Forte #577

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issue 577 // 9 JANUARY 2014 // next issue: 23 Jan

THE WORLD’S FESTIVAL

Billy Bragg

Arrested Development

Neko Case

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Femi Kuti

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A WORD FROM THE TEAM

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Win a double pass to see JEBEDIAH at the Torquay Hotel on Friday Jan 24!

FORTE mag is published by FORTE PUBLISHING p/l abn 64 054 589 641 pHONE: 03 5229 7969 fAX: 03 5229 0318 po box 1388 GEELONG VICTORIA 3220

PUBLISHER...........................Anton Ballard general..............................enquiries@fortemag.com.au EDITOR/SALES MANAGER....Luke McNamara

I walked into Rebel Sport yesterday to use a Christmas voucher I had received. (I am still not sure if it was a subtle message from family to invest in a treadmill or not?!) The exercise section was teeming with people looking at equipment, testing skipping ropes and looking for that “good intention” fitness item to invest in that will inevitably get used twice in January and then be left to collect dust for the rest of the year.

My facebook is full of posts about how people are now dedicated to fitness. And how they will never drink again. And how 2014 is going to be their year.

And how they are feeling guilty about the way they have behaved this summer…

The cynic in me wants to rubbish these people’s futile attempts to convince themselves and the world that they have changed overnight, but instead I am going to celebrate the fact that it means we are all feeling a bit guilty. We have all overindulged during the festive season – we ate too much, we drank too much, we had a handful of chocolate after every meal, and relaxed. Which is a good thing. It is a collective indication that we have all done what we were born to do during Xmas and New Year’s, which is sit back and enjoy the fruits of our labour, or to ‘enjoy the harvest’ if you will.

Lucas Skinner, Natalie Rogers, Nekita Roberts,

Now it is time to kick 2014 in the backside, and here at Forte magazine we are dedicated to another year of evolution, music, art, local, culture, photography, articles, reviews, news and all the rest!

It will be ours and your biggest year to date, that much we promise.

Look out!

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COVER DESIGN.....................James Dulce PRODUCTION........................James Dulce SCENE PHOTOGRAPHER.......Marianne Valitutti ADVERTISING

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CONTRIBUTORS...................

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PERFORMING THE FEELER ALBUM IN FULL WITH HIS ORIGINAL BAND ‘THE STONEMASONS’

Wed 12 Mar Capital Theatre, Bendigo Thu 13 Mar Regent Multiplex, Ballarat Fri 14 Mar The Wool Exchange, Geelong TIX ON SALE NOW ‘Feeler 10 Year Anniversary Edition’ album out now Including Bonus CD ‘Feeler’ re-recorded with Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra www.petemurray.com FORTEMAG.COM.AU

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the HIGHLIGHTS

THE LATEST ON international & national news & tours The Highlights: Where love is like a bomb, baby, c’mon get in on. Coming up you have… .........................................................................

The Reference Australia Day Party Australia Day festivities galore will take place around Australia shortly, with The Reference Hotel getting in on the action in a big way. On January 25 guests include Luca Brasi, Damn Terran, Batpiss, Anchors, Outright, The Sinking Teeth, Stockades, Cavalcade, Ceres, Old Love and Sunbather. On January 26 guests including Lincoln le Fevre, Darren Gibson, The Union Pacific, Grenadiers and Mightiest of Guns. Funds raised go towards Oxfam and The Refugee Council of Australia. .........................................................................

Welcome to the Stage, The Pogues Reports have surfaced that David Simon, the man behind every second person’s most beloved TV show The Wire (as well as Treme), has penned the first draft for a stage musical based on The Pogues.

It’s early days at the moment – very early days – but the report suggests the project is inspired by the lyrics of the legendary Irish folk punk poets.

The report was made by Rolling Stone via Dublin’s Evening Herald.

Boys Gone Wild Tour Can you trust the John Steel Singers? I wouldn’t. Can you trust Jeremy Neale? Smart money says no. Can you trust them when they team up? Certainly not, but who cares?!

Advertised as a tour set to deliver “some cool beards and chiselled jawlines”, the Boys Gone Wild tour takes these two acts and throws ’em on stage for the ladies to swoon over. With so many manly gents, where does one begin? NSC – February 28 & March 1.

Northlane Set Sail If you are a fan of Northlane, well, the Big Day Out will be your only chance to see them locally for a little while. The rising stars of metalcore have a massive string of dates lined up abroad this year including a US headlining run and healthy stints with Bring Me the Horizon and Mice and Men and Architects. A highlight of the run will be an appearance at Germany’s massive Impericon Fest. We’re all proud of you guys!

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Two Palms Are Better Than One Okay all you rock ‘n’ roll kids out there, it’s time to listen up. Are you sick of the same ol’ boring rock show? Are you sick of people paying more attention to their mobile phones than the music? Then it’s time to buckle up and enjoy the Palmarama show.

Coming at you are NSW outfits The Gooch Palms and Palms, and they’ve got some sweet new tunes for you. It’s the show when one palm just won’t cut it. NSC – March 14. .........................................................................

Laidback Luke Blows Some of you may have heard the story of (or more probably seen the footage of) Martin Solveig & Laidback Luke’s Blow. Like any good story, it starts with one of the protagonists getting hit by a CO2

cannon. Yeah, if that sounds a little strange you may want to Google it. Anyway, it has caused a massive trend – a trend which will see Laidback Luke bring his electro club mania to Australia. Billboard – January 31. .........................................................................

Billie Piper Joins Comic-Con Singer and actress Billie Piper may have signed a recording contract at the age of fifteen and starred as Belle de Jour in Secret Diary of a Call Girl but for many she is known as Rose Tyler, the travelling companion of Dr. Who in his ninth and tenth incarnations (played by Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant). Aussie Who fans will be thrilled to hear she will appear at Australia’s Comic-Con this year. Royal Exhibition Building – July 5 & 6.

Build Your Own LEGO No doubt film buffs would have heard about The LEGO Movie, the upcoming film starring the vocal talents of Will Ferrell and Morgan Freeman. The synopsis: “An ordinary Lego mini-figure, mistakenly thought to be the extraordinary MasterBuilder, is recruited to join a quest to stop an evil Lego tyrant from gluing the universe together.” If you’re looking to kill some time, hit sigfigcreator.thelegomovie.com to create your own LEGO figurine. .........................................................................

Cast Your triple j Vote It’s January, summer is kicking our butts and Australia Day is on the way. And this means one thing for many music lovers: triple j’s Hottest 100. Those

who bemoan the lack of female representatives will be happy to see Kiwi lass Lorde hotly tipped to do well. Will she take the #1 spot with ‘Royals’? Or will Daft Punk ‘Get Lucky’? Ha, wordplay! Anyway, polls close January 20 – so get voting. .........................................................................

Australian Open Serves a Winner The Australia Open kicks off shortly, bringing with it another huge selection of tunes throughout its run (as well as, you know, tennis). Following 2013’s successful program, the ‘Grand Slam Oval’ will host Saskwatch, World’s End Press, Snakadaktal, Mahalia Barnes, Stonefield, Pete Tong, Jon Stevens and The Preatures among others. Live music will take place every night of the tournament, January 13 through January 26.

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Groundation Return With a headlining spot at New Zealand’s Ragamuffin Festival, California’s Groundation thought they would make the short flight to our shores to share a little of their music magic with us as well. Formed in the late ’90s, Groundation came together on the campus of the Sonoma State University’s jazz program. They lend their name from the Rastafari holy day. The Hi-Fi – February 6. .........................................................................

Oscar Buzz January 16 is when Oscar nominations are announced, but the buzz starts well before that.

Betting agencies have been tempting punters with the five big ones: Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Actress, as well as Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress. At the time of writing, 12 Years a Slave has the best odds, while the film’s star Chiwetel Ejiofor leads Best Actor. Local gal Cate Blanchett is offering the juiciest odds for Best Actress. .........................................................................

Room for Ryan Keen While studying Commercial Music at Westminster University with the intention of pursuing music in the form of law or management, Ryan Keen’s music road took a detour after tragic circumstances.

What's On at....

At the time of writing, the music world was still a little hungover and not much was being announced.

So, let’s take a look at the January calendar of a few venues around Melbourne…

Losing a good friend to heart failure, Keen’s eyes were opened to how short life is, and so he decided to pursue a career as a singer-songwriter. His debut album is Room for Light. The Workers Club – January 23. .........................................................................

A Led Zeppelin Celebration In 1972 Led Zeppelin toured Australia in what would be their only concert tour of our country. In Melbourne the band performed at Kooyong Stadium (home of the AAMI Classic exhibition tournament), a venue that also hosted The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Black Sabbath and Bob Dylan in its time.

On January 31 at The Corner, Ashley Naylor and Pat Carmody will be among those paying tribute to the occasion. It’s not quite the real thing, but it’s still awesome. .........................................................................

Dr. Who Travels to Australia There is certainly a little Dr. Who in the air these days. Not only has Billie Piper, who played the muchloved Rose Tyler, been announced for Australia’s Comic-Con, but one Mr Matt Smith and Karen Gillan (Amy Pond) will be appearing at the Whoniverse Convention. Stars talking about the phenomenon of the show, merchandise, collectibles and autograph opportunities – you’ll find it all at Whoniverse. The Time Lord hits Melbourne on March 9.

The Hi-Fi At The Hi-Fi you have: Mayhem on January 10, Mick Harvey on January 11, Wehrmacht on January 14, Jagwar Ma on January 16, Eyehategod on January 19, Toro y Moi on January 21, Grouplove on January 23 and Headhunterz on January 24. For more drop in on thehifi.com.au.

The Corner At The Corner you have: Deafheaven on January 10, Babylon Circus on January 11, Bombino on January 12, The Julie Ruin on January 15, The Boys of Summer Tour featuring Blessthefall and many more on January 16, Misfits on January 17, John Grant

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on January 18, Half Moon Run on January 19 and Mudhoney on January 22. Check out cornerhotel. com for more.

The Evelyn At The Evelyn you have: Hellburnianz on January 10 (EP launch), Squarehead on January 11, Even on January 12 (Rooftop show), Nicholas Costello on January 12 (EP launch), Mangelwurzel on January 18 (EP launch), 4Tress on January 19, Celiac on January 19 and Echo Drama on January 31 (EP launch). If you want more then be sure to drop by evelynhotel.com.au.

The NSC At the NSC you have: Joe Robinson

TS – BARS – ENTER TA I N M

Nirvana Day Hits Washington

Major Leagues Get a Little Weird

With Nirvana set to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the small town of Hoquiam – the one-time home of Kurt Cobain – has declared April 10 Nirvana Day. The city’s mayor Jack Durney: “Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic are part of our community, and I think it’s good to honor our sons and their great accomplishments.” 2014 marks the 20th anniversary of Cobain’s death. 20 years! Wow.

If the name Major Leagues is unfamiliar to you, 2014 may just be the year that all changes. The Brisbane outfit, who dig the sounds of bands like Yo La Tengo, Pavement and My Bloody Valentine, will be sharing their tunes with you throughout February. Their debut EP is Weird Season and it features track ‘Endless Drain’, a song which ranked #10 in Mess + Noise’s Top Tracks of 2013.

The Workers Club – February 15.

on January 10, Tim McMillan Band on January 11 (album launch), The Rrrrrockets on January 12 (family-friendly matinee show), La Mauvaise Réputation on January 16, Panama on January 17, Astronautalis on January 18, Sweet Jean on January 19, John Murry on January 21, The 1975 on January 22, Banco de Gaia on January 23 and Vulgargrad on January 24.

The Workers Club At The Workers Club you have: Davey Lane on January 10, Gangs of Youth on January 11, And He Sang on January 12, Little Bastard on January 17, The Trotskies (single launch) on January 18, Lonesome on January 19 (album launch), Hyperdrones on January

22 (EP launch), Papa Piko & The Binrats on January 24 (EP launch) D.D Dumbo on January 25 (12” launch) and Colorwheel on January 26.

The Espy At The Espy you have: Funkoars on January 10 (Gershwin Room), Aaradhna on January 11 (Front Bar), Passerine on January 16 (Front Bar), Mi-Sex on January 17 (Gershwin Room), Born of Osiris with After the Burial on January 24 (Gershwin Room) and ASMF on January 29 (Gershwin Room).

Revolver Upstairs At Revolver Upstairs you have: Haul Music 5th Birthday on January

10 (Christian Vance, Craig McWhinney, Mike Callander), Oh Pacific on January 10 (single launch), Paleman on January 11, Daedelus on January 11 and Ladie Killerz Art Exhibition on January 17. The Melbourne Fresh Industry Showcases take place every Tuesday.

The John Curtin At The Curtin you have: The Royal Jellies with Ensemble Formidable and the Darling James Duo on January 11, Cherrywood with Saint Jude, Suicide Swans and Sara Retallick on January 17 and Twin Beasts on January 26. And every Sunday while the sun shines, soul wonders Saskwatch will perform.

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FORT-NIGHTLY CALENDAR & GIG GUIDE

Thursday January 9th

THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: Trojan THE MAX HOTEL: 3 On The Tree TORQUAY HOTEL: Busby Marou

BARWON HEADS HOTEL: Absolutely 80’s show, Mannix, Carne, Ryder

OLD HEPBURN HOTEL: UNTAPPED trio

BEAVS BAR: Andy Foster Live

Saturday January 11th

BIRD ROCK CAFE (Jan Juc): Live and Local, $13 Pizza night THE BRIDGE HOTEL (CASTLEMAINE): THE CAPITAL THEATRE (Bendigo): Reece Mastin EUREKA: Courtney Mills Jungle Party! plus Simon One, Shorty J, Pinky, Max McKay, TVB Aybakez Michael Cameron and more. Free Entry before 11pm when using a guest list ELEPHANT & CASTLE: $20 Asahi Seafood & Chips Night NIGHTJAR MARKET: Torquay Common THE MAX HOTEL: Parmi All Day All Night $12, InnQUIZitive Trivia from 7.30pm till 10.30pm, amazing prizes, call to book your team’s spot THE SPHINX HOTEL: Schnitzel Night from $13

Friday January 10th

BARWON CLUB HOTEL: High Fidelity, Francois daze, Sus Spence, Bound By Hound LAMBY’S BAR & RESTAURANT: Live Band Budda In A Chocolate Box. Later Good faces For Radio & DJs Mainroom and Terrace. Open from 6pm BARWON HEADS HOTEL: James Reyne BASEMENT LOUNGE & NIGHTCLUB: Stir Fridays - Eddie example, TCK, Luke Donald, Kalla BIRD ROCK CAFE (Jan Juc): Locals Night, Spinning Vinyl from 4pm THE BRIDGE HOTEL (CASTLEMAINE): Fiona Lee Maynard & Her Holymen W/ Los Dominados BEAVS BAR: 2-Tone Live CITY QUARTER BAR: Friday Unwind with live music then DJ EDGE GEELONG: Live music ELEPHANT & CASTLE: DJ Brian Retro Party from 8pm awesome sunglasses and caps giveaways all night.

