ISSUE 1370
| 8 MAY 2013 | BEAT.COM.AU
PICKED UP AT OVER 1,900 POINTS, INCL. 700 CAFÉS
BOBBY WOMACK
EVEN
SPRING BREAKERS
THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM
BEATS: RUDIMENTAL
THIS WEEK: WE ALL WANT TO, ELLA HOOPER, THE RECHORDS, CHARLES BABY, NEON TREES, BUCHANAN, TEK TEK ENSEMBLE, DESTROY SHE SAID
NEUWdenim.com
DESTROY ALL LINES, KILLYOURSTEREO AND BLUNT PRESENT
WED 15 MAY PIER LIVE
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
FRANKSTON 18+ TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM TICKETMASTER OR THE VENUE
FRI 24 MAY PIER HOTEL PELLY BAR PIERLIVE.COM.AU
SAT 25 MAY FERNTREE GULLY HOTEL FERNTREEGULLYHOTEL.COM.AU
Tickets available from the Venue, Oztix & Ticketmaster
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 3
“POETIC, UNPREDICTABLE, AND UTTERLY ADDICTIVE”
–
NME
WITH SPECIAL GUEST
SATURDAY 18 MAY FORUM THEATRE ON SALE NOW! NEW ALBUM HUMMINGBIRD OUT NOW
FRONTIERTOURING.COM THELOCALNATIVES.COM
SAT 06 JULY DING DONG LOUNGE Ticketing info www.facebook.com/somethingwithnumbers / www.selectmusic.com.au
ELEVEN ELEVEN ALBUM OUT MAY 10 THROUGH STOP START Beat Magazine Page 4
Available through Itunes and all major music retailers
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
BERNARD FANNING DEPARTURES TOUR SECRET SERVICE & VILLAGE SOUNDS PRESENT
SPECIAL GUESTS
BIG SCARY & VANCE JOY
FRIDAY 9 AUG PALACE THEATRE MELBOURNE SATURDAY 10 AUG GPAC–COSTA HALL GEELONG TIX FROM TICKETEK | 132 849 | TICKETEK.COM.AU OR BERNARDFANNING.COM ALL AGES | LICENSED
TIX FROM GPAC | 03 5225 1200 | GPAC.ORG.AU OR BERNARDFANNING.COM ALL AGES | LICENSED
TICKETS ON SALE 12 MIDDAY FRIDAY 10 MAY NEW ALBUM DEPARTURES OUT FRIDAY 7 JUNE. NEW SINGLE BATTLESHIPS OUT NOW
PRE-ORDER DEPARTURES FOR A SPECIAL PRICE WITH EVERY TICKET PURCHASE
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 5
V A M P I R E W E E K E N D Modern Vampires of the City M A Y
1 0
T H
W W W . VA M P I R E W E E K E N D . C O M W W W. X L R E C O R D I N G S . C O M
Savages “A battle between athletic, lean post-punk and a breast-beating monster” Pitchfork
The debut album Silence Yourself
DEERHUNTER MONOMANIA
THE NEW ALBUM Available at:
Beat Magazine Page 6
The Basement Discs • Blockbuster (Port Melbourne) • Discurio • Greville Records • Leading Edge (Traralgon) Polyester (Fitzroy, Melbourne City) • Readings Books & Music (Carlton, Hawthorn, St Kilda) Thornbury Records • Title (Fitzroy, Northcote, Brunswick & CBD) www.remotecontrolrecords.com CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
CELEBRATING THE RETURN OF THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS!
THE LIONS TOUR WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
HUNGRY KIDS OF HUNGARY
FRIDAY 28 JUNE FESTIVAL HALL ON SALE THIS FRIDAY 10 MAY TICKETMASTER.COM.AU 136 100 MANICSTREETPREACHERS.COM
CHUGGENTERTAINMENT.COM
LUNATICENTERTAINMENT.COM
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 7
1925
VICTORIA HOTEL 140 Sydney Rd
BRUNSWICKHOTEL.NET
BRUNSWICK Monday
9387 6637
$12 Steak Night & Free Pool
NO COVER CHARGE
SATURDAY 11 MAY - 5PM TH
$ ! "
( * & ,
(
$
&* , *
RAISED BY EAGLES - MONTH RESIDENCY -
- KITCHEN SPECIALS -
MONDAY - $12 Burger and $12 Parma + Open Mic NIght TUESDAY - $12 mexican food WEDNESDAY - $14 Porterhouse Steak THURSDAY - Trivia Night
LUKE SINCLAIR AND HIS EAGLES PLAY FOUR BIG SATURDAYS OF BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL ALTERNATIVE COUNTRY
!
( (
"
&
* -cn
! )
. /
#
(
( )
+ ( , *
Free Entry - 9:30pm
- FRIDAY MAY 10 AND GUESTS
- SATURDAY MAY 11TH -
$12 Burgers Before 7pm THEN FROM
9PM
SPOONFUL
THE ALMIGHTY SPOONFUL RETURNS FOR A NIGHT OF TOPS, HIGHLY CHARGED RHYTHM AND BLUES.
SUNDAY 12 MAY - 5PM
* ALL SHOWS ARE FREE ENTRY *
DREY ROLLAN BAND (SYD)
CRYSTAL MERCY
Band’s & DJ’s every Friday and Saturday night, Yee Haa! Function Room Available. Kitchen Open Every Evening
TH
WANNA SEE THOSE HIPS SHAKIN? ROCK ‘N’ ROLL, ROCKABILLY, BLUES AND DOO-WOP FROM THIS ROCKIN’ SYDNEY OUTFIT. WE’RE IN FOR A TREAT.
163A Sydney Road, Brunswick 3058 Bookings/Enquiries: thecornish@bigpond.com www.cornisharms.com.au 9380 8383
7.00PM
FRI 10th May
BLACKWOOD JACK RED EAGLE
9.30-10.30PM 10.30-11.30PM
SAT 11th May
ALEX MCMILLAN JUNGAL
9.30-10.15PM 10.30-11.30PM
SUN 12th May (mothers day) 5.00-7.00PM
THE DRUNKEN POACHERS OPENING HOURS
MON-THURS FROM 3PM - LATE FRI-SUN FROM 12PM - LATE NOW OPEN FOR LUNCH ON FRIDAY!!
FOOD SPECIALS
MONDAY $12 PARMA TUESDAY ALL PIZZAS $6 WEDNESDAY $12 STEAK THURSDAY $12 BEEF OR HALLOUMI BURGER SUNDAY $12 ROAST ALL DAY 420 SYDNEY RD BRUNSWICK, 9380 8667
FACEBOOK.COM/THEPENNYBLACK
Beat Magazine Page 8
Saturday Old Timey Music Jam Session 5pm - Beer Garden Rockabilly & Rock n Swing 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Sunday
LOTEK
THU 9th May
NATIONAL BANDS COMP VU HEAT (6-8 BANDS FREE OF CHARGE)
Anna’s Go-Go Academy 2 Classes: 6:30pm & 8:00pm $15 Parma & Pot
The Flying Pandas
TH
$
Thursday
The Glare
FULL VEGAN MENU
100 ACRE WOODS
"
Trivia Night. 7:30pm. Free Entry
Friday
$
Tuesday Wednesday
$12 Vegetarian & Vegan Meals
WEDNESDAY 8th MAY
SUGAR FED LEOPARDS + RED BRIGADE 8:30pm FREE THURSDAY’S IN MAY TEK TEK ENSEMBLE 9pm FREE
*MULLED WINE & HOT TOTTIE TEAPOT SPECIALS*
SATURDAY 11th MAY FLORELIE ESCANO & HER RIDICULOUSLY GOOD LOOKING BAND SINGLE LAUNCH/ BDAY BASH 8:30pm FREE
SUNDAY’S IN MAY UNION ROYALE 4:30pm FREE
TREAT THE OLE GAL RIGHT AND BRING HER IN FOR OUR MOTHERS DAY SPECIALS
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
The Tattered Sails 5pm - Beer Garden $12 Jugs of Carlton and Gypsy All Day ALL AFL GAMES LIVE ON FOX FOOTY KITCHEN OPEN: MON-WED DINNER, THURS-FRI LUNCH & DINNER, SAT-SUN ALL DAY.
function room beer garden backpacker accommodation 380 VICTORIA ST PHONE 9388 0830 vichotelbrunswick.com.au band bookings: victoriahotel@me.com
SATURDAY 3 AUGUST PALAIS THEATRE TICKETMASTER.COM. AU ALL AGES
ON SALE MONDAY 13 MAY NEW SINGLE KING AND LIONHEART OUT NOW
OFMONSTERSANDMEN.COM | CHUGGENTERTAINMENT.COM
IN THIS ISSUE...
12
HOT TALK
16
TOURING
18
SETH SENTRY
20
ARTS GUIDE, SPRING BREAKERS
22
ART OF THE CITY, COMIC STRIP
24
EVEN, STEVE KILBEY & MARTIN KENNEY
33
INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH, THE RECHORDS
34
NEON TREES, ELLA HOOPER, BOBBY WOMACK
BUCHANAN PG 38
NEON TREES PG 34
36
THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM
37
ROLLING STONE: THE COVERS
38
RAZORS OF OCKAM, CHARLES BABY, BUCHANAN
39
CORE/CRUNCH!
40
MUSIC NEWS
44
ALBUM OF THE WEEK, SINGLES, CHARTS
ELLA HOOPER PG 34
THIS WEEK IN BEATS
RUDIMENTAL
3 NEWTON STREET RICHMOND, VICTORIA 3121 Phone: (03) 9428 3600 Fax: (03) 9428 3611 email: info@beat.com.au www.beat.com.au BEAT MAGAZINE EMAIL ADDRESSES: (no large attachments please): Gig Guide: online at beat.com.au email gigguide@beat.com.au - it’s free! Club Listings: online at beat.com.au email clubguide@beat.com.au - it’s free! Music News Items: music@beat.com.au Artwork: art@beat.com.au Beat Classifieds 33c a word: classifieds@beat.com.au
30,706 copies per week
THE RECHORDS PG 33
PUBLISHER: Furst Media Pty Ltd. MUSIC EDITOR: Taryn Stenvei ARTS EDITOR / ASSOCIATE MUSIC EDITOR: Tyson Wray EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Nick Taras INTERNS: Alexandra Duguid, Dylan McCarthy, Katerina Capel, Natalie Castellan, Chakrit Narula, Dina Amin, Clementine Zawadski. GENERAL MANAGER: Patrick Carr BEAT PRODUCTION MANAGER: Pat O’Neill GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: Pat O’Neill, Gill Tucker, Mike Cusack. COVER ART: Pat O’Neill ADVERTISING: Taryn Stenvei (Music: Bands/Tours/Record Labels) taryn@beat.com.au Patrick Carr (100%/Beat/Arts/Education/Ad Agency) patrick@furstmedia.com.au Aleksei Plinte (Backstage/ Musical Equipment) mixdown@beat.com.au Adam Morgan (Hospitality/Bars) adam@beat.com.au Kris Furst (beat.com.au) kris@furstmedia.com.au 0431 243 808 Dan Watt (Indie Bands/Special Features) dan@beat.com.au CLASSIFIEDS: classifieds@beat.com.au GIG GUIDE SUBMISSIONS: now online at www.beat.com.au or bands email gigguide@beat.com.au ELECTRONIC EDITOR - BEAT ONLINE: Tyson Wray
FRI 10 MAY
MON 13 MAY
SLOCOMBE’S PUSSY
ANIMAUX
SCREEN SECT
8.30PM / FREE
THU 9 MAY
THE BLACK ALLEYS
SAT 11 MAY
LAMINE SONKO & THE AFRICAN INTELLIGENCE 10PM / FREE
SUMMER BLOOD SEX ST MKO
SUN 12 MAY
8.30PM / FREE
TERRY MCCARTHY SPECIAL & GUESTS
THE TARANTINOS 7.30PM
46
GIG GUIDE
54
LIVE
DISTRIBUTION: distribution@beat.com.au Free Every Wednesday to over 1,850 places including Convenience Stores, Newsagents, Ticket Outlets, Shopping Centres, Community Youth & Welfare Outlets, Clubs, Hotels, Venues, Record, Music and Video Shops, Boutiques, Retailers, Bars, Restaurants, Cafes, Bookstores, Hairdressers, Recording Studios, Cinemas, Theatres, Galleries, Universities and Colleges. Wanna get BEAT? Email distribution@beat.com.au
CONTRIBUTORS: Mitch Alexander, Siobhan Argent, Bella ArnottHoare, Thomas Bailey, Graham Blackley, Chris Bright, Joanne Brookfield, Tegan Butler, Avrille Bylock-Collard, Rose Callaghan, Kim Croxford, Dave Dawson, John Donaldson, Alexandra Duguid, Alasdair Duncan, Cam Ewart, Callum Fitzpatrick, Jack Franklin, Chris Girdler, Megan Hanson, Chris Harms, Andrew Hickey, Nick Hilton, Peter Hodgson, Lachlan Kanoniuk, Cassandra Kiely, Joshua Kloke, Nick Mason, Krystal Maynard, Miki McLay, Jeremy Millar, James Nicoli, Oliver Pelling, Matt Panag, Jack Parsons, Sasha Petrova, Liam Pieper, Steve Phillips, Zoe Radas, Adam Robertshaw, Joanna Robin, Leigh Salter, Side Man, Jeremy Sheaffe, Sisqo Taras, Kelly Theobald, Tamara Vogl, Dan Watt, Katie Weiss, Krissi Weiss, Rod Whitfield, Jen Wilson, Tyson Wray, Simone Ziada, Bronius Zumeris.
DEADLINES Editorial Copy accepted no later than 5pm Thursday before publication for Club listings, Arts, Gig Guide etc. Advertising Copy accepted no later than 12pm Monday before publication. Print ready © 2013 Furst Media Pty Ltd. No part may be reproduced without the consent of the copyright holder. art by 2pm Monday. Deadlines are strictly adhered to. CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Mary Boukouvalas, Ben
COMING UP
WED 8 MAY
WARPIGS ROUSSEMOFF ROUNDTABLE
ALBUMS
Clement, Ben Gunzburg, Rebecca Houlden, Nick Irving, Anna Kanci, Cassandra Kiely, Charles Newbury, Richard Sharman, Tony Proudfoot. SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR: Christie Eliezer SENIOR CONTRIBUTORS: Patrick Emery COLUMNISTS: Emily Kelly, Peter Hodgson, Lachlan Kanoniuk
tyson@beat.com.au ACCOUNTANT: accountant@furstmedia.com.au ADMINISTRATION CO-ORDINATOR: Jessica Riley: jessica@furstmedia.com.au ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE: Luke Forester: admin@furstmedia.com.au RECEPTION: reception@furstmedia.com.au
317 BRUNSWICK ST. FITZROY BAROPEN.COM.AU 03 9415 9601 BOOKINGS: FANTAPANTS@BAROPEN.COM.AU
10PM / FREE
45
FILM CLUB “A.I. - ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE”
(STEVEN SPIELBERG, 2001)
7PM
TUE 14 MAY
MAKE IT UP CLUB
99 SMITH STREET FITZROY 03 9419 4920 YAHYAHS.COM.AU BOOKINGS: MARY@BAROPEN.COM.AU
THU 9 MAY
AUTO DA FE
MIDNIGHT SCAVANGES, HORSEMEAT
FRI MAY 17 CLAWS AND ORGANS (CD LAUNCH)
UDAYS TIGER GOING SWIMMING SAT MAY 18 PLASTIC SPACEMAN (CD LAUNCH)
8.30pm / FREE ENTRY
THE REDWOOD PLAN (USA) ANIMAL HANDS
FRI 10 MAY
THU MAY 23 DAZOOK
FLOUNDER, JAIL BIRD JOKERS, PRETTY CITY
FRI MAY 24 GO GENRE EVERYTHING BODIES, ASTRAL SUNRISE
MIMI VELEVSKA
7PM
9.00pm / OPEN ‘TIL 5.00am / FREE ENTRY LATE TUNES by RICHIE 1250
COMING UP
SAT 11 MAY
FRI 17 MAY: THE BOMBAY ROYALE SAT 18 MAY: COOKIN’ ON 3 BURNERS W/ KYLIE AULDIST
THU MAY 16 CIDER TREE KIDS SINGLES THE SAND DOLLARS
BAYOU
SUN MAY 26 BIG STAR TRIBUTE
FEAT. VARIOUS MELBOURNE LUMINARIES FOLLOWING THE FILM SCREENING AT ACMI
(7” LAUNCH)
NATHAN HOLLYWOOD BAND, HOWARD 9.00pm / OPEN ‘TIL 5.00am / $8 OR $12 WITH SINGLE LATE TUNES by DR LUDWIG FREE ENTRY AFTER MIDNIGHT
WATCH INTERVIEWS, CHATS & AWKWARD SILENCES... BEAT.COM.AU/TV
THU MAY 30 SUNSET BLUSH FRI MAY 31 MY FICTION (ALBUM LAUNCH) THU JUN 6 FABLES (ALBUM LAUNCH)
Thundercat — USA plus
Hiatus Kaiyote
Friday 7 June The Forum
melbournejazz.com Proudly supported by
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 11
HOT TALK
THE BIGGEST IN INTERNATIONAL & NATIONAL NEWS
For all the latest news check out beat.com.au
WAVVES AND UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA Surf-stoner kings Wavves and psych pop wizards Unknown Mortal Orchestra are coming together for a joint Splendour sideshow. Hailing from the beaches of LA, Wavves returned this year with their fourth studio record in Afraid Of Heights, adding a slightly mature edge to their bratty punk anthems. Last year, New Zealand indie-pop trio Unknown Mortal Orchestra followed up their stellar debut with II, giving fans a new batch of ecstatic pop songs. Wavves and Unknown Mortal Orchestra play The Corner Hotel on Saturday July 27. Tickets available from the venue website and box office.
OF MONSTERS AND MEN One of the biggest names on the absolutely massive 2013 Splendour In The Grass lineup has announced an accompanying Melbourne show. Of Monsters And Men have amassed a huge following in Australia since their first visit during winter last year, going on to enjoy the runaway success of the track Little Feet. Don’t miss out on your chance to catch the Icelandic juggernauts when they return to Melbourne this August. Of Monsters And Men perform at The Palais on Saturday August 3.
SURFER BLOOD
FIDLAR LA skate-punk brats FIDLAR will be bonging on down Melbourne way as well as hitting up this year’s Splendour In The Grass. With their ethos on show in their acronymous moniker (fuck it dog, life’s a risk), FIDLAR are guaranteed to get the party started when they blaze The Corner this July. FIDLAR perform at The Corner on Monday July 29. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Monday May 13 from the venue box office and website.
JAMES BLAKE After an all-too undersized promo visit at the start of the year, UK producer James Blake has announced a decent-sized Melbourne headline show to supplement his Splendour In The Grass appearance. This year saw Blake release Overgrown, the worthy follow-up to his breakthrough self-titled debut. His 2013 return to Australia comes after a stellar showing at Coachella. James Blake performs at the Palais Theatre on Wednesday July 31. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Monday May 13 from the venue website.
PALMA VIOLETS Already set to tear up the 2013 Splendour In The Grass, NME darlings Palma Violets have announced a headline Melbourne appearance. With the release of 180 earlier this year, the band have established themselves as one of England’s finest psychedelic-garage exponents. Palma Violets’ Australian visit will follow on from a London support slot for a lil’ old band called The Rolling Stones. Nice. Palma Violets perform at Northcote Social Club on Monday July 29. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Monday May 13 from the venue website.
Beat Magazine Page 12
WATCH INTERVIEWS, CHATS & AWKWARD SILENCES... BEAT.COM.AU/TV
With their new album set to drop next month, Florida’s Surfer Blood are set to once again wreak havoc on Australian shores. Currently criss-crossing the States on a two-month trek with Foals, anticipation for the release of their sophomore album Pythons is high. Recorded in LA with producer Gil Norton (Pixies, Foo Fighters) and mixer Rob Schnapf (Beck, Elliott Smith), Australian audiences will be among the first in the world to experience tracks from the album live. Surfer Blood will hit The Corner Hotel on Wednesday July 24. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Monday May 13 from the venue website.
HAIM After topping the BBC’s Sound Of 2013 and conquering SXSW, Californian siblings Haim are descending on Melbourne. After barnstorming the charts with Falling and the title tune from EP Forever; the girls are currently teaming up with producers Paul Epworth (Adele) and James Ford (Arctic Monkeys) for their highly anticipated debut album. Haim will hit The Hi-Fi on Thursday July 25. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Monday May 13 from the venue website.
HOT TALK
THE BIGGEST IN INTERNATIONAL & NATIONAL NEWS
For all the latest news check out beat.com.au
MS MR New York duo Ms Mr are set to perform in Melbourne this July as part of their visit here for Splendour. This will be the second Australian tour in 2013 for the beloved Ms Mr, having previously performed at Laneway in February. Following the release of the acclaimed Candy Bar Creep Show EP in 2012, the duo will release debut LP Secondhand Rapture later this month. Fans should also keep their ears tuned to Game of Thrones, as HBO used Bones during an episode in season three. Ms Mr play The Hi-Fi on Monday July 29. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Monday May 13 from the venue website.
WAVVES AND UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA Surf-stoner kings Wavves and psych pop wizards Unknown Mortal Orchestra are coming together for a joint Splendour sideshow. Hailing from the beaches of LA, Wavves returned this year with their fourth studio record in Afraid Of Heights, adding a slightly mature edge to their bratty punk anthems. Last year, New Zealand indie-pop trio Unknown Mortal Orchestra followed up their stellar debut with II, giving fans a new batch of ecstatic pop songs. Wavves and Unknown Mortal Orchestra play The Corner Hotel on Saturday July 27. Tickets available from the venue website and box office.
JAKE BUGG It was no surprise to see British troubadour Jake Bugg on the mammoth Splendour In The Grass lineup, considering his track Two Fingers soundtracked the initial venue announcement video. Now Melbourne fans can see exactly what the Bugg buzz is about with the announcement of a headline sideshow. The 19-year-old Briton has been making waves since last year’s release of his self-titled debut, going on to prove a worthy support for the likes of Band Of Horses. Jake Bugg performs at The Corner on Sunday July 28. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Monday May 13 from the venue website and box office.
DARWIN DEEZ Darwin Deez has previously toured Australia for the 2011 Groovin’ The Moo and the 2010 Parklife festivals. His 2013 trip will see his first visit Down Under since the release of his sophomore album Songs For Imaginative People. Darwin Deez will play a Splendour In The Grass sideshow at The Corner Hotel on Wednesday July 31. Tickets from handsometours.com.
DAUGHTER Signed to seminal label 4AD, London trio Daughter unleashed one of 2013’s most hypnotic debuts in If You Leave. Originally a solo project of singer/guitarist Elena Tonra, Daughter make introspective, emotional pop – songs of heartbreak and hope, like smouldering singles Smother and Still. Recorded by Rodaidh McDonald (The xx), If You Leave follows two acclaimed EPs – and now the trio make their first trip to Australia on the back of a sold-out UK tour run, with supports for Sigur Rós planned, plus Glastonbury, Fuji Rock and Primavera. Daughter will hit The Corner Hotel on Tuesday 23 July. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Monday May 13 from the venue and website.
VILLAGERS Already announced on the freshly sold-out Splendour In The Grass line-up, Irish outfit Villagers will head down Melbourne way for a Melbourne headline show. Having already visited Australia in two-piece formation, Dublin troubadour Conor O’Brien (aka Villagers) will be bringing his full band to our shores for the first time. Villagers have just released their highly anticipated second album {Awayland}, the follow-up to 2010’s Mercury Award nominated debut, Becoming A Jackal. Villagers perform at The Corner on Tuesday July 30, and tickets are available through the venue website and box office.
EVERYTHING EVERYTHING Released at the tail-end of 2012 from the Manchester quartet’s second album, Arc, Cough Cough snuck into triple j’s Hottest 100 in the nick of time. Touted by NME as “Britain’s poppiest smart band become Britain’s smartest pop band,” Everything Everything have recently supported the likes of Two Door Cinema Club and Muse and are set to show Australian audiences why they are one of the UK’s most dashing contemporary imports. Everything Everything will hit The Corner Hotel on Friday July 26. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Monday May 13 from the venue website. CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 13
HOT TALK
THE BIGGEST IN INTERNATIONAL & NATIONAL NEWS
For all the latest news check out beat.com.au
PBS RADIO FESTIVAL This month, PBS 106.7 FM are asking you to romance your radio and say “I do” by signing up as PBS member and helping this wonderful radio station to continue its solid programming and diverse mix of music for another year. New members will go into the running to win a Red Vespa PX-150 scooter, an Audiophile hi-fi system, or a bunch of other amazing prizes. The 2013 PBS Radio Festival runs from Monday May 13 to Sunday May 26. Call 03 8415 1067 or head to pbsfm.org.au to show how much you care.
POISON CITY WEEKENDER Poison City’s annual Weekender festival is back again for 2013. Headlining the festivities will be beloved Melbourne foursome The Smith Street Band, joined by international guests making their debut Down Under, Joyce Manor, Cheap Girls and Cory Branan. The lineup also features Blueline Medic, The Nation Blue, Luca Brasi, Hoodlum Shouts, White Walls, Lincoln Le Fevre, Arrows, The Bennies, Deep Heat, Milhouse, Grim Fandango, Jen Buxton, Infinite Void, Clowns, Postblue, Apart From This and Pinch Hitter with more acts still to be announced. This year The Weekender takes over the John Curtin Hotel on Friday September 6, Corner Hotel on Saturday September and The Reverence Hotel on Sunday September 8. Tickets go on sale on Friday May 10. Hit up their website for more information.
EVEN One of Melbourne’s genuine live music treasures, EVEN, will be showcasing the soon-to-be released EVEN FIRST XVIII with an exclusive show at the Ding Dong Lounge on Saturday May 25. This is your opportunity to see and hear Ashley Naylor, Matthew Cotter and Wally Kempton play your favourite EVEN songs, plus plenty of extras. Special guest for this show will be none other than The Fauves frontman, Andrew Cox, making a rare solo appearance. Tickets from Oztix.
Melbourne quartet Buchanan have announced a show to celebrate the release of their debut album, Human Spring. Though only the band’s debut fulllength, Human Spring has some big names attached to it such as production by Catherine Marks (Foals, Interpol), mixed by Andy Baldwin (Bjork, Midnight Juggernauts), and mastered by Geoff Pesche (LCD Soundsystem, Radiohead) at Abbey Road. Buchanan will be launching Human Spring at the John Curtin Bandroom, Thursday June 6, supported by Harts and Clubfeet DJs.
DICK DIVER Local jangly-pop heroes and purveyors of the Melbourne sound Dick Diver are on the cusp of selling out their first hometown show of their Calendar Days Big Tour, and have added a second to the calendar. Dick Diver play The Corner on Friday July 5 with Twerps and The Stevens (tickets almost gone) and a second show at The Corner on Sunday July 7 with Lost Animal and School Of Radiant Living. Tickets from the venue website.
ABBE MAY Perth’s Abbe May is releasing her album Kiss My Apocalypse this Friday May 10 and she will be embarking on a national tour this June to launch it. Unapologetically sexy with minimal guitar and maximum synth driven doom pop, the album is a new direction for May after 2011’s experimental rock album Design Desire. Abbe May plays Ding Dong Lounge on Friday June 21. Tickets are from Oztix.
BON JOVI
ANDREW STOCKDALE After announcing that he will be resting the Wolfmother name for his latest album release, Andrew Stockdale has announced his first Melbourne headline show under his own name. Wolfmother recently played what looks set to be their last show for quite a while, supporting Aerosmith at Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Stockdale’s new album, Keep Moving, showcases his distinctive vocal talent and penchant for riff adoration while exploring a wider rock’n’roll spectrum. Andrew Stockdale performs at The Hi-Fi on Friday June 14.
BUCHANAN
CYNDI LAUPER To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of her ground breaking album She’s So Unusual, Cyndi Lauper will be returning to Australian shores this August. Over her career Lauper has racked up record sales of over 50 million, along with 14 Grammy nominations and countless awards. Cyndi Lauper plays the Palais Theatre on Thursday August 29. Tickets are through Ticketmaster.
Bon Jovi have announced they will stop off in Australia this December as part of their Because We Can Tour. In this new show – which is currently making its way around the world – fans will be treated to a night of Bon Jovi’s colossal catalogue of hits, as well as new tracks from the band’s latest album, What About Now. Bon Jovi play Etihad Stadium on Saturday December 7. Tickets go on sale on Monday May 20 at 12pm from Ticketmaster. Ensuring there is something for every fan, Bon Jovi is offering a wide range of ticket options starting at $35+bf. Telstra is also running a special presale for Telstra customers, which will run from 9am Monday May 13.
TYLER, THE CREATOR AND EARL SWEATSHIRT
MONTERO Theatrical pop ensemble Montero have announced a Melbourne show to celebrate the release of their new single Passions. Passions is lifted from their debut LP The Loving Gaze, touted to be drenched in plenty of “easy listening adult weirdness.” Montero, supported by The Ancients and Swim Between The Shags, will be launching Passions at The Luwow on Friday June 28. Tickets via Moshtix. Beat Magazine Page 14
WATCH INTERVIEWS, CHATS & AWKWARD SILENCES... BEAT.COM.AU/TV
Two of the most prominent members of the OFWGKTA collective will visit Australia this June. The tour follows Tyler’s recently released third studio album, Wolf, which followed his 2011 sophomore Goblin. Following his highly-publicised musical hiatus in Samoa, the 19-year-old Earl will join Tyler in what will be his Australian debut. The pair will hit The Palace Theatre on Friday June 7. Tickets through Ticketek.
HOT TALK For all the latest news check out beat.com.au
THE BIGGEST IN INTERNATIONAL & NATIONAL NEWS
MANIC STREET PREACHERS It’s as good an excuse as any – Welsh alternative rock giants Manic Street Preachers will be making their way to Australia to coincide with rugby union team British Lions’ visit. Thankfully for us, the Manics will be performing a rare headline show in Melbourne between their rugby-watching duties. Expect a hearty serving of greatest hits from the band’s esteemed back-catalogue. Support on the night comes from local upstarts Hungry Kids Of Hungary. Manic Street Preachers perform at Festival Hall on Friday June 28. Tickets available through Ticketmaster this Friday May 10 from 9am.
KORA New Zealand natives Kora will be island hopping for a series of Australian dates to support their latest album Light Years. The group’s gold selling sophomore release features new single Galaxy (out next week) and Hit the Wall. See these stars with some special guests at the Espy Front Bar on Friday June 21. Tickets are on sale via The Espy website.
SOMETHING WITH NUMBERS With a career spanning seven years, Central Coast pop-rockers Something With Numbers release their next album Eleven Eleven this Friday May 10 and have announced an accompanying national tour to support. Something With Numbers play Ding Dong Lounfe on Saturday July 6. Tickets are from Oztix.
THE KING KHAN & BBQ SHOW
BABY ANIMALS
After a three year absence The King Khan & BBQ Show is returning to Australia. The everimpressive King Khan and Mark Sultan aka BBQ are bringing their top-notch doo-wop, psych, R&B and R&R craziness back to Melbourne. The duo have released three critically-acclaimed albums in the past six years, toured the world, broken up, got back together and are now set to head back Down Under. The King Khan & BBQ Show goes down at The Tote on Tuesday June 11 and Wednesday June 12. Tickets on sale Friday May 3 through Oztix.
In support of the upcoming release of their third studio album This Is Not The End, rock veterans Baby Animals have announced an Australian tour this June. After a 20 year recording hiatus, Baby Animals have returned to their classic sound which die-hard fans will no doubt adore. Released independently, This Is Not The End includes a few autobiographical tracks which draw on the break-up of vocalist Suze DeMarchi’s marriage with guitar hero Nuno Bettencourt. Baby Animals will play at The Hi-Fi on Saturday June 22. Tickets available now from the venue website.
FRASER A GORMAN
TOY
Rising folk-country singer extraordinaire Fraser A Gorman has announced a headline shindig at Old Bar. Earning a solid reputation with a myriad of coveted festival and support slots, Fraser A Gorman & Big Harvest have established themselves as ones to watch as they prepare to release their debut album later in the year. Support on the night comes from The Bluebottles and Mallee Songs. Fraser A Gorman & Big Harvest perform at Old Bar on Friday May 26.
London-based quintet TOY will head to Australia for the very first time this June. Making waves last year with their self-titled debut album, TOY craft rock’n’roll kaleidoscopes, blending psychedelic waves and visceral Detroit-rock flourishes. Don’t miss your chance to catch these rising Britons in a relatively intimate setting, as they’re sure to blow up sometime in the near future. TOY perform at The Corner on Tuesday June 18. Tickets can be purchased via the venue and box office.
Less travel time...
...more party time
Going to Splendour? Fly direct. Over 15 flights a day from Melbourne direct to Gold Coast Airport, means you’ll spend less time travelling and more time enjoying the party. goldcoastairport.com.au 13076
Fly with Jetstar, Virgin Australia or Tiger Airways direct to Gold Coast Airport.
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 15
TOURING
WHO'S ON TOUR, WHERE AND WHEN
PROUDLY PRESENTS:
For all the latest touring news check out beat.com.au
INTERNATIONAL FRIGHTENED RABBIT Corner Hotel May 8 BETH ORTON St Michael’s Church May 8 JULIAN MARLEY Corner Hotel May 9 OM The Hi-Fi May 10 CRADLE OF FILTH Palace Theatre May 10 BEASTWARS The Bendigo May 11 TRUCKFIGHTERS Ding Dong Lounge May 11 JELLO BIAFRA Corner Hotel May 11, 12 UNIDA The Hi-Fi May 12 FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND The Corner Hotel May 14, Pier Live Frankston May 15 THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM Palace Theatre May 14, 15 NEON TREES Ding Dong May 15 TENACIOUS D The Palais May 17,18 DEFTONES Palace Theatre May 17, 18 LOCAL NATIVES The Forum May 18 STAN RIDGWAY Corner Hotel May 18, The Caravan Club May 19 BOBBY WOMACK Hamer Hall May 21 ...AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD Corner Hotel May 22 LITA FORD Prince Bandroom May 23 KAKI KING Corner Hotel May 30 THE REVEREND HORTON HEAT Billboard May 31, Caravan Club May 23 THE MILK CARTON KIDS Thornbury Theatre June 6, St Kilda Memo June 8 TYLER, THE CREATOR/EARL SWEATSHIRT Palace Theatre June 7 THE BLACK ANGELS Palace Theatre June 14 MARTHA WAINWRIGHT Melbourne Recital Hall June 14, 15 TOY Corner Hotel June 18 BORIS Corner Hotel June 19 MUNICIPAL WASTE Corner Hotel June 23 MONO The Hi-Fi June 23 A$AP ROCKY Festival Hall June 28 MANIC STREET PREACHERS Festival Hall June 28 IDINA MENZEL Hamer Hall June 30 P!NK Rod Laver Arena July 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, August 27
GILBY CLARKE Northcote Social Club July 7 TODD RUNDGREN Corner Hotel July 21 DAUGHTER Corner Hotel July 23 SURFER BLOOD Corner Hotel July 24 HAIM The Hi-Fi July 25 EVERYTHING EVERYTHING Corner Hotel July 26 WAVVES/UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA Corner Hotel July 27 JAKE BUGG Corner Hotel July 28 PALMA VIOLETS Northcote Social Club July 29 MS MR The Hi-Fi July 29 FIDLAR Corner Hotel July 29 VILLAGERS Corner Hotel July 30 ALT-J Festival Hall July 30 DARWIN DEEZ Corner Hotel July 31 JAMES BLAKE The Palais July 31 OF MONSTERS AND MEN The Palais August 3 JOAN BAEZ Hamer Hall August 8 DON MCLEAN Hamer Hall August 17 CYNDI LAUPER The Palais August 29 JAPANDROIDS Corner Hotel August 30 POISON CITY WEEKENDER Various Venues September 6,7,8 AMANDA PALMER & THE GRAND THEFT ORCHESTRA The Forum September 20 FOALS Palace Theatre September 27 RIHANNA Rod Laver Arena September 30 ATP: RELEASE THE BATS Westgate Entertainment Centre October 26 BON JOVI Etihad Stadium December 7
NATIONAL THE RUBENS The Forum May 10, 11 EMMA LOUISE Corner Hotel May 10 BARBARIÖN Ding Dong Lounge May 10 DRAGON The Palms at Crown May 11 WINTERCOATS The Gasometer May 11 THE SEEKERS Hamer Hall May 14 THE HEART OF ST KILDA The Palais May 14 JINJA SAFARI The Toff May 15, 16 OH MERCY Northcote Social Club May 16, 17 LORDE Workers Club May 17 THE STEVENS The Tote May 17
MS MR The Hi-Fi July 29 EVEN Ding Dong Lounge May 25 SAN CISCO Corner Hotel May 25 CLAIRY BROWNE & BANGIN’ RACKETTES Corner Hotel May 31 MATT CORBY Palace Theatre May 31 OWL EYES Corner Hotel June 1 BLEEDING KNEES CLUB Ding Dong Lounge June 1 BEACHES Northcote Social Club June 1 THE SUPERJESUS The Espy June 7, 8 CLOUD CONTROL Corner Hotel June 7 THE NATION BLUE The Tote June 8 THE BELLRAYS The Corner June 12 ANDREW STOCKDALE The Hi-Fi June 14 SOMETHING FOR KATE The Forum June 14, The Corner June 15 EXPERIENCE JIMI HENDRIX The Palms At Crown June 14 THE BEARDS The Hi-Fi June 15 THE RED PAINTINGS The Espy June 15 WAGONS Corner Hotel June 22
BABY ANIMALS The Hi-Fi June 22 THE WHITLAMS Hamer Hall June 28 ASH GRUNWALD Prince Bandroom June 28 YOU AM I The Forum July 3, 4 DICK DIVER Corner Hotel July 5,7 BALL PARK MUSIC The Forum July 5 DICK DIVER Corner Hotel July 5 YOU AM I The Forum July 3, 4, 6 GOLD FIELDS Corner Hotel July 13 BERNARD FANNING Palace Theatre August 9 PARKWAY DRIVE Palace Theatre September 20
RUMOURS Machine Gun Fellatio, Xzibit, The Bravery, Sugar Ray = New Announcements = Beat Proudly Presents
Life is Noise presents
Friday May 10 The Hi-Fi Melbourne Tickets from lifeisnoise.com, oztix.com.au and the venue
Beat Magazine Page 16
WATCH INTERVIEWS, CHATS & AWKWARD SILENCES..... WWW.BEAT.COM.AU/TV
:,3305. -(:;
1<:; (556<5*,+
:$/. 7+( 0221
%($&+(6
:,3305. -(:;
3 $ / 0 $ 9,2/(76
3(=
8.
86$
:,3305. -(:;
,6$,$+ 0,7&+(// SUHVHQWV 7+( %/$&. (/. 0(',&,1( %$1'
()'( 34 ./24(#/4%
,6$,$+ 0,7&+(// 35(6(176 7+( %/$&. (/. 0(',&,1( %$1' 86$
($57+/(66
026( $1' 7+( )0/< (3 /$81&+ Z 0,&+$(/$ -$<'( $1' 5< 021(< )25 523( Z 7+( %2:(56 $1' $72//6 7+( 085/2&6 6,1*/( /$81&+ Z +2//2: (9(5'$=( $1' .5(0/,1*6
:$/. 7+( 0221 86$
1$, 3$/0 62/2 +LDWXV .DL\RWH 0$7,1((
,6$,$+ 0,7&+(// 35(6(176 7+( %/$&. (/. 0(',&,1( %$1' 86$
($57+/(66
Z $ '($' )25(67 ,1'(; $1' )2857((1 1,*+76 $7 6($
081'< ,5(
+RRW V +RXVH :DUPLQJ DQG /LYH &' 6ZDS IHDW 7+( 5(' /,*+76 $1' ,1',$1 5(' Z .857 *(17/( $1' :+(1 ,1 52$0
:(' 0$<
. -
(:;
WLFNHWV EI Æ&#x2022;Æ&#x201D;Æ&#x2022; JURRYLQ WKH PRR FLW\ VKRZ
&2)'(4%.%$ 2!"")4
5+ JXHVWV $'0,5$/ )$//2: 6&2
WLFNHWV EI
. -
(:;
$1' <28 :,// .12: 86 %< 7+( 75$,/ 2) '($'
86$
SOD\ 6RXUFH 7DJV
DQG &RGHV
JXHVWV < 6,1&(5(/< *5,==/<
UK JXHVWV 5(/(17/(66
025(
WLFNHWV EI Æ&#x2022;Æ&#x201D;Æ&#x2022; GRRUV SP
!$#"+( ! *#$#(# '
0DQLIHVW DW WKH &RUQHU IHDW
.,1* 3$5527 '5($'1$8*+7 (/0 675((7 PRUH
. -
(:;
5*,* 5""/& /;
. -
TXHHQV ELUWKGD\ SXEOLF KROLGD\ HYH
JXHVWV 0,6),76 2) =,21
620(7+,1* )25 .$7(
. -
(:;
JXHVWV 6758&785(6 &$1 675$< )520 7+( 3$7+ 86$ 67$78(6
%+ 015*.64 (3:.&
(:;
WLFNHWV EI
72<
8.
% WLFNHWV EI Æ&#x2022;Æ&#x201D;Æ&#x2022; PDWLQHH '
681 -81
681 -81
MUNICIPAL WASTE
MUNICIPAL WASTE
WLFNHWV EI
USA
. -
(:;
USA
JXHVWV 6+,7 5,33(5 1=
JXHVWV 6+,7 5,33(5 1=
. -
(:;
%* $, %*7& 3
)5, -8/ WLFNHWV EI
c75#
663/(1'285 6,'(6+2:6 W
/,@23?0=
@6 ! "
B,AA0> @>, b
@969:B9 8:=?,7 :=.30>?=,
WLFNHWV EI
(00$ /28,6(
-(//2 %,$)5$ $1' 7+( *8$17$1$02 6&+22/ 2) 0(',&,1( 86$
. -
(:;
WLFNHWV EI Æ&#x2022;Æ&#x201D;Æ&#x2022; DOEXP ODXQFK
%2% (9$16
JXHVWV 7,*(572:1 '$9(< /$1( $1(
% WLFNHWV EI Æ&#x2022;Æ&#x201D;Æ&#x2022; PDWLQHH '
JXHVWV 0,//,216 &+$26 &+$26 86$
5,60 -@22
: W
@6 # "
14/7,=
78( -81
WLFNHWV EI Æ&#x2022;Æ&#x201D;Æ&#x2022; DOEXP ODXQFK
. -
(:;
:(' -81 WLFNHWV EI
THE BELLRAYS USA
@>, $ "
A477,20=> 4=0 "
JEN CLOHER 6$7 -8/
c75#
),(/'6
/,=B49 /00E @>, "
WLFNHWV EI
6$7 0$<
681 0$< WLFNHWV EI
:(' -81 WLFNHWV EI
JXHVWV 0,//,216 &+$26 &+$26 86$
. -
(:;
)5, -81
WLFNHWV EI Æ&#x2022;Æ&#x201D;Æ&#x2022; YLYLG VLGHVKRZ
SAN CISCO C GKB
. -
(:;
CG HG
7+8 -81
)5, -81
1%6 /1 &0 *2/!"/
THE VAUDEVILLE SMASH
WLFNHWV EI Æ&#x2022;Æ&#x201D;Æ&#x2022; DOEXP ODXQFK
WLFNHWV EI
JXHVWV &$77/( '(&$3,7$7,21 86$ .,1* 3$5527 $9(56,216 &52:1
6$7 -81
WLFNHWV EI Æ&#x2022;Æ&#x201D;Æ&#x2022; DOEXP SUHYLHZ VKRZ
WLFNHWV EI Æ&#x2022;Æ&#x201D;Æ&#x2022; DOEXP ODXQFK
'5($0 21 '5($0(5 681 -8/ WLFNHWV EI
WAGONS
JXHVWV 7+( 7227 7227 72276 -(00$ 7+( :,6( <281* $0%,7,286 0(1
681 -81
%
WLFNHWV EI Æ&#x2022;Æ&#x201D;Æ&#x2022; DOEXP ODXQFK '
'5($0 21 '5($0(5 681 -8/ WLFNHWV EI
.#c&+5276' .) ,/( !, ( c75#
/-
JXHVWV 3,$126 %(&20( 7+( 7((7+ 86$
. -
(:;
%$5'2 321' &+95&+(6 6&2
JXHVWV 3($5/6 $ '($' )25(67 ,1'(;
WLFNHWV EI Æ&#x2022;Æ&#x201D;Æ&#x2022; ZLQWHU VHFUHW VKRZ
&/$5( %2:',7&+
21 6$/( 12:
+81*5< .,'6 2) +81*$5< 32,621 &,7< :((.(1'(5
JXHVWV '$9(< /$1( <28 $0 ,
6$7 $8*
7+8 $8* WLFNHWV EI
0'& 0LOOLRQV RI 'HDG &RSV
86$
52&. 1 323 &8/785( 75,9,$
VHH ZZZ FRUQHUKRWHO FRP IRU PRUH GHWDLOV
6(//,1* )$67 62/' 287
JXHVWV (/,=$%(7+ 526( 029(0(17
WLFNHWV EI
6$7 -81
WLFNHWV EI Æ&#x2022;Æ&#x201D;Æ&#x2022; DOEXP ODXQFK
021 $8*
$1'5(: 67521* 7+( &200,70(176 ,5(
ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǰ
ȱ ȱ ǰ ȱ ȱ
JXHVWV $,16/,( :,//6 )5$6(5 $ *250$1
6(//,1* )$67 62/' 287
!$#"+( ! *#$#(# '
01 + /&!$4 6
WLFNHWV EI
WLFNHWV EI Æ&#x2022;Æ&#x201D;Æ&#x2022; DOEXP ODXQFK
-$3$1'52,'6 &$1
-(//2 %,$)5$ $1' 7+( *8$17$1$02 6&+22/ 2) 0(',&,1( 86$
WLFNHWV EI Æ&#x2022;Æ&#x201D;Æ&#x2022; VLQJOH ODXQFK
)5, -81
% 6$7 -8/ WLFNHWV EI Æ&#x2022;Æ&#x201D;Æ&#x2022; PDWLQHH '
W
WLFNHWV EI
78( 0$<
JXHVWV 0,//,216 &+$26 &+$26 86$
)5, -81
7
681 0$<
JXHVWV *521* *521* 7+( 63,11,1* 52206
WLFNHWV EI
JXHVWV 0,//,216 &+$26 &+$26 86$
7+8 -81
WLFNHWV EI
(:;
6$7 0$<
-$3 SHUIRUP )ORRG
$6+ *581:$/'
. -
SAN CISCO SAN CISCO SAN CISCO
-21 (1*/,6+ 7+( )267(5 %527+(56
WLFNHWV EI
-,00< 7$,7 $1' *5$1' 35,60$7,&
20
WLFNHWV EI Æ&#x2022;Æ&#x201D;Æ&#x2022; WZR VHWV
%25,6
/,77/( '(6(57 7+( %2:(56
JXHVWV 86(/(66 &+,/'5(1 7+( .5(0/,1*6
7+8 -81
WLFNHWV EI
6$7 0$<
:(' -81
86$
@>, "
0A0=D?3492 )
*,/%< &/$5.( 86$
Z '($' 67$5 5(1(*$'(
WLFNHWV EI Æ&#x2022;Æ&#x201D;Æ&#x2022; DOEXP ODXQFK
/81&+ 3(1*8,16 $1' ',5( ($56 =21' *8(676
7,&.(76 21 6$/( )520 ::: 1257+&27(62&,$/&/8% &20 7,&.(76 %$5 3+21( ,1)2#1257+&27(62&,$/&/8% &20
%$37,60 2) 8=, (3 /$81&+
JXHVWV 7+( '(021 3$5$'( 7+(0 %58,16
6$7 $8*
@6 "
9E @>, " "
% WLFNHWV EI Æ&#x2022;Æ&#x201D;Æ&#x2022; DOEXP ODXQFK ' TXHHQV ELUWKGD\ SXEOLF KROLGD\
JXHVWV 3,$126 %(&20( 7+( 7((7+ 86$
>@=10= -7::/ 0A0=D?3492
5$7 &2
JXHVWV 7+(/0$ 3/80 3$75,&. -$0(6 6
021 -81
)5(( (175< +$16 +$506 :+(5( :(5( <28 $7
67(9( /8&$6 7+( 60$// )$.(56 35(6(17 2JGHQV 1XW *RQH )ODNH $1' 7+( 68%67,787(6 SHUIRUPLQJ 7KH %HVW RI WKH (DV\EHDWV 3UHWW\ *LUO 0$7,1((
.#c&+5276' .#c&+5276' *2/'
JXHVWV 3,$126 %(&20( 7+( 7((7+ 86$
JXHVWV 7:(536 6 7+( 67(9(16
7+( 1(59( 6,1*/( /$81&+ Z 7+( &+$5*( 7(55$&277$ 3,*(216 $1' */$'6721( 2QH 1LJKW LQ 1RUWKFRWH /,9( &' 5(&25',1* 48$55< 02817$,1 '($' 5$76 Z 0$; 6$9$*(
(00$ /28,6(
JXHVWV 6758&785(6 &$1 675$< )520 7+( 3$7+ 86$ 67$78(6
78( -81
JXHVWV &28571(< %$51(77
W
WLFNHWV EI Æ&#x2022;Æ&#x201D;Æ&#x2022; DOEXP ODXQFK
+,/1%) +" +,/1%) +"
BA=P
WLFNHWV EI
6$7 -81
JXHVWV 6 &2//$5%21(6 0$00$/6
WLFNHWV EI Æ&#x2022;Æ&#x201D;Æ&#x2022; DOEXP ODXQFK
3$/0$ 9,2/(76 8.
63/(1'285 ,1 7+( *5$66 6,'(6+2:
6$7 0$<
)5, 0$<
WLFNHWV EI Æ&#x2022;Æ&#x201D;Æ&#x2022; VLQJOH ODXQFK
681 -81
WLFNHWV EI
)5, -8/
)25(9(5 VLQJOH ODXQFK 621,& -81*/( 67(3+ +,// 7+( 0,66,1* )81'$0(17$/
7+8 0$<
3$8/ 7+251 86$ 62/2
7+( %/$&. -(686 (;3(5,(1&( Z %52$':$< 6281'6 $1' 06 %877 '- VHW EHWZHHQ VHWV
)5, 0$<
FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND
IHDW
'$9,' %5,',( $/%80 /$81&+ Z ('(1 08/+2//$1'
%867$0(172 0$7,1((
JXHVWV 7+(/0$ 3/80 3$75,&. -$0(6
WLFNHWV EI Æ&#x2022;Æ&#x201D;Æ&#x2022; GRRUV SP
JXHVWV &+5,6 5866(// 6 &+,&.(1 :$/. 025(
6$7 -81
WLFNHWV EI
c,#/ 7-
JXHVWV &+$17 '2:1 6281' 281' 1$7$/,$ 3$ $3$ $ ZLWK 580:$523(1 6,67(56
CLAIRY BROWNE & THE BANGIN' 2:/ RACKETTES (<(6
USA
6$7 -81
,7.+#0c/#4.';
6XSHU 8QVLJQHG 0XVLF )HVWLYDO
WLFNHWV EI
KAKI KING
86$
+255256+2:
)5, 0$<
WLFNHWV EI
7+8 0$<
WLFNHWV EI
)5, 0$<
WLFNHWV EI
7+8 0$<
78( 0$<
JXHVWV (/,=$%(7+ 526( 029(0(17 63(&,$/ *8(67 '-
7+8 0$<
* , / % < &/$5.(
,5(
=223+<7( Z 9,'$ &$,1 $1' 7+( (//,2776 %($&+(6 $/%80 /$81&+ 6(//,1* )$67 Z %86+:$/.,1* $1' ($5/< :20$1 7+( 555552&.(76 $/%80 /$81&+ 6(76 )$0,/< )5,(1'/< 0$7,1(( 6+2: 0$77+(: ( :+,7( 86$
9,9,' 6,'(6+2: 0$175$ 321< )$&( &/$8'( +$< 6,1*/( /$81&+ 0$7,1(( Z 7+( +866< +,&.6 48((1 6 %,57+'$< 38%/,& +2/,'$< (9( %/$&. &$% 6,1*/( /$81&+ 48((1 6 %,57+'$< 38%/,& +2/,'$< (9( (/($125 0&(92< ,5( 6(76 7+( 7:2.6 /3 /$81&+ Z 7+( 1<03+6 $1' &$1$5< 7+(0 6:2236 (3 /$81&+ /,= 675,1*(5 )$5(:(// 29(56($6 6+2: Z 9$1 :$/.(5 VROR
3(= 6(//,1* )$67 Z 7<6
)227< $/%80 /$81&+ Z 3($5/6 0$' 1$11$ $1' 7+( %$&.67$%%(56
ZZZ IDFHERRN FRP WKHFRUQHUKRWHO ZZZ WZLWWHU FRP WKHFRUQHUKRWHO
( / ( $ 1 2 5 0&(92<
62/2 86$
2+ 0(5&< 6(//,1* )$67 Z $/(;$1'(5 *2: VROR $1' 6/2: '$1&(5
0867(5(' &285$*( $/%80 /$81&+ Z 7+( 1<03+6 $1' 7+( :$/7(56 7ULSOH 7UHDW 7RXU IHDW %25(' 127+,1* *81* +2 $1' 67(3 3$17+(5
ZZZ FRUQHUKRWHO FRP
3 $ 8 / 7+251
2+ 0(5&< 6(//,1* )$67 Z $/(;$1'(5 *2: VROR $1' 6/2: '$1&(5
%5,*+7/< $/%80 /$81&+ Z :( 7+( 3(23/( 683(5 0$*,& +$76 $1' 6$*$.$5$ , OOV 1HDUO\ 2UDWRULR '- 6(7
:(' 0$<
6 2 / 2 +,$786 .$,<27(
0$7,1(( 6+2:
86$
$// 6+2:6 &20,1* 6221
VZDQ VWUHHW ULFKPRQG ER[ RIILFH RSHQ PRQ DP SP WXHV WR IUL DP SP VDW DP SP ERRNLQJV LQIR RU
1 $ , 3$/0
%25(' 127+,1* * 8 1 * + 2 $1' 67(3 3$17+(5
($57+/(66 86$
0$77+(: ( :+,7(
75,3/( 75($7 7285 IHDW
2 + 0(5&<
Every Wednesday from 7.30pm
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Hosted By Jess McGuire & George H Table Bookings Advised: 9427 7300 Beat Magazine Page 17
SETH SENTRY BY ZOE RADAS
This interview was initially supposed to take place in early March. If that had happened, the spurs of Seth Sentry’s recent triumphs in America couldn’t have jabbed themselves into the flank of our conversation, and considering the candour and total jubilation with which the artist speaks of the experience, that would have been a black eye indeed. Thankfully he’s practically just stepped off of the plane when we sit down at Beat HQ, and is super animated about the last few weeks as well as his upcoming tour. “The first show [in the States] that we did was this massive corporate-y Doritos sponsored, Pepsi sponsored event, and it was this big competition,” Sentry says. “They picked three artists from around the world [to compete] and we had to do one song each – after Public Enemy had already played,” he adds drily. “We were drawn first. That was the first gig I’d ever done out of Australia.” The prize was a support slot with LL Cool J, and a performance on Jimmy Kimmel’s show. “We had a bunch of other shows which seemed less... not less exciting,” he laughs, “but less stressful. I was less nervous about ‘em, because I had this Jimmy Kimmel thing at the end so I was like, fuck, it’s just leading up to that.” Sentry almost made an idiot of himself when he was meeting the man; the performance stage is in a separate studio to Kimmel’s, so he didn’t click straight away who this particular man was, advancing to greet him. “Because I’d just done Dear Science and I was all rattled and [thinking] ‘fucking weird’, this guy came up to me and was like ‘Hey, congratulations man, well done.’ I said ‘Yeah, cool,’ shook his hand. I just thought he was a stage guy or something. Then I looked up and was like ‘oh, shit.’ The other stage hand came up and was like ‘Did he tell you not to fuck up?’ [Because] it’s all live, it’s pretty intense. The chicks there kind of give you the Wayne’s World countdown: ‘Five! Four! Three... Go! Don’t fuck up!’ Don’t swear, as well.” There was a lot of internet chatter about Sentry changing the lyrics of the two tracks he performed – Dear Science and Float Away, both from his 2012 debut LP This Was Tomorrow – to eliminate the swears. “Couldn’t say ‘piss weak’. Couldn’t say ‘weed’. It’s America though,” he says. “Even [in] the late night movies they edit out all the swear words. In Die Hard he says ‘yippie-ki-yay mother clucker.’ All the actors do word replacement, like ‘suck my butt’ and shit. For real. Which sounds way more offensive to me,” he laughs. A few viewers also proclaimed that Sentry was miming, which the artist says isn’t true. He’s not too hung up on these detractors though. “I was pretty happy with how it looked,” he says. “They gave me in-ear monitors, which is the first time I’ve used them. It’s weird, it’s a funny feeling. It helped so much with pitch and stuff, I think I’m going to start rocking them, forever.” While in Texas for the competition showcase, Sentry and DJ Sizzle (his turntables man) got about and sampled the cultural wares, putting up some great photos on Facebook and Twitter. One depicted the two boys chowing down a barrel of seafood that was emptied onto the tablecloth of a restaurant. “It’s a Beat Magazine Page 18
particular restaurant that does that, it’s not like every restaurant you go to in Texas, like a McDonald’s, they bring out a...” Sentry mimes the delivery of a heaving platter of Mickeys and winks, “‘There ya go, scumbag.’” But the adage that everything’s bigger in Texas was more often true than not. “The ribs! We got ribs at one place and it was like the fucking Flintstones, you know what they whack on the Flintstones’ car?”
“FANS PUT EFFORT INTO BUYING MY ALBUM, SHOWING INTEREST, THEY ACTUALLY GO ON YOUTUBE AND ASK THE QUESTIONS. I’M JUST GIVING BACK WHAT THEY’VE PUT IN. THAT’S WHY I REALLY LIKE GOING ON MY FACEBOOK, IT’S A NICE PLACE TO BE.” For Sentry, Facebook isn’t just a place to post pictures. He starts conversations with fans, replies to questions and genuinely interacts. It’s a wonderfully sincere effort. “Yeah, but [fans] put effort into buying my album, showing interest, they actually go on YouTube and ask the questions, you know what I mean? I’m just giving back what they’ve put in. That’s why I really like going on my Facebook, it’s a nice place to be. There’re some other dudes, even in this country, that have got Facebook pages that are just horrible places to be. There’s so much racism and homophobia that’s just rampant there, and everyone’s fighting and shit.” Still, he doesn’t treat his fans with undue delicacy. Shortly after Sentry posted a status about his excitement in playing his first ever underage show in Melbourne, a fan questioned whether the artist had forgotten his One Night Stand gig a few months before. ‘Pretty sure that wasn’t underage & wasn’t in Melbourne’, Sentry replied. “That’s just ‘cause I’m a smartass though,” he laughs. “I handle it as if, to me, we’re just hanging out in this gathering, and if someone says something whack I’m going to hit him up.” The YouTube questions that Sentry refers to are
DISCUSS WHAT? BEAT.COM.AU/DISCUSSION
part of a little series of clips he’s got going, in which he reads out queries from fans and then responds, explaining his angle. The audio is accompanied by walk-throughs of video games; Sentry is a total gaming geek. “This is the thing, right, that people don’t realise. They think ‘Oh yeah, yeah, he likes video games, like he’s a fan of video games.’ I’m really fucking good at video games, and I want to just prove that to people,” he says with a smirk. “I’ve wasted so many years doing that shit, I may as well have something to show for it.” Sentry didn’t bring back any gaming paraphernalia from the States, but he did pick up a couple of new bobble-heads. “[I got] Doctor Doom and Deadpool, they’re comic book characters from Marvel. I don’t even know why I collect them; they don’t bobble, they just sit in their box on my shelf, above my window sill. Some of them you can get [in Australia] but, you know. Just doing anything in New York makes it cool.” As aforementioned, the Melbourne leg of Sentry’s upcoming tour will include an under 18s show. At first he didn’t think there was a market for such a thing but through interaction over the Net, he’s realised he most certainly boasts a fan base within the demographic. “We’ve done all-ages gigs in Adelaide, and there are fucking kids. Like proper kids. Which is awesome,” he attests. “People send me footage of their kids singing along to Float Away, with the swear words in it and shit. I went to an under 18s Living End show, it was the first gig I ever went to.” My first gig, as I don’t mind admitting, was Hanson. “I used to think they had the hottest drummer,” Sentry responds. “Me and my mates were like ‘Whoa, this chick is banging!’ And then it was a dude. This is preinternet, so the avenues for looking at hot chicks were very limited.” It turns out that Sentry’s own drumming skills are rather inferior to Zac Hanson’s, despite what the clever cutting in the Dear Science clip may have led you to believe. Same goes for the other instruments his alter-egos are playing, too. “Can play bass, not very well. Can play guitar, not very well. Harmonica, I don’t think anyone can play well, can they?” Chris Wilson can. “Yeah, he can. It’s a cunt of an instrument, there’s no frets, you don’t know where the fuck you are. And I feel like a lot of the time, people think they can play harmonica but they’re just sliding around until they get to the note. I can play piano, I skipped a book in piano. [My teacher said] ‘Yeah, you’re not going to need this book.’ I was like ‘Yes, see ya later Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.’” The Dear Science clip is based on a YouTube video which is definitely worth looking at, by the way, if you haven’t already (it’s had 23 million views): ‘this drummer is at the wrong gig’, uploaded in June 2010. Sentry shows it to me with glee. The under 18s gig will be at Ding Dong Lounge on Saturday May 18, but the big boy show will be on Friday May 17 at The Forum. Sentry’s never played there. “No, fuck no! It’s a big venue, man. Nervewracking. It’s a fucking cool venue. I saw Aesop Rock there – he’s my favourite rapper. He was with Kimya Dawson, unfortunately. I’d never heard paint dry until then.” SETH SENTRY plays the Forum Theatre on Friday May 17, and an under 18s show on Saturday May 18 at Ding Dong lounge. This Was Tomorrow is out now.
ENROL NOW collarts.edu.au
Courses commence on May 20th
make music your career With degrees & diplomas in Music Performance, Audio Production and Creative Industries Management, Collarts can help turn your . passions into a career.
For more details call 1300 818 777 or visit collarts.edu.au
Apply Now Online
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 19
THIS WEEK: ON SCREEN The Audi Festival of German Films, orchestrated by the Goethe-Institut Australia, is the key event for German culture in Australia’s arts calendar. Showcasing Germany’s thriving creative industry, the festival brings a fine selection of contemporary, award-winning, internationally acclaimed Germanlanguage movies with English subtitles to Melbourne. Celebrating its 12th year, the festival is full of creative, exciting and inspiring new films; 42 award-winning films and documentaries from thrillers to wry comedies and critically lauded feature dramas, with many special guests attending over the course of the festival. The Audi Festival of German Films is on now, with screenings happening across both the Kino Cinemas and Palace Cinema Como until Wednesday May 15. Head to palacecinemas.com.au for all festival program information and ticketing.
ON STAGE 25 years of wedded hell has given Alice and Edgar a special gift – they know exactly how to destroy one another. And their hatred has forged a bond stronger than any romance. When Alice’s cousin (and ex-lover) Kurt arrives on the island, a raucous ménage à trois ensues that is more absurd than amorous. Structured as a boxing match in which no blow is too low, Dance of Death is a brutally hilarious experience. Dance of Death, directed by Matthew Lutton, will be at the Malthouse Theatre’s Beckett Theatre until next Sunday May 19, ticketing starts at $39 and available via malthousetheatre.com.au
ON DISPLAY Folded Colour evolved through the assembly and placement of acquired objects and unconventional scraps from Lydia Wegner’s studio. These objects including paper, plastic and metal are arranged together to create intriguing yet delicate constructions that are then photographed on the studio tabletop. The application of various technical effects, including studio lighting and reflected light, distort the depicted objects that appear in the final photographs as unrecognisable visual entities. The objects themselves are not important, but are used as a means to create the image, using a 4x5 largeformat camera to retain the fine detail found in the materials used, working with their surface, colour and form – but in the end there is no significance in the object itself – it’s the image created which now holds importance. Lydia Wegner’s Folden Colour is at the Centre for Contemporary Photography until Sunday May 19. Gallery entry is free, but be sure to head to ccp.org.au for gallery hours.
BEAT’S PICK OF THE WEEK:
Starting tomorrow, ACMI will be hosting the Human Rights Arts & Film Festival. The festival’s 2013 program aims to challenge, touch and inspire audiences from all walks of life, showcasing the best films and artwork from around the world, an inspiring collection of awardwinning film premieres and collaborative art projects. Now in its sixth year, HRAFF continues to provide a shared site whereby artists, human rights organisations and the Australian public are united by their desire to contribute to social change, through not only the film screenings but by also giving audiences opportunities to meet and talk with the filmmakers and join in discussions with one another. In conjunction with RMIT, there is also Artspaces for Human Rights, a gallery displaying the art of emerging RMIT artists whose works promote the ethos of the Human Rights Arts & Film Festival. Works range from small-scale sculptures to photography and ceramics. Though opening night is sold out, head over to the HRAFF website for the full program of films and events, starting Thursday May 9 and finishing Thursday May 23.
Beat Magazine Page 20
WITH TYSON WRAY. GOT THOUGHTS, NEWS, GOSSIP, COMPLAINTS OR CAT PHOTOS? EMAIL TYSON@BEAT.COM.AU OR SEND BY CARRIER PIGEON BEFORE FRIDAY 12PM.
SPRING BREAKERS BY DEE JEFFERSON
Until recently, Harmony Korine has been the underdog of a fiercely independent, provocative subculture of American cinema, along with filmmakers like Vincent Gallo and Larry Clark. A skater, painter, author and photographer, his films have been decidedly on the experimental and performance-art end of the spectrum – apart perhaps from the very verité Kids, which he wrote when he was 19. There followed four resolutely non-commercial features: Gummo, Julien Donkey-Boy, Mister Lonely, and Trash Humpers (about degenerate oldies who hump trash); all lo-fi films set in low-income enclaves, about low-brow things like fucking, skating, drinking, drugs and casual violence. And then Spring Breakers happened: his fifth feature, his first commercial success, and about as different aesthetically to his previous work as Chaplin’s Great Dictator is to A Good Day to Die Hard. At first glance, you’d be hard pressed to see Korine in this film, for all the slick, high-def visuals, production values and big-name stars (Vanessa Hudgens, Selena Gomez, James Franco). “Yeah, I can see that,” the writer director accedes. Spring Breakers is a candy-coloured cultural nightmare, in which bikini-clad babes cruise the streets of Miami on scooters in slow-motion, straight out of a rap video. Jacked up on coke, brandishing machettes and fake guns, they rob a diner like it’s part of a video game; bare-breasted, they jiggle under phallic yard-glasses waiting to be showered on. “There are elements of the visual style of rap videos that are kind of sifted through – like a cultural mash-up, or an impressionistic reinterpretation of those things, of that culture,” says Korine. “It’s a meshing and a melding and a blending and a kind of mutating of all of those things.” Korine’s entry point was his passion for the trap and drill subgenres of rap (he worked with Skrillex on the soundtrack, and cast one of his all-time favourite rappers, Gucci Mane – “I just called him in prison and asked him to do it.”) “You know I never wanted to make a movie about spring break,” says the writer-director. “It’s almost more representative of this idea, and of this thing that’s more fleeting. And then the
film becomes something more of a crime story – about the underworld, the gangster culture and gangster mysticism. All that stuff [is] beach noir: the coke-houses, the guns, the shootouts; the menace and pathology under the palm trees at night. The rotting yachts, the dirty swimming pools, the Glocks and the spinning rims and the cocaine and the baking soda.” This violence and consumerism, he says, “is something that’s completely linked to American culture. It’s part of the fabric here, it’s part of the mythology [of America].” In this respect, Korine follows in the footsteps of Brian De Palma’s American nightmare Scarface (explicitly referenced in the film), in which Cuban immigrant-on-the-make and wannabe gangster Tony Montana, assessing ’80s Florida, says: “In this country, you gotta make the money first. Then when you get the money, you get the power. Then when you get the power, you get the women.” But while Spring Breakers features another Tony, in the form of white-boy rapper, dealer and wannabe gangster Alien (James Franco), the action belongs to the four party-hard girls who arrive on his patch of turf for spring break. In the real world and in the movie world, some terrible violence would befall these girls, but in Korine’s world, they cut through the scene like a razor through butter, moving with a sinister kind of amorality (apart from Faith, who as per her name, proves too pure), untouchable. What does it say about the American dream that these girls are the ultimate predators? If Korine is making a point here, however, he’s not talking about it. “The girls were always meant to be almost unreal in some ways – almost like cosmic gangsters or like shape-shifters. They’re more like characters out of a
video game, or something.” The writer-director displays a disdain for self-analysis that has persisted throughout his career. Spring Breakers may strike the viewer as an allegory for America or a cautionary tale, but Korine insists that the film “is not an indictment or an essay”. “I don’t ask myself any questions. I just make movies, make things, mind my own business, play basketball, eat tacos. I do what I want to do. I entertain myself. I just don’t want to know anything about why I do anything…I have no desire to know any answers. I never have. I’m more curious about the questions…I don’t think there even are real answers. I think people just fake themselves into thinking they know real meaning. But I think life means everything and nothing.” This philosophy may be the one thing that underpins Korine’s body of work, and gives it its distinct flavour: the rapid and unflinching juxtaposition of the sublime and the ugly in one place, with no judgment. There’s a point in his directorial debut, Gummo, where one of the characters – in voiceover – says that all he sees is darkness and despair around him in the world. Then Gummo – in narration – says, “the world is beautiful, really it is.” I ask Korine where his particular philosophy on life comes from; he responds with the predictable conversational shrug. “From skateboarding, from movies – just everything. From hanging out with convicts, running away from home, living on a rooftop, to having a daughter myself. Hey man, it all comes from everywhere – it’s life, you’re just a conduit to it. I don’t question it, I just let it hit me – and then I’m like, BAM!” Spring Breakers will be released in cinemas tomorrow.
THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES BY ALICIA MALONE
The most impressive thing about actor Ryan Gosling is not his dreamy blue eyes, or the internet memes he has spawned; it’s the way he switches effortlessly from high budget romances to small, gritty independent movies, refusing to rest on his good looks, constantly surprising audiences at every turn. In 2010 Gosling won acclaim for his emotional role in Derek Cianfrance’s low budget Blue Valentine, as a husband trying to make it work with his wife (Michelle Williams). To prepare, the two actors lived in their on-set house, a rare experience that paid off once shooting began. And it was during the filming of Blue Valentine that Cianfrance mentioned the idea for his next movie, The Place Beyond The Pines. “My fantasy has always been that I want to rob a bank,” admits Gosling. “I told him how I would do it, and Derek said, ‘You got to be kidding me! I just wrote a script about that!’ So I said, ‘I’m in’, and years later I read that script and I realised that I wasn’t even really in it that much! But I was in, even though I wasn’t in it.” In Pines, Gosling plays Luke, a motorcycle stunt rider struggling to be a good father to his baby son, born out of a fling with local waitress Romina (Eva Mendes). In a misguided attempt to provide for them, he begins to rob banks, using his motorbike as a getaway vehicle. This sets off 15 years’ worth of events, involving local cop Avery (Bradley Cooper) and each of their sons. Cianfrance says he was inspired to write the story when his wife was pregnant with their second son. “I was thinking about this fire I had always felt inside of me that had helped me do a lot of things in my life and had also been very destructive. I’m thinking about how my father and my grandfather had that fire and how this little baby was going to come into the world
and just be clean. I was wishing that he wouldn’t get that fire, that I wouldn’t give it to him, that he would have his own path. So I decided to write a movie about that.” After watching Blue Valentine, actress Eva Mendes knew she had to meet the filmmaker responsible. She tracked him down, and a year after they met, she was asked to audition for the role of Romina. “I really wanted to show them that I was serious,” she admits. “I told Derek, ‘You’re an unconventional filmmaker; I’m an unconventional auditioner. I would like to take you for a ride. I grew up around LA. I’ll show you a little bit about myself’. We went out and I just drove him around. I’m a first generation American like my character, so I showed the similarities. It was a special ride. We had a nice bonding moment.” Like Gosling and Williams in Blue Valentine, Mendes was able to stay in her onscreen home to immerse herself in Romina’s world. “Derek tells you, ‘That’s your house. Make it your home. Spend as much or as little time as you want and just make it yours.’ There would be times I would be in there alone, other times I had my little onscreen baby. I would also be with the woman who plays my mum. But what’s beautiful is he doesn’t tell you to do that. He says, ‘It’s there for you if you would like it to do it.’ There is just beautiful freedom.” And not only did Mendes jump at that opportunity, she was also excited by the prospect of her character aging 15 years throughout the course of the movie. “Oh my God! That was
ARTS NEWS, REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS ONLINE – BEAT.COM.AU/ARTS
the big thrill for me!” she says. “I was excited to go the extra mile and age 15 years. Instead of making her older, I wanted to make her more haggard. Ask Derek, I said, ‘Can I shave my eyebrows?’ Everyday I was in there creating wrinkles… I know this sounds weird but I even used things that made me slouchier, heavier on top. I worked on my speech; you name it. I would have gained a lot of weight for it, but I had two days to go from mid-20s to early ‘40s. If I had more time I would have gone a lot harder because I was very excited to completely portray this character. Derek had to hold me back!” “You could talk to anyone who has worked with Derek,” adds Gosling. “He doesn’t just change you as an actor. He changes your life. He puts you in a situation where you’re forced to live through the experience of the character. You actually have these experiences. It’s not as simple as just acting or playing a scene. It’s unlike any other experience I’ve had on a film. He spends all of his money on just having time for you to prepare. He got rid of his lighting package on Blue Valentine so we could have those two weeks in the house to live as though we were a couple, because he believes that that time will find its way into the fabric of the movie. That’s the one thing you never get on films. Everything is rushed. You just imagine time has passed. So to work in this way is very different. Also, it has an effect on the way you do everything because you can see what comes out of really just taking the time.” The Place Beyond The Pines will be released in cinemas tomorrow.
LAUGH OUT LOUD
COMEDY CLUB THE
THE
@ PROVINCIAL
06 MON
13 MON
20 MON
27
ADAM ROZENBACHS LAWRENCE MOONEY ABC RADIO 774 MIKE NAYNA GREG FLEET UNDERBELLY DANNY MCGINLAY BRAD OAKES
WED
WED
TOMMY DASSALO
29 LEHMO
TOMMY DASSALO
TUE
28 LEHMO
BEFORE THE GAME MIX FM | THE PROJECT
LEHMO
@ HAWTHORN ADAM ROZENBACHS
FRI
10 LAWRENCE MOONEY PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS
GREG FLEET
@ MENTONE MAY
22
DANNY MCGINLAY
THE
15
UNDERBELLY
21 BRAD OAKES
PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS
MIKE NAYNA GREG FLEET UNDERBELLY DANNY MCGINLAY BRAD OAKES
MIKE NAYNA
TUE
MAY
WED
PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS
THE
THE
MAY
08
07
ADAM ROZENBACHS ABC LAWRENCE MOONEY RADIO 774
14 GREG FLEET
SPECIAL 1 ST BIRTH DAY SHOW
ADAM ROZENBACHS LAWRENCE MOONEY ABC RADIO 774
TUE
TUE
TOMMY DASSALO THE GAME LEHMO BEFORE MIX FM | THE PROJECT
@ PORTLAND WED
MAY
MAY
MON
@ LOCAL
SPECIAL 1 ST BIRTH DAY SHOW
BEFORE THE GAME MIX FM | THE PROJECT
SUN
26
TOMMY DASSALO THE GAME LEHMO BEFORE MIX FM | THE PROJECT PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS
LAWRENCE MOONEY
BOOK ONLINE @ WWW.LOLCOMEDY.COM.AU EMAIL: INFO@LOLCOMEDY.COM.AU LIKE US ON FACEBOOK @ LOLCOMEDYMELBOURNE
“BRITISH CINEMA AT ITS BEST.” ANDREW DICKENS, SHORTLIST
WINNER BEST FILM
BRITISH INDEPENDENT FILM AWARDS
OFFICIAL SELECTION
CANNES FILM FESTIVAL C R I T I C S ’
TIM ROTH
Strong themes, coarse language and sex scene
W E E K
CILLIAN MURPHY
IN CINEMAS MAY 16 CINEMA NOVA & PALACE CINEMA COMO
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 21
THE COMIC STRIP
FOR MORE ARTS NEWS, REVIEWS AND INTERVIEWS VISIT BEAT.COM.AU
CHECKPOINT CHARLIE COMEDY: EUROTRASH
MOMENTS OF MY LIFE
MELBOURNE FRINGE FESTIVAL
INSOMNIA CAT CAME TO STAY One third of people will experience insomnia at some point during their lives; Insomnia Cat Came To Stay, a new production at the Malthouse Theatre, explores this sleep disorder. Despite the ironic title, Insomnia Cat Came To Stay illustrates the (frustrating) tale of a chronic insomniac portrayed by Joanne Sutton. Inspired by personal journals, playwright Fleur Kilpatrick blends reality and fiction into a dream-scape production that will leave you empathetically laughing. Accompanying Sutton’s acclaimed portrayal of an insomniac is Roderick Cairns’ music, intricately composed and timed to the lo-fi animations of the production. Insomnia Cat Came To Stay will be performed at the Malthouse Theatre from Saturday May 11 – Saturday May 18.
LEARNTOLIVE LearnToLive, a humanitarian organisation focused on healthcare and education, have collaborated with comedians and Revolt Artspace to present LearnToLive Australia. Hosted by Sammy J & Randy, LearnToLive will feature the witticisms of Frank Woodley, Paul McDermott & Gatesy, Denise Scott, Tina Del Twist and Chewbacca lookalike Dave Callan. Joining the comedians on stage will be deep funk/ afro band The Seven Ups. All money raised will be donated to LearnToLive who will use the money to fund healthcare clinics and sustainable water projects in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. LearnToLive Australia will be hosted at Revolt Artspace on Saturday May 25 at 7pm.
FRIDAY ON MY MIND Friday on My Mind, a panel discussion dedicated to the film industry, will be hosting Friday on My Mind with Leigh Whannel this May. Leigh Whannel is a Melbourne-born screenwriter, producer and actor responsible, along with many others, for the horror franchise Saw. Hosted by former CEO of Film Victoria, Sandra Sdraulig, Friday on My Mind with Leigh Whannel will delve into the Hollywood industry from a screenwriter’s perspective, particularly the horror/thriller genre. Friday on My Mind with Leigh Whannel will be hosted at ACMI on Friday May 10 at 5pm. Admission is free, though bookings are recommended.
GOLDENE BEND’ER Renowned Sydney-based artist Mikala Dwyer returns with her newest exhibition Goldene Bend’er at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) this month. Dwyer is famous for her unique form of new conceptualism that perplexed but dazzled the art industry in the ‘90s. Goldene Bend’er employs Dwyer’s distinctive perspective through a blend of architecture, matter, and golden hues that explore our fascination with science and mythology. Goldene Bend’er will be on display at the Australia Centre for Contemporary Art from Saturday May 25 – Sunday July 28. Admission is free.
Missed out on registrations for Melbourne Fringe Festival last year? Never fear, registrations for Melbourne Fringe 2013 have just opened. Hosted from Wednesday September 18 – Tuesday October 8, Melbourne Fringe Festival are renowned for their various events, including dance, film, art installations, theatrical performances and comedy. It is an opportunity for beginning artists to gain exposure, as well as be in the running for many awards, including the Outstanding Comedy Show award, of Innovation in Dance or Cabaret. Registrants will also have the chance to apply for a new touring opportunity where artists will both perform at Sydney Fringe Festival and Melbourne Fringe. Applications for registrations can be found through Melbourne Fringe Festival. Registrations close on Friday May 24.
Melbourne-based photographer Konrad Winkler returns with his newest exhibition Moments of My Life, hosted at the Edmund Pearce Gallery this May. Known for his ability to transform the banal moments of life into exquisite beauty, Moments of My Life captures the stark everyday moments that define our identity, history and meaning of living. Consisting of prints from the late ‘60s and including new ones, Moments of My Life is an artistic autobiography of Winkler and his work. Moments of My Life will be on display at Edmund Pearce Gallery from Friday May 9 – Saturday June 1. Admission is free.
SEVENTH GALLERY SEVENTH Gallery, an artist-run initiative, have announced their upcoming May exhibitions. On display will be Temple of Shapes by Beck Richards, painters Naomi Nicholls and Polly Hollyoak with Interchange: We’re Afraid of Red, Yellow and Blue, Madison Bycroft’s Pull Pull, Matthew Berka with Three Church Lines, and Melbourne photographer, collage artist Demelza Sherwood with An Ode to the Pleasure of Minor Encounters. The displays will run from Wednesday May 8 – Saturday May 25 at SEVENTH Gallery. Admission is free.
THE DARKNESS WITHIN Pop-up shops have become increasingly popular worldwide over the last few years, in part due to tough economic times and the rise in shop vacancies in popular shopping strips. But there are benefits to these temporary shops and not just for shop owners; business owners or entrepreneurs can test the viability of a permanent shop in an area without committing to a long term lease and associated cost. Joe Blanck, a Scenic Artist heavily involved in the arts community and proud Brunswick resident, recognised an opportunity to use the pop up trend to help make his dream of opening a community focused art gallery a reality. The first exhibition for Brunswick Gallery is a two week pop up exhibition titled The Darkness Within. The show features 18 established as well as up-and-coming artists and opens Friday May 17 until Sunday June 2. Artwork includes paintings, sculpture, audio/visual, puppets and performance art aligned with the dark theme of the exhibition. This is the first pop-up exhibition in a series planned before the goal of opening a permanent gallery in the neighbourhood. Check out brunswickgallery.com for more information.
FELIX BAR COMEDY This Wednesday, Hannah Gadsby headlines Felix Bar Comedy, fresh on the heels of being nominated for the Barry Award at the comedy festival! Plus they’ve got Steve Philp, Ryan Coffey, Tony Besselink and more! Comedy doesn’t finish when the festival does. In St Kilda, they’re only getting started! It’s happening this Wednesday May 8 at 8.30pm for only $12, at Felix Bar, St Kilda.
FIVE BOROUGHS COMEDY This Thursday, Hannah Gadsby headlines at Five Boroughs Comedy! Plus they’ve got Steve Philp, Tommy Dassalo, Jason English and Tom Ward. And their special unannounced guests are so great, and so frequent, you don’t want to be a dickhead and miss out! Find out this Thursday May 9 at 8.30pm, for only $12 at Five Boroughs (upstairs), 68 Hardware Lane, CBD. Dinner is now available before the show, downstairs!
INCEPTIONS Commercial Training Arts College (CATC) will be exhibiting Inceptions, a collection of work by their diploma of Photo Imaging students this month. Inspired by Cecil Beaton’s famous quote — “Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will asset integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary” — the collection will explore land, objects, portraits, creams, visions, and their individuality and connection within today’s society. Inceptions will be exhibited at CATC Design School from Friday May 9 – Thursday May 16. Admission is free.
The comedy festival is done but Checkpoint Comedy is still rolling out the welcome mat to the best comics from around the country. Expect bigname drop-ins as Melbourne’s finest spit funnies into the business end of a mic. For just $5. Plus cheap piss. Show kicks off 8.30pm tonight, upstairs from Eurotrash Bar, 18 Corrs Lane, CBD. Get down early for a seat.
COMMEDIA DELL PARTE
GOWNS BY ADRIAN ACMI will be hosting a collection of films in honour of Adrian entitled Gowns by Adrian: Dressing MGM’s Leading Ladies. Adrian was a prestigious costume designer of the Golden Age of Hollywood (late 1920s – late 1950s) and produced some of the most iconic costumes remembered today, including MGM’s The Wizard of Oz. In tribute to his illustrious career, ACMI will be screening a selection of Adrian’s best work with MGM, including: Dancing Lady, Chained, No More Ladies, Mata Hari, Queen Christina, Camille, The Women and many more. Preceding the film season, NGV Curator of International Fashion and Textiles, Roger Leong, will join John Flaus in a free panel discussion about Adrian’s career entitled We need to talk about Adrian: MGM’s Leading Costume Designer. Gowns by Adrian: Dressing MGM’s Leading Ladies will be screen at ACMI from Thursday May 16 – Saturday June 1, and We need to talk about Adrian will be hosted at ACMI on Wednesday May 8 at 5.30pm.
UNCONDITIONED HEART Backyard Theatre’s latest offering Unconditioned Heart will combine movement, story and shadow puppetry when it premieres at La Mama later this month. The play was co-written by Suze Smith and Michael Carmody. It follows Jack and Jill in an exploration of intimacy and shared history and is set on the driveway of their parents’ suburban house. The siblings look back over their lives, telling stories to uncover cross generational trauma and the source of the gap between them. The play stars Lily Fish, Rob Gaetano, Paul Roberts and Vanessa Chapple and was directed by Smith. It is Smith’s third production with the company. It will open on Wednesday May 22 at 6.30pm and run until Sunday June 2.
Beau Stegmann makes his MC debut at Commedia Dell Parte this week. With CJ Fortuna headlining the show they also have Mathew Hardy, Sonia Di Iorio, Adam Francis, Albert Belz and Laura Dunemann. With the last few weeks packing out you will need to get in early to grab a seat. The room runs on a ‘pay as you like’ basis, so come along and have a great laugh, then pay what you believe the show is worth on the way out. Commedia Dell Parte runs every Thursday at 8.30pm, George Lane Bar, St Kilda.
COMEDY AT SPLEEN This Monday, it’s yet another cracking lineup down at your old mate Comedy@Spleen! They’ve got Daniel Connell, Anne Edmonds, Ryan Coffey, Jack Druce, Demi Lardner, Don Tran, Tom Ward, Ben Pobje and more! It’s this Monday May 13, 41 Bourke St, in the city, at 8.30pm. It may be free, but they appreciate a good gold coin donation at the door!
COMEDY BITES DOG After smashing it at MICF, some of Australia’s funniest comedians are collaborating for Comedy Bites Dog, hosted at The Comics Lounge this month. Highlights on this year’s bill include Bev Killick, Julia Morris, Greg Fleet, Nova host Dave Hughes, Sammy J, and Arj Barker. Of course there will be many more, but that’s the surprise. Comedy Bites Dog will be hosted at The Comedy Lounge on Saturday May 18 with two shows – 7.30pm and 9.45pm.
COMEDY AT SPLEEN Mondays at Spleen are always a full house and a great night! This Monday, they’ve got guests like Greg Fleet, David Quirk, Felicity Ward, Pete Sharkey, Kate McLennan, Mike Nayna, Col Cameron and some very special guests! It’s this Monday November 19, 41 Bourke St, in the city, at 8.30pm It may be free, but they appreciate a good gold coin donation at the door!
FREE SHIT BROKEN
Broken takes its place among the finest of new British cinema. Directed by multi-award winning theatre director, Rufus Norris, is a captivating and heartbreaking exploration of love in all its many forms: idealized, unrequited, unwanted, and, ultimately, unconditional. An exceptional cast including Tim Roth (Pulp Fiction, Lie to Me) and Cillian Murphy (Inception, The Dark Knight, The Wind That Shakes The Barley) join Eloise Laurence - in an extraordinary screen debut - to bring this powerful story to the screen. Directed by acclaimed British theatre director Rufus Norris. We have five prize packs to give away, including a double pass to the film, the acclaimed book Broken by British author Daniel Clay and A digital download of the Broken soundtrack, composed by Blur’s Damon Albarn. Head to beat.com.au/freeshit to win.
Beat Magazine Page 22
ARTS NEWS, REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS ONLINE – BEAT.COM.AU/ARTS
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 23
EVEN
BY PATRICK EMERY
Wally Kempton is stuck in traffic, and it’s annoying him. “I’m on the Westgate Freeway, on way to Torquay with Money For Rope,” Kempton says. “I can’t fucking believe this traffic! What the fuck is going on here?” Kempton is scheduled to speak about Even’s appearance at this week’s Sacred Heart Mission fundraiser, the Heart of St Kilda. While avowedly not a spiritual person in the evangelical sense of the term, Kempton is full of praise for the work of Sacred Heart Mission. “They help people who need help, and they do a great job, so that’s why we should support them to do what they’re doing,” Kempton says. “It’s just a pity they can’t help with this fucking traffic.” This week’s Heart of St Kilda event marks the sixth year that Even have performed at the event. “It’s always a joyous and festive atmosphere when we play at the gig,” Kempton says. Kempton has many highlights over the band’s time at the Heart of St Kilda gig, most notably when Rebecca Barnard, also a regular performer at the event, took a fall during her appearance on stage. “She said the heel on her boot gave way, and she just rolled backwards,” Kempton recalls. “She was playing guitar at the time – it was very Spinal Tap. But she didn’t stop playing at all. So that was definitely a highlight.” There have been genuine musical highlights, too, such as when Even had the opportunity, as the house band for the show, to back legendary Australian ‘60s pop singer Normie Rowe. “I also got to play The Real Thing with Russell Morris, but only in soundcheck, because his bass player was running late. That was a real hoot.” And then there was the memorable time when Even
provided the soundtrack for former Sherbet lead singer Daryl Braitwaite’s rendition of the classic Australian hit, Howzat! “Being that guy who plays the opening bass line to Sherbet’s Howzat! with Daryl Braithwaite was fantastic,” Kempton says. Sadly, Kempton and his bandmates eschewed the opportunity to recreate the full satin and bare chest aesthetic of Sherbet of yore. “I don’t quite have the same physique as (Sherbet bass player) Tony Mitchell,” Kempton says dryly. “I thought that wasn’t really necessary to do – we’re there for happy times. People don’t need to see my torso when I’m playing.” In addition to Even and Rebecca Barnard, this year’s Heart of St Kilda gig will feature performances by musical artists Henry Wagons, Lisa Miller, Saskwatch, former Ferrets lead singer Billy Miller and Kate Ceberano, as well as comedians Dave Callan, Hannah Gadsby, Rachel Berger and Russell Gilbert. “It’s a cast of thousands, just like other events. I’m very excited about playing with Kate Ceberano, because Kate’s one of the sexiest women I’ve ever seen in my life,” Kempton gushes. Kempton has played with Miller at previous Heart of St Kilda shows, but sadly has never had the opportunity to back Miller on a rendition of a track from Jesus Christ Superstar (in which
Miller featured many years ago). “Billy’s there every year – he’s a fixture of the event,” Kempton says. “We’ve had plenty of chances to do Jesus Christ Superstar, burning around the corner in my Yamaha, but I don’t think it’ll ever happen.” Another band playing at this year’s Heart of St Kilda show is Wishful, a young trio from St Kilda, described in promotional material as “performing their own indie folk style with edgy pop melodies”. Kempton hasn’t seen them play, but is always keen to see any new young band. “Isn’t that what’s all over triple j at the moment – edgy pop melodies?” Kempton asks rhetorically. “They’re bound to be huge playing that type of music. I’ve never heard Wishful, but I wish them all the best. Just like I wish for there to be a full house at the Sacred Heart Mission show. They normally get about a thousand every year, which is the biggest show Even plays every year.” While still a much-loved staple of the Melbourne music scene, the band members’ competing commitments – lead singer, guitarist and songwriter Ash Naylor remains one of the country’s most in-demand musicians, while Kempton’s
musical interests include managing Money for Rope, Tumbleweed and Minibikes – mean that opportunities to see the band play live come few and far between. Apart from the upcoming launch for the Even best-of compilation, Even First XVIII, at Ding Dong Lounge on May 25, Kempton says the trio don’t have a busy band schedule. “We’ve got sweet fuck all planned for this year,” Kempton says. “Ash’s brother is trying put Ash’s solo records are released on vinyl, so we’ve had fuck all time. We haven’t even started work on album number seven – lucky seven – but I know that Ash has got some songs in the can, in the armory, trying to burst out, so I imagine we’ll get together soon and start playing them. Although rehearsal is a dirty word with Even.”
mesmerising, atmosphere music, augmented by Kilbey’s colourful and evocative lyrics. “Technically we did this album the same way – I would write and record some music, then send it to Steve, he’d add some words to it, and then send it back,” Kennedy says. Despite his extensive history and experience, Kilbey isn’t prone to offering critical commentary on Kennedy’s song sketches. “Steve might comment on the music, but not that much,” Kennedy says. “He trusts me to do the music, in the same way that I trust him to come up with some lyrics that fit the song.” While Kennedy concedes the album has its own local musical links that, as the record’s musical composer, he’s aware of, there is no prevailing theme to You Are Everything. “Even with the last song, Finale, which was always going to be the last song on the album, we didn’t decide to call it Finale until the last moment,” Kennedy says. “It’s definitely not a concept album.” As for Kilbey’s unique lyrics, Kennedy doesn’t go out of his
way to investigate the underlying themes, or cross-examine Kilbey on a lyric’s particular meaning. “No, I don’t go there,” Kennedy laughs. “Sometimes I’ll know what the songs are about because of conversations that I’ve had with Steve, and I know what’s going on in his life.” In fact, for Kennedy, not knowing what’s going on in Kilbey’s head at the time a song was written, or the emotions, relationships or scenarios that are being explored, can add to the allure and mystery of the song. “I think it’s definitely the case that not knowing can be a good thing,” Kennedy says. “I know that in the past when people have asked Steve what a particular lyric was written about, he’ll give a vague answer. I don’t always want to know the meaning of a lyric. It’s part of the mystery.”
with a singular focus, with the constantly changing stream of different players giving it variety. Obviously, some are better drummers than others. “It’s really amazing actually because at least half the people there had never played the drums before,” Steward says, “they just got on the kit and did it and it was incredible. They might not have been playing the beat correctly with their foot and the kickdrum but they were doing the tsh tsh tsh with their hands and it looked great.“ It does look great, but it wasn’t easy. What started with a simple idea actually became much more difficult once the filming had finished. “It started being a nightmare when the poor guy who filmed it had to try and edit it, because we’d been playing along to it and it was very loud in the studio, really cranking. Distorted. Everyone was just the tiniest bit out of time, racing ahead and pulling back and things
like that. It was very hard for him to edit and get all the particular fills and get all the rolls. “We actually had to give it to a second guy to edit in the hope that he could just see through everyone’s inconsistencies and nail it together in this sort of roughand-ready way and he was able to. Even Darek [Mudge], our guitarist, and me had to sit with him and try and push it into time and squeeze it, push it and pull it until it was in time. It took a month or two to edit properly.”
EVEN play the Sacred Heart Mission’s Heart of St Kilda Concert at The Palais Theatre on Tuesday May 14 along with Rebecca Bernard, Henry Wagons, Wishful, Lisa Miller and more.
STEVE KILBEY AND MARTIN KENNEDY
BY PATRICK EMERY
It’s been four years since All India Radio protagonist Martin Kennedy last stepped on stage with Church bass player and songwriter Steve Kilbey to promote the pair’s initial collaborative project, Unseen Music, Unheard Words. Despite the passage of time, Kennedy and Kilbey have found the time to record a second album together, White Magic, and a series of commissioned songs. But with a new collaborative project between the pair, You Are Everything, just released, and a couple of rare upcoming live appearances in Sydney and Melbourne lined up to promote the record, Kennedy is working fast to prepare. “This is the first time we’ve played with a backing band,” Kennedy says. “The previous time we played to a backing track. So I’ve really got to be on top of my game!” Kennedy began working with Kilbey in almost accidental circumstances, when Kilbey approached Kennedy’s brother after hearing some of Kennedy’s recordings with All India Radio. “I was working with Steve long before I actually met him,” Kennedy says. “Steve had heard All India Radio, and he asked my brother John if I had any spare instrumental songs lying around that he could contribute lyrics to.” Kennedy was lucky enough to have a few “thrown-away tracks” that he was able to send to Kilbey. Despite being conceived originally for an entirely different musical project, Kilbey was able to find space to add in his
idiosyncratic and evocative lyrics. “In some ways, that first album [Unseen Music, Unheard Words] was a bit of a fluke,” Kennedy says, “because we were using songs that had been thrown away from All India Radio.” A second album, White Magic, followed in 2010, this time with a more focused development. In late 2011, Kennedy and Kilbey began working on the pair’s third album, You Are Everything. “I think the new album is the best of both of the earlier albums,” Kennedy says. “It’s hard to explain, but I think everything that’s good about the first two records is on this one. And I’m really happy with the album, and Steve is too.” You Are Everything continues the basic dialectic structure of the previous Kilbey/Kennedy albums: Kennedy’s
MARTIN KENNEDY AND STEVE KILBEY play The Toff In Town on Sunday May 12. You Are Everything is out Friday May 10 via MGM Distribution.
WE ALL WANT TO
BY JODY MACGREGOR
I have this image in my head of Tim Steward as a bit of a cranky, curmudgeonly guy. Maybe not back in his Screamfeeder days, but certainly in his more recent acts, both The Whats – who have a gleefully misanthropic song called Ants where Steward imitates other people’s boring conversations by singing “Blah blah blah, misery!” – and We All Want To. In the case of We All Want To it’s because they kicked off last year’s great album Come Up Invisible with a song where Steward rants about all the things he thinks you should stop doing, like “Stop writing letters to yourself, you’re never gonna read ’em” and “Stop caressing your phone!” Predictably, in person he turns out to be totally pleasant even when being interviewed at 10 in the morning, happy to answer questions from someone who uses a phone to take photos at gigs. “I’m from the generation that grew up without it,” Steward says of the always-connected technology he’s suspicious of, “and suddenly it’s kicked in so I’ve sort of seen both halves and I can see the merits of all technology and whatever, but I can see how it’s very invasive and it takes up your life way too much.” That’s depressingly reasonable of him. While Steward may actually be a nice guy, he does admit to one flaw: being controlling of the other band members. “We’ll be at band practice writing a song together or something like that and basically I’ll be telling people what to do,” he admits. “Sometimes a little too much. Sometimes our Beat Magazine Page 24
drummer Dan [Mc Naulty], I’ll say, ‘Can I show you the beat I’ve got in mind for this song, Dan? I’ll get on the drums and show you the beat.’ And he’s like a saint, he’s really patient with me, very into everyone putting in their two cents, so he doesn’t mind. But yeah, sometimes I get a bit bossy and ‘It’s got to be like this!’” On the subject of drummers, their recent video for No Signs features plenty of them. The second track from Come Up Invisible, is now been given lead billing on a new EP rather than being released as a single. “We’ve had a few songs lying around from the album session and we had a few new ones and we’re just suckers for it,” Steward explains. “We’re suckers for working.” The video features a parade of musicians including members of Tape/ Off, Grand Atlantic, Skypilot, Drawn From Bees and Edward Guglielmino as well as We All Want To themselves taking turns playing the drums. Skye Staniford, We All Want To’s other singer and also flautist, seems to particularly enjoy bashing away at an instrument that’s much less delicate than her flute. No other instruments are shown in the clip, and you find yourself concentrating on the song’s beat
DISCUSS WHAT? BEAT.COM.AU/DISCUSSION
WE ALL WANT TO play The Edinburgh Castle on Friday May 10, The Yarra Hotel later on that night, and The Public Bar on Saturday May 11. The No Signs EP is available now on Plus One Records.
wednesday may 8 inside:
alex niggemann
fred v & grafix
spoonbill eloquor news tours club snaps + more
free
UPCOMING
JUNE
M AY
on tour RYAN ELLIOT [USA] Friday May 10, Brown Alley VAKULA [UKR] Friday May 10, Mercat Basement RROSE [USA] Saturday May 11, The Liberty Social RADIOSLAVE [UK] Friday May 17, Brown Alley GENIUS OF TIME [SWE] Friday May 17, The Liberty Social DELTA HEAVY [UK] Sunday May 19, RMH The Venue OCTO OCTA [USA], MAGIC TOUCH [USA], BOBBY BROWSER [USA] Friday May 24, Mercat Basement Saturday May 25, Shebeen KARL HYDE [UK] Saturday May 25, Melbourne Recital Centre AUNTIE FLO [SCO] Saturday May 25, Revolver Upstairs RIFF RAFF [USA] Wednesday May 29, The Liberty Social OMAR-S [USA] Friday May 31, The Liberty Social ROBERT BABICZ [GER], MARC ROMBOY [GER] Friday May 31, Brown Alley VON-D [UK], CASPA [UK] Friday May 31, Brown Alley ELITE FORCE [UK] Friday May 31, RMH The Venue KUTSKI [UK] Friday May 31, Roxanne Parlour CHRIS FORTIER [USA] Friday May 31, New Guernica FLATBUSH ZOMBIES [USA] Saturday June 1, The Toff In Town 6TH BOROUGH PROJECT [SCO] Saturday June 1, New Guernica COSMIN TRG [ROM] Friday June 7, New Guernica TYLER, THE CREATOR [USA], EARL SWEATSHIRT [USA] Friday June 7, Palace Theatre THE REVENGE [SCO] Saturday June 8, The Liberty Social BREACH [UK], ROUTE 94 [UK] Saturday June 8, RMH The Venue DASH BERLIN [NED] Saturday June 8, Shed 14 CHRIS LIEBING [GER], JIMMY EDGAR [USA] Sunday June 9, Brown Alley JEFF MILLS [USA] Sunday June 9, The Bottom End SEPALCURE [USA], DJ RASHAD [USA] + MORE Sunday June 9, TBA ATA [GER] Friday June 21, Mercat Basement COOLIO [USA] Thursday June 27, Red Bennies A$AP ROCKY [USA] Saturday June 29, Festival Hall ALEX KIDD [UK] Friday July 12, Billboard JAMES BLAKE [UK] Wednesday July 31, Palais Theatre CHVRCHES [UK] Monday August 5, Corner Hotel EARTHCORE: ANGY KORE [ITA], PERFECT STRANGER [ISR] + MORE Friday November 29 - Sunday December 2, TBA BRUNO MARS [USA], MIGUEL [USA] Tuesday March 4 & Wednesday March 5, Rod Laver Arena
tour rumours Juan Atkins, Roman Flügel, Rick Wilhite, Maurice Fulton, Jam City, Tensnake, dOP, HNQO, Andrew Weatherall, Silicone Soul
rudimental word s / d av i d w i ld
It was little surprise that Beats’ original interview slot with UK drum and bass sensations Rudimental was postponed. The evening before our scheduled chat, the band’s new single, Waiting All Night, hit number one in the UK single charts. You’d expect nothing less than a gigantic celebration and you can’t begrudge the band a little lie-in after a couple of shandies. “We were 30,000 copies ahead of Justin Bieber and will.i.am in the midweek [charts] so we thought we’d be alright but we couldn’t be sure,” says songwriter, producer and one quarter of Rudimental, Piers Agget, when we do finally speak. “We were ecstatic when it was confirmed we were number one again.” Bursting out of London’s underground scene, Agget and his bandmates Kesi Dryden, Amir Amor and Leon Locksmith (aka DJ Locksmith) unofficially soundtracked the UK capital’s Olympic summer last year with debut hit Feel The Love, which also topped the charts in their homeland. It didn’t fare too badly in Australia either, reaching number three on the ARIA singles chart and topping the iTunes chart. The foursome hope their newly released debut album, Home, which features collaborations with Emeli Sandé and Angel Haze, will be similarly successful both here and there. Although they have been labelled a drum and bass act, Rudimental’s music is a lot broader than that – as listening to Home reveals. Growing up together in the tough inner-city suburb of Hackney exposed the lads to many types of bass music including UK garage and grime but also hip hop, reggae and R&B. Agget has previously said of Rudimental’s sound, “We are Sly and the Family Stone, Todd Edwards and Dr. Dre in a cheeseburger”. It’s a cute description, but there is more besides. Dryden took classical piano lessons as a child – the band is named after the Rudiments book of piano exercises his music teacher drilled him on – and Agget was raised on his parents’ blues and jazz records. “I was a secret jazz fan. I obviously kept it quiet at school, because it’s not the sort of thing you shout about in Hackney,” he laughs. From prominent saxophone in Feel The Love to the tiny piano flourishes in Hide, a rich musical education – both formal and informal – can be heard. Agget reveals that the band also approach their music in a different way to many of their peers, relying on more than just a laptop and an ear for a winning 180bpm beat. “We like to mix soul and bass
news
few years’ time,” says Piers, revealing an ambition not normally associated with an electronic dance act. “Why not think big?” Above all, Home wears its identity with pride. The influence of the pocket of London where the quartet grew up and the Rudimental project started shines through. Gritty vocals tell of despair and hope and paint a vivid picture of the daily trials of city life, while up-tempo beats and thick layers of different sounds express the vibrant cultural scene through which many manage to escape the drudgery. “Hackney is very important,” says Agget. “It’s why we called the album Home.” A screenplay of Rudimental’s success could be entirely set in about 40 square kilometres of North London. Agget
and Locksmith grew up on the same road together and played soccer with Dryden – the trio forming the original Rudimental lineup. Amor, who joined the band later, spent his teenage years making hip hop beats in a youth centre in nearby Camden. Meanwhile, Locksmith was making a name for himself on pirate radio alongside some kid calling himself Dizzee Rascal. While Dryden was working at a school helping troubled kids find themselves with music, Piers was managing a studio in Tottenham and engineering tracks for the likes of Wretch 32. Many of the guest vocalists on Home, like Sinead Harnett, MNEK and John Newman, are friends of friends or talented singers that the Rudimental boys bumped into in the studios they were working in. But success was never written on the wall for Piers, Kesi, Amir and Leon. Early on, many record companies turned them away because, as the band suspects, record execs were a bit confused as to which box to place them in (“Saxophones on a DnB record?!”). It must have been frustrating to see old friends and acquaintances, like rapper Professor Green or Simon Cowell protégé Labrinth – both old schoolmates of Dryden’s – find the success that they had craved and worked hard for. “A little, I guess,” says Agget, “But you see these guys representing where you’re from and it pushes you as well.” Given that a specific location some 17,000 kilometres away is so central to the record and the formation of the band, I wonder why Rudimental’s music has translated so well to the Australian market. Agget offers a simple explanation. “The location’s maybe different but I think the [Australian and British] people are very like-minded.” It may be even simpler than that – the quest for a good time is universal. With infectious hooks, layered basslines and boundless energy, Rudimental have captured it precisely. I can feel the love, can you feel it too?
Rudimental’s Home is out now through Warner. They will be touring Australia in September. Keep your eyes on beat.com.au for details as they emerge. facebook.com/rudimentaluk soundcloud.com/rudimentaluk
- head to beat.com.au for more
off the record w i t h
music and we like to mix live instruments and the electronic,” Agget says. Key to Rudimental’s success is a sense of unity – the four share ideas, develop them together and consider themselves more than just a collective of producers with similar tastes. “We’re definitely a band. Our dream is to keep on writing music and be successful with albums and to headline Glastonbury in a
t yson
Umai Move
w ray
I’m thinking of starting a Pozible that’ll allow me to buy Pozible.
contact Editor: Tyson Wray / tyson@beat.com.au Editorial Assistant: Nick Taras / nick@beat.com.au Production/Cover Design: Pat O’Neill / art@beat.com.au Typesetting & Design: Michael Cusack Advertising: Adam Morgan - (03) 8414 8719 / adam@beat.com.au Taryn Stenvei - (03) 8414 9711 / taryn@beat.com.au Kris Furst - (03) 8414 9703 / kris@furstmedia.com.au Photographer: Callum Linsell Contributors: Alasdair Duncan, Andrew Hickey, Annabel Maclean, Chloe Papas, Dan Watt, Jo Campbell, Kish Lal, Lachlan Kanonuik, Leigh Salter, Miki McLay, Morgan Richards, Nick Taras, Nina Bertok, Richie Meldrum, RK, Rose Callaghan, Ryan Butler, Simon Hampson, Tamara Vogl, David Wild Deadlines: Editorial: Friday 2pm Advertising: Monday 12pm Publisher: Furst Media - 3 Newton Street, Richmond - (03) 9428 3600 beat.com.au
2
Breach
breach & route 94
Breach spent his formative musical years in Bristol and from there he moved on to live in Amsterdam. His geographical history speaks volumes in terms of inspiration and his music reflects this. He recently released his ground-shaking Jack EP on Claude Von Stroke’s Dirtybird label, which has received support from the likes of Claude himself, French Fries, Julio Bashmore, Midland, Eats Everything, Dusky, Dark Sky, T.Williams and the list, goes on. The only people that know Route 94’s true identity are Skream, Benga, Artwork, Annie Mac and a select few of Radio 1’s other elite DJs. With tracks such as Fly For Life and Forget The Girl making their way into various DJs playlists and mixes, Route 94 has established himself as one of the names to watch in 2013 as well as the one to unmask too. Catch all the fun at RMH The Venue on Saturday June 8.
edit 2
A night that promises to deliver the newest in house, tech house, future 2step and bass house, you are to expect nothing but the best. Edit have found a new home in Brown Alley where they will be hosting the main room with a bounty of fresh local support and far afield Australian talent. They also come in tow with the promise to have a couple of upcoming DJs from the UK to bring some deep bass sound to the system. Make sure you adhere to dress code and turn up dressed in blue with an open mind policy and a smile. Umai Move, Ben Naughton, Boykot, Candy B and Winston Chill will have your ears covered. Head down to Brown Alley on Friday June 28.
electronic - urban - club life
omar-s
Having already been announced for the Vivid LIVE festival in Sydney, Omar-S has added a Melbourne date to his Australian itinerary. One of Detroit’s most revered contemporary producers, his 2013 tour comes off the back of his latest release Thank You For Letting Me Be Myself. The techno and house stalwart was meant to return to Melbourne in 2011 for a show alongside Robert Babicz and Scuba but was forced to abandon the tour in the eleventh hour. Omar-S will play at The Liberty Social on Friday May 31 with support from the bearded adonis Tornado Wallace and Andee Frost.
FRONTIER TOURING CO. & ODD FUTURE PRESENT
ND
FRIDAY 7 JUNE PALACE THEATRE
ON SAL E NOW
SUPPORTED BY
oddfuture.com
frontiertouring.com Hit album Wolf out now
THE HIP HOP SHOW
New single Whoa out now
news
- head to beat.com.au for more
auntie flo
snaps in tribute: ajax lucky coq
Auntie Flo is coming to town and this time it’s not a euphemism but the real deal. Brian d’Souza, otherwise known as Auntie Flo, hails from Goa in Glasgow where he is currently a resident DJ at Highlife. Recently causing a stir with his debut Goan Highlife EP he has won fans across the musical spectrum. It sold out on pre-order leading to an immediate repress spun during the sets of Ricardo Villalobos, Gilles Peterson, Andrew Weatherall, Caribou, Tensnake amongst others. With a beautiful live show and passion driving him to remix and produce fervently, Aunti Flo is an important figure in electronic music and is bound to make a splash when he heads here at the end of May. Don’t miss all the fun at Revolver on Saturday May 25.
twisted audio
Twisted Audio are the self professed home of dubstep as well as drum and bass in Melbourne and with their ode to New Zealand they only cement that reputation. They’ll be bringing down the best in heavy bass music including State of Mind from SOM Recordings, Trei on his Satellites LP Tour, Dose from Shogun Audio, Buck Rogers BMA, Junkfood Recordings and Soulflex. Head down to Brown Alley on Friday June 28.
von-d, caspa & perverse
Caspa
Heavy Innit are delivering a night of heavy bass music with some fresh and exciting international artists. London-based DJ and producer, Von D, is renowned for his ability to fill dance floors, fuse genres and hold his own in collaborations with some of the biggest names in underground music. He’s a regular on Rinse FM and Kiss FM, renowned for featuring exclusive and unreleased dubstep tracks. With a strong technical grounding at the centre of his eclectic and intuitive mixing style he has established himself as a true heavyweight of bass music. Caspa is responsible for delivering deep a bumping mixture of grime and garage to crowds everywhere. Starting his career after ending one in basketball, Caspa has drawn inspiration from jungle and garage raves of the past. Inspired by a range of genres from the 808s and lean of hip hop to the twisted rhythms of drum and bass, Perverse were drawn to production through their collective love of bass heavy music. Purveyors of intensely dark beats, their sound is exemplified by their unique and refreshing take on the genre. Head down to Brown Alley to catch all the fun on Friday May 31.
p-money
With his new album Gratitude to be released May 17, P-Money has announced that he is touring. Joined by Duck Down Music label mate David Dallas, P-Money is set to take the album directly to the fans, while Dallas will be previewing new material off his own forthcoming album. With anticipation high for the drop of his new album, P-Money has released a few tracks for free on his website. Go to The Espy on Friday June 7 for the sweet times.
tribeadelic
Tribeadelic are celebrating their 17th birthday and what better way than throwing a huge party with a long list of exceptional acts. It is set to be a night to remember with all four rooms being opened for the monumental evening. The Tribeadelic Room will feature Time Lock, Everblast, Chromotone, Fractail Glider, Legohead and Billy the Kid. The Subsonic Room will be graced by the sound of Weeked Heroes-Felix, MSG, Dylan Griffin, Mood Machine, Muska and Punkzonjunk. The Adapted Records Room will have Mustard Tiger, Corey David, Kodiak Kid, Wasabi and El Suave all playing celebratory sets late into the night. And finally the OzTrance Room will have Tarun, Loosefingers, Reality Bytes, Imperfect Circle, Priojectamind and Instant Alien playing. Check out Brown Alley on Friday June 21 for all the birthday fun.
mantra
first floor
coolio
Hip hop icon Coolio will return to Australian this June. Coolio began rapping from a young age and performed in many local Los Angeles rap contests as a youth, and made connections in the Los Angeles rap scene and ended up joining the group WC and the Maad Circle in 1991. Three years later, Coolio released his debut solo album, It Takes a Thief. In 1995, he released Gangsta’s Paradise which instantly hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and has since released a string of albums, hosted an online cooking show and released a companion cookbook. Coolio will hit Red Bennies on Thursday June 27.
Melbourne-based rapper Mantra has announced that he’s signed with Ten To Two Records – the team behind records from Xavier Rudd and Seth Sentry this past year – ahead of his new single Loudmouth, released last week. Mantra is standing on solid ground with five years of touring, two full-length releases and a triple j feature album (2011’s Speaking Volumes) already under his belt. Mantra plays the Northcote Social Club on Thursday June 6.
james blake
After an all-too undersized promo visit at the start of the year, UK producer James Blake has announced a decent-sized Melbourne headline show to supplement his Splendour In The Grass appearance. This year saw Blake release Overgrown, the worthy followup to his breakthrough self-titled debut. His 2013 return to Australia comes after a stellar showing at Coachella. James Blake performs at the Palais Theatre on Wednesday July 31.
the tongue tyler, the creator & earl sweatshirt
Two of the most prominent members of the OFWGKTA collective will visit Australia this June. The tour follows Tyler’s recently released third studio album, Wolf, which followed his 2011 sophomore Goblin. Following his highly-publicised musical hiatus in Samoa, the 19-year-old Earl will join Tyler in what will be his Australian debut. The pair will hit The Palace Theatre on Friday June 7.
4
electronic - urban - club life
The Tongue, aka Xannon Shirley, is planning to tour nationally off the back of his latest album Surrender to Victory and will be playing a free show at The Espy to celebrate. Released in late March on Elefant Traks the album features Shirley’s lyrical best, backed by the beats of producer Cam Bluff. The Tongue has been appearing on bills nationwide, performing at Big Day Out, Groovin’ The Moo, Good Vibrations and many more. His live show will be co-anchored by DMC Champ DJ Skoob. The dynamic duo will be joined by Remi and Swooping Duck for their Melbourne show. Catch The Tongue et al. at The Espy Front Bar on Saturday June 8.
snaps sound empire
alex niggemann word s / a l a s d a i r d u n c a n
Berlin is without a doubt one of the most vital and exciting cities for electronic music. House producer Alex Niggemann relocated there early in his career, and has never looked back. “Berlin inspires me a lot,” he says. “It’s a creative and young city, and it has a huge network of artists, not only music-wise, but from all mediums.” People come from all over the world to share their music and art and experiences, and of course, this leads to new and exciting creations. “Another thing about Berlin is that the city never sleeps,” Niggemann says. “You can go out, listen to music, meet new people, and experience new things anytime you want. That’s what I really like about living here.” Last year, Niggemann released his debut album, Paranoid Funk. The record met with wide acclaim for its combination of intricate beats and catchy melodies. He says that, in creating it, he was determined to make the kind of record that you could throw on at home or in the club and have a similar effect. “You can enjoy it when you’re at home by yourself, or the dance floor with others,” he says. “I tried to combine modern, deeper and slower elements with the roughness and coolness of dark old-school sounds. These things might not fit together at first sight but in the end exactly this is what turns out to be the perfect combination and is also the reason for my album’s name Paranoid Funk.” Explaining further, he says that the two words ‘paranoid’ and ‘funk’ don’t necessarily have much to do with each other, yet they fit together well when you hear them spoken one after the other.
“The ‘paranoid’ of the title stands for the dark and clubby part of the album,” he says, “while the ‘funk’ stands for the laid-back, more groovy and musically-orientated part.” The overall reaction to the album has been better than he could ever have hoped for. “I’ve received so much positive feedback,” Niggemann says, “both from inside the dance music scene out outside of it. That really makes me happy, because that was my main intention for my album, to reach people outside of those who are familiar with EDM.” Dance music moves pretty fast – a genre or sound will be in clubs one week, and in the dustbin the next. Thinking about this was one of the biggest challenges Niggemann faced when putting the album together. “When I was working on the tracks, I knew they might not be released until a whole year later,” he tells me. “Because of this, I tried to keep the sound as timeless as possible. Another thing that really challenged me was that it’s pretty hard to create an album sounding homogenous, but without tracks being too similar to each other so that it might become boring in the end.” He started with 80 songs, of which 20 were finished, and 11 made it to the album. “It was a long process,” he says, “but as I said I’m more than happy with the result and the great feedback on this!” These days, Niggemann inhabits the world of club music, but he got his start as a child learning classical piano, and he says that this, more than anything, helped deepen his understanding of composition and structure.
fred v & grafix word s / j o c a m p b e ll
They’ve only released three tracks on a compilation and one EP but liquid drum and bassers Fred Vahrman and Josh Jackson aka Fred V & Grafix are on the up and up. Beats gets Jackson on the line for a chat about their upcoming album, why they love Rob Swire and what it’s like to play to the sweat-fest hordes at London superclub, Fabric. Devon duo Fred V & Grafix are relative newcomers to the scene, having been signed to Hospital Records in 2011 and making their debut on the label’s Fifteen Years Of Hospital Records compilation with their superbly cranking yet journeying, Find My Way. “A lot of people don’t know, but Hospital sort of signed us on faith,” says Jackson. “We were stupidly surprised because we knew we were not at the level. They sort of signed us without knowing if they were going to get much back from us and we hadn’t put much out and felt bad about that, but there’s plenty now.”
Since then they’ve been awarded Drum & Bass Arena’s 2012 Best Newcomer DJ award and have produced their debut solo release, the Goggles EP. Dropped this March, the EP features three varied tracks, all proving their ability to make fun, dancefloor driven beats, but Jackson says their upcoming long player, due for release later this year, will be of a different bent. “Those were more just three songs that we put out so people had something to listen to ahead of the album,” he says of the EP. “It’s gotten a good reaction, but in our eyes, our new music is really different to that. People might be surprised. “We really love real indie guitar music and live sounding stuff like Muse and Bloc Party. A lot of the new tracks (on the LP) have more of a focus on sounds like that and it’s more like the sound we love.” Jackson and Vahrman met through a mutual friend and a passion for indie-rock, with Vahrman’s guitar skills being laid down on Find My Way. The pair were won over to drum and bass after
level 2
Didier Cohen
spoonbill wo rd s / d e nve r m a xx
Melbourne producer Spoonbill is an innovator of music. Nine years ago, when he first started making beats, he had no idea that his music would resonate so strongly with the ‘bush doof’ scene. After just releasing his new EP Boca Fiesta, Spoonbill’s human side, Jim Moynihan, caught up with Beats to invite us to a mouth party, stack some feedback, build a house and finally let us go riding on a Big Dipper with him and Opiuo! If you haven’t heard Spoonbill’s music before, Moynihan will do his best to explain it with his mouth. “I make a lot of weird noises like ‘beummmmsputberrrrbagup’ – people think you’re accentuating when you make those sounds but that is how Spoonbill actually sounds,” laughs an upbeat Moynihan. Moynihan comes from an intensely artistic family with music and art always being in his life. As a student, Moynihan topped his year in Industrial Design at RMIT but has never really followed that profession any further than the occasional design of a lamp or a house (we’ll get to the house design later). Making challenging and intense music has always been Moynihan’s passion and he has become somewhat of an icon in the outdoor rave arena, having played Burning Man twice and countless outdoor festivals. Moynihan discusses this unintended success. “When I released my first album in 2005, basically I was playing pubs and clubs, so it was quite a different atmosphere to the underground doof sound but I just picked it up and ran with it, then I started getting booked for all these underground festivals.
“Initially I was like, ‘What the hell is this scene?’ but you know, it has been brilliant. I haven’t looked back. What I really like about it is that it is quite unpretentious, quite uncommercial – anything goes,” states Moynihan, a childlike sparkle in his eyes belying the fact he is in his early thirties. The ‘raviest’ track from his new EP is the suitably entitled Big Dipper. This song travels the full vicissitude of Spoonbill’s incredibly intense and varied sound, additionally a hallmark of this song and the theme of the entire EP is the quirky voice manipulation. Moynihan sets out how he achieves this seeming manipulation of the very human process of speech. “Big Dipper makes people go nuts when they hear it live – it is really bassy. The main feature of this song and thread that runs the entire way through the album is the voice-like sounds that erupt throughout the track.” Moynihan now tells how this common thread of voicelike sounds led to the title of the EP. “The reason I called it Boca Fiesta is that it means Mouth Party in Spanish and every track has a lot of voice manipulation and talky synths. They’re not vocoded but filtered synths – modulated in the same sort of frequencies that we create with our own voices.” The most un-Spoonbill sounding song on the EP is the hip hop driven Stacking The Feedback. The source of its new sound is that it was a collaboration between Spoonbill and US musician Vibe Squad.
electronic - urban - club life
“My piano was the beginning of my musical career,” he says. “It’s how I started making music myself. I started lessons when I was four, and I learned all basics and got a good musical knowledge.” His parents had to force him at first, but later in life, he discovered some of the advantages of playing an instrument. “Later on in my teens I found out that playing the piano and singing Backstreet Boys songs was something that really impresses girls so I went a bit more in the pop music direction!” he says. Needless to say, Niggemann eventually grew out of his I Want It That Way stage and into the acclaimed electronic producer he is today – but he always thinks back on those early stages of his musical development. “At some point I started writing my own songs,” he says. “I tried a lot of different styles, and I even tried to produce some hip hop tunes. Later on when EDM became interesting for me, it was just a matter of fact to start and produce my own tracks. I would more say learning the piano early on was the source of everything and helped me throughout my musical development process. Even today I still have a piano in my studio – I used it for the track Lovers on my album.” As well as producing, Niggemann is in demand as a DJ, and has found himself doing an awful lot of touring recently. Adapting to life on the road isn’t necessarily easy, although he loves the lifestyle of travelling and meeting new people. “I’m definitely aware of that I’m one of the few lucky people who can call this their job,” he says. “Currently I’m in Kuala Lumpur, just arrived there from Bangkok, next week I’m in China and then finally Australia again. It’s nice and exciting but of course a life like this also has its down sides. I can’t be creative in my studio, can’t see my friends and sometimes it’s hard to relax when being on airports all day. But the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages!”
Alex Niggemann plays alongside Radioslave at Brown Alley on Friday May 17. facebook.com/alexniggemann.official soundcloud.com/alexniggemann
finding inspiration in Pendulum’s genre-crossing Hold Your Colour LP. “Still to this day I think Rob Swire is an absolute genius and I’ve always liked Pendulum in general. They’ve always had a massive rock influence and because I was really into live bands back then, that was kind of a nice bridge into drum and bass. “Sonically they were about ten years ahead of their time – just how phat they were sounding – there was no other drum and bass that sounded that good. Tracks from Hold Your Colour still sound up-to-date now and you can still play them out.” Fred V & Grafix recently played Fabric Live for the second time. Their first appearance had been for a Hospitality gig in Room 1, but in an indication of how popular the two are becoming, they were invited to play Room 2 minus their label-mates. “It’s sweaty,” Jackson says with a laugh of the club. “It’s obviously amazing. The only annoyance was having to squeeze through the crowd to get to the decks with my two gin ‘n’ tonics without spilling them,” he laughs again. “The sound was amazing and it was nice to get the contrast between the two rooms. But yeah, Fabric is one of those places that just playing there in general is awesome, no matter which room.” In terms of their set, the two employ lots of quick mixing across four decks and usually keep it in the drum and bass vein. “Sometimes we stand back and think, ‘Maybe that was too quick’, but in terms of the music we play, we put together really varied sets and I think they transfer very nicely to a wellrounded drum and bass set with sometimes a bit of something else, but we usually keep it to drum and bass.”
Fred V & Grafix play alongside Delta Heavy at RMH The Venue on Sunday May 19. facebook.com/fredvgrafix soundcloud.com/fredvgrafix
“It totally has a hip hop feel that makes you think of lowered cars, that gangsta feel and that came from working with Vibe Squad. He came over here a couple of years ago and we recorded that. It only took one day and I think it was so quick because we both have the same set up on Q-Base and use a Moog and a Virus, so it was really easy.” Moynihan goes further into the synergy. “So we felt at home driving the system – It’s a really successful fusion between what I do with a hip hop edge. I have been influenced by hip hop but more so trip hop so it was interesting to work with him and produce such a different track for Spoonbill.” Not one to shy away from a challenge, Moynihan is in the middle of building his own house and studio in the hills surrounding King Lake. With his industrial design background he actually designed the house himself, as he explains industrial design and architecture are very similar. “I designed the house myself because as you know I studied industrial design. Industrial design and architecture are very similar; industrial design is just designing generally smaller objects but it is all the same fundamentally. It was pretty easy fitting that mould,” says Moynihan. However, the jewel in the crown of his architectural manifestation is, fittingly, his recording studio that is being built separate to the house. “I have designed a big wave studio that is on actual tree trunks that were felled from the property. It is separate from the main house. The wave design optimises production because you are sitting in the lower end with the speakers and that’s what you want with the kind of trapezoidal shape – so you don’t want parallel walls so there’s no acute angles and with the shape of the roof you won’t get any peaks or troughs,’ states the hyperinformed Moynihan. Lastly, Moynihan enthusiastically plugs his double headline show with friend and studio mate Opiuo. “Both Opiuo and I are performing as full live bands with performers and a new light show. I have an acrobalance duo coming on stage for Pirate Squid Bot and a new video show. It is going to be awesome!”
Spoonbill will be launching his Boca Fiesta EP alongside Opiuo at The Hi-Fi Bar this Saturday May 11. soundcloud.com/spoonytunes
5
club guide wednesday may 8
COQ ROQ - FEAT: AGENT 86 + DJS LADY NOIR + JOYBOT + KITI + MR THOM Lucky Coq, Windsor. 7:00pm. COSMIC PIZZA - FEAT: NHJ Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm DADA LIFE Billboard, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. DUBSTEP GRIME DRUM & BASS - FEAT: DJ BADDUMS + DJ CARMEX Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. HALFWAYS Workshop, Melbourne. 8:00pm. HOODRAPZ - FEAT: WEDNESDAY Workshop, Melbourne. 7:00pm. LOST & FOUND - FEAT: DJ SPIDEY + DJ RUBY FROST Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 8:00pm. MO’ SOUL - FEAT: DJ VINCE PEACH & MISS GOLDIE Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. NEW GUERNICA WEDNESDAYS New Guernica, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. SOUL ARMY Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. THE DINNER SET Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 6:00pm.
thursday may 9
3181 THURSDAYS - FEAT: HANS DC + JAKE JUDD + NIKKI SARAFIAN + HEY SAM + JESSE YOUNG + JOHN DOE + SEAN RAULT Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 5:00pm. BANG N MASH Word Events Warehouse & Lounge, Melbourne. 8:00pm. BILLBOARD THURSDAYS - FEAT: MATT DEAN + MATTY GRANT + PHIL ROSS Billboard, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. $10. CHI BEATS Chi Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. DJ KRONIC + MS BUTT Espy, St Kilda. 9:00pm. DO DROP IN - FEAT: DJ KITI + DJ LADY NOIR The Carlton Hotel, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. DON’T THINK I’M ALIVE THURSDAYS The Vineyard, St Kilda. 7:00pm. FREE RANGE FUNK - FEAT: AGENT 86 + LEWIS CANCUT + WHO LUCKY COQ, WINDSOR. 6:00PM. GOOD EVENING - FEAT: DJ PEOPLE Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. GRAD PARTY THURSDAYS - FEAT: DJ ROWIE European Bier Cafe, Melbourne Cbd. 5:00pm. LE DISCO TECH Pretty Please, St Kilda. 8:00pm. LOVE STORY Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. MIDNIGHT EXPRESS - FEAT: DJS PREQUEL & EDD FISHER Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 11:00pm. MOOD - FEAT: NUBODY Loop, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. NEW GUERNICA THURSDAYS - FEAT: CONDUCTORS + JAMES KANE + NEGATIV MAGICK + NU BALANCE + POST PERCY New Guernica, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. RADIONICA Workshop, Melbourne. 8:00pm. THE RITZ THURSDAYS - FEAT: NARI & MILANI + CARRICK DALTON & SAM COHEN + CAUC-ASIAN DJ’S + ED WILKS + JOSHUA GILILAND + KEN WALKER + LUCILLE CROFT + MAX KRUSE + TIM
6
LIGHT + ZACK ROSE Trak Lounge Bar, Toorak. 8:00pm. $20. TIGER FUNK LIVE - FEAT: DJ MOONSHINE Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. TROCADERO Match Bar & Grill, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.
friday may 10
Fox Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. UPTOWN GROOVE Order Of Melbourne, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.
saturday may 11
ANYTIME Workshop, Melbourne. 8:30pm. BADABOOM FRIDAYS - FEAT: DJ ROWIE European Bier Cafe, Melbourne Cbd. 4:00pm. CANT SAY Platform One, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $10. CHI FRIDAYS Chi Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. CQ FRIDAYS Cq, Melbourne. 8:00pm. CRUCIAL SOCIAL ACADEMY - FEAT: DJ A13 + DJ JELLYFISHWORKSHOP, MELBOURNE. 8:00PM. discotheque - feat: elana musto + greg sara + scott t MATCH BAR & GRILL, MELBOURNE CBD. 7:00PM. FRIDAY NIGHT COMMERCIAL HOUSE DJS - FEAT: HIJACK + LIVNBEYNG + MAGIC HOUSE Veludo Bar & Restaurant, St Kilda. 8:30pm. I LOVE OLD SCHOOL - FEAT: SHAGGZ & PUPPET + DJ TEY + MERV MAC Red Bennies, South Yarra. 10:00pm. $10. JUICY - FEAT: CHAIRMAIN MEOW + COBURG MARKET + MR. FOX + TIGERFUNK + WHO Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. MEET YOUR MATES FRIDAYS Libation, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. MIDNIGHT MIDNIGHT New Guernica, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. MR VEGAS Prince Bandroom, St Kilda. 8:00pm. PANORAMA - FEAT: DJS MATT RAD + MR GEORGE + PHATO A MANO + TOM MEAGHER Lucky Coq, Windsor. 8:00pm. POPROCKS - FEAT: DR PHIL SMITH Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. REMEMBER ME The Motel, South Melbourne. 8:00pm. RETRO SEXUAL One Twenty Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. REVOLVER FRIDAYS (ANTARCTICA REMIX LAUNCH) - FEAT: DJ LEWIE DAY + DJ MIKE CALLANDER + DJ ALEX THOMAS + DJ KATIE DROVER + DJ WHO Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 6:00pm. SATURDAY MORNING - FEAT: DJ SUNSHINE + DJ BUTTERS + DJ HEY SAM Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 6:00am. SHUFFLE FRIDAY NIGHTS Bridie O’reilly’s Brunswick, Brunswick. 10:00pm. SVELT + BISCOTTI + MANGELWURZEL 303, Northcote. 8:30pm. $10. THE FOX FRIDAYS Fox Hotel, Collingwood. 7:00pm. UPTOWN GROOVE Order Of Melbourne, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. WEEKENDER! Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. SHUFFLE FRIDAY NIGHTS Bridie O’reilly’s Brunswick, Brunswick. 11:00pm. THE FOX FRIDAYS
VENICE MUSIC - FEAT: DJ ALI E Some Velvet Morning, Clifton Hill. 8:00pm. BILLBOARD SATURDAYS - FEAT: FRAZER ADNAM SCOTT MCMAHON + JAMIE VLAHOS + MR MAGOO + ZIGGY Billboard, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $15. CHI SATURDAYS Chi Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm CLUB FICTION - FEAT: KITTY ROCK & THE BAD LADIES Red Bennies, South Yarra. 2:00am. DJ PLAZMA Idgaff Bar & Venue, Abbotsford. 8:00pm. FIRST FLOOR SATURDAYS - FEAT: BILLY HOYLE + DJS DUCHESZ + MZRIZK + WASABI First Floor, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. GLITCH THIS - FEAT: SATURDAY Workshop, Melbourne. 7:00pm. HOT STEP Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 7:00pm. LAB 22 Palace Theatre, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. MIXED DRINKS SATURDAYS Libation, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. MOTEL SATURDAYS The Motel, South Melbourne. 8:00pm. NEO SACRILEGE - FEAT: DJ NERO Abode, St Kilda. 8:00pm. NEW GUERNICA SATURDAYS New Guernica, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. ONESIXFIVE - FEAT: DJ COURTNEY MILLS + DJ HOOPS + DJ OLLIE HOLMES + DJ JOSH PAOLA + DJ WILL CUMMINGS Onesixone, Prahran. 3:00am. POISON APPLE Prince Bandroom, St Kilda. 8:00pm. SATURDAY CONFIDENTIAL Galley Room, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. SATURDAYS - FEAT: ACTION SAM + DJ ROWIE European Bier Cafe, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. SATURDAYS @ LEVEL 2 - FEAT: DJ BOOGS + DJ CHESTWIG + DJ LUKE MCD + DJ MIKE HUNT + DJ ROWIE + DJ SPECIAL K Level 2 The Club, Northcote. 9:00pm. SATURDAYS AT ONE TWENTY BAR One Twenty Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. SOUND EMPIRE - FEAT: DJ TATE STRAUSS + DJ JOE SOFO + DJ MATTY + DJ MISS SARAH + DJ PHIL ROSS Fusion, Southbank. 9:30pm. $25. SOUTH SIDE SHOW - FEAT: EDD FISHER + KNAVE KNIXX Red Bennies, South Yarra. 8:00pm. $15. STAR SATURDAYS Star Bar, South Melbourne. 8:00pm. STRUT SATURDAYS - FEAT: COLLECTIVE + ANDREAS + DANNY MERX + HENRIQUE + JASON SERINI + MARK PELLEGRINI + MC JUNIOR + NICK VAN WILDER Trak Lounge Bar, Toorak. 8:00pm. $22. SUNDAY NIGHTS - FEAT: DJ DAMION DE SILVA + DJ JAY J + DJ KEN WALKER + DJ LIGHTING Co., Southbank. 8:30pm. TEMPERANCE SATURDAYS - FEAT: DJ MARCUS KNIGHT + DJ XANDER JAMES Temperance Hotel, South Yarra. 8:00pm. TEXTILE - FEAT: DJS PACMAN + JEAN PAUL + MOONSHINE + TAH Lucky Coq, Windsor. 6:00pm.
electronic - urban - club life
THE FOX SATURDAYS Fox Hotel, Collingwood. 7:00pm. THE HOUSE DEFROST - FEAT: DJ ANDEE FROST Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 11:00pm. TOO MUCH 4TH BIRTHDAY - FEAT: MOSCA + DAVID BASS + NAISE + SAME O + WOZ Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 6:00pm. WHAT’S DOING? - FEAT: DJ CITIZEN.COM Workshop, Melbourne. 8:00pm. WHY NOT? - FEAT: SATURDAY Pretty Please, St Kilda. 8:00pm.
sunday may 12
COSMIC TONIC Veludo Bar & Restaurant, St Kilda. 9:30pm. DANGER - FEAT: GEORGE HYSTERIC & ROHAN BELL-TOWERS The Carlton Hotel, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. GUILTY PLEASURES Pretty Please, St Kilda. 8:00pm. MOTEL SUNDAYS The Motel, South Melbourne. 8:00pm. NO MORE-BANG-FOR-BUCK BURLESQUE SHOW! Red Bennies, South Yarra. 8:00pm. REVOLVER SUNDAYS - FEAT: DJ BOOGS + DJ SPACEY SPACE + DJ RADIATOR + DJ SILVERSIX + DJ T-REK Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 6:30pm. SOUTH SIDE HUSTLE - FEAT: ASKEW + BOOSHANK + DISCO HARRY + JUNJI + MISS BUTT + PAZ + PETER BAKER Lucky Coq, Windsor. 8:30pm. SUNDAE SHAKE - FEAT: AGENT 86 + PHATO-A-MANO + TIGERFUNK Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 4:00pm. SUNDAY SESSIONS - FEAT: DAN BOWDENA ND MAYFIELD + FOUNKSHUI Veludo Bar & Restaurant, St Kilda. 4:30pm. SURRENDER - FEAT: DJ SERGEANT SLICK + DJ ADAM TRACE + DJ ADRIAN CHESSARI + DJ CHRIS OSTROM + DJ SEF Fusion, Southbank. 8:00pm. THE SUNDAY SET - FEAT: DJS ANDYBLACK + HAGGIS Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 4:00pm.
monday may 13
IBIMBO - FEAT: LADY NOIR & KITI Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 6:00pm. KOOL AID - FEAT: DJ MU-GEN Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. STIFF DRINK - FEAT: DJ MICHAEL KUCYK + DJ MICHAEL OZONE + DJ ROMAN WAFERS Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. TWERKERS CLUB - FEAT: DJ FLETCH Workers Club, Fitzroy. 7:00pm.
tuesday may 14
BIMBO TUESDAYS - FEAT: ADAM ASKEW Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. COSMIC PIZZA Lucky Coq, Windsor. 8:00pm. DJ JAGUAR E55, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. NEVER CHEER BEFORE YOU KNOW WHO’S WINNING - FEAT: REPETER FONDA Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 7:00pm.
snaps strike
eloquor words / pepper scott
Prepare to get your mind blown when Melbourne MC Eloquor [Donny Pelsoczy] unleashes his third effort, From The Oceans Of Karana, this month. A ‘concept record’ in the truest sense of the word, this is one epic baby that is literally akin to an offspring rather than a mere piece of music in more ways than one. “I’ve got a five-year-old son and I also have a one-and-a-half-year-old, so when I started this album was the same time when my second son was born and it’s taken the same amount of time for him to grow as it has for me to finish the record. That’s how I see it. It’s been like a project and it’s been a very exhausting one. I put all my eggs in one basket and I’ve given this my all, invested every dollar and spare minute into making it come to life... I was thinking the other day, ‘I’ve made this album – so I can die now and I’d be happy’.” Put simply, this is “the word of Eloquor”, according to Pelsoczy.
Spanning an enormous 18 tracks and split into three parts, each third of the album employs the talents of three of the best producers in Australian hip hop, including Simplex of Terrafirma, Pokerbeats and Jase of Beatheadz (as well as long-time Eloquor collaborator 76). But it wasn’t just any old beat that Pelsoczy required of each – the tunes and approach had to match a specific model of sound. “The album is extremely spiritual, it’s based on Eastern philosophy,” the MC explains. “It’s broken up into three parts – based on the Hindu Tridev – and inspired by the three Hindu gods. The first part of the album is about ‘creation’, which is the god Brahma, the second is about ‘preservation’, which is Vishnu, and the third is about ‘destruction’, which is Shiva. At the start of every part there is a foreword from an old man who is a Hindu mystic. “Part one is about the creation of the universe and how everything is light expressing itself, like subatomic particles, though with a spiritual twist. We all have access to true potential; we’re all vibrating light and have the pure potential to become anything we want. Part two is about preservation and it looks at life in the ‘right now’. There is even a track about the invasion of Australia by the British Empire. The final part is about destruction which looks at how we place too much trust into technology and how it’s going to turn around and bite us on the ass one day.” But Pelsoczy also touches on a subject that is very close to his heart and is, perhaps, one of his strongest passions – helping disadvantaged youth. Not only does he rap about the ever-growing issue but he’s actually doing something about it too. “I’m also a high school teacher at a community school, so issues about underprivileged youth and people who have been mistreated or are at risk are subjects that I understand. If we don’t look after the world it’s not going to end up well. I’ve been very spiritual since I was a young kid myself – nobody ever forced it on me, so I guess it must have been something from a past life! I went to India when I was 22 for about three months, just backpacking, and I did many different types of meditations and Reikis and spiritual practices over there. I stopped eating meat as well. Spirituality is extremely important to me.” Which is why it was just as vital for the guest producers on Pelsoczy’s
album to understand this as well. Not necessarily agree, as the MC insists, but just understand the vision at least... “I gave each of the producers a poster of the god that represented each of the parts of the album that they would be covering. The idea was so that, while they’re making the beats and I’m writing the album at the same time, we’re both looking at the same poster and we’re both working with an identical model, the base of it. For example, Simplex, who did the first part, I told him, ‘You are Brahma, when you make these beats think of the process of creation, the universe beginning’, and that’s how I’d approach the other producers. Jase wasn’t able to do the whole thing he was supposed to originally and 76 also stepped in on about 11 of the tracks on this album overall. I had to have him on this album no matter what, he’s been with me for about six years now, he’s a big part of this.” Pelsoczy assures he will never be able to recreate neither the album or nor the experience which has been From The Oceans Of Karana, but insists that doesn’t mean he’s done with albums per se – especially now that he’s found what works for him. “When I look back I realise that the first proper song I made was about nine years ago, a track called Trippin,” he recalls. “That particular song was actually exactly what I’m doing now! The whole spiritual thing and questioning where our place is in the world. People weren’t feeling it at the time, though, and I wasn’t getting much love or respect for it. I went on a journey after that song and tried the more grime-y, raw, angry and aggressive sort of stuff – and now I’ve done a complete 360 and gone back to what I’m all about. ‘Eloquor’ means ‘to express oneself’, ‘to shout out’, so it made sense for me to want to go back to the true reason why I wanted to be an artist in the first place.”
Eloquor’s From the Oceans of Karana is out this Friday May 10 through Myspherical Entertainment and Obese. facebook.com/eloquor3000
workshop
electronic - urban - club life
7
urban club guide snaps khokolat koated
wednesday may 8 COMPRESSION SESSION - FEAT: CASSAWARRIOR + DD + RICKA E55, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. SOUL ENSEMBLE Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm.
thursday may 9 BE EASY - FEAT: DJ ARKS + DJ THANKS Workshop, Melbourne. 8:00pm. PENNIES - FEAT: VARIOUS DJS Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $6. RHYTHM-AL-ISM - FEAT: DJ DAMION DE SILVA + DJ K-DEE + DJ SIMON SEZ Eden, Melbourne. 10:00pm. $15.
friday may 10 CHAISE FRIDAYS - FEAT: SOULCLAP + DJ CLAZ + DJ DIRX + DJ PERIL + DJ SEF Chaise Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 4:30pm. CREW LOVE - FEAT: DJ TONY SUNSHINE Sub Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. $15.
FAKTORY - FEAT: DJ DAMION DE SILVA + DJ DURMY + DJ K DEE + DJ YATHS Khokolat Bar, Melbourne. 8:30pm. GET LIT Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. LIKE FRIDAYS - FEAT: BROZ + DIR-X + DJS DINESH + NYD + SEF + SHAGGZ + SHAUN D La Di Da, Melbourne. 7:00pm. SWEET NOTHING FRIDAYS - FEAT: DJ MARCUS KNIGHT + DJ XANDER JAMES Temperance Hotel, South Yarra. 8:00pm.
saturday may 11 BLADES + B.O.S + ELOQUOR + MORGANICS + PROPH + SPEECH THERAPY Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. $12. CHAISE LOUNGE SATURDAYS - FEAT: DJ ANDY PALA + DJ KAH LUA Chaise Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. LAUNDRY SATURDAYS Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. PHATURDAY - FEAT: TOM SHOWTIME + DJ AYNA Blue Bar, Prahran. 10:00pm.
rhythm-al-ism at eden
be. @ co.
faktory at khokolat bar
8
electronic - urban - club life
SATURDAY NIGHTS - FEAT: DJ DAMION DE SILVA + DJ JAY SIN + DJ K DEE Khokolat Bar, Melbourne. 8:30pm. THE DOJO - FEAT: VARIOUS DJS Order Of Melbourne, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm.
sunday may 12 BE. - FEAT: DJ DAMION DE SILVA + DJ JAY J + DJ KEN WALKER Co., Southbank. 10:00pm. $15.
monday may 13 FREEDOM PASS - FEAT: PHIL ROSS + B-BOOGIE + CHRIS MAC + DOZZA Co., Southbank. 9:30pm. THAT’S A RAP First Floor, Fitzroy. 6:00pm.
tuesday may 14 CAN I KICK Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm.
INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH MUSIC INDUSTRY NEWS & GOSSIP
with Christie Eliezer * Stuff for this column to be emailed to <celiezer@netspace.net.au> by Friday 5pm NEW POP CATEGORY FOR APRA AWARDS This year’s APRA awards have a new category – Pop Work of the Year. They already have rock, dance, urban, blues & roots and country. APRA chief Brett Cottle points out, “Almost 65% of APRA members categorise themselves as songwriters in the pop/ rock genre and songs that fit this category feature significantly in our own statistics and in recognised industry albums and singles charts.” They are on Monday June 17 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, hosted by Jonathan Biggins and Clare Bowditch.
JAZZ AWARDS: MORRISON INDUCTED, DOUBLE WINS FOR ADES
James Morrison was inducted into the Australian Jazz Hall of Fame at the Australian Jazz Bell Awards last week. He was honoured by Michael Danby MP, Federal Parliamentary Secretary of the Arts, who provided the night’s keynote speech. Morrison spoke of the school program he runs in Victoria and how excited he was that so many kids were picking up instruments. There were a number of sombre moments in the night of celebration. Saxplayer David Ades had his daughter pick up his two wins, for Song of the Year for Joe The Kid and Best Ensemble. She explained he was abroad getting treatment. Chris McNulty, whose The Song That Sings You Here took out Best Australian Jazz Vocal Album, told of the recent death of her son Sam (aka Chap One) and how she felt his spirit as she picked up her award. The Bells were held on May 2 at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne. They are named after jazz great Graeme Bell, who died in 2012 at 97. In an emotional moment, his widow Dorothy spoke about his generosity and how she’d been a classical music buff when she met him over 50 years ago. Other winners were Marc Hannaford’s Sarcophile (Most Original Australian Jazz Album), Magnet’s Magnet (Best Australian Contemporary Jazz Album) and Flap! – A Great Day For The Race (Best Australian Traditional Jazz Album). Sydney pianist / composer Steve Barry took Young Australian Jazz Artist of the Year.
BROUS, MACDONALD, ‘GODPARENTS’ FOR MMW’S SELF-MADE
Musician and curator Sophia Brous and 3RRR presenter Woody MacDonald (also booker for Golden Plains and Meredith Music Festival) are the ‘Godparents’ for the Self-Made component of this year’s Melbourne Music Week. Now in its fourth year, it runs November 15 to 23 and celebrates the city’s contemporary music scene. It is one of four components, the others being the hub, label series, and the Live Music Safari on November 21, which offers free entry to gigs across 15 venues. Self-Made is designed to promote creative individuals, groups and businesses to produce their own unique event. Last year saw events on trams, dance battles, exhibitions and pop-up performances. As curators of the program, Brous and MacDonald provide input and support to applicants in developing their ideas. “Last year’s Self-Made program facilitated some of the most inspired gigs I’ve attended,” said MacDonald. “I’m excited to be involved and see what Melbourne comes up with this year.” MMW offers a model of co-production by partnering and working with a range of local promoters, venues, labels and businesses. More info or apply at melbourne.vic.gov.au/mmw. Expressions of Interest close 5pm, Friday May 17.
NEW SIGNING #1: WENDY MATTHEWS RETURNS
After a recording break of 12 years, ‘90s multi-platinum Wendy Matthews is returning with The Welcome Fire In August. She co-wrote it with Josh Pyke, Megan Washington, Mark Sholtez, Rod McCormick, John Castle, Kim Richey, Anthony Egizii and David Musumeci. She signed a deal with Fanfare Records. The deal reunites her with Fanfare boss Robert Rigby who was MD of WEA Records when she released her 500,000 selling Lily album.
NEW SIGNING #2: VANCE JOY LANDS DEAL WITH ATLANTIC
Rising troubadour Vance Joy signed with USA’s Atlantic Records. It doesn’t include Aus and NZ where he is with Liberation Music. Debut EP God Loves You When You’re Dancing will be released abroad soon. Joy does an 11-date US tour from May 21 to June
8. He’s just finished an Australian run – including four shows at the Northcote Social Club matching The Rubens’ record for most shows on one tour at the venue – and will open for Bernard Fanning’s tour.
specialising in preparation of entertainment visas and partnering with a leading US immigration firm. In addition, she will be consulting on business and artist projects and working with artist Spender. She can be contacted on alicialmoreau@me.com.
NEW SIGNING #3: MANTRA CHIMES IN TEN TO TWO
STONEFIELD, KING GIZZARD ROBBED
THINGS WE HEAR
TWELVE FOOT NINJA, BARBARION, GO CROWD SOURCING
Melbourne hip hopper Mantra signed with Ten To Two Records (Xavier Rudd, Seth Sentry). The one time producer has been touring for five years and released two albums. New single Loudmouth, which celebrates following your own destiny, is the first release under the new deal. He’s doing a national run next month, playing at Northcote Social Club on Thursday June 6. This is 2013’s first signing for the Melbourne label, which was set up last November by label director Ross Macpherson and No Dice Management partner Rowan Robinson, launching with Arts Martial’s Promises Will Get You Nowhere.
* Whole Lotta Love, the star-studded travelling Led Zeppelin tribute show, had a five minute standing ovation when it kicked off in Wollongong. Music director Joseph Calderazzo is travelling with 15 guitars (including a signature edition Jimmy Page Gibson Les Paul in the show [one of the first 400 made]) and is joined by Noiseworks guitarist Stuart Fraser for the first time. One highlight: percussionist Tony Azzopardo and Gordon Rytmeister on the drum solo on Moby Dick. Robert Plant was invited to The Palais show on May 10 but the old Lemon Juicer was going to leave the country by then. * A campaign has begun this week to persuade the Melbourne City Council to name a laneway after Chrissy Amphlett. * Van Warped returns to Melbourne after 11 years on Saturday December 7. No venue or acts were announced by promoter AJ Maddah in his tweet last week. * At the Bendigo stop of Groovin’ The Moo on the weekend, Seth Sentry got Urthboy, Tuka and Ellesquire to join him for a rap about Bendigo. * Due to a huge amount of entries for DJ competition Your Shot, entries closed off earlier than the originally advertised Friday May 10. Last year 4,300 entered in the first three weeks, beating X-Factor and drew 10,000 to heats. * We hear that one festival’s after-party lasted for two weeks! * On the first anniversary of his death, a Brooklyn Heights playground was named after Beastie Boys’ Adam Yauch. He had played there as a kid. * Foals’ album is #1 in Oz, so it’s no surprise that their Enmore Theatre show on September 28 sold out, five months out, as did the Melbourne Palace date. * The Amity Affliction’s fifth album Chasing Ghosts has gone gold. * The Growl’s recent dates with Tame Impala through the US and Canada has seen their single Liarbird reach #7 on the US college radio charts. * Splendour In The Grass in Byron Bay sold out its 25,000 tickets in an hour.
DAFT PUNK SETS NEW CHART RECORD
Daft Punk this week became the first French group to top the ARIA singles charts, as Get Lucky climbs from #2 and goes gold. Three Frenchies previously went to #1, reports chart historian Gavin Ryan but they were solo acts – Paul Mauriat with Love Is Blue (1968), Bob Sinclar with Love Generation (2006) and David Guetta with Akon on Sexy Bitch (2009).
SUTCHBERRY AT CBA
With the Community Broadcasting Foundation’s Georgie Boucher on maternity leave for 12 months, filling in is new grants administrator Claire Stuchbery. Stuchbery has been involved in community radio since 1992 and at Beat. She was recently managing director at 4PeopleMedia for six years, developing sponsorship campaigns with community radio stations across the country. She can be contacted on cstuchbery@cbf.com.au or (03) 8341 5955.
MOREAU LEAVES CRUCIAL MUSIC
Alicia Moreau leaves her post at Crucial Music as Operations Manager this Friday. She is starting up her own company,
THE RECHORDS BY EDWARD SHARP-PAUL
Much-loved rock‘n’roll three-piece The ReChords have developed an ardent live following in Melbourne and beyond, and their new EP, It Won’t Be Long, promises to continue that. Ahead of their EP launch, double bassist Tyron Shaw discussed their ‘experimental’ recording process and their unique look. Before they even play a note, the first thing that strikes you about The ReChords are their sharp chambray shirts and spectacular quiffs. They look damn good, but this isn’t to say that they’re working a gimmick. “It’s not just a dress-up thing,” Shaw says. “We’re like that anyway, on a day-to-day level. When we’re onstage, we want to make it a visual show, not just a musical one.” Don’t Know Much, the first single from upcoming EP It Won’t Be Long, bemoans a very modern trend, of spending one’s life in thrall to social media. Its tone of bemusement fits the band’s ‘men out of time’ image, but one wonders if the band tailor the lyrical content of their music to fit their sound and aesthetic. “I don’t want to speak for Leo [Francis], who wrote that one, but my attitude is that whatever comes, comes. If it’s happened in
his life, he’ll mention it, because that’s the world we’re living in. We’re just combining those current concerns with the sounds of a bygone era.” Despite favouring a well-worn sound, The ReChords aren’t completely averse to a little innovation – It Won’t Be Long will be the first ReChords effort to feature drums. Shaw explains that their drum-free format wasn’t a conscious decision, they just liked things the way they were. “Originally, we considered drums,” he explains, “but we decided to proceed as a three-piece because the sound was quite strong, just with the double bass and guitars carrying the rhythm, and the harmonies filling everything out.” However, the time felt right to mix things up. “When we hooked
Stonefield drummer and singer Amy Findlay and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard drummer Michael “Cavs” Cavanagh returned to their new home to find someone had kicked in the front door and made off with valuables. These included a TV set, a Mac Book and a hard-drive with irreplaceable pro tools sessions and two guitars. One of the axes is hand painted, and pictured on facebook.com/stonefieldband and facebook.com/ kinggizzardandthelizardwizard. If you see the guitar pop up at a cash converter, swap shop or onstage, contact the bands. They ask you not confront whoever has it in their possession as they may quickly offload it (and the other valuables) to get quick cash.
Melbourne metal bands Twelve Foot Ninja and Barbariön have taken to crowd sourcing for their next projects. Twelve Foot Ninja raised $51,397 in 29 days through the Pozible site for a new epic video (pozible.com/project/20103). (This beats the $40,000 record set by Eskimo Joe). It is a four day shoot but they’re hiring a 7ft stuffed brown bear, a Penthouse model, an actual troll using Lord Of The Rings quality prosthetics, military style weapons, lots of blood, building props to smash and a choreographer for a fight sequence. Barbariön want to raise $60,000 by May 21 to film a doco of their European tour (pozible.com/project/19184) which kicks off at the end of the month as a result of their winning a Facebook competition to play a metal festival in Croatia. The director is Camera Club’s Dave Budge. In a posting in its Facebook, it “looks at the drudgery of low budget touring and the ecstasy of creating incredible stage performances” as well as metal culture in Europe. Crowd sourcing works: Jen Cloher made $16,546 for her next album. Producers of a doco on South Australia’s underground bands just got $10,000. Hobart band Ben Wells And The Middle Names are raising money after a fire in their rehearsal space caused $8,000 worth of damage to uninsured gear. For $1,000 a band member will get a tattoo of your initials!
3CR RADIOTHON Radio 3CR holds its radiothon between June 3 and 16. This year it is asking supporters and listeners to donate during an Election Year, so that 3CR can better deliver its progressive, alternative coverage of social, cultural and political issues. Now in its 37th year, 3CR empowers those often denied a voice in the mainstream media, particularly the working class, women, Indigenous people and many community groups. Make a tax-deductible donation online at 3cr.org.au/support, or by calling 3CR on (03) 9419 8377, or send a cheque or money order payable to ‘Community Radio Federation Ltd’ PO Box 1277 Collingwood 3066.
3PBS RADIO FESTIVAL This year’s 3PBS 106.7 FM Radio Festival is held May Monday 13 to Sunday 26, under the banner Romance Your Radio. All calls of commitment go into the running to win a Red Vespa PX150 from Peter Stevens Motorcycles, an Audiophile hi-fi system and T-shirts. Call 8415 1067 or head to pbsfm.org.au.
RACHEL BY THE STREAM OFF TO GLASTONBURY Melbourne electronic duo Rachel By The Stream will play in June at England’s Glastonbury festival, which this year features the Rolling Stones, Portishead and Public Enemy. The duo played packed shows in Oz when they launched their debut EP Smooth Like Butter, which was two weeks in the AIR Top 10.
BATTLE OF THE BANDS AT PONY THURSDAYS Battle of the Bands is back at Melbourne’s biggest Uni night, Pony Thursdays at Seven Nightclub. If you are 18 to 21-years-old and in a band they want you to showcase what you’ve got in their downstairs room. Email hello@ponythursdays.com with your up with Lindsey [Gravina], though, we decided to experiment and put some drums in there, just to get a more radio-friendly sound. We’re really happy with how it came out, but the next thing we do will be as a three-piece.” Are they not worried that something will be lost, some energy, some excitement? Shaw doesn’t seem to think it’s a problem. “People always dance at our shows – all sorts of dancing, let me tell you!” he chuckles. “I guess there’s just an upbeat feel in the rhythm of our songs that compels people to move.” How did the collaboration with the illustrious Gravina (Magic Dirt, Rowland S. Howard and The Living End) come about? “We approached him, just to have a chat about our music,” Shaw explains. “We didn’t really think anything would come of it, because what we do is such a niche sort of sound. To our surprise, he was interested in some stuff we sent him. “We were nervous about doing high-end production, because it goes against the sort of warm, analogue recording that we usually do. With our hillbilly style, it’s hard to give it a modern edge without taking away some of the personality, or making it sound like something that’s been done before. We’re happy with the end result, though: it’s still us, but with a bit more shine and energy.” With the EP wrapped, the band’s attention will return to their bread and butter – live performance. “We will be doing the EP launch with our good friend Sue Shaw [The Exotics], who played drums on the recordings. The rest of our live shows will be the tried-and-true three-piece, but we wanted to do something
WATCH INTERVIEWS, CHATS & AWKWARD SILENCES..... WWW.BEAT.COM.AU/TV
LIFELINES Born: daughter Capri Charlotte to Sydney publicist Kristyn Brennan of Ferris Davies PRM, and her partner Anthony Nazombe. Born: son Phaedra to Peaches Geldof and S.C.U.M. singer Tom Cohen, on the same day as what would have been her mum Paula Yates’s 54th birthday. The name is from an album by her fave group Tangerine Dream. Injured: a girl was taken to Maitland Hospital with suspected spinal injuries, after falling off her boyfriend’s shoulders in the moshpit at Groovin’ The Moo. Arrested: Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain’s 20-yearold son Justin. He allegedly broke into a Florida woman’s house and rifled through her purse, “taking a half-eaten chocolate bunny, half of an orange – which he consumed in the home – a belly ring, cosmetics, and a freezer pack,” cops said. Arrested: hip hopper William Warren Darcy, 23, over the stabbing of a 50-year-old in Canberra, involving four men. The Canberra Times said ACT police searched for him for four years on burglary, assault, property damage and possessing a knife. He’d been living in Dubbo and spent time in jail. In Court: Daniel Merriweather lost his driver’s licence for 14 months and was fined $800 for a drink driving incident last December during which he crashed his car. In February, he checked himself into rehab. In Court: an elderly couple from Stockholm face harassment charges after taking revenge on a noisy neighbour by playing Iron Maiden at full volume, sometimes until 4am. In Court: US rapper 2 Chainz, who blew out of the Movement hip hop festival as he was facing US drug charges, was found not guilty. The judge said there was no evidence that the marijuana paraphernalia found in his tour van was his. Died: US steel-guitar innovator Bob Brozman, 59, at his home. His tours of Australia saw him not only showcase his styles adopted from all over the world but entertain crowds with his sharp wit. Died: Chris Kelly, who in the ‘90s found fame as a 13-yearold in rap duo Kris Kross (Jump) was found unconscious in his home in Atlanta, of a possible drug overdose. He died in hospital, aged 34. Died: UK promoter Paul Shurey, who founded the Tribal Gathering festival, during a holiday in Goa, India, in a motorbike accident. Died: Slayer guitarist, chief songwriter and creative dynamo Jeff Hanneman from liver failure, 49. He’d been off the road since 2011 when he contracted a rare skin-tissue disease from a spider bite. Responsible for some of metal’s most evil riffs (see Angel Death from Reign In Blood) he had a strong enigmatic appeal as he seldom did interviews and stayed details to apply. More info, sevennightclub.com.
