the lake macquarie post
ThaT’s ha ’sEnTErTainm haT EnTErTainmEnT T EnT Tainm PROUDLY INDEPENDENT
wED 4 MAR 2015
Jake Shimabukuro
Ukulele’s time
Printed on 100% recycled paper
Chad Morgan Dan Sultan Morgan Evans Gig Guide
Wednesday 4 March 2015 « the newcastle post
2
WHAT'S ON Forrest Gump
Friday, 8.30pm • Prime 7 Despite the fact there is more mawkish schmaltz here than you can poke a stick at, some great performances from Tom Hanks, Gary Sinise and Sally Field save this Robert Zemeckis-helmed flick from being total sentimental dreck. Forrest leads a charmed life and is present for many historic events. But he never forgets his true love Jenny.
Clowns Bad Blood Out Now
With a roster that includes such varied bands as the Smith Street Band, Harmony, Luca Brasi, the Bennies, et al, it seems Melbourne label Poison City can do little wrong. A statement well and truly backed up by this absolute rip-snorter of a record from their newest signing Clowns. From rollicking rock and roll riffs to scuzzed-out skater punk and full-on, fist-in-the-air hardcore, Bad Blood is one of the most exciting punk records to come out of Australia for quite some time. There is a lot of chaos going on here, particularly in the 11-minute closing opus Human Terror. But the rub is that there is also a certain amount of thought and, more importantly, musicianship mixed in with all the punk rawk. A winner of a record.
Jesus Jones
Saturday, March 14 • Factory Theatre, Marrickville. If UK music tastemaker mags like Vox, Select and NME were high on your list of essential reading in the 1990s then you will be pleased to learn that Jesus Jones are heading to Sydney to play their groundbreaking record Doubt. They were part of the 90s’ grebo scene (a scene that pre-dated brit-pop and one that was typified by a blend of indie rock, hip-hop and electronica, and stylistically by dreadlocks, fluro and baggy trousers ) that also included the likes of Pop Will Eat Itself, EMF, the Shamen, Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine and Ned’s Atomic Dustbin. Jesus Jones have long been considered one of the breakout indie bands of the mid-90s thanks to such mammoth hits as Right Here, Right Now, Real Real Real and International Bright Young Thing. Formed in Wiltshire in 1988, Jesus Jones pioneered a hybrid of styles including house, techno and indie rock, indicative of what was going on in the UK music and skate scenes at the time. Their second album Doubt embraced these latest sounds and, along with frontman Mike Edwards’ lyrics of hope and optimism, the album shot to the top of the UK charts.
John Wick Out Now RATED MA
Keanu Reeves stars in this hyperviolent neo-noir which is very predictable but the film’s execution is good, with the many action sequences filmed with methodical precision rather than a frenzied lens. Reeves plays Wick, a onetime mafia hitman, who after the death of his wife has only two things he cares about; his car and a puppy given to him by his wife.
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the newcastle post » Wednesday 4 March 2015
SHORTCUTS
3
Wednesday March 4
• BONEZ (SYD) BAREFOOT ALLEY (QLD) • FROM 9PM IN THE FRONT BAR Thursday March 5
• SPENCER SCOTT BOOTS PORTER AUDIE, ALEX MARTIN • FROM 9PM IN THE FRONT BAR Friday March 6
• LIVE IT UP KARAOKE • FROM 9.30PM IN THE FRONT BAR Saturday March 7
Jump on the mic at Bar 121 With open mic nights popping up across the region at a rate of knots, there’s no denying that burgeoning musical talent has ample opportunity to thrive in Newcastle. Case in point is the regular Thursday night Jam Night at Bar 121 in Lambton. Hosted by Newcastle music stalwart Ty Penshorn (pictured), the Jam Night has been running for around 18 months now, and as Penshorn told TE, it has gone from strength to strength. “It’s been going really well,” he said. “You never know who is going to turn up - we’ve had professional touring musicians and Nashville recording artists [Erica Sunshine Lee] turn up and we’ve even had a ukulele-playing Paul Hogan look-alike from Stockton who drives an ambulance.” The concept is simple, turn up, put
your name down and do your thing solo or in band mode - backed by the Jam Night house band. “There are a few different open mics around and I wanted to start one that basically had no rules except getting up there and having a great time - anything can happen,” he said. Publican Brett McGovern said aside from giving up-and-comers a chance to air their talents, the night provided a forum for local musos to network, thus fostering a sense of community within the scene. “Music is something that Ty and I are both passionate about and the Jam Night also gives musos a chance to get together and swap stories, network, buy and sell gear and basically have a good time.” The Jam Night kicks off at 7.30pm every Thursday night at Bar 121.
Born to play Bon Jovi Bon Jovi will be remembered as one of the world’s biggest rock bands, with fans the world over flocking to their concerts for their high energy rock anthems, powerful ballads and Jon Bon Jovi’s charismatic and passionate performances. Born Jovi is a tribute show that well and truly encapsulates all of the above. Once the cast was chosen, they quickly set about recreating every
aspect of the band’s live performance, analysing every detail of the music from the vocal harmonies and soaring guitars to the powerful rhythms and infectious melodies. You Give Love a Bad Name, Livin’ on a Prayer, Dead or Alive, Keep the Faith - you know the songs, now get along to this mammoth show. Catch Born Jovi at Edgeworth Sport and Rec Club on Friday, March 6.
