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SACHAFEST UPDATE It’s great to hear that Perth musician Sacha Tostevin is now out of hospital and recovering at home, following a one-punch assault on him late last month. Don’t forget that SACHAFEST - a benefit show to help raise funds to aid in Sacha’s longer-term recovery - happens at the Rosemount Hotel on Sunday, June 22, from 2-10pm. It’s a licensed, all-day event featuring The Creptter Children, Chainsaw Hookers, Tempest Rising, Tears For Atlantis, The Silence In Between, Reaper’s Riddle, Aztech Suns, To Hell With Honour, The Worst and Blue Gene. Tickets will be available at the door for $10, with all proceeds to Sacha and the Tostevin family. If you would like to contribute to SACHAFEST in some way send an to email to info@sachafest.com.
LOCAL NEWS
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
TOUR DU JOUR Directly off the back of her critically acclaimed (and not to mention sold-out) Warehouse Project tour, Alison Wonderland has announced a run of regional dates across Australia and neighbouring countries. The Rural Juror Touror starts this month and will run through until September, travelling to most corners of Australia, with spills over to New Zealand and South East Asia. In WA, Alison Wonderland hits Fitzgerald’s, Bunbury, on Friday, July 4, and Toucan, Mandurah, on Saturday, July 5. Alison Wonderland
Chainsaw Hookers, SACHAFEST
PLATINUM IN THE ICEHOUSE ALL WE NEED IS LOVE With the recent news that Hole were back in the studio together, we didn’t expect that a Courtney Love solo tour was in the offing, but that’s exactly what we’re getting. Love’s You Know My Name tour kicks off in Perth at Metro City on Wednesday, August 13, before continuing on to Adelaide, Melbourne, Hobart, Brisbane’s, Newcastle, Canberra and Sydney. Presale tickets went on sale on Tuesday, general admission are up for grabs on Monday, June 16. Head to Oztix.com.au (1300 762 545) or ticketek.com.au (132 849).
Iva Davies was no doubt in celebratory mode last week with the news that the Icehouse’s White Heat: 30 Hits compilation was officially awarded Platinum sales status. It seemed as good a time as any, then, to announce a new round of Icehouse shows. The first lot of shows will be on the East Coast in the spring, but here in the West, Icehouse will return for two big outdoor events on Saturday-Sunday, January 24-25. Full details of the show will be announced on Friday, August 1. Iva Davies with George Ash, President, Universal Music Asia Pacific
Courtney Love
ACID REIGN
Legendary Aussie trio, Spiderbait, are doing a national lap of honour in August, following on from the 2013 release of their self-titled, seventh album. The Finley threesome hit the Astor Theatre on Friday, August 15. Tickets go on sale 9am AEST on Tuesday, June 17, via Secret-sounds.com.au
Electro-industrial masters, Velvet Acid Christ, are heading our way for the very first time, as part of their debut Australian/NZ tour. Via their synth heavy, sample-laden electronic sound, Velvet Acid Christ’s work has embraced industrial, gothic, psytrance, deathrock, metal, darkwave and more. They’ll be supported nationally by Black Lung, aka David Thrussell (ex Snog), with locals Cyberstruct and DJ Liam (of Club Freak, The Gathering and ex-resident DJ of Sin Club) at The Bakery this Saturday, June 14. Tickets are on sale at nowbaking.com.au, heatseeker. com.au and from Red Stripe and Mame Clothing.
Spiderbait
Velvet Acid Christ
ROAD ‘BAIT
NOW THAT’S SERVICE Perth boogies-blues trio, Huge Magnet, wrap up a gluttonous Spanish tour this weekend, having taken in Madrid, Barcelona, Andorra, San Sebastian, A Coruna, Getafe and Pontevedra... as well as playing some shows! Upon arrival back home there’ll be no rest, with the release of their debut LP, Self Service, itself being serviced by three hometown launches. Huge Magnet toast Self Service on Friday, June 27, at Mojos (with Boom! Bap! Pow!, Ofa Fotu and Blind Tiger Blues Box); Saturday, June 28, at the Rosemount’s Bar 459 (with Day Of The Dead and Flyball Gov’nor) and Saturday, July 5, at the the Indi Bar (with Day Of The Dead and Blind Tiger Blues Box). Tickets at the door for all shows. Self Service is available exclusively on vinyl (until after the launch) from Dada’s, 78’s, Mills and the shows, and will then be released digitally. Huge Magnet, live in Madrid
ART FOR REEF’S SAKE Dr Sketchy’s Anti Art School is presenting two launch parties as part of the Art For Reef project, complete with “Wild Set design and Aquatic Megababes for the ultimate trip to life drawing pleasure.” Art For Reef itself is an online global art exhibition started and continuing as a response to the threat posed to the Great Barrier Reef by the Federal Government’s approval of nine new coal ports and the dredging and dumping of seabed on this World Heritage Listed site. The first launch happens next Tuesday, June 17, at the Fly By Night, with Felicity Groom, Joni In The Moon (duo) and Hayley Beth, with special guest artists Toby Bell and Ian De Souza, plus environmental speakers, as well as artworks from the exhibition. The second launch will be held on Friday, July 12, at The Bakery, with a line-up to be announced. They invite your thoughts, submissions and awareness at Artforreef.com. Hayley Beth, Art For Reef
BACK TO THE PARROT Metropolis Fremantle had a massive time of it when they last threw an all-ages event, so they’ve decided to throw the next one on the last day of school, which just happens to be the rather celebratory Friday, July 4. It’s a Jocks Vs Nerds party featuring Melbourne’s DJ Rojdar (nerd) vs Marto (jock), DTuck (jock) vs De.Bug (nerd) and DJ Madzz (jock) vs Mickey D (nerd). Dress as a jock or nerd, you should know by now which shoe fits. You must be between 13-17 to be granted entry to this drug, alcohol, smoke and attitude-free event. For full details (and any questions) email info@metropolisfremantle.com.au.
The Red Parrot’s second reunion happens at the Astor Theatre, this Saturday, June 14. DJs Claude Mono and Adrian Mansfield (with setlist approval from the internationally unavailable Snuff and Ian Jopson) will play all the platters that matter, with Moogy playing ‘80s era alt-classics upstairs. Liz Carberry will also present a feast of classic catwalk fashions from Atlas Divine. As mentioned last week, the live line-up features The Waltons, The Diddywah Hoodaddys, Love Pump, Holy Rollers, Greenhouse Effect, The Jackals and the James Baker Experience (featuring Rod Radalj). Last year’s reunion event sold out, so don’t dawdle. Tickets for the Red Parrot Reunion II are available through Showticketing.com.au or at the door (if available).
DJ Rojdar
Red Parrot Reunion II
JOCKS VS NERDS
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WIN: A DOUBLE PASS TO FRANK Frank is an offbeat comedy about Jon (Domhnall Gleeson), a wannabe musician who finds himself out of his depth when he joins an avant-garde pop band led by the enigmatic Frank (Michael Fassbender), a musical genius who hides himself inside a large fake head, and his terrifying bandmate Clara (Maggie Gyllenhaal). From a lakeside cabin, where the band spend 18 months – and all of Jon’s savings – recording their new album, to the stages of South by Southwest after the band becomes a viral internet sensation, Frank tells the story of Jon’s struggle with Clara for control of Frank, his rise to power within the band, and how, ultimately, he comes close to destroying the thing he’s come to love. Email win@xpressmag.com.au to win a double pass. Frank
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SHOW ME THE MEANING Perth rockers The Meaning Of will launch their first new material in five years Friday, June 20 at Amplifier Bar, Perth. We Are The Fire, We Are The Earth is a heavy and engaging piece of work the band recorded and produced with award-winning engineer Andy Lawson. After 18 years of amazing shows, international and national supports, festivals & widely acclaimed releases the curtain is slowly closing on one of Perth’s most iconic acts. This will be a show not to miss. Email win@xpressmag.com.au to win a double pass, the new EP and The Meaning Of’s previous release The Alligator Festival. Pete Sukys, The Meaning Of’s frontman.
WIN: SWELTER DVD Swelter is a violent tale of greed and retribution. The story of the most notorious robbery in Las Vegas history, five men nicknamed the Rat Pack, hit the Sapphire Casino for over one hundred million dollars. Four of the men are soon captured, while one barely escapes. Ten years later, after blasting their way out of a maximum-security prison, the four jailed members of the Rat Pack are hot on the trail of their former accomplice and the remaining ten million in stolen cash. The trail leads them to a dying desert town less than a hundred miles from the scene of the crime where they find their former partner is not the man he once was…he’s become a law-abiding sheriff without any memory of his past. The sheriff must now remember his violent history in order to protect all that he holds dear. Swelter, released on DVD June 11, stars Jean-Claude Van Damme, Lennie James and Grant Bowler. Email win@xpressmag.com.au to grab a DVD. Swelter
PHOTOGRAPHY Rachael Barrett, Guang-Hui Chuan, Daniel Craig, Brandon D’Silva, Max Fairclough, Daniel Grant, Sammy Granville, Matt Jelonek, Emma Mackenzie, Callum Ponton, Denis Radacic, Bohdan Warchomij, Michael Wylie
DANCE, DANCE, DANCE 2 One Another is a multi award-winning work choreographed by artistic director Rafael Conachela, which weaves a vivid, exultant and sensual study of human interaction – charting the myriad actions and reactions, gestures and relationships, connections and disconnections that make up a life. 2 One Another is set against a pulsing, pixilated backdrop and thrums with a driving, baroque-meets-electronica soundtrack, penned by the able hand of composer Nick Wales. Shot through with the exquisite poetry fragments of Samuel Webster, this is dance at its most engaging and multi-dimensional. A startling, high-octane shot across the bows of contemporary dance, 2 One Another is an exuberant celebration of the power of movement. Email win@xpressmag.com.au to win a double pass to opening night, Wednesday June 18 of Sydney Dance Company’s 2 One Another at His Majesty’s Theatre. 2 One Another
SUPER FAMOUS PEOPLE AT SUPANOVA Since 2000, Supanova Pop Culture Expo is where the adoring public comes face to face with Supa-Star celebrities and the creative talent who inspire their imaginary worlds under one big roof. Gathered from and surrounded by the wonderful worlds of comic books, animation/ cartoons, science-fiction, pulp TV/movies, toys, console gaming, trading cards, fantasy, entertainment technology, books, internet sites and fan-clubs, the result is an amazing atmosphere tailor-made for expressing your inner geek and where getting into cosplay (cos-tume role-play) is the obvious thing to do. Email win@xpressmag.com.au to win a double pass.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Leah Blankendaal, Nina Bertok, Aaron Bryans, Joe Cassidy, Hayley Davis, Chris Gibbs, Alfred Gorman, Shaun Cowe, Predrag Delibasich, Jayde Ferguson, George Green, Alex Griffin, James Hanlon, Chris Havercroft, Joshua Hayes, Brendan Holben, Coral Huckstep, Ellie Hutchinson, Tom Kitson, Charlie Lewis, Daisy Lythe, David James Young, RK, Lauren Wiszniewski, Andrew Nelson, David O’Connell, Shane Pinnegar, Jessica Willoughby, Sean Drill
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Rose McGowan, of Charmed, will be appearing at Perth’s Supanova
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WIN: TICKETS TO SEE GRINSPOON FRONTMAN PHIL JAMIESON
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For the first time Australia’s favourite front man, singer, prolific songwriter, bike rider and larrikin, the enigmatic Phil Jamieson (of the mighty indie-rock band Grinspoon) will play a series of solo acoustic shows in Perth and regional Western Australia. These WA shows offer Phil’s legion of fans in the West a rare opportunity to hear songs that have kept him in the spotlight for 15 years in a fresh format and whilst he road tests some new contenders for an upcoming solo recording. Email win@xpressmag.com.au to win a double pass to see Jamieson at any one of the following shows. Remember to let us know which show you would like to attend! Thursday, June 26 at NorthshoreTavern, Hillarys. Friday, June 27, at Leisure Inn, Rockingham. Saturday June 28 at Dunsborough Hotel, Dunsborough. Sunday June 29 at Prince Of Wales, Bunbury. Wednesday July 2 at The Saint Hotel, Innaloo. Thursday July 3 at Wintersun, Geraldton.
Brand new music festival Manifest will be hitting The Rosemount Hotel, Saturday, June 28. This bad boy will consist of 10 bands with the oh-so-rockin’ The Midnight Mules headlining. Two stages, visual art, clothing, jewellery, record stalls and more. To snag a double pass and a bag of goodies including merch from the bands involved as well as official Manifest goodies – email win@xpressmag.com.au.
Phil Jamieson
The Midnight Mules
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NEWS - INTERVIEWS - REVIEWS - CONTENTS
360 Newtopia
Rik Mayall
La Dispute | Pic: Rachael Barrett
VALE RIK MAYALL
LA DISPUTE
T’was very sad news to learn on Tuesday of the passing of beloved UK comic, Rik Mayall. From the The Young Ones To Filthy, Rich And Catflap, The Dangerous Brothers, Bottom and The New Statesman, through to a Hollywood turn in Drop Dead Fred, feature films such as Guest House Paradiso and many television roles over the years, Mayall was a brilliant comic performer, with rare timing and a unique presence. X-Press spoke to Mayall back in July, 2000, when he and comedic partner-in-crime Adrian Edmondson (also recently in Perth) were promoting Guest House Paradiso. They noted that their characters in the film, Richie and Eddie, weren’t that far removed from The Young Ones’ Rick and Vyvyan, and it was probably why their brand of humour continued to be so well received in Australia. “It’s so fucking English,” Mayall said. “You guys love the English so much over here, that I think there’s some kind of connection. “I’m not sucking your knob, I mean I’d like to,” he laughed, “but I think that’s why the Aussies understand it so well, because they understand what arseholes the English are. What tossers they are. They understand the embarrassment and the pretension which is what Richie and Eddie are all about. Failure!” Yet while there was a rag-tag and somewhat slapstick nature about Mayall’s work with Edmondson, it was incisive comic writing that influenced a generation of comedic writers, performers and enthusiasts. “There is a terrific pride in our work,” Mayall noted. “I mean, there is. We are constantly exploring new ways of doing some gag that we have not done before. Sure, there’s always the punch in the face, but that’s the baseline.” The people’s poet is dead. RIP Rik Mayall. For the full version of this interview (#702, Thursday, July 27, 2000), head to xpressmag.com.au. BOB GORDON
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News Win Flesh Music Biffy Clyro, Eels, Marlon Williams & Melody Pool Scalphunter New Noise Eye4 Cover: Terry Molloy, aka Davros @ Supanova The Rovers, Richard Kiel Good Vibrations, Eye2Eye The Hit List, Arts Listings, Lisa Barross D’Sa Salt Cover: Nosaj Thing News, Test Pad, Take 5 Yeo, Phantogram Salt Nights Out, Behind The Decks Club Manual Rewind: Henry Saiz Scene Live: Rag N Bone, Ruby Boots Pub Scene Local Scene: Arkarion Tour Trails Tour Tale - King Buzzo Gig Guide Volume
The Love Junkies/Balance And Composure Rosemount Hotel Saturday, June 7, 2014 360
360, aka Matt Colwell, releases his third album, Utopia, this Friday, June 13. MERRAN REED talks to Colwell about sobriety and haters ahead of his shows at Metro City on Friday, September 19, and the Astor Theatre (all-ages) on Saturday, September 20. 360 rose to success in 2011, after releasing his second LP, the double platinum-selling Falling And Flying, at a time when audiences were hungry for Australian hip hop thanks to the likes of Bliss N Eso, The Herd and Hilltop Hoods. Falling And Flying, though, had less of that Straya twang and more a palatable pop sound to it, which beckoned in outsiders to the already-dedicated hip hop crowd. It also opened the door for a barrage of haters, especially on social media. “The hate, at first, was hard to deal with,” Colwell recalls. “Especially because I was partying a lot and my mind was really fragile. You read certain things and it gets to you. “But now, I’m fine. I think it is a reflection of their personal struggles, you know? If you are really happy and content in your life, you don’t go out of your way to post negativity. Like, there are heaps of artists who I don’t think are good. But I’m not gonna go and hit them up and say ‘this is the worst shit I ever heard’ ‘cos I’m doing my own thing, too.” Colwell hasn’t always had a balanced outlook. Late last year the 27-year-old weighed a skeletal 67 kilograms and was toiling with a drug and alcohol addiction. “I was like, ‘If I don’t stop doing this, I’m going to die’. So I called up Rae (Harvey, manager) and, I didn’t actually go to rehab, I just went to her house and stayed there for a month,” Colwell recalls. “I was so paranoid. Rae has four cats and I thought the cats hated me. It was insane.” When asked what he was detoxing from, Colwell politely declines comment. “I don’t want kids to know what I was doing,” he says, “’cos I don’t want to influence them.” Colwell is aggressively aware of his position as a role model to young people, with 671,000 Facebook fans, over 100,000 Twitter followers and 88,000 Instagram users hooked on him. He has, he says, a responsibility to “not be a dickhead.” “I was made to see that I was role model by a gay man, actually, who interviewed me and said, ‘you say faggot a lot in your raps. Do you really think about the impact that could have on gay people? You are in a place at the moment where you could influence kids in such a positive way, where you could make them understand that it’s not cool to say that’. “And that really made it click. It made me realise that I had a kind of power among young people and I could do good with that.”
