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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
PADDLE POP LIONS FOR ALL
Labelled by some as a ‘mainstream Black Keys’, Nickelback are coming to Australia for the first time in three years. The Canadian rockers will be the first rock band to play Perth Arena on Saturday, November 17. They are noted for selling 50 million records whilst maintaining their position as a band that can divide listeners like no other. Sing along with their hits including How You Remind Me and other songs in a similar vein. Fan club members can purchase tickets from Monday, July 23, while the rest of us will have to wait until Tuesday, July 31, to purchase them through Ticketek. Fresh from a quick WA jaunt a week or so ago, rural Victorian rockers Jackson Firebird will support the Canadians with their true blue Aussie rock’n’roll, which means that they’ll actually be the first rock band to play Perth Arena. Well, that’s a relief.
Nickelback
Elton John (photo: Sammy Granville)
WISH UPON A STAR
BLASTING OFF
Not even a year since he last played in Perth, at the horrid Burswood Dome, Elton John is returning to celebrate the 40 year anniversary of the single Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long Long Time). The world famous singer-songwriter will be the second international act to play Perth Arena, when he scrambles through the rubble to find the stage on Monday, November 12. EJ will play with a full band and cover the iconic song as well as his other hits, and the regular visitor to Perth even had a word to X-Press about the show (via press release): “I hold a special place in my heart for Perth; it was the first place I ever played in Australia, in 1971, and I have always enjoyed the city and its people,” he said. “I am most excited about bringing my band back to Western Australia and we are honoured to be asked to help in celebrating the opening week of the Perth Arena.” Tickets to the show go on sale on Monday, August 6 via Ticketek. Elton John’s collaboration with Aussie dance duo Pnau also hits shops this week, and you can read Peter Mayes’ account of working with the great man in this week’s X-Press.
Your wishes have been answered, Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish are returning to Australia to kick off 2013. Returning to Australia for the first time since 2008, the band will play Metropolis Fremantle on Sunday, January 20. The tour supports Nightwish’s latest record, Imaginaerum, which is an audio-visual offering. Supporting the band in Fremantle is Eyefear and Black Majesty. Tickets via OzTix.
Nightwish
AMP IT UP
Last year’s AmpFest winners Sisters Doll
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Reactions/ Comp
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Flesh
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Music: Passion Pit
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Music: Pnau
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Music: The Big Old Bears/ Empra
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Music: Rosetta/ Tim Barry
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New Noise
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Eye4 Cover: The Dark Knight Rises
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Eye4 News/ Movies:The Dark Knight Rises/
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Eye2 Eye2Eye/ Art Listings
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Salt Cover: Z-Trip
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Salt: Cover Story: Z-Trip/ News/ Lee
Christian Bale
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Salt: Clubfeet
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Salt: Club Manual/ Scenery/ Testpad: Nas/ Human Woman
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Scene: Live
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Scene: Pub Blurbs/ Pub Scene
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Tour Trails
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Gig Guide
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Volume Feature
AmpFest has broken its own record, with a massive 79 applications submitted this year. The top 15 acts have been chosen and will perform across three heats before the four finalists will perform at The Regal Theatre in Subiaco on Friday, September 7, and share in over $15,000 worth of prizes. Heat One is Friday, August 3, at St Oswald’s Church in Swanbourne, featuring Bears And Dolls, Nosey Parker, Avie Brown, Jessica Morhall and Lillium Stargazer. Heat Two is at Brampton Park in Butler on Friday, August 10, and features The Midnight Mules, Tim Tan, New Animals, Dead Owls and Temperol. Heat three takes in Alexandra Hall Mosman Park on Friday, August 17, and sees From The Dunes, Custom Royal, Lucas Jones, Soho and Late Night Satay battling it out. All AmpFest events are free entry and all-ages. Event details can be found at ampfest.com.au.
New War
WAGING WAR ON NOWHERE
Melbourne four-piece band New War’s intense, frighteningly good live performances have seen them invited to share stages with the likes of EMA, Deerhoof and Wild Flag, and now they’re set to pick up a swag of new fans when they head west to play This Is Nowhere on Sunday, October 14. They join the already announced awesomeness that is Tortoise, Xiu Xiu, Grails, Beach Fossils, The Bank Holidays, HTRK, Puro Instinct, High Tea and more. Tickets are on sale now through lifeisnoise.com. And don’t forget to check next week’s X-Press to find out what dance acts will be heading to our way for the highly anticipated event!
The Long Lost Brothers
TURN UP YOUR RADIO
RTRFM’s Radiothon is fast-approaching once again. The annual fundraiser that makes money for Perth’s finest community radio station is rolling around between Friday, August 17, and Sunday, August 26. To celebrate the beginning of Radiothon, RTRFM are throwing a massive party on the opening weekend. This year it’ll be a Northbridge-wide blow out on Saturday, August 18, over four of the city’s most loved venues. The party starts at The Bird for drinks to be enjoyed in the warm afternoon sun and tunes courtesy of Cow Parade Cow, Diger Rockwell, Kučka, Kit Pop and Leure. From there, an array of local talent will take over The Bakery (Umpire, The Long Lost Brothers, The Chemist, Husband, Simone & Girlfunkle and DJ Chris Wheeldon), Ya Yas (The Novocaines, The Morning Night, The Spitfires, The Painkillers, Rainy Day Women and DJ Shannon Fox) and the newly relaunched PICA Bar (Craig Hollywood, Andrew Sinclair vs Nick Ridiculous, Wrighteous One, Mama Cass and Rok Riley vs Ben Taaffe). Tickets are $14 for RTRFM subscribers and $20 for non-subscribers and are available now from rtrfm.com.au.
Cover: Passion Pit play Parklife on Monday, October 1, at Wellington Square
Salt Cover: Z-Trip plays The Bakery on Saturday, August 11 www.xpressmag.com.au
Simone & Girlfunkle 5
with Melissa Erpen... Send your name, address and daytime phone number to win@xpressmag.com.au with the name of the competition in the subject line or enter online at www.xpressmag.com.au. Snail mail entries can be sent to Locked Bag 31, West Perth 6872. Entries close 4pm Monday. By entering you agree to X-Press Magazine’s Terms & Conditions which can be found online. All competition entries will automatically enable you to become an X-Press subscriber! No details will be given to a third party.
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Band Of Frequencies
BAND OF FREQUENCIES
Progressive surf roots rockers Band of Frequencies have played all over the world with the likes of Donovan Frankenreiter, John Butler, Angus Stone and Ash Grunwald. The guys check into Mojos Bar on Sunday, August 5, and The Indi Bar on Wednesday, August 8, to promote the release of their EP All I’ve Found. We have a double pass up for grabs to each show plus a signed copy of their EP. Enter now for your chance to win.
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Following a record sell-out of this year’s Splendour In The Grass, festival headliner The Smashing Pumpkins will be playing a very special sideshow in Perth at Challenge Stadium on Thursday, July 26. The Smashing Pumpkins will debut a unique stage design in Australia created to reflect the visual themes of their new album, Oceania. We have three double passes up for grabs to what is going to be a killer show so get in quick for your chance to win tickets.
BEAT PASS
Get your entries in now for your chance to win the X-Press Golden Ticket to the Beat Nightclub and receive free entry to any Friday night event for the Design + Production art@xpressmag.com.au rest of the year! Simply explain in 50 words or less, Brooke Gerrick, Andy Quilty, Anthony Jackson who is your favourite Perth band and why? Be quick Printing as entries close July 31. Rural Press Printing Mandurah
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CAB AUDITED CIRCULATION: 38,000 OCTOBER 2011 – MARCH 2012
Deadlines EDITORIAL General: Friday 5pm,, Eye4 Arts: Thursday 10am, Comp’ Thing: Monday Noon,, Salt Clubs: Monday 5pm , Local Scene: Monday Noon,, Gig Guide: Monday 5pm ADVERTISING Cancellations: Monday 5pm, Ads to be set: Monday Noon Supplied Bookings / Copy: Tuesday 12 Noon, Classifieds: Monday 4pm Published by: Columbia Press Pty.Ltd. A.C.N. 066 570 803 Registered by Australia Post. Publication No PP600110.00006 Suite 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
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Advertisers and/or their agents by lodging an advertisment shall indemnify the publisher, and its agents, against all liability claims or proceedings whatsoever arising from the publication. Advertisers and/or their representatives indemnify the publisher in relation to defamation, slander, breach of copyright, infringement of trademarks of name of publication titles, unfair competition or trade practices, royalties or violation of rights or privacy and warrant that the material complies with revelant laws and regulations and that its publication will not give rise to any rights against or liabilities in the publisher, its servants or agents. Any material supplied to X-Press is at the contributor’s risk.
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The high priest of punk, Kim Salmon will be bringing his full rockin’ band back to WA to make wild audio love to his WA fans. Salmon plays the Bakery on Saturday, July 28, with support from awesome locals Sonpsilo Circus, Usurper Of Modern Medicine and Black Milk. We have double passes to giveaway so get your entries in now for your chance to win.
THE SMASHING PUMPKINS
Dwight O’Neil
Melissa Erpen
KIM SALMON
The Smashing Pumpkins
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Godfather 40Th Anniversary Box Set Ultimate After Work Drinks
WIN THE ULTIMATE FRIDAY AFTER WORK DRINKS
X-Press Magazine is giving away the chance for one reader and three friends to win the ultimate Friday after work drinks experience in the City on Friday, August 10. Winners will start the experience at The George with a complimentary $100 bar and food voucher to use on their choice of drinks and food, then jump to Wolf Lane to really kick the night off with a complimentary $100 bar voucher. To finish the night, the experience makes it’s way to The Aviary to party on the rooftop with the best views of Perth. At The Aviary, the winners will receive priority entry and another complimentary $100 bar voucher. For your chance to win this incredible prize, email win@xpressmag.com.au with ‘Friday work drinks’ in the subject line, and tell us what you love most about Perth city nightlife and bars.
GODFATHER
Francis Ford Coppola’s Godfather trilogy collected nine Academy Awards and was nominated for a further a 20, becoming recognised as a bona fide, cinematic masterpiece in the process. Now, to celebrate its 40th birthday, the trilogy has been restored, re-mastered and will be re-released in a special five disc DVD (or nine disc DVD/Bluray) anniversary box set. To celebrate the 40th anniversary, we are giving you the chance to win one of five box sets! Get in now for your chance to win this awesome prize!
R&B SUPERCLUB
Sony Music Entertainment and Platinum One Entertainment are proud to announce the release of R&B Superclub Volume 12. This two CD compilation is packed with the hottest club hits featuring many of the world’s leading R&B stars. Club hits include tracks by; Flo Rida, Chris Brown, Drake, Rhianna, Usher and many more. Enter now for your chance to win one of five copies we have up for grabs.
Masters Of Music
MASTERS OF MUSIC
Sydney-based lifestyle publisher Fashion Industry Broadcast has released four series of multi-format content which are now available globally. Series currently available include - Masters Of Photography, Masters Of Music, Masters Of Fashion and SexBombs. We have three copies of Masters Of Music up for grabs and this series profiles the biggest names in international music, and includes high quality production with hundreds of full colour photographs. Musicians featured range from Elvis Presley, The Beatles, ACDC, Foo Fighters and Lady Gaga. Get in now for your chance to win a copy.
They’ve been called the worst band in the world and this November, Nickelback will hit up Perth Arena with support from Jackson Firebird. Here’s what our Facebook fans had to say about the news… Lisa My thoughts here: isnickelbacktheworstbandever.tumblr.com Rob Why are we getting the Paddle Pop lion and friends?
Nikita Surely Nickelback would support Jackson Firebird if anything. Rob Sadly, bogans love Nickelback Indigo I can genuinely see Nickelback walking on stage to an empty arena James How much are they paying people to attend?
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
Millions
NINE TO SIX
Rai Thistlethwayte
DRINKING BY HIMSELF
Best known for three things: his moustache, his wild hair and his music, Rai Thistlethwayte is heading to Perth in August without his band Thirsty Merc, Thistlethwayte will play Friends Restaurant on Thursday, August 2; Charles Hotel on Friday, August 3; the Blvd Tavern in Joondalup on Saturday, August 4; before wrapping up the Perth leg with a show at the Indi Bar on Sunday, August 5. As a highly accomplished pianist, guitarist and vocalist, Thistlethwayte will be testing out new tunes while belting out some classic Thirsty Merc songs. Tickets from the venues and through Ticketmaster for the last three shows.
WOLF LIKE ME
France’s High Wolf is bringing his cosmic drift to the PICA Bar on Thursday, September 27, for an evening of cosmic loops, fuzzy guitars, droney synths, mystic vocals and tribal percussion, inspired by primitive and ritual music as well as adventurous modern music. Tickets go on sale this Friday, July 27, from Oztix and the usual outlets.
DON’T DREAM ITS OVER
Feeling sleepy? Let Dream On Dreamer wake you up this September. The Australian post-hardcore band is playing two shows at the YMCA HQ in Perth on Sunday, September 9. The first show is an all ages show during the day before an 18+ show later that night. Supporting the band are Still Water Claims, Mandalay Victory and Only Hope. Tickets via Oztix and Moshtix.
Despite only forming in early 2011 Brisbane garage-pop outfit Millions have put in the hard yards – hitting the ground running when they were hand-picked by Triple J to open 2011’s Splendour In The Grass festival and following it up with support sets for Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Gold Fields, The Grates, Bluejuice and more. Millions continued their tireless touring schedule in the lead-up to their debut EP Nine Lives, Six Degrees earlier this year, and now they’re heading our way for a show at Amplifier on Friday, September 7. Tickets are on sale now through Moshtix. They also play Rottofest, which happens on Saturday, September 8, and Sunday, September 9.
SHOWCASING TALENT
Talented Aboriginal acts will come together this July to celebrate the 2012 ABMUSIC graduation and showcase night. Kulcha in Fremantle will host the night on Friday, July 27. The night will be hosted by award winning singer-songwriter Ulla Shay, who is a former student and current lecturer for ABMUSIC. The night’s bill boasts experienced performer Tom Little whose music is influenced by gospel, country, folk and blues. Also influenced by the blues is Frank Morton who will be showcasing the talent that won him last year’s top student award. Country singers Rebecca Spratt and Maxine Hansen will also be performing. Completing the bill is Kim Batty and reggae, rock and blues influenced Oz Island. Tickets are available through kulcha.com.au.
GATES OF HELL
Metal fans rejoice, pioneering Swedish death metal legends At The Gates are awaiting you. The band that combined brutality with melody hit Capitol on Saturday, November 3. The band broke new ground in the ‘90s, defining Sweden’s metal sound before breaking up in the 1996. They momentarily reunited in 2008 before officially reforming in 2010. They band refuse to record new material after the 1995 release, Slaughter Of The Soul. Tickets can go on sale on Thursday, July 25, via Heatseeker.
ETERNAL SALVATION
Having recently returned from a massive east coast tour, local melodic hardcore/metal act Saviour bring their energetic, angst-driven live show to Amplifier’s The Academy tonight, Wednesday, July 25. They’re also inviting punters to indulge in tasty tunes from Victoria’s own Brooklyn and South Aussies Graveyards, two hardcore acts they picked up on the ride home. Entry is $15 on the door (or $12 if you know the codeword) from 9pm.
PSYCHOBILLY FREAKOUT
Beloved Danish American psychobilly outfit Nekromantix will be loading up their hot-rod hearse and tearing up the nation’s asphalt for another Australian tour this spring. Led by the exquisitely coiffed rock‘n’roll idol Kim Nekroman and his infamous coffin bass, the punk rock outfit will begin their rollicking trek by entertaining their rabid fans at The Rosemount Hotel on Tuesday, October 2. Tickets are on sale now through Heatseeker.
ON SONG
Don’t miss your last chance to enter this year’s WAM Song Of The Year competition – all songs must be submitted by this coming Monday, July 30. All the entries will be listened to throughout August by a panel of respected industry executives, and WAM members can enter three songs for the price of one. For full competition details, visit wam.asn.au/songoftheyear.
GET PAMPERED
How would you feel about winning two Pampered Camper tickets to Southbound 2013? We thought so. All you have to do is correctly guess one Australian artist and one international act who will be on the next announcement and email your guess to promos@sunsetevents.com.au with your name, date of birth and phone number. No, you can’t guess the already announced acts, which include Hot Chip, The Flaming Lips, Boy & Bear, Coolio, The Vaccines and more. Southbound goes down in Busselton on Friday, January 4, and Saturday, January 5.
AUSTRALIAN PSYCHO
Straight from the hell that is Tasmania, Psycroptic have carved out a niche for themselves in the metal scene. Hot on the heels of their fifth studio album The Inherited Repression, the band are eager to showcase their talents to WA audiences. They’ll display their extreme sounds at Amplifier on Friday, August 31; before heading to the Elliot St Bar in Bunbury on Saturday, September 1; and finishing up at the Newport Hotel on Sunday, September 2. www.xpressmag.com.au
Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson
WALKING ON RUINS
ARIA Award winning wife and husband team Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson are coming to Western Australia this December as part of their Wreck & Ruin tour. See them the Albany Entertainment Centre on Wednesday, December 5; Esperance Civic Centre on Thursday, December 6; Goldfields Arts Centre in Kalgoorlie on Friday, December 7; Mundaring Weir Hotel Amphitheatre on Saturday, December 8; and the Drakesbrook Hotel in Waroona on Sunday, December 9. The tour supports the couple’s album Wreck & Ruin which will be released on September 7. Tickets go on sale on August 1 via the venues and BOCS for the Waroona show.
BEGGAR’S DELIGHT
A mysterious travelling gig series with no fixed abode, an open source platform for eclectic and experimental music. Vagrant is a travelling show that features some of Australia’s premier ‘do it yourself’ rock acts. The Perth leg features two shows, the first at the Galleria in East Perth on Friday, August 27, and the second at Dada Records on Saturday, August 28. Playing at the first show is Queensland’s Per Purpose making their Perth debut, Melbourne’s Rites Wild, Doctopus and Craig McElhinney. The second show features Per Purpose again with the WA debut of Melbourne-via-Adelaide gang Terrible Truths, Gunns and Hamjam. Per Purpose and Terrible Truths both recently released records through the Bedroom Sucks record label. 9
Angelakos has suffered from a very difficult case of manic-depression, or bipolar disorder, since he was 17, but it was only recently that he opened up about it. “It was kind of obvious and it makes life a lot easier to just say it,” he explains. Indeed, the band had to cancel six concerts in the States late last week, citing the artist’s mental health. “Manic-depression isn’t exciting,” he tells X-Press. “It’s not romantic. It’s the worst thing in the goddamn world to deal with when you have timeframes,when you’re travelling and when you’ve had You would expect Passion Pit frontman a date set for months and you’re just not functioning. It’s impossible. Michael Angelakos as chirpy as the “Most creatives that have bipolar disorder on a high level when they are experiencing infectious melodies and catchy hooks operate a hypomanic episode,” he continues. “Hypomania is he crafts, but as he tells CALLUM actually not too bad; it’s relatively manageable, though could cause some problems if you suffer from other FITZPATRICK, he’s been battling some itissues. But mania is not fun and, quite clearly, neither is serious mental health issues for quite depression.” Although he may not have always been some time. The band’s second album fully transparent about his condition, a bleak lyrical Gossamer is out now through Sony, presence has always been evident in Passion Pit’s work, Angelakos says this has been taken a step further in and the band play Parklife on Monday, and this follow-up, spurred on by a combination of what he’s October 1. been reading and watching and, of course, his personal battles. “Most of these songs are about people, told by “Essentially, the record is about instances that a person: me, who is seriously delusional,” he says. “I occurred during a horrific manic episode that lasted became obsessed with ensemble casts, theatre-to-film far too long,” Passion Pit leader Michael Angelakos adaptations, and developing several characters’ life explains. stories in an hour and 45 minutes in one single room. “I don’t remember much of it, and I had to be I had gotten tangled up in many issues, many of them told what had happened and what I had said. It was just involving my fiancée, that I wanted to visualise in some devastating. I could barely live with myself.” way.
PASSION PIT Troubled Times
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“Manic-depression isn’t exciting. It’s not romantic. It’s the worst thing in the goddamn world to deal with when you have timeframes, when you’re travelling and when you’ve had a date set for months and you’re just not functioning. It’s impossible.” “I applied these non-fiction stories to songs, and it just felt so fucked up. There are songs that make some of my friends uncomfortable, but they see how much it helped me. It was extraordinarily therapeutic, drawing myself out; dripping with flaws and uncertainties, while the people around me basically either helped or worsened the situation. Sure, the lyrics are dark, but it’s ultimately a triumphant record. I made it out alive and everyone is intact. I am very grateful.” It’s surprising, then, that no matter where Angelakos’ headspace is at, his music never follows his lyrics down this dark path. He has always had an undeniable knack for manufacturing summery, uplifting tunes, which couldn’t be further removed from their subject matter. “It’s just something that happens,” he says. “I like things that are pretty – I love gorgeous
Passion Pit’s Michael Angelakos textures more than I love pulsating beats or anything. But most importantly, I’m more of a melodist than anything else. The melodies will always come first, and then the dark material comes later.” This is no more evident than in the album’s lead single, Take A Walk, which contrasts those trademark shimmering synths with a narrative depicting Angelakos’ family issues over the course of two generations.“The men in my family never spoke of money; they were the tight-lipped breadwinners,” he says.“They suffered greatly and worked honestly, except for the third character in the bridge: he’s a present day family member who stole money from his son, and I imagined him telling his wife and it being rather disastrous. That interested me – this emasculating confession, which is so damaging, especially if the lying has gone on for most of the marriage. But these men are my blood. And as Take A Walk is the first song on the record, it alludes to a genetic disposition and a lineage. But when the song is over and I proceed to become fully transparent, I’m liberating myself. I’ve reacted against the pattern. I learned from their mistakes by being open and admitting where I’ve gone wrong.” Musically speaking, Gossamer picks up where 2009’s Manners left off, but it also sees Passion Pit taking on some soul influences that weren’t as evident as before – especially in Constant Conversations, which presents a slow, dawdling, almost R&B jam. Michael says this stems from a new maturity and confidence that was derived from the basics: more time in the studio, and experience on the road. “I was emotionally very, very young when I made Manners. I was also rather naive, but that only rendered a more interesting approach to recording back then, so I just went with it. After touring and lots of studio work I started getting more of an idea of what I wanted. I also became more familiar with the gear, but I still distanced myself from it enough to make sure I had perspective.” This second album will be met with high expectations following the success of the buzzedabout debut, but this doesn’t seem to be fazing the band’s leader at all. “I think second records are where you either find your real, core audience or you expand exponentially on a commercial level. I don’t think this is a bad record, so I think it’ll probably be one of the two. I’d be happy with either. “I think people greatly exaggerate the notion of the second record. If an artist fails at a second attempt after having decent success early on, they can just go back, start over and try again. At one point something had to have worked for them, so there is still hope. Maybe the formula didn’t work or they were in a bad place, but it’s not the end of the world like every single journalist makes it out to be,” he says. “Things move so quickly now and all you really need is one single to ‘hit it’, which I find rather sad but, hey, that’s me. Apparently I find lots of things sad.” Looking to the future, Angelakos says he hopes for “lots more positivity”, and he wants the band to keep doing what they do best: pushing out stadiumpumping pop. They’ll be doing just that when they land Down Under for this year’s massive Parklife festival. “Passion Pit is not a project attempting to reinvent the wheel. It’s a project that is optimistic about the notion of pop, our general perception of pop, and how it can change or improve. The band and I work really hard, so we’re hoping it all goes well and we start having more fun instead of freaking out. We work too hard for that.”
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
White Arrows
WHITE ARROWS
when I went to NYU, of studying that. The shamanistic ritual just stuck with me. It was a big part of my concentration, the way ritual influenced art and how they have been intertwined over history. It’s such an old art form, that ritual element.” After wrapping up his studies, Church returned to LA and put together a band with his brother, half brother and two family friends. Church speaks cryptically about the origin of the name White Arrows, preferring to leave it open to interpretation. “People have suggested that it’s a reference to the last In the hype-drenched world of indie line of the Shel Silverstein book, Where the Sidewalk which goes; ‘We shall walk with a walk that is music, where a good origin story Ends, measured and slow, /And watch where the chalk-white is often on par with musicality in arrows go / To the place where the sidewalk ends’. Some people think it’s a reference to Native Americans. terms of catching public attention, There are just so many interpretations.” It’s an interesting thing about Church’s Mickey Church, frontman of LA fivehistory – it sounds like a PR masterstroke, some piece White Arrows, has a back-story purpose built back-story with every element painting picture of a shamanic, metaphysical band. No doubt about as good as it gets. He chats aChurch is well aware of how ‘media friendly’ his story with HENRY ANDERSEN ahead of is (how could he not be?) but there is no pretension his recollections. He is friendly and open in the group’s appearance at the Astor in conversation. The band too, is far less shamanic than Theatre on Wednesday, August 8, one might expect. Though there some trippy synths interesting tropical rhythms bubbling about in about shamanism, sensory overload and the music, the band belong far more to the tradition and learning to see. of tight, indie pop than they do to any ritualised experience. “When I was three,” recalls Mickey Church, “I just Where Church’s history is most evident is in assumed that because I couldn’t see people they the band’s live persona.“Live, we have a total visceral, couldn’t see me, so I just kind of let my imagination surreal, sensory overload with a lot of visuals, a lot run wild.” of haze and a lot of strobes” says Church, “We want Church was born legally blind but gained it to be a fully encompassing experience.” I suggest the ability to see at age 11. “It’s not as uncommon as that perhaps this idea of sensory overload ties in people think,” he claims. “I used to see the world in with Church’s interest in shamanic ritual. “I can see this impressionistic blur, like a Monet painting - with the parallels but that definitely wasn’t the intention. smudged colours. My eyes progressed year to year I think it was more a kind of cloak to help me feel until the point where I could finally see with glasses.” uninhibited. I like offering up that visceral experience At 18, Church left his home in LA to attend but it’s also maybe even subconsciously trying to New York University where his eclectic tastes led him recreate the time when I was three and thought no to major in ritualistic shamanism. “I had no intention, one could see me.”
Line Of Sight
BAND OF FREQUENCIES Coastal Awareness Band Of Frequencies are finally heading to WA for a seven date stopover at Prince Of Wales on Friday August, 3; Quindanning Tavern on Saturday, August 4; Mojos on Sunday, August 5; Indi Bar on Wednesday, August 8; Settlers Tavern on Friday, August 10; White Star Hotel on Saturday, August 11; and Clancy’s Dunsborough on Sunday, August 12. CORAL HUCKSTEP chats with lead singer and guitarist Shannon Sol Carroll ahead of the tour. Shark attacks and the Kimberley gas hub: two topical issues in WA right now. Coincidentally, these two concerns are at the forefront of Shannon Sol Carroll’s mind as he prepares for Band Of Frequencies’ long-awaited debut WA tour. “We’ve been intending to come over for the last four or five years but it’s the first time all the stars have aligned and it’s fallen into place. We finally made it,” Carroll tells X-Press from his Queensland home. Band Of Frequencies recently returned from the Californian coast, where they toured with Transparent Sea Voyage - a cetacean awareness campaign headed by Dave Rastovich and Howie Cooke. The band composed a song a day for 23 days with musicians Angus Stone, Tristan Prettyman, Will Conner, Catherine Clark and Angela Limura. This life-changing trip saw Carroll further spurred into an action phase of mind. Occupying Carroll’s thoughts now is the proposed gas hub for James Price Point. “It seems like people are just burning to get things out of the ground and overseas and money in pockets before everyone realises it’s the wrong thing to do,” he says. “The Kimberley is so far up north that it’s really down to a media and propaganda battle rather than information and awareness.” As for the media hype surrounding recent shark attacks: “I’m a bit upset at the logic of when they www.xpressmag.com.au
Empra Band Of Frequencies try and cull a shark after an attack,” Carroll says.“It must just be people’s subconscious fear of being eaten from thousands of years ago. I’m more scared about driving than shark attacks!” An avid surfer, Carroll admits he’s looking forward to getting into the water while he’s over here, particularly at Margaret River. Their gig in WA’s wine country will see the band playing along to previously unseen footage which was gifted to them by filmmakers Cyrus Sutton and George Greenough. “I’m looking forward to that gig, it’s going to be really fun,” Carroll says. However, the gigs won’t be too planned out. “We plan to improvise, if that makes sense! We’ve played together for about 12 or 13 years so you end up developing a sixth sense and you can read each others’ musical signals... we leave a lot open to the magic of the moment.” Included in the set-lists will be new material from their forthcoming album Rise Like The Sun, due for release on August 8. Carroll says it’s been five years in the making: “We’ve had lots going on... I guess independent artists have to flow with their life events and music is a part of that. The whole album reflects that and it’s an interesting journey to listen to.” Carroll says it features everything from psychedelic, punk, reggae and atmospheric sounds. “Music is such an interesting medium to work with as an artist and it is directly linked to how someone feels spiritually,” Carroll says.“I think music in general is pretty otherworldly - creating sound that is infinitely pleasing for other creatures to listen to is a pretty deep concept. I think as a person who likes to create sound, there is just no end to the depth of that experience.” 11
ELTON VS PNAU A New Empire
One of the more adventurous collaborations seen in recent times, Elton John has handpicked Aussie electronic duo Pnau to reinterpret his early work on Good Morning To The Night. Pnau’s Peter Mayes brings MATTHEW HOGAN up to speed ahead of the album’s release this Friday through Universal. You would think that the impending release of a collaboration album with the Rocket Man himself would be the first thing on Peter Mayes’ mind, but it turns out he and musical partner Nick Littlemore have already moved on to the next project. “I’m in LA right now,” Mayes begins. “We’re just doing the second Empire Of The Sun record. We’re right in the thick of it, and it’s going amazingly well. It’s going to blow people away. It’s really, really strong. It’s incredible. We’re really excited about it.” Empire Of The Sun’s first album Walking On A Dream, proved to be the album that just kept on giving as it spawned no less than five singles including the massive We Are The People. So will they stick with the same formula on album #2? “Yes and no, because you can’t just do version two of what you’ve already done,” says Mayes. “It’s only natural for artists to move on and do something new. I mean you can’t forget what it was that people love about the first record. We’re creative people, we have to make ourselves happy, first and foremost, and then hopefully the world will love it too.” We’re sure at least one person will love it, and that person would be Mayes and Littlemore’s #1 fan, who just happens to be Elton John. While the chaps first heard about John’s fandom upon the release of their self-titled third album in 2007, it sounds like they still can’t believe their luck. “When he kind of discovered us in Australia, it was definitely
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a surreal moment and something that I would never forget,” recalls Mayes. “I was driving back from a holiday with my girlfriend and Nick calls and is like ‘Elton John just called me and he wants to meet up with us’. And I was like, ‘oh my god, are you fucking kidding?’ I never thought that that would happen. It’s weird the way things happen, I think it was just right place at the right time. We just happened to be in Australia, our album had just come out, he’d heard about it from someone and he bought it and loved it, bought a hundred copies and sent them to his friends, and got in contact with us. It was just a really fortunate chain of events that led to us entering into his world.” John acted as a mentor and found them new management as well as a project for them to work on. “Basically soon after we took on management with him, a couple of days later they were like, ‘look, we want to you to take Elton’s multitracks and make a new record’, ” Mayes says “Like wow! It was very soon after that we had taken up management with them, so what an incredible gift to be given at any time, especially then. It was very exciting. Very overwhelming, really, because it’s not like he just did five records, he’s recorded over 600 songs. So there was a huge amount of material to absorb. There was so many great things to choose from. It was more a process of finding what in his catalogue could work within the bounds of what we do musically, which was quite different to what we do.”
“We’re creative people, we have to make ourselves happy, first and foremost, and then hopefully the world will love it too.” Littlemore and Mayes then had to get into the head of master musician. “Initially it was just listening,” says Mayes of how the project began. “Listening to every single one of his records, and we put them on iPods and just walked around listening to Elton John. We talked to him about records that he was influenced by. He mainly talks about current music, because he’s a real moving forward type of person, but we just really absorbed with it. Once we got the masters, we spent months going through the material and making notes and cataloguing things. There was a lot of housekeeping to be done because it was such a massive amount of material - just terabytes and terabytes of it. Such a huge amount of material to go through; it was quite daunting in a way.”
Elton Vs Pnau Mayes hints that there will be more output from the Elton/Pnau combo. “It was a long process, and I think for the next volume, volume two, it will be a lot easier because we’re a lot more intimate with his music now,” he says. “We’re just a lot more familiar with his catalogue, so it will probably come together a bit quicker, but this first project was a big one and we really wanted to get it right; we didn’t want to put it out half baked.” While Mayes hopes to one day take the album on the road with John, a select group of lucky punters in Ibiza witnessed the man born Reginald Kenneth Dwight join Pnau on stage a couple of weeks ago. “How amazing was that,”
gushes Mayes. “It was obviously surreal and nervewracking to be playing with someone like that on stage. Someone so talented and someone with such a long fruitful career. You know, I think it went really well, and he had a great time so that was the main thing. We just wanted to make sure he had a great show and really enjoyed himself, and he was up there smiling and the crowd was screaming his name. It was really fun, especially for him playing to an audience that was slightly different to the audience that he normally plays to. Just a different age and a different kind of musical taste. He doesn’t normally play festivals and stuff.”
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
TIM BARRY To No Avail
Singer-songwriter Tim Barry will be in Australia very soon touring his corker new album 40 Miler. He will appear at The Den on Wednesday, August 8. BEN WATSON spoke to the Richmond, Virginia native.
Rosetta
ROSETTA
Philadelphia Experimentalists Philadelphian post-metal band Rosetta are set to warm up Perth this week as part of their Australian tour. The band kick starts their tour at the Rosemount Hotel tonight Wednesday, July 25 before continuing the next evening at Fat Shan Records on Thursday, July 26. AARON CORLETT spoke to guitarist J. Matthew Weed about the tour.
Tim Barry is one of a growing number of singersongwriters in recent years who were raised in the punk tradition but have gone on to forge successful careers as folk musicians. Some may remember Barry as singer of erstwhile hardcore band Avail from 1987 to 2008, but he is now eight years and five albums into his solo career and – musically at least – he hasn’t looked back. “At first, small handfuls of Avail fans would come to check the shows out,” Barry says. “Nowadays, it’s a massive mix of people from different backgrounds, ages and places. I’m thankful to have the opportunity to play for such a diverse group of people. “The transition was minimal and unintentional. I never set out to be a folk, acoustic player. It just sort of happened. And because it was an accident I didn’t really notice the transition. Also, many of the Avail songs were first written using acoustic guitars and then moved into a big and loud band format. So the writing process has remained nearly the same.”
As a solo musician, Barry has become very much an Americana wanderlust dream. Sleeping in vans, constantly on the road, the parallels to the punk-hardcore touring schedule are obvious. The title track to the new album, 40 Miler, was written at 6am in a van outside a friend’s house after playing a show the night before. That’s very punk rock: a post-show revelation about his desire to write music for himself, rather than for other people. But this is a man who has written songs on freight trains too, and that cuts through to a much deeper tradition— reminiscent of the Depression-era box car riders of the kind evoked by people like Woody Guthrie or Jack Kerouac. Barry admits that his punishing schedule can become a little overwhelming at times. When he spoke to X-Press, he was 60 shows into a US tour with ‘plenty more to come’, but there is little doubt that it is a life he has chosen and a lifestyle he embraces. “I really do love it, or I would stop,” he says. “It’s that simple. To keep centered I make sure that music isn’t the only thing I do or am interested in. I make sure that it is just another one of my
Tim Barry hobbies instead of my only hobby. I have never been and never will be the type of person who only does one thing or follows a single interest.” Indeed, Barry’s love of reading is well known. He clearly has a thirst for knowledge and experience that extends beyond his music and the road, but given that he is on the road so much, it is something that must be integrated into his working life. “I haven’t been sticking to topics lately,” he says of his reading, “because when I’m on the road, I always seem to read newspapers. It’s funny, every day I read whatever local newspaper in whatever city I’m in. Then I’ll look at the international news. “I have a lot of stuff planned out for whenever I’m not on the road again, but I come up with a lot of weird shit to study. I dunno why. I didn’t go to school. I just kinda make school up in my head and just roll with it.”
After capturing the attention of Australian audiences in 2008 with their powerful live show, Rosetta are back. J. Matthew Weed says the tour will not be radically different from the 2008 shows, punters can expect more stage dives, extreme volumes and strange smells.“If anything it’s gotten more intense. Since we’re playing shorter songs now, it means we can play more of them and keep things moving,” Weed explains. “The weather in the outback looks stellar in August, especially given how disgusting it will be on the east coast of the USA at that point,”Weed says. Since the 2008 tour, the band released their third album, A Determinism Of Morality, in 2010 whilst also releasing a host of split-releases with a variety of bands and undertook multiple tours to Europe. Weed describes their hometown scene in Philadelphia as different from other scenes. Most bands reach a critical mass and then hit the road, because they’ll almost always be received better in other places,” he says, explaining that, in some ways, the band feels disconnected from their hometown: “Many people in Philly don’t even think of us as a Philly band.” Weed says the band’s sound is hard to describe. “We’re situated in a strange middle ground between noisy hardcore and psych rock and ambient music. I think we’re much more interested in texture than anything else, though we do try to incorporate technicality and a sort of narrative element in our music. It’s loud, confrontational, and sometimes melodic and beautiful. I think it’s uplifting in a strange way.” The band is also developing new material to be released next year.“We’re working on a [four] song EP right now that we’ll record at the end of the year. That’ll come out on Translation Loss in 2013, and as soon as the tracking is done, we’ll start working on a new fulllength,”Weed says. He describes the writing process as like pulling teeth. “It’s frustrating because it’s isolating, expensive, and discouraging,” he admits, adding that the length of time they spend writing songs is always different: “Sometimes it feels like we work on certain ideas forever, only to toss them at the last second. Sometimes we write songs in the crunch right before recording, which is nuts but the results work out somehow.” As for the rest of 2012, Weed says the band will lay low and write music. “We’ve been out of the writing mode for a long time and it’s time to get back in it.”
www.xpressmag.com.au
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EMPRA
In Sanny’s Asylum Melbourne rockers Empra are touring their new self-titled record nationally, and CHLOE PAPAS spoke to the man with all the stories, Sanny Veloo, ahead of their shows on Friday, August 3, at Rocket Room; Saturday, August 4, at Prince Of Wales; and Sunday, August 5, at the Railway Hotel. As X-Press begins chatting to frontman Sanny Veloo, it isn’t difficult to see that this punk quartet from Melbourne was born from complicated beginnings. Veloo originally moved to Melbourne with his first band Boredphucks after they were banned from playing in their hometown of Singapore, only weeks after their single beat out the unstoppable Backstreet Boys on the Singapore charts. “We were one of the main bands in this festival in Singapore, and before we went on stage the promoter said to me ‘you better not use any vulgarities’. So we went on stage, and before we started, I shouted all the vulgarities I knew in a couple of different languages. I thought it was just a funny thing to do, and the crowd loved it. But he was not happy,” chuckles Veloo. A small crowd riot and a power cut later, the band were arrested and subsequently banned from playing music in Singapore. So they did what any self-respecting musicians would do; moved to Melbourne and changed their name to The Suns. However, soon after their move, The Suns’ drummer and Veloo’s best friend, Wayne Thunder, sadly passed away. “We [Thunder and Veloo] had this dream, we wanted to release this album in Australia, and we wanted to play the festivals and support all the big bands,” he recalls. “That was our purpose. And when he died, that dream ended. After he passed away, for a year after, I did fuck all. But then I realised that I had to complete the dream, or at least keep it going.” Initially, Veloo decided to go it alone as a musician. “First time around, I approached the album
Empra Empra as a solo artist and I went to this studio, and it was some kind of package deal,” he says. “$10,000 and they do an album for you. So the recording was alright, but when it came to mixing – man, the mixes were so shit, they were worse than the home demos I did in my bedroom.” The studio refused to return his tracks, so Veloo had to choose between using his remaining funds to take legal action, or to move on. “I was like you know what, fuck it, I’ll start all over again… At the time it felt like my whole world came crashing down man, I lost my music and everything, I was so stressed over it.” By that time, Empra had hesitantly formed after 35 auditions, settling with three musos, each named, Matt and Veloo as frontman. Not long after, the band wrote and recorded the Empra album, which, for Veloo, was almost like therapy. “Doing this album, it helped. Just after the album launched I was like okay, I’ve done it man, I feel like I’ve finally come to terms with his [Thunder’s] passing and now I can move on with my career, and it was very healing. It’s a great feeling you know, to be able to honour the wishes of someone you love, after they’re gone.” Empra are finishing up this tour in August, with plans to tour more next year before doing some more recording. However, as Veloo explains, they have a vital mission right now. “We’re trying to score the support for Weezer. We baked a Weezer cake and sent it to their office. And the cake is like a printout of the Blue album cover, but instead of the Weezer faces, it’s our faces on their bodies. And the sides of the cake are the same shade of blue as the edible image,” Veloo enthuses. “So, fingers crossed!”
The Big Old Bears
THE BIG OLD BEARS Grrreat Expectations
Harmony-lovin’ folk-sixsome The Big Old Bears are set to drip feed their eager and growing fan base with a swag of freshly written songs at the launch for their new self-titled EP at Mojos Bar this Friday, July 27. Ahead of the celebrations, JENNIFER PETERSONWARD sits down with vocalist and multi-instrumentalist David Craft. The Big Old Bears started off as the solo music project of David Craft, but then as friends started joining the project evolved into a dedicated sixpiece collective. The band moved from relative obscurity to local popularity in a matter of months, winning over fans with their unique sound which spruced up the wellsprings of his music (old-time country and folk) with modern trappings, giving it a feel at once ageless and modern. Now it’s 2012 and it’s time for The Big Old Bears to reintroduce themselves: a self-titled EP, a new confident sound. “One thing we want to let everyone know is, our music has changed a lot over the past two years,” explains vocalist and multi-instrumentalist David Craft.“Not so much that our older fans can’t enjoy it, just in the sense of songwriting and instrumentation. The EP consists of five songs that we’ve been playing and building since 2010.” 14
As with many self-titled albums, the sextet has used this as an attempt to redefine itself, and they have considerably expanded both their sonic template and lyrical outlook on the new release. “We wanted this to have a completely different sound to our 2010 release Tales Of You. Over the last two years we’ve been developing our sound and growing musically and physically. We spent more time experimenting with the demos this time around so when we hit the studio, we were pretty much playing exactly what we had down on the demos. After the skeleton tracks were recorded in the studio, we took them home and played around with different percussive instruments and vocal harmonies so I guess in that sense the record is more experimental. We’ve [also] added instruments such as electric guitar, electric bass, organ, lap steel and trumpet. The band is getting bigger every day!” Craft says, a sentiment which is certainly reflected in the new album. “The record generally has a ‘big warm family’ feeling. We also had our friend James Teague help write and record harmonies for some of the tracks. Jake Chaloner from Energy Commission and the James Teague Band played lap steel and Sky [Eaton] and Karri [Meredith Harper] from The Brow Horn Orchestra brought some horns.” The Big Old Bears are inviting all these friends, and then some, to their EP launch this Friday evening. “The amazing Peter Bibby (Frozen Ocean, Fucking Teeth) will be opening the show solo style. After he puts down his resonator guitar, Amber Fresh and Will Stoker with play some songs together as Rabbit Island. Hayley Beth’s new band High Hopes will follow them and our long time favourites Seams will play just before us. We should be hitting the stage no later than 11pm. Our photographer, Lewis Potts, has been following us around for the last two years so we have also decided to display a collection of his photos on the night. Fat Shans Record store will be setting up a mini version of their store in one of the corners and there will also be a raffle,” Craft concludes. “Mojos has a really good layout and, because we’re having friends join us on stage, we needed a nice big stage. We’ve played most of our gigs in Fremantle so we like to think a lot of our fans live there and will come down.” X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
SPLIT SECONDS You’ll Turn Into Me
PASSION PIT Gossamer
Shiny Entertainment/Inertia
Columbia Records/Sony
When Sean Pollard was in England penning his first set of tunes post New Rules For Boats, he could not have expected how well things would turn out. When he returned to Perth a group of friends rallied around Pollard to help him bring those songs to life, gathering plaudits and a range of awards along the way. Now the fruits of the bands labour can be seen with the debut album from Split Seconds. Many bands of similar stature have gained attention from following what is popular overseas. Although Pollard has a clear love for the likes of Ryan Adams and Connor Oberst, it doesn’t shape his writing style, instead it adds minor background noise to an artist whose narratives could see him rapidly becoming the Paul Kelly of a new generation. Make no mistake, You’ll Turn Into Me is a pop record – an exceptional one. This is not dumbed down tunes so as to give an immediate sugar high. These are cerebrally crafted tunes with lasting melodies that find you like a moth does a flame. Maiden Name is irrepressible complete with a cracking hook via Rhys Davies’ guitar and She Makes Her Own Clothes isn’t far behind it when rating pop perfection. You’ll Turn Into Me is every bit as good as you would expect if you’ve had the pleasure of seeing Split Seconds live. The studio has only made this collection of tunes stronger and more robust without sacrificing any of the bands ample personality.
Passion Pit love their synthesisers, and on this, their second album, they explore the happier sounds of the electronic instrument. Gossamer is warm album, from the pink, glowing album cover to the happy, multi-layered songs. After making a name for themselves globally following the release of 2009’s Manners, this album continues in much the same direction sonically. Lead singer Michael Angelakos has a divisive vocal style, his falsetto voice will either have him loathed or loved by listeners. Angelakos’ voice is also often heavily manipulated and made to sound robotic. This, in conjunction with other robotic effects, gives the album a slightly creepy, clinical feel. However, the album is redeemed by its warm use of synthesisers, which gives it a happy atmosphere. Opener Take A Walk is the best representation of these two sides of Passion Pit – starting with dreamy synthesisers before making way for banging drums and electronic screeches. Lyrically the album is quite dull, with the chorus on tracks like Carried Away simply repeating the phrase. Angelakos inserts warmth into the tracks with his singing though, even on tracks like Cry Like A Ghost where you expect sadness. He even has a defence ready for people who question his happiness in It’s Not My Fault, I’m Happy. With its upbeat style, Gossamer is easy to love. _AARON CORLETT
_CHRIS HAVERCROFT
PURITY RING Shrines 4AD/Inertia
CHRIS COBILIS Heritage Listed Skate Park Independent
On their debut album, Montreal indie electro duo Purity Ring set ground rules: they are esoteric, quixotic, whimsical – maybe even just regular ol’ weird – and you must acknowledge and appreciate this, dammit. At a base level, Purity Ring’s musical MO is to squeeze elastic pop music, airy ‘90s R&B and chilly electronica into the same space, but their reasons for concocting this mash-up are frustratingly unclear. The combination leads to the kind of strangeness that never quite takes flight: the snappy, diaphanous synths have little grit or drive, the dancey tracks never get upbeat enough, little chunks of sounds drift in and out inconsequentially, and then there are the vocals. Like her 4AD predecessors Cocteau Twins’ Elizabeth Fraser and Grimes, vocalist Megan James has an airy shrill voice, which is pretty intriguing at its best and excessively high-pitched and incredibly cloying at its worst (see Fineshrine for the latter). Still, this isn’t to say the entire thing is a wash – certain songs show glimpses of things going right: the subtle dirge Crawlerscout, the airiness of Gradloves, and the gorgeously spare Belispeak. By far the best tune in the mix is Ungirthed (which has been getting its fair share of love from Triple J of late), a catchy, eerily minimalist electro soul ditty, poked and prodded by unsettling beats. Lovers of Grimes’ Visions and Lykke Li’s Wounded Rhymes should find Shrines easy to adore.
Chris Cobilis has put his hand to most forms of music over the past decade whether it be in a smokey pub, highbrow cocktail venue or tinkering away in the confines of his own home. Cobilis is best known for his post rock and post punk work with has varied bands that have the word ‘tiger’ in them, but his solo effort Heritage Listed Skate Park is a very different beast. Apart from the delicate title track with its multiple vocal tracks, the tunes here are primarily instrumental as Cobilis works his way around every instrument that he has at his disposal. Cobilis is a man who undoubtedly has a song for every occasion at his disposal. Just Have Everything Don’t Worry About It is the type of tune that would be found on the soundtrack of a French indie film that melds soft porn with the tale of a woman slowly losing her mind. Shit For Brains is loungey and playful and Vulgar Meth Addict is equally at odds with its title as it reveals itself to be a prettily strummed acoustic number. No Regrets For Our Stupid Youth is anything but subtle, with its fuzzed out electronica and sinister abrasive tones. This intense listen captures the feelings of many who wish to go postal when confronted with an opinionless youth parading around with their jeans hanging lower than their silky boxer shorts. Cobilis is a man with many accents and has always conjured strong images through his tunes. Heritage Listed Skate Park is surely too good an album to be available for free online. Get yours at chriscobilis.bandcamp.com and then buy the chap a drink when you next see him.
_JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD
LISA MARIE PRESLEY Storm & Grace
_CHRIS HAVERCROFT
Universal / Island Records
Storm & Grace is an honest, warm album which sounds every bit the opposite of the forgettable pop-rock found on Presley’s previous records. Shedding the pop diva persona she never quite managed well in the past suits Presley and her newfound brand of Southernstyle rock complements her husky drawl and allows for emotional and creative expression. A standout is the regretful Weary - the first song written for this album and which informed the stripped back Mandolin-infused vibe of the other 14 songs. It’s hard to get a good feel for the album on first listen but it deserves to be repeated and appreciated in full. Much of it isn’t radio-friendly considering its slow-paced, bluesy feel, although it’s bound to get some interest purely for the fact she is the King’s daughter. Presley’s insecurities of being branded by her famous last name are articulated on Sticks And Stones on which she croons “Too bad she ain’t just like her Daddy/Oh what a shame/She got no talent of her own”. Yet Storm & Grace more than proves she needn’t worry about a lack of talent. Storm & Grace is pure Americana yet it was composed in England where Presley now resides. Perhaps it was nostalgia for home or distancing herself from her US celebrity lifestyle which spurred Presley onto an authentic record. Either way, she has finally found her mojo.
CHRIS BROWN Fortune RCA/Sony
Chris Brown has released his fifth studio album – a 19-track repugnant record that we can only hope will be his last. First track Turn Up the Music sets the tone for the whole album; generic, overly auto-tuned, commercialised R&B that could easily be any other artist in the charts right now. Don’t Judge Me isn’t related to recent events, but rather is Brown asking his significant other not to judge him for cheating on her. Poor guy. Till I Die is a catastrophic misogynistic shit of a song, with lyrics: “I super soak that ho/Show ‘em no love/Throw ‘em a towel”. The whole album is skitzy and has two themes: unprotected sex is super fun and partying is cool. Even if you are into this kind of music or just love the beat, this is a catastrophic clusterfuck of an album that shouldn’t appeal to anyone with ears. Or morals. Let’s just get down to it. Regardless of whether Chris Brown has any musical talent (he doesn’t) or whether this album is any good (it isn’t), the man recently brutally assaulted a woman, and is still regularly invited back to award shows and worshipped by ‘Breezy’ fans worldwide. Which is, frankly, disgusting. And for those of you out there saying you need to separate the music and the man; screw you, don’t encourage his actions. Final words: don’t buy this album. NO STARS EVER
_CORAL HUCKSTEP www.xpressmag.com.au
_CHLOE PAPAS 15
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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
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Avan Yu Frank Woodley
YU BEAUTY
After wowing judges of the Sydney International Piano Competition of Australia over the weekend, 25 year old Canadian Avan Yu walked away with the competition’s most illustrious award, pocketing $25,000 for his efforts. Next Monday Yu will take to the stage of the Perth Concert Hall to give Perth audiences a taste of his talent at the Judge’s Winner’s Recital. Tickets for his recital on Monday, July 30, at 7.30pm are on sale now via BOCS.
LET’S BE FRANK
After a three year absence, the lovable and lanky Frank Woodley is set to return to Perth this October with a brand new show entitled Bemusement Park. Combining physical comedy with witty and wacky observations, Woodley’s new show promises to enchant and bewilder audiences; and is a must see for any Lano And Woodley devotees. Catch Woodley being bemused at the Astor Theatre from October 1113. Bookings through BOCS.
A PLETHORA OF POETRY
Paella by La Latina at the Winter Supper Club
WHAT’S SUP?
The Perth Town Hall will come alive with delicious scents and serene sounds this Friday, July 27, when the City of Perth’s Winter Supper Club returns to tantalise our tastebuds and satisfy our appetites. Head down to the Town Hall this Friday to see the historic building’s undercroft transformed into a European style food market, serving up every meal imaginable, from paella to bratwurst, crepes, churros, soups, pies and traditional German chocolate bread. The fun takes place from 5-8pm this Friday; and the Winter Supper Club returns again next month on Friday, August 31.
Wordsmiths and lovers of prose will come together this August for the eighth annual WA Poetry Festival, a celebration of language which will feature workshops, poetry readings, talks, slams and contests, all designed to showcase different poetic expressions and traditions. Running from August 17-20, the Festival will showcase work by national poet Steve Smart and international poet Andy White, alongside local poets Tineke Van Der Eecken, Kevin Gillam, Jake Dennis and Kate Wilson. The full program of events and ticketing information can be found at wapoets.net.au.
MADE IT
A marketplace which serves up the best independent art, fashion, food and home wares, the Made On The Left Winter Market will take over the State Theatre Centre this Sunday, July 29, and best of all, entry is free! Over 65 small businesses will have stalls at the market, and everything on sale is handmade or fully produced right here in WA. The market runs from 10am-4pm, to find out more hit up madeontheleft.org.au.
The Dark Knight Rises
THE DARK KNIGHT RISES Bat’s All, Folks
Directed by Christopher Nolan Starring Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt It could have gone wrong. Threequels tend to suck (Spider-Man 3, X-Men: The Last Stand) and Christopher Nolan, having not made a bad film yet, is kind of due for a fall. Add to that the fact that The Dark Knight was one of those rare sequels that was better than its progenitor, eclipsing Batman Begins in almost every way, and a betting man might start to worry: could Nolan’s third and final jaunt into the world of Batman not be up to scratch? Happily for all concerned, such worries are groundless. While it doesn’t quite capture TDK’s heady mix of comic book iconography, thematic depth, and psychological pathos, it’s a fine film, and a worthy endpoint to what has been a consistently excellent series. The film opens some eight years after the events of TDK, with Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman) policing a quiet, almost crime-free city. The Batman has not been seen since the death of Harvey Dent, and his alter ego, Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) is now a tortured recluse. It isn’t long, though, before his old instincts are reignited by a burglary committed by master thief Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway - and the name Catwoman is never uttered), which may be linked to the
shadowy plans of the masked mercenary, Bane (Tom Hardy). It isn’t long before all of Gotham is in peril, and Bruce has to strap on the black again to save the day, but at what cost? It’s a hugely ambitious film, epic in scale and length (it clocks in at almost three hours), and if it doesn’t always hit the high notes it’s reaching for, it’s not for want of trying. What impresses the most is how organic the whole thing feels. This isn’t a tacked-on cash-grab, but the final part of a long and wholly engaging narrative; a final chapter that ties up most, if not all, of the threads from the first two films and making them part of a seamless whole. And yet the film still has its own identity. For one thing, it’s the one out of the three that feels the most like a comic book, embracing the fun and occasionally silly thrills of the medium. Which isn’t to say it’s a laugh a minute, but it allows itself room to breathe and smile, which is something of a relief after the incredibly dour prior instalment. That it does so while still delivering an emotionally satisfying coda to the trilogy is truly impressive indeed, it feels like Nolan is finally relaxing into the film’s genre, rather than fighting against it. The problems of the series have not been remedied - Nolan’s intricate plotting still doesn’t stand up to close scrutiny, and that voice is still an issue - but the film gets so much right that it’s trifling to complain about such things. It’s not as much fun as The Avengers, but it was never trying to be; The Dark Knight Rises is Nolan’s superhero curtain call, and anyone who loved the earlier films will be well pleased by this one. _TRAVIS JOHNSON
CHRISTIAN BALE
The Dark Knight Retires You’d think Val Kilmer would have the bigger head, but nope, Christian Bale is happy for it to be on the record: he has the bigger noggin. We’re talking cowls, by the way, not egos. The two Batmen had to share the same cowl - if only provisionally, in Bale’s case. When initially cast in Batman Begins, Bale was rushed in for a costume test. Unfortunately, all the producers of Batman Begins had lying around was Val Kilmer’s Bat cowl and uniform from 1995’s Batman Forever. “I t didn’t quite fit,” laughs Bale, remembering trying to compress his head into a slightly-smaller cowl. “A l l I r e m e m b e r w a s t h a t t h e claustrophobia was just unbelievable in that thing. I just stood there and I thought, ‘I can’t breathe… I can’t think… This is too tight! This is squeezing my head! I’m going to panic… I’m about to have a nervous breakdown! I’m going to have a panic attack right this second!’.” Bale felt so embarrassed that he wasn’t a fit for the cowl, and even thought the film’s director Christopher Nolan might go so far as to drop him from the film. “I thought Chris Nolan would have to recast. I just stood there and I thought, ‘I would really like to make this movie and be able to get through this’. So I asked for 20 minutes to myself and I just stood there. Then I called everyone back in and said, ‘OK, just talk very calmly please and maybe I can get through this!’. Everyone was sitting around asking ‘so, how’s that? how’s it feel mate?’ while I was suffocating in there. They gave me my 20. I came back. And I made it work.” When Batman Begins rolled around, the costume designers had come up with a Baleready cowl and uniform. By the time this Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises, came about Bale was as comfortable as he’d ever been in that mask and costume. “In the same way Bruce Wayne improves the suit, we improved the suit for comfort. And I could rip the cowl off myself if I did in fact see stars”. From the moment Warner announced they’d be rebooting the Batman series, Bale bugged his agents incessantly to get him an audition. When Nolan was hired to direct Batman Begins (and was consequently rehired to direct the two sequels) in 2005, Bale’s interest peaked. 18
In Darkness
IN DARKNESS Tunnel Vision Christian Bale “ C o r r e c t m e i f I ’m w r o n g , m y understanding is that Bob Kane created this character in 1939, which being from England, right, that was beginning of WWII. And it was an answer to the uselessness that individuals felt against this humongous tragedy, and what could you do? So it was topical in its inception, that’s how Batman began...it began as a very topical character, and I think Chris returned it to that.” Bale, who shares the screen in The Dark Knight Rises with series virgins Tom Hardy and Anne Hathaway, was a little sad to rip the cowl off when shooting on the blockbuster wrapped. The character changed his career and Bale remembers his last moment on set fondly. “I t was with Anne Hathaway as Catwoman,” he recalls. “Yeah, we were on a roof in New York. I was wrapped but they still had a few days on the movie. I just went down, sat in a room, and realised, ‘this is it’. So again, I asked if they could please leave me alone for 20 minutes. I felt real proud that we achieved what we had set out too. [This character] changed my life and changed my career and I just wanted to appreciate that.” _OLIVIA MARNE
Directed by Agnieszka Holland Starring Robert Wieckiewicz, Benno Furmann, Krzysztof Skonieczny, Maria Schrader, Herbert Knaup After several years working in American cable television - she directed, amongst other things, episodes of The Wire - acclaimed Polish director Agnieszka Holland (best known for Europa, Europa) returns to both fiction feature filmmaking and her native country to bring us this harrowing, but ultimately uplifting, World War II Holocaust drama. Based on a true stor y, In Darkness charts the wartime exploits of an unlikely hero, Leopold Socha (Robert Wieckiewicz), a lowly sewer inspector in the Polish city of Lvov. When the city is occupied by the Germans, Socha initially seizes the opportunity to make a profit through a little light looting and black market manoeuvring, but his life begins to change when he finds a group of Jews hiding from the Nazis in the ancient sewers he knows so well. At first, Socha only helps the refugees in exchange for money and valuables, but gradually he comes to realise that his own inherent humanity will not allow him to give up his charges. We’ve seen the Holocaust portrayed on the big screen so many times that you could be forgiven for wondering if there’s anything new to be said about the subject, but what sets Holland’s film apart is its odd and engrossing mix
of the humane and the starkly unsentimental. In Darkness portrays the atrocities of the Nazi regime - the camps, the torture, the exterminations - with an unblinking eye, but it also takes the time to demonstrate that, even in the midst of death and horror, humanity keeps on keeping on. Children still play, people still laugh, argue, fight, and have sex, and the foibles that make us so fallible and real are, if anything, even more foregrounded. Wieckiewicz, an actor largely unknown outside of Europe, is excellent as the complex, clay-footed Socha, a man who finds himself trying to do the right thing in spite of himself, but he is not alone in that regard, being supported by an impressive ensemble who almost all manage to imbue their characters with a sense of individuality and completeness. The Jews of In Darkness are not saintly ciphers, but real, complex human beings, with their own concerns, ideals, and deeply held grudges and rivalries. Benno Furmann stands out as the mistrustful Mundek, who is sure that Socha will betray his people, and plans to pay him back with a cut throat; and so too is Michal Zurawski as Bortnik, Socha’s Ukrainian friend who has found a niche for himself enforcing the Nazis’ harsh rule. Feeling like a reaction to Steven Spielberg’s heartfelt but histrionic Schindler’s List, In Darkness manages to rise above the overly familiar conventions of the Holocaust movie subgenre by focusing on character instead of carnage, and in doing so manages to reinforce the horrors of the period without descending into gratuitousness. While by no means for the faint of heart, still it remains a rewarding experience. _TRAVIS JOHNSON X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
to be worm food, and we don’t actually have a lot of time, so if there’s anything you want to do, you better do it soon.” But he assures X-Press that the ideas the piece tackles, though large and somewhat abstract, are nonetheless accessible to an audience. Although he describes himself as an experimentalist, Lui remians acutely aware of the need for audience identification. “It’s a performative song cycle, and there’s two actors who are performing a microcosm Renegade Productions’ The Book Of Death of those ideas in a very human, relatable fashion. It’s runs at the Blue Room Theatre from Tuesday, not one of those contemporary theatre shows that August 7, ’til Saturday, August 25. Bookings via might break your brain; there’s a real nice, intimate, human element to it, and there’s a real neat story blueroom.org.au. that’s positioned poetically while still being very Keenly aware that the stark yet ambiguous title of easy to follow.” his latest stage work might prompt his potential _TRAVIS JOHNSON audience to draw the wrong conclusion, writer/ director Joe Lui is at pains to ensure he isn’t misunderstood. “I want to emphasise that the full title of the show is Book Of Death: A Story Of Life,” he declares. “And the Story Of Life part is really the key to the work. It’s not a dark, depressing view of the world - it’s about finding hope and reason to live.” Lui has already established a reputation as one of the most interesting and provocative people currently working in the Perth theatre scene, having given us such works as the freedom of speech parable Laryngectomy. Now he’s decided to tackle something more ambitious with his new project: nothing less than the existential struggle to find meaning in the face of inevitable oblivion. “The new show is basically about finding hope and a reason to live in the face of death,” he explains. “It’s about looking at death and the idea that we’re all eventually going to die, and as a society we’re all becoming increasingly aware that there won’t be any afterlife for us to go to. In the light of that, where do we find a reason to get up and do things every day. It’s about finding that impetus and that hope.” It’s a universal theme, but one that, for Lui, is derived from very personal experiences, both specifically as an artist, and more generally, as a human being. “It comes from being an artist surrounded by a lot of people who are constantly asking me how I do it, and who want to do it, but whose daily lives, the necessities of their daily lives, have put their creative or academic interests out of mind a bit. I think, personally, I never seem to be able to get away from the idea of mortality and death, and when I contemplate that... nothing gives you a better kick up the butt than knowing that you’re going to die. I think a lot of us put that rather ugly thought out of our heads in order to get out there and make out daily bread, but the show is about The Book Of Death (A Story Of Life) reminding people that, eventually, we’re all going
THE BOOK OF DEATH (A STORY OF LIFE)
ON SHOW AT THE SALON Dressed in their finest and most fabulous frippery, art critics and culture buffs made a bee-line for PICA on Saturday, July 21, for the opening of the Salon 2012 Vernissage. An evening reserved for PICA’s ART1000 donors, the Vernissage features work by a range of emerging and established artists, each selected for their exceptional quality and collectability.
Read Between The Lines
Photographs by Courtney McAllister
Collecting Shadows: Melody Smith Gallery, Carlisle Darryn Ansted’s Collecting Shadows project is a response to the Dahlem Museum of Ethnology in Berlin, taking two encased artefacts from the Museum’s collection of over half a million ethnographic objects from around the world as the subject for a series of experimental paintings. Runs Aug 11-Sep 9.
VISUAL ARTS SuperAnimal: Free Range Gallery, Perth What is it like to be human? This type of question is in itself a particular trait of the human species. Animals don’t think about being an animal, the animal is the animal. Where is cognition situated and how do the animal ‘others’ fit into the artistic realm? These ideas have been explored in the paintings of Stephanie Reisch. The works evoke sensorial worlds, creating new spaces that unfurl in the in-betweens. Runs ’til Jul 31.
World Music: Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle Emerging Perth based artist Andrew Varano presents his first solo exhibition, World Music. Featuring kinetic sound sculptures, video installations and Zen fountain prototypes he questions our seemingly inherent desire to set up relationships and narratives between things. Runs ’til Sep 16.
Magnesium Light: John Curtin Gallery, Curtin University, Bentley Magnesium Light is a two-part video project by experimental media artist Dennis Del Favero which investigates the interrelationship between war and identity. In the provocative You And I, Del Favero explores events around the infamous Abu Ghraib photographs from Baghdad of 2006. Runs ’til Aug 5. The World Is Everything That Is The Case: John Curtin Gallery, Curtin University, Bentley Six Australian artists come together to explore the space that embodies the transformation of cultural practice occurring across states, borders and demarcation zones. In this exhibition, the ‘globite’ suitcase, synonymous with travel, transportation and distribution, becomes a metaphor for the distribution of data. When unpacked, the contents become the materialisation of the artists practice. Curated by Sean Cubitt, Vince Dziekan and Paul Thomas, the exhibition features the work of artists Karen Casey, Mark Cypher, Tina Gonsalves, Mark Guglielmetti, Nigel Helyer and Mitchell Whitelaw. Runs ’til Aug 5. Light Locker Art Space: Grand Lane, Perth Located within Grand Lane off Murray Street Mall and viewable from Barrack Street, the Light Locker Art Space can be accessed 24/7 but is best viewed at sundown when the lights turn on. Since launching in June 2011, the space has supported and commissioned new works from 21 young artists, with many more to come! This exhibition is the fourth in a year-long program of peer curation, resulting in an organic approach to mapping out artist networks and commonalities. For this latest exhibition, Joe Matthiessen, Dale Buckley, Kenya Bedford Armstrong, Stephen Genovese and Lyle Branson created new 2D and 3D artworks. Runs ’til Aug 31. www.xpressmag.com.au
THEATRE/DANCE
Lunar Soil by Chloe Spiers-Atherden Lunar Soil: Paper Mountain, Northbridge An exhibition of work by Chloe Spiers-Atherden, Lunar Soil is an exploration of perception and the way it is coloured, shaped and finely textured through the lens of personal mythology. Worldviews everywhere intersect, interbreed and are ultimately cultivated and renewed through human imagination, allowing us to perceive meaning on both the individual and cosmic scale. Lunar Soil is a small collection of inky symbols reflecting some of the stories, environments, creatures and ideas experienced in just one among an infinite array of evolving mythologies. Runs Aug 1-6.
ANZANG: WA Museum, Northbridge The ANZANG Nature Photography exhibition celebrates the depth and diversity of nature in Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and New Guinea through the eyes of a photographer. The exhibition includes images from both professional and amateur photographers in a number of categories including animal behaviour; animal portraits; threatened species; botanical; underwater; and wilderness. Runs Jul 27-Aug 19.
The Irregular Correct: Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle Presenting a selection of what’s happening right now in contemporary Glaswegian art, The Irregular Correct: New Art From Glasgow features work by ten significant artists working across painting, sculpture, installation, live performance video and more. From a gritty port town, Glasgow has evolved into an internationally renowned artistic hotspot and a major influence on British and European art. Runs ’til Sep 16.
The Fremantle Candidate: Deckchair Theatre, Fremantle Get to know the real man before he was Prime Minister, before he was the war-time hero, and back when he was fighting for his political career and for his personal life at home in Perth. In this new political thriller by multi-award winning WA playwright Ingle Knight (Taking Liberty), Jack Curtin is returned from Canberra a broken man, his hopes and spirit crushed. His Labor seat is lost and his chances of re-election are slim he has turned to drink and is struggling with depression. Season runs ’til Aug 5. Bookings via deckchairtheatre.com.au. Signs Of Life: Heath Ledger Theatre, State Theatre Centre, Northbridge The Dirt Music story continues… Alone in her farmhouse on the riverbank one night, Georgie Jutland hears noises out on the highway – car doors, voices, weeping. She’s recently widowed and a little spooked. It’s not just her – the entire world feels wrong, as if the land beneath her feet is dying. It hasn’t rained for years. The river has dried up and the olive grove is beginning to wither around her. Signs of Life is a story about people with uncertain futures navigating with only shreds of the past to guide them. It’s about the mutual incomprehension between white and black – the anxiously safe and the pragmatic dispossessed – in country where nobody is really sure they belong anymore, and where everyone’s fate seems to have been determined by those who came before. Runs ’til Aug 18. Bookings via BOCS. 19
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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
B E A T S ,
B A S S
&
B U Z Z I N G
E L E C T R O N I C A
Zach Sciacca, aka Z-Trip, is returning to Australia with his highly acclaimed live AV show for the first time in two and a half years. In that time he has kept busy and found a number of inspirations to help him keep pushing musical boundaries. He speaks with JOSHUA HAYES. Sciacca isn’t short of laurels to rest on. He has DJ’d in front of half a million people opening for The Rolling Stones, made the first official remix for Nirvana, been immortalised as a playable character in the video game DJ Hero, headlined festivals like Coachella and helped launch the mash-up movement with his 2001 release Uneasy Listening. So it may seem odd that he finds himself “gushing like I’ve got a new girlfriend” when talking about a mixer that he helped design. Except that he describes the Rane Sixty-Two mixer as a major personal accomplishment that has helped reenergise him – and will enhance his upcoming Australian tour. “[The mixer is] a little bit easier for me to navigate, it’s a bit easier for me to pull off things that were impossible to do before… I have a bit more dexterity when I’m playing and it just makes it fun. It really gave me a third or fourth wind, if you will,” Sciacca says.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 22
CATCHING HIS THIRD WIND
www.xpressmag.com.au
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OCTAVIN’ IT
Z-Trip “I don’t want to speak for everybody but I think there are DJs who could probably relate; when you’re doing your thing and it’s going great, and all of a sudden you get to a point where you’re like, ‘I’m just uninspired’ or ‘I’ve hit a brick wall’, and all of a sudden something happens that changes the whole playing field.” Sciacca cites the first case of this being the shift from vinyl to Serato (“A lot of people, myself included, when [Serato] first hit were like ‘pfft, really? Come on man’… Until finally you got up and started messing with it and you’re like ‘you know what? This isn’t half bad’,” he says). The second is the emergence of new genres of music in recent years, such as dubstep and moombahton, which make it easier for him to bridge gaps between tempos and genres. “It’s gotten to be more fun because now it’s also a bit more fluid and there’s plenty more people out there who like all kinds of music. I can hit my reggae, I can hit my dubstep, I can hit my funk, I can hit my house, I can hit my rock, I can hit some ‘70s shit, some ‘60s shit, some psych stuff,” Sciacca says. “I can go wherever I want now, and I’ve got a way to get in and out faster because there’s more on my palette.” He’s been particularly busy over the last year touring with hip hop legend LL Cool J. The pair met up a year ago, when LL was making a cameo appearance in Sciacca’s headlining set at South By Southwest. Over rehearsals they realised that they worked very well together as a traditional MC and DJ duo.“We bring out the best of each other onstage, like a true DJ and a true MC would do,” he says. LL has been largely absent from music in recent years, preferring to focus on his acting career – until sharing the stage with Sciacca rekindled his interest in music. “When we linked up I was like ‘hey man, how come you’re not doing any more music?’. He’s like ‘to be honest, I was just getting bored with it. Music wasn’t really exciting me’,” Sciacca explains. “When we started working together he was like ‘you’ve excited me; you’ve got me excited to do this shit again’.”
Sciacca has also been busy working on a new album. It has been in the works, loosely, for a couple of years, but he’s hoping to have it finished and released in late 2012 or early 2013. “[It’s] all across the board musically, kind of like what my sets are; all tempos, all styles, but definitely bass heavy and groove heavy and scratch heavy,” he says. “Basically what I would do as a record.” But, for Sciacca, the most exciting recent achievement has been the Rane Sixty-Two mixer. After an earlier mixer Rane designed was not particularly successful, he provided them with feedback on it (“I was very brutally honest with them,” he says). This led to an invitation to help design the new mixer. “It’s everything I ever wanted to put in a mixer. The bottom line for me is, as a DJ, I think any DJ who’s out there who’s been doing it for long enough, has always been like ‘fuck, I just wish this thing could do this’,” Sciacca explains.“I actually got to do that.” He says that Rane took a lot of his advice on board because he explained why each suggestion would help all DJs. “To be able to do put something like that together in a mixer and then have my name on it, it was very validating. On top of everything else, here’s a very big anchor in my career, to design a mixer that other DJs really dig too,” Sciacca says.“I’m stoked, I couldn’t be happier at having a mixer I helped design; having my name on it; having a limited one; having Shepard Fairey do the artwork for my mixer, you know? It’s just huge; a big, big milestone. “It’s the coolest thing I’ve done on a technological tip. I think being in DJ Hero and seeing me as a character in a video game was probably the closest thing, but this is so much more; it’s not about a video game, it’s about the real thing and my name is on it.”
» Z-TRIP » SATURDAY, AUGUST 11 @ THE BAKERY
SOUND OF A CHAMPION
Dutch DJ, producer and pioneer, Ferry Corsten, is coming down under for the Full On tour. Having toured the showcase as Full On Ferry around the UK, Sweden, Poland, Thailand, Ibiza and various other places, Corsten returns down under to showcase the now renamed show for the first time. Having propelled the Dutch trance sound into the clubbing consciousness and into popular culture, Corsten is well know has remixed tracks for U2, The Killers, Moby, Faithless, William Orbit and more. He’ll be joined by producer Zoo Brazil from Sweden and American producer Shogun. It’s all happening on Sunday, September 30, at Villa. Tickets go on sale this Friday, July 27. Stay tuned to villanightclub.com.au and totemonelove.com.au for deets.
FAREWELL FOX
Amplifier’s Friday night fox for the last 10 years has been the one and only Shannon Fox. She’s now decided to step down from the DJ booth, pack up her record collection and head down to Albany with her new hubby. Fox will be tearing up the Amplifier decks one last time with Jamie Mac this Friday, July 27. Get on down to wish her a fond farewell. She’ll be passing out free drinks to all her regulars. Best of luck Fox!
SILENT DISCO MANIA
Surely most of you reading X-Press would have wasted time busting out some moves on the d-floor in the Silent Disco tent at Big Day Out in the past? Well, if you love putting on a pair of headphones and having a bit of a boogie, you’ll want to get down to Australia’s Biggest Silent Disco on Friday, August 10, at Eve Nightclub. You’ll be given headphones when you arrive and have the option of switching between three channels of beats throughout the evening. Pumping out the beats through the channels will be Eve DJ Team, Moosh DJs, DJ Reuben, Bass Republic, JumpClimb DJs, DJ Samuel Spencer and DJ Makka. Doors open at 9pm and entry is free until 10pm. It’s $10 from 10pm onwards.
Kasra
CRITICAL BEATS
The legendary drum’n’bass DJ Kasra is coming to town. Known for starting the well known underground dance music label Critical Records roughly 10 years ago, you can bet Kasra is a total dude. Nurturing new talent and releasing some of the freshest breaks and beats from the likes of Break, Rockwell, Breakage, S.P.Y, Calibre and more, Critical and Kasra have played an important role in the thriving bass music scene. Kasra hits the decks at Shape on Wednesday, August 8. Get on down.Tickets are $15 through shapebar.com.au and $20 on the door. Do it.
THE PRINCE OF FUSION
“There wasn’t a scene really. We made the scene back then by going to very small events and warehouse parties. Everything was so new and exciting. What made it special was the fact that it was new to everybody at the time.” While much has changed since the UK DJ started out in 1989, Lee Coombs tells ANDREW HICKEY he is as passionate as ever about what he does.
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FULL ON FERRY
Shannon Fox
TIMMY TRUMPET
LEE COOMBS
British UK DJ and producer Lee Coombs started out playing in the acid house scene around London and Cambridge. “I went to quite a lot of illegal warehouse parties around 1989-90, they were dangerous as hell to be honest with the police trying to stop them all night and arrest the DJs and promoters,” he says. The opposition and threat from authorities bonded these music rebels together. “It felt special to be together with like-minded people in this underground scene with all the new music. I fell in love with the whole thing and it’s the reason I still continue to DJ and write music today.” Before Lee Coombs delved into production, he was focused solely on developing his craft as a DJ. “I got so far into the music that I wanted to meet anybody who could help me get access to more of it,” he says. It wasn’t until the early ‘90s that he first made his foray into producing. He was invited by fellow house legend Nick Annies to write a track with him on a sampler and 4-track recorder at his studio.“It was a very basic set-up but it worked and all of a sudden I had something I could play with other records when I DJ’d,” he says.“That was a real buzz and it became very addictive.” The duo continued to write more tunes and ended up pressing their own records.“It all went from there really. If you’re passionate about something you will always find a way to achieve your goal,” he says. Coombs went on to release his acclaimed record Future Sound Of Retro on Finger Lickin’, his entrance onto the global stage, cementing his status in the breaks scene. Pete Tong even said he was a “man to watch”.Coombs became an in-demand DJ and producer thanks to his Quivver remix of One Last Time.
American techno duo Octave One are returning down under to get your booty shaking. Hailing from Detroit, this brother duo consisting of Lenny Burden and Lawrence Burden (with revolving members of Lynell, Lorne and Lance Burden) arrived on the electronic scene back in 1990 with their classic track I Believe. The brothers went on to release groundbreaking stompers on their own Detroit based label 430 West Records and more. Their track Blackwater is a classic behind the decks with some of the world’s best DJs – Jeff Mills, Richie Hawtin, Kevin Saunderson, Derrick May and more. Catch the brothers on Saturday, September 22, at Geisha. Stay tuned for ticketing deets.
Lee Coombs Paul Oakenfold enlisted him to remix his track Time Of Your Life and then Moby, New Order, Lamb and more came knocking at the door. Coombs went on to explore new territory in the breaks scene, revolutionising his sound with his 2004 record Breakfast Of Champions. He went on to release tracks through his own imprint Thrust Recordings and run the label’s club night in San Francisco too. And, although he’s considered somewhat of a veteran in the scene, he hasn’t slowed down when it comes to releasing productions and touring the world. But, he admits he likes to stick to his roots when it comes to technological advancements with regards to DJ equipment and software.“I don’t want to look at a computer screen when I DJ,” he says. “I don’t think the crowd wants me to either. I played records for years so the next step was to play CDs which is fine because you can still beat match and mix them basically the same as record. But as far as a laptop goes, I’m not there.” And, as far as his upcoming club tour down under goes, expect big things from Coombs’ live show. “I have been writing nonstop, I spend a lot of time in the studio writing new material, remixing and reediting tracks so I can have new stuff to play in my set that no one else has. Stuff to keep me ahead of the game. Also I love to play a few classics.”
» LEE COOMBS » FRIDAY, JULY 27 @ AMBAR
Timmy Trumpet, aka Tim Smith, is riding a wave of popularity and success he couldn’t have imagined in his humble days learning jazz trumpet. Now thanks to his instrumental roots, he has become one of dance music’s most unique performers. It’s been an interesting musical journey as he explains to ANDREW HICKEY. “It started with jazz then I began to jam over everything and anything, mainly things I heard on the radio,” Smith says down the line in a reverent tone. His fusion of jazz trumpet and dance music beats has had many heads bobbing for the past few years. After discovering house music and meeting a DJ, the seeds were planted. He played his first gig in Sydney and says “I drove home that night knowing this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.” And, since that night, Smith has been on a roll in the EDM scene. He’s travelled the world performing at the likes of Ibiza’s Pacha and Miami’s WMC and has mixed compilations for Ministry Of Sound and Pacha. “I start to get bored if I’m in any city for longer than three days,” he says, talking of his hectic DJ schedule. In fact, Ibiza is one of his favourite places to tour. “Ibiza would have to be the place I’m most drawn too,” he says. “I’ve played almost every year since my first gig for Pacha in 2006. That, and playing main stage on the Future Music Festival national tour. There’s nothing like playing in front of your home crowd.” He’s recently mixed Ministry Of Sound’s Sessions 9 alongside Sydney DJ and producer Tom Piper and is set to jet over west shortly in celebration of the compilation’s release. But, right now, he’s celebrating his hit single Sassafras which has sat at #1 on the ARIA Club Chart for three weeks. “Three weeks at #1 is amazing,” he says, still in awe. “If it weren’t for Dry July, I’d be celebrating right now.”
Timmy Trumpet Although Smith’s productions may sound effortlessly smooth, it’s a difficult process fusing jazz with electronic music and one which Smith himself sometimes struggles with. “It’s creative so it’s difficult,” he says. “Some days all the elements come together. Other days, mainly when I am hung-over, there’s not so many elements.” Carrying on a trumpeting tradition, the Sydney native has followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. “[I] don’t think either of them played alongside DJs though,” he says with a chuckle. You could consider Timmy Trumpet a pioneer of dance music fusion; however, he is not so quick to take credit for starting anything new. “I didn’t invent this fusion but as a performer my ultimate goal is to touch people with what I do, if that means encouraging someone to follow my path, that’s a win,” he says. Smith’s prolific productions have also come to the attention of the public through his involvement in house music duo The Stafford Brothers’ reality T V show on FOX8. A regular performer at festivals and gigs alongside The Stafford Brothers, Smith became a co-star in the series. “It opened up the Australian market outside of Sydney for me, long before the TV show went to air,” he says of the experience. “I’ve learnt so much from them about music, business and life.”
» TIMMY TRUMPET » MINISTRY OF SOUND SESSIONS 9 » SATURDAY, AUGUST 25 @ VILLA X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
CLUBFEET
CAPE TOWN AND BEYOND Melbourne (via Cape Town) electro-pop five-piece Clubfeet are well known abroad but, they’re only just getting to know their Australian fans now, in the midst of their debut live national tour. ANNABEL MACLEAN chats with keys/synth/backing vocalist Monty Cooper ahead of their final gig on their national tour here in Perth. Clubfeet are the next ‘blow-wave’ band. “Someone actually came up to us at a show and said ‘you guys are my favourite blow-wave band’ and we were like ‘that is the best genre I’ve ever heard of’ and we’d never heard of it but that is the perfect description,” Cooper says, chirpy and upbeat. “We’re shallow and frothy and yet emotional and deep; big hearted people.” Indeed, fans have been frothing over Clubfeet since the band released their debut record Gold On Gold in late 2010. Pitchfork, Spin, RCRD LBL and Discobelle championed their sound and late last year, the band debuted their live show at New York’s CMJ Festival. Now, the lads are in the midst of their debut national tour and have just received the final mixes of their forthcoming sophomore record Heirs & Graces which is due for release in September or October. Playing a live set consisting of “half Gold On Gold and half newbies”, Cooper says they’ve been focusing on important matters for the live show: smoke machines and lasers. “It’s so funny, Yves [Roberts] who plays bass - who’s a fucking amazing bass player - but I think he’s got some sort of neurosis with smoke and lasers,” he says, already laughing. “After every show, it doesn’t matter, you can play a sold out room and it can be the best show in the world, he’ll come off stage and the first thing he’ll say is ‘was there enough smoke?’. I don’t know what’s going on inside him but he is obsessed. All he can think about is smoke and lasers. We pretty much blew our entire budget on lasers.” But, smoke machines and lasers are tame compared to their plans for future live shows. “The other thing that we want to do, or we are going to do at some stage, is invest in horses and ride horses on stage,” Cooper says. “They’ll be RSPCA approved I’m sure but that’s our plan for the next one. I want to do it but if Yves is anxious about lasers then I can’t imagine what it’s going to do to its [the horse’s] nerves,” he says, before impersonating an uptight Yves: “were we riding too fast?”
Much to the Cooper’s surprise, audiences of their new live show have been responding to their new material more so than tunes from Gold On Gold. “The song we’re playing second last in our set is a song called Cape Town and that’s actually been the strongest reaction of all,” he says. “Yves and Sebastian [Cohen, lead vocals, guitar] are both from Cape Town originally,” Cooper says. “I dated a girl from Cape Town for three or four years. We’ve all spent a lot of time in Cape Town and love Cape Town. There’s obviously lots of tension with regards to the racial and economic issues there but as an actual city, it’s so beautiful. It’s like south of France on the edge of Africa.” You wouldn’t pick it but Sebastian Cohen used to be involved musically with Watkin ‘Waddy’ Tudor Jones, aka Ninja of Die Antwoord. “Sebastian grew up and kind of knocked around with Waddy,” he says. “Waddy, even though you’d never know it now, he’s from a well to do white Jewish South African background… he was in a band called Max Normal which was like a hip hop act and was just a Cape Town creative guy that just knocked around. He was always a bit fruity I think. If you go to Cape Town, you’ll see him and Yolandi wearing pretty normal clothes walking out of a gym and you’re like ‘what the fuck?’.” Aside from Cape Town playing its part on Heirs & Graces, Cooper says there are a few guests on the record which “is going to be unreal”. “I won’t say who yet but with a girl who’s in LA at the moment who’s singing lead on what will probably be the first single off the record so that’s going to be a bit of a departure. Someone described it as a bit of a ‘tango in the night’ sort of thing,” he says. “It’s very organic but then there’s a few tracks which are a bit deeper and pushed harder down than an electronic path than on Gold On Gold.” Heirs & Graces was mixed by New York based producer, mixer and engineer and good friend of the band, Victor Van Vugt [Depeche Mode, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, PJ Harvey]. “We’ve known him for years spending time in New York and hanging out; we met him at a party a long time ago,” he says. “He heard Gold On Gold and really liked it and we said ‘what are you doing this time next year? Do you want to mix the record?’. He’s the kind of guy when you’re in New York and you go into a bar somewhere in Brooklyn and the guy behind the bar will be like ‘ohhh Victor Van Vugt!’. My favourite story is that he used to date Jack White’s missus, what’s her name? That red-headed model.” Aside from finishing off a remix for Savoir Adore, the lads will be knocking off a couple of other remixes for New York band St. Lucia and Brooklyn duo The Knocks before heading back to the States later in the year when the Heirs & Graces drops. “We’ve got another few tour offers which we’re talking about at the moment whether to do or not to do. I think as the record comes out, we’ll probably be doing remixes and touring.”
» CLUBFEET » SPEAKEASY » FRIDAY, JULY 27 @ VILLA
Clubfeet www.xpressmag.com.au
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AMPLIFIER
WEDNESDAY 25/07 Blvd Tavern – Dub Step Captain Stirling – Fiveo Clancy’s (Applecross) – Upbeat – DJ Andy Connections – DJs Joby /JJ /Rueben Eurobar – Wild Wednesdays - DJ iPod/ Ben Pettit Flying Scotsman – UniQue DJs/ DJ Bones/ DJ Moflow Flying Scotsman (Defectors) – Beaufort Bop ft DJ Anton Maz Gold Bar–DJ Adroc Hipe Club – DJ Roger Smart Leederville Hotel – We Love Wednesdays ft DJ Slick Metro Freo - Rapture Mustang – DJ Giles Newport – Newport Wednesdays Sovereign Arms – Lokie Shaw The Deen - DJ Zelimer/ DJ Viper/ DJ Benny/ T– Zone 1 The Queens – Wriggle on YaYa’s - DJ Agent 85/ Dr Zaius
THURSDAY 26/07 Clancy’s (Canning Bridge) - DJ Wrighteous Claremont Hotel- DJ Double Dee/ Jimmy Thorne/ Matt Club Marakesh – DJ Simon Cottesloe Hotel – DJ Shots/ DJ Andy M Empire Bar – Halo/ DJ Bojan/ DJ Ben Sebastian Eve – DJ Tony Allen Flying Scotsman – Cowboys & Indie Kids DJs Leopold Hotel – DJ Riki/ Roger Smart Library - Dorcia 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 – Daft Punk Tribute Paramount – DJ Johnny Boi/ DJ Jordan Players Bar – MASH South St – DJ Castasia/ Dpad Swinging Pig – DJ Simon The Avenue – Jon Ee The Bird – Beat Lounge 5 The Carine Tavern – Punchy & Juicy/ Little Nicky The Causeway – EMAS DJs The Craftsman – Roger Smart The Deen – DJ Flex/ DJ Nano/ DJ Surge/ DJ Don Migi The East End Bar - The Prestige ft Fiveo The Queens – Kapitol The Whale & Ale – Josh Tilley The Whistling Kite - DJ Gareth Tiger Lils – Paul Malone/ Adam Kelly Velvet Lounge – Descent Woodvale Tavern – DJ Melvin
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BROOKES BROS
FRIDAY 27/07
Merriwa Tavern – DJ Real McCoy Metro City (Solace Bar) – DJ Slick Metro Freo – Frat House Fridays ft Ambar – Lee Coombs Death Disco DJs Amplifier – DJ Jamie Mac/ Shannon Mint Nightclub – Club Retro ft Chris Fox McPhee Bar 459 - DJ Smurf Mullaloo Beach Hotel - DJ John Boheme Bar - DJ Majiika Paul Boulevard Tavern – DJ Andyy Broken Hill Hotel – DJ Nick Mustang – Swing DJ/ DJ James Alexander MacArthur Brooklands Tavern - DJ Misschief Paddy Hannans – Crazy Craig Mel Paramount - DJ Johnny Boi/ DJ Capitol – Retro Mash Jordan Capitol (Upstairs) – I Love ‘90s Players Bar – Sugar Carine Tavern – Greg Packer/ MC Queens Tav – DJ Rueben Assassin Rocket Room – DJ Franky J Clancy’s (Canning Bridge) - DJ Sail & Anchor - Balcony Beatz/ DJ Boogie J-MAC Claremont Hotel – DJ Pasha/ Jon Ee Shape – The Lick Club Bayview – Amnesia ft Fendi/ Sovereign Arms – Dylan Hammond Axon/ Fellis The Avenue – Fiveo Como Hotel – DJ Gazz The Bakery - Australian DMC Eastern Hotel – DJ Munch Championships ft DJ Kuya/ DJ Zeke/ Empire Bar – Josh Tilly Beni Chill/ Charlie Bucket/ Charlie Eve – DJ Don Migi/ DJ Danny Boi/ DJ Chan/ Defyre/ Midsole LStreet The Bird – Rhythmatism ft Ben M/ Flawless – DJ Ryan Taaffe Flying Scotsman – DJs Jo19/ Rok The Carine – Mind Electric/ Little Riley/ Armee Flying Scotsman (Defectors) - Back Nicky/ Az-T The Causeway – 4by4 DJs To Mono DJs Ginger Nightclub – Rondevoo Fridayz The East End Bar – Az-T The Generous Squire - DJ Anaru Gosnells Club – DJ Now The Queens – DJ Rueben Hipe Club - DJ E-Funk The Saint - DJ Jordan Honey Lounge – DJ Curlee/ Drew The Shed – DJ Glenn 20 Green The Whale & Ale – Josh Tilley Lakers Tavern – Fresh Fridays - DJ Tiger Lils – Paul Malone/ Adam Kelly Dooey The Vic - DJ Giles Left Bank – DJ Frankie Button The Wembley Hotel – Abstar Library – Dorcia Little Creatures Loft – Marine Beats Windsor – DJ Riki and Ray Llama Bar – DJ Reuben/ DJ Morris Victoria Park Hotel – DJ Giles
Zeke
Lee Coombs
VILLA
FRAT HOUSE FRIDAYS
The Craftsman – Tammy Stevens The Deen - DJ Birdie/ DJ JJ/ DJ Tony Allen The East End Bar - Fiveo The Generous Squire – On Tap ft James Nutley The Saint – DJ Anaru Ambar – Japan 4 ft DNGRFLD/ The Shed –DJ Tony Dee Bezwun/ Dead Easy/ Philly Blunt/ The Wembley – Lokie Shaw Tee EL The Whistling Kite - DJ Craig Amplifier – Pure Pop ft Eddie Electric The Vic – DJ Kristian Basement On Broadway – DJ Ricky Tiger Lil’s – DJ Bojan/ DJ Ben Boheme Bar – Carte Blanche DJs Sebastian Broken Hill Tavern – DJ Roger Smart/ Victoria Park Hotel – DJ Melvin Matt Richards/ Ben Dallin Windsor – DJ Ray Capitol – Death Disco DJs Woodvale Tavern – DJ Real McCoy Capitol (Upstairs) – Cream Of The ‘80s YaYa’s – Hero DJs ft Pup ft DJ Ryan Clancy’s (Canning Bridge) - DJ Dood Claremont Hotel – Jon Ee Club Bay View – Fiveo Captain Stirling – DJ Jay Empire Bar – DJ James Ess Claremont Hotel – DJ Double Dee Eurobar – Roger Smart/ DJ Raci Clink – DJ Tony Allen Eve – DJ LStreet/ Crazy Craig Empire Bar – CB3/ DJ Riki/ DJ Vicktor Flying Scotsman - Under The Euro Bar – DJ Flex Influence DJs Eve – DJ LStreet/ Angry Buda Flying Scotsman (Defectors) - Fore Flying Scotsman – Nathan J / Nizbet/ DJs Pasha/ Chris High Road Hotel – DJ Simon Flying Scotsman (Defectors) – High Wycombe – DJ Matt Eclectic Picnic Hipe Club – DJ E-Funk Mint - Chris McPhee Honey Lounge – DJ Saxon/ Sardi Mustang – DJ Rockin Rhys Library – MKT ft DJ Riki/ DJ Richie G/ Paramount – Glo/ DJ Slick/ DJ Benny DJ Vicktor C/ DJ Matty S Little Creatures Loft – Marine Beats Players Bar – Electro House Battle Liquid Nightclub - DJ Klar55/ DJ Rocket Room – Coyote Ugly Stevie M Shape - Doorly Llama Bar – DJ Reuben/ DJ Melvin Sovereign Arms – Josh Tilley The Avenue – Az-T Malt Super Club – Fiveo The Causeway – Lukas Wimmler Metro City (R&B Lounge) - DJ Slick/ DJ Ruthless/DJ Soso/DJ Brett Costello The Cott – Cott Sessions The Kiosk – DJ Cinder Metro Freo – DTuck/ Darren Briais/ The Saint - DJ Anaru DJ Wazz Mint Nightclub – Pop Life ft DJ Aaron/ The Shed – DJ Tony Dee AJ Mullaloo Beach Hotel – DJ Danny Mustang – Rockabilly DJ/ DJ James MacArthur Niche – Frankie Button/ Cee/ Jonny Zimber Norma Jeans – DJ Darren Oxford Hotel – DJ Sequeria Paramount- DJ Cornflake / DJ Jordan/ DJ Johnny Boi Players Bar – Embrace Queens Tav - Gareth Richardson Rocket Room – Delicious (Ladies Only) ft DJ Franky J South St Ale House – DJ Jay Sovereign Arms – Rockwell The Avenue – Jon Ee The Bird – Chaos In The CBD The Brighton (Upstairs) – Micah/ Kill Dyl/ eSQue The Boheme – DJ Sneakee The Causeway – Sun City DJs The Clink – Az-T The Cornerstone – Jordan Scott
METRO FREO
Villa – Yuksek (live)/Clubfeet/ Audageous/ Paper Planes/ Metric DJs YaYa’s – Hero DJs ft Pup
SATURDAY 28/07
SUNDAY 29/07
Doorly
MONDAY 30/07 Bar Orient - DJ White Label Broken Hill Tavern - DJ Mario Tavelli The Deen – Plastic Max/ The Token Gesture The Paddo – DJ John Paul The Shed – DJ Andyy
TUESDAY 31/07 Bar Orient - DJ Lyndon Eastern Hotel – Jon Edwards High Road Hotel – DJ Matty J High Wycombe – DJ Ricky Hipe Club – DJ Roger Smart Players Bar (Norma Jeans Bar) – Stevie M Victoria Park Hotel – DJ Melvin
Clubfeet
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
VILLA
MAJOR BASS
METRO CITY
EMPIRE BAR
IN THE THIS WEEK: Yuksek (live)/Clubfeet/ Audageous/ Paper Planes/ Metric DJs Friday, July 27 @ Villa Australian DMC Championships ft DJ Kuya/ DJ Zeke/ Beni Chill/ Charlie Bucket/ Charlie Chan/ Defyre/ Midsole Friday, July 27 @ The Bakery Lee Coombs Friday, July 27 @ Ambar Doorly Sunday, July 29 @ Shape
COMING UP
Girl Unit Saturday, August 4 @ The Bakery
White Trance Party Anthems Friday, August 24 @ Villa
Kasra & Sabre Wednesday, August 8 @ Shape
The Pharcyde/ Computer Jay/ DJ Vickone Saturday, August 25 @ Capitol
Home Brew Thursday, August 9 @ Amplifier Australia’s Biggest Silent Disco ft Eve DJ Team/ Moosh DJs/ DJ Reuben/ Bass Republic/ JumpClimb DJs/ DJ Samuel Spencer/ DJ Makka Friday, August 10 @ Eve Nightclub Fresh Produce ft Klean Kicks/ eSQue/ Informant/ KeyMist/ Laurence Elliot Friday, August 10 @ Ambar
Zombie Crawl Friday, August 3 @ Villa
Z-Trip Saturday, August 11 @ The Bakery
Chet Faker Friday, August 3 @ The Bakery
Jon Wayne/ Mono/Poly Saturday, August 11 @ Mojos
Jungle Shakedown Friday, August 3 @ Villa
Mental Powers/ Holy Balm Saturday, August 11 @ PICA Bar
Next Hype ft international guest Friday, August 3 @ Geisha
Jungle Fever ft Kenny Ken/ SS/ Skibadee Saturday, August 11 @ Villa
Japan 4 ft Vengeance Saturday, August 4 @ Ambar
Force Majeure ft Trick & Kraymer Friday, August 17 @ Ambar
Chet Faker Saturday, August 4 @ Mojos
Sessions 9 Tour ft Tom Piper & Timmy Trumpet Saturday, August 25 @ Villa Liquid Stranger Friday, August 31 @ Shape
Sunday, September 30 @ Villa Parklife ft Chairlift/ Modestep/ The Presets/ Nero (live)/ Passion Pit/ Plan B/ Justice (DJ set)/ Robyn/ Benga (live)/ Rusko/ Wiley/ Labrinth/ DJ Fresh (live)/ Flume/ Alison Wonderland/ Lee Foss/ Jack Beats (live) and more Monday, October 1 @ Wellington Square Seth Sentry Saturday, October 6 @ The Rosemount Hotel
Urthboy Saturday, September 8 @ The Rosemount Hotel Seth Sentry Sunday, October 7 @ The Roger Shah Norfolk Hotel Friday, September 14 @ Shape This Is Nowhere ft dance lineup TBC Krayzie Bone/ Wish Bone Sunday, October 14 @ Dolphin (Bone Thugs N Harmony) Theatre & Lawrence Jackson Saturday, September 15 @ Court, UWA Metro City Stereosonic ft Tiësto/ Avicii/ Octave One Calvin Harris/ Example/ Carl Saturday, September 22 @ Cox/ Major Lazer/ Laidback Venue TBC Luke/ Martin Solveig/ Dash Berlin/ Markus Schulz/ Diplo/ High Wolf Sander van Doorn/ Infected Thursday, September 27 @ Mushroom/ Chuckie/ Flux PICA Bar Pavilion/ Mr Oizo/ Porter Robinson/ Loco Dice/ Ferry Corsten/ Bassnectar/ JFK MSTRKRFT/ Shogun Excision/ Adam Beyer/ Aly & Fila/ Caspa/ Datsik/ Joris Voorn/ Bingo Players/ Tommy Trash/ Simon Patterson/ Gesaffelstein/ Ørjan Nilsen/ Dillon Francis/ Foreign Beggars/ Zedd/ Brodinski/ Krewella/ Nina Kraviz/ Van She/ Alvin Risk/ Destructo/ MaRLo/ Treasure Fingers/ Bart B More and more Sunday, November 25 @ Claremont Showground (TBC) Sets On The Beach ft lineup TBC Sunday, December 2 @ Scarborough Beach Amphitheatre Sets On The Beach ft lineup TBC Sunday, January 13 @ Scarborough Beach Amphitheatre
Yuksek
YUKSEK/CLUBFEET FRIDAY, JULY 27 @ VILLA
www.xpressmag.com.au
Big Day Out ft The Bloody Beetroots/ Crystal Castles/ Kaskade/ Pretty Lights/ Nicky Romero/ Morgan Page/ Sampology and more Monday, January 28 @ Claremont Showground Sets On The Beach ft lineup TBC Sunday, March 24 @ Scarborough Beach
NAS
HUMAN WOMAN
American rapper Nas has just released his 10 th studio record Life Is Good. He needs no introduction. In fact, the opening track for the record is titled No Introduction in which Nas rhymes “the craziest things have already happened to me so either you’ll be laughing at me or you’ll be laughing with me”. Suavely dressed in a white suit, donning minimal jewellery and accessories, the most intriguing part of the album cover for Life Is Good is the tulle green dress which rests over his right knee. It’s American singer-songwriter Kelis’ (his ex-wife) dress. There are parts of the record which are a tribute to her. But, Nas also talks about his relationship with his daughter on the appropriately titled Daughters, offering “One day she’s your little princess/ next day she’s talking boy business” and chatter about his “loose” parenting. Featuring Mary J.Blige, Rick Ross, Anthony Hamilton, Large Professor, Victoria Monet, Miguel, Swizz Beatz and even, posthumous, unreleased vocals from Amy Winehouse on the jazzy lullaby Cherry Wine, Life Is Good is a polished, thoughtful record. Popular and catchy track Accident Murderers and the closing track, Bye Baby, a reflection on his marriage with Kelis, are two highlights but, overall, it’s nothing exciting.
If you ever happened to listen to Icelandic band Trabant then Human Woman may be of interest to you. Gisli Galdur Thorgeirsson and producer Jón Atli Helgason, aka Sexy Lazer, have created a fusion of modern electro-pop with indie-dance roots for their fresh project Human Woman. Thorgeirsson and Helgason are an interesting combo: Thorgeirsson is an in-demand DJ and producer in Iceland and has been involved and rewarded for his theatrical compositions. Helgason has recently collaborated with Danish producer and DJ Kasper Bjørke and has been involved in various bands in Iceland. And, their past musical experiences make for an intriguing sound palette on their self-titled debut record. Quirky, disco-inducing Red Dress is reminiscent of work produced by French synth-poppers The Teenagers and driving gem White Knight makes you want to dance, but not too crazily. It’s foot tapping, dreamy disco combined with ‘80s electronica and lounge-like grooves. Having been compared to the likes of Depeche Mode, Unkle and even Trentemøller, Human Woman offer an ambient, smooth debut record with raw experimental moments on Great Woman and Dike Bike providing entertainment. It’s unusual but definitely worth a listen if you’re up for something a little left of field.
LIFE IS GOOD DEF JAM RECORDINGS
HUMAN WOMAN HFN RECORDS
» ANNABEL MACLEAN 2/5
» ANNABEL MACLEAN 3.5/5
THIS WEEK
TNGHT HIGHER GROUND
Scottish DJ and producer Hudson Mohawke and Mad Decent producer Lunice have got a project called TNGHT. Higher Ground is a fresh track they’ve just released which will be on their forthcoming debut EP. Think handclaps, crazy hip hop, vocal samples and a bunch of ghetto beats and bass. If you’re into Azealia Banks, Mohawke’s original productions or even Hermitude, you might like this.
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Band Of Skulls (Photo: Callum Ponton)
BAND OF SKULLS The Love Junkies The Bakery Monday, July 23, 2012 In his excellent 1972 book, Awopbopaloobapalopbamboom, Nick Cohn lays the claim that rock music only makes sense “while it lives off flash and outrage, impulse, excess and sweet teen romance. Dabble in art and it immediately gets overloaded...” Much to Cohn’s disgust (I’m sure) much of my own taste in rock music tends toward the genre’s calmer, artier and more chin-stroker friendly niches. And yet, there is something perversely pure about a band like Band Of Skulls. Theirs is music with no real pretension other than to ‘rock out.’ Excess, flash and impulse are in heady supply and the result is intoxicating. It was a pretty solid crowd that had filled up The Bakery to catch support act The Love Junkies, and they were treated to an impressively committed performance. The band threw themselves about the stage with joyous abandon, thrashing out some classic garage sounds. Full credit must go to singer/ guitarist Mitch McDonald whose dynamic voice can move from Cobain-esque drawls to outright yells to surprisingly sweet melodies without a moment’s pause. The only shame of The Love Junkies’ set was that the large crowd never really moved about. I would have loved to have seen the band’s reckless energy
matched by the crowd, but alas. No such lack of crowd enthusiasm plagued Band Of Skulls who opened immediately with the bone-crushing hammer-ons of Sweet Sour. Band Of Skulls hail from Southampton, but their sound owes a lot to the bluesy American rock by bands like The Dead Weather and The Black Keys. One doesn’t really need to know much of Band Of Skulls’ music to know pretty well where it’s going at any one time.It’s music that kicks and lurches – powerhouse drums, whisky-soaked riffs and tight dual vocals all feature in abundance. There is, however, a reason that these broad rock gestures persist – they work. Particularly in a live setting, with a full crowd, Band Of Skulls’ music is gorgeously raw and visceral. The songs may be predictable but it is nonethe-less extremely gratifying to hear them kick into their swaggering choruses. As one would expect, the tracks that scored the most love from the crowd were the singles – Matt Hayward does a pretty good Jack White on the decidedly White Stripe-esque Death By Diamonds And Pearls, Emma Richardson pulls off I Know What I Am with archetypal rock-chick cool and Russel Marsden drums himself into a fit on The Devil Takes Care of His Own. Unfortunately, the band’s boozy ballads (some of which are quite lovely) didn’t fare so well in a live setting and failed to hold the crowd’s attention. It’s not all that surprising, really, that the ballads mostly fell flat. The crowd and the band were clearly much more at home in classic rock territory, living off flash and outrage, impulse, excess and sweet teen romance. Well-trod ground, certainly, but Band Of Skulls put up a pretty good argument for why people keep trooping back. _HENRY ANDERSEN
FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS Challenge Stadium Wednesday, July 18, 2012 It was like 20 Christmases in July when Bret and Jemaine brought their triumphant, and long-overdue, Flight Of The Conchords tour to Perth last week. After Arj Barker warmed the crowd up with a range of Perth-centric jokes, a violent cough, and some sweet impressions of the Breaking Bad main characters, Bret and Jemaine wasted absolutely no time at all making their way onto the stage. Barker even returned for the opening song Too Many Dicks (On The Dance Floor), which was then complimented by a thorough discussion by the two deadpan Conchords about the meaning and origin of the song. It turns out Two Many Dicks is about when you go to a nightclub and there is a larger amount of male bodies on the dance floor in comparison to females, which can be a problem if you’re a Conchord seeking some female attention. This is a problem that would never arise for the ‘band’ as they were charming and hilarious from beginning to end. They showed off some new tracks like the Franz Ferdinand-inspired Fuck On The Ceiling, and the song which featured all of their random between-song banter on the night summed up in Back On The Road.
RTRFM WINTER MUSIC FEST The Love Junkies
Swan Hotel, Railway Hotel & Mojos Bar Saturday, July 21, 2012 There’s nothing better than a live music fest and this year’s RTRFM Winter Music Festival was a treat. Twenty two local acts played over five stages offering everything from dreamy indie pop to electro swing. First up at Swan Hotel Lounge was Tim Gordon, a youngster with a sultry voice way beyond his years. Gordon did a good job of turning heads with a highlight being the otherworldly Dance With Me, sung with Ruby Boots frontwoman Bex Chilcott. The volume was turned up at Railway Hotel. As the wails of Public Image Ltd were hushed from the sound system French Rockets began with a spectacular intro, from shrieky guitar beginnings came a volcanic crescendo of noise; it was hard to leave. The front door at Mojos swung open and beckoned punters into what felt like the ‘60s. The bar was buzzing with people dancing to beat band The High Leary’s, who dedicated their song Mojo to all of the gypsies in the room. Outside in the packed Courtyard, 26
Flight Of The Conchords (photo: Courtney MacAllister) Bret and Jemaine were joined by cello-man Nigel for much of the show and he jumped on keys for the Pet Shop Boys ode Inner City Pressure - featuring the obligatory reference to the city they were in, which Jemaine momentarily thought was Sydney. Through 20 songs and over two hours, Flight Of The Conchords gave Perth a flawless dose of laughs, conveyed through some rather impressive musical chops. While they might be winning Oscars and fending off Will Smiths these days, here’s hoping that the two of them continue to take time out to make music and tour again in the not too distant future. _MATTHEW HOGAN Razor Jack was spinning records rockabilly style. Coming from the party at Mojos to the Railway Hotel was a little dampening as most of the patrons had left the dancefloor vacant and were clinging to the bar. As soon as Usurper of Modern Medicine started just after 10pm, the crowd moved in. Mojos may have revisited the past tonight but the assortment of experimental bands at Railway Hotel was positively futuristic. A few minutes into their set and the band were playing like electricity: echoey vocals accompanied layered keys and frenetic drumming. Meanwhile at Swan Lounge, the fire was roaring and the whimsical Spoonful Of Sugar were charming patrons with a lively xylophone-infused set. The gentle ambience could not have been any more different than downstairs in the Swan Basement where Ensemble Formidable was in full swing in a full house. Wrapping up the night at Railway Hotel was the wonderful Felicity Groom. The large bar didn’t do her voice justice, but she seemed at ease on stage delivering airy songs on her electronic harp. Meanwhile, Bex Chilcott once again took to the stage at Swan Lounge, this time performing in her Ruby Boots guise. Her host of infectious songs, including crowd favourite Wise Up, went down a treat. By midnight the other two venues were winding up but Mojos showed no sign of slowing with DJ Holly Doll spinning Shake, Rattle & Roll for all the night owls still hanging around. _CORAL HUCKSTEP X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
www.xpressmag.com.au
27
WINTER WONDERLAND
MUSTANG BAR
This Thursday, July 26, catch some original tunes cour tesy of Gun Fever Showcase supported by Will Stoker & The Embers, Stereo Flower and High Horse. As always, DJ James MacArthur will be spinning the decks ‘til late!
The Shed Friday, July 20, 2012 Punters who love a bit of festive cheer packed out The Shed on Friday night for the venue’s fourth annual Christmas Wonderland Weekend. A Christmas in July celebration, the Wonderland Weekend saw party goers hitting snow covered dance floors, while getting down to the latest and greatest Top 40 tunes.
YA YA’S
Katie, John
Photographs by Matt Jelonek
Feel like indulging in some local goodness? This Thursday, July 26, partake in some mulled wine and sweet acoustic tunes at Unplugged. Or else catch Tyto Kings launching their new EP this Saturday, July 28. To win two tickets to the launch, simply email adam@ya-yas.com.au and put ‘Tyto Kings’ in the subject line!
HYDE PARK HOTEL
Ben, Emma Elisa, Ryan, Tiff
This Thursday, July 26, weekly student/indie music night THursty at the Hyde Park Hotel features cover band LIXY. Friday, July 27, blues musician Nathan Gaunt will take to the stage in the afternoon, and at 8pm catch Needles Douglas, Dam Few, Living Dying and more. Saturday, July 28, Broken Royale launch a new video clip with help from Russian Winters, Love Junkies and Zara Huts.
PADDO
Tonight, Wednesday July 25, Paddo POW features The Date, The Red Embers and One Thousand Years. Doors open at 8pm and as usual it’s free entry!
ROSEMOUNT HOTEL
Amy, Tori
Laura, John, Akueanus, Barry
Ahead of this weekend’s run of three sold out Karnivool shows, catch US punk rockers Rosetta at the Rosemount Hotel this Wednesday, July 25, along with special guests Nuclear Summer, Drowning Horse and Lila Chanesar from 8pm. To win a double pass to this show email win@rosemounthotel.com.au with ‘Win’ in the subject line.
RAILWAY HOTEL
Cody, Elyshia
John, Fiona, Cheryl
Friday, July 27, catch Dead Set Radio with special guests A Band On Earth, Ichora and Jessika Alyce Lawrence. Saturday, July 28, it’s a metal feast with Reaping The Railway fe a t u r i n g R e a p e r s R i d d l e , Le f t To D i e , Septillion and Acrimony. Doors 8pm. $10 entry for both shows.
BEAT NIGHTCLUB
Massive weekend in store at Beat kicking off with local rockers FOAM launching their new EP, with support from Hunting Huxley, Puck and Energy Commission. $15 at the door gets you a copy of the EP. Don’t miss out on the X-Press Magazine Golden Ticket Comp which can get you free entry into Beat Nightclub every Friday for the rest of the year (see Comp Thing for details).
COURT HOTEL
The Court Hotels Super Sexy Saturdays are one big club night every Saturday night. Get yourself on the door list with free entry this Saturday by emailing win@xpressmag.com.au with ‘I’m Super Sexy’ in the subject line.
EAST END BAR
Every Thursday night get down to The Prestige, a night of house, funk and electro from 9pm ‘til late! Dance the night away, recline into a chesterfield or soak up the tunes over a delicious cocktail. Entry is free before 10pm and there are student priced drinks all night long. If you’re a night owl and don’t think you’ll make it down before 10pm, we can get you on the door list on Thursdays after 10pm by simply emailing win@xpressmag.com.au with ‘Prestige’ in the subject line.
SAIL & ANCHOR
With $7 Dry Dock pints all week plus $15 lunch specials from Monday to Friday, the Sail & Anchor is where it’s at!
NEWPORT HOTEL
If you’re planning a function or special event look no further than The Newport Hotel’s freshly renovated function rooms. To celebrate the refurb, the generous folks at the Newport are giving away an ultimate function pack to one lucky reader and their friends, with the winner getting to choose from one of the snazzy new rooms in which to host a three hour event, with a $300 bar tab, security hire and VIP drink deals all night. To go into the draw to win this fantastic package email zoe@ thenewport.com with ‘ultimate function’ in the subject line.
Inside YoYo Studios
THE VOLCANICS Perth rock’n’roll stalwarts The Volcanics have been busy of late, holed up in YoYo Studios recording their second full-length album. BEN WATSON paid a visit to the studio and caught up with the record’s producer, Rob Younger; engineer, Ken Watt; and Volcanics’ frontman John Phatouros.
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Surely there’s nothing more valuable than the ability to make one’s living doing the things that one loves. And walking into YoYo Studios, you really get the impression that it is run by guys who do exactly that. It’s a real DIY job, professional and homely, but built by hand by the men who run it, including Ken Watt, who is enthusiastically engineering the upcoming album by The Volcanics. As X-Press enters, Watt is busy fussing over a huge computer monitor display while one of the band hammers away like Jerry Lee Lewis at an upright piano in the studio’s main room. Behind him sits a Hammond organ, an array of electric pianos, and a harpsichord - a real harpsichord. In front is an array of drums, mics and guitar amps. Watt later reveals that the band used eight of these valve amps over the course of recording. Ever polite, Volcanics singer John Phatouros leads us through, past all this, to the tiki garden out back. There we wait. “The only thing we want to say,” Phatouros says quietly, “is how happy we are that Rob came to Perth to work with us on this record, and also that Kenny is working with us. I don’t want to talk about the songs or anything besides: we love what they’re doing.” “John’s modest to a fault,” interrupts Rob Younger in his characteristic, no-nonsense deadpan, before assuring me that the album is a collaborative effort between the artists, the engineer and the band. Younger is best known as the singer for legendary Australian act Radio Birdman, and as
the producer for a string of acts during the ‘80s for Citadel Records and many others. He has flown over from Sydney specifically to produce this album. Both Phatouros and Watt are gigantic fans, but Younger clearly has respect for the younger men and their various talents. “Kenny brings enthusiasm and vitality into every project that he undertakes,” he says with characteristic seriousness. Later, as Watt discusses his ability to use digital recording technology despite his self-described ‘old school’ preference for analogue, Younger is equally as complimentary. “You’ve embraced it very well,” he says. We spend considerable time discussing the pros and cons of recording live-to-tape, as opposed to putting an album together track by track, as The Volcanics have elected to do. Younger is quite critical of the notion of recording live, if it is simply done for the sake of it. “It’s like telling people not to paint in a certain medium, or something like that, because if that’s what I think you’re alluding to, this idea about the live thing being somehow preferable? Usually what happens is that all they want to get is a good live drum take,” he says. Moments later, he reveals that he is learning all the while, and that recording bands ‘live’ is in fact where most of his prior experience lies. The veteran is learning alongside his charges. “Putting a record together in a more piecemeal way? I’m not that experienced in it, actually. So, in a way, this record’s been a bit of an education in that sense. It lets you concentrate on things in a different way.” X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
NERISSA CAMPBELL Out Of The Blue
Jazz/blues chantuese Nerissa Campbell has been wowing audiences overseas for the past 11 years, but she’s returning home for the first time in three years to showcase her third album, Blue Shadows. JENNIFER PETERSONWARD spoke to the talented songstress ahead of her two album launches at the Ellington Jazz Club this Friday, July 27, and Saturday, July 28. You could be forgiven for thinking Nerissa Campbell was an American songstress. Her melancholic, Cat Power-like lyrics, her Billie Holiday-esque timbre; there’s even a touch of Norah Jones in her swooping croon. And, of course, the singer/songwriter has been calling New York home for the past 11 years, after uprooting her life in Perth, shooting through and not looking back. “I have lived in New York for 11 years now, so a lot of being away just involves living! I have a terrible love-hate relationship with New York, and the winters are very difficult for me. Every March I am ready to leave New York forever, it has been cold and dark for so long – I start daydreaming about where I could move to next, but I can never quite conjure
up that new adventure... Spring arrives and I am in love once again, and can’t ever imagine living anywhere else. It is a relationship that amuses (and sometimes tortures!) me,” Campbell explains. It is these tumultuous emotions which characterise Campbell’s third album Blue Shadows. “I was actually very inspired by New York on a winter’s night while writing Blue Shadows,” she says. “I wanted Blue Shadows to sound as intimate and close to a live performance as possible. The energy of a live gig is parallel to none, and to capture that in the studio is sometimes difficult - there is such a different way of interacting, and I think everyone plays it a little safer to make sure the album is ‘right’. My vision was to let go of all of that and create an experience of a more raw and honest album.” With Blue Shadows about to go public, Campbell is return homing to put her new songs to the audience test. “I hope that people will be interested to come and listen to original music by a returning local musician - I think Blue Shadows is perfect for a dark and cold winter’s night! The best part about living in New York for me has been the way that my vision for my music has become unwavering. There are so many people hustling for gigs there, and so little pay for musicians that it became paramount for me to create what I wanted to create, to say what I wanted to say and to explore my music to the fullest. I really love coming back home to share that with Perth audiences,” she says. “It is always sort of like returning to myself, remembering where I come from and who I am. It is important for me to do that every now and then! I always head straight down to the beach when I get home! There is something so calming and grounding for me in a big walk by the Indian Ocean, it doesn’t matter what time of year. It is like my whole being sighs in relief and says, ‘yes! Thank you!’ That, and big catch-ups with family and friends. If I can add a gig in there with my old friends too, then it is a great trip!” “I would actually like to thank Perth! Blue Shadows was able to be made through
Nerissa Campbell a fundraising campaign and majority of the donations were from Perth – I can’t begin to express my gratitude to my hometown for their support and unwavering encouragement of my career. Love you Perth!”
WIRED
After a brief hiatus, WIRED is back with a new home and a new look! With the Rocket Room as its new stomping ground for the last Thursday of every month, it’s set to be the place to part for those who like their music hard and heavy. Ahead of the re-launch party this Thursday, July 26, Local Scene takes five with DJ Dysie, who’ll be belting metal classics all night long!
FOAM Bearing the terribly clichéd nature of this question, how would you describe your band’s sound? We’re a band with a collective appreciation for music that emits raw, unfiltered and natural energy driven by melody and genuine emotion. We were all heavily influenced by the ‘90s alternative rock/garage sounds and to us, that vein of music is just the most enjoyable to play. The way we feel and perceive music, in particular the music we love, is what has shaped our sound. Where did your band name come from? There was a spot in Burswood that we’d go to write songs, the end of a street called Goodwood Parade. The place was full of junk, and next to the train tracks. Someone had tagged the dead end sign on the cul de sac, it said ‘foam’. The word stuck in our heads, and the image it evokes for us (a discoloured, frothing, formless substance) seemed somehow relevant. Originally that was going to be the name of our first EP, but when we decided to change our name from Fat Jackal a while back, we opted to brand ourselves instead. Who’s your favourite local band playing the scene at the moment? There are too many kickass local bands to narrow it down to one favourite, but if you haven’t seen The Novocaines or The Love Junkies yet, check them out. There’s really never a bad show with either of those acts. Also keep an eye out for any Hideous Sun Demon or PUCK shows, those guys are rad. Tell us a little about your new EP Sarpa Salpa: Sarpa Salpa is our first record, so it’s really just a starting point for us, the songs within are all from the set lists we’ve been playing for over a year now, and we’ve already developed a lot since we put these tracks down. But we needed something to at least put us on the map, so here it is. Sarpa Salpa is a species of bream, it has gold stripes, and if you eat it, it sometimes causes intense hallucinations – the name is easy on the ears and eyes. Not everything we do is has poetic meaning, or even artistic integrity, and we don’t hide that. But come on, hallucinogenic fish. Why should a local music lover come down to your launch? There are a bunch of reasons to see all the bands playing on the night. People who don’t know about Energy Commission NEED to see them. They are a tight act of good, clean, responsible music. Hunting Huxley don’t play nearly as much as they should, so anyone who is a fan should make the most of it. And Puck are sick. But first and foremost, this night will be fucking rock and roll. Come get sweaty. Foam launch Sarpa Salpa this Friday, July 27, at Beat Nightclub.
A ROYAL AFFAIR
To launch their new film clip for The Swallow, Broken Royale are set to take to the stage at The Hyde Park Hotel this Saturday, July 28, with guests Russian Winters, The Love Junkies and Zara Huts. Doors open 8pm and its $8 entry. There will be a live screening of The Swallow on the night and merch available at the door. www.xpressmag.com.au
Why should a punter come down to WIRED? WIRED is simply a good, solid fun night out and a night dedicated to all fans of heavy music, whether it be rock, punk, metal, death metal or any other genre. It’s run by heavy music fans for heavy music fans so we know exactly what you want out of a night out. Its a place where metal/ rock fans and friends can get together, listen to their favourite classic songs played by the in house metal DJ (requests are accepted!), watch a couple of quality local acts and enjoy a cheap drink. Entry is free, drink specials are offered and there is array of killer people who support the night and make it what it is. Is it only for lovers of metal and heavy music? Not necessarily. I mean, obviously all the music for the evening is metal/rock related whether it’s the DJ or the bands, but the night is open to anyone. If you’ve never been to a rock club before, try something different and rock out with the rest of us! Why is the Rocket Room the best setting for WIRED? Rocket Room is hands down one of the best local venues and has a great setting for a party like ours. The atmosphere is awesome, the staff is awesome and the back pocket friendly drink prices are awesome. It’s a perfect size with plenty of seating for those who like to sit and enjoy the night and the bar is huge so no long queues to get your beverages. Being located in Northbridge, it’s central so not too far from anyone, it’s easy to get to via public transport if need be and there is a strip club located upstairs. Now how metal is that?
SHOOT EM UP
Punk rockers Needles Douglas are gearing up to launch their debut EP – the aptly titled Extended Play – this Friday, July 27, at the Hyde Park Hotel. Support comes from Dam Few, Living Dying and Legacy Of Supremacy.
THEY SEE ME ROLLIN’
Roll up, roll up to Amplifier this Saturday, July 28, at the fun loving crew from the Perth Roller Derby league are set to mingle with fans for a fundraising gig and fourth birthday celebration. Prepare yourself for a night of pumping tunes, manic dancing and possibly arm wrestling, as an epic line-up of local musical talent take to the stage. Kicking off with a set from local legends The Disintegrates, followed up kick-ass rock stars Loose Lips and powerhouse riffers The Sure Fire Midnights, this is a not-to-be-missed event. Pre-sale tickets are on sale now from Oztix.
FUN RAISER
Fat Shan Music, Perth’s newest record label, was born out of a desire to help their favourite local acts, and to continue to help in the evolution of Perth’s strong music scene. Independently owned and run, all they want is to put out high-quality local music. Help them keep up the good work by heading down to their Music Fundraiser at Mojo’s on Sunday, July 29, from 2pm. For just $10 entry you can peruse local fashion stalls and vintage markets, chow down on some BBQ treats and kick back and listen to the sweet tunes of Amanda Merdzan, The Flower Drums, Jacob Diamond, Our Man In Berlin, Sam Perry, Sean O’Neill, Gerard Mcartney, Heathcote Blue, Mulder, Lucy Peach and Rachael Dease. Woo! 29
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.
Rosetta, July 25, Rosemount Hotel & July 26, Fat Shans Records 9 Astor Theatre BOB BARRETT 9 The Ellington EVEN 9 Prince Of Wales ROSETTA / 10 Rosemount Hotel NUCLEAR 11 Mojos Bar SUMMER 12 Indi Bar 25 Rosemount Hotel ICEHOUSE 26 Fat Shans Records 10 Astor Theatre 11 Strike A Chord Ball Burswood DARYL HOUSE VS HURRICANE / BRAITHWAITE CONFESSION / IN HEARTS 25 Friends Restaurant WAKE 26 Icon Karratha 10 Prince Of Wales 11 Amplifier 12 YMCA HQ THE TEA PARTY KATE MILLER-HEIDKE / THE 26 Metro City BEARDS 11 Astor Theatre THE SMASHING HOLY BALM 11 PICA Bar PUMPKINS JONWAYNE / MONO/POLY 26 Challenge Stadium 11 Mojos Bar TOMMY EMMANUEL CLUBFEET/ 12 Perth Concert Hall NASUM / DYSCARNATE YUKSEK 15 Amplifier Bar 27 Villa TRANSIT 15 YMCA HQ NERISSA 16 Amplifier Bar THE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS CAMPBELL 15 Prince Of Wales 27 & 28 The Ellington 16 Settlers Tavern 17 & 18 Fly By Night KIM SALMON TONI CHILDS 27 Hidden Treasures 15 Bunbury Regional Fremantle Entertainment Centre 28 The Bakery 16 Fly By Night Club 17 Goldfields Arts Centre Kalgoorlie KARNIVOOL 18 Esperance Civic Centre / REDCOATS / 19 Albany Entertainment SLEEPMAKESWAVES Centre 27-29 Rosemount Hotel STONEFIELD 16 Newport OWL EYES EIFFEL 65 / 16 Artbar N-TRANCE HUNTING GROUNDS 28 Metropolis Fremantle 16 Prince Of Wales 17 Amplifier HILLTOP HOODS LOADED DICE 17 Challenge Stadium 28 & 29 Charles Hotel OWL EYES / STONEFIELD 17 Settlers Tavern 18 Studio 146 Albany AUGUST NORTH WEST FESTIVAL MARK GARDENER / JAE (Hilltop Hoods, The Living LAFFER (THE PANICS) End, The Cat Empire, 1 Fly By Night Regurgitator, Dead Letter DENI HINES / MONIQUE Circus, and more) MONTEZ 18 Port Hedland Turf Club 2 Bunbury Entertainment RUFUS Centre 18 Amplifier CHILDREN COLLIDE / DUNE 19 Newport Hotel RATS / BAD DREEMS GEORGE GARZONE 2 Prince Of Wales 18 & 19 The Ellington 3 & 4 Amplifier Bar KENNY ROGERS / GLEN RAI THISTLETHWAYTE CAMPBELL 2 Friends Restaurant 21 Riverside Theatre 3 Charles Hotel ADAM PAGE 4 The Blvd Joondalup 21 The Ellington 5 Indi Bar 23 Albany Entertainment EMPRA Centre 3 Rocket Room BURNING LOVE 4 Prince Of Wales 22 The Den CHET FAKER HERMAN’S HERMITS 3 The Bakery 22 Friends Restaurant 4 Mojos Bar PASSENGER / THE FALLS BAND OF FREQUENCIES 22 Rosemount Hotel 3 Prince Of Wales PITBULL / TAIO CRUZ 4 Qunidanning Tavern / HAVANA BROWN / 5 Mojos Bar TIMOMATIC 8 Indi Bar 23 Burswood Dome 10 Settlers Tavern DANIEL GASSIN 11 White Star Hotel Albany 23 The Ellington 12 Clancy’s Dunsborough ALPINE SNAKADAKTAL 23 Newport Hotel 4 Astor Theatre 24 Prince Of Wales THE BRIDE 25 The Bakery 4 C5 Metropolis Fremantle BONNIWELLS 5 YMCA HQ 24 Velvet Lounge ED SHEERAN 25 Dada Records 6 Riverside Theatre 26 Mojos Bar TIM BARRY / JOSH SMALL HETTY KATE 8 The Den 25 The Ellington JINJA SAFARI / OPOSSOM / THE PHARCYDE WHITE ARROWS 25 Capitol 8 Astor Theatre PSEUDO ECHO BELL BIV DEVOE / 25 Charles Hotel THE LAURELS GINUWINE
THIS WEEK JULY 25 – 31
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The Tea Party, July 26, Metro City
Snakadaktal, August 4, Astor Theatre
25 Mojos Bar KATIE NOONAN & KARIN SCHAUPP MARIA MINERVA 28 Winthrop Hall UWA 26 Maylands Yacht Club PER PURPOSE / RITES WILD 29 Mandurah Performing Arts Centre 27 Galleria East Perth SIX60 TERRIBLE TRUTHS / PER 29 Metro City PURPOSE SHIHAD 28 Dada Records 28 Amplifier PENNYWISE / THE 30 Mojos Bar MENZINGERS / SHARKS WAVE ROCK WEEKENDER 29 Metropolis Fremantle (Stephen Malkmus & The SLASH FEAT. MYLES Jicks, Tim Rogers, Shihad, KENNEDY & THE and more TBA) CONSPIRATORS 29 - 30 Wave Rock Caravan 30 Metro City Park ILLY RUSSIAN CIRCLES / 31 Metropolis Fremantle EAGLE TWIN TIM HART 30 The Bakery 31 The Ellington THE SMITH STREET BAND FEAR FACTORY 30 Capitol 31 Rosemount Hotel PSYCROPTIC 1 Amplifier Bar
SEPTEMBER TIM HART 1 Newport Hotel ILLY 1 Capitol THE ENGLISH BEAT 1 Astor Theatre PSYCROPTIC 1 Eliot Street Bar Bunbury 2 Newport Hotel HOWARD JONES 5 Astor Theatre JOSE FELICIANO 5 Regal Theatre THE BEACH BOYS 6 Burswood Dome MILLIONS 7 Amplifier DAMIEN LEITH 7 Mandurah Performing Arts Centre 8 Astor Theatre THE MEDICS 8 Amplifier URTHBOY 8 Rosemount Hotel ROTTOFEST (Millions and more) 8 & 9 Rottnest Island SUBHUMANS 12 Amplifier JONAH MATRANGA 12 Amplifier AMERICA 12 Perth Concert Hall PATRICK WOLF 14 Fly By Night KATCHAFIRE 14 Astor Theatre 15 Settlers Tavern 16 Prince Of Wales EARTH / MARGINS 15 Rosemount Hotel RUFUS WAINWRIGHT 19 Riverside Theatre WHEATUS 20 Metropolis Fremantle FEAR FACTORY 30 Capitol GIAN SLATER 21 & 22 The Ellington HANSON 22 Metropolis Fremantle GYROSCOPE 22 Rosemount Hotel XAIVER RUDD 25 Goldfields Arts Centre Kalgoorlie 26 Esperance Civic Centre 28 Albany Entertainment Centre 29 Fremantle Arts Centre 30 Caves House Yallingup HIGH WOLF 27 PICA Bar TIM ROGERS 27 Clancy’s Dunsborough 28 Fly By Night Club 29 Rosemount Hotel JULIA STONE 28 Astor Theatre STEPHEN MALKMUS & THE JICKS 28 Rosemount Hotel AARON GOLDBERG 28 & 29 The Ellington
28 Capitol ROCK IT (The Black Keys, John Butler Trio, Birds Of Tokyo, The Panics Lanie Lane, Last Dinosaurs, Royal Headache, Graveyard Train, Brothers Grim, The Toot Toot Toots, and more) 28 Joondalup Arena
NOVEMBER
HOT CHELLE RAE / CHER LLOYD 1 Challenge Stadium AT THE GATES 3 Capitol THE LIVING END 1-7 Rosemount Hotel EMMYLOU HARRIS 6 Perth Concert Hall JOSH PYKE 8 Artbar OCTOBER CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE JOE BONAMASSA BAND 1 Perth Concert Hall PARKLIFE (The Presets, 8 Fly By Night GEORGE MICHAEL Nero, Passion Pit, Plan 10 Perth Arena B, Rusko, Tame Impala, Chiddy Bang, Robyn, and ELTON JOHN 12 Perth Arena more) SIGUR ROS 1 Wellington Square DEFEATER / BLACKLISTED 13 Belvoir Amphitheatre NICKELBACK / JACKSON 3 Amplifier FIREBIRD 4 YMCA HQ 17 Perth Arena MARTIKA STEREOSONIC (Tiësto, 4 Metropolis Fremantle Avicii, Calvin Harris, OH MERCY Example, Carl Cox, Major 4 Settlers Tavern Lazer, and more) 5 Norfolk Basement 25 Claremont 6 The Bakery Showgrounds SETH SENTRY 4 Studio 146 Albany 5 Prince Of Wales DECEMBER 6 Rosemount Hotel JUSTINE CLARKE 7 Norfolk Hotel 1 Astor Theatre KELLY CLARKSON / THE SIMPLE MINDS / DEVO / FRAY THE CHURCH / MODELS 5 Challenge Stadium HYPERFEST (line-up TBA) 4 Kings Park & Botanical Garden 7 Midland Oval THE AMITY AFFLICTION KASEY CHAMBERS/ SHANE NICHOLSON / THE GHOST INSIDE / 5 Albany Entertainment ARCHITECTS 7 & 8 Metropolis Fremantle Centre 6 Civic Centre Esperance CANNIBAL CORPSE / DISENTOMB / ENTRAILS 7 Goldfields Arts Centre 8 Mundaring Weir Hotel ERADICATED REGINA SPEKTOR 9 Capitol 19 Belvoir Amphitheatre STEEL PANTHER 11 Metro City PAUL CAPSIS JANUARY 2013 11 Artbar SOUTHBOUND (The MUMFORD & SONS / Flaming Lips, SBTRKT, EDWARD SHARPE & THE Best Coast, Beach House, MAGNETIC ZEROS / WILLY Boy & Bear, Coolio, MASON The Vaccines, Bombay 12 & 13 Belvoir Bicycle Club, First Aid Kit, Amphitheatre Hilltop Hoods, Hot Chip, THIS IS NOWHERE (line- Maximo Park, Millions, up TBA) Totally Enormous Extinct 14 Somerville Auditorium Dinosaurs, and more COUNT BASIE TBA) ORCHESTRA 4 & 5 Sir Stewart Bovell Park Busselton 14 Perth Concert Hall SANDI THOM EVERCLEAR 10 Fly By Night 14 Capitol NIGHTWISH THIS IS NOWHERE (Tortoise, Xiu Xiu, Grails, 20 Metropolis Fremantle Beach Fossils, The Bank WEEZER 23 Perth Arena Holidays, HTRK, Puro BIG DAY OUT (Red Instinct, High Tea, New Hot Chili Peppers, The War and more) 14 Somerville Auditorium Killers, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Vampire Weekend, Band and surrounds Of Horses, Kaskade, KARISE EDEN Collective, 16 & 17 St Joseph’s Church Animal Against Me!, 360, Foals, Subiaco B.O.B, Sleigh Bells, Jeff TODD MCKENNEY The Brotherhood, Off!, 18 & 19 Astor Theatre Grinspoon, Jagwar Ma, CLARE BOWDITCH Delta Spirit, Everytime I 20 Astor Theatre Die, House Vs Hurricane, PAUL HEATON Alabama Shakes, and 21 Fly By Night more) BASTARDFEST(Astriaal, 28 Claremont Fuck I’m Dead, Showgrounds Desecrator, and more) 27 Civic Hotel SEPTEMBER THE LIGHTHOUSE TRIO ONE DIRECTION 27 & 28 The Ellington 28 & 29 Perth Arena SUNN O))) / PELICAN
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
www.xpressmag.com.au
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Saviour, Wednesday at Amplifier
WEDNESDAY 25.07 AMPLIFIER Saviour BALMORAL Nathan Gaunt BAR 120 Felix CLANCY’S CANNING BRIDGE Rachel Ward & The Big Swill CLANCY’S FREMANTLE Chet Leonard’s Bingotheque CLAREMONT HOTEL Open Mic Night ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Jan Garbarek GREENWOOD Bernardine HALE ROAD TAVERN Fenton Wilde INDI BAR Kenji LUCKY SHAG Leighton Keepa MOJOS BAR The Crooked Cats The Seals Jordan McRobbie MUSTANG Easy Tigers PADDO The Date The Red Embers PADDY HANNANS 5 Shots ROSEMOUNT Rosetta Drowning Horse Nuclear Summer Lila Chanesar ROSIE O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) David Fyffe THE BROWN FOX Courtney Murphy THE MOON Mei Saraswati George Kapelas Laura Lowther
Devour The Martyr, Thursday at Rocket Room
UNIVERSAL Strutt YA YA’S Fucking Teeth Empty Pocket Big Dumb Sex Neutral Native
THURSDAY 26.07 BELGIAN BEER CAFÉ Chasing Calee BROOKLANDS TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke CHALLENGE STADIUM The Smashing Pumpkins CLANCY’S FREMANTLE Pete Busher & Simon Goodridge COMO HOTEL Courtney Murphy DEVILLES PAD Rock ‘N’ Roll Karaoke ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Manteca FLY TRAP Jugular HIGH WYCOMBE HOTEL Chris Murphy HYDE PARK HOTEL Lixy INDI BAR Bex’s Open Mic Night INGLEWOOD HOTEL Easy Tigers LOBBY LOUNGE (BURSWOOD) John Sandosham LUCKY SHAG James Wilson MARKET CITY TAVERN Alicia Risk Ebonie Matt Burke Brad Wintle Conan Chapman Luke Kordyl Mike Anderson
Subject To Change MERRIWA TAVERN Spritizer METRO CITY The Tea Party MOJOS BAR Axe Girl Red Engine Caves Belle Ends MUSTANG BAR Gun Fever Will Stoker & The Embers Stereo Flower High Horse OCEAN BEACH HOTEL Open Mic Night OXFORD HOTEL Johnny Taylor PADDY HANNANS Dr Bogus ROCKET ROOM WIRED Devour The Martyr Befallen DJ Dysie ROSEMOUNT For Our Hero The Main Attraction A Sleepless Melody Masketta Fall Emberville ROSIE O’GRADY’S (FREMANTLE) Clayton Bolger ROSIE O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) Bill Chidgzey SOVEREIGN ARMS Fenton Wilde SWAN LOUNGE Keegan Ross THE BOAT Jen De Ness THE BROOK Open Mic Night THE SHED The Healy’s UNIVERSAL Off The Record WOODVALE Two Plus One YA YA’S Darren Guthrie Paul McCarthy Kerry Fletcher Yiannos McStarvos
FRIDAY 27.07
Broken Royale
BROKEN ROYALE RUSSIAN WINTERS THE LOVE JUNKIES ZARA HUTS
SATURDAY, JULY 28 HYDE PARK HOTEL
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7th AVENUE Pop Candy AMPLIFIER The Devil Rides Out BAILEY BAR Mod Squad BALLYS BAR Christian Thompson BALMORAL The Mojo’s BEAT NIGHTCLUB FOAM Hunting Huxley Puck Energy Commission BELMONT TAVERN Everlong Acoustic BENNYS Faces BENTLY HOTEL Dove BLACK BETTYS Everlong BOAB TAVERN Blue Hornet BRASS MONKEY Bernadine
FOAM, Friday at Beat Nightclub
BROKEN HILL HOTEL Nat Ripepi CAPTAIN STIRLING Bluebottles CARLISLE HOTEL Reload CHASE BAR Chasing Calee CIVIC HOTEL Listening For Triggers The History Of Sons Of Saviour Kelly McMahen CIVIC HOTEL (THE DEN) Castle Bravo Burning Fiction Silver Lizard Blindspot Amend CLANCY’S CITY BEACH Bob Patient & Sue Bluck CLANCY’S FREMANTLE The Gare Family Band Simon Kelly & The Big Bamboo COMO HOTEL Ryan Dillon CORNERSTONE Blaze CRAFTSMAN Nicki Rose EAST 150 Chris Gibbs EASTERN HOTEL Matt Milford ELEPHANT & WHEELBARROW Daren Reid & The Soul City Groove ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB The Glyn McDonald Trio Nerissa Campbell Elise Lynelle EMPIRE James Wilson FLY BY NIGHTCLUB Solid Gold Soul FUSE BAR Groove Karaoke GLOUCESTER PARK Courtney Murphy GREENWOOD Greg Carter HERDSMAN Sugarfield HIGH ROAD HOTEL Damien Cripps Band HYDE PARK HOTEL Nathan Gaunt Needles Douglas Dam Few Living Dying Stu & Haydn INDI BAR Vdelli INDIAN OCEAN BREW Ben Merito KALAMUNDA HOTEL Dirty Scoundrels KULCHA CLUB Abmusic Graduation LEGENDS BAR The Organ Grinders LOBBY LOUNGE (BURSWOOD) Pop Candy MARKET CITY TAVERN Nasty Dogz MARQUE HOTEL Aaron Woolley
MERRIWA TAVERN Overload MOJOS BAR Big Old Bears High Hopes Rabbit Island Will Stoker Peter Bibby MOON & SIXPENCE Soul Corporation MUSTANG BAR Harry Deluxe Cheeky Monkeys NEWPORT Party Rockers OXFORD HOTEL Recliners PADDO Dean Anderson PADDY HANNANS Gun Shy Romeos PARAMOUNT Flyte PRINCESS ROAD TAVERN The Flying Piranhas PRINCIPAL Ryan Mikey RAILWAY HOTEL Dead Set Radio A Band On Earth Ichora Jessika Alyce Lawrence ROCKET ROOM Advent Sorrow Nails Of Imposition Cold Fate Inanimacy ROSE & CROWN Adam James ROSEMOUNT Karnivool Redcoats Sleepsmakewaves ROSEY O’GRADY’S (FREMANTLE) Spyce ROSEY O’GRADY’S (NORTHBRIDGE) Neil Colliss SAIL & ANCHOR Switchback SOUTH ST ALE HOUSE Robbie King Karaoke SPRINGS TAVERN Greg Carter Karaoke SWAN LOUNGE Lillium Stargazer Lucas Jones Adam Davies Trojan John & The Living Salvation Savannah Wood SWINGING PIG Better Days Greg Carter THE BOAT Deuce THE BROOK Tod Woodward THE GATE Smoking Section THE SHED Kickstart UNIVERSAL Nightmoves VELVET LOUNGE The Whores Those Wretched Horses The Wine-Dark Sea Black Rafferty VICTORIA PARK HOTEL
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.
Needles Douglas, Friday at Hyde Park Hotel
Friday Friday Nerissa Campbell, & TravisFriday Caudle Travis Caudle Saturday at Ellington Jazz Club FlyBy ByNight Night Fly
ALEHOUSE Die Hard Karaoke LEOPOLD HOTEL Steve Hepple LOBBY LOUNGE (BURSWOOD) John & Shaun Sandosham LYNWOOD ARMS Mustangs SATURDAY 28.07 MOON & SIXPENCE BAKERY Blaze Kim Salmon M ON THE POINT BALLYS BAR Rhythm 22 Sophie Jane MOJOS BAR BALMORAL Ngati The Recliners The Weapon Is Sound BAILEY BAR MUNDARING HOTEL Hot Tin Roof The Rough Housers BAR 120 MUSTANG Flyte The Rusty Pinto Combo BEAT NIGHTCLUB Milhouse Runaways NEWPORT BELGIAN BEER CAFÉ Kizzy Christian Thompson Gravity BLACK BETTY’S NORFOLK BASEMENT J Babies Spank BURSWOOD (PRIZE OSBORNE PARK DRAW STAGE) HOTEL Switch Nathan Gaunt CHARLES HOTEL PADDY HANNAN’S Loaded Dice Decoy CIVIC HOTEL (THE PARAMOUNT DEN) Felix Vanity QUARIE BAR No Regrets Electrophobia Statues RAILWAY HOTEL It All Ends Here Reapers Riddle Reflections Of Ruin Left To Die CLANCY’S CANNING Septillion BRIDGE Acrimony Justin Walshe Duo RAVENWOOD HOTEL CLANCY’S CITY Hells Bells BEACH ROCKET ROOM Mitch Becker Duo Kickstart CLANCY’S ROSEMOUNT FREMANTLE Karnivool Stunning In Red Redcoats Patient Little Sister Sleepsmakewaves Alex Elbery Forstora CLAREMONT HOTEL ROSIE O’GRADY’S The Zydecats (FREMANTLE) COMO HOTEL Flavor Leighton Keepa ROSIE O’GRADY’S FLY TRAP (NORTHBRIDGE) Will Stoker & The Blue Gene Embers SAIL & ANCHOR Lucille Kickstart Blazing Entrails SEAVIEW Paul McCarthy Open Mic Night ELEPHANT & SOUTH ST ALEHOUSE WHEELBARROW Shawne & Luc Gun Shy Romeos SWAN LOUNGE ELLINGTON JAZZ Battle Of The Planets CLUB Wicked Wench Victoria Newton Trio The Witchunt Nerissa Campbell Hundred Acre Woods Ben Falle & Daniel SWINGING PIG Susnjar Tandem GREENWOOD Greg Carter Pretty Fly THE BOAT HIGH ROAD HOTEL The Organ Grinders Dr Bogus THE GATE HYDE PARK HOTEL Dirty Scoundrels Broken Royale THE SHED Russian Winters Huge The Love Junkies THE VIC Zara Huts James Wilson INDIAN OCEAN BREW THE WHALE & ALE CO 5th Avenue The Mojos UNIVERSAL INDI BAR Soul Corporation Blue Shaddy WANNEROO TAVERN LAKERS Greg Carter Everlong Acoustic WOODVALE TAVERN LANGFORD Mod Squad Ivan Ribic WANNEROO TAVERN Clayton Bolger WOODVALE TAVERN Switch YA YA’S Marksman Empty Odette Mercy
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Tired Lion, Sunday at Geisha Bar
Lucy Peach Rachael Dease Amanda Merdzan MUSTANG BAR Peter Busher & The Lone Rangers SUNDAY 29.07 NEWPORT TH 7 AVENUE Tim Nelson Good Karma The Shallows BALLY’S BAR Room At Reservoir Greg Carter Atticus Finch BALMORAL PADDY MAGUIRES Cranky Kristen Kingwell BAR ORIENT PEEL ALE HOUSE Clayton Bolger Kevin Curran BROKEN HILL HOTEL PIG & WHISTLE Chris Murphy Sugarfield CAPTAIN STIRLING PINK DUCK Christian Parkinson Kevin Conway CARINE ROCKET ROOM Bluebottles Coyote Ugly CHARLES HOTEL ROSEMOUNT Loaded Dice Karnivool CHASE BAR Redcoats James Wilson Sleepsmakewaves CLANCY’S ROSIE O’GRADY’S DUNSBOROUGH (NORTHBRIDGE) The 10 Cent Shooters Jonathan Dempsey CLANCY’S SAIL & ANCHOR FREMANTLE Shawne & Luc The Zydecats SEAVIEW HOTEL CLAREMONT HOTEL Mopoke Sunday Driver SOUTH ST ALE COMO HOTEL HOUSE Matt Midford Greg Carter EAST 150 BAR SOVEREIGN ARMS Jamie Powers Ivan Ribic ELEPHANT & SPRINGS TAVERN WHEELBARROW Ryan Dillon Daren Reid & The Soul STIRLING ARMS City Groove Dove ELLINGTON JAZZ SWAN LOUNGE CLUB Caroline J Dale Random Act Ned Wishart Urban Cowboy Riley Pearce EMPIRE The Basement Sea Trio CB3 SWINGING PIG FLY TRAP Darren Gibbs Open Mic Night Adam James GEISHA BAR THE BIRD Tired Lion Lilt Black Birds Mei Saraswati Lanark Freqshow Spilt Cities THE GATE INDIAN OCEAN BREW Better Days CO Chris Gibbs Trio Retriofit THE MOON INDI BAR Fucking Teeth Weapons Of Mass Sean O’Neill Satisfaction THE SAINT KALAMUNDA HOTEL Howie Morgan Project Sophie Jane LAKERS TAVERN Jamie Powers LANGFORD ALEHOUSE Guy Tucker LAST DROP TAVERN John Unit M ON THE POINT Electrophobia MOJOS BAR (ARVO) Peter Bibby Rock Hardman Brian Rice Dalton Ask Jefferson MOJOS BAR (EVE) Blackmilk The Flower Drums Jacob Diamond Our Man In Berlin Sam Perry Sean O’Neill Gerard Mcartney Heathcote Blue Mulder YA YA’S The Tyto Kings Death & A Cure Bedouin Sea Fellow Or Foe
THE SHED The Healy’s Renegade UNIVERSAL Retriofit VICTORIA PARK HOTEL Neil Colliss WOODVALE TAVERN Damien Cripps Acoustic
MONDAY 30.07 BRASS MONKEY The Organ Grinders ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB A Saucy Little Secret Set Chamber Jam LOBBY LOUNGE (BURSWOOD) Courtney Murphy MOJOS BAR Wide Open Mic Night MUSTANG BAR Marco & The Alley Cats THE DEEN Plastic Max & The Token Gesture
TUESDAY 31.07 ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB A Saucy Little Secret Set Ezereve LOBBY LOUNGE (BURSWOOD) John Sandosham LUCKY SHAG Ben Merito MERRIWA TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke MOJOS BAR Beaver Jasmin Campos The Lucky Numbers Geronimo PADDO Simon Kelly PRINCE OF WALES Open Mic Night SETTLERS TAVERN Open Mic Night TWO ROCKS TAVERN Jump For Joy Karaoke
Big Old Bears
BIG OLD BEARS HIGH HOPES RABBIT ISLAND WILL STOKER PETER BIBBY
FRIDAY, JULY 27 MOJOS BAR
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39
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS
Big Bang Amplifier
BIG BANG AMPLIFIER
Despite its tiny size, the recently released Markbass Big Bang Amplifier provides a rich and explosive sound that will surprise musicians. The brilliantly compact piece of equipment is packed with extra features that customers have been asking for: aux in, headphone output with level control, plus mute and VLE and VPF filters with footswitch control. Other features, already appreciated by Little Mark users, include a simple and effective four-band EQ, effects loop, and level control and pre/post EQ switch for the XLR DI output. The Big Bang Amplifier is stocked locally through CMC Music. Click on over to cmcmusic. com.au for prices.
SONIC CLAMP AXE-S
The Sonic Clamp AXE-S is a mountable musician’s clamp which allows musicians to utilise the tuning and recording features of their iPhones during performances. With just the click of a button musicians can clamp the device to the upper bout of their instrument, allowing for multi-surface display without damage to the guitar or bass. For full specs and prices hit up sonicclamp.com.
Once upon a time, not so long ago in the near distant past there were DJs who used black discs of music proportionately larger in size to digital music used today. Unfortunately for DJs today finding big black discs with your favourite tunes can be hard to come by and quite expensive. Luckily with the powers of digital music technology this medium can be used and with Native Instruments latest Traktor Scratch A10 and A6 systems, with the help of your trusty computer and of course a set of wheels of steel you can get yourself looking old school in the mix like back in the day (the real“the day”). And for anyone post vinyl era you can also use these systems with CDJs. Native Instruments have also recently included in all their DJ systems and DJ hardware, the latest and greatest DJ software Traktor Pro 2.5 with four deck mixing capability, 30+ pro effects, remix decks, instant looping/cueing features and all the bells and whistles of the previous versions. The newest feature is the Remix Decks allowing the user to trigger samples and loops to run in sync with running track decks holding up to 64 samples. They are completely independent with their own tempo, transport controls, sync and loop controls so it behaves just like a regular track deck would, consequently they can even be scratched using time code vinyl/ CD or jog wheels. Traktor Pro 2.5’s latest remix decks team
perfectly with the Traktor Kontrol F1. This is the latest hardware controller to come from zee crazy German team at Native Instruments, and it is a good one. Step into the realm of live performance and extend your DJ skills and sound with a little looping, sampling and remixing of your favourite beat, a cappella or choose from the 1.4 GB of free samples from N.I. (available when you purchase or upgrade to Traktor 2.5). Then grab your Traktor Kontrol F1 and perform your remixing live with some super skilled button pushing, knob twiddling and fader blends. Using colour coded pads the F1 allows customised trigger and playback behaviour for each of the 64 samples in your remix set. You can have your samples pre made, filed into sets or cut up new samples of the fly. You can also drag and drop your own produced beats from Native Instruments music production sampler Maschine or Maschine Mikro. This is the future of digital DJing, readily accessible and can be in your hands, button pushing with your very own magical music making fingertips, for a very reasonable amount of cash money! For July and August only, The DJ Factory in James Street, Northbridge will have a few sneaky special prices to get you all enticed. You can get the Traktor Control S4 for $899, the Maschine for just $499 and the Maschine Mikro $299. The Traktor Control F1 retails for $280, the Tracktor Scratch A10 is $590 and the traktor Scratch A6
Traktor Kontrol F1 is $375. There is also a free Tracktor Pro 2.5 upgrade for owners of the Traktor 2 or any other Traktor hardware. For full specs and details drop them a line at info@thedjfactory.com.au or call (08) 9228 1911. For videos and tutorials on all Native Instruments gear click on over to native-instruments.com.
MARKBASS TTE 800
Randy Jackson’s signature Markbass TTE 500 has been given a high-powered follow up. The new TTE 800 combines vintage tones with stadiumrocking power. Like its predecessor, the TTE 500 vintage sound was carefully created with classicstyle tube pre-amp, a tube compressor and threeband EQ section. However this new product is amplified by an 800W power amp that features Markbass’s innovative Tube Technology Emulator. For more information on this new product hit up markbass.it. The Markbass TTE 800 is stocked locally through CMC Music. Click on over to cmcmusic.com.au for prices.
MUSIC MAN S.U.B. SERIES
A new line of Music Man designed guitars and basses are now available in Australian music stores. Based on classic and respected Music Man designs including the Silhouette, Axis, Stingray and Stingray 5, and featuring solid tone woods, road tested electronics and eye catching finishes, the S.U.B. series of guitars and basses introduces Music Man’s renowned tone and playability to a new generation of musicians. Click on over to cmcmusic.com.au for more information.
Markdrum YES
MARKDRUM YES
Italy manufacturer Markdrum has announced its first electronic drum kit, the Markdrum YES. This five-piece kit (consisting of one snare drum, one kick and three rack toms) uses Markdrum’s patented “Smart Pad” and “Hot Spot Removal” technology in order to achieve a balance of sound between the toms and snare. The YES kit sound module has 10,000 definition drum sounds and DSP effects. The drum pads respond with up to 512 levels of sensitivity, using up to 16 alternate samples available per hit. The drum kit also contains a number of other features designed to enhance its performance and recording capabilities, including eight standard inputs (plus four additional), Midi In/Out, USB, aux and headphone connections, onboard metronome, tempo tap and a 4GB SD card. Mark Drum’s Australian distributor CMC Music has begun shipping the Italian manufacturer’s new YES electronic drum kit, which they say features amazingly real sounds backed up with serious sound generation and playability. Click on over to cmcmusic.com.au for full specs and prices. 38
X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
I’ve been playing over 150 shows and making an album a year for the last 16 years, and there’s only so many pitches in the arm.
JOE BONAMASSA On The Road
Joe Bonamassa, one of the hardest-working and most prolific musicians on the planet, has just released Driving Towards The Daylight, his 10th studio album in as many years and is currently preparing for an Australian tour in support of the album. CHRIS GIBBS spoke to the iconic guitar hero ahead of his show at the Perth Concert Hall on Monday, October 1. There are few professions in which getting older is regarded as a positive benefit. But being a bluesman is one of them, and since Joe Bonamassa was touted as “the future of the blues” at the age of 12, the New Yorker has consolidated a reputation as the finest blues-rock guitarist of his generation. The highly respected musician, who juggles a burgeoning solo career with lead guitar duties in the supergroup Black Country Communion as well as regular collaborations with Beth Hart (amongst several other projects) is often no sooner out of the studio than straight into touring mode, only to return immediately to studio work to facilitate his incredible output of work over the last decade. Speaking from his home in Los Angeles on a rare break, the cheerfully outspoken guitarist was quick to refute the notion (apparently suggested recently by a music journalist) that writing just four of the 11 songs on the album is ‘lazy’.“It’s not about who writes it, you know? It doesn’t matter. If he were to call Led Zeppelin’s version of Whole Lotta Love lazy then I’ll take that! We’re blues, this is the genre in which we live. I don’t have an ego about who writes it, I just want a good song. I’m a firm believer that when people listen to a record, they don’t look at the fine print next to the song titles. They may get curious, but ultimately they may just like the version of that song, as far as who wrote it, they couldn’t care less. So that’s how we came up with this record: the best song wins.” Of the four songs Bonamassa penned for the album, Heavenly Soul is a standout, with its hypnotic lead and backing vocals snaking in and out of each other in the hook. When asked how ideas of
that nature come about in his work, the guitarist/ vocalist is refreshingly humble. “You can thank the producer Kevin Shirley for that bit of creativity, that’s his department. A lot of it is knee-jerk reactions to other stuff going on. We always go by the seat of our pants, and if we feel it, then great, if not, then great too.” Driving Towards Daylight features several guest guitarists (including Aerosmith’s Brad Whitford) in addition to Joe’s adept fretwork, and his attitude towards the process from a guitarist world renowned for his ability reveals his desire to be the best he can be and to always strive for excellence. “Having another guitar player is more challenging for me. I gotta keep up, you know? Being the only guy in the room sometimes gets a little bit… stale. Who there to challenge me… me? That’s not very exciting. Then you’re looking at Brad Whiford, and you’re thinking ‘Geez, look at these cats, I’d better get my act together or I’m going to be grossly inept here…’ It becomes a challenge, I have to be on my toes, I have to lead, [because] it’s my record. I can’t get complacent or lazy because someone’s there to outplay me in a second. I think having that kind of push-pull is a real asset.” Bonamassa possesses a very distinct and individual playing style which is instantly recognisable. Swaggering rhythms, howling bends that always seem to reach endless heights and in particular his rapid-fire descending pentatonic licks define him as a consummate exponent of the electric guitar. However his response to his individuality, particularly regarding his aforementioned approach with pentatonics, is surprising. “A lot of it came from a guy called Eric Johnson. The cascading pentatonic stuff, there’s a French-Moroccan player named Ray
POONS HEAD STUDIOS
Q&A
Joe Bonamassa Gomez, he has a lot of that in him, the way he puts pentatonics together. You know, Steve Morse… that’s a pretty heavy fingerprint. Then the blues influence kind of mixes in, indelibly it sounds like me, but I know where the bodies are buried! I know where I got it all from.” Although steeped in the blues, Joe’s style – and tastes – lends themselves to much broader projects. Aside from the classic rock sounds of Black Country Communion, the guitarist has worked with hard rock stalwart Joe Lynn Turner and has been known to add sections of songs by prog-rockers Yes to his live shows. This begs the question as to whether Bonamassa’s core fan base is willing to follow him throughout all of his musical journeys, or whether there are limitations. “People see me as very much a blues guy, but at the end of the day… I’m not a blues guy. I am and I’m not. I definitely work the fringes of it all. Of the three things I’m currently involved in, the solo project being the main thing; I
MIDAS TOUCH STUDIOS
Q&A
Engineer Experience: Multi WAMi winning engineer/ producer with 27 years experience.
Engineer Experience: Eight years experience, mentored by Perth’s top producers and engineers.
Artist Credits: Tame Impala, The Floors, Pond, Jeff Martin, Lenny Kravitz, Death Cab For Cutie, Mick Harvey, The Kill Devil Hills, The Panics, Kim Salmon, Jebediah, Jon English, Matt Taylor, Eskimo Joe, Knife Party.
Artist Credits: Michael Swann, Sidewalk Diamonds, The Red Paintings, Heart’s Moustache, Screaming Life, Smash, James Teague. Specialising In: Production, recording and mixing – high energy performances, from vintage to modern sounds.
Specialising In: recording, mastering, producing.
Gear/Software: Pro Tools, Cubase, UAD-2, Waves, PSP, plus loads of synths/softsynths, hardware compressors, and mics.
Gear / Software: Very serious collection of some of the finest recording equipment ever made. Studer 2 , Ampex ATR ½ , Pro Tools 9, Sequoia 11, Lavry Gold, DAD, Apogee, Neve, Focusrite, Telefunken, Pultec, Fairchild, Teletronix, Urei, Manley, Gates, Tubetech, EMT, RCA, EMI, AMS, CBS, AWA, Retro, Quad Eight, Lexicon, Eventide, Pass Labs. Also with the digital “plug ins” of most of these units.
Favourite Album and Why: Karnivool – Sound Awake; just because it takes so much guts to venture so far from the band’s sound on their debut album, to something much more raw, and still manage to turn it into a cohesive, powerful production that works perfectly to convey the imagery and narrative the music needed.
Favourite Album and Why: The Beatles - White Album - Side 3
CONTACT
would say the majority of my fans enjoy Beth Hart more than Black Country Communion. A certain group of my fans will come along to Black Country Communion but it’s a little bit heavy for them, but the Beth Hart thing is right up their alley, it’s warm and soulful, more of an extension of my ‘day job’ but I’m just playing guitar.” Musically active now for over two-thirds of his 35 years, the energetic musician nevertheless muses on the future and his ability to maintain the cracking pace he has set for himself for most of his career. “Truth be told, I’ve been playing over 150 shows and making an album a year for the last 16 years, and there’s only so many pitches in the arm. There has to be a point when you shut down,” he concludes. “I’m 35 now and I honestly feel it more now than I ever have. It’s time to not only stop burning the candle at both ends, but to stop throwing it into kerosene and setting it all on fire.”
East Fremantle | (08) 9339 4791 | rob@poonshead.com poonshead.com | facebook.com/poonsheadstudios
CONTACT
Osborne Park and Subiaco Anthony@MidasTouchStudios.com.au | 0435 113 654
RHYTHMSONG MUSIC RETREAT
AMPERSONIC MUSIC
AUG 23 - 26
About the Event: A residential and fully catered music retreat with a friendly group of people of all ages. It’s a fabulous opportunity to become immersed in an atmosphere of music and learning for four days with outstanding tutors and guest artists. Gyan has been co-ordinating RhythmSong since 2000.
Cathie Travers
Ampersonic Music is a boutique recording studio and publishing company situated in the heart of Leederville’s cafe strip that combines the best of vintage analogue gear with the latest digital technology. The studio has a track record of Triple J success and recent clients include Ruby Boots, The Novocaines, The Love Junkies, Sonsilo Circus, Stereo Flower and Further Earth. Ampersonic Music is APRA registered and has placed songs by WA writers on major US and Australian TV shows including 90210, Revenge, Ghost Whisperer, Gossip Girl, Samantha Who, CSI, plus major movies including Scream 4 and Corman’s World.
CONTACT www.xpressmag.com.au
13 Bold Court Leederville | Ph Rosco Stewart 0400 282 001 www.ampersonic.com
Activities: It includes group singing, song-writing, performance and vocal skills, guitar, percussion, piano accordion, taketina influenced rhythm workshops, concerts, yoga and more. Who for: From musicians to music lovers. Outstanding facilitators: Diana Clark (voice/singing), Eva Popov (songwriting), Steve Richter (percussion), Marie O’Dw yer (guitar), Bec Bradley (rhythmic exploration/yoga) and exciting guest artist Cathie Travers (accordion). Special discount if you are 21 or younger. More info at gyangodfrey.com.
Eva Popov
CONTACT
Grass Roots Holiday Haven. 79 Hughes Rd, Jarrahdale. Gyan Godfrey – 0415 995 121 | (08) 9335 7054 | gya42@yahoo.com 37
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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays
Classifieds and Music Services Hotline: 9213 2888 Display ads: musicservices@xpressmag.com.au Deadline: 4pm Monday Credit cards welcome
MUSICIANS AVAILABLE D R U M M E R AVA I L A B L E 4 5 , v e r y experienced, pro gear, own P.A, can travel. Ph: 0412 231 126. MUSOS WANTED BASS PLAYER WANTED To join in electric Bluesband. Needs to be reliable, love the Blues/Rock and have fun. Ring Wes 0405 455 133. GUITARIST/ BACK UP VOCALIST WANTED For Alt Rock band Hostile Little Face. Currently gigging. Must have own gear, love the tunes, live experience preferred. Dedicated applicants only. Mitch 0439 679 947. M AT U R E P I A N I S T / K E Y B O A R D I S T WANTED To Join Female Vocalist/ Songwriter in a long term Trad Jazz to Funk + Trip Hop Project. Vocals an advantage/ Live experience essential. PH or TXT 0451 117 461 for more info. METAL BAND SEEKS NEW BASSIST Influences include Sepultura, Slayer, Fear Factory, Chimaira, Machine Head, Hatebreed & more. Send tx to 0422 442 368. Must be dedicated. OPEN MIC NIGHT every Thursday night at Indi Bar. Just call Tash on 0458 095 364. OPEN MIC NIGHT Every Tuesday night at the Craigie Tavern 8-11pm. Call Corey for bookings 0431 448 235 SINGER WANTED For new Perth based stoner Rock/Metal band. Influences BLS, Machine Head, Down. Link www.myspace. com/project61XX19. Ph 0412 417 301. SINGER WANTED Male or Female for working band. All pro players. Ph: 0432 213 282. VOCALIST/RHYTHM GUITARIST WANTED For Alt Rock covers band. Playing AIC, STP, PJ, QOTSA, Sound Garden & more with a
view to gigging. Interested parties please call Jarrod on 0424 448 289 for auditions. WANTED BASS PLAYER & GUITARIST For Rod Stuart tribute show by internationally acclaimed Rod tribute John Crane. Gigs awaiting. Professionals need only apply. Contact Luee on 0404 230 270. PHOTOGRAPHY P R O J E C T P H OTO G R A P H Y P r o m o photography, studio, live, location. M i k e W y l i e 0 4 1 7 9 7 5 9 6 4 w w w. projectphotography.com When its time to ice the cake... PRODUCTION SERVICES * LIGHTING * AUDIO* STAGING * www. nightstarlightingaudio.com.au www. nightstarlightingaudio.com.au www. instandt.com.au www.instandt.com.au 9381 2363/ 9444 6651 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 Vox P.A’s and Funktion-One concert systems. Beat any quote. 9307 8594/ mob 0404 410 020. perthconcertsound.com.au. PA HIRE, PRO SYSTEM, FULL FOLD BACK Experienced operator. Optional light show. Fidelity sound on 0404 331 320. RECORDING STUDIOS ALAN DAWSON’s WITZEND RECORDING STUDIO Prof quality albums or demos, large live room, experienced engineer, analog to digital transfers, mastering..Alan 0407 989 128 or Jeremy 0430638178 www. witzendstudios.com
ANDY’S STUDIO International multi award winning songwriter / producer. No band required. Broadcast quality. A songwriter’s paradise. Ph 9364 3178 AVALON STUDIOS BIBRA LAKE One of Perths best equipped studio. Record to analog tape or digital, Avalon pre amps, Neumann mics, the latest and best universal audio, plug in’s for digital recordings. All styles of music, $55 per hour call Tony 0411 118304 email avalonstudios@bigpond.com G O L D D U S TCO N S T R U C T I O N . CO M Produc tion, 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 R E CO R D I N G M I X I N G M A S T E R I N G PRODUCING Fremantle location. Call Pete Kitchen Cooked Records. Ph 0407 363 764 / 9336 3764 REVOLVER SOUND STUDIO Ph 9272 7505. www.revolverstudio.com.au S O N G W R I T E R S ! - U N LO C K YO U R S O N G S’ P OT E N T I A L + F R E E B A N D 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
ON THE GEAR
Having switched wholesalers in Australia a few times in recent years, Schecter Guitars have found a new home with Intermusic Distribution. One of the newer models available is the Hellraiser. The first thing noticed when inspecting this guitar is the gorgeous finish.The model reviewed (the C-1 Floyd Rose Hellraiser) is white with abalone bindings and black hardware, looking every inch the professional instrument. Physically, the guitar is well-balanced and sits comfortably against the body. It’s certainly an inviting instrument to play; a guitar that entices the player to keep exploring the fretboard and revel in the ensuing tones. The fretboard, featuring 24 jumbo frets, is easy to navigate and the neck is of a perfect size to execute intricate melodic passages and extended chord shapes. A three-piece mahogany neck flows seamlessly into the body of the guitar, combining with a very comfortable cutaway to allow the utmost accessibility to the higher frets. Schecter C-1 Floyd The EMG active pickup Rose Hellraiser configuration (comprised of an 81 and electric guitar an 89 EMG series) ensures an abundance Fender 60th Anniversary Telecaster of gain, yet surprisingly many subdued tones Electric Guitar can also be coaxed from this instrument. Each humbucker pickup can be coil-tapped back to a TH single soil pickup using the push/pull function on the corresponding volume pot, and similarly to a Les Paul each pickup features an individual tone pot. A three-way toggle switch allows the standard configuration changes one would expect from this If our laws weren’t so arcane, and you could legally pickup configuration. marry a guitar, an original Fender Telecaster would Grover Rotomatic tuners and a Floyd Rose be walking down the aisle with me tomorrow. 1000 series tremolo system provide finer accuracy But society frowns on that, and original and greater stability in the tuning and intonation guitars from that era are rare and shockingly department, and while double-stop bends are (and expensive. To commemorate the 60th anniversary have always been) a bit of a challenge on floating of the first successful solid body electric guitar, tremelo systems, the pay-off of such smooth, Fender have dolled up its landmark axe with the sensitive vibrato when using the bar more than limited edition 60th Anniversary Telecaster. compensates. The Telecasters influence can not be This guitar is obviously aimed at the hard overstated, and while RIckenbacker had been rock and metal market, however the overall feel, doing solid bodies for years, the timeless shape and attack and look would also be suited to fusion and layout of the Telecaster has been a blueprint for commercial rock musicians. The Schecter Hellraiser guitars ever since. A great buy for any Tele lover, and retails for $1699. Mention this review at Mega Music an easy choice made for any guitar lover looking to Wangara to receive the special price of $1389. get their first Telecaster.
FENDER 60 ANNIVERSARY TELECASTER ELECTRIC GUITAR
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Many thanks to Mega Music Wangara, Sound Centre and Rock Inn for letting us review their products.
ERNIE BALL SLINKY COBALT ELECTRIC GUITAR STRINGS
SCHECTER HELLRAISER ELECTRIC GUITAR
_CHRIS GIBBS
REHEARSAL STUDIOS AAA VHS REHEARSAL ROOMS Great facilities, great vibe & great price!!! Unit 5 /16 Peel Road, O’Connor. Phone 9418 5815 or 0413 732 885 BIGBEAT SOUND STUDIO Clean rooms, all new PA systems, air-con and good parking . Willetton Ph: 0425 698 117. PLATINUM SOUND ROOMS Professional rehearsal rooms, airconditioned, quality PAs mob 0418 944 722 TUITION AAA CLEAVER ACADEMY OF VOICE Voice training for singers that really works. All techniques including speech level. Phone 9272 4497 mb 0417 928 998. ***GUITAR LESSONS*** The Guitar Specialist. Beg-adv, all styles and levels including bass. Cliff Lynton Guitar Institute. Mt Lawley 9342 3484 / www.clifflynton.com BASS LESSONS Rock, funk & jazz. Tony Gibbs 9470 6131 DRUM LESSONS All styles, WAAPA prep. Modern techniques, rudiments, soloing, favourite songs. Beg-Adv. Ph: Pascal 0413 172 817. Available 7 days & all holidays. GUITAR LESSONS For beginner students. Learn how to start from the beginning, play your favourite songs, chords, solos and more. 6 years teaching experience. Guitars and Amps available for hire. Lessons in Duncraig, call Luke on 0400021560. GUITARIST/VOCALIST SINCE 1980 Beginners-Intermediate. Results fast.Visiting all suburbs. $40p/h. kinetikindred.com Ph: 0431 074 047. SINGING LESSONS Learn a technique that actually works! The method used by over 120 Grammy award winners. Certified Speech Level singing instructor. Call Simon 0431335495.
_TOM VARIAN
In the never-ending quest for tone, guitarists will often stick religiously to a brand and gauge of string once the right ‘fit’ is found for individual style and approach. Personally I have been an Ernie Ball Slinky devotee for over a decade now, so it is not often that I will step out of that comfort zone for fear of compromising quality and tonality. Nevertheless, when the opportunity arose to try Ernie Ball’s new Cobalt Slinky range, the new strings seemed worthy of a few strums to test the sonic waters. The Cobalt Slinky range has been developed by Ernie Ball to maximise output and clarity. This is achieved by utilising cobalt to create a stronger magnetic relationship between the pickups and strings on a guitar. This magnetic relationship utilising cobalt is stronger than any other string alloy currently or previously available to guitarists. The question is whether guitarists will take to the new feel of the Cobalt Slinkys. Tested on a Fender Telecaster, my initial impression was that the wound strings (E, A and D) felt just a little grainier than regular Slinky strings, but not unpleasant to the touch. This initial physical difference was quickly overlooked when the ears kicked in. There is a definite increase in clarity, tuning reliability and overall balance at work in the Cobalt Slinky series, and the different feel of the low strings was all but forgiven within a few bars. Obviously an increase in quality goes hand in hand with an increase in price; there are some insane guitar string ‘price wars’ in progress at several retail stores at the moment making many popular
Ernie Ball Cobalt Slinky electric guitar strings brands very affordable and some players may baulk at the $22 to $95 price tag for electric strings. At the end of the day though, how much is great tone worth? Mega Music are retailing the new Ernie Ball Cobalt Strings for just $13 to $50 as part of the store’s ‘cheaper than online’ string promotion. The new string series is available in each of the standard Slinky gauges. _CHRIS GIBBS
MAXON OD808 OVERDRIVE PEDAL
Say you have the guitar and amp, but just want a more classic rock distortion? Well luckily you don’t have to cut your speaker up with a razor, as Dave Davies did for You Really Got Me, or puncture your speaker cone with a pencil like Link Wray’s distortion pioneering, because the options for distortion effects pedals are near limitless. You may have heard of the Ibanez Tube Screamer distortion pedal, an iconic pedal from the ‘70s, and still available today. But the maker of the Tube Screamer, for Ibanez, was Japanese manufacturer Maxon. The TS9 (or TS-808) board it uses has been copied and cloned countless times since, probably the most copied effects board ever. The more adventurous can order a TS-808 or TS9 clone board online and build their very own pedal, or just go out and buy a Maxon OD808, a pedal that has been Maxon OD808 hand-wired the same way for decades. Overdrive Pedal _TOM VARIAN 35
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