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Movies • TV • Comics • Anime • Sci-fi • Fantasy • Games • Cosplay • Wrestling • Comps • Fun
Film, TV and voice actors! Comic and film makers! ...and so much more! *
The Australian Timezone Supanova Pinball Championship!
ets or k c i T e do h g h at rt throu o
Also featuring original Star Trek cast * Chekov, uhura and Sulu!
Melbourne Showground ShowgroundS April 11 and 12 w w w. s u p a n ov a . c o m /beat
*All guests confirmed health and other commitments pending. †Must be accompanied by a paying adult.
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SATURDAY 11TH OF APRIL OPEN TIL 5AM! 9PM:
CRYPT (SA) WI TH G UEST S
SLOTHFERATU CEMENT PIG, GRIEG (QLD)
DJ HEELS ON DECKS 1AM TILL 5AM
5PM:
BRUNSWICK HOTEL MISS WHISKEY 140 SYDNEY RD, BRUNSWICK www.brunswickhotel.net
WEDNESDAY 8TH OF APRIL FROM 7PM
THE BRUNSWICK HOTEL’S OPEN MIC WITH YOUR HOST AZ!
Whether you play a comedian, poet, musician or dancer, you are welcome here at the brunny every wednesday! Register from 6pm onwards timeslot raffle is drawn out at 7:45pm. Get in early to ensure you get a spot!
A FREE POT OF BOAGS IF YOU PERFORM!
$10 JUGS OF BOAGS DRAUGHT (For Those Needing Liquid Courage...)
THURSDAY 9TH OF APRIL FROM 8PM
NOWHERE (GER) W IT H G U E S T S
TRANS PARANOIA JUDAS SPRINGSTEEN FREDDY FUDD PUCKER
BABY TONES12AM TIL 3AM IN THE BEER GARDEN DJ DAMO RATCLIFFE 8PM TIL 1AM
$3 SCHOONERS OF BOAGS DRAUGHT, $5 BASIC SPIRITS FRIDAY 10TH OF APRIL FROM 9PM OPEN TIL 5AM!
VISON ST
SIN G L E L A U N C H W ITH G UE STS
EEO, THE EARLY OPENERS PARMY DHILLON AND THE PRETTY PRETTYS
1AM TILL 5AM - DJ FEE FEE STAR
WI TH G UEST S
MIGUEL RIOS, MIA MILAN SUNDAY 12TH OF APRIL 8PM:
ALSO, DRAGONS WI TH G UEST S
MORPHEME, DREAM FATIGUE MIDNIGHT SOL 4PM:
THE SONGWRITER SESSIONS
PRESENTED BY TASTE OF INDIE COLLECTIVE FE ATUR IN G:
PHISA, JONATHON SHAW JOSH FORNER MONDAY 13TH OF APRIL FROM 8PM
LET’S GET FUNNY AT THE BRUNNY
Free Comedy with feature performers every week!
$10 JUGS OF BOAGS DRAUGHT TUESDAY 14TH OF APRIL FROM 8PM
THE BRUNSWICK HOTEL DISCOVERY NIGHT
Giving chances to up & coming local talent! This week:
VAN NOSTRUM, PINK HARVEST THE CREEPING BAM, THE DIRTY BIRDS
I N TH E B EER GAR D EN:
WTF TRIVIA
HOSTED BY HOOPS HOOPER
8pm Start Time. Time to show us your Wits!
Hotel
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Thursday 9th April DOWNSTAIRS
Sat 11 april 5pm
DaviDson Brothers
those awarD-winning Brothers in Bluegrass are Back, playing the heck out of anything with strings.
Sat 11 april 9pm
shanty town a Dance-filleD evening from this homegrown nine-piece ska powerhouse, with musical roots all the way from kingston.
Sun 12 april 3:30pm
James kenyon & luke richarDson
great singing anD songwriting By kenyon with Brilliant DouBle Bass By richarDson.
Sun 12 april 5pm
the BanD that
knew too much a highly energetic, floorpacking party BanD. yep, these guys have Been playing their washBoarD anD accorDionDriven anthems for over a DecaDe. get set for a sunDay resi!
WISDOM2TH
MELBOURNE TOUR CLAY ADAMS / CASH KRZMA 8pm, $10 UPSTAIRS
CARDBOARD CROWN KING RECORDS PRESENTS
STRAY+SKURGEONE 8pm - $15
Friday 10th April UPSTAIRS
DEX
‘SOMETHING TO SAY’ MIXTAPE LAUNCH 9pm, $15 DOWNSTAIRS
PARTY & BULLSHIT FT. CRIS GAMBLE’S EP LAUNCH
$10 COCKTAIL JUGS BEFORE 10:30 9PM, FREE ENTRY Saturday 11 April UPSTAIRS
50/50 / ONE PUF / YES BRUV PRES. FOOTISE [UK] / SKITZ BEATZ [UK] / STRICTFACE [ADL] 9pm, $20 DOWNSTAIRS
BIG DANCING SATURDAYS
MS DOOG / MAFIA / LARRIE 9PM, FREE ENTRY
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Saturdays
hardrive
Jonny Telefone (Live)
one puf + all good + eighty nine
thursday april 2nd public holiday eve
ruin Lucy Cliche (dj set)
Chairman Meow (dj set)
cold wave / no wave
Whiteside (dj set)
lucy cliche 2
2
(naked on the vague)
thursday april 9
dj cassandra + dj whiteside
RUIN
jonny telefone (live)
ASPS, WHITESIDE, chairman meow
monday - saturday
monday - saturday
6 pm
6 pm
IF YOU WERE THERE, YOU’LL KNOW. IF YOU WEREN’T, YOU’LL WISH YOU HAD BEEN.
“Remarkable”
“Joyous”
The Radio Times
OK Magazine
CineVue
© 2014 Stubborn Heart Films (Heart Of Soul Productions) Limited. All Rights Reserved.
“Uplifting ”
OWN IT APRIL 15 & RENT IT APRIL 22. EXCLUSIVELY ON DIGITAL BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 10
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in this issue
14
hot talk
18
tourinG
20
alt j
22
whats on, dirty dancinG
23
art oF the city
24
as you like it, sean maGuire
25
out oF the closet, beat eats
26
comedy Festival coveraGe
35
steve smyth, circa waves
36
soak, benny walker
37
alice cooPer, the ocean
38
warPed, my leFt boot
benny walker page 36
39
soak page 36
core/crunch, Grenadiers
40
music news
45
live
46
album oF the week, sinGles, charts
alice cooPer page 37
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 Publisher: Furst Media Pty Ltd. music editor: Cara Williams arts editor / associate music editor: Tyson Wray
albums
48
GiG Guide
52
backstaGe/the local
54
industrial strenGth
Grenadiers page 39
circa waves page 35
3 newton street richmond, victoria 3121 Phone: (03) 9428 3600 Fax: (03) 9428 3611 email: info@beat.com.au www.beat.com.au
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sub editor / advertisinG & editorial coordinator: Soph Goulopoulos editorial assistants: Michael Clark, Cassie Hedger, Lauren Gill, Gloria Brancatisano, Kelsey Berry. PuZZle master: Thom Parry manaGinG director, Furst media: Patrick Carr beat Production manaGer: Michael Cusack GraPhic desiGners: Michael Cusack, Robert Smith. cover desiGn: Michael Cusack advertisinG: Cara Williams (Music: Bands/Tours/Record Labels) cara@beat.com.au Aleksei Plinte (Backstage/Musical Equipment) mixdown@beat. com.au Thom Parry (Hospitality/Bars) thom@beat.com.au Soph Goulopoulos (Indie Bands/Beat Eats) soph@furstmedia.com.au classiFieds: classifieds@beat.com.au GiG Guide submissions: now online at www.beat.com.au or bands email gigguide@beat.com.au online editor: beat.com.au Tyson Wray: tyson@beat.com.au accountant: accountant@furstmedia.com.au
oFFice manaGer: Lizzie Dynon: reception@furstmedia.com.au accounts receivable: Luke Forester: accounts@furstmedia.com.au recePtion: reception@furstmedia.com.au distribution: distribution@beat.com.au Free Every Wednesday to over 2000 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 contributinG PhotoGraPhers: Mary Boukouvalas, Ben Clement, Ben Gunzburg, Rebecca Houlden, Nick Irving, Anna Kanci, Cassandra Kiely, Charles Newbury, Richard Sharman, Tony Proudfoot, Laura May Grogan, Mark Stanjo, David Harris, Emily Day, Maddison Pitt sPecial Projects editor: Christie Eliezer senior contributor: Patrick Emery senior PhotoGraPher: Ian Laidlaw columnists: Emily Kelly, Peter Hodgson, Lachlan Kanoniuk beat tv/watt’s on Presenter: Dan Watt contributors: Kelsey Berry, Graham Blackley, Gloria
Brancatisano, Chris Bright, Joanne Brookfield, Avrille BylockCollard, Meg Crawford, Alexander Crowden, Jules Douglas, Alexandra Duguid, Alasdair Duncan, Cam Ewart, Callum Fitzpatrick, Jack Franklin, Emma Gawd, Lauren Gill, Chris Girdler, Joe Hansen, Chris Harms, Andrew Hickey, Nick Hilton, Peter Hodgson, Lachlan Kanoniuk, Cassandra Kiely, Billy Killing, Joshua Kloke, Jody Macgregor, Wayne Marshall, Nick Mason, Denver Maxx, Krystal Maynard, Paul McBride, Miki Mclay, Rhys McRae, James Nicoli, Adam Norris, Jack Parsons, Sasha Petrova, Liam Pieper, Zoe Radas, Leigh Salter, Sisqo Taras, Kelly Theobald, Tamara Vogl, Dan Watt, Krissi Weiss, Augustus Welby, Garry Westmore, Rod Whitfield, Jen Wilson, Tyson Wray, David James Young, 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 art by 2pm Monday. Deadlines are strictly adhered to. © 2014 Furst media Pty ltd. No part may be reproduced without the consent of the copyright holder.
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HOT TALK THE BIGGEST IN INTERNATIONAL & NATIONAL NEWS
THU 9TH APRIL
SOUL CUPCAKE + LAKE MINNETONKA + BETTER THAN WIZARDS
FUTURE MUSIC F E S T I VA L
SHOWTIME 8PM.
FRI 10TH APRIL
THE FURBELOWS SHOWTIME 9PM.
SAT 11TH APRIL
8FOOT FELIX $5 ENTRY FROM 8:30PM
SUN 12TH APRIL
BRARSEY SUNDAYS:
ESSTEE BIG BAND SHOWTIME 4:30PM
TUESDAYS IN APRIL
FACT HUNT
SKIPPING GIRL VINEGAR After returning from the US to launch their third album, The Great Wave, Melbourne’s indie sweethearts Skipping Girl Vinegar are back on the touring circuit to promote their next highly anticipated release. The album covers the heartbreak of a cancer diagnosis and was recorded in sheds in a small Victorian coastal village. The band will showcase their new material at Arts Centre Melbourne on Saturday May 2; tickets are available from artscentremelbourne.com.au.
Mushroom Group have announced the end of Future Music Festival. Mushroom Group have put the decision, which they say was not made lightly, down to underperforming ticket sales over the last two years. Future Music Festival began as a one day event in Sydney in 2006, before expanding to an annual national touring festival in 2007. While Mushroom Group have expressed that they believe the day of the large-scale travelling festival in its current form is numbered; they are developing a new festival concept which is planned for the same time period previously held by Future Music Festival, at the end of February and beginning of March. They will continue to focus on touring through Frontier Touring, A Day On The Green, boutique music festival Sugar Mountain and under 18 music event Good Life.
WED 15TH APRIL
ARRESTER + MALLEE SONGS SHOWTIME 8PM
THU 16TH APRIL
JMC ACADEMY O PE N DAY S
SWEET JEAN + MATT WALKER DOORS/DINNER 6PM, SHOWTIME 8:30PM $12+BF / $15
SHIRAZZ
(2 X SETS)
SHOWTIME 9PM
SAT 18TH APRIL
TARANTINO PARTY!
FT. THE TARANTINOS + DJ KNAVE KNIXX $5 ENTRY FROM 8:30PM
SUN 19TH APRIL
BRARSEY SUNDAYS:
Sydney singer/songwriter Elena Stone is preparing to drop the first part of her long awaited third studio album, Kintsugi, this April 17. Preceded by the Steely Dan single, the Kintsugi Part 1 release will be supported by a slew of shows, seeing her go up along the east coast across April and May. Catch Elena Stone in Melbourne on Thursday April 23 at Shadow Electric. Look her up on Facebook for all the details.
CRATE DIGGER RECORD FAIR
(TRIVIA) 4.30PM
FRI 17TH APRIL
ELENA STONE
123 AGENCY HOWLER TAKEOVER Wednesday night will turn into party nights at Howler throughout May, as 123 Agency are packing the venue with acts off their roster to bring a month of music to the Brunswick venue. The first week will see Melbourne pop-funk seven-piece, Animaux, run an animated jazz-funk set to liven up the venue, with plenty more acts to come. The first run will begin on Wednesday May 6 from 7.30pm and tickets are available from moshtix.com.au.
JMC Academy is holding an Open Day to offer prospective students an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the courses on offer. On the day, participants will be able to tour the campus, undertake a focused overview on any courses of interest and speak with the heads of JMC Academy’s Music, Songwriting, Audio, Animation, Game Design, Film and Television, Digital Design and Entertainment Business Management departments. They’ll also have the opportunity to view student work, listen to bands, view student films and even see live audio and film production in action. Melbourne’s Open Day takes place on Saturday May 16. For more information, visit www. jmcacademy.edu.au.
FOREST FALLS Melbourne folksters Forest Falls have announced the release of their new single Hounds as well as their sophomore EP of the same name set for a May 1 release. To celebrate, the six-piece will be hitting the road with their Hounds EP tour, which includes a Wednesday night Workers Club residency, kicking off May 6. For tickets and more information, visit www. forestfallsband.com.
Spin this one right round, baby. The Crate Digger Record Fair is taking up residency once again on Brunswick Street on Saturday April 18 for a day of pristine ear-candy purchases that should cater for all you audiophiles. Pop in to Bar Open for a beverage and have a peek at special Record Store Day releases, including sales from private collectors and new stallholders. The fair kicks off on Saturday April 18 from 12pm-5pm, and Bar Open are granting free entry to the event.
KAURNA KRONIN Announcing the release of a new single Inside Your Town Is Inside Your Head, folk sensation Kaurna Cronin has announced a tour to give listeners a taste of what’s to come. A healthy combination of electric blues guitar and brass notes, the song is a first glimpse of things to come from his upcoming debut album, Glass Fool which is set for release in 2015. Catch him at The Workers Club on Saturday May 2.
DARYL MCKENZIE ORCHESTRA SHOWTIME 4:30PM
CRAFTY PINTS $8
4-6PM DAILY
KITCHEN HOURS: TUES-THURS FROM 4PM
NEW HAIR OF THE DUCK MENU
SOCIETY OF BEGGARS
SAT - SUN FROM 2PM
TICKETS
For ticket sales visit www.spottedmallard.com
314 SYDNEY RD BRUNSWICK
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 14
CUT SNAKE Aussie still-sorta pro-surfers Leigh Sedley and Paul Fisher have swapped their boards for DJ decks as Cut Snake. Coming off playing a set at Holy Ship last month, the boys have announced an east coast tour over April and May, coinciding with their just dropped single, club banger Jungle Shrimp. Check out www.cutsnake.com/tour for tickets and more information.
Following their sold out show at Cherry Bar last month, Aussie music mainstays, Society of Beggars, are giving us a taste of upcoming EP Omega with their single Hyena, out April 10. Society of Beggars fans have more to look forward to±t hey’re also headlining a huge night at The Toff In Town on Saturday May 2, along with The Elliotts and John Citizen. Tickets are $13, check out www.societyofbeggars.com for more information.
M E L B O U R N E F O R VA N UAT U - PART Y AGAINST PAM After recently being devastated by Cyclone Pam, a record-breaking category five cyclone, Vanuatu is in need of support. Melbournians have a chance to get together on Thursday May 7 at the Toff and help raise funds for the island nation at an event featuring The Cactus Channel, comedy legends Tripod, The Sugarcanes, Skyscraper Stan, The Sweets, The Ivory Elephant and many more. Tickets can be found at thetoffintown.com.
F O R A L L T H E L AT E S T, C H E C K O U T B E AT.C O M . A U
NEW ALBUM FROM:
JEFF ROSENSTOCK OUT NOW
BaR WedneSdAyS
Open Mic Show the boogie man what you’ve got from 7.30! free drink to encourage every performer!
Live bands Thursday to
sunday After Work HAppy Hour from 5pm:
$5 drinkS
mention tHiS Ad And you get tHe Second one
free!
AT
160 Hoddle St AbbotSford
JBHI - FI & ALL GOOD RECORD STORES.
TICKETS FROM OZTIX!
FOLLOW US @THEESPYGRAM
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THU
09
F R ON T BAR FREE!
GRIM FAWKNER
JEFF MARTIN
HANNAH ASHCROFT (UK), NICK FERRETTI
DOORS 8.30PM
TASH SULTANA
APRIL ALISTER TURRILL F RI
10
F R ON T BAR FREE!
G E R SH W IN PRE $12+BF
CLINT BOGE
GUILT FREE (SA)
COCOA NOIRE, DJ MS BUTT. FROM 9PM
DOORS AT 8PM
AUSTRALIAN KINGSWOOD FACTORY I AM MINE. FROM 9PM
S UN
12
APRIL
TRAGIC EARTH
GLENN ESMOND
F R ON T BAR PRE $66+BF
G E R SH W IN PRE $12+BF
DEEP (USA) 11 MOBB MOTLEY, MISTRESS OF CEREMONY
APRIL
B AS EM EN T FREE!
LADI6 & PARKS (NZ)
APRIL SHOWTIME QUINTET SAT
FOLLOW US @ESPYHOTEL
G E R SH W IN PRE $42+BF
DIVINE ASCENSION
CALL THE SHOTS
HORIZONS EDGE. DOORS AT 8PM
NO! NOT THE BEES, PHIL PARA. 6PM
TERAMAZE, DAMNATIONS DAY
SINKS, DISCOURSE(CRATE CARTEL) 9PM
G E R SH W IN $12 VIA BANDS
F R ON T BAR FREE! F R ON TFORMOSA BAR ALEX
PRESENTED BY RETROSTAR VINTAGE.
SUPERSOUNDS MIXTAPE FROM 6PM.
THE GO SET
RESIDENCIES ALL FREE!
FR I DAY 1 8 AP R IL
F R IDAY 24 AP R IL
MARSHALL OKELL LONEFREE
& THE PRIDE + BETTY & OSWARD + CHRIS CAVILL
M ON DAYS
TU ES DAYS
W ED NESDAYS
+ SPECIAL GUESTS FREE ENTRY - 7PM
BAYSIDE MUSO NITE 7.30PM
UNSIGNED MUSO NITE 7.30PM
88 with MOSÉ
G A R AG E FROM 9AM!
GARAGE MARKET SALE!
DOORS 12.30PM
KARATE BOOGALOO
+ RAMSHACKLE ARMY + MORE!
ADMIT ONE
GUNN ARTIST SHOWDOWN VINTAGE CLOTHING
THE PEOPLE feat.
FRI DAY 17 APRIL
B AS EM EN T FREE!
‘BRIGHTSIDE’ ‘COLLAGE’
+ SUPER SALOON + LEOPARD SLUGG + RUBY POTTER - FREE ENTRY
SATUR DAYS
PHIL PARA
+ SPECIAL GUESTS FROM 6PM
SAT URDAY 25 APRIL
POWER & RAGE FEST
+ BLACK MAJESTY + BELLIGERENT INTENT + PEGAZUS + TWISTED FATE + MORE!
SATURDAY 25 APRIL (A NZAC DAY)
AXE GIRL
FREE SHOW!
+ HORROR MY FRIEND + BATTLEHOUNDS + SPOONFUL
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HOT TALK
74 JOHNSTON ST FITZROY 9417 4155
theoldbar.com.au
THE BIGGEST IN INTERNATIONAL & NATIONAL NEWS
OPEN 4Pm - 3am mON-FRI 2Pm - 3am SaT-SuN FREE WI FI
mon - FRI TIL 7Pm - $6 PInTs mondays - $15 Jugs mT goaT sundays - $10 Jugs unIcoRn LageR $5 cans eveRy day/nIghT
FREE $HIT PEACE (U.K)
Wednesday 8Th aPRIL
hIgh FInance sPace Junk The neW PoLLuTIon
8Pm $7
ThuRsday 9Th aPRIL
Los domInados
FLOWER DRUMS
The BaReBones WesTeRn sTaRs IoWa
Flower Drums have released a new track from their forthcoming EP 28 Mansions ± an unusual synth-blues composition called End II End II, as a teaser for fans on their upcoming tour. After playing well-received shows at last year’s Laneway Festival, expect a night of smooth sounds, dark synths and wild percussion as they take to The Shadow Electric on Thursday April 30, supported by Milwaukee Banks. Tickets are available at the shadowelectric.com.au.
8Pm $8
FRIday 10Th aPRIL
JoeL’s Boozy B’day Bash:
WIcked cITy gRIeg
The LoveLess BodIes cosmIc kahuna geneRaL men
8Pm $10
saTuRday 11Th aPRIL
PauL kIdney exPeRIence kRIs WandeRs unIT The gRunTLed councIL oF eLdeRs saT aRvo:
8.30Pm $10
sPenceR scoTT JeRome knaPPeTT
3Pm FRee
sunday 12Th aPRIL
easT BRunsWIck aLL gIRLs choIR Loose TooTh ToTaLLy mILd
CLOWNS Juggling an incredibly busy tour season with shows at SXSW, China’s Midi Festival and a stack of wild Australian east coast shows, the boys are back on a 20-show tour of Australia, with seven shows in Victoria alone. The Running Through These Veins tour will host setlists packed with songs from both their debut I’m Not Right and their new release, Bad Blood, for nights of explosive mayhem and unpredictable fun over the course of May and June. Get down to thedrunkpromoter.com for more info.
8Pm FRee
monday 13Th aPRIL
mundane mondays: Bone souP / FuTuRe PoPes PResenT a secReT PaRTy 8Pm $10 Tuesday 14Th aPRIL
JoeL moRRIson & saRah ThomPson ‘aRT’ oPenIng
7Pm $5
band bookings: bandbookings@theoldbar.com.au
KISS
WWW.THEPUBLICBAR.COM.AU
2 3 8 V I C T O R I A S T, N O R T H M E L B O U R N E OPEN TIL 4AM FRI/SAT
NEW
KITCHEN
$6 PINTS EVERY DAY UNTIL 7PM $10 JUGS EVERY DAY UNTIL 8PM $5 CANS ALL THE TIME WEDNESDAY 8 APRIL
WATERFALL PERSON
KARLI WHITE, LUX OVARYE’S WEIRD TIME DROOLING MYSTICS 8PM. $8
THURSDAY 9 APRIL
JURASSIC NARK AZTX, TFC 8PM. $7
FRIDAY 10 APRIL
CRYPT
HOTEL WRECKING CITY TRADERS ELBRUS, SPIDERGOAT CANYON 8.30PM. $10
SATURDAY 11 APRIL
PAPER ARMS UNION PACIFIC, SWEET GOLD
LITTLE LAMB & THE ROSEMARYS 8:30PM. $10
SUNDAY 12 APRIL
FOOTY LAUNCH 4PM. FREE
MONDAY 13 APRIL
OLIVER JACK, RICHARD JEFFREY, TILLY HUTCHISON 7PM. $5
TUESDAY 14 APRIL
SHE BEAST 7PM. $5
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 16
Finally, a reason to call your parents without begging for money. KISS have decided a second round of shows are required to host the vast army of Melbourne devotees and have, therefore , scheduled in another show for Friday October 10. Break out the face paint and leather and get ready to rock and roll all night. Tickets are available from 10am on Friday April 10, and can be purchased from kissonline.com/tour.
THE HI-FI REBRANDED AS MAX WATT’S Suffering from poor returns due to operational issues, The Hi-Fi Bars have been rebranded as Max Watts with a new business model, including Melbourne-based company The Venue Collective to manage booking and marketing. Max Watt’s CEO Greg Bourke is expecting the venues to have “a bright future given a professional management regime” as he and coowner Kathrin Ann Hamblin aim to breathe a new era of successful shows into the once well-recognised venues.
TRIPLE R APRIL AMNESTY Triple R have announced their annual subscriber drive to help bolster the station as an independent influence over Melbourne’s airwaves. Mainly run by volunteers and dependent on sponsorship and listener subscriptions, the station is more than happy to give back to those who help out with Album Of The Week giveaways, film screenings, concert tickets and special live to airs in the Triple R Performance Space ± all of this exclusive to subscribers. With a range of different yearly subscriptions available depending on your needs, get down to rrr.org.au to help an important piece Melbourne’s vibrant music scene alive and kicking.
COBAIN: MONTAGE OF HECK Hitting cinemas across Victoria from Thursday May 7, and running for a limited time is, Cobain: Montage Of Heck; the first fully-authorised documentary surrounding the life of legendary Nirvana frontman, guitarist and songwriter Kurt Cobain. This’ll be the first time Cobain’s story will be told on the silver screen and is the work of Oscar-nominated filmmaker Brett Morgen, who was responsible for the Rolling Stone’s documentary Crossfire Hurricane. To piece together the film’s contents, Morgen was granted access to Cobain’s personal and family archives, including recordings, photos, artwork, home movies, songbooks and more. You can catch the film at cinemas all across Victoria. Visit www.cobainfilm.com for screening info.
DIVINYLS REWORKED Hosting the launch of the much anticipated compilation album, The Gasometer will run an audio/ visual showcase of selected artists as they perform tracks off Divinyls Reworked this April. The album is both a celebration of genre crosspollination and a tribute to one of Australia’s greatest rock’n’roll bands. Proceeds from the night being donated to Breast Cancer Network and MS Australia. Catch the launch party at The Gasometer Hotel on Friday April 24.
JAMAICA JUMP-UP Fancy a few beats to perk up your Saturday? PBS 106.7 are hosting Jamaica Jump-Up on Saturday April 18 at the Gasometer to bring the sounds of young Jamaica to your ear holes. Featuring a night of rocksteady, early reggae and ska, the night will be jam-packed with selectas and have the backing of a live band to round things out. The show goes from 9pm to 3am.
Rocking a retro hippy aesthetic, indie four piece Peace exploded onto the music scene last year with debut album In Love. Now, with sophomore release Happy People dropping earlier this year, everything’s coming up Peacehouse. Their Thursday April 30 gig at Ding Dong Lounge sounds like a hoot, and I think we got a spare ticket floating around the Beat office. Not sure, but there’s probably some info at beat. com.au/freeshit.
DZ D E AT H R AY S
Brisbane post-punk partiers DZ Deathrays are coming to Melbourne this month for Urban Spread, a stacked party going down on Friday April 17 at Chelsea Heights Hotel and Saturday April 18 at Village Green. Teen trio Lunatics on Pogosticks and local potheads The Bennies round out the lineup. We got five VIP passes for both shows to give out, which include entry and complimentary food and drinks. If you’re looking for some free food and tickets, test your chances at beat.com.au/ freeshit. Sorry kiddies, this is 18+.
NICKY BOMBA’S BUSTAMENTO
Drummer, guitarist, vocalist, all around music man Nicky Bomba’s Bustamento are touring Australia on the back of their hot release Intercontinental Journal 7, already making big waves in the blogosphere. Victorian audiences have two Bustamento shows to look forward to and Beat’s got a hold of two double passes to give out, one for their Williamstown RSL show on April 17, and one at the Caravan Club on April 18. You want em, we got em, beat. com.au/freeshit for the draw.
HENNESSEY’S BEETHOVEN MCO Artistic Director William Hennessey is celebrating his 60th birthday by performing one of the most important works of the violin concerto repertoire ± Beethoven‘s Violin Concerto Op 61. Hennessey and the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra will be performing the concerto over a five date tour of regional Victoria and Melbourne across this June. Visit www.mco.org.au for dates and booking information.
THEM BRUINS All eyes are on Melbourne four-piece Them Bruins, who've received national and international attention after dropping their well-received Walk A Line single in February. Capitalising on the cracking single, this week they’ve announced their Walk A Line single tour, which will see them hit all major states across April and May. Them Bruins will perform in Melbourne on Saturday April 11 at The Workers Club. Check out www.thembruins.com for tickets and more information.
OSCAR KEY SUNG
Melbourne producer Oscar Key Sung is gearing up to release his second EP, Altruism on Friday May 1. Riddled with hints of old school R&B and aiming to guide the future of pop, Key Sung states a wish to push for music dedicated to listening and movement, coupled with the production techniques that have seen him rise to fame in both local and international scenes. To support the release, Oscar Key Sung will play a show at Howler on Saturday June 13. Tickets are available from nicheproductions. com.au . F O R A L L T H E L AT E S T, C H E C K O U T B E AT.C O M . A U
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BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 17
TOURING
WHO'S ON TOUR, WHERE AND WHEN
For all the latest tour dates check out beat.com.au
INTERNATIONAL STRANDS OF OAK 170 Russel April 8 POKEY LAFARGE Caravan Club April 8, Corner Hotel April 9 GARY CLARK JR. 170 Russell April 8 JIMMY CLIFF Corner Hotel April 8 GUANTANAMO BAYWATCH Barwon Club April 8, The Tote April 9, Queens Park April 11 LUKE WINSLOW-KING The Spotted Mallard April 8 MARLON WILLIAMS Gasometer Hotel April 9 DAVE & PHIL ALVIN Northcote Social Club April 9 JEFF MARTIN The Espy April 9, The Workers Club April 15 DONAVON FRANKENREITER Corner Hotel April 10 NORMA JEAN Evelyn Hotel April 10 JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE Northcote Social Club April 10 THE GIPSY KINGS Palais Theatre April 10 STEVE SMYTH Howler April 11, Karova Lounge April 12 MOBB DEEP The Espy April 11 IRON REAGAN The Tote April 11 JAKE SHIMABUKURO Melbourne Recital Centre April 11 FRANK TURNER Corner Hotel April 12 ARCHITECTS 170 Russell April 12 NANA MOUSKOURI Hamer Hall April 14 ATILLA Arrow On Swanston April 15 (AA), Corner Hotel April 16 (18+) THE DICKIES The Evelyn April 16 THE OCEAN The Evelyn April 18 CITIZEN Reverence Hotel April 20, 21 (AA) DEMI LOVATO Margaret Court Arena April 24 GEORGE MAPLE Howler April 25 YOU ME AT SIX The Hi-Fi April 30 SAM SMITH Margaret Court Arena April 30 PEACE Ding Dong Lounge April 30 PEACHES The Hi-Fi May 1 A WILHELM SCREAM The Evelyn Hotel May 1 CHARLI XCX Corner Hotel May 1 GROOVIN THE MOO Bendigo Prince Of Wales Showground May 2 ACE FREHLEY The Forum May 2 PALOMA FAITH Palais Theatre May 5 OPETH The Forum May 7 ANASTACIA Palais Theatre May 7 EVERCLEAR Corner Hotel May 8 MARY OCHER Dane Certificate’s Magic Tricks, Gags and Theatre May 8 THE BACKSTREET BOYS Rod Laver Arena May 8 SILVERSTEIN 170 Russell May 8 SUFFOCATION & DECAPITATED Corner Hotel May 9 CHERRY ROCK AC/DC Lane May 10 ALT-J Rod Laver Arena May 10
MOTLEY CRUE & ALICE COOPER Rod Laver Arena May 12 LENNON: THROUGH A GLASS ONION Playhouse May 13 – 16 BAM MARGERA Corner Hotel May 15 THE HAUNTED & INSOMNIUM The Hi-Fi May 15 NICKELBACK Rod Laver Arena May 15 DANCE GAVIN DANCE Corner Hotel May 17 BILL CALLAHAN Hamer Hall May 26 HERBIE HANCOCK & CHICK COREA Hamer Hall May 28 BORIS Corner Hotel May 30 BEN HOWARD Margaret Court Arena June 1 BAD MANNERS Corner Hotel June 4 AGAINST ME! Corner Hotel June 6 YNGWIE MALMSTEEN 170 Russel June 10 MACHINE HEAD 170 Russell June 22 EMMYLOU HARRIS & RODNEY CROWELL Palais Theatre June 25 WAXAHATCHEE The Toff July 4 CHRIS BOTTI Hamer Hall July 5 YELLOWCARD Margaret Court Arena July 11 JOHNNY MARR The Forum July 22 MAROON 5 Rod Laver Arena September 26 KISS Rod Laver Arena October 8, October 10 NEIL DIAMOND Rod Laver Arena October 27 AT THE GATES Friday October 30 AUDRA MCDONALD Hamer Hall October 31 FLEETWOOD MAC Rod Laver Arena November 2, 4, Mt Dundeed Estate November 7 EARTHCORE Pyalong, Victoria November 26 – 30 TAYLOR SWIFT AAMI Park December 11
NATIONAL HOBBLE DAY John Curtin Hotel April 10 THE GOOD MORROWS Ding Dong Lounge April 10 BENNY WALKER Thornbury Theatre April 10 LAURA JEAN Gasometer Hotel April 11 BY THE MEADOW FESTIVAL Bambra, Victoria April 11 – 12 THEM BRUINS Workers Club April 11 CLINT BOGE The Evelyn Hotel April 11 IRON RAEGAN The Tote April 11 THE AVENUE PRESENTS Queens Park April 11 WHITE NOISE Railway Hotel April 11 THEM BRUINS Workers Club April 11 ANDY BULL 170 Russell April 17 CALLING ALL CARS Ding Dong Lounge April 17 DARREN HANLON Corner Hotel April 17 BABAGANOUJ The Grace Darling April 17 BETTY & OSWALD Sooki Lounge April 17, The Espy April 18
AUGIE MARCH Melbourne Recital Centre April 17 JAMAICA JUMP-UP Gasometer Hotel April 18 LIA MICE The Grace Darling April 18 JORDIE LANE The Toff In Town April 18, 19 SOMETHING FOR JOHN BENEFIT GIG Corner Hotel April 19 MELBOURNE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA’S ANZAC TRIBUTE CONCERT Hamer Hall April 23, 24 THE DELTA RIGGS Corner Hotel April 23 JEMMA & THE CLIFTON HILLBILLIES Gasometer Hotel April 23 ELENA STONE Shadow Electric April 23 NANTES Shebeen April 24 BONJAH Howler April 24 TKAY MAIDZA Northcote Social Club April 24 THUNDAMENTALS Corner Hotel April 24 CHAINSAW HOOKERS The Public Bar April 24 DIVINYLS REWORKED Gasometer Hotel April 24 MONTAIGNE Wesley Anne April 25 FLOWER DRUMS Shadow Electric April 30 ONE DAY Prince Bandroom May 1 SKIPPING GIRL VINEGAR Arts Centre Melbourne May 2 EPICURE Northcote Social Club May 2 KAURNA CRONIN Workers Club May 2 SOCIETY OF BEGGARS The Toff May 2 FOREST FALLS Workers Club May 6, 13, 20, 27, Workers Club Geelong May 10 PARTY AGAINST PAM The Toff May 7 MONTGOMERY Shebeen May 8 LURCH & CHIEF Howler May 9 CHERRYROCK015 featuring Red Fang, Beastwars, Child and more, AC/DC Lane May 10 THE FUNKOARS The Workers Club May 14, 15 JOHNNY CASH IN SOLITARY Flying Saucer Club May 14 MILES AWAY Northcote Social Club May 14 PETER BIBBY Northcote Social Club May 15 COURTNEY BARNETT The Forum May 15 THE CASANOVAS Ding Dong Lounge May 15 THE GOOD SHIP The Spotted Mallard May 16 KING PARROT Corner Hotel May 16, Wrangler Studios May 17 ROSS MCLENNAN Post Office Hotel May 17 CRAFT & CULT 2015 Grumpy’s Green May 20 SAN CISCO 170 Russell May 22, Hi-Fi Bar May 23 (U18) THE GETAWAY PLAN Corner Hotel May 22 CLOWNS Bar 12 May 22, The Tote June 12, Karova Lounge June 13, The Barwon Club June 27 THE PEEP TEMPEL Howler May 23 SUPERSUCKERS & THE BELLRAYS Corner Hotel May 29 SHE WHO ROCKS TOUR Hi-Fi Bar May 29 HOT DUB TIME MACHINE Hi-Fi Bar June 5 IN HEARTS WAKE 170 Russel June 5, Arrows June 6 (U18) HENNESSEY’S BEETHOVEN Sacred Heart College Geelong June 12 Deakin Edge June 13, Melbourne Recital Centre June 14, West Gippsland Arts Centre June 16, Peninsula Community Theatre June 20 DEEZ NUTS Arrows June 12, Corner Hotel June 13 OSCAR KEY SUNG Howler June 13 DALLAS FRASCA Howler June 19 THE GOBLIN BALL Northcote Town Hall June 20 HERMITUDE 170 Russel June 19 TITLE FIGHT Corner Hotel June 26 DARREN COGGAN The Palms July 3 JARRYD JAMES The Forum July 11 MSO BACK TO THE FUTURE LIVE The Plenary November 6, 7
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BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 18
THE GOBLIN BALL Northcote Town Hall
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BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 19
A LT-J ALL FOR US By Lauren Gill
When most of the Leeds University campus had retreated home for winter break in 2008, Gus, Gwil, Thom and Joe invited what was left of their friends to hear what they’d been working on. It was their first gig together. They played six songs they’d written over the past three months in the living room of a student house, as their friends listened, sipping wine as the English winter rattled outside.