ELOISE ASHTON Big Splash Heat #1 Winner
FRONT COVER: 360 releases his third album, Utopia, this Friday, June 13, and performs at Metro City on Friday, September 19, and the Astor Theatre (all-ages) on Saturday, September 20. SALT COVER: Nosaj Thing heads to Circo on Saturday, June 28, at Claremont Showgrounds. 8
Along with really caring about the impact he has, part of Colwell’s unassuming charm is his vulnerability; his ability to share stories of sobriety and personal struggles which are truly self-aware. On Falling And Flying, Colwell lamented the myth of a Casanova lifestyle on Boys Like You, and shared his basketball career-ending injury on Miracle In A Costume, both of which featured Gossling. Colwell teams up again with the Melbourne singer for Price Of Fame, from his new album, Utopia. “It’s about going from being someone who walks down the street and having people almost avoid you to walking down the street and having kids mobbing you, “ Colwell says of the single, which was released last week. “I love collaboration,” he continues. “Like when you enjoy someone’s music and then you get together and you have a really good chemistry, it’s cool, because it brings a lot of different shit out of you. And vice-versa.” In an unusual pairing, Colwell has also teamed up with former frontman of Silverchair, Daniel Johns, for two tracks on Utopia. “He’s a fucking freak show when he makes music,” Colwell says. “I went and stayed at his house for three days to record the last song (It’s All About To End) on the album. He would sing over the song but he would sing in gibberish, so there would be this melody coming out but he wouldn’t be saying it in words. Then when he was writing the lyrics he would write the words which sounded like what he was singing. And the lyrics would end up suiting the track perfectly. It was fucking weird, but amazing.” The Utopia tour will be Colwell’s first headline tour sober. It’s an experience he isn’t worried about, having already played his first dry shows supporting US hip hop heavyweight Eminem on his Australian and New Zealand tour. “I expected to go to that concert (in New Zealand) and have people throw bottles at me ‘cos I was so nervous,” Colwell says. “But they were some of the best shows I have ever played. So it really boosted my confidence. In the past I wouldn’t get nervous because I would be on things that would not make me nervous, now I get nervous and I love the feeling. “I love the rush of that. Like I’m shitting myself backstage and I have to calm myself and centre myself so I walk on in front of 50,000 people. It’s so liberating.”
Eloise Ashton | Pic: Jay Lee Grafton
The Love Junkies have been keeping busy bursting eardrums with their loud garage rock, recently playing a string of shows in Singapore, and are now preparing to head off on a national tour. The Perth trio furiously smashed out an impressive half-hour set that left those purely there for the headliner in awe. Closing the set with Blowing On The Devil’s Strumpet, Mitch McDonald flexed his vocal muscles with the track’s raw and grating sound, screaming, ‘She sucked the life blood outta me’ over and over. Wherever this ear-splitting band is heading, it’s going to be big. Few bands can convey the clusterfuck of emotions surrounding relationships better than Balance And Composure. Their songs perfectly sum up those imperfect times of disappointment, hurt and vulnerability. The Pennsylvanian band took the stage of the Rosemount and launched into Reflections off their latest LP, The Things We Think We’re Missing. Not straying from the last two albums, they soared through their set, showing they do both soft and feisty, unforgiving anger. Jon Simmons’ smooth yet bitter voice is so perfectly matched with their rhythmic, melodic guitar solos and booming percussion. Parachute concluded the set, leaving punters quaking in their shoes. After an incredible gig like Saturday night’s, you really want to be able to write some grand, sweeping statement that will do it a little justice, but you can’t. La Dispute’s performance was simply unforgettable. By the time it was finally time for the quintet the audience was voracious. Lead singer Jordan Dreyer tore into Hudsonville, MI 1956, thrashing around the stage with a tambourine. The band’s lyrics draw inspiration from collected stories and events, a prime example being the song King Park, which is about the story of a drive-by shooting in their home town of Grand Rapids. The posthardcore band combines spoken word style lyrics that alternate between throaty screams and singing with their melodic droning guitar and distortion. Dreyer’s versatile voice commanded the crowd through songs off Wildlife and the latest LP, Rooms Of A House, until they changed the tone by playing a more nostalgic tune, Andria. They closed their set with Woman Reading only to be demanded back onto stage for an encore, where they played Nine and fan favourite, King Park. The intensity rose and fell until the end where Dreyer completely destroyed the crowd with the blood curdling delivery of the final lyrics ‘Can I still get into heaven if I kill myself?/Can I ever be forgiven cause I killed that kid?/It was an accident I swear it wasn’t meant for him!/And if I turn it on me, if I even it out, can I still get in or will they send me to hell?/I left the hotel behind, don’t want to know how it ends’. It was an epic end, unto itself. RACHAEL BARRETT
each player’s input and take in their set as a whole thing. That helped with keeping a live, playing element to electronic composition so I was really visually impressed by that. Beautiful soundscapes were created as well. Who else in The Big Splash heats are you keen to get a look at? I’m really looking forward to seeing Shameem, particularly at The Ellington. I think that will be a great heat, and the perfect venue to see those acts. I always love watching Hideous Sun Demon, and am a huge fan of their release, meat, so I’m really looking forward to watching them play at The Odd Fellow.
How did you feel about your set last week at Mojo’s? I was really happy with our set in the end because I had been pretty worried up until we played. Just very conscious. Once we were on stage, though, I found I personally just forgot and focussed on that. I think the audience attending were aware of why we were there so they were so incredibly attentive, which What are your plans, at this stage, for the rest of 2014? I’m just about to press my EP with artwork also made it such a nice set to play. not far away from being finished. So a release show for that later in the year is at the front of my mind. I’m Which other acts caught you ear and/or eye Each act had my attention because I’d heard also in the planning stages of a video for the single I so much about them all but not seen them live. Silver released in May. I’m writing a bit at the moment and Hills had a really warm sound, the combination of major working on my live set, trying to incorporate new ideas sounding harmony and a kind of melancholy feeling and instrumentation. There are a few collaborations I’m really pulled me in. They managed to have a lot going hoping to make happen as well before the year is out. on individually, whilst creating a unified sound. They had a strong stage presence, which I also found interesting The Big Splash heat #2 happened last night at The Bird. about Lilt. They set up in a line along the front of stage The band comp continues with heat #3 at The Odd Fellow - perhaps because of the backline already being there next Tuesday, June 17, with Stuart Orchard, Husband, - but I found that really perfect for allowing you to see INDIGO and Future Entity. Entry is $5 from 8pm. WWW. XP RE SS MAG.COM. AU
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BIFFY CLYRO A Dream Come True Scotland’s Biffy Clyro are heading to Metro City on Friday, September 12. Bassist, James Johnston, chats with AARON BRYANS about their newest album, Opposites. Since their formation in 1995, Simon Neil and the Johnston brothers, Ben and James, have committed their lives to music, performing on a global scale and opening for some of the biggest bands in the world. Slowly working their way up to the stars they are today, the trio have six studio albums and over two dozen singles. All their hard worked paid off in August last year when Biffy Clyro headlined the Reading and Leeds festivals. “The first night in Leeds it was pissing with rain,” James Johnston retells. “It was absolutely brutal for a full hour before we went on stage; the heavens just opened. We were really worried that everybody would be washed out. But we came on stage and everyone hit us with this, ‘Yeahhhhh!’ and they almost sort of cheered us up. I thought we were going to have to go out and work hard to get their energy levels going; but they were the ones who were supporting us through it, which was incredible. “The next night when we got to Reading it just felt like one of the biggest festivals in the country if not the world and we’d made it. Sometimes a huge moment like that it can be slightly overwhelming and difficult to take it all in but we managed to enjoy it and soak it all up. It was an incredible moment for the band.” Soon after the band hit Australian soil in March for the Soundwave festival which saw the trio play on the main stage alongside Green Day, Placebo and Jimmy Eat World. “Soundwave has got such a great line up. The amazing bands that are playing before you and after you; you know you’ve got to put on a good show. I think because it’s in the sun it felt like a heavy metal holiday for us. Touring around the country with some of your childhood heroes is an amazing feeling, but it’s nice to feel a part of a community. You feel you could walk up to any band and you’re on common ground… there’s that kind of feeling of an adventure.” Since their first EP in 2000, Biffy Clyro have come a long way musically and mentally;
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finding their place in the industry and their preferred style. Experimenting over the years has led to evolution and a growth in maturity. “I think we’ve become more confident in trying out different things,” Johnston explains. “We’ve never been too scared to experiment and we’ve always worked really hard on the songs before we’d go to the studio. I think now that we’ve become more confident in the studio we’re able to really dive into it and almost use it as a tool and a little instrument itself. We’re not too afraid to try some weird ideas or push things as far as we could go. If we’re going to get an organ sound, we’d go up to the biggest church organ we could find and mic it up. If we wanted mariachi music we’d get a mariachi band and do things properly. “Life’s a journey and you can go up and down; but as long as you enjoy it, sometimes the down moments can be the most fun. Last year one of our biggest moments was playing at Reading and Leeds Festival and then getting a chance to headline there after eight years of playing small stages and slowly working our way up. To finally headline was a dream come true.” The trio’s evolution is evident in their recent release Opposites, a double album featuring 20 tracks of impactful and moving alternative rock. The release has been so effective that the newer tracks have virtually solidified the band’s setlist. “I think we’re lucky that we still love the first album. We love all the albums we’ve made. We still play a lot of those songs live. I think any band will see their more recent songs; the ones freshest to their memory as their favourites. I think Different People, that opened Opposites, is one of the stronger songs we’ve ever had. We’ve been using that to start the set. It’s really beautiful how it reveals itself as it goes along and it starts off very lonely and solitary with Sam and his guitar on his own before the band kicks in and it all gets deep and it goes crazy. I think it’s a good way of showing all sides of the band and actually start the record the way we start the shows.” The vigorous touring efforts of Clyro following their fifth LP, Only Revolutions, left the band burnt out and isolated from home life. It was during the three-year writing gap before Opposites that the band reset and found their best selves. “We were writing and working hard. We were just on the road being a band, going to new countries and trying new things. I think for a lot of bands the touring cycle now is getting even larger for every album; bands tour for two years for every album and we just needed a little bit of a break after that. After every long couple of years on the road you need a break just to reset and spend some time at home and do a little bit of living outside the band
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and I think that’s what keeps the hunger going.” The Scottish rock band is now at full strength and ready for a 2014 Australian return. With promising rumours of a b-side release imminent; we may be seeing some new tracks closer to the tour dates. “It’s on the way,” Johnston says. “To put a double album out and being able to bring out a whole bunch of new music again that shows a
slightly different side of the band is exciting. The b-sides have been recorded in a slightly different way with a bit of an edgy sound. With the albums we always spend a lot of time making them a certain way whilst the b-sides are just recorded and performed in a different manner and I think it keeps things exciting and interesting.” PIC: ANTHONY MANDLER
MARLON WILLIAMS & MELODY POOL EELS Proceed With Caution Eels have just released a new album, The Cautionary Tales Of Mark Oliver Everett. KRISSI WEISS reports. The latest album from Eels is entitled The Cautionary Tales Of Mark Oliver Everett. For those who didn’t know, Mark Oliver Everett is Eels; it’s just his band of merry women and men who have morphed and changed over time. Interviewing E – his preferred moniker – is a terrifying experience, not because he is at all unwelcoming (he’s remarkably affable) but because he radiates a no-bullshit air of having seen (and probably done) it all. He’s at once a victim of genetics, commanding respect as presumably his father, the great American physicist, Hugh Everett III, did – and yet he’s also a seminal and seasoned musician seemingly on a decade-long comedown from his youthful trajectory. Pay attention to his cautionary tales, folks. Inspired by loss, a concept Everett knows all too well (he found his father dead when he was 19, lost his mother to cancer and his sister to suicide), this time he’s exploring loss by choice and the subsequent – albeit delayed – regret that can bring. As always, this album is bleak and beautiful, gravelly and dainty, simple yet deeply orchestrated. It is an Eels album, and a fantastic one at that. “This record was written entirely before we went into the studio,” Everett says. “And because there were all the orchestral arrangements there was 10
a lot of preparation that had to be done.” With a project that is so deeply personal, was it hard to open up to the contributions of others? “In this case, all the orchestrations were done by various members of the band, and because I work with them so much it’s a pretty comfortable, in-house feeling,” says Everett. “It’s a long process of trial and error, like any collaboration.” Everett doesn’t hide behind metaphor to any great degree – he’s even written an autobiography called Things The Grandchildren Should Know – but still he’s pushed and prodded in interviews to talk at greater length about his personal life. After all these years, do those sorts of questions seem annoying or redundant? “They do because it’s laid out pretty nakedly in the songs already, so it is a little redundant. I gave them an inch and I’m only willing to give them, well, two inches. A lot of the times things I write aren’t actually autobiographical, it just appears that way. If I sing a song in a character’s voice, I do it in the first person – it’s an effective way to tell a story.” He’s written this album, he’s chosen to release it, he’s standing by the notion of touring it, and yet even the prolific E admits to some trepidation about the whole process. “When it comes to this record, it’s very autobiographical, and that’s a very uncomfortable feeling; I’m not crazy about it,” he says. “I wouldn’t have called it ‘the cautionary tales of me’ if it wasn’t me, you know? The vinyl edition of this album is on clear vinyl because I wanted it to look as transparent as the music is. “The hardest thing is putting out a record like this, and then the next hardest thing is going out there and singing these songs in front of people, so I’m yet to find out how uncomfortable that may be. Or may not be.” EELS, AKA E, AKA MARK OLIVER EVERETT
The Harmony Scene Melody Pool and Marlon Williams are teaming up for a headline Australian tour which brings them to X-Wray Café on Saturday, August 23; Settler’s Tavern, Margaret River, on Sunday, August 24, and Ellington Jazz Club on Tuesday, August 26. AARON BRYANS checks in with both artists. Taking two completely separate and unique musical journeys, Melody Pool and Marlon Williams have managed to cross paths to perform what should be some incredibly haunting and harmonious shows across Australia. For New Zealand’s Marlon Williams, 2013 was the extension of an already huge career for the up and coming artists. Having fronted country band ,The Unfaithful Ways, and performed as a duet alongside Delaney Davidson, Williams relocated to Melbourne to pursue a solo career, with his next release scheduled for October. “I’ve been in Melbourne for almost a year now and it’s a fantastic place,” Williams exclaims. “There’s heaps of people in the scene, a lot of places to play and a lot of good music. My newest recordings are all finished, so we’re all good to go for a release in October so its all happening very quickly.” The upcoming tour with Melody Pool will give Williams a chance to rehash his love for duets, and deliver some of his strikingly memorable and trademark harmonies. It’s something Melody is thrilled to embrace. “I’m really excited,” Pool laughs. “I haven’t really known Marlon very well and we kind of just got
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put together on this tour and really liked each other’s music. But we did a few YouTube videos together and sang together and we get along really well musically, so I think it’s going to be really special. “We’re going to play a separate set each and then we’re going to get together for a few songs. We’re probably going to do half a set of songs together.” Melody Pool is fresh off her own huge success in 2013 in which she re-released her debut LP, The Hurting Scene. The album received excellent reviews for its emotional intensity and beautiful depth. “It was pretty clear it was personal experiences,” Pool says, “but a lot of the time I created some stories around it, but the emotions all there and the feeling at the time.” The album threw Pool into the touring circuit, including a visit to Nashville that provided engaging sets focused less on spectacle and more on the music. “It was kind of the biggest step for me,” Pool explains. “Firstly I went to Nashville to do it by myself and didn’t really know anyone and it was kind of the biggest thing I’d done for myself and for my career. It was very creatively fulfilling and pushed some independence into me. “It’s different to Australia. I feel like I have to talk slower because they can’t understand my bumbling bogan accent. “I think I’m a little bit more like, cathartic to watch. I’m quite still when I play and it’s a lot of sad music, but lyrical based. I think people can be quite moved by it.” With both Pool and Williams excited for the July/August tour which sees Williams is even more excited to return to his harmonious roots. “As much as I like playing solo, I’m a harmony singer at heart. That’s the ultimate goal as a human is singing perfect harmonies. Whenever there’s anyone else there that’s what I like best, having two voices or more.”
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For more album reviews head to xpressmag.com.au
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THE FELICE BROTHERS
SCALPHUNTER Video Nasty Perth punk rock legends Scalphunter are giving their new video, There Will Be Change, a suitably raucous launch at The Rosemount Hotel this Friday, June 13, with support from The Nococaines, Them Sharks, The Bob Gordons and Blackwitch. TRAVIS JOHNSON caught up with guitarist Alex Cotton. It’s not that Scalphunter didn’t deserve to win The Big Splash last year - they most certainly did. But it’s a truism that bands as hard and heavy as these boys rarely win any popular or critical acclaim outside of their genre ghetto, and so the four denim-clad desperadoes taking out the top slot - and it’s attendant $10,000 cash prize - came as something of a surprise, albeit a very welcome one. “Obviously we got an awesome amount of exposure from winning it and all that stuff,” reflects guitarist Alex Cotton. “And I guess it was, winning the money aside, a reinforcement of us doing what we were doing and it was the best kind of feedback you can get, I guess - that what we were doing, other people enjoyed! So that just pushed us to go harder and stronger and keep doing what we’re doing.” Their latest offering is a new music video for the song There Will Be Change, taken from their third self-titled EP and directed by Steve Browne. According to Cotton, the track seemed like an obvious choice for a music clip. “There was debate over whether we pushed a shorter, harder song or something that we thought would appeal to a slightly larger audience. All of them, in a sense, are just punk rock sing-along tunes as far as we’re concerned, but the message behind the song and what we wanted
JACK WHITE
Favourite Waitress Spunk
Lazaretto Third Man/Columbia Records
The Felice Brothers may have their beginnings in the often limited Americana genre, but over the years they have become more and more rustic with a habit of pushing the boundaries. Their impressive catalogue is augmented with self-released live records and demos, but it is when they put their energies into an ‘official’ release that they tend to really shine. Favourite Waitress is the first time that Felice Brothers have ventured out of Hunter Valley to record an album, and the first time in a ‘real’ studio finally landing at Mike Mogis and Conor Oberst’s Arc Studio in Omaha. No need to be alarmed that the homespun outfit have covered their tunes with glitter and sheen as after reducing the hundred odd songs to the baker’s dozen here, they still knocked out the album within a week. Bird On Broken Wing kicks things off with all of the elements that have made The Felice Brothers such a likeable outfit. Dogs barking in the background, a wandering bass line, laconic vocals that mirror a young Dylan and a bright sing along chorus make this a quintessential Felice tune. Cherry Licorice is a throwaway gem as the band sing of Halloween evenings and their favourite sweets with the type of ramshackle appeal that has seen them be considered a modern day Replacements. The Felice Brothers return to a more familiar formula on Favourite Waitress after the experimental nature of recent releases. They are much the better for it with a rock solid collection that is well suited to either whiskey or wine.
