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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
Wavves Dead Letter Circus
SLEEPING BEAUTIES
Kaiser Chiefs
WE PREDICT A RIOT
Everyone’s favourite lads from Leeds Kaiser Chiefs are returning to rock our shores this May for an exclusive show at Metro City on Friday, May 18, to coincide with their Groovin’ The Moo headline show in Bunbury on Saturday, May 19. Since we saw them last the boys have released a new album, On The Run, and secured themselves a spot at the highly prestigious Coachella Festival in the US. Promising an epic stadium-style rock show filled with all their fan favourites - from I Predict A Riot to Ruby - the iconic Britpopsters will be joined by Sydney band Deep Sea Arcade who have been causing quite a stir themselves with their Beatles-inspired pop craftsmanship. Tickets to their solo show are available from Oztix. Tickets to the Groovin’ The Moo are available from Oztix and gtm.net.au.
Don’t be fooled by their latest tour’s title, Brisbane alternative rockers Dead Letter Circus are sure to bring heavy doses of high energy rock that will have you anything but sleepwalking during their upcoming national Sleepwalker tour. The tour will take in 20 dates right around the country and DLC have hand picked two of their favourite rocking bands to make every show an epic event. Joining them for the ride will be amazing support acts in the form of American rockers Fair To Midland and energetic Victorian up-and-comers Twelve Foot Ninja. You can catch the show first at the Prince of Wales in Bunbury on Thursday, May 10; followed by Metropolis Fremantle on Friday, May 11 and finally Capitol in the city on Saturday, May 12. Grab your tickets today from Oztix or Moshtix.
CALIFORNIA DREAMING
It seems that California is a pretty chilled place. There have been enough bands, trends and cultures to come out of there just to prove that; and Wavves is no exception. The San Diego natives’ charismatic sound and cheeky lyrics embody everything we have come to expect from sunny state. The boys came to our shores for the first time last year and it seems like they can’t get enough because they are back this year showcasing their two albums King of the Beach and Life Sux. Luckily, fans will have the opportunity to catch their blissed beats not once but twice this year with the recent announcement of a solo sideshow at the Rosemount Hotel on Friday, May 18, in addition to their show at the Groovin’ the Moo festival in Bunbury on Saturday, May 19. Tickets the show at the Rosemont Hotel are available from Heatseeker and tickets to the Groovin’ The Moo are available from Oztix and gtm.net.au.
BAKED GOODS
The fine folks at The Bakery will present an Easter Thursday extravaganza on April 5, with electro heavyweights Jacques Greene and Machine Drum alongside a mass of local action for your dancing pleasure. From NYC, Machine Drum (the moniker of the uber talented Travis Stewart) will be showcasing his genre-defying sound, while Canadian youngster Jacques Greene will illustrate why he’s made a name for himself as one of the world’s most promising dance talents. The pair will be gracing the audience with dance mixes and original work, and have both enjoyed growing success back in the States and Canada. Joining the duo on the night will be Rok Riley, Kit Pop, Clunk, Solar Barge, Oni Cash, Sleepyhead, Modo, Nik Ridikulas vs. Ben Taaffe and Ylem vs Racheal Dease. Presale tickets are on sale now for a measly $29 from lifeisnoise.com, Heatseeker and Oztix. We’re predicting a big crowd for this one, so get in quick to make sure you don’t miss out.
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News
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Reactions/Comp
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Flesh
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Music: New Order
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Music: Wild Flag
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Music: Sleepmakeswaves/ Dillinger Escape Plan
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Music: Hatebreed/ Stonefield
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Music: Fat Freddy’s Drop/ Jonesez
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New Noise
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Eye4 Cover: U-Ramchoe
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Eye4 News/ Music/ Movies: Killer Elite
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Eye4 Movies: Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close/ Contraband/ Eye2Eye
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Eye4 Art Stories/ Arts List
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Eye4 Lifestyle
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Salt Cover: Hudson Mohawke
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Salt: Cover Story/ News
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Salt: AraabMuzik/ Tinie Tempah
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Salt: Oliver Huntemann/ Porter Robinson
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Salt: Rewind: QBert & Reeps One
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Club Manual/ Scenery
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Scene: Live
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Scene: Local Scene
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Food Feature
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Scene: Pub Scene
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Scene: Pub Blurbs
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Tour Trails
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Gig Guide
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Volume
Cover: New Order play Future Music Festival on Sunday, March 4, at Arena Joondalup Salt Cover: Hudson Mohawke plays The Bakery on
CINEMA AMONG THE STARS
Jacques Greene
Cinephiles will ascend to new heights this month when Artrage opens Perth’s first sky-high cinema – Rooftop Movies. Perched atop the City of Perth Roe Street carpark, seven storeys high, the cinema will seat 250 patrons each night of the week, showcasing new releases, cult flicks and classics. Overlooking Perth city and Northbridge, Rooftop Movies is sure to become a fast favourite of film aficionados, with double features on Fridays and Saturdays and Belly Laugh Wednesdays offering live comedy pre and post film. Expect to see much loved flicks such as Casablanca, Dr Strangelove, The Big Lebowski, Sin City, Spirited Away and Revenge Of The Nerds projected onto the big screen during the cinema’s first month of operation. Find out what’s on and when via rooftopmovies.com.au.
The Big Lebowski
ROTTNEST RENOVATION RESCUE If Perth is the 12th most expensive place in the whole wide world to live then surely Rottnest comes in at #11. The Rottnest Island Authority has been under a bit of pressure in recent times to update its tired looking island, and it’s about time. Our island paradise isn’t in its best shape right now. The first thing that needs to be addressed is getting there. Why is there only one ferry company taking us over there? If they didn’t have a monopoly you could be sure that it wouldn’t cost $40.75 each way for 30 minute boat ride. The last time I was on one of their vessels, I recall an announcement being made that the man behind the bar was single too, and open to the affections of any lady. Classy. When one of the reasons that visitor numbers are dropping is that low-cost airlines can take peeps overseas a competitive price, it should be clear that something ain’t right. Also there isn’t much to do on the island unless Rottofest or a gig is on. Maybe it’s time to upgrade the 7 inch TV screens in the chalets and/or introduce something else to do at night time that isn’t one of two pubs... Reopen the mini-golf course, gosh darn it! Obviously all the salt water has gone to whoever is in charge of updating the island’s head, as they’ve decided there’s a problem with “Juvie Leavers” - a term invented by the news media to describe some high schoolers who got drunk on the island - so they’re considering raising the age that you can rent accommodation on the island to 21... That’ll solve the problem! _MATTHEW HOGAN
Saturday, March 3 www.xpressmag.com.au
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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.
Publisher/Manager Joe Cipriani
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Photography
A Little Bit Of Heaven
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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Production
Holy Ghost Playing at Future Music Festival
FUTURE MUSIC FESTIVAL
Smirnoff Vodka is bringing a slice of New York nightlife to the Future Music Festival by hosting James Murphy’s DFA Records on their very own stage. Aussie festival-goers will be transported to the heart of New York City with an all-encompassing nightlife experience that will see DFA leading-light, Murphy and Pat Mahoney, his partner in the legendary LCD Soundsystem, on headline duties. Thanks to our lovely friends at Smirnoff Vodka, we have an awesome double pass up for grabs to Future Music Festival when it hits Perth on Sunday, March 4, at Joondalup Arena. For your chance to win, simply tell us what would be your mode of transport to take you to Future Music Festival.
It has been four years but Perth band Blanche DuBois are back and better than ever with their third studio album Young Heart. Drawing on their personal experiences of relationships, love and loss, Nadija and Adriana Begovich’s latest record was produced in Sydney by Matt Fell who has worked with Tim Freedman and Josh Pyke. To celebrate the release of this anticipated album, we have five copies to giveaway. Enter now for your chance to snag one.
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Coriolanus
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Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
KOMODO MUSIC PRESENTS MASK 2012
What better way to celebrate a long weekend than by getting dressed up, putting on a mask and dancing the night away with an open bar? Mask 2012 is being held at the Empyrean (the old IMAX theatre) on Saturday, March 3, and promises to be a night of good times and great memories with plenty of entertainment all night long. We are giving five of our lucky readers the chance to win a standard double pass to this wonderful event so get in now as it is sure to be a magical evening.
EXTREMELY LOUD & INCREDIBLY CLOSE
You want to win tickets to Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close? Then enter now to be in the running.
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art@xpressmag.com.au Brooke Gerrick, Andy Quilty, Anthony Jackson
A guarded woman finds out she’s dying of cancer, but when she meets her match, the threat of falling in love is scarier than death. Starring Kate Hudson, Gael Garcia Bernal, Whoopie Goldberg, Peter Dinklage and Lucy Punch, this is sure to be an incredible film. Enter now for your chance to win a double pass.
BLANCHE DUBOIS
Production Co-ordinator Bryony Crowe
A LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN
CORIOLANUS
Coriolanus is a banished hero of Rome who allies with a sworn enemy to take his revenge on the city. We have ten double passes up for grabs to see the new film starring Gerard Butler, Ralph Fiennes and Vanessa Redgrave. Get in now for your chance to win.
ARAABMUZIK @ THE BAKERY
With AraabMuzik’s fast rhythmic touches on the machine- while donning a New Era fitted, some might call it poetry in motion, others might say it’s suicide on an MPC, but for this producer it’s another day on the job. MPC master AraabMuzik checks into the Bakery on Sunday, February 26, and we have two double passes up for grabs. Enter now for your chance to win tickets.
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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 Soundwave timetable was released this week and our Facebook fans are pretty bummed about some of the clashes…
SMILE LIKE YOU MEAN IT
Mark Slipknot and Black Label Society. Bush and Wednesday 13. Soad Machinehead and Sisters Of Mercy… FUCKKKKKKKKK got a couple of big decisions to make!
Dear X-Press,
Alex Machine Head and System of a Down on at the same time is pretty ordinary... Nina Offs! Why would they overlap bands that they put together on sidewavesobviously they know that they got the same fans who will want to see both. Jarrod Sisters and Devin have only got 40 fucking minutes each??? Why Soundwave why? Too many other shit bands this year cut down on them and give real artists a chance to play.
Just a quick thank you to all the crew that made it down to Serial Killer Smile’s debut EP launch for The Elephant In The Room. We had a blast. Thanks a lot to Further Earth, Copious and This Other Eden for being such amazing support acts and to Big Daz for our live sound. Also thanks to the Rosemount staff and production crew for their help on the night. See you all at the next show!! \m/ Richo (Serial Killer Smile) Via Email
Kate This is going to be sick I’ve got to run from one stage to the other side of the oval to see the bands I wanna see.
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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
Husky
HUSKY FOREVER Bleeding Knees Club
BLEEDING LOVE
What to do when you have nothing to do? Write a song about it and bam! You’ve got a new single, new album and new tour around the country. That’s exactly what Gold Coast band Bleeding Knees Club did. Their ode to all things boredom, Nothing To Do, is the title track for a new album that is a collection of fun and vibrant songs about everything from getting girls to getting high. Taking it on the road for the first time, the duo will start off their WA leg at Scarborough’s Indi Bar on Wednesday, April 25, followed by The Prince of Wales Hotel Bunbury on Thursday, April 26; Amplifier on Friday, April 27, and then Mojos Bar on Saturday, April 28. Click on over to bleedingkneesclub.com to grab your tickets.
Melbournian quartet Husky have been signed to US record label Sub Pop, the one-time home of Nirvana and Soundgarden. The folk four-piece will take a crack at the lucrative American market as the first ever Australian band to join the iconic label. Needless to say the guys deserve a hi-five, and you can give them one when they play the West Coast Blues ‘N’ Roots Festival on Sunday, April 1. Having already supported the likes of Gotye, Laura Marling and Noah And The Whale, we’re predicting these guys are about to go big, so don’t miss your chance to catch their critically lauded live show before their trot overseas. Grab your tickets from westcoastbluesnroots.com.au.
GROWN UP ANIMALS NOW
Mutemath
ODD SOULS
Straight form New Orleans, USA, genre-bending three-piece Mutemath are coming to Perth for one gig only. Their eagerness to bend the parameters of music and make it their own has seen them enjoy great success since releasing their first self-titled album in 2004 - a success which is sure to be repeated when they unleash their latest album, Odd Soul. On Sunday, May 20, the trio will showcase their new tunes at Amplifier. Tickets are available from moshtix.com.
SLAM DUNK DA FUNK
SLAM (Save Live Australian Music) – a collective of non-politically aligned, independent, local musicloving citizens - are set to celebrate live music venues and the artists that play in them on the first National Slam Day, this Thursday, February 23. Going to a live show at a local pub or club allows you to experience artists for a relatively cheap price, but if that culture is not supported then maybe the music might not either. Participating in the WA sector this year is Clancy’s Fish Pub in Fremantle, Mojos Bar, The Rosemount Hotel, The Paddington Ale House and the Murdoch University Bush Court. Help support it or you’re gonna lose it. You can check out what other artists have had to say for the cause, as well as what’s happening on the day at slamrally.org.
ON’YA RACH!
After the completion of the first full Fringe Festival held in Perth, local chanteuse Rachael Dease has come out a winner, becoming the first recipient of the Martin Sims award. The award is created in his honour and bestows upon its winner $10,000 and the title of most promising West Australian work at the Fringe. Rachael won the award for her piece entitled City Of Shadows, which is a song cycle of her own creation that is set to a large backdrop of 1920s photographs from the archives of Sydney’s police records as well as a live violin and cello addition. After winning this award, Rachael has the opportunity to take her performance to fringe festivals around the world. Needless to say; a big congratulations to Rachael on her award and consequent prospects.
Joining the after-school fun that is Frat House Fridays are the duo of youngsters who go by the name of Block Ness Monsters. So while you are enjoying the sensation that is an American frat party with authentic red cups and cheap drinks to fill them with, you can listen to the dudes with the party jams. If you want to see these guys at the launch of Frat House Fridays this Friday, February 24 then do the cool thing and check out Facebook or simply head down to Metro Freo and prepare to get messy!
Well no, not really but chanteuse, storyteller, lover and traveller Sam Buckingham is back home for her Homeward Bound tour. After the success and joys of her 2011 maiden voyage (which included a sold-out supporting set for Aussie pop superstar Washington), she’ll be coming to a town near you anyway she can this year, whether it be by car, plane, train or good ‘ol hitch-hike. This sweet and lovely storyteller will be playing Mojos Bar on Tuesday, February 28. Tickets are $10 from sambuckingham.com.
The Brow Horn Orchestra Added to the already extensive list of artists at the Fairbridge Festival of Folk and World Music, is longtime Aussie singer-songwriter Shane Howard. Howard has been working on his skills for a while now and has a variety of songs handpicked from an extensive career to showcase at the festival. Howard will be joining artists such as My Friend The Chocolate Cake, Seth Lakeman and The Chipolatas. The festival takes place from April 13-15 and ticketing inquiries can be made at fairbridgefestival.com.au.
FRAT PACK
BACK FROM BUCKINGHAM
With the musical zeitgeist swinging toward reunion tours and celebrating the halcyon era of Australian pub rock, a much-anticipated comeback tour by one of this nation’s greatest musical outfits seems perfectly timed. Having formed in the early ‘90s and been privy to much success after that, Baby Animals have been back performing together now for a couple of years. With enigmatic frontwoman Suzi DeMarchi at the lead vocals again, and the supremely talented Dave Leslie on guitar, this rock’n’roll success story are set to explode when they return to the stage at the Charles Hotel on Friday, March 23, and the Endeavour Hotel in Lancelin on Saturday, March 24. Don’t miss your chance to see them before they become the ‘Old Age Pensioner Animals.’
FOLKIN’ FANTASTIC
Block Ness Monsters
LOCAL LOVIN’ FOR FUTURE
Future Music Festival is just around the corner and we are getting pumped. The final line-up additions have just been announced and shit’s going to get real – Anna Lunoe will be in the Pure Blonde Dome, Naik ft Pat from Sugar Army will be playing their first full length set together, Stillwater Giants and Cut & Paste Soundsystem will be tearing up the DFA Stage, local turntablist Junior will showcase his new collaboration with Raji and the Brow Horn Orchestra will be smashing it too. Perth’s tech and progressive exponents Darren J and Progress Inn will be there in good form and trance masters Jason Creek and GeRmAn will also be joining them. Riot Class, Death Disco DJs, Ekko & Sidetrack, Black & Blunt, Mind Electric, Kenny L, Massiv Trav, Valle Zoo, Jack Masel, Lukas Wimmler vs Chris Moro and last but definitely not least – the winner of the Future Of Future DJ Competition will all be hitting the decks. Future Music Festival hits Arena Joondalup on Sunday, March 4. Woop woop!
GOOD GRANEY
Australian songwriter Dave Graney will be performing at Mojos Bar in Fremantle on Sunday, February 26, whilst in town for the Perth Writers Festival. Despite being known for his eclectic collaborations, Graney will be kickin’ it solo style on the night. Joining him on the night is everyone’s favourite local electo-pop purveyor Tomas Ford, whose song writing efforts will also be on display with a cabaret showmanship flavour. Soulstress Odette Mercy will also lend her vocals to some classics on the nights, while Adam Brown is sure to entertain with his own rhythm and blues tunes. Tickets will be $15 at the door from 6pm.
NOT SO CHIC
1970s disco hit machine Chic (feat. Nile Rogers)’s show scheduled for Saturday, March 10, at the Fremantle Arts Centre has been cancelled. According to promoters: “Faced with advanced ticket sales well below any reasonable expectations, we have no choice but to do the responsible thing and cancel the event.” Refunds can be obtained from original point of purchase.
Deez Nuts
NUTS OF THE WORLD UNITE
It’s been quiet on the front lately for Australia’s most notorious hardcore band, Deez Nuts. But while they haven’t made noise in Australia since the Destroy Music Tour last May, they have been conquering the rest of the world. Having toured Europe, Asia and the US with bands like Madball, Parkway Drive, Bring Me To The Horizon and H2O, JJ Peters and his rotating gang of members are preparing to record their third album in the US this Winter but not before they showcase their wares one more time at Amplifier on Saturday, April 21, and YMCA HQ on Sunday, April 22. Tickets can be purchased from both Moshtix and Oztix The shows will coincide with the release of F#*K The World a digital package which includes a documentary, live footage and exclusive interviews.
IN GOOD COMPANY
Out there pop act Bluejuice enjoyed some pretty big highlights these last 12 months, including playing a slew of sold out shows across the east coast, acing their spot at last month’s Big Day Out and dropping their latest album Company, which topped many local music critic’s Year End Lists. Continuing their aural assault in 2012, the band are taking the new album on the road and launching it to the rest of the country, including WA shows on Thursday, April 19, at the Settlers Tavern in Margaret River and then at Capitol on Friday, April 20. Support comes from Melbournian buzz band Loon Lake and postpunk aficionados The Cairos from Brisbane. Tickets are available from Oztix, Moshtix and Heatseeker.
Hurricane Fighter Plane
GROOVY BABY
Just as the doors of perception were detonated 45 years ago, comes a sonic and visual celebration of one of the key turning points in rock’n’roll history. A Psychedelic Reaction will showcase four of WA’s finest exponents of the psychedelic and blues rock genre: Datura, Sonpsilo Circus, The Deep River Collective and Hurricane Fighter Plane. This one-off event will be set to a background of visual effects and colours in a tribute to Bill Graham’s Fillmore East and West Shows in San Francisco as well as the groundbreaking 14 Hour Technicolour Dream experiments conducted in London in 1967. Witness the kaleidoscopic sensory derangement wrought by these experimental local ensembles on Saturday, April 14, at the Fremantle Arts Centre. Tickets are $29 from the venue or Heatseeker. www.xpressmag.com.au
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NEW ORDER A Welcome Reunion
Gillian Gilbert is at the home she shares with husband/New Order drummer Steven Morris and their two children when X-Press calls. The keyboardist, guitarist and vocalist tells LEIGH SALTER that she’s a little surprised to be back. New Order play Future Music Festival on Sunday, March 4, at Arena Joondalup. The 32nd inconsistent year of iconic English band New Order’s existence is upon us and Gillian Gilbert, as with each member at some point or other, is a little surprised to be back.“You just never know with this band what to expect, really,” she says down the line from her home. However, New Order’s latest reunion is a very different story to previous times. The silence that followed the band’s last album, 2005’s Waiting For The Siren’s Call, was broken by a statement in 2007 - apparently from within the group’s ranks – that New Order were “no more and never likely to be again.” Long hiatus and widespread rumours of inband fighting have blighted New Order since their first split in 1990. At the time, it seemed unbelievable that the band whose legend developed - not years after relevancy but with each album and single released would quietly bow out at the end of the 1980s with a whimper. However, in the following two decades, reunions, further splits and stories surrounding New Order’s disharmony occurred at the frequency they once released music, while fans waited for sporadic tours or albums, which always suggested a possible reconciliation. The last time New Order ‘split for good’, (ex) bassist Peter Hook was, it turned out, the only one at that meeting. His subsequent plundering of Joy Division’s back catalogue and threats of legal action against the remainder of New Order (for using
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New Order the name) are matters of public knowledge, but New Order’s surprise return in late 2011 suggests a solidarity within the group still exists and is willed to power in the roughest of times. Bernard Sumner, Gillian Gilbert and Steven Morris began touring again as New Order last year with new bassist Tom Chapman and additional guitarist Phil Cunningham. On the eve of their first Australian visit with the new line-up - and with no new album to promote – Gilbert surely speaks for the whole band when she says that this reunion was a “tentative one”. “We didn’t really know how it [touring a new line-up] was going be received by the New Order fans or if the interest would even still be there,” she says. “But we have come to think of this time as like a new beginning, really.” The first New Order show without Hook was intended as a one-off benefit gig for long-time friend of New Order’s, Michael Shamberg – a film producer responsible for the bulk of New Order’s stylish and surreal music videos - who became terminally ill. It was also the first show to feature Gilbert back behind the keyboard following her indefinite departure some 12 years ago to look after her sick daughter, “I missed just being with everybody,” she says. “It took me a long time to get used to not being in New Order.” The
line-up was completed by members of Sumner’s other band, Bad Lieutenant, but the obvious Hook-shaped hole in the band raised potential problems for the long term. “We were quite scared about doing a fully fledged tour with new band members because we had to of course work out if Tom could cope with such a big part to play,” she says.“So instead of barging back into the spotlight, as it were, and announcing some big ‘come-back‘ tour, we took small steps.” Tom Chapman will inevitably be compared to Hook at every show on the tour but, Gilbert notes, it’s wrong to assume he’s merely imitating. “Tom isn’t copying Hooky; he has his own style of playing. Tom wasn’t there when we recorded those songs and so it stands to reason that he hears them differently to Hooky and has his own take on them.” New members aside, the current New Order live show reflects on the band’s past now more than ever before and the visual identity created around New Order’s music.“In the past it was always about touring to promote a new album or whatever but preparing for Michael Shamberg’s benefit concert forced us to listen to a lot of our older material – some of which we haven’t played live since the ‘80s – and create a set list to go along with a lot of the videos he produced,”
she reveals. The videos - Blue Monday’s oddly posed dogs, Bizarre Love Triangle’s falling business men and True Faith’s mime artists gone feral - have become as iconic as the songs themselves and Gilbert agrees.“I’ve always loved what he did with True Faith in particular,” she says. “I remember Radio One refused to play it unless we changed some of the words.” The original lyric “Now that we’ve grown up together/they’re all taking drugs with me” was tamed down to “Now that we’ve grown up together/they’re afraid of what they see”. “It was never about promoting or glamorising anything though,” she continues. “Meanwhile, nearly every song on the radio now it seems is loaded with drug references, only it doesn’t seem to be an issue anymore. “Some things way out of our control have stopped us or slowed us down, but… I think in a way the band is bigger than us as individuals, which makes it easier to carry on in the face of… whatever the universe can throw at us.” She stops short of mentioning Hook even though she’s - perhaps personally - made her peace with him. “I think with this group getting back together, we knew it [Hook’s objection] would be just another battle in a long line to get through.” She grins, adding “But in New Order, that’s just how we play.”
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WILD FLAG Portlandia Trail Blazer The dream of the ‘90s is still alive for Carrie Brownstein. The former member of Sleater-Kinney is now flying the Wild Flag and starring in the hilarious sketch comedy show Portlandia. She talks to MATTHEW HOGAN ahead of Wild Flag’s appearance at The Bakery on Wednesday, March 7. The last time Carrie Brownstein was in Perth, she was tearing it up on a side stage at the Big Day Out with Sleater-Kinney. That band had just brought out the album of their career with The Woods and were on a triumphant world tour to celebrate it. But not too long after their Australian dates in 2006, they called it a day. Why? “I think it was something about going out when you’re still doing something that you really care about, when you still mean something to people,” Brownstein begins.“I think we had reached a point where it was hard for us to tour and we
“I always assumed we would do music and Fred assumed we would do comedy and he won, but it worked out
weren’t all on the same page in terms of that; but I’d rather that than make a couple of bad albums and then fade away. But I know what you’re saying, I recently listened to The Woods and I thought, ‘ooh that was a good record maybe we should have been smart’. Oh well! We’ll get back together.” Sleater-Kinney will get back together? “Eventually, probably,” she teases. Instead of starting another band straight away, Brownstein decided to become a listener again. “Immediately afterwards I began writing for NPR, which is the National Public Radio, I wrote a column about music for about two years,” she says. “I was writing about fandom and writing about the way that people connect to music in different permutations. By writing about it, I realised that I wanted to participate in music again. I don’t think I would have rediscovered it if I hadn’t spent two years analysing it, and putting myself back in the position of just being a listener. And when I went back to music I felt a renewal; a sense of urgency again. I was ready. I didn’t want to go back before I thought it would work.” Eventually, Brownstein was ready to create the sound of “an avalanche taking out a dolphin”, the time was right for Wild Flag to be born. “Rebecca [Cole - keys] and Janet [Weiss - drums] and I worked together on a soundtrack and it was
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Wild Flag
okay for me though!” just instrumental and then we really liked playing together,” Brownstein says. “And then we just wanted another vocalist and I think Mary [Timony] creates a nice counterpoint. I think she has a more fluid style of guitar playing, my playing is a lot more angular and more riff based and jagged. Her singing is more mysterious and understated. I don’t sing anything back, I just feel like I’m barking on stage! She’s a really good counterpoint to that.” Brownstein had previously recorded with Timony in The Spells, who released an eight-minute, four track EP on K Records in 1999. “The Spells were definitely a time specific project of which we didn’t have any other plans, so Wild Flag was a way of not even really picking up where we left off, but just start anew,” Brownstein says. “Remembering the ways that we liked working with each other and figuring out new ways of working. I’ve always been a fan of Mary Timony.” Brownstein has also found a much larger, newer fanbase for her work on Portlandia. Screening on IFC in the US since January 2011, it finally makes its Australian debut tomorrow night on ABC2. Brownstein co-created the show with Saturday Night Live’s Fred Armisen. “I met Fred in New York,” recalls Brownstein. “He was a fan of Sleater-Kinney and he invited us to Saturday Night Live, actually it was just to the after party because Sleater-Kinney were playing a show
in New York. So we met him that night, and I think partially because he used to play music, we just felt like we’d known each other for years and we had a lot of mutual friends. We just had a very instant connection and we share some of the same sensibilities on music and film and TV. We wanted to work together. I always assumed we would do music and Fred assumed we would do comedy and he won, but it worked out okay for me though!” The two found themselves making a series of internet shorts called Thunderant. “Eventually we had a lot of clips and then we thought maybe we should be more ambitious and intentional about this,” she says. “We pitched it as a show and we brought on a director and producer named Jonathan Krisel he elevated it from a series of disparate internet shorts to the next level.” Like Saturday Night Live, the show has Lorne Michaels as an executive producer.“He really changed the landscape on television with Saturday Night Live and Kids In The Hall,” says Brownstein. “I just trust his opinion a lot. He doesn’t say a lot about the show but when he needs to pop in and he has an idea or suggestion, we take it pretty seriously. His main advice is just to not worry and to not over-think things. He doesn’t over-think things or he doesn’t let on that he is. He keeps his mind on other things, which I think is good for shows that you want to have freedom with and little bit of chaos and uncertainty.”
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
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SLEEPMAKESWAVES Destroying It
Sydney-based instrumentalists Sleepmakeswaves retreated to the inner reaches of the Australian bush to bring their debut album, …And So We Destroyed Everything, to life. JESSICA WILLOUGHBY chats to guitarist Otto Wicks-Green ahead of their first-ever stint in Perth at The Bakery on Friday, February 24. “A lot of the bands that have gotten successful in the post rock scene have come from places like Texas, where their landscapes have their own types of prettiness,” Sleepmakeswaves guitarist Otto Wicks-Green says when questioned about the thought process for their debut album.“We wanted to emphasise where we come from too.” T h e p a s t t w o ye a r s h ave b e e n a tumultuous time for the Sydney-based instrumental quartet. The departure of a founding member and the theft of a large amount of cash and irreplaceable guitars from the band’s kitty would be enough to throw any outfit into unstable territory. But these men decided to use their first full-length, …And So We Destroyed Everything, to blow away any frustrations. And – as the title implies – to start from the ground-up again. “We chose this name for the album because it references a rebuilding in the end,” WicksGreen explains. “You pack everything away and build everything up from the group, which is exactly what we had to do. We destroyed all the outside influences that were bringing us down in the three months leading up to the recording session, like Kid [Khor; guitarist] getting his stuff and all that cash stolen. We wanted it to be a reflection of that creation destruction dichotomy.” But to do that they had to escape everything. Trekking out into the middle of Wingello State Forest, located in the southern highlands of Canberra, they laid down the recording over nine days in nothing more than a wooden cabin. “We all decided we wanted to go somewhere where we wouldn’t be disturbed,” Wicks-Green says. “Where we wouldn’t have to leave and pack up at 10pm every night and get up early in the morning. We wanted to get back to the Australian bush. If you look at the big post rock bands from America and Europe, their music reflects the landscapes in which they came. A big part of us celebrating that was that we did record in the desert heat of the Australian outback.
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“It was 35 degrees everyday we were out there and the air conditioner was broken. There were times when we were really frustrated. We recorded a lot of the guitars on the front veranda. I remember when I was trying to record some of the softer, more ambient parts and I just wasn’t feeling it at all. We went a bit stir crazy, cabin fever definitely set in, but it was also extremely rewarding.” Known for their lush electronic soundscapes and complex rhythms, their debut also helped them to stand at the forefront of their genre – just in the way it was produced. Aided by friend and amplification simulation specialist Dax Liniere, they tracked the entire release through a pre-amp and straight into a computer set-up. “Dax then took it from there, post-recording, which is not common these days,” Wicks-Green concludes.“We were on the cusp of the technology and it was exciting to do.”
Sleepmakeswaves
Dillinger Escape Plan
DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN
The Great Escape In the early stages of writing the follow-up to 2010’s Option Paralysis, Dillinger Escape Plan are not giving too much away. Newest addition, drummer Billy Rymer, chats to JESSICA WILLOUGHBY ahead of their Soundwave slot in Perth next month. “After we finished doing the last record, I thought I couldn’t make another one,” Dillinger Escape Plan drummer Billy Rymer says of the band’s writing process. “But now the new ideas have just started to flood out.” It has been two years since these five men set foot in a studio to lay down new material. With contemporary opus, Option Paralysis, already several touring cycles down the track, the time has come where their thoughts have turned to fresh musical flavours. Scheduling six weeks off before they head to Australia as part of the Soundwave run, the aim is to knuckle down on work for their fifth full-length. Rumours of a potential EP already rife, Rymer says the sky is literally the limit for whatever
the next release is for the band.“We really haven’t even thought about it,” he says. “This is the first time we haven’t been under any contract, so we have no plan at all. We’ve thought about doing an EP, but something a bit different. Like doing two 7” and releasing digital downloads with no CD version. But that also takes away from writing from an album – we become so involved in the complexities of writing, with every song going through almost an obsessive compulsive screening process, that’s a big call for us to take. We might as well keep going and make a whole album.” Noting the possibility that a new track may be showcased during one of their upcoming Soundwave sets, with two or three songs already stewing, Rymer points to Dillinger Escape Plan being very conscious of not writing a “better version” of their last effort. “Option Paralysis was all very new and exciting for me,” he explains. “This was my first album with the band and it was pretty intense, with Ben [Weinman, guitarist] and I living together and just living and breathing it every day. But now I’ve been with the band for a while and the album received critical acclaim. So the biggest challenge for me and the rest of the band is to not stick with what we know. Greg’s [Puciato; vocals] said that he feels like Option Paralysis was the band reaching the apex of what they started with Miss Machine, kinda like a super version of Miss Machine. He’d know better than me, but I liked the notion. It’s about stepping into the unknown and that’s what Dillinger has always been about.” Earmarking 2012 to be the year for the release of a new album, the quintet hasn’t booked any more tours for the foreseeable future. Rymer admits it will be tough to pin down an album in that time, but says it has been done before.“We wrote our last album in four months and recorded it in two,” he says. “If we try to keep up that same work ethic, we could even have it out before the end of the year. But, if not, it will definitely be out by the start of next year. It’s really not that far when you think about it.”
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Stonefield
Hatebreed
HATEBREED Time Is The Fire
Metalcore madmen Hatebreed will perform as part of Soundwave Festival at Claremont Showground on Monday, March 5. Lead singer Jamey Jasta spends a rare and valuable few minutes with TRAVIS JOHNSON to discuss how he handles being one of the busiest men in metal. Multitasking hardcore singer Jamey Jasta claims to be on a break when we speak to him, but frankly, his holidays sound busier than most people’s working weeks. What with juggling multiple bands, his record label, and his clothing line, it’s a miracle that Jasta has time to sit and chat. Having said that, according to him the last 12 months were even more gruelling. “Last year I had the solo record come out,” he says matter-of-factly, referring to the self-titled Jasta.“And I did the Mayhem festival with my other band, Kingdom of Sorrow, and a bunch of touring with Hatebreed. Last year I didn’t have a whole bunch of time and my schedule was pretty hectic. I was sleeping about five to six hours a night. I didn’t put anything out on my label - I let the label kind of have a break. “Sometimes you have to let other things go by the wayside in order to focus on new, different
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projects. With the solo record, I was only able to do three shows, but it got received pretty well. I sold a bunch of copies in Australia through Shock.” The decision to do a solo project came as a result of what Jasta saw as a market somewhat oversaturated with Hatebreed product. “Because the Kingdom of Sorrow record had come out in 2010, and because we had three pretty big Hatebreed releases prior to that in 2009 and 2008, I figured this was probably the best time to do it,” he explains. “Especially since I knew I would soon be going back into Hatebreed mode. Me and Kirk [Windstein, Jasta’s Kingdom of Sorrow partner], we both had records come out; he had the Crowbar record come out, I had Jasta come out, and we’re both on the Kingdom of Sorrow record, but now I’m back to Hatebreed full time.” 2009 also saw the departure of original rhythm guitarist Sean Martin, leading to his replacement with Wayne Loziak and what Jasta sees as a new, freer creative epoch for the band. “If anything it’s a little bit easier now, because Sean was always a little stressed out in the studio,” he recalls.“I mean, I love the guy; he’s a great guitar player. But I’ll say that when Wayne joined the band, I’d say that he was a little bit more comfortable in the studio, insofar as picking up the riffs that me and Chris [Beattie, bassist] would write.” And Jasta assures us that a new Hatebreed album is in the making, the first since their 2009 selftitled LP. “Releasing that record in the end of 2009,” Jasta muses. “It was probably too close. We had the covers record (For the Lions) come out in May, and a year before we had the DVD (Live Dominance) come out, so we kind of bombarded people with releases. But now it’s been over two years and I feel like the time to strike again is now, so we’ll be getting something out.”
STONEFIELD Reality Bites
Showcasing tunes from their upcoming mini album, Bad Reality, rural Victorian wunderkinds and psychedelic Valkyries Stonefield are set to bring their psychedelic rock to the hungry ears of Perth fans at The Rosemount on Thursday, February 23, and the Prince of Wales on Friday, February 24. JENNIFER PETERSONWARD reports. From jamming in their Dad’s shed in the tiny village of Darraweit Guim, country Victoria, to taking to the stage at last year’s Glastonbury Festival alongside U2 and Beyonce, the Findlay sisters have come a long way in a relatively short amount of time. Since breaking through into the rock’n’roll mainstream after winning Triple J’s Unearthed High in 2010, Stonefield have had many highlights with 2011 being a particularly strong year for the band. It started off with a raved about performance at Perth’s now-defunct One Movement For Music Festival which led to invite to play the Glastonbury Festival in the UK and then the Sunset Strip music festival in LA – where they joined the ranks of such bands as Motley Crüe and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. However, with hype and success comes the pressure to follow it up with more quality releases. Despite having all these achievements
under their size eight belts, vocalist/drummer Amy Findlay admits the sisters have had a sharp return to earth since returning home late last year. “Sometimes it does feel all too much. Last year was so busy with touring and our youngest member [Holly, 13] is still in school so it’s important we take some time off this year so she can focus on that,” she says. Talking to Findlay it becomes clear that Stonefield, despite their age, are an extremely professional outfit – four young women with the drive to become adept in all aspects of the professional recording industry. “Our creative process is very collaborative. Basically, each of us will bring something to a rehearsal – whether it’s a chord progression or a few lyrics or something like that – and then we’ll work on piecing it together,” Findlay says, going on to explain that the band spend a lot of time practising to ensure their live performances go off without a hitch. “Performing is the best aspect of being a musician –getting on stage and having people watching you who appreciate what you are doing and hopefully feel inspired by it. Just being able to share music with people makes it so special,” she says. Unsurprisingly, Findlay and her sisters are also aligned with SLAM (Save Live Australia’s Music) – a collective of non-politically aligned, independent, local music-loving citizens. Stonefield are set to celebrate live music venues and the artists that play in them on the first National Slam Day at their show at The Rosemount Hotel on February 23, 2012. “It’s so important to keep small, local venues open – especially for young up-and-coming bands. Playing smaller venues is such an important part of growing as a band – you can’t play big shows and festivals until you’ve learnt how to master smaller stages,” she concludes. “Every live gig we’ve played over the last six years has been so different and just having that support and being given opportunities to play in so many different venues has been extremely important to us.”
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
Jonesez
JONESEZ Gnome From Gnome After releasing two albums in 18 months, Melbourne’s Jonesez are finally embarking on their first national tour in support of sophomore album Gruffalo. GEORGE GREEN spoke with Jonesez frontman and brainchild Mark Stewart ahead of their acoustic shows at the Prince Of Wales on Thursday, February 23; Norfolk Basement on Friday, February 24; and The Bird on Saturday, February 25. It is no secret that the music industry has lost a lot of its charm since the huge reliance on the internet and digital means of music distribution. Mark Stewart is one of the few purists still waving the flag for everything that makes playing in a rock and roll band so great. “We’ve just finished a run of house shows all over Melbourne and Sydney”, explains Stewart. “We put the word out that we wanted to play shows at peoples’ houses, and the response was really overwhelming. We played on balconies, in peoples’ lounge rooms and in their backyards. It really was fantastic for us to be able to bring the rock to the people,” he laughs. It’s this kind of hands-on approach that has quickly earned Jonesez a reputation as a rock band who approach things with genuine integrity. They’re not worried about their image, or whether or not they’re signed to a record label. They just want to write good records and share them with as many people as are willing to listen. If you’re wondering just how hands-on these guys are, jump on YouTube and check out their independently produced music videos, most of which were filmed in Stewart’s basement. “I’ve always loved making videos, I just haven’t liked paying big bucks for them”, says Stewart. “We did a bunch of videos for songs off [Jonesez’ debut] Betty’s Soup in the same room and just tried
to change the surroundings, but I think we’re going to be branching out a bit more for these songs on Gruffalo. We’re not going to spend a fortune on these videos, so the idea is to make them as interesting and unique as possible. I don’t think I would write and record a song if I couldn’t see myself making a video for it.” Not only do Jonesez interact with their audience by coming to their house to play private shows, but they also call on their help when it comes to props for their videos. “We just made a video for our song Way Superior using an all-star cast of garden gnomes” laughs Stewart. “The idea was for people to send us their beloved garden heroes. I think all up we had about 35 gnomes loaned out to us, and my Nan chipped in about six. I couldn’t believe the response. We were originally just going to make it a pure gnome-thieving video, but we decided to make it a little more endearing and gnome-friendly that did justice to the cast.” Whether garden gnome based videos are your cup of tea or not, the idea of getting your audience involved on such a truly interactive level is testament to just how dedicated Jonesez are to putting everything they have into the music that they love.
FAT FREDDY’S DROP
Drop It Like It’s Hot Genre-juggling Kiwi reggae/dub exponents Fat Freddy’s Drop support neo-soul sensation Erykah Badu at Belvoir Amphitheatre this Saturday, February 25. Saxophonist Scott ‘Chopper Reedz’Towers talks to TRAVIS JOHNSON about the benefits and drawbacks of breaking all the rules. The thing about Fat Freddie’s Drop is, what they are changes depending on where you’re standing. To someone outside the reggae and dub world, they sound like a pretty decent progressive, roots influenced outfit. To those familiar with the genre boundaries that the group delight in riding roughshod over, they’re a bit more problematic. Chopper Reedz chalks it up to being from New Zealand. “I think probably the biggest thing about it is that we don’t have a local thing that dictates to us what we can or can’t do,” he explains. “If we were a band coming up from Jamaica or America or even parts of Europe - I’m thinking particularly France and Germany - our pretty loose limbed approach to reggae and dub-influenced music would probably raise quite a few eyebrows. We’ve had that from time to time in Europe, where people have gone, ‘You guys aren’t a real reggae band’. But then, we never considered ourselves a real reggae band that’s not what we set out to do. So, being able to develop our sound in New Zealand, where you can just experiment and mash together has been really, www.xpressmag.com.au
Fat Freddy’s Drop really good for us.” But he is also adamant that their haphazard approach to genre is what has given them so much success, both at home and in the lucrative European market. “That’s actually the number one thing, for the people who are coming to shows to see us to be ready to go along for that ride, that’s a critical part of how the band is set up, and our approach how we think about music. We don’t really like to be particularly constrained or traditional in our approach, so the ability to change things up at the flick of a switch is really important to us.” That success, though, has led to a fairly constant touring schedule - they played more than 40 gigs in 2011, a good proportion of them in Europe - something that Reedz admits they’ve still not yet quite gotten the hang of. “There’s a lot of rehearsal beforehand,” he says. “Because we like to go over on these tours with some new material, a new approach, some new arrangements, so right up until we go we’re still rehearsing and writing and jamming and coming up with new music. Then the last day or two is mad frenzy of trying to find where you left your passport, working out what clothes to take, and hang out with loved ones - and inevitably none of those things you get to do to the extent that you’d like. You’d think we’d be better at it than we are. The secret is just to be light on your feet and prepared for change.” But even the constant crisis that is being on the road can’t dampen their enthusiasm for the gig. “We’re really, really excited about doing these shows with Erykah Badu, touring in the summer and enjoying the sunshine here.” 19
BAND OF SKULLS Sweet Sour
DIRTY THREE Toward The Low Sun
PIAS Recordings / Liberation
Drag City
When English rockers Band Of Skulls released their 2009 debut record Baby Darling Doll Face Honey, they “had no idea that anyone would come to our shows” according to vocalist and guitarist Russell Marsden but, the Southampton three-piece’s tune I Know What I Am made Single Of The Week on iTunes, Friends made the cut on the Twilight: New Moon soundtrack and they went on to tour extensively and support Muse in 2010. Now, Sweet Sour, their sophomore record arrives – and it is just that: a mixture of soothing vocal harmonies by Marsden and bassist/vocalist Emma Richardson and sludgy guitar riffs. It’s definitely got the Band Of Skulls ‘signature sound’ but it’s a little more down-tempo than Baby Darling Doll Face Honey. Lullabies Lay My Head Down and Hometowns seem out of place with hit The Devil Takes Care Of His Own and grandiosely upbeat rock’n’roll burner You’re Not Pretty But You Got It Goin’ On. Wanderluster is a future smash hit in the making – chaotic drums with Marden’s distant vocals echoing through the catchy melody. If you loved Band Of Skulls for Death By Diamonds And Pearls and Blood then you might find this a little underwhelming but, if you loved them for Honest and Bomb then this might just be the right amount of sweet and sour that you need.
Iconic Australian three piece Dirty Three’s follow up to 2005’s Cinder is wonderful - if you love the sound of unfinished, monotonous noise. This is not a very pleasant sampling to be listening to and the first track Furnace Skies might put you in mind of several teenagers attempting to play instruments in hopes of starting a band – not only is it just plain woeful but it feels like it goes on forever. The slightly folksy track Moon On The Land might be tolerable if you’re high and lying in a hammock trying to put yourself to sleep, but otherwise it’s not so fun. Ashen Snow sounds like it should be used as a background track for the reflective scene of some indie movie as it seems to be the only tune that showcases any sense or thought for composition. The rest of the tracks have this sense that all of the instrumentals have been ordered in a similar fashion to a five year old banging down on his or her plastic Fisher & Paykel keyboard. In other words a shit fit of nonsensical sounds and no lyrics for reprieve. Whilst you are listening you might enjoy the album artwork; which may remind you of a Mambo sketch. And yes this is worth mentioning more so than the rest of the tracks.
_HAYLEY MIDDLETON _ANNABEL MACLEAN
VARIOUS Straight To You
LAMB OF GOD Resolution
ABC Music
Epic / Roadrunner Records
There are few artists who have maintained a career that is bold, sweeping and durable enough to be placed into their national pantheon. Nick Cave has earned the right to be considered an Australian treasure throughout his illustrious, almost 40-year career as a musician, actor and writer. It was only a matter of time then, before his legacy was to be celebrated by the legions of musicians he has so powerfully influenced. Unfortunately, Triple J’s attempt to honour the king with this live album (recorded during their tribute show last November) ultimately emerges as an erratic project, its highlights spread too thinly to do much good. On Straight To You, some of the nation’s most admired artists including (Paul Kelly, Adalita and Dan Sultan) dutifully bring their best; however, they have yet to answer the question of why one should listen to their versions instead of the originals. These songs are timeless, but the covers mostly are paint-by-numbers recreations. However, a couple of tracks bring a new energy: Sparkadia frontman Alex Burnett’s version of Boys Next Door’s Shivers is full of inspiration and vigour, and local rock goddess Abbe May’s rendition of Lie Down Here (& Be My Girl) reminds that this song is better than you remember it to be. But, more than anything, what these tracks do is make one want to listen to the originals.
I love my metal to be brutally heavy, angry and violent, yet I also like to be surprised, even caught off guard with new elements in any band’s writing. Lamb Of God’s seventh album, Resolution, delivers on the heavy and angry approach in standout songs such as Desolation, Ghost Walking and Insurrection but unfortunately lacks any element of surprise. The only exception this is King Me, which shifts between clean guitars with spoken word lyrics and a heavy machine gun-like verse with angelic backing vocals. Another area Resolution really delivers is in the mixing and recording, the sound of the album, the space and clarity between each instrument is flawless. Unfortunately, the creativity in the album cover and inner is lacking and there is nothing to explore. In an age of downloading, I like when a band delivers more (the limited edition version with a live CD is “UK only” WTF!). That being said, Lamb Of God faithful fans will likely mosh their necks stiff to the heaviness that is Resolution, as it hits hard from start to finish. Resolution is a solid album where Lamb of God do what they do best throughout each song, delivering heavy riffage, brutal drumming and death growls evil enough to kill people.
_JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD
_CONAN TROUTMAN
SMRTS smRts Have Friends And Visit Them At Night Heartless Robot
If the old adage “everyone in rock just rips each other off” is to be believed then the true test of artistry is moving past simply “ripping off” those influences and recombining what you’ve learned into such an idiosyncratic package that it becomes distinctively yours. With smRts Have Friends And Visit Them At Night, supremely talented local outfit smRts come very close to doing just this. Moving past the most obvious of their garage-rock influences, Predrag Delibasic leads his band into bold new territory, mixing those very influences into a nearly unrecognisable pastiche of hypnotically pop-centric songwriting. A record in the truest sense of the word (it’s only available on vinyl), this endlessly creative and surprisingly fluid set of tunes dispels any notion of opportunism by sticking to what the group does best: crafting clever, ramshackle, occasionally soaring songs, without bowing to esoteric noodling for the sake of experimentation. Where smRts really create a distinction between themselves and their contemporaries is through the unpredictably imaginative arrangements, bolstered by Delibasic’s truly enigmatic melodic sense. For example, on the the twisting surf-rock-esque King Wave Rising, the balance of apparent naïve melodic sentimentality is undercut by the presence of decidedly ominous tunefulness. These songs are blanketed in a magnetic charisma, and contain a vigor and effortlessness that is insanely, immediately likable, and ingenious in how much it achieves.
REAL MONSTERS No Cross. No Crown. Independent
It’s difficult to dislike Real Monsters. These Perth dudes have just handed out their debut EP No Cross. No Crown. And it’s, well… It’s something. First tune off the bat, Hey Baby (Wanna Kill All Humans) kicks off the tone of the EP with a mish-mash of sounds: an audio clip, some keyboard electronica, a couple ripper riffs, video game sounds, and growling. Oh God, the growling. It’s difficult to tell if there are words in there, but if there are, someone needs to hit up enunciation lessons. The weird indecipherable smash-up of sounds in the first half of Cognito Ergo Sum are plain terrifying: whisper growls, kids talking, recitations of Arnie Schwarzenegger and William Penn quotes - this reviewer is going to have nightmares for weeks. Again, though The Way She Moves Through The Air is just a bunch of different sounds that we can only assume Real Monsters thought sounded cool, there are some sweet riffs in there that could have been turned into so much more. But again, the growling. But WAIT. Is that some singing? Wait, a duet? Not bad. Confusing, yet redeeming – sort of like playing advanced metal Guitar Hero with Mario Kart on in the background. One can only imagine that these dudes are best served up live in a dirty, sweaty, headbashing pit.
_CHLOE PAPAS
_JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD 20
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
THE CRANBERRIES Roses Cooking Vinyl / Shock Records
Roses is The Cranberries’ sixth album and first studio effort in over ten years following the band’s 2001 album Wake Up And Smell The Coffee. Recorded in Toronto in 2011, the album features production from long-time producer Stephen Street, who worked on Wake Up as well as the band’s 1993 debut Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? and 1994’s No Need To Argue. With Street at the helm, The Cranberries return with the blend of Celtic mysticism, commercial pop-rock, and mature themes that moved so many listeners (and units) back in the ‘90s, while pulling out a few stops in the lyrics department to keep things current. They’re still making anthemic soft rock, stuffed with swelling keyboards, guitar chords dragged out into oblivion and a heavy sense of regret. Frontwoman Dolores O’Riordan’s one-ofa-kind voice – part unearthly wail, part no-nonsense yap – makes misty love songs So Good and Show Me positively lovely. She also sounds lonely and afraid in songs like Raining In My Heart and Losing My Mind, yet her fierce confidence overpowers such insecurity on the pinch-hitting Fire & Soul. Though their heyday seems a very long time ago, Roses leaves little doubt that The Cranberries have a good few years still in them. A must for fans.
_LINDSAY WEIR
PASSENGER All the Little Lights Black Crow Records / Inertia
UK-based Mike Rosenberg, known on-stage as Passenger, has been adopted as an honorary Aussie: he recorded his latest release All The Little Lights in Sydney, spends more time here than in his home country, and you may have just seen him busking in Freo over the weekend. With four successful albums under his belt, Passenger has presented us with his most mature record yet. Upbeat ditty Staring At The Stars is a gleefully bitter reflection of reality and popular culture: “We watch too much internet porn/Who needs love when you’ve got silicon and strap-ons”. But this record isn’t all clever cynicism, and a healthy juxtaposition of bitter and beautiful is showcased, with tunes like the lilting Life’s For The Living and Keep On Walking proving Passenger’s passion for troubadour style story-telling. Though each song tells a different tale, Rosenberg has somehow managed to fit all the pieces together to create a flowing, continuous record, with a few warranted ripples here and there. The record is wrapped up with a live recording of his much-loved, cheeky single I Hate, a perfect ending to a near-perfect album. All The Little Lights is a personal reflection, an all-encompassing, storytelling album that will haul you through emotions you weren’t aware you possessed. There’s a lot of folk music out there at the moment, but there is nothing wishy washy or bland about Passenger – if you buy one folk album this year, make it this one.
_CHLOE PAPAS
ALEKS AND THE RAMPS Facts Independent
Facts is the third album from Melbourne based cerebral pop group Alex And The Ramps. The album’s biggest strength is its forms. Eschewing the standard verse/chorus pop structure, the songs on Facts instead sound like cubist reinterpretations of indie pop. The perspectives are skewed, sections fit oddly against one another and sudden schisms lend intensity to the music. There is a similar skittishness to the album’s lyrics. They sound like collages of frank journal entries. Isolated images are threaded into one another creating long chains that seem to add meaning (if only by association) to the individual lines. Occasionally the metaphors Aleks reaches for are too obscure to have any real emotional impact (“Life is a grenade / I am unafraid”), but by and large they paint an unpretentious portrait of day to day life in suburban Australia. Other than its forms, the two elements that make this release noteworthy are its electronics and its lead vocals. Throughout the album’s impatient shifts, Aleks’ calm, handsome baritone provides stability and familiarity to its changing background. Meanwhile, some clever electronics embellish the album’s sound. They flow through the music, finding hidden recesses in otherwise simple songs. These two elements provide continuity and identity to the album and make Facts Aleks and the Ramps’ most individual album to date.
_HENRY ANDERSEN
THE KILLS – Pale Blue Eyes (Domino Records) For the B-side to their new single The Last Goodbye rock two-piece The Kills offer up this surprisingly strong cover of the Velvet Underground’s timeless ballad Pale Blue Eyes. Taking all the best things about the original tune and amplifying them, you can hear and recognise the glory of the original version in every note of this cover, but the listening experience is taken to another level through the talents of the gifted duo. NICKI MINAJ – Starships (Young Money/Cash Money/ Universal) The “official lead single” from her potentially careershaping soon-to-be-released second album Roman Reloaded, Starships is Minaj’s surest chart bet since Super Bass. It is an impossibly addictive confection, simultaneously sweet and raw, that perfectly encapsulates each of Minaj’s many facets. She coos and swoons in the chorus, and raps her ass off in the verses; a chintzy backing track recalls both the slightly homemade feel of dancehall’s digital rhythms and the super-glossy treble of J-pop. A bonafide hit. THE SHINS – The Rifle’s Spiral (Aural Apothecary/ Columbia Records) We’ve already gotten to hear superb tunes Simple Song and September off The Shins’ upcoming album Port Of Morrow (due out on March 20) and now James Mercer has released another album cut, opener The Rifle’s Spiral. Showcasing a classic pop-rock melody that leaps across octaves and twist in unexpected directions, this newest effort sparkles with a clarity that was not always evident on previous singles. PANAMA – Magic (Independent) Laced with wide-eyed melodies that make for swooning sighs and curious feelings of instant nostalgia, Panama’s debut self-released single Magic is an exercise in precision-tooled pop that somehow retains a sense of urgency and playfulness – an impressive balancing act consistently slam-dunked by an effortlessly hooky chorus. JULIA STONE – Let’s Forget All The Things That We Say (Picture Show Records/EMI) Folk darling Julia Stone once again struggles without the counterweight of brother Angus on this solo affair. On Let’s Forget All The Things That We Say – her first solo single since 2010’s This Love (remember that? Neither can we) – you can hear Stone striving (understandably) to express herself, yet the result fails to rise above diaryentry tedium. Let’s forget all about this one. _JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD
BY THE NUMB3RS 360’S TOP 5 FACEBOOK STATUS UPDATES 1. Just helped a granny cross the street - she didn’t want to cross the road but i fuckin did it anyway. chivalry 2. anyone who says anything racist on my facebook will get blocked immediately. its 2012. i cant believe some of the things some fuck wits say 3. haha why the fuck does someone have to be on ice or on drugs to make video’s like that? im not on shit. im alone in my hotel room about to go perform for fuck sake. I DONT NEED DRUGS TO BE WEIRD 4. happy valentines day! if u unfortunately dont have anyone to share it with, have a wank while looking in the mirror. if u break eye contact ur a pussy. 5. my bent dick proves what goes around comes around
MARVIN GAYE What’s Going On Before Uncle Marvin found the sweet release of Sexual Healing in 1982, he was by his own admission, a little bit upset. Not only hand long time friend and colleague Tammi Terrell passed away but the shit was hitting the fan in Vietnam and his brothers were fighting for Uncle Sam. The Prince of Motown was at a crossroads and didn’t want to record or perform ever again (Just for a second, imagine a world without Let’s Get It On. Not a fun world is it?). Thankfully, the letters he was receiving from his bros and his own social consciousness was enough to propel him into making one of the greatest albums of all time, What’s Going On. A concept album where each track rolls into the other (which was not the done thing back then) and encouraged mainstream peeps to take a look at what was going on around them with poignant lyrics and smooth vocals. _HAYLEY MIDDLETON
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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
Killer F I
Elite L M
The Galileo Project EYE4 MUSIC
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THE GALILEO PROJECT
Sights, Sounds & Stars Canadian ensemble Tafelmusik perform The Galileo Project: Music Of The Spheres as part of the Perth Festival on March 1. Tickets are available by visiting perthfestival.com.au, or BOCS.
Lanie Lane Stephen K Amos
LAUGH IT UP
Get ready to give your funny bone a workout because the full lineup for the inaugural Perth International Comedy Festival in May has been announced, and it’s a doozy. Set to take over the Astor Theatre for 19 days from May 2-20, the upcoming Perth International Comedy Festival will boast sets from the likes of Henry Rollins, Des Bishop, Steph K Amos, The Pajama Men, Neil Hamburger, Peter Powers, Glenn Wool, DeAnne Smith, Mike G, Tripod, Steve Hughes, Sammy J & Randy, Fiona O’Loughlin, Charlie Pickering, Tom Gleeson, Greg Fleet, Dave Callan, Brendon Burns, Felicity Ward, Lawrence Mooney, Hannah Gadsby, and so many more! Whether you like your comedy dry, wet, or slightly damp, the Perth International Comedy Festival has something for everyone! Find out who’s on and when at perthcomedyfest.com.au. Bookings can be made via BOCS.
LOMO IN FREO
Lovers of light leaks and other low-fi photography techniques will gather at the Fremantle Arts Centre in April for FotoFreo’s fun and fabulous Lomography workshop with local Lomo expert Yolanda Stapleton. Covering Lomography basics with plenty of tips and tricks thrown in for good measure, the workshop will run from 1-4pm on Saturday, April 7, and is a must for anyone with a penchant for toy cameras. It’s only $50 to take part; secure your spot by hitting up fotofreo.com.
GIDDYUP TO NANNUP
The countdown is on to the much loved Nannup Music Festival, which is set to return to the quiet town of Nannup from March 2-5 for a celebration of music, art and family fun. With a lineup boasting the likes of Lanie Lane, Adalita, Lou Bennett, Neil Murray, Freya Hanley, Tinpan Orange, Gossling and many many more, the Nannup Music Festival has something for just about everyone with market stalls, poetry, theatre and plenty of activites for young and old. Tickets are on sale now from nannupmusicfestival.org.
DRAWN TOGETHER
Local and international animators will get their time to shine at the Northbridge Piazza on Thursday nights for the next few weeks thanks to Animators Hour, a new initiative that aims to showcase work from this often overlooked genre. Curated by local animator Aska with support from City Of Perth, the eight week program kicks off this Thursday, February 23, and runs ’til Thursday, April 12. Every Thursday night from 8.30-9.30pm a series of animations will be projected onto the big screen for all to see, and audience members can get in on the fun thanks to the Bunny Cakes competition. Got an idea for a crazy or quirky animation but can’t draw to save your life? Fear not because you can submit an idea in written, drawn or animated clip format which professional animators will then combine with other people’s ideas, creating an original three minute film. Find out more at animatorshour.com.
The Galileo Project: Music Of The Spheres is a breathtaking and exhilarating musical odyssey through space, exploring the music that surrounded Galileo as he first glanced on the stars. Canadian ensemble Tafelmusik combine the beautiful and fervent sounds of Renaissance and Baroque masters with an ever changing backdrop of epic and celestial imagery from the Hubble deep space telescope, along with astral photography of both the Southern and Northern night skies. Cellist and creator of The Galileo Project Alison McKay describes this work as one that has allowed the Tafelmusik ensemble to dive deep into a very different world from their own. “The actual idea of doing a project around Galileo was suggested to us by one of our long term audience members, who is a very eminent astronomer from Canada. And he was on the organising committee for the International Year of Astronomy in 2009, in celebration of Galileo’s 400th anniversary of the first use of the telescope,” she says. “I had created a number of projects for the orchestra that combined words and music, but we’d never done a project with a theatrical sense, and images, or anything like that. So I was thinking about putting together something with that, and when he suggested the Galileo idea I thought it would be a marvellous fit, and you know it’s taken us into such wonderful new territory, meeting scientists and entering into that world a little bit.” Throughout the performance musicians will leave their seats and move within the audience, breaking down traditional barriers in this atmospheric and celestial journey. “Because the music is memorised it allows us to experiment in each concert hall with our
relationship to the audience – and we go out into the audience quite a bit to play – to the balcony, or in the isle, and because we’re not tied to music stands we’re able to do that, so it’s really fun to explore each new hall and see what the potential is in that way,” says McKay. “It really has struck a chord with audiences, not just necessarily a regular baroque music/classical audiences, but it’s brought us into contact with a lot of other lovers of science and the arts so it really has been a wonderful adventure for us.” The Galileo Project is more than music; it’s more than images. It is a haunting and ethereal exploration of the sounds that surrounded the very beginnings of true star gazing – an exploration of all that was beautiful on earth while Galileo searched for that which was beautiful beyond us. “The combination of some of these very very beautifully coloured and very striking images with music, I think it’s more than the some of its parts – it lends a kind of emotional extra layer to both the music and the images.” _LEAH BLANKENDAAL
The Galileo Project
Firass Dirani Killer Elite
KILLER ELITE
The Feather Men Get Heavy Directed by Gary McKendry Starring Jason Statham, Clive Owen, Robert De Niro and Firass Dirani Killer Elite opens with the disclaimer that the story you are about to see is real. It’s 1980 and the war in the Middle-East threatens oil reserves and the world economic crisis worsens. Based on the 1991 book The Feather Men, which claims to be a true story, Killer Elite is a tale about revenge for actions made by British soldiers in a time of war. Jason Statham plays Danny Bryce, an exmilitary man in a team of mercenaries doing hits for cash, employed through a suave, and very fake, travel agent (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje). After too many close calls he throws in the towel, retreating back to South Australia to his childhood property. But it doesn’t take long before his past catches up with him, as his mentor and friend Hunter (played by Robert De Niro) gets himself imprisoned by Sheikh Amr, a deposed king from the small region of Oman. On threat of his friend’s death, Danny must finish the $6 million job Hunter accepted then tried to escape from; kill three former British SAS soldiers who killed the Sheikh’s three eldest sons during the Dhofar Rebellion. Danny must record a confession from each man before killing them and deliver it to the Sheikh before he dies from a terminal illness. If revenge for 24
the deaths of the princes is complete, it will allow the Sheikh’s only remaining son Bakhait (played by Australian Firass Dirani) to regain control of the region his father once ruled. As Danny and his team kill the first target a secret group of former SAS soldiers who call themselves The Feather Men dispatch their lead man Spike Logan (Clive Owen) to investigate and protect any endangered men of their own ilk. From the poster it looks like it will be an American flick, but in fact De Niro is the only actor featured born in the US. About 24 actors featured in the flick are Australian, and the two other men in Danny’s posse are played by Australians Dominic Purcell and Aden Young, who both produce some likeable yet nasty characters. This makes for a refreshing change, as the film darts from Paris to London, to the Yarra Valley, but never to the usual USA. The scenes with an older De Niro talking on the job with a younger Statham feels like moments in Tony Scott’s Spy Game and De Niro shooting an automatic rifle will always be reminiscent of Heat. All round this film has hall marks of classic action movies, with solid and thrilling shooting scenes and classic car work. Though authored by an ex-British SAS soldier Ranulph Fiennes, the years have not been kind on The Feather Men, with it mostly now known to be fictional. Nonetheless it’s a gripping tale and is sure to spark the curiosity of some in the audience who will go home and read the book for themselves. _TOM VARIAN
FIRASS DIRANI Among The Elite
Best known for his portrayal of John Ibrahim on Underbelly and currently starring in new ABC drama The Straits, Australian actor Firass Dirani is a familiar, home-grown face. Sharing scenes with Robert De Niro in new action flick Killer Elite is a milestone the young actor is proud to have hit. Australians will most likely know him from the third season of Underbelly, but Firass Dirani’s latest role as the son of a Sheikh of Oman in action thriller Killer Elite is a world away from the Golden Mile in Australia’s east. Besides sharing scenes with action favourite Jason Statham, Firass also appears alongside film legend Robert De Niro. Taking a deep breath, Firass recalls his time with such an icon, “Man, it was... It’s just during acting school, growing up and as a kid watching all his films, you dream that maybe one day you might work with De Niro and then it happens. You’re pinching yourself saying, ‘are you fucking serious?’. “In one scene I’m walking in to this dungeon and there’s De Niro at the window. There’s me trying to intimidate him and he turns around. I told myself to savour that moment, it was incredible.” Even before De Niro was cast, Dirani knew this was a role worth fighting for. “When I first was cast De Niro wasn’t in the film, he was cast 10 days before we started shooting. So when I read the latest draft of the film,
I couldn’t believe there was two or three scenes with just our two characters. “For me it was about observing a master at work; if you really want to learn, just observe. You’ve got a front row seat to a master, all you have to do is be a sponge and observe. It was humbling, but I was engaged and there were times when I forgot it was him.” Though his scenes were principally set in the Middle-East, Firass actually spent most of time his shooting in Melbourne. “We shot in Melbourne for three months, then they flew me to Wales to finish up,” explains Dirani. “There’s one scene between Jason (Statham) and I, that was a pretty full on experience. They put me on a 21 hour flight to London, then a three hour drive to Wales, checked in to the hotel and basically went straight on set. Got in to costume and boom, straight in.” Now that he’s crossed off working with De Niro from his bucket list, Firass has another goal of working with director Martin Scorsese. “Anything is possible now, from Robert De Niro to Martin Scorsese to Al Pacino. I grew up watching De Niro films and when I was about 16 my mum put a photo of me next to a photo of Robert De Niro and a photo of Al Pacino down the bottom, in the computer room. This was about 13 years ago and it always stayed there. I went back home recently and looked at these portraits still there, and thought damn that’s weird mum! Anything is possible, I want to reach for the stars.” _TOM VARIAN X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
FASHION’S FINEST Perth’s most stylish individuals gathered at the historic GPO in the heart of the city last Thursday night for the 16th annual West Australian Fashion Awards, recognising excellence in design and creative talent. Decked out to resemble a plush French boudoir, the GPO provided an elegant backdrop for the evening, which featured musical stylings by Wolves At The Door and comedy by funny man Jimmy James Eaton. For the full rundown of this year’s WAFA winners check out this week’s Lifestyle section. Photographs by Linda Wiger
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
Harmony & Bernice
EXTREMELY LOUD & INCREDIBLY CLOSE Life is Beautiful Again Directed by Stephen Daldry Starring Thomas Horn, Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock From the director of The Hours and Billy Elliot comes a remarkable film dealing with the small and tragic repercussions of an outrageous and grand scale catastrophe. Stephen Daldry constructs the tale of a middle class New York family coping with the aftermath of 9/11 through the eyes of Oskar (Horn), the precocious and brilliant nine year old savant who attempts to find meaning and sense through a spirited, playful and at times very painful adventure. The film is an adaption of Jonathan Safran Foer’s novel of the same name. Foer is perhaps best known for his watershed book Eating Animals, a superbly written work (which is chiefly responsible for me not having eaten a lamb chop in nearly a year) and the craft demonstrated by Foer in his earlier writing is shown throughout this genuinely uplifting and beautiful film. It is a very delicate piece which balances itself on tip toes and manages to tell its story without drowning in sentiment and delivers a powerfully emotional drama along the way. There is a bizarre and welcomed weightlessness to this picture which is really quite extraordinary considering its subject matter. The performances are very strong across the board and the leads of Hanks and Bullock are especially moving, however, the chief gong has to go to the young Horn who manages to pull off a marvelous performance which is hardly ever reaching for anything and always seems to hit the right tone throughout the piece. The supporting cast, which in fact
is everyone other than Horn, all put their own touches towards a very well shared vision of what the work seems to have set out to achieve. The music here is also very effective, sweeping violins and kettle drums have been replaced with oboes, double bass and affected percussion, which gives the film a layer of a carnival-type, almost obscurest nature which works to heighten the journey on which Oskar takes the audience. This is easily Daldry’s greatest achievement as a director and is without doubt among the very best portraits of New York post 9/11. It is clearer than Spike Lee’s 25th Hour, more potent and emotional than the Adam Sandler vehicle Reign Over Me and it is softer and less idealised than Olivers Stone’s World Trade Center. It is a film about loss, grief, total despair and finding reason and meaning, both in spite of the madness as well as because of it. The film’s power is in its ability to actually answer some of these enormous questions it asks. The setup is superb and it somehow manages to maintain its own magnetic energy until the final frame. As a viewer I was anticipating the inevitable disappointment that usually comes with strong starts but this picture is something quite different indeed. It hits all its marks, it’s constructed nearly perfectly and shows the world for what it is, a place filled with very loving and warm hearted people capable of remarkable love and enduring strength, strength which is drawn from the love of others and strength which is gathered together at those times when there seems to be little left to go around. It’s very good, it’s Life Is Beautiful Good, it’s Casablanca good, it’s Incredibly and Extremely good. _ADAM MORRIS
Holly
Zara Bryson
Lisa
Pippa
Laura & Lydia
David & Beverly
Contraband
CONTRABAND Contrabad
Directed by Baltasar Kormákur Starring Mark Wahlberg, Ben Foster, Giovanni Ribisi, Kate Beckinsale Contraband is an odd film. Not odd in a David Lynch sort of way, but just odd in general. Lukas Haas, Ben Foster and Kate Beckinsale offer solid performances, and the cast lay good foundations for the film but unfortunately the cast is the strongest element of Contraband with no smart script to back them up, which is something that every heist movie demands and this one claims to be. Mark Wahlberg plays Chris Farraday, an exsmuggler who has abandoned his former criminal ways to start a family and a legitimate business. That is until one day when his young brother-in-law Andy (Caleb Landry Jones) gets himself a large debt by trying, and failing, his hand at smuggling drugs for low level crime boss Tim Briggs (Giovanni Ribisi). Andy has two weeks to repay the debt, or not only face a painful death but the prospect that the debt will be passed to Farraday and his young family. Farraday has no choice, apparently, but to get his old crew together, get on a boat and try and smuggle millions in counterfeit money over the Panama Canal. That would be the easiest thing to do, right? He leaves his wife and two young boys with his best friend Sebastian (Ben Foster) and they then have to, apparently, hide themselves from this low level thug. I say apparently because I really couldn’t www.xpressmag.com.au
see the issue - the debt is owed to a pretty under powered thug, but a large threat he apparently is, and Farraday is on a deadline to smuggle in something valuable to save his family’s lives. There lies another issue with Contraband, as everyone seems to play a bad guy, and try as they might, Mark Wahlberg’s character doesn’t come across as good, just another shade of black. It’s overly predictable and you can’t help but feel like the writers are just trying to be clever (and failing). Any heist movie tries to have some clever finale, that “Oh that’s how they got the money out of the vault!” moment, and Contraband tries its heart out to give you that. But the glaring plot holes and scattered writing just don’t let it get there. There’s not enough suspense to keep you hooked, as you know the lead character is infallible and is always going to figure out some convoluted way to get out of a jam. Contraband is the first Hollywood film from Icelandic director Baltasar Kormákur. A famous actor in his own right, Baltasar actually starred as the lead character in the Icelandic film Contraband is based on - Reykjavik-Rotterdam. Though the similarities between the two films are minimal and the direction of Contraband isn’t anything amazing, it’s an okay effort but nothing ground-breaking. The cast is the best thing about this flick and you can’t help but feel like they’re wasted on this script. _TOM VARIAN 25
U-RAM CHOE Metal Beast
A selection of kinetic sculptures by U-Ram Choe are on display at the John Curtin Galley at Curtin University until Friday, March 2, as part of the Perth International Arts Festival. It looks - almost - like a small jet engine that has been stripped of its cowling and many of its parts. It hangs, suspended from the ceiling, quite inert, like an instructional model in a mechanical engineering classroom. Yet the forward intake looks something like the maw of some deepwater animal, and the superstructure looks a little, but not completely, like a ribcage. A nearby plaque labels it Jet Hiatus, but beneath that, in smaller writing it says Scientific Name: Anmorosta Cetorhinus Maximus Uram. And then it moves. This, then, is the work of Korean artist U-Ram Choe, a man who creates machines that mimic the forms and behaviours of living creatures, strange artefacts of a fictional ecology evolved - in his mind, at least - to perfectly fit the interstitial spaces of the modern world. Choe, who speaks little English, attempts to explain his work through a translator, but one gets the impression that much nuance is lost. “I think the machine is so beautiful,” he says. “I don’t want to hide it - I want to reveal it: the machine’s function, how it works. I try very hard to make it more beautiful. The more a machine functions, the more beautiful.” That’s certainly no exaggeration. Choe’s works are incredibly intricate sculptures of gears and levers, planes and spines, motorised and motivated by light and motion sensors to move, flex, and wave like living plants or animals. To view his work is to see specimens from a world that is immediately both alien and familiar. It’s not surprising that Choe’s life’s work would involve technology and engineering; his father, he tells us, had a hand in designing and building South Korea’s first domestically manufactured car, and is quite proud of his son’s accomplishments.“My father collects all the articles about me and shows everybody who comes to his house, to show off his son. Sometimes it’s difficult, because he shows those articles to those artists who are not so famous, not as out there yet ‘Oh, my son is so famous. How come you’re not?’. He loves machines, and he gives me advice. ‘How about you make it like that? How about that?’.”
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Artwork by U-Ram Choe He also attributes much of his success to having found “The perfect wife. I do sell my works. My wife manages everything in the studio, like paying the staff and the studio money, the whole thing, and the contents.” However, he does admit that, at least initially, having to make art for hire, which sometimes brought him into polite conflict with his patrons, who did not share his unique and hybridized vision. “Initially I wasn’t able to pay for my own studio through my work,” he explains. “But gradually I was getting paid by selling works. I was just very lucky doing projects, and one person after another I could support myself to do it. I used to do public work as well, but after I became a little famous in Korea I sort of had to make work to please my clients. This was the first time I could make something that I want to make. As an artist it costs a lot when I buy materials, especially for me, so it was really good doing public projects like that. About seven years ago I drew a sketch and sent it to a client, and then the client didn’t like it. ‘What is it? It looks scary! Do it again!’. And then I redid it, redid it, redid
great, limbless, streamlined metal skeleton - a sculpture he based, in part, on the Weddell Seal of the Antarctic ice shelf. “When a seal lives in this kind of environment, to look for food he makes a hole in the ice. So the seal has to make sure the hole isn’t closed up by the weather every day, so every day it uses a sharp tooth to make sure the hole is still open. This creature’s behaviour looked like it connected two different worlds together: the world above the ice field, and the world below the ice field. The seal, lying on the ice field all by himself, very lonely, also reminded me it, and it ended up looking like a little toy fan! After that of an airplane lying abandoned inland. If you read my experience, I stopped doing public work. I didn’t want story narrative, it looks as if it is dead, but it’s not really to focus on something that I didn’t want to make, so I dead. So my work represents different worlds.There are just focused on my art-making. And now that my name cultural walls, walls of knowledge, and we lose interest, is a bit known in Korea, clients now say ‘Do whatever and this work shows how, when two different worlds you like!’.” stop communicating, the hole closes up, and then the For Choe, “whatever you like” means Custos Cavum feels useless and then falls into sleep drawing on the natural world to help conceive because there’s no use for it anymore.” of strange, biomechanical creatures who occupy _TRAVIS JOHNSON fantastical ecological niches, like the Custos Cavum, a
“I want to reveal it: the machine’s function, how it works. I try very hard to make it more beautiful. The more a machine functions, the more beautiful.”
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
VISUAL ARTS
My Mamiya & Me: Feast Your Eyes Gallery, Fremantle Photographer Katherine Perry, along with her Mamiya, explored the country capturing slight glimpses of life that seem to go unnoticed by the human eye. The Mamiya takes medium format photographs, which when exposed show the natural and raw image in its true form. Perry’s keen eye and creative expression is explored throughout the exhibition, which will take you on a colourful sweet journey. Runs Feb 17-Mar 1.
Mini Art Mart: Ruck Rover General Store, Mt Lawley Frankenstein’s ultimate pop group, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong and skull-loving tattooed vixens are sharing wall space this month at Ruck Rover’s Beaufort Street store in Mt Lawley. The store, which is hosting Mini Art Mart exhibitions featuring different local artists each month, is presenting the bold and colourful work of Perth artist Anne Cobai in February. Anne’s unique style, which draws upon a vast array of influences, including contemporary music, tattoo culture, vintage pin-ups, iconography and Renaissance art, will be on display until the end of this month. Runs ’til Feb 29.
My Mamiya & Me by Katherine Perry
Spaced: Art Out Of Place: Fremantle Arts We Must Cultivate Our Garden: Perth Cultural Centre, Fremantle Centre, Northbridge Spaced: Art Out Of Place explores the relationship Scottish artist Nathan Coley is bringing his between globalisation and local identity with sculpture We Must Cultivate Our Garden to Perth, the imaginative and stimulating works in sculpture, Australian debut of this internationally acclaimed photography, painting, installation and artwork. Nathan Coley is an eminent Scottish artist multimedia. The culmination of a two year cycle and Turner Prize nominee, whose practice is based of residencies, this ground breaking project on the exploration of public space and the social involved 21 Australian and international artists aspects of our built environment. The ten metre and collectives spending time in 16 regional long sculpture is made from fairground lights, Western Australian communities to consider suspended on a temporary scaffolding structure; their social and physical environments. The creating an intriguing juxtaposition between the Constructing Nature: Gallery East, North results are surprising and provocative. Runs ’til profound text and dingy travelling fairground Mar 11. aesthetic. On display from Feb 24-Mar 26. Fremantle The depth and intimacy of the work of Western Australian artist Christine Atkins has been greatly The Unknown By The More Unknown: OK Gallery, Northbridge influenced by her experiences as an art therapist, In his first solo exhibition, The Unknown By The More Unknown, David Egan presents a charismatic along with childhood camping trips, which started constellation of paintings and objects examining pop culture mysteries and vernacular theories her love of the environment. With an eye for intricate - in which established methods of knowing are hijacked and subverted by the incurably curious detail, Christine focuses on the environmental, investigating the infinite potential of interpretation and understanding in cultural communication. human experiences and the interplay between the Runs from Feb 15-Mar 18. two. Runs ’til Mar 4.
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Raoul: Regal Theatre, Subiaco James Thiérrée sweeps you into a fantasy world of shape-shifting illusion, slapstick humour, startling beauty and melancholic whimsy that leaves you asking, ‘how did he do that?’. Raoul returns to a home upended, and quite possibly possessed. To keep domestic life from unravelling completely, he goes toe-to-toe with a surreal collection of dversaries - everything from hostile appliances to giant jellyfish to a face in the mirror with plans of its own. Are these manifestations of an untethered mind or something more sinister? Season runs Feb 18-26. Bookings via perthfestival.com.au. Driving Into Walls: Studio Underground, Northbridge Pashing, fighting, laughing, dancing and confessing... drawn from over 500 starkly honest and highly confidential interviews with Western Australian teens, this intimate and confronting play draws back the curtain on what it means to be young in our modern, media-driven society. Five teenagers walk an emotional tightrope of online and offline relationships, colliding with one another and driving into the walls built around them. This daring, immersive production gives you a raw and voyeuristic view of their deepest secrets, rages, anxieties and hopes. Season runs Feb 25-29. Bookings via perthfestival.com.au.
New York Stories: An Empire State Of Mind: Spectrum Project Space, Mt Lawley New York is imagined as a city of energy, a city of dreams, a city of hope. Photographer Panizza Allmark works with the classic technique of street photography to explore these ideas and engage with this vibrant city. Her powerful images convey the liberation and optimism in the year of Obama’s inauguration, as well as the despair of the global financial crisis and the aftermath of 9/11. Runs Feb 15-Mar 2. Lluis Fuzzhound: Hole In The Wall Gallery, Fremantle Born in Spain in 1977, Fuzzhound moved to Melbourne with his family when he was one year old, and has since spent his life traveling back and forth between the two. Growing up in Melbourne, he developed a love of art at a young age, being particularly drawn to cartoons, which he watched whilst eating Coco Pops in front of the TV after school everyday. In his upcoming solo show at Hole In The Wall, Fuzzhound will showcase all new, one off pieces, with a limited edition Hole In The Wall T-shirt designed by Fuzzhound available from the gallery while stocks last. Runs ’til Mar 3.
THEATRE/DANCE
Onqotô & Parabelo: His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth Drawing on urban and rural folk styles, this distinctly Brazilian contemporary dance company combines the grace and technique of ballet with the raw vitality of swaying limbs, sexy swagger and pulsating rhythms. For the 2012 Festival they present two strikingly visual and spirited performances – Onqotô and Parabelo. Season runs Mar 1-3. Bookings via perthfestival.com.au. Blackbird: Studio Underground, Northbridge Perth Theatre Company will produce Blackbird by Scottish playwright, David Harrower as the Company’s first production in 2012. Inspired by a true story, Blackbird is a riveting play that raises challenging questions about society, morality and how the past irrevocably effects the present. Blackbird exposes the story of two people who shared a forbidden relationship fifteen years earlier, when she was 12 and he was 40. Una confronts Ray at his workplace, and the unflinching study of their affair that follows reveals the brutal truth of unconventional love with shattering consequences. Season runs Mar 10-31. Bookings via BOCS.
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WAFA WINNERS A celebration of the designers, models and creatives that call Perth home, fashion’s night of nights - the WA Fashion Awards - took place last Thursday, February 16, at a lavishly decorated GPO. Once attendees had braved the red carpet they were welcomed into a beautiful Parisian style boudoir; the perfect setting to recognise WA fashion’s best and brightest. Big congratulations to all who walked away with a stunning Perl’Eco WAFA medallion; peruse the full list of winners below.
STUDIO BOMBA Located a stone’s throw from the bustling Oxford Street shopping strip in Leederville, Studio Bomba is a haven for the finer things in life, with more fabulous frippery, sensational stationery and design-y goodness than you could poke an antique letterpress at. What began life as a design agency in 2009 is now so much more, with Studio Bomba HQ now boasting its very own store, much to the delight of lads and lasses who covet whimsical hand-made items created with love. “We had no plans to make a shop when we moved into our space in 2009, so were lucky it was able to transform so beautifully into one,” explains Leah Dent, one of the lovely ladies behind Studio Bomba. “The shop is a light-filled, high-ceilinged, wooden-floored, mid-century space. We’re big fans of thoughtful products that reuse or recycle materials in creative, contemporary ways - so it made sense to fit-out our shop in furniture of a similar ilk. Storage drawers were sourced from salvage yards, spruced up and surrounds of seconds wood made for each one. We designed and illustrated the reception desk and display table which are created from heavy-weight cardboard - it’s lightweight and allows us to move everything about if we feel like a change. We like to think our shop has sense of nostalgia and a story to tell and we love it when people pop in and say things like ‘my nanna had those exact drawers!’.” In addition to stocking their own line of Mitchell & Dent stationery, Studio Bomba is also
Most Innovative Designer One Fell Swoop Designer Of Tomorrow Ange Lang Fine Details Totomoto Australia Creative Edge Marie Cain @ Head Studio
bRainbow products at Studio Bomba home to notebooks from far off lands, jewellery from sunny Sydney and cute ceramics from the land of Paella. “We stock limited-edition letterpress notebooks from Portugal by Serrote. The bRainbow wooden jewellery is super cute and comes from Sydney - it features twin-lens and super-8 camera pendants. Jeez Vanilla ceramics from Spain are like
your favourite kind of nautical tattoo on a plate, and we all have a soft spot for the Nikki McWilliams biscuit cushions printed by hand in Scotland. Pick Punches arrived today – they’re like a hole punch but are for making guitar picks out of old credit cards.” Pay the team at Studio Bomba a visit and discover their wonderful wares at 379 Oxford Street in Mt Hawthorn. Find out more at studiobomba.com.au.
Best Blogger Dropstitch.com.au Best-Dressed Boutique Zara Bryson Photographic Model Of The Year Holly Caiulo @ Chadwick’s Runway Model Of The Year Holly Caiulo @ Chadwick’s Hot New Talent Sarah Tilleke @ Vivien’s _EMMA BERGMEIER
Studio Bomba
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WA Fashion Awards
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
When Hudson Mohawke had to pull out of Baked NYE 2010/11, Perth punters were devastated and so was he. But, the Glaswegian is heading our way soon and is touring with fellow Scottish friend and occasional collaborator Rustie, promising a shiny electronic feast of high-energy, wellproduced sounds. JOE CASSIDY checks in with Hudson Mohawke ahead of the big show. Hudson Mohawke, or Ross Birchard as he’s known to some, is hanging out with his folks at his home in Glasgow ahead of his upcoming Australia and New Zealand tour. He’s a level headed musician, one of the more prolific producers causing a stir in his home country and on an international scale at the moment.
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Birchard recently relocated his studio from his bedroom to the basement of the Redbull Headquarters in London but, he’s back where it all began when this conversation takes place.“I moved into that studio about three months ago and I’ve been trying to be more disciplined with it,”he says.“Like go there the same time everyday rather than going in when I feel like it.” It’s a major step from making beats in his bedroom to a fully equipped studio in London and it sounds like the ideal place to be located. “It’s the kind of building where there’s a lot of other musicians around,” he says. “There’s always somebody working in the main studio, people floating around. It’s quite good for bumping in to random people or doing collaborations and stuff.” Producing music that evokes feelings of fantasy and dreamy states are Birchard’s speciality, a talent that he’s been crafting for a while now. Having DJ’d since he was a young gun, Birchard was given his first set of turntables at the age of 11 and at the mere age of 15, he was crowned the UK’s youngest ever DMC DJ Champion. In 2009, he released his first EP Polyfolk Dance on the monumental electronic music label Warp Records. Combine well received live shows, packed out small venues and two further EPs (Butter and the more recent Satin Panthers) with his deep love for all kinds of music (his father’s taste was a major influence) as well as a passion for bringing new sounds to audiences - you get really likeable, well produced tracks from a down to earth producer. Birchard has collaborated with LA producer Samiyam, Montreal producer Lunice and various artists from the record label he co-founded, LuckyMe. Right now, he’s working on his fifth instalment of the Valentine’s Slow Jam - a collection of smooth, sexy old ballads he does every February for LuckyMe. While collaborations aren’t that high up on his priority production list, he sites label mate Rustie as a major influence on his work. “[We] more kinda bounce ideas of each other but when it comes to actual music making, we usually work on our own and we exchange stuff every so often - ‘what have you been doing? What have you been working on?’ We’ll do a swap.” Although he says Rustie and himself have similar styles, their musical backgrounds have been rather different, allowing them to “meet in the middle.” Rustie has a more techno/electro background while Birchard was more involved in the hip hop and scratch fraternity, a mix that really comes through in the music. Currently based in London, Birchard grew up in Glasgow and then headed to Amsterdam in 2009 where he stayed for two years, giving him his first experience with a “proper, separate, dedicated
Hudson Mohawke studio.” From there, it was onwards and upwards for the lad who learnt to take his profession a little more seriously. “Once it becomes your job, basically then you have to kind of take it a bit more seriously, you can’t be just like sitting in your bedroom working on stuff,” he says, chuckling. And while London is the creative hub at the moment, Birchard admits he feels more at home in Amsterdam and would like to move back there. “When you’re in London, you sort of have this sense of everyone walking around miserable and depressed... where [if] you go to Amsterdam… people have a smile on their face.” When Birchard hits Australian shores shortly, he’ll be playing tracks off his most recent EP but will also be bringing a lot of new and unreleased material. He’s pumped to be playing The Bakery – a venue which caters for his slightly left of centre sound.“I prefer doing good shows if you know what I mean?,” he says in response to be asked whether he prefers performing at festivals or packing out smaller venues.“I don’t like to do shows where I’m right down the bottom of the bill - you know playing alongside some big heavy, dance, techno electro stuff because it’s a bit of a clash, it’s doesn’t really fit, but if I can get the right festival slot then I kinda prefer to do that.”
» HUDSON MOHAWKE » SATURDAY, MARCH 3 @THE BAKERY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY VILLA GET FRAT
Just in case you hadn’t heard- Frat House Fridays are taking over the Big House, aka Metro Freo, this coming Friday, February 24. It’s going to be an absolute killer student night with $5 red cup refills of your choice of vodka, Jim Beam or tap beer and $6 vodka and Mothers. The almighty Death Disco DJs will be on the decks and just announced is Block Ness Monsters who will be joining the lads to bust out some party jams. Block Ness Monsters are D Dubs and Mac Fromage. Doors open at 9pm – shorts and casual attire is encouraged.
DJ Minx
MINXING IT UP
Recently crowned the winner of EMI’s inaugural She Can DJ competition, Sydney born house DJ, DJ Minx, aka Rachel Phillips, is coming to town to show off her skills behind the decks. She’ll be releasing her She Can DJ Presents Minx mix (a massive 78 minute big room house music mix compilation) on Friday, March 2. To celebrate the release, the young lass is heading our way to put on a party. She hits Villa on Saturday, March 17. Hit up Facebook.com/shecandj for further info.
Villa is turning three and to celebrate they’re bringing a couple of killer acts to pump up the party. Push Up anthem creators The Freestylers are coming back to town baby! After smashing it at Breakfest 2010, the duo will be joined by German gent Martin Hørger. Put it this way – he runs Stamina Club; one of Europe’s longest running monthly breakbeat night. DNGRFLD and Black & Blunt will also be smashing out beats. Tickets are $35 plus booking fee and are on sale tomorrow, Thursday, February 23, from Moshtix and the Boomtick iPhone App. The party takes off on Thursday, April 5, at Villa. Doors open 10pm.
TRAFIK CONTROL
After a six year hiatus, the legendary Trafik movement and crew that was responsible for shaping drum’n’bass in Australia return to fire up our disgustingly good drum’n’bass scene. On display will be a playlist of classic joints from the Trafik era being spun by the original Trafik lineup – Daddy Rintel, Ruffy Gee and DJ Franktik. MC JRippa, MC Tennacity and DJ Armee will also be whipping up a storm alongside Xsessiv, Mystique, Dazz K, Roller Crew, Dart, Devo, Kent and Webbz. It all goes down on Friday, April 13, at The Rosemount Hotel. Get on down from 8pm, $15 on the door.
MACHINE DRUMMING
Travis Stewart, better known as Machine Drum, or one half of bass duo Sepulcure is a dude who explores down temp glitch hop and he’s now known for his fusion of hip hop, juke, jungle and house. He presents a new fusion of dance music and he’s bringing that fusion to town for an Easter Thursday extravaganza. He’ll be joined by Montreal house producer Jacques Greene who’s remixed the likes of Katy B, Jimmy Edgar and Radiohead. Kitpop, Rok Riley, Modo, Oni Cash, Sleepyhead, Ylem and more will be supporting. It’s all happening on Thursday, April 5, at The Bakery. Tickets are $29 plus booking fee from lifeisnoise.com, Oztix, Heatseeker and nowbaking.com.au.
DJ Hype
HYPED UP
It’s been four years since Playaz Records head honcho DJ Hype was in Perth but now, the drum’n’bass producer is returning to town to show us how it’s done. Sigma will also be tearing the roof off when the show gets started on Saturday, March 24, at The Overflow (The Court). Tickets are on sale now for $35 plus booking fee from Planet, Mills, The DJ Factory and Moshtix.
THE WORLD WON’T WAIT
Hopefully it’ll hold out until Sam Perry, the young gentleman who’s been smashing it around town for the last year and a bit with his unique electro, foot peddling and delicious vocals, launches his single. Perry is launching The World Won’t Wait, his first single from his upcoming sophomore release due out later this year this Saturday, February 25, at Fat Shan Records.The Empty Cup and Ylem are on support duties.Tickets are $15 and doors open at 8pm. 32
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
TINIE TEMPAH CONTINUING THE DISCOVERY
Tinie Tempah is coming back to town for Future Music Festival and AraabMuzik after a massive couple of years, 2012 is shaping up to be just as busy. The London MC talks to HUGH ROBERTSON about second album Providence, Rhode Island, producer Abraham Orellana, aka expectations, how to make it in AraabMuzik, has been a busy man since releasing his debut album America and global domination. Electronic Dream eight months ago. Riding significant buzz, he recently conversation Tinie Tempah, known to some wrapped up an American tour and is about to hit our shores. He chats In as Patrick Okogwu, is full of laughs, energy and with JOSHUA HAYES ahead of his first Australian tour. enthusiasm. And why not? In only a few years he
ARAABMUZIK DREAMS TO REALITY Electronic Dream was one of 2011’s most acclaimed albums; 11 tracks of dreamy melodies and vocals – liberally sampled from big-room dance hits – anchored by pounding hip hop beats from Orellana’s tool of choice; his MPC2500 drum machine. The album, along with a series of impressive YouTube videos highlight his live routines on said drum machine, has made the 22 year old one of hip hop’s most talked about producers. His upcoming tour is an opportunity for local punters to see Orellana’s routines in the flesh. The Hispanic artist began drumming as a toddler. By the age of 10 he was dabbling in production and he got his first MPC while in high school.“I was all hands on; I never read the manual,” Orellana recalls. “I still haven’t really used it to its full capacity; you know what I’m saying? I pretty much just use it to what I want it to do; I’m not really worried about learning other stuff that it does.” He earned his first production credit in 2006, at the age of 16, and has since provided beats for hardened hip hop veterans like Cam’ron, Styles P and Lloyd Banks – hardly the type of pedigree you would expect from the producer of the, at times, hauntingly beautiful Electronic Dream. On that album, released in June last year, Orellana explores dance music – a genre largely ignored by hip hop producers, but one that he has a strong affinity with. “A couple of years ago I was only into that dance music, and I used to just listen to it and
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listen to the beats and the melodies, and I just kinda incorporated my style with the dance music,” he says. “I’d been doing that for a while and then last year I decided to put out a little compilation of the beats that I did. I put it out and I got a real good response from it.” Despite little promotion, the album spread via word of mouth, garnering significant critical acclaim. Orellana is now working with one of hip hop’s other blog favourites, New York rapper A$AP Rocky, on a collaborative album that they hope to release in the next few months. “He was something that I wanted to work with, and I was someone that he wanted to work with, and we linked up in the studio,” Orellana says. “He’s up and coming and I was up and coming, and [we’re] the same age so we were just like ‘yeah, lets put something out’.” He’s also working on the follow up to Electronic Dream – the fittingly titled Electronic Reality – which he hopes to have out by winter. “I don’t want to have it too similar, because I don’t want to put out two of the same type of albums,” Orellana says. “[On] this one I have a lot of different boundaries to it. I’ma obviously still keep the same feel to it but just add more different type stuff; sounds and tempos to it.”
» ARAABMUZIK » SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26 @ THE BAKERY
has shot to international stardom, touring with the likes of Dizzee Rascal, Rihanna and Usher and collaborating with the likes of Kelly Rowland, Snoop Dogg, Swedish House Mafia and Wiz Khalifa. And he’s adored by the British press, with two BRIT Awards and a Mercury Prize nomination to his name. Despite all this, Okogwu is nervous about his upcoming second album, and is currently hard at work trying to create something that can capitalise on the tremendous success of 2010’s Disc-Overy. He won’t be playing any of the new material when he’s out here but that’s not because he doesn’t like us.“For me, the second record is a very, very important one,” he explains. “And I kinda wanted to showcase it all at once, when it’s done, rather than play new tracks in Australia while I’m working on the album. “I just want people to hear it all at once. And if that means that I have to fly back out to Australia to do a small showcase of the new album then I will do that. But I want that anticipation, where people are waiting to listen to it from start to finish, rather than hearing a couple of songs in a couple of different places.” It’s really interesting to hear Okogwu speak about his various projects, as he always has one eye on the bigger picture. Along with coming back to Australia (“My favourite place in the world, by far”) and “hitting [the US] hard”, he has grand plans for his record and clothing label, Disturbing London. Ultimately the goal is to become an allencompassing, culturally dominant powerhouse
Tinie Tempah like Roc-A-Fella, Bad Boy or Billionaire Boys Club, record labels that also have clothing lines and make movies, places where the music defines a particular cultural moment. They have just launched their first major clothing collection, and Okogwu is particularly bullish about their roster of artists. “We’ve got a few really amazing artists on the roster”, he begins, full of excitement.“There’s a girl called Sasha Keable, who’s amazing. There’s a threepiece singer/songwriter/producer team called All About She, who are pretty cool. Then there’s G FrSH, and Dot JR, who’s just signed a really huge deal with Polydor [Records] over here. “We set out to do something and slowly but surely we are making it happen, and realising it, and it’s manifesting. Slowly but surely. All the record labels that inspired us to do what we’re doing now took years to get off the ground, and we always bear that in mind, but so far I’m happy. So yeah, let’s see what happens, but we’re currently in a really good position to be ‘that’ label in the next couple of years.”
» TINIE TEMPAH » FUTURE MUSIC FESTIVAL » SUNDAY, MARCH 4 @ ARENA JOONDALUP
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OLIVER HUNTEMANN NOT SO PARANOID PORTER ROBINSON German lad Oliver Huntemann has called Hamburg home now for some seven years. There was an intermediate step in beautiful Bremen for a moment as well – but there is no doubting that over the years, the home of techno has spawned all manner of amazing talent. RK chats with Huntemann ahead of his return to Australia as a part of his Paranoia world tour. Oliver Huntemann’s fourth record Paranoia is a masterstroke in sensible, down to earth and classic dance music. “I always have an idea that I like to develop,” chimes the German. “It doesn’t just happen. Luckily the process behind this LP came very naturally. There was lots of hard work from Monday to Friday, but the tracks were finished relatively fast thanks to a superb flow. From the very first track, I knew that I wanted to tell a complete story this time. I wanted an album that is united around one idea, exploring all its aspects. That is why paranoia seemed to me as the best topic. It encompasses such a wide array of feelings - just perfect for an album concept.” Indeed, the album steers well clear of fashion trends. “Trends come and go,” he declares. “No matter what movement is fashionable, naturally a movement soon develops that is contrary. For me personally, it’s not about trends. I try to follow my own way, which doesn’t mean I don’t get influenced by trends, just in a limited way. In the case of the album, all tracks have a positive and negative associated with them. By listening to the album your emotions can go full circle.” Huntemann had the chance to work with talented artists like Robert Owens on Paranoia, a “dream come true” for the artist. Ane Trolle also makes an appearance, adding a peculiarly deep and feminine touch to the LP, rounding it off perfectly. Likewise, the album is available on CD (with a bonus DVD), digitally as well as an extravagant double vinyl. “We wanted to make sure that the fans can take their pick when it comes to their preferred medium,” he says. André Winter is again present as coproducer on the album – an industry legend and bona fide sound engineer and producer who ticks all the boxes. Huntemann agrees that he has a very good ear for the right sounds and arrangements. “I am in touch with audiences every weekend in various countries so I can always bring new ideas to the studio based on my most recent impressions and together we turn these ideas into reality,” he says of their collaboration. “We’re a bit of an odd couple but we know each other’s peculiarities so well that sometimes it must be very funny to observe us!” As for the tour – he is pumped – and
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FIRING UP
Porter Robinson had never seen a DJ perform before he hits the decks for his first gig at a club in Santa Cruz –“it was nothing to write home about… but it was not a fucking disaster,” he says. ANNABEL MACLEAN chats with the Chapel Hill young gun about a bad gig with Skrillex, joining his label OWSLA and what’s in store for 2012.
Oliver Huntemann continually pushing the technical envelope. “I play mainly live now which is a totally new experience for me. I have to work hard on my live set and practice with Reactable. The Reactable is such an interesting musical instrument with which you can control and change the structure of the sound so that you can be creative in a direct and refreshing way. But, due to its complexity I have to spend time studying it and practicing my performance. Unfortunately it’s not possible to present the Reactable in Australia this time because I mostly play on day festivals and the Reactable show needs complete darkness in consequence of its technical structure. But, we are already working on a special Reactable live tour in Australia later this year.”
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OLIVER HUNTEMANN PARANOIA [BALANCE/IDEAL AUDIO] OUT SATURDAY MARCH 3 FUTURE MUSIC FESTIVAL SUNDAY, MARCH 4 @ ARENA JOONDALUP
American electro-house DJ and producer Porter Robinson has just had two months off from touring and although he hasn’t been as productive as he would’ve liked to have been, he’s written two tracks and got to see his dog in his home in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.“It was great to be back writing music because DJing is a very, very different world from writing music – one of them is extremely hectic and high energy and the other is a very sort of deliberate, long winded process with like a lot of coffee and time,” he says down the phone from his bedroom. For a young lad who only recently finished high school, he’s accomplished a lot – his debut EP Spitfire hit the #1 spot on the iTunes Dance Chart and took out the #1 spot on Beatport’s overall release chart, he’s performed alongside the likes of Deadmau5, Moby, A-Trak, Dada Life, Afrojack and even recently supported Tiesto on his College Invasion Tour last year. Now signed to Skrillex’s fresh label OWSLA (Spitfire was the first release on his label), Robinson is stoked.“Skrillex - his rise has just been absolutely astronomical, he’s become this monster artist (no pun intended) but basically about a year ago, my manager booked Skrillex to play at his club in Santa Cruz which is like a 100 capacity room when Skrillex was not really huge and he played my music in the car for Skrillex,” he says of how he landed on the label’s artist bill. “Skrillex absolutely loved it and so he asked for my contact details and we started talking and sending music back and forth and that turned into a couple of shows together and then a tour together
Porter Robinson and then he started talking to me about his label and I figured there’d be no better avenue for my release to be the first release on Skrillex’s label. It’s incredible.” Not as incredible as a spontaneous gig, however, that they decided to put on when they were in Tennessee (“actually, oh fuck, where was it?”) not long ago. “We were like ‘we should do like a free party today and we should all do it together, we should play together’ and we got all excited about it and started spitballing ideas and decided that we were only going to play cool techno,” he says. “We weren’t going to melt people’s faces; we just wanted have fun dance music and stuff like that. “We posted the address and it was like a 100 and 50 fucking degrees, it was so hot and just none of our equipment would work because of the temperature and we’re not really skilled at playing that type of music – it’s not what we do – and I think the crowd was a little baffled and confused, like ‘why are they not playing the music that they make?’ . It was not successful. It was a failed operation. It kinda leaves a bad taste in the mouth.” Robinson plays Future Music Festival before heading to Ultra Music Festival, Coachella and Tomorrowland and that’s all before July. He’s excited to have finally figured out a way to produce on the road, a big step in a right direction for the budding producer.“I had no idea how to do it before and I wasn’t technologically equipped because I play my live show on a Mac and I produce music on a Windows and I finally just purchased a new high end Mac and figure out how to get Windows running on it so I’ll be writing music on the road from now on.” Perth punters will get to hear some of that new music when Robinson hits town shortly. “I think one novel thing about my set is that I tend to mix very quickly and have a high energy set… I tend to mix every 30 to 40 seconds and it’s done in a very tasteful, interesting way,” he says.“So I think I’ll have a nice sort of ADHD set ready for Future.”
» PORTER ROBINSON » FUTURE MUSIC FESTIVAL » SUNDAY, MARCH 4 @ ARENA JOONDALUP
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
QBert & Reeps One (photo by Matt Jelonek)
MXING LIKE A BOSS QBERT & REEPS ONE Rosemount Hotel Thursday, February 16, 2012 Technically he’s one of the best DJs in the world - fact. When it comes to scratching, cutting and the like, QBert has few equals. The turntablist (an art form he practically invented) was the winner of the DMC World Mixing Championships three times (along with Mixmaster Mike) before politely being asked to retire to give someone else a chance. Since then, he’s started his own Qbert Skratch University and been one of only two DJs to have been knighted by the Grand Masters of the Hip Hop culture . So the challenge for the diminutive ‘Jimi Hendrix of the turntables’ (real name Richard Quitevis) is to put on an entertaining show that both showcases his immense talent and rocks the joint without reducing it to a technical masterclass solely for a group of bearded trainspotters motionlessly examining his every flick of the fader and turn of the platter (this scribe being one of them!). That’s what the sizable crowd was crammed into The Rosemount to see and they weren’t disappointed. The trick was roping in UK beat-boxer Reeps One as part of a double bill of the hip hop arts, he was the UK champion two years running and complemented QBert perfectly, giving the audience something to be thoroughly entertained by. After defyre had managed to coax the majority of the audience from the vibrant beer garden with a varied selection including classic hip hop by A Tribe Called Quest and Gangstarr and some notable turntable skills himself, the two stars in their field took to the stage and promptly blew away proceedings with
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a series of skits and sets - sometimes tag teaming but always complementing each other and managing to get people moving their asses as well as nodding their heads. Traditionally these sort of nights are packed full of old school hip hop breaks that have been heard countless times before, but not tonight, the duo have taken things forward incorporating a whole manner of future beats into proceedings. One set involved Reeps One creating a pitch perfect dubstep backing track complete with customary wobbles and snare crashes whilst QBert scratched the hell out of the place. Another had them switching roles - this time QBert double beating and cutting two tracks to create a brand new syncopated rhythm whilst Reeps One produced all the other accompaniments raps, scratches and more. Other highlights were when the two gave solo performances such as when Reeps One broke down a track into four breaks and then systematically built them together and increased the speed to produce a monster of a result, and when QBert launched into one of his traditional routines scratching one of his favourite samples, with a mesmerising collection of orbits, transformer and crab scratches all completed with impeccable timing. The night was a success. Yes, the main man was constantly enveloped in a stream of blue light of smart phones recording his every movement but the combination of both Reeps One and QBert produced an entertaining show that really got the crowd cheering and grooving and it wasn’t even the weekend yet!
» ANDREW NELSON
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FLAWLESS
NEWPORT
WEDNESDAY 22/02 Amplifier – Fluxx Beat Bar (Bar Open) – DJ Antrax Captain Stirling – Fiveo Clancy’s (Applecross) – Upbeat – 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 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 23/02 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 Eve – DJ Tony Allen Festival Gardens - Cut Chemist 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
FRIDAY 24/02 Ambar - Force Majeure ft Designer Drugs Amplifier – DJ Jamie Mac/ Shannon Fox Bar 459 - DJ Smurf Bar Orient - Higher Fyah The Reggae Club ft General Justice/ The Empressions/ Mumma Trees/ Sista Che/ DJ Gridlox/ KevzBlaq Beat Nightclub - Play Boheme Bar - DJ Majiika Bolt Bar (Maylands Peninsular Tavern) – DJ Armee 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
Block Ness Monsters
Designer Drugs
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VILLA
Claremont Hotel – DJ Nick Sheppard/ DJ Max Club Bayview - Infexious ft Ben Stevens/ Nomad Como Hotel – DJ Gazz Eve – DJ Don Migi/ DJ Danny Boi Flawless – DJ Zelimir Geisha - Hedflux 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 – Dorica 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 – Frat House Fridays ft Block Ness Monsters/ Death Disco DJs Mint Nightclub – Club Retro ft Chris McPhee Mullaloo Beach Hotel - DJ John Paul Mustang – Swing DJ/ DJ James MacArthur Paddy Hannans – Crazy Craig Paramount - DJ Johnny Boi/ DJ Jordan Queens Tav – DJ Rueben Sail & Anchor - Balcony Beatz/ DJ J-MAC Shape (Upstairs) – Lee Burridge/ Jamie Stevens Sovereign Arms – Aiden Wallis The Avenue – Fiveo The Carine – Ben Mac/ Punchy & Juicy The Causeway – Bass Republic 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
The Cuban Brothers Windsor – DJ Riki and Ray Victoria Park Hotel – DJ Giles YaYa’s – Junk ft DJ Whoa
SATURDAY 25/02 Ambar – Japan 4 ft Bezwun/ Ben Mac/ Oli/ Micah/ Diistortiion Amplifier - Pure Pop ft Eddie Electric Attic – Attic Basement On Broadway – DJ Ricky Boheme Bar – Carte Blanche DJs Broken Hill Tavern – DJ Nick Alexander/ James Wilson Capitol – The Future Of Future ft Death Disco DJs Capitol (Upstairs) – Cream Of The ‘80s Clancy’s (Canning Bridge) - DJ Dood Claremont Hotel – DJ Tone Def Club Bay View – VIP Saturdays ft DJ Ryan Eurobar – Roger Smart/ DJ Raci Eve Nightclub – DJ Don Migi/ DJ Stevie M Flawless - Stache Saturdays ft DJ Zelimir/ DJ Minna Geisha - Danny Daze High Road Hotel – DJ Simon
Concord Dawn
High Wycombe – DJ Matt Hipe Club – DJ E-Funk Library – MKT ft DJ Riki/ DJ Richie G/ DJ Vicktor Little Creatures Loft – Marine Beats Liquid Nightclub - DJ Klar55/ DJ Stevie M Llama Bar – DJ Reuben/ DJ Melvin Malt Super Club – Fiveo Metro City (R&B Lounge) - DJ Slick/ DJ Ruthless/ DJ Soso Metro City - DJ Stevie M/ DJ Matty S/ DJ Ruthless/ DJ Makka Metro Freo – DTuck/ Darren Briais/ Wazz Mint Nightclub – Pop Life ft DJ Aaron/ AJ Mojos – Gappy Ranks/ Earthlink Sound/ Sabata Sound/ Iron Palm/ Kriti-Cal/ MC Benitton Mullaloo Beach Hotel – DJ Danny Mustang – Rockabilly DJ/ DJ James MacArthur Niche – Frankie Button/ Cee/ Jonny Zimber Norma Jeans – DJ Darren Oxford Hotel – DJ Sequeria Paramount- DJ Cornflake / DJ Jordan/ DJ Johnny Boi Queens Tav - Gareth Richardson Rocket Room – DJ Brett Rowe South St Ale House – DJ Jay Sovereign Arms – Rockwell The Avenue – Jon Ee The Bakery - The Cuban Brothers The Brighton (Upstairs) – Micah/ Kill Dyl/ eSQue The Boheme – DJ Sneakee The Causeway – Sun City The Clink – Az-T The Cornerstone – Aiden Wallis The Deen - DJ Birdie/ DJ JJ/ DJ Tony Allen The Generous Squire – On Tap The Saint – DJ Anaru The Shed –DJ Glenn 20 The Wembley – Lokie Shaw
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
SETS ON THE BEACH
METRO CITY
Clink – DJ Tony Allen Euro Bar – DJ Flex Eve Nightclub – DJ Birdie Mint - Chris McPhee Mustang – DJ Rockin Rhys The Avenue – Az-T The Cott – Cott Sessions The Kiosk – DJ Cinder The Saint - DJ Anaru The Shed – DJ Andyy
MONDAY 27/02 AraabMuzik The Whistling Kite - DJ Craig The Vic – DJ Kristian Tiger Lil’s – DJ Bojan/ DJ Ben Sebastian Victoria Park Hotel – DJ Melvin Villa - Heat! ft Dieselboy/ Concord Dawn Windsor – DJ Ray Woodvale Tavern – DJ Real McCoy Yaya’s – Saturday Social ft The Kings Of Cheese DJs
Bar Orient - DJ White Label Broken Hill Tavern - DJ Mario Tavelli Eastern Hotel – Adam Morris The Deen – Plastic Max/ The Token Gesture The Paddo – DJ John Paul The Shed – DJ Andyy
TUESDAY 28/02
Bar Orient - DJ Lyndon Eastern Hotel – Jon Edwards High Road Hotel – DJ Matty J High Wycombe – DJ Ricky Hipe Club – DJ Roger Smart SUNDAY 26/02 Metro City - The Game The Cott (Upstairs) –Maxwell/ Bakery – AraabMuzik Jus Haus?/ Damian John Broken Hill Tavern - Sophie Jane Victoria Park Hotel – DJ Melvin Captain Stirling – DJ Jay Claremont Hotel – DJ Double Dee
Cut Chemist
CUT CHEMIST
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23
@ FESTIVAL GARDENS
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IN THE THIS WEEK Cut Chemist Thursday, February 23 @ Festival Gardens Lee Burridge/ Jamie Stevens Friday, February 24 @ Shape (upstairs) Hedflux Friday, February 24 @ Geisha Boom Box Old Skool Boat Party ft Dair vs Frantix/ Dvise vs Deflo/ Sempy vs Conxept/ Mental vs NVS/ Terrance & Phillip/ MC Xssesiv/ Assassin/ Stylee Friday, February 24 @ Barrack Street Jetty Force Majeure ft Designer Drugs Friday, February 24 @ Ambar Frat House Fridays ft Death Disco DJs/ Block Ness Monsters Friday, February 24 @ Metro Freo Higher Fyah The Reggae Club ft General Justice/ The Empressions/ Mumma Trees/ Sista Che/ DJ Gridlox/ KevzBlaq Friday, February 24 @ Bar Orient
COMING UP MC Oddisee/ Kitpop (Live)/ Klean Kicks Friday, March 2 @ The Manor
360 Friday, March 16 @ The Rosemount Hotel
Outlook Festival Launch Party ft Kryptic Minds/ Spectrasoul/ Bootleg ft The Bootleg Icicle/ Ulterior Motive/ Zanetic Brothers (Philly Blunt and Ben Mac)/ PDS, Tee El/ FTW/ The Friday, March 2 @ Shape Barons Red Fresh Produce ft Lemon Lime N Friday, March 16 @ Ambar Love Town/ Lady L/ Carla/ Kat DJ Minx Gray/ Lizness Saturday, March 17 @ Villa Friday, March 2 @ Ambar Funk Club ft Charlie Bucket Friday, March 2 @ Deville’s Pad Challenger Ready ft Armee v Fdel/ Oli v JMC/ Micah v Tonic/ Bobnoceros v Dead Easy/ Marko Paulo Saturday, March 3 @ Ambar Soul Project ft IIIya/ Anyo Saturday, March 3 @ Geisha Mask2012 ft Benny C/ Double Dee Saturday, March 3 @ The Empyrean Hudson Mohawke/ Rustie/ Rok Riley/ Ben Taaffe/ Move and more Saturday, March 3 @ The Bakery
Future Music Festival ft Swedish House Mafia/ Fatboy Slim/ Tinie Tempah/ Paul van Dyk/ Chase & Status/ Skrillex/ Danny Daze Aphex Twin/ Die Antwoord/ Saturday, February 25 @ Geisha Gareth Emery/ James Murphy & Pat Mahoney (LCD Soundsystem/ DFA)/ Sven The Cuban Brothers Vath/ Alex Metric/ Azari & Saturday, February 25 @ The III/ Horse Meat Disco/ / Frank Bakery Ocean/ The Stafford Brothers/ Friendly Fires/ Knife Party/ Heat! ft Dieselboy/ Concord Professor Green/ Dubfire/ Flux Dawn Pavilion/ Orjan Nilsen/ Porter Saturday, February 25 @ Villa Robinson/ Ruby Rose/ tyDi/ Kill The Noise/ Timmy Trumpet The Future Of Future ft Death and more Disco DJs Sunday, March 4 @ Arena Saturday, February 25 @ Capitol Joondalup Sam Perry single launch Saturday, February 25 @ Fat James Lavelle Shan Records Friday, March 9 @ Ambar AraabMuzik Sunday, February 26 @ The Bakery
Anthony Pappa Saturday, March 10 @ Geisha
DJ Krush 20th Anniversary World Tour Saturday, March 10 @ Villa
Taaffe/ Ylem vs Rachael Dease/ Rok Riley/ Kit Pop/ Solar Barge/ Clunk/ Modo/ Oni Cash/ Sleepyhead Thursday, April 5 @ The Bakery
Cube/ Rick Ross/ Trey Songz/ Kelly Rowland/ Lupe Fiasco and more TBC Sunday, April 22 @ Arena Joondalup
Creamfields ft David Guetta/ Above & Beyond/ Dirty South/ Alesso/ Excision/ W&W/ Giuseppe Ottaviani (live)/ Congorock/ Vitalic/ Sied van Riel/ Tritonal/ Downlink/ Van She Tech ShockOne/ MaRLo/ Bombs Saturday, April 7 @ The Aviary Away/ MC Stretch Trafik: The Drum & Bass Saturday, May 5 @ Supreme KRS-One Court Gardens Reunion ft Rintel/ Rufkut/ Friday, March 23 @ Metro City Frantik/ JRippa/ Armee/ Full Frequency ft Micah/ Xsessiv/ Mystique/ Dazz K/ Groovin’ The Moo ft 360/ Hilltop Hoods/ Adrian Ben Mac/ Massiv Trav/ Dart/ Roller Crew/ Dart/ Devo/ Lux/ Beni/ Digitalism/ Sardi/ Declan/ Ben M/ Rok Kent/ Teneacity/ Webbz Hermitude/ Muscles/ Purple Riley/ James A/ Miranda Friday, April 13 @ The Sneaker DJs/ Wavves Menzies/ JoLettenmaier/ FTW/ Rosemount Hotel Saturday, May 19 @ Hay Park, Bezwun & JS/ Ari Sistym/ Puff/ Ru-Kusa The Herd/ Thundamentals Bunbury Friday, March 23 @ Shape Saturday, April 14 @ The Mickey Avalon Rosemount Jungle Fever ft Aphrodite Saturday, May 26 @ The Friday, March 23 @ Villa Rosemount Hotel Supafest ft P.Diddy/ Ice Villa’s 3rd Birthday ft The Freestylers/ Martin Hørger/ DNGRFLD/ Black & Blunt Thursday, April 5 @ Villa
The Butternut Slap/ Sunmonx/ Russ Liquid/ JPS Saturday, March 24 @ Capitol DJ Hype/ Sigma Saturday, March 24 @ The Overflow (The Court) Japan 4 ft Vengeance Saturday, March 24 @ Ambar Yelawolf Tuesday, March 27 @ Capitol Hermitude Friday, March 30 @ Mojos Diafrix & Joelistics Friday, March 30 @ Bar 120 Diafrix & Joelistics Saturday, March 31 @ Hyde Park Hotel Hermitude Saturday, March 31 @ Amplifier Diafrix & Joelistics Sunday, April 1 @ Norfolk Basement Machine Drum & Jacques Greene/ Nik Ridikulas vs Ben
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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE Perth Festival Gardens Saturday, February 18, 2012
Death Cab For Cutie (Photo: Daniel Grant)
1926 film Faust, a handful of dancers we were later told were only recruited locally that day, minimal props and costumes, and a live soundscape both cacophonous and haunting, the event (or perhaps called “thinning the herd” - that occurred on the better described as a ritual or a working) punched right through the forebrain of the audience to grab balmy Valentine’s night when Silver Alert (aka hold of the primal beast that nestles in the back of Sclavunos and Peter Mavrogeorgis) teamed up the skull, and stir it up with movement, sound, and with experimental choreographer Micki Pellarano fury. to present their reworking of the venerable Faust It’s clear that, in stripping away Murnau’s legend, the work certainly attained that rarefied problematic “Christ conquers all” ending, they’ve label. drawn the theme back to the value of gnosis, and The exact meaning? That’s harder to the sacrifices necessary to attain such a thing. pin down. Utilising a brisk re-edit of F.W. Murnau’s While there’s nothing too high-handed
FAUSTIAN PACT Perth Festival Gardens Tuesday, February 14, 2012 There’s a school of thought that states, more or less, that “real art” is incapable of pleasing everyone – basically that in the act of saying something of real value, you’re bound to ruffle someone’s feathers. Judging by the 40 or so walk-outs - a phenomenon Jim Sclavunos later
CASS MCCOMBS Perth Festival Gardens Monday, February 20, 2012 Over the last few years California-born singersongwriter Cass McCombs has built a goodsize following by holding back: his voice is a well-worn croak; his folky arrangements are unabashedly old-fashioned; his songs usually build toward nothing stronger than a shrug. And on Monday night he filled up the Perth Festival Gardens: not only with the usual selfeffacing indie rockers, but also with some more vociferous fans (proof, perhaps, that his appeal extends beyond the indie subculture). One concertgoer was even overheard loudly describing McCombs as “phenomenal!” The thing about McCombs’s shy charm is that sometimes his music shyly declines to thrill, and sometimes his musical nostalgia seems a bit shopworn. Still, the best McCombs songs positively glow – as was the case with his warm live versions of Robin Egg Blue (plucked from
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From those humble days in Bellingham, even the members of Death Cab For Cutie would never have expected that they would one day be regarded as one of the most consistent live bands going around. The band clearly take their live show seriously as they recreate their records with ease from their alcohol free stage where they ensure that as a punter, you always know what you are going to get. The givens of a Death Cab For Cutie show are that Nick Harmer will be dressed in black jeans and polo shirt as he gyrates with his bass guitar, Jason McGerr will bring his rare combination of precision and personality from behind his drum kit, Ben Gibbard will put on a clinic of how pop songs should be sung and Chris Walla will change instruments and maintain a perfect tone. The detail of the set list may change from show to show but you can pretty much guarantee that The New Year will get an early running and the majority of the crowd will sing along loudly and out of tune to I Will Follow You Into The Dark. Since their last tour, Ben Gibbard has moved to the centre of the stage to take up the more traditional role for a front person, cut his hair to resemble an indie-rock page boy and discarded his spectacles. As this was the second
offering in a two night stay, Gibbard indicated that they would be varying up the set list a little. He was true to his word when Death Cab For Cutie opened with the slow burn of the rarely heard No Joy In Mudville and throughout delved into the The Open Door EP for Little Bribes. The hits would come out later in the set, but it was hard to go past the cracking take on Long Division with McGerr effortlessly rolling out a chunk of stylish fills. For a band with such pop smarts it is the slower more spacious tunes where they make their biggest splash and again this was the case when Gibbard moved to the keyboard for Codes And Keys and Different Name For The Same Place. Th e c r owd s t a r t e d t o s h ow t h e i r increasing appreciation when the pulsating bass line signalled the beginning of an epic version of I Will Possess Your Heart. In a similar vein, new favourite You Are A Tourist has a stadium filling feel to it, before a sizeable portion of somewhat throw away radio friendly tunes were mixed in with Movie Script Ending and Blacking Out The Friction. Having learnt their lesson from omitting both tunes on their last tour to Perth, Death Cab For Cutie went to the album that made them major label players and featured on T V with Tiny Vessels and Transatlanticism being a fitting ending. Death Cab For Cutie gave another quality, polished performance of the standard that we have come to expect from a group that leave very little to chance. _CHRIS HAVERCROFT about that, it’s pretty plain to see that it was the medium, not the message, that sent the bourgeoisie scuttling. Perhaps they weren’t used to watching naked, masked bodies writhe against a background of alchemical symbols while the waterphone drones and the horns trumpet, or perhaps engaging on a visceral rather than intellectual level can be too intimidating for some. Whatever, it’s their loss; everyone with the wherewithal to plug into the experience had a blast, and we can only hope that this first performance of the piece is not the last. _TRAVIS JOHNSON
last year’s critically acclaimed Humour Risk) and Dreams Comes True Girl (from 2009’s Catacombs). The live setting, McCombs band kick back with a looser, rockier feel than previously, yet his dusty, wistful voice still inhabits an age all of its own. There’s also a feeling the talented troubadour is pushing at the fabric of his music, trying to expand and progress. But the same cinematic mist hovers, the same old, old intimacy fans know well. An arguable highlight of tonight ’s set was luring lullaby County Line, a song so Dylanesque you might almost mistake it for a cover (One of his many submissions to the fake Dylan couplet contest: “I feel so blind, I can’t make out the passing road signs.”). McComb’s subject is, in part, the distance between the thing you are and the thing you love, and he’s obsessed with the weird, floaty feeling of being adrift in someone else’s decade. Yet while his tracks have this Western, homely revivalism – a need to recall the simplistic life before the chaos of emotion and the complexities of modernity – his strum-andpick guitar style and his not-quite-hoarse voice make their own little place in the world, happily out of time. _JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD
Cass McCombs (Photo: Callum Ponton)
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BLANCHE DUBOIS
Building Bridges Perth sisters Nadija and Adriana Begovich make up Blanche DuBois – who have been performing around Australia for over a decade. Ahead of their performance at The Ellington Jazz Club on Thursday, March 8, one half of the duo, Adriana, sat down with JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD to discuss their sisterly relationship and why it took them four years to release new album Young Heart. Their first studio outing since 2007, recently released LP Young Heart proves that Blanche DuBois’ sound has changed little over the years, but, as guitarist Adriana Begovich attests, a quarrel in the interim became the inspiration for their most autobiographical collection of emotive songs to date. During their four year break from the music industry, the sisters had what Adriana calls their “Noel and Liam Gallagher moment”, after a disagreement left them on non-speaking terms. “We had a bit of a time where we weren’t speaking and it really put a strain on everything – our family, everything, and, of course, the band. It was really awful but we kissed and made up and we’re all the better for it,” she explains. The overall tone of their resulting album is not what one might think. There is no self-pity and little melancholy about the arrangements on Young Heart. “Thematically, this whole album is about that situation we were in,” Adriana explains.“I had also exited a pretty bad relationship…It’s about hitting rock bottom, climbing back up again and seeing that once you’ve gotten back up again you’re all the better for it.The whole album is
FEELS LIKE HOME
Gimme Shelter, the annual fundraiser for the homeless at Fremantle Arts Centre is on again on this Saturday, February 25, with another amazing line-up including Jill Birt and Alsy Macdonald (The Triffids) together with The Morning Night’s Adrian Hoffman, songstress Felicity Groom, balladeer Dave Mann and The Starlight Hotel Choir. Every cent from ticket sales will go directly to feed and nurture the homeless. Tickets are dirt-cheap at $25 plus booking fee in advance from fac.oztix.com.au, Fremantle Arts Centre and usual outlets (or $35 on the door).
RASTA REVIVAL
By popular demand reggae returns to Freo with the rebirth of the infamous Higher Fyah Reggae Club at Bar Orient every Friday! Higher Fyah became known as Freo’s finest reggae club, launching the careers of The Empressions (Australia’s first ladies of dancehall), who have gone on to promote and perform with iconic Jamaican artists such as Anthony B, Cecile and Gyptian. Higher Fyah launches in 2012 on Friday, February 24. Running from 8pm ‘til 1am, the opening party will feature Australian reggae legend General Justice, The Empressions, Mumma Trees and Sista Che, as well as the highly respected turntable skills of Zimbabwean DJ Gridlox, and up-and-coming Kenyan DJ KevzBlaq. Best of all, entry is 100 per cent free!
NIGHT VISION
After 11 years since its last event the Big Night Out is back to showcase the best in local original music. This extravaganza will be held on Saturday, February 25, over two stages at The Den and The Civic Hotel back room. The line-up includes Meaning Of, Animal, Sleeping Giant, Brutus, The Loved Dead, Ben Merito, Nevsky Prospekt, We Build Pyramids and Ozmonaut. Entry is $12 on the door, from 7pm.
TWIST AND SHOUT
about that concept of building a bridge and getting over it.” As the creative process was very much a healing experience for the sisters’ damaged relationship, Adriana explains that the sisters took their time writing and recording the album. “The album was recorded over a month, but that period was spread out over about six months.We would record a week here and then take a week break and then head back into the studio,” she says.“It’s about rediscovering our love for making music and our love for each other.” This record also marks the first time Blanche DuBois has explored co-writing – working with fellow Australian artists Angie Hart (Frente!) and Mick Thomas (Weddings, Parties, Anything) to pen three songs. “Our publisher Mushroom has always encouraged us to write with other artists on their books but we’ve never really taken them up on the offer, primarily because we live so far away,” Adriana explains. “However I had moved over to Melbourne and made a base for myself over there and so we thought ‘why not?’. We were actually really surprised at how well the collaboration process went for us because we’ve only ever written songs with each other before.” Apart from the circumstances of its making, however, Adriana reveals that not much else has changed in their songwriting approach. “2012 marks 10 years of our band. We’ve been doing this since I was 18 and we’re still essentially writing in the same way we always have – I’ll have a basic idea of a guitar progression or a melody and we’ll just build it up together,” she concludes. “It’s really been a natural career progression for us. I honestly believe we’re releasing our best record to date with Young Heart.”
THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE
Catch a very rare free entry (yep you heard us) show at the Rosemount Hotel this Saturday, February 25, featuring the local rock’n’roll trio of Trigger Jackets, the back-in-action The Scotch Of Saint James and newcomers The Vincent Gallows. Action starts from 8pm.
FLOOR PLANS
This Friday, February 24, roll up and roll in to a rock‘n’roll spectacular at Mojo’s Bar! Only just back from circuiting the country with The Kill Devil Hills, rhythm and blues aficionados The Floors will headine the show while sword swallower and knife thrower Matty Blade will be performing his knife throwing act! Eeek! As well as all the punters who love a special rock show High Horse and the Belle Ends are along for the party. Entry for this once in a lifetime crazy show is $15 from 8pm.
SLEEPING GIANT Bearing the terrible clichéd nature of this question, how would you describe your band’s sound? Massive eclectic heavy rock mixed with smooth deltones of awesomeness.
Just five months after their first ever gig, pop-punk trio Twisted Affection is gearing up for their album launch! The band’s highly anticipated debut self-titled album will be released on Friday, February 24, and to celebrate they will be performing tracks at The Rocket Room. Be there or be square.
What do you love about making music? Making music is like making love, you need to hit it hard, then settle in for the long haul, a few twists and turns, building to a crescendo, and then finish with a bang.
MANN POWER
What do you hate about the music industry? The vultures, they’re everywhere man. Don’t sign anything.
The always awesome Dave Mann Collective hit the Indi Bar this Friday, February 24, for their last show before launching their much anticipated fifth album at the Fremantle Arts Centre on Friday, March 9. Support comes from amazing Melbournian singer-songwriter Van Walker, who’ll be showcasing tunes from his latest album Underneath the Radar. Doors open at 8.30pm, entry is $10.
LOVE LOCKDOWN
This Friday, February 24, at Fat Shan’s latest installment of Friday I’m In Love you can catch lofi tunes from the mystical Rabbit Island, some smooth topical hip hop from Mathas, as well as the acoustic stylings of Lee Schneider. Tickets are $10 and available from tickets@fatshanrecords. com.
TO THE MOON AND BACK
This Wednesday, February 22, Going Solo at the Moon late night café presents uber talented outsider tunesmiths in the form of soft-spoken chanteuse Rabbit Island, awesomely talented funkadelic king Nick Allbrook and pop-rock purveyor Ben Witt (The Chemist). Proceedings kick off from 8pm. Entry to the restaurant is always free!
TRASH TALK
Featuring the finest mid-week lineup Perth has seen since Marshall stacks were still cool and bogans drank VB instead of energy drinks,White Trash Heroes Ya Ya’s continues with its fifth show next Friday, February 24. Get down early to catch electro-rock up-and-comers Broken Royale and indie-rock outfits Shimmergloom and Damn Few do their thing live on stage. Doors open at 8pm. 40
Blanche DuBois
Out of all the local folks you’ve played shows with, who’s been one of your favourites? Helmet weren’t too bad, they have an interesting sound – should be a really good band in a couple of years. If you could travel back in time and show one of your musical heroes your tunes, who would it be and why? Bach – just to trip his ass out on where music could end up. What can a punter expect from your upcoming set at the Big Night Out 2012? Massive eclectic heavy rock mixed with smooth deltones of awesomeness. What other acts will be performing with you on the bill? The Meaning Of, Animal, Brutus, The Loved Dead, Ben Merito, Nevsky Prospekt, We Build Pyramids, Ozmonaut. Anything else you’d like to add? About 10 years ago the Big Night Out franchise was born. These gigs quickly turned into one of Perth’s most popular local music gigs. It’s a chance to see a bunch of Perth tops bands from various genres for an extremely low door price of $12. Don’t sit at home and play with yourself. Only losers do that. For song samples from all the bands head to sleepinggiantband.com. Sleeping Giant take to the stage at The Civic Hotel on Saturday, February 25 as part of the Big Night Out 2012. Doors open 7pm and entry is $12 on the door. X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
Jus Burger’s Justin Bell
The simple hamburger isn’t so simple any more. Over the last decade or so, there has hardly been a serious chef in the country who hasn’t taken a shot at reinventing or improving it. They have trained their skills on every element, from the precise grind of beef to the relish and pickles. On the local front, the burger’s upward journey began four years ago when Chef Justin Bell launched his first Jus Burgers in Leederville. Offering boutique burgers made from local produce, Bell has since expanded his Jus Burgers empire to four - with new outlets in Subiaco, Perth and Freo. MATTHEW HOGAN grills Bell for the secret to his success. When did you first fall in love with burgers outside of a drive-thru setting? Everyone loves a burger, albeit done well. These are the words we went live with on our website over three years ago and it’s still true today and probably will be for years to come. We just made them cool and healthy; added a local urban touch with some savvy floor people and there you go; a recipe.
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We feel that Jus Burgers has made burgers exciting, when did you first start making such delicious gourmet burgers? We opened Jus in January 2009 – before then I didn’t consider myself a burger man, simply a chef. Being a chef gave me the tools to be able to create my journey. Where did you learn your craft of cooking and burger construction? I managed to work in some gourmet shops in London as my research and development, [which was] very handy. Ultimately though, being a trained and travelled chef and a foodie makes the creating and constructing of burgers fun. What was the Perth burger landscape like before Jus Burgers? There were burger bars of course and pubs and roadhouses serving burgers; we just thought there was an opportunity to do something a little better/different/healthier and with an altogether local approach. What inspired you to start Jus Burgers? Where did you get the name from? From a mate in London; the name was also conceived by us.
How has the company grown since day one? How has the Perth burger climate changed in that time too? We now have four shops in three years and we are not a franchise. Chapel Street in Melbourne is next, [it will] hopefully open in May. There are significantly more burger bars since we opened and the competition is fierce. This is good; it keeps us all on our toes right and the only winner is the Perth public. What ingredients do you like to use most in your burgers and sides? Tahini yoghurt, goats cheese, balsamic onions and, of course, our handmade fresh onion rings with garlic aioli. No packet rubbish allowed thankyou! Surely you’ve experimented a lot over the years with your burgers -what’s the best burger you’ve made that isn’t on the menu as yet? A goat burger; we played around with an Italian (capretto) style burger and an Indian one too, sexy toppings that worked but, we had enough on the menu; less is best as they often say.
What’s the burger capital of the world? Probably Perth right now; everyone wants to open a burger bar. Historically the Germans (in Hamburg) but New York would have something to say about that too I think. Is there a signature Jus burger? A tough one – the organic beef with swiss balsamic would be one; though the pumpkin is awesome as punters who have tried it will surely agree with; the Bokka too with the cheddar cheese and Mrs Balls chutney is lovely; the Wagyu with wasabi is good too, the mullet is that big Aussie burger with “the lot” and walks out the door...shall I stop? What advice would you give to a budding cook wanting to take their craft from the kitchen to the restaurant setting? Be prepared to work bloody hard; have good discipline, read as much as you can and travel at any opportunity – and enjoy it; no one is holding a gun to our head; this is the path that we have chosen; get on with it and make it rewarding.
What was the worst burger you’ve ever made? Possibly at home on the bbq with a few too many vinos.
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Whether you’re a little bit peckish or have an appetite to rival a Biggest Loser contestant, Perth’s pubs and restaurants have just what the chef ordered. From tapas to steak, seafood to pizza, the Food For Thought feature is your one stop shop for tasty treats that will fill your belly and warm your soul.
SHACK ATTACK The Shack is a funky new bar on Murray Street which brings the beach to the city. From the fresh fruit cocktails served in fruit shells, to mouth watering gourmet burgers and funky tunes being played on the massive projector screen, there is something very relaxing about escaping to The Shack. Get down to The Shack on Tuesday nights for live comedy, on Fridays for after work drinks, Saturday nights for ladies night and Sundays for the Sunset Sunday sessions. Come on down and toast to the west coast! Photographs courtesy of The Shack
Fremantle Chilli Festival
DAZASTAH from DOWNSYDE
SEAFOOD Jessie’s Curry Kitchen Inglewood Swish and Chips – Mt Lawley BURGERS Jus Burgers - Leederville Grill’d – Mt Lawley PIZZA Mad Monkey - Inglewood Flying Scottsman – Mt Lawley VEGETARIAN The Prophet -Vic Park Zambrero – Leederville
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FREMANTLE CHILLI FESTIVAL
Spicing up Western Australia since 2003, Araluen’s Fremantle Chilli Festival has grown to be one of the city’s major cultural events. Expect over 70 stallholders participating in a celebration of everything Chilli, including fresh foods, plants, pickles, chutneys, olives, cheese, chocolate, wine, beers and much more. The event has a great mix of stallholders all offering a diverse range of interesting and sometimes unusual products. Plus there’s non-stop entertainment all weekend with stilt walkers, dancers and music.
MOJOS BAR
Starting today, Wednesday, February 29, Mojos Bar has coffee and tasty pastry treats for your after work sugar and caffeine hit! Yes there’s a venue in the North Freo area where you can order a triple shot long mac ¾ topped up without being looked at like an international terrorist! Mojos Bar friends Abhis Bakery are delivering croissants and other tasty pastries, daily! Coffee in the arvo, rock ‘n’ roll in the eve! Open from 5pm each week day and 4pm on Sundays.
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
DEVILLES PAD
Food Style: Americana and Tex Mex with vegan and vegetarian options Signature Dish: Hot Hickory Hog Pulled Pork Roll - $16 What to expect: Ah pig, a magical animal. Pork shoulder is smoked over hickory wood for hours ’til falling off the bone – it’s campfire delicious! Devilles’ chefs add more spice and flavour, serve it hot in a fresh roll with house made BBQ, coleslaw and handcut chips. Location: 1/3 Aberdeen Street, Perth
THE SAINT
The Bistro at The Saint is well known as a great gathering place for long, lazy afternoon lunches, set up with comfortable areas accommodating for large bookings especially perfect for birthdays or special occasions. If you’re a mum be sure to check out Yummy Mummy Mondays at The Saint because mums eat free! Tuesdays at The Saint are all about mussels with 1 kg for $15 and on Wednesdays you can get a 350g T-bone with chips and salad and your choice of sauce for only $15. Thursday is Wok and Rock night with $15 woks all night and The One Thing music quiz. Its always a good time to dine at The Saint.
Hyde Park Hotel The Principal
The Norfolk Hotel
THE NORFOLK HOTEL
With a little something for everyone’s palate, The Norfolk Hotel’s menu features a wide selection of the best local produce, cooked to perfection by talented chefs. Choose a great wine from the hand-selected list, or one of 19 beers on tap to compliment your meal, and you’ll agree their food is more than just ‘pub grub’.
THE PRINCIPAL
The Principal is situated on Cale St, in the heart of beautifully redeveloped Midland. Since opening in late 2009, The Principal has fast built a reputation for great food, quality beverages and friendly service in a clean, safe and modern venue. The menu focuses on innovative modern Australian cuisine with fresh produce sourced from local suppliers, including Black Angus beef from Northside Meats, quality fruit and veg from Freshcorp and bread straight from the oven thanks to German style Little Home Bakery. Find out more at theprincipal.com.au.
HYDE PARK HOTEL
Food Style: A la carte Signature Dish: Steak Sandwich for four - $66 What to expect: Boasting four 150g Graziers scotch fillets, baby roquette, mustard, onions, aioli, Swiss cheese, bacon, chill and tomato relish on a toasted loaf baked fresh at the Vienna Bakehouse in Malaga, the Steak Sandwich for four at the Hyde Park Hotel is the penultimate lunch or dinner option. Every piece of Graziers beef meets stringent criteria and is sourced from leading grazing areas so that is guarantied to be tender. Location: Corner Fitzgerald and Bulwer Streets, North Perth
Ranch Burger at The Rosemount
THE ROSEMOUNT
Food Style: Pub Grub Signature Dish: Ranch Burger - $11.50 What to expect: WAMI Award winners, an awesome beer garden and a fantastic place to catch up for a very reasonably priced lunch? Yup, you got it, The Rosemount Hotel! The $11.50$13.50 lunch menu is the venue’s pride and joy, featuring the ever-popular Ranch Burger and magical homemade aioli - an essential with your chips – it’s the duck’s nuts! Location: Corner Fitzgerald and Angove Streets, North Perth
ANTHONY JACKSON from THERAPIST
SEAFOOD Kailis Bros - Leederville Swish and Chips – Mt Lawley Sweet Lips - Leederville PIZZA Stones Pizza – North Perth Little Caesars - Leederville Crust - Mt Lawley BURGER Burgermeister - Nedlands Jus Burgers - Leederville Grill’d - Mt Lawley VEGETARIAN Source Café - Perth Zambrero – Leederville Clarences – Mt Lawley www.xpressmag.com.au
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RAILWAY HOTEL
Come down and enjoy a free sausage sizzle and some acoustic tunes at The Railway Hotel when it continues its brand new open-mic sessions in the Beer Garden this Sunday, February 26. They happen every Sunday in February and March from 2-6pm. Interested acts should contact the arvo’s host Turin Robinson on 0425 171 585, or just pop on down.
The Seals (Photo: Daniel Grant)
BEAT NIGHTCLUB
INDI BAR
There’s no denying that The Seals will show you a good time any day or night of the week. Their bootie shakin hoedown is constructed mayhem at its best, andthey finish their Sunday residency this week, so if you haven’t caught them yet, this is your chance, don’t miss out.
March to your own Beat this weekend at Perth’s newest original live venue for Friday Night Live at Beat Nightclub. Friday, February 24, sees Know Your Knot being supported by 10 Past 6, Alex The Kid and Mr Chance. Doors open 8pm. Go to Facebook. com/thebeatnightclub to grab your tickets ($10 plus booking fee). Pre-sales get you something extra!
MOJOS BAR
METROPOLIS FREMANTLE
It’s a rock‘n’roll spectacular at Mojos Bar this Friday, February 24, as The Floors play their first show since getting back from tour. Special Guest include Matty Blade, famous sword swallower and knife thrower, and talented local outfits High Horse and Belle Ends. Mojos are giving away double passes to this spectacular, email mojos@ coolperthnights.com with “The Circus Comes To Town” in the subject line.
PADDO
Tonight, Wednesday, February 22, Paddo POW will feature Craig Skelton, Graphic Fiction Hero and Nymph Honey. Proceedings kick off at 8.00pm and as always, it’s free entry.
Featuring Death Disco DJs and heaps of special guests throughout the night, massive student night Frat House Fridays at Metros Freo is set to be the perfect party to end your week. Make sure you head down on Friday, February 24, to enjoy seriously cheap drinks and entry. Get ready to get messy!
CAPTAIN STIRLING
Get yourself down to The Captain Stirling Leap Year Party on Wednesday February 29. It is sure to be a crackin’ evening featuring Mind Electric on the decks, drink specials and plenty of giveaways! Check out captainstirlinghotel.com.au for more info.
SPRINGS TAVERN
Kick your weekend off with impressive tunes from Dirty Scoundrels this Friday, February 24, from 9pm. Finish off with a Sunday sesh chilling out to soloist Adam James at 4pm on Sunday, February 26.
THE ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB
Seven nights, 10 shows, one destination. This week The Ellington Jazz Club offer everything you could want from a live venue and so much more. Our picks for the week include a late night blues show on Saturday, February 25, courtesy of Deep Blue Soul (featuring Howie Morgan) and Barrel house blues specialist Pugsley Buzzard’s early Sunday trumpet summit on February 26.
Custom Royale
MUSTANG BAR
This Thursday, February 23, The Mustang Bar welcomes Custom Royal into the fold. Promising a wall of catchy rock, complete with windmill arms, rock start stances and catchy harmony-rich choruses, this will be one mid-week gig you won’t want to miss. Support comes from The Cabarets and Paperfish plus DJ James Mac on the wheels of steel.
DINE WITH A DEMON A Las Vegas style hell themed nightspot, Devilles Pad offers American home cooking and South American spice right in the heart of Perth, all prepared fresh by in-house chefs. Sit back and relax amongst the devilish décor while sampling snacks or devouring a hearty dinner; with platters available for small and large groups. If your appetite burns like the fires of hell, get down to Devilles on Thursday nights from 6pm for the $10 Demon Dinner, with a new dish prepared by Chef Jenness every week. Once you’ve worked up a thirst, turn your eye to the drinks list – there’s plenty of appetising cocktails to choose from, including the Horny Devil, Zombie Jamboree and Burning Love, among many other mouth watering beverages. You’ll find Devilles Pad at 3 Aberdeen Street in Perth. Hit up devillespad.com or call (08) 9225 6669 to reserve your table. Photographs by Satan’s Little Helper
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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
www.xpressmag.com.au
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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
MAD MEX FRESH MEXICAN GRILL
Tapas at The Captain Stirling
THE CAPTAIN STIRLING
Food Style: Tapas Signature Dish: Ginger and star anise braised pork belly or scallops with chilli, coriander and lime What to expect: The Captain Stirling has introduced a new selection of tapas items to its popular menu. Spend your weekend at the Stirling to enjoy the Saturday Press with tapas, a brand new range of ginger beers, huge selection of ciders and live entertainment with Howie Morgan and guests every week. Location: 80 Stirling Highway, Nedlands.
Mad Mex Fresh Mexican Grill serves authentic, fresh and healthy Baja Mexican food, combining the authentic flavours and spices of Mexico with the health-conscious cuisine of California. Choose from a range of authentic, fresh and healthy tacos, burritos, nachos and quesadillas filled with roasted, grilled and slow-cooked meats, all perfectly complemented by your favourite Mexican toppings and hand-made salsas. The Mad Mex 1-2-3 step menu is fully customisable allowing you to build your meal to your individual tastes or specific nutritional needs. The restaurant offers a casual, informal atmosphere with vibrant décor and alfreso dining options. Check out the Corona bottle chandelier at Shop 31 on the Sorrento Quary Boardwalk in Hillarys. Keep your eyes peeled for the new Mad Mex Fresh Mexican Grill opening in Subi very soon!
Sail & Anchor
THE SAIL & ANCHOR
The Sail & Anchor offers Australia’s most extensive draught beer selection and a food menu to match, with beer tapas offerings, sharing platters and old school pub favourites including the Monster Parma, a real beast that will challenge the biggest appetites. The Sail’s new menu launches in March so stay tuned. Sail team also bring you regular showcase months and beer events all year. Kicking off in the second week of Feb is the Hey Brew festival, featuring some of New Zealand’s finest craft beers, NZ food specials and local Kiwi musicians all month.
The Garden
THE GARDEN
Food Style: Gastro Pub Signature Dish: Masterstock pork belly, potato hash, fennel salad and salted caramel What To Expect: Sharing good times and great food is the philosophy The Garden is built on. Head chef Stuart Rimmington has created an awesome midsummer menu – try the ‘dude food’ chicken wings with a pint! Complementing the menu are The Garden’s extensive range of beers and ciders, an exquisite selection of premium wines, Pimms jugs and fruity Belvedere vodka pitchers.
JON STOCKMAN from KARNIVOOL
SEAFOOD Clancy’s Fish Pub - Fremantle Tsunami - Mosman Park Blue Duck - Cottesloe BURGERS Bilby Burgers - Claremont Jus Burger - Leederville DeVilles Pad – Northbridge PIZZA Empire Pizzeria - Como Little Caesar’s - Mundaring Little Creatures - Fremantle VEGETARIAN: Annalaksmi - Barrack St Jetty The Prophet - Victoria Park Source Foods – Mt Lawley
HIGH ROAD HOTEL
If you’re on the hunt for a great night out and awesome food all week long look no further than the High Road Hotel. Head in between 122pm daily to make the most of delicious $15 lunch specials, or make a dinner reservation and enjoy the tasty fare fresh from The Bistro. Contemporary and comfortable, the Bistro has a relaxed environment perfect for catching up with friends on warm summer evenings. On Mondays at the High Road kids eat free with each full paying adult; on Wednesdays there’s half price pizza; on Thursdays $16.50 parma and pints and on Sundays for just $27.50 you get a delicious rump steak and a choice of your favourite beer.
COMO HOTEL
Get on down to the Como on Tuesdays and order any main meal and get the second main meal for half price. Drop into The Como every Wednesday and get a triple treat - enjoy a 250gm Graziers rump steak with chips, salad and red wine jus for only $15. Step it up a notch and add creamy garlic prawns for an extra $5. You can even have a bottle of beer for only $5.The Como Threesome - have it anyway you like! When ordering from the bistro enjoy a lovely serve of garlic bread for free with any main meal purchase over $20. Aged for tenderness and fed a minimum 60 days on grain, the Como is confident that their Graziers Porterhouse is so juicy and full of flavour, you’ll love every bite! Enjoy with bacon wrapped scallops, chips, salad and a Dianne sauce. For a limited time only it’s just $27.90. www.xpressmag.com.au
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ZAMBRERO
Zambrero
Food Style: Mexican Signature Dish: Chicken Burrito - $9.90 What To Expect: Zambrero, fresh mex with heart, has landed on the Perth food scene with it’s own brand of ‘fresh mex’, a fresh healthy take on Mexican food. Local boys Jamie Shaw and Eli Barlow have moved quickly to secure great locations in Leederville and Mount Lawley with an offering that centers around great food made with freshest possible ingredients. When Jamie found the locations in Leederville and Mount Lawley he had to fight off 25 other applicants to acquire the sites. Eli and Jamie then spent days jack hammering restoring a wall in the Mount Lawley site to uncover and amazing turn of the century brickwork, which would have been covered up for almost 100 years. It has now become a feature of Zambrero Mount Lawley which seats around 20 people while Leederville seats approximately 40 people. Zambrero has an initiative called plate 4 plate – every time Zambrero sell a plate of food they provide a plate of food to a child in need. The owners pay for these meals out of their profits and so far have provided over 500,000 meals. It’s not traditional Mexican – and if you come looking for that you may be disappointed. But if you are after fresh mex which is truly fresh and different in a casual setting Zambrero is your place. Location: Leederville on Newcastle Street and Mt Lawley on Beaufort Street
The Wembley Hotel
WEMBLEY HOTEL
The Wembley Hotel is adding a new Mexican Tuesday to their weekly line up of great value food and beverage deals for the week. The Mexican Tuesday menu consists of items like nachos and Mexican dips plate for $12 as well as a Mexican themed pizza. All of their top shelf tequilas including 1800 range, Herradura range, Don Julio, Patron and more are all only $9.50 and there’s the old favourite Margarita cocktails for $12.
The Flying Scotsman
THE FLYING SCOTSMAN
Situated in the heart of Mt Lawley on the infamous Beaufort Street strip, The Scotsman not only serves up a great tipple, it’s restaurant produces premium fare seven days a week. With all the usual pub classics accompanied by the chef’s daily specials, it’s a perfect place to sit back and watch the world go by. Open from 11am daily.
OUR STAFF’S TOP PICKS SEAFOOD Kailis Brothers – Leederville Swish and Chips – Mt Lawley Mussel Bar – Fremantle Mosmans – Mosman Park Leftbank – Fremantle BURGERS Jus Burgers – Leederville Grill’d – Mt Lawley Deville’s Pad – CBD Flipside – Wembley Alfred’s Kitchen – Guildford PIZZA Mad Monkey – Inglewood Flying Scottsman – Mt Lawley Little Creatures – Fremantle Little Caesars – Leederville The Garden – Leederville VEGETARIAN The Prophet – Victoria Park Zambrero – Leederville Source Café – Mt Lawley Annalakshmi – CBD Wild Fig – Scarborough X-PRESS MAGAZINE 48
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
THE PADDO
Located within The Paddo, Kimberley’s Restaurant is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner and offers a warming and intimate atmosphere, featuring an open fire place, candle lighting and unique Aboriginal artwork. The restaurant opens out to a courtyard complete with water feature, offering a feeling of tranquility. Kimberley’s Restaurant can cater for intimate candlelight dinners for two to larger group bookings or functions. There are a range of set menus and gourmet canapés to cater for these larger group bookings and functions. Visit paddo.com.au for more info.
SPRINGS TAVERN
Food Style: Modern Australian Signature Dish: Homemade basil and three cheese tortellini What To Expect: A fresh summery dish perfect for either a business lunch or a light evening dinner, Springs Tavern’s three cheese tortellini is delicious. Tastes great alongside a nice glass of Sauvignon Blanc. This traditionally homemade pasta has a perfect natural texture and aroma, hailing from chef Chris Bottega’s Italian roots.
The Left Bank
THE LEFT BANK
With Fremantle’s most stunning riverside views, The Left Bank Bar, Café and Restaurant offers delicious daily specials to suit anyone’s taste buds. Those with a big appetite can head to The Left Bank on Wednesdays to taste the seafood platter for two for only $39.On Thursdays anyone looking for a cheap, mouth-watering meal can feast their sights on the delicious half price woodfired pizzas. Ladies are encouraged to embrace their inner femme fatale with ‘Chic Fridays’ providing scrumptious $10 cocktails and $25 bottles of Hubble Bubble. The award winning Left Bank Restaurant is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, and on Sunday mornings for a buffet breakfast. Visit leftbank.com.au or call (08) 9319 1315 to reserve a table.
THE BRASS MONKEY
The Brass Monkey
www.xpressmag.com.au
Food Style: Contemporary Australian Signature Dish: 300g Graziers sirloin with Australian prawns and garlic cream sauce, served with chips and salad - $38.90 What to expect: A must have menu item for any contemporary Australian hotel, the Graziers sirloin at the Brass Monkey is the perfect partner for cold, draught beer. A broadly appealing dish, particularly to the male of the species, come down to The Brass Monkey Hotel and enjoy good food, great bars and a relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy the Graziers sirloin on the balcony at The Brass. Location: Corner of James and William Streets, Northbridge
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Matt Corby, February 24, Amplifier
FEB 22 – FEB 28
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)
THE STANLEYS
San Cisco, February 24 & 26, Fremantle Arts Centre
MATT CORBY/ HANG ON CHRISTOPHER 24 Amplifier
JOHN WILLIAMSON
24 Burswood Theatre
BLOC NESS MONSTER
SAN CISCO
BARO BANDA
JONATHAN BUTLER
CHAIN
24 & 26 Fremantle Arts Centre
25 Riverside Theatre
MEN
25 Perth Festival Gardens
RYAN ADAMS/ JASON ISBELL 25 Perth Concert Hall
ERYKAH BADU / FAT FREDDYS DROP / MAYER HAWTHORNE 25 Belvoir Amphitheatre
HETTY KATE 25 The Ellington
DAVE GRANEY/ FORD BONNIE PRINCE TOMAS BILLY FEAT. THE 26 Mojo’s Bar CAIRO GANG BONNIE 24 Perth Festival PRINCE BILLY Gardens 25 & 26 Mammoth Cave 25 & 26 The Cave Margaret River
THE PLATTERS FEAT. MONROE NEON INDIAN / SLOW CLUB POWELL 26 Perth Festival COERCE
23 Prince Of Wales 24 Rosemount Hotel
Gardens
ENNIO MORRICONE
26 Sandalford Winery Swan Valley
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SWAY MACHINERY 27 Perth Festival Gardens
24 Metro Freo
24 Fly By Night
26 The Ellington
24 Swan Yacht Club
23 & 29 The Paddo
OLIVIA NEWTONJOHN/ JON ENGLISH
PUGSLEY BUZZARD
28 Perth Festival Gardens
28 Charles Hotel
ERIC BIBB 28 Wignall’s Winery
ROXETTE 28 Challenge Stadium
SAM BUCKINGHAM 28 Mojos Bar
FEBRUARY ROXETTE 29 Challenge Stadium EDDIE PAMIERI 29 Perth Festival Gardens DAN MANGAN 29 Fly By Night (Fly Trap) BOBBY ALU 29 Indi Bar
MARCH J.WASTE 1 Villa Nightclub BOBBY ALU 1 Mojo’s Bar 2 Prince Of Wales 3 Settlers Tavern CHAIN 1 Albany Blues Club 2 Burlington Hotel 4 Saint Helena Tavern THE MAGNETS 1 Perth Festival Gardens GOSSLING 1 The Bird 6 Fly By Night STICKY FINGERS 1 Indi Bar 2 Ya Ya’s 3 Settlers Tavern STEVIE WONDER 2 Sandalford Estate STAFF BENDA BILILI 2 Perth Festival Gardens PENGUIN CAF_ 3 Perth Festival Gardens TAYLOR SWIFT / HOT CHELLE RAE 2 Burswood Dome NANNUP MUSIC FESTIVAL (Lanie Lane, Mojo Juju, Lou Bennett, Adalita,
Mayer Hawthorne, February 25, Belvoir Amphitheatre
Oka, Sietta, Swamp Thing, Gossling, Tinpan Orange, Albert Wiggan Band and more) 2 - 5 Nannup BON IVER/ SALLY SELTMAN 3 Red Hill Auditorium FUTURE MUSIC FESTIVAL (Fatboy Slim, Tinie Tempah, Paul van Dyk, The Wombats, Chase & Status, Skrillex, Jessie J, The Rapture, Aphex Twin, Die Antwoord and more) 4 Arena Joondalup UNEARTH/ IN THIS MOMENT/ KITTIE/ HEAVEN SHALL BURN 4 Amplifier PACIFIC VIBES (Rebel Soul Jahz, 1814, House Of Shem, Three Houses Down, Sonz Of Zion) 4 Redhill Auditorium SOUNDWAVE (System Of A Down, Slipknot, Limp Bizkit, Marilyn Manson, A Day To Remember, Machine Head, Lamb Of God, Trivium, Alter Bridge, Lost Prophets and more) 5 Claremont Showground JESSIE J / PROFESSOR GREEN 5 Challenge Stadium OKA/ DECLAN KELLY 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 CHARLES BRADLEY 14 The Bakery MICK THOMAS 15 Friends Restaurant 16 The Norfolk 17 The Oxford Leederville THE GO SET 15 Clancy’s Fremantle 16 Indi Bar
DIESEL 16, 17 & 18 Quarry Amphitheatre 360 15 & 16 Rosemount Hotel TANIA DOKO 16 Bamboo Bar TENORS UNLIMITED 16 Octagon Theatre BELINDA CARLISLE 16 Mandurah Performing Arts Centre 17 Astor Theatre NUKARA NUSIC FESTIVAL (The Go Set, Mick Thomas, Blind Lemon, Minnie Marks, The Fancy Brothers) 17 Chapman Valley 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 29 Astor Theatre 30 & 31 Sun Pictures Broome AQUA / RADIO INK 18 & 20 Metropolis Fremantle BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB 18 Astor Theatre BORIS 20 The Bakery BABY ANIMALS 23 Charles Hotel 24 Endeavour Hotel HETTY KATE 24 The Ellington 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 ADAM ANT 28 Metro City
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.
Boy & Bear, May 10-12
Dead Meadow, April 7, The Bakery CHE-FU 28 Burlington Hotel Bunbury 29 Settlers Tavern 30 Metro Freo GRACE KNIGHT 29 Fremantle Arts Centre 30 The Ellington DIAFRIX/ JOELISTICS 29 Prince Of Wales 30 Bar 120 31 Hyde Park Hotel 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 PETULA CLARK 31 Mundaring Weir Hotel HOLLY THROSBY 31 Norfolk Basement DEEP SEA ARCADE 30 Capitol 31 Players Bar
APRIL DIAFRIX & JOELISTICS 1 Norfolk Basement DEEP SEA ARCADE 1 Mojos Bar PETULA CLARK 1 Albany Entertainment Centre CHILDREN COLLIDE 1 Mojos Bar WEST COAST BLUES ‘N’ ROOTS (Crosby, Stills & Nash, The
Pogues, The Specials, My Morning Jacket, Buddy Guy, Keb Mo, Steve Earle, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Husky, John Fogerty and more TBA) 1 Fremantle Park XAVIER RUDD 5 Astor Theatre YES 5 Riverside Theatre MACHINE DRUM/ JACQUES GREENE 5 The Bakery DEAD MEADOW / PINK MOUNTAINTOPS 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 SETH LAKEMAN/ CARUS THOMPSON 12 Clancy’s Fish Pub Fremantle 13 Hyde Park Hotel 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 and more TBC) 13 - 15 Fairbridge Village Pinjarra
THE HERD 14 Rosemount Hotel SEAL 14 Sandalford Estate JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE 14 Fly By Night 15 Rosemount Hotel AMON AMARTH 19 Capitol BIG SCARY 20 Amplifier BLUEJUICE 19 Settler’s Tavern 20 Capitol LIAM BURROWS 21 The Atrium Mandurah 22 The Ellington DEEZ NUTS 21 Amplifier 22 YMCA HQ SUPAFEST (P. Diddy, Ice Cube, Rick Ross, Trey Songz, Kelly Rowland, Lupe Fiasco and more TBA) 22 Arena Joondalup LOU BARLOW 22 Rosemount Hotel BURT BACHARACH 23 Riverside Theatre AUGUST BURNS RED 25 Amplifier AN HORSE 25 Rosemount Hotel THE FUNKOARS 27 Bar 120 28 The Rosemount BLEEDING KNEES CLUB 27 Amplifier 28 Mojo’s Bar THE HOODOO GURUS 28 Astor Theatre MAY
MAY THE MOUNTAIN GOATS 1 The Bakery MIKE STEWART 2 The Ellington
Chiddy Bang, May 19, Groovin’ The Moo
HUSKY 4 The Bakery BOY & BEAR 10 Albany Entertainment Centre 11 Bunbury Entertainment Centre 12 Fremantle Arts Centre DEAD LETTER CIRCUS 10 Prince Of Wales 11 Metropolis Fremantle 12 Capitol SICK OF IT ALL / AGNOSTIC FRONT 11 Amplifier KRISTIN BERADI 11 & 12 The Ellington LANIE LANE 12 Fly By Night Club 13 Amplifier WAVVES 18 Rosemount Hotel DAVID CAMPBELL 16 Mandurah Performing Arts Centre 17 Queens Park Theatre Geraldton 18 Perth Concert 19 Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre ANDREW W.K. 17 The Bakery FLORENCE + THE MACHINE/ BLOOD ORANGE 17 Burswood Dome THE MACCABEES 18 Capitol KAISER CHIEFS 18 Metro City GROOVIN THE MOO (360, Andrew W.K OneMan-Party Tour, City and Colour, Digitalism, The Getaway Plan, Hilltop Hoods, Kaiser Chiefs, The Maccabees, Public Enemy, Wavves and more TBA) 19 Hay Park Bunbury CITY AND COLOUR 20 Fremantle Arts Centre
MUTEMATH 20 Amplifier GINUWINE / BELL BIV DEVOE 24 Astor Theatre LIAM BURROWS 26 Friend’s Restaurant 27 Jazz Fremantle BARNEY MCALL 27 The Ellington NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK / BACKSTREET BOYS 29 Burswood Dome BOB HIRST 30 & 31 The Ellington
JUNE JOSH KYLE 2 The Ellington THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT 2 Prince Of Wales 3 Metro City TINA ARENA 8 Riverside Theatre GUY SEBASTIAN 19 His Majesty’s Theatre 20 Mandurah Performing Arts Centre NADIA ACKERMAN 28 The Ellington
JULY LADY GAGA 7 Burswood Dome MELISSA ETHERIDGE
20 Riverside Theatre
DIESEL
Diesel
With spectacular cavernous monolith walls framing the main stage and shimmering city skyline in the background, the open-air surrounds of the beautiful Quarry Amphitheatre in City Beach has made for a picture perfect setting for some of this summer’s best live concerts (Beth Orton, Tim Rogers, The Whitlams etc). Now nearing the end of it’s fifth season, Live At The Quarry is set to charm local audiences one final time with Diesel (aka singer-songwriter Mark Lizotte) hitting the stage on Sunday, March 18. With two shows already sold out on Friday, March 16, and Saturday, March 17, this will be your last chance to catch the legendary Australian guitarist and veteran of hits like Cry In Shame and Tip Of My Tongue, at one of WA’s finest music venues. Head to Ticketmaster to secure your seat today.
SEEKAE
After releasing the critically lauded +Dome, gaining international acclaim and selling out shows across Australia in 2011, Sydney electronic experimentalists Seekae return to Perth for two sure-to-be-brilliant shows at The Bakery (Saturday, March 17) and Mojos Bar (Sunday, March 18). Refusing to bow to commercial pressure, the talented trio challenges the conventions of electronic music with their dynamic rhythms, mulched beats and retrofied synths. Tickets are on sale now from lifeisnoise. com, Now Baking, Heatseeker, 78 Records, Mills and Planet.
www.xpressmag.com.au
Seekae
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The Painted Bird, Wednesday at Indi Bar
WEDNESDAY 22.02 BALMORAL Loren BALLY’S BAR Greg Carter Karaoke BAR 120 Felix BLACK BETTY’S Everlong CLANCY’S FISH PUB (CANNING BRIDGE) Simon Gordon Dave Craft CLANCY’S FISH PUB (FREMANTLE) Chet Leonard’s Bingotheque CLAREMONT HOTEL Open Mic Night Kenji ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Gypsy Jazz With Glenn Rogers & Cathie Travers HALE ROAD TAVERN Fenton Wilde INDI BAR The Painted Bird Mel Hall The Ron Pollard Quintet KINGS PARK Il Divo LOBBY LOUNGE (BURSWOOD) Courtney Murphy LUCKY SHAG Howie Morgan METRO FREO The Other Guys MOJOS BAR Steve Andrews Jordan Del Mundo MUSTANG Millhouse PADDO Nymph Honey Graphic Fiction Hero Craig Skelton PERTH CONCERT HALL Australian Chamber Orchestra PERTH FESTIVAL GARDENS Carnival Of Souls ROSIE O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) David Fyffe ROSEMOUNT Mezzanine Dead Owls Spilt Cities Lanark
SOUTH ST ALE HOUSE Christian Thompson SWAN LOUNGE Dinosaurchestra THE GATE Dirty Scoundrels THE MOON Rabbit Island Nick Allbrook Ben Witt THE NEW BLVD TAVERN Northern Lights Project UNIVERSAL Strutt YA YA’S Kathleen Ann Ellen Oosterbaan Burst & Bloom Calectasia
THURSDAY 23.02 BELGIAN BEER CAFÉ Bernadine Grigson BOAB TAVERN Damien Cripps BROOKLANDS TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke CLANCY’S FISH PUB (FREMANTLE) Loren The Lonely Brothers COMO HOTEL The Other Guys DEVILLES PAD Jon Madd’s Karaoke ELEPHANT & WHEELBARROW Blue Hornet ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB The Music Of Marcus Miller Featuring Michael Matamua FUSE BAR Howie Morgan HYDE PARK HOTEL Open Mic INDI BAR Bex’s Open Mic Night LUCKY SHAG James Wilson MARKET CITY TAVERN High Grass Dogs Trojan John Second Chance Lucky MERRIWA TAVERN Electrophobia MOJOS BAR Matt Gresham MOON & SIXPENCE Bob & Clem
Twisted Affection
TWISTED AFFECTION THE DECLINE KILL TEEN ANGST HERE COME THE CAVALRY
FRIDAY,FEBRUARY 24 THE ROCKET ROOM
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The Stanleys, Thursday at Paddo MUSTANG BAR Custom Royal The Cabarets & Paperfish OCEAN BEACH HOTEL Open Mic Night OXFORD HOTEL Jonny Taylor PADDO Julius Lutero The Stanleys Ali Towers PADDY HANNAN’S Dr Bogus RIGBY’S Open Mic ROSEMOUNT Stonefield Sonpsilo Circus Sugarpuss ROSIE O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) Fenton Wilde ROSIE O’GRADY’S (FREMANTLE) Clayton Bolger SOVEREIGN ARMS David Fyffe SWAN LOUNGE Caroline J. Dale Young Man Grey Ben Wilson THE BIRD The Chemist The Sun Orchestra Runner THE BOAT Jen De Ness THE BROOKE Open Mic Night THE GATE One Trick Phonies THE NEW BLVD TAVERN The Crusaders Trio THE SHED Wing-it Amberdown Juwana UNIVERSAL BAR Off The Record YA YA’S Vincent Gallows Stop Motion Melma The Government Yard
FRIDAY 24.02 7th AVENUE Undercover Acoustic AMPLIFIER Matt Corby Hang On Christopher BAILEY BAR Modsquad BAKERY Sleepmakeswaves BALLY’S BAR Jamie Powers BALMORAL The Other Guys BAR ORIENT Crown Jewels BEAT NIGHTCLUB Know Your Knot 10 Past 6 Alex The Kid Mr Chance BELGIAN BEER CAFÉ Feisty Burlesque BELMONT TAVERN Everlong Acoustic BENNY’S Faces BENTLEY HOTEL Sophie Jane BLACK BETTYS J Babies
BOAB TAVERN Zenburger BOHEME BAR Soul Corporation BRASS MONKEY Adrian Wilson BURSWOOD THEATRE Olivia Newton John CAPITOL Matt Corby CAPTAIN STIRLING Bluebottles CARLISLE HOTEL Reload CHASE BAR James Wilson CIVIC HOTEL Nails Of Imposition Khariot Empires Laid Waste Reaper’s Riddle CLANCY’S FISH PUB (FREMANTLE) Joe Black Trio Ensemble Formidable CLAREMONT HOTEL Nick Sheppard Aires Linares COMO HOTEL Tip Top CRAFTSMAN Nicki Rose ELEPHANT & WHEELBARROW Daren Reid & The Soul City Groove ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Libby Hammer Quintet Poise FLY BY NIGHT CLUB The Platters Monroe Powell FREMANTLE ARTS CENTRE San Cisco FUSE BAR Groove Karaoke GREENWOOD In The Groove HARBOUR TERRACE Neil Colliss HERDSMAN LAKE TAVERN Acoustic Nights HYDE PARK HOTEL Ragdoll Nathan Gaunt INDI BAR Dave Mann Van Walker LEFT BANK Frankie Button MERRIWA TAVERN Overload MIGHTY QUINN TAVERN Kontraband MOJOS BAR The Floors Matty Blade High Horse The Belle Ends MUSTANG Adam Hall & The Velvet Playboys Cheeky Monkeys NEWPORT Party Rockers NORFOLK HOTEL Jonesez Wolves At The Door OSBORNE PARK HOTEL Howie Morgan Duo OXFORD HOTEL Recliners PADDO Stu Harcourt
The Floors, Friday at Mojos Bar PADDY HANNANS Gun Shy Romeos PARAMOUNT Flyte PEEL ALEHOUSE Next Generation Karaoke PERTH FESTIVAL GARDENS Bonnie Prince Bill Ft The Cairo PICKLED FIG Minky G PRINCE OF WALES Stonefield PRINCIPAL Switchback RAILWAY HOTEL The Hemingway Collective Spoonful Of Sugar Lucy Peach ROCKET ROOM Twisted Affection The Decline Kill Teen Angst Here Come The Cavalry ROSE & CROWN Tod Woodward ROSEMOUNT Coerce Grim Fandango Drowning Horse Coveleski ROSIE O’GRADY’S (FREMANTLE) Spyce SAIL & ANCHOR Howie Morgan SOUTH ST ALE HOUSE Robbie King Karaoke SPRINGS TAVERN Dirty Scoundrels SUBIACO HOTEL Empire SWAN BASEMENT Fliptop Mourning The Collector The Partisan Approach Sarah Pelicano SWAN LOUNGE The Young Jailbreakers Laine Alex Adam SWINGING PIG Better Days Sean Scott THE GATE James Wilson Smoking Section THE SHED Kickstart THE VIC Jack & Jill UNIVERSAL Nightmoves VELVET LOUNGE Benedict Moleta Andrew Ewing Davey Craddock Pex VICTORIA PARK HOTEL Ivan Ribic WANNEROO TAVERN Clayton Bolger WOODVALE TAVERN Dr Bogus YA YA’S Broken Royale Shimmergloom Dam Few
SATURDAY 25.02 AMPLIFIER The Bob Gordons BALMORAL The Recliners
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.
Broken Royale, Friday at Ya Ya’s BALLY’S BAR Stu Harcourt BAR 120 Flyte BEAT Runaways BELGIAN BEER CAFÉ Mike Nayar BELVOIR AMPHITHEATRE Erykah Badu Fat Freddy’s Drop Mayer Hawthorne BLACK BETTY’S Redstar BURSWOOD CASINO Hi-NRG CAPTAIN STIRLING Howie Morgan Duo CHARLES HOTEL The Ultimate Queen Tribute CIVIC HOTEL Big Night Out The Meaning Of Animal Sleeping Giant Brutus The Loved Dead Ben Merito Nevsky Prospekt We Build Pyramids Ozmonaut CLANCY’S FISH PUB (CANNING BRIDGE) Mister Duo CLANCY’S FISH PUB (FREMANTLE) Toby CLAREMONT HOTEL Dan Butler The Zydecats COMO HOTEL Tip Top ELEPHANT & WHEELBARROW Timeout ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Marnie Kent Quintet Howie Morgan FREMANTLE ARTS CENTRE Jill Birt and Alsy Macdonald (The Triffids) Adrian Hoffman Felicity Groom Dave Mann The Starlight Hotel Choir GREENWOOD HOTEL Pretty Fly HYDE PARK HOTEL Rooster Police INDI BAR Blue Shady INDIAN OCEAN BREWING COMPANY The Other Guys LEISURE INN Rock A Fellas LOBBY LOUNGE John Sandosham Duo M ON THE POINT Rhythm 22 MERRIWA TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke
Friday Friday Travis Caudle Felicity Groom, Saturday at Travis Caudle Fly ByCentre Night Fremantle Arts Fly By Night
METRO FREO Easy Tigers MIGHTY QUINN TAVERN Kontraband MOON & SIXPENCE Blaze MOJOS BAR Gappy Ranks Earthlink Sound Sabata Sound Iron Palm Kriti-Cal Mc Benitton MUSTANG The Continentals 10 Cent Billionaire NEWPORT Kizzy Gravity NORFOLK HOTEL Qynn Vdelli OCEAN ONE BAR Julius Lutero OSBORNE PARK HOTEL Nathan Gaunt PADDY HANNAN’S Decoy PARAMOUNT Felix PERTH FESTIVAL GARDENS Men QUARIE BAR Electrophobia RAILWAY HOTEL FoulPlay Copious Born On The Bayou Bad Shannon RAVENSWOOD HOTEL On The Rocks ROCKET ROOM Kickstart ROSEMOUNT Trigger Jackets The Scotch Of Saint James The Vincent Gallows ROSIE O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) Blue Gene ROSIE O’GRADY’S (FREMANTLE) Flavor SAIL & ANCHOR Sophie Jane And The Chilly Bin Boys SOUTH BEACH HOTEL Jook Joint band SPRINGS TAVERN Adam James STEVE’S BAR David Sofield SUBIACO HOTEL Off The Record SWAN BASEMENT The Lungs SSA Dreg Squad The Nighthawker Agitated SWAN LOUNGE Needles Douglas Living & Dying Big Dumb Sex SWINGING PIG Greg Carter THE BIRD Pond Jonesez Sonpsilo Circus THE FLY TRAP Hyte
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Autumn Isles, Sunday at Newport Hotel
LEISURE INN Steve Hepple LOBBY LONGE (BURSWOOD) Courtney Murphy M ON THE POINT Bluebottles MOJOS BAR Dave Graney Tomas Ford Odette Mercy Adam Brown MUSTANG Peter Busher And The Lone Rangers NEWPORT Tim Nelson The Autumn Isles PERTH FESTIVAL GARDENS Cornershop PINK DUCK LOUNGE BAR Neil Colliss PRINCIPAL Sophie Jane QUARIE BAR Bernadine Grigson QUEENS TAVERN Grace Barbe Band RAILWAY HOTEL SUNDAY 26.02 World A Fuzzy 7TH AVENUE Something Humble Reckless Kelly Temes 150 RIVERSIDE EAST Custom Royal (ASCOT QUAYS) RAVENSWOOD HOTEL Adrian Wilson Shannon Noll BALLY’S BAR ROSE & CROWN Greg Carter Christian Thompson BALMORAL SAIL & ANCHOR Cranky Shawne & Luc BROKEN HILL HOTEL SOUTH ST ALEHOUSE Nathan Gaunt BROOKLANDS TAVERN Blackhart + Strangelove SOVEREIGN ARMS Greg Carter Ivan Ribic CAPTAIN STIRLING SPRINGS TAVERN Scott Nelson Adam James CARINE SWAN BASEMENT Electrophobia Deth Traktor CLANCY’S FISH PUB (DUSBOROUGH) Snapback Dillip ‘N The Davs Banana Theory CLANCY’S FISH PUB SWINGING PIG (FREMANTLE) Christian Thompson The Zydecats THE GATE CLAREMONT HOTEL Better Days Sunday Driver Chris Gibbs Trio COMO HOTEL THE FLY TRAP David Fyffe Van Walker ELEPHANT & THE NEW BLVD WHEELBARROW TAVERN Daren Reid & The Soul Open Mic City Groove THE SAINT ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Threeplay The South Perth Lions Mike Nayar Band THE SHED Pugsley Buzzard The Healy’s FREMANTLE ARTS Renegade CENTRE San Cisco GREENWOOD Chris Gibbs Duo HIGH ROAD HOTEL Mike Nayar HIGH WYCOMBE HOTEL The Organ Grinders HYDE PARK HOTEL Karin Page Natalie Rae Lucy Peach INDI BAR The Seals Jacob Diamond INDIAN OCEAN BREWING CO Retriofit Dove LAKERS TAVERN Jamie Powers LAST DROP WARNBRO Brett Hardwick
THE GATE Dirty Scoundrels THE NEW BLVD TAVERN Tod Johnson’s Peace Love & Stuff THE SAINT Bluebottles THE SHED Huge THE VIC James Wilson THE WHALE & ALE Renegade UNIVERSAL Soul Corporation WANNEROO TAVERN Greg Carter WOODVALE TAVERN Daren Reid & The Soul City Groove YA YA’S Hoot & Howl Neutral Native Violent Scene Rich Widow Rachael & Henry Climb A Hill
THE VELVET LOUNGE The Whistling Dogs Minky G That Velvet Echo Mel Hall UNIVERSAL Meg Mac & The Squeeze Retriofit VICTORIA PARK HOTEL Paul Foster WANNEROO TAVERN Kevin Conway WHISTLING KITE James Wilson WOODVALE TAVERN Good Karma
MONDAY 27.02 ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Chamber Jam LOBBY LOUNGE (BURSWOOD) Courtney Murphy MOJOS BAR Open Mic Night MUSTANG BAR Marco & The Alley Cats THE DEEN Plastic Max And The Token Gesture
TUESDAY 28.02 CHALLENGE STADIUM Roxette CHARLES HOTEL Perth Blues Club Matt Taylor Phil Manning Barry Harvey Dirk Dubois EASTERN HOTEL Groove Karaoke ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Six Appeal LUCKY SHAG Nathan Gaunt MOJOS BAR Sam Buckingham Insatiables Merle Fishwyke Jason Ayers PADDO Stu Harcourt PRINCE OF WALES Open Mic Night SETTLERS TAVERN Open Mic Night X-WRAY CAFE Open Piano Night
Nevsky Prospekt
NEVSKY PROSPEKT, MEANING OF ANIMAL, SLEEPING GIANT BRUTUS, THE LOVED DEAD BEN MERITO, WE BUILD PYRAMIDS, OZMONAUT
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25 THE CIVIC & THE DEN
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Classifieds and Music Services Hotline: 9213 2888 Display ads: musicservices@xpressmag.com.au Deadline: 4pm Monday Credit cards welcome
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 ANY MUSICIANS want to perform original tunes? Kinda Buckley/Cornell 3/4 time sigs, some jazz & blues. Ph: 0415 252 323. BASSIST SEEKS GUITARIST & DRUMMER Aged 20-32 to form Death Metal band. Influences: Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel, Immolation, Gorguts, Nocturnus, Agressor, Metallica. 0419043293. 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 original Rock Alt Band. Ph. 0426 298 120 EXP FEMALE VOCALIST For working Cover Band. 25+. 80’s to current. No timewasters please. Contact 0439 408 909. FEMALE SINGER WANTED For duo with male singer to perform cabaret style shows. Professional attitude with good vocal versatility & the ability to entertain. Able to rehearse once a week. For more details call 0433 234 417 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 OPEN MIC NIGHT - THURSDAY At Moondyne Joe’s. 8:30 - 12pm. Friendly atmosphere, good sound. To book ring Mark on 0409 137 850. WANTED TRUMPET & TROMBONE PLAYERS FOR BIG BAND Must be enthusiastic & Competent. Ph: 0451 458 533. PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT PHOTOGRAPHY Promo photography, studio, live, location. Mike Wylie 0417 975 964 www.projec tphotography.com When its time to ice the cake... PRODUCTION SERVICES CD & DVD MANUFACTURE Check out our latest CD & DVD specials online at www.procopy.com.au 9375 3902 MATRIX PRODUCTIONS AUSTRALIA Lighting, staging, sound systems, smoke machines, night club FX, intelligent lighting, strobes & mirror balls, crowd barriers, video projectors. 9371 1551 PA HIRE FX Lights club to concert s i ze. Pro E q u i p m e n t w w w. perthconcertsound.com.au.. Ph 9307 8594 / mob 0404 410 020 / 9309 6219 RECORDING STUDIOS A L A N D AW 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 G O L D D U S TCO N S T R U C T I O N . COM Production, mixing, recording and composition for your music. Unique award winning skills to take songs from ideas to finished mixes or to fulfill the potential in existing ones. Located in Subiaco. $60 p/h. Andrew 0408 097 407 POONS HEAD MASTERING Analog mastering at its best. Clients include Mink Mussel Creek, Jeff Martin, The Panics, Pond + The Floors. World class facility. World class results. www.poonshead.com 9339 47 91 RECORDING MIXING MASTERING PRODUCING Fremantle location. Call Pete Kitchen Cooked Records. Ph 0407 363 764 / 9336 3764 REVOLVER SOUND STUDIO Ph 9272 7505. www.revolverstudio. com.au SONGWRITERS! - UNLOCK YOUR S O N G S ’ P OT E N T I A L + F R E E 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 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. STREAM STUDIOS The place to 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
ELECTRO-VOICE RE320 Rock The Mic
This week, Volume takes a look at the Electro-Voice RE320 – a dynamic microphone equally suitable for broadcast vocals and instrument miking. Choosing a mic is a personal thing for most vocalists. Every voice, instrument and sound is unique and different mics accentuate different qualities that can bring out the best or worst in a musician. In addition, when choosing a mic, it is important to choose a microphone that is rugged and durable, cuts through a live mix and can take a lot of gain without feeding back. While the selection of mics out there in the big, wide world may seem limitless, the latest addition to the Electro-Voice RE Performance Group of wired microphones is quickly proving itself to be the go-to mic of choice for musicians and broadcasters around the world. The RE320 is a professional quality dynamic microphone designed specifically for recording and sound reinforcement applications requiring extremely low noise and the highest level of predictable tonal and transient response. Ideal for capturing vocal and instrument sources, the RE320 delivers unparalleled detail, dynamic content, and natural tone. Long-time users of Electro-Voice products will be pleased to hear that the RE320 culls key features of the venerable RE20 and RE27N/D broadcast group products into an exceptionally versatile studio and live performance mic. For
example, by utilising the same humbucking coil technology found in the RE20 and RE27N/D to arrest electro magnetic field interference introduced by sources close to the microphone, the RE320 produces an ultra-quiet signal path free from the hum and buzz found in other dynamic microphones. The RE320’s other key features include Electro-Voice’s Variable-D proximity control technology and the inclusion of a high-output magnet structure capsule that delivers fast and accurate transient response and pronounced high-frequency detail. Rounding out the feature set is the new “dual personality” frequency response switch which essentially creates two mics in one. One setting of the switch engages a response curve that is ideal for voice and most instrument micing, while the other switch position activates a response curve designed specifically for kick drums with dips and peaks exactly where kick drums need some attention. “We’ve known for many years that the RE20 is sought-after for mic’ing kick drums, despite its broadcast vocal ‘original purpose,’ said Electro-Voice Product Manager Rick Belt. “Adding the kick drum curve switch position as a key RE320 feature reinforces its usefulness as a specialty instrument mic, in addition to its outstanding performance on voice and low-mid to upper-register instruments in the alternate switch position.” Engineered for performance in virtually any imaginable application, the RE320 delivers excellent results when mic’ing vocals or instruments in the studio or on stage. The Electro-Voice RE320 retails for $399. For more information contact Audio Source on (08) 9354 3185 or click over to audiosource.com.au.
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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays