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John Butler and his tin shed
THE TIN MAN
John Fogerty
HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE When he headlined West Coast Blues ‘N’ Roots, the triumphant set went down as one of the greatest moments in the festival’s history, and in 2012 he’s set to do it all again. That’s right John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival will return to Freo and this time he is playing the legendary CCR album Cosmo’s Factory from start to finish. Also joining the bill at Portland’s indie folk masters Blitzen Trapper and local heroes Zydecats. They join a rip-roaring cast including Crosby Stills & Nash, The Pogues, The Specials and a bucketload more... Tickets are $139 plus BF from Moshtix and the usual outlets.
Ball Park Music
BATTER UP
Off the back of not one, but two entries into this year’s Hottest 100, Brisbane-based indie pop upand-comers Ball Park Music are responsible for such singles as iFly, Sad Rude Future Dude and Rich People Are Stupid. Last in town to support Boy & Bear, BPM will bring their happy-go-lucky tunes to Amplifier on Saturday, April 7; and the Newport Hotel on Sunday, April 8. Grab your tickets from Oztix, Moshtix or Heatseeker.
One of WA’s most adored artists, John Butler returns to his roots to perform a series of solo concerts throughout the state this April. Aptly titled Tin Shed Tales, these shows will be a rare opportunity to hear the music of this iconic artist in a raw and intimate setting. Butler will be bringing his tin shed along for the ride, decked out with a collection of personal art pieces, old school skateboards and vintage guitars, these items are laid out in his shed at home where he draws inspiration for his art and songwriting. The Tin Shed Tales tour will also feature special guest Felicity Groom, who will open and participate in the shows. The Tin Shed Tales tour includes shows at the Fremantle Arts Centre on Saturday, March 17; Mandurah Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday, March 21; Clancy’s Fish Pub in Dunsborough on Thursday, March 22; Albany Entertainment Centre on Friday, March 23; Queens Park Theatre in Geraldton; on Sunday, March 25; Carnarvon Civic Centre on Monday, March 26; and Sunset Pictures in Broome on Friday, March 30 (note the Broome show features Mama Kin instead of Groom).
TOMMY GUN
Roger Daltrey
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News
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Reactions/Comp
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Flesh
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Music: Bonnie Prince Billy
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Music: Bombay Bicycle Club/ Death Cab For
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Music: Big Day Out Feature
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Music: First Aid Kit/ Little Roy
With the ears still ringing from one Roger bringing his spectacular rock opera to Perth, prepare yourself for another one! Roger Daltrey, frontman of the legendary British rockers The Who, has been taking Tommy around the world for the past year and he’s just set his sights on Perth. Performing the classic rock opera from start to finish complete with striking visuals, Daltrey and his band will also play a variety of Who hits and more. It all happens Thursday, April 19, at Riverside Theatre. Tickets go on sale from Ticketek next Wednesday, February 8.
August Burns Red
METAL MUNCHIES
Don’t miss an electrifying triple bill of metal mayhem this April, when Pennsylvania-based metalcore giants August Burns Red, Arizona’s Blessthefall and Sydneysiders Northlane bring their aural assault to the stage at Amplifier on Wednesday, April 25. Tickets are available from Moshtix and Heatseeker.
Cutie
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Music: Pulled Apart By Horses/ Scott Kelly
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New Noise
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Eye4 Cover: Frisky & Mannish
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Eye4 News/ Music
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Eye4 Movies: On A Ledge/ Sam Worthington Interview
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Eye4 Movies: The Artist/ Underworld Awakening
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Eye4 Arts List
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Eye4 Art Stories
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Eye4 Lifestyle
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Salt Cover: Bassnectar
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Salt Cover Story/ News/ Martin Solveig/ Rewind: Heavyweight Soundz
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Salt: Girl Talk/ Steve Hill/ Testpad
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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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Scene: Local Scene
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Tour Trails
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Gig Guide
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Volume
Cover: Bonnie Prince Billy plays the Festival Gardens as part of Perth Festival on Friday, February 24 Salt Cover: Bassnectar plays the Boiler Stage at Big Day Out this Sunday, February 5
SHIRT HAPPENS? With all of our modern conveniences like air conditioning in houses,buses,cars,supermarkets, work places and just about everywhere it’s very easy to take our generation’s level of comfort for granted. Male members of Generation Y are too often forgoing being a suave gentleman and forgetting how to dress appropriately in public. The women species have more than enough social commentators of all ages telling them how to dress, so this one’s for the dudes. Here are the simple rules of when it’s appropriate to show off your man-nips in public. SHIRT REQUIRED 1. When buying food - surprisingly some dudes think it’s okay to clean fresh produce at IGA using nothing but their arm pit . 2. While hanging in the city - everyone else is sweating in a suit, and you’re wearing nothing but tiny fluoro board shorts that show of the top of your trimmed man bush. Not cool. 3. Music festivals: yep, it’s fricken hot and you’ve taken it upon yourself to use your beard trimmer on your chest and/or back, but it’s bad news when people accidentally rub against your slippery skin. 4. At work (unless you’re a stripper or in a psych rock band), or when your boss says you’re contractually obliged to combine being in your underwear with crying (ie; you’re a contestant on The Biggest Loser or Excess Baggage). NO SHIRT REQUIRED 1. When you see a body of water you are planning on swimming in (pool, ocean, river, etc). _MATTHEW HOGAN
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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.
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GRUEN PLANET
Gruen Planet runs an X-ray across the world each week, unpicking the stories that affect us all. How do you protect an unstable government when a backbencher goes feral? Does Tiger cut it anymore as a business? What was the Dalai Lama doing on Masterchef? Available on DVD come February 2, get in now for your chance to win one of three copies of Gruen Planet we have to giveaway.
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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MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE
Want to win a double in season pass to Martha Marcy May Marlene? Of course you do! A powerful psychological thriller, the film stars Elizabeth Olsen as Martha, a young woman rapidly unravelling amidst her attempt to reclaim a normal life after fleeing from a cult and its charismatic leader (John Hawkes).
CHRONICLE
Want to check out a flick about three high school classmates who suddenly gain superpowers from a mysterious substance? We have a bunch of double passes up for grabs so get in quick for your chance to win.
Man On A Ledge
MAN ON A LEDGE
An ex-cop and now wanted fugitive (Sam Worthington) stands on the ledge of a high-rise building while a hard-living New York Police Department negotiator (Elizabeth Banks) tries to talk him down. Get in now for your chance to win one of 10 double passes we have up for grabs to see this gripping film.
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Starring Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Ian McDiarmid, and directed by George Lucas, Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace in 3D hits cinemas on February 9. To celebrate the release Twentieth Century Fox and Lucas Film are offering X-Press readers the chance to win one of three official merchandise packs. Each pack contains a t-shirt, A4 notebook, stickers and magnets.
Laura Marling playing @ Laneway
LANEWAY FESTIVAL
You’ll find a heady mix of artists on the 2012 St Jerome’s Laneway Festival line-up which will again take place in the Perth Cultural Centre. Featuring Laura Marling, Feist, Active Child, Billion, EMA, Husky, The Panics, Washed Out, YUCK and many more, this year’s Laneway Festival is set to be amazing, so get your entries in now to win a rad prize pack consisting a double pass to the festival and five CDs from artists playing at the show!
This Sunday, February 5, is Bob Marley Outernational Day at The Railway Hotel. In support of Oxfam, reggae acts including Ngati, The Empressions, Jesse Proverbs, Jamdown Kingz, Isolites, MJ, Jah Era, General Justince, River Beats, Mumma Trees, Sista Che, DJ Simba, Tutomath will be gracing the stage from 4pm ‘ til 10pm and are sure put on one hell of a party. There will be food and reggae merchandise stalls, two stages (outdoor live band stage and indoor dancehall corner), and Bob Marley movies on the big screen! To celebrate this awesome event, we have a stack of Bob Marley Outernational Day T-Shirts to give away. Get in quick before they are all snapped up.
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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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The UK’s Stacey Irvine has eaten nothing but McDonald’s chicken nuggets since she was two, she’s now 17 and has started experiencing health problems… go figure! Here’s what our friends on Facebook had to say about Irvine’s diet.
WAILING 100
Kara That’s one of the most disturbing things I’ve heard in ages! I can’t bring myself to eat just one portion of chicken nuggets. This girl needs a serious wake up call, and so does her mother.
Did you guys listen to Triple J’s Hottest 100 the other day? What an absolute joke! Was it just me or was every single song “wail, wail wail”, “oohhhhhhhhhhhh”, “aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah”, one syllable, ‘can’t string any words together’ bullshit. We’ve had to put up with Gotye for the last few months being overplayed and overplayed and overplayed – and then he gets #1 – and we have to listen to it AGAIN. And then, AGAIN because Nina Las Vegas decided to remix the entire Hottest 100 AGAIN. Triple J is turning to shit. There is an abundance of great Australian music out there, let’s play it and not just put on repeats of Lana Del Rey, 360 and San Cisco.
Kathy She has huge cans from the chicken. Sue There was a show on TV a year or so ago about people who only eat two, three or four foods and that’s it. Completely obsessed with one food to the point of killing themselves. Was fascinating. Shaun Jail the parents.
Dear X-Press
Via Email Tod Meddleton
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Voltaire Twins
AMERICA’S SWEETHEARTS
Voltaire Twins, those edgy local kids with synths, are heading to the Northern Hemisphere to play the renowned South By Southwest festival in Texas, Canadian Music Week in Toronto and a string of shows in between throughout the big ol’ US of A. So to raise a bit of cashola to get them there, they’re throwing a big party at Amplifier this Saturday, February 4, with some of their favourite bands – including Boys Boys Boys!, Husband and Lily Rossen – and some of WA’s best DJs. The night will also see the return of the infamous crapffle - a crap raffle where you can win items from the bands’ cupboards at home. Last time Voltaire Twins had a crapffle someone went home with a shitload of Easy Mac and jelly beans! Get excited!
KEEPING UP WITH
Have you ever sold your body to science and participated in clinical trials for a month to help fund your band’s debut album? Mark Stewart has. The former Horsell Common member did just that for Jonesez second album Gruffalo and now he’s regained enough of his limbs to head out on tour and peddle the record. See them in action at the Prince Of Wales on Thursday, February 23; Norfolk Basement on Friday, February 24; and The Bird on Saturday, February 25.
BRING THE NOISE
Fans of classic Australian rock, your day has come! A Day On The Green has announced the next instalment of their now iconic summer series of concerts. On Saturday, March 31, Kings Park hosts Noiseworks, Daryl Braithwaite, Richard Clapton, 1927 and the Choirboys. That’s five iconic bands that have such hits as Take Me Back, Horses, Girls On The Avenue and Run To Paradise in their collective arsenal. Head to Ticketmaster for your tickets, which start at $89 plus BF.
Xavier Rudd
SUNNY DAY
Beloved Australian musician/activist Xavier Rudd returns to the sound of his earlier work with his new album Follow The Sun. Featuring only his voice, his guitar, his message and gentle rhythms, the album is a return to his simple sound following recent collaboration albums. Rudd is set to showcase his new tunes on Thursday, April 5, at the Astor Theatre. Tickets go on sale next Thursday, February 9. Follow The Sun is released tomorrow.
Yelawolf
NOTHING SHADY
Eminem endorsed, Southern rap talent Yelawolf blitzes through Australia late March for his debut shows from coast to coast. Don’t miss your chance to see the future of rap on Tuesday, March 27 at Capitol, with support from Briggs and more. Grab your tickets from this Friday through Moshtix and the usual outlets.
SWEET TREAT
With hit singles including Ballroom Blitz, Block Buster, Hell Raiser, Teenage Rampage and Fox On The Run, iconic glam rock act Sweet are sure to put on a head noddingly, toe tappingly, finger clickingly fabulous show on Saturday, March 10, at the Regal Theatre. Tickets to the anything goes, all-onboard celebration can be purchased from Ticketek.
You Am I
GRACE UNMEASURED
Former pop princess Grace Knight is one of the most enduring talents in Australian music and is bringing her new adult contemporary show back to WA for two special dates in late March. Both shows will feature Knight accompanied by a talented jazz trio and are in two of WA’s best “music lover” venues. Catch the jazz great on Thursday, March 29, at the Fremantle Arts Centre; and Friday, March 30, at the Ellington Jazz Club.
Lucie Thorne
A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME
Acclaimed Australian songsmith Lucie Thorne returns to Western Australia this summer to play a selection of concerts in duet with percussionist Hamish Stuart in support of her stunning new album, Bonfires In Silver City. Catch the charming chanteuse at Mojos on Friday, February 15, at The Ellington Jazz Club on Thursday, February 16; at the Nannup Hotel on Friday, February 17; and at the Sea Gardens in Prevelly on Saturday, February 18.
ICE AGE
They’re named after a Metallica song, but Baltimore-bred hardcore dominators Trapped Under Ice are not trapped in older sounds. One of the biggest young bands in hardcore today, the quixotic quintet have fought their way to the top through a combination of hard work, hard touring and undeniable talent, and in 2012 they are set to dominate stages across the country during their upcoming national tour. Catch them are the Rosemount Hotel on Wednesday, March 7; and YMCA HQ in Leederville on Thursday, March 8 for a special all ages gig which kicks off early at 7pm. Relentless supports both shows.
HER LIPS AREN’T SEALED
Following the success of an east coast Australian tour this time last year, Grammy Award-nominated American singer Belinda Carlisle, is set to hit our shores once more. Best known as the lead vocalist for ‘80s pop band The Go-Go’s and for her time as a phenomenally successful solo artist, Carlisle will perform all her hits - from Heaven Is A Place On Earth to Our Lips Are Sealed - at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre on Friday, March 16 and the Astor Theatre on Saturday, March 17. Tickets are available through Bocs.
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FEE FI FO FUM
New Zealand-raised, London-based rockers I Am Giant are back in the land of Oz for a tour that will take then from the top of country to the bottom. Following the success of their debut album, The Horrifying Truth, released last August, the mind-melting foursome will shock and amaze local punters on Friday, February 17, at Amplifier. Tickets are currently available from iamgiant.com.
SOUNDS OF THE SEA
Sydney’s Deep Sea Arcade are let to showcase their accomplished, cinematic, ‘60s-inspired pop nuggets during a series of shows in support of indie rockers Children Collide. Catch the pop purveyors on Friday, March 30, at Capitol; on Saturday, March 31, at Players Bar in Mandurah; and on Sunday, April 1, at Mojos.
SULTAN OF JOONDALUP
ROGERS THAT
Just when you finally recovered from the bruises and mental trauma sustained from the last west coast You Am I tour, Timmy Rogers and the boys have announced their return to the west. They’ll play a oneoff show at the Rosemount Hotel on Friday, February 10. Tickets $39 plus BF from Heatseeker and the usual outlets.
SHOUT TO THE TOP
There’s more than just one big festival going down in Perth town this weekend as YMCA HQ hosts the Shout It Out festival. Taking place over two nights, 12 bands will take to the stage of the Leederville all-ages mecca. On Friday, February 3, it’s all about metal and hardcore with I Am Eternal, Averia Skies, It All Ends Here, The Milkshake Strategy, Mom Dad & The Kids and As We Fall; and then on Saturday, February 4, get your pop punk on with The Never Ever, For This Cause, The Calling Of Levi, A Sleepless Melody, Cupidfalls and The Main Attraction.
SWEDE DREAMS
Swedish Viking metallers Amon Amarth are gracing our shores for the first time since their almost sold out national tour of Australia of 2009 during a special national tour, which includes a pit stop at Capitol on Thursday, April 19. The melodic death metal tyrants put on a thrashingly good show last time they were in town, so eager fans can expect a show that’ll be nothing short of an adrenaline packed power punch to the solar plexus!
LAND OF OZ
WA’s leading multicultural arts organisation, Kulcha Multicultural Arts, is set to present their 24th Oz Concert on Sunday, March 18, at the Government House Gardens in the city. The free community concert will feature a range of culturally diverse artists, including a collaboration of multicultural community choirs, plus a world music percussion and dance extravaganza - it will also be broadcast nationally on SBS TV. Click over to kulcha.com.au to grab your tickets.
MAY DAY
This Sunday, February 5, Abbe May continues her increasingly busy schedule by playing her final show on the Big Day Out tour at McCallum Park. You would think she’s earned a rest, but this is Abbe May we’re talking about here! On Sunday, February 12, she returns to Mojos for a solo outing with Amber Fresh and Medicine Hat in support. $15 presales from Heatseeker or $20 on the door from 6pm.
GET CARTY
Fresh from playing a standout show at Woodford Folk Festival, Jack Carty is coming to town for one show only. The Sydney-sider is peddling his brand new album Break Your Own Heart and will appear alongside fellow heartbreakers Blanche DuBois at The Ellington Jazz Club on Thursday, March 8.
If you’re a fan of free, ticket events featuring acclaimed touring artists, then the City of Joondalup’s Valentine’s Concert is just for you. Taking place at Joondalup Resort on Thursday, February 9, multi-award winning rock’n’roller Dan Sultan headlines and he’ll be joined by local rootsman Andrew Winton. Head to joondalup. wa.gov.au for more information
AMERICANARAMA
Touring Australia this March, New Yorker Eric Bibb is going to wow the west coast with his unique brand of gospel-infused blues. Mixing the rugged contours of the Delta blues with Americana folk, the incredibly talented acoustic guitarist is set to deliver a bouquet of fresh new music along with colourful covers of some old familiar folk tunes during his intimate live show on Tuesday, February 28 at Wignall’s Winery in Albany.
The Necks
NECKER CHIEFS
World famous improvising legends The Necks return to our neck of the woods for their much anticipated Australian tour this March. Renowned globally for creating immersive, hypnotic concert experiences over two one-hour sets, the talented trio will slowly conjure sound mountains out of thin air and leave local punters utterly mesmerised. Catch the highly acclaimed musicians on Monday, March 26, at The Bakery. Tickets are currently on sale from perthjazzsociety.com. 11
BONNIE PRINCE BILLY Prince’s Palace
Singer, songwriter, actor and long term exponent of a mighty mass of a beard,Will Oldham has a steady stream of music making its way to the stores each year, with Wolfroy Goes To Town being his latest. CHRIS HAVERCROFT spoke to Oldham as he dusts off his Bonnie Prince Billy moniker for his Perth Festival show at Festival Gardens on Friday, February 24; and at Margaret River’s Jewel Cave on Saturday, February 25, and Sunday, February 26. He may well be a regular visitor to these shores, but it has been six long years since Will Oldham has been to Perth. Last time he was here, Matt Sweeney (Guided By Voices) was on guitar duties, but pretty much since that date, Oldham has surrounded himself with Emmett Kelly of The Cairo Gang fame. It is not unusual for Oldham to change band members, in fact he appears to do it at a whim, what is odd is that he has teamed up with Kelly for the past six years without the partnership wearing thin. “Emmett shares a fascination and a need to explore,” says the quietly spoken Oldham of the long standing musical partnership.“We love to make music that has a relationship to the written music, performed music and recorded music that we have grown to know and love throughout our lives. At the same time I feel like Emmett and I both shy away from what are popularly recognised trappings of success. It is rare to find someone who is so fluent and energetic and excited and at the same time is quite eager to shun certain types of things having to do with material success. It just works, I don’t know why.” Oldham has a knack for making the records of Bonnie Prince Billy share a relationship to each other that is thematically and sonically familiar without treading the same ground over again. Since the making of
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Bonnie Prince Billy
Wonder Show Of The World with Kelly, Oldham feels that he is in a more collaborative space. This led to the sessions for Wolfroy Goes To Town as being something very out of the ordinary for Bonnie Prince Billy. “If there was something different in the making of this record it is that we had played together as a group for about a year, which I don’t think has ever happened in my working life before. I have never performed a record with the musicians in the live show that will then record the songs together for the album. We did that for this record. We came into it with everybody having a greater familiarity with the material than I have ever dealt with before. The only time that I think that I have done something similar was when I did a show in Venice as a solo show on my way to Iceland to record The Letting Go and I played all those songs from that record by myself.” Oldham has a knack for uncovering dynamic female singers and lifting them from relative obscurity as their voice is used to act as a foil to his gentle tones on Bonnie Prince Billy records. The latest in this long line is Angel Olsen who hails from St Louis. Oldham’s path to Olsen is a little different in that it revolves around his fascination for the record Babble by Kevin Coyne and Dagmar Krause. Oldham considered the best way to learn more about the album that had been a passion of his for decades was to learn it and perform it. “I couldn’t think of the ideal person who could approach the female part,” confirms Oldham of his take on Babble. “It needs to be someone with a certain access to certain levels of emotion while retaining musicality while still being experimental and expressionistic in her approach to singing, and I couldn’t think of anybody who fit that. I think the wildness is what was missing from all the women of great vocal ability that I knew. There was not a sense of unpredictability to them. I finally introduced the idea to Emmett (Kelly) and we spoke about the idea for over a year. One day he called and said, I think I saw someone here in Chicago that might be good for the Babble thing and he sent me some of her music and we met and did a couple of experimental shows to see if we got along, and we did indeed so we embarked on the Babble trip.” Upon finding Olson, the band embarked on what Oldham describes as a full six piece expression of karaoke that they played every night. Oldham toured it as a Bonnie Prince Billy tour and then told the venue that he was bringing his own opening band called the Babblers. Bonnie Prince Billy and band would show up with one set of equipment but with a different lighting set up, as well as costumes that they wore as The Babblers and came on and did the Babble record from beginning to end to people who didn’t know what to expect and many people didn’t know what had happened until it was over. “It can’t be better than that. We got a couple of offers after that of people that wanted us to come and play as the Babblers, but we didn’t do that as part of the fun of it was hitting people with the intensity of that record by surprise. While we were doing Babble it was so awesome that I was thinking that maybe we should record this. At the same time it was pretty cool for what it was, and the record already exists so why would we reproduce the record as you can already get it. What you can’t get is the live experience, so that is what we were trying to do.” During the most recent London riots there was a huge music warehouse that burnt down and the contents of it were lost. Amongst those was the vast proportion of the Domino Records catalogue which contained the records that Oldham made as Palace Music. When approached, Oldham agreed that those albums can now be reissued, but he is keen for the albums to be treated as if they have been serialised like the many editions of a pulp fiction novel with new font and art. “For years I had always thought of those Palace records that there were things about them that I was impressed by and awed by and happy with and at the same time they were definitely a period of feeling around in the dark,” he says. “I have thought about them for years as rather than getting a university degree, I went to the Palace school of making records. It was a time of intense trial by fire education in music and recording and performing.
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BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE
Stop! Harmer Time
Ride Your Fixie Bombay Bicycle Club
Finding themselves in the very common position of being liked and respected, but not quite shifting a proportionate amount of records, British indie pop-rockers Bombay Bicycle Club are making a calculated effort to redress the balance with their third studio album A Different Kind Of Fix. JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD sat down with drummer Suren de Saram ahead of their performance at The Astor Theatre on Wednesday, March 14. One of Britain’s most enduring modern indie acts, Bombay Bicycle Club have always refused to slump into irrelevance, weathering the sneers of rock snobs who dismiss them as twee ironists and remaining unapologetic champions of the joys of pop, allying thrumming beats with timeless songwriting craft to make something moving and lasting out of the allegedly disposable. Their last album, 2010’s Flaws, was acoustic, and was nominated for an Ivor Novello songwriting award. The new one, A Different Kind of Fix, drummer Suren de Saram explains, is nothing like it. “We didn’t feel that we needed to tie this record with the acoustic album, because for us that was just a side project and we didn’t feel that we needed the new one to make sense
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with it,” he says. “All three albums have been pretty different, so there’s no sort of master plan, we just go along with it. Our taste in music is always changing, we’re just trying new things really. [Lead vocalist] Jack [Steadman] was listening to a lot of dance and electro music and learning about building songs around a loop and sampling, cutting and pasting so that inevitably found its way onto the record.” Embracing pop music, while still keeping a sharp edge, the band are hoping their new sound will attract new fans and help them secure funding to keep touring the world, if only for a few more years. “A couple of years ago [guitarist] Jamie [MacColl]’s dad suggested we all take up a trade, become plumbers or something and make some money, but we’re enjoying it too much right now to even be bothered thinking about proper work and careers,” de Saram says. “We’re not delusional, we realise it’s not going to be forever. If we’re honest with ourselves, it’s probably only going to last for a couple more years. Then we’ll probably be forced to find proper non-music jobs or go back to university or something. That’s why we’re putting our all into it while we still have something of a captive audience. We want to keep this thing going for as long as we can.” For now, de Saram says the band are aiming to conquer Australia during their impending tour, although he admits that punters are often perplexed by their live shows. “We play with a lot of energy and movement, but we’re quite quiet people so we don’t talk a lot on stage, we pretty much just get up there and play the songs,” he concludes. “People often find that odd.”
One of the major drawcards of the Perth Festival calendar, Death Cab For Cutie finally bring their Codes & Keys album to Australia and play two sold out shows at Festival Gardens on Friday, February 17, and Saturday, February 18. SIMONE UBALDI chats to bassist Nick Harmer. Looking back over more than a decade in the music industry, Nick Harmer sees a life well lived. While his band has risen to prominence as one of America’s most beloved indie rock mainstays, the Death Cab For Cutie bassist has travelled the world 10 times over. But it’s a small world, he explains, and everywhere he goes, he runs into old friends. “It’s just really exciting to be part of this international community of people, of musicians, where you can sit backstage at a festival on a nice sunny day and have a long conversation with someone about touring and travelling and know that they really understand where you’re coming from. I’ve really come to embrace and enjoy that feeling of camaraderie that you have with people who have chosen to make music with their life,” Harmer says. With the release of their latest project last November, the remix album Keys And Codes, Death Cab have extended their social and professional network even further. Taking tracks from their critically lauded 2011 album Codes And Keys, the band asked an eclectic group of electronic artists to have their way with the Death Cab sound. “We’ve talked about doing something like this for a long time, but for whatever reason, the source material never really seemed like it would lend itself to that kind of project,” Harmer explains.“When we finished Codes And Keys and we could see how the record was made in Logic – sort
Death Cab For Cutie a modular recording process anyway, with parts and pieces clicked together – it seemed pretty natural to unpack that and give it to someone for whom, that’s their forte. We wanted to see what different artists would get excited about and what interpretations they would have with the sounds we created.” Although Codes And Keys itself was a more synth-oriented effort for the guitar-loving quartet, the remix project threw them into radically new waters. They worked with artists including Yeasayer, chameleon-like LA producer Dillon Francis, UK house/hip hop producers The Two Bears and Melbourne’s own Cut Copy, and the results are surprising. With tracks ranging from Pet Shopinspired pop disco to swinging funk to spacious drum’n’bass esoterica, Keys And Codes is nothing if not far away from Death Cab. But just because it isn’t their style, doesn’t mean they can’t appreciate it. “Not every one of the remixes on the EP would be what I consider my favourite thing ever, you know, but the ones that works for me, I love them,” says Harmer.“The thing for me is, while I don’t really listen to a lot of that remix/dance culture of music out of my own aesthetic choice, when these remixes were coming back I was blown away at home much I really did enjoy them. In fact, there’s a couple of remixes, like the Cut Copy one and the Some Boys one, which really showed me the song in a new way. They didn’t feel like something I had been a part of to begin with, and that was a really powerful moment, to be removed enough from the music so that you lose the sense of yourself making it, that was exciting. I think they’re super exciting because I know it came from us but I don’t feel like I’m ever listening to my own band anymore.”
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PARKWAY DRIVE - Luke Kilpatrick
BIGDAYOUT
ARCHITECTURE IN HELSINKI
20 Years In The Making
- Cameron Bird
The Big Day Out is 20 years old! What do you think the BDO means to Australian popular culture? The Big Day Out is the first festival experience for so many kids growing up around Australia. It is by far the most iconic and well known of all the millions of festivals here now. When I was 16 my friend’s mum drove us four hours from the country to go to our first BDO. I still remember spending all my pocket money buying band t-shirts and not having enough money to buy food!
Taking place this Sunday, February 5, in the splendid new location of McCallum Park in Victoria Park, the Big Day Out winds up its 20th anniversary tour. X-Press chats to some of the festival’s stars about their favourite BDO memories.
Have you ever played the BDO before? If so, please tell us about the best BDO set you’ve ever done. When we first started out, we played at the Melbourne Big Day Out in a little shed that smelled like cow dung. Right after us a relatively unknown Kings Of Leon came on - would be interesting to see a graph of our respective careers from that point!
DRAPHT What was the first Big Day Out you ever went to? What do you remember about the day? It was probably 2001. I was an unemployed little hood rat at the time, and I remember sneaking a bottle of Coruba rum in an empty water bottle with the intention of buying cans of Coke throughout the day to mix it with. I went along just to see my friends Downsyde, Matty B and Hunter perform on the Lilypad stage, and I don’t think I left the Lilypad to see one other single act that performed that day. Like many teens, I was a little wanker, caught in my own little world and oblivious to what was actually going on around me. It was probably the first big festival I had witnessed too, all I can remember was the amount of people in attendance, I had only witnessed crowds close to that at the Royal Show, so it was all a little overwhelming. What’s the best BDO set you’ve ever seen? What made it so awesome? It was that same year the Hoods played, in ‘08. Growing up I was a massive Rage Against The Machine fan, as well as every other kid around that era, so the nostalgia value was priceless. Never would have imagined the prospect of seeing them play live after they split in 2000. Energy and the atmosphere around the whole show and festival was fucking incredible, all my friends were there and De La Rocha absolutely smashed it from start to finish. Two bucket list write-offs that year!
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What are you most looking forward to about playing the BDO in 2012? What will you have in store for your set on the day? This is our first BDO tour, so we are all incredibly psyched! Some new costumes, some wild set design, maybe a cover song. These are our last shows for this album in Australia so we intend to go out with a bang!
The Big Day Out is 20 years old! What does the BDO mean to Australia? Big Day Out is Australia’s festival. It always has been and I’m sure it always will be. There’s always huge bands and most importantly, always a huge number of Australian bands. It’s the festival every music lover, hippy, bogan, raver, indie weirdo, Aussie bloke and fat chick can get wasted and have the best day of their lives. I’m sure it’s the yearly highlight for thousands of Aussies with ‘Southern Cross’ tatts. What was the first Big Day Out you ever went to? What do you remember about the day? The first BDO I went to was in ’97 I’m pretty sure. I snuck in a bottle of some cheap alcohol and got maggot for one of the first times in my life. I made out with my best mate’s sister in The Prodigy mosh pit, she was hot. I also remember Fear Factory and their drummer having two kick drums. I couldn’t believe it, that was like the heaviest thing I’d ever seen. I think I was too pissed to remember much more, I vaguely remember The Offspring… I fucking loved them too and I blew it being a drunk loser. What are you most looking forward to about playing the BDO in 2012? What will you have in store for your set on the day? The thing I’m most looking forward to is pretty much being the heaviest band on the bill. So, if it’s not too hot hopefully the bogans will get a bit wild in the pit. I’m stoked we’re playing after Frenzal for once too. We might finally get the last laugh on the talking shit side of things if Winston has his shit together! Other than that we’re going to play a pretty solid set with all those massive radio hits we’ve had.
Drapht plays the Boiler Stage at 3.15pm. Who are you most looking forward to seeing at the BDO this weekend? I’m looking forward to seeing Soundgarden, OFWGKTA, Das Racist, Frenzal Rhomb and Abbe May probably the most. What else is in the pipeline for 2012 for you and your band? The Big Day Out is the end of the touring cycle for this album, so I hope fans can make it to one of these shows because they will be my last for a while, as I will be taking some time out in 2012 to concentrate on a new album.
Architecture In Helsinki play the Converse Green Stage at 6.45pm.
Parkway Drive play the Big Day Out Stage at 1pm.
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FIRST AID KIT Sister Act While First Aid Kit came to wide attention in 2008 with a video dedication to pastoral folk perfecters Fleet Foxes, four years later, the Swedish sister duo have proved more than mere imitators with their own woodsy, folkinfluenced compositions. JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD chatted to the talented twosome ahead of the release of their sophomore LP, The Lion’s Roar. Swedish sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg found global fame four years ago, when the then teenage fans of Fleet Foxes uploaded their cover of Tiger Mountain Peasant Song to YouTube. What began as a fan video became a hit and the start of a career, due to the Soderbergs’ emotionallyarresting vocals. “We recorded the video for fun. We had seen an amazing Fleet Foxes show a couple of days earlier and we made it as a tribute to them,” Johanna says. “We were not expecting it to get many views at all.” Receiving a massive amount of attention in their hometown of Stockholm, the local music industry took the siblings under its belt and, within a short amount of time, their debut LP The Big Black
& The Blue was released, sparking the worldwide folk phenomenon now known as First Aid Kit. The set of woodsy, imagistic folk-rock songs struck a chord with a remarkably broad range of music fans, the likes of whom included Patti Smith (who was bought to tears by their acoustic, closeharmony cover of her 1979 single Dancing Barefoot), Fleet Foxes and Conor Oberst (of Bright Eyes fame), as well as fellow Swedish stars The Knife and Lykke Li. The nimble finger-picking and watertight harmonies showcased on The Big Black & The Blue also led to the sisters courtship by former White Stripes frontman-turned-producer Jack White, who helped craft the songs present on their recently released sophomore LP The Lion’s Roar. “We were on our second US tour playing
First Aid Kit in Nashville, when we unexpectedly got a call from Jack wanting us to come into his studio. We couldn’t believe it. The next day we spent eight intense hours recording in his amazing studio. Everything was completely analogue,” Johanna says. “Working with Jack was surreal.We share a passion for old Americana and he really helped bring out something new in us. He had some of his musician friends come in and play with us and it was the first time we played with a full band in the studio – it all inspired us to have a bigger sound on the new record.” The music press has been quick to characterise First Aid Kit as “neo-folk”, and although the sisters don’t align themselves with the label,
they admit it’s a convenient way to understand their music. “We’re aiming for dreamy, ethereal sounds with a bittersweet effect to it – folk songs with a poppy edge,” Johanna says, with Klara adding that a newfound admiration for Joni Mitchell has led to an increasing emphasis on introspective lyrics: “Blue is an absolute masterpiece – the lyrics are so deeply personal, you really feel like you’re reading her diary,” she says. “Now we’re older and we’ve experienced a lot on the road we want to take more of a personal approach in our songwriting rather than just singing about nature. We’re now singing about things that mean something to us, and it’s a much more rewarding experience.”
Little Roy
LITTLE ROY Jah Nirvana
Elder statesman of reggae Little Roy presents his dub-flavoured tribute to Nirvana, Battle For Seattle, as part of the Perth International Arts Festival on Friday, February 10, at the Festival Gardens. TRAVIS JOHNSON has a word to Roy about this strangest of all genre mashups. There’s reggae music pounding in the background when Little Roy answers the phone in his London home. “Let me just turn down this,” he says, somewhat apologetically, in his rich, honeyed voice, before returning to the subject at hand, which is Battle For Seattle, his album of reggae covers of Nirvana standards. The most pressing question - or at least the most obvious one - is how Little Roy, a reggae veteran of some 40-plus years, came to be involved in such a project? “I would say it wasn’t my idea,” he tells us. “It was the idea of a producer called Mike Pelancoli (also known as Prince Fatty). He offered me to do the work, so I went along with him, and I was grateful to see that the work came out that good and was appreciated by everyone.” The result is an album that avoids relying on tweeness and novelty, instead delivering an uplifting and ultimately reverential take on the music that cliché though it may be - defined a generation. The arrangements retain the hard, raw, emotional core of the original versions, while imbuing them with the hardknock optimism of reggae. Of the process of actually translating Nirvana’s sound to the reggae idiom, Little Roy says, “It was interesting, and it wasn’t that hard, you know? Because reggae’s a thing that, translating a song to reggae... it’s not something that gives that much of a problem. You just need to get that mean chop on the guitar, that reggae chop, and to get a good tempo on it. All the tempo of these songs, they coincided with the Nirvana songs, you know? All the drums that we laid down, it was the same tempo as the Nirvana songs. It wasn’t that hard.” Of course, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen the reggae aesthetic applied to rock standards; Dub Side Of The Moon comes immediately to mind, as does Radiodread, both by The Easy Star All-Stars. But Nirvana is sacred ground to a lot of folks who came up in the ‘90s, and given that Battle’s 2011 release coincided with Nevermind’s 20th anniversary, was there ever a concern about potential backlash from the Cobain faithful? “Some of them, they were unhappy,” Little Roy admits.“But others supported it a lot, because they would see that the songs used to be sad songs to them, but I made them pleasant, and so the songs are more happy sounding songs now. They do appreciate it; a lot of them, they love it, and they show their appreciation.” Indeed, the album’s success has opened up a whole new listening demographic for Little Roy - white people.“Yeah, it’s a lot of new audiences, because when I do reggae shows it would be mostly like - how do we say, black people? But now when I do Nirvana shows, it appeals to a lot of whites.” 18
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Pulled Apart By Horses
PULLED APART BY HORSES
Hung, Drawn & Slaughtered Leeds crew Pulled Apart By Horses dropped their second album, Tough Love, this week on the Transgressive label. BEN WATSON spoke to Rob Lee. Dudes like Rob Lee from Pulled Apart By Horses are always a joy to talk to. Full of energy – talking a mile a minute – one really gets the sense that he could enthuse about music all day and not get bored. It’s pretty relentless. Not surprisingly, this carries over into the band’s music, which sits at what could aptly be described as the ‘rad’ juncture of hardcore punk and riffy indie rock. To get a sense of what I’m talking about, check out their new single and lead track, V.E.N.O.M. Lee reckons it’s going over well with fans. “That was one of the first songs we wrote for this new album,” he explains. “We’ve been playing it live for quite a while now, probably about six or so months. But people seem to be really into it. I think this one bridges the gap quite a lot – from stuff that we did on the first album – to broaden the horizons that we were going for in the second.” The second album, by the way, was recorded with none other than Gil Norton—who you guys might remember from the Pixies’ Doolittle and the Foo Fighters’ The Colour & The Shape, among others. “Oh yeah, it was amazing,” Lee says of the recording experience. “Obviously he’s a hero of ours.
He made some of our all time favourite records. The way it came about? We were on tour, actually, and we were in Prague, and we were watching the Foo Fighters documentary Back & Forth. There’s a scene in there where they talk about Gil Norton, and we just kinda said, like, out of the blue… I think I kinda made it as a joke and said ‘oh, imagine if we got to work with that guy!’. Rather than laughing, everyone just kinda went a bit silent and really thought about it. “The next thing you know we decided to go and ask the record label – being, like, the cheeky bastards that we are – and then they got in touch with him, and he’d heard some of our stuff already, and he was like, ‘yeah, I’d like to work with them’ and it was a big surprise. Really mind-blowing! “We were quite nervous at first because he’s quite infamous. He’s got a reputation. He’s got a real strong work ethic – and [he’s] a bit of a hardarse – but we wanted to work with somebody who was gonna get involved and kick our arses and really raise the bar and make us work hard. He ended up a real lovely guy, and we ended up making mates with him. We hung out with him for a long time. It was a real pleasure making the album. Really cool.” One can imagine! But what can we expect from the album itself? “It’s definitely still us,” he says. “But I guess we’ve grown up as a band. It’s still us, but we’ve really figured out what the band is and animated and exaggerated it and made it a bigger, more powerful version of what we are as a band. It’s just the next step: the quite natural growth process that we’ve been through.
SCOTT KELLY
Known first and foremost as one of the founding members behind Californian experimental greats Neurosis, vocalist and guitarist Scott Kelly has reinvented himself over the past 10 years. Now, armed only with an acoustic guitar, the prolific songwriter will make his debut trip to Australia on the back of his solo material. JESSICA WILLOUGHBY reports ahead of his show at the Civic Hotel on Saturday, February 4. “This is the first time in my life I have been in love and feel equally loved by someone else,” explains Scott Kelly of his current creative mindset. “It has had a big impact on me, just as a human being.” This songwriter is a man, changed. Behind the helm of genre-defying metal outfit Neurosis for more than 25 years, his drive and passion for artistic integrity and creative exploration has helped this Oakland-based musician build a legacy revered and praised by many. Yet there was still something missing, according to Kelly. Looking for new avenues to express this need, he decided to follow a more organic path. One which led him to soul search with only an acoustic guitar and his voice as a guide. That was back in 2001. Now, more than a decade and two albums later, he is finally heading to Australia – but not in the fashion previously expected. “It is a little different, I gotta admit, making my debut over there on my solo material,” Kelly tells X-Press of the upcoming tour.“At the same time, I’ve been to a lot of places, particularly in the eastern parts of Europe, that Neurosis haven’t been to. I’ve found my solo material travels really easily. It’s just me with an acoustic guitar and a backpack, so I’m getting used to being the first guy to break through the wall in many places. But, hopefully, Neurosis will get out there soon.” A juggling act between the reverent and more crushing sides of his career, Kelly has grown accustomed to jumping between his two namesake projects – with the more recent addition of strings for doom-influenced supergroup Shrinebuilder bringing another form of expression to the foray. This process has been amplified in most recent times as Neurosis and Kelly aim for the release of 20
Scott Kelly new material in the coming months. Both nearing completion, the guitarist says writing for both simultaneously revealed how these projects are intrinsically connected. “Basically, everything comes from Neurosis,” he says. “Without Neurosis, there is no solo work. The foundation that was laid with Neurosis; the way we conduct ourselves and handle our business – all transfers directly into my solo material as well.” Although Kelly moved away from discussing the finer details of his upcoming third solo LP, the follow-up to 2008’s The Wake, he points to entering unchartered territory by fleshing out his softer side. “It’s strange; it’s the first time I’ve ever written love songs. In most senses, they are bittersweet. I have a good sense of humour, but I’ve just never been able to let it come through my music. Sometimes I wish it would. But, thankfully, now I can look upon some of the triumphs of my heart and reflect on the love of my family and my kids.” X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
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LANA DEL REY Born To Die Interscope/Universal Music Rarely does any new artist cop as much flack as Lana Del Rey. Appearing from seemingly out of nowhere, her single Video Games was a leftfield hit and now she’s declared she can live up to at least some of hype with Born To Die. Much like her hard to find first album, 2010’s Lizzy Grant A.K.A. Lana Del Rey, the sultry singer blends heartbreak with noir pop and brings it right up to the now with modern day slang and enough gangsta slurs and drug references to earn a ‘Parental Advisory’ sticker, if those things still exist. LDR’s hypnotic voice and doomsday prophecies make tracks like the Billie Holiday rap ditty Off To The Races and cash-praising bittersweet symphony National Anthem destined to stick in your mind for days. But the sizzle quickly turns to fizzle for the second half. There’s only so many tales of getting dressed up all sexy like, getting crunked, and banging some bad boy that one can take. Summertime Sadness and That’s What Makes Us Girls might as well be the same song. While we may not yet know what lies ahead for Miss Del Rey now that the album has finally dropped, at least the overwhelmingly positive Deluxe Edition track Lucky Ones drops the formula and hints that the future may indeed be bright for this young starlet, in more ways than one.
TRENT REZNOR & ATTICUS ROSS The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Soundtrack Mute/EMI With Nine Inch Nails being on a hiatus, Trent Reznor has found himself to be on everybody’s shortlist when it comes to doing soundtrack work. He has already collected an Oscar for his audio accompaniment to The Social Network and the accompanying 3 disc set to David Fincher’s remake of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is an even more ambitious effort. Again teaming up with other NIN member Atticus Ross, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is as to be expected, full of dark and brooding electronic atmospherics. There are moments that border on the frenetic like A Thousand Details that should please old fans as they wouldn’t take too much tweaking to find themselves in the NIN catalogue but for the most part the sound collages are less abrasive. Vocals are trotted out only twice with the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s Karen O offering her characteristic screech to this version of Led Zepplin’s Immigrant Song. Reznor completes the outing with his wife Mariqueen Maandig leading him and Ross through a snail’s pace rendition of Brian Ferry’s Is Your Love Strong Enough. This soundtrack clocks in at close to three hours, making it even longer than the film. Reznor was never one to play second fiddle or do things in moderation, and that is the likely secret to his success.
_MATTHEW HOGAN
_CHRIS HAVERCROFT
MEGADETH Th1rt3en
SHARON VAN ETTEN Tramp Jagjaguwar/Inertia
Roadrunner Records
A palate-cleanser for those of us jaded on the psych-synth and theatrico-folk sounds perpetuating the indie rock genre of late, songstress Sharon Van Etten’s third LP is an exercise in gorgeous restraint. As with previous records, Van Etten’s secret weapon is producer Aaron Dessner, best known as the guitarist/songwriter for iconic indie rock outfit The National. First single Serpents bears the most obvious traces of his influence, revealing itself gradually but surely, building to the inevitable moment when it hits you in the gut. If there is one thing that might be wrong with this album, it is that – with an onslaught of guest spots by the likes of Zach Condon (Beirut), Jenn Wasner (Wye Oak), Matt Barrick (The Walkmen) and Julianna Barwick – it might be too tailor-made for music critics. But Van Etten’s penchant for collaboration is easy to forgive. All the record’s individual elements— the warmth, humanity and musical complexity, the indelible images, the guitar-based rock and classical embellishments—go a certain distance in explaining why Tramp is so good…but they don’t quite explain it. This album, like all great albums, somehow transcends all the factors that makes it work, absorbs them in a seamless whole and breaks your heart in the process. All hail Tramp, the album to beat for the rest of the year.
The dyslexic and literal Megadeth album Th1rt3en marks the thirteenth studio outing from the thrash-metal veterans nearly 30 years since their inception. After years of chopping and changing band members, Dave Mustaine seems to be at peace. David Ellefson is back on guitar, anyone who saw their No Sleep Til Perth show will testify how amazing that is, and Mustaine has made up with Metallica and played alongside them for the first time in years. One thing they have not managed, however, is recapturing the essence of the seminal Rust In Peace and Peace Sells ... But Who’s Buying albums. In the three albums since Megadeth released comeback album The System Has Failed with an all-new line-up they’ve stuck with a heavier traditional thrash sound, with Th1rt3en being no different. Opener Sudden Death is gut-punch of thrash goodness that could fit perfectly in their early back-catalogue and be considered a classic. After the similarly exhilarating Public Enemy No.1 album bogs down like most of their recent work as the songs become suddenly unremarkable. Mustaine’s still at his snarling best, but lyrically he lack punch. New World Order and Millennium Of The Blind are notable and excellent inclusions, previously appearing as b-sides on earlier remastered albums.Easily their best album since 1990’s Rust In Peace, they still have a way to go to reach those heights again.
_JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD
_BRENDAN HOLBEN
ELK BELL Superfragilistic
FRIGHTENERS Self Titled
Independent
Independent
Tennile Elkins may be known to many as the voice down the end of the phone at APRA helping local artists to get their hands on any royalties that are owing, or they may have seen her with the band Red Delicious, but it is her step into the world of a solo performer as Elk Bell that is her greatest contribution to date. It can’t hurt a slightly quirky acoustic guitar brandishing indie-folk songstress to have bookish spectacles and flowing dark ringlets – and it certainly doesn’t in Elk Bell’s case, but that should in no way detract from the strength of tunes on her debut Superfragilistic. There is a ample breathing space in songs like Holiday Island and Sway that have the charming vocals of Elkins come across like a more refined Amber Fresh (Rabbit Island). A Little Cold Outside finds Elkins fleshing out a tune with bass and drums to put her pop chops to the test with ease. The most immediate number though is the sweet handclap augmented I’ll Love You If You Love Me, which is blessed with a chorus harder to shake than a Jehovah’s Witness. Superfragilistic may be a somewhat understated affair, but Elk Bell delivers likeable songs about love with a healthy dose of regret for good measure.
It is interesting to note how musical “scenes” develop. Even in a relatively small city like Perth, bands share bills, swap influences and gradually develop a unified sound. Local quintet Frighteners fit nicely into the Perth garage rock tradition, best exemplified by the Novocaines and early Gyroscope. This is not to be reductive, Frighteners inclusion of synths and veiled layers of noise helps give them a distinct voice without abandoning the scene’s shared conventions. Garage rock is a live genre of broad brushstrokes and high energy. Invariably, some of this energy is lost in recording. There is a Pixieesque dynamic on Frighteners’ debut EP which one senses would be more visceral in performance. It is the gentler, more deftly composed sections of the EP that hold up best in the format. Fade opens with lo-fi drums and fragile glockenspiel and the diminished arpeggios of Lenore provide a nicely unexpected harmonic turn. Frighteners describe their own sound as “rock music without orthodoxy.” This is not wholly accurate. Frighteners belong to a well established musical lineage. They don’t do anything wildly original but what they do, they do with confidence, conviction and just enough sonic invention to warrant them a niche in the Perth garage rock scene.
_CHRIS HAVERCROFT _HENRY ANDERSEN 22
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LEONARD COHEN Old Ideas Columbia Music legend Leonard Cohen last studio offering was 2004’s Dear Heather and since then he has re-ignited old fans and made new ones with a series of sell-out world tours. Long-time fans of Leonard have had the pleasure of hearing him grow old, with every release showing him grow more and more in to his deep, trademark voice. Old Ideas opens with the beautifully personal and stripped back Going Home. A rewarding song where Cohen describes, from my interpretation, being on the road for the last few years. The music itself has more blues influence, such as tracks Darkness and Anyhow, than his previous work. To me it’s a great fit and gets me closer to my secret dream of a Tom Waits produced Cohen album. Leonard’s music has seen a slow and steady progression over his many years recording and it’s not until you put Songs Of Love And Hate and The Future right next to each other that you really see the evolution of his style. And in that way Old Ideas is a nicely placed stone next to Dear Heather, the natural step in his line-up. For Cohen fans this album doesn’t need any selling points; Old Ideas is the warm, familiar coat that you were hoping for. Put it on, chill out and enjoy. _TOM VARIAN
THE TIGER AND ME The Silent City
SLEIGH BELLS – Comeback Kid (Liberator) Dominated by off-kilter drums and queasy synths, Comeback Kid is a flawless exercise in arty pop subversion. Noise-pop purveoys Sleigh Bells toys with the listener, enchanting with their mellifluousness and easy melodies, before unleashing bursts of guitar static and a frenzied synth coda. Their approach is confident and challenging, but not arch –like the best art, Comeback Kid lets you know that it means something, though what the point is as much open to interpretation as it is a matter of its authors’ intentions, which is how it should be. BON IVER – Towers (Jagjaguwar) After year of a sophomore set release, first-time Grammy nominations, being propelled up outlets’ yearend lists and a video-laden re-release, Bon Iver is already making a big plans for 2012, starting with the release of an intensely lovely, but essentially conservative single in Towers. Although the song builds to an elemental psych-country crescendo, this eclecticism comes across more self-indulgent than endearing. KAISER CHEIFS – On The Run (Liberator) There’s a lot of bluster and enthusiasm on unapologetic Britpopsters Kaiser Chiefs new single, but it’s a real struggle to identify much in the way of true substance. The harder the music hammers, the flatter the lyrics get and it all becomes pretty tedious, pretty quickly. Avoid. Like the plague.
Independent The Silent City is the second in a series of three recordings put out by Melbourne folk sextet The Tiger and Me, following on from the critically acclaimed The Howling Fire in July 2011. Suitably committed to the warmth of analogue tape, the new recordings represent an organic evolution for the band, infusing more indie and classic pop influences into their signature sound. Although The Tiger and Me’s chosen tools of delivery – vocals, piano and guitar – still remain front and centre, the surrounding arrangements and instrumentation have become more intricate and detailed, thanks in no small part to the influence of indie producer Myles Mumford, whose delicate orchestrations and subtle production touches serve to highlight – rather than take attention from – the sparse nature of their songs. The Silent City also sees the band augmenting their number, with guest musicians from the Melbourne classical scene adding flourishes on oboe, trombone, trumpet, violin and cello. In addition, swing sisters The Nymphs have also contributed their luscious vocal harmonies to the set. Elegiac by intent, the record is awash in poignancy and there’s a palpable sense of introspective reflection about much of the record. In particular, the sad vulnerability of frontwoman Jane Hendry’s intimate vocals is accentuated by the unrequited longing and regretful resignation which are bound into the lyrics of Red Road. Beguiling. _JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD
SEER CYA Prohibition Independent Local boys Seer Cya describe themselves unashamedly as “balls out rock” which is what you can expect from their debut album Prohibition. The album is interestingly titled as Seer Cya are completely unprohibited when it comes to pure rock, thrashing guitar solos and energetic performances. The four piece rock outfit are no strangers to the Perth live scene and have finally decided to record their originals after 18 months doing shows around town. It’s paid off for them as Prohibition is as hard as they come. There are no hidden messages within Cya’s songwriting, no overproduction and overcompression to make the group sound “more hardcore”. Al Capone is a drink served straight up with its own face-melting guitar solo. Bitter Ones is a rock and punk affair, fast paced and in your face including required guitar solo. Hurricane is sexy and simultaneously cruel, with a wah-wah guitar solo which is teasing but so seductive. Just to prove that Seer Cya is about pure rock there is a single softer track. What It Means is a mellower number with unadulterated electric guitar and plenty of vocal reverb on lead singer Ryan Treby’s voice to show they care. Plenty of tasty guitar solos take the centre stage on Prohibition and if you like your rock well-done then Seer Cya is for you. _CHELA WILLIAMS
BLEEDING KNEES CLUB – Nothing To Do (iohyou) An espresso-rush of hooks and harmonies, sneeringpunk duo Bleeding Knees Club confuse sincerity with banality, and sweetness with sap, making for a single that’s not quite as nonchalant and breezy as it ought to be. The battle between noise and melody veers from scary to hilarious. Indeed, listening to this single there’s a sense that the twosome are trying to pass off a lack of ability as some kind of artistic statement. INJURED NINJA - Superluminessence (Independent) Local experimental rockers Injured Ninja have brought their dark and twisted sounds to the fore once more on new single Superluminessence. This fucker has enough raw power to burn all vegetation to the sky: smoke stacks as high as the stratosphere will surely rain their funk dust on the inhabitants of all galaxies with ears. _JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD
BY THE NUMB3RS MOST PLAYED SONGS ON TRIPLE J 2011 (RANKING ON HOTTEST 100 2011) 1. FOSTER THE PEOPLE - Helena Beat (15) 2. ARCHITECTURE IN HELSINKI - Contact High (12) 3. SEBASTIAN - Embody (Did Not Rank) 4. SAVAGE SKULLS - Bad Gal (Did Not Rank) 5. GOLD FIELDS - Treehouse (Did Not Rank) 6. NEW NAVY - Zimbabwe (67) 7. THE GO! TEAM - Buy Nothing Day (Did Not Rank) 8. REDCOATS - Dreamshaker (76) 9. STONEFIELD - Black Water Rising (62) 10. EMMA-LOUISE - Jungle (23)
ELLIOT SMITH Roman Candle Long before the inclusion of Miss Misery on the Good Will Hunting soundtrack set Smith up for a flurry of fame in 1997, his first release came about when his girlfriend at the time convinced him to send a tape of “the most recent eight songs that [he’d] recorded on borrowed four-tracks and borrowed guitar” to Oregan indie label Cavity Search Records. It was obvious even then to the label’s owner Christopher Cooper that Smith was not just some makeweight indie slacker, with Cooper immediately requesting to release the entire album of songs as Smith’s debut Roman Candle. Revealing how thoughtful and meticulously pretty Smith’s songwriting was, there’s a sad, clean sweetness that comes through on these intimate early recordings, despite the occasional bit of tape hiss and intermittently tinny chords. _JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD
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SWINGERS
Celebrating the iconic music of performers such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Chet Baker, the upcoming Kings Of Swing show will take centre stage at the Don Russell Performing Arts Centre later this month, breathing new life into classic tunes. Featuring live music from James Flynn and the Fly Little Big Band, the show will take place on Saturday, February 18, revising old favourites that are sure to get punters up and dancing. Tickets are on sale now from gosnells.wa.gov.au.
BANK ON IT
Banks Reserve in Mt Lawley will be transformed into an outdoor cinema come Sunday, February 12, when the Vincent Film Project combines forces with the team from Live In The Park, for an evening of free, family-friendly entertainment right next to the river. Kicking off at 5pm with a performance by Paul Gioia, followed with a set by Ruby Boots, the cinematic portion of the evening will kick off at 8pm with screenings of four short films set in the Town of Vincent, including Picnic, Young Heart, Dive 220 and The Monastery. Afterwards The King’s Speech will be projected up onto the big screen. Find out more at vincent.wa.gov.au.
RAW SKILL IT’S A KINDA MAGIC
Adam & Selina
They’ve sold out shows in huge theatres across the globe and this February, young illusionists Adam & Selina will touch down in Perth to mesmerize audiences with their Masters Of Illusion showcase. Spectacular, slick and thoroughly entertaining, the show has to be seen to be believed, so don’t miss your chance when Masters Of Illusion hits the Regal Theatre on Saturday, February 11. Bookings via Ticketek.
Dirk Darrow
DIRK THE DETECTOR
Hailing from the US, funnyman Dirk Darrow turns the traditional standup format on its head, asking audiences to join him on a film noir journey deep into a murder mystery case in his Fringe World show, NCSSI. Fresh from selling out shows at the Edmonton Fringe Festival in Canada, Dirk is headed to Perth to astonish audiences with his detective skills with a run at The Treasury Cabaret from Thursday, February 2, ’til Tuesday, February 7. Bookings can be made via fringeworld.
Think you’ve got what it takes to transform an audience of strangers into a room full of laughing fans? Then listen up, because entries are now open for the 2012 RAW Comedy competition. Our nation’s most prestigious comedy competition, RAW pits amateur against amateur to find Australia’s latest and greatest stand up star. Previous winners include Chris Lilley, Josh Thomas and Peter Helliar, so the caliber of entrants is pretty darn high! Hit up rawcomedy.com.au to find out how you can get involved.
Elektra
ELEKTRA
Aching For Revenge Richard Strauss’ Elektra, presented by West Australian Opera, ThinIce, Perth International Arts Festival and Opera Australia, will run at His Majesty’s Theatre on February 8, 11 and 14. Bookings can be made through BOCS. Richard Strauss’ Elektra is a gripping, terrifying, assaulting and haunting tempest of passion and revenge, peering into the tormented mind of a young girl who longs for vengeance. Agonisingly exquisite, this roller coaster through the human psyche brings a light to the depths of its protagonist’s soul, in a flood of relentless adrenaline. The West Australian Opera’s decision to stage this is a brave one: Elektra is complex and challenging, far from the comfort of a Mozart or Puccini aria. It is not an opera that is performed often – this is only its second run ever in Australia – the first in over 30 years. The orchestration is massive, and the demands on the singers, particularly the role Elektra (played by Danish soprano Eva Johannson), are intense; one of the reasons for its performance scarcity. Yet despite this, Elektra is not alienating, but rather, exhilarating. “It’s relentless, and once it starts, it’s like a roller coaster,” says director Matt Lutton.“It’s like a race – it starts with an enormous scale and it doesn’t end. I mean you don’t come away singing the melodies from it, but you do come away with a huge adrenaline kick. And there is also an absolute incredible beauty in it.” Lutton has relished the opportunity to explore the mindset of Elektra, a character who personifies a passionate lust for vengeance. She sees the torments of her world – her father murdered and her city cursed – and she aches for their retribution, so much so that it ultimately brings about her demise. “I was always interested in creating a production that was very much about the psyche of Elektra, and about trying to access her inner thoughts, sort of creating a huge space that sort of reflects the obsession of her mind,” he says. “This is a version where every note that the orchestra plays, and every sort of image we see on stage, is something that has been bred or hallucinated or is sort of falling out of Elektra.” Planning for Elektra has understandably been several years in the making. A part of the 2012 Perth Festival, it has attracted both home-grown and international artists. “This is a piece that started in idea three or four years ago,” Lutton says. “I certainly think it’s a celebration of sort of local, national and international artists coming together.” It is not often an opportunity like this with artists of this calibre perform such an exquisite and rarely tackled work. Unless you look outside the state or even the country, it is unlikely that an opportunity to see Elektra will arise again in the foreseeable future. Perth, do yourself a favour: go and experience this opera. _LEAH BLANKENDAAL 26
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
Man On A Ledge
MAN ON A LEDGE Jump
Directed by Asger Leth Starring Sam Worthington, Elizabeth Banks, Jamie Bell, Ed Harris, Genesis Rodriguez WA raised Sam Worthington has been at the epicentre of some seriously big multiplex monsters over the past few years - Terminator: Salvation, Clash Of The Titans, Avatar - to varying degrees of critical acclaim, but pretty much universal box office success. Those were all high concept pictures, though, with the characters coming a distant second to the on-screen spectacle. So the question is, can Worthington hold his own in a smaller, more character-based movie? Will the crowds come for the man, and not the magic? If the quality of Man On A Ledge is anything to judge by, the answer is a resounding “Dear god, no.” although, to be fair, it’s not really Worthington’s fault. Apart from his now expected inability to disguise his Aussie accent, he does fairly well as the titular Man, and - credit where credit’s due - the Ledge also gives strong support. It’s just everything else that lets the side down. It’s a shame, because it all starts so promisingly when Worthington’s character - who we later learn is ex-cop and escaped felon Nick Cassidy - checks into his hotel, has a lavish meal, and then steps out of the window. It’s clear that suicide isn’t on the cards here; Nick has an agenda, as evidenced by his insistence that his negotiation be handled specifically by the hard-living Lydia Mercer (Elizabeth
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Banks, essaying the kind of burnt-out cop on the edge usually reserved for male actors) and the fact that, simultaneous to Nick’s crowd-pulling high-rise stroll, his brother Joey (Jamie Bell), with his girlfriend Angie (Genesis Rodriguez) in tow, is breaking into a building owned by sinister one percenter David Englander (Ed Harris, who’s way too good for this nonsense). It’s simple, robust, intriguing stuff, but it promises so much more than it delivers, instead serving up a 100-odd minutes of increasingly absurd and implausible plot complications without ever engaging the audience enough to make the suspension of disbelief kick in. We’ve seen this kind of material so many times, and handled so much better, that the key enjoyment to be drawn from the film is picking up on which earlier movies it’s riffing on. A surprisingly solid supporting cast - Kyra Sedgwick, Edward Burns, Anthony Mackie, Titus Welliver, and even B-grade veteran William Sadler - do good work to little effect, so poorly served are they by a script that feels like it was written by committee, and then rewritten again on the set. By the time the ostensibly stirring but largely predictable climax rolls around, any goodwill the terse setup had engendered is squandered. Worthington has described Man On A Ledge as the type of movie he likes to watch, and indeed was instrumental in getting the project greenlit. While we can’t fault him for his enthusiasm and work ethic, maybe from here on in he should try letting someone else pick the scripts; this one’s a turkey. _TRAVIS JOHNSON
Sam Worthington stars in Man On A Ledge
SAM WORTHINGTON On the Edge
“In the first script they had him get down off the ledge about halfway through. I said, ‘Mate, it’s called Man On A Ledge, not Man In A Park!’.” Sam Worthington laughs good-naturedly something he does a lot. We’re talking about his latest film, the New York-set action thriller Man On A Ledge, which sees the boy from Rockingham take a break from slaying monsters and liberating aliens to essay the part of Nick Cassidy, a wrongly convicted cop who takes desperate measures to clear his name. It’s a definite change of pace, albeit not a deliberate one. Whereas other actors might apply some strategy to their role selection - one for the paycheque, one for the Academy, one for fun - Worthington prefers a more laissez faire approach. “It’s a case by case basis,” he explains.“I don’t plan my career. A career is something that happens in retrospect. You look back over what you’ve done and go, ‘Well, I guess that’s a career’.” In this particular case, Worthington wanted to make what describes as “A Friday night movie. Something I’d like to see. Something I’d be happy to pay my 18 bucks for.” When the script landed on his desk, Worthington, having found the project he was looking for, used his ascendant star power to convince legendary producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura to bankroll the film. Before the cameras rolled, though, Worthington helped shape the story to his own specifications, jettisoning some subplots and
heightening others. For example, when it came to the relationship between his character and his brother, played by Jamie Bell (Tintin), the dynamic didn’t ring true. “I thought, let’s have brothers who fight and bicker,” he says.“Because that’s what real brothers do.” Worthington is also proud of the work of director Asger Leth, who makes his feature fiction debut after a career spent largely in the documentaries. “As a director he kind of just lets the camera run. He’s an observer when it comes to his documentaries, and he used that same style when we were making the movie. There’s a nervousness that comes from any movie, let alone one of this size and scope for a first time guy, but you just stand by him. He wasn’t trying to overshadow the movie by being a whizz-bang director, he just wanted to tell the story the best way he could.“ Despite his stateside success, with sequels to Clash Of The Titans and Avatar looming, Worthington has no plans to abandon the Australian industry, with a number of local projects in various stages of development or production, including WA surfing drama Drift. “Coming back here to make a movie,” he muses. “You still have to play by the same rules as everybody else. It doesn’t matter how much collateral you got, it’s still hard to make a movie in this country. I’ve been trying to get this biopic together of this guy we all know in Australia, and it’s been a process of going through the right channels and finding the right collaborators. It’s a different beast, making a movie in Australia than anywhere else.” _TRAVIS JOHNSON
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Underworld: Awakening
The Artist
THE ARTIST Silent Cinema
Directed by Michel Hazanavicius Starring Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo and John Goodman Let’s get the plot out of the way: a leading man in the silent era of films deals with the advent of the dreaded ‘Talkies’. Love, chaos and action ensue. The Artist is the brainchild of French auteur Michael Hazanavicius who has not only made a film about the silent era in Hollywooodland, but has actually made, well, a silent film. Yes there’s music, but no dialogue. At 100 minutes it would be fair to say even the most eager cinephile would be wary at the prospect of sitting through this, but in truth, this is a remarkable film told with incredible craft which hits some very powerful notes throughout. It is entertaining, engaging and at times downright mesmerising. Among its many strengths, The Artist enjoys two captivating leads - Jean Dujardin, another Frenchman who plays the devilish swash buckling charmer to perfection and the Argentinian Bérénice Bejo who plays the female lead - cast into accidental stardom with the spunk of Rosalind Russel and the heart of Betty Davis. The world that is recreated in Los Angeles in the ’20s and ’30s will be very familiar for fans of early Cagney, Ed Robinson and of course the silent kings - Charlie Chaplain and Buster Keaton, as early film
history is nodded to wonderfully throughout the picture. It should be remembered just how hard a thing like this is to pull off. To captivate a 21st century audience with a black and white film without any dialogue, little sound effects and zero nudity is no easy feat. Apparently Woody Allen wanted to make a silent film when he was putting together his time traveller comedy Sleeper (1973) but the powers that be and perhaps Woody himself backed out of the idea once they realised how much work it was going to be. The physical humour is quite exceptional in The Artist and is at times very subtle. A set piece where the female lead romantically involves herself with a tuxedo jacket is particularly well done, although it may have benefitted from including more of these vaudeville inspired slap stick routines that made the likes of Chaplain and Keaton’s movies so endearing. There is the briefest lag midway where the momentum stalls ever so slightly but otherwise The Artist holds you tight. This film hopefully will do a few things for film makers around the world, who frankly should be ashamed of themselves for the laziness of their productions. The dialogue that’s packed into the overlong, fast talking, curse word induced finger paintings of pictures that passes for cinema today in the likes of the buddy/wedding/ horrible bosses-esque genres could learn many many things from The Artist. Go see it, it will leave you speechless. _ADAM MORRIS
UNDERWORLD: AWAKENING
The True Blood Vampire Diaries Directed by Måns Mårlind & Björn Stein Starring Kate Beckinsale, Michael Ealy, India Eisley, Charles Dance For the unfamiliar, the Underworld series focuses on a world where vampires and werewolves (Lycans) are very real and have been warring for generations. Selene (Kate Beckinsale) is a Death Dealer, an elite vampire soldier who hunts down Lycans wearing the tightest clothes known to man. In the previous Underworld pictures Selene became a hybrid of vampire and Lycan blood, giving her more strength and the ability to walk in the sun light without burning up. Fourth time ‘round, is this vamp starting to lose her icy cool? And does she still have a fetish for form fitting, plastic clothes? Yes and most definitely yes. While she still has a Matrix-like fetish for plastic, her shtick of seeking revenge with an infinite supply of bullets is definitely wearing thin. Awakening kicks off six months after the events in Evolution, starting fresh with only Kate Beckinsale returning to the series to resume her role as Death Dealer Selene. Humans have started publicly hunting supernatural beings, trying to purge the “infected” from society. While trying to escape the city, Selene is captured by armed forces and her love Michael is ripped from her hands. Cut to 12 years later
and Selene wakes up in a lab, inside a cryogenic coffin. Someone has freed her and she makes her way out of the facility and in to a different world to the one she left 12 years earlier. Lycans have been all but wiped out and humans patrol the streets fighting vampires. If it’s a world that sounds familiar, that’s because it is. The makers of Underworld have been sued by numerous game developers, filmmakers and authors whose tales are also set in fantasy worlds. But supernatural and mythical creatures have obviously seen a massive resurgence lately, and like goblins and elves the idea of these supernatural creatures warring is old hat. Underworld has never added anything ground-breaking to the equation but it doesn’t try to. It’s just a movie about quick, agile vampires shooting and ripping apart hairy, dumb Lycans. And in that way, Awakening is an okay addition to the franchise. Curiously, directors Måns Mårlind and Björn Stein didn’t seize the opportunity to touch on how the world had changed since the supernatural creatures had been publicly outed, which would have given the film an added dimension. The concept is vaguely addressed, with Selene breaking in to a gun store to find silver bullets for Lycan defense on display, but mostly the world itself feels like a series of different studio sets and CGI laden sequences, with no real depth at all. Still, Underworld has never claimed to be anything more than a fun, action franchise so its vapid story and underwhelming characters are par for the course. Switch your mind off, don’t try to count how many bullets each gun can hold or the motivations behind each character, and you might enjoy the ride. Its visual effects and action sequences are largely done well and should entertain action movie fans. Just don’t think. _TOM VARIAN
Weekend
WEEKEND
Boy Meets Boy Directed by Andrew Haigh Starring Tom Cullen, Chris New Writer/director Andrew Haig’s debut feature sees a departure from some of the heightened qualities of queer cinema in favour of affecting naturalism. In fact, it’s as much a genuine character drama, as a queer film, and has all the proponents of a love story with wide appeal. Weekend opens with Russell (Tom Cullen), a gay lifeguard, leaving a friend’s drunken party in Nottingham, England. In obvious need of a break from his straight friends’ frivolity, he swings by a gay bar on his way home. It’s there that this introverted, gentle soul, meets Glen (Chris New), a confident artistic type, who’s not adverse to confronting people - particularly when his sexuality comes under fire. When their one night stand turns into conversation, more hanging out, drug taking and sex - the two realise they’ve slipped into something far more profound. There are so many directions this story could take - but despite the typical opposition they face from certain pockets of society, and their need to be honest about their sexuality (and not feel that they should hide it) - the film never descends into gay hate crime territory, violence or dramatic drug overdose episodes. Haigh has deliberately focused on the intricacies of these characters - and the 28
external stuff is almost immaterial to the immersive experience of watching their relationship unfold. The effect of shooting the picture in real-time realism brings the audience member into the room, and progressively closer to the intimate circle. K n o w i n g t h a t G l e n h a s t o l e ave Nottingham gives this relationship a sense of carefree abandon. The characters’ coke fuelled chats are revealing, and, at times, funny depictions of two people meandering through life, and grappling with the turmoil of connection, identity, and fleeting love. The dialogue and visuals evade the common traps of romantic films, and renege on the cheese - saving us from witnessing anything squeamish or forced. You can accurately assume there isn’t a whole lot of action, and the soundscape is minimal (we only hear what the characters hear). So much of Weekend’s momentum hinges on the quality of the screenplay and acting, which is by all accounts a risky venture in our current film climate. Fortunately, Cullen and New, both stage actors and relative newcomers to film, have a convincing onscreen chemistry, and give performances exacting the director’s utterly disarming script. Partly inspired by Haigh’s various personal experiences, Weekend’s authenticity is heartfelt and refreshing. It’s clearly not intended to be a radical work, and makes no attempts to drill out gay politics or isolate its viewers. It plays out languidly, gently opening the eyes of it’s audience to love’s pain of absence, which is undoubtedly, a universal condition. _EMMA D’ORAZIO X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
VISUAL ARTS Beautiful War: Moores Building, Fremantle In 5,600 years of recorded human history, 14,600 wars have been documented. Has its ubiquity normalised the state of war or is war itself the problem? Perhaps it is a primordial force, an archetype. What is it that attracts men to war? Artist Peter Ellis has become increasingly fascinated over the past decade with the nature of war, as expressed in its objects and occasions. Ellis depicts military objects and events, which exist in a world adrift of real time. Runs Feb 3-19. Spaced: Art Out Of Place: Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle Spaced: Art Out Of Place explores the relationship between globalisation and local identity with imaginative and stimulating works in sculpture, photography, painting, installation and multimedia. The culmination of a two year cycle of residencies, this ground breaking project involved 21 Australian and international artists and collectives spending time in 16 regional Western Australian communities to consider their social and physical environments. The results are surprising and provocative. Runs Feb 4-Mar 11. U-Ram Choe: John Curtin Gallery, Bentley Korean artist U-Ram Choe charts a path between art and science with exquisitely engineered forms reminiscent of otherworldly flora and fauna. Runs Feb 2-Mar 2. The Unknown By The More Unknown: OK Gallery, Northbridge In his first solo exhibition, The Unknown By The More Unknown, David Egan presents a charismatic constellation of paintings and objects examining pop culture mysteries and vernacular theories - in which established methods of knowing are hijacked and subverted by the incurably curious - investigating the infinite potential of interpretation and understanding in cultural communication. Runs from Feb 15Mar 18.
THEATRE/DANCE Polly’s Waffle: The Treasury West Wing, Perth Polly’s Waffle is edgy, provocative theatre for those who like their entertainment dark and risqué. It’s an ultra-black, high-impact comedy dealing with female lust and gluttony and uses explicit language and bawdy humour to explore the link between sexual anorexia and gluttony, and the anorexia and gluttony we more commonly associate with food. Season runs from Feb 2-7. Bookings via fringeworld.com.au. Checkout - The Musical: Treasury Postal Hall, Perth Welcome to Super Savings, a local supermarket that brings you more! Run by six hopeless misfits completely unaware of their own peculiarities. When their beloved store manager Yasmin is murdered, everyone is a suspect, but who done it? Was it Vince the footy obsessed deli boy; the psychic Fruit stacker Rhys; Wendy the animal loving vegetarian; the food loving Italian Conchetta; the flirty Tiffany or the lovably confused foreigner Alexei? Season runs from Feb 2-8. Bookings via fringeworld.com.au. Hand Painted Legs: Spiegeltent, Perth At the heart of Australia’s underground performance set, Perth’s prized powder-keg performance collective Voix De La Ville presents their latest incarnation Hand Painted Legs, an homage to avant garde, from the waist down. The three word title is a marriage of words, when independently used, are vital tools of translation for performance. When used together they form an adornment or ornament of a contemporary nature. Iconic 1920s silent film star Clara Bow wore hand-painted legs, in public, on the Hollywood social circuit. Like Bow, avant garde adornment accompanies Voix De La Ville on a journey of theatre art, drag, burlesque, cabaret and spoken word. Taboo breakers sure to titillate and intrigue! Performance takes place on Feb 9. Bookings via fringeworld.com.au. 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 Parton. Winner of The Blue Room Theatre’s Best Production Award, Hope Is The Saddest is an unmissable play about three loners whose lives crash together in a pool of blood.Marion has inherited a mansion and moved out of the suitcase she grew up in. Theo is a wouldwww.xpressmag.com.au
Shot by Donna Simpson Shot: Feast Your Eyes Gallery, Fremantle After playing in folk band The Waifs for 20 years, Donna Simpson has recently moved back to Fremantle, revealing her other creative passion - photography. With a camera in one hand and the road at her feet Simpson shot her way all over the world; Indonesia, Thailand, Australia and North America. She shares with us an intimate view of her ‘on the road’ life. Runs Feb 3-16.
7 by Edwin Not So Fantastic Now: Bar 399, Northbridge A West Australian artist whose work often deals with the trickery of suburban ideals and the distance between objects and experience, Edwin, aka Keir Ralph, will open his debut solo exhibition at Bar 399 next week. The paintings and drawings that Edwin makes are a testimony to the artist’s innate questioning and critiquing of the world around him. Exhibition opens on Feb 7.
be inventor working on his first masterpiece. Hope is a vibrant optimist set to win over the homosexual love of her life with the music of Dolly Parton. Season runs from Feb 7-11. Bookings via pica.org.au. Standing Bird: PICA Performance Space, Perth Sally Richardson is proud to present the world premiere of Standing Bird, a dynamic dance/film/ theatre collaboration between West Australia’s leading independent artists. In a bravura solo performance by Jacqui Claus, one of the State’s most exciting young dancers, Standing Bird spirals the audience into an experience of submersion, dislocation, isolation and transformation. Season runs from Feb 7-12. Bookings via fringeworld.com.au. A Complete History Of Zack Adams: The Treasury Cabaret, Perth Ever since he first appeared in the year two nativity play, Zack Adams knew he was destined for greater things. A Complete History Of Zack Adams is a comedic coming-of-age story about the quest for superstardom and Zack’s slow rise to the middle of mediocrity as he slowly learns that being a superfamous actor is actually going to be really hard work. Season runs from Feb 12-14. Bookings via fringeworld.com.au. The Ballad Of The Unbeatable Hearts: Perth Town Hall, Perth We hear about our brave war heroes who die in combat yet the news never tells us of the conflict at home that claims more lives. We give to charities that support sick people far away but are uneasy when confronted with troubled teens at home. What would happen if we saved these brilliant young men and women? If we harnessed their talents and energy? What if we gave them a reason or a focus? What can we learn from religious extremists? They find vulnerable young people and brainwash them to blow people up. What if someone helped and encouraged them to go out and do good in the world? Season runs Feb 13-18. Bookings via fringeworld.com.au. Walk In Dirt: PICA Performance Space, Perth Accompany AWGIE Award-winning playwright and actor Stephen House on a dangerously beautiful walk into a beautifully dangerous world as he brings his solo show Walk In Dirt to The Blue Room Theatre. In 2000, Junction Theatre Company (SA), Leigh Warren and Dancers SA commissioned four writers around Australia to create a new work that shows what it’s like being in their body. House’s monologue was then developed into a stand-alone one man show – Walk In Dirt. Season runs from Feb 14-19. Bookings via pica.org.au.
Captain Ruin stars in One Night Stand One Night Stand: The Treasury Mess Hall, Perth Direct from a daring escape out of a Turkish prison, Captain Ruin debuts in Perth with an exciting new cabaret show. Spend a riotous evening with your friendly neighbourhood anarchist, as he takes you through politics, punch lines and prisons with characteristic charm and a ferocious wit. In One Night Stand this larger than life figure shares his stories and sets his sights on social order, presenting a handful of circus and cabaret routines chosen at random by the audience. The result is the perfect One Night Stand – fun, unique, and a little bit dirty. Season runs from Feb 4-7. Bookings via fringeworld.com.au. 29
Frisky & Mannish
FRISKY & MANNISH’S POP CENTRELINK Hip Hooray For Cabaret
Frisky & Mannish’s Pop Centrelink takes over The Spiegeltent from February 5-18. Bookings can be made via fringeworld.com.au. Cabaret superstars Frisky & Mannish, aka Laura Corcoran and Matthew Jones, have just woken up to a grey London morning when X-Press calls, and it’s obvious that the dynamic duo can’t wait to get back down to sunny WA with their new show Frisky & Mannish’s Pop Centrelink. “Loved it, loved it, loved it! It was so good,” Jones enthuses when asked how he and Frisky found their first visit to Perth in 2011. One of the headline acts of the inaugural Fringe World festival, Frisky & Mannish received rave reviews last time they were in town, so they’re keen to come back and see if they can wow audiences once more. “Fringe World is definitely our favourite Australian event that we’ve done,” Jones continues. “Luckily we were blessed with a great venue – a
Spiegeltent always makes a show more special. Because it was the first Fringe World everyone was excited and the audiences were so into it. More so than Edinburgh Fringe, which is huge. Edinburgh Fringe has been going for so long that people leave Edinburgh to avoid it because it’s such a big beast. But in Perth we felt a happiness and excitement from the locals.” Opting to spend January away from the stage, Corcoran and Jones have been working on new material and can’t wait to get back into the spotlight. Jones explains, “January for us is a writing month; we’re hardly doing any gigs at all. Our first major gig in 2012 is Perth, which is really exciting for you and for us, hopefully! We’re really trying to broaden our media presence because last year was a big big big year for touring and upping the scale of our live show. It was our third live show and we’ve been shlepping around the UK over the last few years and now we’re looking into seeing what else we can do, like podcasts, radio and maybe some TV.” “As much as we’d love to say ‘right we’ll start at 10am and work ’til 6pm and it will be lovely’ we can spend the first three hours looking into our cup of tea going ‘yeah…Did you see the last episode of East Enders?’,” Corcoran laughs when asked about their not-so-disciplined writing process. “If the mojo isn’t there, if the ideas aren’t flowing there’s not a lot we can do. We have to ride the waves of our own creativity. As soon as we possibly can we put it in front of an audience to see what they think of it before we start making too many decisions all on our own. How things sound in your lounge room with a cup of tea and some biscuits is quite different from how things can sound in a big rowdy drunken comedy club.” Luckily for Perth audiences ideas flowed thick and fast when Corcoran and Jones were writing Frisky & Mannish’s Pop Centrelink… “We’ve been working on something we’re very excited about, which is a spoof on what is apparently the biggest song of 2011 in Australia – the Gotye/Kimbra collaboration. We saw the video and decided we had to do something on it because it’s so musically cool, so we decided to uncool it and now we have. “As the title suggests we’re keen to help everybody with gameful employment in the world of pop,” Corcoran says of the show. “We’ve been educating people about pop for a very long time but we decided it was time to put that theory into practice so we will be analyzing people’s skill sets. People must be prepared for some analysis – we need to see what Perth has got. We’ll look at different career paths into the industry and things you should avoid along the way.” _EMMA BERGMEIER
I’M HIGH ON LIFE, WHAT ARE YOU ON? Always Look On The Bright Side
I’m High On Life What Are You On? is on at The Treasury Cabaret from Wednesday, February 8, ’til Saturday, February 11. Bookings can be made via fringeworld.com.au. Bonnie Davies grew up in a family that liked to look after others. Her parents were both youth workers, and as such, there were always people around her house, the fact that they were “drug addicts, prostitutes or bank robbers” didn’t register on her radar. It wasn’t until she begun talking to her friends about her unique upbringing that she noticed the potential comedic goldmine that now fills her show, I’m High On Life, What Are You On?. While it’s nothing new for comedians to draw on life experiences, let alone draw from the virtual free-for-all of family quirks, Davies is careful not to give the wrong impression about her family. “In our house, anyone would come over at any time, there were always people in the house,” she states. Davies’ parents always showed support for the less fortunate, usually young people who didn’t have a stable home life. It’s from a learned childhood surrounded by youngsters who just wanted what most take for granted that Davies developed a sense of optimism that she admits “gets to the point of annoying for some people”. Optimism characterises Davies’ work and her passion to remain Perth-based after success at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe, has seen the comedian being continually asked whether she is migrating east or not. But Davies likes being part of the emerging and now busier Perth arts scene, especially during the current Fringe World Festival.“It feels like we’re all running and we don’t really know where we’re running but we’re like ‘it’s gonna be awesome!’.” Her time performing at the 2010 Edinburgh Fringe can be credited as teaching her major lessons in stand up comedy. “It was like comedy boot camp… I got owned by the audience, it was so great; you can’t be anything but good. You really start cutting down material and rewriting.” And on her return to Edinburgh last year, Davies had dropped the nerves and learned to work the crowd, developing a thirst for audience interaction. These days Davies is a busy woman, organising comedy nights, representing arts
Bonnie Davies organisations and launching her new show. When asked how her family feel about being material for her comedy act she says they’re “pretty excited” about it, including her 90-year-old grandmother, a great source for quotes, who she says long ago dropped the need for social politeness and tells it how she sees it. Another source of material for Davies is her father.“My Dad is very excited about the show, I already do some material on him, about how he’s an angry Dad,” and in response to whether this may incite him further she says “he doesn’t seem to care what I say he’s like ‘she’s talking about me, any publicity is good publicity, this is my break! People are noticing me!’.” Even if her Dad doesn’t become a household name, Bonnie Davies will more than likely continue to get noticed. _JOE CASSIDY
Jo Morris, Kylie Farmer and Miyuki Lotz star in The White Divers Of Broome (Photo: Gary Marsh)
THE WHITE DIVERS OF BROOME Cultural Collision
The White Divers Of Broome is on at The Heath Ledger Theatre from Saturday, January 28, to Thursday, February 16. Bookings can be made through BOCS. A thriving pearl industry is threatened when white Australians are no longer allowed to exploit cheap, dispensable immigrant labour in Broome. Based on a true story, The White Divers Of Broome explores racial tensions that arose when The White Australia Policy was enforced in 1912. “Expect a visually massive show, there’s a lot of settings – there’s under the water, there’s boats, shore lines, there’s ball rooms… expect to be taken on a very big journey across Broome,” – says Miyuki Lotz, who plays Yukiko in the production. The play paints a picture of a culturally diverse early Australia – worlds away from how it is remembered in history books. “I think that that’s a very important message for Australians to realise that the whole multicultural Australia isn’t something that’s just happened recently. It’s something that has been here since Australia was one of the colonies.” Broome, which was a melting pot of various nationalities over 100 years ago, will be vibrantly realised on-stage.“We all speak in the native tongue as well, so I would say expect to hear a lot of dialogue - get ready to read your subtitles!” The story unfolds when Sidney Pigott, a local 30
pearling master, is forced to replace his Asian employees with British Navy divers as part of an infamously racist foreign policy – but he decides to take a stand. Instead of a desire for justice however, he is motivated by greed as the Brits demand better wages and conditions, and he is desperate to keep his operation costs low. The production features stunning period costumes, pearl divers suspended from harnesses as well as Malaysian, Japanese, Indigenous Australian, and English characters enacting a very human story of power – and its abuse. “I think a lot of Australians tend to shy away from the true historical moments and parts of our history, how it was shaped,” says Kylie Farmer who plays Daisy, a young Indigenous girl on a journey to find her family. “What resonates with me … [is how Daisy’s story] connects with a lot of Aboriginal people who’ve been through the mission systems and were taken away from their people and their culture and things that kept them strong.” Farmer describes the unique Western Australian tale as “about relationships; some that happened, some that didn’t… and how different nationalities were treated back then, and also how things may not have changed up until now.” Myths about modern Australia’s evolution will surely be debunked in what promises to be a play that delivers an awesome sensory experience. The fascinating premise of an untold part of Australian history will also investigate the innate human drive to survive in any environment, however brutal and challenging, which occurs ultimately through cooperation. _KATE ENRIGHT X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
SCARBOROUGH FAIR Yesteryear enthusiasts are invited to take a beachside stroll down memory lane with the Polka Dot Vintage Twilight Market, a celebration of clothing and d e s i g n f ro m e ra s p a s t u n d e r t h e twinkling night sky, set to take place at the Scarborough Beach Foreshore next weekend. A free event which runs from 4-9pm on Friday, February 10, and Saturday, Februar y 11, the Twilight Market is presented as part of the Summerset Arts Festival, dishing up vintage and retro clothing, pre-loved home wares, bric-a-brac and other second hand loot. If you’re planning on heading down to the Market on Saturday night be sure to stick around to catch a free gig by party starters The Cat Empire, who will take centre stage with support from San Cisco and Jay Grafton from 6.45-9.30pm. The event will be capped off with a spectacular fireworks display after the concert, bringing together music fans and fashion aficionadas in an incredible close to the beach-side festivities.
Vintage Chic will sell second hand wares at the Polka Dot Vintage Twilight Market
WHITE OUT Local vintage purveyors will gather at the Subiaco Community Centre this Saturday, February 4, for an epic White Elephant second hand sale with everything priced under $30. If the last White Elephant market - which sold out in less than an hour - is anything to go by, this Saturday’s sale is likely to be a corker, so we suggest getting down early to nab a place in line before doors open at midday. There will be plenty of clothes and accessories on offer for those who make it down, with dresses, skirts, blouses, jackets and coats, shorts, scarves, accessories, sunglasses, shoes, bags and jewellery galore! Entry is by gold coin; first five in line receive a $10 voucher. The Subiaco Community Centre is located at 203 Bagot Road, Subiaco.
White Elephant Second Hand Sale
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_EMMA BERGMEIER
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Lorin Ashton is at the root of one of the best bass music projects thrashing the dance music scene – Bassnectar. The American DJ and producer has “never been a mass marketed artist”, nor has he “been relevant in the mainstream” but he has a gigantic and dedicated fan bass and is certainly delivering the goods. ANNABEL MACLEAN chats with the friendly long-haired lad ahead of his Boiler Stage set at Big Day Out. Bassnectar makes you want to head thrash, dance and lose your shit – but more importantly, in a friendly and communal manner. Bassnectar fans are happy, generally considerate and so excited to witness the mayhem which comes with a Bassnectar live show. It’s wild, nothing like you’ve seen before and filled with raw energy – a complete auditory adventure that holds no limits. It’s something which the man behind the project – Lorin Ashton – has been mastering since the age of 12 when he started making music and is not about to stop.
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Bassnectar An ambitious lad, Ashton does, however, thrive on those spontaneous moments in life which makes all he does worthwhile. One only needs to check out his Facebook page to see his love for Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, well, more so the motivational one-liners which the movie has to offer.“It is the quote that I wanted to share more than the movie - ‘life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it’,” he says, having just arrived in New Zealand, talking about the clip from the film which sits on his Facebook wall.“That’s the ethos around my resolutions for this year, enjoying all the curveballs in life because it goes by really fast. “My main resolution is to constantly give thanks for my life: every moment, even the weird moments and challenging moments. It is all a big piece of a priceless puzzle.” But, as for making sure the first 100 year old person was in attendance at his Nashville 2011/12 New Year’s Eve all ages gig (a proposal posted on his website ahead of the show), Ashton can’t confirm that the goal was reached.“It was off the fucking hook,” he says of the gig.“We sold out over 10,000 tickets six weeks in advance of the show. It was like a giant bowl of humans surrounding each other and the energy was electric! As for any bass grandpas - I was too busy to check (laughs).” As for 2012’s productions and tours, Ashton’s got a pretty big year ahead. After releasing Divergent Spectrum last year and more recently a remix album of the record featuring the likes of The Glitch Mob and Aoki on remix duties, Ashton says he’s currently sitting on “hundreds of unfinished projects”. “I just put the finishing touches on the next Bassnectar EP entitled Vava Voom due out [in] spring 2012,” he says.“It has some reinterpretations of older songs (a 10 year birthday remix of Laughter Crescendo which I wrote in 2002) and a brand new song featuring Lupe Fiasco.” Ashton is headed for Miami and then Brazil after playing Big Day Out here before kicking off the Vava Voom Spring Tour.“Ultra Music [Festival, Miami]
basically kicks off three and a half months of straight touring into the summer,” he says.“We will be on the road without a break until June, then after two weeks off we will tour straight through to November, like last year. It is kind of bizarre how fucking rigorous, yet familiar this process is.” But, it’s a familiar process which attracts serious fans and one which Ashton himself loves. “The weird part is that it has become so natural and seamless, that I am almost more comfortable during the moment of a show than anywhere else,” he says of his hardcore touring schedule.“I remember when I was walking out on stage [at Red Rocks] and looking up the mountain at 10,000 people staring down, all screaming wildly, and I thought to myself how strange it was that I wasn’t nervous. I have a great team and we exist to co-create the most intense experiences possible. So it is less about one experience sticking out and more about all of them combining into a steady creative flow.” Unlike the uninformed person who edited his Wikipedia page, Ashton says Red Rocks 2011 wasn’t a disaster, however, he doesn’t deny the Wiki rumour that he declared online he was going to bring his own speakers to the concert ahead of the gig and was consequently fined after the gig for doing so. “Wikipedia is a great idea but it’s never a reliable source of correct information,” he says.“We had an amazing show at Red Rocks last year; it sold out almost instantly and was one of the highlights of the year without a hitch. Colorado is a very special place.” As for his set at Big Day Out this weekend, punters can expect to hear Bassnectar originals, the man himself remixing other artists and vice versa.“I started making music when I was 12 years old and was in death metal bands all through high school,” he says. “Part of the appeal of exploring electronic music was the ability to do everything myself but after a while doing that, I missed the resonance of being in a band. Now, I prefer collaborations to anything else, even if it is just swapping songs or remixes. I love remixing anything and I am constantly remixing myself anyways. “I am just so fucking excited to bring my sound to this legendary festival. Last time we were in Perth, [we played] a tiny little room packed to the gills with a frenzy of people. I am so excited to return and I love all the stories I have heard of the Boiler Room so I am just going to go absolutely buck wild and play my favourite music!”
» BASSNECTAR » BIG DAY OUT » SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5 @ MCCALLUM PARK
Elen Levon
NAUGHTY BUT NUFIRM
She’s 17 but she’s already on urban young gun Israel Cruz’s fresh label Nufirm. She’s Elen Levon, the young pop starlet who’s been causing a bit of a stir on the airwaves recently. Her debut single Naughty has been smashing the electro-pop scene and she’s gained support from the likes of Channel V and MTV. Expect to hear her follow-up single Like A Girl (In Love) which was written by James Ash of Rogue Traders fame, come early February. If you want to catch her in the flesh, she hits Eve Nightclub next Friday, February 10, with Marvin Priest and DJ G Wizard for her Naughty Nights Tour. Jump on it.
RATTLE THE RAGGA CAGE
The Hydey is going to be the place to ragga swagger this weekend. The first Saturday night of every month will see Ragga Ragga Ragga hit the Hyde Park Hotel for some serious dancehall, reggae and reggae action. Jamaican born singer Jesse Proverbs will be bringing his tracks from recently released record Chapter And Verse to showcase on the evening. The Adelaide based top gun will be joined by DJ M.J – a Zimbabwean ragga DJ who is also flying in from Adelaide to smash out some beats. Local beat maker DJ Tutomath and Australia’s first ladies of dancehall The Empressions will also be coming along for the ride. It’s all happening this Saturday, February 4, at The Hyde Park Hotel, from 8pm. Get on down, it’s free.
Butch
GET BUTCHERED
He’s coming to play a special three hour set here in Perth shortly. That’s right y’all, he is Butch, the most charted artist ever on music bible Resident Advisor, that’s right – ever! The German-Turkish producer and DJ known to some as Bülent Gürler, has a touring calendar that is filled to the brim already for the year ahead. He hits town on Friday, February 10, at Geisha. Tickets are $30 plus booking fee, snatch them from Moshtix now. Make sure you check out Eyes Wide Open before you get on down.
TECHNO TENT COMING
The Likes Of You have announced the ‘Techno Tent’ for Future Music Festival. Smashing out beats in the Techno Tent will be the likes of Richard James (or as you know him – Aphex Twin), Cocoon’s head honcho Sven Vath, Dubfire, Oliver Huntemann, Jamie Jones (who makes his Australia festival debut), uber cool Azari & III and of course, Cape Town’s rap-ravers Die Antwoord. Future Music Festival is just around the corner so if you haven’t snatched up tickets yet, you best be getting onto it. Hit up Ticketmaster at once.
WANT TO WRITE FOR SALT?
Salt is on the hunt for fresh and committed dance music writers. If you read Salt and are a writer who knows a lot about dance music – the genres, the artists, the lingo, the up and comers and are regularly out on the town at dance music gigs and festivals, then Salt is keen to get you on board the dance writing team. To be eligible you must have current dance music writing samples under your belt and be prepared to take on any gig, interview or CD review handed out. Email Annabel Maclean at danceeditor@xpress.com.au with three writing samples, a brief rundown of who you are and what you’re doing with yourself and why you’re keen to get on board. Sick ez bro.
RAMMING RAUCOUS SOUNDZ
MARTIN SOLVEIG SMASHING IT
HEAVYWEIGHT SOUNDZ ANDY C/ MC GQ/ Camo & Krooked/ DJ Fierce Metro City Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Collaboration is an important part of what Martin Solveig does. It is not simply slapping together a haphazard production with a trendy guest artist but honing ideas and crafting a fully fledged anthem for the masses. Ultimately, it’s about making people happy as he explains to ANDREW HICKEY.
When drum’n’bass kingpin Andy C comes to town, ‘heavyweight’ is the most apt name for the show and with support provided by DJ Fierce and Austrian up and comers Camo & Krooked, even the heatwave couldn’t keep the crowd away. As DJ Fierce hit the stage, the dancefloor was getting warmed up. Fierce calls the UK home and has travelled extensively with his crowd-pleasing quickstep and swag of bouncy numbers. Known as Daniel Burke to his mates, he’s been performing since the tender age of 16 and a passionate vinyl devotee, he essentially plays only on the wheels of steel. Since 2009, he’s been releasing tracks on his own label Quarantine after a number of hits on Prototype, Metro and Andy C’s own imprint Ram Records. Although the vocals featuring in his set weren’t as strong as MC GQ, it was an awesome set. He busted out a few of his hits released on DNAudio and 31 Records as well as a few fresh tunes, it was most definitely a feast of fierce proportions. With the crowd well warmed up and soaking up the air-conditioner, Andy C hit the stage with a set that proved why he’s a jet-setting drum’n’bass legend that can rock crowds from Amsterdam to New Zealand. He warmed up with classics like Sound Control and the crowd lapped up every minute of it. MC GQ has been Andy C’s partner in crime for over 10 years since the AWOL Paradise days and despite pursuing separate projects during their career, they always come back to each other. Their chemistry onstage is electric and they both have a commitment to get every person in the venue moving. And that they did, dropping a few new tracks but the crowd responded to the classics with the most willingness as they were executed in true Andy C style - working three turntables complemented by an epic light show and billowing smoke. Perth truly shone it’s drum’n’bass light on Australia Day eve, not lost on the UK lads who rivalled up the crowd with shouts of “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie” to an enthusiastic, ‘hands in the air’ response. There were many a singlet revealing Australian flag tattoos, but no aggression in sight as the crowd mingled happily together in a shared love of classic drum’n’bass 34
C and MC GQ (photos James Gifford) withAndy a smattering of dubstep pumping through the speakers upon occasion throughout the evening. Although a seemingly odd set - Andy C wedged in the middle of DJ Fierce and Camo & Krooked - it seemed wise as the last players on the night worked smashed out such an energetic set that neither the heat nor exhaustion could turn fans away. Camo & Krooked, two young guns – Reinhard Rietsch and Markus Wagner - played an exciting set of eclectic drum’n’bass, showing the crowd why they took out Best EP/Album and Best Producer at last year’s Drum And Bass Arena Awards for their sophomore record Cross The Line. Although it was disgustingly sticky and hot both outside and in the packed out venue, the crowd worshipped their drum’n’bass legends, and as Andy C has been quoted to say about any of the Loaded Dice gigs he’s played over the 10 years he’s been performing down under – it was “just mind blowing.” Here’s to another 10 years of pioneering drum’n’bass delivering to the true fans down under. » JOE CASSIDY
“As you can probably see in the news everyone in Europe is depressed about the economy,” Martin Solveig says. “So we try to hold our head above the water and enjoy ourselves.” Obviously proud to take on the role of the party starter, Solveig is full of boundless energy. “I’m working around this idea of making people happy when they listen because they need it,” he says with a laugh full of optimism, talking about his chart-topping fifth album Smash recently released. Featuring guest appearances from other highly energetic artists like Dev and Kele Okereke of Bloc Party, Solveig contends that the creative and recording process tends to vary when putting together a record. Typically, the Parisian DJ and producer approaches artists by trading ideas and audio files, thanks to the freedom of the internet. “Little by little, exchanging email, you end up with a draft of a song that will be ready to be recorded,” he says. There are times, however, where he has to stray from his routine and get a little innovative. “A couple of months ago, me and Dragonette recorded tracks for a song that was not finished,” he says. “We couldn’t be at the same place at the same time so we booked separate studios and we did this recording through Skype, which for me was almost impossible to do. It turned out very well though.” The unique recording process was made easier by their built-in chemistry. “This is something I can [do] with Dragonette because we know each other very well and she doesn’t really need me to give her direction on the way she’s singing.” Whether it’s with a long-time partner or new collaborator, Solveig aims to bring the best out of everyone he works with. The man behind such anthems as Hello and Ready To Go has recently been putting that aim to the test having recently offered his production skills to Madonna for her new record MDNA. “I produced one half of it and it’s the biggest process of my life,” he says.“Working with Madonna is unlike any other experience. We actually collaborated
Martin Solveig on a detailed level, meaning that we were really spending a lot of time together in the studio and writing songs.” With that magnificent French charm, Solveig is thankful for what he has achieved so far in his career. “It’s been a blast for me so far,” he says, reflecting on his chosen path. “Things change faster and faster. Going from a DJ 10 years ago to touring around the world [as an artist], it’s very different. At the time, I was mainly playing clubs, now I’m playing mainly festivals. Everything changes and I love that because I don’t like to repeat myself too much. The more my job can evolve, the happier I am.”
» MARTIN SOLVEIG » SMASH [SONY] » OUT NOW X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
GIRL TALK MASHUP MASTER
On paper, his musical approach may look like a copyright suit waiting to happen, but in reality it’s not, as Girl Talk, aka Gregg Gillis, insists. For one, the foundation of music lies on recycling trends past, and secondly, record companies have more or less accepted the digital revolution is here. That’s how this sample master puts it, explaining to NINA BERTOK that many of the artists he borrows from actually hit him up for a re-work. “I’m not going to name any names – just because one person asks me for a remix doesn’t meant the rest of their team backs their decision,” Gillis begins, choosing his words carefully. “What’s surprised me is that most of these people are tied to the major labels, they’re not exactly indie acts. I’ve been asked to remix a back catalogue which contained a 30 CD box set of hits from 1965-1986 - what’s interesting is that I’m even on their radar in the first place. I’m glad to see that the industry is trying to collaborate and make peace with digital technology. “The world has become so based around the concept of sharing in general - unsolicited remixes are everywhere on the internet - so I think these artists come to someone who they know can make their song sound good. Besides, the battle over the digital revolution is finished. It’s already happened, it’s not happening anymore – we are in it right now.” While Gillis claims that when it comes to the audio side of things the law has nothing on him, making complementary film clips however, is a different story. “I’m not in a position to be making videos but they can’t really touch my music, I’ve even played the after-parties of the shows that the people I’ve sampled have just played. It’s hilarious because more and more big names are sending me stuff with a side-note saying ‘check this out’, hoping for me to take a hint. They don’t want to tell me to sample it but it’s like ‘feel free if you want to cut it up in your show or whatever’.” And he does – sometimes even managing to make his edit sound a lot better than the original. “The goal in the past few years has been to raise the bar each time,” he says. “I have a full understanding now of what I want to get out of production and I am now capable of certain things that I didn’t have a grasp on five years ago. “The big change has been me being open-minded towards using large segments of songs and maybe even using multiple parts
MARTIN SOLVEIG SMASH MINISTRY OF SOUND
» ANNABEL MACLEAN 3/5
Touted by DJ Ed Real as the “king of hard dance” a few years back, DJ Steve Hill has had to cancel a holiday to Hawaii three times recently due to his heavy work schedule.“You have to take a deep breath because there’s no room to manoeuvre, like you can’t get sick or anything else like that so you really have to look after yourself,” he tells ANNABEL MACLEAN.
Girl Talk from the same song. A good example is the Black Sabbath track with the Ozzy vocals and at least three other distinct guitar licks in there [on All Day]. On albums past, I’d just grab a small loop and just work with that for the entire song. Now I am trying to find more of a connection between the original artist and the edit.” As the songs have progressively gotten more complex and intricate, so have the visuals and logistics of the live show. Ever since the release of All Day, Gillis has been playing bigger shows. “I’ve noticed the shows have been continually growing over the last five years - but especially since this album [was released] - I’ve just been stepping into bigger rooms… this [last] year is the first time that I’ve been touring with my own lighting guy and custom built set and the crew has just expanded. Overall, the production is bigger and it’s turned into a complete spectacle.”
» GIRL TALK » BIG DAY OUT » SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5 @ LATHLAIN PARK
AUSTRALIAN HIP HOP SUPPORTS CANTEEN
AUSTRALIAN HIP HOP SUPPORTS CANTEEN If the name Martin Solveig doesn’t ring a bell, some of MGM DISTRIBUTION the catchy house tracks on the Frenchman’s recently released fourth studio album SMASH will. They are the tunes that you’re dancing to out on the town or hearing mixed at festivals nationally. The Parisian house DJ, producer and owner of imprint Mixture Stereophonic has produced a crossover dance record – beginning with Hello, the club banger featuring Canadian electro-poppers Dragonette. The track has sold over 1.3 million copies, gone platinum in four countries and the music video has been clocked over 41 million views. It’s a euphoric dance party track, something that Calvin Harris has almost certainly smashed out in one of his recent sets. Ready To Go even has a touch of dubstep smattering the ‘hands in the air, embrace the sweaty mosh’ tune which is all the more catchy with Kele Okereke on vocals. Ready To Go sounds like Hello and Hello, in turn, sounds like Hello by The Potbelleez. Rubbing helium balloons together is what the underscoring beat sounds like on Get Away From You and Solveig’s vocals aren’t all that enticing. UK vocalist Sunday Girl (Jade Williams – worked with Jim Elliot and Diplo) steals the show on Let’s Not Play Games but all up – just not that exciting.
STEVE HILL UNLIMITED ENERGY
The Australian Hip Hop Supports CanTeen compilation is the brainchild of Robert Hunter, the Perth hip hop legend who passed away late last year after a battle with cancer. Following his diagnosis in 2009, he called on his many mates in the Australian hip hop scene to contribute to the compilation, with all profits from sales going to CanTeen. Of the 32 songs, almost half come from well known artists, with the efforts from the Hilltop Hoods (Handmade), Newsense (V For Vendetta), Layla (Love Times Pie Recurring…) and Graphic (Knowin’ Where You’re Goin’) standing out. Hunter makes four appearances, including on the uplifting My Life and When We Were Kids with Drapht and Dazastah. Perth’s LSD impresses with his nimble flow on Self Destruct, while Adelaide’s Chase does well on City Of Grime. Considering the role Hunter played in nurturing the hip hop scene, it’s fitting that so many emerging artists are given a chance to shine on his project. However, many of their songs lack replay value, and the album could have been culled to a very strong single disc. Despite this, there are plenty of great moments, and your money goes to a great cause. It’s a fitting tribute to Hunter’s legacy.
Steve Hill Steve Hill is sitting in a Sydney restaurant with his daughter who has just finished day care forever. The family man who runs Masif Saturdays, a hard dance night which attracts 800 to 1,000 punters in Sydney every Saturday and a bunch more in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Central Coast and Melbourne, says Sunday mornings aren’t the best and on Saturdays he has the occasional “disco nap”. It’s not bad for a man who is constantly touring, mixing and running his hard dance party nights. Booked for every Friday and Saturday night until the end of June, Hill jet sets off to Italy and the UK this month before heading to South Africa, Singapore, Korea, New Zealand and America – and that’s all before the end of June. “I’m [going to be] in the studio with three mad Italians who love their food so I basically go there, come out with 10 tunes under my belt and five kilos on my waist every time I go over so I try not to go too often,” he says. “Then in the UK, it’s just freezing cold so you basically get off the plane, get into the studio and then – without swearing – get the eff out of there (laughs).” Hill is excited, however, to be visiting the land of biltong. “South Africa is off tap!,” he says. “It’s crazy! I played at a party there a few years ago called H2O in Joburg and it was like at a water park and there was 14,000 people there. There are planes flying over the top of ya, you’re DJing, there’s loads of people dancing in pools and on the side, it was crazy. The atmosphere was just so intense; you’re DJing and you’ve got to stop yourself from hyperventilating because you just get the crowd so revved up, you’ve got to calm yourself down.” Being revved up is all par t of the atmosphere which comes with any hard dance event (“It’s really up for it - obviously the speed of the music is such that it’s energetic and people are bouncing off the walls so you’re definitely not going to go there tired, you’re going to come out tired”) and it’s what Hill, Suae and Pulsar have done as the Hard Dance Alliance on Wild Energy 2012. Mixing two discs for the compilation which currently sits at #5 on the ARIA Top 20 Compilations Chart and #8 on the iTunes Album Chart, Hill says the process of putting
the compilation together wasn’t difficult.“Suae, Pulsar and I run Masif Saturdays so we work with each other during the week and on the weekends. We know each other’s record boxes.” Hill says there were discussions with the record label as to the amount of freedom the lads were given with regards to song choice when putting together the compilation but overall, he says “on disc three, it’s how we sound in a club environment and disc two is how we sound at an under 18s or something where it’s a bit more chart based.” As for liaising with America’s party boy Oh Snap!! on his mix for the compilation, well there weren’t many disagreements on track choices. “We were trying to nab tracks he wanted and he didn’t want to relinquish them but that was cool. We wanted Calvin Harris but he said it sounded better at the speed it was at as opposed to 15 bmp faster so yeah, that’s cool. We let him have that one (laughs).” As for being named “the king of hard dance”, Hill says he’s grown into the title now. “At the time, he [Ed Real] was working for a – I wouldn’t say competitor – but he was working for another record label that was in the same fare but obviously we were all chasing the same records to sign,” he says. “I was actually quite flattered that one of my competitors actually thought that highly of me so I thought ‘ok, I’ll stick with that’ and people just carried on with it and it’s still there today.” It’s a fitting name for the DJ who has over 300 productions to his name. “I can’t keep up with it either,” Hill says of his huge back catalogue. “I try and do my discography and on my website and I have people emailing going ‘ah you missed this one and this one’ and they’re tracks I’ve forgotten I did. And sometimes, I actually go to discogs.com in case I’ve forgotten one because someone has registered it for me (laughs).”
» STEVE HILL » WILD ENERGY [CENTRAL STATION] » OUT NOW
» JOSHUA HAYES 3.5/5
THIS WEEK
LEILA U & I
IDM and experimental pop – that’s what Leila has just released. She’s collaborated with Berlin based vocalist Mt.Sims on her fourth record U & I which burst onto the scene this last week. Quirky, strange, off beat. www.xpressmag.com.au
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CLUB PARADISO
THE CAUSEWAY
NEWPORT
WEDNESDAY 01/02
FRIDAY 03/02
SATURDAY 04/02
Amplifier – Fluxx Beat Bar (Bar Open) – DJ Antrax Captain Stirling – Jon Ee Clancy’s (Applecross) – Upbeat
Ambar - District Relaunch ft Breadway/ Zeke/ FTW/ Jus Haus?/ Hykus/ Marko Paulo Amplifier – Cowboys & Indie Kids Bar 459 - DJ Smurf Boheme Bar - DJ Majiika Boulevard Tavern – DJ Andyy Broken Hill Hotel – DJ Nick Alexander Brooklands Tavern - DJ Jayden Capitol – Retro Mash Carine Tavern – Greg Packer/ MC Assassin Clancy’s (Canning Bridge) - DJ Boogie Claremont Hotel – DJ Nick Sheppard/ DJ Max Club Bayview - Infexious ft Ben Stevens/ Nomad Como Hotel – DJ Gazz Devilles - DJs Charlie Bucket/ Jim Pearson Double Lucky – Deadweight/ Bad Things Eve – DJ Don Migi/ DJ Danny Boi Ginger Nightclub – Rondevoo Fridayz 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 (Solace Bar) – DJ Slick Metro Freo – Limelite 5th Birthday ft Laidback Luke/ Rogerseventytwo/ Zelimir/ Jus Haus?/ Mel B
Ambar – Japan 4 ft Stickybuds/
– DJ Andy
Connections – DJs Joby /JJ / Rueben
Double Lucky – Last Wednesday 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 – Summer Sessions Vol 1 Mustang – DJ Giles Norma Jeans – DJ Mischief Sovereign Arms – Lokie Shaw The Deen - DJ Zelimer/ DJ Viper/ DJ Benny/ T– Zone 1 The Rosemount - Cowboys & Indie Kids DJs The Queens – Wriggle on
THURSDAY 02/02 Clancy’s (Canning Bridge) - DJ Wrighteous
Claremont Hotel – DJ Double Dee/ DJ Matt/ DJ Millie
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
Mint Nightclub – DJ Simon Barwood
Mt Henry Tavern - DJ Matty J Mullaloo Beach Hotel - DJ John Paul/ DJ Slick
Mustang – DJ James Newport – Bass Culture 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 The Queens – Kapitol The Whale & Ale – Josh Tilley The Whistling Kite - DJ Gareth Woodvale Tavern – DJ Melvin
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Laidback Luke
PDS/ Tee EL/ Marty McFly
Amplifier - Pure Pop ft Eddie Electric
Basement On Broadway – DJ Ricky
Boheme Bar – Carte Blanche DJs Broken Hill Tavern – DJ Nick Alexander/ James Wilson Capitol – Death Disco DJs Capitol (Upstairs) – The Great RV Clancy’s (Canning Bridge) - DJ Dood Claremont Hotel – DJ Tone Def Club Bay View – VIP Saturdays ft DJ Ryan Eurobar – Roger Smart/ DJ Raci Q-BIK Eve Nightclub – DJ Don Migi/ DJ Stevie M Aaron/ AJ DJ LStreet High Road Hotel – DJ Simon Mullaloo Beach Hotel – DJ Danny High Wycombe – DJ Matt Mustang – Rockabilly DJ/ DJ James Mint Nightclub – Club Retro ft Hipe Club – DJ E-Funk MacArthur Hyde Park Hotel – Ragga Ragga Niche – Frankie Button/ Cee/ Jonny Chris McPhee Ragga ft Jesse Proverbs/ DJ M.J/ DJ Mojos - Fisherman Style #69 ft Zimber Tutomath/ The Empressions Million Stylez/ DJ Peril Norma Jeans – DJ Darren Library – MKT ft DJ Riki/ DJ Richie Mullaloo Beach Hotel - DJ John Oxford Hotel – DJ Sequeria G/ DJ Vicktor/ DJ Kevvy T Paul Paramount - DJ Cornflake / DJ Mustang – Swing DJ/ DJ James Little Creatures Loft – Marine Jordan Beats MacArthur Liquid Nightclub - DJ Klar55/ DJ Queens Tav - Gareth Richardson Paddy Hannans – Crazy Craig Rocket Room – DJ Brett Rowe Stevie M Paramount - DJ John/ DJ Jordan South St Ale House – DJ Jay Llama Bar – DJ Reuben/ DJ Melvin Queens Tav – DJ Rueben Sovereign Arms – Rockwell Railway Hotel - DJ Rontings/ DJ Malt Super Club – Fiveo Metro City (R&B Lounge) - DJ The Avenue – Jon Ee Rastafyha/ Simmo T/ DJ Corby The Brighton (Upstairs) – Micah/ Sail & Anchor - Balcony Beatz/ Slick/ DJ Ruthless/ DJ Soso Kill Dyl/ eSQue Metro City DJ Stevie M/ DJ Matty DJ J-MAC The Boheme – DJ Sneakee Shape – Slowed & Screwed ft DJ S/ DJ Ruthless/ DJ Makka Metro Freo – DTuck/ Darren Briais/ The Causeway – Sun City Stylz Ali/ CiCi Snappz/ LStreet The Clink – Az-T Wazz Sovereign Arms – Aiden Wallis Mint Nightclub – Pop Life ft DJ The Cornerstone – Aiden Wallis The Avenue – JMC The Carine – Sardi/ DJ Mental/ DJ Keedal The Causeway – Bass Republic The Craftsman – DJ Abstar 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 The Wembley Hotel – Funky Bottoms/ Jon Ee Windsor – DJ Riki and Ray Victoria Park Hotel – DJ Giles Stickybuds (Photograph by Metamorphograph) YaYa’s – Junk ft DJ Whoa
Royksopp The Deen - DJ Birdie/ DJ JJ/ DJ Tony Allen
The Generous Squire – On Tap 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
SUNDAY 05/02 Broken Hill Tavern - Sophie Jane Captain Stirling – DJ Jay Claremont Hotel – DJ Double Dee 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 Railway Hotel - Outernational Bob Marley Birthday 2012 ft Jesse Proverbs/ Ngati/ The Isolites/ Jah Era/ Riverbeats/ JamDown Kingz/ The Empressions/ General Justice/ Simba/ Tutomath/ Mumma Trees/ Sista Che The Cott – Cott Sessions The Kiosk – DJ Cinder The Saint - DJ Anaru
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
GRIZZLED
AMPLIFIER
THE OVERFLOW
METRO FREO
IN THE THIS WEEK Limelite 5th Birthday ft Laidback Luke/ Rogerseventytwo/ Zelimir/ Jus Haus?/ Mel B Friday, February 3 @ Metro Freo
Girl Talk
Bassnectar
District Relaunch ft Breadway/ Zeke/ FTW/ Jus Haus?/ Hykus/ Marko Paulo Friday, February 3 @ Ambar
The Deen – Plastic Max/ The Token The Shed – DJ Andyy Gesture Fisherman Style #69 ft Million The Wembley – DJ Funkybottoms/ The Paddo – DJ John Paul Stylez/ DJ Peril Boogie/ Dekoyfox The Shed – DJ Andyy Friday, February 3 @ Mojos Vic toria Park ForeshoreMcCallum Park - Big Day Out ft Odd Future/ Girl Talk/ Royksopp/ TUESDAY 07/02 Slowed & Screwed ft Stylz Nero/Q-BIK and more Ali/ CiCi Snappz/ DJ LStreet Bar Orient - DJ Lyndon Eastern Hotel – Jon Edwards and more High Road Hotel – DJ Matty J Friday, February 3 @ Shape MONDAY 06/02 High Wycombe – DJ Ricky Hipe Club – DJ Roger Smart Japan 4 ft Stickybuds/ PDS/ Bar Orient - DJ White Label Metro City - Lloyd Broken Hill Tavern - DJ Mario The Cott (Upstairs) –Maxwell/ Jus Tee EL/ Marty McFly Saturday, February 4 @ Ambar Tavelli Haus?/ Damian John Eastern Hotel – Adam Morris Victoria Park Hotel – DJ Melvin Ragga Ragga Ragga ft Jesse Proverbs/ DJ M.J/ DJ Tutomath/ The Empressions Saturday, February 4 @ Hyde Park Hotel
Nero
BOILER STAGE @ BIG DAY OUT
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5 @ MCCALLUM PARK
www.xpressmag.com.au
COMING UP
RT R f m’s S a t u r d a y N i g h t Divas f t The Foxman/ Ambar 11th Birthday ft Too Super J/ General Justice/ Fresh/ Devo/ Black & Blunt/ Microgroove/ Mama Cass/ Claude Mono/ Spud Murphy Dead Easy/ Oli Saturday, February 18 @ The Friday, February 10 @ Ambar Grey Door (Upstairs at The Claremont Hotel) Habitat ft Butch Friday, February 10 @ Geisha Japan 4 ft Datadex Space Dimension Controller Saturday, February 18 @ Ambar Friday, February 10 @ Venue S e t s O n T h e B e a c h Vo l TBC 6 ft Soul II Soul (Sound System)/ Greg Wilson/ Flight St Jerome’s Laneway Festival Facilities/ Nina Las Vegas/ ft M83/ SBTRKT/ Washed out The Glimmers and more S u n d ay, Fe b r u a r y 1 9 Saturday, February 11 @ Perth @ S c a r b o r o u g h B e a c h Cultural Centre Amphitheatre
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 Blanca ft JD Mishtee Sunday, March 4 @ Matilda Bay
Mickey Avalon Friday, March 9 @ Villa The Game Tuesday, February 21 @ Metro 360 City Friday, March 16 @ The Rosemount Lee Burridge/ Jamie Stevens Hotel Friday, February 24 @ Shape KRS-One Dem Slackers Hedflux Friday, March 23 @ Metro City Friday, February 11 @ Shape Friday, February 24 @ Geisha Yelawolf ill.Gates Force Majeure ft Designer Tuesday, March 27 @ Capitol Friday, Februar y 11 @ The Drugs Rosemount Friday, February 24 @ Ambar Hermitude Friday, March 30 @ Mojos DJ Qbert & Reeps One Danny Daze Thursday, February 16 @ The S a t u rd ay, Fe b r u a r y 2 5 @ Hermitude Double Lucky Rosemount Saturday, March 31 @ Amplifier Challenger Ready? ft Buda v S Man/ Marty McFly v Tee EL/ FTW/ Ben Mac v Wish/ Philly Blunt v DNGRFLD Friday, February 11 @ Ambar
Big Day Out ft Odd Future/ Girl Talk/ Royksopp/ Nero/Q- Balam Acab Friday, Februar y 17 @ The BIK and more Sunday, February 5 @ Victoria Bakery Park Foreshore- McCallum Park Soul Project ft James A Friday, February 17 @ Geisha Outernational Bob Marley B i r t h d a y 2 0 1 2 f t J e s s e Ado & Modek P r o v e r b s / N g a t i / T h e Friday, February 17 @ Ambar Isolites/ Jah Era/ Riverbeats/ J a m D o w n K i n g z / T h e AC Slater (guest only show) E m p r e s s i o n s / G e n e r a l Saturday, February 18 @ Villa Justice/ Simba/ Tutomath/ Mampi Swift Mumma Trees/ Sista Che Sunday, February 5 @ Railway Saturday, February 18 @ The Rosemount Hotel Hotel
The Cuban Brothers Herd/ Thundamentals Saturday, February 25 @ The The Saturday, April 14 @ The Rosemount Bakery Heat ft Dieselboy/ Conchord Supafest ft P.Diddy/ Ice Cube/ Rick Ross/ Trey Songz/ Kelly Rowland/ Dawn Saturday, February 25 @ Villa Lupe Fiasco and more TBC Sunday, April 22 @ Arena Joondalup Mask2012 ft Benny C/ Creamfields ft David Guetta/ Above Double Dee Saturday, March 3 @ The & Beyond/ Dirty South/ Alesso/ Excision/ W&W/ Giuseppe Ottaviani Empyrean (live)/ Congorock/ Vitalic/ Sied van Hudson Mohawke/ Rustie/ Riel/ Tritonal/ Downlink/ ShockOne/ Rok Riley/ Ben Taaffe/ Move MaRLo/ Bombs Away/ MC Stretch and more Saturday, May 5 @ Supreme Court Saturday, March 3 @ The Bakery Gardens
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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
BETH ORTON Sam Amidon
The Quarry Amphitheatre Tuesday January 24, 2012
TOMÀS FORD
Simo Soo / Boys Boys Boys! / Injured Ninja / Felicity Groom & Diger Rockwell / Rachael Dease / The Gizzards / Byron Bard / Zack Adams Amplifier Friday, January 27, 2012 One thing about Tomàs Ford: he does nothing by half measures. For any other local artist, the use of the word “spectacular” in the show title would be a throwaway boast; Ford sees it as a personal challenge from himself to himself. The line-up was excitingly eclectic although, let’s face it, heavier on the old electro-pop than anything else - with a mix of music, spoken word and comedy. The outdoor stage, operating under the moniker The Beer Garden Cabaret, was home to the quieter acts of the night. Comedian Zack Adams kept his mike time short and snappy, as did comedypoet Byron Bard, whose stentorian delivery drew appreciative laughs from the crowd. On the musical side of things, a mix of mostly solo and/or acoustic acts kept the mood nice and mellow, except when the odd chaos merchant like The Gizzards took to the stage. The standout here was easily Rachael Dease, proving that, even without a full band behind her, her amazing voice can captivate a room. Inside, the music was louder and the atmosphere had a more serious party vibe to it. An early, set by Felicity Groom and Diger Rokwell went down well, as did a typically primal turn by Injured
THE STEPKIDS Tusk
The Bakery Wednesday, January 25, 2012 Mining a rich blend of historical reference points, uncompromising style and keenly felt pleasure, genredefying Connecticut-based three-piece The Stepkids delivered an immaculately choreographed and thrilling spectacle for their Australian debut at The Bakery on Wednesday evening. Unfortunately, local seven-piece TUSK, proved they didn’t deservetonight’s supprt slot as they played tracks of forgettable spacey-psych ‘70s songs that were packed with confusion from start to finish. A bloated, uncomfortable, saturated throwback to no genre, time period, or movement in particular, the POND-wannabes’ white boy funk routine wore thin
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Ninja, which was nicely counterpointed by the candycoloured pop stylings of Boys Boys Boys. The only sour note came in the form of Sydney-based performer Simo Soo. Soo is what happens when you take a pair of girl’s jeans and stuff them so full of ego that there’s no room for any talent. Soo is Warhol’s fifteen minutes prediction come to life, an avatar of narcissism wrapped in human skin and let loose on an unsuspecting audience. Worse, his garbled noise - it ain’t music - almost drowned out Dease’s set, which should be a stoning offence. Ford’s ascendancy to the stage proved one thing - the man is beloved. It’s interesting to look back on his career thus far, and remember a time when his music was just a tinny, haphazard excuse for his stage antics. Now the two are fully integrated, the tunes supporting and enhancing his prodigious stage presence; this is a man who can make changing his shoes an awe-inspiring sight. All the usual carry-on you get with a Ford gig was in place: the crowd was cajoled, coddled, cuddled, grasped, groped, and grappled while the man strutted his stuff, with not even the wary-looking security guards escaping untouched. An ill-considered duet with Simo Soo was all but scuppered by technical issues, which meant that not even his presence could mar what was a triumphant night. _TRAVIS JOHNSON quickly, as they delved headlong into a psychedelic crevasse without a hook to hang from. Later in the evening, The Stepkids – comprising guitarist Jeff Gitelman, bassist and keyboardist Dan Edinberg and drummer Tim Walsh – took to the stage decked out in white suits. A huge white screen provided a canvas for the video jockey (and friend of the band) Jesse Mann, a visual artist with the hardware and software tools to manipulate complex 3-D animations on the fly to the music’s beat. Using software that allowed him to mix videos on the spot and change their speed, colours and transitions between clips, Mann’s visual projections provided a sort of moving wallpaper to the indie soul trio’s rollicking batch of hooky tunes. Delivering track after track of immaculately choreographed fun, the three-piece bounced and weaved in perfect synchrony, showcasing a sophisticated and polished sound in which bouncing disco bass lines battled eager new-wave guitars. Their set zoomed through styles and ideas - rock and soul, swing and Hendrixy psychedelia, futurism and romance. Their set lacked breathing room, but for the best of reasons: an hour and a half couldn’t hold all their skills and ambitions. _JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD
Since a performance in a fluffy bikini top and hotpants at a Bassendean Big Day Out, Beth Orton has a habit of finding herself in Perth when the mercury reaches levels that can only be described as sweltering. Still, if you are going to making an appearance on the first night of the latest Perth heatwave, there is no better place to rehydrate than the picturesque surrounds of The Quarry Amphitheatre. First to brave the heat of the stage lights was Vermont singer songwriter Sam Amidon. While he may not be well known around these parts, the American (who admitted to having still been in the ocean 10 minutes before his appearance tonight) ensured he wasn’t to stay unknown for long. His croaky whisper found its way into a scream of the banshee as he worked through tunes predominantly from his I See The Sign album. Beth Orton stepped into The Quarry and
suggested that with a venue like this, Perth must be a little bit ‘posh’ before picking up her guitar to serenade all with a predominantly greatest hits set. Orton is by no means a classic guitarist or vocalist for that matter, but there is no shortage of emotion and connection when she is armed with songs as powerful as Heart Of Soul, She Cries Your Name, Countenance and Sweetest Decline. The lanky Englishwoman was given a true Aussie welcome during Safe In Your Arms when a rogue insect led to the genial singer having to bail out of the tune twice. A generous helping of Aeroguard from a helpful punter meant that the show could continue without being further derailed. Amidon returned to the stage to assist with some additional guitar duties on the new tune State Of Grace as well as Sugar Boy, and remained on hand to add harmonies to the nights highlight Concrete Sky. Although the first show in a three date stint, Orton was happy to give two encores ending with a calm and considered take on Ooh Child The Five Stairsteps tune that inspired her own Pass In Time. With her first album in five years ready to hit the streets, the evening was a timely reminder of how good an artist she has been to date. _CHRIS HAVERCROFT
Roger Waters (photo: Denis Radacic)
ROGER WATERS Burswood Dome Friday, January 27, 2012 Five years after he dazzled whatever Perth Oval was called at the time with his Dark Side Of The Moon show, Pink Floyd mastermind Roger Waters returned to our shores with an even bigger proposition, The Wall. In a rare feat, Burswood Dome looked amazing upon entry as hundreds of large cardboard bricks filled the massive space to create a wall, the basis of one of the largest stage shows this city has ever seen. To say the show started with a bang would be a major understatement, but somehow it would also be literally correct. The silver haired black-clad rocker brought it on from the start. In The Flesh? ended with its own Australia Day Skyworks display after a small plane crash landed on the wall to create a flurry of explosions. Unlike most classic-era travelling bands, this show featured more than just a few historical updates. Another Brick In The Wall Part 2 saw a reprise which included lyrics and imagery referring to the death of Jean Charles de Menezes, who was an innocent man shot by police in the wake of the
London Underground bombings in 2005, and the visuals during Run Like Hell satired the overuse of the lower case ‘i’ in modern day electronics. Throughout the show, dazzling images were projected onto the bricks, whether it was headshots of fallen soldiers, animation lifted from the 1982 feature film adaptation (such as the iconic marching hammers), footage from the original 1980 Wall tour (which Rogers sung along to on Mother), or the spectacular 3-D visuals created just for the tour. With such a visual feast on offer, you would be forgiven for thinking the music would take a back seat, but the band was made up of dream session musos including familiar faces GE Smith (formerly of Hall & Oates and the Saturday Night Live band) and Pink Floyd Wall-era touring member Snowy White, who recreated the album so well that it may have even sounded better in parts. Even though your usual stadium rock is pretty darn scripted, The Wall was more of a theatrical production than a rock concert for the most part. Heck, the speakers featured recorded audience chants so the crowd knew what to do. The lucky kids who chanted “We don’t need no education” on stage were just a part of what resembled a cheesy Rock Eisteddfod, but what a Rock Eisteddfod it was! Now if only someone can convince the other ageing rock stars of this world to brighten up their shows with 10 metre high walls and flying remote control pigs... _MATTHEW HOGAN
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PADDO POW
Hello February and hello Paddo POW! Tonight, Wednesday, February 1, the Paddo POW features Jupiter Zeus, Graphic Fiction Heroes and Ultrasound. Tunes kick off at 8pm and is free! Then on Monday, February 6, catch the Super Bowl XLVI live at the Paddo from 7am. Grab yourself an all American Breakfast and buckets of Budweiser are going for $25 a pop! Bookings essential. Phone (08) 9242 3077 to secure your spot.
RAILWAY HOTEL
This Friday, February 3, at the Railway Hotel it’s time to rock on with a stellar line-up of locals, including The Cold Acre, Valhalla Nights, The Insatiables and Dan Peters. Doors open 8pm and entry is $10. Then on Saturday, February 4, you can catch When Summer Ends, Red Sky, Nymph Honey and Mike Podmore hitting the stage from 8pm. On Sunday, February 5, the open mic session takes a week off while the annual Bob Marley Outernational Day takes over the beer garden, featuring Ngati, The Empressions, Jesse Proverbs, Isolites, Mumma Trees and heaps more. Doors open at 4pm and entry is $20, with part process donated to Oxfam.
THE ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB
HIGH ROAD HOTEL
Be ready to shed a tear at the farewell show for local muso Aaron Spiers on Wednesday, February 1, while the return of James Flynn kicks off the weekend in style on Friday, February 3. Check out ellingtonjazzclub.com.au for the weekly show schedule.
The High Road Hotel is the perfect spot for a great time out. 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 and Saturdays feature live entertainment with a rotating line up of cover bands from 8.30pm.
THE SAIL & ANCHOR
THE CLINK
For the month of February, The Sail and Anchor is tipping its hat to our brothers across the Tasman and playing host to Hew Brew, a New Zealand beer fest featuring 63 kegs of NZ craft beer goodness and NZ food specials all month. Plus, Howie Morgan and Sarah Jane & The Chilly Bin Boys are playing live every Friday and Saturday night this month.
YA YA’S
This Friday, February 3, a fully-charged progressive psychedelic hard rockers Hyte play Ya Ya’s! Joining them will be Brutus and Muzzle. After 11pm the Junk team featuring DJ Whoa will be spinning new and old alternative classics. Doors open at 8pm and entry is $8.
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. 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.
DEVILLES PAD
Prince Rama
On Saturday, February 4, Devilles Pad will come alive as Spanish Flea productions present Trumpet Fiesta - a tribute to the genius of Herb Alpert. The night will featuring music courtesy of Los Hombre Del Diablo, DJ Lil Franco Berrly, Les Sataniques and entertainment from swingin’ GoGo dancers. It is sure to be an evening to remember so dust off those dancing shoes and make you way down to Devilles!
CIVIC HOTEL
The Novocaines
INDI BAR
This Friday, February 3, sees much-loved local rockers The Novocaines return from their Japan tour to play with special guests The Tumblers and more. On Saturday, February 4, Regurgitator will warm up for their set at the Big Day Out 2012 with support from electro-pop king Tomas Ford and high-energy party-starters The Brow Horn Orchestra. Then on Sunday, February 5, Jeff Martin (of The Tea Party fame) plays with support from The Seals and Morgan Bain. Tickets are $15 on the door. Y’all may as well just move in for the weekend.
This Saturday, February 4, the Civic Hotel is set to showcase one of the biggest gigs of the year as Scott Kelly (best known as the frontman of experimental metal band Neurosis) and John Baizley (USA) hit the stage for special solo sets, with support from Andrew Ewing. Doors open 8pm.
INGLEWOOD HOTEL
The Inglewood Hotel, one of Perth’s best venues to watch sport, will have the American Super Bowl on live next Monday, February 6, The Inglewood Hotel will open the doors open to the Verandah Bar at 6.30am with a full American Breakfast on offer while watching the New England Patriots take on the New York Giants on 8 HD screens with surround sound commentary and frosty cold Miller’s on tap!
MOJOS BAR
Thursday, February 2, US pysch-pop purveyors Prince Rama play at Mojos Bar with support from local acts Tusk, Carbuncle and Salamander. Tickets will be $25 at the door from 8pm sharp! Then on Saturday, February 4, Mojos hosts sultry songstress Felicity Groom who will be playing in full band format to celebrate everything lucky, fun, awesome and special about 2012! We have a double pass to this gig to give away, email mojos@ coolperthnights.com with “Groom me Felicity” in the subject line to win.
THE NEWPORT
Bass Culture is a free fortnightly club night dedicated to heavy, heavy bass music, plenty of dubstep and drum’n’bass. It’s the brainchild of Death Disco’s Anton Maz, resident DJ at Capitol Saturdays, where he has kept the dance floor packed with vibed up party people for the last five years. This week features globe trotting drum’n’\ bass maestro QBIK. See what all the fuss is about on Thursday, February 2, from 8pm. Entry is free.
BOYS AT THE BEACH Sets On The Beach Sunday, January 22, 2012 Scarborough Beach Amphitheatre was packed full of punters on Sunday, January 22, for the fifth edition of Sets On The Beach – a celebration of music under the sun. Headlined by The Whitest Boy Alive with support from Gold Fields and The Swissco Disco, the concert was the perfect way to lap up some rays and relax with some beats on a lazy Sunday.
Rosie, Kat & Tom
Photographs by Matt Jelonek
Ryan, Justin & Daniel Celeste & Jola
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Emily & Casey
Sean, Gary & Melissa
Josh & Megan
Iva & Maresa X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
GRIM FANDANGO Rough Diamonds
Grim Fandango are keeping the spirit of pop-punk alive with their primal raunch‘n’roll. JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD caught up with vocalist Tom Ware ahead of their launch shows for new 7”/ Digital EP, In The Rough, on Friday, February 3, at The Rosemount Hotel and Saturday, February 4, at The Prince Of Wales in Bunbury. From humble beginnings on the local circuit, much-loved foursome Grim Fandango has flourished into a bombastic, over-the-top punk band. Their most recent 7”/EP, In The Rough, underlines their ambition and their audible disinterest in accepted notions of good taste. It’s difficult to tell how far their tongues are wedged into their cheeks, but it’s equally difficult not to be swept along by their hook-laden, punk-fuelled power-pop. “We are very excited to launch this record and for people to hear it,” says vocalist Tom Ware.“It was recorded in Perth, mixed in Adelaide, mastered in New York and released by a Melbourne label so it was a team effort and we are really happy with how all the songs turned out. We have had these songs for a while so it will be great to finally play them live.” The new release comes hot on the heels of their debut LP Birthmark Blues, which was released to national acclaim at the tail end of 2010. “We are still really proud of Birthmark Blues and I think the new stuff we have been writing and playing since that album has
Grim Fandango (and some feline friends) been a steady progression,” Ware says.“[At gigs] we still get people yelling at us to play songs off our first release, IV: Eat Not The Heart, and I hope all our releases are like that. I don’t think there is anything that would pass through the Grim writing process that we all weren’t happy with, and we have tried to keep challenging ourselves to play better and practice harder, even when people steal all our guitars.” Grim Fandago are set to prove their reputation as one of WA’s most infectious and exciting bands during their upcoming special joint national tour with Victorian punksters The Smith St Band. “The Smith St Band are one of the best bands I have ever seen live, ever,” Ware attests, adding that local punters who choose to head to either of their launch shows can expect: “Sing-a-longs galore, some honest bands, the genius of [The Smith St Band frontman] Wil Wagner and maybe a few shoey’s.”
EARUPTION
This Saturday, February 4, The Volcanics play The Fly Trap, the newest and coolest venue in Fremantle. Situated adjacent to the Fly By Night club, this new venue offers a great atmosphere for the audience and bands alike. The band is preparing to record their second album and on the night playing on the bill are Cal Pek And The Tramps and The Good Sons, while Kenny ‘Killer’ Watt is set to open the night. Be early to guarantee entry to this night of rock‘n’roll.
RUN BABY RUN
Friday, February 3, indie up-and-comers Runner are set to launch their single Outlines And Colours at The Bird. The song (which features on the forthcoming EP being worked on right now) features the vocal harmony-meets-angular rhythmic guitars that those keen to pick up the young band’s sound are digging. Cow Parade Cow will support with tunes laid down throughout the night from DJ Turbs vs MF Groom. Entry will be $10 – which includes a copy of the CD single - from 8pm.
RAINY DAY AFFAIR
Off the back of numerous supports and festival appearances in 2011, sunny indie popsters Rainy Day Women will commence 2012 with the launch of an EP of their best material and a whole lotta touring. The band will showcase tunes from their debut EP at Amplifier on Friday, February 3, with supports from Triple J favourites The Ghost Hotel, indie rockers TV Snow, and WAM Song Of The Year award winner Sam Carmody And The Warning Birds.
SHE’S A KEEPER
This Saturday, February 4, at Mojos Bar Felicity Groom will be playing in full band format to celebrate everything lucky, fun, awesome and special about 2012! Felicity has massive tours, recordings, releases and international jaunts in the works for this year so do not miss this intimate show. Tickets will be available only at the door for $15 from 8pm sharp. Support comes from Andrew Sinclair And The Ritual Band, Axe Girl and Gum (aka Tame Impala’s Jay Watson).
TANGLED UP IN BREW
Since the release of Tangled Brew early last year, Lloyd Spiegel and former Blue Shaddy percussionist Arunachala Satgunasingam have endured a non-stop tour across Australia, touring to every major city at least three times, for a total of 212 performances in all. Spiegel and Satgunasingam have decided to move onto separate projects, but not before one last trip around Australia to thank their fans for giving their respective careers their biggest boost yet! Catch the lively duo Thursday, February 2, at The Albany Blues Club, Friday, February 3, at The South West Blues Club in Bunbury, Saturday, February 3, at The Hills Blues Club in Mt Helena, Sunday, February 5, at Redcliffe On The Murray in Pinjarra, Tuesday, February 7, at The Charles Hotel, Wednesday, February 8, at Mojos Bar and Friday, February 10 at the Indi Bar.
RASTA MEN REJOICE
Celebrating the life and musical legacy of the great Robert Nesta Marley, the 31st annual Bob Marley Outernational will be hosting a fantastic lineup of reggae and dancehall acts including Jamaican singer Jesse Proverbs, rocksteady reggae outfit The Isolites and roots aficionados Riverbeats, as well as a slew of other live bands and DJs. Plus, there will be food, reggae merchandise for sale, and Bob Marley movies on the big screen! It all goes down at the Railway Hotel in Freo on Sunday, February 5, from 4pm.
LOUNGING AROUND
This Friday, February 3, at the Velvet Lounge catch Branson Tramps, Cavefire Cinema, Lantana and One Armed Scissor hitting the stage for another installment of the killer weekly musical extravaganza Sonic Velvet. Doors open 8pm, entry is $5. www.xpressmag.com.au
Frighteners
FRIGHTENERS Bearing the terrible clichéd nature of this question, how would you describe your band’s sound? In the past we’ve been described as moody indie rock and I think that’s a fair comment. When we started our sound had a dance/punk vibe to it but as we’ve matured as song writers our music has changed and opened up; we’ve become more melody-driven. Isaac (Smith, Guitarist and Synth) played a huge role in how melodic we have become though we’ve tried to keep a fraction of up-tempo beats in our current repertoire. For this EP we drew inspiration from a wide range of genres, from shoegaze to pop music each member’s individual music influences have shaped the writing of these songs. What do you love about making music? Freedom. We’re pretty privileged in what we do and how we do it. We had free reign on this recording from the start to finish and that’s been amazing. We haven’t had any outside forces saying, “no, change this” or, “get rid of that”. But that’s not to say we didn’t exercise any scrutiny. Our biggest critics have been and always will be ourselves. Playing live is also great. When you play a show that you’re all really happy with, you remember why you started playing music all those years ago. It’s like a head rush when you come off stage, and because of the adrenaline you can hardly remember what happened, but that it felt really, really good. Out of all the local folks you’ve played shows with, who’s been one of your favourites? A while back we had the pleasure of playing with Emperors at the Rocket Room. I really enjoyed their live performance, they have a simple seductiveness to their music. Voltaire Twins were a lot of fun too, as well as our very first gig with Lacey, those guys are crazy as hell. Bluesy outfit Zorbas Milk is another favourite and we’re lucky enough to have those guys play at our EP launch. What can a punter expect from your upcoming EP launch? Punters will be treated to some distinctive local acts at our launch. They’ll see the likes of psychonauts Stunning In Red, Zorbas Milk and the poignant Scott White supporting a very happy Frighteners. A rambunctious night will be had by all! Frighteners launch their debut self-titled EP at The Civic on Friday, February 3. Doors open 8pm and entry is $10, or $15 with a copy of the EP.
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Axe Girl, February 4, Mojos Bar
FEB 01 – FEB 07
Future, Frenzal Rhomb, Girl Talk, The SEETHER Getaway 1 Rosemount Plan, Cage The Elephant, (HED)P.E. Foster The / JEFFREY People, Best NOTHING Coast, Noel 1 Amplifier Gallagher’s High Flying LET THE CAT Birds, Nero, OUT The Vaccines, 1 Mojos Bar Bass Nectar, 3 Whitestar Hotel Regurgitator, 4 Settlers Tavern Drapht, 5 Quindanning Kimbra, Tavern Bluejuice, Tonight Only, NINA FERRO The Bronx & 2 Ellington Jazz Club Mariachi El PRINCE RAMA Bronx) 5 The Victoria 2 Mojos Bar 3 The Bakery
THE NEVER EVER 2 Villa 3 YMCA HQ
LLOYD SPIEGEL 2 Albany Blues Club 3 The South West Blues Club Bunbury 4 The Hills Blues Club Mt Helena 5 Redcliffe On The Murray 7 The Charles Hotel
ROD STEWART / DIESEL 4 NIB Stadium
REGURGITATOR 4 Indi Bar
AXE GIRL 4 Mojos Bar
SCOTT KELLY (NEUROSIS) / JOHN BAIZLEY (BARONESS) 4 Civic Hotel
BIG DAY OUT (Soundgarden, Kasabian, My Chemical Romance, The Living End, Röyksopp, Boy & Bear, Parkway Drive, Architecture In Helsinki, Battles, The Jezebels, Odd
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Park Foreshore (McCallum Park)
FEBRUARY LLOYD SPIEGEL 8 Mojos Bar 10 Indi Bar HORSE 9 Ellington Jazz Club HILLTOP HOODS / VENTS / DAZASTAH / LAYLA 9 & 10 Capitol LITTLE ROY 10 Perth Festival Gardens TIM MINCHIN 10 & 12 Challenge Stadium RACHEL CLAUDIO 10 & 11 Ellington Jazz Club ST. JEROME’S LANEWAY FESTIVAL (Active Child, Anna Calvi, Austra, Bullion, Cults, The Drums, DZ Deathrays, EMA , Feist, Geoffrey 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, 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
Odd Future, February 5, Big Day Out LA DISPUTE 15 Amplifier 16 YMCA HQ LUCIE THORNE & HAMISH STUART 15 Mojos Bar 16 Ellington Jazz Club 17 Nannup Hotel 18 Sea Garden Café 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 I AM GIANT 17 Amplifier DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE 17 & 18 Perth Festival Gardens RACHEL CLAUDIO 17 & 18 Ellington Jazz Club 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 AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA 22 Perth Concert Hall 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 JOHN WILLIAMSON 24 Swan Yacht Club 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
The Medics, February 12, Perth Festival Gardens
HETTY KATE 25 Ellington Jazz Club BONNIE PRINCE BILLY 25 & 26 The Cave Margaret River NEON INDIAN / SLOW CLUB 26 Perth Festival Gardens ENNIO MORRICONE 26 Sandalford Winery Swan Valley PUGSLEY BUZZARD 26 Ellington Jazz Club SWAY MACHINERY 27 Perth Festival Gardens BARO BANDA 28 Perth Festival Gardens ERIC BIBB 28 Wignall’s Winery ROXETTE 28 & 29 Challenge Stadium DAN MANGAN 29 The Fly Trap EDDIE PAMIERI 29 Perth Festival Gardens DAN MANGAN 29 Fly By Night (Fly Trap)
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 MARCH Day, Circa Survive, THE MAGNETS Steel Panther, 1 Perth Festival Jack Mannquin, Gardens Meshuggah, The GOSSLING Sisters Of Mercy, 1 The Bird Enter Shikari, Four STICKY FINGERS Year Strong, Black 1 Indi Bar Veil Brides, Madina 2 Ya Ya’s Lake, Zebrahead, 3 Settlers Tavern Hatebreed, STAFF BENDA BILILI Biohazard, Times 2 Perth Festival Of Grace, CKY, Gardens Street Dogs, Gojira, PENGUIN CAFÉ Kvelertak, Letlive, 3 Perth Festival Hellyeah, Cro-Mags, Gardens The Cab, Relient K, TAYLOR SWIFT / HOT Framing Hanley, CHELLE RAE Watain, Royal 2 Burswood Dome Republic, I Am The NANNUP MUSIC Avalanche, Turisas, FESTIVAL (Lanie River City, Extension, Lane, Mojo Juju, Lou Bad Religion, Bennett, Adalita, Strung Out, Staind, Oka, Sietta, Swamp Wednesday 13, Thing, Gossling, Tinpan Orange, Albert Unearth, The Pretty Wiggan Band, Bobby Reckless, Cathedral, Alu, Kavisha Mazella, Shadows Fall, Tonight Alive, Motionless In Neil Murray, Jordie White, Heaven Shall Lane and more) Burn, Your Demise, 2 - 5 Nannup A Rocket To The BON IVER/ SALLY Moon, The Ready SELTMAN Set, The Menzingers, 3 Red Hill Auditorium Dream On Dreamer, FUTURE MUSIC Kittie, Dredg, Attack! FESTIVAL (Swedish Attack!, The Smoking House Mafia, Fatboy Hearts, The Summer Slim, Tinie Tempah, Set, Bush, In Flames, Paul van Dyk, The The Black Dahlia Wombats, Chase Murder, Holy Grail, & Status, Skrillex, Jessie J, The Rapture, Hyro Da Hero, These Kids Wear Crowns, In Aphex Twin, Die This Moment, Black Antwoord, Gareth Emery, James Murphy Tide, Kids In Glass Houses, Fireworks, & Pat Mahoney (LCD Conditions, Cherri Soundsystem/DFA), The Naked & Famous, Bomb, Switchfoot, Paradise Lost, Hercules & Love Mission In Motion) Affair, Sven Vath, 5 Claremont Alex Metric, Azari & Showground III, Horse Meat Disco, JESSIE J / PROFESSOR The Juan Maclean, GREEN New Order, Friendly 5 Challenge Stadium Fires, Gym Class
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.
Holly Throsby, March 31, Norfolk Basement
The Necks, March 26, The Bakery OKA 5 White Star Hotel Albany 7 Indi Bar 8 Mojos Bar 9 Prince Of Wales 10 Settlers Tavern 11 Mojos Bar 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 BONOBO 9 Capitol THE BEARDS 9 Settlers Tavern 10 Fly By Night 11 Indi Bar SWEET 10 Regal Theatre 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 BELINDA CARLISLE 16 Mandurah Performing Arts Centre 17 Astor Theatre SEEKAE 17 The Bakery 18 Mojos Bar
JOHN BUTLER 17 Fremantle Arts Centre 19 Goldfields Arts Centre Kalgoorlie 21 Mandurah Arts Centre 22 Clancy’s Fish Pub Dunsborough 23 Albany Entertainment Centre 25 Queens Park Theatre Geraldton 26 Carnarvon Civic Centre AQUA 18 Metropolis Fremantle BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB 18 Astor Theatre BORIS 20 The Bakery DANIEL O’DONNELL 24 Riverside Theatre BRIAN SETZER’S ROCKABILLY RIOT 24 Fremantle Arts Centre DURAN DURAN 24 Sandalford Estate Swan Valley DARYL BRAITHWAITE 24 Bunbury Entertainment Centre NICK LOWE 26 Astor Theatre THE NECKS 26 The Bakery FRANKIE VALLI & THE FOUR SEASONS 27 Kings Park PIERRE BENSUSAN 27 The Ellington YELAWOLF 27 Capitol LENNY KRAVITZ / THE CRANBERRIES / WOLFMOTHER 28 Athletics Stadium Mount Claremont
GRACE KNIGHT 29 Fremantle Arts Centre 30 Ellington Jazz Club 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 HOLLY THROSBY 31 Norfolk Basement DEEP SEA ARCADE 30 Capitol 31 Players Bar
Passenger, April 13, Fly By Night
7 The Bakery BALL PARK MUSIC 7 Amplifier 8 Newport Hotel 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 PASSENGER 13 Fly By Night Club 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, APRIL Dry Bones, Totally DEEP SEA ARCADE Gourdgeous & more 1 Mojos Bar TBC) PETULA CLARK 13 - 15 Fairbridge 1 Albany Entertainment Village Pinjarra Centre THE HERD CHILDREN COLLIDE 14 Rosemount Hotel 1 Mojos Bar JUSTIN TOWNES WEST COAST BLUES ‘N’ EARLE ROOTS (Crosby, Stills & 14 Fly By Night Nash, The Pogues, The 15 Rosemount Hotel Specials, My Morning ROGER DALTREY Jacket, Buddy Guy, 19 Riverside Theatre Keb Mo, Steve Earle, LIAM BURROWS Trombone Shorty 21 The Atrium & Orleans Avenue, Mandurah Husky, John Fogerty 22 Ellington Jazz Club and more TBA) SUPAFEST (P. Diddy, 1 Fremantle Park Ice Cube, Rick Ross, XAVIER RUDD Trey Songz, Kelly 5 Astor Theatre Rowland, Lupe Fiasco DEAD MEADOW / PINK and more TBA) 22 Arena Joondalup MOUNTAINTOPS
LOU BARLOW 22 Rosemount Hotel BURT BACHARACH 23 Riverside Theatre AUGUST BURNS RED 25 Amplifier THE HOODOO GURUS 28 Astor Theatre
MAY THE MOUNTAIN GOATS 1 The Bakery KRISTIN BERADI 11 & 12 Ellington Jazz Club 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 LIAM BURROWS 26 Friend’s Restaurant 27 Jazz Fremantle NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK / BACKSTREET BOYS 29 Burswood Dome BOB HIRST 30 & 31 Ellington Jazz Club
JUNE TINA ARENA 8 Riverside Theatre NADIA ACKERMAN 28 Ellington Jazz Club
JULY MELISSA ETHERIDGE 20 Riverside Theatre
BIG DAY OUT 2012
Kasabian
Boy & Bear
www.xpressmag.com.au
In 1992, a music festival featuring the Violent Femmes and Nirvana, played in a dingy old hall in Moore Park, Sydney. About 70 performers and crew made the event possible, playing for a few thousand punters. It was called the Big Day Out, and it unwittingly became the number one music festival in Australia.The next year, festivals in Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide were added. This year, the event celebrates its 20th anniversary. The Big Day Out 2012 tour is well under way and the whole travelling show arrives at McCallum Park on the Victoria Park foreshore this Sunday, February 5. Among the wealth of musical treats on display, Brit rockers Kasabian are sure to offer rabble-raising proof of their place as one of the most exciting live acts, and surf-pop buzz band Best Coast will permeate the atmosphere with their warm vibe, and equally sunny disposition (which is sure to be a perfect match for the warm temperature), while Californian indie pin-ups Foster The People are likely to induce the biggest sing-a-long of the day with their smash hit Pumped Up Kicks. A host of Aussie artists will also be flying the flag on the day, with harmony-lovin’ folk-fivesome Boy & Bear set to charm with their sparsely fingerpicked ballads and much-loved rockers The Living End sure to draw a huge crowd. For those willing to rock up early, a stellar lineup of local bands will be strutting their stuff, with hot-wired rock‘n’roll juggernaut The Growl and genre-defying, high-energy sextet Brow Horn Orchestra sure to coax spirited punters to bop, hop and boogie down. under the midday sun. Tickets for BDO 2012 are still available from Ticketmaster and selected outlets. Click over to bigdayout.com/tickets for the full list.
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Sean Pollard, Wednesday at The Moon
WEDNESDAY 01.02
THURSDAY 02.02
AMPLIFIER HED (pe) Mushroomhead BALMORAL Nathan Gaunt BALLY’S BAR Greg Carter Karaoke BAR 120 Felix BLACK BETTY’S Everlong CLANCY’S FISH PUB (CANNING BRIDGE) Geraldine La La Keneth Austin CLAREMONT HOTEL Open Mic Night DEVILLES Rock‘N’Roll Karaoke ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Aaron Spiers Group HALE ROAD TAVERN Damien Cripps INDI BAR Lightning Jack LOBBY LOUNGE (BURSWOOD) Courtney Murphy LUCKY SHAG Howie Morgan METRO FREO The Other Guys MOJOS BAR Let The Cat Out Nasty Dogz MOON & SIXPENCE Gerard Maunick Duo MUSTANG Blue Gene PADDO Ultrasound Graphic Fiction Heroes Jupiter Zeus ROSIE O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) David Fyffe ROSEMOUNT Seether Kill Teen Angst SOUTH ST ALE HOUSE Christian Thompson THE GATE Dirty Scoundrels THE MOON Rabbit Island Craig McElhinney Sean Pollard UNIVERSAL Strutt
BELGIAN BEER CAFÉ Bernardine Grigson BLACK BETTY’S Our Fallen Legacy Reflections Of Ruin Born On The Bayou BOAB TAVERN Damien Cripps BROOKLANDS TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke COMO HOTEL The Other Guys DEVILLES PAD Jon Madd’s Karaoke ELEPHANT & WHEELBARROW Daren Reid & The Soul City Groove ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Nina Ferro FUSE BAR Howie Morgan HIGH WYCOMBE HOTEL Chris Murphy HYDE PARK HOTEL Open Mic INDI BAR Bex’s Open Mic Night LUCKY SHAG James Wilson MARKET CITY TAVERN High Grass Dogs Honeywheeler Zaardvark MERRIWA TAVERN Overload MOJOS BAR Prince Rama Tusk Carbuncle Salamander MOON & SIXPENCE Bob & Clem MUSTANG BAR Custom Royal OCEAN BEACH HOTEL Open Mic Night OXFORD HOTEL Jonny Taylor ROSEMOUNT Sticky Sweet Dublin Jazz Aunts The Reductors Epsilon
Law Of Attraction
LAW OF ATTRACTION SERIAL KILLER SMILE DEFINE MY ADDICTION THE EXIT LINE
FRIDAY,JANUARY 3 BEAT NIGHTCLUB
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Runner, Friday at The Bird ROSIE O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) Fenton Wilde ROSIE O’GRADY’S (FREMANTLE) Clayton Bolger SOVEREIGN ARMS David Fyffe THE BIRD Tangled Thoughts Of Leaving The Silent World THE BOAT Jen Des Ness THE BROOKE Open Mic Night THE FLY TRAP Jugular THE GATE Better Days THE SHED The Dukes Of Porn The Cult Of Addiction Gareth. J. Dawkins UNIVERSAL BAR Off The Record VILLA The Never Ever YA YA’S The Smith St Band Faim Suburban & Coke Alex the Kid
FRIDAY 03.02 7th AVENUE Midnight Rambler AMPLIFIER Rainy Day Women The Ghost Hotel TV Snow Warning Birds BAILEY BAR Modsquad BALLY’S BAR Jamie Powers BALMORAL The Other Guys BAR 120 Arts Martial The91 BAR ORIENT Crown Jewels BRASS MONKEY Ivan Ribic BEAT NIGHTCLUB The Exit Line Define My Addiction Law Of Attraction Serial Killer Smile BELMONT TAVERN Everlong Acoustic BENNY’S Faces BENTLY HOTEL Sophie Jane BLACK BETTYS J Babies BOHEME BAR Soul Corporation CANTON LOUNGE Toxic Rhthm CAPTAIN STIRLING Bluebottles CARLISLE HOTEL Reload CHARLES HOTEL Adam Brand CHASE BAR James Wilson
Rainy Day Women, Friday at Amplifier
CIVIC HOTEL The Frighteners Stunning In Red Scott White Zorbas Milk CLANCY’S FISH PUB (FREMANTLE) The New Beast COMO HOTEL Tip Top CRAFTSMAN 5th Avenue DEVILLES PAD Randa K Odette Mercy Clare Nina Norelli Lucy Peach EDZ SPORTZ BAR Gotham City ELEPHANT & WHEELBARROW Daren Reid & The Soul City Groove ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB James Flynn & The Fly Little Big Band Shameem Taheri-Lee FUSE BAR Groove Karaoke GLOUCESTER PARK Kenji GREENWOOD Baby Piranhas HARBOUR TERRACE Neil Colliss HERDSMAN LAKE TAVERN One Trick Phonies HYDE PARK HOTEL Nathan Gaunt Jack & Jill INDI BAR The Novocaines The Tumblers Foam, Dallas Royal K1 BAR Chris Murphy LEFT BANK Frankie Button MERRIWA TAVERN Dexter MIGHTY QUINN TAVERN Kontraband MOON & SIXPENCE Soul Corporation MOJOS BAR Million Stylez Earthlink MUSTANG Oz Big Band Cheeky Monkeys NEWPORT Party Rockers NORFOLK BASEMENT Hoot N Howl The Witches Jackie Treehorn NORTHWOOD ALE HOUSE James Morley OCEAN ONE BAR Freo Grasshoppers OSBORNE PARK HOTEL Howie Morgan Duo OXFORD HOTEL Recliners PADDO Sean Scott
PADDY HANNANS Gun Shy Romeos PADDY MAGUIRE’S The Bluebottles PARAMOUNT Flyte PEEL ALEHOUSE Next Generation Karaoke PICKLED FIG Minky G PRINCIPAL Pop Candy RAILWAY HOTEL The Cold Acre Valhalla Nights The Insatiables Dan Peters RAVENSWOOD HOTEL Rod Coxell ROCKET ROOM Animistic Befallen Reflections Of Ruin Xenobiotic ROSE & CROWN Tod Woodward ROSEMOUNT Grim Fandango The Smith St Band The Leap Year Sail On! Sail On! SAIL & ANCHOR Howie Morgan Duo SOUTH ST ALE HOUSE Robbie King Karaoke SPRINGS TAVERN Switchback SUBIACO HOTEL Empire SWAN BASEMENT Dead Set Radio The Other Woman Self Made Guru The Generators THE BIRD Runner Cow Parade Cow THE BOAT Pop Candy THE FLY TRAP Waiting 4 Andy The Whisky Pocket THE GATE James Wilson Smoking Section THE SHED Kickstart THE VIC Halo UNIVERSAL Nightmoves VELVET LOUNGE Branson Tramps Cavefire Cinema Lantana One Armed Scissor VICTORIA PARK HOTEL David Fyffe WANNEROO TAVERN Clayton Bolger WOODVALE TAVERN Dr Bogus YA YA’S Hyte Brutus Muzzle
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.
The Volcanics, Saturday at The Fly Trap
SATURDAY 04.02 AMPLIFIER Voltaire Twins BAILEY BAR Dr Bogus BALMORAL Better Days BALLYS BAR Christian Thompson BAR 120 Flyte BELGIAN BEER CAFÉ Chris Murphy BLACK BETTY’S Redstar BOAB TAVERN Toxic Rhythm BURSWOOD CASINO Courtney Murphy Murphy’s Lore CAPTAIN STIRLING Howie Morgan Duo CIVIC HOTEL Scott Kelly John Baizley Andrew Ewing CIVIC HOTEL (THE DEN) Yogurt Of Burning The PCM The Origin Of The Phonetics Southwicks CLANCY’S FISH PUB (CANNING BRIDGE) Mister Duo CLANCY’S FISH PUB (DUNSBOROUGH) The Burger Kings CLANCY’S FISH PUB (FREMANTLE) Bears & Dolls CLAREMONT HOTEL The Zydecats COMO HOTEL Tip Top CRAFTSMAN Lush DEVILLES PAD Los Hombres Del Diablo ELEPHANT & WHEELBARROW Blue Hornet ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB James Flynn & The Fly Little Big Band Horizon Art Orchestra GREENWOOD HOTEL Pretty Fly HIGH ROAD HOTEL The Damien Cripps Band HYDE PARK HOTEL I Love Ragga INDI BAR Regurgitator The Brow Horn Orchestra Tomàs Ford INDIAN OCEAN BREWING COMPANY The Other Guys LEOPOLD HOTEL Steve Hepple LOBBY LOUNGE John Sandosham Duo M ON THE POINT Rhythm 22
MERRIWA TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke METRO FREO Proof MOON & SIXPENCE Blaze MOJOS BAR Felicity Groom Andrew Sinclair The Ritual Band Axe Girl Gum MUSTANG Johnny Law & The Piston Packin’ Daddies 10 Cent Billionaire NEWPORT Kizzy Gravity NIB STADIUM Rod Stewart Diesel NORFOLK BASEMENT Twisted Affection Emberville Young Alaska Mr Chance NORTHWOOD ALE HOUSE Little Sister PADDY HANNAN’S Decoy PARAMOUNT Felix QUARIE BAR Electrophobia RAILWAY HOTEL When Summer Ends Red Sky Nymph Honey Mike Podmore ROCKET ROOM Kickstart ROSEMOUNT Split Cities Race To Your Face Dead Owls Sprawl Salamander Ourobonic Plague ROSIE O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) Blue Gene ROSIE O’GRADY’S (FREMANTLE) Flavor SAIL & ANCHOR Sophie Jane & The Chilly Bin Boys STEVE’S BAR Adrian Wilson SUBIACO HOTEL Off The Record SWINGING PIG Greg Carter THE BIRD YLEM Rekab Mr Starks Everyteen Travis D THE BOAT Deuce THE FLY TRAPThe Volcanics Cal Peck & The Tramps The Good Sons Kenny Watt THE GATE Dirty Scoundrels THE RANGES INN Filtered Replay THE
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Friday Friday TravisSaturday Caudle Tomàs Ford, Travis Caudle Flyat ByIndi Night Bar Fly By Night SAINT Bluebottles THE SHED Huge THE VIC James Wilson THE WHALE & ALE J Babies UNIVERSAL Soul Corporation WANNEROO TAVERN Greg Carter WOODVALE TAVERN Daren Reid & The Soul City Groove YA YA’S Project Mayhem ScalphunterThe Bob Gordons The Kuillotines
Felicity Groom, Saturday at Mojos Bar
K1 BAR Damien Cripps LAKERS TAVERN Jamie Powers LEISURE INN Steve Hepple LOBBY LONGE (BURSWOOD) Courtney Murphy M ON THE POINT Bluebottles MOJOS BAR The White Lanterns Desert Flower Seth Lowe Brian Piper Port Authority MUSTANG Peter Busher & The Lone Rangers NEWPORT Tim Nelson NORTHWOOD ALE SUNDAY 05.02 HOUSE 7TH AVENUE Tahnee Mckay Reckless Kelly PINK DUCK LOUNGE 150 RIVERSIDE EAST BAR (ASCOT QUAYS) Neil Colliss Adrian Wilson PRINCIPAL BALLY’S BAR Sophie Jane Greg Carter QUEENS TAVERN BALMORAL Grace Barbe Band Cranky RAILWAY HOTEL BROKEN HILL HOTEL Bob Marley Chris Murphy Outernational BROOKLANDS Ngati TAVERN The Isolites Greg Carter Jah Era CAFÉ 58 Riverbeats The Aces SAIL & ANCHOR CAPTAIN STIRLING Shawne & Luc Scott Nelson SOVEREIGN ARMS CLANCY’S FISH PUB Ivan Ribic (DUNSBOROUGH) SPRINGS TAVERN Mister & The Sunbird Sean Scott CLANCY’S FISH PUB SWAN VELLEY CAFÉ (FREMANTLE) Kenji The Zydecats SWINGING PIG CLAREMONT HOTEL Adam James Sunday Driver THE BIRD COMO HOTEL The Weapon Is Sound David Fyffe THE GATE EASTERN HOTEL Gotham City Mike De Velta Chris Gibbs Trio THE SAINT ELEPHANT & Howie Morgan WHEELBARROW Daren Reid & The Soul Project THE SHED City Groove The Healy’s ELLINGTON JAZZ Blue Hornet CLUB TWO ROCKS Decadent Soul TAVERN FERAL BREWING Kickstart Rachel Gorman FREMANTLE ARTS CENTRE Toby GLOUSTER PARK Kenji GREENWOOD Chris Gibbs Duo HIGH ROAD HOTEL Mike Nayar HIGH WYCOMBE HOTEL The Organ Grinders HYDE PARK HOTEL Booze & Roots INDI BAR Jeff Martin The Seals Morgan Bain INDIAN OCEAN BREWING CO Retriofit Dove
UNIVERSAL Retriofit VICTORIA PARK HOTEL Paul Foster WANNEROO TAVERN Matt Milford WHISTLING KITE James Wilson WOODVALE TAVERN Good Karma
MONDAY 06.02 LOBBY LOUNGE (BURSWOOD) Courtney Murphy MOJOS BAR Open Mic Night MUSTANG BAR Marco & The Alley Cats THE BIRD Mace Francis Orchestra THE DEEN Plastic Max & The Token Gesture
TUESDAY 07.02 CHARLES HOTEL Perth Blues Club Lloyd Spiegel Ivan Zar On The Level EASTERN HOTEL Groove Karaoke ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Juliana Areias LUCKY SHAG Nathan Gaunt MOJOS BAR Bruno Oliver Booth Killer Cherry Neutral Native Midnight Boulevard PADDO Christian Thompson PRINCE OF WALES Open Mic Night SETTLERS TAVERN Open Mic Night THE BIRD Jemima Rose X-WRAY CAFE Open Piano Night
Lloyd Spiegel
LLOYD SPIEGEL
IVAN ZAR ON THE LEVEL TUESDAY, JANUARY 7 CHARLES HOTEL
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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 DOTTIE’S, BRAIDS & DREADS. Specialise in Dreads/Ext/Maint, Weaves, Braids, Cornrows etc. Working 7 days & some evenings. For app call 0414 082 993. 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. DRUMMER REQUIRED Quality, working rock covers band requires solid, reliable drummer. Must be tight. We have gigs booked through to April and have our own PA, lights etc. Please phone 98814283 or 0427 471423 or e-mail pjkm@westnet. com.au for more info. DRUMMER WANTED For 90’s grunge/ alt Rock band. Inf. AIC, STP, Mother Love Bone, Pearl Jam etc. All ages welcome. Call Jarrod 0424 448 289. DRUMMER WANTED For large production Aussie Rock Tribute. Dedication + experience a must. Ph: 0409 370 900. 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 OPEN MIC NIGHT every Thursday night at Indi Bar. Just call Bex on 0404 917 632 PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT PHOTOGRAPHY Promo photography, studio, live, location. M i k e W y l i e 0 4 1 7 9 7 5 9 6 4 w w w. projectphotography.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 HIRE FX Lights club to concert size. Pro Equipment www.perthconcertsound. com.au.. Ph 9307 8594 / mob 0404 410 020 / 9309 6219 RECORDING STUDIOS A L A N D A W S O N ’s W I T Z E N D 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 CVP Digital, Protools, Recording and Mastering. Productive environment, songwriters welcome. Session musos available. Ph 9349 9365, Yokine area. www. clearviewproductions.com.au G O L D D U S TCO N S T R U C T I O N . CO M 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 C l e a n rooms, all new PA systems, air-con and good parking . Willetton Ph: 0425 698 117. P L AT I N U M S O U N D R O O M S Professional rehearsal rooms, airconditioned, quality PAs mob 0418 944 722 ROCK FORCE PRODUCTIONS For more information please visit www. rockforceproductions.com 0409 102 246. S T R E A M S T U D I O S Th e p l a c e t o rehearse in Perth.. Phone: 0403 152 009 www.streamrehearsal.com.au TUITION ***GUITAR LESSONS*** JAN/FEB ENROLMENTS 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 BESS LESSONS 11 years exp. Waapa audition prep. Technique, theor y, all styles, any age/ability level. 0420 505131.î VOICE COACH/ SINGING TEACHER All levels, all styles. This is the year to Find Your True Voice. Ph: 0407 260 762 or 9407 9078.
JOONDALUP MUSIC CENTRE What’s Your Move? This week Volume chats to the fine folks from Joondalup Music Centre about their new location and accompanying What’s Your Move competition, which is giving local musos the chance to win more than $8,000 worth of equipment. A change is a comin’! One of WA’s largest music stores Joondalup Music Centre is moving to bigger and better premises on the corner of Winton Road and Mercer Lane, right opposite the store’s popular school of music. Proprietor Genelle Picton-King says she is looking forward to bringing a new-look store to the northern suburbs:“The new store and location will have an even better look and vibe than our current premises, and we really wanted to be closer to our school of music again, which will eventually integrate with the new building.” To celebrate the forthcoming grand opening of the new store, Joondalup Music Centre is putting up enough equipment to fit out a whole band in the What’s Your Move competition.
The impressive prize list features an ESP VT 1000 Viper Deluxe electric guitar, a Marshall MG101FX12 100-watt combo amplifier, a Gretsch Blackhawk 5 piece drum kit with cymbals and stool, an Ibanez SR200EX electric bass, a Peavey Tour TNT 115 600-watt bass combo amplifier, a Phonic 800-watt PA system, an AKG D5 microphone, and a Yamaha PSR-S650 keyboard. There are two ways to enter the What’s Your Move competition. After ‘liking’ the Joondalup Music Centre Facebook page, click on the ‘competition’ link and then either upload a photo of yourself doing your favourite rock move (this can be your own signature move or a move from your favourite rock star, for example the Chuck Berry 46
An ESP VT 1000 Viper Deluxe electric guitar is up for grabs in the What’s Your Move competition.
d windmill or the Mick duck-walk, the Pete Townshend Jagger strut) or upload a picture of your favourite rock star and write in 25 words what your favourite rock star’s move is and why you chose it. “We wanted our ‘move’ to coincide with everyone else’s ‘moves’. I think the competition not only offers a unique prize, but also inspires creativity in the entrants,” Picton-King says. Ten finalists will be chosen by the Joondalup Music Centre staff after which the finalists will be voted on by the page fans on Facebook. The store doesn’t want non-Facebookers to miss out, so old-school contestants can visit the store and drop in an entry in person. Entries close on Saturday, March 10 at 5pm. The top 10 finalists will then be selected and voting will open to all page fans until Saturday, March 31 to determine the winner of the grand prize. Full terms and conditions of the What’s Your Move competition are available at joondalupmusic.com.au. OK I’ve done my stretches, now where’s my spandex? I used to do a pretty good Malmsteen kick… _CHRIS GIBBS X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays