ISSUE 0028 / April 23rd - April 29th 2015
IT’S FREE - www.bsidemagazine.com.au
Dave Graney & The mistLY ALSO INSIDE: Dallas Frasca, Mick Pealing’s Stars Bill Chambers, Chillfest, Emma Donovan Plus BOB’s BITS, TOUR GUIDE & LOCAL MUSIC NEWS
The British Hotel, 13 North Pde, Port Adelaide, is now hosting a monthly Sunset Sessions. Held on the last Saturday of the month from 5-8pm, Saturday 25 April will feature Kelly Menhennett. Then it’s Koral Chandler on Saturday 30 May, Matt Ward and Max Savage on Saturday 27 June and Brenton Manser on Saturday 27 July. Free entry and the hotel is also a great dining experience with wine of the month being the 2013 Wirra Wirra shiraz cabernet.
Presented by Ramblin’ Promotions, the rootsy Ramblin’ On The Riverbank inaugural event will feature The Hushes, The Heggarties and The Cherry Pickers and will take place from 8pm on Saturday 25 April at The Adelaide Rowing Club (on the riverbank behind Adelaide Convention Centre). Tickets are now available via Moshtix. Tickets will be limited to 500 when The Mark Of Cain, The Iron Sheiks (featuring some special guests), The Plauge (who will reform for this one show only) and Crackling Static Fuzz play Fowler’s Live, 58-70 North Tce, from 7pm on Sunday 7 June. Tickets will be at the door for $25 with all proceeds being donated to Rod Archer who is currently undergoing chemotherapy. Gosh! featuring DJ Craig spinning indie pop at Jive, 181 Hindley St, will celebrate its 12th birthday from 11.30pm on ANZAC Day. Gosh, happy birthday Gosh!. Local rockers Ricochet Pete are undertaking their final shows as part of a free entry Friday evening residency at the Grace Emily Hotel, 232 Waymouth St, and the very final night will have Ricochet Pete saying a very final farewell alongside Melbourne’s Killerbirds and The Villenettes from 9pm on Friday 24 April. Boutique bar Nook Nosh, 111 Unley Rd, Unley, will be awash with the acoustic sounds of David Robinson on Sunday 26 April and AP D’Antonio on Sunday 3 May. Pop in for sips ‘n’ nibbles. The Franklin Hotel, 110 Franklin St, has live acoustic music and great vibes from 3pm every Sunday. Check out Little Big Words on Sunday 26 April. And did you know you can now purchase a jar of Frank’s rather delicious jalapeño relish at the bar? Local poet James Hickey (AKA Heymus) will have the city launch of a la carte my heart, his new book of poetry via Sunshine Press, at Ancient World, 116A Hindley St, on Friday 8 May. Applications are only open until Friday 1 May for musical artist to perform at Semaphore Music Festival, which is to be held from Friday 2 October until Monday 5 October at the picturesque seaside suburb of Semaphore. Please send a press kit and also an MP3 to <info@ semaphoremusicfestival.com> or Artists, SMF, PO Box 302 Semaphore, SA, 5019. Published Arthouse, 11 Cannon St, Adelaide, will host a 90% ’90s Hip Hop Party from 7pm until 1am on Friday 24 April and it will feature DJ Shep, DL, Pero and Zedr. It’s an over 18s event with entry being only a shiny gold coin and there will also be prizes for best dressed B-Boy and B-Girl with food available throughout the evening.
Dilettantes are throwing a little party at the beloved Crown & Anchor, 246 Grenfell St, from 9pm on Saturday 25 April to launch their debut EP, Home, and will be joined by Babes Are Wolves, St Judes, Stabbitha & The Knifey Wifeys and No Brakes. Five-piece Adelaide band The Pensioners, who used to frequent such places at Mt Barker Town Hall back in the late ’70s, have recently reformed with all five original members and will spend some months rehearsing before undertaking one show only next April at someone’s significant birthday bash. Stay tuned for more details. As part of MAPS Sessions, there will be live music and brand new video clips from Adelaide’s The Timbers, Dusty Lee’s Wasted Wanderers, Skythief, Vincent’s Chair and Cosmo Thundercat when they launch new videos on the huge screen at St Pauls Creative Centre, 200 Pulteney St, from 7pm until 10pm on Thursday 30 April. And the bar will be open! Sunday Vibes is a brand new, free entry, music event organised by Music SA and Riverbank Precinct which takes place at the newly restored Elder Park rotunda from high noon fortnightly on Sundays with several acts performing each week. Grab a picnic basket and get set for Mr Goodnight, Lazy Eye and Vincent’s Chair on Sunday 26 April. There will also be food and drink vans as well. Battle Of Flowers are pleased to announce a totally rockin’, free entry show at the Grace Emily, 232 Waymouth St, from 9pm on Thursday 23 April at which they will be joined by Kitchen Witch who are currently in the process of recording some new material. Battle Of Flowers are also set to open for Hugo Race at the Wheatsheaf Hotel on Sunday 3 May. Satisfaction - The Stones Show, will make a return to the main room of the Governor Hindmarsh Hotel, 59 Port Rd, Hindmarsh, armed with a new singer, Simon Jonz, on Friday 24 April. Book via the venue or OzTix. Sun Theory, formerly known as Cow, only seem to do the occasional gig so make sure to catch ’em when they undertake a free entry show to launch a brand new album, Fine Dust, at The Wheatsheaf Hotel, 39 George St, Thebarton, from 9pm on Friday 24 April. Banjo Jackson will be armed with a full band when he launches his new album at Vinyl, 20 Gilbert Plc, from 8pm on Thursday 23 April with special guests Max Savage and Jesse Davidson and tickets available from OzTix.
Chunky Custard, who seem to have been around for ages, have announced their 25th Anniversary show which will have them performing at the Governor Hindmarsh, 59 Port Rd, Hindmarsh, on Saturday 13 June. Put your spandex in the wash, book tickets via OzTix or the venue and prepare to boogie the night away. Acoustic Club Tuesday is a free entry acoustic showcase plus open mic that takes place in the front bar of Hotel Metro, 46 Grote St, from 8pm on Tuesday evenings. Check out their Facebook page for details about the line-up for the mad month of April and beyond. Disappointed that their show with The Black Keys won’t actually happen next week, Bad//Dreems have announced a show at Jive, 181 Hindley St, on Friday 12 June, to launch new single, Cuffed & Collard, with tickets available from Friday 10 April from Moshtix. Songs Of Awakening will be an intimate musical gathering featuring Heather Frahn, Chris Finnen and The Rising Lotus and will take place at Unfold Yoga & Wellbeing, 26 Hack St, Mt Barker, from 7pm on Friday 24 April. To book tickets, go to <therisinglotus.org/events>. Port Adelaide’s Railway Hotel, 247 St Vincent St, has opened its doors to live music on Friday evenings from 5pm and also Sunday afternoons from 4pm. Catch Duke on Friday 24 April, while Ozwiete play on Sunday 26 April. All gigs are free entry and listen out for an open mic evening set to place at the historic pub in coming weeks. Relatively new live music venue Vinyl, 20 Gilbert Plc, is up and running and now boasts two regular nights during the week as well as its eclectic weekend program. Ronny Davidson and Chris Finnen will now be playing a blues show from 8pm each Wednesday for an entry fee of only $5, while The James Muller Quartet drops some world class jazz in the intimate venue every Thursday evening from 8pm and that’s also an easy $5 entry. Port Lincoln’s Ill Starred Captain, who now live in WA but are in the midst of recording at Adelaide’s Big Sound Studio, are heading to town to play some of their folk rock at Corny Point’s Howling Dog Tavern on Friday 24 April, Aldinga’s Aldinga Hotel from 2-6pm on Saturday 25 April with special guest Rafa Gody and later that very same evening at The Jade Monkey, 160 Flinders St, with Shane Labady and Wade Francis. The band also play Edithburgh Hotel over on Yorke Peninsula on Saturday 26 April.
OUR PHILOSOPHY Created by veteran Adelaide music guru Rob Dunstan, BSide Magazine is a weekly magazine totally focussed on what’s going on in the Adelaide Music Community. Every week we will be bringing you the latest news and up-to-date information. Our goal with BSide Magazine is to help rebuild the Adelaide Music Community, to refocus the emphasis on local music and uniting the different tribes encouraging and further enhancing a prosperous live music industry for all. We want BSide Magazine to be like Gaffa Tape. The thing that will hold everything together.
IN THIS ISSUE Page 2 Around The Traps Our Philosophy Page 4 Heading To Town Page 5 BSide Tour Guide Page 6 Feature Article: Dave Graney Page 7 Mick Peeling’s Stars Page 8 The Clothesline Page 9 Emma Donovan Dallas Frasca Page 10 Music SA CD Reviews Page 11 Bob’s Bits Bill Chambers Page 13 ThreeD 20+1 Chart Chillfest Page 14 BSide Gig Guide Page 15 The Bizzo BPlus: Siamese
Advertising Enquiries Ph: (08) 8346 9899 sales@bsidemagazine.com.au
Adelaide four-piece rock band Favour The Brave are set to launch an EP on Saturday 13 June at The Jade Monkey, 160 Flinders St, with special guests Arakeye, Colibrium and Walking With Thieves. Chillfest Part One is set to take place from 6.30pm on Friday 1 May at Prospect Town Hall, Prospect Rd, Prospect, and will feature Our Devices, The Reckless Abandon, The Away Game, DOC OC and The Dirty Chins. Entry will be an easy $7. Washed Up Chillfest Part Two will then take place from 12.30pm on Saturday 2 May at The Producers Bar, 235 Grenfell St, as a licensed, all-ages affair and will feature Emecia, Melbourne’s Coffin Wolf, The Dirty Chins and a whole host of other acts along with punk band Dead Joe performing an acoustic set. Entry to Chillfest Part Two will be $11. The Fyoogs will launch their new CD at Hotel Metro, 46 Grote St, from 9pm on Saturday 23 May with help from Syndicat and Hunky Punks.
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ISSUE #0028 April 23rd April 29th, 2015
GIG GUIDE
THURSDAY APR 23
FRONT BAR: GUMBO ROOM BLUES JAM
FRIDAY APR 24 SATISFACTION: THE STONES SHOW
FRI APR 24
SATISFACTION: THE STONES SHOW
FRONT BAR: OLD TIME FIDDLE & IRISH SESSIONS
SATURDAY APR 25 MICK PEALING
+ HOGGY’s BARROW FRONT BAR: EAST TEXAS
SUNDAY APR 26 BILL CHAMBERS & FOUR CRYING OUT LOUD
SUN APR 26
BILL CHAMBERS
MONDAY APR 27
BALCONY BAR: LORD StoMPY’S HARMONICA TRIBE
TUESDAY APR 28
FRONT BAR: ADELAIDE UKULELE APPRECIATION SOCIETY
WEDNESDAY APR 29 FRONT BAR: OPEN MIC NIGHT
SAT APR 25
MICK PEALING
AUSSIE ROCK @ THE GOV!! THE ANGELS FRIDAY 8 & SATURDSAY 9 MAY
FRI APR 24 SATISFACTION: THE ROLLING STONES SHOW SAT APR 25 MICK PEALING SUN APR 26 BILL CHAMBERS & FOUR CRYING OUT LOUD THU APR 30 COURTNEY BARNETT (2ND SHOW) FRI May 1 COURTNEY BARNETT (SOLD OUT) MON MAY 4 OPETH (SWE) TUE MAY 5 SUFFOCATION (US) + DECAPITATED (POL) WED MAY 6 ACE FREHLEY (US) THU MAY 7 ANDREW STRONG (IRE) FRI MAY 8 THE ANGELS SAT May 9 THE ANGELS SUN May 10 BLUES SPECTACULAR FRI May 15 NECRO (US) SAT May 16 DRAGON SUN May 17 RIBLJA CORBA (SER) MON May 18 KARNIVOOL TUE May 19 KARNIVOOL (SOLD OUT)
DRAGON SATURDAY 16 MAY DIESEL SATURDAY 23 May SHE WHO ROCKS SATURDAY 20 JUNE (FRI 19th SOLD OUT)
THE GOV IS A
NATIONAL OZTIX OUTLET
GOVERNOR HINDMARSH HOTEL
59 PORT ROAD HINDMARSH T 8340 0744 www.thegov.com.au
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Let there be rock! AC/DC will return to one of their old haunts when they play Adelaide Oval on Saturday 21 November. Tickets on sale now via <acdctour.com.au>. Guitar wizard Lloyd Spiegel will celebrate 25 years on stage with a double live album that will have him playing Semaphore Workers Club, 93 The Esplanade, Semaphore, from 8pm on Friday 26 June and The Wheatsheaf Hotel, 39 George St, Thebarton, from 9pm on Saturday 27 June.