• LIVE IT UP KARAOKE • FROM 9.30PM IN THE FRONT BAR • JESS LOCKE, ADELINE PINESS OBSCURA HAIL, GRACE TURNERR • FROM 9.30PM IN THE BAND ROOM Sunday Mrach 8
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Wednesday 4 March 2015 « the newcastle post
4
MUSIC
Uke master STEPHEN BISSET
I
f ever there was an instrument that had been consistently denied its dues, it would be the ukulele. This little, unassuming instrument has largely been relegated to the realm of the novel or kitsch in popular music, thanks to the likes of
Tiny Tim. However, the “little instrument that could” has undergone a bit of a resurgence in recent years, with community ukulele groups popping up all over the shop and the likes of Eddie Vedder realising the instrument’s potential. There is one man, though, whose passion for and ability on the ukulele is dragging the instrument out of the novelty song doldrums and making people finally sit up and take the instrument seriously, and that man is Hawaiian virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro. In the country for the Byron Bay Bluesfest in April, Shimabukuro has been credited as almost single-handedly redefining the instrument, drawing comparisons to the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis. He will be making a welcome return to Lizotte’s next month; a proposition the affable Hawaiian told TE he couldn’t wait to sink his teeth into. “That place, aside from being an amazing place to play, has such amazing food; I think I put on about ten pounds the last time I was there,” he laughed. “I just love Australia though because it has a very similar laid-back island lifestyle that I am so familiar with, coming from Hawaii. I wasn’t able to get down there last year so I can’t wait to get back.” Shimabukuro has been quite well known in his native Hawaii, and to those in the know, since releasing his debut album, Sunday Morning, in 2002, after some healthy YouTube traffic (check out the video of his rendition of the George Harrison/Beatles classic While My Guitar Gently Weeps, which has had more than 13 million views). He hit the stratosphere with his ninth album, Peace, Love, Ukulele, taking the number-one spot on the Billboard charts, causing Pearl Jam frontman Vedder to proclaim that “Jake is taking the instrument to a place that I can’t see anybody
else catching up with him”. High praise indeed. But it seems Shimabukuro has taken his unassuming instrument to yet another level with his latest album, Grand Ukulele. Not only did he manage to enlist the help of production guru Alan Parsons - the man behind the desks during Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of The Moon sessions - for the album, he managed to teach the uber producer a thing or two as well. “Working with Alan was just phenomenal,” he said. “He’s just got so many brilliant ideas for arrangements and, basically, the way he arranged the mics in the studio, it was the first time that I felt the mics capturing what I hear when I play. “Also, it was the first time Alan had ever recorded a ukulele, if you can believe that, so it was a bit of a learning curve for him as well.” Despite having collaborated with Parsons and other musical heavyweights such as Jimmy Buffett, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Bette Midler, Yo-Yo Ma, Levon Helm and Les Paul, Shimabukuro said one of his greatest musical highlights had a decidedly Australian bent. “Obviously performing with people like Yo-Yo Ma is just a phenomenal experience and one that I will definitely remember forever, but one of my favourites will always be Tommy Emmanuel,” he said. “Tommy and I toured all over Europe, the US and Japan together and we had such a great time. He is such a brilliant guitar player and just being able to watch his technique was a real honour.” Shimabukuro, who was given his first ukulele at four, said he thought the reason the ukulele was becoming popular was because of the democratic nature of the instrument. “There are no egos with the ukulele,” he said. “It’s a really social instrument and I think that it’s great because you don’t really have to be a musician to play the thing. It’s such a simple instrument to play I think that people aren’t as intimidated to approach it as they might be with a guitar or a piano. “There is just something about the sound a ukulele produces that just grabs you right away and makes you smile.” Catch Jake Shimabukuro at Lizotte’s on Sunday, April 5.
“It’s a really social instrument . . . you don’t have to be a musician to play the thing.”
5
COUNTRY
the newcastle post » Wednesday 4 March 2015
Chad is still scrubbing up STEPHEN BISSET
W
hen it comes to country music icons, but also names that are entwined within the fabric of Australian popular culture, you would be hardpressed to find someone as qualified as Chad Morgan. Since hitting the airwaves as an eventual finalist on the radio talent quest Australia’s Amateur Hour with his signature tune The Sheik of Scrubby Creek in 1952, Morgan has been trailblazing his way around Australia with his unique and endearing blend of vaudeville-inspired country (thanks in no small part to those trademark teeth) and true Australian storytelling in the vein of the great bush balladeers such as Henry Lawson and Banjo Paterson. One of the original Australian country music pioneers, Morgan was dubbed the “clown prince of comedy” by Slim Dusty. And at 82 years of age, Morgan is showing no signs of slowing down, as Hunter fans will discover when he hits the region next week for two special shows.
He will be playing at Windale Gateshead Bowling Club (which fittingly sits on the banks of our own Scrubby Creek) before heading up to Cessnock to perform at the unveiling of the Reg Lindsay memorial statue at East Cessnock Bowling Club. “It’s just great to be heading up your way,” Morgan told TE. “I think it was around 2000 the last time I was in Windale, it’s a great little club and, of course, right near Scrubby Creek. “Also, being able to take part in celebrating Reg Lindsay is a big honour for me. He was a great mate of mine for a lot of years and a true Australian country music pioneer.” Morgan, who has released more than 40 albums, said it was the fans who have kept him so passionate about writing and performing after all these years. “My fans are just such nice people and it’s always great to be able to get out there and meet them in person, so that’s definitely why I keep doing it. Also, it’s one of the greatest things in the world to see generations of fans coming through, people asking for a photo with me because their grandparents had one taken with
me years ago, and singing along to all the songs with me. It’s just great. “Basically because I’ve been doing this for so many years now, Australia has become a bit like my backyard and I love spending time in the backyard.”
Catch Chad Morgan at the Windale Gateshead Bowling Club on Saturday, March 7, and at the unveiling of the Reg Lindsay memorial at East Cessnock Bowling Club on Sunday, March 8.
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Wednesday 4 March 2015 « the newcastle post
6 SEND YOUR FREE ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS FOR THE GUIDE TO:
stephen.bisset@newcastlepost.com.au or phone 4032 8373
ABSOLUTE THAI: Saturday, Dynamite. ANNA BAY TAVERN: Saturday, Open Fire AUSTRALIA HOTEL, Cessnock: Saturday, Duncan Woods. AVOCA BEACH BOWLING CLUB: Friday, D’Lish Duo; Saturday, Daxton. BATEAU BAY HOTEL: Friday, The Bad and the Ugly. BAR 121: Thursday, Jam Night with Ty Penshorn; Friday, Dave Owen; Saturday, The Years. BAR PETITE: Friday, Dean Kyrwood; Saturday, Little Black Book; Sunday, HP Duo. BEACHCOMBER HOTEL: Saturday, Allstar; Sunday, Ben Woodham. BEAUFORD HOTEL: Saturday, Cathy Cannon. BELMONT 16s: Wednesday, Kel-Anne Brandt; Friday, matchbox; Saturday, The Snape Brothers; Sunday, Stephen Cheney. BELMORE HOTEL: Friday, Zac and Ben; Saturday, Tres Hombres. BERESFIELD BOWLING CLUB: Friday, The Smarts; Saturday, GenR8; Sunday, Red Dirt Country Band. BLACKBUTT HOTEL: Friday, The V Dubs; Saturday, Phonic Trio. BRADFORD HOTEL: Friday, Troy Kemp; Saturday, Loose Bazooka. BUDGEWOI SOCCER CLUB: Saturday, Ravens Duo. CAMBRIDGE HOTEL: Friday, Kingswood; Saturday, Drunken Assassins, Queens of Noise. CANTON BEACH SPORTS CLUB: Friday, Shaun Lidster; Saturday, Sundown Duo. CARDIFF RSL: Saturday, Gen X. CATHO PUB: Sunday, Eye On You. CAVES BEACHSIDE HOTEL: Friday, Jamie Martens; Saturday, Stephen Boyd. CENTRAL CHARLESTOWN LEAGUES CLUB: Friday, Gareth Hudson; Saturday, Hayden Johns. CENTRAL HOTEL, Stroud: Saturday, The Bad and the Ugly. CESSNOCK LEAGUES CLUB: Friday, The Andy Show; Saturday, 2 Good Reasons. CLARENDON HOTEL: Friday, Jerome; Saturday, Kim. CLUB AZZURRI: Sunday, Latinova. CLUB KOTARA: Saturday, Loonatic Fringe; Tuesday, Swing Zone. COLLIERY INN: Friday, Karaoke; Saturday, Pete Sneddon; Sunday, Live Music 4-7pm. CRICKETERS ARMS: Saturday, Dean Kyrwood.
Locked in at the Hammo Jess Locke plays simple yet infectious songs that could be classed loosely as folk/ country/pop/indie etcetera. Hailing from the Central Coast of NSW, Jess has worked her way around the Sydney folk scene over the past few years, playing renowned venues such as the Basement as well as, increasingly, unconventional performance spaces like bookshops, parks, cemeteries and even roundabouts. She has been known to make people waltz, cry and fall asleep. While the obvious comparisons have frequently been made with Cat Power, Laura Marling and Elliott Smith, these artists are a point of departure for her, rather than an end to be matched. Stylistically, Locke’s work could be called folk, anti-folk, pop, indie, acoustic or lo-fi. However, it’s her skill as a songwriter and her understated yet intense live performance that makes her a notable artist. Both lyrically and sonically, Locke oscillates between feelings of fundamental loneliness and humble connectivity, between sublime and mundane pleasures, between big words and profanity.
JESS LOCKE HAMILTON STATION HOTEL SATURDAY, MARCH 7
CRITERION HOTEL, Carrington: Friday, Phil McKnight; Sunday, Howard Shearman. CUSTOMS HOUSE: Friday, Kylie Jane; Saturday, Matteo Verde; Sunday, Jerome. DUKE OF WELLINGTON: Friday, Mark Wells; Saturday, The Sue and Mikey Show. EAST MAITLAND BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Defaced; Saturday, The Lamplighters; Sunday, John Noble. EDGEWORTH SPORT AND REC: Friday, Born Jovi; Sunday, Brendan Murphy. EDGEWORTH TAVERN: Friday, Crawfish Stew; Saturday, Hellbent. ENTRANCE LEAGUES CLUB: Friday, Live Entertainment. EXCHANGE HOTEL: Friday, GenX; Saturday, Sundays Record. FIVE SAWYERS: Friday, DJ Jonothan; Saturday, DJ Perry Carter; Sunday, DJ Jonothan. GATESHEAD TAVERN: Friday, Rendezvous.
GEORGE TAVERN: Friday, Chris Phillips; Saturday, Jack Daniels and Co Duo. GRAND HOTEL: Tuesday, Jazz. GREAT NORTHERN HOTEL: Tuesday, Open Mic; Friday, Adrienne and Josh; Saturday, Sundancers duo. GUNYAH HOTEL: Friday, Brooke Harvey; Saturday, Twinasanity Trio; Sunday, Jason Bone. GWANDALAN BOWLING CLUB : Friday, Cover 2 Cover. HALEKULANI BOWLING CLUB: Saturday, Malihini’s Over 30s Nightspot. HAMILTON STATION HOTEL: Wednesday, Bones, Barefoot Alley; Thursday, Spencer Scott, Boots Porter, Audie, Alex Martin; Friday, Karaoke; Saturday, Karaoke, Jess Locke, Adeline Pines, Obscura Hall, Grace Turner; Sunday, Sundancers. HARRIGANS IRISH PUB: Friday, Cool Mup-
DIGGERS
pet; Saturday, Aqwa, Misbehave; Sunday, The Levymen. HONEYSUCKLE HOTEL: Sunday, Kylie Jane Trio, Makaylie. HOTEL DELANY: Friday, Timmy Coffey, DJ Surian, Sundays Record; Saturday, Overload. HOTEL JESMOND: Friday, The Levymen; Saturday, The Steves. HOTEL PREMIER: Saturday, Howie and Alex; Sunday, The Years. IRON HORSE INN: Saturday, Fabba. JUNCTION HOTEL: Sunday, Republic. KENT HOTEL: Friday, Rubber Bullet. KING STREET HOTEL: Saturday, Uberjakd; Sunday, Any Given Sunday - Sombrero Sunday. KURRI BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Talk of the Town. KURRI WORKERS CLUB: Saturday, Jackson Halliday. LAMBTON PARK HOTEL: Friday, James Paul. LAKE MACQUARIE TAVERN: Friday, Pete Gelzinnis. LAKE MACQUARIE YACHT CLUB: Sunday, Kristy J. LASS O’GOWRIE HOTEL: Wednesday, Adeline Pines, The Delta Lions, Heath Anthony, Ry Kemp.; Friday, The Jimmy Bazil Project, Via Alchemy, Alex Guthrie; Saturday, Stone Sun, Young Cardinals. LIZOTTE’S NEWCASTLE: Wednesday, Lachlan MacDonald, Michael Passfield, Jade Lee Wright, James Martens Band; Thursday, Toni Childs; Friday, Bakoomba; Saturday, Celia Pavey, Jake Howden; Sunday, Morgan Evans.
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LONG JETTY HOTEL: Saturday, Dexter Moore; Sunday, Open Mic with Kate Keighran. MARY ELLEN: Friday, Twinsanity; Saturday, The Remedy Trio; Sunday, Damien. MARYVILLE TAVERN: Friday, Lauren Arms. MATTARA HOTEL: Friday, Kirsty Larkin; Saturday, Disco & Karaoke. MAYFIELD HOTEL: Wednesday, Open Mic Night; Thursday, Karaoke; Friday, Kevin O’Hara; Saturday, DJ; Sunday, Live Music. MEREWETHER SURF HOUSE: Sunday, Mike Horbacz. MJ FINNEGANS: Friday, DJs; Saturday, DLove, DJs. NELSON BAY BOWLING CLUB: Friday, The Gaudreys; Saturday, Moonlight Drive; Sunday, Mark Wells. NEWCASTLE CRUISING YACHT CLUB: Sunday, Kim. NEWCASTLE PANTHERS: Friday, Jack Daniels. NORTHERN STAR HOTEL: Friday, Jasmine Jones; Saturday, Allon. NORTHUMBERLAND HOTEL: Friday, Mick Boogard. OCEAN BEACH HOTEL: Friday, Sean Frazer. OLD PUB, Woy Woy: Saturday, Four to the Floor. ORANA HOTEL: Friday, The Fire Kings. PEDENS, Cessnock: Friday, Dai Pritchard. PIPPI’S AT THE POINT: Friday, Mike Horbacz, Frets With Benefits; Saturday, Hey Poncho; Sunday, Luke Pittman. PLOUGH INN: Friday, Lennie Live. POTTERS BREWERY: Friday, Damien. PRINCE OF WALES: Friday, Janeys Alibi Duo; Saturday, Chris Phillips; Sunday, Sundays Record, Eoin Smith. QUEENS WHARF HOTEL: Friday, HP Duo; Saturday, Lauren Arms, Matteo Verde; Sunday, Horenco, AdzDrumz. RAILWAY HOTEL, Cessnock: Saturday, Kelly Hope. RATHMINES BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Rock Oz. REGAL HOTEL, Kurri:. Saturday, Lennie and Carter. RIVER ROYAL, Morpeth: Sunday, Mick Jones. ROYAL FEDERAL: Saturday, Daley Holliday. ROYAL HOTEL, Denman: Saturday, Rock Oz. ROYAL HOTEL, Singleton: Sunday, Casho. ROYAL INN, Waratah: Saturday, Damien. RUTHERFORD HOTEL: Saturday, Zane Penn Duo.
A hot serve of musical stew Formed on the Central Coast of NSW by founding members of popular Pub band the Bend, the Crawfish Stew Band has been gigging on a regular basis since early 2014. The Crawfish Stew Band is fronted by Todd Stewart, a grand finalist of the Toyota Star-maker Competition, on vocals and guitar. Formed with the goals playing songs that, while popular, are often overlooked by other bands, the Crawfish Stew Band draws influence from such acts as Brooks and Dunn, Shooter Jennings, the Georgia Satellites, the Black Keys, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Eddie Rabbitt, Goanna, Paul Kelly, Pete Murray, the Angles, Zac Brown, while also working on their growing catalogue of original material. The Crawfish Stew Band has been described by one punter at a gig as ‘a bit bluesy, a bit country, a bit chunky, a lot rocky and something else’, which is a tag that they are proud to live and play by.
CRAWFISH STEW EDGEWORTH TAVERN FRIDAY, MARCH 6
SEABREEZE HOTEL: Friday, The Gunswingers; Saturday, Duplexity; Sunday, Duncan Woods; Sunday, The Piranha Brothers. SEVEN SEAS: Friday, Schwas Way; Saturday,. Thread. SHAFT TAVERN: Friday King Shakey SHOAL BAY RESORT: Friday, Loose Bazooka; Saturday, Uptown, Kelly Griffith. SHORTLAND HOTEL: Friday, Kim.. SOLDIERS POINT BOWLING CLUB: Saturday, Talk of the Town .STAG AND HUNTER: Friday, Galleri; Saturday, Chris Cavill and the Prospectors. STAR HOTEL: Friday, DJ Sean Andrews; Saturday, DJ Patsan. STOCKTON BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Darren Rolling Keys. STOCKTON RSL: Friday, Outerphase SUNNYSIDE TAVERN: Saturday, Pete Gilchrist. SYDNEY JUNCTION HOTEL: Friday, Misbehave; Saturday, Flying Mare; Sunday, Love
Friday 6th March 8.30pm Free entry
That Hat. SWANSEA HOTEL: Friday, Howard Shearman; Sunday, Phonic Trio. SWANSEA RSL: Thursday, Wayne Rogers & Amber Jade; Saturday, Rok Candy. SWANSEA WORKERS CLUB: Saturday, The Rattlesnakes. TELARAH BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Karaoke; Saturday, Free Juke Box. TERALBA BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Leadbellies. THE POURHOUSE, Maitland: Saturday, Darren Rolling Keys. TORONTO DIGGERS: Friday/Saturday, Entertainment. TORONTO ROYAL MOTOR YACHT CLUB: Sunday, Kelly Hope. TORONTO WORKERS CLUB: Friday, Emile; Saturday, John Noble; Sunday, Dreams. WALLARAH BAY REC CLUB: Friday, 2 Funky Duo; Saturday, Southpaw. WANGI HOTEL: Sunday, Maryanne Rex.
Friday 20th March 8.30pm Free entry
Park St, Edgeworth Phone: 49 581 994 Restaurant: 49 589 153 We support responsible service of alcohol. Is gambling a problem for you? Freecall 1800 633 635
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WANGI WORKERS CLUB: Friday, Adam Gear; Saturday, Damien Rounce. WARNERS AT THE BAY: Thursday, Dane Fitzsimmons; Friday, The Hepburns; Saturday, Overtone.. WARNERS BAY PODIUM: Friday, Deuce. WESTS CARDIFF: Saturday, Ryde Duo. WESTS NEW LAMBTON PIANO LOUNGE: Wednesday; Frank Wakewood; Thursday, Angamus; Friday, Warren Hunter; Saturday, Stuart Hamilton; Monday, Ben Hanley; Tuesday,Terence Koo. WESTS NEW LAMBTON MARBLE BAR: Friday, The Rattle; Saturday, The Gaudreys. WEST WALLSEND WORKERS CLUB: Friday, Pistol Pete; Sunday, Stephen Boyd. WICKHAM PARK HOTEL: Wednesday, Wicko Jam Night; Friday, Milestones; Saturday, Sweet Little Rider, Monsters of Rock; Sunday, Mick Hambly, Plastic Voyage. WINDSOR CASTLE HOTEL: Friday, 2 Good Reasons; Saturday, Brooke Harvey. WYONG BOWLING CLUB: Friday, Gemma Duo; Saturday, D’Lish Duo. WYONG LEAGUES CLUB: Friday, Monkey Tongue; Saturday, Hurricane Party.
BUCKETS OF CRUISERS $25 • BUCKETS OF CORONAS $18
Courtesy bus available Wednesday to Sunday
the newcastle post » Wednesday 4 March 2015
4-10.3.2015
The best gigs in your area!
MUSIC
Sultan swings into Newcastle STEPHEN BISSET
I
t seems that 2015 is already shaping up to be quite a big one for Dan Sultan. Having recently finished a run with Paul Kelly as part of his Merri Soul Sessions tour, and with news that his latest long player, Blackbird, quite rightly, achieved gold record status, Sultan will be bringing his latest release, the stark and stripped-back acoustic EP, Dirty Ground, to Newcastle this month. The show will see Sultan performing sans band and he told TE that while the schedule may be getting a little bit hectic of late, he wouldn’t have it any other way. “At the end of the day, playing music is my passion - something I have to do,” he said. “It’s really important to be out there as much as possible so, the busier the better. “I enjoy playing with my band and I also enjoy playing solo. I’m looking forward to getting back on the road with more space on the tour bus.” Featuring co-writes with the legendary Paul Kelly on the EPs title track and the song
MAYFIELD HOTEL The Sportsmans venue T
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ENTERTAINMENT
Ph: 4960 1397
On The Leffy and with Something for Kate frontman Paul Dempsey on Mountaintop, Dirty Ground is somewhat of a departure from Blackbird. “In a nutshell, when I was writing Blackbird the floodgates kind of opened and there were a few songs I wrote in that period that I thought didn’t really fit into the feel of Blackbird - they were better suited to something a little more raw and stripped back.” To that end, Sultan enlisted the services of producer Jan Skubizewski (Way of the Eagle, Illy) who recorded the EP in one day. “Yeah, it was a bit of an in-out affair - one day,” he said. “Actually we spent about half the day working our mic placement and everything and the other half just getting the songs down. It was all played live with the view of trying to capture that raw feel of the songs. “There is quite a lot of production and Jacquire [King -producer] did a fantastic job, but it was a good exercise to kind of look at the other side of that coin for Dirty Ground and go for that really raw sound.” Catch Dan Sultan at Newcastle City Hall on Tuesday, March 17.
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FAMILY
the newcastle post » Wednesday 4 March 2015
A roaring good time STEPHEN BISSET
N
ovocastrians beware. The city is set to shake and tremble in the wake of a slew of dinosaur friends who will be making a welcome return to Newcastle when Australia’s own worldwide juggernaut, Walking with Dinosaurs - the Arena Spectacular, takes over the Newcastle Entertainment Centre this April. This new-and-improved production, based on the award-winning BBC Television series, will showcase spectacular and colourful changes to the dinosaurs based on the latest scientific research. “A new generation is ready to experience these life-sized beasts in this aweinspiring spectacle, which has still not been matched in terms of scale and quality,” CEO of production company Global Creatures Carmen Pavlovic said. “Many of our creatures have evolved since the last tour, now featuring distinctive display feathers, head crests and tail fans, reflecting recent discoveries about the physical nature of these creatures.
The show remains a must-see for audiences of all ages.” Charting the evolution of the dinosaurs with an almost cinematic realism, the show sees 10 species represented from the 180-million-year reign of the dinosaur. The show includes the tyrannosaurus rex - the terror of the ancient terrain - as well as the plateosaurus and liliensternus from the Triassic period, the stegosaurus and allosaurus from the Jurassic period and the torosaurus and utahraptor from the Cretaceous period. The largest of them, the brachiosaurus, is 11m tall and 17m from nose to tail. The history of the world is played out with the splitting of the Earth’s continents and the transition from the arid desert of the Triassic period to the lush, green prairies of the later Jurassic. Oceans form, volcanoes erupt, a forest catches fire, all leading to the impact of a massive comet, which struck the earth and probably forced the extinction of the dinosaurs. Walking with Dinosaurs - the Arena Spectacular will be on at Newcastle Entertainment Centre from Thursday, April 9, to Sunday, April 12.
TE is giving you the chance to win a family pass (two adults, two children) to see Walking With Dinosaurs on Thursday, April 9. To enter, email your name and contact
details to stephen.bisset@newcastlepost.com.au with “Dinosaurs” in the subject line by no later than 5pm on Tuesday, March 24. Winners will be notified by phone.
where the ocean meets the lake
SPORTSMANS’ DINNER 2015 Friday 27th March 2015 @ 6pm – Blue Water Function Room Guest Speaker:
MC: Craig Hamilton
Alex McKinnon
Supported by: Rick Stone & Jamie Lovett
$130 per head or $1200 for a table of 10 – Includes meal & refreshments – See club for more details
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Wednesday 4 March 2015 « the newcastle post
10
It’s pub grub but not as you know it AMELIA PARROTT
ET’s Bistro Edgeworth Tavern Cnr of Main and Minmi Roads, Edgeworth P: 4958 1772
CLUB K TARA Free Seniors Morning Tea Concert with PETER
E
T’s Bistro at the Edgeworth Tavern is offering up wholesome pub fare with unexpected flair. The expansive a la carte menu sees pub classics like schnitzels, mixed grills and lamb cutlets served up alongside fresh takes like grilled garlic scallops, spiced Moroccan lamb salad and sweet potato gnocchi.
Your local friendly club LUNCH WITH
STEFANSON GREG MASON (Swing Zone)
Thursday 12th March - 10am-12 midday Why not book in and stay for lunch
FREE Sat Entertainment March 7th LOONATIC FRINGE March 14th GRAND THEFT AUDIO March 21st THE CRUISERS
12 midday - 2pm Every Tuesday in March
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MONDAY & THURSDAY 11AM MONDAY & TUESDAY NIGHTS 7.15PM
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TARA
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One look at what’s on offer and you’ll soon discover that ET’s is not your average pub bistro. We started off our recent ET’s experience by whetting our appetite with an antipasto plate. At a lesser venue, an antipasto tasting plate would perhaps consist of a few dips, maybe some olives, feta or sun-dried tomatoes, and a serve of bread that’s rarely big enough to adequately enjoy everything on your plate. At ET’s, I was astounded with what
landed on our table - a, frankly, huge selection of deli delights, shaved ham, salami, Kalamata olives, feta, a fresh bruschetta-inspired salsa, caramelised onions, and a trio of equally tasty dips. Oh, and an all-important hefty portion of perfectly toasted flatbread. Honestly, I would have been happy with our meal if this was all that was on offer. A very impressive start to our meal. But our mains awaited and arrived promptly on our table shortly after we finally got through our generous appetiser. I opted for a personal favourite, the humble pub classic, bangers and mash. For how simple and satisfying this little dish is, it’s absent from many bistro menus around town. Needless to say, I was thrilled to see it on offer at ET’s and their spin did not disappoint. Three fat, plump sausages sat atop a dollop of creamy potato mash, finished with a onion gravy and a serve of fresh, tender veggies. This was not a dish to be snuffed at. My dining partner opted to order off the specials menu, which featured some real gems on the night of our visit. He chose a surf-and-turf style steak - a sirloin fillet, topped with calamari and a creamy sauce, served with wedges and a crisp salad on the side. This tender cut of meat was cooked to a perfect medium-rare and by all accounts was melt-in-your-mouth delicious. If our recent visit is anything to go off, I can wholeheartedly recommend a visit to ET’s Bistro at Edgeworth Tavern for your next family night-out. You just might be pleasantly surprised.
CLUB K
TARA
HALF PRICE BINGO Any Tuesday night in March
CK’s Restaurant CHINESE & AUSSIE MENU Open Tuesday to Sunday Lunch & Dinner DAILY SPECIALS FROM $9.90
DINNER SPECIALS
TUESDAYS Schnitzel $9.90 WEDNESDAYS Crumbed Cutlets $9.90 THURSDAYS T-Bone Steaks $9.90 SUNDAYS – Lunch & Dinner Roast $9.90
2 Howell St, Kotara 4957 3385
WW13809 WW16269
11
REVIEW
COLUMN
A Most Violent Year (MA)
General Manager, Event Cinemas
Event Cinemas, Newcastle // STEPHEN BISSET [4/5]
As we career towards the Easter releases we will see a new range of animated titles, including Dreamworks Animation’s Home (March 19). In what looks to be the next family hit, the film, featuring the voices of Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory), Rihanna, Steve Martin and Jennifer Lopez, Home centres around an alien race, the Boov, who take over Earth and immediately relocate all humans. On March 26 claymation will get its turn with the release of Shaun The Sheep Movie. Shaun takes a day off and after a mix-up with the farmer, a caravan and a very steep hill lead them all to the big city, it’s up to Shaun and the flock to return everyone safely to the green grass of home. SpongeBob Square Pants fans will be pleased to know that a hybrid live action/animated film, Sponge Out of Water, is set for release on April 2. When a diabolical pirate above the sea steals the secret Krabby Patty formula, SpongeBob and his nemesis Plankton must team up in order to get it back. The Post and Event Cinemas have a movie pass for four people to give away. Email editorial@newcastlepost. com.au and put ‘Event Cinemas’ in the subject line to enter.
Not knowing much about this film going into the cinema, walking out all I could think was “how did this flick avoid the Oscar buzz?” Directed by J.C. Chandor who helmed the gripping Robert Redford at-sea flick All Is Lost, A Most Violent Year is an utterly gripping crime drama that is methodical in its approach and slow-burning in its delivery. The film is set in New York in 1981 statistically the most violent year in the city’s history - and tells the story of first- generation Columbian immigrant Abel Morales (Oscar Isaac) who runs a heating oil business with his wife Anna (Jessica Chastain). However, with his trucks being hijacked on an almost daily basis and with the district-attorney’s office more interested in investigating Abel himself, he finds it increasingly difficult to stay on the right side of the law. Isaac brings a brooding stoicism to proceedings that recall Pacino’s classic Michael Corleone while David Oyelowo is brilliant as the ambitious district-attorney. This is definitely a slow burner, and if you’re expecting a gangster flick with blood, bullets and babes, then you’ll be sorely disappointed. A superb film.
WW15715
“small enough to care, large enough to entertain” Entertainment Saturday 7 March from 7.30pm
Karaoke GREG & with
SUE WATT
JEFF LAW’S
CHINESE RESTAURANT Open Tuesday - Sunday for Lunch & Dinner Come experience Jeff’s cuisine that has kept people coming back to Pelican for over 19 years.
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1 PIRIWAL ST, PELICAN PH: 4971 2165 www.pelicanrsl.com.au Information for members & their guests. Is Gambling a problem for you? Call G-Line (NSW) is a confidential, anonymous and free counselling service FREE CALL 1800 633 635
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the newcastle post » Wednesday 4 March 2015
Garth Weiley
Wednesday 4 March 2015 « the newcastle post
12
MUSIC
WHAT'S ON GALLERIES this week
Float on STEPHEN BISSET
I
f you caught Queensland five-piece, the Floating Bridges, when they hit the Cambridge stage last November, you’d know full well that these guys have what it takes to dole out the good vibes to all concerned. The boys were last in our neck of the woods off the back of their ridiculously head-nodding single Eloquence and now, with their catchy-as-hell- single Dreamcatcher from their soon-to-bereleased and highly anticipated album Creatures of Leisure, under their belts, they’ll be back to do it all again but with two local shows in the offing this time around. Born and bred on the Sunshine Coast, the Floating Bridges have generated quite a following throughout Australia and New Zealand thanks largely to a relent-
Chinese New Year
Banquet Friday 6th March 6.30pm 12 courses $30pp Special
“Lion Dance” performance
Outer Phase from 8pm in the auditorium BOOK NOW!
less touring schedule right-on messages of solidarity, an unquenchable desire to create good vibes all wrapped up an enticing roots, rock, reggae package. Forming in 2009, their relaxed and peaceful lifestyle, together with funky rockin’ reggae influences from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Powderfinger, Led Zeppelin and Katchafire, all blend together to give you the Floating Bridges experience - high energy ripping guitar licks mixed with earthy beats, percussion and catchy lyrics. The latest single, Dreamcatcher, is a reflection on the fun you can have while dreaming and not having to worry about the consequences of your actions while letting the imagination run as wild and free as the music that underpins it all. Catch the Floating Bridges at the Bar on the Hill (12-1pm) on Tuesday, March 10 and at the Lass O’Gowrie Hotel on Wednesday, March 11.
SENIORS’ WEEK CONCERT with
ADAM PRICE
Thursday 19th March 10.30am - 12 noon Join us for a morning of
reeFOOT BOWL FBARE
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THURSDAY $12 PASTA NIGHT Fettuccini Carbonara, Bolognese, Ravioli. $2 Pizzetta
from 5.30-6.30pm
1 High St, Belmont NSW ABOVE WOOLWORTHS Courtesy bus - friday, saturday & super sunday!
WW15574
www.belmontbowlo.com.au
WW14558
14 March
THU Travelling Bowlers 4.30-5pm Every $5 in raffle tickets gets you promo tickets for your chance to win up to $300 cash! 6pm – $50 draw, $7:30pm – $100 draw, 8:30pm – $150 draw Meat & Ladies raffles 5-6.30pm Belmont Swansea Soccer Club 7pm
NANA Contemporary art space Tears of the Moon by Barbara Byng until March 21 Nanshe studio gallery: GO by Ruve Staneke until March 28 Newcastle Art Gallery: Spatial Operations by Baden Pailthorpe and PHOTOGRAPHY MEETS FEMINISM: Australian women photographers 1970s - 80s until April 26 Newcastle Art Space: BOUNCEBACK #5 by Arts In Recover - Hunter until March 28 Timeless Textiles: Shorelines by Nicola Henley until March 15 University Gallery: Riparian Life: a visual Navigation of the Hunter River Estuary by Julianne Tilse until March 21 Watt Space Gallery: DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE by Emma Collins; TRANSITION by Michaela Swan; THE BALL PIT by Michelle Jenkins and Suannah Louise; ECO LOGICAL Group show curated by: Jess Pyne, Melissa Bull and Fern York until March 22 All listed exhibitions are on now or starting week Monday, March 2
$2 Toppers: Parmigiana, Bacon Avocado, Mexican. $1.50 for any Sauce (Gravy, Mushroom, Diane, Pepper, Garlic Cream)
“Melodies & Merriment”
Saturday Night Entertainment 7 March
Art Systems Wickham: All the Rage Back Home by Hannah Batty until March 8 Back to Back Galleries: Book Keepers until March 22 Cooks Hill Galleries: We Get By: Emerging Art Prize until March 30 cstudios Art Gallery: Group exhibition:various Newcastle artists until March 22 Curve Gallery: Mind to Hand by Zel Caddey (pictured) until March 8 Cessnock Regional Art Gallery: Wellspring until March 7 Gallery 139: BEGINNINGS: group Newcastle Artists until March 14 Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery First Class 14 and Ben Quilty until March 22 Lock Up Cultural Centre Make Known by High Tea With Mrs Woo and Mr Book; Port of Call by Kurt Sorenson until March 15 Lovett Gallery Nikon Walkley Press Photography until March 7 Maitland Regional Art Gallery Spin in the Art Factory by Linda Greedy until April 12; The Bus Stop Project by Simone Darcy; Book Marks by Adrian Lockart and Facetime by Kerrie Lester until April 19 and Maitland International Salon of Photography April 26
13
MUSIC
the newcastle post » Wednesday 4 March 2015
Evans is at it again STEPHEN BISSET
T
he plaudits just keep coming for Newcastle country sensation Morgan Evans. Evans, whose latest self-titled record has gone from strength to strength since its release last year, has been nominated for an APRA songwriting award in the country work of the year category for the track One Eye For An Eye - a song penned with good mate and fellow Novocastrian Mark Wells. “I’m so stoked about this nomination,” Evans told TE. “I’m stoked to be nominated for anything but this one is very special to me because it is an industry songwriting award and also because I’m sharing it with Wellsy. “He was the first guy I ever co-wrote with and we actually finished writing that song at his dining table so I’m over the moon to be nominated with him.” Evans, in between his presenting gig for the Country Music Channel which has, incidentally, snagged him a best new talent nomination at this year’s TV Week Logie Awards, has spent the last three weeks in Nashville laying the groundwork for the next album. “I got back to Australia last Thursday and today is my first day at home which is nice,” he said. “I had three weeks off and I thought
instead of having a holiday, I’d head back over and start writing some songs for the new album. I’d like to have a definite time frame to tell you but, at this stage it’s all song dependent. I’m heading back over to Nashvillle at the end of March to work on it some more. We’re hoping for a single by mid-year but we’ll just have to wait and see.” Evans, who will be playing Lizotte’s this weekend, said that punters could expect some of the new crop to creep into the set. “Absolutely. There are a couple that we’ve trailed at shows in Melbourne and Tamworth, which will definitely get a run in Newcastle,” he said. “Newcastle is a great place to road test stuff because Newcastle people aren’t afraid to tell you if they don’t like something.” Catch Morgan Evans at Lizotte’s Lambton on Sunday, March 8.
Bountiful blues
A
fter blowing away all concerned with their unpretentious brand of driving, four to the floor rock and roll at the recent Heroes reunion gig at the Cambridge, Port Macquarie three-piece, the Bounty Hunters, will be making the trek down the Pacific Highway again for a show at the Premier Hotel. The show will represent a bit of a homecoming for guitarist and ex-pat Novocastrian Dave Hinds who gig pigs of yore might recognise from such outfits as the Marshall Brothers and legendary Newcastle rock and roll hedonists Rabbit and Hinds. “It’s going to be bloody great - there will be that sense of nostalgia definitely and it’s also a great opportunity to catch up with a lot of old mates,” Hinds told TE. Hinds said the band’s current album Rise - one driving tub-thumper of a
blues rock record - sees the band in three-piece mode with vocalist Lyn Hinds taking on bass duties as well. It’s also been gaining a fair bit of traction overseas with internet radio support in countries like Portugal, France, Argentina and Brazil, with UK magazine Powerplay declaring that you “should definitely check these guys out”. “After we switched to a three-piece, it really spurred us on to write a whole bunch of songs,” Hinds said. “We felt re-energised, which I think comes through on the record.” With tentative plans to take the show abroad to capitalise on their overseas airplay, and a new album in the works, the Bounty Hunters are definitely a band on an upward trajectory. Catch the Bounty Hunters playing at the Premier Hotel on Sunday, March 15. WW14574
MUSIC
Wednesday 4 March 2015 « the newcastle post
14
Talkin’ about a roovolution STEPHEN BISSET
W
hile their stock in trade, built up over three albums, has been rollicking country folk, Bob Corbett and the Roo Grass Band (Corbett,
Sue Carson, Robbie Long and Dave Carter) have taken a bit of a different tact for their latest album Roovolution. So much so, in fact, that they have changed their name to the Bob Corbett band for the record, which is due to hit the streets next week.
“This one is quite different to what we’ve done previously and I think the biggest difference is that I wrote a lot of these songs on the piano and electric keyboard and I think that has brought in a different cadence to the songs,” Corbett told TE.
“I also dug up a lot of influences that I forgotten I had, going right back to listening to 2KO as a ten-year-old. “When we sat down to write track-bytrack descriptions for the album, bands like Little River Band and Hall and Oates kept cropping up - you know, that adult contemporary pop sound. Over the past four years, I’ve also had a massive crush on pretty much anything Bonnie Raitt has done so, all of that’s in there, too. It’s also a very lush sounding album, which is a bit of a departure from our normal organic approach - it’s a classic, lush studio album.” Corbett said the decision to drop the Roo Grass from the band name was inspired by this change of direction. “Back when we recorded Lucky Country in 2011, we really tried to set some instrument boundaries and stuff in an effort to try and define that signature Roo Grass sound and from then on we have tried to confine ourselves to that,” he said. “But, this time around, I wasn’t really worried about what came out, which is why this album is out under the Bob Corbett Band.” With Roovolution marking Corbett’s sixth album, how does he feel his craft has evolved? “The secret to a great song is if you can take all of the instrumentation, harmonies and production wizardry away from the song and have it still sound good with just one voice and one guitar played around a campfire. It’s a lifelong process, but I think I’m getting a bit better at it.” The Bob Corbett Band will launch Roovolution at the Campfire Festival at Hope Estate on Saturday, March 14.
Redhead Bowling Club Burns St, Redhead NSW 2290 Ph:
49 42 60 22
www.redheadbc.com
LIVE Entertainment Loose Change Sat 28th March 8pm
MAY STAR RESTAURANT $7.50 LUNCH S SPECIALS CHOOSE SAUCE + BEEF, PORK OR CHICKEN + BOILED OR FRIED RICE
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10
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15
REVIEW
the newcastle post » Wednesday 4 March 2015
A hearty dose of brilliance STEPHEN BISSET
H
aving had my socks well and truly blown off the last time Spiegelworld were in town with their homage to New York, Empire, I approached their latest production, Absinthe with a sense of anticipation. From the moment the lights dimmed and a demure man walked on to the circular stage in the middle of the opulent Spiegeltent, taking a sip of absinthe before proceeding to undertake one of the most audacious chair balancing acts I have ever witnessed, I knew all expectations were going to be exceeded. A mix of high-camp comedy, burlesque, vaudeville and jaw dropping feats of human skill, Absinthe has to be seen to be believed. It is an acrobatic extravaganza that is best described as the perfect cross between John Waters and Cirque du Soleil. The boisterous quartet Lost Souls swung, tossed and flipped each other with abandon, while the Los Dos Tacos duo, confining their breathtaking routine to a metal frame spun, twisted and turned at a breakneck speed that had nearly
every jaw in the tent on the ground, while a highwire balancing act based on Frank Sinatra walked a fine line between 1950s sophistication and serious injury. The majority of the comedy came from the Sacha Baron Cohen-esque host Gazillionaire and his bubbly and slightly psychotic assistant Penny Pibbets. The pair provided a dose of light-hearted, albeit crude, brevity and anchored the whole show perfectly. Both could carry a show on their comedic talents alone but when coupled with the bill of fare in Absinthe the results were spectacular. The dose of burlesque came in the form of the Green Fairy, played by the only Australian in the cast, Karla Tonkich and Swedish performer Angie Sylvia raised the temperature with a striptease forged in fire before returning with a surreal routine involving a giant balloon and the Henry Mancini standard Moon River. It’s crude, even a little bit rude, and definitely not one for the kids, but there’s no denying that Absinthe is one heck of a thrill ride that you’ll be talking about for some time to come. Absinthe will be blowing minds at Wheeler Place until March 15.
Hexham B owling Club
BIG ACTS AT HEXHAM BOWLING CLUB
Kevin Bloody Wilson Wednesday 11th March Show starts 8pm. 18+ only.
Tickets $52 WWW.HEXHAMBOWLINGCLUB.COM.AU
WW15301
290 OLD MAITLAND RD, HEXHAM, PH 4964 8079
WW10550 WW15300