undergroundÊ houndÊ Ê
greyÊ mantisÊ aztxÊ andÊ specialÊ guests...Ê
brunswickÊ hotelÊ 7Ê augustÊ Ê startsÊ 8:30Ê
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Wednesdays
NEW: WEDNESDAY NIGHT MUSIC
Sat 8 August 5pm
THE BLACKEYED SUSANS The legendary Susans return for their annual winter residency at the Union, playing four majestic gigs of countrified alt-rock.
Sat 8 August 9pm
pETE CorNELIUS & BAND
Accomplished songwriter Cornelius is touring his latest release Groundswell, full of R&B, funk, soul and alt-country.
Sun 9 August 3.30pm
LAYLA fIBBINS
Country, rootsy, folk with sweet harmonies and captivating melodies.
Sun 9 August, 5pm
MorELAND CITY SoUL rEvUE Get on board the soul train and check out this
all-star cast of musos playing old soul and soulful funk.
Tuesdays:
TrIvIA
With mysterious Mr. Drew, phone to book your table of up to 6
WEDNESDAY 5TH 7PM
MELLOW DIAS THUMP FEAT.
CAZEAUX O.S.L.O & GUESTS THURSDAY 6TH 5PM
FERDY’S 3RD BDAY! FEAT.
CC DISCO, PREQUEL, CHICO G, EDD FISHER SIMON TK, RAAGHE + MORE FRIDAY 7TH 7PM
ROMANTIC TREATMENT FEAT.
JIMMY DAWG MR SMITH SATURDAY 8TH 7PM
GORDY ZOLA
6HR SET
SUNDAY 9TH 6PM - 1AM
ANALOGUE ATTIC
IN THIS ISSUE
16
HOT TALK
20
TOURING
22
THE JUNGLE GIANTS
24
WHAT’S ON, DIPLOPIA, HYPNOSIS DISPLAY
25
ART OF THE CITY, THE COMIC STRIP, CALENDAR, ARTS REVIEWS
26
MIFF REVIEWS, PAWNO
27
TRAINWRECK
28
OUT OF THE CLOSET, BEAT EATS
30
ROCKABILLY SPECIAL
37
HOLY HOLY, WARREN HAYNES, SHANE NICHOLSON
38
MELBOURNE MUSIC BANK, GUDINSKI, THE RECHORDS
39
HEALTH, THE BELLRAYS, DEF LEPPARD
THE RECHORDS page 38
THE BELLRAYS page 39
40
CORE/CRUNCH, FRANK FERRER
41
MUSIC NEWS
45
LIVE
46
ALBUM OF THE WEEK, SINGLES, CHARTS
47
ALBUMS
48
GIG GUIDE
52
THE LOCAL, CROSSWORD
FRANK FERRER
DEF LEPPARD page 39 3 NEWTON STREET RICHMOND, VICTORIA 3121 Phone: (03) 9428 3600 Fax: (03) 9428 3611 email: info@beat.com.au www.beat.com.au BEAT MAGAZINE EMAIL ADDRESSES: (no large attachments please): Gig Guide: online at beat.com.au email gigguide@beat.com.au - it’s free! Club Listings: online at beat.com.au email clubguide@beat.com.au - it’s free! Music News Items: music@beat.com.au Artwork: art@beat.com.au Beat Classifieds 33c a word: classifieds@beat.com.au PUBLISHER: Furst Media Pty Ltd. MUSIC EDITOR: Cara Williams ARTS EDITOR / ASSOCIATE MUSIC EDITOR: Tyson Wray
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 14
page 40
ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE & EDITORIAL COORDINATORS: Tegan Louise, Thom Parry SUB EDITOR: Augustus Welby EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS: Michael Clark, Cassie Hedger, Lauren Gill, Gloria Brancatisano, Kelsey Berry, Thomas Brand. PUZZLE MASTER: Thom Parry MANAGING DIRECTOR, FURST MEDIA: Patrick Carr BEAT PRODUCTION MANAGER: Michael Cusack GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: Michael Cusack, Jenna Barlow, Lizzie Dynon. COVER DESIGN: Michael Cusack ADVERTISING: Cara Williams (Music: Bands/Tours/Record Labels) cara@beat.com.au Keats Mulligan (Backstage/Musical Equipment) mixdown@ beat.com.au Thom Parry (Hospitality/Bars) thom@beat.com.au Tegan Louise (Indie Bands/Beat Eats) tegan@beat.com.au CLASSIFIEDS: classifieds@beat.com.au GIG GUIDE SUBMISSIONS: now online at www.beat.com.au or bands email gigguide@beat.com.au ONLINE EDITOR: BEAT.COM.AU Tyson Wray: tyson@beat.com.au
54
INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH
WARREN HAYNES page 37 ACCOUNTANT: accountant@furstmedia.com.au OFFICE MANAGER: Lizzie Dynon: lizzie@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 Gunzburg, 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: Joe Hansen, Peter Hodgson, Lachlan Kanoniuk BEAT TV/WATT’S ON PRESENTER: Dan Watt
CONTRIBUTORS: Kelsey Berry, Graham Blackley, Gloria Brancatisano, Chris Bright, Avrille Bylock-Collard, Meg Crawford, Alexander Crowden, Liza Dezfouli, 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, Thomas Brand, Alex Watts, 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. © 2015 Furst Media Pty Ltd. No part may be reproduced without the consent of the copyright holder.
WIN THE PRIZE THAT COULD LAUNCH YOUR MUSIC CAREER - Head to bankofmelbourne.com.au/melbmusicbank to win!
THE RIPTIDE MOVEMENT 2015 MELBOURNE SHOW Following the example of U2, The Script and The Cranberries, Ireland’s The Riptide Movement dish out the sort of rabble-rousing, blue-collar rock music that immediately sticks in your head. Off the back of their album Getting Through, the band’s spent the last few years trekking across Europe, with appearances at major festivals in the UK, Ireland, and Spain. Now, this October, Australia gets its turn. The Riptide Movement play Max Watt’s on Saturday October 24. Hit up maxwatts. com.au for tickets.
Foals
FA L L S F E S T I VA L 2015/2016 Holy shit. Falls Festival have just dropped the lineup for their 2015 instalment and it’s fucking huge. Topping the list we have a trio of UK acts: Foals, Bloc Party and Disclosure. From across the Atlantic Ocean, there’s festival favourites Kurt Vile & the Violators, Mac Demarco and Gary Clark Jr. Highlights of the local crop include Paul Kelly & Merri Soul Sessions (featuring Clairy Browne, Dan Sultan, Kira Puru, Vika & Linda Bull), Courtney Barnett and Falls veterans Hilltop Hoods. Here’s the full first announcement, in alphabetical order: Alpine, The Avener, Birds of Tokyo, Bloc Party, Borns, Courtney Barnett, Disclosure, Django Django, Foals, Gang of Youths, Gary Clark Jr, Halsey, Kiatus Kaiyote, Hilltop Hoods, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Kurt Vile and the Violators, Little May, The Maccabess, Mac Demarco, Meg Mac, Oh Wonder, Paul Kelly & Merri Soul Sessions, Rufus, Seth Sentry, Toro Y Moi and Young Father with more to come. The Falls Music and Arts Festival goes down from December 28 until January 1 in Lorne, Victoria, as well as December 29 until Jan 1 in Marion Bay, TAS and December 31 until January 3 in Byron Bay, NSW. Hit fallsfestival.com.au for full details.
BIGSOUND COMPLETE LINEUP
BIGSOUND has announced the full list of 150 artists that’ll perform at the annual conference this Wednesday September 9 and Thursday September 10. Of the 90 new additions are such highlights as A Breach of Silence, Tired Lion, The Belligerents, JOY and Fraser A. Gorman. They’re joining the stack of great acts already confirmed, including Stonefield, Gang of Youths, Holy Holy and Katy Steele. Yep, it’s easily the biggest and most diverse BIGSOUND lineup in the event’s 14 year history. BIGSOUND Live happens across 15 Brisbane venues on Wednesday September 9 and Thursday September 10. For more info check out bigsound. org.au
MY FRIEND THE CHOCOL ATE CAKE ANNOUNCE OCTOBER SHOW
The seminal Australian group led by David Bridie are playing a special retrospective show at the Melbourne Recital Centre this October. The show will see Bridie joined by Helen Mountfort on cello, Hope Csutoros on violin, Greg Patten on drums, Dean Addison on double bass and Andrew Richardson on acoustic guitar. They’ll perform their 1991 self-titled debut and ARIA Award-winning album Brood (1994) back to back, as well as a selection of rarer numbers from across their 25-year career. My Friend the Chocolate Cake will play the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre on Saturday October 31. See melbournerecital.com.au for details.
OUT ON THE WEEKEND LINEUP UNVEILED
After a huge inaugural event in 2014, the folks behind Australia’s very own Americana festival, Out on the Weekend, have just revealed their swelling 2015 lineup, and man it’s a doozy. Gracing the Out on the Weekend stage at Seaworks, Williamstown is an assortment of international and local heroes, sweethearts and rising stars. Dawes, Tex, Don & Charlie (in an exclusive Melbourne performance), Sam Outlaw, Robert Ellis, Jamestown Revival, Jonny Fritz, Ruby Boots, Mustered Courage, Suzannah Espie, Barna Howard, Shelley Colvin, Leah Senior, Big Smoke, Lost Ragas, T Bones, And the Out on the Weekend House Band led by Robert Ellis with Josh Hedley, Will Van Horn, Kelly Doyle, Michael ‘Tank’ Lisenbe and Geoffrey Muller will round out the stunning bill. Early bird tickets are on sale via www.outontheweekend.com.au from Friday August 7. Go on, get on board and get out on the weekend this year. You won’t regret it. BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 16
COSMIC PSYCHOS’ CHECK YOUR BUM FOR GRUBS TOUR
NORTHLANE UNVEIL AUSTRALIAN HEADLINE TOUR Following the release of their latest record Node, this November Northlane will head out on their first Australian headline tour in 18 months. Despite the Sydney quintet having traversed the globe in 2015, the Node tour is the first domestic headline performance for the band’s new vocalist, Marcus Bridge. Joining them on the road are fellow heavy-heads August Burns Red (USA), Like Moths To Flames (USA), Buried In Verona and Ocean Grove. Northlane will play at 170 Russell on Friday November 6 (18+) and Saturday November 7 (U18). Tickets available from 170russell.com.
MAT MCHUGH ANNOUNCES TOUR
The globe’s finest purveyors of farm punk, Cosmic Psychos have just announced a fresh round of tour dates. Ain’t nothing going to keep these filthy punk rock gurus quiet. After a massive co-headline tour with Dune Rats, Cosmic Psychos are heading back on the road through September. To coincide with the new tour announcement, they’ve dropped an animated video for the track Bum For Grubs, taken from this year’s typically debauched LP Cum the Raw Prawn. Cosmic Psychos will play at 170 Russell on Friday September 18. Tickets available at 170russell.com.
As with his last solo effort Love Come Save Me, Mat McHugh is going to be giving away his upcoming record Waves as a free digital download in order to better connect his music with the world. The singer/songwriter/producer/ multi- instrumentalist will be playing shows across Australia in support of the new release, heading over to The Corner Hotel for the Melbourne leg of the tour. Be sure to keep an eye on www.wavesthealbum.com for the teaser track Sideways and hit the Corner’s website for tickets to his show on Friday October 2.
2015 AIR AWARDS
MARLON WILLIAMS HITTING THE ROAD
20 years since the association was formed, The Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR) works tirelessly on behalf of Australia’s independent record industry and is proud to announce its 10th annual awards. The 2015 Carlton Dry Independent Music Awards will take place on Thursday October 22 at Meat Market, North Melbourne. With this year’s performers soon to be announced, previous years have seen the likes of Gurrumul, Remi, Meg Mac, The Amity Affliction, Illy, Paul Kelly and Archie Roach take to the stage at the event. Be sure to keep an eye on the event’s website for more details.
Kiwi-cum-Melbourne crooner Marlon Williams has locked in a show at the Prince Bandroom in November. Marlon Williams has spent the better part of 12 months turning audiences all over the country into goo. Off the back of his debut solo LP, Williams recently wrapped up an entirely sold out national tour. For all those eager for more ± or yet to experience his seductive presence ± he’s confirmed one last 2015 headline show. Marlon Williams and the Yarra Benders will play the Prince Bandroom on Friday November 27. For full details see www.princebandroom.com.au.
The Field
TIJUANA CARTEL TO HIT THE ROAD Tijuana Cartel are returning with a new album Psychedelicatessen and to celebrate they’re heading out on the road from August ± October. Tijuana Cartel’s influences have always been broad and the new album looks into the Australian counter-culture movement. Specifically, Psychedelicatessen is indebted to a Double J broadcast from 1978 that recounted a psychedelic road trip from Brisbane to Sydney called What’s Rangoon to you is Grafton to me. Tijuana will take over Max Watt’s on Friday September 18. Grab your tickets from maxwatts.com.au.
M E L B O U R N E F E S T I VA L A N N O U N C E S CONTEMPORARY MUSIC PROGRAM FOR 2015
Sporting a huge lineup of Flight Facilities, The Fall, Kiasmos, The Field, Clint Mansell and a tribute to Patti Smith’s Horses featuring Courtney Barnett amongst headliners ± Melbourne Festival is back in a big way. Cited by many as one of the alltime greatest rock albums, Patti Smith’s Horses’ will be celebrated at the festival with Courtney Barnett, Jen Cloher, Adalita and Gareth Liddiard playing an exclusive set to commemorate its 40th anniversary. Be sure to check out the Melbourne Festival’s website before the massive 17 day event begins on Thursday October 8.
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
BaR WedneSdAyS
Open Mic
Show the boogie man what you’ve got !
fridAy 7tH AuguSt
STeVe LUcAS
Solo Session from 5pm (Happy Hour) then Jamm for genes fundraiser ft.
Minnie WOOD & The ReTRO GiRLS OUT OF The BLUe SAturdAy 8tH AuguSt
Classic rock and blues
SundAy 9tH AuguSt
TRAUMABOYS SAMS SheRiFF After Work HAppy Hour from 5pm:
$5 drinkS, Wed, tHurS, fri 160 Hoddle St AbbotSford
74 JOHNSTON ST FITZROY 9417 4155
theoldbar.com.au OPEN 4Pm - 3am mON-FRI 2Pm - 3am SaT-SuN FREE WI FI
H AV E/H O L D ANNOUNCE DEBUT ALBUM AND SHOW
Mon - Fri Til 7pM - $6 pinTs Mondays - $15 Jugs MT goaT sundays - $10 Jugs uniCorn lager $5 Cans eVery day/nigHT
Wednesday 5TH augusT
THe Blue Bloods (nZ) THe Marquis VerBoden Boys
8pM $8
THursday 6TH augusT
no Way sWeden CoMplexe anika
DAV E G R A N E Y A N D THE CORAL SNAKES TO PL AY T WO SHOWS AT MEMO MUSIC HALL
8pM $7
Friday 7TH augusT
THe sugarCanes
THe sToneage HearTs THe Baudelaires 8:30pM $10 saTurday 8TH augusT
JeroMe knappeTT Jess loCke THe Berkeley HunTs
3pM Free
Hope drone
FourTeen nigHTs aT sea We losT THe sea old loVe 8:30pM $10 sunday 9TH augusT
Beersoaked sundays: pink Tiles 100 aCre Woods gHosT diCk
8pM $6
Monday 10TH augusT
Mundane Mondays:
siMona kapiTolina inFra gHosTs - launCH anika
7.30pM $6
Tuesday 11TH augusT
CHeap kraken ruM nigHT aTlas aMBer isles BaBy Blue
8pM $6
band bookings: bandbookings@theoldbar.com.au
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
$6 PInTs eVeRy day unTIl 7PM $10 Jugs eVeRy day unTIl 8PM $5 cans all THe TIMe Wednesday 5TH augusT
Unicorn on The cob Medicine dog copywrite 7:30pM $6
THuRsday 6TH augusT
Angry SeAS FroM oslo
WEST COAST PUNKS THE GARDEN ANNOUNCE 2015 MELBOURNE SHOW Exciting representatives of the new wave of West Coast punk rock, The Garden are heading out for an Australian tour in September. The neo-punk two-piece hang onto DIY principles, donning op-shop garb that borders on housewife fashion while taking cues from a giant list of influences that stretch far beyond The Minutemen. The band opt for dirty, raw minimalism, doing away with everything that makes modern punk tiring and returning it to its fearsome roots. Thanks to touring ratbags Bone Soup, The Garden are playing the John Curtin Hotel on Thursday September 24. Hit up bonesouprules.com for more details.
MUSICIANS FOR HEARING FUNDRAISER EVENT
Musicians for Hearing are a collective of Melbourne musos doing their bit to make sure the joy of music is spread as far as possible. The collective was started by audiologist Siobhan McGinnity (Sons of Rico) after she did some volunteer work in Cambodia assisting hearing impaired orphans. So moved by the experience, McGinnity returned home determined to do more to help. She then called on some talented friends, including Terry Mann (Coach Bombay), Perrin Date (Bayou) and Laura Imbruglia, and Musicians for Hearing was born. The collective’s first fundraising event is a mega gig at the Gas that boasts a lineup featuring Fraser A. Gorman, ALTA, LANKS, with more to be announced. Musicians for Hearing takes place on Sunday August 23 at the Gasometer Hotel in Collingwood. Pre-sales $15+BF. Doorsales $20 (if available). Hit the www. thegasometerhotel.com.au for more info.
PORT FAIRY SPRING M U S I C F E S T I VA L ANNOUNCED
With a program bursting with pop-up recitals, conversations, master classes, school concerts and much more, the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival has been announced for Friday October 9 to Sunday October 11 ± and it’s shaping to be a big one. This year’s theme of the Festival is Visions, and will bring to life the works of visionary composers with over 30 events and close to 60 performers. Traversing the musical canon, the festival will present works by Beethoven, Bach, Mahler, Messiaen, Vivaldi, Janacek, Schubert and many others. Be sure to hit the festival’s website - www.portfairyspringfest.com. au - for more details.
council oF elders drexler 7pM $8
FRIday 7TH augusT
MAidS
Dave Graney and the Coral Snakes will play their first Melbourne shows since 1997 at the Memo Music Hall on Friday August 7 and Saturday August 8. Led by Dave Graney on vocals, backed up by Clare Moore on drums, Riod Hayward on guitar and Robin Casinader on keyboards, it’s the same band that recorded Night of the Wolverine in 1993. It’s since been affirmed a classic entry into the Australian rock music canon. Stu Thomas from the mistLY will be joining proceedings to play bass on the night. Dave Graney and the Coral Snakes play the Memo Music Hall on Friday August 7 and Saturday August 8. For info and tickets hit up thedavegraneyshow.com.
Having risen through the ranks of the local live circuit, Melbourne’s Have/ Hold are ready to release their debut album, King Salt on Tuesday August 18. To support the release, they’ve scheduled a series of tour dates across Australia’s east coast including a show at Public Bar on Saturday September 26. After the release of their debut 7” earned them a ‘20 Bands To Watch’ tag from Blunt Magazine, Have/Hold’s 2014 EP Calm Your Blood carved a promising trajectory for the band. It was crowned the Best Australian EP of the Year by Bombshell Zine and received a healthy amount of airplay on radio stations across the country. Be sure to catch them when they take to Public Bar on Saturday September 26. For more information, head to the venue’s website.
DAV I D G U E T TA I N MELBOURNE FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY French superstar DJ and producer David Guetta will be headlining Melbourne’s Hisense Arena for one night in Melbourne this Cup Eve ± his only Australian show for 2015. Last in the country for Stereosonic in 2013, Guetta’s gigs boast LED screens, huge projections, over 300 pyro hits on and off the stage, lasers and strobes to get you shuffling like an iPod. Be sure to head over to frontiertouring.com to find ticketing and more info when he plays at Hisense, Monday November 2.
JUICE RAP NEWS ANNOUNCE MELBOURNE LIVE SHOW
SUPER BEST FRIENDS REVEAL NEW TOUR DATES
Super Best Friends have just dropped another single from their debut long player, and they’re hitting road this month to celebrate. Since releasing Status Updates on Gun Fever Records in March, Super Best Friends have barely left the stage. But the Canberra/ Melbourne trio aren’t tiring one bit. All My Friends Are Leaving Town is the latest track lifted from the record; it’s a sentimental number, which is appropriately accompanied by an adorable, puppy-loaded music video. Super Best Friends will play The Reverence on Friday August 14. Hit reverencehotel.com/ for details.
YouTube sensations, Hugo Farrant and Giordano Nanni of Juice Rap News ( JRN), are bringing their controversial critique of mainstream media, politicians and other public figures to the Melbourne stage as part of Shadow Electric’s Visions series at Estonian House in Brunswick. Created in a suburban backyard studio in Melbourne, Juice Rap News have revolutionised news delivery with a unique and riotous collision of radical satire, rigorous research, righteous beats, and razor-sharp rhymes. Managing to gain over 13 million YouTube views and 100,000 subscribers to date, Juice Rap News is adored by a globe spanning and loyal cult following. They play at Brunswick’s historic Estonian House on Sunday August 30. For ticketing and more information, head to the Shadow Electric website.
puck, worM crown shit sex, chores 8pM $10
FRIday aRVO
liTTle deSerT ela stiles (Bushwalking) 4pM Free
saTuRday 8TH augusT
SpliTdreaMcoat SecondS adelaide crows 8:30pM $10
sunday 9TH augusT
MiniMuM wage:
The rAngoonS
toMMy t & the classical Mishaps school daMage 4pM Free
MOnday 10TH augusT
STellAguests collApSe 7:30pM $6
Tuesday 11TH augusT
cineMA 6 - reSidency Big league Magic Melons 7:30pM $6
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 18
YEL AWOLF IS COMING TO TOWN
Eminem-mentored Southern hip hopper Yelawolf is coming back to Oz this December. It was long wait, but in April this year Yelawolf returned with his long-awaited second LP Love Story. The gritty output of Alabama native Michael Wayne Atha condenses the influence of everything from Southern hip hop to classic rock, all delivered by a larger than life personality. Yelawolf will play at Max Watt’s on Wednesday December 9. Tickets on sale Friday August 7. See www.livenation.com.au for details.
T K AY M A I DZ A TO EMBARK ON HEADLINE TOUR
Tkay Maidza has been making quite a stir over the last 12 months and now she’s announced her biggest headline tour to date. After a lauded appearance at Splendour in the Grass and a high profile support tour with Mark Ronson, Tkay Maidza will bring her savvy future hip hop to the fore on this national run of dates. She’s also just launched a new video ± a collaboration with cult animation house Adult Swim ± for her current single M.O.B. Tkay Maidza will play two shows on Saturday October 3: Wrangler Studios (U18) and the Corner Hotel (18+). See tkaymaidza. com for details.
CANCER BATS AT THE BENDIGO HOTEL
Merchants in destructive hardcore, Southern metal and punk rock, Cancer Bats have locked in an Aussie tour for September. The Canadian foursome have been tearing venues apart with tunes from the new album Searching For Zero and they’re finally returning to Australia for their first club tour in nearly a decade. Searching For Zero ± the band’s fifth LP ± is filled with hooky melodies and savage screams. The riffs have become even more vicious than before, making for a powerful sonic assault. Cancer Bats will take over The Bendigo Hotel on Thursday September 24. Grab your tickets from tickets.destroyalllines.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
/ $10
Wesley Anne
Thursday 6th August
PENY BOHAN DUO 6pm FRONT BAR
Bar • Restaurant • Etc
MON
Friday 7th August
6pm FRONT BAR
SONGWRITERS IN THE ROUND 7:30pm $10 BAND ROOM
HOTEL
2 1
for ains Selected Monday All Day M Open for lunch middays friday, saturday and sunday
250 High st Northcote Hill 9482 1333
$11 ROO & WINE
$11 BURGER NIGHT
WEDNESDAY $11 PIE NIGHT
+ MRS SMITH’S TRIVIA 8PM
FEAT. ELK + MAMMOTH + LOW RENT + KINGSTON CROWN 7pm $35 BAND ROOM
FRIDAY OLIVER PATERSON BEAT PROJECT
FRI
15
$
LUNCH FISH & CHIPS OR BURGER +BEER OR SOFTIE
SAT
WINTER SESSIONS
CENTRAL
ecial Winter Sp
TUESDAY
RAIN
BARC BEATS
MONDAY
6 - 8 pm
8PM
Sunday 9th August
COLD IRONS BOUND 6pm FRONT BAR
DJ KNAVE KNIXX 10PM 681 SYDNEY RD. BRUNSWICK (03)9386 7580 WWW.EDINBURGHCASTLE.NET.AU
THU
FREE ITRUS POOL C JAM 6.30PM
TACOS
$ 0 JUGS 1 NIGHT ALL LONG!
SUN
SUNDAY
BLOODY
6pm FRONT BAR
11
THIS WEEK
Saturday 8th August
TIM DURKIN
WED
O RO $ 0 & EDINBURGH 1 + WINE CASTLE $ 5 1 9 9 . $ THE
B RGERS
ANDY MCGARVIE
TUE
BRUNCH
27 WESTON ST, BRUNSWICK THU OPEN MON 3PM - LATE TO
FRI TO SUN NOON - LATE
CHARLESWESTONHOTEL@GMAIL.COM OR GIVE US A BELL ON 9380 8777
OD GO ES M TI
TOURING
WHO'S ON TOUR, WHERE AND WHEN
For all the latest tour dates check out beat.com.au
international JAMES MORRISON, MEGAN WASHINGTON & MARIAN PETRESCU Hamer Hall August 7 GOOD RIDDANCE Corner Hotel August 7 DAVE GRANEY AND THE CORAL SNAKES MEMO Music Hall August 7, 8 GREAZEFEST Sandown Racecourse August 7 - 9 SUPERSENSE Arts Centre Melbourne August 7 – 9 THE JON SPENCER BLUES EXPLOSION Arts Centre Melbourne August 8 ANTHONIE TONNON The Gasometer Hotel August 9 ALDOUS HARDING The Gasometer August 12 CHELSEA GRIN Corner Hotel August 14, Wrangler Studios August 15 (AA) SNFU Bendigo Hotel August 15 THE BELLRAYS Ding Dong Lounge August 15 BAIO Shebeen Bandroom August 18 YOB Max Watt’s August 21 GINUWINE Trak Lounge Friday 21 MARK NADLER Melbourne Recital Centre August 22 THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN Prince Bandroom August 28 A SKYLIT DRIVE The Corner Hotel August 28 HELLYEAH Corner Hotel August 29 INTO THE MYSTIC – THE MUSIC OF VAN MORRISON Ding Dong Lounge August 30 MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK 170 Russell August 30 A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS The Corner Hotel September 4 MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER Palais Theatre September 4 SELF DEFENSE FAMILY Viva Hate September 7 JOSHUA RADIN Corner Hotel September 9 SCOTT BRADLEE’S POST MODERN JUKEBOX The Forum September 9 THE STORY SO FAR Max Watts September 11 LOWER CLASS BRATS Bendigo Hotel September 12 DEATH DEALER The Hi-Fi September 13 LUNA Northcote Social Club September 17 CIRCA SURVIVE 170 Russell September 20, September 21 (AA) A STATE OF GRACE: THE MUSIC OF TIM AND JEFF BUCKLEY Melbourne Recital Centre September 23, 29 CANCER BATS The Bendigo Hotel September 24 THE GARDEN The John Curtin Hotel September 24 JOAN BAEZ Arts Centre Hammer Hall September 24 BIG K.R.I.T Max Watt’s September 24 SEBASTIAN BACH The Forum September 25 DEVIN THE DUDE Laundry Bar September 25 LISTEN OUT FESTIVAL Catani Gardens September 26 MAROON 5 Rod Laver Arena September 26 PENNYWISE 170 Russell September 28 BAHAMAS Howler September 30 AS IT IS The Evelyn Hotel October 1 (AA), October 2 TKAY MAIDZA Wrangler Studios (U18), Corner Hotel December 3 JJ GREY & MOFRO Northcote Social Club October 7 SILENT KNIGHT The Bendigo October 8 KISS Rod Laver Arena October 8, October 10 SICK OF IT ALL Corner Hotel October 9 KIASMOS Foxtel Festival Hub, Melbourne Festival October 9 CLINT MANSELL Melbourne Recital Centre October 10, 11 HAMMERFALL 170 Russell October 13 LIFEHOUSE The Forum October 15 HELLOWEEN Metro Theatre October 16 SNOT Corner Hotel October 17 BIGBANG Rod Laver Arena October 21 ROBBIE WILLIAMS Rod Laver Arena October 22 – 24 ELDER AND EARTHLESS The Corner October 23 THOUSAND FOOT KRUTCH Max Watt’s October 23 THE RIPTIDE MOVEMENT Max Watt’s October 24 THE FIELD Foxtel Festival Hub, Melbourne Festival October 23 THE FALL Foxtel Festival Hub, Melbourne Festival October 23 – 25 DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT 170 Russell October 25 SOULFEST Sidney Myer Music Bowl October 25 DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT 170 Russell October 25, 26 NEIL DIAMOND Rod Laver Arena October 27 CANNED HEAT Corner Hotel October 29 ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK Palais Theatre October 29 10CC The Palms at Crown October 30 HOZIER Palais Theatre October 30 AT THE GATES Friday October 30 ANATHEMA Corner Hotel October 31 AUDRA MCDONALD Hamer Hall October 31 HIGHLANDS FESTIVAL Yea October 31 – November 2 DAVID GUETTA Hisense Arena November 2 FLEETWOOD MAC Rod Laver Arena November 2, 4, Mt Dundeed Estate November 7 THE RUBBERBANDITS Max Watt’s November 6 BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 20
NAUGHTY BY NATURE Trak Lounge November 6 THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS Forum Theatre November 7 FLORENCE + THE MACHINE Sidney Myer Music Bowl November 10 AUSTRALASIAN WORLD MUSIC EXPO Various Venues November 12 – 15 MUMFORD & SONS Sidney Myer Music Bowl November 13 POKÉMON SYMPHONIC EVOLUTIONS Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre November 13 HAUSCHKA Melbourne Recital Centre November 17 DEF LEPPARD Rod Laver Arena November 18 THE BEACH BOYS Palais Theatre November 18 HANK MARVIN MEMO Music Hall November 21, 22 NILE Corner Hotel November 21 UB40 The Forum November 24 CALIFORNIA HONEYDROPS Caravan Music Club November 25, Northcote Social Club November 26 EARTHCORE Pyalong, Victoria November 26 – 30 MARLON WILLIAMS Prince Bandroom November 27 RON SEXSMITH MEMO Music Hall November 27, Northcote Social Club November 28 RISE AGAINST Margaret Court Arena December 2 CHRIS CORNELL The Palais December 4 THE CORONAS Corner Hotel December 4 ED SHEERAN AAMI Park December 5 STEREOSONIC Melbourne Showgrounds December 5 SAM SMITH Rod Laver Arena December 8 HALESTORM 170 Russell December 8 YELAWOLF Max Watt’s December 9 THE MISFITS Max Watt’s December 11 TAYLOR SWIFT AAMI Park December 11 ELTON JOHN Rod Laver Arena December 11, Mt Duneed Estate December 12 FALLS FESTIVAL Lorne December 28 – January 1 NIGHTWISH The Forum Monday January 11 THE 1975 Festival Hall January 20 MADONNA Rod Laver Arena March 12, 13 JOSH GROBAN Palais Theatre April 25
national JOSH PYKE Bella Union August 5 FERDYDURKE’S 3RD BIRTHDAY Ferdydurke August 6 OXJAM FESTIVAL Grace Darling August 6, Shadow Electric August 15, Can’t Say August 21 ROCK-A-BYE BABY Fitzroy Town Hall August 6 BIG 3 ROOTS RHYTHM AND SOUL FESTIVAL The Flying Saucer Club August 7 PUCK The Public Bar August 7 NUN John Curtin Hotel August 7 VALLIS ALPS Shebeen Bandroom August 7 MAIDS Public Bar August 7 MARK SEYMOUR & THE UNDERTOW National Theatre August 7 JAMES TEAGUE Dane Certificate’s Magic Theatre August 7 NUN The Curtin August 7 TRANSVAAL DIAMOND SYNDICATE The Retreat August 7 BREWTALITY FEST The Tote, The Bendigo Hotel August 8 GARAGE AT THE GAS The Gasometer Hotel August 13 STYLUS The Flying Saucer Club August 14 JOSHUA SEYMOUR Spotted Mallard August 14 THE BADLOVES MEMO Music Hall August 14 SUPER BEST FRIENDS The Reverence Hotel August 14 TOMMY EMMANUEL Hamer Hall August 15 THE GRATES Corner Hotel August 15 BRIAN NANKERVIS AND THE DING DONG ALL STARS Ding Dong Lounge August 16 PRESENTATION NIGHT Corner Hotel August 16 WAY OF THE EAGLE Howler August 20 DRUNK MUMS Ding Dong Lounge August 21 DIZZ1 Boney August 21 MOSES GUNN Shebeen August 21 TUMBLEWEED Corner Hotel August 21 LITTLE NOBODY My Aeon August 21 STORM THE SKY The Gasometer August 21, 22 (AA) MIAMI HORROR 170 Russell August 21 MUSTERED COURAGE Northcote Social Club August 21 SAFIA Corner Hotel August 22 BORN LION Bendigo Hotel August 22 HURST The Penny Black August 22 TIMBERWOLF Northcote Social Club August 22 OH MERCY Howler August 22 JACK CARTY & JORDAN MILLAR Grace Darling August 22 UPSKIRTS Shebeen Bandroom August 22 PEEL SLOWLY & SEE: THE VELVET UNDERGROUND TRIBUTE The Flying Saucer Club August 22 GLOW WINTER ARTS FESTIVAL Stonnington August 23
proudly presents
AUG 28 -
AUG 30 OCT 10, 11 nov 27 NOV 29
SHADOW ELECTRIC PRESENTS: VISIONS
featuring Teeth & Tongue, Rat & Co, The Bombay Royale and Juice Rap News. Estonian House
CLINT MANSELL
Melbourne Recital Centre
QUEENSCLIFF MUSIC FESTIVAL
Queenscliff
MUSICIANS FOR HEARING The Gasometer Hotel August 23 GANG OF YOUTHS The Corner Hotel August 26 LYALL MALONEY Shebeen Bandroom August 27 HELLIONS Arrow August 26 (AA), Ding Dong Lounge August 27 SHADOW ELECTRIC PRESENTS VISIONS Estonian House August 28-30 THE DEMON PARADE Yah Yah’s August 28 TEETH & TONGUE Estonian House Brunswick August 28 RAT & CO Estonian House Brunswick August 29 GRENADIERS Ding Dong Lounge August 28 MUSCLES Shebeen Bandroom August 28 NORTHEAST PARTY HOUSE 170 Russell August 28 MEGAN WASHINGTON Northcote Social Club August 28 LOWTIDE Northcote Social Club August 29 ALITHIA + CHAOS DIVINE The Evelyn Hotel August 29 ANIMAUX The Gasometer Hotel August 29 THE BOMBAY ROYALE Estonian House Brunswick August 30 JUICE RAP NEWS Estonian House Brunswick August 30 SETH SENTRY The Forum September 4 REGURGITATOR The Prince Bandroom September 4 METHYL ETHEL Shebeen September 4 HOLY HOLY Howler September 5 GATHERER/GUARDS OF MAY Toff In Town September 5 THE DRONES The Forum September 5 POISON CITY WEEKENDER 170 Russell, Public Bar September 4, Corner Hotel, The Old Bar September 5, Reverence Hotel, Corner Hotel September 6 SHIR MADNESS MELBOURNE Classic Cinema, Gordon St, Kadimah Hall September 6 URBAN SPREAD 5 Plaza Tavern September 10, Chelsea Heights Hotel September 11, The Village Green September 12 THE CACTUS CHANNEL Shebeen Bandroom September 11 ACOUSTICANA MEMO Music Hall September 11 PERCH CREEK Howler September 12 THE JUNGLE GIANTS The Corner September 12 SOL NATION Rubix Warehouse September 12 THIRSTY MERC Caravan Club September 14, MEMO Music Hall September 16 COSMIC PSYCHOS 170 Russell September 18 TIJUANA CARTEL Max Watt’s September 18 RAE HOWELL MEMO Music Hall September 18 THE SNOWDROPPERS Northcote Social Club September 19 THE SMITH STREET BAND The Corner September 19, 20 BIG STRONG BRUTE The Evelyn Hotel September 20 LITTLE MAY The Corner September 24
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HAVE/HOLD Public Bar September 26 PARKWAY DRIVE Festival Hall September 26 JESS RIBEIRO Northcote Social Club September 26 MEG MAC The Corner September 27 DOGAPALOOZA Burnley Park, Richmond September 27 THE STIFFYS The Tote October 1 LAST DINOSAURS The Corner October 1 ***MAT MCHUGH The Corner October 2 THE MEANIES The Tote October 2 THE PEEP TEMPLE + BATPISS Yah Yah’s October 2, Cherry Bar October 3 BODYJAR Northcote Social Club October 3 BEN LEE The Corner October 7 THE BEARDS The Corner October 8 PORT FAIRY SPRING MUSIC FESTIVAL Port Fairy October 9 - 11 THE RUBENS The Forum October 9 KISSCHASY The Corner October 10 THY ART IS MURDER The Corner October 16 LIOR The Athenaeum Theatre October 16 FLIGHT FACILITIES & THE MSO Sidney Myer Music Bowl October 17 DAREBIN MUSIC FEAST Various Venues October 23 – November 1 2015 CARLTON DRY INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS Meat Market North Melbourne October 22 THE PAPER KITES 170 Russell October 23 BAD//DREEMS Northcote Social Club October 24 SWAGGER MUSIC FESTIVAL Wandiligong October 24 - 25 CHET FAKER Sidney Myer Music Bowl October 30 MY FRIEND THE CHOCOLATE CAKE Melbourne Recital Centre October 31 TUKA The Corner November 6 NORTHLANE 170 Russell November 6, 7 (U18) CW STONEKING Thornbury Theatre November 6, Corner Hotel November 7 MSO BACK TO THE FUTURE LIVE The Plenary November 6, 7 COLD CHISEL Hanging Rock Reserve November 21 HERMITUDE Festival Hall November 28 QUEENSCLIFF MUSIC FESTIVAL Queenscliff November 27, 29 AC/DC Etihad Stadium December 6 XMAS EVEN The Evelyn Hotel December 19 - 20 MSO PRESENT HITCHCOCK AND HERRMANN Hamer Hall February 5, 6
rumours: GHOST, Lindi Ortega, iLoveMakonnen = New Announcements
THE JUNGLE GIANTS G R O W I N G U P, B R A N C H I N G O U T By Augustus Welby
When The Jungle Giants released their debut LP, 2013’s Learn to Exist, the band members were a bunch of eager teenagers, just fresh out of high school. This weekend the Brisbane foursome return with album number two, Speakerzoid; an impressive step forward which shows they’ve taken the title of their first album as a directive. Speakerzoid immediately sounds like the work of a more confident band. Having spent the last couple of years ruling festival main stages and selling out shows around the country, The Jungle Giants have honed their strengths and developed a craftier, more powerful sound.
However, for frontman and chief songwriter Sam Hales, making the progression into album two wasn’t seamless. “I try to write every day, just as a rule,” he says. “If I don’t really write that much I feel a bit shit or a bit lazy. So after the first album I went through this phase where I couldn’t really write that much. It wasn’t as much writer’s block… I think I was looking for something. I felt like I was looking for some sort of change or some sort of new direction.” Breaking into new creative territory is never going to be easy. In fact, if it does occur without much resistance you should probably to be wary, as there’s a strong chance you’re either fooling yourself or just stealing someone else’s ideas. Acknowledging this, Hales worked determinedly to uncover new ground. “The first six months after Learn to Exist was dedicated to just trying new things and writing in different ways and different styles and playing with different instruments,” he says. “That’s where Speakerzoid came from. It came from a want for something new. I can’t explain why, I just needed to wrap my head around a new challenge.” Much like The Jungle Giants’ debut, Speakerzoid was recorded under the watchful eye of Australian producer extraordinaire, Magoo (AKA Lachlan Goold). However, the nature of the recording procedure – which happened in a makeshift studio space just near the NSW/Queensland border – vastly differed from that which birthed Learn to Exist. “We went in with a plan,” says Hales. “We had all these demos and I’d purposefully left lots of gaps in the demos. Like, there was a song where a bridge wasn’t completely finished and the idea was that I could finish it at home, but I also wanted to go into the studio with all the band and try however we were feeling that day. I knew with this way the song was going to take on its own kind of feel once we started recording and jamming on it. We’d have Magoo there to [accommodate] every whim. I’d just be like ‘Magoo, I want to slap some strings on a piano right so can you mic that shit up?’ “Me and Magoo have a really, really cool relationship now,” he adds. “We did an EP with him and we did the last album with him. He’s kind of like a band dad, but also a friend. We have this thing where me and Magoo just agree on everything – sometimes in a big way, sometimes in a subtle way. If someone’s doing something and I’m like, ‘It’s not perfect,’ Magoo will be like, ‘No, you’re right.’ So we have a really creative gel going on. I went into this album and I said to Magoo, ‘I really want to fuck around with the production and work with a bunch of different instruments.’ He was like, ‘Cool. Just give it to me and we’ll figure something out’.” The outcome of this method is plainly obvious: from a production point of view, Speakerzoid contains plenty of interesting textural details and curious instrumental BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 22
flourishes. As a result, listening to the album on repeat occasions proves a continually rewarding experience. “We just built this cave that was filled with instruments,” says Hales, “ whenever we’d get to a point where I’d be like, ‘It needs something,’ I’d just walk into this living room that we converted into this giant instrument room and we’d walk around knocking things and hitting things with sticks and blowing into things. Then eventually we’d find the instrument, we’d talk about it a little bit and see what we wanted. It was a way more creative process than the last one. “The last album was just written and then recorded,” he continues. “And we were pretty damn young when we
“I FEEL LIKE THE WORLD IS LOOKING AT AUSTRALIA BECAUSE WE ARE THROWING OUT SO MUCH GOOD SHIT RIGHT NOW, I FEEL LIKE THERE’S A REALLY COOL CHANCE HERE FOR AUSTRALIAN BANDS TO JUST FUCKING SMASH IT” did that. We were all 18 and we’d never really done an album before. This time around we realised an album is an album, recording is different for every band – we realised that and we said, ‘We can do whatever we want.’ There’s no particular rules, so we just said ‘We want to make a space where we can support that “Do whatever you want” thing’.” Hales’ strong urge to uncover something new – sounds heretofore untouched by The Jungle Giants – was partly motivated by the huge assortment of fresh stimulus he was introduced to in the months following Learn to Exist. “When we recorded Learn to Exist there was this huge amount of music that I had not listened to,” he says. “I moved into a house with a bunch of friends that are musicians and they’re all older than me, and so the last two years since Learn to Exist has just been me hearing a shitload of music that I’ve never heard before. That influenced me. Like, right after Learn to Exist was the first time I ever heard Grace by Jeff Buckley. I’d never heard that album and it completely just fucked me up when I heard it – it opened my mind up to a whole new way of writing, or something like that. I had some spiritual connection to that album. It was like this
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awesome thing. So I found a bunch of albums like that in the last two years. I listened to more music in the last two years than I ever have in my whole life. So that definitely put a huge influence into the album.” Released in 1994, Buckley’s Grace is an easily grasped, well-crafted entity. However, in some ways, it’s all over the place – each of its ten songs does something distinctly different. In a similar manner, Speakerzoid covers a lot of ground; there are songs where Hales sings in a deadpan, speak-sing vocal style, then there’s immersive melodic moments and spacey rock numbers. However, as a whole, it presents a strong, cohesive identity. “I’ve always liked putting a bunch of different sounding songs on the album, all kind of pushing in different directions,” Hales says. “I feel like that opens up you and your fans to a certain thing. Beck does that on his albums. With this new Beck album that’s coming out, I don’t think anyone really knows what that’s going to sound like and I think that’s a really good thing. Beck just writes a shitload of music, and over the course of his albums it’s all been really different and really cool, but it still sounds like Beck. So I think just trying new things and making music that’s not all the same, to me that means a lot.” Hales isn’t only inspired by preeminent figures in American music. It’s no secret there’s been some incredible Australian records making waves internationally in recent years. A primary example is the new Tame Impala album, which follows a string of excellent releases from the likes of Courtney Barnett, The Preatures, Jack Ladder, Seekae and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. Seeing all this great music emerge from Australia has compelled The Jungle Giants to work even harder at distinguishing themselves. “I feel like the world is looking at Australia because we are throwing out so much good shit right now,” Hales says. “I feel like there’s a really cool chance here for Australian bands to just fucking smash it and be a world leader in what the fuck is going on in music. There’s so many cool bands doing fucking really different things. All my favourite Australian bands are doing really, really fucking cool things, like King Gizzard, POND, Tame. They’re doing cool, weird shit, being really experimental and really confident. That confidence rubs off on you. [It makes you want to] try things, mix things together, make cool music and just do it yourself.”
THE JUNGLE GIANTS will release their second album Speakerzoid on Friday August 7 via Amplifire. They’re coming down to play two shows at the Corner Hotel on Saturday September 12, an U18s matinee and an 18+ evening show.
2 DAYS RECORDING AT SING SING | FILM CLIP BY OH YEAH WOW ALBUM ARTWORK & 500 CDS | SONG FEATURED IN A BANK OF MELBOURNE AD PUBLICIST, RADIO PLUGGER, MANAGER, BOOKING AGENT & MENTOR If you’re serious about a career in music, enter the competition that’s serious about getting you there. Submit your track by August 23rd at bankofmelbourne.com.au/melbmusicbank. CREATED by
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tHE COMIC StRIP
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Coming Up
Peter Helliar
LIMBO
Glow Winter Arts Festival
Thursday August 13 - Sunday August 23 Various Venues, Stonnington
Indian Film Festival of Melbourne Friday August 14 - Thursday August 27 Various Venues
SDS1
tHuRSdAy COMEdy
Wednesday August 19 - Saturday August 22 Arts House
Melbourne Writers Festival
Thursday August 20 - Sunday August 20 Various Venues
Antigone
Friday August 21 - Sunday September 23 Malthouse Theatre
20:21
Thursday August 27 - Saturday September 5 Arts Centre Melbourne, State Theatre
Bad Jews
Thursday August 27 - Sunday September 13 Alex Theatre
All Ears
Thursday September 3 - Sunday September 6 Arts House
MSO: Back To The Future Live In Concert Friday November 6 - Saturday November 7 The Plenary
Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei
Friday December 11 - Sunday April 24 National Gallery of Victoria
Detroit The theatre company will present the Obie Award Winning and Pulitzer finalist Detroit, a darkly comic investigation of the divide between rich and poor. Detroit tells the suburban tale of Ben and Mary as they cultivate an unpredictable friendship in a town hit hard by the economic downturn. The play reunites NSFW director Tanya Dickson with Red Stitch and features ensemble members Paul Ashcroft (Wet House, Herding Cats), Brett Cousins (The Aliens, Stockholm), Ngaire Dawn Fair (The Flick, Eurydice, ROAM, 4000 Miles, My Romantic History) and Sarah Sutherland (That Face, Faces In the Crowd, Red Sky Morning). Detroit runs from Friday August 28 ± Saturday September 26 at Red Stitch Actors Theatre.
City of Angels Tony Award winning musical, City of Angels, is coming to Melbourne for four shows only this November. Set across two different worlds, City of Angels is a dangerously funny portrayal of 1940s film noir and dark detective fiction. The new Australian production features some of this country’s finest talent, including Kane Alexander, Amanda Harrison, Anton Berezin and Chelsea Plumley. City of Angels plays from Thursday November 5 to Sunday November 8 at the Playhouse Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne.
Theatre reviews:
Melbourne Festival The 2015 Melbourne Festival is celebrating its 30th birthday the only way it knows how - with a colossal program that is bringing some of the most innovative art, music, performance, cinema and discussion to our doorstep. With eight world premieres, 17 Australian premieres and 15 events exclusive to Melbourne Festival, 2015 is shaping up to be a massive program drawing on the best from Australia and the world. Over 18 days in October, the festival will present 74 events by artists and companies from countries including Iceland, Faroe Islands, Israel, UK, Mali, USA, China, Sweden, France, Canada and Germany. For the first time, Melbourne audiences will be treated to the hit west-end adaptation of George Orwell’s dystopian masterpiece 1984. Backing up the quality theatre selection is Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison as she takes on Shakespeare’s fiery angel in Desdemona and work from acclaimed NYC company PS122. Purposefully selected events have been chosen to provoke thought and further the experience viewers take home from the program, encouraging festivalgoers to reflect upon their experiences. Language, Performance and Power: Reflecting on 1984 in 2015, Aural Contract: The Voice Before the Law, George Orwell’s 1984: A Live Reading at the Legislative Assembly Chamber in Victoria’s Parliament House and the Eyes Without a Face: Surveillance in Cinema program at ACMI all aim to incite debate and thought. Dance highlights include Israel’s Batsheva Dance Company presenting two exhilarating works by Ohad Naharin with Decadence and Last Work alongside world renowned dance theatre from Belgium’s 32 Rue Vandenbranden in Peeping Tom. To cap it off, Spiegeltent favourite LIMBO will make its long awaited Melbourne debut featuring a blend of cabaret, circus and acrobatics that has brought the production sell-out success overseas. In her third and final year of curating the festival, Artistic Director Josephine Ridge stated the aim was to both inspire and provoke audiences. “The festival continues to mine the depths of creativity with the many partnerships with other artists and organisations that make the cultural life of this city so extraordinarily rich. We also place an examining lense on some burning issues of today”, she said. The 30th Melbourne Festival will run from Thursday October 8 - Sunday October 25. The One
Peter Helliar headlines at the European Bier Cafe this Thursday. The night has finally moved from the Portland Hotel to its new home, and a ripper opening night is due. Helliar’s one of the funniest in the country, and you know him The Project, It’s A Date, Rove and heaps and heaps more. Plus there’s Harley Breen, Adam Rozenbachs, Don Tran and more surprises. Get down early, check out the meals and drink specials, and get a good seat. It’s all happening this Thursday August 6 at 8.30pm, 120 Exhibition St (upstairs), CBD, all for only $13.
MAxIMOn MOntHly From the guys that bring you Crab Lab, Maximon Monthly is back for its third instalment on Friday August 7 with Hannah Gadsby, Celia Pacquola, Greg Larsen, Oliver Clark and more. And it’s absolutely free. Kicks off at 8.30pm at the House of Maximon, 16 Corrs Ln, CBD.
COMEdy At tHE wIldE Tuesdays at The Wilde some of Melbourne’s best young comedians join with sign up on the night open mic acts for one of the loosest nights in town. James Masters joins Danielle Walker and more this week for another big, fun night of comedy. It’s this Tuesday August 11 at 153 Gertrude St, Fitzroy at 8pm. And, it’s totally free.
CRAb lAb
Poppy Seed Festival Poppy Seed is a brand new grassroots festival that showcases and supports up-and-coming Australian theatre. Kicking off the festival will be Project: Hysteria, the coupling of two rarely performed oneact plays from Tennessee Williams that are considered precursors to his classic works, The Glass Menagerie and A Streetcar Named Desire. From 15 Minutes comes The Yellow Wave, a romance of the Asiatic invasion. Matilda Award Nominee Elizabeth Millington takes on the epic tale of a good night out in Gin Sister while Fire Curtain Co. close out the festival with the award winning The One, completely re-imagined for Australian audiences. Poppy Seed Festival takes place at the Trades Hall, The Butterfly Club and fortyfivedownstairs from Wednesday November 11 ± Sunday December 13.
Glory Box La Revolucion Returning for its 11th year, burlesque sensation Glory Box returns once more before it packs up the stilettos and struts out of Melbourne indefinitely. Bringing together some of Australia’s top performers, this year’s production features 11 new acts and four new artists. The brain-child of Moira Finucane and Jackie Smith, their company is the first Australian group invited to perform at the Havana International Theatre Festival in Cuba, the first to collaborate with Slovenia’s Live Art Institute and the first ever appointed Creative Fellow of the National Gallery of Victoria. Send off Glory Box La Revolucion in style by getting down to the Melba Spiegeltent from Thursday August 20 Sunday September 13.
Another big and free show tonight at Crab Lab with Lawrence Mooney, Geraldine Hickey, Dilruk Jayasinha, Jonathan Schuster, newly crowned RAW winner Angus Gordon and a heap more. Kicks off at 8.30pm at the House of Maximon, 16 Corrs Ln, CBD.
COMEdy At SPlEEn Monday comedy has been taken care of in the city by Comedy At Spleen for over seven years now. And there’s a reason why it’s full every week. Great lineups. This week is no different. There’s Chris Franklin, Celia Pacquola, Mike Goldstein, Michael Williams, Daniel Connell, Fabien Clark, Mark Trenwith and heaps more. It’s this Monday August 10, at 41 Bourke St, CBD, at 8.30pm. It’s free to get in, but they appreciate a good gold coin donation at the door.
Yours The Face
Kindness
Set, clarity, drama and light! Director and designer Sarah Walker applies her professional photographer’s sensibility to playwright and VCA graduate Fleur Kilpatrick’s compelling work, Yours the Face. Actor Roderick Cairns plays a US model and her Aussie photographer, two less than likeable but intriguing characters drawing one another into an oddly symbiotic sexual relationship based on disclosures of their respective dark sides, culminating in a confessional to the audience which turns into horror. The night belongs to Cairns, who plays both parts, manipulating his body to become a woman one second, the next a man. Cairns possesses an unusual and graceful physicality which he used to its best advantage here, posing as the model, then flipping genders with the tiniest gesture to become masculine. His voice is a powerful part of this repertoire of androgyny. He’s just terrific, better even than the text he’s performing, which is pretty damn good in terms of tension and build-up, rhythm and pace. There are, however, moments that could be cut and, regarding direction, one segment± the man’s nakedness ± it seems gratuitous, adding nothing important to the story and having a distracting and distancing effect. The mood of the piece moves from light and flirty to deeply dysfunctional, with a welcome originality of voice. Yours the Face avoids clichés and tackles a familiar subject with freshness and moments of subtle wit.
VCA graduate Bridget Mackey’s Kindness makes use of a simple effective set suggesting the aesthetic and emotional greys of corporate life co-directed by Kate Shearman and Alice Darling. Three business employees (Emily Tomlins, Tom Heath and Rachel Perks) are confronted by the gentle integrity of Evelyn, a lonely old woman (Maggie Brown), who keeps turning up, eventually forming bonds with all of the workers, reminding them perhaps of the bleak future facing them if they persist with their unsatisfying lives. The seemingly random and disconnected dialogue comes from uninhibited blurted moments of preoccupation; the three employees struggle to maintain their psychic integrity which makes them near unavailable for genuine human interaction. Subtext is well developed in this piece, Kindness is a strongly worked up and well-structured play which in style is reminiscent of some of the best we have seen from Ranters Theatre (Raimondo Cortese is the course convenor of the Masters of Performance Writing). A poignant moment is when Evelyn dons a neck brace and not one of the younger people, now her friends, notices it. The characters are the types of people you find in offices anywhere, but still each hums with an individuality and accidental honestly via terrifically resolved performances and impressively strong writing.
BY LIZA DEZFOULI
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BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 25
Out Of The ClOset
Queer happenings around town with Anna Whitelaw.
As the deadline for the introduction of the crossbench bill on marriage equality looms next week, Cory Bernardi took on the role of defender of traditional marriage in a televised public debate with Labor senator and our favourite openly gay federal MP Penny Wong. As to be expected, Penny Wong wiped the floor with him and debunked many of the long-propagated myths about the threat posed by same sex couples getting married, and reassured straight people that gay marriages won’t harm children (since a quarter of same sex couples already have children), won’t take away the rights of heterosexual couples to marry or not, and won’t bring about the rapture. Of course, neither side of the debate was in it to change hearts and minds. Half a world away, in Jerusalem, the LGBTIQ
community was reminded that there are still clear and present dangers facing our community that go beyond the right to marry. An anti-gay extremist identified by authorities as Yishai Schlissel attacked the crowd indiscriminately stabbing attendees at Jerusalem’s annual Gay Pride Parade where 5,000 people had gathered for a day of celebrations that ended in bloodshed. Six people were stabbed, and several seriously injured. A teenage girl, 16-year-old Shira Banki, died on Monday after being stabbed in the attack. The ultra orthodox assailant had been released from prison after serving a 10-year sentence for a similar stabbing attack at the 2005 Pride event where he attacked three people. The attack is a chilling reminder that bigotry and homophobia isn’t harmless and it isn’t going away.
