X-Press magazine #1226 by X-Press Magazine

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Murdoch University is about bringing free thinking individuals together and letting them discover. It’s about giving you the freedom to combine majors so what you study and the way you do it suits your view of the world. It’s about the opportunity to take your studies overseas and share it with other cultures. It’s also about having teachers who wholeheartedly embrace your passion.

Find a course that will let you do all this.

Head to www.murdoch.edu.au Alternatively, call 1300 MURDOCH.

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ST 12, 201 0 ISSUE 1226

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CELEBRATING 11 YEARS OF LIVE MUSIC 9

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News Reactions/Comp Thing Flesh X-Press Interview: Joe Cipriani Music: The Key Of X – The History Of X-Press Music: Past Editors Of X-Press Music: 1985 – The Way We Were They Said What? Quotes from X-Press Interviews Over The Years X-Press Covers Of Old New Noise

Well here we are, 25 years on from the moment Perth created publishing history with a little rag called X-Press Magazine. That magazine was rather different to the one you’re holding here – compact in a fanzine style with a rather arresting green cover – it was the ’80s okay... Back in 1985 they still used scalpels and glue to cobble the mag together, and it was a fortnightly affair out Fridays. But it would pretty soon move to Thursdays and go weekly, and take the form of what you know as X-Press today – replete with the garish magenta X. In this rather hearty edition we celebrate 25 years of noise, vision, and more than a couple of laughs. We go back to the future, revisit the inspired (and plain awful) and get a little sentimental as we wipe the layer of dust from the vaults. We also celebrate the people who have been at the coalface of Perth art – persistently dragging this city

towards the golden beacon of urbanity, when it seemed every force of nature (and mankind) was against them. Most would agree; we’re almost there! I raise a rather full goblet of the good nectar to all who have played a part in the X-Press tale over its first quarter century – yes, even you who wrote into Reactions on only our second edition in ’85 pleading: “Please can you print one side of the paper only? It would be more useful then.” I salute Joe Cipriani – the mad hatter who dreamed up X-Press in the first place, and still beats us all to work every morning with the rigour only a former drummer could possess. I also tip my cap to my fellow editors who have proudly worn the title before me like a birthmark: Wendy Allen, Scott Howlett, Michael Dwyer, Bob Gordon and Polly Coufos. Your quill and livers were not unsheathed in vain – indeed, you created history.

And lastly, a nod to the future – to the people who are proudly marching X-Press into its second quarter century: to all of the contributors, ad reps and arty folk on the other side of the wall. And to the valiant editorial team; Emma Bergmeier, Danielle Marsland and David Craddock – thank you for making this a greater pleasure than I knew it would be. But without you – yes you, who reads these words – X-Press would be nothing. You’ve kept Perth on its toes – literally. Now fill your glasses tall and raise your voices high as we sing to the key of X… JULIAN TOMPKIN

PAPA DON’T PREACH

Eye4

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eye4 Cover: Darren Hanlon eye4 News eye4: The Good, The Bad & The Fugly – 25 Years Of Fashion eye4 Music: Darren Hanlon eye4 Covers Of Old eye4 Movies: Scott Pilgrim eye4 Movies: Step Up 3D/Bryan Lee interview eye4 Movies: Splice eye4 Arts: Josh Thomas/Tomfoolery/ Rottofest eye4 Arts Listings eye4 Lifestyle Education Feature

Salt

83 64 66 70 73 74 76 78 81 82 85 90 92 94 96

Salt Cover: A Decade Of Perth Hip Hop Salt News Salt Music: M.I.K.E./Matthew Dear/Hip Hop Kings Salt Music: John O’ Callaghan Salt Test Pad Club Chronicles – 25 Years Of Sore Feet & Sunrises Salt Club Manual Pub Blurbs Pub Scene Live reviews: Florence & The Machine/ Laura Marling/Midlake/Next Big Thing Grand Final Rock X-Tras Tour Trails: Mindsnare Tour Trails Gig Guide Classified

Chromeo, playing Summadayze

HERE COMES THE SUMMA SUN

Hot on the heels of the release of their forthcoming album Postcards For A Young Man, which is out on September 24, Manic Street Preachers will hit the touring circuit in November, stopping off at Metropolis Fremantle on Monday, November 22. Featuring collaborations with Ian McCulloch, John Cale and Duff McKagen, Postcards For A Young Man is set to make waves this September,delivering the band’s unique style of alternative rock that fans have come to know and love. Tickets are on sale now Ticketmaster.

MY WAVE

One of the world’s most famous dance events, Summadayze returns to Perth in January next year and the line-up is so hot we swear the room’s heating up as we type this! Brace yourself for some Bonafied Lovin’, because Montreal’s Chromeo are bringing their funky electronic dancefloor act to Perth. Iconic UK wizard Erol Alkan will be here, and current #1 DJ in the world, Armin Van Buuren, will also bring his genredefying trance anthems to Perth fans. Pharell and his hip hop act N*E*R*D will perform an epic show on the back of new album Nothing, to be released later this year, and international producer du jour David Guetta brings his heart-pumping grooves. Bob Sinclar, Wolfgang Gartner, Rivastarr, Miami Horror, Yuksek, Aeroplane and Zombie Disco Squad complete the first round of announcements, with many more to come! Don’t waste any time getting your tickets – they’ll be on sale from 9am this morning, Thursday, August 19, through ticketmaster.com. au, 78 Records, Blue 62 (Busselton), DJ Factory, Live Clothing, Mills Records, Planet Video and Rockeby Records. Summadayze will take place on Saturday, January 8, at The Supreme Court Gardens. For more info on the artists be sure to check out summadayze.com. Now we’ve got something to keep us going through the rest of this woolly winter!

All hail the noise – Soundwave is back at Steel Blue Oval on Monday, March 7, 2011. And the powers that be – well, the internet – has announced the massive news that Iron Maiden will be headlining Australia’s greatest metal fest. Coinciding with this tour announcement, Iron Maiden’s highly anticipated new studio album The Final Frontier is released on Friday, August 13. The album features 10 tracks and will be released in a unique limited collector’s edition CD case. Joining Iron Maiden will be a string of mega-rockers including Queens Of the Stone Age, Slayer,Primus,Slash,30 Seconds To Mars,Rob Zombie,Avenged Sevenfold,Stone Sour,Social Distortion, Gang Of Four, New Found Glory, Pennywise, Sum 41 and many, many more. See our collector’s poster on page 50 for the full details – and nail it to your wall! Soundwave tickets go on-sale Thursday, August 26, and will fly out the door. Grab your tickets from soundwavefestival.com or ticketek.com.au.

Iron Maiden, playing Soundwave

THE SOUNDS OF THE SOUTH

X-Press Cover: X-Press celebrates 25 years. Photo by Amy Vinicombe. Salt cover: Kings Of Perth Hip Hop. Photo by Lisa Businovski.

Interpol, playing Southbound

THU AUG 12 8PM FREMANTLE RECORDS PRESENT

GRACE WOODROOFE JAMES TEAGUE OH! YOU PRETTY THINGS AND ECHOES OF DJANGO

MON AUG 16 8PM

Get excited boys and girls because the folks at Sunset Events have just announced the line-up for Southbound 2011… and it’s a ripper! Taking place from Saturday, January 1, ’til Monday, January 3, Southbound will feature sets from over 60 top notch acts including electro rockers Klaxons, Interpol, The National, The Rapture, Hot Hot Heat, Cold War Kids, Joan Jett And The Blackhearts, Paul Kelly, Public Enemy, Ladyhawke, The Soft Pack, The Living End, Eskimo Joe, Angus & Julia Stone, Birds Of Tokyo, Tame Impala, Bliss N Eso, Children Collide, Dan Sultan, The Middle East, The Beautiful Girls, Ash Grunwald, Cloud Control, Washington, Boy & Bear, Sally Seltmann, Dan Kelly, Jonathan Boulet, Last Dinosaurs, Tim & Jean, The Bamboos, Big Scary, Tijuana Cartel and World’s End Press. As if that wasn’t enough, 2011 Southbound attendees can expect DJ sets from Chris Baio of Vampire Weekend fame, A-Trak, Yacht Club DJs, Peaches, Edan the Dee-Jay and Sampology. A great selection of WA bands will also showcase their skills at Southbound, with acts such as The Chevelles, Pond,The Chemist,The Novocaines, Scotch Of St James, Grace Woodroofe, Ghost Hotel,The Silents, Split Seconds, Carus Thompson, The Growl, 6s & 7s and Boom! Bap! Pow!, all set to take to the stage. Presale registration is now open and closes at midnight on Thursday, August 26. So if you’re dying to get your hands on tickets, be sure to register before it’s too late. All you need to do to register for presale is hop on to southboundfestival.com.au and fill out the appropriate forms.

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X-Press is turning 25, and we’re inviting you to the party!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE LUCKY X-PRESS MAGAZINE 25th ANNIVERSARY PRIZE WINNERS GRAND PRIZE

RUNNER UP WINNERS Alex Brown Rebecca Coleman Shelley Howe Tamara Troode Michael Hare Shea Halge Paul Werndly Matt Morrison Tom O’Donovan Shane Turner

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See you all at the X-Press Magazine VIP Lounge for the Basement Birds and to collect your prizes

WINNER

Jamie Tan MAJOR PRIZE PACK includes: > Akai Midi Controller from Kosmic valued at $150 > One Gold double pass to One Movement for Music, valued at $240 > A Manbag from Generics Clothing > One double pass to Stereosonic on Sunday, November 28, valued at $260 > A pair of Shure headphones - SRH840’s (valued at $299) > A signed and framed Eskimo Joe poster thanks to The Newport > One double pass to Yolanda Be Cool and DCup at Ambar on Friday, August 20 > A double pass to Bass Kleph at Villa on Saturday, September 18 > 2 Tickets to Fashion Paramount at The Perth Fashion Festival 2010 > $200 gift voucher to use at The Saint Hotel > 3 double passes to prog-rock band, Dead Letter Circus, touring their debut album, This Is The Warning, at Capitol on Saturday, August 21 > 2 GA tickets to Jimmy Barnes, playing Sunday, November 21, Kings Park and Botanic Gardens > Fly By Night Star Membership, including two double passes to any Fly By Night show, complimentary drinks and more, valued at $200 > 10 x in-season tickets to the highly anticipated blockbuster action movie, The Expendables > 3 x double passes to Midnight Juggernauts and Dappled Cities on Saturday, August 14, at Capitol > A double pass to Knowledge Music’s 1st Birthday featuring DJ Marky at Villa on Saturday, August 21 > A $100 food & beverage voucher, plus 2 x double passes to the gig of your choice at The Rosemount Hotel > A $50 food and drink voucher and 2 Brass Monkey tshirts and beer glasses, thanks to The Brass Monkey > One complementary membership, free entry for 4, and $100 worth of tipping dollars at The Voodoo Lounge, valued at $360 > A mixed bag of awesome hats, keyrings, scarfs, beanies and other cool stuff valued at $100 thanks to The Mustang Bar > Duke/Duchess double membership for The Ellington Jazz Club (valued at $750) > Shiroi Neko t-shirt valued at $69 and a ladies Sourpuss t-shirt valued at $59 thanks to Vicious Delicious > A $100 food & beverage voucher for the Captain Stirling and free room hire & $100 worth of ﬁnger food for any function room booking > EMI CD Pack, including the latest from Paul Dempsey, The Chemical Brothers, Angus & Julia Stone, Cypress Hill, David Guetta and many, many more > 3 x double passes for Parades, on Saturday, August 28, at Ampliﬁer > A $200 Friday night out at Devilles, including 2 main courses, drinks and free club entry > $150 food and beverage voucher for use at The Paddo > Double pass to Kings of Perth Hip Hop Festival at the Rosemount Hotel on Friday, August 20 > $100 dinner for two, plus a ticket for two to the show of your choice – thanks to The Indi Bar > $100 food and beverage voucher to use at The Flying Scotsman

20 x RUNNER UP PRIZES. Each pack includes: > Double pass to a late night screening of cult phenomenon, The Room @ Luna Leederville > Double in-season pass to The Expendables > 1 x ticket to Radioactive (WAAPA) at Subiaco Arts Centre (September 9,10, and 11) > Universal Music CD Pack, featuring Washington, Clare Bowditch and The Like

Where: The Astor Theatre, Mt Lawley When: Friday, August 13 Who: Us, you and a friend and Basement Birds

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Got a Reaction? Email: editor@xpressmag.com.au

BIRTHDAY CHEER

Joe Cipriani

Just wanted to say a big Happy Birthday to everyone at X-Press! Twenty five years is no mean feat for a publication and like a fine wine or vintage cheese – you continue to get better with age. Here’s to another 25!

short of making me feel like anything is being done in the progression of Australia’s basic rights. England acknowledges it, California just abolished Prop 8 again to legalise gay marriage, but no news on our home front. I guess with people like Family First Candidate Wendy Francis comparing the legalisation of gay marriage with legalising child abuse, we have no hope in hell of being treated equally.

Jason Via Email

Angry Perthian Via Email

EAT, DRINK AND BE MARRIED

OKTOBERBINGE

Dear X-Press,

Re: ‘Oktoberban’ (#1225 Reactions) – I think Curtin University were spot on to cancel this event, which is essentially an event that makes provision for binge drinking. Australia’s binge drinking culture ruins young lives. The National Council on Drugs says every week up to 2,000 students are drinking at a harmful level. Should we really be promoting a day whose main aim is copious consumption of alcohol? I mean, at last year’s Oktoberfest in Munich an Australian was arrested four hours into the festival and accused of injuring two teenagers when he hurled a one litre stein into the crowd. Red Cross workers said 790 people were in need of treatment for drink-related injuries or because of excessive alcohol consumption at Oktoberfest. Is this really the kind of environment we want to

Dear X-Press,

Editorial

Tony, Via email

Local Music Editor

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Managing Editor Julian Tompkin

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HEAD, FIRST, DOWN

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Dear X-Press,

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Online Editor

Dear X-Press,

I really can’t stand all of this election crap. I’m sick of hearing about all of the promises offered by parties they don’t intend to keep, and leaders who don’t intend to properly acknowledge everyone’s basic rights. I’m gay and the fact that neither of the major parties is even acknowledging our rights is bull crap. On one side we have devoutly Catholic Tony Abbott who famously said he, like many people, feels threatened by gays, and then we have the not so scary atheist Julia Gillard, who, most probably by her parties decisions, does not wish to acknowledge marriage rights. Yes we have the Greens and the Australian Sex party, but that seems to fall

replicate in our universities? Well done Curtin, for setting the example – hopefully other WA universities will follow suite.

I’m from Perth but have spent most of my life overseas. I do my best to support Aussie artists including Whitley’s final tour ever at Manhattan’s Bar in Victoria Park. Unfortunately the crowd spent the evening talking over Whitley’s set and thumbing their mobile phones. I’m confused as to why someone would pay to see an artist perform then behave as if the music is nothing more than background noise. Whitley pleaded with the crowd to please listen or leave the venue. Request denied. Did I mention this was a solo acoustic show in a small space? Whitley’s very last show in Perth? Now take a moment to consider why some bands don’t tour here. Distance isn’t the only reason. Wake up Dullsville!

David Craddock

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Special Projects Editor Bob Gordon

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Photography Michael Wylie, Lisa Businovski, Matt Jelonek, Amy Vinicombe, David Chong

Contributing Writers Alfred Gorman, Chris Havercroft, Angus Paterson, Grant McCulloch, Tim Stewart, Drew Turney, Joshua Hayes, George Green, Tanya McNaughton, Kate Gilbertson,Josie Smith,Brett Leigh-Dicks,Chris Gibbs, Benjamin Strick, Glen Canning, Glen Hayes, Reuben Adams, Yasmin Sheriff, Ben Watson, Amy Vinicombe, Clint Morris, Eddie Gnanapragasam, Adam Jones, Tilman Robinson, Laura Glitsos

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P.S. First and last show at Manhattan’s. Thanks for screening a Peter Sellers movie during a live performance. Genius!

Brian Newnham

Entertainment Venues / Live Promoters Luke Andrioff

Salt / Movies / Agency / Education Chris Coufos

Send your name, address and daytime phone number to win@xpressmag.com.au with the name of the competition in the subject line. Entries close 4pm Monday. X-Press Magazine will not give your details to any third party or send unsolicited with Emma Brandon emails. Snail mail entries can be sent to: Locked Bag 31, West Perth 6872.

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STRENGTH AND HONOUR

Production

We have five copies of Strength And Honour to giveaway to our lucky readers, thanks to Vendetta Films and Warner Home Entertainment. This gripping film tells the story of an IrishAmerican boxer who accidently kills his friend while in the ring. After promising his mate’s wife that he’ll never fight again, he comes face to face with a decision involving his family that can make or break them all. Get your entries in now!

THE KILLER INSIDE ME

The Killer Inside Me tells the tale of Lou Ford, a handsome, charming and unassuming small town deputy Sheriff with many problems. After being accused of being the West Texas murderer, Lou finds himself in a violent, savage and bleak universe where nothing is ever what it seems. We have ten double passes to giveaway for a preview screening on Saturday, August 21, at Luna Cinemas. So get your entries in to enjoy this dark, stylish film!

Chantelle O’Connor

In Cop Out Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan play a comical duo of NYPD partners who are on the hunt for a gangster in possession of a very special item. We have four DVD copies to giveaway to this hilarious laugh out loud movie that’s not to be missed!

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Art Direction Steve Makse

Design + Production

art@xpressmag.com.au Dwight O’Neil, Vaughn Hockey, Kara Smith

Splice Clash Of The Titan

CLASH OF THE TITANS

Jump into a mythological world of epic action and adventure with Clash Of The Titans. We have three Blu-Ray and DVD combo packs to giveaway to our lucky readers. Enjoy the journey of Perseus (Sam Worthington) who was born a god but raised as a man who gets involved in a raging war between men, kings and gods, with many mythical surprises along the way. Get your entries in now to win one of these magical prize packs!

MADIGAN MINE

Get your entries in to win one of five copies of Kirstyn McDermotts new compelling and darkly seductive supernatural thriller, Madigan Mine. Alex lives his life in dead end jobs, has relationship troubles and is basically stuck in a rut, until he meets Madigan Sargood and his life changes forever. This is one gripping novel you won’t be able to put down!

Printing Rural Press Printing Mandurah

SPLICE

Splice is a relentlessly suspenseful thriller that will leave you speechless. We have ten double passes to giveaway. Clive (Adrien Brody) and Elsa (Sarah Polley) are superstar genetic engineers who specialise in splicing together DNA from different animals to create incredible new hybrids. They begin to conduct their own experiment which results in Dren, an amazing, beautiful creature that starts off as a blessing but may end up their worst nightmare. This gripping movie is not to be missed!

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CAB AUDITED CIRCULATION: 37,000 COPIES; OCTOBER 2009 - MARCH 2010

Deadlines EDITORIAL General Arts Comp’ Thing Clubber’s Guide X-tras Gig Guide

Scott Pilgrim has an awesome life. He’s 23 years old, is in a band and is dating a cute high school girl. Scott soon realises that dating the girl of his dreams involves battling it out with her seven evil exes, who are coming to kill him. We have five merchandise prize packs to giveaway that include a t-shirt, beanie, movie soundtrack and a double pass to see the film. Get your entries in now to win one of these fabulous prize packs! Cop Out

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SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD

COP OUT

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Running Trax

RUNNING TRAX

Get ready to sweat with Ministry Of Sound’s first Australian fitness release. Running Trax is a three disc set, providing a three stage running soundtrack and in-sleeve fitness tips so you can get started on that winter workout. Including motivating mixes from The Black Eyed Peas, Empire Of The Sun, Dizzee Rascal and many more. We have five copies to giveaway, so get your body moving and get your entries in!

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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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Wave Rock Lamb Of God

PAPER, SCISSORS… ROCK Muse

YOU SNOOZE, YOU LOSE MUSE

If you’ve been tossing up about whether or not to go to Muse’s Perth concert at Steel Blue Oval on Sunday, December 19, well time’s a ticking and we all know the early bird gets the concert ticket! Tickets for their Perth show are almost sold out so you’ll have to act fast if you want to get in on the action. Sources tell us that Muse will be arriving with 16 semi trailers full of equipment for their Australian tour, promising big things for those in attendance. Tickets are on sale now from Ticketek.

The Wave Rock Weekender event is almost here, boasting the power of five; music, camping, nature, films and people. Tickets are now on sale to make the pilgrimage up to Wave Rock for a truly unique arts festival in the heart of the ancient rock. Brilliant artists like Bob Log III, The Joe Kings and Abbe May will be heading to the event for a spiritual festival that aims to rebel against the repetition, commercialism and shallowness of the modern festival. The Wave Rock Weekender is about great food, great films, super high quality caravan park camping, a huge salt pool for swimming and that sweet, sweet rock. The weekend is not a sponsored event and not a funded event – instead, it’s built by people who love it, for patrons and artists who love it too. The Wave Rock Weekender runs for two days and nights, over Saturday, September 25, and Sunday, September 26. Grab your tickets from soulhighway.com.au or heatseeker.com.au.

THERE A CLARE IN THERE

A Tribe Called Quest

MASKED AND READY

Get ready for a night of glitz and glamour as the highly anticipated Pride WA MASKerade Ball and Glammy Awards return to Perth in 2010. The formal night at the Riverside Ballroom in The Novotel Langley Hotel is the fanciest night in the calendar for the Perth GLBTQI scene, ahead of the 2010 Pride Festival. The MC for the night is none other than Narelda Jacobs, the glamorous Channel 10 news reader and will include a champagne cocktail on arrival, a sumptuous three course meal and drinkies all night! The fantastic entertainment and music on the night comes from Hit Factory, and prizes will be awarded for the best mask. As well as the excitement of the ball, the Glammy Awards will be bestowed upon local businesses, organisations and people that have made outstanding contributions to the GLBTQI community. It all happens on Saturday, August 28, and tickets are on sale now for $160, or $140 for current pride members, from pridewa.asn.au.

JAZZ BITE

PERTH TRIBE

On the eve of their first ever Australian tour, hip hop legends A Tribe Called Quest will blow the roof off what will be one of only two shows they’ve ever played in the southern hemisphere over the course of their 20 year career. Band members Phife Dawg and Ali Shaheed Muhumed will take you on a guided tour down the paths of rhythm as they present the Native Tongues Mixtape; a live recreation of Phife’s brand new solo material, plus classic Tribe Called Quest and Native Tongues tracks interwoven with covers from artists that have inspired the duo. And just to make it even better, the supremely cool hip hop duo have invited several international guests from the Native Tongues stable to share the stage with them. Hit up peacemusic.com.au for more info on who will be joining them at this groundbreaking hip hop event. A Tribe Called Quest will be hitting The Bakery on Friday, December 3. Grab your tickets from The Bakery, Planet Video or Mills Records from Thursday, August 19.

Last year’s Live At The Quarry season was a must see event of the summer. And the good news is it’s back again for this summer season with a fresh line-up of stars. Live At The Quarry has given X-Press a teaser of what to expect from the season, with the announcement that Clare Bowditch will be playing on Wednesday, December 8 – hot off the release of her new album, Modern Day Addiction this week. This is Bowditch’s fourth studio album and is a contagious, satirical, yet heart-achingly tender album about humanity and the eternal struggle for meaning. This announcement is huge news for Live At The Quarry fans and will ensure another successful season. Expect the full season line-up next week, and stay tuned with all the latest Quarry news at liveatthequarry. com.au.

ENTER LAMB-M AN

Brace yourselves metal fans as the amazing special guests have now been confirmed for Metallica’s Australian tour. Metal five piece Lamb Of God have been invited along for the noisy ride, as have US heavy metallers Baroness. Lamb Of God made their way to the top of the independent metal scene through years of hard work and touring – six studio albums later and Lamb Of God have proved themselves one of metal’s most inventive and unrelenting bands. Baroness made their recording debut back in 2005 with First, a three song EP. In 2007 they released their first studio album, The Red Album, and after touring heavily returned to the studio for The Blue Record in ’09. This will be a massive event on the metal calendar – and it all comes to Burswood Dome over two nights, on Friday, October 22, and Saturday, October 23. Tickets are available now from ticketek.com.au.

Kings Of Leon

ALL HEIL THE KINGS

Clare Bowditch

Those southern brothers (and cousin) The Kings Of Leon are back with their fifth studio album, Come Around Sundown, this October. The new album was recorded in New York at Avatar Studios and produced once again by Angelo Pertaglia and Jacquire King. Come Around Sundown is the follow up to their mammoth success, Only By The Night, which sold over 6 million copies and went 9 x platinum in Australia alone; spending an incredible 14 weeks at #1 in the ARIA Charts. The Nashville release Come Around Sundown on Friday, October 15.

Jazz Reggae group, The Vampires are undertaking their Sound Traveller’s National Tour in August and September to promote their second CD, Chellowdene. The guys are heading to The Ellington Jazz Club next month as part of the tour, bringing their unique blend of soulful jazz, old school reggae and South American music. The Vampires have one eye on the future of Australian music and one nod to the past, paying homage to the greats, like Bernie McGann and Bob Marley. The Vampires play The Ellington Jazz Club on Wednesday, September 15. Table tickets are $15 and standing tickets are $10. Book your tickets at ellingtonjazz.com.au.

Edward Kowalczyk

STILL ALIVE The Charlatans

YOU CHARLATAN

After amazing audiences in Sydney and Melbourne back in ’08, The Charlatans have just announced they are finally coming to Perth in November. Celebrating their 20th anniversary in the music biz, the guys are releasing their 11th studio album, Who We Touch, on September 17 – set to be their boldest expedition yet. The unmistakable sound of the five-man-strong band comes to Metro Freo on Monday, November 15. Tickets are available from custommade.com.au, heatseeker.com.au and the usual ticket outlets. Human Nature

ONLY HUMAN Australia’s answer to boy-bands, Human Nature will touch down in Australia this December fresh from an extended season in Las Vegas. On Sunday, December 12, Human Nature will spread pre-Christmas cheer at Kings Park with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, which promises to be a fantastic live show. Expect tracks from the band’s forthcoming album including A Little Less Conversation and That’s Life. Tickets for the show are on sale now from Ticketmaster and waso.com.au. Australia’s highest circulating Street Press

RAINING PLEASURE

Founding member of the 1970s revolutionary band Joy Division, Peter Hook is bringing Unknown Pleasures to Australia for the first time. Back in 1979 Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures album was released – a document that would define an era and inspire a new generation of bands. Peter Hook and friends are now heading to Australia to perform the album in its entirety for the first time ever in our fine country. Fans will also be treated to live performances of other early Joy Division tracks, as well as the classic non album singles Transmission and Love Will Tear Us Apart. It all happens on Thursday, September 30, at The Astor. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, Friday, August 13, and are available from ticketek.com.au.

The former lead singer of Live, Edward Kowalczyk will head to the great land down under this October and November for a national tour. With a new band and plenty of fresh tracks from his solo release Alive, Kowalczyk’s last Australian tour sold out quickly so you’ll have to get in fast to nab tickets to his show at Metropolis Fremantle on Monday, November 8. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Thursday, August 19, from Ticketek.

FUNNY ISLAND BABY

The line-up has just been announced for WA’s very own battle of the comedians. Rottofest’s Launch The Comedian will pit eight of Australia’s funniest up and coming comedians against each other for a massive $5,000 prize to launch their careers to the next level. The night will be hosted by funny man Merrick Watts, with each comedian allowed 15 minutes to show their best material. The line-up for the night features Jimmy James Eaton (WA), Adam Keily (SA), Jeff Hewitt (WA), Jacques Barrett (NSW), Shayne Hunter (QLD), Nick Cody (VIC), Kee Hau Lee Jackson (SA) and Giggle McChuckles (WA). Tickets for the event are now available at rottofest.com.au – and make sure to check out the full array of film and music on offer, as part of the second annual Rottofest. Day Tripper passes are now also available for $65, including return ferry, funny films, stand up comedy, the community beat bunker and special lunch offers. This special ticket is available on Saturday, August 28 or Sunday, August 29.

Guttermouth

POTTY MOUTH Dead Meadow

DEADLY

On Wednesday, October 13, indie kids and metal heads will come together – not to fight but to share their love of American pyschrockers Dead Meadow. Known for their reverb drenched guitars and thudding beats, Dead Meadow will touch down in Perth to share their love of ’70s hard rock and ’60s psychedelia at Amplifier. Joining Dead Meadow on the tour will be Nadja, who promise to sonically assault all in attendance, with local acts The Silents and Young Revelry. Tickets are on sale now from Heatseeker, Mills, 78s and Planet.

Calling All Cars, playing Hyperfest

TOTALLY HYPER

On Sunday, September 5, the Midland Railway Workshops will be converted into a shrine for the worship of music thanks to Hyperfest, Perth’s best all-ages festival. Kicking off at 11am, Hyperfest will feature sets from a slew of awesome bands including Art Vs Science, Calling All Cars, Pez, Tim & Jean, British India, Cowtown, We Are The Emergency, The Brow Horn Orchestra, Voltaire Twins, Art In Algebra, Mandalay Victory, Fools Rush In, Colour The Sky and The Decline. Tickets to this choc-a-block festival are only $16 from Heatseeker, Wendy’s Midland, Frozen Moments Midland, 78 Records, Mills, and Liquid Surf Midland.

GOD IS IN THE HOUSE

Don’t forget that this Sunday, August 15, is the last chance for you to secure your early bird tickets for the 2010 Godskitchen White Party at Metro City. The world’s 15th ranked best DJ Andy Moor will headline a night of non-stop musical elevation – and don’t forget to wear white. Moor is joined by world #24 DJ John O’Callaghan, Marcel Woods, Wippenberg, Jon O’Bir and a whole host of Perth’s finest. It all happens on Friday, October 8, at Metro City. Early bird tickets are $70, and as of Monday, tickets bump up to $85. Grab your tickets now from ticketmaster.com.au, inthemix.com.au, 78 Records, Mills Records, Live Clothing or Planet Video.

KEEP WALKING

Australian Idol superstar Stan Walker will head to Perth this weekend for the 92.9 Sunday Session. Kicking off at 6pm at The Rivervale on Sunday, August 15, the Sunday Session promises to be the perfect way to end the week.

starr special events

MARK SEYMOUR

Performing songs from his solo career & Hunters & Collectors favourites.

AUGUST 2010

ROSS WILSON

Forget everything you know about Boston hardcore and prepare yourself for Death Before Dishonour. After already playing over 1,000 shows across the world, the hardcore powerhouse is headed to our fine shores this September. With five albums and two 7”s to their name, DBD have definitely earned a place in hardcore history. Death Before Dishonour will be joined by Brisbane’s Against and Sydney’s Relentless, to penetrate your eardrums in a hardcore frenzy. Death Before Dishonour will be hitting Amplifier on Friday, September 10, with an all-ages gig at YMCA HQ on Saturday, September 11. Tickets are only available at the door.

(DADDY COOL/MONDO ROCK)

Fri 3rd

Fly By Night Club Fremantle

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Diesel

GRINDIN’ DIESEL

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Sat 14

Armed with the most extensive and eclectic collection of guitars, Diesel is about to hit the road for his 7 Axes To Grind national tour. Over his many years as a performer, the multi ARIA award winning Diesel has explored loads of string instruments, even co-designing the Diesel Mini for Maton Guitars. Now, for the first time, Diesel will show Australia the origins of these instruments and the unique role they’ve played in his music. Catch Diesel when he plays A Day On The Green at Kings Park & Botanic Gardens on Sunday, November 21.

Sat 4th

Charles Hotel North Perth

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Reunion of Legendary Aussie Country Rock Band

DEAR ANGUS & JULIA

THE DINGOES

Luluc have been announced as the support for Angus And Julia Stone’s national tour. Hailing all the way from New York, it’ll be their first ever appearance in WA. Luluc’s Zoe Randell and Steve Hassett will pack their little suitcases and perform songs from their acclaimed debut, Dear Hamlyn, plus brand new songs from their forthcoming 2011 album. They float into Perth on Saturday, September 18, to play Fremantle Arts Centre – a show which has since sold out. However, you can still snap up tickets for the second show on Sunday, September 19, at the same beautiful venue. Grab your tickets from oztix.com.au or heatseeker.com.au.

AUGUST 2010 Fri 21st

Featuring...

Charles Hotel North Perth

John Bois,

TICKETS FROM

Kerryn Tolhurst,

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Sat 22nd

HONOURABLE MEN

“I Come In Peace” Tour September 2010

Fri 13th

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The last time Californian rockers Guttermouth visited Australia, they travelled to all the major capital cities with massive sold out shows, far surpassing fans’ expectations. Now they are returning in October for a massive Australasian tour that will see them visit every capitol city, regional areas, South East Asia and New Zealand. All in a day’s work for one of the hardest working punk rock bands in the world. What’s more is this epic journey is being recorded by Brisbane lilmmaker Rhys Day for his upcoming documentary. Guttermouth will be hitting the Rosemount Hotel on Wednesday, October 13.

Chris Stockley &

Fly By Night Club Fremantle

Broderick Smith

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Ouch My Face

OUCHIE

JAMES REYNE SEPTEMBER 2010

IAN MOSS

Aussie Music Icon & Founding Member of COLD CHISEL

SEPTEMBER 2010

Thur 16

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Fri 17th

Ravenswood Hotel Ravenswood TICKETS FROM VENUE PH 95376054

Sat 18th

Charles Hotel North Perth

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Fri 3rd

Hailing from Melbourne town, Ouch My Face is a three-piece act that likes to rock with their own brand of experimental punk. Having opened for bands such as The Bronx, Handsome Furs and Shonen Knife, Ouch My Face will have audiences thrashing when they take to the stage of Manhattans on Friday, October 22, and Mojo’s on Sunday, October 24. Tickets are on sale now from Heatseeker, Mills and Planet.

Charles Hotel North Perth TICKETS FROM VENUE PH 94441051 & BOCS OUTLETS PH 94841133

Sat 4th

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www.starrspecialevents.com.au 18

www.xpressmag.com.au

”Music is interesting right now tome. It’s hard to look around and pick artists that you feel have a lot of staying power. Just being honest. But I think Ray LaMontagne is hot right now.” JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE

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Australia’s highest circulating Street Press

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JOE CIPRIANI Addicted To Ink They say life, death and taxes are unavoidable, and apart from these constants, there aren’t too many things in life that remain certain. However for the past 25 years, Perth residents, shopkeepers and publicans have come to know that a big bundle of magazines marked ‘X’ will land on their doorsteps at the same time every week – bringing them the week’s guide to music, entertainment, and lifestyle. Over this time, dozens of staff members have come and gone through the magazine’s doors, and six editors have steered its editorial content. But ever since the first tiny 15 page lime-green coloured X-Press hit the pavement on Friday, June 14, 1985 (for its first few issues the magazine was released on a Friday) owner and publisher Joe Cipriani has remained a constant. Not too big on self promotion, there have only been a handful of interviews or photos of Cipriani printed throughout the magazine in a quarter of a century. But seeing as though we know where his office is, and exactly what time he goes to lunch, we’ve cornered him here for an ‘X-Press Exclusive’. Having spent 15 years as a drummer in touring rock bands, Cipriani established X-Press as an offshoot of his poster-focused printing business Encore Productions in 1985. Three years earlier, he had started a short-lived evening entertainment paper called The Five O’Clock news, a precursor to today’s X-Press. Here, he reflects on the changes he has witnessed in the print media, the bands he has seen rise through the ranks of the Western Australian music scene, and what it takes to survive in an entertainment industry that thrives on late-nights and larger than life personalities.

was in, even at the age of 15… Music and print were the two things I’ve always liked and I’ve never really wanted to venture out of that.

By DAVID CRADDOCK

“IN THE TUART HILL

Let’s start when you were a young man leaving school - what did you want to do with your life? At the age of 15, third year high school, I already had a drum kit and I was already in a school band, but it was like a neighbourhood band. As a matter of fact, the singer in that band, Mick Bruno, his son is Adam Brand as it turns out. But it was just basically a hick neighbourhood band.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WHERE

There are a hell of a lot of larger than life personalities in the entertainment industry. Do you think that not really being concerned with ego has helped you survive 25 years in an industry full of big personalities? You’ve got to be a marathon runner – that’s something I’ve always believed in. Someone once said to me ‘when are you going to give up doing what you do?’ and I said ‘when you drop dead – that’s when you give up’. When you can’t stand and you fall over that’s when you give up. In order to make it in the long term, like some of the musical greats, it is a marathon and you’ve got to preserve yourself along the way. I reckon I’d go to four or five funerals per year – maybe more – of guys that are getting close to 60 and they’ve just been very unlucky and maybe they’ve indulged a bit here and there and their health has just gone down the drain. To have a passion and that drive to continue on a straight line, something’s got to drive that, but it doesn’t have to be ego. It can just be pure dedication; the love of doing it.

WE GREW UP EVERYONE WAS PLAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND BUGGERISING AROUND IN BACK ROOMS. I WAS

Did you have aspirations to go into business? JUST SWEPT UP IN THAT I had no aspirations of studying at all. I couldn’t wait to get out. It was the late WHOLE THING – IN THOSE ’60s and that’s when the whole Beatles and Rolling Stones music revolution thing was DAYS YOU’D BUY SINGLES happening. Everyone was getting into music and, as far as studying to do anything, I had AND RECORDS. I NEVER no aspirations whatsoever. I just wanted to leave school and get a job somewhere. In the BELIEVED THAT YOU Tuart Hill neighbourhood where we grew up everyone was playing musical instruments NEEDED TO STUDY TO and buggerising around in back rooms. I was just swept up in that whole thing – in those GET AHEAD IN LIFE.” days you’d buy singles and records. I never believed that you needed to study to get ahead in life. In our neighbourhood we were just your average suburban family. The folks all Throughout the history of the magazine you did manual labour, they weren’t too educated. would’ve seen a hell of a lot of bands go from tiny back rooms to becoming national, My old man was a baker all his life. or even international, success stories. Have In some ways you’ve stayed quite true to you had a favourite along the way that your initial aim then – in the 25 years of you’ve enjoyed watching develop? Just being part of that is a good X-Press you’ve been constantly surrounded by music and musicians buggerising thing. In the past couple of years the ones around! You’ve also had to be constantly that I think I’ve really liked to see is Ian Kenny out on the streets and dealing with people and his bands Karnivool and Birds Of Tokyo in the nightlife community. What is it about – I try and get to all of their gigs. And British that entertainment world that excites you? India, out of Melbourne. Also The Volcanics I suppose it’s just the disease. Being are older rockers that believe in what they’re addicted to the entertainment industry and doing – those kind of guys. People like Dave also you get addicted to ink on paper. People Hole, Mark Lizotte and Suze DeMarchi. And of that are in the print industry stay in that course in recent years the whole Steele family industry. They just like the idea of producing with Empire Of The Sun, The Sleepy Jackson something. I was always an entrepreneurial and Little Birdy. Through the ’80s, in particular, type, I’ve always run any of the bands that I things were on a different level; there was a lot of money around and bands were doing all sorts of things to promote themselves – you’d go to about six or eight gigs a week. In one night you’d go to three gigs. There’s always bands you’d like to see do something. The one that I’m keen to see do something right now is Porsah Lane, who is more of an R&B and hip hop act. She’s only young but I think she’s really good.

The 5 O’Clock News: a precursor to X-Press 20

Quite a key event that you would have witnessed in the Perth music scene is the switch from cover bands dominating the scene to original bands. As the industry evolves have you constantly had to change the magazine accordingly? The cover scene and the beer barns is what lifted the WA industry. It spiked the industry because it made it affordable for the original bands. Generally speaking, the original bands – the people making new music – were the poor bands, not the rich ones. They played in back alleys and small dingy rooms, with the wheels not turning in a commercial sense – but the original bands jumped onto the huge wheel that was turning in the ’80s cover scene. Fortunately guys like Peter Hayes, who runs the Oxford now, his company managed four

Joe Cipriani, X-Press owner and publisher (Photo: David Craddock)

or five bands and controlled 70 per cent of the big rooms, and they believed in original bands. They had their own recording studio and were always pushing original music. They convinced the cover bands to start writing songs. They’re the ones that actually said to the room operators ‘if you want us to book all of these cover bands make sure that you allow some space for the original bands’. In a sense, one feeds off the other. In the last decade a major change that has occurred in regards to the way people read about music is the internet. In the mid ’90s, when the internet was first becoming common place, was it a worry for you? It’s never been a worry and it’s not a worry today. The print industry itself, unlike the record industry, has got control of their own industry. They have upgraded their presses, and they’ve put in all of the technology to make it work for them. Print is thriving – okay certain areas have dropped – but others have increased like the magazine format. We were, in a way, fortunate in that we were one of the first in Perth to have a magazine format before the newspapers got into magazines. The Western Suburbs Weekly and The Sunday Times started introducing all these inserts and stuff like that but we were always a magazine format in the first place. With entertainment, the internet is added value but it isn’t the main source of income. The magazine is unavoidably ‘on the street’ – it’s in your lunchroom, on the train, at your hairdresser. Do you think this is one of the factors that has kept X-Press so strong, that visual presence? We have the ability to jump the queue – we’re able to provide information to the general public for free and they’ve got ownership of the product. It can sit on their coffee table. At the end of the day, sitting in front of a computer is great, but how many sites can you go to, where do you draw the line…? Fundamentally we are saying ‘this

is what’s on this week in terms of arts and entertainment – it’s all contained in one read’. You can go out on your back veranda, sit in the sun under a tree somewhere and it’s no different to reading a book. It’s not a matter of eliminating print and just sticking to online reading – that’s not how people think. They like to be entertained in different ways. You started out as rock’n’roll guy printing posters in a shed – and you weren’t necessarily trained in running a magazine. Have there been moments in the magazine’s history where you’ve said ‘shit what do we do now?’. We’ve learnt along the way. As I always say, we’re from the streets. I picked up books and read up on things. You just pick things up along the way. I’ve thrown the punches with the best of them and I know how to deal with corporate people and I have a lot of fun with it. I understand that side of it and I always have. We’ve always had a good business structure. One of the most fun early memories was probably when I had the print shop in Joondanna in the basement of the house before starting X-Press. It was on the side of the hill, and you’d print rock posters, and the Farriss brothers [who would go on to form INXS] came in to print their first poster. All the bands would rock up in the driveway and they’d come through the bowels under the house, and there’d be print fumes and drum kits in the corner and whatever else. Any of those bands coming through, the promoter would send them there to pick up their posters. In many ways it hasn’t really changed, now you’re just stapling the posters together and putting articles between them. [Laughs] that’s right! So can I come back and interview you here in another 25 years – will the magazine still be going? I don’t know about me, but I think the publication will. www.xpressmag.com.au

THE KEY OF X The Revolution Will Be Printed After more than 150 years living in the shadows of its more flamboyant eastern siblings, Perth was finally ready to reset the national balance in 1985 – and it had a not-so-secret weapon called . JULIAN TOMPKIN revisits the front line of the culture wars,the battle for Perth and the birth of a media revolution. Life is built on landmark occasions – moments that define a place and its people. Moments – however understated or grandiloquent – which forever alter what comes next. 1985 would prove such a marker for one sleepy little city in the sands of the Indian Ocean. And it was a very green revolution indeed. The very first issue of ‘The X-Press’ hit the streets – literally – in 1985. A downsized version of what you have in your hands now, it was bright green and boasted on the cover ‘out fortnightly on Fridays’. The iconic magenta X wouldn’t arrive until a few years later. But more profoundly, that green cover also proclaimed that the magazine was ‘free’. Who would have thought such a simple word would prove such a revolution. This media ‘revolution’ can be traced back to 1982 and the arrival of X-Press’ predecessor, the 5 O’Clock News. A daily entertainment tabloid, the magazine would fold after just 17 issues. But despite its failure, Publisher Joe Cipriani quickly realised he had stumbled upon a new formula; one which would rewrite Australian publishing history for good – the free entertainment magazine. National music media had two ruling titles in the mid ’80s: Juke and Ram. Both paid newsstand magazines, they would come to dominate Australian entertainment publishing. But 1985 would prove a tumultuous year in the media for Ram would suddenly fold, with Juke closing shop shortly after. Back in Perth, after a few years of rebuilding post 5 O’Clock News, Cipriani would return in July of ’85 with his new title, X-Press. And it didn’t go unnoticed. Over in Sydney the X-Press/5 O’Clock News model was being closely emulated with the launch of On The Street Magazine – a title that would sadly fold in the mid-‘90s. And slowly, one-by-one, the cities would fall: Drum in Sydney, Beat in Melbourne, Time Out in Brisbane, Rip It Up in Adelaide, The Brag and 3D in Sydney, Inpress in Melbourne, Rave in Brisbane, DB in Adelaide. Street press had arrived. These magazines were subsequently followed by a string of new titles which came and went, including Revolver, Zebra and Perth’s own Hype. What proved a turning point in printing also proved a boon for Perth, for now the city had its own alternative voice – and that meant a lot in a small town where cantankerous shock-jocks ruled the day and The West Australian and Sunday Times (plus longsince departed mastheads The Daily News and Sunday Independent) ruled with a parochial fist. Drugs, sex, expletives, rock’n’roll shenanigans and a delicious cocktail of extremities – nothing was out-of-bounds for X-Press. It all came with the territory in fact, for in the ’80s – as it is now – rock’n’roll was the land of the contemporary outlaw. And in that land anything went! Back when Perth had grown used to waking up to news of another sunny weather forecast, burnt pumpkin scones and Mrs Duncan of Subiaco’s stolen letterbox, X-Press was a rude and unprecedented jolt to the cranium. However, besides its revolt against Perth’s reputation as fizzle-town, X-Press was the first publication to treat WA music with the respect it deserved. As ‘Greeny’ in the very first issue proclaimed: “We wish to deliver an honest and critical appraisal of our local talent, and the problems faced by the music industry in general”. Greeny couldn’t have known how prophetic his words would be, for in simply being X-Press solved perhaps the greatest issue facing WA musicians – it gave them a voice. And with that voice they sang. Whether it was in a dark and damp suburban pub or on the world’s biggest stages, they sang and sang until Perth was finally heard. “I can’t imagine my life without X-Press,” Eskimo Joe’s frontman Kav Temperley recently said. “Eskimo Joe and X-Press always went hand in hand – it gave us our first big break. I still pick it up every Thursday and read it over my coffee. It’s just the way it is.” X-Press, indeed, is just that – the way it is. It changed the rules – reset the boundaries, and continues to do so as it delves deeper into art, fashion, film and culture. It gave voice to the voiceless, and invited Perth for a walk on the wild side – and Perth willingly accepted (okay, maybe some not-so-willingly). Twenty five years on we may be the longest running street press in the country, but we’re still big kids at heart. To all of you who have joined us on the journey, heartfelt gratitude. And to our new passengers, salutations. As they say on the stage, you’ve been a wonderful audience. Now it’s time for act two… Australia’s highest circulating Street Press

“X-PRESS SOLVED PERHAPS THE GREATEST ISSUE FACING WA MUSICIANS – IT GAVE THEM A VOICE. AND WITH THAT VOICE THEY SANG. WHETHER IT WAS IN A DARK AND DAMP SUBURBAN PUB OR ON THE WORLD’S BIGGEST STAGES, THEY SANG AND SANG UNTIL PERTH WAS FINALLY HEARD.”

The first edition of ‘The X-Press’, July 1985

25 years on

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Australia’s highest circulating Street Press

CAPTAIN X-PRESS Ed Says WENDY ALLEN X-PRESS EDITOR 1985-86 I’d just returned to Perth after a year of immersing myself in bands and music in the UK when Joe Cipriani (X-Press Publisher) asked me to work with him on a music and entertainment mag he was launching – perfect timing! Perth (unlike now) had four newspapers – Daily News, West Australian, Sunday Times and Sunday Independent – all covering music, albeit in a corporate fashion. Most people thought Joe was crazy to undertake such a big venture into that environment but Joe wanted to create a paper that reflected the lively Perth industry – rough and ready, warts and all. At that stage, live music in Perth was booming. Bands of every nature and style played every night of the week and a plethora of venues – from suburban beer barns to inner city corners such as The Wizbah, Old Melbourne, The Shents, Red Parrot – catered to audiences of all sizes and types. Yes, there were a lot of cover bands but also loads of credible, talented original musicians – all getting heard. So it was into that environment that we got to work, from our office in Lake Street Northbridge. Our small team were hands on: answering phones, writing stories, banging

Wendy Allen

on advertisers’ doors, cutting and pasting text (in those days, literally cutting out printed text with a scalpel and pasting onto proofs with hot wax!), driving the pages to the printer and getting X-Press on the streets. It was madness; it was fulfilling and fun. Eventually and slowly, the tables turned. Bands, promoters, record companies, venues and advertisers started calling us. Our office was constantly busy with bands and managers dropping in to see us. We looked to expand our horizons and we began our foray into fashion. Our early efforts showed promise. We helped Melanie Greensmith promote her fledgling label (Wheels & Dollbaby); Kirstie Clements (now Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Australia) wrote our fashion column. X-Press gradually became a part of Perth’s social fabric. My outstanding memory of that time is of Joe and I chasing piglets around a pig farm. For our birthday issue, we’d decided to have on the front cover a photo of a piglet blowing out candles on a birthday cake – we just had to catch one first. It was an idea outside the box – pursued with gusto, passion and a little bit of craziness, and it paid off. We captured the moment, it worked. Much like X-Press itself, through the last 25 years. Stupendous achievement.

SCOTT HOWLETT X-PRESS EDITOR 1986-89 AND 1993-98 Laughed? We almost had to excuse ourselves from the room. With X-Press Magazine staff gathered around to talk about what we were going to say in the entire spread, someone pulled out the first ever magazine. A few people actually did leave the room with tears rolling down their rosy cheeks, as the rest of us laughed ourselves silly at Mick O’Hara – hat in hand, jumping starfish-style announcing that he was X-Tatic about X-Press. In those days, the cover was pasted together and slapped on a board and sent to the printers. Nowadays, as this page bears testament, we’re computer driven. By 1988, we’d looked at the market and decided that variety indeed was the spice of life. In a first for the Australian publishing industry, X-Press Magazine debunked the theory that predominately music-based publications which were free could not also report on fashion, lifestyle, art and cinema, and do it in a way that wasn’t tokenistic, but integral to the overall item. “You’ll become a fashion magazine,” some critics with guitars in the corner of their bedrooms screamed, “we just want music.” The criticism ceased as the magazine grew in size and people realised that they were actually getting more of everything, simply because the magazine was becoming more popular with everybody; not least of all the hotels, clubs, cafes, boutiques and fashion houses – among others – who were soon coming to realise that X-Press Magazine was Western Australia’s number one magazine for those aged between 18 and 35. Everyone wanted a piece. This is your magazine. That’s all…

BOB GORDON X-PRESS EDITOR 1998-2001 AND 2006-2010 Being involved with X-Press Magazine has become a cornerstone of my life. When you consider that I’ve actually resigned twice from the place yet am still involved and, more to the point, considered close to the heart of it, it really shows how important it has been to me. I was first published in X-Press in 1991 and every article - for publications here and overseas - or jobs I have done since has been a direct result of the time and experience spent there. It has documented Perth life for 25 years and has become part of the culture itself. It didn’t do my social life any harm, either. Cheers!

www.xpressmag.com.au

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Australia’s highest circulating Street Press

Michael Dwyer with Meat Loaf

MICHAEL DWYER X-PRESS EDITOR 1989-1993 Twenty-two years ago, I handwrote my first ever gig review on a foolscap page on an ironing board in Perth, a city I had recently decided to call home for no good reason. A week later, X-Press became that reason. Over the next four years, my published ratio of turgid drivel to accidental genius was probably in much the same vicinity as any fledgling rock band. I was one of many, behind guitars and word processors, whose passions outweighed their talents and eclipsed their remuneration tenfold. Looking back, what we wrote seems less important than what we insisted on writing about. ‘Original bands’ we called them, to distinguish the blurred crusade of flailing indie visionaries from the overfed bogan beerbarn cover bands whose advertising revenue kept us afloat (thanks guys!). Just like the underground

press in any repressive regime, X-Press envisaged a free world of righteous independent expression and kept banging on until it came to pass. We weren’t the first, of course, nor were we alone. But we’re still here. Which reminds me. My most cherished memory of four years at the big desk is of the time a massive hair metal cover band called Ice Tiger bought a spectacular full-page ad which went to print erroneously emblazoned “Iced Tiger”. It’s the little things. Rock on X-Press.

POLLY COUFOS X-PRESS EDITOR 2001-06 I’d originally come on board at X-Press when Michael Dwyer was looking for a keen country music fan and his then music editor and my still best friend put my name forward. I wrote for the mag for 10 years before I sat in the big chair. It was 10 years of hearing

how much better it could be if we did this or that. Ten years of bitching because a, b or c wasn’t on the cover and a, b or c was. I’d also had 10 years of knowing how the joint runs and knowing just how hard everybody there was working to make the magazine the most comprehensive coverage of all matters music and popular culture. It may have been far from perfect but with the resources and talent at hand I’d long felt it was something to be proud of. Sure the ratio of great writers to enthusiastic amateurs may have seemed out of wack at times, but that was more than compensated for by the good guys to arseholes ratio. Truly of all the hundreds of people that passed through the X-Press doors in my 15 years of being involved there’s only a handful that I wouldn’t cross the street to say hello to now. I should like to be upbeat writing about this but my five and half years as editor was overshadowed by sorrow and loss. September 11 changed everything. The night of the attacks I had been following Glenn Tilbrook around the streets of Fremantle as he sang his Squeeze hits to a disappointing crowd. The crowd was so small he took a show of hands to see if we might reconvene outside and walk around the port. Two days later as we lived in that daze and wondered just what was to come next, a much loved ex-colleague was critically injured in a road accident. He didn’t make it through and passed away months later but the nights watching his dreams almost come true as he picked his prized Hoffner

Polly Coufos

bass, bought on his X-Press salary, still bring a smile. Another ex-workmate battled demons within and lost the fight following a short life of misadventure on the other side of the country. A gentle soul just not tough enough for this world, his wasted life – that’s how I saw it anyway – seemed all the worse because for much of the period I was in the editor’s seat I stood by helplessly watching someone desperately cling to life as long as she could. Here’s to those we lost along the way and to all of us doing our very best. My proudest moment at X-Press? Well, if we had space I could tell you about the time I found a way to get the almighty Hank Williams on the cover and how good that felt. But then again lots of people told me it was a waste and I should have had a, b or c there.

Julian Tompkin

JULIAN TOMPKIN X-PRESS EDITOR 2010-CURRENT I was encrypted and branded in a small WA mining town, long before that meant anything other than philistine. The word ‘boom’ was little more than one half of a John Lee Hooker song title; a tune my old man played on the turntable. Coming to Perth was like landing on Pluto – in 3000 AD. I recall, as we spilled over the final zenith of Great Eastern Highway, the brusque spike of the R&I Tower bellowing: “this is the big smoke boy”. I remember pressing my fingertips against the cold glass of my parents’ blue Ford Falcon station wagon and watching some fantastical alien world unfold as we rattled down Guildford Road, towards the glass towers that seemed to patronise the clouds. I remember pulling into a bottleshop so my father could buy some booze – Swan Gold longnecks. And I will never forget that lurid magenta X wailing at me from the stand, as my dad handed over paper bills to the drivethrough attendant. I unlatched the car door, dashed out and grabbed a copy. X-Press. I looked around for someone to pay – someone to take the few shiny gold coins I’d horded by delivering junk mail that summer. No one. Nothing. It felt like the time I stole a Mars Bar from the corner deli – good and bad; but mostly good. I recall reading that magazine like I’d never read before. I drank in every page, and then did it again until my fingers were dusted black with ink. The strange creatures that filled its coarse leaf – all rock star and rebellion. It’d found it! This was my new universe. A priory of colour and noise and expletives and possibilities. A fiefdom of art. Many years later I would work for that magazine with the magenta X; but for now that didn’t matter. All that mattered was that the world was anew. I was reborn. 26

www.xpressmag.com.au

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1985 The Way We Were A look at the year of our birth by BOB GORDON. Grab yer hankies.

Wellington Street, 1985

It was the best of times, it was the West of times. The naysayers without enough nous to work out how to have a good time here, insist on referring to Perth as ‘Dullsville’ these days, but in truth Perth has evolved far beyond what it was back when X-Press Magazine was born, in 1985. Even then, the Dullsville term doesn’t quite marry to the memory of it. The quainter phrase, Sleepy Hollow, seems to suit the misty water-coloured reflections when er, reflecting, or indeed going through the dusty archives of X-Press,

going back a quarter of a century. In normal life, East Fremantle were on their way to winning the WAFL Premiership, losing only four games that year. A crowd of 5,000 at a WAFL game was considered small, most games attracted nearer to 10,000, and the Grand Final (against Subiaco) saw 42,000 people in attendance. The VFL was only of minor interest ‘over there’; folks were passionate and parochial about their WAFL teams. Grand Final day felt like a Public Holiday on a Saturday. Everything stopped for the game (or it

felt like it). Then the West Coast Eagles came along only two years later in an expanded AFL and 90 per cent of the WAFL following defected. But back then, it was still a time of bona fide local heroes. Perfect Match, pitching gormless single men and women at each other, against a matchmaking robot named Dexter, in front of Greg Evans and hostess, Debbie Newsome, was the television hit of the day. Ric Ardon was reading the Channel 7 News. Oh my god, some things don’t change after all. This was the year that Michael Jackson came to Perth for Telethon. This was the Thrillerera Michael Jackson, so it was the one we like to remember. The only ‘Jacko’ around at this point was ex-VFL footy player Mark Jackson, who had a hit single with I’m An Individual. An indi-bloodyvidual, apparently. So was Michael Jackson – who in reality made the visit as part of the terms of sale of Northern Songs, The Beatles catalogue he had purchased from then Channel 7 owner, Robert Holmes à Court. Most of Perth seemed to fall over backwards in anticipation of this royal visit, but MJ mostly posed awkwardly with the Telethon kids and silently, breathlessly uttered “thank you” at everyone and no one in particular before he eventually beat it. This was a time when the options regarding what to do of a night were not so diverse. These days, even if you choose to stay at home, you can have Hollywood, Bollywood or all

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Roe Street, 1985 kinds of wood up there on your plasma screen, or the world at your fingertips online. Suffice to say that if you told friends you were staying ‘home to play Wii’ in 1985, you would have got your head smacked in. The mid-’80s were still hanging on to the way of life that had become the norm during the ’70s. It wasn’t quite like the old ad jingle, ‘Football, meat pies, kangaroos and Holden cars’ had it, but it wasn’t far off. Essentially, if you wanted to go out on the weekend you’d either be going to see a movie at the drive-in or a band at the pub. This was a time when someone set off a bomb at the Observation City site in protest at waterfront development and Burswood Casino was still six months from opening. And if you were going to see a band at the pub you were either going to see an original band or a cover band. Not many folks regularly encountered both and few bands from either faction ever mixed the other ‘style’ into their set. These days original bands wear their originality with pride, but back then it seemed like a matter of life (live?) and death. Liberal and Labor. In ’85 V-Capri led the covers game, having taken the mantle from previous frontrunners such The Frames, Perfect Strangers, The Jets, Flash Harry, Ice (‘In Stereo’!) and The Flying Fonzarellis. They would play the Floreat Hotel on a Friday and the Overflow on a Saturday to full houses. Every week. To their credit, some of the bands mentioned did later release original material, but the die was cast that they were cover bands and will always be remembered as such. But it was big business and folks flocked to other beer barns such as The Morley Hotel’s Generator, The Warwick Hotel and The Herdie (Stadium).

“PERTH WAS A SIMPLER PLACE BACK THEN. SUB-CULTURES SEEMED MORE DEFINED, WHETHER YOU WERE A BOGAN, SURFIE OR A TRENDOID; WHETHER YOU FOLLOWED ORIGINAL OR COVER BANDS; WHETHER YOU FOLLOWED SWAN DISTRICTS OR SOUTH FREMANTLE; WHETHER YOU DRANK SWAN LAGER, EMU BITTER OR ISLAND COOLER.” On the other side of the coin, Innocent Bystanders, led by Brett Keyser (and featuring a young Mark Lizotte, aka Diesel, who also played in covers outfit The Kind with Suze DeMarchi, later of Baby Animals) had led the way with earnest, Springsteen-esque originals. But in 1985 it was The Stems who ruled the original band roost in Perth. They were already legendary (as were The Triffids, over in Europe). But it was a thriving, if not cliquey band scene, with The Marigolds, The Bamboos, The Kryptonics, Swamp Monsters, The Never Never and others, playing at venues such as the Shenton Park Hotel (aka The Shents), The Red Parrot, The Silver Slipper, The Fitzgerald, The Equator (in its last days at this point) The Wizbah, Musos Club, Rockwells and the Old Melbourne. It seemed any of them had the wherewithal to make it big over east like Perth’s Dave Faulkner was doing with the Hoodoo Gurus (even if James Baker had left that band by this time). Perth was a simpler place back then. Sub-cultures seemed more defined, whether you were a bogan, surfie or a trendoid; whether you followed original or cover bands; whether you followed Swan Districts or South Fremantle; whether you drank Swan Lager, Emu Bitter or Island Cooler. And into this wandered X-Press Magazine. Right into the Underground Nightclub, in my case. Of all the gin joints in all of the world, it had to walk into mine. Sort of. The first li’l green edition was handed to me by a distribution girl and featured ex-Riffs singer, Mick O’Hara, touting his new band, The Rent Collectors. It was late. I finished my drink, popped it in my back pocket and walked out onto Lake St and promptly saw The Rent Collectors walk past me, on a post-gig outing. X-Press Magazine had truly hit the streets. I read it from front-to-back when I got home – little knowing that some years later, I would begin an association with it that would see me do two stints in the editor’s chair. It all lay ahead. God help me, I was only 19. www.xpressmag.com.au

Celebrating 25 YEARS ROCKING THE COAST!

We have seen and heard it all at the ‘INDI ‘INDI’.’. Amazing past performers include:

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www.xpressmag.com.au

Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highest circulating Street Press

THEY SAID THAT? 25 From 25

In a quarter of a century X-Press Magazine writers have conducted thousands of interviews. Here is but a sample of the pearls of wisdom,opinion and dross that we’ve come across. “I’m pretty proud of everything that we’ve done and if people want to distil it into some kind of California sex image that’s their doing and not mine.” — ANTHONY KIEDIS, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS 1999

Kurt Cobain

“We’re experiencing the typical independent band going onto a major label punk rock identity crisis. That’s why we’re vomiting onstage and smashing our gear more than ever now – it’s for the kids.” — KURT COBAIN, NIRVANA 1992

“Please can you print one side of the paper only? It would be more useful then.”

Li’l Daniel Johns, Big Day Out 1995 Photo: Stewart Dawes

“But I haven’t seen any band live because I’m not allowed to get in anywhere.” — DANIEL JOHNS 1994

— JACKO LONGBOTTOM (X-Press Letters, Issue #2, 1985) Anthony Kiedis, live in Perth, Big Day Out 2000 Photo: Toni Wilkinson

Michael Stipe, REM Photo: Kris Krug

Jeff Buckley, live in Perth, 1996 Photo: Toni Wilkinson

“My ambition is to make something now. I don’t know what I’ll be remembered for – occupying my own space, I hope.” — JEFF BUCKLEY 1995

Mick Jagger

“Well when you think about it a rock singer jumps on stage and tries to be a sex object. He swings his hips, shakes his bum and basically acts the fool and then when it gets too hot he takes his clothes off.” — MICK JAGGER 1987

“Kurt would have wanted us to continue making the record. Not that we did it for him, but it was like, ‘we’re sitting around being sad, we need to fucking work. We need to turn this into something’. And that was for us personally, that’s the way we did it. But yeah, I wish he wasn’t dead, you know? It completely sucks when, when… it just kind of sucks.” — MICHAEL STIPE, REM 1995

“My view of it was pretty simple. Apart from being smart, Kevin Rudd was the only one who could beat John Howard. For many of the wrong reasons as much as the right ones – he was a social conservative and a God-botherer. Whether he’d be a great Prime Minister, I don’t know. He had a great day on Sorry Day. It sort of justified electing him, I think. But it will be a long time before we know.” — PHILLIP ADAMS 2008

Sting

“In The Police I was a complete nightmare: unsympathetic, aggressive, mean, selfish and egotistical. But so were the others.” — STING 1987 32

“I knew I was going to be released from prison. I had done nothing wrong so I knew it was a matter of time before I would be found innocent. I knew that I’d be released from prison eventually but I didn’t know what I would do when I got out. I had no job… so I took an opportunity to better myself.” — ANDREW MALLARD 2010

Tex Perkins

“I’d love to be like Neil Young. As I get older and the youth market becomes more and more irrelevant, I would love to be someone as eternal as Neil Young.” — TEX PERKINS 1996 www.xpressmag.com.au

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Slash

“Well 75 per cent of the girls that hang out at the gigs, you can’t tell me that most of them aren’t sluts. These are the people we are exposed to and so we write songs about that.” — SLASH, GUNS N’ ROSES 1988

Ben Elton

“It’s always a pleasure to speak with X-Press. I’ve picked it up from many a bottle shop.” — BEN ELTON 1997

“Heavy drug addictions put the band out of action for a year. It wasn’t like one drug addict or two; it was like five, plus management, plus roadies, plus friends. That was a fucking mess, the whole thing.” — BOBBY GILLESPIE, PRIMAL SCREAM 2004

“I think Poison will definitely get to a point where what we have to say is important.” — CC DEVILLE, POISON 1989

INXS Bob Geldof, 1991 Photo: Ziggty Mrkich

“Irish traditional music never really interested me. Irish things were drilled into us at school with a capital C for Culture. Forget it; I wanted to listen to The Beatles and The Stones, not some cunts going around singing, ‘deedle, deedle, dee’! It was only through Van Morrison and then The Pogues who made it into something particularly relevant.” — BOB GELDOF 1993

“What do I recall about living in Perth? Lots. Playing the Sunday sessions. The girls from PLC (laughs).Dealing with the agency we had to deal with there and being told that we didn’t do this right. We played too many originals and if we didn’t play any more covers they wouldn’t give us any more work and therefore we wouldn’t be able to survive. Those kinds of Mafioso type standover tactics. It was like, ‘o-kay…’.” — ANDREW FARRISS, INXS 2007

“People who like to believe in stereotypes tend to be scared of intelligence of any kind. Especially from a black man.” — CHUCK D, PUBLIC ENEMY 1998

“I’m crushingly aware of how fashionable the style I’m writing in is at the moment. Writing suburban ditties is currently very popular. That makes me feel a little weird but the worst thing I could do is shy away from it. This is what I do; this is what I get a kick out of.” — TIM ROGERS, YOU AM I 1996

John Butler, Grosvenor Hotel, 1998 Photo: Toni Wilkinson

“I wasn’t even planning to be a musician or any of this. I went to Fremantle to finish an arts degree!” — JOHN BUTLER 2004

“I don’t want to get jingoistic about Perth. I just like the idea of coming from a city rather than trying to disguise the fac t. Even if this city hasn’t amounted to much.” — DAVID MCCOMB, THE TRIFFIDS 1989

Jason Donovan

“In 20 years’ time I can guarantee you that people will be looking back and doing cover versions of some of the stuff that Kylie’s done, Rick Astley’s done or possibly me.” — JASON DONOVAN 1988

Eddy Withnell Photo: Toni Wilkinson

“In effect your past never leaves you. So, in a kind of way, that never worried me. What worried me is that over the years – and the reason my past never leaves me – is I’ve always taken a fairly strong principled stand on those things. I committed crime for all the wrong reasons, but as I went through my life I tried to do everything by the right reasons.” — EDDY WITHNELL 2009

Heath Ledger Tod Johnston

David McComb 34

“That glamour side of things is pretty wanky. I think most of the people that want to be a part of the glamour side kind of bore me.” — HEATH LEDGER 2004

“We were two years old. It was just the tall poppy syndrome.” — TOD JOHNSTON, V-CAPRI 1988 www.xpressmag.com.au

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If you haven’t visited Perth’s premier entertainment destination recently, be sure to plan a day out to experience all the colour of Northbridge. Take a wander down the newly refurbished William Street where you’ll discover art galleries, fashion forward boutiques, gourmet specialty shops and delicious cheap eats. Surrounding streets keep reinventing themselves too. You’ll find a huge array of cafés and restaurants offering food from around the globe. To top things off, you can enjoy rich visual displays on a giant LED screen and free wi-fi access at Northbridge Piazza, an exciting new public space on the corner of James and Lake Street.

Yum Cha Brunch A tantalising selection of crispy fried salt and pepper squid, sweet and sticky steamed pork buns or the slippery prawn rice noodle rolls make a great start to your day out in Northbridge.

Shopping On William After a delicious yum cha experience you’ll need a walk around the block! William Street is peppered with gorgeous boutiques and quirky offerings making for a unique shopping expedition.

Perth Cultural Centre Get your hands dirty in the new urban orchard, check out the Western Australian Indigenous Art Awards at the Art Gallery of WA or discover ancient relics at Western Australian Museum’s A Day in Pompeii exhibition.

Northbridge Piazza The City of Perth is screening international films every Saturday in August from 6.30pm. Bring a blanket, grab a take-away meal from the countless restaurants in Northbridge and settle in for a visual feast for the eyes.

Visit www.perth.wa.gov.au or contact (08) 9461 3368 for more information.

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THE X-PRESS 25 Past Adventures In Hi-Fi The best albums of the past 25 years, the most significant game-shapers, or just our unashamed personal faves – as reflected on by BOB GORDON, JULIAN TOMPKIN and DAVID CRADDOCK. THE SMITHS Meat Is Murder (1985) While the rest o f t h e U K ’s pop stars were off practicing f o r L i ve A i d , The Smiths became the darlings of the alternative. Morrissey ’s pronouncements in regards to anything were the icing on the cake of his dastardly fabulous lyrics. Meat Is Murder said what was on this vegetarian’s mind as did The Headmaster Ritual, while the non-album single (it would later be added), How Soon Is Now?, was intoxicating, precious and gloomy all in one. BG

NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS

THE CRAMPS Date With Elvis (1986) Possibly not on a whole lot of best-of lists fo r 1 9 8 6 , b u t personally this album spelt fun times with dashes of ‘50s rockabilly, schlock horror and New York punk. The late Lux Interior ruled the roost on How Far Can Too Far Go?, What’s Inside A Girl?, the boner-fide single, Can Your Pussy Do The Dog? and Charlie Feathers’ It’s Just That Song. They played a hot date that year at Canterbury Court, too. Hully gully! BG

NIRVANA

The Good Son (1990) Released in May, 1990, The Good Son was seen at the time as a change in direction for Nick Cave, showcasing songs that centred on seduction as opposed to alienation. The Ship Song is a thing of romance, The Weeping Song, co-sung with Blixa Bargeld, is a Bad Seeds staple and Foi Na Cruz is one of Paul Kelly’s favourite tunes. The Good Son marked the period of transition where Cave truly became the artist he is recognised as today. BG

Nevermind (1991) Many classic releases came out in 1991, REM’s Out Of Time, Massive Attack’s Blues Lines, Metallica’s ‘Black’ album and U2’s Achtung Baby, but years before file-sharing it was Nirvana’s Nevermind that completely turned the music world on its head. The troubled Kurt Cobain married sweet melody with musical snarl and while they symbolised grunge to the world at the time, it was a new, classic rock’n’roll. The soap opera that played out seems all too predictable now, but the music remains as freshly intense as ever. BG

RADIOHEAD

BECK

The Bends (1995) Britain was polarised again in 1995 when Blur and Oasis continued their war of words with The Great Escape and (What’s The Story) Morning Glory respectively. Oasis may have triumphed in that battle (albeit trumped by US giants Smashing Pumpkins with Mellon Collie & The Infinite Sadness), but from leftfield, fellow Brits and one-hit-wonders Radiohead decided to shatter almost every rule in pop by recording an album less accessible than their first. The Bends was an iconoclastic triumph – the terrifying, anxious and hopeless sounds of a world hurtling towards the inscrutability of a brand new century. JT

Odelay (1996) REM decided to get ‘alternative’ again after 1994’s stadium rock-a-thon M o n s t e r , returning with their tenth album New Adventures In Hi-Fi. A difficult album in many ways, it failed to live up to the band’s ‘the other U2 status’ and was completely overshadowed by fellow Statesider and A-grade oddball Beck’s most commercial effort to date, Odelay. Packed with his trademark hip hoprock-pop-nutter hybrid anthems of the subterranean, such as Where It’s At and Devil’s Haircut, the album would finally instate this gaudy geek a genuine contender. JT

COLDPLAY

THE STROKES

Parachutes (2000) It was the year of the giants as U2, Madonna, Radiohead and Eminem all scrambled for the top of the global charts. And a new mighty force was born in Queens Of The Stone Age, who offered up their ball-tearing second album Rated R. But way over the Atlantic a quiet revolt was taking shape in Britain, spearheaded by Mancunians Doves and their fresh London cousins Coldplay. The latter’s Parachutes was an understated masterwork which would lay the foundations for tomorrow’s biggest band in the world. JT

ANTONY AND THE JOHNSONS

Is This It (2001) Bob Dylan decided to show the kiddies how it’s done with his stellar return-toform in Love And Theft, while Icelandic waif Bjork was getting deep and weird with Vespertine and Radiohead went subliminal with Amnesiac. But it was on the streets of the Big Apple where music’s next revolution would be staged – a brazen slab of rock’n’roll straight outta ’77. The Strokes’ debut, Is This It was a prompt revolt indeed – clocking in at just over 30 minutes. But it was a revolt which would usher in pop music’s greatest regime change since Nevermind. JT

BOB DYLAN

Modern Times (2006) I Am A Bird The Arctic Now (2005) Monkey ’s debut was the 2005 saw the year’s highest world introprofile release, duced to the brash, technicolour electroclash of with the press infatuated by a rather M.I.A on her debut Arular, The Magic mythologised ‘Myspace to superstars’ Numbers released the downright narrative. The tunes were excited and sunniest debut ever made outside of gritty, but four years on the band’s Haight-Ashbury, and out on the fringes, staying power has waned. Amy Swedes Dungen triggered a mini prog Winehouse’s Back To Black also started a revival with the ludicrously good Ta Det flood of noveau soul. However, it was a Lugnt. But it was the odd yet beguiling return to form by Bob Dylan that caught sound of Antony And The Johnson’s critics by surprise. While fast, fun, escapist start-studded breakthrough I Am A Bird pop ruled the airwaves, the Minnesotan Now that will still be ringing in many bard’s funereal reflection on a confused, peoples ears. It is at once haunting, shattered, post-Katrina USA seemed oddly apt. DC fragile and otherworldly. DC 36

GUNS ‘N’ ROSES Appetite For Destruction (1987) No matter what you may feel about Axl Rose’s current-day Guns By Numbers, when the classic Gunners lineup released this in ’87, all kinds of hell was breaking loose. It is up there with the classic rock’n’roll albums, genuinely dangerous music by people who would otherwise have landed in jail had they not played an instrument. It was the perfect antidote to the massive album of that year, U2’s god-botherin’ The Joshua Tree. BG

REM Automatic For The People (1992) It says something that REM’s greatest success came at a time when the band pulled the covers over their head and shrunk away from touring and the music industry in general. At this point their growing global following seemed to wait on every uttering from Michael Stipe, whose silence at the time seemed only to fuel rumours that he was dying of AIDS. Instead, the songs spoke across the world - Everybody Hurts, Drive and Man On The Moon belonged to everyone and, it seemed, everyone belonged. BG

RADIOHEAD OK Computer (1997) In 1997 the world sung to a new tune – one whose title proved quite prophetic for its owners, The Verve. Bittersweet Symphony was everywhere in 1997, backed up by sibling hits from their über-album Urban Hymns. But, as it transpires, it wasn’t urbanity people wanted – it was the final frontier. OK Computer was the soundtrack to a new world – a polemic document which ripped apart every preconceived notion of popular music that had ever been, and would be. The game plan had changed – computers were now, indeed, okay. JT

THE STREETS Original Pirate Material (2002) The world got its newest rock behemoths when Coldplay released A Rush Of Blood To The Head. Too, Australia’s answer to The Strokes, The Vines exploded upon the global stage with a gaudy slab of garage rock in Highly Evolved, and Bruce Springsteen struck with his longawaited post-9/11 masterwork The Rising. But it was a beer swilling geezer named Mike Skinner (trading as The Streets) who’d come to define 2002, with his homemade mixtape of laughs, lullabies and laddishness Original Pirate Material. JT

ARCADE FIRE Neon Bible (2007) With the record industr y still grappling with new economic models, 2007 will be remembered as the year when Radiohead – like a grandma putting lemons outside the front gate – said ‘pay us what ya’ think it’s worth’. The year also saw Nick Cave get dirty in the garage with Grinderman. Most memorable, however, were Canadians the Arcade Fire, who thumped and crashed their way into the public consciousness with Neon Bible, sounding every bit the heaving indie rock marching band. DC

PUBLIC ENEMY It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back (1988) Public Enemy arrived with 1987’s Yo! Bum Rush The Show but they kicked the door down with this, their second album. What seemed to say everything was their titular tip of the hat to the Beastie Boys on the track, Party For Your Right To Fight – you could dance, but this wasn’t celebration. Bring The Noise, Don’t Believe The Hype and Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos woke up the suburbs way before Rodney King entered the building. BG

SMASHING PUMPKINS Siamese Dream (1993) It was all becoming a bit ‘alternative rock’ by numbers in ’93, then Smashing Pumpkins took the flaming baton and held it higher than anyone else dared. Typically, it just about sent Billy Corgan, the band and producer Butch Vig into padded cells, but created Siamese Dream, a soaring, vibrant suite of music that could only be created by someone of the greatest ambition and the most crushing paranoias. Disarm is still the most heartbreaking song you could ever wish to hear. BG

MASSIVE ATTACK Mezzanine (1998) Music publishers has no idea what was about to hit them in 1998 – the seed of a new vein of music which would eventually become the Muzak of the 21st Century, and generate gazillions in everything from car ads to relaxation CDs. The genre: chill-out. But before chillout became a euphemism for pestilent boredom, French duo Air flooded into masse populaire with their classic Moon Safari. It was on the other side of the English Channel, however, that a more toxic and somewhat darker soundscape revolution was ensuing. The town was Bristol; the band Massive Attack; the album Mezzanine. JT

THE WHITE STRIPES Elephant (2003) The air waves had a distinct sound in 2003… and it went by the name of Outk ast. That act’s iconic double album Speakerboxxx/ The Love Below spawned a genuine pop masterpiece in Hey Ya!, which would regalvanise hip hop and reinstate it a pop force. Fellow statesiders The Strokes consolidated their status as rock giants with Room On Fire and Radiohead offered a perplexing classic in Hail To The Thief. But it was one band and one simple riff which together would give rock’s revival a shot in the arm in a little ditty entitled Seven Nation Army. The album was Elephant; the band The White Stripes. JT

FLEET FOXES Fleet Foxes (2008) Like a flash of bright mag-nesium, M G M T ’ s major label debut Oracular Spectacular was vivid, colourful and mesmerising – transfixing many throughout 2008. But like all exciting fireworks, the album didn’t last forever and surprisingly only reached number six on the ARIA charts. Elsewhere, debuts from artists like The Tallest Man On Earth and Bon Iver prefaced the folk revival that we’re currently in the grip of - the bucolic harmonies of Fleet Foxes being a clear highlight. DC

THE STONE ROSES The Stone Roses (1989 ) This certainly knocked heads with The Pixies’ Doolittle, but across the Atlantic The Stone Roses melded a magic that led to the NME at various times declaring it both the best British album of all time and the greatest ever debut album. While reluctant poster boys for the Madchester movement The Roses truly transcended it. I will never forget the utter adoration shown by the crowd to the band when they finally performed here at Metropolis Fremantle in October, 1995. Mohammed had come to the mountain. BG

JEFF BUCKLEY Grace (1994) Jeff Buckley released only one album in his lifetime, but had already gone on a travelogue of musical journeys as he found his voice, with Grace seemingly only the beginning. Last Goodbye, Mojo Pin, So Real and Lover You Should’ve Come Over were dynamically haunting, as was Buckley’s cathedralesque reading of Leonard Cohen’s Hallejulah, surely a crowning jewel in the library of versions of that song. Other than his death the greatest tragedy is that we never got to go where Buckley might’ve taken us. BG

MOBY Play (1999) 1999 stood in the shadows of a new century – a confused time with confused music. But there were still some notable moments: Rage Against The Machine maintained the fire with The Battle Of Los Angeles, Beck offered up another oddball gem in Midnight Vultures and Eminem arrived for real with his Slim Shady LP. Too, The Magnetic Fields offered a timeless classic in 69 Love Songs, but it was a hairless little crank from New York called Moby who went back to the future to dish out a recording which would soon become a cultural phenomenon: Play. JT

FRANZ FERDINAND Franz Ferdinand (2004) The rock revival was law by 2004, and both Britain and the US had hot new blood with The Libertines and Kings Of Leon respectively. But things were about to change in a drastic way, as an unknown Las Vegas combo (with a notso-secret adoration of Duran Duran) would drop a little ripper in Hot Fuss – enter The Killers. But while an instant classic, it was trounced in the hallelujah stakes by art-rock messiahs Arcade Fire, with their infinitely glorious debut Funeral. But 2004 was to belong to one band: Franz Ferdinand, with their rip-roaring self-titled debut. Rock had found its next new wave. JT

THE DEAD WEATHER Horehound (2009) A n i m a l C o l l e c t i v e ’s Merriweather Post Pavilion and Grizzly Bear ’s Veckatimest were atop many a ‘best of’ list last year – two intricate explorations of production and pop’s inner workings. But with experimentalism focusing emerging musicians’ efforts, a razor sharp blast from The Dead Weather seemed a fitting full stop to the garage revival. Jack White, freed from the self-imposed creative restrictions of The White Stripes, revels in a gritty interplay with The Kills’ Alison Mosshart. It’s both dangerous and sexy in that writhing Iggy Pop, blackleather, MC5 kinda’ way. DC www.xpressmag.com.au

HURRY, TICKETS SELLING FAST!

They changed the voice of popular music forever. Celebrate the songs that captivated a generation. STARRING

JON STEVENS, JOHN WATERS DOUG PARKINSON, JACK JONES AND THE 12-PIECE DAY TRIPPER BAND

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Open 7 Nights till late.. Downstairs Performance Space Upstairs Cocktail Lounge

The Graham Wood Trio 6:00pm Courtney Murphy & The Diamond System Sy s t e m 8:00pm

Glyn McDonald Trio 8:30pm

12 13 THUR

Victoria Newton 8:00pm

Matt Allen & Chantal Sousa 11:30pm

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Hary Deluxe 5:30pm

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Late Night Grooves with Amrit Sidhu 11:30pm

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Touring Acts August 19 - 21 Paul Grabowsky (Melbourne) August 26 - 28 George Garzone (USA) September 3 & 4 Chris McNulty & Paul Bollenback (NYC) October 26, 27 & 28 Kurt Elling (USA)

WAAPA Jazz Student Fundraiser 8:00pm

17 7 TUE

June Smith and The Apple Band 8:00pm

18 WED

BOOKINGS RECOMMENDED SEE WEBSITE TO BOOK YOUR TICKETS www.TheEllington.com.au 191 BEAUFORT STREET PERTH (08) 9228 1088 OPEN MON - THUR 7pm -1am, FRI 6pm - 3am, SAT 7pm - 3am, SUN 6pm - 12am

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21 MAY − 12 SEPTEMBER 2010 A Day in Pompeii comes alive every Friday night until 9.00pm. Don’t miss the dramatic volcano inspired lava projections, and enjoy the ambience of the Pompeii café offering Italian-inspired food.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM – PERTH PERTH CULTURAL CENTRE, JAMES STREET

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TICKETS FROM BOCS 9484 1133 & WWW.MUSEUM.WA.GOV.AU/POMPEII

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THE PERFECT EVENT

If you’ve always longed to receive the red carpet treatment then chances are you’ll be keen to enter Event VIP, a special promotion run by Event Cinemas. Simply buy a movie ticket online or via mobile before the end of September to go into the draw to win a range of experiences associated with this season’s biggest blockbusters. Entrants will be in the running to win tickets to movie premieres, holidays and a whole lot more, so be sure to download the Event Cinemas app or book tickets online at eventcinemas. com to go into the draw.

JUST JOSHIN’ YA

Josh Thomas

Best known for his role as the representative for ‘Gen Y’ on Talkin’ ’Bout Your Generation, Josh Thomas has a reputation for hilarious live shows, which he’ll demonstrate this August at the Octagon Theatre. Titled Surprise, Thomas’ latest show deals with the comedian’s sexuality and, unfortunately for all his young, female fans, it turns out he’s batting for the other team. Catch Thomas doing his thing at the Octagon Theatre at UWA from Friday, August 20, ’til Sunday, August 22. Tickets are on sale now from BOCS.

GET UP, STAND UP

JOIN THE VILLAGE

They told us that ‘it’s fun to be in the YMCA’, asked us to Go West and have filled us in about what goes on In The Navy, and this October, the Village People will head to Perth for a special show at Challenge Stadium. To celebrate their 33rd year in showbiz, the lads from the Village People will dance and sing up a storm all across Australia, stopping off in Perth on Wednesday, October 20. Whether you’re a Macho Man, or a lover of dance floor classics, you’re sure to enjoy a night with the Village People. Tickets are on sale now from cantstopthemusic.com.au.

What do you get when you combine Quokkas, stand up comedy and an island off the coast of WA? Rottofest, that’s what! Now in its second year, Rottofest is set to take over Rottnest Island from Friday, August 27, ’til Sunday, August 29, promising live music, independent film and great stand up comedy. Kicking off the weekend’s festivities will be Odette Mercy and Her Soul Atomics, the Funk Club House Band, plus DJs Nandez 500 and Chopper Crucial, who will take to the stage to warm up the crowd for the slew of talented comics competing for the $5000 cash prize. Competing comedians include WA’s own Jimmy James Eaton, Jeff Hewitt and Giggly McChuckles, plus Adam Keily (SA), Jacques Barrett (NSW), Shayne Hunter (QLD) and Kee Hau Lee Jackson (SA). Once the winner is determined, Sugar Army, The Scotch Of St James and Emperors will rock the closing party. Day Tripper passes and three night festival passes are available now from Heatseeker.com.au. To find out more about Rottofest had to Rottofest.com.au.

Perth comic Jimmy James Eaton will battle it out at Rottofest

DOIN’ IT FOR THE FAME

The Village People

Over the past few years, RAC has teamed up with students in years 10, 11 and 12 to create road safety advertisements targeted at young people via a competition called Fame. In 2010, students will be invited to create a road safety billboard at facebook.com/racfame, with entrants going into the draw to win $1,000 cash and the chance to have their idea turned into a billboard. Entries close on Friday, September 17, so jump online now if you think you have the goods.

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WHAT’S ON

DARREN HANLON No Direction Home

D O W N S TA I R S AT T H E M A J 1 July to 18 September 2010 @ 7.30pm every Thursday, Friday and Saturday Sizzling hot new cabaret with international, national and local acts to blow you away!

26, 27 & 28 August

GINA WILLIAMS AND THE LUBBLY SINGS Darren Hanlon

With a backpack full of brand new songs, freewheeling Australian troubadour Darren Hanlon rolls into the Fly By Night this Saturday, August 21. Darren Hanlon is happily homeless. Currently living out of a back pack, the beloved Australian folk songwriter is revelling in a transient existence that has seen him surfing couches from his beloved birthplace of Gympie all the way to Portland, Oregon. It is this nomadic lifestyle, and that fact that he hasn’t “paid an electricity bill for two years!”, that has rubbed off on Hanlon’s latest album I Will Love You At All – a typically sprawling yet quirky release full of nostalgic musings on share-houses and small-town Australia. “I’ve been living out of my backpack for nearly two years now,” Hanlon explains from one of his bases in Lismore, NSW. “I think it just happens – you kind of yearn for some kind of stability, even though you love the foot loose and fancy free nature of being without a home.” As with Hanlon’s popular 2006 single Happiness Is A Chemical, I Will Love You At All was recorded in Portland with folk producer Adam Selzer – the man behind recordings by M Ward and The Decembrists. Although recorded on the other side of the world, the album sees Hanlon nostalgically peering through the letterboxes of old houses he has lived in, peddling lines like ‘I took one step inside and looked down the hallway / just so the house would know that I’m back again’. “I’ve embellished a few things but it’s basically true,” the songwriter explains of House, a song about visiting a residence he once lived in to see what had changed. “I did go back. Every time I walked past it I’d try and look in the old windows and see if I could see my old room… One day I did get the courage to knock and I was horrified that they’d changed. They’d carpeted over all of the floorboards, they’d just modernised it. “A r o u n d t h a t t i m e , a l l o f m y favourite things in Sydney were being renovated. I hate it when they renovate pubs – there’s going to be no original Australian pubs left. It’s going to be all corrugated iron bars, stainless steel and polished concrete. So there’s renovation rage going on it that song. I’d kill someone if they did that to my house.” Hanlon’s ability to poetically and romantically describe physical change makes songs like House a rich, slowly unravelling, listening experience. But it is his talent for concurrently picking apart past relationships or wittily describing emotional foibles that makes him the complete package. Home, a song about being bashed by thugs in Gympie after finally being asked by a high school crush to walk her to the next pub, makes you want to give the guy a hug. “I was beaten to a pulp,” Hanlon explains of the true story recounted on Home. “It was unfortunate because I was walking up to the next pub with a girl I’d had a crush on. I’d just come home from uni Australia’s highest circulating Street Press

An angel’s voice, a poet’s heart, and a life story that will blow you away.

for Christmas and she said ‘oh do you want to go for a walk up to the pub?’ and I was like ‘yes please!’. We were going for a walk and these three guys just beat the hell out of me.” While Gympie may hold some bad memories, Hanlon is happy to extol the small town’s virtues when asked to give this uninitiated scribe the tourist spiel on a town that is often the butt of comedian’s jokes. “There’s a lot of good op shopping to be had,” he deadpans. “It’s close to the coast but it’s somehow preserved itself. It hasn’t become a boom town. You can get a good bit of fish at the takeaway shop – they always throw in an extra piece for you – a pineapple fritter maybe. It’s an old gold mining town so the old buildings that line the main street, their facades are great.”

2, 3 & 4 September

“I HATE IT WHEN THEY RENOVATE PUBS – THERE’S GOING TO BE NO ORIGINAL AUSTRALIAN PUBS LEFT. IT’S GOING TO BE ALL CORRUGATED IRON BARS, STAINLESS STEEL AND POLISHED CONCRETE. SO THERE’S RENOVATION RAGE GOING ON IT THAT SONG. I’D KILL SOMEONE IF THEY DID THAT TO MY HOUSE.” As on past Hanlon albums, a likeable feature of I Will Love You At All is the singer’s plain spoken, un-affected, Australian drawl – a rarity in an era when most singer songwriters seem to revert to a standardised, internationally recognised American Esperanto. Like Paul Kelly or even Josh Pyke, Hanlon seems determined to let his true speaking voice shine through. “It’s not too deliberate, I’ve been singing since I was a kid,” Hanlon says of his singing voice. “But I have noticed that my actual speaking accent has changed. We had some people over recently, and my mum always puts on these old videos of me... one of them is from when Slim Dusty came to Lismore and I got my guitar signed by him. The news crew interviewed me about it, and I’m like [adopts ridiculous Aussie twang] ‘oh yeh, he’s been playin’ for 50 years!’ – I just sounded like this hick. Maybe moving out of Queensland has rounded out my accent a bit.” _DAVID CRADDOCK

LE GRAND REVIEW A kooky, crazy and downright outrageous night of rock and roll cabaret.

16, 17 & 18 September

MINOR MAJOR MARLENE A sumptuous and intelligent glimpse into the life of Marlene Dietrich by the captivating Ali Bodycoat.

Book now at BOCS 9484 1133 or bocsticketing.com.au Proudly supported by:

www.hismajestystheatre.com.au 43

FASHION

Emma Booth in X-Press Fashion Summer 1998

Nicole Trunfio in X-Press Fashion Winter 2003

Catsuits were supposedly all the rage in the early ’90s (1991)

Bono inspired specs and bare midriffs, oh my! (1997)

Attack of the smoky polar bear jackets (2000)

25 YEARS OF FASHION

The Good, The Bad And The Fugly Fashion is a fickle beast – what’s cool one day is daggy the next, which is all too obvious when flicking through X-Press Fashion publications from yesteryear. Though I may laugh at faux fur covered hoodies from 2000, and geometric catsuits circa 1991, chances are, 25 years from now the future Fashion Editor of X-Press will be chortling at the ‘on trend’ fashions of 2010. Over the last 25 years, X-Press has positioned itself on the fashion front line, reporting on trends, designers and the many individuals who make up the fashion industry. Prior to making it into the big leagues, models such as Amy Finlayson, Nicole Trunfio and Emma Booth stepped in front of the camera for X-Press Fashion, showcasing trends from the late ’90s and early ’00s. To celebrate 25 years of style, we’ve rounded up some of the more hilarious images from past X-Press Fashion publications; wrap your peepers around mesh shirts from 1993, bare midriffs of the 1990s and West Australian supermodels before they made it big. Watch out ladies, this guy means business in his mesh shirt (1993)

_EMMA BERGMEIER

GRANTS TO CREATE The Department of Culture and the Arts’ offers

grants for artists and artsworkers Individuals, groups and organisations are invited to apply for grants in the following categories: Creative Development Fellowships Dance Mid-Career Fellowship Dramaturge Skills Development Program Indigenous Arts - Development, Distribution and Marketing Playwright Development Program Visual Arts and Craft Mid-Career Fellowships Young People and the Arts - Development, Distribution and Marketing Young People and the Arts - Fellowships

Applications close 5pm, 24 September, 2010 Contact the Department of Culture and the Arts today and get your application started. E-mail: info@dca.wa.gov.au Phone: (08) 9224 7300 Freecall: 1800 199 090 (Country WA callers only) For more information about funding opportunities available from the Department of Culture and the Arts visit www.dca.wa.gov.au/funding

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The Glammy Awards are a way to celebrate the often unsung heroes of our community. Get your nomination in before its too late!

Best Gay or Gay Friendly Venue

Outstanding Contribution by an Individual or Couple

Building Bridges Within or Between Communities

Best Entertainer

Freedom Centre Youth Award for a Group or Individual

Best Gay or Gay Friendly Venue

Outstanding Contribution by a Youth Under 25 Years Old

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SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD An Epic of Epic Epicness

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World

Directed by Edgar Wright Starring Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jason Schwartzman, Ellen Wong My first reaction to hearing about Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World was,â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shit, what if Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m wrong about being an athiest?.â&#x20AC;? Okay, so Edgar Wright (director of cult favourites Spaced and Shaun of the Dead) adapting arguably the most modern comic to date, with a soundtrack by Nigel Godrich, Beck and Broken Social Scene? Seriously, someone must be living up there to make this holy of trinities come alive. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d love to see Richard Dawkins disprove this shit. Based upon the critically acclaimed graphic novel series Scott Pilgrim by Canadian artist Bryan Lee Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Malley, this movie adaptation bursts out of the gate and doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop to catch its breath until the credits die. Bassist in a garage band, Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) is a naive but likeable 20-something who must battle the seven evil exes of Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), a lady who is quite literally the girl of his dreams (his head happens to be located in a section of subspace that Ramona likes to use for shortcuts - itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a girl thing). Along the way his band Sex Bob-omb duels for a contract in the best battle of the bands ever committed to film. The charm of Scott Pilgrim, in book or movie form, is its literal take on the pseudo-drama of teen years with its effortless ability to mix real life with superhero-like powers. The battles are huge and brutal, with guys being thrown through walls like it ainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t no thing, but there is no trace of blood or bruises. In fact when enemies die they burst into thousands of Canadian coins (oh yes, coins). The most surprising thing to me was the quality of the fights. Choreographed by a couple of Jackie Chanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fighters, the young cast does a great job of making the action scenes stick, even though for most this was a first time experience.