To promote her new album, Sometimes I Sit & Think & Sometimes I Just Sit, Northcote songstress Courtney Barnett has announced that she will play the Governor Hindmarsh, 59 Port Rd, Hindmarsh, on Thursday 30 April and also Friday 1 May (which is now sold out) with Teeth & Tongue as special guests. Tickets for the just announced Thursday evening show are now available at OzTix or via the venue.
Cisco, Saskwatch, Sticky Fingers, Tkay Maidza, Wolfmother and You Me At Six. Tickets are now available via the Groovin’ The Moo website.
Punk legends Cosmic Psychos and Dune Rats will hit the Governor Hindmarsh, 59 Port Rd, Hindmarsh, on Thursday 25 June. Tickets via the venue or OzTix.
Seether, the alternative rock band who hail from Pretoria, South Africa, will play their latest album, Isolate & Medicate, along with many of their hits when they hit the Governor Hindmarsh, 59 Port Rd, Hindmarsh, SA, on Wednesday 1 July. Tickets via the venue or through OzTix.
Brisbane’s Art Of Sleeping will be bringing their Voodoo national tour to town and will play Jive, 181 Hindley St, on Saturday 13 June with special guests Jesse Davidson and Sunbeam Sound Machine. Tickets via Moshtix. A huge show called 80s Mania is coming to the Governor Hindmarsh, 59 Port Rd, Hindmarsh, on Wednesday 16 September and it will feature ’80s pop acts Paul Young, Nik Kershaw, Go West and Cutting Crew. Tickets are now on sale via the venue or OzTix. Jimmy Barnes will bring his acoustic Flesh & Wood Acoustic Tour to Adelaide Entertainment Centre Theatre, Port Rd, Hindmarsh, on Saturday 11 July, which will feature the singer and a nine-piece band, augmented by a luscious string section, performing songs from his 1993 Flesh & Wood album as well as some of his biggest hits and favourite songs. Tickets via Ticketmaster. Very heavy metal band Death Dealer, featuring ex Manowar guitarist Ross The Boss and Australia’s Stu Marshall, will hit Fowler’s Live, 68-70 North Tce, on Saturday 12 September for an all-ages affair. Melbourne’s Alpine will bring their Foolish National Tour to the Governor Hindmarsh Hotel, 59 Port Rd, Hindmarsh, on Wednesday 24 June with guests Pearls, Darts & Olympia to highlight songs from new album, Yuck. Tickets are on sale now via the venue and OzTix. Welsh post hardcore act Funeral For A Friend have announced a tour to promote new studio album, Chapter & Verse, that will bring them to Fowler’s Live, 66-68 North Tce, on Thursday 23 April at which Sydney’s Vices will be their special touring guests. Tickets on sale now via Moshtix. Highly regarded Liverpool-based prog rock band Anathema will be in acoustic mode when they drop into the Governor Hindmarsh, 59 Port Rd, Hindmarsh, on Tuesday 22 October with tickets via the venue or OzTix. There’s to be a celebration of the music of AC/DC and Rose Tattoo featuring the allstar line-up of Angry Anderson, former AC/ DC bass player Mark Evans, guitarist Bob Spencer of Skyhooks and James Morley, formerly of The Angels. And it will all take place at The Bridgeway Hotel, 18 Bridge Rd, Pooraka, on Friday 3 July with tickets via <trybooking.com>. The Australian Doors Show, once endorsed by the late Ray Manzarek and who tour the world to much acclaim, will be heading to the Governor Hindmarsh, 59 Port Rd, Hindmarsh, on Saturday 2 May. Book at OzTix or via the venue. Groovin’ The Moo returns to Oakbank Racecourse on Saturday 25 April and will have A$AP Ferg, Ball Park Music, Broods, Carmada, Charli XCX, The Delta Riggs, DMA’s, Flight Facilities, Hermitude, Hilltop Hoods, Hot Dub Time Machine, Meg Mac, Northlane, One Day, Peace, Peaches, The Preatures, RL Grime, San
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Melbourne’s Anya Anastasia & The Bird Wizdom Cabaret will be playing with Orelia, Joy Sparkes and Lilly Sim at Crown & Sceptre, 308 King William St, from 9pm on Friday 24 April. Tickets at the door for $10.
Presented by Jazz SA, Melbourne-based vocalist Lauren Henderson is returning to her former hometown to present her gifted wares at The Promethean, 115 Grote St, on from 5pm on Sunday 17 May with tickets available via <stickytickets.com.au>. Nexus Arts, located at North Tce’s Lion Arts Centre, has announced its eclectic line-up for its Nexus Live series with Oscar Key Sung and Swimming on Friday 24 April, Paul Grabowsky and Gian Slater Trio on Friday 1 May, Emma Donovan & The Putbacks and Kylie Audist & The Glenroy Allstars on Friday 8 May and Beat Spacek (Steve Spacek of Ninja Tune), Julien Dyne and Inkswel winding up the series on Friday 15 May. Sydney punks Leadfinger are heading our way and will play Hotel Metro, 46 Grote St, on Friday 24 April alongside Pro Tools and Ivory Peacocks and then hit The Land Of Promise Hotel, Port Rd, Hindmarsh, on ANZAC Day with help from Ben Gel & The Boneyard Saints, The C-Bombs, Soberphobia, The Toss and Drunky Blunders. Melbourne’s Kit Convict & Thee Terrible Two will be launching a 12-inch LP, Watch Your Skull, when they play with The Villenettes, Wild Rocket and Kasavette at Crown & Anchor, 196 Grenfell St, on Saturday 30 May. Canadian comedian Lilly Singh, who has racked up over a zillion views on YouTube, is bringing her show, A Trip To Unicorn Island, to the Governor Hindmarsh, 59 Port Rd, Hindmarsh, on Tuesday 2 June. Tickets are now on sale via the venue or OzTix. Melbourne’s Killerbirds will be heading over the border to be special guests of Ricochet Pete when they wind up their Grace Emily residency on Friday 24 April with The Villenettes also on the bill. And on Saturday 25 April, Killerbirds will again rock out at The Cumberland Hotel, 76 Causeway Rd, Semaphore, with local champions Juliette Seizure & The Tremor Dolls and Meatbeaters. It’s free entry too! Kiwi bluegrass legends Hamilton County Bluegrass Band will soon be paying us a visit and playing Aldinga’s The Barn, 142 Mt Barker Rd, on Monday 18 May with local ensemble Old South Bluegrass Band. Tickets $25 at the door and BYO refreshments. Morgan Bain, a singer songwriter who hails from Perth and plays soulful blues rock with his band, is on a national tour to promote the Why Don’t You Stay? single and will undertake a free entry show from 9pm at The Exeter Hotel, 246 Rundle St, on Thursday 30 April with Luke Carlino as special guest. Finally! Fleetwood Mac have now added an Adelaide date to their Australian tour and are set to play Coopers Stadium, Hindmarsh, on Wednesday 28 October. Tickets and more info at <livenation.com. au>.
My Empty Phantom hails from Texas and is comprised entirely of one person, Jesse Beaman, who is able to create dramatic soundscapes reminiscent of leaders in the genre such as Explosions In The Sky. Catch My Empty Phantom at Crown & Anchor on Thursday 30 April with Molly, Last Days Of Kali and Stranger Things Have Happened. Melbourne band Coffin Wolf will be joined by Blind Man Death Stare (who hail from Melbourne via Brisbane and were once known as The Pints) along with Stabbitha & The Knifey Wifeys when they play a free entry show with local punk rock headliners Dead Joe at Crown & Sceptre, 308 King William St, on Friday 1 May. The interstate bands also play Washed Up Chillfest Part Two at Producers Bar, 235 Grenfell St, on Saturday 2 May alongside heaps of other bands from 12.30pm. Brooklyn-based hip hop artist Necro, founder and operator of Psycho+LogicalRecords, is on his way to play the Governor Hindmarsh, 59 Port Rd, Hindmarsh, on Friday 15 May with tickets on sale now via the venue or OzTix. World traveller and guitar virtuoso Daniel Champagne will return to play McLaren Vale’s The Singing Gallery on Saturday 1 May and also The Wheatsheaf Hotel, 39 George St, Thebarton, on Saturday 2 May with very special guests to be announced soon. Hailing from Seaford, Victoria, heavy but melodic rock band As Crows Fly will be heading to town to make their Adelaide debut at Producers Bar, 235 Grenfell St, on Friday 22 May and will be performing alongside like-minded local bands SoundGasm, Wicked Empire and Hi Speed Life. Delightful Victorian duo Victoriana Gaye are heading back to town to play some soft core prog (that rocks) at a free entry show with Adelaide’s Brillig from 9pm at The Wheatsheaf Hotel, 39 George St, Thebarton, on Friday 1 May. The duo will also play McLaren Vale’s Red Poles Gallery on Sunday 3 May from 12.30pm until 3.30pm. New York’s RA Thornburn, better known as American rapper R.A The Rugged Man, has announced his Shoot Me In The Head Australian Tour which will have him rapping away at the Governor Hindmarsh, 59 Port Rd, Hindmarsh, on Monday 8 June. Book quickly via the venue or OzTix. Brisbane-based indie pop band We All Want To will bringing the hazy pop of their Haze album to Hotel Metro, 46 Grote St, on Saturday 30 May where they will be joined by some local guests. ARIA Hall Of Famers and much revered band The Church will hit the Govenor Hindmarsh Hotel, 59 Port Rd, Hindmarsh, on Saturday 11 July at which they’ll be concentrating on their second album, The Blurred Crusade, which boasted such classic songs as Almost With You and Field Of Mars. Tickets are now on sale via the venue or OzTix. APIA Good Times Tour is making a return and will feature Joe Camilleri, Brian Cadd and Glenn Shorrock with Kate Ceberano as a special guest at Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Thursday 30 April. Book via Ticketek. Four-piece band This Will Destroy You hail from San Marcos, Texas, and play post rock. They will now be making the trek across the oceans to play some at Jive, 181 Hindley St, on Monday 8 June with tickets available via Moshtix. Melbourne’s Harts will bring his soulful, funky, electronic pop rock to Rocket Bar, upstairs, 142 Hindley St, on Friday 5 June to launch his Breakthrough EP before heading off overseas.
