X-Press Magazine #1301

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

Lou Barlow

LOOBIECORE

Children Collide

SWORDFISH TROMBONES

One of the hardest working bands in the country, Children Collide are back with a brand new single.

Sword To A Gunfight is the three-piece’s newest anthem and is all over the radio and internet right now!

Frontman Johnny Mackay describes the track as a combination of Primal Scream and Boney M, and it’s the first taste of their forthcoming third album Monument. See them at Capitol on Friday, March 30; Players Bar on Saturday, March 31; and Mojos on Sunday, April 1. Tickets from Oztix.

Still fresh from bringing his band Sebadoh to Australia in September, Lou Barlow has declared a return jaunt to Australia in solo mode come this April. In addition to his work in Dinosaur Jr., The Folk Implosion and the aforementioned Sebadoh, Barlow is also a prolific solo artist with two indie folk albums in Emoh and Goodnight Unknown, as well as swag of Sentridoh releases. He does the Rosemount Hotel on Sunday, April 22. Grab your tickets from hadsometours.com, Heatseeker, Moshtix and the usual outlets.

MAKING THE WORLD DANCE

As if Britpop starlet Jessie J’s bombastic live show wasn’t awesome enough, UK underground hip hop phenomenon Professor Green has accepted the mic as support for Jessie J’s first ever Australian headline tour, which includes a WA show at Challenge Stadium on Monday, March 5. Joining Jessie J and Professor Green will be sassy lady Ruby Rose who will warm up the crowds and get the party started with a pumped-up DJ set. Tickets are on sale now and selling fast, so grab yours today from Ticketmaster.

Stonefield

GIRLS GONE WILD

Rural Victorian wunderkinds and psychedelic valkyries, Stonefield are set to bring their heavy rock to the hungry ears of the Perth fans next month. Showcasing tunes from their upcoming mini album, Bad Reality, the Findlay sisters will bring their kaleidoscopic rock‘n’roll hurricane to the Rosemount Hotel on Thursday, February 23; and the Prince Of Wales on Friday, February 24. Tickets are on sale through Moshtix and Heatseeker and will likely sell faster than a gazelle trying to outrun a lion, so get in quick to ensure you don’t miss out.

Professor Green

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News

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Reactions/Comp

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Flesh

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Music: Cults

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Music: Beth Orton/ The Step Kids

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Music: Miles Kane/ Thee Oh Sees

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Music: Israel Cruz/ The Red Paintings

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Music: Seether/ Conditions

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New Noise

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Eye4 Cover: Three Strikes

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ye4 Music: Pugsley Buzzard

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Eye4 Movies: Le Havre/ Arrietty Interview

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Eye4 Art Stories

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Eye4 Arts List/ Lifestyle

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Salt Cover: Camo & Krooked

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Salt: Cover Story/ News

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Salt: Plump DJs/ MC GQ

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Salt: Shazam/ Rewind: Immortal Technique

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Club Manual/ Scenery

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Scene: Live

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Scene: Pub Blurbs/ Pub Scene

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Pub Scene Feature

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Scene: Local Scene

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Tour Trails

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Gig Guide

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Volume

Cover: Cults play St Jerome’s Laneway Festival on Saturday, February 11, at Perth Cultural Centre Salt Cover: Camo & Krooked play Heavyweight Soundz: Australia Day Eve Annual 2012 on Wednesday, January 25, at Metro City www.xpressmag.com.au

Jeff Martin

NO POLITICS, JUST ROCK

Fresh from reuniting for a series of shows across their native Canada last year, Jeff Martin has told X-Press that The Tea Party are almost ready to announce an Australian tour. For more clues you could always head along to Martin’s show this Saturday, January 21, at The Fly Trap inside the Fly

By Night. Malcolm Clark will join Martin on drums and percussion. Doors open at 8pm, grab tickets from flybynight.org.

BEN’S YOUR COUSIN Another year, another Ben Cousins scandal. And once again the man has an overwhelming amount of public support.

He is still held as a hero in many circles for his once great ability to get paid to play with balls.

There was once a time when Benny Cuz made the covers of newspapers in WA everyday - and sometimes they’d even put him on the back for his sporting achievements too.

Around this time it wasn’t uncommon to encounter the man himself while out on the town, and from all accounts, he was highly approachable and would share his late night blueberry muffins with adoring fans no questions asked.

Then things got bad for a bit.

When he looked to be on the mend, he moved to Melbourne like so many Perthites before him. After a few years, he realised Perth is where the heart is, and returned with a published novel and documentary to his name.

Now he’s in real bad shape and he’s back to getting the amount of media attention usually reserved for a diplomat, and the general public are still ‘rooting’ for him. But why? I think it’s because, despite his fame and talent at sports, he is an everyman. Sure, he has a penchant for hard drugs, but according to recent news-making research dug out of medical journal The Lancet, Australian drug use rates are among the highest in the developed world, so Ben is just like the rest of us!

While this is not the ideal way for a father to be spending the first few months of his child’s life, at least he’s not out being violent or a menace to society.

In this regard, maybe we should look up to him.

Get well soon, Benny, you’re welcome to tell your story to X-Press any time! _MATTHEW HOGAN 7

with Melissa Erpen... Send your name, address and daytime phone number to win@xpressmag.com.au with the name of the competition in the subject line or enter online at www.xpressmag.com.au. Snail mail entries can be sent to Locked Bag 31, West Perth 6872. Entries close 4pm Monday.

By entering you agree to X-Press Magazine’s Terms & Conditions which can be found online. All competition entries will automatically enable you to become an X-Press subscriber! No details will be given to a third party.

Publisher/Manager Joe Cipriani

Editorial

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Music Editor Matthew Hogan

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Dance Editor Annabel Maclean

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Arts & Fashion Editor Emma Bergmeier

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Staff Writer Jennifer Peterson-Ward

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Photography Stefan Caramia, David Chong, Daniel Grant, Sammy Granville, Matt Jelonek, Denis Radacic, Mike Wylie

Contributing Writers Reuben Adams, Nina Bertok, Shaun Cowe, Derek Cromb, Graham Frizzell,Chris Gibbs,Alfred Gorman,George Green,Chris Havercroft, David Geoffrey Hall, Joshua Hayes, Brendan Holben,Travis Johnson, Rezo Kezerashvili, Joanna Lettenmaier, Tara Lloyd, Adam Morris, Ely Nas, Andrew Nelson, Chloe Papas, Daniel Parkinson, Ben Swan, Conan Troutman, Tom Varian, Mike Wafer, Ben Watson, Chela Williams, Jessica Willoughby

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YOUNG ADULT

Young Adult reunites Jason Reitman, Academy Award nominated director of Juno, and Academy Award winning screenwriter, Diablo Cody.

Academy Award winner Charlize Theron plays Mavis Gary, a writer of teen literature who returns to her small hometown to relive her glory days and attempt to reclaim her happily married high school sweetheart (Patrick Wilson). When returning home proves more difficult than she thought, Mavis forms an unusual bond with a former classmate (Patton Oswald) who hasn’t quite gotten over high school, either. Get in now for your chance to win one of five double passes we have up for grabs to see wonderful film. Be sure to get in quick to avoid disappointment.

MINISTRY OF SOUND CLUBBERS GUIDE 2012

The ancient Mayans foretold the world’s end in 2012, so Ministry Of Sound have sought saviour from impending annihilation, with an offering of their biggest compilation to date, Clubbers Guide To 2012. Setting the sounds for what could possibly be the last year of our existence; the double CD loads up 46 of the biggest and best club remixes mixed into two discs of electronic madness, to guide your journey through the dancefloors and potential cataclysmic annihilation in 2012. Featuring Avicii, Benny Benassi, Afrojack, Duck Sauce, Example and many more, Clubbers Guide To 2012 is a must have for the party season.

Get in now for your chance to win one of five copies we have up for grabs.

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Sales and Marketing Manager Paul Morgan

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Perth Heat

PERTH HEAT

The Perth Heat have secured top spot for the season, however with one series left this year against the Sydney Blue Sox you have the chance to score a sweet Perth Heat hat and a double pass to Sunday’s game. Go out and support the Heat in their final hit out before the playoffs and a shot at back to back championships. To win this sweet prize email win@xpressmag.com.au with “Take me out to the Ball Game” in the subject line. For more information about the Finals series and to book tickets visit perthheat.com.au. GO HEAT!

Music Services / Local Music Des Richardson

SURVIVORS

Entertainment Venues / Live Promoters Luke Andrioff

Agency / Movies / Education Paul Morgan

Arts / Fashion / Lifestyle / Salt/ Corporate Aaron Nathan

Classifieds Linage / Entertainment Services Coordinator Melissa Erpen classifieds@xpressmag.com.au

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Design + Production

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Administration

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Upper Reach Twilight Concerts

UPPER REACH WINERY

Summer is in full swing in the Swan Valley and that means the Twilight Concert Series is returning to Upper Reach, with three very special, very intimate concert performances. To a backdrop of Upper Reach’s lush vines, the three concerts will feature incredible music and the most amazing atmosphere. The Afro-Latin Funkalleros will open the season in style on Saturday, January 28, The Oz Big Band will blend Swing and Jazz on Saturday, February 11, and the final concert will see blues and roots act Annabelle Harvey and Aarons Crusade serenade the crowd on Friday, March 9.

We are giving our lovely readers the chance to win a night to remember with a double pass to see any concert during the Twilight season. Enter now for your chance to win this beautiful prize.

V Energy Green Room

V ENERGY @ BIG DAY OUT

V Energy Drink is thrilled to announce the return of the V Energy Green Room to the 2012 festival circuit. Back by punter demand, the stage is an established festival favourite with the promise of cracking new DJ line-ups and a unique, interactive photo wall. The brand new V Energy Club in a Can experience also joins the scene, hitting Australian festivals for the first time, in January. The highly anticipated V Energy Green Room is set to draw big crowds and will make an appearance at Perth’s Big Day Out on Sunday, February 5, choreographed to the beat of Australia’s best DJ talent. Thanks to our lovely friends and V Energy Drink we are giving you the chance to win a double pass to the Big Day Out. Enter now for your chance to snag tickets to one of the biggest music festivals of the year!

Thrilling sci-fi drama series Survivors is set in an all too real, post-apocalyptic Britain. Survivors is Adrian Hodge’s exciting re-imagining of the classic 70’s BBC drama series, based on the novel

by Terry Nation. When a global virus wipes out most of the population, those who survive are left to fend for themselves in a rapidly disintegrating and increasingly violent world. Get in now for your chance to be in the running to win one of three DVDs we have up for grabs. This brand new series is sure to have you on the edge of your seat so you don’t want to miss out.

CHECK OUT WWW.XPRESSMAG.COM.AU AND SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER ONLINE FOR LOADS MORE EXCLUSIVE COMPS!

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CAB AUDITED CIRCULATION: 38,000 APRIL 2011 – SEPTEMBER 2011

Deadlines EDITORIAL General - Friday 5pm, Arts - Thursday 10am, Comp’ Thing Monday Noon, Clubber’s Guide - Monday 5pm, Rock X-tras - Monday Noon, Gig Guide - Monday 5pm

ADVERTISING Cancellations - Monday 5pm, Bookings / Copy - Tuesday 12 Noon, Classifieds - Monday 4pm Published by: Columbia Press Pty.Ltd. A.C.N. 066 570 803 Registered by Australia Post. Publication No PP600110.00006 Suite 73/102 Railway Parade, City West Business Centre, West Perth, WA 6005 Locked Bag 31, West Perth, WA 6872 Phone: (08) 9213 2888 Fax: (08) 9213 2882 Website: http://www.xpressmag.com.au

WARRANTY AND INDEMNITY 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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Jay-Z and Beyonce’s daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, has become the youngest person to hit a Billboard chart... We asked our Facebook friends what they thought about Glory…

Joel It’s kind of a joke.

Moona It’s like a Kardashian wedding, isn’t it?

Pam Willow is going to be so pissed!

Saygan Also what about those kids Jay Z had before Beyonce? Why don’t they get a song?

Haha.

Grant Blue Ivy should sue her parents then arrange a restraining order!

UNLIKE Dear X-Press, I’m writing to complain about a video I saw on Facebook this afternoon on the wall of one of your competitors. This magazine posted a clip they likened to their Christmas break and I was in need of some distraction so I clicked watch. This clip from Vice Magazine’s website was disgusting. Showing ravers partying in the Ukraine, there was a particular moment when they showed a six-year-old boy licking a grown woman’s chest and then another woman making out with a dog. I was disgusted. We have a word for that type of video here in Australia, ILLEGAL. I have a six-year old boy myself, so needless so say I was outraged. I immediately reported the video to the powers that be and hope that X-Press doesn’t go down the same path of peddling smut.

Concerned Parent Via Email

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SLEEPYHEADS

The Panda Band The Beards

BEARDOS

A French Butler Called Smith

SO FRENCHY SO CHIC

Funky five-piece A French Butler Called Smith earned their reputation as a festival favourite in 2011 and are set to charm audiences across the nation once more during their impending tour.

Guaranteed to give you an intimate relationship with the dancefloor and slap an unexpected smile on your face, the lads are back with a shiny new brass section, a fresh sound and an exciting live performance to promote the release of their brand new EP Eating Crow, so don’t miss the chance to get on down to check out the intriguing sounds of these five gentlemen. French Butler play the Prince Of Wales on Thursday, January 19; Mojo’s Bar on Friday, January 20; the Settlers Tavern in Margaret River on Saturday, January 21; and the Indi Bar on Sunday, January 22.

Who would have ever guessed that The Beards would ever still be around to release album #3?

Not the Adelaide four-piece for one. Those facial hair-obsessed rockers have readied their new album Having A Beard Is The New Not Having A Beard and they’re celebrating this by heading out on their biggest tour to date. See them at Settlers Tavern on Friday, March 9; Fly By Night on Saturday, March 10; and the Indi Bar on Sunday, March 11.

THE FESTIVAL WITHOUT THE DRAGON BAND

Due to their inability to complete their album in time, metal titans DragonForce have reluctantly had top pull out of the upcoming Soundwave Festival. But fear not revellers, as two bands have been enlisted to take their place in the wildly successful travelling festival. Grammy winner Switchfoot have made the cut, as have goth metal pioneers Paradise Lost. They join System Of A Down, Slipknot and about 90 other bands at Claremont Showgrounds on Monday, March 5. Head to soundwavefestival.com, Oztix and Ticketek to grab your ticket. DragonForce have assured their Aussie fans that they will make it to the country before the year is out.

END OF AN ERA

After nine years with the band, Jes Fitzgerald (bass) and Jozef Grech (guitar) have announced their intention to move on from legendary local punk rockers Project Mayhem. Don’t miss your last opportunities to catch the band as they are now tonight, Wednesday, January 18, at the Prince Of Wales in Bunbury; Friday, January 27, at Rocket Room; and on Saturday, February 4, at Ya Ya’s. We suggest you rock up fucked to these shows.

Mama Kin

MAMA MIA

Mama Kin is a force to be reckoned with and 2012 promises to be as rollicking as ever. But before she disappears into the studio to record the follow-up to her critically acclaimed debut, Beat And Holler, Mama Kin is set to present a special homecoming show at the Fly By Night on Saturday, February 11. Joined by The Big Old Bears, who combine traditional folk with a contemporary feel, be sure to catch the Mama for a foot-stomping night. Tickets are available from flybynight.org.

MUSICA DE CHILE

Chilean folk guitarist Nano Stern has been announced as the support act for South African music legend Johnny Clegg. The globe-trotting musicians will hit the Burswood Theatre on Tuesday, March 13. Tickets are on sale now though Ticketek.

CLASS ACT

22-year-old singer-songwriter Oliver Tank is set to bring his sweet folk sounds to Fat Shan Records on Friday, January 26. Showcasing tunes from his new EP Dreams, the talented troubadour will be joined by much-loved locals Anton Franc, Ylem and Sam Perry. Get your tickets from fatshanrecords.com. www.xpressmag.com.au

It’s been a long time coming but Jason Lytle is finally coming back to Australia.The man known for his work up front of indie pop superstars Grandaddy is packing his bags for his solo tour. Grandaddy have recently reissued their classic album The Sophftware Slump, so you can be confident that you’ll hear a track off of that when he takes to Ya Ya’s on Tuesday, February 14. Support comes from Adam K & PJ (Turnstyle), The Gizzards, Chimp and DJ Thomo. Limited presale tickets are available from 78 Records.

COERCIVE POWER

2011 was a big year for Melbourne/Adelaide prog-core group Coerce and it doesn’t look like things will settle down in 2012, with the band recently announcing plans to tour the nation once more. Showcasing tunes from their ARIA nominated sophomore release Ethereal Surrogate Savior, the quixotic quartet will being their unique eardrum-bursting sound to the Prince Of Wales in Bunbury on Thursday, February 23; and the Rosemount Hotel on Friday, February 24.

UPTOWN GIRL

Legendary film and theatre music star and twotime Grammy Award winner Petula Clark returns for an Australian tour this autumn, including two intimate WA shows. Relive all your favourites – Downtown, This Is My Song, A Sign Of The Times, I Couldn’t Live Without Your Love and Don’t Sleep In The Subway – in what promises to be a delightful evening with one of the leading ladies in showbiz. See her on Saturday, March 31, at the Mundaring Weir Hotel Amphitheatre; and Sunday, April 1, at the Albany Entertainment Centre.

MADELEINE, NO

Originally scheduled to be playing Perth’s marvelous Riverside Theatre on Friday, March 16, songstress Madeleine Peyroux has cancelled her entire Australian tour. It’s not because of ‘logistical problems’ or ‘recording commitments’ either, the tour has been cancelled due to ‘poor ticket sales’.

If you did buy a ticket, head to the Ticketek box office at the Regal Theatre or Burswood for a refund.

Damon Smith & The Quality Lightweights have been sharing stories with audiences across Melbourne for the last three years, clocking up over 120 shows and supporting the likes of Jeff Martin, Angie Hart, Dan Mangan and Mark Seymour. Now, local audiences can catch their intimate live show on Friday, March 2, at the Railway Hotel. Click on over to qualitylightweights.com for more information.

Having recently won the Triple J Unearthed Comp for a spot to play on Southbound, local indierockers Arts Martial are already looking to make 2012 a very big year with a brand new single, Running, and an upcoming show at Bar 120 on Friday, February 3. Tickets will be $10 on the door.

DREAMWEAVER

It wasn’t that long ago when The Panda Band were one of the hottest bands in Perth. Their Massive single Sleepy Little Death Toll Town saw them rank in the Triple J Hottest 100 and top the Rolling Stone Australia bands to watch list. The band took their live show around the country on numerous occasions, supporting the likes of The Sleepy Jackson, Gomez, Little Birdy and The Grates, as well as embark on several their own headlining tours.

Add a series of trips to the US, and two critically acclaimed albums and the band were staples of the Aussie indie rock scene. This is why it came as a surprise when they called it quits last week, without any farewell shows. Damian Crosbie and Rufus Namour have sworn to continue making music together, while Chris Callan and Scott Howard will continue in The Witches.

LIGHT FANTASTIC

ART OF FIGHTING

Australian concertgoers will experience one of the most powerful and sumptuous operatic voices of the past 50 years when legendary American soprano Jessye Norman embarks on a national tour later this year, her first visit to Australia in over 20 years. The beguiling songstress will bring her unique repertoire of jazz and Broadway classics to the Perth Concert Hall on Monday, April 23. Tickets are available through BOCS.

OFF THE ENDANGERED LIST

LYTLE JOY

Switchfoot

Sydney based instrumental rockers sleepmakeswaves have announced an extensive Australian tour, celebrating the recent success of their debut ...And So We Destroyed Everything. The band’s (Hello) Australia tour will see the eclectic experimenters touch down in WA for a show at The Bakery on Friday, February 24, before heading overseas to showcase at SXSW in Austin, Texas. Support will come from much-loved locals Usurper Of Modern Medicine, Apricot Rail and Ron Pollard Quintet. sleepmakeswaves also play the Prince Of Wales on Saturday, February 25, with Ron Pollard Quintet.

Sleepmakeswaves

NAIDOC OF THE BAY

This Australia Day, the Survival Concert at the Supreme Court Gardens is set to acknowledge the resilience and survival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples since the arrival of the First Fleet. Managed by NAIDOC Perth, this alcohol and drug free event will have free admission and will showcase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music and dance, along with free kid’s activities (including a water slide), an elder’s tent, a large array of community stalls and a special history tent about the theme. The crowd will be kept entertained all afternoon by a talented line-up of Western Australian Aboriginal artists including Kwarbah Djookian, James Scott, Ulla Shay, Bryte, Old Flames, The Bad Influence, Walkabout Boys, Bartlett Brothers and The Yabu Band.

DIVALICIOUS

Featuring four of the finest females voices in local funk and soul, RTRfm’s Saturday Night Divas hits up the Grey Door upstairs at the Claremont Hotel on Saturday, February 18, from 7pm til late. On the bill catch Odette Mercy & Her Soul Atomics, Grace Barbe & Afro Kreol, Boom! Bap! Pow! and Randa Khamis doing a special solo set. Plus, on the wheels of steel are The Foxman, Super J, General Justice, Microgroove, Mama Cass, Claude Mono and Spud Murphy. Presales are only $10 for RTRfm subscribers and $15 for the general public – grab yours now from rtrfm.com.au.

THE KING LIVES

Elvis impersonator Max Pellicano is set to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the death of “The King” in Follow That Dream - The Gospel According To Elvis; a rocking, musical theatre production that had critics and fans alike dancing in the aisles during its first US run. Pellicano plays Elvis post-partum, reflecting on an extraordinary life – from his humble beginnings in Tupelo, Mississippi, to his excessive Las Vegas years. Jam packed with the music we all know and love, this musical extravaganza pays the ultimate homage to one of rock‘n’roll’s biggest icons. Catch Follow That Dream at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday, March 28; and the Astor Theatre, on Friday, March 30 and Saturday, March 31.

