Hunter Post That's Entertainment 29 April

the hunter post

THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT PROUDLY INDEPENDENT

WED 29 APR 2015

Andrew Strong Wendy Matthews + Gig Guide

The lexicon of rock and roll

Printed on 100% recycled paper

The Angels

WHAT'S ON Unforgiven

Saturday, 8.30pm • GEM This beautifully shot and uncompromising western, is arguably the best thing Clint Eastwood has ever done - both behind and in front of the camera. Eastwood stars as retired gunslinger William Munny who reluctantly takes on one last job. With even more reluctance he must partner up with a young man and to claim a $1000 reward for killing two cowboys.

Billie Holiday Lady Day: The Master Takes & Singles Out Now

There’s little denying that Billie Holiday is one of the most influential singers, of any genre in this history of popular music, and given that this year marks the 100th anniversary of her birth, this exhaustive collection is the perfect place to start your love affair with the great singer.

This 4CD/79 track set collects highlights from Billie Holiday’s 1933-1944 tenure on Columbia Records and is also accompanied by an incisive essay by Village Voice critic Gary Giddins, which provides context to those unfamiliar with Holiday’s story. Music-wise, though, these tracks sound as vibrant and important as they ever did with standouts being the hauntingly beautiful Billie’s Blues and her stark rendition of the Ray Charles standard Georgia On My Mind.

Wild Card Out Now RATED MA

While Jason Statham largely confines himself to B-movie action fare, there is something about him that lifts the majority of his films out of that glut and into a much more watchable realm. Nick Wild (Statham) is a Las Vegas bodyguard with lethal professional skills and a gambling problem. When a friend is beaten by a sadistic thug, Nick strikes back, only to find out the thug is the son of a mob boss.

Voyager

Saturday, May 23 • Factory Theatre, Marrickville Arguably at the forefront of prog metal in this country, Perth’s Voyager (pictured) are busting out of their home city for a national tour next month to celebrate the launch of the video for their track Seasons of Age, taken from the band’s critically acclaimed 2014 set V. The album has been kicking some serious goals, both here and abroad, and upon its release, V landed in the top ten of practically every media outlets ‘year’s end’ list for 2014. A powerful and melodic feast for the senses, it is a bold and dramatic statement that has caused music wags across the globe to scramble for superlatives.

Joining Voyager throughout the tour, is brooding French alt-heavyweights, Klone who’s latest album, Here Comes The Sun, has just enjoyed an Australian release.

Klone are another French success story having toured with Gojira and Orphaned Land several times, are regulars on Hellfest, France’s biggest metal festival and will be playing Euroblast festival in later in the year.

If you like a bit of power and majesty with your metal, then you’d do well to check out Voyager and Klone.

HAPPY HEXHAM

Hexh am Bo wling

Cl ub

Home to Ossie the Mossie

FRIDAY 29TH MAY Doors open 7:30pm • Show starts 8:00pm Tickets: $25.00 Adults $15 Children (14 yrs & Younger)

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Wednesday 29 April 2015 « the hunter post

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MUSIC

the hunter post » Wednesday 29 April 2015

Rock’s A to Z STEPHEN BISSET

T

ake A Long Line, No Exit, After The Rain, Marseille, Shadowboxer, No Secrets, Versailles, Face the Day. There’s no denying that seminal Aussie pub rockers, The Angels, have a litany of hits. An alphabet of them, in fact.

It would make sense then that the band have hit the road on what they are calling the A to Z tour - a run that will see them dig out 26 tracks from their immense catalogue, one for each letter of the alphabet.

Guitarist Rick Brewster told TE that the idea had been kicking around in the camp for a little while and after two barnburning sets at Sydney’s Bridge Hotel, earlier this year to launch the tour, they knew the concept definitely had legs.

“It was an idea that had been suggested to us a little while ago and, like the fools that we are, we agreed to it,” he laughed.

“Those two shows at the Bridge were just fantastic - a real electric atmosphere.

It was full of hardcore fans who sang along with every word and the band was on fire - we can’t wait to take this show to the rest of the country.”

Brewster said that, while they had most of the alphabet covered with their catalogue, there was one letter that had them stumped.

“We were going through it all and we realised that we didn’t have a song for Z, though, so we decided to work up a version of La Grange by ZZ Top, so we are cheating a little bit.”

The track in question, released as a B-side to a brilliant re-working of arguably their best-known tune Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again is arguably better than the original - yet another testament to a band that has still got plenty of life in it yet.

“The funny thing about the song is that after I heard Dave sing it I went back and listened to the original and realised that I never really noticed all of those low gravelly notes that he was doing. He did a bloody good job on it.”

After the Angels’ inimitable frontman Doc Neeson passed away in 2014 after a protracted battle with brain cancer, it seemed that would spell the end of the band as well. However, Newcastle- born Dave Gleeson stepped into the breach and, while he is in no way trying to imitate Neeson’s iconic style and delivery, brings his own brand of formidable rock and roll swagger to proceedings leaving one to wonder if there was anyone aside from

We realised that we didn’t have a song for Z, so we decided to work up a version of La Grange by ZZ Top, so we are cheating a little bit the Screaming Jets frontman that could fill the slot.

“Dave is just an unbelievable frontman,” Brewster said.

“He’s been involved with us for four years now and we couldn’t be happier he’s not just a fill-in, he’s definitely one of us. Right from the start you could see that he was a big fan of the songs and the way he delivers them is just great. He’s probably the best frontman in the country.”

Since Gleeson has joined the fold, the band certainly haven’t looked back,

releasing two stunning records Talk the Talk and Take It To the Streets and undertaking a touring schedule that many bands years their junior would cower at.

“It’s just how we always did it - getting out there on the road as much as possible so that’s what we’re going to keep doing we all still absolutely love playing live so what’s the point of stopping now? So, this year, for example, we did the run with Billy Idol and Cheap Trick for the Day on the Green Shows, we’ve got this tour and after it wraps up, we’re heading over to London, Paris and Sweden to play at the Sweden Rock Festival so there’s still plenty of life left in the Angels yet.”

While they are still obviously willing to doff their caps to their formidable legacy, Brewster said the Angels in 2015 were definitely a band looking forward.

“It’s a really exciting time for us now,” he said.

“We’re having a ball on the road and we’re always writing, writing, writing and planning what we’re doing next we’re working on some new stuff at the moment too, so it’s definitely all happening.”

Catch the Angels when they bring their A to Z tour to Belmont 16s on Friday, May 22. Tickets are $75 (dinner and show) or $40 (show only) and are available via www.16s.com.au

Wednesday 29 April 2015 « the hunter post

4 SEND YOUR FREE ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS FOR THE GUIDE TO:

stephen.bisset@newcastlepost.com.au or phone 4032 8373

ANNA BAY TAVERN: Saturday, Vanderaa Duo. AUSTRALIA HOTEL, Cessnock: Saturday, Purple Hearts.

AVOCA BEACH BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Open Fire; Saturday, D’Lish.

BAR 121: Thursday, Jam Night; Friday, Just Jace; Saturday, Pacefaint.

BEACHCOMBER HOTEL: Sunday, Jacinta.

BEAUFORD HOTEL: Saturday, Troy.

BELMONT 16s: Friday, Roadhouse Rockers; Saturday, The Rumour; Sunday, Rich and Famous.

BELMONT HOTEL: Friday, DJ; Saturday, Arley Black; Sunday, Brenton Williams.

BERESFIELD BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Code Red; Saturday, The Years; Sunday, Red Dirt Country band feat Alby Pool.

BLACKBUTT HOTEL: Saturday, The V Dubs; Sunday, Zane Penn.

BRADFORD HOTEL: Friday, The Hepburns; Saturday, Reg Sinclair; Sunday, Jackson Halliday.

BUDGEWOI SOCCER CLUB: Saturday, Cover 2 Cover.

CAMBRIDGE HOTEL: Wednesday, Clint Boge; Saturday, The Punk Rock Hillbilly (Album launch); Tuiesday, Silverstein, Dream on Dreamer, Young Lions, Taken By Force, Fingers Crossed.

CANTON BEACH SPORTS CLUB: Friday, Back 2 Rock; Saturday, Red Sweat.

CARDIFF RSL: Friday, Arley Black; Saturday, Bounce.

CATHO PUB: Sunday, Revolver.

CAVES BEACHSIDE HOTEL:Friday, The Rub; Saturday, 1927, Greg Bryce.

CBD HOTEL: Friday, Makaylie; Saturday, Gen X. CENTRAL HOTEL, Stroud: Saturday, Mark Lee. CESSNOCK HOTEL: Saturday, Formula.

CHARLESTOWN BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Iguana.

CLARENDON HOTEL: Friday, Kylie Jane; Saturday, Lauren Arms.

CLUB AZZURRI: Sunday, Latinova.

CLUB LEMON TREE: Friday, Mardmax; Saturday, Stephen Boyd.

COAST HOTEL, Budgewoi: Friday, Trataka.

COLLIERY INN: Friday, Karaoke; Saturday, Pete Sneddon; Sunday, Live Music.

COUNTRY CLUB HOTEL: Friday, Soundabout; Saturday, Howard Shearman, The Hepburns; Sunday, The Piranha Brothers.

CRITERION HOTEL, Carrington: Friday, Howard Shearman; Sunday, Kim. CUSTOMS HOUSE: Wednesday, Matteo Verde;

THE CRUISERS EAST MAITLAND BOWLING CLUB SATURDAY, MAY 2

Cruisin for a good time Fifteen years ago the name The Cruisers was synonymous with songs like Tutti Frutti and Livin’ Doll.

Today they are known as a powerful outfit that delivers musical diversity like few others.

Dedication to providing a consistent performance visually and aurally is the reason The Cruisers are continually requested by venues and have built up a solid fan base that follow them wherever they go. Whilst their repertoire still encompasses songs from the 50’s, their passion for learning new material allows the band to constantly turn

Friday, Lauren Arms; Saturday, Jon T; Sunday, Chris Phillips.

D’ALBORA MARINA: Sunday, Ben Travis.

DOYALSON RSL: Friday, Venus 2; Saturday, Diversity.

EAST MAITLAND BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Jumpin Jukebox; Saturday, The Cruisers; Sunday, Matt McLaren.

EDGEWORTH SPORT AND REC: Saturday, Karaoke; Sunday, Raff.

EDGEWORTH TAVERN: Friday/Saturday, Live Bands.

EXCHANGE HOTEL: Friday, 4 Letter Word; Saturday, Flying Mare.

FAMILY HOTEL: Friday, Reg Sinclair.

GATESHEAD TAVERN: Friday, Brazillian Brothers; Sunday, 2 Funky.

GEORGE TAVERN: Friday, Mick Jones; Saturday,

over songs from all eras and include current hits.

Featuring the talents of Chris Bailey, Chris Mudge, Dario Rossi and Peter Cairns, the Cruisers’ repertoire extends to over 80 songs that can be played at a moment’s notice, which is impressive given their commitment to learning at least one new song each week.

So, come along and see what all the fuss is about and enjoy timeless hits from; The Beatles, Creedence Clearwater Revival and T-Rex as well as current material from Bon Jovi, John Mayer and Keith Urban.

Mardmax.

GRAND HOTEL: Tuesday, Jazz.

GRETA WORKERS CLUB: Friday, Entertainment.

GUNYAH HOTEL: Friday, Ngariki; Saturday, Third Creek; Sunday, Jon Schatz.

GWANDALAN BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Earthbound.

HALEKULANI BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Malihini’s Over 30s Nightspot.

HAMILTON STATION HOTEL: Thursday, Madhouse DJs; Friday/Saturday., Karaoke.

HARRIGANS IRISH PUB: Friday, Twinsanity Trio; Saturday, John Larder, Money for Snuggles; Sunday, Tangled Up. HEXHAM BOWLING CLUB: Saturday, Emil.

HONEYSUCKLE HOTEL: Thursday - Sunday, Live Entertainment.

HOTEL DELANY: Wednesday, AdzDrumz; Friday,

GenR8, Jon T, DJ Surian; Saturday, Loose Bazooka.

HOTEL JESMOND: Friday, Sundays Record; Saturday, The Levymen.

HOTEL PREMIER: Friday, Bec Willis.

JEWELLS TAVERN: Saturday, Viagro.

KENT HOTEL: Saturday, Rubber Bullet.

KOTARA BOWLING CLUB: Saturday, Twinsanity Trio.

KING STREET HOTEL: Friday, Cloud Control DJs, Urby; Saturday, Other Ideas; Sunday, Any Given Sunday.

KURRI BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Damien Rounce.

LAKE MACQUARIE TAVERN: Friday, Pete Hibbert; Saturday, Hayden Johns.

LAKE MACQUARIE YACHT CLUB: Saturday, The Bad and the Ugly; Sunday, Bernie Ayrton.

LASS O’GOWRIE HOTEL: Thursday, creative Ceatures Open mic Night; Friday/Saturday/ Sunday, Live Bands.

LIZOTTE’S NEWCASTLE: Wednesday, Laura Grieve, melody Feder, Jess Holland, Katrina Burgoyne; Thursday, Microwave Jenny, Tegan Wiseman, Hannah Robinson; Friday, Wendy Matthews, Ashleigh Grace; Saturday, Mahalia

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TRES HOMBRES ROYAL FEDERAL HOTEL FRIDAY, MAY 1

The three amigos Playing all the hits from the 60s through to the naughties, local outfit Tres Hombres are three seriously rockin’ hombres.

You can find Tres Hombres doing anything from grooving on some funky blues tunes from the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and ZZ Top, rocking out to some hard rock classics from the likes of Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, AC/DC and KISS, or keeping the crowd pumping along to the latest radio hits.

With years of experience in bands and duos throughout Newcastle and the Central Coast, the three hombres all bring with them a wealth of experience and professionalism, sure to have you grooving the night away.

Tres Hombres are three genuine, down to earth guys that are always professional and always bring 100 per cent, no matter the gig.

If you are looking to get down with some groovy tunes and raunchy rock, Tres Hombres is the band for you!

MARDMAX GEORGE TAVERN, FRIDAY, MAY 1

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RED DIRT COUNTRY BAND with Special Guest Artist

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SHAFT TAVERN: Friday, Moonlight Drive.

SHOAL BAY RESORT: Saturday, Howard Shearman SHORTLAND HOTEL: Friday, Zane Penn.

SOLDIERS POINT BOWLING CLUB: Saturday, Deborah Sinclair.

SPINNING WHEEL HOTEL, Raymond Terrace: Sunday, Free Jukebox.

STAG AND HUNTER: Friday/Saturday, Live Entertainment.

STOCKTON BOWLING CLUB: Friday/Saturday/ Sunday, Live Music.

STOCKTON RSL: Saturday, Voodoo Rhythm Shakers.

SWANSEA HOTEL: Friday, Mike Horbacz SWANSEA RSL: Saturday, La Bomba Duo. TELARAH BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Karaoke.

THE POURHOUSE, Maitland: Saturday, Liam Gray.

TILLIGERRY RSL: Thursday, Mick Jones; Friday, Outerphase; Sturday, Ben Woodham.

TORONTO DIGGERS: Friday, Emile; Saturday, Franky and Johnny.

TORONTO HOTEL: Friday, Rock Factor.

TORONTO ROYAL MOTOR YACHT CLUB: Sunday, Kelly Hope.

TORONTO WORKERS CLUB: Saturday, Kadence.

WALLARAH BAY REC CLUB: Friday, Cover 2 Cover; Saturday, Soul Station.

WANGI HOTEL: Sunday, Kirsty Larkin.

WANGI RSL: Thursday, Kids’ Disco; Sunday, Loose Change.

WESTS NEW LAMBTON PIANO LOUNGE: Wedensday, Frank Wakewood; Thursday, Angamus; Friday, Warren Hunter; Saturday, Stuart Hamilton; Monday, Ben Hanley; Tuesday, Terence Koo. WESTS NEW LAMBTON MARBLE BAR: Friday, The Smarts; Saturday, The Gaudreys.

WESTS NEW LAMBTON STARLIGHT ROOM: Wednesday, The Buddy Holly Show.

WEST WALLSEND WORKERS CLUB: Friday, The Steves.

WICKHAM PARK HOTEL: Friday, The Years; Saturday, Dreamcatchers, Phase III; Sunday, The Bad and the Ugly, Mark Wells Band.

WYONG BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Change Duo; Saturday, Red Alert.

WYONG LEAGUES CLUB: Friday, The Cover Up; Saturday, The Phoenix.

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Barnes; Sunday, Bella Voce LONG JETTY HOTEL: Saturday, Kirsty Larkin; Sunday, Open Mic with Casho.

MAITLAND PARK BOWLING CLUB: Saturday, Maryanne Rex. MARY ELLEN: Friday, Love That Hat; Saturday, Janey’s Alibi Duo; Sunday, Damien.

MARYVILLE TAVERN: Saturday, Troy Kemp.

MATTARA HOTEL: Friday, Kelly Hope; Saturday, Disco and Karaoke.

MAVERICKS ON THE BAY: Friday, Jon Schatz; Saturday, Pistol Pete; Sunday, Karen O’Shea.

MAYFIELD HOTEL: Thursday, Karaoke.

MEREWETHER SURF HOUSE: Sunday, Howard Sherman, Kylie Jane.

MJ FINNEGANS: Friday, DJs; Saturday, Midnight Mojo, DJs. MOONSHADOW CRUISES, Nelson Bay: Saturday, Karen O’Shea.

NAGS HEAD: Saturday, Redline..

NORTHERN STAR HOTEL: Friday, Thomas Blake; Saturday, Allon.

OLD PUB, Woy Woy: Saturday, Tres Hombres.

ORANA HOTEL: Friday, Steve Edmonds; Saturday, Live Bands.

PEDENS, Cessnock: Friday, Ian Henry; Saturday, Glam Slam.

PELICAN RSL: Saturday, Live Entertainment.

PIPPI’S AT THE POINT: Friday, Kim, Freetones Duo; Saturday, Hey Poncho; Sunday, Makaylie.

PLOUGH INN: Friday, Chrissie Pearce.

POTTERS BREWERY: Friday, Troy.

PRINCE OF WALES: Friday, Brown Bear and Hooves; Saturday, Bel Enks; Sunday, Sundays Record Duo, Beatnik Deejays.

QUEENS WHARF HOTEL: Friday, AQWA; Saturday, Zak Mason, Jon T, DJ Sean Michael; Sunday, Luke Pittman, Timmy Coffey, Perry Carter.

RACECOURSE HOTEL: Friday, Brooke Harvey; Saturday, Michael Mills.

RAILWAY HOTEL, Cessnock: Saturday, Tiali; Sunday, Katrina Burgoyne.

REGAL HOTEL, Kurri: Saturday, Duplexity.

RIVER ROYAL, Morpeth: Friday, Troy Kemp.

ROYAL CROWN: Saturday, Mick Jones.

ROYAL FEDERAL: Friday, Tres Hombres ROYAL HOTEL, Denman: Saturday, Full Throttle.

ROYAL HOTEL, Singleton: Sunday, Tiali.

ROYAL INN, Waratah: Saturday, Kim. RUTHERFORD HOTEL: Saturday, Zac and Ben. SALAMANDER SHORES: Friday, Damien.

SEVEN SEAS: Friday, The Rockwells; Saturday, Mick Boogaard.

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the hunter post » Wednesday 29 April 2015

29.4-5.5.2015

The best gigs in your area!

Wednesday 29 April 2015 « the hunter post

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MUSIC

Destination Newcastle STEPHEN BISSET

W

hen Andrew Strong, and his prodigious pipes, signed on to play long- haired and mutton-chopped front man Deco Cuffe in the Alan Parker- helmed film The Commitments - he knew that there was a fair amount of gold in those pages, but never imagined, as a fresh- faced 16- year- old, the film would become the cult behemoth it eventually did let alone being voted the best Irish film of all time.

“It was a pretty amazing experience,” Strong told TE. “No one involved really had any idea about what we had on our hands, especially me. I was 16 at the time and the last thing on my mind was having a film career.

“I was living in America at the time the film was released in the UK so it was quite surreal coming back and seeing the reaction to the film.”

Now, 24 years after the film about the eponymous Irish soul band that

could, and based on a short story by Roddy Doyle, was released, demand for the Commitments and their modern renditions of soul classics from the likes of Wilson Pickett, Sam and Dave, Little Milton and Aretha Franklin is still extremely high - a fact sure to be on full display when Strong brings his Commitments show to Newcastle in celebration of the film’s 22-year milestone.

While the rest of the original Commitments band will not be joining Strong, he said the eight-piece band he will be bringing with him is quite a formidable soul outfit and that all of the Commitments territory will be covered in the show.

While Strong says the film’s success still takes him by surprise, he put it down to the fact that it was full of relatable songs and characters.

“The music was really honest music and they were already classics by the time we got around to doing them.

Also, I really think people, particularly in Ireland, related to the struggle of the band. Ireland was a pretty bleak place to be at the time, the economy was quite screwed up and the working class were trying really hard to make ends meet - I

guess the movie just made people feel good, which is what soul is all about.

“It still has this underground cult thing happening which I’ll be forever grateful for. I still have kids come up to

me calling me Deco and they weren’t even born when the film came out.

Catch Andrew Strong at the Burwood Colliery Bowling Club on Saturday, May 9.

EastsEasts

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MUSIC

STEPHEN BISSET

W

endy Matthews may’ve been in the music biz for more than 30 years, but she is just as passionate about performing now than she ever was.

“It’s basically all I’ve ever done since I was 15 years old,” Matthews told TE. “It really has been a lifelong journey for me and one where I’ve never stopped learning.

“It can be both really, really good and also quite frightening in equal parts but it’s just something that I can’t imagine myself not doing - it’s something that’s quite intangible and hard to explain, but it’s definitely there.”

Matthews will be heading our way this weekend to give Novocastrians a taste of her latest album and first set of original tunes since 2001’s Beautiful View, The Welcome Fire.

On her new album Matthews has written songs with a range of top songwriters including Megan Washington and her producer John Castle,

Brisbane - based singer songwriter Mark Sholtez, Gina Jeffrey’s producer and husband Rod McCormack and US singer songwriter Kim Richey and Josh Pyke - the result being an eclectic yet beautifully realised collection of adult contemporary pop that has caused more than one critic to declare the album a career-best.

Matthews said, given the fact that this is the first album where she has had a hand in writing every track, the reception it had been getting since its release was even sweeter.

“I am really happy with the way it has been received,” she said.

“When you’re in that bubble of recording you never really know, but one of the things that comes with age, especially in music, is the ability to not give a crap about what anyone thinks, so for me it was more about getting in there and making the best album that I could.”

With the album still kicking many goals around the traps, the Token Angels and The Day You Went Away singer said she was now looking toward the next project.

“It’s funny because after talking to you about original music, my next project is

the hunter post » Wednesday 29 April 2015

Three decades of quality

going to be an EP of Billy Holiday songs that is due for release sometime this year which I’ll also be taking out on the road.

It’s been such fun working on those songs

and also quite a challenge, but challenging yourself is what it’s all about.”

Catch Wendy Matthews at Lizotte’s on Friday, May 1.

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