THE LOFT (Warrnambool): Rosie Burgess

BARWON CLUB HOTEL: Fistful of Steel

LAMBY’S BAR & RESTAURANT: Live Band Prank & DJs Mainroom and Terrace. Open from 9pm CUDA BAR: Mike Metro plus Josh Symonds BEAVS BAR: Steve Pianto Live THE BRIDGE HOTEL (CASTLEMAINE): Louise Adams Band (EP launch) W/ Jordan Allen Band, Jack kennedy BASEMENT LOUNGE & NIGHTCLUB: Dylan Bauer VS Handsdown, D.M.T, Dunks, Token BIRD ROCK CAFE (Jan Juc): Retro Vinyl and live music from Noon, DJ from 8pm CITY QUARTER BAR: live entertainment and DJ EDGE GEELONG: Live Music and DJ ELEPHANT & CASTLE: Live band THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: Peta Evans TORQUAY HOTEL: Caravana Sun HOME HOUSE: Upstairs, with Katie Valentine plus T-White till late Downstairs Halfcuts THE LOFT (Warrnambool): Busby Marou THE MAX HOTEL: Wooshka OLD HEPBURN HOTEL: Nat Allison WHISPERS: DJ’s including from Matt Watkins, Slice n Dice, Lucille Croft, Frazr Adam, Jungle Jim, Butters, Courtney Mills, Zoolander, Who Killed Mickey, Joel Fletcher, Yatch Club DJs, Katt Nial

Sunday January 12th

TORQUAY HOTEL: James Reyne BARWON CLUB HOTEL: Sunday Session on the deck from 2pm with Le Chook, Moluck, UNX, Funk See Funk Do, Johnny El Pajaro, DJ Mike

later Good Faces For Radio BARWON HEADS HOTEL: Funkoars BIRD ROCK CAFE (Jan Juc): SUNDAY SESH: Spining Vinyl from Noon, DJ RJ from 5pm THE BRIDGE HOTEL (CASTLEMAINE) : The Bellwethers CITY QUARTER: Perfect Sunday Sesh EDGE GEELONG: Live Music and DJ ELEPHANT & CASTLE: Live jazz band + from 6pm Parmi Night 6 Great Parmis $20 MYER MUSIC BOWL: Paramore GEELONG RSL: Moonee Valley Hot 5 LAMBY’S BAR & RESTAURANT: Student & Industry Night (Free entry all night) w/ Live band Adam 12 & DJs in the Mainroom and Terrace OLD HEPBURN HOTEL: Liz Stringer THE LOFT (Warrnambool): Caravana Sun & Tom Richardson

Monday January 13th BARWON CLUB HOTEL: $10 Parmis

ELEPHANT & CASTLE: $20 Steak & Drink night THE BRIDGE HOTEL (CASTLEMAINE) : Wesley Green & the 45S

Tuesday January 14th ELEPHANT & CASTLE: $20 Steak & Drink night

GEELONG RSL: Steak Night $13 BARWON CLUB HOTEL: White Summer

Wednesday January 15th

THE BARWON CLUB: International Musicians Exchange Contest presented by The Bruthen Blues Club BEAVS BAR: Roscoe, Karaoke Open Mic GEELONG RSL: Pot and Parmi Night $13

Thursday January 16th

BIRD ROCK CAFÉ: (Jan Juc): Live and Local, $13 Pizza night BABUSHKA BAR: Kyle Taylor, Grim Fakner and Laurence THE BRIDGE HOTEL (CASTLEMAINE) : Simon Marks THE MAX HOTEL: Parmi All Day All Night $12, InnQUIZitive Trivia from 7.30pm till 10.30pm, amazing prizes, call to book your team’s spot ELEPHANT & CASTLE: $20 Asahi Seafood & Chips Night NIGHTJAR MARKET: Torquay Common BEAVS BAR: Dave Anderson Live EUREKA: Frazer Adnam Cops & Robbers Party! plus Simon One, Shorty J, Pinky, Max McKay, Aybakez, Michael Cameron, Paul-E Rogers and more. Free Entry before 11pm when using a guest list

Friday January 17th BARWON HEADS HOTEL: Jebediah

THE BARWON CLUB: Hyper Drones TORQUAY HOTEL: Tex Perkins THE BRIDGE HOTEL (CASTLEMAINE) : Brooklyn’s Finest BIRD ROCK CAFE (Jan Juc): Locals Night, Spinning Vinyl from 4pm BASEMENT LOUNGE & NIGHTCLUB: Stir Fridays Togar (Tory Garwood), James Moriarty, Recluse, Ben Williams BEAVS BAR: 2-Tone Live THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: 80’s are Us CITY QUARTER BAR: Friday Unwind from 5pm. Live with live entertainment and DJ THE KAROVA LOUNGE (Ballarat): Scar the Surface EDGE GEELONG: Live Music LAMBY’S BAR & RESTAURANT: Guilty Pleasure & DJs Main Room and Terrace, open from 9pm THE MAX HOTEL : Trojan

Saturday January 18th

THE BARWON CLUB: Mi-Sex CUDA BAR: J Heasy plus Steven Toppa BASEMENT LOUNGE & NIGHTCLUB: Kolombo (Belgium) Meatsauce, Token, D.M.T and more BEAVS BAR: Steve Pianto Live BELLERINE ESTATE: Harvest and Graze Festival BIRD ROCK CAFE (Jan Juc): Retro Vinyl and live music from Noon, DJ from 8pm THE BRIDGE HOTEL (CASTLEMAINE) : Legends of Motorsport CITY QUARTER BAR: Live Entertainment and DJ ELEPHANT & CASTLE: Live Band MARTIANS CAFE ( DEANS MARSH): Carus Thompson with Dave Johnson THE KAROVA LOUNGE (Ballarat): Them 9’s EDGE: Live Music plus DJ THE GROVEDALE HOTEL: James Carrigg HOME HOUSE: Upstairs, Samual James and Zac De Petro till late Downstairs DJ Reque Best in RnB Hip Hop DJs LAMBY’S BAR & RESTAURANT: Prank & DJs Mainroom and Terrace. Open from 9pm OLD HEPBURN HOTEL: Cam kettle THE MAX HOTEL: Frequency WHISPERS: DJ’s including from Matt Watkins, Slice n Dice, Lucille Croft, Frazer Adam, Jungle Jim, Butters, Courtney Mills, Zoolander, Who Killed Mickey, Joel Fletcher, Yatch Club DJs, Katt Nial WHALERS INN (Warrnambool): Jebediah

Sunday January 19th

BARWON CLUB HOTEL: Sunday Session on the deck from 2pm with Le Chook, Yeh Nah, Eddie Example, DJ Bum Trip, Hakeem Cannons, Moluck, later Test Pilot Molly BARWON HEADS HOTEL: Tex Perkins and the Ape BIRD ROCK CAFE (Jan Juc): SUNDAY SESH: Spining Vinyl from Noon, DJ RJ from 5pm THE BRIDGE HOTEL (CASTLEMAINE) : The Bellwethers TORQUAY HOTEL:

Daryl Braithwaite CITY QUARTER: Perfect Sunday Sesh EDGE GEELONG: Live Music and DJ ELEPHANT & CASTLE: Live Jazz band + from 6pm Parmi Night 6 Great Parmis $20 LIGHTHOUSE THEATRE (Warrnambool): John Waters: Looking through a Glass Onion GEELONG RSL: Maryborough Trad Jazz Ensemble LAMBY’S BAR & RESTAURANT: Student & Industry Night (Free entry all night) w/ Live band Unlimited & DJs in the Mainroom and Terrace THE SPHINX HOTEL: Carvery from $17.00

Monday January 20th ELEPHANT & CASTLE: $20 Steak & Drink night

LORD NELSON HOTEL: / Parmi & Pot for $15 on presentation of student I.D THE SPHINX HOTEL: Meals for $11

Tuesday January 21st

GEELONG RSL: Steak Night $13

Wednesday January 22nd

BEAVS BAR: Karaoke and Open Mic and Dave Anderson GEELONG RSL: Pot and Parmi Night $13 Thursday January 23rd EUREKA: DJs Simon One, Shorty J, Pinky, Max McKay, TVB Aybakez Michael Cameron Roger E and more. Free Entry before 11pm when using a guest list BARWON CLUB HOTEL: John Patrick & The Keeper BIRD ROCK CAFE (Jan Juc): Live and Local, $13 Pizza night 13th BEACH GOLF LINKS (BARWON HEADS): Music to a Tee (Fund raiser for people with aquired brain injury) THE MAX HOTEL: Parmi All Day All Night $12, InnQUIZitive Trivia from 7.30pm till 10.30pm, amazing prizes, call to book your team’s spot

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Primus written by Natalie Rogers

When I spoke to legendary guitarist Larry LaLonde, just days out from New Year’s Eve, he was reflective and candid in his answers – so I asked about resolutions. And he replied with self-deprecating charm: “There’s probably a hell of a lotta things I should change!”

Hundreds of thousands of Primus fans around the world would beg to differ. Having sold millions of albums over a career of 20+ years, Primus are a force to be reckoned with.

“I think that’s the greatest thing about being in this band, especially after we’ve been around so long and fans have come and gone, and yet there are still so many people that love the music. It’s kinda all we could really ask for.”

Spending time at home for the holidays is something Larry quietly treasures, but he assures me that his most prized possession is never far from his mind. “Yes, I’m home for the holidays which I love, but straight after it’s back to work, rehearsing … back to my guitar!”

Larry, along with the incomparable Les Claypool and newly returned drummer Tim Alexander, is warming up for their slot at this year’s Big Day Out. Their one and only sideshow, at Sydney’s Metro Theatre, completely sold out in days. “I hope we can do the people proud.

We want to make it a killer set, and we’ll try to! There are always songs people want to hear every show, like ‘My name is Mud’ and ‘John the Fisherman’ or ‘Jerry Was a Race Car Driver,’ so we always try to cram them in, but we like to mix it up and play different songs every night.

“We never know what we’re going to play until right

When&Where: The Big Day Out, Melbourne - January 24 before we go on stage. That keeps it fresh and exciting.

I like to open it up and jam a bit. We simply love to play together as a band – and we’re so happy our old drummer Tim is back in the band.

“We have the craziest memories of touring together in Australia; having fun, hanging out. The weather is great, the people are amazing and everyone always rocks out at the shows. Australia is definitely a musicloving nation. Every time we’re there we get to catch up with friends [and] we make new ones.

“How good will it be to see Pearl Jam! I haven’t seen those guys in twenty years, so that’ll be pretty cool.

We’ve toured with [Alaskan-based rock band] Portugal.

The Man before – they’re friends. I like Arcade Fire and I love your guys, Tame Impala. I’m super excited! Their album is amazing but I haven’t had a chance to see them live yet. I’m hoping by the end of the tour I’ll see a lot of cool bands and find something new I haven’t heard before.”

Fans of the cult band, or anybody who has happened to catch an episode of South Park during one of its seventeen seasons, will know that Larry and co. like to experiment and push boundaries. “From the beginning we’ve tried not to be a typical band and to do something you haven’t heard before.”

I guess that’s why news of a Grammy nomination this year, for the reissue of Sailing the Seas of Cheese (1991) in the Best Surround Sound Album category, came as quite a shock. “We thought, ‘Is this a joke?!’”

Larry laughed. “Then I got excited. I was like, ‘Do we get to go to the Grammys?’ Then we found out we were

going to be in Australia.” (They air on Jan 26 – Australia Day.) “It would be odd though, wouldn’t it? It does feel strange to be nominated for something that is a major mainstream thing. We’ve been nominated for a Grammy in the past, a really long time ago, and it was just weird. We know we don’t fit into the normal music industry. We’ve always been on the outside, which might be one of the reasons we’re still around.”

I argued that one of the reasons they’re still around is the fact that they continue to produce quality albums, and Larry was quick to inform me that the follow-up to 2011’s Green Naugahyde may soon be in production.

“We’ve talked about making a new album, and now that the new year is here we’ll soon have a better idea of what way we’ll go for the next record.

“Technology has definitely made things easier in terms of recording music. You can work on things, experiment, try different things, and you don’t have to wait for a piece of tape to rewind. You can email each other like, ‘hey, I’ve got this idea for a song!’ and you can send it over instantly. It makes a big difference.”

Another significant release for Primus will be an official biography, penned primarily by frontman Les. “It’s done! We’re getting really close to putting it out there. It’s basically a history of what we’ve done. We haven’t done much in the way of scandalous stuff!” he chuckled, “so there’s not too much on that side. But if you’re a fan of what we’ve done – in terms of making our records, touring, bands we’ve played with – I think it’ll be a good read.” Primus punks eat your heart out!

Staff and Management of the EMC Group Geelong strongly enforce a no-drug policy. Enjoy great music & drinks whilst staying drug-free.

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Zebrahead written by Natalie Rogers

Can you name the band who earned a Grammy nomination, alongside Lemmy from Motörhead, for a cover of Metallica’s ‘Enter Sandman’ – and also featured on the ‘Bring It On’ movie soundtrack? It’s none other than the Californianbred punk outfit Zebrahead. Frontman Ali Tabatabaee and the guys are back for another round of pandemonium that is Soundwave 2014 and I sat down with him to discuss his favourite bands on the tour, BBQ-ing on the beach and what makes Soundwave the formidable festival giant it has become.

“We’ve wanted to come to Australia for so long and in the past few years we had the opportunity to come out a few times for Soundwave and we loved it! It went better than we ever expected so we try to return as much as we can now.

“The line-up this year is unbelievable!! I’m a big Green Day fan, like everyone else, so I want to check them out. I also like A Day to Remember – they’re a really good live band. I’ll watch Alice in Chains and Less Than Jake. We’re friends with Bowling for Soup – it’s going to be nice to see them and hang out. There are lots of bands I haven’t had a chance to see before … I might have a new favourite by the end of the tour,” Ali laughed. “I think it’s going to be one big party!

“The way I see it, Soundwave has two things on its side: Australia is very beautiful and all the cities where Soundwave is held are right on the coast, close to pretty beaches.

“Also, as far as the bands are concerned, everybody

travels together so we meet people and become friends. By the end of the tour most bands hang out before and after the shows. We even go to the beach together – it’s a crazy band vacation! I remember the last time. On our days off we’d BBQ on the beach and a few other bands would come down. It was really nice and relaxed so we’ll probably try to do that again, unless you have some better suggestions...?”

Zebrahead really do know a thing or two about surviving big festivals, having been invited to play at some of the world’s biggest and best including Groezrock, Pukkelpop, Sonisphere, Summer Sonic, Reading and Leeds Festivals, among others.

Ali puts their popularity and success down to each other and their fans: “We’re all pretty good friends and we know each other pretty well, so it’s kind of like playing with your family. If someone was an asshole and couldn’t get along with everyone it would be much tougher, but luckily for us we like hanging out.

We always do stuff together. It’s not a bad gig – we travel, play music and hang out with our friends all over the world. So we’re pretty lucky and we have awesome fans. They support us and come to shows ready to have fun and that makes it fun for us. It’s all because of our fans!”

2013 saw the release of their tenth studio album Call Your Friends. Check it out at zebrahead.com.

When&Where: Soundwave 2014, Melbourne - February 28

DZ Deathrays written by Tex Miller

Shane Parsons and Simon Ridley have come a long way since forming to play at a house party three years ago. Talking about their upcoming performance at the Big Day Out 2014, the acclaim that has followed the band since the release of their debut LP Bloodstreams (2011) still surprises the duo. Talking to Simon just after the release of their latest single ‘Northern Lights’, which is the first taste of their sophomore album to be released in April or May, 2014 is shaping up to be another big year.

From just one look at the bio of the band, the things that DZ Deathrays have accomplished should probably be included in a band that has been around ten years rather than a mere three. Looking back at the beginnings of the band, near perfect album reviews and international touring was never in the initial plans for the group.

“We formed for a house party and things sort of snowballed from there. Everybody kept hearing the band and loved the sound that we had produced, and eventually we ran out of house parties to play at. Shane and I have been playing music together for a while and had another project on the go when DZ started. When our drummer decided to leave, the decision was simple and we haven’t really looked back from there. It’s been a wild journey, to a hell of a lot of fun all the same.”

Monster beats and driving avalanches of guitar are what we all love about DZ Deathrays – and that punchy sound is what you can find on their first album. One of the main catalysts behind this groove is the minimalist

production on the tracks. The latest offering, ‘Northern Lights’, features a deeper sound, and in some respects sounds like a ballad.

“Shane came to me and said that he wanted to write a ballad and I immediately laughed in his face. There is a lot more going on in the track than usual and that’s because we got renowned producer Andy Savours to work with us from his studio in London. He really wanted to work with us and took a fair pay cut to do so. He’s worked with the likes of My Bloody Valentine and those bigger name acts, so we got that kind of treatment on a budget. If we could afford him, I’d happily get him to help us out again,” Simon said.

DZ Deathrays are undoubtedly one of the hardest working modern day Australian acts. The process of writing and recording Bloodstreams was a two-week stint of twelve-hour days. With a different process this time around, Simon feels that “although it’s really scary, it’s also fun to mix it up”.

Joining the monster line-up for the 2014 Big Day Out, Simon can’t wait to unleash the new tracks on audiences all around the country. Like many people that have bought tickets, the opportunity to see Snoop live is obviously a highlight. “I can’t wait to play these tracks live, and to see Primus as well as Snoop will be great because I never thought that I would be able to see them.

Big Day Out is the first festival I ever went to, and to be up on stage as a performer this time round is truly just fantastic man.”

You Me at Six written by Natalie Rogers

Ring in the new year with ‘Fresh Start Fever’, the latest single from the soon to be released LP Cavalier Youth by UK-based You Me at Six. “We all love this track because of its production grandeur.

It’s definitely a standout,” remarked the rather weary sounding lead guitarist, Chris Miller.

Thirty Seconds to Mars, where we played to 325,000 people every night. We could hardly believe our eyes.

People were packed to the rafters. Because we hadn’t played the UK for something like eighteen months we went out thinking, ‘Will anyone even remember us?’ – and they did! We were so happy.

“I’m extremely hungover and it’s very early in the morning here! It’s my own stupid fault for going to the pub last night.”

“And now Paramore are taking us out on their Australian tour, so we feel very blessed and very lucky to have friends in such smashing bands.”

Making the most of a well-earned break between touring and the release of the new album, Chris chatted about the making of Cavalier Youth, their Australian itinerary and getting drunk while road-tripping to Scotland.

YMAS will be the main support for US rockers Paramore, playing our major cities this month. “We’re excited. We love coming to Australia. We got an email with our itinerary the other day saying we’re flying a few days early and have a day off in Brisbane, so we can’t wait. I’ve got a few friends and family that live in Australia and I like to see them every time. We usually have enough time to do what we want to do, which is lovely.

“We’re very proud of the new album and loved working with our producer Neal Avron [known for his work with Everclear, Linkin Park, Weezer and Fall Out Boy, among others]. He brought a lot to the table. He’s a real family man, very nice and down to earth. I think his involvement in the album was really beneficial.

“Working on Cavalier Youth has been great. We’re back to being the closest mates we’ve been in a very long time. It’s the hardest we’ve ever worked – the most effort we’ve ever put into a record, and I think it’s the best we’ve ever put out. I’m proud of all the tracks, but ‘Forgive and Forget’ has a hip hop vibe, so that’s probably my favourite track on the album.”

Other tracks worth a mention, according to Chris, are ‘Lived a Lie’, ‘Be Who You Are’ and ‘Room to Breathe.’

Besides working on the new album, YMAS spent much of the year on the road: “We just came off a tour with

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“At the moment we definitely feel like we’re living the dream. We’re at such an exciting time in our life as a band! When we first started out it was purely to have a laugh, to get up to Scotland in a van and get pissed!”

Chris chuckled. “We never thought we would achieve such great things. I pinch myself when we play shows like this tour. We’re so proud.”

Save the date – Cavalier Youth will be out on January 27 through Virgin Records.

When&Where: Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne - January 12

When&Where: Big Day Out, Melbourne - January 24

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TOWN!

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Grouplove

White Summer

FRIDAYS

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TALK OF THE TOWN! Talk of the Town: Where every now and then we get a little bit lonely. Coming up you have… .........................................................................

Welcome Back, Kotter We’re back. Did you miss us? We missed you. We hope you had a rockin’ Christmas and New Year. Did you get what you wanted? Were you able to return the things you didn’t want? Were you able to buy the thing you wanted with the money you received from the thing you returned that you didn’t want? Do you have any regrettable stories from NYE? Or were you well in bed before midnight? So, Australia won back The Ashes. Speaking humbly, suck on that England. No, no, it must be said that there was some fantastic cricket played. My hat’s off to the Barmy Army for their enthusiasm no matter the state of the game. But, yeah, suck on that England. Well, it’s 2014 – how about that? The four digits add up to 7 which is, according to Chinese culture, a lucky number for relationships. So if nothing else, you have that to look forward to. You also have a bunch of music stuff, and we’ll use this first issue back for a handful of reminders … plus a little more. .........................................................................

Geelong Prison Punk Rock Party The Geelong Prison Punk Rock Party is hands-down the best punk rock you’ll find in a prison since Pussy Riot.

Bad taste “jokes” aside, it really is. Taking to the stage in prison uniforms will be a down-trodden collection of motley crews including Rust (NSW), The Lost Cause (QLD), The Scam (QLD), Bladder Spasm (ACT), The Worst, Footsoldier, Half Pints and No Idea. There is even a BBQ and free keg – be quick though as these punk rock bands have a thirst for beer. Formed in 2005, Rust came together with a fierce reputation – unsurprising given members had spent time in Crucified Venus, Crankcase , Rule 303, World War 24 and Black Rose.

This reputation – one that was surely earned – has led to shows with Dead Kennedys, GBH, Bad Manners, The Last Resort, Peter & The Test Tube Babies, The Exploited, U.K. Subs, Rancid and PIL among others. Old Geelong Gaol – February 1. .........................................................................

White Summer Feeling Fuzzy ‘Chugg Fuzz’ is a new track being road-tested by White Summer, and they hope you dig it as much as you do ‘Head in the Sand’. White Summer, whose clip for ‘Head in the Sand’ can be checked out online, is the latest band finding a lot of love from triple j Unearthed. Originally from Phillip Island, the now Melbourne-based blues rock trio has drawn comparisons to the likes of The Black Keys and Audioslave. Community-driven music blog Happy wrote: “There is a staggering guitar hook and a raw wondering bass line but above all there is ‘that’ chorus.

It is seriously explosive, overwhelming and just so purely rock ‘n’ roll that you want to scream along with Stanfield’s growl and smash a guitar against a wall.” Music trivia of the day: The band takes their name from a Led Zeppelin song. It’s hard to go wrong with that. The Barwon Club, Geelong – January 14. .........................................................................

One Big Happy GigFest Bendigo’s bi-annual GigFest welcomes 2014 with a mighty bang across January 17, 18 & 19. In fact, it comes with such a bang you’ll be able to hear it across town. The awesome folk behind the festival have made things even sweeter in 2014, with three themes running over festivities. The big one is January 18, with the ‘Rock Theme’ welcoming a 12-hour slab of Artilah, My Left Boot, Grindhouse, El Montez, Left for Wolves, Child, We the Radio, Blackbird, Rabid Zulu, Berlin Postmark, The Trembles, Mightiest of Guns, The Dead Lurkers, The Baudelaires, Band of Cloud, Chase the Ace, The Electric SunKings and Neurotik Trendz. 12 p.m. to midnight. The Friday and Sunday shows are both $10 a pop, with the Saturday costing a cool $20. A three-day pass will cost a bargain $30. So pick a day (or two or three) and head on down for some cool tunes. You may even meet someone nice. Check out gigfest.com.au for more.

Funkoars Will Get You Funked According to Daniel Rankine, aka Trials and one-third of the Funkoars, “a Funkoar is the dreg of society. It is the funnel in which all morals and conscious are drained into the river Styx”. But if the Funkoars are the dregs of society, then I say ‘Hoorah!’ The Adelaide hip hop trio, rounded out by Sesta (Adam Baker) and Hons (Matt Honson) are three of the coolest cats you’re likely to come across. They have been releasing music over a decade, kicking things off with 2003’s Who’s Your Step Daddy. 2013 has been a year of both music and change. Music-wise, the band released a single titled ‘Larry Emdur’ earlier in the year on their Golden Era mixtape. Change-wise, the outfit bid farewell to DJ Reflux (Daniel Yates) as he looked to other projects.

Even as a trio they still possess the almighty funk. They are also working on a new album, with DOTH serving as a little EP teaser. Barwon Heads Hotel, Barwon Heads – January 12.

Rainbow Serpent Festival 2014 Guess what’s so close you can taste it? If you said the Rainbow Serpent Festival, congratulations, you read the blurb title. Taking place in Lexton between January 24 and January 27, the festival will once again play host to a memorable celebration of music, dance, colour and expression. The international line-up includes Slamboree Soundsystem, The Orb, FreQ Nasty (pictured), Pan-Pot, King Unique, Phaxe, Dub Kirtan Allstars, Dousk and Meat Katie. The domestic line-up includes Flap!, Kingfisha, Mantra, Rapskallion, Opiuo, Phil K, Kodiak Kid, Mike Callander and The Woohoo Revue. Music aside, the festival will host a stack of workshops and various other activities. The Solar Cinema is a highlight and is a solar-powered cinema that will show peculiar shorts, interviews, original films and animations. With so much happening, and so little room to cover it all, your best bet is to hit rainbowserpent.net for the full rundown.

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Welcome to the NightJar The ‘Independent Artist’s Festival’ that is the NightJar market puts the beauty and the talent of the Surf Coast on show throughout January. Taking place Thursday evening/nights from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Nightjar is a mix of music, art, entertainment and unique craft stalls.

There is even a magical story tent which will keep the little ones amused. The main stage will host a top quality selection of emerging local and Melbourne acts, while the buskers pit is a chance to enjoy some of the cooler buskers plying their trade. A fantastic selection of food from around the world will be made available, with local boutique beers and wines thrown in for good measure. The NightJar is located at Torquay Common, just near the corner of Bell Street and Surf Beach Drive, Torquay. Entry is a sweet $5; kids are free. If you want to know more, take a squizz at nightjarmarket.com.au. .........................................................................

Half Moon Run Come Full Circle Ballarat’s 2014 will kick off in stellar fashion with Canada’s Half Moon Run set to hit town as part of a handy little run of Australian shows. When your back is against the wall, you either succumb to the pressure or rise above it. For the three members of Half Moon Run, when faced with the hardships of time constraints and choking bank accounts, they rose above it, bonding in a way only a shared drive and passion can deliver.

Effortlessly blending elements of indie, pop and folk, the band has in their short life made a significant splash.

They have wowed audiences at SXSW and Canadian Music Week, while locally they have charmed music lovers at Peats Ridge and Woodford. Last year saw the release of their debut album, Dark Eyes. The album features their single ‘Full Circle’, a track used on the ‘Horizon’ trailer for Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.

The Karova, Ballarat – January 18.

So Frenchy, So Chic So Frenchy, So Chic returns to Werribee Mansion on January 12, bringing with it an indulgence of French music, food and wine.

2014 artists include Lou Doillon (pictured), Féfé, Lilly Wood & the Prick, Babylon Circus and Edward Deer. Deer became a name to watch with the release of his debut album About Monsters, a release which included covers of Tom Waits’ ‘Clap Hands’ and Miike Snow’s ‘Animal’. He has started working on his second album, but in his off-time lent his talents to Mélodie Française, a collection of Australian artists singing French songs. When it comes to food you will be spoilt for choice, with So Frenchy offering several grazing plates.

There will be plenty for the sweet tooth as well.

Games (croquet, pétanque), face painting and a photo booth will be on hand for the kids. Hit up cartellmusic.com.au for further information.

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Ballarat Beer Festival You remember The Simpsons episode where they went to Australia and Marge attempted to order a coffee, only to have the barkeeper reply ‘Beer it is’?

Ha-ha, great episode. Anyway, coffee-flavoured beer is not all that uncommon, but it is nothing compared to some of the flavours you will find in the booming craft beer game. At the Ballarat Beer Festival you will find a fantastic selection of brewers serving up something a little different. After all, this is a festival for those who appreciate that beer isn’t just there to get you drunk.

Just as a good drop of wine can balance a meal, a good brew is even better with the right food, and at the festival you will find plenty of amazing tastes from Vietnamese and Indian favourites to wood-fired pizzas and Buffalo style chicken wings. You will have music as well, including Wagons, Little Bastard, The Blue Souls, Sweet Jean, Steel Birds, No Strings Attached and Soultown DJs. City Oval, Ballarat – January 18.

Be sure to check out ballaratbeerfestival.com.au for more.

Jessica Mauboy at the End of the Earth At the beginning of November, songbird Jessica Mauboy kicked off a tour which will keep her busy until the end of January. The reason for the tour is new single ‘To the End of the Earth’, a track co-written by Mauboy and L.A. songwriters Jaden Michaels, Ben Berger and Ryan McMahon. Since her runnerup placing in the 2006 season of Australian Idol, Jessica has released three albums.

She has also earned praised for her acting chops, appearing in Bran Nue Dae and The Sapphires, for which she won an AACTA for ‘Best Supporting Actress’. In the lead up to the tour Jess said: “I am incredibly pumped to be getting out and performing again. It’s so exciting to be sharing all my new music and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it. I am going to take you on a whole other journey!” WPAC, Wendouree – January 23 & The Geelong Arena, Geelong – January 24.

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Jebediah Rolls On In October of last year, alt-rock champions Jebediah announced a run of regional NSW shows. Now they have beefed up the tour with a few regional dates around Victoria. And anything NSW can do, we can do better. Think back to ’94 for a moment. (Some readers may have still been in nappies at that stage.) A young band won the National Campus Band Competition and received attention for their single ‘Jerks of Attention’. They released their debut, Slightly Odway, and within four months watched it go Gold. They would release a few more albums before going on hiatus, with frontman Kevin Mitchell keeping busy with various projects including his solo life as Bob Evans.

The band would return in 2011 with album number 5, Kosciuszko. Barwon Heads Hotel, Barwon Heads – January 17; Whalers Hotel, Warrnambool – January 18; Torquay Hotel, Torquay – January 24.

The Pier Underage Bash Another year, and The Pier, Geelong gets things started right away with one of their awesome Pier Underage bashes on January 28. Lining up this time around you have SCNDL (pictured), Jungle Jim, Rojdar, Steve Toppa, Lenny J, Zane Micallef, Luke Treloar, Matty James, Zach Valenti, Justyn Green and Mitch Loughnan. They who are too cool for vowels, SCNDL is the Melbourne-based production outfit comprised of Tom Grant & Adam Amuso.

The lads were quick to make an impression, seeing out their first year in business remixing for Bob Sinclar, Timati, Timbaland, Timmy Trumpet, Israel Cruz and Deorro. Towards the end of last year they took to the local stage of Stereosonic, where word is they put on a killer performance. Just the thing you need before school sinks its claws in. 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Dress: neat casual (no thongs or trackies).

The Colliders Say Goodbye And now, a word from The Colliders: “Ok people. We know we’ve played three farewell gigs in the last three years, but in January 2014 we want to play the real one. Some Colliders are heading overseas and I doubt Tim will make it through another year so this will be the ACTUAL farewell gig from The Colliders. Due to less than ideal circumstances, it looks like our only options will be to play at The Loft on the 24th of January (same day as BDO) or book a Wednesday/Thursday gig a couple of weeks earlier. We want this one to be big, so tell us; are you willing to get crazy on the Friday of the Australia Day weekend instead of going to BDO or would you rather have the messiest Wednesday night of your life? Chime in folks. It’s like Big Brother where you decide.” So there you have it; unless otherwise decided, The Loft, Warrnambool on January 24 is the date to mark down. You just know it is going to be an awesome show whenever they have it. .........................................................................

Jam at the Dam Set in the hills of Invermay, Jam at the Dam is a cool little day of music with a few hundred of your closest music-loving community friends. Yep, a maximum of 400 tickets will be put up for grabs to next year’s event, making the event a nice little cosy day out.

And when you see the line-up, methinks those tickets will be snapped up quickly. You have the wonderful Ballarat flavour of Apes, Juan Alban, La Bastard, The Yard Apes, The Electric SunKings, The Rye Catchers, Ballarat Ska Orchestra, Soultown DJs and Navaja Negra. Navaja Negra is Mick Trembath and Chilean-born Roddy Ramos. The band has only been in business since the beginning of the year, and their business is reviving the dance music of the blues.

Tickets on sale now. Hit up Jam at the Dam through Facebook for further information. The Dam, Ballarat – January 24. * Note: Jam at the Dam has been organised to help raise funds for the local CFA. .........................................................................

Kris Kristofferson is Feeling Mortal Music veteran Kris Kristofferson will perform an extensive runs of shows in Australia next year – but you probably already knew that. Although the tour comes on the back of his latest release Feeling Mortal, the songman has a whole lot of material to draw from. After all, Feeling Mortal is his 28th studio LP. Born in Texas, Kristofferson moved to Nashville in 1965, working odd jobs while toiling away with his music. He released his first album, Kristofferson, in 1970, an album which features ‘Me & Bobby McGee’.

Following the success of Janis Joplin’s cover of the track, the album was re-released as Me & Bobby McGee and became a hit. Other hits include ‘For the Good Times’, ‘Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down’ and ‘Help Me Make it Through the Night’. He was also part of The Highwaymen. You can add to this a fine film career that stretches back to the seventies, though he

is perhaps best known as playing ‘Whistler’ in Blade I and II. The Arena, Geelong – April 5. .........................................................................

Farewell, Busby Marou Don’t let the blurb title fool you, Busby Marou aren’t disbanding or disappearing from the planet. They are, however, filling up January with a string of shows around the country. And they’re travelling to some of Victoria’s favourite holiday destinations in the process.

It’s fair enough too, as their music is the ultimate cool breeze you need during 35+ degree days. Tom Busby and Jeremy Marou have been performing their cool tunes for a few years now, emerging as one of five successful applicants in 2009’s Federal Government’s ‘Breakthrough’ initiative. The lads later received a big tick when they won the Blues & Roots Work of the Year at the 2012 APRA Awards. As for the ‘Farewell’ thing, well, that is all to do with their latest album, Farewell Fitzroy. Torquay Hotel, Torquay – January 10 & The Loft, Warrnambool – January 11. They will be joined by the UK’s Ryan Keen. .........................................................................

Juan Alban Takes a Holiday There are some who may argue there should be a big sign reading ‘Welcome to Ballarat: Home of Juan Alban’ somewhere within the city. We’re talking, after all, about a man whose beloved Epicure entertained us for years and a guy who continues to bring many joy through his solo work. Dr Pelican on Holiday! is the name of his solo debut. Writing about the choice of album title on his website, Alban explained how he received a gift from a KK with a stock photo of a pelican on the front with the words of his album’s title: “It sounds stupid, but in the moment, and the cigar drawn on etc. the pelican looked so relaxed, totally devoid of worry and trouble … and a number of the songs on the album talk about being at peace and finding a place where trouble pasts are forgotten and worries are non-existent. Where everyday pressures don’t weight on you so relentlessly … and I think the title fits that perfectly, as absurd as it might seem.”

Sally’s Paddock Redbank Winery – January 19. .........................................................................

Chris Russell’s Chicken Walk & Dallas Crane Well, here is an awesome pairing if ever there was one: Chris Russell’s Chicken Walk and Dallas Crane are set to invade Ballarat this month. The hardworking blues combo that is Chris Russell’s Chicken Walk had a stellar 2013, with tours alongside Tony Joe White and Clairy Browne & the Bangin’ Rackettes, an outing at Golden Plains and the release of new album Shakedown. The band is creating a buzz wherever they go, with The Age EG’s Jeff Glorfeld writing: “If these guys were from Sth Chicago instead of St. Kilda, they would probably be signed to Alligator Records and be hailed as the next Black Keys.” Then there is Dallas Crane, the Melbourne rockers fronted by the

Don’t Mess With The Smith Street Band If The Smith Street Band lived on your street, it would make for some interesting times. At first you may curse their punk shenanigans, but they would soon enough win you over with their music and roguish charm. Soon enough you will be asking if you could become a roadie, or at the very least a groupie. Anyway, in March they hit the road for a handful of shows – and they’re bringing Pennsylvania’s The Mezingers with them. Last year The Smith Street Band played shows around the globe, while still making appearances at some of Australia’s favourite festivals including the Big Day Out, The Falls and Meredith. They also found time to release the EP Don’t Fuck With Our Dreams. Formed in 2006, The Mezingers released their latest album, On the Impossible Past, in 2012. The Karova, Ballarat – March 23. An added treat will be Grim Fandango.

too-cool Dave Larkin. They have a new single out called ‘I’m Sorry Darlin’’, a driving thumper of a song with so much goodness you will be able to get away with not eating vegetables for a month. The Karova, Ballarat – January 24. .........................................................................

Is It Comedy You Want?

Quick bite: The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is edging closer, and one of the highlights of the event is Raw Comedy. Australia’s biggest open mic competition, Raw Comedy has unearthed the likes of Chris Lilley, Josh Thomas, Hannah Gadsby, Tom Ballard and Tim Minchin. The heats are just about to kick off in Melbourne; however, there are a couple of regional dates you may wish to keep in mind: A Ballarat heat takes place at Courthouse Theatre @ SMB Campus on February 8, while a Geelong heat takes place at GPAC on February 22. Further information can be found through comedyfestival.com.au.

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TALK OF THE TOWN! INHEARTSWAKE Find Friends

Martians Café, Deans Marsh – January 12.

A couple of Sydney outfits in mosh/hardcore band Hand of Mercy and genre smashers Hellions will join INHEARTSWAKE on their tour throughout January and February. Starting out in 2007, Hand of Mercy toured their butts off in order to build their profile. Their DIY approach and work ethic helped build the band a solid reputation, with supports alongside Parkway Drive, The Amity Affliction, A Day To Remember, The Ghost Inside and August Burns Red never too far away. Hellions wasted no time in winning favour with the heavy-hitting community. Their debut, Die Young, cracked the Top 50 on the ARIA Charts, they played the local leg of the Australian Vans Warped tour and they took out ‘Best Newcomer’ in Blunt Magazine’s fan-voted Readers Poll of 2013. Mechanics Institute, Ballarat – January 29 & Yacht Club, Portland – January 30. The tour shines the light on INHEARTSWAKE’s Skydancer Project. .........................................................................

Music to a Tee On January 23 Geelong-based not-for-profit organisation Karingal will host Music to a Tee, a very special event featuring the talents of Dog Trumpet. Music to a Tee runs in conjunction with the Karingal Foundation and will raise money for people with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). Taking place at the 13th Beach Golf Links, up to 20 golfers will test their stamina and temper by playing 100 rounds of golf in one day – without the use of golf carts! Dog Trumpet member Reg Mombassa: “Music to a Tee will be a really special event – it is a fantastic venue and I am looking forward to playing alongside a great line-up of Australian artists, particularly in the lead up to the Australia Day long weekend … I hope as many people as possible can join us for this great gig where all the funds raised go to the project.” An auction featuring an original piece of Mambo artwork (that would be Reg again) will also feature. Further information is available through karingal.org.au/events.

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Livin’, Breathin’, Playin’ Rhys Crimmin Quick bite: In 2003, at the age of 17, Rhys Crimmin took second place in the Australian Busking Competition. He has since performed more gigs than he has had homecooked meals. Armed with an array of guitars (including 6-string and 12-string), didgeridoos, harmonicas and his voice, Crimmin’s genre-fusing style has played out at just about every festival around the country. From reggae to dirty foot stompin’ blues, the self-taught songman is always a welcome guest wherever he plays. The Loft, Warrnambool – January 17. .........................................................................

Scar the Surface’s Ring of Fire Quick bite: If you don’t own a copy of Scar the Surface’s album From the Shadows to the Fire, you should get on it. The Melbourne heavy-hitters formed in 2006 and have since managed to rack up a pretty impressive support resume which includes The Haunted, Antagonist AD, Psycroptic and The Amity Affliction.

From the Shadows to the Fire is the band’s first fulllength album (they have also released a demo and a couple of EPs) and showcases a more solidified sound by the band. The Karova, Ballarat – January 17.

Can’t Get Enough Boy & Bear With a 32-date tour of the US and Europe set for the early part of the year, Boy & Bear should be rightly warmed up by the time they kick off their extensive regional run. Singer and songwriter Dave Hosking: “This will be the most extensive regional tour the band has done and we are very much looking forward to it. We love the idea of playing to new people in new and exciting parts of the country.” The Black Swan, Bendigo – May 8; Regent Cinema, Ballarat – May 9 (AA); Deakin’s Costa Hall, Geelong – May 10 (AA); Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool – May 11 (AA).

.........................................................................

Caravanning with Carus Thompson Quick bite: Loved as much abroad as he is here, Carus Thompson continues to warm our music souls with his earthy, rootsy music. Caravan is his latest release, an album recorded in studios in England, Germany and Australia. He has sold over 30,000 albums as an independent artist, he has performed shows from Berlin to Zurich, and he has supported the likes of Dave Matthews, Xavier Rudd, Damien Rice, Jack Johnson, John Butler, Seth Lakeman and The Waifs. Martians Café, Deans Marsh – January 18.

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Rosie Burgess Will Fill Your Soul

Sunset on the Green – Warrnambool

Quick bite: Fronted by Rosie Burgess and featuring Sam Lohs on stomp box drums and Tim Bennett on bass guitar, the Rosie Burgess Trio dances effortlessly from folk to blues to gypsy-roots and then back again.

Their new album is Before I Set Sail. Burgess: “The album seemed to totally write itself. We made this album in a month! It’s unheard of in my world to do anything that quickly, but somehow everything just fit together perfectly and nothing went wrong. It was just unbelievably calm waters and smooth sailing the whole way through.” The Loft, Warrnambool – January 10 &

Quick bite: Presented by the Warrnambool Youth Council, Sunset on the Green is an alcohol, drug and smoke-free event featuring a fantastic selection of musical talent. Michelles Velocity, Bonney Ranch, The Alfa Tides, Hannah Duffus, Nancie Schipper, Matt Price, Connor Bailey, Lachie & Kate, Cooper Lower and Elspeth Bawden will all perform. Michelles Velocity started life playing covers before making the move to originals in late 2011. You may be familiar with the band’s track ‘Jet’. Civic Green – January 18. 2 p.m. onwards. A great day to spend with the family.

The Bennies in Space Quick bite: Psychedelic Reggae Ska Doom Metal Punk Rock from Hell. That is how The Bennies sum themselves up, and it is a pretty damn cool way of doing it. This Australia Day the band will kick off their second national tour in six months, performing a string of shows showcasing their second album, Rainbows in Space. Last year the album was voted #6 in triple j’s Short Fast Loud Top 40 Poll for 2013. The Loft, Warrnambool – February 1; The Karova, Ballarat – February 2; The Barwon Club, Geelong – February 6. .........................................................................

Jeff Martin & Sarah McLeod Tour Quick bite: We love them for their work in bands The Tea Party and Superjesus, but we love ’em just as much when they are simply Jeff Martin and Sarah McLeod. The pair met in late 2012 and performed a one-off acoustic gig together; however, music magic happened and here we are in 2014 with the pair set to perform a handful of shows. There have even been a few whispers that a collaborative album could be on the horizon. The Man the Life Boat tour hits The Karova, Ballarat on January 31.

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Jebediah by zach broadhurst

It’s hard to believe that this year will mark 20 years since Perth rockers Jebediah first played a show – just ask bassist Vanessa Thornton. “Get out, will it? It really does feel weird. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t in Jebs and I wasn’t doing this. But at the same time it’s still quite surprising that it’s nearly 20 years,” says Thornton.

Things have certainly changed over that time period, not just for Jebediah and the music industry, but the whole world. Thornton remembers a time when it was harder to contact the band when they were on tour and when fan interaction was much different.

“We didn’t have mobile phones when we started this band,” remembers Thornton. “Our first few tours we travelled with no mobile phones; everything was faxes and public phone boxes and your hotel room phone. That’s a massive difference, but also the way people hear your music and the way they get involved and interact on the computer.”

For all the things that have changed in the past 20 years however, there are still things that have stayed the same all that time – and that’s something

Thornton feels fans will see at Jebediah shows in Victoria early this year. “Our shows are pretty much similar to what people may have seen or heard about in the last 20 years, but maybe just with some newer songs thrown in there,” says Thornton.

This year will also mark another milestone for Jebediah as it will be 10 years since the band changed from a full-time commitment to parttime. But Thornton insists, there has never been a thought of ending the band, just a desire to reducing the workload and work on multiple projects.

“At the time we had done a 10-year anniversary tour and released an EP, and I think we were just getting to the point where we had devoted our entire lives to the band. In those ten years we had pretty much no personal time. If something band related came up we cancelled plans we had. The band was the number one priority. I guess it just felt like maybe then was a good chance to take six months off.”

Over their 20-year involvement in the music industry the band has no doubt learnt a lot, but despite this industry experience, Thornton admits she still struggles with understanding how it all works and would rather just focus on the music and bands around her. “There are some bloody awesome bands around, but with industry stuff, the more I

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think about that kind of thing, the less I understand,” explains Thornton.

“So for me, I think I can only think about the industry in terms of music and bands and playing music and being in a band, or listening to bands or hanging out with bands. That’s the part of the industry that I exist in and everything else I don’t really have a clue.”

Thornton’s confusion with how the industry works is understandable. Their 2011 single ‘She’s like a Comet’ was their most commercially successful single ever – an achievement even the band were very surprised by. “I have absolutely no idea how this stuff works,” says Thornton. “The last record we put out we had our most successful single we’ve had in our entire career. How does that happen? It was great. We toured for over a year on that record but there doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason why things happen and why some songs do really well and others don’t. I think it is just timing and blind luck. I think we’ve had a lot of good fortune over the years.”

Despite the success of their 2011 release Kosciusko, the band still don’t have any plans in the works to record a new album in the near future. But Thornton also admits you never know what’s going to happen when the band get in a room together. “In the near future I’d probably say no, because we are all working on other projects,” says Thornton. “But having said that, while we are in Melbourne for this bunch of shows next month I think we are going to go lock ourselves in our rooms for a week and just hang out and maybe write stuff. But I imagine the time we actually get to the recording studio won’t be during 2014, I’m pretty sure.

This slowed productivity is a side effect of the band members various other projects and commitments, but Thornton insist these side projects are important for each member’s musical grown. “In the early days we were pretty much inseparable because we were always on the road doing the same thing,” explains Thornton. “But we have got beyond that stage with the band not being a full-time thing.

“Myself and Brett [Mitchell] play in another band and we have a record coming out next year. Kev’s [Kevin Mitchell] most likely going to be doing another Bob Evans record long before the next Jebs one, and I think that kind of thing is really good for Jebs, because we all kind of get to play music with other people and just expand things a little bit.”

Despite the band and its members spending less time together these days, their friendship and love for each other and the band is as strong as ever. “I think the biggest thing is that we all still love hanging out together and all still love making music together, and after 20 years I think that’s an incredible achieve for a band. It’s so familiar and so comfortable and so easy between the four of us that it’s like slipping into your comfiest pair of shoes.”

When&Where: The Barwon Heads Hotel, Barwon Heads – January 17; Whalers Hotel, Warrnambool – January 18; Torquay Hotel, Torquay – January 24

“But it depends how we go and if we are vibing

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and things are happening and creating. So we might surprise ourselves. But I think as the years have gone on our productivity in releasing albums definitely seems to be getting slower.”

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23

BENDIGO:

ballarat:

Natalie Edith

January 9 what's on in the rat Thursday, to Thursday, January 23

by Darlene Taylor

By Daniel Lock

Good morning, good afternoon or goodnight. Whichever it is, I hope you had a good Xmas and New Year’s and I hope you’re all keen for more live original music in 2014.

And now what you’ve been waiting for, the rundown of the next two weeks…

Thursday, January 9th, inside The Babushka Bar/Cafe/ Gallery, Craig Atkins and Erik Parker will be playing for the guests’ entertainment. Entry – $6. Over at The Karova Lounge … they mustn’t have quite written their calendar out properly yet. (Who can blame them, I still haven’t.) They’re advertising for ‘Thu, 6th January’ St Augustine and Yugo Nishiyama, so hopefully they mean ‘Thu, 9th January’ and somehow the ‘9’ mistakenly got turned upside down on their website. Entry – free.

Natalie Edith’s career has been marked by her innate inclination towards acoustic music clashing with her desire to achieve a band sound.

with that,” she says by way of contrasting her current attitude to the business compared to her previous line of attack.

“I’ve always had this almost internal battle,” she says, “between the whole rock star five-piece band really stadium kind of feel and also my natural kind of state of playing guitar and singing songs and really trying to convey what that song is about as an individual to the audience.”

Edith’s first instrument as a child was a mandolin and her musical confidence was built during the old days of the jam sessions at the Golden Vine. “I got to express myself [at the jam sessions] and people actually appreciated the songs and that kind of gave me the motivation to try and make a career of it I guess,” she says.

Edith, who’s been involved in Bendigo’s music scene for several years as the lead singer-songwriter of the aptly named The Bride Stripped Back, also used to crave the sort of success only enjoyed by acts that are doing well. “I had massive dreams,” she says.

The attainment of a relatively large Arts Victoria grant was a taste of what could be in relation to musical success. Indeed, Edith relates with some humour how she found out about The Bride Stripped Back’s grant application’s success after she’d written down what she desired as per the dictates of the book ‘The Secret’.

The ensuing CD, Chaos and the Calm, is something Edith’s happy with, while supporting Tex Perkins at The Palais in Daylesford was another highlight for the band.

However, the musician, who has a stated interest in progressive politics, experienced a shift in focus during a stint working in an Indigenous community where both her interest in music was rekindled after a period of disillusionment and her vaulting ambition was dealt a blow. “I don’t have a plan, and I’m alright

She’s currently putting energy into producing other artists, as well as developing a new sound thanks in part to a loop pedal. A recent report in the ‘Bendigo Magazine’ about local female musicians featured Edith, and although she’s a tad sceptical about the value of concentrating on the sex of artists, she does cite the arguably ‘feminine’ performers Sarah McLachlan and Chrissie Hynde as influences. “I think they both capture this kind of emotional edge”, she says.

“Even if one is completely polished and defined and all this and one is a little bit more rough around the edges, there’s something so honest about both of those musicians and that’s what appealed to me. Just like you could see just a glimpse into their actual life or into their mind just from their songs,” she adds.

Edith’s own style’s gone full circle since she started performing. “I’ve tried out the rock thing … I guess I kind of want to go back to my roots,” she concludes.

Friday, January 10th, The Babushka Bar will be hosting VIDEO VIDEO on their stage. I’d describe VIDEO VIDEO as a high budget ’80’s Science Fiction movie soundtrack, full of synthpop and Pet Shop Boys-inspired vocals. Entry – $6.

Over at The Main Bar on Main Rd, The Virginia Slims will be playing. They’re a three-piece band with a drummer, female lead singer/acoustic guitarist and a double bass player. Entry – $10 Saturday, January 11th sees Mark Kuntsi playing at The Babushka Bar. Entry – TBC. That night, The Main Bar hosts Salty Dog, a male and female blues rock duo who’ll be swamp-stomp-boxing your ears well in, if you get down to enjoy the pleasure of it. Entry – $10 6 p.m. Wednesday, January 15th, The Babushka Bar will be having an Equal Marriage Fundraiser. So if you support the cause, get down to Babushka and put your two bob in ... By that I mean donate money ... More than two bob ($2) will be welcome, I’m sure.

Thursday, January 16 sees The Babushka Bar hosting Kyle Taylor’s album launch. Kyle Taylor is an acoustic th

guitarist/vocalist of the indie and folk persuasion.

So for a neat night of tunes, get on down to catch Kyle Taylor – and pick up a CD if it tickles your fancy.

Entry – Presale $5. Door price – $10.

Friday, January 17th has the Melbourne fourpiece rock group 4TRESS gracing the stage at The Babushka Bar. This band draws influences from many different areas of music and they play a mean set. This looks to be a good night in where Babushka will be well rocked and rolled. Entry – TBC. Around the corner and over the road, The Karova Lounge will be having a rocking night of their own with Scar the Surface playing with Diminished Reason, Double Chamber and Flesh Of The Earth in support. Entry – $10. Not to be outdone at all, The Main Bar have local boys Mick Dog’s Bone Yard playing the venue and bringing some original sounds to classic blues and roots. Entry – $10.

Saturday, January 18th has KAISHA returning to The Babushka Bar. The acoustic guitarist KAISHA made quite a few fans on her last visit with her rhythmic vocals and melodic middle-eastern background guitar sounds. If you’re looking for something with much depth and sensitivity within it, this isn’t to be missed. Entry – $10. Over at The Karova Lounge they have local favourites Them 9’s playing for what I imagine is their first gig for 2014. Entry – $6. The Main Bar will be hosting Cider House String Band for a trip back to settling the “New World”. They’re a four-piece string band boasting a fiddle, banjo, guitar and tub bass. Entry – $5.

Anyway, so ends the rundown of What’s On in The Rat this fortnight. Next issue will be just before Jam at the Dam, so expect some details on that. I wish you happiness and luck throughout 2014.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEW FORTE NEWSLETTER AT FORTEMAG.COM.AU

Edith recently appeared as a solo acoustic artist at a recent fundraiser for an upcoming music festival.

White Summer written by xxxx

It almost had to be cancelled, but luckily White Summer’s ‘What I’ve Been Waiting For’ EP tour will go ahead, despite a nasty accident involving drummer/lead singer James Stanfield that threw a spanner in the works just a week out from their EP launch.

“It was pretty bad,” explains White Summer bassist Anthony Zielke. “This was a week before our EP launch, which we were planning for months. He ran into the back of a car with his scooter, the car pulled out and he hit the back windshield, smashed it and bounced off. He’s lucky to be alive.”

Stanfield managed to walk away with just some broken bones, but that still left the band without a drummer a week from their big launch. But luckily musical talent runs through the Zielke family.

“He busted his wrist so he couldn’t play drums,” says Zielke. “But luckily my brother has played with us a few times and he knows our tracks. So in one week he learnt our entire set and played the show with us and now he’s going to come on tour. Who knows, Jimmy might become a frontman.”

In getting Anthony’s brother Alex behind the kit, the boys discovered something encouraging: the added member allowed Stanfield to focus solely on his voice and stage presence. “Pretty much Jimmy has always been behind the drums,” says Zielke. “But a few of the bigger shows we got my brother Alex to drum on a few songs and doing a whole set like that it become apparent that it could be the way forward.

“Having a frontman obviously it adds so much. It lifts the drums by like 50 per cent, because Alex is just drumming; and then it lifts the vocals by 50 per cent, because Jimmy is just singing and he’s not out of breath because of the drumming. The whole process has just lifted.”

rocking out and getting into it, we always get people up the front and really into it. If you like high intensity shows, that’s the kind of stuff we do.”

a fan base which has been really cool, but we don’t really know what to expect in places like Sydney and Brisbane.”

The line-up adjustment has also aided the boys in beefing up their sound and putting on high intensity shows – the backbone of all White Summer gigs.

“We love playing that type of music and we just love going nuts on stage. We really get into it. If you like

The boys have built a strong fan base here in Victoria but this tour will see them spreading their sound interstate for the first time – a challenge they are looking forward to. “We are excited and nervous,” says Zielke. “Over the past three years we have built

The boys have already made inroads around Australia however, with regular radio play seeing them build their fan base bigger than ever before.

“The radio play has been amazing,” says Zielke. “It was one of our goals from the EP to get not just on

24

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triple j, but RRR and heaps of other community radio stations. That’s really cool and that has definitely helped us get a lot of other fans that we didn’t know we could get.”

When&Where: The Barwon Club, Geelong – January 11

Brendan Gallagher joins iconic Australian line-up for Music to a Tee

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Karingal has announced ARIA award winning artist Brendan Gallagher is among the final performers to join the line-up for Karingal’s Music to a Tee fundraising concert on 23 January, 2014 at th 13 Beach Golf Links, Barwon Heads.

Brendan Gallagher is described by many as a musical ‘all-rounder’ and is widely respected for his talents as a singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, performer, producer and composer. he is best known for his work as a singer and songwriter with Karma County, who have released six albums since 1995 and have toured around Australia and the world.

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Other recently announced artists accompanying Brendan in the final Music to a Tee line-up include Los Locos, Two Dogs, Ukulele Carnivale and Homesick Joe. They will join a list of iconic performers from across the country, including Shane Howard and Reg Mombassa and Pete O’Doherty’s Dog Trumpet, for the unique concert event to be held on the lawns of 13th Beach Golf Links.

Together, these artists will unite with a group of 22 determined golfers who, on the same day, will be playing 100 holes of golf without using carts in the 2014 Hundred Hole Hike. Their ultimate goal is to help raise money for Geelong-based charity Karingal to establish programs to support the growing population of people with an acquired brain injury.

As the golfers play their final holes, awaiting them at the end of their feat of endurance will be the club house lawns transformed into a cheering gallery and concert venue.

Music to a Tee is the perfect way to ease into the Australia Day long-weekend with a rare chance to see some of the country’s most iconic performers up close and personal. It is also a family-friendly event with an opportunity to enjoy barbeque dinner th on the lawns of 13 Beach and plenty to keep the

info: Book your tickets to Music to a Tee now: concession - $25, adult/full - $45, children 13 and under - free with a ticketed adult. To book visit http://www.karingal.org. au/events kids entertained including games, art and craft activities and a hula hoop workshop.

The concert will be held from 3:00pm to 11:00pm.

Food and drinks are available throughout the event from 13th Beach Golf Links and attendees are encouraged to bring their own picnic rug and lowlying camping chairs. Shuttle buses are available between Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads and the venue for $8.00 per person one-way or $12.00 per person return. Bus bookings are essential, to book please contact Caroline Moore on 03 5277 8803.

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30ish year old trumpet player, looking to form or play in jazz group.

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Experienced 25 y.o. guitarist looking for female vocalist to form acoustic duo to start playing cover 19yo Male singer gigs asap. Would looking for funk/ also be interested rock musicians: Want similar aged guys in writing together who like Led Zeppelin, music if partnership works well. Phone Hendrix, Beatles, and Curt 0412 166 393 ANYTHING funky bass! i love ANY music Looking for a rock prior to 1950s all the singer between way back to classical the age 17-19. Main and beyond! I also Influences are Green play trumpet, Contact Day, Foo Fighters and Sam 0407 347 444 Led Zeppelin. Band with Management and Lead Guitarist, Label. Email and info Bass Player and Vocalist are at melodicmusic.com

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25

Grouplove written by Natalie Rogers

When I caught up with L.A. native Andrew Wessen, pro surfer/guitarist for Grouplove, it dawned on me that I may have found the perfect spokesman for our 2014 international tourism campaign. “Australia’s my dreamland; it’s the place to be. I’m freezing my ass off on the West Coast right now! I’ve got to get down there. Put me in a body bag, I don’t care! Get me to the beach, you can’t beat it! Honestly, I had one of the best nights of my life in the Land of Oz, but that’s a story I can’t really go into…”

Without any encouragement he continued: “Oh, OK, I’ll tell you, ’cause you sound cool. I dropped acid there when I was nineteen and it changed my life! So I always think of Australia as one of the best places in the world. I used to come to Australia a lot when I was a kid. I’ve surfed multiple times at Snapper, Green Mouth, Tweed Heads, North Stradbroke and Bondi – all over the place. I can’t wait to do it all again. Even if it means travelling by myself, I don’t care. I don’t want to generalise the whole country, but it seems like everywhere we go we seem to love it.”

The reason behind Grouplove’s return to our shores is to join some of the world’s biggest bands at Big Day Out 2014 – and Andrew asked the question that’s on all of our lips: “What happened to Blur?! That’s a shame, but I can’t wait to meet Arcade Fire. We haven’t crossed paths yet, but I know we’ll get on so well. When I found out they were playing BDO too, I thought, ‘This is the time, it’s going to happen in Oz’. I hope we can hang out and I know we’ll have a good time.

“We’re doing a couple of sideshows in Melbourne and

Sydney where we’ll be supported by [Brazilian new wave band] CSS. It’s going to be awesome – one helluva dance party. You might want to leave your shoes at home for that one,” Andrew laughed.

Another exciting event during their time here is the world premiere of The Spirit of Akasha, the longawaited sequel to surf movie classic Morning of the Earth, at the Sydney Opera House on January 25. “We feature on the soundtrack and we’ll be performing at the Opera House. The film means the world to me. All the people involved in the making of it will be there, so to be playing in front of them is a big deal.”

If you wanna whole lotta Grouplove at your fingertips, you can now watch their new short-form documentary, shot recently over a week in NYC. “We did a small run of shows called the ‘See Saw Tour.’ One night we played just hard rock and another night we tried to play just acoustic and real stripped back, but it ended up being rowdy anyway! We can never not have a rowdy show – every time it ends up being like, ‘turn the distortion up!’

“But basically the film documents those two nights of our tour and ties in the whole story of how we met and the places in New York that Hannah [Hooper; keys/ vocals] and Christian [Zucconi; vocals/guitar] used to go to write songs before coming out to L.A. It has everything up until this point. It’s shot really well and we’re stoked on it.”

Watch it in full at grouplovemusic.com.

When&Where: Big Day Out, Melbourne - Jan 24

the orb Hey Alex, thanks for taking the time out to respond to a few questions from Forte Magazine ahead of your trip to Australia, just to start us off, can you please introduce yourself to Forte readers and tell us a little bit about ‘The Orb’

years, you have had everything from hit records, to spots at some of the worlds largest festivals to underground dance parties - when starting out did you think there was a long and Successful career in electronic music for you?

Good day , my name is Alex Paterson & I’m the founder member of the a British/ German electronic band “The Orb”. The Orb has been around for a few years now (26), but whose counting , we have done over 100 remixes & 15 studio albums & worked with Lee Scratch Perry & David Gilmour amongst others .

No , never in a a thousand dreams did I realise that our dreams might come true . The Orb has put the O back into God BTW, It doesn’t get any better than that . & we found out Jesus is black woman ! Put that in your pipe & smoke it . ( Lee Scratch perry told me , so it must be true) .

Can you take us back to the start, London - 1988, when The Orb was born. What was the scene like at that time, starting out - was your style of ambient electronica very unique then?

You have seen it all, having been around the scene for so long, how have you notice your audience change over that time?

Fresh exciting & totally new. The ambient house scene was created by ourselves & KLF . House music had been about for a couple of years & I have a love for ambient music from the E.G stable of music, so much so that I was A&R man for E.G from 86 to 1990. I just crossed the the two genes together & The Orb did a very cool 20 minute epic to kick start the ambient generation .

The Orb, like the name itself, has been seen in many different forms and it has manifested itself in different ways over the years, tell us about how the group has transformed since Jimmy left Facebook says ‘The Orb’ has 20 or so members?

Older wiser more mature , with a lot of interest from the younger generation too & there’s always a newer generation that needs feeding too , music wise & the orb have never sold out & yet has stayed true to it’s roots .

Lets talk specifically about your music, you are known for your distortion and ‘bending’ if samples if you like, how would you describe your sound if you had to?

Soft wet & warm . Fun filled & orbed in fields of plenty.

As a producer take us through your studio, what pieces of equipment are you using at the moment, has the machinery changed much over the years?

Don’t believe anything on facebook. Had; not has! & I’m not going to give you a mk 1 etc . Jimmy & I was mark 1 & Thomas & I are mark 10!

I pad . Ableton . Logic . Stylophone - Korg - arp 2600 & it has changed over the decades / editing is much faster these days .

Your music and popularity has grown over the

In terms of the live element to your performance,

when&where: Rainbow Serpant Festival - Jan 24-27 are you still touring almost all year round?

It seems that way , Oz, NZ UK & USA all before the end of April 2014 .

What are you looking to provide your audience when doing a live show?

Pleasure & happiness , with flowers on .

Have you played Rainbow Serpent before? are you excited about coming down under?

No & I have a niece called rainbow & my daughter is a Chinese golden dragon , so it looks like it’s going to be fun already ! I’m happy to come back to Oz & it’s now *open to the worlds beats & rhythms !* Now more than 20 years ago !!

Anything you would like to add or to say to those with a ticket to rainbow serpent?

You’re in & let’s party on ! In orb we trust!

Busby Marou written by tex miller

It’s Christmas time when I get the opportunity to sit down with Tom Busby to chat about their upcoming coastal tour – and it’s an exciting time as the band are returning home for Chrissy after such a long time on the road. “I’m really looking forward to getting back to see my family. We’ve spent a lot of time on the road touring this latest record and 2013 has been quite a big year for us. I’m the youngest of eight kids and there is 29 nieces and nephews, so Christmas day is a big day for us.”

Released at the end of November, Farewell Fitzroy is the second full-length release from the Rockhampton duo since 2011’s self-titled debut. In between releases the band has traversed the globe, playing shows and supporting Pete Murray, Birds of Tokyo and Dolly Parton to name just a few. They are also supporting the ever-appreciating lover Mr James Blunt in 2014.

Recorded in Nashville, this second album develops on the sound that the duo has been working on for the last two years. With drums, bass, keyboards, percussion, pedal steel and a number of other instruments thrown into the mix, the sound is a lot fuller and punchier this time around. “The first album, we did a lot of tracking.

We didn’t have a band together and laid everything down one by one. It was a time consuming process, but had to be done. This time around we went to Nashville and tracked the album pretty much live.

“Most of the tracks on this latest album are the ‘money shot’ take and have the most emotion and happiness to them. It was an awesome feeling to get a full band sound this time around.”

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With Brad Jones at the helm of this beast, the second album was always going to big. Jones has worked with the likes of Missy Higgins and Justin Townes Earle, and according to Busby knew “just what to do” to capture the sound. “Brad, apart from being a producer, is also a singer-songwriter in his own right. He knows how to make cool chord changes and differences to make the arrangement sound better.

“We also had some session musicians working with us, most predominately Al Perkins, who played on The Beatles’ Abbey Road and with The Stones. It was an honour to have him along for the ride as well,” Tom said about the recording process.

Having supported Dolly Parton, an experience which saw the duo lining up “like two little kids meeting Santa Clause”, Busby Marou have quickly become a staple of the Australian music scene. Playing at the Torquay Hotel on the 10th of January with support from fellow UK acoustic troubadour Ryan Keen, it will be great to hear these tunes once again after the band played at Queenscliff Music Festival in late November.

“I cannot wait to head out on this tour. We’ve done it once before and the coastal tour is always great. We strip it back a bit, with just acoustic guitars, and we still have the rhythm section with us, but it’s a lot more kinda coastal and mellow than other performances.

“You get to see Jeremy absolutely rip it up on both his acoustic guitar and ukulele. Don’t forget a quick hit out of Beach Cricket to sort out the rivalry of the Ashes once and for all!”

When&Where: Torquay Hotel, Torquay – January 10 & The Loft, Warrnambool – January 11

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Kisstroyer Written by Tex Miller

If you haven’t experienced Kisstroyer, then jump online right now and buy your tickets to Motor City Music Festival, which takes over at the Geelong Showgrounds on the Labour Day weekend in March.

Since forming in 2000, Kisstroyer has become the biggest KISS tribute act in the country and has played all around the world – and even played for Paul Stanley. Taking a look at the illustrious career of the band thus far, I recently sat down with guitarist Andrew Kyriacou to have a chat ahead of their performance at Motor City Music Festival.

At the time of our chat, Kisstroyer has just finished playing at the Monsters of Rock show, which sadly was held for the last time. Constantly on the road between concerts, to make sure that the band could still play gigs and not get entirely burnt out, a deliberate decision was made last year to get involved with other business ventures.

“For years, we played gig after gig, and having been out on the road for the best part of 13 years, we decided that each of us should get involved with another project.

I think one of the most interesting results is we enjoy playing gigs a lot more now because we have something to look forward to [other] than performing every week.

“It’s sad to see that the Monsters of Rock enterprise has dissolved because it was a brand that we developed and invested in heavily in the early years. The after parties became infamous, and as much as I’d like to tell you some of the tour stories, you know the old saying,” Andrew laughs as I try and get some anecdotes suitable for print out of him.

Kisstroyer started when Andrew and his brother arrived back in Australia after years of travel throughout Europe, and at that point nobody knew that it would evolve to be as big as it did today. “We just saw it as a vehicle to have some fun. There were no prerequisites about where it should go or what it should be, and so we have never really been disappointed or frustrated and everybody has really enjoyed the ride”.

As one of the headline tribute acts at Motor City, I can assure you the Kisstroyer set will not disappoint.

If you’ve seen KISS live before, you’ll have an inkling of what you’re in for, but for the uninitiated, it’s going to be nothing but a fantastic time, as Andrew relates: “The crowd can expect quintessential KISS, and to say that we’re excited is a huge understatement. Firebreathing, pyrotechnics, blood spitting, smoking guitars and everything we can cram into our allocated set time is just a small part of what to expect. It will be energetic, and we really can’t wait to get down there mate!”

As expected, performing as Kisstroyer would take a hell of a lot of time. So what does a day in the life include? “On the day of a gig, we usually start getting ready at 11 a.m.

Sound checking and making sure all the pyrotechnics are working correctly takes a while. The makeup and costume ritual takes around two hours, and I’m there most steps of the way … unlike some of our fancier members that show up just before sound check!”

When&Where: Geelong Motor City Music Festival – March 7 through 10

Ross Wilson written by zach broadhurst

The sun is out and the warmer weather is upon us – and that means music festivals galore. But Ross Wilson remembers a time when music festivals were a little more basic. “I just think the festival scene has grown up,” says Wilson. “The very first festivals I played were years and years ago, when we were rolling around in the mud, and it’s not like that anymore. I think there’s a bit more regulation; but whether that’s a good thing I don’t know.”

doesn’t see the end any time soon. He still has a family to provide for, and five decades of rocking stages has made it hard to see himself doing anything else. “I live a reasonably comfortable life and I’d like to maintain that. I’ve got kids at school so I’m doing it for them as well,” explains Wilson. “But most of all it provides me with a lot of gratification and satisfaction. The best time I have is when I’m on stage. It’s absolutely where I belong.”

It’s at festivals such as the upcoming Harvest ‘n’ Graze festival, which Wilson will be playing, that we truly see the growth of the music festival. The festival celebrates not just music, but also food and drink, and caters to those people looking for a little more class from their festival experience. “I think it’s a shift in the way things are done,” says Wilson. “For one it’s good value; you’ll usually get quite a few acts on the one bill. Also, there are older fans of mine who have been fans for quite a while, and I think they like a bit of comfort and sophistication.”

And while it’s one thing to want to continue playing music well into your sixties, it’s another thing to be relevant and popular enough to do it successfully. So for those aspiring musicians trying to forge their way in the industry, take some advice from this true Australian icon: “When you’re starting out you might have a job; you might be an accountant or a mechanic or whatever,” says Wilson. “But there comes a point where you have to make a decision: am I going to do one or the other because, believe me, you can’t do both.

With 50 years experience in the Australian music industry, Wilson has also seen the evolution of the music industry, and in his expert opinion he feels it’s as healthy as it’s ever been. “There is a lot of good music coming out of Australia at the moment – and that’s on the world stage,” says Wilson. “We have a handful of people who are Grammy nominated this year, like Hiatus Kaiyote who are an extraordinary act that are very unique and Tame Impala. So all of that says to me that things are quite healthy.”

Despite his long and decorated music career Wilson

“If you want to become a fully committed musician you just have to leap off the ledge and see what happens and not look for the net. But you can only do that when you’re a young dude without commitments, because you get all tangled up after that. So make the leap as soon as you can. If it doesn’t work out you can always go back and do what you did.”

When&Where: Peninsula Music Festival – January 12; Harvest ‘n’ Graze – January 18; Whittlesea Australia Day Concert – January 26

Deborah Conway Written by Tex Miller

Stories of Ghosts, the latest release from Deborah Conway and Willy Zygier, is quite possibly the greatest sounding album of Deb’s career. Ahead of her performance at the Port Fairy Folk Festival over the Labour Day weekend in March, I got the opportunity to sit down and have a chat about it.

Over the past twelve months the duo has been on the promotional trail for their tenth solo studio release, which has seen them play up in all parts of Australia.