Jack White has long flirted with the country music genre, but up until now that flirtation had been limited to his production work and light-hearted album closers. On Lazaretto, his country influences have been given equal billing with his garage rock, and while White has always restlessly flitted between genres, it’s a strange fit. Given White’s jokey treatment of his own country interludes on previous solo and White Stripes albums, it is a little difficult to take the four or five country-influenced songs on Lazaretto seriously at first. Songs like Entitlement and Just One Drink only sound out of place alongside the furious screeching of other tracks. Luckily, when White reverts to what he does best he’s in rare form. The title track and instrumental High Ball Stepper are reminders of his virtuoso status, while the gloriously demented That Black Bat Licorice is all the better for its baffling and nonsensical lyrics. The highlight of the album may just be Would You Fight For My Love? which finds White at his most impassioned and personal, railing furiously against love lost. Lazaretto is something of a bipolar album, and while its country touches take some getting used to, White has rarely been better when he plugs the guitar back in.
to do with it fit really well with the idea when we first started talking about doing a clip and it all came together pretty easy, so we thought, ‘Oh well, let’s run with that.’” Thematically, Cotton tells us the song “...is about the frustration with corporations and religions and government at the moment stopping people from expressing themselves and stopping people from being who they are through art and all that kind of stuff. It’s about those religions and governments and corporations refusing to listen to people and everyone, all the millions of people who aren’t in favour of consumerism and capitalism and all that sort of stuff.” CHRIS HAVERCROFT The band knew they wanted to collaborate with Browne fairly early on in the developmental OUT OF 5 process. “We’d seen some work he’d done with photos and we knew him through being in the punk rock scene and all that stuff. We knew that he was capable and he’d done stuff like this before, so we sat down and had a meeting with him and discussed the song and what we wanted to do with it and the theme behind the clip and us wanted to show the HAMILTON LEITHAUSER message behind the song with something gory but tongue in cheek at the same time. He kinda loved the Black Hours idea and came up with a heap of suggestions and it Domino/EMI went from there. It was awesome!” Hamilton Leithauser’s first release post-The Walkmen is his lightest foray. It’s not a collection of ballads; rather, there are plenty of tumbling rhythms and woodsy harmonies. Members of The Shins, Fleet Foxes, Vampire Weekend and The Walkmen get involved in the fun and seem hand-selected to match the respective tracks. Still, Leithauser is truly in his own league as a vocalist. His gritty multi-octave apparatus is apt for weary traveller crooning (5 AM); bouncy melodic bliss (The Silent Orchestra) and choral celebration (11 O’Clock Friday Night). Black Hours is more fun than The Walkmen’s 2012 LP Heaven, but what gave that record addictive appeal was the agitated energy lying beneath rather nice tunes. This one features some downcast moments (‘Do you ever wonder why I sing these love songs/When I have no love at all’, he sings on 5 AM), but it’s generally in an affable mood. Black Hours is consistently agreeable, but it doesn’t pull you completely under its spell. As such, the record’s strongest moments are the occasional tender touches, revealing Leithauser’s peerless vocal powers.
KEIRON COSTELLO
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3.5
GLASS ANIMALS ZABA Wolf Tone/Caroline If you haven’t taken heed of Glass Animals by now, this is your official notice. ZABA follows through on the promise of their single, Gooey, melding indie eccentricities with heavy R&B beats. As a signee to Paul Epworth’s label, they were never going to be ‘just another indie band’. But the proof is in the peanut butter. This is an album for kids who grew up listening to Dr. Dre and Snoop and never quite moved on. Glass Animals are indie in the vein of Radiohead and Animal Collective, but their sound is so heavily immersed in soul it’s hard to confine it to either genre. Take Black Mambo, which quickly shifts from minimalist strings and bass drum to a lo-fi version of a Latin slow dance. Hazey moves further into R&B territory – its opening could have been pulled straight from a Snoop track circa 2000. But add Dave Bayley’s voice and some tinkling strings and you get an indie track to get down to. Gooey remains the clear standout, its appeal largely the way the lyrics mirror the song’s texture and mood. ‘Tipsy topsy swerves’ capture the woozy harmonies perfectly. ZABA elevates Glass Animals from ‘ones to watch’ to a seriously interesting band to dig into. Grab a spoon. EMILY MELLER
AUGUSTUS WELBY
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RON POPE Calling Off The Dogs Brooklyn Basement
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RODNEY CROWELL Tarpaper Sky New Rest Records
Ron Pope’s talents first reached many fans’ ears when he put out his beautiful single, A Drop In The Ocean, in 2005. Since then, though having independently released 10 albums and countless other singles, it seems Pope hasn’t made a major splash. Now, Pope branches out from his altcountry and folk roots, choosing to go a little more ‘pop’ as he returns with Calling Off The Dogs. The chaos of colours on the cover really represents the variety of sound you’ll find throughout this record. Starting off with some catchy and upbeat pop, Pope makes things slower, deeper and more thought-provoking once Explain hits the speakers. For any fans of his breakout single, the track, Silver Spoon, will really hit home, with the voice that we heard back then really shining through. Meanwhile, guest vocalist Alexz Johnson’s powerful tones come through to great effect on Nothing. A good listen overall, Calling Off The Dogs offers plenty of variation, right up until Pope explores his higher register on Blood From A Stone. It’s an odd way to end a sprawling record.
Rodney Crowell is a former member of Emmylou Harris’ Hot Band, close friend to Townes Van Zandt, was married to Roseanne Cash for a time, and, along the journey, has been responsible for well over a dozen records of his own. Tarpaper Sky is the latest from the veteran musician with his boots firmly planted in the country realm. Crowell is known as much for his skills as a songwriter as he is for being an artist in his own right. In some ways he is a victim to his prowess with penning the word as his voice is heartfelt and warm in its own right and is often overlooked when rating the evergreen artist. The Long Journey Home is a measure that country music is never out of fashion with this timeless tune. All of the tools in his kit are brought out as Crowell excels at up tempo roots moments and shows his mastery of a ballad with the lonesome God I’m Missing You. At 64 years of age, Crowell doesn’t appear to be losing any of his nous with Tarpaper Sky being as solid a record as he has made for some time. Not all albums have to break new ground and Tarpaper Sky is a victory for the tried and true.
AMY THEODORE
CHRIS HAVERCROFT
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Since his first appearance in 1975, Davros (the insane maker of the Daleks) has been a quintessential villain for Doctor Who. With Terry Molloy one of the guests at Supanova this year, we had a chat with the longest serving actor to sit in the motorised chair for the cause of galactic extermination. In 1984 Molloy became the third actor to don the latex mask to portray Davros. “An actor always brings something of himself to his roles,” Molly says, but admits he was visiting interesting ground that had previously been gone over, drawing on the work of prior Davros actors Michael Wisher and David Gooderson. Of course, the key factor in the characterisation is the distinctive costume and makeup appliances. “The old foam latex actually helped with the cadence of Davros. As it was stiff, it hampered movement, making the speech stilted and deliberate.” His voice and cadence change as he is saying this as he shifts into character effortlessly, and for a moment the creator of the Daleks is on the other end of the line. Some of the shoots were tricky though. During the 1985 storyline, Revelation Of The Daleks, Davros was portrayed as “...a head in a fish tank.” The set was constructed in such a way that swivelling too quickly would bang Molloy’s knees into it. To solve this he actually had his legs tied beneath him for long sections of the shoot. “That was quite difficult as the legs were feeling gangrenous by the end.” In fact playing Davros often brought a degree of physical challenge to the role. The chair is not as motorised as people assume and is basically “...pushed along by the actor’s toes and made heavier by the two 12 volt batteries.” Once while playing Davros on stage for the Children In Need charity event The Trial Of Davros, he left the chair after two hours on stage only to find the inside white with salt crystals. Chosen for the role due to his stint as a DJ who often did funny voices in British TV series Radio Phoenix, Molloy initially had no idea as to who Davros was. Although a science fiction fan at a young age (watching Doctor Who, reading Asimov and listing to sci-fi radio drama on the BBC) he had stopped watching Doctor Who before Tom Baker’s time. However once shown the classic origins episode of Genesis Of The Daleks he fell in love with the role of the megalomaniac scientist, and the dark humour that his stint in the chair would often bring out in the role. Since that time, Molloy has played the role across four Doctors (Davidson- McGann) on TV and radio. As part of the Big Finish Audio cast, he helped keep the adventures of The Doctor alive during its hiatus from TV - although radio is nothing new for Molloy, and indeed is a second home for him. In 1973 he started a five week role on the iconic radio series The Archers. The character proved popular, and he is still playing the part 40 years later. Molloy counts himself as fortunate to be part of “...two of the most iconic British shows in the last century.” DAVID O’CONNELL
Terry Molloy is a guest at this year’s Supanova Pop Culture Expo, which runs at the Perth Convention And exhibition Centre from June 20 - 22. For information and tickets, head to supanova.com.au.
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Having one of his distinctive murals painted over by over-zealous cleaners hasn’t slowed down popular street artist Stormie Mills one iota, as he’s now this year’s mentor at Hyper Vision. The exhibition, held at Midland Gate Shopping Centre from July 7 - 27, is built around the theme “20/20” and asks artists to produce works that contemplate both the past two decades and the next 20 years. Young artists who wish to enter have until 4pm on Friday, June 13. Go to hyperfest.com.au for more info.
HOLD DOWN THE FORT
REVELATION ROLLS OUT The program for the 2014 Revelation Perth International Film Festival was launched at Luna Cinemas Leederville this Saturday, June 7, followed by a screening of the Tom Hardy-starring Locke, one of this year’s featured films. Once again, Rev has an excellent range off indie and avant garde cinema fare on offer, including To Be Takei, a documentary about Star Trek veteran and now internet phenomenon, George Takei; Cold In July, an adaptation of the thriller novel by cult author Joe R. Lansdale; indie horror American Mummy; the Scarlett Johansson-starring Under The Skin and more. Special events this year include a 40th anniversary screening of The Texas Chain-Saw Massacre, selected 16mm films from Melbourne’s famed Mu-Meson Archives and Sonic Youth founder Lee Ranaldo’s and filmmaker Leah Singer’s Sight/Unseen multimedia project. For full details and tickets, go to revelationfilmfest.org. Cold In July, screening at Revelation Perth International Film Festival
CUT TO THE CHASE Omnipresent cabaret king Tomás Ford is getting ready to hit suspecting and unsuspecting audiences alike with his new show, The Final Chase. A culmination of Ford’s work as the City of Rockingham’s first ever artist in residence. Evoking an air of international intrigue, danger and seduction, this promises to be something different one of Perth’s most beloved and outrageous performers. It runs at the brand new Rockingham Arts Centre from June 25 - 28 and July 2 -5. For tickets and show times, head to ticketbooth.com.au.
Five Forts is an upcoming exhibition at Paper Mountain featuring work by Kieron Broadhurst, James Cooper, Amy Hickman, Ashley Ramsay and Joanne Richardson. Breaching the barrier between audience and artist, the show is an interactive, immersive installation that gives the audience agency in the works’ creation. At the exhibition’s opening night, each artist will begin constructing their won fort out of various materials and some will try to infiltrate the others’ creations. A playful experiment that makes us question proper gallery “behaviour,” it runs from June 13 - 29. Go to papermountain.org.au for more.
THE ROVER Road To Nowhere Directed by David Michod Starring Guy Pearce, Robert Pattinson, Scoot McNairy, Nash Edgerton, David Field
MIRTH FROM MELBOURNE The Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow is on again at His Majesty’s Theatre from June 12 - 15. Some of the brightest comics the Festival has to offer have braved the merciless Nullarbor to bring us a few laughs, including Luke McGregor, Nick Cody, Randy the pugnacious purple puppet, Anne Edmonds and MC Jeff Green. They’re here for four performances only, so get over to comedyfestival.com.au/roadshow to book your tickets now. Luke McGregor, part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow
In this bleak, post-apocalyptic thriller, writer and director David Michod eschews the brutal romanticism of the iconic Mad Max series for something far more troubling and complex. We never learn exactly the nature of “The Collapse” as the film terms it, but the parameters of the narrative are easy enough to grasp. In a lawless, barren wasteland three criminals, led by Henry (Scoot McNairy), steal a car belonging to Eric (Guy Pearce). Eric wants it back with a fervour that crosses into obsession, and proves perfectly capable of employing brutal violence in his quest to regain his property. He gains an unwilling accomplice in the form of Ray (Robert Pattinson), the mentally challenged brother of Henry, who was wounded and left behind to die during a botched robbery. Like a kind of Antipodean George and Lenny, the pair make their way through a desolate landscape populated by grotesques, misfits and the odd military patrol. Your appreciation of The Rover is going to depend a lot on how you feel about the ongoing trend of miserablism in Australian cinema. Although leavened by the occasional burst of gallows humour, this is a searingly angry and nihilistic piece, with Pearce’s Eric - nominally our point of view character
- a man completely defined by his towering rage at both himself and the world and its failings. By contrast, Pattinson’s Rey is an innocent - yet in this world even an innocent has blood on his hands. A mush-mouthed, mumbling manchild in desperate need of someone to take care of him, he embodies the film’s emotional arc as his loyalties transfer from his brother to his captor. Pattinson excels in the role, lending the character a fascinating mix of vulnerability and volatility. It’s that vulnerability that makes this harsh world such a dangerous place for Rey. The Rover is set in an ugly, hyper-masculine universe, bereft of gentility and kindness. Only three female characters appear: one of them is a corpse when we meet her, another is a brothel madam who offers Eric a boy who she promises is “...soft, like the inside of your arm.” In a world as brutal as this, is their any wonder that Rey cleaves to Eric, who may promise to slit his throat at the first hint of betrayal, but shows more concern for him than anyone else, including his own brother? In truth, this kind of relentless brutality is starting to become wearisome, but that’s more a reflection of the ongoing trend in Australian film rather than this individual movie. Taken on its own merits, although it’s not the clarion blast of talent and intensity that Animal Kingdom was, Michod’s follow up still displays the same clarity of vision and lack of sentiment as his acclaimed debut. There are a couple of missteps here and there - the final revelation of why Eric was so determined to get his car back is not only a bit if a dud punchline, but also raises some questions of logic - but The Rover remains a strong, insistent and challenging film. TRAVIS JOHNSON
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GOOD VIBRATIONS Rebel Yell Directed by Lisa D’Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn Starring Richard Dormer, Jodie Whittaker, Adrian Dunbar, Dylan Moran, Liam Cunningham Deadly and divided 1970s Belfast is the backdrop for this feel-good music biopic, which tells the true tale of Terri Hooley (Richard Dormer), an amiable music lover and DJ who, in the midst of sectarian violence, somehow managed to found, in order, a popular music store, a recording label and something of a cultural revolution. Never mind the bollocks, this is the story of the rise of Northern Irish punk culture. For all the bombs and the beatings and the nihilism inherent in the punk ethos, Good Vibrations is a remarkably upbeat piece, as is its central figure, the ceaselessly optimistic Hooley. Always an outcast thanks to his parents’ socialist convictions (he spells his name with an i because he lost one - an eye, that is - to a maliciously-fired arrow as a child) he manages to find a place in the world for himself when he opens the titular record store on the most bombedout street in Belfast (and, by extension, the world). He also finds love in the form of the gorgeous Ruth 14
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(Jodie Whitaker), but Hooley reserves his most ardent affection for music, often to the chagrin of the people in his life. That’s the central tension of the story, at heart - poor, feckless Hooley sacrificing everything, including the possibility of monetary security for his young family, because he loves his music so damn much. Hooley would much rather have a signed photo by the Shangri-Las than any kind of financial safety net, as evidenced when he hands over seminal Irish punk outfit The Undertones for exactly that (well, that plus 500 pounds, to be fair). On paper, Hooley comes across as almost certifiably irresponsible, but Dormer, who you might remember from Game Of Thrones a season or two back, gives such a charming performance that you can forgive him, even if Ruth and others can’t. Indeed, Dormer is the film’s chief asset, his easy charisma and cock-eyed optimism buoying a story laden with rote developments and by-the-number gutter-level music pic details. Still, while it might lack the verve of, say 24 Hour Party People or Sid & Nancy, and comes up short in the gravitas department when compared to sombre American hagiographies like Walk The Line and Ray, Good Vibrations never becomes tiresome. Terri Hooley may well remain an unsung hero of music history, but his life story is worth checking out at least once. All else aside, it’s got a cracking soundtrack. TRAVIS JOHNSON
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Lisa Barros D’Sa (centre) on the set of Good Vibrations
LISA BARROS D’SA Good Vibrations With her husband and filmmaking partner, Glenn Leyburn, Lisa Barross D’Sa has followed up their 2009 feature debut, teen thriller Cherrybomb, with Good Vibrations, a biopic of Belfast Godfather of Punk, Terri Hooley. You may not have heard of Terri Hooley, but he’s a household name amongst Belfast music heads. “Terri’s a bit of a local legend in Northern Ireland,” explains co-director Lisa Barron D’Sa. “We’re both a bit young to have been part of that scene, but Glenn (Leyburn, D’Sa’s life and filmmaking partner) in particular grew up with a real love of punk music and that whole thing. We were both aware of the story.” Thus, when the idea of transforming Hooley’s chaotic life into a movie was presented to them, the pair leaped at the chance. “The idea of making it into a film originated with the writers, Glenn Patterson and Colin Carbury, quite a few years ago, before Glenn and I had started directing movies. It didn’t get off the ground then for a number of reasons, but the main one was that Terri wasn’t quite ready to have his story told, I think. It got to a point in his life where he felt that there was a legacy and he wanted to talk about it. And I think also because when we became involved, it became clear that there was a team from Northern Ireland. It was a time when the Northern Ireland film industry was really coming into its own a few years ago and the people involved were able to understand the DNA of the story and the times and to convey that with the sort of authenticity that he (Terri) was comfortable with.” As a period piece that covered a number
of years and locations, Good Vibrations represented a much more complex undertaking than the pair’s first, relatively contained, film, but it was a challenge they relished. “This kind of story brings its own complexities in terms of the subject matter. The fact that you’re dealing with not just people who are alive and well and remember the time very well, but you’re dealing with a period of history that’s very complex and you have a great responsibility to all the people involved in it to tell it with sensitivity. I think it also invited us to use a different style of filmmaking - there was a kind of punk DIY ethos that Terri brought. We thought it was important to reflect that in the style of the storytelling. And I think with every project that you make, you want to grow and you want to learn and you want to do something different. Making a film is never short of challenges, but you want to give yourself new ones each time.” Ultimately, D’Sa feels the final product captures the unique flavour that set Belfast punk paart from its London and New York counterparts. “Well, I think it’s all encapsulated in the line that’s appeared on some of the posters that Terri says in the script: ‘London has the haircuts, New York has the trousers, but Belfast has the reason.’” TRAVIS JOHNSON
THE HOUSE ON THE LAKE OPENING NIGHT The State Theatre Centre Saturday, June 7, 2014 The latest offering from Black Swan State Theatre Company, a dark psychological thriller starring Kenneth Ransom and Marthe Rovik, drew an appreciative audience to the Studio Underground on Saturday. Photos by David Chong
Shelby, Jessica
Bree, Verity, Jessica, Nerida
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E D U C AT I O N , T R A I N I N G & C A R E E R S
STUDY SMART, NOT HARD Exams suck. This is a scientific fact. But you need to do them to pass university. We caught up with Beverly Ng from Murdoch University to find out how to study smart, not hard and how not to freak out during an exam. 1. Be consistent. Consistent work through the semester is the best preparation. Try to complete reading reviews of your core readings throughout the semester and organise your notes early on to avoid last minute cramming. Use the unit learning objectives as a focus for your exam study and preparation. 2. Look at past exam papers. If your unit exams are available, you can find past exam papers on the library website. Make sure you understand the structure of the paper and how the marks are allocated. This will help you allocate appropriate times for the questions during the exam. The higher the marks, the more time you are expected to spend on a question. 3. Work through past exam papers that are available to you. To be most effective in your study, complete the questions in a set time under exam conditions.