“They really fucking loved it and we were like, ‘Shit, this is such a rush’,” keyboardist Gus Unger-Hamilton (the one who was recently criticised by Noel Gallagher for having a moustache) fervently remembers, speaking to me from his London home. “We weren’t ambitious to get signed or anything, we just enjoyed it. Then, by the time we finished university, we’d been doing it so much that we actually got quite good,” he says. “We never considered the band a joking activity, just fucking around, so in that sense, we were pleased when people caught onto it. We were like, ‘Okay, it’s nice that other people like it too.’ “I don’t want to say that we were expecting it because we weren’t, but I think we always thought our music was good.” They were right. Since releasing their Mercury-Prize-winning debut album, An Awesome Wave in 2012, alt-J have been riding a jet stream of success indie bands that formed in the hollows of residence halls could only dream of. The album went platinum in the UK and gold in Australia, reaping the band “next Radiohead” hosannas and propelling them into a string of sold-out world tours, while simultaneously making the triangle the hipster’s Wu-Tang. Last September, the band released its follow-up, This Is All Yours. The album was recorded sans bassist Gwil Sainsbury, who left the band after growing disenchanted with its rising fame. In the early stages of the writing, the guys holed up in a London space that was halfapartment studio, half-messy room, remembers UngerHamilton. “We couldn’t make too much noise because it wasn’t soundproofed, so we went in there and wrote, messed around and enjoyed each other’s company. Like its predecessor, the album is swathed in lush, character-driven tracks. But while alt-J have a knack for whistle-as-you-work choruses and simmering instrumentation, it’s the lyrics that lie at the base of it all. “I think the cinematic sound comes from the lyrics,” explains Unger-Hamilton. “The songs tell stories and aren’t nebulous songs about feelings. We have a few songs that are a bit more wishy-washy, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but the majority are about the characters, the demise of the characters and the journey they go on.” This type of lyricism shines early in the album on the vast Nara, a song that Unger-Hamilton considers a high point. Lyrics like, “Love is the warmest colour/Unpin your butterflies, Russia/To be a deer in Nara,” separate forceful chants of “Hallelujah,” as bells and piano crescendo to a heavy peak. “I think it’s the most biggish song on the album and we’re very, very proud of the lyrics. It’s a very alt-J song from where I’m standing.” BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 20
Another track, Every Other Freckle, Unger-Hamilton calls equally as poppy as early single, Left Hand Free but much more interesting. “We’ve got a weird medieval breakdown in the middle and lyrically it’s a lot funnier.” “I’m gonna bed into you like a cat beds into a beanbag/ Turn you inside out and lick you like a crisp packet,” Newman sings as Ramonesy chants of “Hey” back quite possibly the coolest flute solo since Jethro Tull. But like most bands trying to follow a hit debut, alt-J have also had to deal with their fair share of comments section critics. The album’s first two singles, Hunger of the Pine and Left Hand Free, spawned a flurry of accusations that the band had abandoned their indie sound in favour of more radio-friendly tunes. The latter, a sulfurous piece of riff-rock better suited to southern rock night at the saloon than a club full of 20-somethings in Dr Martens and skinny jeans, was never actually written with the intention of being released.
“I DON’T WANT TO SAy THAT WE WErE ExPECTING IT BECAUSE WE WErEN’T, BUT I THINk WE ALWAyS THOUGHT OUr MUSIC WAS GOOD” “It’s a controversial song for us in a sense. We wrote it when we were fucking around. We were enjoying being in the studio and I think we may have been high and smoked some weed. Joe had been playing this guitar riff for years and he was always playing it to make us laugh, because it’s this funny, cheesy riff. Within 20 minutes, we had hashed out the song. We were cracking up because it was so cheesy.” Their American label, Atlantic Records, didn’t find anything funny about it, pinpointing it as the album’s first big single. “We were like ‘Oh fuck,’ because it wasn’t a serious song. There were other songs that we were prouder of, but in the end, I think we stopped being pissed off about it.” Even now, Unger-Hamilton says he still feels uncomfortable playing Left Hand Free, characterising it as an “un-alt-J” song. “We’re not a band that feels very comfortable rocking out, but it’s nice that people are loving it.” The song came on the back of lead single, Hunger Of The Pine, which features a sample from Miley Cyrus’ song, 4x4. The collaboration materialised after drummer Thom Green created a remix of the track, transforming the line “I’m a female rebel,” from a 14-year-old girl’s Instagram tagline into a seething portrait of despair.
DISCUSS WHAT? BEAT.COM.AU/DISCUSSION
“It’s not about it being Miley Cyrus. It’s a great line, it’s really powerful. If you’ve heard the original song, 4x4, it’s a very poppy, berating song. But once you take it out of context, it becomes quite haunting and quite tortured and works with the lyrics.” It’s the type of song where layers will benefit from the mammoth speakers of the huge venues that alt-J are now playing. While they may be lacking in the obvious Springsteen-esque arena rock sensibilities, Unger-Hamilton says he’s been told that some of their songs make more sense on a larger platform. A couple of weeks ago, they sold out the most famous arena in the world, New York City’s Madison Square Garden. They’ll continue this streak when they hit our shores in May, playing arenas around the country. “It’s quite amazing achievement for us to being doing this on our second album,” Unger-Hamilton says excitedly. “It’s incredible and I think we never really thought our music would be the kind of music that would be played at arenas like that. The second album has a lot of big, big songs on it with big sounds.” It’s a leap from their first Australian shows in 2012. Along with an appearance at St Jerome’s Laneway Festival, alt-J had also played headlining shows at the 350-person capacity Ding Dong Lounge and 500-person Oxford Art Factory. It’s an experience that Unger-Hamilton won’t soon forget. “We’d never had a response like that before. We’d never been to Australia, any of us, in our lives. We came onstage at Oxford Art Factory and the crowd was going mental. We were all completely floored by the reaction and it’s been like that ever since.” When alt-J had announced a pair of surprise headline shows at the Forum Theatre and Sydney’s Enmore Theatre for last October, the gigs had sold out almost instantaneously, leaving many fans literally out in the cold pining for last minute tickets. “I think at some point, if the demand is there, it’s only fair that you justify the demand by playing,” recognises Unger-Hamilton. “If there are 15,000 people that want to come see you in a city, don’t be a dick and book a 2,000 seat venue just because you don’t want to play a big venue.” While their upcoming tour will mark alt-J’s third trip to Australia in just a year, Unger-Hamilton says the fans Down Under make the journey well worth it. “It’s probably my favourite country to play in and I think that goes for all of us. The fans in Australia are the best fans we have. I’m not just saying that, it’s true,” he declares. “They love the music and they’re not afraid to go crazy. It makes it brilliant fun to play.” ALT-J will play Rod Laver Arena on Sunday May 10 with Ásgeir. This All Is Yours is out through Liberator Music.
COURTNEY BARNETT SOMETIMES I SIT AND THINK, AND SOMETIMES I JUST SIT LP • CD • DL
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BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 21
This Week:
With Tyson Wray. Got thoughts, news, gossip, complaints or cat photos? Email tyson@beat.com.au or send by carrier pigeon before Friday 12pm. in people’s minds – poses a conundrum regarding whether it’s best to imitate the original or take some liberties. “Kirby and I had a big chat in the beginning about how they made such headway and they were so famous with this film because of their performances,” Phelan says. “It would be silly for us to ignore that and do our thing completely, but it would be much more foolish to copy them, because we aren’t those people. So it’s a little bit of mine and yours. I’ve been told that I dance very similar to Swayze, but then there’s lines and scenes of dialogue where I have to just be true to the character that I’m presenting.
Self-confessed pop-culture addict Ash Flanders will turn his attention to the online world in his latest work for the Malthouse Theatre. Described as “a love letter to the women of YouTube,” Meme Girls explores our social-media obsessed society with tongue-in-cheek humour and essences of performance art, cabaret and drag. Meme Girls will run from Wednesday April 8 to Saturday May 2. To mark their eighth birthday, Off the Kerb gallery is hosting a charity exhibition to raise money for Clowns Without Borders Australia. During the exhibition – called Arcadia – 25 per cent of all artwork sales will be donated to the charity. The opening night of the exhibition will see live music from Old Feather. Clowns Without Borders Australia aims to improve the emotional wellbeing of children living in poverty-stricken areas. Arcadia’s opening night will take place on Friday April 10, with the exhibition running from Friday April 10 to Friday April 24. Dance into the Sun is an exhibition of a selection of works from the collection Sandra Tobias has developed as an artist in residence and her many public projects. Tobias’ work often reads as a diary of events, places and times. They are colourful, expressive and offer intimate views of her humanistic perceptions. An RMIT graduate, Tobias, has exhibited in Melbourne and overseas, including the annual PARCO Urban Art exhibition in Tokyo among others. She has developed several community arts projects, including the Posted-it’s what was written! installation at Federation Square. Tobias is currently finishing an artist in residence at St Vincent’s Hospital, producing work for 2015 exhibition and developing her next arts project My Maisonette (Melbourne Fringe Festival 2015). Dance into the Sun will be on display at the Cambridge Studio Gallery from Wednesday April 8 - Sunday April 18.
PICK OF THE WEEK
Rich Hall The 26th annual Great Debate at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival will take place this weekend. This year’s debate will be centred around the idea ‘That Social Media is AntiSocial’ with MC Waleed Ali keeping the two teams, made up of three comedians each, in line. Arguing in the affirmative will be 2013 Barry Award winner Rich Hall, award-winning Canadian-born Londoner Katherine Ryan, and one of Melbourne’s favourite comedians Ronny Chieng. They will face off against out-of-thejungle and this year’s Oxfam Gala host Joel Creasey, Sara Pascoe, and 2011 Barry Award winning Russell Kane. The 26th annual Great Debate will take place at Melbourne Town Hall on Saturday April 11.
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 22
Dirty Dancing By Augustus Welby When Patrick Swayze passed away in 2009, it sent pangs of shock and sadness into the hearts of film lovers the world-over. However, in the decade that preceded his death, popular opinion had deemed Swayze’s recent on-screen work rather lifeless. Lifeless, that is, when compared to the series of starring roles he performed throughout the ‘80s and early-90s. Among these, there’s perhaps no character more iconic than heartthrob dance instructor Johnny Castle from the 1987 cult classic Dirty Dancing. Dirty Dancing and its multi-platinum soundtrack left a pervasive imprint on popular culture, which remains evident today. In virtue of the strong attachment many viewers developed for the film, you might say its best left untouched. However, an Australian-made musical adaptation was launched in 2004, and it’s gone on to be an international touring sensation. Now, over a decade on from its inception, Dirty Dancing has returned to Melbourne. In the role of Johnny Castle is Kurt Phelan, who explains what audiences can gain from seeing it in the flesh. “If you watch a kid meet Mickey Mouse or go to a museum and see a robot dinosaur, it’s like that, but for adults,” he says. “It’s live and it’s in front of you and it’s real. Also, the dancing and the band and the music is just next level. The dance choreography is more dynamic than it was in the film. You can feel the sweat, it’s really sexy.” Phelan’s co-star is Kirby Burgess, who plays Johnny Castle’s dance student and love interest, Baby Houseman. Phelan’s got plenty of experience in the realm of musical theatre, but he’s never been involved in anything quite so physical.
“This show makes me so skinny, I’ve got to keep going to the gym every day,” he says. “It’s crazy. I put on a heap of size for the role because they asked me to. But then it’s the equivalent of running around with a girl in your hands for two hours every night.” Dirty Dancing will stay in Melbourne for another two months before working through the other capital cities during the second half of the year. It’s easy to imagine how such a large of quantity of back-toback shows could create a time-warp sensation. On the grounds of this, the actors must be wary of slipping into autopilot. “Sometimes the show takes over and it’s like locking the car doors – you’re on the ride, you can’t get out no matter what,” Phelan says. “But I must admit, sometimes I’m standing on stage and something will happen and I’m thinking, ‘Why isn’t Kirby speaking?’ and then it hits me I should be speaking. She’s one of those bloody girls who’s awesome and hot and good at what she does and she never does anything wrong. And I’m the guy that just does things wrong,” he laughs. Bringing an iconic film to the stage – especially one that features several key moments imprinted
“Sometimes the show takes over and it’s like locking the car doors – you’re on the ride, you can’t get out no matter what”
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Because it’s on stage, it’s different, it’s bigger and in a film you can have close-ups, which you can’t on stage. “I’m a big fan of Patrick Swayze and have been since I was a kid,” he adds. “There’s a few key things that I love that he does in the film that I just went ‘Right I’m going to do that because it’s iconic.’” A scan through Phelan’s career credits indicates he’s no stranger to iconic material. In the past, he’s appeared in stage productions of everything from Singing in the Rain and Saturday Night Fever to The Importance of Being Earnest and Julius Caesar. Yet, while he’s a longtime Dirty Dancing fan-boy, landing this role was entirely unexpected. “In my own mind, I’m so far away from Johnny Castle,” he says. “Even when the audition brief came out, I said to my agent ‘I don’t think I’m right for the show, I’ll let it go.’ It was actually the company that came back and said ‘Hey, we think you’d be perfect.’ No one ever thinks they’re a sexy, leather jacketwearing womaniser. I’m a geek at heart and I never expected that I would be cast in this role. But I just love it.
“In the second week of rehearsal, we were doing a bedroom scene and the director was like ‘Don’t try to act sexy. We hired you because of who you are,’” he adds. “My sister came to see it on opening night. We’re really close, but she was like ‘I didn’t even recognise you up on stage. I just watched this other person and I kept having to remind myself. I was feeling things and I was like, no that’s my brother, don’t think those things.’” Yep. Dirty. Dirty Dancing is currently being performed at the Princess Theatre. Hit dirtydancingaustralia.com for more details.
For more arts news, reviews and interviews visit beat.com.au
Coming Up I Call My Brothers
Thursday April 16 - Friday May 1 Southbank Theatre
As You Like It
Friday April 24 - Sunday May 10 Arts Centre Melbourne, Fairfax Studio
Oedipus Schmoedipus
Wednesday May 6 - Sunday May 10 Arts House
Masterpieces from the Hermitage: The Legacy of Catherine the Great
National Gallery of Victoria have announced their 2015 Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition will be Masterpieces from the Hermitage: The Legacy of Catherine the Great, opening this July. Gathered over a 34-year period, over 400 works from the personal collection of Catherine the Great will travel to Australia in July. The exhibition represents the foundation of the Hermitage’s collection and includes works from artists such as Rembrandt, Velasquez, Rubens and Titian. Works from Van Dyck, Snyders, Teniers and Hals will also travel, collectively offering some of the finest Dutch and Flemish art to come to Australia. Catherine the Great’s reign from 1762 to 1796 was known as the Golden Age and is remembered for her exceptional patronage of the arts, literature and education. Her collection reflects the finest contemporary art of the 18th century as well as the world’s best old masters of the time, with great works by French, German, Chinese, British, Dutch and Flemish artists. Masterpieces from the Hermitage: The Legacy of Catherine the Great will be at NGV International from Friday July 31 until Sunday November 8. Tickets are on sale now.
The Last Supper
The Goblin Ball
The Goblin Ball is upon us. Returning for its third year, guests have one night only to escape to the world of goblin mythologies, voodoo ritual and Viennese masquerade, inspired by cult-classic Labryinth. Themed Terra Bayou, this year’s event will feature the live New Orleans style jazz of Shirazz, a DJ taking requests in the Swamp Rock Room and a Goblin marketplace. Even more, lounge singer Jas Tavares, Melbourne Magic Festival’s Lee Cohen will wander throughout the ball working their magic, while burlesque performers Marilyn Mocktail and Elise Kinchington will be on hand to tempt those naughty goblins. Guests must dress in fantasy themed costumes, with the chance to be selected for the Mardi Gras Parade of the Barons. And get out that cauldron, attendees are encrouaged to cast potions and poisons for prizes. The Goblin Ball: Terra Bayou will take place on Saturday June 20 at Northcote Town Hall. Tickets are available from thegoblinball.com.
Bitten By Productions have announced their first show for 2015 will be thriller The Last Supper, opening this May. Taking place in a distant future Australia, The Last Supper follows Dorian, the head of a crime syndicate, who calls his closest associates together for a drink. Upon arrival, the doors are locked and Dorian announces his true motivations for the meeting; he is convinced one of them is planning a coup and nobody is leaving the room until that person is dead. The Last Supper serves as the conclusion to a loose trilogy with Below Babylon (February 2014) and Beyond Babylon (August 2014). While there is no need to have seen the previous plays to understand this one, certain plot elements will be especially rewarding for those who have followed all three. The Last Supper will be the first play to open in the new Red Room Theatre at My Handlebar, starting on Wednesday May 6. Tickets are on sale now.
Since The Death of Sarah Kane
La Mama will present Since The Death of Sarah Kane for a short season this month. 15 years ago, A wrote The Anniversary of the Death of Sarah Kane, a chaotic meditation on those things which others were beginning to say on the internet about Kane’s life and death; about the crazy almost god-like images we create of artists and others who dare, who transgress, who die before their time. Roughly 15 years ago, too, A started to write everything down, everything she did, everything that happened to her, all the places she found herself, creating a kind of a map of her whole life. 15 years later, A and A are going to show you a play which speaks about all-encompassing devotion and obsession; created from the threads of all-night years-long dialogues with intimate strangers, and from the people that have dominated every part of us, which have seen us walking for hours without stopping, which have us laughing and crying and falling in love and falling over and falling down into rabbit holes. Since The Death of Sarah Kane will run for a short season at La Mama from Wednesday April 15 until Sunday April 26.
Pescade - A Circus Cabaret Fusion
The Rivers of China
The Alma De Groen classic has returned to the stage this May at Theatre Works in St Kilda. The performance follows the story of a woman with tuberculosis, an alternative dimension where women reign supreme, and a suicidal young man who’s identity is reconstructed. See The Rivers of China at Theatre Works in St Kilda from Tuesday May 20 to Saturday May 30. BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 23
The National Institute of Circus Arts have announced they will present Pescade - A Circus Cabaret Fusion this May. NICA’s second-year students will bring to live this quirky aquarium of circus, cabaret and comedy, that will feature everything from tight wire, to clowning and acrobatics as well as aerial trapeze backing vocalists who strangely resemble both prawns and The Supremes to a Walrus-esque ringmaster. Co-directed by Australian cabaret and circus mainstays, Hayden Spencer and Carita Farrer Spencer, Pescado will submerge the audience in a wonderful world of Piscean characters, outstanding circus skills and tongue-in-gill silliness, all wrapped up in a ‘Venice beach’ atmosphere. Pescado - A Circus Cabaret Fusion will take over the NICA National Circus Centre, Movement Studio in Prahran from Wednesday May 13 until Saturday May 16. CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
Fluvial
Wednesday May 13 - Sunday May 17 Arts House
Endings
Wednesday May 13 - Sunday 17 Arts House
NEON Festival of Independent Theatre Thursday May 14 - Sunday July 25 Southbank Theatre
But Wait... There’s More
Wednesday June 17 - Sunday July 12 Circus Oz Big Top, Birrarung Marr
Dylan Moran
Monday July 27 - Thursday July 30 Arts Centre Melbourne, State Theatre
MSO: Back To The Future Live In Concert Friday November 6 - Saturday November 7 The Plenary
For more arts news, reviews and interviews visit beat.com.au
As You Like It By Adam Norris With opening night fast approaching, time is ticking for Kelly Paterniti and her fellow thespians. As one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, the anticipation for As You Like It is running high, made all the more poignant since John Bell’s announcement he will be stepping down at the end of the year from the company he founded, Bell Shakespeare. For an actor like Paterniti – one who craves the tutelage each new production brings to her craft – the opportunity to work alongside such established talents is a dream.
Sean McGuire By Liza Dezfouli “No, I won’t be going in costume!” laughs Seam McGuire, who plays Robin Hood in the US ABC TV show, Once Upon A Time, and is coming to Melbourne to be a guest of Supanova 2015. Supanova is a uniquely Australian event which spans popular culture, sci-fi, fantasy, comics and a whole lot more. Last year over 192,000 fans attended. “I’m a bit new to this,” says McGuire. “It’s more of a meet people, talk to people, have your photo taken with them doing do a Q&A, that kind of thing. Going by Twitter, there are a lot of Australian fans. Going in costume would make it a whole different thing. I’m imagining walking round the streets of Melbourne as Robin Hood, trying to hail a cab!” BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 24
“There’s a special air here, I suppose,” she reflects. “A bit of a responsibility to make the production as good as it can be. But then, Bell Shakespeare standards are always very high. But to be a part of it, especially before John steps down from the role, is unbelievable. I’ve already learnt a lot just by being in this show and being with these people. You always have to be open to learning, and never be satisfied with your level of craft. You have to be able to take, to learn and to grow. If you reached a point where you were satisfied and didn’t keep trying to progress, well, I think that would be very dull. Even the smallest or most unpleasant thing is something that you now know not to do again. There’s always a lesson to take. That’s the charm of the job, I suppose. You never know what the next role will be, and what you’re going to find out.” Both Paterniti and I have recently seen the Oscarnominated behind-the-curtain juggernaut, Birdman, and my impressions of life in the theatre are now coloured with madness, blood and hilarity. It suggests the kind of manic energy befitting a Shakespeare comedy, with its heightened dialogue and madcap plot developments. Though spontaneity is certainly part of the production’s appeal, Paterniti is happy that in this instance, life does not imitate art. “Thankfully this show has seen nothing as dark as the breakdown in Birdman. Ours is actually an encouraging environment. From my perspective, I really enjoy a good story with great characters, and I guess that’s the thing with Shakespeare. You’re always guaranteed to get that, regardless of whether the language is your thing, or if you’ve heard it before. You’ll always have a well-structured play where the story just flows. It’s an honour to perform, really. You’ve seen past productions, and then there are all of these modern stories that have directly taken their essence or inspiration from Shakespeare. There’s a familiarity there, but you don’t know exactly how that’s going to be told. How it will come to life with new eyes, new perspectives. I think
in the end that’s why people still like it. It’s why I still like it.” Though Paterniti did her research early on – revisiting past adaptations, seeking out odd interpretations – she has also been strict in not carrying those influences with her to the stage. That approach seems very much a part of her craft, and she speaks strongly of the lessons she has already learned.
McGuire’s been acting since the age of five, when he acted alongside Sir Laurence Olivier in A Voyage Round My Father. He shot to fame in Grange Hill and EastEnders in the UK and moved LA to star in the box office hit, Meet the Spartans. Robin Hood, McGuire reckons, is an appealing challenge as people have their own version of Robin Hood. “The character comes with an historical identity,” he says. “It’s a matter of trying not to balls that up.” What special quality does he think he brings to the role? “It would be conceited for me to try and say,” he answers. “Nothing special – I aim to do my best. He’s a man rather than a boy. He was a husband and he’s a father. He’s a leader of men. I came to the character most human way I could. A lot of that’s governed by the writing. I bring what I can to the writer’s vision.” Is he ever compared to the actor Jonas Armstrong? “You’re talking about the BBC TV Series called Robin Hood. People will make obvious comparisons but in that show you get to see more of Robin’s life. In Once Upon A Time there are 30 or 40 different characters. Obviously I play Robin in a fantasy world, a makebelieve world where iconic characters and heroes come together, anything’s possible, and there are lots of possibilities. Everyone gets a kick out of all of that.” What does he get a kick out of when it comes to the role? “There are lots of different elements,” he answers. “Putting the costume on. It’s a nice feeling, a strongly identifiable feeling once you’re in costume. And the costumers in Once Upon a Time are phenomenal. It’s cool; it’s like being a little boy playing make-believe. I’m this version of Robin Hood to a generation of kids. That’s a lovely element to it, that I’m this Robin Hood for this generation. It’s a lovely responsibility to have.” How would he describe the character of Robin? “He’s a good man. A flawed man; he’s been on the wrong side of things. He’s had to atone for earlier sins. Now he’s trying to live an honest decent virtuous life and be a good father.” Are there any particular challenges? “Trying to find the tone of the show. Technical things – you get used to playing with bows and arrows and horses; what every little boy would love to do. You bring something of your own to it. It’s much more of a pleasure than a challenge.” Does he do any of his own stunts? “No. I do what’s safe and permissible and then hand it over to the stuntman. After you’ve broken arms and legs, you tend to be more sensible about these things. So he has broken limbs on set? “Yes – an arm and a leg. It does happen. I used to have a lot of youthful exuberance but I’m a lot more cautious now.” Is McGuire recognised often when he’s out and about? “That’s increasing,” he answers. “I went on holiday with Colin O’Donoghue (who plays Captain Hook in Once Upon A Time) and our wives to some mountains near Vancouver, and maybe it’s ‘cos we were together, but we were recognised there. I’ve not gotten used to that,
it’s relatively new. But it’s great to be part of something that people are watching. Whether it’s on TV or DVD, people are watching.” McGuire has been to Melbourne once before and is looking forward to catching up with friends. “I really enjoyed it. It’s a cool city.” He says he’s got his fingers in a few creative pies (he also has a career as a songwriter/musician) but Once Upon A Time is his focus for the foreseeable future. “I’m trying my hand at everything. I’m a bit of a jack of all trades.” Beat wonders who McGuire likes to see perform. “Mark Rylance, a UK stage actor who’s just started to make films.” (Rylance is an award-winning actor who was also the first Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre).
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
“You always have to be open to learning, and never be satisfied with your level of craft. You have to be able to take, to learn and to grow. If you reached a point where you were satisfied and didn’t keep trying to progress, well, I think that would be very dull.” “It’s nice to have an idea of how it’s been done, but you don’t want to bring any preconceived notions of how it should be, or subconsciously start copying something. Also, watching some of the older, femalebased comedies, like you find in Fellini, just to get a feel for that kind of world. I think it’s important, as long as you don’t start trying to emulate what you’ve seen. It also helps by getting you excited about it. It gets you excited to play.” As You Like It will be performed Arts Centre Melbourne, Fairfax Studio from Thursday April 23 Sunday April 10.
“Your job as an actor is to look through your material, see if it speaks to you and take that leap. That sort of thing is beyond my power. I don’t waste too much time fretting about something you can’t control.” Is there a character McGuire would like to play? “There’s characters that have already been played, where you think, I wish I’d had that opportunity. James Bond. Most young men would like to play James Bond, what guy wouldn’t want to be James Bond? It’s an optimistic dream but let’s go for the big one. I’m just happy to keep working,” McGuire adds. “It’s a tough game, I’ve been doing this a while and I know actors who’ve fallen away.” Does he worry that being so long in such a distinctive part means that he might not get cast in other roles? “Your job as an actor is to look through your material, see if it speaks to you and take that leap. That sort of thing is beyond my power. I don’t waste too much time fretting about something you can’t control.” Catch Sean McGuire at Supanova Pop Culture Expo which will be held at the Melbourne Showgrounds from Saturday April 11 – Sunday April 12.
Out Of The ClOset
Queer happenings around town with Anna Whitelaw.
Every so often, I hear a well-meaning straight person muse how one day, not too far from now, we’ll live in a utopian world where homosexuality is as irrelevant as hair colour or eye colour. While it is very nice to hear your friends and family say they don’t care if you are gay, it always seems propounding naive to assume that we’ll ever reach a point where sexual identity won’t matter at all. For starters, it matters to us hopefully. That’s why there will always be a need for gay pride marches, queer film festivals, community groups, gay bars and queer nights so we can find each other somewhere other than on Grindr or Brenda and so we meet other people who share our experience (and that’s why we need to support them). More important, every so often, we are reminded that if you live in inner city Melbourne that you actually live in a little bubble of tolerance, and that despite more than forty years of struggle for gay rights, you don’t have to go very far or dig very deep to find bigotry and homophobia remain. If we needed a depressing reality check of this, beyondblue put out a study that revealed homophobic attitudes are still strongly prevalent among teenage boys. Thirty eight percent of 12 17-year-old boys surveyed did not say they were happy to be friends with a same-sex attracted person. More than 40 per cent said lesbian, gay and bisexual people make them “uncomfortable”. A quarter thought that using the term “gay” as a synonym for shit was acceptable. For those of us who remember when being called gay or lesbian was the ultimate insult in the school yard, these findings show that being a closeted or openly gay teenager still sucks and perhaps not much has changed. We can only hope that these attitudes are derived for immaturity, ignorance and a desire to fit in with their straight peers which they will grow out of. Meanwhile, in the United States, Indiana gave us another depressing reminder that the struggle for equality isn’t over when their Governor Mike Pence signed its Religious Freedom Restoration Act which will allow businesses and individuals
to discriminate against the LGBT community on religious grounds. In Indiana, under the new law, this could mean that gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender people could be refused treatment by a doctor, housing, legal advice, accommodation in a hotel, service in a restaurant or employment on the basis that their sexuality. Thankfully, there are others in our community leading by example even if our politicians won’t. Last week, some of the captains of industry of Australia’s corporate giants - including Qantas, Pricewaterhousecoopers, SBS, Football Federation Australia - have collecting signed an open letter calling for the federal government to introduce marriage equality. The letter writing campaign organised by Australian Marriage Equality - argued that apart from being intrinsically the right thing to do, marriage equality would also be good for the economy by promoting fairness in the workplace and promoting stability. Meanwhile, our federal Parliament rose for a six week break prior to the budget without debating the “Freedom to Marry” bill.
After taking a few days to recover from four days of debauchery over the Easter weekend, on Saturday April 11 there is a feel-good fundraising party at The Toff In Town called For Fanny’s Sake. Obstensibly, For Fanny’s Sake is a party to raise money for Lennox Cakes Diamonds to have gender reassignment surgery in Thailand. After a similar Melbourne party raised over $7,500 (or as the organiser put it “one third of a vagina”), a similar event is being run in Melbourne. The shenanigans will feature a huge lineup of live bands and performances, as well as DJ sets, and will be hosted by king of alt drag Agent Cleave, fresh from his own acclaimed Mardi Gras show. There will also be an auction. Presales are $10 or $15 on the door. The good old Greyhound Hotel has a killer new drag show on Saturday nights called the Glamazons to entertain the twinks, muscle marys and their fag hags. Free entry before 10pm. Curtain call at 10.30pm. For details, visit facebook.com/ghhotel.
This weekend from Friday to Sunday is also international DIYRainbow Day. If you’ve noticed little rainbows popping up all over the place (and eventually getting permanently etched like on the corner of Gertrude and Smith) this is how it began when a bunch of Sydneysiders painted their own rainbows all over the place two years ago in protest after the removal of the Mardi Gras Taylor Square rainbow crossing. All you need to join in is some spare time, a few extra pairs of hands, a blank wall/footpath/fence and a fuckload of chalk. You can even buy the chalk at diyrainbow.com/ new-products/diy-rainbow-chalk.
Got tip offs, praise, complaints or cat photos? Email closetpartymelbourne@gmail.com to included in this column.
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News Bites.
Sauced To Open In Camberwell
Our mates over at Sauced Pasta Bar have recently announced via their Facebook that they’re opening a second location in Camberwell in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs (not that it’s been much of a secret considering the enormous branded poster covering the window). The new addition to the Sauced family will be located on Burke Road, and is set to open in May (roughly) but they hope it’ll be open much sooner. We do, too.
Town Mouse Team To In The CBd
Chilli Fest Coming To Town
Calling all Guatemalan insanity peppers, you’d best break out your chilli boots, because The Immigration Museum is hosting Chilli Fest later this month. The museum’s courtyard will play host to a down-home BBQ with Burn City Smokers cooking 300kg of lamb, chicken and pork and turning it into delicious chilli delights including chicken tacos, lamb, kebabs, and pork bao. Vego? Fear not, Cornutopia has got you covered. Plus, there will be a hot sauce market hall, chilli eating competition, live music by Cash Savage and DJ sets by PBS’s Miss Goldie and DJ Sensei. It’s all going down on Sunday April 19. Don’t miss this cook-off.