START MAKING CENTS! TWO MUSIC VICTORIA WORKSHOPS As the end of the financial year comes up, Music Victoria is holding two panels at the State Library for band managers and self-managed artists. Spaces are limited to 20 per session. See its website for ticketing details. May 8: Money For Nothing – Budgeting and Forecasting workshop (6pm ‘til 8pm). In conjunction with Small Business Victoria, it looks at handling your finances and making the most money possible, budgeting a tour or release, organising for end of the financial year, creating a profit and loss budget template and strategies to manage future profitability for band or business. May 14: Brass Tacks – Financial Issues For Musicians workshop. Tom Harris of White Sky Music and Slava Ha of Banks Group on bookkeeping basics, insurance, tour budgeting, GST issues, setting up band and business structures and maximising your tax return claims.
CRATE DIGGER RECORD FAIR IN BALLARAT After running in Fitzroy and Brunswick over the past three years, Crate Digger Record Fair heads to Ballarat this Saturday May 11 as part of its Heritage Weekend. There are hundreds of records for sale of every sub-tribal style, including hundreds of jazz records from private collectors. It runs 10am to 5pm at Police Lane (just off Lydiard Street, near the Mining Exchange), see facebook.com/ cratedigger.recordfair.
special for the launch,” Shaw explains. “We’re also bringing down The Drey Rollan Band from Sydney, and we’re having Cherrywood playing as well – it’s gonna be fun!” And it won’t stop there for The ReChords. Warmly regarded in Melbourne, after their EP launch the band will be spreading the gospel further afield, with their second tour of Europe. “There’s a good market for roots and Americana in Europe at the moment,” Shaw says. “We’ve getting some love, so we’re just hoping to build on that.” THE RECHORDS will be launching It Won’t Be Long on Saturday May 11 at The Workers Club. It Won’t Be Long will be available through Bundoora Records from Saturday May 11.
Beat Magazine Page 33
NEON TREES
BY AUGUSTUS WELBY
American four-piece Neon Trees have experienced huge mainstream success in recent years, commencing with their glossy pop-rock tune Animal, the lead single from 2010 debut album Habits. Last year the band extended their airwave domination with the release of their second album Picture Show and the single Everybody Talks, which cracked into the US top 10. Neon Trees’ continued success has prevented the band members from spending much time in their home of Provo, Utah and lead vocalist Tyler Glenn explains that acclimatising to living on the road has been difficult. “It can provide a weird emotional space but I’ve gotten used to it more, not completely, but more in the last few years.” Glenn elaborates that, due to his reclusive nature, being surrounded by people all the time can become overwhelming. “I used to not need people and was thrust into the touring life and being around people in close quarters all the time. I don’t mind it, I just think I forget that I also enjoy quiet and giving my mind time to breathe.” It sounds as if Glenn would largely keep to himself if he weren’t in a touring band, which prompts the suggestion that being forced into a social setting could be healthy. “I have fantasies more about throwing away my phone and being 50-years-old and living with a dog on a beach somewhere. It is healthy to be reminded that I have people that I really love,” he says. Even though he pines for a secluded idyll, Glenn doesn’t deny the esteeming perks of singing for a successful band.
“It’s giving me more purpose, playing shows and seeing that edification instantly. It’s very gratifying to see that I’ve got a role, not only for myself, but that I provide some sort of joy to selections of people around the world.” Glenn displays evident appreciation for the people who’ve lifted Neon Trees into the limelight and explains how he engages in direct contact with their fanbase. “Most of the time, especially when shows go well, of course I want to meet everyone. I like contact with fans, I like social media. Sometimes we’ll just Facebook message with fans. I’m grateful for those people, I think they’ve really helped us.” The success of Habits might have compelled Neon Trees into simply satisfying fan expectations with the follow-up album. Glenn discusses the pressuring thoughts that occurred to them when working on Picture Show. “We’re still conscious of the fact that we did something great on the first record and when we went to make the second
record we didn’t want to pull the rug from under people that had become really invested in the band. At the same time, you can’t completely be devoted to making music for other people all the time.” Animal was the highest played track on Australian radio in 2011 and reached platinum status in the US. Glenn admits the band were nervous about having an equally strong lead single from Picture Show. “Animal was such a beast. It didn’t go away, which was a really great thing for us because it was our first time, but at the same time it was like, ‘What if we can’t put something else out?’” However, Everybody Talks managed to eclipse the success of Animal and Glenn expresses clear surprise about this fact. “I didn’t think Everybody Talks was a hit when we released it. I thought of it as like a bridge between the two albums, I thought, ‘Oh this is a nice segue,’ but it became even more
popular than Animal. Now we’re enjoying the fact that we’re not a one hit wonder.” Indeed, having songs on high mainstream rotation can lead to being dismissively classed as a ‘singles’ band. However, Glenn vouches for Neon Trees’ intentions to make enduring albums. “I think it’s good that we love the art of making albums. We love putting complete devotion into every song, we like making a sequence on a record, we like album packaging, because I think at the end of the day it shows to the people that are really into the band that we care. We’re not Rihanna – we’re not putting an album out to put one song out and then move on.”
other people’s opinions – particularly brother Jesse – Hooper is also learning to overcome the desire for perfection. “I took a break between when the album was technically finished until recently so that I could really look at what I wanted and make some decisions,” she explains. “I really wanted to move away from over production because I feel that has swamped all of my music in the past and has plagued my album experiences before. When I listen back to some of the old albums they’re just so busy and that’s not really my cup of tea at all.” Her first single, Low High, arrived late last year – a chaingang style track that fuses pop hooks with a dark and ethereal energy pushed ever forward by the backing of consummate local band and masters of all things eerie, Graveyard Train. Her latest single, Häxan, delves further into that simultaneously unnerving and inviting sound that Hooper has spent this time alone exploring while the title
touches on the thematic drive of this album – sweetness and light-meets dark and stormy; mysticism meets Nick Cave-style doom. From these two songs alone, over production doesn’t appear to be a problem. The debut, In Tongues, will be out around midyear, and Hooper is still developing her skills as band leader as she readies herself for a much needed return to live performance. “It’s been a long time, I’ve had a few experiences of jumping up on stage, not at my own gigs but at others, and I thought, ‘God I miss this.’ I really feel connected and ready to play these songs,” she says with a bundle of enthusiasm. Oh look, we just broke an interviewing record.
the old school, because these people deserve to have monuments erected in their honour. People talk about the sound of pop music now – well, look at a guy like Michael Jackson. Now years before Michael Jackson there was another Michael Jackson: his name was Little Richard. Nothing exists without the past.” Womack and Cooke had a particularly close relationship at a time when the particulars of touring life for black musicians differed greatly to others. “When I was 16-years-old I was playing guitar for Sam,” Womack says. “We’d play all over the country, and wherever we went the white folks would be staying in hotels, and we’d have to stay in motels. One day I asked Sam why we couldn’t stay in a hotel with the rest of them. And he turns to me and says, ‘Don’t worry about staying in no hotel. It’s just a bunch of hoes running around.’ “Another time Sam called me up to his house,” he continues, changing tack slightly. “He’d just finished writing A Change Is Gonna Come, and he wanted to know what I thought about
it. I told him straight that the song was something else. That it was a different kind of hit. Then I asked him if he thought that one day a change was gonna come. And he said to me that soon enough the world would change forever. He said one day there’d be a black president. That seemed pretty strange to me, back then. Sam said he wouldn’t see it in his life, but he thought I would.” He is particularly proud of last year’s Albarn and Richard Russell produced album. “I think it’s a great album. I really wanted to get back to doing what used to be important when I was a young teenager. I had to make this album for all the ones out there who struggle. There’s too many Wilson Pickett’s out there who never really get what they deserve. I hope they can listen to this, and have hope.”
NEON TREES play Ding Dong Lounge on Wednesday May 15. Picture Show is out through Universal.
ELLA HOOPER
BY KRISSI WEISS
Ella Hooper has a killer voice that has at times been a wild beast in need of taming, and at others a delicate vehicle driving her stories but always immediately appealing and identifiable. She, like many other artists from the 2000s triple j crop, has grown up before our eyes and with that growth has come many musical manifestations and yet none of which have been simply Ella Hooper on her own. She’s been in two bands, one a pretty famous one and another a seriously famous one, but it seemed like a good idea to try and set a new world record by not mentioning the latter band’s name once in a chat with Hooper. She seemed to like that idea too. Having spent up until now writing music with brother Jesse, Hooper realised that it was time to explore a new musical journey. This isn’t just about a new “sound” as so many seem want to focus on, this is about singularly driving creation from inception to the stage. For an artist who seems to have been in this industry for eternity, Hooper felt like she still had a lot to learn. “Both Jesse and I did think, ‘Yeah this works’ and there’s the whole ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ theory and we always seemed to be able to come up with the goods together but we needed to look at other options and to stretch ourselves,” Hooper says. “That came with complications and apprehension from both of us but I eventually realised that I wanted to do some writing separately and I wanted to work with a producer. I was paranoid that it would somehow look bad like, I dunno, I think I built it up in my head like people would think, ‘Oh the old going solo trick.’ Like Gwen Stefani
so perfectly put it in the song What You Waiting For? ‘She thinks she’s so great now she’s gone solo.’” Apart from this new creative project, Hooper has stepped onto the other side of the music industry, presenting FoxFM’s Australian Top 20 and taking on the role of interviewer rather than interviewee. “I’ve been trying to not be the worst example of an interviewer that I’ve experienced and trying to be the best examples but then catching myself sometimes and thinking, ‘Oh no, did I just ask that? Did I just ask that ridiculous dumb question that I’ve been asked a thousand times that’s so mundane?’,” she laughs. “I try to push myself further and let them talk about the things I know they want to talk about.” The album is on its way and two singles have served to whet the appetite of her fans, but she needed to step away from the process to be able to objectively assess whether she was happy with how things had gone. Being so used to having
ELLA HOOPER will be launching her new single, Häxan, at the Workers Club on Thursday May 9.
BOBBY WOMACK
BY BENJAMIN COOPER
“I’m coming to see everybody down there at just the right time. I was green before, but I’m well-seasoned now.” Bobby Womack is the last person who can believably refer to himself as inexperienced, in any way. But then again, the man who is known as the Greatest Soul Singer In The World isn’t really in the business of being believable. Last year he was preparing to tour The Bravest Man In The Universe – his first album in 12 years – when he was hospitalised. His immediate diagnosis of pneumonia swiftly worsened. “I got real sick real fast,” Womack says. “I slipped into a coma for more than two weeks: I was out for 17 days. All the doctors were talking about pulling the plug. They were telling the family to be prepared.” Somehow he regained consciousness. “I had bills to pay, and other things to take care of,” he says matter-of-factly. Did the need to resolve outstanding utility payments really summon him back to the land of the living? “Well, I think God knew I needed a chance to play Australia. You know I’ve never played down there?” That last bit is a bit of a porky pie. Womack was here in 2011 as part of Damon Albarn’s massive Gorillaz global tour. He contributed vocals on multiple tracks on 2010’s Plastic Beach, most notably the soaring vocal hook on lead single Stylo where he duels throughout with rapper Mos Def. His involvement in the album was all the more significant given it occurred by chance. Initially Albarn had intended to feature Bee Gees’ Barry Gibb on Stylo, but the disco star was sidelined with McLean’s Earache. Cue Womack schooling the world in how to kick an epic vocal groove, old school style. Being involved with Gorillaz has been hugely fulfilling for Beat Magazine Page 34
Womack. At the same time, it has reminded him of his limitations. “I’ve been singing a long time, and I’ve never got sick before. That tour with Gorillaz was the longest tour I’ve ever been a part of, and it showed me that the body is not getting any younger. I can still sing – truth be told I think I’m singing better than ever – but sometimes I got to take it all a little slower.” What’s true is that the soul survivor has never played his own music and shows in Australia. Then again, he’s got good reasons. The Cleveland-born artist has been busy since debuting in 1954 at the age of ten as a member of The Womack Brothers. During the ‘70s he had a successful solo career; the skills for which were implemented during the years where he played bass and guitar for gospel artist Sam Cooke as part of The Valentinos. The group’s June 1964 hit It’s All Over Now was covered one month later by The Rolling Stones, and the Womack co-written number went on to become the British band’s first UK hit. Cooke and The Stones are just a couple of the big names that Womack has worked with throughout the last half century. “People think I’m bragging when I start talking, but they’re all my constituents,” Womack says. “I knew all of them, and most of them were my friends. Sam Cooke, Janis (Joplin) and Marvin Gaye were very dear to me. When I get up there it’s about them, you know? It’s about
DISCUSS WHAT? BEAT.COM.AU/DISCUSSION
BOBBY WOMACK performs at Hamer Hall on Tuesday May 21.
NEW ANTI-SMOKING CLIPS FROM
“ALL I WANTED WAS TO BE ONE OF THE BLOKES, MY ARTERIES ARE BLOCKED I’VE HAD TOO MANY STROKES”
“FEELS LIKE I CAN’T GET YOU OUT MY SYSTEM, GUESS I SHOULD BE THANKFUL I’M STILL HERE”
— The Coughin’ Nails, 2013
— M4-CEMA, 2013
CHECK THEM OUT AT
facebook.com/smokescreenmusicfestival
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 35
THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM BY ALASDAIR DUNCAN
There’s no getting around the fact that The Gaslight Anthem write sad songs. The New Jersey rockers make the kind of tunes that you can put on as you crack open a beer and think about the old days. Even an energetic song like The ’59 Sound has an aching sadness at its core. As drummer Benny Horowitz tells it, the guys in the band aren’t the type to talk about their feelings, so it all comes out in the music. “We all struggle with our demons in the band,” he says, “but there’s nobody in the world who doesn’t struggle with things. I mean, I can’t speak for the other guys in the band and how they’re feeling at any one time, but the four of us don’t go into the studio and have open, emotional discussions about what’s happening in our lives. I guess we just convey it all in the music.” The band’s singer, Brian Fallon, is also its lyricist, and Horowitz is always moved when he hears the words for the first time. “I’m a decent writer, but I fucking suck at lyrics,” he says with a laugh. “I’m a huge fan of Brian’s writing. When we hear his lyrics for the first time, it’s no different from when fans of the band hear them – I’m a fan of Gaslight Anthem!” Fans often speak about how Gaslight’s songs help them through troubled times, and Horowitz couldn’t be more proud. “Sometimes Brian writes a line where he really captures something, where I feel like somebody else understands – somebody else has seen something I’m going through. Brian always touches his lyrics with a sense of hope, with a sense that you can always go forward, regardless of how shitty things are.” The Gaslight Anthem came out of the punk scene, and their music contains boundless energy. Their live show requires a lot of stamina – for Horowitz, playing a Gaslight gig is the equivalent of a good, sweaty session at the gym. “It fucking kills me man, especially these days!” he says. “It’s funny, when half of these songs were written, I couldn’t even conceive playing a two-hour
set. In my life, I’d never played more than half an hour, and honestly, it’s hard. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, being home in-between tours, it’s that I have to stay in shape. I need to make sure I run and get a good sweat in a couple of times a week, and make sure I play drums pretty often, or else the first week of the tour, I just feel slammed.” I spend some time commiserating with Horowitz on the subject of getting older, and the things you have to consider that you never did as a carefree teen. “I have to really think about what I’m feeding myself, how I’m taking care of myself,” he says. “It’s annoying. I wish I could go back to being a kid, when I could just drink a litre of Mountain Dew and it was no big thing, but I have other things to consider now.” I tell him about how, when I was 16, I used to be able to eat an entire deep dish pizza in one sitting, but the thought of that now makes me physically ill. “Yeah,” he laughs, “I know what you mean. I’m on lockdown right now. My girlfriend is right into natural eating and all that, and I’m on board with it, but it’s a big lifestyle change, especially from what I’m used to.” While it’s true that The Gaslight Anthem are playing longer shows to bigger crowds these days, the band are determined not to let success interfere with their core values. “We try to ignore all those things when we write songs,” he says. “To do otherwise would be the death of us as a band. The only thing that rock has that other kinds of music don’t is that passion and energy and fire – once you start thinking about
“SOMETIMES BRIAN WRITES A LINE WHERE HE REALLY CAPTURES SOMETHING, WHERE I FEEL LIKE SOMEBODY ELSE UNDERSTANDS.”
writing hits, about writing music to please people other than you, you’re getting away from the things that first made you vital and interesting as musicians. “There are so many voices coming at us from so many places these days, it’s hard to shut them out, but when we write, we have to try and look inwards. If we can do something we’re proud of and that we love, then all the other shit doesn’t matter.” The Gaslight Anthem are a tight group of friends as well as a band, although when I ask Horowitz if he sees them still playing together as old men, he’s unsure. “The idea of me being 50-years-old and playing a song like Sink Or Swim just seems ridiculous, you know?” he says. “I can’t even picture the sad, balding, out-of-shape version of me trying to do that, or imagine the way it would sound. It’s
something I’ve never considered until recently, but I’ve been thinking about it recently, and it’s odd. I hope this is my life for a long time, but it’s interesting to look into the future like that. Whenever I think like that, I try to draw myself back into what’s happening now – I try to look around and appreciate the moment, rather than try and think about what’s going to happen five years from now. There could be a nuclear holocaust between now and then, I don’t fucking know. Music could be outlawed by the gestapo by then. Who knows?” THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM play at The Palace on Tuesday May 14 and Wednesday May 15. David Hause is supporting.
FEATURING
FEEL THE LOVE, NOT GIVING IN, HELL COULD FREEZE & WAITING ALL NIGHT PLUS COLLABORATIONS WITH
EMELI SANDÉ, ALEX CLARE, JOHN NEWMAN, ANGEL HAZE & MORE
DEBUT ALBUM HOME OUT NOW Beat Magazine Page 36
DISCUSS WHAT? BEAT.COM.AU/DISCUSSION
WWW.WARNERMUSIC.COM.AU
ROLLING STONE: THE COVERS 1972 – 2010 BY ALASDAIR DUNCAN
Throughout the decades, Rolling Stone magazine has been one of the most important chronicles of rock music – of the artists, and the ideas and movements that inspire them. Each cover tells a different story, and this month the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum are celebrating this by showing off some of the finest examples. “There are 150, going from 1972, which was the first Australian edition of the magazine,” museum curator Megan Sheehy tells me. “The first ever cover had Jerry Garcia of The Grateful Dead, and the exhibition has covers going right through to 2010.” There are numerous iconic images in the collection, with a huge range of artists represented – everyone from Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Neil Young and Paul Simon through to Britney Spears and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. There are many images, but Sheehy definitely has her favourites from each decade. “One of the most arresting images from the ‘70s is definitely the Patti Smith one,” she says. “She’s standing there in front of a fire, and it relates to the song that she’d just done with Bruce Springsteen, Because The Night. There are lyrics in there about fire and flames, and they’ve literally interpreted that on the cover of Rolling Stone. “In the ‘80s, there’s a great one with Mick Jagger. It’s a striking image of him with the word ‘satisfaction’ underneath. It’s from 1984. It’s interesting, because the story goes that a few years before, he was going around telling people that Rolling Stone’s masthead had lost its character, so they redid it! He’s appeared on a couple of covers, but that 1984 one of him is pretty striking to me.” One cover with very special significance features an image of rocker Bon Scott, of AC/DC. “He died years before, but Rolling Stone decided to feature him on the cover in 1994,” Sheehy explains. The issue featured a bit of a retrospective on his life, although its significance goes beyond that. “That cover is an interesting one to us here in Lilydale,” she continues, “because we have a mechanics institute attached to the museum, and Bon Scott played there in the ‘60s in The Valentines. There’s a guy named Darcy who lives out here near the museum who worked as a roadie for Bon Scott at that time, and he’s told us a lot about Bon Scott before AC/DC. We’re doing a bit of a display to go along with the exhibition.” The covers on display feature a variety of wellknown musicians, but the snappers behind them are often just as well-known. “Annie Liebowitz is Rolling Stone’s most renowned photographer,” Sheehy says. “A lot of the style of the magazine is thanks to her and a few other photographers, that idea of having the masthead, and then a single, striking image of one person. The idea is that it reflects the poster art of the tie – the huge, bold, slightly psychedelic poster art of the late ‘60s. It takes that and puts it in magazine form. The early ones are interesting. They’re on newsprint, so the photograph had to be really interesting in order to stand out. It’s easier now, with glossy print.” Seeing all the covers in the one place, one becomes aware of changing trends – both in Rolling Stone and in the music business – over the years. “I’ve noticed that, today, there are more bands, whereas before, there were more individual artists,” Sheehy says. “I think that’s something we’re going back to – that single performer. Maybe that’s a reflection of the music industry. In the early days, they’d try and make one performer famous, then for a while, labels could afford to make groups famous. Now we’re going the other way, the record industry is sort of struggling to support full bands. They can’t tour them all the way around the world. They’re going back to a focus on single artists. I think there is a general feeling in the music industry that we’re going back to that a little bit, even if we don’t want to.” The kinds of artists who appear on the cover have also changed since the early days. Whereas once it was scruffy rockers like Jerry Garcia and Bob Dylan, these days airbrushed pop stars like Katy Perry and Britney Spears are just as likely to appear. Sheehy, however, is no music snob, and says that one of the things she likes about Rolling Stone is the way that it always addresses the popular music of each particular era. “We look at The Beatles and Dylan today and think of them as classics,” she says, “but in 20 or 30 years, we might think the same about the cover stars of today. I would think that the style of music has shifted towards a pop sound, but if anything, you could say that Rolling Stone has just traced the progression of popular music through the years.” The exhibition itself has appeal right across the generations, and Sheehy says that anyone who grew up loving music from the ‘70s right through to today can get something great out of it. “I’m hoping that we get parents bringing their kids down and talking about the music they like,” she says. “It’s just as possible for kids to share their taste in new music as for parents to share their love of older stuff. You hear a lot of interesting conversations going on in the space, which is fantastic, but it’s also a lot of appreciation that everyone has different music tastes over time.”
IMAGE CREDITS: Prince, Rolling Stone Australia, Issue #365, June 1983. Nirvana, Rolling Stone Australia, Issue #470, May 1992. AC/DC (Bon Scott) Rolling Stone Australia, Issue #493, February 1994. Blondie, Rolling Stone Australia, Issue #294, June 1979. John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Rolling Stone Australia, Issue #600, April 2002.
THIS
Feel Presents
WEE
A R F A I B JoELLO
K!
THE GUANTANAMO SCHOOL OF MEDICINE THE FORMER DEAD KENNEDYS FRONTMAN RETURNS PLAYING ALL THE HITS AND MORE!
SAT. 11th & SUN. 12TH MAY CORNER HOTEL CIAL GUESTS SPE CIAL GUE
ILDREN
SS CH SAT USEHLEEK REMLINGS T & 11TH RONG GRONG GR SUN G SPINNING ROOMS 12TH & S
ROLLING STONE: THE COVERS 1972 – 2010 appears at the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum until Sunday July 7.
LE NOW! TICKETS ON SATEL .COM.AU, FROM THECORNERHO FEELPRESENTS.OZTIX.COM.AU & ALL OZTIX OUTLETS
jellobiafra.org • feelpresents.com DISCUSS WHAT? BEAT.COM.AU/DISCUSSION
Beat Magazine Page 37
RAZORS OF OCKHAM BY EDWARD SHARP-PAUL
Melbourne two-piece Razors of Ockham announced themselves in fine style by winning the Emerging Indie Development competition at the Elsternwick Hotel. ‘The Wick’ is getting back in touch with its past as a live music mainstay, and Razors of Ockham have been the first band to enjoy the benefits. But who are Razors of Ockham? To find out, we caught up with guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Michael Rizzo. The first thing one thinks upon hearing the sensuousyet-violent intensity of Razors of Ockham is, ‘what do you call it?’. Rizzo laughs knowingly when the question arises. “I generally go with modern blues/ folk,” he explains. “We don’t necessarily sound like those genres, but that’s where we came from. The blues goes back to the African American slaves: it’s very organic and honest, and it’s all about the voice. The sentiment of the blues is the sentiment of suffering – it wasn’t really about story-telling. That’s where Jessica’s (Koch) vocal comes in – she’s very serious and honest. “The blues is dark music, but traditionally it’s heavily acoustic, and minor-key. Instead of depressive chord progressions, we wanted to use tones that could evoke those feelings. A few people have said that we sound like something from a Tarantino film. I don’t know what that means, exactly, but I think it captures the feeling of what we’re doing.” If Razors of Ockham seem quite fully-formed for a new-ish project, it may be because Koch and Rizzo actually have a long history together. “Jess and I came
from Voltera,” Rizzo explains. “We actually started Voltera, and this was our side project. It’s more stripped-back, and it’s a way for us to do something more organic – everything we do can be replicated live. I play a stompbox, harmonica and a guitar with a loop pedal, and Jess plays keyboard, floor-tom and hand percussion – and she sings. We’re working in some other elements at the moment, too.” All in all, it’s a heady brew, and a lot for two people to be handling. Have they considered a third member, by any chance? “We’ve considered getting a percussionist, but it’s important that they’re able to extend what we’re doing. We don’t just want a regular drummer or a bongo player,” Rizzo says. Of course, as a mere two-piece they’ve already managed to win the Elsternwick Hotel’s Grass Roots Indie Development (GRID) competition. Rizzo says that the experience was a positive one. “The focus with GRID is supporting independent music, and making it more about nurturing your art, rather than competing with other bands, he explains. “It was fun, a good atmosphere and good turnouts.
They’re developing a really eclectic network of acts, too – not just the usual guitar bands you’d see at every other pub in Melbourne. “Part of the Elsternwick prize is a recording package,” he continues. “We’ve been writing and demoing a whole bunch of songs, and once we’ve worked out how we want to approach production and a few other things, we’ll get into the studio.” It’s a common predicament for emerging bands, but Rizzo is refreshingly matter-of-fact about the largely symbolic nature of recorded output. “We do want to record an album this year,” he says, “but we’re
not sure yet whether or not we’ll actually release it as an album, or an EP, or a just a trickle of songs for free download. The main thing is that people have something they can hear, so they can decide whether to check out the live show. For me, all the creativity and the art is in the writing and the performance, not the production.”
the past that to create good things you had to be an auteur of your own work and your own vision and that compromise is a weakening of that,” he says. “That’s a really immature view in some ways and playing with a band helped me begin to learn that lesson but more than that, having J on board gave me critical opinion that I’d never had before. Typically, people who talk to you about your music pick the one thing they like and talk about it so to have someone say, ‘So this is the worst thing you do’ was incredibly useful and
has really helped me transition these songs from the recordings back onto the stage.”
“Tim was immobile at the time of recording, he was quite sick with cancer. He died just after we finished the album which is terribly tragic and we dedicate the album to him,” explains a downcast Simons. He now goes into why working with Cross was a necessity. “Tim worked with Mike Goldfield on Tubular Bells which is one of my favourite records of all time.” Simons closes the interview with much gumption as he oozes excitement for Buchanan’s recently booked album launch. “The show has just been booked and it’s happening
on Thursday June 6 with ClubFeet DJs and Hearts at John Curtain Band Room. We are in a really good place and really looking forward to playing again – when you do all this album stuff it gets a bit mentally draining – so the band and I are wrapped to be playing material from this album live in our hometown!”
To stay in touch with their news, check out facebook.com/razorsofockham.
CHARLES BABY BY KRISSI WEISS
Charles Baby is in the middle of a typical artist’s day when we chat, juggling multiple jobs and duties in attempt to keep his craft alive and a roof over his head. Music is an expensive business and never more so than for the independent artist with a debut album ready for release. “I always end up doing all these things that I’m terrible at,” Baby laughs. “I shouldn’t be in charge of my online presence or anything to do with technology; they’re things I don’t have any skills in but they just end up being part of the job. Thank goodness I have a team doing bios and PR for me now because that’s terrible and they are only so many times you can talk about yourself in the third person and not totally hate yourself.” Baby’s original bio makes mentions of his impressive list of support slots – Tim Rogers, Josh Pyke – while also attributing his songs to the mystical force of supreme subterranean beings, hmmm. “Yep that was 100 per cent me,” he says with a laugh. “See that’s what I come up with. When it’s left to me you get absolute gibberish that I’m sure is detrimental to my career. Nothing good is going to come from that bio.” But something good seems to be coming from his songs: awash with a raw Americana/folk sound and dripping with a level of honesty that shows that Baby is not afraid to be exposed. He brought these songs to life in two old school halls in South Gippsland under the skilful guidance of producer J. Walker.
“There’s a real ambience or reverence in playing in those places,” he says of the recording process. “If you just talk into those rooms, the sound washes out and echoes so when you sing what might be a middle of the road song, it all of a sudden sounds really important. As a space, it’s also a really profound thing to play in there. We got to do it all live as well, previous I’d been playing to click tracks, and everything’s been really separated and sterile so I loved this experience.” Harnessing such natural and unwieldy acoustics could have been a massive hurdle but Baby felt safe that Walker could navigate any sonic chaos. “I would have absolutely no idea how to handle that so that was all his territory,” he laughs again. “We went to one hall that really didn’t work because I have a much bigger voice than the person that was previously in there so the sound was just banging off the walls. Thank god he was there to guide all of that.” Now that Baby is bringing this album to the stage, he’s stepping down from the overly determined idealism that plagues so many song writers and feels he has learned a lot during this experience. “I was adamant in
CHARLES BABY will launch The End Of The Terror Lights at The Workers Club on Thursday May 16 with Jackson McLaren and Wishful. He’ll also be at Revolver this Saturday May 11 with Grizzly Jim Lawrie.
BUCHANAN BY DAN WATT
Melbourne band Buchanan’s debut album Human Spring is a complex beast. From the paradox of the cover image to the sad story behind the album’s dedication, Human Spring has the makings of a hallmark release in an era when keeping music and themes simple is not an option. “We wanted to write something that had a bit more meaning and we felt that in order to convey that we had to up the anti of the production as well. I think that bands, when they come to their first album, have to make a decision: are we going to strip it back and give something really raw or amp it up? We chose to amp it up!” explains Buchanan lead singer, guitarist and main songwriter Josh Simons. The cover art for Human Spring depicts a protest scene with a cheeky gun-toting protagonist holding up a sign with the title of the album written on it. Simons explains that the title was directly inspired by the Arab Spring, a phenomenon in the Middle East and northern Africa where the people of countries including Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen rose up through protest and overthrew oppressive regimes. “Human Spring is about what is good in the world, I wanted to draw attention to this because I think that we are dominated in the media and also in conversation on the negative so I guess the record is about what is positive in the world,” explains Simons with abounding enthusiasm. “And the Arab Spring from my understanding was Beat Magazine Page 38
about a part of the planet that was celebrating an uprising and I guess we just wanted to make a record that celebrates what is good in everyone. We also like contrasts in Buchanan, so we liked the strong sort of war image on the front but the album is quite up beat so it was about juxtaposing light and dark, hope and despair,” intellectualises Simons. Musically, hope is sprawled across the essence of Human Spring as it begins with a cluster of keys that forms the framework for the entire track. “That synth sound was literally the starting point. In the studio, if I find a loop I will just listen to it endon-end much to the displeasure of the rest of band.” However, although this monotony is the bane of Simons’ band-mates, it is actually a very productive method. “I was just coming up with melodies in my mind and the guys were working in the other room, and also listening to the synth line on repeat and then by the end of the day the song was done.” The strings on the song Human Spring took a lot longer and were recorded in England. The song was recorded in the UK because the producer of the song, Tim Cross, was bed ridden due to cancer.
DISCUSS WHAT? BEAT.COM.AU/DISCUSSION
BUCHANAN play the John Curtain Hotel on Thursday June 6 with ClubFeet DJs and Hearts. Human Spring is out this Friday May 10.
CORE
NEWS, REVIEWS AND GOSSIP BY EMILY KELLY: EK1984@GMAIL.COM
I am delighted to report that I survived Belgium’s Groezrock Festival 2013 with only a banging red wine hangover and a mild cold. First impression of the festival was that in comparison with our Australian punk rock festival de rigur Soundwave, Groezrock is significantly smaller. Not that this detracts from the experience of course. It’s quite delightful to swan about the festival’s ample grounds (read: a paddock) without being encumbered by throbbing masses. Plus, everyone at Groezrock was so disgracefully shitfaced that it frankly would have been rather mortifying if there were three times as many people present. Festival highlights include catching a bevy of small internationals that – I assume – will not be trekking south any time soon. Front Bottoms, The Dopamines, Nothington, Masked Intruder and Iron Chic were all outstanding and brought far bigger crowds than anticipated given their early morning billing. Kid Dynamite were outstanding and Trail Of Dead, Frank Turner and Strung Out all delivered in spades. The camping situation was a touch post-apocalyptic. The sign outside the campsite read, “-2 degrees Celsius, camp at your own risk”, but in the heat of the partying on the final night I believe said sign was torn in two and some German gentlemen were hitting one another with it before riding it through the campsite like a donkey. Chaos. Sweet, unadulterated chaos.
CRUNCH! BLEEDING THROUGH’S AUSTRALIAN TOUR
Andrew Seward has departed Against Me quite unexpectedly. “I’ve left AM!” he wrote. “No drama here. I reached a point where I need to focus on other things. Respect to Laura and James. The last ten years ruled.” Laura Jane Grace commented, “I realise at this point there’s a possibility that it may look pretty ridiculous to carry on playing under the name Against Me! If I didn’t feel like I had something that I really needed to say with the album we’ve been working on for the past year then I’d humbly hang the hat and move on.” Transgender Dysphoria Blues is scheduled for release later this year. Two of the most exciting punk rock entities of life are going to team up and release a split 7” together this winter. Make Do And Mend and The Flatliners will join forces to release new tracks on June 18 via Rise Records. Soundwave have revealed the details of the upcoming Australian Warped Tour. It’s not hitting as many regional centers as we first expected. One Victorian show has been scheduled for Saturday December 7 with venue yet to be disclosed.
CIRCADIAN PULSE: YOUR LOCAL PROG FIX
Melbourne progressive metal band Circadian Pulse will be launching their debut EP In the Blink Of An Eye at the Bendigo Hotel on Thursday May 16. Formed in 2008, the band has firmly established itself in Australia’s niche progressive metal scene. With influences including Dream Theater, Fates Warning and Symphony X plus a variety of other stuff, this will be a great opportunity to hear some local prog. The performance will consist of the recently released EP plus some other selections. Joining them will be fellow local metal bands Horizons Edge and Alaskan Thunder.
GIG ALERT: AMORPHIS Funny: just edited an interview with these chaps for one of my other jobs. Finland’s Amorphis are coming to Australia for the first time ever! Never before has this iconic and distinguished act graced Australian shores, but in October 2013, this is all set to change. They’ll be here performing tracks off their latest release Circle but will also play classic and fan favourite Amorphis tracks across their comprehensive discography. They’re hitting Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth (the Melbourne show is Monday October 14 at Billboard The Venue), tickets from metalmassacre.com.au, moshtix or ticketek. Early bird tickets are on sale now via metalmassacre.com.au, while general tickets go on sale Monday May 20.
SMASH
Melbourne’s Twelve Foot Ninja continue to defy convention by setting a world record for the highest amount crowdfunded for a stand-alone music video, along with smashing the record for the largest Australian music crowdfunding target of $45,000 in just 28 days. By raising an astonishing $52,600 to make their highly anticipated next video clip via Australian crowdfunding platform Pozible, the project eclipses even mainstream favourites Eskimo Joe (who sought $40,000 in 60 days) and now sets the benchmark for music crowdfunding in Australia.
Funeral For A Friend have announced supports for their upcoming Aussie shows. Relentless and AmourUS will open for the band when they play the Corner Hotel on Tuesday May 14 (that’s next week ya’ll!). One of our country’s finer female singers, Newcastle’s Jen Buxton, has released Desperation Demos digitally via her Bandcamp page. Five new tracks are available at your fingertips now. Poison City Records have announced that our beloved Weekender Festival will return in 2013. This year there are stacks of bands playing at stacks of venues and it’s gonna be stacks of fun. The Smith Street Band will headline proceedings and US bands Joyce Manor and Cheap Girls will come out to join festivities. Blueline Medic, The Nation Blue, Luca Brasi, White Walls, Hoodlum Shouts and The Bennies are amongst the stack of local bands scheduled to play. Get stoked. Tickets are available from this Friday. Wil Wagner of The Smith Street Band has commenced a month-long residency at Footscray’s Reverence Hotel. His EP Laika has been receiving some very complimentary reviews of late. Suss the gig guide for further details.
Thursday May 9: Confession, No Way Out, The Rose Line at Next Riot In Towtown, Sudden State, Black Mayday at The Reverence The Corsairs, Darts, The Big Face and the Boogie Woogie Boogie Board Boys, Shaun Peters and the Motheruckin Boogaloo All Stars at The Bendigo Friday May 10: Cradle Of Filth, The Amenta at Palace Theatre OM, Fourteen Nights At Sea, Dead River, ASSAD at The Hifi Bar 28 Days at Prince Of Wales Cavalcade, Union Pacific, Kissing Both, Summer Hill at The Reverence Saturday May 11: Truckfighters at Ding Dong Lounge Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School Of Medicine, Useless Children at Corner Hotel Step Panther, Gung Ho, Bored Nothing at Northcote Social Club Nocturnal Graves, Kromosom, Pale Sage, Split Teeth at The Reverence Beast Wars, The Ruiner, Broozer, Batpiss at The Bendigo The Workinghorse Irons, Japan For, Tim Hampshire at The Loft, Warnambool Vanna, Storm The Sky, Sierra at Bang Sunday May 12: Wil Wagner, Corey Price, Terror and Tamm, Luke Thomas at The Reverence Tuesday May 14: Funeral For A Friend, Relentless, AmourUS The Gaslight Anthem, Dave Hause at The Palace
METAL, HEAVY ROCK, CLASSIC ROCK
LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL GOOD SHIT WITH PETER HODGSON: CRUNCHCOLUMN@GMAIL.COM
FINAL
This is a celebration! After over a decade as full time touring act, Californian metal-core giants Bleeding Through have called it a day and have announced a final Australian this July. Having firmly cemented themselves atop the metal pantheon with the release of seven genre defining classic albums including metalcore staples This Love, This Is Murderous and The Truth, Bleeding Through set the benchmark for all those to follow whilst changing the face of heavy music. Although their departure will be an incredible loss to the international community of heavy music, fans can take solace in the announcement of one final tour of Australia with the band playing all the classics from an extensive discography. Perth’s metal kings Make Them Suffer are along for the ride. They’re at Ferntree Gully Hotel on Friday July 26 and The Hi-Fi on Saturday July 27. Tickets are on sale now from the usual outlets.
TWELVE FOOT NINJA CROWDFUNDING TARGET
CORE GIG GUIDE
PUNK, SKA, HARDCORE
DOUBLE DRAGON MEMBERS RESURFACE IN VOROS
Voros, the five-piece Australian metal outfit featuring former members of Double Dragon and A Red Dawn, will play their first Melbourne show on Saturday July 20 at The Hi-Fi. The show is in support of their debut EP, The Sky Burial EPs: Pt I. Voros formed in mid-2012 when A Red Dawn and Double Dragon members Joshy Lamont (bass) and Davin Buttery (guitar) teamed up with Double Dragon’s Liam Weedall (drums) and set about establishing a new band that would incorporate elements of several metal sub-genres, while staying true to their Australian heavy metal instinct. The recruitment of guitarist Cameron Dodds and later vocalist Tyson Braithwaite would round out the five-pronged attack. With a full lineup in place, Voros began recording the six tracks that would make up the band’s debut release, The Sky Burial EPs: Pt I, II & II’ with plans to unleash it for free online in three installments throughout 2013.
R.I.P. JEFF HANNEMAN
As I’m sure you know by now, Slayer’s Jeff Hanneman died last week of liver failure after battling a flesheating disease caused by a spider bite. Jeff was responsible for pretty much all of my favourite Slayer songs. Raining Blood? Jeff. War Ensemble? Jeff. South of Heaven, Seasons in the Abyss, Angel of Death, Dead Skin Mask? Jeff Jeff Jeff Jeff. The metal world will be feeling this one for a long time.
MANIFEST AT THE CORNER Introducing the ugly cousin of Saltar Hype Entertainment’s At The Corner events: Manifest At The Corner. On Friday May 24, nine brutal Melbourne acts will thrash it out over The Corner Hotel’s two stages. Prepare to have your face melted as King Parrot, Dreadaught, Elm Street, Bronson, Voltera, Contrive, They, Cold Divide and Diprosus all light up The Corner Hotel. Tickets are $16 plus booking fee, on sale now from the Corner Box Office or website.
BREAKING ORBIT, ATMOSPHERE
ENTERING
Sydney’s Breaking Orbit were responsible for one of my favourite albums of 2012. They’re progressive, heavy, melodic, emotive and ambient. And they’re out on the road in June promoting Silence Seekers, the final track from the album. This one focuses more on the band’s melodic side and it’s an imposing thing of beauty. They’ll be at Revolver on Friday June 14. They’re also at Enigma Bar in Adelaide on June 15, which I’m telling you because road trips are cool and Breaking Orbit are worth one. Okay? Okay.
ROCK ‘N’ LOAD RETURNS TO THE ESPY On Saturday June 1, the second annual Rock ‘N’ Load Festival returns to The Espy in a big way. The venue’s three rooms will feature some of the best live rock acts from Melbourne and interstate, with over 30 acts across three stages. The bands are – are you ready for this? – Dallas Frasca, The Fumes, King Of The North, The Nerve (Single Launch), My Secret Circus, Ten Thousand, Massive, Don Fernando, Gay Paris, Dead City Ruins, Battle Axe Howlers, Sudden State, Sheriff, Hotel On Mayfair (EP Launch), Riot In Toytown, Vida Cain, Dive Into Ruin, High Side Driver, Virtue, The Dead Love, Pretty Villain, Destroy She Said, Red Sky Burial, The Human Electric, The Caning, Horsehunter, Animal Hands, Elcaset, DJ Esquire and the Phil Para Band. Tickets are on sale now: $21 plus booking fee from Oztix, the Espy bottleshop, Polyester Records, Greville Records, Fist 2 Face, The Nash (Geelong) and Karova Lounge (Ballarat). CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 39
MUSIC NEWS
YOUR COMPREHENSIVE LOCAL GUIDE
For all the latest news check out beat.com.au
ROLLING STONE: THE COVERS 1972-2010 This one’s for all of those collectors out there who love memorabilia, because Rolling Stone Australia are releasing 150 of the greatest covers spanning over four decades. The exhibition is touring the country and can be seen at The Yarra Ranges Regional Museum until Sunday July 7. With an original masthead designed by the late, great psychedelic artist Rick Griffin, stunning photography and illustration by luminaries including Annie Leibovitz and Ralph Steadman, and the work of stellar art directors, Rolling Stone’s covers have become as iconic as the stars that feature on them. Not only is this the only place in Victoria the covers will be on show, the exhibition is also completely free.
THE BROW HORN ORCHESTRA The Brow Horn Orchestra is fast becoming one of Australia’s most in demand party bands. The high-energy brass n’ beats five-piece play genre-defying, dance-demanding electronic/hip hop /pop music laced with electric energy and global sounds. The Brow Horn Orchestra will be returning to The Spotted Mallard for a free show on Friday May 17, supported by local artist Sarah Stone.
DR JUICY JAY’S FRIED CHICKEN & CRAB SHACK Attention to all food lovers, mouth watering news: Dr Juicy Jay’s Fried Chicken & Crab Shack will be taking over the kitchen at The Public Bar from Thursday night and making it their own. That means a whole lot of boiled and deepfried crabs, plus southern fried chicken and waffles. Head over to The Public Bar to check it out. It’s all happening from 6pm. Free entry!
BEASTWARS Beastwars’ second studio album Blood Becomes Fire is on its way, and they’re finally touring Australia for the very first time to celebrate. The underground band from New Zealand are influenced by the heavy drones of Black Sabbath and Mastodon, and their live shows reflect these classic rock influences so aren’t to be missed. Catch them at The Bendigo Hotel on Saturday May 11 with Batpiss, Broozer with tuff tech sludge and The Ruiner (featuring members of Bloodduster and Christbait).
SLUMBER PARTY MASSACRE If you pretend to be Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction, or let’s face it, Kill Bill, this night may be perfect for you. It’s a sleepover where Cinemaniacs and Fangoria present the screening of the sequel to Amy Holden’s masterpiece Slumber Party Massacre. After the movie, The Tarantinos, a band purely dedicated to performing cult favourites from Reservoir Dogs and more, will showcase their wares. There will be drinks aplenty in this night of flesh in all its beauty and gory glory. All proceeds go towards making Cinemaniacs a bigger and better entity. It all takes place on Saturday May 11 at The Tote and doors are at 8pm.
Beat Magazine Page 40
THE CLITS The Clits have a residency in May at The Tote every Wednesday and tonight support comes from the excellent Chook Race and Ross De Chene Hurricanes. Doors at 8pm.
UNION ROYALE When you take Shane Reilly (Tex Perkins, Blue Sun), Simon Burke (Mia Dyson, Something For Kate) and Toby Lang (ex-Audreys, Kate Nash) and put them all together, you can expect to hear Buck Owens to Bowie – drenched in pedal steel, of course. These intimate Sunday sessions make a cosy residency at The Spotted Mallard and are free for one and all from 4.30pm onwards.
ELLA THOMPSON Ella Thompson has just released her debut solo EP Elysium after previous work with AXOLOTOL and The Bamboos has set her in good stead for future endeavours. Co-produced with John Castle, the EP exudes cinematic textures, fluid melodies and raw performance. She will perform solo at the intimate Some Velvet Morning on Friday May 10 with support from Ainslie Wills.
I KNOW THE CHIEF I Know The Chief is the lovechild of former indie band Passport. Describing their euphoric sound as ‘jungle disco’, these five young men have already undergone a rollercoaster in their music journey. Drawing upon influences such as Two Door Cinema Club, Twinsy and Phoenix, they set out to move the needle on the Australian music culture. They’re playing a Wednesday residency at The Evelyn throughout May.
THE SOLICITORS
SEATTLE
Things are heating up for Melbourne powerpop quartet The Solicitors. Recently signed to Popboomerang Records, the group are gearing up for their debut EP release in June with some great shows with some killer bands. These guys are going from strength to strength and garnering quite the reputation for their blistering laconic live performances. Catch them at The Great Britain on Thursday May 9 at 8pm with support from new-wave impresarios Signal X and local rockers The Big City. It promises to be another great night with a stellar line-up of local and international talent. Free entry.
It’s likely you won’t have heard of Seattle, the new alternative pop rock band descending on the Melbourne music scene, but they’re not such a ‘new’ band. Jo Dawson began making a name playing sold out shows around town almost three years ago, and for the most part Andrew Welsh, Stuart Jaymes and Dylan Farrugia have been right there with her. They launch their debut single Replay at The Evelyn on Friday May 10.
WATCH INTERVIEWS, CHATS & AWKWARD SILENCES... BEAT.COM.AU/TV
THE PATRON SAINTS Tuesday May 7 marks the beginning of a residency at Cherry Bar with indie rock’n’roll duo The Patron Saints. They’ll be playing two whole sets from 9pm, free entry.
MUSIC NEWS
YOUR COMPREHENSIVE LOCAL GUIDE
For all the latest news check out beat.com.au
SHAKY STILLS After taking some time to craft some new songs and work up their latest record Cold Hand Warm Heart, Shaky Stills are back and armed with new members. They’ve enlisted Jarrod Bayliss, who played the tubs on the outfit’s You And Me record, and a new bass player in their old friend Justin Ossher. Now with four singers in the mix, Shaky Stills’ harmonies are sounding cleaner than ever and they’re ready to tread the boards once again. Shaky Stills are playing a Sunday afternoon residency throughout the month of May at The Edinburgh Castle, bringing their good times alt-country and blues from 4pm ‘til 7pm with free entry.
ROCK N LOAD RETURNS The second annual Rock N Load Festival returns to The Espy on Saturday June 1 with a massive 30 acts over three stages. The Espy will feature some of the best live rock acts from Melbourne and interstate, including Dallas Frasca, The Fumes, The Nerve (featuring Ezekiel Ox and Lucius Borich), King Of The North, Ten Thousand, My Secret Circus, Massive, Gay Paris, Don Fernando, Dead City Ruins, Vida Cain, Riot In Toytown, Sudden State, The Dead Love, Sheriff, Virtue and heaps more. Tickets are sure to sell fast, so get ‘em now via Oztix and from The Espy. Check out rocknloadfestival.com for the lineup and ticketing details.
UNION ROYALE Shane Reilly, Simon Burke and Toby Lang combine their collective talent to produce an awesome session on Sunday May 12 at The Spotted Mallard. Doors open at 4.30pm with free entry.
TEN THOUSAND Ten Thousand blew minds when they played with Van Halen and Aerosmith at Stone Festival, and now they’re in Melbourne for a residency starting this Wednesday May 8. It’s happening at Cherry Bar, doors open at 5pm with free entry.
HOWLIN’ STEAM TRAIN Ragged indie rock band Howlin’ Steam Train are straight from St Kilda and are launching their EP Green Jelly at Cherry on Saturday May 11. They’ll be joined by Los Tones and Mesa Cosa, with doors at 8pm and a $13 door charge.
SUGAR FED LEOPARDS & RED BRIGADE The Red Brigade and the Sugar Fed Leopards are getting together to play a special show to celebrate their Mums. The Red Brigade is an all girls brass band with the finesse to knock out sweet ass power popular tunes and look fabulous all at once, while Sugar Fed Leopards stir up dance floors with their soul disco style. It’s all happening at The Spotted Mallard tonight at 8.30pm, with free entry.
TEK TEK ENDEMBLE Festive anthropological mini-orchestra Tek Tek Ensemble consists of three guys and three girls playing trumpet, trombone, violin, percussion, guitar, double bass, piano accordion and of course great vocals. If this sounds like your cup of tea, head over to The Spotted Mallard on Thursday May 9 for the beginning of their residency. Doors open at 9pm, free entry.
ANIMAUX It’s no secret that Animaux know how to put on a party. In 2013 alone, the seven-piece pop-funk machine were handpicked to support The Cat Empire, smashed sets at St Kilda Festival, The Hills Are Alive and Warrandyte Festival, and annihilated a two month residency at The Evelyn Hotel, seeing massive crowds every Wednesday night. Now, for the first time ever, Animaux will be playing a two set extravaganza at Bar Open on Friday May 10 from 10pm. Filled with new boogie-inducing numbers, old dance floor fillers and maybe a cheeky cover or two, this is one night you do not want to miss – and the best part is, it’s all for free.
THE CORSAIRS For the most rockin’ Thursday evening of your groovy existence, be sure to get yourself to The Bendigo Hotel on Thursday May 9. The (rather awesome) lineup reads as follows: The Corsairs, Darts, The Big Face & The Boogie Woogie Boogie Board Boys, and Sean Peters & The Motherfuckin Boogaloo All Stars. Entry is $10, and doors open at 8pm.
PRESENCE OF SOUL Japanese group Presence of Soul is led by female singer and composer Yuki, who also handles guitars and keyboards. She’s accompanied by two guitar players, a bass player and a drummer. Described as a kind of ‘progressive post-rock’, Presence of Soul are playing an afternoon gig at The Public bar this Sunday May 12 from 2pm.
TULLY ON TULLY Peppered with thoughtful imagery and poetic descriptions Melbourne five-piece Tully On Tully are set to play at The B.East on Thursday May 30, joined by guests Mercians and Halcyon Drive. With glowing live reviews and praise for recent singles Naked and Stay, Tully On Tully’s progressive folk pop, infectious vocals and subtle dark side is infecting fans everywhere.
WORNG Four star modular synth general Worng plays a rare show at The Gasometer with atmos-core power duo Creeks (formerly Creaks) and the enigmatic Channel. The Worng live experience puts you in an immersive world of inflatable sculpture and video synthesis as well as heavy monged-out proto-techno. Sunday May 11, upstairs at The Gaso from 6pm with $5 entry.
RIOT IN TOYTOWN Riot in Toytown, Sudden State, Darcee Fox and Black Mayday will be combining forces to provide an unforgettable night of hard rock entertainment in support of the Luekaemia Foundation and Shave For A Cure. Head down to the Reverence Hotel on Thursday May 9 for some tunes and some head shaving action, live on stage. Starts at 8pm and entry is $15, with all proceeds going to the Luekemia foundation.
THE TWOKS The Twoks are a contemporary pseudo-improv electric string orchestra without the orchestra – just a drummer and a viloinist/vocalist. No backing. No laptop. All live. They play The Prince Public Bar in St Kilda this Friday May 10 from 8pm. It’s a free gig with support from The Sweaters and Porno Soundtrack.
THE WORKERS CLUB, FITZROY SAT 11 MAY
The Drey Rollan Band (Syd)
+
Cherrywood Tickets: theworkersclub.com.au ph: 1300 724 867 Doors open 8:30p (First 50 through the door receive a FREE copy of the EP)
www.reverbnation.com/therechords
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 41
MUSIC NEWS
YOUR COMPREHENSIVE LOCAL GUIDE
For all the latest news check out beat.com.au
REVERENCE HIP HOP NIGHT The Reverence Hotel proudly announces its first ever hip hop gig for this Thursday May 9. With free entry and a vast array of different acts, this night is not to be missed. The Rudy V, Al-flex and Duende, MHZ and DJ Marshall, The Fourfront, Audacious and Hit The Fan make up a bill that includes singers, rappers and DJs. A big night of pre-weekend fun to be had, 8pm, free entry.
RORY ELLIS
WINTERCOATS Wintercoats’ Heartful is a progressive step forward for Melbourne’s one man orchestra, James Wallace. The release exemplifies Wallace’s talent for creating profound compositions that appeal to your ears, head and heart. It’s a stunning body of work that’s rich in symbolism; narrations of unwanted and uncontrollable realities, but ideologically hopeful, optimistic and confident. Wintercoats will be joined by Galapagoose and The Townhouses at the Melbourne launch of his Heartful EP on Saturday May 11 at The Gasometer. 8pm, $10 entry.
CHRISTOPHER COLEMAN COLLECTIVE Following a summer of riches performing at Falls Festival, Cygnet Folk Festival, The Taste Festival, and the Works Festival, the Tasmanian troupe Christopher Coleman Collective have quickly emerged into the public’s psyche with airplay on both Triple J and ABC. Before Christopher sets off on a six-week tour of the UK, the Christopher Coleman Collective return to The Grace Darling for another unforgettable evening of endearing folk tunes on Sunday May 12. Supports from Canary, Wishful and James Fahy.
BLUEBOTTLES
THE SPASMS & THE VELVETS
Ever since the guitar-slinging Hubbard brothers (Michael and Joe) formed the band in the summer of 2011, The Bluebottles have risen to fantastic heights in the Australian rock scene to become one of the country’s finest instrumental groups. Making frantic and powerful rock’n’roll, their shows send onlookers into a body-shaking frenzy. Catch the teenage group’s show at The Retreat Hotel on Sunday May 12, with Head Honcho opening from 7.30pm.
Garage-punk killers The Spasms and dirty rock’n’roll cut-throats The Velvets will go head-tohead at The Old Bar on Friday May 10 when they simultaneously release their sweet new tunes. Supported by the sludge’n’roll stylings of SEXY/ HEAVY and the punk rock sounds of The Thrusts, May 10 is gearing up to be a big night. Head over to The Old Bar to experience it.
The voice rumbles and rolls across the room like a road train, with the power to transfix and blow its audience from their feet. Rory Ellis is a singular talent, having spent over a decade sharing vivid stories of suburban streets, love, loss and the detritus of Melbourne’s seedier pubs with willing crowds the world over. Ellis’s brand of ‘urban folk’ was forged living in a boxing gym, honed in aforementioned seedy pubs, and polished with numerous festival appearances both here and the UK. Come and feel the rumble this Sunday May 12 at The Drunken Poet from 4pm.
THE SHAMBELLES The Shambelles are an all-girl ‘60s super group, bustin’ out a variety of obscure covers, some old faves (The Easy Beats, Wanda Jackson, The Kinks) with the odd original tune thrown in the mix. They’ve been causing havoc around Victorian pubs and parties for four years now, and in their trail of destruction the local rock-twits have left no-one free from a grin on their face, and a swing in their hips. They play at The Retreat Hotel on Saturday May 11, and are joined by the fine funk outfit The Charlies.
Ali E’s musical career spans many years. After being involved in bands such as Little Athletics, Damn Terran and Heavy Beach, she has now also developed a solo project. When performing as a lone singer/songwriter, Ali E’s evocative and compelling music breathes tales of dark desire and constructs metaphors of emotive and weathered landscapes. Ali E performs at The Retreat on Tuesday May 14 at 8.30pm.
We all love a Tarantino film. He has good taste in movies, both in terms of making and championing them, but he also has great taste in music. In Melbourne we’re fortunate enough to have a band one step ahead of Tarantino’s game – they’re called The Tarantinos and although Q doesn’t know who they are, if he did, he’d farken love it. The Tarantinos play music used in Tarantino’s films, and right now they’re doing a bit of the old Django Unchained. They’re rad just like Tarantino’s flicks, so check them out at Bar Open on Sunday May 12 from 7.30pm with special guests Terry McCarthy Special.
LAMINE SONKO & THE AFRICAN INTELLIGENCE Lamine Sonko & The African Intelligence play music motivated by a desire to experiment in the space between traditional and contemporary forms of musical collaboration and exchange. This is underpinned by a larger aim to develop communities of musicians from the African, Australian, American and European continents, working to build a spirit of togetherness that can be experienced through the unyielding force of music and dance. They return to Bar Open for another night of bombastic beats on Saturday May 11 from 10pm, free entry.
MESSRS It’s all been whirlwind heat and flash for this Australian five-piece. Combining indie rock and dance punk with intricate guitars and multi layered washes of synth, Messrs (formerly The Touch) have spent the past couple of years playing numerous high profile international and Australian festival including The Great Escape, Parklife and Big Day Out. Their high energy and engaging live shows have also seen them supporting a slew of heavy weight artists including Phoenix, Neon Indian, Kele, Miami Horror and DZ Deathrays. See what the fuss is about when Messrs stop off at The Grace Darling Hotel on Friday May 10, supported by Harts and Tully On Tully, as part of their own national tour. 9pm, $10 entry.
DESTROY SHE SAID Destroy She Said have been on holiday from the live scene in the last few months as they have been busy making their own beer to accompany their new single No Church. The band returns with some new songs in hand this Friday May 10 to smash The Espy front bar with special guests Mammoth Mammoth, Drifter and Long Holiday. Get down there for what promises to be a very naughty night. Beat Magazine Page 42
WE ALL WANT TO The new release No Signs from We All Want To is out now, taken from their forthcoming sophomore album Come Up Invisible. To celebrate, We All Want To will be touring their ‘90s-tinged set shining with audacious ambition and genuine conviction to a stage near you. See it all come to life on Saturday May 11 at The Public Bar in North Melbourne.
Following the extremely successful release of her vinyl Moody Blues, Florelie Escano is back with brand new single I Won’t Say Goodbye. The upbeat, swinging soul tune is sure to get fingers snapping and toes tapping at The Spotted Mallard on Saturday May 11. Free entry, doors open at 8.30pm.
THE TARANTINOS
Adeline Pines and Andrew Richmond make their freshman journey to the great southern state on the Melbourne leg of their Autumn tour and will be playing at The Reverence Hotel on Saturday May 11. Featuring the powerhouse that is Fear Like Us and the hypnotic sounds of Ribbons Patterns, make sure you have your dancing shoes on for this evening of sing-alongs and pints. 8pm, $10.
Craig Woodward of Headbelly Buzzard, among other bands, brings his weekly jam session to The Vic Hotel every Saturday afternoon from 4pm. You can join in musically and bring an instrument, or just hang out and take in the atmosphere.
FLORELIE ESCANO
Matt Ham is leaving, actually by the time of this show he will have already left. He is moving to Canberra to begin his run for Prime Minister. So what better excuse to get drunk and party? Cavalcade, The Union Pacific, Kissing Booth and Summerhill will all be playing at the Reverence Hotel on Friday May 10 to celebrate. The show will cost you ten bones on the door and starts around 8pm. If you don’t have ten bones come and hang out in the beer garden or enjoy a burrito from the Reverence kitchen. Bring your wallet, your drinking pants and your dancing shoes.
ADELINE PINES
OL’ TIMEY BLUEGRASS JAM
Since 2009, The D-Grades have brought you their brand of pop with their raw, muted and convoluted energies to make the hairs on our neck stand up and salute the sun. Now, they return to The Great Britain Hotel on Saturday May 11 with newcomers Les Minijupes and The Pink Tiles for a night of shameless pop. The pop proceedings kick off at 9pm and it’s free entry.
CAVALCADE
Catch four exponents of varying brands of heavy sounds at Bar Open tonight. The psychedelic riffage of Slocombe’s Pussy, the mesmerizing drone of Warpigs, the minimalist brutality of Roussemoff, and stoner instrumentality of Roundtable will make it a mighty, brutal mid-week show. Doors open at 8.30pm and it’s all free.
Anna’s go-go classes are great fun, an excellent cardio workout, and have been described as "inspiring,” “a retro hit parade…everything from Elvis’s Jailhouse Rock to AC/DC’s Jailbreak," and “a high energy dance party with the hostess with the mostest." Now with two classes every Thursday night at The Vic Hotel from 6.30pm and 8pm. Entry is $10.
THE D-GRADES
ALI E
WARPIGS
ANNA’S GO-GO ACADEMY
REVERENCE HIP HOP NIGHT The Reverence Hotel proudly announces its first ever hip hop gig for this Thursday May 9. With free entry and a vast array of different acts, this night is not to be missed. The Rudy V, Al-flex and Duende, MHZ and DJ Marshall, The Fourfront, Audacious and Hit The Fan make up a bill that includes singers, rappers and DJs. A big night of pre-weekend fun to be had, 8pm, free entry.
JOHN FLANAGAN & THE BEGIN AGAINS John Flanagan and the Begin Agains have been impressing audiences at gigs and festivals around Australia with their lush vocal harmonies, honest storytelling and delicate acoustic textures on banjo, guitars, violin and mandolin. Drawing comparisons to artists including Alison Krauss and James Taylor, they have been inspired by their recent travels through the Applachian mountains in the USA. This Appalachian influence can be seen, and heard, in their first film clip Autumn Song which will be released on Thursday May 9 at The Retreat Hotel with support from WA folk singer Lucy Wise.
Q&A DESTROY SHE SAID
WIL WAGNER Wil Wagner (The Smith Street Band) will be doing a Sunday residency at The Reverence Hotel for the whole of May. After non-stop touring over the last couple of years, which saw The Smith Street Band winning fans all over the world, somehow Wil Wagner found time to write and record a solo album earlier this year. He has promised to only play bangers at all these shows, and will be supported by Corey Price (NSW), Terror and Tam, and Luke Thomas. Starts at 3pm each week, and is of course totally free.
STRE4M Stre4m have been playing their ‘pagan devotional music’ in Melbourne for the last year or so, and they’ve decided to go and play this music in China as well. The band play a send-off show at The Gaso on Thursday May 9 with support from Bum Creek, Glass Bricks and China fellow-travellers Inolla. Doors at 8pm, $10.
THE RECHORDS Hot on the tail of the recent single release of Don’t Know Much back in October, The ReChords are back with the complete follow up EP titled It Won’t Be Long. It’s quite aptly named, almost creating the anticipation of this minor milestone in the band’s career, choosing to record with drums in their mix of double bass and acoustic guitar driven rhythm. They launch the EP at The Workers Club this Saturday May 11. Doors at 8.30pm.
Define your genre in five words or less: Dirty hard rock! Bearing the terrible clichéd nature of this question what do you reckon people will say you sound like? A nastier version of ‘70s AC/DC mixed with Rose Tattoo Sabbath and Soundgarden with an original twist. It's over the top pub rock! Name an interview question you wish someone would ask you, and answer it. What kind of movie best suits your music and why? The Spielberg movie Duel (1971) where the truck is terrorising the car along the highway. It's a good fit cause because we are mysterious intimidating and right up your arse! What do you hate about the music industry? We hate lots of the music and lots of the industry. What can a punter expect from a live show? Honesty, we are real and I think people pick up on that. There are a lot of fakes out there.
WATCH INTERVIEWS, CHATS & AWKWARD SILENCES... BEAT.COM.AU/TV
What do you love about making music? Creating something out of nothing. It's like a guy’s version of giving birth; we have lots of little monsters now. Describe the best gig you have ever played? It was probably this year’s Shed Rock festival back in Feb. We were on fire and played a blinder of a show and totally smashed it! What've you got to sell cd wise? Our debut album 'Down To Dirty' and now the new single No Church has been issued as a special fourtrack EP. When's the next gig and with who? This Friday May 10 at The Espy Front Bar with Mammoth Mammoth Drifter and Long Holiday. Free entry!
ECHO DRAMA Melbourne nine-piece dub/reggae heavyweights Echo Drama will be shaking The Evelyn floor once more with a scorching Tuesday night residency in May. Built on a rock solid foundation of reggae rhythms and dub aesthetic, Echo Drama manoeuvre intricately through elements of hip hop, dancehall and drum and bass in an untiring commitment to push the boundaries of urban and roots music. Special guests for the opening night of the residency are neo-soul smooth operators The Do Yo Thangs and charming singer Tiaryn. 8.30pm, $3.
THE ELECTRIC I The Electric I is a collaboration of musicians of mutable muscle, exploring layers, uncovering unsuspected intersections. They have engaged to play and explore over a base layer of fundamentally traditional Latin rhythms, tightly weaved into restless constructions of variable metric structure and enwrapped in layers of expressive bravura and bold instrumental vigour. They play The Noise Bar on Friday May 10 at 9pm.
METAL IS THE LAW This Friday May 10, celebrate the life of Jeff Hanneman from Slayer at Whole Lotta Love’s Metal Is The Law. DJ Rob Wog will be dropping the Slayer classics all night with $10 Seasons in the Abyss Cocktails all night. Entry is free with the night kicking off at 8pm.
THE VENDETTAS The Vendettas formed mid-2009 as five Melbournians determined to rock as loud and hard as possible. With their infectious energy, power-riffs and healthy combination of modern Swedish and ballsy Aussie rock’n’roll, The Vendettas are a band that must be experienced live and raw. Their unique sound always gets feet stompin’ and heads bashin’, and drive crowds into a sweaty drunken chaos. The Vendettas play at The Retreat Hotel on Friday May 10, supported by fellow Aussie rockers The Jacks who kick things off at 9pm.
KILBEY-KENNEDY Steve Kilbey from enigmatic rockers The Church, and writer of one of rock music’s greatest songs Under The Milky Way, once again teams up with All India Radio’s Martin Kennedy to release their third album You Are Everything, completing a critically acclaimed trilogy that began in 2009 with Unseen Music Unheard Words followed by White Magic in 2011. They launch it at The Toff In Town this Sunday May 12 from 6.30pm with guests Glenn Benie and Phillipa Nihill. Tickets are through Moshtix.
MUSIC NEWS
YOUR COMPREHENSIVE LOCAL GUIDE
For all the latest news check out beat.com.au
JACK HOWARD Jack played trumpet with the late, great Hunters and Collectors (ARIA Hall Of Fame inducted); and along the way has performed or recorded with Midnight Oil, The Living End, Pete Murray, Tim Rogers, Little Red, X and The Models to name a few. Since 2000, Jack has been performing with his own original band, Jack Howard and The Long Lost Brothers, and he has released three fine CDs. Catch him playing a free show at The Prince Public Bar on Sunday May 12 from 6pm.
ALEX LASHLIE’S GROWL Alex Lashie’s Growl will headline at The Great Britain Hotel as part of their Sunday residency throughout May. With harmonies to die for, they will explore all things rambling alt-country. His Growl comprise of individuals who all stand very strong as solo performers in their own right but together it’s something truly unique. First up on the night will be Jack Mitchell playing a solo acoustic set, showcasing his original and engaging talent as a lyricist and devoted guitarist. The residency begins on Sunday May 12 from 8pm, with free entry each week.
MARISA QUIGLEY Best known as front woman for Victorian rhythm and blues band Chubby Rae & the Elevators, Marisa Quigley is now playing solo with a more folk-blues style. Likened to Bonnie Raitt and Etta James, Marisa is known for her strong vocals and captivating stage presence. With an eclectic blend of blues-roots and country-folk, her act is soulful, powerful, fun and endearing. Marisa Quigley performs at The Retreat tonight from 7.30pm.
THE WELLINGTONS The Wellingtons are one of the hardest working independent bands on the globe. In their nine years together they’ve wasted no time releasing four adored albums plus numerous EPs and singles. Their Indie-pop anthems have found homes on labels in Japan, Spain, UK, USA and Australia and the band are just back from wow-ing audiences across the US and Europe. They play a free gig at The Prince Public Bar this Saturday May 1 from 8pm with support from The Solicitors.
MANIFEST AT THE CORNER Introducing the ugly cousin of Saltar Hype Entertainment’s ‘At The Corner’ events: Manifest At The Corner. On Friday May 24, nine brutal Melbourne acts will thrash it out over The Corner Hotel’s two stages. Prepare to have your face melted as King Parrot, Dreadaught, Elm Street, Bronson, Voltera, Contrive, They, Cold Divide and Diprosus all light up The Corner Hotel. Tickets $16+bf on sale now from the Corner Box Office or website.
GASOMETER LIVE SERIES VOL.2: USELESS CHILDREN The Gasometer is hosting the next instalment of its live series on Friday May 10. This time around the lineup consists of Useless Children, Ratsak, Spite House, Tax, Justin Fuller and Cocks Arquette. The deal is: the whole show is recorded live, then the attendees will be sent a limited edition 12" with two live tracks from each act on the bill. Super cool, super rare, super sick. Volume one is at the pressing plant right now. Head down and yell and scream and have your noises immortalised on vinyl with some of Melbourne’s finest acts going sick in the foreground. Entry is $10, or $15 with an LP.
HEART OF ST KILDA The final acts have been confirmed for the Heart Of St Kilda fundraiser. The fundraiser supports St Kilda’s iconic Sacred Heart Mission and aims to fund over 30,000 breakfasts and lunches for those experiencing homelessness or poverty. Dave Callan, Henry Wagons, Frank Woodley, Saskwatch, Rebecca Bernard and Billy Miller join previously announced Kate Ceberano, Even, Lisa Miller and more for the concert. It takes place at The Palais Theatre on Tuesday May 14 and tickets are available via Ticketmaster.
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 43
ALBUM OF THE WEEK PRIMAL SCREAM
3RRR SOUNDSCAPE
More Light (First International/Inertia)
WEDNESDAY 8 MAY RESIDENCY
I KNOW THE CHIEF SLEEPY DREAMERS GRANSTON DISPLAY THURSDAY 9 MAY EP LAUNCH
HAIKU
WIRE BIRD JOHNNY & JUNE DJ TOMMA $2.50 POTS, $5 VODKAS! FRIDAY 10 MAY SINGLE LAUNCH
SEATTLE
THE MODERN AGE CALM & CHAOS WATCHING FOOLS SATURDAY 11 MAY ALBUM LAUNCH
LORD ELM ST – RETURN SHOW ELECTRIK DYNAMITE MASON SEWERCIDE
SUNDAY 12 MAY BIG RED RUN FUNDRAISER GIG
I CONFESS
STRAWBERRY FISTCAKE SEDULOUS ROSE SKYSCRAPER STAN & THE COMMISSION FLATS WILEY RED FOX SHUT UP AND CHOKE ME STRANGERS IN TOWN SCARLETT COOK SARAH EIDA ONION MONDAY 13 MAY RESIDENCY
THE CACTUS CHANNEL DEMIAN DJ MISS GOLDIE
TUESDAY 14 MAY RESIDENCY – SOUL MONDAYS
ECHO DRAMA
BELLA & THE MELLOWS GUSTO THE BODYSNATCHER
COMING UP
TIX AVAILABLE THRU MOSHTIX:
THE CACTUS CHANNEL (MONDAYS IN MAY) ECHO DRAMA (TUESDAYS IN MAY) I KNOW THE CHIEF (WEDNESDAYS IN MAY) SKYWAYS ARE HIGHWAYS – EP LAUNCH (MAY 17) PLUDO – SINGLE LAUNCH (MAY 24) EL MOTH – EP LAUNCH (MAY 25) KALACOMA – EP LAUNCH (MAY 31) BUILT ON SECRETS – ALBUM LAUNCH (JUNE 1) TULAHLAH – EP LAUNCH (JUNE 7)
If you’d suggested to Bobby Gillespie 20 years ago that Primal Scream would be releasing a new record in 2013, you’d probably have been greeted with a slurred collage of abstract metaphorical images that ranged from Lewis Carroll to Julian Cope to Keith Richards. Then with an impish giggle and a flash of his beady eyes, Gillespie would disappear into a distant cognitive light known only to those holding the special chemical key. But here it is, 2013, and Primal Scream is back, operating beyond the notionally functioning state of many of its contemporaries. In deciding to release a new album, Primal Scream entered the lion’s den of critical and population attention so many other reformed bands have either baulked at, or have been incinerated with. But More Light is a quality record – not, of course, a Psychedelica, but a record that locates Primal Scream as a relevant beast for the modern world. The opening track, 2013, errs on the side of cultural polemic, the ranting observations of a man recognising that the world of his youth has disappeared forever; it’s nine minutes of solid rock’n’roll pinned to the wall against a kaleidoscopic background, as Gillespie wanders through his chosen rhetorical pastures; a couple of tracks later, and the theme evolves and expands in Culturocide. This is the world in which Primal Scream finds themselves fighting: the promise of freedom has been arrested by the beast of the political economy and all its suffocating tentacles, and only Primal Scream’s dub-happy psychedelic electronica provides a path to enlightenment. River Of Pain is, by contrast, restrained: a cloud of despair pervades the air; this is soul without the hope. On Hit Void the shackles are thrown off, and it’s back into the waiting arms of straight-down-the-line rock’n’roll, in all its defiantly ironic form; coupled with the superbly brilliant space-andStax Invisible City, this is the Primal Scream we all want to embrace and stick our proverbial tongues down it’s throat in passionate excitement. Tenement Kid could be soppy if it wasn’t so compelling; Gillespie’s social commentary echoes like the protests of a disaffected youth shouting from the top floor of a dysfunctional urban housing project; Goodbye Johnny is the natural couple, a stark portrayal of where things can go if you
MAJICAL CLOUDZ
Childhood’s End (Remote Control) Okay this sounds heaps like Chet Faker – the earnest vocals, the stripped back vintage-tinted electronics. But what sets Canadian duo Majical Cloudz ahead of Melbourne’s oh bearded one is a penchant for devastating lyrical exposition. Despite the fairly heavy themes of patriarchal loss, Childhood’s End manages to pull it off without ever seeming overbearing or melodramatic.
2. Ready To Die IGGY & THE STOOGES 3. Overeasy BEARHUG 4. English Electric ORCHESTRAL MANOEUVES IN THE DARK 5. Bankrupt! PHOENIX 6. Curiosity WAMPIRE 7. Embassy Cafe ANDRAS 8. Court Music From The Planet Of Love PRUDENCE REES-LEE 9. Head In The Dirt HANNI EL KHATIB lose the plot, and your grip on what’s important. You can take Sideman wherever you want – there’s a riff to die for, and Gillespie’s obtuse rapping and galactic noise reminiscent of that first trip you did when the walls told you the secrets of life. Elimination Blues is nothing short of a killer track, Talk Talk in a spaceship with Sly and the Family Stone in the command module. If you need anymore convincing, you’ve still got Turn Each Other Inside Out to put you back into early ‘70s Stones mode, with its attendant and decadent glory. And while Primal Scream might have a permanent rental property in the fringes of the rock’n’roll scene, it’s got a better grip on reality than you might expect – Walking With The Beat is sombre, measured and soft to the touch; It’s Alright, It’s OK is the party track you want to leave with ringing in your ears. This is what Primal Scream does best – take you out there, spin you around and show you a good time that you’ll never want to forget. There’s plenty of light left in Primal Scream. PATRICK EMERY Best Track: Elimination Blues If You Like This, You’ll Like This: PRIMAL SCREAM, INSPIRAL CARPETS, BURIED Feather. In A Word: Psychedelica
Passions (Mistletone) Stemming from the same school of retro-pop fetishism as US masters Ariel Pink and John Maus, Montero set their ship on a smoother and sexier course with the effortlessly dreamy Passions. The lovelorn themes provide a stylistic allegory, “Destined to repeat our history”, and everything comes together for a sultry launch into the stratosphere with keys and guitar interplay.
PEAK TWINS
Steppin’ Off (Bedroom Suck) Equal parts British Invasion, Britpop and Melbourne jangle, Steppin’ Off is a fairly turgid meander from some dumb boys singing about a ‘bad’ girl who stays out all night. Musically weak and in poor lyrical taste, Peak Twins are splashing about in the rancid dregs of our fair town’s fertile garage productions of the past few years.
SUE-ANNE STEWART
Love Gets Sweeter (Independent) The last thing I thought I’d be saying about a track from an acoustic singer-songwriter is “this beat is dope”. However, this beat is dope. Love Gets Sweeter isn’t quite as saccharine as the title implies, but it’s a breezy display of acoustic noodling over a crisp layer of handclaps. Something about it brings back memories of mainstream ‘90s folk, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. At The World’s End (Independent) Striving toward a stadium-sized pop-rock anthem, Sydney’s Breakaway scrap together a hideous piecemeal of emo tropes into an ambitious but largely forgettable few minutes. Plus it has the weirdest fucking bass drum I have ever heard. It’s real distracting. Probably for the best I suppose.
DARK MATTER OF STORY TELLING
I Lay (Independent) Rising above the saturation of Fleet Foxes/Mumfords And
10. The Redeemer DEAN BLUNT
AIRIT NOW 1. Toothless Tiger JEN CLOHER 2. Wavygravy FLYYING COLOURS 3. Phantasm feat. Nicole Millar COSMO’S MIDNIGHT 4. Chinatown HOWLIN’ STEAM TRAIN 5. Plans Only Drawn I’LLS 6. Feel BLEEDING KNEES CLUB 7. Battleships BERNARD FANNING 8. Howl HAMISH ANDERSON 9. Everyone Seems to Be in on Something WINTERCOATS 10. Brighter Than Gold THE CAT EMPIRE
SYN SWEET 16 1. Oogie Boogie II (The Hobo Hoedown)
Sons-derived plague of Australian folk, Dark Matter Of Story Telling have produced a captivating slow-burner in I Lay. Opening with a spectral choral showcase before easing into something a little more conventional, the track ascends to genuinely uplifting heights.
HEAVENLY ANTENNAS
Misery (Independent) Though the production is a little more Owl City than Postal Service, Misery is saved from a solid vocal take from singer Kyls Burtland. The hooks aren’t quite hooky enough, but there are some interesting moments on offer.
THE NOVOCAINES
MONTERO
BREAKAWAY
Beat Magazine Page 44
1. She Beats BEACHES
SINGLES BY LACHLAN I don’t have time for Snapchats that exceed the foursecond mark. I’m sorry but I am a VERY BUSY MAN with IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO.
TOP TENS
Freedom Please (Independent) Freedom Please doesn’t fuck about, kicking straight into a venomous barrage of meaty post-hardcore. It’s a little bit Pulled Apart By Horses and a little bit The Vines, all of it pretty solid. Maybe two and a half minutes might be pushing it for tolerance to the throat shredding vocals on offer. Still, it’s pretty exciting stuff coming out of ol’ Perth way.
THE VANTURAS
Tightrope (Independent) The first taste of The Vanturas’ upcoming debut album is a nononsense lil’ belter, flirting with rockabilly and a trace of horror country but ultimately playing it straight. The chorus hook doesn’t quite live up to the promise of the menacing verse, but Tightrope still holds up as a worthwhile burst of rock‘n’roll swagger.
EMPIRE OF THE SUN
Alive (EMI) Here we see the wretched ouroboros that is Empire Of The Sun breach the point of crapulent self-parody, regurgitating up rancid chunks of electro-pop trends of yore accompanied by cringe-inducing opulent filmclip. It raises many questions – is that a kid-led sing-along in 2013? Who keeps giving Luke Steele so much goddamn money? Has Luke Steele ever fucked anyone while wearing his ludicrous headgear?
SINGLE OF THE WEEK VAMPIRE WEEKEND
Ya Hey (Remote Control) It’s right there in the title. On the surface, it’s a switch up of one of the best pop tracks of the last decade. But put in the context of the biblical explorations contained within the track, it’s a play on Yahweh, the ancient name of the lord. It’s Ezra Koenig’s greatest showing as a lyricist, achieving an impossible mesh of millennia-old culture and modern pop culture shoutouts to The Rolling Stones and Desmond Dekker. It’s heart-warmingly intimate while exploring the most expansive of concepts. Pure, affable genius.
FOR MORE REVIEWS GO TO BEATTV.COM.AU/REVIEWS
OOGA BOOGAS 2. Sitting Sick THE LIVING EYES 3. Passions MONTERO 4. Steppin’ Off PEAK TWINS 5. Goodbye SEKKT 6. Brown eyes THE WATER BOARD 7. Donell JOY ORBISON 8. Heartbreaks + Setbacks THUNDERCAT 9. She Beat BEACHES 10. Silence Yourself SAVAGES
COLLECTORS CORNER MISSING LINK 1. Frogstomp 2LP SILVERCHAIR 2. Above 2CD+DVD/2LP (RSD 2013) MAD SEASON 3. Walkin’ on a pretty daze CD/LP KURT VILE 4. Mind control CD/2LP UNCLE ACID 5. Blood becomes fire CD/LP BEASTWARS 6. Sacrificial CD MANIAXE 7. Issue 360 magazine MAXIMUM ROCK N ROLL 8. Fuck the allies 7” WOLFE/SETE STAR SEPT 9. Toys in the attic LP (RSD 2013) AEROSMITH 10.1991 demos 7” (RSD 2013) RINGWORM
BEAT’S TOP TEN SONGS ABOUT SCIENCE 1. Biological AIR 2. The Scientist COLDPLAY 3. Science Is Real THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS 4. Science SYSTEM OF A DOWN 5. Chemical World BLUR 6. Galvanize THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS 7. She Blinded Me With Science THOMAS DOLBY 8. Atomic BLONDIE 9. Einstein A Go Go LANDSCAPE 10. Sounds Of Science BEASTIE BOYS
ALBUMS
DEPECHE MODE Delta Machine (Sony) FOR MORE REVIEWS GO TO
BEAT.COM.AU/REVIEWS
BEACHES
She Beats (Chapter Music) People that didn’t get into Beaches the first time around tended to write them off as less than the sum of their constituent parts. Formed from members of Panel Of Judges, Love Of Diagrams and Spider Vomit, their Mistletone debut lacked the lilting playfulness of the first band, the frenetic urgency of the second and the unpolished rawness of the third. The band’s second album has been given their paramount effort, to be sure: better production, Michael Rother cameos, a wall of sound rich enough to inspire Phil Spector to kill again. There are hints of ingenuity on the record, such as the Eastern-inspired melody of Veda and the guitar tones of the psychedelic Weather, both of which are probably the biggest departures from their earlier work, while still being wrapped in enough vocal harmonies and familiar song structures to recognisably belong to the band. There’s been a seachange in Melbourne music over the last four years, much of it driven by Chapter’s flagship bands. Perhaps there’ll be people who give She Beats a cursory listen out of nostalgia; certainly enough has happened in the time since their debut that the band feels like they could be from another era. Anyone who falls into this trap is missing what makes this a great album and such a marked improvement on their earlier work. In remaining aloof from yet another one of this city’s coagulations of style and sound, and Best Track: Weather refusing once again to pander to expectations, Beaches If You Like These, You’ll Like This: Souvlaki SLOWDIVE, have returned more audacious and entrancing than ever. Lemmingmania AMON DUUL II, Sound of Confusion SEAN SANDY DEVOTIONAL SPACEMEN 3 In A Word: Jangly
Delta Machine, Depeche Mode’s 13th album, marks the end of an era, Depeche Mode’s trilogy of LPs alongside producer Ben Hillier complete. Their working relationship has culminated in a potent finale, Delta Machine an engrossing release. Typically, Delta Machine is a long, winding record of gothic electronica, mutating from track to track in captivating fashion. Opener Welcome To My World simmers and swells in theatrical fits and sets the tone for a hardened and faintly industrial hour. The languid blues of Angel soon ensues, a prickly fuzz underscoring Martin Gore’s nervy surrender. Heaven – the album’s first single – expands on the same ideas, simmering with bittersweet resignation. Depeche Mode are known and loved for their songs of overwrought introspection and Delta Machine, in many and varied ways, taps into established patterns. Gore continues to command arresting tension and fragility. Occasionally, a clunky lyric sneaks its way into the mix, but for every poetic misfire, there’s a poignant turn of phrase or two in waiting. Similarly, Dave Gahan proves his credentials yet again with the stirring Should Be Higher. Delta Machine illustrates a band in fine form, with a hint of defiance in their endeavours. Depeche Mode have been playing to the exact same set of strengths since the ‘80s and, clearly, there’s no real necessity to change tact. Delta Machine is one beautifully bleak, absorbing release in line with Depeche Best Track: Soothe My Soul If You Like These, You’ll Like This: Ssss VCMG, Happiness Mode’s best work. HURTS NICK MASON In A Word: Intense
DEERHUNTER
Monomania (4AD/Remote Control) “Finding the fluorescence in the junk” is the first line sneered by Bradford Cox on the new Deerhunter album and it sums up the qualities of this body of work well. Monomania is a well-timed change of tack for Deerhunter, sitting somewhere between the raw intensity of their near-forgotten debut Turn It Up Faggot and the lo-fi solo melodies of Cox’s Atlas Sound recordings. It’s a seamless run of dark but approachable songs originating from a grim period of heavy drinking and depression for Cox, interrupted by the abrupt departure of bassist Josh Fauver and then recorded with an
PARAMORE
Paramore (Warner) On this, their fourth album, American three-piece rock act Paramore seem to be making an attempt to make themselves ‘indefinable’, or ‘uncategorisable’. For the most part, they’re making a pretty good fist of it. There is, indeed, no easy convenient box to put this band into. They remain an enigma. Across the course of a very epic 17 tracks, they cover powerful rock, No Doubt style ska, pure pop, pop-punk, emo, alternative, ambient/electro and even some short, ukulele driven ditties (on the tracklist they call them ‘interludes’). It’s all pretty seamless, made even more appealing by the distinctive and ear pleasing voice and personality of singer Hayley Williams. She really does hit the mark on this record. Ultimately, that ‘epic’ 17 tracks is a bit of a long haul. One feels they could have trimmed a little of the fat (for example, the aforementioned ditties/interludes don’t add a great deal, and probably could have been left off with no real loss to the album’s flow or quality), and wound up with an 11 or 12 track monster, where every track is as strong as the previous one. That’s the stuff that classic albums are made of. Overall, the overriding vibe is that of an excellent Best Track: Ain’t It Fun alternative pop-rock album. This is likely to show up If You Like These, You’ll Like This: NO DOUBT, FLYLEAF, on many ‘top ten’ albums of the year lists for 2013. MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE ROD WHITFIELD In A Word: Diverse
invigorated new lineup. Cox describes this as their ‘punk album’, though the songs aren’t as ragged and aggressive as this descriptor suggests. When you peel back the messed-up garage-rock exterior, which is at its most confronting on its first two tracks, Monomania is as much pop as it is punk. Cox even makes references to retro radio classics in Dream Captain (“I’m just a poor boy from a poor family”) and the album’s title track (“Send me an angel”). Monomania’s self-conscious stripping back to bare essentials means less sidetracking into ambient meanderings or wild guitar wig-outs, but it retains the band’s playful genre-bending. Part of the back-tobasics agenda is relegating all of the lead vocals/compositions back to Cox, with the exception of Lockett Pundt’s comparatively mellow The Missing. Cox’s Best Track: Sleepwalking obsessive qualities, his very own monomania, If You Like These, You’ll Like This: Bedroom Databank Vols result in his band continuing to defy expectations 1-3 ATLAS SOUND, Weird Era Cont. DEERHUNTER and deliver great albums, and this is no exception. In A Word: Trashy CHRIS GIRDLER
WINTERCOATS Heartful EP (Yes Please)
JAMES BLAKE
While listening to this six-track collection you wouldn’t be shunned for assuming it’s made up of several exceptionally talented musicians. In fact, it’s the work of only one man – multi-instrumentalist and composer James Wallace. For his third EP release, Melbourne’s ambient orchestral pop producer returns with more signature delicate melodies and spacious arrangements. Opener Hierloom is one of the standout tracks, with hushed choruses and a deeply layered crescendo of violins making you all soft on the inside, while Halogen Moon begins with a tinkling glockenspiel over a pretty
Overgrown (Universal)
James Blake has been renowned for his simple, yet heart-wrenching music. The development of his second studio album Overgrown sees Blake creating stronger narratives and structure throughout all ten tracks. He places more importance on a linear progression with his vocals on the album, than with his previous work on his self-titled debut. The dewy, electronic gospel-folk laden songs are perfectly minimal, allowing the listener to catch the powerfully ardent crescendos in the vein. His vocal range is almost non-existent, and instead he relies on subtle tremors and wavers of the voice to evoke pathos and nostalgia. While there are a few upbeat tracks on Overgrown, this album has a beautifully mournful tone. The highlight track is the overwhelming Retrograde. Designing the song around subtle R &B influences, he moulds layers of eerie piano notes and cascading reverberating synths to create a magnetic climax. It wields together musical elements so powerful that it took me three listens to focus on the lyrics. Another standout track is Take A Fall For Me, featuring an unlikely appearance by Wu Tang’s RZA. Blake incorporates elements of hip hop with a stronger down beat, heavier bass and choppy haunting vocal samples. I Am Sold and Overgrown are similarly melancholic and beautiful. He’s brave to pay no mind to traditional musical structures for his second studio album and he’s smart to create music you feel. This is my favorite album of the year. Best Track: Retrograde If You Like These, You’ll Like This: BRIAN ENO, BON IVER TAMARA VOGL In A Word: Overwhelming
earworm melody. Burial makes things even more intimate, pulling together a wealth of versatile bowing sounds coupled with his dreamy vocals, but it should have been placed as the album closer, as being mid-album breaks up the intensity and lulls you to sleep. Fortunately, Everyone Seems To Be In On Something, comes next to wake you up, as Wallace takes his sound to new heights with rhythmic plucked strings on the record’s standout track, bringing the middle of the EP together with twinkling, out-of-thin-air symphonies adding atmosphere. Wallace has an exceptional talent for creating profound compositions that simply work their way under your skin – he can turn everything from tapping a violin’s strings to samples of his voice into an instrument, Best Track: Everyone Seems To Be In On Something If You Like These, You’ll Like This: BEACH HOUSE, constructing sparse, elegant headphone music for your heads and heart SARAH BLASKO, HOW TO DRESS WELL In A Word: Hushed
THIS WEEK
WEEK AFTER
WONDERCORE WEDNESDAYS
WONDERCORE WEDNESDAYS
THURS 9TH
HIGH SIDE DRIVE
WED 8TH
WEEK 2 FEAT...UNCOMFORTABLE SCIENCES + SILENTJAY
WED 15TH
WEEK 3 FEAT… DEMIAN + SPLEEN (FR) THURS 16TH
YOUNG MAVERICK
W/ THE PASS OUTS + BLACKLIGHT CITY
FRIDAY 10TH
THE WINTER SUNS ' IMPRESSIONABLE' SINGLE LAUNCH
W/ CLOCK TOWERS + MY SONS
MAJOR MINOR RECORD LAUNCH SAT 11TH
+ GUESTS SUN 19TH
DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?
SEAN KIRKWOOD AND THE RADIOSHOW
TAILOR BIRDS 'RUNAWAY SAILORS, STAY AT HOME WIVES' RECORD LAUNCH
$13 JUGS ALL DAY LONG
JUST ANNOUCNED: 1/5 - SASKWATCH ‘FAREWELL’ PARTY + NORTHSIDE RECORDS DJ’S + VERY SPECIAL GUESTS - TIX FROM WWW.JOHNCURTINHOTEL.COM 31/4 LINCOLIN LE FERVE W PAPER ARMS + WILL WAGNER 8/5 PRUE REES LEES ‘ RECORD LAUNCH’ 15/5 DEAF WISH + TERRIBLE TRUTHS 28/5 STRANGE TENNANTS W AUSKAS
FRONT BAR
W/ HIDING WITH BEARS + MEEKO
WOODLOCK 'EP LAUNCH'
W THE BELLESTRADES + THE MIGHTIEST OF GUNS
COMING SOON
SAT 18TH
FRI 17TH
CAPTAIN MOONLITE HOUSE PARTY SUN 12TH
CARLA PAVEZ
W/ THE WEDNESDAY EXPERIMENT + MA PETITE
$13.00 JUGS ALL DAY LONG
RUSTY@JOHNCURTINHOTEL.COM FOR MORE ALBUM NEWS AND REVIEWS GO TO WWW.BEAT.COM.AU
FREE EVERY MONDAY
POP CULTURE TRIVIA
TUESDAYS FREE IN THE FRONT BAR - 8PM 7/ 5 - ALEX LASHLIE (ALEX LASHLIES GROWL) 14/5 - JIMMY HAWK (ENDLESS PARTY) 21/5 -YEO MING (BIG SMOKE) 28/ 5 ALEX HAMILTON (MERRI CREEK PICKERS) SLOW COOKED CHILLI CON CARNE WITH SOUR CREAM & GUACAMOLE - $8.50
Beat Magazine Page 45
GIG GUIDE WEDNESDAY MAY 8 JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC B FOR CHICKEN 303, Northcote. 8:30pm. $5. BOWERS BROWNE ZERNA Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm. DIZZY’S BIG BAND Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond. 8:00pm. $14. MELBOURNE JAZZ CLUB Claypots Tavern & Fair, St Kilda. 8:30pm. MO’ SOUL - FEAT: DJ VINCE PEACH & MISS GOLDIE Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. NICK HAYWOOD QUARTET Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 8:30pm. $15. TOM VINCENT QUARTET Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $20. VIVE LA DIFFERENCE Claypots Evening Star, Melbourne. 8:00pm. WONDERCORE WEDNESDAYS - FEAT: UNCOMFORTABLE SCIENCES + SILENTJAY John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:00pm.
INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS AMY VEE + TOBIAS MOLDENHAUER Gertrudes Brown Couch, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. $12. CIDER TREE KIDS + ANIMAL HANDS + PLASTIC SPACEMEN Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $6. COLLAGE - FEAT: GOODBYE MOTEL + COPSE + THE PEEKS Espy, St Kilda. 9:00pm.
Saskwatch
FRIGHTENED RABBIT + ADMIRAL FALLOW Corner Hotel, Richmond. 8:00pm. $41. I KNOW THE CHIEF + GRANSTON DISPLAY + SLEEPY DREAMERS Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. MAGIC HANDS + EASY MONEY CLUB + VELCRO Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $6. SLOCOMBE’S PUSSY + ROUNDTABLE + ROUSSEMOFF + WARPIGS Bar Open, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. TEN THOUSAND + AIMEE FRANCIS Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. TEN THOUSAND + AIMEE FRANCIS Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. THE CLITS + CHHOK RACE + ROSS DE CHENE HURRICANES Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. VELMA GROVE (SINGLE LAUNCH) + CATCH RELEASE + HIDING WITH BEARS Workers Club, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. $5. WITNESS TO TREASON + MUCH MUCH MORE + THE PITYS Idgaff Bar & Venue, Abbotsford. 8:00pm.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK ADAM SHERRY & BLAKE SCOTT Neighbourhood Wine, Fitzroy North. 8:00pm. BETH ORTON St Michael’s Uniting Church, Melbourne. 8:00pm. DAVE WRIGHT + MICHAEL MILNE Standard Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. JONNIE MURPHY BAND + THE SWEET BY & BY Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 8:00pm. MARISSA QUIGLEY Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 7:30pm. MATT WICKING + FAMOUS WILL + PAUL RUSKE Wesley Anne, Northcote. 7:30pm. OPEN MIC Grind N Groove, Healesville. 6:30pm. OPEN MIC Ontop In Ormond, Ormond. 7:30pm. OPEN MIC Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm.
HEART OF ST KILDA CONCERT The Heart of St Kilda Concert is on once again for its sixth year at the Palais Theatre on Tuesday May 14. The concert is a fundraising event for St Kilda’s iconic Sacred Heart Mission and promises some of the best in Australian music and comedy, past and present, with a lineup as diverse as the inhabitants of St Kilda themselves. This year’s Heart of St Kilda Concert aims to fund more than 30,000 breakfast and lunches served by Sacred Heart Mission to people experiencing homelessness or poverty. Grab tickets on ticketmaster.com to help this great cause and have a wonderful night of entertainment while you’re doing it. OPEN MIC Musicland, Fawkner. 7:00pm. OPEN MIC Great Britain Hotel, Richmond. 9:00pm. OPEN MIC Tago Mago, Thornbury. 7:30pm. ROOTS OF MUSIC - FEAT: SOPHIA LYSBETH BROWN + JAKE NICHOLLS + LAMB BOULEVARD Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 8:00pm. $5. SUGAR FED LEOPARDS + RED BRIGADE Spotted Mallard, Brunswick. 8:30pm. THE EWING BROTHERS Kent St Bar, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. WINE WHISKEY WOMEN - FEAT: ANNA STRUTH + KERRYAN FIELDS Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 8:00pm.
60 SECONDS WITH… TEK TEK ENSEMBLE Name: Paul Dornau. Define your genre in five words or less: An international mini orchestra.
What can a punter expect from your live show? Three women, three men, a trumpet, trombone, two violins, congas, a double bass, two guitars, a drumkit, an accordion , lots of singing in lots of languages and a Cypress Hill cover. When’s the gig and with who? Spotted Mallard in Brunswick for the five Thursdays of May. We are being supported every second week by The Sugarfed Leopards (with Steph Brett) and Empat Lima, a ‘60s Indonesian girl band cover group.
How long have you been gigging and writing? Four years.
What makes you happiest about what you’re doing? Working with my friends and getting drunk at work.
Describe the best gig you have ever played. Tim Burton watched us once when he came to the exhibition at ACMI. It was our first show. He said he wanted a CD. But we never followed it up. We could be famous now. We also played a cool show in regional France where all these teenagers got up and did a synchronised dance like ‘The Madison’ from that Godard film. One of those two. Actually, if you took all the best parts from every gig that we’ve ever done and put them together, that would be pretty good too.
And what makes you unhappiest about what you’re doing? Fighting with my friends and being hungover.
What advice would you give to bands that are new on the Melbourne music scene? Play at The Old Bar. Don’t drink Carlton.
What inspires or has influenced your music the most? African rhythms, Mexican songs, surf rock, soul, drinking music from Eastern Europe and Franco Cozzo.
Featuring Rebecca Barnard Rachel BergeR Dave Callan Darren Carr Kate CeberanO | EVEN Hannah Gadsby Russell Gilbert Billy Miller | Lisa Miller Brian Nankervis Saskwatch henry wagOns | Wishful Frank WOOdley Beat Magazine Page 46
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC ALMA MATER Butterfly Club, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. $23. ALWAN Claypots Tavern & Fair, St Kilda. 8:30pm. JULIAN MARLEY + CHANT DOWN SOUND + NATALIA PA’APA’A Corner Hotel, Richmond. 7:30pm. $50. KERBEROS & JOHN TURCIO Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond. 8:00pm. $14. LYN GILLETT & THE ADAM RUDEGEAIR TRIO Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $20. MATT KIRSCH TRIO 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. $10. NAT BARTSCH TRIO Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 8:30pm. $15. THE OVEREASYS Claypots Evening Star, Melbourne. 6:30pm. TOM VINCENT QUARTET Uptown Jazz Cafe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. ULTRAVIBRALUX + DJ PIERRE BARONI + DJS VINCE PEACH Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $10.
INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS
Bearing the terrible clichéd nature of this question, what do you reckon people will say you sound like? It’s hard to describe because we play so many genres – cumbia, surf rock, benga, dangdut, soul, tarantellas, rancheras, ‘20s swing. I guess it’s like the music genre that starts with ‘W’ but I refuse to say it. If you could travel back in time and show one of your musical heroes your stuff, who would it be and why? I’d show 2pac. Just to see him cringe and say “What is this shit?”
THURSDAY MAY 9
Heart
AUTO DA FAC + HORSEMEAT + MIDNIGHT SCAVANGES Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 5:00pm. BATTLE OF THE BANDS - FEAT: A1203 + ASTROTURF + BEAR SIGN + BLACK REVOLVER + ERRANT VENTURE + INDIGO LAKE + LITTLE MISS REMEMBERING + THE FALSE ECONOMY + THE WASH Musicland, Fawkner. 6:00pm. $10. BRIGHTLY (ALBUM LAUNCH) + SAGAKARA DJ SET + SUPER MAGIC HATS + WE THE PEOPLE Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 7:30pm. $10. BUZZ CAMPBELL + FIREBIRD The Luwow, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10. CONTANGENT + A GAZILLION ANGRY MEXICANS + THE GROVES + THE IVORY ELEPHANT Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm. ELECTRONIC INCANTATIONS + HYPERBOREA Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $6. ELLA HOOPER (SINGLE LAUNCH) + HAILEY CRAME + SPENDER Workers Club, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. $17.
palais theatre 14 May 2013 ticketmaster.cOm.au | phOne 136 100
C onc
ert
SUBMIT YOUR GIGS TO GIGGUIDE@BEAT.COM.AU
ELLIOT FRIEND + ANTHONY YOUNG + WILD HONEY PIE IdgaďŹ&#x20AC; Bar & Venue, Abbotsford. 8:00pm. $5. EMERGENZA BAND COMP Espy, St Kilda. 7:00pm. $20. HIT THE FAN - FEAT: AUDACIOUS + AL-FLEX & DUENDE + MHZ & DJ MARSHALL + THE FOURFRONT + THE RUDY V Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 8:00pm. HOW LOVE & TRISTAN COLEMAN (DOUBLE EP LAUNCH) + HOW LOVE + TRISTAN COLEMAN + MICHAEL GOODFELLOW ToďŹ&#x20AC; In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $10. KIDS FROM THE MILL (EP LAUNCH) + NIKHAIL + SUPER SALOON Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 8:00pm. $15. KILLDEERS + ADAM EATON + SILVERSEED Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 7:30pm. MADE FOR CHICKENS BY ROBOTS + HEEL TOE EXPRESS The Public Bar, Melbourne. 1:50pm. OH PEP! (PLAY PAUL SIMONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GRACELAND) + BEN BURNE Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. $5. PRETTY CITY + JULY DAYS The B.east, Brunswick East. 9:00pm. RIOT IN TOYTOWN + BLACK MAYDAY + SUDDEN STATE Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 8:00pm. $15. STRE4M + BUM CREEK + GLASS BRICKS + INOLLA Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $10. THE BLACK ALLEYS + MKO + SEX ST + SUMMER BLOOD Bar Open, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. THE CORSAIRS + DARTS + SEAN PETERS & THE MOTHERFUCKIN + THE BIG FACE & THE BOOGIE WOOGIE BOARD BOYS Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $10. THE SKAMPZ Burvale Hotel, Nunawading. 9:00pm. THE SOLICITORS + SIGNAL X + THE BIG CITY Great Britain Hotel, Richmond. 8:00pm. WILEY RED FOX + PENSIVE PENGUIN + THE TAYLOR PROJECT Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $7. YOUNG MAVERICK + CLOCK TOWERS + MY SONS John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:00pm.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK CHAD MASON Labour In Vain, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. DOMINI FORSTER + LEAH & ANDI + MADDIE WEYBURY Open Studio, Northcote. 8:00pm. HAIKU LAUNCH (EP LAUNCH) + JONNY & JUNE + WIRE BIRD Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. HUD CORLEY + PRITCHY RAY Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 8:00pm. JOHN FLANAGAN & THE BEGIN AGAINS + LUCY WISE Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 8:30pm. KATHRYN ROLLINS (EP LAUNCH) + INDIAN RED + KIKUYU Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 8:30pm. $7. KLARA ZUBONJA Wesley Anne, Northcote. 6:00pm. LAURA IMBRUGLIA + IOWA + LITTLE WING Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine. 8:30pm. $10. LOUNGE THURSDAYS Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. MICHAEL MEEHAN & THE LADIES IN WAITING + BLACK COCKATOO Tago Mago, Thornbury. 9:00pm. NATIONAL BANDS COMP Penny Black, Brunswick. 7:00pm. OPEN MIC Acoustic Cafe, Collingwood. 6:30pm. OPEN MIC Balaclava Hotel, Balaclava. 6:00pm. QUEEN & CONVICT + BROOKE RUSSELL Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 8:30pm. SEAN MCMAHONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WESTERN UNION Post OďŹ&#x192;ce Hotel, Coburg. 8:30pm. TEK TEK ENSEMBLE Spotted Mallard, Brunswick. 9:00pm. TOMB HANX + HALT EVER + LIONESS EYE + SPACE CADET Gertrudes Brown Couch, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $5. ZOE RYAN + JESS HEALY Thornbury Local, Thornbury. 9:00pm. ZOE K & THE SHADOW KATZ Wesley Anne, Northcote. 8:00pm.
FRIDAY MAY 10 INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS 28 DAYS (UPSTYLEDOWN TOUR) Prince Bandroom, St Kilda. 8:00pm. $20. ANIMAUX Bar Open, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. BARBARION (ALBUM LAUNCH) + PTERODACTLY + VERY HANDSOME MEN Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $12. BEST OF BON SCOTT - FEAT: BON SCOTT BAND + ADAM COLE + ASH NAYLOR + CHAPPY + DAVE LARKIN + FIONA LEE-MAYNARD + MATT SONIC + PAT CARMODY + RUSTY BROWN Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 8:00pm. $23. BURIED FEATHER (ALBUM LAUNCH) + ATOLLS + FLYYING COLOURS + PONY FACE Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. CAVALCADE + KISSING BOOTH + SUMMERHILL + UNION PACIFIC Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 8:00pm. $10. CRADLE OF FILTH Billboard, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $74. DESTROY SHE SAID + DRIFTER + LONG HOLIDAY + MAMMOTH MAMMOTH + WILL COYOT Espy, St Kilda. 9:00pm. EINSTEIN TOYBOYS + RIFF RAFF Musicland, Fawkner. 8:00pm. $10. EMERGENZA BAND COMP Espy, St Kilda. 7:30pm.
THE RUBENS Everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favourite overachievers The Rubens are keeping that buzz a-buzzinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; as they play The Forum Theatre this weekend. For a band that has been on the scene about a year, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve already toured Europe and The States and supported Bruce Springsteen in front of an iconic Australian rock. So, howâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your net worth? The Rubens play The Forum on Friday May 10 (sold-out) and Saturday May 11. EMMA LOUISE + PATRICK JAMES + THELMA PLUM Corner Hotel, Richmond. 8:30pm. HOUSE OF LAURENCE (EP LAUNCH) + LANDS + THE GOOD MORROWS Workers Club, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10. JON STEVENS + RAV THOMAS BAND + SAVING CLEOPATRA Trak Lounge Bar, Toorak. 8:30pm. $30. MAJOR MINOR John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:00pm. $15. MESSRS + HARTS + TULLY ON TULLY Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. $10. MIMI VELEVSKA + FLOUNDER + JAIL BIRD JOKERS + PRETTY CITY Yah Yahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. NAKED BODIES + THE DARK FAIR The B.east, Brunswick East. 9:00pm. OM + ASSAD + DEAD RIVER + FOURTEEN NIGHTS AT SEA The Hi-ďŹ , Melbourne. 8:00pm. $42. RED BENNIES 3RD BIRTHDAY - FEAT: CLIENT LIASON + DJ EDD FISHER + DJ MIKE GURRIERI + DJFUGITIVE Red Bennies, South Yarra. 10:00pm. $15. RED EAGLE + BLACKWOOD JACK Penny Black, Brunswick. 9:30pm.
RUMOUR CONTROL (EP LAUNCH) + BELOVED ELK + POINTLESS NEPEAN + THE NARROW ROAD Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $13. SOLKYRI + THE NEST ITSELF + THE SWELL The Public Bar, Melbourne. 8:30pm. SOMETHING FOR KATE (STAR-CROSSED CITIES TOUR) + COURTNEY BARNETT Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully. 8:00pm. $37. SPENCER P JONES Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 5:30pm. STREET FANGS + FOXTROT + ROAD RATZ + SUMMER BLOOD Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. THE EXOTICS + VOODOO SWAMP DADDIES The Luwow, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. $5. THE GLARE + THE FLYING PANDAS Victoria Hotel, Brunswick. 9:30pm. THE RUBENS + ALI BARTER + WALK THE MOON Forum Theatre, Melbourne. 8:00pm. THE SEATTLE (SINGLE LAUNCH) + CALM & CHAOS + THE MODERN AGE + WATCHING FOOLS Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $15. THE SPASMS + SEXY/HEAVY + THE THRUSTS + THE
THE PUBLIC BAR 238 VICTORIA ST, NORTH MELBOURNE NOW OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
WWW.THEPUBLICBAR.COM.AU WWW.JUICYJAYSCRABSHACK.COM KITCHEN OPEN 5PM - 9PM EVERY DAY BUT MONDAY AND TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY 8TH MAY
FREE POOL & CHEAP BEER THURSDAY 9TH MAY
DR JUICY JAYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FRIED CHICKEN & CRAB SHACK KITCHEN OPENING!!! MADE FOR CHICKENS BY ROBOTS HEEL TOE EXPRESS 5PM ONWARDS FREE FRIDAY 10TH MAY
SOLKYRI
THE NEST ITSELF THE SWELL 8:30PM $8 OPEN UNTIL 7AM! KITCHEN OPEN SATURDAY 11TH MAY
WE ALL WANT TO (BRIS) CHARLEY HORSE (SYD) COLLEGE FALL 8:30PM $10 OPEN UNTIL 7AM! KITCHEN OPEN SUNDAY 12TH MAY
ARVO GIG:
PRESENCE OF SOUL (JAPAN) YAWNING (JAPAN) LUNAIRE BEAR THE MAMMOTH 2PM $8 KITCHEN OPEN MONDAY 13TH MAY
FREE POOL & CHEAP BEER KITCHEN OPEN
TUESDAY 14TH MAY
BUDGET PARTY!! KITCHEN OPEN
FREE POOL ALL DAY AND NIGHT CHEAP JUGS TIL 8PM
for bookings: bandbookings@theoldbar.com.au
-2+16721 67 ),7=52<
ZZZ WKHROGEDU FRP DX 23(1 (9(5< '$< 30 $0 )5(( :, ),
:HGQHVGD\ WK 0D\
0$*,& +$1'6
9(/&52 ($6< 021(< &/8%
30
7KXUVGD\ WK 0D\
:,/(< 5(' )2; /$81&+ 7+( 7$</25 352-(&7 3(16,9( 3(1*8,1
)ULGD\ WK 0D\
30
7+( 63$606 /$81&+ 7+( 9(/9(76 /$81&+ 6(;< +($9< 7+( 7+58676 '- &,6&2 526(
30
6DWXUGD\ WK 0D\
/$85$ ,0%58*/,$ /$81&+ ,2:$ /,77/( :,1* '- .(=%27
30
6XQGD\ WK 0D\
%((562$.(' 681'$<6
&$6+ 6$9$*( 7+( /$67 '5,1.6 7+( ,1)$176 7+( 52//,1* %/$&.2876 '- '$1 /(:,6 30
0RQGD\ WK 0D\
813$9(' 621*:5,7(5 6(66,216 30 &527&+(7< .1,7:,76 .1,77,1* 6(:,1* %22=,1*
9+6 &/8%
30 )5(( 30 )5((
7XHVGD\ WK 0D\
.(/6(< -$0(6 %522.( 5866(// 0$77+(: .(1($//<
$57 23(1,1* 5$3+ %877216+$:
30 )5(( 30 )5((
EDQG ERRNLQJV EDQGERRNLQJV#WKHROGEDU FRP DX
SUBMIT YOUR GIGS TO GIGGUIDE@BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 47
THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM
OM
New Jersey quartet The Gaslight Anthem began as sick punk rock bruisers, but now they’re one of the most celebrated rock acts in the word (still sick, though). Fresh off the release of their new album Handwritten, The Gaslight Anthem have returned to Australia to give their fans a taste of what they’ve been waiting for. They’ll be playing at The Palace on Tuesday May 14 (on sale now) and Wednesday May 15 (sold out).
On OM: “I love them. They’re so great. Like a metal Dead Can Dance, only more metal. A weird, world music thing. But a metal version. Strange.” – Nick Taras, of One Direction review fame (also that dingbat who saw 148 comedy shows at Comedy Festival this year and very seriously ran outta lols). He seems like a pretty smart guy(?) OM perform at at The Hi-Fi this Friday May 10 with Fourteen Nights At Sea. It’ll be epic.
VELVETS Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10. THE VENDETTAS + DJ SHAKY MEMORIAL + THE JACKS Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. THE WALLBANGERS + CHILLIAD + JETS & AMMO Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 8:00pm. TWO HEADED DOG + SHADOWS OF HYNES Idgaff Bar & Venue, Abbotsford. 8:00pm. USELESS CHILDREN + COCKS ARQUETTE + JUSTIN FULLER + RATSAK + SPITE HOUSE + TAX Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 7:00pm. $10. VIRTUE (SINGLE LAUNCH) + BRAVO JULIET + KILSHOT + TABULA RASA + THE WELLS Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 7:30pm. $10. WHOLE LOTTA LOVE Palais Theatre, St Kilda. 7:30pm. WHOLE LOTTA LOVE (LED ZEPPELIN CELEBRATION) - FEAT: DALLAS FRASCA + JIMMY CUPPLES + NATASHA STUART + SIMON MELI + STEVE BALBI Palais Theatre, St Kilda. 7:00pm. $90.
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC ADE ISH Open Studio, Northcote. 6:00pm. ALMA MATER Butterfly Club, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. $23. FIRE & THEFT Tago Mago, Thornbury. 9:00pm. HAYDEN JONES TRIO Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond. 9:00pm. $20. LETTER B Wesley Anne, Northcote. 6:00pm. RITA SATCH BAND Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 8:30pm. $25. STEVE GRANT QUARTET Uptown Jazz Cafe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. THE FURBELOWS Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 9:30pm. $20. TRIO BEM BRASIL Claypots Evening Star, Melbourne. 7:30pm.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK CYCLO TIMIK Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm. DAVE SATTOUT Wesley Anne, Northcote. 8:00pm. $20. LA ROSA MARCHITA Elsternwick Hotel, Elwood. 9:00pm. LOT 56 Thornbury Local, Thornbury. 10:00pm. MARGIE LOU DYER + ALYCE PLATT Claypots Tavern & Fair, St Kilda. 8:30pm. MUSTERED COURAGE (ALBUM LAUNCH) + THE NYMPHS + THE WALTERS Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 8:30pm. $15. RUSSELL MORRIS + MAX SAVAGE The Flying Saucer Club, Elsternwick. 8:00pm. $32. SAL KIMBER & THE ROLLIN’ WHEEL Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine. 8:30pm. THE DREY ROLLAN BAND Post Office Hotel, Coburg. 9:30pm.
Beat Magazine Page 48
THE PRESLEY FAMILY Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 9:30pm. THE TWOKS + PORNO SOUNDTRACK + THE SWEATERS Prince Public Bar, St Kilda. 8:00pm. TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC SESSIONS - FEAT: DAN BOURKE Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 6:00pm. YEAR OF SCUMMERY + A COMMONERS REVOLT + DEAD PEASANTS + HEAPS TUFF 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. $10.
SATURDAY MAY 11 JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC AFRIKA BAMBAATAA Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $45. ALEX & NILUSHA ENSEMBLE Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 8:30pm. $25. ALMA MATER Butterfly Club, Melbourne Cbd. 5:00pm. $23. BACKYARD FUNK + DALE GANNAN + TASH SULTANA Chandelier Room, Moorabbin. 8:00pm. $10. CLAIRE JACKSON TRIO Open Studio, Northcote. 5:30pm. EMMA GILMARTIN QUARTET Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $20. JOE CHINDAMO TRIO Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond. 9:00pm. $20. KOOYEH + AETHER BEACH 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. $10. MARK FITZGIBBONN & JAMES SHERLOCK DUO Uptown Jazz Cafe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. MICHELLE NICOLE QUARTET Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 9:30pm. $20. PEARLY SHELLS The Luwow, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. $5. TRIO RIO 57 Claypots Evening Star, Melbourne. 8:00pm. VIKA & LINDA + BENNY WALKER The Flying Saucer Club, Elsternwick. 8:00pm. $32. WHOW FUNDRAISER - FEAT: MODEL SUPER ORCHESTRA + JACK HOWARD + MAYA WEISS Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 8:00pm. $45.
INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS AIN’T NO REST FOR THE WICKED (ALL AGES) FEAT: RETURN TO YOUTH + BLUE JAY + KATIE MAXWELL + THE SMALL PRINT + YOSHITORO Musicland, Fawkner. 1:00pm. $10. ARMY CORP ALL STAR CHEERLEADING BENEFIT GIG - FEAT: THE QUARTERS + LUCKY FEW + THE FURROWS Espy, St Kilda. 9:00pm. $15.
BACKYARD FUNK + TASH SULTANA + DALE GANNAN + DALE GANNAN + TASH SULTANA Chandelier Room, Moorabbin. 8:00am. $10. BANG - FEAT: VANNA + SIERRA + STORM THE SKY Royal Melbourne Hotel, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. BAYOU (SINGLE LAUNCH) + HOWARD + NATHAN HOLLYWOOD Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. $8. BEASTWARS + BATPISS + BROOZER + RUINER Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $15. BITTER SWEET KICKS The B.east, Brunswick East. 9:00pm. DAVE WRIGHT & THE MIDNIGHT ELECTRIC + JOHNNY GIBSON & THE HANGOVER + THE STAFFORDS Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. DRAGON The Palms, Southbank. 8:00pm. FEAR LIKE US + ADELINE PINES (NEWCASTLE) + ANDREW RICHMOND + MARICOPA WELLS + RIBBONS PATTERNS Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 8:00pm. $10. HARBOUR THE HOSTAGE + NICHOLAS CAGE FIGHTER + REEDS OF THE TEMPTRESS Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. HARRY HOWARD TRIO + STU THOMAS PARADOX Tago Mago, Thornbury. 9:00pm. HOWLIN’ STEAM TRAIN (EP LAUNCH) + LOS TONES + MESA COSA Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $13. JELLO BIAFRA & THE GUANTANAMO SCHOOL OF MEDICINE + THE KREMLINGS + USELESS CHILDREN Corner Hotel, Richmond. 8:30pm. $46. KILL TWO BIRDS + 23 AOA + MOUNTFIELD PLAINS Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. KINGS & QUEENS - FEAT: JIKA + DISGRUNTLED BRUNTLE + DJ IGNITE + KAT ARDITTO + LUNG + NEW MANIC SPREE + THE GREETING METHOD + THE SPITTING SWALLOWS Espy, St Kilda. 7:00pm. $15. LAMINE SONKO & THE AFRICAN INTELLIGENCE Bar Open, Fitzroy. 10:00pm. LAURA + MUSHROOM GIANT + PRESENCE OF SOUL + YAWNING Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. $12. LORRAINE (EP LAUNCH) + JEN KNIGHT & THE CAVALIERS Wesley Anne, Northcote. 8:00pm. $7. MEDUSA + INCRYPT + MASS REJECTION + VENDETTA Idgaff Bar & Venue, Abbotsford. 8:00pm. MYSTERY + TOXICDAZE Musicland, Fawkner. 7:00pm. $15. NOCTURNAL GRAVES + KROMOSOM + PALE SAGE + SPLIT TEETH Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 8:00pm. $10. RED INK + 8 BIT LOVE + PHIL PARA + THE ELLIOTTS + THE UNIVERSAL Espy, St Kilda. 9:00pm. SKIPPING GIRL VINEGAR Audrey’s Rooftop, Abbotsford. 7:30pm. SKIPPING GIRL VINEGAR (EARLY SHOW) Audrey’s
SUBMIT YOUR GIGS TO GIGGUIDE@BEAT.COM.AU
Rooftop, Abbotsford. 5:00pm. SLUMBER PARTY MASSACRE II - FEAT: THE TARANTINOS Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. SOMETHING FOR KATE (STAR-CROSSED CITIES TOUR) + COURTNEY BARNETT Pier Live, Frankston. 8:00pm. $37. SOUL SLAP - FEAT: JOSH TAVARAS + CRAVEN SOULS + ELLEN PORTER + FAKE AVADER + SNAKE EYED ROLLERS First Floor, Fitzroy. 7:00pm. THE D GRADES + LIS MINIJUPES + THE PINK TILES Great Britain Hotel, Richmond. 9:00pm. THE LORD (ALBUM LAUNCH) + ELECTRIK DYNAMITE + ELM ST + MASON + SEWERCIDE Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $15. THE MONDAYS Thornbury Local, Thornbury. 10:00pm. THE RUBENS + ALI BARTER + WALK THE MOON Forum Theatre, Melbourne. 8:00pm. THE SHAMBELLS + DJ FANTA PANTS + THE CHARLIES Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 10:00pm. THE WELLINGTONS + THE SOLICITORS Prince Public Bar, St Kilda. 8:00pm. TRIPLE TREAT TOUR - FEAT: BORED NOTHING + GUNG HO + STEP PANTHER Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 8:30pm. $14. TRUCKFIGHTERS + DEAD RIVER + MATT SONIC & THE HIGH TIMES Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $36. UNFUNK INTL - FEAT: ANDRAS FOX + BKIND2ME + FRIENDSHIPS + GREYBEARD + THADDEUS DOE Strange Wolf Basement Bar, Melbourne. 8:00pm. WE ALL WANT TO + CHARLEY HORSE + COLLEGE FALL The Public Bar, Melbourne. 8:30pm. $10. ZOE K & THE SHADOW KATZ Post Office Hotel, Coburg. 9:30pm.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK BEN SMITH Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 9:00pm. BUZZ CAMPBELL & FIREBIRD Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. COLD HEART Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 7:30pm. FLORELIE ESCANO & HER RIDICULOUSLY GOOD LOOKING BAND Spotted Mallard, Brunswick. 8:30pm. GOSTI VICTORIAN (SINGLE LAUNCH) + JAREK + ZANE BECK Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. $12. GOYIM KLEZMER KAOS Claypots Tavern & Fair, St Kilda. 8:00pm. GRAM FRIDAY + ANDY WEAR Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 4:00pm. LAURA IMBRUGLIA + IOWA + LITTLE WING Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10. PAVEMENT SERENADERS Wesley Anne, Northcote. 5:30pm. PHIL PARA Elsternwick Hotel, Elwood. 9:00pm. RAISED BY EAGLES Union Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. ROOTS OF MUSIC - FEAT: CHARLES BABY + GRIZ-
ZLY JIM LAWRIE + TONY’S BRAND NEW FIREBIRD Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 8:00pm. $7. SPECTRUM Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 9:30pm. SPOONFUL Union Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. STRINE SINGERS + NICE BOY TOM Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 8:00pm. THE RECHORDS (EP LAUNCH) + CHERRYWOOD + THE DREY ROLLIN BAND Workers Club, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $15. THE SHANNON BOURNE BAND Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. THREE KINGS Labour In Vain, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. TWO SHOTS Open Studio, Northcote. 9:00pm. WINTERCOATS (SINGLE LAUNCH) + GALAPAGOOSE + THE TOWNHOUSES Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $10.
60 SECONDS WITH
JIKA
SUNDAY MAY 12 INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS ARTIST PROOF 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. BIG RED RUN FUNDRAISER - FEAT: I CONFESS + SHUT UP & CHOKE ME + STRAWBERRY FISTCAKE Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 3:00pm. $12. BLUEBOTTLES + HEAD HONCHO Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 7:30pm. CABAGES & KINGS + BIG HEAD ELLA Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. CASH SAVAGE & THE LAST DRINKS + THE INFANTS Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. FOOTY (ALBUM LAUNCH) + MAD NANNA + PEARLS + THE BACKSTABBERS Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 7:30pm. $12. GIANTS UNDER THE SUN + KASHMERE CLUB Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 5:00pm. JELLO BIAFRA & THE GUANTANAMO SCHOOL OF MEDICINE + GRONG GRONG + THE SPINNING ROOMS Corner Hotel, Richmond. 7:30pm. $46. MICHAEL ASHDOWN + JUKAI FOREST + MARTIN SLEEMAN Tago Mago, Thornbury. 4:00pm. NIHL + AETHER BEACH + ANA NICOLE + THE MERCURY THEATRE Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 6:30pm. PRESENCE OF SOUL + BEAR THE MAMMOTH + LUNAIRE + YAWNING The Public Bar, Melbourne. 2:00pm. $8. RDZJB + FAMOUS WILL + PATRICK WILSON Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. SEAN KIRKWOOD & THE RADIO SHOW + THE BELLESTRADES + THE MIGHTIEST OF GUNS John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:00pm. STEVE KILBEY & MARTIN KENNEDY + GLENN BENNIE & PHILLIPA NIHILL Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 6:30pm. $30. THE DRUNKEN POACHERS Penny Black, Brunswick. 5:00pm. THE MATT KELLY STRING QUARTET + AMANITA The B.east, Brunswick East. 9:00pm. THE TARANTINOS + TERRY MCCARTHY SPECIAL Bar Open, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. UNIDA + BEASTWARS + MAMMOTH MAMMOTH + MY LEFT BOOT The Hi-fi, Melbourne. 7:30pm. $41. WIL WAGNER + COREY PRICE + LUKE THOMAS + TERROR & TAM Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 3:00pm. WORNG + CHANNEL + CREEKS Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 6:00pm. $5.
WED 8 MAY MAY RESIDENCY Name: Jeffrey Ortiz Raul Castro.
I’ll probably stay there til the day I die which will be about one or two years max.
Define your genre in five words or less: Schizophrenic freestyle grooves. How long have you been gigging and writing.? We have been smashing that shit since 1998. Jika started as a bright-eyed try hard grunge band, then I joined the band in 2001 and taught those mother fucking pussies to grow some hair on their balls. Then Zane Rosanoski joined the band in 2003 and that’s when we started playing in time and mixing steroids with coke.
Why should everyone come and see your band? You shouldn’t come to see us play. You should come after we play for our after parties which we have grown our reputation for. We have a post-show party bus ready to go along with crack, speed, coke, booze and strippers.
What do you think a band has to do these days to succeed? Pretty fuckin’ easy, just swallow lots of cum and make your band sound like shit. Where would you like to be in five years? Owning an island in Dubai, we’ll call it Jeff’s Paradiso. Only members of Jika will be allowed to live there. The population ratio will consist of ten females to every male.
Collingwood. 6:30pm. $11. GEORGIA MAQ Kent St Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. HONKY TONK ANGLES Royal Oak Hotel, Fitzroy North. 4:00pm. JACK HOWARD Prince Public Bar, St Kilda. 6:08pm. JIMI HOCKING Bay Hotel, Mornington. 3:00pm. MERRI CREEK + KEN MAHER & TONY HAR-
What inspires or has influenced your music the most? Groupies, group sex, sex without condoms, blow jobs, boob jobs, nose jobs, foot jobs, finger jobs, fun jobs, lying to our girlfriends, lying to bookers, lying to the press, lying in general, cheating, starting fights, having sex with bricks, being inconsiderate and arrogant, brotherhood, pissing and shitting on the side of the road, making fun of the shitty support bands, being really drunk and starting fights, and in general feeling like we are better than other bands. When are you doing your thing next? Saturday May 11, Gershwin room, The Espy. $15 entry.
THE CLITS
+ GUESTS
CHOOK RACE ROSS DE CHENE HURRICANES UPSTAIRS - 8.30PM:
DESTROY SHE SAID LONG HOLIDAY THU 9 MAY
HOUSE OF LIGHT VERY SPECIAL GUESTS FRI 10 MAY
GREAVES Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 5:30pm. MOONEE VALLEY DRIFTERS Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. OPEN MIC Rose Hotel (williamstown), Williamstown. 3:00pm. OPEN MIC & JAM NIGHT Musicland, Fawkner. 5:00pm.
BURIED FEATHER LP LAUNCH
PONY FACE FLYYING COLOURS ATOLLS SAT 11 MAY FRONT BAR / 5 - 7.00PM:
HEAVY BEACH
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC
LIMITS
BANDROOM - 9.00PM:
ALMA MATER Butterfly Club, Melbourne Cbd. 6:00pm. $23. BLACK JESUS EXPERIENCE The Horn African Music Lounge, Collingwood. 6:00pm. DON JORDAN WINJAMMER BRASS QUINTET Open Studio, Northcote. 5:30pm. FRILLY KNICKERS JAZZ BAND Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm. $5. MARGIE LOU DYER TRIO Claypots Tavern & Fair, St Kilda. 8:30pm. MARGRET ROADKNIGHT Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 2:30pm. $25. NUDIST FUNK ORCHESTRA + BAD BOYS BATUCADA + MS BUTT + THE DALE RYDER BAND Espy, St Kilda. 5:30pm. SHIRAZZ (ALBUM LAUNCH) + THE NYMPHS Workers Club, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. $10. YVETTE JOHANSSON’S VINTAGE PEARLS The Flying Saucer Club, Elsternwick. 3:00pm. $18.
HARBOUR THE HOSTAGE
NICOLAS CAGE FIGHTER SUN 12 MAY
GIANTS UNDER THE SUN KASHMERE CLUB
COMING SOON: 17.5 THE STEVENS 7” LAUNCH 18.5 BATPISS ALBUM LAUNCH 23.5 AKTION UNIT ALBUM LAUNCH 24.5 FREE TIME ALBUM LAUNCH 31.5 SUPER WILD HORSES ALBUM LAUNCH 01.6 MONNONE ALONE ALBUM LAUNCH
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK ALEX LASHLIE’S GOW + JACK MITCHELL Great Britain Hotel, Richmond. 8:00pm. BIRDS & THE BEES SHOWCASE Empress Hotel, North Fitzroy. 7:30pm. BROOKE RUSSELL & THE MEAN REDS + SKYSCRAPER STAN & THE COMMISSION FLATS Wesley Anne, Northcote. 8:00pm. $10. CAL WALKER & TIM CROSSEY + RORY ELLIS Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 4:00pm. CHELSEA DRUGSTORE Standard Hotel, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. CHERRY ARVO BLUES - FEAT: CHRIS WILSON + DJ MAX CRAWDADDY + MR. BLACK & BLUES Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 3:00pm. CHRISTOPHER COLEMAN COLLECTIVE + CANARY + JAMES FAHY + WISHFUL Grace Darling Hotel,
TIX ON SALE NOW FROM OZTIX.COM.AU: SUPER WILD HORSES ALBUM LAUNCH 31.5 THE NATION BLUE 8.6 KING KHAN & BBQ SHOW 11 & 12.6 71 JOHNSTON ST. COLLINGWOOD . 03 9419 5320 TOTE OPEN: WED - SUN / 4.00pm ‘TIL LATE BAND BOOKINGS: NICCI@BAROPEN.COM.AU
WWW.THETOTEHOTEL.COM SUBMIT YOUR GIGS TO GIGGUIDE@BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 49
SHAKY STILLS Edinburgh Castle, Brunswick. 4:00pm. SONGWRITERS COLLECTIVE - FEAT: JESS HIESER Willow Bar, Northcote. 7:00pm. SPECTRUM St Andrews Hotel, St Andrews. 3:00pm. SPENCER P JONES & THE ESCAPE COMMITTEE Labour In Vain, Fitzroy. 5:00pm. SUNDAY FUNDAY - FEAT: ROWIE + NACKERS Big Mouth, St Kilda. 6:00pm. THE BLACKEYED SUSANS TRIO Post Office Hotel, Coburg. 4:30pm. THE DREY ROLLAN BAND Union Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. THE PHEASANT PLUCKERS Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy. 4:00pm. THE TATTERED SAILS Victoria Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. UNION ROYALE Spotted Mallard, Brunswick. 9:00pm.
RED BENNIES THIRD BIRTHDAY Three years later and one of Australia’s most bizarre stomping grounds continues on its full throttle roller coaster ride of peculiarity, hilarity and highflying entertainment. To celebrate their third year of doin’ thangz, Red Bennies are hosting a party with Client Liaison, filmmaker START.OPTIONS.EXIT, DJs Edd Fisher and Fugitive, Mike Gurrieri, cage dancers, and heaps more. Your outfit should bleed NYE 1989. It’s Friday May 10, doors are at 10pm and entry is only 15 clams.
60 SECONDS WITH…
SKYWAYS ARE HIGHWAYS
MONDAY MAY 13 INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS MONDAY NIGHT MASS - FEAT: DIRE EARS + HANS HARMS + PENGUINS + WHERE WERE YOU AT LUNCH Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 6:00pm. ZOOPHYTE & TOM TUENA Espy, St Kilda. 8:30pm.
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC BROWNE PANKHURST HANNAFORD TRIO Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 8:30pm. $15. KNIGHT & BROOKS DUO + MOTION 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. THE CACTUS CHANNEL + DEMIAN Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. THE JANE CLIFTON TRIO Claypots Tavern & Fair, St Kilda. 8:30pm.
JELLO BIAFRA
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK
Jello Biafra is a guy with a lot of words and a lot of genius. The Dead Kennedys frontman is returning to Australia this May with his new music venture The Guantanamo School of Medicine. He will also be adding a handful of talking shows to his extended schedule, following on from his YouTube series which comments on contemporary political issues, democracy, government conspiracy and election fraud. Biafra will perform his talking show at Thornbury Theatre on Friday May 24. He will also be performing with The Guantanamo School of Medicine at The Corner Hotel on Saturday May 11 and Sunday May 12.
ACOUSTIC SESSION Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. CHERRY JAM Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 6:30pm. PORT PHILLIP GILGAMESH READINGS Claypots Evening Star, Melbourne. 7:30pm. UNPAVED SONGWRITER SESSIONS Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $5.
TUESDAY MAY 14 Define your genre in five words or less: Sunshine punk. Tell us about the last song you wrote. I’m writing a song about the moon. It’s kind of a cage for broken hearts and it gets heavier and heavier until people notice, then it sinks so low that people go break it open. The Earth turns to ice, stops spinning and drifts away into the stars. If you could travel back in time and show one of your musical heroes your stuff, who would it be and why? I’d love to show Brian Wilson my music. But I’m sure it would terrify him! However, if I could travel back in time to the ‘60s I’d be too busy looking at all of the attractive people. EVERYONE WAS A BABE. But Brian was the biggest babe of them all... When, and why did you start writing music? My parents are professional musicians so I guess I just totally stole their idea! What inspires or has influenced your music the most? We could create our own atmosphere on Mars over hundreds of years and potentially live there! Also, everything else ever. Which band would you most like to have a battle/ showdown with? The ultimate, would be a super soaker battle with Summer Twins from California, they are the cutest. Or a showdown with High Tension from Melbourne, they would literally eat us. I am so in love/fear with them. If someone made a movie about your life, who would play you? Marlon Brando, of course! And Natalie Portman would play Angie. What can a punter expect from your live show? They’ll see us having fun, exactly where we want to be, doing exactly what we want to be doing. How do you stop your pre-gig jitters? Angie always punches me a lot, but that doesn’t help me at all. How do you balance making and playing music with your other commitments? Either the other commitments work with making music, or they die. I kill them. When are you doing your thing next? Our EP launch for SO YOUNG is on Friday May 17 at The Evelyn.
Beat Magazine Page 50
SUBMIT YOUR GIGS TO GIGGUIDE@BEAT.COM.AU
INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS ALI E + LADY DEE Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 7:30pm. BRUNSWICK DISCOVERY - FEAT: DISCOVERY OF A FOX + OSCAR GALT + TALI SING Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm. COLLAGE - FEAT: THE KITE MACHINE + JORDAN WALKER + LEADLIGHT Espy, St Kilda. 9:00pm. FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND + RELENTLESS Corner Hotel, Richmond. 8:00pm. $33. GASLIGHT ANTHEM Palace Theatre, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. GASLIGHT ANTHEM + DAVE HAUS Palace Theatre, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $66. HEART OF ST KILDA - FEAT: EVEN + KATE CEBERANO + REBECCA BARNARD + BILLY MILLER + HENRY WAGONS + LISA MILLER + SASKWATCH + WISHFUL Palais Theatre, St Kilda. 7:00pm. $79. IVORY JUNCTION SHOWCASE Veludo Bar & Restaurant, St Kilda. 7:00pm. MELBOURNE FRESH INDUSTRY SHOWCASE Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 7:00pm. $15. NEW GODS + VALENTIINE Workers Club, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. $10. THE PATRON SAINTS Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. THE SEEKERS Hamer Hall, The Arts Centre, Melbourne. 8:00pm. WALK THE MOON Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 8:00pm. $35.
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC BAT COUNTRY + ANTON DELECCA QUARTET + FULL CIRCLE Gertrudes Brown Couch, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. BIG BAND FREQUENCY Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond. 8:00pm. $14. BOSSA NOVA JAM Claypots Evening Star, Melbourne. 8:00pm. ECHO DRAMA + GUSTO THE BODYSNATCHER + THE DO YO THANKS Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. MIRKO GUERRINI SEXTET Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne. 8:30pm. $15. NOSOTOS QUARTET Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm. $5. OPEN MIC Bar Oussou, Brunswick. 7:00pm. WAZ E JAMES BAND Claypots Tavern & Fair, St Kilda. 8:30pm.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK JIMI HOCKING Grandview Hotel, Fairfield. 8:00pm. KELSEY JAMES + BROOKE RUSSELL + MATTHEW KENNEALLY Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. LIAM GERNER Labour In Vain, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. OPEN MIC Wesley Anne, Northcote. 6:00pm.
THURSDAY MAY 9TH
CHAD MASON ACOUSTIC FROM 8.30 PM
SATURDAY MAY 11TH
THREE KINGS
BEN PETERS, IAN COLLARD, JASON LIUSOON TWO SETS - MAY RESIDENCY
GREAT BRITAIN HOTEL THU 9 MAY
THE SOLICITORS + SIGNAL X + THE BIG CITY FROM 9PM
SAT 11 MAY
THE D GRADES + THE PINK TILES + LES MINIJUPES FROM 9PM
SUNDAY MAY 12TH
NO FUTURE DJ’S
& THE ESCAPE COMMITTEE
ALEX LASHLIE’S GROW + JACK MITCHELL
SPENCER P JONES FROM
5 TIL 7PM
DOWNSTAIRS FROM 11PM
SUN 12 MAY
FROM 7:30PM
TH
TUESDAY MAY 14
LIAM GERNER
ACOUSTIC SESSION FROM 8.30 PM
WEEKLY ASSORTMENTS MonDAYS
FREE POOL ALL NIGHT $10 PIZZA & POT
TueSDAYS
MRS SMITH’S TRIVIA $10 PIZZA & POT 9PM
WEDNESDAYS
OPEN MIC NIGHT 9PM 447 CHURCH ST RICHMOND 9429 5066 www.greatbritainhotel.com.au
Wed. May 8th: wine, whiskey, women
8pm: Anna Struth 9pm: Kerryn Fields Thurs. May 9th:
8pm: Pritchy Ray 9pm: Hud Corley Fri. May 10th:
6PM: Traditional Irish Music Session with Dan Bourke & Friends Sat. May 11th:
9pm: Ben Smith Sun. May 12th:
4PM: Rory Ellis 6:30PM: Cal Walker & Tim Crossey Tues. May 14th:
8PM: Weekly Trivia The Drunken Poet, 65 Peel Street (directly opposite Queen Vic Market), Phone: 03 9348 9797. www.thedrunkenpoet.com.au SUBMIT YOUR GIGS TO GIGGUIDE@BEAT.COM.AU
Beat Magazine Page 51
BACKSTAGE
CLASSIFIEDS
33c PER WORD PER WEEK (INC GST) • Send your classified listing information to Beat Magazine at 3 Newton St, Richmond 3121 with a cheque, money order or credit card number (including expiry date and name on card, NOT AMEX or DINERS) (1.5% surcharge on Visa and MasterCard) OR deliver it yourself with cash OR you can email your classifieds to us - classifieds@beat.com.au with credit card details • DEADLINE IS THURSDAY 5pm, prior to Wednesdays publication • Minimum $5 charge per week. We do NOT accept classifieds over the phone - sorry.
THE PLACE FOR MUSICIANS
for more information or ad bookings call Aleksei on 9428 3600
REHEARSAL PROFILE
HYDRA REHEARSAL STUDIO
MUSICIANS WANTED ACOUSTIC ACTS WANTED FOR FRIDAY NIGHT SPOTS IN FITZROY Solo/Duo/Groups send an email with pics or samples to drink@the86.com.au. Bar split is paid, summer dates available. BATTLE OF THE BANDS Registration now, starts Wednesday the 28th Dec and every Wednesday after for 8 week (less the 26th Dec & the 2nd Jan). First prize: recording time in a studio. Call Jesse 0411 803 579 EXPERIENCED LEAD GUITARIST & KEYBOARD PLAYER WANTED for The Streamliners. Phone Ken: 9584 7384 or Paul: 8786 3421 FEMALE SINGER WANTER for folk trio. Ring Joseph 9349 4029 or 0406 280 727
SERVICES AMP UP YOUR SHOW PONY performing workshop for singersongwriters, MCs & frontpersons. 1st June, 11am-4pm, Collingwood. Email:themusiciansaccomplice@gmail.com CHEAP WEBSITE HOSTING. Host your website with MediaFortress. com.au. Free website builder with every package. Get your website online in 30 minutes. Domains only $15.00 per year. FREE VENUE HIRE - Fully stocked bar - Huge capacity, whole venue or partial. Call Jesse 0411 803 579 RESOURCES FOR EVENT MANAGERS, promoters & venue managers. www.globerockerz.com SOUNDPARK RECORDING AND REHEARSALS - Large tracking room, three booths, loads of Vintage Mics, Pre’s, Compressors, Amps, Keyboards, Drums, Grand Piano, 24tk Tape Machines, 24tk Pro-tools. See Soundparkstudios.com.au for full list. $60 an hour with engineer or $450 day (14hrs) without engineer. Rehearsal rooms from $50
EMPLOYMENT Location: 18 Duffy Street Burwood, Victoria.
three mics, leads and stands. Each room has its own split air conditioner and is ventilated.
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday: 6pm - 11pm Saturday and Sunday: 11am - 5pm
Instruments available for hire: Drumkits, guitar and bass amplifiers.
Rooms and Facilities: Ten 30m2 acoustically treated, extremely wellsoundproofed rehearsal rooms, all with brand new PA systems including two FOH, one foldback,
Cost of rooms and special deals: Monday to Friday: $70, Saturday and Sunday: $64 Parking: Easy load in, trolleys for use and loads of free parking.
Extras: We have a shop with sticks, strings, batteries, earplugs, bottled water, leads and straps. We also have storage cupboards for hire, vending machines, a chill out area, free coffee, poster printing services and ‘band aid’ - see our website for more. Phone: 9038 8101 or 0417 000 397 Website: www.hydrastudios.com.au E-mail: hydrastudios@bigpond.com
AUSTRALIA'S ONLY NATIONAL MUSIC STREET PRESS WITH A COMPREHENSIVE AND FREE DISTRIBUTION. DESIGNED, WRITTEN AND CREATED FOR MUSICIANS AND LOVERS OF MUSIC.
INTERVIEWS WITH THE WORLD'S BIGGEST ARTISTS AND HOME GROWN HEROES. FEATURE STORIES ON THE MUSIC INDUSTRY PRODUCT NEWS AND GEAR REVIEWS EDUCATION COLUMNS STUDIO Q&A'S AWESOME MONTHLY GIVEAWAYS + HEAPS MORE
HITS THE STREETS AND ONLINE IN THE FIRST WEEK OF EVERY MONTH 2013 ONLINE AND STREET DATES: MAY 8 TH JUNE 5TH JULY 3RD
AUGUST 7TH SEPTEMBER 4TH OCTOBER 2ND
NOVEMBER 6TH DECEMBER 4TH
For more information on Mixdown Magazine contact Aleksei on (03) 9428 3600 or email Mixdown@beat.com.au
Beat Magazine Page 52
BACKSTAGE: BEAT’S ONE STOP SHOP FOR MUSICIANS
FLAUNT IT. Internationally acclaimed producer of pro-feminist erotica looking for confident, adult women to smash the stereotypes and earn good money ($400 and up). Don’t overlook this til you’ve found out more about it. Jessica 9495 6555 or www.feck.com. MALE LIFE MODELS. Aaryon photography and media has ongoing work available to models 18+. No experience necessary. Email recent pictures and contact details to models@aaryon.com for selected interview. WE WANT EVERYONE Promoters, Bands, DJs - Revitalised bar, The Barley Corn, has reopened its doors 7 days a week and we want YOU. Call Jesse 0411 803 579
THIS SPACE COULD BE YOURS!
Brand new 2000 watt HK Audio powered speakers, ProFX12 Mackie desks and 400 watt Yamaha QPXFSFE GPMECBDLT JO FWFSZ SPPN .BSDI t JEFOUJDBM N2 SPPNT t "JS DPO BOE WFOUJMBUJPO JO FWFSZ SPPN EFTJHOFE TPVOEQSPPåO t "NQ BOE ESVNLJU IJSF t 4UPSBHF GBDJMJUJFT t "DPVTUJD FOHJOFFS EFTJ OFE TPVOEQSPPåOHOH External PA Hire available
CONTACT ALEKSEI ON 9428 3600 OR MIXDOWN@BEAT.COM.AU
18 Duffy St Burwood PH: (03) 903 88101, M: 0417 000 397 Email: hydrastudios@bigpond.com www.hydrastudios.com.au
571 High Street Preston VIC 3072 Tel (03) 9471 1023 Fax (03) 9471 1919 Internet: www.jamhutstudios.com Clean and fully ventilated rooms with professional equipment. Complimentary tea & coffee.
REHEARSAL
3 hr sessions from $40 6 hr sessions from $65 RECORDING
$60 per hour, ProTools HD with engineer
EQUIPMENT HIRE Vocal PA’s from $80, amplifiers and drumkits available.
v s
a
s
Vintage, New & Second Hand Amps, Effects Pedals & Rigs
Huge Selection – All major Brands
Guitars and Amps wanted Top CA$H Paid
PA HIRE
Comprehensive PA systems delivered, set up and operated with crew. Compact, easy, sound systems you can pickup and assemble yourself.Components such as microphones, speakers and effects are also available separately. Lights also available. For details phone Mark Barry on 03 9889 1999 or 0419 993 966
Expert Guitar & Amp Repairs Mods & Restoration Fast Turnaround Affordable Rates Technicians on site 1131 Burke Rd KEW 3101 Phone: 03 9817 7000 www.eastgatemusic.com.au
IMPLANT MEDIA
CD with 2 PAGE INSERT in PVC (sleeve)
SPECIAL!
100 - from $2.35 each 500 - $1.40 each 1000 - $1.08 each
100 A3
colour posters for
CD with 4 PAGE INSERT + INLAY
Jewel case (black tray)
100 - from $3.15 each 500 - $1.80 each 1000 - $1.45 each
CD in CARD SLEEVE 100 - from $2.95 each 500 - from $1.80 each 1000 - from $1.30 each
www.bssound.com.au bssound@bigpond.com
CD with GATEFOLD
4 panel gatefold, single or double pocket
100 - from $3.95 each 500 - from $2.40 each 1000 - from $1.60 each
CD with DIGICASE 100 - from $4.45 each 500 - from $2.70 each 1000 - from $1.70 each
$70
With any disc order of 50 or more.
12” Vinyl in PRINTED SLEEVE
1300 1300 79 79 78 78 78 78 UNIT 1, 11-13 LYGON ST BRUNSWICK
300 - from $9.19 each 500 - from $6.49 each 1000 - from $5.04 each 7” and 10” also available
DVD with CASE & SLICK
T-SHIRTS
100 - from $3.25 each 500 - $2.19 each 1000 - $1.85 each
25 from $15.40 each 50 from $10.50 each 100 from $8.45 each
Black DVD case
BACKSTAGE: BEAT’S MUSICIANS DIRECTORY
SCREEN PRINTED
* * HUNDREDS HUNDREDS OF OTHER PACKAGING OPTIONS AVAILABLE! FOR A PRICE ON ANY PACKAGE AT ANY TIME VISIT: WWW.IMPLANT.COM.AU/QUOTES WWW.IMPLANT.COM.AU/QUOTES Beat Magazine Page 53
LIVE
Photos by Richard Sharman
Truck Fighters
King Parrot
Photos by Richard Sharman
CHERRYROCK013
AC/DC Lane, Sunday May 5
Stick with me on this one: originally fairy tales were dark, gruesome and macabre legends, children losing their thumbs for sucking them, daughters traded to the devil. As years passed they were cleaned up, sanitised, given happy endings and sold to the masses. Well, on Saturday night I saw Aerosmith at Rod Laver Arena – there were autocue monitors on every corner of the stage with the lyrics to each song scrolling along (I mean really, the lyrics to Livin’ On The Edge are “Livin’ on the edge!”), countless industrial sized fans for Steven Tyler to sing in front of to give him that windblown ‘80s film clip look, two personal photographers (one for the stage, one for the catwalk) that he performed to rather than the audience, they went on early (rock bands should never go on early) and the crowning jewel – an electric keyboard built into a faux baby grand, complete with stairs, that lit up when he sung on top of it. It should have been called Steven Tyler and the Aerosmith band – in short, this was a sanitised, fairy tale panto version of rock’n’roll and I felt used. But thankfully on the seventh day the Devil created CherryRock013. Wedged down AC/DC Lane, the chilly Sunday morning winds whipped the likely legionnaires disease-ridden industrial air-conditioning steam into punters’ faces like they were entering the gates of hell itself. Dirty, grimy, dangerous, loud, offensive – the original pure rock’n’roll fairy tale. Cherry Rock proves what guitars, bass and drums are made for – pounding away under some sweet shrieking vocals. The lineup provided for all genres (of rock). Headliners Unida turned out a classic stoner rock set while Truckfighters did their progressive metal thing, and the Drunk Mums just don’t give a shit if you like them or not,
FLUME
LOVED: The Sure Fire Midnights. HATED: No passouts. DRANK: Tinnies (for dinner) = tinner.
in the air. Some were on shoulders and some failed crowd surfing attempts. Oh to be 18, limber and equipped with moves of a Taiwanese gymnast again. Holdin’ On was the crowd favourite. The floor reverberated and the bass was pulsing. After a few more of his hits including On Top he thanked Melbourne and feigned parting ways with the crowd. His awkward demeanour when giving the audience a fake goodbye was endearing. In fact, his whole stage presence is comforting. Here’s a kid who makes fantastic music, but is still surprised at his success. He showed no signs of cockiness and that was refreshing. Soon he was back for an encore, which featured Chet Faker. After Left Alone they played a song that is yet to be released. Flume’s overall strength is his ability to draw from multiple genres and to be able to construct strong musical structures that focus on climax. BY TAMARA VOGL LOVED: The bass. HATED: That the thought of crowdsurfing made my lower back ache. DRANK: Water.
Palais Theatre, Wednesday May 1
No disrespect to The Kooks, but I honestly had no idea how popular they really were. I really enjoyed their first album, Inside In/Inside Out, but always assumed that was the peak of their fame. Turns out I was wrong. The Palais was packed to the rafters with their legion of fans. Even more interesting was that while the girls screamed and danced, it was their jocky, metrosexual boyfriends who took photos and sang along word-for-word. The Kooks definitely have a segmented market. They opened with a bunch of songs from that first album, including Ooh La, Sofa Song and one of the most popular, She Moves In Her Own Way. These four lads from Brighton, England are still quite young but they have the talent and stage presence of experienced performers, especially front man Luke Pritchard. For such a gawky and awkward looking dude, he appears to thrive in a room of screaming fans and confidently prances on stage like he’s Mick Jagger or Julian Casablancas. Pritchard switched between around four or five guitars throughout the set, even swapping instruments mid-song on some occasions. For a solo version of Seaside, he stood alone with an acoustic guitar and asked the crowd to sing along “Koombaya style”. The Kooks didn’t play just their big hits though, sneaking Beat Magazine Page 54
BY JACK FRANKLIN
Festival Hall, Thursday May 2
Wedged firmly at the back of the standing area filled with pretty young things, the Flume hubbub was buzzing. An audience amped by a performance from supporting act Chet Faker, arms flailed, bodies were hoisted on shoulders and throats ran hoarse when Flume graced the stage. In a simple button-up with hair slicked to the side, Harry Streton embodied all things classic, not your usual electronic champion. Only familiar with a handful of his tracks, throughout the show he showed me not only a superior understanding of the genre, but a skill in mastering multiple sounds, textures and genres within exceptionally structured songs. He has an ear for where to guide an audience through his music, and he executes it perfectly. Not falling into the electronic trap of monotony, his songs have an idiosyncratic style, but all are unique in their own respect. Warming up the crowd with a synth-fuelled track filled with cascading African chants, Flume didn’t rely only on his mixing tables, but also an electronic drum kit. Opening up with an organic tribal sound, he shifted into industrial, dubstep influenced beats with More Than You Thought. At the introductory notes of Sleepless the crowd soared, and by ‘soared’ I mean quite literally people were thrown
THE KOOKS
which is glorious. But it truly was the opening acts that made me fall in love with Cherry this year. The main stage opened with The Surefire Midnights, a kick arse group breaking the mould of The Runaways, the all-girl fivepiece wailed and set the bar very high for the rest of the bands to follow. Battle Axe Howlers weren’t for me but there will never be a better description of their sound than their own band name, an onomatopoeia of rock. Gay Paris looked like an alt-country outfit and blew the back outta the laneway with their insane thrash, a more unhinged front man you will not find. And as if in way of respite there was indeed a country band, Little Bastard made the inside stage their own, a rollicking outfit I hope to see more of. AND THEN THERE WAS BARBARION. The heaviest band of the day, in a purely physical sense, Barbarion are huge, savage, rock warriors, taking no prisoners in their efforts to conquer the festival – I understand the bass player even broke his foot – an all out assault on the audience and OH&S practices. Cherry Bar’s own Chris Russell’s Chicken Walk backed up their stellar Golden Plains performance with a foot stomping, bone rattling set. The day was rammed with these sort of moments – I don’t want a clean, safe rock’n’roll lullaby with a happy ending, I want rock’n’roll that scares me. Thank you, Cherry.
in a couple of rarities for the “true fans”. Guitarist Hugh Harris stepped up on vocals for No Longer, which unfortunately fell flat, and later they played The Saboteur, which could be described as experimental rock’n’roll. There were a couple of favourites from the other two albums, including Shine On, Always Where I Need to Be, Runaway and they finished the set with Do You Wanna. The anticipated encore chants began almost instantly as the band walked off stage and they soon returned with Junk of the Heart, the title track from their latest album, and followed with Naive, which produced a deafening roar from the crowd. If I had to describe this gig in one word: refined. Every aspect of this show, from lighting, the set list, the set up and sound, was impressive. The Kooks are not your average pop band, and that’s a good thing. BY CHRIS BRIGHT LOVED: The dude at the front who was more emotional than his girlfriend. HATED: The single light that kept blinding me. DRANK: Nothing. Getting over a cold.
BLACK SABBATH
Rod Laver Arena, Monday April 29
Openers Shihad had the arduous task of warming up a crowd who gave their last shit for a support act during the Hawke years. You can kind of hear the debt Johnny Toogood and Co. owe to the headliners, but their riffs are too bludgeoning to prompt much of a reaction. Johnny leans heavy on throwing the devil horns to prompt a crowd response – but given that hand gesture was supposedly invented by Ronnie James Dio, would that be like a support band playing a Sammy Hagar song during a Van Halen show with David Lee Roth? Perhaps the promoter was left with slim pickings after every other hard rock band from this quarter of the planet was pinched to support Aerosmith. Whatever the case, the band still pump a lot of energy into their blink-and-you'll-miss-it set. Of course, the crowd begins to chant "Ozzie" seconds after Shihad leave the stage, which may give some indication of the impression they made. There's very little time left to ponder the hard road of a support band, because soon your next thought is “holy shit, that's Tony Iommi…and he’s playing the opening to War Pigs!” It's an acceptable six out of ten that's probably most useful at gauging Ozzie Osborne’s mental capacity. At times the reality TV caricature doesn’t seem too far-fetched, between the shuffle walking and leaning heavily on F-bombs. It seems he can either look animated or sing, but not simultaneously. The less that's said about Electric Funeral the better, but it begins a pattern that becomes familiar for Ozzie. A solid vocal performance one minute, fishing for pitch the next. At those times, it's better to focus on the unstoppable riff monster that is Iommi and Butler. You could watch them come up with sludgy chugga chugga riffs for days, and when they stretch
out on instrumental sections, you can imagine your dad pondering the dawn of the universe as the record spins and things get really heavy. And this is before even delving into the mess that is their pinch drummer Tommy Clufetos, the only person that wasn't chewed up and spat out the wrong side of the ‘70s. His thunderous doom drums are precise and potent...but he also has a headband, is surrounded by drum pieces and gets a roadie to remove his shirt. You’re making it hard on yourself, buddy. They save some magic for later parts of the set – like a bonkers drum solo that rolls into Iron Man – but you can almost hear hands reaching into pockets for phones as new songs like God Is Dead? plod along. Apparently the band are dropping even the mere suggestion of poetic subtlety now – making Snowblind and Sweet Leaf sound intellectual by comparison. Launching into the intro of Sabbath Bloody Sabbath as a bit of misdirection before rolling through Paranoid as a finale was one of the few surprises of the night – you know there’s not much room for variation with Ozzie as he is. But even a sliver of their former dark lord brilliance is enough to send the crowd home happy.
HUNGRY KIDS OF HUNGARY
Friday April 26, The Corner Hotel
Having not yet recovered from the penetrating and enigmatic gaze of The Preatures' vocalist Isabella Manfred and her sexually-charged chemistry with co-vocalist and guitarist Gideon Bensen, Hungry Kids Of Hungary were received on stage by an energised crowd. The five-piece Brisbane band kicked into What In The World, the opening track of their sophomore album, You're A Shadow. The boys were flawless, showcasing their indie-pop tracks in a tight and controlled performance. The melting harmonies of Kane Mazlin and Dean McGrath were emotive and perfectly synchronised, especially on tracks like When Yesterday's Gone, Scattered Diamonds, The Vacationer and Coming Around. As an electric piano nut, it was impossible not to be swayed and seduced by Mazlin's smooth instrumentation. His playing was effortless and light, providing a solid grounding to the pop styles of the band. Heavier songs like Sharp Shooter and Twin Cities validated the group's competence in producing edgier, hard rock. Somewhere between Last Dinosaurs and Vampire Weekend, the boys were dynamic, unified and confident. Towards the final half of the performance, Dean, Kane and Alex exited the stage, leaving behind bass guitarist Ben Dalton and drummer Ryan Strathie. While the former three guys took an intermission, probably loading up on minerals and toilet breaks, Ben and Ryan showcased their skills to an eager and curious crowd. Exploding into a heavy percussion and bass solo, Ben and Ryan shone, looping in and out of each other's beats, both complementing and challenging one another. The powerhouse two-way solo was reminiscent of the harmonious relationship between The Doors' guitarist Robby Krieger and organist Ray Manzarek, but with different instruments.
Towards the end of the solo, the remaining members of Hungry Kids of Hungary re-entered the stage and broke into Wristwatch, one of the bigger tracks of their debut album. It was a perfect prelude and a smooth transition into one of their heavier songs. A few more favourite tracks followed and then it was time for the boys to bid farewell. However, it wasn't long before the wild calls and repetitious chanting of the crowd brought them back onstage. They opened their encore with a sincere rendition of Tame Impala's Feels Like We Only Go Backwards, a successful homage to the Australian band that was filled with psychedelic instrumentation and sombre harmonies. The boys then brought their support acts back on stage, concluding with a crowd favourite, Let You Down. A momentous moment and a wonderful way to end the night: Hungry Kids Of Hungary, The Preatures and Them Swoops filled the stage with exuberance and uncontrollable limbs. The stage turned into a dance floor, with random guest appearances from the audience itself. The crowd and the bands become one single entity, as everybody intertwined and paid tribute to Hungry Kids Of Hungary.
FOR MORE LIVE REVIEWS & PHOTOS GO TO BEAT.COM.AU
BY MITCH ALEXANDER LOVED: One of Iommi’s few recognitions of the crowd was a sly devil horns with a boyish smile – but he’s allowed to. HATED: The idea that people paid mega-bucks to meet the band. Surely that can’t end well? DRANK: The sweet fumes of sweaty metal dudes gulping rum and coke.
BY DINA AMIN
LOVED: The powerful blues/rock solos of Ben Dalton and Ryan Strathie. HATED: The ridiculous height of the guy standing in front of me. DRANK: Vodka and pineapple juice.
1300 ALLANS
DRUMS
15-40% OFF GUITARS 20-60% OFF PA & MUSIC TECH 10-40% OFF PIANOS & KEYBOARDS 10-30% OFF BAND& ORCHESTRAL 10-35% *Excludes USA Gretsch
*Excludes Fender Custom Shop
OFF
RRP
RRP
RRP
RRP
RRP
速
www.allansbillyhyde.com.au