6. Arrive early. On the day of your exam arrive early, to give yourself plenty of time to focus on the exam and go through your notes. Try to relax and avoid coffee and other stimulants before your exam. 7. Check your reading time. The reading time for an exam is the time allocated to reading the exam paper, not answering the questions. For a “write on” paper you may not make notes on the paper. For all other papers, you may make notes on the paper. 8. Use your reading time affectively. Use the reading time (usually ten minutes) to identify questions with which you feel more confident, so you can tackle them first.
4. Look after yourself. In the lead up to your exam, remember to eat well, maintain healthy friendships and exercise. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is one of the best preparations you can undertake for study.
9. Use the services available to you. There are a range of services on campus that can assist you with your exam preparation and anxiety. If you have any issues that could hinder your participation in the exam, you need to register these with the Equity Office or the Exams Office before week 12 of the semester.
5. Check your timetable. Check the exam timetable early and note the times in your diary or calendar. Check before the day that you know the location of the exam room.
10. Talk to the Exams Office. If you experience any problems on the day of your exam, get in contact with the Exams Office immediately
STRESS LESS, MAN 1
2 BE REALISTIC
GET ADEQUATE SLEEP
Overambitious goals are a frequent cause of stress.
Try to establish a regular hour for bedtime.
MEDITATE OR LEARN RELAXATION TECHNIQUES
3 SEE THE BIG PICTURE
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Avoid hurrying or worrying. Learn how to relax or mediate and make this part of your daily routine.
Don’t let petty problems get the best of you. Decide if circumstances are worth getting stressed over.
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6
BE ASSERTIVE Learn how to say “no”.
SPEND TIME WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY
EXERCISE Physical activity without overdoing it works wonders in helping to reduce stress.
Seek out and spend time with people whose company you enjoy.
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AVOID BOOZE Don’t rely on alcohol or drugs to cope with a problem.
GET A ROUTINE
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Try to follow a routine. Avoid disorganization and disruption.
8 EXPRESS YOURSELF Don’t keep feelings to yourself. Identify fears and talk them over with others.
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A R T S & C U LT U R E
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FAS H I O N
Eggtooth: Spectrum Project Space A fundraising exhibition held in conjunction with Birdlife Western Australia, this sees 42 local artists create works relating to various threatened or endangered avian species. It runs from June 13 - June 21. Hit up ecu.edu.au for more details.
2014 Perth International Burlesque Festival More than 60 national, international and local performers will be strutting their stuff from June 28 - July 3, including Germany’s Lada Redstar, US star Coco Lectric, Italy’s Cleo Viper and Australia’s own Bella De Jac and Raven. Go to perthburlesquefestival. com for full details, show times and ticketing.
THEATRE/DANCE/ PERFORMANCE
Revelation Film Festival From July 3 - 13, treat yourself to some of the best in edgy, underground and outré films from across the country and around the globe. For full info, go to revelationfilmfest.org.
Rabbithead: The Blue Room Theatre Director Ian Sinclair and Little y Theatre bring us a surreal and disturbing psychological drama that takes place on a fairy floss set, with an original soundtrack by Catlips. It runs until June 14. Go to blueroom.org. au for tickets and info. The House On The Lake: State Theatre Centre This production of playwright Aidan Fennessy’s investigation into truth and memory is directed by Stuart Halusz and stars Kenneth Ransom and Marthe Rovik. It runs until June 22. Go to bsstc.com.au for tickets and session times. Eight Gigabytes Of Hardcore Pornography: State Theatre Centre Written be Declan Greene, Eight Gigabytes is a funny, dirty, frequently cringe-worthy (in the best possible way) look at love, sex, loneliness and relationships. Starring Andrea Gibbs and Steve Rogers and featuring music by the acclaimed Rachael Dease, it runs from July 2 - 12. Go to perthhteatre.com.au for tickets and session times.
EAT AT: UNCLE JOE’S MESS HALL Get a haircut, grab a bite - what more could you want? How about Uncle Joe’s own cold-brewed coffee? Uncle Joe’s now has a second location in Mt Lawley, too, for discerning 6050 dwellers. Uncle Joe’s Mess Hall
Giving Up The Ghosts: The Blue Room Theatre This new work by Perth theatre tearaway Joe Lui tells the story of Steve and Ruth, two lost souls who find each other, with tragic consequences. It runs from June 24 - July 12. Shoot over to blueoom.org.au for more details. Cleo Viper, performing at the Perth International Burlesque Festival - Photo by Anna Lucylle
VISUAL ARTS Ukiyo-E - Japanese Prints Of The Floating World: Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery An exhibition of Japanese woodblock prints from the collection of Ronald and Catherine Berndt. It runs until June 28. Head over to lwgallery.uwa.edu. au for details.
DRINK AT: HULA BULA BAR Slide on down to this hidden piece of South Seas style for a rum cocktail or six. Groovy tunes and carefully curated decor means an evening spent here is as much about atmosphere as alcohol. Hula Bula Bar
The Scandinavian Film Festival The first ever Scandinavian Film Festival brings t o g e t h e r t h e b e s t c i n e m a f ro m Swe d e n , Denmark, Norway, Finland and Iceland. It runs at Cinema Paradiso from July 24 - 30. Go to scandinavianfilmfestival.com or lunapalace.com.au for details.
Dinosaur Discovery - Lost Creatures Of The Cretaceous: WA Museum Combining life-size moving models and 3D augmented reality technology, this world-class exhibition brings the unfathomably distant past to life. There will also be fossils and specimens on display, interactive activities and more. It runs until August 3. Go to museum.wa.gov.au for more information. The Collector: Venn Gallery Tané Andrews presents his latest solo exhibition until June 27. Go venn.net for further information. Fremantle Realists: Fremantle Arts Centre An exhibition of works by Ray Beattie, Marcus Beilby and Ken Waldrop, three artists who, working from a shared studio space in Fremantle’s High Street in the 1970s, looking at WA through the lens of photorealism. It runs until July 17. Go to fac.org.au for further information.
Jasper Jones: State Theatre Centre Barking Gecko Theatre Company presents a stage adaptation of Craig Silvey’s acclaimed novel, written for the stage by Kate Mulvany and directed by John Sheedy. It runs from July 17 - August 9. Go to barkinggecko.com.au for more information. Patyegarang: State Theatre Centre This new production from Bangarra Dance Theatre tells the story of the eponymous Aboriginal woman who taught her language to Lieutenant William Dawes of the Colonial Fleet. It runs from July 30 - August 2 for five performances only. Tickets are available via Ticketek.
FESTIVALS 2014 Perth Winter Arts Season This seasonal celebration of art and culture is back once again, showcasing a dazzling array of performance, visual arts, film, literature, fashion, food and more. It runs until August 31. Go to perthwinterarts.com.au to start planning your winter. Supanova Pop Culture Expo Since 2002, Supanova has brought the best of sci-fi and fantasy fandom to hordes of ravening fans. This year’s guests include Jon Heder, Rose McGowan. John Barrowman, Laurie Holden, George Lazenby, Richard Kiel and more. It’s on at the Perth Convention And Exhibition Centre from June 20 - 22. go to supanova. com.au for all the details.
John Barrowman appearing at Supanova Pop Culture Expo - Photo by Gage Skidmore
To have your performance, exhibition or cultural event listed, get in touch via
localmusicarts@xpressmag.com.au For more Art Stories head to
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RICHARD KIEL SHOP AT: COMMON GROUND Whether you hit up their Perth of Fremantle locations, you’ll find plenty of great local brands and products stocked by these champions of low fashion miles. Common Ground
GO TO: FOR THE RECORD Hit The Bird on Friday the 13th for Fresh Collective’s second attempt to meld music and art, featuring live performances from The Pissedcolas, Aborted Tortoise and Catbrush and a display of art painted on 12” vinyl records. The Bird 18
Jawing With the Big Guy From The Twilight Zone to Pale Rider, Force 10 From Navarone to Happy Gilmore, Richard Kiel has been an unmistakable presence in TV and film for fifty years. The 7’ 2” actor is best known as the iconic James Bond villain Jaws, the unstoppable henchman with a steel overbite, and to date the only villain to appear in two Bond films played by the same person. X-Press sat down to talk to the big guy, as he headed over to Perth for Supanova. As to how Kiel found himself gravitating to acting, the answer is surprisingly simple. “I needed to find work so I could afford a king size bed, custom boots and a car big enough to fit me,” he jokes. “And I had an aunt who said, ‘Why don’t you get into movies?’ So I kind of lucked right in.” Playing plenty of tough guys and monsters during his career, his work on the western Barbary Coast (alongside William Shatner) brought him to the attention of the Bond producer. “Albert Broccoli interviewed me. We had lunch at the Beverly Hills Hotel and he described the character to me, and I said, ‘Oh my God that’s a monster role, I don’t do those any more!’ I thought, ‘It’s James Bond, you love James Bond, figure out a way to make it work.’ So I suggested that whoever he hired he really needed an actor, as a guy who killed people with his teeth could become over the top very quickly. If I played the part I would want to give him human qualities, like perseverance, frustration and vulnerability. “ Needless to say he got the part. However, using a set of metal prosthetic teeth as Jaws’ signature weapon did present a slight problem. “The teeth were a challenge. You couldn’t talk with the teeth, you couldn’t eat with the teeth. They weren’t painful, but they sat in the roof of your mouth. They
were very nauseating. So they gave me a stoic look, while trying not to throw up. It was quite a challenge, but it gave me a distinctive look.” Kiel has also done some unexpected things during his career. He voiced Vlad in Disney’s animated movie Tangled, and co-authored a biography on the 1800s abolitionist Cassius Clay (a subject about which he is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate). Yet it is the tough guy roles that Kiel is best known for, and so he has been in dozens of on-screen fights over the years. “I was pretty good with stunts. I would learn from the stuntmen, and I would rehearse with them. So I would learn how to take and throw movie punches. In Egypt (during The Spy Who Loved Me) they
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wanted me to walk across some scaffolding, and if you fell, it was right down to the rock slabs at the bottom of the Temple of Karnak.” After some previous close calls, Kiel decided to pass on the stunt. “The stuntman did it. He was 180 pounds, but learned to walk and move like me, and until the day she died my mother thought I did it. I mean, suffer from acrophobia! I don’t even like being this tall!” DAVID O’CONNELL Richard Kiel appears at the Supanova Pop Culture Exhibition at the Perth Convention And Exhibition Centre from June 20 - 22. Go to supanova.com.au for details.
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Do you remember your tweens? Such innocent times. Pizza parties, Saturday morning cartoons, going to raves... okay, well, maybe not the last one. That one might just be reserved for Jason Chung, aka Nosaj Thing, the most in-demand producer you’ve never heard of. Ahead of his appearance at CIRCO Festival on June 28, Nosaj Thing got on the line with DAVID JAMES YOUNG. “I started DJing when I was twelve,” he says on the line from his home studio, with the kind of nonchalance that one would normally reserve for telling someone what you had for lunch. “I had an older friend who got me into it – he had this whole set-up and we’d use it to spin whatever new singles were coming in at the time. A lot of Bad Boy Records stuff, actually. My love of hip hop then moved into house and jungle music; and I went to my first rave when I was 13. It’s all stuff that came to me at a really early age; and that I’ve been in love with ever since.” Once Chung had gotten down the basics in production, he began putting the feelers out in 2006 with his debut EP, entitled Views/Octopus. From there, he’s gone on to release two studio albums and has worked with a slew of notable acts. Despite many people first discovering his work as Nosaj Thing via these collaborations, Chung confesses that he’s still somewhat nervous about directly approaching those he wants to work with. “I’m not really that good at approaching people and being, like, ‘Hey! We should work together!,’” he says, laughing to himself about the awkwardness of it all. “All of the collaborations I’ve done were just ones that happened pretty naturally. I’m always open to the idea. As a producer, the most important thing I can do is learn. I do my best to try and make it work with whoever it might be. It’s something I’d like to do more. I really enjoy being in the studio more than touring, to be honest with you. I think I want to shift more towards being a behind-the-scenes sort of person, just working on production and working with different artists.” Perhaps the best-known artist Nosaj has worked with is rap superstar Kendrick Lamar – although it was some time before his breakthrough when he and Chung worked together. The two collaborated on a standalone single, Cloud 10, which was released as a part of the Windows Phone ME series. When asked about their collaboration, Chung cannot sing his praises high enough. “I was amazed by Kendrick,” he says. “When I worked with him, it was before his album came out. He was only a couple of mixtapes deep at that point. We were in the studio, and I had about 20 beats for us to play around with. For some reason, he just picked the first beat that
he heard – he said ‘I don’t need to hear any of the other ones.’ He’d start with the hook, recording it a few times and getting the layer going. When he was rapping, it was kind of like Jay-Z’s style – no pad, no paper. He’d go away for maybe ten, fifteen minutes; then come right back in and put a verse down. He did that three times, and then we were done. It spun me out – all I could think was ‘What is happening right now?’” In addition to his collaborative works, Chung has also been enlisted to remix over a dozen artists. His work in this department features artists as varied as Drake, Radiohead, The xx, Phillip Glass and even Charlotte Gainsbourg. It’s something that Chung doesn’t take lightly – to him, his remixes are just as important as his original compositions. It’s essential that they maintain his identity, even if it is somewhat vicarious. “I try my best to make my remixes as different from the original as entirely possible,” he explains. “I do that by not using any of the stems from the original. All I use is the a capella vocal take, and I try to add it into the mix of something fresh. Unless it’s another instrumental track that I’m remixing – then I take the song’s main motif and attempt to develop something abstract from there. I always try and experiment as much as I can with them – the goal is to get something new out of it. To me, that’s the only way to really progress.” With his second studio album, Home, out in the world, Chung will return to Australia at the end of the month for a run of club dates and an appearance at the CIRCO music festival in Claremont. It marks his first time appearing in Western Australia, and the California native is practically chomping at the bit to check out what the rest of the country has to offer. “The last time I was there was about three years ago,” he says. “It was really brief – I just did Melbourne and Sydney. It was really good – I had absolutely no idea that I had listeners over that way. I’m really looking forward to getting back there and doing it properly. I really want to feel out the vibe of the place – I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
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FREO, WAY TO GO
BROOKE EVERS
This July, the Hidden Treasures winter music series will celebrate Fremantle’s vibrant musical culture by converting unique spaces along High Street into live music hotspots to showcase new and established artists. Hidden Treasures is now in its fourth year of creating unique collaborations and dialogues between musicians and music lovers, softening the barriers between performers and audiences. Die hard musos and fans won’t want to miss out on performances and DJ/producer discussions Shifting Kingdoms and Play Something We Can Dance To, on July 3 and July 10 respectively. The discussions, hosted by Aarom Wilson, will take place at PS Art Space and will address the ins and outs of WA’s vibrant electronic, DJ and dance music scene.
Brooke Evers; cover-model, reality TV personality, brand ambassador and now one of most exciting party-rocking DJs in the country is coming to P-Town. The Australian-born Dutch beauty has been tearing up the glamour circuit for over a decade and fast became the woman of choice for photographers and events worldwide. Brooke is dishing up dance-floor delight for the masses and has created a sound all of her own; hand-crafting a mix of the latest commercial Pop and R&B with a heavy coat of Electro. This downto-earth girl has quickly progressed into a league all of her own; a compilation in the works, countless media offers and modeling contracts to boot – no matter the result, Brooke Evers is one to watch in 2014. Catch her at Metropolis Fremantle, Saturday, June 28.
Aarom Wilson
Brooke Evers
HE’S A MANIAC In 2013, M A N I K performed over 50 shows from coast to coast and across the globe while actively producing over a dozen releases on labels such as Black Butter, Hot Creations, Ovum Recordings, Moda Black, Culprit, Real Tone and KID. 2014 will see forthcoming releases and collaborations with Black Butter, Anjunadeep, Shadow Child, Culprit, Maxxi Soundsystem, Moda Black and Have A Killer Time. You can check him out at Geisha Bar, Friday, July 4. M A N I K. Photo by Charles Roussel
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Photo by Tim Fenby
YEO THE GAME Melbourne producer/songwriter Yeo is taking his new single, Kobe, around Australia this month. He plays The Causeway Saturday, June 14; Lost Society that night (DJ set); and Indi Bar Sunday, June 15, and tells TROY MUTTON it’s good to have people around who’ll pull your head in from time to time.
“It’s the bane of my existence, I hate playing the game, but I have a really good team behind me who look after me and give me good advice.” So says Melbourne’s Yeo Choong, lamenting his inability to simply release new music as he completes it. Don’t mistake him for some petulant young artist though, Yeo is completely aware of how the system works: “I can yell and scream about how much I don’t care about the actual industry side of music, but if I really love doing music so much, I need to be careful and not ruin everything before I’ve even gotten started. “As soon as I finish a song I wanna share it with everyone,” he tells, on break from his day job before the tour kicks off that night in Melbourne, and it’s understandable given his two latest singles – Girl and now Kobe – have both clocked over 100,000 plays across Soundcloud/Youtube. Not one to look backwards though, it’s Yeo’s upcoming releases he’s most excited about: “We’re happy, and we’re really excited about the stuff that’s coming as well. I feel like Girl and Kobe are…steppingstones to some of the work I’m probably the most proud of in my life, if that makes sense.” This excitement coincides with a slight shift in direction sonically for the young producer, who has two tracks to release to make up his fourtrack EP release. “A lot of my songs are different from each other and in different styles. Basically the two more tracks from the EP, kind of tie off a period in my life where I was really getting into analogue synthesizers, and trying to create something quite cinematic and lush. “And now I’m moving slightly more towards the soul-y, get-up-and-dance style of music, that’s a little bit glitchy as well. Some would call it lo-fi, because some of the new songs are really quite rough sounding, but it’s all about the energy for me.” Energy is a running theme for our conversation, especially when discussion turns to the live show – something Yeo holds in high regards when it comes to being a performing artist. “It’s a drummer and myself, and I switch between a couple of instruments… “A lot of electronic acts these days, unless they’re doing really well, they don’t really bother with a drummer. But we make it a point, a drummer adds so much energy to it. My drummer Andrew, he’s so good at what he does, and we work really well together.” And besides an energetic live show, what else can fans expect at his shows over the weekend? “For this tour we’ll be playing a lot of new stuff people haven’t heard before… “We hope everyone enjoys it – you know that new direction I was talking about? There’s definitely a few songs that have that. But yeah whoever comes to shows on this Australian tour will be in for a bit of a premiere treat.”
WITH DEADWEIGHT! Deadweight! share their top five new bass tracks
Flava D In The Dance Formula Records
Kahn Mungo’s Hifi feat. Charlie P (Kahn Remix) Scotch Bonnet
Flava D comes correct with yet another essential dancefloor monster, In The Dance, which sees Butterz’s first lady drop the tempo to 130 bpm for a serious bassline house workout complete with a menacing string melody, big drums and the classic Worries In The Dance sample used to full effect. We promise this one will make any dancefloor go nuts. Kahn once again makes it into our Take Five with a remix of Mungo’s Hifi digital dancehall original that is all class. A heavyweight, dread re-work that lets Charlie P’s Flowdan-esque flow do all the talking, while still sounding un-mistakably Kahn (Eastern string samples and shuffling, skanking percussion). This one will find itself sitting alongside classics like Skeng and Badman City in time.
BPDR Favela Chase Scene Cyanide Recordings
New Zealand-based solo artists Bullet Proof and Dutty Ranks team up under their new BPDR moniker to deliver a true slice of gangster boogie. Favela Chase Scene is all about the funk - something we’re super happy to hear again in dubstep. With its sidewinding bassline, guitars and rolling percussion it’s hard not to imagine your self winding through Cidade de Deus or Rochina. Move over Pitbull - this is the new World Cup anthem.
Kode9 & The Spaceape Chasing A Beast Hyperdub
Kode9 and long time partner in crime team up once again to deliver - for us at least - the stand out cut on the first half of Hyperdub’s 10 year anniversary compilation. Weighing in at 160bpm, it’s a two-minute long horror film. Spaceape’s vocal fits perfectly over Kode9’s instrumental - which sounds like he only just has under control. Discordant sci-fi pads fighting to get loose, frantic hats, snares and toms; it’s almost impossible to describe the energy in this one, you really do have to listen to it!
Pushing the tempo even higher, NameBrandSound’s NameBrandSound Spell On Me is halftime drum and bass colliding head on Spell On Me with footwork (a sound that is becoming increasingly Technicolour popular of late). While the whole EP is quality, and highly recommended for fans of Sam Binga, Om Unit, Alix Perez and Machinedrum, it’s Spell On Me’s big 808 drums, lighting fast percussion and spell binding vocal that eventually give way to a hands-in-the-air pads and arpeggio break down that make this one a peak time tune for us. 20
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B E AT S
2.5 OUT OF 5
50 CENT Animal Ambition Capitol/EMI 11 years, five albums and one exceptionally bad baseball pitch down the track from 50 Cent’s breakout (and still best) album, Get Rich Or Die Tryin’, is there room in today’s internet-dominated rap game for an artist such as Curtis Jackson? Noted in the early naughties for a refreshingly “real” persona that caught the attention of Eminem and Dr Dre, Animal Ambition is the first time in over a decade Jackson has cut out on his own without the overseeing eye of those two industry titans, and it’s hard to say if he’s better or worse for it. Animal Ambition’s biggest sin is its perfectly middle-of-the-road nature; there’s nothing on the 11-track, 39-minute LP that warrants either harsh scorn or critical adornment. The fun of the Candy Shop days are long gone, and while the production is predictably slick, all that remains is Jackson, “rich as a motherfucker” and somehow surprised that “ain’t much changed” on one of the album’s better tracks, chilled opener Hold On. And when the money, fast cars and faster bitche$ you longed for at the start of your career are now just a standard Monday morning, what’s left to talk about? Unfortunately for Jackson, it would appear very little.
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PHANTOGRAM The Mashup Generation Hip hop. Post-punk. Soul. EDM. Rock. Trip hop. Synthpop. Try describing New York band Phantogram’s sound to a friend, and you’ll end up choking on hyphens. Phantogram are a band for today, for people who grew up with both Public Enemy and Yeah Yeah Yeahs posters on their walls. Their sound seems purpose-made for iPod shuffle; seamlessly shifting between grimy beats, wailing noise and beautiful melodies. Not just between tracks, but between verses. Phantogram make music for the mashup generation. CAMERON JAMES writes. “I don’t know of many people who just listen to one genre of music,” says one half of Phantogram, Josh Carter. “And if they do, they must be pretty boring. People my age have been exposed to so many different kinds of music. And I think that they wanna hear things that are more fresh,” says Carter. “As an artist it’s your duty to mess around and have fun with what you’re doing. And be exposed to all kinds of music.” By all accounts, Carter and his creative other half Sarah Barthel created Phantogram in a vacuum. Starting in 2007, the duo would play bits and pieces of songs for each other, weaving them into full tracks in the process. Up until the release of their debut album, Eyelid Movies in 2009, they’d never played a single live show. Their sound is their sound. It came from within them, and nowhere else.
Rather than attempt a multi-hyphenate genre-mashing descriptor, Carter sticks with the simple “experimental pop” when asked what Phantogram do. And luckily for us, the pair is bringing its experimental pop to our shores for Splendour In The Grass in July. “You’re going to get some high-energy performances out there, man,” Carter says. In the US, Phantogram have become as known for their live shows as their dynamic recordings. Their last tour boasted an insane light show, co-designed by Barthel. Carter isn’t sure if they’ll be able to bring all that production to our faraway land, but assures us that we’re in for something special regardless. “It will be very visual, very energetic, and emotional as well,” he says. “We wanna give people an experience that’s more than just seeing a band. We want
to connect with our audience.” So, how do US indie darlings prepare themselves for a tour to the other side of the planet? “We pack lots of socks and underwear,” Carter deadpans. Ahh. There’s that Brooklyn humour. “We’ve never been to Australia before, so we have to humble ourselves,” he continues. “We’re doing pretty well in the States, but out there we’re playing for a brand new audience. So we have to introduce ourselves by putting on a great Phantogram show.”
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OUT OF 5
THE ROOTS ...And Then You Shoot Your Cousin Def Jam By night, they’ve been keeping Jimmy Fallon company as the house band of The Tonight Show; goofing off and coming up with clever walk-on music for his guests. This, however, has certainly not influenced their 11th studio album’s direction. If it has, it’s in revolt – the oddly-titled ...And Then You Shoot Your Cousin is the band’s darkest and least accessible record to date. It’s a half-hour of black identity struggle, numb dissatisfaction and gritted-teeth disgust; essentially making Things Fall Apart look like a leisurely stroll through the park. There’s a depth and a resonance to these words, marked by Questlove’s practically slow-mo drumming and Kamal Grey’s beautifully understated keyboard work. The smash-cuts between the song’s movements and moments of ambience are engrossing and bold; adding to the album’s experimental feel. They may serve as comic foil to the millions watching at home, but ...And Then You Shoot Your Cousin is the sound of the clown crying. The sombre tone may initially come as a surprise; and it admittedly takes a few more listens than their other albums to get properly into. The reward for this patience, however, is markedly greater than nearly every other hip hop release in 2014 thus far. DAVID JAMES YOUNG
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OUT OF 5
NAS Illmatic XX SONY LEGACY Nas’ debut album was released twenty years ago now, and to celebrate, a remastered version of it entitled Illmatic XX has recently been released. Despite the fact that Nas was just 20 at the time of release, this album is widely seen as his masterpiece and used as a benchmark to which other hip hop and rap album of the ‘90s and today are measured. Even if you were too young to get into Nas back when this came out or anytime early in his career, listening to this rerelease is likely to make you come out in a rash of nostalgia. There’s an innocence to the record despite the subject matter often being anything but. Given most rappers’ debut albums are recorded before they’ve really tasted fame, their first release is often the one that connects with their peers. Twenty years on Nas still releases good tracks but he lives in a huge house, is divorced and writes songs about trying to be a good father to his young daughter. It’s ‘90s in the best possible way, and while that made up none of the appeal when released, it’s just gravy now given the fondness that decade is now looked upon with. ALEXANDER CROWDEN WWW. XP RE SS MAG.COM. AU
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B E AT S
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NEWS
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INTERVIEWS
When are you at your most creative? When I’m feeling emotional or passionate about something. What’s your most exciting moment on stage/behind the decks? I would have to say performing with the full band for the first time at Flawless nightclub in Subiaco, the energy was insane.
Answered by? Daniel Ray. Name of your latest record/track. The Balance. What kind of music do you make? Hip hop/rock rap. Describe your new record in a few sentences. The Balance is a live instrument-based album that I wrote while going through a break up, I tell my story of letting go and rebuilding through music. What are your tools of the trade - live and in the studio? For the live shows I perform with a six-piece backing band. In the studio all my vocals for this album were recorded on an Audio Technica AT4060 tube mic that I bought used through the local newspaper.
SALT NIGHTS OUT
Weirdest thing that’s happened to you while performing? One night my parents attended a show we organised and had these masks printed that had my face on them. They then gave them out to the audience before we went on stage and a lot were wearing them during the performance. Was definitely something I’ll remember forever. Which producers and DJs are you digging right now? Andrew Wright (who produced The Balance) would definitely have to be one of the most talented producers in Perth right now, I feel very proud to have had the opportunity to work with somebody at his level on my debut album. Where can people get hold of your tunes? All good retailers and online outlets. Also at www. DanielRaySound.com. Next gig? Album launch, Saturday, June 28, at YaYa’s.
When and where is it held? Every Thursday from 7.30pm at Connections Nightclub. Regularity and opening/closing times? Weekly til 10pm. Ethos/vibe of the night? The concept is simple – it’s bingo, hosted by a drag queen. It’s rude, it’s crude, and you’ll probably win a dildo. What can we expect to hear? Politically incorrect and sexually innuendo-laced banter from the drag queens offending everyone in the room for two hours straight. Next line-up? Hannah Conda and Veronica Jean Jones take turns in playing with balls each week. Cool stuff? It’s BYO food! Plus if you book a table we do free pizza at half time.
PIC: HANNAH CONDA
Answered by? Paul Fletcher
You should attend if... You don’t get offended easily and are keen to expand your “adult toy” collection.
Name of night? Bingay at Connections.
Anything you else you want to tell us? It’s all free – free entry, free to play and free pizza. Bookings via bingay@connectionsnightclub.com
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REVIEWS
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EVENTS
AMPLIFIER
THE COURT
I LOVE 80’S @ CAPTIOL
PRODUCER’S CUT
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WEDNESDAY 11/06 THE BEAT (DOWNSTAIRS) Street THE BIRD Continuum Henry Gillett HW Sims Lard Lad & Frodo BRASS MONKEY Sugar Blue Burlesque DJ Vicktor CAPITOL Harlem Wednesdays ft. Genga Peter Payne Philly Blunt Pussymittens CAPTAIN STIRLING Lokie Shaw CLUB RED SEA Cheek CONSERVATORY ROOFTOP BAR Horseplay THE COURT Wicked Wednesdays GOLD BAR Famous THE GOOD SHEPHERD Thinkfar HULA BULA BAR Island Nite LLAMA BAR Akuna Club METRO FREO C5 Next Gen Tomorrow Beats De.Bug DTuck NEWPORT HOTEL Newport Wednesdays – Student Night OCEAN ONE BAR Brazil Night ft. Xoxote SOVEREIGN ARMS FIVE0 UNIVERSAL Retriofit VILLAGE BAR Village People Wednesdays THURSDAY 12/06 BRASS MONKEY Karaoke Brass Monkey Style BROOKLANDS TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke THE CAUSEWAY Xport Thursdays THE CLAREMONT HOTEL Institution Thursdays CLUB RED SEA Thursday Night Revolution CONNECTIONS Bingay
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THE DEEN Chase The Sun Thursdays DEVILLE’S PAD Rock and Roll Karaoke GOLD BAR OG Thursdays HULA BULA BAR Hi-Fi Lounge LEISURE INN DJ Peta LOST SOCIETY The Collective PLAYERS BAR FRIDAY 13/06 AMPLIFIER Fridays are back ft. Kla THE AVIARY Paradise Paul Micah THE BAKERY The Lions Den ft. Spawnbreezie DJ Antikz Lion Rezz THE BAYSWATER Mario Zuli BEAT NIGHTCLUB (DOWNSTAIRS) Play THE BRASS MONKEY James Ess George Greene THE BRIGHTON DJ Peta CAPITOL Capitol Fridays Roger Smart CAPITOL (UPSTAIRS) I Love 80s & 90’s ft Darren Tucker THE CARINE J!mmy Beats THE COMO Big A CRAFTSMAN Dazman DAILY PLANET Sundowner Sessions THE DEEN Student Night DEVILLES PAD Go-Go Fridays EVE NIGHTCLUB Recharge Fridays FLAWLESS Monarch Fridays GEISHA BAR I Love Girls DJ Curlee DJ P Lilly DJ Cookie THE GEORGE NDORSE GINGER NIGHTCLUB Mondo Dance Party
GOLD BAR Vanity THE GOOD SHEPHERD Bad Vacation THE GRAND Jay Mckay HULA BULA BAR Shakin’ It LAKERS TAVERN Grizzly LIBRARY Sneaky LUCKY SHAG DJ Richie G MALT Nu Disco Hip Hop METRO FREO Clique 003 – Young Money Edition Angry Buda DJ Mr-Phat Whytehype METRO FREO C5 Trap’d Olithagod Midsole D’Vaus Brothers MINT Club Retro MULLALOO BEACH HOTEL Flaunt Fridays MY PLACE Karaoke NORTHSHORE TAVERN Chalk N Cheese Fridays PARAMOUNT Paramount Party Crew PLAYERS BAR Hooch THE QUEENS Jon Ee DJ Reuben RIGBY’S BAR & BISTRO Boylesque THE SAINT Britty THE SHED Crush DJ Glen SOVEREIGN ARMS Az-T TOUCAN CLUB Matty J WHALE & ALE Danny B YAYA’S ACE Fridays DJ Pup SATURDAY 14/06 AMPLIFIER Pure Pop ft Eddie Electric AVENUE Lokie Shaw THE AVIARY Zel Troy Division Samuel Spencer BAR ORIENT The Reggae Club
BEAT NIGHTCLUB (UPSTAIRS) Canvas BRASS MONKEY DJ Peta Grizzly THE BRIGHTON Miss Chief CAPITOL Death Disco CAPITOL (UPSTAIRS) Cream Of The 80’s ft. DJ Roger Smart THE COMO Moe-Hee-Toe CORNERSTONE Danny B THE DEEN Saturdays DEVILLES PAD Black Magic Disco EAST END BAR Home FLAWLESS LQ Saturdays GEISHA BAR Habitat Andhim THE GENEROUS SQUIRE Defanutly GOLD BAR Pure Gold THE GOOD SHEPHERD Chocolate Jesus HULA BULA BAR Sailor Saturdays LIBRARY MKT LOST SOCIETY Chalk LUCKY SHAG DJ Richie G METRO CITY EDM Saturdays METRO FREO Metropolis Saturdays The Annual PJ Party Darren Tucker Ben C DJ Shane METRO FREO C5 I Love 80s And 90s Dr. Sunich SJ Shane NEWPORT HOTEL Karaoke Classic @ The Two Sparrows Bar PARAMOUNT Saturday Nights Felix PEEL ALE HOUSE Byron O’Neil PLAYERS BAR Luxe THE QUEENS Jon Ee 3manuel THE SAINT FIVE0
Deadline Monday 5pm. The Club Manual is a service to advertisers listing all DJs & Dance Music. All inclusions are at the discretion of X-Press. Email guide@xpressmag.com.au
THE SHED
METROPOLIS FREMANTLE
THE SHED HUGE DJ Andyy SOVEREIGN ARMS DJ Atlus THE WHALE & ALE Jawsh YAYA’S SASS @ YAYAS DJ Pup DJ Double Dee DJ Cookie SUN 15/06 THE AVIARY Troy Division Philly Blunt CLAREMONT HOTEL Sunday Driver Lukas Wimmler Not So Hot DJs CLUB BAY VIEW Lokie Shaw HULA BULA BAR Tiki Time Sundays LUCKY SHAG Sunday Session Hans Fiance MULLALOO BEACH HOTEL Sunday Sesh NORTHSHORE TAVERN DJ Andrew C Sessions THE QUEENS FIVE0 Sam Spencer THE ROSEMOUNT (BEER GARDEN) The Get Down Charlie Bucket Safari Nick Sheppard THE SAINT Jon Ee Az-T THE SHED The Healy’s Blue Hornet MON 16/06 BRASS MONKEY Monkey Madness THE DEEN Manic Mondays THE ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Bex & Turin’s Wide Open Mic YAYA’S Big Tommo’s Open Mic TUES 17/06 THE BIRD The Bird’s Open Mic Night BRASS MONKEY Acoustic Open Mic Night MUSTANG BAR Danza Loca Salsa Night
DELICIOUS @ ROCKET ROOM
THIS WEEK CONTINUUM W/ HENRY GILLET, HW SIMS 11 The Bird TLC 13 Metro City J-TRICK 13 Parker ANDHIM 14 Geisha WILL SPARKS 14 Metro City YEO 14 The Causeway 14 Lost Society Bar (DJ SET) 15 Indi Bar
Photo by Matt Wong
TLC @ METRO CITY,
INHIBIT PRESENTS DANNY BYRD, HAMILTON 14 Villa Nightclub CHET FAKER 17 & 19 Astor Theatre JUNE BASTILLE 18 Challenge Stadium
FRIDAY, JUNE 13
Darren J/Tones/Jimi J Railway Hotel, Swan Basement, Swan Lounge TINIE TEMPAH 27 Metro City JULY
DECADE OF VIPER ft. MATRIX & FUTUREBOUND, BROOKES BROTHERS, THE PROTOTYPES & ROCKWELL + MC DELON 25 Metro City
CHECK THIS 21 Parker
REMI 4 The Bakery
THE COMMUNITY’S 10th BIRTHDAY FEAT. MATHAS, DIGER ROKWELL 21 The Bakery
LORDE 5 Challenge Stadium
THE ASTON SHUFFLE 23 Amplifier
SPARTAK 11 The Bird
KID INK 25 Villa
COIN BANKS 27 Amplifier
DEATH DISCO WITH JUST A GENT 12 Capitol
CIRCÓ 28 Claremont Showgrounds RTRFM FREMANTLE MUSIC FESTIVAL 28 Mojos, North Fremantle Bowls Club,
HENRY SAIZ
CROOKED COLOURS 12 Amplifier GARETH EMERY 19 Metro City METRONOMY 23 Astor
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER KANYE WEST 5 Perth Arena 360 19 Metro City (18+) 20 Astor Theatre Perth (Licensed all ages)
Geisha Friday, June 6, 2014 Spanish electronic producer and DJ Henry Saiz was in Australia for a whirlwind tour in support of his debut album, Reality Is For Those Who Are Not Strong Enough To Confront Their Dreams, before flying back to Barcelona to play at Sonar Festival this weekend. After releasing a few EPs, the album is as elaborate and complex as its title, with Saiz spreading his creative wings, covering a range of styles, and incorporating samples submitted by fans into his music. To tour the album he’s put together a new live act that includes vocalists, a guitarist and drummer, but the band unfortunately didn’t make it to Perth this time. Instead we had a three hour set from Saiz, and that was still a good experience indeed. Darren J kicked off at 11pm, the progressive tech resident warming things up on this cold night. Next up was Tony Plowman AKA Tones who runs the TigerStyle agency, responsible for bringing Saiz (and a lot of other big names in house music) to Australia. The Sydney DJ and producer also demonstrated his own formidable talent behind the decks too, warming us up for Saiz with a mighty fine set. Taking us past midnight, he had the dancefloor packed and primed, grooving to some deep, driving, euphoric house. Henry Saiz stepped up just after 1am and started slowly with some floaty mid-tempo beats, but with a three hour set in store, he had plenty of time to build it up. Things picked up when he dropped a cool
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remix of Jagwar Ma’s Uncertainty. Over the next hour or two Saiz really got into the groove and took us on a proper journey with a genre blurring set of deep, liquid, progressive house and melodic techno, with flourishes of disco and even breaks. He’d sometimes verge on commercial sounds, but always managed to keep that darker, underground vibe. A great producer and remixer, Saiz is also a great DJ, as he demonstrated with his brilliant instalment in the Balance series, and has a good ear for a tune, and silky mixing skills, really talking his time to build the drama with some epic breakdowns, like on the huge Stay Closer from Zhu. There was a great vibe in the packed, sweaty, intimate confines of Geisha, and by three am Saiz had the adoring crowd in the palm of his hand, an unstoppable dancing force, effortlessly conducting them as they marched into the morning, slowly working the vibe deeper and harder with tracks like Voltaeric’s Sandman and the stomping Maceo Plex remix of GusGus’ Crossfade. He switched things up towards the end with the more joyous, dramatic and ecstatic sounds of Kris Menace & Anthony Atcherley’s disco workout A Love Song For Those Who Love Songs, before Tensnake’s upbeat, funk-fuelled remix of London Grammar’s Hey Now, wrapped up a truly majestic set in fitting fashion, as the crowd hollered their approval. Jimi J followed on in smooth fashion with a more upfront sound, kicking off his set with another big Zhu track, the lush vocal sounds of Faded. It was a night of fine house music and much dancing. Saiz is no longer a ‘rising talent’, the man has well and truly confirmed his place as one of the elite deep, progressive house DJs. Hopefully we get a chance to see him back in town soon with his acclaimed live show. ALFRED GORMAN
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LOCAL NEWS
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INTERVIEWS
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LIVE REVIEWS
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Q & A
RUBY BOOTS Ralway Bell/Davey Craddock & The Spectacles The Astor Lounge Saturday, June 7, 2014
Rag N Bone - Photo by Denis Radacic
RAG N’ BONE Foam/Catbrush/Aborted Tortoise The Rosemount Hotel Friday, June 6, 2014 In dismissing ‘alternative music’ in an interview in the mid-1990s, Iggy Pop laid out his ideal evening: “Let’s go have a big steak and screw without a rubber and do some heroin afterward.” There’s nothing further from the Smashing Pumpkins than Aborted Tortoise, and it’s not hard to imagine Iggy approving. They’re sort of like watching an arrow in motion, all speed and force and verve, hammering out incomprehensible and lockstep mutations of surf and garage in a fashion that’s reminiscent of Melbournian ‘80s tyros GOD. Ultimately, the most impressive thing (once your ears have stopped ringing) is how efficient they are— they don’t waste a second. Things cut out exactly when they should, and then shudder to life again with a vengeance. Call ‘em the garage rock Kraftwerk. Aside from my regret over how much money I handed over the bar at Amps in 2010, they’re just about the only thing that’s ever made me wish I was 18 again. After that was Catbrush, the howling offspring of cultural theory and Courtney Love. Armed with a set full of Rid Of Me-inspired but self-possessed songs that have gone from strength to strength, Ellen Oosterbaan bossed the stage with a sense of control that was downright invigorating. Ben Rose
plays bass like he’s trying to break into someone’s French windows, arching his gangly body around his instrument in a way that looks a million times more charismatic than it sounds. The increased interplay between Oosterbaan and Nevin’s vocals (the former like a fur coat with a lining full of teeth, the latter banging a spoon on the table a la early Kathleen Hanna) is sublimely confident. Truth mightn’t make a noise, but it sure can swagger. Foam play stand-and-deliver grunge that proves Pearl Jam’s influence wasn’t dead. Just sleeping. Some white-boy rapping started going down at one point so I just left and came back when that bit was over. Rag n’ Bone live suspended between a few different tensions, defiantly straddling the high - and lowbrow. Like, not many bands around will play a moving torch song about the Stolen Generations while stamping your hand with the word ‘BONED’ as you walk in. It’s the same kind of gap that hovers between Axel Carrington’s acutely Howardesque guitar work and Kiera Owen’s deftly controlled voice. When it all melts together though, it’s incandescent. The crowd lifted their game too, with at least one bloody nose emerging from the ruckus. Witnessing people dance as hard as they possibly can into each other while avoiding the person with the expensive camera standing in the middle of the pit raises all kinds of questions about performativity and artifice. It’s the kind of thing that can make the ordinary gig experience awkward, but to everyone’s credit, it never came close into feeling like an ego exercise. Moreover, the ambition involved in such a project is pretty worth lauding by itself; stay tuned for reliving this one on the screen. ALEX GRIFFFIN
Ben Wilson and his vehicle Ralway Bell are building a reputation as big as the 10 gallon hat that graces his head. Wilson’s acoustic tales of Australiana were assisted by a pedal steel player to add flourishes of flavour to these roots based tunes. Ralway Bell look the part and have a solid set of tunes that make their slow burn approach well worth the effort. Davey Craddock & The Spectacles have fleshed their numbers out to five in recent times but don’t take up much more space on the stage than they used to as a three piece. Craddock is a fine showman with his neat quiff and all the charm of a snake oil salesman in his delivery. Davey Craddock & The Spectacles used to be far more entrenched in bright country tunes with a pop bent, but these days are prone to penning slower paced tales than ebb and swell with distinction. Better Alone is one of the new breed that was a highlight. Keep On Waiting was chock full of harmonies and is a tune that warrants far more attention than it has received to date. Special guests including former member Sean Pollard and Kate Kelly were welcomed to the stage to crowd around the microphone for a rousing take on The Band’s I Shall Be Released. Craddock took his default stance on his tip toes as he made his way through their latest single, the sprawling There Will Be Light. Bex Chilcott would later declare that Davey Craddock & The Spectacles are the best band in Perth. She wouldn’t be far off the mark. There was little doubt as to who the punters had come to see as the room filled close to capacity as Ruby Boots took to their instruments. Bex Chilcott has gathered a polished group of musicians for when she takes her songs into their full band mode. After having been touring relentlessly of late, she was thrilled to be in front of a room of familiar faces to show off her latest recording. Ruby Boots strayed from convention by playing the songs from the EP fairly early in the set, with Solitude and Cola & Wine getting well deserved cheers. Ruby Boots clearly have a loyal following who sang along to songs that are yet to be released and Chilcott accusing people of listening to her demos during sleepovers. There is a fondness for collaboration as Ruby Boots worked through tunes
Ruby Boots - Photo by Matt Jelonek
that were co-written with Jordie Lane and Middle Of Nowhere, which was penned with Vicki Simpson (The Waifs) when Chilcott spent some time rooming with her in her Utah home. There is little doubt that Chilcott has a voice that is nothing short of a force of nature, whether she be delivering pop-infused country tunes or rawer material where she unleashes her Bonnie Raitt-like rasp. Ruby Boots aren’t the type of band that want to sit quietly in a niche indie market, with Chilcott looking to take a more well travelled path to the masses. There are moments where the lyrics lean a little heavy on clichés of the genre but they more than make up for it with the quality of the tune. The banter was at times lewd in a way that Benny Hill would be proud of and fittingly Chilcott made her way away from the microphone to revel among the crowd on the dance floor to play Leonard Cohen’s racy Chelsea Hotel #2 to finish the evening. On this night it was clear that Ruby Boots are proof that hard work does indeed pay off. CHRIS HAVERCROFT
CATS IN THE BIRDCAGE
THE BIRD
The Bird Thursday, June 5, 2014
Get down this Saturday, June 14, to celebrate the return of Camp Doogs in October 2014, along with their brand new website and a compilation of live recordings from last camp! Featuring live sets from Catlips, Hunting Huxley, Eerie Serpent and Bastians Casio Flight (like Bastians Happy Flight but sans drums). Plus your loveable host Tristan Fidler and Camp Doogs DJs spinning you into eternal happiness. $5 entry from 8pm.
It was a big night of music at The Bird last week as Indigo launched their debut EP with help from Kat Wilson, Little Skye and Curtis McEntee. Photos by Matt Jelonek
MOJOS BAR YAYA’S Georgia, Ned
Kate, Emily, Lara, Tama
Hahas At YaYa’s returns this Wednesday, June 11, with a massive line-up of live comedy! Headline act Suns Of Fred bring their hilarious style of musical stand-up while MC Mike G (USA) is back to really get things going! On Friday Light And Shade are putting on a party with musical acts 13 Circles, Whails, Reef And The Riff Raff and Scarlet Therapy, while their house DJ spins ‘60s Garage between sets.
On Wednesday, June 11, CMIT presents Outclassed, a night of live music, visual art, and some fancy headwear. That’s right, ladies and gentleman, break out the good, the bad, and the ugly of hats and make it a night you’ll never forget. Craziest hat wins a ukulele! Featuring the diverse talents of Icarus Lives, Kapacity, Elkwood, Agnes, Rich King Matthews, Homeless and Emaraina. An array of local artists will be showcasing their works around the venue and will be available for purchase. Doors open at 7pm, $10 entry.
Suns Of Fred
RAILWAY HOTEL This Friday, June 13, it’s metal heaven with Counterfeit God, 4 Months In and Grace Foresaken. Doors open at 8pm and entry is only $5. Saturday night it’s the second Perth heat for the Global Battle Of The Bands, with doors opening at 7.30pm, and then on Sunday it’s the WA Final of the competition from 5pm. Tickets on the door for both nights. Kira, Michael
DEVILLES PAD Get possessed this Black Friday the 13th with a Voodoo Hoedown! The Little White Lies and The Caballeros will be gracing hell’s stage with killer DJs Razor Jack and Coaster T, plus enchanted performances from Les Sataniques. Free entry from 6pm.
Logan, Daniela, Francesca
CLANCY’S FREMANTLE
Isabelle, Katie, Lucy 24
Georgie, Cassie
Clancy’s Fish Pub Fremantle is booked in for some long overdue renovations in June and will commence its final week beginning Monday, June 8. With a freshly signed 20 year lease, the Fish Pub is set to revamp the place and extend the trading area, among other new additions here and there. The final week will feature Clancy’s favourites like the Tuesday Quiz, Wednesday’s Bingotheque with DJ Chet Leonard, Friday afternoon with live jazz from The Limelights, and Mister and Sunbird on Friday night. WWW. XP RE SS MAG.COM. AU
INDI BAR Due to Morgan Bain’s first launch at Indi Bar being a complete sell out, he’s decided to do it all over again this Friday, June 13. Special guests are Nicky Sandover and Wanderlust. Doors open at 8pm and entry is $15. Morgan Bain
LOCAL NEWS
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INTERVIEWS
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LIVE REVIEWS
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Q & A
A QUICKIE WITH... ARKARION Beer-soaked metal madmen, Arkarion, have a brand new album, Lessons In Futility, ready to launch at The Rosemount Hotel this Saturday, June 14, with support from Death Dependant, Pyromesh and Darkenium. We had a quick back and forth with guitarist Chris Head. You guys have been around for five years. How would you say your sound has developed in that time? We have been a solid lineup for the complete duration and when we started we were fortunate in the fact that we all knew what we wanted to achieve as a band. Undoubtedly we have derived our own individual unique sounds from our influences but from our time together and the experiences we’ve shared as a group, it has led us to solidify our sound and approach to songwriting. When did you realize you were ready to cut a full album? From day one the goal has always been to cut a quality record. After some solid shows the time came when we were all at a mutual point in our lives where we wanted to create something we could all be proud of and throughout the whole process we continually only wanted to do the best we could with this album. It has been a long process with a few challenges along the way, including a few near death experiences, an
electrocution, amps blowing up, broken bones, jobs and loves have come and gone but at the end of the day all we wanted was to walk away with something great that we could call our own and I think we achieved that. Tell us about the album. Well, each songs tells it’s own story, from the struggles of everyday life to the overall perseverance of humanity. The inspiration for the album artwork reflects this and the cover is a reflection for the song A Lesson In Futility and depicts that no matter what path you take, it inevitably leads to the same outcome, so It’s kind of what you make of it. Where did you record? We did all the recording here in Perth at The Sound Factory with Wayne Smith and mixed and mastered by Tue Madsen at Antfarm Studios, Denmark. We did all the drums, bass and rhythm guitars to tape, which required nailing consistent takes but it benefited us in the end by providing a continuous flow to the album with dynamic headroom, particularly on the drums which allowed everything to be big and clear. What’s up next for you guys? With the album done our sole purpose now is to get it into the hands of every person on the planet! We have a couple of members heading overseas to plug the album, some international shows late 2014/2015 and, of course, some more songs! Pic - Joshua Perera Photography
HIGH CAL-IBRE Alt-folk songsmith Matt Cal is ready to give us a taste of his upcoming EP, Transition Transmission, in the form of the new single, (and accompanying video), The Mountain. Matt Cal & The Black Heart Sun play at Settler’s Tavern in Margaret River on Friday, June 13, with support from Tashi, and The Ellington Jazz Club on Monday, June 23, with Jenn Wyatt, Richard Webster and The Littlest Fox.
Make your way to The Velvet Lounge tonight, Wednesday, June 11, for Yew!, a night of original rock with The Atlas Mountains, Casino Sunrise, The Tommyhawks and the Taylor Cutts Band. DJ Electro The Wolf will be filling the gaps between sets. Doors open at 8pm, entry is free.
Matt Cal
Casino Sunrise
YEW KNOW YEW WANT TO
THROW SOME MONEY AT THE SUN Hideous Sun Demon have been busy doing the devil’s work in the studio, but now they need some ready cash to make their upcoming album an actual physical reality. You can help make this happen by dragging yourself to The Rosemount Hotel this Thursday, June 13, to catch awesome foursome along with Hunting Huxley, Aborted Tortoise and Emu Xperts. Doors open at 8pm, entry is $10. Hideous Sun Demon
LO C A L & L AU N C H I N G 13/06 13/06 14/06 19/06 20/06 20/06 20/06 22/06 23/06 27/06 03/07 04/07 04/07 01/08
SCALPHUNTER There Will Be Change Video Launch @ The Rosemount WISEOAKS Not Here Single Launch @ 78 Records ARKARION Lessons In Futility Album Launch @ The Rosemount READY TO FIRE Self Titled EP Launch @ YaYa’s DROWN THE FAITH Blood On The Page EP Launch @ The Civic MT MOUNTAIN Self Titled EP Launch @ The Rosemount THE MEANING OF We Are The Fire, We Are The Earth EP Launch @ Amplifier THE DATE Looking Down Single Launch @ The Flytrap MATT CAL Wild Horses/Breathe Single Launch @ The Ellington HAILMARY Navigate The Sunrise EP Launch @ The Rosemount MEZZANINE Mary Single Launch @ The Bird HUSBAND Caught Single Launch @ The Odd Fellow TEMPEST RISING Devil In Me Single/Video Launch @ Amplifier TIMOTHY NELSON AND THE INFIDELS Terror Terror, Hide It Hide It Album Launch @ the Rosemount WWW. XP RE SS MAG.COM. AU
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TOUR TRAILS
CARCASS, JUNE 12
THIS WEEK BETRAYING THE MARTYRS 11 YMCA HQ CARCASS 12 Capitol LOOSE CHANGE 12 Flyrite 13 Mojos Bar JAMES BLUNT 12 Crown Theatre 13 Riverside Theatre THE CAIROS 12 The Brighton, Mandurah 13 The Odd Fellow 14 Amplifier Bar DUNE RATS 12 Mojos Bar 13 Amplifier Bar NIRVANNA: THE ULTIMATE NIRVANA EXPERIENCE 12 Astor Lounge 13 Dunsborough Tavern 14 Northshore Tavern 15 Highway Hotel 19 Kalamunda Hotel 20 Leisure Inn 21 Gosnells Hotel RON POPE 13 Astor Lounge TLC 13 Metro City VELVET ACID CHRIST 14 Bakery JOSH PYKE 15 Divers Tavern, Broome SLIM JIM PHANTOM & FIREBALLS 15 Astor Theatre STEVE POLTZ 17 Rosemount Hotel JUNE STEVE POLTZ 18 Mojos Bar EARTH 18 Rosemount Hotel BASTILLE 18 Challenge Stadium CHET FAKER 19 Astor Theatre THE PAPER KITES 19 Artbar 20 Prince Of Wales, Bunbury SAFIA 20 Mojos Bar LITTLE BASTARD 21 Mojos Bar GRAVEYARD TRAIN 21 Rosemount Hotel 22 Mojos Bar FINNTROLL 22 Amplifier Bar
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TOURS LIVE
SUPERSUCKERS, JUNE 25
MONDO ROCK 22 Regal Theatre SUPERSUCKERS 25 Astor Theatre COIN BANKS 27 Amplifier Bar PHIL JAMIESON 26 The Northshore Tavern 27 Leisure Inn Rockingham 28 Dunsborough Tavern 29 The Prince Of Wales Hotel THE HARD ACHES 27 YaYa’s 28 Winston House SASKWATCH 27 Settlers Tavern, Margaret River 28 Amplifier Bar 29 Mojos Bar BEC LAUGHTON 27 The Odd Fellow 28 Settlers Tavern 29 The Aviary THE GUTYO MONKS OF TIBET 28 Toodyay Memorial Hall TINIE TEMPAH 28 Metro City KEITH URBAN & SHEPPARD 29 Perth Arena
JULY PHIL JAMIESON 2 The Saint George 3 Wintersun Hotel 4 Divers Tavern THE CRIMSON PROJEKCT 2 Fly By Night VIOLENT SOHO & SMITH STREET BAND 2 & 3 The Bakery (SOLD OUT) THE AUDREYS 4 Fly By Night SOMETHING FOR KATE 4 Astor Theatre LORDE 5 Challenge Stadium BON BUT NOT FORGOTTEN 5 Charles Hotel TINY RUINS 5 Mojos Bar BELL X1 6 Capitol JAMES MULLER TRIO 9 Ellington Jazz Club CROOKED COLOURS 12 Amplifier HIGH ON FIRE 18 Rosemount Hotel GARETH EMERY 19 Metro City
THE 1975 24 Capitol THE WHITE ALBUM CONCERT TOUR ft. Chris Cheney, Phil Jameson, Josh Pyke & Tim Rogers 26 Riverside Theatre CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, WEEDEATER & LO! (CANCELLED) 26 Rosemount Hotel PELICAN 27 Rosemount Hotel THE ANGELS 31 Newport Hotel
AUGUST THE ANGELS 1 Wintersun Hotel, Geraldton 2 Charles Hotel 3 The Ravenswood Hotel KATE MILLERHEIDKE 1 Astor Theatre DAN SULTAN 1 Settlers Tavern, Margaret River 2 Astor Theatre 16 Roebuck Hotel, Broome KASABIAN 5 Metro City NEUROSIS 6 Capitol I AM GIANT 7 Amplifier Bar PAUL GRABOWSKY 7, 8, 9 Ellington Jazz Club ROY ORBISON & DEL SHANNON TRIBUTE 7 Albany Entertainment Centre 9 Crown Theatre SLEEPMAKESWAVES 8 Amplifier Bar COURTNEY LOVE 13 Metro City BOB DYLAN 13, 14 Riverside Theatre BONJAH 14 Northshore Tavern 15 Indi Bar 16 Amplifier 17 Dunsborough Tavern HANSON 15 Metropolis Fremantle SPIDERBAIT 15 Astor Theatre TINA ARENA 15 Crown Theatre
SASKWATCH, JUNE 27 - 29
BODYJAR 15 Capitol BJÖRN AGAIN 16 Crown Theatre SEEKAE 16 The Villa LADY GAGA 20 Perth Arena KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES 21 Villa Nightclub THE DANDY WARHOLS 21 & 22 Astor Theatre TIM FREEDMAN 22 Ellington Jazz Club NORTHWEST PILBARA WEEKENDER 22 – 24 Port Hedland Turf Club QUEEN + ADAM LAMBERT 22 Perth Arena JAMES REYNE 23 Astor Theatre THE ASTON SHUFFLE 23 Amplifier Bar RUSSELL MORRIS 23 Regal Theatre MELODY POOL 23 X-Wray Café 24 Settlers Tavern, Margaret River 26 Ellington Jazz Club KID INK 25 Villa Nightclub MAN IN BLACK: THE JOHNNY CASH STORY 26-31 Regal Theatre KING BUZZO 26 Astor Lounge GEORGE GARZONE 28, 29, 30 Ellington Jazz Club
SEPTEMBER DIEGO ELCIGALA 1 Regal Theatre ANBERLIN & THE GETAWAY PLAN 3 Metropolis Fremantle KANYE WEST 5 Perth Arena MARINA PRIOR 5 Albany Entertainment Centre 6 Astor Theatre 7 Mandurah Performing Arts Centre CANNIBAL CORPSE 9 Capitol ROBBIE WILLIAMS 11 Perth Arena
BIFFY CLYRO 12 Metro City CASEY DONOVAN 12 & 13 Ellington Jazz Club GRACE KNIGHT 19 & 20 Ellington Jazz Club JOE BONAMASSA 19 Perth Concert Hall GABRIEL IGLESIAS 23 Riverside Theatre ANDREA BOCELLI 24 Perth Arena INGRID MICHAELSON 24 Fly By Night Club BOY & BEAR 25 Albany Entertainment Centre 26 Bunbury Entertainment Centre 28 Fremantle Arts Centre WAVE ROCK WEEKENDER 27-28 Wave Rock Caravan Park VERUCA SALT 28 Rosemount Hotel
OCTOBER THE HIGH KINGS 1 Crown Theatre RICK SPRINGFIELD 7 Crown Theatre JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE 8 Perth Arena CHRISTINE ANU 17 & 18 Ellington Jazz Club THE ROLLING STONES 29 Perth Arena NOVEMBER THE ROLLING STONES 1 Perth Arena KATY PERRY 7 & 8 Perth Arena TOXIC HOLOCAUST & IRON REAGAN 13 Rosemount Hotel FEBRUARY 2015 PASSENGER 7 Red Hill Auditorium ROXETTE 14 Perth Arena THE EAGLES 18 Perth Arena ONE DIRECTION 20 Patersons Stadium
TO U R TA L E S
KING BUZZO Woody’s Roundup King Buzzo, aka Buzz Osborne of The Melvins, has released a solo acoustic album, This Machine Kills Artists. PATRICK EMERY chats to him ahead of an Australia tour which stops by the Astor Lounge on Tuesday, August 26. In the ‘40s, folk singer Woody Guthrie adorned his battered acoustic guitar with the slogan that reflected both his philosophical position and his belief in the power of music as a political weapon: ‘this machine kills fascists’. Buzz Osborne, lead singer of legendary scuzz-punk band, The Melvins, murmurs in appreciation when I locate the title of Osborne’s new acoustic solo album, This Machine Kills Artists, in the context of Guthrie’s famous rhetorical assertion. Osborne demurs, however, when asked to explain the meaning of his own skewed manipulation of the slogan. “I’d prefer to leave the intended meaning of the quotation open to interpretation,” Osborne says. “I think that’s important.” And while Osborne has made the odd observation on politics in the past – including decrying both conservatism and classical liberalism – he doesn’t see the inclusion of songs such as Instrument Of God, How I Became Offensive and Rough Democracy as reflecting a political aspect. “I try not to be associated with something as trivial as politics,” Osborne says. “I tend to leave politics out of my music because I don’t want someone to be offended by something that’s got nothing to do with my music. I don’t make political statements with my music – I think the fact that I’m doing what I’m doing speaks for itself.” In that subjective context, Osborne explains his decision to write and record an acoustic record as simply a continuation of the artistic journey he commenced over 30 years ago. “There’s not a lot of stones unturned in my world,” Osborne says of his decision to indulge the acoustic format. “I did an EP last year and then I realised I could do a full-length album. My tendency is to start things rolling, and then keep them rolling. “Playing acoustic guitar live was always
something that I had in the back of my mind. I’ve written a lot of our songs on acoustic guitar, but on paper it didn’t sound like it would work – but it does.” Osborne concedes that the acoustic format lends itself to a different style of songwriting, but says the songs on This Machine Kills Artists are more about the type of guitar he is used to than anything about the acoustic genre. “I believe every guitar has its own songs in it,” Osborne says. “I will write a different song on acoustic guitar to an electric guitar. If you write a song on a cheap junk guitar, it’ll be different to a song written on a Les Paul – that’s just how it works. I don’t know why.”
“Playing acoustic guitar live was always something that I had in the back of my mind. I’ve written a lot of our songs on acoustic guitar, but on paper it didn’t sound like it would work – but it does.” Not long before he died, Jay Reatard took to playing acoustic guitar in his live set – partly, Reatard claimed, to confront those members of the punk rock community who saw acoustic guitar as anathema to punk rock. Osborne, however, isn’t making such a provocative statement. “I’ve never seen it that way. Bob Dylan was pretty punk rock back in the day – he wasn’t writing greasy pop tunes. He had a pretty dim view of the world, and I don’t think that’s changed,” Osborne says. “I’m not doing it to piss anyone off – I like what I’m doing. And I apologise for none of it.” Osborne’s initial acoustic EP included covers of a couple of Melvins tracks; his live set includes both tracks from the new record and a sampling of Melvins songs transposed to the acoustic format. But even with his revisiting of his past, Osborne is looking to move on and observe the public’s reaction to his latest artistic foray. “My favourite director is John Huston. He used to finish his movies, watch them in the editing suite and never watch them again,” Osborne says. “And I love that – by the time I put a record out I’m ready to move on. It’s already old news to me. It’s in the hands of the public now – I’m done. I can’t censor any of it now. Let the process begin.” PIC: MACKIE OSBORNE
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GIG GUIDE
ANCHORED/AMPLIFIER/JUNE 11 WEDNESDAY 11/06 THE ALBION HOTEL Quiz Night AMPLIFIER BAR Academy: Relentless Anchored Ratking Defy The Leader Idle Eyes Protest Pirate Theme Park Branch Circus BEAT NIGHTCLUB (DOWNSTAIRS) Street THE BIRD Continuum Henry Gillett HW Sims Lard Lad & Frodo BRASS MONKEY Sugar Blue Burlesque THE CARINE Open Mic Night Shaun Street CHARLES HOTEL Funky Bunch Trivia CITRO BAR Seasons of Perth Adrian Wilson CLANCY’S CANNING Songwriter’s Night Dan Durack Shane Corry ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Jake Dennis Mint Jazz Band THE GREENWOOD Bernadine GROOVE BAR (CROWN) 5 Shots INDI BAR Stu Mckay Connor Minervini LANGFORD ALE HOUSE APL Poker LOBBY LOUNGE (CROWN) Decoy Duo THE LUCKY SHAG Howie Morgan MOJOS BAR Icarus Lives Kapacity Elkwood Agnes Rich King Mathews Homeless Emaraina THE MOON CAFE Going Solo ft. Timothy Nelson Luke Dux MUSTANG BAR Easy Tigers DJ Giles OCEAN ONE BAR Brazil Night ft. Xoxote THE PADDO Eleven Eleven Robert Hinton Tashi
THURSDAY 12/06 AMPLIFIER BAR Carcass Earth Rot ASTOR LOUNGE Nirvanna Chris Gibbs BAR ORIENT Acoustic Night THE BIRD Hip Hop Kara”YO”ke BRASS MONKEY Rhythm Bound Karaoke BRIGHTON The Cairos Indigo Ross Lowe BROOKLANDS TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke CAPTAIN STIRLING Trivia Night THE CAUSEWAY BAR Xport Thursdays CHARLES HOTEL Comedy Lounge CONNECTIONS NIGHTCLUB Bingay CROWN THEATRE James Blunt THE DEEN Howie Morgan Project DEVILLES PAD Rock’N’Roll Karaoke
OLD BLOOD
OLD BLOOD MOANA GOLDEN SLUMS MOJOS SUNDAY, JUNE 14
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ICARUS LIVES/MOJOS/JUNE 11
459 ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Music And Comedy Sexy Robot The Gizzards The Stokies Project Energy Commission Max Everitt Sam Cribb Rishi Rawlins Tor Snyder ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Anton Maz ROSIE O’GRADY’S NORTHBRIDGE Open Mic Night Laugh Resort Comedy THE SWINGING PIG Open Mic Night Greg Carter UNIVERSAL BAR Retriofit VELVET LOUNGE Yew! ft. The Atlas Mountains Casino Sunrise The Tommyhawks Taylor Cutts Band THE VIC Trivia Night X-WRAY CAFE Singer Songwriters Showcase ft. Lauren Arthur Beau Jones YAYA’S HAHAS @ YAYAS Suns Of Fred YMCA HQ Betraying The Martyrs
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DUNSBOROUGH TAVERN Open Mic Night Kris Buckle ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Gabriel Fatin Ash De Neef Sam O’Connell Trio FLYRITE Loose Change THE GATE Greg Carter GRAND CENTRAL PARK Kizzy GROOVE BAR (CROWN) Hi-NRG INDI BAR Open Mic Night LANEWAY LOUNGE Shahirah Jazz Trio LOBBY LOUNGE (CROWN) Jack & Jill LUCKY SHAG James Wilson MOJOS BAR Dune Rats Doctopus King Cactus MUSTANG BAR DJ James MacArthur NEWPORT HOTEL Wesley Goodley Jamboree Scouts Shaun Street OCEAN ONE BAR Turin’s Open Mic Night PEEL ALE HOUSE Open Mic ft. Danny Bau PLAYERS BAR Bombshells Strip Club QUARRIE BAR & BISTRO Rosamel Burgos ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Hideous Sun Demon Hunting Huxley Aborted Tortoise Emu Xperts SAIL & ANCHOR Fremantle Comedy Factory – Open Mic Night MC Matt Storer SETTLERS TAVERN (MARGARET RIVER) Open Mic Night ft. Claire Warnock THE SHED Midnight Ramblers SWALLOW BAR Jessie Gordon Duo UNIVERSAL BAR Off The Record VERANDAH BAR Let’s Get Quizical X-WRAY CAFE Jack Doepel Jazz Quartet YAYA’S Approaching Opposite The Cold Acre Being Beta Branch Circus FRIDAY 13/06 THE ALBION HOTEL Jen De Ness ALEXANDER Little Ebony AMPLIFIER BAR Dune Rats Doctopus Gunns King Cactus ASTOR LOUNGE Ron Pope THE AVIARY Paradise Paul Micah
HOWIEMORGAN/THELUCKYSHAG/ JUNE11 THE BAKERY The Lions Den Spawnbreezie Sammielz DJ Antikz Lion Rezz THE BALMORAL The Mojos BEAT NIGHTCLUB (DOWNSTAIRS) Play BEAU RIVAGE Kenji Shaun Street BELGIAN BEER CAFÉ Mike Nayar THE BELMONT Siren & Assassin BEST DROP TAVERN Tandem THE BIRD For The Record – Vinyl Art Exhibition The Pissedcolas Aborted Tortoise Catbrush THE BRIGHTON Ali Hill BROOKLANDS TAV Light Street CHASE BAR & BISTRO James Wilson CIVIC HOTEL 80s Inc CITRO BAR Seasons Of Perth Jeanie Proude CLANCY’S CANNING DJ Boogie CLANCY’S CITY BEACH Grace Barbé Tria CLANCY’S FREMANTLE Regular Bar SnackTacular The Limelights Jazz Trio Mister Sunbird THE CORNERSTONE Sweet Surrender CRUISING YACHT CLUB Louis Machado DEVILLE’S PAD The Little White Lies The Caballeros DUNSBOROUGH TAVERN Nirvanna Cuddles EAST 150 BAR Adam James EDZ SPORTZ BAR One Trick Phonies ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Across the Tracks – Gospel Chelsea Cullen EMPIRE BAR Howie Morgan FLY BY NIGHT Motown @ The Fly THE GATE Chris Gibbs GEISHA BAR I Love Girls DJ Curlee DJ P Lilly DJ Cookie THE GEORGE NDORSE Neil Viney GOSNELLS HOTEL Vanerty Bros THE GREENWOOD Troy Nababan GREYHOUNDS (MANDURAH) Elemental HERDSMAN Acoustic Nights HYDE PARK HOTEL (COURTYARD) Justin Cortorillo INDIAN OCEAN BREW CO. Ben Merito INDI BAR Morgan Bain Nicky Sandover Wanderlust
LANEWAY LOUNGE Just For The Night LANGFORD ALE HOUSE Indiana LOBBY LOUNGE (CROWN) Why Georgia? LONDON CAFÉ AND BAR G & G Acoustic Shenanigans M ON THE POINT Retriofit MAHOGANY INN T.J. O’Donovan METRO CITY TLC METRO FREO Frat House Fridays MOJOS BAR Loose Change Childs Play Strangelove Rudeburger MUSTANG BAR Oz Big Band Flash Nat & The Action Men DJ James MacArthur Swing DJ NEWPORT HOTEL Karaoke Classic @ The Two Sparrows Bar NORMA JEANS COCKTAIL LOUNGE DJ Damo NORTHSHORE TAVERN Staffies THE ODD FELLOW The Cairos THE PADDO Reilly Craig PADDY MAGUIRES The Avenue PEEL ALE HOUSE Siren Song Enterprises PIRATE BAR Dean Anderson PLAYERS BAR DJ Cookie PORT KENNEDY TAVERN Tripwire THE PRINCIPAL Blackbirds QUARRIE BAR & BISTRO Stackjammer Duo RAILWAY HOTEL Counterfeit God 4 Months In Grave Forsaken RIVERSIDE THEATRE James Blunt ROLEYSTONE COUNTRY CLUB Adrian Wilson ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Scalphunter The Novocaines Them Sharks The Bob Gordons Blackwitch ROSIE O’GRADYS NORTHBRIDGE Wesley Goodlet Jamboree Scouts Shaun Street SAIL AND ANCHOR Acoustic Royale SETTLER’S TAVERN (MARGARET RIVER) Matt Cal &The Black Heart Sun THE SHED Crush DJ Glen SOUTH ST. ALEHOUSE Robbie King Karaoke SWINGING PIG Greg Carter TOUCAN CLUB Eugene UNIVERSAL BAR Nightmoves
Deadline Monday 5pm. The Gig-Guide is a service to advertisers listing all LIVE MUSIC. All inclusions are at the discretion of X-Press. Email guide@xpressmag.com.au
THE COLD ACRE/YAYA’S/JUNE 12 VERNON ARMS TAVERN Greg Carter THE VIC Nathan Gaunt WANEROO FOLK CLUB The Littlest Fox WINTERSUN HOTEL Kate Lemin X-WRAY CAFÉ Wonderchild Tale Honey & Soul YAYA’S 13 Circles Whails Reef The Riff Raff ACE @ YAYAS DJ Pup SATURDAY 14/06 AMPLIFIER BAR The Cairos ASTOR THEATRE Red Parrot Reunion The Waltons The Diddywah Hoodaddys Love Pump Holy Rollers Greenhouse Effect The Jackals James Baker Experience THE AVIARY Zel Troy Division Samuel Spencer THE BAKERY Velvet Acid Christ Black Lung Cyberstuct DJ Liam THE BALMORAL Wire Birds BAR ORIENT The Reggae Club BEAT NIGHTCLUB (UPSTAIRS) Canvas THE BIRD Dare to Resist Doogs Catlips Hunting Huxley Eerie Serpent Bastians Casio Flight BOAB TAVERN James Wilson CAPITOL The Cairos Tired Lion Messanine THE CARINE Tod Woodward CLANCY’S CANNING Justin Burford CLANCY’S FREMANTLE Bob Dylan Tribute Night The Family Band THE CLAREMONT HOTEL Antics Timothy Nelson CRAFTSMAN Rock Candy CRUISING YACHT CLUB Gee Whiz DEVILLES PAD Black Magic Disco ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB James Flynn Graham Wood Quartet Why Georgia FLY BY NIGHT Veronica’s Assassin THE GATE Greg Carter GEISHA BAR Habitat Andhim GOSNELLS HOTEL Third Gear GREENWOOD Passionworks
ABORTED TORTOISE/ THE BIRD/JUNE 13
GROOVE BAR (CROWN) Decoy HYDE PARK HOTEL Afterglo INDI BAR Matt Gresham KALAMUNDA HOTEL Celebrations Karaoke LAKERS TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke LANEWAY LOUNGE Retriofit Miami LANGFORD ALE HOUSE Texas Country Music Club New Trix Mustangs LONDON CAFÉ AND BAR Sax & Axe M ON THE POINT Rhythm 22 MERRIWA TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke METRO FREO Metropolis Saturdays MUSTANG BAR The Continentals Milhouse DJ Holly Doll DJ James MacArthur MOJOS BAR Simon Kelly Big Bamboo MOON CAFÉ Mind Canary Eloise Ashton NEWPORT HOTEL Karaoke Classic @ The Two Sparrows Bar NORMA JEANS COCKTAIL LOUNGE DJ Daz NORTHSHORE TAVERN Nirvanna Chris Gibbs PADDY MAGUIRES Madam Montage PARAMOUNT NIGHTCLUB Felix PLAYERS BAR Luxe ft. DJ Tito PORT KENNEDY TAVERN Stu Mckay QUARRIE BAR & BISTRO DJ Eugene RAILWAY HOTEL Global Battle Of The Bands – Perth Heat #2 ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Arkarion Death Dependent Pyromesh Darkenium ROSIE O’GRADY’S FREMANTLE Flava ROSIE O’GRADYS NORTHBRIDGE Neil Byrne Ryan Kelly SAIL AND ANCHOR The Gypsy Minions SETTLERS TAVERN (MARGARET RIVER) Gerard Maunick Tina Simone THE SHED HUGE DJ Andyy SPRINGS TAVERN Alex Canion THE SWINGING PIG Frenzy SWALLOW BAR DJ Razor Jack TOUCAN CLUB Vice UNIVERSAL BAR Faces
WHALE & ALE P!nked WOODVALE TAVERN Hi-NRG X-WRAY CAFÉ Rachel Dillon Trio Greg Cunningham YAYA’S Soma Paulie P & Little Lee Bryte Azmatik & D.C The NRGY & Eddie Extract DJ Jamu DJ Defyre ARCADIA @ YAYAS DJ Cookie SUNDAY 15/06 THE ALEXANDER Karaoke ASTOR THEATRE Slim Jim Phantom & Fireballs THE AVIARY Troy Division Philly Blunt THE BALMORAL Andrew Winton THE BELMONT Jonny Dempsey THE BRIGHTON Choppa BROKEN HILL HOTEL Justin Burford THE BROOK Chris Gibbs BROOKLANDS TAVERN Steve Hepple THE CARINE Justin Cortorillo THE CAUSEWAY Acoustic Sunday CHASE BAR & BISTRO Stackjammer Duo CITRO BAR Seasons of Perth Dean Anderson CIVIC HOTEL Kizzy CLANCYS CITY BEACH Sunday Brekky Sesh The Limelights Jazz Trio CLANCYS FREMANTLE Shotdown From Sugartown COMO HOTEL Ansell & Fretall DIVERS TAVERN (BROOME) Josh Pyke DUNSBOROUGH TAVERN Bret Donald ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Junior Jazz Hammer Nine FLINDERZ HILLARYS Trevor Jalla THE GATE Mike Nayar HIGHWAY HOTEL Nirvanna INDI BAR Yeo Rooster Police INDIAN OCEAN BREW CO Retriofit KALAMUNDA HOTEL B.O.B LAKERS TAVERN Wesley Goodlet Jamboree Scouts LANGFORD ALE HOUSE Gerry Azor LAST DROP TAVERN Brett Hardwick LOBBY LOUNGE (CROWN) Thierryno LUCKY SHAG Hans Fiance
CATLIPS/THE BIRD/JUNE 14
MOJOS BAR Old Blood Moana Golden Slums M ON THE POINT Nathan Gaunt NEWPORT HOTEL Sunday Session NORTHSHORE TAVERN DJ Andrew C Sessions OCEAN VIEW TAVERN Anderson PEEL ALE HOUSE Thierynno PINK DUCK LOUNGE BAR Courtney Murphy PORT KENNEDY TAVERN Greg Carter QUARIE BAR & BISTRO The Gypsy Minions RAILWAY HOTEL Global Battle Of The Bands – WA Final THE ROSE & CROWN HOTEL Joppy ROSEMOUNT HOTEL The Get Down ft. Charlie Bucket Safari Nick Sheppard ROSIE O’GRADYS NORTHBRIDGE Sunday Sessions Neil Byrne Ryan Kelly RUBIX BAR Little Ebony THE SAINT Howie Morgan Project SAIL AND ANCHOR (UPSTAIRS) Childs Play SEAVIEW TAVERN Jeanie Proude SETTLERS TAVERN (MARGARET RIVER) Acoustic Session ft. Michael Triscari THE SHED The Healys Renogade SOUTH ST. ALEHOUSE Open Mic Night SWALLOW BAR Sunday Sessions Bresdom Smith SWANBROOK WINERY Timothy Nelson Trio SWINGING PIG Siren & Assassin UNIVERSAL BAR Retriofit VERNON ARMS TAVERN Sophie Jane WANNEROO TAVERN Matt Williams THE WINDSOR Adrian Wilson THE X-WRAY CAFÉ DJ Click Brown Fox
MONDAY 16/06 BRASS MONKEY Wire Birds ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Sam Priven MOJOS BAR Wide Open Mic ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Quiz Meisters YAYA’S Big Tommo’s Open Mic Variety Night TUESDAY 17/06 THE BIRD Open Mic Night David Craft BRASS MONKEY Open Mic Night Shaun Street THE CHARLES HOTEL Perth Blues Club Across The Tracks Part 2: Gospel CLANCYS FREMANTLE Quiz Night CONSERVATORY ROOFTOP BAR Rooftop Comedy ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB The Halcyon Project GROOVE BAR (CROWN) Jack & Jill LANEWAY LOUNGE Open Mic Night Josh Terlick LOBBY LOUNGE (CROWN) Hans Fiance LUCKY SHAG Leighton Keepa MERIDIAN ROOM (CROWN) Howie Morgan MERRIWA TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke MOJOS BAR Mojos Monthly Comedy Suns Of Fred Sami Shah Nick Maro Mat Storer Des Pondent MUSTANG BAR Danza Loca Salsa Night OCEAN ONE BAR Overgrowth Open Mic Night THE ODD FELLOW The Big Splash Band Comp Stu Orchard Future Entity Husband Indigo 459 ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Steve Poltz Timothy Nelson Edie Green ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Bex ‘N’ Turin’s Open Mic Night SWINGING PIG Siren Song Enterprises
LOCAL GIG
THE CABALLEROS
THE CABALLEROS THE LITTLE WHITE LIES DEVILLES PAD FRIDAY, JUNE 13
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MUSIC GEAR & TECHNOLOGY
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CLASSIFIEDS
AIRLINE CUSTOM 59 ELECTRIC GUITAR Airline Guitars were originally made in the USA from 1958 to 1968 by VALCO. Artists such as David Bowie, The Cure, and The White Stripes currently favour these guitars and some of the original models can fetch up $3,000. The new Airline guitars are part of the retro-themed Eastwood Guitars family. Made in Korea, The Airline 59 Custom is one of the more daring models in the current collection. Firstly, this guitar looks amazing. The Airline 59 Custom features a tone-chambered mahogany body, which is available in a red or black finish and complemented by groovy rubber body binding with a striped pick-guard. The guitar is most certainly eye-catching and is pleasingly comfortable to play which can be a problem that more-uniquely designed instruments sometimes face. Electronics-wise, two Airline vintage voiced single coil pickups and a three way switch
provide a highly useable array of sounds, augmented by unique individual volume and tone controls for each pick up as well as a master volume control. As a result, the variety and quality of tones available are quite reminiscent of a Fender Mustang guitar. Most importantly, the 59 Custom is a joy to play. A bound maple bolt-on neck coupled with a rosewood fingerboard in 25 ½” scale gives this guitar a general feel similar to some Fender
Telecaster or maybe even Rickenbacker models. The Tune-O-Matic machine heads and a custom chrome tail provide stable tuning across the fretboard; even wide interval jumps and extended chord voicings in the higher frets retained sonic integrity. The guitar has a great bite for funk and pop sounds as well as a balanced darker tone for blues and country playing. Even the middle of the road tonality on less adventurous pickup settings
lends itself well to light rock and arpeggiated chord sequences. Despite the bold look which will probably polarize some players, the 59 Custom is a greatsounding and feeling all-rounder guitar. A deluxe Airline case is included in the RRP of $1495. CHRIS GIBBS
Reviewed at The Rock Inn, Mt. Lawley. FOR SALE HEADPHONES all brands & styles. 83 Wanneroo Road, Tuart Hill. Contact Headphonic 08 93886333 headphones.com.au MUSOS WANTED Lead Guitarist 40’s plus Wanted to form new accoustic cover duo. My approach is more unflogged than unplugged. I am experienced, have my own wheels, and good gear, looking for similar, vocals an asset. Phil 0430695287 N.O.R. OPEN MIC NIGHT every Thursday night at Indi Bar. Text Josh on 0430 313 577 for a spot. OPEN MIC NITE BAR ORIENT High St, Fremantle. Thurs 7.30pm - 12.00pm. Golden pic contest now running $500 cash prize. For bookings Joel 0414 239 319 or shadeyrock@live.com.au PRODUCTION SERVICES C D & D V D M A N U FA C T U R E C h e c k o u t o u r l a t e s t C D & DV D s p e c i a l s o n l i n e a t www.procopy.com.au 9375 3902 DISK BANK Perth’s premier CD & DVD manufacturer, with options for all budgets. (08) 9388 0800. www.diskbank.com.au/specials. MATRIX PRODUCTIONS AUSTRALIA Lighting, staging, sound systems, smoke machines, night club FX, intelligent lighting, strobes & mirror balls, crowd barriers, video projectors. 9371 1551 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 ANALOG MASTERING VINTAGE TAPE, TUBES & TRANSFORMERS with the latest state of the art digital converters. Clients include: Melody’s Echo Chamber, Pond, Gossling, Knife Party, Felicity Groom, The Floors, Jeff Martin & The Panics. World class facility, World class results. Www.poonshead.com. 9339 4791 ANDY’S STUDIO International multi award winning songwriter / producer. No band required. Broadcast quality. A songwriter’s paradise. Ph 9364 3178 GOLDDUST Production Mixing, recording and composition. Leederville $80 p/h. 0408 097 407 RECORDING MIXING MASTERING PRODUCING Fremantle location. Call Pete Kitchen Cooked Records. Ph 0407 363 764 / 9336 3764 REVOLVER SOUND STUDIO Ph 9272 7505. www.revolverstudio.com.au SONGWRITERS - BANDS! Great Productions! London Producer, awesome studio. Call Jerry on 0405 653 338 www.jerichomusic.com.au REHEARSAL STUDIOS AAA VHS REHEARSAL ROOMS Great facilities, great vibe & great price!!! Unit 5 /16 Peel Road, O’Connor. Phone 9418 5815 or 0413 732 885 BIGBEAT SOUND STUDIO Clean rooms, all new PA systems, air-con and good parking . Willetton Ph: 0425 698 117. P L AT I N U M S O U N D R O O M S P r o f e s s i o n a l rehearsal rooms, airconditioned, quality PAs mob 0418 944 722 STREAM STUDIO’S 89 Stirling St, Perth. Mobile: 0403 152 009 info@streamrehearsal.com.au TUITION ***GUITAR LESSONS*** The Guitar Institute. Online bookings. Beg to prof, all styles. Catering to WAAPA and AMEB standards. All tutors have WWC clearance. Cliff Lynton Guitar Institute. Mt Lawley 9342 3484 / www.clifflynton.com BASS GUITAR LESSONS AVAILABLE by WAAPA tutor. A practicle approach to learning. .All styles.Years of experience. Tony Gibbs 9470 6131 PIANO LEARNING ON A FAST TRACK Blues, funk and pop. We teach the fun stuff first. Absolute beginners welcome. We provide private lessons and group workshops. www.MusicLearningbuddies.com or call Roger 0488 941 373
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