It won’t be a duplicate Town Mouse though, with frontman Chris McCabe and chef Dave Verheul partnering with London-based wine merchant and restaurateur Eric Narioo to bring diners a more casual environment with good grazing options and “a wine list that wine nerds will be excited about.” The place hasn’t been named yet, but we do know it’s two levels and located at 122 Russell Street. It will serve lunch, dinner and supper downstairs. CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 25
2015 MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL COVERAGE
UPFRONT It’s the 20th anniversary of the all-women MICF gala show, Upfront. Beat wonders about the differences between now and 20 years ago in the world of female comedy. We ask Sarah Pascoe and Anne Edmonds, two of the performers in this year’s Upfront, about changes they’ve noticed. “Obviously, 20 years ago it would have been a shorter show,” says Pascoe. “Also, 20 years ago all of the women would have known each other, even if you came from opposite sides of the country. Now, and this is the great thing, there are too many of us! “There are women comics I’ve never heard of who’ve got established careers. There’s an old feminist saying, ‘If you can’t see it, you can’t be it,’ and now comedy is a visible career option for women, there are women comics on TV; the issue of ‘women comics’ has become negligible. We’re mainstream now; we’re part of the oppression. We’ll start hearing from minorities like trans-people next saying they can’t get in.” Does Pascoe think being female informs her comedy? “All comedy is authored. You can’t separate yourself from your comedy. You say, ‘This happened to me’ and we all have a personal world view. You can’t separate yourself; it’s the same thing with class and race. But boys don’t get asked that question. Women are seen as a sub-culture, men are not. What did happen when I first started at the age of 27 was that I was always being reminded I was a woman. I’d do gigs and people would say things to me like, ‘It’s so good to have a woman on the bill; it dilutes the testosterone in the room.’ I didn’t think of myself as a woman comedian, I thought of myself as a comedian, but I was always being reminded that it was abnormal that I was doing this job.” Comedy used to be referred to as a ‘boys club’, but Edmonds reckons the label is no longer accurate. “There’s a generation of comics who I’m coming up with, guys my age [she’s 36], who I’m on an equal
footing with. We have mutual respect for each other’s work; I don’t feel any sexism from them. There still might be some sexism in old school comedy clubs, not misogyny exactly, but the bookers might have a bit of an attitude. There’s still a way for audiences to come in Australia when it comes to the reception of women in comedy.” Pascoe says she’s reluctant to be thought of as a ‘woman comedian’. “I don’t want to be seen as representing ‘women’s comedy.’ If I have a bad night, and we all do, even really famous people – comedy is a great leveler – then it’s because I’ve personally had a bad night, it’s nothing to do with being a woman. Some comedy clubs can be sexist environments with drunken people heckling, but men yell out things to other men like, ‘Get your cock out,’ or, ‘You’re gay.’ You should hear groups of women at hen’s nights! But a male comedian wouldn’t experience that as sexism. Anyway, most women comics are brilliant at dealing with hecklers ‘cos we’ve had so much experience of it in real life.” Edmonds is sick of the topic. “I’m very reluctant to talk about women in comedy. Already in this festival, there’s been about eight articles on the subject. The more we keep talking about it; the more it continues this idea that women are separate. I feel like we’re on an equal footing. My direct experience is pretty good. I’m more concerned about the new wave of Internet
comedy, where you get people like Frenchy and Josh Wade who are blatantly misogynistic and have about a million YouTube followers. I’m playing rooms of 60 and you’ve got these 18-year-olds with that sort of following – it’s heartbreaking. You see stuff like that and wonder why audiences want to see it.” But aren’t their audiences just nerds like themselves watching from home? “They put on live shows and sell out – I find that disturbing. They don’t know how hard we are working.” Would Edmonds have a go at men in her routines? “Women going on about being single is now considered a bit naff. But really, you’re talking about relationships, and they’re a big part of life. You’re really talking about love. It’s a happy topic. I have a go at men and have a go at women.” Is there anything Edmonds wouldn’t joke about? “I don’t have boundaries – not if I thought there was a funny way of putting things across. If can make it funny, I’ll joke about it.” Pascoe has an interesting point to make about censorship and the current public debate about ‘rape jokes’. “There was a domestic abuse charity event in
England and they wanted everyone to sign a waiver that they wouldn’t joke about rape. They struggled to get comedians to sign, because it was around the time that Adrienne Truscott was doing her wonderful show, Asking For It, about rape and misogyny. If she hadn’t been able to joke about rape, she wouldn’t have been able to have that really feminist discussion about rape culture. You joke about something to make a good point. Bridget Christie jokes about having a ‘rape fantasy’ – i.e. longer sentencing and a higher conviction rate for rapists!’ Rape jokes can be the most powerful in terms of challenging rape culture.” BY LIZA DEZFOULI
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VENUE: Melbourne Town Hall – Main Hall, Cnr Swanston & Collins St, CBD DATE: April 14 TIME: 7.30pm TICKETS: $31 – $44
KATHERINE RYAN
JOSIE LONG
NEIL HAMBURGER
GLAM ROLE MODEL
CARA JOSEPHINE
DISCOUNTED ENTERTAINER
According to that bed-ridden boozehound Marcel Proust, “By art alone, we are able to get outside ourselves, to know what another sees of this universe.” Meanwhile, when it comes to Katherine Ryan’s stand-up act, she looks to generate the opposite effect. “I always feel that my job in comedy is to hold up a mirror to everyone else,” she says, “because I think audiences like to see themselves in your stories and in your observations and in your anecdotes.” Right now, Ryan is halfway through her debut Melbourne International Comedy Festival run. Despite some precursory uncertainties, local audiences have given her a wonderful reception. “There’s a lot of celebrity stuff in my show so I was worried coming out here that all my references were going to be lost,” she says. “I think even comedians who don’t do topical humour worry about certain things. But these people have blown me over with how much they know, or are pretending to know, to make me feel better. It’s like having this really fun chat every night.” Ryan’s aim to provide audiences with an image of themselves doesn’t stop her from touching on personal details. Her current show, Glam Role Model, was inspired by a rather unpleasant experience. “I was cheated on with a glamour model and then I left [my husband].” However, the show’s content doesn’t get bogged down in an account of Ryan’s personal woes. Anyone that’s ever read UK newspaper The Sun will be familiar with the page three’s topless models. The topless female models were introduced to the paper in 1970 and featured in every issue until January this year. The influence of glamour models on UK pop-culture isn’t restricted to the tabloids, as Ryan explains. “They take glamour models and put them on all the panel shows and they have reality shows,” she says. “They’re famous, famous women and I think that’s insane. But I see it changing. Finally, there are more women who have strong, powerful, authentic voices on television, and older women, than ever before on television. We’re not used to seeing ourselves on television as women. So there are serious themes in it, but also just a lot of funny silly stuff.” Ryan rates the UK comedy scene as superior to just about anywhere else in the world. But she knows Australia’s comedy ranks are nothing to scoff at. “Australian comedians, specifically the ones who have worked a lot in Melbourne, are so sharp and talented,” she says. “You can tell they’ve been nurtured in exactly the right way. My entire development and career has been in England – I’m a British comic with a Canadian accent – so I forget that Australian comics started in Australia. “Adam Hills is really successful and hilarious in the UK,” she adds, “but he seems to be the president of Australia. I turned on the television, he’s even on the kids networks!”
Love, family and heartbreak lie at the core of Josie Long’s new comedy show, Cara Josephine. “It helped me a lot to write stand-up about old relationships and about my family,” says Long, as she reflects on her most personal show to date. “It was cathartic! I started out the show feeling really angry and frustrated and heartbroken, and it felt like through the show, I could move on and make it into something silly and fun. It’s helped me clarify what I think and feel about love and hopefully that’ll be helpful to someone! “This show was a really different writing process to the others I’ve made,” she considers. “I wanted to take more time to see what the show was going to become, and it fed into what was happening in my life as I wrote it, too. I started out doing prototype versions of the show in January last year, but they were mainly about how incredible my electric blanket is because it was a chilly winter in England.” The British comedian started doing stand-up at 14, but pursued it more seriously after graduating from Oxford University. “I have always been obsessed with comedy: on TV and live stuff,” states Long. “And I have always been a big show off! I realised, when I was about ten or 11, that all I wanted to do was be a performer, so in a lot of ways I am really lucky to have been so sure so early on. Now, I am in a weird position where I can’t imagine my life without it, so I truly hope it doesn’t all go tits up from here.” She’s one of UK’s most unique comedy stars. Regularly appearing on radio and TV, Long is opinionated, quirky and endearingly genuine, and armed with a fiery political and social conscience. “The election is coming up in the UK in a month or so, and I am pretty obsessed by that. I am desperate to get the Tories out as they are villains.” Whether asserting her views on feminism or the Conservative Party, Long believes stand-up is an effective means of examining one’s views. “I think humour can be incredibly powerful in changing people’s perceptions about the world around them,” says Long, “because when you’re laughing along with something, you are more open to the ideas being presented to you, and stand-up gives you such a wonderful chance to really share your worldview with the crowd over the length of your show. “I love comedy as much as I ever have,” Long enthuses. “It’s so exciting, because you are a stand-up for your whole life – it becomes how you interpret and understand your experiences. It’s always evolving; it’s such a new genre and you see new people coming up and doing wonderful things, and that inspires you to innovate and work harder. I love that you can constantly change your style and write whatever’s in your heart. I fucking love performing.”
“We have a lot of respect for the folks in your profession, unlike a lot of these garbage people you.” Neil Hamburger is speaking on the phone from his hotel room, a few days into his extensive run of Melbourne performances – marking his welcome return to our shores, and, for the first time, as guest of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. The graciousness is somewhat of a surprise, with Neil operating at a polar dichotomy between venom and adoration, weighted overwhelmingly towards venom, aimed at the worst, in Neil’s eyes, society has to offer. It’s a modus operandi that has seen Neil endure as one of America’s cult favourites, often being tasked as a counter-intuitive warm up act for musical acts – his ire-inducing performance at a packed Madison Square Garden, opening for Tenacious D, captured on the brilliant comedy album Hot February Night. He’s also found another niche in Twitter’s brevity, a constant opposing force to the proliferation of corporate brands. The majority of Neil’s targets over the years have been prominent figures in the rock (RHCP), pop (Michael Jackson), and even indie (Arcade Fire) musical realms. But as the major pillars of the music have crumbled somewhat since Neil began performing, he takes no Schadenfreude in this development. “Sadly, I can’t. The people who are making me the sickest in my stomach are still thriving, even as the industry collapses. If I was to see someone like Britney Spears in some sort of debtors’ prison, with her arms and legs in shackles, or be imprisoned for the crimes of ruining literally millions of peoples’ afternoons when her awful music is blaring in the supermarket. If justice was served in that way, if I was able to see someone like Jay Z or The Doobie Brothers tarred and feathered publically, then you’re going to feel good about it.” With a constant barrage of vile directed from Neil’s Twitter page to a myriad of corporate brands (including insurmountable retweets of people mentioning how Taco Bell made them ill), you could imagine there would be some legally-inclined repercussions. “We’ve definitely had some problems with that. The Axe deodorant people got very, very testy over a series of humorous tweets and eventually had an article pulled from Vice magazine that was critical of them. It was written in my own inimitable style, but they didn’t care for it and they had it yanked. So they were the biggest complainers, the biggest whiners. When you make a deodorant as horrific as Axe deodorant is, it puts you on the defensive. This is a product that smells like a urinal cake essentially, and it’s used by some of the most rotten people in society today.” BY LACHLAN KANONIUK
BY CHRISTINE LAN
BY AUGUSTUS WELBY
i
VENUE: Melbourne Town Hall – Cloak Room, Cnr Swanston & Collins St, CBD DATES: Currently being performed until April 17 (except Monday) TIMES: 8.30pm (Sundays 7.30pm) TICKETS: $25.50 – $35.50
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V E N U E : Melbourne Town Hall – Supper Room, Cnr Swanston & Collins St, CBD DAT E S : Currently being performed until April 19 (except Monday) T I M E S : April 9 - 12: 9.45pm (Sunday 8.45pm), April 14 - 19: 8.15pm (Sunday 7.15pm) T I C K E T S : $26.50 – $34
i
V E N U E : Portland Hotel – Portland Room, Cnr Russell & Lt. Collins St, CBD DAT E S : Currently being performed until April 19 (except Monday) T I M E S : 9.45pm (Sundays 9.45pm) T I C K E T S : $28 – $34
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BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 27
2015 MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL COVERAGE DANCING WITH DINOSAURS
TIEN TRANG MOLOTOVS ON OLD STREET
Face extinction with distinction! The dinosaurs are coming to advise humans on dealing with an end of species’ worst case scenario in a show called Dancing with Dinosaurs. Beat spoke to Thomas Albert, one of the theatre makers and performers of the trio comprising Cradle Productions, which includes himself, Caitlin Armstrong and Eloise Maree. For MICF this year the three co-devised this comedic musical cabaret just ‘cos they, er, love dinosaurs. “We’re tapping into a niche market,” admits Albert. “The three of us love dinosaurs and we think it’s sad that adults aren’t allowed to love dinosaurs.” Albert is quick to point out that Dancing with Dinosaurs is an adult show and contains the sorts of things you expect, namely good old cabaret themes, rudeness and songs. “We asked the question: what would dinosaurs have to say if they could speak?” continues Albert. “We start off with a song called Super Qualified Giant Lizard as an introduction. We’ve got a gospel song; we’ve got a real bluegrass number taking on the evolution versus creationism question specifically from the dinosaurs’ perspective.” The show might be about extinction, but it’s comes to a very cheerful conclusion, according to Albert. “Our finale, our final song, is not unlike the last scene of Monty Python’s Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” he adds. Albert says researching the show involved a lot of discussion about what might’ve happened to the dinosaurs. What does he think? “There are a few different theories, apart from the bog meteor event,” he says. “There’s the notion of the food web collapsing, there’s climate change, and there’s a theory that the dinosaurs died out ‘cos their brains became smaller and smaller; they were too dumb to live, basically.” But Dancing with Dinosaurs ain’t going with that one. “There’s an inherent drama in the meteor extinction theory,” Albert continues. “The dinosaurs have us beat in terms of an exciting big extinction event. We’re not going to be so lucky. Humans will probably die out slowly.” Does Albert have a favourite dinosaur? “I’m playing Tyrannosaurus Rex, so that’s a personal favourite.” Albert is enjoying making a second show with the same people who brought Public Toilets, Private Words to last year’s Comedy Festival. “We have that implicit
PAGE 28
trust now and know how each other works. The ensemble nature of what we’re doing is especially satisfying. We had success last year with Public and are hoping to emulate that this year,” he says, “We’re touring that show this year and we hope to do the same with this one.” What sorts of challenges does a show about dinosaurs bring with it? “The logistics of developing a show in Queensland and bringing it to Melbourne,” says Albert. “We performed in La Mama last year so we know the space. As far as the content goes, it’s always a challenge marrying different forms of comedy and audience expectations. The Comedy Festival brings a certain audience with it, they’re expecting more jokes and ribald humour, so trying to provide that and still make it theatrically interesting is a challenge.” The show is directed by Daniel Czech. “He’s just done a Masters in Direction at VCA,” says Albert. “He has a fantastic theatrical mind and creates outstanding tableaux.” Cradle Productions want to create a repertoire of shows that are portable. “We’re having a great time and want to take the show on the road,” he adds. Naturally, the trio has Edinburgh in their sights. If anyone deserves a Nessie sighting, it’s them. BY LIZA DEZFOULI
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VEN U E : La Mama Theatre, 205 Faraday St Carlton DAT E S : Currently being performed until April 12 TIM E S : 6.30pm (Thursday and Saturday 8.30pm, Sunday 4pm) TICK E T S : $15 - $25
Why did Tien Trang call his MICF show Molotovs on Old Street? “It doesn’t mean anything at all,” says the Sydney-based comedian. “I made it up when I was registering my show. It does make me sound like a bit of an anarchist. I’m not an anarchist. Some of my views are a bit out there, a bit weird, but it’s hard to tell when you look at your own comedy.” Beat asks Tran, who was a RAW national finalist in 2011, how he would try to describe his comedy. “I do observational comedy,” he says. “I try to make my views a little bit different, to give audiences something different to hear. I’ve always been a bit of an outsider, a bit different. I’ve always been the introvert, staying out of skirmishes, seeing things from the outside. Now we’re getting a bit abstract.” Born in Australia to Vietnamese and Chinese parents, Tran has a somewhat unique perspective on life in the lucky country. “I talk about race,” he says. “In Australia people always ask where I’m from. They don’t see me as Australian. But I can’t speak my language that well,” he says. “When I go to Vietnam they have a word for me, they’ve got a word for Vietnamese born outside Vietnam who go back and can’t speak Vietnamese properly.” “I joke about being broke,” he continues. “That’s one of a standard range of topics; a lot of comedians talk about that. I joke about my girlfriend. I joke about sex.” Presumably she’s ok with that? “I met her at one of my gigs,” he says. “She knew what she was getting into when she started dating a comic. But I’ve talked to her about it; she’s fine.” “There isn’t anything I wouldn’t joke about. It all depends on where you’re coming from. There’s a saying in comedy, as long as you’re not punching down. There can’t be a stupid pay-off. You need to have something insightful to say, something to give the audience to take home.” Tran got into comedy because he hated engineering and comedy was the easiest art form to get into. “No extra skills required. All you need know is how to stand and talk. It’s not easy to craft well, getting good is a different story, but it’s easy to start off.” His Asian parents can’t have been thrilled to see their son abandon a respectable engineering career to be a comedian. “They couldn’t do much about it,” observes Tran wryly. “I make my own decisions. They’re fine now. They trust me.” What are his plans? “I don’t
have a five-year goal. I just do what’s in front of me, try out new material. I want to do stand-up for the rest of my life.” Last year, Tran was handpicked to perform The Comedy Zone, quite an achievement for a relative newcomer. Molotovs on Old Street is an entirely new show. “Last year’s show was a culmination of four years of stand-up,” says Tran. “This year is a whole new hour. I think this year’s show is more mature.” He thinks there might be some subtle differences between Sydney and Melbourne when it comes to comedic styles. “Melbourne likes a bit more of a performance,” he notes. “It’s more physical, more theatrical, a bit more of a song and dance. In Sydney, the comedian tends to just stand there and talk; it’s more about the material.” BY LIZA DEZFOULI
i
V E N U E : Gin Palace - 10 Russell Place, CBD DAT E S : Currently being performed until April 19 (except Monday) T I M E S : 8.15pm (Sundays 7.15pm) T I C K E T S : $15 - $25
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SCF 2013
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BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 29
2015 MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL COVERAGE
REVIEWS AVENUE Q
CAL WILSON UNDERCURRENTS
And now, ladies and gentlemen, presenting in your hometown, all the way from the Big Apple, an international reproduction of the 2004 Tony Award winning musical: Sesame Street Gone Wild...oh wait...let me check my program again...Avenue Q! As this musical has been on various comedy and stage circuits for over ten years now, expectations are set at a high throughout the audience as they slide through the backstage and fill the small theatre. But sometime between reading the program’s song titles (i.e. Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist and The Internet is for Porn) and seeing a lovable puppet get an erection, those expectations are surpassed. Director Stephen Wheat has assembled an outstanding group of multi-talented puppeteers, whose superb comedic timing and ability to act simultaneously with their faces and their puppets, keep the laughs coming a
mile a minute. Special recognition should go to Zulieka Khan for her rendition of beloved former child star Gary Coleman. If you’re lucky enough to procure yourself tickets to this show, keep your expectations as high as the hell you want to, because this show, and especially this cast, will easily live up to the hype. And now….go look at some porn, that’s what the Internet is for...don’t worry, a puppet told me to say that, so it’s OK. BY J U STIN WATTS
CLEM BASTOW
For Cal Wilson, Undercurrents refers to all the inner thoughts and secret worries that are bubbling away just below the surface. Or, in Cal’s words, the mad peddling of two otters and an eggbeater. Much of the show revolves around tales of parenting her five-year-old son. Stories of becoming a human bin for leftover food and going to the bathroom with someone else get laughs from the crowd, but the biggest reactions come from the tales of her son’s childish quirks and eccentric behaviours as he changes identities to a drawer and a ghost. Wilson also chatters about her love of Christmas - of how to bypass ever taking down your Christmas tree and the top secret espionage mission involved in having Santa around for the big day.
As a New Zealand ex-pat living in Australia, Wilson also takes time out to reflect on things she has discovered in our country, such as our pride for really big things in small towns and our skill for creating interesting turns of phrase. She used the latter to take a break from planned material and get the audience involved. Her interaction with the crowd is gentle and inviting, providing hilarious results. Her other attempt at improvisation, trying to find other words for vagina, may have stretched on a tad too long, Wilson always ready to reign the show back in. While the show may not have flowed strongly from beginning to end, Wilson’s never fading grin and bright, bubbly presence kept the show alight. B Y G LOR IA B R AN CAT IS AN O
JOSH EARL
ESCAPE FROM LA
SQUARE PEG
Escape From LA – is it stand-up? Not quite. It’s more an anecdotal account of the couple of years Bastow spent living in Los Angeles. Compelled to move there by her teenage dream of becoming a respected screenwriter, unfortunately, as the title forewarns, the mission was a failure. In short, Bastow explained how her earlier aspirations were reignited by career ennui, which prompted an impulsive move that had an ultimately disappointing outcome. To be sure, she threw in plenty of stabs at humour. Some moments were indeed very funny, while others were of the “That’s funny, Clem” variety, but it never rolled on the momentum laughter. Similarly, Escape From LA didn’t comprise uncanny twists and turns, nor climb
towards a big moral zenith. What was most significant about this performance was Bastow’s storytelling ability, which turned a tale of diminishing self-belief into a compelling and perversely feelgood viewing experience. Along the way, Bastow’s mental state took a battering, but it wasn’t all ‘me, me, me’. Questions of privilege and critiques of the entertainment industry and contemporary journalism also cropped up. But nothing got shoved down your throat, as the weightier moments were offset by a Huey Lewis interlude or a bout of endearing selfdeprecation. BY AU GUSTUS WEL BY
Josh Earl, or Jearl as he is affectionately known to himself, is hilarious and lovely. It would come as a welcome relief to find out that he was horrible and maladjusted human off stage, because he is a delightful muppet of a man on stage. He has a bunch of great new material and can pan some comedy gold out of the most mundane and relatable interactions. For all of us that have lived through the nightmare of being a Plus One when you partner is in the wedding party, Josh Earl has taken our pain and added a melody. He delves into the origin of the first ever handshake, and uncovers every parent’s greatest fear… raising a dickhead. A fun, funny show by a fun, funny guy. With Josh no longer on telly you should make the most
of this opportunity to get your fix. Plenty of songs, many more laughs and if you are still listening to Nick Cave’s Murder Ballads, you will never listen to it the same way again. Without a doubt Josh Earl will be one of the picks of the Australian talent at this year’s festival. B Y JAC K FR AN K LIN
.. . y a d n u f y a Make Mond great cause! laugh for a
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2015 MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL COVERAGE JUDITH LUCY
LAWRENCE LEUNG
ASK NO QUESTIONS OF THE
THE ESCAPIST
MOTH
The title of Judith Lucy’s show comes from a poem by Sufi poet Farid ud-Din Attar titled The Dullard Sage. Lucy doesn’t discuss poetry in her show, but she immediately draws the audience in with her personal stories and observations on death, relationships, change and the insanity of life. Opening with a dance, Lucy asks several audience members about their previous year and her witty responses – always paired with the perfect wry expression – have the audience in hysterics. Lucy relays the personal discoveries experienced during the filming of her TV series, Judith Lucy Is All Woman. The inimitable Australian comic tackles any topic – no matter how embarrassing, peculiar or private – with adeptness, charm and irresistibly sardonic lines. Lucy possesses the rare ability of being able to convey – wittily, honestly and cleverly – our greatest frustrations and anxieties. No
one is better at ingeniously mocking the ridiculous and mundane than Lucy. The comedy legend had a difficult 2014, but reminds us that our dark times won’t destroy us, even if they do make us lose our minds. Lucy is masterful in turning pain and distress into acute self-realisations. She garners ferocious laughter with her rants on entering early menopause, but if this is how funny and brilliant she is when she’s menopausal, perhaps aging won’t be as scary as we thought. BY CHRISTINE LAN
One of the things that make Lawrence Leung an utter joy to watch is his smile. Throughout the course of The Escapist, the smile never seems to leave his face (except when afflicted with “resting sad face”) and by the end, it is impossible to walk out without a big smile on your own face. Over the course of the show, Leung takes us on a trip down memory lane of growing up in a “good Chinese Catholic” family who wish him to become a doctor. An awkward and introverted child, his fascination with magic and Harry Houdini is interwoven into his stories and the audience not only get a look into Leung’s life but also an impromptu history lesson on Houdini’s visit to Melbourne in 1910. Escaping from doonas, ordering straightjackets from Romanian fetish sites, horrific medical adventures on work placement, awkward moments with women and staring showdowns with babies on planes are just a few of the tales Leung regales us with, amongst hilarious impersonations and anecdotes about his
LEHMO
NAZEEM HUSSAIN
LEHMOOO! (GET AMONGST IT!)
LEGALLY BROWN
From the title alone, you can kind of gather this show is going to be an all-Aussie affair. Lehmo is a thinkingbogan’s man. He loves footy, drinking beer and giving shit to Tony Abbott. His show starts off discussing these very topics in depth, but unfortunately he doesn’t really cover any new ground – the same jokes are pretty much covered on Triple M every morning He demonstrates a surprising amount of patriotism, not only for our Australian cricket team’s win in the World Cup, but also support for our military forces – especially after travelling to Afghanistan to perform stand-up for the troops. After six tours to warzone countries he has some genuinely interesting stories, but the Chopper-inspired accent he uses to impersonate every Australian soldier gets tiring after a while. Thankfully the second half of Lehmo’s show is worth the wait. His true comedic brilliance shines when it comes to everyday situational humour, picking apart the agonising personal experiences we can all relate to. Having recently married in Bali, “the most Australian place there is”, he
Nazeem Hussain’s unique, hilarious and quirky SBS TV series, Legally Brown, received a Logie nomination for Most Outstanding Comedy Program, and it’s apparent that Australian TV programs are sorely lacking in the diversity that Legally Brown elucidates. Before venturing solo, Hussain demonstrated his comedy talents as one-half of political comedy duo, Fear of a Brown Planet. What stands out most is Hussain’s energy, geniality and audacity. Hussain is unafraid of addressing sensitive political and religious issues, which serves as a reminder that if we fail to discuss these in public, how will we ever get past prejudice and ignorance? Hussain is engaging as he discusses race issues, terrorist groups and national security alongside café/shopping experiences and familial/societal pressures, as if they’re all equally appropriate, entertaining conversation topics for an evening out. Hussain is more confident with scripted material, but his spontaneous remarks are quite often hilarious.
REVIEWS
has some interesting and fairly insightful facts about relationships. He interacts well with the crowd and laments on those days when you wake up and feel nothing but undying love for your partner, only to ruin it all by spending the whole day together…at IKEA. There’s no denying Lehmo is a smart guy and, with his own breakfast show and a regular spot on Ten’s 7pm Project, he obviously knows a hell of a lot about current affairs. Still, he probably should spend less time trying to get the cheap politician joke and more time poking harmless fun at the sillier things in life. BY CHRIS BRIGHT
PACO ERHARD
Hussain is perhaps the only Australian comic who’s never had a beer in his life, which might mean that his perspective of what constitutes entertainment could be far wider than most. Audience members feel connected to Hussain on stage regardless of how different their lives appear on paper. Hussain is compelling in his courageous humour and endearing humility. BY CHRISTINE LAN
BEST OF EDINBURGH FEST
WORST GERMAN EVER
Despite the title, Worst German Ever made it clear that Paco Erhard wants to be friends. Over the course of an hour, Erhard built an impression of himself as a friendly, rational guy who can see the world’s a fairly wonky place. Having left Germany in his late teens, Erhard’s been based in London for the last decade. Thanks to comedy, he’s travelled far across the globe and collected plenty of useful insight along the way. Worst German Ever looked at various areas of contemporary life that are particularly wonky; namely, the inanity of racism, the hypocrisy of religious discrimination and the absurdity of ultra-conservative moral panic. Erhard emphasised how fuckwits all around the world (the Australian variant being the bogan) propagate such stupidity that tends to spoil things for the rest of us rational, friendly folks. He also made a point of acknowledging the grave missteps of his native land in the name of nationalism. On this last point – yes Holocaust references – Erhard leaned a little too heavily. It’s not that he scraped
awkwardly close to the politically incorrect bone (though, perhaps proud Germans or Jews would say otherwise). It was more a case of, yeah we get it, World War II sucked and don’t Germans just know it, but repeatedly bringing it up doesn’t necessarily make for good comic banter. But Erhard’s a nice guy, and he wanted to make sure we knew that. He’s also a very physically engaging comic – his eyes practically popped out of his head whenever he reached a punchline, which in itself was massively amusing. BY AUGUSTUS WELBY
Best of Edinburgh Fest features three mainstream comedians: Chris Martin, John Hammond and Jimmy McGhie. Martin plays on being the sweet boy adjusting to life with a live-in partner. He’s 28 and in his first serious relationship. He’s got a nice turn of phrase, using some old-fashioned expressions like ‘frowned upon.’ He tells a story about taking a roast chook to a nightclub and attempting to scare his partner in the dark. The three of them are nice boys, white boys, straight boys, boys you could take home to your mum, to your grandma even. Except maybe that John Hammond…he’s got a quirky personality and a darker edge than the others and comes out with things you won’t have heard before. He’s skilled at using audience members to hang his comedy on – in the way Rich Hall does – and he has the most original imagination of them all. His stories are paced more slowly but when you do laugh, you’re really laughing. He makes mention a few times about being
RHYS NICHOLSON
MAX & IVAN
FORWARD
THE END
A self-proclaimed specialist in the field of “good oldfashioned, hard-working Australian filth”, Nicholson nevertheless avoids relying solely upon cheap vulgarities for laughs. His observations are astute and wellconsidered, with the occasional sprinkling of crassness added for flavour. For those sensing red flags, fear not: Nicholson is not truly offensive, only playfully off-colour. There’s no ill-will here, rather cheeky, clever asides, with a dash or two of acidic self-deprecation. That Nicholson has notably continued to diversify and hone his craft since this show’s fantastic predecessor, Eurgh, is absolutely to his credit. There’s a maturity at play in Forward, even if some of the jokes would suggest otherwise. In this show, Nicholson riffs on menial jobs, the peculiar traits of Gen Y and the hypocrisy at the heart of anarchist movements. Overall though, thematically, Forward is largely concerned with the future, as Nicholson ponders his legacy and considers shifting attitudes towards homosexuality. Nicholson’s charisma is pronounced,
Max Olesker and Ivan Gonzalez are well-known faces at MICF these days and won a nomination for a Barry Award back in 2013. But they haven’t lost any of their sparkle - the show is as fast-paced, witty and hilarious as ever. This year’s offering introduces us to the fairly unremarkable Sudley-On-Sea, a small English town that time appears to have left behind. It’s full of the usual small-town colourful locals, who Max & Ivan bring to life as only the best of sketch can. The story twists and turns as Sudley-on-Sea heads towards nuclear meltdown (long story) and follows the fate of each of the characters. As in all the shows, incredible writing leads to some phenomenal story intersections and call-backs and a touching and emotional finale. One of the highlights of the show was a fast-paced scene towards the end, as the characters do their best to enjoy the final hours of their lives in the town and possibly on earth. Flashing quickly between stories we see a pair
PAGE 32
family, witty attacks at Tony Abbott and the #notallmen movement, surprise corpses and, of course, some magic tricks. In lesser hands, many of Leung’s jokes would have the potential to offend, however Leung’s cheeky and goodnatured mode of storytelling ability to poke fun at himself means that such worries quickly disappear. Dorky, goofy and affable, Leung is refreshingly charming & an utter joy to watch. BY MYF CLARK
beckoning you to engage with every word. Nicholson’s technique is astonishingly good, too, the young comic an expert in potent one-two punch lines. Nicholson habitually tickles with a second quip before you’ve even had a moment to digest his first, creating a kind of comedic ripple effect. This mode of quickfire delivery is incredibly effective and is only strengthened by Nicholson’s natural ability to adlib. Everything about Nicholson’s act screams confidence and you know you’re in capable hands from the outset. Forward marks another impressive hour from Nicholson and confirms his credentials as one the very best standup comedians this festival has to offer. BY NICK MASON
born three months premature, which isn’t interesting until the end where he pays it off with some startling info. Hammond is definitely the most original and charismatic of the three. McGhie is the most typical comedian, you’ve seen his type over and over again; he took a while to warm up but he’s certainly funny, and tells a good story about shopping, getting fit and some really funny riffs on Melbourne hipsters. The avocado routine was priceless. Crowd-pleasers. BY LIZA DEZFOULI
of competitive tapestry-weaving sisters find mutual understanding, a long-term married couple consummate their relationship in tremendously x-rated fashion (is spitting into someone’s crotch a thing?) and a father and son make their peace after years of resentment. God help me they even find a way to fit an entire shadowpuppet scene into the proceedings. It’s as strong as any of the shows Max & Ivan have brought to Melbourne and if you’re a sketch fan, seeing this show is an absolute no-brainer. BY ISABELLE ODERBERG
BEAT’S 2015 MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL COVERAGE BROUGHT TO YOU BY GRAVITY ESPRESSO
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on tour
electronic + urban + club life 18 months ago, they decided to start recording and performing as a collective, rather than as individual groups, which led to the release of Mainline – their debut album that laded #2 on the ARIA charts. Following this, they toured for the first time as One Day, and also started throwing their increasingly popular One Day Sunday block parties.
JURASSIC 5 [USA]
One Day Sundays are a monthly block party hosted by One Day which, by popular demand, is now being held all across the country. The group began One Day Sundays because they simply wanted something to do in their hometown in Sydney on a Sunday afternoon. “We wanted somewhere where we could go in the afternoon, have a few drinks, and play and listen to music that we were into. It started pretty small – us and a few friends just going out the pub while we were spinning some tunes. Then, would you believe, a bunch more people also wanted something do on a Sunday and now we take it across the country.”
Wednesday April 1, Festival Hall AUDIOFLY [ESP], MARTIN BUTTRICH [USA], BLOND:ISH [UK] Friday April 3, TBA LUMINOX [USA] Friday April 3, Laundry Bar INNER VARNIKA: DONATO DOZZY [ITA],
APRIL
TERREKE [USA] + MORE
one day word s / ga b b i j o h n sto n
Friday April 3 - Sunday April 5, TBA MOBB DEEP [USA] Saturday April 11, The Espy
Seven guys, four groups, and one super-group – One Day is the next big thing in Australian hip hop. You may recognise them as the supporting DJs at Drake’s most recent Australian tour, or from behind the DJing desk at their monthly One Day Sundays events, or you might have even heard one of their many singles that have made their way into triple j’s Hottest 100. However you’ve heard about them, it’s easy to see how One Day have been making a name for themselves since officially forming eighteen months ago, and are now a force to be reckoned with.
TEREKKE [USA] Saturday April 11, Lounge JAMES ZABIELA [UK] Friday April 17, Brown Alley LUKE VIBERT [UK]
One Day was formed from a group of guys who had been friends since high school. Knowing each other so well for so long meant they also worked exceptionally well together. “We’re pretty honest with each other. We all have similar
Friday April 17, Boney JULIO BASHMORE [UK] Friday April 24, Brown Alley
news
PEACHES [CAN] Friday May 1, The Hi-Fi BRODINSKI [FRA]
w i t h
AFFKT [ESP]
They soon formed their own groups within One Day – Horrowshow, Spit Syndicate, Jackie Onassis, and Joyride. Each group had their turn at touring with and supporting each other, so by the time they came together to tour as a collective, they had already had a lot of experience touring and working together. “When we played our first One Day gig in Sydney, there was something a bit special about playing at home at The Enmore, which is in the inner west which is the area where we all live in. That was definitely a big moment.”
They plan to put a significant amount of effort into their stage show to make it different to anything they’ve ever done before. The Many Hands tour will be the beginning of a huge year for One Day, filled with shows, tours, album releases, side projects, and even securing their very own office. “It’s gonna be pretty turnt up...we’re really excited!”
Catch One Day on Friday May 1 at the Prince Bandroom.
future music festival
t yson
w ray
“I don’t care how much you love trance music, it’s entirely your right to be fundamentally wrong about music.” omg ily Daniel Kitson.
Friday May 8, New Guernica
interests, we all like touring and getting on the road...We’re all pretty dedicated to music as well...I guess at the end of the day we all like having fun.”
- head to beat .com.au for more
off the record
Friday May 8, Brown Alley
Ø [PHASE] [BEL] Friday May 15, Brown Alley UPCOMING
What started off as them and a small group of friends has catapulted into something that they could have never imagined. In fact, One Day have been so stoked with the success of their block parties, that they plan on bringing that atmosphere and vibe to their Many Hands tour in April. “We want it to be a bit different and definitely want it to be fun. I don’t want to give too much of it away, but we want to take it up a notch with a stage show”
EDU IMBERNON [ESP] Sunday May 17, Revolver Upstairs KYLE HALL [USA]
Mushroom Group have announced the end of Future Music Festival. Mushroom Group have put the decision, which they say was not made lightly, down to underperforming ticket sales over the last two years. Future Music Festival began as a one-day event in Sydney in 2006, before expanding to an annual national touring festival in 2007. While Mushroom Group have expressed that they believe the day of the large scale travelling festival in its current form is numbered, they are developing a new festival concept which is planned for the same time period previously held by Future Music Festival, at the end of February and beginning of March. They will continue to focus on touring through Frontier Touring, A Day On The Green, boutique music festival Sugar Mountain and under 18 music event Good Life.
affkt Marc Martinez Nadal aka AFFKT has locked in an Australian tour. The house and techno titan is one of the most experimental names in the game, is a regular on the seminal Suara label, and runs his very own imprint Sincopat.. Get deep on the dance floor on Friday May 8 at New Guernica.
Saturday May 23, TBA STEVE BUG [GER]
brodinski
Friday May 29, Brown Alley
Brodinski has carved his own niche as a pioneer of experimental leftfield dance music with a succession of forward-thinking projects. These include co-founding the influential Bromance label collective; coproducing material on Kanye West’s Yeezus album alongside label-mate Gesaffelstein; landing residencies at BBC Radio 1 and RinseFM France; and working with the likes of Danny Brown, Suicideyear, Kaytranada and Theophilus London. Catch him on Friday May 8 at Brown Alley.
EARTHCORE: DANNY DAZE [USA], CHRIS LIEBING [UK], MISS KITTIN [UK] + MORE Thursday November 26 - Monday November 30, Pyalong tour rumours DJ Koze, Nina Kraviz, Bicep, Motor City Drum Ensemble, Alex Niggemann
kyle hall Detroit house and techno wunderkind Kyle Hall will return to Melbourne later this year. Having being mentored by luminaries such as DJ Raybone Jones, Rick Wilhite and Mike Huckaby, Hall has released on the likes of Warp, Clone Records, Hypercolour and Objektivity, and has graced the decks of hallowed clubs such as fabric, Panorama Bar, Circo Loco and Warehouse Project, just to name a few. Catch him on Saturday May 23. Venue
23 MEYERS PLACE, MELBOURNE 3000 4PM TO LATE | 7 DAYS A WEEK P: (03) 9654 0500 LOOPONLiNE.COM.AU
One of the leading names from the impenetrable L.I.E.S. imprint is coming to town. With a steady slew of all-killer no-filler releases since 2011, Terreke is one of the most exciting up-and-comers in the techno game. To make his debut trek Down Under even more special, he’ll be bringing over his very selectively toured live show. He’ll hit Lounge on Saturday April 11.
April 10
April 11
EArth rAdio: EmErsE
ElEctro storm diggin thE Andy Maggio, MiniMule, slownEss Gav Whitehouse (UK),
tEchnosis
James Winter, Rudy Pitty Burningman, VJ Dan
DJ Miss Goldie, Daniel Harvey and Dave Wickerson
F R E E E N T R Y, 1 0 P M
F R E E E N T R Y, 8 P M
F R E E E N T R Y, 1 0 P M
Asdasfr Bawd, Hypersleep, Tetramorphia, Jekyll, Andronius, Subsonic, Austin Driscoll F R E E E N T R Y, 1 0 P M
electronic - urban - club life
April 17
terreke
April 18
Dave Pham, Caine Sinclair Herc Kass, Danny Dobbs J-Slyde, Simon Murphy Aaron Static 33
club guide wednesday april 8
snaps laundry
HOUSE, ELECTRO, TRANCE & CLUB NIGHTS
• MELLOW DIAS THUMP Ferdydurke, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. • REVOLVER WEDNESDAYS FEAT: DAN SAN Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 7:00pm. • THURSDAY 9 APR HOUSE, ELECTRO, TRANCE & CLUB NIGHTS
• 3181 THURSDAYS - FEAT: HANS DC WITH GET BU$Y + JESSE YOUNG + WHO & SAM GUDGE Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 6:00pm. • CRATE INVADERS Ferdydurke, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. • DANCE TECHNIQUE - FEAT: POST PERCY + GROOVE CONTROL + BEN RYAN New Guernica, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. . • FLANAGANS THURSDAYS FEAT: DJ ONTIME + COLONEL Pier Live, Frankston. 8:00pm. . • RUIN Little & Olver, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. • THE RITZ - FEAT: KEN WALKER + ANDO + JOSHUA GILLILAND Trak Lounge Bar, Toorak. 10:00pm. $20.00. • VARSITY - FEAT: PAZ + MATT RAD + PYZ Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 6:00pm. • XS DISCO - FEAT: VARIOUS ARTISTS Onesixone, Prahran. 8:00pm. .
friday april 10 HOUSE, ELECTRO, TRANCE & CLUB NIGHTS
• #MASHTAG - FEAT: NU-GEN + MALPRACTICE + FLAGRANT Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. • BIG MOUTH FRIDAY CLUB FEAT: DJ OBLIVEUS Big Mouth, St Kilda. 9:00pm. • CAN’T SAY Platform One, Melbourne. 9:00pm. • CHEEKY TIKI FRIDAYS La Di Da, Melbourne Cbd. 5:00pm. $20.00. • CIROQ FRIDAYS Cq, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. • EARTH RADIO- EMERSE + ASDASFR BAWD + HYPERSLEEP + TETRAMORPHIA + JEKYLL + ANDRONIUS + SUBSONIC + AUSTIN DRISCOLL Loop, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. • FABULOUS FRIDAYS Co., Southbank. 8:00pm. • FAKE TITS - FEAT: BOOGS + SPACEY SPACE + SUNSHINE +
SAMMY LA MARCA + BUTTERS + ADAM BARTAS + JUNGLE JIM Tramp, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. $15.00. • FREE SEX & MONEY - FEAT: KAYSH + VIKTOR + KIKI + CHIARA KICKDRUM + VOLTA + SHANNON BRIGGS + NEO + LANI G + VJ KS La Di Da, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. • FRIDAYS @ ONESIXONE - FEAT: JEN TUTTY + LUKE MCD + LEWIE DAY + PREQUEL + KATIE DROVER + MITCH KURZ + MIC NEWMAN + TOM EVANS + JOEL ALPHA + LIAM WALLER + AARON TROTTMAN + NICK JONES + JESSE YOUNG + ANDRAS FOX + JAC OSCAR WILKINS Onesixone, Prahran. 8:00pm. • LA DANSE MACABRE Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. . • LUCK TRUCK FRIDAYS DOWNSTAIRS Lucky Coq, Windsor. 9:00pm. • MAMA SAID - FEAT: CHINA + BRIAN FANTANA + EDDIE STEPHENS + JACOB MALMO + OLIVER JAMES + MATT KOVIC + LIAM WALLER Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 11:00pm. • OMG FRIDAYS Seven Nightclub, South Melbourne. 10:00pm. $20.00. • PANORAMA FRIDAYS UPSTAIRS - FEAT: PHATO A MANO + MR.GEORGE + MATT RADD + ASH-LEE Lucky Coq, Windsor. 9:00pm. • REVOLVER FRIDAYS - FEAT: MIKE SHANNON + MIKE CALLANDER + KATIE DROVER + SAFARI + WHO Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 7:00pm. • SUITE SELECTIONS Ferdydurke, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. • THE EMERSON CLUB FRIDAYS The Emerson, South Yarra. 3:00pm. . • THERAPY FRIDAYS - FEAT: STEVIE MINX + MATTY G + APAX + CHRIS MAC Level 3 @ Crown, Southbank. 8:00pm. $20.00.
saturday april 10 HOUSE, ELECTRO, TRANCE & CLUB NIGHTS
• ANYWAY - FEAT: VARIOUS DJS Bottom End, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. • AUDIOPORN SATURDAYS FEAT: DR. ZOK + JAMES WARE + GREG SARA + JACOB MALMO + TOM EVANS + ROWIE Onesixone, Prahran. 9:00pm. $15.00. • BIG DANCING - FEAT: GET BUSY
+ MAFIA + MAT CANT Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. • BIG MOUTH SATURDAYS FEAT: DJ ROWIE + ANDYCAN + NACKERS Big Mouth, St Kilda. 9:00pm. • CQ SATURDAYS Cq, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. • CUSHION SATURDAYS Cushion, St Kilda. 9:00pm. • DRIFTERS INN - FEAT: ARA KOUFAX + SLEEP D + TOM DAY + OTIOUS + TOMSK + WAYCLOUD + DEVONPORT + LIFEWORLD + CHRISTIAN TANT 524 Flinders, Melbourne. 3:00pm. $30.00. • ELECTRIC DREAMS Co., Southbank. 8:00pm. $20.00. • ELECTRO STORM - FEAT: ANDY MAGGIO + MINIMULE + GAV WHITEHOUSE + JAMES WINTER + RUDY PITTY BURNINGMAN + VJ DAN Loop, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. • HARDRIVE - FEAT: DAVID SPACE + TEE DUBYA + OSWALD + BROTHER FOX + ALASKA Little & Olver, Fitzroy. 5:00pm. • LOOK LISTEN Ferdydurke, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. • MANIA - FEAT: TEREKKE + CALE SEXTON + DAZE + SLEEP D + BABY BJORN Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. • MANIA - FEAT: TEREKKE + CALE SEXTON + DAZE + SLEEP D + BABY BJORN Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. $15.00. • MIKE SHANNON Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 10:00pm. • PLATFORM ONE SATURDAY NIGHTS Platform One, Melbourne. 9:00pm. • PONY SATURDAYS La Di Da, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. . • SATURDAY MORNING - FEAT: SUNSHINE Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 7:00am. • SEVEN SATURDAY DISCOTHEQUE Seven Nightclub, South Melbourne. 10:00pm. $20.00. • SHENANIGANS - FEAT: RADIO CHOAS Pier Live, Frankston. 8:00pm. • TEDDY’S Trak Lounge Bar, Toorak. 10:00pm. $25.00. • TEXTILE SATURDAYS - FEAT: KODIAK KID + D’FRO + JENS BEAMIN Lucky Coq, Windsor. 9:00pm. • THE LATE SHOW - FEAT: REX + DANIELSAN + PAZ + LEWIS CANCUT + DONALDS HOUSE & NAISE + DAVID SPACE Revolver
Upstairs, Prahran. 7:00pm.
• THIRD CHAPTER (GET LOOSE OR FLY TRYING) Rubix Warehouse, Brunswick. 1:00pm. $15.00. • TRAMP SATURDAYS Tramp, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. . • WHITE NOISE Railway Hotel (brunswick), Brunswick. 8:00pm. • WHITENOISE - FEAT: CHESTWIG + SORCERESS + BEN ABRAHAMS + JACOB MALMO + MARTA KODO + LUKE LAWRENCE + GRAHAMOS + TIM MEYER Railway Hotel (brunswick), Brunswick. 2:00pm. $15.00.
wednesday april 8
BIG MOUTH, ST KILDA. 10:00PM. .
thursday april 9
• AFTER DINNER MINT - FEAT: DJ JMCEE BIG MOUTH, ST KILDA. 10:00PM. .
• STRAY & SKURGEONE + THOSE GUYS +
DEAD FERMATA + REFLEKT & DJ SECRETS + 42 SOUTH + JURO Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. .
friday april 10
• BLACKSTREET TRAK LOUNGE BAR, TOORAK. 7:00PM. $55.00. • BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY - FEAT: DJ RCEE + KAHLUA + DJ SHOOK + DJ ANGEL JAY Chaise Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. . • DEX (SOMETHING TO SAY LAUNCH) + ELOJI + CHEVY LEVETT + BOILERMAKERS NARLY + DIMMY & SAM EDWARDS Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $12.00. • DEX (SOMETHING TO SAY MIXTAPE LAUNCH) - FEAT: DEXTER + ELOJI + CHEVY LEVETT + NARLY + MATT OKINE + SAM
34
EDWARDS + DIMMY Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. $12.00. • FAKTORY FRIDAYS - FEAT: DAMION DE SILVA + K DEE + DURMY Khokolat Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 9:30pm. . • GET LIT - FEAT: TWERKSHOP + GET BU$Y + D’FRO + NAM Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. .
saturday april 11
• DEX (SOMETHING TO SAY LAUNCH) + ELOJI + CHEVY LEVETT + BOILERMAKERS NARLY + DIMMY & SAM EDWARDS LAUNDRY BAR, FITZROY. 8:00PM. $12.00. • FOOTISE, SK!TZ BEATZ & DJ BPM + FOOTSIDE + SK!TZ BEATZ & DJ BPM + ONE PUF DJS + SMASH BROS Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. $20.00. • KHOKOLAT KOATED SATURDAYS - FEAT: DAMION DE SILVA + K DEE + DURMY + TIMOS Khokolat Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 9:30pm. . • RHYTHM NATION SATURDAYS - FEAT: DJ TIMOS + DJ KAHLUA + DJ ANGE M & ANDY PALA Chaise Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $10.00.
electronic - urban - club life
khokolat koated
sunday april 11 HOUSE, ELECTRO, TRANCE & CLUB NIGHTS
• ENCORE - FEAT: DAN SLATER + ADAM LOVE The Emerson, South Yarra. 9:00pm. • JUNGLE - FEAT: HANDS DOWN + ZAC DEPETRO + PETE LASKIS + TRAVLOS + JOHN DOE Tramp, Melbourne Cbd. 6:00am. $15.00. • MOVE YOUR FEET (VANUATU BENEFIT) The Shadow Electric, Abbotsford. 2:00pm. $13.00. • NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH - FEAT: DYLAN B + LYDDY + DANIEL FABRIS + BILLY FLIPPER + UDMO + PACKPRESS + CHRIS KINGS Ferdydurke, Melbourne Cbd. 12:00pm. • REVOLVER SUNDAYS - FEAT: BOOGS + SPACEY SPACE + RADIATOR + SILVERSIX + T-REK Revolver Upstairs, Prahran. 7:00pm. . • SPITROAST SUNDAYS Cushion, St Kilda. 10:00pm. • WAX ON WAX OFF Lucky Coq, Windsor. 7:00pm.
monday april 13 HOUSE, ELECTRO, TRANCE & CLUB NIGHTS
• MONDAY STRUGGLE - FEAT: TIGER FUNK Lucky Coq, Windsor. 6:00pm.
tuesday april 14 HOUSE, ELECTRO, TRANCE & CLUB NIGHTS
• AO + MOW + MIMICRY Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 9:30pm. $3.00.
• SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY Bimbo Deluxe, Fitzroy. 7:00pm.
• TWERKSHOP Boney, Melbourne Cbd. 6:30pm. $15.00.
urban club guide • AFTER DINNER MINT - FEAT: DJ HOOKEY
snaps
sunday april 12
• AFTER DINNER MINT - FEAT: DJ TRAVESTY
& DANNY DOBS BIG MOUTH, ST KILDA. 5:00PM. . • BE. SUNDAYS Co., Southbank. 10:00pm. $15.00.
monday 13 april
• AFTER DINNER MINT - FEAT: DJ CLEGS BIG MOUTH, ST KILDA. 10:00PM. .
tuesday april 14
• AFTER DINNER MINT - FEAT: DJ K-SWIZZLE BIG MOUTH, ST KILDA. 10:00PM.
faktory
STEVE SMY TH EXIT EVERYTHING
By Augustus Welby Last September, New South Wales travelling tune-maker Steve Smyth released his second LP Exits. Upon the album’s release, Smyth jumped on a mammoth 45-date Australian tour. After postponing a few shows due to a jaw injury (sustained in a physical assault incident), Smyth actually extended the tour to include more than 80 dates, which he’ll complete in early May. “We really set out to get into Australia and not just see the capital cities,” he says. “It’s been beautiful meeting so many great people; a lot of them have let us into their homes and you feel that if you come back around that way, you’ve always got a friend. That’s almost as important as playing the shows, having those experiences. Not just a tour bus into a venue and a tour bus out. There’s parties you get invited back to... That’s all part of the great times.” The final stage of the Exits tour includes some of Smyth’s biggest shows to date. Following on from multiple slots at Bluesfest last weekend, this Saturday night, he’ll take over Howler. These gigs are a sure contrast to the cramped bars and taverns, caravan parks and sidewalks he’s visited throughout the last seven months. But even when performing for a tiny audience, Smyth makes the most of the occasion. “I don’t think I’ve been a hyped man at any point; I don’t expect to be and I don’t really want to be,” he says. “If there’s five people at the show, then that’s a good time. The shows where there’s 50 people crammed into a little room are the most precious. There’s a few moments in each show where you’re so present and you all feel like you’re in a room together. It’s like a big conversation, like sitting down at a big family gathering with the extended cousins that you don’t really know too well, but you know there’s something that binds you.” Performing night after night for more than half a decade, Smyth could easily have developed an onstage routine by now, which would allow him to work on autopilot. However, such a suggestion ignores the fact that Smyth isn’t just an entertainer carrying out a commercial function. Rather, he aims to enact a spiritual exchange. “I don’t do yoga or meditation, but there’s different experiences every time people do that,” he says. “It’s
the same in music. I’m pushing into a certain place and there are certain triggers that push me a bit further into that meditative state, where the world ceases to exists a lot more than any other time in your day. I never want it to be pre-programmed. That would be horrible. Whenever I feel like I’m getting too close to that, something drastic happens. It’d be a shame to feel like I’ve got tricks up my sleeve and it’s not something that’s coming from an honest place.” At first listen, Exits is something of a bumpy ride. Tracks like Get On ± powered by a hard stomp, coated with demented electric guitar and topped off by Smyth’s murderous howl ± stand in harsh contrast to the sweetly subdued Written or Spoken, which features orchestral flourishes and gently plucked classical guitar. After building a relationship with the record, however, Exits becomes less a composite of competing characteristics than a depiction of Smyth’s multi-faceted artistry. For Smyth himself, living with the songs day-in day-out, a similar evolution has occurred. “In the studio, it’s like being at a hospital and these tunes are just freshly born and they don’t really know how to walk or talk,” he says. “By the end of touring, they’ve metamorphosed and gone through many changes. It’s like getting a nice pair of shoes. You fork out a fair bit of money to get those nice shoes and they fucking blister and they bleed and you’re sore as shit. But then, by the end of a couple of months, they’re sacred and they get their own character.” Prior to wrapping up his Australian tour, Smyth briefly ducked over to the US for a stint at South by South West. It’s become trendy for artists to bad-mouth SXSW, which often stems from the struggle to make a major impact amid such a mass of artists. But it should come as no surprise Smyth not only relished every show, but he also had some off-kilter experiences. “You can’t not embrace it with wide open eyes, and we
sure did,” he says. “When we landed in, we had a big night. I walked out of a tattoo that I didn’t pay for and went back to a bar and I got this message on my phone saying that the tattoo artist was coming to my show. So I was like, ‘Holy fuck,’ and I went back in the next day to pay, thinking that I would be beaten with a baseball bat. But they had big open arms like, ‘Oh, dude I knew you’d come back’.” Limbs in tact, Smyth will kick off a lengthy European tour in May. It’s safe to say his journeyman predilection
isn’t weakening. “It’s been beautiful to be back in Australia and I’ve fallen in love with it,” he says, “but I’m not sure what’s to come after this. Once I get back to Europe, I’m not sure when I’ll be back.”
four or five songs that didn’t make the cut onto the deluxe record and that way everyone was happy.” Young Chasers is brimming with English indie-rock anthems. Their singles Get Away, So Long and their latest, T-Shirt Weather, have become instant favourites among fans of early-sounding Artic Monkeys, The Libertines and The Strokes. “It’s horrible here in England, so I feel bad that I wrote a song about t-shirt weather when it’s freezing cold. Australia was definitely on my mind,” Shudall says. It’s easy to believe him when he says that ± in fact, it seems they can’t stay away. “We’ve been down to play for you guys twice in less than 12 months. We played at your Splendour in the Grass festival last year ± that
was a mad gig. I think we might be playing it again this year. I hope that we do. “Our music seems to suit you guys really well. Every time we’ve come down there, our little fanbase has grown and grown. You’re fun-loving and our style seems to connect. We want to play music and be a little bit rock‘n’roll, so I think we’ll be back pretty soon.”
STEVE SMYTH will be making an appearance at The Workers Club in Geelong on Friday April 10, Howler on Saturday April 11 and Karova Lounge on Sunday April 12. Exits is out through Ivy League.
C I R C A WAV E S CHASING A DREAM
By Natalie Rogers Growing up in Liverpool, you’re often forced to ask yourself one simple question: Lennon or McCartney? At least, that’s the way Kieran Shudall tells it. Though it appears the Circa Waves frontman and chief songwriter is in a quandary, as he refuses to pick a side. “To be honest, I switch between them quite a lot. I love Paul McCartney’s writing in The Beatles and I think I prefer Lennon’s away from The Beatles,” Shudall ponders. “Lennon’s Imagine album is one of my favourite records of all time, whereas Paul McCartney’s solo albums [he pauses] ± I ’m not a massive fan. “But for those two people to have found each other and started a band is such a fortunate thing. It must have been fate ± it’s so bizarre to think that it actually happened. They’re both ridiculously great songwriters and it’s amazing that they grew up just down the road from me. For a band to write that much amazing material in such a short space of time is, still to me, absolutely phenomenal. I think anyone who doesn’t like The Beatles is a bit weird, really.” Shudall admits that meeting Sam Rourke (bass), Colin Jones (drums) and Joe Falconer (lead guitar) at the Liverpool Sound City Festival in 2013 was either the start of something incredible or at least a lucky stroke of serendipity. “We all needed to be in a band at that point in time. We all sort of felt like lost causes,” Shudall says candidly. “We were all in separate bands that weren’t going well and doing jobs that weren’t very good ± in fact, we hated them. So I think Circa Waves came at the right time for everyone. It’s been a salvation for us, and has changed all of our lives drastically. From having zero money and working jobs that we hated, we’re now getting to travel the world and live our dreams. We’re all very fortunate to have found each other and to have started this band.” It seems likely we would’ve known his name eventually, whether as the frontman of a band or as a solo artist. “I’ve always been massively into the production side of music. I built a little studio for myself at home ± in fact,
that’s where I wrote Young Chasers.” Young Chasers is the second single (and title track) from Circa Waves’ debut album released late last month. Shudall reveals they wanted to maintain the lo-fi quality that his home recordings produced. “That’s something we admire about a lot of debut records, the fact that it sounds like a live band playing. If you listen to the Arcade Fire’s first record or the Artic Monkeys’ early stuff, it sounds like them. “No bells and whistles ± it’s straight down the line and that’s what we wanted to do with this record and I think we’ve achieved it. We recorded these songs simply by all playing together, just like we would at a live show, and that’s why it sounds the way it does. It was done in the most minimal way.” As simplistic as that sounds, Shudall believes the raw power and authentic quality would have been almost impossible to recreate without the help of Dan Grech, the prolific engineer, mixer and producer, who’s worked with everyone, from Radiohead to Lana Del Ray. He’s even had a hand in a couple of home-grown success stories such as Nothing To Do by Bleeding Knees Club and The Jezabels’ The Brink. “In terms of a safe pair of hands, you don’t really get any safer than Dan Grech. He’s so collaborative. We both worked together on everything,” Shudall explains. “He loves taking on everyone’s ideas and trying to work out how to get the sounds that are in my head onto the record.” While it may sound like everything was hunky dory during the recording process, Shudall hints at the fact that there may’ve been a few rows over choosing the final track list. “We recorded about 18 or 19 tracks ± it was quite difficult to whittle it down to those 13. So we decided the best way to keep the peace was to include
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Young Chasers out now through Dew Process/Virgin Records. BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 35
SOAK
LETTING IT ALL SINK IN
By Tom Clift
From an Austrian composer who wrote his first symphony at the age of five, to a brighteyed Canadian teenager whose YouTube cover songs made him a star, the history of music is full of individuals who got their start at an early age. Traditional wisdom would suggest that talent comes with experience, but the truth is that plenty of artists make waves well before reaching adulthood. Frankly, it’s a little embarrassing for the rest of us. Sure, you might be a half-way decent guitar player, but Michael Jackson had a #1 single before he was 12. The latest musician to make us ashamed of how little we’ve accomplished in life is 18-year-old Bridie Monds-Watson, better known by her stage name, SOAK. Since releasing her first EP Trains back in 2012, the Irish singer/songwriter has garnered plenty of attention for her beautiful, enigmatic vocals. The BBC, iTunes and Spotify all recently included her on their lists of artists to watch out for in 2015, and her debut album Before We Forgot How to Dream is scheduled to drop in May. “It was never like a plan,” says Monds-Watson. “I wasn’t a young person thinking I was going to be Beyoncé. I did it as a thing that I enjoyed doing. It was a way for me to sing songs and write things that I wouldn’t say normally... Stuff I made in my bedroom.” We’re speaking to Monds-Watson on the phone from New York City, where she’s in the middle of her first US tour. Although she’s no stranger to live shows, she admits her schedule has gotten a lot more hectic since signing a record deal with Rough Trade Records. “Just before Christmas last year, it got really quite intense and busy, and everything has gone quite fast.” she says. “I feel like I should feel more pressure than I actually do. But I’m a pretty relaxed person in general, and I don’t take things too seriously... I love being busy, and there’s so much opportunity, which is great.”
While it’s shaping up to be a colossal year for the young singer, the reality is that music has always been a big part of her life. “Growing up, my parents played tons of Pink Floyd and Joni Mitchell and Led Zeppelin and Bob Dylan,” she says. “Some nights, one of my parents would look after me and my siblings, and put on really aggressive Beethoven or Mozart, and we’d all run around the living room. So I’ve been subjected to tons of music growing up. A lot of the people that my parents made me listen to have been massive inspirations for me, and are artists and bands that I still listen to now.” From these early beginnings, Monds-Watson soon began writing songs of her own. “I don’t stick to any formula,” she says. “Sometimes I write the guitar first and then I write the lyrics, and sometimes I do it the opposite way. Usually I carry notebooks and write loads of stuff down. I write a lot about everyday experiences or experiences that meant something to me... A lot of my music is about growing up and things that happened between me and my mates, or me and my family.” Growing up is certainly a major theme of her upcoming
album. A collection of songs written over the course of her entire adolescence, it’s a very personal project that she calls “a good representation of [her] life,” and one that covers “a lot of things that people [her] age go through.” At the same time, Monds-Watson readily admits that hers is not what you’d call a typical teenage experience. “When I think about it in a calm moment, it’s quite amazing and unexpected and incredible,” she says with a chuckle. “Everyone who’s my age usually spends all their time with their mates. I guess that’s not my life at the moment and hasn’t been for quite a while.” Being away from home can occasionally get difficult for Monds-Watson. “I miss my friends,” she says. “Every opportunity I get to be home, I spend all my time with them. And I obviously miss my family. I think in general, because I’m doing such a different thing to most people my age, I miss out on like classic Friday and Saturday night parties.” Honestly, it doesn’t seem like things are going to get less busy for Monds-Watson any time soon. “Half the
time I don’t really know what I’m doing the next week,” she says. “I’m definitely doing one day at a time at the moment... I don’t really have like a specific month off or anything. Not for quite a while, especially in the lead up to my first ever record. There’s going to be a lot of touring.” Still, it seems like the trade-off is well worth it. “I’m having a really good time,” she assures us. “You start doing it for the love of it and then you fall into this system where you’re doing it for your income, and as a career. But I don’t think there’s a career I could do if I didn’t love it, because my songs are all about honesty and real life. If I couldn’t convey any emotion then there’d be no point in what I’m doing at all.”
Finding a way to steer those doubts and fears into songs that resonate with an audience is no simple task, but after four albums, Walker’s songwriting prowess has come a long way; in a very real sense, it has grown confident with experience. “I think I’m [more] comfortable in expressing myself lyrically than I was in the past. I think with each album I’ve found that. Maybe in the past I wouldn’t have necessarily shared certain songs, certain points of view. But I like who I am as a person more now, and I’m looking forward to exploring more. I don’t want to find
myself doing the same record twice. But that said, I also don’t want to see myself releasing that bubblegum pop record any time soon. Who knows?” Walker laughs, and for now, at least, he doesn’t sound anxious at all.
SOAK will be playing at The Shadow Electric on Friday April 17. Before We Forgot How To Dream set for release on Friday May 29, will be out through Rough Trade/Remote Control.
B E N N Y WA L K E R OUT OF THE WOODS
By Adam Norris Benny Walker is not an emerging artist. He hasn’t been for some time, despite winning the 2012 Victorian Indigenous Performing Arts Award for Best New Talent. In fact, by then, he already had several albums under his belt and was slowly developing a style that’s still evolving today. Yet speaking to him is one of those rare interview pleasures; an artist who is very open about his fears and anxieties, and someone whose musical map remains enticingly unexplored. “I’ve found myself in plenty of dark moods over the years,” Walker admits. “Or I could be talking with a friend who shared a similar experience, and from that, I might be able to take those ideas and develop a story. That’s the challenge: to tell a good story in three to five minutes. I guess others are going to be the judge if it works or not. I’ll try to have some story that needs to be resolved somehow, songs that overcome something. In saying that, it’s also fun to leave things open ended. You always try and give people a bit of a mix.” His latest album, Through The Forest, finds Walker wearing his struggles on his sleeve. You suspect there is little separation between singer and creation, and that the catharsis of sharing personal insights and observations must be quite strong. Yet, even when these songs were little more than a melody in Walker’s head and some words on a page, there was perspective to be had.
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“Usually there’ll be that kernel of truth you find that I try and build a song around. You try not to make things too personal of course, but I try to write songs that a lot of people could relate to, but still have quite a bit of intimacy to them, if that makes any sense. But it can be a challenge. Anyone who has gone through [anxiety] knows how hard it is to make something constructive from it. With the title track, I was in a bit of a down period. But I had my stuff set up, and felt like playing guitar. So I started playing, hit record, and caught what came out. I played it start to finish and sang the words off the top of my head. Then I went back, put headphones on, wrote it all out. I felt like that gave me a chance to look at the words on paper, and realise that, a lot of the time, you can get yourself worked up over nothing at all. People can have plenty of legitimate reasons to get anxious, but I was finding if I could wrote it down, it made things easier.”
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BENNY WALKER is playing at The Thornbury Theatre on Friday April 10, Suttons House of Music in Ballarat on Saturday April 18, and Mount Beauty Music Festival from Friday April 24 to Sunday April 26. Through The Forest is out now.
ALICE COOPER DEAD AND LOVING IT
By David James Young Vincent Furnier (better known as Alice Cooper) is one of rock’s truest survivors; with a list of hits as long as your arm and a live show that will drop your jaw, even after all this time. At 67, Furnier keeps busy with not only his usual suspects – golf, touring, his longtime radio show Nights with Alice Cooper – but with new and interesting projects to keep him on his toes. The latest is a new album, his first in four years, in which he enlists some living friends to help pay tribute to the dead. “I got to be friends with Johnny Depp,” begins Furnier, who nonchalantly delivers what would be an incredibly exciting sentence for most. “We did a film together called Dark Shadows and really hit it off. Johnny is a great guitar player and every once in a while, if he was in town, we’d get him up to play with us. One night, we got talking about all of my dead, drunk friends; and, somehow, it managed to turn into the idea of a covers album where I glorified and paid tribute to all of them.” Set for release within the year, the album will be entitled The Hollywood Vampires, which was the name of the drinking club Furnier assembled during his wilder years. “There are songs on there by The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, The Who, Harry Nilsson, T-Rex... All of these people that I’d been friends with and that I loved,” he says. “Johnny ended up playing on every track, and Joe Perry [from Aerosmith] ended up joining in, too. We had so many friends and all of these different people come in and track with us... Even Paul McCartney came in one night.” At the same time, as he prepares a new album, Furnier is also looking back at the 40-year anniversary of the monumental Welcome to My Nightmare LP. The album officially marked the end of Alice Cooper: the band; as well as the beginning of Alice Cooper: the solo artist. The name may have stayed the same, but the circumstances surrounding it would never be the same from there on out. “It was really the epitome of what I was trying to achieve with the original band,” says Furnier in reflection on the album and subsequent tour. “Each album was more and more theatrical; the shows kept getting bigger and bigger. It reached a breaking point – we were exhausted. We’d been touring for six years straight at that stage, and there I was pitching a two-year tour where we kept
going and going. I took every penny I had and I put it into this production, this show, called Welcome to My Nightmare. It was a total roll of the dice. I knew it was either going to be brilliant or idiotic. Luckily, it was a hit.” When Furnier and his band return to Australia in May, it will, for the first time ever, not be as a headlining act. Instead, he’ll be joining hair-metal heroes Mötley Crüe as their opener. It’s how Furnier has toured for nearly a year; and will stay with the band until their final-ever show on New Year’s Eve. Although it came across as an odd pairing to many, Furnier insists their union is one that makes perfect sense; allowing things to come full circle for the Crüe as they reach the end. “Production at rock shows had gotten so big in the ‘70s, you definitely noticed when all the big bands in the ‘80s were incorporating it – Bon Jovi, Guns ‘n Roses, Mötley Crüe, bands like that,” explains Furnier. “I looked at that as being quite a compliment, but in a way, I viewed it as competition. ‘These kids are great,’ I thought, ‘but I’m still here. I still want to blow them off the stage.’ All these years later, the Mötley guys called me up and told me about their tour – not a farewell, a final-ever tour. They said I was a huge inspiration to everything about the band... They wanted me to help send them out in style. I said yes immediately – it’s a great package. My band are bringing it every night, Mötley are bringing it every night... The audience is really the one that benefits the most from a tour like this.” Of course, this is far from Furnier’s first proverbial rodeo when it comes to touring Australia. He notes it’s always been a place he and the rest of the band and crew look forward to perhaps the most out of anywhere when plotting out world tours – even if his first time here proved to be a hilariously humble learning experience. “I was staying at a hotel in Sydney and I woke up
after some major jetlag,” says Furnier. “I looked out of my window, onto my balcony, and there were all these people all the way down there. I could hear this...” Cooper then assumes the character of the collective, starting up a muffled chant: “AHH-RFF, AHH-RFF.” He continues: “I thought that they were all chanting, ‘A-lice, A-lice, A-lice,’ So there I am, waving at them like crazy, until I realised the chant was ‘AB-BA,
AB-BA, AB-BA,’ They were staying at the same hotel, one floor up from me. I looked up and waved at them [and said], ‘Oh, they’re chanting for you guys’.”
By the end of the week, we had a bunch of awesome vocal parts and we were like, ‘This has to be an album with vocals’.” The Ocean will head to Australia this month for a run of club shows, where they’ll perform Pelagial in full. Given its holistic nature, Pelagial leaves very little room for attentions to waver. “It’s a really visual show,” Staps says. “We want to suck the listener into our little cosmos that we’re roaming in. That is by means of the music first and foremost, but also the visuals and the lighting. It has a bit of film score feel to it, which is intensified by there being visuals. That’s what we were after, to not leave any pauses where people can applaud or get a beer at the
bar. We like to perform this as one block of music. You get into it and then you get out at the end, but not in between. “It’s a very predictable show if you know the record,” he adds, “but it wouldn’t make sense really to move stuff around. It was a huge challenge to write an album like that and then to perform it like that. I’m very happy we’ve managed to do it in a way that’s satisfying for us.”
Catch ALICE COOPER with Mötley Crüe at Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday May 12.
THE OCEAN
I T ’ S D E E P E S T, D A R K E S T D E P T H S
By Augustus Welby Words are abstractions; symbols designed to communicate what we experience in life. In some ways, music serves the same function. However, we tend to think musical compositions are capable of encompassing deeper feelings, which words can’t capture. According to this view, music taps into the sublime, the unfathomable, and the feelings evoked give us an indication of the limits of our rational understanding. The ocean is a simple symbol used to denote the enormous body of water that occupies two thirds of the planet’s surface. The ocean itself is by no means simple. It’s vastness, immense depth and complex ecosystems are the source of endless fascination; and too much to comprehend at once. The Ocean is also a progressive metal band from Berlin, which has a predilection towards dense instrumentation and conceptual subject matter. For the band’s latest record, 2013’s Pelagial, songwriter Robin Staps wanted to craft a musical analogue for the band’s namesake. Pelagial is one hour of continuous music, which unfurls as a journey through the separate layers of the ocean. At times, it’s a delicate and serene listen, at others it’s aggressive and remorseless. It’s safe to say composing an album of such ambitious scope requires a certain obsessive tenacity. “I wrote the album in a matter of three weeks,” says Staps. “That sounds quick, but it was three weeks of doing nothing else but writing music, so it’s a lot of hours. I’m a crazy perfectionist and I want to really be in control of everything when it comes to writing. So I do drive myself crazy, but it’s a rewarding experience. “It’s not that I’m stressing myself the whole time,” he adds. “I wrote the album in a house on the Spanish coast looking out to the sea – an incredibly inspiring place I’ve been going to since I was a child. When I’m there, things flow and happen naturally. When I get tired, I jump in the sea and take a swim and then I get new ideas.” Staps’ relatively relaxed approach to this gargantuan project could be explained by the fact that Pelagial isn’t The Ocean’s first concept album. However, the nature of this project did put him up against a brand new challenge.
“Pelagial ’s different from any of our previous records, mainly in [its] holistic approach to it,” he says. “The ‘Centric records [Heliocentric, Anthropocentric] were also conceptual records, but more from a lyrical, philosophical point of view. Pelagial was the first record that was really written as one piece of music from the beginning to the end.” Interestingly, Staps planned Pelagial as an entirely instrumental work. It wasn’t until late in the recording process that The Ocean vocalist Loïc Rossetti expressed interest in making a contribution. “All the vocals were written very rushed, after the album had been done,” Staps says. “That’s what a lot of people don’t really see and that makes me happy because that means it’s worked out well.” At first, the addition of vocals posed something of a dilemma for Staps. Having fleshed out the album’s concept in the instrumentals, he feared lyrics would blemish his vision. To evade this danger, Rossetti’s lyrics portray a separate conceptual journey, which looks into the depths of the human psyche. “I really couldn’t even imagine vocals on the record by the time the instrumental songwriting process was finished,” Staps says. “Part of the decision why I wrote this to be instrumental is that Loïc was very ill. The other thing was that the whole album concept didn’t really seem to allow for vocals. It’s a journey from the surface [to] the bottom of the sea. What are you going to sing about? Sperm whales fighting giant squid? “Then Loïc recovered and wanted to be on the record, so we decided to record vocals for the last two tracks of the record. We did that and it sounded great, then we started fooling around, trying out bits and pieces here and there and had some really cool ideas. Loïc and me together have really cool creative feedback in the studio.
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Check out THE OCEAN at The Evelyn Hotel on Saturday April 18 with Caligula’s Horse. Pelagial is out through Riot! Entertainment/Metal Blade. BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 37
WA R P E D
POPPING THEIR CHERRY
By Patrick Emery Todd Trevor had been in Melbourne less than a week when he caught Geelong rock’n’roll band Warped in the flesh. Trevor had just moved across to Melbourne from Tasmania with his band Mustang. Wandering along to The Punters Club on Brunswick Street, he was lucky enough to catch Warped in full flight. “I’d heard of them before I moved across here,” Trevor recalls. “But I hadn’t heard them play. And when I saw them at The Punters, it was awesome – they absolutely killed ‘em.” Little did Trevor know at the time, but he would soon find himself on stage as the band’s second guitarist. Guitarist Ben Watkins and drummer Cris Wilson had formed Warped originally in 1991 as teenagers in the pair’s hometown of Geelong; a decade later, and Warped’s incendiary rock’n’roll attack had made an indelible impression on Melbourne’s music scene. Trevor was working with Wilson behind the bar at The Town Hall Hotel in North Melbourne when Wilson mentioned Warped was contemplating getting a second guitarist. “I’d actually learnt the songs on the second Warped record, On the Make, so when Cris said they were looking for another guitarist, I said, ‘Well, I already know the songs’,” Trevor says. Shortly after, Trevor was drafted in to Warped, joining the band on its now legendary Seven Days in Sin, a seven-day straight festival of Warped gigs at The Town Hall Hotel. 13 years later, and Trevor can still remember – just – the excitement, energy and intensity of those gigs. “I remember having a lot of vodka in pineapple because we were responsible drinkers,” Trevor laughs. “Every night was absolutely packed, which was amazing because it’s usually pretty hard to pull a crowd on a Wednesday night. And because we did a different set every night, I had to learn a lot of songs.” At the time, Warped had established a reputation as one of Melbourne’s hardest working rock’n’roll bands.
Eventually, however, the strain took its toll on the members of the band. Trevor is diplomatic about the tensions within the band, choosing to put the matter down to the pressure associated with the band’s workload. “I’d walked into a pretty big workload,” Trevor says. “We were working and playing all the time, and because we worked so hard, we were getting offered a lot of shows. And then triple j got behind our record, Quicker Ways to Blacker Eyes, which was great. But eventually we cracked, and we couldn’t go on.” By the band’s last few gigs in 2004, the internal tensions had begun to creep into Warped’s live show. After a particularly fractious gig at The Hi-Fi Bar, the band members agreed to take a break; at Warped’s next gig, a few months later supporting The Bronx at Ding Dong lounge, it was clear time had not healed all of the group’s internal wounds. “Shit was still there when we played that gig,” Trevor says. “I still have a video of that show, and it’s pretty painful to watch, remembering what it was like. But watching it again helped us get over stuff when we decided to start playing again.” After announcing Warped’s breakup, the members went their separate ways and pursued different musical projects. Even while Warped was officially retired, the offers for the band to play had continued to dribble in, until in 2008, Warped decided to take to the stage again. “We’d already started talking again, and it was Cris who organised it all for us to play again,” Trevor says. “The first show we played was at Cherry and we had an absolute ball.”
“Since we’ve got back together, it’s got to be fun, first and foremost. We make sure every gig is fun, and that we play well.”
The reformed lineup now included a new bass player, Sam Crawford, who’d been playing in a country band with Cris Wilson. “I think by the time we started playing again we were a bit more experienced, a bit older; and I think we’re better players,” Trevor says. “And I think having Sam come along, because he’s a bit younger he’s put so much energy into the band.” Trevor’s decision to move to Western Australia shortly after Warped returned to the stage presented obvious challenges for the band (“I remember flying back to Melbourne for a gig and being her for less than 24 hours,” he laughs). But such logistical impediments only made the band’s resolve to make every gig fun even stronger. “Since we’ve got back together, it’s got to be fun, first and foremost,” Trevor says. “We make sure every gig is fun, and that we play well.” In May, Warped will play its first Cherry Rock Festival, an appearance Trevor says the band has been looking forward to ever since it reformed. “This festival is awesome – we’ve been trying to play Cherry for years, and it’s only now that the planets have lined up so we can get on the bill,” Trevor says. After its Cherry Rock show, Trevor says Warped will play one more show before taking a break to write and
practice some new material, which they hope to record eventually. “We’ve already got one new song in the set, and we have some other songs that we’re working on. But we want to get them right before we play them,” Trevor says. The realities of domestic and employment existence mean that Warped has to take advantage of every logistical opportunity that comes the band’s way. “We’ve got families and jobs to balance,” Trevor says. “But we’re still young at heart – we’re not old.”
These days, they’re satisfied with their reputation for quality stoner rock tunes and beastly live shows, but earlier on, their aspirations were of a broader scale. “You have a bit more lofty ideas when you’re a bit younger,” Cuffley says. “We had all these crazy ideas we were going to do amazing things. But since then, we’ve matured and we’re happy with where we are.” On the release front, My Left Boot haven’t led a prolific existence. They followed Season of Time with The Ward EP in 2008. Then in late 2012, their debut full length Summer Songs finally arrived. Having got that first album out of the way, Cuffley says their release frequency should become less sluggish. “We were always caught up in different ideas of how we were going to go about it, plus we’re hideously lazy as well. But after Summer Songs, which was a really great experience for us, we’ve made more effort to get stuff recorded. We do have some stuff recorded already and we’re working on more for the future, so we’ll probably have things released a bit more often from here on in.” One month after Bootfest, a considerably larger festival that takes over Cherry Bar and AC/DC Lane. Rising above disapproval from the venue’s nasty neighbours, on Sunday May 10, Cherry Rock returns for its ninth consecutive year. International acts Red Fang and
Beastwars are headlining the event, while My Left Boot join locals Child, Horsehunter and Fuck the Fitzroy Doom Scene on the bill. “[Cherry owner] James [Young] has been really supportive, definitely as of late,” Cuffley says. “He gives us really great support, he’s put us on some good shows and we’ve been having a lot of good times at Cherry. With many bands you talk to, there seems to be this continual conversation about how great the Melbourne scene is. I guess Cherry Rock really reflects that. Just look at Child, Doom Scene, Horsehunter; they’re incredible local bands that are of international quality. The way they play and their songwriting, it’s phenomenal.”
WARPED are hitting up CherryRock015 on Sunday May 10 in AC/DC Lane.
MY LEFT BOOT ON THE RIGHT FOOT
By Augustus Welby My Left Boot are ten years old and they’re making no secret of this milestone. In March 2005, the Melbourne-based four-piece rolled out their debut EP, Season of Time. Boasting an impressive stoner rock pedigree, the following month they leapt into the live arena. My Left Boot’s first show went down at The Commercial Hotel in Beechworth, and last weekend, they returned to the venue for an anniversary shindig. “[Guitarist Daniel Firth] and myself are from Beechworth,” says drummer Liam Cuffley. “So My Left Boot has always gone back and played shows because we have a bit of a following there. People get pretty raucous and rowdy up that way. It’s small enough to have not picked up on all the change in scenes, which is good.” Realising that a roadtrip to Beechworth is too much to ask of city dwellers, this weekend, My Left Boot are keeping the birthday buzz alive at Cherry Bar with Bootfest. Instead of hogging all the glory, they’ve thrown together a lineup jam-packed with their closest comrades, including Batpiss, Sherriff and Sun God Replica. “We put a dream list together of all the bands we’ve loved over the years,” Cuffley says. “Some of the bands are actually getting back together again to do this show, which is really exciting – Ancient Man, Lethal Binge and The Feel Goods. We would’ve liked to have more bands there, but it was hard to fit everyone in. We’ve played with so many great bands over the years – that’s been one of the best bits about it.” Ancient Man, Lethal Binge and The Feel Goods aren’t the only Melbourne rockers that’ve called it quits during My Left Boot’s lifetime. Likewise, there’ve been stacks of younger bands rise up the ranks. Despite such fluidity, Cuffley says the survival of My Left Boot has
never been in serious danger. “There’s been moments where it’s been tough, but I think we reached a point a few years ago where everyone was really happy with what we were doing. It feels more like a family than a band in a lot of ways. It seems silly to break up – no one would even think about it. “Most of us have played in other bands whilst we’ve been doing this, which has been really good for us,” he adds. “It always feels very nice to come back and play with My Left Boot. We play really naturally together now. After ten years of playing together, you can read each other’s mind a little bit.” Cuffley, Firth and frontman Matt Chapman have all been in the band from its inception (bassist Aston Cochrane joined later). Before forming My Left Boot, the members were already acquainted with the Melbourne rock scene. “Daniel and I previously played in a band which had worked pretty hard and toured quite extensively,” Cuffley says. “We didn’t want to let go of the lifestyle more than anything, plus we really enjoyed playing together. We got to meet Matt and we were absolutely blown away by him from the word go. It felt totally right at the time and it all came together really easily.” Relishing the rock musician lifestyle isn’t the only thing that’s motivated My Left Boot during the last ten years.
“We play really naturally together now. After ten years of playing together, you can read each other’s mind a little bit.”
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 38
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MY LEFT BOOT are playing at Bootfest on Saturday April 11 at Cherry, and are also playing at CherryRock015 on Sunday May 10.
CORE
PUNK, SKA, HARDCORE NEWS, REVIEWS & GOSSIP
By Emily Kelly: ek1984@gmail.com
Off With Their Heads frontman Ryan Young took to the band’s Facebook to defend his decision to walk off stage after being confronted with a rough and riotous crowd in Cincinnati. It’s been reported Young copped several cans and bottles to the head throughout his set, so he left the stage and shortly after wrote: “I don’t have to take shit from people. I gave multiple warnings. If you can’t control yourself and not threaten the band playing, then I’m leaving... Don’t try and do the ‘this is a punk show’ excuse. That’s called ‘The Idiot’s Excuse’. If you think that me standing up for myself and my friends isn’t punk, then that’s just fine with me.” It’s a fair call to make, but nevertheless one that was hotly rebutted on the band’s social media, with many fans insisting Young was in a foul mood before he came on stage and needed little prompting to unplug and storm off. I’ve never personally understood the desire to throw shit at the stage and would genuinely love to hear from someone who condones or practices it personally. I do think there’s a romanticism associated with old school punk rock ideals in which violence, selfishness and chaos reign. Punk has prided itself on an ideology along those lines for many decades and that’s why it’s such a liberating and exciting concept, but I also think bands are well within their rights to call out dickheads and leave the stage if they’re not in the mood to have shit piffed at them. Just because a band sounds like punk rock doesn’t mean they have to subscribe to all associated sentiments, most of which are created and perpetuated by teenage dickheads anyway. Not content to tour Australia with American Sharks then fly straight to the US for a massive tour, Melbourne’s Clowns have planned another tour once they return in May. Sumer Blood will accompany them on the run of 20 shows across winter. Victorian dates include CherryRock015 on Sunday May 10, The Tote on Friday June 12, Karova Lounge on Saturday June 13, Musicman Megastore on Friday June 26 and Barwon Club on Saturday June 27. If you missed their massive album launches, this is your best bet to see this punk rock freight train live. Instrumental band This Will Destroy You will bring their mega ambient live show to Australia for a run of headlining dates as well as shows supporting locals sleepmakeswaves. They’ll headline The Corner Hotel on Thursday June 11 and also play with sleepmakeswaves on Friday June 12 at Max Watt’s (previously The Hi-Fi). Get stuck in.
CRUNCH
METAL, HEAVY ROCK. CLASSIC ROCK LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL GOOD SHIT
With Peter Hodgson: crunchcolumn@gmail.com
NEW DAWN OF AZAZEL ALBUM
Thursday April 9: Norma Jeans, Belle Haven, Driven To The Verge, The City At Night, Drive Time Commute at The Evelyn Hotel Guantanamo Baywatch, Richie 1250 and The Brides Of Christ, Pow Pow Kids at The Tote Feed Her To Sharks, Hands Of Hope, Abreact at Next Peter Black, Jamie Hay, Liam White, Georgia Maq at The Reverence Friday April 10: Mariachi El Bronx, The Peep Tempel at 170 Russell Norma Jean, Belle Haven, Brittle Bones, Bayharbour at The Evelyn Hotel Ceres, Charge Group, Fourteen Nights At Sea, Jamie Hay and Liam White, Luke Howard at The John Curtin Bombs Are Falling, Coffin Wolf, Backseat Circus, Drexler, The Beggar’s way at Bendigo Hotel Clint Boge at The Espy Saturday April 11: Jerome Knappett, Spencer Scott at The Old bar Architects, Stick To Your Guns, Being As An Ocean, Stories at Arrows Hightime at The Reverence Hotel The Corps, City Sharps, RazorCut, Impact Zone at Bendigo Hotel Iron Reagan, Join The Amish, Wolfpack, Wet Pensioner at The Tote Mariachi El Bronx, The Peep Tempel at Ding Dong Jericco, Ten Thousand, The Reasons Why, Arakeye at Bang Paper Arms, The Union Pacific, Sweet Gold, Little Lamb and the Rosemarys at The Public Bar Spencer Scott, Jerome Knappet at The Old Bar Oslow, Employment, Shiny Coin, Jess Locke at The Reverence Clint Boge at The Evelyn Hotel Max Goes To Hollywood, The Dead City Lights, Joe Guiton and the Suicide Tuesdays, Spencer Scott, Spencer Scott, The Berkley Hunts at Bar 303 Sunday April 12: Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls, Jon Snodgrass, Lincoln le Fevre at The Corner Hotel Architects, Stick To Your Guns, Being As An Ocean, Stories at 170 Russell The Revenants, Maricopa Wells, Spencer Scott at The Reverence Hotel Iron Reagan, Party Vibez, Cold Ground, Acid Vain at Bendigo Hotel Clint Boge at Beav’s Bar, Geelong
DESERT HIGHWAYS SIGNS HOBO MAGIC
Noosa’s Hobo Magic have signed an exclusive worldwide deal with Desert Highways. The Desert Highways folks say, “This is something we’ve been working toward since we saw them live for the first time last year and were unbelievably impressed. Hobo Magic are currently one of the ‘must see’ stoner/fuzz/ groove bands right now. Although most stoner bands come from a blues background, Hobo Magic also has roots in jazz. Their sound meanders in and out of your consciousness and delves deeply into another realm that can only be felt.” They’ve supported the likes of Motherslug, Child and Lizzard Wizzard, as well as international spots for Windhand (US) and Beastwars (NZ). Desert Highways will release an EP (featuring tracks originally released online last year) while the band works on its full-length follow-up.
New Zealand death metal monsters Dawn Of Azazel will release their fourth full-length album on Monday April 27, entitled The Tides Of Damocles. The ten-track slab of brutality is their first new record since 2009’s critically-acclaimed Relentless. It was recorded, mixed and mastered last year at Mana Recording Studios (Cannibal Corpse, Hate Eternal, Goatwhore) in Tampa, Florida, by Brian Elliot and J.J. Hrubovcak. The band says, “Tides is a diverse album, and we felt Vassalplasty is the song with the most immediate impact, heaviness and aggression mixed with a taste of some of the more psychotropic elements to be found on the rest of the album. The title is a play on the surgical procedure to straighten a fractured and weakened spine, the lyrical theme is retaining a backbone in the face of circumstances that would cause others to conform, submit or crumple.”
KEN MODE GET DRESSED FOR SUCCESS
Canadian trio KEN mode will release their new album, Success, on Friday June 19 in Australia on Season Of Mist/Rocket. It was recorded with legendary engineer Steve Albini (Nirvana, The Jesus Lizard, PJ Harvey) in a fully live and analog session in the band’s home town in November 2014 to capture the rawest, most faithful representation of their sound. A video has been released for album opener, Blessed.
GRAVEYARD ROCKSTARS SCORE ACE FREHLEY SUPPORT
Sydney Australia’s favourite ghoulish sons, the Graveyard Rockstars had a massive 2014 and 2015 is about to see them pick up where last year left off. Their debut album Doomsday was released in December and have seen it gain some fantastic reviews from all over the world, including a 10/10 from Powerplay UK and here at home. Their Goth rock, industrial tinged sonics appealing to music scribes the world over and lauded for its different and fresh approach to what everyone else is doing right now. Self-produced and recorded at several studios around Sydney, the opus was then mixed by Darren ‘JENK’ Jenkins and yields a shattering, riffheavy sound while retaining a melodic catchiness to rival Ebola. Doomsday represents the perfect opening statement from a band armed and ready to take the world by its throat and slam it into willing submission. They have a stack of shows coming up and have just been announced as support in Sydney and Melbourne for Ace Frehley. Catch them with Ace at The Forum on Saturday May 2 and at their own show at The Espy on Saturday June 30.
OPETH TOUR
Swedish progressive metal legends Opeth are set to return to Australia in 2015 in support of their 11th album Pale Communion. Hailed as one of the most influential progressive metal bands in the world, Opeth have an ever-growing fanatically loyal fan base in Australia and are returning for a headline run after their highly successful Heritage tour in 2013. One factor which makes Opeth’s live shows secondto-none is that their concerts are always filled with surprises and you never know what their setlist is going to be. Featuring songs from their earlier death metal material, up to their later symphonic prog-rock, an Opeth live show is like no other and is a must see for all die-hard fans. Tickets are on sale now for their show at The Forum on Thursday May 7.
GRENADIERS
C on v eniently p u nk By Rod Whitf ield
This up-and-coming South Aussie-based rock act have been broadly described as a punk band. This is not a classification that’s always sat comfortably with frontman and guitarist Jesse Coulter over the course of their eight-year existence. However, speaking from his home in Adelaide, he says he’s gotten more used to the term in recent times, and has even been using it himself – albeit to avoid lengthy explanations. “I used to shy away from associating that word ‘punk’ with us as a band,” Coulter admits. “The only reason I have started referring to us in that sense is for convenience. When people ask you, ‘What sort of music do you play?’, it’s much easier to say ‘punk rock’ than to try and explain that it’s a convergence of all these different elements. “I wouldn’t say that we’re the most ‘punk’ band in terms of ethos or mentality or anything like that, we’re not trying to be that. But as a general overarching musical description, that’s a fairly convenient pigeonhole. When we say ‘punk rock,’ we probably put more of the emphasis on the rock than the punk,” he laughs. Whatever label you want to lump upon them, they’re playing Melbourne soon, and you can judge for yourself. When describing the band’s sound and presentation in a live sense, Coulter prefers to give a tongue-in-cheek twist on one of the clichés that bands routinely wheel
out when asked this question. “I would say to the person thinking about coming down and checking us out, that we always give at least 60 per cent to our live show,” he chuckles. “It’s basically three dudes on a stage, we don’t have any pyrotechnics yet, but that’s because we can’t afford it. No fire-breathing, no snakes or go-go dancers or explosions of codpieces at this stage. No pieces of raw meat thrown out into the crowd, a la Blackie Lawless from WASP.” “Hopefully, when the budget gets a bit bigger, we can afford to do stuff like that, but at this point, it’s three dudes playing simple rock‘n’roll. Maybe when I’ve got a few lawsuits against my name, and a couple of million dollars, we’ll see what we can do.” The band may be on their way to that first mil, as they have an exceedingly busy time coming up in the next few months, and for the rest of the year. “Over the next month to a month and a half, we’ve
got about 25 shows,” he reveals. “Next weekend, we’re doing a show in Melbourne and then we start a 16date tour supporting British India, so we’ll be going all round the country with that. Perth, Tasmania and all those kind of places. “Then, we’ve got another couple of things on the table,” he continues, “and then we’ll probably try to do another tour of our own, probably a headline tour, in August-ish.” There’s also the matter of the next Grenadiers release, and follow up to this year’s Summer album, which the
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band don’t want to take too much time over getting out. “[After touring], hopefully we’ll be able to start work on the next album,” he says. “We want to do it before the end of the year, we really want to have a short gap between this one and the next, since it was such a long gap between this one and the previous one.” GRENADIERS hit up The Avenue Presents in Queens Park Moonee Ponds on Saturday April 11 with The Bennies, Mesa Cosa, and Guantanamo Baywatch (AA). Summer is out now. BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 39
Q&A
WEDNESDAY APRIL 8
ANDY LAYFIELD SOUND
Nicholas Costello
What do you do? I’m a solo artist who writes contemporary folk music, that’s influenced by several other genres. Why did you start doing that? I’ve always loved music and the process of songwriting always seemed magical to me as a kid. Music’s mysterious and magical pull has never really let me go. What makes you happiest about what you’re doing? The songwriting process and the live performance aspect makes me happy. There are other interesting aspects, but I think they’d be the two that give me the most joy. And what makes you unhappiest about what you’re doing? Not a great deal makes me unhappy about music. I can get frustrated with myself when I stuff up, but that’s about it. What’s your proudest moment of doing what you do? Very recently, when I finished recording my brand new EP, GLOW. I am incredibly happy with how it has turned out. Catch NICHOLAS COSTELLO at The Workers Club on Sunday April 12.
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 40
POKEY LAFARGE
C A R AVA N M U S I C C L U B
MISS EILEEN & KING LEAR CHERRY BAR
MARLON WILLIAMS & THE YARRA BENDERS THE GASOMETER
Marlon Williams is a two-time New Zealand Music Award-winning singer/ songwriter from Lyttelton, New Zealand. Marlon Williams & The Yarra Benders are touring Australia in April to launch their new single, Dark Child, and play songs from Williams’ debut album, due for release on Friday April 24. He was one of the most talked about new acts of 2014, playing major festivals including Meredith, Queenscliff, Darwin, Brisbane, Big Sound and Mullumbimby music festivals, supporting First Aid Kit and Justin Townes Earle, performing on RocKwiz and TEDx Sydney, and receiving glowing reviews from media around the country. Catch them at The Gasometer on Wednesday April 8 with tickets available for $20+bf or $25 on the door.
Brother and sister act Miss Eileen & King Lear continue their month-long residency at Cherry Bar this Wednesday April 8, bringing a folk-inspired indie roots project to the stage for every Wednesday throughout April. This week, they’re bringing along Uncle Bobby as their special guest; and with a free Jäger shot bundled into your entry fee, folk enthusiasts would be crazy to miss this one. Entry is a cool $5, with doors opening 8pm.
WATERFALL PERSON THE PUBLIC BAR
Pop night is on this Wednesday April 8 at The Public Bar, as some super-smooth bands shack up for the night. Visitors will get to sink their ears in the sonic drench of Waterfall Person, followed by Karli White, Lux Ovarye’s Weird Time and Drooling Mystics. Wander in to The Public Bar from 8pm in order to broaden your pop horizons. Entry is $8.
American roots songwriter Pokey LaFarge will return to our shores in April. The tour, which will also feature a six-piece band and expanded rhythm section, will coincide with the release of his new studio album, which is set to be released in the autumn of 2015. The LP is the follow-up to 2013’s acclaimed self-titled release on Jack White’s Third Man Records, which was praised for its eclectic blend of jazz, country blues and western swing. Catch him on Wednesday April 8 at Caravan Music Club. THURSDAY APRIL 9
JURASSIC NARK THE PUBLIC BAR
Heat’s dying, but the surf ’s still up. Jurassic Nark are ready to fuzz the air out of The Public Bar as they play a tune of noisy, nonsensical garage rock for anyone ready for a Thursday night thrash-out, this Thursday April 9. Come get strange as supports from AZTX and TFC round out the night with a bit of experimental rock to whet your weird whistle. Doors open from 8pm, entry is $7.
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W H O L E L O T TA L O V E
From acoustic to electric, with solo’s changing from harmonica, hammond to electric guitar, every song is different from the last. With four part vocals flowing through, The Andy Layfield Sound is a blues band with diversity. Catch them at Whole Lotta Blues Thursday April 9 at Whole Lotta Love Bar, 524 Lygon St, East Brunswick. Free entry.
GUANTANAMO BAYWATCH THE TOTE
All the way from sunny Surf City Portland, bratty, sexy, rollicking threepiece Guantanamo Baywatch are coming to jam out an east coast tour for the first time in our big surfin’ land. Guantanamo Baywatch will unleash their bawdy mishmash of classic surf jams and brash garage rock upon as all for the first time ever this April, while they continue their tradition of filtering AM radio rock’n’ roll surf and rockabilly through a layer of punk sleaze, into a sexy frenzied ruckus. Get ready to hang loose to this raucous good time trio as they rule your hips and The Tote on Thursday April 9, with Ritchie 1250 and the Brides of Christ, and Pow Pow Kids. Tickets are $15+BF from Oztix.
PETER BLACK
THE REVERENCE HOTEL
LOS DOMINADOS THE OLD BAR
Los Dominados are heading to The Old Bar to rain down some seriously dark and dirty rock on your Thursday night with an artillery of ear-busting new songs. With a large range of supports on the night including The Barebones, Western Stars and Iowa, expect a mixed night of psychedelia, slacker pop and alt-rock this Thursday April 9. Doors open from 8pm. $8 entry.
Peter Black of legendary Australian punk rock act Hard-Ons is playing a one-off solo show at The Reverence on Thursday April 9. During their first 12 years as a group, Hard-Ons have the distinction of earning an astonishing 17 consecutive Number One hits on Australian alternative charts - so be sure to come down and catch a peek at Australian punk nobility. Supporting on the night will be Jamie Hay & Liam White and Georgia Maq. Tickets are $10, doors open at 8pm.
The Spotted Mallard is hosting a soul and funk fiesta every second Thursday. Starting at 8pm on April 9, three of Melbourne’s biggest and best bands, Soul Cupcake, Better Than The Wizards, and Lake Minnetonka will take the stage in a soul-coated frenzy. Pay $0 and get entry to see 21 musicians putting on a party in one of the hippest venues in Melbourne. Soul Cupcake is an eight-piece funk/soul band featuring cutting-edge, groove-driven originals and warped rearrangements of popular songs. This truly original band channels the zeitgeist of bands such as The Bamboos, Tower of Power, Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings, and DIG, and spits it all out the other end in a whirlwind of horn-driven electricity.
CHERRY BAR
Sick of spending your Thursday night’s at home eating pizzas watching Bold and the Beautiful? Bendigo Hotel have got your back. Come down for a sick night set to feature four ridiculously awesome acts shredding on stage. Fuzz rockers Kill Dirty Youth headline the stacked night, with Overdoze, Littlefoot and She Beast all getting in on the action. Doors open 8pm, entry’s just $8.
Q&A
THE OLD BAR
Friday is the best day to celebrate a birthday, and The Old Bar’s owner Joel Morrison is having a shindig to kick off your weekend in true Old Bar style this Friday April 10. The theme tonight (as is all nights) will be beer and bands, so get down to The Old Bar for Joel’s Boozy Birthday Bash as Wicket City, Grieg, The Loveless, Bodies, Cosmic Kahuna and General Men play on into the night. Entry is $10, doors open at 8pm.
SOUL CUPCAKE
BENDIGO HOTEL
Hailing from Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs, Fulton Street are an eight-piece soul group that boast a rock-solid rhythm section backed by dynamic horns. The vocals are commanding, the influences draw from a range of awe-inspiring soul and R&B – so you can expect that this night of Cherry Bar’s Soul In The Basement will be a hit for all. Check it out on Thursday April 9. Doors open 6pm, entry is $10.
JOEL’S BOOZY BIRTHDAY BASH
THE SPOT TED MALLARD
KILL DIRTY YOUTH
FULTON STREET
FRIDAY APRIL 10
SMOKE STACK RHINO YA H YA H ’ S
Featuring dual vocalists, blues harp, twangy resonator guitars, Hammond organ and a five-string slap bass, Melbourne’s Smoke Stack Rhino have decided to explore what blues might sound like in the 21st century. Formed in March 2013, the band have exploded onto the Australian music scene, playing with Dallas Frasca, The Love Junkies, Tumbleweed, Phil Manning and many more. Catch them tear up Yah Yah’s with The Ugly Kings, Stone Revival and Two Headed Dog this Friday April 10. Doors are from 8pm, $13 entry.
Crypt Define your genre in five words or less: Whiskey-soaked occult rock’n’roll. What has been your favourite gig you’ve played to date? Our EP launch in January. It was a hot steamy Friday night in Adelaide. We had a capacity crowd of over 240 people, which is great for an Adelaide lineup. It was a huge, sweaty, hazy party with lasers and smoke machines; it was such a crazy night that rolled on into morning. What inspires or has influenced your music the most? We’re all in other bands who’s genres vary from funk to reggae to doom, so having that bleeds into our creative process and help[s] shape what we are trying to do . What do you think a band has to do these days to succeed? Depends on what your measure of success is. If success is money and fame, then to succeed, you need to be a radio friendly Miley Cyrus cover band, but if success is playing good shows and sharing a good time with some people, then it’s being a part of this community and supporting its genuine love for music. Catch CRYPT at The Public Bar on Friday April 10 and The Brunswick Hotel on Saturday April 11.
BROADS
T H E YA R R A H O T E L
Kelly Day and Jane Hendry (both of Melbourne vocal gals The Nymphs) have a shared love of face-melting harmonies and murder mysteries. They bring these together in their new project, Broads, which delivers a new, slightly criminally-minded take on the acoustic folk duo. Thursday April 9 – free admission, Yarra Fish and Burger Kitchen open until 9.30pm.
JOHN CITIZEN
THE WORKERS CLUB
Celebrating the release of their new music video for single My Friends And I, Melbourne indie popsters John Citizen are commemorating the release with a launch party going down this Thursday April 9 at The Workers Club, with folk duo Cheeky Goose and the atmospheric DXHeaven in support. Doors open 7.30pm, presale tickets are $10+BF.
AXE GIRL RESIDENCY T H E R E T R E AT H O T E L
Axe Girl is testament to the great things that can grow from a combination of serendipity, dedication and good old-fashioned irresponsible life choices. Bassist Vanessa Thornton and drummer Brett Mitchell (who have some time on their hands between Jebediah performances these days) are already firmly entrenched in the lineup. They amazed and delighted themselves – and were very humbled and grateful, once they stopped jumping around and had calmed down a bit - by raising over $10,000 via a Pozible campaign in June 2013 to fund completion of their full-length debut album. The single, Tee Shirt, is to be the first release from the record. The Retreat cordially invite you to jump aboard on Thursday April 9 and play whatever part you’d like in the next chapter of Axe Girl as it evolves, because the one thing we know for certain is, this tale is far from over. From 8.30pm, for free as always.
MOTHERSLUG YA H YA H ’ S
Motherslug hits the mark dead-centre with their maiden release, providing a worthy collection of massive stoner melodies – cracking out low, loud riffs while shredding the dark energy of the universe with searing beams of power and brilliance. Catch them with Olmeg and I Am Mine this Thursday April 9 at Yah Yah’s. Doors are from 7pm, entry is freesies.
JEFF MARTIN THE ESP Y
Jeff Martin’s got a big week of gigs ahead of him as he continues his Returning From The Ocean At The End solo acoustic tour. You can catch him all across Victoria this week, he performs Thursday April 9 at The Espy, Friday April 10 at Karova Lounge, Saturday April 11 at The Workers Club Geelong, and Wednesday April 15 at Melbourne’s Workers Club. Phew. Tickets for all shows are $40+BF, catch his Espy show on Thursday from 8.30pm onwards. CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 41
Q&A
Vision Street
Define your genre in five words or less. Peanut butter and blues sandwich. So, someone is walking past as you guys are playing, they then go get a beer and tell their friend about you... what do they say? We should sink these tinnies inside and watch this band. How long have you been gigging and writing? Since 2012. What has been your favourite gig you’ve played to date? House Party on Wheels at The Brunny. Which band would you most like to have a battle/showdown with? Cold Chisel, we’re both Aussie battlers. What inspires or has influenced your music the most? Along with Chisel, The Stones, Skynyrd, Rory Gallagher, The Smudge Experience, CCR. What do you think a band has to do these days to succeed? We’ll let you know when we get there. Do you have any record releases to date? What? Where can I get it? Our debut EP comes out in May, you’ll be able to buy it at one of our shows or download it off Bandcamp. Why should everyone come and see your band? Because even once we finish playing, the night kicks on. VISION STREET are launching their single Don’t Care At All at The Brunswick Hotel on Friday April 10, and releasing their debut EP at The B.East on Friday May 15.
CLINT BOGE THE ESP Y
Brisbane-based singer/songwriter Clint Boge is bringing his Songs of a Delicate Nature tour to The Espy this Friday April 10. The tour, in support of Boge’s first solo release, Songs of a Delicate Nature, sees him play 31 dates across seven states and territories over the next couple months, with even more dates to be announced. Check out his show this Friday at The Espy from 8pm. Tickets are $12+BF presale or $15 on the door.
GEE SEAS
W H O L E L O T TA L O V E
A bunch of musos playing loud, dirty songs about nightclubs, bars, drunk people and parties. Influenced by ‘60s rock'n'roll, surf rock, post-punk, indie rock, teddy boys and The Lucksmiths, Gee Seas will be hammering it out on Friday April 10 with The Braves and Rabble Rouser at Whole Lotta Love Bar, 524 Lygon St, East Brunswick. $5. Why wouldn’t ya?
RAW BRIT
T H E F LY I N G SAUCER HOTEL
Some serious shades from the violet-osphere are getting thrown around at The Flying Saucer Bar this Friday April 10 as Raw Brit take to the stage to crank out Deep Purple’s classic album Machine Head in its entirety. Strap yourself in for a tribute night set to throw you back to the early ‘70s as they whip out classics such as Smoke On The Water. General Admission starts at $25, doors open from 6pm.
SHAOLIN AFRONAUTS BONEY
DUMB PUNTS
GRACE DARLI NG
Dump Punts were ready to drop their latest tape but – surprise, surprise – the tapes are lost in transit. Shit sucks, but they’re playing the launch show anyway. Upstairs at The Grace Darling Hotel will see Dumb Punts hitting the stage with Bonnie Doom, White Bleaches and Lazertits supporting. Come along from 8pm, entry is $10.
This Friday April 10 and from deep within the sonic landscape of the cosmos come Shaolin Afronauts, with their unique brand of interstellar futurist afro-soul. From performances at Queenscliff, The Royal Croquet Club and Blenheim Music festival, Shaolin Afronauts are set to hypnotise you at Boney, when they take you on a cosmic journey to find the new sound. Doors are from 9pm and entry is ten bucks.
SOUL SALVATION
UNDERGROUND LOVERS
Over the course of April, the first three Fridays of the month will host a night of soul to help shake off your work week blues at The Rev. Come down for a knock off and get treated to a sweet series of shaking sessions as Soul Salvation showcases a set of Melbourne’s finest soul bands. Two acts will kick off festivities from 8pm on those Fridays, and best of all – entry is free. Doors open from 8pm.
Releasing their first 7” in 1989, Australian indie rock/electronic band Underground Lovers were one of the most lauded music acts in the country’s alternative scene throughout the ‘90s. Bandmates Vincent M. Giarrusso and Glenn Bennie have been gigging for about 25 years at this point; make sure to catch Underground Lovers at this special free entry show Friday April 10 at The Post Office Hotel.
THE REVERENCE HOTEL
HOBBLE DAY
THE JOHN CURTIN
Hobble Day is a small, annual event for friends of the label to celebrate the wonderful camaraderie and important networks we’ve all helped build together through music. Each year, in a different city from the last, we meet as many people as we all can. This year’s choice is Melbourne, where the label started. 2015 will also include a small exhibition from artists Stephen Baker, Beara (QLD) and coffee from roasters Monastery (SA). Catch Hobble Day at The John Curtin Bandroom on Friday April 10.
Melbourne Academy’s music students are a little strapped at the moment and are holding a fundraiser in order to help disadvantaged youths to raise some money towards an upgraded music studio. This Friday April 10 will see live music from The Perfections, Express MC, Motley and Rydah, plus many more – so come down to The Catfish to help kids out and catch some live tunes while you’re at it. Entry is $10, doors open from 7.30pm.
Karnival Productions and Bendigo Hotel have combined forces for their first ever Punk Festival Fundraiser. Raising cash for a local punk-fest due later this year, they’ve stacked the lineup with a who’s who of Aussie punks, including Bombs Are Falling, Coffin Wolf, Backseat Circus, Drexler and The Beggars’ Way. Come down this Friday April 10 to support the local scene, doors open 8pm with $10 entry.
T H E C AT F I S H
EARTH RADIO: EMERSE LOOP BAR & P R O J E C T S PA C E
Stylised as a night of forward thinking house, techno and bass music, Loop Bar & Project Space hosts Earth Radio as Emerse fronts a night of dance music with a bit of UK garage thrown in the mix, this Friday April 10. Emerse, himself, has racked up a strong following through Soundcloud and triple j’s Soundlab, and with the accompaniment of Asdasfr Bawd in the mix you can count on a solid night of movement at Loop. Doors open at 9pm, free entry.
BENDIGO HOTEL
VISION STREET
THE BRUNSWICK HOTEL
Brunny favourites Vision Street are throwing a party to celebrate the launch of their debut single, Don’t Care At All, off their self-titled EP. Having spent the second half of 2014 writing and recording their first EP, the Melbourne five-piece are ready to unleash the first taste of it to the world. Don’t Care At All accelerates through several gear changes, while accompanying a string of hard-hitting lyrics, centred on social awareness, before concluding with an explosion of distortion. Vision Street will launch Don’t Care At All at The Brunswick Hotel this Friday April 10.
THE LUWOW
THE FURBELOWS
THE SPOT TED MALLARD
Kick your Friday night off in style as Spencer P Jones warms you up for a knock-off-drinks set before Dr. Colossus run a Simpsons-inspired doom metal set at Cherry Bar on Friday April 10. Get ready to eat shorts, have a cow and don’t forget to say “hi” to everybody as they drop their forthcoming release, Shut Up and Eat Your Pinecone/Whack Sabbath. Tickets are $10, doors open from 5.30pm.
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DING DONG LOUNGE
Melbourne’s psychedelic garage foursome, The Good Morrows, have released their self-titled debut album and are playing a show at Ding Dong Lounge to celebrate. Packed with fluid melodies and narcotic guitar rushes, its kaleidoscopic colours will have you doing the shoegaze shuffle in no time. Presale tickets are going for $9+BF – either get them there or on the door after 9pm this Friday April 10.
PUNK FESTIVAL FUNDRAISER
THE SUGARCANES
CHERRY BAR
THE GOOD MORROWS
HELP OUR LITLE STUDIO
NO ZU
HOWLER
The last time NO ZU played Howler, it was a wild, sweaty and steamy, sell-out extravaganza of Heat Beat. Now, armed with a new 12” EP, Medusa Music, and several more festival shows under their high-gloss-belts, they are over-due to bring their x-rated, Hellenic/OZ heat direct to the club. Get down to Howler on Friday 10 April or stay dry. Tickets are available from moshtix.com.au, $12+BF. Doors from 9pm.
LEVITATING CHURCHES
THE SAND DOLLARS
Levitating Churches first achieved lift-off in 2011 and hail from the inner suburbs of Melbourne, the band consisting of Dave, Matt, Grant and Shaun gleaned their name from a missheard Roky Erickson lyric (learning temples, meditating churches) and draws inspiration from not only Roky but bands such as Dead Moon, The Coloured Balls and Hawkwind to name just a few. Thus far, Levitating Churches have self-released one 7” (Fuckblues/Cry A Little Harder) and their debut selftitled 12” album, they have also had a track included on the Conspiracy a Go Go compilation album released by Turn Me On Dead Man Records in the US. The Ether are a four-piece electronicbased band from Melbourne. Members of the band have played in various bands from New Zealand including King Loser, S.P.U.D., The Renderers, Black Panthers, Dark Matter, Loliners, Stepford Five, Snort, Rainy Days. The Ether have dispensed with six string guitars in favour of keyboards for a more textural sound. Doors are from 9.30pm and you know the deal, it’s free.
The Sand Dollars are dropping their first single release of the year, Sour Face. With a little help from friends Sportsmen and AZTX, the lads will be putting on a show to remember this Friday April 10. The soulful-raspy-goodness of vocalist Michael Baini will drag you in, and with the steady beats and ripping solos, you’re sure to be dancing all night. So come down to The Workers Club and help The Sand Dollars launch Sour Face. Doors open 8.30pm, tickets are $10+BF presale.
T H E R E T R E AT H O T E L
DR COLOSSUS
THE POST OFFICE HOTEL
Quenching Melbourne’s desperate need for a ‘30s party band, The Furbelows formed in early 2012 during a bout of casual jams and campfire sessions. A combination of three-part close-harmony vocals and hot swinging acoustic guitars of wartime Paris, they quickly developed a strong following based on their joyful, exuberant and rollicking live performances. Catch ‘em at The Spotted Mallard on Friday April 10.
As Melbourne’s brand new soul inspired rock’n’roll group, The Sugarcanes have already made a dent in the city’s music scene. Made up of five members from a variety of musical backgrounds and led by the ever-powerful voice of Lucy Wilson ( Jackknife Records), this band promises a collection of songs that you can get down to. Taking notes from old soul leaders like Stax, Muscle Shoals and American Sound Studios, The Sugarcanes have recreated the songs Wilson once performed with only her acoustic guitar and added a new level of fun to the stories of heartbreak, as well as composing a roster of great new danceable numbers. Catch The Sugarcanes as they hit up The LuWOW this Friday April 10 from 8pm, entry is $5.
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THE WORKERS CLUB
SATURDAY APRIL 11
8FOOT FELIX
THE SPOT TED MALLARD
The good ship 8Foot Felix is crafted from Balkan Blues with a thick slice of New Orleans, tweaked with a garnish of multi-genre mayhem. Cello, horns, flamenco feat and deep bass grooves fray the fabric of time and space to get your legs moving with a mind of their own. Check out a sweet triumph of horns, musical prowess and infectious ditties at The Spotted Mallard this Saturday April 11 from 8.30pm. Entry is $5.
ANDREA MARR & THE FUNKY HITMEN THE LUWOW
For more than a decade Andrea Marr has been delivering her brand of feel-good, high energy funk, groove, blues and soul music around Australia. Through sheer hard work she has earned a place in the thriving Melbourne blues scene as one of its most sought after live acts. Andrea has now branched out to expand her funk and soul sound, forming new band The Funky Hitmen, a killer eight-piece line up playing Andrea’s original soul and funky tunes. This Saturday April 11 will see Andrea Marr & The Funky Hitmen hit up The LuWOW. Doors open 8pm, with $5 entry.
CRYPT
THE BRUNSWICK HOTEL
Adelaide’s rock’n’roll stoner punks Crypt will hit Melbourne, rolling heavy with weed-soaked riffs and buzz. Joining them will be Bendigo’s steam-roller of sludge, Cement Pigs, come to crush souls and hope; while Brisbane’s sending down Greig to throw some heavy metal at you. New-comers Slothferatu crawl in slowly to drain the blood from your brain with their new wave of vampyric sloth metal, featuring members of THRALL, Whitehorse, Encircling Sea, and Mutton. All for a cracking $0 at The Brunny, this Saturday April 11, from 8.30pm.
JODY & THE JOYRIDERS T H E D R U N K E N P O E T
If you’re ready for a night of toetappin’ tunes, look no further. Jody & The Joyriders are hitting The Drunken Poet this Saturday April 11 for a night of guitar riddled alt-country original tunes, covering all classic country song topics such as trains, dirt roads, broken hearts, highways and bluebirds. Upbeat, and with her heart firmly placed on her sleeve, catch Jody & The Joyriders at The Drunken Poet this Saturday April 11 from 9pm.
CHOOK RACE T H E C AT F I S H
After recently releasing their first LP, About Time, Chook Race have strangely enough found the time to play a few shows in support of their debut album. Heading back home after a tour across Australia, you can catch the trio strumming out at The Catfish with support from Hierophants and The Shifters for a night of weird and wonderful rock’n’roll. Doors open from 8pm, entry is $5.
ELECTRO STORM LOOP BAR & P R O J E C T S PA C E
Another dimension of sound is ready to be unearthed at Loop Bar & Project Space come Saturday April 11, as Electro Storm head back to town with a jam-packed line-up of new tunes and visual insanity. The night will see a lineup of Andy Maggio, MiniMule and Gav Whitehouse and many more playing back-to-back with visual assistance from VJ Dan. Doors open from 10pm.
SERENA RYDER
THE CORNER HOTEL
Juno-award-winning artist, Canadian Serena Ryder is currently traveling through Australia with her national Bluesfest sideshows. One of the most exciting new artists to come out of Canada in recent years, Serena Ryder’s live show is a must see. Travelling with her is special guest and blues aficionado Matt Andersen; this Canadian doubleheader is bound to leave you begging for more. Catch them in action this Saturday April 11 at The Corner Hotel from 8.30pm, tickets are $45+BF.
WOMEN OF SOUL
SHADOW ELECTRIC
Melbourne’s finest female soul vocalists are uniting to launch their debut collaborative album, Women of Soul, with a special launch party at The Shadow Electric this Saturday April 11. Starring Kylie Auldist, Stella Angelico, Candice Monique, Chelsea Wilson, Rita Satch, Christina Arnold (The Perfections) and Lisa Faithfull (Soul Safari), the album features 10 exclusive songs recorded in celebration of five years of the live performance series. The launch party will feature live versions of the album tracks plus a couple of the artists’ original soul tunes to get you on the dance floor, plus special guests Carla Troiano, Shae Mourtzakis, Jennifer Kingwell and DJ Lyndelle Wilkinson. Come down for some Saturday night soul, 7.30pm at Shadow Electric. Tickets are $25 from the venue.
PAPER ARMS
THE PUBLIC BAR
After spending the last six months in hiding, Paper Arms are back for a rare appearance at The Public Bar this Saturday 11 April. Armed with new songs, a new guitarist and a whole lot of pent up energy, be sure to catch them for their only Australian show before their European tour in May. Supporting them on the night will be Union Pacific and Sweet Gold. Tickets are $10, doors open from 8.30pm.
STEVE SMYTH MOBB DEEP THE ESP Y
Hip Hop fans rejoice. Mobb Deep are finally in the country to bring their The Infamous 20th Anniversary Tour to Australian audiences this April. New York natives Havoc and Prodigy released The Infamous album back in 1995 to critical acclaim, cementing themselves in Hip Hop history. Now twenty years later they’re bringing it all back with their tour, hitting New Zealand and Australia, then heading off to the U.K. Catch Mobb Deep before they leave, this Saturday April 11 at The Espy. Tickets are $69.90+BF from the venue.
HOWLER
Steve Smyth’s Ivy League Records debut album, EXITS, was released mid last year to widespread critical acclaim. His songs, from the rollicking kind to the tender, have been received with open arms at shows reaching some 80+ towns across Australia as a part of his mammoth EXITS Album Tour. This will be the last chance to witness an unforgettable show on Australian shores before Steve makes his way for a long stretch in Europe, so make sure you're at Howler on Saturday April 11 to say goodbye. Tickets available from moshtix.com.au for $12+BF. Doors open at 8.30pm.
THE KILL DEVIL HILLS THE JOHN CURTIN
LOS CHICOS
T H E R E T R E AT
Spanish party rock five-piece Los Chicos return to our shores for some choice gigs and some choice cuts. Deciding Australia is as good a place as any to record their next album, Los Chicos decided to play some shows whilst here to hone those tunes and prepare us for what’s to be released next. Los Chicos have been around for almost 15 years now, building their soul country punk gospel machine ever so strongly across Spain, the UK, many parts of Europe and also Australia, this being their third visit to our wide brown land. Joining them will be Moonee Valley Drifters and Scrub Wrens, this Saturday April 11 at The Retreat. From 5pm, free as always.
Having spent the majority of 2014 recording their upcoming fourth studio album (the first since 2009’s Man You Should Explode), national treasures The Kill Devil Hills are bringing their swampy, mongrel rock’n’roll to Melbourne once again. The iconic WA band will tear through a selection of old favorites and brand new songs off the upcoming album. See the Kill Devil Hills at the Curtin Bandroom on Saturday April 11.
GRAND WAZOO “SOUL DIVAS” SHOW
T H E F LY I N G S AU C E R C L U B
Catch the unforgettable 13-piece band as they pay tribute to the likes of Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Etta James, Janis Joplin, Gladys Knight, Dusty Springfield, Martha & The Vandellas, Diana Ross & The Supremes and many more. Get your friends, get your dancing shoes - get down to The Flying Saucer Club on Saturday April 11 for a good ol’ boogie. Tickets start from $25+BF and can be found at flyingsaucerclub.com.au. Doors open at 6pm.
OSLOW
THE REVERENCE HOTEL
Here’s one for all you sad boys – Sydney’s Oslow have just released their new 7”, No Longer Concerns Me, and are teaming up with Employment as they release their debut EP, All You Need Is What You Already Have. Get ready for a big night of emo music at The Reverence Hotel this Saturday April 11, as sad dudes belt out sad tunes. Entry is $10, doors open at 8pm.
CISCO CAESAR
RAINBOW HOTEL
For Americana style folk rock, look no further than Cisco Caesar. Bringing along a few special guests, they’ll be giving Rainbow Hotel patrons a good taste of some solid licks and slick rhymes. Catch Cisco Caesar down at Rainbow Hotel, along with their friends, this Saturday April 11 at 9.30pm. SUNDAY APRIL 12
JOHNNY CASINO THE LABOUR IN VA I N H O T E L
On Sunday April 12 from 5pm, at The Labour In Vain Hotel, everybody’s favourite Johnny Casino will play a farewell show before he moves to Spain. JC will play a solo set followed by a set with The Secrets, Chris Wilson on drums, Michael Evans on bass and James Saunders on guitar. This will be your last chance to see Johnny for who knows how long? Maybe ever. So step right up and roll the dice with Johnny Casino one last time. It’s free.
JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE T H E YA R R A H O T E L
In 32 short years, Justin Townes Earle has experienced more than most, both personally and professionally. Between releasing four full-length-criticallyacclaimed albums, constant touring, multiple stints in rehab, a new found sobriety, being born Steve Earle’s son, amicable and not-so-amicable breakups with record labels, and facing the trials and tribulations of everyday life, it’s safe to say JTE has quite the story to tell. JTE will play two rare and intimate shows at The Yarra Hotel in Abbotsford this Sunday April 12; and while the evening show has sold out, tickets are available for a newly-announced matinee show at 2pm. Tickets are $38.50 and are moving quickly.
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BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 43
DAN DINNEN T H E C AT F I S H
BAREBACK TITTY SQUAD
Dan Dinnen has the distinction of having the smooth combination of acoustic guitar, blues harp and warm soulful vocals behind his sets. He’s taken out Blues Performer of the Year back in 2009 and has competed internationally with his talents, but this Sunday April 12 he’s taking up a show at The Catfish to help you take the edge off of Saturday’s shenanigans. Get in for some free blues when the doors open at 5pm.
BAKERSFIELD GLEE CLUB T H E R E T R E AT
The Bakersfield Glee Club return to the hallowed hall of The Retreat Hotel. A fantastic room with a wooden dance floor, there will be a lesson run by the legends from Honky Tonk HQ at 3pm, then two sets of sensational twang country. Four pm will see Small Town Romance hit the stage, followed by The Bakersfield Glee Club at 5pm. See you all there on Sunday April 12 at 5pm.
FULTON STREET YA H YA H ’ S
Fulton Street are an eight-piece soul group, hailing from Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs. With a rocksolid rhythm section and dynamic horn section, the group is lead by commanding lead vocalist, Shannen. Drawing on the very best of soul and R&B, both old and new combined, Fulton Street create a thoroughly modern sound that’s all their own. Check ‘em out at Yah Yah’s on Sunday April 12, doors from 8pm and entry is ten bucks.
JULES BOULT AND FRIENDS
THE WHITETOP MOUNTAINEERS T H E F LY I N G SAUCER CLUB
The Whitetop Mountaineers have returned to Australia by popular demand. On their previous visits, the duo stunned and delighted audiences across the country with their performance of American mountain music, song and dance, blowing audiences away with their talents as multi-instrumentalists. Get down to The Flying Saucer Club on Sunday April 12 in order to catch the talented duo in the flesh. General admission is $22, with the doors opening from 3pm.
EZRA LEE AND THE HAVOC BAND CHERRY BAR
Get ready to paint the town blue as Cherry Bar runs Cherry Blues, featuring Americana blues act Ezra Lee and The Havoc Band supported by a soul set from 25-piece all girl band The Sweethearts. Spend an easy-listening afternoon kicking back to blues tunes with free vegetarian chilli being served up from 2pm onwards. The chilli isn’t going to last forever, so get down to Cherry Bar on Sunday April 12. Entry is $5.
EAST
BRUNSWICK ALL CHOIR
GIRLS
THE OLD BAR
The next round of Milk! Records’ East Brunswick All Girls Choir residency is back at The Old Bar. Playing songs from their critically acclaimed debut album ,Seven Drummers, and previewing brand new material, they’ll be joined by an incredible line up of special guests including Loose Tooth and Totally Mild. Beer specials are still kicking with $10 Jugs and $5 Cans, so get down to The Old Bar from 8pm for a free gig and cheap beers.
FAZTIVAL
THE TOTE
Come and celebrate Faztival (Matt Fazio’s 25th birthday bash) at The Tote on Sunday April 12, featuring live music from 11 bands for 11 bucks. DJ Emu (King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard) will be on the decks with bands starting from 2pm. There’ll be a barbecue out the back and good times are guaranteed. On the lineup are YIS, The Ocean Party, Baptism of Uzi, Spacejunk, The SMB, Honey Badgers, The Finks, Cool Sounds, Good Morning, Maddie Fuke, Don Dosco. Yew.
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MATT GREEN
THE DRUNKEN POET
With an informed approach to songwriting, drawing on various connections with artists he’s performed with, Matt Green is taking the stage to hold a duet with jazz bassist extraordinaire, Tamara Murphy, for a very special show this Sunday April 12. Drawing influences from Simone Felice, Missy Higgins, Jordie Lane and Tracy McNeil, come down for a relaxed afternoon at The Drunken Poet. Entry is free, with music from 4pm onwards.
THE SONGWRITER SESSIONS
BRUNSWICK HOTEL
For the first Sunday presentation of the Songwriter Sessions, the Taste of Indie Collective and Australian Musicians Radio, AMR.fm are presenting a “Nashville-style” format where three songwriters get on stage to discuss the songwriting process and play a couple tunes too. This week’s free session features Josh Forner, along with Jonathan Shaw (Summon the Birds) and Phisha. Get down to the Brunny this Sunday April 12. The night kicks off at 8pm.
IRON REAGAN
BENDIGO HOTEL
Premiere US metal act Iron Reagan have added another Melbourne show to their tour. Iron Reagan bring their catchy and tough crossover sound, coming all the way from the ol' South, to the Bendigo Hotel this Sunday April 12, with local acts Party Vibez, Cold Ground and Acid Vain filling support slots. Tickets are $40 with a $10 discount if you bring along your ticket from their Saturday gig at the Tote. Catch them at the Bendy from 7pm.
RAINBOW HOTEL
Jules Boult draws from a plethora of genre influences: jazz, blues, country or folk – he doesn’t care. Hearing his father play live blues as a child, live music has fuelled Jules Boult’s hunger to explore, create and develop his act for audiences everywhere, having previously impressed at Chicago’s infamous Blues Music Festival. This Sunday April 12 will see Jules Boult continuing his Rainbow Hotel April residency. Entry is free, music starts 4pm.
THE CHOPS THE TOTE
The Chops will be brewing up a heady mix of psychedelic Krautrock, rare groove, space-jam odysseys this Sunday April 12 at The Tote. “We play ‘em ‘til they fall apart,” pretty much sums up MO for this five-piece instrumental band, making a rare pilgrimage to the flat lands from their home in the ‘nongs. The Chops will be propping up the front bar this week with acoustic druid Rollo Ellis. Doors are 5pm and entry is free. MONDAY APRIL 13
INDIAN SKIES
THE WORKERS CLUB
After a three-year-bong-haze-hiatus, Indian Skies return to the Worker’s Club stage to play a pile of new psych tunes from their soon-to-be released fourth studio album. Joining the line up will be radical romantics Trash Fairys, the fresh prince James Ramsay and the just ripened Magic Melons. Get down to The Workers for a messy mindbending night, this Monday April 13. Doors open 7pm, entry is $3.
EMILEE SOUTH
T H E R E T R E AT H O T E L
Emilee South traverses the globe with her guitar. After several years of an endless summer, in 2014 she returned to her hometown of Melbourne to release her debut EP Aloha, Au Revoir to a sold-out crowd at The Northcote Uniting Church. With powerful vocals and fierce guitar playing, South hollers throwback rhythm and blues, with hints of a whiskey-drenched French summer, young love, voodoo and small-town guilt. Following a string of Melbourne residencies, festival debuts and a roaring Hawaiian tour, the year ahead will see South swinging around an electric while expanding her ever-growing reputation on the local scene. What better way to spend Easter Monday? 8.15pm at The Retreat Hotel.
LOOKING FORWARD
Saturday April 18
Ding Dong Lounge
THE JOHNNY CAN’T DANCE CAJUN BAND Saturday 18 April
The Post Office Hotel
NEW WAR THE DO YO THANGS
Saturday April 18
Wednesday April 15
Howler
WHITE RABBIT, RED RABBIT
Saturday April 18
The John Curtin
THE SUBSTITUTES
Thursday April 16
THE OCEAN
Howler
Saturday April 18
BUDDY GLASS
The Evelyn Hotel
Thursday April 16
FRAUDBAND
The Old Bar
SHORES/CLOSET STRAIGHTS Thursday April 16
The Post Office Hotel
Grace Darling
PIERCE BROTHERS 170 Russell
Thursday April 16
John Curtin Bandroom
PUGSLEY BUZZARD Friday April 16
The Post Office Hotel
BONJAH Friday April 24 Howler
MOJO JUJU Friday April 24
Ding Dong Lounge
MISO
SLUMBERJACK
Friday April 17 Howler
Friday April 24 Can’t Say
JORDIE LANE
CHARLIE MARSHALL
Friday April 17
Sunday April 19
Sunday April 26
The Toff In Town
The Retreat
SOAK
PEACE
Friday April 17
Thursday April 30
Shadow Electric
Ding Dong Lounge
CALLING ALL CARDS Friday April 17
The Corner Hotel
LIA MICE
THE GETAWAY PLAN
Saturday April 18
Friday May 22
Grace Darling
The Corner Hotel
SIMON HUDSON BAND Saturday April 18
KING PARROT Saturday May 16
Ding Dong Lounge
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Saturday April 18
Sunday April 19
ROLLS BAYCE
B.East
The Flying Saucer Club
SAN CISCO Sunday May 24 170 Russell
THE RAINBOW HOTEL'S
BEER OF THE WEEK 100 Taps Lager It pours with a fresh straw colour and is very clear with a medium white head. The nose is floral and subtle with the barest suggestion of bitterness. This beer delivers exceptional balance and crispness. The malt driven sweetness is well balanced by the late hopping process used in fermentation. Tasmanian Amarillo hops give a flavour that is equally as subtle, without a lager smack at the end or any lingering taste of hops.
LIVE
REPORTS FROM THE FRONT ROW
For more reviews go to beat.com.au/reviews ED SHEERAN Rod Laver Arena, Saturday March 28
PAOLO NUTINI The Palais, Wednesday April 1
Photo by Ian Laidlaw
Photo by Maddison Pitt
Even if you don’t particularly like, or even understand, the appeal of modern pop music, you really have to appreciate what Ed Sheeran does. He’s not just some lip-syncing, talentless hack – this English lad has some serious skills. His live shows are stripped of all the usual bells and whistles. There are no pyrotechniques, no back up dancers or even other musicians, it’s literally just him alone with an acoustic guitar – not a bad effort considering he’s sold out back-to-back shows of 12,000-odd screaming teenage fans. He even explains during the show, “Everything you hear is played live, recorded live and then looped.” It’s an impressive spectacle; as the cameras show Sheeran fiddling with pedals to overlay bars on acoustic, electric, tapping a beat on the side of his guitar, beat boxing and even providing his own back-up vocals. If you were to describe his musical style, it’s not as poppy as Justin Timberlake but not quite as cool as someone like Plan B (Sheeran’s attempt at rapping is borderline cringe-worthy). With only two albums to his name, the set wasn’t too lengthy. It was short and sharp, consisting mostly of new material from his latest album, x – including I’m A Mess, Don’t, Nina, Take It Back, Photograph, Thinking Out Loud and I See Fire. He also blended in a few surprising covers, including Blackstreet’s No Diggity, Stevie Wonder’s Superstition, Iggy Azalea’s Fancy and even Fiddy’s In Da Club. Sheeran involved the crowd as much as possible and they eagerly obliged, encouraging everyone to clap on cue, bounce their hands like they were at a hip hop concert and, at one stage, split the room in two to provide harmonious chorus backing. However, one of the best sights was when he asked the crowd to hold up their mobile flashlights as lighters and wave them in the air during one of his slower tracks. The entire arena was glowing. Between songs he played up to the audience, swearing a lot more than expected and getting a few good laughs. He even joked about the encore routine, saying, “This is my last song, but we both know it’s not really my last song.” It LOVED: The one-man-band approach. didn’t stop the crowd from going completely mental again HATED: The deafening screams of too many when he came out to finish with You Need Me, I Don’t teenagers. Need You and Sing. DRANK: Water, recovering from my b’day the night before. CHRIS BRIGHT
PIKNIC ÉLEKTRONIC MELBOURNE CLOSING PART Y The Paddock at Federation Square, Sunday March 29 There’s nothing wrong with a Sunday sesh – we’re in Melbourne, after all. Music fans got a whole lot more to choose from this summer when Piknic Électronik announced its inaugural Melbourne season. First launched in Montreal in 2003, the event is heralded for its sunny, daytime vibes along with its knack for booking top-notch DJs and producers. Following a rocky start to the season, which saw originally announced venue Old Melbourne Gaol pull out of its partnership, the party sampled a few different spaces around the city before settling into its home: the Paddock at Federation Square. Nestled behind Birrarung Marr in a never-before-used spot, the location provided the unique advantage of being able to watch the sun set over the city as trains shuffled in and out of Flinders Street Station. While the location may’ve taken a while to lock down, the lineup didn’t suffer, with organisers bringing in firstclass talent throughout the entirety of the three-month season. This year featured an impressive array of players, ranging from the legendary A Guy Called Gerald to Nico Stojan, to the wonky Acid Pauli, alongside some of Melbourne’s most promising home-grown talent. The season came to a close fittingly, with Montreal’s Guillaume & the Coutu Dumonts providing the send-off. But before we get to the tunes, Piknic’s decor is well-worth noting. Striped beach chairs and umbrellas, and picnic tables set on Astroturf transformed an otherwise gravel enclosure into an inner city oasis. Multiple bars were positioned throughout the area, with reasonably priced options ranging from sunny cocktails to craft beer. And to top it all off, local food trucks were on hand to supply the eats for the day. This week featured an appearance from Mr Burger (kudos to those who survived the 30-minute wait time) and a jaffle stand. Organisers should be applauded for creating an atmosphere that utilised its surroundings, but still emanated the feeling that we were somehow escaping the bustling city. Now let’s get to the music. As with the rest of the series, this week’s Piknic hosted some stellar local selectors. Ex-Quest and Safari kicked off the festivities, followed by Chilean-Australian producer Galambo and the wideranging sounds of Brendan Ruys. With the sun beaming over the paddock, Guillaume Coutu Dumont took the decks with his jazz-inspired tunes. His hour-and-a-half set traversed the breezier sides of techno and house, providing a soundtrack that was lent itself to both dancing and lounging. As with most weeks, the Piknic finale sold out well before the event. With a 1,000-person capacity, the space felt overcrowded at times, with lines for the bathroom and bar putting punters out of commission for upwards of ten minutes. In the future, Piknic would benefit from expanding The Paddock, giving more people the chance to (comfortably) be a part of the Punchy Sunday phenomenon. In its first season, Piknic Électronik proved it has a place in Melbourne, embracing our thriving musical culture and beautiful city. Even while several roadblocks popped up along the way, organisers managed to put together a Sunday event with a character of its own that will undoubtedly LOVED: The vibe of the thing. become a staple of many Melbourne summers to come. HATED: Long lines. DRANK: Pink Lady Cider. LAUREN GILL BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 45
Love was certainly in the air as Paolo Nutini burst onto the stage at The Palais to the funky sounds of Scream (Funk My Life Up), the lead single from his new album, Caustic Love. The crowd was on board with Nutini from the opening number, and didn’t wane in energy or admiration throughout. Accompanied by his high-energy eightpiece band and backing singer, Nutini started out with a few of his sexier soul-funk numbers Let Me Down Easy and Coming Up Easy. It didn’t take long for everybody to get up out of their red leather seats (not an easy feat, those chairs are comfortable). Nutini’s voice is flawless, and has effortlessly made the transition from his earlier folk/ pop-rock roots to his newer funk-soul sound. He dealt with his best-known hits Jenny Don’t Be Hasty and New Shoes in a combined one-two punch mid way through the set. Jenny Don’t Be Hasty was almost obscured by a rock cover that lacked most of the original melody, but this didn’t seem to bother the crowd too much. Nutini seemed far more present during the raw and impassioned performance of new single Iron Sky. While his vocal ability could more than keep up with the change in genres, his performance felt uneven at times. On stage, Nutini seems far older than his 27 years, partly because his music and singing style draws from funksoul veterans like Charles Bradley, Otis Redding and even a bit of D’Angelo. It’s also because his performance sometimes erred on being cheesy, when he could’ve let his romantic songs bring the love factor for him. His encore set included a funk flavoured cover of MGMT’s Time to Pretend and bluesy crowd favourite Candy. The final highlight was the ballad Last Request, which Nutini played stripped back under a spotlight with an acoustic guitar, showcasing his soaring vocals. Paolo Nutini is exactly the kind of musician you would want to bring home to meet your mum, and although his music is heavy on the romance, it’s the kind of romance your mum could get behind: not too sexy and not too subtle. About half way through the show, Nutini paused to dedicate a song to a special lady in his life, his mother. LOVED: That voice. You could just about hear the ladies (and a few gents) in HATED: The two women behind me saying “He the audience mass swooning. He knew his audience, and is sooo cute” every ten minutes. he was there to show them a good time. DRANK: Nothing – no drinks allowed inside the MIA ABRAHAMS
Palais.
CHARLES BRADLEY The Corner Hotel, Wednesday April 1 So much for autumn, it was a positively balmy summer’s night that greeted those who made it to Charles Bradley’s second Melbourne headline show at The Corner Hotel. If James Brown is the godfather of soul, Charles Bradley is its first cousin. Multiple costume changes and a super tight backing band that features members of Dap Kings, Menahan St. Band and Budos Band were just two of the key factors that made this such an entertaining evening. Opening act WILSN, or Shannon Bush when she gets a parking fine, was the only support. The VCA graduate has a strong and classically trained voice and her 30-minute set – accompanied only by a guitarist – nicely killed a bit of time before the big show. The curtains drew back to reveal Bradley’s backing band that consisted of, from right to left, two guitarists, bass, drums, organ, saxophone and trumpet. The six musicians jammed out for a good three minutes until a crescendo that heralded main man Charles Bradley taking the stage. He was dressed in a shiny red suit – something Elvis would have worn in his Vegas days – that had a gold sphinx on the back. The biggest cheer for Bradley from the sold-out Corner Hotel audience came when he dropped into the splits, folding forward with the mic stand – the athleticism of the 67-year-old was something to admire. His 2007 single The World (Is Going Up In Flames) was an early highlight and only 30 minutes into the set, Bradley left the stage for a good three minutes with his backing band locking into a driving surf rock rhythm. Bradley returned to stage having changed costume into a much lighter black pant-suit, which heralded a tempo change as Bradley moved into the downtempo dulcet grooves of Lovin You, Baby from 2011’s No Time For Dreaming. The respect and adulation tangible in every applause was not lost on Bradley, who seemed very genuine in his gratitude for it. The sheer number of people in the room made it hard to truly groove out but most people danced a little. Tonight’s performance was LOVED: The musicality of the night. deeply enjoyable, with all in attendance knowing the man HATED: The cocksucker that refused to move on stage possesses a talent and soul that does not come when I returned to my spot after going to the along very often. toilet. DRANK: Dry ginger. DENVER MAXX ot Print Does N e in L ie D
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THIS WEEK AT
THURSDAY 9TH APRIL
WEEKLY TRIVIA
by Question 1 – Prizes & giveaways! Starts at 8pm. Contact the venue for table bookings!
ALBUM OF THE WEEK DEATH GRIPS
TOP TEnS: RECORD PARADISE TOP TEN 1.
Sometimes I Just Sit COURTNEY
Jenny Death (Harvest Records)
BARNETT 2.
Melbourne, Florida DICK DIVER
3.
No Cities To Love SLEATER-
4.
Pretend You’re Mine PEARLS
5.
About Time CHOOK RACE
6.
Ibeya IBEYA
IN THE BEER GARDEN -
NORTHSIDE SPACE FUNKERS
feat. Hyperfokus & Kodiak Kid, Hip-Hop, funk, trip-hop, electro soul & swinging jazz. Playing inside & out from 7pm FRIDAY 10TH APRIL MAIN BAR FROM 9PM
ARTIST PROOF SHADOW MAKERS MEL CALIA DJ’S
KODIAK KID / MAARS / NO NAME NATH SATURDAY 11TH APRIL MAIN BAR FROM 9PM
EATER OF THE SKY OH PACIFIC ALL THE ANIMALS DJ’S
B-TWO / HIJACK / OBLIVEUS SUNDAY 12TH APRIL IN THE BEER GARDEN -
‘EASY NOW’
SUNDAY REGGAE BEATS FROM 3PM
feat. Agent 86, Tom Showtime and DJ Maars MONDAY 13TH APRIL
$10 LONGNECKS $4 PIZZA & FREE POOL + FREE WORKSHOPS – Call venue for details TUESDAY 14TH APRIL
FREE MOVIE NIGHT:
THE GODFATHER II
FREE Popcorn + Candy Bar purchases available. 8:30PM
WEEKLY FOOD SPECIALS
SUNDAY - $10 ROAST MONDAY - $10 STEAK TUESDAY - $10 FISH N CHIPS WEDNESDAY - $10 BURGER (BEEF/ CHICKEN/VEGO) THURSDAY - $10 PARMA $4 PIZZAS MONDAY TO THURSDAY ALL DAY & NIGHT, FRIDAY TILL 5PM THEN FULL PRICE THEREAFTER.
ALWAYS FREE ENTRY INSIDE & OUTSIDE
420 SYDNEY RD, BRUNSWICK (03) 9380 8667, INFO@THEPENNYBLACK.COM FACEBOOK.COM/THEPENNYBLACK.420SYDNEYROAD @THEPENNYBLACK THE_PENNYBLACK
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 46
Sometimes I Sit And Think, And
KINNEY After a tumultuous series of events between the first half of Death Grips’ double album, The Powers That B, and the present, the band has finally released part two – the highly-anticipated Jenny Death in spite of a breakup, a purely instrumental release and reforming for a world tour. In the lead-up to its release, Death Grips released several music videos of tracks from the album, heralding a scorching release of experimental rap combined with the unusual inclusion of guitar-driven songs, all powered by memorable production and lyrics – and as the highlyanticipated release landed, it earned the hype that was running behind it for months. Straight from the opener I Break Mirrors With My Face In The United States, Jenny Death sends a statement to listeners: this album is not for the faint of heart (or the elderly...or children). I Break Mirrors With My Face In The United States pummels with a rapid-fire beat over a seething drone synth with repeated howls of “I Break Mirrors With My Face In The United States.” and “I don’t care about real life.” Straight from the beginning, Jenny Death sets its theme clear: wanton aggression coupled with a reckless selfloathing, driving the music into a place of universal loathing and the idea that there’s nothing to lose. Multiple takes of this happen over the course of the album. Turned Off starts with the killer opening about chain smoking in the shower, despite the risk of death through heart attack or cancer, and that nothing’s sacred when vocalist MC Ride gets naked. Other lyrical themes involve the literal piss-take of Pss Pss, which, due to its production
7.
It Is What It Is OLDMATE
8.
Blast LOVE OF DIAGRAMS
9.
Burn Your Fire ANGEL OLSEN
10. Gon’ Boogaloo C.W.STONEKING and sexualised lyrical content, could be seen as a swipe at the overtly sexualised pop-rap culture. For the most part though, the album sticks to its anger like an endless grudge. Combine the lyrical theme with pounding guitar riffs and some production as wild as the inner machinations of a meth addict, and Jenny Death never stagnates, staying unexpected, interesting and harsh. Jenny Death’s success comes due to a more constructed approach to songwriting. The ten-track album features more rap and less electronic experimentation than previous releases, and, as a result, Jenny Death takes the distinction of being their most coherent, yet violent, album in years. It might not be for everyone, but if you’ve ever enjoyed noise rock, heavier electronic music and rap, this is musical gold. THOMAS BRAnD
HEARTLAND RECORDS TOP TEN 1.
Beyond The Red Mirror LP BLIND GUARDIAN
2.
Thousand Miles Of Midnight LP MARK LANEGAN
3.
Return To Forever BOX SET SCORPIONS
4.
Album Collection CD BOX THE SOUND
5.
Self-titled LP THE SUBWAYS
6.
Dissident Live 1994 2LP PEARL JAM
7.
Cherub Rock Live LP SMASHING PUMPKINS
SInGLES
BY LACHLAn
8.
No 4 LP STONE TEMPLE PILOTS
9.
Short Movie 2LP LAURA MARLING
10. My Dreams Dictate My Reality LP SOKO
For all the latest singles check out beat.com.au If I see one more choccy egg I’m gonna spew! Haha, just kidding everyone. I can’t get enough. Hope you had a great long weekend.
JUNGLEPUSSY
Me (Independent) The closing track from one of the strongest hip hop releases of last year, Me is a sensual, powerful wash of classic NYC production. Junglepussy deals underhanded lyrical brilliance, dealing bars that possess a razor wit, never coming across as jokey while shifting flow between spacious rhymes and sung hooks. “I just want to be me.” Perfect.
JANELLE MONAE
GRIMES
Entropy (RCA) Grimes’ contribution to the Girls soundtrack starts off with a breezy, low-key Sonny & The Sunsets groove, threatening to explode into bombast, yet still maintaining a stripped-back charm. The hook is catchy and not overcooked, “Calculate the entropy / Running out of energy”. It’s not a celebration of entropy, despite the poppy tonal sentiment, nor a rejection. An acknowledgement, perhaps, that entropy is an undeniable force. It feels like a catharsis of weighted expectation for Grimes as a palpable anticipation for the follow up to Visions still rumbles. “Maybe it’s not music and it’s all a lie,” she sings here.
Yoga (Sony) Ooooh, outta nowhere, Janelle Monae has dropped a trappy anthem in Yoga. There’s a sense of freedom from Monae’s refined Metropolis concepts found on her previous LPs and EP, cutting loose with laser-guided vocal melodies and dance-craze baiting lyrics. “Lemme see you do that yoga” won’t be a viral hit, I don’t think, but it’s a solid jam and a promising sign of things to come.
2.
Aladdin Sane LP DAVID BOWIE
3.
Blood Lust CD UNCLE ACID AND
4.
Manhunt LP MANHUNT
5.
Persuasion 12” MULTIPLE MAN
6.
Grind Madness At The BBC split LP
THE DEADBEATS
CARCASS / GODFLESH 7.
Axis Bold As Love LP JIMI
8.
III LP SKEPTICS
9.
Split LP EXHUMED IRON
HENDRIX
BUFFALO
BEAT’S TOP TEN SONGS ABOUT OUR LONG WEEKEND 1.
Where Is My Mind? THE PIXIES
2.
Feel Good Hit of The Summer QUEENS OF THE STONEAGE
3.
What’s That In My Pocket? UGLY
4.
Chewing My Face Off 3AM
KID JOE
ELIZABETH ROSE
I’m Back Where I Was (Rice Is Nice) Finding supreme beauty in the Sisyphean devastation of adulthood, Sarah Mary Chadwick cuts to the bone – the exposure of I’m Back Where I Was is nothing short of powerful. It lifts into the refrain “I thought I would know by now / I thought I’d be home by now”, engulfing like an existential tsunami. You feel it in your chest.
Dead Mates tape DEAD MATES
10. Only Want You For Your Body LP
Glass & Patron (Young Turks/Remote Control) This is fucked up. In the best way. Twigs explores more challenging production on the first taste from upcoming release EP3, teaming up with Boots here, much like the collaborative works with Arca on the previous two EPs. It’s a refined energy – especially compared to the broader, over-arching vision of LP1 – bursting, glitching, banging on a whim. Twigs is unstoppable.
SARAH MARY CHADWICK
1.
REAGAN
FKA TWIGS
Another Earth (Midnight Feature) Opening with a fairly wide gulf between the higherregister vocal and fleshed-out bottom end, everything snaps into place on Another Earth, the majority of which is decent, eventually braiding a satisfying close. Did anyone ever see that movie Another Earth? It was alright. Cheers.
COLLECTORS CORNER MISSING LINK TOP TEN
SINGLE OF THE WEEK ALYX DENNISON
Jewels Are Just Lumps (Popfrenzy) There’s a lot going on in Jewels Are Just Lumps and all of it amazing: millions of celestial folk sparks firing simultaneously, a triumph anchored by a marching snare. It’s a disarming spectacle, pulled off effortlessly by Alyx Dennison, dipping into lo-fi 56k modem-esque lulls before soaring, with fiddle, into a breathless vocal excursion. One of the many highlights from Dennison’s self-titled full-length – an early contender for album of the year.
WATCH INTERVIEWS, CHATS & AWKWARD SILENCES... BEAT.COM.AU/TV
5.
Tripping In The Dark SHOES UNDONE
6.
Not My Tent STRANGE HANDS
7.
Camping With The Missus THE GRAMPIANS
8.
Crying Myself To Sleep THE NO TICKETS
9.
I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself WHITE STRIPES
10. Monday (Is Not Funday) THE COME DOWNS
ALBUMS New music in review this week - For more reviews go to beat.com.au/reviews
IMAGINE DRAGONS
MADONNA
LIEUTENANT
If I Kill This Thing We’re All Going To Eat For A Week
Smoke + Mirrors
Rebel Heart
(Universal Music Australia)
(Dine Alone)
(Universal/Interscope)
There’s a rumour going around the members of Imagine Dragons are Annunaki – flesh-eating reptilian humanoids – disguised as pop pins, who want to rule us or eat us. Or it could just be that the ‘lizard elite’ thing is an allegory for the parasitic nature of mainstream pop. Smoke + Mirrors comes at an important time because Imagine Dragons’ are becoming less tolerable, and maybe something needs to make us stem our vitriol a little. Maybe the right synth-rock jam pudge will push us enough toward a hard reset, like when people in the ‘90s could say they liked Limp Bizkit and TLC in the same breath and that’d be okay. Honesty can be the only thing that could redeem a band Queens Of The Stone Age told to get fucked. In Shots, the boys start of apologising in peaky falsetto, but it seems they’re being more self-indulgent than self-aware. Given conspiracy theories about the Dragons abound, songs called Smoke + Mirrors, Thief and The Fall may be a bit on the nose. The Fall is fodder for health insurance ads, and Thief sounds like that one hit they had which I think actually was a health insurance ad. I’d like to apologise for ever advocating for Imagine Dragons, because what we’re dealing with here is something criminally dishonest. There may be a band and a record that unites the tribes of music appreciation, but it won’t be a record that makes cutesy winks at deception in its very title. NATHAN HEWITT
For some, If I Kill This Thing We’re All Going to Eat for A Week will be a good, sweet, meek and jam-packed thing. Fans of Nate Mendel will say it’s good he’s left his 20-year alma mater for something new, but we shouldn’t care; this isn’t a departure, or a comingof-age rite. Word about town is If I Kill This Thing is a spotlight wrenched from Dave Grohl, which is doubtful, but it if it is, it’s not even pointed at the guy who’s meant to be singing. He’s not killing his own emotional doppelgänger to liberate the superego; Mendel’s a dusty relic of the postemo era now a little less dusty. In Belle Epoque, Mendel channels James Mercer with his verse-end diving-board sighs (they’re sort of wails in his interpretation), and sounds like he’s relieved he gets to stop singing for a bit. IIKTT may not be a symbol for a bunch of different cosmic dramas, but it’s certainly a tour of the times rock was up its own arse a bit too much. Mendel’s melodies meander just the way music geeks will like, though. He’s gone for the toughest crowd, those wild ones that sit hoping, praying for a modulation or key change to relieve some deviant erotic desire, and it’s hard to know if his music is disjointed and apologetic by design, or whether he was always like that. If you like silent types who seem to regret themselves ontologically, the cutesy aspect of If I Kill This Thing will never wear off and you’ve got a neat thing. If you don’t, you still get a full thing: post-emo dirges that have pretty much nothing to do with Dave Grohl.
Upon hearing Madonna was releasing yet another album, I was immediately skeptical. Images of Lycra and leather flew into my mind, combined with banal lyrics and so much bass you’d hear it a mile away. I decided I had to hear it. My assumptions were correct. Rebel Heart is one hour and 15 minutes of the musical equivalent of Nanna having one too many wines and putting up her hand for karaoke, exclaiming that no, she is not too old for this, while sliding on her beat up leather jacket from the ‘50s. Skip the opener Living For Love if you’ve already dropped the bass today; Devil Pray has a strange country twang that makes you uncomfortable in the way you do when you have water in your shoes, and the lyrics kinda make you wonder if Madonna’s just trying to troll us all: “We can do drugs and we can smoke weed and we can drink whiskey, yeah. We can get high and we can get stoned” – really? That’s the best you could come up with, with over 30 years in the game? Come on, Madonna, you can do better than that. Moving down a few tracks to the ever-predictable name-drop-worthy list of feature artists, Nikki Minaj is first up, in Bitch I’m Madonna. Bitch, she’s Madonna, is what I came away with from this track. Apparently Madge is also friends with Chance The Rapper, Mike Tyson, Nas, Kanye, etc. But let’s just put it this way – if you played a game called “count how many times the word ‘bitch’ is used in this album,” and drink every time you do, you’d be hammered by track six.
NATHAN HEWITT
TAYLOR YATES
SAN CISCO
TANGLED THOUGHTS OF LEAVING
Gracetown
(Island City Records)
THUNDEREGG
Big Cigarette (Independent)
Yield to Despair It’s hard to believe San Cisco’s eponymous debut album was released back in 2012, after two successful EP’s the 12 months beforehand. The infectious indie rock outfit from Perth sound like they’ve hardly missed a beat on Gracetown’s lead single RUN. The unmistakably “breathy” beat makes it feel thoroughly unique, while frontman Jordi Davieson’s high vocal range is impressive. Just as their debut felt much more polished and featured less ‘shouty’ vocals than their EPs, so too does this latest release. The production is clearly first rate and the record benefits from what appears to be a lengthy and well considered recording process. The next song, Too Much Time Together, is reminiscent of Franz Ferdinand’s Live Alone in terms of lyrical content – the gist is two people in love but deal with domestic duties and overexposure too soon, which ends up destroying the relationship before it has a chance to succeed. San Cisco’s effort is much more enjoyable and manages to sound rather upbeat despite the song being essentially the soundtrack of an unimaginably awkward conversation. Snow brings the tempo down somewhat to begin with, but brings back the fun vibe before long to keep the overall lighthearted feel of the record alive. Despite this relaxed and upbeat feel present across the disc, it’s often despite the lyrics being darker at various stages, makes for a rewarding juxtaposition. The young quartet have certainly grown their songwriting abilities and this sophomore release should appease existing fans whilst earning a swag more. ALEXANDER CROWDEN
(Birds Robe Records)
You know you’re in for an obscure musical journey when you put an album into your CD player, its all instrumental, features only five tracks but goes for over 70 minutes, the first track is called The Albanian Sleepover – Part One, and the first thing you hear is just about the doomiest, dredgiest thing you’ve ever heard, with quite possibly the furriest guitar sound in history. But that’s Perth’s Tangled Thoughts of Leaving for you. These guys’ aim is obviously to create music that’s as far humanly possible from the mainstream. I adore all-instrumental music, however this band stretch the boundaries of even my tastes, with their virtual complete lack of discernible melody and song structure. Experiencing Yield to Despair end to and in all its enigmatic glory is a tough gig. In fact, it’s very aptly named, as are some of the songs (Downbeat, Shaking off Futility). It’s far from an uplifting listen, quite the opposite in fact, but that’s hardly the point. This band aims to make a doomy and powerful statement with their music, and explore relentlessly dark soundscapes, not to put a boppy smile on your dial, and they succeed in these things admirably. If you’re already of a depressive type of disposition, or are simply feeling a little down about life, maybe wait ‘til you’re feeling better to give this album a go. If you like all musical things dark, obtuse and vocal-free, yield to this album’s strange charms.
10TH
GIGS 2ND ANNUAL HOBBLEDEHOy RECORD COMPANy SHOWCASE feat.
CERES + CHARGE GROUp + FOURTEEN NIGHTS AT SEA + Jamie Hay & liam White + luke Howard. ON SALE NOW.
Sat aPr
11TH
KILL+ Kim DEVIL HILLS (wA) Salmon + Cherrywood. ON SALE NOW
WED aPr 15TH 22ND 29TH
AUGUSTUS WELBY
ROD WHITFIELD
GIGS Fri aPr
Comprehensive art exhibitions can often be somewhat denigrating to the individual works. Beholding 30 Picasso paintings in a single viewing, it’s difficult to soak up the full effect of any one painting. This doesn’t really apply to albums, but some artists’ compositions are definitely worth seizing in their singular purity. Thunderegg’s C’Mon Thunder was one of last year’s standout indie pop records and the brainchild of San Francisco’s Will Georgantas, who’s back with the two-song EP, Big Cigarette. For the title track, a lazy polka beat and tidy country guitar licks provide a restful platform for Georgantas to paint a tale of doomed love. These lovers aren’t just doomed toward relative destruction, but also stuck in a repetitive cycle. Essentially, they can see things ain’t right, but just can’t let go (a la smoking cigarettes). Ten Sleeves comes next. Foggy guitar effects build a spacious yet compact environment for Georgantas to cryptically elaborate on his hyper-sentimentality. This tendency is artfully summed up by the lyric “I deceive no one/ Five layers, ten sleeves, and my heart bleeds on every one.” While Thunderegg’s never gained the same level of acclaim as these acts, Big Cigarette helps re-state his place on the crooked podium that houses Guided By Voices’ Robert Pollard and The Mountain Goats’ John Darnielle.
THE DO YO THANGS MINI RESIDENCY
tHu aPr
16TH
EVERYDAY
ROLLS BAYCE ‘ON My OWN’ NatioNal tour. ON SALE NOW
Sat aPr
18TH
SYDONIA ALBUM PREVIEW SHOW
w Branch arterial + red Sky Burial. ON SALE NOW
CURTIN
$13 JUGS
6PM
+ oN SalE NoW @ JoHNCurtiNHotEl.Com
24 ApRIL - pETS wITH pETS
‘out oF tHE aCiDiC DriNK (You’ll GEt Hurt)’ SiNGlE lauNCH W. CuNtz. oN SalE NoW
25 ApRIL - BLACK LUNG ALBUM LAUNCH
(DaviD tHruSSEll - SNoG) + Bat NouvEau + DarK SHaDoWS + SouNDS liKE WiNtEr. oN SalE NoW
JUNKIES (wA) 27 ApRIL - SpRAY pAINT (USA) 23RD THE LOVE NatioNal tour tHu aPr
+ Skullcave. ON SALE NOW
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GIG GUIDE
WHAT'S ON AROUND MELBOURNE THIS WEEK
For all the latest gigs check out beat.com.au
WEDNESDAY 8 APRIL JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC ••aidan chu Ruby’s Music Room, Melbourne Cbd. 6:00pm. $12.50.
••bopstretch Uptown Jazz Cafe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. . ••catfish Open Studio, Northcote. 8:00pm. .
••dizzy’s big band with peter hearne &
caleste poulson Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond. 8:00pm.
$14.00.
••galliano sommavilla Ruby’s Music Room,
+ dj vince peach & pierre baroni Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $10.00.
••the good egg thursdays - feat: henry who
+ tigerfunk + lewis cancut Lucky Coq, Windsor.
7:00pm. .
••the merri soul sessions - feat: paul kelly
+ clairy browne + vika & linda bull + dan sultan + kira puru Hamer Hall (arts Centre Melbourne), Southbank. 8:00pm. $99.00.
••wisdom2th + clash krzma + clay adams and
wallac Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $10.00.
Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $12.50.
INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS
$10.00.
••audition night - feat: waterline + igor
••hugh stuckey Brunswick Green, Brunswick. 8:30pm. ••jimmy cliff + mohair slim dj Corner Hotel, Richmond. 7:30pm. $77.00.
aleinik + mullen + brett franke Musicland,
Fawkner. 7:00pm. .
••mathew roche + manticore 303, Northcote.
••boss moxi + gatherer + my elephant ride
••pilot + lake minnetonka + pvblo Toff In Town,
••dave alvin & phil alvin with the guilty ones
8:00pm. .
Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $10.00.
••surface Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $15.00.
••the luke howard trio Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $18.00.
••the rookies The Rooks Return, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. . ••wilma smith (the romantic english)
Melbourne Recital Centre, Southbank. 6:00pm. $50.00.
INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS ••errant venture + moonshifter + the small
victories Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. . ••girl crazy + ryan vager + grace anderson
Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 8:30pm. $10.00.
+ lachlan bryan Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 7:30pm. $60.00.
••fusion night - feat: project 11 Musicland, Fawkner. 7:00pm. $15.00.
creep 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. $5.00. ••guantanamo baywatch + richie 1250 & the brides of christ + pow pow kids Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $15.00.
••jeff martin + tash sultana Espy, St Kilda. 8:30pm. $42.00.
Geelong. 8:00pm. .
••jurassic nark + aztx + tfc Public Bar, North
pollution Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $7.00.
••kill dirty youth + overdoze + littlefoot +
••john farnham & olivio newton john Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne. 8:00pm. $117.24.
••kalacoma + lalic + yes/no/maybe Workers Club, Fitzroy. 7:00pm. $5.00.
••marlon williams & the yarra benders +
jim lawrie + julia jacklin Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $20.00.
••miss eileen & king lear + little wing + dj
mermaid Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 6:00pm. $5.00. ••waterfall person + karli white lux ovarye’s weird time + drooling mystics Public Bar, North Melbourne. 8:00pm. $8.00.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK
Workers Club, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. $10.00.
Melbourne. 8:00pm. $7.00.
she beast Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. . ••leanne kingwell + tequila mockingbyrd + axe girl Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 8:30pm. . ••los dominados + the barebones + western stars + iowa Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $8.00. ••marlon williams & the yarra benders + jim lawrie + julia jacklin Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $20.00.
••motherslug Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. .
••next - feat: feed her to the sharks + hands
of hope + abreact Colonial Hotel, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. .
••norma jean + belle haven + driven to
Brunswick. 7:30pm. .
the verge + the city at night + drive time commute Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 7:00pm. $39.00. ••nowhere + trans paranoia + judas springsteen + freddy fudd pucker Brunswick
9:00pm. .
••teddy and the ricochets Open Studio, Northcote.
••alanna eileen Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 8:00pm. . ••gary clark jr 170 Russell, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. . ••gretta ziller + aleyce simmons Retreat Hotel, ••janine marshall Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. ••open mic Whole Lotta Love, Brunswick East. 7:00pm. .
••open mic night Purple Emerald, Northcote. 8:00pm. . ••pokey lafarge + luke winslow king Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 8:00pm. $49.90.
••tara walsh + jp 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. .
••open mic Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 7:00pm. .
THURSDAY 9 APRIL
Jimmy Cliff ’s the kind of overachiever that makes us normies look like shit in comparison. Beginning with his first release way back in 1962, Cliff has become renowned worldwide as one of Jamaica’s best primary exports, receiving accolades galore. For all the reggae fans out there, you probably have tickets for this already. If you don’t, get on it before your friends realise you’re a poser and kick you out of the posse. Jimmy Cliff performs this Wednesday April 8 at The Corner Hotel.
ashcroft + nick ferretti Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm. .
••griya + the night party + sheik stain & the
••john citizen + cheeky goose + dxheaven
••high finance + space junk + the new
JIMMY CLIFF
••grim fawkner + alister turrill + hannah
Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:30pm. .
••guantanamo baywatch Barwon Club Hotel,
GIG OF THE WEEK!
••the clichés - feat: the cliches Carters Bar, Northcote. 8:00pm. .
••2nd annual hobble day - feat: ceres +
charge group + fourteen nights at sea + jamie hay & liam white + luke howard John
Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:00pm. .
••a night of lucinda williams - feat: lisa
miller + rebecca barnard + tracy mcneil + shane o’mara Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 8:00pm. $23.00.
••amplify 2015 - feat: troye sivan + connor
franta + jamie curry of jamie’s world + kimmi smiles + tyde levi + shanni grimmond + kurt coleman + smallzy Margaret Court Arena,
Melbourne. 7:30pm. $70.35.
••benny walker + tommy castles + emilee
south Thornbury Theatre, Thornbury. 8:00pm. $49.00.
••black springs + contrast + cool sounds Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. $5.00.
••bombs are falling + coffin wolf + backseat
circus + drexler + the beggars way Bendigo
Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. .
••bootleg rascal Shebeen, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm.
oops Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 8:30pm. $5.00. ••andy foster Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 8:00pm. .
Melbourne. 8:30pm. $10.00.
exek + tol Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:30pm. $10.00. drifter + dj mermaid Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd.
11:00pm. $13.00.
••dumb punts + bonnie doom + white
bleaches + lazertits Grace Darling Hotel,
Collingwood. 8:30pm. $10.00.
••einsteins toyboys + wild catz Musicland, Fawkner. 7:30pm. $10.00.
••friday night djs - feat: varioust artists
••alex & nilusha (little promises) Melbourne
••broads & james kenyon Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford.
••friday night live - feat: single income &
••catherine mckay Ruby’s Music Room, Melbourne Cbd.
••clint boge + glenn eamond Bridge Hotel,
••craig mattingley Ruby’s Music Room, Melbourne
••gary clark jr 170 Russell, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. .
••dreamin’ wild + atolls + hideous towns Toff
blackwood + shake shack boogie band + dj barry maxwell Musicland, Fawkner. 7:00pm. . ••king wolf Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 8:30pm. . ••luke biscan Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 9:00pm. . ••open mic The Farmer’s Place, 8:00pm. . ••peter black + jamie hay with liam white + georgia maq Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 8:00pm. $10.00. ••pokey lafarge + luke winslow king Corner
6:00pm. $12.50.
Cbd. 8:30pm. $12.50.
In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $8.00.
••esese - feat: esese (live) + ancentric +
hudson james jr + hussey Lounge, Melbourne
Cbd. 9:00pm. .
••james bowers Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 6:00pm. $18.00.
••jazzaoke - feat: mordialloc jazz
orchestra Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond. 8:00pm. $14.00. ••melbourne improvisers collective Uptown Jazz Cafe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. .
••mietta Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $20.00.
••nai palm & swooping duck Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $30.00.
••soul cupcake + lake minnetonka + better
than wizards. Spotted Mallard, Brunswick. 8:00pm. .
••soul in the basement - feat: fulton street
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 48
8:30pm. .
Castlemaine. 8:30pm. $15.00.
••hume blues club - feat: rattlin bones
Hotel, Richmond. 8:30pm. $45.90.
••simon paparo Carters Bar, Northcote. 8:00pm. .
••whole lotta blues - feat: andy layfield +
brendan forward Whole Lotta Love, Brunswick East.
8:00pm. .
FRIDAY 10 APRIL
INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS
••smoke stack rhino + the ugly kings + stone
revival + two headed dog Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $13.00.
••tangrams + truly holy + aktion unit +
diecut Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. .
••the attractor beams + the lanewaves +
michael plater + the exit keys Victoria Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. .
••the ether + levitating churches Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 9:30pm. .
••the good morrows + superholics + nick
sowersby Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $10.00.
••the underground lovers duo Post Office Hotel,
••bob crain + al king + sarah eida Horse Bazaar,
Recital Centre, Southbank. 7:00pm. $30.00.
Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10.00.
••short stack Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. .
elbrus + spidergoat canyon Public Bar, North
••crypt + hotel wrecking city traders +
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC
Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. .
Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine. 8:00pm. $10.00.
••sand dollars + sportsmen + aztx Workers Club,
••the plastered bastards + phatquad 303,
••dr colossus launch + holy serpent +
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK
••red light riot + the dukes of deliciousness.
$12.00.
••clint boge + glenn esmond Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm.
8:00pm. .
••trick dog syndicate + lomax + the alley
Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. .
••raw brit Flying Saucer Club, Elsternwick. 8:00pm. $23.00.
••the perfections + motley + express mc +
••dead boomers + white walls + halt ever +
Dong Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 6:00pm. .
bayharbour Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. $39.00.
••poprocks at the toff - feat: dr phil smith
$14.00.
Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm. .
••the gumbo club - feat: pugsley buzzard Ding
••norma jean + belle haven + brittle bones +
rydah + yoko bono Catfish, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $10.00. Northcote. 8:00pm. . Coburg. 9:30pm. .
••vision st single launch + eeo the early
openers + parmy dhillon + the pretty prettys Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. . ••watt’s on - feat: various artists Prince Public Bar, St Kilda . 8:30pm. .
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC ••angélique kidjo & band Melbourne Recital Centre, Southbank. 8:00pm. $65.00.
Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 11:30pm. .
eastwood revine Pier Live, Frankston. 8:00pm. $5.00.
••geeseas + the braves + rabble rouser Whole Lotta Love, Brunswick East. 8:00pm. $5.00.
••guilt free + tragic earth + australian
kingswood factory Espy, St Kilda. 9:00pm. .
••help our little studio fundraiser - feat:
the perfections + express mc + motley + rydah Catfish, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. $10.00. ••joel’s boozy b’day bash - feat: wicked city + grieg + the loveless + bodies + cosmic kahuna + general men Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $10.00.
••justin townes earle + sam outlaw Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 7:30pm. .
••ladi6 & parks + showtime quintet + cocoa
noire + dj ms butt Espy, St Kilda. 9:00pm. .
••mariachi el bronx after party - feat: the
tarantinos + matt caugthran dj set Little & Olver, Fitzroy. 11:00pm. $10.00.
••miss quincy The Loft, Warrnambool. 8:00pm. .
••nite mooves Ascot Vale Hotel, Ascot Vale. 8:30pm. .
WATCH INTERVIEWS, CHATS & AWKWARD SILENCES... BEAT.COM.AU/TV
JEFF MARTIN
Tea Party frontman Jeff Martin is bringing his solo acoustic tour, Returning From The Ocean At The End, to Australian audiences this week. If you live literally anywhere in Victoria, Jeff Martin’s accommodated for you with shows booked for Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat and beyond. Catch Jeff when he performs Thursday April 9 at The Espy, Friday April 10 at Karova Lounge, Saturday April 11 at The Workers Club Geelong, and Wednesday April 15 at Melbourne’s Workers Club.
••catherine mckay Ruby’s Music Room, Melbourne Cbd. 6:00pm. $12.50.
••christopher gordon Ruby’s Music Room, Melbourne
The Bennies
Cbd. 8:30pm. $12.50.
••felipe camara Open Studio, Northcote. 6:00pm. .
••gipsy kings + karavana flamenca Palais Theatre, St Kilda. 7:00pm. $99.71.
••jamazon - feat: shaolin afronauts Boney, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $10.00.
••mariachi el bronx + peep tempel 170 Russell, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $50.00.
••mel searle quintet Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond. 9:00pm. $20.00.
••miss jugo & friends Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm. . ••monique dimattina (an affair to
dismember) Melbourne Recital Centre, Southbank.
7:00pm. $40.00.
Monday Nights
MIX ’N’
MATCH SLIDERS
$5 A SLIDER!
Tuesdays
$10
PIZZA ALL DAY!
Wednesday Nights
1/2
PRICE BIG PLATES! Thursday Nights
WINGS FROM $10!
••no zu medusa music launch + andras fox
+ michael ozone + bono ono Howler, Brunswick.
9:00pm. $15.00.
••rebecca mendoza quartet Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $25.00.
••soul salvation Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 8:00pm. .
••sugar fed leopards - feat: chelsea wilson +
fulton street 24 Moons, Northcote. 9:00pm. $15.00.
••the barrelhouse monkeys Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 9:30pm. $20.00.
••the furbelows Spotted Mallard, Brunswick. 8:00pm. . ••the pacific belles Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $20.00.
••the royal jellies Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30am. $25.00.
••the sugarcanes + franki alibi dj The Luwow, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $5.00.
••tottie & the wanderers + hue blanes Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $20.00.
••what the funk Purple Emerald, Northcote. 9:00pm. .
••wilson/noy/rex/browne quartet Uptown Jazz Cafe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. .
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK ••bandaoke Pier Live, Frankston. 9:00pm. .
••ben whiting Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 8:30pm. . ••chook race & heirophants Catfish, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. .
••chris wilson Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 5:00pm. .
••daisy west Sooki Lounge, Belgrave. 9:00pm. .
••donavon frankenreiter + karl s williams Corner Hotel, Richmond. 8:00pm. $44.00.
••jed rowe band Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 9:30pm. .spencer p jones Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 5:30pm. .
SATURDAY 11 APRIL
INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS
EVERY DAY 5-7PM
$10 Espresso Martinis $10 Jugs of House Lager $20 Cleanskin Wines
175 – 177 LYGON ST. EAST BRUNSWICK, VICTORIA
PH. 03 9388 0146 EASTBRUNSWICK.JIMMIJAMZ.COM/
This is the kind of gig that makes me wish I was underage again. Ah the joys of youth; high school, puberty, not buying alcohol...actually never mind. This all ages gig is gonna go off though, with The Bennies, Grenadiers, Guantanamo Baywatch and Mesa Cosa all coming down to Moonee Ponds to get this party started. If you’re old as fuck and looking to get hammered, maybe give this a miss. For everyone else, Queens Park is the place to be. The Avenue Presents goes down this Saturday April 11. ••oslow + employment + shiny coin + jess
locke Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 8:00pm. $10.00. ••paces + renz + stashi Shebeen, Melbourne Cbd. little lamb & the rosemarys Public Bar, North
••davidson brothers Union Hotel (brunswick),
••paper arms + union pacific + sweet gold + Melbourne. 8:30pm. $10.00.
••paul kidney experience + pauk kidney
experience + kris wanders unit + the gruntled + council of elders Old Bar, Fitzroy.
8:30pm. $10.00.
••pork chop party Post Office Hotel, Coburg. 9:30pm. . ••short stack (all ages) Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 1:00pm. .
••spencer scott + jerome knappett Old Bar, Fitzroy. 3:00pm. .
••straylove + zuz angel + mechanical
pterodactyl Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $13.00. ••the avenue presents - feat: the bennies + guantanamo baywatch + mesa cosa + grenadiers + mansionair Queens Park, 8:00pm. . ••the corpse + city sharps + razor cut + impact zone Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. . ••the dames Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford. 8:30pm. . ••the peeks The Loft, Warrnambool. 8:00pm. . ••them bruins Workers Club, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. . ••wendy rule 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. $20.00. JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC
••bang - feat: jerrico + ten thousand + the
••cy gorman album/vinyl launch + juxtpose
reasons why + arakeye Royal Melbourne Hotel,
Fitzroy. 9:00pm. .
••clint boge - feat: glenn esmond + clint
••catherine mckay Ruby’s Music Room, Melbourne Cbd.
••axe girl Pier Live, Frankston. 8:00pm. .
marr The Luwow, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $5.00.
••cisco caesar + jeb cardwell Rainbow Hotel,
8:30pm. $15.00.
••8foot felix Spotted Mallard, Brunswick. 8:30pm. $5.00.
6:00pm. $12.50.
boge Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $12.00.
Brunswick. 5:00pm. .
••donavon frankenreiter Barwon Heads Hotel, Barwon Heads. 9:30pm. $29.00.
••hank’s jalopy demons Victoria Hotel (brunswick), Brunswick. 9:00pm. .
••jhana allan Open Studio, Northcote. 5:00pm. . ••jody & the joyriders Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 9:00pm. .
••justin townes earle + sam outlaw Theatre Royal, Castlemaine. 8:00pm. .
••mandy connell & stray hens Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 9:30pm. .
••miss whiskey + miguel rios + mia milan Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. .
••moonee valley drifters + scrub wrens +
los chicos Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. .
••pugsley buzzard Sooki Lounge, Belgrave. 9:00pm. $10.00.
••serena ryder & matt andersen Corner Hotel, Richmond. 8:30pm. $45.00.
••shanty town Union Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. .
••steve smyth exits album tour + eaten by
dogs + naked bodies and jackson reid briggs Howler, Brunswick. 8:00pm. $12.00. ••vic old time jam session - feat: craig woodward + warren rough Victoria Hotel (brunswick), Brunswick. 5:00pm. .
SUNDAY 12 APRIL
+ ennio styles 24 Moons, Northcote. 10:00pm. $20.00.
Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $20.00.
••david rex quartet with grace cordell Dizzy’s
INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS
Vale. 8:00pm. .
••good music - feat: ethan mclaren Prince Public
••also, dragons + also + dragons + morpheme
batpiss + sun god replica + sons of the ionian sea + battle axe howlers + colonel viper’s whipstick band + ancient man + lethal binge + feel goods Cherry Bar, Melbourne
••grand wazoo’s soul divas show Flying Saucer
••better late than never Ascot Vale Hotel, Ascot ••bootfest - feat: my left boot + sheriff +
Cbd. 2:00pm. $20.00.
••bootleg rascal Baha Tacos & Tapas Bar, Rye. 8:00pm. .
HAPPY HOUR
THE AVENUE PRESENTS
••call the shots + admit one + no! not the
Jazz Club, Richmond. 9:00pm. $20.00. Bar, St Kilda . 8:00pm. .
Club, Elsternwick. 8:00pm. $25.00.
••ism Ruby’s Music Room, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $17.50. ••jake shimabukuro Melbourne Recital Centre, Southbank. 8:00pm. $55.00.
••joe ruberto trio and charlotte jane
(jobim and all that ‘cool’ jazz) Paris Cat Jazz
Club, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $20.00.
bees + phil para Espy, St Kilda. 6:00pm. . ••chadwick stokes Northcote Social Club, Northcote.
••mariachi el bronx + peep tempel Ding Dong
••chook race + heirophants + the shifters Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm. .
ceremony + sinks + discourse (crate cartel) Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm. $66.00. ••noria letts quintet Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne
Fitzroy. 1:00pm. $8.00.
••paul grabowsky Melbourne Recital Centre, Southbank.
8:30pm. $33.00.
Catfish, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $5.00.
••crypt + slothferatu + cement + pig grieg ••department + lorikeet + cinema 6 Workers Club, ••divine ascension + teramaze + damnations
day + horizons edge Espy, St Kilda. 8:00pm. $12.00. ••eater of the sky + oh pacific + all the animals + b-two + hijack + dj obliveus Penny
Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. .
••mobb deep + motley + mistress of
Cbd. 8:30pm. $20.00.
7:00pm. $45.00.
••paul williamson quartet Uptown Jazz Cafe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. .
••reverse swing Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 9:30pm. $20.00.
+ dream fatigue + midnight sol Brunswick Hotel,
Brunswick. 8:00pm. .
••architects + stick to your guns + being
as an ocean + stories 170 Russell, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. .
••beersoaked sundays - feat: east brunswick
all girl’s choir + loose tooth + totally mild Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. . ••boss moxi + arthur penn & the funky + ten romeo moon Workers Club, Fitzroy. 1:00pm. . ••canyon Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 3:00pm. $18.00. ••everest + faultlines + red in tooth + mouth of kala Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 6:00pm. . ••faztival - feat: yis + the ocean party + spacejunk + baptism of uzi + the smb + honey badgers + maddie fuke + cool sounds + the finks + don bosco Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 2:00pm. .
••gunn artist showdown Espy, St Kilda. 12:30pm. $12.00.
••harrison storm + amistat + ruby whiting +
Black, Brunswick. 9:00pm. .
••sarah mckenzie band Bennetts Lane Jazz Club,
+ summer blood + ganbaru Reverence Hotel,
••sun rai- rai thistlewaite & ben vanderwal
••iron reagan + party vibez + cold ground +
••iron reagan + join the amish + wolfpack
••women of soul - feat: kylie auldist + stella
••jonny casino & the secrets Labour In Vain,
••hightime + the ramshackle army + foxtrot Footscray. 7:00pm. $12.00.
+ wet pensioner Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 7:00pm. $45.00.
••johnnie and the johnnie johnnies Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm. .
••kill devil hills + kim salmon + cherrywood John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:00pm. .
••laura jean + aldous harding Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $17.85.
••mick daleys corporate raiders Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine. 8:30pm. .
Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $30.00.
Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $25.00.
angelico + candice monique + chelsea wilson + rita satch + christina arnold + lisa faithful The Shadow Electric, Abbotsford. 7:30pm. $25.00. ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK ••a tribute to the blues brothers - feat:
soul resurrection + bronnie gordon & bellatrix Musicland, Fawkner. 7:30pm. $20.00. ••blues temple (andrea marr) - feat: andrea
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
ariela jacobs Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 7:00pm. $10.00. acid vain Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. . Fitzroy. 5:00pm. .
••minimum wage, pow pow kids + minimum
wage + pow pow kids + claire & the cops + wet meal Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 7:30pm. . ••mo louie + dru chen Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 7:00pm. $12.00.
••nicholas costello + amber isles + the
blackbird collective + hugh noise Workers Club, Fitzroy. 7:00pm. $10.00.
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 49
GIG GUIDE
WHAT'S ON AROUND MELBOURNE THIS WEEK
THE PUSH PRESENT
ACCESS ALL AGES
For all the latest gigs check out beat.com.au ••rockabilly sundays - feat: heels on decks
dj Prince Public Bar, St Kilda . 4:00pm. . ••short stack Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm.
forner Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm. . ••matt green Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 4:00pm. . ••matt walker & lost ragas Post Office Hotel,
••short stack (all ages) Gasometer Hotel,
••mitchell a. power & lachlan stuckey Victoria
••t (dy t) - feat: t:dy t:wns + ciggie witch +
••open mic Whole Lotta Love, Brunswick East. 6:00pm. .
$36.00.
Collingwood. 1:00pm. $40.80.
monnone alonem silver moon Northcote Social
Club, Northcote. 1:30pm. $10.00.
Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. .
••sabrina sandapa Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 6:30pm. .
••sunday sessions - feat: various artists
••the people ft. alex formosa + karate
••sunday sessions - feat: various artists
boogaloo + supersounds mixtape Espy, St
Kilda. 6:00pm. .
••the pink floyd experience Palais Theatre, St Kilda.
Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully. 2:00pm. . Lucky Coq, Windsor. 4:00pm. .
••sunday songwriters - feat: cam mineo +
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC
nicola brown + bun & boots + nardia b + the bean project Carters Bar, Northcote. 5:00pm. . ••the band who knew too much Union Hotel,
••blak roots 303, Northcote. 3:30pm. .
••the hired guns Standard Hotel, Fitzroy. 7:00pm. .
7:00pm. $80.49.
••brarsey sundays - feat: esstee big band Spotted Mallard, Brunswick. 4:30pm. .
••davies west 303, Northcote. 7:30pm. .
••easy now - feat: agent 86 + tom showtime +
dj maars Penny Black, Brunswick. 3:00pm. . ••melbourne piano trio Melbourne Recital Centre, Southbank. 5:00pm. $40.00.
••musical theatre Ruby’s Music Room, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. $12.50.
••nock, magnusson & wilson trio Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $20.00.
••peppercor jazz Open Studio, Northcote. 5:00pm. .
••sun rai- rai thistlewaite Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $25.00.
••sunday soul sesh - feat: fulton street +
mayfield + sara jane + the wameki Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $10.00.
••the revenants + maricopa wells + spencer
scott Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 3:00pm. . ••the university of melbourne orchestra Melbourne Recital Centre, Southbank. 5:00pm. .
Brunswick. 5:00pm. .
••the music of john prine tribute - feat:
lachlan bryan + dan waters + brooke russell + the weeping willows + jemma nicole + maddy leman + tom dockray Retreat
Hotel, Brunswick. 7:30pm. .
••the new savages Gem Bar, Collingwood. 7:00pm. .
••the steve martins Royal Oak Hotel, Fitzroy North. 4:00pm. .
••the steve martins Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 9:00pm. .
MONDAY APRil 13
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC ••allan browne + julien wilson + scott
tinkler Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $18.00.
••christopher gordon, muji + christopher
gordon + muji Ruby’s Music Room, Melbourne Cbd.
7:00pm. $12.50.
••sarah chang Hamer Hall (Arts Centre Melbourne), Southbank. 6:30pm. $25.00.
••whitetop mountaineers Flying Saucer Club,
INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK
••cherry jam Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. .
Elsternwick. 3:00pm. $20.00.
••dan dinnen Catfish, Fitzroy. 5:00pm. .
••ezra lee & the havoc band + the
sweethearts + dj max crawdaddy Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 3:00pm. $5.00.
••frank turner & the sleeping souls - feat:
jon snodgrass + lincoln le fevre Corner Hotel,
Richmond. 7:30pm. $38.00.
••honkytonk! country! two step!
bakersfield! a day long celebration of americana - feat: various artist Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 3:00pm. .
••ian bland & the lamington drive
orchestra Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 5:30pm. .
••ian vandy Ascot Vale Hotel, Ascot Vale. 8:00pm. . ••jam sundays Musicland, Fawkner. 6:00pm. .
••james kenyon & luke richardson Union Hotel (brunswick), Brunswick. 3:30pm. .
••jed rowe served two ways Retreat Hotel,
Hopefully you’re slowly recovering from the food coma of a weekend that was Easter, and enjoying your last week of school holidays. If you were away at Byron Bay for Bluesfest, we hope you got some sun and plenty of beautiful tunes in you. It’d be hard to forget the sweet sounds of Alabama Shakes, Angus & Julia Stone and Gary Clark Jr. too quickly. If you’re 15-24 years old and are looking for work, The Brotherhood of St. Laurence is offering a 13-week, full-time training program that will offer you opportunities for work placement through career guidance, tailored individual support and enabling connections with employers. It’s commencing this month and will be located in Laverton, Taylors Hill and Craigieburn. It could be a great way to kick-start a career for yourself. Jump on www.bsl.org.au for further details. Are you from Hobsons Bay and know someone between the ages of 12-24 who inspires you? Future Leaders Unite and Hobsons Bay are looking for the most inspirational young people in the Hobsons Bay area who are making a difference in their community or school, following their dreams or are an inspiration to other young people. Winners will receive a certificate and a $100 shopping voucher. To nominate or read more about it, go to www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au. National Youth Week is the largest celebration of young people in Australia and this year it’s running from April 1019. Thousands of young people, aged 1225, from across Australia are involved in NYW each year and it’s a great way to get involved in organising or participating in events for young people. If you check in with your closest FReeZA committee, they’re sure to have a few events running near you that you could help with, or attend. Get on www.freeza.vic.gov.au to look up committees near you. If you’re at school doing Year 10, 11 or 12 this year, and have a passion for film, in particular documentaries, then Hothouse at ACMI would be perfect for you. Hothouse aims to develop the youth of Victoria’s screen talent by running an intensive one-week workshop during June/July. Their focus this year is documentaries. They’re looking for ten talented students to take part in this free of charge, rare opportunity. For details about the application process, go to www. acmi.net.au. Applications close May 25.
••joel morrison & sarah thompson Old Bar,
All Ages Gig Guide
Coburg. 4:30pm. .
••the chops + rollo ellis Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 5:00pm. .
With Jess Zanoni
••crimsonettes + the conclusions +
miniatures + wise child Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $5.00.
••indian skies + trash fairys + magic melons +
james ramsay Workers Club, Fitzroy. 7:00pm. . ••monday night mass - feat: 13 sick people + scab eater + leather lickers + unnatural birth Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 8:00pm. . ••mundane mondays - feat: bone soups + future popes present a secret party Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $10.00.
••oliver jack + richard jeffrey + tilly
hutchison Public Bar, North Melbourne. 7:00pm. $5.00. ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK ••the mutual appreciation society - feat:
david craft + emilee south Retreat Hotel,
••jules boult Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy. 4:00pm. .
GUANTANAMO BAYWATCH
So this is probably the best band name I’ve ever heard. Combining the worst of American sensibilities with the absolute best (the Hoff ), Guantanamo Baywatch begin each gig with a sexy, slo-mo run out of the ocean, followed by police detaining them without charge or trial, and ends with them being transported to a high security prison for months on end. It’s an absolute riot. Check em out this Thursday April 9 at The Tote, and Saturday April 11 at The Avenue Presents. Brunswick. 7:00pm. .
TUESDAY APRIL 14
INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS ••ange stella Open Studio, Northcote. 8:00pm. .
••axe girl + the post Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. .
••del boca vista + claws & organs Workers Club, Fitzroy. 7:00pm. $5.00.
••discovery night - feat: van nostrum + pink
harvest + the creeping bam + the dirty birds Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 7:00pm. . ••fitzroyalty - feat: sugarteeth + truly holy Little & Olver, Fitzroy. 7:00pm. .
••justin townes earle + sam outlaw Northcote Social Club, Northcote. 7:30pm. $38.50.
••shadows at bay + shadows at bay + coffin’
up + missta 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. $5.00.
••she beast Public Bar, North Melbourne. 7:00pm. $5.00. ••victoriana gaye Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford. 8:00pm. . ••winter moon + the ugly kings Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $10.00.
••wrokdown Musicland, Fawkner. 8:00pm. $5.00.
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC ••bebop duo Ruby’s Music Room, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $12.50.
••irish sessions Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 8:00pm. .jack earle big band Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond. 8:00pm. $14.00.
••louis lortie Melbourne Recital Centre, Southbank. 7:30pm. $55.00.
••mike nock + allan browne Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $18.00.
••nana mouskouri Hamer Hall (Arts Centre Melbourne), Southbank. 8:00pm. $98.00.
••vca ensemble series - feat: various artists Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $12.00.
ACOUSTIC, COUNTRY, BLUES & FOLK Brunswick. 7:30pm. .
Fitzroy. 7:00pm. $5.00.
••justin townes earle + sam outlaw Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford. 2:00pm. $38.50.
••justin townes earle + sam outlaw Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford. 8:00pm. $38.50.
••kim salmon Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine. 4:00pm. . ••mark fisher + jonathan shaw + josh
Wednesday April 8 Off The Street w/ Jose and the coffee mugs and other local artists, Woodend Skate Park, 12pm, Free, www.facebook. com/macedonrangesyouth, AA Go Skateboarding for Youth Week w/ Check Mate, Atkinson Park Kerang, 10-4pm, Free, www.facebook.com/ ndchskerang, AA Thursday April 9 Go Skateboarding for Youth Week, w/ Check Mate, Cohuna Skate Park Cohuna, 10am-4pm, Free, https://www. facebook.com/ndchskerang/timeline, AA
WANTED BANDS/ACTS WANTED for Espy Shows. Shoot an email through to mark@ gunnmusic.com.au for more details WANTED TO BUY: One large shark tank. No reason. Mind your own damn business. evilmastermind@evilcorp.org.mwahaha BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 50
IRON REAGAN
Hailing all the way from USA’s South, weighing in at over 300 pounds, known the world over as a premier metal powerhouse, folks put your hands together to welcome the one, the only, Iron Reagan. After selling out all their Melbourne shows, the hardcore brawlers have come back and booked in another gig for those who missed out. Get ready to rumble, Iron Reagan play this Saturday April 11 at The Tote and on Sunday April 12 at the Bendigo Hotel.
WATCH INTERVIEWS, CHATS & AWKWARD SILENCES... BEAT.COM.AU/TV
Saturday April 11 Architects w/ Stick To Your Guns, Being As An Ocean and Stories, Arrow On Swanston, 488 Swanston St, Carlton, 5pm, $50.50, tickets.oztix.com.au/, AA Autumn Sounds w/ Residual, Revolution, Coopers Band, Ampersands, Steampack Gardens, Geelong Water Front, 1-5pm, Free, www.courthouse. org.au, AA
Thursday 9th @ 8.30pm
KING WOLF
(Animal shaman blues)
Friday 10th @ 8.30pm
JED ROWE BAND (Country blues roots)
MONDAY TO THURSDAY
$7 PINTS COOPERS PALE COOPERS DARK ALE BULMERS CIDER FREE POOL
ALL DAY ALL NIGHT
JOHNNY CASINO AND THE SECRETS SUNDAY 12TH APRIL
5PM
COMING UP
LARGE NO 12’S WEREWOLVES OF MELBOURNE
Saturday 11th @9.30pm
MANDY CONNELL & STRAY HENS (Renovated folk)
Sunday 12th @ 5.30 pm
IAN BLAND & THE LAMINGTON DRIVE ORCHESTRA (Trans-urban tales)
Sunday 12th @ 9pm
THE STEVE MARTINS (Cruisin’ roots)
Tuesday 14th @8pm
IRISH SESSION! (Fiesty fiddlin’)
ALL GIGS ARE FREE EXCELLENT RESTAURANT AND BAR MEALS
LOMOND HOTEL 225 NICHOLSON STREET BRUNSWICK EAST, VIC 3057 9380 1752
Wed 8th April
WINE, WHISKEY, WOMEN
Alanna Eileen 9pm - Janine Marshall 8pm: Andy Foster 9pm: Luke Biscan 8pm -
Thurs 9th April
Fri 10th April
6pm: Traditional Irish Session 8:30pm:
Ben Whiting (duo) Sat 11th April
Jody & The Joyriders Sun 12th April 4pm: matt Green 6.30pm: Sabrina Sandapa
9pm:
Tues 14th April
W E E K LY T r I V I A The Drunken Poet, 65 Peel Street (directly opposite Queen Vic Market), Phone: 03 9348 9797. www.thedrunkenpoet.com.au
NEW APP
WEDNESDAY 8TH 7PM
for iPhone
MELLOW DIAS THUMP THURSDAY 9TH 7PM
CRATE INVADERS FRIDAY 10TH 7PM
SUITE SELECTIONS SATURDAY 11TH 7PM
LOOK LISTEN SUNDAY 12TH 12PM - 1AM
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH DYLAN B LYDDY DANIEL FABRIS BILLY FLIPPER UDMO PACKPRESS CHRIS KINGS + MORE
Melbourne's favourite source of music and gig information is now an app. Use our interactive calendar (just pull the little tab down) to scan literally hundreds of gigs in Melbourne, search by date and/or genre. Suss out your neck of the woods with a comprehensive guide to Melbourne's venues and keep abreast of the latest tours as they're announced with a live news feed. And the best bit is it's totally free.
FREE! CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 51
THE LOCAL For more information or ad bookings call Aleksei on 9428 3600
DIARY OF A BEAT DELIVERY BOY.. Victoria St By
Meats
Kulligan
Each Tuesday night, I head out with my partner to deliver Beat Magazines throughout Richmond, Abbotsford, Collingwood, South Yarra, Prahran and Windsor. We have approximately 400 delivery points within that area. We start at around 10pm and we finish up at around 4am. We see a lot of stuff. Three and a half pints and 20 years of loneliness can do a lot to a man, and on Victoria St in the early hours of the morning, you can experience it first-hand. At around 3am, there are some very uniquely dressed gentlemen wandering the streets of Abbotsford with unmovable determination. As far as I can tell, by that time, all the bars are shut up, or at least about to shut up. I really doubt that any of them are going to breach the conditions of their liquor license and stay open past their cut-off just to serve a 60-year-old guy in a Coober Pedy Bowls Club t-shirt with a broken bum bag and a pair of excessively polarised service station sunglasses. I just don’t think he’s quite thirsty enough to make it worth their while. Sometimes, you do see them spill out onto the street from unmarked shopfronts looking particularly well-refreshed, which is more intriguing than it is intimidating. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t ordinarily be intimidated by these guys in my day-to-day life, but at the dead of night, when everyone has a belly full of beer and bad manners, suddenly the Beat delivery guy becomes the most popular guy at the party.
I’ve been asked for meth more times than I care to remember. I personally haven’t suffered from an addiction to methamphetamine, but based on my encounters so far, I have to say that it seems to do wonders for your confidence. I get a little confused when I see them approach police officers without any incidents to report when the police aren’t paying any attention to them at all. Flagging down an officer is intimidating enough at the best of times, I get nervous that the PSOs at North Melbourne train station might smell the bong smoke on my breath from the night before, let alone the police officers here noticing the bag of Class A drugs dangling precariously from this guy’s back pocket as I command their attention from the other side of the car park with a loud, ‘How Yas Goin?’ Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe they’re all just mates. It’s not beyond the realms of possibility that he’s just a shoeless friend of theirs with an appetite for early morning exercise. Maybe he’s just gifting them a bizarrely small amount of sugar that he transports in a small bag adorned with tiny Batman logos. Who knows? Just last week, I saw two drunk, middle-aged Vietnamese guys slow dancing cheek to cheek in the middle of the street at 2am in North Richmond as I was driving through. It’s nice to know there’s still some love in the neighbourhood.
YIPPIE KAI YAY MUTHACROSSWORD Howdy nerdfish. This week we delve into the holy trinity. Die Hard. Im not bothering with anything past the third film and neither should you. I prefer to imagine a world where the franchise stopped at three perfect films. BOOM! EXPLOSION! ACROSS
DOWN
puzzleguy@beat.com.au
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 52
WATCH INTERVIEWS, CHATS & AWKWARD SILENCES... BEAT.COM.AU/TV
BACKSTAGE For more information or ad bookings call Aleksei on 9428 3600
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BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 53
INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH
MUSIC INDUSTRY NEWS & GOSSIP
With Christie Eliezer * Stuff for this column to be emailed to <celiezer@netspace.net.au> by Friday 5pm
JAY-Z’S TIDAL STREAMING HITS OZ SHORE…
The Scandinavian Tidal high-fidelity streaming service, whose owner Aspiro was bought last month by Jay-Z for US$56 million, has launched in Australia. Co-owners of the service are a host of big names as Alicia Keys, Win Butler and Régine Chassagne of Arcade Fire, Beyoncé, Calvin Harris, Chris Martin of Coldplay, Daft Punk, Jack White, Jason Aldean, J. Cole, Kanye West, deadmau5, Madonna, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna and Usher. Tidal says CD quality streaming is what music listeners want, and which the other services don’t provide. It has 25 million tracks and 75,000 music videos. It costs $23,99 in Australia, go to www.tidal.com or download the app from iTunes App Store or the Google Play Store. It has partnered with 30 global audio brands such as Sonos.
…WITH PLAYSTATION MUSIC ARRIVING MAY 30
The PlayStation Music service, in partnership with Spotify, will be launched in Australia on Saturday May 30. It replaces Music Unlimited which closed last week. PlayStation Music allows users to manage their Spotify tracks and playlists on their consoles, listen to Spotify tracks if they’re playing on PS4, and pay for Spotify through their PlayStation Network (PSN) account.
LIVE NATION, EUROPCAR, DRIVE A DEAL
Tour promoter Live Nation Australasia has made Europcar its exclusive car rental partner across Australia and New Zealand in a three-year partnership. It’s the latest in Live Nation’s local brand partners, alongside Qantas, Spark, Rdio and NSW Health with international partners American Express and Hilton Hotels and Resorts. In addition, Europcar customers get Live Nation benefits as exclusive content, moneycan’t-buy experiences and VIP ticketing at its shows.
VIOLENT SOHO, HALFWAY, WIN AT QLD MUSIC AWARDS
Violent Soho took out album of the year for Hungry Ghost at the Queensland Music Awards, while Halfway won song of the year for Dulcify and the country category. Other winners were The Medics (indigenous), Dubmarine (urban), Airling (pop), The Grates (rock), The Kite String Tangle (music video), Michelle Xen (EDM), Leanne Tennant (blues/roots), Guards of May (heavy), Lacque (jazz), Mzaza (world) Quintessential Doll (folk/singer/songwriter), The Kangagang (children’s music), The Vernons (regional) and Saskia (schools). In the People’s Choice section, The Amity Affliction took most popular group, Bobby Alu (male) and Sahara Beck (female). Also announced on the night was the $10,000 Billy Thorpe Scholarship, which went to 19-year-old Sunshine Coast-based Ayla. Her debut single Wish I Was was 15th most played on triple j last year and went Top Ten in the Italian iTunes chart after she signed to Italy’s Ego Music. At 16, Ayla won the Teen section of the International Song Writing Competition. The Grant McLennan Lifetime Achievement Award went to Mick Medew of The 31sts, Screaming Tribesmen, The Bluebirds, The Rumours and currently, The Mesmerizers.
POP BIGGEST GENRE IN THE UK SINCE ‘90S
Pop overturned rock as biggest seller in the UK last year, trade body BPI said. It made up 34.5 per cent of album sales, helped by Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Paolo Nutini and Paloma Faith. Pop made up almost half (48.6 per cent) of compilation albums and a third (36 per cent) of singles. Rock boasted a third (33.2 per cent) of all album sales, four times as popular as dance (7.7 per cent). But dance singles were 16.2 per cent, the biggest since 2008, and second (23 per cent) to pop in the compilations market. Easy listening sales made up 6.5 per cent, R&B 5.6 per cent, classical 3.2 per cent, country 2.3 per cent, jazz 1.2 per cent, folk 1.1 per cent and New Age 0.1 per cent.
THINGS WE HEAR
• Which major songwriter composing in a remote farmhouse was reportedly the victim of a home invasion attack by local thugs? • Which publicist’s strange public outbursts has people wondering just who she is working for? • The story that Sacha Baron Cohen was playing Queen’s Freddie Mercury in his biopic was in fact a quip by Queen’s manager at an industry function. • US fetish magazine Girls And Corpses granted Kim Fowley his final wish – to be on its front cover, photographed in a body bag. • The Palace Theatre VCAT hearing is hailed as a “major heritage test case” The Age said. National BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 54
Trust’s lawyer Andrew Walker argued the building be preserved because of “historical and social” significance. Jinshan Investment Group lawyer Chris Canavan, said “celebrity advocacy” was “irrelevant to the case” after Save the Palace group submitted letters of support from Molly Meldrum, Kate Ceberano, Reg Livermore, Tim Rogers and Eddie Perfect. • Sydonia’s gig this Saturday at The John Curtin also serves as a fundraiser to go into the studios with a producer and record their next album. • All 17,000 tickets for Fleetwood Mac’s A Day On The Green show at Mt Duneed Estate, Geelong, sold out in an hour. Only some VIP meet and greet and Concert & Dining packages remain. • In between penning his memoirs, Johnny Marr has also written the screenplay for a movie. • Mötley Crüe’s Nikki Sixx is working with 5 Seconds of Summer writing some lyrics for them. He tweeted his congrats for their winning Best Fan Army at the iHeartRadio Music Awards in LA, and also the fact that one of them (Michael Clifford) was sporting a Crüe t-shirt when he accepted the award. • Also at the awards, Iggy Azalea performed her new collaboration Trouble with Jennifer Hudson. Azalea was nominated for five gongs, including Artist of the Year, New Artist, and Best Collaborations, but failed to win any. • A rep from Simon Cowell’s Sycho was in Sydney to hear material from past X Factor and reckoned Taylor Henderson the best chance in Europe. • Danish EDM act, MØ says she’ll be in Australia in mid-July. • After seven blistering shows at SXSW, Sydney’s Jack Ladder & The Dreamlanders were acclaimed as the best act there by Philly’s The Districts. US radio programmers pricked up their ears, and the Sydneysiders were asked to play two live sessions at key tastemaker stations WXPN in Philadelphia and WFUV in New York and online station, Tune In Radio.
AMRA TEAMS WITH PRO-JECT AUDIO FOR RECORD STORE DAY OZ
The Australian Music Retailers Association (AMRA)’s version of Record Store Day Australia (Saturday April 18) sees it teaming with Pro-Ject Audio Systems as the official turntable partner. Sales of Pro-Ject turntables grew 30 per cent in the last 12 months. Sam Encel of Interdyn, which distributes Pro-Ject in Australia, said they’d be “working even more closely with the participating stores” and with a competition for a consumer to win a turntable. Entries close at midday on Tuesday April 21. Find more information at www. recordstoreday.com.au.
NEW CULTURAL FUND FOR INCREASE DONATIONS, FUNDING
Creative Partnerships Australia (CPA) has relaunched the Australian Cultural Fund (ACF) on a new online platform (creativepartnershipsaustralia. org.au.) It's to make it easier for arts/music lovers to donate. A staggering $12 million was raised for around 2,000 ACF projects in the past 11 years including Kate Miller-Heidke, Katie Noonan and Liquid Architecture. ACF-registered talents can also apply to be part of CPA’s MATCH program to receive dollar for dollar matched funding of up to $10,000 per project from the private sector.
JOY FM FUND-RAISING FOR TRANSMITTER
LGBTIQ station JOY 94.9 holds its Tech Drive 2015 until April 12 to raise $20,000 for a new transmitter and additional broadcast equipment. You can donate to the self-funded station online or call 1300 569 949.
MORE BIG NAMES FOR BENDIGO?
More big name music and entertainment names are expected to be drawn to play Bendigo after the Friday April 17 opening of the new 1000-seat Ulumbarra Theatre. Built on the site of the former Sandhurst Gaol for $26 million, the state-of-the-art venue already has 170 bookings – twice what its operators expected. Named from the Dja Dja Wurring word for “meeting place,” it will be one of the largest regional theatres in Australia.
MELBOURNE MUSIC BANK WINNER RELEASES SINGLE
Folk singer/songwriter Héloise, who won the Bank of Melbourne’s music initiative Melbourne Music Bank 2014, is releasing the winning song This Is Home as a single this week. She launches it at The Workers Club on Thursday April 30. The comp was penning a song about Melbourne. This Is Home was about
Héloise leaving Tasmania to move to the big smoke of Melbourne. “I absolutely love the creative culture in Melbourne,” she said. The video was shot by filmmaker Wilk on an old V-line train in regional Victoria.
FIRST PENINSULA PICNIC SELLS OUT
The Peninsula Picnic hosted at Mornington Racecourse drew a sell-out crowd of 4,500 exceeding expectations of organisers. It included acts like The Waifs and Paul Dempsey alongside top class food and wine.
HERMITUDE SIGN TO NETTWERK
Hermitude have signed with Nettwerk Records for the rest of the world (they are with Elefant Traks for Au/NZ) and will release their new album Dark Night Sweet Light. After playing SXSW and BUKU Music + Art Project, the act will play more overseas festivals this year including Lollapalooza, Governor’s Ball, Lightning In A Bottle, Wakarusa and Counterpoint.
NINE BUYS STAKE IN PEDESTRIAN.TV
Nine Entertainment’s has beefed up its presence in the youth market by buying a major chunk of youth online brand Pedestrian.tv through its digital division M19. The brand retains its offices and staff. Nine was coy on the stake size and price, but reports suggested it was a 60 per cent stake for $10 million.
MUSICIANS LAUNCH ANTIVIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN CAMPAIGN
Over 50 musicians threw their support behind #notON, a new campaign to stamp out violence against women. They include Katie Noonan, The Grates, Courtney Barnett, Dallas Frasca, Pete Murray, Busby Marou, The Church, Troy Cassar-Daley, Urthboy, Hermitude, Violent Soho, Bliss N Eso, L-FRESH The Lion, Emma Louise, Boy & Bear, HITS and Suze De Marchi. They noted that the music biz can reach young males, and “start conversations about what is a real epidemic in our society” (Murray) and “It’s so important to break the silence that surrounds men’s violence against women” (The Grates).
TIM KELLY NEW MD OF INERTIA
Tim Kelly is the new managing director of Inertia, reporting to CEO Colin Daniels, who held that post until last month. Kelly was GM of Marketing at Sony and Universal in Australia. In the UK, he co-founded One Little Indian, was Head of International at Rough Trade and Managing Director of Pinnacle.
COBAIN DOCO SCREENING
Brett Morgen’s Cobain: Mointage Of Heck, about the late Nirvana founder, screens in Australian cinemas from Thursday May 7 for a limited time. Morgan, who helmed The Stones’ Crossfire Hurricane, was given unlimited access to the Cobain vaults – with home footage, journals, 200 hours of unreleased music, 4000 pages of writing and photos of Cobain supplemented with interviews with his mother, Nirvana’s Krist Novselic, Courtney Love and friends.
LIFELINES Injured: Norman Greennbaum, 72, who had a hit in 1969 with Spirit In The Sky, in a car crash in North California in which a motorcyclist was killed. Hospitalised: folk legend Joni Mitchell after being found unconscious in her home in California. In Court: Jay-Z looks like heading to trial over the long running issue over whether he and Timbaland legally sampled from Khosara, Khosara from the 1960 Egyptian film Fata ahlami, for his 2000 hit Big Pimpin. The composer contends the record company had no right to license the track. Charged: a Sydney-based one-time Christian hip hop producer (name suppressed) with murdering his New Zealand girlfriend’s seven-year-old son after months of alleged abuse. The case is heard in October. In Court: Prince is charged with “interfering” in former The Voice US contestant Judith Hill’s deal with Sony. He had sent out an email asking people to listen to Hill’s album and asking them to pass it on, and is accused of offering a link to download it for free. The case was brought by talent scout Jolene Cherry (she discovered Lady Gaga) whose The Cherry Party signed a four-album deal with Sony for Hill and says she can’t sell the album now Prince allegedly “gave” it away free. In Court: Arian Berisha, 21, pleaded guilty at Downing Centre Local Court to assault, throwing a glass at Redfoo at the Golden Sheaf pub last August. The singer, who was with women in the VIP area, had a cut above his eye. Sued: A$AP Mob by a woman who claims a crowd surfing incident at a 2013 gig in Hollywood left her injured. Died: Henry Crallan, production manager for Queen and Elton John, 65, cancer. Died: Def Jam rapper Lil Durk’s manager Uchenna ‘Chino’ Agina, 24, was shot in the car park of a Chicago restaurant, a day after he, Durk and Chicago Bulls player Joakim Noah met to start an anti-violence initiative. Died: Miriam Bienstock, 92, business manager and co-founder of Atlantic Records in 1947 with then-husband Herb Abramson and Ahmet Ertegun. Died: Jeremy Brown, guitarist in Scott Weiland’s new band, Wildabouts.
UNIVERSAL PUBL. SIGNS TIMMY TRUMPET
Universal Music Publishing Australia signed Sydney producer, DJ/trumpeter Timmy Trumpet to a global music publishing deal. His breakout single with Savage, Freaks topped the ARIA Club Chart, went 4 x platinum, had nine million YouTube views, and cracked the charts in France, Sweden, Finland and Belgium. He does a 37-date tour there this month. The single will be released in North America shortly on Casablanca/Universal.
HOOK N SLING SCORES U.S. DEAL
Sydney DJ/producer Hook N Sling signed with US label Insomniac /Interscope Records. His new single, Break Yourself, with LA-based Far East Movement, is hailed as an example of the rising G-House sound.
NOVA COMP SCORES AT SUNSET A WARNER DEAL
Adelaide pop/rock band At Sunset landed a deal with Warner Music Australia after winning the Nova/ Warner Music Fresh Discovery competition from 1500 applications. They also get a mentoring session with Ed Sheeran.
COOKING VINYL STRIKES DEAL WITH SIDEONEDUMMY
Cooking Vinyl Australia will release Los Angeles indie SideOneDummy’s material in Australia and
WATCH INTERVIEWS, CHATS & AWKWARD SILENCES... BEAT.COM.AU/TV
NZ. The label started 20 years ago with Gaslight Anthem, Flogging Molly and Title Fight. It now has Superheaven (Ours Is Chrome album out on Friday May 8), PUP, Andrew Jackson Jihad and Jeff Rosenstock (and is the US home of Violent Soho and Smith Street Band).
SEARCH FOR OPENING ACT FOR MOTLEY CRUE
Triple M is on the search for support bands when Mötley Crüe play five arena dates from Tuesday May 12 to Saturday May 23. Bands register online and upload a song at www.triplem.com.au with heats in each state.