OUT OF AFRICA

Not to be confused with the Fremantle icon of the same name, South African guitarist/singer Jonathan Butler is set to delight local fans of feel-good soul and R&B with a touch of jazz at a special one-off show at the Riverside Theatre on Saturday, February 25. The shows will feature Butler in a unique setting providing intimate ‘behind the music’ stories about his hit songs, writing experiences and memories growing up in South Africa and eventually settling in Los Angeles. Tickets are available now from Ticketek.

TEEN DREAM

Having been recently thrust into the spotlight following their success as winners of last year’s Triple J Unearthed High competition, Melbourne’s latest teen-pop sensations Snakadaktal were quick to capitalise on their new-found “fame” by releasing their self-titled debut six-track EP. Now, in 2012, Snakadaktal will be taking to the road for their first ever national tour, which includes a pit stop in Perth on Friday, March 30, at Villa’s Speak Easy night. Tickets are available from Moshtix.

Blanche DuBois

DESIRE TO INSPIRE

This Saturday, January 21, sees awesome local twosome Blanche DuBois strut their stuff to celebrate the release of their third studio album Young Heart. The lovely ladies will perform songs new and old with the backing of a full band at what promises to be a very special evening under the stars in the beautiful Bamboo amphitheatre (behind Luxe Bar, on Beaufort Street in Highgate).

Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are $20 and available from luxebar.com/bamboo/tickets.

Snakadaktal 11

Despite the fact they’ve only been making music together for two years, both members have previous experience of the music industry: they met when Oblivion was tourmanaging Follin’s brother’s group, the Willowz, while Follin herself, via her art dealer mother, once cut a record with Dee Dee Ramone, and, via her stepdad’s band Youth Gone Mad, performed a cover of Amoeba by US hardcore punks the Adolescents at age seven.

“It’s hilarious,” she says of the cover. “I’m not like a little angelic choirgirl at all, and I’m just squeaky and high-pitched, like a chipmunk.”

Fast forward to 2012 and the introductory phase of Cults’ life span is to some extent already over, having peaked in May 2011 with the release of their debut self-titled LP which debuted to rapturous critical acclaim and inspired enough tweets to jump-start a career.

However, like every hungry act at Laneway, Cults know they must seize every flicker of buzz in the air. As Follin attests, the challenge is to maintain the momentum they have already established, and, as a somewhat known quantity, to “throw their weight around a bit”.

“It’s a lot more work than people think,” she says. “A lot of people talk about being a ‘buzz band’ like it’s a really negative thing, and people get pissed off and say we’ve gotten ‘too famous too fast’ but what a lot of people don’t realise is that even when we had signed a record deal people weren’t

Cults

CULTS

‘buzz band’ is that people

May The Buzz Be With You New York buzz band Cults have rocketed to prominence through online buzz and a taste for the timeliness of a well-crafted pop song. JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD sat down with Madeline Follin ahead of their performance at the St Jerome’s Laneway Festival on Saturday, February 11.

In the blog-accelerated music world we currently inhabit, the cycle of buzz turns so fast that bands caught up in it can find themselves in the paradoxical state of being brand new and old hat at the same time.

Case in point: Cults, a two-piece from Brooklyn who are set to play their first set of Australian shows as part of the Laneway Festival.

Formed not quite two years ago, the twosome created an online buzz in 2010 simply by having

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“The problem with being a

no information available. There was no MySpace, no official website – just a Bandcamp page and an amazing song (the spooky ‘60s doo-wop of Go Outside, released on vinyl only). Googling them wasn’t an option either, with all kinds of slightly sinister results leading users further away from the sunshine melodies created by Brian Oblivion (who takes his alias from the movie Videodrome) and his girlfriend Madeline Follin.

think you’re bigger than you really are because you’ve got all this publicity and everyone’s talking about you, but in the end it’s really this only small section of people on the internet who actually know who you are.”

coming to our shows.

“The problem with being a ‘buzz band’ is that people think you’re bigger than you really are because you’ve got all this publicity and everyone’s talking about you, but in the end it’s really this only small section of people on the internet who actually know who you are and that doesn’t really equate to a lot of people turning up to see you live.”

Follin claims there is also an increased pressure placed upon the shoulders of those bands deemed to be “buzzworthy”.

“When the first blogs started writing about us we would get these emails from writers asking if we could send them more songs to review and we really started to panic,” Follin says.

“Because the band had blown up really quickly, we were really worried that if we didn’t produce more music straight away people would forget about us just as quickly so we tried to pull some songs together just so we would have something to share with people, but the songs were terrible.

In a similar way, we had all these people ringing us and offering us shows, and we didn’t want to turn anything down but we weren’t ready for it so the first few shows were just embarrassing.”

Despite their shaky beginnings, it was only a matter of time before Cults jumped far beyond their anonymous Bandcamp beginnings and into the arms of Columbia Records, one of the world’s biggest record labels.

“It gave us the security to take a step back and stop focusing on reviews and blogs,” Follin says. “Suddenly we felt a lot better about what we were doing.”

The New Yorkers have also garnered praise for their live show. Backed by drums, bass and a busy sideman who goes from guitar to keyboard to glockenspiel, the New Yorkers create joyous confections with Follin’s pining voice as the centrepiece.

“Our live show is definitely more danceable than the record, but I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s a high-energy show,” Follin says.

“I mean, were not going to make like Odd Future and take epic stage jumps off the speakers into the crowd.”

After playing “the same songs every night for two long years,” Follin says the duo is well and truly ready to get back into the studio when they finish up touring duties down under, despite the inherent pressure of recreate the success of their first release.

“I definitely feel more nervous,” she concludes. “Before we released the first record we didn’t really have much to go off. Nobody really knew what direction we were going to go in so we felt pretty free artistically. But now we have to sit in the box we’ve made for ourselves.”

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BETH ORTON

Mother Of The World

Beth Orton The charming Beth Orton was the darling of the press and was making albums that were getting better and better with each outing, befriending the likes of The Chemical Brothers and M. Ward along the way. And then five and a half years ago Orton disappeared and barely a peep has been heard from her since. That is all about to change with the shows in Australia signalling a return to the spotlight for the lithe Brit.

“I have been writing, making things up and playing guitar,” offers Orton of what she has been doing in her absence.“I did some stuff with Bert Jansch and I’ve had a couple of babies.”

With her daughter being five years of age and the most recent edition to the family – her son – being closer to six months, it would be fair to suggest that Orton had other priorities that took her away from music. While Orton will agree to some extent, she says that her return to the stage and a new album are not solely dictated to by the age of her children, and it

Beth Orton returns from a five and a half year hibernation to release an imminent new album. CHRIS HAVERCROFT spoke to Orton, the folktronica luminary, who aims to make albums that are as carbon neutral as possible, about juggling young children with a music career. Orton plays three shows at Quarry Amphitheatre on Tuesday, January 24, through ‘til Thursday, January 26. more a result of her finally having the songs that she is happy with at this point in time.

“I was about to go and record when I found out I was pregnant,” she says. “I tried but it was impossible to sing with morning sickness. So, I have actually come out of the studio today after two weeks of recording and it has gone really well. But over these years, every time that I have had to wait to do something it has always benefitted the music. I have been thinking about recording but then I will write another song, or I will get another idea, so it has just drifted like that.

“Now I feel so ready to make a record and it is now the best time to do it,” she continues.“Although I am tired, it is easier just to do it than to wait and it has been a really good idea. My son has been with me in the studio and it’s worked out really well. We got so much done in the first two weeks that we only need to do another week recording to finish it. I am trying really hard not to talk about it though because I don’t want

to jinx it. I don’t want to say it is this that and the other until it is done as I don’t want to count my chickens. I’m pretty excited though.”

Orton doesn’t see the past half a decade as a time when she stepped off the treadmill, but more a time where she was able to consolidate doing the things that she loves. She is thankful for the time that she was able to spend with Jansch to write, record and receive guitar lessons. It was these sessions that would often lead to Orton returning home to nut out ideas well into the early hours of the morning.

“It was a really magical time. When the kids are that small and there is silence in the house it is a really tender place to be, and I suppose for me a real wealth of creativity came from that. In the studio now has been an extension in that feeling. The recording this time has created a really tender space. It just reminds me of why I do what I do and why I love what I do. The benefit of taking time out and making music around another life has been really inspiring for me.”

The Stepkids

THE STEPKIDS

Throwback To The Future Of all the soul artists breaking through in recent times, Connecticut trio The Stepkids may well be the most imperfect, but that’s exactly the way the trio like it. JENNIFER PETERSONWARD sat down with drummer Tim Walsh ahead of their performance at The Bakery on Wednesday, January 25.

As The Stepkids’ drummer Tim Walsh attests, the problem with the soul revival of the last few years has been precision.“The bass now has to sound like the bass then, except somehow more so,” he says.

“Same for the drums, the guitar, the keys, the vocals.

It’s an idealised take on the past.”

But the past was all kinds of imperfect, which is why The Stepkids’ self-titled debut is an apt tribute. It has flaws. It’s pockmarked and scratched up. Of all the recent throwback soul records, it’s the album most likely to confuse a listener who knew how it once was, not how it was imagined to be.

“I hate the whole notion of ‘throwback bands’,” Walsh says.“There’s a difference between being inspired by the past and just copying what someone else has done before.”

Owing a debt to pop culture artifices of decades past, The Stepkids’ unique groove comes from a fusion of ‘60s funk, jazz, and classic 20th century soul, taking the live excitements of the Stax Soul Revue, spliced with James Brown’s rhythm-as-a-pure-state funk and mixing in the heightened heirs of psychedelia.

It is hardly surprising to learn that the music created by The Stepkids comes from more than a decade of musical experimentation and experience.

Raised on the east coast jazz and R&B circuit, all three band members have carved out impressive individual careers which have included scoring movie soundtracks and commercials, producing solo albums and sharing stages with Alicia Keys, Lauryn Hill, 50 Cent and Pharoahe Monch.

“It was a very natural thing,”Walsh says of the band's origins. “[Bassist] Dan [Edinberg] and [vocalist/ guitarist] Jeff [Gitelman] have been friends for about 13 years and they played jazz together when they were kids. Dan and I had met years later and we’d been jamming for a while and had some studio time up our sleeve. Dan introduced me to Jeff literally right before we went into the studio for the first session.

Although they’ve only been playing together for little over a year, the trio have had a storm of hype unwittingly built up around them. Lauded by critics, their debut album and first single Shadows On Behalf garnered synonymously rave reviews from the likes of Pitchfork and Mojo.

“All three of us had always loved cohesive albums – those albums that worked best when listened to from the opening track to the closing track in one sitting – and we really wanted to create something similar,” Walsh says. “But at the same time we were conscious of making something that listeners wouldn’t get bored with. I’m proud of the fact that our album works both ways – you can listen to the singles and enjoy them on their own, or you can sit down and take in the whole thing and enjoy the overall statement.”

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

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Thee Oh Sees

THEE OH SEES Dawson’s Creed A major part of the exciting San Francisco garage rock scene, Thee Oh Sees return to our parts for a show at The Bakery on Friday, January 20. Brigid Dawson tells MATTHEW HOGAN how she came to join John Dwyer’s hard working band.

“No shit man, I just kind of fell into it. I wasn’t a hustler by any means.”

And so begins Thee Oh Sees vocalist/ keyboardist Brigid Dawson on how she started playing in bands. “The first band I was in was with a guy I had known since I was 14,” she says. “He was starting a northern soul band and he knew that I loved singing and he asked me to be in the band.

I was maybe 19. I was pretty shy, but the chance to sing was so tempting, and I did it anyway. That’s basically where I learnt how to sing in front of people with a microphone and all that stuff.”

The UK native then spent a decade living all over the place before she met Thee Oh Sees main man John Dwyer. “I moved back to America and I met John at a coffee shop that I was working at,” she says. “He lived around the corner and I was in another band and we used to talk when he would come in. I remember him as always being the funny guy. He would always be handing me flyers to come see his band. Finally I went to go see him and he was like ‘you’ve got to tell me when you’re playing’. So I finally told him when I was playing in my band and he came to see it and that’s when he asked me to play in OCS, which is what Thee Oh Sees were called then.”

That was in 2005, when they had more of a psychedelic folk sound. While the sound has changed, their tendency to work fast hasn’t. Last year they released not one, but three records.“We have one that just came out, and then we released two earlier this year,” she says. “One was a singles collection, and then there was one at the start of the year. Most of it was John, he’d recorded one on a TASCAM Recorder at home. It’s called Castlemania and it’s really layered and

beautiful. I sing on it, but most of the band doesn’t play on it.”

More recently the full band effort Carrion Crawler/The Dream saw the light of day.“We recorded it, I think, in February and it’s got our new drummer,” says Dawson.“I like it a lot, I hope other people will like it. It’s pretty loud, but it still has a lot of melody on it. It’s got a lot of the songs that we play live on it.”

If they recorded it almost a year ago then surely they’ve got three more albums up their collective sleeve, right? “No,” Dawson laughs.“Actually we haven’t; we’ve been slowing down because we’ve been touring a bit. We actually had the summer off, and we rewrote a bunch of songs, but we haven’t recorded them yet.

Maybe next year we’ll be recording them.”

MILES KANE Smooth Operator

Miles Kane

Following his stellar performances at Southbound and the Arctic Monkeys sideshow, British rocker Miles Kane talks candidly about fame, failure and friendship with JENNIFER PETERSONWARD. Having already tasted success with moderatelyknown Britpop outfit The Rascals, it was his turn as the co-frontman of The Last Shadow Puppets — his ‘60s-infused side project with Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner — which officially introduced model-dating, hard-drinking 25-yearold Miles Kane to the world. However, as the charming crooner attests, he is hoping recently released solo album Colour Of The Trap will take him to “the top of the pops”.

“It’s been like a rollercoaster. There’s been ups there’s been downs but it’s fucking made me who I am and I wouldn’t knock any of it,” Kane says of his career.“I had some great times with The Rascals and we had a couple of great songs in our catalogue, but it didn’t really work out and I was gutted that it just didn’t take off because I really thought we were going to be massive, being honest about it.

“Then the Shadow Puppets with Al was an amazing experience. It was the beauty of working with your best mate and having this connection. We met when we were 18 and it’s just grown and grown.

We’re both 25 now and we have a beautiful personal relationship and a beautiful working relationship. I love writing songs with him and I love being on stage with him – it just feels so easy.

“Unfortunately, there was a point where that all ended – Al was going back to the Monkeys and it was like ‘what am I going to do?’…I couldn’t join the Monkeys because I’m too obsessed with being a frontman. I need to be front and centre, I couldn’t handle being in the background…At that time, I had a come down period, going from having this famous thing to having nothing and it was quite hard to get confident again and motivate myself.”

Kane says that John Lennon was the album’s main inspiration, but its creation gave him the chance to work with a more accessible musical hero: Gruff Rhys from Super Furry Animals.

“I did my first week of recording with Gruff and it was my first week of being alone and it was just the best week, it was this new experience, it just felt so free and it was easy as well. Gruff has a really calming way about him and so working with him was the perfect way to start this record.

“This record has been the best thing I have ever done in my life – not just musically, but personally. It’s made me who I am. I’ve found myself, I’ve found the music, I’ve found a path and it’s a beautiful thing.”

Despite his satisfaction performing under his solo guise, Kane admits he is wary that his new work will be compared to The Last Shadow Puppets.

“It’s a hard act to follow, but I’ve made the best record I can and I hope I can have some hits and go platinum on my own.” He also says, other projects aside, that he and Turner will record together again when time allows. “It’s still a huge passion for both of us, but we’ve had to put it on the backburner while we chase other dreams. I’d expect it to be probably in a year or so from now.”

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Fast forward a few years and Cruz now divides his time between Sydney, New York and Miami, working with the likes of urban royalty Jay Sean, Drake, Lil Wayne and Pitbull. “Last year was mainly Miami so I spend a lot of time over there producing and writing for other artists as well as developing my stuff over there and this year, we’re going to be releasing in the States “Lead Them” are the words tattooed as well so fingers crossed,” he says.

Cruz landed a deal with Jay Sean’s label on the knuckles of R&B star Israel Cash Money after he worked on Sean’s US #1 smash Cruz. It’s a motto the Asian-Australian hit Down back in 2009 and has since gone on work Wynter Gordon, Jordin Sparks, Jessica Mauboy and is living by – having recently started with Jay Sean just to name a few. Before the Cash Money Australia’s first urban label Nufirm. deal came along, Cruz released his second record The independently – a difficult process compared Although he’s worked with the likes Legacy to releasing his debut record Chapter 1 when signed of Drake, Lil Wayne and Jay Sean – to Sony.“It [The Legacy] took me a while to actually do going from having support to having none is he hasn’t been offered a fragrance because like a big stab and there’s a lot of fears you’ve got to deal yet but there are other exciting overcome like ‘I need some money – how do I put this out?’,” he says. “There are creative ways to put it out if projects in the works as ANNABEL you want to. I guess at the end of the day, it all comes MACLEAN discovers ahead of his down to how the music is and if people like it.”

Given that Australia has a large R&B fanbase; show at Metro City this Friday, Cruz saw a gap in the market which needed filling – an outlet for all upcoming urban musicians to showcase January 20. their talent, and so 2010 saw the birth of Australian Having moved to Melbourne when he was three label Nufirm Music. “Nufirm is basically dedicated to years old from what he describes as “the ghetto signing and developing new artists within the whole – every house is built with cardboard” in Quezon R&B, hip hop slash dance pop genre which this country City, the Philippines, Israel Cruz grew up in Werribee hasn’t really got a dedicated label for so I decided to start one,” he says. “Last year we did a joint venture – south west Melbourne.

ISRAEL CRUZ Party Up

with Ministry Of Sound but I’ve been working on it for a long time… it’s really exciting and I can’t wait to show everyone the talent that’s coming out of this country.

My main thing is to show people that they don’t have to go anywhere else to get good music in this country; it’s all about making it here.”

Aside from working on the label, “finishing something with Pitbull” and working with Jay Sean, Cruz is dipping into the fashion industry. “We’re [Cruz, Jay Sean and more] starting a t-shirt brand that goes with the culture,” he says of their soon to be released label Firm Wear.“It all works together. Right now it’s just t-shirts and we’re going to start on some jackets and stuff but mainly it’s about the t-shirts and if it blows up then we’ll keep developing it.”

And as for his slicked up hair style, well that’s staying too. “My brother comes in every week to my house and he does designs on my hair. It’s really, really cool so I just pretty much put the wax in and [I’m] just ready to rock you know.” And then you re-do it when you wake up in the morning? “Oh nah, it stays this way,” he confirms.

The Red Paintings

THE RED PAINTINGS Paint It Red

Australian art-rockers The Red Paintings bring their colourful and commanding live show to The Bakery on Thursday, January 19. Creative engine Trash McSweeney talks to TRAVIS JOHNSON about art, control, and animals.

Fans will be glad to hear that, following a half dozen well-received EPs, The Revolution Is Never Coming, the first full-length studio album by The Red Paintings is just about good to go.

“I’ve actually finished it,” frontman Trash McSweeney reveals.“I finished it in the U.S. about two months ago. It took me five years to make it - it’s just a really epic album. I ended up using a philharmonic orchestra and choirs. We were basically conducting it ourselves, and it was an epic experience of awesome green things, meaning we got stoned a lot while making it.”

That would explain the ex tended production schedule, at least, but it turns out that the delays were due to a variety of reasons, none of them herbal. “ N o, we d i d n’t re a l l y g e t s to n e d, “McSweeney admits. “I’m just being silly. I think some people are gonna believe that, though, because it shouldn’t take five years to make a record. The reason that it did was that I’d never done a record before.

We’d done a few EPs, but we’d never really brought out the true vision of what I’ve had. It was a trial and error in that we brought on a more independent producer/engineer, and he did a really bad job of tracking the record, which put us in a bad place because we thought we were going to release it at a time when we couldn’t, and I was really unhappy with the sound of it, so we wound up remixing it and retracking it in Canada, then back to Australia, then finally back to America, when we finally got it right.”

McSweeney is also candid about the fact that his own need for control didn’t exactly speed up the process, either. Although he employs a number of collaborators, it’s always been clear that The Red Paintings is his baby, and he likes to keep a firm hand on the reins. “We had a label help in a sense in Canada,” he says. “I had a label sort out a three year visa so I could keep on writing, but I made it clear that I wanted no one to have any control over the record. No one putting money in could tell me and dictate to me what my next moves were or how it was going to go, and so it was done 100 per cent under my control.”

But while the band’s audience are eager to finally hear McSweeney’s opus, they’re also keen to get a look at its live delivery, seeing as how elaborate stage shows have always been an integral part of the band’s appeal.

“Well, it’s a concept record, 13 songs, and I’ve built a stage show on paper that reflects all the messages of the record and becomes an education experience/world tour. I can’t really go into detail about what it’s about, because usually it’s about people coming and being surprised. But there is a performance element that reflects the record, absolutely - we’ve just got to wait for it to happen.

Every time I do a stage show, it changes.”

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

Seether

SEETHER Hold It Now

Alternative rockers Seether have been kicking around rock arenas for a little over a decade now, and are heading to our shores to tour their new and lengthily titled album Holding Onto Strings Better Left To Fray. Frontman Shaun Morgan chats to CHLOE PAPAS ahead of their show at the Rosemount Hotel on Wednesday, February 1.

Holding Onto Strings Better Left To Fray is South African band Seether’s fifth full-length, and listening to it evokes only a hint of band of old. Shaun Morgan discusses the album at length, and illustrates the importance of a producer that meshes well with the band, whos, in this case, was famed grunge producer Brendan O’Brien (Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots).

“We didn’t restrict ourselves at all and we had a producer working with us that was really involved in us making the songs as good as we possibly could,” Morgan begins. “So instead of changing the songs to suit his style, he would tell us to rewrite stuff that might suit the song and getting us to do it ourselves. A lot of producers tend to get involved more than they should be – I guess they’re failed musicians, so they try to impart their wisdom onto other bands because they weren’t so successful. But Brendan didn’t step in, in that sense, he just helped us spark creativity and make things better.”

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Seether are known for their consistency in churning out regular bi-yearly albums, but this album broke the trend, with a four year wait after 2007’s Finding Beauty In Negative Spaces. Morgan says that the start of the writing process was a struggle for the band.

“We took a long time with this one, ultimately it ended up taking us about a year and a half from the start of the writing process to the end of the recording, and that’s a long time,” he says.“It’s frustrating and it’s nerve-wracking and it’s soul-destroying – you know,‘why is everything taking so long, why can’t we write songs anymore?’. And we had people telling us ‘well why don’t you hire people to write songs for you’ and then we told them to go screw themselves because we know what we’re doing. And Brendan really believed in us and he had our back. So we spent a lot of time on our songs and we really took our time crafting them. And I think the frustration, the sadness, the anger and all these negative emotions were balled up and put into music to make this album more impactful.”

Earlier this year, Seether made a guest appearance on the Conan O’Brien Show, and acted out a skit in which the band were utterly dedicated to pop prince Justin Bieber. So how does Morgan really feel about the Biebs?

“I think he’s a ponce,” he states.“And he’s now rapping as well! I mean the kid is no great superstar, he has some talent and he’s got some very powerful people behind him. He’s just another part of the machine. The fact that I even know who he is pisses me off. And the thing is, now the little guy is running around speaking like he’s black, and like he’s from the ghetto. And he’s not, he’s from the Canadian suburbs.

So you know, just be who you are. I mean, we’re just real – what you see is what you get. We don’t walk off stage and suddenly become timid little chess players.

Or you know, we don’t go wash off our makeup and take down our super spiky hair and take off our super tight jeans and watch Oprah. We get off stage and we keep drinking beers and we go to bed and go to the next town and play.

Conditions

CONDITIONS Youth Brigade 2011 was a huge year for Virginian punk rock outfit Conditions. With the release of their debut full length, Fluorescent Youth, and relentless touring across the US and Europe behind them – the five-piece earned a notoriety that did not go unnoticed by fans and critics alike. Guitarist Alex Howard talks to JESSICA WILLOUGHBY ahead of their set at Soundwave on Monday, March 5.

Being noted as one of the top 100 bands you need to know by Alternative Press is not an accolade afforded to many.

Though Richmond-bred rockers Conditions have taken this ranking in stride with the aim of proving why they are certainly a band to watch out for. Using the push to flaunt their debut effort, Fluorescent Youth, to its hilt on the road – the notches on their touring schedule followed in quick succession with much of last year spent away from home on foreign shores. A routine that the band were prepared for, according to guitarist and vocalist Alex Howard.“I think with our debut, we certainly got what we wanted out of it,” he explains to X-Press.

“We’d been a band for a few years, so it was a hurdle for us to finally get our debut out on a label.

Especially because we’d already done two EPs on our own. Just doing that, and having the full experience of being in a studio for that long – writing that many songs at once – was a challenge. But it was a really good one and I felt like we were really prepared for it and what came to follow. This album was a good moment in time captured.”

Produced, once again, by band mainstay Paul Levitz in Baltimore, the quintet set about doing what they do best at their own pace. Except when a curveball thrown by Mother Nature forced them to knuckle down in the studio.

“We actually got trapped in the studio at one stage because there was a blizzard,” Howard remembers. “We ended up writing a joke song to bide our time called Rollin’. It was a first-hand account of a biker, in metal form. It was real good (laughs).

We were stuck for two days and at one point it was even declared illegal to drive in the city of Baltimore.

There was something like seven-inches of snow. Paul couldn’t make it from his house to the studio. But we definitely had heaps of food, even enough to share with the mice we lived with. It was interesting.”

With Corey Thomas joining on bass in January last year, Howard also points to his addition as a breath of fresh air for the band. “I’m going to totally embarrass him and say he was a big fan of ours before he joined. So he came in and he was really excited; it brought this new charisma. It rubs off, you know?

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

SAN CISCO Awkward

THE BIG PINK Future This

Island City Records/MGM

4AD/Remote Control

Call-and-response vocals, ecstatic, shiny dance-floor sensibilities and enough hooks to reel in an entire sea of hipster teenagers buoy the sophomore release from local indie pop four-piece San Cisco.

San Cisco offer their most immediate bid for pop dominance with the triple j endorsed single and title track from the EP, Awkward. Here, Josh Biondillo’s reverb-doused guitar and bright keyboards spar with Nick Gardner’s declarative bass, while lead vocalist Jordi Davieson’s sweet vocals bounce off drummer Scarlett Stevens’ deadpan delivery to great success.

There are moments when Davieson’s vocals become too affected for their own good, but his ear for a tight, catchy pop song and ascending chorus hardly ever lets him down.

From the pounding tribal rhythms of Rocket Ship of to the crazily catchy doo-doo-wah-doo vocals of Lover, all five tracks sound like hits waiting to happen, and more than prove that the talented local outfit have strong enough songwriting skills to be heard above the hype.

Bound to be one of 2012’s most popular local releases, the tunes on Awkward are memorable enough to make the idea that San Cisco will be forgotten by next summer seem a highly unlikely suggestion. San Cisco will have you humming their tunes under your breath. That is, if you’re not wailing them in your car, volume cranked, inhibition long gone.

Looking for that perfect album to blast down the beach roads this summer? The Big Pink have you covered.

Featuring powerfully neon-lit summer anthems that revel in surging synths and hooks that sink deep, Future This is reminiscent of the fun slices of electro-pop that have propelled MGMT, Passion Pit and Foster The People to headlining festival slots.

The crazily catchy Stay Gold, in particular, is the kind of well produced jam that stands up to the best of their influences, a fist pumping bass line anchoring frontman Robbie Furze’s waifish falsetto awash in day-glo electronics. It’s the kind of forwardthinking pop song that many an indie band would die for; Future This, thankfully, has about four or so more to spare.

Aside from trying-too-hard-to-be-arock-band in Lose Your Mind, The Big Pink show a remarkable skill in sticking to what they know, be it typical dance-rock sing-a-longs like Jump Music or slightly off-kilter but still pleasantly palatable synthpop numbers like Hit The Ground (Superman).

However, for all the immediacy inherent in Future This, it’s hard to imagine listening to this album in a different time and place (say, next winter) and still having that instant connection. For better or for worse, Future This is a product of the here and now, but who can be mad at The Big Pink for seizing it for all its worth? _JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD

_JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD

THE LITTLE WILLIES For The Good Times

BILL RYDER-JONES If

EMI

Domino Records

She may have made a name for herself as the multimillion selling singer that put smooth lounge like jazz back onto the charts, but Norah Jones is clearly a student of country’s finest writers.

The second album from The Little Willies, For The Good Times finds Jones again dicking around with the likes of Richard Julian and Jim Campillongo as she wraps her sultry tones around another dozen country classics.

The strength of The Little Willies is that they are clearly playing these songs for the love of them and the fact that you may be listening is a complimentary concern. Lovesick Blues may have been made famous by Hank Williams, but even if you didn’t know the tune Jones and Julian turn it on its ear as they craft honey harmonies over brushed drums.

No-one is sacred as they delve into the catalogues of Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, Kristofferson and Johnny Cash, Jones can drag out a sizeable drawl with the best of them when motoring through If You’ve Got The Money I’ve Got The Time, but it is the slowed down Jolene that will be the money maker this time around.

She may now be sporting tattoos on her inner arm, but fashion isn’t driving this latest offering.

For The Good Times is a modest and heartfelt walk through the classics where size doesn’t matter.

Best known as the original guitarist for seminal British ‘90s outfit The Coral, Bill Ryder-Jones’ If, a score inspired by Italo Calvino’s novel If On A Winter’s Night A Traveller, is a long way from the Liverpool band’s psychedelic folk; in fact it barely features any guitars at all.

Featuring tinkling pianos and occasionally more dramatic orchestrations with strings, brass and percussion, each of the record’s 10 tracks directly corresponds with the chapters of Calvino’s novel, for example opener If… evokes imagery of a steamy small-town railway station in northern Italy, while By The Church Of Apollonia recounts a sinister sex scene involving two military officials and the women they both love.

Ryder-Jones is a purveyor of technically perfect orchestrations that can indeed by admired as art, but that’s to miss his greatest strength: his honest primitivism. He may scatter guitar notes like silver confetti over his ‘songs’, but the use of samples, which are often delivered as little more than raw material and drum patterns and are frequently childlike in their deliberate simplicity, imbue his work with a potent sense of nostalgia, rejecting passing musical fads in favour of a timeless, almost classical approach.

It’s art, and it’s technique, but it also exhibits that magical ability to secrete itself in your heart as much as your head. _JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD

_CHRIS HAVERCROFT

DAVID MYLES Into The Sun Little Tiny Records/MGM

CAN Tago Mago

Canadian singer/songwriter David Myles is a man of simple pleasures. A message he proudly uses to knit together the 13 happy tracks on his sixth album.

Into The Sun is Myles’ introduction to Australian audiences bringing his unique fusion of Brazilian beats, folk/pop music and summery attitude.

There is an unprecedented smile permanently fixed in the singer’s voice and in acapella Run Myles really accentuates his smoothness. There are hints of Coldplay’s Chris Martin in Myles’ voice but luckily this sounds more like well meaning allusion rather than mere imitation.

David’s real talent however lies within his song writing. A straightforward appreciation for life compels him to resonate “How’d I get so lucky?” in Simple Pleasures as the acoustic guitar playfully nods along in agreement.

A ‘heart on his sleeve’ kind of guy Myles hums “I’ve fallen in love” in Falling In Love. The Brazilian and African inspired beats are notable in The Bottom, an instrumental jam featuring carnival horns (performed by Myles) and bouncing bass.

Into The Sun is such a peaceful record and delivered in a vintage Buddy Holly inspired naivety.

Acoustic and raw, David Myles fits into summer like a glove and it’s any wonder why he’s taken six albums to get to our shores.

In his seminal work on the underground music scene in Germany in the ‘70s, Krautrocksampler, musicologist Julian Cope wrote that Can’s Tago Mago “sounds only like itself, like no-one before or after”.

40 years on from the album’s initial release, it’s an observation that still holds true.

There have been many bands who have attempted to recreate the heady, woozy, dark whirl of rhythms invoked on Tago Mago – from the Flaming Lips to Radiohead – yet none of them have ever managed to truly capture the combination of the sinister and the sublime that have made this wonderful record such a modern classic.

The recently released 40th anniversary reissue of Can’s seminal record sees their uniquely European, highly influential avant-funk sounding every bit as fresh as it did back in 1971. From bigbeat floor filler Mushroom to the deliberately disjointed Halleluwah, it’s resoundingly clear that this is Can’s best, most rewarding album and one of the greatest krautrock records the world will likely ever hear.

_CHELA WILLIAMS

_JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD

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Key Tracks: Peking O.

Mushroom,

Halleluwah,

and

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PUGSLEY BUZZARD Boogie Nights

Pugsley Buzzard will be performing his Chicago Typewriter show at the Perth Town Hall as part of the Fringe World Festival 2012 from January 27-31. Tickets are available from fringeworld. com.au. Buzzard will also be returning to WA for a special one-off show at The Ellington Jazz Club on Sunday, February 26.Visit ellingtonjazz. com.au for more information.

Pugsley Buzzard’s face is the kind you can carve on an orange; squeeze it one way and it laughs, another and it howls and another it bawls. Like many eclectic jazz and blues performers before him, this battery of expressions is part of his stockin-trade as an entertainer, for, as the self-described “grizzly bear in a porkpie hat” attests, he is in the laughter business as much as the jazz business.

Buzzard’s self-described “whorehouse blues with fancy piano” style draws from a rich vein of piano based music – from New Orleans funk, Swampshack jazz and Barrelhouse blues to modern improvisations. “It’s like a cantankerous mule towing a speakeasy full of drunken gorillas through a glass factory,” Buzzard jokes when describing his sound.

A lifelong music aficionado, Buzzard’s current style places a special concentration on jazz, which reflects his enduring love of the genre.

“I’ve played music since childhood. I started on piano and violin then moved onto trumpet and later on to guitars and bass,” Buzzard reminisces. “I played around Perth in indie bands as well as jazz and blues bands. I ran a chamber orchestra for a while that got its start at the Artrage Festival. I also composed music for other film and theatre projects. Ten or so years ago I started traveling overseas and around Australia. It was in Europe I really started refining what I do now. Folks there liked my singing and piano playing. I’ve been pretty much focused on that since.”

One of Australia’s finest consummate artists, Buzzard has performed all over the world from the smoky jazz cellars of Berlin to downtown New Orleans. Buzzard has also enjoyed an unprecedented burst of success over the last few years, not least of which included taking out top honors in the Jazz/Blues Category at the eWorld music awards last year.

“It’s nice to be appreciated, even by a bunch of remote music industry execs in California.

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Pugsley Buzzard But I’m a pretty stubborn kind of mule. I follow my instinct [and] I know when I’m on the right course.

I can’t be deterred. Awards and such things don’t mean that much to me personally but I guess it is some kind of validation,” he says.

Buzzard is set to dazzle and delight local audiences during a series of rollicking live shows as part of the Fringe World Festival later this month.

“I’ll be spinning some yarns and cracking some tunes open with the band,” Buzzard concludes, “So hipsters, flipsters and finger poppin’ daddies and mammas come on down to the Perth Town Hall and get yer funky selves booglarised.” _JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD

X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

Late Bloomers

Le Havre

LA HAVRE How Do You Say Directed by Aki Kaurismäki Starring André Wilms, Blondin Miguel and JeanPierre Darroussin

La Havre is very much a genre movie, in that the audience this film is intended for will likely find it charming, funny and appreciate its relaxed style. But on the flip-side people who can’t jump on board with a movie of this pace will no doubt find it boring, polarising and not engaging.

The second movie in French by Finnish film maker Aki Kaurismäki, La Havre has a simple, no-frills plot that focuses on a few uncomplicated characters in the sleepy, quaint French town of La Havre. Marcel Marx (André Wilms) is an elderly gentleman, a happy shoe-shiner who earns little money but lusts after nothing more. Every night he returns to his waiting wife Arletty, whom he adores, kissing her and sitting down to a very French dinner of bread and cheese.

Marcel is clearly loved in the small town, as he charms a loaf of bread from his friendly neighbour and wine from the local bar, putting it all on a tab they know he won’t pay. But as a man who takes, he gives just as much, giving every Euro he earns to his wife’s biscuit tin of savings.

One day while working on the streets he comes across a small African child, Idrissa, running from the police. Idrissa came in to France with the rest

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of his family stowed away in a shipping container but the French immigration officials managed to catch the container before they could exit and disappear in to the town, with only Idrissa able to escape. News of the runaway immigrant spreads fast in the port town, as police search residences and stores to find him. Possessing an empathetic and kind heart, Marcel decides to hide the boy and help him finish his journey to London, where the rest of Idrissa’s family resides.

Clean and simple editing of long, stoic shots makes this film feel like it came from a different era. In fact, if it were in black and white and not colour, you could easily assume it was. But that is where it gains charm, as the cinematography never gets in the way of the film, letting it unfold as naturally as the writing sometimes feels. It’s almost static editing leaves it with the feeling of an indie short-film, who I would most link to American Jim Jarmusch, but is also the dominating style of all of Kaurismäki’s work.

Of course, as the name might imply, the town of La Havre plays the role of a character just as much as the actors. The picturesque town has its own cast of locals, from the burly men at the bar to Little Bob, a small elderly man who is the town’s rock star. Actually I really could have done with out Little Bob, with a long, unedited scene of him performing a cover song live being a really down point in the movie. But hey, the older people in the audience seemed to really love this bizarre diversion in the film.

La Havre will find a happy home with its intended audience, but mainstream movie goers will probably be unfulfilled. Personally I found it soulful and deep, yet uncomplicated and engaging. _TOM VARIAN

Arrietty

HIROMASA YONEBAYASHI Acing Arrietty Disney is easily the most widely recognised animation studio in the world, but the most beloved, the one whose very mention puts a smile on the face of its devoted fans, is Japan’s Studio Ghibli. Under the stewardship of legendary director Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli have produced an impressive number of classic films over the past 25 years, among them the seminal My Neighbour Totoro, Spirited Away, and Howl’s Moving Castle.

Their latest, Arrietty, is an adaptation of English author Mary Norton’s much loved children’s novel, The Borrowers. It is also one of the few Ghibli films to be helmed by someone other than Miyazaki himself, in this case debut director Hiromasa Yonebayashi. But the 36 year old animator - the youngest ever director of a Ghibli production - is at pains to point out that the studio founder was very much involved in the making of the film.

“Mr Hayao Miyazaki is the mastermind behind this project,” he says. “In fact, he had wanted to adapt The Borrowers himself some 40 years ago.”

And though the film had long been in gestation in the mind of Miyazaki, Yonebayashi admits to being newcomer to Norton’s world of tiny, secretive humans.

“I am sorry to say that before Mr Miyazaki asked me to direct this film, I had never read the original novels,” he explains. “When Mr Miyazaki and producer Toshio Suzuki asked me if I would direct the next film, I had never considered the job of directing ever and did not think that I was capable of it. Therefore, I turned down the offer at first.”

Part of that initial trepidation came from the fact that Arrietty would not only be Yonebayashi’s first film as director, it would also mark the first time that one of the studio’s animators stepped up to call the shots. “I felt the pressure. I still do not understand why I was asked to direct this film. The producer Mr Suzuki said he had offered me the job after hearing Mr Miyazaki talk about my work on the last film, Ponyo, whereas Mr Miyazaki said he had a hunch.”

As an animator, Yonebayashi was able to bring a very specific visual style to the film. “I wanted it to be a film that can only be done in animation. It is convenient to exaggerate or even be untruthful in animation, for example expanding the kitchen space further than it should in the first scene where Arrietty enters the kitchen, or drawing things that you would normally find around you in gigantic sizes. We also worked very hard to animate the movement of water which would be difficult to do in real live features…"

But he also looked to more traditional live action cinema for inspiration. “When designing the look of the little people, I watched several films which featured Irish characters; for example Ryan’s Daughter and Gone With The Wind. I also used as reference The Secret Garden and Toma’s Heart (a Japanese comic) while I was drawing the storyboards. You may see their influences in the film’s visual style.” _TRAVIS JOHNSON

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STRUTATHON Body Movin’

STRUTathon will take over the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts on Saturday, January 28, from 12pm-10pm. Tickets are available by visiting fringeworld.com.au or pica.org.au.

Brian Finkelstein

THREE STRIKES

Brian Finkelstein: Reluctant Activist Three Strikes is on show at the PICA Performance Space as part of the Summer Nights program, from Tuesday, January 31, ’til Saturday, February 4.

Bookings can be made via blueroom.org.au.

American writer/storyteller Brian Finkelstein believes that “everybody has one good story,” and to prove his point he’s here in Perth to help aspiring writers discover and craft their tales, and share a few of his own.

“Everybody has a heartbreak story, or a travel story or a death story or a birth story or something like that. Some stories pull on heartstrings and make small things interesting,” he shares when asked about what constitutes a good yarn.

Here in Perth to stage Three Strikes, a conversational performance piece about his involvement in, you guessed it, three strikes - including the 2009 American Writers’ Strike, during which he was employed as a writer on the Ellen DeGeneres Show Finkelstein is looking forward to talking about a subject which is often overlooked.

“There are certain things I feel like people don’t talk about and I think those topics are getting harder to find for me because between the internet and cable TV there’s so many things people talk about now. The Writers’ Strike was a politically charged thing because of the unions and the politics of television and I felt like nobody was talking about it. I went on strike as a writer and it was crazy and I still don’t really know what happened. I thought it would be fun to do a show about that because nobody else seemed to be doing it.”

Though he engaged in industrial action alongside his fellow writers, Finkelstein wasn’t thrilled

about not being able to do the job he loved, and feels like very little was achieved by the three month stand.

“I would say I was a reluctant activist. When the Writers’ Strike happened it was kind of fun because writers aren’t violent - they’re pretty nice, slightly chubby people who eat donuts. So the strike wasn’t aggressive. I felt loyalty to my job and the union so I was conflicted about what I should do. After everything you believe in falls apart as you get older, knowing what the right thing to do is becomes hard.

“I picketed for the entire strike. We would chant ‘what do we want? A contract! When do we want it?

Now!’. Everyone would show up and make the joke that ‘hey, as writers we should come up with better chants’ but nobody did, we’d just joke about it, which is the nature of comedy writers – to joke about it and not fix it.”

During the strike Finkelstein ended up getting to know talk show host Jay Leno, who visited the picketers to show support for his writing team, so Finkelstein was understandably appalled when Leno changed his tune and ‘scabbed’.

“Leno would bring lunch for his writers and also give us lunch so I got to talk to him a lot, he’s a crazy bastard. It’s hard because I don’t want to make it too specific or political but what happened was some shows went back on air and Jay was critical of that but then as soon as David Letterman went back because his company signed a deal with the union, Jay, without a deal, scabbed – he went back to work. He flip flopped and changed his opinion when it became about him which I think is a wimpy move. He’s kinda like a giant hypocrite. He sat there and bitched to us about the other shows… The union came out and said he was in contempt but then nothing happened. To me that’s the whole thing – if I went back to work I would have been in trouble but Jay Leno got away with it. It seems to me that striking is an outdated concept.” _EMMA BERGMEIER

Since 2002 STRUT Dance has been the artistic hub for contemporary dance in Western Australia. The brainchild of Sue Peacock and Gaberielle Sullivan, STRUT aims to connect quality contemporary dance with audiences. Now, a decade since they first began, STRUT is celebrating their 10 year anniversary with a birthday party of a lifetime – a 10 hour marathon, or STRUTathon, celebrating low-fi, experimental short works choreographed by past and present STRUT members.

Artistic director Sue Peacock describes STRUTathon as not a “standard theatrical performance.”

Alternative and informal, this wholly unique performance piece offers the audience the opportunity to act as a fly on the wall – coming and leaving as they please.“We’re doing 10 hours of non stop performance, which means that there’s actually three programs of work and they’re repeated three times – ABC ABC ABC – and it happens over a 10 hour period.”

“There’s one person I can think that might be crazy enough to sit there for 10 hours! I think for most people the idea is that you can come and go, so the way that it’s set up you can stay and watch the first program, then you can go out and have a bit a break, and skip a program then come back and watch the third one, and then see the second one the next time... so there’s all those kind of possibilities I guess in terms of the audience being able to watch it,” says Peacock.

Each program contains works from dancers and choreographers of vastly varied and different backgrounds. “Some are from much long standing members, quite experienced choreographers, and others are from quite new graduates,” says Peacock.

“Claudia Alessi is doing a duet that I think is from about 2004 called Blind Date with Stephen Carlton, who is a very experienced performer in Perth. They’re both mature artists, and it’s more theatre based – the dancing in it is kind of a little bit nostalgic, light entertaining.

“In contrast to that there’s a work called Lace

by Isabella Stone who’s a newer Strut member, and that work she presented last year, and it’s a dance work for four female dancers, so quite a different style – more pure movement.”

For Peacock, this event is a celebration of all that has made STRUT Dance unique and beautiful over the past decade, as well as the prelude to great things to come. “As I know there hasn’t been a dance thing in quite this format in Australia!,” she says. “We’re just looking forward to a really big year – we’ve got some great guests coming over, and there’s some really cool things happening in the second half of the year, so we’re sort of starting off with a bang and then continuing all year.”

STRUTathon

_LEAH BLANKENDAAL

THE DAY THE SKY TURNED BLACK Dark Day

The Day The Sky Turned Black plays at the PICA Performance Space from Tuesday, January 31, to Saturday, February 4. Bookings via pica.org.au.

Writer and actor Ali Kennedy-Scott remembers vividly where she was when Victoria burned in 2009.

“I was at drama school in Bristol when the Black Saturday bushfires happened,” she recalls.

“And I think when anything like that happens to your country when you’re far away from it, you feel very strongly about it. I felt quite helpless, and I wasn’t able to do much when seeing the images and the story and all that. It makes you strongly want to do something, and also strongly realise how far you are from home.”

That sense of distance and disempowerment planted the first seeds of what would become the one-woman play The Day The Sky Turned Black, but it took an extra push to really get the ball rolling.

“There were a couple of comments,” Kennedy-Scott says. “Most people that I spoke to there were so supportive, but there were a few people that I encountered who said things like, ‘Oh, doesn’t Australia always get bushfires?’ and ‘Why do those people build their houses so close to the bush?’ and that kind of attitude, which made me want to give them the facts so I could say ‘No, this isn’t actually an ordinary bushfire. It’s actually threatening cities the size of Bendigo’. Let’s not blame the people.

Our country’s full of bush; that’s just the way it is. I realised that there were the most incredible stories of bravery, and people pulling together, and people just not giving up. I was just so inspired by these stories that I thought it would be amazing to share them with people in the UK, and then to share them back home.”

Armed with her theatrical training and a strong desire to set the record straight, she threw herself into research upon her return to Australia, embarking on a long pre-production process.

“I interviewed a journalist who’d covered the bushfires in Victoria, and she became the first character in the play,” she tells us. “I spent the next six months working on it, interviewing people, and tracking down a psychologist who specialises in arson to understand bushfire arsonists. I came up with an hour long, one act series of monologues that 26

The Day The Sky Turned Black follows five different characters: three survivors of the fire - a little boy, a school teacher, and a grandmother; the mother of an arsonist; and a journalist. The play traces from the day before the fires hit until the anniversary.”

And though the characters and events of the play are, strictly speaking, fictional, Kennedy-Scott was careful to portray the disaster as truthfully as possible, letting the facts carry the emotional weight of the narrative. “One character - Heidi, the journalist - is verbatim, but the other four are fictional. They’re based on things that would have happened, or did.

For example, the little boy talks about the post box being the only thing of his house that survived, and I’d seen a photo of a post box with the whole house behind it destroyed. So there are different snippets conglomerated into these characters, I suppose.” _TRAVIS JOHNSON X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

brazen ladies are often hilarious and all too familiar - you can’t help but wonder about I Disperse You: Feast Your Eyes Gallery Space, the risks being taken and the unforeseen consequences of this ‘harmless’ night out. Runs Fremantle In her first solo exhibition, Sara Winfield explores from Jan 31-Feb 4. Bookings can be made via feelings of loss, disappointment and fragility, blueroom.org.au or fringeworld.com.au. while simultaneously addressing notions of ambition and optimism. Each work gives you Polly’s Waffle: The Treasury West Wing, Perth a sense of your own feelings and energies Polly’s Waffle is edgy, provocative theatre for escaping the body and dispersing into your those who like their entertainment dark and risqué. It’s an ultra-black, high-impact comedy surrounds. Runs Jan 20-Feb 2. dealing with female lust and gluttony and Inside The Little Kingdom: Kurb Gallery, uses explicit language and bawdy humour to explore the link between sexual anorexia and Northbridge On show as part of the Fringe World Festival gluttony, and the anorexia and gluttony we 2012, Inside The Little Kingdom, a solo exhibition more commonly associate with food. Season of recent work by Abdul-Rahman Abdullah runs from Feb 2-7. Bookings via fringeworld. explores a search for identity, sorting through com.au. the cultural baggage of a childhood buried in faded memories and family lore that resonates Checkout - The Musical: Treasury Postal Hall, from a time of absolutes. Runs from Jan 29-Feb 3. Perth Welcome to Super Savings, a local supermarket The Unknown By The More Unknown: OK that brings you more! Run by six hopeless misfits completely unaware of their own Gallery, Northbridge In his first solo exhibition, The Unknown By The peculiarities. When their beloved store manager More Unknown, David Egan presents a charismatic Yasmin is murdered, everyone is a suspect, but constellation of paintings and objects examining who done it? Was it Vince the footy obsessed pop culture mysteries and vernacular theories deli boy; the psychic Fruit stacker Rhys; Wendy - in which established methods of knowing the animal loving vegetarian; the food loving are hijacked and subverted by the incurably Italian Conchetta; the flirty Tiffany or the curious - investigating the infinite potential of lovably confused foreigner Alexei? Season runs interpretation and understanding in cultural from Feb 2-8. Bookings via fringeworld.com.au. communication. Runs from Feb 15-Mar 18.

Hope Is The Saddest: PICA Performance Space, Perth Returning to Perth after its sell-out debut season in 2007, Hope Is The Saddest is a bright black comedy about death, delusion, and Dolly Romeo & Juliet: Quarry Amphitheatre, Floreat Parton. Marion has inherited a mansion and Presented by the Perth City Ballet, with direction moved out of the suitcase she grew up in. Theo from Diana Waldron, this production is a is a would-be inventor working on his first stunningly beautiful realisation in dance of the masterpiece. Hope is a vibrant optimist set to world’s best known love story set to Prokofiev’s win over the homosexual love of her life with exciting and haunting music. This will be a true the music of Dolly Parton. Season runs from love story with the star-crossed lovers, Romeo Feb 7-11. Bookings via fringeworld.com.au. & Juliet, danced by husband and wife, Sergey Pevnev and Fiona Evans, who appear courtesy of Standing Bird: PICA Performance Space, the West Australian Ballet. Season runs from Jan Perth Sally Richardson is proud to present the 18-21. Bookings via Ticketmaster. world premiere of Standing Bird, a dynamic Occupied: The Blue Room Theatre, Northbridge dance/film/theatre collaboration between Artists from around Australia will join local West Australia’s leading independent artists. independent dance artist Ashleigh Berry to In a bravura solo performance by Jacqui present her edgy new dance theatre work Claus, one of the State’s most exciting young Occupied. In a nightclub bathroom, we meet dancers, Standing Bird spirals the audience a group of young women. Strangers at first, into an experience of submersion, dislocation, they become linked only for one night. The isolation and transformation. Season runs from interactions between these drunk, bold and Feb 7-12. Bookings via fringeworld.com.au.

VISUAL ARTS

THEATRE/DANCE

I Disperse You by Sara Winfield

ZSADAR

Let’s Hear It For The Boys When it comes to Australian designer fashion, ladies are spoilt for choice with labels and boutiques a’plenty, but it seems stylish gents don’t have it quite so easy.

Frustrated by a lack of high quality Australian designer menswear available for chaps such as himself, Perth lad Shane Newton abandoned his flourishing career in public relations back in 2010 to pursue life as a fashion designer and since launching his own label, Zsadar (pronounced sha-dar), the emerging designer has gone from strength to strength.

“When I left school I did graphic design at TAFE,” Newton begins when asked about his background. “I wanted to be a designer, well at least that’s what I thought I wanted to do, but I did that for a year and decided it wasn’t something I could see myself doing for the rest of my life. I ended up doing Public Relations and Media Studies at ECU then did an honors degree in PR, which was great, I loved it. After that I got a full time job in PR and it came to a point where I felt like there was a lack of variety in Australian designer menswear, so I decided to give it a go and see what happened. It was one of those tipping point moments where I thought ‘if I don’t do this now I’ll never do it’. So I gave it a go. I’d always loved fashion but found it difficult to find Australian made, locally designer menswear.”

Establishing a label without any formal training hasn’t been an easy process for Newton, but the designer has triumphed regardless, and he says that with every collection the process becomes easier.

“I don’t have a technical fashion background so I work with pattern makers. I sketch all of the garments and then my pattern maker interprets that.

I do all the choosing of fabrics and the look and feel of the whole collection, themes, colours, etc. I first and foremost design for myself. Every garment I make is something that I want to wear. It’s a bit self indulgent really!”

Self indulgent or not, Zsadar has gained a huge following since debuting at StyleAid a few years back, appealing to men who like their clothes monochromatic, minimalist and executed with the finest eco-friendly fabrics available.

“The main thing I think about is the quality, especially when it comes to choice of fabric – I search all over the place to find high quality, organic fabrics (they feel so good on the skin),” Newton explains of his design priorities.“My next collection has 100 per cent silk pants for guys – I’ve never been able to find silk for men in Australia. It’s not silk that has that stereotypical glossy sheen, this is matte, it’s like a tweed. I make sure that I www.xpressmag.com.au

Zsadar’s Minimalia collection

“I felt like there was a lack of variety in Australian designer menswear, so I decided to give it a go and see what happened”

have really beautiful fabrics – I’m also using bamboo fabric. It’s a lot more sustainable than cotton – it grows so fast, so it’s easy to produce and manufacture. I try to pick things that have a great feel on the skin.”

Entitled Minimalia, Zsadar’s soon-to-bereleased Autumn/Winter 2012 collection is a chic, refined and stylish affair, executed with Newton’s favourite monochromatic tones.

“I love the classic nature of monochromatic colours. I love a muted palette because it can transcend seasons, although black can be hard to pull of in 40 degree heat,” he says with a chuckle on a particularly hot Perth day. “Generally speaking, muted tones make people look good – everyone looks good in black whereas your brighter colours are trickier to pull off.”

Though he’s never considered designing clothes specifically for women, it seems that there are lots of ladies who love Zsadar and are happy to rock menswear.

“I’ve never really thought about womenswear to be honest. A lot of people say to me that I should give womenswear a go. It’s interesting that a lot of the designs for the Creature And The Mirror collection have

Win a staple curve seam t-shirt been bought by women. That wasn’t intentional – the idea behind creating an androgynous collection was not there – I just made things I wanted to wear and it just so happened that because they were so minimalist, they could transcend gender, which is awesome! I like the idea of me thinking I’m designing menswear then girls saying ‘I really want to wear that’.”

Zsadar collections are available for purchase online at zsadar.com. _EMMA BERGMEIER

As a special treat for X-Press readers, Zsadar is giving away a staple curve seam t-shirt valued at $125. Made in Australia using beautiful stretch jersey which is comfortable and soft, the tee has a raw scoop neck. To be in the draw simply like Zsadar’s Facebook page then email win@xpressmag.com.au with ‘Zsadar’ in the subject line.

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

Austrian drum’n’bass duo Camo & Krooked have been signed to Tony Coleman’s legendary UK label Hospital Records for just over a year now. In that short amount of time, they’ve toured Europe and the UK, released their sophomore record Cross The Line which took out the Best EP/Album at the 2011 Drum & Bass Arena Awards, and were donned Best Producer at the awards as well. ANNABEL MACLEAN chats with Reinhard Rietsch (Camo) ahead of the duo’s upcoming Australian tour.

Reinhard ‘Camo’ Rietsch and Markus ‘Krooked’Wagner aren’t fans of growing moustaches. But, the rising Austrian drum’n’bass duo put their opinions aside for the creation of the tune Make The Call featuring Bristol drum’n’bass producer and DJ Tom Casswell (TC) which was included on the Defected compilation Mo Grooves, released in conjunction with Movember last year.

“We are not too big fans of moustaches and when you grow them in Austria where they don’t know about that tradition, you get nothing but some weird looks,” Rietsch says, having just woken up in his hometown Vienna.

“But, we’ve been happy to help the charity with one of our tunes.”

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CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

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STICKY BUSINESS

Camo & Krooked Since starting out back in 2007, Rietsch and Wagner have been hailed “one of the biggest talents in drum’n’bass” by Grooverider and have smashed out dancefloor anthems Turn Up The Music, Climax and All Fall Down. They’ve released tracks on Breakbeat Kaos, AudioPorn, Viper Recordings, Renegade Hardware and more as well as their 2010 debut record Above & Beyond and took out Best Newcomer DJ at the 2010 Drum & Bass Arena Awards. “We met at a party in Krooked’s hometown on New Year’s Eve ‘06/’07 and came into talk about production and found out we are using both the same setups which made it easy to work together and share the experience and knowledge we had so far,” Rietsch says. “So we decided to make a tune together which ended up getting signed and been played on BBC Radio1. We always have a lot of fun producing together so we kept making tunes until we decided to stop our solo careers and proceed as Camo & Krooked only.”

The duo were then signed to Hospital Records in late 2010, joining the likes of London Elektricity, High Contrast, Netsky and other respected drum’n’bass artists on the label. “What we like most about working with Hospital is that they are leaving us all the freedom in our creative writing process, they don’t really tell us what to do, it’s all coming from us,” he says. “The Hospital crew feels like a second family, it’s a very good working atmosphere. And besides that, the Hospitality parties are just the best parties around; [we] love to play a lot of them. Tony [Coleman, CEO of Hospital Records] is a really nice guy as well and we are always happy to have meeting with them and talk about the next steps we will take.”

Since been signed to Hospital, the lads have played numerous festivals and released their sophomore record Cross The Line which took out the Best EP/Album at the 2011 Drum & Bass Arena Awards. “Last summer was our first intense festival summer and all of them [shows] have been amazing,

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loving the vibes and the 100 per cent motivated crowds,” Rietsch exclaims.“There have been too much and too long crazy stories!.” Aside from taking out the Best EP/Album at the Drum & Bass Arena Awards and Best Video for their game show themed clip for Breeze Block last year, the pair took out Best Producer as well and Rietsch says it was massive honour to receive the award. “That’s the most important category and we have been nominated with the likes of Noisia, Netsky and more,” he says. “The event was really nice, the whole drum’n’bass scene came together and every label had his own round table with a lot of drinks.

It was a good community and between the award givings was always some entertainment on the stage for example by Ayah Marar, a really talented beatboxer or a DJ afterwards.”

The lads have been improving their live show since kicking it off last September and are currently working on a remix album of Cross The Line.

“Our next project is the remix album called Between The Lines,” he says. “We are more than happy with it and it contains remixes by friends of ours in the scene as remixes we have done for our own tunes. We can’t wait until it gets released!

“After that we will start working on our next album and make some more remixes and works for computer games or trailers… We have made some tunes for the soundtrack of SSX, Forza Motorsport 4 and a couple more games and [have] been included on the trailer for the forthcoming James Bond GoldenEye game.”

Excited to be heading down under for Heavyweight Soundz alongside drum’n’bass legend Andy C, DJ Fierce and MC GQ, the lads anticipate spending Australia Day “on the beach having a barbeque.” “Our DJ set differs a lot from other DJ sets,” he says.“We always play out together. So we can use the magic of four hands on three or sometimes even four CDJs. We try to squeeze in as many tunes as possible without sounding too busy.

“We spend a lot of time trying to find the right mixes in the studio. We are bringing a lot of unreleased material with us, the whole remix album and a couple more forthcoming bits. We can’t wait to come to Australia as it’s winter here and summer there, have to catch up some sun… can’t wait for the party, we have looked up videos about it and it looks sick!”

Professor Green

Hailing from the land of Canada, Stickybuds is a man on a mission. He’s nominated for Best Track and Best Producer for the International BreaksPoll 2012 Awards and his tracks have received global airplay from the likes of A.Skillz, Fort Know Five and Featurecast. He’s all about funk breaks, hip hop, reggae, drum’n’bass and big basslines. He’s held a residency at Shambhala Music Festival since 2005 and he’s all about teaching and sculpting the producers of tomorrow, having earned himself a teaching role at the Center Of Arts and Technology in Kelowna. Stickybuds hits Ambar on Saturday, February 4. Tickets are $15 on the door. Jump on it.

GETTIN’ PROFESSIONAL

UK rapper Professor Green and our very own Ruby Rose are down to support pop starlet Jessie J when she touches down under for her first headline tour shortly. Having pulled out of the Future Music Festival lineup last year, we’re keen to check him out at the festival this year, especially after his sophomore record At Your Inconvenience went down a treat in the UK late last year. Ruby Rose has been taking her beats global and currently hosts Party People, the #1 rating radio show on the Today network. It’s all happening on Monday, March 5, at Challenge Stadium. Hit up Ticketmaster to snatch tickets now.

BURRIDGE BEATS

“I don’t take my computer clubbing”,“I play the triangle” and “I love you” are all random parts of DJ Lee Burridge’s random facts/biography on Pulse Radio’s website. The man who discovered the underground scene early in Hong Kong, partnered up with Craig Richards back in the early noughties as the duo Tyrant and received a residency at Fabric, played Thailand Full Moon parties and recently hooked up with producer and DJ Matthew Dekay, forming All Day I Dream (Brooklyn party and label) hits Perth on Friday, February 24, at a soon to be announced venue for Likes Of You. The venue is announced just before the gig. Hit up Finely Tuned on Facebook to keep updated.

KRS-One

I’M ON A BOAT

That’s right y’all. The “Teacha” aka the legendary KRS-One is embarking on a month long boat cruise from America to the land down under. KRSOne is considered the best live hip hop MC of all time (yeah boi!). With 20 albums under his belt, KRS-One has literally written the most rhymes in hip hop history. In addition to lecturing at over 500 universities in the U.S and publishing three books, KRS-One has also established the Stop The Violence Movement. He’s a massive dude, no further words of explanation. KRS-One hits Metro City on Friday, March 23. Tickets are on sale from oztix.com.au tomorrow, Thursday, January 19.

Prepare for a mental night of hip hop at its best!

BIG GAY OUT » » » »

CAMO & KROOKED HEAVYWEIGHT SOUNDZ: AUSTRALIA DAY EVE ANNUAL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25 @ METRO CITY

If you’re keen to continue the Australia Day celebrations, The Court is the place to be come Saturday, January 28. Celebrating all things gay and all things Australian, DJ, radio and TV host Ruby Rose, Skarlett Saramore, big name on the gay circuit over east Alex Taylor, Judas Twins, Timbee and Dannyboi & Skooby will all be pumping out beats from behind the decks as part of Big Gay Out 2012. The one and only Hannah Conda will be putting on a drag show too. Presale tickets are $20 and can be snatched up from The Court now and if that doesn’t take your fancy, risk it on the door on the night. Prepare yourselves.

X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

PLUMP DJS EARGASMIC Following a prolific and successful second year in a row, eight individuallyacclaimed releases and four sell-out label parties at London venues XOYO and The Nest, it’s fair enough Plump DJs felt the time was right to release their very first body of music under their own Grand Hotel Records label.

Preceded by three EPs at the start of the year, Lee Rous tells BIRDIE the fulllength Dirty Weekend will touch down in April 2012.

“We’re really stoked about the new album but we really love putting on parties in London the most,” Rous says. “We have been doing this since 1996 and Fabric, in terms of size, has been the largest to date. But we are getting much joy at the moment from shows at the nest in Dalston and XOYO where we do our GH [Grand Hotel] label nights. They are intimate venues, and provide us with a thrill that we lost at Fabric, but the Fabric brand is very strong and the club is still immensely successful.

As for the Plumps’ upcoming show when they make their much-anticipated return to Australia, Rous says fans can expect some fresh stuff as well as some favourites. “Well, Dirty Weekend is coming so that’s very exciting!,” he enthuses. “Plus a new Grand Hotel Records release will be available every month… I don’t want to go into details of the Australian show; the element of surprise is always good. All will be revealed on the night though and we have much new music from all over the globe – from breaks to bass, and from house to rave. Plus, we’ll have old and new plump classics and a chunk of new lumps from the Dirty Weekend album.”

Also featuring remixes from Detboi, RESET!, Nom De Strip, Urchins, Blatta And Inesha, Marten Horger, Bonsai Kat, W.A.F.A., Stanton Warriors and more, Rous reveals that new additions, including exclusive singles remixed by Mark Ronson and Moby, will also be available to fans in the coming months. “I suppose you could say we just kept evolving, that’s what happened to us,” Rous explains. “We still love all the music that we have made to date, and we are so motivated by all that is new. It’s healthy for us; we would go mad if we were still stuck in the same studio with no windows, and just making big beat every single day like we did in 1998.

Not that the good old days back in ’98 weren’t memorable – in fact, Rous still gets a little nostalgic just talking about it. “I remember it

Plump DJs was the days of the big beat explosion... We [with Andy Gardner] first started making music together around then, in 1998,” he says. “In a way, we are still making the same music today because the beats are still big, the attitude is bolshy and ballsy – we are still Andrew and Lee in a Soho basement playing with synths. But we’ve also grown in a lot of ways.

“It’s possible to evolve and get better while being the same person with the same taste.

There is no one defining era for us, but musically, our new-skool monster Skram, electro-fuelled Electric Disco and disco-infused War Galaxy remix are benchmarks. More recently, Light Fantastic and Gobstopper are triumphs as well, in my opinion, and all those 100 releases that we had out in between 1998 and 2012 that we love so dearly – none of them are ever forgotten!”

» PLUMP DJS » WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25 @ VILLA

MC GQ MAD REAL MC GQ is one of the most prominent names in the drum’n’bass genre and is a gentle, almost spiritual human being. Known to some as Gary Francis, the English MC has been behind the microphone for over 15 years, making a name for himself in the jungle scene back in the ‘80s. RK talks to the main man on the microphone ahead of his appearance at Heavyweight Soundz.

MC GQ isn’t brash or obnoxious – rather, he comes across as a minister in an MC suit. “I don’t think we even have enough time to discuss my whole story,” chimes the affable Brit, walking down a dark street from the bus stop. “I come from a musical family background. My brothers and father were playing music in the house – upstairs it was soul and funk and downstairs it was calypso and other stuff. My brother was also involved in the local sound systems and they would go out and play parties, that kind of thing.”

Francis was sneaking out of his house before the legal party age and as a result, he grew up fast and dived into the scene as a young, fresh face. Absolutely fascinated with music and words, he wanted to emulate what he was exposed to, with the desire to get a name and a rep. “As the years progressed, I started getting into raving; and hip hop was this big thing in school,” he says. “Everybody wanted to be a rapper and I was into the whole Wildstyle movement - and I wanted to be a DJ also.”

What most don’t know is that GQ was playing music well before he was an MC. As he got older, the stalwarts of the industry – guys like DJ Hype – watched him do his thing. “I was hanging out with all these guys who were older than me,” he says.

“Frankie Bones was the DJ one night and I hosted the evening.” As the scene evolved from acid house to rave and hardcore and, of course, into drum’n’bass, he was there. “There is a lot of history,” he reminisces. It was when he secured a residency at the well-known London club AWOL where he represented alongside the likes of Mickey Finn, Kenny Ken, Grooverider and Randall, that a buzz around him started to build.

Today, his main partner in crime is the venerable genre champ, Andy C. The two have worked together forever and have a mutual respect for one another. “The hook-up with Andy just happened because we’d worked together for such a long time,” he says. “Back in the day, we were doing gigs at universities and stuff. Andy would stay with me and I’ve really witnessed him come through and do his thing. We have a great relationship as friends; we’re www.xpressmag.com.au

MC GQ from the same agency and we just clicked. I will always know what he is about to do and it’s us, we’re a real team.”

Sure GQ has other irons in the fire, but he admits he misses Andy when they’re apart or not working together. That said; he is doing some time in the studio at present, working on some broken beat and drum’n’bass. “For me, life is really busy right now,” he says. “I’m enjoying doing some producing and sitting behind the desk and twiddling knobs.”

» MC GQ » HEAVYWEIGHT SOUNDZ: AUSTRALIA DAY EVE ANNUAL » WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25 @ METRO CITY 31

VIVA LA REVOLUCIÓN! IMMORTAL TECHNIQUE/ Akir/ Poison Pen/ Clandestien/ Cortex/ King Leonidas & Paulie P Villa Saturday, January 14, 2012 Incendiary Peru-born, New York raised rapper Immortal Technique’s first visit to Australia was highly anticipated – a Facebook page calling for him to tour received 6000 ‘likes’ – and Villa was packed for his Perth show.

Technique’s focus on poverty, racism and politics (not to mention a strong dose of revolutionary rhetoric) has earned him a particularly fervent fan base. It also made for an interesting audience. Amongst the usual hip hop crowd were numerous Che Guevara and “Investigate 9/11” shirts and a few older blokes sporting dreadlocks.

Upcoming local rappers Leonidas, Cortext and Paulie P opened the night with a set of solo and collaborative tracks, with Cortex’s New World City receiving a particularly loud response. Perth icons Clandestien followed, performing hits including Harvey Wallbanger and L.I.G.T., as well as a track sampling Australian Crawl’s The Boys Light Up (which, despite being an unusual approach for the group, bumped).

DJ Static warmed the crowd up with a set of crowd pleasers, from House Of Pain’s Jump Around to Biz Markie’s Just A Friend, before welcoming Immortal Technique’s associates, Poison Pen and Akir, onstage for individual sets.

The two artists could hardly have been more different – Poison Pen a prototypical New York gangsta rapper and Akir a philosophical, lyrically nimble MC – but both did a decent job warming up for the main act. Poison Pen joked with the crowd about his weight, and had heads nodding to the DJ Premier-produced The BK Way and his 2004 single I’m Fuckin’ You Up. Akir, meanwhile, performed a number of impressive acapellas and the uplifting I Love My Life.

Finally, Immortal Technique took the stage just before midnight to rapturous cheers.

Unfortunately, as he launched into his infamous hit Bin Ladin, which accused George Bush’s administration of lying about the facts surrounding 9/11, it became clear that he was losing his voice. This didn’t matter much to the punters though, who seemed content to simply be in Technique’s presence.

Joined by Poison Pen and Akir, he ran through a number of crowd favourites including The 3rd World, Point Of No Return and Peruvian

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SHAZAM

BOOGIE MADNESS Cameron Parkin likes to write music that sounds “just as great in a club or at a festival as it does in the living room or a lazy Sunday afternoon barbeque.” Parkin, known as Shazam to dancefloor punters and one half of Perth’s genre-defying jazz-boogie project Cosmo Gets to others, talks to ANNABEL MACLEAN about his new project with Sydney producer Cassian and 2012.

Shazam

feel free to improvise a lot,” he says.“We feel the most important part of the recording process is going to be the ability to capture that vibe.” Parkin notes that there are a lot of parallels between the sounds of Shazam and Cosmo Gets and each project influences the other.

“The way I write music is clearly evident in both projects, the only difference being that Sam [Kuzich, drums] is providing the beats in Cosmo Cameron Parkin might have been the only science Gets. Sometimes when I come up with a nice chord student at school who used a Moog synthesiser for its progression I find it hard to decide whether I’ll use prime purpose. “I guess the Moog was probably used it for Shazam or Cosmo Gets. It all depends on the to study audio waveforms,” he says, talking of the types of sounds I use and the context it’s within.”

Having released material on Modular, equipment’s inclusion in a school science experiment.

“It has a few Bunsen burner burns on its keys so Bang Gang 12 Inches and Ministry Of Sound, obviously students weren’t really that interested in Shazam is pumped about his fresh project with low frequency oscillations and sawtooth waves. A Sydney producer Cassian, Country Club. “We have Immortal Technique (photo by Matt Jelonek) lot of my early music is simple piano compositions just finished our first EP and have signed it to the UK Cocaine, while sipping tea to stop his voice giving out but as I became more interested in electronic music, label Moda run by Jaymo and Andy George. We also completely. However, even as he was on the verge of I started making everything from acid jazz to cheesy- have a remix out of Monkey Safari and just finished another for French band Housse De Racket. We are being unable to speak, he maintained a commanding factory-demo-esque trance.”

Parkin learnt both classical and jazz both very excited about this project… I don’t really stage presence.

Technique said that he was advised that piano at school before he started sending music want to pigeonhole our sound to any genre, but let’s if he performed in Perth, he would risk completely to people over music forums. He subsequently just say the tracks go down very well in the club!”

2012 is all about originals productions losing his voice for his upcoming shows in Adelaide became involved with a few labels including Swank and Sydney. “I said I do not give a fuck because this Recordings and DAE Recordings and had a couple for Shazam who is releasing his EP in March but is my first time in Perth,” he rasped, to roars from the of remixes under his belt at the age of 16. “It felt there’ll be some free tracks hitting his Soundcloud great to have those remixes released back then but in coming weeks too. For now though, it’s all about crowd.

His haunting tale Dance With The Devil I had a totally different mindset to how I approach Sets On The Beach Vol 5. “I find the beach one of the received the loudest response of the night, followed music compared to how I do now,” he reflects before most inspiring places to be so to be DJing right in by set closer Obnoxious. The night ended on an odd, adding, “I also studied composition with the Western the sand with the water behind me is going to be a but surprisingly fun note, with a beat built around the Australian composer James Ledger which has had a dream come true, I can’t wait!”

William Tell Overture, which had everyone clapping huge influence on me… piano and synthesizer are their hands. While clearly not the performance fans my weapons of choice these days.” were hoping for, they still seemed satisfied – and One only needs to get down to a Cosmo » SHAZAM Technique’s promise to come back to Perth soon Gets gig to see Parkin’s talent on the keys. The duo are » SETS ON THE BEACH VOL 5 surely helped. about to hit the studio in February to start recording » SUNDAY, JANUARY 22 @ SCARBOROUGH BEACH their first EP to be released on Paper Chain. “Cosmo AMPHITHEATRE » JOSHUA HAYES Gets is all about that jam band aesthetic where we

X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

www.xpressmag.com.au

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AMPLIFIER CAPITOL

THE CAUSEWAY

WEDNESDAY 18/01 Amplifier - Fluxx Captain Stirling – Fiveo Clancy’s (Applecross) – Upbeat – DJ Andy Connections – DJs Joby /JJ /Rueben Eurobar – Wild Wednesdays - DJ iPod/ Ben Pettit Eve – DJ Don Migi/ Skooby Gold Bar–DJ Adroc Hipe Club – DJ Roger Smart Leederville Hotel – We Love Wednesdays ft DJ Slick Metro Freo – DJ Dtuck Mustang – DJ Giles Newport - DJ Chiari Norma Jeans – DJ Mischief Sovereign Arms – Az-T The Deen - DJ Zelimer/ DJ Viper/ DJ Benny/ T– Zone 1 The Rosemount - Cowboys & Indie Kids DJs The Queens – Wriggle on

THURSDAY 19/01 Bolt Bar (Maylands Peninsular Tavern) – International Roar Sessions # 1 ft Sey-Z (Most Wanted)/ DJ Mental/ Spugsy/ Remedy/ MC Fro/ MC Treppa/ MC Haste Clancy’s (Canning Bridge) - DJ Wrighteous Claremont Hotel – DJ DD Club Marakesh – DJ Simon Cottesloe Hotel – DJ Shots/ DJ Andy M Duchess - Fiveo Eve – DJ Tony Allen Leopold Hotel – DJ Riki/ Roger Smart Llama Bar – DJ Maxwell/ EMAS/ Lukas Wimler Metro City - Bow Wow Mint Nightclub – DJ Simon Barwood Mt Henry Tavern - DJ Matty J Mullaloo Beach Hotel - DJ John Paul/ DJ Slick Mustang – DJ James Paddy Hannans – Dr Bogus/ Crazy Craig South St – DJ Castasia/ Dpad Swinging Pig – DJ Simon The Avenue – Jon Ee The Craftsman – Roger Smart The Deen – DJ Flex/ DJ Nano/ DJ Surge/ DJ Don Migi The East End Bar - The Prestige

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Haters The Newport - Ministry Of Sound – Sound Of Dubstep 2 Tour ft Haters The Queens – Kapitol The Whale & Ale – Josh Tilley The Whistling Kite - DJ Gareth Woodvale Tavern – DJ Melvin

FRIDAY 20/01 Amplifier – Cowboys & Indie Kids Bar 459 - DJ Smurf Broken Hill Hotel – DJ Nick Alexander Brooklands Tavern - DJ Jayden Capitol – Retro Mash Carine Tavern – Greg Packer/ MC Assassin Challenge Stadium - HeatWave Festival ft Tech N9ne/ D12/ Obie Trice/ CrazyTown/ Chamillionaire

Clancy’s (Canning Bridge) - DJ Boogie Claremont Hotel – DJ Nick Sheppard Club Bayview - Infexious ft Ben Stevens/ Nomad Como Hotel – DJ Gazz Duchess - Fiveo Eve – DJ Don Migi/ DJ Danny Boi Ginger Nightclub – DJ Ryan Gosnells Club – DJ Now Hipe Club - DJ E-Funk Lakers Tavern – Fresh Fridays - DJ Dooey Left Bank – DJ Frankie Button Library – Sneaky Little Creatures Loft – Marine Beats Llama Bar – DJ Reuben/ DJ Morris Malt Super Club - Fiveo Merriwa Tavern – DJ Real McCoy Metro City – Hipnotiq ft Israel Cruz/ DJ K1asik 1/ DJ Fatboy/ DJ Elktrnx Metro City (Solace Bar) – DJ Slick Metro Freo – The Vengaboys/ Dtuck. Ben Renna Mint Nightclub – Club Retro ft Chris McPhee Mullaloo Beach Hotel - DJ John Paul Mustang – Swing DJ/ DJ James MacArthur Paddy Hannans – Crazy Craig Paramount - DJ John/ DJ Jordan Queens Tav – DJ Rueben Railway Hotel - DJ Rontings/ DJ Rastafyha/ Simmo T/ DJ Corby Sail & Anchor - Balcony Beatz/ DJ J-MAC Shape - Bare Noize

Obie Trice

LEEDERVILLE

Israel Cruz The Avenue – Jon E The Carine – Mind Electric/ DJ Now/ DJ Alex The Causeway – DJ Clint Turner The Craftsman – DJ Abstar The Deen – Japanite ft Yukata Girls/ Ajanni/ Jay T L/ Sey Z The Eastern – DJ Midfield The Generous Squire - DJ Anaru The Queens – DJ Rueben The Saint - DJ Jordan The Shed – DJ Glenn 20 The Whale & Ale – Josh Tiley Tiger Lils – Paul Malone/ Adam Kelly The Vic - DJ Giles Wembley Hotel – G Martin Windsor – DJ Riki and Ray Victoria Park Hotel – DJ Giles YaYa’s – Junk ft DJ Whoa

SATURDAY 21/01 Ambar – Japan 4 ft DNGRFLD/ Ben Mac/ Oli/ Micah/ Marko Paulo Amplifier - Pure Pop ft Eddie Electric Basement On Broadway – DJ Ricky Broken Hill Tavern – DJ Nick Alexander/ James Wilson Capitol – Death Disco DJs Capitol (Upstairs) – Cream Of The 80’s ft DJ Ryan Clancy’s (Canning Bridge) - DJ Dood Club Bay View – VIP Saturdays ft DJ Ryan East End Bar – Jon Ee Eurobar – Roger Smart/ DJ Raci Eve Nightclub – DJ Don Migi/ DJ Stevie M

Bare Noize

High Road Hotel – DJ Simon High Wycombe – DJ Matt Hipe Club – DJ E-Funk Library – MKT ft DJ Riki/ DJ Richie G/ DJ Vicktor/ DJ Kevvy T Little Creatures Loft – Marine Beats Liquid Nightclub - DJ Klar55/ DJ Stevie M Llama Bar – DJ Reuben/ DJ Melvin Malt Super Club – Abstar Metro City (R&B Lounge) - DJ Slick/ DJ Ruthless/ DJ Soso Metro City - DJ Stevie M/ DJ Matty S/ DJ Ruthless/ DJ Makka Metro Freo – The Vengaboys/ DTuck/ Darren Brias/ DJ Wazz Mint Nightclub – Pop Life ft DJ Aaron/ AJ Mullaloo Beach Hotel – DJ Danny Mustang – Rockabilly DJ/ DJ James MacArthur Niche – Frankie Button/ Cee/ Jonny Zimber Norma Jeans – DJ Darren Oxford Hotel – DJ Sequeria Paramount- DJ Cornflake / DJ Jordan Queens Tav - Gareth Richardson Rocket Room – DJ Brett Rowe South St Ale House – DJ Jay Sovereign Arms – Rockwell The Brighton (Upstairs) – Micah/ Kill Dyl/ eSQue The Boheme – DJ Sneakee The Causeway – Sun City The Clink – DJ Az-T The Cornerstone – Aiden Wallis The Deen - DJ Birdie/ DJ JJ/ DJ Tony Allen The Generous Squire – On Tap ft Ben Mac & Philly Blunt The Gosnells Club – Az-T The Saint – DJ Anaru The Shed –DJ Glenn 20 The Wembley – G Martin The Whistling Kite - DJ Craig The Vic – DJ Kristian Tiger Lil’s – DJ Bojan/ DJ Ben Sebastian Victoria Park Hotel – DJ Melvin Windsor – DJ Ray Woodvale Tavern – DJ Real McCoy Yaya’s – Saturday Social ft The Kings Of Cheese DJs

X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

MINT

AIR

Fields/ Swissco Disco and more The Bird - Golden Apples Of The Sun ft Claude Mono/ Diger Rokwell/ Tristan Gibbs and more The Cott – Cott Sessions The Kiosk – DJ Cinder The Saint - DJ Anaru The Shed – DJ Andyy The Wembley – DJ Funkybottoms/ Boogie/ Dekoyfox

MONDAY 23/01 Shazam

SUNDAY 22/01 Broken Hill Tavern - Sophie Jane Captain Stirling – DJ Jay Claremont Hotel – DJ DD Clink – DJ Tony Allen Euro Bar – DJ Flex Eve Nightclub – DJ Birdie Mint - Chris McPhee Mullaloo Beach Hotel – DJ Slick/ DJ John Paul Mustang – DJ Rockin Rhys Scarborough Beach Amphitheatre - Sets On The Beach Vol 5 ft Whitest Boy Alive/ Shazam/ Zelimir/ Gold

Bar Orient - DJ White Label Broken Hill Tavern - DJ Mario Tavelli Eastern Hotel – Adam Morris The Deen – Plastic Max / The Token Gesture Th e Pa d d o – D J J o h n Pa u l The Shed – DJ Andyy

TUESDAY 24/01 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/ Jus Haus?/ Damian John Victoria Park Hotel – DJ Melvin

IN THE THIS WEEK

Hed Kandi Australia Day Eve ft Big Day Out ft Odd Future/ Girl Talk/ Royksopp/ Nero/Q-BIK and Chiari/ Mitchell Smith/ Wasteland Ministry Of Sound – Sound Of Wednesday, January 25 @ The Newport more Sunday, February 5 @ McCallum Park Dubstep 2 Tour ft Haters Thursday, January 19 @ The Newport Zeds Dead/ Kito Thursday, January 26 @ The Overflow Outernational Bob Marley Birthday 2012 ft Jesse Proverbs/ Ngati/ (The Court) The Vengaboys The Isolites/ Jah Era/ Riverbeats/ Friday, January 20 @ Metro Freo Club Paradiso Australia Day Edition ft JamDown Kingz/ The Empressions/ Matthew Dear The Stafford Brothers/ tyDi/ Hook N General Justice/ Simba/ Tutomath/ Mumma Trees/ Sista Che Friday, January 20 @ The Likes Of Sling and more You (venue TBC) Thursday, January 26 @ Salt On The Sunday, February 5 @ Railway Hotel Beach Bare Noize Ambar 11th Birthday ft Too Friday, January 20 @ Shape Fresh/ Devo/ Black & Blunt/ Dead Bass Kleph Easy/ Oli Friday, January 27 @ Ambar Hipnotiq ft Israel Cruz/ DJ K1asik Friday, February 10 @ Ambar 1/ DJ Fatboy/ DJ Elktrnx Tomas Ford’s An Audience With Friday, January 20 @ Metro City Tomas Ford album launch ft Tomas St Jerome’s Laneway Festival ft Ford/ Simo Soo/ Diger Rokwell/ M83/ SBTRKT/ Washed out and Japanite ft Yukata Girls/ Ajanni/ L-Burn DJs and more more Jay T L/ Sey Z Saturday, February 11 @ Perth Friday, January 27 @ Amplifier Friday, January 20 @ The Deen Cultural Centre Speakeasy ft Indian Summer Heatwave Festival ft Tech N9ne/ DJs/ Metric DJs Dem Slackers D12/ Obie Trice/ CrazyTown/ Friday, January 27 @Villa Friday, February 11 @ Shape Chamillionaire Friday, January 20 @ Challenge Boom Box Boat Party ft DJs Don ill.Gates Stadium Friday, February 11 @ The Rosemount Migi/Danny Boi/ Skooby Friday, January 27 @ Barrack St Jetty The Vengaboys Balam Acab Saturday, January 21 @ Metro Freo The Wonderful World Of DJ Yoda ft DJ Friday, February 17 @ The Bakery Yoda/ Buda/ Charlie Bucket/ Tee EL Sets On The Beach Vol 5 ft Whitest Saturday, January 28 @ Villa RTRfm’s Saturday Night Divas Boy Alive/ Shazam/ Zelimir/ Gold ft The Foxman/ Super J/ General Fields/ Swissco Disco and more Big Gay Out ft Ruby Rose/ Justice/ Microgroove/ Mama Cass/ Sunday, January 22 @ Scarborough Skarlett Saramore/ Alex Taylor/ Claude Mono/ Spud Murphy Beach Amphitheatre Judas Twins/ Timbee/ Dannyboy & Saturday, February 18 @ The Grey Door (Upstairs at The Claremont Skooby Golden Apples Of The Sun ft Saturday, January 28 @ The Court Hotel) Claude Mono/ Diger Rokwell/ Tristan Gibbs and more Soul II Soul (Sound System) Lloyd Sunday, January 22 @ The Bird Sunday, February 19 @ venue TBC Tuesday, January 31 @ Metro City Limelite 5th Birthday ft Laidback The Game Luke/ Rogerseventytwo/ Zelimir/ Jus Tuesday, February 21 @ Metro City Heavyweight Soundz: Australia Haus?/ Mel B Lee Burridge Day Eve Annual ft Andy C/ MC GQ/ Friday, February 3 @ Metro Freo Friday, February 24 @ Venue TBC Camo & Krooked/ DJ Fierce Wednesday, January 25 @ Metro City District Relaunch ft Breadway/ Zeke/ Force Majeure Designer FTW/ Jus Haus?/ Hykus/ Marko Drugs/ D-Funk/ Philly Blunt/ Jus Paulo Plump DJs Haus?/ The Tapeheads Friday, February 3 @ Ambar Wednesday, January 25 @ Villa Friday, February 24 @ Ambar Fisherman Style #69 ft Million Stylez/ Bart B More Danny Daze DJ Peril Wednesday, January 25 @ Ambar Saturday, February 25 @ Geisha Friday, February 3 @ Mojos Prins Thomas Japan 4 ft Stickybuds/ PDS/ Tee The Cuban Brothers/ Buda/ Charlie Wednesday, January 25 @ The Bucket/ Tee El EL/ Marty McFly Spiegeltent, Perth Cultural Centre Saturday, February 25 @ The Bakery Saturday, February 4 @ Ambar

COMING UP

The Vengaboys

THE VENGABOYS FRIDAY & SATURDAY JANUARY 20 & 21

@ METRO FREO

www.xpressmag.com.au

METRO FREO

Mask2012 ft Benny C/ Double Dee Saturday, March 3 @ The Empyrean Hudson Mohawke/ Rustie/ Rok Riley/ Ben Taaffe/ Move and more Saturday, March 3 @ The Bakery Future Music Festival ft Swedish House Mafia/ Fatboy Slim/ Tinie Tempah/ Paul van Dyk/ Chase & Status/ Skrillex/ Aphex Twin/ Die Antwoord/ Gareth Emery/ James Murphy & Pat Mahoney (LCD Soundsystem/ DFA)/ Sven Vath/ Alex Metric/ Azari & III/ Horse Meat Disco/ / Frank Ocean/ The Stafford Brothers/ Friendly Fires/ Knife Party/ Professor Green/ Dubfire/ Flux Pavilion/ Orjan Nilsen/ Porter Robinson/ Ruby Rose/ tyDi/ Kill The Noise/ Timmy Trumpet and more Sunday, March 4 @ Arena Joondalup Mickey Avalon Friday, March 9 @ Villa Chic ft Nile Rodgers/ Bastian’s Happy Flight/ Charlie Bucket/ Randa & The Soul Kingdom Saturday March 10 @ Fremantle Arts Centre 360 Friday, March 16 @ The Rosemount KRS-One Friday, March 23 @ Metro City Hermitude Friday, March 30 @ Mojos Hermitude Saturday, March 31 @ Amplifier The Herd/ Thundamentals Saturday, April 14 @ The Rosemount Supafest ft P.Diddy/ Ice Cube/ Rick Ross/ Trey Songz/ Kelly Rowland/ Lupe Fiasco and more TBC Sunday, April 22 @ Arena Joondalup Creamfields ft David Guetta/ Above & Beyond/ Dirty South/ Alesso/ Excision/ W&W/ Giuseppe Ottaviani (live)/ Congorock/ Vitalic/ Sied van Riel/ Tritonal/ Downlink/ ShockOne/ MaRLo/ Bombs Away/ MC Stretch Saturday, May 5 @ Supreme Court Gardens

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

THE DRESDEN DOLLS

PJ HARVEY Perth Concert Hall Friday, January 13, 2012 Taking on the personas of soldiers and observers floating above battlefields, iconic British singersongwriter PJ Harvey presented an unvarnished and unromantic view of war on Friday night at the Perth Concert Hall, her first Australian performance since the release of her 2011 Mercury Award winning album Let England Shake.

Dressed in a deliberately rumpled yet grand floor-length black crinoline dress, black leather corset and a headdress of ebony feathers, Harvey opened the show with a slightly quicker version of the title track from Let England Shake.

From there, she commanded the audience’s attention, leaning into her autoharp with her pale skin shimmering under the spotlight trained on her as she stood alone on the right side of the stage, as though to emphasise her observation from the sidelines.

Meanwhile, her impeccably precise waistcoated band (comprised of former Bad Seed Mick Harvey, John Parish and Jean-Marc Butty) was gathered stage left; she would sometimes step back into the shadows as songs were introduced, only nearing the microphone when the time was right.

The effect was heightened by Harvey’s delicate singing voice – which ranged from a soulplumbing alto to a high-pitched yowl – and by her extravagantly literary lyrics, which are packed with pastoral imagery, showy rhymes and archaisms.

Tonight’s performance more than proved that although Harvey never quite cuts loose she does rock out, and those more observant audience members may have caught a glimpse of sexy high-heeled black leather boots under her flowing skirt as she swayed sensually in the darkness at the back of the stage.

Every song from Let England Shake was played, making for a setlist that was heavily weighted toward recent material. Although the tunes were preoccupied with themes of patriotism and the harsh price that love of country can exact, Harvey never came off polemical and appeared far more pensive than strident. The Last Living Rose and The Glorious Land particularly, excelled

www.xpressmag.com.au

The Jane Austen Argument/ The Bedroom Philosopher The Astor Theatre Thursday, January 12, 2012

(photo: Dan Grant) in showcasing her unique brand of scary force and beautiful restraint.

Yet even though her sense of control rarely wavered, she still suffered a false start on The Words That Maketh Murder, from which she and her band recovered flawlessly.

A few selected cuts from her back catalogue were also folded seamlessly into the Let England Shake aesthetic, with the phantom wail of Dear Darkness (from 2007’s White Chalk), the earthy seduction of Down By The Water (from 1995’s To Bring You My Love) and the unfettered rawness of Pocket Knife (from 2004’s Uh Huh Her) particularly sympathetic to the bold-yet-vulnerable mood Harvey was attempting to cultivate.

Much to the disappointment of some of the more vocal fans, the gifted chanteuse didn’t offer a great deal in terms of audience interaction and refrained from uttering a single word to the audience until the encore, during which she quickly introduced the band in soft, polite Dorset tones before cranking up the distortion for a liberating blast through a three-song encore of Oh God I Miss You, Angelene and Silence. It was a powerful way to end what is sure to be one of the most visceral performances of 2012. _JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD

Such is the cult of personality around Amanda Palmer (or Amanda Fucking Palmer, or AFP, or whatever) that it’s sometimes easy to forget that she used to be in a band once, and they were pretty good, too. Thursday night’s gig was a timely reminder that The Dresden Dolls weren’t just “Amanda Palmer and Some Guy,” but actually represent some of the best work in Palmer’s oeuvre.

Melbourne dark cabaret outfit – that’s a genre now, apparently, and not just a gimmick – The Jane Austen Argument were greeted warmly by a crowd far more pumped up and excited than is normal for these sorts of things. It’s par for the course that the opening support act gets the cold shoulder from the crowd, but this lot were so worked up that even a sound-checking roadie got a roar of approval.

Pianist Tom Dickens and singer Jen Kingwell started things off nicely, their popularity no doubt buoyed by the fact that, when you get right down to it, they may as well be an AFP tribute band.

While that means that they fit the tone of the night perfectly, it also means that there were few surprises in their set.

The Bedroom Philosopher’s appearance on the bill was a bit of a surprise in and of itself, with his self-deprecating musical comedy providing an odd but pleasing contrast to the broad, baroque strokes of the other two acts. An early dig at goths and emos didn’t go down too well – the black clad set are notoriously humourless when it comes to themselves – but he won them back quickly and easily enough, with shared-house psychodrama Megan The Vegan being the highlight of his slot.

And finally we had The Dresden Dolls, who could do no wrong in the eyes of faithful.

Palmer’s huge and exuberant personality dominated the room, while Brian Viglione provided both top notch instrumentation and a straight man for Palmer to bounce off of. The rapport the two share is impressive, and there was never a moment that wasn’t enthralling.

Interestingly, although their long set – well in excess of two hours – ranged over the Dolls’ back catalogue, the highlights were undoubtedly the numerous covers scattered through the night.

Yes, Girl Anachronism, Backstabber and especially Coin-Operated Boy went down well, but not nearly as well as a raucous cover of The Beastie Boys Fight For Your Right. T Rex and Neutral Milk Hotel also got a look-in, while a powerful rendition of The Mercy Seat was rendered somewhat meta-textual by the fact that, presumably unknown to Palmer and company, former Bad Seed Mick Harvey was in the audience.

Song of the night, though, goes to the version of Black Sabbath’s War Pigs that got trotted out during the encore, although a good chunk of the crowd seemed to not recognise the track.

As usual, AFP hung around afterwards for a meet and greet, reaffirming the bonds between performer and public that make reviews like this largely redundant. In the eyes of her fans, she can do no wrong. _TRAVIS JOHNSON

(photo: Emma Bergmeier)

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VOODOO LOUNGE

INDI BAR

Saturday, January 21, local indie rock staples Sugar Army are set to charm their audience with a handful of new material and a brand spanking new five piece line-up. On Sunday, January 20, Gold Coast-based world music band A French Butler Called Smith will win over local music fans with their energetic Gyspy folk tunes – it’s always a dance off with these lads, so bring your dancing shoes.

MUSTANG BAR

Combining a shared passion for full-tilt boogie, heavy psychedelia and classic rock‘n’roll, Datura pull no punches when it comes to delivering a sound heavy on riffage and decibel cracking volume. With influences ranging from Sunbury-era Aztecs and Lobby Lloyd’s Coloured Balls to Fleetwood Mac and Yardbirds, you can expect a four-to-the-floor assault on both ears and speakers this Thursday, January 19.

THE ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB

Remember the movie Old School? Well this Friday, January 20, you can catch all the messy action live and in-person at the Voodoo Lounge’s Rock‘n’Roll KY Jelly Wrestling Championships. Instead of using the traditionally favored frozen jelly, competitors will be coated in KY Jelly, liberally applied by the “Official Greasers”. The girls will go at it hammer and tongs and every rule of lady-like behaviour soon goes out the door (along with what vestiges of clothing they ever possessed).

YA YA’S

Local psych-rockers The Witness will join forces with post-funksters Stereoflower and alt-rockers Antelope this Saturday, January 21, for an epic evening of original live music at Ya Ya’s. After the bands have finished strutting their stuff, The Saturday Night Social continues with The Kings of Cheese set to slip on some dance floor classics which will have you dancing the night away. Entry is $8 on the door.

MOJO’S BAR

A huge week at the Ellington kicks off with the launch of local contemporary guitarist Rick Webster’s new album tonight, Wednesday, January 18. Then, having made a great impact on the UK music scene in recent years, Grant Windsor (UK) is back for an exclusive show on Thursday, January 19. Finishing the week off in style, Analisa Bell is set to charm jazz lovers with Strange Fruit, a Billie Holiday tribute show, on Sunday, January 22. Check out ellingtonjazzclub.com.au for the weekly show schedule.

On Friday, January 20, Gold Coast-based world music band A French Butler Called Smith will take to the stage to showcase tunes from their recently released EP Eating Crow. Mojo’s is giving away two double passes to two lucky lovers of people called Smith, email mojos@coolperthnights.com with “Eating Butlers” in the subject line to win. Also, weekly Mojo’s nights scheduled for this week include Wide Open Mic Night on Monday, January 23, and Fremantle Blues and Roots Club Night on tonight, Wednesday, January 18.

THE SHACK

BRASS MONKEY

The Brass Monkey will be putting on one hell of a party come Australia Day Eve (Wednesday, January 25). Come down and enjoy the free event, which will feature an “Aussie Made” fashion show, cool giveaways, live entertainment, $15 rump steaks and $7.50 Kopparberg Ciders. On Australia Day, the Triple J hottest 100 will be counting down from 11am so get down quick to secure a seat and soak up the awesome Aussie atmosphere.

PADDO

Tonight, Wednesday, January 18, the Paddington Ale House’s Paddo POW sees John Prosser, Hostile Little Face and Still Frame Mind taking the stage. Tunes kick off at 8pm and entry is free.

A new and exciting bar called The Shack has opened at 418 Murray Street, Perth. A live and vibrant bar, it’s blue lighting and drop-down projector screen play a range of music from all eras. An awesome selection of food and drinks are also on offer, with unique fruit cocktails served in their own fruit shells, $7 beer, wine and spirits all day and fresh gourmet burgers and salads all made onsite to order, with specially blended herb chips to die for. The Shack has a very unique feel to it and a laidback atmosphere – simply put it “brings the beach to the city”.You’ll also find entertainment most nights - Tuesday night comedy with live comedians, Thursday caters for backpackers; Friday and Saturday are always a full house and new Sunday sessions are set to feature live shows and entertainment. So come on down and celebrate “a toast to the coast” with the fine folks from The Shack.

SUNNY SUNDAYS The Left Bank Sunday, January 15, 2012 The sun shines brighter at the Left Bank on Sunday afternoon when punters gather to wind down their weekend before the dreaded working week. As the sea breeze blows in, the Left Bank is the perfect place to catch up with friends with a bevy or two. Make the Left Bank your Sunday session destination.

Bianca & Megan

Mairead & Stephen

Sam & Jackie

Sam & Katie

Monique, Wayne & Sophie

Photographs by Matt Jelonek

Pip, Chloe & Ash

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

Whether you’re on the hunt for a venue to ring in Australia Day with your mates, or simply want to know what’s on and where in the coming weeks, Perth’s Party Places takes a look at the best Perth has to offer.

THE LEEDERVILLE HOTEL

Perth’s favourite party destination kicks off in 2012 with the city’s biggest and best mid-week event every Wednesday, going wild with Perth’s top DJs and an awesome light show. The Hotel is also famous for their many annual events which are huge every year – sex it up with the Sexy Bunny Easter party and get in to the Christmas spirit early with Xmas in July party. AFL grand final day is always massive no matter who is playing with Perth’s biggest LED screen to watch all of the action, not to mention Melbourne Cup for the best after party in Perth. And the Annual NYE Beach Party will be back and bigger than ever with the arena filled with sand. You’ll find the Leederville Hotel at 742 Newcastle Street in Leederville.

THE QUARIE BAR

Finally, The Quarie Bar & Brasserie opens! The freshly completed venue is everything a neighbourhood pub should be. On Australia Day chefs will carve and serve lamb rolls from a five-hour spit roast in the beer garden. Purchase any selected craft beer on the day to go in the draw to win a mega-esky full of Aussie session beer! Triple J Hottest 100 simulcast from start to finish. Every Tuesday night from 5pm you’ll find Crafty Kids; trained professionals with everything from face painting to arts and crafts so the kids can play, while you kick back and relax for dinner.

Weekly live acoustic sessions on Friday and Saturday from 8.30pm and Sundays in the beer garden from 2.30pm.

THE NEWPORT

Did you vote for your favourite songs for 2011 in JJJ’s Hottest 100 yet? The team at The Newport did! The Newport is already making plans for some Australia Day shenanigans with a Hed Kandi party cracking on Australia Day eve featuring Chiari, Mitchell Smith and Wasteland. Hed Kandi are notorious for stylish and glamorous parties the world over and this one is a first ever for Fremantle and the perfect way to start a mid-week holiday! Then from midday on Thursday, January 26, The Newport will count down the Hottest 100, with ping pong and a free BBQ.

HIGH ROAD HOTEL

Perth’s premium destination pub north of the river, The Saint George Hotel is renowned for its legendary Sunday sessions. With 18 beers on tap, great food and live entertainment from 4 o’clock, it’s the place to be on a Sunday. Kick the weekend off early on Thursdays with The One Thing Music Quiz.

Combining woks and rock the Saint offers a special wok menu from $15 and a free music quiz. Fridays see the Saint offer sundowner packages. Book for 10 or more of your friends between 3pm and 7pm and The Saint will throw in a free platter and the first drink is on them for you and your mates. Saturdays at the Saint is kickin’ it with DJ Anaru on the decks from 8pm. Groove the night away to his eclectic mix of old school tunes and the fresh new beats. With a private upstairs function room and other funky function areas the Saint has everything covered.

HYDE PARK HOTEL

The urban interior design at the newly refurbished Hydey takes into account the inner city location and blends the history and musical heritage that exists with the Hyde Park. The back bar is about food and meeting with friends. Every variety is covered in the wine list with 37 wines available all by the glass, plus 56 beer taps, from mass produced lagers, independent ales and stouts.There are over 20 ciders in bottles covering all flavour profiles and don’t forget the extensive cocktail list. The Hyde Park tries to achieve a quality of service that goes hand in hand with its relaxed atmosphere. The beer garden takes advantage of the perfect Perth weather, so sit back and relax, enjoy the extensive food and beverage selection and daily entertainment options.

Hyde Park Hotel

THE INGLEWOOD HOTEL The Quarie Bar The Saint

THE CLINK

Chiari plays The Newport

THE SAINT

The Clink Nightclub hosts the Ralph Australian Swimsuit Model of The Year competition throughout February and March. The winner will compete in March 2012 at the National Final in Surfers Paradise, staying at the fabulous Q1 Resort. Four heats will be held at The Clink on February 3, 10, 17 and 24 with the Grand Final on March 2. The winners of 2012 ASMY National Final will share in over $20,000 in cash and prizes including a feature shoot by renowned photographer Wayne Daniels for the cover of the next Australian Swimwear Model of the Year Calendar. To enter the contest contestants must be female and have reached the age of 18 on or by October 1, 2011.

THE SAIL & ANCHOR

The Sail & Anchor is all about beer. With 43 taps delivering an ever evolving seasonal range of craft beer from every corner of Australia and around the world. The Sail was recently voted Australia’s best beer venue by Beer & Brewer Magazine and the Sail team also bring you regular showcase months and beer events all year round. Kicking off in the secound week of Feb is the Hey Brew Festival, featuring some of New Zealand’s finest craft beers and local Kiwi musicians all month! In March, The Beer Lover Guide to Australia count down their top 100 beers, tapping the top 12 Australian beers for 2011 at the Sail to celebrate.

Start your Australia Day celebrations early with NEO playing Aussie classics from 7pm on Wednesday, January 25. Doors open at 9am on Australia Day with a BBQ breakfast and Triple J’s Hottest 100 will be on the airwaves all day.

METRO CITY

If you’re a big fan of drum’n’bass, this will make you cream your pants. Heavyweight Soundz: Australia Day Eve Annual 2012 is due to smash Metro City on Wednesday, January 25. Headlining the massive night will be the legendary Andy C. Andy C, also known as The Executioner, the English DJ and producer who founded the drum’n’bass label Ram Records, will be joined by his partner in crime MC GQ. DJ Fierce and upcoming Austrian duo Camo & Krooked will also be behind the decks. Tickets are $60 plus booking fee.

Grab them from loadeddice.com.au, Moshtix, Live Clothing stores or on the door.

The High Road Hotel, located in Riverton, is the perfect spot for a great night out. A large public bar with screens showing all the latest sporting action and music clips adjoins a pool room with three great pool tables to play against your friends whilst listening to the in-house music or on weekends, live entertainment. Feeling hungry? Between 12pm and 2pm daily you can enjoy a great meal for just $15 with a free drink included. Weekly events include poker nights every Monday from 6pm, student night every Wednesday with a $2 pool competition and $10 jugs, Crankin’ Fridays which is all about playing all the best hits of classic rock acts such as Green Day, Pearl Jam, Oasis from 8.30pm. Saturdays is live entertainment with a rotating line up of cover bands from 8.30pm.

The Paddo

THE PADDO

The team at The Paddo will be flying the green and gold flag next week to celebrate this great nation of ours. On Australia Day eve a bunch of bands will entertain punters, with Groovetube acoustic from 5-8pm and Bluebottles live on stage from 9pm. On Australia Day the Triple J Hottest 100 will be played over the speakers while a sausage sizzle fires up with Ben Merito live from 7pm. The fun continues every Friday at the Paddo with Stu Harcourt live from 5-8pm, and Booty Jooce on stage at 9pm. If you’re a sports fan don’t miss out on Superbowl Monday at the Paddo on Monday, February 6. The venue opens at 7am with the kickoff at 9am. Find out more at paddo.com.au.

CIVIC HOTEL

The Civic Hotel is one of Perth’s most faithful supporters of WA’s music scene with live bands playing every week. Whether it be rock, metal, hip hop tours or local acts, little else matters at The Civic except the music. Boasting two band rooms, you can catch White Limo Australia – The Foo Fighters Experience with Big D and The Ambassadors on Saturday, January 21. Castle Bravo headline The Den on Friday, January 20, with guests. Touring acts in January and February include Rubber Bandits from Ireland in the Back Room on the Saturday, January 28, and American metallers Backtrack destroy The Den on the same night. Head to the Civic on Friday, February 3, for the Frighteners’ EP launch. Rock out at The Civic. www.xpressmag.com.au

The Clink

THE NORFOLK HOTEL

The Norfolk Hotel, located right in the centre of Fremantle offers quality food, wine and beer, convenient and comfortable accommodation, and great live music in Fremantle weekly. The Norfolk Basement lounge is an intimate performance space and bar which features live original entertainment Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Artists across all styles and from all over the world have graced the Basement stage. Catch The Amani Consort Live on Friday, January 20, with guests Rae and Band, Ladywood and Jkash. Magical play with Stoney Joe, The Deep River Collective and Datura on Saturday, January 21. A very special event, Carus will be performing live and recording the performance at The Basement on January 27-28.

Carus 39

40

X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

ANDREW SINCLAIR & ERASERS Shock Value

With enough of a DIY mentality to excite hipsters, the pop sensibility to score a string of hits and an uncompromising work ethic, Andrew Sinclair and Erasers are quickly becoming two of the local scene’s most recognisable voices. JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD sat down with both fastrising local talents ahead of their collaborative performance at RTRfm’s Golden Apples Of The Sun, which descends upon The Bird this Sunday, January 22.

Every generation produces a handful of local acts that even indie types grudgingly admire – and at the moment Andrew Sinclair and Erasers count among the lucky few. Their sounds are unique, as is their involvement in songwriting and production.

Sinclair’s life has been one of musical obsession – from playing cello in primary school, to a high school music scholarship, to studying composition at WAAPA – eventually leading to stints playing with post-rockers Shock! Horror! and minimalist sound purveyors Erasers, as well as spinning tunes behind the decks as a DJ at Good Company, a fortnightly house night at Ya Ya’s in Northbridge.

Funnily enough, the local musician has hit on his greatest, most progressive project yet under the rather mundane moniker of his birth name – a fact that is very much reinforced in his critically lauded debut LP Evil Summer and follow-up EP Harghada Dreams, which were released at opposite ends of 2011.

“2011 was a year of many ups and downs for me. In terms of music though, it was nothing but ups,” Sinclair says. “Putting out my first album after years of thinking about it was a terrifying thought – but I’m so happy with the records, and everyone who has encountered [my music], from everyone here to people all over the world, have been so supportive, and that support gives me purpose as a musician. If people hated my music I don’t know if I would be able to continue making it. Similarly, putting on shows with Good Company has been extremely stressful and scary but has resulted in some pure magic. I’m proud to say that the most fun I had at a show this year was at LA Vampires back in September, my first international tour.”

Minimalist drone duo Erasers have also been making waves on the local scene with their unique brand of dreamy postpunk. Although their last 12 months have been significantly less busy, with the pair taking time out to travel around Europe and Japan, Rupert Thomas and Rebecca Orchard (also former members of Shock! Horror!) say local audiences can expect to hear more of

THE END HAS NO END

Even those who aren’t overly familiar with the sub-strains of the metal genre are sure to be impressed by ferocious displays of playing technique on display from local metallers It All Ends Here, The Fall Of Man and Archaic this Thursday, January 19, at Black Betty’s. The ear-splitting, mind-melting mayhem kicks off at 9pm.

EXPERIMENTAL EXTRAVAGANZA

This Friday, January 20, at the Velvet Lounge some of the state’s most experimental rockers are banding together for Sonic Velvet.

Starring The Ron Pollard Quintet, Runner, Sprawl, Spilt Cities and The Gizzards, this is sure to be one weird and wacky evening local music lovers won’t want to miss.

Andrew Sinclair their hypnotic music this year.

“Hopefully we’ll have a new EP ready really soon and an album not too long after. We’re working on releasing some new stuff through our label OWLS and just generally having a good time,” Orchard says, with Thomas adding: “We had some essential gear stolen this week, so we’re going to be working around a different set up which should be pretty interesting.”

To kick off what is sure to be a massive year for both artists, Sinclair and Erasers will be combining forces for an extended supergroup set which will headline Golden Apples Of The Sun, a tripped-out summer Sunday session fundraiser for local independent radio station RTRfm. “When Adam [Trainer] at RTR asked us both to headline this show we thought it made perfect sense to join forces and do something special for the people who come down,” Sinclair says, with Thomas adding that local punters can expect: “A few songs from both sides, but played differently, probably a whole lot looser.

We might even do a 50 Cent cover.”

Erasers

SURFIN’ WA

Live summer tunes will also be on the menu at Clancy’s Fish Pub Dunsborough this week for the Yallingup Surfilm Festival which runs from Friday, January 20, to Sunday, January 22. Indigenous musician Josh Whiteland will open the festival while young indie sensation Jay Grafton will be bringing her sweet stories of life, love and happiness on all three nights. Performing on Saturday and Sunday evening will be up-and-coming singer-songwriter Moana Lutton.

So grab a blanket and some friends and enjoy three great nights of live music under the stars. Doors open at 6pm with live music from 6.30pm. Tickets can be purchased from yallingupsurfilm.com.au.

COUNTRIFIED SOULS

This Saturday, January 21, the newly revamped Eastern Hotel Courtyard in Midland will be the place to be to catch gifted finger style guitarist/vocalist Robert Rodoreda. Joined by the unique and versatile Rupert John on harmonica and the legendary Ron Smeeton on bass, Rodoreda’s live set will feature a mix of covers and originals, the roots of which stem from the triad of blues, jazz and country. Catch the talented trio from 7.30pm.

FLIGHT FACILITIES

Next Tuesday, January 24, Bastian’s Happy Flight will ooze their slick ‘80s inspired electro pop at Mojos Bar. Special new band Three Hand And One Hoof will be playing alongside the emergent 44th Sunset! Entry is a ludicrous $5 from a timely 8pm.

MOONLIGHTING Spoonful of Sugar

SWEET TREAT

Local folk popsters Spoonful of Sugar are set to release their debut EP at The Bird on Saturday, January 21. Joined by special guests Bears and Dolls and Edie Green, whether you have a sweet tooth or not, there can be no doubt Spoonful of Sugar’s launch won’t leave a sour taste in your mouth. Tickets are $10 on the door. Proceedings kick off at 8pm. www.xpressmag.com.au

This Wednesday, January 18, Going Solo at the Moon late night cafe presents a stellar line-up of local talented artists, including Grace Woodroofe, Cam Avery (The Growl), Joe McKee (Snowman) and Jay Watson (Tame Impala, Pond). The artists will go on at 8pm.

Entry to restaurants is always free!

SOLDIER ON

This Saturday January 21, Sugar Army play Mojos Bar! After having such a great time on New Year’s Eve, the band are itching to start playing live again, and those at the upcoming show will be treated to a healthy mix of old favourites and fresh new songs. Supports include High Horse and The Tumblers. Entry is $10 from 8pm sharp.

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Nouvelle Vague, January 20, Fly By Night

JANUARY 18 – 24

LYDIA 18 Amplfier

THE RED PAINTINGS 19 The Bakery

A FRENCH BUTLER CALLED SMITH 19 Prince Of Wales 20 Mojos Bar 21 Settlers Tavern 22 Indi Bar

THEE OH SEES 20 The Bakery

NOUVELLE VAGUE 20 Fly By Night

VENGABOYS 20 & 21 Metropolis Fremantle

WALL 27 & 28 Burswood Dome SARAH MCLEOD 27 & 28 CANCELLED JACK ON FIRE 27 Settlers Tavern 28 Rosemount Hotel 29 Mojos Bar PUGSLEY BUZZARD TRIO 27 - 31 Perth Town Hall LET THE CAT OUT 27 Mounties Mount Helena 29 Redcliffe On The Murray 31 Perth Blues Club BACKTRACK / IRON MIND 28 The Den 29 YMCA HQ RUPERT GUENTHER 29 The Ellington LLOYD 31 Metro City

FEBRUARY

SEETHER 1 Rosemount (HED)P.E. / JEFFREY JEFF MARTIN NOTHING 1 Amplifier 21 Fly By Night LET THE CAT OUT 1 Mojos Bar 3 Whitestar Hotel 80’S DANCE Tavern PICNIC PARTY 45 Settlers Quindanning Tavern (Ali Campbell’s NINA FERRO UB40, Billy 2 The Ellington Ocean, Big PRINCE RAMA Mountain with 2 Mojos Bar The Bakery Junior Marvin) 3ROD STEWART / 21 Challenge Stadium DIESEL 4 NIB Stadium THE WHITEST REGURGITATOR 4 Indi Bar BOY ALIVE / KELLY GOLD FIELDS SCOTT (NEUROSIS) / JOHN 22 Scarborough BAIZLEY (BARONESS) Beach 4 Civic Hotel BIG DAY OUT BETH ORTON (Soundgarden, Kasabian, My 24 Quarry Chemical Romance, Amphitheatre The Living End, Röyksopp, Boy & JANUARY Bear, Parkway Drive, THE STEPKIDS Architecture In 25 The Bakery Helsinki, Battles, The BETH ORTON Jezebels, Odd Future, 25 & 26 Quarry Frenzal Rhomb, Girl Amphitheatre Talk, The Getaway KING TIDE Plan, Cage The 25 Prince Of Wales Elephant, Foster The 26 Settlers Tavern People, Best Coast, 27 Devilles Pad Noel Gallagher’s 28 Fly By Night Club High Flying Birds, 29 Indi Bar Nero, The Vaccines, OSCAR & MARTIN/ Bass Nectar, GUERRE/ ITAL Regurgitator, Drapht, 26 The Bakery Kimbra, Bluejuice, OLIVER TANK Tonight Only, The 26 Fat Shan Records Bronx & Mariachi El THE WHITLAMS Bronx) 27 & 28 Quarry 5 The Victoria Park Amphitheatre Foreshore (McCallum CARUS THOMPSON Park) 27 & 28 The Norfolk HORSE Basement 9 The Ellington HILLTOP HOODS / ROGER WATERS THE

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Oscar & Martin, January 26, The Bakery

The Whitest Boy Alive, January 22, Scarborough Beach VENTS / DAZASTAH / LAYLA 9 & 10 Capitol LITTLE ROY 10 Perth Festival Gardens TIM MINCHIN 10 & 12 Challenge Stadium RACHEL CLAUDIO 10 & 11 The Ellington ST. JEROME’S LANEWAY FESTIVAL (Active Child, Anna Calvi, Austra, Bullion, Cults, The Drums, DZ Deathrays, EMA ,Feist, Geoffry O’Connor, Girls, Glasser, The Horrors, John Talabot, Jonti, Laura Marling, M83, Oneman, The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, Pajama Club, The Panics, SBTRKT, Toro Y Moi, Total Control, Twin Shadow, Washed Out, Wu Lyf, Yuck and more TBA) 11 Perth Cultural Centre SEAL 12 Sandalford Estate Swan Valley THE MEDICS 12 Perth Festival Gardens DENNIS’ ROLLINS VELOCITY TRIO 13 Perth Festival Gardens FAUSTIN PACT 14 Perth Festival Gardens CLAIRY BROWNE & THE BANGIN’ RACKETTES 15 Perth Festival Gardens LA DISPUTE 15 Amplifier 16 YMCA HQ LUCIE THORNE & HAMISH STUART 16 The Ellington THE SUITCASE ROYALE 16 Perth Festival Gardens RONAN KEATING 16 Kings Park JOSH PYKE 16 Prince Of Wales 17 Settlers Tavern BALAM ACAB 17 The Bakery DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE 17 & 18 Perth Festival Gardens RACHEL CLAUDIO 17 & 18 The Ellington ICEHOUSE / WASHINGTON / JOSH PYKE / CLARE BOWDITCH 18 Kings Park DONOVAN FRANKENREITER 18 Newport CORNERSHOP 19 Perth Festival

Gardens CASS MCCOMBS 20 Perth Festival Gardens CARNIVAL OF SOULS 21 & 22 Perth Festival Gardens IL DIVO 23 Kings Park STONEFIELD 23 Rosemount Hotel 24 Prince Of Wales VAN WALKER 23 Settlers Tavern 24 Indi Bar 26 Fly By Night (Fly Trap) OLIVIA NEWTONJOHN/ JON ENGLISH 24 Burswood Theatre BONNIE PRINCE BILLY FEAT. THE CAIRO GANG 24 Perth Festival Gardens THE PLATTERS FEAT. MONROE POWELL 24 Fly By Night COERCE 23 Prince Of Wales 24 Rosemount Hotel MATT CORBY 24 Amplifier JONATHAN BUTLER 25 Riverside Theatre MEN 25 Perth Festival Gardens RYAN ADAMS/ JASON ISBELL 25 Perth Concert Hall ERYKAH BADU / FAT FREDDYS DROP / MAYER HAWTHORNE 25 Belvoir Amphitheatre HETTY KATE 25 The Ellington NEON INDIAN / SLOW CLUB 26 Perth Festival Gardens ENNIO MORRICONE 26 Sandalford Winery Swan Valley PUGSLEY BUZZARD 26 The Ellington SWAY MACHINERY 27 Perth Festival Gardens BARO BANDA 28 Perth Festival Gardens ROXETTE 28 & 29 Challenge Stadium DAN MANGAN 29 The Fly Trap EDDIE PAMIERI 29 Perth Festival Gardens DAN MANGAN 29 The Fly Trap

MARCH THE MAGNETS 1 Perth Festival Gardens GOSSLING 1 The Bird STICKY FINGERS 1 Indi Bar 2 Ya Ya’s

3 Settlers Tavern STAFF BENDA BILILI 2 Perth Festival Gardens PENGUIN CAFÉ 3 Perth Festival Gardens TAYLOR SWIFT / HOT CHELLE RAE 2 Burswood Dome NANNUP MUSIC FESTIVAL (Lanie Lane, Mojo Juju, Lou Bennett, Adalita, Oka, Sietta, Swamp Thing, Gossling, Tinpan Orange, Albert Wiggan Band, Bobby Alu, Kavisha Mazella, Neil Murray, Jordie Lane and more) 2 - 5 Nannup BON IVER/ SALLY SELTMAN 3 Red Hill Auditorium FUTURE MUSIC FESTIVAL (Swedish House Mafia, Fatboy Slim, Tinie Tempah, Paul van Dyk, The Wombats, Chase & Status, Skrillex, Jessie J, The Rapture, Aphex Twin, Die Antwoord, Gareth Emery, James Murphy & Pat Mahoney (LCD Soundsystem/DFA), The Naked & Famous, Hercules & Love Affair, Sven Vath, Alex Metric, Azari & III, Horse Meat Disco, The Juan Maclean, New Order, Friendly Fires, Gym Class Heroes, Mark Ronson vs. Zane Lowe, Knife Party, Professor Green, Dubfire, John O’Callaghan, Oliver Huntemann, Fluxx, Pavilion, Orjan Nilsen, Porter Robinson, Kill The Noise, TyDi, Ruby Rose, Timmy Trumpet) 4 Arena Joondalup SOUNDWAVE (System Of A Down, Slipknot, Limp Bizkit, Marilyn Manson, A Day To Remember, Machine Head, Lamb Of God, Trivium, Alter Bridge, Lost Prophets, Angels & Airwaves, Cobra Starship, The Used, You Me At Six, Devin Townsend Project, Unwritten Law, Coal Chamber, Dashboard Confessional, Thursday, Forever The Sickest Kids, Raised Fist, Dillinger Escape Plan, Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society, Mastodon, Underoath, Saves The Day, Circa Survive, Steel Panther,

X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

Listing deadline is Monday 5pm. The Gig-Guide is a service to advertisers listing bands.

All inclusions are at the discretion of X-Press Magazine. Email reception@xpressmag.com.au or fax 9213 2882.

Oliver Tank, January 26, Fat Shan Records Jack Mannquin, Meshuggah, The Sisters Of Mercy, Enter Shikari, Four Year Strong, Black Veil Brides, Madina Lake, Zebrahead, Hatebreed, Biohazard, Times Of Grace, CKY, Street Dogs, Gojira, Kvelertak, Letlive, Hellyeah, Cro-Mags, The Cab, Relient K, Framing Hanley, Watain, Royal Republic, I Am The Avalanche, Turisas, River City, Extension, Bad Religion, Strung Out, Staind, Wednesday 13, Unearth, The Pretty Reckless, Cathedral, Shadows Fall, Tonight Alive, Motionless In White, Heaven Shall Burn, Your Demise, A Rocket To The Moon, The Ready Set, The Menzingers, Dream On Dreamer, Kittie, Dredg, Attack!

Attack!, The Smoking Hearts, The Summer Set, Bush, In Flames, The Black Dahlia Murder, Holy Grail, Hyro Da Hero, These Kids Wear Crowns, In This Moment, Black Tide, Kids In Glass Houses, Fireworks, Conditions, Cherri Bomb, Switchfoot, Paradise Lost) 5 Claremont Showground JESSIE J / PROFESSOR GREEN

5 Challenge Stadium ADAM COHEN / GOSSLING 6 Fly By Night MARILYN MANSON 6 Metro City WILD FLAG 7 The Bakery BLACK LIPS 8 The Bakery ST. VINCENT 8 The Rosemount DIRTY THREE 9 Astor Theatre KERSER 9 Civic Hotel THE BEARDS 9 Settlers Tavern 10 Fly By Night 11 Indi Bar NANO STERN 13 Burswood Theatre FAITH HILL & TIM MCGRAW 14 Burswood Dome CHARLES BRADLEY 14 The Bakery DIESEL 16 Quarry Amphitheatre 360 16 Rosemount Hotel MADELEINE PEYROUX 16 CANCELLED SEEKAE 17 The Bakery 18 Mojos Bar AQUA 18 Metropolis Fremantle BORIS 20 The Bakery DANIEL O’DONNELL 24 Riverside Theatre BRIAN SETZER’S ROCKABILLY RIOT 24 Fremantle Arts Centre DURAN DURAN

Seether, February 1, The Rosemount Hotel 24 Sandalford Estate Swan Valley DARYL BRAITHWAITE 24 Bunbury Entertainment Centre NICK LOWE 26 Astor Theatre FRANKIE VALLI & THE FOUR SEASONS 27 Kings Park PIERRE BENSUSAN 27 The Ellington LENNY KRAVITZ / THE CRANBERRIES / WOLFMOTHER 28 Athletics Stadium Mount Claremont WOODEN SHJIPS 30 The Bakery SNAKADAKTAL 30 Villa CHILDREN COLLIDE 30 Capitol 31 Players Bar GEORGE MICHAEL 31 Sandalford Estate Swan Valley HERMITUDE 31 Amplifier EDDI READER QUARTET 31 Fly By Night Musician Club PETULA CLARK 31 Mundaring Weir Hotel

APRIL PETULA CLARK 1 Albany Entertainment Centre CHILDREN COLLIDE 1 Mojos Bar WEST COAST BLUES ‘N’ ROOTS (Crosby, Stills & Nash, The Pogues, The Specials, My Morning Jacket, Buddy Guy, Keb

Aqua, March 18, Metropolis Fremantle

Mo, Steve Earle, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Husky and more TBA) 1 Fremantle Park DEAD MEADOW / PINK MOUNTAINTOPS 7 The Bakery STRAWBERRY JAM MUSIC FESTIVAL (P.O.D., Hawk Nelson, Mike Mains & The Branches and more TBA) 8 Albany SUBLIME WITH ROME / MATT McHUGH 11 Metropolis Fremantle FAIRBRIDGE FESTIVAL OF WORLD & FOLK MUSIC (Paul Brady, Seth Lakeman, My Friend The Chocolate Cake, Chipolatas, Chris While, Julie Matthews, Kavisha, Tjupurru, Stiff Gins, The Woohoo Revue, Linsey Pollak, Mal Webb, Fred Smith & Liz Frencham, April Verch Band, Blu Guru, Dry Bones, Totally Gourdgeous & more TBC) 13 - 15 Fairbridge Village Pinjarra THE HERD 14 Rosemount Hotel JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE 14 Fly By Night 15 Rosemount Hotel SUPAFEST (P. Diddy, Ice Cube, Rick Ross, Trey Songz, Kelly

Rowland, Lupe Fiasco and more TBA) 22 Arena Joondalup LOU BARLOW 22 Rosemount Hotel BURT BACHARACH 23 Riverside Theatre

MAY KRISTIN BERADI 11 & 12 The Ellington DAVID CAMPBELL 16 Mandurah Performing Arts Centre 17 Queens Park Theatre Geraldton 18 Perth Concert 19 Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre FLORENCE + THE MACHINE 17 Burswood Dome GROOVIN THE MOO (line-up TBA) 19 Hay Park Bunbury NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK / BACKSTREET BOYS 29 Burswood Dome BOB HIRST 30 & 31 The Ellington

JUNE TINA ARENA 8 Riverside Theatre NADIA ACKERMAN 28 The Ellington

JULY MELISSA ETHERIDGE 20 Riverside Theatre

FLY THE FLAG FESTIVAL

The Super Group

What does Australia Day mean to you? BBQs with mates?

Counting down the top songs of the previous year with Triple J’s Hottest 100? But what happens after the last song is announced? For those punters who want to keep the festivities going, the Fly the Flag Festival is set to offer a night of live entertainment which will make you proud to call Australia home. Kicking off at 4.00pm at Dixon Road Reserve in Rockingham, Fly the Flag will feature sets by Aussie rock band The Super Group, internationally acclaimed DJ’s the Stafford Brothers, Australia’s Got Talent favourite Bandit, Melbournian indie rockers The Latonas and local talents Sisters Doll and Custom Royal. Presale tickets are on sale now for $99 from Ticketek.

KING TIDE

Renowned for their brilliant high-energy live shows, Sydneysiders King Tide are ready to bring their infectious, high-energy sweet rasta sounds sound back to WA shores this summer. Promising to make the sun shine brighter and the beer taste better at every show they play, the reggae aficionados are encouraging one and all to sample their fine wares over a five show extralong weekend of good times and fine tunes. Catch them at The Prince of Wales on Wednesday, January 25, the Settlers Tavern on Thursday, January 26, Devilles Pad on Friday, January 26, the Fly By Night on Saturday, January 28 and The Indi Bar on Sunday, January 29.

www.xpressmag.com.au

King Tide

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Joe McKee, Wednesday at The Moon

WEDNESDAY 18.01 AMPLIFIER Lydia BALMORAL Nathan Gaunt BALLY’S BAR Greg Carter Karaoke BAR 120 Felix BASEMENT ON BROADWAY The Organ Grinders BLACK BETTY’S Everlong CLAREMONT HOTEL Open Mic Night COTTOSLOE BEACH HOTEL Donavon ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Rick Webster HALE ROAD TAVERN Fenton Wilde INDI BAR Nathan Kaye Hombres Del Mar LOBBY LOUNGE (BURSWOOD) Skye Fitzgerald LUCKY SHAG Howie Morgan METRO FREO The Other Guys MOJO’S That Velvet Echo A Beggars Second MULLALOO BEACH HOTEL Donavon MUSTANG Party Rockers NEWPORT Donavon PADDO Still Frame Mind Hostile Little Face John Prossser ROSIE O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) David Fyffe ROSEMOUNT Naik Lowaski Mostarsk Kucka SOUTH ST ALE HOUSE Christian Thompson THE BIRD Rainbow Chan Kucka

THE MOON Grace Woodroofe Cam Avery Joe McKee Jay Watson UNIVERSAL Retrofit WORSELY REFINERY Bluebottles

THURSDAY 19.01 BAKERY The Red Paintings The Shallows Heytesburg BELGIAN BEER CAFÉ Bernardine Grigson BLACK BETTY’S It All Ends Here The Fall Of Man Archaic BOAB TAVERN Rod Coxell BOULEVARD TAVERN The Crusaders Trio BURSWOOD CASINO Groove Night Avenue BROOKLANDS TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke COMO HOTEL The Other Guys DEVILLES PAD Jon Madd’s Karaoke ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Grant Windsor FUSE BAR Howie Morgan HIGH WYCOMBE HOTEL Chris Murphy HYDE PARK HOTEL Open Mic Night INDI BAR Bex’s Open Mic Night LUCKY SHAG James Wilson MARKET CITY TAVERN Trojan John The Flying Swines Astro Pig High Grass Dogs MERRIWA TAVERN Overload MOJO’S BAR Bears & Dolls Something Humble World-a-fuzzy Dead Owls MOON & SIXPENCE

Neverborn Undead

NEVERBORN

ENFORCE, PSYCHONAUT & FATE

SATURDAY, JANUARY 21 AMPLIFIER

44

Heytesburg, Thursday at The Bakery Bob & Clem MUSTANG BAR Datura OCEAN BEACH HOTEL Open Mic Night OXFORD HOTEL Jonny Taylor PADDY HANNAN’S Dr Bogus ROSEMOUNT Bible Bashers The Disintegrates The Jephasuns Ivan Borgnino ROSIE O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) Fenton Wilde ROSIE O’GRADY’S (FREMANTLE) Clayton Bolger SOVEREIGN ARMS David Fyffe THE BOAT Annie Neil Duo THE BROOKE Open Mic Night THE GATE Better Days THE SHED Serial Killer Smile Foulplay Sweet Arcadem UNIVERSAL BAR Retriofit VILLA Oh Snap!

I Am Eternal Amend Memoria WANNEROO TAVERN Groove Karaoke WHISTLE & KITE Donavon YA YA’S Nosey Parker Sexy Robot The Raging Lincolns Rachel & Henry Climb A Hill

FRIDAY 20.01 7th AVENUE Pop Candy AMPLIFIER Hang On St Christopher Wolves At The Door James Teague Our Man In Berlin ASCOT QUAYS Trevor Jalla BAILEY BAR Dr Bogus BAKERY Thee Oh Sees The Growl The Painkillers Frozen Ocean BALLY’S BAR Jamie Powers BALMORAL The Other Guys BAR ORIENT Crown Jewels BASSENDEAN HOTEL Overload BELMONT TAVERN Billy & The Broken Lines BENNY’S Faces BENTLEY HOTEL Karin Page BLACK BETTYS J Babies

White Limo, Friday at The Civic Hotel

BOHEME BAR Soul Corporation CANTON LOUNGE Toxic Rhythm CAPTAIN STIRLING Bluebottles CARLISLE HOTEL Reload CHASE BAR James Wilson CIVIC HOTEL White Limo Big D & The Ambassadors CIVIC HOTEL (THE DEN) Castle Bravo Tikdoff Ex-Nuns In Dispute Blindspot Cabin Fever CLANCY’S FISH PUB (DUNSBOROUGH) Josh Whiteland Jay Grafton CLAREMONT HOTEL Nick Sheppard COMO HOTEL Tip Top CRAFTSMAN Lush DEVILLES PAD Rocket To Memphis Les Sataniques EDZ SPORTZ BAR Acoustic Nights ELEPHANT & WHEELBARROW Blue Hornet ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Libby Hammer Quintet BUMP FAT SHAN RECORDS Michael Swan & The Fox Fantasy Patient Little Sister Dave Craft FLY BY NIGHT CLUB Nouvelle Vague FUSE BAR Groove Karaoke GLOUCESTER PARK Kenji Renegade GREENWOOD Opus 22 HARBOUR TERRACE Neil Colliss HERDSMAN LAKE TAVERN Chris Gibbs Duo HYDE PARK HOTEL Nathan Gaunt One Trick Ponies INDI BAR Sugar Army The Love Junkies Yokohomos K1 BAR Chris Murphy KINGSLEY TAVERN Fenton Wilde LEFT BANK Frankie Button LEISURE INN Neil Colliss Parker Ave METRO FREO The Vengaboys MERRIWA TAVERN Spritzer MOJO’S BAR A French Butler Called Smith Big Bamboo

MUSTANG Harry Deluxe Cheeky Monkeys NEWPORT Party Rockers NORFOLK BASEMENT The Amani Consort Rae & Band Ladywood JKash OXFORD HOTEL Recliners PADDO Stu Harcourt PADDY HANNANS Blaze PADDY MAGUIRE’S 43 Cambridge PARAMOUNT Flyte PEEL ALEHOUSE Next Generation Karaoke PICKLED FIG Minky G PRINCIPAL Acoustic License RAVENSWOOD HOTEL Alan Webster ROCKET ROOM The Meaning Of Serial Killer Smile Brutus Ozmonaut ROSE & CROWN Adam James ROSEMOUNT The Love Junkies The Scotch Of Saint James Those Wretched Horses Room At The Reservoir The Phonetics SAIL & ANCHOR Switchback SOUTH ST ALE HOUSE Robbie King Karaoke SPRINGS TAVERN Greg Carter SUBIACO HOTEL Empire SWAN BASEMENT Juwana Twisted Affection The Take Over Alex The Kid THE BIRD Debian Blak TAN THE BOAT 11:11 THE GATE James Wilson Smoking Section THE SHED Kickstart UNIVERSAL Nightmoves VELVET LOUNGE The Ron Pollard Quintet Runner Sprawl Spilt Cities The Gizzards VICTORIA PARK HOTEL Ivan Ribic WANNEROO TAVERN Clayton Bolger WOODVALE TAVERN The Damien Cripps Band YA YA’S

X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

Listing deadline is Monday 5pm. The Gig-Guide is a service to advertisers listing bands.

All inclusions are at the discretion of X-Press Magazine. Email reception@xpressmag.com.au or fax 9213 2882.

Patient Little Sister, Friday at Fat Shan Records The Empty Cup Mathas Slackjaw Wisdom 2th

SATURDAY 21.01 AMPLIFIER Neverborn Enforce Psychonaut Cold Fate BAILEY BAR Losing Julia BALMORAL The Recliners BALLYS BAR Christian Thompson BAR 120 Flyte BELGIAN BEER CAFÉ Chris Murphy BLACK BETTY’S Redstar BOAB TAVERN Rock A Fellas BOULEVARD TAVERN Peace Love & All That Stuff BROOK James Wilson BURSWOOD CASINO Hi- NRG CAFÉ 58 The Aces CHALLENGE STADIUM 80’s Dance Picnic Party UB40 Billy Ocean Big Mountain CLANCY’S FISH PUB (DUNSBOROUGH) Jay Grafton Moana Lutton CLANCY’S FISH PUB (FREMANTLE) Dave Mann Collective CLAREMONT HOTEL Zydecats James Rees COMO HOTEL Tip Top CRAFTSMAN J Babies DEVILLES PAD Stingrays Razor Jack Mr Safari Les Sataniques EASTERN HOTEL Robert Rodoreda ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Fiona Lawe Davies Odette Mercy & Her Soul Atomics FLY BY NIGHT CLUB Jeff Martin GREENWOOD HOTEL Two Dogs HIGH ROAD HOTEL The Damien Cripps Band HYDE PARK HOTEL Boom! Bap! Pow! The Autumn Isles INDI BAR The White Diet Sonpsilo Circus Doctopus INDIAN OCEAN BREWING COMPANY Retriofit LEOPOLD HOTEL Steve Hepple LOBBY LOUNGE

John Sandosham Duo M ON THE POINT Rhythm 22 METRO FREO The Vengaboys Boys Boys Boys!

Switch MOON & SIXPENCE Blaze MOJOS BAR Sugar Army High Horse The Tumblers MUSTANG The Rusty Pinto Combo 10 Cent Billionaire NEWPORT Kizzy Gravity NORFOLK BASEMENT Magical Stoney Joe The Deep River Collective Datura PADDY HANNAN’S Decoy PARAMOUNT Felix PEEL ALEHOUSE Overload QUARIE BAR Bluebottles RAILWAY HOTEL Kimura Blunt Force Trauma All This Filth Nightmare Effect RAVENSWOOD HOTEL Purple Haze ROCKET ROOM Kickstart ROSEMOUNT Amy Winehouse Tribute Grace Woodroofe Felicity Groom Mama Boots Odette Mercy Lucy Peach Nyanda J Clare Nina Norelli Amber Fresh Funk Club House Band ROSIE O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) Blue Gene ROSIE O’GRADY’S (FREMANTLE) Flavor SAIL & ANCHOR Better Days SPRINGS TAVERN Jamie Powers STEVE’S BAR Sean Scott SUBIACO HOTEL Karma SWINGING PIG Greg Carter Dexter THE BIRD Spoonful Of Sugar Bears & Dolls Edie Green THE BOAT Pop Candy THE GATE Dirty Scoundrels THE SAINT Bluebottles THE SHED Huge THE WHALE & ALE Dr Bogus TWO ROCKS TAVERN Nasty Dogz UNIVERSAL

www.xpressmag.com.au

Friday Friday Travis Caudle Rob Rodoreda, Travis Caudle FlyBy ByNight Night Saturday at Eastern Hotel Fly Soul Corporation WANNEROO TAVERN Greg Carter WOODVALE TAVERN Chris Murphy & The Holy Rollers YA YA’S The Witness Stereoflower Antelope

SUNDAY 22.01 7TH AVENUE Juliet’s Diary 150 RIVERSIDE EAST (ASCOT QUAYS) Adrian Wilson BALLY’S BAR Greg Carter BALMORAL Cranky BENTLEY HOTEL Adam James BOULEVARD TAVERN Acoustic Courtyard Annabelle BROKEN HILL HOTEL Switchback BROOKLANDS TAVERN Greg Carter CAPTAIN STIRLING Sean Scott CARINE Electrophobia CLANCY’S FISH PUB (DUNSBOROUGH) Jay Grafton Moana Lutton CLAREMONT HOTEL Sunday Driver COMO HOTEL Jonathan Dempsey CRAFTMAN David Fyffe ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Strange Fruit A Billie Holiday Tribute FERAL BREWING Fat Felix FREMANTLE ARTS CENTRE Jack Doepal Quintet GREENWOOD Chris Gibbs Duo HIGH ROAD HOTEL Mike Nayar HIGH WYCOMBE HOTEL The Organ Grinders HYDE PARK SSA Arbitrage Dead Babies In Vomit Pitbull & Scum HYDE PARK HOTEL Morgan Bain Turin Robinson INDI BAR A French Butler Called Smith Shane Witt INDIAN OCEAN BREWING CO Retriofit Dove K1 BAR Damien Cripps LAKERS TAVERN Jamie Powers LAST DROP WAMBRO Lips McConague LEISURE INN Ivan Ribic LOBBY LONGE (BURSWOOD) Courtney Murphy M ON THE POINT

Custom Royal, Sunday at The Newport

Bluebottles MOJOS BAR Hyte Ragdoll Nevsky Prospekt Muzzle MUNDAIRING HOTEL Nasty Dogz MUSTANG Marco & The Rhythm Kings NEWPORT Tim Nelson Custom Royal Sisters Doll Astro OCEAN VIEW TAVERN Free Radicals PINK DUCK LOUNGE BAR Neil Colliss PRINCIPAL Stella Donnelly QUEENS TAVERN Soul Empire RAILWAY HOTEL Beer Garden Open-Mic Session RAVENSWOOD TAVERN Piranhas SAIL & ANCHOR Shawne & Luc SCARBOROUGH BEACH The Whitest Boy Alive Gold Fields SOUTH ST ALEHOUSE Anthony Nieves SOVEREIGN ARMS Ivan Ribic SWAN VELLEY CAFÉ Kenji SWINGING PIG Sophie Jane THE BIRD Erasers Andrew Sinclair & The Ritual Band Rabbit Island Salamander Ermine Coat Mei Swan Elk Bell THE GATE Better Days Chris Gibbs Trio THE SAINT Howie Morgan Project THE SHED The Healy’s Blue Hornet TWO ROCKS TAVERN Luke Meyers UNIVERSAL Retriofit

VICTORIA PARK HOTEL David Fyffe WANNEROO TAVERN Chris Murphy WHISTLING KITE James Wilson WOODVALE TAVERN Good Karma

MONDAY 23.01 KINGS PARK Il Divo LOBBY LOUNGE (BURSWOOD) John Sandosham MOJO’S BAR Open Mic Night MUSTANG BAR Marco & The Alley Cats THE DEEN Plastic Max & The Token Gesture

TUESDAY 24.01 CHARLES HOTEL Perth Blues Club Sue Bluck Scott Jones Bob Patient Peter Stone Graham Wood EASTERN HOTEL Groove Karaoke ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Beans Buma’s Boys Of Rhythm LUCKY SHAG Leighton Keepa MOJOS BAR Bastians Happy Flight Three Hand and One Hoof 44th Sunset PADDO Stu Harcourt PRINCE OF WALES Open Mic Night QUARRY AMPHITHEATRE Beth Orton SETTLERS TAVERN Open Mic Night THE BIRD The Houstons X-WRAY CAFE Open Piano Night

The Meaning Of

THE MEANING OF, SERIAL KILLER SMILE, BRUTUS & OZMONAUT

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20 ROCKET ROOM

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Classifieds and Music Services Hotline: 9213 2888 Display ads: musicservices@xpressmag.com.au Deadline: 4pm Monday Credit cards welcome

DANCE CLASSES BELLYDANCE CENTRAL CLASSES Free class Fri 27th Jan. Special fun beginners courses. Term 1 starts Mon 30 Jan. For brochure, info & free class invite shaheena@iinet.net.au 0409 511 125. www.bellydancecentral.com.au HAIR, HEALTH & HAPPINESS MENS WAXING/CLIPPING Itís a guy thing! Hair removal for men,private, qualified,experienced.

Ph Athletes Effigy 9384 2950 MUSOS WANTED “OB”MIC NIGHT Ocean Beach Hotel.Thursdays.

Interested open-mic artists contact Jysae on obhmicnight@gmail.com or 0429 779 744 BASS PLAYER WANTED For the Seraphyn Project. Must have all that. Those who think they have, call Tony 0414 409 949.

D R U M M E R WA N T E D Fo r l a r g e p r o d u c t i o n A u s s i e R o c k Tr i b u t e .

Dedication + experience a must.

Ph: 0409 370 900.

GUITARIST & BASS PLAYER WANTED For 70’s Fun Rock Band. Prepared to dress the part. Under Management. Focus Promotions 9-5pm 9272 4144.

GUITARIST & DRUMMER WANTED For JJJ Top 40 band. Under Management. Focus Promotions 9-5pm 9272 4144.

JAZZ KEYBOARD PLAYER WANTED To complete quartet playing popular standards, some blues & original compositions.

Performance experience preferred. Gigs waiting. Mature age musicians. Rehearsing SOR. Ph James 0467459156 or Steve 93141021.

MEGADETH COVERBAND Drummer, lead guitarist. 28-40. Gear, transport and employed.

Know you have the ability to play any of the Megadeth catalogue. Call or txt 0414 063 600.

E: megahurtz@live.com.au MUSICIANS WANTED BY MANAGER to form all female punk/top 40 covers band. Lead guitar, drums, bass guitar, vocals. Guaranteed work waiting.

Tony 0411118304 MUSOS WANTED FOR ORIG/COVERS BAND Guitarist, drums, bass & keyboard. Influenced

by Robert Johnston, Clapton, Freddie King, Mark Knopfler. Good gear, pro attitude.

Ph: 0418434972.

OPEN MIC NIGHT every Thursday n i g h t a t I n d i B a r. J u s t c a l l B e x o n 0404 917 632 PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT PHOTOGR APHY Pro m o p h o t o g r a p hy, s t u d i o, l i v e, l o c a t i o n .

Mike Wylie 0417 975 964 www.projec tphotography.com When its time to ice the cake...

PRODUCTION SERVICES CD & DVD MANUFACTURE Check out our latest CD & DVD specials online at www.procopy.com.au 9375 3902 MATRIX PRODUCTIONS AUSTRALIA Lighting, staging, sound systems, smoke machines, night club FX, intelligent lighting, strobes & mirror balls, crowd barriers, video projectors. 9371 1551 PA H I R E F X L i g h t s c l u b t o concert size. Pro Equipment www.perthconcertsound.com.au.. Ph 9307 8594 / mob 0404 410 020 / 9309 6219 RECORDING STUDIOS ALAN DAWSON’s WITZEND RECORDING STUDIO Prof quality albums or demos, large live room, experienced engineer, analog to digital transfers, mastering..

Alan 0407 989 128 or Jeremy 0430638178 www.witzendstudios.com ANDY’S STUDIO International multi award winning songwriter / producer. No band required.

Broadcast quality. A songwriter’s paradise.

Ph 9364 3178 AVALON STUDIOS BIBRA LAKE One of Perths best equipped studio. Record to analog tape or digital, Avalon pre amps,Neumann mics,the latest and best universal audio, plug in’s for digital recordings. All styles of music, $55 per hour call Tony 0411 118304 email - avalonstudios@bigpond.com C V P D i g i t a l , Pr o t o o l s , R e c o r d i n g a n d Mastering. Productive environment, songwriters welcome. Session musos ava i l a b l e. P h 9 3 4 9 9 3 6 5 , Yo k i n e a r e a . www.clearviewproductions.com.au GOLDDUSTCONSTRUCTION.COM Production, mixing, recording and composition for your music. Unique award winning skills to take songs from ideas to finished mixes or to fulfill the potential in existing ones.Located in Subiaco.$60 p/h. Andrew 0408 097 407 POONS HEAD MASTERING Analog mastering at its best. Clients include Mink Mussel Creek, Jeff Martin, The Panics, Pond + The Floors. World class facility. World class results. www.poonshead.com 9339 47 91

RECORDING MIXING MASTERING PRODUCING Fremantle location. Call Pete Kitchen Cooked Records. Ph 0407 363 764 / 9336 3764 REVOLVER SOUND STUDIO Ph 9272 7505. www.revolverstudio.com.au SONGWRITERS! - UNLOCK YOUR SONGS’ POTENTIAL +FREE BAND APPRAISALS. UK Producer, 40,000+ hours studio experience.

20 yrs in London with bands and songwriters.

Kicking arrangements, great studio and the ability to really listen will give your material the edge you need. Call Jerry on 0405 653 338 or visit www.jerichomusic.com.au REHEARSAL STUDIOS AAA VHS REHEARSAL ROOMS Great facilities, great vibe & great price!!!

Unit 5 /16 Peel Road, O’Connor. Phone 9418 5815 or 0413 732 885 BIGBEAT SOUND STUDIO Clean rooms, all new PA systems, air-con and good parking . Willetton Ph: 0425 698 117.

PLATINUM SOUND ROOMS Professional rehearsal rooms, airconditioned, quality PAs mob 0418 944 722 STREAM STUDIOS The place to rehearse in Perth..

P h o n e : 0 4 0 3 1 5 2 0 0 9 www.streamrehearsal.com.au TUITION * * * G U I TA R L E S S O N S * * * J A N / F E B ENROLLMENTS NOW. Beg-adv, all styles and all levels including bass. Cliff Lynton Guitar Institute.

Mt Lawley 9342 3484 / www.clifflynton.com BASS LESSONS Rock, funk & jazz. Tony Gibbs 9470 6131 DRUM LESSONS All styles, WAAPA prep. Modern techniques, rudiments, soloing, favourite songs.

Ph: Pascal 0413 172 817. Available all holidays.

GUITAR TUITION Tired of theory and scales?

Learn your favourite songs instead - in my studio or at your place. 19 yrs experience. Call Jay 0403 223 958 VOICE COACH/ SINGING TEACHER All levels, all styles. This is the year to Find Your True Voice. Ph: 0407 260 762 or 9407 9078.

GROHLING WITH THE HOMIES This week Volume delves into the alternate world of tribute acts with Foo Fighters’ tribute band White Limo ahead of their performance at the Civic Hotel on Friday, January 20.

With an heroic dedication to the object of their homage, Perth’s newest tribute band White Limo are bringing all the power and infectious energy of the Foo Fighters’ live experience to local Foo fans.

As frontman Corey Ranger attests, the local quintet have found the greatest outlet for their agonised passion for “the hottest modern day rock band on the planet” by pretending that they are the real thing.

“We as a band have completely different musical backgrounds. From metal, blues [and] rock‘n’roll to jazz. But there’s one thing we all feel passionate about and that’s the legacy and music of Dave Grohl.

[Although] underrated at times, Grohl is a musical genius of our era,” he says, adding that the Foo Fighters’ show last November at the nib Stadium was indisputably one of the best gigs he has ever seen: “I was lucky enough to run into the band when they were in Perth. We chatted for about half an hour about our tribute band, their tour, past concerts, records, and even got the invite jokingly from Taylor Hawkins for me to replace Dave if he ever quit! The show they put on was fantastic. I knew it would have been the talk of the town in the following weeks.”

Named after a track on the newest Foo Fighters album Wasting Light, White Limo perform a tribute to their idols which replicates the live stylings and stage presence of one of the world’s most popular current rock bands.

“White Limo is the heaviest song they have ever done to date [and it] proves in 2011-2012 that rock ‘n’ roll still lives on,” Ranger explains. “It shows that as a band you don’t need electronic equipment, effects or things like that to make decent music. It’s pure and it’s perfect.”

While Ranger attests Grohl’s songs are what 46

Spot the Difference: White Limo frontman Corey Ranger with Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl make his band’s live shows great, he says the gear White Limo use also plays a huge part in helping the band sound more like the Foo Fighters live.

“We use Fender and Marshall Amps, which will be turned up very loud. Our drummer Thomas Filter uses a Gretsh drum kit. Unfortunately I’m the poor bastard who will have to scream as good as Dave,” he says. “We have Dan Kebo (aka our Pat Smear) who’s a fantastic guitarist with a very crunchy grunge sound – which will wake the neighbors up. Karl Anschutz is our second guitarist has all the technical aspects covered.

And don’t worry about the rhythm section, brothers Nick Filter and Tom – they are on top of their game and ready to rock.”

Promising to cover a host of hit singles from the Foo Fighters’ platinum-selling albums, as well as some of their less represented material, White Limo are set to deliver a truly authentic high-energy show at the Civic Hotel on Friday, January 20 from 7.30pm.

“We’ll endeavor to give all those fans that went to the Foo Fighters show in November a chance to re-live the great night they had. And to the people who missed out, our show is for you. We can’t wait to play for everyone,” Ranger says, adding that he expects their version of the smash hit All My Life to be a standout during the energetic set:“There’s just something about that song that makes you stand up, pump your fists in the air and nod your head. We can’t wait to see the crowd mosh to this one.”

X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

www.xpressmag.com.au

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays