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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
LOOK MA, WE’RE FAMOUS
Jagwar Ma
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Reactions/Comp Thing
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Flesh
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Music: British India/Mutants of Desire
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Music: Bob Mould/Arlo Guthrie/Swamp Thing
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New Noise
R ising duo Jagwar Ma have announced their first national headline tour for this April, additional to the support gig for The xx. The pair have capitalised on the buzz of their debut single (2011’s Come And Save Me) by delivering a killer followup, The Throw. That track, with its psychedelic-techno leanings, has made some serious waves both here and around the globe with NME calling it Jagwar Ma’s “grand statement to the world.” Tickets for Jagwar Ma’s headline shows go on sale this Friday, March 15, for the Friday, April 12, gig at Metropolis Fremantle and the Saturday, April 13, show at Amplifier.
Fremantle Arts Centre has been a hub for creativity for four decades. To celebrate this huge milestone, public submissions are being invited for its Mad About You: 40 Years of Fremantle Arts Centre exhibition. Artworks, photographs, objects and recordings featuring FAC over its 40 year history will be received on March 22-23. All submissions go into the draw to win a double pass to every South Lawn gig at FAC in the 2013-14 financial year. The exhibition will be launched in the FAC on Friday, April 12, with a gala party including Fremantle’s The Zydecats. Visit www.fac.org.au for the complete lowdown.
Music: Wolverine/This Will Destroy You Education, Training and Careers Feature
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Eye4 Cover: French Film Festival
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Eye4 Movies: In The Fog/ About Elly
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Arts Listings
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Salt Cover: Drapht
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Salt: News/ Messy/ Test Pad
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Salt: Netsky / Strange Talk
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Salt: Club Manual
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Salt: Rewind: George Clinton
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Scene: Live
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Scene: Local Scene
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Tour Trails
This Friday, March 15, Mat McHugh & The Seperatista Sound System will hit the stage at Mojos. One of Australia’s most soulful and inspiring singer/songwriters, this will be an intimate, smallscale gig that showcases the more personal elements of McHugh’s work, as he makes his own way after The Beautiful Girls. Doors open at 8pm, tickets through Oztix or on the door.
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Gig Guide
DEMOLITION DERBY
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Volume
spin on life ahead of his The Uni-verse Tour!, which will see him checking into The Rosemount on Thursday, March 28 and Saturday, March 30.
www.xpressmag.com.au
Katy Steele
ARTY BAR
Now into its fifth season, ARTBAR brings you four nights of brilliant live music made up of international and national acts. Tickets to ARTBAR gigs also includes entry to the current MoMA exhibition on the night, prior to the main performance. Performing under the stars to open the 2013 ARTBAR season, singer/songwriter Katy Steele is back from New York on Thursday, April 11, while Tex Perkins & Charlie Owen will perform an intimate show at AGWA on Thursday, May 9. Tickets are available through ticketek.com. au or at the AGWA Box Office.
Mat McHugh
SEPERATISTA BUT EQUAL
The lethal ladies of Perth Roller Derby have their first bout of the 2013 on Saturday, March 16, at The Herb Graham Recreation Centre in Mirrabooka, which sees the green-clad Mistresses Of Mayhem clash with the red-dressed Bloody Sundaes. Tickets are available from perthrollerderby. com.au, Morley Rollerdrome and Lucky Skates.
THE ROYAL TREATMENT Salt Cover: Drapht talks about his new healthy
It’s set to be a gathering of some of the biggest hit-makers in Australasian music history when Reminiscing hits the Quarry Amphitheatre on Thursday-Friday, March 14-15. Proudly presented by X-Press Magazine, the final edition of this season’s Live At The Quarry series stars Glenn Shorrock (Help Is On Its Way, Reminiscing, Cool Change, A Little Ray Of Sunshine), Wendy Matthews (The Day You Went Away, I Don’t Want To Be With Nobody But You, Let’s Kiss and Token Angels) and Doug Parkinson (Dear Prudence and I’ll Be Around). Expect plenty of hits and stories from all these artists, plus support from Ruby Boots and Simone & Girlfunkle on respective nights. Tickets are available from ticketmaster.com.au and 136 100.
MAD ABOUT FAC
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Saturday, April 27 as part of their Controller Tour.
SITTING IN THE PARK AND REMINISCING
The Zydecats
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Cover: British India will be docking in at Capitol,
Glenn Shorrock, Wendy Matthews and Doug Parkinson, Reminiscing
The second instalment of the WAM/APRA/AMCOS Music Industry Sundowner Series is upon us, happening on Monday, March 25, at the Rosemount Hotel from 6pm. This session focuses on the everimportant issue of royalty collection, with an emphasis on sound recording royalties and an insight into worldwide royalty collection. Go on over to wam.asn.au for more info.
OM
OM FOR YOUNG AND OLD
US outfit, OM, are bringing their unique blend of spiritually resonant and essential drone to Australia to Rosemount Hotel on Saturday, May 11. OM formed in 2003 from the rhythm section of the disbanded stoner doom metal band, Sleep. With a line-up comprised of Al Cisneros on vocals and bass and Chris Hakius on drums, they released three albums plus singles and EPs on credible labels such as Holy Mountain, Sub Pop and Southern Lord. Their fifth and most recent studio offering, Advaitic Songs in 2012, saw multi-instrumentalist Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe aka Lichens join the band full-time. Tickets are now on sale from lifeisnoise.com, Heatseeker, the venue and Oztix.
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with Casey Hayes... Send your name, address and daytime phone number to win@xpressmag.com.au with the name of the competition in the subject line or enter online at www.xpressmag.com.au. Snail mail entries can be sent to Locked Bag 31, West Perth 6872. Entries close 4pm Monday. By entering you agree to X-Press Magazine’s Terms and Conditions, which can be found online. All competition entries will automatically enable you to become an X-Press subscriber! No details will be given to a third party.
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Production
A Good Day To Die Hard
COOL GUYS DON’T LOOK AT EXPLOSIONS
Bruce Willis is back for the fifth Die Hard instalment, A Good Day To Die Hard. John McLane is in Russia, home of the super villain. He is helping out his estranged son Jack, only to discover that Jack is a CIA operative working to prevent a nuclear-weapons heist. Father and son will have to work together on this one. It hits cinemas March 21 and we have a bunch of in season passes for you, enter now! YIPEEKI-YAY!
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Production Co-ordinator Uli Mauersberg
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Art Director
Iggy and The Stooges
WEST COAST BLUES ‘N’ ROOTS
Now in its tenth year, the West Coast Blues ‘n’ Roots Festival is bringing one incredible weekend to Fremantle Park on Saturday and Sunday, March 23 -24. Think two amazing days, jam-packed with music legends Robert Plant, Iggy and The Stooges and Paul Simon, just to name a few. Thanks to Sunset Events, we have one major and a one runner-up prize to give away. The major prize includes VIP entry for you and a friend for the whole weekend, plus a backstage tour and a side of stage viewing for an artist of your choice*! The runner up will receive entry for themself and a mate on both Saturday and Sunday… Win, win! Enter online by letting us know your favourite Blues ‘n’ Roots memory to date! *Subject to artist management approval. West Coast Blues ‘n’ Roots festival will provide a list of artists to choose from prior to the event.
Dwight O’Neil
Design + Production
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CLUBBERS GUIDE TO 2013
Printing
The Ministry of Sound Clubbers Guide To 2013 is loading up for its annual tour to guide you through the dance music of this year. The Perth stop of the tour stomps into Villa on Friday, March 22 and features the gents behind the double-pack, Denzal Park and Uberjak’d. We have two Boomtick prize packs for you, which include a double pass to the show, a copy of the CD and some Boomtick goodies. Let us know your favourite tune from 2013 to win!
RESET!
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RESET!
What are you doing for the extra long Easter weekend? RESET! are coming to Ambar all the way from Italy on Thursday, March 28 to start your accounts@xpressmag.com.au weekend with a bang!. With a reputation for throwing some of Europe’s craziest parties, this is set to be one 92132853 hell of a night. We have two double passes to give distribution@xpressmag.com.au away, enter now.
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MOONLIGHT CINEMAS
Wrapping up in March, Moonlight Cinemas has been screening advanced previews, contemporary, cult and classic movies on the lawns of Kings Park. An ideal night out with many movies to choose. Head over to moonlight.com.au to check what’s showing. We have two double passes to giveaway to a screening of your choice. To enter let us know what movie you would like to see!
CAB AUDITED CIRCULATION: 38,000 OCTOBER 2011 – MARCH 2012
Deadlines EDITORIAL General: Friday 5pm,, Eye4 Arts: Thursday 10am, Comp’ Thing: Monday Noon,, Salt Clubs: Monday 5pm , Local Scene: Monday Noon,, Gig Guide: Monday 5pm ADVERTISING Cancellations: Monday 5pm, Ads to be set: Monday Noon Supplied Bookings / Copy: Tuesday 12 Noon, Classifieds: Monday 4pm Published by: Columbia Press Pty.Ltd. A.C.N. 066 570 803 Registered by Australia Post. Publication No PP600110.00006 Suite 55/102 Railway Street, City West Business Centre, West Perth, WA 6005 Locked Bag 31, West Perth, WA 6872 Phone: (08) 9213 2888 Fax: (08) 9213 2882 Website: http://www.xpressmag.com.au
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Advertisers and/or their agents by lodging an advertisment shall indemnify the publisher, and its agents, against all liability claims or proceedings whatsoever arising from the publication. Advertisers and/or their representatives indemnify the publisher in relation to defamation, slander, breach of copyright, infringement of trademarks of name of publication titles, unfair competition or trade practices, royalties or violation of rights or privacy and warrant that the material complies with revelant laws and regulations and that its publication will not give rise to any rights against or liabilities in the publisher, its servants or agents. Any material supplied to X-Press is at the contributor’s risk.
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Mt Zion Bobby Alu
MT ZION
Mt Zion is a family-oriented story starring Stan Walker in his acting debut and Temuera Morrison (Once Were Warriors) as his father. From a family of hard-working potato farmers in rural New Zealand, Turei dreams of his band being the support act for Bob Marley’s 1979 tour. But it’s a dream that challenges the traditions and values of his upbringing and will set him at odds with his family. The film features original music with a uniquely New Zealand M ori take on Marley’s reggae. We have three double in season passes and movie soundtracks to giveaway. Enter now!
BOBBY ALU
Bobby Alu returns west to spread the good ju ju! He is coming with a full band and supported by good friend and crooner Nick Saxon. Having just finished a tour with OKA, Bobby is bringing his own new sounds and a slammin’ new island style set which will be sure to get the dance floor moving. He is playing Mojos tomorrow night and Indi Bar on Friday. We have two double passes to each show to giveaway. Enter now to win one!
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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
HEAVENLY SOUND
One of Australia’s most revered and recognisable voices, Kate Miller-Heidke, is once again set to delight audiences as she performs a series of intimate duo shows with longtime collaborator and partner, Keir Nuttall. Franky Walnut will join Kate and Keir at St. Joseph’s Church, Subiaco on Wednesday, June 5. Tickets go on sale next Monday, March 18, through Ticketek.
Empire Of The Sun
THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
It’s been long-anticipated and word finally landed yesterday that the new Empire Of The Sun album, Ice On The Dune, is set to be released in June. The follow up to 2008’s multi-award winning Walking On A Dream LP finds Luke Steele again teamed with Nick Littlemore in a fantasy-laced album that sees them ‘face an unprecedented challenge in their bid to restore peace to the world, 1000 years into the future’. A trailer, entitled Discovery, has been released for the album. Head to youtube.com/ watch?v=8WwCMP5qVIY for an official preview.
WAAPA Direct Kate Miller-Heidke
RAZZLE DAZZLE
This Easter Thursday, WAAPA’s talented singers, dancers and musicians will head to Fremantle Arts Centre to entertain you with toe-tapping tunes from the big band era and favourites from Broadway and The West End for WAAPA Direct. Third year Music Theatre students will be accompanied by David King and the 18-piece WAAPA Big Band as they perform classic show tunes from George Gershwin, Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers and many others. Tickets are $15 from fac.org.au for the Thursday, March 28 performance. Gates open 7pm.
LET ME TELL YOU A STORY
MARCH FIRES RIGHT UP
In 1963, when Matt Taylor began his blues journey, the enduring genre wasn’t well represented in Australia. Now 50 years on, Taylor has been wowing audiences with his own brand of Australian rhythm and blues. The veteran bluesman tells the tale in music and stories in an exclusive one-off event at the Perth Blues Club on Tuesday, March 26. Blues To OzBlues will trace how American folk music, through time and circumstance, influenced the music and thinking of the people of the young continent that was Australia, as well as Taylor’s personal story. Doors open 8pm.
BJORN FREE
NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS/MARK LANEGAN
Birds Of Tokyo
Fresh from a career highlight show at the Fremantle Arts Centre last Friday, Perth’s Birds Of Tokyo awoke to the news that their new album, March Fires, debuted at #1 on the National ARIA Albums Chart. Birds Of Tokyo’s national March Fires tour continues on the East Coast until the end of the month. Then the world awaits... Acclaimed ABBA tribute band Bjorn Again return to Perth with their GIMME! GIMME! Some Fun Tour, playing the Regal Theatre on Saturday, July 6, and the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre on Sunday, July 7. The only ABBA show actually endorsed by the original members of ABBA, this is a close as you can get to the real thing without a time machine. Tickets are available through ticketek.com.au or manpac.com.au
Nantes
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING NANTES
On the eve of the release of their debut album, BeingsBeing, Nantes have announced a national tour, with support from Battleships. Catch them on Saturday, March 30, at Amplifier, or Sunday March 31, at the Newport Hotel in Fremantle. Tickets are available from oztix.com.au and heatseeker.com.au.
Nick Cave Photography: J-F-Foto Red Hill Auditorium Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Jello Biafra
THERE’S ALWAYS ROOM FOR JELLO
Former Dead Kennedy and perennial provocateur Jello Biafra returns to Australia with The Guantanamo School of Medicine this May! Though he’s graced us with his presence in a spoken word context since, this tour marks his fist live musical performances down under since 1983. For old punks and new, this is going to be one of the must-see gigs of 2013. The show goes on at The Rosemount Hotel on Tuesday, May 14, and tickets are available through Oztix. www.xpressmag.com.au
It’s a church when Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds perform, no matter where it is. That it was at Red Hill Auditorium, all rock below and sky above, made for a magnificent sermon on the mount. Cave doesn’t need support, he just needs someone to open the show. On this occasion, the crowd was treated to American songwriter Mark Lanegan, something of a dark, alt-rock icon himself. Lanegan. It’s both a surname and a statement. It weighs of the world, as do his songs. Accompanied by an acoustic guitarist, Lanegan stood firm and with little fanfare held those assembled at front-of-stage affixed. His
deep rasp cut through the sundown on Cherry Tree Carol, No Easy Action and The Gravedigger’s Song. Leaving off On Jesus’ Program Lanegan set the scene perfectly for the dark mass to come. No that we’d seen the last of him. Forget fools. Nick Cave suffers no one in particular that gladly. And so it was that as he walked onstage with The Bad Seeds and nonchalantly waved to the audience, Cave noticed the photographers in the pit. Bemoaning the possibility of nostril shots, he invited them onto the front of stage for the first number, We Know Who U R, and immediately held all and photographical sundry, in raptures. He waved them off as soon as the song ended and, unhappy, with the on-stage sound, had a word to the soundie, ‘err, can you do that thing we employ you to do?’ A suite of songs from the new Push The Sky Away album provided a deep, fresh, opening gambit. Jubilee Street saw Cave emerge as ‘conductor’. His hand reaching out to a sea of hands. ‘I’m transforming, look at me now’ he pleaded and preached as song intensified and he took to the piano while Warren Ellis wailed on violin. Cave’s song introductions were often dismissive (‘It’s a... ah, it’s a song’), but his devotion to the material was anything but, as Wide Lovely Eyes and Higgs Boson Blues testified - he was the puppet and the puppet master at once. The set then delved into the past, from the frantic From Her To Eternity to Red Right Hand which he sang mostly (moistly?) to a single girl raised up above the front row, like some kind of heartbreaker-faith-healer. He left her suddenly only to absent-mindedly catch a pair of flung knickers in his lime left hand. Stranger Than Kindness, I Got A Woman and Deanna, evoked older eras of the Bad Seeds, but it must be said that the new one, with multi-instrumentalist Barry Adamson and Ed Kuepper in that mix, was on all kinds of fire. Kuepper channelled his oeuvre into the opening of Papa Won’t Leave You Henry as audience hands once again reached for Cave at front of stage. He reached out, fingers touching, his hand stopping to caress a cheek or neck, the possibility that he could rip it off from the oesophagus never entirely dismissible. Lanegan returned to the stage, to sing the fatherly role in The Weeping Song, and as much as his physical appearance indicated he’d rather be in his trailer, his voice was commanding and sorrowful and it was a moment. When The Mercy Seat dragged the night to the ground and Jim Sclavunos’ drumstick snapped and flew 20 feet in the air as Cave let out the final line, the end was nigh. Encores, however, came in the murderous ‘ballad’ Stagger Lee - still the finest usage of the f-word in book or song - and a truly heavenly Push The Sky Away, the perfect tonic to wash down a welcome dose of hell and back. _ BOB GORDON
Killing Joke
THE JOKE’S ON YOU
Legendary alternative/rock/industrial/goth/what have you band Killing Joke have announced their first ever career-spanning Singles World Tour, playing their best work from a decades-spanning career. The original line-up of this most seminal of alternative bands will hit Perth on Sunday, June 9, at The Rosemount Hotel. Tickets are on sale now from the venue and metropolistouring.com
HOLIDAY HO!
Sydney’s The Griswolds have had so much fun with their new single, The Courtship Of Summer Preasley, that they’ve decided to commemorate it with a quick run round the state capitals. This marks the latest phase of a meteoric rise will see the band, who only formed in February last year, embark on their first international tour later in the year before heading back to the studio to lay down the follow up to 2012’s Heart Of A Lion EP. You can catch them on Sunday, April 28, at the Newport Hotel in Fremantle.
Municipal Waste
WASTED YOUTH
Direct from Richmond, Virginia come thrash metal legends Municipal Waste, returning to out shores after far too long an absence. Fuelled by the righteous fire that is their new album, The Fatal Feast, they will inflict themselves on the Rosemount Hotel on Friday, June 21. Tickets are available from trybooking.com.
ShannonNoll Noll Shannon
SEAFOOD AND SWEET SOUNDS
The Channel Seven Mandurah Crab Fest hits this Saturday, March 16, and Sunday, March 17, at the Mandurah Foreshore. This all-ages event features a plethora of Australian musical talent providing music to crack claws by, including Ian Moss, Shannon Noll, Jasmine Atkins, Warning Birds, Knotwork, Kids With Wolves, Rhythm 22, Rob Walker, Ali Hill, Jonny Taylor and Ross Lowe. Head over to mandurah.gov.wa for further information and playing times. Entry is free.
METAAAAAAL
Formed in 1991, during the height of the death metal explosion, Dying Fetus have moulded into one of the premiere extreme death metal/ grindcore acts to emerge from the massive global metal underground. Combining an innovative mix of technical virtuosity and catchy song structures to create the ultimate blend of death metal, hardcore and grind, their latest album, Reign Supreme, sees them continue to smash out their meaty slamming goodness to new sonic levels. See them with Putrid Pile at Amplifier on Tuesday, April 23. Tickets are on sale now. 11
BRITISH INDIA
Indian Summer Melbourne garage rock maestros, British India, will be showcasing their brand new album, Controller, at Bunbury’s Prince of Wales Hotel on Thursday, April 25; Settlers Tavern in Margaret River on Friday, April 26; and Capitol on Saturday, April 27 - tickets are available from the venues or from oztix.com.au. TRAVIS JOHNSON catches up with lead singer/guitarist, Declan Melia.
British India
It was a very, very difficult decision. I think that’s why it sounds eclectic. But as to any kind of overriding themes or anything like that, they’ll be incidental, or 2013 is shaping up to be a pretty good year for something to do with my own fractured mind, rather British India. than something that we planned.” Their single, Summer Forgive Me, is doing Melia takes a similarly laissez-faire rather well for itself, an advanced scout for the approach to selecting singles from the album, in that imminent release of the quartet’s fourth album, he pretty much lets the band’s label, Liberation Music, Controller, which is due out on March 22, and they’re handle that side of things. Indeed, despite the fact gearing up for a quick 14-date tour to dust off the cobwebs and give some of the newer material a bit of an airing. “For every song that’s on It certainly wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that a lot of people are keen to get an earful of there, there’s probably three Controller - after all, their last album, Avalanche, came out way back in 2010, and that’s a long time between that’s not on there, from drinks. However, anyone expecting something every different style. It’s a as cohesive as that offering is in for a shock, at least according to lead singer, Declan Melia. case of us arguing what best “Absolutely nothing,” he tells us when asked what ties the record together. “There’s no overriding showcases where British theme - it’s just whatever works. We were writing for like, three years, and then when it was time to make India’s at and what best the record, we just cherry-picked the best 10 songs and put ‘em on there. For every song that’s on there, there’s probably three that’s not on there, from every represents us and how we different style. It’s a case of us arguing what best showcases where British India’s at and what best want to present ourselves.” represents us and how we want to present ourselves.
MUTANTS OF DESIRE
Reanimated Rock In the mid-’80s Perth’s Mutants Of Desire were everything that was best (and otherwise) about badass rock’n’roll bands. They reunite for a special gig at Beat Nightclub this Friday, March 15, with support from The Disintregrates and Steve Tallis & The Holy Ghosts. BOB GORDON chats with guitarist, Phil Bradley.
In 1985 as a tender 18 year-old I walked towards the men’s toilet at the Shenton Park Hotel, staring at a Mutants Of Desire poster on the door. It kicked open and suddenly your real face was glaring at me from where the poster was. Didn’t you know how to use the fucking handle?! Door handles weren’t always my thing! I figured it was quicker and I think I was in a hurry that day. I have always entered and exited through doors and doorways with gusto... and I was an angry young man every now and then. I guess with the Mutants we carried a certain level of self-confidence, that was, at times, excessive. This often translated in other ways. Sorry Bob. From the outset of the band, what was it that you wanted to do with Mutants Of Desire? From the beginning we wanted to do something a bit different, we were influenced by Iggy & the Stooges, locals such as the Rockets and other harder edged stuff of the time. Also, we had all been in bands previously - The Jackals (Mark 1), Hooker, Love Assassins, Misfits etc - so there was a certain continuation of the combination of those different
Mutants Of Desire 1985 12
that both Summer Forgive Me and I Can Make You Love Me were well received, he admits that, compared to the other songs on Controller, to him they’re nothing out of the ordinary. “It could have been anything,” he says.“And this is one of the biggest sins in the music industry, which is to say that signing to a label changed us, but it did. Neither that (Summer Forgive Me) nor I Can Make You Love Me would have been our choices of singles, maybe, but it’s something they (the label) have in their heads that they think the kids are gonna like, and that’s more than enough for us.” That attitude comes not from a sense of apathy, but a commitment to songwriting quality that applies to all the band’s works, not just the obvious breakout singles. “We’ve never been great at writing singles, really; I mean, if we have, it’s been incidental. It’s maybe more... for me, it’s such a strange album in that the songs are lifted from all over the place - that’s the way we write. There’s not really a pop song on it like there was on Avalanche - a clear pop song.” That attitude does make the notion that a vast, largely untapped collection of British India material - three songs for every one released, as Melia pointed out - rather tantalising. The question must be asked - what are the odds of any of that stuff ever seeing the light of day? “Sometimes we bring them up at live gigs,” Melia says. “Like if we’re playing a gig that’s more just
for ourselves, or if we’re just in a playful mood, then we can bring them up, but mostly we just rehearse them for each other just for kicks. Every so often we get together and play a bunch of old favourites. Actually, if you asked all four individuals in the band what their favourite British India songs were, at least a few of the ones mentioned wouldn’t have been on any records. We try to keep them alive in our little British India World, which exists pretty healthily. It would be pretty cool to one day put out a B-sides kind of thing, but I don’t think at the moment that our popularity really warrants it. Maybe one day, when we’re as famous as Kid Cudi, we’ll put one out or something. What we wouldn’t do, though, is take any one of these songs and put it on a record, a new record.” Fair enough. And besides, from what we’re told the band will be too busy in the foreseeable future playing their new material to even consider noodling around with their old cast-offs.“Everything is co-dependent on everything else,” Melai says a little guardedly. “So it’s difficult to project too far into the future. Definitely this tour is something we’re certainly chomping at the bit to do, although it is quite a small tour by our standards. So we’ll do that, and then the plan is to nip over to Europe for a few months in the Australian winter, and then when we’re back we want to do a really big tour for the Australian summer really get our hands dirty and go to all these strange, far-off places we’ve never been to before.”
sounds. All were predominantly harder, edgier guitarbased bands of the time. The first plan was to get straight to Germany, but that didn’t eventuate. We always saw ourselves as a guitar-based rock band, most of the local stuff that we were hearing and the stuff we heard on the radio was pretty synthesizer-based, I guess the punch line is that we wanted to be ourselves and get in people’s faces and rock out. We were kind of mismatched as individuals, but got on great and it really seemed to click musically for us. We really actually were Mutants, musically. History recalls that you were a wild band. I blurrily recall that too. How wild were you? We played and partied hard to a point, I guess. One journalist described interviewing us as ‘entering a maelstrom’. We were pretty focussed on what we were doing, we all quit jobs to be in the band full-time and we were only interested in writing songs, playing gigs, practising and consuming stuff together. That can lead to a kind of gang mentality, which, to be honest, we all embraced. After a while the band is the only thing that makes sense and it becomes what defines all of your emotions and your life. Extreme, wild things don’t feel extreme or wild after a while when you are in that frame of mind. I would say medium to fairly.
Mutants Of Desire 2013
the time; it sure felt cool to be a part of. They were my formative years, I was the youngest in the band and I learned a lot in a very short period of time. It was an awesome apprenticeship. All the other guys were older than me, I was the nipper. As an 18 yearold with tight pants, an SG and a Marshall, it meant You were part of the United Rock collective everything to me. I absolutely fucking loved it and back in those days, along with bands such as being in this band pretty much set the tone for what The Bamboos, Wayne Green, Steve Tallis, Surface I wanted in my life. Yeah, it was cooler. Tension, Femme Fatale and Lick The Lizard. Overall, do you recall the live scene as having a lot of What’s it been like standing, facing each other camaraderie or being competitive? as older men in rehearsals and playing those I remember making a lot of friends that I songs again? still have to this day. I even married one. We all helped It really is amazing and not a little exciting. and encouraged each other and shared gear, lifts, It’s usually pretty hilarious at rehearsals, the same consumables, costs. I don’t remember anyone being things come up that came up 27 years ago, we competitive except to want to play better when one initially spent a lot of time laughing. It’s been pretty of the other bands played well. We toured the South cool to be able to hang out with these guys and to West together and did hundreds of gigs in a pretty catch up with DJ (Dave Johnson, vocals), we didn’t concentrated period of time and often played in each know where he was for the better part of 20 years. other’s bands. I remember a lot of camaraderie. We caught up on crackbook after Leon (Kotz, drums) I remember coming back home after a started a Mutants page and he came to see a Brutus three-week tour of the South West playing over a (Bradley’s current band) gig in Melbourne. dozen shows. I got dropped off by the bus and sat at It was pretty emotional to see him after home for about 10 minutes before I got bored. I rang all that time, he had been and is a mentor to me, one of the crew - who is now my wife, Lana - and one as were all the guys in this band (also including of the other guys from one of the other bands and bassist Phil Foord and guitarist Mark Hutchinson) . we went straight around to his place and went to a They all taught me things that I still use today in my gig and met up with all the other guys from the other approach to music. They are all playing like demons bands. That was pretty common. The idea of not being and it’s an honour and a privilege to be a part of it at a gig with those people was too much to bear. and to play those songs again with them. It was hard to see 27 years ago, but we really were a good band Do you think the whole thing was a bit cooler and it feels good to be able to acknowledge that. I then? think the band actually sounds better than it did 27 That’s a hard question, mate. I don’t know years ago; to say we are looking forward to the gig if it was cooler but I certainly thought it was cool at is an understatement. X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
www.xpressmag.com.au
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BOB MOULD
From Copper To Silver Known for his work as the prime mover behind Husker Du and Sugar, Bob Mould returns to Australia with a band behind him for the first time. CHRIS HAVERCROFT speaks to Mould about bringing alive his brash new album, Silver Age. Bob Mould plays the Rosemount Hotel this Saturday, March 16. Bob Mould is often credited as being the Godfather Of Underground Rock. It is not a moniker that sits too comfortably with the singer/songwriter as he sees that there were a number of people around the North American hardcore scene in the ‘80s who reshaped the way things were done in the music industry. “I think there are a lot of Godfathers, I don’t think there is just one,” suggests Mould. “Whether it be Jello Biafra, REM, Naked Raygun... there are a lot of bands who put in a lot of hard effort to change the landscape in the way that people put on shows or put out records. There are a lot of people who did a lot of work, but it is nice to be thought about in that way. “I am not even the godfather of my own neighbourhood. I am very aware of what I have done, both good and bad. I only really think about it when I am asked about it, otherwise I am in the present doing my own stuff.” The latest Bob Mould album, Silver Age, has had critics and fans salivating. Using a similar template to the seminal Sugar album, Copper Blue, it is an album that embraces loud guitar pop music while remaining edgy and a little angry. While it is great for new works to be recognised as a return to form, it’s a doubleedged compliment as it seems to imply other works have been sub-par.
Bob Mould with his band “I knew as I was writing the home stretch of the album in December, 2011, that this was probably the record that everyone had been waiting for. I am pretty aware of these things. I have been playing music my whole life and I know what my fans like. I was lucky that it all lined up over the past couple of years and all the things fell into place to make this record happen. It was one of my most solid records in some time.” Last year saw the re-issue of Copper Blue to celebrate the album’s 20 th anniversary. On the back of that, Mould and his band toured playing the album in its entirety from start to finish. While they won’t be doing that in Perth, Mould does promise some moments from Sugar as well as delving into his Husker Du catalogue. “It’s the first time that I have played with a full band in Australia. I am looking forward to playing some loud rock. Bring your earplugs – it is really loud. Jon Wurster, Jason Narducy and myself played on Silver Age and we have been playing together for about five years now, so it will be a fun rock show!” There was a time when Mould took a hiatus from music to follow his other passion and become a scriptwriter for World Championship Wrestling. This dalliance was relatively shortlived as creative differences put an end to his tenure, but he still keeps and interest in the ‘blood circus’. “At the moment that it was over I was sour for a little bit but I still keep tabs on it and still have some friends in the business,” he says. “This time of year is a big deal as it is the months leading up to Wrestlemania and The Rock is back so it is a fun time of the year. It is always good to go back and have a look at it.”
Swamp Thing
SWAMP THING
A Current Affair Featuring ex-John Butler Trio drummer, Michael Barker, Swamp Thing perform this Friday, March 15, in the Fremantle Arts Centre Courtyard with Jordan McRobbie in support. BOB GORDON reports. Michael Barker, drummer for Swamp Thing, had a hell of a time last week, unwittingly caught in the media frenzy surrounding his son Tristan’s exposure as ‘Australia’s Worst Internet Troll’. A scheduled appearance at WOMADelaide seemed under threat, but organisers decided to honour the booking. For the moment, the music won out. “WOMADelaide went extremely well,” Barker says. “Swamp Thing drew very appreciative audiences at both of our shows.” Swamp Thing is the new musical entity for Barker, a career drummer who previously drummed for Split Enz on the New Zealand reunion tour of 2008 and was a member of the John Butler Trio from 2003-09. Upon leaving JBT, Barker had a vision in mind for what he wanted to create musically. Enter NZ singer/ guitarist, Grant Haua and the reality began in earnest. “I had always wanted to try a drums and guitar duo combination,” he says. “Meeting Grant and hearing his awesome vocals and guitar playing confirmed this for me.
“Grant and I are a similar age and share Maori tribal history and blood, we love playing our music and write well together.” The duo released a debut album, Balladeer, in 2011, which saw them hit the road and gather a local following on the East Coast and Barker’s native NZ. Just this month they released album number two, Primordium, which evokes more of Swamp Thing’s strengths and depths. “With Primordium, musically, we wanted to convey not only the raw energy of the duo but also our finesse as multi instrumentalists,” Barker explains. “Sonically, there is greater variety of texture to Primordium. Lyrically, we attempt to engage our listeners more by asking questions as well as telling stories.” The last week unveiled an unexpected story, as Barker and Swamp Thing became swallowed up in the ‘scandal’ regarding his son’s online activities. As a career musician who has toured and travelled long and hard, one imagines there’s not much Barker hasn’t come across. This, however, was new and clearly unsettling. “I have learned that Australian mainstream media is made up of some individuals who build their careers by stalking teenager’s Facebook pages and arrange meets at disclosed locations,” Barker replies, briefly yet surely. With Primordium now released, Swamp Thing are looking to perform as much as possible in Australia and New Zealand prior to heading to Europe and North America before the year is out. Life may yield its freak dramas, but the stage is clearly the place to be. “One comment from a punter after a gig once was, ‘for two blokes you make a hell of a racket’,” Barker recalls. “I think it was a compliment! Grant and I always give 100 per cent at our shows and honour our muse.”
ARLO GUTHRIE Songs Of The Father
Bobby Alu
BOBBY ALU Enter The Hydra
The dynamic rhythms of Bobby Alu return to WA this week with shows on Thursday, March 14, at Mojos; Friday, March 15, at the Indi Bar; Saturday, March 16, at Settlers Tavern, Margaret River, and Sunday, March 17, at Clancy’s Fish Fub, Dunsborough. But who is Bobby Alu? One of him speaks to SABIAN WILDE. We all have times when we’re so busy we’d need more hours in the day, or better yet, clones of ourselves to get it all done. But not Bobby Alu; he seems to do it all with names. Because acclaimed percussionist Charles Wall is also OKA’s Charlie Zappa, who is also Bobby Alu. And they’re everywhere. “I’m at Coffs Harbour airport right now after filling in on drums for Sydney reggae band The Strides,” Alu says.“We had such a rad four shows which has made my soul richer. “When I get to Brisbane today I head to rehearsal with another mate for a one-off show then back to the studio with Bobby Alu. Then we come straight to WA then after the tour I’m off to Bali to meet up with the OKA family and play some shows. I’m loving it!” 14
The speed of life appears to be something that just happens organically to Alu, and the multiplicity of music identities is simply a way of letting each project breathe on its own. “I’m not trying to hide or anything,” he says. “The two projects have their journeys and I’m just literally going with the flow. When OKA takes a break I’ll go on a Bobby tour or vice versa.” However, questions of identity still inform Bobby Alu’s music, such as the single You Know (from the forthcoming album, Take It Slow), written while he was reconnecting with his Samoan heritage, in a warts-and-all kind of way that acknowledges both its continuity and his cultural disconnection. “I feel mighty grateful for the insight I’ve had to my culture and ancestors; just being aware of my family history is so empowering,” he says. “It gives me an opportunity to use this history and legacy to make decisions on how I want to live my life. Even the sense of disconnection I have helps with these decisions. “Having this in the melting pot with everything else that makes my identity... I find it is very powerful. It can fill me with confidence. “I’m stoked to say that I’m doing everything I want to right now, with all the people around me I love and adore. I’m touring around with my mates sharing music and spreading relaxed goodness for whoever wants to listen. If I can keep doing this I’ll be content. “Of course there’s dreams of bigger venues, better sound, more listeners, bigger respect for the environment and the urge to develop my musical skill and writing,” he concedes happily, “but that’s all a part of the journey. “Might as well have fun on the way!”
Literally a son of a gun, Arlo Guthrie tells stories in the mould of his father, Woody. CHRIS HAVERCROFT speaks to the folk singer ahead of his show tonight, Wednesday, March 13, at the Octagon Theatre. Arlo Guthrie is your prototypical folk troubadour. He spends around 10 months of each year touring steadily with a guitar in his hand. While it is in his blood, Guthrie chalks it up to there being no rest for the wicked – even if he hasn’t the stamina to be as wicked as he was in his youth. If his father had lived, he would have recently celebrated his 100th birthday. Although he has long passed, it didn’t stop his many fans from celebrating. “I think that it is great that there are so many young people that have discovered him along their paths and that he still has some kind of impact on what people think and what they think about music and each other,” says Guthrie of his father’s legacy. “I love that he has somehow managed to be somehow important to them.” It is Guthrie’s younger sister, Nora, who has taken over the role of custodian of the archival material that Woody Guthrie left behind. There are a swag of younger musicians who are chomping at the bit to get into the archives and find material that resonates with them and bring songs to life. If these archival songs had a tune to them, it had disappeared with Woody many years ago. Guthrie is happy that others feel that some of the thoughts that his father had are still good. “I have done that myself for my entire life and have found some things that I thought would be good for me and I have recorded them over the years,” says Guthrie of his fathers archived material. “I haven’t had the wherewithal to create albums or put out CDs of that material. I find that with the years it sounds like I could make it my own. The archives are for everyone. That was his thing. He did love the idea, and he used to say it all the time, ‘let me be known as the man who told you something that you already knew’.
Arlo Guthrie “My father was not a saint. He was a fairly wild guy that would once in a while hit on a nerve of truth that would ring true for a lot of people. The fact that material is there and it is still doing that is a wonderful legacy. That is why I am doing this tour. I have always included a couple of songs in my shows.” Arlo Guthrie is most famous for his songs Alice’s Restaurant that is rumoured to have stretched to 45 minutes in duration during his live set (a fact disputed by Guthrie). While it has been known as an anti-war song, Guthrie is more inclined to call it an anti-stupidity song. This is a statement that could be said of most anti-war sentiments. “Most of the time you fight over ridiculous things but every once in a while you fight over things that are fairly important - case in point being World War II, or the Trojan War, or you fight over a woman. That makes some kind of sense, although it is not the best thought. There are occasions that don’t fit the notion of stupid all of the time, but you have to be careful about those things.” X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
BRIGHTER LATER The Wolves Independent
BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE Temper Temper Sony
Bullet For My Valentine continue their transition from metalcore upstarts to modern metal giants with their fourth album, Temper Temper. A behemoth full of melody and riff-driven, anthemic headbangers, it’s apparent that the Welsh foursome have risen to firmly grasp the torch as the contemporary Iron Maiden, just as that massively successful troupe carried on the good work of Sabbath and Deep Purple in their own time. Time spent on semi-supergroup side project, AxeWound, hasn’t seemed to have dulled singer Matt Tuck’s anger, with opening track Breaking Point warning transgressors not to push him; the title track seeing him about ‘to explode’; and Riot calling for just that. It’s an anger which fuels the energy of the album and gels completely with the aggression of the music on offer. Musically, the band are tighter and punchier than ever: Michael ‘Padge’ Paget’s lead guitar runs are fantastic and highly addictive. He’s found the sweet spot and is playing from it consistently. Drummer Michael Thomas and bassist Jay James keep stoking the engine with coal as the juggernaut hurtles down the tracks, and Tuck has never sung as well: his voice is clear and expressive, leaving most of the screaming behind him. Having defied the trends and sold in excess of three million albums before this album was released, there is a strong case to make that B4MV are one of the few modern bands who will be gracing arena and festival stages in 10 or 20 years the same way that Maiden are now, and if their musical progression continues on the path it is set, then they’ll deserve every bit of that career longevity. _ SHANE PINNEGAR
ATOMS FOR PEACE Amok XL/Remote Control
After time spent in New Orleans feeding her muse, Jaye Kranz made her way back to Melbourne to record a debut album, The Wolves, as Brighter Later. The brassy, brash New Orleans spirit hasn’t had a clear influence on this nonetheless lovely record, which sounds like a synth-drenched stroll through Kranz’s folky imagination. Wearing a producer hat for the first time, Kranz recorded The Wolves in her Melbourne home/ ex-church/underground concert venue, and has engineered a lo-fi sense of distance that is both charming and inviting. Magnolia is the most captivating track on the album; nostalgic organ-like synths and the most decisive guitar strums of the whole record surround Kranz’s perfectly rounded voice, creating a sleepy state of bliss. Synths are something Brighter Later knows well; Slow Roller perfects the slider, keeping the drawling rhythm steady, and first single, The Woods, creates a smoky, sylvan ambience (not entirely unexpected given the title). The album has a general air of mellifluous melancholy, with lyrics that will intrigue listeners and prompt some pondering,as with Brighter Later’s second single, Come And Go.The standout track dives head-first into a lush chorus, resurfacing almost as quickly in light melodies, and ending with the realisation: ‘And soon we are young/And fit to fight/A frozen sun/Love my love and I’. Kranz’s beautiful vocals and ethereal melodies encased in airy synths make for an enchanting listen. _ KATIE DAVERN
BIFFY CLYRO Opposites Warner Music
Scottish rockers Biffy Clyro are back with album number six and, true to form, Opposites is an absolute cracker of a record. If you’re not familiar with Biffy Clyro, picture what the Foo Fighters would sound like if their records were produced by Willy Wonka in his chocolate factory. These guys have become masters of oddball rock, and Opposites highlights this with plenty of crushing riffs, intelligently crafted choruses and enough quirky little diddies to charm the overalls off an Oompa Loompa. The three-piece have a much larger sound than their line-up would suggest, and they have become very savvy at balancing their balls-out heavy rock sounds with the same smarts as their radio-rock contemporaries. You will find yourself bobbing your head to a catchy groove before being thrown a curveball and wondering, ‘how the hell did this song get to this point?’ within a matter of seconds. The beauty of this record is that you never quite know what’s coming next which is great, because nothing spoils good music like predictability. It’s this ebb and flow nature that makes Opposites such a good listen from start to finish. If you’re a fan of modern, ballsy rock and roll and don’t mind being challenged, then Opposites might just be one of your favourite records of 2013.
What do you get when you cross Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, Flea from RHCP, three other superstar musicians, a smattering of illegal substances and Fela Kuti’s back catalogue? You get Amok, the debut album from Atoms For Peace. The group (Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich, acclaimed drummer Joey Waronker and percussionist Mauro Refosco complete the lineup) initially formed for a live performance of Yorke’s 2006 solo effort, The Eraser. For this latest project, the band jammed for three days before Yorke and Godrich spent many more manipulating the session tapes into Amok. The first thing to note is the CD packaging – a cardboard concertina fold-out designed by Yorke’s mate, Stanley Donwood, depicting a monochrome Los Angeles at the point of Armageddon. So after studying this and expecting to hear Yorke’s incomprehensible tenor describing a future dystopia over bleeps and beats, the organic buzz of curtain-raiser Before Your Very Eyes… was a pleasant surprise. The afrobeat influence is immediate, but by its end the track has morphed into lingering, dark electronica. While it shares similarities with The Eraser and Radiohead’s undanceable dance record The King _ GEORGE GREEN Of Limbs, there remains a sense of fun. Godrich’s studio wizardry hasn’t eliminated the groove; in his hands ICEAGE Refosco’s bongos and Flea’s sense of melody transform You’re Nothing into drum’n’bass on Dropped, and the relentlessly Matador/Remote Control funky title track builds from just a filtered snare all the way to the album’s full climax. It leaves you sated, not They might have the youthful good looks to qualify as exhausted. Simon Cowell’s next boy band but Iceage’s music _ DAVID WILD could barely be further from the polish of the pop charts. That they are part of a Copenhagen post-punk scene FLETCHER initially labelled ‘The New Way Of Danish Fuck You’ Upon Ayr should speak volumes about Iceage’s leaning towards Dramatico/Warner Australia hardcore and a general middle-finger-to-the-world They say ‘you can never go attitude. home’, but it’s also true that As the follow-up to promising 2011 debut, sometimes you have to leave New Brigade, this 29-minute LP is equally compelling home before anyone there but even more forceful – primarily because there are remembers who you are. This proper songs hidden beneath the multiple layers of is certainly the case for Fletcher, who cut his teeth in noise and singer Elias Bender Rønnenfelt’s guttural Australian music with Bluebottle Kiss and The Devoted yell. Few before, y’know, growing up. On Burning Hand, one of only three songs Now living in London, Fletcher has released to break the three-minute mark, Rønnenfelt sings, his debut album, Upon Ayr, an album that is quite simply, ‘There’s a guilt deep within/In divine soil blossomed into beautiful. Thoughtful lyrics, a tasteful split between sins’, over a thrilling guitar hook as drummer Dan Kjær direct, simple melodies and occasionally ethereal Nielsen tries to split his skins at a growing pace. Morals vocals (wonderfully supported in parts by his friend, is as close as we get to a ballad, an enchanting piano Sarah Blasko). slowly drawing us in before we’re subjected to the There’s a rich vein of informed introspection backdraft of thrashing guitars, and asked with disdain, and literary affectations that could all too easily ‘Where’s your morals?’ have turned into whiny navel-gazing in less talented The highlight however is Everything hands, but Fletcher holds it together beautifully with Drifts, where Iceage at once channel The Fall and Joy deceptively simple arrangements that can expand Division. ‘Dare you look into the abyss/Confront what from fingerpicking and voice to multi-tracked Celt- you received/There’s a vile fury within us/Despite what fests and back again without intruding or demanding you’ve been fed’, screams Rønnenfelt as the band hold recognition for being so very, very clever. it together just long enough to deliver a call to arms for This is quite possibly one of the best debuts the disaffected: ‘Raise your fist/For the depraved roses’. of its kind - if you’re a fan of Sarah Blasko or Augie March, You’re Nothing is noisy, urgent, exhilarating you’ve just found a new favourite artist. and honest; it’s hard to avoid being swept up in it. _ SABIAN WILDE www.xpressmag.com.au
_ DAVID WILD 15
WOLVERINE The Raw And The Cooked
Local rapper Scott ‘Wolverine’ Kent has just returned to Perth after an extended sojourn in Sydney and is launching his latest project – the double-disc, 37 song Split Personality mixtape – this Saturday, March 16, at the Civic Hotel. JOSHUA HAYES reports.
Scott ‘Wolverine’ Kent
stream-of-consciousness underground hip hop – and developed a broader, more melodic approach to Australian hip hop. “Split Personality came about because I’ve got my old style, and I was wanting to go in a different direction as well, so I thought I could put them both together on one album,” he explains. “I just accumulated so many songs; I had heaps of collaborations with some really great artists, and I thought, ‘well, let’s just put it out on a double’. It was Despite its considerable size, Scott Kent says only supposed to be a single, but it just kept growing.” The MC and producer – who first started Split Personality was mostly written and rapping in 1994 and has released five albums and recorded over the last four months. The title refers to his growth as a three mixtapes – moved to Sydney several years ago, musician, as he has gradually moved away from but recently returned to Perth after breaking up with his original style – which he describes as raw, his partner.
“I just moved over there for my missus,” he says. The break up didn’t work its way into Split Personality, though. “A lot of people thought that it would. I was getting a lot of people saying, ‘is that going to be coming up?’ And it hasn’t at all. People even asked about the concept of Split Personality and I was just like ‘no, there’s no deep meaning behind it; it’s just my two different styles’. ” Kent sees Split Personality, which includes collaborations with the likes of Dazastah, Reason and Bigfoot, as an opportunity to build momentum for himself and his new label, Headnod Records. “That’s the whole point of it. I want to do heaps of gigs and tour off of it, and it’s going to lead up to the new album,” he says. In the meantime, Kent has a number of other projects on the go, including an EP with his newly-formed local crew The Wolfpack, and a collaboration with his brother Clifford, which he describes as “more guitar-based, more rockbased, but with hip hop over the top.” This weekend’s album launch will see Kent supported by Dazastah and Porsah Laine performing as The Monkey Bars - in addition to a number of young up-and-coming acts. Kent is also busy working up Headnod Records, and planning a national Split Personality tour – which includes a show in Adelaide next weekend – as well as regional WA and local all-ages shows. “Being an independent artist is so hard, so much work,” he says. “I don’t have spare time for anything else; I’m pretty much doing music 24/7.”
THIS WILL DESTROY YOU Tunnel Visions
Dynamic instrumental experimentalists, This Will Destroy You, are more than just another post-rock act. CHRIS HAVERCROFT speaks to guitarist Chris King about their brutal record Tunnel Blanket ahead of their show at the Rosemount Hotel on Saturday, March 23.
This Will Destroy You Tunnel Blanket is a more brutal release than previous efforts from This Will Destroy You. It was written at a time when there was, collectively, a lot of loss and grief going on around the band, and it served as a reaction to that. Guitarist, Chris King, suggests that the album was, in a way, part of the members’ coping mechanism. “As hard as it may be to write songs when we were feeling like that, it was kind of like a natural reaction to it,” he reflects. “Every once in a while when we are playing them it may conjure up some thoughts, but there is a time and a place for that. We move on from the day that it happened and although it is still a memory it is not as persistent as maybe it previously was.” The beauty of making music without lyrics for King is that it can be interpreted in so many different ways. The only reference that people really have is the song title as something to go off. King finds great interest in the listener’s perception of what the songs conjure up, as it is usually quite different to what King may have been thinking when the songs were being written in the first place. Even the term, Tunnel Blanket, has been ambiguous for many. “It is a reference to death. There are reports of how people have tunnel vision before they die. The idea around that was what prompted the album title. There are studies on people seeing different things like lattices and spirals and other weird types of geometry, so the tunnel blanket was a kind of idea and trying to come up with a name for it.” There is no doubt that being an instrumental band and one that has such dynamic shifts in sounds is going to attract a certain type of crowd. Amongst those are the people who are passionate about how the sounds are made and a This Will Destroy You gig will often see people jumping on stage and taking photos of pedal boards and other equipment. “I get a lot of people asking things about the process of making the sounds. There are the pedals that I am using live, but it is not about the hardware to me but more about how you use them. How you finesse the intricate sounds is going to be different for everyone. The pedal is just the basis by which you have something to build off. It is not going to sound the same automatically but it a good starting point. You should always be on the hunt for new sounds, as far as I’m concerned.” The live show for This Will Destroy You generally revolves around the arrangements that can be heard on the record. While King is a fan of improvised elements as far as some textures and noise go, they try to stay pretty faithful to the recorded works. The biggest change is the addition of some sampling that adds extra sounds to the lively pieces. “We don’t talk at all during the performance. We don’t say anything, we just pretty much play. I have never been a fan of bands talking between the songs. It is almost a respect thing for me. I just want the music to speak for itself. We are there to play music and we would rather focus on that. I would definitely recommend wearing some earplugs though, as we will be fucking loud.” 16
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
ALLIANCE FRANCAISE FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL 2013 Cinema, Je T’aime Encompassing 43 features and documentaries, the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival runs at Cinema Paradis, Windsor Cinema, and Luna on SX from Tuesday, March 19 until Sunday, April 7. Go to lunapalace.com.au for sessions times and tickets. France has one of the strongest and most vibrant film cultures in the world, with a reach and influence that is nigh on immeasurable. The French have a strong claim on being the progenitors of the cinematic form, thanks to the pioneering work of the Lumiere brothers; Andre Bazin’s magazine, Cahiers du Cinema, led directly to the development of modern film theory; and the stylistic hallmarks of the French New Wave can still be found in the indie and arthouse cinema of today. With that in mind, it’s not hard to see why the annual Alliance Francaise French Film Festival is one of the biggest nationspecific film events on the calendar. Founded in Paris in 1883, the Alliance Francaise is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the global promotion of French language and culture, and for the past 24 years, their film festival has been one of their chief avenues of engagement - after all, cinema is a language that, more than any other, transcends borders. There’s a bit of received wisdom that tends to shunt all French films into the same incredibly narrow genre niche. To the unfamiliar, the very phrase “French film” conjures up a very specific set of images and tropes; there will be a beautiful, troubled woman, a voiceover comprised largely of trenchant existential musings, a lot of lingering shots, a plot that doesn’t add up to much, and a lot of smoking - call it the Betty Blue factor. Of course, that’s a load of rubbish, as even a cursory examination of this year’s offerings can attest to. The opening night film, Christian Vincent’s comedy-drama Haute Cuisine, stars acclaimed actress Catherine Frot as Hortense Laborie, a country cook who is summoned to Paris to serve as the personal chef to the President of France, played by novelist Jean d’Ormesson. Incredibly, the film is based on the true story of Daniele Mazet-Delpeuch, who cooked for Francois Mitterrand while he was in office. Those whose familiarity with the works of legendary French writer Victor Hugo only extends as far as Les Miserables should definitely pencil this new adaptation of The Man Who Laughs into their calendar. Written and directed by Jean-Pierre Ameris, this new version positions the venerable tale of disfigured orphan Gwynplaine (French-Canadian actor Marc-Andre Grondin) as a kind of baroque-gothic socialist fairy tale - Marx by way of Tim Burton. It also stars Christa Theret, Emmanuelle Seigner, and Gerard Depardieu.
Augustine
Asterix and Obelix in Britain
The Man Who Laughs
www.xpressmag.com.au
Haute Cuisine
Depardieu also stars as the larger of the two leads in the raucous live action cartoon Asterix and Obelix in Britain, with Edouard Baer essaying the role of diminutive Gaulish warrior Asterix. Based on the world-renowned children’s books, this latest instalment in the series sees Asterix and Obelix jaunting across the English Channel to lay the smack down on Caesar’s legions at the behest of Asterix’s English cousin. French acting royalty Catherine Deneuve and Jean Rochefort crop up in supporting roles. Christa Theret also stars as Andree, model and muse to the ageing painter, Pierre-Auguste Renoir (Michel Bouquet) in Renoir, which tells the story of the last days of the great painter, his relationship with his son, Jean (Vincent Rottiers) - who would himself go on to become one of the most lauded filmmakers of all time - and their rivalry over the affections of Andree. Belgian provocateurs Gustave de Kervern and Benoit Delepine inject some punk rock energy into the schedule with The Big Night, an aggressively funny anti-capitalist screed which sees a depressed mattress salesman (Albert Dupontel) team up with his brother, an ageing punk (Benoit Poelvoorde) to wreak havoc in the soul-crushing milieu of a suburban shopping mall. Angry, anarchic, and hilarious, The Big Night won the Special Jury Prize - Un Certain Regard at Cannes in 2012. French folk-rocker Soko impresses in the period drama Augustine, which sees her essay the role of the eponymous maid, who is confined in a 19th century psychiatric hospital after suffering a seizure. While there, she captures the attention of Dr Charcot (Vincento Lindon) who makes her the sole focus of his studies and experiments. Interest soon gives way to obsession as the lne between the personal and professional dissolves in this examination of female sexuality and medical ethics. Olivier Assayas, director of Irma Vep and Carlos , turns his attentions to the radical student scene of late ‘70s France in After May. Callow but idealistic high school kid Gilles (Clement Metayer) finds his political convictions tempered by the complexities and practicalities of the real world in this nostalgic but unsentimental look at a flashpoint time in French history. With such a wide range of films on offer, there’s bound be something to suit any cinematic palate. And if, for some reason, you can’t find a movie that takes your fancy, what can we say but c’est la vie. _TRAVIS JOHNSON
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Deviator
DEVIATING FROM THE NORM
Tactical media art group,pvi collective,descend upon PICA from Tuesday, March 19 until Sunday, March 24 to bring us their new work, deviator. An interactive art game where participants/audience members are given a smart phone and a brief set of instructions Tonight, Wednesday March 13, Tu Stairwell Gallery and sent out into the city to transform its public plays host to Midnight Snack, a new exhibition by places into a playground in an effort to force us to artist Bonnie Boogaard. A fun and whimsical look view our communal zones from a new angle. Go to at the joys of food, Boogaard’s show encompasses pica.org.au for details, sessions times, and tickets. a series of playful watercolours that explore what your food gets up to when you’re not looking. The exhibition runs until Monday, April 8. Head to tu.com. Perth’s annual Stations of the Cross exhibition is on au for more info. at Wesley Uniting Church from Saturday, March 23 until Monday, April 1. Each year, 15 artists are invited to interpret the Easter story in a variety of media and The professional tale-tellers of the Barefaced forms, reinvigorating the narrative through retelling Stories troupe will be performing an evening of it. This year, the commissioned artists include Toby oral entertainment (no, not that) at South Perth’s Bell, Victor France, Cathy Swioklo, Jane Whitely, and Windsor Hotel on Thursday, March 14. A celebration Andrea Vinkovic. The exhibition is open daily from of the oldest form of entertainment (no, not that), 9am to 5pm, and entry is free. EPIC Storytellers at the Windsor Hotel features a stellar lineup of comedians, writers, and raconteurs spinning tall tales and true for the delectation of the audience. Naseeb: Trafficked, a photographic exhibition by Sonal The show starts at 7pm, and entry is free. Kantaria, takes an intimate look at the lives of young Indian women who have been rescued from sex slavery. This confronting and sobering work is on display at the Perth Centre For Photography until Sunday, March 31. Go to pcp.org.au for more.
Midnight Snack
BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS
In The Fog
STATION TO STATION
STORIES BY THE SEA
CROSSTOWN TRAFFIC
Refugia ii
REFUGE IN AUDACITY
In her first solo exhibition, Refugia ii, Lisa Reilly contemplates how human intervention affects ecological opportunity. An installation that draws on the actual process of oxidation to illustrate its point, it includes quarried rocks and lichen-covered boulders juxtaposing the biological with the geological. The exhibition runs at Free Range Gallery from tonight, Wednesday, March 13, until Saturday, March 23. Go to freerange.org.au for more information.
ABOUT ELLY Two If By Sea
Directed by Asghar Farhadi Starring Taraneh Alidoosti, Peiman Ma’adi, Merila Zarei, Mani Haghighi, Golshifteh Farahani
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Hold Your Silence
SILENCE IS GOLDEN
Ross Hamilton Frew’s new exhibition at Paper Mountain, Hold Your Silence, sees the Glaswegian artist examine the relationship between the page and its content in a series of drawings that use geometry and line to evoke language. Two paintings by UK artist Alan Stanners are also on display. The exhibition runs until Saturday, March 23. Head over to papermountain.org for details.
IN THE FOG
Bad Times In Belarus Directed by Sergei Loznitsa Starring Vladimir Svirskiy, Vladislav Abashin, Sergei Kolesov The good people of Belarus did not enjoy themselves much under Nazi occupation in World War II, if the films set in that time and place are any indication. You can see Edward Zwick’s Defiance for the awards-bait Hollywood version, but those made of sterner stuff are advised to track down Elem Klimov’s brutal and sentiment-free Come And See. Now, Ukrainian director, Sergei Loznitsa, adds to that bleak body of work with the haunting In The Fog, an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Vasili Bykov. When railway worker Sushenya (Vladimir Svirskiy) is arrested along with a group of partisan saboteurs, only he escapes the gallows. Naturally, he is suspected of collaborating with the Nazi regime, and it’s not long before two resistance members, Burov and Voitik (Vladislav Abashin and Sergei Kolesov) are escorting him into the benighted woods, forcing him to bring along a shovel with which to dig his own grave. From here, the film becomes a meditation on guilt, honour, complicity and pragmatism. It’s all there in the title, which refers to not only the fog of war - Loznitsa doles out information sparingly and we’re given plenty of time to ponder the truth of Sushenya’s alleged betrayal before we’re finally clued in - but also the murky moral
outstanding film that speaks of issues both universally felt and culturally specific. A group of middle class Iranian friends are off to the Caspian Sea for a three-day getaway. Sepidah, who is married to the older Amir and has a young daughter, emerges as the motivator for the holiday for this group of old law school friends and their spouses. The bunch arrive at their lodgings, only to learn that the owners are returning the next day. They are shown, however, to an abandoned villa that sits right on the seashore, which stirs some angst in Shohreh and her husband Peyman, who have a young son, Arash. Also along for the ride is a pleasant young girl named Elly, who teaches Sepidah’s daughter at kindergarten. It becomes clear that Sepidah has engineered the trip as a matchmaking forum for Elly and Ahmad, her divorced brother who is visiting from Germany. Sepidah’s good intentions, however, are not well thought out. She lies that Ahmad and Elly are About Elly newlyweds in order to secure the villa, which makes Iranian director, Asghar Farhadi, is best-known for his the latter highly uncomfortable, in spite of her initial 2011 film, A Separation, which took out the Academy positivity towards Ahmad. And while Elly insists that she can stay only one night, Sepidah hides her Award for Best Foreign Film in 2012. It was the luggage in order to stop her from leaving early. homeland success of 2009’s About Elly, however, that While the men enjoy themselves one secured him funding for that award-winning film. afternoon playing volleyball, Elly is asked to watch While it will probably be over-shadowed by over the children on the beach. Attending to an errant its Oscar-winning successor, About Elly is in itself an kite one of them is flying, the focus is shifted away
territory these people find themselves in. The grim, compromising realities of life under occupation are outlined in a stark and relentlessly unsentimental manner. Loznitsa eschews false patriotism and bravado - see the recent remake of Red Dawn for that kind of thing - instead choosing to focus on small, personal choices made under the heel of oppression. This is a war story in microcosm, not an action epic. Loznitsa’s background is in documentary filmmaking, with In The Fog being only his second feature film after 2010’s acclaimed My Joy, and it shows in his framing choices, which tend to vacillate from long, lingering wide shots to painfully intimate closeups, with little in between. That documentary feeling is reinforced by the film’s complete lack of a musical score - by removing the normative emotional cues we associate with cinema, we are forced to milk every second of this long and deliberate drama for meaning, drawing us deeper into the tense and compromised world that Lonznitsa has constructed. That kind of engagement is not for everyone, though, and In The Fog demands a lot of patience and perceptiveness from the viewer - while it’s horribly reductive to describe the film as a small group of men walking through the woods for two hours, it’s not wholly inaccurate, either, and anyone who requires more than the bare minimum of handholding from their cinema is in for a rough time of it. Still, for those with the faculties to grapple with this largely opaque drama, Loznitsa raises some troubling questions about valour and obedience that are worth mulling over. _ TRAVIS JOHNSON from the young Arash, who will shortly be spotted floating in the water. Panic erupts. Screaming ensues as the men and women hurl themselves into the ocean to save Arash. He is rescued and resuscitated, so attention then focusses on how Elly could let this happen. However Elly is also missing. A search party is called off as the sea is too rough and the friends return to the house distressed, emotional and guiltridden. As the next day emerges and the body is still undiscovered, they begin to wonder if Elly had simply left the scene due to embarrassment over the white lie that she was Ahmad’s newlywed wife. When Sepidah admits that Elly’s relationship status was not what she had indicated, notions of honour are raised. Alive or not, scandal could ensue. Hours tick by, recriminations make themselves known and the cracks in various relationships are exposed. About Elly is cannily directed, the intense moods belying the seaside and sun. The performances across the board are excellent; from the sickening panic as they fight the sea to save a child from drowning, to the intense showdowns that follow, it’s a great ensemble piece. _ BOB GORDON About Elly screens as part of the Lotterywest Festival Films season at UWA’s Somerville Auditorium until March 17. For more details, head to perthfestival.com.au.
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
BLANCANIEVES Fractured Fairy Tale
Blancanieves
grand emotions. Garcia does well as the brave and Directed by Pablo Berger Starring Daniel Gimenez Cacho, Sofia Oria, beautiful Carmen - in point of fact, so does Oria as the younger Carmen - but it’s Verdu who gets to have Macarena Garcia, Maribel Verdu the most fun, essaying her wicked stepmother as an One of Grimm’s grimmest gets re-imagined as a silent, arch-bitch with a strong interest in kinky power games. black and white melodrama set in the bullfighting Verdu clearly relishes playing the villain, and it’s great world of 1920’s Spain in this arrestingly shot but to see her cut loose for a change. It’s all a lot of effort for little result, though. somewhat unsuccessful effort from tyro director Though gorgeously shot and scored - Alfonso Pablo Berger. After the famous bullfighter, Antonio Vilallonga’s music, coupled with some spot-on sound Vallarta (Daniel Gimenez Cacho) is gored and paralysed design and editing, really helps the film punch above in the ring, and his wife dies giving birth to his its weight - at the end of the day it’s hard to fathom daughter, Carmen (played by Sofia Oria as a child, and what the actual point of the exercise is. Repositioning Macarena Garcia as an adult), the scheming nurse such a well-worn narrative should hopefully make it Encarna (Maribel Verdu, seen in both Pan’s Labyrinth more accessible for a contemporary audience, or at and Y Tu Mama Tambien) seizes the initiative, quickly least add some shading and complexity to its thematic installing herself as wife to Antonio and stepmother to underpinnings, but nothing of the sort happens here. Carmen. From there, the film follows the very familiar Perhaps the Snow White story is so venerable that not beats of the Snow White story, with a few odd changes much new can be wrung from it without seriously here and there (the huntsman figure, for example, is reworking it, and so anything less than a top-down Encarna’s lover; the dwarfs are a travelling comedy rebuild is pretty much a case of style over substance. And, on that level, it works. As an exercise bullfighting troupe). It’s a beautifully mounted production; in design and cinematography, Blancanieves is a Kiko de la Rica’s cinematography is at times simply sumptuous treat, but without some kind of underlying jaw-dropping, with deep rich blacks counterpointing substance the pretty pictures aren’t quite strong dazzling whites, with minimal grey tones in between. enough to linger in the mind for too long. It’s a curious However, it’s difficult not to wonder if this project addition to the fairy tale canon, but not much more would ever have seen the light of day if The Artist than that. hadn’t been such a critical and commercial smash; without that Oscar-winning effort looming in the _ TRAVIS JOHNSON background, Blancanieves looks like a very niche Blancanieves screens as part of the Lotterywest project indeed. Still it’s fun to see the cast embrace the Festival Films season at UWA’s Somerville Auditorium histrionic nature of both the form and the story, from March 18-24 and Joondalup Pines from March abandoning subtlety for big, sweeping gestures and 26-31. For more details, head to perthfestival.com.au.
PERTH OZ COMIC CON
The geek inherited the earth over the weekend - or at least the Convention Centre - when thousands of sci-fi and fantasy fans swarmed the city, intent on getting some face time with such genre luminaries as Richard Dean Anderson, Gigi Edgley, Jason Momoa, and William Shatner. The cosplay kids were out in force too, and our cameras were there to capture their efforts.
Travis, Nastasya, Grant
Photos by Daniel Grant
Molah, Chris
Kiana, Maggie
Alex, Steph Paul, Rhianna
Claudia, Chris Matt, Mitchell, Ian
Heidi, West, Wayne, Xavier, Dali, Brigit Chris, Antica
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Bree, Jovin, Aaron, Jasmine, Siobhan 21
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Adriane Daff
Mikaela Castledine with her work, Tokyo Crows, at Sculpture By The Sea, Cottesloe
SCULPTURE BY THE SEA 2013 Crows Of Tokyo
The ninth annual Sculpture By The Sea, Cottesloe exhibition opened last Friday and saw Kalamunda artist, Mikaela Castledine, take out the Western Australian Sculptor Scholarship of $10,000 for her work, Tokyo Crows. The work is made up of a large group of slightly oversized black crows and was inspired by a news report about crows in Tokyo becoming large and aggressive and needing to be culled. I love crows and ravens,” says Castledine, of her award-winning work.“They’re clever and funny and are such beautiful, graphic shapes. I wanted to make the point that if they were evolving into monsters then it was entirely our fault. Instead of culling them we should take steps to reduce our wasteful lifestyle and not leave so much rubbish lying around. “I had been working on small sculptures of crows based on observations of a family in our garden and the Tokyo Crows grew out of that, but I am interested less in themes and more in stretching the capabilities of the medium of crochet. While my mother spent a lot of my childhood working as a textile artist and taught me many techniques, my father, who built spinning wheels, is the one who taught me to crochet. It pleases me to take an oldfashioned technique like this and see what I can make it do.” Casteldine - who is currently undertaking a Masters Degree in Creative Writing And Literature -
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staged her first exhibition in the early ‘90s, but art has dominated her life far longer. “I come from a family of artists and so grew up thinking it was not only normal to make art all the time but pretty much compulsory,” she says. “I would describe myself as a maker. I like to make things with whatever materials come to hand. My pictures are made from collaging recycled magazine paper and most of my 3D work is made using crochet and found objects.” As part of the prize, Tokyo Crows will be also exhibited at Sculpure By The Sea when it is staged on Bondi Beach in October. There is also a $10,000 scholarship, would would come in handy for any artist. “I will have plans for the scholarship, I just don’t know what they are yet,” Casteldine says. “I am very aware of the importance of the award and feel very much that I need to make the most of it to justify my receiving it ahead of many other very talented artists. I feel that travel may be a large part of it, but will do some careful thinking before deciding how best to spend the money. “My kids are at university and with my son moving out of home recently and my daughter planning to study in France for the second half of the year, we were already looking at how to make the most of our new freedom. The scholarship has come at a perfect time for me when I have few limitations on my time and creativity other than those I have imposed upon myself.” Sculpture By The Sea, Cottlesloe, runs until March 24. For more details, head to www.sculpturebythesea.com. _BOB GORDON
The Black Swan State Theatre Company’s production of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest runs at the State Theatre Centre until Thursday, March 28. Tickets are available through Ticketek. For Perth actor Adriane Daff, appearing in director Kate Cherry’s new interpretation of The Importance of Being Earnest afforded her an opportunity not only to work with some old acquaintances, but to become part of a company that includes some hugely respected Australian acting talent. “I’m playing Cecily Cardew.” she explains, referring to the young ward of the not-quite-titular Ernest, who is a central part of the star-crossed pairings that comprise the light plot of Oscar Wilde’s comedy of manners. “And I get to work with people like Pete Rowsthorn, who’s been on Kath and Kim; I get to work with Michael Loney, who’s been in theatre, especially in Perth, for longer than I’ve been alive; Scott Sheridan, who I’ve worked with before a number of times on Black Swan stuff - we’re teaming up again as love interests, which will be fun!” She also admits to being keen to strut the stage in the stunning costumes created especially for the show, praising the production’s costume designer. “Lynn Ferguson has made all the costumes from scratch, so it’s this amazing undertaking and they’re just absolutely stunning - the costumes are absolutely beautiful.” The costumes and sets are integral to the play, which mines the cultural and social mores of the late 19th century upper class for comedic and satirical effect. Daff insists that any changes to the play’s milieu, such as the temporal and cultural shifts now fashionable when mounting a Shakespeare production, would be to the show’s detriment. “There are so many jokes in there, and so many references that are so of the time that to remove it too far from its intended context might obscure the message of the play a little bit, which is definitely something that you want to avoid. I would probably make the argument that there is a reason that the play is often done in period costume and as a period piece, and that’s because you do get more out of it. It’s a play about people wanting to get married; if you set it in 2013, you might have trouble finding the relevance there.”
Adriane Daff as Cecily Cardew For all that, she is adamant that Wilde’s work is still relevant for a modern audience particularly when it comes to the famed wit’s use of language. “It’s really amazing,” she says. “He had a real reputation in that, every time he opened his mouth, something incredibly witty and awesome came out. The writing isn’t nearly as old-fashioned as you might think it is - it’s actually really quick, really witty, and very funny. The language is very modern and contemporary. He was writing at a time when style was valued over substance, and I actually think that it’s pretty similar to the world we live in now, so it’s nice to be able to go along and have a bit of a laugh at that, and have a bit of a laugh at yourself, and maybe learn something.” _TRAVIS JOHNSON
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
Sculpture By The Sea: Cottesloe Beach, Perth Over 70 local, interstate and international artists will transform Perth’s most popular beach into a stunning sculpture park overlooking the Indian Ocean with some of the most glorious sunsets of any major city in the world. Runs until Mar 24. Entry is free.
VISUAL ARTS
Once On This Island: The Geoff Gibbs Theatre WAAPA presents this Tony Award-nominated, Caribbean-flavoured, musical love story. Runs Mar 16 - Mar 23.
Hamlet: Subiaco Arts Centre WAAPA, in conjunction with Barking Gecko Theatre Company, present a new interpretation of Material Murmurings: Spectrum Project Space, Shakespeare’s immortal tragedy. Runs Mar 16 - Mar Perth 22. Bookings via Ticketek. Australian ar tist Brooke Zeligman works in handmade glass and mixed media objects to explore the roles of women in modern society. Appropriately enough, the exhibition opens on International Women’s Day. Runs until Mar 22. Western Australian Police Pipe Band, The Quarry Ngaaditj Boodja (Salt Country): emerge Art Space, Amphitheatre Inglewood Performance March 13. Tickets via Ticketmaster. Lindsay Harris’ new solo exhibition looks at the devastating effects of unchecked land clearing and Western Australian Symphony Orchestra, Perth the subsequent encroachment of salt upon once- Concert Hall fertile soil. Runs until Mar 23. Tchaikovsky’s Pathetique, performances March 14 16. Tickets via waso.com.au. Fern Petrie - Flights of Fancy: Linton and Kay Galleries, The Old Perth Technical School Oz Concert, Government House Gardens Printmaker turned painter Fern Petrie’s latest Performance March 17. Entry is free. exhibition draws on images from 19th century children’s literature to comment on the notion of childhood fantasy. Runs until Mar 21.
Picturing New York: Photographs From The Museum Of Modern Art: Art Gallery Of WA, Northbridge Depicting the iconic New York that captivates the world’s imagination and the idiosyncratic details that define New Yorkers’ sense of home, this exhibition from MoMA’s extraordinary photography collection celebrates the city in all its vitality, ambition and beauty. Made by approximately 90 artists responding to the city as well as professionals on assignment, including Henri Cartier-Bresson, Walker Evans, Lewis Hine, Helen Levitt, Cindy Sherman, Alfred Stieglitz, and Weegee. Runs ‘til May 12.
MUSIC
Errol McMahon - Hearts and Vessels: The Moores Building, Fremantle An exhibition of sculptures abstracted from found objects. Runs Mar 16 - Mar 24.
Wendy Sharpe - Artist and Model: Buratti Fine Arts, Fremantle A selection of works by the Australian painter Wendy Sharpe. Runs Mar 16 - Apr 18
FESTIVALS
Fremantle Street Arts Festival: City of Fremantle The streets of Fremantle come alive over the Easter weekend with a range of performances spread over 10 stages, including busking, street theatre, comedy, circus acts, cabaret, and more. Runs from Mar 30 - Apr 1.
The City of Melville Sculpture Walk: Deep Water Point, Mt Pleasant Now in it’s 10th year, the Sculpture Walk presents 26 new sculptures and installations set against a FolkWorld Fairbridge Festival: Fairbridge Village picturesque backdrop. It runs From 23 Mar - April A friendly celebration of folk, roots, blues, acoustic, Kieron Hayter - Still Life and Unmarried Brides: 7, and entry is free. Celtic, a capella and world music in a traffic-free, selfThe Moores Building, Fremantle contained bushland site at Fairbridge Village. Three Two separate photographic exhibitions that days of the best folk music that Australia and the explore the formal parameters and artistic values of still life photography and wedding photos. world has to offer, including Kristina Olsen, Tinpan Runs Mar 15 - Mar 31 Orange, and Pugsley Buzzard. It runs Apr 26 - Apr 28. Bookings through folkworldfestival.com.au Look the Other Way: The Dolphin Theatre, UWA Made To Remember : Ar t G a l l e r y O f WA , Buzz Dance Theatre presents their latest work, Perth International Comedy Festival: numerous Northbridge locations across Perth Made To Remember is a beautifully considered which delves into the immigrant experience. Runs Encompassing over 50 acts and 150 performances over display of significant Indigenous objects from the until Mar 16. 19 days, the 2013 Perth International Comedy Festival State Art Collection. With a diverse selection of works including glass and ceramic objects, textiles and The Importance of Being Earnest: The Heath brings together the world’s top comic talent for a concentrated blast off laughs. Guests this year include clothing, as well as examples of traditional sculpture, Ledger Theatre Made to Remember encourages dialogue about the The Black Swan State Theatre Company presents 30 Rock’s Tracy Morgan, Margaret Cho, Jim Jefferies, place of an object not only in Indigenous art and Oscar Wilde’s classic play of manners and Stephen K. Amos, and The Wayans Brothers. It runs culture, but in the broader Australian context. Runs misunderstandings. Runs until Mar 28. Tickets May 1 - May 19. Head to perthcomedyfest.com.au until Jun 30. for details. through Ticketek.
With This Ring by Kieron Hayter Unmarried Brides
THEATRE/DANCE/ PERFORMANCE
Heart 1, by Errol McMahon - Hearts and Vessels
Argyle socks from happysocks.com.au $16.95
STUDY STYLISH Getting the most out of your study isn’t just about your contact hours in class. Picking a swag of accessories which motivate you and inspire productivity can set you up for success before you even open up your first text book. As you’ll be using these accessories pretty consistently throughout the semester, it’s important that you make sure you ensure the individual items form part of your everyday attire. Your safest bet is to pick durable fabrics (such as leather, canvas and felt) in neutral colours (think: black, navy blue, khaki green, cream) which will go with your outfit, no matter what you’re wearing. Don’t forget that functionality is also crucial - you’re hardly going to want to head to a lecture if it involves lugging an uncomfortably heavy bag full of awkwardly heavy items. Instead, invest some time investigating your lightest options to ensure comfort without sacrificing a molecule of style. Now we’re not saying those thick-rimmed glasses or that pair of argyle socks are going to guarantee you a high distinction in the classroom, but you’ll be acing the on-campus fashion stakes and isn’t that what really matters? _JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD
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Mel Lemon brogues from melpop.com.au $55 Earbudz headphones from smiggle.com.au $14.96
Herschel Pop Quiz backpack from theiconic.com.au $109.00
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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
SOBER RECARD After going to ground after last year’s Big Day Out tour and the success of his fourth album, West Coast purveyor of hip hop, Drapht (Paul Ridge), has resurfaced with some new tracks and the announcement of an Australia tour that will see him performing 20 gigs in one month. JO CAMPBELL speaks with him about the personal journey that’s seen him shirking-off booze and creating plans to open a holistic cafe. Paul Ridge is so taken off guard by the suggestion that since 2008 he’s reached famedom with the success of two critically-acclaimed albums, that he spits out the water he’s sipping with a laugh. “I always try to be as humble and down-to-earth as possible. I don’t like to put myself up on a pedestal and I feel when people do, it’s a little bit uncomfortable for me; I shy away for that a little bit,” he explains.“Obviously, I appreciate and want to broaden my listenership as much as possible but I want to take all the wank away from that.” His fourth studio album, The Life of Riley, hit number one in the ARIAs, taking out Best Urban Album for 2011. It was also the debut release on his own imprint, The Ayems, and solidified his position on the national centre-stage, proving he could back up the success garnered with 2008’s Brothers Grimm LP, in which Jimmy Recard was born. Since then, the now 31 year-old has undergone a period of personal reflection, witnessed in The Life of Riley track, R.I.P J.R, where his Jimmy Recard alter-ego of the pervious LP was revisited. The death of his friend and fellow rapper, Hunter, who died of cancer in 2011, was also surely a sobering experience. Since his last album, Ridge now selfmanages, has set up his own label and has abstained from alcohol for two years. “It’s been a journey, it’s been my biggest period of growth,
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personally - during the last three or four years. There were a lot of things that I had to learn, on a personal level. “I was just so dependent on alcohol for my career and for about four or five years, that would just knock the edge off before I played a big festival or my own show. I got to a point where I’d partied hard, as hard as anyone, using booze and other substances and I’d just reached a point in my life where I realised my body just couldn’t deal with it anymore. It was time to grow up a little bit and put my life in perspective.” Showing a remarkable lack of decadence, Ridge still resides in the two-bedroom Mt Lawley unit he’s lived in for some years, having turned one room into The Ayems Studio headquarters. Surprisingly, he has plans to open an holistic cafe named Solomon on the Beaufort Street cafe strip when his The Uni-Verse Tour! wraps up in April. “It was an idea I came up with in Bali. I suffer from food intolerances and just thought it would be a great idea to open up a place in Perth that catered for people with the same problems as me.” He will be as hands-on as possible in the venture, which will cater for vegetarian and vegan diets. Ridge has just recently released two tracks (Tasty and 1990’s) with close hometown friends, N’fa Jones and Ta-Ku, his first offerings since the hype from The Life of Riley quelled. Some might call that a long time in between drinks. “The industry is just so fickle at the moment in regards to social media and the Internet in general; you have to watch how long you are away for and a year is a long time. That’s why I’m sort of playing with these couple of new songs; just testing the waters. I’m going back to taking all the pressure off having to produce a whole album. “You’ve got these young artists and even older ones spending a whole year or even two on an album and putting their blood, sweat and tears into the project and then, when they release it, it gets some love for a week and then a week later - it’s all over. “That’s absolutely soul-crushing and not something that I want to be a part of. So I went with the approach of not writing for anyone but myself and releasing songs when I felt the need.”
Of Tasty, Ridge says he was trying to separate himself from what he sees as being a currently all-too comfortable hip hop scene, while 1990’s posits a soul vibe, a different direction for him. “I feel that everyone is writing to the same fucking formula within our genre and it’s turning into some cross-genre where no-one has the intention to do anything different and push themselves as artists because they’re comfortable within this one particular formula that’s getting radio-play. “That (1990’s) was another one that was just sort of thrown together. Ta-ku had this beat that had been sitting there for a while and it was actually the Back To The Future theme track and he made this crazy beat from it. That was the original beat that we wrote. “We recorded it and were set to release it, and then Seth (Sentry) came out with his record and he had a hover board on it! It was such an incredible track that I couldn’t have people take anything away from the song, so I had to start from scratch again and marry it up to another beat and re-work it.” This original, discarded beat will be put to use along with some choice back-catalogue picks and some newer work, in Ridge’s upcoming tour, which will see him joining forces once more with the original Downsyde band. Ridge’s newest single Salute, out three weeks ago, again mirrors his newly developed humility, with lyrics from Hilltop Hoods’ Suffa focusing on not getting lost in the ego of becoming famous. “Having Suffa speak his piece on this track was incredible, being at the forefront of the Australian music industry for the last ten years, and yet still being seen as one of the nicest and most approachable guys you’ll meet, echoes the sentiment of the song 10-fold.”
» DRAPHT » THE UNI-VERSE TOUR! » THURSDAY, MARCH 28 & SATURDAY, MARCH 30 @ ROSEMOUNT
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TIDY AS Jarroyd Nicholas (aka Genga of Barons Red fame) and Philly Blunt (of Black & Blunt fame) have joined forces to bring us a hot new fortnightly experience focusing on the evolving genres of bass and moombahton. JO CAMPBELL asks them about their sonic leanings and something about being a ‘big ginger’.
DJ Afrika Bambaataa Apathy
BRONX = BAM!
The man behind hip hop/electro funk classic Planet Rock is on his way to The Bakery, Saturday, May 18. Named by LIFE Magazine as one of the most important Americans of the 20th Century, DJ Afrika Bambaataa is a musical visionary, DJ extraordinaire, living legend and founder of the Universal Zulu Nation – a collective of socially and politically aware emcees, DJs, graffiti artists and breakdancers. With over 35-years trailblazin’ around the world, Bam redefined music culture as we know it today, even coining the term ‘hip hop’. Tickets from Oztix.
What’s the ethos behind Messy? A fun relaxed party environment where you can start your night out. Chill on the couches The super-crew headed by underground hip hop or party on the dancefloor with amazing cocktails, purveyors, Apathy and Celph Titled are on their way friendly bar and door staff and DJs who are keen to to Australia for the first time together. The Demigodz have as much fun as you are with some quality music appeared on the scene in the late ‘90s when Apathy to start your Friday night right. was heard on Jedi Mind Tricks’ cult classic PsychoSocial LP. Celph Titled made his debut during the What exactly is moombahton? indie 12”-vinyl craze with his groups Equilibrium and As the story goes, it was spawned about Walkmen. The two have just released a new album three years ago when Dave Nada slowed down KILLmatic along with Ryu (Styles of Beyond/Fort Minor), Dutch house to around 110bpm to mix with Esoteric, Blacastan and Motive, featuring production reggaton. Since then, it’s grown and spawned many from DJ Premier, Marco Polo and Snowgoons. See different sub-genres and been picked up by many them at Black Bettys on Saturday, March 30. Tickets on artists around the world. sale from Moshtix and Oztix. Who’s playing this fortnight? Philly Blunt, Simon Says, JS, DNGRFLD and Genga. Ever since storming onto the scene with the How long have you been running the night and fast-paced Polygon and what was the motivation? the innovative dubstep We’re into our third night. We were looking anthem Adachigahara’s for somewhere to base a night around the bootleg Theme in 2009, ShockOne style of music that is a large part of our sets and bring has become an undisputed it together with the moombahton, trap and future force. Hailing from Perth, bass vibes that are popular at the moment. Karl Thomas has built up a huge global fan-base and Shock One’s Lazerbeam What’s a Genga exactly? has this week unveiled Hahaha I picked up the name Genga when the last single to be taken from his long awaited debut album Universus, due out in April. Joining forces with I was a lot younger growing up in Victoria. While out Metrik and Kyza on vocal duties, Lazerbeam is a rowdy having a drink at a pub during a cricket trip I was D’n’B number, beginning with a backdrop of crushing called a ‘big ginger’ by a backpacking English girl, bass, sharp synths and the vocal wordplay of Kyza. Get this got lost in translation to the boys around me and into it ahead of his Handpicked album launch at The with a bit of bastardisation from the Aussie tongue Genga was born. Bakery and Metro City on Wednesday, April 24.
CRUSH, KILL, DESTROY, STRESS
SHOCK’S NEW ONE
Sarah Pellicano
SOCIAL MEDIA FTW
Local muso Sarah Pellicano has attracted attention from UK breakbeat duo Stanton Warriors over the weekend after posting her acoustic version of their Still Here track on YouTube. Dominic Butler and Mark Yardley then tweeted and shared her cover on facebook and have since asked her to join them in the studio to lay down a track. Stanton Warriors will be playing Villa on Sunday, March 31. We reckon Sarah should get up on stage too!
What’s the latest with Black & Blunt and why the focus on moombahton for Messy? As Black & Blunt we’ve just released a new single featuring Sam Perry and MC Coppa, which is more of a song really, but goes hard on the dancefloor. Also we’re doing a few collabs with Deekline. As for me, I’m flying out to Miami to play at the Winter Music Conference in a few weeks, when back I’ve got a few remixes coming out and an EP on Klub Kids. As for the moombahton focus, we are both really into it and know a stack of other people who are as well, and it wasn’t being catered for in Perth at all. That being said, we’re playing a range of bouncing bass styles of dance music too. Three words to sum up Messy? Fun. Bouncy. Messy.
» MESSY » FRIDAY, MARCH 15 @ THE GOOD SHEPHERD
CASH KRZMA
MINISTRY OF SOUND
Cash KRZMA is a name that most wouldn’t have heard until his track All Fonts appeared on the Obese City 2 compilation, but it’s one that had some fans desperately digging the digital crates in search of more. Excessive & Disgusting Degrees comes at a perfect time to satisfy those heads. This EP is daring, unique, and innovative. Producer Neversaidall provides intricately crafted instrumentals that allow the rapper room to move in the elaborate, off-kilter fashion that he does so well. “Me and the microphone elope, like, backward farmers and their pet goats, producing something that’s beastial...” he spits, leaving you chuckling but somewhat disturbed by your own amusement. Putting these lyrics down on paper doesn’t do them justice though. KRZMA’s delivery is totally his own, and really needs to be heard to be appreciated. A vain attempt at a comparison might say his raps are something like a darker, more complex version of MF DOOM, but really, Cash KRZMA is something else. Sarcastic and ridiculous, but cleverly hitting truth and touching nerves, this is something a lot of Aussie hip hop fans have been - or at least should have been waiting for.
Trying to answer the question ‘What does a club sound like?’ is as simple as trying to answer ‘If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?’ With that in mind, Ministry Of Sound’s Clubbers Guide To 2013 is best thought of as two DJ sets rather than a summary of essential club tracks, because everyone’s theoretical clubs might be different. So what does a club in 2013 sound like to Melbourne duo Denzal Park and Adelaide’s Uberjak’d, the DJs charged with mixing this double disc, 49-track monster? Disc one has Denzal Park showing their aptitude for vocal-heavy, big hook electronica, opening with Swedish House Mafia’s Don’t You Worry Child, the perfect showcase of modern EDM’s potential as catchy, euphoric pop music. Denzal Park’s own Yarl has to be the highlight of the disc, not because it’s given extra care than other tracks, but sheerly for it’s dizzying energy and masterful production. This duo is a club favourite and chart topper for a reason. Remixing Example’s Close Enemies to fire up disc two, Uberjak’d takes us on a different, darker journey through house and bass. The hook-laden choruses of disc one are traded in for filthy synths, frantic builds and fuzzy bass. Whatever your preference in par ty music may be, Clubbers Guide To 2013 is yet another solid set of tunes from the Ministry Of Sound stable to get any crowd up and about.
EXCESSIVE & DISGUSTING DEGREES OBESE RECORDS
» NICK SWEEPAH
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Genga and Philly Blunt
CLUBBERS GUIDE TO 2013 UNIVERSAL
» RYAN BUTLER
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
STRANGE TALK MAKING SENSE
Capturing a popular synth sound somewhere between indie-rock and electro-dance, Strange Talk are anything but trend-followers. JOE CASSIDY talks with frontman Stephen Docker about their new album and headlining sold-out US shows. In the vein of The Presets and The Rapture (both of whom the band have supported) Strange Talk began three years ago as a studio act and, like many bands of the digital age, attracted management attention on MySpace. “We’d never played a live show before, and we were getting asked a lot by various people in the industry for a showcase and that they’d like to hear us live and we thought we’d better put a band together,” Stephen Docker explains. Together with producer, DJ and bassist Gerard Sidhu, the pair enlisted drummer Travis
Constable and guitarist Gillan Gregory and the four handsome Melbournites released their first self-titled EP in 2011. It had critics raving and again, thanks to the Internet, had fans all over the world falling head over heels for the moog-drenched, perfect-for-summer synth sound. They began the festival circuit in 2011 in Australia, taking in Parklife, Future Music, Soundscape, Falls and, most recently cited as one of their favorites, Stereosonic. Docker also fondly recalls a recent toga-bash at Brisbane University. “It was just a massive arena with everyone dressed in togas - we always love when there’s a bit of vibe from the crowd, because we draw from that, it gets us a little more excited.” Strange Talk have also received major attention from the US, where they toured San Francisco, LA and New York for the CMJ Music Marathon in 2011 and 2012, and sold out a headline show. “The US was amazing,” Docker says, “There was no press involved, I think it was just social media and word of mouth, everyone was shouting back the lyrics and singing along.” He highlights the importance social media has played in their rise and is excited about the prospect of going further in the American market. “They’re really embracing our sound, the US has always seemed like the hardest place to crack … so we might as well strike while the iron is hot and try to do something over there in the next couple of months.”
Strange Talk After the release of their first EP and a mammoth tour schedule, the group decided to take some time out on a farm in Castlemaine, 90 minutes east of Melbourne, to focus on their first major release. In between episodes of South Park and Ultimate Fighting Championship, the guys were able to focus without the distractions of big city life. “It was just [about] being able to remove the four walls we were used to working in … to really be able to work around the clock without having to go home and then come back and pick up where we left off,” Docker says. The second half of the album fell into place when the band was able to move the ad-hoc studio to a beach house in Mount Martha. After the two trips it was simply a case of polishing the guts of the record.
They were lucky enough to get noticed by Ladyhawke’s producer, Tony Hoffer, who was more than happy to work on the album. The final mixing was done via correspondence with Hoffer based in LA. “It could have been frustrating,” Docker explains, “but luckily for us he was definitely on the same page.”
» STRANGE TALK/ WITH HERMITUDE/ DJ LORD (PUBLIC ENEMY)/ YES YOU/TWINSY » SETS ON THE BEACH » SUNDAY, MARCH 17 @ SCARBOROUGH BCH AMPHITHEATRE
Netsky
NETSKY
HAPPILY HOSPITALISED Boris Daenen’s drum’n’bass career is burgeoning since being signed in 2010 to industry heavyweight, Hospital Records.The Belgian shares a few words with RK about his new live show, which he’ll soon be bringing to Villa; a gig that sold out in mere hours. “It has been a pretty full-on year,” says Daenen. “Basically, I’ve been working on a live set over the last 12 months or so and have been establishing that. I’m excited about getting the show on stage and to start touring with it. For me, it was always something I had considered – getting the visual aspect onto the stage – it’s always been a natural extension of the musical side of things for me.” The new show includes a keyboard player and drummer as well as an impressive setup of electronic gear – with this, Daenen hopes to apply a new slant on last year’s aptly titled LP 2 (it was his second), released on the seminal Hospital imprint. He’s now onto album number three. “I’ve started work on my next album after touring for the last couple of months,” he says. I’ve been thinking about new directions and new styles. For example, I’m really loving house music right now. I’ve done a lot of drum’n’bass, so it’s good to be looking at doing something different. Daenen is currently working on some new singles, tipped for release in April. “I also hope to keep releasing things over the coming year. I’m still going to keep releasing on Hospital Records – hopefully I can get my third album out with them, as it’s exactly where I want to be right now. “Sure, I’m looking forward to exploring other things as well, but I’m really happy with where things are at for me. When I produce, I do sort of try to keep my style fresh and different. I’ve also moved away from just trying to purely please my fans. “I do enjoy taking risks and that’s something I have always tried to do and there’s a difference between doing a track, an EP or a full length album. You’re telling a different type of story – and you’re not always making tracks for the dance floor. Especially if you have the freedom, time and space to experiment a little.” It’s hard to believe that Daenen has seemingly come from nowhere to create an almost unprecedented following, with many of the gigs on his Australia tour having sold out. “I love it down in the south end of the world – South Africa, New Zealand, they all have a special place in my heart – but Australia – that’s the realest culture shock! That’s why I love it. “I really love going to places where the scene is growing and then also where it is kicking strongest – I think Australia falls into the second category.”
» NETSKY » SATURDAY, MARCH 23 @ VILLA www.xpressmag.com.au
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80’S 90’S
METRO FREO
WEDNESDAY 13/03 Ambar – Zeds Dead ft DNGRFLD/ Tapeheads Bar Orient – DJ Ben Renna Beat Nightclub (Downstairs) – Soul Seduction Boulevard Tavern – Wub Wub Wednesday Capitol – Harlem Wednesdays ft Genga/Benny P Captain Stirling – Fiveo Club Red Sea – Cheek Connections – DJs Joby /JJ / Reuben Flying Scotsman – Benni Chill/ Chris Healing Leederville Hotel – DJ Slick/DJ Reuben/DJ ViSon Llama Bar – Jo 19 Mustang Bar – DJ Giles Niche Bar – Juicy ft Frankie Button Newport Hotel –Tom Drummond/ Angry Buda/Mind Electric Rosemount Hotel – DJ Anton Maz Sovereign Arms – Jeremy Stark The Bird – Slow It Down ft Ben M/ Ben T/Nik/Andy The Court – Wicked Wednesday The Grand Central – DJ ANG3L
THURSDAY 14/03 Boulevard Tavern – 151 Thursdays Old Skool R&B Clancy’s Fremantle – Apollo Soul ft Freqshow/Childs Play/MC Amani/JKash/Iron Palm
SAVAGE SKULLS
Claremont Hotel - Institution Thursdays ft DJs Bryn Jones/ James Thorne Connections – BINGAY & Pop! Ft DJ Tast/Drew Eve Nightclub – Retro Thursdays DJ Tony Allen Flying Scotsman –Gidget Duck/ Muldoon Wing Leisure Inn – DJ Peta Lost Society – Burger Malt Supper Club – Kabaret Thursdays ft Bump Mullaloo Beach Hotel - DJ John Paul/ DJ Slick Mustang Bar – DJ James MacArthur Newport Hotel – Project Electro Paramount –DJ Jordan Rosemount Hotel – Sons Of Rico DJs The Avenue – Fiveo The Bird – Hip-Hop Kara“YO”ke The Craftsman – Michael Brittliff The Deen – Chase The Sun ft DJ Flex/ DJ Nano/ DJ Surge/ DJ Don Migi The Grand Central – Roger Smart The Queens – DJ Riki Toucan – DJ Matty J
FRIDAY 15/03 Admiral Hotel – Steve Hepple Amplifier –Jamie Mac Ambar – LoosfreQs Club Jam ft Ed Solo & Skool Of Thought ft The Nightcrawlaz Vs The Beatslappaz/ FTW/Carla
Zeds Dead
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Art Of Gallery Of WA – AGWA Nights ft Mama Cass Bar One Twenty – DJ Grandmaster Vicious Bar Orient - The Reggae Club ft Prez I/Meld/Ed Kays/The Empressions/ Mumma Trees/Sista Che Beat Nightclub (Downstairs) Play Boheme Bar - DJ Majiika Boulevard Tavern – Habit@ ft DJ Andyy/(6-8) Sea Level Brass Monkey - DJ Viktor/DJ James Ess/Green George Brighton Hotel – Peta C5 – Underground ft DJ K-La Capitol (Upstairs) – I Love ‘90s Claremont Hotel – The Soul Purpose/Tea King Club Bayview – Fresh Connections - InsideOut Devilles Pad – Razor Jack/Lil Franco Berry Empire Bar – James Shipstone Eurobar - DJ Fat Albert/DJ ZOOM Flying Scotsman – Back To Mono DJs Flying Scotsman (Defectors) – Rok Riley Ginger Nightclub – Mondo Mexico Fridays ft Fiel Rogers/ Dr. Space/ Annert/Aslan/Dan.D.Lyons Lakers Tavern –Grizzly And Friends Library - Sneaky Llama Bar – Jim Pearson Malt Supper Club – Georgia Reed Metro Freo – Frat House Fridays 1 Year Anniversary Prom Night ft Death Disco Mint Nightclub – Club Retro Mustang – Swing DJ/ DJ James MacArthur Newport Hotel – Tahli Jade/Sardi/ Evan Niche Bar – Let Loose ft DJ Jonny Zimber Paramount - DJ John/DJ Jordan Rocket Room – Coyote Ugly Rosemount - Pass The Mic ft Paulie P/FG/Cortext/Archi aka ASAP/ Wisdom2th/Tripl M.U.M/Nick Sweepah/Eddie L Sail & Anchor - Balcony Beatz Shape - Native Bass ft Filth Collins/ Zanetic/Killafoe & J.Nitrous/J Switch/JD4D/Poseidon Sovereign Arms – ANG3L The Avenue – Lokie Shaw The Carine – Mikeee The Court – DJ Flex/DJ TimBee The East End Bar – Az-T The Generous Squire – DJ Anaru
AMBAR
VELVET
CLUB RED SEA
The Good Shepherd – Messy Round III ft Genga/DNGRFLD/Philly Blunt/Simon Says/JS The Grand – Ruben The Grand Central – Jinx Project The Saint - Abstar The Shed - DJ Glenn 20 Villa - The Heroes Of Villa ft The Only/ Peking Duk/Saccas/Knoagents/ Tapeheads Whale & Ale - DJ Spinback Ya Ya’s – DJ Pup
SATURDAY 16/03 Admiral Hotel – Insane Dwaine Ambar – Japan 4 ft Tee El/Dead Easy/Philly Blunt/Wish/Micah Amplifier – Pure Pop ft Eddie Electric Bar One Twenty – Little Nicky Bar Orient – DJ Troy Beat Nightclub (Upstairs) - Canvas Boheme Bar – Amanda Power Brass Monkey - DJ Peta (downstairs)/ DJ Jewel (upstairs) Brighton Hotel - Misschief Capitol – Death Disco Capitol (Upstairs) – Cream Of The ‘80s ft DJ Ryan Civic Hotel – Wolverine ft Dazastah/Porsah Laine/Switch Blade/Rizen/DJ Sanga/Kogz/ Riddle/Metsphobic/Kwote/Ernah/ Phats/Coerce Claremont Hotel - Safari Club Bay View – DJ Roger Smart Connections – Beth Yen Empire Bar –James Shipstone Eurobar – DJ Fat Albert/DJ Zoom Flying Scotsman – Andrei Maz Flying Scotsman (Defectors) – Future Wives Club Gilkisons Dance Studio - Infexious UV Party ft Ben Stevens/Kermit The Prog & Dr Stem/Damien Blaze & Ball-Z /Josh Cube & Jt/LK & King Owl/Grin & Remarc/Alleyycat & Beni C/Rinski & ST/Shie’ox/Clint Scott Library – DJ Victor/DJ Riki Liquid Nightclub - DJ Klar55/ DJ Stevie M Llama Bar – DJ Reuben Lost Society – Jehan Mehta/Ben Sebastian Malt Supper Club – Scotty J Metro Freo – Roger Smart/DJ Wazz/Ben Carter Metro Freo (Upstairs) – I Love 80s 90s DJ DTuck Mint Nightclub – Pop Life ft DJ Aaron/ AJ Mullaloo Beach Hotel – DJ Danny
Killafoe Mustang Bar – Rockabilly DJ/ DJ James MacArthur Newport Hotel –Tom Drummond/ Wot Evs/Ru-Kasu Paramount- DJ John/DJ Jordan Sail & Anchor – Catch The Child’s Play DJs Sovereign Arms – The Jinx Project The Avenue – Jon Ee The Bakery - Actress ft Oneohtrix Point Never/Leaving/Basic Mind/ Reece Walker/Emerald Cabal/Kynan Tan/Ben T & Clunk The Boheme – Amanda Power The Causeway – Luke Miguel/Clint Turner The Cornerstone – Michael Brittliff The Court – DJ Flex/DJ TimBee The Craftsman – DJ Shortz The Generous Squire – On Tap ft DJ James Nutley The Grand Central – Armee The Queens – Kenny L The Saint – DJ ANG3L The Shed –DJ Andyy The Wembley – Lokie Shaw Tiger Lil’s – DJ Bojan/Benjamin Sebastian Toucan – DJ Samuel Spencer Ya Ya’s – DJ Pup
SUNDAY 17/03
Empire Bar –DJ Riki/ DJ Victor Eve Nightclub –DJ Slick Flying Scotsman –Nathan J/ Nizbet/ Pasha/ Chris Ginger Nightclub – DJ Rudebean Mustang Bar – DJ James McArthur Newport Hotel – Tom Drummond Scarborough Beach Amphitheatre - Sets On The Beach ft Hermitude/Strange Talk/DJ Lord/Yes You/Twinsy/Drop Out Orchestra/Luke Million The Avenue – Az-T The East End Bar –DJ Gold Finger/ AZ-T The Grand – Lockie Shaw/Philly Blunt The Queens – Samuel Spencer The Saint - DJ Anaru The Shed – James Wilson and more The Velvet Lounge – Krazie Kraze ft Eyelid Picture Show/Wisdom 2th
MONDAY 18/03 Eve Nightclub - DJ Don Migi Llama Bar – Jo 19 Malt Supper Club – Industry Night The Deen – DJ Birdie
TUESDAY 19/03
Bar Orient - DJ Lyndon Claremont Hotel – James Thorne/ High Road Hotel – DJ Matty J Dan Delstra Llama Bar – Charlie Bucket Club Bay View - Fiveo Victoria Park Hotel – DJ Melvin
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
AMPLIFIER/CAPITOL
HOME
THE EAST END BAR
FRAT HOUSE FRIDAYS
METRO FREO
IN THE THIS WEEK
COMING UP
ZEDS DEAD ft DNGRFLD/ Tapeheads Wednesday, March 13 @ Ambar
Nina Las Vegas Saturday, March 23 @ Amplifier
Pass The Mic ft Paulie P/FG/ Cortext/Archi aka ASAP/ Wisdom2th/Tripl M.U.M/Nick Sweepah/Eddie L Friday, March 15 @ The Rosemount Native Bass ft Filth Collins/ Zanetic/Killafoe & J.Nitrous/J Switch/JD4D/Poseidon Friday, March 15 @ Shape AGWA Nights ft Mama Cass Friday, March 15 @ Art Gallery Of WA The Heroes Of Villa ft The Only/ Peking Duk/Saccas/Knoagents/ Tapeheads Friday, March 15 @ Villa LoosfreQs Club Jam ft Ed Solo & Skool Of Thought ft The Nightcrawlaz Vs The Beatslappaz/FTW/Carla Friday, March 15 @ Ambar Actress ft Oneohtrix Point Never/Leaving/Basic Mind/ Reece Walker/Emerald Cabal/ Kynan Tan/Ben T & Clunk Saturday, March 16 @ The Bakery
Ministy Of Sound Clubbers Guide To 2013 ft Denzal Park/ Uberkak’d Friday, March 22 @ Villa AGWA Nights ft Dennis Gedling Friday, March 22 @ Art Gallery Of WA Gemini ft Genga/Micah/JS Friday, March 22 @ Ambar Syrup Purple Picnic ft Kit Pop & Zeke/Ben T/Mr Starks/ Manimal/Bazil Zemplys Friday, March 22 @ Gilkisons Dance Studio
Miller City Sessions ft Jason Lema Saturday, March 23 @ Wembley Hotel Black Sun Empire ft Voltron/ Skoptix Thursday, March 28 @ Amplifier The Uni-Verse Tour ft Drapht Thursday, March 28 @ The Rosemount
The xx Tuesday and Wednesday, April 1 - 2 @ Metro City Blu, Exile & Houseshoes ft Mathas/Speekeasy/Up&Up/ Soma Friday, April 4 @ The Bakery Jason Lema Friday, April 4 @ The Dusk Lounge
Miller City Sessions ft Warren Peace Friday, April 5 @ Mullaloo Beach Hotel
The Potbelleez Friday, April 26 @ Capitol Handpicked ft ShockOne/ Baauer/ Eats Everything/Mosca Wednesday, April 24 @ Metro City and The Bakery Throw The Hammer ft Derrick MayBen Klock/Clunk/ Allstate/Ben Taffe/Everyteen/ Milanov Wednesday, April 24 @ Capitol Rufus Saturday, April 25 @ Newport Hotel Monday, April 26 @ Amplifier
Movement Festival ft Nas/2 Chainz/Chiddy Bang/Joey Badda$$/Angel Haze/Spit Syndicate Tuesday, April 30 @ Red Hill Auditorium
As one of funk music’s most important and influential figures, George Clinton drew a diverse crowd to Metro City; young hip hop heads to middle aged hippies, as well as a significant number of greying punters – some well-groomed and neatly attired, others as wild-haired and funkily dressed as they presumably were when listening to Clinton’s records in the ‘70s. British DJ Greg Wilson opened the night with a set of electro funk and disco beats, including his Massive Attack-meets- Amerie single Two Sides Of Sympathy and a funky, crowd pleasing re-work of Stevie Wonder’s I Wish. He was often joined onstage by Parliament Funkadelic guitarist Michael Hampton, who riffed along behind him – sometimes grooving along to the songs’ melodies and, from time to time, launching into overpowering solos that drowned out everything but the beats. Whatever Hampton did, the crowd loved – and, judging by his smile, so did Wilson. The 71 year-old George Clinton received a rapturous response as he strutted onstage in a white suit, and he and Parliament Funkadelic didn’t waste any time digging into their extensive discography, with funk classic Flash Light coming early in the night. Over 40 years, Clinton has had some of the world’s greatest musicians come and go from his P-Funk fold – Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell, Fred Wesley and Maceo Parker, to name but a few – but his present touring outfit remains strong, with a number of Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame inductees including Jeff ‘Cherokee’ Bunn on bass, Hampton and Ricky Rouse on guitars.
AGWA Nights ft Charlie Bucket Blokhe4d Friday, April 5 @ Art Gallery Friday, May 3 @ Geisha Bar Of WA
Example ft Sun City Friday, May 10 @ Metro City
Speakeasy:Woodstock ft Dune Rats Thursay, March 28 @ Villa
The Loops Of Fury ft Mr.Ed/Qwerk/ STRANGERTHANDIGITAL Friday, April 12 @ Ambar
Yacht Friday, May 10 @ The Bakery
Force Majeure ft RESET!/Micah/ Tapeheads/Qwerk/Baden M Thursday, March 18 @ Ambar
AGWA Nights ft Holly Doll Friday, April 12 @ Art Gallery Of WA
Roller Easter ft Ekko & Sidetrack/Vishnu/Roller Crew Thursday, March 28 @ The Rosemount
Miller City Sessions ft Jason Lema Friday, April 12 @ The Dusk Lounge
Jason Lema Friday, March 29 @ Mullaloo Beach Hotel
Sound Utopia ft Lazy J/Big Guy/Israel Cruz Saturday, April 13 @ Red Hill Auditorium
Plump DJs ft Black & Blunt/ Marko Paulo/Tonic Demigodz ft Apathy & Friday, April 19 @ Villa Celph Titled Saturday, March 30 @ Black Bettys AGWA Nights ft Paul Lindsay Friday, April 19 @ Art Gallery Cyantific ft The Prototypes/ Utah Jazz/Illusiv & Dvise/Qbik/ Of WA Bastian/MCS: Xsessiv, Stylee Spit Syndicate ft Jacki Onassis & Bear Saturday, April 20 @ Amplifier Saturday, March 30 @ Villa Sunday, April 20 @ Metro Freo XXYYXX ft Modo/Water Graves/ SUPAFEST ft T.I./50 Zehnmee/Clunk Cent/Waka Flocka/Akon/ Saturday, March 30 @ Gilkisons Ne-Yo/Young Jeezy/Mindless Dance Studio
GEORGE CLINTON AND PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC / GREG WILSON METRO CITY THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013
Yacht Club DJs Friday, April 12 @ Amplifier
PVT Saturday, March 30 @ The Bakery
STILL GROOVING
AGWA Nights ft Craig Hollywood Friday, April 26 @ Art Gallery Of WA
AGWA Nights ft Chris Wheeldon & Craig Hollywood Friday, May 3 @ Art Gallery Of WA
Sets On The Beach ft Hermitude/ Strange Talk/DJ Lord/Yes You/ Twinsy/Drop Out Orchestra/ Luke Million Sunday, March 17 @ Scarborough Beach Amphitheatre
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Jamie XX Sunday, March 31 @ The Bakery
Behaviour/DJ Unk/Kevin McCall/DJ Nino Brown/Dizzy Doolan/Phinesse Thursday, April 25 @ Perth Arena
RAW ft Mobin Master/J-Trick/ Micah/Chris Moro Friday, April 5 @ Villa
Easter Thursday ft Mark Pritchard/Dan The Man/ Mathas/Diger Rokwell/Ylem/ Vishnu/FG Thursday, March 28 @ The Bakery
ACTRESS SATURDAY, MARCH 16 @ THE BAKERY
The Grizzly Tour ft Sinden/ Brenmar Sunday, March 31 @ Villa
Japan 4 ft LKiD/Qwerk/Oli/Dead Easy/Tee EL Get Weird ft His Majesty Saturday, March 23 @ Ambar Andre/Cassian/Shazam/ Manimal/Amnesia Effect/ Netsky ft Ekko & Sidetrack/ Molochi/Massive Toys/Jack Blend/Bezwun Doepel/Willy Slade Saturday, March 23 @ Villa Friday, April 5 @ Ambar
Infexious UV Party ft Ben Stevens/Kermit The Prog & Dr Stem/Damien Blaze & Ball-Z / Josh Cube & Jt/LK & King Owl/ Grin & Remarc/Alleyycat & Beni C/Rinski & ST/Shie’ox/Clint Scott Saturday, March 16 @ Gilkisons Dance Studio
Actress
Stanton Warriors ft Far Too Loud/Micah Sunday, March 31 @ Villa
Seth Sentry Friday, May 10 @ Villa Sunday, May 12 @ Newport Hotel Groovin The Moo Festival ft Alison Wonderland/DZ Deathrays/Example/Flume/ Midnight Juggernaughts/Pez/ Seth Sentry/Shockone/Tuka w/ Ellesquire/Urthboy/DJ Woody’s Big Phat Mixtape/Yacht/ Yolanda Be Cool Saturday, May 11 @ Hay Park Bunbury Flume ft Chet Faker Sunday, May 12 @ Metro City DJ Afrika Bambaataa Saturday, May 18 @ The Bakery Atari Teenage Riot Sunday, May 19 @ The Bakery A$AP Rocky Sunday, June 30 @ Metro City ALT-J Saturday, July 27 @ Challenge Stadium
George Clinton (pic by Daniel Grant) The core lineup consisted of eight musicians on guitar, bass, drums, horns and keys, with an constantly rotating cast of singers, percussionists, dancers and assorted oddballs (Clinton included in this group, as well as his granddaughter, the aptly-named Sativa Diva, who appeared briefly to perform her rap song Something Stank). Despite receiving top billing, Clinton was a peripheral figure onstage. He rarely sang and, when he did, he was only audible half the time – at one point, he even disappeared backstage for half an hour. Instead, he played the role of ringleader to the ‘Galactic Space Circus’, often sitting contentedly, waving his hands like a conductor as he watched the action around him. Although there was no Mothership, Australians got a taste of the P-Funk mythology with Garrett Shider, the son of late P-Funk AllStars musical director Garry Shider, appearing onstage as P-Funk villain Sir Nose D’Voidoffunk, slowly giving in to the funk power of Flash Light and showing off some incredible dance moves. After 45 minutes of non-stop music, most players left the stage bar Hampton and Rouse, who gave a searing performance of the classic Maggot Brain. Shider – who, with his dreadlocks and red sunglasses, looked a lot like Lil Wayne – then returned to lead One Nation Under A Groove, before the night peaked with a mind-blowing twentyminute-plus performance of Up For The Downstroke.
» JOSHUA HAYES
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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
Whilst no-one should realistically expect the punk metal burst of lightning G’n’R that rewrote the rule books in 1987, do we need to watch Axl change shirt, jacket and hats every song or two? In short, energy levels fluctuated wildly – one minute the band are on fire playing the magnificent November Rain, the next Axl’s offstage changing while guitarist Bumblefoot is playing a forgettable solo song. Roadies wander on and off stage casually as if it’s a construction site, and the newer songs have neither the energy nor charm of the old stuff. It’s a missed opportunity. Axl’s modern G’n’R Perth Arena Saturday, March 9, 2013 have all the ingredients to be a great band, if only he’d acquiesce and follow the recipe. Axl Rose and friends – aka Guns n’ Roses - surprised Opening the night’s entertainment earlier, everyone by not only hitting the Perth Arena stage Angry Anderson cackled in between swigs from a on time, but actually coming on half an hour EARLY, bottle as Rose Tattoo kickstarted their set with One and when they get it right they are unbeatable, with Of The Boys. Angry, perhaps a little worse for wear, fireball takes of It’s So Easy and You’re Crazy, an epic delivered an impassioned performance, tearing the Estranged, a Rocket Queen that is every bit as slinky and sexy as on 1987’s Appetite For Destruction, and room apart with one of the rawest and rockingest voices since Billy Thorpe. a devastating Used To Love Her. “It gathers you up in it’s arms,” says Anderson Too much of the two and a half hour show though is the other side of the coin. Whilst all of rock n’ roll. “And it takes you somewhere better.” three guitarists play with style and personality, do When he belts out classics Bad Boy For Love and We we really need a solo spot from each plus another Can’t Be Beaten during their all-too-short half hour set, for chief (of two) keyboard player Dizzy Reed? it’s enough to raise the hairs on the back of your neck.
GUNS N’ ROSES ZZ Top/Rose Tattoo
That ‘little ole band from Texas’ ZZ Top proved that they’re the best goddamned three piece in the world with a stinging, stripped-down performance of such effortless style and grace that you’re forced to wonder why no-one else can do it so well. “Are you havin’ a good time now?” a mariachi-blinged guitarist Billy F Gibbons asked several times. ZZ’s effortless cool and classic hits set left not a single ounce of flab in their per formance – in complete contrast to the headliners’ sometimes overblown posturing. Texan blues Jesus Just Left Chicago and Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers get the crowd dancing and singing, and we can even forgive some backing tapes on 80’s hit Legs since Gimme All Your Lovin’ and Sharp Dressed Man sounded so rocking, not to mention it was great to see them crack out the furry white bass and six string. Gibbons lit up a cheroot and puffed away as he played smokin’ slide on set closer Tush and in one hour – to the minute – they were gone. This reviewer for one would have preferred three hours of ZZ Top and one of G’n’R – then we’d have been havin’ a good time! _SHANE PINNEGAR
Guns’ n’ Roses (Photo: Courtney McAllister)
Apricot Rail (Photo: Matt Jelonek)
FAT SHAN FESTIVUS II
Timothy Nelson & The Infidels / Shy Panther / Perth / Apricot Rail / Runner. The Bakery, Perth. Saturday, March 9, 2013. For the uninitiated, Fat Shan’s are a local music store and recording studio. They’re also local show promoters and all-round-good-guys and this, Festivus II, was their second birthday. As such they got a whole bunch of bands together and a whole bunch of people came. It was pretty good. Relative newcomers Runner played a set of material that was uppity and chilled all at once—very much of the Adam Said Galore school of Perth indie rock. What was most notable about the band was their tight vocal chops. The way they played together was very enjoyable. They also carried themselves with conviction and confidence on stage, and these two elements worked together to ensure that Runner are one of the more memorable indie bands in town at the minute. This writer had looked forward to catching Perth, due to the fact that their name is Perth and that on Facebook they list their manager as the Lord Mayor, Lisa Scaffidi. Again, very much an indie act with a fair whack of post-rock ambience to what they do. There was kind of a droning electronica vibe to it as well. Enjoyable, if a little reserved. Ditching the drone and picking up a clarinet, Apricot Rail set things on an even mellower course. This was, you must remember, also an election night. Have you guys seen Don’s Party? It’s a pretty good film. By now, the Bakery was packed and while the beer garden was full of reverie, the awful news of a landslide conservative result was starting to seep through like a noxious fog. The notion of watching slow bands was increasingly ridiculous. And there was one more to come, too; Shy Panther. This band lived up to their name, creeping around the jungle full of subtle swagger and talent that faded way too easily into the background due to the fact that it was, indeed, a shy panther, failing to capture much attention. But then – praise Jesus! – the band of the evening and quite frankly Perth’s finest pop rock act of the moment: Timothy Nelson & The Infidels. Boasting a ridiculous entourage that tonight included no less than eight back-up singers in addition to his usual six-piece band, Nelson and crew effectively blew the evening’s blues away and brought the party that Fat Shan’s deserved. People who had been hiding outside all night were suddenly drawn to the stage. Long gone are the days when Timothy Nelson was simply a precocious talent; the guy has moved into an entirely different echelon. He sounds like Stevie Wonder smoking gospel Beatles-crack. He thinks big, and he gets results. It’d be a bit of a stretch to call him a pop rock’n’roll genius this early in his career, but the guy demonstrates vision and talent beyond the ken of most of his peers. Able to juxtapose brilliantly saccharine hooks with near-sardonic realism (‘when we met, I was tanked’), tonight saw Nelson bring home the bacon like a motherfucker while his Infidels played like a well-oiled rock’n’roll machine. The general consensus was that they could have played all night… indeed, part of me wished that they had. _BEN WATSON 31
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
RAILWAY HOTEL
This Friday, March 15, catch some heavy sounds courtesy of Septillion, Medusa’s Gaze, Armada Vale and Bend The Sky. Doors open 8pm and entry is $10. Saturday it’s Junkhead, Mr Wilson, In The Now and Bath. Doors open at 8pm and entry is $5. Sunday in the beer garden, catch The Skinny Kids, Oakland, The Cold Acre and Tinder Thieves. Doors open 4-8pm and entry is $8.
SWALLOW BAR
It’s a St Patrick’s Day special this Sunday, March 17. There will be Guinness, there will be whiskey, there will be Irish food and of course there will be live music. David & Nathalie from The Big Old Bears will be playing an intimate acoustic session, combining traditional folk and blues with contemporary music. With an array of raw harmonies and the use of many different instruments they are sure to keep your foot tapping all night long!
ROCKET ROOM
Mat McHugh, Mojos
MOJOS BAR
Saturday, March 16, sees Mat McHugh & The Seperatista Soundsystem, one of Australia’s most inspiring and soulful songwriters. Mat and his band are heading back out on the road to play a handful of intimate shows. Tix are available through Oztix or at the door from 8pm. To win a double pass to this show, email mojos@coolperthnights.com with ‘Mat McHugh’ in the subject line.
INDI BAR
Bobby Alu has a reputation for his island flavour, soul, juju, smooth harmony and good vibes, and he’s making his return to WA at The Indi Bar this Friday, March 15. Then keep the good vibes going with Dilip N the Davs, Pimps Of Sound and Lucky Zarm on Saturday, March 17. Both nights kick off at 8pm.
THE EASTERN
Live, local and national bands from 7.30 pm every Saturday at The Eastern! Loads of room and great sound makes The Band Room one of Perth’s best. This Saturday, March 16, has a rocking local line- up of Marble Season, Rich King Matthews, Burst & Bloom, and Dry Dry River from 8pm, $8 entry.
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STICKY FINGERS
Road Warriors Touring in support of their debut album, Caress Your Soul, Sydney’s Sticky Fingers hit the Rosemount Hotel on Wednesday, March 27; Bunbury’s Prince Of Wales on Thursday, March 28, and Settler’s Tavern, Margaret River, on Saturday, March 30. SHARON YE reports.
Saturday, March 16, it’s your chance to hear the band that people just keep wanting more of! When you see Kickstart perform at The Rocket Room, you’ll understand why these guys have queues down the According to bassist, Paddy Cornwall, the steady street, and a packed house of peeps that just keep rise of Sticky Fingers sounds a bit like a “B-grade chanting for more. rock’n’roll movie.” After building a makeshift stage and “unofficially headlining” the Newtown Festival back After 27 years of lying dormant, the Mutants of Desire in 2010, these mavericks were officially invited back will reanimate for a one off show at the Beat Nightclub the following year to play the main stage with a on Friday, March 15. Support comes from Steve Tallis prime slot. Standing in that crowd was producer & The Holy Ghosts and The Disintegrates. Doors Dann Hume (of Evermore), who, impressed by their open at 8pm. work, got in touch to talk collaboration. Having originally planned to record another EP, Cornwall says having Hume work on Tonight, Wednesday March 13, catch local rock duo their first single encouraged them to complete a Lionizer launch their debut single. Support comes full-length album. from their good mates in The Southwicks, Jackdaws “There was this one particular song and The Itch. Doors open 8pm and entry is $8 which that wasn’t going to make it,” he says, “we didn’t includes a free single! Meanwhile DJ Anton Maz will really see much in it – and that was Caress Your be spinning tunes in the Beer Garden from 7.30pm, Soul.” What Hume did with the track, however, free entry. was a revelation. “It’s the first time we’ve listened to something that we’ve made and gone like, ‘Oh yeah, the radio will play that’. We decided fuck an EP, if this Midweek has never been so funny! Ha Ha’s @ Ya Ya’s isn’t worthy of an album, then I don’t know what is.” is happening tonight. Wednesday, March 13, and Since then, the single has been added to headlining is John Robertson and a bunch of great high rotation on triple j, and voted #61 in the Hottest supports! Then bring on Sunday, March 17, and St 100 last year. It’s also the title track of their justPaddy’s Day! Doors open at 2pm, with music from released debut album. Wizard Sleeve, Kuillotines, Pat Chow, Red Engine They’re not likely to get to mainstreamCaves, Dux N Downtown & Black Swan. safe too soon, however; Cornwall scoffs about the
BEAT NIGHTCLUB
ROSEMOUNT HOTEL
YA YA’S
Sticky Fingers “soft-cock nonsense” pervading Australian music at the moment. “Everyone’s always real nice, making a real nice song and they just tell each other how thankful they are – fucking boring, it’s shit, I’m over it.” Cornwall says Caress Your Soul is about all four band members having long-term girlfriends while on tour.“All of our relationships just deteriorated really fast… and violently. But then as cheesy as it sounds, we all kind of had each other,” he says. “We didn’t realise what was happening at the time, but… a lot of the lyrics are all about that.” Their trademark sound is still there – something Cornwall describes as “psychotic garage surf dub. It’s got some melodic dub bass lines but with a rock sensibility and it sounds a bit rough around the edges,” he explains, attributing this to their minimal technical training.“We just started out, we didn’t know what we were doing – like, Beaks [drummer Beaker Best] was listening to fucking Ja Rule when we first started… I think the band has its sound because it’s had a bunch of dudes trying to do something they couldn’t actually do,” he laughs. Perpetually on tour, Sticky Fingers are one of the hardest working bands in Sydney.“Our current manager, Neal Hunt, just started making us work our fucking arses off. We never realised how hard work being in a band was. He sent us off on these endless tours in this shitty Tarago and we became total road warriors, but then we sort of learned to love that.” Moshpits are inescapable at a Sticky Fingers gig, even for tunes in 3/4 time – Cornwall affectionately describes their fans as “loose!” But the boys have been thinking even bigger as they prepare for their upcoming string of live dates. “We were watching Spinal Tap last night, just for a bit of rock’n’roll research,” he says, “and we wanna get some dry ice.”
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Dry Dry River - photo by Shaun Ferraloro
DRY DRY RIVER
Alt-rock outfit Dry Dry River play at The Eastern Hotel’s Early Easter in the East this Saturday, March 16, along with Rich King Matthews, Marble Season, and Burst & Bloom. We Caught up with Adrian Jolley for a bit of a history lesson When did Dry Dry River form? We joke about it at times but we actually started the project seven years ago when I replied to an ad which drummer Benn Palmer had posted online. We were both a bit jaded from bad experiences with bands in the past and just wanted to jam without the bullshit involved. We had a bunch of different characters come in and jam with us over the years. As time went on the experiments proved fruitful. Those early jams formed a solid idea of what we wanted to do. Stuart Young joined us around 2008 and it wasn’t till late 2011 I met Jon Madd at a burlesque show - he was a roving magician doing card tricks. Being quite pragmatic at the time I was asking everyone if they knew any singers, to my surprise he put his hand up.
Faith No More, Future of the Left, Michael Jackson and Prince. What’s your favourite venue to play? Dry Dry River is definitely best heard at venues with a substantial PA system such as the Rosemount Hotel, the Bakery or Amplifier. Definitely the most memorable was in April 2012; a good friend asked us to play at his going away party at a little known bar in Vic Park called Franklin’s. Our guitarist cut up his fingers pretty bad after playing without a pick for the majority of the set. Turns out it was mostly superficial but damn did it look cool.
What other Perth bands are lighting your fire at the moment? Lots of great acts flying around Perth at the moment. How did things change when Jon joined? For the band it was quite easy. We had an established Sugarpuss are really impressing me right now, chemistry as a jam band but we just needed the right along with Will Stoker, the Witches , Chemist, Mantl front man who could join our dynamic. Previously and HeavyLove. I’d love to share a stage with bands when we auditioned singers they had trouble belting which inspired me as a teenager, such as Gyroscope, out ideas or changing things organically and it never Rollerskates, Frenzal Rhomb, The Living End. worked until we met Jon. But Jon clicked with us What does the future hold? straight away. We’re currently focused on pre-production for our debut EP (so far untitled) which will be coHow would you describe your music? Brutal face-melting rock. When you come to a show produced with Corey Marriot (Novacaines) and don’t expect to stand around with your hands in your recorded at Yoyo Studios in Osborne Park. Look out pockets because shit tends to get crazy. As a bunch for a mid-late 2013 release. Once that’s out we’d of ‘80s kids most of our influences stem from ‘90s alt- love to play some all ages gigs and hit the festival rock, punk and pop music; Smashing Pumpkins, Tool, circuit next summer.
LAW AND DISORDER
Law of Attraction get their rock on at Ya Ya’s this Saturday, March 16, with Dallas Royal and This Other Eden heating up the stage before the fearsome foursome unleash their alt-rock aggression. Doors open at 8pm.
Choking Stanley
CHOKE ON IT
Funky music merchants Choking Stanley will be doing their blues-reggae thing at Ya Ya’s this Friday, March 15, with help from The Midnight Mules, Hello Colour Red, and Calectasia. Doors open at 7:30pm, and entry is $10.
NOTHING UP MY SLEEVE
Not to be outdone, Ya Ya’s is putting on a St Patrick’s Day show of staggering proportions, with six acts mounting the stage on Sunday, March 17. Catch Black Swan, Dux N Downtown, Pat Chow, The Kuillotines, Red Engine Caves, and Wizard Sleeve from 3pm. Entry is free until 6pm, $5 thereafter.
The Black Penny Project
LIKE A BAD PENNY
The Swan Basement in Fremantle will be celebrating St Patrick’s Day in fine old style this Sunday, March 17, with a stellar lineup that includes neo-roots exponents The Black Penny Project, singer/ songwriter Elli Schoen, alternative rock outfit The Crossbars, and the ubiquitous Southwicks. Doors open at 6pm, entry is $7.
Lionizer
LION ON THE INSIDE
Indie-pun pundits Vez Litten and Bailey Lions, aka Lionizer, launch their new single, Song For A Cat Named Max, tonight, Wednesday 13, at the Rosemount Hotel. The Southwicks, The Itch, and Jackdaws will also be on hand to keep the night in motion. Doors open at 8pm, and the single is free with entry www.xpressmag.com.au
The Disappointed
A SIGHT FOR SORE EYES
The Disappointed are teaming up with Frighteners and Children for Sightless Sound, a concert to raise awareness for World Glaucoma Week (March 10 - 16). Tonight, Wednesday 13, The Norfolk Basement will be plunged into complete darkness to give punters a taste of what it’s like to live without sight. Doors open at 8pm. Entry is free, but donations are appreciated. 33
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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
The Jacksons, March 14
Mark of Cain, March 17
GRINSPOON 5 Prince of Wales 6 Amplifier SONS OF RICO 5 Amplifier 13 Amplifier 6 Settlers Tavern 14 YMCA HQ ICEHOUSE/MARK SEYMOUR 5 Perth Zoo THE JACKSONS BIRDY 14 Perth Arena 6 Riverside Theatre ROGER HODGSON 7 Riverside Theatre PAUL KELLY/ HUNGRY KIDS OF NEIL FINN/ LISA HUNGARY MITCHELL/GRACE 11 Newport Hotel WOODROOFE 12 Capitol SUNDOWN SESSIONS 14 & 15 Kings Park (Xavier Rudd, Tinpan Botanical Gardens Orange & Morgan Bain) 12 Scarborough Beach GLENN JAGWAR MA SHORROCK/ 12 Metro Freo WENDY 13 Amplifier MATTHEWS/ YACHT CLUB DJS 12 Amplifier DOUG 13 Prince Of Wales PARKINSON SETS ON THE BEACH 14 & 15 Quarry VOLUME 11 (Lineup Amphitheatre TBC) 14 Scarborough Beach Amphitheatre THE ONLY/PEKING JOSH GROBAN DUK 16 Kings Park Botanic 15 Villa Garden ZUCCHERO 17 Regal Theatre DAMIEN STU LARSEN DEMPSEY 17 The Ellington BUZZCOCKS 15 The Bakery 18 The Rosemount BIG SCARY FESTIVAL OF THE 18 Mojos Bar 19 Amplifier WIND (Dan Sultan, 28 DAYS French Butler 19 Capitol Called Smith, THE DRONES/KING Poison Creek, The GIZZARD AND THE LIZARD WIZZARD White Orcas, Tank 19 The Astor 7even & Tongue N SPIT SYNDICATE/ Groove) JACKIE ONASSIS 16 The Sound Shell 19 Prince Of Wales 20 Amplifier Esperance 21 Metro Freo RTRFM’S IN THE PINES BOB MOULD (Adam Said Galore, 16 The Rosemount The Bank Holidays Lite, Circus Murders, The Panics, Schvendes, PRESIDENTS Usurper of Modern OF THE UNITED Medicine & The Volcanics) STATES OF 21 Somerville AMERICA / HEY Auditorium GERONIMO SILVERSTEIN 16 Metro Freo 22 Amplifier APRIL DYING FETUS 23 Amplifier & PITS 2013 IN HEARTS WAKE HITS EPICA (Mad Caddies, Good 16 Amplifier 23 Capitol Riddance, A Wilhelm 17 YMCA HQ Scream, Voodoo Glow THE BLACK SEEDS 24 Metro Freo Skulls, The Flatliners, Diesel Boy, One Dollar DAVE JACKSON SETS ON THE 24 The Ellington Short, Jamie Hay, Jen BEACH VOLUME Buxton, Totally Unicorn HANDPICKED (Shockone, Eats 10 (Hermitude, & Paper Arms) Strange Talk, DJ 1 Metropolis Fremantle Everything, Baauer, and more) THE XX/JAGWAR MAR Mosca Lord, Yes You, 24 Metro City City Twinsy, Drop Out 12 Metro SUPAFEST (T.I, 50 Cent, Metro City Waka Flocka, Akon, Orchestra, Luke PENNYWISE Ne-Yo, Young Jeezy, Million) 2 Metro Freo Mindless Behaviour, 17 Scarborough Beach LUKA BLOOM DJ Unk, Kevin McCall, 2 Fly By Night Amphitheatre DJ Nino Brown, Dizzy COUNTING CROWS Doolan & Phinesse) 3 Perth Concert Hall 25 Perth Arena THE MARK OF THE SCRIPT RUFUS CAIN 3 Perth Arena 25 Newport Hotel FRANK TURNER 26 Prince Of Wales 17 Capitol 27Amplifier 4 Amplifier DEAD LETTER CIRCUS BRITISH INDIA MUTEMATH 25 Prince Of Wales 4 Prince Of Wales 26 Settlers Tavern 5 The Rosemount 19 The Astor
THIS WEEK
TITLE FLIGHT/ LUCA BRASI
MARCH
NINA LAS VEGAS 21 Prince Of Wales 23 Amplifier VANCE JOY 22 St Joseph’s Church WILLIAM ELLIOT WHITMORE 23 Mojos Bar WEST COAST BLUES & ROOTS FESTIVAL (Sensational Space Shifters, Iggy & The Stooges, Chris Isaak, Jason Mraz, Status Quo, Manu Chao La Ventura, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Fred Wesley & The New JBs, Julia Stone, Newton Faulkner, Kitty, Daisy & Lewis, The Music Maker Blues Revue, Grace Potter, Russell Morris, Mama Kin, Blue Shady & Breakthrough Winner) 23 Fremantle Park DEBORAH CONWAY 23 The Ellington THIS WILL DESTROY YOU 23 The Rosemount WEST COAST BLUES & ROOTS FESTIVAL (Ben Harper, Santana, Paul Simon, Steve Miller Band, Wilco, Bonnie Raitt, Jimmy Cliff, Rufus Wainwright, Michael Kiwanuka, Gossling, Ash Grunwald, Graveyard Train, Brothers Grim, Sticky Fingers, Benjamin Francis Leftwich, The DomNicks & Davey Craddock And The Spectacles) 24 Fremantle Park STICKY FINGERS/LYALL MOLONEY 27 The Rosemount DRAPHT 28 & 30 The Rosemount PVT 30 The Bakery GUY SEBASTIAN 28 Crown Theatre 30 Crown Theatre NANTES/BATTLESHIPS 30 Amplifier 31 Newport Hotel STANTON WARRIORS 31 Villa JAMIE XX 31 The Bakery
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The Drones, April 19
27 Capitol MARILYN KELLER 26 The Ellington THE POTBELLEEZ 26 Capitol FAIRBRIDGE FESTIVAL (Tinpan Orange/ Bustamento/ Frank Yamma/ Kristina Olsen) 26-28 Fairbridge MIDGE URE 27 Charles Hotel SIX60 27 Metro City THE GRISWOLDS 28 Newport Hotel DIG IT UP (Hoodoo Gurus, Flamin’ Groovies, Blue Oyster Cult, Buzzcocks, Peter Case, The Stems) 28 The Astor MOVEMENT FESTIVAL (NAS, Bliss N Eso, 2 Chainz, Chiddy Bang, JOEY BADA$$, Angel Haze, Spit Syndicate) 30 Red Hill Auditorium
MAY THE RUBENS 2 Prince Of Wales 3 Capitol 4 Settlers Tavern BOB EVANS 2 Settlers Tavern 3 The Bakery 4 Prince Of Wales TRIGGER JACKETS 3 Amplifier TRUCKFIGHTERS 3 The Rosemount BLACK SABBATH 4 Perth Arena BETH ORTON 6 St Joseph’s Church HAPPY MONDAYS 8 Capitol NORMA JEAN 8 Amplifier UNIDA 9 The Rosemount TEGAN AND SARA 9 Metro City 11 Hay Park, Bunbury EXAMPLE 10 Metro City THE BRONX/DZ DEATHRAYS 10 Capitol 11 Hay Park, Bunbury THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS 10 The Rosemount 11 Hay Park, Bunbury OM 11 The Rosemount SETH SENTRY 10 Villa 12 Newport Hotel GROOVIN THE MOO (Alison Wonderland/ Alpine/The Amity Affliction/The Bronx/ DZ Deathrays/Example/ Flume/Frightened Rabbit/Hungry Kids Of Hungary/The Kooks/ Last Dinosaurs/Matt And Kim/Midnight Juggernauts/Pez/ Regurgitator/Seth Sentry/Shockone/Tame Impala/Tegan And Sara/The Temper Trap/ They Might Be Giants/ Tuka With Ellesquire/ Urthboy/DJ Woody’s Big Phat 90’s Mixtape/ Yacht/Yolanda Be Cool) 11 Hay Park, Bunbury THE KOOKS 11 Hay Park, Bunbury 12 Fremantle Arts Centre
FLUME/CHET FAKER 12 Metro City DARYL BRAITHWAYE/ JOE CAMILLERI/JAMES REYNE/ROSS WILSON 12 Perth Concert Hall CRADLE OF FILTH 12 Metropolis Fremantle TENACIOUS D 15 Riverside Theatre EVERMORE 16 Newport Hotel 17 Players Bar 18 The Charles CHRISTINE ANU REWIND – THE ARETHA FRANKLIN SONGBOOK 17 & 18 The Ellington DJ AFRIKA BAMBAATAA 18 The Bakery TAME IMPALA 18 Belvoir Amphitheatre FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND 18 Prince Of Wales Bunbury 19 Amplifier ATARI TEENAGE RIOT 19 The Bakery THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM 19 Metro City DEFTONES 21 Metropolis Fremantle JULIE ANDREWS 21 Riverside Theatre THE GHOST INSIDE 23 Amplifier AIRNORTH KIMBERELEY MOON EXPERIENCE (Guy Sebastian, Mark Seymour, James Reyne, Gurrumul Yunupingu) 25 Jim Hughes Amphitheatre Kununurra BOOMTOWN RATS 28 Challenge Stadium THE SEEKERS 30 Riverside Theatre DRAGON 31 The Astor Theatre
JUNE CABLE SOUNDS (Icehouse, The Stephen Pigram Quartet & Desert Child) 2 Cable Beach Amphitheatre KATE MILLER-HEIDKE 5 St Joseph’s Church THE BEARDS 7 Amplifier 8 Prince Of Wales KILLING JOKE 9 The Rosemount EMMA LOUISE 13 Prince Of Wales 15 Amplifier MUNICIPAL WASTE 21 The Rosemount PINK 25, 26 & 28 Perth Arena A$AP Rocky 30 Metro City
JULY LA DISPUTE 6 Amplifier 7 YMCA HQ ALT-J 27 Challenge Stadium
SEPTEMBER AMANDA PALMER & THE GRAND THEFT ORCHESTRA 8 Astor Theatre FOALS 22 Metro City ONE DIRECTION 28 & 29 Perth Arena
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Lionizer, Wednesday at The Rosemount Hotel
WEDNESDAY13.03 AMPLIFIER Title Flight Luca Brasi Grim Fandango BAR 120 Felix BEAT NIGHTCLUB (DOWNSTAIRS) Soul Seduction BRASS MONKEY Sugar Blue Burlesque CLAREMONT HOTEL Acoustica ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Meg Mac The Squeeze GREENWOOD Bernardine GROOVE BAR (CROWN CASINO) 5 Shots HALE ROAD TAVERN Fenton Wilde INDI BAR Aiden Varro LUCKY SHAG Howie Morgan MOJOS BAR Fremantle Blues And Roots Club The West Coast Blues & Roots Festival Breakthru Comp MUSTANG BAR Almost Famous DJ Giles PADDO Craig Skelton Stone Circle Conan Chapman ROSEMOUNT Lionizer The Southwicks The Itch Jackdaws DJ Anton Maz ROSIE O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) David Fyffe THE BROWN FOX Courtney Murphy UNIVERSAL Strutt Ses Sayer VILLAGE BAR Village People - Open Mic YAYA’S Ha Ha’s @ Ya Ya’s John Robertson Ben Sutton Jeff Hewitt Laura Davis Matt Jan Leigh Chalmers
THURSDAY 14.03 ADMIRAL Greg Carter Karaoke
AMPLIFIER The Academy Saviour Common Bond Winterfold BELGIAN BEER CAFÉ Howie Morgan BRASS MONKEY Rhythm Bound Karaoke BRIGHTON Open Mic Night BROOKLANDS TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke CLANCY’S FISH PUB FREMANTLE Apollo Soul Freqshow Childs Play MC Amani COMO HOTEL Courtney Murphy DEVILLES PAD Rock’N’Roll Karaoke DUNSBOROUGH TAVERN Open Mic Night ELEPHANT & WHEELBARROW 5 Shots ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Eugene Ball Jamie Oehlers Quartet FLYING SCOTSMAN Gidget Duck & The Muldoon Wing GREENWOOD Monarchy GROOVE BAR (CROWN) Decoy HIGH WYCOMBE HOTEL Flyte INDI BAR Bex’s Open Mic Night KINGS PARK BOTANICAL GARDENS Paul Kelly Neil Finn Lisa Mitchell Grace Woodroofe KULCHA CLUB Chris Smither LUCKY SHAG James Wilson MALT SUPPER CLUB Kaberet Thursdays Swaray MARKET CITY TAVERN Sami Moore Emily J Nathan Mayers Chantelle Schuurmans Qang “Chang” MOJOS BAR Bobby Alu Nick Saxon
The Monicans, Thursday at The Rosemount Hotel DJ Swami Adima MT HENRY TAVERN Neil Adams MUSTANG BAR Cal Peck & The Tramps DJ James MacAurthur PERTH ARENA The Jacksons PORT KENNEDY TAVERN Adam James QUARRY AMPHITHEATRE Glenn Shorrock Wendy Matthews Doug Parkinson ROSEMOUNT The Monicans Miranda And Gordo Subtle And The Undertones Nyanda J Sons Of Rico DJs ROSIE O’GRADY’S (FREMANTLE) Kevin Conway
BALMORAL Mike Nayar BAR ORIENT The Reggae Club Prez I Meld Ed Kays The Empressions Mumma Trees Sista Che BEAT NIGHTCLUB (DOWNSTAIRS) PLAY BEAT NIGHTCLUB (UPSTAIRS) Mutants Of Desire Steve Tallis & The Holy Ghosts The Disintegrates BELMONT TAVERN Electrophobia BENTLEY HOTEL Kate Gilbertson BLACK BETTYS Miss Ink Competition Massive BLVD TAVERN Sea Level Trio SOVEREIGN ARMS BRASS MONKEY David Fyffe Adrian Wilson STEVES BAR BROKEN HILL HOTEL Dove Matt Milford THE BOAT BROOKLANDS Jen De Ness TAVERN THE BROOK The Bluebottles Open Mic Night BROWN FOX THE GATE Easy Tigers Greg Carter CAPTAIN STIRLING THE PRINCIPAL Chris Gibbs Bernardine CARINE THE SHED Pop Candy Mike Nayar CHASE BAR & BISTRO UNIVERSAL James Wilson Off The Record CIVIC HOTEL WOODVALE Tusk Two Plus One Pyromesh YA YA’S Severtone The Branson Tramps Dawn Of Leviathan Order Of The Black COMO HOTEL Werewolf Trevor Jalla Pat Show CORNERSTONE Yokohomos 5th Avenue YMCA HQ CRAFTSMAN Title Flight Madam Montage Luca Brasi DEVILLES PAD Faultlines Los Straitjackets FRIDAY 15.03 King Cornelius & His 7th AVENUE Silverbacks Deuce Razor Jack ADMIRAL Lil Franco Berry Steve Hepple Les Sataniques AMPLIFIER EAST 150 BAR Warning Birds Ali Towers Dead Owls EDZ SPORTZ BAR Jacob Diamond Sugarfield 8 Bit Love ELEPHANT & BAILEY BAR WHEELBARROW Mod Squad Darren Reid & The Soul Tip Top Sound DJ Bren City Groove BALLYS BAR Gaelic Irish Dancing Anderson ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Jade-Lori Crompton Amanda Dee EMPIRE BAR Howie Morgan FLY BY NIGHT One People FLYING SCOTSMAN Back To Mono GLOUCESTER PARK Robo Mosquito GREENWOOD Anthony Buttacio HERDSMAN Velvet Saviour Stone HIGH ROAD HOTEL Envy HIGH WYCOMBE HOTEL Dr Bogus HIGHWAY HOTEL Northern Muse HYDE PARK HOTEL Steve Parkin INDI BAR Bobby Alu
SAVIOUR
COMMON BOND WINTERFOLD
THURSDAY 14TH AMPLIFIER BAR
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Big Old Bears, Sunday at Swallow Bar Nick Saxon INDIAN OCEAN BREW Ben Merito KALAMUNDA HOTEL Astrobat KINGS PARK BOTANICAL GARDENS Paul Kelly Neil Finn Lisa Mitchell Grace Woodroofe LAKERS DJ Grizzly Slickenside Melee LAST DROP TAVERN Neil Adams LEFTBANK Groove Acoustics LEGENDS BAR The Organ Grinders LYNWOOD ARMS Mustangs MAHOGANNY INN Aidan Hargreaves MARKET CITY TAVERN Dove Alicia Risk MERIDIAN ROOM John & Shaun Sandosham MERRIWA TAVERN Nasty Dogz M ON THE POINT Third Gear MOJOS BAR (ARVO) Kick Off MOJOS BAR (EVE) Matt McHugh & the Seperatista Sound System MOON & SIXPENCE Soul Corporation MUSTANG BAR Adam Hall & The Velvet Playboys Swing DJs Cheeky Monkeys DJ James McArthur NEWPORT HOTEL Kill The Director NORFOLK BASEMENT Blackmilk Rockwell & Groom Deep River Collective OSBORNE PARK HOTEL Plastic Max PADDO Stu Harcourt Easy Tigers PADDY MAGUIRES Madam Montage PARAMOUNT Flyte PEEL ALE HOUSE Carbon Taxi PINK DUCK LOUNGE Craig Ballantyne PLAIN ST BAR Kizzy PRINCESS ROAD TAVERN Local Heroes QUARRY AMPHITHEATRE Glenn Shorrock Wendy Matthews Doug Parkinson RAILWAY HOTEL Septillion Medusa’s Gaze Armada Vale Bend The Sky ROCKET ROOM Coyote Ugly Kickstart ROLEYSTONE COUNTRY CLUB Bernardine ROSE & CROWN Stella Donnelly ROSEMOUNT Pass The Mic Pauly P FG Cortext
ASAP Wisdom2th Tripl M.U.M Eddie L Nick Sweepah ROSIE O’GRADY’S FREMANTLE Flash Nat & The Action Men SAIL & ANCHOR Howie Morgan Duo Nightshift SOUTH ST ALE HOUSE Robbie King Karaoke SPRINGS TAVERN Little Ebony STEVE’S BAR Velvet SWAN BASEMENT Butternut Crunch Muzzle Hyte SWAN LOUNGE Figure 23 Emily J Kite Magic SWINGING PIG Almost Famous Greg Carter THE BAKERY Damien Dempsey THE BOAT The Organ Grinders THE BROOK Acoustic Aly THE EASTERN Nat Ripepi THE GATE Dirty Scoundrels THE PRINCIPAL B.O.B THE SAINT Almost Famous THE SHED Krank THE VIC Jen De Ness UNIVERSAL Nightmoves VICTORIA PARK HOTEL Glen Davies VILLA The Only Peking Duk WOODVALE TAVERN Switch YA YA’s Choking Stanley The Midnight Mules Hello Colour Red Calectasia
SATURDAY 16.03 ADMIRAL Insane Dwaine AMPLIFIER In Hearts Wake Paradise In Exile Anchored Reflections Of Ruin Mindless BAILEYS BAR Dr Bogus Tip Top Sound DJ Bren BALLYS BAR Dove BALMORAL Retriofit BAR 120 Flyte BEAT NIGHTCLUB (DOWNSTAIRS) Runaways Scalphunter Dyatlov BEAT NIGHTCLUB (UPSTAIRS) CANVAS BELGIAN BEER CAFÉ Mike Nayar BELMONT TAVERN Stu Harcourt BLACK BETTY’S J Babies BREAKERS Masterplan BROOKLANDS
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
Listing deadline is Monday 5pm. GO TO www.xpressmag.com.au /PLUG YOUR GIG and plug away! The X-Press Guide is a Perth metropolitan service for advertisers listing tours, live, dance and arts events. All inclusions are at the discretion of X-Press Magazine. The one entry system will update our print edition, website and App
Old Blood, Sunday at Mojos TAVERN Carbon Taxi CIVIC HOTEL Wolverine Dazastah Porsah Laine Switch Blade Rizen DJ Sanga Kogz Riddle Metsphobic Kwote Ernah Phats Coerce COMO HOTEL Aidan Hargreaves CORNERSTONE U2 Tribute DEVILLES PAD High Learys Les Sataniques ELEPHANT & WHEELBARROW Timeout Gaelic Irish Dancing ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Ali Bodycoat Quintet Astrid Ripepi ELMARS IN THE VALLEY Adrian Wilson FLY BY NIGHT Miss Burlesque WA Final FLYING SCOTSMAN Under The Influence Andrei Maz FORRESTFIELD TAVERN Christian Thompson GOSNELLS HOTEL Sugarfield GREENWOOD Carbon Taxi GROOVE BAR (CROWN CASINO) Switch HIGH ROAD HOTEL Flame HOTEL ROTTNEST Morgan Bain INDI BAR Dilip And The Davs Pimps Of Sound Lucky Zarm INDIAN OCEAN BREW Little Ebony KULCHA CLUB Dave Stringer LAKERS Celebrations Karaoke LANGFORD ALEHOUSE Die Hard Karaoke LEOPOLD HOTEL Steve Hepple M ON THE POINT Rhythm 22 MERIDIAN ROOM (CROWN PERTH) Howie Morgan MERRIWA TAVERN Greg Carter Karaoke METRO FREO Presidents Of The United States Of America Hey Geronimo MOJOS BAR Matt McHugh & the Seperatista Soundsystem MOON & SIXPENCE The Damien Cripps Band MUSTANG The Rusty Pinto Combo Rockabilly DJ Milhouse DJ James MacAurthur NEWPORT HOTEL Kizzy Gravity NORFOLK BASEMENT 8 Bit Love Flower Drums
Dianas Apache OSBORNE PARK HOTEL Plastic Max PADDO Cheeky Monkeys PADDY MAGUIRES Parker Avenue PARAMOUNT Felix PEEL ALE HOUSE Supernova PORT KENNEDY TAVERN Kate Gilbertson QUARIE BAR Electrophobia RAILWAY HOTEL Junkhead Mr Wilson In The Now Bath ROSEMOUNT Bob Mould The Ghost Hotel Kill Teen Angst ROSIE O’GRADY’S (FREMANTLE) Flavor ROSIE O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) Everlong ROYAL PALMS RESORT Kris Buckle SAIL & ANCHOR Better Days Childs Play STEVES BAR Sue Johnson SWAN LOUNGE Grey & Blue Fay Agathangelou Little City Dream SWINGING PIG Greg Carter Rock-A-Fellas THE BOAT J Man & Rosie THE BROOK Chris Gibbs Duo THE EASTERN Marble Season Rich King Matthews Burst And Bloom Dry Dry River THE GATE Dirty Scoundrels THE SHED Huge THE SOUND SHELL ESPERANCE Festival Of The Wind Dan Sultan French Butler Called Smith Poison Creek The White Orcas Tank 7even Tongue N Groove UNIVERSAL Soul Corporation WANNEROO TAVERN Chris Gibbs WHALE AND ALE 5th Avenue WOODVALE TAVERN Flash Nat & The Action Men YAYA’S Law Of Attraction Dallas Royal This Other Eden
SUNDAY 17.03 7TH AVENUE Reckless Kelly ADMIRAL Sugarfield James Wilson ALEXANDRA BAR Neil Adams BAILEYS BAR Gary Fowlie BALMORAL The Blackbirds BELMONT TAVERN
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Friday Friday Travis Caudle Cal Peck & The Tramps, Travis Caudle FlyBy ByNight Night Thursday at Mustang Bar Fly Adam James BLVD TAVERN JOONDALUP Open Mic Night BRASS MONKEY The Wild Frontiers BREAKERS BAR Chris Gibbs BRIGHTON James Charles BROKEN HILL HOTEL Nathan Gaunt BROOKLANDS TAVERN Mike Nayar CAPITOL The Mark Of Cain Eleventh He Reaches London CAPTAIN STIRLING Christian Thompson CARINE Adam Morris CHASE BAR Chasing Calee CIVIC HOTEL Dove CLAREMONT HOTEL Sunday Driver DJ Dan COMO HOTEL Adrian Wilson DUNSBOROUGH TAVERN Kris Buckle ELEPHANT & WHEELBARROW Daren Reid & The Celtic City Groove Gaelic Irish Dancing ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB The Isolites ELMARS IN THE VALLEY Chris Gibbs EMPIRE BAR CB3 FLY BY NIGHT Cross Eyes Cats GOSNELLS HOTEL Conny The Clown GOVERNMENT HOUSE Oz Concert Simon Palomares Richard Walley And Middar Dance Miracle Band Chung Wah Dance Bantus Capoeira Stefanos Livanos Selendang Sutra Naad PERthDESI Bollywood Dance Lado Croation Folkloric Ensemble The Chinese Community Centre Lion Dancers Daramad Raks Harissa Ulla Shay Tania Walker Jonathan Cope GROOVE BAR (CROWN CASINO) HI-NRG HERDSMAN The Mojos HIGH WYCOMBE HOTEL The Organ Grinders HIGH ROAD HOTEL Christian Thompson INDI BAR Andrew Winton INDIAN OCEAN BREW CO Retriofit Shawne & Luc INGLEWOOD HOTEL James Wilson KALAMUNDA HOTEL Bernardine LAST DROP TAVERN Kristen Kingwell
M ON THE POINT Third Gear MERIDIAN ROOM (CROWN PERTH) Local Heroes MOJOS BAR Old Blood Crooked Cats Mt Mountain The Beers MOON CAFÉ Davey Cradock Davey Craft MUSTANG BAR Envy Easy Tigers DJ James MacArthur NEWPORT HOTEL Hye Geronimo Tim Nelson Sea Of Tunes OCEAN VIEW TAVERN One Trick Phonies PADDY MAGUIRES Madam Montage PADDY MALONE’S Gary Fowlie PADDO Groovetube Acoustic PEEL ALEHOUSE Christian Thompson PERTH CULTURAL CENTRE Dave Robertson Mike Develta John McNair Keith Anthonisz PINK DUCK LOUNGE BAR Glen Davies PORT KENNEDY TAVERN Dirty Scoundrels PORTOFINO’S RESTAURANT Neil Colliss QUARIE BAR & BISTRO Better Days QUEENS TAVERN Velvet RAILWAY HOTEL Gignition The Skinny Kids Oakland The Cold Acre Tinder Thieves ROSEMOUNT Tragedy Drowning Horse Vanity The Hunt ROSIE O’GRADY’S (FREMANTLE) Chris Murphy & The Holy Rollers ROSIE O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) Chris Murphy & The Holy Rollers Plastic Max
Choking Stanley, Friday at Ya Ya’s Bill Chidgzey Sue & Stu Billy & The Broken Lines SAIL & ANCHOR Mike Nayar SCARBOROUGH BEACH AMPHITHEATRE Sets On The Beach Volume 10 Hermitude Strange Talk DJ Lord Yes You Twinsy Drop Out Orchestra Luke Million SOUTH ST ALE HOUSE Anthony Nieves SOVEREIGN ARMS Reckless Kelly Free Radicals SWALLOW BAR Sunday Sessions - St Patricks Day The Big Old Bears SWAN BASEMENT The Southwicks The Crossbars Elli Schoen The Black Penny Project SWAN LOUNGE Aaron Gwynaire Ibis Elm Stephanie Robson One Thousand Years Wheels Mckenzie Darren Guthrie The Midnight Mules SWINGING PIG The Wild Frontiers Stu Harcourt THE BIRD Anton Franc Stereoflower Caroline J Dale THE DEEN Plastic Max & The Token Gesture THE GATE Greg Carter THE SAINT Howie Morgan Project THE SHED James Wilson UNIVERSAL Retriofit WANNEROO TAVERN Acoustic Aly WHISTLING KITE James Wilson WOODVALE TAVERN Free Radicals Reckless Kelly YA YA’S St Patrick’s Day at Ya Ya’s Wizard Sleeve Black Swan Dux N Downtown Pat Chow
The Kuillotines Red Engine Caves YMCA HQ In Hearts Wake Paradise In Exile Ruthless Common Bond Make Believe Me
MONDAY 18.03 BRASS MONKEY James Wilson ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Song Lounge Hussy Hicks GROOVE BAR (CROWN CASINO) Chris Murphy & Courtney Murphy MOJOS BAR Wide Open Mic Night MUSTANG BAR Tripple Shots PEEL ALE HOUSE Stu Harcourt THE DEEN Plastic Max & The Token Gesture YA YA’S Big Tommo’s Open Mic Variety Night
TUESDAY 19.03 ASTOR Mutemath BRASS MONKEY Open Mic Night ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Grace Woodroofe GROOVE BAR (CROWN) Ruby’s Groove LUCKY SHAG Ben Merito MERRIWA TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke MOJOS BAR Mojo’s Monthly Comedy Mike G John Robertson Jeff Hewitt Dan Brader Sean Conway MUSTANG BAR Danza Loca Salsa Night PERTH BLUES CLUB Paul Walter Daly & The Heavy Hitters SETTLERS TAVERN Open Mic Night THE COURT Open Mic & BBQ Night TWO ROCKS TAVERN Jump For Joy Karaoke YA YA’S The Monicans The Irrationals Spaceman Antics Wise Oaks
The Date
WARNING BIRDS
DEAD OWLS JACOB DIAMOND, 8 BIT LOVE FRIDAY 15TH AMPLIFIER BAR
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MUSIC GEAR & TECHNOLOGY EDITED BY TRAVIS JOHNSON
EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING DO YOU KNOW WHAT A ROADIE IS? Have you got any background in AUDIO, LIGHTING or BACKLINE? Are you looking for CASUAL work in the entertainment industry? If that sounds like you contact Events Personnel Aust. On 08 9361 5005. BAND BOOKER WANTED Entertainment agency looking to employ a band booker. Must have transport and will be required to call on entertainment venues. Knowledge of the industry an advantage. Send resume and photo to focuspro@iinet.net.au or call Brian Davidson Focus Promotions 9272 4144 Mon-Fri 9-5pm. HAIR, HEALTH & HAPPINESS MUSO INJURIES? Acupuncturist in Maylands specializes in carpal tunnel, RSI, wrist pain, shoulder pain. Call METRO HEALTH 1300 132 830 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS BETTA GUITARS & REPAIRS Hand crafted steel string, classical and electric guitars and repairs. New bone nuts, saddles, set ups, fret dress, re-frets, pickups and more. Call Ray on 0449 878 438. www. perthguitarmaker.com or check out Betta guitars on Facebook. MUSOS WANTED DRUM & BASS PLAYER WANTED For working cover band. Call Brian Davidson at Focus Promotions 9 - 5 Mon - Fri 9272 4144 GUITARISTS WANTED Experienced 30+ guitarist & bassist wanted to complete new lineup of established orig hard rock band. 0435 825 090 MUSOS WANTED Wanted like minded players to form really heavy blues band to write, rehearse and perform mostly original material. Lots of slide. Hills area. Sorry boys must be over 50 and fit! No pros please. If itís time for you to turn it up to ‘ELEVEN’ Phone Tony on 0401 315 017 OPEN MIC AT MOONDYNE JOE’S Every Thursday night 8-12. Grand Piano, good sound and friendly atmosphere. Call Mark 0409 137 850 OPEN MIC NIGHT every Thursday night at Indi Bar. Just call Bex on 0404 917 632. OPEN MIC NIGHT Every Tuesday night at the Craigie Tavern 8-11pm. Call Corey for bookings 0431 448 235 PERCUSSIONIST URGENTLY NEEDED For local live Drum & Bass band Freqshow. Gigs booked. Call Adam on 0412 511 782 SUPREMES TRIBUTE Wanted 2 female vocalists for a Supremes tribute. Aimed at corporate events market. Call Brian Davidson at Focus Promotions 9 - 5 Mon Fri 9272 4144 VOCALIST NEEDED Perth prog rock band, must have vocal & lyrical power and creativity. Call Brendon on 0435 508 833 WANTED KEYBOARDIST For Funk/Soul/R&B/Smooth Groove cover band. Ph: 0423 429 363 PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT PHOTOGRAPHY Promo photography, studio, live, location. Mike Wylie 0417 975 964 www.projectphotography.com When its time to ice the cake... PRODUCTION SERVICES * L I G H T I N G * A U D I O * S TA G I N G * www.nightstarlightingaudio.com.au www.nightstarlightingaudio.com.au w w w . i n s t a n d t . c o m . a u w w w . i n s t a n d t . c o m . a u 9381 2363/ 9444 6651 CD & DVD MANUFACTURE Check out our latest CD & DVD specials online at www.procopy.com.au 9375 3902
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MATRIX PRODUCTIONS AUSTRALIA Lighting, staging, sound systems, smoke machines, night club FX, intelligent lighting, strobes & mirror balls, crowd barriers, video projectors. 9371 1551 RECORDING STUDIOS ALAN DAWSON’s WITZEND RECORDING STUDIO Prof quality albums or demos, large live room, experienced engineer, analog to digital transfers, mastering..Alan 0407 989 128 or Jeremy 0430638178 www.witzendstudios.com ANDY’S STUDIO International multi award winning songwriter / producer. No band required. Broadcast quality. A songwriter’s paradise. Ph 9364 3178 AVALON STUDIOS BIBRA LAKE One of Perths best equipped studio. Record to analog tape or digital, Avalon pre amps, Neumann mics, the latest and best universal audio, plug in’s for digital recordings. All styles of music, $55 per hour call Tony 0411 118 304 email avalonstudios@bigpond.com GOLDDUSTCONSTRUCTION.COM Production, mixing, recording and composition for your music. Unique award winning skills to take songs from ideas to finished mixes or to fulfill the potential in existing ones. Located in Subiaco. $70 p/h. Andrew 0408 097 407 POONS HEAD MASTERING Analog mastering at its best. Clients include Mink Mussel Creek, Jeff Martin, The Panics, Pond + The Floors.World class facility.World class results. www.poonshead.com 9339 47 91 RECORDING MIXING MASTERING PRODUCING Fremantle location. Call Pete Kitchen Cooked Records. Ph 0407 363 764 / 9336 3764 REVOLVER SOUND STUDIO Ph 9272 7505. www.revolverstudio.com.au S AT E L L I T E R E C O R D I N G S T U D I O www.satelliterecording.com 0419 908 766 SONGWRITERS! - UNLOCK YOUR SONGS’POTENTIAL +FREE BAND APPRAISALS. UK Producer, 40,000+ hours studio experience. 20 yrs in London with bands and songwriters. Kicking arrangements, great studio and the ability to really listen will give your material the edge you need. Call Jerry on 0405 653 338 or visit www. jerichomusic.com.au REHEARSAL STUDIOS AAA VHS REHEARSAL ROOMS Great facilities, great vibe & great price!!! Unit 5 /16 Peel Road, O’Connor. Phone 9418 5815 or 0413 732 885 BIGBEAT SOUND STUDIO Clean rooms, all new PA systems, air-con and good parking . Willetton Ph: 0425 698 117. PLATINUM SOUND ROOMS Professional rehearsal rooms, airconditioned, quality PAs mob 0418 944 722 TUITION ***GUITAR LESSONS*** The Guitar Specialist. New year enrolments. Beg-adv, all styles and levels including bass. Cliff Lynton Guitar Institute. Mt Lawley 9342 3484 / www.clifflynton.com BASS LESSONS Rock, funk & jazz.Tony Gibbs 9470 6131 FREE MUSIC LESSONS Book your free 30-min trail lesson. All instruments, all ages, all experience levels. 0403 162 641 | walthermusic.com GUITAR & KEYBOARD TUITION (BeginnersProfessional) One on One lessons. Burswood Ph 6460 6921/ 0415889645. www.gvkschoolofmusic.com.au GUITARWORKS JOONDALUP Guitar tuition. ALL levels from beginners to advanced. Ph 0414 448 907 guitarworks@iinet.net.au HOUSE MUSIC SCHOOL W/TYSON Learn how to make house music completely from start to finish - go through music theory, structure - the complete step by step development of a house music main room club bangar, examples: soundcloud.com/tysonwillert. If interested call or text 0406 925 642 - lessons go for 60 minutes or so and allow for extra time, the cost is $50.
THE GEAR AROUND HERE It’s no easy task to keep abreast of all the latest developments in musical instruments and technology. This week, Volume casts a critical eye over some the newest toys - along with some old favourites - to hit the shelves of you local music emporium.
ESP LTD KH-202 KIRK HAMMETT SIGNATURE ELECTRIC GUITAR (BLACK)
Metallica madman Kirk Hammett’s long-standing relationship with the ESP Guitar Company has lasted more than a quarter of a century now, but their recent two hour showstropper at Soundwave means that all things ‘Tallica are back in vogue, and Kosmic Sound and Lighting have taken the opportunity to knock the price down on this little number. Featuring a light basswood body, a rosewood fretboard with Skull & Bones inlays, and rock-ready EMG LH301 humbucker pickups, you can be shredding your way through the Black Album for less than $600. Head to kosmic.com.au for details.
ESP Ltd Kirk Hammett Signature Electric Guitar Black
Sterling By Music Man JP100
STERLING BY MUSIC MAN JP100 JOHN PETRUCCI SIGNATURE EECTRIC GUITAR
Prog metal proponents well know Dream Theater’s John Petrucci, and if your budget can stretch far enough, the best way to follow in his footsteps is with something from his Sterling By Music Man Signature Series. This beautiful axe features a slightly enlarged basswood body, a scooped forearm contour, a slightly asymmetrical fretboard to fit the hand’s curve, a Modern Trem bridge, two HI-output humbuckers, and locking tuners. RRP is $1195. Go to Australian distributors cmcmusic.com.au for further info.
EVANS BLACK CHROME DRUM HEADS
Drummer Marion ‘Chick’ Evans created the first synthetic drum head almost 60 years ago, in 1956. Since then his company has been a major player in the music market, so it should come as no surprise that their new series of Black Chrome drum heads are the business. Designed for those who like to play fast and heavy, their sleek, minimalist aesthetic, as characterised by their black mirrored finish, also ensures that your kit will be the sexiest one on the bill. Featuring tight sustain, extreme durability, and a focus on mid-to-low-end frequencies, any metal drummer worth his torn t-shirt will want to check these out. Go to evansdrumheads.com
Evans Black Chrome Drum Heads
KICKPORT BASS DRUM ENHANCER
For the drummer who wants more bang for his buck - and really, is there any other kind? - comes the Kickport Bass Drum Enhancer. This nifty little device is easy to install, and instantly enhances the sound of any bass drum, rounding the sound and punching up the low-end frequencies to allow for a heavier, more driving drumbeat. Compatible with any bass drumhead, it retails for Kickport Bass Drum Enhancer around $40. Head to kickport.com for specs and retailers.
KOSMIC EXPANSION
In local news, Kosmic Sound and Lighting have announced plans to greatly expand their Osborne Park store.What that means in practical terms is that they’re keen to sell off as much stock as possible in the near future, figuring it’s easier to get rid of it rather than try to renovate around it. Now’s a very good time to keep an eye on Kosmic for sales and specials, no matter your choice of instrumentation - kosmic.com.au would be a good place to start.
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
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