The only comforting thing was the response. All sides of politics in Israel ± right and left, religious and secular who rarely see eye to eye on anything ± were united in condemning the attack. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a “despicable hate crime”. After a huge sixth birthday, CLOSET throws its last party of the winter on Friday August 7, this time in homage of Zac Efron and his sculpted abs. Sydney DJ Smithers will be down for the festivities, and joining him on DJ duties will be Jennifer Loveless (back from her China tour), resident JLAW and Luke Agius. CLOSET is one of Melbourne’s longest running nights for homosexuals and those who love them. Little & Olver, 393 Brunswick St, Fitzroy. Doors open 10pm until 5am. Entry is $15 on the door. Further
information and the chance to win free entry: facebook. com/closetpartyoz After CLOSET and BARBA, if you’ve still got the energy this weekend you can back it up with the next instalment of The Outpost called Keep The Fire Burning on Saturday August 8 at The Gasometer Hotel. Djs Whiskey Houston, Mr Weir and Butch le Butch will be delivering the disco. Doors open 9pm until 3am. $15 on the door. As if that wasn’t enough already, SWAGGER is back for a night for ‘90s inspired R&B and hip hop Rack to the Future. Presales $10, door sales $15. The Bottom End, 579 Little Collins St, CBD. Tickets are available for itdevents.yapsody.com DJs haven’t been announced, but you know you’re in for lots of Queen Bae.
Top Shelf Boutique Drinks Festival By AuGuSTuS WELBy
Over two days this weekend, the second annual Top Shelf Boutique Drinks Festival goes down at the Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Gardens. Ticket holders will have the option to sample of hundreds of high class wines, spirits and beers. Although it’s labelled as ‘top shelf boutique’, at just $25, tickets to the festival are very affordable. For event organiser Paul Wootton, it’s important the festival doesn’t present an image of exclusivity. “The name of the festival relates to the quality of products on show, not their price tag,” he says. “Craft beers, small batch spirits and boutique wines are often very affordable and compete with mainstream products in terms of price point. This is all about showing consumers that there’s so much great stuff on offer in Australia from local and international producers alike. There will obviously be some standout and very expensive products on show but equally, Top Shelf is about showcasing brands that fit into a range of price points. So whatever your budget, there will be plenty of great products available to sample and buy.” As well as spirits and wine, Top Shelf Boutique is spotlighting craft beer. In doing so, they’re underlining that the new wave of craft beer makers uphold masterful brewing techniques, placing the beer on a similar plane of integrity to drinks that have historically been considered fancier. “The craft b0eer movement is really gaining momentum in Australia and attracting fans from all over the social spectrum,” says Wootton. “Local brewers are really
innovating with flavours and techniques and taking beer to new territory. We have more than 20 beer and cider makers exhibiting at the show and when you see this amount of passion and innovation, it’s easy to see why brewers deserve as much respect as wine makers and master blenders.” At its core, the festival is designed so people have a chance to learn about a diverse range of drinks, and thus open themselves up to new things they might enjoy. “It’s all about sampling new products, broadening taste-bud experiences and hopefully igniting passion about great quality drinks,” Wootton says. “Understanding more about the range of products on offer means that you can confidently choose products that you really enjoy drinking ± both from a taste perspective and sometimes from a social awareness point of view too. We hope that as a result of learning more about products, the Australian public will continue to follow the current trend of drinking quality over quantity.” Along with the booze exhibitors and tastings there’s a range of interesting activities, including gin making, brewing instruction and guest speakers. “A major
part of the show is the presentation program,” says Wootton. “With more than 40 free talks, tutored tastings and presentations across the two days, taking in beers, wine, spirits and cocktails, as well as sessions for people who work in or are interested in working in the hospitality sector. You can learn everything from how to make cocktails at home to how to launch our own brewery. “The opportunity to choose your own botanicals and distil your own gin and the barrel making display in the outside area will both be really cool,” he adds. “We’ve got some of NYC’s best bartenders as guest speakers, along with an ice carving display and an opportunity to experience the ‘world’s smallest bar’, where you exit through a fridge.” At the end of the day, having a drink is about enjoying
yourself. But to enhance your enjoyment, a bit of extra background knowledge is always useful. “I think knowledge always heightens the enjoyment of a product, whether it’s the production method or the story behind the brand,” Wootton says. “Learning how to truly appreciate products, opening up your palate range and understanding a bit more about what you’re drinking means that you can be more adventurous and confident with your choices.” Top Shelf Boutique Drinks Festival goes down at the Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Gardens this Saturday August 8 and Sunday August 9. Head to beat. com.au for your chance to win tickets.
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Wilo Pizza Let’s talk about pizza. My name is Tegan and I am a pizza addict. I eat pizza at least twice a week which is honestly obscene. I haven’t been able to eat gluten for four years now and I’m still angry about it, but thanks to the two bros who run WiLO pizza, I can now eat gourmet pizza that doesn’t cost me heaps of dough. Geddit. The true test of an amazing (edible) gluten free base is if you pick it up and it bends and holds together, you are onto a winner. If you can pick it up and use it as a frisbee, then it’s an imposter and worth sacrificing. No one wants to eat a frisbee with tomato paste on it. Now let’s get down to business. I got a team of friends to help me eat our way through the menu for your reading pleasure, and first up is the seafood category with the
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prawn and chorizo. This pizza comes with fresh chilli and coriander and is bitey, fresh and a total winner. I also added pineapple, because I’m one of those crazy people who enjoy pineapple on pizza. Next up was the standards and we went with the capricosa pizza classic, that’s graced with anchovies big enough to use as bait, which made it pretty salty, but hey, if you order a pizza with saltwater fish on it, it’s going to taste like the ocean. Onto the meat section, and the winner here was the spiced lamb pizza. The mint and cumin creme fraiche makes it pretty special. Oh my gorgonzola, vegos rejoice as the sweet potato pizza is a nifty little option, and is almost so sweet it could be a dessert. Last but not least the sides. If you need something other than pizza then
GTFO. Kidding. The chicken wings are pretty sticky and makes you feel like a kid, and the corn cobs with tangy mayo and pecorino are delicious and get stuck in your teeth. Just like corn should. I’ve said pizza 13 times in this review, which means I give WiLO 13 out of 10 slices. WiLO Pizza is open daily from 4pm - 10.30pm and you can eat in at 440 Church st Richmond, or take away. They deliver to Richmond, plus selected areas in Collingwood, Abbotsford, East Melbourne, Cremorne, South yarra and Hawthorn. Follow them @WiLOPizza or give them a buzz on (03) 9427 1744.
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After 12 epic years, R&B club Alumbra closed its doors for a revamp and is now back and bigger and better than ever Friday August 7. With an increased capacity, extended floor plan and new creative identity based on the streets of New York, Alumbra is more than just a new club. The New York theme celebrates all that encompasses down town New York, including gourmet greasy bites from the man who appears to be everywhere at the moment, Daniel Wilson. You’ll recognise Wilson from Brunswick’s Huxtable and the immensely popular Huxtaburger. Wilson brings his memories and love of living in New York to Alumbra with a bar menu showcasing his big city favourites ± Bad dog with frank, smoked cheddar, vodka and tomato relish on a charcoal bun, honey glazed lamb ribs with mint yoghurt and Big Apple loaded fries with molten chipotle cheese, spring onion and bacon bits. The NYC inspired cocktail menu features eight master cocktails, highlighting Alumbra’s superior beverage partners Moet & Chandon and Ciroc Vodka. Sit back overlooking the Victoria Harbour with an American Beauty in hand ± Tanqueray No. 10 Gin, lemon, sugar, raspberry puree and clipped mint, topped with edible flowers. The cocktail menu was curated with assistance of Roar Projects beverage director, David Debattista. Dance off the calories on the new glass dance floor which looks directly into the water underneath the docks. Stunning.
The Melbourne music landscape is vast and varied, but a characteristic that underlies all of the separate sub-cultures is the intense and sincere passion of their respective adherents. In no environment is this more evident than the local rockabilly scene. The eager devotion of Melbourne’s rockabilly-nuts will be on display at this weekend’s rockabilly and kustom kulture extravaganza, GreazeFest. GreazeFest is a three-day megafest, celebrating music, fashion, vintage motor vehicles and the community spirit of the rockabilly scene. But this community spirit doesn’t just surface at high profile events such as GreazeFest. In fact, Melbourne is a mecca for rockabilly year-round, with many venues dedicated to preserving the culture, advancing the music and expanding its overall reach. To coincide with GreazeFest’s triumphant return to Melbourne, Beat decided to put the spotlight on a few key rockabilly outlets from around the city. Checking in with these various outlets made it patently clear that, while rockabilly originated in the United States of America, it’s become a positive global movement.
LADY A BROAD
Let us introduce you to the fabulous Lady A Broad. From the 1940s to the 1950s to here and back, Lady A Broad has your vintage wares covered. Delightful. Tell us about yourself: My name is Lady A Broad, and although this is not the name on my birth certificate, it is the name I chose to be known by, and the name I am known by worldwide. In the beginning, my style danced around rockabilly, before landing firmly amongst the milder girly side of true vintage. What are you up to now? The mid-century side of design is where my passion is now. With rockabilly making a massive resurgence, there are many designers of hard-edged, quirky jewellery and hair clips etc., yet nothing that complemented my softer true vintage stylings. I design and hand-make an ever expanding range of vintage cutesy styled brooches, earrings, necklaces, card clips, vintage inspired toys, decorations, home wares, fridge magnets, bags and purses, that all have a quirky, modern twist. My designs cross all walks, from vintage to rockabilly and the modern day alike. What’s coming up next? My next exciting project is being a part of the Mount Evelyn Street Party in October 2015, where I’ll be organising and hosting a Pin Up Competition and Fashion parade. I was honoured when asked to design all of the advertising and stationary for the street party. It was a dream come true to design everything with a vintage feel. Throughout October, I am running an exhibition at The Kitchen cafe in Mount Evelyn, which will feature highlights of my Pin Up Journey, couture and finalists of the Mr & Miss Mount Evelyn 2015 Pin Up Competition. To grab yourself a treat to wear from the fabulous LADY A BROAD, go to www.ladyabroad.com. For more information about the Mr & Miss Mount Evelyn Pin Up Competition and to find details on how you can enter, check out the MrMissMountEvelyn2015 Facebook page.
CAMPERDOWN CRUISE ATOMIC CHERRY Have you ever wished you could traverse time, head back to the glory days of the ‘50s and witness the birth of rock’n’roll? Well, you can’t, sorry to say. But heading down to the Camperdown Cruise Rockabilly Festival on Thursday October 22 till Sunday October 25 will get you a touch closer to living out that dream. Held along the picturesque, historically rich tree-lined main street of Camperdown, where the annual festival offers an authentic atmosphere that’ll satisfy the twirling rockabilly gal that lives inside all of our hearts. The event boasts a ton of interactive attractions, including rock’n’roll dance lessons and competitions, the prestigious Miss Camperdown cruise pinup pageant and men and women’s fashion parades held throughout the weekend. It ain’t all about the glitz and glamour though; the Camperdown Cruise Rockabilly Festival features a classic car show that comprises over 500 cars for your perusing pleasure, and a kickarse tiki lounge for when you just need to put your feet up. There’s also an extensive lineup of both homegrown and international rockers performing over the weekend, including The Rip’em Ups (USA), The Savage Hornets (UK), Rusty Pinto and Matt Dwyer. For all of you artsy folks out there, the art exhibition is open for public involvement through the pin-striping workshop, and Melbourne based artist Paul Hughes will be displaying his paintings, which are heavily inspired by ‘50s and ‘60s iconic pop culture. If you’re wanting tickets, it’d be wise to get in early as they’re selling super quickly. The weekend pass is priced at $120, and single day entry’s 50 bucks.
Atomic Cherry, one of the country’s premier rockabilly outlets, is an owned and operated online store founded way back in 2009 by husband and wife team Paul and Carolyn Hanlon. They may be based in Brisbane, but never fear rockabilly connoisseurs, you can jump online and browse their wares any time you’d like. Oh, the joys of the Internet. They even provide free shipping in Australia and offer actual garment measurements for every product, so you won’t have to take a punt and pray your brand new purchase fits. Plus, if you order before 2pm, you get same day dispatch. Score. Over the years, Atomic Cherry have planted themselves firmly in the rockabilly scene with their extensive product range, and have built a solid reputation of providing exceptional customer service. Their range caters to all budgets and styles including rockabilly, pinup, ‘50s retro and vintage, indie/ alternative, scarewear, retro office and kustom kulture. They also stock an extensive plus size range, and retro, rockabilly and vintage inspired clothing, swimwear, accessories, homewares, quirky novelties and gifts. They’ve even got an extensive range of bacon products. No, not baking. Bacon. Yes please. Atomic Cherry’s vast clothing labels are imported from all across the world. If names like Hell Bunny, Sourpuss, Lucky 13, Steady Clothing, Voodoo Vixen, Stop Staring!, Lady Vintage, Unique Vintage, Fluff, Kreepsville 666, Uppercut Deluxe and Accoutrements all jump out at you, then you know Atomic Cherry is the place for you. The team are constantly on the lookout for new and exciting labels to add to their rapidly growing collection, and they’re regularly found skulking around trade shows in the US and UK to keep their fingers on the pulse.
THE CAMPERDOWN CRUISE ROCKABILLY FESTIVAL will be held at the historic town of Camperdown from Thursday October 22 until Sunday October 25. Visit camperdowncruise.com.au for more info.
Like the sound of ATOMIC CHERRY? Why not pay their website a visit and suss out what’s on offer? Shop now at www.atomiccherry.com.au and use the code GREAZEFEST2015 to get 12% off. Happy shopping.
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CHOPPED Allow us to let you in on a little secret: Chopped is one of the coolest goddamn festivals in Victoria. Period. And we don’t throw these labels around willy-nilly. Now in its eighth year, the annual event is easily one of Australia’s greatest tributes to the golden era of hot rods and classic custom cars. And boy, believe us when we say this festival is seriously wild. Off chops, even. Taking place each year in Newstead, just three kilometres west of Castlemaine and a mere 90 minutes out of Melbourne, Chopped is an ultimate one-of-a-kind festival experience. Completely unlike any traditional music festival, Chopped is a throwback to the Hop Up Carnivals of the ‘50s/’60s, which combines sweet tunes with hundreds of sexy-as-fuck pre-’65 style hot rods, choppers, bobbers and OMB trucks. You can watch vicious dirt drags on vintage speedways, motorbike stuntmen jumping through rings of fire ± you get the drift. Oh, and let’s not forget the ultra exotic Tiki bar, which is meticulously constructed and decorated by the festival organisers especially for the event. The lineup for the 2015 event is yet to drop (it’ll be here soon guys, don’t stress), but the festival typically boasts the crème de la crème of Australian and international outfits, all performing on a single stage. Cosmic Psychos, The Peep Tempel, Hard-Ons, Mesa Cosa, King Salami and the Cumberland 3, Graveyard Train, Pat Capocci, Fraser A. Gorman and Lanie Lane have all graced the Chopped stage at least once, so it’s safe to place your bets on a colossal 2015 bill. The monstrosity that is CHOPPED goes down from Friday October 2 until Sunday October 4 in Newstead, Victoria. Whether it be raining, hailing or shining, you can guarantee those engines will be revving. Visit www.chopped.com.au for ticketing info.
TEMPLE TOWN
On Saturday October 31 and Sunday November 1, the Rotary Club of Tallangatta are throwing the Tallangatta Fifties Festival for another year. Headlining the 2015 festivities is none other than Lonnie Lee and the Leemen. You may’ve heard of Lonnie Lee - since releasing his very first hit in 1959, which he co-wrote with Johnny O’Keefe, he’s amassed eight #1 hits since. Not bad. Live music kicks off on the Saturday from 12pm, with an array of buskers roaming amongst the market stalls. The infamous Tallangatta Fifties Rock and Roll Dance will feature the spectacular No Brakes, who’ll be swinging on stage from 8pm. Tickets cost a mere $20, but you gotta call Kev to get them. The party keeps on kicking into Sunday, which’ll feature non-stop live music from 10am - 4pm, including party starters Who Was That Cat. It’s not all about the music, though. The Tallangatta Fifties Festival will also showcase a sparkling selection of classic cars and bikes.
Don’t be mistaken into believing Temple Town are newcomers to the barbershop field. While their store might’ve only officially opened in March 2014, they’ve spent years amassing a wealth of experience, and generating a huge buzz through their pop-ups, activations and collaborations. You may’ve stumbled across Temple Town at a Laneway Festival, where they cut the hair of Jungle, POND, Dune Rats and Ratking (mega props to them for going anywhere near the Dune Rats boys hair). Temple Town aren’t just recognised as the finest hairdressers in Melbourne, but they’re one of the only unisex barber shops in town. Yep, that’s right, Temple Town may be a barbershop, but they specialise in cutting men and women’s hair at the same price of $39.50. Pretty nifty, hey? “I had worked in a barbershop in Melbourne for about five years and had done a lot of pop-up work in between working at the last barber shop and opening my own,” says Tom Farmer, owner of Temple Town. “From the very start, my idea was to engage both men and women and remove the discrimination between hair salons and barbershops. Women with short or long hair should be able to come into a barbershop, so my aim was to create a unisex barbershop where everyone was welcome. If you’re a proficient cutter, you should be able to do the same job on long hair in the same time.” Along with offering a fully accessible, comfortable and relaxed service, one of Temple Town’s key features is the shop’s wood and industrial design aesthetic. “The aesthetic of the store is really inspired by my childhood,” Farmer says. “My dad was an antique dealer, so I was always exposed to a lot of old French and English country furniture and beautiful timber, and a strong interest of mine is joinery and working with wood. I grew up on the coasts, so there’s a strong industrial coastal theme in the store too. The waiting chairs are a pylon from an old pier. My mum was also an artist and a collector, and all of her things are littered all over the shop.” Lovely.
The TALLANGATTA FIFTIES FESTIVAL will run on Saturday October 31 and Sunday November 1. Check out www.tallangattafifties.com.au for all of the details, and give Kev a call on 0419 614 019 for tickets to the Tallangatta Fifties Rock and Roll Dance.
TEMPLE TOWN is located at 285 Johnston St, Abbotsford VIC 3067. You can call them on (03) 9419 2206 to make an appointment. Head on down and visit the store, even if it’s just to touch the fabulous pylon waiting chairs.
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HOLy HOLy
CONjURING UP A QUIET STORM By Adam Norris While Holy Holy are no strangers to the Australian music scene, it has taken some time for their much-lauded and highly anticipated debut LP, When The Storms Would Come, to finally arrive. Since 2011, Tim Carroll and Oscar Dawson have been writing songs and ricocheting across the globe, gradually homing in on the music they’re inspired to make. With the album now in stores and a national tour coming up, it seemed an ideal time to chat with frontman Carroll about who Holy Holy really are, and where they’ll wander next. “I just moved down to Tassie in December,” Carroll says down a phone line from Stockholm. The band have recently wrapped up the European leg of their tour, and the singer has been spending time there in his wife’s home country. “Before that I was a born and raised Brisbane boy. So the setting down there is kind of new still, and I haven’t done a lot of writing down there yet. A lot of this album was written over here in Stockholm, with a bit of Brisbane and Melbourne thrown in. But I’m living in the forest down there. I’m 45 minutes out of Launceston, seven ks down a dirt road in a valley with no power, no phone reception, no running water. It’s really beautiful and inspiring, peaceful, and I’m looking forward to the writing I’ll be doing there once I get back.” It sounds like a refreshing, if challenging, environment. Though, the writing of Tasmanian novelists Richard
Flanagan and Rohan Wilson indicates the creative potential of such stunning removal is huge. One wonders if building a life in such a location mightn’t be an attempt to exorcise the influence of other music, of other opinions and distractions. Yet as Carroll explains, you can never truly separate yourself from what has come before. “You can’t help but not be a part of a scene, of various trends and styles,” he says. “Like, there’s obviously a big influence from all of our parents’ record collections. Ryan [Strathie, drums], Oscar and I were brought up listening to people like Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac. I have an older sister and so does Oscar, so there were those influences trickling in as well ± The Smashing Pumpkins, R.E.M., even Guns N’ Roses sneaks in. But then you start finding your own tastes. There’s so much incredible music being
made now, like Father John Misty, The War on Drugs, Band of Horses. The influences are broad, but one thing that I guess runs through it all is a kind of tone. We’re still using pretty traditional instruments ± acoustic pianos, guitars, that sort of fleet of sounds ± and I think that adds to the sense of nostalgia. That, and some pretty antiquated recording equipment.” The result, When The Storms Would Come, is a damned impressive outcome. There are some truly epic vocals, somewhat reminiscent of Boy & Bear, yet with a tonal palette that deftly condenses the last 30 years of popular music. It features a notable ‘80s nostalgia, particularly on tracks like You Cannot Call For Love Like A Dog, and A Heroine, and Carroll’s excitement to finally showcase these tracks is palpable; the band has been building towards this moment for years. “I’ve been wanting to release the album for so long now, over a year,” he says. “We could have released a record quite a while ago; we had a bunch of songs already recorded, but in a way we were still finding our
feet. Plus our label really recommended not rushing the album out ± to play some more shows, and I think it’s been working really well. We’ve got to play with some of our favourite bands, we’ve been all around the country. But it is great that the album is now finally done. I feel like it’s more of a statement of who we are as a band, and it shows a few more colours of the music we like to make. So I’m proud of the work.”
“For me it’s something I’ve always done and have never strayed away from. I’ve never felt comfortable recording one instrument at time. Improvisation is such a big part of the overall spirit of what I do that even in the more straightforward song structures we’re still depending on the call-and-response.” By now, Haynes knows what gear to utilise in order to get the sounds he’s after. “As far as electric guitars ± which is what I mostly played ± I played three main guitars: a D’Angelico New Yorker, a 1961 Gibson ES-335 and my signature model Gibson Les Paul. The Les Paul I played for slide guitar and the 335 and D’Angelico I played for the more jazzy stuff. I played some acoustic as well and the acoustic guitars were Rockbridge acoustic guitars and my Washburn signature model, a Guild from the early-to-mid-‘70s and an Epiphone that I borrowed from my tech for one song, and an old ‘60s Epiphone. I tended to play electric guitar more often than not, even though the rest of the musicians were playing acoustic instruments. So there are only three songs where I’m playing acoustic guitar only.” With the album just released, Haynes is looking
towards a busy future. “We start touring in a couple of weeks and we’re trying to do worldwide,” he says. “We’re hoping to get to Australia and we’re working on that now. We’re trying to do as much touring worldwide as possible.” Ashes & Dust is out now via Provogue / Mascot Label Group. Peter McMahon, who took over from Cesar Diaz when Cesar died. He’s made me a bunch of combo amps to record with and two of those got used quite often in the studio. One of them I use predominantly for slide and one of them is for a cleaner, jazzier sound. The three of those pretty much covered all the amps. I didn’t use any large amps.” With the album just released, Haynes is looking towards a busy future. “We start touring in a couple of weeks and we’re trying to do worldwide,” he says. “We’re hoping to get to Australia and we’re working on that now. We’re trying to do as much touring worldwide as possible.”
HOLY HOLY’s debut album When The Storms Would Come is out now through Wonderlick/Sony Music Australia. They’re playing at Howler on Saturday September 5, as well as Workers Club, Geelong on Thursday September 3.
WARREN HAyNES
KEEP I N G G O O D CO M PA N Y By Peter Hodgson
Whether you know Warren Haynes from The Allman Brothers Band, The Dead or Gov’t Mule, there’s no question he’s a world class guitarist with flawless technique, endless inventiveness and limitless soul. But perhaps because his guitar playing is so damn good (he’s no slouch as a singer either, with a raspy, bluesy voice), it can feel like not enough attention is paid to Haynes’ songwriting. However, on his new solo album Ashes & Dust ± a collection of Americana-influenced tunes recorded with the band Railroad Earth ± Haynes’ soulful vocals and nuanced songwriting share equal space with his guitar. “Some of these songs are brand new but the oldest one is 30 years old. Some of them are in between but several are quite old,” Haynes says. “We recorded a lot of material, around 30 songs all told. For this first release I just picked the ones that I felt seemed to work together the best.” As someone who has recorded with so many musicians over the years, the added element of Railroad Earth didn’t greatly alter the overall process. “Other than the instrumentation, it was very similar to the way I always enjoy recording,” Haynes says. “We tried to play together as we could [record] at the same time. Even some of the vocals were recorded live. We would record as an entire band and if something was missing then we would add it. We set everything up so that we could all see each other when we were recording, and as far as rehearsing and arranging the
material, I purposely did it in a way where there was no extended period of rehearsal time. We basically learned each song as we were recording in the studio. So I would show the band a song, we would talk about what kind of instrumentation would be nice, we’d take the arrangement I already had and we would change it if it felt like it wanted to go somewhere different.” Right now feels like the perfect time for Ashes & Dust to be released: outside of the pop sphere, music fans are falling in love all over again with the sound of real instruments played without digital enhancement. It’s evident in the success of dirty rockers Rival Sons and Royal Blood, and most definitely in the Americana movement that is influencing all sorts of Australian bands. “I think there’s a whole resurgence in people choosing to perform and record in an organic way,” Haynes says.
WARREN HAYNES’ record Ashes & Dust is out now via Provogue / Mascot Label Group.
SHANE NICHOLSON
I T ’S H EAvEN WH EN H ELL BREAKS LO OSE By Natalie Rogers The historic settlement of Hermannsburg is an easy 130km drive from Alice Springs. It’s best known as the birthplace of Aboriginal landscape watercolour artist Albert Namatjira and home to the renowned musician and singer-songwriter Warren H Williams. However, for eight time Golden Guitar winner Shane Nicholson, Hermannsburg will forever be a place of salvation and rejuvenation, and the birthplace of his fifth studio album Hell Breaks Loose. “I now see my life as divided into two parts ± pre and post Hermannsburg,” he says. “It wasn’t just an artistic re-awakening I found there, it was quite a strong personal one too.” Nicholson has been a fixture on the Australian music scene for more than two decades, both behind the mic and behind the scenes. He started small, recording songs in his Brisbane bedroom, but he’s since gone on to release numerous critically-acclaimed albums ± two of them with ex-wife Kasey Chambers, including 2008’s ARIA winning and chart-topping Rattlin’ Bones. However, despite his success, the singer/songwriter remains refreshingly down to earth. “When I read my own bio ± which is not often, I promise ± I think, ‘Oh
that sounds kind of cool’,” he says. “But then it just makes me feel like I’m getting old, you know?” As an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, it’s no surprise Nicholson also feels at home in the producer’s chair, and has been named producer of the year by the CMAA on three occasions. However, in 2013, after the breakdown of his marriage to Chambers, he found himself staring into the creative abyss, unable to do what had formerly come so naturally. “I didn’t really feel like writing,” he says. “I couldn’t get my head in the right space. Then a friend of mine, Warren H Williams the indigenous country singer who I’ve known for many years, started calling me. He kept insisting I come to stay with him out there. I think he
knew all along that I’d get something from it and I totally did ± t hat trip kicked started the whole album.” The hooky, guitar-driven number When the Money’s Gone is an especial result of Nicholson’s time away. “That was one of the songs that came out in a bit of a gush,” he says. “It’s essentially a song about knowing who your friends are, who’s on your side, and taking stock of things in your life. In Hermannsburg everything around you is so vast, it’s impossible not to get some sense of perspective about your life back home.” It’s abundantly clear that a little time to sit back and reflect was exactly what the ARIA winning songwriter needed to fuel his creative juices. Though, as a devoted dad, his son Ario Ray and daughter Poet Poppin were never far from his mind, providing the inspiration for the touching ballad Single Fathers. “That song was directed towards my children,” he says. “Although, I was in two minds about including it on the record, because I was concerned that it could be taken the wrong way because of the line, ‘There’s no mothers/ like single fathers’. It’s not anti-single mothers, it’s pro-single fathers, and I just wanted to highlight the fact that each parent offers something
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different in the nurturing of a child. “My kids have heard the song,” he adds. “They know it’s about them and they sing along. My daughter actually thinks the line is ‘There’s no mothers/ like singer fathers’, because I’m a singer. It’s very cute.” Sounding content as he chats about his kids, Nicholson adds, “I really am quite proud of this record, more than I’ve found myself to be in the past. I’m not even sure why, I’m just really satisfied. “I feel like Hell Breaks Loose is a turning point,” he continues. “Like the other albums I’ve done have been practice runs. This one seems like a line in the sand from an artistic level and I feel like I’m finding a new voice after twenty years.”
SHANE NICHOLSON plays on Saturday August 8 at Caravan Music Club. Hell Breaks Loose is out on Friday August 7 through Universal Music Australia. BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 37
MElBOUrNE MUSIC BANk
LAUNCH YOUR MUSIC CAREER By James Di Fabrizio Contrary to what certain reality shows may lead you to believe, there’s no such thing as a golden ticket to music industry stardom. That’s why the Melbourne Music Bank competition is looking to do something different. Instead of short-term gimmicks, they’re offering a complete toolkit of resources to set up one local musician for a prosperous music career. In 2014, singer/songwriter Héloise won the competition with her single Home. The winning track is a love letter to her adopted home of Melbourne and it secured her an open slather of industry connections, recording time and marketing advice. “It’s been an amazing opportunity,” Héloise says. “I’ve met so many people who have offered me guidance and expertise. It’s been such a valuable thing in an industry where it’s so hard to get these contacts from scratch.” With the help of her newfound network, Héloise has sold out a single launch, garnered national radio play and appeared at Falls Festival. Clearly, she’s built up solid momentum since her win. “The prizes are all useful things,” she says. “It’s not like a slot at a festival at ten in the morning and then that’s it. These are all useful things that I probably wouldn’t have been able to financially afford or had access to to
start with. I have people contact me all the time now.” This year, the prize pool is even larger, awarding the victorious artist two days recording time at Melbourne’s famous Sing Sing Recording Studios, a film clip by Oh Yeah Wow (Gotye, Husky, The Paper Kites), album artwork, CD pressing, professional photography, media training, mentorship, a dedicated publicity team and a booking agent. It’s certainly a comprehensive kick-start package, and Héloise is living proof of how a career can be transformed by the Melbourne Music Bank. “This is what I want to do for the rest of my life,” she says. “Anything that’s making progress towards being a musician full time and not having to work a day job ± actually being able to make a living as a musician ± anything that’s progressing towards that is good. It’s all positive.” Along with a slew of other distinguished industry
figures, musician and radio presenter Ella Hooper returns as the official Melbourne Music Bank ambassador. Drawing from her experience in Killing Heidi and a critically acclaimed solo career, she’s excited about mentoring young talent. “I feel like my career has come full circle,” says Hooper. With over 15 years in the industry, she’s learnt first hand what it’s like to work your way up the music industry’s ladder. “It’s nice for me to help educate and assist the next generation. It doesn’t make me feel old, but it makes me feel wise [laughs]. I have a lot to share and I want to be involved. I also want to help people avoid some of the pitfalls that I went through early in my career.” For Hooper, a fresh perspective and unique sound is essential for success. As a judge for the competition, she will be looking for someone following their own voice instead of aligning with what’s popular. “I really, really promote trying to create a unique identity
and to protect your uniqueness when you’re making creative works,” she says. “I think having a voice that’s recognisable ± whether that’s a musical voice or literally your vocals ± just having that be unique and recognisable is my number one piece of advice that I give to these guys. Basically, don’t follow trends. Hone what it is that makes you special. That’s never going to go out of style.” Clearly, Hooper is committed to giving the next generation of musicians the leg up they need. “All you need is a push, and I think things like Melbourne Music Bank are a great push,” she says. “We are the snowball pushers. You’ve just got to have a good snowball, and we can push it for you.”
I started a fanzine, then a music magazine. I came to Sydney to work in the late ‘70s and found myself on tour with Graham Parker, in a lift with KISS without their makeup on after a bomb scare, walking through Kings Cross with Tom Waits. Then I find myself in Paris interviewing Bruce Springsteen in ‘81, and I think, ‘All right, it can’t get much better’. And then come along not one but two Bob Dylan interviews, you’re hanging at the George V Hotel with Mick Jagger. You just have to pinch yourself. And I don’t pretend to be outstanding. Sure, I can string a sentence together, but a lot of it is right place, right time.” Coupe’s experiences have certainly helped pave his sense of narrative; Gudinski is an entertaining, brilliantly-paced construction. Gudinski is already such a larger-than-life figure that Coupe was cautious not to mythologise his life story. The author must appear balanced, and the subject must seem sincere, even if it is only ever going to be an approximation of the real thing.
“[Gudinski] sat for a couple of interviews at the end, but for the whole process, prior to finishing the book, I’d spent maybe six hours in his company. Not a lot of time at all. Stylistically, I tried to find a way for the prose to reflect Michael’s voice. There is a lot more swearing in the book than I would put in normally, there’s a lot more staccato writing. I have no real idea of course what’s in his head, but I would find myself writing like how I would imagine Gudisnki would speak, what people were thinking whilst they were dealing with him. And of course I’d met him back in the ‘80s, and I’ve spent a lot of time with friends who have various stories about him and Mushroom. I’ve watched and I’ve listened, and I really just tried to get the sense of this crazy, fractured world that is Michael Gudinski. ”
Applications for the MELBOURNE MUSIC BANK close on Sunday August 23. Head to info.bankofmelbourne.com.au/melbmusicbank to submit your original track.
GUDINSkI:
THE GODfATHEr Of AUSTrAlIAN rOCk’N’rOll A C O N v E R S AT I O N W I T H S T U A R T C O U p E By Adam Norris In the world of music management, promotion, A&R, touring ± and living, breathing and showering in music ± there are few folk with the versatility and experience of Michael Gudinski. Loved and loathed, he has amassed a reputation as one of the hardest working figures in Australian entertainment history, with over 40 years in the game, fostering the careers of Kylie Minogue, Jimmy Barnes, Skyhooks, and innumerable others. It’s fitting, then, that one of the most respected names in Australian music journalism, Stuart Coupe, has finally compiled the story of the Mushroom Records co-founder into the new book Gudinski: The Godfather of Australian Rock’n’roll. “I felt a good need to write this book,” Coupe says. “I talked to a lot of people and read up on a lot of other sources. My job was partly made easier in that Michael didn’t want the book, it isn’t authorised. Yes, he had the right to correct factual errors, but it was really my interpretation of events. Part of that was built on talking to a lot of people who were off the record and not credited, and really weighing it all up. There are a lot of cases in the Gudinski book where my interpretation of events is very, very different to what I think he would like to see portrayed.”
Coupe laughs. He has a rather affable and anecdotal conversation manner, but you don’t reach the position he’s in without having your eyes on the prize. He is a savvy guy, having worked in band management (Paul Kelly, for instance), radio and promotions. He’s also the director of Laughing Outlaw Records, and has some incredibly enviable interviews under his belt. If he isn’t living the dream, well, he’s at least on a neighbouring street. “In my case it’s been a very charmed, lucky life,” he says. “I emerged at a great time for music journalism.
The Rechords
GUdINSKI: THE GOdfATHER Of AUSTRALIAN ROCK’N’ROLL by Stuart Coupe is available now courtesy of Hachette Australia.
Q&A
ROOTS ROCK REBELS
By Billy Killing The Rechords can be counted among Melbourne’s few purveyors of traditional, wholesome, Americana. Their last single Don’t Know Much was produced by Lindsay Gravina, the man behind The Living End’s debut album as well as Roland S Howard’s acclaimed final effort Pop Crimes. The song is a top notch recording of an incredibly well-rounded song, with a sweet hook and a smooth, laid-back lead guitar. Although ultimately it’s a very slick recording of an especially catchy song, bassist/vocalist Tyron Shaw expresses anguish at letting drums appear on the record. He says the trio ± consisting of double bass, acoustic and electric guitar ± have decided to go back to their roots, and are set to release a drummer-less, 20 track live album. Why a live recording? The guys and I have done a fair bit of recording since we started the band. We’ve done the studio stuff, from digital right through to traditional analogue recordings, and they’ve all been good. But like a lot of bands, we are trying to capture that essence, that live sound ± that’s always been a really tough thing to get in a studio. It’s the live side of things that is BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 38
the biggest factor for The Rechords and when we did a few shows early last year at The Yarra Hotel, we discovered what a little gem the venue was. The sound there was just really nice and warm and it suited the band to a tee, so we thought it was a great place to get the ball rolling on a live recording. Who did you bring in to record it? We used a guy who has a mobile recording setup, goes by the name of Rob Dillon. He is hooked up with the MBAS; the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society. He has mixed us quite a few times for live shows and he had a really good ear for the band. We really liked his sound, the way that he had mixed us at the live shows, and he really dug our music and what we were trying to do with the band. So it was one of those really mutual things and we thought it was a perfect
pairing. When we mentioned to him that we wanted to do a live record he jumped at the chance. What can people expect at a show? Basically we’ll promote and perform a lot of tracks that are on the new album, which covers a mix of crowd and personal favourites that we have developed over the years. The crowd is really important to us, if there is an uproar when we play a tune or they start yelling out requests, we take note, that’s what we like to see, and that’s what we’ve tried to capture on this record. How will you be releasing the record? Completely independently. We’ve been quite slack actually when thinking through how we’re going distribute it. We had the idea to put out a live recording, and the means to do it, but we just got caught up in that. We probably should have put a little
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more thought into distribution. Nowadays I think it is kind of getting harder and harder to work out how independent bands should go about distribution. For all our past recordings we use cdbaby.com, for both digital and physical. But at this stage they’ll just be available in physical copies at the shows. Where are you playing next? At The LuWOW. It’s a great venue and I reckon it is definitely going to become one of the iconic venues around Melbourne. It’s such a unique place to go hangout. It has the band room, a second bar and DJs playing some really groovy tunes throughout the week and in-between live sets. THE RECHORdS play Thursday August 6 at the LuWOW. The new album Live Rechording will be available for purchase on the night.
HEALTH
M A S T E RY Ov E R D E AT H By Lachlan Kanoniuk
The music landscape has shifted dramatically in the six years since LA noise-purveyors Health released their second LP Get Color. Many of their contemporaries have ceased operating, or are now operating in ways untrue to their original form. Health, however, return with a resounding statement in their third album Death Magic, retaining their core elements while adapting to listeners’ evolving sonic appetite. On the phone from a studio, hungover on his birthday morning, vocalist Jake Duzsik speaks of the albums long and successful gestation. “It went through multiple stages. The biggest thing was us planning to record in the studio where we finished all the mixing for Max Payne 3,” he says, referring to the videogame the band scored in between albums. “We were on tour with Crystal Castles and found out that fell through due to scheduling. So that threw us for a loop. It all ended up being for the best, but it’s highly unadvisable for bands to wait six years between records. “The biggest thing for us with this record, with having more experience and perspective, we weren’t going to put it out unless it sounded right to us. The first record [2007’s Health], logistically, we had no resources and did it ourselves. It was trial by fire. Second record, we worked with an engineer, and it came out sounding like
a noisy, punk, fucked up record, and I think people liked that about it, but that wasn’t our goal. We wanted it to sound like Dark Side Of The Moon or something. It just didn’t happen. But it was the first time we worked with anybody, and we just didn’t know better. “We’re obsessive with getting it to sound right. It can be about getting the right people to work with. Once we found that, it went pretty quick. There were things where we said, ‘We’re not doing that. Fuck it. Start over.’ We worked with Andrew Dawson, who did a lot of stuff with Kanye. Then we finished it with Lars Stalfors, who was in The Mars Volta. It was just finding people that understood what we were going for. People who worked in hip hop or pop made sense to us. If
you look at what happened in the interim since our last records, the production from FKA Twigs and Arca ± all this really interesting music. There’s so much interesting stuff being made by kids with laptops. We just wanted to make a record we felt was sonically relevant today. We’re not interested in putting out a record with our same aesthetic. It would have felt like a ‘Fuck you’ to fans, even though we’re asking them to come with us in a different direction. It would have been worse of us to ask them to wait six years and put out a record that was recorded the same way as Get Color.” Not only did the task of scoring Max Payne 3 provide a paycheck far beyond what independent outfits typically receive from album sales, but the process facilitated an artistic growth that shaped the direction of Death Magic. “It did allow us to live, for a while, as far as making money,” Duzsik says. “It wasn’t like, ‘Oh we don’t have
to work anymore’. People get the wrong impression. What it did do was force us to write hours and hours of different types of music. You’re trying to aid what’s essentially analogue to scoring a film, trying to cinematically bolster the viewer, or in this case, the gamer’s experience. There’s different settings, different plotlines. So we had to generate albums worth of music. We put a soundtrack out, but we made four to five hours of music for the game. That forced us to broaden our sound palette, and that really helped the record. We had to figure out to use sounds that would help the scoring process, and when it was all over, we had this whole new bank to use in the studio on the new record.”
the industry’. That’s not what any of our marketing has been based on. Every manager or booking agent that we’ve dealt with has had this idea and they’re all wrong. None of that stuff ever happened that way for us. It’s nothing against them, I’m just maybe saying that we should discuss the situation.” Much like any relationship, keeping a band together can be hard work. Given the amount of time band members spend together creating music and touring, certain arrangements are necessary to uphold collective harmony. The current incarnation of The BellRays revolves around Kekaula on vocals and Bob Vennum on guitar, and there’s a level of respect between the two
that fosters a productive environment. “It’s being flexible,” Kekaula says. “Being able to say, ‘I trust you, you trust me, lets work on this song or album or whatever.’ You’ve go to have a soundboard that you really know that’s in it for the same reason you are ± to make the best music you possibly can together. And as long as that’s the core of that, you can keep going. I don’t think there’s a limit to how long you can keep going as long as that’s the core of it.”
of the art. There were, and still are, a lot of great artists out there doing their thing, but it’s different. But we were right on the cusp of things changing, when it all became about image, and the MTV culture. It changed, and I don’t think it’s ever going to be like it was. That period was unique and now it’s just another thing. I think it was a lot more important in peoples’ lives then, and now a lot of music is just a backdrop to other stuff. It’s a backdrop to, ‘Hey, aren’t I sexy.’ The whole Kim Kardashian, Beyoncé thing. There’s a lot going on there, but it’s not really related to the art any more. It’s all of these other things, it’s all image. But I suppose that’s just the new generation, and that’s all a reflection of it.” If there is cynicism to Collen’s words, it isn’t entirely unfounded. For many performers today, image and
self-promotion do come at the expense of the music. However, Collen is the first to acknowledge there are exceptions to the rule. He is adamant that the motivation behind your music is key, and if you’re not working tirelessly at your art for the sake of expression, then you are in the game for the wrong reasons. “We put so much effort into [the band],” he says. “I mean, if we’d put that work in and hadn’t succeeded, we’d have been really pissed off. But it’s all about the work.”
HEALTH’s new album Death Magic is out this Friday August 7 via Fiction/Caroline.
THE BELLRAYS
FEARLESS FLUX By Thomas Brand
Succinctly describing The BellRays is a hard task. Over two and a half decades, the Californian band have constantly jumped between record labels, musical styles and band members, effectively shunning easy definition or marketability. However, circumventing straightforward labelling hasn’t hindered the band in the slightest. In fact, The BellRays have been a successful international touring act since the early ‘90s.
It’s a difficult trick to pull off ± staying relevant in the music industry while rejecting the industry and embracing the music. However, frontwoman Lisa Kekaula knows how to stand out without resorting to gimmickry. “We never try to narrow it down in the first place, which seems to be the general idea of music, and life right now,” she says. “Everybody wants it down in one word or one sentence, and that’s not the way that music works. Great music is not this mono, one trick pony sort of deal. The Beatles would never make it as a band right now, because they’d be considered to have been doing too many things. For us it’s a natural progression to be the way that we are.” This reluctance to get pinned down also applies to the managerial side of The BellRays. There’s a restlessness that underlies the band ± independence is intrinsic to the way they choose to function, and this involves challenging the norms of the music industry as well. “If people can’t put a label on you, they’re so afraid
to market you that they’re not going to attempt to,” Kekaula says. “They’ll say, ‘That’s too hard’. It’s much easier to take a white guy who’s trying to sound like a black woman and market that band as rock’n’roll than take an actual black woman who sings rock’n’roll and market it. So suck a dick to everyone out there that ever wanted to get behind us ± we do what we do because we have to, because nobody else is going to help us do it. That’s the truth.” By refusing to conform to a neatly understood label, the band have arguably reduced their accessibility. A common thread in the hunt for new music is chasing down stuff that echoes your existing interests. So genre tags are as an easy tool for luring in listeners who are into similar music. But despite their defiance, The BellRays have found other ways to stay relevant. “Maybe it’s something to do with the fact that if you do what you love, it really means something,” Kekaula says. “Or if you just never give up. Our thing was never like, ‘We’ve got to do this until we reach this level in
THE BELLRAYS Rockpocalypse Make-Up tour comes to Ding Dong Lounge on Saturday August 15.
DEF LEPPARD
S E LF R E A LI S AT I O N By Adam Norris
When I speak to Phil Collen, I find myself in unusual surroundings. I’m in a small, rickety house in rural NSW, sharing the landscape with around 500 goats and an ostentation of peacocks. It seems fitting, in a surreal way, to be there and talk history and culture with the guitarist of one of the most successful bands of all time. That’s no hyperbole ± Def Leppard have sold over 100 million albums, and the likes of Hysteria and Pyromania are consistently listed amongst the best records ever. But they’re not stuck in the past; after nearly forty years together, the UK heavy metal act are performing stronger than ever. Collen talks to Beat about what first attracted him to the fledgling band. “They were trying to do something a little different,” he says in a measured, Hackney/Californian hybrid. “What always happens ± and this is something you can take to any genre of music, any art form, any movie, any book, anything that has even a slight modicum of success ± is you get copies. What I liked about the guys from Def Leppard, even from the first album, was they were trying to attempt something a little different to all the others. I find nothing as boring as when everyone is just trying to make the same thing, so there was a spark there that I liked. But I especially think being open-minded was important then. Particularly around Hysteria, which sort of fused and blended pop and rock in a new way. Run±D .M.C. were also fusing sounds then, there were all of these really exciting music blends
on the radio, and so we thought ‘Why not see where that leads?” Collen joined the group in 1982, in the midst of recording their third album, Pyromania. While Def Leppard were already a band on the rise, it was this album that would topple all expectations ± within a year they were being rated as highly as other seminal acts like The Rolling Stones and AC/DC. The early ‘80s was a vibrant time for stadium bands, and while there was inevitably great excess and darkness that accompanied many bands’ trajectories, Def Leppard achieved longevity thanks to a work ethic that Collen finds quite rare in music today. “There was great music being made then,” he says. “That time period was really quite symbolic, when the art form turned into a business. After that we lost a lot
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The mighty DEF LEPPARD play Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday November 18. Tickets are available via Ticketek BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 39
After their new album Node debuted at #1 on the ARIA charts this week, Northlane have wasted no time announcing a national tour in support of the release. They’ll tour the country with August Burns Red, Like Moths To Flames, Buried In Verona and Ocean Grove. It’s a hell of a bill and one that’s likely to sell out Melbourne’s 170 Russell pretty quickly. Hurry if you want tickets to the Friday November 6 (18+) and Saturday November 7 (U18) shows. Pennywise also had no problem selling out 170 Russell and have announced a second show for their About Time 20th Anniversary Tour. Catch the second and final Melbourne show on September 29. AntiFlag will be supporting. Melbourne three-piece Have/Hold have been in the studio recording their debut album King Salt, which is scheduled for an August 18 release via Never Home Records. They’ll launch the LP down the East Coast this September, including a hometown show at the Public Bar on Saturday September 26. Tickets will be available at the door. Tony Lovato, singer of pop punk band Mest, is in Australia and offering songwriting workshops while he’s here. He’s also playing some acoustic shows supported by Something With Numbers’ Jake Grigg and Hey Reckless. Curiously, there have been no Melbourne shows scheduled. Hit up theoxygenartistslounge@gmail.com and let ‘em know if you want to see him. Thanks to Destroy All Lines and Chugg Entertainment, the legendary Zakk Wylde and his Black Label Society will tour the country this year. The tour lands at 170 Russell in Melbourne on Tuesday December 1. Sounds like a solid way to see in the summer. Tickets on sale from Friday. Cosmic Psychos are real grots aren’t they? The mischievous three-piece have just announced a tour in support of new single Bum For Grubs. The Melbourne show is going to be quite the banger, with Peep Tempel, High Tension and Wod lined up as supports. It happens on Friday September 18 at 170 Russell. Better grab your tickets post haste. Totally out of nowhere, Hand Of Mercy have split up. The band announced the shitty news early this week saying, “We’ve been Hand Of Mercy 2005-2015. It’s been real. Thank you all for the support over the years. See you in the pit”. Their upcoming tour with Buried In Verona (spanning most of September) will be their last, so you best purchase tickets for the September 18 show at Evelyn Hotel. Yes. Cancer Bats are returning. We knew it wouldn’t be long before the Canadian legends returned to spruik their new album Searching For Zero. They’re going to tour the country, with hot ticket High Tension
throughout Spring. You can see them at the Bendigo Hotel in Collingwood on Thursday September 24 or Barwon Club in Geelong on Friday September 25. Tight venues – you can’t lose. Tickets are available now.
CORE GIG GUIDE ThURsDay aUGUsT 6:
• Earth Caller, Along Shorelines, Stone Grave at Next • Empra, The Wellingtons, The Naysayers, The Furrows at The Reverence
FRIDay aUGUsT 7:
• Good Riddance, Versus The World, Postscript, Cold Ground at Corner Hotel • Puck, Maids, Shit Sex, Worm Crown, Chores at The Public Bar • Beware! Black Holes at The Reverence • Stone Djoser, Moon Dogs, Mr Wolf, Kyrum at The Bendigo Hotel • Wet Lips, The Braves, The Girl Fridays, Gonzo, Shrimpwitch at The Tote
FRIDay JUly 31:
• The Pretty Littles, Nun Of The Tongue, Brother James, James Maloney and the Mad Dog Harrisons at Workers Club, Fitzroy • Captives, Dividers, Union Pacific, Crowbalt, Verticoli at Bendigo Hotel • Luke Seymour, Admiral Ackbar’s Dishonourable Discharge, The Suicide Tuesdays, Lizard Punch, Seasloth at 303, Northcote • The Post, Mild Manic, The Bond St Vandals at The Reverence Hotel • The Drunken Poachers at The Reverence Hotel • Verticoli at Bendigo Hotel
saTURDay aUGUsT 8:
• Hope Drone, We Lost The Sea, Fourteen Nights at Sea, Old Love at the Old Bar • Brewtality Festival feat Hobbs Angel Of Death, Hard Ons, Heaven The Axe, Suiciety, Eye Of The Enemy, In Malice’s Wake, Broozer, Anthelion and more at The Bendigo Hotel and The Tote • Riff Raiders, The Bits, The Decoys at The Reverence (front bar) • The Hard Aches, Hannahband, The Sinking Teeth, The Flying So High-Os, Foxtrot at The Reverence (band room) • Bareback Titty Squad, Acrasia, Awaken I Am at Bang
CALIGULA’S HORSE ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM Melding the forthright intensity of rock with the skill and inventiveness of progressive metal, Brisbane’s Caligula’s Horse have announced the October 16 release of their third record Bloom, as well as extensive Australian and European tour. Bloom follows 2011’s colourful and dynamic debut Moments From Ephemeral City and 2013’s critically acclaimed dark narrative concept album The Tide, the Thief & River’s End, an album that Metal Obsession hailed as “nearly perfect”. “Bloom is very special to all of us - it ’s an album full of colour and life, vibrance and energy, but one that breathes in and out with a natural ebb and flow,” says lead vocalist Jim Grey. “It’s exactly what we hoped to achieve with Caligula’s Horse. To us, this album has a life of its own.” Having secured deals with The Agency Group for live bookings, and signing an international record deal with lauded prog/metal label InsideOut Music (home to Devin Townsend, Spock’s Beard and Pain of Salvation), the band will tour Australia with UK metal heroes TesseracT this October. Catch them at Max Watt’s on October 16.
HORIZONS EDGE RELEASE HEAVENLY REALMS IN SEPTEMBER For the past two years, Horizons Edge have been building a solid fanbase in their home city of Melbourne. With their energetic live show, complete with high screams, shredding solos, and an unashamedly proud ‘80s sound, Horizons Edge have put together an album that puts that live vibe on tape. The album, to be released in September, was recorded and mixed at Monolith Studios with Chris Themelco and mastered by Mika Jussila (Stratovarius, Sonata Arctica, Nightwish) from Finnvox Studios. The bitchin’ artwork was created by Aldo Requena. Horizons Edge will also be supporting German power metal legends Helloween on Wednesday October 14 at 170 Russell in Melbourne. The first single from Heavenly Realms, “Vagabond,” will be released next week.
THE ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF AUSTRALIAN HEAVY METAL Described by metal-rules.com as “the first and best, most authoritative source on Australian metal”, The Encyclopaedia Of Australian Heavy Metal by Brian Griffin presents pictures, biographies and discography
information on more than 2000 bands from all parts of Australia. From early-‘70s pioneers like AC/ DC, Buffalo and Rose Tattoo to the current breed, Psycroptic, Parkway Drive, Ne Obliviscaris and more. This epic release comes as a 350 page hardcover book featuring thousands of entries by music critic and archivist Brian Giffin, cover art by former Alchemist guitarist Roy Torkington, a foreword by Lochlan Watt (host of triple j’s The Racket) and tons of exclusive live photos. It’s available now on Lulu and Amazon.
FOR TODAY SIGNS WITH NUCLEAR BLAST For Today have signed a brand new record deal with Nuclear Blast. The label will release the metalcore band’s next album internationally. More details on the album and the band’s fall plans will be revealed shortly. For now, both band and label are celebrating their new partnership. “I am very happy to work with one of my absolute favourite American bands, For Today,” NB’s Markus Staiger says. “This band is unique in their mission, style and message. They have delivered a killer album and it is such an amazing opportunity to sign For Today to Nuclear Blast during this time.”
ZAKK WYLDE’S BLACK LABEL SOCIETY RETURNS TO OZ Since their late-‘90s inception, Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society, formed by guitar legend Zakk Wylde, have been at the forefront of their genre. Their taste for hard riffs and blazing solos has resulted in a slew of hugely successful albums and a reputation as one of the most powerful live bands of their generation. Fuelled by fiercely loyal fans and signature merchandise, Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society have stamped themselves as an established brand in today’s music culture and one that continues to grow. In addition to holding Guitar World magazine’s MVP four years straight and writing many classics with Ozzy Osbourne, Wylde has been bestowed with such accolades as Best Rock Guitarist from Guitar Player, Metal Guru from the recently held Classic Rock Awards in the UK, Golden God by Metal Hammer, the Best Guitarist Award from Revolver Magazine. Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society will return to our shores playing their first headline tour since 2006, and first since Dario Lorina joined the band on second guitar. Catch them at 170 Russell on Tuesday December 1.
FRank FERRER Sticking to hiS gunS By aDam nORRIs
Frank Ferrer is, forgive me, a very frank man. He is instantly engaging, and happy to reflect upon his role in several highly acclaimed musical ventures over the last three decades. At present he’s the drummer for rock titans Guns N’ Roses, but he has also worked alongside musicians as disparate as PJ Harvey, The Psychedelic Furs and Neil Young. He’s soon to appear at Melbourne’s Whole Lotta Love, where fans will have the chance to chat with the man face to face.
“At first I was subbing for Brain [Bryan Mantia], so I wasn’t really a quote-unquote band member, although they treated me that way,” Ferrer says, thinking back to his first experiences with the Guns N’ Roses camp. “I guess I started feeling at home when Brain called me up and told me that he wanted to stay home and be with his baby, and would miss the next leg of the tour. But you know, he told me the best way to approach the whole situation with Guns was to make the music my own as much as possible, to really inject my personality into it. It would make the music sound more authentic, but it would also make Axl [Rose] feel more comfortable, knowing that everyone in the band is contributing something. During the European tour when I first joined, I looked at it from the angle of being a professional – someone that the band could rely on, be consistent on stage. It was a role I had to play at that moment.” The notion of role-playing is quite central to Ferrer’s musical sensibilities. One of his most significant formative experiences was catching a KISS gig at age 11. Witnessing the grandiose characters stalking the stage and revving up the audience sparked a practical
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 40
interest in what having a stage persona really entails. His approach is akin to that of a method actor; embodying whatever character is needed on the night. “I am absolutely a different performer in each band,” he says. “I try to be the best drummer for each situation. In Pisser [Ferrer’s local project], it ’s a selfish band. I play completely for myself. If there’s 20 people or 20 thousand people – not that Pisser would ever get to play for that many – but I play for my own personal satisfaction. I’m playing with friends I’ve known for a long time, and it ’s kind of like jazz. If the audience gets into it and enjoys what they hear, that’s a plus. If they don’t, that’s not really a big deal because we’re all having a good time. Whereas with Guns, I have a huge responsibility to my band mates, to Axl, because that show is a big deal to the audience. That might be the only Guns show that they ever get to see, so at one of those gigs I’m super aware of needing to be fully professional. I’m a consistent drummer in that I make sure that I gel with the musicians. But every time, I’m also a different drummer.” This statement causes Ferrer to laugh, and as the discussion continues to unfold, his speech begins
to speed up, growing more and more colourful. “It fascinates me, that process of getting into character,” he says. “Like, this person Frank Ferrer, sitting in his house right now – that person could never get on a stage with Guns N’ Roses. Never, ever. I have to become this part of Guns N’ Roses, and then I can play. It’s exactly how I try to live my life – I like to be the role player up there, I’d never want to be the star. I still get all the ‘rockstar lifestyle’ stuff, but I still get to come home and live like a regular guy. I think that’s perfect.” This duality has an interesting impact on Ferrer’s creative approach. On one hand, he’s required to stay true to the original material (Guns certainly have some damned dedicated fans out there), but on the other, the desire and necessity to leave his own mark on the songs can’t be ignored. “It’s tough for a drummer to come into an established scene and have a signature, obviously,” he says. “[Appetite for Destruction] is almost perfect. And I mean perfect. The punk rock parts nail it, the funky parts nail it, there’s a lot of movement, a lot of tension, the drumming is near perfect. “I think it ’s better for a drummer when they first start
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out with a band, or come in when the band is still really young. Though, there are some amazing drummers who were more studio guys, like Jeff Porcaro in Toto. That song Rosanna, the shuffle he plays there has to be my favourite drum beat in the whole wide world right now. It’s amazing. So it ’s not really up to me to lay a fresh signature on Guns, unless it turns around and we decide to start from the ground up. I have a responsibility to the original material, and that’s how I approach it. I try to keep it as authentic as I possibly can.”
FRANK FERRER comes to Whole Lotta Love on Friday August 14. He’ll be conducting an audience Q&A before teaming up with Simon Hosford, James Ryan Rodrigo Bustos and Jimmy Cupples to play tracks form his favourite bands and career.
MUSIC NEWS
Q&A
YOUR COMPREHENSIVE LOCAL GUIDE
For all the latest news check out beat.com.au death industrial genre through their use of extreme minimal electronics accented by samples drawn from cult cinema that broadly reference serial killings, murder, disaster, misanthropy, immoral acts, relationships, love and betrayal. The events run as a residency, with Wednesday August 5 being the first in line for Armour Group. Entry is $7 and doors open at 7pm.
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 5
RETRO GIRLS VOCAL JAM
W H O L E L O T TA L O V E B A R
The Retro Girls Vocal Jam this week features a Q&A with Julie Mac, author of RAGE and SNAP, a look into the folklore of an Australian sub-culture: teenaged sharpie gangs from the '50s-'80s. The open performance is on as well, poetry, play readings, burlesque, singing, originals, covers, dance, mime, circus - anything is considered. Networking & promotion of gigs, CDs, DVDs, and merch encouraged. PA, support vocalists & 10,000 plus backing tracks with lyrics provided. Book or walk in. Doors open 6pm with free entry.
three of them, their instruments, a lively crowd and their musical catalogue. Head down to The LuWOW this Thursday night and catch The ReChords launch their latest album in style from 10pm.
BEAT’S ARTIST PROFILE
Underground Hound
KRISTA POLVERE
T H E R E T R E AT H O T E L
A BASKET OF MAMMOTHS THE BENDIGO HOTEL
Radical psych/stoners A Basket Of Mammoths are playing every Wednesday in August for their first ever residency at The Bendigo Hotel. There are some killer bands on the bill so come down and have some absolute ripper times this Wednesday August 5. Tonight’s supports include Two Headed Dog, Maladaptor and The Black Alleys. Free entry, doors open at 8pm.
BABY BLUE
THE JOHN CURTIN
Most often known for hosting intimate events under the guise of Graceland Presents, Baby Blue, aka Rhea Caldwell is now turning the tables and playing music herself. Simple songs for sad folk, and sad songs for simple folk is how she describes her music. Of the few that have heard Baby Blue around a campfire or in the comfort of her own home, some have compared her voice as something between Jolie Holland and Karen Dalton which is more than OK by her. Catch Baby Blue’s residency at The John Curtin, every Wednesday night in August from 7.30pm onwards. Entry is free.
ARMOUR GROUP THE TOTE
Following the release of their latest LP Purge, the industrial electronic duo Armour Group have curated a weekly lineup for the duration of August at the Tote, showcasing some of Melbourne’s most impressive current techno, harshnoise and industrial. Ideologically, Armour Group align themselves in the firm tradition of the power electronics/
Krista Polvere is an Australian born singer/songwriter with two full length albums recorded in the USA under her belt. Her first record Here Be Dragons was recorded in New York, where Ryan Adams co-wrote the single Lets Go and played guitar/piano on the album. Her second record, Reservoir Drive, was recorded in LA with the Black Crowes guitarist Marc Ford. Ryan Adams once again played guitar on the first single off the record Looking for Love. Polvere is set to release her third record later this year, but before that happens, she’ll play a free show at The Retreat Hotel this Wednesday August 5. Doors open 7.30pm with free entry. THURSDAY AUGUST 6
THE RECHORDS THE LUWOW
The ReChords are heading to the LuWOW this Thursday August 6 to launch their Live Rechording album. The album, recorded over two live shows at Yarra Hotel late last year, shows The ReChords in their element; just the
CONTRAST
WORKER’S CLUB
After taking a few months off to begin work on their debut album, Melbourne neo psychedelic rockers Contrast will take to The Workers Club stage. Playing new material from their upcoming album, Contrast will be joined by friends Zig Zag, Divide and Dissolve and Summer Blokes. Come catch the fuzz at The Worker’s Club this Thursday August 6, entry is $10 and doors open at 7pm.
A WHOLE LOTTA ELECTRONICA
W H O L E L O T TA L O V E B A R
A Whole Lotta Electronica is going down this Thursday August 6 with post disco, indie electro pop hoppers Passerine hitting the keyboards from 8pm. Supporting them are electronic
Define your genre in five words or less: Stones, Stooges and Bad Seeds. 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? “Shit.” How long have you been gigging and writing? two years. What has been your favourite gig you’ve played to date? Any gig with a good rider. Which band would you most like to have a battle/ showdown with? Not interested in having a battle with any band. What inspires or has influenced your music the most? Alcohol and dead-end jobs. What do you think a band has to do these days to succeed? Have a good arse. Do you have any record releases to date? What? Where can I get it? Soulless City/Sterile Streets, available on iTunes. Why should everyone come and see your band? Thre e’s fuck all else to do. When are you playing live/releasing your album/ EP/single/etc? Later in the year/never. UNDERGROUND HOUND are playing the Brunswick Hotel on Friday August 7.
COMING UP WEDNESDAY 12TH AUGUST
THE JACK EARLE BIG BAND TUESDAYS IN JULY
FACT HUNT TRIVIA $5 TACOS + $16 JUGS OF THUNDER RD
Hosted by RRR’s Tristen Harris, this is a comfortably dumb trivia for music fans and couch potatoes, no sport, no politics and no book-learnin’. QUIZ FROM 8PM - RESERVATIONS - SAMANDA@SPOTTEDMALLARD.COM. NO COVER
THURSDAY 6TH AUGUST
THE REVENANTS + DUNCAN GRAHAM & THE CO-ACCUSED
DEBUT ALBUM LAUNCH DOORS/DINNER 6PM, SHOWTIME 8:30PM PRE SALE $15 + BF
THURSDAY 13TH AUGUST
MIKE McCLELLAN IN CONCERT + KERRYN TOLHURST & STEVE HOY DOORS/DINNER 6PM, SHOWTIME 8PM PRE SALE TIX $29 + BF
THURSDAY 13TH AUGUST
JOSHUA SEYMOUR & BAND + EATEN BY DOGS SHOWTIME 8.30PM / $10
SHOWTIME 8:30PM / NO COVER
FRIDAY 7TH AUGUST
SIMON HUDSON (ALBUM LAUNCH) + NELLE & CO
SHOWTIME 9PM / NO COVER
SATURDAY 8TH AUGUST
BIG SOUTHERN CAJUN DANCE PARTY
ANDY BAYLOR & HIS CAJUN COMBO
FEATURING.
+ HEATHER STEWART + THE JOHNNY CAN’T DANCE CAJUN BAND SHOWTIME 8:30PM / $5 ENTRY / CAJUN FOOD SPECIALS!
SUNDAY 9TH AUGUST
THE BAND WHO KNEW TOO MUCH PERFORMING 2 X SETS
SHOWTIME 4:30PM, NO COVER / KITCHEN SERVING SUNDAY ROAST
$8 Pints Craft Beer 4pm-6pm Daily
KITCHEN HOURS WINTER MENU
Tues-Fri 4pm till you’re full Sat & Sun 2pm till you’re full
TICKETS
For ticket sales visit www.spottedmallard.com 314 Sydney Rd, Brunswick
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BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 41
MUSIC NEWS
Q&A
YOUR COMPREHENSIVE LOCAL GUIDE
For all the latest news check out beat.com.au R&B lovers Belove and seven-piece electronic soul groovers Melaluka. Get down to Whole Lotta Love this Thursday night, entry’s free too.
BEAT’S ARTIST PROFILE
Contrast
What’s your name? And the name of the band? My name is Jack and my band is Contrast. What do you do? I do heaps of shit in general, but in the band I have a crack at guitar and sing pretty debatably. When did you start doing that? Just before I hit puberty, when I could actually sing. Why do you do that? Well I’m not a good singer but anyone too good at singing in a professional sense sucks anyway. I stopped playing guitar for about six years for skateboarding too, so when I realised I really sucked I bought a shitload of pedals to make me sound way better than I am in the hope I could trick everyone into thinking I’m good. What would you be doing if you weren’t doing that? I do heaps of shit besides doing this. I’m not stupid enough to quit doing my day job to just do this yet. What annoys you about doing what you do? When weak venues barely give you any drinks. What’s your favourite thing about doing what you do? Somehow being able to play with all my favourite bands in town that I always thought we’d never play with. CONTRAST are playing this Thursday August 6 at Workers Club with Zig Zag, Divide and Dissolve and Summer Blokes. Doors 7pm, entry is $10.
HAPPY fEET AND AUSTIN bRADY THE B.EAST
Happy Feet house a wealth of live and studio experience, and it makes sense with guitarist and vocalist Austin Brady’s deep love for blues music, whether it be the finger style of Blind Blake and Ry Cooder, or the electric styles of Robben Ford and Eric Clapton. This Thursday August 6, the band will be showcasing some toe-tapping originals, combining blues, funk, soul and jazz at Brunswick’s The B.East from 9pm. Entry is free.
Glasfrosch return to Howler this Thursday August 6 to launch their latest album, Nocturnes. The follow up to their 2013 album Aubades, Nocturnes completes the cycle, providing a darkened reflection to the light-hearted optimism that pervaded the previous work. In recent years, Glasfrosch have performed some notable shows alongside the likes of Damo Suzuki, Pantha du Prince, and the Arcko Symphonic Ensemble. They coordinated a 17-piece ensemble performance of Terry Riley’s In C at Howler for the 2014 Melbourne Fringe Festival. Catch Glasfrosch at Howler this Thursday August 6 from 8pm. Tickets will set you back $18. THE POST OFFICE HOTEL
Chris Pickering is a singer/songwriter who is not a slave to any dominant trend or fashion, yet doesn’t shy away from comparisons to the great songwriters of the 20th century. With his songs telling heartfelt stories of lost love, broken hearts and romance, Chris is most often compared with other genre defying singer/songwriters such as Rufus Wainwright, Wilco and Neil Finn. Join Chris Pickering this Thursday August 6 at The Post Office Hotel, as he plays two free entry sets from 8pm.
BEAT’S ARTIST PROFILE
Destroyer of Worlds Define your genre in five words or less: Hyper sexual club raps. 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? That dude just made me jizz with his amazing dancing and rapping. How long have you been gigging and writing? 15 years. What has been your favourite gig you’ve played to date? Three weeks ago I performed at Street Roller Hockey League’s event - Hockeyfest IV. Which band would you most like to have a battle/ showdown with? Prince and the New Power Generation. What inspires or has influenced your music? Broken hearts and food. What do you think a band has to do to succeed? Be different. Do you have any record releases to date? What? Where can I get it? I have recorded a few tracks with ghetto funk lord, Tom Drummond, which will be released very soon. Why should everyone come and see your band? Because otherwise they won’t be able to tell their grandkids about it When are you playing live/releasing your album/ EP/single/etc? Playing the laundry bar 7th of august 2015 to release my first single ‘monster’. Come get weird. Catch BOWZER DESTROYER OF WORLDS at Laundry Bar on Thursday August 7
FRIDAY AUGUST 7
MICk DOG’S bONE YARD THE POST OFFICE HOTEL
You should all know this swampy rockabilly blues duo from the deep South (of Victoria) by now, and if you don’t, Mick Dog’s Bone Yard are a big sound coming from a good old guitar and drums two-piece. Play anywhere, anytime, for good dollars or a good time. They’ve got a hold of both, so head down to The Post Office Hotel this Friday August 7 and catch Mick Dog’s Bone Yard play two sets from 9.30pm. Entry is free.
HOWLER
CHRIS PICkERING
Bowzer
genres, their live set has won audiences over throughout Melbourne with their versatile and powerful shows. Catch The Groves, along with special guests Ten Cent Pistols, The Martel Corporation and The Plymouth Reverends, this Thursday August 6 at Brunswick Hotel. Doors open 8pm with free entry.
GLASfROSCH
Q&A
bEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 42
inspiring an honest space that always ties back to ± ‘being a girl shouldn’t limit you in anyway’. After countless hours and effort spent on creating Issue Two, it’s finally here, and to celebrate they’ve gathered a lineup featuring the likes of Myami, Lalic, Mo Music and RKDA (DJ Set). Be sure to catch the launch this Thursday August 6. Tickets are $25 when the doors open at 7pm.
THE DULL JOYS
THE JOHN CURTIN
Catch a night of eclectic rock acts this Thursday August 6. Kicking off festivities are the raucous but catchy sounds of punk/garage outfit Tiprats, followed by the Aussie punk rock inspired tunes of three-piece Diana Radar. Capping off the night will be headliners The Dull Joys, bringing their unique combination of musical styles encompassing Spaghetti Western, psychedelic rock and much of what lies in between. Be sure to catch it all at The John Curtin this Thursday August 6. Doors open at 8pm, entry is $6 on the door.
GREENTHIEf YA H YA H ’ S
From a spark to a revolution, Greenthief are a three-piece psychedelic grunge band that has crashed the indie scenester party with their unique take on rock’n’roll. Spreading their word with recent frequent trips around the country, the band has broken sound barriers and state lines while enchanting audiences with a sound akin to a lovechild of Jeff Buckley and Trent Reznor. Curious, isn’t it? Catch their sound at Yah Yah’s this Thursday August 8 from 6pm. Entry is free.
ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE SHADOW ELECTRIC
Accidental Discharge invite you to celebrate with them the release of their second issue. Accidental Discharge is a project by founder Maile Shanti and graphic designer Gemma Mahoney. Their magazine aims to create and
MYYTH
W H O L E L O T TA L O V E B A R
Fresh from supporting Sydney’s Solkyri and Melbourne’s Belle Haven, disco punks Myyth and the post-hardcore Spectral Fires co-headline this diverse line-up at Whole Lotta Love. The double headliner goes on this Friday August 7 with support from alt-rock band Lasers Underwater, with psychrockers openers Blac Belladonna playing their debut gig on the night. $8 entry, doors at 8pm.
RIPLEY
CELLAR BAR
In a year marked by new life and heartbreaking loss, Ripley (ARIA award nominated Joe Braithwaite of Lowrider) will release his debut EP, Bigger Than Me on Tuesday August 11. In a departure from his soul roots, Bigger Than Me pays homage to Ripley’s formative years as a teenager in the ‘90s where grunge was king, bringing the dirty guitar riffs and raw sound into the present. In preparation for the release, Ripley are playing at Cellar Bar this Friday August 7. Entry is free, doors open at 8pm.
OXJAM RESIDENCY
THE REVERENCE HOTEL
This coming August, heaps of incredible Melbourne musicians will be coming together to raise awareness and much needed funds in support of Oxfam Australia’s campaigns around the world as part of a month long Thursday night residency at The Reverence Hotel in Footscray. Featuring a selection of bands across the genres of rock’n’roll, punk rock, blues, soul and heavy metal, each Thursday will a showcase of some of the most entertaining bands in Melbourne. It’s gonna be filled with good vibes, great music and good people and we’d love for you to join us as we mobilise the power of people against poverty. The first event kicks off this Thursday August 6 at 8pm, entry to these residency shows is by a minimum donation of $10.
THE GROVES
The Groves’ live shows consist of a visceral raw energy of rolling deep grooves, sonic downpours of pounding drums and crunching guitars, as well as sonic explorations of desolate, desert blues with a touch of garage psychedelia. A wild ride through a labyrinth of
The whimsical James Teague exists in a wonderful world of his own and as he releases his new single Heaven this Friday, and we all get to visit albeit for one night. Heaven is delicate with ethereal pedal steel guitar and a captivating vocal performance. The venue is fittingly, Dane Certificate’s Magic Theatre in Brunswick. Free entry, this Friday August 7 from 9pm.
LITTLE DESERT
THE PUBLIC BAR
After a successful run of Friday afternoon live to air 3CR shows at The Public Bar, the Friday matinee was unanimously voted to continue. Having finished recording their debut album, Little Desert are back with an exciting new line up, now featuring members of Rocket Science, Red Red Krovvy, Dead River, and Autoportraits. They’ll be joined by Sydney’s Ela Stiles (Songs/ Bushwalking) for a rambunctious transition from day into night. It all starts from 4pm this Friday August 7 at Public Bar. Entry is free.
bIG 3 fESTIVAL
T H E F LY I N G S AU C E R C L U B
NUN
THE JOHN CURTIN
The Psychedelic Coven ladies know how to put together a wild party maybe you’ve heard them on the radio or caught them DJing around town. They’re putting together a night of loose and crazy synth this Friday August 7, and you know if you’re there you’re in for a fun night. A four headed beast of a gig, starring Nun, Drug Sweat, The Rangoons and Teuton. Things kick off at 8pm with $10 entry.
HIDEAWAY YA H YA H ’ S
BRUNSWICK HOTEL
JAMES TEAGUE
D A N E C E R T I F I C AT E ’ S M A G I C T H E AT R E
Hideaway are a five-piece metalcore outfit hailing from the north-western suburbs. Shortly after their inception in mid-2013, Hideaway were quick to set the bar high, launching themselves right into the Melbourne heavy music scene with the release of their debut EP HALCYON, which was the bench mark in securing them support slots alongside renowned acts such as Northlane, Saviour, Antagonist A.D and I Killed The Prom Queen, just to name a few. Hideaway are taking their renowned sound to Yah Yah’s this Friday August 7, get in it when the doors open at 8pm. Tickets are $10.
The BiG 3 Festival is a celebration of songwriting and performers, featuring three of Australia’s most dynamic performing and songwriting talent, together with an all star band in a three hour spectacular. The lineup features the legendary Continental Robert Susz, Louis King and the Liars Klub and Robert James Kirk for one big night of roots, rhythm and soul. Get in on the action this Friday August 7 at The Flying Saucer Club. Doors open 6pm with $20 tickets on the door.
TAbERAH
CHERRY BAR
When Lemmy Kilmister hand picks you to open for Motörhead, you know there’s something special about your band. That’s one of the many stories Australian heavy rockers Taberah have to tell since their first pub gig in 2006 at the tender ages of 16. Still going strong, they’re raring up to hit Cherry Bar this Friday August 7 and you’re invited. Get down to Cherry when the doors open at 5pm, entry is $13.
JINJA SAfARI HOWLER
To celebrate the release of their first single in two years, Jinja Safari will pack up their collection of unconventional instruments and hit the road for a string of shows starting this July. Known for their eccentric and high-energy
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MUSIC NEWS
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YOUR COMPREHENSIVE LOCAL GUIDE
For all the latest news check out beat.com.au performances, Jinja Safari are excited to bring their antics out from the confines of Pepa Knight’s tipi studio and back onto the stage. The Find My Way Tour will visit Melbourne’s Howler this Friday August 7, tickets are $28 for when the doors open at 8pm.
WESLEY FULLER
DING DONG LOUNGE
Paisley flared, curly haired whizzkid Wesley Fuller will be making his live band debut at Ding Dong Lounge this Friday August 7. Flirting with garagepop, glam rock, new wave and freakbeat, Fuller has released a string of instantly catchy singles since launching his solo venture in January. Now backed by a band featuring some of Melbourne’s most kick arse players in Liam Hopkins (lead guitar), Brendan West (bass) and Brett Wolfenden (drums), Fuller says of his live show that fans can ‘expect a party’. Doors open 9pm with $12 tickets.
MOJO PIN
THE REVERENCE HOTEL
It’s time for Mojo Pin to brush the cobwebs off their gear as they return with their full lineup for 2015. Playing with awesome bands such as Crash & Burn, Spook The Banshee and Quarter Drive, it’s shaping up to be a good lookin’ night. Get on down to The Reverence Hotel this Friday August 7 and be part of the action. Doors open 8pm with $10 entry.
OLIVER PATERSON BEAT PROJECT EDINBURGH CASTLE HOTEL
Guitarist, producer and singer Oliver Paterson uses a vast array of guitar pedals to create dreamy, head nodding beat-scapes. Joined by an all new lineup of instrumental madness that is the Beat Project, this group brings all the sounds of the hip hop DJ and producer to a live band setting. The outcome is exciting, groovy and most importantly very danceable, yet perfect accompaniment to a few end of week beverages. The Oliver Paterson Beat Project performs every Friday in August, from 8pm at Edinburgh Castle Hotel. Entry is free.
hits from the greatest era in hair metal history; '80s rock. They’ll have you hot and sticky sweet from your head to your feet, with tunes from bands including Bon Jovi, Kiss, Poison, Motley Crue, Whitesnake, Van Halen, Guns ‘n’ Roses to name a few. The boys from Powerstryde will take you back to the days of glam, big hair, tight pants and white socks over shiny tracksuit pants. Doors open 7pm with free entry.
support from some of Melbourne’s finest ambient-electronic artists including The Gaza Stripper, Raw Humps (DJ set) and Wabz (DJ set). Recorded and mixed by Rat & Co’s Josh Delaney, There You Are is a three track EP, carefully constructed using live instruments and real-world field recordings from a recent trip to Sri Lanka. Be sure to get down to The Grace Darling when the doors open at 8pm. Entry is $10.
SEX ON TOAST
SOUL SAFARI
Sex on Toast are a swelling organism, expanding from nine to ten men, from city to city, and now stretching their ungainly form for a surprise gig at the Worker’s Club. Fresh from their latest blockbuster single release, Oh Loretta!, Sex on Toast are ready to deliver their trademark form of immaculately perverted pop-funk to the nasty people of the world. Selling out shows in Melbourne and Sydney, amassing 20,000 YouTube views in one week, kickin’ it with Molly Meldrum and accompanying Hiatus Kaiyote on their upcoming Australian tour has seen Sex on Toast claim their stakes as one of the premier live acts, you’d be fools to miss em. Friday August 7 at The Workers from 8.30pm. Tickets are $15+BF available through the venue.
2015 has certainly been huge for the Melbourne funk-stars, who after recently downsizing to a five-piece grittier version of themselves have been slaving away at their debut album, touring the country with their new sound and winning fans at each stop along the way. Catch them in Melbourne this Saturday August 8 at The Penny Black, with supports from Mose and The FMLY crew. Entry is free, doors open 8.30pm.
THE WORKERS CLUB
P ENNY BLACK
THE DRUNKEN POET
TEK TEK ENSEMBLE THE LUWOW
The Tek Tek Ensemble are an anthropological dance band that cross genre boundaries every time they get on stage. Consisting of guitars, trumpets, trombones, violins, percussion, a double bass, piano accordion, and the human voice, Tek Tek Ensemble create hybridizations of most of the world’s music, incorporating a startling variety of ethnographic and popular genres. The encyclopaedic repertoire of the ensemble is bound by the strict yet simple stipulation of danceability. Join in on the action as Tek Tek Ensemble take on The LuWOW this Friday August 7, with seven-piece Slide Night. Doors open 9pm with free entry. SATURDAY AUGUST 8
HAIR METAL NIGHT
YAKINI
THE B.EAST
It’s Hair Metal Night at The B.East this Friday August 7, and they’ve called on Powerstryde to smash out some
T H E GRACE DARLI NG
Yakini is set to launch his debut EP, There You Are, at The Grace Darling, Saturday August 8. The night’s set will feature
15 years after her last album, Colleen Hewett (Wind Beneath My Wings, Day By Day, Dreaming My Dreams With You) has finally returned to the studio to create the album she has always wanted to make. Black & White sees Colleen set her stirring vocal ability free with genres ranging from emotional ballads, to country and soulful blues tracks. Described by John Laws as having a voice that “almost rips your heart out”, don’t miss out on the chance to witness an amazing history of vocal and performance excellence when she plays at The Flying Saucer Club this Saturday August 8. Doors open at 6pm, tickets will set you back $37.
CHRIS RUSSELL’S CHICKEN WALK HOWLER
Temperatures will rise when Chris Russell’s Chicken Walk unleash their new single - Swimsuit at Howler on Saturday August 8. This torrent of tough swaggering drums and fiery guitar marks the recorded debut of Diamond Dave Folley. His drums power along like New Orleans bound barge, leaving a wake of shattered drumsticks and smashed cymbals to wash ashore whilst Chris’s voice dances like a sinewy body around bonfire guitar. Catch them this Saturday night from 8.30pm, tickets are $23.
The Groves
Define your genre in five words or less: Sometimes blues, sometimes other stuff. 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? “This band sounds like they have more hair than they do.” How long have you been gigging and writing? We’ve been working together for seven years, but The Groves have been a thing since 2012. What has been your favourite gig you’ve played to date? Our last EP launch at a sold out Evelyn Hotel. Which band would you most like to have a battle/ showdown with? No Vacancy, Stillwater or Sex Bob-Omb. What inspires or has influenced your music the most? Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man by The Bob Seger System and the middle seasons of South Park. What do you think a band has to do these days to succeed? Have good responses to street press questionnaires. Do you have any record releases to date? What? Where can I get it? We have two EPs, both of which can be tracked down through Alley Tunes in Glenferrie. Alternatively you can find links to our music on www.thegroves.com. au Why should everyone come and see your band? Because we don’t really get out much otherwise. THE GROVES are playing at The Brunswick Hotel on Thursday August 6, alongside Ten Cent Pistols, The Martel Corporation and The Plymouth Reverends.
Q&A
THE HARD ACHES
T H E R E T R E AT H O T E L
Self Made Man, the debut full-length solo album from Americana songwriter and award-winning journalist Jack Evan Johnson, is an homage to the recent struggles he has experienced and witnessed in his native Las Vegas. Throughout his portrayals of the musician’s struggle, the struggle of the family facing an economic recession, or the universal struggles of love and death, Johnson tackles his subject with a dynamic emotional and sonic palette that reviewers have described as both tender and defiant, resulting in “an album devoid of inhibitions and filters alike”. Johnson plays The Drunken Poet this Friday August 7 from 8pm, with free entry.
COLLEEN HEWETT
T H E F LY I N G S AU C E R C L U B
BEAT’S ARTIST PROFILE
THE REVERENCE HOTEL
DIGGER & THE PUSSYCATS
JACK EVAN JOHNSON
Lost The Sea are marking this Saturday August 8 with an appearance at the Old Bar, playing with Fourteen Nights At Sea and Old Love. Catch four loud bands for one low price this Saturday at the Oldie, doors open 8.30pm with $10 entry.
Garage punk legends Digger & The Pussycats are taking up a residency at The Retreat, playing every Saturday night in August. With a host of amazing guests lined up including Bad Vision, Cable Ties, Chugga & The Fuckheads, The Stoneage Hearts and Gorsha, this will be one residency not to be missed. For the uninitiated - Digger and The Pussycats have garnered a world wide cult following in their ten plus years of hard touring and excessive recorded output, playing their unique brand of noisy, unstructured garage punk. After taking a well deserved year off, the band is ready to get noisy again. Get your ears blasted off this Saturday August 8 at The Retreat Hotel. Doors open at 8pm with free entry.
GRASSHOLE YA H YA H ’ S
Grasshole are a hard-hitting Melbourne two-piece known to slam great riffs and catchy harmonies. It’s easy to forget this ‘prog-garage’ onslaught is comprised of a father and son, with swirling stonerfuzz riffage peppered with enough time changes to make your grandpa’s catheter explode all over the bingo room floor. Head down to Yah Yah’s this Saturday August 8 when the doors open at 8pm. Tickets are $13.
HOPE DRONE / WE LOST THE SEA THE OLD BAR
With new releases for both bands ready to be unleashed, Hope Drone and We
Fresh from the release of their debut album Pheromones; The Hard Aches are riding a wave of positive reviews and impressive live outings. Bursting with Gen Y venom and ennui, the Adelaide two-piece have already toured relentlessly, forging strong ties with music communities in towns across Australia. Earning the tag of triple j Unearthed artist of the week, The Hard Aches are excited to be back on the road to play for friends, new and old alike. They’ll be playing a show at The Reverence Hotel for your hungry little ear holes ± be sure to get there when the doors open at 8pm. Entry is $12.
MASCO SOUND SYSTEM DING DONG LOUNGE
Masco Sound System is a new venture of current/ex-members of Immigrant Union, Perch Creek, Freedom, The Resignators and Merri Creek Pickers. With an eclectic mix of rhythmic music spanning a multitude of genres and influences, the band are bringing their unique brand of reverse engineered post disco and analogue dance music to Ding Dong Lounge this Saturday August 8, along with supports from Zigzag and Dead Heir. Doors open 9pm with $12 entry.
FIVE RIFFS WITH...
Riff Raiders
What are five riffs we need to hear? The Rover (Led Zeppelin) The Rover is a strong, constant blues (but not blues) riff with a progressive, phaser soaked chorus, anchored by a groove only Zeppelin could achieve ± t ight but loose. A particular favourite in our set and a song from their Physical Graffiti double LP, never performed live by Zeppelin in its entirety. New Born (Muse) Great riff-based songs sit well together in our set, selected from different eras. I think the opening track on the 2001 Muse album Origin of Symmetry defines this band and the potential they went on to achieve. I keep hearing, “I hate Muse but man I love that song.” Tall poppy, anyone? Emerald (Thin Lizzy) Emerald is the final track of the breakthrough Thin Lizzy LP Jailbreak from 1976. Hard rock riffing with a Celtic rhythmic flavour ± it doesn’t get much better for a band when you get to play songs like this one. Hocus Pocus (Focus) Impeccably played and recorded song from this Dutch band released in 1971. An amazing riff and soloing buried in one of the strangest non-vocal vocal lines ever recorded. This thing was a top 20 hit in its day. Ridiculous yet brilliant at the same time. South Side of the Sky (Yes) From their 1971 album Fragile, with their ultimate lineup crashing through with an enormous bass, guitar and organ riff after an intro consisting of howling wind and footsteps. Groovy man. The RIFF RAIDERS are playing at The Reverence Hotel, Footscray on Saturday August 8 with The Bits & The Decoys.
WIN THE PRIZE THAT COULD LAUNCH YOUR MUSIC CAREER - HEAD TO BANKOFMELBOURNE.COM.AU/MELBMUSICBANK TO WIN!
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 43
MUSIC NEWS
YOUR COMPREHENSIVE LOCAL GUIDE
For all the latest news check out beat.com.au DOWN SOUTH DUKES THE DRUNKEN POET
Having formed just two years ago, local act Down South Dukes are made up of prolific musicians who have travelled up and down the musical highway. Previously playing across various bands and solo acts, they now stop at the same roadhouse with a common love for classic stylings and great stories. Country, blues, folk, southern rock, they do it all and then some. Down South Dukes play The Drunken Poet this Saturday August 8, from 9pm with free entry.
melancholic, Easy relays the tale of a break-up taking place midway through a date at Luna Park, capturing the conflicting introspection that comes with unrequited love. Head down and help Tiny Little Houses launch Easy, this Saturday August 8 at Hugs & Kisses. Doors open 8.30pm; tickets are $10+BF from OzTix.
SMASHFEST
BRUNSWICK HOTEL
The Brunswick Hotel, Knoodle Promotions and Smasher are coming together to present Smashfest, this Saturday August 8 at The Brunswick Hotel. To celebrate her birthday, Smasher has organized a huge free entry gig with 18 of her favourite acts, including Peyote Goat(ie), Three Quarter Beast, Admiral Ackbar’s Dishonourable Discharge, The Fckups and much more. Things kick off at 4pm, with the two stage entertainment spanning until 5am Sunday. SUNDAY AUGUST 9
THE CASSANOVAS CHERRY BAR
Melbourne rock trio The Casanovas are celebrating the launch of their brand new album for the second time round. Recorded with producer Jimi Maroudas (The Living End, Eskimo Joe), Terra Casanova is full of visceral and riff driven rock’n’roll. Last time was such a blast that they’re raring to go again, get yourself to The Cherry Bar on Saturday August 8. Tickets are $15+bf, doors open at 8pm.
A GIG FOR HENRY: SHAKY STILLS & BILLY SHEARS
TINY LITTLE HOUSES HUGS & KISSES
Melbourne newcomers Tiny Little Houses come to Hugs & Kisses this week, bringing along their new single Easy, the first track from their upcoming debut EP. Both dreamy and BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 44
100 ACRE WOODS THE OLD BAR
100 Acre Woods and the Old Bar present ‘If You Go Down To The Woods Today’ Sundays in August. They’ve coaxed some of their chums into the now legendary Beersoaked Sunday hijinxes throughout the month of August. Lucky for you, they’ve got some talented friends. This Sunday sees 100 Acre Woods joined by Pink Tiles and Ghost Dick. Doors open at 8pm, entry is $6.
T H E R E T R E AT H O T E L
MINI MELTDOWN’S SONG WRITING SUNDAYS THE B.EAST
The Meltdown are a local soul, jazz and blues ensemble. Purveyors of the finest radioactive gospel, they create a bold, brassy, twangy steam train of bumping backbeats and swinging shuffles. Then there’s that voice, sweet as honey and full
Memo Music Hall Friday August 14
FLYYING COLOURS Ding Dong Lounge Friday August 14
SUN RISING – THE SONGS THAT MADE MEMPHIS FAT COUSIN SKINNY T H E R E T R E AT H O T E L
Fat Cousin Skinny are all things oldtime. Recently returning from an exploration of Appalachian music and beyond in the United States, they’ve got a lot to share. They learnt from the greats in the homeland of the music, jamming with old-time musicians across the land. They travel light and instead of novelty t-shirts, Fat Cousin Skinny brought back two brain-full’s of hillbilly haikus. Come hear the banjo, mandolin, guitar, vocal chords and fiddle played through the vessels of two young travelers this Tuesday August 11 at The Retreat Hotel. Doors open at 7.30pm with free entry.
After releasing his critically acclaimed album Up Here For Dancing back in 2012 under the moniker of Tono and The Finance Company, Anthonie Tonnon has just released his latest album, Successor, and is heading across Australia with a line of shows in support of the album. Tonnon will be playing a show at The Gasometer Hotel when he arrives in Melbourne on Sunday August 9. Tickets are $15, doors open at 7pm.
THE BELLRAYS Ding Dong Lounge Saturday August 15
TOOZE & BRUCE The Retreat Hotel Tuesday August 18
WAY OF THE EAGLE Howler Thursday August 20
HUGO RACE AND THE TRUE SPIRIT
HURST The Penny Black Saturday August 22
BUSY KINGDOM CHERRY BAR
Cherry Bar are setting up your Tuesdays with a residency of rock. Busy Kingdom, off the tail of releasing their new EP Woman, are taking over for the month of August with special guests at each show. This week features support from Honeybone and The Sunset Club. Be sure to catch them when they hit Cherry Bar this Tuesday August 4. Doors open at 7pm, entry is free.
PRINCE PUBLIC BAR
ANTHONIE TONNON
Caravan Club Saturday August 15
The Flying Saucer Club Friday August 21
TASTE OF INDIE COLLECTIVE
THE GASOMETER HOTEL
SUPER BEST FRIENDS
THE BADLOVES
EMPRA
Oxfam Australia and MTV Music Australia have come together to present EMPRA’s acoustic rock residency at The Brunswick Hotel, with all proceeds going directly to Oxfam. Remember those MTV Unplugged shows from Nirvana and Pearl Jam? Now it’s EMPRA’s turn to swap their electrics for acoustics, with a smooth bass, kahon drums and glockenspiel, small cymbals, brushes and a cellist. Perfect vibes for a Sunday afternoon at the Brunswick Hotel. Free entry (donations welcome) from 4pm, every Sunday in August.
LOOKING FORWARD The Reverence Hotel Friday August 14
BRUNSWICK HOTEL
DEEP STREET SOUL
Brunswick’s Iconic Soul Sundays returns to The Retreat every Sunday Night. Presented by Thunder Road, Melbourne’s best soul acts and DJs electrify the dance floor with the best down and dirty soul, funk, and vintage R&B. Bands from 7.30pm, DJs til 1am, free entry. It’s the best fun you’ll have for nothing. With the release of Deep Street Soul’s third album only months away, the guys are getting cosy at The Retreat Hotel for Soul Sundays in August. Road testing new material and playing tracks from all previous releases, they’ll be bringing the hot funk to farewell winter. Hit The Retreat Hotel this Sunday August 9 from 7.30pm and get some soul into ya.
TUESDAY AUGUST 11
THE POST OFFICE HOTEL
The Handsome Bastards are a local act spawned by Rick Plant, Shane O’Mara, Dan Lethbridge and Ralf Rehak. Conceived in O’Mara’s Yarraville lounge room in 2012, the band ventures out once in a while to show their favourite dark and twisted country songs to the world. They’ve played with everyone, come see them play with themselves, this Sunday August 9 at The Post Office Hotel. The Handsome Bastards play two free entry sets from 4.30pm.
GRIYA
Griya, together with the Grace Darling Hotel, have put together four Sunday residency nights jam packed with Melbourne talent. Griya, hailing from the eastern hills of Melbourne, draws inspiration from folklore tales and gunslinger love. With Alexandra Isobella at the helm, her dark raspy tones lead the siege of gentlemen behind her into the depths of a dreamy, war scape of sound. Griya will leave you with a mixture of nostalgia, wistfulness and ambivalence. Get down this Sunday August 9, with support from The Braves and Willow Darling. Doors open at 6.30pm, entry is $7.
their debut EP, Moment Of Trust, at The Old Bar this Monday August 10. It’s ‘80s synth met with a modern dance dynamic, and they’ll be joined by supports Simona Kapitolina and Anika on the night. Come along to Mundane Mondays at The Old Bar, tickets are $5 when the doors open at 7.30pm.
THE HANDSOME BASTARDS
T H E GRACE DARLI NG HOTEL
S O M E V E LV E T M O R N I N G
Alt-country/folk exemplars Shaky Stills have been in hiding, working away at a new album, Genuine Moonshine (working title), which will be available for all to savour later this year. This Saturday they’ll be playing acoustic versions of new tracks, as well as old favourites, at Some Velvet Morning in Clifton Hill. The free entry gig’s opening proceedings will be melodramatic vagabond Billy Shears, offering a display of bad manners and maudlin self-absorption. It all happens this Saturday August 8 from 8pm.
of soul, with a strong country tinge. Join The Meltdown five-piece every Sunday in August as they work up some brand new material and belt out the old ones at The B.East. Music from 8pm, with free entry.
It’s Aspiring Songwriters Night this week for Taste of Indie Tuesday at the Prince Public Bar in St. Kilda. Presented by the Taste of Indie Collective, this week is the opportunity for up and coming songwriters to put their original tunes to the test on the big stage at the Prince. The fun all starts at 7.30pm and entry is free.
MONDAY AUGUST 10
INFRAGHOSTS THE OLD BAR
The new-wave inspired audiovisual synthpop project InfraGhosts launch
WATCH INTERVIEWS, CHATS & AWKWARD SILENCES... BEAT.COM.AU/TV
BORN LION The Bendigo Hotel Saturday August 22
THE SPOILS/SAND PEBBLES The Flying Saucer Club Saturday August 22
UPSKIRTS Shebeen Saturday August 22
GANG OF YOUTHS The Corner Hotel Wednesday August 26
GRENADIERS Ding Dong Lounge Friday August 28
REGURGITATOR Prince Bandroom Friday September 4
CANCER BATS The Bendigo Hotel Thursday September 24
THE GARDEN The John Curtin Hotel Thursday September 24
LIVE
REPORTS FROM THE FRONT ROW
For more reviews go to beat.com.au/reviews BLUR Rod Laver Arena, Tuesday July 28
THE VACCINES Corner Hotel, Monday July 27
Photo by Ian Laidlaw
Photo by Ian Laidlaw
A lot has happened in 18 years, which is how long it’s been since Blur’s last tour of Australia. After seven huge albums over 12 years, Blur’s core members broke apart in 2003 to try their hands at various solo projects, musical collaborations and different work entirely before regrouping to tour once again in 2009. Finally getting to see them live, it feels like nothing’s really changed. Blur are one of the best British acts of all time, and hearing all those songs we grew up with brought on a flood of nostalgic emotions for everyone in the stadium. Jamie T opened the night, which is like getting two tickets for the price of one. He was joined by a four-piece band, belting out mostly new tracks along with a few fan-favourites, like 368, If You’ve Got The Money and Zombie. Some eerie nursery rhymes played just before Blur hit the stage, with Damon Albarn greeting screaming fans by drowning them in water. The lads put together an epic set, consisting of over 20 songs, including earlier classics along with material from their most recent release, The Magic Whip. They opened with a new number, Go Out, which was made livelier thanks to soulful back-up vocalists and additional instruments. They continued with There’s No Other Way and Lonesome Street, before bringing out a three-piece brass section for Badhead.
The first of many highlights was the trippy instrumentation of Thought I Was A Spaceman, which had Albarn lying on the stage motionless for more than two minutes. Apart from that, the animated frontman was continuously working the room, even wandering through the crowd to belt out sections of Trimm Trabb. My Terracotta Heart brought everyone back down to Earth, before gradually upping the ante again with Tender, Trouble In The Message Centre and climaxing during Parklife, which had a few lucky fans join Albarn on stage to scream the chorus. The set rounded out with Ong Ong, a fast-tempo version of Song 2, Pyongyang, To The End and finally This Is A Low. The crowd demanded an encore and were treated to another four songs: Stereotypes, the head-banging Girls And Boys and For Tomorrow, and the fuzzy highs of finale The Universal. BY CHRIS BRIGHT
LOVED: Parklife. HATED: Knowing we might not see them in Oz again. DRANK: Coffee & Beer.
MARK RONSON Margaret Court Arena, Wednesday July 29 Mark Ronson is a master producer, skilled re-arranger and a very clever collaborative songwriter. He’s also pretty handy on the guitar and he’s got a knack for turning a root idea into a cohesive album length journey. But in the first place Mark Ronson is a DJ – someone who by definition spins other people’s songs. Tonight we were all here for a Mark Ronson show, but what we love about his records isn’t just his driving presence, but the shining contributions of his talented pals. So along with Ronson and his virtuosic band – featuring a drummer, bass player, synth player and horn section – tonight’s performance was stuffed full of show stealing guests. Interestingly, the setlist opened with Ronson standing behind the DJ decks, scratching his way through the single Feel Right (from this year’s Uptown Special LP). The song’s lead vocals are handled by New Orleans rapper Mystikal, who wasn’t in the house tonight. Theophilus London (perhaps the busiest vocalist of the night) and a fellow MC provided vocal accents, but mostly what we heard was Mystikal’s original vocals, accompanied by his menacing head coming from a video projection. Although this pre-recorded approach was employed just once more during the show, there was no feeling of, ‘Oh what a shame – a backing track.’ A pro DJ’s chief skill is to give the audience what they want, even if they don’t know they want it, and Ronson was in charge from the very beginning. From here, he barely stepped a foot wrong. London was joined by Melbourne’s Ella Thompson for the 2010 single Bang Bang Bang, before Kyle Falconer from The View arrived to fulfil his vocal duties on The Bike Song. Another Melbournian, Daniel Merriweather was on board to ignite a cover of The Smiths’ Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before – an early highlight.
“There’s no Monday night in The Vaccines’ world,” bellowed vocalist Justin Young as The Vaccines blasted onto the stage with their latest hit Handsome, taken from their third album English Graffiti. He was right as well – not only did The Vaccines make me forget about the ten hour shift I’d just worked, but also the fact that I’d be working another ten hours tomorrow. Playing to a sold out crowd, packed tightly into the Corner Hotel, there’s no doubt The Vaccines are about to enter the top tier of British indie-rock, proving it with an array of old and new songs tonight. Wreckin’ Bar (Ra Ra Ra) quickly followed the opener and got the full house moving in sync. A lot of The Vaccines songs are quite short, which means they’re able to fit a lot of hits (virtually three albums’ worth) into a headline set. From songs that make you move, to tunes that have you singing along like you’re auditioning for The Voice, it seems that every number by The Vaccines is pure gold. With English Graffiti released only two months prior to this show, the crowd were treated to a display of the band’s latest direction. Dream Lover, Minimal Affection
and (All Afternoon) In Love illustrated the diversity of the British rockers, demonstrating how they’ve detached themselves from their earlier post-punk rock style. While all the new songs were enjoyable, there was no doubt that the fans were hanging out for the old favourites. Songs such as Wetsuit, Post Break-Up Sex, and Teenage Icon had the crowd singing in full voice. Closing with All In White, the band from West London said goodbye to their short stint in Australia. The performance was nothing less than flawless, but really, What (else) Do You Expect From The Vaccines? BY MICHAEL EDNEY
LOVED: The mix between old hits and new material. HATED: Nothing. DRANK: Water (C’mon it’s a Monday night).
PAL ACE OF THE KING The Prince Public Bar, Friday July 31 There are bands who crank their amps up to imposing levels and then there are bands whose enormity of sound is so subtle and pervasive it’s not until you get home that you realise you’ve succumbed to a solid dose of tinnitus. Melbourne six-piece Palace Of The King fall into the latter category. Two guitars, bass, drums and organ coalesce then fracture while Tim Henwood’s incredible voice soars over the top, creating a full force rock’n’roll experience in the vein of Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. Opening the night was Sydney rock’n’roller James Van Cooper. The skinny acoustic performer had a rich voice and thick guitar lines, which set the mood perfectly for the full force rock’n’roll that was to follow. Primary support act The Vendettas played a heavy style of rock’n’roll that was tempered by the almost operatic squall of vocalist Stevie Reds. Despite the unassuming nature of the Prince Public
Bar’s low stage, headliners Palace Of The King brought some bling in the form of tube lighting. However, the band’s one hour of music was so enthralling that the real gold was coming from inside the six musicians on stage – Henwood on vocals/percussion, Leigh Maden on guitars, Matthew Harrison on guitars, Andrew Gilpin on bass, Anthony Troiano on drums and Sean Johnston on keys. The song Ain’t Got Nobody To Blame But Myself was an outstanding highlight, as the many textures of this rock assault battled over Troiano’s flawless drumming. BY DAN WATT LOVED: The sound. HATED: The tinnitus. DRANK: What ever the fuck I wanted.
Things really took off with the arrival of two other crusading Australian musicians: the leader of Tame Impala/Ronson’s favourite band, Kevin Parker, and Ronson’s “guitar hero”, Kirin J Callinan. Already one Special of the more impressive numbers on Uptown Special, tonight the trio’s collaboration Daffodils was given an extra element of debaucherous power. As we kept rolling forward, an elated fever took over the entire Margaret Court Arena. Miike Snow’s Andrew Wyatt proved the most obviously gifted vocalist of the night, taking charge of his own song Animal before the bittersweet anthem Somebody To Love Me. Before exiting the stage, Ronson took a moment to fondly reflect on his experiences working with Amy Winehouse. Fittingly, the show closed with the pair’s single Valerie,, and instead of installing a substitute vocalist, he blasted Winehouse’s original track for everyone to sing along to. Bruno Mars wasn’t here, but there was no way they’d exclude Ronson’s biggest hit to date, Uptown Funk. And so with a sense of welcome inevitability, the band soon re-appeared, led by London and the incredibly vivacious Keyone Starr, who did a damn good job at conveying Mars’ debonair energy. The stage soon filled with the night’s full roster of guests, who proceeded to mirror the audience by dancing and singing with unrestrained joy. BY AUGUSTUS WELBY
LOVED: Rondog. HATED: Rondog, that bastard. DRANK: A fresh jar of skippy.
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 45
ALBUM
THIS WEEK AT
OF THE
WEEK
PBS FM TOP TEN
THURSDAY 6TH AUGUST
1. The Epic KAMASI WASHINGTON 2. Night and Day TIM WILLIS & THE END 3. Self Inflicted, No Sympathy NICK BATTERHAM 4. Maqnifique RATATAT 5. Facing The Ruin FUCK THE FITZROY DOOM SCENE 6. The Most Lamentable Tragedy TITUS ANDRONICUS 7. Wayside Ballads Vol 1 BILL JACKSON 8. Let’s Be Ready THE WOODEN SKY 9. The Stars My Destination BEN SALTER 10. I Am A Stick BABY D
WEEKLY TRIVIA
by Question 1 – Prizes & giveaways! Starts at 8pm. Contact the venue for table bookings!
DJ KOSTYA
Playing inside & out from 7pm FRIDAY 7TH AUGUST MAIN BAR FROM 9:30PM
CINDY-LOU KRAMME
HEARTLAND RECORDS TOP TEN
THANDO SIKWILA DJ’S
1. Amused To Death 2LP ROGER WATERS 2. Presence Deluxe LP LED ZEPPELIN 3. Coda Deluxe LP LED ZEPPELIN 4. Through The Out Door Deluxe LP LED ZEPPELIN 5. Hammer Of The Witches 2LP CRADLE OF FILTH 6. Come Reap 12” EP THE DEVIL’S BLOOD 7. Ad Astra LP SPIRITUAL BEGGARS 8. Final Sessions 12” DEE DEE RAMONE 9. Born In The Echoes 2LP CHEMICAL BROTHERS 10. Moving Pictures LP RUSH
B-TWO / NAZ / SAM MCEWIN SATURDAY 8TH AUGUST MAIN BAR FROM 9:30PM
SOUL SAFARI
NORTHLANE Node (UNFD)
MOSE + THE FMLY DJ’S
TOM SHOWTIME / MATT RAD / SAM MCEWIN SUNDAY 9TH AUGUST
SUNDAY BEST DJ’S
TOM SHOWTIME, AGENT 86 & MAARS + $10 ROAST & $15 JUGS MONDAY 10TH AUGUST
$10 LONGNECKS $4 PIZZA & FREE POOL
With a successful album in the bag, Northlane were on the precipice of even bigger things. Then in September last year vocalist Adrian Fitipaldes announced he needed to leave. After soliciting open audition videos, within weeks of Fitipaldes’ departure the band found new vocalist Marcus Bridge and were already recording new music. And so we have Node. It may not be as immediate as its predecessor, but this album has a way of weaving its way in and out of your subconscious and gnawing away at your brain. The heavier, djent-ier moments are toned down, but still there, you just have to wait for them a little longer; the melodicism is turned way, way up; the bass is more in-your-face; the guitar tones are less aggressive and more inviting; and the ambient elements are more prominent too. Somehow Northlane have managed to create a new sound for themselves that represents a true progression, not a selling-out or an about-face. There have been
FREE MOVIE NIGHT: ANCHORMAN
WEEKLY FOOD SPECIALS
SUNDAY - $10 ROAST MONDAY - $10 STEAK TUESDAY - $10 CURRY WEDNESDAY - $10 BURGER THURSDAY - $10 PARMA $4 PIZZAS MON-FRI 12PM TO 5PM
ALWAYS FREE ENTRY INSIDE & OUTSIDE
MEG MAC Never Be (LittleBIGMAN) Word around Splendour in the Grass was that Meg Mac was one to watch. Unfortunately I was the one-to-watch-not-many-bands, and Never Be compounds the FOMO, presenting not overly sanitised soul-pop with strong hooks and tasteful production from M-Phazes. Not sure if Meg Mac is gunning for crossover success, but if it comes, it will be well deserved. CHET FAKER FEAT. BANKS 1998 (Future Classic) Chet Faker (real name Chester Faker) brings back his Built On Glass cut 1998 as a duet with Banks, with the new interplay bringing a more potent dynamic to the track’s wistful themes. Could we have finally found this year’s Somebody That I Used To Know? Definitely not. But still, a solid effort. Nice one Chester. And Banks.
S
420 SYDNEY RD, BRUNSWICK (03) 9380 8667, INFO@THEPENNYBLACK.COM FACEBOOK.COM/THEPENNYBLACK.420SYDNEYROAD
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 46
BY PETER HODGSON
BY LACHLAN
Sriracha flavoured pulled pork nutella cronuts, served directly from my arse. Welcome to Melbourne, 2015.
FREE Popcorn + Candy Bar purchases available. 8PM
THE_PENNYBLACK
hints of this from the beginning, but here it is in bold letters for all to see. Leech and Ra are standouts, but what’s most noticeable is not that any track rises above the others, but rather they’re all so strong and work together in the classic sense of an album. Key to this is Bridge’s confident and emotive vocals and the sheer depth of the material. This album has the kind of melodic versus aggressive appeal of The Amity Affliction, the instrumental intrigue to appeal to fans of Periphery, and a Karnivool-like sense of arrangement. More than anything else, however, it represents where Northlane is right now, and it gives them somewhere to go from here. The next album could go further in this direction or it could crank up the brutality again. Either way, Node has set Northlane up to be one of the few bands that thrive after a vocalist change.
SINGLES
TUESDAY 11TH AUGUST
@THEPENNYBLACK
TOP TENS
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WAVE RACER FEAT. B BY Flash Drive (Future Classic) You know when you’ve been chewing on bubblegum for so long (around three minutes) that the flavour expires, so you smang another piece in your gob and for the next three minutes you get some semblance of the original flavour, only it’s diminished by the presence of the original stick of gum? Then before you know it, the second piece is also out of flavour, so you smang another piece in and begin to rue the diminishing returns and increased taxation on your masseter region, until you start wondering if you enjoyed the original flavour in the first place, then all of a sudden there’s chopped up Seinfeld bass and you feel helplessly trapped within the immense folds of time and each scramble at a life preserver labelled ‘nostalgia’ only sinks you deeper and deeper into a void of sheer terrifying nothingness? Flash Drive is out now on Future Classic.
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NORTHEAST PARTY HOUSE Perfect Lines (Stop Start) Northeast Party House achieve everything they set out to achieve on Perfect Lines, but the trouble is, they don’t set out to achieve much. There are interesting notions presented amongst the big, dumb indie-rawk riffs. Actually, take away the opening riff that carries throughout and you’ve got yourself a serviceable TV On The Radio impersonation. Even then, it can’t help but feel like a step back. And I would say that solo is as worthwhile as radio on the TV… but digital radio on the TV is actually pretty worthwhile.
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LONTALIUS Comfortable (Independent) Comfortable reaches an abrupt end. So abrupt, that a passive listen presents a magnet to the replay button, a renewed focus. Attentive ears are rewarded ± sparse tone, rich emotion; “I’d do anything/ To feel comfortable up here.” That close ± the silence, or transition into whichever track SoundCloud’s logarithm deems appropriate ± is not comfortable. Beauty without gratification. This is such a magnificent song, truly.
WIN THE PRIZE THAT COULD LAUNCH YOUR MUSIC CAREER - Head to bankofmelbourne.com.au/melbmusicbank to win!
COLLECTORS CORNER MISSING LINK TOP TEN
1. Bully LP/CD HIGH TENSION 2. Split 7” DROPDEAD / UNHOLY GRAVE 3. Black Age Blues LP/CD GOATSNAKE 4. The Number Of The Beast 7” IRON MAIDEN 5. Caged In Flesh LP/CD HORSEHUNTER 6. Live Melbourne 2014 CD POPOLICE 7. 2007-2013 cassette CAPITALIST CASUALTIES 8. Sometimes I Sit And Think, Sometimes I Just Sit CD COURTNEY BARNETT 9. Vaenir CD MONOLORD 10. In The Big Ending... LP/CD THE CLAN DESTINED
RECORD PARADISE TOP TEN
1. Currents TAME IMPALA 2. Purple Skies, Toxic River TV COLOURS 3. Oh Inhuman Spectacle METHYL ETHEL 4. Where Did You Come From? DARREN HANLON 5. Bully HIGH TENSION 6. Melting Pot THE CHARLATANS 7. Something More Than Free JASON ISBELL 8. Turns Into Stone THE STONE ROSES 9. Greatest Hits AL GREEN 10. Bunyip OUCH MY FACE
BEAT’S TOP TEN SONGS FROM THE JUNGLE 1. Concrete Jungle BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS 2. Jungle Blues C.W. STONEKING 4. Jungle Drum EMILIANA TORRINI 5. Run Through The Jungle CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL 6. Welcome to the Jungle JAY Z & KANYE WEST 7. Jungle Boogie KOOL & THE GANG 8. Jungle DRAKE 9. Jungle EMMA LOUISE 10. Welcome to the Jungle GUNS N’ROSES
ALBUMS LENKA
New music in review this week - For more reviews go to beat.com.au/reviews
THE BABE RAINBOW
The Bright Side
(Skipalong/Hickory)
TIRED LION
Figurine EP (Independent)
The Babe Rainbow EP (Flightless/Remote Control)
If you’re curious about who’s behind the Lenka moniker, you might’ve crushed on her as one of the hosts of Cheez TV back in the day or swooned over her contributions to the Somersault soundtrack alongside Decoder Ring. Lenka Kripac is a woman that’s spent a lot of her time as an ensemble player ± so much so that most Australians weren’t aware of her solo career until she became a sensation in Japan. Kripac is now onto her fourth solo album, cementing a place in indie pop so sugary and sweet that one may lose a tooth just thinking about one of her songs. It’s all very bright-eyed and fancy-free, swaying heads and blushing grins ± not, to quote Jerry Seinfeld, that there’s anything wrong with that. The problem with The Bright Side is there’s a bit too much light and not nearly enough shade. There’s no downcast counterpoint or means of relief. As a result, your enjoyment depends on whether you’re all in or all out. Ultimately, The Bright Side is another happy-go-lucky record from an artist who’s practically written a pop-up book on being as such. By DAVID JAMES yOUNG
As sure as smoke means fire, where there are psychedelics, the sitar is certain to follow. George Harrison and Brian Jones were largely responsible for introducing the Indian instrument to Western audiences in the 1960s, and it’s satisfying to see its mystical qualities still enhancing the mood of music lovers half a century later. Byron Bay’s The Babe Rainbow have risen to the challenge of being modern-day champions of the ancient Indian instrument, and they carry the weight of expectation with aplomb on this debut self-titled EP. Describing their style as ‘punk mushroom’ on social media is somewhat misleading; in truth this EP owes significant debt to the Kinks and the Beatles as well as Syd Barrett and Kevin Ayers. At only four tracks and 12 minutes it’s a brief but absorbing release, opening with the infectiously jangly Love Forever. Galloping single Secret Enchanted Broccoli Forest flips the calendar back to the summer of love with the aforementioned Eastern flavours; Planet Junior brings us down to a much mellower level; and closing number Ash May and Dr. Love Wisdom is deceptively dark. Refreshingly, The Babe Rainbow isn’t a wig-out affair that gets lost in a droning fog, but rather a comfortably hazy, psychedelic twang-fest reined in by three-minute pop song structure. Incorporating pop sensibilities is an ace move, ensuring these tracks are fun, catchy and just a little silly.
A quick sift through the record collection ± or perhaps iTunes folder ± of Perth’s Tired Lion would probably uncover the first two Veruca Salt albums, some Speedy Ortiz and Metric’s discography. This is a band that knows their way around pedal-stomp dynamics, concise songwriting and icy vocals with a sting in their tail. There’s only so much one can discern from less than 20 minutes of music, and yet the band’s second EP is a very telling roll of tape. The band mightn’t have intended to reveal their inspiration so openly, but it scarcely detracts from the songs themselves. After all, what is great rock’n’roll but new dogs and old tricks? Wisely, Tired Lion look beyond a sticky-floored pub in their collective ambition ± I Don’t Think You Like Me is as sharp a pop song as anything that has dominated radio this year, while Suck is a meticulously-crafted mane-thrasher. If Figurine lets anything out of the bag, it’s that this is a band out for blood. Festivals and rock rooms nation-wide beware; the Lion is out of its cage. By DAVID JAMES yOUNG
By PAUL MCBRIDE
ORPHEUS OMEGA
OWL CITy
GLASFROSCH
Mobile Orchestra
Nocturnes
(Sony)
Partum Vita Mortem
(Independent)
(Kolony Records)
This type of melodic death metal has been kicking around for at least a decade and a half. In fact, it’s been done to death. But if you dug what In Flames were doing in the early 2000s then this album is for you. Let’s be honest, garden-variety metalheads aren’t the most forward thinking and open-minded individuals out there. They generally sit around telling themselves that, “Metal is just not as good as it was in the good old days.” But they’ll be pleased to know Melbourne’s Orpheus Omega do the style ridiculously well. Partum Vita Mortem is world-class quality, providing fans of In Flames, Soilwork and Dark Tranquility with much to love. This album is heavy and it’s melodic, and Orpheus Omega get the balance just about perfect. To illustrate, approximately 70% of the vocals are dirty and 30 per cent clean, which is spot on. It’s mainly groove-based, but there are some faster, thrash-y moments in there providing colour and dynamics. The subtle use of piano and keyboards softens things slightly and adds an orchestral wash to fills things out. OK, Partum Vita Mortem is formulaic, and it’s certainly not breaking any new ground in this somewhat tired sub-genre. But that’s not really the point ± this is melodic-death metal, which this Aussie band are more than doing justice.
We were first introduced to Owl City’s Adam Young as a goofy, well-meaning dude in his early 20s. These days... well, he’s a goofy, well-meaning dude in his late 20s. Aside from that, not much has changed; he’s still making gee-wizz electro-pop for youth pastors and wimpy kids. However, he’s decided to bring some friends along for the ride this time. Soul-man-cum-EDM-star Aloe Blacc sprinkles some baritone over opener Verge, which works far better than any song of its ilk has the right to. Unfortunately the other collaborations are less successful ± the countrified Back Home has Jake Owen phoning in some autotuned drawl, while the inclusion of Hanson on Unbelievable (a song about how awesome it was growing up in the ‘90s) is an irony that won’t be lost on many. Mobile Orchestra works best when Young isn’t preoccupied with clunky storytelling (This Isn’t the End) or Jesus (My Everything, You’re Not Alone). When he puts his mind to it, he’s capable of delivering a penetrating sugarrush ± his 2012 hit, the Carly Rae Jepsen featuring Good Time, is proof of this. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have his head in the game enough to make Mobile Orchestra truly worthwhile. By DAVID JAMES yOUNG
From the outset, Melbourne band Glasfrosch have been travelling down their own unique path, completely and utterly oblivious to commercial concerns. Their music is niche, to say the very least ± they’re unlikely to get much radio play, they’re not rock stars, and they simply don’t care. The debut album was wildly left of centre, and the 2013 follow up Aubades even more so. Nocturnes is actually the second part of a two album suite that began with Aubades, and it’s truly a mind-bending experience. There are no real words to describe the musical journey this album takes you on. Likewise, conventional genre tags do nothing to give the uninitiated an idea of where Glasfrosch dwell. In a roundabout way, they make pop music, although it’s almost indistinguishable as such. That’s because they infuse it with elements of jazz, rock, avant garde, ambient and world music, as well as just about everything else their wild and fertile imaginations can come up with. Presiding over proceedings is the strange but sensuous croon of frontman Justin Ashworth. Well, in between the lengthy, emotional and sometimes downright bizarre instrumental passages anyway. Nocturnes is an album that must be experienced to be believed. Legally download it or buy a copy direct from the band and prepare to have your mind opened as wide as it can possibly go. By ROD WHITFIELD
By ROD WHITFIELD
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 47
GIG GUIDE
WHAT'S ON AROUND MELBOURNE THIS WEEK
For all the latest gigs check out beat.com.au
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 5 INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS • a basket of mammoths + two headed dog +
maladaptor + the black alleys Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm.
• armour group + marco fusinato + lucid
castration + psychedelic coven djs Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm.
• band slam Workers Club, Fitzroy. 7:00pm. $7.00.
• mallee songs + one way radio + lee yee Bar Open, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.
• rubber soul revolver - feat: husky
gawenda + fergus linacre + jordie lane + marlon williams Hamer Hall, Southbank. 8:00pm.
$89.00.
• tequila mockingbyrd + empra and the
mighty kings + dj mermaid Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $5.00.
GIG OF THE WEEK!
+ dada ono + things Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 7:30pm. $10.00.
• the good egg thursdays - feat: henry who
+ tigerfunk + lewis cancut Lucky Coq, Windsor.
7:00pm.
• the school for lovers - feat: orchestra
victoria + australian national academy of music Melbourne Recital Centre, Southbank. 11:00am.
$24.00.
• timbalero thursdays La Di Da, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $10.00.
• tiny chet trio Ruby’s Music Room, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $15.00.
• voices of remembrance - feat: the consort
of melbourne Melbourne Recital Centre, Southbank.
GREAZEFEST
Three days of kickarse cars, rockabilly bands and everything from pinup parades to tattooists stalls; GreazeFest is back for 2015. The self styled Kustom Kulture Festival (thank God it wasn’t a Konference) boasts over 30 local and international acts on offer this weekend, so chuck on your classiest denim and head over to Sandown Racecourse this weekend.
6:00pm. $38.00.
INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS • angry seas + from oslo + council of elders
• open mic nite Inkerman Hotel, Balaclava. 7:30pm.
• peny bohan duo Wesley Anne, Northcote. 6:00pm.
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC
+ drexler Public Bar, North Melbourne. 7:00pm. $8.00. • byo vinyl night Fox Hotel, Collingwood. 7:30pm. • citrus jam Charles Weston Hotel, Brunswick. 6:30pm. • contrast + zig zag + divide and dissolve + summer blokes Workers Club, Fitzroy. 7:00pm. $10.00. • empra + the wellingtons + the naysayers + the furrows Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 8:00pm.
• phil para Musicland, Fawkner. 7:30pm. $10.00.
• audrey powne Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd.
• glasfrosch + origami + the spheres + miles
• bopstretch Uptown Jazz Cafe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.
• greenthief & barrachero + merchant Yah
cosmo Howler, Brunswick. 7:00pm. $15.00.
accused Spotted Mallard, Brunswick. 8:30pm. • tingy celestino Yacht Club Hotel, Williamstown.
Yah’s, Fitzroy. 6:00pm.
• wayne jury & the rectifiers Lomond Hotel,
• the blue bloods + the marquis + verboden
boys Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $8.00. • uncle bobby + noah earp + zig zag Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $6.00.
• unicorn on the cob + medicine dog +
copywrite Public Bar, North Melbourne. 7:30pm. $6.00.
8:30pm. $15.00.
• chronos the god of time - feat: syzygy
ensemble Melbourne Recital Centre, Southbank. 6:00pm. $38.00.
• dizzy’s big band with peter hearne Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond. 8:00pm. $14.00.
• ella Ruby’s Music Room, Melbourne Cbd. 6:00pm. • galliano sommavilla Ruby’s Music Room, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $12.50.
• jc little big band 303, Northcote. 8:00pm.
• retro girls vocal jam - feat: julie mac
$10.00.
• headless + behold the defiant + the Collingwood. 8:00pm.
• kira paru Shebeen, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $10.00.
• monsters of the dirty south + von stache +
art pope Bar Open, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. • next - feat: earth caller + along shorelines + stone grave Colonial Hotel, Melbourne Cbd. 6:30pm. $15.00.
• no way sweden + complexe + anika Old Bar,
7:30pm. $24.00.
• noisey party - feat: tyrannamen + pronto +
ACOUSTIC/COUNTRY/BLUES/FOLK • baby blue John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:00pm.
• jeff lang & stephen cummings Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $25.00.
• josh pyke Bella Union Bar, Carlton. 7:00pm.
• krista polvere + ayleen o’hanlon Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 7:30pm.
• morning melodies - feat: charlie griffin Milanos Tavern, Brighton. 10:00am.
• open mic Yacht Club Hotel, Williamstown. 7:30pm.
• open mic Mr Boogie Man Bar, Abbottsford. 7:30pm.
• open mic night Ascot Vale Hotel, Ascot Vale. 8:00pm. • paper flowers Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm. • rebecca barnard & billy miller’s
singalong Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 7:00pm. $18.00.
• the brunswick hotel’s open mic Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 7:00pm.
• van walker Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm.
• wine, whiskey, women - feat: kate mulqueen
+ michelle driver Drunken Poet, West Melbourne.
8:00pm.
THURSDAY AUGUST 6
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC
Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $7.00.
grotto Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. • pbs 106.7fm’s rock-a-bye baby music sessions - feat: totally mild Fitzroy Town Hall, Fitzroy. 11:00am. $5.00.
• riot! riot! riot! - feat: mayweather + fresh
nelson + sheltered + death bells Laundry Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $10.00.
• sawtooth + golden girls + philippa omega Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $10.00.
• the blue bloods + miss destiny + wet kiss Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:30pm.
• the craft launch party - feat: akroyd
smart + things + dada ono + nafasi + dreampt Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $10.00. • the dull joys + diana radar + tiprats John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:00pm. $6.00.
• the groves + ten cent pistols + the martel
corporation + the plymouth reverends Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm.
• the hounds homebound + velvet bow +
young vincent Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $7.00.
• the over easys Claypots Evening Star, South Melbourne. 8:00pm.
• the rechords + mick dogs boneyard +
• jack earle big band Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond.
jumpin josh dj The Luwow, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $10.00. • the strange - feat: the strange polvere + seri vida + danny walsh Retreat Hotel, Brunswick.
• kickin’ the b at 303 - feat: psi-phi 303, Northcote.
• york Carters Bar, Northcote. 8:00pm.
• angela davis Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $15.00.
8:00pm. $10.00.
8:00pm.
• love songs - feat: kate ceberano & paul
grabowsky Melbourne Recital Centre, Southbank. 7:30pm. $50.00.
• melbourne improvisers collective Uptown Jazz Cafe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.
• midnight express - feat: prequel + edd
fisher Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 10:00pm. • soul in the basement - feat: fulton street + vince peach + pierre baroni Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $10.00.
• steinway piano series Ruby’s Music Room, Melbourne Cbd. 6:00pm. $12.50.
• the craft presents oxjam the launch
party + akroyd smart. nafasi + dream pt BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 48
• sean mcmahon & the moonmen Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford. 8:00pm.
• the gumbo club - feat: the blues bash Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 5:30pm.
8:30pm.
ACOUSTIC/COUNTRY/BLUES/FOLK • backstage blues night - feat: transvaal
diamond + shake shack boogie band Musicland, Fawkner. 9:00pm. $10.00.
• chris pickering Post Office Hotel, Coburg. 8:00pm. • dirt bird + waywardbreed + water music Catfish, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $5.00.
• happy feet + austin brady The B.east, Brunswick East. 9:00pm.
• lloyd spiegel Sooki Lounge, Belgrave. 8:00pm.
• morning melodies - feat: marion rodda
patsy cline tribute Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully. 11:00am. $17.00.
• open mic night Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 8:00pm.
underwater + blac belladonna Whole Lotta Love, Brunswick East. 8:00pm. $8.00.
• neighbourhood youth + halcyon drive +
fountaineer Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm.
$12.00.
• nun + drug sweat + the rangoons + teuton John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:30pm. $10.00.
• the railway gang string band Railway Hotel,
• pete cornelius band Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East.
• the revenants + duncan graham & the co-
• poprocks with dr phil smith Toff In Town,
Fitzroy North. 8:30pm.
8:30pm.
Brunswick East. 8:30pm.
FRIDAY AUGUST 7
nuremberg code + cyprus live Bendigo Hotel,
Whole Lotta Love, Brunswick East. 6:00pm.
• sacré cœur Melbourne Recital Centre, Southbank.
• polyxeni Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm.
• myyth + spectral fires + lasers
INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS • americana celebration - feat: raised by
eagles + dj stickman Gem Bar, Collingwood. 8:00pm. • assad + complete + sow dischord Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $8.00.
• athena’s wake + hollow world + the hazard
circular + nemesium Karova Lounge, Ballarat.
8:30pm. $10.00.
• babba Matthew Flinders Hotel, Chadstone. 8:00pm. $30.00. • banff Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 8:30pm. $12.25. • beware! black holes Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 8:30pm.
• brat farrar + transvaal diamond syndicate
8:00pm.
Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm.
• roy orbison tribute show - feat: marty
penrose Big Huey’s Diner, South Melbourne. 8:00pm.
• sex on toast + sansonus Workers Club, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $15.00.
• spencer p jones Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 5:30pm. • stone djoser + moon dogs + mr wolf +
kyrum + dj amanda & the plumbs Bendigo
Hotel, Collingwood. 8:30pm.
• swimsuit dynamite & impat lima Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm.
• taberah + damnations day + atomic riot Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $13.00.
• the here here here’s Catfish, Fitzroy. 9:00pm.
• the sugarcanes + the stoneage hearts +
the baudelaires Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10.00.
• the velvet archers Carters Bar, Northcote. 9:00pm.
• underground hound + grey mantis + aztk +
the big face & the boogie woogie band boys Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm.
Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 9:30pm.
• vallis alps + fortunes Shebeen, Melbourne Cbd.
9:30pm.
• watt’s on presents Prince Public Bar, St Kilda .
• captain spalding Customs House Hotel, Williamstown. • cindy-lou kramme + thando sikwila + b-two
+ naz + sam mcewin Penny Black, Brunswick. 9:30pm. • crash & burn + spook the banshee + quarter drive + mojo pin Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 8:00pm. $10.00.
• dave graney ‘n’ the coral snakes St Kilda Memo, St Kilda. 8:00pm. $28.00.
• dj Victoria Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm.
8:30pm.
8:00pm.
• wesley fuller Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $9.00.
• wet lips - feat: the braves + the girl fridas
+ gonzo + shrimpwitch Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 7:00pm. $8.00.
• witchskull + tttdc + loveless + hard
rubbish Bar Open, Fitzroy. 8:30pm.
• einsteins toyboys + bellatrix Musicland,
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC
• finishing school Bella Union Bar, Carlton. 9:30pm.
• big 3 roots rhythm & soul festival - feat:
Fawkner. 7:30pm. $10.00. $10.00.
• good riddance + versus the world +
postscript + cold ground Corner Hotel, Richmond. 8:00pm. $43.00.
• greazefest Sandown Racecourse, Springvale. 12:00am. • hair metal night - feat: powerstryde The B.east, Brunswick East. 7:00pm.
• heads of charm + swhat + mourning The
continental robert susz + louis king & the liars klub + robert james kirk Flying Saucer
Club, Elsternwick. 8:00pm. $18.00.
• dana czarski Ruby’s Music Room, Melbourne Cbd. 6:00pm.
• dj vince peach Littlefoot Bar, Footscray. 8:00pm.
• immortal horns Ruby’s Music Room, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $17.50.
Eastern, Ballarat East. 8:00pm. $10.00.
• in chambers with the mlo Melbourne Recital
Hotel, Essendon. 10:00pm.
• james morrison + megan washington +
• hey hey it’s friday - feat: astro boys Royal • hideaway + the soulenikoes + lebelle +
shortfall Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $10.00. • immigrant union The Loft, Warrnambool. 8:00pm. • jeans for genes - feat: jamm for genes ft. minnie wood & the retro girls Mr Boogie Man Bar, Abbottsford. 7:30pm.
• jinja safari (find my way tour) + sea legs
Centre, Southbank. 7:00pm. $40.00.
marian petrescu Hamer Hall, Southbank. 8:00pm.
$69.00.
• joe ruberto trio with charlotte jane Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond. 9:00pm. $16.00.
• los cojones Vamos, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. • mondo exotica night - feat: tek tek
• kay & the blue dogs Black Hatt, Geelong. 9:30pm.
ensemble + jumpin josh dj + gogo goddesses The Luwow, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $5.00. • monique dimattina Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne
massive resident djs Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy.
• reverse swing Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd.
• maids + puck + worm crown + shit sex +
• stephen magnusson trio + simon barker
chores Public Bar, North Melbourne. 8:00pm. $10.00. • malcolm hill & this is the show + the john brown 2 Lyrebird Lounge, Ripponlea. 8:00pm.
• sugarfoot ramblers Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne
Howler, Brunswick. 8:00pm. $25.00.
• la danse macabre - feat: brunswick 9:00pm.
WATCH INTERVIEWS, CHATS & AWKWARD SILENCES... BEAT.COM.AU/TV
Cbd. 7:00pm. $25.00.
8:30pm. $20.00.
Uptown Jazz Cafe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.
Cbd. 9:30pm. $25.00.
• traditional irish music session Drunken Poet,
West Melbourne. 6:00pm.
• what the funk fridays Purple Emerald, Northcote. 9:00pm.
ACOUSTIC/COUNTRY/BLUES/FOLK • andy mcgarvie Wesley Anne, Northcote. 6:00pm.
• bill jackson Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 8:00pm. $18.00.
• blues are back Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully. 8:00pm.
• chris russell’s chicken walk Barwon Club Hotel, Geelong. 8:00pm.
• chris wilson Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 5:30pm.
• daveys fridays - feat: rob & tarquin +
superfly djs Daveys Bar & Restaurant, Frankston.
9:00pm. $10.00.
• dollar 20 blues Ascot Vale Hotel, Ascot Vale. 8:00pm. • jack evan johnson Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 8:30pm.
• james teague Dane Certificate’s Magic Tricks, Gags & Theatre, Brunswick. 8:00pm.
• lee forster & furrabred Pascoe Vale Rsl, Pascoe Vale. 8:00pm. $8.00.
• little desert + ela stiles Public Bar, North Melbourne. 4:00pm.
motors wrecking yard + master_beta + flour + grim rhythm + coffin wolf + the ugly kings + witchskull + weedy gonzalez + cosmic kahuna + boxthorn Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 2:00pm. $35.00.
• cave waits cohen - feat: mikelangelo Thornbury Theatre, Thornbury. 7:00pm. $25.00.
• central rain Charles Weston Hotel, Brunswick. 6:00pm.
• chris russell’s chicken walk Howler, Brunswick. 7:30pm. $20.00.
• club cardi & oxjam present club cardi
music festival #3 - feat: in capital + winterpark + honor eastly + the wild comforts + javan ash + nikolas miraj + we could date + special guests + sarah masson art + steash films The Backyard Cafe, Carlton. 2:00pm. $15.00.
• dave burgess band The Loft, Warrnambool. 8:00pm. • dave graney ‘n’ the coral snakes St Kilda Memo, St Kilda. 8:00pm. $28.00.
• dave wright & the midnight electric + the
shifties + the groves Whole Lotta Love, Brunswick East. 8:00pm. $10.00.
• lloyd spiegel Piping Hot Chicken & Burger Grill,
• echo drama + big words Sooki Lounge, Belgrave.
• mick dog’s bone yard Post Office Hotel, Coburg.
• erik parker & the chapters + the lost
Ocean Grove. 8:00pm. $20.00.
9:30pm.
• miss gabbie goldenvoice & the alleged
associates Smokehouse 101, Maidstone. 7:00pm.
• ryan downey + oliver mestitz Some Velvet Morning, Clifton Hill. 8:00pm.
• shane nicholson Basement Discs, Melbourne Cbd. 12:45pm.
• simon hudson + nelle & co Spotted Mallard, Brunswick. 9:00pm.
• siyor - feat: sìyõr + lanewaves Sooki Lounge, Belgrave. 9:30pm.
• songwriters in the round Wesley Anne, Northcote. 8:00pm.
• steve lucas Mr Boogie Man Bar, Abbottsford. 5:00pm.
SATURDAY AUGUST 8
INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS • grrl fest presents.. provocateur! - feat:
various artists 24 Moons, Northcote. 8:30pm. $10.00. • and he sang + plymouth 303, Northcote. 8:00pm. • bang - feat: bareback titty squad + acrasia + awaken i am Royal Melbourne Hotel, Melbourne Cbd. 9:00pm. $25.00.
• barc beats - feat: elk + mammoth + low
rent + kingston crown Wesley Anne, Northcote.
9:30pm.
fridays + poly John Curtin Hotel, Carlton. 8:30pm.
$10.00.
• foley + battletaco + from oslo +
dilettantes Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. $10.00.
• foreign/national + sunbeam sound
machine + tough uncle Shebeen, Melbourne Cbd.
8:30pm. $8.00.
• grasshole + the black alleys + dear
thieves Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $13.00. • greazefest Sandown Racecourse, Springvale. 12:00am. • heart of glass Bella Union Bar, Carlton. 9:00pm. • hello satellites Open Studio, Northcote. 5:00pm. • hideous towns - feat: witchskhideous townsull + contrast + hawaii94 + pure moods Bar Open, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. • hope drone + fourteen nights at sea + we lost the sea + old love Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:30pm.
Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood. 2:00pm. $25.00.
• brewtality festival 2015 - feat: hard-ons
+ hobo magic + heaven the axe + wolf pack + suiciety + spacejunk + captives + drifter + broozer + the hidden venture + horsehunter + the underhanded + zombie
+ sam mcewin + mose + the fmly Penny Black,
Brunswick. 9:30pm.
• split seconds + dreamcoat + the adelaide
crows Public Bar, North Melbourne. 8:00pm. $10.00. • sweeps + thando + king spirit Workers Club,
• masco sound system Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne
NUN
Nun sound like a drum machine having sex with an organ in a very echo-y church, and thanks to the aesthetic folks at Psychedelic Coven, the synth punk quartet are taking their minimalistic bleeps and bloops to The Curtin this Friday night, along with Drug Sweat, The Rangoons and Teuton. The only thing the four have in common is they’re loud as fuck. The Curtin, $10, 8.30pm this Friday. • big southern cajun dance party - feat:
andy baylor & his cajun combo + heather stewart + johnny can’t dance cajun band Spotted Mallard, Brunswick. 8:30pm. $5.00.
• double the diva Ruby’s Music Room, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $20.00.
• dr hernandez ft the melbourne ska
orchestra Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm.
• joe chindamo trio Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond. 9:00pm. $16.00.
Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $10.00.
• more fire (fully loaded) - feat: jesse i + ras
black aces + super saloon Cherry Bar, Melbourne
• phila para Prince Public Bar, St Kilda . 8:00pm.
• the casanovas + fortress of narzod + the Cbd. 8:00pm. $15.00.
• the hard aches + hannahband + the sinking
teeth + the flying so high o’s + foxtrot Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 7:00pm. $9.00.
• the imprints + digger & the pussycats +
cable ties Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm. • the offtopics Catfish, Fitzroy. 9:00pm. • tiny little houses Hugs & Kisses, Melbourne. 8:30pm. $10.00.
• yakini + the gaza stripper + raw humps +
wabz Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm. $10.00. • alma mater Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. $20.00.
crucial The Mercat, Melbourne. 10:00pm. $10.00.
• sugarfed leopards - feat: barbara blaze dj
+ gogo goddesses The Luwow, Fitzroy. 8:30pm. $5.00.
• tchaikovsky’s piano concerto no.1 - feat:
simon trpceski Hamer Hall, Southbank. 2:00pm. $35.00.
• ted vining trio Uptown Jazz Cafe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.
• the dean & moore dean trio Melbourne Recital Centre, Southbank. 7:00pm. $45.00.
• the gospel songs - feat: gurrumul Hamer Hall, Southbank. 8:00pm. $60.00.
• the outpost presents... keep the fire
burning! - feat: whiskey houston + mr. weir + butch le butch Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 9:00pm. $15.00.
• the swing merchants Paris Cat Jazz Club,
Cbd. 9:00pm. $9.00.
• oliver’s army + sans + brunga’s band Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. $10.00.
• out of the blue Mr Boogie Man Bar, Abbottsford.
angel of death + hard-ons + heaven the axe + suiciety + eye of the enemy + in malice’s wake + broozer + anthelion + truth corroded + decimatus + hobo magic + captives + drifter + the hidden venture + the ugly kings + kyzer soze + the underhanded + direblaze + zombie motors wrecking yard + grim rhythm + alkira + flour + coffin wolf + weedy gonzalez
Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 3:00pm.
• soul safari - feat: tom showtime + matt rad
Hotel, Balaclava. 8:00pm.
• john kendall & the shot glasses Inkerman
manipulator + maleficium The Eastern, Ballarat
East. 8:00pm. $10.00.
poison fish + devilmonkey + sordid ordeal + dogsday ferocious chode + jay wars + atomic cockroach + brent mulready
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC
• olly murs + anja nissen Palais Theatre, St Kilda.
• brewtality festival 2015 - feat: hobbs
Josh Pyke dropped his latest album, But For All These Sinking Hearts last week, and to those fortunate enough to pick up the deluxe pre-order, check the package; there’s a ticket inside for Josh’ Fans First performance, this Wednesday August 5 at Bella Union. If you haven’t got a ticket for this yet, don’t even bother. They sold out yonks ago.
$10.00.
7:00pm.
• behold the defiant + into ruin +
JOSH PYKE
7:15pm. $89.00.
8:00pm.
• pete cornelius band Union Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm.
• phoenix 5 Rose Hotel, Williamstown. 4:00pm.
• riff raiders + the bits + the decoys Reverence Hotel, Footscray. 8:00pm. $5.00.
• sans + olivers army + brunga’s band Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. $10.00.
• saturday nite fish fry - feat: ritchie 1250 Gem Bar, Collingwood. 8:00pm.
• saturdays r covered - feat: radio star Royal Hotel, Essendon. 10:00pm.
• smashfest! - feat: peyote goat(ie) +
three quarter beast + admiral ackbar’s dishonourable discharge + dead set ledger + strawberry fistcake + the murderballs + the fckups + dead wolves + liquor snatch + !m.c.h.d! + where’s grover?
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND FREE SHIT AT BEAT.COM.AU
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 Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm. $20.00.
• wilbur wilde & jmq jazz ensemble Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne Cbd. 9:30pm. $25.00.
ACOUSTIC/COUNTRY/BLUES/FOLK • ben mason Post Office Hotel, Coburg. 9:30pm.
• blackeyed susans Union Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm.
• claire birchall & the phantom hitchhikers Victoria Hotel, Brunswick. 9:00pm.
• collards greens & gravy Labour In Vain, Fitzroy. 7:00pm.
• colleen hewett Flying Saucer Club, Elsternwick. 8:00pm. $34.00.
• dirtland Littlefoot Bar, Footscray. 8:00pm.
• down south dukes Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 9:00pm.
• ghost gang + submarines + the clive mann
band Tago Mago, Thornbury. 8:00pm. $5.00.
• jerome knappett + jess locke + the
berkeley hunts Old Bar, Fitzroy. 3:00pm. • karaoke with zoe Customs House Hotel,
WITH RUTH MIHELCIC
Catfish, Fitzroy. 5:00pm.
• krista polvere Inkerman Hotel, Balaclava. 4:00pm. • minimum wage - feat: the rangoons +
tommy t & the classical mishaps + school damage Public Bar, North Melbourne. 4:00pm. • orpheus omega Musicland, Fawkner. 3:00pm. $12.00. • pete cornelius band Williamstown Rsl, Williamstown. 8:00pm.
• smile + sweet whirl Tote Hotel, Collingwood. 5:00pm.
• stackhouse + thousands left stranded
+ simon mccullough Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:30pm.
• strangers in town + clarke & white + one
day maybe Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 8:00pm.
• sunday best - feat: tom showtime + agent
86 + maars Penny Black, Brunswick. 3:00pm.
• the hazy chains + sonic moon + copywrite
+ the woodland hunters Whole Lotta Love, Brunswick East. 5:00pm.
SUPERSENSE
Melbourne’s premier arts festival Supersense falls next weekend, giving local audiences the chance to immerse themselves in the best the world of arts has to offer. Also, Ariel Pink! I kid, I kid, Supersense actually returns THIS weekend, Friday August 7 to Sunday August 9 at the Arts Centre. Check their website for the full program. • the reason why + tim shaw + tim costello +
elise huston Bar Open, Fitzroy. 7:00pm.
• the sugarfoot ramblers Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford. 4:00pm.
• the vanguards Drunken Poet, West Melbourne. 4:00pm.
• the warner brothers Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 4:30pm.
• wilbur wilde & the trouble makers Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 5:30pm.
Williamstown. 9:00pm.
• traumaboys + sams sheriff Mr Boogie Man Bar,
East. 9:30pm.
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC
• john cale’s signal to noise - feat: lisa
• ella’s live swing quartet Ruby’s Music Room,
• moose jaw rifle club Lomond Hotel, Brunswick • music for blankets - feat: atkinson jones +
lorikeet + ross de chene hurricanes + amy pollock Workers Club, Fitzroy. 1:00pm. $20.00. • oscar lush + cosmo thundercat + ben mitchell Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford. 8:30pm. • purple tusks Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy. 9:30pm. • riflebirds Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm. • shane nicholson Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 8:00pm. $23.00.
• simon phillips duo Baha Tacos & Tapas Bar, Rye. 8:00pm. $10.00.
• supersense - feat: the jon spencer blues
explosion Arts Centre, Melbourne. 8:00pm. • tim durkin Wesley Anne, Northcote. 6:00pm. • vic old time jam session - feat: craig woodward + warren rough & friends Victoria Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm.
SUNDAY AUGUST 9
INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS • a blonde moment Ascot Vale Hotel, Ascot Vale.
gerrard + laurel halo Hamer Hall, Southbank.
6:30pm. $89.00.
• moreland city soul revue Union Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm.
• tchaikovsky’s piano concerto no.1 - feat:
Room, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm.
• solquemia flamenco duo Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm.
• soul sundays - feat: deep street soul
+ echo drama + dj manchild Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 7:30pm.
• spencer street soul Carters Bar, Northcote. 5:00pm. • sunday soultrain - feat: checkerboard Daveys Bar & Restaurant, Frankston. 2:30pm.
• the melbourne jazz co-op presents Uptown Jazz Cafe, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.
• the parking meters Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 5:00pm.
• theresa yu Ruby’s Music Room, Melbourne Cbd. 3:00pm. $15.00.
• anthonie tonnon + vowel movement + luna
$6.00.
• cold irons bound Wesley Anne, Northcote. 6:00pm. • david aurora, victoria meehan, lance
devlin, david ohaion + david aurora + victoria meehan + lance devlin + david ohaion Luxor Bar , Brunswick East. 7:00pm. • empra + massive + aimee francis Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick. 4:00pm.
• foley + lachlan stuckey + jerome knappett
+ tim woodz 303, Northcote. 4:20pm. • gospel sundays The B.east, Brunswick East. 1:00pm. • greazefest Sandown Racecourse, Springvale. 12:00am. • griya + the braves + willow darling Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood. 6:30pm. $7.00.
• hobo magic Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 2:00am. $7.00.
• human face + dreamcoat + shane reilly Workers Club, Fitzroy. 7:00pm. $10.00.
• jack evan johnson & the dole bludgers
simon trpceski Hamer Hall, Southbank. 6:30pm. $35.00.
• the mutual appreciation society - feat:
selina jenkins & nick lovell Retreat Hotel,
Brunswick. 7:00pm.
INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS • cherry jam Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. • diamonds of neptune + the peeks + kid
cairos Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $7.00.
• the scrimshaw four + officer parrot + mya
wallace Workers Club, Fitzroy. 1:00pm. $5.00. ACOUSTIC/COUNTRY/BLUES/FOLK • broadway unplugged - feat: gillian
cosgriff Toff In Town, Melbourne Cbd. 7:30pm. $20.00.
• the flaming mongrels 303, Northcote. 8:15pm.
• field, see & mason + field + see & mason
• grimethorpe colliery band Hamer Hall,
8:00pm.
Royal Oak Hotel, Fitzroy North. 4:00pm.
• greg dodd & the hoodoo men Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy. 4:00pm.
• greta ziller Standard Hotel, Fitzroy. 7:00pm.
• handsome bastards & amarillo - feat: ben
mahandsome bastards & amarilloson Post
Office Hotel, Coburg. 4:30pm.
• home grown Chapel Off Chapel, Prahran. 8:00pm. $15.00.
• jam at musicland sundays - feat: jameoke Musicland, Fawkner. 7:30pm.
• joe neptune Littlefoot Bar, Footscray. 6:00pm. • jungle bird Open Studio, Northcote. 5:00pm. Brunswick East. 9:00pm.
TUESDAY AUGUST 11
JAZZ, SOUL, FUNK, LATIN & WORLD MUSIC • black pearl Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Richmond. 8:00pm. $10.00.
• fat cousin skinny Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 7:30pm. Southbank. 7:30pm. $59.00.
• irish session Lomond Hotel, Brunswick East. 8:00pm. • mckinnon primary school concert Palais Theatre, St Kilda. 6:30pm.
• peter voglis Ruby’s Music Room, Melbourne Cbd. 6:00pm.
• tango (dance, song & cultural experience) Ruby’s Music Room, Melbourne Cbd. 7:00pm. $22.50.
INDIE, ROCK, POP, METAL, PUNK & COVERS • busy kingdom + the naysayers + slim
jeffries. Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm.
• cinema 6 + big league + magic melons Public Bar, North Melbourne. 8:00pm.
• kraken rum night - feat: atlas + amber
• michelle chandler Drunken Poet, West Melbourne.
isles + baby blue Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm. $6.00. • nmit showcase Wesley Anne, Northcote. 7:00pm. • saltwood Open Studio, Northcote. 8:30pm. • taste of indie tuesday Prince Public Bar, St Kilda .
• michelle gardiner Customs House Hotel,
• the burnt sausages + biscotti + the girl
• open mic sunday Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy. 6:30pm.
• the fabric + thando + sex on toast djs Toff In
• layla fibbins Union Hotel, Brunswick. 3:30pm.
• mental as anything Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh. 3:00pm. $33.00. 6:30pm.
Williamstown. 3:00pm.
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 50
6:00pm.
deville Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 7:00pm. $15.00. • banjo-b-que at fancy hanks bbq - feat: craig woodward The Mercat, Melbourne. 12:00pm. • cherry blues - feat: bag o nails + dirty soul society Cherry Bar, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $5.00. • elwood blues club Prince Public Bar, St Kilda .
• ken maher & tony hargreaves Lomond Hotel,
WaNTEd BaNdS/aCTS WaNTEd for the Melbourne Artist Showdown. Including prizes from ESP Guitars, Dean Markley Strings, Live Photos, Studio time, PR Package & more. Shoot an email through to mark@gunnmusic.com.au for more details. CONTESTaNTS WaNTEd for new gameshow. Australia’s got ham. Players must have ham. FEMaLE BaCKiNG VOCaLiST WaNTEd for daytime recording session at Newmarket Studios in North Melbourne. Will pay cash. 0434 300 959 METaL GuiTariST WaNTEd. Phn: 0433 726 449
Recital Centre, Southbank. 7:30pm. $55.00.
• nadav Yacht Club Hotel, Williamstown. 1:00pm.
ACOUSTIC/COUNTRY/BLUES/FOLK
acre woods + ghost dick Old Bar, Fitzroy. 8:00pm.
• pinchas zukerman & angela cheng Melbourne • sharon davis Ruby’s Music Room, Melbourne Cbd.
Geelong. 2:00pm. $10.00.
• beersoaked sundays - feat: pink tiles + 100
Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $20.00.
• jazz party Gasometer Hotel, Collingwood. 8:00pm.
• musical theatre open mic night Ruby’s Music
8:00pm.
• bamboozle and trio manipulato Black Hatt,
MONDAY AUGUST 10
Abbottsford. 8:00pm.
• pat wilson trio Big Huey’s Diner, South Melbourne.
7:30pm.
fridas Workers Club, Fitzroy. 7:00pm. $11.00. Town, Melbourne Cbd. 8:00pm. $7.00.
4:00pm.
• tuesdays are fridays Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood.
Lucky Coq, Windsor. 4:00pm.
• vanguard + jackson phelan + gardence 303,
Brunswick. 4:30pm.
ACOUSTIC/COUNTRY/BLUES/FOLK
Collingwood. 8:00pm.
• tago mago open mic Tago Mago, Thornbury. 7:00pm.
• sunday sessions - feat: various artists • the band who knew too much Spotted Mallard, • the kieron mcdonald combo Gem Bar, • the lawnton bowls club Labour In Vain, Fitzroy. 5:00pm.
4:00pm.
Northcote. 7:00pm.
• the furbelows Yarra Hotel, Abbotsford. 8:30pm.
WATCH INTERVIEWS, CHATS & AWKWARD SILENCES... BEAT.COM.AU/TV
There are plenty of good all ages events around Melbourne (and the rest of Victoria) over the next few weeks, jump onto our website www.thepush. com.au to read about them all or cast your eyes below to peruse a selected few. Firstly, songwriters listen up: our innovative, inspiring, and free songwriting mentoring program Push Songs is back for another round, with another amazing bunch of highly experienced songwriting mentors. This time successful applicants will take part in three one-on-one songwriting workshops with Kevin Mitchell ( Jebediah), Gossling, Monique Brumby and Ben Salter, alongside program co-ordinator Charles Jenkins. Plus you’ll be invited to join the Tuesday Night Song Club where you can meet and share ideas and live performance opportunities with fellow songwriters. This Brunswick-based program is open to people of any age from around Victoria, and workshops will be held in the afternoon/evening to make it more accessible for students and workers. Applications close August 19, go to www.surveymonkey.com/s/ PS2014R4 In case you missed it last week, Face The Music 2015 has released a limited number of early bird tickets at just $75 for a full conference pass. The contemporary music summit will return to Arts Centre Melbourne on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 November 2015 for its eighth year, bringing with it presentations, discussions, networking, musicmaking workshops, and the hottest tips and tools to give your music career the edge. Early bird tickets will only be available until August 26 (or until sold out) when the first speaker announcement is released. Go to www.facethemusic.com.au The Moreland Summer Show is open to contemporary artists or collectives who live, work, study or base their creative practice in the City of Moreland. This year applicants are asked to consider a response to the theme ‘Science Friction’. The deadline for entry submission is Friday August 7, more info is at www.moreland.vic.gov.au Creative Victoria has recently delivered a boost to Victoria’s contemporary music industry with the announcement of Music Works Grants, a new program to support musicians, music managers and industry organisations to create, develop and showcase Victorian contemporary music. Music Works Grants will provide support of up to $75,000 for music projects and programs in all contemporary genres across the state. Applications close August 12, for more info go to www.creative. vic.gov.au/musicgrants What’s better than pizza, parmas, and jamming away with your mates? If you answered with a pause because you couldn’t immediately think of anything, then you should probably check out the open mic/jams that Musicland in Faulkner run during the month. Why not bring your band or encourage your mate’s to play an impromptu gig? It’s open to bands/individuals/duos/music lovers, all ages and all genres, with a quality backline supplied (drums, guitar and bass rigs), as well as sound, lighting, PA and engineer ± just bring your instruments to play. Recordings are available for those who want their set recorded. To top it off you can order pizza, pasta and parma direct from the local pizza restaurant and have it delivered hot to your table. The Open Mic/Jams happen Sundays in August from 7:30pm, with free entry. More information is at www.musiclandonline.com.au
ALL AGES GIG GUIDE
Friday auGuST 7 • FReeZA Push Start Battle of the Bands ± Bayside heat (Boombox Events FReeZA) at Brighton Town Hall, www.facebook.com/ baysidefreeza, AA • FReeZA Push Start Battle of the Bands ± Yarra Ranges heat (Level-Up FReeZA) at Montrose Town Centre, www.facebook.com/ yarrarangesyouthservices, AA • FReeZA Push Start Battle of the Bands ± Mildura heat (Mildura FReeZA) at Mildura Senior College, 307-339 Beacon Ave, Mildura, www.mildura.vic.gov.au, AA SaTurday auGuST 8 • FReeZA Push Start Battle of the Bands ± Moira Shire heat (Moira Youth FReeZA) at Numurkah Town Hall, www.facebook.com/ MOIRAYouthServices, AA
Wed 5th August
MONDAY TO THURSDAY
$7 PINTS
COOPERS PALE, COOPERS DARK ALE, 9PM SATURDAY 8TH AUG 7PM
COLLARDS, GREENS & GRAVY SUNDAY 9TH AUG, 5PM
THE LAWTON BOWLS CLUB COMING UP
3 KINGS WAYNE JURY BAND MICK DALEY’S CORPORATE RAIDERS
ALL MUSIC IS FREE
W I N E , W H I S K EY, W O M E N 8pm: Michelle Driver 9pm: Kate Mulqueen Thurs 6th August
8pm:
Open Mic Night Fri 7th August
6pm: Traditional Irish Session 8:30pm:
Jack Evan Johnson Saturday 8th August 9pm: Down South Dukes Sunday 9th August 4pm: The Vanguards
6.30pm:
Michelle Chandler Tuesdays
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
W E E K LY
EVENTS
TUESDAYS
FREE COMEDY
IN OUR UPSTAIRS LOUNGE
$12 BURGER NIGHT
WEDNESDAYS
$15 STEAK NIGHT
(250G PORTERHOUSE W CHOICE OF 3 SAUCES & HAND CUT CHIPS)
THURSDAYS TRIVIA
HOSTED BY SCOTT BRENNAN OF SKITHOUSE FAME IN THE UPSTAIRS LOUNGE
FRIDAYS
AFL ON THE BIG SCREEN
$15 JUGS OF COOPERS AND CIDER $25 BOTTLES OF BUBBLES
SATURDAYS
BREAKFAST FROM 11AM AFL ON THE BIG SCREEN IN THE MAIN BAR
SUNDAYS
BREAKFAST FROM 11AM. OUR FAMOUS $20 SUNDAY ROAST & $10 BLOODY MARY’S ALL DAY!
DAILY HAPPY HOUR 4-6PM ($6 PINTS/WINES/BUBBLES/SPIRITS) 153 GERTRUDE ST, FITZROY
FOR BOOKINGS CONTACT 9416 4116 OR INFO@THEWILDE.COM.AU
v s
a
s
KIndRED STuDIOS 13 REHearsal ROOMS $65 FLAT RATE* *$65 ex. deluxe rooms
IN YARRAVILLE
FULLY EQUIPPED LICENsed Live Venue BACKLINE for Hire STORAGE AVAILABLE
Booked bands drink at HAPPY HR PRICES
kindredstudios.com.au
PA HIRE Comprehensive PA systems delivered, set up and operated with crew. Compact, easy, sound systems you can pickup and assemble yourself.Components such as microphones, speakers and effects are also available separately. Lights also available. For details phone Mark Barry on 03 9889 1999 or 0419 993 966
www.bssound.com.au bssound@bigpond.com
03 9687 0233
INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH
MUSIC INDUSTRY NEWS & GOSSIP
With Christie Eliezer * Stuff for this column to be emailed to <celiezer@netspace.net.au> by Friday 5pm
WONDERCORE ISLAND SETS UP RECORD LABEL
BAKEHOUSE STUDIO UNVEILS BOOK
It was packed out at Richmond’s Bakehouse Studios when owners Helen Marcou and Quincy McLean launched The Bakehouse Project, a book compiled with publisher Sophy Williams about the artworks that adorn the Studio walls, inside and out. After commissioning a giant paste-up of Lou Reed in late 2013 on the outer walls to mark his death, the two asked their visual artist friends to create installations and reimagine the rooms ± which Elvis Costello once described as “some of the best rooms in the world” for a studio. The Bakehouse Project is 128 pages of fascinating insight into works by artists such as Patricia Piccinini, Mick Turner, Peter Milne and The Hotham Street Ladies. The book launch included a guided tour in the rooms, as well as music performances and a DJ set from The Drones. The book is in stores and at www.bakehousestudios.com.au. Dan Sultan
Wondercore Island, the management company behind Hiatus Kaiyote and Oscar Key Sung, launches a new record label with Warner Music Australia. Wondercore Island Records will be distributed through Warner’s ADA [Alternative Distribution Alliance] across Australia and NZ. Wondercore periodically issues free digital mixtapes featuring Australian acts. Si Jay Gould, director of Wondercore Island, says, “We have been have been extremely lucky to be surrounded by so many innovative musicians at this particular time.” First signing is Melbourne indie art pop band Jaala, led by vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Cosima Jaala (Manglewurzel) A new single Hard Hold is on iTunes with a debut album out in October.
Victoria’s Dan Sultan, Briggs and Philly all took out prizes at the fifth National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs), held in Darwin before a crowd of 2000. Sultan was named joint Artist of the Year with Jessica Mauboy after they both tallied the same amount of votes from judges. Briggs had two wins, Best Album for Sheplife, and Best Video for Bad Apples. Produced by Heath Kerr and Josh Davis, it was shot in his hometown of Shepparton with members of his family and has 250,000 YouTube views. Briggs quipped to the audience, “My friend told me if I didn’t win this award, he was going to burn the place down Ð so Mark, if you’re listening, mate, just put the jerry can down.” Message driven 24-year old rapper Philly, from Mildura, was lauded as Best New Talent. See www.musicnt.com.au for full list of winners. Zulya & The Children of the Underground
BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 54
Ill: Amanda Palmer is diagnosed with Lyme disease, posting: “I don’t know what fucking tick ruined my week, but fuck that tick... I don’t care. I forgive the tick. The ticks are hungry. I am food. We are all one. Whatever.” Palmer, who is pregnant, stressed her unborn child won’t be affected. Hospitalised: Yellowcard’s Josh Portman had surgery for a tumour near his heart and says, “Looking forward to finally feeling good for the first time in many, many years.” Recovering: Of Mice & Men frontman Austin Carlile after surgery for complications from the genetic disorder Marfans. Ill: Michael Jackson’s father Joe struck blind after a stroke on his 87th birthday. Born: daughter to singer/actor Ashlee Simpson and husband Evan Ross. Engaged: Whitesnake bassist Michael Devin proposed to his girlfriend, actress Drea de Matteo (Sopranos, Sons of Anarchy), during a concert in Atlantic City. In Court: singer Kate DeAraugo lost her licence for six months and fined $330 for driving under the influence of drugs last March, after she “smoked and ate ice” the night before. That was during a bad time for her, which she’s now moved past and has released a new single. Arrested: Puddle Of Mudd singer Wes Scantlin after a drunken 100 miles per hour police chase in Minnesota. Sued: Korn singer Jonathan Davis for $250,000 by his lawyers, who represented him over his failed serial killer museum. Died: Caroline Mary Fitzmaurice Grafton co-founded pro-audio magazine CX and the ENTECH trade fair. She and then-husband Julius Grafton ran sound and lighting companies in NSW including Graftons Sound and Lighting in 1984 and Australian Monitor. She died at 59 from brain cancer. Died: Everett “Vic” Firth, founder of drumstick manufacturing company Vic Firth Company, aged 85. Died: US singer Lynn Anderson, whose (I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden was a hit in Australia, from a cardiac arrest at 67. Died: Buddy Emmons, 78, one of the world’s foremost steel guitarists.
Flyying Colours
* Is Aussie music streaming Guvera about to list after a “large” injection of cash? * Is Calvin Harris to shell out $500,000 on an engagement ring for Taylor Swift? * Has Apple Music picked up 10 million subscribers around the world so far? * Aside from its high debuts in Australia and the UK, Tame Impala’s Currents debuted at #4 on the Billboard chart, #1 on Alternative Albums and #2 on Top Rock albums in the US after selling 45,000 copies there in its first week. 14,000 of these (or 31% of sales) were on vinyl, the largest vinyl sale for a week for over a year since Jack White’s Lazaretto moved 40,000.
* Yes, Foo Fighters did say yes to playing a gig in Cesena, Italy, after a video of 1,000 fans covering Learn To Fly went viral. * At Blur’s Perth Arena show, Damon Albarn was jumping up around onstage so much he knocked Alex James flat on his back. * Sam Haycroft, guitarist with Melbourne punkers I Am Duckeye (and previously with Sydonia) is a hero down the Victorian coast after he saved a blind man from drowning off Elizabeth Cove after his boat capsized in bad weather. Haycroft battled the elements and paddled out to save him. * Courtney Love and Frances Bean are urging a Seattle court not to release Kurt Cobain’s death scene photos after a local TV host took legal action against the city to release photos, which he says will show he was murdered * Guitarist DJ Ashba left Guns N’Roses after six years to focus on Sixx:AM (led by Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx) who are to embark on a two-year world tour.
* Craze Fest in Chicago, which used a hologram of rapper Chief Keef, was stopped within minutes by authorities because the rapper is banned in that city. Spookyland
Melbourne’s latest agency, Global Music Agency, launches on Friday August 14 and Saturday 15 at Thornbury Theatre. It is set to represent emerging and established talent from all over the globe specialising in ethno, roots and jazz. Its director is Turkish born guitarist, vocalist and producer Murat Yucel, who’s produced such events as Australia’s Karavan International Gypsy Music Festival and Turkey’s Dalyan International Caretta Caretta Music Festival and Lagina International Music Festival. Assistant director Alisha Brooks is a musician and producer with many years of global touring and festival organisation experience. The launches feature Russian based Euro-cabaret act Zulya & The Children of the Underground, Cuban “Son” stylist Kekoson, Senegal-hailed Jali Buba Kuyateh, Latinbased San Lazaro, Turkish folk Bashka and French gypsy swing La Mauvaise Reputation, with DJs Mondo Loco, Floyd Thursby and Djinn. As they say, it’s a great way to take a trip through Cuba, Russia, Turkey, Senegambia and France without getting on a plane. More info from www. globalmusicagency.com and www.musiktrafik.com.
LIFELINES
* Which scribe started an interview, “Don’t like your new album much”?
* NSW police said they were disturbed that LSD made a comeback at Splendour.
GLOBAL MUSIC AGENCY LAUNCHES IN MELBOURNE
Changes at the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia sees Chris Johnson move to a new senior role as Head of Programs and Services. He continues to oversee the Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (Amrap) and take a leadership role with the Community Radio Network (CRN). He will also lead the rollout of CBAA’s new Radio Website Services later this year. Tahlia Azaria moves to Head of Marketing and Engagement, Martin Walters is Operations Manager of CRN, Rhonda Byrne is Head of Business Services and Helen Henry Senior Communications Officer.
THINGS WE HEAR
* The Edge and Adam Clayton gate crashed U2 fan site The Cutting Room’s 20th anniversary celebrations in New York, surprising organisers (who had been told the band were busy and only someone from management would attend) by performing two songs with a U2 tribute band to 450 fans. Earlier at their shows, U2 performed Lou Reed’s Satellite of Love with Laurie Anderson and the woman who dialled 911 when Bono crashed his bike, and Paul Simon for his 1972 hit Mother And Child Reunion.
SULTAN, BRIGGS, PHILLY, WIN AT INDIGENOUS AWARDS
CHANGES AT THE CBAA
SPOOKYLAND SPOOK OUT INERTIA
Sydney’s Spookyland have signed with Inertia as they work on their debut album at Conor Oberst’s Nebraska recording studio, Another Recording Company. They played the US and Europe in the past 18 months. Spookyland, who are signed for North America with the WME booking agency, are on the Lollapalooza bill.
FLYYING COLOURS AT ISLAND
Melbourne’s Flyying Colours joined Island Records Australia. Their second EP ROYGBIV is out on August 21, with lead single Running Late out last week. ROYGBIV is already out overseas on Club AC30 (UK, Europe) and Shelflife (US) with the single receiving airplay on BBC6 and XFM and reaching #47 in the CMJ Top 200 Radio Charts. The psych-shoegazers also sold out gigs in the UK and Europe and played The Great Escape (UK) and Primavera Sound (Spain). In Oz they opened for Johnny Marr and this week do a run of small venues.
STREAMING HITS 500 MILLION A WEEK IN UK
The Brits have taken to streaming in a big way. Currently there are 500 million streams a week, according to labels trade body BPI and Official Charts Company (OCC) ± double from last year. In the first six months of 2015, Brits clocked up 11.5 billion streams; up 80% from the same period in 2014, with 59 tracks streamed more than 10 million times. The most streamed track between January and June this year was Mark Ronson’s Uptown Funk (45 million) while the most streamed artists are Ed Sheeran (170 million) and Sam Smith (100 million). BPI estimates that at the current rate of take-up, UK music streams will be 25 billion by Christmas.
DORSAL FINS LAND MUSHROOM GRANT
Dorsal Fins have been awarded Mushroom Music Publishing’s recording grant for 2015. Liam McGorry, Ella Thompson and Jarrad Brown get $10,000 to help record their follow up to debut album Mind Renovation through Gripless/Remote Control. The MMP Recording Grant was set up in 2013 by Michael Gudinski to help get more original music out in the marketplace. The first recipient, Fraser A. Gorman, recently released his debut solo album Slow Gum through Milk! Records, as well as Marathon in the UK, where the NME ranked it 8 out of 10.
Born Free
MILWAUKEE MUSIC SAMPLER DEADLINE
Melbourne-based Milwaukee Music has opened submissions for volume four of its Made By Milwaukee sampler. It is distributed to sync agencies, music supervisors, record labels and publishers. There is no upfront fee if your track is selected. Deadline is September 25 and artists may submit up to two tracks via https://soundcloud.com/groups/madeby-milwaukee-sampler-submissions.
GUITARS LEAD AUSSIE SALES
Guitars had the best sales in Australia in seven years in 2014, with a 7% rise to $126 million worth. According to a global report by US-based National Association of Music Merchants, acoustic guitars were most popular with a 10% gain, with over 150,000 imported. Also sold last year: 73,000 electric guitars and basses, 87,000 amps and $12.5 million worth of strings. This comes as good news for the Australian Music Association’s Melbourne Guitar Show, on August 8 and 9 at Caulfield Racecourse. Of other instruments, electronic percussion eroded unit sales of traditional drum kits (down 1.1%). Pianos were slightly up (uprights were best performers, up 9.1%, grands dropped 5.1%) and woodwind, brass and wind up 3.1%.
RESIST SIGN BORN FREE
Resist Records’ latest add, Melbourne metal hardcore band Born Free, release their debut album Sorrow on October 2. The band, with roots in the 1980s New York scene, released a 7” EP Evil Hands last year and tour incessantly.
BALLARAT AIMS AT NEW ART HUB
A multi-purpose art space will be set up in Ballarat by summer for creative activities of all kinds. It’s the initiative of the 50-strong Arts Revolution Collective, which is crowd-funding at www.pozible.com/project/197103 to raise $15,000 for rent and equipment by August 24 to get it off the ground. The idea is to get underground creatives together to collaborate, sell art, do workshops and run a café with home-made food.
123 SIGNS YO! MAFIA
B-Girl turned Aussie-based international DJ Yo! Mafia has joined the 123 Agency roster. Aside from playing festivals and clubs here and overseas, this year she set up Yo! Mafia Entertainment to bridge a gap between her club and corporate gigs, the latter with big names like MTV, Nike, Nova, Adidas, Reebok, G-Shock, Puma, Create Awards, Lee Jeans and Sol Beer.
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