Huge Race, once a member of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, The Wreckery and Hugo Race & The True Spirit, will be playing another of his enchanting shows at The Wheatsheaf Hotel, 39 George St, Thebarton, from 4pm on Sunday 3 May with special guests Band Of Flowers. Tickets via OzTix. Melbourne’s Harry Howard & The NDE are quickly heading back to town and will be playing The Wheatsheaf Hotel, 39 George St, Thebarton, from 9pm on Saturday 18 July. Tickets will be $15 plus booking via the venue or OzTix. Andrew Strong & The Commitments have announced another Australian jaunt after selling out shows around the country last October. Catch them kick off their next tour at the Governor Hindmarsh, 59 Port Rd, Hindmarsh, on Thursday 7 May with tickets available via the venue or OzTix. It’s been a long time between drinks but Carus Thompson is heading to town to play no less than two sets of his engaging folk rock music from 4pm until 6.30pm at the Grace Emily Hotel, 232 Waymouth St, on Sunday 17 May. Expect new songs alongside many old favourites. Melbourne’s Dave Graney & The mistLy will return for two big shows at the Wheatsheaf Hotel, 39 George St, Thebarton, from 9pm on Anzac Day and from 4pm on Sunday 26 April to promote a new album, Play mistLY For Me. Book via OzTix. Originally hailing from The Blue Mountains, hip hop crew Hermitude will drop a new album, Dark Night Sweet Light in May and then take it on the road which will bring them to HQ Complex, cnr West and North Tces, on Thursday 18 June where they will be joined by Sydney’s Basenji and Newcastle’s Jayteehazard. Tickets on sale now via Moshtix. The mighty King Parrot have just announced a huge national tour to promote the release of new album, Dead Set, and will hit Fowler’s Live, 68-70 North Tce, on Friday 15 May with special guests High Tension and Coloosvs. Perth-based progressive rockers Karnivool will celebrate their 10th anniversary by touring their now classic debut album, Themata, and will do so in Adelaide at the Governor Hindmarsh, 59 Port Rd, Hindmarsh, on Tuesday 19 May with Cairo Knife Fight as special guests. That show is now SOLD OUT but another has been added for Monday 18 May so book quickly via OzTix or the venue. Clint Boge is quickly returning to our town for another solo acoustic tour and you can catch the former frontperson of The Butterfly Effect when he plays some songs of a delicate nature at The Royal Oak, 123 O’Connell St, North Adelaide, on Thursday 7 May, Slug & Lettuce, 130 Martins Rd, Parafield Gardens, on Friday 8 May and Ramsgate Hotel, 328 Henley Beach Rd, Henley Beach, on Saturday 9 May. Pre-sale tickets at Moshtix or the venues.
Adelaide Entertainment Centre Brad Butcher (Mackay) at Grace Emily Voyager (Perth) and Klone (France) at Jive FRIDAY 22 MAY Shaggy (UK) at HQ Irish DeMent (US) and Pieta Brown (US) at Governor Hindmarsh Brad Butcher (Mackay) at The Singing Gallery (McLaren Vale) As Crows Fly (Melbourne), SoundGasm, Wicked Empire and Hi Speed Life at Producers Bar
THURSDAY 23 APRIL Funeral For A Friend (Wales) and Vices (Sydney) at Fowler’s Live FRIDAY 24 APRIL Oscar Key Sung (Sydney) and Swimming at Nexus Arts Killerbirds (Melbourne) Ricochet Pete and The Villenettes at Grace Emily Ill Starred Captain (WA) at Howling Dog Tavern (Corny Point) Anya Anastasia & The Bird Wizdom Cabaret, Orelia, Joy Sparkes and Lilly Sim at Crown & Sceptre Leadfinger (Sydney), The Pro Tools and Ivory Peacocks at Hotel Metro SATURDAY 25 APRIL Ill Starred Captain (WA), Shane Labady and Wade Francis at The Jade Monkey Mick Pealing’s Stars (Melbourne) at Governor Hindmarsh Groovin’ The Moo: A$AP Ferg, Ball Park Music, Broods (NZ), Carmada, Charli XCX (UK), The Delta Riggs, DMA’s, Flight Facilities, Hermitude, Hilltop Hoods, Hot Dub Time Machine, Meg Mac, Northlane, One Day, Peace (UK), Peaches (Canada), The Preatures, RL Grime (US), San Cisco, Saskwatch, Sticky Fingers, Tkay Maidza, Wolfmother, Timberwolf and You Me At Six (UK) at Oakbank Racecourse Dave Graney & The mistLY (Melbourne) at Wheatsheaf Ill Starred Captain (WA) and Rafa Gody at Aldinga Hotel (Aldinga from 2pm) Killerbirds (Melbourne, Meatbeaters and Juliette Siezure & The Tremor Dolls at Cumberland Hotel (Semaphore) Leadfinger (Sydney), Ben Gel & The Boneyard Saints, The C-Bombs, Soberphobia, The Toss and Drunky Blunders at Land Of Promise SUNDAY 26 APRIL Dave Graney & The mistLY (Melbourne) at Wheatsheaf Bill Chambers (Sydney) and Four Crying Out Loud at Governor Hindmarsh THURSDAY 30 APRIL Courtney Barnett (Melbourne) & Teeth & Tongue at Governor Hindmarsh APIA Good Times Tour: Joe Camilleri, Kate Ceberano, Brian Cadd and Glenn Shorrock at Adelaide Entertainment Centre My Empty Phantom (Texas), Molly, Last Days Of Kali and Stranger Things Have Happened at Crown & Anchor Morgan Bain (Perth) and Luke Carlino at Exeter Hotel FRIDAY 1 MAY Paul Grabowsky (Melbourne) and Gian Slater Trio at Nexus Arts Sam Smith (UK) at Adelaide Entertainment Centre Theatre Thundamentals (Blue Mountains) at Fowler’s Live Courtney Barnett (Melbourne) & Teeth & Tongue at Governor Hindmarsh (SOLD OUT) Baby et Lulu (Melbourne) at Trinity Sessions Victoriana Gaye (Victoria) and Brillig at Wheatsheaf Hotel Daniel Champagne (Sydney) at The Singing Gallery (McLaren Vale) Aine Tyrrell (Ireland/Melbourne), Boston Girl and The Brouhaha at The Exeter SATURDAY 2 MAY The Australian Doors Show (Sydney) at Governor Hindmarsh Daniel Champagne (Sydney) at Wheatsheaf Hotel Chillfest Part Two: Coffin Wolf (Melbourne), Emecia, The Dirty Chins, Dead Joe and many more from 12.30pm SUNDAY 3 MAY Hugo Race (Melbourne) and Band Of Flowers at Wheatsheaf Hotel Victoriana Gaye (Victoria) at Red Poles Gallery (McLaren Vale)
SATURDAY 23 MAY Diesel (Sydney) at Governor Hindmarsh Nick Barker & The Heartache State (Melbourne) at Grace Emily MONDAY 4 MAY Opeth (Sweden) at Governor Hindmarsh The Seekers Story with Athol Guy (Melbourne) at Her Majesty’s Theatre TUESDAY 5 MAY Ricky Martin and Delta Goodrem at Adelaide Entertainment Centre Metalum Manifestatione MMXV: Suffocation (US) and Decapitation (Poland) at Governor Hindmarsh WEDNESDAY 6 MAY Ace Frehley (US) and The Babes at Governor Hindmarsh THURSDAY 7 MAY Everclear (US) at Fowler’s Live Clint Boge (Brisbane) at Royal Oak Andrew Strong & The Commitments (Ireland) at Governor Hindmarsh The Shrines (US) at Crown & Anchor FRIDAY 8 MAY Microwave Jenny (Sydney) at Wheatsheaf Hotel Anastacia (US) at Festival Theatre The Angels at Governor Hindmarsh Red Fang (US) and Beastwars (New Zealand) at Fowler’s Live Lurch & Thief (Melbourne) at Rocket Bar Clint Boge (Brisbane) at Slug & Lettuce Emma Donovan & The Putbacks (Melbourne) and Kylie Audist & The Glenroy Allstars (Melbourne) at Nexus Arts SATURDAY 9 MAY Silverstein (Canada), Dream On Dreamer and Young Lions at Fowler’s Live The Angels at Governor Hindmarsh Tragic Earth (Melbourne), Burn Collect, Letters To Amy, Mind Remover, Azzurra and Puritan at Bridgeway Clint Boge (Brisbane) at Ramsgate Hotel SUNDAY 10 MAY The Spoils Duo (Melbourne) at Wheatsheaf
SUNDAY 24 MAY Gang Of Youths (Melbourne) at Exeter Hotel (from 5pm) FRIDAY 29 MAY The Getaway Plan (Melbourne) at Fowler’s Live sleepmakeswaves (Sydney) at Adelaide Uni Bar Allday at HQ Complex SATURDAY 30 MAY Supersuckers (US) and The BellRays (US) at Governor Hindmarsh We All Want To (Brisbane) at Hotel Metro Defeater (US) and Bane (US) at Fowler’s Live Decimatus (Melbourne) and Envenomed (Melbourne) at Enigma Bar Kit Convict & Thee Terrible Two (Melbourne), The Villenettes, Wild Rocket and Kasavette at Crown & Anchor The Jungle Giants (Sydney) at Adelaide Uni Bar SUNDAY 31 MAY Boris (Japan) at Fowler’s Live MONDAY 3 JUNE Bad Manners (UK) at Governor Hindmarsh WEDNESDAY 5 JUNE Brian Kennedy (Ireland) at Trinity Sessions THURSDAY 4 JUNE In Hearts Wake (Byron Bay), We Came As Romans (US) Beartooth (US) and We Storm The Sky at HQ Complex FRIDAY 5 JUNE Against Me! (US) and Joyce Manor (US) at Adelaide Uni Bar The Peep Tempel (Melbourne) at Crown & Anchor Dallas Frasca (Melbourne) at Pirie & Co Social Club Harts (Melbourne) at Rocket Bar
MONDAY 11 MAY America (US) at Thebarton Theatre
SATURDAY 6 JUNE Ry Kemp, Shelby Clements (NSW), Heath Anthony and Bec Stevens at Exeter Hotel
THURSDAY 14 MAY Paloma Faith (UK) at Adelaide Entertainment Centre Theatre
SUNDAY 7 JUNE Karise Eden (Sydney) at Governor Hindmarsh
FRIDAY 15 MAY Beat Spacek (UK), Julien Dyne and Inkswel at Nexus Arts King Parrott (Sydney), High Tension and Coloosvs at Fowler’s Live Necro (US) at Governor Hindmarsh
MONDAY 8 JUNE R.A. The Rugged Man (US) at Governor Hindmarsh This Will Destroy You (US) at Jive
SATURDAY 16 MAY Infinity Broke (Sydney), Matthew Hayward and Blush Response at Hotel Metro Dragon (Sydney) at Governor Hindmarsh SUNDAY 17 MAY Riblja Čorba (Serbia) at Governor Hindmarsh Carus Thompson (Melbourne) at Grace Emily Lauren Henderson (Melbourne) at The Promethean MONDAY 18 MAY Hamilton Country Bluegrass Band (New Zealand) and Old South Bluegrass Band at The Barn (Aldgate) Nickelback (Canada) at Adelaide Entertainment Centre Karnivool (Perth) and Cairo Knife Fight at Governor Hindmarsh TUESDAY 19 MAY Karnivool (Perth) and Cairo Knife Fight at Governor Hindmarsh (SOLD OUT) WEDNESDAY 20 MAY Enter Shikari (UK) at HQ Complex
THURSDAY 11 JUNE Deez Nuts (Melbourne/New York), Antagonist CD (New Zealand), Relentless and Earth Caller at Fowler’s Live FRIDAY 12 JUNE Yngwie Malmsteem (Sweden) at HQ The Funkoars, DJ Total Eclipse (US), Mathas (Perth) and Eloji (Melbourne) at Governor Hindmarsh SATURDAY 13 JUNE Art Of Sleeping (Brisbane), Jesse Davidson and Sunbeam Sound Machine at Jive THURSDAY 18 JUNE Hermitude (Blue Mountains), Basenji (Sydney) and Jayteehazard (Newcastle) at HQ Complex FRIDAY 19 JUNE Baby Animals (Perth) and Superjesus at Governor Hindmarsh The Black Dahlia Murder (US), Pyscroptic, Colossvs and Truth Corroded at Fowler’s Live SATURDAY 20 JUNE Oscar Key Sung (Sydney) at Rocket Bar
THURSDAY 21 MAY Mötley Crüe (US) and Alice Cooper (US) at
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DAVE GRANEY & THE mistLY By Robert Dunstan
Near Death Experience and will also return to town to play The Wheatsheaf on Saturday 18 July.
Melbourne-based combo Dave Graney & The mistLY are coming to town for two shows to launch a new digital-only release, Play mistLY For Me which is to be followed later in the year by The Don.
“Yeah, Harry thought he’d give it a go at the Wheaty because he enjoyed himself there when he did the Rowland S Howard tribute show last year,” Clare states.
The band, a going concern for a number of years now, features Dave Graney on guitar and vocals, the left-handed Stu Periera on guitar, Stu Thomas on six-string bass and drummer Clare Moore. Clare and Dave, who are partners in real life, have played together in bands since the late ’70s, so it was only fitting that BSide Magazine engaged in conversation with both of them before they headed over to Adelaide to once again ply their assorted musical wares at the Wheatsheaf Hotel. I therefore begin by suggesting that the inner suburban pub has now become the band’s Adelaide venue of choice. “We love playing there,” Clare enthuses. “It’s a great room with a fantastic sound. And any room that doesn’t have a bar in it is great. There is nothing more off putting that hearing the bar staff tossing empty bottles into a bin. “The Wheaty audience is also so attentive and right up close to the stage,” she adds. “It’s a fantastically well-run hotel as well and, as a performer, you don’t have to worry about anything. It’s all taken care of.” “Yeah, they way the pub is run is fantastic,” Dave quickly agrees. “And there’s no big TVs showing sport or any poker machines so it’s pretty amazing. And people seem to enjoy going there. “And the last time we were over there was for the Fearful Wiggings shows,” he adds. “So while we’ll be doing some of those songs, we’ll also be digging deep and doing a few older songs as well. “And we are now playing some of The Moodists’ songs in The mistLY because we’ve been getting back in touch with that material again,” Dave elaborates further. “And that came about because back in January, we had our friend Malcolm Ross, who used to be in Postcard Records’ bands like Orange Juice and Josef K and who also played with The Moodists in our final stages, over for a visit,” he states. “Malcolm has been a great friend over the years and so we played a gig with him in Edinburgh last year and then he came to Melbourne in January and wanted to do a gig,” Dave says. “So we did something at Steve Miller’s little bar – you can find the clips of Double Life and Chad’s Car on YouTube – and it was just such great fun getting in touch with those songs again. “Sometimes you think that things are too far away in the past, but then you take them out and look at them again,” he adds. “But they are still part of your life and are actually quite present.” Clare and Dave also play as the rhythm section of Melbourne’s Harry Howard & The
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“And Clare and I do really enjoy playing with Harry and Edwina [Preston – organist and singer],” Dave says. The mistLY will be travelling our way armed and fully loaded with a new release with a title that gives a sly nod to a Clint Eastwood film. “It’s a live thing,” Clare says of Play mistLy For Me. “We actually put it together a while ago now and launched it here in Melbourne at a fairly large venue, Knox Community Arts Centre, in Bayswater which is an old, traditional theatre. “So Play mistLY For Me is stuff we’ve recorded over the last couple of years either with the band as a trio or a four-piece. It’s from all over Australia – anywhere from Katoomba through to Darwin – because we’d decided to record a lot of the shows we were playing last year. “So Dave just mixed it and we’ve put it out there,” she then adds. “And Play mistLY For Me is very much a rock’n’roll album,” Dave says, “but we have another one coming out later called The Don which is more of a semi-acoustic thing with a bit of talking on it. “And they’ve come about because we’ve spent much of last year – well not really reflecting – but going back to old things,” he reflects. “So before we get back to Adelaide this weekend we’ll have about 14 albums up on iTunes. We’ve put up stuff like Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye from 2001 and you’ve been in my mind from 2012. “And they are available with extra songs which now make them more coherent for the times,” Dave, who recorded and mixed The Darling Downs’ albums, continues. “So that’s been really great apart from having to go back and listen to them all before putting them up. And they go everywhere as well as iTunes. “And the Cherry Red label in the UK are also going to be putting out the first bunch of records that came out on Creation Records and The Moodists were one of them,” the musician says of the band he led and which Clare also drummed with back in the very early ’80s. The Moodists had made the trek, as many other Australian bands did, from Melbourne to London to seek fame and fortune and recorded an EP for Creation in 1985. “So Cherry Red are putting that out as well as a John Peel radio session The Moodists did back in 1985,” Dave explains. “We actually did two John Peel sessions. “And we’ve also been approached about doing a couple of Dave Graney ‘n’ The Coral Snakes gigs here in Melbourne,” he then reveals.
“But that’s all a bit outside of our control to a degree because everyone is kind of spread around the place,” he sighs. “And getting old bands back together can be a bit delicate sometimes. It’s not a good idea to rush into that kind of thing although we’d be open to look at it.” Dave, who once boldly claimed to be ‘The King Of Pop’ when he snaffled the ARIA award in 1996 for Best Male Vocalist, seems to continually be reinventing himself to stay one step ahead of the pack. In that regard, he’s not an artist who rests on past laurels and treads the same old musical turf. “I think you have to do that to keep it interesting,” Clare suggests. “And it’s always fun taking on a completely new project to see where it goes. And sometimes it’s so much fun you don’t want it to end. “And there are lots of different ways of approaching recording these days so it’s nice to experiment a bit,” she adds. “So we like to do new things and are not so stuck in the past. We like doing new stuff whether it be our own thing or working on film soundtracks. Soundtrack work has included the feature film Bad Eggs along with providing scores for assorted independent releases. “Yeah, and we’re working again with Donna McRae from South Australia because we did a soundtrack for her horror film Johnny Ghost which was shown at a lot of film festivals around the world,” Clare says. “So, Donna and her partner, Michael Vale, who is an artist, are now trying to get another film happening called Working Dog and it looks like Dave and I might be working on that. “We’re looking at the trailers for that at the moment,” she adds. “And I also did the music for Tony Martin’s little television show [A Quiet Word With…] where he interviewed other comedians.” Clare, who played drums on Rob Snarski’s solo affair, Wounded Bird, is also involved as a singer and drummer in The Dames alongside keyboard player and singer Kaye-Louise Patterson and double bass player Rosie Westbrook and they play the occasional show around their hometown of Melbourne. “It’s always fun to get that band back together again,” Clare says. “And we really enjoyed making the album and then getting Barry Adamson [of Magazine and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds] to produce it over in Brighton over in England. “And that’s another good thing about today’s technology – you can just email stuff to someone in another part of the world to work on,” she says with a laugh. “And then they just email it back when it’s all done.” “So I think The Dames will do another album at some stage,” Clare adds. When Harry Howard & The Near Death Experience toured Europe last year, Dave and Clare took the opportunity to also stage some mistLy shows in duo mode.
“We did a couple in Berlin and another couple in London and they were all fabulous,” Clare says. “We had a really great time, particularly in Berlin, and I can now understand why people are flocking there. Berlin is a very creative place at the moment and it’s full of art galleries and art spaces. “They just seem to be popping up all over the place because they have a whole new area they are developing,” she says. “And they are asking the community what they want to be there and they are all saying they want art spaces. So it’s just fantastic.” Dave Graney & The mistLY will launch digital-only release Play mistLY For Me at The Wheatsheaf Hotel, 39 George St, Thebarton, from 9pm on Saturday 25 April and again from 4pm on Sunday 25 April. Tickets are available now via OzTix or the venue.
MICK PEALING’S STARS By Robert Dunstan Adelaide band Stars fashioned themselves as rock’n’roll cowboys when they formed back in the ’70s, but their life was cut short when guitarist and chief songwriter Andy Durant was struck down by cancer at the age of only 25. They left a legacy of two studio albums, 1978’s Paradise and 1979’s Land Of Fortune, along with a live offering, 1157, which marked the number of shows they had played since forming. Now, some 35 years later, original vocalist Mick Pealing has put together Mick Pealing’s Stars to pay tribute to the band as well as paying great homage to the music of Andy Durant. Speaking to Mick over the telephone, he seems somewhat guarded at first until I mention that Adelaide band Astra Khan, which featured several musicians who would later go on to play in Stars, had performed at my high school social in the early ’70s. “Ha, ha, ” he then laughs. “Yes, Astra Kahn with Paul Redding on vocals. And I was then in what was seen as a rival band called Nantucket with Brett Summers on lead guitar who is still around the place. “But we all lived in the same neighbourhood and met up one day at a jam session – down at Seacliff I think it was – and then formed a new band,” Mick says. “But we were still just learning our chops back then and playing mainly covers – stuff by Free, Deep Purple and all that. “And we were then a four-piece band [then known around the traps as Flash] because Andy Durant hadn’t joined yet,” he continues. “And we were doing hard rock covers because, being quite young, that was what we were into at the time.” How did the band then evolve into a country rock outfit? “The way that all happened was that [guitarist] Mal Eastick and I had started writing some original stuff which caught the ears of Beeb Birtles of Little River Band who then suggested us to Michael Gudinski who was running Mushroom Records. “Michael liked what he heard and signed us up and we quickly released a single, Quick On The Draw, and then another one, Winning Hand, on Mushroom, but when it came to doing a full album we realised we didn’t have many other good songs.
“Mal and I had come up against a brick wall in the songwriting department but we suddenly remembered Andy back in Adelaide because he was a great guitar player and a prolific songwriter,” Mick laughs. “So we asked him to come over [to Melbourne] and join the band.
sighs. “It was all a bit of a pain really because we were just working to pay off our debts. “And then we found out that Andy was crook – he was a quiet person and had pretty much kept all that to himself – so that led to us getting offers to join other bands and it eventually led to Stars fizzling out.”
“And Andy became our main songwriter and it was his influences that kinda turned us into a country rock band,” Mick states.
Stars demise was followed by the release of live album, 1157, which was recorded at famous Sydney venue Bombay Rock.
It was also a time, however, of the southern American country rock sound of bands such as Wet Willie, Grinderswitch, Charlie Daniels Band, Black Oak Arkansas, Dixie Dregs, The Outlaws and The Marshall Tucker Band.
“And it’s funny because I now can’t remember that show at all,” Mick admits with a laugh. “But I know it happened because there is live footage of it that came as a bonus disc called Live At Bombay Rock with the DVD re-release of The Andy Durant Memorial Concert.
“Yeah, yeah, we listened to all those guys, but Andy’s songs were very much more influenced by what people like The Band were doing,” Mick says of the mostly Canadian group that were holed up on a farm in rural Woodstock, New York State, and working with Bob Dylan on what has come to be known much later as Americana music. “And I guess some of The Eagles’ early country rock sound rubbed off on us as well,” he then adds as an afterthought. What prompted the shift from Adelaide over to Melbourne soon after Stars had formed? “Well, Melbourne was where Mushroom Records was based,” Mick responds, “and, music-wise, it just seemed that Melbourne and Sydney were where it was all happening at the time. I guess it was wise, in a way, to make that move, initially anyway, so that we could be in the centre of everything that was going on.” The band called it a day back in the late ’70s. Was that mostly due to Andy passing away? “Ah, look, there were several factors,” Mick says. “Our first album, Paradise, did really, really well, but the second album, Land Of Fortune, pretty much stiffed. “And while I still think, in terms of the songwriting and stuff, that Land Of Fortune was the equal of the first album, the musical climate at the time was changing. “People were getting into the new wave stuff as it was right in the middle of the punk era,” Paul recalls. “So while Stars were still doin’ okay as far as the live gigs went, we were suddenly seen as being old-fashioned. “And because we weren’t selling any records, we kind of hit a slump and the last six months of the band were really hard,” he
“And it’s actually pretty good,” he suggests. “I was actually quite surprised and I think it was filmed as a special for that television series, Nightmoves.” The Andy Durant Memorial Concert, organised by Stars’ guitarist Mal Eastick, took place in August of 1980 at Melbourne’s Palais Theatre and featured the band alongside guests such as Jimmy Barnes, Broderick Smith, Richard Clapton, Renée Geyer, Ian Moss, Don Walker and Kerryn Tolhurst of like-minded country rockers The Dingoes as well as Ric Formosa of Little River Band. The now historic event yielded a double album and later surfaced as the aforementioned DVD which is still considered to be one of the great concerts of Australian music. “Oh, yeah, it was a great show and all the people involved were friends of ours,” Mick says. “And, just before he passed away, Andy was writing songs with Richard Clapton and a couple of them ended up on his Dark Spaces album. “And Andy passing away was really, really sad for everyone because he was only 25 and yet to really hit his stride,” he sighs.
“So I was continually getting asked if Stars were ever going to get back together,” Mick says. “And then I saw a band called The Prairie Oysters about three years ago and thought to myself, ‘Hey, these guys could play Stars’ songs if I were to stand in front of them’. “So I put it to them and we organised a gig a while ago at The Caravan Club here in Melbourne and it sold out,” he continues. “So we put on a few more shows but I then realised that, as good as The Prairie Oysters are as players, there were certain songs they couldn’t quite pull off as they were meant to be. “So I then got together a really good band to fully do the songs justice,” Mick says of enticing keyboard player Chris Wilson, drummer Peter Robertson, bass player Jo Imbroll, and guitarist Mark Tonelli to play his former band’s music. “And it’s all come together really well,” Mick says. “And we can do everything – all of the Paradise album and all the songs from Land Of Fortune as well as other various bits and pieces.” Mick, who hints that something big will be coming up for Stars in August of this year, then laughs when I ask if the opening act for the Adelaide show, James Pealing & Hoggy’s Barrow, might be his son? “No, no,” he says. “It’s my brother who still lives in Adelaide – as do my three sisters – and he plays guitar. He’s got a band and they are very much into stuff like Zappa and Captain Beafheart. “I just hope they are good,” Mick concludes with a laugh, “although it’s going to be a good contrast to what we do anyway. So I think people will be in for a bit of a treat.” Mick Pealing’s Stars and James Pealing & Hoggy’s Barrow play the Governor Hindmarsh, 59 Port Rd, Hindmarsh, on Saturday 25 April. Tickets via the venue or OzTix.
“Andy was a very private guy,” Mick then reveals. “He was always friendly enough but he kept pretty much to himself and while we realised he was crook, we didn’t know until near the end exactly what was wrong. He’d kept it to himself pretty much right up until the end.” Following Stars’ demise, Mick went on to form The Ideals and The Spaniards but says he still, to this day, includes Stars’ material in his live sets.
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PAINTED FROM MEMORY By Catherine Blanch In the 1990s, the unlikely duo of Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello collaborated to create a truly remarkable song, God Give Me Strength. They went on to write the Grammy Award winning song I Still Have That Other Girl from the 1998 album Painted From Memory. In a song-cycle featuring the music of Bacharach and Costello, Michael Falzon (We Will Rock You/Swing On This) teams up with his Luke Kennedy (The Voice/The Ten Tenors/Swing On This) and a nine-piece band to present Painted From Memory at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival. We speak with Michael Falzon who tells us that this show is very personal to him. “Absolutely it is! But I think if you listen to the album you’ll find that a lot of the lyrics will definitely ring true for many people. For me, it took me through a period of my life of great change. I’m always listening to so many different sorts of music so every now and then something will really stand out, and this album was one of those. These two songwriters are amazing talented men in their own right. To have Bacharach and Costello join together and create what this album has become is something special again. “It’s an interesting collaboration,” Michael agrees. “If you look at a song like Veronica, Elvis Costello co-wrote that with Paul McCartney, which would seem more like an obvious teaming. But you wouldn’t necessarily put Burt Bacharach with Elvis Costello. They first wrote God Give Me Strength back in 1996, which was a musical triumph on every level. I think it really rocked the music industry because people couldn’t understand how such a pairing could come about with these two gentlemen. But given all their experience, to be able to write something so powerful, really rang true for so many people. They continued writing together and created the Painted From Memory album.” Luke Kennedy has taken the place of Jersey Boys’ Bobby Fox “Bobby and I originally performed this show at the Recital Hall in Sydney,” Michael says. “Different scheduling means that he’s not available for Adelaide. My pre-requisite for Bobby, Luke and even myself was that you had to be in your thirties, you had to have experienced heartbreak to be able to sing this stuff… and Luke was happy that he
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fitted into all of that! Luke and I are working a lot together this year; Jesus Christ Superstar, Swing On This and now Painted From Memory, so it’s great to be working onstage with such great friends. “This show will be very different to what people saw Luke and I doing in Swing On This last year, he explains. “That show was just he four of us taking the piss out of each other on stage and having a fun time swinging. But this is really bold, raw music. The arrangements that Isaac Hayward has created from the original album for a nine– piece string section is really very special, and pretty rare to hear anywhere. “I hope audiences will enjoy the contrast from Swing On This, singing Bacharach as opposed to Irving Berlin or Cole Porter swing. They’re decades apart, emotionally very different and there are as some beautiful searing melodies in these songs which really do reach some heights – both vocally and emotionally. Is there a scripted story running through the show? “The wonderful thing with this music is that each song tells its own story; each one has something important to say,” he says. “We have a clip at the beginning of the evening with both Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach telling us what each song means and where they came from. We’ve all been through the same stuff in our lives, but as the songs come together as a whole, you’re pretty much following a journey with the two performers on stage. There is a narrative but it’s in the lyrics more than anything else. “This album has become a modern classic; you could put it among Tapestry and the like. Twenty years on from its release and it’s becoming very well regarded. The surprise was that it was so unexpected that these two working together – Burt Bacharach’s style emotionally compounded by Elvis Costello’s edge – it just works beautifully,” Michael concludes. “Obviously, with Luke and me singing it, it will sound a little bit different, but that will just show how successful the songs really are. This show really is very beautiful and I’m so proud of it.” Michael Falzon’s Painted From Memory runs at Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre from 6.30pm on Friday 12 June until Saturday 13 June. Book at BASS.
IT WAS WORTH THE WEIGHT by Bobby Goudie Adelaide-based singer David Gauci performed at the inaugural Adelaide Cabaret Festival back in 2001 and now he has the honour of being the very first show to perform at this year’s Festival. David trained operatically at Adelaide’s Elder Conservatorium, but he quickly abandoned opera for a life in musical theatre and cabaret. He has performed the understudy role of Edna Turnblad in the Australian touring production of Hairspray, Richard the Nice Nurse in William Finn’s A New Brain and Nicely Nicely Johnson in the SA State Theatre Company production of Guys & Dolls although David suggests that Adelaide probably best knows him best as the singer at your mother’s wedding and your grandmother’s funeral. The Clothesline speaks to David and asks what It Was Worth The Weight is all about. “It seems so very selfish to say it, but the show is about me,” he begins. “I keep asking myself why would anyone want to hear my story. It still has me beat! “My story is told through some of the wonderful songs that I have loved to sing over the years. Some of the stories in the show are true and some I refer to as ‘truish’. What I think I have to offer is hope. I hope that good things come to those who wait, even those of weight! You might have noticed I am a man of girth!” David will be accompanied on piano by the wonderful Josh Belperio. “Josh is an extremely precocious young man and talented to boot. I write my own material, which I have been told is terribly dangerous but Josh keeps me pretty grounded.” What songs can we expect from you each night? “Something old, something new, mostly borrowed but nothing blue!” David jokes. “I worry that if I say it people run away screaming, but I do love musical theatre. The tried and well-worn musical theatre numbers are kept locked away in the trunk though. I’ll breathe a little life into some new material, even some numbers never heard before in Adelaide or the world! How is the Adelaide Cabaret Festival different from when you first performed in it in 2001?
“It has become its own entity and doesn’t replicate any other,” he replies. “It is truly international and a leader in its festival type. The Cabaret Festival has a great mix of international, national and local artists and it also embraces all forms of cabaret. It’s something that every artist, director, crew member and promotional staff member who has ever been involved can be very proud of. “It’s quite an honour to be back; at the inaugural Adelaide Cabaret Festival I performed alongside the wonderful Matthew Carey in the foyer, or maybe it was the car park,” David jokes. “My favourite moment though was performing sharing the stage with Rhonda Burchmore and Rachel Beck in a production of Guys And Dolls.” David also has had a huge involvement in the Adelaide Fringe Festival, producing and directing shows. His recent credits include, Altar Boyz, Xanadu and this year flowerchildren – The Mamas And Papas Story. In It Was Worth The Weight, David touches on his experience as a larger-size performer and I ask him if this makes it difficult to get good roles in theatre? “It’s easier for companies and producers to put people in fat suits,” he says. “There are just not the roles around and when they come up there are a few of us trying for them. It is similar to women over 40. The world is full of fuller-sized people who sing, act and dance. They all bring something unique to the moment and remind us that perfect comes in all shapes and sizes. I admire them all. Growing up I was inspired by New Zealand singer Ricky May. He was a big guy who worked tirelessly and could sing up a storm!” Once people have purchased tickets to your show, what else should they go see? “All that they can afford!” David declares. “I really encourage people to be daring and see something different. I am looking forward to seeing Marney McQueen, Trevor Ashley, Michelle Berger, My Vagabond Boat and Frisky & Mannish. “I also have a man crush on Adam Hills. There are so many great artists to see!” David Gauci performs It Was Worth The Weight at Artspace Gallery, Adelaide Festival Centre, from 6.15pm on Friday 5 June and 6.45pm on Saturday 6 June. Book at BASS.
EMMA DONOVAN & THE PUTBACKS By Libby Parker Emma Donovan will soon return to Adelaide accompanied by ner Melbourne rhythm band, The PutBacks. The young Indigenous soul singer released solo album, Changes in 2004 before being called upon to join Black Arm Band where she met bassist Mick Meagher from The PutBacks and they joined forces. The collaboration has now released the album Dawn to critical acclaim and they will be playing some of that, and more, at Nexus Arts.
“The Putbacks had done about four or five recordings before I came on board to collaborate with them and the feedback has been lovely. I couldn’t be any prouder. We didn’t expect anything. We just wanted to sing and play together; we’re good friends. The new ideas will see a return to Emma’s musical origins; she started her musical career singing country and gospel in family band, The Donovans. “My grandfather was a beautiful songwriter and the next album will probably have more of my connection to music which I was brought up on; country and gospel. With Dawn, my family were really lovely and my uncles came forward and were really proud of the work,” she says.
Speaking to BSide Magazine on her way back to Melbourne from Bendigo, Emma tells us she’s just been playing at the old gaol out there.
As well as being the catalyst for a reconnection to her family’s music, the release of Dawn has inspired Emma to start her own vinyl collection.
“I’ve been doing a few fun things lately. We did this really cool gig at the opening of the old gaol in Bendigo. They’ve renamed it Ulumbarra, which is a Djaara name. We worked with the local mob to get some stories and songs together and the history of the black fellas out this way.
“I’m not a huge collector but with Dawn, it’s opened my eyes to a lot of beautiful music that’s on vinyl. The Putbacks have a huge collection! When we recorded the album, the guys asked if I had a record player and I didn’t, so I went back home and asked my mum. She dug around because we remembered my nan gave me a really old one a long time ago,” she laughs.
“That’s a little project I’ve been doing which is separate from The Putbacks stuff,” she says. Having just returned from a series of gigs supporting Paul Kelly, Emma says she feels really lucky to, once again, be a part of his shows. “We came off the support gig the other week with the Paul Kelly mob. We followed him around to a couple of gigs and opened the nights for him. That was amazing. We got a bit spoilt playing in all the lovely theatres he booked. We’re pretty happy,” she laughs. Emma has spent a lot of time on the road recently, with some of that time in our fair city. She was in Adelaide to perform at WOMADelaide and returned for Spirit Festival at Tandanya. Being her first WOMADelaide performance, Emma says she was nervous, but had the time of her life. “WOMAD was awesome! We had two really cool gigs there. The first night we had a late gig and we were just getting warmed up. We were all nervous that we were actually playing WOMAD!” she laughs. “We met some really good mob and once the nerves were over for the first gig, we played our second gig. It was one of the first gigs for the day and we really enjoyed it. WOMAD is so special; the program, hanging out, and trying to catch artists we really love; we loved it.” Emma Donovan & The Putbacks released Dawn late last year and Emma says she’s been overwhelmed by the positive response they’ve received for it. “We’re loving it. We were pretty happy when we did the run with Paul Kelly. There was a big mob feeling really good about our music and actually buying the CD so I was overwhelmed by that. “On the last night when we did the last show at the Enmore, so many people bought the vinyl as well. It’s lovely hearing all the comments of how people feel about it on the vinyl. Hope Street Recordings who we recorded with, they do a lot of vinyl and a lot of beautiful albums,” she says.
“But it’s opened up a lot with me because my mum does community radio down on the south coast of New South Wales. She managed to give me some 45s of some of the old Indigenous songs, so I’ve started collecting now. I’ve found old bands my grandparents listened to; some of the old Koori singers like Uncle Bart Willoughby with No Fixed Address.” Playing on a bill with Kylie Auldist & The Glenroy Allstars, Emma and The Putbacks will perform as a part of the Nexus Live season. Emma says she’s excited to return to the place where she played her debut Putbacks gig. “I’m looking forward to being able to come back to Adelaide. My first gig with The Putbacks was in Adelaide. “When we first started getting songs together, started getting more serious about our music and thinking about writing new stuff and recording it, the first audience we played to was the Adelaide mob,” she says. “When you’re based in Melbourne and you get the opportunity to play in different states, it says a lot about what the people are into and how many people want to come and be a part of what you do. “It’s been really overwhelming so we’re just really excited to come and play to you.” Emma Donovan & The Putbacks and and Kylie Audist & The Glenroy Allstars play Nexus Live, Nexus Arts, 70 North Tce, on Friday 8 May from 8pm and tickets are available through Nexus Arts. Dawn is available on vinyl, CD and download via Hope Street Recordings.
DALLAS FRASCA By Libby Parker Dallas Frasca’s latest album, Love Army, has just dropped, and to celebrate, they enlisted an army to do some loving. Their third studio album was crowd-funded and, for the three-piece band, has been a labour of love in every sense of the word. The long-awaited Love Army, which endured recording, rerecording and a lineup change, is now officially available to purchase, and front-woman Dallas couldn’t be more thrilled to see it released. “I’m almost ready to start writing the next one,” she laughs. “It’s been a massive journey. Because we crowd-funded so much money, there were so many people involved in that process and we all felt really driven to deliver something way above what we’ve done in the past,” Dallas continues. “So we went in first for the practice one, I suppose you could say, but it didn’t hit the mark. Then our wonderful drummer, Zane, who’d been with us for quite some time had a new little baby so we had a line-up change and it was chaotic; but in the chaos we managed to re-record pretty much the entire record and get to where we wanted.” Love Army was recorded with original members Dallas Frasca and Jeff Curran, who were joined by King Of The North drummer, Danny Leo. Following the recording, Josh Eales joined as the full-time drummer, which Dallas says has given the trio a fresh outlook. “Josh is incredible. He’s a young gun. He’s amazing. We’ve been playing with Josh since August last year and he played his first festival with us. It’s exciting having someone like that on board because Jeff and I have played over 700 shows together and seeing Josh do all these things for the first time makes us realise where we’ve come from, and it’s a really nice appreciation,” she says. The new album has a theme of love and positivity running through it, which was inspired by an artist Dallas met while she was in the UK. “Piluca is a wonderful Spanish artist who we met at a party one night. At her house, there were hundreds of these little hessian men who were holding up signs of compassion, humanity and love; really positive, beautiful thought-evoking messages. “She ended up sprinkling them all around Brixton and we saw these hessian men everywhere and everyone’s reactions to them were really nice,” she says.
the website. There’s so much negativity in the news all the time and maybe we should focus our thoughts on better things and more positive things. Just ring your mum and tell her you love her! Make your mum smile.” Dallas and the boys played a series of popup gigs on National Love Army Day, starting in Brisbane on Queen Street Mall, with all busking proceeds going to local charities – just part of their contribution to the Love Army campaign. But their day of good deeds started a lot earlier than that as they surprised one of their biggest fans with an impromptu lounge room performance and a copy of Love Army at 5am that morning! Having just returned from Europe, Dallas, Jeff and Josh are about to kick off a national tour, and they’ll be hitting Adelaide in June. Dallas is keen to get back to Adelaide to show us their new stuff and spread the love with her army. “It’s going to be awesome,” she says. “You just get hotter and hotter as you go along with the show. We’ve got Silent Duck supporting us in Adelaide, which is one of the guys from The Beards’ other projects. It’s going to be a big love fest. It’s going to be really cool. “We’ve got a brand new set planned with brand new songs and we’re just going to be on the road celebrating; celebrating the project we’ve poured our hearts into and then living it. We’re really looking forward to it.” Dallas Frasca have recently signed with Social Family Records, a label Dallas says is true to their name with their support and care of the band. “We don’t have to do as much and nearly have meltdowns,” she laughs. “It’s been so great. With anything that you do, if you find the right team of people who really believe in what you’re doing and your music, then you kind of feel unstoppable. “It’s been really great for the band. We love everybody there,” she concludes. “They’re doing a great job and it’s exciting to see what the future holds.” Dallas Frasca will play Pirie & Co Social Club on Friday 5 June and tickets are available through Moshtix. Love Army is available on CD and download via Spank Betty Records, with a vinyl edition to follow.
“It was beautiful being able to transcend someone from such a piece of art and it’s the same with music. You hear a song and it’s such an amazing, healing medicine that it can transcend you. I was so inspired by what she did and she called them her Love Army so I wanted to continue that theme and positive thought provoking through the album.” Thus, National Love Army Day was born. Dallas, Jeff and Josh, along with an army of lovers, committed to doing good deeds and paying them forward. “We declared Friday 17th April, to be National Love Army Day. We think there’s not enough love on the planet so the whole band have something really cool planned and will be doing something along the lines of a really good deed,” Dallas says. “There’s hundreds of people who have signed up to the Love Army campaign on
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CD REVIEWS
THE CLANGERS The Clangers Reviewer: Tristan Newsome 4/5 Now my friends this is do it yourself at it’s finest, no messing about with fancy packaging just a brown paper cardboard sleeve with hand written black sharpie writing…most things that come in brown paper bags appeal so let’s see how this goes… Opening with Best Day of the Year the reverbdrenched home made feel with psychedelic overtones gives an early Brian Jonestown Massacre vibe…super cool, otherworldly and relaxing. Lovely organ playing yes sir, there’s nothing quite like a good organ player. This sets the tone for the rest of the album very well. Track two I’m Trying Hard Not to Hate You has some super jangly guitar from the get go, repetitive simple lyrics work so well in the overall picture of this tune. It’s a beautifully poppy number that is still stuck in my head. I’m normally not your blow-by-blow reviewer when it comes to songs but the four tracks on this EP are so strong that I’m going to have to break the normal programming for this one. Track threes I Live My Life That Way is a slightly darker and saucy little number. Similar production values again but enough variety to keep the listener well and truly sucked in, great instrumental work towards the end of the track too. Finishing up is These Times a great closer that bookends the EP nicely. This is a great release and worth picking up at a Clangers gig near you. Will sit nicely in the psychedelic pop section of anyone’s playlist along side Sgt. Peppers and Tepid Peppermint Wonderland (I’m sure you kind folk can come up with some more obscure references but hey I’m just a country guy!). Great release and bonus points for the DIY aesthetic!!
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Music SA and BSide Magazine proudly bring you reviews of new releases by South Australian artists. If you’re a local act and have a new single, EP or LP, visit musicsa.com.au for details on how to submit it.
ELAPSED TIME Squatters Quarters Reviewer: Matt Saunders 5/5
NAKATOMI Circles Reviewer: Tom Gaffney 4.5/5
Adelaide Producer/MC Elapsed Time (aka Lachlan Scott Emes) has returned with this, his third EP, and it’s a triumph from start-tofinish; an action-packed one-man show that does it all with memorable rhymes, beats, and hooks.
Electronica masters Nakatomi are on fire right now. The artists are new on the scene, but that hasn’t stopped them from getting Fresh 92.7 airplay, headlining Futuresounds Adelaide’s Sidechain showcase, and achieving serious attention nationwide.
This is textbook hip-hop, communicating its point of view with vivid storytelling, humour, and style. You can’t help but bob, laugh, and groove along to anthems like Bus Stop Love, or Munchies, where he reminisces about the times and the snacks from back in the day.
The duo haven’t been shy to get some incredible producers on their side, such as Adelaide’s BadCop (who produced Tkay Maidza’s Brontosaurus, and is formerly the front man from The Killgirls) to produce their debut single Golden Sun. This time, they’ve teamed up with Chuck Daly, who boasts collaborations between himself and heavyweights such as Jackie Onassis, to produce their latest release Circles.
This EP runs the hip-hop gamut: opener Censorship is a no apologies, worked-hardto-get this-far-style declaration of intent that demonstrates that ET can do contemporary hip-hop, but the beats after that feel comfortably old-school. MDUSU-produced head-nodder Rescue Me injects some classic East Coast-style guitar funk while ET flows and incites the crowd to wave like they’re lost at sea and want to be rescued. Lyrically, Squatters Quarters is frenetic, but the underlying themes that keep coming back are hard work, fun, respect, and humility. When it’s time to get political on Fist to the Sky, it feels both foreshadowed and earned by the four tracks that preceded it. Obligatory sex jam Don’t Tell Papa examines stripper life with empathy, turning it into a workplace story with a vocal hook from Lucky Rubb. On One Take Wonder it’s time to flex skills, and it’s somehow intelligible at lightning speed, before the somber acoustic bonus track leaves you satisfied on a mellow note. If you like hip-hop, check Elapsed Time out at elapsedtime.bigcartel.com or Triple J Unearthed; you won’t be disappointed.
It’s incredibly bold to say, but what Circles is doing to female electronic pop is similar to what FKA Twigs’ Two Weeks did, albeit on a smaller scale. The wonderful vocals combined with the alternative electronic composition blends so well into a ball of wonder so well that it’s hard not to be engulfed in everything the release has to offer right from the first listen. Circles is colourful, expansive, and is a huge step in the right direction for Nakatomi.
THE LIZARDS Future Life Reviewer: Kyle Opie 4.5/5 Hard hitting 3 piece punk rockers The Lizards push forward with their third release, Future Life. Here the band fleshes out their self-described ‘thrashed out surfpunk’ with a very well produced sound. This is a form of music with much greater musicality and musicianship than the politically fuelled beginnings of punk, but with the same focused energy. They have no qualms making this apparent right from the get go with the lush intro of opener ‘The Raging Bull’ that is followed by a verse and chorus befitting of a NOFX record. Elements of metal follow with fast guitar solos and heavy riffs, alongside strong influences of 90’s grunge and alternative rock built into their punk rock framework. The burgeoning moods that are shaped by the fast pace and affective chord progressions do well to cultivate the right environment for the albums lyrical messages. You can almost see the grimaces of emotion on their faces as they belt out such lines as “...What are you gonna do? Stand up and speak your mind. Who are you gonna believe, the fat controller?” This dynamic and persuasive album promotes much head banging and is sternly articulated. The bands performance is marked by a mature approach, but it’s bounding in youthful energy.
BILL CHAMBERS & FOUR CRYING OUT LOUD By Robert Dunstan
when that didn’t happen,” he laughs, “but it was all good fun. And, as The Dead Ringer Band, we got to release four albums and a couple of compilations.”
Almost four decades ago, and a good few years before The Dead Ringer Band formed, Bill Chambers was playing around Adelaide and South Australia with the group Four Crying Out Loud and they are now set to do a special reunion show.
The Dead Ringer Band, which kinda fell apart when Kasey embarked on a solo career which was a very successful move, were also the subject of John Lomax III’s 2001 biography Red Desert Sky.
BSide Magazine had a chat to Bill, father of Kasey and Nash Chambers, ahead of the show to find out all about it and discovered he was in his home studio on the outskirts of Sydney.
“John was from Nashville, Tennessee, but he came over to Australia and also become our manager for a while,” Bill says. “And we were pretty pleased with Red Desert Sky because it was reasonably accurate although there’s always going to be a few things that weren’t quite right.
“Yeah, I’m just mucking around with a few bits and pieces,” he says. “I’m working on songs for a new record and also working out some dates for some solo shows down in Melbourne.
“But that wouldn’t have necessarily been John’s fault as people often recall the same event differently to how others saw it,” he chuckles. “There are always two different versions of the same story.”
“And I also keep myself pretty busy producing records for other people,” Bill adds. “I’ve always got something on the go including this show in Adelaide with Four Crying Out Loud.”
When not working alongside daughter Kasey, Bill keeps busy with his solo shows.
Four Crying Out Loud are Michael Altschwager on guitar and vocals, Alister Behenna on guitar, Paul Lynch on drums and Ron Thomas on bass and vocals and are still a going concern in Adelaide with the band having only recently played The Gaslight Tavern. “They are all old high school mates,” Bill reveals, “and we began playing together from when we were about 20-years-old. In fact Michael, the lead singer, and I were learning to play guitar together in our teens. “So we played gigs together and played in different bands and the bass player, Ron, and I were also in another band called The Deerstalkers,” he continues. “So we did lots of shows around the place as well as down in Millicent and Mount Gambier. “We were also on [television program] Reg Lindsay’s Country & Western Hour as well as Ernie Sigley’s Adelaide Tonight,” he adds. Bill, who says the band have set aside the afternoon of ANZAC Day and the following afternoon to rehearse ahead of their Sunday evening show, has recently been touring as a member of Kasey Chambers’ band. “Yeah, Kasey has been good enough to give her old man a job,” the musician laughs. Part of that ‘job’ with his daughter included recently touring Australia and New Zealand with American band The Eagles.
“Yeah, I do a fair bit of solo stuff which, while it’s mainly in Australia and I go everywhere from Cairns and over to Perth and up to places like Port Headland and Brisbane, I do also get overseas sometimes. “And the bonus is that I manage to make some kind of living out of it,” he says with a laugh. “And I’ll be touring with Catherine Britt in a few weeks time,” Bill then says of the singer he took under his wing in her formative years who was later championed by Sir Elton John. Bill says the upcoming Adelaide show this weekend will also have him playing an opening set of his recent material. “Yeah, that’ll be a set of my current stuff,” he reveals, “and then I’ll get together with Four Crying Out Loud. So it’ll be our early influences – stuff like early Elvis, Hank Williams, Neil Young and some early stuff by The Rolling Stones. “So it’ll be a bit of everything – the stuff we all grew up with basically,” Bill concludes. “And because the other guys are pretty good musicians, we’re going to be able to pull it off okay.” Bill Chambers & Four Crying Out Loud will play a reunion show at the Governor HIndmarsh Hotel, 59 Port Rd, Hindmarsh, on Sunday 26 April with tickets on sale via the venue or OzTix.
ANZAC Day The fact that ANZAC Day is coming up – and it’s to be the centenary edition – has caused me to reflect on the day as it has brought back some memories. The first such memory that quickly came to mind was being back in high school and, as part of the English curriculum, studying Alan Seymour’s 1958 play, The One Day Of The Year. It’s a play, which made its debut as an amateur production in 1960 when staged by Adelaide Theatre Group, about a university student, Hughie, who helps his girlfriend, Jan, pen an article criticising ANZAC Day which causes Hughie to form a rift with his dad, a former serviceman. So, as I was set to undertake a phone interview with Dave Graney, who is heading here to play a show on ANZAC Day with his band, The mistLY, I did some research, as you do, and discovered that he’d recently penned an article for monthly journal The Adelaide Review titled Can You Feel The ANZAC Spirit?. Thus I mentioned the play The One Day Of The Year to Dave as he is of my era and may also have studied it in his youth. So I’d suggested to Dave that it was kinda odd that a play that sets about criticising ANZAC Day should end up on the school curriculum. “But, for our generation back then, ANZAC Day was definitely on the way out and fading away,” Dave pointed out before going on to say that Denis Moore, brother of The mistLY’s drummer Clare Moore, had recently directed a Melbourne production of The One Day Of The Year. “And I think that people are finally daring to say the ANZAC Day has become a ridiculous, commercial festival,” Dave then stated. “And I’m against people celebrating something that is so shrouded in semireligious undertones,” he continued. “I’m not for any of that at all.” “And then there’s that ridiculous ANZAC Day game they have each year between the same two AFL teams, Collingwood and Essendon, where they sprout all this rubbish about fighting a war,” Dave added. “They are actually just football players.” Speaking of football players, a memorable ANZAC Day for me is of spending it at Adelaide Oval watching a SANFL football
match between Port Adelaide and Sturt in 1968. It was an ANZAC Day tradition back then – and maybe it still is – to stage that day’s game as a replay of the previous year’s Grand Final which Port had, once again, lost to Sturt. And I remember it well, even though it is now just on 47 years ago, as Port Adelaide’s new spearhead, Russell Ebert, kicked six goals to virtually win the match off his own boot. As I recall it, and my memory may now be somewhat old and rusty and a little bit hazy, Russell had got off to a flying start with his league debut earlier in 1968 but had been dropped to the reserves team for a game before then making his way back into the league side. So, to tell them, “Ha, I told you so”, he promptly kicked six goals. And, another ANZAC Day back in the ’60s, marked the first time I became noticeably drunk. As a young teenager, I was a member of The Boy Scouts having joined under the grand delusion it was an organisation formed by Brazillian guitar player Baden Powell only to learn, as I dib dib dibbed and dob dob dobbed, that it was an organisation formed by another Baden Powell entirely. Anyway, one particular year us Boy Scouts were rather actively encouraged to attend the ANZAC Day dawn service that was being held at the Tea Tree Gully RSL Hall at the end of Memorial Drive. So, it seemed like a bit of an adventure to get up at the crack of dawn and hike the mile-long distance in almost total darkness from my bedroom to the Tea Tree Gully RSL Hall. Once the service was over, everyone was invited inside the Tea Tree Gully RSL Hall for coffee and biscuits – probably ANZAC biscuits – and I recall having a cup of coffee and suddenly feeling rather glowing. So I had another coffee followed by a few more as it was not like any other I had ever tasted before and the more I drank of it, the more glowing I became. It was not until midway through the morning that an ex-digger revealed to me that the coffee I was drinking was actually laced with a good portion of rum as a way to warm everyone up on a typically cold ANZAC Day mourning.
“That was quite amazing,” Bill enthuses, “because they were getting something like 35,000 people along every night. And The Eagles still sound as good as they ever did. “And it was a thrill because I was a fan back in the early ’70s,” he continues. “I think I got into The Eagles’ music before they became all that well-known. And that west coast country rock thing they were doing virtually changed my life. “So it was a thrill to meet them, have a few photos taken and swap some stories,” Bill adds. The Dead Ringer Band, essentially the Chambers family of Bill, former wife Dianne and their children, Kasey and Nash, enjoyed some adventures during their lifetime. “It was a real family band,” Bill enthuses. “And we just hit the road back in 1992 in a Toyota land cruiser thinking that we were going to become rich and famous. “So, we became a bit disillusioned over time
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CHILLFEST By Khiara Elliott
When it came to deciding on the line-up for the festival, Adam tried to cater to everyone’s taste.
Following the highly successful summer edition Radfest that was held in Adelaide and North Melbourne, the City Of Prospect is pleased to announce that they will be holding another two-day music festival for Adelaide’s youth.
“I’ve found that the live music scene isn’t as strong as it was when I was younger. So I thought, let’s see if we can put together these festivals where there’s heaps of different bands, different types of music – punk, rock and acoustic – to sort of bring a big group of people together.
Chillfest is an upcoming two day music festival, boasting a variety of pop punk bands that will be covering the classics as well as playing some original material. BSide Magazine had a chat with organiser and musician Adam Slater to discuss Chillfest’s philosophy, line up and City Of Prospect’s venue, Club 5082. “It’s a two day thing, at two different venues,” says Adam “Day one is at Club 5082 in Prospect. The reason why I like that place is they’re doing heaps of good things for young bands.” “They have a philosophy on helping young bands sort of cut their teeth when it comes to live music,” he continues. All festivals Adam has previously organised have been all-ages in regards to both musician and punter, and Chillfest is no exception. He recalls being a young performer and the struggles that came with trying to land a gig. “I was in bands when I was younger and there’d be no gigs anywhere,” he states.
“I picked two younger bands that are more rock. I thought they’d bring a good vibe and bring some good people, a good crowd. Then there’s a cover band playing Blink 182 stuff. They’re playing the Take Off Your Pants & Jacket album all the way through. I thought they’d just be a bit of fun, nothing too serious. People will know those songs. “Our band, we play covers. We do faster versions of covers, and people love that. Then we’ve got some really well known other pop punk bands that play all around the place.” Ultimately, Adam and all those involved are hoping to build a helping community with these festivals. “I had a bit of a break from music but I thought if I was going to come back, I’d do it to think about the way that the world is and to help people out. I wanted to use it in that sort of format. I think I need to be a bit more assertive in my way of thinking when it comes to working out how we can help people genuinely and not just in a tokenistic approach.
“Places like 5082 are giving young bands opportunities and that’s really important, I think. And some of these young bands are doing amazing things already, so it’s good.
“That mixes in really well with the Rise Against and Bad Religion-style punk ethos of getting out there and actually doing something and presenting things to help people out. That’s the focus.”
“Club 5082 is really professional,” Adam continues. “They provide all the gear younger bands might not yet have, the bigger stuff like chord amps. As a venue, it’s basically run to help and do everything it can to give younger bands the confidence to play and to learn about the equipment and learn about playing on a bigger stage.
Chillfest Part One happens as an all-ages event at Club 5082 at Prospect Town Hall, Propect Rd, Prospect from 6pm on Friday 1 May and will feature Our Devices, The Reckless Abandon, The Away Game and The Dirty Chins. Entry is $7 at the door. For more information, visit Club 5082’s Facebook page.
“They do all the lighting and film all the gigs too. I’ve got a lot of respect for what they do. There’s not a lot that they’re getting from it. They’re just doing it for all the right reasons.”
Chillfest Part Two then takes place from 12.30pm on Saturday 2 May at The Producers Bar, 235 Grenfell St, as a licensed, all-ages event and will feature Emecia, Melbourne’s Coffin Wolf, The Dirty Chins, DOC OC and a whole host of other acts along with punk band Dead Joe performing an acoustic set. Entry to Chillfest Part Two will be $11.
Adam also believes the location of the venue will also be of great benefit to new up and comers. “I’m from the north and I’ve played a lot of gigs with mates down south. They’ve got places like Brighton bar and other places bands can play at that’s near where they live. I like the idea of Prospect. The club is in the town hall which is already an amazing venue in itself. It’s an incredible building. But we need more venues out this way.” Ensuring the smooth sailing of a two day music festival may seem a daunting task, but Adam credits the blending of his day job and his passion for music for his success. “I’m a teacher, and I’ve done leadership roles and deputy principal roles. So I’m a good organiser,” he laughs “I have to be!” “I’m in one of the bands, The Dirty Chins. Worst name, best sound. It’s good fun” Adam giggles. “‘As I’ve noticed just in the last year doing this stuff, it’s opened avenues to see what else is going on,” Adam continues. “My mate, who runs Clarity Records, is doing their own thing that’s sort of similar, so we’re all coming together and building it up. That’s the main reason as to why I’m organising this. We’re sort of building a community, it’s good. It’s really healthy.”
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Stompy Grace Emily Hotel – Billy Bob’s BBQ Jam The Lion Hotel – Brian Ruiz and friends TUESDAY 28 APRIL Exeter – Bitches Of Zeus DJs Gaslight Tavern – Blues Lounge Blues Jam with special guests Gilbert St Hotel – The Airbenders Governor Hindmarsh – Front Bar: Adelaide Ukulele Appreciation Society Grace Emily – The Triumphant Return Of Pub Flics Hotel Metro – Acoustic Club Tuesday from 7.30pm Tonsley Hotel – Party Club Band (Tavern Bar)
APRIL 23RD - APRIL 29TH THURSDAY 23 APRIL Austral – SCALA (free entry) Bridgeway Hotel – Northern Exposure (allages rock event) Crown & Sceptre – Lonelyspeck, The Burning Sea and Glass (free entry from 9pm) Fowler’s Live – Funeral For A Friend (Wales) and Vices (Sydney) Gaslight Tavern – The Groove Factory Jam Gilbert St Hotel – Nikko & Snooks (from 7pm) Governor Hindmarsh – Front Bar: Gumbo Room Blues Jam with host Billy Bob Grace Emily – Battle Of Flowers and Kitchen With Hotel Metro – Totally, Big Hits and Low Five Ghost from 9pm La Boheme – Mike Bevan Trio Lion Hotel – Bloky’s Boys (free entry from 8pm)
SATURDAY 25 APRIL Adelaide Rowing Club – The Hushes, The Heggarties and The Cherry Pickers Aldinga Hotel – Ill Starred Captain (WA) and Rafa Gody (from 2pm) Arkaba Hotel – Clearway ANZAC Day Show Crown & Sceptre – The Tangled Bank, Stan Bastiras Band and The Tangerines (free entry from 9pm) Cumberland Hotel (Glanville) – Killerbirds (Melbourne), Meatbeaters and Juliette Siezure & The Tremor Dolls
THE PUBLISHERS 110 FRANKLIN STREET 90 PERCENT NINETIES (7pm) HIP-HOP
Governor Hindmarsh – Main Room: Mick Pealing’s Stars (Melbourne) and James Pealing’s Hoggy’s Barrow Grace Emily – Conchillia and Cosmo Thundercat Hotel Metro – Kasavett, We Do This and The Aves from 9pm Jive – Gosh! 12th Birthday with DJ Craig from 11.30pm Land Of Promise Hotel – Leadfinger (Sydney), Ben Gel & The Boneyard Saints, The C-Bombs, Soberphobia, The Toss and Drunky Blunders Marion Hotel – Franky F (5.30pm), One Planet (8.30pm) Oakbank Racecourse – Groovin’ The Moo: A$AP Ferg, Ball Park Music, Broods (NZ), Carmada, Charli XCX (UK), The Delta Riggs, DMA’s, Flight Facilities, Hermitude, Hilltop Hoods, Hot Dub Time Machine, Meg Mac, Northlane, One Day, Peace (UK), Peaches (Canada), The Preatures, RL Grime (US), San Cisco, Saskwatch, Sticky Fingers, Tkay Maidza, Wolfmother, Timberwolf and You Me At Six (UK) The Jade Monkey – Ill Starred Captain (WA), Shane Labady and Wade Francis Tonsley Hotel – Dave Freeman Duo (Tavern bar) Wheatsheaf Hotel – Dave Graney & The mistLy (Melbourne from 9pm)
VINYL LEVEL 1/20 GILBERT PL ADELAIDE BANJO JACKSON (CD LAUNCH) MAX SAVAGE & JESSE DAVIDSON INDIE FOLK Whitmore – Rainbow Jam FRIDAY 24 APRIL British Hotel (Pt Adelaide) – Travis Hoppo Crown & Anchor – Dillettantes (CD launch), Babes Are Wolves, St Judes, Stabbitha & The Knifey Wifeys and No Brakes Crown & Sceptre – Anya Anastasia & The Bird Wizdom Cabaret (Melbourne), Orelia, Joy Sparkes and Lilly Sim Governor Hindmarsh – Main Room: Satisfaction: The Stones Show and Saloon Bar: Irish Sessions and Front Bar: Appalachian Sessions HEAVY LOAD ANZAC WEEKEND ROCK CLASSIC ROCK COVERS GASLIGHT TAVERN 36 CHIEF ST BROMPTON Grace Emily Hotel – Ricochet Pete, Killerbirds (Melbourne) and The Villenettes Hotel Metro – Leadfinger (Sydney), The Pro Tools, Ivory Peacocks and DJs Captain Spillups and The Big Cheese (from 9pm) Howling Dog Tavern (Corny Point) – Ill Starred Captain Little Pub Off Hindley – Jamie K Acoustic Marion Hotel – Graham Lawrence Nexus Arts Centre – Oscar Key Sung (Sydney) and Swimming Published Arthouse – 90% ’90s Hip Hop Party featuring DJ Shep, DL, Pero and Zedr Railway Hotel (Pt Adelaide) – Duke from 5pm Semaphore Workers Club – live blues from 8pm Tonsley Hotel – Flaming Sambucas Duo (Tavern Bar), Sam Brewster (5pm), Red Henry (9.30pm) (Chrysler Bar) VINYL LEVEL 1/20 GILBERT PL ADELAIDE JUNO ACOUSTIC INDIE ROOTS
Victoria Sq/ Tarntanyangga – Twilight Sessions from 4pm Wheatsheaf – Sun Theory CD launch (free entry from 9pm)
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THE NIGHT TRAIN BAND FEAT: THE TNT HORNS SOUL/R&B/BLUES GASLIGHT TAVERN 36 CHIEF ST BROMPTON
SUNDAY 26 APRIL Arkaba Hotel – Vogue Duo (Lounge Bar) Brompton Organic Markets – Gypsyjunkies from 9am Crown & Anchor – Sunday Rubdown Crown & Sceptre – DJ Samnation from 3pm Franklin Hotel – Little Big Words (free entry from 3pm THE JAZZ HANDS (6pm) TRAD/FUSION/JAZZ GASLIGHT TAVERN 36 CHIEF ST BROMPTON Gilbert St Hotel – Kelly Breuer (free entry from 2pm) Governor Hindmarsh – Main Room: Bill Chambers (Sydney) and Four Crying Out Loud Grace Emily – Brad & Dan’s Shit Disco Hotel Metro – DJ LL Cool Gay from 4pm Nook Nosh – David Robinson (acoustic music from 5pm) Pretoria Hotel (Mannum) – Daniel Cameron (1.30pm) Railway Hotel (Pt Adelaide) – Ozwietie from 4pm Semaphore Workers Club – live blues from 4pm Wheatsheaf – Dave Graney & The mistLy (Melbourne from 4pm) MONDAY 27 APRIL Crown & Sceptre – Monday Night For The Lonely Sould (free entry variety night) Governor Hindmarsh – Balcony Bar: Lord
WEDNESDAY 29 APRIL Crown & Anchor – DJ Tr!p Dan O’Connell Hotel – Open Mic @ The Dan Exeter – DJ Oisima Gaslight Tavern – SCALA’s Midweek Melt Governor Hindmarsh Hotel – Front Bar: Open Mic Night Ramsgate Hotel The Lion Hotel – Proton Pill VINYL LEVEL 1/20 GILBERT PL ADELAIDE CHRIS FINNEN/RONNY DAVIDSON BLUES ($5 ENTRY)
THE BIZZO
THE BENEFITS OF ATTENDING AN OPEN MIC SESSION By Corey Stewart
of your best and see how soon you can win the crowd over with your music.
In last weeks issue of The Bizzo, I discussed the concept of what an Open Mic is and how you as a performer can make the most out of one.
This really goes without saying as I mentioned earlier that Open Mics are a fantastic place to meet new people and network to your hearts content
Today, I’m going to list the many benefits of participating in an open no matter if you’re a punter, songwriter or a performing musician
For performers:
The benefits of attending an Open Mic is as follows... For everyone: 1. Open Mics are a great networking opportunity for songwriters, performers and musicians of all experience and skill levels. Everyone gets together in one place with music as a common bond and allows magic to happen
4. With other singer/songwriters present you can easily find a songwriting partner/ collaborator.
5. It is an opportunity to perform in from of an attentive, respectful crowd in which at the same time you can promote your other shows, get names on a mailing list and sell product. If you have a band that you are starting and you want to get the vibe happening before your first gig, Open Mics are perfect for this. When using an Open Mic to “promote your other shows, get names on a mailing list and sell product” make sure you clear it with the MC/Host first
I reckon one of the easiest ways to meet a potential new band member or songwriting collaborator would be at an Open Mic. Everyone is primed and ready to meet new people because they’re all there for the same reason.
6. If you are looking for other band members networking at an open mic should be one of the thing on your to do list. There’s the networking aspect of Open Mics in action again.
There’s no need to feel nervous, just jump in and see what happens
7. Most Open Mic venues have music on other nights so consider your performance an audition for a gig on another night.
2. It’s a great night out in a very relaxed, performer-friendly environment where you listen to music performed by anyone and everyone. You’ll definitely experience a mixed bag of good and improving performances.
Many venues use their Open Mic session as an effective way to find new talent and to work out who can bring in a crowd. If you’re going to use Open Mics as an auditioning tool make sure you have your act worked out and your songs rehearsed up.
Personally, I compare a night at an Open Mic as like eating a mixed bag of lollies. Some of the acts you’ll love and some will be an acquired taste but the best thing about an Open Mic nigh is that if you listen really carefully you can hear comfort zones being shattered.
For more information about Open Mics plus when and where they’re happening in and around Adelaide, go a visit the Open Mic Network website which can be found at www.openmicnetwork.com or call us at BSide Magazine on 8346 9899.
For songwriters: 3. You can road test new material as it is being written (even works in progress if you are daring) and get great feedback from your peers. As a songwriter, you can look at your Open Mic performance as like a live EP. Pick three
BPLUS: SIAMESE By Libby Parker
Despite being so new on the scene, the group has some serious goals and is committed to launching their work this year.
This week’s BPlus feature band is fourpiece alternative rock, grunge and shoegaze outfit, Siamese.
“Once we finish this EP, we are hoping it will get us some exposure so we can just gig and write for the rest of the year. Hopefully we’ll release a few two track EPs along the way and then probably start working on an album next year,” drummer Baden says.
As a brand new project, Siamese are made up of Gabi (bass), Baden (drums), Tom (guitar and vocals) and Gabe (guitar). Having recently formed by frontman, Tom, Siamese’s current line-up got together through a mutual desire to write and play. “The band originally had three other friends in it, but due to musical differences and a lack of motivation I thought it would be for the best if I found some other members that shared the same musical views as me,” Tom says. “One of my best mates, Baden had recently started up drumming and he had gotten quite good at it, so, we started jamming in his back room and creating bits and pieces of songs.”
Citing influences like The Smashing Pumpkins, Pavement, Blur, HUM, Nothing and Violent Soho, the young band are producing an eclectic sound with an original feel. Siamese are driven to succeed and they’re working hard to get their music onto the scene, so when they get out there, look out for them and give them some support – they are worthy of it.
My friend Angus then suggested a bassist, Gabi,” he continues. “We all got together and started writing and writing until we had a few decent songs. I felt like I was limited with one guitar so I invited my other friend Gabe to play guitar for our show.” Bassist, Gabi, has only last year finished high school and is currently juggling the band and her new university studies, which she says she’s learning to balance. “I’m studying Media Arts at Flinders University. It can often be quite difficult to juggle assignments and band practice but I have learnt to prioritise. When I have a project due, I focus on that but when we have something important on for the band, like a gig or a recording, I will make that my priority,” she says. Siamese have recently played to a crowd for the first time, which Tom says was successful, but the band is now focussed on their debut recording. “We played our first gig at the first ever Swirl Records House Party. It was basically 50 or so people in a backyard moshing and jumping around. It was really cool to have that sort of support for our first gig. We don’t have any shows planned in the future at the moment, since we are recording our EP. But there is another Swirl show in the mix, as well as some pub shows,” he says.
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