M A G A Z I N E
V I N Y L
CHRIS RUSSELL DEAD LETTER CIRCUS FRANZ FERDINAND GROUPLOVE POISON CITY WEEKENDER SYDNEY SPECIAL PAUL PIRIE J. DENNIS THOMAS MICHAEL WEINHARDT REVIEWS +
OFFICIAL PRESSINGS
P H O T O G R A P H Y
A R T
7” vinyl split
FREE FEATURING
‘WAYS TO GO’ AND
‘STONED AND STARVING’ official pressings For more information go to
myveri.com.au One vinyl per purchase. Available FREE veri.live Issue 15 eMag. Proof of purchase required. Available until stock runs out. Conditions apply. Offer subject to change without notification.
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veri.7 #15
Grouplove ‘Ways To Go’ Composed by Christian Zucconi, Hannah
Curated and pressed by veri.live the veri.7s feature official pressings from some of the hottest artists in the world, and are exclusively available and free with veri.live magazine, print and digital.
Hooper, Andrew Wessen, Sean Gadd and Ryan
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Rabin © WB Music Corp., Christian Zucconi Publishing, Madam H, Andrew Wessen Publishing, Sean Gadd Pub Designee and Nkosi ℗ 2013 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. By kind permission of Warner Music Australia Pty Limited, Warner/Chappell Music Australia Pty Ltd and Grouplove
Parquet Courts ‘Stoned And Starving’ Written by Parquet Courts What’s Your Rupture? Marketed and distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Create/Control © Parquet Courts By kind permission of What’s Your Rupture?, Create / Control and Parquet Courts
ABOVE Issue 15 veri.7s. Pressed on random mixed colour vinyl. Each disk is unique! The veri.7s are free and exclusively available with veri.live magazine. One vinyl per purchase. Conditions apply.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
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LIVE VIOLENT SOHO showcase their new material in a Melbourne basement: drugs, wooden pallets and rock‘n’roll.
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interviews GROUPLOVE songstress HANNAH HOOPER discusses art, music and Greek communes.
25
BOB HARDY of FRANZ on pastries, Tumblr and the validity of his Wikipedia entry.
COVER
KIN
DEAD LETTER CIRCUS PHOTO: ZO GAY
michael weinhardt IT AIN’T ALL HOOKERS AND BLOW
DEAD LETTER CIRCUS show the audience at the Hi-Fi Bar how they eclipsed their peers in the prog scene.
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Frankenbok go under the microscope of photographer Michael Weinhardt in KIN.
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CHRIS RUSSELL takes us on a journey through the American South, holy rollers and CHICKEN WALK.
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RICH DAVIES unleashes the animal within at The Old Bar, and talks rock fundamentalists and THE DEVIL’S UNION.
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LUKE SHIELDS shares stories of rising indie pop act BUCHANAN’S bag of tricks.
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Dave Drayton goes under the covers at POISON CITY WEEKENDER.
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Take a look into the Sydney live music scene local bands including Yes I’m Leaving and The Berkshire Hunting Club.
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Filmmaker, Demian Fenton, talks about destruction, redemption and the Pentagram documentary, Last Days Here.
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We catch up with STACEY PIGGOTT and talk about her
flow
snap
new book, Blow Your Own
PAUL Pirie – Batpiss
J. DENNIS THOMAS
Trumpet.
Batpiss guitarist Paul Pirie,
From blues legends to ’90s
better known for his peddling of
grunge brats, the brilliant and
FOOD
chaos and noise, features with a
affable J. Dennis Thomas
series of colourful, chaotic, part
chooses a selection of personal
surreal and slightly gothic visual
favourites from his collected works
treats in FLOW.
in SNAP.
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Looking for a pre-gig, post-gig or hangover hangout? Food is back with a veri.live favourite, SOME VELVET MORNING.
NEW RELEASE REVIEWS DEDICATIONS
72 63 80
publisher Zo Gay editor Sandra Goldbloom Zurbo sub editor John Dean contributing writers Alexander Pink, Alexandra Voyage, Dave Drayton, Janey Umback, John Dean, Matt Haycroft, Paige Richards, Raul Sanchez, Zac Smith inhouse photographer Zo Gay contributing photographers Chris Turner, J. Dennis Thomas, Kirsty Umback, Shaun Tenzenmen typeset and design Zo Gay Damage Design enquiries info@verilive.com.au veri.7s Curated and pressed by veri.live, the veri.live 7” vinyl splits, or veri.7s, present official pressings of tracks from some of the most influential artists in the world. The veri.7s feature each artist in their own right. Due to the independent participation of each artist featured on the veri.7s, we are able to bring you unique track and artist combinations. DISCLAIMER veri.live and its entire contents, including print, electronic and online material, are protected by the Copyright Act of Australia. veri.live is owned and published by Versus Hub Pty Ltd. No use or reprint may be made of or from any part therein without prior and formal written consent from Versus Hub Pty Ltd. Views expressed in veri.live are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the publisher, publication or its staff. The veri.live name and logo are registered trademarks. vinyl — veri.7 The veri.live vinyl, or veri.7, is exclusively available with, and is part of, veri.live magazine. As of Issue 14, the veri.7 is also available with digital publication purchase. The veri.7s are exclusively available with the issue of veri.live magazine with which that vinyl was produced for and released with. this ISSUE Issue 15 veri.7 is FREE with purchase of digital publication via the veri.live APP. To receive the veri.7 that accompanies Issue 15 DIGITAL, email purchase receipt to info@verilive.com.au. Select “YES, CONTACT ME” from the “CONTACT ME” option on download of the veri.live APP to allow veri.live to contact you regarding the veri.7s that may accompany your purchase. veri.live PO Box 721 North Melbourne Victoria 3051 info@verilive.com.au | www.verilive.com.au ABN 7 150 205 897
New Album Out 20.9.13
Letter from the publisher With the successfull completion of the Keep veri.a.live Pledge Project, the launching the new veri.live digital platfom with the release of our special digital only Issue 14, and the production of this Issue, this past three months have been one hell of a ride. We have a killer veri.7 that features official pressings from indie-pop masters Grouplove and US punk brilliance of Parquet Courts, a knockout FLOW featuring the epic work of Paul Pirie from Batpiss, while SNAP brings you the imagery of US photographer, J. Dennis Thomas. With a host of interviews, live reviews and editorial features, a new full colour reviews section and the return of the our pre-gig, post-gig and hangover hangouts with food, I am thrilled to bring you this, the 15th issue of veri.live. That I am able to sit here and write this letter to you, and you are able to read it can be attributed to the fine Australian and international veri.live supporters and Pledgers. Thank you to everyone for their overwhelming show of support. This issue is for YOU! Zo Gay Publisher — veri.live
Ho b b l ed e h oy Re co rd Co h o b b l ed e h oy re co rd s .co m
“Parquet Courts have produced a debut that’s both instantly addictive and lastingly rewarding: a smart, snappy concoction of worldly wisdom and garage-rock gratification.” The Guardian “Let’s get this out of the way nice and early: ‘Light Up Gold’ is one of the best debut albums you’ll NME hear all year...” “The singing and songwriting mostly split between Austin Brown and Mr. Savage, who are astute enough to write taut, smart lyrics, and self-aware enough to arch an eyebrow while maintaining the pose.” NY Times “Light Up Gold is a fine introduction to a bunch of intelligent dudes living it large and dissecting the ensuring carnage for our listening pleasure. Time Off A classic win-win”
Blunt
“So loveably jittery”
Rolling Stone
“Near perfect post-college rock” “Buy immediately”
Stack Magazine
“Light Up Gold may sound like a string of slacker anthems, but it’s so much deeper than that...” Consequence of Sound “It’s an album of brainy rock songs that state their claims then defiantly step out from beneath the ethereal haze.” Austin Chronicle Pitchfork create-control.com
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violent soho
THE NATION BLUE AT THE JOHN CURTIN窶パhoto: ZO GAY
Sydney Special
Better Time The Annandale Hotel is always either going under or has just saved, depending on who you ask, but who says there’s no scene in Sydney? It’s true, some of Sydney’s best venues are dying, or getting facelifts that strip them of the years of character they’ve accrued from regular weekend batterings. Our beloved Sando waits in the wings at the Newtown Social Club to prove its mettle, The Annandale seems like a starlet in a soap opera, such is the drama, and The Hopetoun sits silently in Surry Hills, a ghost town.
suburbs mansion they inhabit to performing obnoxiously at a one-off crust-punk installation gig. Case in point: last NYE I found their singer, Matt Browne, Sydney’s drunken answer to The Beatles, dancing on top of a King Street eave, while the pubs on the street below catered to karaoke and cover bands. More recently I found him at yet another pub that doesn’t host original bands.
But before bemoaning a dying scene, some thought should be given to the people who create and perform the music in these and countless other venues, because when it comes to bands, Sydney is hardly in a drought.
“Sydney music is …” Browne pauses, exasperated, careful. “I hate people talking down about it. And there’s so much of that. You read it in publications where people are not happy with it or they talk about other cities being better. I dunno,” Browne muses. “Sydney’s great. It is what you make of it, how you become a part of it. If you don’t go to other shows, then no one comes to your shows. And it’s not just about getting heads in the door; it’s about how you promote yourself. You work with other bands. It goes beyond just the gigs, having house parties, having people over, trying to build it as more of a community that goes beyond just going to gigs and just seeing people at gigs.”
On any Friday night you can navigate a conflicting schedule of gigs, a torrent of bands playing in venues across the city, patrons, like captains on sinking ships, standing to attention as the water rises and the music drowns. In Sydney venues close, reopen and change hands, while undeterred, bands find what stages they can. It seems you can’t venture out for a beer and not run into The Berkshire Hunting Club. This bat-shit crazy, noisy punk ensemble has an enviable work ethic, and since their inception a year or two ago, have played everything from residencies and festivals alongside the likes of Gay Paris, to DIY parties in the dilapidated eastern
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Talking about building that community, Browne discusses taking the records of other Sydney bands out on Berkshire tours to distribute to likeminded musicians interstate. “I bought an extra
KIN IT AIN’T ALL HOOKERS AND BLOW Words and photography by Michael Weinhardt
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flow
Paul Pirie Batpiss
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New Release
Reviews
Clowns
Grouplove
Parquet Courts
I’m Not Right Poison City
Spreading Rumours Warner
Light Up Gold Create / Control
I’m Not Right, opens with a sample
Two years ago Grouplove found massive
“Ya know Socrate’s died in the fuckin’
of “I’m here to kick arse and chew
mainstream success with the single
gutter?” Parquet Courts conclude in
bubblegum / And I’m all outta
‘Tongue Tied’. Their follow up record,
‘Master Of My Craft’, the opening track
bubblegum”. Such a perfect example of
Spreading Rumours, shows no sign of the
of the New Yorkers’ second record. They
what is to come, and it never lets up.
trepidation commonly associated with the
have a point. In fact, they have many,
Clowns’ debut is brimming with so much
daunting second record. Instead, it offers
some of which are quite misanthropic,
a band that is aware of their strengths,
be they about the nature of living from
of The Bronx with a scream from vocalist
and happy to exploit them.
your art, to objections of possession
Stevie that is enough reason to buy this
The production is slicker and more
driven modern life (‘Yonder Is Closer To
album and see them live. Punk as fuck!
focused, yet the songwriting highlights
The Heart’).
Signed to Poison City Records, who,
their disregard for genre constraints.
Parquet Courts have a DIY sound and
‘Ways To Go’ is a guitar-free electro trip,
ethos. Their first record was released
‘Shark Attack’ epitomises their indie roots
exclusively on cassette. The sound
and ‘Borderlines and Aliens’ has a chaotic
quality has arguably improved on Light
company in Australia. Clowns are in
energy inspired by surf punk.
Up Gold but it never hides its influences,
good company.
The dynamic between Christian Zucconi
which range from post-punk to surf
Songs such as ‘Oh Fuck, My Face’,
and Hannah Hooper, who are also in a
fury, like a younger more intense version
with recent signings of Harmony, The Bennies, and The Smith Street Band, are fast becoming the most exciting record
‘Jesus On Acid’ and album standout, ‘Sheep In Black’, make up only a small portion of how much attack this album has. Produced by Lindsay Gravina (Magic Dirt, Spiderbait, etc.), I’m Not
romantic relationship, affords them the opportunity to bounce lyrics and ideas off one another in a way that never sounds forced. For them, music is an inclusive experience that promotes togetherness.
rock and Brit pop. It strikes a balance between seriousness and fun, delivered through the varying, and occasionally chaotic, howls of its two vocalists. It is what one would demand from the New York underground. You can almost hear
Right was never gonna fail.
Why should it be different for us?
the bong rattle.
Matt Haycroft
John Dean
Zac Smith
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Keep veri.a.live dedications
veri.live gratefully acknowledges these people who helped Keep veri.a.live with a dedication pledge.
veri.live, with equal gratitude, acknowledges those who supported us during our Keep veri.a.live Pledge Project, Special thanks to these people, bands and businesses who generously donated their art, music, photos, endorsements, special offers and their time in support of veri.live, and helping us achieve the successful completion of the Keep veri.a.live Pledge Project.
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Alexandra Voyage Andrew & James Briscoe Cobra Snake Necktie Records Dylan Fraser Jay Hynes Rachel Lamb Sylvie Tyson & Holly Adalita, AJ Gay, Bellusira, Billie Gay, Bob, Broozer, Brothers Grim, Bugdust, Cassandra Hannagan, Christopher Stets, Collectors Corner, Daniel Marsh, David Corio, DEAD, Dead Letter Circus, Fist2Face, Hobbledehoy Records, James Crawford, John Dean, John Raptis, Kane Hibberd, King Parrot, King Of The North, Kirsty Umback, Lluis Fuzzhound, Lomera, Mick Turner, Milo Damage, M.T.O. Industry, Mum, My Left Boot, Paul Buxton, Prism Imaging, Prism Unlimited, Rare Records, Rich Davies & The Devil’s Union, River of Snakes, Ros O’Gorman, Sally Milner, Sam Haycroft, Scot Crawford, Sheriff, SLAM, Sweet Little Hi‑Fi, Team Trick, tenzenmen, Tim Brenan, The Bennies, The Charge, The Old Bar, Them Bruins, Thornbury Records, Valerio Berdini, Wayward Breed, WeEmptyRooms, Yanomamo
Left f column Dylan Fraser, Cobra Snake Necktie Records Right Column Andrew & James Briscoe, Bellusira, DEAD
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Top to bottom Rich Davies & The Devil’s Union, Sheriff, The Bennies, Wayward Breed
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Left to right Broozer, Bugdust, Fist2Face, Hobbledehoy Records, King Of The North, King Parrot, Lomera, MTO Industry, Rare Records, River of Snakes, SLAM, Sweet Little Hi-Fi, tenzenmen, The Charge, Them Bruins, The Old Bar, Thornbury Records, Yanomanmo
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