epitomised the epic Hollywood biblical tale. “That film made a huge impact on me,” Morris says. “I wanted to see it again and again.” Some years later Morris completed his training and was admitted to the priesthood. A life-long cinephile, Morris was eventually able to conflate his theological and cinematic interests when he was appointed Professor Of Religion And The Arts at the Dominican School Of Philosophy And Theology in Berkeley, California. Father Morris’ course currently comprises 15 separate aspects analysing the interaction between film and biblical narrative. For one aspect of the course, Father Morris began collecting cinematic poster art – “for when I needed to do PowerPoint presentations,” he laughs. It’s this rich collection that forms the cornerstone of the Epic! 100 Years Of Film And The Bible exhibition, that will be opening at the Jewish Museum Of Australia from Thursday August 30 until Sunday February 3. Comprising posters from Old Testament films from the United States, Europe, Mexico, Australia and other countries, the collection illustrates the strong and complex interaction between biblical and cinematic narrative over the last hundred years of filmmaking. Grouped into four thematic categories – Violence And Catastrophe, Gender And Sexuality, Magnificence And The Monumental and Righteousness And Redemption – the exhibition includes posters and stills from films as diverse as David And Goliath, The Private
Lives Of Adam And Eve, Samson And Delilah and the 1928 production Noah’s Ark. The cinema poster has long been a particularly striking art form. In the days before saturating electronic media promotion, the humble cinema poster was effectively the only promotional vehicle. “That’s been the case from 1895 through to the present day,” Father Morris says. “It’s one art form that’s supposed to get people into another art form. And when you look at film posters you can find all sorts of different meanings being used – alluring, adventurous, monumental.” Beyond the posters, Morris agrees that the narrative conveyed in biblical cinema has tended to overshadow, and in some cases subvert, the stories found in the Bible. “Absolutely,” he says. “That’s why people tend to get their bible stories from film. You have people like Cecil B. DeMille who added bits to the stories in his films to spice it up – like the childhood context between Moses and the Pharaoh in The Ten Commandments, which doesn’t appear in the story in the Bible. But it makes for a good story, and that’s what people enjoy.” Father Morris admits that, as a trained priest, he’s unable to completely divorce his theological perspective from his
GENE GREGORITS BY BELLA ARNOTT-HOARE
Some of the greatest minds have been coloured with madness, as brilliance and banality are not often easy bedfellows. Gene Gregorits is a fine example, plagued by episodic depression, stints in mental rehabilitation and a lonely childhood contributing to his nihilistic literary sense. This fringe author’s boisterous, gonzo style of reportage has invited readers into his unique perspective as an investigator of underground arts, and despite troubling maladies his work displays writing’s redemptive power. “I grew up in a small town,” Gregorits reflects, “and if I wanted to talk about the Sex Pistols I would have to read Greil Marcus or John Savage – I couldn’t have that conversation with a live human being because the people I grew up with didn’t really care about that stuff.” Feeling estranged from his environment encouraged his interest in fellow underground malcontents. “I didn’t really have friends. I just went to the movies, I read books a lot, and when I was about 15 I realised that if I ever wanted to meet anybody who was interested in punk-rock, or literature, or the things that I liked – well it’s not that I liked them, they were my life, those were my friends – but when it came time to meet new people I thought a small magazine would be a smart way to find some stuff.” This idea was realised as Midnight Mavericks: Reports From The Underground. The volume is a collection of Gregorits’ journalistic endeavours in self-published zines, compiled in an anthology of his best articles and interviews. It was through this process of interviewing his idols he came closer to understanding why these mediums had captured him from such an early age.
Beat Magazine Page 30
“I was trying to figure out the world, figure out how the people I was obsessed with did what they did and where it all came from, and if it matched up with my perceptions of what they did. And if it [was] near my own then I must actually get this stuff. You’ve found it for a reason, or maybe it found you – a certain record, or a book.” But Gregorits’ vices have often gotten in the way of his progress, which he found to be a particular struggle around the time Midnight Mavericks was released. “I was working really hard on a novel that never got finished because I was drinking far too much, and I mangled it through not having any focus on it. [Writing] is something that comes naturally to me but I didn’t give it my full attention because I didn’t want to fail. That’s one of the reasons I was such a dire alcoholic. I didn’t know what I was doing. I still don’t know what I’m doing but I don’t give a fuck. I’m just going to do it anyway.” Gregorits has now hurdled his own fear and casually achieved his lifetime goal with Dog Days, his newest work and first published novel: a memoir of sorts which begins a trilogy, with the second installment already on its way. “I wrote Dog Days 2 but it’s probably six months away from being published. I
Simon Stone, Jacki Weaver, Sam Strong and David Williamson and say ‘Forget everything about what you think MTC wants or their audiences want, what do you in your heart of hearts most want to do?’ “That’s what drove the selection of 80% of the work in the season. It was really selected by the artists themselves. I have to believe that we’re already a third of the way there, to a production being a great success, if the lead director, writer or performer would kill to do what’s on stage. That has to be better than just picking a script and flogging it around the nation.” Another landmark innovation of the 2013 season will be Zeitgeist. In an audacious move Sheehy has decided to leave one slot, the final, of the performance calendar unfilled. “One thing that’s always troubled me, even back when I was at Sydney Theatre Company, was that when we were launching seasons it’d usually be four to six months before the first play and then eighteen months before the last and in that you’d commit every single space for art-making,” he details carefully. “Therefore there was no capacity to respond to anything new for one and a half years. So if tomorrow one of our commissioned writers comes and says ‘Brett, that’s the play,’ and I read it and it’s pure gold I have to say, ‘Well for one and a half years that can never be seen by anyone in the country,’ and that’s madness to me. “I understand why - in terms of subscription and marketing we have to go out this early, and every subscription company in the nation whether it’s opera, orchestra or theatre company does it, but I just wondered if we could leave a big space like
artistic interest. “There’s always an element of theological scrutiny to give to any film,” he says. While the gratuitous battle between Moses and the Pharaoh can be put down to artistic licence, exercised in the name of entertainment, there are other occasions when the gulf between cinematic and biblical narrative is almost comic. “You look at a film like Sodom And Gomorrah, and homosexuality isn’t mentioned at all, but the word sodomite comes from Sodom,” Father Morris says. “And then you have this scene when the Queen of Sodom calls out ‘Welcome Sodomites,’ and it’s only today when you see that and you just have to laugh,” he laughs. Sodom And Gomorrah is one extreme example of film’s inability to deal with sexuality; in the case of films dealing with Adam and Eve, nudity is necessarily part of the script. “It’s hard to think of Adam And Eve with their clothes on before The Fall. How do you film that without nudity? The Mexican production of Adam and Eve may seem titillating to some, but it’s very tastefully done. And you’ve got to realise that there are issues of human virtue and human vice all through the Bible,” Father Morris says. While Bible stories continue to appear regularly in American and European cinema – Mel Gibson’s Passion Of The Christ being a recent, and controversial, example – the interpretation and presentation of the biblical narrative has tended to reflect the surrounding political and cultural environment. “For example, after World War II you had a lot of people looking to religion – it was an era of great devotion at that time. The films of the time, like The Ten Commandments, reflected that reverence. Whereas recently that’s been less so – films now tend to wrest you into a different situation, like Mel Gibson’s movie,” Father Morris says. And then there are the international comparisons. “The United States tends to like a story that’s entertaining, whereas in Europe there’s more of a focus on the artistic aspect,” Father Morris says. “You have someone like Cecil B. DeMille who took more of a P.T. Barnum style to his films – but he wrote the second one in a mental hospital last month after I slashed off my ear – inspired by your hero Chopper Read. And after I’ve finished editing that I’ll be working on the third and final volume which is about a lot of the violence and trouble that I’ve had in Florida, including cutting off my ear.” Though an accomplished writer, the above obliquely referenced episode is part of his struggle with torrid demons that he’s often documented through Youtube. One features erstwhile housemate Chris wrestling him at a truck stop “like macho idiots.” He shot heroin on camera, because “why not?” And, most intimately, he filmed himself performing acts of self-harm, including a recording of the aforementioned ear incident, which is in his estimation “uplifting and humourous, and I don’t know, I think it’s a really entertaining, upbeat ear-cutting video.” “I had a bad week there. I was sick and I got better. They put me in a mental hospital for nine days and they put my cat in jail and it nearly died. So I decided I had to keep my act clean after that. I was smoking crack on the beach in Miami a few nights ago so I’m not sure how clean I got, but no one knows me down there.” Surveying his achievements, Gregorits recognises he’s hard to classify. He’s never been part of a tangible literary movement, doesn’t consider himself fitting into a ‘scene’, and he’s neglected his initial ambitions of journalism because of the industry’s nature. Despite being a published author, his greatest achievement simply could be surviving. “I came from a very small town, working in a lot of factories and grocery stores, but somehow I actually made it to New York, already divorced, suicidal, alcoholic, and I was only 19. “So at this point in my life I’ve gotten over my shyness to an extent, over the self-consciousness, and I just want to have a good time and hopefully get some laughs out of what’s going on. I have a lot of friends now – every time I’m in a jam people help me out, and I’m in a jam a lot. So I must be doing something – I can’t be that horrible a human being if people care about me, right?”
ARTS NEWS, REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS ONLINE – BEAT.COM.AU/ARTS
the Sumner [Theatre] open. If we could leave the last slot of the year open in case something extraordinary comes along. And I know something will. Every single day we get new submissions or hear of plays overseas. It’s giving us that chance to remain open to respond with a level of immediacy if something amazing comes up.” The 2013 season, which will also feature the Neon festival of independent theatre, the renaming of the MTC Theatre to Southbank Theatre, amongst a host of the other specialised programs and initiatives, will undoubtedly embed Sheehy’s brilliant vision into the artistic world of Melbourne. But he’s already looking towards the legacy that he can leave through his work at the helm. “When I leave, I hope that Melbourne – and by this I mean the entire four million citizens – feel that this is their theatre company, that they’re invited to be a part of it and that we’re presenting the kind of work that could appeal to each and every one of them in some way,” he notes. “I hope that when I leave that the definition of the work that a state theatre company does has expanded and I hope there is an understanding of what great theatre is, and that it isn’t just a dramatic play on stage. I hope that the broad artistic community feels that this is their home.” For the full season highlights and further information head to mtc.com.au. The season begins on Saturday January 26, 2013, with The Other Place at the Arts Centre’s Playhouse.
definitely knew how to tell a story. His films were certainly spectacular.” Father Morris says the favourite poster in his collection is for The Story Of Ruth; his favourite film, not surprisingly, remains The Ten Commandments. “It’s stuck in my head, and branded on my brain,” Father Morris laughs. “I love watching it now, even though it’s got elements of kitsch. And the parting of the seas still looks great, even though you can do so much better with computer animation these days.” Epic! 100 Years Of Film And The Bible is at the Jewish Museum of Australia from Thursday August 30 until Sunday February 3.
Gene Gregorits appears as a guest of the Melbourne Underground Film Festival in An Evening With Gene Gregorits on Friday August 31.
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UPCOMING
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
ONTOUR ALEXKID [FRA] Friday August 31, Revolver DAVE SEAMAN [UK] Friday August 31, Onesixone BASS AGENTS [MAS] Friday August 31, Inflation PHOTEK [UK], NITIN SAWHNEY [UK] Saturday September 1, Hamer Hall MARIA MINERVA [EST] Saturday September 1, The Liberty Social RICK ROSS [USA] Thursday September 6, Festival Hall RED RACK ‘EM [UK] Friday September 7, The Croft Institute JOHN ‘00’ FLEMING [UK] Friday September 7, Brown Alley STEFFI [GER] Friday September 7, Liberty Social TIEFSCHWARZ [GER] Friday September 7, New Guernica SASSE [GER] Friday September 7, Mercat Basement TODD TERRY [USA] Saturday September 8, New Guernica OCTAVE ONE [USA] Friday September 14, Mercat Basement SOLA ROSA [NZ] Friday September 14, Northcote Social Club LUKE FAIR [CAN] Friday September 14, Onesixone KENNY LARKIN [USA] Friday September 14, New Guernica ROGER SHAH [GER] Saturday September 15, Room680 ZOMBIE DISCO SQUAD [UK] Saturday September 15, Prince Bandroom KENJI TAKIMI [JPN] Saturday September 15, Mercat Basement FERRY CORSTEN [NED] Friday September 21, Palace Theatre HERNAN CATTANEO [ARG], FRITZ KALKBRENNER [GER] Friday September 21, Brown Alley NARI AND MILANI [ITA] Friday September 21, Royal Melbourne Hotel ERIC CLOUTIER [USA] Friday September 21, Mercat Basement COMMIX [UK], FRICTION [UK] Friday September 21, Roxanne Parlour DOCTOR P [UK], COOKIE MONSTA [UK], FUNTCASE [UK] Saturday September 22, Roxanne Parlour OPTIV [SWE] + BTK [BRA] Saturday September 22, The Night Owl SCISSOR SISTERS [USA] Wednesday September 26, Hamer Hall RICK WADE [USA] Friday September 28, The Croft Institute DAS EFX [USA] Friday September 28, Prince Bandroom NICK SENTIENCE [UK] Friday September 28, Room680 TONY TOUCH [USA] Friday September 28, The Espy GIGAMESH [USA] Saturday September 29, Seven FUNKAGENDA [UK] Saturday September 29, Pretty Please TOMMIE SUNSHINE [USA] Saturday September 29, Prince Bandroom PAUL OAKENFOLD [UK] Friday October 5, Festival Hall FELIX DICKINSON [UK] Friday October 5, Mercat Basement ANDRE LODEMANN [GER] Friday October 5, Onesixone PARKLIFE: JUSTICE [FRA], PASSION PIT [USA], PLAN B [UK] + MORE Saturday October 6, Sidney Myer Music Bowl PUNKS JUMP UP [UK] Saturday October 6, Prince Bandroom TOMMY FOUR SEVEN [GER] Friday October 12, Brown Alley RUDIMENTAL [UK], SLUGABED [UK], EMALKAY [UK], IKONIKA [UK] Friday October 12, Brown Alley AME [GER] Saturday October 13, Brown Alley MONKEY SAFARI [GER] Saturday October 13, Prince Bandroom STEVE AOKI [USA] Saturday October 13, Shed 4 BIG FREEDIA [USA], THEE SATISFACTION [USA] Thursday October 18, The Hi-Fi FUNK D’VOID [UK] Friday October 19, Brown Alley BIG FREEDIA [USA] Saturday October 20, The Tote STEVE RACHMAD [NED] Friday October 26, Brown Alley MACEO PLEX [USA], MATTHIAS TANZMANN [GER], MARGARET DYGAS [UK] Saturday November 4, Brown Alley ROBERT HOOD [USA] Friday November 9, TBA MOULLINEX [POR] Saturday November 10, New Guernica ECLIPSE: PERFECT STRANGER [ISR], OLIVER LIEB [GER], ADAM FREELAND [UK] + MORE Saturday November 12 – Friday November 16, TBA SUBB-AN [UK], MIGUEL CAMPBELL [UK] Sunday November 18, TBA STRAWBERRY FIELDS: JAMES HOLDEN [UK], TYCHO [USA], PREFUSE 73 [USA] + MORE Friday November 23 – Sunday November 25, TBA STEREOSONIC: TIESTO [NED], AVICII [SWE], CALVIN HARRIS [UK] + MORE Saturday December 1, Melbourne Showgrounds NICK WARREN [UK] Friday December 7, Billboard TERRENCE PARKER [USA] Friday December 21, TBA FALLS FESTIVAL: SBTRKT [UK], COOLIO [USA] + MORE Saturday December 28 – Tuesday January 1, Lorne BIG DAY OUT: THE BLOODY BEETROOTS [ITA], KASKADE [USA], CRYSTAL CASTLES [CAN] + MORE Saturday January 26, Flemington Racecourse
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REAL TALK
Have you ever wondered how many photos you’re in? Seriously. Not tagged photos on Facebook or the amount of baby snaps your parents have hidden in the attic, but all of the photos in which you’ve made an unconscious appearance in. For example, you might have wandered into the background of a tourist photo, perhaps made an appearance behind the scenes in a club snap, heck, someone might have sneakily taken a photo of you on the train. People do that. I don’t really know why this piques my interest but hey, watch out. Tyson Wray
Steve Rachmad: Remixer
Ten years is a long time to be in the clubbing game, and mad props to the Melbourne Techno Collective for providing this city with many a weekend of debauchery and damn fine cutting-edge beats. To celebrate, who better than one of the industry’s longstanding residents, the Netherlands’ Steve Rachmad? With over twenty five years of involvement in music at large, to say that Steve Rachmad has been integral to the development of the scene in his native Netherlands and beyond seems an understatement. A name often associated with Detroit techno, electro and deep as well as techier house, releases and collaborations have come on imprints including Soma, Music Man Records, Truesoul, Delsin, Figure SPC and Get Physical. As remixer, too, he is much in demand having re-worked Joel Mull, Nina Kraviz, M.A.N.D.Y. vs Booka Shade, Sam McQueen and many more to devastating effect. Rachmad’s enduring relevance is testament to his ever-evolving talents – catch him at Brown Alley on Friday October 26.
Steve Aoki: Dim Mak Manager
Love him or loathe him, there’s no denying that Dim Mak head honcho and wild child Steve Aoki is a dance music tour-de-force. A Miami native now based outta Los Angeles with a BA double majoring in Women’s Studies and Sociology (no, seriously, look it up) under his belt, Aoki began Dim Mak way back in ‘96 with little expectations and a desire to have a good time. He succeeded: now playing host to releases from MSTRKRFT, Herve, Fischerspooner and plenty more. He’s also taken the world of electro by storm as a fearsome producer and DJ, who counts recent collaborators The Bloody Beetroots, Armand Van Helden of Duck Sauce, Afrojack and others as friends. He’s steadily building himself a reputation as dance music’s most notorious party-starter. Cake, champagne, inflatable life rafts - expect the unexpected when Steve Aoki plays Shed 4 in the Docklands on Saturday October 13.
Andre Lodemann: Spiritual House
This year’s debut LP release from Berlin-based Andre Lodemann seems a perfect representation of everything the DJ and producer has stood for after over twenty years of immersion within the dance music industry. It explores the deeper side of house through to dub techno and every shade of colourful, emotive dance floor fodder in between. He began to release music in 2001 on labels that include Moods N Grooves, Simple Records, G-Stone, Room With A View, Z Records, Freerange, Buzzinfly and more, finding themselves a welcome home in clubs and underground DJs a-plenty. Determined as a musician to arouse emotion and touch people musically, his DJ sets are deep and funky, discovering the emotional and spiritual depth of deep house. Lovely. Andre Lodemann plays Onesixone on Friday October 5.
Rudimental, Emalkay, Slugabed, Ikonika: Bass Powerhouse
What could be better than a lineup featuring some of UK bass’ most renowned powerhouses courtesy of two of Melbourne’s favourite crews, All City Bass and The Operatives? Sounds good in theory, and even better in practice. Heading down to Australia for an all-out bass-heavy assault on Melbourne’s dancefloors are the likes of Birmingham-based grime, garage and dark style dubstep producer Emalkay, Ninja Tune renegade Slugabed (whose recent unofficial remix of Darude’s Sandstorm is a veritable modern-day classic), eclectic East London quartet Rudimental, and last but most certainly not least, hyperdub stalwart and 8-bit goddess Ikonika. Oof. They descend on Brown Alley, Friday October 12.
Eric Cloutier: Talent Scout
Quick to establish a name for himself in the competitive and thriving world of Detroit’s dance music scene, Cloutier’s past includes residencies at The Necto and prominent after-hours spot The Works. That led him to a job booking talent for clubs, bringing in the likes of Richie Hawtin, Luciano and Michael Mayer to town, as well as handing out residencies to local legends 3 Chairs and Stacey Pullen. Equally talented at picking the best of dance music’s talent as he is making it himself, he effortlessly threads together deeper shades of house and dubinfused techno as a DJ and a budding producer. We are most definitely honoured to have Cloutier take some time out to grace Melbourne’s clubs with his highbrow approach to the art of dance music. Catch him at The Mercat on Friday September 21.
Optiv and BTK: Drum And Bass Bangers
Releasing music for the best part of 13 years, Optiv, otherwise known as Edd Holmes, has been an integral member of the drum and bass scene at large. Launching his own imprint Red Light Records a decade ago, the label has seen lots of solo work plus collaborations with Axiom, Chris.su and Rymetyme on tracks that demonstrate the label’s ethos of hardhitting dancefloor-friendly bangers. Now based in Sweden, he shows no signs of slowing down - nor does fellow headliner BTK. Based in Brazil and an equally competent force in drum and bass, BTK has amassed releases on esteemed labels such as Virus Recordings and Renegade Hardware, before capitalising on his vast experience to launch his own lavel Dutty Audio. Catch them both at The Night Owl on Saturday September 22.
RESPONSIBLE: Managing Editor: Ronnit Sternfein ronnit@beat.com.au Editor: Tyson Wray tyson@beat.com.au Listings: club/promoter submissions clubguide@beat.com.au - now online at beat.com.au - it’s free! Production: Pat O’Neill art@beat.com.au Typesetting: Rebecca Houlden Cover Design: Pat O’Neill Advertising Senior Sales: ronnit@beat.com.au (03) 8414 9710 Taryn Stenvei taryn@beat.com.au Fashion and Beverages: Tamara Perenic tamara@furstmedia.com.au Ph: 03 8414 9732 Deadlines: Editorial Friday 2PM – absolutely NO exceptions. Club photos Monday 9AM (email only clubpics@beat.com.au). Advertising artwork Monday 12PM. Photographers: Callum Linsell Contributors: Rezo Kezerashvili, Miki McLay, Shane Scott, Simon Traspier, Brian Rotide, The Knowledge, Ellen Devenney, Dan Watt, Aaron Ralston, Birdie, Liam Pieper, Simon Hampson, Chad-Michael Michaelson, Mikolai, Reuben Adams, David Edgley. Publisher: Furst Media, 3 Newton Street Richmond 3121 Ph 03 9428 3600 www.beat.com.au
EDITORIALDEADLINE - 2PM FRIDAYS NO EXCEPTIONS UP TO DATE
Kenji Takimi: From Japan With Love
Japan is home to one of the most leftfield and thriving dance music scenes in the world, and one of the figures that most embodies the country’s creative spirit is producer and DJ Kenji Takimi – a pioneer in leftfield disco and the dude behind cult label Crue-L. Since its inception in ‘91, Crue-L has played host to a stunning array of releases, including groundbreaking output from Cornelius and Buffalo Audger alongside his own eclectic and much-praised work. It’s seen him requested by the likes of Cut Copy, Dimitri from Paris and Sebastien Tellier for his magic remixing touch. He shows no signs of slowing down, with Tim Sweeney declaring his Beats In Space set as the show’s mix of 2010. Despite a successful career spanning 23 years, this will be his first trip out to Australia - finally! Catch Kenji Takimi at The Mercat on Saturday September 15.
Friction and Commix: Spring Tunes
Those of you with a penchant for drum and bass with a melodic and emotive sensibility as well as a killer instinct for rattling dancefloors would have been pleased to hear that Cambridge drum and bass project Commix were dropping by for an early spring tour. In light of the recent release of Dusted and the news that a second album was on the way, Roxanne Parlour is set to get even more crowded with the addition of revered Brighton-raised DJ Friction to the lineup. He’s a veritable powerhouse utilising three decks on a regular basis, who’s equally at home ripping up the BBC Radio 1 airwaves as he is playing clubs and festivals the world over. Alongside running one of the genre’s most successful imprints Shogun Audio, there’s nobody better suited to matching Commix’s equally fearsome talents. Catch them both at Roxanne Parlour on Friday September 21.
End Of The World: As We Know It?
By now, everyone has heard about the various ancient prophecies predicting some sort of apocalypse at the end of this year, and if you haven’t – sorry for the heart attack we probably just gave you, but at least you’ve got time to prepare now. There are the Mayan prophecies, the Incan and Egyptian prophecies, the prophecies of Nostradamus, as well as a host of prophecies from other people on the Internet. That’s right: we’re all gonna die. Sorry. But who cares – it’s a great excuse to get wild in Melbourne city, right? Join the likes of Kid Kurupt, Billy P, Justin C, Gian vs. Prosdo and more at Platform 1 and bring someone to cuddle when shit inevitably gets real on Thursday September 17.
THE BIG MAG FOR CLUB CULTURE
3.
SHOCKONE
“Dance music is moving so fast now that a song I wrote a year ago could sound out-of-date. It’s been quite a mountain to climb but you definitely learn a lot about yourself as a producer.”
EUROPEAN INVASION: UNIVERSES A change of scenery can really make a difference for any producer, DJ or musician. Just ask Karl Thomas. The Perth-bred musical mauler, who operates under the name ShockOne, fell under the spell of London while touring and decided to move there. It’s a logical step for an artist who has developed a reputation as one of the hottest names in the bass music scene and as someone who is serious about taking their career to a global level. Thomas has wholeheartedly embraced the opportunity to push his name and brand of melodic bass music to a wider audience. Operating out of one of the thriving capitals of electronic music the DJ-producer has trekked around Europe and is poised to release his anticipated debut album Universus. There’s no rest for the eternally wicked as the globetrotter is planted in the studio when we catch up with him. The man behind blistering anthems like The Sun and Crucify Me is actually enjoying a rare weekend off from his typically hectic schedule to focus on his album. “Pretty much every weekend I’ve been somewhere in either England or Europe,” Thomas says with an underlying hint of tiredness in his voice. “It’s been a bit of a struggle trying to write the album and still keep playing at the weekend. I can’t really afford to stop doing shows at the moment, I’ve just gotta keep pushing it and building a profile over here.” With the proverbial iron hot now is the time for ShockOne to strike. There are few places that have been free from his onslaught, from Eastern to Central Europe and everywhere in between. “I was in Russia a couple of months ago, that was an experience. I did this party about two hours outside of Moscow. That’s a bizarre country, you really feel like you’re somewhere different. I’ve been doing a lot of shows in Central Europe, there’s a really big scene in Austria, they’ve got a really great bass music scene. I did some shows in Germany, played a festival in Hungary a couple of weeks ago. Slovakia, Belgium, a lot of shows in France, kinda all over the place,” he says somewhat nonchalantly. To sum it up, ShockOne has been a hell of a busy dude. “It’s been quite spread out over the whole of Europe where I’ve been doing shows.” Central and Western Europe have been two of the most vital markets in his global expansion, thanks to their
4.
appetite for that everlasting bass. “Dance music and particularly bass music at the moment is really healthy there, maybe more so than in the UK even, it seems like there’s more parties happening in Belgium and France and Austria compared to London. It’s all good though, as long as people are interested in your music and I’ve really found that lately.“ Those positive vibes plus the fact that there are more people to play to and gain as fans is what inspired Thomas to pack up and head to London. Comparing the 22 million-plus population in Australia with the 738 million-plus population in Europe made the move a no-brainer. “It’s hard to be an electronic music artist and make a living touring in Australia because there’s just not that many big cities and you can’t keep playing the same clubs because people will get sick of you. Whereas with Europe you can literally be in a different country every weekend and you can do that all year and not go to the same city twice.” Rather than just making a big decision on a whim, Thomas’ move to the UK was more calculated. “Before I moved I’d already done three tours over here, I definitely already had fans. I don’t think I could’ve moved if I didn’t already have a strong fanbase across Europe.” With a large base of fans established he was able to consistently line up multiple shows each week in short order. “I’ve been at it quite a while now and I think I’ve had a bigger fanbase and demographic in Europe than before I did in Australia, before anyone even knew who I was in Australia I had toured Europe twice because the style of music has always been bigger over here.” Even with all the groundwork laid few can be prepared for the sheer enormity of the EDM scene in London. It was a climate and sub-culture that Thomas had to adjust to before diving straight in. “There is that London dance music scene and if you don’t know everyone it’s a bit harder to break into. It’s something I have to work on now that I’m living here.” The dynamic DJ, however, is not overwhelmed and understands that he has to put in the hard yards to make it in such a bustling musical city. “So many genre-defining artists have come from London. Everything I do comes from London so it’s only natural you’ve gotta work a little bit harder to get noticed here.” Thomas sees this as his challenge to show and prove what he can do on a grand scale. COVER STORY
“There’s so much of it and they’ve seen it all before. They had the drum and bass explosion in the late ‘90s, early 2000s so you’ve really gotta work that bit harder to excite people because they’ve got everything at their fingertips, so I think it really it is that small fish in a big pond thing in London.” The motivation that type of environment has provided to Thomas has been invaluable to his career and growth as an artist. “I think it’s a great kick in the arse to motivate me and make me work even harder and push myself even further. It’s forced me to raise the benchmark for myself which is what I’m doing with this album at the moment. If it can’t match up with the best world there’s no point in putting it out in my opinion.” As such, his debut studio album Universus lives up to its name and is truly international. Starting the recording process back in Perth two years ago things were put on hold for the move to London. With those European vibes in his system things began to really take shape. “I had to move everything over here and get into my creative flow, which took a couple of months and it was really hard because I was touring back and forth so much. I’d have about two months then it’s like ‘fucking hell, I have to get back on the road again.’ So it’s hard to get continuity in your writing and that creative vibe happening.” Once he got into the swing of things however everything started to click. “The move over here has probably made me reassess the album and the songs I was gonna put on before because like I said I’ve raised my standards again. There was some stuff from the past that wasn’t really cutting the mustard any more so I started to write something that was more new, a bit more current. Dance music is moving so fast now that a song I wrote a year ago could sound out-of-date. It’s been quite a mountain to climb but you definitely learn a lot about yourself as a producer.” Much to the delight of his fans worldwide Thomas confirms that the album is about two tracks away from completion. Meanwhile his fans in Melbourne can expect a newer, bolder ShockOne when he hits Brown Alley. “I’ve been changing things up with a lot of different styles of music and being a bit braver in challenging the crowd.” While it’s been almost a year since he made the
big move he has been back and forth between Europe and Australia for tours and doesn’t feel that disconnected from his homeland. Making his last visit to Melbourne for Creamfields earlier this year he will be returning for a headline show at Brown Alley next Friday. “I’m really looking forward to getting back,” he says. “I love playing Brown Alley, it’s always such a sick vibe there. It’s also a really educated crowd, the crowd there know the tunes and are on the ball even when you drop something that’s not a total anthem and they are keen to hear new music, which unfortunately is rare now. So it’s great to have a crowd that is pumped for the newer sounds.” Not stopping at Europe, the ShockOne revolution is also inching towards that new hot bed of dance music, America. The ‘land of opportunity’ could be fertile ground. “I’m looking at going over there in early 2013. Dubstep is blowing up over there, its fucking huge so that’s my next area to conquer.” Much like our native land the U.S. has for the most part been rock dominated throughout its musical history, something that is changing thanks to the dubstep invasion.“I think dubstep is starting to change things and once America gets on something they get on it 100%, they get fanatical and big things happen.” Andrew ‘Hazard’ Hickey ShockOne [UK] plays Brown Alley on Friday September 7.
THE BIG MAG FOR CLUB CULTURE
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We’re all about the late night boogie. Expect all things funk, hip-hop, soul, reggae, disco, boogie and house. Lounge, 243 Swanston Street, Melbourne
CQ FRIDAYS
WEDNESDAY29TH COQ ROQ Rocking Wednesdays at Lucky Coq are rotating DJs Lady Noir, Agent 86, Kiti, Mr Thom, Joybot and guests giving you nothing but the best new wave, punk, brit pop, bong rap and hair metal. Coq Roq takes place every Wednesday from 8pm with free pool downstairs from 9pm as well as drink specials. Roq out! Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel St, Windsor
HUMPDAY ANIMALS Enter the middle of the week; for some it’s the beginning of the weekend, for others it’s a break from study, for those of us who are travelling, it probably has no real significance (unless you’re wanting to party with the hot European girls from the hostel, because any day is simply another day when you’re travelling). Your midweek stomping ground, featuring DJs Danny Silver, Manchild & Mu-Gen. Free entry. From 10pm. Lounge, 243 Swanston Street, Melbourne
SOUL ARMY With more flavour than a chocolate pizza, the Wednesday Soul Army throws down raw, uncut funk next to smooth soul grooves and rare blue jams. Bring that special lady because when the boys lay down the love it could be the difference between ‘we’re just friends’ to ‘let’s get it on’. PBS stalwarts Vince Peach and Miss Goldie accompany Prequel and Black Diamond Kicks weekly. Free. Bimbo Deluxe, 376 Brunswick St (Cnr Rose St), Fitzroy
WEDNESDAYS AT CO. Don’t have lectures tomorrow? Need a break from writing that last-minute assignment? Or simply just celebrating the end of hump day? Don’t miss Melbourne’s biggest mid-week party night – Wednesdays @ Co.! With free entry and discounted drinks for students all night long! Co., Crown Entertainment Complex, Lvl 3, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank
LAUNDRY WEDNESDAYS Deep, dark, minimal dubstep and drum and bass. Laundry Bar, 50 Johnston Street, Fitzroy
THURSDAY30TH BIMBO THURSDAYS Tigerfunk brings with him his full band of travelling gypsies, hipsters and middle class executives, all of whom are prepared to deliver the most excitement you can have this side of the weekend. Bimbo Deluxe, 376 Brunswick St (Cnr Rose St), Fitzroy
DUBSTEP THURSDAYS
weekly and it’s free. So get down to Eurotrash and get your wobble on. Eurotrash Bar, 18 Corrs Lane, Off Chinatown, Melbourne CBD
FREE RANGE FUNK Funk up your Thursday nights with Free Range Funk at the Windsor favourite Lucky Coq. Grab a couch early and enjoy one (or more) of their famous $4 pizzas from 7-11pm. Meanwhile DJs Who, Agent 86, Lewis CanCut and special guests tempt you into the night with their eclectic bag of treats. Setting the mood early is delightful jazz, deep soul, and funk. Later it’s fruity disco, choice house, and hipster dance drops. Free entry every Thursday. Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel St, Windsor
FUN HOUSE Celebrate Thursday night at Co. with club classics and dance floor anthems. Co., Crown Entertainment Complex, Lvl 3, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank
SLOW HOUSE THURSDAYS Slow House Thursdays is just what Brunswick has been missing. Get down to the latest Thursday spot at Noise Bar, find a space with your bros and get into the as DJs Same O, David Bass and James Hurt spin bass laced tunes ‘til the early hours of the morning. Noise Bar, 291 Albert Street, Brunswick
THE BLACK PANCAKE CLUB The Black Pancake Club is where disc-jockeys bring in their treasured record collections to share with yaw’ll. Expect undiscovered nuggets, lost gems, far out there covers, moog inspired themes, and a host of other eclectic delicacies and toppings for your black pancakes! Taste makers on rotation include Shags and Richie 1250.Free entry. From 10pm. Lounge, 243 Swanston Street, Melbourne
WONDERLUST Fate, karma, the yin and the yang, the balance between chaos and order or divine intervention? A new spiritual high has emerged from the cosmic energies of the universe and it’s called Wonderlust! As luck would have it you can come and experience the effects of this strange new phenomena every Thursday night at The Carlton! Carlton Club, 193 Bourke Street, Melbourne
FRIDAY31ST
The weekend starts here! Get on down for after work drinks from 5pm with DJs Marcus Knight, Mark Pellegrini, Nick Van Wilder & DJ Anferny getting your weekend started right. 5pm til 3am. CQ, 113 Queen St, Melbourne
FIRST FLOOR FRIDAYS A journey of international music from all over the world; past, present and future rhythms incorporating afro, soul, funk, world and deep house elements! First Floor, 393 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
FREEDOM PASS Friday’s at Freedom with 2 premier clubs, 5 huge rooms, 10+ local and international DJs blending their unique sets across countless styles of tunes – vocal house, smooth R&B, electro and commercial top 40. Throw in a few sexy podium dancers, a world-class lights show and drink specials, the Freedom Pass is your personal ticket to a night you won’t soon forget! Fusion, Crown Entertainment Complex, Lvl 3, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank
FRIDAY NIGHT LOFT PARTY Kitty Schmidt couldn’t find quality dance music in Fitzroy so she’s decided to open up her bedroom doors. Living above Melbourne’s stalwart lesbian/gay Libation Bar, she’s now throwing a monthly party in her boudoir. Come into her renovated upstairs loft, cocktail bar, dance floor and smoking terrace. With quirky house, deep disco and erotic electronica being spun by Marvin Roland, Mr. Pyz and Kitty Schmidt DJs. Libation, 302 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
PANORAMA Start your weekend on a good note with Panorama Fridays at Lucky Coq. DJs Matt Rad, Mr George, Tom Meagher and Phato A Mano transform the upstairs area into one hell of a house party with Hip Hop, Funk, R&B, Disco and House. Meanwhile, downstairs gives you a secluded wind down atmosphere with cult films as background visuals and quality cocktails to sip on. Let the new coqtail list wash away a crappy week! Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel St, Windsor
RETRO SEXUAL FRIDAY DJ Grandmaster Vicious spins Fitzroy’s finest mix of ‘80s and ‘90s pop, rock, new wave, hip hop, disco classics and cheese to please plus dance floor anthems from then to now. One Twenty Bar, 120 Johnston St, Fitzroy
SATURDAY1ST
BUHLOONE MINDSTATE “It might blow up but it won’t go pop” is the philosophy at Buhloone Mindstate and features Melbourne’s finest bands and DJs playing every Friday night, late. That’s just how we roll.
It’s Dubstep, it’s Eurotrash, it’s new, it’s the vibe, it’s Thursdays, it’s
CLUB SODA Taking place each and every Saturday night in Melbourne’s CBD on the corner of Lonsdale St and King St, Club Soda plays host to a fresh, new concept – local/national/international DJs weekly, un-paralleled entertainment, performances, and disco tomfoolery. Don’t let the bubbly name fool you, Club Soda is your weekend’s thirst quencher – changing people going out for convenience, whilst not leaving the sour taste of an empty wallet on Sunday morning. Our doors open for you every Saturday at 9.30pm, and stay open until you should go home. Brown Alley, Cnr King & Lonsdale St, CBD
EDEN SATURDAYS Smashing it every week at Melbourne’s hottest looking venue! Top 40 dance, house and R&B 9-3am, then electro from 3am 5am. DJ Ontime, DJ Ryza, Scotty Erdos and Azza M. $15/$20, free entry after 4am. Eden, 163 Russell St, Melbourne
EUROTRASH HOUSE PARTY Put your hands in the air with some of Melbourne’s best party DJs, including including Mu-Gen, Lace em’ Tight and more. Eurotrash Bar, 18 Corrs Lane, Off Chinatown, Melbourne CBD
EY:EM EY:EM at Lounge features residents Boogs & Who, who will host Melbourne’s top purveyors of club music, showcasing both local and international DJs playing the most upfront club music. With rotating DJs Dave Pham, Sleep D, Bryce Lawrence, Louis McCoy, Caine Sinclair, Glyn Hill & Toby Mackisack. Expect nothing but excellent house music all night long. And remember, clubbing happens in the EY:EM. $10 from 11pm. Lounge, 243 Swanston Street, Melbourne
FIRST FLOOR SATURDAYS It’s house, electro, dub, anthems, disco and funk with guest DJs Genetix, B-Two and Oohee rocking til the break of day. Doors open 10pm with $5 basics til midnight! First Floor, 393 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
HOMECOMING In the grand tradition of past Saturday nights at the Prince of Wales, it will regain it’s rightful place on the pantheon of Australian dance music playing host to the best and most exciting EDM locally, nationally and internationally. Local residents include Generik, Oskar, Swick, Tranter, M.A.F.I.A., Streetparty DJs and Clip Art, and scheduled guests The Aston Shuffle, Tonite Only, The Swiss, Luke Million, Parachute Youth, Louis La Roche, Alvin Risk and more. In addition, Homecoming has prepared a veritable roster of exciting drinks and cocktails to fuel the fun, including Fresh coconut cocktails, Dr. Pepper, Electric Lemonade, Tecate, Thai-style Buckets and Bubble Cup cocktails. Prince Bandroom, 29 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
HOT STEP Google Hot Step and you’ll get a bunch of Vietnamese game reviews and Balkanese dances on YouTube. But that’s nothing like what you can expect to find within the confines of Bimbo on a Saturday night. Developing thick and heavy but altogether groovy, enjoy an eclectic mix of fairy floss funk, doom disco and monk movement minimal every week. Free. Bimbo Deluxe, 376 Brunswick St (Cnr Rose St), Fitzroy
SATURDAYS AT ONE TWENTY BAR DJ CKass will take you on a musical journey to the retro sounds of the ‘70s and ‘80s, followed by Top 40. One Twenty Bar, 120 Johnston St, Fitzroy
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ESSENTIALS
SOUND EMPIRE Get ready for the mega sounds at Sound Empire, Melbourne’s epic new Saturday club night with five places to party! Mega sounds from resident DJs Tate Strauss, Miss Sarah, Nova, Johnny M, Matty G, Dean T, Joe Sofo, Marcus Knight, Dinesh, Chris Ostrom, B-Boogie and Sarah Roberts. Co., Crown Entertainment Complex, Lvl 3, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank
STAR SATURDAYS Star Saturdays - smashing it every Saturday! Phil Ross, Scotty Erdos, DJ Ontime, LC, Nick James, Dane Gains, Ryan Hamill, Deja, Phil Isa, Nixon, Azza M, Scotty Nix, DJ Ryza, C Dubb, Alex-J, G-Funk, Dylisco, Achos, Az, Shaggz and guests. Star Bar, 160 Clarendon St, South Melbourne
TEMPERANCE SATURDAYS DJ Marcus Knight & DJ Xander James drop sexy house, dance and drum and bass all night from 8pm. Free entry. Temperance Hotel, 426 Chapel St, South Yarra
TEXTILE Saturdays at Lucky Coq tick all the boxes so start your night early and stay til close! Famous $4 pizzas from 7-9pm (that’s dinner sorted) then from 9pm spread over two levels with DJs playing hip hop, funk, disco, house and electro. Rotating guests on both levels keep the tunes fresh. Free entry. Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel St, Windsor
WEEKEND The brain child of the creative kids at 360 Agency and Seven Nightclub. The Weekend is here to put a smile on your dial every Saturday night. We want you to join the family. Dancing from 10pm weekly. Seven, 52 Albert Rd, South Melbourne
SUNDAY2ND SOUTH SIDE HUSTLE The perfect Sunday soundtrack with DJs Askew, Peter Baker, Booshank, Paz, Miss Butt, Junji, Disco Harry and guests. They will be laying down disco, afro beat and deep house til 3am. For lovers of good music - South Side Hustle. Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel St, Windsor
STAR BAR SUNDAYS The original and still the best Sunday in Melbourne. Star Bar, 160 Clarendon St, South Melbourne
SUNDAE SHAKE Our Signature serve. Each and every Sunday we play host to a self professed vinyl junkie caught between the golden years and boogie wonderland. A mouthful? Perhaps. Phato Amano perfectly sets the mood for an audio-adventure that redefines the dance floor weekly. Our Sunday aficionados Agent 86 and Tigerfunk stir up a full cream shake to the flavour of your liking. Forget everything you thought you knew about losing yourself to the grooves. Bimbo Deluxe, 376 Brunswick St (Cnr Rose St), Fitzroy
MONDAY3RD IBIMBO Have you always wanted to be a DJ but been cruelly cursed with tone deafness and a general inability to version excursion? Well Bimbo Deluxe saves the day once again.. All you need is an iPhone and you’re set. Just download the free ‘remote’ application from the app store, log into the Bimbo DJ wireless network and you choose which song plays next. Bimbo Deluxe, 376 Brunswick St (Cnr Rose St), Fitzroy
TUESDAY4TH BIMBO TUESDAYS Bimbo Tuesday’s have long been the discerning DJs midweek breath of fresh air. An opportunity to indulge in, and to each parade their individual takes on music. A night where by the weird and wonderful is not frowned upon but rather celebrated. Resident selectors Matt Radovich, Andras Fox and Henry Who draw from a colorful array of sounds that warm your midweek blues. From 8pm, free. Bimbo Deluxe, 376 Brunswick St (Cnr Rose St), Fitzroy
COSMIC PIZZA NHJ and friends host every Tuesday night upstairs at Lucky Coq. Playing uneasy listening, freaked out bass jams, romantic comedy disco, tropi-jazz, soundtracks and shit you won’t hear on the other nights. Lucky Coq, 179 Chapel St, Windsor
UPCOMING STEFFI Dabbling in music, art and generalised counterculture for years now, it’s safe to say that German purveyor of all things house, techno and beyond Steffi is a revolutionary in dance music. Her manifold successes in all manner of realms have established her as a true goddess of the dancefloor. A regular resident at Berlin-based Panorama Bar as well as its in-house label Ostgut Ton, her credentials as a producer couldn’t be more wellestablished, not to mention her role in running successful labels Klakson and Dolly and a long-time party promoter. Friday September 7, The Liberty Social, 279 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
FERRY CORSTEN One of the core acts that revolutionised trance, superstar Ferry Corsten, is many things to many people. To provide a bio for the man would take days, given his role as a producer, DJ, innovator, visionary, and whose fingerprints can be found all over the genre and all across the world. With a career that continues to go from highlight to highlight, with this year’s full-length effort WKND eagerly snapped up by thousands of believers and fans across the globe, there appears to be no stopping the legend. Fans of the man have been desperate to see the legendary Full On Ferry experience down under, with sneak peeks on YouTube looking mindblowing. Finally Australians will have the chance to catch it in action this year. Friday September 21, The Palace Theatre, 20-30 Bourke Street, Melbourne
TAI BRING THE NOIZE: RETURN OF THE MAX Tai Jason Patient (yes, his real name) is a native Londoner who now lives in Munich, Germany. During his short yet illustrious career, he has worked with artists as diverse as Steve Aoki to Felix Da Housecat – and with many more on the horizon, there is no end in sight. No less, collaborations are slated with Tommie Sunshine, Bart B More, Joachim Gaurrad as well as material on Boys Noize Recordings. “I’ve been producing for over ten years now,” chimes the affable bloke. “I came from a bit of a hip hop background over here – but I think the first electronic track I did was for Tomcraft; that was a long time ago and then all of a sudden I was doing my own music and that pretty much brings me to where I am today – and I’m loving it.” Having travelled to various corners of the globe not only in his capacity as a DJ, he actually spent some time moving around for other reasons. “Actually I was born in the UK, but then we moved to Thailand and lived there for a few years – later on, we came to Germany. I grew up with my mother - and she is a bit of a big hippie - and since she liked it, we stayed there for a few years. I think we did a bit of a world tour together, being in different countries and all that. I also have a feeling that we were in Sydney, she used to tell me. Now she also lives in Germany but she isn’t so much of a hippie anymore – I don’t think there are any hippies left actually. It was an ‘80s thing and now she’s working in the real world!” So after a childhood spent living around the world, from the UK to Thailand, Tai found his heart lay deep inside an MPC drum machine as a teenager and spent years
collecting his hip-hop beats and programming those one-off grooves. Later turning his production expertise to producing cuts for the dance floor, he has wowed crowds globally ever since. Indeed, having had a background in urban music placed him well to deal with reconciling the challenges of what else is out there. “For me it feels really natural to work with people. Sometimes I notice that people come to me and say ‘You’ve worked with so and so.’ It’s really rewarding to have people saying that to you, acknowledging the work you have done. Because I produce for different artists it feels natural for me to do things on my own. In the last year I did tracks for Diplo, Steve Aoki, Bart B More, and Felix Da Housecat. I also did two tracks with Crookers and now The Bloody Beetroots are coming into the studio to lay down a couple of tracks as well. So it has been a pretty busy time.” And for the (now) German, he claims there is only really one way of doing music: “I try not to think too much about it,” he says. “I just do what comes naturally; electronic music is exploding at the moment and I think it’s really important to have different music in your ear that you’ve heard somewhere. That said, you have to do what comes to your own mind and what feels interesting to you. As an artist, you should have your own special sound. You don’t even need studios anymore; everyone has the capability to do music. I just want to do whatever. Sometimes I think that people won’t like something because it will be too hard or too ‘something.’ I mean even Tiesto liked a track of mine!”
Perhaps he doesn’t necessarily know what to make of that honour – regardless though, he is pushing on and focusing on staying busy. “I recently dropped a single on Dim Mak Records called Lose Yourself and am doing another one that is coming out in a month or so. There is also another called Nigerian Connection, which has just been mastered and should be out soon. I was also kind of working on an album as well, so I have a bunch of new tracks which no one has ever heard; so I think I’m going to really try this new music on you guys in Australia at
the gigs and I hope you are basically jumping in the air straight up, rather than running away. There should be a lot of music people haven’t heard before as well as a lot of bootlegs and a lot of tracks and edits that are new. I’m really looking forward to it.” RK Tai [UK] performs at Treehouse, Roxanne Parlour on Saturday September 8.
NITIN SAWHNEY QUANTUM TECHNO: UNIVERSES UK-born British Indian Nitin Sawhney is the true definition of a prolific artist: exemplified by nine solo albums, four collaborations, innumerable film, theatre and dance scores and four honourary doctorates with a fifth coming this week (something that Sawhney says he feels humbled by to the point of confusion and guilt). Rounding out that list is a host of writing, directing and acting credits under his belt and while trawling through his overwhelming body of work, you start to get an idea of the creative pulse that drives Sawhney every minute of every day. With an upcoming run of intimate band performances as well as DJ sets in Australia, Sawhney is looking forward to the opportunity to play the music that he says colours his life. “When I perform live with the band it’s pretty much focusing on the album material,” Sawhney explains. “I’ve written nine albums now so I have a pretty big back catalogue from which to get my favourite material. Also I’m coming out there to DJ which will be a lot of fun. I’m a resident DJ at Fabric in the UK and do a fair bit of it through Europe so that is something I really love to do.” Taking on so many different styles of music, presented in such varying formats bears wondering how he’s able to shift creative gears with such ease. “When I’m making music I always have to draw on my own feelings as a cathartic experience,” he explains. “But I guess if I’m working on a music score then I am working within the vision of the director and I’m trying to find their motive. When I was scoring The Alfred Hitchcock Project I had to make assumptions about his intentions for the film and the psychological motives of the characters. Whereas if you’re working on an album it’s very much an expression
and a dynamic approach to your own history and during that process something comes out that resembles a body of work that you wish to share with the world. “I think as a musician and a composer you are always searching for the perfect soundtrack to your life and along the way you are evolving that with the people you collaborate with and the people that you just meet on your journey. All of it is interesting and relevant and music is the perfect language within which to explore that.” When asked what his current projects are he muses on his enthusiasm for the upcoming production of a play he has been writing, Einstein Tagore. Sawhney is using the medium of theatre to contemplate the connections between the scientific and the spiritual – namely quantum physics, Hinduism and spirituality as a whole. “When you look at people like Galileo and Copernicus, they were at odds with the orthodox, religious views of the time,” he says, while discussing the void that exists between modern spirituality and science. “There has always been opposition within scientific discovery and religious assumption. Assumption is based on faith and scientific discovery is based on evidence. But that doesn’t mean that science is always right either, because there are still a lot of assumptions within science about how the universe works. As we discovered from what we know about dark matter or about the Higgs Boson is new information and this new information can overturn the discoveries that came before. Today’s quantum physics is yesterday’s science fiction. “Think of the notion of quantum entanglement. The idea is that you have two particles that behave in exactly the
Photo: Steve Gulick same way regardless of how far apart they are and I haven’t met a physicist who can explain how this can be. Time and space are irrelevant because they have a system of instant communication between them. You have these things that suggest there is a true fabric to the universe, but then you have someone like Richard Dawkins who claims that science proves that there can be no religious elements. I think we would be very arrogant indeed to think that our limited brains and minimal senses can possibly fathom the intricacies of the universe as though it is some easy-to-solve puzzle.” Sawnhey is unstoppable on this topic and it’s easy to want to hear more about his spiritual views in light of scientific fascination. Returning, after a long period of hypothesis, to music, he manages to unite these seemingly diverse ideas. “Music for me is about following intuition,” he says. “I mean, you have Keppler who talks about the music of the spheres so you kind of have this notion that
the universe is more than what we can see. We only understand what is within our dimension to understand. Music is a way of manifesting or having a connection with divine intentions. As a musician you are a medium through which the universe manifests itself. You have Michelangelo who said that the sculpture was already hidden in the stone or John Coltrane who said that improvisation was like a bird he wanted to catch so there is this notion that something is already in the air. This myth that we are creating is just that, we are merely uncovering the soul of emotion that exists in everything and we are just an extension of that.” Krissi Weiss Nitin Sawnhey [UK] plays The Sound Lounge at Hamer Hall on Saturday September 1 and then in unplugged mode also at Hamer Hall on Sunday September 2.
ALEXKID ALL GROWN UP: ‘90S NERD Alexis Mauri, aka Alexkid, has a long history as a dance music producer. A true technical nerd in the best sense, Mauri was first discovered in the mid ‘90s by another French producer and DJ whose star was on the rise, Laurent Garnier. Mauri signed to Garnier’s label, F Communications, and released his debut single in 1997. Since then he’s had releases on a host of well-known labels, including Cadenza, Rekids and NRK. He has also done remixes for artists including George Michael, Phonique, Crookers and Nina Kraviz. The sound of Alexkid is situated in Mauri’s feeling that music should really be felt by his listeners. On the phone from a tour date in Spain he passionately describes his philosophy and gives the impression of a thoughtful, critical nature. “I consider that electronic music should be somehow a bit physical. It should have some physical appeal.” As much as words can describe music this is an attempt: “It’s like, you know, it takes you a little bit from the guts and that’s why I don’t like all this pop, nicely done stuff. At the end of the day there’s no implication of the artist sometimes. I think you have to transmit something that is really sometimes impossible to express any other way. It’s just a matter of a feeling, you know. “Sometimes you listen to a techno track and you’re just like, ‘Wow, that’s so obscure or that’s got something so intense.’ At the end of the day though, it’s just sounds. How do you express that through words? They are very special emotions that I think on more commercial or pop stuff you don’t really find.” So what makes for a great track? “I think randomness is
important in all music. That’s my big problem with producers and productions nowadays. Before you used to have the element of mistake and error that happened because the drum machine was old or because the guy didn’t know how to program the drum machine, or it happened because the pre amp or the mixer was crap, you know.” We have to create that randomness with our modern music machines. “Now, we’re trying to emulate those things that don’t work that well. Those things were creating a little bit of the magic of the whole thing happening together. Music is like a snap shot, it’s a photography. It’s a moment - that’s what a song should be. With systems nowadays you can have something pretty decent and clean quite fast that sounds okay but it doesn’t mean it’s good. “That’s the mistake that a lot of people make - that it looks like, tastes like, sounds like but it’s not, you know. Of course you can take Garageband and put four loops together and it sounds like house music or like folk but that doesn’t mean it’s any good.” Mauri has been spending all of his time working on his new live show recently. “It has been quite a big challenge. It has been eight years without doing live shows and the first time that I’m by myself with machines too. I’m doing it with hardware which doesn’t make it easy of course. I made a whole nerdy system so I can use the hardware with Max/MSP. I trigger everything from the computer so I don’t program the drum machine directly.” Now that the live show is ready, Mauri has decided to focus on his own work. “I have released a zillion remixes recently.
I’m stopping that because I don’t have the time to make my own music. I have been saying that I will work on a new album for almost two years but now I’m almost ready to start.” He uses a number of approaches to writing but across them all is that sense of self-analysis. “The true trick is to do it and try to be totally critical,” he reflects. “Of course it will never be like what you really wanted to do. At the end, the important thing is to accept that is what you have done at that moment and that you have been true to yourself. You have been true to the music and that is what you are at that moment.” I wonder, with such a long career, if Mauri thinks he could have done anything differently? “Laurent Garnier said that if I wanted to DJ - which wasn’t something I wanted to do anyway - then I have to produce. It’s that simple. For me though, production is really the thing I like to do.” Yet he remains eternally critical of himself. “I’m sometimes a bit extreme about things. Unfortunately there is a lot about FEATURES
how you look, how you market your thing, who’s your crew or team and I never really liked that. So it’s something that maybe I should have considered. At the same time, I don’t know if it was a good or a bad thing. I have been doing it for almost twenty years and fifteen years as a career. Some guys get really big and they last like three years. So I don’t know, I really don’t know what piece of advice I would have been giving to myself.” Something must have worked because Alexkid is still going strong. “It’s kind of freaky because I think one day it has to stop,” he laughs. “I wonder what I’m going to do then.” Perhaps he can become a Timbaland style producer? “I have the skills; I’m really a nerd - that’s the problem,” he laughs. “I know my shit!” Simon Hampson Alexkid [FRA] plays Revolver Upstairs on Friday August 31.
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MIX AND MATCH AS YOU LIKE. TUESDAY NIGHTS AT STRIKE MELBOURNE CENTRAL, STRIKE QV, STRIKE GLEN WAVERLEY & STRIKE BAYSIDE. CONDITIONS APPLY. LASER TAG AVAILABLE AT STRIKE MELBOURNE CENTRAL ONLY.
FIND US ON
Arts Centre Melbourne presents as part of The New Hamer Hall Opening Season program
Nitin Sawhney Unplugged 2 September
“a fitting reflection of an implausibly free-ranging career (of) classical composer, club DJ and cultural commentator...” ” ★★★★ The Times (UK) Book online or call 1300 182 183 artscentremelbourne.com.au
THE BIG MAG FOR CLUB CULTURE
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THURSDAY30TH MOTOWN THURSDAYS Kick start your weekend with Melbourne’s newest Thursday night! Motown Thursdays caters to all true music lovers. Join us on an eclectic musical journey of soul, funk and disco through to early R&B. A live Soul Band features some of Melbourne’s most talented musicians; Carmen Hendricks, Laurent Soupe, Duncan Kinell and Aaron Mendoza just to name a few. DJs keep the records spinning into the early hours; residents are Reg-e, Lee Davies, Kalepe, Dinesh, Suga, Rubz and Alwin Rafferty. Join us around a big, shiny disco ball or two, for free entry, soulful tunes, drink specials all night and a dance floor full of friends! Fashion Lounge, 121 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
RHYTHM-AL-ISM Start the weekend early with Fusion’s Resident DJs. Music for your funkin’ soul. Special guests every week! Fusion, Crown Entertainment Complex, Lvl 3, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank
FRIDAY31ST FAKTORY This is it. Faktory Fridays are open for business at Melbourne’s home of R&B, Khokolat Bar. Where else? Damion De Silva, Ken Walker, Durmy, K Dee, Simon Sez, Yaths and Jacqui Dusk spinning all night long. Khokolat Bar, Basement, 43 Hardware La, Melbourne
FORBIDDEN This week at Forbidden by popular demand is R&B and hip hop with special live performance from hip hop artist Maximillan, along with Melbourne finest R&B DJs DJ Stylz, Rufio, S.k.N.a and the Forbidden residents! Forbidden officially sponsored by Red Bull is the newest club to join Melbourne’s night life, with a split level venue and excellent lighting and sound system Forbidden is set to make your night! Get down there this Friday to see what all the fuss is about! Level 2 The Club, 2 Arthurton Rd, Northcote
LIKE FRIDAYS Like Fridays at La Di Da serves up R&B and electro house across two rooms giving you a fun filled end to your week. DJs Dinesh, Dir-X, Sef, NYD, Shaun D, Shaggz, Broz and more. La Di Da, 577 Little Bourke St, Melbourne
LIGHT The buzz is Light at RedLove every Friday. Hitting out that R&B flavour of old, new and everything in between! RedLove Resident DJs Stel, Harvey Yeah, TMC and Ripz on the wheels of
steel from 6.30pm. If you don’t know, now you know! Check it! Red Love, Level 1, 401 Swanston Street, Melbourne
just a cold hard good time; look no further! Red Love, Level 1, 401 Swanston Street, Melbourne
THE LOOSE GOOSE
SHAKA SATURDAY
The Loose Goose is focused on providing a wonderful array of cocktails and offers a great CBD location to lounge and relax in while overlooking busy Flinders Lane. A small plates menu is available to graze on whilst trying our delicious cocktails from the classics to contemporary, beer on tap and a wide range of beers, wines and spirits. Every Friday evening DJ Jumps of The Cat Empire will take to the decks at the bar spinning his rare afro Latin funk vinyl collected from around the world from 6.30pm until late. Papa Goose Cocktail Bar, 91-93 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
SWEET NOTHING FRIDAYS DJ Marcus Knight and DJ Xander James spin hip hop, R&B and house tunes all night from 8pm. Free entry and early drink specials. Temperance Hotel, 426 Chapel St, South Yarra
THE NICE UP Tom Showtime presents The Nice Up. All flavours of hip hop, ghetto funk and reggae niceness provided. Sailor Jerry nice up the cocktails, Dos Blockos nice up the $5 beers. Fridays done proper. George Lane Bar, 1 George Lane, St Kilda
URTHBOY Urthboy is set to launch his new single Naïve Bravado. Teaming up with Daniel Merriweather, Urthboy sidesteps peers while exhibiting his trademark sharp flow, songwriting talents and that knack for well-crafted hooks. The concept of Naïve Bravado is like a lamb with a lion’s heart; a broken down car needing a jump start. It’s not a false courage if it leads you out of the mess. Anchored in running bass lines, ominous horns and monstrous percussive drums—all concocted by the brilliant collaborative production of Count Bounce and Hermitude. The Evelyn, 351 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
SATURDAY1ST KHOKOLAT KOATED All new experience, same great location with a fresh koat of Khokolat. Restless Entertainment reloads your favourite Saturday night party. Damion De Silva, K Dee, Jay Sin and weekly guests playing R&B & ol’ skool sounds strictly for the urban elite. Khokolat Bar, Basement, 43 Hardware La, Melbourne
REDLOVE SATURDAYS RedLove Saturdays is all about solid classics from the ‘80s, ‘90s and into the ‘00s! Dropping beats of retro pop, disco classics, old school funk, and certainly some of that old school r&b and house to kick! RedLove Resident DJs Phil, HB Bear and Da Gato bringing down the house every Saturday night. If you’re looking for quality service, music to rock, sumptuous drinks and
The newest R&B Superclub Shaka Saturdays grand opening is set to hit Melbourne over two massive weeks. The northern suburbs newest, freshest club playing all of your favourite R&B, hip hop, old skool and reggae. Shaka Saturdays is showcasing Australias newest and favourite R&B DJs, including DJ C-RAM bringing video mixing to Melbourne and special guest hip hop band Yellow Cake. Set at one of the most amazing venues Melbourne has to offer with two levels, good music, great ‘Shaka’ atmosphere and cheap drinks, we are hoping to pack it out and create a night for people to remember. Level 2 The Club, 2 Arthurton Rd, Northcote
UPCOMING RICK ROSS After cancelling his planned visit for this year’s Supafest, Rick Ross is set to make do with an Australian tour this September. Rickay Rozay has established himself as one of the biggest titans in modern rap, guesting with the likes of Kanye West and Diddy and building the Maybach Music Group empire in the process. The tour comes after the long-awaited release of God Forgives, I Don’t. Thursday September 6, Festival Hall, 300 Dudley Street, West Melbourne
ILLY Laying relatively low since absolutely smashing it last year with his sophomore LP The Chase, Illy has announced his return to the stage in preparation for his third LP. As well as showcasing his massive hits, none moreso than the ubiquitous It Can Wait, the tour will be the first chance for fans to hear material from the upcoming album. The first taste of the new record comes in the form of Heard It All, a single which is already gaining traction on national radio. Friday September 7, The Corner Hotel, 57 Swan Street, Richmond
BONE THUGS-N-HARMONY Grammy Award winning hip hop legends Krayzie Bone and Wish Bone from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony are returning to their “second home” Australia, having already sold out over 20 Australian performances in the past. Having reformed for a upcoming performance at Rock The Bells in August this year, the group have created their fair share of interest regarding the possibilities of a new album, and have been introduced to a new generation of hip hop fans thanks to the likes of Drake and Wiz Khalifa expressing their admiration. Thursday September 20, The Espy, 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda
URBAN
Both originating from the super-real streets of Brooklyn in New York, Andre “Drayz” Weston and Willie “Skoob” Hines are the two minds behind hardcore rap outfit Das EFX was the result of a chance meeting in college, cemented into place by taking out the top spot in a talent contest judged by EPMD - resulting in them being signed to the well-respected label and their career making a stratospheric launch into the higher echelons of rap fame after their first album went platinum and was released to much critical acclaim. With more than 20 years, five albums and an endless number of singles to their names, we’re pretty pleased to announce the next Das EFX tour down under. Friday September 28, The Prince Bandroom, 29 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
TONY TOUCH Tony Touch broke a lot of hearts when his most recent show at the Espy was cancelled a couple of months back – but the news you’ve all been waiting on with bated breath is finally here and a rescheduled date has been confirmed. The original b-boy has been kicking out jams since the early eighties, inspired by a love of artists like the Rock Steady Crew, Grandmaster Flash and Red Alert. His diverse range of titles also includes hip hop break dancer, rapper, DJ, producer and actor - a seriously multitalented approach to art that’s reflected in his impressive discography. Highlights include his legendary mixtapes, hugely successful record releases on labels like Tommy Boy, works with fellow kingpins Wu Tang Clan, Busta Rhymes, Eminem, and yet another upcoming release titled The Piece Maker 3. Count us excited. Friday September 28, The Espy, 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda
SETH SENTRY Those of you with an eye on the Australian hip hop scene will certainly have heard of Seth Sentry by now. First bursting onto the scene in 2003 after a series of genre-bendingly exciting shows with local hip hop/drum and bass outfit D.S.O.L, he’s worked with fellow Aussie favourites 360 and Pez, made his way onto Triple J rotation with singles The Waitress Song and Simple Game, and is now set to release his debut album This Was Tomorrow through his own label High Score. To celebrate, an extensive national tour has been announced, and Melbourne can get a taste of his groundbreaking new beats. Saturday September 29, The Corner Hotel, 57 Swan Street, Richmond
BIG FREEDIA Bounce-rap Queen Big Freedia will bring her orgiastic troupe of rear-wriggling Divas to Australia this October with a club show alongside her Melbourne Festival performance. The towering transvestite announced New Orleans sissy-bounce to the world, where it’s been part of the city’s cultural fabric since the ‘80s. Responsible for its acceptance into the mainstream she’s now been received all over as an ambassador for the ‘sissy bounce’ genre. The provider of dance floor anthems Azz Everywhere and Excuse will have you infected with motion. Saturday October 20, The Tote, 67-71 Johnston Street, Collingwood
11.
WHERE TO NEXT?
Gypsy Bar 334 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9419 0548
Retreat Hotel 226 Nicholson St, Abbotsford, 9417 2693
HiFi 125 Swanston St, Melb, 1300 843 4434
The Retreat Hotel 280 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, 9380 4090
Highlander 11a Highlander Lane, Melb, 9620 2227
Revolt Elizabeth St, Kensington, 03 9376 2115
Hoo Haa 105 Chapel St, Windsor, 9529 6900
Revolver Upstairs 229 Chapel St, Prahran, 9521 5985
Horse Bazaar 397 Little Lonsdale St, Melb, 9670 2329
Rochester Castle Hotel 202 Johnston St, Fitzroy, 9415 7555
Iddy Biddy 47 Blessington St, St Kilda, 9534 4484
Rooftop Cider Bar, Cnr Swanston & Flinders St, Melbourne, 9650 3884
Jett Black 177 Greville St, Prahran
Room 680 Level 1, 680 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn, 9818 0680
John Curtin Hotel 29 Lygon St, Melb, 9663 6350
Roxanne Parlour Lvl 3, 2 Coverlid Pl, Melb
Khokolat Bar 43 Hardware Lane, Melbourne, 039642 1142
Royal Derby 446 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9417 2321
La Di Da 577 Lt Bourke St, Melb, 9670 7680
Roal Melbourne Hotel 629 Bourke St, 9629 2400
Labour In Vain 197A Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9417 5955
Ruby’s Lounge 1648 Burwood Hwy, Belgrave, 9754 7445
Lomond Hotel 225 Nicholson St, East Brunswick
Saint Hotel 54 Fitzroy St, St Kilda, 9593 8333
Longroom 162 Collins St, Melbourne, 9663 9226
Sandbelt Live Cnr South & Bignell Rd, Moorabbin, 9555 6899
Loop 23 Meyers Pl, Melb, 9654 0500
Scarlett Lounge 174 Burnley St, Richmond, 9428 0230
Lounge 243 Swanston St, Melb, 9663 2916
Seven Nightclub 52 Albert Rd, South Melb, 9690 7877
29th Apartment 29 Fitzroy St, St Kilda, 9078 8922
Cookie Lvl 1, 252 Swanston St, Melb, 9663 7660
The Lounge Pit 386-388 Brunswick St, Fitzroy 9415 6142
Some Velvet Morning 123 Queen’s Parade, Clifton Hill, 9486 5192
303 303 High Street, Northcote
Corner Hotel 57 Swan St, Richmond, 9427 9198
Love Machine Cnr Lt Chapel & Malvern Rd, Prahran, 9533 8837
Spensers Live 419 Spencer St, West Melb, 03 9329 8821
Abode 374 St.Kilda Rd, St.Kilda
Cornish Arms 163 Sydney Rd, Brunswick
Lucky Coq 179 Chapel St, Windsor, 9525 1288
Spot 133 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, 9388 0222
Albert Park Hotel Cnr Montague & Dundas Pl, Albert Park, 9690 5459
CQ 113 Queen St, Melb, 8601 2738
The LuWOW 62-70 Johnston St, Fitzroy, 9417 5447
Standard Hotel 293 Fitzroy St, Fitzroy, 9419 4793
Alia Lvl 1, 83-87 Smith St, Fitzroy, 9486 0999
Croft Institute 21 Croft Alley, Melb, 9671 4399
Mercat Cross Lvl 1, 456 Queen St, Melb, 9348 9998
Star Bar 160 Clarendon St, South Melb, 9810 0054
Alumbra Shed 9, Central Pier, 161 Harbour Espl, Docklands, 8623 9666
Cruzao Arepa Bar 365 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9417 7871
Mink 2 Acland St, St Kilda, 9536 1199
Station 59 59 Church St, Richmond, 9427 8797
Back Bar 67 Green St, Windsor, 9529 7899
Cushion 99 Fitzroy St, St.Kilda, 9534 7575
Miss Libertine 34 Franklin St, Melb, 9663 6855
Stolberg Beer Café 197 Plenty Rd, Preston, 9495 1444
Bar Oussou 653 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, 9384 3040
Damask 1/347 Burnswick St, Fitzroy, 9417 4578
Misty 3-5 Hosier Ln, Melb, 9663 9202
Sub Lounge & Restaurant 168 Elizabeth St Melb, 0411 800 198
Bar Open 317 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9415 9601
The Drunken Poet 65 Peel Street, West Melbourne, 9348 9797
Mockingbird Bar 129 Fitzroy St, St Kilda, 9534 0000
Sugar Bar (Hotel Urban) 35 Fitztroy St, St Kilda, 8530 8888
Baroq House 9-13 Drewery Ln, Melb, 8080 5680
Der Raum 438 Church St, Richmond, 9428 0055
Musicland 1359A Sydney Rd, Fawkner, 9359 0006
Temperance Hotel 426 Chapel St, South Yarra, 9827 7401
Bendigo Hotel 125 Johnston St, Collingwood 9417 3415
Ding Dong Lounge Lvl 1, 18 Market Ln, Melb, 9662 1020
Neverland 32-48 Johnson St, South Melb, 9646 5544
Thornbury Theatre 859 High St, Thornbury, 9484 9813
Bennetts Jazz Club 25 Bennetts Ln, Melb, 9663 2856
Dizzy’s Jazz Club 381 Burnley St, Richmond, 9428 1233
New Guernica Lvl 2, Hub Arcade, 318-322 Lt Collins St, Melb, 9650 4464
Tiki Lounge 327 Swan St, Richmond, 9428 4336
Bertha Brown 562 Flinders Street, 9629 1207
Double Happiness 21 Liverpool St, Melb, 9650 4488
Night Cat 141 Johnston St, Fitzroy, 9417 0090
Toff In Town Lvl 2, 252 Swanston St, Melb, 9639 8770
Big Mouth 168 Acland St, St.Kilda, 9534 4611
E:55 55 Elizabeth St, Melb, 9620 3899
Night Cat 279 Flinders Ln, Melb, 9654 0444
Tony Starr’s Kitten Club 267 Lt Collins St, Melb, 9650 2448
Billboard 170 Russell St, Melb, 9639 4000
East Brunswick Club 280 Lygon St, East Brunswick, 9388 2777
Noise Bar 291 Albert St, Brunswick, 9380 1493
The Tote Hotel 67 Johnson St, Collingwood, 9419 5320
Bimbo Deluxe 376 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9419 8600
Edinburgh Castle 681 Sydney Rd, Brunswick
Northcote Social Club 301 High St, Northcote, 9489 3917
Town Hall Hotel 33 Errol St, North Melbourne, 9328 1983
Birmingham Hotel Cnr Smith & Johnston St, Fitzroy
Electric Ladyland Lvl 1, 265 Chapel St, Prahran, 9521 5757
Old Bar 74 Johnston St, Fitzroy, 9417 4155
Trak Lounge 445 Toorak Rd, Toorak, 9826 9000
Black Cat 252 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9419 6230
Elwood Lounge 49-51 Glenhuntly Rd, Elwood, 9525 6788
One Twenty Bar 120 Johnston St, Fitzroy
Tramp 20 King St, Melb
Blue Bar 330 Chapel St, Prahran, 9529 6499
Empress 714 Nicholson St, Nth Fitzroy, 9489 8605
Onesixone 161 High St, Prahran, 9533 8433
Transport Hotel Federation Square, Melb, 9654 8808
Blue Tile Lounge 95 Smith St, Fitzroy
Espy 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda, 9534 0211
Order Of Melbourne level 2, 401 Swanston St, Melb, 9663 6707
Trunk 275 Exhibition St, Melbourne, 9663 7994
Boutique 134 Greville St, Prahran, 9525 2322
Eurotrash 18 Corrs Ln, Melb, 9654 4411
Palace Hotel 893 Burke Rd, Camberwell
Tyranny Of Distance 147 Union St, Windsor, 9525 1005
Brown Alley King Street, Melb,9670 8599
Eve 334 City Rd, Southbank, 9696 7388
Palace Theatre 20-30 Bourke St, Melb, 9650 0180
Two of Hearts 149 Commercial Road, Prahran
Brunswick Hotel 140 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, 9387 6637
Evelyn 351 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9419 5500
Palais 111 Main Rd, Hepburn Springs, 5348 4849
Union Hotel Brunswick 109 Union St, Brunswick, 9388 2235
Builders Arms 211 Gertrude St, Fitzroy
Ferntree Gully Hotel 1130 Burwood Hwy, Ferntree Gully, 9758 6544
Palais Theatre Lower Esplanade, St Kilda, 9525 3240
Veludo 175 Acland St, St Kilda, 9534 4456
Cabinet Bar 11 Rainbow Alley, Melbourne, 9654 0915
Festival Hall 300 Dudley St, West Melbourne, 9329 9699
Papa Goose 91 Flinders Ln, Melbourne, 9663 2800
Victoria Hotel 380 Victoria St, Brunswick, 9388 0830
Caravan Music Club 95 Drummond St, Oakleigh
First Floor 393 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9419 6380
Penny Black 420 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, 9380 8667
Wah Wah Lounge Lvl 1, 185 Lonsdale St, Melb
Caseys Nightclub 660A Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn, 9810 0030
Forum Theatre 154 Flinders St, Melb, 9299 9800
Pier Live Hotel 508 Nepean Hwy, Frankston, 9783 9800
Wesley Anne 250 High St, Northcote, 9482 1333
Caz Reitops Dirty Secrets 80 Smith St, Collingwood, 9415 8876
The Fox Hotel 351 Wellington Street, Collingwood, 9416 4957
Pony 68-70 Lt Collins St, Melb, 9662 1026
Westernport Hotel 161 Marine Pde, San Remo, 5678 5205
CBD Club 12-14 McKillop St, Melb, 9670 3638
Fusion Lvl 3, Crown Complex, Southbank, 9292 5750
Portland Hotel Cnr Lt Collins & Russell St, Melb, 9810 0064
Willow Bar 222 High Street, Northcote, 9481 1222
Chaise Lounge Basement, 105 Queen St, Melb, 9670 6120
The Gallery Room 1/510 Flinders St, Melbourne, 9629 1350
The Prague Hotel, 911 High St, Northcote, 9495 0000
Windsor Castle 89 Albert St, Windsor, 9525 0239
Chandelier Room 91 Cochranes Rd, Moorabbin, 9532 2288
Gem Bar & Dining 289 Wellingston St, Collingwood, 9419 5170
Pretty Please 61c Fitzroy St, St Kilda, 9534 4484
Workers Club 51 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 9415 8889
Chelsea Heights Hotel Cnr Springvale & Wells Rd,
George Basement, 127 Fitzroy St, 9534 8822
Prince Bandroom 29 Fitztory St, St Kilda, 9536 1168
Workshop Lvl 1, 413 Elizabeth St, Melb, 9326 4365
Chelsea Heights, 9773 4453
Gertrude’s Brown Couch 30 Gertrude St, Fitzroy, 9417 6420
Prince Of Wales 29 Fitzroy St, St Kilda, 9536 1168
Yah Yah’s 99 Smith St, Fitzroy, 9419 4920
Cherry Bar AC/DC Ln, Melb, 9639 8122
Grace Darling Hotel 114 Smith St, Collingwood, 9416 0055
Public Bar 238 Victoria St, North Melb, 9329 6522
The Vine 59 Wellington St, Collingwood, 9417 2434
Chi Lounge 195 Lt Bourke St, Melbourne, 9662 2688
Grandview Hotel Cnr Heidelberg Rd & Station St, Fairfield, 9489 8061
Purple Emerald Lounge Bar 349 High St, Northcote, 9482 7007
Co. Lvl 3, Crown Complex, 9292 5750
Great Britain Hotel 447 Church St, Richmond, 9429 5066
Railway Hotel 280 Ferrars St, South Melb, 9690 5092
Colonial Hotel (Brown Alley) Cnr King & Lonsdale St, Melb, 9670 8599
Grind N Groove 274 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville
Red Bennies 371 Chapel St, South Yarra, 9826 2689
Commercial Club Hotel 344 Nicholson St, Fitzroy, 9419 1522
Grumpy’s Green 125 Smith St, Collingwood, 9416 1944
RedLove Lvl 1, 401 Swanston St, Melb, 9639 3722
12.
VENUE DIRECTORY
FOR MORE VENUES, VISIT:
BEAT.COM.AU/VENUES
OH MERCY BY LACHLAN KANONIUK
Alexander Gow, lead singer and progenitor of oft-lauded Melbourne outfit Oh Mercy, is a free man. With Deep Heat, the band’s third full-length record, Gow’s inhibitions have confounded expectations, retaining the championed pedigree songwriting virtues and parlaying them into something imbued with a resounding sense of fun – something decidedly sexier. Noticeably calm on the eve of the LP’s release, Gow recalls the transformative leadup to Deep Heat. “I did find a certain sense of liberation in denying myself any kind of platform to be earnest, and to have a kind of sense of obligation to be truthful,” Gow muses. “I wrote fictional songs for this record and that meant that I had an extended vocabulary at my fingertips, and that was super liberating. I could use words that I couldn’t if I were writing autobiographical songs – taking on characters and not having to pour my heart out, for lack of a better term. It was really fun and exciting. Paired with the kind of bombastic, groove-based music, it was a really liberating experience. I didn’t have anyone breathing over my shoulder in the studio in terms of song selection and concepts. The whole thing was very much a privilege. I felt free, I felt like an artist – which is something that not many people get to feel.” While not so much an acute diversion from the Oh Mercy musical trajectory, Deep Heat is emboldened by Gow’s reactionary approach to his perceived reputation. “One of my greatest fears is that people might think that they’ve worked me out, that fear of being defined. Once I caught wind that people had worked me out as this singer-songwriter guy who played acoustic guitar, which is a reasonable assumption given the last record, I just got excited about throwing everyone a curveball and shaking people’s expectations up. Keeping everyone guessing is a satisfying thing for me to do as an artist, as pretentious as that sounds.” This reactionary approach in turn has resulted in something of an anomaly on the Australian musical landscape – an embrace of the sexier end of the musical spectrum. “I’m not looking for truth in music, but I’m not searching for any kind of escapism. It doesn’t excite me. I suppose I just turned the radio off and decided that I wanted to write about the realities of our existence, mainly the primitive, biological urges – desire, and all those things that are FEEL presents real and complex and dark and funny,” Gow muses. The recording of Deep Heat was preceded by an extensive US tour and took place on the outskirts of Portland, Oregon. Though ostensibly a retreat from Australia, the geography didn’t exactly permeate the final artefact. “I feel like I could have made that record anywhere as long as Burke [Reid, producer], Rohan [Sforcina, drums] and Eliza [Lam, bass] were there,” Gow surmises. “It was very pleasant being in Portland, and we worked really hard so we didn’t get into town much. We were just outside of town in a place called Lake Oswego, which is really beautiful – like most of Oregon, surrounded by dense pine forest. There was wildlife walking around – raccoons, deer and chipmunks. We have snakes, cockroaches, spiders and sharks, while they get all the cute ones,” he laughs. “It was pleasant, but it didn’t have an effect on the music we made. We didn’t make a hippie record.”
?
Spiritualized
“I JUST TURNED THE RADIO OFF AND DECIDED THAT I WANTED TO WRITE ABOUT THE REALITIES OF OUR EXISTENCE, MAINLY THE PRIMITIVE, BIOLOGICAL URGES” The first taste of Deep Heat came in the revelation of some arresting cover art, featuring a rather saucy snap from the ‘80s – a rather apt complement to the musical content. “Not many people liked it in terms of the suits,” Gow laughs. “There was talk about pixelating her breasts and all this ridiculous stuff. In hindsight I kind of wish they did it, just because it’s so absurd. The work itself is by Rennie Ellis, a very important Melbourne artist. He was a photographer that did social documentary mostly, and took a lot of iconic photographs that a lot of people would be familiar with. His estate were kind enough to let us use one of his works as supporters of the arts, especially Melbourne arts. Using that particular photograph, after having that great painting by Ken Done on the last record, I didn’t want to pigeonhole us as an Australiana tribute sort of band. So I decided to look at his photos from abroad and selected this one from [Rio] Carnival in 1985. I immediately knew it had to be the cover because it was so colourful and bombastic, and that’s the kind of record we made.” It’s not long until Oh Mercy once again set off, much like they did in the US earlier in the year, on an imposing run of dates. As Gow reveals, there’s still a little way to go in translating the rich instrumental palette of Deep Heat into the live setting. “I think we’re officially still nutting it out, it’s a whole different way of making music for us and we’re having fun working it out,” he explains. “I don’t have to play the guitar anymore, which is also liberating. The bass guitar is the prime instrument on the record, it’s a driving force, so Eliza is having to step up and she’s doing a great job – same with Annabel Grigg our keyboardist. The girls are doing brilliantly, where mine and Rohan’s jobs got a bit easier,” Gow grins with wry cheekiness. Deep Heat is out now through EMI. OH MERCY perform at The Hi-Fi on Thursday October 25.
Thursday 6th December Melbourne, Hi-Fi Plus special guests Also appearing:
Friday 7th Meredith Music Festival Tickets on sale Monday 3rd September from feelpresents.oztix.com.au and all Moshtix & Oztix outlets
New album ‘Sweet Heart Sweet Light’ out now through EMI www.feelpresents.com | www.spiritualized.com DISCUSS WHAT? BEAT.COM.AU/DISCUSSION
Beat Magazine Page 43
INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH MUSIC INDUSTRY NEWS & GOSSIP
with Christie Eliezer * Stuff for this column to be emailed to <celiezer@netspace.net.au> by Friday 5pm
ADAM LAMBERT HITS FEDERATION SQUARE Adam Lambert hit Federation Square on the weekend, playing a set before 600 people as part of Channel [V]’s Guerilla Gig series. It will be screened on the network this Thursday on-air and online.
NEW RECORD LABEL #1: BREAKAWAY RECORDINGS Shock veteran Ian Bennett has set up Breakaway Recordings. He says, “The death of the music business is grossly exaggerated. I’m talking to smaller labels all over the world who are absolutely thriving – and they’ve all got great new artists just waiting to be heard.” 2IC at the label is Jonny O’Hara who worked at JB Hi Fi and runs regular club nights in Melbourne. Breakaway’s first release is Ozomatli Presents Ozokidz, “a kids’ album that will also appeal to adults who listen to really good music” next month. The LA band is back in November for Harvest. Contact is info@breakawayrecordings.com.au. Bennett was 20 years at Shock: as its highly respected International A&R, he signed José González, Millencolin (both who had two gold albums), Veruca Salt, Alexisonfire, and City And Colour as well as labels Fat Wreck Chords, Burning Heart, Sugar Hill, Eagle Rock, Vanguard, V2 and Epitaph.
NEW RECORD LABEL #2: DARKBEAT RECORDINGS Melbourne club night promoter Darkbeat launched Darkbeat Recordings. Darkbeat founder Daniel Banko says, “We will be focusing on delivering the freshest and most cutting edge sounds which we are renowned for, however never straying too far from that old school party vibe that punters can expect at any Darkbeat party.” First release is a mix compilation.
NEW RECORD LABEL #3: ARTERY RECORDINGS US management firm The Artery Foundation, which recently launched an Aussie office under Matt Leost, has set up local operations for its Artery Recordings. It will be run by Andrew Perumalla ex-Taperjean Records, who also bring in The Mission In Motion, For All Eternity, We Rob Banks and Storm The Sky to Artery Foundation’s management division. He is contactable at andrew.p@thearteryfoundation.com. Artery Recordings acts include Vanna, Chelsea Grin and For The Fallen Dreams. It is distributed by Shock.
WARNER CHANGES IN MELBOURNE After integrating Roadrunner Records into Warner Music, there have been changes at Warner’s Melbourne office. Roadrunner GM Ben Ralph also becomes GM of Warner Music Victoria. Also joining from Roadrunner is Hayley Wilson as Marketing Manager Warner Music, Thom Gwynne as Junior Digital Manager and Janine Morcos who joins the Warner promotion team as Media Manager Vic and will work alongside Karen McLellan (Promotions Manager Vic) and Lucy Buckeridge, who assumes the role Media and Artist Relations Manager for the state. Warner Music also welcomes Mark Wilson who has joined the Warner A&R team and will be based in the Melbourne office. The Warner Melbourne office is also home to Simon McLaughlin (National Account Manager), Dave Laing (Creative A&R: Commercial Marketing) and Dave Jiannis (Epitaph).
THINGS WE HEAR
VENUES #6: THE PALAIS HOLDS OPEN MIC
* Bruce Springsteen told local promoters he can tour here in March. * Led Zeppelin’s 2003 concert footage DVD has been certified platinum 13 times after selling over 1.3 million copies in the U.S. * Ten’s new Broadway-orientated reality show I Will Survive has failed to grab viewers, debuting with 506,000 and dropping to 427,000. Hopefully Ten will stick with it: based on Priscilla: Queen Of The Desert, it’s full of personality and colour. Unlike Everybody Dance Now, axed after three episodes for low ratings, which was too complex for its own good and with dull visuals. * Rihanna flew five fans to her home in Barbados and cooked them dinner, as a thank you to all her fans who made her a success. * Kirin J Callinan has been working in the studio with Kim Moyes of The Presets before he heads to New York to play CMJ. * The ex-wife of a Melbourne musician cost herself $4 million by not agreeing to the divorce settlement he offered. Even worse, the Family Court ordered her to pay the man’s $220,000 legal costs. * More than 10,000 tickets sold in just two hours for Mumford & Sons’ Gentlemen Of The Road festival in Dungog in October. * Seems The Bamboos will make their set at Sydney’s Homebake festival special by bringing on guests who appeared on the Medicine Man album. * Kim Kardashian’s ex, Kris Humphries, served a subpoena on her new boyfriend Kanye West by putting it in a Nordstrom box and sending it to her house, knowing she wouldn’t resist opening it! * Following New Zealand and Japan, Canada has become the third country to approve of Universal Music’s proposed £1.2bn acquisition of EMI.
The Palais in Hepburn Springs is on Sunday launching the first of The Palais Youth Open Mic sessions. Venue owner Korrina Glen, who says, “Youth in our community are not given the opportunity to perform in public as much as they should,” can be contacted on 0438 001 288 for spots at the Open Mic.
VENUES #1: PALACE SOLD
On the eve of a tour and a return to the recording studio, Ne Obliviscaris’s drummer Dan Presland has returned after six months. His replacement Nelson Barnes continues with The Schoenberg Automaton. “In the end, the decision to bring Dan back was less to do with Nelson and more to do with the fact that we never really wanted to part ways with Dan in the first place and have such great chemistry working together,” the band said.
The Palace on Bourke St in the city has been sold two months after it was put on the market by its financially troubled owners. The rumoured price tag is $11.5 million and rumoured buyer is an Asian business consortium.
VENUES #2: PUBLIC BAR WELCOMED BACK Live music fans welcomed back the Public Bar of St Kilda’s Prince of Wales at a seven-hour concert last Sunday. It was the initiative of the venue and the St Kilda Rock Chronicle website, whose Michelle Harrington challenged fans to actively support local venues. Julian Gerner, of the Melbourne Pub Group which spent $250,000 on upgrading the venue, told The Age that he had high hopes that the Public Bar could run free live music seven nights a week but wasn’t so sure about the larger Bandroom upstairs. ‘’The truth is it hasn’t been successful as a live music venue for the best part of a decade. We’ve got a new booker and we’re going to give it a really good shot to make it work, but if it doesn’t, we’ll just have to try something else.’’
VENUES #3: ASTOR THEATRE SAVED Businessman Ralph Taranto is buying the Astor Theatre from St Michael’s Grammar School for a rumoured $3 million, and will start badly-needed renovations as soon as he takes over the key in October. Taranto owns the Brighton Bay Cinema and refurbished the former George Cinema on Fitzroy St, St Kilda. He plans to ready the theatre for the St Kilda Festival in May.
VENUES #4: WODONGA WELCOMES THE CUBE Wodonga’s new state of art performing arts centre The Cube has opened. With the $12.2 million Federal, state and local government funding, the 410-seater at Hovell St will host theatre productions, concerts, film screenings, conferences and community events. An outdoor courtyard holds 1,500.
VENUES #5: BAKINI INTRODUCES JAZZ Bakini Bar (568 St Kilda Road) has opened up to jazz performances, with guitarist Albare launching the Spring Jazz Sessions on Monday.
TAYLOR SETS NEW DIGITAL SALES RECORD Taylor Swift has set the record for the biggest digital sales week for a female artists with single We Are Never Getting Back Together. It sold 623,000 digital copies in its first week, after she used her app to notify one million fans to buy it. It’s also the second biggest digital seller of all time, after Flo Rida’s Right Round which sold 636,000 in February 2009. A report by Strategy Analytics predicted digital music’s share will overtake physical in 2015.
ESPY METAL The metal show at the Espy this Friday August 31 is significant for two reasons. It is Pegazus’ 18th anniversary show. It is also the last performance for some time by White Widdow whose singer Jules Millis heads off back to Europe for a Sept/Oct tour with UK glam metallers Tigertailz as their new singer.
ALLANS BILLY HYDE IN RECEIVERSHIP Instrument retailer Allans Music Billy Hyde went into administration after its major shareholder private investment company Revere Capital, owed $27 million by the chain’s parent company Australian Music Group Holdings, pulled the plug. Unsecured creditors are owed $13.5 million, employee entitlements are $3 million. Administrators Ferrier Hodgson, who hope to sell the business, say gift vouchers and deposits will not be honoured.
PRESLAND RETURNS TO NE OBLIVISCARIS
LINKIN PARK’S HYBRID THEORY HITS 10 MILLION Linkin Park’s Hybrid Theory from 2000 last week hit ten million sales in the US. It’s the 20th album to do so since SoundScan began tracking sales in 1991. Earlier this year, Usher’s Confessions hit that milestone. Since 1991, the three biggest sellers were Metallica’s Metallica (15.8m), Shania Twain’s Come On Over (15.5m) and Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill (14.8m). Hybrid Theory reached #2 in the U.S. It is the fourth ten million seller not to go #1: Twain’s Come On Over stopped at #2, Bob Marley’s Legend (11.1m) reached #18 and Backstreet Boys’ self-titled debut (10.1m) was #4.
BROUS TOURING UK, EUROPE
LIFELINES Engaged: Avril Lavigne and Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger. They started dating six months ago when he worked on a track from her fifth album. Married: Rufus Wainwright and German-born theater producer Jorn Weisbrodt, in New York. They have a daughter, Viva Katherine Wainwright Cohen, with Lorca “daughter of Leonard” Cohen. The 250 guests included Yoko Ono and Carrie Fisher aka Star Wars’ Princess Leia. Recovering: 360 after eye surgery due to hereditary condition Keratoconus. Hospitalised: Wynonna Judd’s husband and drummer, Scott Moser, had his left leg amputated following a horrific motorcycle crash. Injured: Burglar Jonathan Kirby, 56, who broke into LL Cool J’s LA mansion was given a broken nose and jaw by Mr. Mama Said Knock You Out. In Court: 23 of the 421 people busted for drugs at Splendour In The Grass appeared at the Byron Bay Local Court were hit with fines ranging from $100 to $450. A 21-year-old from Queensland said he needed the four joints and five pills he was caught with to “get in the mood for The Beautiful Girls.” In Court: Sam Aniello Castellano, 23, of Anglesea, jailed for 15 months for detonating two homemade soda bombs at last year’s St Kilda Festival “for a bit of fun”, injuring five people, two seriously from shrapnel from the bombs. In Court: Christopher Vacic, 20, a security guard at Sydney’s Ivy nightclub pleaded not guilty in Downing Centre District Court to punching Nicholas Barsoum on August 28 last year. He said he fell on the man, who was brawling with another guard, to restrain him. In Court: A 19-year-old man who pleaded guilty in Mackay Magistrate’s Court to pulling a knife on a nightclub bouncer and threatened to stab him in the temple, was placed on probation and was banned from all licensed premises in the Mackay CBD for six months. Suing: A 39-year-old woman who slipped in vomit at a Whitesnake gig in Wales is suing the local council. Died: US singer Scott McKenzie, 73, who sang the ‘60s flower power anthem If You’re Going To San Francisco (Wear Some Flowers In Your Hair) and co-wrote the Beach Boys’ Kokomo, after a battle with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a disease which affects the nervous system.
UNIVERSAL SIGNS VERONICAS’ PUBLISHING Universal Music Publishing Australia has signed The Veronicas to a publishing deal for Australia and New Zealand. Its director of A&R, Heath Johns, says, “Jess and Lisa are incredibly savvy operators. They have achieved enduring global success with The Veronicas in a notoriously fickle pop landscape – all without the aid of a television show which is becoming increasingly rare.” Their third album Life On Mars is set for release.
FOUR FOR SOYAs Four Victorians are finalists in the Music category of the Qantas Spirit of Youth Awards for creatives under 30 - Hayden Calnin, Forces, Joanna Syme and Courtney Barnett. Daniel Johns is on board to support the program alongside Sydney producer Lee Groves. The winner gets $5,000 cash, a trip to the CMJ Music Marathon New York in October, and mentoring by Groves.
OXYGEN COLLEGE OPEN DAY
Melbourne pop singer Brous, who makes her Meredith Music Festival debut this year, is also taking her live show for the first time to the UK and Europe next month. She will join Swedish troubadour Jens Lekman, whose single Erica America she sang on (and received rave reviews from Pitchfork and Spin). Before her international dates, Brous opens for UK’s Patrick Wolf’s Oz tour. Brous is one of the collaborators on Henry Wagons’ September 28-due solo album, and also on Key Of Sea 2 collaborating with Kurdish refugee Onur.
Oxygen College, one of Victoria’s most prestigious audio colleges, opens their doors to prospective students this weekend. On Friday August 31 from 6pm ‘til 8pm and Saturday September 1 from 10am ‘til 3pm, head along to see what is on offer at Oxygen College. More than just an audio technology college, you’ll have the chance to see their numerous facilities with the latest in audio and studio equipment, hear testimonials in their tutoring expertise and learn about the array of their industry connections. More info can be found at oxygencollege.com.au.
MORE ON MUSE’S 2013 TOUR
AMOROSI QUITS UNIVERSAL
Muse’s 2013 tour will be outdoor shows, Matt Bellamy told triple j. “[We’re not sure] whether that means playing in parks or stadiums – but that would be awesome. You guys have football stadiums there, so we could bring the show that we’ve been doing in Europe across to Australia for the first time”.
After a six year relationship, Vanessa Amorosi has left Universal Music Australia. It comes just as she rumouredly heads towards a different music direction. Her Perfect remains in the radio charts 122 weeks after release. We hear she was dissatisfied with the label for well over a year.
Q&A LAURA IMBRUGLIA VS COURTNEY BARNETT Johnny Cash has a box-set called Love God Murder. Which is your favourite subject of these three, when it comes to country songs? Murder for sure. Every time. If Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn were both hanging over a cliff and you had to let go of one to save the other, who would you save and why? Well, I knew Dolly first and I’ve seen her live. I only discovered Loretta last year, but maybe her songs are a little better. Loretta has lived longer, but her first guitar was also a Harmony, like my guitar. I enjoy Dolly’s wordsof-wisdom twitter posts, but Dolly had that awful early 80s period of country-pop disco music. Maybe I’d drop Dolly. I feel like there’s a lot more I need to get to know about Loretta. Oh the shame. Let’s play an imaginary country song title game. Fill in the blanks. I’m Sorry I ____ The _______ (But Let’s _____ The ______ ______ ______) Nobody Touched My ____ Til I ____ On The ____ I’m Sorry I KISSED The MAYOR (But Let’s RAID The CITY HALL TONIGHT) Nobody Touched My HEART Til I CRIED On The TRAIN.
Local legends Laura Imbruglia and Courtney Barnett are taking to The Tote stage with their bands to present a few of their favourite country tracks. We got them to have a chat with each other in the lead-up. LAURA ASKS COURTNEY:
When did you start getting into country music? What was the first country song to blow your mind? About a year-and-a-half ago. I became friends with a band called The Merri Creek Pickers, and they introduced me Beat Magazine Page 44
to some of the best music ever made. At the time they were all obsessed with New Riders Of The Purple Sage and they did a mad cover of Somebody Robbed The Glendale Train. If you were stuck on an island with a country artist who you had to reproduce with for the good of all mankind, who would you like that artist to be and why? George Jones. But only if Tammy Wynette was there as well. What song are you most looking forward to singing at the show? A Girl Named Sue. It’s pretty much a rap song.
COURTNEY ASKS LAURA:
What happened to country music? (Know what I’m sayin’?) I assume you mean how come it’s all auto-tuned and gross these days, right? I have pondered this a little bit and never come to a resolution. I guess the bigger question is what happened to popular music in general? It’s predominantly auto-tuned and gross. Blame technology and bad taste. I try not to get too sad about it, ‘cos there is a wealth of great old country music out there just waiting to be listened to, unmuddied by computers set on fixing all imperfections. What are your all-time top five country songs about booze?
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There Stands The Glass, Webb Pierce The Bottle Let Me Down, Merle Haggard Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ On Your Mind), Loretta Lynn You’re Still On My Mind, The Byrds He Turned The Water Into Wine, Johnny Cash. (It’s about booze, right!?) Would you rather: Slim Dusty singing Dusty Springfield, or Arthur Conan Hartnell acting out Doc Watson songs? Who’s Arthur Conan Hartnell? I’m gonna go for Dusty on Dusty! I reckon that’d be weird and awesome. What film is this from: “But I have to say my all-time favourite book is Johnny Cash’s autobiography, Cash by Johnny Cash”? Why, that’s a Rob Gordon quote from High Fidelity, of course! The movie that made me want to immediately work in a record store and purchase Dylan’s Blonde On Blonde! (Two goals I totally achieved). Why is country music called country music? I guess because it came from the country? It’s not really a metropolitan kind of genre. I guess that’s what makes our show so exciting! Live country music with all the benefits of inner-city life just a stone’s throw away (trams, soy milk, late-night kebabs etc). What are your all-time top five country songs about lyin’ and a-cheatin’? You’ve Just Stepped In (From Stepping Out On Me), Loretta Lynn While You’re Cheatin’ On Me, The Louvin Brothers Cold, Cold Hands, Lawton Williams Make Believe, Kitty Wells & Red Foley Your Cheatin’ Heart, Hank Williams. LAURA IMBRUGLIA and COURTNEY BARNETT play The Tote this Saturday September 1. Tickets $10 on the door.
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Beat Magazine Page 45
THE BLACK ARM BAND BY ADAM ROBERTSHAW
The Black Arm Band are an ensemble cast of musicians, poets and writers who share a vision of educating and enlightening people about Aboriginal history, culture and language through the use of music. They began in 2005 as part of a local project funded by The City Of Melbourne and The Arts Council but have since grown into an international multi-faceted company and have performed their various shows to audiences all around the world. Their charming and fascinating Art Director, Lou Bennett, is as prolific as she is interesting. Coming from a musical family of Aboriginies, Scots, Irishmen and Mauritians, she began performing as soon as she could walk, and has toured the world over with her previous band Tiddas. Speaking to her about The Black Arm Band’s upcoming gig at The Recital Centre on September 1, she details Dirtsong as an engaging piece of work adapted from the book Carpenteria by Aboriginal novelist Alexis Wright. “We first performed it back in 2009 actually, for the Melbourne International Arts Festival at the State Theatre, and we’ve been working towards wanting to get it to a tourable state. Now instead of having 34 people on stage we have 17. It’s evolved and there are new elements to the show and slightly modified themes but it’s still a very powerful show. “We’ve taken 5 excerpts from [Carpentaria] and each episode has its own language and its own theme. The first theme is Dirtsong which is basically the theme of the whole show and it’s about the connection between country and people or community and language and how relevant that is to very individual regions of Australia. The second is Big Law, which is about how important the law of the land is to aboriginal people. Not necessarily the law of man or man-made law but how if you practise the law of the land you will reap the benefits of that country. The third is about coming up close now and is listening to the country and learning the law of the country, the change of the seasons. “The fourth is Giidang which is a Gumbayngirran word meaning ‘heartbeat’ and it’s listening to the rhythm of the land and moving with that, not against it, not trying to control it but being in harmony with it. The last episode is called Rainstorm and of course rainstorm brings the weather and the cycle of life. Going hunting, knowing when to go hunting, knowing when to reap the benefits of the country instead of exploiting it I suppose. Within those episodes it’s a conversation piece between the musician and the artist, it’s a conversation between the different languages, and it’s also about the retrieval of languages.” Language is a subject very close to Lou’s heart. Although she’s a musician first and foremost, she is also currently studying for a PhD in the retrieval of languages. This fascination and dedication to preserving mother tongues has permeated her work and recently saw her take The Black Arm Band to London where they performed at the cultural Olympiad, where she collaborated with welsh folk outfit 9Bach. “For us to work with Welsh people was very relative because of that language retrieval, reclamation and maintenance of the mother tongue. It’s such an important part of our culture so it was very nice to sing for that particular production. And so it was quite a powerful show to present for the diverse audience of cultural Olympiad.
“I’VE DONE A LOT OF TRAVEL WITH MY MUSIC OVER 25 YEARS AND I’VE FOUND, WHETHER IT’S BEEN ENGLISH SPEAKING COUNTRIES OR NON ENGLISH SPEAKING COUNTRIES, THAT MUSIC IS THE LANGUAGE OF EVERYONE AND YOU CAN CUT THROUGH BARRIERS WITH MUSIC.” “I’m passionate about music and passionate about language and the connection between human beings and the human condition. I’ve done a lot of travel with my music over 25 years and I’ve found, whether it’s been English speaking countries or non English speaking countries, that music is the language of everyone and you can cut through barriers with music. It’s an amazing part of our culture as well. For me as an Aboriginal woman to be able to have a career in music, it’s not just about the finances or a career, it’s an actual spiritual thing as well.” Perhaps one of the reasons that The Black Arm Band has struck a chord with so many people is that they do more than just put on an entertaining show with some pretty singing and flashing lights. Their shows are as profoundly educational as they are musically entertaining. “Yeah absolutely!” Lou enthuses, her voice brimming with passion for what she loves. “And that’s really part of The Black Arm Band’s vision, to make the shows not just about entertainment like, ‘That’s a good rock show,’ but when you come to see Black Arm Band you’re provoked in your thoughts, your emotions, and your understanding of who you are as a human being.” Black Arm Band perform Dirtsong at The Recital Centre on September 1 with a matinee performance in the early afternoon and second show in the evening. Beat Magazine Page 46
DISCUSS WHAT? BEAT.COM.AU/DISCUSSION
FABULOUS DIAMONDS BY LACHLAN KANONIUK
Melbourne-based duo Fabulous Diamonds possess a strangely assured idiosyncratic dynamic, one that applies to all aspects of their work. Navigating a razor-thin line between hypnotically soothing rhythms and overbearingly tense tonal swirls, the outfit have steadfastly established themselves as one of the country’s most respected acts. Ahead of launching the album in the venue it was recorded in, vocalist-drummer Nisa Venerosa speaks about the at-times tense creative partnership with Jarrod Zlatic, embracing song titles, and ol’ mate Rusty Crowe’s residual impact on the band. Recorded in a relatively short period of time in mid-2011, Commercial Music saw release this August. The long gestation period, however, is all part of the duo’s ethos. “I’m not sure how it works with other bands, but I know for Jarrod and I there’s always been that turnaround in terms of when we record to when we release. We’re both busy, plus there’s agreeing on artwork and mastering, mixing done. It always seems to be this huge, long process,” Venerosa recalls. Despite crafting tracks which often clock into the ten-minute-plus mark, you’d be wrong to assume the material is the result of studio improvisation. “It’s 99.9 percent rehearsed, structured material that we go into recording with,” she explains. “So we have the songs that we’re going to record, they’re all structured. There’s no improvisation. The only difference is that there may be something like ten seconds difference between takes. It’s based on feeling while recording sections of songs, like the beginning might be longer than we planned, or the ending might be longer. So it can vary a little bit like that, but we go in there with fully structured, functioning songs.” Commercial Music marks the return of ECSR/Total Control guitarist Mikey Young as the duo’s producer. Once ubiquitous on the liner notes of Melbourne garage bands, Young has become more selective as he focuses on Total Control’s pursuits. “There’s not really any creative collaboration, I just think Mikey is a really awesome person to work with. He just let us take full control,” Nisa says, skirting an inadvertent pun. “We work better with someone who steps back a little bit. Especially with Jarrod – he knows what he wants more so than anyone I’ve met. Mikey is just someone we know and that we get along with as a person, it’s really as simple as that. Plus we liked how our last album sounded.” The space of time between an album’s recording and its release sees the band enveloping their material in a way, with an album’s worth of new material having been developed in that timeframe. “Every time we put out an album we always have something completely new that we’re playing live, so each album is like our past,” Venerosa ponders. “So I haven’t really thought about it that much, we’re more focused on what we’re currently doing which is a whole new thing. I’m surprised people think it’s that different from what we’ve done before. To me, the recording quality is a little bit slicker, but it sounds quite similar to our past albums,” she assesses. With two untitled LPs full of untitled tracks preceding the release of Commercial Music, it’s easy to perceive the utilisation of titles as a statement in itself. But it doesn’t seem to be the case. “It’s not anything that was preconceived. We just had titles for these songs that seemed to fit, and titles just seemed to be something that we wanted to do this time. We didn’t even think about it much at all. Then we thought, ‘Oh great, now everyone’s going to talk about titles because we haven’t had them before.’ There’s always a thing people talk about, and this time around the titles are the ‘thing’. That’s our fault, I guess,” Venerosa relents. Throughout their career, Fabulous Diamonds have enjoyed more than a few choice support slots from international acts – covering an eclectic spectrum of genres. As Venerosa explains, the slots come not so much from Fabulous Diamonds’ complementary qualities, but rather a resounding appreciation from the respective act. “I’ve always thought that Jarrod and I were more of a bands’ band, as in other bands like us more than other “Most rock ‘n’ roll bands start as a riot but end up as a parody. people. A few weeks ago we supported Miike Snow at The Palace,” she recalls. We started up as a parody but ended up as a revolution.” - Happy Tom “The only time I’d heard of that band was when Russell Crowe tweeted about us ages ago, saying something like ‘check out these bands’ – speaking about us and Miike Snow. Then I was thinking ‘who the hell is Miike Snow?’ Then they asked us to support, when we’re from totally different worlds. It was really bizarre. I don’t think the audience felt that much for us, which we were expecting. They were all waiting at the barriers for Miike Snow, staring at us, glancing at their watches and phones. But the guys from Miike Snow told us they thoroughly enjoyed it. When we’ve supported all these acts it’s come from the acts choosing us.” With their musical output defined by tension, I raise the question whether this characteristic comes from a tense creative partnership. “Jarrod and I have an interesting relationship. We’ve been together for a very long time. I think it’s nearly eight years or something, I’ve lost count. Often we’re fighting and that kind of thing. There’s often tension, but NEW ALBUM SEXUAL HARASSMENT OUT NOW sometimes we’re feeling good. I don’t know if you can THROUGH VOLCOM ENTERTAINMENT hear that in the songs. It’s like all bands, I’m sure – you fight, then you don’t.”
Feel Presents
FRIDAY 7TH DECEMBER MELBOURNE / HI-FI ALSO APPEARING
SATURDAY 8TH / MEREDITH MUSIC FESTIVAL
TICKETS ON SALE NOW FROM FEELPRESENTS.OZTIX.COM.AU, & ALL MOSHTIX & OZTIX OUTLETS
WWW.FEELPRESENTS.COM / WWW.TURBONEGRO.COM Commercial Music is out now through Chapter. Fabulous Diamonds perform at Curtin Bandroom on Saturday September 1.
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Beat Magazine Page 47
SEEKAE
BY LACHLAN KANONIUK
Since the early-2011 release of +Dome, a record which stands as one of the best of the year, Sydney electronica proponents Seekae have experienced a steady and definite slow-burn of praise – resulting in an increasingly fervent local following, as well as international attention. The album’s enduring qualities have afforded the trio to undergo a sort of sublimation into their next chapter. After a resoundingly brilliant showing at Sydney Opera House for Vivid LIVE, which saw the band showcase new vocal-laden works alongside string-supplemented older material, the trio aren’t so much winding down from the previous album cycle, but gearing up for the next. “I guess you go through periods with your own music, your outlook changes a little bit,” Seekae co-founder Alex Cameron states looking back on +Dome. “I think the biggest gauge is that people are still into it, people still want to hear it live. We still have a lot of fun playing them. I still really like a lot of those tracks and get a lot of enjoyment from playing them live. Admittedly, I haven’t put that record on for a good listen in quite a while. It’s surprised us with the depth and everything that it does have, and it’s good to know your own music can keep surprising yourself.” Seekae’s invariable capability to sell-out decent size rooms across the country seems to belie their relative stealthiness on the Australian musical radar. “It’s hard to say where it’s coming from, it does feel like we’re riding a little bit of a wave,” Cameron ponders. “We don’t take that lightly, we still count our lucky stars that people want to still come out and listen to us. I can’t put my finger on it – it’s something I do think about. It’s something people ask us quite a lot – why we’re playing these big rooms when the music we make isn’t necessarily promoted that much. We don’t really have that national audience, but for some reason we can do these big rooms. I guess it’s just that people have an interest in electronic music, especially people that want to come and watch you play live. People are just interested in it. There seems to be this little niche where people want to hear strictly electronic sounds. That’s not to totally discount
the fact we’ve been doing what we’ve been doing for ages – something like five or six years now. Maybe the swell will stop somewhere, but for the moment we’re constantly surprised and humbled by the amount of people that want to come out and watch us. So we just keep our fingers crossed a little bit.” As aforementioned, one of those venues the band managed to sell out happened to be the Sydney Opera House. As if performing in the nation’s most iconic structure wasn’t intimidating enough, the band chose the occasion to not only perform with an eight-piece string section, but also to potentially alienate fans of their instrumental works by debuting tracks featuring conventional vocal takes. “We definitely took a big bite and we were feeling it,” Cameron recalls. “We were rehearsing a lot, and we were also writing a record simultaneously. It was a lot of work. We felt good at the end of it when we came off stage – we really felt quite good about the performance, it was a full room, it was crazy. The first initial reaction was that we couldn’t quite wrap our heads around what had happened. That feeling lasts a little bit, then all of a sudden we’re back under the pressure of ourselves wanting to write music. It felt like a big thing, and it still does feel like a big accomplishment in retrospect- probably the biggest thing we’ve ever done. But there’s this unquenchable thirst to keep going,” he reasons. “The ambition never stops for us.”
Suffice to say anticipation for the follow-up to +Dome is feverish, and the trio is on track to deliver the finished result sometime in 2013. “It’s going really well, we just spent two weeks tracking with a string and horn section,” Cameron reveals. “Now we have all these pieces and all these samples the process is to come up with new sounds to make songs with. We’ve given ourselves until the end of the year to finish the record. So we’re getting there, we’re on target, which is good.” The addition of vocals results in a more immediately relatable, more accessible musical form. While the new material may well result in an explosion in radio interest, it’s not a concious goal when crafting such material. “It’s not at the forefront of our mind. It happened with +Dome as well, there are tracks that didn’t make it onto that record because they sounded too ‘radio’. That’s not going to be our outlook, to stay away from radio music, but at the same time we don’t write music for radio. We got to where we are today without radio help, bar the local stations, which are awesome. But in terms of national, or international, there’s not a lot of radio play for us. And it’s not as if we’re tired and trying to do something new for the sake of it,”
he reasons. “It just feels right. It may well cross over into radio, who knows. People who have never heard a band definitely relate to it more if there are vocals, but that’s not the reason we’re doing it.” After conquering pretty much every relevant festival Australia has to offer, and keeping in mind a strong European following, could Seekae join the string of Eurobased musical expats? “John’s moving over to London towards the end of the year, so we’ll definitely be over there more,” Cameron reveals. “I think we’ll be finishing the record there. [Relocating] might be something we’d consider doing, simply because it would be something new. But there’s a reason that we like playing Australia – the crowds are awesome, and we’ve worked hard here for that reason. It’s been working for us. There’s no reason to leave. We live where we’re comfortable and where people want to hear the music. There’s that chance we’d want to move elsewhere, but we’re still young and we have to finish this record first. We go record by record and see how we go.”
for the album art. “It wasn’t on purpose,” Hart says. “It was more the fact that they’re my mates and they were just hanging around when I was working on it. They are really passionate about it.” Addressing themes of childhood, religion, family, love and heartbreak, Hart says he ultimately hopes Milling The Wind is remembered as “an honest” listen. “I’m really confident of the success of this project long term. This kind of singer/ songwriter tradition of music is timeless,” he says, citing musicians like Bob Dylan, Don McLean and Neil Young as major influences on the album. “All these guys are known for telling stories in an honest way.”
Despite having a ready-made fan base waiting in the wings, Hart is adamant he doesn’t want to “ride on the coattails” of Boy & Bear. “I’m not really pushing it through Boy & Bear. If it means a thousand less people are disconnected but each person who listens to it does really connect with it then I’ll be just so happy,” he concludes. “I want it to be the kind of music project that grows on people. I don’t expect it to sell tens of thousands of albums. In fact, I almost don’t want it to.”
asking: ‘How are you going to follow up on that amazing first record?’ They didn’t say it was amazing when it first came out, but now all of a sudden it’s amazing and it’s attributing to further pressure,” says Cowan. This demanding nature is something the band has cut its teeth on, however some bands aren’t as hardy, and Freddie believes it’s a negative trait that is concurrent across the whole landscape of the modern music industry. “I think it’s born out of necessity because the music industry is dying and they’re not making enough money from record sales. The music industry has declined 15% since our first album came out – that’s only 18 months ago. The future of it is pretty fucked and it’s coming quick, so I guess everybody is trying to make the most of it while they can. I think the marketing departments and record labels
are pushing bands to get a fast turnaround on things and that’s why pop music is now crafted in such an efficient way. You don’t need a big recording studio in London anymore; you just need one guy with a basement and ProTools.” So are The Vaccines going to save the industry? Cowan doesn’t seem to think so. “The only person that’s going to save the industry is somebody like Adele – anyone who is a phenomenon can keep the industry afloat. But I don’t think the industry necessarily needs saving; it just needs to find out what the next step is.”
SEEKAE perform at The Corner tonight, Wednesday August 29, as well as a Friday August 31.
TIM HART
BY JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD
Tim Hart is a name you may know as the percussionist for ARIA winning folk band Boy & Bear. Previously, Hart’s solo aspirations had to be put to the back burner, but with a solo record Milling The Wind just released, the talented songwriter is more than ready to step out on his own. When young folk outfit Boy & Bear entered a Sydney recording studio in late 2010 to record a cover of Fall At Your Feet for a Neil and Tim Finn tribute album, they weren’t to know they were undertaking work which would change the course of their musical careers – and lives – for years to come. Back then they didn’t know that cover would land them a spot on the triple j Hottest 100 and would set the stage for their debut record, Moonfire, to sweep the charts and earn them legions of fans across the globe. While anyone with a passing interest in the current Australian music scene may be well familiar with this story by now, most wouldn’t know that this defining moment in Boy & Bear’s career also opened the door for percussionist Tim Hart’s burgeoning solo career. “I remember we were in the studio recording the Crowded House cover and I played the guys one of my songs. They basically said to me ‘You can’t not record this,’ and I knew they were probably right,” he begins.
As Hart attests, his solo excursion is by no means a departure from Boy & Bear, but rather a way to express his own musical ideas. “When we started Boy & Bear we sat down and decided that it was really important that it would be a forum for [frontman] Dave [Hosking]’s main ideas, so that’s the way we decided to go,” he says. “I never thought about using my own songs for a Boy & Bear album.” That being said, the rest of his band did contribute to the creative process, with Hosking lending his voice to backing vocals, bassist Jake Tarasenko playing bass, flute and fife, guitarist Killian Gavin recording demos, and keys/mandolin player Jon Hart, who is also Tim’s brother, taking photos
TIM HART plays The Workers Club on Saturday September 7. Milling The Wind is out now via Universal.
THE VACCINES
BY CALLUM FITZPATRICK
It’s been a hard slog for The Vaccines ever since their formation in early 2010. A true buzz band in every sense of the term, the four-piece was catapulted into the limelight in true British music press fashion, and the lads have been under the pump ever since. However, guitarist Freddie Cowan says success for the band isn’t a result of the hype – it’s because The Vaccines are truly one of the hardest working outfits on the road at the moment. “Despite all the talk and buildup at the start, we really assembled The Vaccines from the ground up,” Cowan recalls. “Granted, it happened quickly, but we did all the grafting – we played shows to ten people and since then we’ve been playing gigs, recording or doing something every single day. We didn’t just sit at home and let somebody else do the work – we put a lot of hard sweat into it.” This is no more evident than with the group’s upcoming and second album, Come Of Age, which the band started recording on the day their debut What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? was released. “We hadn’t stopped for 18 months straight so we were definitely tempted to take a break, but I just don’t think it was the right thing to do. We were on a roll, everything was going great, we had the songs, so we just thought we’d get on with it,” Cowan explains. Even in this short space of time, the band has matured considerably as musicians – something Cowan says was instigated by enlisting acclaimed producer Ethan Johns for the new release. “When we set out to work with Ethan, we knew we were going to make a rawer rock record that diverted from the pop direction. Ethan records everything live without Auto-Tune, click track or anything – he just gets the vibe right, then he gets the sound he wants from the source. Then we just go for it. Beat Magazine Page 48
“He also has an incredible understanding of the sonics of guitars – Kings Of Leon’s Because Of The Times is a great example of this. This was something we really wanted to bring out. We wanted to go from being an indie band to a rock band. “Also, we are very tough on each other within the band. We often take each other to pieces for silly things such as little guitar parts or drum fills. That created a bit of pressure in the studio sometimes, but out of it all I think we emerged a much, much better band.” When it came to pressure from outside the four walls, Freddie says the band has become immunised (or vaccinated, if you will) and has learned to ignore the weight of the media. “I don’t really care anymore to be honest. The only pressure that matters has always been from ourselves – I feel pressure every day with everything we do and I kind of thrive on that. I feel like it’s what I was meant to do with my life and I’ve always wanted to do it. But in terms of the demands of making a record and stuff, I just don’t care anymore. “We had pressure when we released our very first single, and now there’s always pressure. Where’s it even coming from? It’s like we were trying to live up to something before we’d even fucking started. “It’s like now we’re seeing that our first album is suddenly this untouchable classic to everyone – we get a lot of people
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Come Of Age is available Friday August 31 through Sony. THE VACCINES will play The Falls Festival which takes place in Lorne from Friday December 28 – Tuesday January 1 (sold out) and Marion Bay from Saturday December 29 – Tuesday January 1.
SILVERSUN PICKUPS BY JOSHUA KLOKE
While Neck Of The Woods, Silversun Pickups’ third full-length was released last May, the Los Angeles four-piece garnered another round of publicity a few weeks back. Unfortunately, it was for all the wrong reasons. “It was very simple. We started getting emails from people asking if we were fans of Mitt Romney,” says the Pickups ebullient lead singer Brian Aubert. What Aubert didn’t know is that Panic Switch, one of the band’s tracks from their 2009 full-length Swoon was played before one of Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s speeches. “We were confused until we found out that he’d used our song,” continues Aubert. “And we just said, ‘We don’t like that.’ So we had to do a cease and desist, make some comments, put out a press release to clear the air.” Though Romney’s policies have drawn the ire of many American artists, the dust settled relatively quickly. But not before the four-piece understood the full scope of this immediate exposure. “Mitt Romney’s camp was cool with it. And then, afterwards, things got crazy. All the news and media outlets, however they felt politically, used it in whatever angle they wanted. It became less about us and more about Mitt using our song. And now it’s kind of dead. That’s what happens I guess. All we wanted was for him not to use our song. A lot of our friends came up to us all surprised, saying ‘I didn’t know you guys were this big!’ And all we could say is, ‘Neither did we!” Aubert’s humility has a certain charm, but the fact that the Pickups have become an act worthy of mainstream coverage has been a long time coming. Neck Of The Woods, released in May, was the product of a year and a half of relative quiet from the Pickups camp. The band gigged no more than a handful of times and shifted their focus to maintaining their day-to-day lives. It was a healthy break that spoke to the band’s ability to learn from experience. “We learned from Swoon,” he says on the phone from his Los Angeles home. “Whether you’re playing live or you’re recording, you have to get yourself into that one particular mindset. It’s tough for us to do both, because both require so much focus. The reality of being a band is that when you write and record, you’re activating certain parts of your brain that were otherwise quiet most of the time. You’re listening for the most minute of details. “And when you’re playing live, it’s this totally bombastic, extroverted experience. When we took a month off for Swoon, we couldn’t really take a month off because we still had to tour. There were still things to do. By the end of that we hadn’t really had the break we needed. We were so weary in a way we didn’t understand. It wasn’t Swoon that did it to us, it was everything else. And we realise that now.”
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“WE’RE A BAND THAT WAS BIRTHED PLAYING LIVE. WE PLAYED LIVE FOR SO LONG BEFORE WE EVER WENT INTO A STUDIO. WHEN YOU MAKE A RECORD, THE WHOLE LIVE THING CAN’T NECESSARILY HAPPEN IN THE STUDIO.” In order to craft the cinematic modern rock that would end up on Neck Of The Woods, the Pickups made the only logical step – taking a break. In doing so, Neck Of The Woods was given a weighty, introspective edge. It’s a compliment to the band’s trademark, landscape-sized sound. “Late in 2010 we realised there was nothing, absolutely nothing we could really write about. So we decided we had to take some time off and actually live our lives. To be honest, we just wrote and recorded this album quicker. It was nice to have more time to just be human beings, think and feel things without the pressure that we had early on.” As quick as Neck Of The Woods was recorded, Aubert admits that waiting until September for the band’s tour has been especially trying. “We’re a band that was birthed playing live. We played live for so long before we ever went into a studio. When you make a record, the whole live thing can’t necessarily happen in the studio or in the rehearsal space. We tried to get excited, but it’s not happening yet! We’ve become really antsy and we know it now. Before, we thought we’d be able to deal with this pretty well. And now we’ve realised we’re just so uncomfortable waiting.” Aubert insists that through the band’s downtime, they’ve prepared for their upcoming run through America before landing in Australia by understanding how not to hide behind sonics. “We love these sounds, but we wanted to sound more dynamic. Anything that we felt shy about before, we wanted to expose. We’d have discussions where we’d voice concerns, and after a few minutes, we’d all look at each other and just say, ‘Get used to it,’” he laughs. “Simple for us is the hardest thing to deal with,” says Aubert with the utmost clarity. Thankfully for Aubert and Silversun Pickups, the opportunity for them to dive into the many layers of Neck Of The Woods in a live setting is right around the corner. And as Aubert believes, it may go over best in Australia for Harvest. “We have the most amazing times; last time around we did this Chinatown party thing in Brisbane, the Annandale Hotel in Sydney and the Ding Dong Lounge in Melbourne. And those were by far the maddest shows of our lives in terms of the crowd going apeshit. We were so overwhelmed. We really don’t know what we did to deserve this. We’ll take a boat to get there,” he says with conviction. “We’ll play in garages, we don’t care. We’re in.” SILVERSUN PICKUPS are part of the second announce for the massive 2013 Harvest Festival lineup, which has had an extra date announced in Melbourne, taking place at Werribee Park on Saturday November 10. Tickets to the Sunday November 11 Harvest are now sold-out.
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Beat Magazine Page 49
THE SPITFIRES
BY SCOTT NICOLSON
Sean Regan from The Spitfires has just hustled through traffic from work to his home in Sydney to chat. The band are about to embark on a brief, but kilometre clocking national tour which sees them promoting their new album Songs From The Debt Generation. From the cover of NME, supporting The Cribs to their revolving door of drummers, Sean gives us the lowdown on the band’s unique circumstances of formation. The Spitfires have been around since 2009, influenced by all things Britpop and UK punk. It started with the random meeting of two like-minded individuals, guitarist and vocalist Sean, originally from Liverpool, and bass player Paul Bovenkirk from Perth. Sean, in his northwest English accent, explains further. “I got bombed out by my girlfriend, I was feeling a bit down in the dumps, so I went on this porn website called Suicide Girls and Paul had a profile set up there. In the part where it says ‘What could you not live without in your life?’ he had written ‘bass guitar’ so I thought, shit, wonder if that guy wants to start a band?” Again, motivation from the ex-girlfriend dumping came in – “Starting a band, I’ll show her!” Sean describes The Spitfires’ sound as “Garage thrash with a bit of surf rock thrown in. A couple of guys, just having a bit of a rant at the world, with instruments.” Sean seems a likeable kind of guy, not taking himself or the music he makes too seriously. The band is a three-piece, so inevitably the subject of drummers
comes up early in reference to their quick overturn, replacing drummers with a greater frequency than Bloc Party. “Because we are more pretentious than them!” He continues, “I actually went round the university here the other day to try and find a drummer for the tour, as our normal drummer, well, she’s stuck in Perth. It’s just become beyond a joke, I dunno what it is, I can move Paul around, but trying to move drummers around, they just get lost, they get jobs, or they just explode, it’s the missing link.” Songs From The Debt Generation, the title of which is an obvious reference to the credit crunch and recent recessions, is the first release from the band since the Dead? Good! EP in 2010. That release was followed by a tour of the UK, a highlight of which was appearing on the front cover of the NME, Sean says. “The whole tour experience was a baptism of fire, we made no money but made every gig, despite getting lost constantly, no GPS, no mobiles, and using only
maps to drive around.” The Spitfires also toured Japan over Christmas last year and seemed to enjoy the experience. “They really like their garage rock over there, and we seemed to go down really well, got to play some Christmas street parties for the press which was a highlight.” The band’s proudest moment so far was a support slot with The Cribs, at which time Sean got to meet one of his heroes Johnny Marr. “I made a complete dick out of myself when I met him. A mate of mine was downstairs and he asked me to get a Smiths LP signed for him, so I walked up to Johnny and said ‘Johnny, would you be able to sign my Smiths record?’ even though he was playing in a completely different band.” The Spitfires prefer the live angle on music to the recorded one and when asked why, Sean says, “definitely live, as I’m more likely to get a shag out of it.” It’s this kind of light-hearted banter that recurs
throughout our chat, especially with his answer to the following question about who they would like to play with in the future, or meet. “I’d like to meet Paul Weller, and also Katy Perry so I could crack onto her”. Another thing The Spitfires seem to take not too seriously are their music videos. They combine piss-take scripts and a DIY ethos, which seems to complement the music. Bringing things back to the Songs From The Debt Generation tour, what can we expect from the Melbourne show? “It’s one of the showpiece gigs of the tour, we are all really looking forward to it. Expect garage thrash, antics. We will probably be quite well behaved for the first 20 minutes, we will be really tight, sound great and then it will descend into a big beautiful mess like it always does.”
tour of duty in Japan, they are more comfortable with what to expect this time around, although their first tour presented them with a host of pleasant surprises. The Australian music scene is supportive in its own way, but often littered with apathy and a collective “meh”. As long as you’ve got a spare set of strings or a lead, you’re in. “Last time we had absolutely no idea what to expect over there,” he laughs. “That was the really fun thing about it. This time we’re familiar with the bands we’re playing with and ‘cause we’ve sold a few CDs we know there are people who are interested in us. In the last few years we’ve played a bit more and have more confidence in being the headline band. “The crowd were crazy last time; it was absolutely mental. We played a gig at 3am in this underground club and the venue owner ended up on my shoulders singing a Clash cover we were playing. Everyone is super nice and there’s just such a respect for other bands. Last
time, before the first gig, all the other bands came and gave us all a hug and a beer and they did this big group hug and a big cheers saying ‘Good luck to The Bennies, have a great tour.’ We were shocked, normally here, you just get some guy coming up going ‘Oi, can I borrow ya fuckin’ bass amp?’ These guys were giving me a beer and wished us well.” With The Bennies’ last album PARTY!PARTY!PARTY! aging nicely, a fresh release is definitely on the cards and the band are hoping that will be sooner rather than later. “It’s nearly written now,” he says. “We’re probably about 90% through it. We’re taking a couple of months off and writing through October. Then in NovemberDecember we’re supporting Poor Habit in Adelaide and Melbourne. Hopefully, after that, we’ll have it all done.”
with my mum and my sister, and I wanted to record there before it was too late,” Smith says. “It’s a really nice house, and it hasn’t been renovated into some five story bullshit place. We did the recording out in the spare room out the back where my twisted aunty was living for a while. It was a really cool setting – we thought it suited the vibe.” After spending seven years living on the surf coast, Smith has now moved up to Melbourne permanently, though The Murlocs can still be found regularly playing alongside surf coast contemporaries The Frowning Clouds, The Living Eyes and King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard. “More and more these days we try to look for other bands in Melbourne that we like,” Smith says. “But often it’s easier to go with your mates from Geelong.” Smith admits he “weaselled his way into Gizzard.” “I always wanted to play harp in a band, and Gizzard is a great fun rock band,” he says. “I’ve been balancing both – it’s been busy, but it works out.”
Earlier this year The Murlocs achieved arguably the band’s highest career moment so far when it was invited to play on the bill at the inaugural Dig It Up! festival. “That was really cool,” Smith says. “I think one of the guys in the Hoodoo Gurus chose us. We’d already been looking at getting tickets to see bands like The Sonics who were on the bill, but then we didn’t have to.” While the temptation to get the autographs of the members of The Sonics was strong, that was left to The Frowning Clouds. “I think those guys got a heap of stuff signed,” Smith says. Not surprisingly, The Murlocs haven’t drawn up a five-year strategic plan for world domination. “In this business?” Smith says rhetorically. “I’ve always just kept persisting and things have kept evolving. But I can’t afford to stay this poor forever,” he laughs.
THE SPITFIRES Songs From The Debt Generation is out now on Firestarter Distribution. They play The Grace Darling on Saturday September 1.
THE BENNIES
BY KRISSI WEISS
With little in the way of media coverage and general industry attention, Melbourne punk-ska-party band The Bennies have seemingly slipped under the radar despite a run of impressive, albeit underground supports and a rousing reception on their first tour of Japan. Playing themselves into an early grave seemed to be doing nothing to raise the band’s profile, bassist Craig Selak says about the band’s decision to play less, with the focus of doing more for themselves. Selak is as good-natured, energetic, and down-to-earth as the band’s infectious music suggests and he seems genuinely excited about the plans The Bennies have for the rest of the year. “At the moment we’re rehearsing like three or four times a week and if we’re not at a gig we’re playing a gig,” Selak says of the band’s newfound motivation. “It’s five days a week worth of focus for us. You’d think we’d be better after that much time.” Mates since school, The Bennies began their musical life as a covers band with a party focus. Undergoing one obligatory line-up reshuffle on the path to their current incarnation, The Bennies have settled into a groove that all members feel comfortable with. “We’ve been playing together for just over four years now,” he explains of their history. “We spent the first couple of years playing over 100 gigs a year and nobody knew about us. We’d been doing all of this awesome stuff. This is gonna be the second time we’ve toured Japan, and no one’s heard of us. “We decided that we could just keep doing what we were doing and play ourselves into the ground or we could have a look at some of our mate’s bands that
were doing really well and see what they were doing. They were all playing less and actually talking about what they do. So we’ve been trying to do that now. That mindset has changed everything for us. Early in 2009, we changed from being called Madonna, and obviously had issues with the name, so we took what we’d learned from covering Love Of Science Fiction and started trying to get our own disco-punk feel happening.” While it seemed to be difficult for The Bennies to etch themselves into the fabric of the Melbourne ska-punk scene, a support slot for a successful Japanese band paved the way for their slow-burn accomplishments overseas. “A couple of years ago we supported a band from Japan called Doing Life,” he says. “It was really fun and their tour manager, who is based in Australia, told us that he takes bands over to Japan and asked if we’d come with them. We had an absolute blast and then we put out a CD over there.” With The Bennies readying themselves for their second
THE BENNIES will roll their Bail To Japan Party into Pony, Saturday September 1.
THE MURLOCS
BY PATRICK EMERY
In November 2010 three surf coast friends played their first gig at Ocean Grove’s Piping Hot Chicken Shop. The trio – harmonica player and vocalist Ambrose Smith, guitarist Callum Shortal and drummer Matt Blach had known each other since their school days. “Matt and I had played in a band together when we were at primary school – we called ourselves Blu Tac,” Smith recalls. “We played a bunch of weird covers, and we only had one gig, at an old people’s home, which was actually pretty good,” he laughs. At the risk of invoking the obvious pun, Blu Tac came unstuck, and some years later Smith, Shortal and Blach reconvened in the psychedelic-blues outfit The Murlocs. Smith, the son of Australian songwriter, performer and founding member of The Dingoes Broderick Smith, had grown up surrounded by music, particularly his father’s blues influences. “My dad had heaps of stuff around – I used to brainwash myself with his blues stuff,” Smith says. While many of his contemporaries gravitated to guitar and drums, Smith’s interest was drawn to the harmonica. “I really wanted to play harp because I was really into that sound,” Smith says. Smith says his now sharp harmonica skills are “largely self-taught.” He started off by himself, he says, “and I gradually realised how to hold and bend a note, and one day I finally got it.” Initially The Murlocs built on the rudimentary jam sessions between Smith and Shortal. “These days it’s a bit different,” Smith says. “I try and play rhythm guitar against Cal’s guitar – he’s an absolute freak!” They released their debut EP earlier this year with negligible fanfare, and a second EP made up songs left Beat Magazine Page 50
over from the band’s initial songwriting efforts has just been released. “When we did the first EP we put down the five tracks in just one afternoon, and we did those songs because we were comfortable with them,” Smith says. “The songs that are on the new EP we just wanted to get rid of them before we get sick of playing them. I think we’re already getting sick of them, so it’s good to get them out.” One of the tracks on the new EP, Bogan Grove, has an obvious local reference point. Smith, who was born in country Victoria before moving to the city, and then down to the surf coast says the idyllic beaches – which have undergone significant demographic transformation in the wake of the ‘sea change’ migratory phenomenon – has its share of sub-cultural boils. “Bogan Grove was meant to mock Ocean Grove,” Smith says. “There’s a lot of macho crap that’s going around the town. The lyrics of that song are about not wanting to be left with a bunch of losers – expressed in the nicest possible way,” Smith laughs. The new EP was recorded at Smith’s grandmother’s 1950s house in the leafy suburb of Ivanhoe. “I’d been living there
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THE MURLOCS launch their Tee Pee EP at The Tote on Friday August 31.
SPLIT SECONDS BY JAMES NICOLI
Split Seconds vocalist Sean Pollard reflects on his band’s decision to pack up their lives, leaving their hometown of Perth and settling into their new life in inner city Melbourne. “We wanted to make it easier to tour, we wanted to make it easier for our band but I think a lot of the reasons behind the move was just to push ourselves a little bit, try something a bit different, try something a bit new,” he says. The move was certainly not one that was born out of any negative feelings toward their hometown but simply, as is the case with many bands from the West, a chance to take the next step in the band’s evolution. “Perth is fantastic. It’s always going to be our home but it was just time to get out of our comfort zone,” admits Pollard. “It’s really this big warm place Perth; it’s this big warm place that you can get stuck in. You can hang out there forever and have a great time and have a great life, but we just wanted to get out there and make it a bit harder for ourselves I think.” For many bands around the country that call smaller cities home, Melbourne’s diverse, vibrant, and ever-growing music scene is always seen as an enticing prospect. More people means more venues and more bands, which offers musicians from cities such as Perth a lot more opportunity. And, hopefully, a lot more exposure. “We were kind of talking about it for a pretty long time,” admits Pollard. “It was never a snap decision, you know like at band practice, ‘Pack up because we’re going to Melbourne!’ It was definitely something that we all talked about for a very long time.” Having already played down south on a number of previous visits, it seems that adjusting to Melbourne’s music scene has come a little easier than adjusting to its winter climate. “The house that we moved into has
got a pool; we’re in Fitzroy North but it’s got a pool,” says Pollard. “So we’ve been spending all of winter maintaining this stupid pool so that we can enjoy it in summer. I haven’t been in there yet obviously because it’s freezing.” While Spilt Seconds slowly adjust to their new home and surroundings, they’ve also been rather busy with the recent release of their debut record You’ll Turn Into Me. Already having made some impact on the airwaves, the record sees Split Seconds honing their jangly indie pop and in the process creating a concept album of sorts, with Pollard managing to weave a number of stories and characters throughout the songs. “When I looked back at everything when we had finished recording and we were about to mix I was trying to think of a title for [the album], and I realised a lot of the songs are just generally about the idea of expectation, what’s expected of young adults in this day and age.” The songwriter’s approach to the lyrical content on the album was one that Pollard thought about a great deal, eventually deciding to turn each song into a short story in order to create a continuous narrative. “It’s something I’ve been toying with for a little while,
“I THINK SOMETIMES IT’S MORE INTERESTING IF YOU SPICE IT UP AND PUT A CHARACTER IN THERE. YOUR CHARACTER CAN GO ON A BIT OF A JOURNEY AND IT MAKES A LOT MORE SENSE, AT LEAST TO THE LISTENER, AT LEAST TO THE NARRATIVE OF THE SONG”
I guess as long as I’ve been writing songs. I like the idea of a song being a short story or at least being a document of an event and it’s always kind of bugged me, you know, there’s a lot of ‘hes’ and ‘shes’ and ‘Is’ and ‘yous’ in songs,” he muses. “I think sometimes it’s more interesting if you spice it up and put a character in there. Your character can go on a bit of a journey and it makes a lot more sense, at least to the listener, at least to the narrative of the song.” With the theme of expectation running throughout You’ll Turn Into Me, there’s a sense that Split Seconds have created an album in its truest sense – a collection of songs that flow seamlessly together as opposed to simply releasing a bunch of songs. Pollard’s approach to song writing also serves as a way for the listener
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to identify with the characters and stories he’s created, yet at the same time distancing himself from its narrative. “It’s a good way to draw the listener in I hope. It’s also probably a pretty good way of me avoiding looking like I’m writing about myself,” he reflects. “I think it makes it easier for me. It makes it easier to disconnect a little bit from the song, at least at the time that you’re writing the lyrics, so you’re not sitting there crying into your cup of tea, banging on about your ex-girlfriend. You’re more removing yourself, writing a story and kind of writing, almost, fiction.” SPLIT SECONDS launch their debut record You’ll Turn Into Me on Saturday September 8 at Ding Dong.
Beat Magazine Page 51
WHILE SHE SLEEPS
BY ROD WHITFIELD
Hailing from the heavily industrialised city of Sheffield in England, and taking their name from ‘girly chat magazines,’ post-hardcore five-piece While She Sleeps just arrived home from a tour of Australia with locals House Vs. Hurricane to the news they would be returning for the 2013 edition of Soundwave. And guitar player Sean Long couldn’t be happier with that situation, despite the fact that the weather will be very different across most of the country in February. “I can’t wait mate, it’s going to be sick,” he enthuses. “We’ve just come back from Australia, touring with House Vs. Hurricane and it’s your winter over there, so it was a bit chilly I guess, but in February it’s going to be boiling so I’ll be sweating my arse off!” he laughs. The tour with House Vs. Hurricane was a resounding success, so they have a very good impression of Australia and high expectations of their return. “It was good man, really good,” says Long. “We had really good reactions nearly every night. We had some fans there, which was cool, so I think it was an all-round good trip.” Sean is confident that the band will deliver something a little different from most of the other bands that punters will experience at Soundwave. “Yeah, hopefully something new and raw and powerful, and something they haven’t really heard before,” he says. “Hopefully, anyway!” he laughs. He is well aware of the size and scope of the
Soundwave lineup, and he is very excited about it. But the bands he’s most excited about seeing and sharing a bill with may surprise some, despite the presence of some of the greatest heavy hitters on the planet. “Yeah, it’s mental,” he says. “I want to see Linkin Park. I’ve never seen them, so it would be pretty cool. And I haven’t seen Blink 182 for seven years so it will be totally cool to see them too.” Despite the frivolous origins of the band’s name, their songs have quite a bit of anger and some pretty meaningful lyrics in them, and this begged the question as to what their tunes are actually about, and to what extent the town they grew up in had an effect on their music. “This latest album is something about the war, and respecting your elders and that type of stuff,” he explains. “There’s a lot about inner strength and what we’ve been through and what we’re doing, and why we do it. And then there’s a lot of stuff about the UK and what’s been going on. People don’t give a
shit about it. I guess it’s an angry album. Seven Hills is basically about where we’re from, and us knowing each other from Sheffield. Sheffield is built on seven hills, so that’s where the song title comes from.” And in keeping with the rough and ready background the band members come from, the band intentionally keep their production quite raw and real on record, in contrast with the uber-polished sounds that many of their contemporaries prefer. This can be clearly heard on their brand new album This Is The Six. “Yeah, that was an intention,” he says without hesitation. “We wanted a production but we didn’t want to lose that raw edge. That was an actual thing that we discussed with the producer, we didn’t want to be an electronic, plug in electric drums type of band. We don’t like that sort of sound, we never want to lose that rawness. I think we’ve mixed it quite
nicely. It’s a nice sounding record and it’s raw as well. “There’s a lot of bands that just sound like each other,” he opines. “I’m not digging at other bands, ‘cause that’s what they do. Even their recordings sound exactly the same, and sometimes I don’t understand how they can be okay with it sounding like so many other bands. I don’t see the point. I’m not one to judge or know, but I guess a lot of people are like ‘Well this band are blowing up, and if you listen to that tune it’s really cool, let’s try and do something like that.’”
My parents used to take me to see that as a kid, you know. Just the sound that an orchestra can put out, it’s huge. It was pretty amazing listening to an orchestra playing music that we’d written. It’s like ‘I’m standing onstage with this,’ and the next day I’m flying over and playing to people at Splendour In the Grass with Shihad, doing the ‘explodey’ rock thing. So yeah, I’ve been really busy. It’s good, I like that.” It only seems like yesterday that Shihad released their last studio album Ignite, when really it’s coming up to two years. Jon agrees that the time has flown, especially now that he’s over 40 and thinks it’s time for them to start thinking about getting something new out there. And they have some rather unusual plans for that as well. “Time flies, it’s like what we were talking about earlier,” he says. “It’s all relative to your age, it flies past, it seems like yesterday we were writing that record. It’s
insane. The idea is to write a new record, write new stuff with the guys. And then Jaz Coleman, the guy from Killing Joke who produced our first album, wants to make another record with us, but he wants to go to Cairo in Egypt and do it. Apparently that’s where the end of the world is happening, so we should go there. That sounds crazy enough to just do it.” In the meantime, head along to catch Shihad on this coming tour, as this is what you’ll experience: “We will be out to make those shows totally electrifying, bombastic and big.” That’s par for the course for Shihad as we all know, but our mouths are watering already anyway.
CD,” Doley says. “We just try to put as much attitude into half an hour, make it as rock’n’roll as possible. I think it’s important that a band’s gig is an extension of the CD. Our show is definitely a performance, we don’t stop between songs, we just carry on. It’s a high energy rock’n’roll show, the kind you don’t see much these days with the current musical climate, so we hope people take to it.” After the Aussie jaunt the band still has a very busy rest of 2012, taking them into next year as well, with writing well underway for their next album and a stronger demand from people to see the band live. “We’re currently writing and recording for album two,” he says. “When we get back from Australia I imagine there’ll
be a two or three week period where we don’t do too much, and then in October we’re going back over to Europe because we’re doing quite well in Germany as well, so we’re trying to branch out there a bit. Then we’ve got another UK tour, and then I imagine we’ll be at the stage where we’ll look at the next batch of songs, and see if we wanna carry on with what we’re doing now. We’ve got a lot of songs for the second album, so that should see the light of day sometime next year.”
WHILE SHE SLEEPS play Soundwave Festival at Flemington Racecourse on Friday March 1 alongside Metallica, Slayer, Periphery, A Perfect Circle, Anthrax and many more. It is sold-out.
SHIHAD
BY ROD WHITFIELD
The day Jonny Toogood, main man behind legendary Kiwi-Aussie hard rock act Shihad rings me, it’s his 41st birthday and he’s feeling reflective. “It’s actually my birthday today!” he announces. “It’s insane, I really don’t think that much differently than I did when I was 18. How does it happen? I actually thought turning 40 was sweet! 41 seems not so special,” he laughs. On this auspicious occasion Toogood comments on the band’s recent release, a brand new single Right Outta Nowhere. The raunchy, de-tuned shuffle is something a little unexpected from them and the different vibe to the song came from the very different approach to recording they employed this time around. “It’s all tuned down to A, which is ridiculously low,” he explains. “We actually had a Melbourne boy record us at York Street Studios, where we recorded our first three records in Auckland. We recorded it old school, in that he made us play everything live. We just did take after take after take, just like you did in the old days. We’ve never done that, we’re always like ‘Do the drums, do the bass, do the guitars, and get it absolutely spot on,’ but this time it was like ‘Here’s the track, go! Boom, nail it. Don’t fuck up!’ It was really exciting. “I think I was trying to do something like [early ‘80s UK post-punk band] The Fall,” he continues, regarding the new song, “But it turned out more like Black Sabbath or Queens Of The Stoneage. But I really like it, it’s a really fun, colourful hippy rock song. But it still kicks out the jams, it’s still rockin’.” They’ve also put out a compilation album called The Meanest Hits. “In New Zealand, we say everything’s ‘mean’, you know!” he informs us. They will tour the
country in support of the single and compilation in September, and Jon cannot wait. “We’ll be doing a longer set than usual, we’ll be representing every record we’ve ever done, including our first EP (which was released way back in 1990). It’s really fun re-learning that as a 40-year-old guy. It’s like ‘Wow! I really needed to get laid!’” he chuckles. “It’s a real mental, physical exercise, learning something like 52 riffs. The only way to do that is to be super tight, otherwise it sucks. So we’ll rehearse and rehearse and nail it.” It caps off what has been a very busy period for Jon, the band and the other members, which is exactly the way he likes it. “Yeah, we’ve [done] lots of things,” he agrees, “and aside from all that [drummer Tom Larkin] has been recording Australian bands and managing Australian bands, and I’m off doing this thing called The Adults, which is me and a whole bunch of other Kiwi musicians. We just played with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra the other day, and it was mean.
SHIHAD play the Hi-Fi on Thursday September 6. Tickets from thehifi.com.au. The Meanest Hits is out now via Roadrunner/Warner.
ALL THE YOUNG
BY ROD WHITFIELD
Most international bands come to Australia, play the major centres of Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and possibly Adelaide and Perth if they’re lucky, and then leave for the next destination on their tour. This relatively new British indie rock band are doing it a little differently though. Hitching their wagon to King Cannons’ national tour, the band play comparatively hokier places across the nation like Warrnambool, Geelong and Byron Bay, as well as the major cities. Lead vocalist and guitarist Ryan Dooley looks forward to the challenges that this might throw at them on their maiden voyage Down Under. “It’s going to be really good, because we’ll be completely unknown in Australia,” he starts. “It’s going to be like All The Young’s first UK tour, only in Australia. We’re playing the support slot to King Cannons, and they’re kind of like what All The Young are in the UK. I think we’re the second band on, or something like that. It’s really good, it’s like we’re starting again and building a new fanbase, so I’m really looking forward to that. It’s a big move for the band. It’s gonna be quite humbling because some of these guys are getting a bit too big for their boots, you know what I mean!” he laughs. In fact, it happens to be the first time to Australia for all of the band members in any capacity and it begs the question of what expectations the band has of the country in general and more specifically, the crowds they will be playing to. “I expect that the Australian Beat Magazine Page 52
people are quite welcoming. I imagine we’re going to meet a lot of friendly people who are going to be interested in meeting us, and we’re going to be interested in meeting them,” he says. “I just want to be shown around a bit, and see the Australian way of life. It seems like Australian people have got a lot of what I call ‘banter’, they like a laugh and a joke and a beer and stuff. I’m quite looking forward to meeting as many people like that as we can. “I’m very nervous because there’s going to be nights where we’re going to be playing to an audience who is just there to watch a gig, they’re going to be just standing there. Then there’ll be the odd night where the kids are going mental! That’s kind of the beauty of it all.” And so what do the punters get at an All The Young gig, since this will be the first time Australia experiences the show? “Our show’s quite a bit more intense than the
DISCUSS WHAT? BEAT.COM.AU/DISCUSSION
ALL THE YOUNG play with King Cannons at The Loft in Warrnambool on Wednesday August 29, The Bended Elbow in Geelong on Friday August 31 and Saturday September 1 at The Corner.
CORE
PUNK, SKA, HARDCORE NEWS, REVIEWS AND GOSSIP BY EMILY KELLY: EK1984@GMAIL.COM
A friend recalled to me last week how she took such great offence to the people sitting behind her DESCENDENTS at Bon Iver’s recent show, that she was forced, out of sheer desperation, to take action. Apparently the giddy girls seated directly behind her were so enamored with Iver’s auto tuned stylings that they couldn’t help but sing along to every word. Incensed that the gig she had paid so much for was being ruined by off-key screeching, she turned and reprimanded them. Always a risky move at a gig. Having a crack at your peers at a live show always opens itself up to an inebriated retaliation that hardly makes your grievances worth airing. Nonetheless the girls behind her quieted and she enjoyed the remainder of the show in peace. It made me wonder, for the billionth time, just how justified we are to complain about how those around us express their appreciation for live music. It’s such a boner killer when someone in your vicinity is being a complete twat but its mostly an unavoidable pitfall for surrounding yourself with passionate and shitfaced human beings. That said, I recently attended an acoustic gig where the entire audience sung along like some bearded, drunken version of the Still Call Australia Home ad and it was a bit spectacular. The Smith Street Band’s ability to ignite outrageous sing-alongs at The Tote last weekend had the same vibe. So when is it okay to sing your guts out?
CRUNCH! REFUSED ARE NOT FUCKING DEAD! There are only a handful of bands that people regularly talk about never getting the chance to see live, one of them being Refused. On January 9, 2012 they announced to the world that they were indeed, in their words, not fucking dead. The reunion shows have been very well received indeed, and they’re laying waste to Australia in November with dates in Fremantle, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Tickets are on sale Friday August 31 at 9am. They’re at The Palace on Thursday November 15.
GIG ALERT: FUCK I’M DEAD
Fuck I’m Dead will smash up the stage at The Bendigo Hotel in Collingwood with some gore grind thrash attack on Saturday September 1. It’ll be their first show in 15 months as they welcome back Tom on low end duties and finish off their long overdue next album: Another Gory Mess. Melbourne punk black metallers Thrall, local crust metal punk mofos Debacle and new skate-thrash crossover gnarlsters Join The Amish (featuring members of The Abandonment, Mid Youth Crisis, Embodied, A Process Of And Tricity) are the supports.
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APOCALYPTICA BY ROD WHITFIELD
In news that brings joy to the hearts of symphonic rock and metal lovers across Australia, Finnish cello-metal band Apocalyptica are finally coming to tour our nation for the first time in their almost twenty year existence as a band. Formed in 1993, the band’s original concept was summed up by the title of their debut album, Plays Metallica By Four Cellos, released in 1996. Their second album, Inquisition Symphony, also contained Metallica covers played on cellos, but was complemented by tunes from other heavy bands. By the late ‘90s they were morphing from a band that played heavy music covers into a fully-fledged original project. The band have released seven studio albums altogether, sold over four million records worldwide, toured (most of) the world many times over and had a who’s who of heavy music,
Turbonegro have confirmed sideshows for their upcoming Meredith Festival dates. The Norwegian party punks will play at Melbourne’s Hi-Fi Bar on Friday December 7. Do not miss these guys. It’s been a long time since they’re been here and it may be a long time until they return. Melbourne Soundwave is SOLD OUT. The epic headliners seem to have done the trick and now tickets are selling on Ebay for thousands of dollars. Could there be a second date for Melbourne’s music fans?
Finally. We have confirmed Refused dates. Melbourne will finally see the newly reformed Swedes on Thursday November 15 at The Palace. Tickets go on sale this Friday but be warned, they’ll sell quickly. CAN I SCREAM! Here’s a sad sign of the declining state of physical CD sales. Legendary label Bridge Nine Records are giving fans the chance to buy 20 albums for $20 on their website. Head to their webstore to buy up before August 31. Instrumental band 65daysofstatic have announced their first ever visit to Australia, performing headlining gigs down the East Coast. You can catch them at Peats Ridge Festival over New Years or The Corner Hotel on January 4.
And – in a move that will ALMOST eliminate our need to go to Meredith altogether – Hot Snakes have also announced sideshows to their Meredith performance. You can catch the newly reformed rockers at The Corner Hotel on December 7 (yep, same day as Turbonegro). Tickets are available now.
CORE GIG GUIDE WEDNESDAY AUGUST 29: Sweet Teens, Naked Bodies, Cavalcade, The Shadow League at The Tote THURSDAY AUGUST 30: The English Beat at The Corner Hotel Behind Crimson Eyes, Strickland, Glorified at Next House vs. Hurricane, Confession, In Hearts Wake at Bended Elbow, Geelong FRIDAY AUGUST 31: House vs. Hurricane, Confession, In Hearts Wake at Ferntree Gully Hotel King Cannons, All The Young, The Hello Morning at Bended Elbow Geelong Iowa, Bearhug at Gasometer Crowned Kings, Ill Vision, Declaration, Right Mind, Anchors Away at The Bendigo Hotel Hopeless, In Trenches, Distant Wreck, Tigers at The Workers Club Texas In July, For All Eternity, A Fall Between, Frontlines, Hiding With Bears, Kaine Ketelaar at Mooroolbark Community Center SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 1: House vs. Hurricane, Confession at Pier Live, Frankston King Cannons, All The Young, The Hello Morning at Corner Hotel Apocalytpica, Be’Lakor at The Hi-Fi Bar Hopeless, Outsiders Code, Colossus, Urns at Phoenix Youth Centre Fuck I’m Dead, Thrall, Debacle, Join The Amish at The Bendigo Texas In July, For All Eternity, Empire at Bang SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 2: Frank Sultana, Gruntbucket, Little Bastard and more at The Corner Hotel
METAL, HEAVY ROCK, CLASSIC ROCK
LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL GOOD SHIT WITH PETER HODGSON: CRUNCHCOLUMN@GMAIL.COM
4ARM CONFIRMED FOR HAMMERFEST V
4ARM have been invited back to the UK for Hammerfest V 2013. They’ll perform on the second stage on Saturday, March 16, joining Napalm Death, Candlemass and Enslaved, with loads more to be announced. The festival as always will run three stages and have over 50 bands performing. Drummer Michael Vafiotis says, “We’re excited to play Hammerfest for the first time and get back to the UK once again. With the new album doing great over there it will be awesome to give our fans another chance to see us live.” Hammerfest V takes place in Phwelli, Wales from March 14-17, 2013. Tickets and information for the festival are available at hammerfest.co.uk. 4ARM’s latest album Submission For Liberty is now out worldwide through Rising Records and Riot Entertainment.
NEW AGAVE MAIZE ALBUM
Australian black metallers Agave Maize have just released their new album Thrones Of Isolation. They kicked it off with a show at the Central Club in Richmond a few weeks ago. It was independently recorded and mixed by the band, and was mastered by Tim Turan in the UK.
SEYMOUR DUNCAN, STRICKY 7 KEITH MERROW GIVEAWAY
EX-ROADRUNNER EXECS PARTER WITH NUCLEAR BLAST
Nuclear Blast owner Markus Staiger has joined forces with former Roadrunner Records A&R chief Monte Conner to form a new US partnership, Nuclear Blast Entertainment. The record label will share most major operations with the existing US branch of Nuclear Blast, and they’ll announce their first signings in the coming months. Conner recently left Roadrunner after a 25-year run that saw him sign most of the successful hard rock and metal bands on the label, including Slipknot, Sepultura, Machine Head, Trivium, Fear Factory, Stone Sour, Type O Negative, Soulfly, Coal Chamber, Life Of Agony, Biohazard, DevilDriver, Deicide, Rush and Gojira. Plans are also underway to expand Nuclear Blast’s strength in the UK market and the label has now paired with former Roadrunner UK managing director, Mark Palmer, who will open Nuclear Blast’s first UK office.
and not so heavy music, do guest spots on their albums and tours – as diverse as Cristina Scabbia from Lacuna Coil, Gavin Rossdale of Bush, Corey Taylor of Slipknot and many more. They tour here in late August, early September, and while drummer Mikko Siren recognises that it’s taken them too long to get here, he couldn’t be happier that the time has finally come. “How long has it taken for us to get there!” he exclaims, “I guarantee we have tried for so many years. I cannot understand, because I’m just a drummer!” he laughs. “There’s really weird reasons why we’ve never been out there, and now we’ve just forced our management and said ‘we need to get some shows out there’. So they found a way for us to do it. “[We’re] truly excited,” he says. “I don’t think that any of us [have] even visited the country, even on holiday, so it’s a great opportunity for us to come over and play the shows. We are honestly really excited.” Being that it’s the band’s first ever time here in virtually two decades, Mikko informs Aussie fans what they are to experience at an Apocalyptica show. “We have been on tour for three years now,” he reveals. “The show has found its structure, it’s really theatrical the way we do it at the moment, and we’ve tried to do music from almost every album. We have a structure that we have to follow because of the theatrical nature of it, especially when we come to a place that we’ve never been before. We always try to play things from the older albums as well, because we know there
GIG ALERT: BTBAM, ANIMALS AS LEADERS
Between The Buried And Me have confirmed a tour spanning Japan, Australia, (They’ll be playing in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney) and New Zealand, kicking off in Japan on November 8. And as if that wasn’t enough, they’re bringing Animals As Leaders with them! It’ll be a rare opportunity to see Animals As Leaders closeup, because if they keep going the way they are, they’ll be playing much bigger gigs soon. BTBAM and Animals As Leaders are at The Corner Hotel on Friday November 16.
are fans that have been waiting for those shows for ages and they might know the band from the first album, which was a cover album of Metallica songs. So we play the Metallica stuff too.” Unfortunately for the band, no days off have been scheduled for the tour so the members can experience the country a little, which Mikko is quite disappointed about. “I’m not expecting a lot, I don’t know which asshole planned the tour, but we don’t have a single day off,” he laughs in mock anger. “It’s going to be travelling all the time! All the things I’ve heard of Australia are nothing but crazy positive, so I expect people to be happy, and of course I’m really proud to be presenting our music. I think the audience will be surprised because even though people hear us on the albums, they still don’t have a clue what’s going on onstage, they can’t believe the energy and the attitude we deliver with these instruments, and I think the surprise will be positive both ways.” Australian fans can count themselves pretty lucky for getting to experience the Apocalyptica show now, as it may be a little while before the band return with a new album and get back on the road again, as Mikko explains. “We already had a plan when we came to record Seventh Symphony,” he says.“ That was to do that album, and then do the tour, and after that we would have a one year break when we [wouldn’t] do anything. We will not be creating any new material, we won’t be doing any shows. The band has been together for 18 or 19 years constantly doing things. If we haven’t been touring we’ve been writing new stuff. The main thing in this band is
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Strictly 7 Guitars recently announced the addition of the Spectral Keith Merrow Signature Guitar to its growing line of seven and eight string guitars. This guitar features the Seymour Duncan SH-8 Invader – a humbucker that has a well-earned reputation as one of the most aggressive passive pickups ever (it also has really cool fretboard inlays inspired by Predator). To celebrate the launch of this new guitar, Seymour Duncan and Strictly 7 have joined forces to launch ‘The Strictly F#%$#@% Awesome Keith Merrow Signature Guitar Giveaway’ between August 20 and September 3. Everyone in the world will have a chance to enter to win this guitar.
SHIHAD GET MEAN
The mighty Shihad play The Hi-Fi on Thursday September 6 with The Snowdroppers and Money For Rope. Last year they released a 38-song career retrospective double-disc set called The Meanest Hits in New Zealand. The response was huge so now it’s Australia’s turn. The Meanest Hits tour is 90-plus minutes of Shihad history, divided into two parts: a first half covering their debut EP Devolve, all the way up to the self-titled third album Shihad. The second half of the show celebrates the band’s ‘big stage’ era. The Meanest Hits is out now on Roadrunner.
that we are super excited about everything we do, and we want to keep it that way, so we really need to get that break. We really need to get some fresh air. After one year we’ll see what’s going to happen, but definitely we won’t be doing anything between September 2012 and September 2013.” If you’re a Melbourne-based Apocalyptica fan you’ve missed out, because their show at The Hi-Fi Bar on Saturday, September 1 is completely sold out. But for devotees a trek interstate won’t seem so bad — this may be your only hope to catch the symphonic metal majesty that is Apocalyptica. APOCALYPTICA play The Hi Fi Bar on SaturdaySeptember 1.
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FIRST FLOOR
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.
THE SMART
393 THE DEMON PARADE
FRIDAY - 31-Aug Doors Open 8pm Supports 8:30 & 9:30 Chance Waters Live @ 10:30 tickets available on the door $12 get in early to avoid disappointment
SATURDAY - 1-Sept open 8.30pm the Kooyeh collective funk/soul/reggae/RnB/Dub free before 12 10 bucks after WEDNESDAY - 5-Sept Swing Patrol 6pm - 11:30pm THURSDAY - 6-Sept Salsa Explosion Del Barrio - 10pm til late
FRIDAY - 7-Sept NAHUATL SOUND SYSTEM Klvo 10pm (warm up dub set) Galambo 11pm (live electronica, cumbia) Arakataka 12pm (live band cumbia) Nahuatl Soundsystem 1am (live electronica - aztek, dub, techno)
Sonidero Esperanza 2am
(DJset - cumbia, techno) Lowman 3am (DJset - techno, tech house)
SATURDAY - 8-Sept
Vultures of Venus
Melbourne’s The Demon Parade have been laying low in their hometown as they put the finishing touches to their long awaited follow up EP. The band will be playing a one off special show in support of their latest single She’s Gonna Be A Star on Saturday September 1 at The Workers Club. Doors open at 8:30pm and supports come from Wildcat General Strike and The Quivers.
MAJOR ROCK HARD ABS Inspired by the KLF instructional manual How To Have A Hit Record The Easy Way and an intense, PinkFlamingo fuelled conversation at Meredith Music Festival, the concept of an album containing this collection of “ancient, alien hit records from the future” was born. Major Rock Hard Abs first single, I’m At All The Coolest Parties featuring Kylie Auldist (Bamboos) is a house party, dance floor thumper which sets the mood for what’s to come. He launches the single at The Workers Club on Sunday September 6 with guests The Genie, BJ Morriszonkle and DJ Richie 1250.
YAH YAH’S FOURTH BIRTHDAY PARTY It’s been four years since Yah Yah’s first flung open its doors to many 5am morning shenanigans on Smith Street. To celebrate their upcoming fourth birthday they’ve assembled ten wonderful acts to help throw a birthday party on Sunday September 2. The long list of special guests and regulars include garage kids the Frowning Clouds, fine rock group The Bowers and The Ronson Hang Up who share some members with the awesome Dave Larkin Band. Also joining the celebrations will be Davey Lane (You Am I; The Pictures) who is on fire at the moment as a performer, singer and songwriter and one of the best guitarists in the world – a perennial Yah Yah’s hero. Sun God Replica are Link Meanie’s other band and take up where the Bakelite Age left off: ‘70s inspired garage bliss reminiscent of Blue Cheer, King Crimson and Black Sabbath brushed with some unavoidable punk rock. The smokin’ garage rock of Richie 1250 and the Brides Of Christ will make you smile, as will the cool crunchy sifters of dirt Little Desert featuring Roman from Rocket Science. Bayou is a three girl, two boy quintet who make luscious fuzzy sounds and must be heard. The Delicates will be playing their third ever show and kicking off the celebrations – they feature some very familiar Yah Yah’s faces from behind the bar, Lorena, Kerry, Heather, Kat and Brayden – they have to play early on the birthday so they can get back to work. Doors open at 3pm so punters can spend the day and night at Yah Yah’s on Sunday September 2. They plan on making full use of their 5am license. Tickets available from oztix.com.au for $15 +bf or $20 at the door.
KING OF THE NORTH Doubleblack are appearing at The Espy’s front bar on Saturday September 1 as special guests at King Of The North’s South Side EP launch. KOTN’s sludgy riffing and Doubleblack’s rockin’ psychobilly will be a combination not to miss.
LITTLE MURDERS Get ready for some classic guitar rock as two of Melbourne’s leading power pop bands explode onto the stage on Friday August 31 at Yah Yah’s. Little Murders are a legendary mod band who released their first classic single in 1979 and whose last album in 2011 Dig For Plenty scored album of the week in a number of rock journals. Also playing will be Thee Wylde Oscars who have recently released their new album on vinyl but have also rocked their way through Europe garnering heavy praise from Spain to Germany. They will be joined by The Interceptors, the new power trio who are playing left, right and centre all over the town. Put on your dancing shoes and head on down to Yah Yah’s for an evening of total guitar pop. Doors at 5pm with bands starting at 9pm. Free entry.
THE OX AND THE FURY 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.
THE GROVES
393 Brunswick st, Fitzroy. VIC 3065 03 9419 6380 functions@firstfloor393.com.au
The Crate Digger Record Fair is back on Saturday September 1 at Yah Yah’s and will once again be running in conjunction with the Hello Sailor Vintage Fair. This time the Crate Digger Record Fair will all be in one room upstairs. That’s over 15 of Melbourne’s coolest collectors in one room with all those vinyl treats you just need to have in your collection. Downstairs is the Hello Sailor Fair where you’ll find the finest selection of stall holders, with the best vintage collections that aren’t overpriced. This is not like any other market that allows anyone selling off their recycled wardrobe – all of the stall holders’ stock is viewed and assessed for quality vintage before being accepted. This ensures that every event has only high end vintage/designer wares at an affordable price. As always, entry is free and doors open at midday.
SWEET TEENS Sweet Teens recently released a free download only album This Ain’t England & The Ominous Horror and have been bringing endless dangerous possibilities to The Tote every Wednesday of August. Catch their final weekly appearance this Wednesday August 29 at The Tote.
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 on Saturday September 8. Doors from 7.30pm.
CASH SAVAGE & THE LAST DRINKS Last time Cash Savage bundled her beloved band The Last Drinks east to Castlemaine, she took to the stage of the Theatre Royal and the crowd refused to let her go. As Cash prowled the stage, growling her signature blues, thick with country sentiment, a party ensued around her – drums, trumpet and fiddle filled the old theatre and when the music stopped, the crowd demanded more. Cash and her band, it turns out, were just as keen to kick on. After more than an hour of heartbreaking, foot-stomping and high energy show-stoppers, the Melbourne sensation that is Cash Savage found herself with a host of new fans and some very high expectations set for her. The time has come for her triumphant return to Castlemaine’s Theatre Royal. Don’t miss the Cash Savage bandwagon as it rolls into Gold Country, Friday August 31, because this time round, Cash has a lot to live up to. Cash will also be playing a very special at The Toff on Tuesday September 4 so there’s no excuse not to see the band in all their glory.
LOVE MIGRATE Love Migrate are pleased to release Making This Hard, the second installment from their debut record Plagued Are All My Thoughts, Like White Ants In The Fence. In August 2011, Love Migrate were the featured artist on triple j Unearthed on the strength of one song. In December, the band were busy supporting touring acts and preparing themselves for their debut appearance at Boogie Festival in Tallarook. The show was praised as being a mid afternoon highlight and in celebration of Making This Hard, Love Migrate play a special show at The Toff In Town on Thursday August 30 with very special guests Emma Russack and Sam Cooper. Doors open 8pm, tickets through Moshtix are $10, or $15 on the door.
Melbourne blues-rockers The Groves take the traditional blues form, electrify it, fortify it and pin it against a brick wall. The Groves draw on almost five years of experience together; guitarist Michael Lo Bianco and bassist Leigh MacDonald began writing music in high school. They quickly got Nick Reid on drums and, once Antoni Ricciardi picked up rhythm guitar and harmonica, they had found their sound. The self-titled release features slow blues jams and relentless walls of sound that almost betray the fact that The Groves are only a four-piece. What results is a collection of juggernaut tracks which show an ability to write mature and powerful songs. They launch their EP at Revolver Upstairs on Saturday September 8.
Q&A RAIN PARTY
THE CRATE DIGGER RECORD FAIR
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Define your genre in five words or less: Not quite psychedelic indie rock. Bearing the terrible clichéd nature of this question, what do you reckon people will say you sound like? Someone has once said Black Rebel Motorcycle Club fronted by PJ Harvey. What do you love about making music? I recently saw a quote which read: “The function of music is to release us from the tyranny of conscious thought”. When making music, I love the moments when you find yourself in this zone. What part of making music excites you the most? Inventing something from nothing.
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How do you balance making and playing music with your other commitments? I've managed to base my life and my job around making and playing music, so I guess there isn't much of a balance there. Maybe I’m afraid of commitment! When’s the gig and with who? We are launching our debut EP at Cherry Bar on Friday August 31, with support from Mary Of The Moon and Whipped Cream Chargers. Why should everyone come and see your band? The experience of listening to our band live is very different to hearing the songs recorded. There's an energy that you can only feel when we play live. It really can't be explained unless you experience it. How do you stop your pre-gig jitters? When I’m really nervous I tend to play a lot of guitar that day. I used to find it hard to talk to friends before a show and would hide away somewhere until I had to go on stage, but nowadays I have found that I can generally be put in a better headspace by having a laugh and hanging out with them. If all else fails, I can always count on the rider. Anything else to add? Rain Party's self-titled EP is out now through iTunes and JB Hi-Fi retailers, but you can also grab a copy for only $5 at our EP launch at Cherry Bar on Friday August 31.
CALL TO ARMS MUSIC In what promises to be an absolute night to remember, Call To Arms Music is proud to announce a solid evening of launches. Not only are they launching the record label, but they will also launch the first two releases from the label, the Declaration, Before It’s Too Late 7” EP Picture Disc, and the Right Mind, Architects Of Our Fate 7” EP, so come along and be a part of history. To round things off they have some of Melbourne’s leading up-and-coming hardcore bands in Crowned Kings, Ill Vision and Anchors Away. Get on down for one massive night of rockin’ tunes. The Bendigo Hotel, Friday August 31.
MICHAEL BEACH San Francisco-based songwriter, and one-time Melbourne resident, Michael Beach returns to Melbourne in September for a series of solo shows to promote the forthcoming release of his new album, Golden Theft. Beach plays the Portico in Ballarat on Thursday August 30, The Old Bar on Thursday September 6 (with Lower Plenty and Matt Bailey) and The Bridge Hotel in Castlemaine on Saturday September 8. Beach will also reunite with his Electric Jellyfish bandmates for the trio’s first Australian shows since their US tour earlier this year, which included SXSW appearances and supports for Feedtime. Described as “The Birthday Party covering Black Flag” by a New York reviewer, Electric Jellyfish play The Karova Lounge in Ballarat on Friday September 14 and upstairs at The Gasometer Hotel on Saturday September 15 (with High Tea, Spinning Rooms and Naked). Be sure to check them out at one of their Victorian appearances.
A SKY ON FIRE Since their inception in 2011, A Sky On Fire have forged a unique sound combining alt-rock and indie pop, with a righteous splash of ‘80s synth. With a self-released EP and single under their belts, their live show promises to be both energetic and diverse. They’ll be joined by four-piece Avantair who’ve only recently introduced themselves to the Melbourne live scene, but already their heady fusion of alt-rock and funk is making people stand up and listen. You And Your Friends will be in action as well. Thursday August 30, Pony. Doors 8:30pm.
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DECADENCE OF CAIN Decadence Of Cain is a hard metal-punk group that wants to rock your heads off. They descended on Melbourne from the dirty north to force their brand of strong technical instrumentation, arsehole-style chanting and angry fight-riffs down your throat. They recently launched their first video clip, Zombies, and it paints a good picture of what to expect at their live show. Catch Decadence Of Cain at Pony this Thursday August 30 at 1am. Free.
GRUNGE SAFARI & FRIENDS Grunge Safari have a first time every time guarantee that they will get you up when you get down. Featuring members of Tehachapi and Planet Love Sound. For a 60% stronger feel make sure you catch The Grunge Safari at Bar Open tonight. Bring some percussion and beat off. Let’s do it together. Free.
ELECTRIC MARY Top Fuel Entertainment will be very electric with Electric Mary playing their first gig in five months and having returned from a very successful Japan tour. Plus the first 300 through door get their latest two-track CD specially released for this event. DJs Diamond Deb and B On The Rocks will be spinning flaming hardedged and alternative classic tracks and The Bad Ladies Lissy Deviant and Dallas Vandal will be entertaining you with their sinister rouge rocking out cage style. Doors are at 9pm, drink specials include $5 pots and $7 bourbons between 9 and 11pm and $7 Nitro shots all night. It’s at Trak Lounge Bar this Friday August 31.
SPENCER P. JONES & THE ESCAPE COMMITTEE Emerging from the primordial soup like some swampdwelling, 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.
ALEX WATTS & THE FOREIGN TONGUE Having recently released their new single, This Haunting, which was celebrated with an East Coast tour including a launch at Melbourne’s iconic Cherry Bar, Alex Watts & the Foreign Tongue have established themselves as one of the most exciting acts in town, blending engaging storytelling with an infectious onstage energy. Performing a one-off free show at The Great Britain Hotel in Richmond on Thursday August 30, the evening will be divided into two halves; first Alex will perform a solo set, which will include several as-yet-unheard compositions intended for their much anticipated debut album, followed by a full band set. 8pm and it’s a freebie.
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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.
THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS
A SLEEPLESS MELODY Fresh off an Australian tour, A Sleepless Melody are headlining Kingston’s FReeZA Push Start Battle Of The Bands at Allan McLean Hall, Mordialloc this Friday August 31. Other bands competing include Skywriters Code, After Dark, In Dreams Like These, The Vitriols, Beneath The Lies and Escape To Neverland. Doors open 5.30pm. $8 with pass, $10 without.
After spending the summer in Hawaii channelling the ghost of Duke “The Big Kahuna” Kahanamoku, The Hawaiian Islands are back with their second album. Now that the boys are masters of both riding the big waves and crafting their catchy tropical punk rock tunes, they have decided to unleash their new album. This tropical storm is going to be hitting the shores of The Reverence Hotel on Saturday September 1. Come join the inaugural Calypso Carnival with math metal masters of the coconut Totally Unicorn, Gatherer, Stockades, The Union Pacific, Clowns and Valjean. This is set to be the biggest (and probably only) tropical festival in Melbourne this year, so head to The Reverence Hotel to ring in the first day of spring in the most summery fashion possible. Doors 5pm. Entry is $15.
FALCONIO Luke Laver created his car crash soundtrack, Falconio, from an idea cemented years earlier than their first live incarnation in 2009 at Brunswick’s Sydney Rd Festival out the front of a political print shop. The music, for most part, is instrumental melodic sounds, that swirls into violent noise, with influential nods to the post rock genre – think Mogwai, Low or Explosions In The Sky among others. The B.East, 9pm, free entry this Thursday August 30.
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Beat Magazine Page 55
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OH PEP! Olivia Hally and Pepita Emmerichs write songs about travelling and the sea and travelling on the sea (and aliens/lust). In mid-2011 Paddy Montgomery (bouzouki/mandolin), Stuart West (double bass) and Justin Olsson (kit) began playing songs with Oh and Pep. This phenomenon was called Oh Pep! After winning the songwriting award at Maldon Folk Fest for their track Fooling Around and supporting the likes of Liz Stringer at The Corner and The Vaudeville Smash at The Espy, Oh Pep! took to the studio with renowned engineer, Cam Trewin and now they’re set to take the plunge and launch their EP with special guests Canary and Staffan’s Songs (Francolin) at the The Toff In Town on Thursday September 6.
CITY VS COUNTRY
DUNE Dune is the new incarnation of Jade MacRae – former collaborator of The Sleepy Jackson and Pnau, graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium Of Music, and featured vocalist on records by Phrase, Katalyst and Space Invadas. To celebrate the release of her debut single Shoestring (out now as a free download on Soundcloud), Dune will be playing a very special single launch at The Workers Club on Friday August 31.
ODIUSEMBOWEL
MOLE HOUSE
Saturday September 1 is going to be a fierce night at Pony with the brutal grind legends Odiusembowel headlining the show. After an eventful year that included touring the USA and supporting some great bands such as Nasum, Psycroptic, Macabre and Ulcerate, Odiusembowel are sure to put on a killer show. Also thundering it out on the night are Whoretopsy with their brutal slam death, The Seaford Monster’s guttural slamming sickness and just to mix it up Disasters will bring a unique style of noisy hardcore. They’re fresh to the scene but they definitely make an impact. Hard, heavy and brutal. Doors 9pm.
Mole House is an indie pop band featuring Carla, Michael (Mad Nanna) and Pat (White Woods). They have releases out on Night People And Alberts Basement, as well as a 7’’ on Quemada Records. Midnight Caller hail from Tasmania and have recently recorded at head gap studios, with an album coming out later this year. They put the grunge back into rock. Inevitable Orbit is a cool thing from Hi God People’s Julian Williams featuring Francis Plagne and Dion Nania from Panel Of Judges. Catch these bands play at Yah Yah’s on Thursday August 30. Doors 5pm with bands starting at 9pm. Entry is $6.
HUMANS The brainchild of Spoils frontman, Sean Simmons and inner-city Casanova, Chris Chapple, HUMANS is far from the orchestrated beauty of The Spoils’ dark romanticism. Swapping violin, piano, and vocals for an 80’s drum machine, analogue synth, sampler and one guitar, HUMANS is a trip through electronica’s more primitive underbelly nodding its head towards artists like Suicide, Silver Apples and great Kraut acts of the ‘70s.
KELLY BREUER A few weeks ago the plans for Kelly Breuer’s debut EP Smile, It’s Free tour were revealed, where she will be heading out on the road to intimate music loving venues along the East Coast. Another Melbourne show has been added in October, so Kelly will now be playing Bar 303 on Saturday September 1 with Lauren Glezer and Little Wise, then returning to play the Great Britain Hotel on Thursday October 4 with Annie and Higgsy.
City VS Country (CVC) are a seven-piece altcountry band from Melbourne who recently launched their banging debut single Please Don’t Talk To Me (I’m Fucking Wasted) at Yah Yah’s to a full house, so naturally they’ve been invited back for an encore show. Playing with them will be an exciting new group from Brisbane called Blonde On Blonde. These Dylan fans write some catchy indie rock songs that at times sound a little muddy but in the best possible way. The fivepiece indie rock outfit Blonde On Blonde have had a roller coaster 12 months including gracing Los Angeles with their presence for this year’s annual Musexpo showcase alongside the likes of The Fluxx, Crystal Kid, Midnight Youth, Echotape and more. Then July saw the group take to the stage in support of INXS for four massive shows in Toowoomba, The Gold Coast and Brisbane. Also playing are The Raffaellas, a vocal based group who are inspired by Little Richard on the one hand and Paul Simon on the other. Their live show is a mix of gospel harmony and high energy rock and roll. Yah Yah’s, Saturday September 1, free entry.
THE MURLOCS Formed in late 2011 by five mates from Ocean Grove, The Murlocs have quickly gained a respected and loyal following around Melbourne. Their debut self titled EP released earlier this year received solid rotation on community radio around the country and saw their passion for classic R&B, doom guitar and fuzzed out harmonica, win fans over both young and old. In their short time together, they’ve already scored a slot at Dig It Up!, toured the country with King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard, and have supported the likes of Wavves (US), Opossum (former Mint Chicks) and Thee Oh Sees. Now The Murlocs are ready to announce their second EP, dubbed the Tee Pee EP. Recording the EP with Mikey Young (Eddy Current Suppression Ring) one weekend in a spare room at Ambrose’s place whilst playing shows in the evening, brought out the sloppy, washed garage smut that is The Murlocs. The band will launch the Tee Pee EP on Friday August 31 at The Tote.
THE MUSICIANS GUIDE Need to get your music out there? For 100 hours only you can get 95% off a package containing over $1,250 worth of music promotion tools, and discounts on mixing, mastering, distribution, duplication, publicity and much more. The deal is hosted by The Musician’s Guide, who have teamed up with 25 music companies from all over the world to create this epic package. To see a full list of what’s included in the package, or to order your pack for $69 visit themusiciansguide.co.uk/epic-deal/. Hurry though, as there are a limited number of packages available and after Wednesday September 5 this offer will no longer be available. The offer launches on Saturday September 1.
EMMY BRYCE
THE CITRADELS To celebrate drinking and good times, psychedelic and garage rock bands will be playing a show at The Tote on the Thursday August 30. For fun times, come see The Citradels, Owls of Buru, The Vouchers and Sandcastle – melting psych noise, rock garage and post-punk for your emotional and mental development.
The year is certainly shaping up to be huge for Melbourne based indie darling Emmy Bryce. Having completed a string of live shows taking in Tasmania, four capital cities, several regional shows, and a support slot for US star David Choi, Emmy will continue to wow audiences with her unique style and well crafted songs as she heads out on tour. She plays The Workers Club tonight with Lucy B and Andrew Lim.
THE AFROBIOTICS
WEEKENDER
Your personal Afro-beat doctors The Afrobiotics are playing Fridays in September at Bar Open. Each show over the month will feature a variety of other performers eithe-r supporting or collaborating with the band. Hypnotic bass lines and undulating guitars lay the foundations for fiery horn lines and vocalist Lamine Sonko’s message of struggle, peace and sheer joy. MC One Sixth (Obese Records) will join them on their first show. The second week will be a double header with Melbourne’s newest Afro-funk outfit The Seven Ups. The third show will feature dancers and percussionists Ousmane Sonko and Seydou Sow working the crowd into frenzy. And rounding off the month Papa Chango will perform, returning the favour after The Afrobiotics supported them at their recent residency.
Weekender is back at the all new Ding Dong Lounge every second Friday night from 11.30pm ‘til 7am, including this Friday August 31. Weekender has been the go-to club for the best indie music for years now. It has hosted some of Melbourne’s best and brightest up and coming bands including early shows from Jet, Temper Trap and Little Red. Weekender has featured DJ sets and guest appearances from international stars like Ian Brown, Tim Burgess and Tom Hingley to name a few. Now it enters a bright new phase as the best place to go for your late night indie drinking and dancing at the all new Ding Dong every second Friday. A super massive ‘90s special is taking place this Friday with songs from Pulp, Morrissey, Stone Roses, Weezer, Beck, Blur, Ash, Charlatans, Primal Scream, Supergrass, Eels, Breeders, Happy Mondays, Stereolab, Chemical Brothers, Suede, Elastica, Underworld, Radiohead, Beastie Boys, Smashing Pumpkins, Cranberries, The Cardigans, The Verve, Oasis and Daft Punk.
MELBOURNE FRESH INDUSTRY SHOWCASE After eight years, Melbourne Fresh at Revolver Upstairs is the longest running industry showcase in Australia. Having showcased thousands of artists over this time, the legendary Tuesday night has been a local industry hot spot for unsigned musicians and industry professionals. Running as a competition Melbourne Fresh gives away thousands of dollars in prizes at each Grand Final with EP recordings, cash prizes, CD Pressings, iTunes releases, management consultation and much more. It keeps on going this Tuesday September 4, doors at 7pm and tickets are $15 on the door.
Q&A
COOLIES FOR SCHOOLIES FUNDRAISER Why should everyone come and see your show? Everyone should come along! The more money I can raise means the more work and materials we can buy for the less-fortunate in India. Also, it is a kick-arse lineup at the cheap price of $10. Bring your mate; bring your date, or even your grandma! What makes you happiest about what you’re doing? I love the fact that I am able to thank people in the form of live music for their donations in supporting our schools aid trip to India.
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Music is often used as a means to raise awareness and funds for the underprivileged. This is where we find ourselves with an ambitious group of year 12 students hailing from De La Salle College. Using music they are attempting to raise money in order to travel to India and help build houses for the disadvantaged. We quizzed organiser Nathan Phillips.
What do you love about the Melbourne music industry? When contacting bands to play this gig I was surprised at their willingness to help me in any way they could. Every single band that I contacted helped me out, whether it was by volunteering their time to play or suggest other bands that might be interested and helping me get in contact with them. The generosity of the Melbourne bands was outstanding!
When’s the gig and with who? Our little fundraiser is taking place on Saturday September 1 at The Evelyn Hotel. The night will be headlined by Animaux, while also showcasing the delightful talents of The Pierce Brothers, Nussy and Scott Darlow.
Which band would you most like to have play your gig? There were so many bands that I wanted to play when I first started throwing this together. My most favourite band is The John Butler Trio, so I would have really liked to have got them on board for this.
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YOU’RE LOOKIN’ AT COUNTRY Local legends Laura Imbruglia and Courtney Barnett will be taking to stage at The Tote with their bands and each other to present a selection of their favourite country tracks. Albeit, this country revue will offer a twist on the usual format, with the girls exclusively singing songs by male country stars and welcoming male guests to the stage to sing the songs of country chanteuses. These male guests include Ash Naylor (Even), Davey Lane, Fraser A. Gorman, Bob Harrow (Immigrant Union), Alex Hamilton (Merri Creek Pickers) and Matt Chapman (My Left Boot). The night will be opened with a special set by Weened (Melbourne’s premier Ween tribute band), who will perform selections from Ween’s classic album 12 Golden Country Greats. Get your boots on and bring that broken heart out to The Tote on Saturday September 1 for a darn good night of country.
DANE CERTIFICATE Dane Certificate takes a night off from his recently opened theatre to perform a rare solo set of his anthemic noise control. Gary Mangred provides unsettling ukulele death-root sex-folk gag-blues, while Pronoun launches a sonic wash of head rush white melodissonance. Rhythmic decay from The Dire Ears, a minimal tech assault from a third of The Bunyip Moon. Thursday August 30, Bar Open, free entry from 9pm.
THE MIGRATIONS Melbourne’s own ‘doo-rockers’ The Migrations will be joined by harmonic folkstress Jessica Moussi and the Songbird Orchestra, along with lyrical mountain boys Black Cockatoo, at Thornbury Theatre on September 6, from 8pm. The Migrations are six friends with sonic benefits. Their intelligent tunes harken back to a bygone era with a fusion of original ‘60s rock and old delta blues. Jessica Moussi and her vocal army The Songbird Orchestra take you on a dreamy journey from Melbourne’s intimate laneway bars to dusty Middle Eastern streets and back again. The night will begin with Black Cockatoo, a bush ballad duo from a small thicket of Australian bush nestled between the Yarra Valley and Kinglake. Get ready to be taken to the wild country in the confines of Thornbury Theatre’s Velvet Room. All you need to get there is a coin of gold! Gold coin donation on entry. All proceeds go to the Banjo show. Presented by Rude Bookings. You can also catch them at The John Curtin this Thursday August 30 at 9.45pm supporting Run Rabbit Run who are unveiling a new tune, and supported by Elliot Friend. $10 entry.
LOON LAKE Loon Lake have been darting around the East Coast, launching their EP Thirty Three to rapturous crowds, selling out shows and now it’s Melbourne’s turn. Loon Lake will be launching Thirty Three over an epic three shows in their hometown next week. Limited tickets are still available to Loon Lake’s launch on Thursday August 30 at Ding Dong Lounge, however tickets to their shows on Friday August 31 at Ding Dong and on Saturday September 1st Northcote Social Club have all sold out. You’ve most likely heard Loon Lake’s current single Cherry Lips on the radio. You may have also seen the brilliant clip for the track on Rage and doing the rounds on the web. Come and see what all the fuss is about when Loon Lake launch Thirty Three, three times in Melbourne. Cub Scouts and Glass Towers will be supporting.
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FUCK I’M DEAD Fuck I’m Dead are set to smash the stage at The Bendigo Hotel in Collingwood with some gore grind thrash attack this Saturday September 1. This will be their first show in 15 months as they welcome back Tom on low end duties and finish off their long overdue next album Another Gory Mess. Set to join this crazy affair will be sick ass Melbourne punk black metallers Thrall, local crust metal punk mofos Debacle and playing their first ever gig of heavy skate/thrash crossover gnarliness, is Join The Amish, featuring members of The Abandonment/Mid Youth Crisis/Embodied/A Process Of/Tricity. Head on down.
KING OF THE NORTH Conceived in 2010, alternative, hard-rock duo King Of The North are hitting up The Old Bar this Friday August 31. Comprising of Andrew Higgs (Guitar/Vocals) and Danny Leo (Drums/Vocals), the two-piece deliver a powerful and original brand of modern rock driven by their massive sound and catchy songs. Danny’s dynamic drumming and Andrew’s effect-manipulation and multiple amp configurations lead many to believe there are more than two people onstage. Joining the two on the night will be Rattlin’ Bones Blackwood and Sheriff, entry is $10. Get down from 8.30pm onward.
SHAKY STILLS The Shaky Stills band are playing the Highlander Bar (Highlander Lane, City) on Thursday August 30, kicking off around 9pm. The room has a warm glow emanating from their friendly staff – it’s a real haven in the city, so head along and enjoy a mix of alt country and dirty blues with Shaky Stills. Also on the bill is Tom Nenna and Nelson Walkom playing from 8pm. It’s free to get in, so shake on down. The Shaky Stills new album Cold Hands Warm Heart will be available at the show also.
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 CITRADELS The Citradels will hit The Tote like a kaleidoscope sent from outer space with their brand of drone, neo-psychedelia and vivid projections. They will be opening in support of art punks Sandcastle and psychedelic new wavers Owls Of Buru. Currently recording an album and a whole lot of other stuff, The Citradels bring a shoegazey approach to psychedelia taking influence heavily from The Velvet Underground, The Black Angels and The Brian Jonestown Massacre so head along if you dig. Thursday August 30.
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RON S. PENO & THE SUPERSTITIONS Ron S. Peno & The Superstitions return to The Old Bar on Saturday September 1. Playing their first show in over three months, The Superstitions will debut some new material as they road test songs for an upcoming single release, as well as playing material from the critically acclaimed Future Universe. Very special guests for this show are Pearls and Bayou. Future Universe will be available on the night on CD and vinyl. Doors 8.30pm, entry $10.
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THE NIGHT TERRORS
THE SPITFIRES The Spitfires will be launching the RTRFM feature Album Songs From The Debt Generation with support from ScotDrakula, Sraw King Eye and Sandcastle. Featuring singles Suffer Kate, Smile and Greek Riot Squad, The Spitfires will be delivering a show packed with surf guitars, machine gun snares and fuzzed-out bass. Where you ask? The Grace Darling of course. Saturday September 1, doors 9pm, tickets $12.
RAIN PARTY On a journey driven by a desire to make music, sisters Neige and O Koppes left Sydney and travelled to New York, London and Los Angeles before finally landing back in Melbourne’s deep and thriving music scene in late 2010. It was here in the laneway capital that they met guitarist Aaron Ronaldson and Rain Party was formed. Fronted by the sweet-and-demonised vocals of Neige Koppes, the three blossomed quickly through jams, dragging all manner of sounds from their shared love of sparkling psychedelia and forbidden deeds. Eventually the talented trio stumbled upon Andrew Congues, giving new life to Rain Party from behind the kit. With his water tight rhythms and crashes, an added menacing hook grew out of their trademark sound; which rings in somewhere close to the glorious mess of bands like The Kills, Brian Jonestown Massacre and even the wails of PJ Harvey. Catch the launch of their new self-titled EP at Cherry Bar on Friday August 31 with guests Mary Of The Moon and Whipped Cream Chargers. 8pm.
THE JANE AUSTEN ARGUMENT
URTHBOY
The Jane Austen Argument are unleashing their unique mix of high drama, fierce wit and soaring harmonies this September, with a month-long residency every Monday at The Toff in Town kicking off on Monday September 3. After touring with punkcabaret legends The Dresden Dolls, a triumphant Adelaide Fringe Festival season and releasing their debut record Somewhere Under The Rainbow to widespread acclaim, each week in September they will be joined by different special guests as they unveil brand new material, as well as rearranged originals and left of centre covers. Doors at 7.30pm.
Teaming up with the incredible Daniel Merriweather, The Evelyn Hotel presents Urthboy as he sidesteps peers while exhibiting his trademark sharp flow, songwriting talents and that knack for well-crafted hooks. The concept of Naive Bravado is like a lamb with a lion’s heart; a broken down car needing a jump start. It’s not a false courage if it leads you out of the mess, anchored in running bass lines, ominous horns and monstrous percussive drums, all concocted by the brilliant collaborative production of Count Bounce and Hermitude. Supporting acts are Yung Warriors and Rainman at 9pm, happening Friday August 31.
WRONG TURN Last year they had an axe to grind and this year they just feel deranged. Melbourne rock’n’roll two-piece Wrong Turn will be making a welcome return to the Great Britain Hotel this Saturday September 1. They will be joined by The Interceptors and entry is free. Not a bad way to raise a finger to winter and welcome in spring.
DERANGED CHAMBER
THE WILD COMFORTS The Wild Comforts are a dirty country band ready to make you wish your wife left you, your dog was dead and your ute was broken so you could write country songs too. They are playing a balls-out double set at the Great Britain hotel Sunday September 2 with their returning drummer who was lost somewhere in Mexico last time they played. Catch them in full flight at 8pm for the very steep price of free.
Melbourne instrumental heavyweights Night Terrors offer a mind-melting mix of dark synth magic, thunderous dreamscapes and other-worldly electronica. Featuring the haunting theremin melodies of Miles Brown (student of Russian theremin queen Lydia Kavina), the vintage horror synths of Laura Bradfield (Heirs) and Nedd Jones, and the powerhouse drumming of Damian Coward (Heirs, Love Like...Electrocution) The Night Terrors have earned a reputation as one of Australia’s most unusual and original acts. July 2012 saw the release of 12” double A-side 12” Monster / Lasers For Eyes on OSCL Records – the first glimpse of The Night Terrors new material – moving beyond the post-prog stylings of their earlier work to focus on a broader universe of warped psychedelic electronics and the darker corners of the dancefloor. Head down to the newly revamped Ding Dong Lounge to catch the Terrors’ last Melbourne show until the end of the year. They will be showcasing songs from their forthcoming album Spiral Vortex. Joining them on the night will be the dark and wondrous sounds of fellow OSCL labelmates The Process, and the super awesome, super danceable super super-ness of Zanzibar Chanel. These guys have to be seen to be believed. Bring your dancing feet. Saturday September 1, 8pm start, $10 presale, $15 on the door if available.
GUITAR GALLERY BLUEGRASS SESSIONS 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.
STEERING BY STARS This Thursday August 30 is set to be one of the best this week with Adelaide four-piece Steering By Stars unleashing their atmospheric, dark pop/rock melodies on unsuspecting Old Bar custodians. With support coming from The Ocean Party and Where Were You At Lunch?, and tickets only $8, 8.30pm at The Old Bar is the place to be.
CRY BABY SESSIONS Cry Baby Session happens on the first Sunday of every month at The Old Bar. Watch as the venue gets transformed from a bunch of drunks acting like children to a bunch of children acting like drunks. A kid friendly day with no smoking anywhere in the venue, BBQ, Face-painting and a band to entertain the wee ones as you get to relax and have a beer with other grown ups. It all starts at 1pm start with surprise musical acts. Entry is $5, Sunday September 2.
Melbourne glitchers and button pressers join at The Gasometer this Thursday August 30. With a stellar debut EP just out, Lower Spectrum headline a night of local, downbeat and experimental electronics. Back from jaunts through Europe, wonky-beat duo How Love join the bill with lo-fi loner Vowed doing it all by himself. No drums or guitars but several computers and other devices that add to the possibility of technical meltdown. Still, most of these bands don’t play too often so it’s probably worth the risk.
LITTLE MURDERS Legendary Melbourne popsters the Little Murders return for a night of pop guitars as they join the quite brilliant Thee Wylde Oscars and new gang in town The Interceptors to blast away the winter blues at Yah Yah’s on Friday August 30. Free entry, kicks off at 9pm.
BAD VISION There’s nothing like the feeling of playing on sticky beer stained carpet. Especially when that sticky beer stained carpet has been trod upon by the majority of Melbourne’s music royalty. That’s right, there’s only one venue that springs to mind, it’s Melbourne’s sacred music oasis, and a bastion for the ragged rock‘n’rollers, the pinnacle of the local music scene – the Tote Hotel. This September Bad Vision are stoked to be playing the Tote front bar every Saturday afternoon, making a racket with their proto punk riffs and pop-trashtic melodies. Helping them with the beer spilling and noise making will be a host of special guests including Dan Trolley (Mass Cult) with his one-man punk/ new wave experience, lo-fi popsters Messed Up, party starters Clavians, two-piece sensation Valley Girls and trouble makers Quince. Entry is free and the first show happens on Saturday September 1 from 5-7pm with Dan Trolley in support. Get a six pack in you and start your Saturday night early.
CHERRY BAR Ladies and gentleman, it’s another huge week at Cherry Bar kicking off tonight with the loose Vice Grip Pussies finishing off their residency. Thursday August 30 is the night where the always soulful Stax On Soul Revue will be performing live, doors from 5pm, while indie rockers Rain Party will be launching their EP the following night, Friday August 31. Porkers will be headlining Saturday September 1's proceedings, with Chris Russell’s Chicken Walk rounding out the weekend’s festivities on Sunday September 2. Patron Saints will begin their September residency on Tuesday September 4 with two awesome sets, so with all that on there’s no excuse not to get down to Melbourne’s home of rock’n’roll, Cherry Bar.
JAMES THOMPSON Picking up the guitar at the relatively late age (for today’s standards) of 18, James Thompson has ground leaps and bounds from his early days of performing as a local New South Waler. Now the singer/songwriter is hitting up The Old Bar on Tuesday September 4 alongside Bill Jackson and Tom Crossley. Doors 8pm, entry is free.
Formed in Melbourne in 2010, Deranged Chamber are a thrash metal band striving to keep the pure ‘80s thrash metal flame burning. With a mixture of period style and classic thrash, the four-piece sound can go from classic Sabbath sounding beats to the brutal vibes of Cannibal Corpse. Following in the footsteps of their metal gods Slayer, Metallica, Sepultura, Anthrax, Testament, Morbid Angel, Death and Iron Maiden the band will be bringing the house down at The Prague this Thursday August 30.
CHASING MORIARTY
WILLOW DARLINGS
Old school rock’n’roll and heavy metal are finally coming back to Melbourne on Thursday August 30. Hard Rock riffs and copious amounts of beer are to be consumed. Head down to The Bendigo Hotel to see a cross section of what rock’n’roll should be when Chasing Moriarty, Padavona and Storming Vegas invade Collingwood.
Exploring the musical pastures from all over the countryside, Willow Darlings come together to share their unique and eclectic song writing styles and sounds – a blend of all things folk and blues. Formed in 2007 with one guitar, one drum kit and two young lads from Melbourne’s outer east, after years of working up a decent catalogue of songs and playing an extensive amount of Melbourne’s live music venues, The Feel Goods are still keeping things fresh. Both bands play, along with Alix McMillan, at The B.East on Friday August 31 with free entry from 9pm.
SARAH MARY CHADWICK
After a fun live to air on Triple R last Saturday night, Brazillionaires are set to play a local show at The Victoria Hotel on Friday August 31. The show starts at 10pm, with support from Fiendish Fowl. Free entry, and grab a meal while you’re there.
Sarah Mary Chadwick has spent the last ten years performing and recording music that shifts through the bleary, late-night landscape of the post-grunge hangover. Both solo and in former band Batrider, Sarah has gradually, through hundreds of shows, six albums and countless menial jobs, honed a songwriting vocabulary that is now in full bloom. Her first solo record Eating For Two is comprised of songs that represent the melancholy crystallisation of these long years. Her compositions, stripped of the ornamentation of other musicians, have a visceral intensity and purpose that make this her most significant work to date. Accompanied by Fatti Frances and Adam Fulton, Sarah Mary Chadwick will be launching Eating For Two at The Grace Darling Hotel this Friday August 31, tickets are $12 on the door, from 9pm.
AMANITA Four-piece, experimental band Amanita are hosting Monday nights in September at the Evelyn, playing alongside friends both new and old, including Hollow Everdaze, Grunge Safari, Esc, Sunk Junk, Vibraphonic Orchestra, Howard and Matt Kelly, kicking off this Monday September 3. Oh, and another thing, it’s free. Beat Magazine Page 58
BRAZILLIONAIRES
Q&A KELLY BREUER
ANIMAUX Music is often used as a means to raise awareness and funds for the underprivileged. This is where we find ourselves with an ambitious group of year 12 students hailing from De La Salle College. Using music they are attempting to raise money in order to travel to India and help build houses for the disadvantaged. Cue fundraiser. Stepping up to aid these students in their cause are budding local legends Animaux. The band has become something of regular in the Melbourne scene supporting the likes of Set Sail, Oh Mercy, Stonefield and tonnes more. They play infectious pop tunes driven by a wall of trumpets and saxophones. They are joined by acoustic Brother duo, The Pierce Brothers, the songstress that is Nussy and Scott Darlow. Show your support by getting down to The Evelyn on Saturday September 1 at 8.30pm.
Define your genre in five words or less: Feel-good folk. What part of making music excites you the most? There’s no downside to making music. You get time with your best mates, you get to tour in the sunshine and have a free holiday while you’re at it. But the best part is sharing the songs and getting people smiling. And I keep my day job to keep my music financially free, so I can enjoy the best parts of it and not have the stress of money hindering the creativity. What part of making music discourages you? The part where you lose sight of how you want to live your life in return for working hard to achieve success. Making music should be fun, not time-consuming or stressful. Describe the worst gig you have ever played. Before I knew what I was doing booking tours I booked a gig at what I thought was The Palais in St Kilda – having done no research on how big the venue was or how I could possibly actually fill the venue (surely you could just stick 50 posters up around town and people would come to the gig, right? Silly me at 17).– only to find that after flights were booked and we’d arrived in Melbourne, I’d actually booked The Palais in Hepburn Springs. A two-and-a-half hour drive in a hire car. Needless to say the band weren’t too happy with me that weekend.
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What's the strangest place you've ever played a gig, or made a recording? I find the best recordings are the iPhone videos the morning after a big night: when you’re in your PJs, hair a mess, singing silly covers of songs, usually still drunk from the night before, and no care for what people are thinking before you hit the ‘upload to YouTube button’. It’s music in its purest form being enjoyed without the stress of what you should look like or how you should act when you’re “working”. How do you balance making and playing music with your other commitments? It’s a bit like balancing your beverages. At gigs, after the fourth cider it’s probably best to switch to cuppa tea or there’s no chance of recovering the next day. And when teaching at my day job (I teach one-on-one vocals and guitar), after the fourth cuppa tea time, if you’re still not relaxed when the kids are driving you nuts it’s certainly time to go home and switch to cider! Mostly I try to get as much sleep at night Sunday to Wednesday as possible, and try and keep fit and eat mostly natural food to keep up with the crazy workload and excess of beverages. And in summer I spend the days in the sunshine. Sunshine fixes everything! What advice would you give to bands that are new on the Melbourne music scene? Come to Adelaide already! The folk scene is a-buzzin’. What’ve you got to sell CD-wise? My EP Smile, It’s Free (out August 31). When’s the gig and with who? Saturday September 1, at 303. With Little Wise and Lauren Glezer. 8pm and $8 entry.
SCIENCE CLUB Miles Brown (The Night Terrors) has been performing a solo residency at The Gasometer Hotel every Wednesday throughout August called Science Club. Each week has been themed on a branch of science and featured some of the best artists and DJs Melbourne has to offer, handpicked by Brown. Free CD featuring artists to first payers through the door. Entry for the final show is $8 and doors open at 7.30pm. Tonight’s theme is ‘maths’, featuring Justin Fuller, WORNG and Angel Eyes.
NAT COL & THE KINGS Live, Nat Col & The Kings have been unfurling their wings to a huge response. Over the past 18 months the band has toured nationally playing Byron Bay Blues Festival, The Indy V8 Supercars, Apollo Bay, Caxton Street Festival, Queenscliff, Broadbeach Bluesfest and many more. Their second EP Single Things debuted at #1 on iTunes and stayed there for a month. Presently, Nat Col & The Kings have just announced the release of Coming Home. The lead single from their forthcoming EP, recorded at The Grove by Josh Telford in one day. Additions to the show include Austin Busch and Bottle Of Smoke. The Evelyn Hotel, Thursday August 30, 7pm.
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CREEPSHOW HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL 2012 Attention creatures of the night. Melbourne’s biggest Halloween party, Creepshow Halloween Festival, returns to The Espy on Saturday October 20. See the entire venue transformed into a haunted mansion, playing host to seductive burlesque dancers, creepy DJs and a horde of spine-tingling bands. Performing live will be Engine Three Seven, The Khyber Belt, Ten Thousand, Over-Reactor, Bronson, Anna Salen Vs Mario Bros, Sharaya, LeBelle, I Am Duckeye, Cloud City, Massive, Kettlespider, Arcane Saints and heaps more. Dress to kill and you may just win a prize for your efforts. Be a part of Creepshow 2012, Tickets $21 available from The Espy website and all Oztix outlets.
SINISTER MINISTER
KING PARROT
Melbourne five-piece, alternative pop-rock band Sinister Minister are back at The Evelyn with a fresh sound. Having had such a good night last time they played, they are now ready to showcase some killer new tracks. It’s Spring, the party season has arrived. So make the most of your weekend and go get dancey. Supports come from Alice Blu, Acid Western and Capcha and entry is a measly $8, Sunday September 2.
King Parrot are playing host to an amazing amalgamation of hard and heavy Melbourne bands this Friday August 31 at Pony. The line up consists of Urns, Order Of Chaos, Broozer, Swidgen and Batpiss with action kicking off at 9pm. If you haven’t experienced a King Parrot live show at Pony in the 2am late slot, it’s one hell of a wild ride. Last time the floor and punters alike were covered in booze, blood and sweat, and it’s any wonder the floor didn’t collapse. This time around with an all-star cast of bands in tow, it promises to be a night of unadulterated mayhem of the highest order. Entry is $12.
THE TOWELHEADS More famous for their ball-tearing live shows than their militancy, The Exotics have finally turned. Pledging allegiance to whichever political agenda has the best costumes, they have joined forces with those Jihadists from Ji-Long, The Towelheads. Declaring a war on lame-arsed music everywhere, these groups are laying down the fundamentalist laws of rock’n’roll. Twangin’ guitars rule, primitive drums must be worshiped. No squares allowed. Disobey, and The Towelheads’ armed henchmen may get a bit twitchy. You are strongly urged to join them and demonstrate your faith in live music by engaging in extremist drinking and dancing. It all happens on Saturday September 8 at the Grace Darling Hotel.
YOUR COMPREHENSIVE LOCAL GUIDE
THE BENNIES Melbourne ska/punk band The Bennies are about to tour Japan for the second time, but before they head off for karaoke and girls with knee high socks, they’re throwing a Bail To Japan Party at Pony. Head down on Saturday September 1 at 2am for a filthy, sweaty, grindy, dancy, crowd surfy, nakedy party that only The Bennies can throw. This will be the band’s last gig in Melbourne for a few months as they’ll soon be returning to the studio to record a follow up to their acclaimed debut album PARTY! PARTY! PARTY!. Don’t miss out on a fix of late night fun with The Bennies. Free entry.
MY ECHO After a successful start to the year supporting some of our country’s finest including Bodyjar and King Cannons, as well as joining Trial Kennedy around the country on their Final Shows tour, Melbourne’s My Echo return home for one last show before they lock themselves away to complete the writing and recording of their debut full length. They are at The Evelyn Hotel on Friday September 7. Supports on the night from Strickland, Foxtrot and The Escape. Tickets are $12 at the door or via The Evelyn website.
THE CORSAIRS Sunday September 2 is gong to be a huge day on the Melbourne music calendar, with a bunch of great local bands gracing the stage at The Evelyn for a day party. Kicking off at 1.30pm, it will be a great way to make yourself feel better about the last day of your weekend by taking in some of the best tunes going around. Opening the festivities will be Doug Milledge strumming out some delicious tunes on his guitar, then its popsters The Sunsleepers, who will be followed by the energetic dance rockers The Latonas. Finally hosting the show is indie-pop craftsmen The Corsairs. These lads have been making waves all over town with their kick-ass live performance. This will be a huge day of awesome Evelyn love so get down and dance the hangover away.
DRUNKEN MOON FESTIVAL Every band playing in the Drunken Moon Spring Festival is part of a growing movement of hybridised ol’time music delivered with a blinding modern fervour. They are all distinct in their own audacious sounds, they are exceptional live performers and combined they would make a killer soundtrack for a ‘70s muscle car, slasher film. This festival is the brainchild of James Grim who has brought together a collection of the best bands he witnessed from this genre over the last year. Some you will already be adamant fans of, some you will wish you had heard of earlier. Melbourne’s Corner Hotel will be showcasing some great acts including Brothers Grim, The Blue Murders, Midnight Woolf, Kira Puru & The Bruise, Mother And Son, Frank Sultana & The Sinister Kids, Little Bastards, Gruntbucket, Papa Pilko and The Binrats on Sunday September 2. Tickets are $25 available online or from The Corner Hotel.
GOES LIVE
ENJOY LIVE MUSIC FROM SOME OF MELBOURNE’S BEST LOCAL MUSCIANS
FRIDAY AUGUST 31ST FROM 8PM
JOHN DELORD PROJECT SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 1ST FROM 4-7PM 7PM
DICKEN ST PREACHERS FROM 8PM
JAHMAKN IT FUNKY SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 2ND SHARE THE EXOTIC LATIN AND CUBAN SOUNDSS
SON 3 3-6PM RUMBA MANANA 6:20-9:30PM
SHAR THE EX OTIC LATIN &ES CUBAN SO UNDS ENJOY LIVE MUSIC FROM SOME BEST LOCAL MUSICOF MELBOURNE’S IANS
EVERY SUNDAY
SON 3 SANTIA G
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Beat Magazine Page 59
ALBUM OF THE WEEK
TOP TENS THORNBURY RECORDS
OH MERCY Deep Heat (EMI)
1. New War LP NEW WAR 2. Cut Sleeves BITS OF SHIT
WEDNESDAY 29 AUGUST
RESIDENCY - FINAL NIGHT
AGILITY
YOUNG MAVERICK THE PRETTY STRANGERS ENTRY $5, 9PM
THURSDAY 30 AUGUST SINGLE LAUNCH
NAT COL & THE KINGS AUSTIN BUSCH BOTTLE OF SMOKE
ENTRY $15 DOOR, $12 THRU MOSHTIX, 8.30PM $2.50 POTS, $5 VODKAS!
FRIDAY 31 AUGUST SINGLE LAUNCH
URTHBOY YUNG WARRIORS RAINMAN
ENTRY $30 DOOR, $25 THRU MOSHTIX, 9PM
SATURDAY 1 SEPTEMBER
LOVE, EVELYN MARKETS FREE ENTRY, 12PM
COOLIES FUNDRAISER
ANIMAUX
THE PIERCE BROTHERS NUSSY SCOTT DARLOW
ENTRY $15 DOOR, $10 THRU MOSHTIX, 8.30PM
SUNDAY 2 SEPTEMBER MATINEE SHOW
THE CORSAIRS THE LATONAS THE SUNSLEEPERS DOUG MILLEDGE ENTRY $5, 1PM
EVENING SHOW
SINISTER MINISTER ALICE BLU ACID WESTERN CAPCHA ENTRY $8, 8.30PM
MONDAY 3 SEPTEMBER
RESIDENCY - OPENING NIGHT
AMANITA ESC HOWARD ANDALUCIA BELOVED ELK
DONATION ENTRY, 8PM $10 JUGS!
TUESDAY 4 SEPTEMBER
RESIDENCY – OPENING NIGHT
SEX ON TOAST BAD TASTE THESE PATTERNS PROJECT PUZZLES DJS ENTRY $2, 8:30PM $10 JUGS!
COMING UP TIX AVAILABLE THRU MOSHTIX: AMANITA (MON IN SEP) SEX ON TOAST (TUE IN SEP CLEVER AUSTIN (WED IN SEP) RMIT VISUAL ARTS FUNDRAISER (6 SEPT) MY ECHO (7 SEPT WHITAKER (8 SEP) CARTEL – SELLING FAST (13 SEP) BLACKCHORDS – ALBUM LAUNCH (14 SEP) THAT GOLD STREET SOUND – SINGLE/VIDEO LAUNCH (22 SEP)
Success. It’s the reason why most musicians are in the music industry to begin with. What someone defines as success however varies depending on who you ask. It could be having a loyal fan base who go to all of your shows, having enough money to pay the rent or being a celebrity and trashing hotel rooms. While not indulging in typical rock star antics the Melbourne five-some (having recently added Annabel Grigg on keys) have been experiencing a considerable wave of popularity and critical acclaim in the time since releasing Great Barrier Grief last year. Whether it was the vulnerability of vocalist Alexander Dow, the warm production or a combination of both things, something seemed to click for many listeners. With expectations the highest they have been in their relatively brief career so far they release Deep Heat. The inclination for some, particularly bands trying to establish themselves, would be to stick closely to the sound that brought on the attention to begin with. Deep Heat on the other hand finds Oh Mercy expanding on what they started with Great Barrier Grief. The intimacy is still there yet their overall sound is tighter and the neurotic tendencies on the lyrical side are more reigned in. Gow has said that he wanted the album to be sexy and that he wanted to explore grooves more, which is evident. This attitude even extends to the album art, with its Mardi Gras style photo including a near to bare-breasted woman. Upon first hitting play the opening title track sounds like business as usual before the seductive rhythm intensifies, including yes – a flute solo. The said solo is performed by Steve Berlin of Los Lobos and features the opening lyric “She was always the better man/She had a magnetic majesty.” Rather mysterious and non-specific, it marks a change from the personal tone of Gow’s past work. After Deep Heat you get thrown right into Rebel Beats, an equally sexy rock anthem with more than a hint of Roxy Music and late ‘70s influences. The seducto-meter gets turned up even more on ensuing tracks like Fever. This dance-ready rock sound is guided by the experienced hand of Gerling’s Burke Reid who was recruited by the band to oversee production. His influence clearly helped them find
4. Bloom BEACH HOUSE 5. Hypnotic Lights JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD 6. Van Lear Rose LORETTA LYNN 7. Pisces Iscariot SMASHING PUMPKINS 8. Longtime Companion SONNY AND THE SUNSETS 9. Beard, Wives, Denim POND 10. Big Time BITCH PREFECT
WOLLY BULLY 1. Shelley 7” WOOLLEN KITS their inner groove as the album moves along at a breakneck speed. Among the sweaty grooves Gow is given the chance to explore his poetic leanings while steering clear of his personal life. The closing moments of the catchy My Man features a voice asking Gow if the song is driven by real life inspiration to which Gow nonchalantly replies “nah.” Meanwhile lead single Drums talks about love in an optimistic yet cautious way while the overall party vibe is bolstered by some funky horns. This makes for a change compared to a couple of tracks earlier where he talks about being stifled by love on a track appropriately titled Suffocated. By the time closer Labour Of Love slides in you know you’ve been through an experience and heard a band evolve before your very ears. ANDREW ‘HAZARD’ HICKEY
“Baby carrots are making me gay.” Stephen Colbert JULIA STONE Justine (EMI) Julia’s airy voice is anchored by a steady, metronomic guitar riff and an unhurried rhythm, warm blankets of sound that lay a protective weight across her fragile self. Her lyrics are typically dreamy and slight, a yearning here to live in California, where she will try to be kind. Her work is still ethereal but there is an underlying strength to this song, taken from Julia’s solo album By The Horns. JENS LEKMAN I Know What Love Isn’t (Secretly Canadian) Jens’ latest single is a deadpan narrative about cruising Lygon Street in a Holden, looking for ladies, listening to music and being a general single man about town. There’s a rough magic to so much of his music, but I Know What Love Isn’t is unforgivably twee and cardigan hipster friendly. The awkward exchange of giggles at the 1 minute 25 second mark is just embarrassing – is he actually pretending to laugh with a girl in the middle of his own song? Jesus, Jens, save it for the malt shop. BETH ORTON Magpie (Warner) Beth Orton’s first single in six years seems unaffected by the passage of time, flowing seamlessly from her spacious, moody folk pop of yore; trickling, sometimes breezy, pinched and anguished in certain moments. The lyrics are dark, full of hard slogs and lies, and softly-crooned suspicion. The song comes from Sugaring Season, out October 5. KYLIE AULDIST Counting On You (Tru Thoughts) Bamboos singer Kylie Auldist releases her third solo album in October and this jazzy pop tune its calling card. Her voice is full and smooth, but Counting On You is on the wrong side of the soul revival, more Weather Girls and ‘80s Aretha than Dusty Springfield or doo-wop. This sound is what happens when suburban mums get to choose the music. Expect to hear Kylie Auldist on the next Bridget Jones’ Diary soundtrack.
2. First 7” and Demos 12” UV RACE 3. Walk to the Fire 2xLP MONOSHOCK 4. Commercial Music LP FABULOUS DIAMONDS 5. Lift Weights 7” TERRIBLE TRUTHS 6. High Soft Lisp (Book) GILBERT HERNANDEZ 7. The Untimely End Of The One You Love 7” HIEROPHANTS 8. Galactic Zoo Dossier (Mag) 9. S/T 12” BRAIN CHILDREN 10. Propellers 7” FROWNING CLOUDS
AIRIT NOW 1. Go On Out, Get Back Home TIM ROGERS 2. Your Love SASKWATCH 3. Must Be Desire MOJO JUJU
Best Track: Suffocated If You Like These, You’ll Like This: Country Life ROXY MUSIC, Angles THE STROKES In A Word: Seductive
SINGLES BY SIMONE
DAVID BYRNE & ST VINCENT Who (4AD/Remote Control) David and Annie have teamed up for a major album collaboration, Love This Giant, recorded over two years in Hoboken, New Jersey. The lead single is as arch and arty as you’d hope, skewing towards David’s swinging jungle pop, loaded with farting brass and smooth humming synth. St Vincent’s heavily layered vocals cut through with a bit of feminine silk. Interesting. More fun than phenomenal. Beat Magazine Page 60
3. Medicine Man THE BAMBOOS
MYSTERY JETS Greatest Hits (Rough Trade/Remote Control) Lifted from their fourth LP, Radlands, the latest Mystery Jets single is a Brit-pop and Mersey-beat influenced ode to the day your relationship ends and you find yourself divvying up the joint record collection. From Band On The Run to The Aeroplane Over The Sea, Mark E Smith to It’s A Shame About Ray, who gets what and what did that album say about ‘us’ is ruminated over a catchy sha-la-la-la doo-wop chorus. Cute. MUSE Madness (Warner) The sixth Muse album launches with Madness, a cyber pop ballad with stuttering backing vocals and a curious wafting melody. They’ve pulled back from all the bombastic stadium rock pageantry, thank Christ, but they’re no less pompous or self-impressed here. This relatively experimental turn feels like Bowie in the ‘80s, atmospheric but also kind of navalgazing and dull, full of pointed breathing and “sexy” Billy Idol-esque vocal phrasing. Ease up on the drama, Matthew, you’re going to give yourself a hernia.
4. It’s Not Easy Being Mean GOOD HEAVENS 5. Love is a Devil LANEWAY 6. When The Moment Comes MIA DYSON 7. Ramp Up The Bleeding WE ALL WANT TO 8. My Gun THE RUBENS 9. Beautiful TZU 10. Amnesia DEAD CAN DANCE
OFF THE HIP 1. Cut Sleeves LP BITS OF SHIT 2. Researching The Blues LP REDD KROSS 3. The Curse Of Icarus LP LORDS OF GRAVITY 4. Infernal Cakewalk CD MESA COSA 5. Pebbles LP VARIOUS 6. Play Their Own Records LP THE MUMMIES 7. S/T LP/CD/CASS BRAT FARRAR 8. Ultimate Collection CD ZOOBOMBS 9. Do The Wurst CD KING SALAMI 10. Crate Digger 7” YAH YAHS
PBS TIPSHEET 1. Smoke and Mirrors JAMIE OEHLERS QUARTET FEAT ARI HOENIG 2. Subversive PATAPHYSICS 3. Special Edition HOME BREW
DAVID GUETTA FEAT. SIA She-Wolf (Falling To Pieces) (EMI) Our Sia gets to open her lungs wide on this relatively pofaced dance epic from the inimitable David Guetta. Her emotional performance hangs long in the air before David’s cult-engendering beats kick in, aching in that strobe-lit club heartache kind of way. But, as ever, Guetta is the star of the show – his deceptively simple electro crunch immediately transporting you to some debased and brilliant 5am Valhalla. The man is a genius.
SINGLE OF THE WEEK LABRINTH
Treatment (Sony) I am vaguely contemplating Parklife because of Labrinth. This is a very big deal. I hate Parklife, along with anyone under the age of 25, as both make me feel like a Zimmered-up geriatric Gargamel. But I may have to steel myself, dunk my face in a vat of glitter paint and get with the kids, because the kids love Labrinth and so do I. Like Earthquakes, Treatment is a deeply satisfying example of the epic post-modern pop pastiche – the new pop landscape dominated by Kanye, Nicki Minaj and Lady Gaga, where music is fluro and mountain-scale. Labrinth doesn’t have the ego of Kanye, the weirdness of Gaga or the menacing edge of Nicki Minaj – in fact he’s pretty earnest by rap pop standards – but his singles boom like skyscrapers, with thunderous, Coldplay-style kick drum beats and simple, life-affirming hooks – even here, where he’s talking some very odd business about heartbreak and mental health. Psychotherapy never sounded so good.
FOR MORE REVIEWS GO TO BEATTV.COM.AU/REVIEWS
4. A House Safe For Tigers LEE HAZLEWOOD 5. Clusterfunk SHUFFLE DEMONS 6. The Observer In The Star House THE ORB FEAT LEE SCRATCH PERRY 7. The Rough Guide To Salsa VARIOUS ARTISTS 8. Centipede Hz ANIMAL COLLECTIVE 9. Wiley Ways HAT FITZ 10. Sun CAT POWER
BEAT’S TOP 10 SONGS ABOUT ANIMALS 1. Animal Farm THE KINKS 2. Black Sheep Boy OKKERVIL RIVER 3. Crimson Swan PVT 4. Buckingham Rabbit SILVER JEWS 5. Killa Beez WU-TANG CLAN 6. Fable Of The Brown Ape NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEES 7. Dragonfly Pie STEPHEN MALKMUS & THE JICKS 8. Birthday Pony FUGAZI 9. Dory GRIZZLY BEAR 10. Daffy Duck ANIMAL COLLECTIVE
ALBUMS
ANGUS STONE Broken Brights (EMI) FOR MORE REVIEWS GO TO
BEAT.COM.AU/REVIEWS
ARIEL PINK’S HAUNTED GRAFFITI Mature Themes (Remote Control)
Has the pint-sized Mr. Pink finally grown up? Anyone alarmed by 2010’s rollercoasterride of an album, Before Today, would have been further baffled by trying to get their head around the hefty stack of lo-fi run-offs that make up his work before the ‘Haunted Graffiti’ days. Though hardly approaching ‘normal’, the band’s previous album was a bold step toward a cleaner sound and it revealed a warped pop genius. New album Mature Themes anticipates the ‘what will he do now?’ feeling by putting on a straight face. Early into the mix, we’re treated to earthy soft rock songs such as the striking, immediate Only In My Dreams and the wistful title track, while the album is illustrated by black-and-white portraits of the band looking super-serious and posing under bland site-specific sculptures. But then you also get lyrics like “Bring on the bogan shemales hopped up on meth” and “Gismchasm, Gasmplosion, Shooting sperm into your spine”. The genre-hopping is once again in play, forming a collection that’s fantastically all over the place and includes a fuzzy little number that’s entirely devoted to schnitzel. The final song may be a cover, but it sums up the album perfectly. Pink and DamFunk are faithful to the original Baby by Joe and Donnie Emerson, with both versions a seemingly straightforward, normal ballad, but with a Best Track: Only In My Dreams If You Like These, You’ll Like This: Before Today ARIEL sinister, unsettling undercurrent. Ariel Pink is slowly PINK’S HAUNTED GRAFFITI, Burnt Weeny Sandwich THE starting to mature, but don’t get too comfortable just yet. MOTHERS OF INVENTION In A Word: Diverse CHRIS GIRDLER
Press play on Broken Brights and within minutes you’re transported to another time, another place that seems so very far away from Melbourne… summer. In his debut solo offering, Angus Stone keeps intact the mellow folk of his previous music with sister Julia, but brings something new to the mix. With the removal of Julia’s wispy, ethereal vocals, Stone channels Bob Dylan in a much more country-and-blues influenced album. With this in mind, it is hard to narrow down a common thread in Stone’s musical blanket – from one track to another, it can take you from the gun-slingin’ twang of a guitar in album highlight The Blue Door to the fuzz of 1970s psychedelic rock in It Was Blue. In fact, It Was Blue pulls an Are You Gonna Be My Girl on us with its distinctly Iggy Pop riff. See if you can pick it. Broken Brights offers still more in the tropical bongo bop Be What You Be. It’s Xavier Rudd charm inviting us to throw off the thongs and dance around like the hippie we all know we are deep down. Stone appears as a chameleon storyteller throughout Broken Brights, adapting with each theme and musical genre. The album was recorded in studios all over the world, from a countryside cabin in Australia to the Swiss Alps, and Stone has allowed this environmental influence to shine through. His songwriting talent is clear and his delivery equally as impressive. Upon several listens of this album, the layers peel away and an astute listener will start to identify some stunning moments where vocals, lyrics and instrumentals align ever so perfectly. Stone has really given bang for the buck on this 13-track album, many of the songs over five minutes long – almost unheard of in today’s three-and-a-half minute pop world. It fits with the rambling style of Broken Brights, an extremely listenable album that will find fans of many ages and Best Track: The Blue Door tastes. If You Like These, You’ll Like This: BOB DYLAN, JOHNNY JEN WILSON CASH, XAVIER RUDD In A Word: Summer
GRAND SALVO
Slay Me In My Sleep (Preservation)
SONS.
Sons. EP (Independent) Sons.’ self-titled EP has many weird echoes of something on the edge of your memory, from your youth maybe, but the reverberations aren’t at all naive. As a debut it’s very well put together, to the point where it seems suspiciously professional for a first record – but this is likely because the band have spent a couple of years together as the successful San Fran Disco. In any event the release has some beautiful tracks, beginning with the rippling and delicate Crux. A rich piano makes its presence felt early on in the piece, accompanied by very Pyramid Song vocals, and curls seamlessly into the synths of See Me Run. The prowess of vocalist Nick Acquroff seems inspired by LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, or even The Presets’ Julian Hamilton if you can keep the swagger and lose the camp. What Are You Waiting For sounds something like a sensual Western but set on the sand, and The Fighter evokes those slow thrashing INXS tunes of yesteryear. The fake, prolonged strings are kind of annoying on closing track Carousel but even this slightly weaker tune redeems itself with good, proper surf rock washes at the end. Sons. has got a lot going for it and its poignant, mature beach sound and solid beats Best Track: What Are You Waiting For If You Like These, You’ll Like This: Oracular Spectacular will get you so ready for summer. MGMT, Torches FOSTER THE PEOPLE ZOË RADAS In A Word: Sunshowery
THE CACTUS CHANNEL
The first thing that hits you about the new Grand Salvo album is the protracted song titles. They’re so bloody long I could fill up my required word count for this review simply by listing them. This is a marked contrast to Paddy Mann’s previous album, Soil Creatures, with its pared-down compositions stripping the song titles down to a single word. This new extravagance suggests a dense, literary album but Slay Me In My Sleep (depressing album name permitting), reveals an artist with a spring in his step and romance on his mind. The sixth Grand Salvo album feels like more of a group effort than Mann’s last couple of recordings. Rather than sticking to a lonesome vocal occasionally joined by Luluc’s Zoe Randall, a chorus of voices descends to rally along for some of Mann’s surprisingly sunny melodies. Composer Nils Frahm works his magic on keys, while a more expansive instrumentation (is that a guitar solo I hear?) weaves its way through the album. Despite the fuller sound, the album retains Mann’s gentle intimacy. He has the gift of telling stories by humanising animals or bringing up a well of emotions through inanimate objects. Slay Me In My Sleep takes things further by telling one overarching story about a young thief that falls in love with his victim after seeing a photograph of her at a younger age. On closer inspection, the song titles are revealed as a single synopsis that fleshes out the delicate compositions. If Mann’s previous albums can be seen as him mastering the art of telling short stories, then Slay Me In My Best Track: He Raises Her Gently Into A Chair. She Tells Him Sleep is his affecting full-length novel. How To Make A Sling For Her Arm Using A Tea Towel. As He Works She Marvels At His Face. CHRIS GIRDLER If You Like These, You’ll Like This: The Possum Wakes At Night OLIVER MANN, 1642-1727 GRAND SALVO In A Word: Tender
Haptics (Hope Street Recordings)
For a young group of cats, it could be considered somewhat unusual that The Cactus Channel from Melbourne make music that seemingly belongs in decades well before they were born. Immediately it’s clear this ten-piece means business. Their music has been accurately described as ‘car-chase funk’ and the album opener Emanuel Ciccolini certainly backs this description up nicely. In fact, the opening three tracks all whip you up into a frenzy of finger snapping grooviness. It’s not until Budokan that things slow down to an almost reggae tempo. Augustus Pablo and Booker T & The MG’s spring to mind. Things get slightly psychedelic on Tom Has Ideas as the saxophone bleeds through some trippy organ chords. You could be excused for feeling you are being transported to another time, another place, and involuntarily ingesting some hallucinogens to help with the journey. During Boss Cat the horn jam that comes in at around the three minute mark sounds like it is about to drop into the Rocky theme. That’s the whole point – it’s potentially movie soundtrack music and it’s timeless. On Under The Birdcage, think of The Doors circa LA Woman with its structure and progression. The organ sound and production on this track has something to do with that. The track ends with a lonely spaghetti western guitar strum which stands out. Hot Teeth, the album closer is a 12-minute epic that bolts out of the gate but slowly winds to a crawl of vibes, saxophone, bass and staggered drums. There’s nothing really new going on here with Haptics, but something plainly obvious is that The Cactus Channel are incredibly talented and competent musicians. They have also managed to truly pay homage to an era and genre of music with a tight album that would stack up alongside the innovators, or close to them. Best Track: Tom Has Ideas If You Like These, You’ll Like This: THE DAP KINGS, SCOTT NICOLSON BOOKER T & THE MG’S, THE JB’S (JAMES BROWN) In A Word: Kapoww!
EVERY MONDAY
POP CULTURE TRIVIA TUES SEPT 4TH JIMMY STEWART (CLINKERFIELD) TUES SEPT 11TH
PURITY RING
Shrines (4AD/Remote Control) Megan James and Corin Roddick played piano and drums prior to the formation of Purity Ring, but you would be hard-pressed to find either of those instruments present on their debut, Shrines. Instead, they’ve immersed themselves in a glitchy, R&B-influenced sound that is remarkably slick and assured for a first effort from a pair of young musicians. The odd, conjoined song titles (Crawlersout, Fineshrine, Saltkin) may recall label-mates Cocteau Twins, but this Canadian duo have more in common with the new wave of ethereal pop that takes its cues from hip hop. The poetic, often surreal lyrics have a freeform quality, taking on the subject of love through either enveloping someone or being enveloped by them. “Cut open my sternum and pull my little ribs around you,” invites James on album highlight Fineshrine, while Saltkin’s swinging chorus is “There’s a cult inside of me.” In the gorgeous closing track Shuck, James offers to “take up your guts to the little shed outside.” It sounds much less creepy when delivered in her sweet, angelic voice. The music also gets its power from the interplay between the sweetness of the vocals and the harsher elements of the music and lyrics. Roddick’s beats manage to echo the amorphous subject matter, with the spaces between the beats having as much impact as the beats themselves. Shrines creates Best Track: Fineshrine If You Like These, You’ll Like This: jj No.2 JJ, Echoes Of a fantastical world with much to explore, but it’s also grounded and instantly inviting. Silence THE WEEKND, Vespertine BJORK In A Word: Smooth CHRIS GIRDLER
THURS AUG 30TH
RUN RABBIT RUN THE MIGRATIONS AND ELLIOT FRIEND FRI AUG 31ST
BABY BIRD
RICH DAVIES
THE ZANES, SEVEN YEAR ITCH, AND SIMON WINDLEY
TUES SEPT 18TH
SAT SEPT 1ST
(RICH DAVIES & THE DEVILS UNION)
LITTLE WISE DUO TUES OCT 2ND SEAN SIMMONS (THE SPOILS)
FABULOUS DIAMONDS ‘COMMERCIAL MUSIC’ RECORD LAUNCH PEOPLE PERSON AND WHITE HEX
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FRI SEPT 7TH
NEIGHBOURHOOD YOUTH
FAIRCHILD REPUBLIC (BRIS) HOTEL ON MAYFAIR AND PACK BEARS SAT SEPT 8TH
THE UNION PACIFIC
THE UNION PACIFIC W RISE OF THE RAT, FIREARMS AND THE SINKING TEETH THU SEPT 13TH
PAPERHOUSE ‘SINGLE LAUNCH’ SQUAREHEAD, CANARY AND WE WOULD SLEEP FRI SEP 14TH
FRANCOLIN & KIERAN RYAN (DOUBLE HEADLINE) - COMING LATER -
19/9 INTERNATIONAL ‘TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY’ WITH JIMMY STEWART 15/9 VOLTERA ‘EP LAUNCH’ W BARREL OF MONKEYS (CAN), DIVE INTO RUIN AND COLD DIVIDE 21/9 CHARLES BABY + GUESTS 22/9 DICK DIVER W GALAXY FOLK AND VERY SPECIAL GUEST
Beat Magazine Page 61
GIG GUIDE WEDNESDAY 29 AUG ROCK/POP
AGILITY + THE PRETTY STRANGERS + YOUNG MAVERICK Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. $5. BOYRED + KIM MYER + SHIVERING TIMBERS Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $5. COLLAGE - FEAT: ANOXICERA + JAILBIRD JOKERS + KANE HILL + THE ELLIOTS Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm. EMMY BRYCE (SINGLE LAUNCH) + ANDREW LIM: SINGLE LAUNCH + LUCY B Workers Club, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. GRUNGE SAFARI Bar Open, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. KUMAR SHOME & THE PUNKAWALLAHS + FEL ANDUR + JESSE WITNEY John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:00pm. MASSIVE + BIG BANG BABY + KRISTY JINX + PRETTY VILLAIN Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 8:00pm. $7. SCIENCE CLUB - FEAT: MILES BROWN + ANGEL EYES + JUSTIN FULLER + WORNG Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 7:30pm. $8. SEEKAE + KANGAROO SKULL + THOMAS WILLIAM Corner Hotel, Richmond. 8:00pm. $25. STEP PANTHER + PIRATES ALIVE + THE LAUGHING LEAVES The Liberty Social, Melbourne. 7:30pm. SWEET TEENS + CAVALCADE + NAKED BODIES Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. THE UNKIND + IGOYA + SORDID ORDEAL Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm. VICE GRIP PUSSIES Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.
ACOUSTIC/COUNTRY/BLUES/FOLK ACOUSTICS ANONYMOUS The 86, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. DAVEY LANE Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 9:30pm. LITTLE BASTARD + DEAD WATER CITY + THE MATTY GREEN BAND Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $8. MAKA KHAN + DUDES WITH TROWELS Gertrudes Brown Couch, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10. MATT GLASS + STRAYTHREAD Veludo Bar & Restaurant, St Kilda. 9:00pm. MIGHTY SUN The Resurrection, Brunswick East. 7:30pm. NED KELLY AWARDS - FEAT: THE UNGRATEFUL DEAD Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. OPEN MIC Dancing Dog, Footscray. 7:00pm. OPEN MIC Thornbury Local, Thornbury. 8:00pm. OPEN MIC Great Britain Hotel, Richmond. 9:00pm. OPEN MIC Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm.
OPEN MIC Elwood Lounge, Elwood. 8:00pm. OPEN MIC Ontop In Ormond, Ormond. 8:30pm. OPEN MIC Musicland, Fawkner. 8:00pm. OPEN MIC & JAM NIGHT Grind N Groove, Healesville. 8:00pm. PLAY LIKE A GIRL Wesley Anne, Northcote. 6:00pm. THE ALYSIA MANCEAU TRIO + HEAD HONCHO Standard Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. WINE WHISKEY WOMEN - FEAT: COOKIE BAKER + SARAH CARNEGIE Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 8:00pm.
JAZZ/SOUL/FUNK/WORLD MUSIC BOHJASS + THE DIEGO VILLALTA BAND + THE MIHOKO ABE BAND 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. DIZZY’S BIG BAND Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond. 8:00pm. $14. GEMMA TULLY & THE THORNBIRDS Open Studio, Northcote. 9:00pm. MO SESTO (CD LAUNCH) Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $20. THE ROB BURKE QUARTET Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 8:30pm. $15.
THURSDAY 30 AUG ROCK/POP
1AM LATE SHOW - FEAT: DECADENCE OF CAIN Pony, Melbourne. 1:00am. A SKY ON FIRE + AVANTAIR + YOU & YOUR FRIENDS Pony, Melbourne. 8:30pm. ADAM HYNES Elwood Lounge, Elwood. 8:00pm. APES + AIRCRAFT + BELLASTRADES Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 8:00pm. $6. ART & CRAFT + YOLKE Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm. BEN WILLIAM Some Velvet Morning, Clifton Hill. 9:00pm. CARTA EXTREMIS + EARTHWORM + LINT + POISON FISH Idgaff Bar & Venue, Abbotsford. 8:00pm. DUNE (SINGLE LAUNCH) + CLIENT LIASON Workers Club, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. FALCONIO The B East, Brunswick East. 9:00pm. IN A MEMORY (EP LAUNCH) + ASLEEP AT LAST + LIKE WOLVES + YOUR WORLD IN RUINS Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 8:30pm. $10. LITTLE WISE + AL PARKINSON + JUDE PERL BAND Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $10. LOON LAKE (THIRTY THREE TOUR) + CUB SCOUTS
Brothers Grim
DRUNKEN MOON SPRING FESTIVAL Okay guys, deep breath, it arrived. Spring is here. We made it. Pat on the back here, handshake there, a sly fist pump under the table. That’s the way. Now let’s really celebrate. James Grim has brought together a selection of the best bands he has witnessed this year who cross the lines between rockin’/blues/’abilly/gospel/filth and so on. Ol’ time music delivered with a blinding modern fervour, including Brothers Grim & The Blue Murders, Midnight Woolf, Kira Puru & The Bruise, Gruntbucket and more. It’s at The Corner Hotel this first Sunday of spring, September 2. + GLASS TOWERS Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. LOVE MIGRATE + EMMA RUSACK + SAM COOPER Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $10. LOWER SPECTRUM + HOW LOVE + VOWED Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. MOLE HOUSE + INEVITABLE ORBIT + MIDNIGHT CALLER Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. $6. NAT COL & THE KINGS + AUSTIN BUSCH + BOTTLE OF SMOKE Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 7:00pm. $12. OVERLOAD Musicland, Fawkner. 7:30pm. $10. PADAVONA + CHASING MORIARTY + STORMING VEGAS Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $8. PRONOUN + DANE CERTIFICATE + GARY MANGRED + THE DIRE EARS Bar Open, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. RUN RABBIT RUN + ELLIOT FRIEND + THE MIGRATIONS John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:00pm. SPEAR BRITTANY + ANY LAST WORDS + DERANGED CHAMBER + STONE DESERT The Prague, Thornbury. 8:00pm. STEERING BY STARS + THE OCEAN PARTY + WHERE WERE YOU AT LUNCH? Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $8. THE CITRADELS + OWLS OF BERU + SANDCASTLE + THE VOUCHERS Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:30pm. THE ELLIOTS + DECLAN CONNOR SYKES Veludo Bar & Restaurant, St Kilda. 9:00pm. THE ENGLISH BEAT + DJ ST PAULI + LOONEE TUNES Corner Hotel, Richmond. 7:30pm. $49. THE MAIN GUY & THE OTHER GUYS + MOB QUEENS Edinburgh Castle, Brunswick. 9:00pm. THE PLAYBOOK + DOLLAROSA + EMERSON + THESE CITY LIGHTS Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm. THE SPRINKLES OF THE SANDMAN LAUNCH PARTY - FEAT: EASTLINK + AUSMUTEANTS The Liberty Social, Melbourne. 8:00pm. THE UNIVERSAL (EP LAUNCH) + THE NEIGHBOURHOOD YOUTH + WE THE PEOPLE Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 7:30pm. $10. THNKR + BOSSMAN DJS + SQUAREHEAD + THE PRETTY LITTLES The Luwow, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $10. VELMA GROVE + CHLOE TURNER + THE MEN THEY CALL JAYNE Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. $5.
ACOUSTIC/COUNTRY/BLUES/FOLK ACOUSTIC NIGHT - FEAT: TIM BRAUN 29th Apartment, St Kilda. 9:00pm. ALEX WATTS & THE FOREIGN TONGUE Great Britain Hotel, Richmond. 8:00pm. CAM BUTLER Acmi, Melbourne Cbd. 7:45pm. $15. CHRIS RUSSELL’S CHICKEN WALK Labour In Vain, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. JIMI HOCKING’S BLUES MACHINE Fleece Hotel, South Melbourne. 8:00pm. MIC CLUB Espy, St Kilda. 9:00pm. OPEN MIC Acoustic Cafe, Collingwood. 6:30pm. OPEN MIC Arcadia Hotel, South Yarra. 7:00pm. SEAN MCMAHON + ALEX LASHLIE Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 8:00pm. SPENCER JONES & THE ESCAPE COMMITTEE + THUNDERBOX Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. STEVE PARKIN Wesley Anne, Northcote. 6:00pm. THE TRACY MCNEIL BAND Tago Mago, Thornbury. 9:00pm. THORNBURY GOES COUNTRY - FEAT: GREEN’S DIARY ANGEL ENSEMBLE + ALISON FERRIER + DI WATSON + RACHEL BYRNES Thornbury Theatre, Thornbury. 7:30pm. TULAHLAH + SUNK JUNK Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 8:30pm.
JAZZ/SOUL/FUNK/WORLD MUSIC ANDREW NOLTE & HIS ORCHESTRA Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond. 8:00pm. $14. EQ Cape Cafe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. JOHN RILLEY Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 8:00pm. $20. MOTOWN THURSDAYS Fashion Lounge, Melbourne. 5:00pm. PETER GEOGHEGAN’S STRAIGHT AHEAD 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. $10. RBS LIVE (MELBOURNE UNCOVERED) Red Bennies, South Yarra. 7:00pm. $10. Beat Magazine Page 62
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REMCO KEIZJER & ANTON DELECCA QUARTET Uptown Jazz Cafe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. SALSA EXPLOSION - FEAT: DEL BARRIO First Floor, Fitzroy. 10:00pm. SARAH MCKENSIE Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 8:00pm. $25. STAX ON SOUL REVUE Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $10. SYZYGY Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm. THE JACK PANTAZIS GROUP Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $15. THE OVEREASYS Claypots Evening Star, Melbourne. 7:30pm. THE SHANNON BARNETT QUARTET Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 8:30pm. $15.
FRIDAY 31 AUG ROCK/POP BABY BIRD + CHILDREN IN BLOOM + SIMON WINDLEY John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:00pm. BACK IN THE DAY - FEAT: ELECTRIK DYNAMITE + ROCKET QUEEN Portland Hotel, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. BEARHUG + CUT + IOWA Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. COVERS NIGHT - FEAT: EINSTEIN TOYBOYS Musicland, Fawkner. 7:30pm. $10. CROWNED KINGS + ANCHORS AWAY + DECLARATION + ILL VISION + RIGHT MIND Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $12. DARYL BRAITHWAITE + PETER CHAPMAN Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 8:00pm. $30. DIVISIONS + DISASTERS + FREE WORLD + OUTLINES + TERM FOUR Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. ELECTRIC MARY + DJ B ON THE ROCKS + DJ DIAMOND DEB Trak Lounge Bar, Toorak. 9:00pm. $20. FREEZA BATTLE OF THE BANDS - FEAT: A SLEEPLESS MELODY + AFTER DARK + BENEATH THE LIES + ESCAPE TO NEVERLAND + IN DREAMS LIKE THESE + SKYWRITERS CODE + THE VITRIOLS Allen Mclean Hall, Mordialloc. 5:30pm. GIN WIGMORE (GRAVEL & WINE TOUR) + HOUNDS HOUNDS HOUNDS + JACKSON MCLAREN & THE TRIPLE THREAT Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 8:30pm. $20. HER? + THE RUN RUN The Hammy, Melbourne. 8:00pm. HOPELESS + IN TRENCHES + OUTSIDERS CODE Workers Club, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. HOT AUGUST NIGHT - FEAT: PETER BYRNE The Palms, Southbank. 7:15pm. $79. HOUSE VS HURRICANE (CROOKED TEETH TOUR) + CITY OF SIRENS + CONFESSION Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully. 7:30pm. $20. HOWLIN’ STEAM TRAIN & THE PRETTY LITTLES + HOWLIN’ STEAM TRAIN + THE PRETTY LITTLES + BLONDE ON BLONDE + MAX SAVAGE + PAPA PILKO & THE BINRATS Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm. IN A MEMORY + DRIVEN TO THE VERGE. LIKE WOLVES + EMERSON The Prague, Thornbury. 8:00pm. JASPORA + DJ JUMPIN’ JOSH + ZELIA ROSE The Luwow, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $5. JOSE FELICIANO Palais Theatre, St Kilda. 7:30pm. $88. KING OF THE NORTH + DJ CISCO ROSE + RATTLIN’ BONES BLACKWOOD + SHERIFF Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10. KING PARROT + BATPISS + BROOZER + DJ THROBULATOR + ORDER OF CHAOS + SWIDGEN + URNS Pony, Melbourne. 9:00pm. LA DANSE MACABRE - FEAT: BRUNSWICK MASSIVE DJ COLLECTIVE Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. LOON LAKE (THIRTY THREE TOUR) + CUB SCOUTS + GLASS TOWERS Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $12. NAT COL & THE KINGS + DAVID KNIGHT + TOM RULE Ruby’s Lounge, Belgrave. 8:00pm. $12. PEGAZUS - FEAT: PEGAZUS` + DAMNATION’S DAY + DESTROY SHE SAID + WHITE WIDOW Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm. $15.
PENNY HEWSON + DEAD SALESMEN DUO + JEREMY GRONOW Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $10. RAIN PARTY (EP LAUNCH) + MARY OF THE MOON + WHIPPED CREAM CHARGERS Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $13. RORT + BLOOD RULE + GUTTERGODS + TRENCH SISTERS Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. SARAH MARY CHADWICK (ALBUM LAUNCH) + ADAM FULTON + FATTI FRANCES Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. $12. SEEKAE + KANGAROO SKULL + THOMAS WILLIAM Corner Hotel, Richmond. 8:30pm. $25. SLOWJAXX & HIS FLYING BONG BAND + CENTRE& THE SOUTH + LIEUTENANT JAM Barleycorn Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $5. THE BEACH BOYS (50TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR) Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne. 8:00pm. $100. THE DARK ALES + VICUNA COAT Tago Mago, Thornbury. 9:00pm. THE FEEL GOODS + JORDAN IRELAND + WILLOW DARLING The B East, Brunswick East. 9:00pm. THE MAIN GUY & THE OTHER GUYS + CELIA CHURCH + THE STIFFYS Cornish Arms, Brunswick. 9:00pm. THE MURLOCS (TEE PEE LAUNCH) + AUSMUTEANTS + BAPTISM OF UZI + THE LIVING EYES Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. THEE WYLDE OSCARS + LITTLE MURDERS + THE INTERCEPTORS Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. URTHBOY (NAIVE BRAVADO LAUNCH) + RAINMAN + YUNG WARRIORS Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. $25.
ACOUSTIC/COUNTRY/BLUES/FOLK DAN KROCHMAL + FONTAINE + FRANK DIXON + SOL Noise Bar, Brunswick. 8:30pm. $12. HEATHER STEWART Wesley Anne, Northcote. 6:00pm. JESS PORTER + BABERAHAM LINCOLN Bar Betty, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. JESSIE & HIS HUCKLEBUCKERS Gem Bar, Collingwood. 8:00pm. JIMI HOCKINGS BLUES MACHINE Brycees Tavern, Mooroolbark. 9:30pm. JOHN LILLIS + CITRUS JAM Balaclava Hotel, Balaclava. 8:00pm. KELLY AUTY BAND Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 9:30pm. LARK + LUCAS MICHAILIDIS Open Studio, Northcote. 7:00pm. RENAE BRENNAN Elwood Lounge, Elwood. 9:00pm. STEPHEN MCCULLOCH Wesley Anne, Northcote. 8:00pm. THE BLUEJAYS + DJ TRAFFIC JAM + FRANK SULTANA Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 10:00pm. THE F100S Highway 31, Brunswick. 8:00pm. THE MERRI CREEK PICKERS Penny Black, Brunswick. 9:30pm. TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC SESSIONS - FEAT: DAN BOURKE Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 6:00pm.
JAZZ/SOUL/FUNK/WORLD MUSIC ALLENSWORTH Baha Tacos & Tapas Bar, Rye. 8:00pm. CANNONBALL Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 9:30pm. $25. EL MOTH Bar Open, Fitzroy. 10:00pm. LISA HUNT’S FOREVER SOUL Thornbury Theatre, Thornbury. 8:00pm. $25. LO-RES + ADAM SIMMONS’ ORIGAMI + UNCLE E 303, Northcote. 8:30pm. $10. TAVARES The Night Cat, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. THE PUBLIC OPINION AFRO ORCHESTRA + CUMBIA COSMONAUTS + DJ JUMPS + DJ MANCHILD Prince Bandroom, St Kilda. 9:00pm. $15. THE RITA SATCH BAND Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 8:30pm. $25. TRIO AGOGO 303, Northcote. 6:00pm.
SATURDAY 1 SEP ROCK/POP 2AM LATE SHOW - FEAT: THE BENNIES + DJ MR SHARP Pony, Melbourne. 2:00am. AC/DSHE + LOST PATROL + THE RELATIVES Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm. APOCALYPTICA + BE’LAKOR The Hi-fi, Melbourne. 8:00pm. $51.
LOON LAKE Put your cherry on your lips and shake those sexy hips, tonight’s your chance to dance. Well, not tonight exactly. But soon. Loon Lake (aka Australia’s answer to The Strokes) are midway through their first national headlining tour in just over a year, and the time is nigh for the indie-rockers’ hometown return. With a fresh new EP and a stack of sold-out shows under their belt, the boys will no doubt be dancing up a celebratory storm when they hit Ding Dong Lounge on Thursday August 30. With the following two shows already sold out, this is your last chance to join them.
BAD VISION + DAN TROLLEY Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 5:00pm. BANG - FEAT: TEXAS IN JULY + EMPIRE + FOR ALL ETERNITY Royal Melbourne Hotel, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $20. BLACKFEATHER + BLACKSHAWS BEAT + JOHN BACON BLUES + LUV YA LIVE + PULL MY FINGER + ROSS HANNAFORD + TATTOO ROSE + TERMINAIDER + THE FRANTIKS + ZU ZU TOP Noise Bar, Brunswick. 12:00pm. $20. CLAMPDOWN Rochester Castle Hotel, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. COOLIES - FEAT: ANIMAUX + THE PIERCE BROTHERS + NUSSY + SCOTT DARLOW Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10. DEAR ALE + GREEN GREEN GREEN + KIRK SHEARER Idgaff Bar & Venue, Abbotsford. 8:00pm. FAMOUS DIAMONDS (ALBUM LAUNCH) - FEAT: FABULOUS DIAMONDS + PEOPLE PERSON + WHITE HEX John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:00pm. $12. FUCK I’M DEAD + DEBACLE + JOIN THE AMISH + THRALL Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $12. HONEY BADGERS + NAKED BODIES + TOLD YOU I WAS ILL Cornish Arms, Brunswick. 8:00pm. HOT AUGUST NIGHT - FEAT: PETER BYRNE The Palms, Southbank. 7:15pm. $79. HOUSE VS HURRICANE + BURY THE FALLEN + CONFESSION Pier Live, Frankston. 8:00pm. $20. HOUSE VS HURRICANE (U18S) + BURY THE FALLEN + CONFESSION Pier Live, Frankston. 12:30pm. $20. I CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S NOT THE PORKERS + LOS CAPITANES + TOPNOVIL Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $13. JAMIE HAY + LINCOLN LE FEVRE + MARICOPA WELLS Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. KASHMERE CLUB + ARTIST PROOF + KASHMERE CLUB Penny Black, Brunswick. 9:30pm. KING CANNONS (ALBUM LAUNCH) + ALL THE YOUNG + THE HELLO MORNING Corner Hotel, Richmond. 8:30pm. $17. KING OF THE NORTH + DOUBLE BLACK + PHIL PARA + TABULA RASA + THE BLISTER TRANSISTOR Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm. LOON LAKE (THIRTY THREE TOUR) + CUB SCOUTS + GLASS TOWERS Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 8:30pm. MEAT LOAF TRIBUTE BAND + POLE DOG TRIVIA Musicland, Fawkner. 7:30pm. ODIUSEMBOWEL + DISASTERS + THE SEAFORD MONSTER + WHORETOPSY Pony, Melbourne. 9:00pm. PAN + GEN & FLORA + MATING SEASON Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. RON S PENO & THE SUPERSTITIONS + BAYOU + DJ
The Frowning Clouds
YAH YAH’S 4TH BIRTHDAY Four whole years ago, Yah Yah’s opened its doors to Smith St, giving punters a safe-and-flailing haven of a hideout open ‘til 5am on weekends. A good time venue. A gig venue. A “wow, it’s 3am, where shall we go?” venue. Bless it. A bunch of members of the Yah Yah’s family are gathering there for a little birthday party on Sunday September 2, with ten acts between 3pm and 5am, including The Frowning Clouds, The Bowers, Dave Larkin Band, Davey Lane and more. It’s going to be a good time, again. Tickets are available from Oztix. KEZBOT + PEARLS Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10. RUBY FROST + LOST WEEKENDS + POLO CLUB + PRIVATE LIFE + RED LEADER Espy, St Kilda. 9:00pm. SIMPLE DAY + CASINO KIDS + MATT CHAPMAN + MOOSEJAW RIFLE CLUB + ROCKY & NANCYS Blue Tile Lounge, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. THE BLACK ALLEYS + CLUB CRAIN + FAITH & GASOLINE + THE MIND FLOWERS The Prague, Thornbury. 8:30pm. $7. THE BLACK SORROWS Palais, Hepburn Springs. 8:00pm. THE DEMON PARADE + THE QUIVERS + WILDCAT GENERAL STRIKE: SINGLE LAUNCH Workers Club, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS (CD LAUNCH) + CLOWNS + GATHERER + STOCKADES + THE UNION PACIFIC + TOTALLY UNICORN + VALJEAN Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 5:00pm. $15. THE IVORY ELEPHANT + DJ DAVE THE SCOTT + SHERIFF + THE LOWRIDERS Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 7:00pm. THE KILLJOYS Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 9:00pm. THE LEATHERBIRDS The B East, Brunswick East. 10:00pm. THE NIGHT TERRORS + THE PROCESS + ZANZIBAR-
74 JOHNSTON ST FITZROY 9417 4155
www.theoldbar.com.au OPEN EVERY NIGHT 12PM - 3AM FREE WI FI
Wednesday 29th August
LITTLE BASTARD
MATTY GREEN BAND, DEAD WATER CITY 8:30PM $8
Thursday 30th August
STEERING BY STARS - LAUNCH THE OCEAN PARTY WHERE WERE YOU AT LUNCH?
8:30PM $8
Friday 31st August
KING OF THE NORTH RATTLIN’ BONES BLACKWOOD SHERIFF, DJ CISCO ROSE
8:30PM $10
Saturday 1st September
BALACLAVA HOTEL 123 Carlisle Street, St Kilda East VIC 3183, Ph: (03) 9531 2709 www.facebook.com/BalaclavaHotel, Twitter: @BalaclavaHotel
- AUG 31ST -
RON S PENO & THE SUPERSTITIONS PEARLS, BAYOU DJ KEZBOT
8:30PM $10
Sunday 2nd September
JEMMA & HER FINE YOUNG AMBITIOUS MEN
- SEPT 7TH -
JASON SEEMAN
BEN SMITH
WITH
WITH
CITRUS JAM
AL PARKINSON
GARETH EUNSON & THE BIG SMALL VAN & CAL DJ MATT STABS
Monday 3rd September
GUITAR GALLERY BLUEGRASS NIGHT JAM SESSION & BAND
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
8PM $6
8PM FREE
VHS CLUB: BATES MOTEL
6PM FREE
CROTCHETY KNITWITS CHEAP JUGS ALL NIGHT!
6PM FREE
Tuesday 4th September
JAMES THOMSON BILL JACKSON, TIM CROSSLEY
8PM FREE
band bookings: bandbookings@theoldbar.com.au
SUBMIT YOUR GIGS TO GIGGUIDE@BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 63
DAVE REX NEW QUARTET Uptown Jazz Cafe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. KELLY BREUER + LITTLE WISE + ROKEBY VENUS 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. $8. OLD MEDECINE Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm. REBECCA BARNARD & THE MOVIN’ & GROOVIN’ SWINGTET The Flying Saucer Club, Elsternwick. 8:00pm. $23. SATURDAY ACOUSTIC REVUE - FEAT: LILY & KING + ANTHONY YOUNG + ROD FRITZ Chandelier Room, Moorabbin. 8:00pm. $10. SOULFEAT Tony Starr’s Kitten Club, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. $5. TAMARA KULDIN’S DIRTY MARTINI Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 9:30pm. THE BULLETTES + DJ BARBARA BLAZE + DJ NAUGHTY The Luwow, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $10. THE LISA MILLER TRIO + ASH DAVIES + SHANE O’MARA Labour In Vain, Fitzroy. 5:00pm.
THE ENGLISH BEAT The year was 1977, and storming onto the scene with their politically-charged messages set to a mash-up of reggae, soul and ska elements, Dave Wakeling and The English Beat quickly cemented their place as a highly influential band in the British Two-Tone Ska Movement. It was something of a surprise when they broke up only six years later, but fast-forward to 2012, and not only has Mr Wakeling kept The Beat alive and well since reforming the band in 2009, but he’s decided to bring it down under for the first time ever. Sure, they share a name with a particularly brilliant Melbourne publication, but that’s only one of several reasons why this legendary band is worth checking out. The sold-out show takes place at The Corner on Thursday August 30. And so the beat goes on… CHANEL Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $15. THE POPE’S ASSASSINS + QUANG DINH + THE DOGS OF THOMAS PARK + WINSON GREEN Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $7. THE SPITFIRES + SANDCASTLE + SCOTDRAKULA + STRAW KING EYE Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. $12. THE STEVENS + FULL UGLY + HOT PALMS Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. TONI CHILDS Thornbury Theatre, Thornbury. 8:00pm. $53. WOLFPACK + BOMBING ANGELS + FREAKS OF THE DEEP + SPEW N’ GUTS + THE JACKS Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. WRONG TURN + THE INTERCEPTORS Great Britain Hotel, Richmond. 9:00pm. YOU PEOPLE + LIKE DEELERS Tago Mago, Thornbury. 9:00pm.
ACOUSTIC/COUNTRY/BLUES/FOLK BAKERSFIELD GLEE CLUB Union Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. BEWARE! BLACK HOLES! Town Hall Hotel, North Melbourne. 10:00pm. CHRIS WILSON Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 8:00pm. $18. CITY VS COUNTRY + BLONDE ON BLONDE + THE RAFFAELLAS Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. FANNY LUMSDEN’S & THE THRILL SEEKERS Pure Pop Courtyard, St Kilda. 4:00pm. HORNETS Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 9:30pm. LYRICAL (BREAKING & ENTERING) - FEAT: FOX &
SUI + LOST ANIMAL + MARIA MINERVA Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $25. LYRICAL (FROM THE GROUND UP) - FEAT: DAVID BRIDIE + EVA POPOV + KATE FAGAN Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 4:30pm. $25. MURDENA + LAKE PALMER Penny Black, Brunswick. 5:00pm. OPEN JAM Open Studio, Northcote. 4:30pm. SCOTTISH KISS + FOX ROAD Bar Betty, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. SHANE DIIORIO + MATTHEW CARR Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 4:00pm. SPOONFUL Post Office Hotel, Coburg. 10:30pm. SUNLARK Wesley Anne, Northcote. 5:30pm. THE CARTRIDGE FAMILY Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 4:00pm. THE MISERABLE LITTLE BASTARDS Union Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. THE STAFFORDS + THE MIGHTIEST OF GUNS Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. XENOGRAFT + RAINBOW MASSACRE + ROSSENMOFF Gertrudes Brown Couch, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10. YOU’RE LOOKING AT COUNTRY - FEAT: COURTNEY BARNETT & THE COUNTRY BARNETTS + ALEX HAMILTON + ASH NAYLOR + BOB HARROW + DAVEY LANE + FRASER A GORMAN + LAURA IMBRUGLIA + MATT CHAPMAN + WEENED Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm.
JAZZ/SOUL/FUNK/WORLD MUSIC CANNONBALL Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 8:30pm. $25.
SUNDAY 2 SEP ROCK/POP CRAVEN SOULS Idgaff Bar & Venue, Abbotsford. 8:00pm. DRESSED TO CHILL + PRETTY VILLAIN 303, Northcote. 3:00pm. $16. DRUNKEN MOON FESTIVAL - FEAT: BROTHERS GRIM & THE BLUE MURDERS + KIRA PURU & THE BRUISE + MIDNIGHT WOOLF + MOTHER & SON + FRANK SULTANA + GRUNTBUCKET + LITTLE BASTARD + PAPA PILKO & THE BINRATS Corner Hotel, Richmond. 6:00pm. $25. FANNY LUMSDEN & THE THRILL SEEKERS (EP LAUNCH) Workers Club, Fitzroy. 2:00pm. HUMANS + LIFE MODELS Tago Mago, Thornbury. 5:00pm. LAST DRINKS FAREWELL PARTY - FEAT: K-MART WARRIORS + STRAWBERRY FIST CAKE + THE HALF PINTS + BOMBS ARE FALLING + THE MURDERBALLS + THE SAVAGES + WHERE’S GROVER? Barleycorn Hotel, Collingwood. 4:00pm. NAI PALM + DJ PERCY VALENTINE Bar Open, Fitzroy. 4:00pm. PUSSY RIOT BENEFIT - FEAT: TERRIBLE TRUTHS + GLOW + SPITEHOUSE + WET LIPS Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. SIMPLE DAY Bar Open, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. SINISTER MINISTER + ACID WESTERN + ALICE BLU + CAPCHA Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $8. STEERING BY STARS + DAN WEBB Pure Pop Courtyard, St Kilda. 3:00pm. SUNDAY SINGER-SONGWRITER SESSIONS - FEAT: PAUL BARRY + NICOLETTE FORTE Chandelier Room, Moorabbin. 4:00pm. THE CORSAIRS + DOUG MILLEDGE + THE LATONAS + THE SUNSLEEPERS Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 1:30pm. $5. THE MAIN GUY & THE OTHER TWO GUYS + THE WEEKEND PEOPLE + TOM DICKINS Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 4:00pm. THE UNKIND Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. YAH YAH’S 4TH BIRTHDAY - FEAT: FROWNING CLOUDS + BAYOU + DAVEY LANE + LITTLE DESERT + RICHIE 1250 & THE BRIDES OF CHRIST + SUN GOD REPLICA + THE BOWER + THE DAVE LARKIN BAND + THE DELICATES + THE RONSON HANG UP Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 3:00pm. $15.
ACOUSTIC/COUNTRY/BLUES/FOLK BACKWOOD CREATURES Labour In Vain, Fitzroy. 5:00pm.
JAZZ/SOUL/FUNK/WORLD MUSIC ANDY & KATE SUGG GROUP Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 8:00pm. $15. BLACK JESUS EXPERIENCE The Horn African Music Lounge, Collingwood. 7:00pm. LOUISA RANKIN Lui Bar, Melbourne. 3:00pm. OPA! 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. $5. POLLEN TRIO Uptown Jazz Cafe, Fitzroy. 2:00pm. THE JOCHEN RUECKERT TRIO Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 8:30pm. $18. THE MELBOURNE COMPOSERS BIG BAND Gertrudes Brown Couch, Fitzroy. 2:00pm. $10.
MONDAY 3 SEP ROCK/POP AMANITA + ANDALUCIA + BELOVED ELK + ESC + HOWARD Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.
60 SECONDS WITH…
60 SECONDS WITH…
BEARHUG
EL PANGA HECHAVARRIA FROM SON 3 AND SANTIAGO SON
Define your genre in five words or less: Pop, fuzz, sad, slide, footstare. Describe the worst gig you’ve ever played. We played in front of two very strange people in Wollongong a day after our album release. One of them did a bizarre wolf whistle/mating call before every song while the other coldly stared at us. We drank shots of tequila mid set and sang a cover of Sweet Jane with Aaron Curnow from our label Spunk Records. During our last song some projectionist started playing hardcore pornography behind us, leading to everyone feeling uncomfortable. We packed up, drove home, and never spoke of it again. Describe the best gig you’ve ever played. See above. Do you have a pre-gig ritual? Scouring whatever town we are in for a park to drink long necks with local town folk/murderers. What can a punter expect from your live show? A guitar band that WON’T kidnap and kill you. What have you got to sell CD wise? Bill, Dance, Shiner. It has the singles Angeline and Over The Hill. When’s the gig and with who? At The Gasometer Hotel with Iowa on Friday August 31. Beat Magazine Page 64
BENDIGO BLUES & ROOTS MUSIC FESTIVAL SHOWCASE - FEAT: MCALPINE’S FUSILIERS + RHYTHM KINGS + SALVADOR + COLONEL VIPER’S WHIPSTICK BAND + TALISA JOBE + THE DIRBUSTERS Newmarket Hotel, St Kilda. 8:00pm. CHRIS RUSSELL’S CHICKEN WALK + DEAN MULLER + RYAN’S CHILI CON CARNAGE Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 2:00pm. CHRIS WILSON Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy. 4:00pm. DAVE LARKIN Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm. DUTCH TILDERS CELEBRATION DAY - FEAT: WOMBAT KEEP THE FAITH + THE KELLY AUTY BAND Manhattan Hotel, Ringwood. 8:00pm. FAB TOLLI Elwood Lounge, Elwood. 6:30pm. GALLIE & SHANNON BOURNE + WAZ E JAMES BAND Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 4:00pm. JAMS Musicland, Fawkner. 3:00pm. JEMMA & HER FINE YOUNG AMBITIOUS MEN + GARETH EUNSON & THE BIG SMALL + VAN & CAL Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $6. JIMI HOCKING Rising Sun Hotel, South Melbourne. 4:00pm. JONNIE MURPHY Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm. JOSHUA SEYMOR & GEORGE HYDE + ALIX MCMILLAN The B East, Brunswick East. 7:00pm. MADDY SERONG Carringbush Hotel, Abbotsford. 4:00pm. MOONEE VALLEY DRIFTERS + KEN MAHER & TONY HARGREAVES Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 5:30pm. NOAH EARP Open Studio, Northcote. 7:30pm. PHIL PARA DUO Bay Hotel, Mornington. 3:00pm. POISON FISH + CRAIG WILLIAMS + PARMY DHILLON + PIGTAILS Barleycorn Hotel, Collingwood. 6:00pm. SONGWRITERS IN THE ROUND Wesley Anne, Northcote. 2:00pm. $8. SUNDAY JAM - FEAT: BOB STARKIE Noise Bar, Brunswick. 8:00pm. THE KEIRON MCDONALD COMBO Gem Bar, Collingwood. 8:00pm. THE LARGE NO 12S Standard Hotel, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. THE SIDESHOW BRIDES Union Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. THE STETSON FAMILY Post Office Hotel, Coburg. 4:30pm. THE WILD COMFORTS Great Britain Hotel, Richmond. 8:00pm. THREE KINGS + CHRIS RUSSELL’S CHICKEN WALK Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 7:00pm. UNDER THE ANNEXE - FEAT: TOM RULE + STEREO KINGS Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 3:00pm. $10.
SUBMIT YOUR GIGS TO GIGGUIDE@BEAT.COM.AU
Define your genre: Percussionist who plays original Cuban rhythms from the heart of Santiago De Cuba. What do you love about making music? I come from a musical family, my brothers and sisters all play and my father too. Music has been in my soul from birth. What do you hate about the music industry? Sometimes I feel the industry standards are not where they should be. If you could travel back in time and show one of your musical heroes your stuff, who would it be and why? Michael Jackson, I believe he was my brother from another mother. For real, we are connected. Musically we work the same. What can a punter expect from your live show? High energy Latin feel, dance ‘til you drop. When’s the gig and with who? Sunday September 2 at Iddy Biddy in St Kilda with Son 3 and Santiago Son. We play every Sunday. How long have you been gigging and writing? Working for 20 years worldwide in varied shows, Lady Salsa and Sonora La Calle being the biggest. Also lucky to work with the original Buena Vista Club, back in the day. Which band would you most like to have a battle/ showdown with? Earth Wind & Fire – classic band with awesome rhythms.
YOU’LL FIND US AT 99 SMITH STREET FITZROY PH: 9419 4920 YAHYAHS.COM.AU BOOKINGS: MARY@BAROPEN.COM.AU
FRI 31 AUG
THU 30 AUG
MOLE HOUSE MIDNIGHT CALLER INEVITABLE ORBIT
SAT 1 SEP HELLO SAILOR VINTAGE & CRATE DIGGER RECORD FAIR
FREE ENTRY
THEE WYLDE OSCARS
OPEN THU, FRI, SAT, SUN, 5:00PM TO LATE WITH DJs SPINNING YOUR FAVOURITE SOUL, 60s, ROCK’N’ROLL, SURF & GARAGE ALL NIGHT
FREE ENTRY
NOON - 6.00PM / FREE ENTRY LATER:
CITY VS COUNTRY
LITTLE MURDERS THE INTERCEPTORS DOORS 5.00PM / BANDS 9.00PM / FREE ENTRY
BLONDE ON BLONDE THE RAFFAELLAS
TASTY CAKES
LATE TUNES: LATE / FREE ENTRY
DOORS 5.00PM / BANDS 9.00PM / FREE ENTRY
FANTA PANTS
TUNES: LATE / FREE ENTRY
DOORS 5.00PM / BANDS 9.00PM
THE FROWNING CLOUDS, THE BOWERS, RONSON HANGUP, DAVEY LANE, DAVE LARKIN BAND, LITTLE DESERT, SUN GOD REPLICA, BAYOU, RICHIE 1250 & THE BRIDES OF CHRIST, THE DELICATES DOORS 3.00PM / TICKETS ON SALE NOW FROM OZTIX OR AT THE DOOR
OPEN 317 BRUNSWICK STREET FITZROY WWW.BAROPEN.COM.AU 03 9415 9601
THU SEP 6:
BLUE SUN (EP LAUNCH) AXOLOTL, LEENA FRI SEP 7:
THE EUPHORIACS (EP LAUNCH) PARADING, SPINNING ROOMS METALLIC K.O. SAT SEP 8 / FREE ENTRY:
STEVE LUCAS PRESENTS “A NIGHT OF X MUSIC” NEON AND VENOM
SUN SEP 9 & 16 / FREE ENTRY:
SMOKE MACHINE
2 SETS
THU SEP 13 / FREE ENTRY:
TEAL CLUB CRAIN, ARTALIAH THE SOULENIKOES
THU SEP 20 / FREE ENTRY:
SUN 2 SEP - YAH YAH’S FOURTH BIRTHDAY!
BAR
COMING UP
HOUNDS HOUNDS HOUNDS FRI SEP 21 / FREE ENTRY:
THE EXOTICS
SAT SEP 22 / FREE ENTRY:
OCEAN PARTY SAT NOV 3:
KNIEVEL
WED 29 AUG RESIDENCY / 8PM
SWEET TEENS FINAL WEEK! W/ GUESTS
NAKED BODIES, CAVALCADE THU 30 AUG
THE CITRADELS
OWLS OF BERU, THE VOUCHERS SANDCASTLE WED 29 AUG
SAT 1 SEP
MON 3 SEP
GRUNGE SAFARI
TROPICAL SPACE LAB: CUMBIA COSMONAUTS
SCREEN SECT FILM CLUB
8PM / FREE
7PM
THU 30 AUG
SONIDERO ESPERANZA
TUE 4 SEP
PRONOUN
10PM / FREE
MAKE IT UP CLUB
DANE CERTIFICATE THE DIRE EARS GARY MANGRED
SUN 2 SEP / ARVO
NAI PALM
(RESIDENCY)
DJ PERCY VALENTINE
9PM / FREE
FRI 31 AUG RESIDENCY LAST NIGHT OF RESIDENCY:
EL MOTH
7PM
ESID
COMING UP
4PM / FREE / DOWNSTAIRS
THE AFROBIOTICS PLAY EVERY FRIDAY IN SEPTEMBER! SAT 8: SOL NATION THUR 6: WHITE WOODS / PAGEANTS
SUN 2 SEP / NIGHT
SIMPLE DAY & GUESTS
10PM / FREE
7.30PM / FREE
BOOKINGS: LUKE@BAROPEN.COM.AU
FRI 31 AUG UPSTAIRS / 8PM:
KITTY ROCKS BUMP ‘N’ GRIND DOWNSTAIRS:
THE MURLOCS
EP LAUNCH
BAPTISM OF UZI, THE LIVING EYES AUSMUTEANTS SAT 1 SEP RESIDENCY / 5 - 7PM
BAD VISION W/ GUEST
LATER:
DAN TROLLEY
“YOU’RE LOOKIN’ AT COUNTRY”
COURTNEY BARNETT & THE COUNTRY BARNETTS, LAURA IMBRUGLIA & BAND W/ GUESTS ASH NAYLOR, DAVEY LANE, FRASER A. GORMAN, BOB HARROW, ALEX HAMILTON, MATT CHAPMAN SUPPORTED BY WEENED (A TRIBUTE TO WEEN) SUN 2 SEP
“Shout ‘til you’re a little horse” 68-70 LIL’ COLLINS ST. MELBOURNE WWW.PONY.NET.AU 03 9662 1026
THU 30 AUG
A SKY ON FIRE AVANTAIR YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS
8.30PM
DECADENCE OF CAIN
FRI 31 AUG
URNS ORDER OF CHAOS BROOZER SWIDGEN BATPISS
SAT 1 SEP
ODIUSEMBOWEL WHORETOPSY THE SEAFORD MONSTER DISASTERS
9.00PM
9.00PM
1.00AM FREE TUNES:
2.00AM FREE TUNES:
2.00AM FREE TUNES:
2.00AM FREE
3.00AM FREE
3.00AM FREE
GEEK PIE
KING PARROT THROBULATOR
SAT 29 SEP
WOLFPACK 2AM
THE BENNIES MR SHARP
Rockin ‘til 7:00am! BOOKINGS: ANDY FANTAPANTS@BAROPEN.COM.AU PH: 9417 2326
COMING SOON THURS 6 SEPT (LATE SHOW): HUMANS AS ANIMALS FREE ENTRY FRI 7 SEPT: SCOTDRAKULA, THE PRIMARY, THE STEINS, LANDS FRI 7 SEPT (LATE SHOW): SATIVA SUN, FREE ENTRY SAT 8 SEPT: SCRAYFISH, DIXON CIDER, CRACKWHORE, KING’S CUP, THE BLACK ALLEYS SAT 8 SEPT (LATE SHOW): WESTERN STARS, FREE ENTRY FRI 14 SEPT: THE MORNING AFTER, DIRTY ELVIS, CATFISH VOODOO, THE DIE CASTS FRI 14 SEPT (LATE SHOW): MONKS OF MELLONWAH (SYD) FREE ENTRY SAT 15 SEPT: POISON FISH, PIGTAILS, PUSH TO TWIST, MASTER_BETA SAT 15 SEPT (LATE SHOW): NOIZEBUNNY, FREE ENTRY FRI 21 SEPT: HUMONIC, INTERNAL NIGHTMARE, THE SEAFORD MONSTER, INVOLUNTARY CONVULSION
THE LEGENDARY PONY LATE SHOW / THE LATEST GIG IN TOWN / FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS / 2:00AM / FREE ENTRY SUBMIT YOUR GIGS TO GIGGUIDE@BEAT.COM.AU
THE UNKIND
W/ GUESTS
TUE 4 SEP FRONT BAR RESIDENCY / FREE
BAT PISS
TIX ON SALE NOW FROM TOTE FRONT BAR & OZTIX.COM.AU: FRONT END LOADER FRI 7 SEP POISON CITY WEEKENDER FEST 2012 FRI 14 SEP - SOLD OUT! GARY CLARK JR (USA) THU 27 SEP - SELLING FAST! KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD SAT 6 & SUN 7 OCT BIG FREEDIA (USA) SAT 20 OCT C&B TORTURE (GER) FRI 11 JAN 2013 TOTE MERCH ON SALE NOW / AVAILABLE FROM FRONT BAR: 2012 CALENDARS / T-SHIRTS / STUBBIE HOLDERS / STICKERS NEW! ‘PERSECUTION BLUES: THE BATTLE FOR THE TOTE’ DVDS ON SALE NOW! COMING SOON: FRI 7 SEP: FRONT END LOADER
71 JOHNSTON STREET (CNR WELLINGTON ST) COLLINGWOOD PH: 9419 5320 BAND BOOKINGS: AMANDA@BAROPEN.COM.AU WWW.THETOTEHOTEL.COM
TOTE OPEN: TUESDAY - SUNDAY 4.00pm ‘TIL LATE
Beat Magazine Page 65
King Cannons
+ BEAT PRESENT... whatson@thepush.com.au
SEEKAE
KING CANNONS, ALL THE YOUNG It only took them three years, but Melbourne six-piece King Cannons have finally released their debut full-length album The Brightest Light. The album itself was worth the wait, but their announcement of an accompanying national tour featuring UK indie-rockers All The Young (who, coincidentally, also just released their debut album) makes it all the more exciting. Two awesome rock bands from two very different places, packing all of their long-awaited goodness into one room on one night. Interested? Then get your butt down to The Corner this Saturday September 1. Oh, and not that they need any more support, but The Hello Morning will be there too. CHERRY JAM Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. MONDAY NIGHT MASS - FEAT: MONTERO + BUM CREEK + SCHOOL OF RADIANT LIVING Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 6:00pm. THE JANE AUSTEN ARGUMENT + CAITY FOWLER Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $10.
Arguably one of the best acts to come out of Australia in recent years, Sydney-bred electronic outfit Seekae have been well and truly taking the world by storm. Following the release of their new album +Dome earlier this year, the three-piece will be returning home for a string of intimate East-coast shows next month. The list of adjectives that have been used to describe Seekae’s shows is endless, and this text box is very small, so we’ll just say that this is one not to be missed and leave it at that. (Note: If you have, in fact, missed out on the first Melbourne show, then fear not, for a second Melbourne show has been added at The Corner tonight, Wednesday August 29. Again: not to be missed).
60 SECONDS WITH…
THE DEMON PARADE
FESTIVAL SPOTLIGHT
DRUNKEN MOON FESTIVAL
ACOUSTIC/COUNTRY/BLUES/FOLK ACOUSTIC SESSIONS - FEAT: SIMON & TRISTAN Veludo Bar & Restaurant, St Kilda. 8:30pm. BLUEGRASS NIGHT & JAM SESSION Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. SECRET MONDAY ACOUSTIC SHOW Labour In Vain, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. THE 509’S Post Office Hotel, Coburg. 8:00pm. THE QUARRY MOUNTAIN DEAD RATS + MAX SAVAGE Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm.
JAZZ/SOUL/FUNK/WORLD MUSIC BENNETTS LANE BIG BAND Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 8:30pm. $15.
TUESDAY 4 SEP ROCK/POP ACOUSTIC SESSIONS - FEAT: MARK MERCY KILLS Veludo Bar & Restaurant, St Kilda. 8:30pm. BRUNSWICK DISCOVERY - FEAT: SHABON + BJ WINTERS + SVENS Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm. CASH SAVAGE + SAM COOPER Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $10. PATRON SAINTS Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.
ACOUSTIC/COUNTRY/BLUES/FOLK DAN WATKINS DUO Labour In Vain, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. JAMES THOMSON + BILL JACKSON + TIM CROSSLEY Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. KLUB MUK 303, Northcote. 7:30pm. MARY WEBB + CURTIS WHYY Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 8:30pm. MELBOURNE FRESH INDUSTRY SHOWCASE Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 7:00pm. $15. OPEN MIC Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 7:30pm. OPEN MIC Wesley Anne, Northcote. 7:00pm.
JAZZ/SOUL/FUNK/WORLD MUSIC MAKE IT UP CLUB Bar Open, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. SALT LAKE CITY Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm. THE COFFIN BROTHERS Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 8:30pm. $15. VCA CONTEMPORARY MUSIC PERFORMANCE Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 7:30pm. $8.
CLASSIFIEDS
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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 Beat Magazine Page 66
Festival name: Drunken Moon Festival Define the vibe of the festival in a few words: Rockin’ bluesabilly filth torque action. What bands are playing? Brothers Grim, Midnight Woolf, Kira Puru and the Bruise, Mother and Son, Little Bastard, Gruntbucket, Papa Pilko and the Binrats, Frank Sultana and the Sinister Kids. What do these bands have in common? They are all amazing performers, are influenced by the best elements of rock, blues and garage and combined they would make a dynamite soundtrack for an Ozploitation muscle car slasher film. How did you choose the bands? They had to be exceptional performers and exemplify the growing movement of blues inspired bands. Plus I wanted the Melbourne DM to have interstate imports that you won’t have seen before but you’ll wish you had! If you could travel back in time and pick two musical heroes for the lineup, who would they be and why? Rose Tattoo for their pure tenacity of spirit and The Loved Ones because they understood how to put the sex in their blues. What is the best thing about putting on a boutique festival? The fact that you have complete licence to pick the bands that you feel best represent what Drunken Moon stands for. What does Drunken Moon stand for? Pure live spectacle. So, someone is watching these bands, they then go get a beer and tell their friend about you... what do they say? Nothing, they just stand side by side for 2.1 seconds before both pushing back to the front of the stage gain. Why should anyone go to this festival? Because I would if I was you. When is it? This Sunday September 2 at the Corner Hotel, 6pm ‘til 12pm. Anything else to add? Stay tight. Loud. Proud. Room. A great step towards bigger shows. Contact mark@ gunnmusic.com.au DRUMMER NEEDED. Established band after a committed drummer. Predominantly heavy rock/stoner/metal. Seeking someone enthusiastic about playing live (locally, interstate, internationally) as well as writing new material for a new album. Influences include Kyuss, Soundgarden, Sabbath, Crowbar, Tool, Pumpkins, COG etc. Contact 0409 437 613. SIDEWAYS NEEDS A DEDICATED DRUMMER. We need a dedicated, technically talented sticksman to start with us ASAP to finish off our 5 piece. We are currently working on vocal tracks and rehearsing our extensive setlist. Demos: www.sidewaysband.com Contact: info@sidewaysband. com with demos, videos or previous works. Splatty 0488 202 929
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.
Define your genre in five words or less: Psycho-candy mind-bending noise punk. Bearing the terrible clichéd nature of this question, what do you reckon people will say you sound like? Someone once said “It’s like tearing shoegaze’s head out of its arse and replacing it with a firecracker”. In fact, it was someone from your publication. What do you hate about the music industry? One thing I hate is artists whose names have lasted a lifetime and who did something completely original usually truly believed in their art, but these days the perception is that things need to sound a certain way to be accepted on a broad scale. I think it’s a shame that there are so many young bands starting out that are all sounding so similar to each other because that’s how they think they’ll get noticed. Maybe they will at the start, but they’ll never be remembered. When’s the gig and with who? This Saturday September 1 at The Workers Club. We are launching our single She’s Gonna Be A Star with our mates Wildcat General Strike (who are also releasing a single) and The Quivers. What do you think a band has to do these days to succeed? Bands need persistence. There are some bands who get lucky on their first release... right thing at the right time. But most of the time that doesn’t happen. Most bands break up after a year or two, usually because they can’t handle all the disappointments that come along with being in a band. The longer you’re around and the more you release the more chance you have of “getting lucky”. Well I certainly believe that anyway. Just keep doing what you do. When are you playing live/releasing your album/ EP/single/etc? Our single She’s Gonna Be A Star is out now. You can grab it on iTunes. It’s the second single from our forthcoming EP which will be out later this year. What advice would you give to bands that are new on the Melbourne music scene? Listen to everything people say, but don’t take it to heart. If you could go on tour with any musician or band, who would it be? The Stone Roses. I was lucky enough to catch them in Singapore last month and it was the best show I’ve ever seen. Certainly wouldn’t mind seeing I Am The Resurrection a few more times. 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. PAID PROMOTERS wanted for new Rock Club. Contact mark@gunnmusic.com.au for more details.
SUBMIT YOUR GIGS TO GIGGUIDE@BEAT.COM.AU
ACCESS ALL AGES Wednesday August 29th, 2012 With Ruth Mihelcic
In band news you need to know, dates have now been released for Parkway Drive’s Atlas Australian tour, and the best part is all shows will be all ages! Supporting the Byron Bay metalcore five-piece will be fellow Sydney boys Northlane, reformed Adelaide outfit I Killed The Prom Queen, and Survival. You can catch them play Festival Hall in Melbourne on December 2, tickets are available now through Ticketmaster. IWRESTLEDABEARONCE has also released the dates for their upcoming Ruining Earth For Everybody tour which is due to kick off in November with supports from In Hearts Wake and Storm The Sky. They’ll be hitting the Melbourne all ages music scene at the National Hotel in Geelong on November 28, and TLC Bayswater on November 30. Tickets just went on sale Friday through Oztix. By this point you’re probably thinking about the amount of aural carnage likely to be caused by heading out to see all these bands, right? Well why not take part in the SoundCheck Australia survey while you’re at it. All you have to do is complete a 20-30 minute survey, take a hearing check through your speakers or headphones, and then register yourself to enter their competition to win $1000 worth of tickets to an event of your choice. You get to choose your event too – how does ten tickets to the Big Day Out sound, or a gold pass to your favourite festival? You’ve got until September 12 to get involved at soundcheckaustralia.net.au. If you’re in Doncaster East and you’re in a band or interested in getting involved in music events, Manningham FReeZA want you! They’ve got a youth festival coming up and are looking for some awesome local bands to play, and are also looking for new members to join their FReeZA crew. Get in touch via their facebook or drop a line to fusion_ freeza@hotmail.com Maroondah Youth Services are also on the lookout for young people to help out at their upcoming Maroondah Festival. The crew is open to young people aged 14 – 21 in the local area and you have until 5pm on Sunday to apply by contacting Youth services on (03) 9294 5706 or check out maroondayyouthservices.com.
ALL AGES TIMETABLE Thursday August 30 Dandenong Urban Talent Quest - Vocal and Dance Heat, The Castle, Hemmings Park, Princes Hwy, 5pm, Free, Nick Karlas on 9793 2155 or missionaustralia.com.au, AA Friday August 31 Wyndham FReeZA Push Start Battle of the Bands Final w/ Masketta Fall, Granston Display, Your World In Ruins, Your Ticket Home, Beware the Bandit, Sun’s Delusion, and This Fiasco, Wyndham Youth Resource Centre, 86 Derrimut Road, Hoppers Crossing, 6pm – 11pm, $8, Nunzio Giunta on 8734 1355, AA Texas In July w/ For All Eternity, Frontlines, Hiding With Bears, A Fall Between, and Kaine Ketelaar, Mooroolbark Community Centre, Brice Avenue, Mooroolbark, 6pm, $15, yrys.com, AA Winter Sounds w/ DJ Alasandra, DJ Mel, SCNDL, DJ Jorgia, DJ Triffo, DJ Tom, DJ Shanti, DJ Alex, and DJ Alex 2, Epping Memorial Hall, Corner of Hall and High St, Epping, 6:30pm – 11:30pm, $10 presale or $15 door, U18 Saturday September 1 House Vs Hurricane w/ Confession, Pier Live, 1 Davey Street, Frankston, 12:30pm, $23.50, oztix. com.au or 1300 762 545, U18 Mt Alexander FReeZA Push Start Battle of the Bands w/ competing bands, Castlemaine Theatre Royal, 6pm – 11pm, $7, Sarah Cook on 0402 087 949 or mountalexander.vic.gov.au/youth, AA Monday September 3 FreeZA Talent Quest w/ DJ Pat, Boucher Hall, Bairnsdale, 12pm – 2pm, Free, Chris Taylor on 5150 4861, AA
FRIDAY AUG 31ST
FRIDAY 31/8, 10PM
BEWARE! BLACK HOLES! SATURDAY 1/9, STACKFUL 6PM
DEVILROCK FOUR + PONYGIRL & THE OUTSIDERS 10PM
JESSIE AND HIS HUCKLEBUCKERS SATURDAY SEPT 1ST
TUNES BY STICKMAN
FRIDAY 7/9, 10PM
GREASY HAWAIIANS SATURDAY 8/9, 10PM
SWAMP MOTH SUNDAY 9/9, 10PM
THE TV SET
FREE ENTRY ALWAYS!
TOWN HALL HOTEL
33 ERROL STREET, NORTH MELBOURNE (03) 9328 1983 FOR BAND BOOKINGS PLEASE CONTACT MILES: TOWNIEBANDS@GMAIL.COM
SUNDAY SEPT 2ND
THE KIERON MC DONALD COMBO
289 WELLINGTON ST COLLINGWOOD 94195170 WWW.THEGEMBAR.COM.AU
THURSDAY AUG 30TH CHRIS RUSSELL’S CHICKEN WALK
LIVE ACOUSTIC FROM 8.30PM
SATURDAY SEPT 1ST LISA MILLER TRIO
WITH SHANE O’MARA & ASH DAVIES FROM 5 TIL 7PM
SUNDAY SEPT 2ND BACKWOOD CREATURES 2 BLISTERING SETS FROM 5PM
MONDAY SEPT 3RD
SECRET MONDAY ACOUSTIC SHOW FROM 8.30 PM WITH GUEST MUSOS
GREAT BRITAIN HOTEL THURS 30 AUG
ALEX WATTS & THE FOREIGN TONGUE 8:00PM
SAT 1 SEPT
WRONG TURN + THE INTERCEPTORS 9:00PM
SUN 2 SEPT
THE WILD COMFORTS 8:00PM
WEEKLY ASSORTMENTS MonDAYS
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TUESDAY SEPT 4 DAN WATKINS DUO ACOUSTIC FROM 8.30
KITCHEN OPEN 6 NIGHTS
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TueSDAYS
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WEDNESDAYS
OPEN MIC NIGHT 9PM
447 CHURCH ST RICHMOND 9429 5066 www.greatbritainhotel.com.au
Wed. August 29th: wine, whiskey, women
8pm: Sarah Carnegie 9pm: Cookie Baker Thurs. August 30th:
8pm: Alex Lashlie 9pm: Sean McMahon Fri. August 31st:
6-8pm: Trad. Irish Music Session with Dan Bourke & friends Sat. September 1st:
9pm: The Killjoys Sun. September 2nd:
4pm: Waz E James Band 6:30pm: Gallie & Shannon Bourne Tues. September 3rd:
8pm: Weekly Trivia
“All Shows Always Free” 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 67
BACKSTAGE
EDUCATION PROFILE
OXYGEN COLLEGE
THE PLACE FOR MUSICIANS
for more information or ad bookings call Aleksei on 9428 3600
mage Asylum Photography
18 Duffy street Burwood 3125 30m rooms s Air-con and ventilation in s 10everylargeroomand identical PA/foldback combos at 1000w s Storage and s amp/kit hire s Acoustic Engineer-designed soundproofing 2
PH: (03) 903 88101 M: 0417 000 397 Email: hydrastudios@bigpond.com
Established: Oxygen Group, est. 1985 and Oxygen College, est. 2010. Courses you specialise in: Music, Production, Photography and Video.
Sound
Main methods for teaching: All courses are based on an applied learning philosophy. Students use structured projects to creatively and uniquely incorporate the tools learnt, whilst gaining handson experience. Facilities available for students: 4 x Recording Studios, compiling of an analogue 32ch 88 input console with Pro Tools HDX. A C | 24 Control surface with Pro Tools HD2 & 5.1 Monitoring capability. Pro Tools 10 and Command 8 Control surface, 18 inputs. Pro Tools 10 and an Allen & Heath ZED Firewire console. 6 x fully equipped rehearsal suites with integrated PA systems and 20 x private practice and tuition rooms equipped with Pro Tools workstations. A 180 seat performance
PHOTOGRAPHY PROFILE
auditorium and a 20 x Workstation PC lab with Axiom controllers and a 20 x Workstation MAC lab with Arturia controllers. Point of difference: Above and beyond our facilities and industry contacts, is our commitment to the students. Here at Oxygen, we pride ourselves on our ability to individually inspire and develop our artists. Oxygen’s boutique nature allows us to uniquely structure our students learning experiences based on their career and personal goals, providing them with the necessary tools for an explosive start in the creative arts industry. Extras: OPEN DAYS - Friday, August 31st, 6:00pm – 8:00pm. Saturday, September 1st, 10:00am – 3:00pm. Phone: 03 5215 9175 Website: www.oxygencollege.com.au E-mail: enquiry@oxygencollege.com.au
THE WHITE ROOM
Toyland
Recording Studio
Toyland in Northcote for recording bands, singers or any other audio project Recording, Mixing and Mastering Call Adam Cal on 9482 2111 or 0412 060 664
www.toyland.com.au
Location: Kindred Studios, 212a Whitehall St Yarraville. In summary: The White Room is Melbourne’s green powered photographic and video shoot studio that prides itself on only the very best quality production whilst looking after the environment too.
BACKSTAGE NOW RUNS IN FULL COLOUR! For new full colour ad pricing please contact Aleksei on 9428 3600 or email mixdown@beat.com.au
Studio Capabilities: The White Room has a 10m white infinity cyc and provides basic grip and lighting gear. Higher spec lighting and grip set-ups are available by arrangement. We also have current CS5 software and Final Cut Pro running on brand new Mac computers and a fast in-house wireless internet setup. All of this is powered by 100% accredited green power renewable energy. The White Room as an audiovisual presentation and forum venue, has 2 x 5000 lumen projectors. Equipment: 3 x 5kg Shot Bags, Black / White Shot Flats, Apple Mac Computer with latest editing software and fast internet access. Facilities: Multi-purpose makeup room with clothes rack and mirrors. Tea, coffee and basin
Beat Magazine Page 68
BACKSTAGE: BEAT’S ONE STOP SHOP FOR MUSICIANS
facilities including a fridge, stereo with iPod adapter, tables and chairs, internet access on request, three phase power with use of all Kindred Facilities on negotiation. Artists you have worked with: We are regularly servicing fashion, portrait and other promotional and artistic based photographic shoots. Recent music video shoots include Sietta and Alexandra Jae, to name just a couple. In-house engineers: Cy Gorman is the artistic director and curator of the space as well as providing the in house Photoshop and Final Cut Pro tech support. Extras: Our rates are extremely competitive and we also offer student and concession card holder discounts. We are also offering membership discounts to regular clients and artists. Contact: Cy Gorman Phone: 0401 379 973 Website: www.thewhiteroom.net.au E-mail: cy@thewhiteroom .net.au
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PHOTOGRAPHIC AND VIDEO STUDIO Pro & Conc. Rates Available For Photographic, Music Video & Band Shoots Starting From $150 Multi-Purpose Change & Makeup Room Grip & Lighting gear available Communal Lounge & Wireless Internet Excellent on-site parking CONTACT: CY -ARTISTIC DIRECTOR- 0401 379 973 w w w . t h e w h i t e r o o m . n e t . a u
PA HIRE
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IMPLANT MEDIA CD with 2 PAGE INSERT
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in PVC (sleeve)
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BACKSTAGE: BEAT’S MUSICIANS DIRECTORY
HUNDREDS OF OTHER PACKAGING OPTIONS AVAILABLE! FOR A PRICE ON ANY PACKAGE AT ANY TIME VISIT: WWW.IMPLANT.COM.AU/QUOTES Beat Magazine Page 69
LIVE
BURNING LOVE Friday August 24, The Bendigo Hotel
Photos: Cassandra Keily
Burning Love tore up The Bendigo Hotel on Friday, supported by local acts Urns and Pity Scissor. A sixpack of pre-beers and a missed taxi caused your humble reviewer to miss Urns, which I’m actually quite gutted about. I’ve heard some awesome demo recordings and some good words. Shit. Pity Scissor numbed my first-band-missing pain, mixing things up with their brand of chaotic, groovy posthardcore. In the vein of Daughters and Blood Brothers, they stamped out a solid set that had half the crowd bopping along and half asking themselves what the fuck was going on. They put on a great show with huge amounts of energy and attitude. Their drummer was particularly awesome, driving the set with punchy grooves, tight blast beats and innovative fills. You’d get tired just watching her right hand smash out those eighth notes on the hats, damn. Two guitarists layered biting riffs (one throwing around a pretty dope looking Rickenbacker), while a dirty bass tone and some appropriately weird ambient noises were provided by a synth. The sound levels weren’t perfect, distorting and getting too loud at times, but these guys were solid. Chris Colohan adds undeniable value to any band he’s part of. His brooding energy and clear passion for his words held Burning Love’s performance together, providing substance beneath the style. While it felt like most of the crowd at this show would have killed to see Cursed, Burning Love certainly isn’t a downgrade no matter how you slice it. They soaked the crowd with their thick, low, heavy tunes, evenly selected from
across their releases but leaning heavily on recent tracks from Rotten Thing To Say (Southern Lord). A highlight of the set was Karla, Colohan raucously screaming the usually melodic vocal lines of the bridge in a way that was raw and powerful but controlled enough to add musical value to the song. The faster, angry Hateful Comforts forced the crowd to move, and they pressed on with those infamous chunky blues-rock riffs and bashed mid-tempo drums. The bass provided enough rhythm and fullness in the lows to carry the sound through the solo-heavy numbers, and the sound levels as a whole were perfect for these dudes. It was amazing just how ‘together’ they sound as a live band. This was a great night, but for a reason that I can’t put my finger on, it didn’t feel quite like a hardcore show should. Maybe it was that this was Burning Love’s last show of an extensive tour, maybe it was the slightly small crowd that just didn’t go mental enough, but there was something lacking. Regardless of this slightly jaded atmosphere, Burning Love were tight, loud and energetic, and delivered the dirty hardcore blues they promised. JEREMY MILLAR LOVED: Seeing a NZ tattooist’s tag in the toilets (RHAT KLOR!). HATED: That the room wasn’t packed. DRANK: Pre-beers and jugs.
JOE MCKEE Saturday August 11, The Grace Darling Hotel
NEW WAR Saturday August 11, Northcote Social Club The release of New War’s self-titled, debut long player has been much anticipated to say the least; a tease in the form of 12” single Ghostwalking came late last year to much acclaim, but finally, tonight – the wait is over. I arrive at the NSC towards the second half of Max Crumb’s set, his blend of electronic beats, samples and loops warm the crowd, reflected in the head nodding bounce that has permeated the room. In between, Jarrod Quarrell of Lost Animal fame is on DJ duty; and when Ugly Pumping Muscle by Primitive Calculator’s is dropped, the room fills with a certain atmosphere that seems to share an aural congruency with the headlining act. Tonight’s show has sold out, which is no mean feat and tantamount to New War’s status as one of Melbourne’s best live acts. The set starts off slow before launching into an intense version of Game Of Love; it’s catchy as hell with an underlying menace deepened by Melissa Lock’s pulsating basslines. It is here that Chris Pugmire showcases his vocal prowess, pacing back and forth along the stage like some sort of demented bard, crooning through feverish lyrics "if you seek to engage in the game of love/step into my street with your head placed in your palm/step into my street and sacrifice
your head". Similarly, Revealer treads treacherous ground, the force of Jesse Shepherd’s ominous synth lines captivate, while Steve Masterson’s (one time Bird Blob) precise, yet frantic drums push one into a heightened state of panic. Making their way through the album with masterful precision, New War show their strength is the sum of four unique parts. Ghostwalking generates a huge response, the trance-like rhythm rousing a tribal dance floor within the crowd. The primal nature of their collective performance is really something to behold; vocals, bass, synth and drums sit in perfect cohesion, no element stronger than the other, but each part vital to the overall sound. It is with this synthesis that New War superlatively rule a live setting, this launch showcasing an album that is set to dominate many end of year lists and further contribute to the band’s already sterling reputation.
Beat Magazine Page 70
listen. As a solo artist, McKee has slipped into the role of storyteller, but even more so, he is exploring the power of words as sounds. He understands that a deep resonant voice – which he possesses – drawing out every syllable can be just as powerful as any percussive instrument, and hold as much sway as the words themselves. I find myself held up by a lyric early in the set: “you just keep getting louder, while I fall into lunacy”, where McKee’s seductive tone shifts suddenly into spine-chilling terrain, and any chance of an easy ride ‘polite singer/ songwriter’ type gig is lost. Thankfully. Perhaps the most remarkable thing about McKee’s show, however, is the complete lack of ceremony. Album launches are typically coupled with a sense of occasion, and maybe a ‘funny thing happened on the way to the studio’ story or two, but not this time. It’s as though McKee and his occasional backing band swept through the room on a wave and we all got caught up in it before being plopped back down again as it retreated out to sea. I left feeling as though I’d had my heart warmed and my bones chilled all at once. Pretty good result for a 45-minute set that featured all-new, unknown material, I’d say. LEIGH SALTER
LOVED: The wall of charisma that is Joe McKee. HATED: There really was nothing crappy to report. DRANK: Tap beer.
CASSANDRA KIELY
LOVED: New War! HATED: The girl behind me pinching my bum. DRANK: Not enough.
THE AFGHAN WHIGS Wednesday July 25, Hi Fi Bar The Afghan Whigs belong to a time when I was younger and less cynical. That time has now passed and the cynic in me dictated that the reformation of The Afghan Whigs, like any other, could go either way. I’m ecstatic to report that in this case, their reformation is a reason to get excited. In their heyday (the early nineties), The Afghan Whigs were an odd fit as part of the Seattle/Sub Pop scene. Mostly this came down to aesthetics; The Whigs, led by the always enigmatic Greg Dulli, were more angular, earnest and perhaps in the case of Dulli, deeply bloodied by experience, this forming the basis for their sound. That said, Dulli is arguably one of the most talented songwriters of that era, and here is where this reformation resonates: today, The Afghan Whigs appear energised and endowed. On this, the first show of their first-ever Australian tour, they sounded assured, intuitive, and even intense. For me, hearing songs from their 1993 masterpiece Gentlemen was dreamlike and majestic. The anxiety in Dulli’s vocals remains, quelling my concerns that years and years as a musician may have taken an indelible toll on him. He looks good – a cross between a young Alec Baldwin and Jon Hamm. Sonically, The Afghan Whigs sounded incredible at The Hi-Fi; a venue I
After breaking away from the grand and ghoulish Snowman, former frontman Joe McKee has found a more subtle form of expression as a solo artist. While his old band expertly drew listeners in using suspense and tribal drumming as its main weapons of seduction, in his new incarnation, loops and well-pronounced vowels do all the work. As an environment, the Grace provides buckets of support for McKee’s Burning Boy solo album launch, which tonight is attended by a comfortable – for that sized room – number of punters. The stage, merely a foot off the floor, feels less like a forced focal point and more just a place for McKee to stand. Casually he glides on and off his cramped quarters and through the crowd, when the mood suits him, in order to sidle up close to a fan as his looped guitar shimmies away, never out-ranking the deep, sombre vocal in volume. In these kinds of intimate performances, it’s not unusual for my attention to wander and fixate on some insignificant prop, or even the movement of the performer’s feet as they jab at guitar peddles, but McKee had me (and everyone in my immediate view) hanging on every note sung. Even when fronting the raucous Snowman though, McKee has always displayed an effortless ability to draw you in and make all else melt away. This fact is helped by several welldefined staples of McKee’s performance. Firstly, he mixes with his audience mid-song, while still retaining that important sense of intrigue. Secondly, his band – a drummer, violinist and keyboardist – hop on stage only sporadically to add accompaniment. And thirdly, he sounds out every word he sings, imploring us to
hadn’t stepped foot in since I experienced Mogwai melt the walls when they played two shows there in 1999. I have to celebrate the fact that material from Gentlemen formed the largest part of the set, including the magnificent title track, along with Be Sweet, When We Two Parted and Fountain And Fairfax. They closed out the night by performing the final three tracks from the also wonderful Black Love album. Once more, it was sonically brilliant and the subtle sounds which appeared on record were here in all of their glory. In what will prove to be one of the shows of 2012, The Afghan Whigs in Melbourne was a fabulously sentimental romp which resonated as much today as it may have way back when. And that’s no mean feat. STEVE PHILLIPS
LOVED: Watching people mouth the words to tracks from Gentlemen. HATED: Very little about that night. DRANK: Red lemonade at cocktail prices.
GHETTO GHETTO W/ BITS OF SHIT Saturday August 26 Godzilla Bar Over the past 9 weeks Godzilla Bar have been killing it, throwing consistently off the hook parties featuring some of the hottest local acts in one of the most unique venues in Melbourne, the half demolished Normandy Hotel. The penultimate show featuring local punk heroes Bits of Shit and two piece rock outfit Ghetto Ghetto. Godzilla Bar is the perfect venue to see a band like Bits of Shit. It’s small, dark and dingy, with graffiti covering the crumbling walls. It’s kitted out with old threadbare sofas and ancient TV sets showing nothing but static. Sure it’s dilapidated, but that just adds to its character and punk-as-fuck aesthetic. Bits of Shit’s brand of raw and dirty punk fits the vibe of Godzilla perfectly. They blast through a vicious set of three minute slabs of acerbic, snotty and high octane punk rock. Vocalist Danny Vanderpol is a wonder to behold as he prowls the stage shaking his hips to the thunderous beats, spitting his lyrics into any one of the three mics strategically placed around the stage. At one point he pulls out a can of spray paint and daubs slogans on walls, before running into the crowd and shouting in their faces. Unfortunately the mics aren’t the clearest and it’s hard to hear what the bug-eyed vocalist is singing about, but you can tell by his stage presence alone that he’s angry about something. Compared to most of the young crowd Bits of Shit are no spring chickens but they play with the energy and venom of a bunch of snotty 17-year-old ADHD sufferers. They play punk the way it should be played: fast, loud and abrasive. They channel
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the anarchic spirit, the sweat and the spit of the original punk bands of the '70s but give it an updated freshness which last week earned their latest LP Cut Sleeves the title ‘Album of the Week’ in this very mag. There are only two people in Ghetto Ghetto but boy do they make a helluva racket with just a set of drums, a mic, a guitar and an effects pedal. Whereas Bits of Shit represent the old school vanguard of punk, Ghetto Ghetto have a more modern sound injecting the punk template with elements of stoner and post-rock. Think Dead Kennedys meets Kyuss with a touch of The White Stripes. There’s a real sense of immediacy to the set as the two piece hammer out their dirty, low-slung grooves with energy and purpose. The gasoline fuelled desert rock of songs like Throw Your Rope and Habits gets the lively crowd rocking out along with the band. In what seems like no time at all their set is over, but like they say, “time flies when you’re having fun” and fun it was. Low down, dirty, dangerous and destructive but fun nonetheless. Next Saturday is the last ever gig at Godzilla Bar. I suggest you get down there if you want to experience one of these raucous rock and roll parties for yourself. ADAM ROBERTSHAW
LOVED: The total carnage the Godzilla Bar dudes are committed to creating. HATED: When it was over. DRANK: Godzilla Juice.