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At every corner there is a video game or music reference, and while this is its appeal to its main demograph, this will also turn off a lot of people; those who just donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what a Bobomb is or what Infinite Sadness refers.For someone over 40 Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure this movie is just a mess of lights and noise; like how dogs must see TV. Conversely even people that get it, could likely dismiss it as hipster tripe. And while it does broaden its scope of reference far wider than the books, it does so only for the benefit of the medium. Featuring one of the best scores Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve heard, by none other than Nigel Godrich, the soundtrack for this movie is truly killer. Pilgrimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s band Sex Bob-omb features music penned by Beck, and it shows, coming across like a juvenile E-Pro or Black Tambourine, but to great success. Seriously, Ramona by Beck is a great song and warranted a purchase on my iPhone post-cinema post-haste. While the many pages of back story were cut for the benefit of time, an animated short has been promised to fill some holes. And although the sixth and final book hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been written at the time of the filmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s production, Wright managed to put in moments and frames straight from it, with creator Bryan giving him his notes and sketches. As a fan of the books I can see the differences, but to me both the movie and books stand alone but compliment each other greatly. This could be fated to be another box office fizzle for Wright but will no doubt grab a strong cult following and could be heralded as the Citizen Kane of comic book movies, one that sets a new bar for the genre and makes everything else in the category look like a movie about comics not a true comic book movie. _TOM VARIAN

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BRYAN LEE O’MALLEY Get A (Bonus) Life

Bryan Lee O’Malley, author of Scott Pilgrim

If you grew up with videogames you’ve probably had this experience: you’re heaving furniture into the back of a truck and you catch yourself thinking of Tetris, wishing you had a t-shaped block to finish off this damn row. Or maybe you played horror games like Silent Hill and now whenever you leave the house early in the morning while fog coats the streets, just like in the game, you automatically check for baddies? Entertainment bleeds into our lives and immersive videogames can colour the way we see things especially vividly. Bryan Lee O’Malley took that idea as the basis for his Scott Pilgrim comics, creating a world where bonus lives, level-ups and save points are just something else his characters have to deal with. “Silent Hill’s a good example,” says O’Malley. “It takes place in a misty, real-world setting and it’s easy to confuse it with reality. What I did in the books is start to extrapolate that phenomenon into an earlier generation of games, the old 8-bit games. What if you confused that with reality? What if you confused your entire high school experience for a fighting game?” Although Scott and the other characters from the comics (and now movie) are in their 20s – and despite all the surreal trappings, nobody portrays what it’s like to be in your 20s in the 2000s as authentically as O’Malley does – high school was a big influence on the story.“The games I played in high school were foundational for my whole life, I guess,” he admits.“And so in the books I definitely go back to the high school world several times, although it didn’t really make it into the film.” One of the worries in adapting his comic to the screen was getting the music right. Scott’s band, Sex Bob-omb, play throughout the story in an epic battle of the bands. Their songs in the

STEP UP 3D Three Dimensional Dance

movie are written by Beck, but they still have to sound like a three-piece garage rock band you’d hear playing a support slot in a crappy club. “Whenever I’d ask,‘What do you think Sex Bob-omb sounds like?’ everyone’s got a different answer,” O’Malley says. “Everyone’s got a different band in mind and I didn’t worry about it. I’m not the film-maker,” he laughs. “Edgar [Wright, director] was really taken with Guitar Wolf, the Japanese band. We all had our own ideas. At the time I was talking about this band called Times New Viking, who were very loud but they had a female singer as well; they had a lot of harmonies, very bubblegum pop. When we first spoke to Beck about it that was the first band that he brought up as his inspiration, so we were on the same wavelength, which was kind of amazing.” Another important band in the comic are Sex Bob-omb’s rivals, Crash And The Boys, who play ultra-short songs with rhythms so unnatural they can knock listeners unconscious. Who did they choose to record those bizarre, abnormally short songs for the movie? “It was Broken Social Scene. Several of the guys from that band actually got together with the actor who plays Crash and they put those songs together. They did a whole bunch of them, alternate versions of the one-note songs. It was pretty amazing to hear this worldclass band doing these ridiculous songs. The longest song is 48 seconds or something like that and it’s amazing.” When the popular manga series Nana, which is about a punk band called Blast, was adapted into movies it got the music disastrously wrong. The last thing you want to hear is a punk band whose bassist is modelled on Sid Vicious playing lightweight pop-rock that would get 12 points from Belgium at Eurovision. But Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World gets the music right, thanks to collaborators that include Nigel Godrich, Metric, Dan The Automator and Kid Koala. It’s not something O’Malley ever imagined he’d have to worry about when he started out drawing his little underground comic. “When I drew the comics I would just rely on the visuals,” he says. “I don’t have to play it for you. I can just show you what they look like, tell you what they sound like and show people’s reactions to them. That’s something that I learned from other comics like Nana, which you mentioned. You can have the greatest band in the world in a comic as long as you don’t have to hear them for real.”

Step Up 3D Directed by Jon M. Chu. Starring Rick Malambri, Adam G. Sevani, Sharni Vinson, Alyson Stoner, Keith Stallworth, Joe Slaughter, Joshua Allen and Stephen ‘Twitch’ Boss

As the city’s latest anthem says, New York is the concrete jungle where dreams are made, so it seems a perfect match for the setting of the newest instalment in the Step Up dance film franchise, Step Up 3D. Like its predecessors, the movie uses the passion for dance as a medium to drive a narrative about following your dreams with splashes of fun and the dramatic thrown in along the way. Those who were disappointed with the visual effects in StreetDance 3D earlier in the year will be elated to experience the added dimension used to its full glorious potential in the dance flick genre as it paints across the canvas of the beautiful big apple with kick ass choreography led by Jamal Sims. Not only do Sims and his team of multitalented choreographers master the intense and dynamic technique of the New York street style but they also cover a sensual tango and tip their hat to the classic musicals with a charming nostalgic-inspired showstopper. It is obvious that many moments in the dance numbers have been choreographed specifically for the 3D effect but rather than being cheesy or unnecessary, it only submerges the audience and gives them the feeling that they could just jump up and dance alongside the cast, or even against them. Previously set around Baltimore’s elite Maryland School of the Arts, Step Up 3D elevates _ JODY MACGREGOR the endearing characters Moose (Sevani) and

Camille (Stoner) to leads, and follows the now besties to Manhattan in their freshman year at NYU. Intent on giving up his dancing ways and focusing on a higher education and new identity in engineering, Moose can’t even make it through his first day before he meets documentary filmmaker and House of Pirates leader Luke and the hypnotic underground street dance scene smacks him in the face. With this, the battle for the World Jam Championship begins. It is wonderful to see a host of former contestants from America’s So You Think You Can Dance not wasting away in the aftermath of reality television and bringing their eclectic range of skills to the mix as Pirates’ crew members in this new chapter. The standout performances come from season four winner and runner up Joshua Allen and Twitch. However the surprise package is delivered with the inclusion of the dynamite Aussie-born Sharni Vinson playing the mysterious Natalie, who shows there is so much more to the former ballet dancer’s talents than what was seen during her days on Home and Away. Creating the hip hop fairy tale conflict is Luke’s former best friend Julian (Slaughter) and the rich leader of rival crew The Samurais who are intent on bringing down Luke and taking away his home. In true Step Up style, the House of Pirates must do just as the film title suggests to secure the only future they want - immersing themselves in the universal language that is dance. It’s not an original storyline formula and there is certainly some moments of cringe-inducing dialogue but it seems to work, right down to the very last break, hip-hop and pop. _TANYA MACNAUGHTON

MELLOW YELLOW Black Swan State Theatre Company’s HotBed Ensemble opened their latest production, Yellow Moon, last Saturday and celebrated the occasion with a special opening night party. Cast, crew and board members socialised over champagne and canapés until the wee hours of the morning.

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SPLICE The Origin Of Species

From spoof filmmakers Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer comes a timely spoof comedy starring Ken Jeong (The Hangover). Vampires Suck is a comedic exploration of teenage romance and angst spoofing many of the recent ‘teen’ movies. Becca is torn between two boys; the mysterious, moody and ridiculously pale guy, or the stable and sweet one who reminds her of a “little gay brother”. In her quest to decide between the two she encounters everyone from a group of vampires (who look like the Black Eyed Peas) to Alice from wonderland, and Lady Gaga. To enter simply email win@xpressmag.com.au with Vampires Suck in the headline. Entries close August 19. Screening is on Tuesday 24 August, at Reading Belmont Cinemas.

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Directed by Vincenzo Natali more so, ill-equipped for what might lie ahead. Starring Adrien Brody, Sarah Polley, Delphine If Roger Donaldson’s Species (1995) Chanéac was a major studio’s take on the alien- fugitivechick movie – or, as mentioned above, the It’s not as sweet as one, but Vincenzo Natali’s timeless tale of Frankenstein’s Monster - then latest film definitely has a couple of things in Splice, which bears some similarities to the common with the ice-cream of the same name Natasha Henstridge starrer, is the braver, less - for one, it’s very tasty, but furthermore, it’s a multiplex-friendly indie-shingle account. Splice, somewhat glacial little offering. unlike the derisorily horrific Species, is twisted, A perceptible nod to some of the dark, unsettling, grimy and, most conspicuously, monster movies of yesteryear - in particular doesn’t include the prerequisite bells and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein - the horror flick fixes whistles that studio horror flicks are obliged to on two scientists, Clive and Elsa (no coincidence include (particularly in the third act) these days. that Clive and Elsa were the names of Dr Unlike a lot of these types of movies, Frankenstein and his bride in the 1935 classic the performances are actually as good as the Bride of Frankenstein) who, defying legal and make-up and effects. Brody, becoming somewhat ethical boundaries, decide to splice together of a genre regular after his surprisingly effective animal and human DNA to create a new species. turn in Predators, is commanding as the uptight The new sort, which they nickname ‘Dren’, starts out as a warped female toddler (that looks male lead, whilst Sarah Polley makes for a sweet, sorta like a Joey) but ultimately ages - and susceptible subordinate. Natali, a former storyboard artist who rather quickly – into a beautiful but treacherous worked on such visual-heavy flicks such as chimera with wings. At first Clive (Adrien Brody) is reluctant Ginger Snaps and Johnny Mnemonic, is quickly to get too close to his creation, but as the turning into one of the most imaginative story progresses, he becomes more and more filmmakers around. He again proves to be a besotted in her, ultimately resulting in a rather master of the Remington here, with a very objectionable tryst. Elsa (Sarah Polley), on the creative, absurdly fun B-movie throwback that’s other hand, is taken with the ‘thing’ (Delphine main purpose seems to be to remind audiences Chanéac) from day one, almost immediately that not all contemporary celluloid offers have to forming a mother-daughter relationship with be been there-done that money shredders that have an accountants, rather than an audience’s, the exceptional creature. When it becomes too dangerous interests at heart. Sure, Splice isn’t a masterpiece for Dren to remain at the lab, Clive and Elsa by any stretch of the imagination, but it delivers smuggle their construction out and relocate her on its promise to entertain. to a secluded barn house. By this time, of course, _CLINT MORRIS both are seriously attached to their prize and

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SUNDAY 15.8 BALLY’S BAR Steve Hepple BALMORAL Cranky BARCHETTA Karin Page Megan Jordon Leah Grant BELMONT HOTEL Damien Cripps BENTLEY HOTEL Adrian Wilson BIRD Electromen The Groovesmiths BROKEN HILL Nathan Gaunt BROOKLANDS TAVERN Dom Zurzolo CIVIC HOTEL (The Den) The Sunshine Brothers COMO HOTEL Chris Murphy COTTESLOE BEACH HOTEL Tourist ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Harry Deluxe FUSE BAR Helix Jazz Trio GOSNELLS HOTEL Chris Gibbs HIGH ROAD HOTEL James Wilson INDIAN OCEAN BREWING CO Retrofit INDI BAR Keith Anthonisz &The 3 Wise Monkeys CD Launch Rick Steele JB O’REILLY’S Samuel Bester The Holly Go Trio Band The Kirbens KALAMUNDA HOTEL Ben Pettit LAKERS TAVERN Jamie Powers

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Seams, Saturday at Mojo’s MUSTANG Marco & The Rhythm Kings PADDO Gang Of Three SPICE LOUNGE Courtney Murphy THE DEEN Plastic Max And The Token Gesture

TUESDAY 17.8 BIRD Captn K’s Rarities CHARLES HOTEL Old Dog CD Launch COTTESLOE BEACH HOTEL The Mad Agents Pounds Of Dave DOLL HOUSE Boom! Bap! Pow! Diane Cooper Justin Burford ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB WAAPA Jazz Student Fundraiser ESS BAR Norbert’s Karaoke FENIANS Chris Gibbs IMPACT BAR Open Mic Night MOJO’S Hand Stands For Ants Rachel & Henry Climb A Hill The Farthing Woods Hootenanny MUSTANG Danza Loca Salsa SAIL & ANCHOR Adrian Wilson SPICE LOUNGE Courtney Murphy

WEDNESDAY 18.8 BALLY’S BAR Steve Hepple BIRD Adam Page BLACK BETTY’S SideFX

MONDAY 16.8 BAR ORIENT James Wilson IMPACT BAR Groove Karaoke MOJO’S Open Mic

ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB June Smith & The Apple Band FENIANS Cranky HALE ROAD HOTEL Fenton Wilde INDI BAR The Big Old Bears Goodnight Tiger INGLEWOOD HOTEL Ella & Scott Bourne JB O’REILLY’S Open Mic Night LEFT BANK Benjamin Glynn LUCKY SHAG Howie Morgan MOJO’S The Electromen That Velvet Echo Harry Moore MOUNT HELENA TAVERN Open Mic Night MUSTANG Flyte OLD BAILEY TAVERN Norbert’s Karaoke PADDY HANNANS Threeplay PADDO Filante Ladybird & The Midnight Sun Honey Bill Chidzey ROSIE O’GRADY’S (Northbridge) David Fyffe ROSEMOUNT Scary Kids Scaring Kids Mod Sun We Are The Emergency Colour The Sky SAIL & ANCHOR Songs In The Green Adrian Wilson SETTLERS TAVERN Open Mic Night THE MOON CAFÉ Benny Mayhem Luke Dux Amanda Merzdan UNIVERSAL Strutt Ses Sayer

THURSDAY

BASEMENT BIRDS WITH

OLD MAN RIVER THE SUN ORCHESTRA CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF X-PRESS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13

ASTOR THEATRE MT LAWLEY

BEX’S OPEN MIC NIGHT VDELLI FRIDAY

SATURDAY

THE VOLCANICS SINGLE LAUNCH

WITH THE FLOORS. BLACK BUZZARD, PAUL MCCARTHY SUNDAY

KEITH ANTHONISZ AND 3 WISE MONKEYS CD LAUNCH WITH RICK STEELE WEDNESDAY

Friday August 13

BLACK FRIDAY SPECIAL

feat. Blunt Force Trauma, White Lanterns, As We Fall & Cold Fate (8pm, entry $6)

Saturday August 14

WAXMAN

Chaos Engine, Shock Octopus & Wing-It (8pm, entry $6)

THE BIG OLD BEARS COMING SOON 25TH AUG THE BEDROOM PHILOSOPHER 5TH SEP THE SUNSHINE BROTHERS 19TH SEP ASH GRUNWALD WWW.INDIANOCEANHOTEL.COM

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Charles Hotel

509 Charles Street, North Perth, WA 6006 Ph: 9444 1051 Email: enquiries@charleshotel.com.au

WINNER OF AHA BEST LIVE ENTERTAINMENT VENUE OF 2009 THURSDAY 12TH AUGUST

THURSDAY 12.8

THE COMEDY LOUNGE

PERTH’S NO 1 STANDUP COMEDY COME IN FOR DINNER BEFORE OR DURING THE SHOW

SATURDAY 14TH AUGUST HUNTERS & COLLECTORS

LEGEND

MARK SEYMOUR

DOORS OPEN 8PM TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM BOTTLESHOP OR ON THE DOOR RESTAURANT OPEN FOR DINNER FROM 6PM

MONDAY 16TH AUGUST

PERTH JAZZ SOCIETY

‘SOUNDS’ AUSTRALIAN TO ME - ADRIAN KELLY TRUMPETER, ADRIAN KELLY IS ONE OF THOSE JAZZ ARTISTS THAT STEPS OUTSIDE HIS COMFORT ZONE AND EXPLORES THE POSSIBILITIES. TAKING CUES FROM CHARLES MINGUS, GRAHAM COLLIER, AND THE MODAL COMPOSITIONS OF MILES DAVIS. DOORS OPEN 8PM DINNER AVAILABLE FROM 6PM

TUESDAY 17TH AUGUST

PERTH BLUES CLUB AGM WITH PBC HOUSE BAND & GUESTS DOORS OPEN 8PM

Good Little Fox, Friday at Amplifier

DINNER AVAILABLE FROM 6PM

WEDNESDAYS

FUNKY BUNCH TRIVIA SATURDAY 21ST AUGUST

THE DINGOES

BELGIAN BEER CAFÉ Ben Pettit BENNY’S Howie Morgan BIRD Hiphop Karaoke BLACK BETTY’S Samsara CD Launch Break Even Surrender BOTANICA Karin Page BROOKLANDS TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke BROKEN HILL HOTEL Fixed CIVIC HOTEL (The Den) Horace Pinker Grim FanBanjo The Decline Know Your Knot No Mistake Liz Wreck COMO HOTEL Christian Parkinson DEVILLES On Madds Rock N Roll Karaoke DOUBLE LUCKY Lucky Dip Variety Night ELEPHANT & WHEELBARROW Gun Shy Romeos ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Glyn McDonald Trio FENIANS Pearce Ward FUSE BAR Aaron Spiers Trio INDI BAR Open Mic Night JB O’REILLY’S Rhys Wood KINGSLEY TAVERN Chris Murphy LEGENDS Bill Chidgzey LUCKY SHAG James Wilson MANHATTAN’S Useless Things The Fags Clancy MARKET CITY TAVERN Jade Diary The Karma FX IAFighter MARRI PARK TAVERN Open Mic Night MOJO’S James Teague Oh! You Pretty Things Echoes of Django MOON & SIXPENCE Bob & Clem MUSTANG Cal Peck & The Tramps NORFOLK BASEMENT Datura Dux & Downtown Tom Fisher The Layabouts PADDO Ben Merito PADDY HANNANS Dr Bogus Crazy Craig

ROSEMOUNT The Spitfires Indiana Hand Stands For Ants ROSIE O’GRADY’S (Northbridge) Fenton Wilde SETTLERS TAVERN Freya Hanly SOVEREIGN ARMS David Fyffe SPICE LOUNGE Courtney Murphy SWAN LOUNGE Solar Barge Quick Clean Living Ducks On A String UNIVERSAL BAR Off The Record VELVET LOUNGE Kurbist Gong Band Maurice Flavel Dean Anthonisz Like Junk Frozen Ocean WANEROO TAVERN Keith McDonald

FRIDAY 13.8 AMPLIFIER Lacey Luna Parade Good Little Fox Frighteners ASTOR THEATRE Basement Birds Old Man River The Sun Orchestra BALLY’S BAR Free Radicals BALMORAL The Bluebottles BAR ORIENT Ryan Webb & The Method The Blue Finish Aron’s Crusade Polly Medlen BELMONT TAVERN Good Karma BENNY’S Faces BENTLEY HOTEL Better Days BIRD Young Revelry Scotch Of St James Blackmilk BROKEN HILL Jamie Powers BURRENDAH TAVERN Keith McDonald CAPTAIN STIRLING Rhyme and Reason CARLISE HOTEL Toybox CIVIC HOTEL (The Den) Desertship The Love Junkies Self Made Guru Smokin Aces CIVIC HOTEL (Backroom) Fear Of Comedy Mongrel Country Like Junk DJ’s Travis Doom Koe Soleil COTTESLOE BEACH HOTEL Open Mic CRAIGIE TAVERN 11:11 DEVILLE’S Little White Lies The Sweet Janes

Richard Lane, Friday at North Fremantle Bowls Club DUSK RedStar EAST END Supanova ELEPHANT & WHEELBARROW Daren Reid & The Soul City Groove ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Graham Wood Trio Courtney Murphy & The Diamond System Matt Allen & Chantal Sousa ESS BAR Zenburger FENIANS Tom Haron & The Clan FLY BY NIGHT Mark Seymour FUSE BAR Groove Karaoke GLENGARRY TAVERN Crocodile Rock GREENWOOD HOTEL In The Groove HALE ROAD TAVERN Glen Davies HILTON PARK BOWLING CLUB Rhythm Rockit HIGH ROAD HOTEL Airbag IMPACT BAR Skinny Lane INDI BAR Vdelli JB O’REILLYS The Healys LEFT BANK Bumpy Johnson MANHATTAN’S Simone & Girlfunkle 6’s & 7‘s Felicity Groom Trio DJ Adam Trainer MARKET CITY TAVERN Nik Sunset Ben Pig Hider Murray Graveyard MOJO’S The Brow Horn Orchestra Slackjaw Pharmacy Simmo T Heavy Artillery MOON & SIXPENCE Upfront MOONDYNE JOES The Happy Cannibals MOUNT HENRY TAVERN Full Circle MUSTANG Adam Hall & The Velvet Playboys Cheeky Monkeys NEWPORT Felix NORTH FREO BOWLS CLUB Ben Clifton Richard Lane Pins & Ladles Andy Williams The Jordan Azor Trio NORFOLK BASEMENT Steroflower Bog Old Bears James Teagues NOVOTEL VINES RESORT Acoustic Nights

The Big Old Bears, Friday at The Norfolk, Wednesday at The Indi Bar

OLD BAILEY TAVERN Rockstar PADDO Gun Shy Romeos PADDY HANNAN’S Blue Gene Crazy Craig PADDY MAGUIRE’S 43 Cambridge PLAYERS BAR (Mandurah) Slim Jim & The Phatts PRINCIPAL MICRO BREWERY Billy & The Broken Lines RAILWAY HOTEL Blunt Force Trauma White Lanterns As We Fall & Cold Fate ROCKET ROOM Tangled Thoughts Of Leaving Noctis Ibex Bend The Sky Ultra Detectives (Late) The Witches Promise DJ Jessica_Kill ROSEMOUNT College Fall CD Launch The Ghost Hotel The Chris Gibbs Band American Novelist SAIL & ANCHOR Switchback SEVENTH AVE BAR Midnight Rambler SOUTH ST ALEHOUSE Robbie King Karaoke SWAN BASEMENT Green Green Green The Trevallys Frozen Ocean Clean Living SWAN LOUNGE Mudguts Enkounter Aniva Valiant SWINGING PIG Barcode THE BOAT Mod Squad THE DEEN Greg Carter THE EASTERN MIDLAND The Damien Cripps Band THE GATE Benjamin Glynn Duo THE SAINT The Bluebottles THE SHED Kickstart UNIVERSAL Funksta VICTORIA PARK HOTEL Ivan Ribic WATERFORD TAVERN Bogan Bingo WOODVALE TAVERN Dr Bogus

SATURDAY 14.8 AMPLIFIER Wolves Fundraiser CD Launch Sleepwalker The Joe Kings Arms Like Branches Japanese Tongue Sisters

BALLY’S BAR Glen Davies BALMORAL The Recliners BAR 120 Flyte BELGIAN BEER CAFÉ Chris Murphy BENNY’S The Essentials BIRD Young Revelry Emperors Mercy Mercy The Success Of Satan BLACK BETTY’S Red Star BROKEN HILL HOTEL Ladybird & The Midnight Sun BURSWOOD CASINO Courtney Murphy Murphy’s Lore CAPITOL Midnight Juggernauts Dappled Cities Voltaire Twins CIVIC HOTEL (The Den) Green Green Green Taco Leg Wind Waker Pex CIVIC HOTEL (Backroom) Baby Jane Living Large Parietal Fools Of April Shots Fired Day Of Kings COMO HOTEL James Wilson DEVILLES PAD Burger Kings DOUBLE LUCKY Tim Brown Woza ELEPHANT & WHEELBARROW Gun Shy Romeos ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Victoria Newton Amrit Sidhu FENIANS Shanks Pony FLY BY NIGHT Northern Soul FOUNDRY Three & A Half Men FUSE BAR Helix Jazz Trio GLENGARRY TAVERN Wasted Youth GREENWOOD HOTEL Riddum Shak HIGH ROAD HOTEL Fuse INDI BAR The Volcanics The Floors Black Buzzard Paul McCarthy & Luke Dux INDIAN OCEAN BREWING COMPANY Shawne + Luc JB O’REILLY’S The Limerick Lads LEFT BANK Raggi Man Mantra LEOPOLD HOTEL Greg Carter

REUNION TOUR FEATURING BRODERICK SMITH TICKETS FROM BOTTLESHOP, BOCS OR ON THE DOOR RESTAURANT OPEN FROM 6PM

COMING SOON

BONDI CIGARS CADD & MORRIS IAN MOSS ROSS WILSON JAMES REYNE SUNNY COWGIRLS

TUE SAT FRI SAT SAT FRI

24 AUG 28 AUG 3 SEP 4 SEP 18 SEP 8 OCT

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DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR September 10-11 SIENNA SKIES September 12 SOULFLY September 14 THE WONDER YEARS September 15 ASH GRUNWALD September 16-26 THE WHITLAMS September 17 TIJUANA CARTEL September 17-27 ENTER SHIKARI September 18

N*E*R*D, appearing at Summadayze on January 8, 2011

MIDNIGHT JUGGERNAUTS August 14 Capitol SCARY KIDS SCARING KIDS August 17 YMCA HQ Perth August 18 Rosemount Hotel

SARAH BLASKO November 5-6 PENDULUM November 6 ED KOWALCZYK November 8 BON JOVI December 8 AMERICA / CHICAGO / PETER FRAMPTON November 12 THREE DOG NIGHT & THE TURTLES November 18

POWDERFINGER September 23-24

LEONARD COHEN November 24

MINDSNARE August 21

DAN KELLY September 24-26

DARREN HANLON August 21

MARK SHOLTEZ September 24-25

MANIC STREET PREACHERS November 27

THE DINGOES August 21-22

WAVE ROCK September 25-26

JACK JOHNSON December 4

ALED JONES August 26

MAYHEM September 26

GORILLAZ December 6

PARADES August 26 -28

REGURGITATOR September 26-27

BRITISH INDIA August 27September 4

CYPRESS HILL September 29

THE BOUNCING SOULS & HOT WATER MUSIC December 8

BONDI CIGARS August 20-24

THY ART IS MURDER August 26-28

MARK SEYMOUR August 13 Fly By Night

GEORGE BENSON November 6

SAMSARA August 20 –21

HORACE PINKER August 12 The Den

GREEN GREEN GREEN August 13 Swan Basement August 14 Civic Hotel

MOUSE ON MARS November 3

THE THREE UP TOUR November 18-20

HOODOO GURUS August 20

BASEMENT BIRDS August 13 Astor Theatre

JASON DERULO November 2

BOB LOG III September 20 -27

THIS WEEK

COLLEGE FALL August 13 Rosemount Hotel August 14 Settlers Tavern August 22 Broken Hill Hotel

ANGUS & JULIA STONE September 18

SOILWORK October 28

BIRDS OF TOKYO October 2

THE BEDROOM PHILOSOPHER August 27

PARKWAY DRIVE / THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA / THE GHOST INSIDE / 50 LIONS October 3

JOHN BUTLER TRIO August 27

PARAMORE October 10

CHRIS ABRAHAMS September 1

GUTTERMOUTH October 13

NAPALM DEATH / DYING FETUS September 1

DEAD MEADOW & NADJA October 13

DEATH VOMIT September 1-9

PAUL WELLER October 15

THE CAT EMPIRE / MAMA KIN September 2

MILES AWAY October 15-17

ART VS SCIENCE September 4

GBH October 17

TINPAN ORANGE September 4 -10 SAGE FRANCIS October 20

JOHN FARNHAM November 27

EAGLES December 10 HUMAN NATURE December 12 MUSE December 19 TOMMY & PHIL EMMANUEL December 20 SOUTHBOUND (Klaxons, Interpol, The National, Hot Hot Heat, Cold War Kids, Paul Kelly, Joan Jett & The Black Hearts, Public Enemy, and more) January 1-3 SUMMADAYZE (David Guetta, Armin Van Buuren, N*E*R*D, Bob Sinclar, Chromeo, and more) January 8, 2011

PEZ September 2-5

VILLAGE PEOPLE October 20 -22

MISFITS February 1, 2011

CALLING ALL CARS September 5

TAME IMPALA October 22

ROXY MUSIC February 19, 2011

METALLICA October 22-23

SENSES FAIL August 19

BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE / BRING ME THE HORIZON September 5

DEAD LETTER CIRCUS August 20-21

XIU XIU AND HIGH PLACES September 6

SIMPLY RED & MARCIA HINES October 23

SOUNDWAVE (Iron Maiden, Queens Of The Stone Age, Slayer, Primus, Slash, Rob Zombie, and more) March 7, 2011

COMING UP

CONCRETE BLONDE October 23

The National, one of the international acts just announced as part of Southbound 2010, January 1-3, 2011

RIHANNA March 12. 2011

Slayer, playing as part of a stellar Soundwave line-up on March 7, 2011

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MINDSNARE This Is Hardcore

bassist Nigel Melder explains. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When Gordy said he wanted to leave, the three of us talked between ourselves and decided that we just werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t going to replace him because we figured he might change his mind,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We knew that the Meatlocker shows were probably going to be our last shows, so we treated them that way. But our instincts proved to be right because a year or so down the track and Gordy came back to us, saying he wanted to do some stuff again. And he is totally rejuvenated now, even more than before. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doing new stuff with Frenzal (Rhomb) too; the downtime did him wonders. So we are definitely back on.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;WE JUST DO WHAT FEELS RIGHT FOR US NOW. I THINK A LOT OF BANDS FALL INTO THE TRAP OF WRITING AND PLAYING FOR OTHERS.â&#x20AC;?

Mindsnare

It has been two long years since the undisputed god-fathers of Australian hard-core, Mindsnare, announced an indefinite hiatus. But after some much needed downtime, the boys are back with vengeance as they hit their first national dates this month alongside Samsara and Dropsaw.Bassist Nigel Melder talks to JESSICA WILLOUGHBY ahead of their Perth show at Amplifier Bar on Saturday, August 21.

Rest in peace, Mindsnare. These were the exact words this journalist wrote not more than two years ago when the Melbourne four-piece played what was meant to be their last run of Perth dates with Meatlocker. The band had decided to enter an indefinite hiatus after drummer, Gordy Foreman, left after eight years to spend more time with his growing family. But there was a reason these Aussie hardcore greats did not call it quits, as

Back on, indeed. After playing their reunion show supporting Obituary in the tail end of 2009, Mindsnare have slowly been easing themselves back into interstate circuit with a recent slot at Hardcore 2010 in Sydney under their belts. More than this, the lads are already stuck into a slew of new material with a split 7â&#x20AC;? alongside Cleveland cross-over act Ringworm scheduled for release later this year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d actually organised that before our break and it was kind of put on ice,â&#x20AC;? Melder accounts.â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are also going to be on an upcoming Aussie hardcore release alongside bands like Exortion, No Apologies, Miles Away and Parkway Drive. But weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll probably go quiet for the rest of the year. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not ruling out a new album, but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll just need to re-evaluate. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We just do what feels right for us now. I think a lot of bands fall into the trap of writing and playing for others. I mean, we could have gone out and written an â&#x20AC;&#x2122;88 youth crew (New York straight edge hardcore movement) song, and it would have been pretty catchy too, but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not who we are. Could you ever imagine us doing that?â&#x20AC;? No, it is safe to say we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t.

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COUNTDOWN TO THE ROCKET-ROOM RE-LAUNCH

FRIDAYS

Not this weekend, but next weekend, Friday 20th and Saturday 21st August, Rocket Room Re-Launches itself in a no-nonsense manner. The room has been totally renovated. After a complete ‘gut’ and re-fit in February, it has waited in limbo for several months, until now, over the last couple of weeks, the finishing touches have given the room a true identity. The transformation has become obvious and striking on all levels, so the room has come of age - truly is a venue made for this millennium and the music is representative of today’s ‘live music lover’. It is not just the new décor with its acoustic designed walls and clean, friendly ambiance, but also the ‘eye for detail’. From the Celtic Patterns above the bar (and incorporated into its new logo), to the art deco statuettes on the beer handles, the cross ‘axes’ over the poster walls, even a ‘history of the building’ framed on the wall, it is a room ‘with character’. Along with personality of the room has come a total ‘re-think’ on production. Rocket Room has always provided a first rate concert system, with the Big Boxes supplied by Audex and a full production of sound mixed by Chris Hodginson. But now it has gone the obvious next step, and introduced a full Lighting Show: each and every band will have its own sound and light show to compliment their performance. The stage has been extended and the ‘trade-mark red velvet drapes’ have now been subjected to a brilliant LED ‘pin-spot’ wash, which has the mind-blowing effect of igniting the entire stage in a blaze of red ‘backwash’. This effectively ‘lifts’ the bands up, transported and transposed to another level, giving them an awesome impact over the entire room. Combine this with the full range of new LED and Par 50 Cans, the OBI and other spotlights and chasers, all controlled from the new mixing desk (by the new ‘inhouse’ production team), and the impact on the audience really is Rock’n’Roll. But wait, there is more! The owners and promoters are bringing a whole new ‘fuel’ to the Rocket project: a format, which they call their “Hard and Fast after Midnight” attitude. Not to be confused with ‘hard or heavy music”, the intention is to bring a peak, or climax, to each of their 2 main nights; retaining the character and genre of each night, but picking up the pace and punch as the night winds on. On Friday nights, after the original bands finish around midnight, Rocket Room has engaged SideFX (Black Betty’s fame and keeping in the vibe with Friday’s line-ups) to play ‘hard and fast’ through until close, so that when the younger bands have finished their gigs, they too can ‘rock back and ride their adrenalin high’ amongst their peers and supporters.

SATURDAYS

Then on Saturday Nights, for a less ‘alternative’ and more ‘rock’n’roll’ crowd, Rocket have bought Gasoline Inc. on line, and put them ‘back to back’ with Kickstart, each pumping out an hour’s worth of prime music, ‘hard and fast’, right through to the final bell. In an interview with the rooms Co-ordinator (Georgina), the Bar Manager (Emma) and the venues Approved Manager (Hayley), the managerial philosophy was summed up for us. “After midnite the public don’t want the bands stringing them along, trying to fill out their repertoire with old songs or beer breaks”, Emma emphatically states. “They are out with their guys (or guys with their gals), hitting top gear, and want to hear the music they love hard and fast, so as to ride the night out on a knee-trembling high – if you will excuse the extended metaphor. But as a female friendly room, managed mainly be females, you have to look at it from our perspective”, she adds with a laugh. With bands like SideFx, Gasoline Inc and Kickstart setting the pace, it’s going to be a hard act for anyone to follow! Give it to me baby, hard and fast. Besides the new Hard and Fast project, the owners of Rocket Room have re-engaged Jeff Halley from Monster Management to supply their bands and touring acts. Jeff was the guy who originally launched the Rocket Room, but in time it passed over to other promoters. “The acts we were getting had become stale and a lot of new bands weren’t getting the attention they needed”, stated Georgina, “so we thought, ‘time for a change there also’”. This result has made itself immediately felt. New bands have been inundating Jeff and Monster Management with requests to play the venue and the list of touring acts and international artists booked to appear, or perform the room, is now as long as your arm. And still there is more. Rocket Room has added another night of music and entertainment to their agenda. They have extended their repertoire of music, with the addition of Perth’s newest ‘hip-hop & roots’ night (titled ‘LAUNCH’), co-founded by MC Optimus (Downsyde). This night is to be held on the First Thursday of Every Month and will give the ‘up and coming’ artists a chance to break into the Oz Hip Hop music industry. With its positive and supportive atmosphere it helps nurture, educate and inspire the future hip-hop heroes, whether it be in their music, art or fashion designs. “Even though Rocket Room charges an entry fee, whilst most other venues have free entry, it has proven to be an advantage, not a disadvantage”, explains Georgina, “as It attracts a better type of clientele and frightens off the d*ckheads”. “That’s right”, chips in Hayley (the “Boss”). “We are presenting a beautiful room to the public, with the best facilities and production for bands, a top line-up of new, proven and international acts, ‘giving it to the punters Hard and Fast’. And we only want the ‘real crowd’, not the flotsam and jetsam who drift around aimlessly, wherever they can get their heads in an open door”! She adds, “Our crowd are those who have an identity, particularly couples and industry people, looking for a great little bar to call their own whenever they come into the city: a place with first rate security, personal recognition, quick and competitively priced drinks, and the best live music in a room with personality – all located at the ‘top end’ of the entertainment strip”! Georgina sums it up, with “over the next few months we will be introducing the “Rockettes” and “Rockers”, a Membership concept which will give regulars free entry after 11pm, so we can reward our loyal crowd even more, whilst spreading the philosophy which is Rocket Room”.

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Arts Martial

THE BIG SOUTH

Indie pop quartet Arts Martial will give downsouth audiences a taste of why the won the 2009 Next Big Thing competition – a battle of the bands that has spawned the careers of artists like John Butler - with shows at The Prince Of Wales, Bunbury, on Friday, August 13, and at Settlers Tavern, Margaret River, on Saturday, August 28. The band will be joined by special guests Guns at The Prince, and by alt-country chanteuse Ruby Boots at Settlers.

WHATEVER SUITS

Pop-rockers Tracksuit, fronted by Bunbury boy Steve Hensby, are heading back to their country roots throughout August and September with a number of regional dates as part of anthemic Melbourne band British India’s Avalanche regional tour. The band play Settlers Tavern, Margaret River, on Friday, August 17; Royal Palms Resort, Busselton, on Saturday, August 28; the Ravenswood Hotel on Sunday, August 29; The Prince Of Wales, Bunbury, on Thursday, September 2, and at the Wintersun Hotel, Garaldton, on Saturday, September 4.

Bunbury punk crew Silver Lizard have emerged as the centrepiece of a thriving scene of genuinely engaging punk rock and hardcore in the South West. This recording features nine tracks, recorded locally and totally DIY. The sound is raw and simple. Apart from a few gang vocals here and there, there are no bells and whistles on this CD. As a demo though, it works, and what really matters is the intent, and the potential. About half of this band’s vibe is them ragging on people who deserve it - humourously in a song like Collars (‘put your fucking collar down !%&*, for fuck’s sake!’), less so in Shark Attack! (‘throw the carcass / keep the fin’). The rest is all fast enthusiasm and the occasional gag, with a Roxette cover for good measure. The clear stand-out song of this whole batch is the amazing closer Why Would You?, which boasts one of the best and damn catchy anthemic choruses to come out of underground WA in donkeys years. Add to this the fact that three quarters of the band’s liner notes consist of them promoting other local acts, animal welfare, and conservation organisations, and you have an entirely likeable band who are kicking major arse and doing very good things. It’s early days still, but Silver Lizard are a band to watch.

The Novocaines Pins & Ladles

ROLLING GREEN CHILLS

The North Freo Bowls Club has been hosting some delightfully chilled gigs of late, with a number of solo acts and bands easing punters into the weekend with eclectic Friday night sets from 6.30pm. This Friday, August 13, folk artist Ben Clifton, acoustic blues (and Stems) legend Richard Lane, Latin tinged jazz man Andy Williams, indie pop outfit Pins & Ladles, and soul rockers The Jordan Azor Trio make up the bill.

THE TWO LAURIES

Last week we mistakenly told you that Simone And Girlfunkle’s latest EP, which will be launched at Manhattans on Friday, August 13, was recorded by Laurie Sinagra. While Sinagra is certainly a rather tidy producer, it was actually recorded by Laurie McCallum. So many Lauries – so little time.

SWEET FILLINGS

Livewire showmen The Novocaines are launching Lovers Teeth, a single from their upcoming EP Courtesy Eventually, at The Rocket Room on Saturday, August 14, and at Murdoch University O-Day on Thursday, August 26. Having supported Them Crooked Vultures earlier this year – and with reported interest from overseas record labels – these hard working Northam lads are certainly a local band expected to step up to the next level. Lovers Teeth was produced by Tokyo based Canadian Alan Brey and was mixed by Nick Terry (Klaxons, The Libertines, Franz Ferdinand). They put on a live show akin to a jack in the box – don’t miss it.

_BEN WATSON

SOFT AS VELVET

The Velvet Echo

The Velvet Echo, a collaboration between travelling duo Scott Nicholas & Gabrielle Harter – assisted by a gang of great Perth musicians - have announced a string of Southwest dates as well as an EP launch at Kulcha in Fremantle, on Friday, September 17. The band, whose intimate lyrics rest atop acoustic guitars and cello, play at Redcliffe On The Murray, Pinjarra, on Sunday, August 22; Cape Wine Bar, Dunsborough, on Saturday, September 18; and The Old Coast Rd Brewery, Myalup, on Sunday, September 19. The duo are currently joined by talented local artists Mitch Becker, Sylvie Millard, and Alison Cook. For metro dates check Myspace.com/thatvelvetecho.

Lacey

DENIM AND LACE The Volcanics (Photo: Mike Wylie)

FIRE AND BRIMSTONE

Much loved, and unapologetically stripped-back, rock ‘n’ roll combo The Volcanics continue their red-hot renaissance this Saturday, August 14, with a single launch for Can’t Do What I Can’t Do, at the Indi Bar on Saturday, August 14. Inspired by rock icons like Little Richard, Chuck Berry, The Saints, Radio Birdman, and The Ramones – Can’t Do What I Can’t Do is a typically raw Volcanic nugget. “We’ve got some fine people playing on the night,” frontman John Phatouros says of the launch.“With Paul McCarthy ‘n’ Luke Dux, Black Buzzard and The Floors. Paul McCarthy’s also going to join the band and do Why’d Ya Do That one of The Boys’ classics. “Even when the real and beautiful Australian rock ‘n’ roll was in its heyday it wasn’t mainstream,” Phatorous explains of the classic Australian rock acts that inspire The Volcanics’ sound.“Sometimes you gotta’ look for it. It’s not for everyone. No music is.”

PARSLEY ALA DIAVOLA

Masters of kitsch, Perth’s Elvis inspired boogaloo combo The Burger Kings, continue to celebrate ten years of lip tremblin’ and hip shakin’ at an Italian themed appearance at Devilles Pad on Saturday, August, 14. Joining the band for this spicy, flame-grilled show are DJ Francesco Italiano, Diavolo Divas, and Les Sataniques GoGo Show. As Rosemary Clooney once said once said, ‘Just make-a with ‘da beat bambino - It’s a like a vino Kid you good a lookin’ but you don’t a-know what’s a cookin’.

After selling out two single launches, pop rock band Lacey will launch their debut EP Ropes at Amplifier on Friday, August 13. The band were given a good wrap recently by triple j main-man Richard Kingsmill who gave their chimey new track Distractions a spin on his 2010 program. The band will be supported by Luna Parade, Good Little Fox, and The Frighteners.

HORNS HAVE THE POINTS

Those multi-legged millipedes of funk, soul, jazz and hip-hop The Brow Horn Orchestra have taken out this year’s Next Big Thing competition – meaning you’ll be hearing a hell of a lot more from them over the coming year. Guitarshredding psych upstarts Sonpsilo Circus took out second place, while dulcet-toned singer/songwriter James Teague came in third. John Bennet And Band took out the APRA Songwriting Award. Punters interested in catching the freshly crowned Brow Horn Orchestra can do so at Mojo’s on Friday, August 13, where the band will be playing alongside Slackjaw, Pharmacy, Simmo T, and Heavy Artillery as part of Hussle Hussle Entry $10 from 8pm.

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BABY STEPS

The Rock Xtras Family Album Any local band worth their salt have, at some stage in their career, piled a few photographs into an envelope and sent them off to X-Press. Thankfully, we don’t throw much out around here, so we can now present – in all their embarrassing adolescent glory – our favourite baby snaps of Perth musicians who have gone on to do bigger and better things. Lovingly dug out of the X-Press Vault and dusted off by DAVID CRADDOCK.

Luke Steele, currently touring the world as Empire Of The Sun, limbering up with an early incarnation of The Sleepy Jackson

A fresh-faced John Butler hanging backstage at Mojo’s

A young Ian Kenny fronting Karnivool in 2001

The Panics at The Woodbridge Hotel, Guildford (photo: Phil Dawson)

re ah entering the ‘Pleasu re ediah Jebedi Zone’ in 1996 (photo: Co Photography)

Eskimo Joe considering a career as house band at the Amelia Social Club (photo: Helen Radloff)

A CUT ABOVE Young Revelry

YOUNG REVELRY

Southern Charm Young Revelry take over The Bird this weekend to launch You And I, their snarling and guitardrenched debut EP, on Friday, August 13, and Saturday, August 14. DAVID CRADDOCK spoke to vocalist Sebastian Astone ahead of the shows. Recording in secluded Southwest hideaways seems to be a trend for Perth bands of late. Tame Impala headed to a coastal Margaret River getaway to record Innerspeaker, and The Silents’ recent album Sun A Buzz also got the bush-bungalow treatment in the middle of nowhere. And so comes You And I,Young Revelry’s guitar-heavy, gloriously noisy, debut EP, recorded by Woody Annison (Children Collide, Red Riders, Black Cab) in ‘The Straw House’ an isolated property five minutes from Redgate Beach in the state’s Southwest. “We didn’t have any phone reception out there so it was good to not have any distractions and really focus on it,” vocalist and

guitarist Seb Astone explains of recording the EP. “We didn’t want to do it in a studio, we just wanted to do it in a place where we could relax, focus and get the best out of ourselves. “It’s just this big old house with about seven bedrooms and we went in there for about a week and just bashed it out. It was good to wake up and get straight into it – you don’t have to go to a studio.” While the driving thud of songs like You And I may remind some of late ‘80s bands like The Jesus And Mary Chain or Ride, Astone, who also plays in local outfit Harlequin League, is uncomfortable with the comparisons, stressing that the band tend to write organically, without aiming to recreate a particular vibe or sonic influence. “You definitely wear your influences on your sleeve but sometimes it’s better not to think about anything and just let it flow out a bit more,” Astone explains of how Young Revelry, who have only been together for about 12 months, approach their songwriting. “Usually I’ll bring an idea in and generally as a band will arrange it. Tom [King, bassplayer] brings songs in as well… We’re all pretty involved in the songwriting, from an arrangement point of view.” With the band soon to set out on their first major national tour with Melbournites Calling All Cars – the secret of this exciting Perth band is no longer between You And I.

Like any good ‘80s family photo album, the one thing that is painfully obvious when digging through the X-Press archives is the hideous crimes against hair that have been committed on our pages. Here, DAVID CRADDOCK hesitantly presents the worst hair moments in X-Press history.

John Farnham, 1987

The Sweet in 1989, quite possibly the hairiest band in our archives

Advertisement, 1991

V Capri, featuring Perth TV personality Tod Johnston, 1986

And our best hair moment? James Baker on the cover of X-Press on October, 31, 1986. Still a great cut.

Advertisement, 1989

James Baker

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Edited by David Craddock Email your news and pics by 12 noon, Monday to: localmusic@xpressmag.com.au

WHAT’S MY SCENE 25 Lovable Locals Throughout its 25-year history X-Press has had the privilege to hear and review some incredible locally produced albums. Some of them have gone on to become internationally recognised classics and others – equally as admirably – are still being uncovered as forgotten gems. Here, three X-Press editors and one long-term contributor get together to decide on a selection of their favourite releases from different vintages. JULIAN TOMPKIN,

DAVID CRADDOCK,

BOB GORDON,

CURRENT EDITOR

CURRENT LOCAL MUSIC EDITOR

EDITOR 1998-2001, 2006-2009

Bob Evans

Cinema Prague

Suburban Kid (2003) Suburban Songbook may have broke Jebediah frontman Kevin Mitchell’s solo guise to a wider audience, but it was this humble debut, recorded in Leederville with Umpire and Adam Said Galore member Simon Struthers, that first endeared me to him. Mitchell showed that you didn’t have to be some Nashville cowboy to create touching and genuine folk and country.

Meldatype (1994) Recorded over several years, as technology changed a couple times over at Poon’s Head Studios, Meldatype was at the time a long-awaited masterpiece that lived up to a mythology that actually pre-dated its release. As fun and as intelligent as music can be all at once – Cinema Prague were three-headed brilliance.

The Kill Devil Hills

Thermos Cardy

Heathen Songs (2007) At the time of this album, this quintessentially Western Australian band would rock up on stage looking like a bunch of tradesman who’d The Triffids come straight from building the Dingo Flour silos and belt out the most intense swampy, The Triffids southern-smoked, racket you’ve ever heard. Born Sandy Devotional (1986) If you were to nail a thumbtack on the exact Hearing drummer Steve Gibson, Hamilton Hill’s year of Perth’s coming-of-age it would have answer to Levon Helm, rasp out Drinking Too Much to be 1986. We finally hit a population of one remains a spine-tingling moment. million, were gearing up for the America’s Cup and, most significantly, were endowed Born The Preytells Sandy Devotional – complete with iconic WA Flood Songs / June Songs (2009) anthem Wide Open Road. Nothing would ever After five years of charming us with their brand of art-pop, Audrey and Will Tell left for Victoria just be the same again. after the release of this debut album – disbanding the group. They left us, however, with this melding The Critics of Nick Cave’s menacing darkness, the jangly pop The Incentive (2002) Perth power pop was omnipotent in 2002 beauty of The La’s, and Elvis Costello’s knock kneed, – a hangover from the previous decade we wordy intellectualism. Spectacle-iar. just couldn’t shake. That was until The Critics rattled the city to its foundations with the most important punk rock statement to come from Perth since The Victims. Seven scorching anthems - brutal cultural criticism with a hook.

Kimberley St Retirement Village (1995) Thermos Cardy were something of a local indie phenomenon. This debut release came out on cassette and was folky, fuzzy and fragile, underscored by strong chops in the rhythm section. Sunny Romance and Merry Penguin were the sound of a summer of love for this young writer. Knew I’d remember it then and I can’t forget it now.

Spank Electric Mistress (1996) Sweeping, Led Zeppelin-like rushes of riffs blended with a primordial, guttural croak, complements of the otherwise beautiful Sacha Ion, made Spank one of the Perth bands in the mid-‘90s. From the haunting nursery rhyme of Awkward, the soothing caress of Burn & Rise and the tearing shriek of Narcissus, Spank seemed the likely thing but, sadly, weren’t.

Red Jezebel Revelations (2004) Red Jezebel had seemingly exhausted their tenure as Perth’s next big hope by 2004. Formed in Perth pop’s ’90s golden era, a string of EPs suggested unrealised greatness. It appeared game over – that was until Revelations. Red Jezebel’s magnum opus, it remains one of WA’s lost classics.

The Panics Sleeps Like A Curse (2005) The Panics’ second longplayer could have gone either way. Their 2003 debut was a patchy yet promising affair, and it was time to lay down their cards. And a dazzling hand it was; a nearflawless album that injected some much needed mystery and intrigue into WA music. The Panics had arrived.

Header On High St (1996) The bastard child of The Rainyard and The Mars Bastards, Header evoked the British tradition better than most of the Britpop superheroes of the time. Pete Carroll glowingly reviewed this album in X-Press Magazine when it was released through Festival Records. He was State Manager of Sony Music at the time. Says a lot, really.

Eskimo Joe A Song Is A City (2004) Their 2001 debut album, Girl, was a cracker but A Song Is A City represents a crystal moment where Eskimo Joe went from being ‘a band from Perth’ to a national entity with huge a presence and bigger future. Lead single, From The Sea, has become a bona fide anthem.

MIKE WAFER, LOCAL MUSIC EDITOR 2003-2010 or owned, purchased solely because of its artwork and the name of the band. Along with The Kryptonics, Thrombus were my first favourite local band.

The Sleepy Jackson Lovers (2003) Luke Steele had Perth music pundits polarised at the turn of the Century. Was he a madcap genius or plain old mad? Lovers would set the record straight once and for all – arguably the most impressive debut to ever come from this city. The perfect psychedelic pop antidote to a world newly at war.

Thermos Cardy

Beaverloop The Preytells

6s & 7s Choose The Sentinel Blooze (2010) It’s just been born, but there’s something about Josh Fontaine’s long awaited debut that makes you think it’ll be on this kind of rollcall for years to come. From the hymnal hum of Drunk Liberties, to the beachy warmth of Holidayz, it’s all there; White Trash (photo: Michael Wholley) pitch perfect pop songwriting with enough experimentalism and reverb-y left turns to keep White Trash you coming back for more. Kamikaze (circa. 1996) Though no recording studio on Earth could Tame Impala capture the brilliance of White Trash’s show, Innerspeaker (2010) (nor, thankfully, the tiny pink lycra shorts that Another, ridiculously fresh-faced pick yet to came with it) Shaun O’Callahan – in one of face the rigours of time, but the significance of his first recordings - certainly captured their Innerspeaker is already tangible. The quality of snarl and wit. Best live band I have ever seen, songwriting on this release saw Kevin Parker and bar none. his psych-pop band go from jamming in suburban living rooms to joining MGMT, one of the world’s Thrombus hottest pop entities, on a far-reaching US tour Blind Spasm (circa. 1992) selling out their own New York and LA shows. The very first local recording I ever heard

Eco Pax (1994) There’s never been a band quite like beaverloop, before or since, and Perth met one of its best dual-front-man combos in Leon Ewing and Brad Coleman. Sometimes funny, sometimes serious, but always really smart; beaverloop were too arty for the punks and too punky for the artfags. Perfect.

Dystonia Radioactive Theme Park (1996) In the middle of grunge and an overexplained ‘Perth pop’ scene, Dystonia were very much alone. Nobody seemed to ever understand what these guys were doing, which is a shame, because what they were doing was being totally awesome.

The Critics No Salvation (2004) Without a doubt, Andy Snell would be on my ‘top 10 favourite singers’ list. The world doesn’t know what it missed out on.

CHRIS HAVERCROFT, X-PRESS CONTRIBUTOR SINCE 2002 The Stems At First Sight, Violets Are Blue (1987) The Stems have long been the pin up boys of the Perth pop sound and their debut At First Sight, Violets Are Blue has become one of the must have Australian albums of all time. The success of stunning lead single At First Sight allowed the band to play the final episode of Countdown and their music was a regular on Neighbours. If The Stems are good enough for Harold Bishop, they are sure as hell good enough for you.

Saidaside

The Stems

Saidaside (1994) Favourite Game may have relabelled themselves Saidaside but they retained the same line-up and tunes. At their peak Favourite Game filled venues with ease and were arguably the best unsigned

band in the country. Saidaside collects all their most popular tunes. Who can’t love a disc with songs called Surprised By The Taste Of Latex and Gluey Backstab?

Turnstyle Itchiekneesonchee (1997) Well before they were doing national tours and having hit singles Turnstyle put out Itchykneesunchee. A cassette is the perfect medium for these maestros of the 4-track and it contains the first dose of their Pavement inspired greatness. There are formative airings of I’m A Bus, Cologne and Kampakar with the ageless Adem K sounding even younger on this one.

lived but much loved Veeline Records was one that slipped under the radar somewhat. By this point the five piece were at the top of their game with a cracking set of tunes that had them being thought of as an all female Belle & Sebastian. Sad Wee Yoo is indie lo-fi of the slackest variety done to perfection.

The Rainyard

Icecream Overdrive (1989) In the era where it was difficult to make CDs The Rainyard had one of the most anticipated local cassettes with Icecream Overdrive. Having borrowed their sounds from the 12” import records that came into Dada Records on a weekly basis Icecream Overdrive was a The Spinsters standout of its time. Their live shows were Sad Wee Yoo (2001) unreliable at best, but packed with nuggets The Spinsters second release on the short like Mr Leary.

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TOP BRASS

THE YOUNG FOLK

Brow Horn Orchestra (photo: Amy Vinicombe)

NEXT BIG THING GRAND FINAL / Sonpsilo Circus / Brown Study Band / John Bennett & Band / James Teague / Walter / Good Little Fox / Brow Horn Orchestra Rosemount Hotel Saturday, August 7, 2010 The Next Big Thing has become an absolute institution in WA music. Now in its fourteenth year, the competition is, along with National Campus Bands, really the only band competition worth entering for established acts. It’s a statewide phenomenon, and every year it has churned out good bands and exposed them to audiences who might not otherwise have got to see such acts. In short, it’s as much a showcase of WA talent as a competition, and 2010 was no different. Utterly unfazed by their early start time, Sonpsilo Circus raised the bar high, delivering an entirely engaging set of post-blues psychedelic ‘60s pop. Full of cool harmonies and heavy on the walkin’ bass-lines, theirs was a sublime and understated set of groove-based jams carried with rock ’n’ roll cool and hipster flair. Next up, Brown Study Band burst onto stage with a huge smile from frontman/ keyboardist Mondo. Resplendent in red tails like some kind of demented ringleader, it’s rare to see a musician on stage who is just so transparently enjoying the experience of creating and sharing music. This band perform the kind of theatrical, thoroughly left-of-field musical badassery not seen in Perth since the heyday of Cinema Prague. John Bennett & Band travelled over 2000 kilometres for tonight’s performance. Based in country near Broome, the entirely charismatic and likable Bennett sang of far away lands and of a simpler existence. His songs were relevant, catchy, and engaging, and he delivered them with humour. Unfortunately his backing band seemed a little nervous on the big stage, with the bass player coyly eschewing photographers. A n e x t re m e l y t a l e n te d yo u n g

performer, James Teague impressed many with his singer-songwriter style solo performance. It’s really difficult to perform as a solo act in this kind of competition, yet Teague pulled it off without a hitch. What really stood out about this guy were the vocals. They are so high. How does he do it? James Teague was impossible to ignore and had everybody talking. Geraldton’s own Walter took the stage next. Quite a large band, they’d put considerable thought into their show. The lead singer’s microphone was adorned with colourful lights, while during the second last song he fired confetti into the crowd, much to their delight. Despite his efforts and enthusiasm he really did come across as inexperienced—the gimmicks failed to convince. Experience will fix this. Th e aw a rd fo r t h e t r u l y l e a s t convincing act of the evening unfortunately has to go to Good Little Fox, who were the only band to come across as entirely generic. A poor man’s Bloc Party, at one point they actually started playing an iconic Franz Ferdinand riff and then proceeded to murder it. And the worst part was the vocals—woeful lyrics. Just woeful. Happily, Brow Horn Orchestra were up next. This was one of those years where the winners strolled in, absolutely obliterated everybody who’d come before, and easily walked away victorious. There are so many people in this band it’s outrageous, with a full compliment of horns and plenty of Cat Empire big band jive. Within 30 seconds of the first song there was a freakin’ beachball bouncing around the Rosemount crowd, and this was quickly followed by one of the members juggling on stage. Impossible to dislike. A thoroughly enjoyable end to a successful evening; Brow Horn Orchestra may have walked away victorious, but each and every performer should be pumped that they got to the final and should take away as much positivity from the event as possible. Congratulations and good luck!

Laura Marling (photo: Lisa Businovski)

LAURA MARLING / Boy & Bear / Johnny Flynn Capitol Sunday August 8, 2010

There are not many musicians that can get indie kids, their parents, and grandparents alike to flock to an urban nightclub on a Sunday night. But if anyone could do it, it was nu-folk British songstress Laura Marling, as she proved at the sold-out final leg of her Australian tour at Capitol. Traversing the hymnal-folk hills of Kentucky and 20th Century downtown minimalism with his gentle bluegrass countryblues fusion, a hushed and wistful Johnny Flynn charmed early, as he moved effortlessly between light, bouncing verse and sheets of furious picking, unleashing clouds of tones that echoed, overlapped, and reproduced as his hauntingly beautiful voice melted into cavernous sonics. Rousing rabbles and warming cockles in equal measure, Sydneysiders Boy & Bear proved that although they may have a firm _BEN WATSON grasp on music history, rather than reviving a

GOING WITH THE FLO

Florence And The Machine (photo: Mike Wylie)

FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE / Pond Challenge Stadium Tuesday, August 10, 2010 Having turned in an exuberant performance at Splendour In The Grass earlier this year, where Florence took to the stage in a tribal onesie, Britain’s much-fussed-over Florence And The Machine’s whirlwind national tour finally hit Perth on Tuesday, with their performance at Challenge Stadium more than proving they’re worth, the adoration lavished by fans of their knock-your-socks-off debut Lungs. While back in the heyday of ‘60s-psychedelia, rock bands might have brought out the odd buxom go-go dancer to rattle around a tambourine and shake her groove thing on stage, local psych-pop outfit Pond chose instead to marry their supporting performance with an aesthetic of a different kind – a ribbon-wielding, long-haired creature who twirled around the band, making for a joyous, endearing and thoroughly odd sight to behold. Outwardly in awe of the huge stage and even bigger gathering crowd, frontman Nick Allbrook strutted his way around every inch of the space seemingly because he could, while his band members worked their magic creating their characteristically fun lo-fi sound. Few images will burn brighter in this reviewer’s mind than that of Florence Welch bursting onto stage dressed in a sheer flowing black number, complete with ebony cape and shock of red hair, coyly thanking everyone for coming, before engulfing the crowd with a gorgeous feeling of awe and wonderment as she kicked into a blinder of a set with illusionary, instrumentally-dense renditions of Drumming Son and My Boy Builds Coffins in quick succession. Bluesy like it was no one’s business, yet

particular scene or re-creating an impressionist sound, they have cherry-picked elements from a broad spectrum of styles, pulling in Appalachian folk, Americana alt-country, indierock and piano-driven pop, to create a personal synthesis of music that is entirely their own. A reverberating bass, half-submerged in the mix (bassist Jake Tarasenko too, was concealed towards the back of the stage) added lurking menace to intense lament The Storm , while vocalist Dave Hosking plaintive wails flawlessly encapsulated post-heartbreak catharsis during a striking cover of Bon Iver’s Flume. But for all their winding paths and unexpected vistas, Boy & Bear’s yearning, falsetto melodies and rich harmonies remained the primary draw, with jaunty up-tempo singles Mexican Mavis and Rabbit Song eliciting outbursts of movement from the otherwise reverential crowd. Fleshing out the shambling, confessional style of the New York anti-folk scene with contemporary British influences and a plethora of homespun tales, the minstrel musings of pixie-like Laura Marling were an absolute joy to behold, as she played up the sparseness of her alluringly husky voice and graceful acoustic guitar in one turn, while fashioning a spooky and churning setting to brood in the next. Although much has been made of Marling’s supposedly endearing/awkward stage-presence, the young artist seemed at ease in the spotlight this night, as she spun artful little thickets of finger picking before dashing off big, open chords with a shy smile creeping up throughout. With graceful slide notes hanging in the air like long curls of smoke, the pure ambiance of delicious Southern-riffed Devil’s Spoke stood out as a highlight, as did Marling’s heart-achingly tempered rendition of ephemeral lovesong Failure. Silenced by the layered majesty of reflective tunes, including the lovely Goodbye England (Covered In Snow) and burring Rambling Man, the enthralled crowd perkedup when the opening notes to Ghosts were strummed, prompting a raucous word-for-word sing-a-long. Dismissing the idea of an encore, Marling told the crowd to imagine that she had already crept offstage and come back for a last song, before treating the enamoured audience to a bombastic, swelling, farewell rendition of I Speak Because I Can, which perfectly captured what Marling does best: conveys a passionate honesty that cuts through pretense and tackles pure emotion. _JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD still pop-savvy enough to rock out the stadium in a contemporary-meets-mainstream way, Welch balanced her mystifyingly mature song-writing skills and otherworldly vocals with jaw-dropping arrangements (performed with deft and ease by session musicians The Machine), crafting a gauzy sound that dazzled endlessly. Pairing exuberant new tracks with crowdrousing favourites, highlights included stunning performances of You’ve Got The Love and Dog Days Are Over, during which Welch stretched her vowels around wonderful soulful phrasing, releasing the tunes with a chest-thumping delivery that matched the intensity of a deftly plucked harp and the relentlessly pounding percussion in equal measure. With her unnatural ability to sing in tune whilst jumping repeatedly a metre in the air, Welch pranced daintily across the stage like she was in her bedroom and nobody was watching. Slipping from song to song as she pirouetted through the air, skipping with glee before her feet had even hit the ground, Welch proved her mastery over perhaps the most important aspect of a live show: stage presence. With a voice as strong and emotive as hers, it’s not surprising that Welch had little use for moments of quiet contemplation, but if the etched joy on the upturned faces was anything to go by, no one was concerned. Best described as a 100 minutes of heroine worship, song-breaks were punctuated by periodic proclamations of “I LOVE YOU FLORENCE!”, as the enamoured audience echoed every handclap, bounded en masse, and lapped up every tune offered, returning melodies with as much intensity as Welch herself – tonight Perth certainly proved they had the love for Florence And The The Machine. _JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD

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Midlake (photo: Lisa Businovski)

WHISKERY WHISPERS Midlake / Big Scary Capitol Wednesday, August 4, 2010

FRIDAY 13TH AUGUST

Ben Clifton / Richard Lane Pins & Ladles / Andy Williams The Jordan Azor Trio

In the past, Splendour In The Grass signalled a time of the year where those in Perth looked with envy at the Eastern States and their bevy of riches in touring acts. However, recent events have seen a change, where many of the bands performing at the festival make the long trek west. One of them, Midlake, made a mid week visit to a considerably more sizable crowd than expected. As the folk from Denton, Texas, took to the stage there were mutterings around the crowd at the sight of four guitarists, and almost as many shaggy beards spread across the stage. Breaking into a meandering introduction with aforementioned guitars finding their space and the first sighting of a flute, Winter Dies welcomed the crowd. Those who wondered whether Midlake could deliver on their lush recordings in the live setting were left picking their tongues up from the floor. Continuing in the British folk vein, Children Of The Grounds cemented that Midlake were to be seen to be believed. The former

jazz students are obviously proficient in their instruments and don’t shy away from a freeform jam during their tunes. The band’s love of Jethro Tull is also evident, as is a cunning knack for knowing when to reign themselves in before the experimentation becomes too much. At first glance they may have looked like Jim James fronting Stillwater – the fictional band from Almost Famous - but it didn’t take long for their pop sensibilities to rise to the fore. Young Bride and Van Occupanther added a sweetness to Tim Smith and Eric Pulido’s harmonies that wasn’t as evident early. On-stage banter was few and far between, but the fresh faced Pulido tried his best on a few occasions. He apologised for the band ignoring Perth for so long, and explained that Midlake aren’t really a band that he would expect one to dance to, before launching into a light hearted chat about his experience at the beach in his boxer shorts that afternoon. Moving back to material from their current release, the title track Courage Of Others was delivered with finesse, the arrangements continued to get tweaked during a rousing Core Of Nature and a slightly slower take on the

haunting Acts Of Man. There are a rare few bands who would be able to have two flutes and a recorder on stage at intervals during their set, but Midlake manage to pull this off without losing any street cred whatsoever. An indulgent but incredibly impressive jam transpired that must have been as close as indie-rock comes to a drum solo these days, before Roscoe, the song that many had come through the doors to hear was played with gusto. The ballad Fortune was delicate and pristine while the band’s aptitude for penning Bob Welch era Fleetwood Mac-like tunes was highlighted in the stunning Head Home. Having been on stage for well over an hour and a quarter, the six members returned for a refined Bandits, much to the delight of the punters front and centre. To end proceedings Branches was given an extended work over. There is no doubt that the members of Midlake could play the same song almost endlessly without appearing like they are trying too hard. Midlake are the rare band who can make sure that they deliver a good night out as well as impressing the pants off you. They managed to hook into every emotion imaginable during one of the better sets seen on this stage for a while. Folking brilliant! _CHRIS HAVERCROFT

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GET IT INDI-YEAH! The Indi Bar Sunday, August 1, 2010 A long-standing supporter of local live music, The Indi Bar kept the drums rolling last Sunday with the ever popular Sunday Showcase. The Sunday session featured slots from Minky G and The Effects, Burnhabbit and Morgan Bain, who entertained with a host of original tunes, while the loving audience lapped up every minute. The Indi Bar has played host to live music every weekend since the Indian Ocean dropped its first wave. On top of Bex Open Mic night every Thursday, you can catch live music ranging from international to national to local acts, something very few pubs in Perth have been able to boast for the past 25 years.

Danike & Scott

Ricky, Jade, Leon, Nigel

Joanna, Duncan, Graeme, Del

Karlene, Candice, Emily

Photographs by Matt Jelonek

GOT MY MOJO WORKINâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Mojoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tuesday, August 10, 2010 In the culmination of two and a half months of intense musical battle, guitar-toting psych ringleaders Sonpsilo Circus won the Grand Final of the Kosmic Sound And Jack Daniels Mojo Rising band competition on Tuesday, August 10. The band played to an impressively large and highenergy midweek crowd alongside fellow entrants The Love Junkies, Hunting Huxley, The Moltens, and The Escape Artists, all acts of a high standard who charmed in their own unique ways. Hunting Huxley showed some slick musicianship with a seamless 20 minute medley of largely instrumental, riff-heavy, psych and prog rock. The Escape Artists bought some urbanity to the rock-heavy line-up, with two rousing MCs demanding the room bounce to their Aussie brand of hip hop. Theatrical and immensely humorous, The Moltens unselfconsciously did their thang with a woozy set of odd-ball, Eddy Current-esque, post punk. But it was Sonpsilo Circus â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a band that looks like it was born out of a drunken pub conversation along the lines of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;what would happen if you put Jimi Hendrix, Keith Moon, and Jack Bruce in the same band?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; - that were the standout winners. While their $1500 Kosmic gift voucher will undoubtedly be handy a handy prize, it is the valuable recording time they have won with local hit maker Dave Parkin that will ensure that this band is further heard for years to come.

Sonpsilo Circus (live photo: Mihaila Lukic)

Sam and Liz

_DAVID CRADDOCK

Carol, Sarah and Gus

Jacklyn and Jaime

Sam and Mel (social photos: David Chong)

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Saint Funktions

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THE SHED

This Black Friday, August 13, the Southern Comfort Voodoo Girls will grace the stage at The Shed. Get down early to be in the chance to win $500 cash and take home a Voodoo glass. Live music all night along.

VELVET LOUNGE

A night for musicians to re-approach their sound in a quieter fashion - Sonic Velvet sees Lantana, Silent Republic, Nicko & The Mong and Isabel hit the Velvet Lounge this Friday, August 13 for a Black Friday special. Entry is $8.

AMPLIFIER

When the clock strikes midnight on Friday at Amplifer, Jamie Mac and DJ Shannon Fox take to the decks and the crowd takes to the dance floor. Punters can sweat it out to alternative tunes, retro gems or something that’s just a little out there. The tunes are pumping, the crowd is chilled and the drinks are cold. What else could you possibly want? Horace Pinker

THE CIVIC HOTEL

This Thursday, August 12, at The Den catch American punks Horace Pinker play their only WA show with guests The Decline, Grim Fandango, Know Your Knot, No Mistake and an acoustic set by Liz Wreck. On Saturday, August 14, in The Backroom, it’s the Ultimate ‘80s Metal Tribute Night Nothing But A Good Time with six local bands playing some of their favourite tracks from the era as well as DJ Glammy Hagar filling out the night with a selection of the best rocking ‘80s tracks. Doors 8pm both nights.

MT HENRY

Next Monday, exit off Manning Road for a deal that will satisfy your hunger, quench your thirst and keep that budget intact for a $5 Snapper and Chips deal with the purchase of a pint.

Ladybird

POW @ THE PADDO

Don’t miss the weekly lineup of local bands playing each Wednesday at The Paddo. On Wednesday, August 18, come see Filante, Ladybird & The Midnight Sun, Honey, and Bill Chidzey. Bands start at 8pm and as always, entry is free.

INDI BAR

Gibbs Band and American Novelist. Doors On Friday, August 13, The Big Old Bears bring open 8pm and tickets are $10 at the door. their wise, age-old, foot tapping tunes to the Indi Bar – as well as their brand spankin’ new RAILWAY EP Tales Of You. Joining them on the night The Railway Hotel hosts a Black Friday are Goodnight Tiger for another Friday special this Friday, August 13, when Blunt night full of local goodness. Force Trauma, White Lanterns, As We Fall and Cold Fate raise the roof. Doors open 8pm and entry is only $6. J.B O’REILLY’S Back by popular demand for one night only, The Limerick Lads, with the very best MOJO’S of Irish ballads this Saturday, August 14, at Sunday, August 15, James Willing J.B’s. launches his EP at Mojo’s Bar as a daytime show. This man’s music is perfect for a Sunday, hungover, heartbroken and - no, ROSEMOUNT HOTEL we only kid - his tunes are wholesome, This Friday, August 13, catch ex-pats College relaxed and very comfortable. Entry is Fall return to Perth to give their new album $10 from midday, show runs until 4.30pm. the hometown launch treatment, joined by special guests The Ghost Hotel, The Chris

SMIRNOFF BLACK FRIDAY AT THE PADDO – TOMORROW NIGHT FRIDAY 13TH AUGUST FROM 8PM!!

THANKS TO SMIRNOFF BLACK!!!

Ultra Detectives

ROCKET ROOM

Friday, August 13, sees the quirky garage/grunge songs of the Ultra Detectives come to light for the late night shift with support act The Witches Promise playing experimental rock tunes ‘til the wee hours of the morning!

$8 Smirnoff Black $7 Pints of Guinness $7 Pints of Kilkenny $8.5 selected cocktails

Free Ånger food DJ Riki from 5pm – 8pm 141 SCARBOROUGH BEACH ROAD MT HAWTHORN Ph: 9242 3077 www.paddo.com.au

Home of the 141 Club The Paddo: winner of the AHA’s T “Best Live Entertainment” award 2009 and Sports Bar” award 2008 “Best “B

Gun Shy Romeos live from 9pm So join us at The Paddo this Black Friday for a wild night out!!! Dress: your Ånest Black Friday attire. www.xpressmag.com.au

THE SHED

This black Friday, August 13, the Southern Comfort Voodoo Girls will grace the stage at The Shed. Get down early to be in the chance to win $500 cash and take home a Voodoo glass. Live music all night along.

VELVET LOUNGE

AMPLIFIER

THE CIVIC HOTEL

MT HENRY

Next Monday, exit off Manning Road for a deal that will satisfy your hunger, quench your thirst and keep that budget in tact for a $5 Snapper and Chips deal with the purchase of a pint.

Ladybird

POW @ THE PADDO

INDI BAR

Gibbs Band and American Novelist. Doors On Friday, August 13, The Big Old Bears open 8pm and tickets are $10 at the door. bring their wise, age-old, foot tapping tunes to the Indie Bar – as well as their RAILWAY brand spankin’ new EP Tales Of You. Joining The Railway Hotel hosts a Black Friday them on the night are Goodnight Tiger for special this Friday, August 13, when Blunt another Friday night full of local goodness. Force Trauma, White Lanterns, As We Fall and Cold Fate raise the roof. Doors open 8pm and entry is only $6. J.B O’REILLY’S Back by popular demand for one night only, The Limerick Lads, with the very best MOJO’S of Irish ballads this Saturday, August 14, at Sunday, August 15, James Willing J.B’s. launches his EP at Mojo’s Bar as a daytime show. This man’s music is perfect for a Sunday, hungover, heartbroken and - no, ROSEMOUNT HOTEL we only kid - his tunes are wholesome, This Friday, August 13, catch ex-pats College relaxed and very comfortable. Entry is Fall return to Perth to give their new album $10 from midday, show runs until 4.30pm. the hometown launch treatment, joined by special guests The Ghost Hotel, The Chris

SMIRNOFF BLACK FRIDAY AT THE PADDO – TOMORROW NIGHT FRIDAY 13TH AUGUST FROM 8PM!!

THANKS TO SMIRNOFF BLACK!!!

Ultra Detectives

ROCKET ROOM

$8 Smirnoff Black $7 Pints of Guinness $7 Pints of Kilkenny $8.5 selected cocktails

Free Ånger food DJ Riki from 5pm – 8pm 141 SCARBOROUGH BEACH ROAD MT HAWTHORN Ph: 9242 3077 www.paddo.com.au

Home of the 141 Club The Paddo: winner of the AHA’s T “Best Live Entertainment” award 2009 and Sports Bar” award 2008 “Best “B

Gun Shy Romeos live from 9pm So join us at The Paddo this Black Friday for a wild night out!!! Dress: your Ånest Black Friday attire. www.xpressmag.com.au

METRO CITY

STEAMWORKS@ VILLA

MINT

NEW

Sapphire Bar – Kiss & Tell – Maxwell/Paul Scott/Damian John/T-Box South St Ale House – DJ Jay Soverign – DJ Jinx Stamford Arms - DJ Anaru/ DJ Janic Tiger Lil’s –Adam Kelly/ Charlie Bucket The Brighton (Upstairs) – Micah/ Kill Dyl/ eSQue The Deen - DJ Birdie/ DJ JJ/ DJ Tony Allen The Generous Squire –Late Night Sessions - WiG Music The Saint – DJ Anaru The Shed – DJ Andyy The Whistling Kite - DJ Craig The Vic - DJ Benny Chill Toucan Nightclub (Mandurah) – DJ Samuel Spencer Villa – Liberate – John 000 Fleming / M.I.K.E / Tritonal Victoria Park Hotel – DJ Melvin Windsor – DJ Ray Woodvale Tavern – DJ Real McCoy

SUNDAY 15/8 Captain Stirling – DJ Jay Clink – DJ Tony Allen Club Bayview – DJ Pete Euro Bar – DJ Flex Eve – DJ Birdie / MC Jex Flying Scotsman (Defectors) – Back To Mono – DJ Gareth Richardson / Ted Schlechte / Anton Mazz Flying Scotsman (Downstairs) Nathan J/ Chris Wright/ The Nisbit Geisha – Loft Sundays - Cyndi Jett/O wen Heir/ Atroboy / Asciimov Mullaloo Beach Hotel – DJ Kenny L Mustang - DJ Rockin Rhys Paddo -DJ Riki Players Bar - DJ-Udas Queens Tav- DJ Rhys Rubix – The Rotation – Krule/ Dazz K/ Untertone/ Lyndon The Cott - Cott Sessions The Saint - DJ Anaru The Shed – DJ Andyy The Wembley – Deckeclectic

MONDAY 16/8 Eastern Hotel – Adam Morris The Deen – Plastic Max / The Token Gesture The Paddo - DJ John Paul The Shed – DJ Andyy

TUESDAY 17/8 Bar Orient - DJ Lyndon Eastern Hotel – Jon Edwards High Road Hotel - DJ Matty J High Wycombe - DJ Ricky Hipe Club – DJ Roger Smart The Cott (Upstairs) –Maxwell/ DJ Jus Haus/ Damian John The Paddo - DJ Deepad Victoria Park Hotel - DJ Melvin

WEDNESDAY 18/8 MINT OPEN HOUSE PART Y Brighten up your Wednesday nights with Mint’s House Party. Tunes from your loungeroom stereo on Mint’s soundsystem -expect to hear massive new stuff and your favourite old stuff all night long. No gatecrashers, no parents and no need to clean up in the morning! $9 cocktails, too – bargain! Door sales from 9pm. Free before 10pm, $5 before 12 midnight, $10 thereafter. Basement On Broadway – Damien John/Angry Buda/ Maxwell/Headayke Captain Stirling – DJ Ricky Clancy’s (Applecross) – Upbeat – DJ Andy Connections - DJ’s Joby / JJ / Rueben Dusk – Blackbelt/ Aswon Double Lucky – Dirty Elegance Eurobar – Wild Wednesdays - DJ iPod/Ben Pettit Eve – DJ Don Migi / Skooby Flying Scotsman- Craig Hollywood / Arme Gold – Slick/ Adroc Hipe Club – DJ Roger Smart Mint – Open House - DJ Chris / DJ Matt Manhattans – We All Deserve To Be Loved - Paranoid Tarantula DJs Mustang – DJ Giles Newport Hotel – DJ Tony Allen / DJ Kaela Niche - DJ Frankie Button Paddo - Ben Merito Rosemount – DJ Shannon Fox Shape – Kool Keith / Selekt / Kit Pop / Ad Roc The Clink – DJ Jinx The Deen- DJ Zelimer / DJ Viper & DJ Benny T– Zone 1 The Queens – Wriggle on

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THIS WEEK Nik Fish Friday, August 13 @ Rise

Nick Thayer Saturday, August 21 @ Ambar

Cold Blank Friday, August 13 @ Ambar

RTRfm Radiothon Opening Party - Tomás Ford /Diger Rokwell /Mama Cass / Charlie Bucket / Sardi /Ben Elliott Saturday, August 21 @ Astor Kon & Amir Friday, August 27 @ Manor

Midnight Juggernauts Saturday, August 14 @ Capitol

tyDi /MaRLo Friday, August 27 @ Rise

John 00 Fleming/ M.I.K.E/ Tritonal Saturday, August 14 @ Villa

Les Coombs Friday, August 27 @ Ambar

COMING UP

Rottofest feat. Funk Club Friday, August 27 @ Rottnest

Richard Vission Friday, August 13 @ Metro Freo

NEW

Sophie Sugar/ Dr Willis Friday, August 20 @ Rise

Richard Durand Friday, September 3 @ Rise NEW

Yolanda Be Cool / DCUP Friday, August 20 @ Ambar

Marten Horger Friday, September 3 @ Ambar

Per th Kings – Hip Hop Festival Friday, August 20 @ The Rosemount

Deathface Friday, September 10 @ Shape

Ozi Batla Friday, August 20 @ Prince of Wales Bunbury, Saturday, August 21 @ Rocket Room, Sunday, August 22 @ Mojos

Miles Dyson Saturday, September 11 @ Villa

DJ Marky Saturday, August 21 @ Villa

Horrorshow / Seth Sentry Friday, September 17 @ Mojos + Friday, September 18 @ Rosemount

NEW

Marcel Dettmann Friday, September 17 @ Ambar

Ice Cube Friday, October 29 @ Metro City

Bass Kleph Saturday, September 18 @ Villa

Pendulum Saturday, November 6 @ Challenge Stadium

NEW

Lee Burridge Friday, September 24 @ Ambar Kid Kenobi Saturday, September 25 @ Ambar Parklife feat. Missy Elliot/ Cut Copy/ Groove Armada/ Soulwax/Holy Ghost! /Busy P/ Midnight Juggernauts/ Uffie/Classixx /Mix Master Mike Brodinski/ Jesse Rose/ The Swiss + more Sunday, September 26 @ Wellington Square Godskitchen feat. Andy Moor / John O’Callaghan / Marcel Woods / Wippenberg / Jon O Bir + more Friday, October 8 @ Metro City

Stereosonic 2010 – Tiesto/ Ca r l Cox / R o by n / M a j o r Lazer/Sebastian Ingrosso/ B e n ny B e n a s s i / W i l e y / Ricardo Villalobos/Infected Mushroom/Jeff Mills/ Afrojack + more Sunday, November 28 @ Claremont Showgrounds NEW

A Tribe Called Quest Friday, December 3 @ The Bakery NEW

Summadayze 2011 feat. Erol Alkan/ Chromeo/ Armin Van Buuren/ David Guetta/N.E.R.D/ Bob Sinclair/ Wolfgang Gartner/ Rivastarr/Miami Horror/ Yuksek/ Aeroplane + more S a t u r d a y, J a n u a r y 8 @ Supreme Court Gardens NEW

Old Skool Reunion feat. Sasha Votoff Saturday, October 16 @ TBA Circo Loco Friday, October 22 @ TBA

Southbound 2011 feat Public Enemy/Bliss n Eso/ Peaches (DJ set)/Yacht Club DJs/A-Trak + more Saturday, January 1 – Monday, January 3, 2011 @ Busselton, venue TBA

RISE

AMBA AR R CITY BLISS N ESSO @ METRO

DEATH DISCO @ CAPITOL

NEW

THURSDAY 12/8

FRIDAY 13/8

K U LC H A WILDST YLE G e t on up and clap your hands a t W i l d s t y l e, a n e w n i g h t dedicated to deep down world rhythms from Lagos to Berlin. The Wildstyle DJs return to take you on a journey through the groove in the second installment of this new night of dance jams for the people. Expect disco house, ghetto jazz and afro-beat…and so much more! $8/$6 conc. Doors open 8pm.

R I S E NIK FISH N i k Fi s h i s a household name in the Australian dance music club and party scene with an impressive DJ career spanning almost 20 years. He’s always remained at the top of the game, pioneering the hard dance sound and always a staple in the Top 50 Australian DJ Poll, often in the top five. Nik regularly tours and plays at the nation’s biggest club venues and graces the international stages at festivals like Creamfields, Utopia and Magic City. With mix CDs under his belt for the likes of MOS and Central Station, not to mention Cybergroove, Nik is a real talent and a must see live act. Doors open 9.30pm. Rise members $5 before 11pm, $10 thereafter. Non-members $10 before 11pm, $20 thereafter.

Bird – Hip Hop Kara-‘yo’-ke Broken Hill Hotel – Fixed Clancy’s (Canning Bridge) - DJ Righteous Club Bayview –Hush- Sox Draw / Maxwell Club Marakesh –DJ Simon Cottesloe Hotel - DJ Shots / DJ Andy M Dolce – Maxwell/Damian John/ Hippo Club Eve –DJ Tony Allen Flying Scotsman (Main Room) - Pasha’s Kitchen – The Big Man Flying Scotsman (Defectors) – Ritmo / DJ Moody F l y i n g S c o t s m a n ( Ve l ve t Lounge) – Kurbist Gong Band / Maurice Flavel /Dean Anthonisz / Like Junk / Frozen Ocean Foundry - DJ Durra Geisha – Aperture - Dan Da Silva/Nik Nak/Frankie Buttons Kulcha – Wildstyle DJs Liquid Nightclub – DJ Buda / Dj Nino Brown Manhattans – Useless Things / The Fags / Clancy Mustang – DJ James MacArthur Niche Bar – Flaunt / Johnni P / Feminem Newport – Ren’ee The DJ / Extended Play DJs Niche - Johnni P/ Rob Blandford O n Th e Te r ra ce – D o l ce – Shazam/Audageous Paddy Hannans – Dr Bogus / Crazy Craig Swinging Pig – DJ Simon The Deen – DJ Flex/ DJ Nano/ DJ Serge/ DJ Don Migi The East End - DJ Midfield The Queens – Kapitol P The Whistling Kite - DJ Gareth The Shed – DJ Andyy Toucan Club -Shut Up & Dance - DJ Matty J / Darren Nixx Woodvale Tavern – DJ Melvin

AMBAR COLD BLANK Straight out of Los Angeles, filthy house duo Cold Blank bring their hit tunes to Ambar tonight in their first ever Australian show. Cold Blank burst out onto the dance music scene around 2008 with hot bootlegs sparking a lot of conversation in the blogosphere. They shot to the top of the digital charts after their releases became official and the rest is history. These days, they have tracks on labels like Wearhouse, Potty Mouth Music, and count Major Lazer, Calvertron, Surkin, The Bulgarian and MSTRKRFT amongst their remix repertoire. You know you’re in for a treat when Cold Blank are in the house! Support from Destination? residents Signal Drivers, Grantley Hyde, Tha Nightcrawlaz and Alex Tong. Tickets $20 on the door from 10pm. MOJOS HUSSLE HUSSLE Big beats can be expected as some of this city’s most infamous acts hit the stage tonight at Mojos. Next Big Thing winners The Brow Horn Orchestra show us why they rule with their ska, hip hop, dub and jazz stylings, while Freo MC Slackjaw shows us his poetic inclinations, performing laidback tracks containing humorous insights into life as an underground artist. Electro trouble makers, Pharmacy will

BLISS N ESO RUNNING ON AIR

BLISS N ESO / Diafrix / Mind Over Matter Metro City, Northbridge Saturday, August 7, 2010 Sydney hip hoppers Bliss N Eso kicked off their Down By The River national tour in Perth on Saturday night - just a week after their fourth album Running On Air was released and went straight to the top of the ARIA charts. After an early set from upcoming Sydney duo Mind Over Matter, Melbourne’s Diafrix hit the stage. The duo – rappers Azmarino and Momo – were joined by a live guitarist and a DJ. They proved to be talented performers, engaging an almost full house even though many punters didn’t seem familiar with their music. Diafrix’s set drew from their 2009 debut Concrete Jungle, with highlights including the Fela Kuti-sampling African Affair, the high energy Let’s 76

deliver a dubstep and techno pop set with help from Simmo T . Heavy Artillery – a young dubstep gun – rounds out the night. Entry is $10 from 8pm. Ambar – Destination – Cold Blank / Residents Signal Drivers / Grantley Hyde / Tha Nightcrawlaz / Alex Tong Amplifier - Jamie Mac + DJ Shannon Fox Bar 120 - Treat - The Fix / DJs Anton Maz / Wombat / Maz1 Bar 138 – Lokal Bar Open –Blink Night – Tron / Amnesia / Chumba / Playground DJs / Lyndon / Mark Paulo / Jekyll & Hyde / Ogden / Me.ed / Rikache Bayswater Hotel –Beat Off! ShockOne/The Pearly Whites Broken Hill Tavern – DJ Nick Alexander Capitol –Retro Mash – Lady Penelope Clancy’s (Canning Bridge) - DJ Boogie Como Hotel – DJ Gazz Deville’s - Bad Luck Friday 13th – Little White Lies / The Sweet Janes Double Lucky – DJ Adam Kelly, Cee, DJ Seb Sharp Eve – DJ Don Migi / Skooby F l y i n g S c o t s m a n ( Ve l ve t Lounge) – Lantana / Silent Republic / Nicko / The Mong & Isabel Flying Scotsman (Main Room) – Time Tunnel - DJ Rok Riley/ Joe 19 Flying Scotsman (Defectors) – Micah / Sharif Galal Geisha – Plush – Frankie Button/ Tizer High Wycombe – Fill In Da Gap Hipe Club - DJ E-Funk Leederville Hotel – Funk Club Down Under – Drama/Zeus Roc/ Charlie Bucket Library –Dorcia Fridays - Scott D / Yon Jovi / Mickey Juice Liquid Nightclub - DJ Klar55 / DJ Jewel / DJ Stevie M Lakers Tavern – Fresh Fridays DJ Dooey Manhattans - Simone & Girlfunkle / 6’s & 7‘s /Felicity Groom Trio / DJ Adam Trainer Merrina Tavern – DJ Real McCoy Metro City - DJ Aqeel / DJs MixtaBishi / Big Ice / Tej / Denny Metro Freo – Richard Vission – DJ Zelimir / Mel B Mojos – Hussle Hussle – Brow

Go and set closer Crazy – an infectious blend of swinging horns and menacing synths. Bliss N Eso’s set promised to be a visual treat, with an impressive lighting set up, a projector screen above the stage and a huge print of the Running On Air artwork as the backdrop.The crowd gave up a huge roar when the projector fired into action, showing a video of Bliss N Eso making their way through backstage, and got even louder when the boys appeared and launched into Flying Through The City. From there they kept the crowd excited by performing favourites such as Woodstock 2008, Zion Bash and Up Jumped The Boogie, causing many on the uncomfortably packed dance floor to jump up and down. Bliss and DJ Izm followed with a beatbox versus turntable routine which, while familiar (they’ve been doing similar routines for years now), showed off their skills and love for hip hop culture. After performing two of their more reflective tunes, Eye Of The Storm and Bullet And A Target, Bliss N Eso were joined on stage by Mind Over Matter for the rowdy Where The Wild Things Are. The younger duo put in a decent effort, but couldn’t match the charisma of the more

Horn Orchestra/Slackjaw/Simmo T Mint – Club Retro – Chris McPhee Mustang- Swing DJ / DJ James MacArthur Newport – Culture Clash - DJ Andrei Mazz/Jerrem Lynch Norma Jeans – DJ Phil Oxford Hotel – DJ Sequeria Paddy Hannans – Just Ace / Crazy Craig Paramount –DJ Morgan / DJ Jordan Principal Micro Brewery – DJ Simon Queens Tav – DJ Rueben Rise – Defqon 1 CD Launch -Nik Fish / Rousa / Steven Tranzor / Ravix / Tekkneeqqzz Rubix – Gene Bourne/ Kenny/ Riki Sail & Anchor - DJ Anaru Sapphire Bar – SuperFly Shape – The Cube – ShockOne/ Phetsta/Rregula/Bad Weather/ Greg Packer Settlers Tavern - Raz Bin Sam The Clink – DJ Jinx The Deen – DJs Birdie / Tony Allen / JJ / Tony Don Migi The Eastern – DJ Midfield The Saint - DJ Jordan The Queens – DJ Rueben The Shed – DJ Glenn 20 Tiger Lils – Paul Malone / Joby / Alex K The Vic - DJ Durra Toucan Club -Ladies Night - Keli Hart / DJ Misscheif Uniting Church Hall – TGIF Dance - DJ Geoff Windsor – Dj Riki and Ray Woodvale Tavern – Dr Bogus Victoria Park Hotel – DJ Melvin

SATURDAY 14/8 VILLA LIBERATE A monster four hour set from John ‘00’ Fleming is a massive drawcard for this evening, Fleming being one of the few artists that has maintained underground respect whilst enjoying commercial success during a career spanning almost a quarter of a century. He’ll be joined by M.I.K.E., whose Universal Nation album is still recognised as one of the classic dance-records of the trance era to this day. The carefully crafted, uplifting progressive trance of Tritonal rounds out Liberate and will make this a night to remember. Tickets still available from inthemix.com. au and onsideentertainment.com.

V E LV E T L O U N G E L U C I D DREAMING Tonight’s edition of LD is looking nothing short of spectacular, with some of Perth’s hottest talents showcasing their love of all music 4/4. Micah, Cam Duff and Katesy make their debut LD journey, whilst Micah, one of Perth’s most recognisable DJs, delivers a special tech set. Brace your self for the return of Darren J, Paul Devins, Olivier C and Hierarchy head honcho Cam Duff - these guys will have you bouncing off the walls in no time. Entry is free. Doors open 7pm. RISE OURSTYLE A new night has been created at Rise that aims to showcase hardstyle and hardcore DJing and production in Western Australia. If you like your beats hard and fast then this where you will hear the best! Tonight you can catch DJs Phetsta, Greg Packer, Special Lucas, Jazza, Vishnu, Ylem, Tiffa, Saxon, Kur tox and Affiliate. Doors open 9.30pm. Free entry before 10pm. Rise members free before 11pm, $5 thereafter. Non-members $5 before 11pm, $10 before 1am, $15 thereafter. Ambar – Japan 4 – Buda / Dead Easy / Ben Mac / Mono Lisa / Philly Amplifier – Eddie Electric Bar Open (Downstairs)- Open House – Rikache / Zina / Bacich / Ogden Bar Open (upstairs) –Filthy Gorgeous - Dixie/ Sketchism & Jackness /Jay Vicente & Travis LeBrun /dMo /Pascal Basement On Broadway – DJ Ricky Broken Hill Tavern – DJ Nick Alexander Capitol - Midnight Juggernauts /Dappled Cities /Voltaire Twins Capitol (Upstairs) – Cream Of The 80s – DJ Ryan Capitol (Downstairs) - Death Disco DJs Captain Stirling - DJ Dano Clancy’s (Canning Bridge) - DJ Dood Civic Hotel (The Den) - Screech / U-Wish /Minky G Clink- DJ Cheese Club Bay View – VIP Saturdays – DJ Ryan Connections – Michy T / JJ / Brian

Crush – Volume Deville’s - Viva Italiano Italian National Day Celebrations - The Burger Kings Double Lucky – DJ Saxon Dusk – New Gen 3 rd Birthday Bash- Fusion /Skinny /Rowdy / Duane /Dash /Motion /Wiggz Eurobar – Roger Smart/ DJ Raci Eve – Eve DJS Flying Scotsman (Defectors) –Bad Love - Lemon Lime & Biddiss / Il Simpatico DJ / PILS / Lightsteed Flying Scotsman (Main Room) – Transmission – Andrei Mazz Flying Scotsman ( Velvet Lounge) – Lucid Dreaming - Darren J / Paul / Devins / Olivier C / Cam Duff / Katesy / De|Mech Geisha – Joie –James A / Cam Duff High Wycombe – DJ Matt Hipe Club - DJ E-Funk Indi Bar – Direct Influence Leederville - DJ Loco Ren Library – DJ Jimmy Phatz / DJ Victor /DJ Gareth Richardson Liquid Nightclub - DJ Klar55 / DJ Stevie M L l a m a B a r – V J Zo o / D J Rueben/ DJ Tony Lopez Manhattans – Blac Blocs / The Wednesday Society /The Supergames Mint – Pop Life - Darren Briais Metro City – Superheroes & Villains - DJ’s Headayke / Slick / Matty S /Angry Buda Metro City (R&B Lounge) – DJ’s Headayke / Ruthless / Brett Costello / Kyte Metro Freo - Lady Penelope Mullaloo Beach Hotel – DJ Danny Mustang – DJ Rockabilly / DJ James MacArthur Niche – Frankie Button / Cee / Jonny Zimber Norma Jeans – DJ Dwayne Onyx - DJ Kayper Oxford Hotel – DJ Sequeria Paramount –DJ Meezy / DJ Jordan Q u e e n s Ta v - G a r e t h Richardson Rise – Resonate – Phetsta / Greg Packer / Special Lucas / Jazza / Vishnu /Ylem / Tiffa / Saxon / Kurtox / Affiliate Rosemount Hotel - Agent Alvin Rubix – Kenny L/ Delaney

experienced headlining act. Izm almost stole the show with a fantastic DJ routine – beat juggling Big Boi’s speaker rattling You Ain’t No DJ, mashing up Grandmaster Flash’s The Message with Bob Marley’s Could You Be Loved and getting the crowd to sing along with Pink Floyd’s Another Brick In The Wall and Midnight Oil’s Beds Are Burning. Bliss then surprised the crowd by performing his verse from Watchdog Water Dragons, off the group’s 2004 debut Flowers In The Pavement. The excitement ramped back up as the group ended their set with Party At My Place, new single Down By The River and We Blazin’, followed by an encore performance of The Sea Is Rising. Bliss N Eso weren’t done; coming back for one more encore –Addicted, an uplifting, standout track off Running On Air. While it felt like a very familiar set, even with the new material, the crowd definitely didn’t mind. After Izm led the crowd in an ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie’ chant, the boys were really finished.

Bliss N Eso (Pic: David Chong)

JOSHUA HAYES www.xpressmag.com.au

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CLUB CHRONICLES 25 YEARS OF SORE FEET & SUNRISES The Red Parrot, The Firm, The Underground, The Jackal, The Loft…these are names that probably don’t mean much to today’s Gen Y clubbers, immersed as they are in bangers and Beetroots, but for many club promoters, DJs and former club patrons in Perth, these venues hold memories more sparkling than any disco ball. DANIELLE MARSLAND looks back on the history of Perth’s club scene with some of its key players. “It was 1969 when I have my first memory of a club in Perth, called Blanche’s Trip. It was BYO and they played alternative music like The Doors, Jimmy Hendrix and Janis Joplin.” John Anderson, owner of the Hip-E-Club, seems to have one of the earliest club memories in Perth, though fellow punters have talked of Pinnochios, on Murray St, as the club that held reign over punters’ hearts from 1967 onwards. It wouldn’t be until ten years later that things would really pick up, with many an alternative dance music fan flocking (pardon the pun) to the big warehouse space known as The Red Parrot. Depending on your age, you might be familiar with this space as ‘The IceCream Factory’ or the ‘Berlin’ – on the corner of Milligan and Roe streets. Tim Brown, who DJs today around town at venues like The Brisbane, Double Lucky and Luxe, and has been the owner of Connections nightclub in Northbridge for the past 19 years, recalls the Red Parrot fondly. “As a teenager, I remember waiting until my parents had fallen asleep, then sneaking out of the house, riding my bike over to a friends house, ‘borrowing’ his Dad’s car and making our way to the Red Parrot. It was the biggest, craziest party I’d ever seen, with all manner of freaks, with two DJs: one playing disco, the other; new wave.” Former X-Press editor Bob Gordon also recalls spending a lot of time at the Red Parrot; dancing to The Smiths in the company of a distinctive crowd of alternatives. “The subcultural individuals were a lot more defined back then,” ponders Gordon, “you either listened to good bands, or you had no taste, and listened to cover bands.”Gordon also has a few painful memories of the Parrot, including being beaten up for sporting a black chimney sweep’s cap (!), as well as witnessing a friend leap over the Parrot’s brick wall to get into the Hoodoo Gurus gig, only to land on a sharp picket and have a band member from the Triffids (who was a doctor) come to his rescue. Also a Parrot fan was Simon Barwood, manager of Rise nightclub and a regular DJ at Rise for many years. Barwood began clubbing there in 1983, also frequenting haunts such as The Red Lion Hotel, before becoming a regular DJ at The Underground. Shares Barwood:“I loved electronic and New Romantic music and was into New Order, Depeche Mode, OMD, The Cure, Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet. But my time as a punter was short lived, as I began DJing soon after, landing my first residency at The Underground in May 1985. “The Underground was a bit of a melting pot so I was playing to a crowd of Mods, Goths, Rockabillies, New Romantics and ‘regular’ punters. Everyone seemed to get along and tolerate each others’ very different tastes. Continues Barwood: “Keeping such a diverse crowd entertained broadened my knowledge of music and gave me an appreciation for styles and artists I wouldn’t have otherwise listened to. It was a great education and the experience and lessons learned served me well for the next 25 years I would spend DJing at venues around Perth like Jules, Chicago, ZuZus, Club Bayview, Jericho, Network, Havana, DCs, The Go Club, The Leederville Hotel, Redheads, The Globe, The Church, O2 and Rise. Kat Black, of Perth duo VJ Zoo, was a punter back in the days of The Underground: “I used to go-go dance at the Underground. I was in the Mod Scene, which was pretty big in Perth in the early ‘80s.” Indeed, the Underground was a club remembered for its free drinks (particularly Black Russians, with one patron suggesting “I can’t smell or taste a Black Russian without thinking of The Underground!”) pyjama and toga parties, upstairs dancefloor surrounded by mirror tiles and

New Order gig at The Red Parrot

The Red Parrot

Doormen at The Red Parrot

Clubbers at The Underground

downstairs bar. Many underage punters snuck into this club, arriving early to make the most of their night, needing to catch the last bus home to get to school the next day. An Underground patron recalls:“I always remember the line to get in was so long! Often to the end of the block, right around the corner and down the street. But we loved the place so much we didn’t mind waiting 1-2 hours to get in, often in the freezing cold. If I remember correctly, the doormen would patrol up and down the lines checking for any cute girls - if we smiled coquettishly at them and had on short dresses, we were often guaranteed quick entry!” Another punter has similar fond memories:“We would always get there early to get a booth upstairs. We would all squeeze into the booth and fill our table with $2 shooters, then sit there till they were all gone. I loved dancing with the rockabillies in the downstairs bar in between running back and forth to the Parrot.” Once the Underground closed, becoming the Arcadia, the place to be was The Firm (now the Old Melbourne Hotel on Hay St). The Firm, whilst far from cutting-edge in its music and less than inspiring in its decor, lighting and atmosphere, took pride of place in the alternative music fan’s weekend. Former Salt Editor and exRTRFM programme director, Dave Cutbush, reveals all: “My first memorable club experiences in Perth were at The Firm. It was a derelict mecca for indie kids and dance music fiends alike. At The Firm, I caught the likes of Dan the Man and Mr Whippy DJing, before they were into dance music, which was great. Whilst we all had a great time dancing to The Stone Roses, The Smiths and My Bloody Valentine, I also recall some darker moments…like being thrown down the stairs on more than one occasion by the overzealous bouncers.” Former Salt editor, Matty Perkins, builds on memories of The Firm with other hot spots of the time.“At the tail end of 1992, at the age of 16, I went to The Firm and Pockets (corner of James and Lake) to learn how to DJ, as well as Freezer and DCs (Francis Street, now demolished). It felt like a big adventure wandering the circuit of clubs exploring these new sounds and being in rooms of friendly people sharing in something not widely known about. Seeing the Prodigy and Sasha at an all-ages event at The Berlin (formerly the Red Parrot) at the end of ’92 seems improbable now.” Resident DJ at Geisha, Terry Waites, also had his first clubbing experience at DCs, before progressing on to The Jackal on William St in the late nineties. Says Waites: “I have very fond memories of listening to JJ and Dave Jackson playing house at The Jackal, and I even think Simon Barwood was spinning house back then! After that, I found my home amongst the house music crowd at Geisha. I was a punter for many moons at Geisha, before I got a residency at the venue back in 2004.” Hutcho throws in Limbos, E-On, Networks and Connections as mentions of other clubs at the time playing pure house and early rave music. On the subject of rave, the early ‘80s saw some of the first underground raves happening in Perth. DJ Hutcho, an authority on Perth rave and clubbing history via his website, remembers the ‘Biology’ warehouse rave party series as a standout – a series of raves started by Colin Clarke, of RTRFM programme Beats Per Minute, a rare programme

dedicated to underground dance music. Hutcho fills us in on the Biology raves: “They were held out in the bush and went completely unnoticed by the rest of Perth, the authorities and most importantly, the press, until late 1992. They were not huge, but certainly were very similar in style to the classic M25 Summer of Love parties in the UK.”. Raving would see a resurgence in the ‘90s. Former Salt editor Ed Drury remembers attending a rave at the Perth Entertainment Centre, just before it was closed down. Drury recalls the place being in a state of disrepair, carpets half ripped up and seating stripped out – the perfect venue for a rave, really, as the then 18 year old Drury was to discover. “My friends and I had spent the evening at the Royal Show of all places, and a random we met and got talking to said he was going to a rave,” tells Drury, “as a metal-head from way back, my natural inclination was to say ‘no’, but on a whim I said yes. I was fully expecting to hate it, but from the moment I walked through those doors, it was all over. “Over the next eight hours I had a ball, bouncing from room to room, baring my soul to strangers I’d just met. Music that had always seemed so soulless and repetitive to me, suddenly just made sense on the dancefloor. I remember discovering I could dance just as crazily and outlandishly as my heart desired, and everyone would just presume I was high - I found this so liberating. At 7am I stumbled out into the street with sore calves and bleary eyes…but I was hooked.” Still in the ‘90s, and heading back to the clubs, Salt contributor Glen Canning’s experiences of dance music in ‘90s Perth coincided with the growth of trance music. “Turning eighteen in 1997, the Perth club scene was still in its infancy, but within two years that all changed with the explosion of trance music which saw clubs like Rise, the Church and Redheads packed to capacity every Friday and Saturday nights. The music may have been cheesy but nobody cared, the atmosphere was an electric fusion of bouncing beats and warm, friendly patrons - many new friendships were forged on the dance floor” For others, like Dave Cutbush, the late nineties were about the Greenwhich Bar, and Players Club.“Players was the club,” shares Cutbush. “My hazy memories of the place were as follows: waterbeds overflowing with people, a massive fish in a tiny tank, martinis, tortoise, beanbags, shiny wallpaper, more martinis, rarely having to pay for a drink, crazy cartoons on the screen, great local DJs, huge international players and ending up swimming in a sea of gin, vermouth and olives.” Clubber Jamie Blanchard, however, was hanging out at The Loft on Hay St at that time, describing it as “the favoured hang out for twenty somethings in the early to mid nineties”. Remembers Blanchard: “Dress ranged from carelessly casual through alternative, to gothic. This was the early nineties so there was plenty of grungey attire as well. Upstairs was where the dancing took place. On a Saturday night the music included gothic and alternative favourites, as well as some heavier techno music. Sunday nights were eighties nights where the dancing was frenzied and fancy. Many people took the chance to dust off their ‘80s outfits and look the part as well. The Loft closed in East Perth in 1996. It reopened soon

Old-school punks

after in Murray Street, but never recaptured its former glory.” As a writer for X-Press for 10 years and a Perth clubber for about 15, Salt’s own Alfred Gorman remembers his induction into the club scene as a high school kid in the early ‘90s.“In Year 10 (‘93) a friend of mine passed me his Walkman headphones and said ‘Listen to this man!’ It was a live Ellis Dee mix. I wasn’t sure what I thought about this strange, synthetic, repetitive ‘techno’ music, but there was something alluring about the rhythm and energy. Soon I was dubbing tapes off anyone I could. Then I got told about this purple warehouse in Northbridge called Elevation, which was full of kids in baggy jeans, with whistles and glow sticks dancing like crazy; and in this crowded, smoke and strobe filled room, my love affair with dance music began. “It wasn’t popular and it wasn’t glamorous,” continues Gorman, “In those days it was all happy hardcore, old skool and acid house, big raves like Adrenalin, Helter Skelter and Entropy. I remember following maps to amazing underground parties like In The Pines, out in Gnangara.” Gorman also recalls the ‘90s for some great underground parties hosted by the UWA Club, EMAS (Electronic Music Appreciation Society), shares Gorman: “EMAS put on a slew of awesome underground parties, and I developed a more refined taste for progressive house, breaks and techno. I’ll always remember Sasha & Digweed at Club 418, Carl Cox at Embassy Ballroom and Adam Freeland at Players. Delirium put on some huge parties and dance festivals started springing up - climaxing in one the biggest nights of all time, NYE 2000 at Belmont Park.” As the Director of Show Business Australia (SBA), Tony Varano has always been heavily involved in the Perth club scene, dating back to his first experiences as a punter at Pinnochios in the early ‘70s, to operating clubs like Beethoven Musos Club, Rumours and Backstage Bar in the CBD, as well as the Palladium (Berlin) and Network clubs in Northbridge, from the mid ‘80s, right up until his involvement with Rise and Mint today. Varano speaks of a city ahead of its time, in relation to the history of clubs in Perth. “I was always amazed at how current the music scene was in Perth. Being an isolated city, it had to create its own entertainment infrastructure, it couldn’t rely on those from the other capitals. Each club had it own music DNA, from the techno of Berlin, the video DJing at Rumours, or the live bands at the Backstage Bar. Perth club managers and promoters have always been at the forefront of new trends and as a consequence, have helped shape the music industry.” Gorman ties things up by bringing us back to the present. “Now we have a thriving, diverse scene with world class clubs like Ambar, Metro City, Geisha and Shape, hosting artists from around the globe. It’s been a privilege - to not only witness the evolution of the Perth dance music scene, but also to write about it for the last 10 years for X-Press. I still love it. It’s all about the music.” We couldn’t agree more. Well – we wouldn’t be here, otherwise! Here’s to all the dancefloors behind us, and the ones that are yet to come. www.xpressmag.com.au

VARIOUS Cream Ibiza: Eddie Halliwell [New State Music]

VARIOUS Trance Legends

[Central Station/ Universal] What’s not to like about Eddie Halliwell? His amazing live shows, penchant for stage diving and ability to disassemble tracks live and smash them back together has made him one of the most sought out acts in dance music. Since 2006, Halliwell has been involved with the Cream Ibiza compilation and this year he’s flying solo with 38 tracks across two discs, over half of which are exclusive live ‘ED-IT’s. Disc one begins with Deadmau5’s idyllic track Strobe, building ever slowly the suspense of what’s to come. Halliwell not only can mix, he knows what tracks work on the floor. From the powerful synth line of Radion 6’s remix of Disfunktion’s trance bomb Desolee to the punchy electro feel of Afrojack’s Pacha On Acid, disc one is constructed as diversely as one of Halliwell’s live shows. Structures Whilst disc one was impressive on its [Bedrock Records] own merit, the second disc just launches itself into a world of its own with this being one of the rare instances where a label’s claim that it has captured the essence of the live show is entirely true. There are too many tracks to single out for special attention because there are no gaps in Halliwell’s armoury. Each track slots perfectly into place and one can sincerely imagine the anarchy on the dance floor as if this were a live set, making it the ideal party CD to crank up, grab some bananas and go ape shit!

JOHN DIGWEED

It’s always a concern when a compilation is released without the standard ‘mixed by’ underneath the heading as there is no real ownership of the album. Despite starting with a touch of trepidation, the feeling starts to ease after reading the track listing which includes a veritable who’s who of trance music from the last decade. Unfortunately the initial unease proved itself to be well founded. As disc one begins it is immediately apparent that the tracks playing are, in fact, labelled as ‘disc two’ on the back cover of the CD. Likewise, track four should be John O’Callaghan’s fantastic vocal track Big Sky but instead it is Sahara’s Solid Globe which isn’t even listed, giving the disc eighteen tracks in total instead of the stated seventeen…. Keeping in mind disc two is actually disc one, this would have to be considered

the stronger of the two collections. Opening with Rank 1’s hugely successful remix of Cygnus X’s Superstring the CD moves from one hit to the next and features once again an intriguing fusion of the ‘old school’ trance sounds including the wonderfully distorted keyboards in Gouryella’s 1999 classic Gouryella to the modernistic synth harmonies in Gareth Emery’s 2008 smash Exposure. S o m e e x t re m e l y s l o p p y p o s t production work really takes away the shine of this album - which is a shame as it did have a lot of potential. Some fantastic tracks though!

I’ve always thought that John Digweed is a DJ that you have to invest time in. He doesn’t play the sort of sets that you can bob in and out of, you have to stick with him on the (cliché alert) journey from beginning to end of a set, allowing him to guide you on an upward trajectory. This is demonstrated in Structures. Using precision mixing and top rate programming, the first CD starts off with a beatless track and builds slowly and surely through Put It To Bed (shades of Fuse – Substance Abuse) to its trance crescendo - In Your Boat. The second disc starts with the intensity just notched down a little, as if you’ve just had a breather then rejoined the dance floor. By Jungle Laps the intensity is back up to 11 with big basslines and breakdowns

continuing, particularly on Persuader and Collusion. So if you’re prepared to stick with it for a few plays, Structures delivers quality progressive house and trance that you’ll return to again and again. However, if you’d prefer something a bit more immediate or disposable; you may be better to look elsewhere.

GLEN CANNING 2.5/5

ANDREW NELSON 4/5

GLEN CANNING 5/5

BLISS N ESO Running On Air [Illusive] Bliss N Eso have delivered another standout album with their fourth effort Running On Air, which hit the number 1 spot on the ARIA charts when it debuted last week. While each of the group’s first three albums was distinctly different, their latest picks up right where 2008’s excellent Flying Colours ended, in terms of sound and style. What sets Bliss N Eso apart in Aussie hip hop is that their music celebrates life – not in a preachy or saccharine way, but with a large dose of larrikin humour – and this is best demonstrated on the uplifting Addicted and the cheeky Family Affair. There are also a few of the rowdy party tracks they do so well, such as Down By The River and Where The Wild Things Are. There are a few missteps though. Moses Twist is ruined by an awful chorus, and high profile collaborations with RZA (Smoke Like A Fire) and Xzibit (People Up On It) are surprisingly forgettable. Nonetheless, Running On Air is another great release from the Sydney lads. JOSHUA HAYES 4/5

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M.I.K.E ACROSS THE ATLANTIC Ahead of his appearance as part of the huge trance line up at Liberate this weekend, RZ checks in with M.I.K.E. from the DJ’s home base in New York.

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0pm 0am – 8:0 :0 idland 1 1 0 trance, M 201 n r e E b e v m A e t l 5th Sep ntennia Sunday hops, Ce s k r o W Railway Midland rfest om/hype cebook.crfest.com.au / .fa w w pe w hy Contact: or www.

M.I.K.E. I catch M.I.K.E. for our interview on Skype sitting somewhat topless in his New York apartment – or the basement actually. “It’s actually really hot in here right now,” he says, laughing as the electrifying tattoo on his left shoulder comes into view. “In fact, it’s so hot that I have to open the door to let some of the humidity out of here. It’s very hard being in the studio and trying to produce when it’s so hot!” We don’t doubt it: summer in the city, especially the big city (read: New York) is one of those things. But M.I.K.E doesn’t mind. “I moved here three months ago from Belgium! It’s a totally new life but I felt like I was ready for a bit of new exploration and life on a new continent.” Not a half-baked step either, for a bloke who gave the world Universal Nation from his Belgian base. “You see, I was married to a New Yorker so it made sense to move to New York,” he explains, “There is so much potential here; it’s not that I saw things could be different here but I felt it would be a challenge. The thing is too, I fly across the Atlantic to Europe and then to somewhere like Australia so it’s not a bad location.”

Studio wise, Mike has been working on some new Plastic Boy material as well as a new compilation called M.I.K.E presents New York City Nights. “We actually had a really cool launch party at Webster Hall,” chimes the upbeat Belgian. “I really want to integrate that into the tour of Australia as well, so I will play some of my set through that compilation and we’ll have a few giveaways and things like that; it should be a lot of fun.” “And right after the compilation was completed, I started work on a new album and started working on my own tracks. Every time I travel I have my Mac with me and I have Logic and all that stuff open so I might come up with some nice ideas or influences so hopefully by February next year it will be ready. “ There are a few interesting collaborations I’m working on too but I can’t say names right now!” M.I.K.E SATURDAY, AUGUST 14 @ VILLA

FRIDAY 20th AUGUST PRINCE of WALES BUNBURY with RYTHM

INFINIT, DJ SIMMO T

SATURDAY 21st AUGUST

ROCKET ROOM NORTHBRIDGE

with RYTHM

INFINIT DJ SIMMO T and STOOP FRESH

SUNDAY 22nd AUGUST MOJOS NTH FREMANTLE

OZI BATLA Wild Colonial

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Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au 1300 GET TIX and www.heatseeker.com.au www.elefanttraks.com www.ozibatla.com www.inertia-music.com

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JOHN O’CALLAGHAN

SYSTEMATIC SUBCULTURE

MAINROOM THURSDAY

Pasha’s Kitchen THE BIG MAN COOKING UP MEATY BEATS

FRIDAY

Time Tunnel BRINGS YOU CHAMPION TUNES FROM ROK RILEY, JOE 19 AND GUESTS

SATURDAY

Tranceenthusiastsdon’thavetowait long before the trance gods shine upon Perth again with the eagerly anticipated Godskitchen White Party in October. GLEN CANNING caught up with Irish luminary John O‘Callaghan to see what he’d been up to since his last tour here in 2008. Best known for his 2007 hit Big Sky with Audrey Gallagher, O’Callaghan is a DJ who has used the years since then wisely; racing up to #24 in the Top 100 DJ List, earning himself a residency at the iconic Cream Ibiza, starting his own label Subculture and breaking club attendance records across Ireland with a night of the same name. Clocking up an incredible 650, 000 miles of travel whilst achieving the above hasn’t stopped O’Callaghan from finding time to devote to studio

John O’Callaghan work. O‘Callaghan has released two studio albums, five compilations, 121 productions and 123 remixes - with more on the way. O’Callaghan attributes his meteoric rise in the past two years to his decision to begin utilising vocals in his productions, as he explains. “For the last few years I had just been making instrumental trance music and then I had the chance to work with a couple of vocalists who opened me up to a whole new market. We all know vocalists can make a track cross over onto the radio.” Continues O’Callaghan: “I was lucky enough to work with Audrey Gallagher on Big Sky and Sarah Howells on Find Yourself. Up until then I didn’t have the production ability to work with vocals. The success of these tracks has pushed me up in terms of profile; from trance music into a broader spectrum.” O’Callaghan’s alter ego Joint Operations Centre (JOC) has been successful in its own right and its distinctive, techno driven sound has seen a big demand for JOC remixes. Which, as O’Callaghan relates, has served as an opportunity

to momentarily escape from the confines of his normal productions. “JOC started years ago just as a side project because I was making trance and I have been a techno fan since I was a teenager and it’s important for me to try new things and be creative and that’s where the techno came through. I’ve always got trance when I feel like it or techno when I feel like it but I am definitely a fan of both.” Subculture was launched earlier in the year as a sub-label of the Armada behemoth and immediately made its mark with its driving techtrance first release Striker; earning the support of DJs like Gareth Emery and Eddie Halliwell. O’Callaghan enthusiastically shares his thoughts on his label’s first seven months; “It’s been a real adventure and really enjoyable! Working with Armada is a great platform to have because you have access to all the different countries in the world to get your music promoted. “The aim is to try and find some new talent, get these guys involved in the brand and to get their names into the scene. It’s important to have the names that you all know but it’s also important to get these new guys coming through. I strive to find that absolute quality but it’s like trying to find a needle in a hay stack!” JOHN O’CALLAGHAN FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8 @ GODSKITCHEN, METRO CITY

TRANSMISSION Perth’s essential pre club night for discerning music lovers bringing you indie, electro, rock, punk & club classics with Andrei Mazz 8pm Free Entry

SUNDAY

$10 Pizza & Pint special

MATTHEW DEAR CITY SLICKER

special with Nathan J, Chris Wright and The Nisbit.

WEDNESDAY

UNI-QUE $10 jugs kicks off at 8.30 with Craig Hollywood and Armee

DEFECTORS (UP-STAIRS)

THURSDAY DJ MOOGY PRESENTS

“Ritmo!” AN INTOXICATING BLEND OF LATIN STYLES. 8PM FREE ENTRY

FRIDAY

Suite Beats for the end of the week! DISCO, HOUSE, FUNK & BREAKS WITH RESIDENTS MICAH & SHARIF GALAL + GUESTS. KICK OFF THE WEEKEND IN THE COMFORT OF DEFECTORS AND THE SOUNDS OF THE BEAT SUITE. FRIDAYS 9PM – 1AM.

Matthew Dear

The first album Matthew Dear made was on an old Sony desktop computer with a microphone that cost $30. Since then he has built a studio and an impressive resume. “Keeping the creativity bug is the most important thing,”he tells GLEN PARKS. “It doesn’t matter what you haveorwhatyou’reworkingwith,it’s about what you want to do with the music inside of you. You write your own rules for that.”

On the eve of the release of his fourth album, Black City, Matthew Dear is excited.“I feel great. It’s been three years since the last album so I’m really excited for new music to be out there. I’m always changing the styles I’m producing so it’s always a better thing for me when my latest creations are in the public eye.” “Black City is a culmination of three years playing around in the studio and trying different ideas. It’s obviously still dance based to a certain extent; still electronic. But I’m just trying to represent more of my shifts in synthesizers I’ve bought and effects processers and what-not. Just the life I’ve lived since the last album.” A concept album, Black City deals with the highs and, in particular, the lows of living in modern metropolises. As Dear explains, “I think every record is truly a concept record, at least in my life. This one is just more blatant about the effects of having moved to New York and a lot of the weight of the city and things that are more prevalent in my life being there.” So is New York the Black City? “Not necessarily. It’s more an imaginary metropolis. It could be New York, but I lived in Detroit for a few years and Detroit can also be a ‘black city’ in the sense that it’s a kind of machine wasteland. It’s grey with post industrial fall out and there’s a social rut that has affected the whole auto industry. I’ve spent some time in Toyko and London, both can be a ‘black cities.’ It’s really just about the weight

of metropolitan life and the weight of these big spires and concrete palaces that are everywhere.” With the impending release of the album, Dear has also looked to new ways to promote and explore Black City. This has culminated in a series of short films which will be shown on Dear’s website. “The visual element is always very important and now that we have the ability to tie so many more elements into an album it just leads to more experimentation and more fun,” he said. With releases under four different monikers – Matthew Dear, Audion, False and Jabberjaw – how does Dear keep up?“It’s crazy and it’s hard,” he says, laughing. “I’m always constantly working on each of them so there’s never really a start or a stop. It’s kind of how I’m feeling that day or that week. So it’s just a matter of sorting it all and arranging it all once it’s done and finding the time for each release, because releases these days have to be paired with all this touring and promotion and press. “I think I would do better if there were maybe 465 days in the year; that would make things a lot easier. Finding how it works in the 365 is the hard part.” MATTHEW DEAR BLACK CITY [GHOSTLY INTERNATIONAL/ INERTIA MUSIC]

SATURDAY

BAD LOVE DISCOCENTRIC JAMS FROM ACROSS THE GALAXY FEATURING LEMON LIME & BIDDISS, IL SIMPATICO, DJ PILS, LIGHTSTEED FREE ENTRY

SUNDAY

“Back to Mono” PERTH’S ESSENTIAL FREE”N”FUNKY SUNDAY SESH. RARE GROOVE, SKA, ROCKSTEADY, DUB, FUNK, SOUL, REGGAE, AFRO BEAT. WITH DJ’S GARETH RICHARDSON, TED SCHLECHTE & DEATH DISCO’S ANTON MAZZ. 5PM FREE ENTRY

THURSDAY A NIGHT FOR MUSICIANS TO REAPPROACH THEIR SOUND IN A QUIETER FASHION.FEATURING MAURICE FLAVEL , DEAN ANTHONISZ, LIKE JUNK & FROZEN OCEAN W/ THE KURBIST GONG BAND AS THE NIGHTS HOUSE BAND. GET THERE EARLY, DOORS OPEN 8PM... $5!

FRIDAY

SONIC VELVET PRESENTS LANTANA, SILENT REPUBLIC, NICKO AND THE MONG & ISABEL (8PM, $8 ENTRY) DOORS OPEN 8PM $10 ENTRY

SATURDAY

Lucid Dreaming PRESENTS A NIGHT OF HOUSE/ DEEP HOUSE/ DISCO/ TECH HOUSE FEATURING MICAH, DARREN J, PAUL DEVINS, OLIVIER C, CAM DUFF, KATESY + DE|MECH

KINGS OF PERTH HIP HOP FESTIVAL LONG LIVE THE KINGS The Kings Of Perth Hip Hop Festival is being held to celebrate a decade of local hip hop culture. Downsyde DJ Damien Allia, AKA Armee, discusses the history of the local scene with JOSHUA HAYES. The idea came to Allia after spending three months living in Hong Kong and noticing the lack of a live hip hop scene.“I realised how much Perth people do support home grown hip hop,” he says. “It just got me amped, and as soon as I got home I was going to do an all-local show.” The result is the Kings Of Perth Hip Hop Festival at the Rosemount next Friday. Acts include local veterans like Optamus, Dazastah and MC Hunter, upcoming acts such as Bitter Belief, Delta Force and Mathas, and turntablists including Armee, Fdel and DJ Selekt, as well as breakdancers and live aerosol art. Like the hip hop communities that developed in other Australian cities, Perth’s scene grew out of graffiti and breakdancing scenes that had, in turn, been inspired by early 1980s films such as Wild Style and Beat Street. Perth hip hop pioneers such as Skank One and High 5 were among the first to rap in an Australian accent. “When we were kids, they were the guys that were doing stuff, we knew them as guys around town that were good breakers and good graffers,” says Allia. “Those guys would practice the elements of hip hop but no one put stuff down until we all got together and started making something of it at the Hyde Park.” It was at the Hyde Park Hotel that the Perth hip hop scene started to develop in the late ‘90s. An Aussie hip hop night was held at the pub every Monday.“The Hyde Park was the birth of an actual proper scene,” says Allia, who started DJing at the Hyde Park Hotel in 1999 at the tender age of 15. “I had to bring my Mum down,” he laughs. “They made me have a parent there whenever I DJed, so I used to have to drag my Mum down there on a Monday night and get her to hang out there until I did my set.” Many of the performers in those early days went on to national recognition, such as

Downsyde, Hunter, Matty B and national DMC champion DJ Selekt. Perth’s biggest hip hop collective, Syllabolix, formed during this period and is still going strong.“There were a lot more people doing it for fun scene back in those days,” says Allia. “Back then people were just doing it for fun and notoriety around town as good MCs and DJs.” 2000 saw the release of Perth’s first two hip hop albums. Downsyde released their debut Epinonimous, and Dazastah and Hunter teamed up to record the underground classic DoneDL. Like local hip hop scenes around the country, Perth artists faced resistance on two fronts – acceptance by a wider, traditionally band oriented Australian music scene, and by hip hop listeners unaccustomed to Australian accents. In 2004, after several years at the Hyde Park Hotel, Allia and fellow Downsyde member Scotty Griffiths (Optamus) started a new weekly night down the road at the Rosemount Hotel. Every Tuesday night, Skratch would accommodate a steadily growing crowd as more people became acquainted with Aussie hip hop. Interstate acts were brought over, and punters caught cheap – or free – performances by the likes of Bliss N Eso, Ciecmate and DJ Debris from Hilltop Hoods. However, with the increasing popularity of Skratch came issues that eventually led to the night being shut down. Graffiti – one of the four elements of hip hop, along with rapping, DJing and breakdancing – covered neighbouring businesses on Wednesday mornings, and fights regularly broke out in the Rosemount car park. “I think the cops and Liquor Licensing just put too much pressure on the venue,” says Allia. “I tried my hardest to make it stop but it was so hard, it was a hard slog just to stop people from tagging the toilets.” On the bright side, punters have since learned to respect venues that support local hip

Pic: Lisa Businovski hop.“I think people have smartened right up now, it doesn’t happen that much,” he says. While Skratch was running, Perth hip hop underwent its renaissance, with critically acclaimed albums from Downsyde (2004’s When The Dust Settles), Drapht (2005’s Who Am I), Layla (2005’s Heretik) and Clandestien (2003’s The Dynasty). In recent years, SBX has continued to go strong with Downsyde releasing their most successful album yet, 2008’s All City, and Drapht reaching new heights of popularity, hitting number 10 on the 2008 Triple J Hottest 100 countdown with Jimmy Recard. Meanwhile, a new generation of acts have emerged. The likes of The Community and Paper Chain Project have followed the method of booking their own shows and developing their own following while taking home grown hip hop in new and interesting directions. “We’ll keep writing records and putting out records and trying to boost it and trying to get other MCs that are coming up to get writing good records,” Allia says of the future of the Perth hip hop scene. “We’ll see how it goes.” KINGS OF PERTH HIP HOP FESTIVAL FRIDAY, AUGUST 20 @ THE ROSEMOUNT, NORTH PERTH www.xpressmag.com.au

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Midnight Juggernauts Bass Kleph

KLEPH-HANGER Ice Cube

CUBIST Rap royalty is on its way to Perth! The one and only Ice Cube will be in our midst to perform live shows in celebration of his highly anticipated new album, I Am The West. After his mind blowing performance at California’s Paid Dues Festival recently, Ice Cube is set to recapture his Australian audience, bringing back the classic sound that is the original and the true ‘gangsta rap’. Support from Scorcher. Friday, October 29. Metro City, Northbridge. Tickets on sale now from ticketek.com.au or redanttouring.com.

He has one of the hottest, most in demand, individual sounds of now. Delivering his edgy take on jackin’ tech, electro and house next month is Bass Kleph. 2010 has been a monumental year for Bass Kleph. His remix of Joan Reyes’ Shakedown went to #1 on Beatport, and was recently crowned the highest selling track on Beatport to date this year. He was voted into the Top 10 in the inthemix Australian DJ Top 50, and has been spinning across the world, playing dates in Spain, the UK, the US, Canada, Russia and China. See what all the fuss is about on Saturday, September 18, at Villa. Support from JMC, Mind Electric and Cam Duff. Tickets $15 on the door or presales from boomtick.com.au. Doors open 10pm.

MIDNIGHT MADNESS Fresh from killing it at Splendour In The Grass, Midnight Juggernauts are in town this weekend to show us some stuff from their new album, The Crystal Axis. A compelling lesson in how electronic-pop should be made, The Crystal Axis was awarded feature album status on triple j and FBi Radio. Saturday, August 14, The Capitol, Perth. Support from Dappled Cities and The Voltaire Twins. Tickets available from moshtix.com.au or heatseeker.com.au.

HORGEN THE STAGE Always pushing the harder sounds of breaks and 4/4, the Force Majeure crew have a very tasty line up on the cards for early September. Germany’s Marten Horger brings his banging tech, electro and broken beats back to the Home of The Underground after a smashing set at Major Break last year. He’ll be joined by premier Brisbane breakbeat duo Sangers & Ra, residents at top Queensland broken beat night, Breaks & Enter. Ian G (formerly of Perth breakbeat duo ‘Tha Beetslappaz’) and Mr Ed will also fire up the dance floor with a sturdy mix of breaks and 4/4, along with Philly Blunt and Mono Lisa. Friday, September 3. Ambar, Perth. Tickets $20 from Marten Horger boomtick.com.au.

Phife

TRIBAL TERRIFIC

BERGHAIN BAD BOY

Do the words ‘first ever Australian tour’ excite you? How about when we put them next to the words, A Tribe Called Quest? Band members Phife Dawg and Ali Shaheed Muhumad are headed our way to play an intimate live show at the newly re-opened Bakery. They’ve invited several other international guests from the Native Tongues stable to share the stage with them on their Australian dates, so fingers crossed some of them will make it to Perth! Friday, December 3, The Bakery, Northbridge. Tickets now on sale from Planet Video and Mills Records. Don’t miss this ground-breaking hip hop event!

For their third birthday, local event experts Democracy weren’t going to just let any old DJ behind the decks – no, it had to be someone special, someone who embodied forwardthinking dance music and knew the value of a good old fashioned rave. Berliner Marcel Dettmann fit the bill, and as such he’s bringing the rule-breaking techno selections he’s famous for, to Perth. Support from Massiv Trav, Craig Hollywood and Aarin Fraser. Friday, September 17, at Ambar, Perth. Tickets on sale now for $20 plus booking fee from moshtix.com.au and Moshtix outlets.

WHAT A TREAT Treat Bar120, Hillarys Boat Harbour Friday, August 6, 2010 Perth’s northern suburbs got a taste of a series of new monthly indie dance parties on Friday night, in the form of Treat. Guest DJs Anton Maz, Maz1 and local favourite Wombat plus alternative cover band The Fix, made the launch party one to remember, delivering a mixed lolly bag of music to the happy punters. Treat happens on the first Friday of every month. For updates on Treat themes and upcoming touring acts visit facebook.com/treat.you

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CAREERS IN THE MUSIC AND FILM INDUSTRY START AT SAE INSTITUTE

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CRICOS: 00312F (NSW) 02047B (VIC) 02431E (WA) Please contact relevant campuses for further information regarding open days, tours, course programs and FEE HELP options.

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LEADING DAME

The University of Notre Dame Australia offers a wide range of high quality undergraduate degrees which balance the theoretical and practical requirements. Many of Notre Dame’s undergraduate courses require students to undertake extensive practicum and internship experiences. Popular with prospective employers, the practicum program maximises student employment prospects and helps students firm up career intentions well before graduation. As part of the Notre Dame’s liberal arts tradition, students have access to various programs that will enhance their university experience. Notre Dame’s ‘Experience the World’ program offers students opportunities to ‘Study the World’ by taking intensive study course for up to four weeks in world destinations such as New York, Spain or Washington DC to study the history, politics and culture of the host destinations. Students also have the opportunity to travel to developing nations such as Uganda, Cambodia or India with Caritas Australia and

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UWA OPEN DAY also an opportunity to spend a month in a remote Kimberley community. These programs bring together students from across a variety of disciplines to work on special projects. For more information please contact the Prospective Students Office on 9433 0533.

Apprenticeship graduate Jayden Palmer

UWA’s understand the universe; the risk to the sustainability of the great Australian dream; and working as a journalist in a rapidly changing environment are just some of the compelling talks to be presented at The University of Western Australia’s annual Open Day on Sunday, August 15. UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Robson said Open Day, which runs from 10am to 4pm, was an important opportunity for the State’s leading University to open its doors to the community. “We want to showcase the University to prospective students so they can find out about the courses we offer, admission requirements and the UWA student experience, and also welcome the wider community to visit the campus on the day,” Professor Robson said. A number of high-profile speakers will give talks on topics of general interest throughout the day. They include a presentation by landscape architect and author of Boomtown 2050, Professor Richard Weller; UWA Arts graduate and broadcaster Geraldine Doogue, and astronomer Professor Peter Quinn, Director of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research. The timetable for the talks is: • 11.15am–12 noon – Winthrop Professor Richard Weller, A Big Australia, Murdoch Lecture Theatre, Arts Building, Hackett Entrance 1.

Do you see exercise or rehabilitation? Students who undertake an Exercise and Sports Science degree at ECU have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. Our laboratories are designed to meet the varying functions required in Exercise and Sports Science, including anatomy, biomechanics, exercise physiology, rehabilitation, chronic disease management, strength and conditioning, motor control and skill acquisition. Combine these amazing facilities with outstanding, passionate lecturers with extensive industry experience, and you’ve got Exercise and Sports Science qualiﬁcations that are respected and recognised in the ﬁeld.

• 12.15pm–1.00pm – Geraldine Doogue, From University to the World of Work: Stories from the Heart, University Club Auditorium, Hackett Entrance 1. • 1.15pm–2.00pm – Professor Peter Quinn, First Light – Our Quest to Understand the Universe, University Club Auditorium, Hackett Entrance 1. For more information visit uwa.edu.au or contact Tara on 6488 4249 .

At ECU, the road to a career in Exercise and Sports Science is open. For more details call 134 ECU (134 328), email futurestudy@ecu.edu.au or visit our website.

Notre Dame students

TERRIFIC TRADES

School students and apprentices in Perth’s northern suburbs are only months away from taking advantage of Trade North’s new state-ofthe-art trades training facility at Clarkson. Par t of West Coast Institute of Training (formerly West Coast TAFE), Trade North’s $23m campus will see experienced lecturers use industry and virtual reality equipment to train future electricians, welders, carpenters, joiners, plasterers, bricklayers, blocklayers, floor and wall tilers. School students who have completed Year 10 can fast-track their trades career by participating in a pre-apprenticeship program at Trades North. “Pre-apprenticeships take about six to 12 months to complete and the skills you gain can lead to employment in a trade and shorten the term of your apprenticeship,” said Trades North Executive Director Patrick O’Brien. Jayden Palmer completed a preapprenticeship in Year 11 to learn the basics of bricklaying, plastering, floor and wall tiling. He has now completed an apprenticeship with Homebuyers Centre and says he is enjoying working outdoors and being financially secure. “Participating in a pre-apprenticeship was the best thing I ever did,” said Jayden.“It got me out of school and onto the tools doing a job that I love. I wouldn’t have it any other way.” To register now for a pre-apprenticeship at Trades North, call 9233 1236 or email Judy.Gaskin@wcit. wa.edu.au.

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UWA Open Day

KICKSTART YOUR CAREER

ECU’s innovative Teacher Residency program is the perfect way to kickstart your career as a teacher. It’s a post-graduate course open to anyone who has a degree. You’ll hit the ground running from term one, day one, working alongside experienced teachers in primary or secondary schools. This residency, combined with intensive study at ECU and online, means you’ll receive the knowledge and experience you need for teaching. It’s the perfect course for those considering a career change. And with a teacher shortage predicted for 2012, now’s the time to apply. Enrolments open August 23 and close on October 1. There are study options in the Perth and Geraldton areas, with many scholarships are available. The road to a teaching qualification is now open. For more information, visit www. reachyourpotential.com.au, call 134 328 or email futurestudy@ecu.edu.au.

303 ECU5405 CRICOS IPC 00279B

1904 Midland Junction Technical School est.

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1974 Bentley Technical School opens

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1961 Carlisle Technical College opens

1981 Thornlie Technical College est.

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GOVERNMENT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

2003 Swan TAFE established

1990

1974 Balga Technical School opens

Congratulations

Teacher Education Residency at ECU

2000

2009 Polytechnic West established

1985 X-Press Magazine launched

Like X-Press, Polytechnic West has risen from notable beginnings. We are still looking forward; for the future is promised to no-one. Why not make it your own?

Your future. Our business.

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The face of trades training in the northern suburbs

Did you know that by just completing Year 10, you could be eligible for a pre-apprenticeship that will get you into a trade sooner? From February 2011, you could be one of the ﬁrst to train at Trades North, a new state-of-the-art trades training facility in Clarkson that will use a mix of industry and virtual reality equipment to train tomorrow’s tradespeople today. With strong industry links, Trades North offers apprenticeship pathways for electricians, welders, carpenters, joiners, plasterers, bricklayers, blocklayers, ﬂoor and wall tilers. Approved under the Government’s School Leaving Age Requirements.

GOVERNMENT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

So why wait? Register now to secure your future in tomorrow’s highly skilled workforce. Call 9233 1236 or email Judy.Gaskin@wcit.wa.edu.au Australia’s highest circulating Street Press

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EDUCATION MIGHTY MURDOCH

WORLD LEADER

When someone mentions Murdoch University, people straight away think of veterinary science, the chiropractic clinic, how sustainable Murdoch or that they have the largest campus in Australia. But really, there is so much more to offer. Murdoch’s unique environment and teaching encourages and nurtures its students. Here are a few examples why Murdoch University might just be the place for you. • Excellent facilities and equipment to give students the opportunity to expand their thirst for knowledge. There is an on-campus cutting edge chiropractic clinic with a rehabilitation centre, a state of the art nursing facility on the Peel campus, a Media Arts Centre encompassing TV studios, radio/ TV newsrooms and multimedia labs and Murdoch University a purpose built $3.7 million Law Building complete with an electronic Moot Court. Associate Professor Robert Mead received • M u r d o c h U n i v e r s i t y h a s a l m o s t 1 0 0 a prestigious 2009 Australian Learning undergraduate degrees and an extensive and Teaching Council award for university range of study options that can help you teaching. with your dream career. • It’s a place where you will learn everything • The University is committed to providing there is about your chosen area of study, high quality and trained academics. For but will also strengthen and develop your example, Associate Professor Martin Mhando own perspective on what you want to get is an Oscar nominated film director and out of life.

Did you know that SAE Institute, the world’s largest entertainment technology institute with more than 30 years experience as the world leader in audio, film, multimedia and 3D animation, is now an approved Higher Education provider with a degree campus right here in Perth? Students who historically entered university are now looking beyond the old standard styles of higher education and seeking qualifications from institutions that offer specialised, industry focused education with real career outcomes. “We pride ourselves in knowing SAE students are learning from the best in the business and we are setting the platform to launch our students’ careers in their respective industries,” said SAE Perth Campus Manager, Dean Pearson. “Not only are SAE bachelor degrees internationally recognised,” Mr Pearson continued, referring to SAE’s global network of 50 campuses, “but students have access to state of the art equipment and instruction not only from professional educators but also from current industry professionals.” Mr Pearson’s comments are vindicated by the past success of the Institute’s graduates. Over the years SAE has produced graduates who

have gone on to win Oscars, Grammys, and ARIA, AFI and WAMi (West Australian Music Industry) awards, to name just a few. The 2010 WAMi Producer/Engineer of the Year (an industryvoted award) was for the fifth straight year SAE graduate Dave Parkin of Blackbird Studios. If your dream career is obtaining a degree and producing music for an international act or working on a film set, it no longer needs to be a dream. SAE Institute is now taking enrolments for 2011. “SAE degrees enjoy international recognition and industry acceptance,” said Mr Pearson. “It is the perfect way to start the career you’ve always dreamed of.” For more information on courses offered by SAE Institute contact: 1800 723 338 (freecall), email infoperth@sae.edu or visit its website at sae.edu.

SAE Perth studio

ROAD RUNNER

The RAC Fame competition is back again in 2010 with a more simplified format. Unlike previous years, where there have been three categories and a choice of topics, this year there is only one category, with one topic, and the competition will be held on Facebook, to create an engaging and interactive competition for young people. Fame asks students in Years 10, 11 and 12 to create a road safety advertisement communicating an important road safety m e s s a g e t a rg e te d a t t h e i r p e e r s. Th e competition is now open and closes on Friday, September 17. RAC Fame’s dedicated Facebook page, facebook.com/racfame contains on all the competition details. Make sure you get your entry in early to maximise your chance of winning the $1,000 cash prize and having your advertisement created into a RAC sponsored billboard!

RAC Fame

VERY VOCATIONAL

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Polytechnic West is WA’s largest provider of Vocational Education and Training providing vital skills and training to over 33,000 students each year. Polytechnic West is also the largest provider of apprenticeship training in Western Australia and has been a driving force in revolutionising the apprenticeship system through its Premier’s Award-winning Transforming Trade Training program. Across Polytechnic West students have access to a range of contemporary, sophisticated and industry approved facilities such as an Aerospace Training Centre which includes a fully operational Boeing 737 and a Hospitality Institute, with training kitchens, bakery, butchery and an award winning restaurant and bistro. A qualification from Polytechnic West will open doors to a new world of exciting possibilities. Graduates are respected for their practical, industry-relevant skills and your qualification will give you the chance to take your career anywhere you wish, worldwide. For more information, visit polytechnic.wa.edu.au.

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Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts

WINTER ARTS FESTIVAL Anything’s possible

FUN, EASY, GREAT WAY TO MEET PEOPLE. Great music, great atmosphere, great night out.

General dance Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8:30pm Classes available. Fully licensed. 45 Murray St, Perth, 6000. Ph: 08 9325 6566 Fx: 08 6262 7155 E-mail: dance@gilkisons.com.au

www.gilkisons.com.au Australia’s highest circulating Street Press

15 MINUTES

The Rise Of The Fashion Blogger ogger In the front row at fashion festivals around ound heard the world, terrified publicists can be overheard rr’, and pleading ‘please squish up a bit Ms Wintour’ ‘move over Mr Lagerfeld’, as they desperately try to oyalty make room for the latest breed of fashion royalty – the fashion blogger. gners, Alongside fashion editors, designers, shion celebrities and high-profile buyers, fashion ter at bloggers can now be found front and center most runway shows, easily identifiable byy the n their sleek laptops that are carefully balanced on laps, with digital cameras in hand. In an age when nd opt most people refuse to pay for information, and shion to get their news from a range of sources, fashion asting blogs have become increasingly popular, boasting nyone almost-immediate coverage of events for anyone with internet access. all will In 2010, the Perth Fashion Festival fically acknowledge bloggers with an event specifically created for these up-and-coming fashion fans. Taking place on Tuesday, September 14, att 6pm ribute at Fashion Paramount, 15 Minutes will pay tribute casing to fashion blogs from home and afar, showcasing re. Perth’s bloggers and the fashions they inspire. ng the As bloggers sit front row capturing wn the action as it happens, models will saunter down turing runway in street fashion inspired looks, featuring garments from Billie & Rose, Zara Bryson, Merge, ly, the Planet and Pigeonhole. Styled by yours truly, igner 15 Minutes runway show will merge designer mbles trends with street fashion, creating ensembles that you would expect to see on our city’s most re on stylish inhabitants. Tickets for 15 Minutes are sale now from Moshtix; get in quick to avoid disappointment! The Who’s Who Of WA Fashion Blogs me in Like most good things, fashion blogs come ations all shapes and sizes, varying from celebrations of street fashion to personal style diariess and everything in between. In the lead up to 15 Minutes, X-Press has rounded up many of the blogs that call Western Australia home, so jump online and give them a looksee.

Who: Harry & Tom Who: Autilia’s Blog What: Street style and party snaps from the What: A personal style blog from an up-and up-andd- perspective of two young photographers. coming fashion devotee. Where: www.harryxtom.blogspot.com Where: autilia.wordpress.com Where autilia wordpress com Who: The Velvet Bow Who: Gin In A Teacup Who: The Ginger Fox What: The personal style and thoughts of a WA What: Personal style and fashion tidbits from a What: A combination of street fashion and vintage journalism student. musings from a purveyor of second-hand delights. freelance journalist. Where: www.thevelvetbow.net Where: www.gininateacup.com Where: www.gingerfoxvintage.com Who: Style Discovery Who: Dropstitch Who: Fall Victim To Fashion What: Street fashion snaps from the most isolated What: Street style and coverage of Perth fashion What: A collection of runway snaps, event coverage and personal style from a self declared style guru. city in the world. events from a stylist in the making. Where: www.fallvictimtofashion.com Where: www.stylediscovery.com.au Where: www.dropstitch.com.au

Perth Street Fashion (photographs from Dropstitch.com.au)

Who: Karen Cheng’s Snippets Of Life What: Thoughts about lifestyle and fashion from a Perth mum with great style. Where: www.karencheng.com.au Who: Style Voyeur What: The official blog of the Perth Fashion Festival. Where: www.stylevoyeur.com.au _EMMA BERGMEIER

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VISUAL ARTS 8 Days, Perth Centre For Photography, 91 Brisbane Street, Perth. In September 2009 a collective of Perth photographers were invited to China to participate in the annual Pingyao International Photography Festival. Located in Shanxi province, the walled city of Pingyao is recognised by UNESCO as a world heritage site. While much of China is redeveloped and modernised, Pingyao remains faithful to its built heritage from the Ming dynasty. Although they only had a short stay in China, Kevin Ballantine, Graham Miller, Juha Tolonen and Mike Gray saw the possibility of developing an exhibition out of the journey. Exhibition runs ’til Sunday, August 22. Mechanical Mishka, Elements Art Gallery, 131A Waratah Avenue, Dalkeith. Yuliya Lanina is a Russian born American multimedia installation artist living and working in New York City. Before studying Visual Arts in the US, she studied music in Russia until the age of 16. As a result of these influences Yuliya often incorporates music in her visual work, combining aspects of her Russian roots with her American identity. Creating alternate/surreal realities in a wide range of media including paintings, animations, mechanical dolls and installation pieces, Lanina’s work is a playful response to the technological condition of contemporary society as well as to our feeling of fear and loss towards it. Exhibition opens on Saturday, August 7, and runs ’til Sunday, August 22. You Just Have Your Eyes Closed, Turner Galleries, 470 William Street, Northbridge. Kyle Hughes-Odgers is better known in Perth as Creepy, the popular street artist renowned for his large scale murals and wall paintings. Kyle’s highly stylized, thick torsoed, big-headed and spider-limbed figures exist in a unique folk tale world. This world exists without technology, but this does not stop the inhabitants from trying to solve problems and build things using wonky mechanics and producing structures that do not heal or help. You Just Have Your Eyes Closed is Kyle’s first major exhibition of paintings and is his first entirely done with a paintbrush. Exhibition opens on Friday, August 13, at 6pm and runs ’til Saturday, September 11. Side Tripper, Perth Galleries, 92 Stirling Highway, North Fremantle. Colourist and graphic photographer Simon Cowling presents his second solo exhibition Side Tripper – An Unreliable Memoir of travel photographs with a difference from the Middle East, Europe and America. The joy of travelling and photographing unfamiliar countries is, for Cowling, derived from the visually unexpected, quirky, strange or just downright silly. These images or ‘postcards’ are a combination of luscious colours, unusual compositions and beautiful textures to make the often times mundane memorable. Exhibition runs ’til Sunday, August 29.

The Glomesh Project, Fremantle Arts Centre, 1 Finnerty Street, Fremantle. Sydney-based artist Nairn Scott presents an exhibition concerned with value, status and gold. The Glomesh Project is a glorious display of Scott’s fascination with gold, the international symbol for wealth. Scott has collected a mis-matched jumble of items in an installation of 100 individually printed works. Valuable gold fob watches and lavish candelabra sit alongside gloriously cheap nicknacks from the $2 Shop. Scott has meticulously photographed each object and printed its image on handgilded paper, applying the same fine process regardless of monetary worth. Exhibition runs ’til Sunday, September 19. Darkrooming, Fremantle Arts Centre, 1 Finnerty Street, Fremantle. Over 3,000 components glow and oscillate in Darkrooming, an eerie installation by Melbourne artist Vera Möller. By contrasting the real and the imagined, Möller mutates the natural and illusory in this cabinet of curiosities. Her exhibition is a collection of hypothetical life forms that seem like they’ve been plucked from under the deepest of seas. Her specimens are inspired to blur the boundaries between natural, artificial and illusory life forms. Exhibition runs ’til Sunday, September 19.

The Pride (Photo: Skye Sobejko)

The Pride, Blue Room Theatre, 53 James Street, Northbridge. Mapping the social patterns of a lion’s life onto human characters dressed as lions (impressively crafted by Esther Sandler), The Pride treads a fine line between comedy and tragedy. Bruce, the figurehead of the family, is renovating the Lyon household kitchen – and he’s chosen a savannah theme. Surrounded by women, Bruce is weighed down by his impressive mane. Struggling to cope with modern living, he knows his time is limited: his stronger and more handsome neighbour James has been peering through the windows admiring the family. Such is the life of a lion. Season opens on Wednesday, September 1, and runs ’til Saturday, September 18. Bookings can be made through The Blue Room on (08) 9227 7005 or blueroom.org.au.

PERFORMANCE Love Songs For Future Girl, The Blue Room Theatre, 53 James Street, Northbridge. Rock ‘n’ roll funnyman Zack Adams has just discovered the girl he thought was ‘the one’ is not. Dumped, depressed and slightly drunk, the actor/ comedian figures if you can’t laugh at yourself, then you may as well let an audience do it. This all new show takes audiences on a musical comedy journey through love, loss, heartbreak, growing bad ginger beards and much more in between as he embarks on a quest for ‘the actual one’, wherever she may be. Season opens on Wednesday, August 11, and runs ’til Saturday, August 28. Bookings through the Blue Room on (08) 9227 7005 or blueroom.org.au.

The Dolls Of Japan, Council House Ground Floor Foyer, 27-29 St Georges Terrace, Perth. The Consulate-G eneral of Japan is proud to present The Dolls Of Japan, an exhibition that touches on ancient customs, traditional performing arts and contemporary craftsmanship. Japanese dolls reflect the customs of their homeland and the aspirations of its people, possessing distinctive regional attributes that are evident in this exhibition. Exhibition opens on Wednesday, August 11, and runs ’til Tuesday, August 24.

The Comedy Of Errors, Enright Studio, Edith Cowan University, 2 Bradford Street, Mt Lawley. WAAPA’s third year acting students invite you to join them for The Comedy Of Errors, the wildly entertaining tale of Antipholus and his servant Dromio landing in the bustling city of Ephesus, searching for their long-lost twin brothers. Everywhere they go in this foreign land, strangers insist that they’re old friends. The series of mistaken identities leads to wild mishaps, wrongful beatings, theft, madness, and even demonic possession. Mayhem follows in a mesmerising and accelerating confusion of identities. Season opens on Monday, August 23, and runs ’til Saturday, August 21. Bookings can be made through the WAAPA Box Office on (08) 9370 6636.

MUSIC Victoria Newton, August 14 Ellington Jazz Club; bookings via ellingtonjazz.com.au. The Dingoes, August 21 Charles Hotel; bookings through BOCS. Darren Hanlon, August 21 Fly By Night; bookings via flybynight. org. Fiona Lawe Davies, August 25 Ellington Jazz Club; bookings via ellingtonjazz.com.au. Gina Williams, August 26-28 DownStairs At The Maj; bookings through BOCS. George Garzone, August 26 Ellington Jazz Club; bookings via ellingtonjazz.com.au. Ian Moss, September 3 Charles Hotel; bookings through BOCS. Ross Wilson, September 4 Charles Hotel; bookings through BOCS. Five Elements, September 9 Perth Concert Hall; bookings through BOCS.

ALL THAT JAZZ The Ellington Jazz Club was the place to be on Friday, August 6, when Ingrid James and Trudy Kerr took to the stage for a stellar live show. Delivering an eclectic selection of jazz and folk standards, James and Kerr wowed the crowd early on before Tori Denn and Georgia Mooney took to the stage at 11.30pm.

Heidi & Sally

Karen & Cush

Nicole & Paul

Ingrid & John

Mark & Michelle

Randy & Lara

Photographs by Matt Jelonek

Charlie & Portia

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TOMFOOLERY

Wit On The Wireless Tomfoolery is on DownStairs At His Maj from Thursday, August 19, ’til Saturday, August 21, as part of the Cabaret Soiree Carnivale season. Bookings can be made through BOCS. Back in the 1950s and 1960s, those with an open mind and a good sense of humour would gather around the wireless to listen to Thomas Lehrer, a singer-songwriter who satirised society with musical comedy. Years on and comedy fans are still getting a kick out of Lehrer’s creations, including a bunch of young Perth performers who will relive his classic tunes in Tomfoolery. Directed by Andrew Williams with musical direction from Tim Cunniffe, Tomfoolery will showcase Lehrer’s back catalogue including his classic tracks Poisoning Pigeons In The Park and The Vatican Rag. Ahead of the Tomfoolery season, Williams explains how he first came to encounter Lehrer’s hilarious songs. “When I was about 11, my dad gave me a CD of his… I listened to it then but probably didn’t get all of the jokes, in fact, I probably only got 10 per cent of the jokes but I liked it,” reveals Williams.“Since then I’ve hunted done other stuff he’s done and the great thing about his stuff is that you can listen to it five or six times and you discover new things each time around – it’s like re-watching a really good movie. So it was basically just my parents correctly guessing that I had weird taste in music and comedy. “The album they gave me was called

An Evening Wasted With Tom Lehrer and it’s a live recording, so you get a feel for how funny this stuff is because there’s a live audience laughing along to all the songs.” Even at the height of his popularity, Lehrer remained a cult figure, alienating many ‘upstanding citizens’ with his cutting remarks about society. “He’s always been left-of-center, a very cult comedian. He actually performed in night clubs. He wasn’t successful by any mainstream benchmark; he’s very much a cult figure. He was quite naughty for his day so he probably wouldn’t have been too popular in the mainstream.” One might expect that a show that revisits Lehrer’s work might only be suitable for an older audience but Williams is quick to point out that the show will be accessible for anyone with a good sense of humour and an appreciation for musical comedy. “The good thing about our show is that as opposed to listening to his records, our show is a much more accessible version of his work. It’s basically a revue of his songs, so we perform close to 20 of his songs with four performers who do all the singing and dancing and I’m the MC, so I’m doing stand up comedy in between. We’ve taken his songs and made them more theatrical, so we’ve given them a physical aspect because when he did it, it was just him with a piano and a microphone. We haven’t changed any of the words really but we have mixed things around so that only the accessible parts of his work go into the show.” Tomfoolery

_EMMA BERGMEIER

ROTTOFEST Island In The Fun Rottofest takes over Rotto from Friday, August find plenty to see in the festival’s short film 27, ‘til Sunday, August 29. Tickets available at programme. “For the 2009 festival we put a call out for just WA based comedy films and had rottofest.com.au. a really good response,” Freeman tells us. “So Now in its second year, Rottofest – previously we thought this year we’d open up the scope known as The Rottnest Comedy and Short a little bit, and put a call for films out across Film Festival – drenches the offshore holiday Australia. Essentially, we’re still including the WA destination in a whole weekend’s worth of content, but we’re giving our local filmmakers a cinema, music and laughs. Festival coordinator nice measuring stick to see how the emerging Ronan Freeburn, currently swamped by the comedy filmmakers across the country are doing, leadup to the festival, took a precious few minutes what level they’re at.” When pressed for an opinion, Freeman to take a call from us. “Last year it was kind of an untested finally relents on his favourite part of the festival. event,” Freeman says.“It was a little bit of a risk in “If we do follow the pattern of last year’s festival, the first year, but we managed to pull it off and I’d say the marquee event would probably be the make it a bit of a success, leading to the 2010 Saturday night standup comedy competition that’s called Launch The Comedian. We’ve got festival.” Comedy fans and cineastes should Merrick Watts (of Merrick & Rosso fame) flying

in to MC the completion, which will see eight national comedians compete for $5000. So given that each one of these comedians can pretty much tear a room apart by themselves, when you’ve got eight of these guys plus Merrick Watts in a room, it’s gonna be a blast, all killer no filler, it’s gonna be great entertainment all round. “That’s not to take away from any of the other events we’ve got programmed,” he stresses. “Obviously the closing party will be pretty killer as well. But it has a different dynamic: one’s a rock gig, one’s a comedy gig, so I suppose any one person could find a number of highlights going on at Rottnest.” Of particular interest is Sunday night’s closing party, featuring music from Emperors, The Scotch of Saint James, fresh from their recent support slot for Kasabian, and perennial RTR

favourites Sugar Army. Says Freeburn, “I think it’s gonna be great. As far as this year’s lineup goes, we’ve really tried to give some of WA’s bands a really good crack, try to give them the chance to hold their own in front of a big audience. And I think that the bands we’ve chosen, there’s integrity and accessibility, which is the big thing. Much as me as an individual, I might like different types of music, it’s not necessarily the sort of music that you can play to 500+ strangers. I think that all these bands have a great local following, and for anyone who’s not familiar with their stuff, it shouldn’t take them long to get into the groove.” And a fine groove it should prove to be.

JOSH THOMAS

comedy trenches to think he is bulletproof, and is forthcoming when asked to describe his worst gig ever. “After RAW I was doing normal pub open mic gigs,” he recalls. “And I wasn’t good, I was horrible, and no-one was laughing. And that happens a lot. Comedians die all the time. I think the worst gig I ever had was a show at the Melbourne Comedy Festival. This lady in the first row in a wheelchair had to go to the bathroom halfway through my set, which was pretty awkward. So I just kept talking, and the bathroom was right next to the stage. And while she was in there she started tweeting her bicycle horn because she got locked in there. And that’s not something you can heckle to make funny. And then the front two rows got up to help her. And then I got off stage and vomited. It’s a difficult story to tell, because while it was mildly uncomfortable for me, she was disabled and locked in a bathroom. She wins the sympathy, so I can’t really lay claim to that story as a bad moment of my life.” Although Talkin’ ‘bout Your Generation has made him a household name, he is dubious on the merits of nostalgia. ”I was gonna make a horrible joke: ‘I long for the

days when we didn’t have so much nostalgia!’ What a horrible joke! I don’t think it’s only popular now, I think it’s always been popular. I think people assume that there’s been no troubles in the past. People always say ‘In times like these we need a good laugh’. What do you mean in times like these? We have it pretty good compared to the rest of history. No one has polio, no one has the plague. People just like to think that everything is really bad. The only time I can think of that is better than now is the ‘90s. The ‘90s seemed really good. There generally seemed to be nothing really bad going on. And we had The Spice Girls. Now we have My Chemical Romance.” His new one man show, Surprise, has been described as a more personal and thoughtful piece of work, but Thomas demurs. “It’s about my first boyfriend. If it was about a girl, no-one would say it’s more personal, because it’s about a boy they get all tense. It’s a very personal show, and it’s really honest, but it’s funny, that’s also important.” Of course it’ll be funny. It is, after all, Josh Thomas.

Word to the Ys

Josh Thomas will take to the stage of the Octagon Theatre from Friday, August 20, ’til Saturday, August 28. Bookings can be made through BOCS. Although he’s probably best known for being the captain of the Generation Y Team on Channel Ten’s wildly popular nostalgia-based gameshow Talkin’ ‘bout Your Generation, Josh Thomas has carved out his own place in the Australian comedy firmament, starting when he became the youngest ever winner of the RAW Comedy Competition at the tender age of 17. Time Off magazine even went so far as to call him “the future of Australian comedy”, something that Josh has a little trouble taking seriously. “I don’t even know what it means,” he says. “I think they think it means that I’ll be successful. I think that’s all it means. They put it on there, but I honestly have no idea what it means.” Self-deprecation is a trademark of his; Thomas has spent far too long in the

Josh Thomas

_TRAVIS JOHNSON

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