Sauce - Issue 90, 18-3-09 by David K Q Williams

FREE

. ISSUE 90 . MAR 18 - MAR 31 2009 . TASMANIA’S STREET PRESS

It’s what Sundays were made for. Sunday 22nd MaRCH yulgna StRange QuaRtet Sunday 29tH MaRCH MIQ wItH StevIe

weekends at Irish Murphy’s Hobart

FRIday 20tH

MicheAl clennett BIg SwIFty

SatuRday 21St John hArwood daMage ContRol FRIday 27tH

tiM dAvies dR FInk

SatuRday 28tH KAtie & Ado RunnIng wItH SCISSoRS

the best bands. your favourite tunes. every Friday and Saturday night on the waterfront.

HOBART | 21 Salamanca Place

sunday through thursday, growing new music and nurturing good times Growing in March Dali anD the PaPer BanD the trolls British BattleGrounDs Fat sMalls the MiDDletones Matt southon & Phil eDGeley’s steel strunG Blues tour (nsW)

see Gig Guide for details

6223 1119 | www.irishmurphys.com.au

27 MARCH - 5 APRIL WWW.TENDAYSONTHEISLAND.COM

NEWS

#90- March 18 to March 31

Contents:

SPOONBILL Unique artist Spoonbill, a.k.a. Jim Moynihan, has to released his new eclectic album of groove-based sound art, Zoomorphic, was released on 14 March and Spoonbill will soon be bringing his quirk-funk to Hobart.

Contents / News

The Cat Empire

Jeff Martin

Marky Ramone

The Greenhouse

Gig Reviews

Dominic Francis / OffTheShelf

Primal Scream

After recently finishing a tour across the US, Canada, Europe and the UK, Spoonbill will be heading around his native Australia, including a stop to Tassie. Check out Apoonbill for a no doubt interesting auditory experience.

Basic Shape

0 27 March @ The Brisbane Hotel, Hobart

Miguel Migs

Entertainment Guide

Bass Kleph / Aston Shuffle

Hook N Sling

CD Reviews / Gallery Review

Cinecism

DANCE HALL A wave of world music is coming to Hobart as part of the Ten Days on the Island Festival. Including reggae legend Horace Andy from Jamaica, the founding member of The Buena Vista Social Club, Félix Baloy from Cuba with Kenny López & the Havana Connection, as well as Armandito Trovason also from Cuba, and the tropical sega beat of Jalsa Creole from Mauritius.

10 Days OTI

The Streets / Rebecca Moore

Stranger Than Micktion

Hot Mods

Zzapped

Fashion / Arts

Sauce Team:

With a sound that can be likened to the auditory version of visual art using found items, this mish mash of styles and sounds has been referred to as “vaudeville electronica.” If you’re still confused as to what this may sound like, your best bet is to head over to Spoonbill’s myspace and have a listen to the “unique aural oracle” yourself at myspace.com/spoonbillsound.

The event will also feature local sounds from The Shuffle club, playing big band swing and blues, jazz and boogie. Acid-jazz band Full-Tilt Recliner will also be taking the stage during the six-night event. The event isn’t completely limited to Hobart, as Dance Hall at Your Hall will be happening in Launceston, Zeehan, Deloriane, George Town and Ross. www.tendaysontheisland.com to find out more, or check our Entertainment Guide for a full list of dates. 0 27-29 March & 3-5 April @ City Hall, Hobart

SAUCE STICKER WINNER THE BAND WHO KNEW TOO MUCH For the first time in ten years, The Band Who Knew Too Much are heading to Tasmania for the Forth Valley Blues Festival and a few dates around the state. With their energetic jazz-like rhythm and washboard/ accordian driven anthems about spending the rent, hard rubbish nights and Beer O’Clock, these guys are sure to provide some energetic party music. 0 20 March @ The Royal Oak Hotel, Launceston 0 21 March @ The Forth Valley Blues Festival 0 22 March @ The Alley Cat, Hobart YOUTH FESTIVAL IN CLARENCE As part of National Youth Week, The Clarence City Council’s annual Youth Festival will be held on the Bellerive Boardwalk on Saturday, April 4 from 11:30am. There will be two stages of live music of varying genres, culminating with a performance by Let the Cat Out. There will also be a barbeque, Beyond Blue pavement art, rides, rock climbing, break dancing and free giveaways. There will also be a free package available. the GLAD2BME package aims at improving the health and wellbeing of young people in the region. The festival was organised by the Clarence Youth Network Advisory Group, a collective of young people who advocate for youth through local government.

DB 1730

IS THIS YOUR REGO? YOU WIN! If this is your car, email a pic of yourself in front of your rego to competitions@sauce.net.au, with STICKER WINNER in the subject line by Friday 27th of March @ 5pm to win some CDs or DVDs! If you don’t get to us in time, the prize will JACKPOT, so next edition there will be four CDs or DVDs to be won. And so on … Get a SAUCE sticker (email competitions@sauce. net.au with your postal address and CAR STICKER in the subject line if you want one!) and whack it on your vehicle! Check each edition of SAUCE to see if you’ve won. It’s that easy!

0 4 April @ Bellerive Boardwalk, Clarence

HIP-HOP - HOBART // UNLEASH THE NUGGET

Hobart: Editor - General Manager - Advertising: David Williams Email: david@sauce.net.au Phone: 0400 940 699

Unleashed

Launceston: Production Office Phone: 03 6331 0701 Art Director: Simon Hancock Email: simon@sauce.net.au Editorial Assistant: Meegan May Email: meegan@sauce.net.au

Congratulations to Liza, who contacted us after seeing her rego in last edition. Liza’s going to receive 2 spanking new CDs.

Opinions expressed in Sauce are not necessarily those of the Editor or staff. Sauce Publishing accepts no liability for the accuracy of advertisements.

Contributors: Chris Rattray, Carl Fidler, Glenn Moorehouse, Dane Hunnerup, Nick Hay, Steve Tauschke, Tabitha Fletcher, Bruce Moyle, Mick Lowenstein.

After seven years together, Hobart band Unleash the Nugget (who have recently relocated to Melbourne) are ready to party in Tassie one last time before hitting superstardom.

Next Edition:

It’s the groups 7th birthday, what do you think will be different now that you’re older? There will be slightly more variation in song topics, slightly more funk and a lot more soul! I guess we know what we want now so we’ll be pushing ourselves to the limits! To the stars and beyond.…

What are the drawbacks? Mick is still my annoying little brother and Gillan is so bored with the band that he is currently trying to transfer his being into Facebook. Honestly I wouldn’t say there are any drawbacks, we still all get along and share the same vision so it’s great.

What have been the highlights of the seven years? I’d say as far as shows go, our EP launch and the Falls festival were our 2 biggest shows. Recording our EP ‘The Illustrated Guide To Rifles And Sub Machine Guns’ and being happy with the final product was a great feeling. Also all the millions of nugget band members we’ve had, I think we’re up to drummer number 20 now. Having one argument with Gillan EVER, I’ll never forget that. It’s been a good 7 years.

How much new material will we get to hear at your birthday bash? We have rehashed an oldie but goodie and we have a few new songs up our sleeve. But we always mix it up so no two nugget gigs will be the same.

Sauce #91 - 01/04/09 to 14/04/09 Ad Artwork Deadline27/03/09 @ 3pm

COLLECTOR’S CORNER

CDs & DVDs New + Second Hand 37 Wilson St Burnie 03 6431 6616 4

. ISSUE 90 . MARCH 17 - MARCH 31 2009

In 7 years, what’s changed about the group? Our line up infinitely! Our sound has changed, we figured out that space and dynamics have a place in music. We take ourselves slightly more seriously now. Most importantly we found the funk. What differences are there between the ambitions of the group now, compared to back when you started? Not too much has changed, as superstardom is an ongoing process. What are the benefits of having been together for 7 years? We have spent so much time together, that amongst the core of nugget we have all developed ESP. We are currently the only unsanctioned, scientifically accredited telepathists operating in Australia!

WANTED:

NEW MUSIC FOR RADIO

Get your music heard on Australia’s first digital radio station dedicated to undiscovered artists. www.radarradio.com.au

Who gets to blow out the candles? Lucas Walker, the oldest nugget member who never actually existed. If you were giving presents to the rest of the group for the birthday, what would you get each of them? I’d get Mick a haircut and a real job. Last year I tried to get a tattoo on my bum saying “Happy Birthday Bro” but I got laughed out of 2 tattoo parlors and gave up! And Gillan, I’d buy Gillan some shares in a chai factory.

392 - 394 Elizabeth St. North Hobart Ph: 03 6234 5975

What’s in store for the rest of 2009? Actually taking it to the next level musically and getting ourselves out there. Recording our first album and playing our arses off. sDavid Williams Blow out the candles with Unleash the Nugget, at their Birthday Bash: 0 20 March @ Republic Bar, Hobart WWW.SAUCE.NET.AU

FUNK - MELBOURNE // THE CAT EMPIRE

Back to Earth After a nine-month break last year The Cat Empire released their new live CD, Live on Earth, and their DVD, Live at the Bowl. You will soon be able to see and hear these releases come to life with The Cat Empire boys heading on tour around the country this March. “We really got to the point where we had to put something together for our fans and people who come to shows and have given us so much support, and so I think we put these songs together (in a way) to tour them and to deliver them the show, which is to celebrate what we’ve done and perhaps be the start for a new direction.” The fans seem to be a huge inspiration for the band, who appreciate that many of them continually support the Empire shows. Front man Felix Riebl counts their support as “one of the biggest motivations to do our tours.” But even with such support, the band’s heavy touring schedule over the last seven years had taken its toll on the members and as such the band decided to take a ‘long service leave’ of around nine months, the current tour being their first set of gigs back after this time off. But for Felix, “it was naturally very strange to have so much time off because you’re so used to the repetition of touring and the schedule of going from one place to the next… But on the other hand it was something that was completely necessary, it’s been really productive.” Felix spent a lot of his time playing piano and working on new material (“I feel very centred doing that sort of stuff”) as well as catching up with friends and being involved with an arts festival, and just doing the things “that you don’t get to do when you’re changing cities every night. The sort of stuff that one needs to do as a creative person.” For the rest of the band there was a similar story. Ollie McGill (piano, keyboards, backing vocals) was gigging around Melbourne and Harry James Angus (trumpet and lead vocals) was on tour with his side project Jackson Jackson. But now the break is over, the band have entered rehearsals and begun preparing for the tour, which will culminate with a show at Moorilla Winery in Tasmania. “Rehearsals over the last few weeks have been pretty

interesting. It’s actually been a nice challenge to refresh some of the old material and to learn some new stuff. I suppose it’s a band that can really change from night to night, so we’ve written a set list that’s relatively similar shape but can change parts every night.” After such concentrated touring over the last few years, some songs in the set list can be potentially tiresome for the band, yet many of these big overplayed hits are exactly what the fans want to hear. Finding a balance between hits and new material in order to keep both the crowd and the band happy can be “one of the trickiest things as a band.” But with the depth of the musicians in The Cat Empire and their penchant for improvisation and mixing things up, even the most well-known songs may sound a little different. “It is possible for us to look at a song, which we’ve played all over the place, and then do something completely different in the middle of it. We’ve been known to play the same song pretty differently from tour to tour and that’s what we’ve tried to do with this tour, to be able to play the songs that people want to hear, but do them in a way that makes it interesting for us as well.” So even if you have the studio album, the live album, and you’ve seen these boys live and on DVD, you can still expect to see something new and different at their upcoming shows. “To keep it fresh for them especially…for the people who have seen our shows more than once, you really want to try to put your best show on every time you hit the stage.”

sDavid Williams & Meegan May

“…It is possible for us to look at a song, which we’ve played all over the place, and then do something completely different in the middle of it....”

See these guys live on earth, or more specifically in Tasmania, at: 0 22 March @ Moorilla Winery, Hobart

REPUBLIC BAR & CAFE

Tix Available Online www.republicbar.com

299 Elizabeth St North Hobart Ph. 6234 6954

sunday 22nd MARCH

tues 24th & wed 25th march

CARUS ( ALBUM LAUNCH)

DOWNSYDE / DRAPHT

thursday 26th march

friday 27th march

SVENSSON (FRANCE)

+ GREG ARNOLD (THING OF STONE AND WOOD)

CITY BROTHERS TOUR + PEZ

DARREN HANLON

+ BRIAN HOOPER & BAND ( BEASTS OF BURDEN)

$10pre / $15door

$20pre + BF / $25door 9PM

$18pre / $20door

9PM

Wednesday, 18 MARCH

CHI ROH + NO FOTO (CD LAUNCH)

Thursday, 19 MARCH

JEFF MARTIN (TEA PARTY + PUGSLEY BUZZARD

Friday, 20 March

UNLEASH THE NUGGET + THE TROLLS

$10

Saturday, 21 march

SUGATRAIN

Sunday, 22 march

CARUS (ALBUM LAUNCH) + GREG ARNOLD

Monday, 23 march Tuesday, 24 march WWW.SAUCE.NET.AU

9PM

10PM

Tuesday, 24 march

downsyde + drapht + PEz $20PRE + BF / $25DOOR

Thursday, 26 MARCH

darren hanlon

10pm

Friday, 27 March

svensson (FRANCE) + Brian hooper & Band

10PM

10pm

Saturday, 28 march

let the cat out + THE STOICS

10PM

$10 / $15

9pm

Sunday, 29 march

cake walking babies

9pm

PRAire + aby dogget

8:30pm

Monday, 30 march

quiz night

9pm

downsyde + drapht + PEz $20PRE + BF / $25DOOR

9pm

Tuesday, 31 march

aaron rodgers band

9pm

9pm $40 9pm

9pm

$18 / $20 9PM

. ISSUE 90 . MARCH 17 -MARCH 31 2009

ROCK - CANADA // JEFF MARTIN

The Armada Approaches

The Armada are coming. Now is the calm before that furious storm, and Jeff Martin is taking a solo tour before his new band takes over his life. We call Jeff while he’s enjoying his first (and possibly last) day off in a while, on the beach in Byron Bay, where he’s currently producing a CD for Canadian artist Gregory Vitale. “I’m just trying to get into the water, doing some surfing, things like that. Which most people wouldn’t believe I do because of the whole prince of darkness thing.” This reputation is built from the years performing with his former band, The Tea Party. The “Moroccan roll” band (so called for their hard-rock style with world influences) that produced eight albums from 1990, before calling it quits in 2006. The disbanding happened due to creative and personal differences. “The Tea Party was getting to be too much of a business and I believe we were losing sights of what made that band so special. There was a lot of pressure on us to become more and more commercial, and that’s not what I envisioned for The Tea Party, and the other two didn’t agree. So I decided to leave the fold and find a reason for creating music again, try to find that passion.”

“…I really stripped everything away to acoustic music for around three years, but then slowly but surely the demons came back in a very beautiful way....”

photo by ejcarr/ejcphoto.com

Friday March 20 DJ Skip Saturday March 21 Oﬀ The Cuﬀ Friday March 27 DJ Skip Saturday March 28 Hard Drive

To try and find that passion again, Martin moved to Ireland to do some “soul searching” and by really experiencing and living life again, he was able to break free from the numb feeling The Tea Party had left him with and “the music came back.” So with a more acoustic sound, Martin launched himself into a solo career with his debut solo album Exile and The Kingdom dropping in 2006, soon followed by two live albums. “I really stripped everything away to acoustic music for around three years, but then slowly but surely the demons came back in a very beautiful way. So the new rock and roll band, The Armada, is an evolution of where The Tea Party should’ve gone and didn’t, so that’s what’s happening now.” The Armada are a band that Martin sees will be huge, it’s just a matter of time as there’s nothing else out there with a similar sound and style. Which is why he’s about to embark on his solo tour, as “these type of shows in the future will be few and far between, so I’m just getting it in one last time before the monster that will be The Armada takes over my life,” and since Martin enjoys the solo shows so much he wants to get them in while he still can. Being part Australian these days (with homes here and also being married to an

Australian), Martin has done a number of shows in many smaller Australian centres, “in Victoria, New South Wales, in the smaller towns where international artists normally wouldn’t go and the reception was overwhelming, they were all sold out shows.” With the fan-based demand, it just gives Martin another reason to head around the country before the invasion of The Armada. Before this happens, Martin will be bringing his solo tour down to Tasmania, and we can expect to hear tunes from The Tea Party, Martin’s solo recordings and new tracks from The Armada. Despite the differing music, keeping a set cohesive has never been a problem for Martin. “The one thing I believe I’ve gotten down over the years is how to pace a show. Whether it’s an intimate show like the one I’m about to do in Hobart or the big rock and roll thing with The Armada. What a concert needs to be, in order for people to go away exhausted and satisfied, is that it needs to be an emotional roller coaster. I know for a fact that’s what I do when I get on stage.” As far as what else we can expect from the show, Martin continues that “It’s going to be a long show, it’s going to be at least two hours worth of music, but there’ll be a lot of stories that haven’t been heard before and maybe getting back to some of the origins of some of these songs and things like that.” For a man who can play to throngs of fans at a show in Turkey or Istanbul, and will soon be doing so, there’s no doubt there will be many expectant fans here in Tasmania just as eager to soak up his solo sounds. Until then we leave Martin to his day off, and let him enjoy the beach and his surf. “I’m not very good yet, but I’ll get there. Perseverance and determination will get you anywhere.” sDavid Williams & Meegan May Come hear more of Jeff Martin’s wise words (oh, and his music too): 0 19 March @ The Republic Bar, Hobart

Thursday March 19

Karaoke 8pm til late

Biggest & Best Pub Meals Dining & Function Room Real Beer Garden Alfresco Dining

British Battlegrounds Wednesday, March 25th IRISH MURPHY’S (THE GREENHOUSE) with ABBEY DOGGET and FATSMALLS

Thursday, March 26th THE QUEEN’S HEAD CAFE & WINE BAR with JESS PATMORE

THE COMMERCIAL HOTEL DINING HOURS 7 DAYS A WEEK

Lunch 12 noon - 2.30pm | Dinner 5.30pm - 8.30pm (9pm Fri & Sat) 27 George St Launceston, 03 6331 3868 6

. ISSUE 90 . MARCH 17 - MARCH 31 2009

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/BRITISHBATTLEGROUNDS

WWW.SAUCE.NET.AU

PUNK - NEW YORK // MARKY RAMONE

Punk Rock Blitzkrieg

y e l l A Cat The Alley Cat Bar 381 Elizabeth Street North Hobart 03 6231 2299

Thursday 26th March

Tomas Ford

& The Muddy Turds (Acoustic) Fri 27th& Sat 28th March

Basic Shape UPCOMING SHOWS: Wednesday 18th of March Andrew Marshall FREE 8.30pm Wednesday 25th of March Rebecca Moore Brett Hunt

Not a lot of bands can claim the same amount of impact as The Ramones. The first New York punk band to sign a record deal and releasing their debut album in 1976, The Ramones continue to influence generation after generation with their loud, fast and hard punk rock tunes. Though tragic circumstances have claimed the lives of the majority of the band, drummer Marky is still keeping the legend and the music alive. Not an original member, Marky began with the band after their drummer Tommy, who reportedly only jumped behind the drums because no one else wanted to while he was tour managing, decided to concentrate on producing and a life on the other side of the studio panel. After his work with Richard Hell’s band was ending, Marky, who knew the band’s bass guitarist Dee Dee from the music club CBGBs, was asked to join the band one night while sitting at the bar. “I said yeah. Because after me and Richard Hell and the other guys toured England with The Clash, Richard didn’t want to tour anymore and I did, so I was very happy to be asked to join the Ramones.” From there the band began playing and producing albums, all of which he remembers very clearly. Marky recalls the 1978 recording of Road to Ruin, “Tommy was our producer and I knew it’d be good because Tommy knew the sound of the Ramones, he was able to do a really great job on that album. And after the two takes that I would do, I would sit there and watch the other Ramones play along to the songs… And the session would last til seven or eight o’clock at night and then we’d go to CBGBs and hang out til three or four in the morning and then come back to the studio the next day.” This tumultuous schedule seemed to continue throughout Marky’s time with the band. He formed very close relationships with each of the members; years travelling in the back of a van (instead of a bus, to save money) saw them become a tight nit family. Johnny and Marky bonded over their love of collecting science-fiction movie posters from the 1950s and 60s, while he and Joey had very similar politics and taste in music. It was Dee Dee though that was his best friend in the band, who was Marky’s “partner in crime.” Describing their relationship, Marky says “we used to goof off a lot, get in trouble, drink, roam around New York til seven in the morning and just have a ball. WWW.SAUCE.NET.AU

That’s what we lived for. Eventually, I had to stop what I was doing, and he too.”

at the time where I didn’t even want my name on the merchandise.”

The lifestyle of drinking and partying eventually developed into a problem for Marky, and Dee Dee too, but Marky was kicked out of the band in order to get himself together. He tells us, “I got kicked out, and I’m grateful for that because it straightened me out.

His superstition wasn’t something that lasted long. With the impact of the lost band members, it has become more and more important to keep the band’s legacy alive and promote the longevity of the music. In the beginning, “we didn’t have any number 1 hits, we didn’t have gold records, that all came later. Years later. But there was a whole generation out there that knew…. And then finally the world caught up with us.” And once the world caught up, the gold records came with the many accolades including being inducted in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This was particularly special for Marky, due to the company within the inductees and also because they were the first punk band. Tommy Ramone was also included in the induction, and is someone who Marky still keeps in touch with. They talk about music, their current projects, and the Ramones, and “what can possibly be done in the future to keep the longevity alive, so me and him are really basically keeping it going.”

“…We didn’t have any Number 1 hits, we didn’t have gold records, that all came later. Years later. But there was a whole generation out there that knew…. And then finally the world caught up with us...” I wasn’t in the band for three and a half years, four years, and then they asked me back again.” The hiatus from the band was enough to get Marky on the right path, though it didn’t last for all of them. A heroin overdose brought on the end of Dee Dee’s life, years after he’d reportedly gotten clean, in 2002. This was one of the quick succession of deaths of the Ramones band members, Joey dying in 2001 from lymphoma and Johnny in 2004 from prostate cancer. Marky describes the time as absolutely horrible, making him question his own mortality and definitely something that changed him profoundly. “Every day you try to live life with a smile, you take it as a gift. They were too young when they died. You would never think that it would happen to your friends who are close to you like that. But, all three of them. I was very suspicious

One of the ways Marky is keeping things going is with his new band Blitzkrieg. Featuring Michale Graves as singer, the band does thirty Ramones songs, and “the group kicks ass. I have played a lot of shows with them. We nurtured everything at rehearsal so there’d be no complaints from anybody. I was very grateful to have these people involved with me because it’s a new century, it’s a new thing, we still do the Ramones songs justice, but it’s just that there’s a little more icing on the cake.” sDavid Williams & Meegan May Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg heads down under next month. 0 8 April @ The Corner, Melbourne 0 9 April @ The University of Sydney, Sydney

Friday 20th of March Cars Rock and Bowl Firebird Murder Rats The Bone Rattlers The No No's 9.30pm Saturday 21st of March Greedy Stout plus comedy by Josh Earl & Daniel Moore $7 9.30pm Sunday 22nd of March The Band who knew too Much Thursday 26th of March Tomas Ford The Muddy Turds (acoustic) Friday 27th of March Basic Shape $5 9.30pm Saturday 28th of March Basic Shape The Home Band 9.30pm $5 Wednesday 1st of April Aaron David Rodgers Band FREE 9pm Thursday 2nd of April Jimmy Stewart Friday 3rd of April Coby Grant Let the Cat Out Thursday 9th of April Holy Cow WEDNESDAY NIGHT SPECIAL 6PM - 9.30PM $10 Beaut Beer & Bonza Burger Night. Your choice of beef, chicken or vege Alley Cat Burger with a 10oz. of Cascade Draught or Pale Ale. . ISSUE 90 . MARCH 17 -MARCH 31 2009

Green Fingers All the freshest produce from The Greenhouse, Irish Murphy’s, Hobart.

Oirish, Oirish Oirish Oirish. Bananas and tea. Something. Ken Oath I’m warming up for St Paddy’s Day and I’ve totally got dibs on that iPhone and no one else better win it. Umm so we’ve had corkers, and one with corky, but I’ll get to that. What’s with the Ben Wells and the Middle Names and NoFoTo ehh? These guys just do it, like they have great songs and people shake it out. I don’t think we can have them together on the same night again though, too much hi-jinks (I saw what was going on in the greenroom guys). Fun should be spread out thin and even like promite and don’t make me smack you for going overboard. http://www.myspace. com/benwellsband And http://www.myspace.com/ nofototheband. Luvs and BAAAAAAAAAAM have you guys seen Ruth Berechree yet? You should, she’ll be back in April but the weird thing is: families of musos! I mean aside from the surname who would have thunk Jonno Coleman of Ejector and Chris Coleman of Hannah were brothers! It’s like we’re the North North Island to NZ’s Finn

brothers, and now we’ve got both Pat AND Ruth Berechree up on the downstroke at Irish Murphy’s the Greenhouse. Who’s it gonna be next? Who has a secret sibling or a scary Misery-esque partner standing over them with an axe in one hand and a flying V in the other? Who knows but bring it on, we can handle it. Touring shit: Do you like good blues? There’s something about it, and I’m not talking your ‘black coffees’ or your ‘don’t get around much anymores etc. Chewing tobacco blues. We’ve got our own regular guy doing it, Dan Hennessy, who has just kicked up a notch and I recommend checking him out in April annnnnd we’ve also got Matt Southon and Phil Edgeley’s – ‘Steel Strung Blues’ Tour (NSW) on Tuesday March 31st (this is probably also a good place to mention that local or tourer, there is

never a cover charge at Irish Hobart). Also, not that we’re in the game of this, but we’ve got fizzy pants. Occasionally we’re exposed to something that actually makes all of us at the Greenhouse aural horn-dogs and this band has done it, they are called (yes we mean it) . . . . ‘ME’. http://www.themeband. com/ Seriously check them out, from Melbourne, they’re playing Good Friday Eve the 9th of April with Jonis and another secret band (no we’re not telling). If you like Queen or Muse or freakin five part vocal harmonies and a front man piano player who can do windmills then by Christ they’ll beat your brains out. But back to corky, or more appropriately, Benny

Korkmaz – International Man of Mystery and front man of La Vista. These guys were actually seriously good. They’d probably punch me if I made comparisons to early U2 but it’s too late and I can run faster than them. Also of note from the gig on the 11th of March, Sammy Page. Bro, you’re off to Melbourne. Us at the Greenhouse wish you the best (but we’re also secretly hoping it’s a bit like Hotel California and you come back all bruised up with another album under your arm) and we’ll look after *things* for you while your away. In the meantime. Horns up. See you at the Greeny. sFERT Get seedy in The Greenhouse: 0 Every Sunday - Thursday night @ Irish Murphy’s, Hobart

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. ISSUE 90 . MARCH 17 - MARCH 31 2009

WWW.SAUCE.NET.AU

SOUNDCHECK - out and about in the hottest venues Akmal: Live + Uncensored @ Wrest Point Showroom, 27 February

The show then began with Joel Osborne the support. He’s a younger comedian who has toured with Akmal for around four years. He got quite a good reception throughout his act, even after losing the audience a couple of times when launching into long-winded stories about his travels – which he boasted about a little too much. Then it was time to endure the line to the bar and wait for Akmal. Finally the man himself enters the stage. He began well with personal stories to relate himself to the audience about being recognised and getting married. He then launched into the obligatory act of mocking other towns. Both comics had developed a particularly strong case against Queenstown as they’d been there recently. The rest of the show covered some standard topics such as the dole, the news and sex and also some lesser-touched topics such as religion, drugs and violence in schools. He came up with original and really humorous takes on real things, in an honest way and so far the show was going well. My problem with the show though was that there was SO much swearing. Comedy is an art form, which is generally expected to be confronting and even offensive, with the artist’s skill being judged by how entertaining they can make these subjects. To me constant swearing lowers the tone of the performance and gives the impression that it is being used as an attempt to veil the artist’s lack of material or confidence. In spite of this I really enjoyed his performance. Until the final piece. Before the show I read an online review of Akmal from 2007 where the reviewer complained of seeing a piece that was being repeated. In this piece both comedians came on with a bag of items they had purchased at op-shops throughout their tour and did a one-liner about each prop – a gag which was pretty unoriginal and not all that funny. Lo and behold they start doing this very same piece with the very same items and gags mentioned in the 2007 review. All I’m saying is, don’t they know we have internet in Tassie too? sTABITHA FLETCHER

Good Vibrations Festival 2009 @ Flemington Racecourse, 15 February

Amanda Palmer + Liam Constable + Enola Fall @ The Brisbane Hotel, 14 March

Imagine this - it’s a perfect blue-skied day and perfect conditions for a 10 hour party entailing some of the best musical talent you could hope for. Now the only contention, which often is with these kinds of events, is the timetable. This was quite well orchestrated though, with acts dispersed well across the day. I started with a healthy serve of hip-hop from Illzilla. I haven’t heard from these boys in lately but they’ve been around awhile, I needed to check them out. Turned out to be a good decision. Next I stumbled upon the wild and wonderful Paris Wells. She was cool and sings a funky and melodramatic kind of pop.

Liam Constable was the first support act, and he has a unique style and presence. It’s a little melancholy, a little folky, and it’s good. Very good. He seems to have earned the name of ‘the Leonard Cohen of Tasmania’, brought about by his intimate lyrics in songs with universal meaning, and his smooth, emotional delivery. It was a name well-earned with this performance.

After this I felt a need for some dancing and went to check out John Course. I was instantly sucked into a sea of non-stop dancing, sweaty people and was unable to get myself to leave for some time. Other acts I managed to see were Phrase, who was great and did a surprise duet with Kram from Spiderbait, which was a real treat. Also electro-guitar inspired group Miami Horror who had amazing energy – these guys looked like they were about to melt on stage! Sam Sparro gave an excellent performance. It’s always great to find that someone is as good live as they are on record. The Presets gave a trademark performance and attracted most of the crowd. I’ve seen them a few times now but I still couldn’t tear away. Now all that was left was the grand finale - Fatboy Slim. I was disappointed to see he was playing alongside Deadmau5 and other big attractions, but there was no choice to be made. The man himself was there and we were like bees to honey. The crowd swarmed. I thought he put on a brilliant show. The light show was excellent, the graphics first class and Fatboy Slim just feeds the crowd with joy and energy. He has been subjected to some surprising criticism, but he is an amazing performer. Who else can get thousands of people singing ‘Love is in the Air’? To those who spoke out against him – would you have been anywhere else? The answer is a resounding no. sTABITHA FLETCHER

Next up were Enola Fall. The latest line-up really has something special. Any time I see that Linc le Fevre is part of a group; I immediately believe that there must be something of real quality about them, as a group, and as individual musicians and my belief was borne out on this night. All the players showed superior skill and energy. Stan the drummer, in one song, played trombone, Eliot the additional percussionist also played guitar, and Joe Nuttall played keyboards, as well as guitar, and sang lead vocals, with other members providing back up. The new bass player also did a fine job. Add to that Joe’s very clever songwriting Alex Kidd @ Syrup, 27 February Pickle vs Pitch Black at Syrup is well known around Hobart for its particular breed of hard dance music, but even the regulars weren’t too sure how hard Alex Kidd was going to play… The night started a little less brutal, as Corney opened with a brilliant set of twisted, ballsy electro-tech, followed closely by G-Tek, with a fantastic mix of pumped-up tech-trance. It was just the stuff to get the night moving in the right direction. As the BPMs climbed, Shad took to the decks, playing a super-tough tech-trance mix; a nice departure from his regular vicious breed of Hardstyle, and the perfect way to bring in the current World #1 Hard Dance DJ, Alex Kidd! From the drop of his first track, The Kidd meant

and you have the right elements to produce great music, and they did just that. It was great to see Joe so confident, a real focal point for the audience, so strong and clear with his vocals, always engaging the crowd, and at times walking in front of the stage which gave the presence of the group a greater dynamic feel. The crowd jumped, danced and screamed throughout their performance. I think many in the crowd had come to see Enola Fall, alone, but the majority were there for Amanda, certainly. She took the stage, and stood quietly until there was silence, and sang a melancholy song of heartbreak and death, unaccompanied by instrument, commanding the attention of the entire room. It was a very dramatic start. The mood of her set remained quite mellow, with the occasional violent emphasis made through her keyboard. It was only about half way through the set that the tempo increased with strong performances of tracks ‘Runs In The Family’ and ‘Coin Operated Boy’ and a new track, in which she says she wants to move to Australia. See her blog, it’s true. I also enjoyed the change on instruments, to ukulele, and the witty songs about New Zealand, and another, which proclaimed fondness for Tasmania. Last was a cover of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’, made famous to a new generation by the late Jeff Buckly. Overall, the diehard fans seemed satisfied, and I felt enriched by the experience. sDAVID WILLIAMS business!! His trademark scratching, tweaking, and mad skills on the CDJs were phenomenal, often having seamless loops playing on all 3 CDJs, whilst using the mixer’s effects . Always busy on the decks, fists pumping furiously to the beat, Alex even used his headphones as a mic to pump the crowd up even more, whipping them into a crazy hard dancing mess! After 2 hours of furious cutting, scratching and mad, mad beats, the BPM rose further still, as St. Nick unleashed a dose of UK Hardcore. The bouncy beats rounding the night out perfectly. Hard Dance event of the year? Fair chance! sPETER MAYHEW

WEDNESDAY

NIGHTS

WEDNESDAY SESSIONS AT THE METZ 7:00 - 9:00PM $8 BEER JUGS $5 METZ BREADS - $10 PIZZAS. 9:00 - 11:00PM $4 BASIC SPIRITS! DJ FROM 8PM TILL LATE. “It’s not Jamal’s cup of tea, but we’re sure you’ll love it!” WWW.THEMETZ.COM.AU 217 SANDY BAY RD WWW.SAUCE.NET.AU

. ISSUE 90 . MARCH 17 -MARCH 31 2009

OFF THE SHELF Hey all and welcome to Off The Shelf, our fortnightly spiel on the Tasmanian music on offer every Wednesday at Irish Murphy’s Launceston. Top Shelf is now in its 18th week and thanks to all the wonderful performances we are now gaining more and more interest from Hobart bands as well as interstate acts. Over the coming months we hope to announce a host of established groups along with up and comers. Tonight, Wednesday March 18, we bring you the debut Top Shelf performance from Launceston four piece, Your Damn Neighbours, featuring guitar wizz kid, Billy Bennett. This ‘eighties rock’ inspired outfit bring an exciting energy to any stage they grace be it The Albert Hall or the main stage MS Fest 2008. Whilst guitar driven rock riffs dominate their sound, singer Toby Dadson’ hard hitting rock voice and stage prowess is an element that is often missing in younger bands but with YDN it completes the authentic nature of their style. Come along and witness the raw power that is Your Damn Neighbours. Supporting will be Mark Edmunds from Foreign Films. I must admit I haven’t seen his solo show yet so I will be just as keen as everyone else for this one. As always we kick off at 9:30pm.

FOLK ROCK - TASMANIA // DOMINIC FRANCIS

Blowing Up

After hitting the live scene in 2007, Tassie musician Dominic Francis is gearing up for the launch of his debut album Expressions of Interest. With a shortlisting for an APRA Professional Development Award already this year and the release his album, 2009 is sure to blow up for this reflective artist. Which tracks from your new EP are the most personal, and why? Every song holds its own value to me, but one that stands out would be track two “Time to Blow Up Myself ”. I wrote it at a time when I was struggling with my identity and foolishly being concerned about the image I was portraying, and what people thought of me. There is usually a gasp when I introduce the title of the song, but it is more about feeling deflated than a cause for action. The song gives a real summary about where I am in life at the moment. How do you write – lyrics first or music first, a bunch of songs in one session or gradually, over time? Generally the lyrics come in the form of poetry and are then matched to any tunes that I have. I have been writing for a few years now so there are many songs and lyrics waiting in the wings. It seems to happen in waves. Short lulls are replaced by late night awakenings with melodies and lyrics just flooding out. My wife at times has scribed for me when verses have come to me when showering, and she is increasingly tolerant of all my scrap bits of paper that tend to trail behind me.

Why is it still important for musicians to make CDs, rather than make individual tracks and focus on internet promotion and live performances? Live performances can be memorable and create nostalgia, but CD’s are for keeps. For me the album was a chance to make something that completely represents who I am. The lyrics, the music, the design, It’s all me. Who would you like most to be compared with, and why? I am often likened to Bob Dylan, Darren Hanlon, Tim Rogers and Paul Kelly, which sits just fine with me. They are all held in high regard. Darren recently gave me some positive feedback which was very supportive. Who do you see as the most likely ‘typical person’ that would buy your EP? There isn’t really a target audience for my music. It tends to sit comfortably with a very diverse range of people. It is satisfying to know that I am evoking thought and emotion amongst friends, family and complete strangers.

How do the tracks on the CD translate when performed live? How different will they sound? Live interpretations are generally true to the recordings, however there is the added visual element that can draw people in just that little bit further. The honesty and gut spilling becomes more noticeable when you can see how I react myself as I play it. Where to from here? Being shortlisted for an APRA Professional Development Award this year has certainly boosted my confidence and outlook for 2009. The intention is to back up this album with further recording some time later in the year, and to take my music to a wider audience through more live performances and increased air play. sDavid Williams

Check out www.myspace.com/ dominicfrancisinsight for 3 prereleased tracks including “Time to Blow Up Myself”. Expressons of Interest will be launched soon: 0 21 March @ Brookfield Vineyard

Wednesday 18th March Your Damn Neighbours Mark Edmunds ( Foreign Films)

THE BEST OF TASMANIA’S Wednesday March 25 sees the return of Devonport band Shoe supported by Nathan Wheldon as they launch their debut E.P. We are thrilled to have them back on the Top Shelf stage (Shoe performed our second week way back in November!) and personally look forward to hearing their cool pop riffs once again. This three piece play infectious rock pop and are sure to leave their songs ringing in your head long after the dust has settled on your mid week live music fix. If you’re interested in hearing a sample of Shoes sound head to www.myspace.com/shinemyshoesbrother. ‘Little Bird’ taken from the forthcoming release is featured there and will give you a taste of what’s to come from their live set. As mentioned Nathan Wheldon will be supporting and as we all know he never disappoints. Two great acts. Three measly dollars. Seriously. Awesome. Over the past two weeks we featured roots/blues group Younger Dryas, coolness personified Mick Attard, the highly fashionable Stoics and singer/songwriter Frankie.

Of news worthy mention are The Stoics who returned to Top Shelf with new bass player, Toby, a young jazz lover from Devonport who I must say stood tall (unlike a few weeks ago!) and relished his role in one of Tasmania’s finest acts. Looking ahead we see The Dog Line (April 1), My Escapade (April 8) and Cruel Like That (April 15), along with Sole Stickers featuring James Dilger (The Reactions) and Jono Hill (The Styles). We hope you enjoy all that is on offer every Wednesday and we thank you for your continued support. Cheers. Glenn and Carl. Reach for the Top Shelf! 0 Every Wednesday night @ Irish Murphy’s, Launceston 10

. ISSUE 90 . MARCH 17 - MARCH 31 2009

ORIGINAL MUSIC EVERY WEDNESDAY

Wednesday 25th March Shoe (CD LAUNCH) Nathan Wheldon Wednesday 1st April The Dog Line Carl Fidler

There ’ s Always Something ... Thursday March 19 GLENN & JADE Friday March 20 THE GARY GARY’S Saturday March 21 LONG WAY HOME Sunday March 22 LUKE PARRY, THE GEALE BROS, BRIEF ILLUSION, LONG WAY HOME Monday March 23 CIARAN VAN DE BERG

Tuesday March 24 NATHAN WHELDON Thursday March 26 SIX FEET SMALL Friday March 27 3 SOME Saturday March 28 THE "ANGRY" HIPPIES Sunday March 29 CARL FIDLER, BEN CASTLES, LUKE PARRY, POCKET ROCKET Monday March 30 THE GEALE BROS Tuesday March 31 BEN CASTLES

... Happening At Irish Murphy’s L I V E M U S I C 7 DAY S 3 BARS / FUNCTIONS AVAILABLE / RESTAURANT WOOD FIRED PIZZAS / LOG FIRES / ROOFTOP BAR OUTSIDE

211 BRISBANE ST LAUNCESTON 6331 4440 WWW.SAUCE.NET.AU

ALTERNATIVE - SCOTLAND // PRIMAL SCREAM

Primal Scream UPCOMING GIGS

Wednesday, 18 March Deux Pervertis Thursday, 19 March Sara Jane & Nathan Wheldon Friday, 20 March - Boatshed The Band That Knew Too Much w/ Josh Earl - $2 Cover Saturday, 21 March TBC Wednesday, 25 March Open Mic Night from 8.30 $10 Boags Draught Jugs Thursday, 26 March Lonny Tunes Feat. Ben Vialle Chris Jackson Fiona Brown Mickey J Friday, 27 March Mick Attard Saturday, 28 March - Bar The Titz in the Bar Sofa Kings in The Boatshed Wednesday, 1 April Andy Collins

“…These live shows, they’ve been the most fun in years these last couple of tours. The band is reinvigorated again...”

Thursday, 2 April Samuel Bester in the Bar Folk Federation Chris White + Julie Matthews in the Boatshed

GREAT FOOD

OPEN MIC NIGHT

THE LAST WEDNESDAY

OF EVERY MONTH

OPEN 7 DAYS

14 Brisbane Street, Launceston 6331 5346

OPEN 7 DAYS

They’re still hoping to be here for a good time and not a long time but Primal Scream have largely mended their evil ways. MONDAYS / TUESDAYS Industry Night • $25 Beer Buckets – Any 5 stubbies from our fridge for $25

WEDNESDAY - UNI NIGHT Gonna have a big night? We will ﬁll you up! • Paella $25/hd • $15 Sangria Jugs •10pm – 12pm $10 Cocktails • Schooners @ 10oz prices

THURSDAY Ladies Night! Girls leave the boys at home and come in for a stiff one! • Cosmos $10

FRIDAY • Free Tapas between 5pm and 6pm with every drink

SATURDAY / SUNDAY Lazy Afternoons • Schooners @ 10oz prices 3pm – 6pm RELAX in our couches upstairs or the sunny courtyard. Got a FUNCTION? We can cater for any budget.

Corner of Burnett & Elizabeth St, North Hobart Opposite The Republic Bar 6231 5931 • info@onba.com.au WWW.SAUCE.NET.AU

They’re still hoping to be here for a good time and not a long time but Primal Scream have largely mended their evil ways. Notorious in the past for their Hoover-like drug and alcohol intake, the Scottish rock stayers have garnered almost as much attention for their back stage exploits in the 90s as they have for their euphoric peak-period albums Screamadelica and Give Out But Don’t Give Up. The insider stories are the stuff of legend, most memorably a heated band argument one evening over whether to order Chinese, Indian or Vietnamese.

with the renewed vigor and melodic optimism found lacking on 2006’s Riot City Blues. “I thought this was quite a pop record,” offers Innes. “It quite like ‘Uptown’ which is sort of a beautiful disco song, we enjoyed making that. ‘Suicide Bomb’, I liked that too. It’s just different every time so long as you keep changing and moving and keeping yourself interested.”

“Why don’t you just settle for burgers?” interjected a bystander, to which came the terse reply: “It’s heroin we’re discussing – not food!”

Having previously collaborated with such big names as Robert Plant, Bernard Sumner and My Bloody Valentine guitar maestro Kevin Shields, Primal Scream used Beautiful Future as an opportunity to again build on their already extensive studio guest list, inviting Josh Homme, CSS’s Lovefoxxx and folkie Linda Thompson into the fold.

For the band’s London-based guitarist Andrew Innes, those decadent days are over. Now middle-aged and sober, he says the group has moved on from its Stonesian acolyte status and re-discovered the pure joy in writing and performing, unhindered by drugs and dramas.

“People like Bernard Sumner and Robert Plant are our heroes,” says Innes. “Robert Plant’s got a house near our studio and you see him in the post office and in the pub and he just talks to you for hours about music. He’s a real music fanatic and he likes 60s psychedelia like we do.

“You’ve got to make it fun because we’re in our forties now and if it’s not fun then what the hell are you doing it for!” says a flu-addled Innes in a thick Scottish brogue. “It’s the same with these live shows, they’ve been the most fun in years these last couple of tours. The band is reinvigorated again.”

“And he’s quite self-effacing, he doesn’t tell bragging stories, he just likes to talk about Skip Spence’s LP or Syd Barrett. We asked if he wanted to come around and play with us and he said ‘of course I will’.”

Despite a multitude of personnel changes and plenty of experimenting, both musically and narcotically, the band - led by Innes and founding singer Bobby Gillespie - has seen off the acid house, grunge, punk and electronica movements while remaining progressive throughout. “Rock n’ roll has just been great to us,” says Innes. “It picks you up when you’re down and it’s just fantastic to be able to keep going in music and get paid to do what you love. Playing a concert with 2000 people singing your songs – what can be better than that? We’re lucky we’ve managed to do it for 20 years now.” The veterans’ ninth album, last year’s Bjorn Yttlingproduced Beautiful Future, finds the quintet playing

LITTLE MISS

MUSIC T A S M A N I A

Event Management

PA Hire

It’s anyone’s guess who’ll join Primal Scream on Australian stages this month, their first visit here in nine years. For Innes, he’s just hoping some balmy Aussie weather will dry out his lingering cold. “I’ve not been out of the house in a couple of weeks with the flu so I can’t wait to get to Australia and get some sun, some heat,” he says. “And we’re coming for a good time - we want to be out there having a good time. We’ll be playing a few songs from the new record and playing a lot of our favourites as well. “There’s so many songs now that we sort of jumble up the set every night, depending on how we feel. When we played Glasgow we played for nearly two hours so it’s great - you can play songs you haven’t played for years.”

Booking musicians for festivals, events, venues, corporate and private functions 0407 270 257 littlemissmusictas@gmail.com www.myspace.com/littlemissmusictasmania

sSteve Tauschke . ISSUE 90 . MARCH 17 -MARCH 31 2009

INDIE - MELBOURNE // BASIC SHAPE

Back to Basics

Five folky pop-rock based musicians hailing from old Melbourne town make up the basic shape of Basic Shape. With their debut album finally gracing stores in April last year, the eclectic gang of musicians are setting sail across the Strait to play some shows in Hobart. We find out the basics from Gerry Eeman, lead singer, guitarist and self appointed wearer of “tight pants”. You released your debut album Boat Without A Sail mid last year, how has it gone? Great. It hasn’t made us megastars or anything but I think it’s given us a good toehold out there. We’ve had a lot of good feedback. Is there anything about the album that you’d change if you could have it again? Lots of things! I’m never completely happy with the finished product. I think I could continue tinkering with an album for 20 years if I was allowed. Rumour has it that your father was a one hit wonder? Yeah my dad had a number one single in Belgium in 1962. It was called “Savez Vous Dancer Sans Soulier” which translates to “Can You Dance Without Shoes”. He came back to his record company with a second single but it never got off the ground. What other bands have you been likened to? We’ve had a mix…Not really one that really sticks. We’ve had Crowded House, Augie March, Gomez, Ron Sexsmith. One paper referred to us as sounding like the Beach Boys on Prozac! We recently had a guy say we sound like The Church though I must admit I don’t really know what they sound like. I see you guys have done a lot of touring the past year, what’s it like being the tour bus stuck with the band for long periods? A lot of inane conversations. laughter, frustration, and queasy mornings…Mick tends to lead a variety of strange conversations in the long tour rides by asking each of us what they would do in tricky situations. For example, questions that start with “for a million dollars, would you…?”. What’s your greatest accomplishments as a band so far? A mixture of things. Not killing each other on tour is always an achievement. Being listed in “Singles of the Year” in Beat Magazine was pretty good. We’ve had some good play on ABC radio though we haven’t managed to crack Triple J as yet. The album was Feature of Album of the Week on ABC Hobart, which was great. What’s the best gig you’ve ever done? We had a great gig on an East Coast tour where we played in this little pub in the middle of nowhere. When we got there we thought “oh no” but it ended up being great. An influx of hippies came just before we started and cheered us along. It was a little surreal. For some reason everything clicked, it was hot beautiful weather, there was a good crowd and a touch of summer madness in the air. What can people expect if they come to see you? A good night, harmonies, a bit of crooning, a bit of bum shaking, lots of textured sounds and some new songs.

Can you dance without shoes? Find out with Basic Shape, myspace.com/basicshapemusic: 0 27-28 March@ The Alley Cat, Hobart 12

. ISSUE 90 . MARCH 17 - MARCH 31 2009

WWW.SAUCE.NET.AU

DANCE - SAN FRANCISCO // MIGUEL MIGS

Remixing the Mix

Miguel Migs likes to “mix it up” when it comes to the music he produces. Combining electronic dance music with a lot of live instrumentation, Migs is one of the more soulful house DJs out there. Also having created his own label, Salted Music, and heading up an eight piece live band, Migs says that “between the touring and the studio work and working on my label, it all keeps me busy enough.” Perhaps a little too busy, as we call him in the middle of icing his back injury while at his San Francisco home. “As a tall person, most tall people have lower back problems more so than other people, so you’re doomed just with the height thing alone, let alone needing to travel for work, that’s pretty hard on your back.” But Migs is happy to take the time to be careful about his health, knowing that without it he has nothing. The idea of balance is very important to him. For someone who works as hard as he does, it can be difficult and cause a lot of strain, but “you’ve got to find your own personal balance. I’ll take time off just to kick back and spend time with friends when I’m home or enjoy the weather if I’m somewhere nice. You’ve just got to make time to do the things you like to do. It’s like anybody who’s busy working a lot of hours, you’ve got to find your pockets of time to do things you like to do.” Finding these “pockets of time” isn’t always easy. He realises the problems it can cause on relationships (“my last girlfriend wasn’t so great with [my schedule]”), but insists it’s all a matter of finding the right people in his life that are creative and independent enough to

support him in his creativity and independence. But he’s quick to point out that it’s not just a strain only found in the music industry. “There are a lot of business people out there that fly around and constantly have to meetings, and professional athletes that have to do their stuff. With the music, sure there’s a lot of the debauchery side of things, I guess it just depends on the individual and how much they choose to dive in to it and of course the partner and whether they can handle it and how secure or independent they are.” Though it isn’t just his personal relationships that can sometimes be effected by his heavy workload. After launching his eight-piece band Petalpusher in 2007, he also has trouble finding enough time to dedicate to the band in between all his other duties as a DJ, producer and label owner. “So it’s just finding the right pockets of time to be able to put energy into things and do them the right way,” he says. The band definitely draws from the electronic inspirations but also features an old school funk and soul sounds. It isn’t surprising that Migs should find himself in

a live band, as his music career began when he was 18 and lead guitarist and songwriter for the Santa Cruz local band Zion Sounds, which featured African and Jamaican styles said to influence his later music. After the band dissolved in the mid 1990s, Migs began putting his energy into the production of electronic music. From there he began to create soulful mixes with more than just a dance floor appeal, recognising that his music isn’t always going to be a hit track in the club, it “isn’t so thumping dance and electronica, it’s more on the soulful side of the spectrum, as is most of the stuff that I do,” but he is happy that people can enjoy the sounds at home or anywhere else as well. The album he hopes they are currently enjoying is the new remix album of his release Those Things, a follow up to his original debut Colourful You, and something he sees as representing an open-minded musical spectrum. It isn’t an album he’s remixed himself, but something that just came up after the release of Those Things, “Overall, we didn’t really plan on doing a remix album.

After the original album came out we had so many remixes done by different artists that were a good quality and variety, so we thought ‘why not release a remix album?’ because we felt that there was enough material and that it was fluent enough to have a nice flow and album feel to it.” Releasing the album on Salted Records, and having it picked up by One Love in Australia, the album was very organic and naturally put together, admitting “there wasn’t really a whole lot of thought put into [choosing the songs],” instead it was something that “just worked out” and found its own pocket of time to come together. Hopefully Miguel Migs will find some more of those pockets of time to work on his health and continue with his many musical pursuits. sDavid Williams & Meegan May

0 Check out the new release Those Things Delux, which includes the original CD and the remix.

124 DAVEY ST HOBART 03 6224 9494 WWW.HOTELSOHO.COM.AU

Monday

Wednesday

Sunday

Industry Night

Around The Clock Jug from 5pm

Around the clock Chicken Parmi from 5pm

$3.00 Basics from 9pm - 12am

Give us your best with Open Mic from 9pm

Around The Clock Jug from 5pm

2 for 1 All Beers & Basics from 9pm 14

. ISSUE 90 . MARCH 17 - MARCH 31 2009

WWW.SAUCE.NET.AU

ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE Wednesday, 18 March sHobart The Alley Cat Andrew Marshall 8:30pm Brookfield Vinyard Loren Hotel SOHO “Beets”: DJ Macca 9pm The Metz “Mid Week Mets” with Dave Webber 8pm Republic Bar Chi Roh + No Foto (CD Launch) 9pm Irish Murphy’s Kiss Whisky + Amy and the Ken Dolls + Dali and the Paper Band sLaunceston

Hobart to Launceston $62.10 Save $15.50!!

Irish Murphy’s Glenn & Jade The Royal Oak Sara Jane & Nathan Wheldon 9pm The Commercial Hotel Karaoke 8pm Friday, 20March sHobart The Alley Cat “Cars Rock and Bowl” Firebird + Murder Rats + The Bone Rattlers + The No No’s 9:30pm The Brisbane Hotel “Homebrew Hip Hop IX”: Juro + Draz + Queen-G + ENZ + Stray + MC Click + Aimz + Topski Syrup “Crack Taxi” feat. Kir, Parkey, Adam Turner. $10 11pm

(*Conditions Apply)

Brookfield Vinyard Pugsley Buzzard

Reservations/Credit Card Payments 1300 360 000

Irish Murphy’s Michael Clennett + Big Swifty Republic Bar Unleash The Nugget + The Trolls $10 10pm The Loft DJ Andrew Marshall + Jaws Jordan sLaunceston

Brookﬁeld Vineyard. 1640 Channel Highway. Margate. 7054. Ph 6267 2880 Licensed cafe open 7 days & late for all events

Wednesday 18th March Loren Thursday 19th March Colum Sands Friday 20th March Pugsley Buzzard Saturday 21st March Dominic Francis (CD Launch) Friday 27th March Aaron Rodgers Band All have meals available. www.brookﬁeldvineyard.com - info@brookﬁeldvineyard.com WWW.SAUCE.NET.AU

Irish Murphy’s The Gary Garys The Royal Oak The Band Who Knew Too Much + Josh Earl $2 The Commercial Hotel DJ Skip

Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery Ten Days on the Island: Siren $20 4pm & 6pm

sLaunceston

The Loft Stand Up Comedy

Earl Arts Centre Ten Days on the Island: Floating $30 2pm & 6pm

sLaunceston

Irish Murphy’s The “Angry” Hippies

Irish Murphy’s Long Way Home The Royal Oak Live Music Hotel New York Hook N Sling $10 10pm

sHobart The Alley Cat The Band Who Knew Too Much The Brisbane Hotel Jai Sutton Art Opening w/ DJ ‘COS’ Moorila The Cat Empire

Republic Bar Carus (CD Launch) $15 9pm Irish Murphy’s Yulgna Strange Quartet sLaunceston Irish Murphy’s Luke Parry + The Geale Bros + Brief Illusion+ Long Way Home Monday, 23 March sHobart Hotel SOHO Dr Fink 10pm Republic Bar Praire + Aby Dogget 8:30pm sLaunceston Irish Murphy’s Ciaran Van de Berg Tuesday, 24March sHobart Republic Bar Downsyde + Drapht + Pez Irish Murphy’s Andrew Marshall + Martin O’Brien + Jonno Coleman

The Royal Oak “Lonnie Tunes”: Ben Vialle + Chris Jackson + Fiona Brown + Micky J 9pm Irish Murphy’s Six Feet Small

Irish Murphy’s 3Some The Royal Oak Mick Attard 9pm The Commercial Hotel DJ Skip Saturday, 28March sHobart

Irish Murphy’s Nathan Wheldon

The Alley Cat Basic Shape + The Home Band $5 9:30pm

Wednesday, 25 March sHobart The Brisbane Hotel Alex Martin + Stars Of The Underground + We Are The Kicks The Metz “Mid Week Mets” with Camo 8pm Republic Bar Downsyde + Drapht + Pez Hotel SOHO “Beets”: DJ Macca 9pm

Saturday, 21 March sHobart

sLaunceston

The Alley Cat Greedy Stout + comedy by Josh Earl + Daniel Moore $7 9:30pm

The Royal Oak Open Mic Night 8:30pm

The Brisbane Hotel The Meanies + The Roobs + Woof Woof

sHobart

Thursday, 26 March The Alley Cat Tomas Ford + The Muddy Turds The Brisbane Hotel Spheres + Oceans + Russian Prison System

The Royal Oak The Titz + Sofa Kings 9pm The Commercial Hotel Hard Drive

Sunday, 29 March Hotel New York Downsyde + Drapht + Pez sHobart Friday, 27 March Brookfield Vinyard Cow Jones and the All sHobart Ordinaries. The Alley Cat City Hall Basic Shape $5 9:30pm Ten Days on the Island: Dance Hall - The Shuffle The Brisbane Hotel Club $20 9pm Spoonbill + Vj Dropbear + Acumen (Dameza & VJ Theatre Royal Sloth) + Dj Ten Days on the Island: Kashishi + Ham + Metamorphosis start at Psywise + COS $38 8pm Syrup The Metz “Pickle vs Pitch Black”: “Metz on Sundays” with Shad + Corney + GTek. DJs Camo + Woodhouse $10 11pm 4pm Brookfield Vinyard Hotel SOHO Aaron David Rodgers “Open Mic” with John Band Harwood + Tom Wolfe City Hall Republic Bar Ten Days on the Island: Cake Walking Babies Dance Hall - Mista 9pm Savona + Horace Andy $20 10pm Irish Murphy’s MIQ eith Stevie Theatre Royal Ten Days on the Island: sLaunceston Metamorphosis start at $38 7:30pm Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery Irish Murphy’s Ten Days on the Island: Tim Davies + Dr Fink Siren $20 4pm & 6pm Republic Bar Svensson + Brian Hooper Earl Arts Centre Ten Days on the Island: & Band $5 10pm Floating $30 6pm Hotel SOHO Irish Murphy’s Nofoto 10pm Carl Fidler + Ban Castles + Luke Parry + Poket sLaunceston Rocket Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery Monday, 30 March Ten Days on the Island: sHobart Siren $20 4pm & 6pm

sLaunceston

Irish Murphy’s Abbey Doggett + British Battlegrounds + Fat Smalls

Syrup DFD + Ministry of Sound pres: “Clubbers’ Guide

sLaunceston

Irish Murphy’s Ryan Kinder + the Middletones

Hotel SOHO “Open Mic” with John Harwood + Nick Wolfe

sLaunceston

Republic Bar Darren Hanlon $20 9pm

Republic Bar Sugatrain $4 10pm

Brookfield Vinyard Colum Sands

The Loft Stand Up Comedy

Adults Advance Return*

Irish Murphy’s John Harwood + Damage Control

The Metz “Metz on Sundays” with DJs 4pm

Irish Murphy’s George Begby + The Middle Sea + The Trolls

STUDENT FARES

Republic Bar Let The Cat Out + The Stoics $8 10pm

Syrup “Mash Up da Town” with DJ Stirlo + guests 10pm

Republic Bar Jeff Martin (The Tea Party) $40 9pm

Up to 18 years of age 60 cents per sector on all services Over 18 years of age 50% discount applies (Launceston – Hobart $17.30)

The Queen’s Head Café & Wine Bar British Battlegrounds + Jess Patmore

Sunday, 22 March

The Brisbane Hotel Go Genre Everything + Ivy St + myblackson

Coach Services

Brookfield Vinyard Dominic Francis (CD launch)

The Royal Oak Deux Pervertis 9pm

The Alley Cat Rebecca Moore + Brett Hunt

REDLINE

Irish Murphy’s Katie & Ado + Running With Scissors

The Commercial Hotel Off The Cuff

sHobart

"Tasmania's own"

Syrup “Mash Up da Town”: DJ Stirlo + guests. 10pm

Irish Murphy’s “Top Shelf ”

Thursday, 19 March

103 Elizabeth St Hobart 03 6231 5578

2009”: The Aston Shuffle + Bass Kleph + Kir, Gillie. $20 11pm

The Brisbane Hotel ALL AGES: Sonic Exhumation 1: Mephistopheles + Taberah + D.B. Call + NowyourefuckeD + Solar Thorn + Your Damn Neighbours+ Overlord (CHALKY) The Brisbane Hotel Brand New Second Hand + DJ BTC The Brisbane Hotel The Native Cats (Cd Launch) + All Fires The Fire + Manchester Mourning Syrup “Dirty F’king Dancing”: Tristan + Gillie+ Adam Turner + Tackyland $10 11pm City Hall Ten Days on the Island: Dance Hall - Kenny López + Félix Baloy $20 9pm Theatre Royal Ten Days on the Island: Metamorphosis start at $38 8pm

Theatre Royal Ten Days on the Island: Metamorphosis start at $38 8pm Hotel SOHO The Smashers 10pm Republic Bar Quiz Night 9pm sLaunceston Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery Ten Days on the Island: Siren $20 6pm Irish Murphy’s The Geale Bros Tuesday, 31 March sHobart Theatre Royal Ten Days on the Island: Metamorphosis start at $38 8pm Republic Bar Aaron Rodgers Band 9pm Irish Murphy’s Mat Southon & Phil Edgeley’s Steel Strung Blues Tour sLaunceston Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery Ten Days on the Island: Siren $20 6pm Irish Murphy’s Ben Castles

Recording Mixing Mastering Production Bookings Essential Call Dave Venter for a quote 0408 373 066 or email fatlipstudios@gmail.com

Launceston Studio www.myspace.com/fatlipstudios

The Biggest Variety Of Comedy In Tassie! Stand up, Sketch, Physical, Musical Comedy, Burlesque, Sitcom.

Next Show: Monday April 13th - 8pm

@ The Backspace Theatre Sackville St Hobart

FACEBOOK GROUP: SHORT BACK AND SIDESHOW

Venue Guide HOBART Brookfield Vineyard 1640 Channel Highway Margate 6267 2880 Hotel SOHO 124 Davey Street 6224 9494 www.hotelsoho.com.au Irish Murphy’s 21 Salamanca Place 6223 1119 irishmurphys.com.au Isobar Franklin Wharf www.isobar.com.au The Loft 142 Liverpool St Hobart 7000 (03) 6231 6552 www.myspace.com/ theloft142 The Metz on the Bay 217 Sandy Bay Road 6224 4444 www.themetz.com.au

The Alley Cat Bar 381 Elizabeth Street 6231 2299 www.myspace.com/ thealleycatbar LAUNCESTON The Commercial Hotel 27 George Street 6331 3868 Irish Murphy’s 211 Brisbane Street 6331 4440 www.irishmurphys. com.au Hotel New York 122 York Street 6334 7231 Lonnies 107 Brisbane Street 6334 7889 www.lonniesniteclub. com The Boathouse on Northbank 55 Lindsay St 6334 5677

The New Sydney Hotel 87 Bathurst Street The Royal Oak 6234 4516 14 Brisbane Street 6331 5346 Syrup www.myspace.com/ 1st Floor 39 Salamanca leapinlimpout Place 6224 8249 DEVONPORT www.syrupclub.com Spurs Tavern The Republic Bar King St 299 Elizabeth Street 6234 6954 www.republicbar.com The Brisbane Hotel 3 Brisbane Street 6234 4920 www.myspace.com/ thebrisbanehotel

. ISSUE 90 . MARCH 17 -MARCH 31 2009

DANCE - SYDNEY // BASS KLEPH

Bass In Your Face

the

LOFT

142 Liverpool Street

Have You Ever Wanted To Be A Promoter? “…I’d just like to continue to build a cool, credible dance label....” As a DJ, producer, record label owner, mix engineer and even radio host, Bass Kleph is one of the driving forces in the Australian Dance scene. He’s also one of the busiest, currently on The Ministry of Sound’s Clubbers Guide To ’09 Tour. No wonder he named his label Vacation Records, he could probably use one! Best thing you did this summer? I played a massive gig in San Francisco on New Years Eve. Best place to play? Hmmm, aside from some of my favourite spots in Australia, I’d have to say Canada. My West Coast tour there last November was a blast! Best vacation spot? For cold weather, I choose Japan, and all the northern mountains of fresh dry pow pow. For hot weather, our own Australia is hard to beat. Some of the islands off the coast of Cairns are amazing. That or Barcelona. Where do you want to take Vacation Records in the future? The moon. But firstly....I’d just like to continue to build a cool, credible dance label. It’s a boutique label, so we

stick to what we do best. There are more local Aussie artists joining the ranks at the moment. This year will have a strong focus on our core local artists, as well as new artists from UK, Spain, and USA. Where do you find new artists for the label? Either I hear them DJ, or stumble across their MySpace while scouring the web. Or sometimes still the old fashioned way - from demos. (by the way, you can send your demo to demos@vacationrecords.com) Where would you guide the clubbers of Australia to go to in the coming year? Up, and down, in a jumping motion. With their hands in the air. That’s what’s been happening for the whole tour so far. What do you spend your money on? Kinky stuff? Ooooh, wouldn’t you like to know. You’ll have to listen

closely to the lyrics of my new single ‘$pend My Money’ to figure that one out. Release date is very soon. But for now, you can catch it on my MySpace (www.myspace. com/basskleph) or on my disc on Clubbers Guide to 2009. What gets you high like helium? Nothin’. What can we expect from you when the Clubbers Guide tour hits Hobart? A ‘hands in the air’, bass in your face, mix of electro, techno, fidget and progressive. Plus plenty of unreleased weapons from myself and the Vacation crew too. sMeegan May Wish you were here: 0 21 Mar @ Syrup, Hobart

RUN YOUR OWN EVENT FOR A NIGHT

@ The LOFT!

$450

per night ( massive rooms! ) EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT

DANCE - CANBERRA // THE ASTON SHUFFLE

Stomp Yo Shoes!

Stand Up Comedy Funny As! 30TH MARCH TASMANOID! Comedy show pilot being filmed for Foxtel. Get on TV!

“…It’s taken a while, but I think we definitely think we have an idea about what people like about our records and what people feel the ‘Aston Shuffle’ sound is...”

Hailing from the Nation’s capital, The Aston Shuffle have seen their act rise high very quickly in recent times. The DJ/production duo, featuring Vance Musgrove and Mikah Freeman, were not too long ago simply playing their mixes around Canberra. Now their music has been picked up by the mighty Ministry of Sound. Making number six in the Sony inthemix50, saw them rank higher than any artist from the ACT has ever placed. “It means a lot to get that kind of recognition from our home town but to have done so well nationally, we were completely flabbergasted. I still don’t think we quite believe it. Is it too late to call for a recount?” Voted by the nearly 20,000 Australian dance fans, the two are humbled and grateful for the recognition and support shown, but instead of resting on their laurels, “we very much feel as though now is the time to step things up a notch or seven. We certainly feel as though we are still developing our sound as producers, as well as our DJ skills, so our overall feeling right now is that it’s time to roll up the sleeves and get stuck in harder than ever before.” The boys have recently rolled up their sleeves to 16

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complete mixing a disc on the recently released Clubber’s Guide to 2009 from the Ministry of Sound. As such, they will be heading down to Tasmania for the Clubbers Guide to 2009 Tour. They’ve also recently released some new tracks, including the singles ‘Stomp Yo Shoes!’ featuring Tommy Sunshine and ‘Do You Want More?’ featuring Danimal Kingdom. No doubt they are hoping to match the success of their 2007 single ‘For Everyone’, which hit number 1 on the ARIA Dance chart for five weeks running. With only a few singles under their belt so far, they are looking forward to putting together an album. “But an album isn’t something we want to throw ourselves at without planning things a bit first…we don’t want to get in over our heads. So at the moment we are putting together an EP as a first step, we figure it’s the best way

to build up towards an album.” Until then, they’re producing hit remixes left and right, making time to hit the festival stages including the Big Day Out, Good Vibrations and the Future Music Festival, and continuing to hone their style and sound in preparation for more original releases. “It’s taken a while, but I think we definitely think we have an idea about what people like about our records and what people feel the ‘Aston Shuffle’ sound is.” And hopefully, it’s a sound that gets your shoes shuffling toward the dance floor.

Get Shuffling, on the Clubbers Guide to 2009 Tour: 0 21 March @ Syrup, Hobart

UPCOMING EVENTS

20TH MARCH DJ Andrew Marshall + Jaws Jordan

3RD APRIL

THE ROOBS + DJ Parky + guests

VENUE FOR HIRE Best rates in the city! Contact: Paul 0420 305 910

www.myspace.com/theloft142 WWW.SAUCE.NET.AU

DANCE - SYDNEY // HOOK N SLING

Off the Hook

“The Australian scene is definitely on the up.” So says Sydney-born DJ and producer Hook N Sling a.k.a. Anthony Maniscalco. Beginning his DJ career in 2000, and he discovered his producing talents when creating his own edits and bootlegs for his DJ set. Today he is recognised as one of the most electrifying house producers on the scene and has performed in some of the biggest dance venues, including party capital Ibiza, and is producing hit mixes with artists such as The Potbelleez and silverchair.

P R E S E N T S

THE CAT EMPIRE

The name of his act comes from an old block party song from the 1960s by Eddie Bo. “I found it one day crate diggin’ a few years back when I was playin’ more Hip Hop/Funk/Mid tempo. It was just one of those tunes I suppose that stuck.” Since adopting it and beginning his DJ career his reputation steadily grew until his remix of indie-rocker Sarah McLeod’s ‘He Doesn’t Love You’ for Renaissance records, which became a smash hit in the clubs, reaching number 1 on the ARIA Club Chart and saw Maniscalco truly arrive on the dance scene. Since the chart success in 2006, Maniscalco followed up with the track, ‘The Bump’, a song that earned him an ARIA nomination, local and international recognition, and a place amongst the top five producers for inthemix, Australia’s biggest dance music awards as voted by the public. Produced with Kid Kenobi, Maniscalco describes the process of creating the song, saying that it “was crazy actually, we pretty much had exactly the same idea for the tune before we got in the studio. So when we started writing, it all came together really quick. I do all the production and engineering on our collaborations but Jesse and myself are very much equal when it comes to ideas. When we get in the studio, we don’t necessarily decide on a genre before we start. We tend to just jam and keep working up the good ideas.” After the big 2007, helped by ‘The Bump,’ 2008 saw further collaboration with Ministry of Sound, with Maniscalco mixing and compiling the Clubber’s Guide to 2008, which went gold. He also produced some more original tracks and participated in some big tours throughout the UK, Europe, the US and of course in Australia. And 2009 will see his latest chart topping single, ‘The Best Thing’ being released internationally. It’s all been amazing for an artist who sometimes struggles with inspiration, “funnily enough, I’m not always inspired. It’s tough writing without inspiration or direction. Every now and then, something comes along that I really like, whether its a guitar riff from a TV commercial or another breaks or hip hop or house tune....I just take those ideas and get in the studio and make them my own.” Making mixes his own: 0 21 March @ Hotel New York, Launceston WWW.SAUCE.NET.AU

THIS WEEKEND Sun March 22 MOORILLA – HOBART FOR TICKET INFORMATION www.moorilla.com.au/events Ph 6277 9900 TSO @ Hotel Grand Chancellor 1800 001 190 Fully licensed event, NO BYO

OPEN AGE EVENT VIP Packages available . ISSUE 90 . MARCH 17 -MARCH 31 2009

GALLERY REVIEW THE GO SET Rising

Rising by The Go Set surprised me in ways but also left me somewhat disappointed. The way the band uses a lot of different instruments amazes me, they are defiantly a successful experiential band. Their music is extremely well structured, the kind of music I would crank up to liven up the party, as it’s jumpy and happy. I would love to see the band live as I could imagine lots of sing-alongs and energy from the band and crowd.

Annika Koops @ Bett Gallery, Hobart, February 12 to March 10, 2009

Her slick, realistic portraits are a reflection of the society that youth inhabits today: one of lonely, disconnected figures who view the world through the eye of their camera phone, and whose closest mates are the ones they are now “following” on Twitter. It is peopled with images of boys not much older than toddlers, asleep and yet still clutching their Playstation controller, and lonely figures with black pieces of plastic and metal fused to their ears.

The songs that stood out to me were ‘Roaring Forties’ and ‘Portland 3:15.’ ‘Roaring Forties’ has a Scottish influence, which shone through throughout the song. ‘Portland 3:15’ has great lyrics, singing about being forever young and spending time with mates, just living life. The CD is a worthwhile purchase, I listened to it whilst skating and far out it got my adrenaline running with the music is powerful, and fast. The Australian band are expected for bigger and better things and I can see them getting extremely far. I’m looking forward to seeing this band live in the near future. 10/10

The most compelling image of all is the one called Clean Hippie. It is a portrait of a youth who looks all-too familiar. They are everywhere on the streets of Hobart: the plucked, made-up, bleached and tanned teenage girl, dressed in “hippie” clothes, bought from Supre, wishing she was a punk rocker with flowers in her hair … as long as she didn’t have to live too far from the Mall, and as long as you could still get mobile reception there.

sCHRISTIAN MACDONALD

THE ROOBS The Roobs

If I had never heard any of The Ramones’ songs, I’d love this CD, but because I have, I’m only lukewarm on it, and that’s because there are many similarities between the musical styles of the two groups, and The Ramones did it first. Sure, everything that has gone before has an influence on the now, but I’m always looking for originality, and the more arresting the originality, the better. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy the CD, because I did, but I was hoping to enjoy it a lot more. The stand out tracks for me are ‘Bad Bad Girl’ and ‘Teenage Femme Fatale’. For those of you wearing Ramones t-shirts, but maybe aren’t even aware that

they are a band, checking out this self-titled CD by The Roobs is worthwhile. Then go and listen to some Ramones. Doing it the other way around may result in forming a similar opinion on this to me. I was also a bit disappointed with the production values of the CD. They are, to me, only average, and I think we have come to expect a high standard, even from locally produced output. The tracks were, apparently, recorded in three different locations, probably using three different equipment set-ups. I heard it happened over two and a half years, also, but I wasn’t able to confirm that. One of the things I love about listening to The Ramones is being able to clearly hear the vocals and the simple, clever, pop/punk lyrics. I found it hard on some tracks on ‘The Roobs’ to distinguish what was being sung, as the vocals were a bit underdone in the mix, compared with the sounds from the instruments. Performing live, The Roobs are another beast than the one presented on this CD, to me. They are raw, glam, outrageous and fun, and depending on the mix, you can sing along. They are truly worth seeing for a good night out. I look forward to a CD from them that will represent that. In the meantime, I’m happy to enjoy them in the flesh, so to speak. Maybe see you when they play next, supporting The Meanies at the Brisbane Hotel. It should be good. 6/10 sDAVID WILLIAMS

Generation Y, and the “Millennials”, the new breed of kids for whom technological devices are not just an add-on, they are another limb. They are an integral, inbuilt, indispensable part of their body and soul.

It may be a bleak critique of the new “youth without youth” generation, but it also reminds us that art still has the power to confront us and make us feel uncomfortable in a way that reality TV never could. It shows us at our most shallow, and reminds us that somewhere, beneath the layers of paint we apply to ourselves, there is something more real we should be searching for.

Unplug your iPod. Stop texting on your Blackberry. Save your game of God of War. Take your Bluetooth Headset out of your ear (they look stupid anyway), and head down to the Bett Gallery in North Hobart.

So, get off the couch, stop listening to Kings of Leon on your iPod, chuck on a T Shirt with your REAL favourite band on it (not just the one all your friends want you to like), and go and see something real. You may have missed Annika Koops, but there’s plenty more great, real art on the walls of your local art gallery.

Before you start whingeing about waiting for an important Facebook message or being just about to get to Level 4, or not having time to go and see art because you are too busy updating your blog, let me tell you one reason why you should’ve unplugged and got your art on:

Image by Annika Koops, Atarvist/Avatar 2008. Courtesy of the Bett Gallery, Hobart.

Annika Koops. She does really fantastic art. AND, it was all about you.

The walls are still lined. Imants Tillers Clouds on a Distant Horizon exhibition is on now: 0 11 March –14 April @Bett Gallery, Hobart

sKATE GORDON

Her exhibition, Drop Shadow my Heart, was all about

Adver tisement

On average, 1 in 4 hospitalisations of people aged 15 -24 happen beca use of alcohol.

www.australia.gov.au/drinkingnightmare

Authorised by the Australian Government, Capital Hill, Canberra. 18

. ISSUE 90 . MARCH 17 - MARCH 31 2009

WWW.SAUCE.NET.AU

CINECISM FILM - MELBOURNE // FRANK WOODLEY

Chicken of God NEWS SAM AND PICCOLO ON DVD

AAward winning short film Sam and Piccolo, created by Hobart based animation studio Adam Walker Studio (AWS), has recently been released on DVD. The film tells the story of best friends Sam and Piccolo who live in a small world where they work the land together. But soon Piccolo finds a trick to make his favourite treat grow in abundance and he is overcome with greed. Winning a number of national and international awards, the film is also being released alongside a free Action-adventure RPG Piccolo’s Adventure, which allows you to futher explore the world of the film. For more information, and to purchase the DVD, head to the AWS website.: 0 www.awshub.com

SHORT FIM SCREENINGS IN LAUNCESTON

Wide Angle Tasmania has recently announced a series of free short film screenings in Launceston, with the aim to spark interest, discussion, and appreciation of the work of emerging filmmakers. The films will come from around the country and the state and will be accepting submissions from local filmmakers of any type of short content. The screenings will be the last Wednesday of every month. For more information visit: www.wideangle.org.au

Following the story of an elderly couple and their chicken with a comb in the shape of Jesus, Chicken of God is the new animated short film by Frank Woodley. Woodley is known to most of us as one half of the comedy duo Lano and Woodley, and has transitioned to filmmaker for the short film that will be shown at Flickerfest. Why did you decide to move from stand up comedy to filmmaking? Actually, the vast majority of the work I’ve done with Col in Lano and Woodley was story based. Our theatre shows, the 13 episodes of the Adventures of Lano and Woodley and the solo show I created last year called Possessed were all stories. So that’s my main interest. I co-wrote and directed Chicken of God because Clem Stamation who did the animation is friend of mine. We were chatting one day and we just naturally came up with the central premise and both got really excited about it, and could imagine it as a fantastic film. Clem then went on to bring it to life in a much more spectacular and astounding way than I had expected. I loved directing the animation. Essentially this meant that Clem and I would come up with a basic storyboard, Clem would create a rough version and then we’d work together refining it. I absolute love that refining process. Just the timing of a blink, or the angle of the tilt of a head will speak volumes and radically affect the impact of a scene. I find it fascinating. How has the experience of screening your film in Flickerfest been? The whole point of creating stuff is so that people can enjoy it. I’m very craft focused like that. I want

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to make things that work for people. Flickerfest is terrific because it gives filmmakers like myself an opportunity to reach an audience. The fact that the Flickerfest audience are so keen and loyal and building in numbers is a testament to all the people who make it happen because it suggests that in the past they’ve put together programs of short film that the audience’s have really loved. So, I’m just grateful that they have supported Chicken of God and helped us get it seen. Where did the idea for Chicken Of God come from? I can’t really say. When you’re raving with a friend these things just seem to emerge. I know we were talking about a story we’d heard of an appearance of the Virgin Mary in a piece of toast or Mother Theresa in a coffee scroll or something and we were just enjoying the absurd possibility that maybe this actually is the way that God chooses to communicate with humanity. We then took that idea and ran with it and somehow poultry got involved. When you’re writing comedy it’s always difficult to resist the urge to include poultry.

Happy Feet? It took us about four years to get our eight minute film from conception to the screen, so based on that time line ... Look out for my animated feature hitting the screens somewhere around 2049. Actually you won’t watch it on a screen, you’ll just download it directly into the microchip in your head. See Chicken of God at Flickerfest, bookings via the venue. 0 19-20 March @ The State Cinema, Hobart

0 25 March @ 99 Elphin Road, Launceston

TASSIE TROPFEST

Congratulations to Shaun Wilson, Tim Logan and Nathan Spence, together known as Sky Machine, for winning the Hobart City Council Tasmanian Tropfest Award for their short film Dish Communication. Rebecca Thompson also had success, picking up the Wide Anle Tasmanian Judges Award for the film Rufus. There were 11 Tasmanian entries into Tropfest, with 4 of those making the National Tropfest shortlist. Congratulations to all involved.

Now that you’ve made your animated masterpiece do you have aspirations to take over from George Miller and make the next

WWW.SAUCE.NET.AU

ARTS - THEATRE // TEN DAYS ON THE ISLAND

Metamorphosis

To stage a version of Kafka’s Metamorphosis is no mean feat. The unique fantasy elements that see the main character, Gregor Samsa, transform into a large insect create potential problems for any live adaptation. Full of physical gymnastics, a confronting and unique stage design and haunting music from well-known musicians Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, this production of Metamorphosis is a theatrical triumph sure to make an impact on Tasmanian theatre goers throughout its run during the Ten Days on the Island Festival. Metamorphosis was adapted and directed by the British artistic director David Farr and Icelandic actor/director Gísli Örn Gardarsson in conjunction with Lyric Hammersmith and Vesurport theatre. Gardarsson takes on the character of Gregor Samsa, whose transformation occurs at the beginning of the play and follows the story of how the family deals with the confronting changes in him. “What is interesting in the journey of the play is that Gregor Samsa has already had his metamorphosis when the play and story begins. Where as the family, through their journey we see the change happening in them during the course of the play. And it’s just interesting to see how they grow as a family by denouncing one family member and how they change in different ways” Gregor is left an outcast, alienated by a family who have no desire to take care of what he has become.

WWW.SAUCE.NET.AU

This theme of alienation is explored in a way that has resonated with theatregoers and critics all over the world, earning it a score of rave reviews. For Gardarsson, these themes are “on a much bigger level then just personal, I mean we’ve all been teenagers and we’ve all known what it feels like to be locked in your room and feeling like you don’t belong there, and maybe you’re family doesn’t feel that you belong there. On a much bigger level you see how in history… people turn away from people that they are close to, like the Holocaust of what happened in Yugoslavia or the genocide in Rawanda, how people who are happy and living together one day, are murdering each other the next day and nobody really understands why... We don’t really know what’s happened [to Gregor], but the family sees something disgusting in him, and he himself doesn’t understand what it is. So I think that a lot of people can relate to it on many different levels.”

The imaginative elements in the productions set design sees Gregor’s room largely upturned and upside down as the actor swings from handholds to light fixtures as the character devolves deeper and deeper. Gardarsson says “it brings a bit of the heightened feel to it. It’s a normal home, everything is normal except Gregor’s room – it’s upside down. I knew from the beginning that it was a way I wanted to portray Gregor, he is in his own world...But when the family enters his room they can see that everything is upside down, but to him everything is normal. So that was the physical language that I wanted to explore from the very beginning.” The music provided was by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis and adds a haunting and even insect like feel to the production. “I asked them if they could compose for some songs for that. I just explained to them the moods and what the different types of themes are and

they would come up with something and we would just little by little find the right sort of music for the themes and throughout the play.” It was the second collaboration with Cave, Ellis and Gardarsson, having previously worked on Woyzec together, and it won’t be the last, with Gardarsson planning a production of Faust at the moment, in the style of a rock-opera. With the creative and original version of Metamorphosis, Faust will no doubt be something special. sDavid Williams & Meegan May

Until then, Metamorphosis will be playing in Hobart as part of the Ten Days on The Island Festival: 0 27 March-1 April @ Theatre Royal, Hobart

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ROOTS - NSW // REBECCA MOORE & BRETT HUNT

Sharing the Load

HIP HOP - U.K. // THE STREETS

The Streets

Seasoned and acclaimed solo performers, Rebecca Moore and Brett Hunt have decided to team up for a tour of Tasmania. Both slotting themselves into the blues and roots genre, separately they have supported acts like Xavier Rudd, the John Butler Trio, Terry Callier and Roger McGuinn. Together they will both be presenting their well-crafted songs and are eager for the opportunities for collaboration. Why have you two teamed up for this tour? Bec- There are quite a few reasons for us teaming up for this trip. The benefits are many and varied because travelling with someone means you can relax more, (there are two drivers!), costs are cut, it’s more fun and you have company on the road. It was also a total co-incidence because when I was leaving Tassie after my January tour, Brett messaged me and mentioned he was just booking a tour to Tassie in March. I had already planned to head back down in March so it seemed an obvious thing to tour together! Brett - Well firstly we are really good friends and have been waiting for an opportunity to work together for ages. The differences in our music are what make the show strong. Our music belongs together, because the music comes from the same place. We both share a general passion and love for what we do. How do your musical styles complement each other? Bec - We both write from a perspective of having travelled a lot, so that is a very important thematic similarity. I think this common element in our lyrics and music brings cohesion to the show. You get a strong sense of movement, the feeling of really being alive, and of having travelled at times on both the hard and the easy roads. Brett - We are both roots based artists with very different styles and this is a good indicator of the complex diversity of roots music in general. Bec comes from more of a folk background and my background is more blues country. How do your musical styles differ? Bec - I play more alternative folk rock based music and Brett is more alt-country blues. You could say my songs are at times a lot more ethereal and work with a vast soundscape, while Brett’s tunes can be earthier and make you want to dance. How do the stories you tell, or the perspectives you present differ in your songs? Brett - The Male/Female perspective is an obvious difference, but a very relevant one. Bec has a more festival/concert background and I have been playing in Australian pubs and country towns for years. I grew up in a small country town and Bec grew up in Newcastle, and this has also influenced where the stories come from. What impresses you both about each other’s performances? Bec - The thing that impresses me most about Brett both as a performer and as a person is his dedication. As an artist he is completely committed to his work and he is completely committed to life. Brett is one of the hardest working people I know. I really feel where he is at, and I love his stories and songs. Brett - Bec has an honesty, integrity, and passion that impress me particularly. She is unshakable. I see her as being part of a long line of traditional female

songwriters like Mary Black, Joan Baez and Judy Small. There is a definite strong link to Irish music in Bec’s songwriting and performance. What feeling do you get from witnessing each other perform? Bec - Brett possesses a conviction that is totally grounding and inspiring for me. His songs are interesting and beautiful, deep and colourful and he brings a certain consciousness or awareness to the stage which I love. He has a very honest and relaxed approach. Brett - Bec has an approach to her live performance and to her work on social justice issues like the Burmese Orphans Concert series, which is totally believable. She puts her belief systems into action, which is inspiring and motivating. She is at the coalface of her work, actually out there making real changes happen with the things she cares about. How much collaboration is there between you? Bec - We have always wanted to collaborate in the past but haven’t had the chance to yet, so this tour is the perfect opportunity for us. We will get to work straight away on what songs we can team up to play on. I already have a couple of songs in mind for him to play harmonica and slide guitar on! How much do you work with each other to produce an overall show, instead of two individuals performing one after another? Bec - Being able to play on each other’s songs makes the whole night dynamic. The stories flow on from each other because we come from the same place emotionally and musically. The songs belong together and this makes the show strong, interesting and full of kinetic creativity. To what extent do you think you’ll be do more of these co-headline shows? Bec- Travelling together with other bands is the perfect way to establish a network and enjoy the work while you are on the road. Sometimes being on the road can be a huge mission, especially on your own. I have been gigging now for 13 years and being able to share the music, ideas and decision-making is so much more enjoyable. As far as is possible I would like to only ever do tours like this one! It’s so much easier, the load is lighter, and the music grows by being shared. Brett - As much as possible! The fact is after 14-15 yrs of solo performing and touring life can get pretty lonely on the road. This really is the nature of solo performing at times. Touring together comprehensively brings out each other’s strengths. It makes life easier because you can share the load. sDavid Williams Catch the collaboration. For a full list of dates visit http://www.myspace.com/ rebeccamooresydney: 0 21 March @ The Alley Cat, Hobart 0 26 March @ The Tonic Bar, Launceston

Working It Out Inc

. ISSUE 90 . MARCH 17 - MARCH 31 2009

Pegged by critics as the most optimistic record in the Streets’ highly-praised canon, Everything is Borrowed is in essence a concept album, according to Skinner. “It started out with the rule that I wouldn’t reference modern life and I’ve ended up with a spiritual, modern philosophical feel,” he says of the record whose central theme addresses life as a fleeting indulgence, leaving listeners with the curious afterthought – that nothing is forever. “Everything is borrowed; your body, your viewpoints, your lifestyle, the car that you own and the job that you have – all of those things are not going to be with you when you die,” he offers. “We certainly have to give everything up at some point.” Inspired early in his rapping career by Redman and The Prodigy, 30-year-old Skinner says there’s no rage in his work these days, just the rational realisation that his faith in mankind will often be tested. “I don’t really get angry – I tend to just get sad,” he says. “I think all the strange things that are going on in the world are the result of humans. Progress is a myth, really. I think genetically we’re just the same as we were a thousand years ago. We can do wonderful things but we can also be incredibly lazy and selfcentred. And I guess like most people I’m just caught up in my life, my little world.” And Skinner’s world may soon be a different place as

he contemplates putting The Streets vehicle to bed to focus on other projects in the not-too-distant future. “I’d like to make a film next I think,” he says. “I love making music of course but I don’t know what sort of music that’s going to be.” Four albums into a five-album contract with his label, he’s now busy writing material for a final Streets instalment, the supposedly dark and futuristic Computers And Blues that he hopes will see the light of day later this year or early in 2010. “The last album was a very difficult album and finishing off the songs can be quite stressful and painstaking really,” he says. “But the stage I’m at now is the best bit really because that’s the pure unbridled creativity where everything is possible and you don’t know whether any of it is any good or bad. It’s before you start judging yourself.” When we spoke to Skinner, he was preparing for what would most likely be The Streets’ swansong Australian tour last month. Skinner brought a full band and was looking forward to providing fans with his best possible live performances. “As I get older I’ve realised I’m an artist but I kind of see myself more as some kind of entertainer, not in a singing and dancing kind of way, but I follow the code of screenwriters and traditional songwriters,” he says. “And even though a lot of the songs are very personal I don’t think of them as a kind of catharsis. “They’re supposed to sound personal but they’re also supposed to be songs that you can understand and connect with and be entertained by. So the bigger part is making them clear and punchy and not just rambling which is what naturally comes out of my head.” sSteve Tauschke

Anyone interested in joining a community group for same-sex attracted young people in the Hobart area, please contact Working It Out on 03 6231 1200 or exec@workingitout.org.au

Hobart: 03 6231 1200 Burnie 03 6432 3643 Launceston: 6334 4013

“All I ever wanted to do was make a living making music and not spend my life doing anything else,” says Skinner. “Whenever I had normal jobs I just used to spend all day writing songs and thinking about being at home making songs. So ten years of my career has been about ensuring that I keep making music so I don’t have to do anything else.”

Not quite straight…? Are you between 14 and 25? Wanna meet other gay, lesbian, bi and trans young people in a safe space…??

Tasmania’s gender and sexuality support and education service

Working It Out Inc. is a free and confidential service

From his Mercury Prize-nominated 2002 debut Original Pirate Material to the inner monologue of last year’s Everything Is Borrowed opus, The Streets’ Mike Skinner is a one-man hip hop army with Wu Tang in his blood and a generation’s conscience worn proudly on his sleeve.

working it out .org.au

First meeting Thursday 12th March 2009 from 4.30pm in North Hobart. Contact us for the venue. WWW.SAUCE.NET.AU

STRANGER THAN MICKTION

Mick’s got talent. Possibly.

Celebrity is an odd thing. Celibacy is also odd, but not nearly as fun. I’ve just been a contestant on Australia’s Got Talent. I’m sure you’re all aware of the format of these things. People compete, performing whatever talent they have, or think they have in some cases, and then three judges get to humiliate them in front of a national audience. It’s all rather fun. Not too much happens in this sleepy little city of ours, so when someone appears on national TV, it turns out to be a bit of a sensation. It’s perplexing, I’ve been performing around this city for nearly 20 years, but it takes 30 seconds on the telly to be recognised. Ha. So now I have this thing that as I wander about, people start pointing and whispering to each other “Hey, it’s that guy who does the ladder thing....” Yes,

that’s right. It is. That was quite an explanation when I was on the first round of the show. There I was on a bus being driven into the National Theatre in St Kilda with a whole bunch of other talented people and they’re all like asking each other what they did and stuff. Everyone was like, “I’m going to sing this…” or “I’m dancing” or “I’m defying death” or whatever, then it came to me. “What are you doing?” “Erm, I’m climbing a ladder.” They all looked at me with a mixture of confusion and pity. I like to call it confity. Quite popular at Kiwi weddings. It’s quite novel having strangers come up to me and congratulate me for getting buzzed off, 20 seconds into my act. But it gets weirder than that. There are the people who whisper to each other certainly, but

then there are people who look at you and think they know you, then decide they don’t, but then that face is terribly familiar, and they have this kind of epic struggle that unfolds on their face as they look at me. It’s pretty funny. Then there are the pointers, who usually evolve into the whisperers and the stareers, who sometimes evolve into pointers, but usually devolve into rhesus monkeys. I was certain this would only last a couple of days, but it’s been over 2 weeks now and I’m still getting it. The best ones have been a little girl spying me and yelling “Mum! Look! It’s that man from Australia’s Got Talent who fell off the ladders!” The mother took one look at me then said “No it isn’t” and marched her away. Then there was the chick who recognised me as I came out of a café and thought I’d done really well on Australian Idol. That

was nice. And the guy outside a pub who congratulated me on the great job I’d done on Dancing with the Stars. Brilliant. It’s strange, the recognition is nice, but we’re still in our own separate little junk rooms aren’t we? Perhaps Australia’s Biggest Loser is more my bag? True story. sMICK LOWENSTEIN

Catch The Short Back and Sideshow! 0 17 April @ The Backspace Theatre, Hobart

BRETT HUNT

REBECCA MOORE 17 March 2009. ABC Radio Interview. Launceston. 3.30pm 19 March 2009. The Alley Cat Bar, Hobart. 21 March 2009. The Empire Hotel, Deloraine. (Rebecca Moore solo) 21 March 2009. Stage Door the Cafe, Burnie. (Brett Hunt solo) 22 March 2009. Stage Door the Cafe, Burnie. 5pm. 26 March 2009. The Tonic Bar, Launceston. 27 March 2009. ABC Radio Interview. Hobart. 3.30pm 27 March 2009. The Supper Room, Cygnet. 7.30pm. (Kids under 12 free) 28 March 2009. The Empire Hotel, Deloraine. www.myspace.com/bretthunt www.innervisions.com.au/rebecca-moore

WWW.SAUCE.NET.AU

. ISSUE 90 . MARCH 17 -MARCH 31 2009