393 Groove Guide

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SHIT WORTH DOING

07- 13 DEC 2011 . NZ’S original FREE WEEKLY STREET PRESS . ISSUE 393 . GROOVEGUIDE.CO.NZ


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Shit worth announcing

Breaking news

 Experimental Brooklyn four-piece Aa (Big A little a) have announced three NZ shows in February in Wanganui, Wellington and Auckland.  P.O.D. and Rapture Ruckus will be playing shows in Auckland and Wellington in April.  The 2012 Grammy nominations have been announced and Kanye West leads the pack with seven nominations followed by Adele who is up for six awards. Alt dream sensation Bon Iver has four nods.

Announcements Our pick

28/05

 Tiny Ruins will be opening for Fleet Foxes in their Wellington and Auckland shows.

22/02

Mayer Hawthorne has announced two New Zealand shows early next year. The Detroit soul-man crooner is no stranger to the country having headlined Splore earlier this year, and now he’s back to try (and very possibly succeed in) stealing your girlfriend from you. Wellington’s San Fran Bath House and the Powerstation in Auckland will host the gigs in late February. Tickets are on sale now from Ticketmaster.

19/01

Following the word that the Odd Future crew would not be playing at next year’s Big Day Out, a side show has been announced so now you can quit the bitching. OFWGKTA will be just one of the performances headlining the Big Night In on Thursday 19 January at Auckland’s Powerstation. Tickets are on sale now from Ticketmaster and are heavily discounted for those who already have a Big Day Out ticket.

Editor Grant Hislop editor@grooveguide.co.nz

Lonely Hearts

CONTRIBUTING Editor

01/04

Grammy Award winning yesteryear prog-rockers YES have announced one New Zealand show. The ‘60s – ‘70s heydayers will perform their first ever local show at Auckland’s Vector Arena on Sunday 01 April. Having had 15 or so revolving members in the line-up, the band’s current roster includes Benoît David, bassist Chris Squire, guitarist Steve Howe, drummer Alan White and keyboardist Geoff Downes. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster.

15/03

New Jersey natives Real Estate have announced they will be heading to New Zealand for the first time next year. The latest cool kids on the block have been making small but noticeable waves with their two albums Days, released this year, and their self-titled release back in 2009. The trio will play two shows in March, first at Auckland’s Kings Arms followed by a gig down in Wellington at the San Fran Bath House. Tickets are on sale now from Real Groovy, Slow Boat or Under The Radar.

Matt Monk matt@grooveguide.co.nz

Editorial assistant Tyler Hislop tyler@grooveguide.co.nz

SUB Editor Elise Brinkman

Designer Greta Gotlieb greta@grooveguide.co.nz

Local legends The Datsuns have announced a summer tour with support from The Checks and The Transistors. The four-date tour will see them hit Waihi, Auckland, Mangawhai and Wellington before heading down south to Lake Wanaka for the Rippon Festival in early February. Tickets are available from Real Groovy, Slow Boat or Under The Radar.

The Future Decided

 The HACKMAN Theatre Awards will be held at The Wintergarden at The Civic in Auckland on Mon 12 Dec. Groove Guide is New Zealand’s leading weekly music and entertainment publication. 10,000 free copies are available every week at music stores, cafes, fast food outlets, nightclubs, bars, restaurants, cinemas and retail stores throughout New Zealand. If you would like to stock Groove Guide please contact tyler@ grooveguide.co.nz or call (09) 3664616.

18/01 Dat Sun

Working It Out

 Opossum and Sharpie Crows have been announced to support Deerhoof in Auckland while The Eversons will be opening for them in Wellington.

 Grammy award winner Patti Austin has been announced to play the 50th National Jazz Festival along with Earth Wind & Fire and Keb Mo.

Seeing Red

One Florence + The Machine show has been announced for next year. The fiery-haired alt-pop sensation will play one show in Auckland at Vector Arena as she finishes up her Australasian tour in May next year. Yeah, it’s a while away. But you should have some money saved up after the relentless gigging and festivalising you’ll be doing through to March, right? Tickets are available now through Ticketmaster.

29/12 Dobbyn Again

Dave Dobbyn has announced eight shows over the New Year period kicking off in Whitianga and winding up in Opononi. The regional tour will be supported by Midnight Youth & Dukes as Dobbyn takes his Greatest Hits Summer Tour around the usual summer hotspots. Tickets are on sale now from Ticketmaster or the venues themselves.

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Jersey Boys

Accounts Gail Hislop gailhslp@yahoo.co.nz

Contributors Shaun Jones, Alexander Hallag, Tim Gruar, Ricardo Kerr, Jan Maree, James A. Robins, James Croot, Lily Richards, Andreas Heinemann

print Image Print ltd.

Publisher Hark Entertainment LTD PO Box 37584 Parnell, Auckland

Room to Manuva

due to space and content requirements, not all gigs may be listed. listings are user generated. groove guide

British rap star and collab extraordinaire Roots Manuva has announced his return to New Zealand next year. The artist less commonly known as Rodney Smith will be celebrating the release (if a couple of months late) of his latest album 4everrevolution. His three date tour will see him play in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster.

assumes no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors or omissions. groove guide is provided ‘as is’, for your information only, without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringment. the guide’s publisher assumes no responsibility for and disclaims all liability for any inaccuracies, errors or omissions in this guide and do not share the opinions expressed within. reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. copyright 2011

ISSN 1172-675X

29/02

16/12 Beast Friends Forever

Beastwars have announced a oneoff free show down in Christchurch for later this month. The country’s biggest breakthrough band this year will be playing a free show at Dux Live on Friday 16 December with support from UCSA Battle of the Bands winners The Laon as well as Lupus Lunar, The Doyleys and Hayne. Tickets aren’t needed – it’s a free show, dummy.

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Shit Worth Knowing

PLAYING In Brief... FAVourites Hayley Mary The Jezabels

Favourite restaurant/café? Bunker Favourite takeaway? Fu Manchu Favourite colour? Black. I don’t care that it’s not a colour Favourite classic film? Casablanca Favourite childhood memory? My old house on the South Coast with five pine trees standing in a row Favourite party food? Corn chips Favourite vice? Probably alcohol Favourite song? Way too hard! Maybe ‘Heroes’ by David Bowie at the moment Favourite meal? Tofu and vegetable noodle soup Favourite cause? Something for women Favourite label to put on your relationship? I don’t know, functional Favourite 90’s TV show? The X Files Favourite word? Envelop Favourite album? Abba Gold (I know it’s a compilation) Favourite type of groupie? The one of few words Favourite venue? Enmore theatre Favourite lyric? “Hey, love, we’ll get away with it / We’ll run like we’re awesome, totally genius” Favourite candy bar? Chomp Favourite current TV show? The Wire SEE THEM LIVE: THE JEZABELS FRI 09 DEC CASSETTE NINE, AUCKLAND SAT 10 DEC BODEGA, WELLINGTON

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A benefit compilation album for the Japanese tsunami earlier this year is on the way. Set for release in early January, We are the Works in Progress features tracks by Four Tet, Blonde Redhead, Pantha du Prince, Liars, Deerhunter, Interpol and more. Proceeds will go to the Japan Society and Architecture for Humanity. PJ Harvey will be releasing a series of short films to accompany the Let England Shake DVD. War photographer Seamus Murphy has created the shorts out of images from his own work in the Middle East. Lisa Johansen, the Swedish woman who has for over 10 years been claiming she is the “real daughter” of Elvis Presley, is suing Lisa Marie Presley for US$130 million on the grounds of defamation and infliction of emotional distress. This was the woman who, back in 1998, released the book I, Lisa Marie: The True Story of Elvis Presley’s Real Daughter which says that Priscilla Presley left the US in 1977 and gave her daughter a new identity. Hanson are releasing their own line of beer.

What will the brand of the beer be? What else – MMMHop. There’s no problem with bands making their own beer. But riding on the only thing that you’ve ever done that’s worthy of note? That’s a little sad. After eight studio albums are they anything else other than those ‘MMMBop’ kids? Two scenes from The Muppets have been cut before the international release of the film. One would have featured Lady Gaga, John Krasinski, Eric Stonestreet and Ed Helms, while the other was Katy Perry getting busy with squirrels.

This week’s to do list If you’re in Auckland, head along to Cassette Nine this Thursday for their third birthday party, cleverly disguised as a masquerade ball. Coco Solid, North Shore Pony Club, Pikachunes, The Raw Nerves, Silke, Poor You Poor Me, DJs Paydirt, Andrew Trouble, Safari Boy, Josh on Decks and Chewie Lewis are all lined up for your entertainment pleasures as well as some more special treats. If you’re in Wellington, check out Raybon Kan’s Clear and Present Manger comedy Christmas special going down at the Downstage theatre each day through to Sunday. If you’re in Nelson, Timaru, Dunedin, Queenstown, Christchurch or Masterton this week, take your parents to Toni Childs on her Unplugged & Intimate tour. You are allowed to like her yourself, but you don’t need to admit it.

Breaking Bands You could almost call what’s going down at Auckland’s Western Springs this Saturday a little mini festival as Foo Fighters, Tenacious D, Fucked Up and Cairo Knife Fight come together for a night of pure filthy rock mayhem. The biggest name in stadium rock and the king of fart jokes are enough to break Western Springs’ calm, family image, but this weekend there won’t be too many folks feeding the ducks. Let’s break it down quickly. Locals Cairo Knife Fight take to the stage at 5:30pm to warm up the crowd with their overwhelmingly international dirty rock sound. Fucked Up are scheduled to take over just after 6pm. The band is known for their heavier than hardcore sound as much as they are their penchant for nudity. Tenacious D follow at 7pm, so if you’re into the comedic styles of Jack Black and Kyle Gass then you’ll want to find yourself a good spot. Finally, Grohl and gang will hit the stage between 8pm and 8:30pm for the main event. Times are subject to change, and depending on the raucous acts and rowdy crowds, they probably will. Doors open at 4:30pm and you’d be wise to get there quick.


Shit Worth Knowing

Releases this week Albums: Amy Winehouse’s Lioness: Hidden Treasures; Foo Fighters’ Wasting Light repackage; James Blunt’s Trouble Revisited; Korn’s The Path Of Totality; Ministry Of Sound’s The Sound of Dubstep 2; Nightwish’s Imaginaerum; Rammstein’s Made In Germany; T-Pain’s RevolveR; The Black Keys’ El Camino; The Roger Waters Collection 8CD collection; Various artists on Glee: The Music Volume 7; Various artists on Happy Feet 2. Live/concerts: Adele - Live At The Royal Albert Hall DVD and Blu-ray; Beyonce - Live At The Roseland: Elements Of 4 DVD; Les Miserables - 25th Anniversary Concert DVD; Rihanna - Good Girl Bad Girl DVD; Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary Concert DVD. Films/shorts: Billy T - Te Movie DVD; Green Lantern DVD and Blu-ray; Larry Crowne DVD; Penguins of Madagascar: The All Nighter Before Christmas DVD; Priest DVD and Blu-ray; Rise of The Planet of The Apes DVD and Bluray; Senna DVD and Blu-ray. TV series: Criminal Minds - Season 6 DVD; Doctor Who - Season 6 DVD; Downton Abbey - Season 2 DVD and Blu-ray; Deadliest Catch - Season 7 DVD; Mike and Molly - Season 1 DVD; Naruto Shippuden - Collection 7 DVD; Outrageous Fortune - A Very Westie Christmas DVD; Supernatural - The Complete 6th Season DVD; Top Gear Challenges 5 DVD; Torchwood Miracle Day DVD and Blu-ray.

MakingTracks November Funding The November round of NZ On Air’s MakingTracks funding decisions have been made. Out of 113 eligible applications 34 have been picked to receive either funding for solely a music video for a single or funding for both recording and shooting a video for a single. Artists receiving video only funding are: Badd Energy for ‘Ba-Zing’; Bic Runga for ‘Tiny Little Piece Of My Heart’; Cairo Knife Fight for ‘The Violence Of Action’; Decortica for ‘Shinkansen’; Golden Axe for ‘Space Fire’; K lab ft. Sacha Vee for ‘Need To Know’; Katie Thompson for ‘Cruel To Be Kind’; Mel Parsons for ‘I’ll Go’; Midnight Youth for ‘Too Young to Wonder’; Olie Bassweight ft. Timmy P MC for ‘The Tides have Turned’; Olmecha Supreme for ‘Timebeast’; Savage ft. Ri for ‘I Promise’; Simple Day for ‘Take A Breath’; Six60 for ‘Only To Be’; The Adults for ‘Reunite’; The Bats for ‘Simpletons’; The Black Seeds for ‘Love Me Now’; The Datsuns for ‘Gods Are Bored’; The Unfaithful Ways for ‘29 Days’; Timothy Blackman for ‘I Can’t Blame You’; Tommy Ill for ‘Living Dead’ and Young Lyre for ‘Make Light’. Each of these grants allow $6000 to make a music video. Artists receiving funding for both recording and video are: Beach Pigs for ‘Catch Up In The Sun’; Glass Vaults for ‘Ancient Gates’; Janine and the Mixtape for ‘Dark Mind’; Just for ‘D-Floor’; Kurt & Lani for ‘What Do You Take Me For?’; Lydia Cole for ‘Love and Loss and Love’; Recommended Dosage for ‘Product Of Society’; Signer for ‘Languid Too’; SJD for ‘I Wanna Be Foolish’; The Hypnotics for ‘Give It Time’; The Ruby Suns for ‘Real Life’ and The Veils for ‘Turn From The Rain’. Each of these grants allow $10,000 to record a song and shoot the music video for it. The next round of MakingTracks funding will be in February 2012.

shit worth

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Shit worth doing

Wednesday 07

Thursday 08

Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears

Puss In Boots

Powerstation

General Release 8pm, $45 ,ticketmaster.co.nz

If the blues went electric and tried to make itself feel a little better with some soul while adjusting to the times and throwing in some real guitarfronting rock but still managed to maintain that ‘60s sound, you’d find yourself ending up with retro-soul chimers Black Joe Lewis and The Honeybears.

Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis and Billy Bob Thornton star in the spin-off nobody asked for but got anyway. To be fair, Shrek used to be pretty cool. But so did chatter-rings, Pro-yos, fake poo, Sugar Ray, glow sticks, Dennis Leary, Coca-Cola and Disneyland. Sometimes people grow up.

A Criminal Christmas

New Year’s Eve

Herald Theatre

General Release

7pm, $20-35, the-edge.co.nz

Turns out criminals don’t just go to prison when they get in trouble. Apparently they also have to serve their time looking after old people in rest homes. They’re probably not very good at it and end up annoying the rest home manager or whatever. But then they’ll learn about Christmas miracles or something.

Of course this is directed by the guy who did Valentine’s Day. The title is a date and it has a ridiculous amount of famous people in it. This is the rom-com version of The Expendables. Hopefully love will prevail and heartfelt speeches will be made. It’s so New York. Otherwise, demand your money back.

Toys

Royce Da 5’9

BATS Theatre

Studio 9pm, $14-20, bats.co.nz

9pm, $65-75, dashtickets.co.nz

Will Ball survive being thrown at the ranch slider again? Is Viewmaster and his obsession with Kevin Bacon really to be trusted? Will Barbie have to go and live at the dump? We don’t know what these questions mean, but it sounds like a Kiwiana Christmas answer to Toy Story, and that sounds fun.

As quick as it was announced, now it’s all over. The one-off show from Royce Da 5’9 goes down this Thursday, and the rapper will have some tricks up his sleeve. That much we know. After 15 or 20 years being both friends and frenemies with the likes of Eminem, how could you not?

Silo Cinema

Lisa Crawley

Silo Park

Sawmill Cafe, Leigh

Friday 09

9.30pm, $18-20, undertheradar.co.nz

5pm, FREE

This week’s Silo Cinema sees Florian Habicht show his goodies. His goodies being his film work. Steve Able’s ‘Hospice for Destitute Lovers’, the short film Fishing in New York and feature Love Story will all be played thanks to The Arts Foundation. Open air films and films about New York are pretty romantic. Hint, guys.

Cantab Comedy Fest

Surf City

Cornerstone Roots

Darky Roots

Yaldhurst Hotel

The Kings Arms

San Fran Bath House

Altitude bar

8.30pm, $17, sidesplitcomedy.co.nz

Local Canterbury comedians Jeff Clark, Eli Mathewson, Justin White, Brendon Bennetts, Emma Cusdin and Kris Finnerty are getting together this Friday for the Cantab Comedy Fest to crack wise and make you smile.

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Lisa Crawley is winding up her time on the road as she finishes celebrating the release of her album Everything That I Have Seen. Panther and The Zoo along with Grand Rapids will be playing support as one of the year’s most well-received songstresses takes to the stage on her last show of the year.

grooveguide.co.nz

9pm, $25, eventfinder.co.nz

To be fair there’s actually a lot more on than just Surf City this Friday at The Kings Arms. Princess Chelsea, Rackets and Forest Spirits are also on the bill with a DJ set from Pikachunes. Apathetic folk – stay at home.

Cornerstone Roots take time off from taking time off and play one gig this weekend in Wellington with support from Ria Hall and Tui Soundsystem. It’s one great big mash up of dub, reggae, roots, soul and funk.

7.30pm, $20, eventfinder.co.nz

In the future Hamiltonians can say “Remember when we went to that reggae gig where Darky Roots and One Dread played?” and then another friend can say “Yeah, with Native Sons and Kindreadz. I remember.” Scene.


Shit worth doing

Saturday 10 Golden Axe

The Jezabels

Mighty Mighty

Bodega

10pm

gig OF THE WEEK 8pm, $15, undertheradar.co.nz

Golden Axe seem to absolutely own Wellington when they go down and play. Can you blame them? It’s like Michael Jackson babied himself out a Gameboy on speed. The duo will be celebrating their latest album Liquid Bacon with more energy than that battery bunny with the cymbals.

Originally The Jezabels were just here for one gig. Then some people realised that The Jezabels are fucking huge overseas and it’s only a matter of time before they’re big here. Be in the know now so later you can be all “Yeah, I saw them back when they were underground” you wanker.

Christmas In The Park

The Golden Awesome

Auckland Domain

Chicks Hotel 7.30pm, FREE

9pm, Door sales Only

Every year personalities get all Christmas-ey while 16-year-old kids smoke pot and drink vodka out of pump bottles in the bushes on the hill. Let’s not deny it – it happens. Meanwhile Hillary Barry, Jeremy Corbett, The Earlybirds, Julia Grace and plenty more will be focusing on other things.

Mandeville Music Fest Mandeville Sports Centre

The Golden Awesome continue their mini-tour this week as they celebrate the release of their debut full-length Autumn. Limited advance LP copies of the album will be available at the show so you can see why the critics have been raving about the Wellington four-piece.

Stonerfest

Base FM Xmas Party

Silo Sessions

The Venue-MusicBar

The Kings Arms

Wynyard Quarter

8pm, $15-29, undertheradar.co.nz

The Warratahs, The Eastern, The Ranchsliders and Jody Direen all head to Mandeville this weekend for the Mandeville Music Festival. Go relive your youth if you’re an oldie or if you’re a yoof yourself then be a sport and take your dad.

The second Stonerfest hits Christchurch this weekend in a night that’s being called Eyes of the South. Left or Right, Cobra Khan, Second Gear Grind, Osmium, Made in China and The Lounge Vibration are all included on the line-up.

Sunday 11

9pm, $15-20

Eddie Numbers, Alphabethead, Dub Terminator, @Peace, Scratch 22, Dylan C and Imagine This all take to the stage for Base FM’s Christmas party this Saturday. No doubt the crew will be following the Base mantra – “Just play the good shit”.

12pm, FREE

The Arts Foundation keeps the silo party going with the Turnaround crew playing for free down at Wynyard Quarter. The team of Manuel Bundy, Cian and Submariner will get your Saturday night starting early afternoon with a bang.

MONDAY 12 Total Eclipse of the Moon

Guitar Wolf

Stardome Observatory

Dux de Lux

12am, $2-10, stardome.org.nz

We’re not sure whether to put this under Saturday or Sunday, but technically it happens roughly around 3:30am on Sunday morning. You get it. The Stardome is opening its lenses to the public (although bookings are essential) to see a total lunar eclipse through a telescope. How fucking cool is that?

The Japanese jet stars start their weeklong “Lock and Loll!” tour around the country in Christchurch on Monday before heading to Dunedin on Tuesday. To put it bluntly, you would have to be an absolute idiot to miss one of their spectacular live shows. Don’t be an idiot.

The Big Shwop St James Theatre

auckland

art and culture

hamilton

daytime event

wellington

live music

dunedin

all ages

christchurch

film/tv

It’s like a giant op-shop swap. In the country’s largest and longest running eco-fashion bonanza you can shwop ‘til you drop. It’s mostly for the ladies, but if your fella is a good boy he might want to spend the day holding your shwopping bags while he patiently waits for you and provides perfect compliments.

Key

10am, $20, Door Sales

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While Foo Fighter’s guitarist Chris Shiflett might not know a lot about the All Blacks or New Zealand music, he’s not exactly a stranger when it comes to Aotearoa.

A little while back I interviewed Joey Elliot from Def Leppard, and when I asked him about the enduring sound of rock music in the new millennium he had two words for me: Foo Fighters. When I get the Foo’s guitarist Chris Shiflett on the phone from Colorado he seems genuinely humbled by the news that Joey rates his band. But then it’s kind of hard to tell; he’s pretty relaxed. In another publicity interview-a-thon, and I am second of the day so he is still fresh (industry talk for “not over it yet”). After years now of giving interviews, one has to wonder where he draws the line. These guys are the secretly public crusaders in rock star clothing. Does this man realise how indebted we are to the Foos for their help after Christchurch’s earthquake, and for that matter the same musical aid they gave to Australia in the wake of their own natural disaster dramas? Schiflett simply says, “Well you know, Kiwis and Aussies have always been really good to us, we had the new album it was a good opportunity for us to rock out.” So in saying thanks for your help, he has quietly shrugged it off, which he then does again when I mention the band’s stance against religious homophobes. With stunts under their collective belt such as performing their song ‘Hot Buns’ outside the gay-hating Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas on September 11 this year, I have to ask if the band is ever scared of their (rather loud) voice. “Well, we united [people] against this freaky-deaky church,” Shiflett says. “It’s a badge of honour for us. The ‘Hot Buns’ video became way more popular, so thanks to Westboro Baptist for helping!” Their seventh album, Wasting Light, debuted at number one in NZ and eleven other countries. Recorded in Dave Grohl’s garage with rock producer extraordinaire Butch Vig, this album has been heralded as their best in years. The single ‘Walk’ features the lyric “I never wanna die” repeatedly. So then to the plight of the ever-epic rock band, is staying alive touring? “Well we have always been a live band,” says Shiflett. “We had had a lot of time off everyone was fresh and amped up to record and play again. It was such a buzz... Our shows are naturally so much fun for us. It flowed out.” For the new album, guitarist Pat Smear (who left the band in 1997) re-joined the band, giving the band the opportunity to revisit old ground. “It was cool, we had to go back over old songs and re-work them. The new album was written for three guitars so it naturally works.”

Well-known for their willingness to enter into musical collaborations (as seen on the YouTube clip playing with rock’s leading lady Joan Jett, covering her song ‘Bad Reputation’ on Letterman... Grohl really loses it, see it if you haven’t) in July this year played at Milton Keynes Festival with some of rock and roll’s royalty (Husker Du guitarist Bob Mould, Queen drummer Roger Taylor, and Alice Cooper amongst others), which was an unparalleled experience for the band. “Alice Cooper is a childhood hero of mine, so when we got to stand with him on stage, well that was unexpected, but you know, there he was, and it was like... wow!” enthuses Shiflett. Having been on the road since January, I ask whether it is hard being away from his young sons (of which he has three). “Oh, these days we tour for two weeks and then we get to fly home again,” he says. “It makes things easier on us. It’s a civilised touring schedule. And as for the boys, well, it’s all they have ever known. I mean when we can we bring them out on the road, I took the kids to Europe for a month over the summer which was great you know.” When we talk about his kids I get the feeling I have touched on a subject that is very close to his heart. “Haha, yeah. When I am away in interesting places I always try and bring them home something specific to the place, like when we were in NZ last I took them home All Black jerseys, which you know, I thought they would love. But they were like, ‘Oh Dad, I don’t want that, I want a Star Wars Toy.’ You know. They don’t want my odd little knick-knacks... maybe when they get older they will.” At the time we talk the Rugby World Cup hasn’t even started yet, so it slips my mind to ask him who he thinks will take the tournament out. And maybe now that we have won, his little boys will be a bit keener on their rugby jerseys. The Foo Fighters have built a solid reputation out of playing decent rock music. When they started out I was just a young person (yes, it was that long ago) and I know there are kids reading this who are my age then, now, eagerly anticipating the live show for which they already have tickets. What can you expect? Balls-out rock from the quietly noisy revolutionaries, lauded by their peers and loved by millions of fans worldwide, live at our very own Western Springs. Hell yes.

Written by Jan Maree SEE THEM LIVE: FOO FIGHTERS TUE 13 DEC WESTERN SPRINGS, AUCKLAND

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James A. Robins takes a look at the treatment of two-piece bands and how the duo of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney have broken away from the ilk of early 2000s rock.

You would be hard-pressed to start talking about the Black Keys without mentioning the myriad of other groups of their breed that popped up in the early 2000s. And if you fail to name-drop The Flat Duo Jets, then your insights can only be passed off as second-hand ramblings. The North Carolina twosome stand as a template of sorts, and each of those slimmed-down, 12-bar bands that came after owe a huge amount of respect to their rattling ways. The Jets pioneered and refined the very reason as to why these two-pieces work, but just like most other talents that can come so naturally, the aspect that binds successful duos together is nigh-on intangible. Each of them possesses a connection between members – that strange, quasitelepathic livewire that runs between two people on stage. It’s always made for incredible viewing in a live environment, but it’s never transferred as well on record as it has for The Black Keys. It also stands as an odd testament to longevity, that although Meg and Jack White had their extensive success based upon solid songs, The Black Keys’ existence seems to revolve around good songs and good business: tracks spanning their ten year tenure have been in everything, from commercials to video games to television shows, yet somehow the band have managed to retain their integrity – at all costs, it seems – and their definitive creative spark. Thankfully now, what we’re presented with is a band confident in their stride, holding dearly on to the self-effacing element that was missing from a lot of their ilk nearly a decade ago. Records like these, coming along so far down the track, could so easily descend in to flagrant waffle, yet El Camino is their brightest, catchiest, and easily most punishing record to date.

Dangermouse clambers aboard for the third time running, and his input should never be overlooked here. The man who gave The Rapture’s Pieces Of The People We Love its crisp and finished edge, and who blended the organic with the electronic so adeptly on two Broken Bells albums again returns to aid Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney after the stomp of Attack & Release and the soul-inflected game-changer that was Brothers. Both percussion and crunching guitars are squeezed to the front amid organs, doses of docile piano, and shimmering tambourine, and it only reinforces where The Black Keys came from; this is a band who can fucking play, regardless of how many members it has. There’s the usual Keys trademark bruised stomp, found amongst incendiary opener and leading single ‘Lonely Boy’ and the soulful squeal of ‘Run Right Back’, whilst ‘Money Maker’ takes a stab at an all-out aural assault, deviating from the usual groove and beat-based fare, and ‘Nova Baby’ exists as their greatest take on the uplifting and euphoric. El Camino comes in a solid four songs shorter than its predecessor, dispensing with the more tender affectations that Brothers possessed, and it’s all the better for it. Mind you, nuance can always be traded in for sheer firepower, if this is the end result. Here, Auerbach and Carney are having fun, just like The Flat Duo Jets used to, returning to their barnstorming roots, yet still pressing further forward in to a more mature sound that allows them to boom and resonate far louder than they have done before.

WRITTEN BY JAMES A. ROBINS ALBUM OUT NOW: BLACK KEYS- EL CAMINO

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Ahead of their second visit to New Zealand, Munaf Rayani of Explosions In The Sky talks to Groove Guide about film soundtracks and trouble on still waters...

“It has to feel strong within before it we can allow it to go out.” Such is the way you have to approach the music of Texas-bred fourpiece Explosions In The Sky. Highly introspective whilst still retaining a widescreen vision of the world, it’s difficult to not talk about the band in an obtuse and metaphorical manner. “I feel like what we play is an acquired taste,” says guitarist Munaf Rayani (and one of the most intelligent and succinct Americans I’ve ever talked to). “The songs are a bit long – anywhere between 8 minutes and twelve minutes,” he muses, “but people are offering us the attention and for that, we’re very grateful. We try to make it very personal and very personable; we’re not trying to isolate ourselves from anyone – rather the opposite. We invite anyone and everyone in with an open embrace and try to make this music not ours alone, but ours, meaning yours and theirs collectively, and I hope that translates and that’s what helps people invest in the sound.” If anyone has been lucky enough to “invest” in this band’s sound from their formation in 1999, and their subsequent five records, or anywhere in between for that matter, then they will be heavily rewarded. The band have gone from strength to strength, each album stretching out their vast, landscaped and skyscraping sound to the very limit that the technology can provide. But it hasn’t been plain sailing over the last few years. Before the recording of their latest effort Take Care, Take Care, Take Care, the band took a rest from proceedings – something that caused fans to take in a collective gasp. “We had been playing music for so long; the four of us try to push each other a great deal in order to write the best music that we can write,” continues Rayani. “It came to a point where it was a little overwhelming and we were hitting this wall and not producing the quality of music we were hoping to produce. So instead of sitting quietly at the practice space – which is what was happening – we would play these melodies and play these pieces and they just weren’t going anywhere so we would sit around and talk and then finally we said, ‘let’s just walk away from this for a second.’”

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“So a few weeks passed and we did everything but play music, and we would go eat dinner, go to the movies and just sort of hang out and that was one of the stipulations – we weren’t allowed to discuss music with each other – we were to leave it alone. And after some time passed the four of us were together and we were all a bit anxious to start playing music together and discussing music and one us broke and said, ‘guys it’s time, can we just go back?’ And everybody was like ‘yes of course, please let’s go back, I’m glad you said it,’ because [we all] wanted to go. We got back in to the practice space and after a week of just fiddling with old melodies the dam broke and it was just overflowing and we felt strong again.” Part of their success and reputation to date has been due to their work in film and television, the most prominent of these projects being the quintessentially American football drama Friday Night Lights, for which Explosions recorded the score. It’s no necessary evil – the band express a healthy interest in a visual element to drive their more expansive work. “We’re really big fans of film in general,” says Rayani, “so to be a part of good cinema – we feel very lucky for that. But as to it being an important thing – I think all things musically are very important to us, right now all attention is focused on this new album and the touring that comes along with it. But after this chapter, if we could score some more films that would be great, if we don’t that’s no trouble at all because we’ve done it and we’ve enjoyed it.” In December, the band will be bringing their expansive live show to New Zealand. If you’re in favour of expressive outpourings of emotion, and closed-eyed cathartic releases, then an Explosions In The Sky show will exceed every one of your wildest expectations.

WRITTEN BY JAMES A. ROBINS SEE THEM LIVE: EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY THU 15 DEC SAN FRAN BATH HOUSE FRI 16 DEC KINGS ARMS, AUCKLAND




events

WELLINGTON gig guide Wed 07

Mighty Mighty

The Unfaithful Ways: 9:30pm: $10

BATS Theatre

Bar Medusa

Type II & guests: 8:30pm: Free

BATS Theatre TOYS: 9pm: $20

Downstage Theatre Raybon Kan’s Clear & Present Manger: 7Pm: $20

Good Luck bar

Rice & Shine Wednesdays w/ Samu: 4pm: Free

Happy

MASC Presents: December Songs: 9pm: $5

Matterhorn

The Session: 10pm: Free

Mighty Mighty

Enemy Empire w/ A Crowley Murder & Thieves at Dawn: 9:30pm: $5

Southern Cross Kroon for your Kai ft. Merlin Webster: Free

Fri 09

TOYS: 9pm: $20

BATS Theatre

Raybon Kan’s Clear & Present Manger: 7Pm: $20

TOYS: 9pm: $20

Bar MEDUSA

Shitripper w/ Lager Louts, Declaration AD & Mind Fuck: 9:30pm

Downstage Theatre Raybon Kan’s Clear & Present Manger: 7Pm: $20

Happy

Siamese Charades, Kabanaz & The Stacks: 9pm: $5

Mighty Mighty

Delaney Davidson & The Tiny Lies: 10pm: $5

San Fran Bath House

Cornerstone Roots w/ Ria Hall & Tui Soundsystem 9pm: $25 + BF

Southern Cross

Niko Ne Zna: 9:30pm: Free

Thu 08

St Peters Hall (Paekakariki)

BATS Theatre TOYS: 9pm: $20

Jordie Lane, Matt Langley, Mel Parsons & The Unfaithful Ways: 8pm: $20

Downstage Theatre

The Pit Bar

Raybon Kan’s Clear & Present Manger: 7Pm: $20

Sat 10

Nick Raven, Cliche Guevara & Gold Medal Famous: 10pm: Free

Happy

Downstage Theatre Good Luck bar

s sting i l t n eve s sting i l t n eve Thanks to

Good Luck Saturdays w/ Flex: 4pm: Free

Matterhorn

Soul Kitchen: 10:30pm: Free

Mighty Mighty

Golden Axe - Liquid Bacon album release w/ SECRETS & DR. DJ RADIO: 10pm: $5

Southern Cross Roy G & the Bivinators: 9:30pm: Free

Southern Cross

Xmas Vinyl Club: 12pm: Free / Arvo Show ft. Johanna Mystery: 4pm: Free

Happy

Live Jazz w/ The Troubles: 8:30pm: Free

Interislander Ferry - Wellington Stomping Nick Strips Down: 8:30am

The Lido Cafe

Southern Cross

The X-Ray Catz: 8:30pm: Free

Recovery Sessions w/ Nikita Tu-Bryant: 3pm: Free

Thistle Hall

The Lido Cafe

ArtTHORN Christmas Night Market: 5pm: Free

The Boptet: 7pm: Free

Sun 11

Tue 13

Downstage Theatre

BATS Theatre

Raybon Kan’s Clear & Present Manger: 7Pm: $20

TOYS: 7pm: $20

Jeremy Mason EP Release w/ Hula Hope: 8:30pm: $5

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AUCKLAND gig guide Wed 07 106 Ponsonby

Live on The Deck: 5:30pm: Free

Khuja

The Powerstation

Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears w/ Tyra Hammond & The Blue Birds: 8pm: $45 + BF

Kings Arms

Dreams Of The Dead: 8pm: $10

Northern Steamship Trading Co

Kings Arms

106 Ponsonby

Soundlounge ft. Eli Guttenbiel: 6:30pm

Sugarcraft & Chung Lao: 8pm

Rich Carey: 9:30pm

Mexican Cafe Auckland

1885 Britomart

Nuffield Street Trading Co. Brewbar

The Circling Sun Band: 10pm: Free

Racket Bar

T-Rice: 6pm: Free

Sale St

Grant Marshall: 7pm: Free

.co .nz

Franko: 5:30pm

Thu 08

Ponsonby Social Club

E guide

New Brew

Dusty Doves EP Release w/ Shadow Feet & Joseph: 8pm: $5

Live Latin & Brazilian Music: 8:30pm: Free

groov

T-Rice: 9pm: Free

Cassette Nine

Cassette’s 3rd Birthday Masquerade Ball: Free

Golden Dawn Tavern of Power

Acoustic Wednesday w/ Waylon: 7:30pm

Ponsonby Social Club Occupational Therapy ft. Funkommunity & Bobby Brazuka: 8pm: Free

SECRETS w/ QUARKS & Golden Axe DJs: 9pm: $5

Racket Bar

Khuja

Sale St

The Crimson Vendetta, Bury Me Low, The Altered States & more: 8pm: $5

Cian & Flex: 6pm: Free Jason Eli: 6:30pm: Free

Snapdragon

DJ Sweet Mix Kids: 8pm

The Britomart Country Club Aroha: 6pm: Free

The Lucha Lounge

Sports, Faults & The Kingsland Vinyl Appreciation Society: 7pm: $5

The Neighbourhood Brewbar DJ Laura Lush: 7:30pm

The Studio

Royce Da 5’9”: 9pm: $65 + BF

The Third & Social

How To Dress Well (US): 9pm: $20

Grooveguide.co.nz

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events

auckland gig guide Fri 09 1885 Britomart

Preferential Treatment w/ Andy JV & T-Rice: 8pm: Free

4:20

Proud Mary’s Ender Bender 2011: 10pm: $10

Audio Foundation HQ

Golden Axe - Liquid Bacon album release w/ SECRETS: 6pm: Koha

Basalt

Jeremy Pickford: 9pm

Brew On Quay

Goody 2 Shoes: 8:30pm

Cassette Nine

MUM Club Presents: The Jezabels (AU) w/ Lion Eyes: 10pm: $5

CrossRoads Bar

Habana Noches (Havana Nights) w/ Cuban Accent: 8pm: Free

De Post

Brett Polley: 8:30pm

Florrie McGreals Franko: 9:30pm

GBS Bar

The C2: 8:30pm

Khuja Lounge

The Uptown Soul Revue: 9pm: $10

La Zeppa

DJ Selecta Sam: 8pm

Western Lights

Kings Arms

Sun 11

La Zeppa

106 Ponsonby

DJ Selecta Sam: 8pm

Live on The Deck: 5pm: Free

Foam Ft. Dj Reminise, Tania M, Claudiga & Miss Doodes: 9Pm: $20

LEIGH SAWMILL CAFE

Goode Brothers

Flip Grater: 9:30pm: $15

Franko/James: 4pm

The Britomart Country Club

Masonic Tavern

Ponsonby Social Club Conch Sunday Grill: Free

Latin Aotearoa: 6pm: Free

Heathen Eyes w/ Old Kingdom, Golias & Jackal: 8:30pm: $10

The Dogs Bollix

Malones Irish Pub

Josh Fischel: 8:30pm: Free

Andrew Mockler: 9pm

Taye Williams, DeeWhy & Selecta Sam: 12pm: Free

The Elephant Wrestler

Neighbourhood Brew Bar

Tabac

smith.

DJ John Holmes: 8pm

Snapdragon Friday Night: 6pm

Stampede Bar & Grill

Pat 4 President: 8:30pm

The Kings Arms

The Nowhere Effect w/ Fleur Jack, Vanity Fear & DJ Morph: 8:30pm: $10 Base FM Xmas Party: 8pm: $20

DJ Submarianer & DJ Coolhandsluke: 3pm

Surf City, Princess Chelsea, Rackets, Forest Spirits & Pikachunes DJ set: 8pm: $10

New Brew

The Merchant Bar & Kitchen

Northern Steamship Trading Co

The Neighbourhood Brewbar

O’Carrolls

James / Carlos: 9:30pm

Evolution: 8:30pm

DJ Laura Lush, DJ Aimee Ransfield & DJ Canvas w/ Bella Shanti: 8pm

DJ Lo Key & DJ Andy JV: 5:30pm

Whitewash: 10pm

Western Lights

Ponsonby Social Club

Kara Gordon: 8pm

Wine Cellar

Blues in the Cellar: 9pm: $10

Killamanraro & Friends w/ Manuel Bundy: 9pm: Free

Quay St Clubrooms

Ruff Copy: 8pm

Sale St

Jordie Lane, Matt Langley & Mel Parsons: 8pm: $20

The Bunker

Alex & BB: 8pm: $15

The Marina

Riqi Harawera: 1pm

The Merchant Bar & Kitchen

David Shanhun: 3pm

Tue 13 Kings Arms

Latin Kiwi Culture: 8pm: $10

Ponsonby Social Club

Sat 10

Racket Bar

Racket Bar

Salsa Party w/ DJ King Salsa: 11pm: Free

106 Ponsonby

Rickshaw Eddies

Mortons Bar & Restaurant

1885 Britomart

Lisa Crawley: 9:30pm: $18

Mexican Cafe

David Shanhun: 8pm

Reuben RIvers-Smith: 9:30pm We Own The Night: 10pm: $10

4:20

New Brew

Euphoria 5 ft. Bryan Kearney (IR): 10pm: $19.90 + BF

Northern Steamship Trading Co

Black Salt

Libido: 8:30pm

DJ Normski: 8pm

Nuffield Street Trading Co. Brewbar DJ Roastie: 7:30pm

Ponsonby Social Club DJs Chip Matthews & Pauly Who?: 9pm

Quay St Clubrooms Accoustic session w/ Eli Guttenbiel: 8pm

Racket Bar

Manuel Bundy & Sweet Mix Kids: 6pm: Free

Rising Sun Jackal: 8pm: $5

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Khuja

Page3, DeeWhy, Mixtape Kidz: 5pm: Free

Accoustic session w/ Jonny Love: 8pm

LEIGH SAWMILL CAFE

16

Sale St

grooveguide.co.nz

Double Glazed: 8pm

Brew On Quay

Jason Skelton: 9:30pm

Cassette Nine

Sick Disco meets Razzle Stack: 10pm: $10

CrossRoads Bar The Bikini World Cup 2011 FINAL: 8pm: Free

De Post

Riqi Harawera: 8:30pm

Florrie McGreals David S: 9:30pm

Ink

Xmas in Chicago, the Chicago Disco Christmas partay: 11:45pm: $10

Gene Rivers & Jerm: 8pm: Free Mal McCallum: 9pm

Ricky’s Cafe & Bar

Josh Fischel (US): 7:30pm: Free

Rising Sun

Ritual 002 - Dutty Ranks / Kursk: 10pm: $10

Sale St

Awkward Orchid, Selecta Sam, Dean Campbell: 7pm: Free

Sports Bar

Evil, Octopus, Stud, My-Oh & DJ Raw Chicken: 9pm: $10

Snapdragon

Saturday Night: 6pm

The Britomart Country Club

Flex, Tido & Chip Matthews: 2pm: Free

The Crib

Split Second: 10pm: Free

The Merchant Bar & Kitchen Lee Gray: 9:30pm

Beats, Eats & Co: 6pm: Free Rob Hill: 6pm: Free

The Kings Arms

Kings Arms Quiz: 7:15pm: Free

The Windsor Castle Open Mic Night w/ Kiwi FM: 9pm: Free


t events

CHRISTCHURCH gig guide Wed 07

Fri 09

Sat 10

Sun 11

Arthur St Cafe (Timaru)

Becks Southern Alehouse

Addington Raceway

Cashmere High School

Becks Southern Ale House

Ruapuna Powerbuilt Speedway

Jordie Lane, Matt Langley & Mel Parsons: 7:30pm: $30

Becks Southern Ale House Jam Session: 8pm: Free

Riccarton House & Bush

Christchurch Farmers’ Market Mid Week Market: 4pm

D’sendantz: 9pm: Free

Canterbury Celebration Theatre Love Letters: 6pm: $25

Becks Southern Alehouse

The Black Velvet Band: 8pm: Free

Canterbury Celebration Theatre

Darkroom @ Archive

Darkroom @ Archive

Flick: 8pm: Free

Dux Live

Permanence, Mmdelai, Primary, Villain & Hairdresser On Fire: 8pm: Free

Pierside Cafe

One Bar

Beach Breaks w/ DJ Dmand: 9pm: Free

Pierside Cafe

Ruapuna Powerbuilt Speedway

DJ Mike T: 9pm: Free Karaoke w/ DJ Chick: 8pm

Salsa Latina Studio Salsa on Thursdays

The Brewery

Jordie Lane, Matt Langley & Mel Parsons: 9:30pm: Free

Christchurch BNT V8s: 9am: $20-$50

Woolston Club

Fleetwood Mac Tribute: 8pm: $20

Yaldhurst Hotel

Cantab Comedy Fest: 8:30pm: $17

Theatre Royal (Timaru) Toni Childs: 7pm: $67 + BF

Subculture (Queenstown)

Ping Pong Comp: 9pm: $5

The Church

Open Mic Night: 9pm

Thu 08 St Peter’s Church Hall (Queenstown) The Unfaithful Ways: 8pm

Subculture (Queenstown)

The SubStation: 9pm: Free

Fri 09 Fortune Theatre (Dunedin)

Late Night Improv: 10:30pm: $10

Subculture (Queenstown)

Love Letters: 6pm: $25

Idiot Prayer, Anthesiac & Ipswich: 9pm: Free

Mandeville Sports Centre

Mandeville Music Festival ft. The Haze, The Easy Hearts, Ranchsliders, Jody Direen , Eastern & Waratahs: 2pm

Ruapuna Powerbuilt Speedway Christchurch BNT V8s: 9am: $20-$50

The Venue

Stonerfest: Eyes of the South: 8pm: $15

Three Six Three

Re-Percussion 2011: 7pm: $12

Christchurch BNT V8s: 9am: $20-$50

Mon 12 Ferrymead Speights Ale House Quiz Night: 7pm

North Hagley Park Events Village Toni Childs: 7pm: $67 + BF

Pierside Cafe

Nuttin’ Trivial Quiz Night: 7pm

Tue 13 Becks Southern Ale House Quiz Night: 7pm

Heavyweights of Bass ft. The Upbeats: 7:30pm: $20

Christ’s College

Woodend Hotel

Pierside Cafe

House of Shem: 5pm: $35

A Night of Theatre: 7:30pm: $28 Texas Holdem Poker Night: 7pm

Regional gig guide

Otago gig guide Wed 07

Voodoo: 9pm: Free

CPIT

The Golden Awesome, T54 & The Blueness: 9pm

Thu 08

Christmas at the Races: 6pm: Free

Wespac Mayfair Theatre (Dunedin) Toni Childs: 7pm: $67 + BF

Thu 08

Sat 10

Playhouse Cafe (Mapua)

Eggsentric Cafe (Coromandel)

Sat 10

Carolina Moon: 8pm

Jordie Lane, Matt Langley & Mel Parsons: 8:30pm: $15

Chicks Hotel (Dunedin)

Fri 09

Toi Toi (Bay of Plenty)

The Golden Awesome w/ Heka: 9pm

Musicians Club (Dunedin)

Good Vibrations: 7pm: $10

City Library (Palmerston North) Craftzilla: 6pm: Free

Amy Grace Mara Simpson Two Tui North Island Tour: 4pm: Koha

Sun 11

Empire Hotel (Dunedin)

Eggsentric Cafe (Coromandel)

Mussell Inn (Onekaka)

Amy Grace Mara Simpson Two Tui North Island Tour: 7pm: Koha

Carolina Moon: 9pm

Sun 11

Fairfield House (Nelson)

Tue 13

Otago Museum Atrium (Dunedin)

Old Library Community Arts Centre (Whangarei)

The Scruffs: 8pm: $7

Rockin’ the Dinosors 2 w/ The Bedfords: 9pm: Free

The Church (Dunedin) Club Social Night w/ The New Edinburgh Folk Club: 7pm: Free

Carolina Moon: 8pm

Alex & BB: 7:30pm: $20

Owhango Hotel (Taumarunui)

College Auditorium (Wairarapa) Toni Childs: 7pm: $89 + BF

NBS Theatre (Westport)

Carolina Moon: 8pm

Katchafire: 8pm: $25 +BF

DJ Downtown Brown & Turbohag: 9pm: Free

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events

Waikato gig guide Wed 07

Fri 09

Cubbyhole (Hamilton)

Altitude Bar (Hamilton)

Harbour View Hotel (Raglan)

Cock & Bull (Hamilton)

Cubbyoke Night: 8:30pm: Free

Bad Hobbits Comedy Show: 8pm: $15

Thu 08 Cambridge Municipal Band Rooms (Cambridge) Cambridge & Districts Pipe Band: 7:30pm: Free

Cubbyhole (Hamilton) Muso Jam Night: 8:30pm: Fre

Major Tom’s Bar (Tauranga)

Amy Grace Mara Simpson Two Tui North Island Tour: 7pm: Koha

The Yot Club (Raglan) Flip Grater: 7:30pm: $15

Darky Roots, One Dread, Native Sons & Kindreadz: 7:30pm: $20 Aqstik Soul: Free

Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts (Hamilton) Opus Orchestra - Festive Fare: 8pm: $15-$30

Sun 11 The Yot Club (Raglan) Amy Grace Mara Simpson Two Tui North Island Tour: 8pm: $5

Static (Hamilton)

Dick Dynamite & the Doppelgangers + Absynthia & the Riot: 9pm: $5

The Gables Tavern (Hamilton)

Poitive Vibrations: 8:30pm: $20

Tue 13 Cock & Bull (Hamilton) Tuesday Trivia: 8pm

Waipa Workingmen’s Club (Te Awamutu) Crossroads Duo: 7:30pm: Free

Sat 10 Cock & Bull (Hamilton) Tasty Brown: 6pm: Free

Space Monster (Wanganui)

Gold Medal Famous, Nick Raven & Black Pudding: 9pm: $10

The Yot Club (Raglan) The Checks: 8:30pm: $25

our add y tings is own l groov

E guide

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tours & events

Upcoming tours & events Alex and BB

Fri 09 Dec Community Arts Centre, Whangarei Sun 11 Dec The Bunker, Auckland

Amy Grace and Mara Simpson

Thu 08 Dec Major Tom’s Bar, Tauranga Fri 09 Dec Eggsentric Cafe, Coromandel Sun 11 Dec The Yot Club, Raglan Wed 14 Dec The Mayfair, Taranaki Fri 16 Dec Meow, Wellington Sun 18 Dec Evil Genius, Wellington

Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti (US)

Tue 13 Mar The Kings Arms, Auckland Wed 14 Mar Bodega, Wellington

The Axemen

Wed 07 Dec Whammy Bar, Auckland

Beirut (US)

Sat 14 Jan San Fran Bath House, Wellington Mon 16 Jan Powerstation, Auckland

Beyond The Black NYE Sat 31 Dec Trentham Racecourse, Upper Hutt

Bic Runga

Wed 07 Dec Knox Church, Dunedin Thu 08 Dec First Presbyterian Church, Invercargill

Big Day Out 2012

Fri 20 Jan Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland

Classic Hits Winery Tour 2012

Decortica

Coromandel Gold

Fri 27 Jan Powerstation, Auckland Sat 28 Jan The Opera House, Wellington

Fri 30 Dec - Sat 31 Dec Ohuka Farm, Coromandel

Creedence Clearwater Revisited (US)

Sat 28 Jan Mills Reef Winery, Tauranga Sun 29 Jan Mills Reef Winery, Tauranga Mon 30 Jan Ellerslie Racecourse, Auckland Wed 01 Feb Bowl of Brooklands, New Plymouth Fri 03 Feb Trentham Racecourse, Wellington Sun 05 Feb Queenstown Events Centre, Queenstown

Thu 29 Dec Coroglen Tavern, Whitianga Fri 30 Dec Brewers’ Field, Mt Maunganui Sat 31 Dec Waihi Beach Hotel, Waihi Mon 02 Jan Butlers Reef Hotel, Oakura Tue 03 Jan Station Village Complex, Lower Hutt Wed 04 Jan Riwaka Hotel, Motueka Fri 06 Jan Mangawhai Tavern, Mangawhai Sat 07 Jan Opononi Hotel, Opononi

Thu 19 Jan Powerstation, Auckland

Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears (US)

Wed 07 Dec Powersation, Auckland

Black Lips (US)

Tue 28 Feb Powerstation, Auckland

Bon Iver (US)

Mon 27 Feb Town Hall, Wellington Tue 28 Feb Town Hall, Wellington

Camp A Low Hum

Thu 09 Feb - Mon 13 Feb 203 Coast Road, RD 1, Wainuiomata

The Checks

Sat 10 Dec YOT Club, Raglan

Sat 03 Dec Waipu Cove, Waipu

Fri 03 Feb Ascension Wine Estate, Matakana Sat 04 Feb Ascension Wine Estate, Matakana Sun 05 Feb Marina Reserve, Tutukaka Fri 10 Feb Wharepai Domain, Tauranga Sat 11 Feb Brunton Road, Gisborne Sun 12 Feb Black Barn Vineyards, Havelock North Thu 16 Feb Neudorf Vineyards, Upper Moutere Fri 17 Feb Neudorf Vineyards, Upper Moutere Sat 18 Feb The Mud House Winery & Café, Waipara Sun 19 Feb Logan Park, Dunedin Tue 21 Feb Olssen’s Vineyard, Cromwell Thu 23 Feb Villa Maria Estate, Blenheim Sat 25 Feb Alana Estate, Martinborough Sun 26 Feb Sentry Hill Estate, New Plymouth Fri 02 Mar Vilagrad Winery, Hamilton Sat 03 Mar Villa Maria Estate, Auckland

Dave Dobbyn

Big Night In

Farmageddon

The Damned (UK)

Wed 25 Jan Powerstation, Auckland

Dan Deacon (US)

Fri 03 Feb Whammy Bar, Auckland Sat 04 Feb San Fran Bath House, Wellington Sun 05 Feb Playhouse, Nelson Mon 06 Feb Dux Live, Christchurch Tue 07 Feb Chicks Hotel, Dunedin

The Datsuns

Wed 18 Jan Waihi Beach Hotel, Waihi Thu 19 Jan Bacco Room, Auckland Fri 27 Jan Mangawhai Tavern, Mangawhai Thu 02 Feb San Fran Bath House, Wellington

Dearly Departed

Fri 16 Dec Leigh Sawmill Cafe, Leigh

The Feelers

Sat 17 Dec Albany Pub, Auckland Sat 31 Dec Papamoa Tavern, Papamoa Sat 14 Jan Waihi Beach Hotel, Waihi Sat 28 Jan Mangawhai Tavern, Mangawhai Sun 29 Jan Coroglen Tavern, Whitianga Sat 04 Feb Butlers Reef, New Plymouth

Mon 19 Dec The Kings Arms, Auckland

First Aid Kit (SW) Thu 08 Mar TelstraClear Festival Club, Wellington

Deerhoof (US)

Fleet Foxes (US)

Sat 07 Jan Whammy Bar, Auckland Sun 08 Jan Bodega, Wellington

Fri 13 Jan The Hunter Lounge, Wellington Sat 14 Jan Town Hall, Auckland

Dirty Three (US)

Flip Grater

Wed 14 Mar Powerstation, Auckland

The Dresden Dolls (US)

Wed 07 Dec Tabac, Auckland Thu 08 Dec The YOT Club, Raglan Sat 10 Dec Sawmill Cafe, Leigh

Dum Dum Girls (US)

Fri 06 Jan The Kings Arms, Auckland

EarthTonz NYE

Sat 31 Dec Gibbston Valley Station, Queenstown

Explosions In The Sky (US) Thu 15 Dec San Fran Bath House, Wellington Fri 16 Dec The Kings Arms, Auckland

The Exponents

Fri 09 Mar Theatre Royal, Timaru Sat 10 Mar Regent Theatre, Dunedin Sun 11 Mar St James, Gore Mon 12 Mar Civic, Invercargill Tue 13 Mar Municipal Theatre, Queenstown Thu 15 Mar Opera House, Oamaru Fri 16 Mar CBS Canterbury Arena, Christchurch Sat 17 Mar Trafalgar Centre, Nelson Tue 20 Mar Opera House, Wellington Wed 21 Mar Opera House, Wanganui Thu 22 Mar TSB Showplace, New Plymouth Fri 23 Mar Regent on Broadway, Palmerston North Sat 24 Mar Station Village Complex, Lower Hutt Sun 25 Mar Bodega, Wellington Tue 27 Mar Bruce Mason Theatre, Takapuna Wed 28 Mar Founders Theatre, Hamilton Thu 29 Mar Baycourt Theatre, Tauranga Fri 30 Mar Civic, Rotorua Sat 31 Mar Municipal Theatre, Napier Sun 01 Apr Hawke’s Bay Opera House, Hastings Mon 02 Apr Memorial Hall, Gisborne Tue 03 Apr De Luxe Theatre, Opotoki Wed 04 Apr Whakatane Hotel, Whakatane Thu 05 Apr Papamoa Tavern, Papamoa Sat 07 Apr Coroglen Tavern, Whitianga Sun 08 Apr Mangawhai Tavern, Mangawhai Mon 09 Apr Brownzy, Browns Bay Tue 10 Apr Forum North, Whangarei

Florence + The Machine

Mon 28 May Vector Arena, Auckland

Foo Fighters (US) w/ Tenacious D (US)

Tue 13 Dec Western Springs, Auckland

The Game (US)

Sat 25 Feb Vector Arena, Auckland

god bows to math

Sat 17 Dec Brewers Bar, Mt Maunganui Wed 21 Dec Mighty Mighty, Wellington

The Golden Awesome

Fri 09 Dec Darkroom, Christchurch Sat 10 Dec Chicks Hotel, Dunedin Sat 17 Dec Whammy Bar, Auckland

ISE YOUR T R E V D A O T S EMAIL U NTS E V E D N A S R TOU EGUIDE.CO.NZ NICK@GROOV

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tours & events

Upcoming tours & events Golden Axe

Fri 09 Dec Audio Foundation HQ, Auckland Sat 10 Dec Mighty Mighty, Wellington Fri 16 Dec The Darkroom, Christchurch

Goodshirt & Stereobus

Thu 22 Dec The Kings Arms, Auckland

Guitar Wolf (JP)

Mon 12 Dec Dux De Lux, Christchurch Tue 13 Dec TBA, Dunedin Wed 14 Dec Bodega, Wellington Thu 15 Dec Static, Hamilton Fri 16 Dec Cassette Nine, Auckland

Hall & Oates (US)

Sat 28 Jan Church Road Winery, Napier Sun 29 Jan Villa Maria Estate, Auckland

How To Dress Well (US) Thu 08 Dec Third & Social, Auckland

Incubus (US)

Tue 31 Jan Vector Arena, Auckland Wed 01 Feb TSB Bank Arena, Wellington

The Jezabels (AU)

Fri 09 Dec Cassette Nine, Auckland Sat 10 Dec Bodega, Wellington

Mon 02 Jan Waihi Beach Hotel, Waihi Tue 03 Jan Brewers Field, Mt Maunganui

Laneway Festival 2012 Mon 30 Jan Silo Park, Auckland

Lamb Of God (US)

Wed 07 Mar Studio, Auckland

Lisa Crawley

Fri 09 Dec Leigh Sawmill Cafe, Leigh

Lloyd (US)

Fri 03 Feb Civic Theatre, Auckland

Madeleine Peyroux (US) Tue 06 Mar Town Hall, Auckland

Managers Summer Tour Wed 28 Dec Managawhai Tavern, Auckland Mon 02 Jan Coromandel Area School, Coromandel Tue 03 Jan Colville Hall, The Coromandel Sat 07 Jan The Tairua School, The Coromandel

Mangawhai NYE Party Sat 31 Dec Mangawhai Tavern, Mangawhai

Joe Satriani, Steve Vai & Steve Luthaker (US)

Northern Lights Festival Fri 30 Dec - Mon 02 Jan Pakiri Beach, Pakiri

NZ Stonerfest

Sat 10 Dec The Venue, Christchurch

Pairs (CH)

Phoenix Foundation

Sat 31 Dec Queens Wharf, Wellington

Pink Floyd Double Feature

Tue 13 Dec Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, Auckland

Raggamuffin 2012

Sat 28 Jan Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua

Raybon Kan in Clear and Present Manger

Regurgitator (AU) Wed 18 Jan San Fran Bath House, Wellington

La De Da Festival

Fri 30 Dec - Sat 31 Dec Dry River Road, Martinborough

Ladi6

Mon 26 Dec The Station Village Complex, Lower Hutt Wed 28 Dec Butlers Reef, Mangawhai

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Roxette (SE)

Sat 11 Feb Vector Arena, Auckland

Royce Da 5’9

Thu 08 Dec Studio, Auckland

Ryan Adams (US)

Tue 06 Mar Regent Theatre, Dunedin Thu 08 Mar Civic Theatre, Auckland

Seether (US)

Fri 10 Feb Studio, Auckland

Selective Sounds

Thu 29 Dec Ascension Vineyard, Matakana Mon 02 Jan Riwaka Hotel, Motueka Fri 06 Jan Brewers Field, Tauranga Sat 07 Jan Waihi Beach Hotel, Coromandel

Midnight Youth

Tue 31 Jan Powerstation, Auckland Wed 01 Feb Bodega, Wellington

Wed 29 Feb The Front Room, Wellington Thu 01 Mar Powerstation, Auckland Fri 02 Mar The Colombo, Christchurch

Shapeshifter

Mayer Hawthorne (US)

Wed 22 Feb San Fran Bath House, Wellington Thu 23 Feb Powerstation, Auckland

Kitty, Daisy & Lewis (UK)

Roots Manuva (UK)

Tue 27 Dec TBC, Mangawhai

Kaikoura Roots Festival Sat 14 Jan - Sun 15 Jan Old Beach Road, Kaikoura

Wed 07 Mar Powerstation, Auckland

Fri 27 Jan - Mon 30 Jan Mystery Creek, Hamilton

Thu 15 Mar The Kings Arms, Auckland Fri 16 Mar San Fran Bath House, Wellington

Wed 07 Dec Arthur St Café, Timaru Thu 08 Dec The Brewery, Christchurch Fri 09 Dec St Peter’s Hall, Paekakariki Sat 10 Dec Eggsentric Café, Whitianga Sun 11 Dec Tabac, Auckland

Roky Erickson (US)

Parachute 2012

Real Estate (US)

Jordie Lane (AU)

Sat 18 Feb Vector Arena, Auckland Mon 20 Feb Vector Arena, Auckland Wed 22 Feb Vector Arena, Auckland Thu 23 Feb Vector Arena, Auckland

Wed 25 Jan Static, Hamilton Thu 26 Jan The ARC Theatre, Whanganui Fri 27 Jan Mighty Mighty, Wellington Sat 28 Jan The Lucha Lounge, Auckland

Wed 07 Dec - Sun 11 Dec Downstage Theatre, Wellington

Sat 24 Mar Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington Sun 25 Mar Logan Campbell Centre, Auckland

Roger Waters: The Wall

Thu 15 Dec Speights Ale House, Christchurch Fri 16 Dec Bodega, Wellington Sat 17 Dec The Royal Hotel, Palmerston North Wed 21 Dec Sideline Bar, Napier Thu 22 Dec Brewers Bar, Mt Maunganui Fri 23 Dec Altitude, Hamilton Sat 24 Dec The Brownzy, Auckland

Retrofest

More FM Summer Vineyard Tour

Rhythm & Alps

Fri 03 Feb Sileni Estates, Hawkes Bay Sat 04 Feb Brooklands Lawn, New Plymouth Sun 05 Feb Daisy Bank Farm, Martinborough Mon 06 Feb Claudelands Green, Hamilton Wed 08 Feb Trafalgar Park, Nelson Thu 09 Feb Peregrine Winery, Queenstown Fri 10 Feb Pegasus Town, Christchurch Sat 11 Feb Turanga Creek, Auckland

The Sisters Of Mercy (UK) Wed 22 Feb Powerstation, Auckland

Six60 Fri 09 Mar - Sun 11 Mar Mystery Creek, Hamilton

Wed 28 Dec - Thu 29 Dec Terrance Downs, Mt Hutt

Rhythm & Vines 2011-2012 Thu 29 Dec - Sat 31 Dec Waiohika Estate, Gisborne

Rippon Festival

Sat 04 Feb Rippon Vineyard, Lake Wanaka

Mon 26 Dec Outdoor Marquee, Mangawhai Tavern Tue 27 Dec Outdoor Marquee, Waihi Beach Hotel Wed 28 Dec Outdoor Marquee, Coroglen Tavern Mon 02 Jan Opononi Hotel, Opononi Wed 04 Jan Brewers Field, Mt Maunganui Thu 05 Jan Outdoor Marquee, Butlers Reef Fri 06 Jan Station Village Complex, Lower Hutt Sat 07 Jan Outdoor Marquee, Riwaka Tavern

Splore 2012

Fri 17 Feb - Sun 19 Feb Tapapakanga Regional Park, Auckland


tours & events

Upcoming tours & events tUnE-yArDs (US)

Stink Fest 13

Thu 12 Jan The Kings Arms, Auckland

Thu 15 Dec The Darkroom, Christchurch Fri 16 Dec The Darkroom, Christchurch Sat 17 Dec Dux Live, Christchurch

The Unfaithful Ways

Thu 08 Dec Mighty Mighty, Wellington Fri 09 Dec St Peter’s Hall, Paikakariki

Stomping Nick & His Blues Grenade

Thu 01 Dec Interislander Ferry, Picton Fri 02 Dec Meow, Wellington Sat 03 Dec Space Monster, Wanganui Sun 04 Dec Evil Genius, Wellington Fri 09 Dec Wine Cellar, Auckland Sun 11 Dec Interislander Ferry, Wellington

Stoneleigh Summer Arts Series Wed 07 Dec - Sun 18 Dec Wynyard Quarter, Auckland

Sun Araw (US)

Fri 03 Feb Mighty Mighty, Wellington Sat 04 Feb Whammy Bar, Auckland

Taylor Swift (US)

Fri 16 Mar Vector Arena, Auckland Sat 17 Mar Vector Arena, Auckland Sun 18 Mar Vector Arena, Auckland

Thee Oh Sees (US)

Fri 27 Jan Whammy Bar, Auckland Sat 28 Jan Mighty Mighty, Wellington Sun 29 Jan ARC Theatre, Wanganui

LATINAOTEAROA

Thu 22 Dec Ponsonby Social Club, Auckland Mon 26 Dec Armazem, Mt Maunganui Wed 28 Dec BW Camping Ground, Gisborne Thu 29 Dec Tuatua Bar, Whitianga Sat 31 Dec Sawmill Café, Leigh Sun 01 Jan Northern Lights Festival, Pakiri Fri 06 Jan Diva Bar, Havlock North Sat 07 Jan Yot Club, Raglan

YES (US)

Sun 01 Apr Vector Arena, Auckland

Toni Childs (US)

Wed 07 Dec Suter Theatre, Nelson Thu 08 Dec Theatre Royal, Timaru Fri 09 Dec Westpac Mayfair Theatre, Dunedin Sat 10 Dec Moonlight Country & Stables, Queenstown Mon 12 Dec Hagley Park Geodome, Christchurch Tue 13 Dec Wairarapa College Auditorium, Masterton

TOYS

Wed 07 Dec - Sat 17 Dec BATS Theatre, Wellington

Tuborg Summer Sunday Sun 29 Jan Matakana Music Mountain, Matakana

Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Fri 16 Dec San Fran Bath House, Wellington Sat 17 Dec The Kings Arms, Auckland

Urge Overkill (US)

Tue 06 Mar Powerstation, Auckland

WOMAD

Fri 16 Mar - Sun 18 Mar TSB Bowl of Brooklands, New Plymouth


shit worth playing with

groove gADGETS Groove GADGETS is where we cast our eye over Cool new shit.

SUPER

Got some cool shit you want to see on this page? send us an email at gear@grooveguide.co.nz

Siri

S imply the place away included your . T he i P hone built micro room in into mic remote to the $59 amplifpicks .99 to I ris US trigger 900 LY up your D, c S iri 0 cradle om ’ s spoken ing voice S iri in up from to and 201 responses 5 0 use 2F ro acrossfeet mT hin the . kG eek .co m

Robo Cops Day by day, it feels like we grow ever closer to the robot apocalyse, and it seems only fitting that soon robot overlords will be monitoring inmates in a South Korean prison. The onemonth trial is sponsored by the South Korean government and it will cost 1 billion won, or about $860,585 US.

Wood iPhone Camera Case Is it a camera? Is it an iPhone? Is it a piece of wood with the image of a camera etched on the surface? Well, the Wood iPhone Camera Case happens to be all of the above, provided that you’ve placed your iPhone in the case, that is. $44.00 USD uncommongoods.com

Roger That

Watch your money

The MR355R over 56KM range with 22 Channels. This two way radio will be your vital link to friends at music concerts this summer. Great for when your phone reception fails or your battery dies… plus walkie talkies are just more fun. Over and out.

This ‘Go’ series watch has all the functions you would expect from a watch but also has combines cashless payment with secure ID and emergency information If reQuested. The perfect watch for athletes on the go.

$61.55 USD amazon.com

$35.00 USD rumbatime.com

By Motorola

By RumbaTime

Urbanears Plattan Headphones Love music? Love colour? These full sized headphones are not only sleek and stylish, they also fold down to… wait for it... the size of your fist. £50.00 urbanoutfitters.co.uk

A modern twist on 1920s Motorsport By Derringer cycles

For the discerning rider, Derringer offers the opportunity to own a truly unique, one-of-a-kind motorbike that combines innovative engineering with a classic highperformance aesthetic. Appox. $3500 USD plus shipping derringercycles.com

Touching Toyota By TOYOTA

If you wish you could control the colour and look of your car as easily as you swap out a new wallpaper on your iPhone, you better start saving up for the new Toyota concept car that has a gigantic touch screen on the outside of the vehicle.


shit worth playing with

GAMING The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim GAME REVIEW

The last month has seen some big things happening in the gaming world. For the non-gaming laymen out there, you’ve probably heard your console friends talk about Batman, Unchartered, Modern Warfare 3 and Battlefield. But there’s one game that has left girlfriends unloved all around the world. The game that could be the biggest of the year, and one that nerds just can’t seem to put down. I’m talking about The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Where do we start on Skyrim? It’s been given praise around the world and has an average rating of somewhere around 9/10. Who knew that dragons were still so damn cool? Clearly Bethesda Game Studios (the developers of game) had some idea, and their investment into the multi-platform game has paid off. The fifth instalment in the Elder Scrolls series, Skyrim isn’t exactly a direct sequel in the universe but still carries on the heritage we’ve been introduced to so far. The size of this world is simply colossal. You can play for well over 100 hours and still find quests and challenges to surprise you. While people are calling this one of the best games of the year, it should also be addressed as one of the best role playing games ever made as well. The attention to detail is overwhelming. If you’re in a forest you can see the smallest leaves shake. If you’re on a snowy mountain peak you can almost feel the cold. The most minuscule of etchings carved into whatever weapon you happen to be carrying manages to catch your eye, and you can’t help but want to give the developers an up top. High five,

Bethesda Game Studios. Part of the beauty of this game is the manner in which you’re allowed to play it. If you want to complete the main quest first and find out why dragons are figuratively shitting on your lawn, you can. If you’d rather just go for a wander and attack any given character on the street that you see, you can. If playing miniside missions is your kind of thing, nothing’s stopping you. The idea of an open world in gaming is quickly becoming a requisite for any platform or role-playing adventure. We play games to escape from reality, right? So keep the world free and let us discover what’s going on in these worlds. It’s a simple idea and one that software developers are listening to. Someone recently said to me that the television show Game Of Thrones has made fantasy cool. That person was dead right. Everyone is now a pop-culture expert, and geek is returning to what it was in the early ‘90s. Dragons are dope. Swords and ogres are tight. Magic is where it’s at. People with tiger faces look really cool. It’s great to find a game that sets a precedent. Skyrim has not only set the bar, but has set it high enough that the games we’ll see from here on out will have to be worth the investment of money and time that we give them. It’s just such a damn shame it came out in summer. Nerds don’t exactly need to get any more pasty. Written by Adam East


Shit worth listening to

album reviews Amy Winehouse Lioness: Hidden Treasures lll

With her untimely passing earlier this year, Amy Winehouse only left behind a pair of albums to her name. This album doesn’t provide much in the way of new material, but a post-mortem album release isn’t exactly a new concept either. Lioness: Hidden Treasures attempts to do the songstress justice by collecting some unheard songs into a default third record. Winehouse’s popularity was largely due to her ability to straddle the line between vintage soul and contemporary pop icon status. This compilation definitely leans more on the former concept,

Angels & Airwaves

Snow Patrol

The Ettes

Seasick Steve

Fallen Empires

Wicked Will

walkin’ man

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lll

llll

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Angels & Airwaves, led by Blink-182’s Tom DeLonge and currently including guitarist David Kennedy (Over My Dead Body, Box Car Racer), bassist Matt Wachter (30 Seconds to Mars) and drummer Ilan Rubin (NIN) was spawned by the crash-and-burn of Blink-182’s breakup in 2005. The project has spat out 4 moderately good, whiny punk/pop efforts: We Don’t Need to Whisper (2006), I-Empire (2007), and Love (2010)/ Love: Part Two (2011). Overall, the songs here hold their own. With plenty of MOR pop hooks and a guaranteed architecture of familiarity, tracks like ‘Young London’ and ‘Shove’ are assured high pollution levels on mainstream radio. Ultimately, Angels and Airwaves aren’t the greatest of bands, some of their music and lyrics border on clichéd at times but they’re also hard not to like. Their stadium-ready rock is energetic and infectious and no doubt fits their grandstanding and orbital cinematics.

The sixth release for Irishman Gary Lightbody’s rock anthematics takes an experimental but calculated turn to the left, apparently inspired (according to their press) by LCD Soundsystem, Arcade Fire and U2’s Achtung Baby. Anything would be an improvement on the annoying ‘Chasing Cars’ that gave commercial radio their biggest excuse to drone out its audience since Berlin gave up playing. There’s plenty of welcome but uncharacteristic four-to-the-floor beats (‘Called Out in the Dark’), some Gothic choir-drenched, Andrew Eldrichstyle rips (‘The Weight of Love’) and good, simple, satisfying pop tunery (‘The Symphony’). It seems writer’s block was just what Lightbody needed to kickstart the career. Admittedly this is not the music any critic would hold close to their soul, but for the average punter it’s a good tweaking of the creative knobs, with enough perfect lighter-waving chant-alongs for your next Christmas piss-up.

Los Angeles based trio The Ettes take rock music to task and kick it square in the guts. Their sound harkens back to a time when the “girl in rock” wasn’t such a cliché and they seem determined to defy genre expectations. Think Chrissie Hynde jamming with The Raconteurs and you’re halfway there. Singer Coco is cute but tough and gives plenty of soul and grit to the scummiest of the songs. Even their more seductive moments are accompanied by the buzzing guitar swarm of Jem, such as the slinky come-on track ‘You Were There’. Wicked Will weighs in at an economical 32 minutes, leaving a pleasant taste in your mouth and a swagger in your hips. It is a fun album that packs in plenty of fuzzy garage pop treats. Look for lead single ‘Excuse’ on best of 2011 lists everywhere.

Walkin’ Man is a collection of 21 tracks from “Seasick” Steve Wold’s first five albums. Wold has made a name for himself as a purveyor of rough threadbare blues and, arguments of authenticity aside, that’s exactly what he delivers. The real treats come from his hard to find first album Cheap which started it all. Newer cuts such as ‘Diddley Bo’, ‘Treasures’, and ‘Thunderbird’ still sound fresh and genuine. The only song that is notable in its absence is the excellent Nick Cave duet ‘Just Like A King’ but in every other regard the selections are fitting and top notch. It can be hard to get excited about a “best of” from someone only seven years into his recording career. Luckily Wold remains an intriguing character throughout and Walkin’ Man is the best excuse you will ever have to find out what all the fuss is about.

WRITTEN BY TIM GRUAR

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WRITTEN BY RICARDO KERR

Love Part 1 & 2

WRITTEN BY TIM GRUAR

24

especially the cover of bossa nova standard ‘The Girl From Ipanema’. The doo-wop jive of ‘Between The Cheats’ is an authentic-sounding throwback, as is the transformation of her own hit song ‘Tears Dry’ into an even smokier ballad than the original. Things get slightly more modern with her Nas collaboration ‘Like Smoke’ but it still has roots in a prom night shuffle. The truth is that while Lioness is far from an essential album, it is a loving eulogy for one of the 21st century’s most unlikely chart toppers.

grooveguide.co.nz

WRITTEN BY RICARDO KERR

WRITTEN BY RICARDO KERR


KORN-HPHGG-28_11_11_KORN-HPHGG-28_11_11 28/11/2011 17:42 Page 1

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Shit worth watching

on screen Arthur Christmas FILM llll

Let’s face it, last year’s excellent Finnish actioncomedy Rare Exports apart, Christmas movies have been something to dread for sometime now. From the garish ‘family’ comedies Jingle All the Way and Deck the Halls, to the dead-eyed horrors of The Polar Express and the laughterfree zones that were Four

Holidays and Fred Claus, Hollywood’s holiday offerings have been less than joyful or triumphant. Thank little baby Jesus then for Aardman, whose latest computer-animated offering (think Flushed Away rather than Wallace and Gromit) refreshes the old sonof-Santa storyline with both wit and aplomb.

As we’ve come to expect from the brilliant Bristol-based animation experts, the visuals are crisp and clean with an attention to detail that’s both breathtaking and rewarding for those who like to scan the full frame (and these are guys who have never met a visual pun they didn’t like). Likewise, the script is jampacked full of zingers and action – the opening Operation Santa montage a particular highlight – while eagle-eared audience members will catch the cues which homage much-loved blockbusters like Harry Potter and Superman amongst Harry GregsonWilliams’s excellent score. Amongst a universally

impressive vocal cast, Bill Nighy threatens to steal the show as the cantankerous and crafty Grandsanta in a thoroughly entertaining movie that deserves to sleigh audiences both young and old this Yuletide. WRITTEN BY JAMES CROOT, Flicks.co.nz

Further info directed by SARAH SMITH Starring JAMES MCAVOY, JIM BROADBENT, BILL NIGHY

Further info directed by GERAD SMYTH Further info directed by SURE BOURNE

Jig

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When A City Falls

film

film

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lll

The concept is sound enough: follow a handful of contestants of all ages and walks of life to the World Irish Dancing Championships. Here we get to meet some truly exceptional characters, such as the wealthy American parents who relocate to Ireland for their only son’s mind-blowing Irish-dancing talent. Or the Scandinavian couple whose adopted son attempts to find an apology for his birth parents’ abandonment. My favourite is Brogan, whose major competition is Julia, a force to be reckoned with from New York whose parents effortlessly afford the $25,000 dresses and one-on-one training for their scarily determined daughter. Brogan is from Ireland, she’s in the competition for her 26

Starring THE PEOPLE OF CANTERBURY

grooveguide.co.nz

dead grandmother and talks with an affable awareness of life’s vicissitudes in such a way that makes me cry. Although Jig‘s purity does give it a certain something, there are no shifts in gear; we literally watch these kids practice then compete, win or lose. That said, the cast of characters have stuck firmly in my mind and their crazy allure and dedication to what looks like an incredibly complex, demanding and unrewarding (fiscally speaking) art is pretty outstanding. And if you’re interested in show mums and/ or scary trainers who live vicariously through their charges – this doco definitely delivers. WRITTEN BY LILY RICHARDS, Flicks.co.nz

It’s been nine months since one of the biggest natural disasters to ever hit New Zealand. In that time, local media outlets have saturated us with images and issues relating to the Christchurch earthquake, and you could be forgiven for having become a touch desensitised to the whole episode. This documentary differs from that coverage by virtue of its homegrown roots. Made about Cantabrians by a Cantabrian, the sense of tragedy remains but is balanced by footage of the community pulling together and recovering. Whether it be the dry, laconic humour used in coping with the aftermath or witnessing small acts of kindness, there is a great deal of optimism evident. This

sense of hope is an organic and natural response as opposed to a construct of filmmaking technique. The wide range of said interviewees creates an emotional mosaic of the city, although it would have been interesting if the subjects were followed with a little more depth. There are also a few moments when the camera is bordering on invasive. Still, this was a vital moment in our history and needed to be captured for posterity. As time goes on and the Christchurch earthquake becomes a foggy, painful memory, hard evidence such as this will only grow in importance. WRITTEN BY ANDREAS HEINEMANN, Flicks.co.nz


OTHER NEAT SHIT

IF YOU ARE GOING DOWN, TAKE EVERYONE WITH YOU.

ON Screen Did South Park Just Grow Up? THOUGHTS ON THE SCREEN

CATCH .44 At what age do you realise it’s time to grow up? It’s a fair enough question and one that I’ve found myself wanting an answer to. The world is a mess, Europe’s looking like it could collapse, the financial market is the pits and my friends have taken the recent election results personally. But my longing for an answer to the question above didn’t arise from the worldwide worries of financial and social woes. No, the existential question in session came after watching the latest season of South Park. Earlier this year, the show’s creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone gave us a certain episode that touched on the shittiness of the world. Everything is shit. The world is shitty. Your friends are shit, your parents are shit, Adam Sandler isn’t funny and sometimes it’s hard to keep travelling on a brown-brick road. The episode was their seventh of the season and the last before the writers went on their mid-season break. Theories developed as to what the oh-so-overanalysed subtext was in this episode. Was this South Park’s last hurrah? Did Trey and Matt want to finish up? Was this the right time to do so? Should South Park finally grow up? In typical fashion, we were gypped of an answer. To be fair, while character development is excellent in drama it doesn’t have a place in satire. Not really. You want the status quo maintained and the familiarity kept. So the cartoon returned to normal, mocking what it thought needed to be mocked (America’s demise, Wikileaks, Thor, The History Channel,

Agnostics, etc) and chugged right along until the end of its fifteenth season. But after all episodes were shown, I couldn’t help shake the feeling that the question I found after watching this season was one that would stick around. And it has. Call me a cynic and a pessimist. Or call me nihilistic and apathetic. Call me a fanboy who’s reading into his favourite shows too much. But as one who agrees with the South Park creators on ‘most every message they put across, I’m left wanting. At what age do you realise it’s time to grow up? The question and its trigger come full circle – please, read into it too much. Does growing up in the world today mean taking accountability? Does it mean taking a stand for what you believe in? Or does it mean quitting questioning and affirming action? Hell, does it mean you should stop watching cartoons? It’s sad to see South Park losing its way. It’s become less funny, it’s not as satirical as it once was and while it teases character development, it rarely follows through on such promises. Truth be told, it’s been that way for several seasons now. But when you’re making enemies of religions, cults, celebrities, governments, countries and anyone else on your list because you have an outlet where your voice and your opinion can be heard, things are bound to get personal and stories may suffer for that. Is that what growing up is?

Forest Whitaker, Bruce Willis, Malin Akerman, Nikki Reed and Deborah Ann Woll star in the tough, sexy story of three hit women sent to intercept a big money dope deal.

Rent or Buy on Blu-ray & DVD December 15

© 2011 CATCH44 AP LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

from the director of die hard 2 renny harlin

BAsed on ActuAl events

“An amazing war film… hurls you head-on into the warzone.” Zoo magaZine UK

Rent or Buy on Blu-ray & dvd december 15

Written by Kevin Kartun © 2011 IRon LIon FILm PRoDuCTIon InC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Available at all leading retailers


Shit worth BUYING

groove gear Groove Gear is where we cast our eye over top shelf gear. Got some cool shit you want to see on this page? send us an email at gear@grooveguide.co.nz

Hello Sailor By Jay Jays

DAY DIARY

SLIP SLOP AND SLAP THIS SUMMER with style. This sailor hat is sure to rock the boat. WArning, this hat Will probably be ‘borrowed’ at a party and go awol.

By Ruby

This 2012 Diary $19 (Croxley printed day/ page view) is yours to win with one in each colour to give Away on our Facebook anwser a question to be in the chance to win.

jaysjays.com.au $15aud

RRP $19 RUBY.com

ni OFFICERS olli M By

IS TH ER! O FIC RNs T F E EO T H PA T T S R T L O N F LO R A H E A R F F TIO EN D IN AL O T T E C NI ER OA D T S C O V B O TA I T TA N . AU D S PUMP LEAS N A E D. COM ISE ELED EN TH 95 . R REN 9 T 2 ALL GH HE IR EV $1 S T YLERRP ST HI

DREAMY Tee By Titch

MaKe your mark in this Titch tee. The dreamy tee. for those who don’t want to blend in to the background. The Brand Made by humans, designed by kiwi’s. RRP $59.99 titchco.co.nz

SUNDANCE CROCHET FRILL DRESS By Shona Joy

THIS LIGHT AND BREEZY LILAC SUNDANCE DRESS IS PERFECT FOR HOT SUMMER DAYS OR NIGHTS. WEAR CASUALLY WITH SANDALS OR DRESS IT UP WITH A SEXY PAIR OF HEELS AND DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY. DOLLHOUSEXOXO.COM RRP $279

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ENJOY EVERYTHING THAT MAKES SUMMER SO DELECTABLE AND DELICIOUS AS A CRÈME BRULEE. THIS RETRO ‘50s FLASHBACK IS AN IRRESISTIBLE TREAT TO HELP YOURSELF TO.

THIS WILL HAVE YOU DANCING BEYOND IT IN PERFECT STYLE. FEATURES A DEEP V NECK AND CROSS OVER BACK. SHAPING THROUH THE BODICE HELPS DEFINES YOUR WAIST, DEFINITELY A DRESS TO TURN HEADS!

By Creme Brulee

ZODEE.CO.NZ TOP $71.84 BOTTOM $59.86

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grooveguide.co.nz

By Before Sunrise

BIRDSNEST.COM.AU RRP $95


shit we went to

live Photos BIC RUNGA WELLINGTON CATHEDRAL WED 30 NOV PHOTOGRAPHY COURTSEY OF ALEXANDER HALLAG FACEBOOK.COM/THEMUSICISTALKING

PAJAMA CLUB SFBH, WELLINGTON SAT 03 DEC PHOTOGRAPHY COURTSEY OF SHAUN JONES SHAUNJONESPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

COLD CHISEL TSB ARENA, WELLINGTON FRI 02 DEC PHOTOGRAPHY COURTSEY OF ALEXANDER HALLAG FACEBOOK.COM/THEMUSICISTALKING

TIM FINN BODEGA, WELLINGTON FRI 02 DEC PHOTOGRAPHY COURTSEY OF ALEXANDER HALLAG FACEBOOK.COM/THEMUSICISTALKING

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Shit worth counting

Listophile Juice TV’s Alternative Broadcast.

1. Horse Song Bernie Griffen & The Grifters

2. Listen To Us (ft. Tourettes) Home Brew

3. What Else Could They Do Popstrangers

4. Wired I Break Horses

5. Secrets and Lies Street Chant

6. 3rd Eye Badd Energy

7. Devil on Tambourine Bic Runga

8. Cola Elixir OPOSSOM

9. 212 Azealia Banks

10. Natasha Autumn Splendour

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grooveguide.co.nz

Rammstein

2. Black Sheep Gin Wigmore

3. The Walk Mayer Hawthorne

4. Shake it Out Florence and the Machine

5. No Way The Naked & Famous

6. Smash it Zowie

7. Lucky Now Ryan Adams

8. Audio Video Disco Justice

9. Trouble I’m in The Unfaithful Ways

Top 10 Movie Chart

1. Red Dog 2. Immortals 3. Arthur Christmas 4. Drive 5. Contagion 6. The Twilight Saga: Breaking

Dawn Part 1

7. In Time 8. The Whistleblower 9. When A City Falls 10. Beginners

10. Candyman Shimmer The Checks

Alternative Getaways

Annoying Situations

Scary Nightmares

Mix things up this summer

1. When somebody has a problem with cute animal pictures or videos – you didn’t have to look at it, you twerp. 2. Waiting for a bus for 45 minutes then realising you’re 10 cents short of a fare. 3. Running into someone you met a party the next day whose name you can’t remember. 4. Trying to avoid eye contact with “that” person when you’re on the bus/on the train/in some confined space. 5. When people get into a bar straight away and you’ve been waiting in the queue for an hour. 6. Being in Central Auckland at 2am. Sober. 7. Finding out someone you hated based on appearance is really nice. 8. When you wave at someone you know across the road but they don’t see you/ don’t acknowledge you/yell obscenities at you. 9. Not being where you want to be on any given Sunday morning. 10. Michael “The Situation” Sorrentino.

1. Attending a high school reunion where all the good looking people are still better looking than you.

1. The beach – except you camp there. Who needs showering when there’s God’s pool at your feet? 2. The neighbours’ house – all the familiarity with a twinge of freshness. 3. An abandoned building – we’ve all wanted to, right? 4. Your old school – nostalgia party! 5. Your flatmate’s bedroom – a surprisingly evil dick move. 6. A bus – Spice World, anyone? 7. At your lookalike’s house – apparently lookalikes are always super rich and have butlers. 8. The mall – just make sure Kevin James doesn’t come after you. He’s dedicated to mall security. 9. The zoo – just make sure Kevin James doesn’t come after you. He’s dedicated to zoo security. 10. Adam Sandler’s house – just make sure Kevin James doesn’t come after you. He’s dedicated to Adam Sandler’s security.

30

1. Mein Land

2. Experiencing the end of the world and you can’t get hold of John Cusack because you’re out of credit. 3. Being attacked by a possum while explaining the different Marvel universes to a pretty girl who really seems like she’s interested in it. 4. Having a staring competition with an owl and if you lose it gets to stare at you for the rest of your life. 5. Falling from a plane and not actually waking up when you hit the ground, but falling right through into purgatory and for some reason the only way to get into heaven is to guess what the next card will be as it magically floats above the blue lava pit while you’re waiting in the heaven-or-hell queue, and you guessed that one of them was the green seven of spades but it wasn’t your turn.




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