“2013 has been a really busy time and we really haven’t left any stone unturned in any part of the country. Every gig has been great – and we have even played a gig in Saigon this time around!” Deb said.

With an ashtray on every table, the Saigon gig was both an eye-opening and positive experience. (One of the quirkiest gigs on this tour was a show in Candelo in New South Wales in which Deb and Willy were both mobbed on stage like rock stars.)

The concept to writing this album is heavily weighted around stories from the Old Testament, as Deb relates, giving me an insight into the writing process. “From a Jewish-atheist perspective, we’ve taken some of the biggest stories and filtered them through a modern prism and tried to understand what makes these stories still relevant and still affecting in 2013. For Adam and Eve, it’s about departing paradise on a bus and seeking something else that makes it worthwhile for them to keep going, and their success and failure in coming to terms with that. That song is called ‘East of Eden’, and I think that writing to a specific theme this time around rather than each individual song has

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been a rewarding process.”

From just a few listens to the album, one of my favourites is the opener ‘The Writing’s on the Wall’.

The rollicking guitar of Willy Zygier and soulful vocals of Deborah make it a definite highlight and well worth checking out. This album has achieved a lot of praise since its release, which prompted me to ask whether she thought that this was her greatest album or not.

“There are certainly a lot of people that think it is. I’m happy to agree with them, and I think it’s a pretty good record. It’s had sensational reviews and been played a lot on the ABC, and when people come and see us perform it, they are universally moved. That’s a really good indication. The thing about being a musician is that you are always a little bit in love with what you have just done.

“We haven’t got much recognition from commercial radio stations, and it is probably a bit of a struggle to find us in a CD store, but the music is out there for you to find if you want. The gigs have been reasonably well attended, and Port Fairy is a great supporter of my music. To be asked back down there is great. It’s all about the music, and I love that fact about it.”

2014 will see the writing and recording of the followup to Stories of Ghosts, so be sure to keep an eye out for it.

When&Where: Port Fairy Folk Festival - March 7 through 10

5 Summer Reads!

Summer of ’68: The Season That Changed Baseball, and America, Forever Tim Wendel Tim Wendel explores a baseball season like no other. 1968 was a watershed year in American history. Opening day of the baseball season was postponed following the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Later, as the race for the pennant was heating up, Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated. Rioting at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago followed. There was an increase in anti-war protests, the emergence of the Black Panthers and the election of Richard Nixon.

In baseball, 1968 became ‘The Year of the Pitcher’.

It was also the year in which baseball had no divisions within the two leagues. Four expansion teams would follow in 1969, the same year in which the Kansas City Athletics moved to Oakland.

Books, they’re good for reading. It’s true.

Perhaps you may wish to fill your summer by reading one.

Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman

The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival

Jon Krakauer Pat Tillman was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the 1998 National Football League and would play ten of sixteen games in his rookie season. He would later be offered a big contract by the St. Louis Rams, but turned it down to loyalty. He would also turn down a multi-million deal from the Arizona Cardinals to enlist in the U.S. Army following the September 11 attacks.

Tillman enlisted with his brother, Kevin, on May 31, 2002. Subsequently deployed to Afghanistan, Pat was killed on April 22, 2004. Initially reported to have been killed by enemy combatants, a lengthy investigation would later reveal he had in fact been killed by friendly fire.

Krakauer used Tillman’s journals and interviewed members of his family to piece together a biography about a man who gave up a lucrative NFL career for what he believed was right.

John Vaillant In December of 1997, a man-eating tiger is on the prowl in Russia’s Far East.

There is something strange about the attacks, however. The attacks seem personal, with the tiger not just killing people, but “annihilating” them.

The tiger is hungry, injured and dangerous.

It must be stopped. If this was a work of fiction it would make for interesting reading; however, this is a work of non-fiction.

Vaillant re-creates the events leading up to the attacks and the hunt for the beast. Along the way we are introduced to fascinating characters and a region of the world as harsh and unforgiving as it is beautiful and mysterious.

Lockdown: Inside Brazil’s Most Dangerous Prison

TOO HEAVY TO HUG PAUL S TAYLOR chris cruz

In sad news for ’90s/ noughties pop punk kids, guitarist Steve Klein has parted ways with A New Found Glory (or just New Found Glory as they now choose to be called). Their first four albums are absolute classics, way better than anything Blink-182 has done in well over a decade. But I guess that isn’t saying very much! Here’s hoping for a return to form for their next record! For NFG, not Blink ... Obviously!

The Misfits dropped a limited edition 7” holiday single called ‘Horror Christmas’ featuring the track ‘You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch’. It might be a little late to get one now, but what the heck! It might even be discounted!

The Groezrock Festival line-up has been announced for 2014, and it’s a doozy – as well as a reminder that Aussie promoters can’t put a decent festival bill together (not counting the smaller ACTUAL punk fests and promoters like Punk-A-Billy, Punx Productions and Hits & Pits, who do an amazing job). Belgium punk rockers will get to experience a lineup that we could only dream about: NOFX, Boysetsfire, H2O, Screeching Weasel, The Offspring, Funeral Dress, Cro-Mags, The Hives, Madball, Bayside, Rotting Out, Judge, The Menzingers, La Dispute, SNUFF and Alkaline Trio are just some of the first round announcements, alongside an unprecedented Australian contingent: Deez Nuts, Bodyjar and The Smith Street Band.

It all takes place on May 2nd and 3rd, and is almost worth flying over for. The second round of announcements may

just convince me!

The lineup isn’t ALL steak and onions, though (it’s an expression – look it up!), as there are countless emo/screamo/ whatever bands on the bill, including the likes of The Devil Wears Prada, but with so many great alternatives, there really is something for everyone.

Hopes Abandoned have found a new drummer and have a new EP on the way.

Bassist Jim Bop-ALouie has left Brissy grunge punks The Unprettier.

Well, the upcoming Rolling Stones tour sold out in a matter of minutes – and ticket prices BEGAN at $683! (yes, a strange figure, I know) and run up to $1,134. I’m not even kidding. Those animated corpses better be putting on one HELL of a show.

Not that I’d know, coz I have zero interest in going! But on the real tip, how do promoters justify these kinds of ticket prices? And why do people vindicate them by BUYING them?

The minute I hear that ANY ticket to ANY show is upwards of $100, I seriously re-evaluate how badly I want to go.

I ain’t made o’ money, you know!

The jailed members of Pussy Riot may be freed early. They only have a few months left on their sentences, so it’s not much of a victory.

The Pixies are now on their second new bass player in the space of a year. Paz Lenchantin, best known for her stints in Zwan (with Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins) and A Perfect Circle, is the band’s flavour of the month – but I’ll keep you posted!

Welcome to THTH, Forte’s premier source of all things heavy, hard, fast and metal.

when you gave it to me,” he continued. “It was cool, so yeah, haven’t heard from you in a while.

I don’t know if there’s Happy New Year and all that shit! In case you didn’t something wrong with your message bank or hear, Joey Jordison has what but yeah, hope you left Slipknot. Shortly after the departure a statement get this message and I’ll try the others too. See ya, was released suggesting sport,” Monte concluded, he decided to leave. then hung up.

Then just now I was on He then dialled Shawn Twitter and saw a lead Crahan’s number and left for an article stating Joey the same voice message. didn’t decide to leave …

He tried Joey Jordison’s Intriguing indeed. number and had to repeat So, in a world first Forte his voicemail message exclusive, THTH will for the third time. He dissect the goings-on wondered why none of behind the scenes in the guys were answering the Slipknot camp in their phone. He didn’t the only way we know need to but he consulted how: speculation. This the Slipknot schedule in is THTH’s Holiday Joey his phone and it confirmed Departs Slipknot Fanfic. what he had committed to Part I memory: the guys were in Iowa on break.

One morning, only two days after Thanksgiving Concerned, Monte began while sitting in a dingy to call Sid Wilson’s New York bar, Monte number then quickly hung Conner decided to catch up after half a ring. He up with his Slipknot didn’t like Sid, he never friends, his emptiness did, and no matter how still gaping in his chest desperate he got he after being fired from would never call Sid. Sid Roadrunner Records was the awkward kid at earlier this year. He picked school who grew up to be up his golden iPhone5 and that awkward adult you went to dial Corey Taylor’s didn’t have to try hard to phone number but the imagine his picture on the image of Slipknot on his news while the anchor wallpaper didn’t fail to halt called for all viewers to his actions. A tear came keep an eye out for this to his eye as the memory psycho killer. No one of him sitting in his big liked Sid, Monte decided.

Roadrunner Records After more thought he office talking on this very guessed even the others same phone to Corey in the band didn’t like Sid. Taylor reminded him of Sid probably didn’t even how much he wished he like Sid. actually loved that office – The vibration of a ringing even more than he loved gold iPhone5 snapped Corey Taylor.

Monte from his thoughts “Corey, it’s Monte, I guess you’re busy so, uh yeah, call me back. I’m in NY, yo, you and the Slipknot kids should come for a visit. I’d come visit you but I’m broke as f*ck since all I’ve been doing is drinking and paying for hookers since my wife left me,” Monte confessed to the voicemail inbox. “But hey, I still have my number ten Slipknot jumpsuit. Yeah, it’s cool, I remember

of Sid. It was Sid calling back.

“Shit,” Monte said as he watched and waited for his phone to ring out.

To be continued...

If you have any news about local metal bands, shows or albums, let THTH know by emailing to tooheavytohug@ hotmail.com or get in touch via Twitter at @ TooHeavyToHug.

Drauzio Varella Formerly located in São Paulo, Brazil, the Carandiru Penitentiary was South America’s largest prison, at its peak housing over 8000 inmates. It was the home of the Carandiru massacre, a bloody prison riot which resulted in

the death of 111 prisoners (102 shot by police; 9 killed by inmates). The prison was demolished in 2002; however, one block was left intact to be used as a museum.

From 1989 to 2001, physician Drauzio Varella volunteered in the prison. Chiefly there to address the AIDS epidemic, Varella takes the reader on a journey through a prison closed off to the outside world and run largely by the inmates themselves. Over time Varella gained the trust of the inmates and here he shares his story of men who maintained great spirit in the worst of circumstances.

Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors Piers Paul Read On Friday, October 13, 1972, Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 went down in the Andes. 45 people were on the flight; only 16 survived.

The story of their fight for survival is hard to imagine, but fascinating to read. This book was published two years after the survivors were rescued, with the author interviewing as many of the survivors and their family as possible.

From the author: “I was given a free hand in writing this book by both the publisher and the sixteen survivors. At times I was tempted to fictionalize certain parts of the story because this might have added to their dramatic impact but in the end I decided that the bare facts were sufficient to sustain the narrative … They felt that the faith and friendship which inspired them in the cordillera do not emerge from these pages. It was never my intention to underestimate these qualities, but perhaps it would be beyond the skill of any writer to express their own appreciation of what they lived through.”

Not interested in any of the above? Well, there is this cool little website you can try: openingthebook. com/whichbook. Choose up to four sliders (Happy/Sad; Funny/Serious; Safe/Disturbing; Easy/ Demanding etc.) and you will receive a list of suggestions. Happy reading.

Blank Thankless Air

By BLAIR HALL

Freudian Slipper “This is highly unorthodox, but you’re my doctor so I guess my hands are tied,” proclaimed Hildegard Blumenschnoz, hands tied, stretched out across the therapist’s couch and nursing a cup of earl grey between his nylon rope-bound hands. “What we’re doing here, Hildegard, is making an assertive stand against the negative influences in your life. We’re trying to show you that the people that you associate yourself with are not conducive to rehabilitation, especially one of your highly specific nature.”

Dr. Laurenstein had made a truly remarkable discovery, one that would shake the very core of psychology from the moment a posthumous study is published, in which Hildegard Blumenschnoz would be the anonymous subject of a case in which an individual was conditioned to create drinking games out of nearly every aspect of their life in order to be able to get through the day. Hildegard had picked up this habit from his fraternity days, long ago when he was promising young horticultural PhD candidate and ranked top of his classes straight across the board.

For Hildegard, horticulture was just a means for him to cover up an ever deeper and more troublesome 24/7 weed-smoking and distributing problem. But since he purchased a vaporiser for said habit, and his clothes and skin no longer stank of the sweetness of fresh bud, he was free to position the focus of his peers on to his alcoholism and fixation on creating a drinking game out of everyday occurrences such as the changing of traffic lights, or whether or not an ant could take a particularly sizeable crumb all the way back to the anthill and then subsequently reason its way around widening the entrance to the colony in order to share the goods with its respective queen.

Surrounding Hildegard in the room was an assortment of his friends. These were friends from high school and university that stuck around either because they didn’t “feel it necessary to make new friends” or because they were so close-minded and uninteresting that no one in their right mind would latch on to them socially (or indeed emotionally) as soon as their collective or individual MO was identified.

At the centre of the room laid an entire slab of Tul, now so bland that one could purchase as much as this for $18.99 at your local bottle shop (even the pricier independent sellers had them marked at such a low price point).

As the young gentlemen sat around and passed Tul amidst their ranks, Hildegard began discussing his feelings. Hildegard felt, up to this point at least, that he was a unique and remarkable individual. “I’m someone; I’m something special,” he would tell to himself in the mirror every evening before sliding into the moist crevasse of sleep.

Over the course of the candid discourse on his inner life, however, Dr. Laurenstein began to realise how utterly uninteresting the subject was; it was as though the narration of a Lifetime movie had appeared before him in human form and he was unable to switch channels.

As Hildegard exposed more and more of himself to the collective, they began an unspoken ritual of the uniform ingesting of shots each time Hildegard described the abuse he suffered at the hands of his stepfather. “You know what... This isn’t such a problem as I thought it was,” remarked Dr. Laurenstein, three Tul’s deep and lining up a shot of Sambuca. “I might retire, boys. Line up for some lotto down the street and just forget about all this Hildegard nonsense, just like everyone else.”

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arts news from around town – and beyond!

212m PHOTO GALLERY & STUDIO

212m Photo Gallery & Studio showcases a wide selection of local Ballarat & District and Australian photographic images taken by Rick Broadway using a Hasselblad H4D50 medium format camera. Over 100 images of Ballarat’s historic buildings, manicured streetscapes and beautiful Lake Wendouree,

plus a stunning collection of Limited Edition Australian Landscapes, in excess of 100 Australian orchid photos and as many images of Australian birds and native fauna over two levels of gallery space.

Where: 212 Mair Street, Ballarat.

WheN: Gallery open Weds-Sun, 9.30-5pm.

PHONE: 5332 7746.

INFO: www.212m.com.au

DRYSDALE GLASS – Art Awards 2014

Entries are now being sought for the 2014 Festival of Glass, Drysdale Glass Art Awards. There are two divisions - Junior and Open, and three categories - Wearable Glass Art, Non-wearable Glass Art and Photography. Prizes for divisional winners in each category to the value of $100 each.

Visit the website for more details and to download an entry form.

Where: Christian College Hall, Drysdale.

WheN: Feb 16 2014 – entries submitted

by Feb 7, 2014.

INFO: www.festivalofglass.net.au

ANGLESEA ART HOUSE

The Art House is a venue where artists and craft people of all levels from beginners to long time artists can come together in a friendly community environment to further their studies and understanding of Art in all its forms.

There are regular weekly classes in watercolours, painting, life drawing, pottery and mosaics; and also a program of weekend workshops which are run by a variety of prominent artists. The Anglesea Art House boasts a growing membership of more than 220.

Facilities now include a printing machine for etching & printing, a matt cutter, electric kiln for pottery that is suitable for bisque firing and temperatures up to firing for porcelain and also a new electric kiln for glass fusing & slumping. All classes and workshops are available to non members and members.

Where: Cameron Road, Anglesea, VIC. PHONE: 5263 3216.

INFO: www.angleseaarthouse.com.au

AFRICAN SAFARI Pen & Ink Drawings - Betty Collier

Betty Collier was born and bred in Ballarat and is an award winning artist in many mediums. She has pursued serious study of sculpture, painting and drawings for many years and travelled widely for inspiration for her artwork. More recently, Betty travelled to Galapagos Islands and went on an African safari which was the catalyst for these artworks for this exhibition.

Where: Gallery on Sturt. 421 Sturt Street, Ballarat.

WheN: To Jan 31, 2014.

PHONE: 5331 7011.

INFO: www.galleryonsturt.com.au

ORIENTAL ODYSSEY – Decorative arts from the Far East

Fascinated by another culture, travellers journeying through countries such as China, Japan, and India brought back exotic souvenirs that reflected the practical and spiritual aspects of daily life as well as a new aesthetic.

Exhibition curator, and Geelong Gallery Registrar, Veronica Filmer, says, ‘As diverse as it is colourful, this exhibition demonstrates the breadth of the Gallery’s collection and the collecting taste of some of its earliest benefactors.’

Where: Geelong Gallery. Little Malop Street, Geelong.

WheN: Until April 14, 2014.

INFO: www.geelonggallery.org.au

Odyssey Film Festival Young Filmmakers on the Up

To go as far as sitting on a car for a shot shows the determination and know-how of the young filmmaker – and unsurprisingly there were a few accidents along the way in order to get it. “There were plenty of accidents, mostly bike crashes.

I had a few tumbles trying to film in tricky places as well,” he says.

Earlier this month 16 films from 11 secondary schools across Geelong and the Surf Coast were screened as part of the inaugural Odyssey Film Festival. The City of Greater Geelong Youth Development Unit, head of media studies at Lara Secondary, Trent Edwards, and participating schools spearheaded the festival in an effort to celebrate the work Year 11 and 12 Media students can achieve in school.

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Moviegoers at the Geelong screening voted for their favourite film via the Odyssey Mobile App. The votes were tallied and, after a nervous wait, Lara Secondary student Joey Knox was crowned as the audience favourite. Fellow Geelong College student Keely Murrihy was presented with the ‘Best Film’ award by the organisers.

my place of freedom and fun for the last few years,” Joey says. “I wanted to create a film to highlight the enjoyment the sport has provided me and hopefully inspire others to give mountain biking a go.”

The short film by Joey Knox, Downhill, wowed audience members and resulted in him winning a brand new Sony Blu-ray player and other goodies. Downhill is about the love and passion behind downhill mountain biking, and is clearly a big part of the teenager’s life.

“It took me the whole allowed production time to complete. I would film during the weekend and then I would put the footage together during the weekdays,” he says.

“Downhill mountain biking has been

An exhibition that reveals the quality and diversity of the Gallery’s acquisition program. Finely-detailed engravings of early 20th century British printmaker Robert Austin and the modernist linocuts of George Bell, to the abstract sculptural forms of Lenton Parr and contemporary artist Jon Campbell’s neon work celebrating the Australian vernacular (from which the exhibition title derives).

Where: Geelong Gallery. Little Malop Street, Geelong.

WheN: Dec 7-Feb 9, 2014.

INFO: www.geelonggallery.org.au

written by Amanda Sherring / photo by Joey Knox

wouldn’t have been able to get to the heights he did without help from his parents and the riders who graced the screen. “My Dad and I produced a range of filming equipment for the majority of the shots – and at times I sat on the roofs of cars to follow the riders along,” Joey says.

Whilst many of us can shoot a couple of seconds of footage from our phones, there are few that could then go on to win ‘Audience Favourite’ at a film festival. But lucky for Joey Knox he can now add the title to his CV.

JON CAMPBELL ‘PURE BEWDY’ 2011

Each student was given eight weeks to produce their films, including editing, and submit them to be considered for the festival.

During the 10 or so minutes of Downhill, shots of bikers from harrowing heights and varying angles flick before your eyes. Joey

But it has all paid off for the budding filmmaker, and the response for Downhill has been nothing but praise. “People have given me great feedback on my film, which is really rewarding and also inspiring for me to keep making more films,” he says.

Joey isn’t the only student feeling inspired, and as a result of the festival and the opportunity the students received, it’s likely they will be screened again in cinemas, and not just as part of a festival.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for the media students of Geelong as they are able to have their work viewed by a large audience and on the big screen,” Joey says.

AN EVENING WITH MARGARET DRABBLE - presented In Partnership

By Geelong Regional Library Corporation, GPAC And The Wheeler Centre.

Book now for this rare opportunity to hear one of the most acclaimed novelists of our time, speak about her latest work and the writing process. Margaret Drabble is a consummate chronicler of London, which she knows ‘as thoroughly as any novelist has ever known any city’, according to Joyce Carol Oates. Her insightful, affecting novels about the inner lives of conflicted women as they navigate the change-filled terrain of the 1960s onward (including ambition and motherhood), have been much celebrated – and loved.

Where: GPAC. 50 Little Malop Street, Geelong.

WheN: Tues, Feb 25. 6.30-8pm (incl book signings).

PHONE: 5225 1200.

INFO: www.gpac.org.au

tweet of the week

“ In 2014, I resolve to get drunk and sing Vanessa Williams’ ‘Save the Best for Last’ at a Karaoke bar somewhere, and I will sing it to a heterosexual man in a bid to make him squirm.”

The amazing @ohrohin serving up serious Williams Realness.

INSI D E S P L IN T E R S pre s e n t s the

TsongsO Pof 820130 Here are the 80 Absolute Best Songs of 2013, in list form for your perusal, with slight detail on our Top 5. 2013 was a good year for Gaga, put it that way.

Written by Adem Ali

DU TONC

Matt and The Mouse top our annual Songs of the Year list with the magical ‘Darkness’.

HIT

BEYONCÉ

For releasing the best album of her career thirty seconds before 2013 came to a close.

BRUNSWICK

The only Victorian suburb featured on Beyoncé’s flawless visual album.

SHIT!

JIM WALSH

TONC 01. DUDarkness Newcomers Du Tonc are actually seasoned artists in their own right: Australia’s own Matt Van Schie – most notable for his work with band Van She, his own solo material and being The Greatest Australian Male Pop Star of our Time – and London’s brilliant Mighty Mouse (check his SoundCloud here) both have a knack for great production and killer hooks. Van She in particular are a big favourite of mine and I’m always incredibly on board with any of Matt’s other projects, perhaps none more so than this, something of a biblical and holy union between two very gifted musical minds.

The chorus on the dreamy ‘Darkness’ is lovingly bare, allowing you to not only absorb the gorgeous melody behind it, but also in preparation for the big surprise: the most exhilarating middle-8 of the entire year. Matt’s always had a real way with middle-8s and his vocal nails this pinnacle pop power-force, sending an already massive floor-bomb into mind-blowing-pop territory.

Beverly Hills 90210 is being replayed on Channel 11; has anyone else noticed how much of a misogynistic bastard Brenda and Brandon’s dad is?!

Chase up their other singles, the brilliant ‘Surging Memories’ or the cowbell realness of ‘Rise’, both of which have me GAGGING for an EP, an album – anything! All I know is that I require more of Du Tonc, and require it within the first quarter of 2014.

DAFT PUNK

Gaga 02. Lady Applause

Topping Album of the Year lists the world over … yet we have absolutely no idea why.

HAVANA BROWN

Like an explanation is needed for this.

A lot of you hated it but, in hindsight, I cannot imagine 2013 without ‘Applause’.

B 03. Katy Crying For No Reason

A slow-burning, big-building and – eventually – satisfyingly thumping ballad that has all the makings of an Instant Classic, with Katy singing her lungs out on the most powerful song we’ve heard from her to date.

Gaga 04. Lady Gypsy

Magical pop at its absolute best, with a truly iconic performance of it alongside Kermit the Frog further blowing my mind in 2013.

Kills 05. Natalia S aturday Night

The underlying message in the song sits within its lyric: “Coz when I look out from the pavement, I know I’m gonna be just fine. And I put on my dancin’ shoes real tight; coz it’s just another Saturday Night”.

AND WHAT OF THE REST? 06. Tina Arena – You Set Fire to My Life 07. V V Brown – The Apple 08. Katy B – 5AM 09. Pet Shop Boys – Love is a Bourgeois Construct 10. Beyoncé – XO 11. Gabriella Cilmi – Symmetry 12. Mutya Keisha Siobhan – Flatline 13. Ciara – Overdose 14. Lady Gaga – Venus 15. Britney Spears – Alien 16. Little Boots – Motorway 17. Henry Saiz – Walking On a Wire (Original Version) 18. DWV – Blurred Bynes 19. Miley Cyrus – Drive 20. The Saturdays – What About Us (12” Version) 21. Margaret Berger – I Feed You My Love 22. Alaska Thunderfuck – Ru Girl 23. Tegan and Sara – Shock to Your System 24. Lady Gaga – G.U.Y. 25. Touch Sensitive – Pizza Guy 26. Drake ft. Majid Jordan – Hold On, We’re Coming Home 27. Peter Wilson – Crying in the Rain 28. Lepa Brena – U Stambolu na Bosforu 29. Mariah Carey – The Art of Letting Go 30. Parralox – Headhunter 31. Lady Gaga ft. R. Kelly – Do What U Want 32. Sky Ferreira – I Will 33. Boris Dlugosch ft. Roisin Murphy – Look Around You (Raik Remix) 34. Pet Shop Boys – Axis 35. Ten Walls – Requiem 36. Betty Who – High Society 37. Arcade Fire – Reflektor 38. Arctic Monkeys – Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?

39. Natalia Kills – Outta Time 40. Betty Who – Somebody Loves You 41. Miley Cyrus – Wrecking Ball 42. Daft Punk ft. Julian Casablancas – Instant Crush 43. Beyoncé ft. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – ***Flawless 44. Cher ft. Lady Gaga – The Greatest Thing 45. Avicii ft. Aloe Blacc – Wake Me Up! (Extended Mix) 46. Miley Cyrus – We Can’t Stop 47. Little Mix – Move 48. Agoria – Scala 49. St. Lucia – Elevate 50. Purple Crush – Thirsty 51. Annie – Invisible 52. Goldfrapp – Thea 53. Beyoncé – Ghost/Haunted 54. Gesaffelstein – Pursuit 55. Britney Spears – Work Bitch 56. Ricki-Lee – Come & Get in Trouble with Me 57. Blood Orange – Uncle ACE 58. Demi Lovato – Heart Attack 59. Duke Dumont ft. A*M*E – Need You (100%) 60. Diane Birch – Lighthouse 61. John Rowley ft. Alyce Renee – Notice I’m Alive 62. Disclosure ft. London Grammar – Help Me Lose My Mind 63. Noblesse Oblige – Burn 64. One Direction – Story of My Life 65. Katy Perry ft. Juicy J – Dark Horse 66. Jessie Ware – Imagine It Was Us 67. Tina Arena – Lose Myself 68. DWV – Boy is a Bottom (Double Penetration Extended Mix) 69. Selena Gomez – Come & Get It 70. Sharon Needles – Call Me on the Ouija Board 71. M.I.A. – Double Bubble Trouble 72. Nicole Scherzinger – Boomerang 73. Sia ft. The Weeknd & Diplo – Elastic Heart 74. Max Leon – Todo Para Ti (All for You) 75. Miss Kittin – Bassline 76. CHVRCHES – The Mother We Share 77. Vampire Weekend – Diane Young 78. Maya Jane Coles ft. Catherine Pockson – Fall from Grace 79. Kate Ceberano – How High 80. Selena Gomez – Save the Day

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lambys

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lambys

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FANTASTIC LOCAL JOB OPPORTUNITY WITH FORTE PUBLISHING! Forte Publishing is seeking an experienced media representative to join the sales team.

The role involves cross selling and bundling all Forte Publishing’s titles products. Those products include - Forte Magazine and Forte Online, E&D Magazine and The Geelong Times.

If you are seeking a unique and challenging job opportunity in the Geelong and surrounding regional area and can handle a fast paced and challenging media sales environment - this job might be for you!

• The applicant must have a minimum of 2 years proven successful media sales experience.

• Wage and bonus in accordance with experience.

• Taking applications now!

Please email application and resume or for further information in confidence to aballard@fortemag.com.au or call 03 5215 3700

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PRESENTED BY ZEAL OPTICS

TOUR 2014

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FILM REVIEWS

The Book Thief It’s Germany in the 1930s and with Hitler in power it’s not a good time to be a Communist. Or, it seems, the child of one: no sooner has Liesel (Sophie Nélisse) seen her baby brother buried than her Communist mother has abandoned her with a cruel family seemingly only taking her in for the benefit money she can bring.

Unable to read or write, she’s mocked at school, but while her new mother Rosa (Emily Watson) doesn’t seem to care, her more whimsical and light-hearted father Hans (Geoffrey Rush) endeavours to teach her to read. First they use a book she stole during her brother’s funeral (it’s a gravediggers handbook; she doesn’t care), and then they move on to anything else they can find, turning the basement walls into a giant dictionary where she writes every new word she learns. Soon she begins to settle in; she’s befriended by her neighbour Rudy (Nico Liersch), while the wife of the Mayor lets Liesel read books from her library. And all the while Liesel runs around in her Hitler Youth uniform singing Nazi songs – though to be fair, she’s not so keen on the part where they burn books.

Every now and then along comes a film that aims directly for the Oscar market without bothering to put anything real in place behind all the “serious” and “heart-warming” stuff. And so it proves here – the story is narrated by Death, by the way, which might have been amusing in the novel this is based on but here just doesn’t work – as a collection of unconvincing characters wander around against the backdrop of Nazi-run Germany managing to all be somewhat disapproving of what’s going on without ever becoming interesting.

Rush does his kindly toymaker act, Watson is tough but gradually reveals a heart of gold, the Jewish guy they hide in their basement for a couple of years (at one stage they stash him under a Nazi flag – the one place actual Nazis would never think to look under) spends a lot of his time sick to hide the fact he has no personality and Liesel herself is so generic she makes the supporting characters in The Hunger Games look three-dimensional. This is “quality” filmmaking without any actual quality. You’d be better off reading a book.

by anthony morris

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

The not-so-secret strength of the Anchorman movies is that pretty much anything can happen in them which, if you think about it, pretty much runs counter to the whole last decade’s worth of American comedy. The days of the Flying High and Naked Gun movies – which are in at least some ways Anchorman’s ancestors – are over: even when a comedy has a blatantly unrealistic or supernatural premise (for example, This is the End), the comedy usually stays within the lines of that premise. Even Ted, which was from the master of Family Guy’s random cutaways Seth MacFarlane, had to build up to a cameo from the star of Flash Gordon. But with Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, if they want to show something stupid or silly just to get a laugh then never mention it again they just do it, and if someone comes up with a funny line in improv they’re going to use it.

Previously on The Hobbit: Bilbo (Martin Freeman) and our Dwarven heroes were trekking across Middle Earth to retake the Dwarven homeland from the evil Dragon Smaug, while wizard Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen) was increasingly worried about rumours of a new evil rising in the east. So in this film … all that continues to happen.

The result is a movie where the story itself is close to pointless – it’s now the ’80s. Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) loses his New York news reading job because he’s crap, hits rock bottom, is hired to read then news on a new 24-hour cable news channel, gets the old team back together, invents modern news, hits rock bottom again, and you can probably guess the rest – because the film works best on the level of individual scenes.

Partly that’s on purpose: Burgundy spewing racist trash talk to prove he’s not racist to his black girlfriend’s family is not really something you’d want to make into a serious plot point. But it also means that what story there is here never really gains any traction: Burgundy’s rival newsreader at the cable station (James Marsden) is set up to be a villain but the film mostly sidelines him, while most of the main plot points are wrapped up in throwaway lines.

Having put the seemingly endless faffing around at the start of the saga behind it, this jumps right into the action, and while director Peter Jackson is perhaps not the best guy to be putting together a big scale story – large stretches of this feel a little padded out, and all the Gandalf stuff really only works as a foreshadowing for The Lord of the Rings – he remains a first-class talent when it comes to putting together an action sequence. (There’s one fight sequence involving the dwarves escaping from an Elven prison in barrels down a river only to be ambushed by Orcs that’s a marvel to behold; seeing characters fluidly dispatch a half dozen Orcs in a single shot never gets old.) But again, the story itself moves forward in fits and starts, which is fine at some points – The Hobbit’s original subtitle was “There and Back Again” after all, so it’s meant to feel a little “then this happened, then this happened” – but in others the material added to pad the story out really jars.

That said, nobody goes to see an Anchorman film for the plot: Ferrell is as good as ever even as some of Burgundy’s jokes are starting to show their age, Steve Carell as inanimate weatherman Brick Tamland is consistently hilarious in an expanded role, the relentless stupidity of the characters remains oddly endearing and the jokes are flung out at such a rapid rate you’re probably going to laugh more often than not. It’s a sequel that doesn’t disgrace the first film; for a comedy that’s high praise.

Did we really need a whole bunch of messing around in the crumbling town of Lake-town when the mountain with Smaug in it is right there? Especially when the confrontation between Bilbo and Smaug turns out to be the highlight of the film in the same way that Bilbo’s riddle battle with Gollum was in the first film? What does it matter; you’ve almost certainly gone to see it already. Unless you’re waiting to watch the whole trilogy when it’s out on DVD, which is – lack of big screen visuals aside – probably the smartest choice.

Being the middle part of a trilogy that, more than just about any other movie series ever, is designed to be watching as one continuous whole once all three parts are released, means that not only does this movie have no real beginning, it has no ending either (well, it ends on something of a cliff hanger, but it’s one that we can clearly tell will be resolved within the first half hour or so max of the next film). So if you haven’t seen the first Hobbit film – not that there’s anyone on Earth who hasn’t seen it by now – this is not a good place to start. What is good here is that it is actually a slightly better film than the first one.

- F i lm W rap The Railway Man

Walking with Dinosaurs

August: Osage County Movies where a family gathers to hack into each other about their various dramas and feuds are always awards bait, so a grand total of no one was surprised to hear that Tracy Letts’ multi-award winning play August: Osage County – about a family that is reunited and promptly starts hacking into each other – was going to become a film under the watchful eye of Oscar king Harvey Weinstein.

It’s also safe to say that not many people were surprised to hear that roughly an hour was being lopped off the running time, or were even that shocked to hear that Weinstein was considering changing the story’s ending to make it more … well, more to his liking presumably, as the movie’s screenplay had been written by Letts. Because let’s be blunt: when you’ve got Meryl Streep playing a pill-popping matriarch with a nasty tongue that she’s more than happy to deploy against anyone in the room with her, you’re probably going to get some kind of awards attention even if you screw everything else up. Which this film pretty much does.

It begins with a prologue in which highbrow poet Beverly Weston (Sam Shepard) hires a nurse to

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look after his pill-popping wife Violet (Streep) and then promptly vanishes. This is old news to his family – when Violet’s your wife you’ve obviously got to take some personal time. Then he turns up dead, having killed himself. This would put everyone on edge, if they weren’t already there.

Barbara Weston-Fordham (Julia Roberts) arrives with her husband Bill (Ewan McGregor) and teen daughter Jean (Abigail Breslin) then tears into her mother; middle sister Ivy (Julianne Nicholson) who never left town just puts up with all the insults, while youngest sister Karen (Juliette Lewis) shows up with a flashy and previously unmentioned fiancé named Steve (Dermot Mulroney). This is clearly not going to end well, even with Violet’s sister Mattie Fae (Margo Martindale) and her husband Charles (Chris Cooper) trying to keep a lid on things.

Individual scenes are strong, especially a drawnout dinner where the insults just keep getting more vicious, but overall this is a mess that never really goes anywhere or builds to anything. If you’re a fan of Streep or Roberts their performances are definitely worth a look. Everyone else should steer well clear of this county.

Once upon a time, Walking with Dinosaurs was pretty much a straight documentary series, using David Attenborough-style voice-over and “in the wild” footage (created by CGI) to bring to life what we know about the daily life of dinosaurs. Somewhere along the line during the production of this big screen version, someone must have decided there wasn’t money in merely showing how dinosaurs might have lived, and so – after a fairly clumsy framing sequence set in the present day notable only for a brief appearance from Karl Urban – this turns out to be an extremely kid-friendly and vaguely Lion King-esque look at the life of Patchi (the voice of Justin Long) the Pachyrhinosaurus.

A few traces of the scientific method remain – each new species of dino gets a freeze frame while we’re told its Latin name and what it means – but with John Leguizamo as a smart-alec talking bird sidekick, the focus here is firmly on bad jokes and keeping little kids entertained as the herd fends off attacks and tries to find a safe route south for the winter.

About the only good thing that can be said about the talking dinosaurs is that at least their mouths aren’t matched to their words, so perhaps some future version will be released with less annoying dialogue (or none at all); more likely the lame jokes will merely be upgraded as this becomes a favourite of easily amused dinosaur fans until the special effects (which are on the whole pretty impressive) eventually seem clunky and old-fashioned.

Colin Firth is a WWII veteran who manages to hide his PTSD (but not his love of trains) from Nicole Kidman until after they’re married.

Rather than flee, she tries to figure out a way to help him overcome his past as a POW slave of the Japanese – but will it involve slaying his demons in a literal way?

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Ben Stiller stars and directs in this epic look at a small man who takes the big step of going from living inside his head to getting out into the real world. It’s a little sappy, but there’s enough humour and self-awareness here to keep the emotions feeling earned rather than manipulative.

Frozen

Disney’s latest animated effort revives the musical tradition yet mostly serves to remind us why animated musicals fell out of favour as this take on the fairy tale of the Ice Queen never really lifts above the level of “competent”.

Philomena

Judi Dench plays a woman who had her son (born out of wedlock in fiercely Catholic Ireland) taken from her close to sixty years ago; Steve Coogan is the cynical journalist who helps her track him down. It’s exactly what it sounds like, only well made and with a solid sense of humour. It’s the film of choice to take your mum to these holidays

American Hustle

What initially looks like a gritty ’70s tale of crime and blackmail soon turns out to be … well, the crime and blackmail is still there, but there’s plenty of laughs too as a pair of con artists are pushed by a slightly tooenthusiastic FBI agent into entrapping elected officials to boost his career.

One Chance

This real-life story behind an amateur opera singer who won first prize on Britain’s Got Talent is surprisingly grim and gritty (and entertaining) for much of its running time … But hey, you know it’s going to have a happy ending.

MUSIC REVIEWS

l i V e r evi e w

Falls Festival December 29 – January 1

Over the years, the Falls Festival has become a staple in the New Year’s Eve party scene in Australia. This year, I was lucky enough to be heading down to rep for Forte – and boy was there some great music. Arriving down at the site in time for Bombino’s set (an act that was one of my albums of 2013), it was great to see their live set in full flight on the band’s maiden tour of Australia. Although their songs were mainly instrumental, hopefully the next album will feature more vocals on the tracks.

Jake Bugg

8 Ball Aitken

Paul McCartney

Shangri La

Southern Hemisphere

New

Virgin EMI Records

Phoenix Movement Records

Universal Music

At just 20 years of age, the accolades that have followed the career of English indie kid Jake Bugg are quite outstanding. With the release of his sophomore LP entitled Shangri La, it is easy to see that he is now a key player in the music scene.

This record was the feature album on Triple J a few weeks back and with good reason.

8 Ball Aitken is one of the most energetic blues and country performers to ever grace The Blues Train, and if you’re into your blues music, this guy is well worth checking out. Together with his Arnott’s biscuit tin guitars, the stage shows are an experience and well worth checking out. Southern Hemisphere, the latest release from the Queensland blues troubadour (who is mainly based in America these days), is the guitar player’s bread and butter.

Recorded between Nashville and Australia, the seventh solo release from 8 Ball is a cross between country and blues and on top of that features some stellar players as well, one of which played with the legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd, best known for their songs ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ and ‘Free Bird’.

‘My Tank’s on Empty’ is one of the tracks that features the heavy country sound and is a quite a slow burner, so be sure to stick with it. Having played all around the world, ‘A Gig is a Gig’ finally makes its studio debut on this album after being a staple of the live show for many years. And if you listen to the lyrics, shows what being a full-time rocker is all about. Australian country legend Troy Cassar-Daley also features on a couple of tracks.

If you haven’t seen the live show, be sure to check it out next time 8 Ball comes to town. There are some fantastic lyrics to these tracks. They sound slick and polished, and the Tim Tam guitar just adds the icing on a very delicious cake.

Tex Miller

Over the Christmas period, I saw a documentary on the making of this album and instantly decided to check this disc out. This latest album, from a man who clearly needs no introduction, is his sixteenth solo studio album and the first to consist entirely of solo recordings since 2007’s Memory Almost Full. Trust me, it has been well worth the wait.

Following on from his self-titled debut, this release is a lot more of a rocking affair than his last album and has been on high rotation in my car stereo for the past couple of weeks. Opening with ‘There’s A Beast and We All Feed It’, it’s easy to see the journey that Jake has been through America on how much of an influence recording at Sun Studios and travelling to Nashville has been on these latest tunes.

First single off the record ‘Messed Up Kids’, appears half way through and is a highlight, on a record that delivers on the hype that surrounded the release of this record. He is coming out for Byron Bay Bluesfest next year, and If you haven’t snapped up tickets to his sideshow yet, get on it.

It’s Christmas time and everyone has developed their album of the year lists but this is a strong late contender.

If you haven’t got your chops around this one yet, get on it! Perfect stocking filler!

Tex Miller

Opening with ‘Save Us’, the fuzz guitar line and jangly piano is upbeat, and although it’s a short opening track at two and a half minutes, it’s cheerful.

After initially trialling four producers to record with the intention of picking just one, that decision was quickly overturned with all four being included within the process.

Featuring personnel that have been involved with The Beatles for countless numbers of years, one of the surprises on this record is that of Mark Ronson. The DJ and all round nice guy also helps out making the songs sound fresh and innovative.

There is some synth and electronic beats to these songs, and if I had to pick a favourite, it would have to be between ‘On My Way to Work’ or the album closer, ‘Road’.

With rumours that Sir Paul is returning to our shores in 2014, this album is definitely worth checking out. The setlist also covers all your favourite Beatles classics as well – and the stage show also looks amazing. Don’t let this one slip through your fingers.

The main headline act for Sunday night was MGMT, who I truly felt was a little bit of a letdown after so much hype surrounding their set. The majority of the tracks were lengthy psychedelic numbers, and I think that the main downside was they played ‘Electric Feel’ second song in and everyone was expecting the hits. At times the crowd stopped clapping and appreciating the music completely, but it was still really cool to hear ‘Kids’ and ‘Time to Pretend’ live.

The Roots closed out Sunday night – and they have to be one of the most energetic live bands I have seen. As a band for the last twenty-five years, they are legendary in the hip hop circles, and after saying goodnight five times, the band eventually left the stage after a sweaty two-hour set that included originals from all of the band’s releases as well as covers of ‘Jungle Boogie’ from Pulp Fiction and ‘Sweet Child o’ Mine’.

One of the highlights of the festival was being able to see Neil Finn, who is coming to Geelong in March with his new album. He is a showcase of a full, true festival performer and played all the favourites including ‘Locked Out’, ‘Fall at Your Feet’ and ‘Don’t Dream it’s Over’ before closing out with a solo acoustic rendition of ‘Better Be Home Soon’.

Falls Festival, you never disappoint in giving me a good time. Until next time, Happy New Year!

Tex Miller

Tex Miller

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Grog Watch Ahh, New Year’s Eve, that one magical night of the year where I get to sit around for hours on my own asking myself whether I’d rather be a murderer or a murder victim and never really decide one way or the other. Because when you get down to it, that’s what New Year’s Eve is really all about, isn’t it? Murderous rage at the people who’ve done you wrong over the last year swiftly followed by crushing depression at how little you’ve achieved with your life over the past year followed just as quickly by the realisation that you might have actually achieved something if you hadn’t been metaphorically or literally cock-blocked by that tool at work … and we’re back to murderous rage once again.

Sure, it’s a see-saw we all ride over the course of the year, but on New Year’s Eve a year’s worth of

PULP. >>>>>> By Cameron Urquhart & Alastair McGibbon

Alastair: I’ve never been a huge swords-and-sorcery type guy, and as a result I’ve usually avoided comics that lean heavily on your traditional magical stereotypes. Sure, I love me some Tolkien, but that’s a whole different obsession. Despite my misgivings, there is one exception to my “magiclite” rule: I like my magic to be dark, gritty, and preferably, disturbing. I’m talking Lovecraft territory, folks! That’s one of the reasons that Hellblazer is one of my favourite comic series of all time, and I’ve been on the lookout for comics with the same vibe ever since reading my first issue of John Constantine’s adventures.

It’s here that Gravel comes in. Written by the evertalented Warren Ellis (Transmetropolitan), Gravel follows the story of Sergeant Major William Gravel, a “Combat Magician” and member of the SAS. Yeah, you read that right – Combat Magician! As the title suggests, Combat Magicians specialise in offensive magic – directing bullets around corners, flaying skin with a gesture, and so on.

Returning from a tour of duty in Afghanistan, Gravel finds that his place in the Minor Seven – an enclave of Britain’s top Occult Detectives – has been taken by another. On top of this betrayal, they’ve managed to get their hands on the Sigsand Manuscript, a document of immense power that could cause cataclysmic damage.

Gravel vows to forcibly strip the Seven of the Manuscript and discover the reason for his excommunication.

Gravel reads much like a blend of Hellblazer and Preacher, with a little bit of the first story arc from the Sandman Chronicles thrown in – and yes, it’s as good as it sounds. It has just the right amount of action; balancing awesome displays of power with a very unsettling supernatural tone. It’s well worth picking up if you’re a fan of any of the comics I’ve mentioned. Volume 2 is definitely on my “to-buy” list!

Cameron: I’ve been on a bit of a crime fiction kick lately, and by lately I mean the last two decades. The highlight of the pulp spectrum is always a good bit

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disgust and self-loathing gets boiled down into a few hours of whiplash emotions that leave you staggering around the place like a lunatic – well, maybe it’s the booze that leads to the staggering. In my case it’s hard to tell. And stone the flaming crows was there a shitload of booze involved in my New Year’s Eve or what?! (Correct answer: awww hell yeah.)

See, I’d bought a couple bottles of vodka especially for the night back when I’d foolishly thought I’d actually be going somewhere and doing something on NYE – oh sorry, did I forget to mention that for the second (or maybe third, I honestly can’t remember) NYE in a row all my so-called “friends” had better things to do than just about anything that involved me – so when I ended up sitting around my place on my own on the very special night not only did I have my regular booze supplies around to get me loaded but there was an extra couple bottles of vodka (litre bottles of Absolut at that) around to add fuel to the fire. Trust me, they did not go to waste. Okay, maybe they did, I can’t really remember where a lot of the booze in the house ended up. I’m fairly sure I didn’t drink it all, because going by the amount of empties around the place the next afternoon, if I had done I’d be dead.

This is probably as good a time as any to pre-empt some of the angry hate mail I’ll be getting from the various people I know and used to call friends who’re already putting finger to keyboard to remind me that I CHOSE to spend NYE alone because they asked me

to various events on the big night which I totally failed to turn up to. And I admit it: people did ask me to go to various parties on the night. Parties that involved little freakin’ kids! That’s right, you heard me: people asked me to go to NYE parties where little kids were going to be running around playing with toys, refusing to have a bath, asking to be read a story, and whatever other crap it is that kids expect adults to do for them these days.

Shit, I’m well over six foot tall. I have enough trouble not tripping over little kids at the best of times; you put a bunch of them around my feet on New Year’s Eve and someone’s much-loved offspring is going to be used to cushion my fall. Plus, call me old-fashioned, but I think it’s kinda creepy getting drunk around little kids ... mostly because they keep wanting a sip of whatever it is you’re drinking – and underage or not, I don’t give out free booze to anyone. Plus they always want to talk to you and show you their pictures of stuff – and that’s the kind of behaviour I only tolerate from my television set, thank you very much. At least with a television there’s a chance I’ll catch a show about Nazis.

Just to make matters worse, all these party people live in Melbourne. Fun fact about Melbourne: if you’re a drunk who takes public transport everywhere and you’re not already where you’re going to crash, it’s easier to return to Geelong than it is to crash in Melbourne. The last train to G-Town leaves roughly

around the same time as the last trains and trams to anywhere – so why not take that hour-long trip and pass out in your own bed? Only on NYE while Melbourne gets free PT all night like a grown-up city, the last train back to Geelong from Melbourne left at 1 a.m. Seriously, what the f**k? Unless you’re drinking on the steps of Spencer Street Station that means your conversation on the stroke of midnight sounds exactly like this: “Happy New – uh, I gotta jump on a tram”. Again, kinda defeats the purpose.

Actually, no it doesn’t, because these days the purpose of NYE is to be “a fun night out for the whole family”, and if you left the house expecting to get stuck into the booze you had another, much more depressing thing coming. That’s why the only people I know doing anything for NYE were people with little kids: all the single people were giving the night a big miss in much the same way that nonsports fans avoid the Grand Final or Melbourne Cup. Sure, those things are big events and it’s hard to avoid, but they’re specific events celebrated in specific ways – and these days so is NYE: families go out to watch fireworks; everyone else stays home and goes to bed early. Basically, if you can stay up past midnight in your daily life, what the hell are you meant to be celebrating?

Tony “Alone again, naturally” Montana

of mystery, so this week I’m gonna share with you one of my favourite childhood movies: Clue.

Clue is based on the board game Clue, more commonly known as Cluedo in this country, and it’s also a complete farce. Colonel Mustard, Miss Scarlet, Mr Green et al. arrive at a large mansion for a dinner party, only to find the host, Mr Body, has been murdered. The premise for the film is something I’m sure we all know backwards, and in other hands I’m sure this film could have turned into a lacklustre by the numbers movie. Luckily for us this film is full of talent.

Written and directed by Jonathan Lynn (of Yes Minister & Sgt. Bilko) which some help from John Landis (American Werewolf in London, Kentucky Fried Movie & The Blues Brothers), this film is pretty damn hilarious. It also helps that it stars Tim Curry, Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean and Madeline Kahn.

While the initial setup of the film feels a little slow, it really picks up the pace about twenty minutes in. Both slapstick and wordplay are on point, and there are multiple endings which resolve who the killers were, what they did it with and where.

The mystery itself isn’t exactly a mind bender, but it’s nice to ease into the new year and enjoy something a little more light-hearted.

POrPe! cultu

By An th on

y M or ri s

Hosting a New Year’s Eve television program is never a good idea. Well, in theory it’s not a bad idea: it’s hardly a high-stress gig, considering your main job seems like it involves little more than providing some background noise for people’s parties. A cheap set, some footage of the fireworks, maybe some “that was the year that was” segments made up of old news footage and a steady collection of B-list celebrities with nothing better to do than try to get another five minutes on the small screen: job done, see you all next year.

But as Lawrence Mooney discovered when he hosted the ABC’s NYE coverage, it’s not quite as easy as all that.

Thick and fast came the complaints on Twitter, and while twitter complaints generally mean nothing the sheer number of them – and the fact they were later picked up by more mainstream media outlets – wasn’t exactly a good sign.

While in previous years Nine had hosted the coverage of the Sydney fireworks and turned it into a tedious promotion of their upcoming product and celebrities – it was also hosted by Richard Wilkins, so enough said – it’s safe to assume “tedious promotion” is one of the things people tune into Nine for if their sports coverage is anything to go by.

The ABC is another story: while some complained about Mooney’s, let’s call it “ribald” approach, others (who had presumably seen his work on the surprisingly good panel show Dirty Laundry Live, where he often works somewhat “blue”) felt that co-host Stephanie Brantz had

been ordered to keep him in line, resulting in a neutered effort from all concerned. The fact that people from both ends of the spectrum are complaining probably shows that the real problem is that this kind of lightweight television isn’t really good enough these days.

New Year’s Eve isn’t an excuse for a mass piss-up any more, it’s become a “family event” – and like it or not that means people watching it on television are going to be actually watching it, which means somebody somewhere has to put a bit of an effort in to making it watchable.

The golden age of variety television took place beyond the living memory of pretty much everyone reading this, so when anyone starts talking about how great variety and live television once was chances are they’re talking out their arse: that stuff worked as well as it did because there was nothing else to watch and you still had performers trained to go out and entertain live audiences seven nights a week.

These days just dropping a bunch of comedians on a couch and getting them to crap on until the clock runs out doesn’t cut it as entertainment – as the failure of every single panel television show since The Panel almost twenty years ago proves – so if you want to put on a NYE broadcast that people will actually enjoy, maybe broadcast a concert until the fireworks start then cut to the explosions. And when they’re done just resume regular programming.

It’s a family night now. As long as it shuts the kids up, parents will put up with just about anything.

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