SLASH
MISSY HIGGINS
I KILLED THE PROM QUEEN
THE MAZE RUNNER
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FEAST OF FRIEND After a buzzing year of line-ups, festivals, the releasing of their debut EP and the launch of their clip, The Killer, My Girl, Moana will be headlining the Long Weekend Rock Feast at Mojos this Friday, September 26. They also have another video underway and are currently writing on new material, going to re-enter the recording studio, but first going on their east-coast tour in late October. Other bands playing at the Long Weekend Rock Feast are Apache, King Cactus, Doctopus, Hyla, South Side Cobras, Apollo’s Son and DJ Jamie Turner (The High Learys). Doors open 7pm, tickets are $10 at the door.
KATCH THIS Off the back of their US, tour Katchafire are crossing Australia with 16 shows to promote their newest single, Down With You, recorded in Bob Marley’s legendary Tuff Gong Studios in Jamaica. Joining Katchafire will be I&I at Settlers Tavern, Margaret River, on Thursday, October 30; Metropolis Fremantle on Friday, October 31, and Capitol on Saturday, November 1. Tickets are available from oztix.com.au. Katchafire
THEY CALL THE TOUR MARIAH
Moana
Mariah Carey is the best-selling female artist of all time, with more than 220 million albums sold to date and 18 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles. Her Me. I am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse tour is probably the longest name for a tour in her career, and it’s coming to Perth on Sunday, November 2, at Sandalford Estate. Tickets are on sale from livenation.com.au, adayonthegreen.com.au and zaccariagroup.com.
ROBERT HUNTER CUP
PERFECT MATCH Fresh from some top times at Brisbane’s Bigsound conference, KUČKA is released a single, Unconditional, a new music video and her debut national headline tour next month. The run will take in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Byron Bay, before finishing up at The Bird on Sunday, October 25. Tickets are $10 at the door. Big things are afoot.
The Matches are dusting the cobwebs off their debut album E. Von Dhal Killed The Local, in celebration of its 10th anniversary and will be heading to our shores in January playing the album from start to finish, with including other classics. This Australian tour is the product of the band’s one-off show in the US to celebrate the LP’s anniversary, which ended up with sold out shows across the US. The Matches will be performing at Amplifier Bar on Friday, January 9, 2015. Tickets available at oztix.com.au.
KUČKA
The Matches
UNCONDITIONALLY KUČKA
More than 60 Australian hip hop artists will put on their footy boots to play in the 2014 Robert Hunter Cup, a charity football match in memoriam of Perth MC Hunter. The beloved MC Hunter sadly lost his battle with cancer in October, 2011. Hunter’s second love after hip hop was AFL, and what started out as a kick to kick amongst his friends at his wake quickly became a fully fledged event, which in 2012 and 2013 saw over $57,000 raised for Make A Wish. Some of Australia’s big hip hop names have played in the Cup and alongside the footy match is a yearly live show known as the Aus All Stars gig. The headline this year will be the SBX crew including Downsyde, Mortar, Bitter Belief and Layla with supports from Matty B, The Aphilliates and Dwizofoz. Also along are DJs Rob Shaker, Heata and DjDcide. This year’s gig will be at the Rosemount Hotel on Saturday, October 25, with The Eastside Kings and Westside Warriors playing against each other at Steel Blue Oval Bassendean earlier on from at 2pm. All proceeds from the game will raise money to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Robert Hunter
WAM FESTIVAL 2014 After a rebranding in 2013 saw 15,000 attendees satisfied, the WAM Festival is evolving again, packing a more focused local music punch. This year’s additions come with the Block Party, the WA Music Awards moving to Capitol, the WA Music Craft Awards to the State Theatre Courtyard, the WA Music Conference to be held at Central Institute of Technology (CIT) Perth Campus on the Friday and Saturday; and the Saturday Spectacular providing enhanced opportunities to access the cream of the crop, for both industry and punters alike. There will also be plenty of talented artists. Of course! Kicking off the WAM Festival, the opening party will be featuring Mt Mountain, Usurper of Modern Medicine, Pat Chow, Tired Lion, Hideous Sun Demon, Fait, Scalphunter and DJ Jamie Mac. Tickets are $15 from nowbaking.com.au and Moshtix, and $20 at the door. Free entry is offered to WA Music Conference Pass holders. There’s more announcements to come, in the meantime check out wam.org.au.
THICK AS THIEVES Mama Kin and Emily Lubitz (Tinpan Orange) have come together as the duo We Two Thieves. They’re releasing their debut album, At Midnight We Ride, on Friday, October 17, followed by live dates though November. We Two Thieves are performing at The Oddfellow on Saturday, November 1, and the Astor Lounge on Sunday, November 2. Tickets are available from theoddfellow.com.au and liveattheastor.com.au.
FROM OUT OF THE SHADOWS Melbourne alt-punk rockers, Inventions are headed our way for some Perth shows next month as part of their national Shadows tour. Catch them at the Rosemount Hotel on Wednesday, October 8, with friends Sail On! Sail On!, Kites and The Lake & The River. Then it’s Ya-Ya’s on Friday, October 10, and YMCA HW (all-ages) on Saturday, October 11. For more details head to inventionsband.com.
THE DATSUNS HEAD BACK TO PERTH AT LAST The Datsuns have announced an Australian tour in support of their new LP, Deep Sleep. Deep Sleep was written and recorded in the impressively fast 10 days at Roundhead Studios in Auckland last summer. The Datsuns will be performing at the Leisure Inn in Rockingham on Thursday, December 11; the Prince Of Wales Hotel in Bunbury on Friday, December 12; at The Astor Lounge on Saturday, December 13, and the Railway Hotel on Sunday, December 14. Tickets on sale from showticketing.com.au, heatseeker.com.au and oztix.com.au.
THE GRISWOLDS’ IMPRESSIVE NATIONAL TOUR Sydney party-people The Griswolds have just announced their Be Impressive national tour. Their debut album, Be Impressive, produced by Tony Hoffer, landed at #5 on the US iTunes Alternative charts and they’ve gained fans across the world. The Griswolds have toured constantly in 2014 and their single, Beware The Dog has been a triple j staple throughout this year. The Griswolds will be hitting six states and territories playing 10 shows in celebration of the release of the Be Impressive album. They’ll perform at the Amplifier Bar on Saturday, October 18. Tickets on sale from oztix.com.au.
THAT’LL BE THE DAISIES Fresh from touring the US with KISS and Def Leppard in August and Bad Company and Lynyrd Skynyrd during July, contemporary classic rockers, The Dead Daisies, are returning to Australia for some shows just prior to Christmas. Along with them they are bringing a second single Angles In Your Eyes, from their Face I Love EP, set to be released in late October. Catch The Dead Daisies at the Rosemount Hotel on Thursday, December 4. For more details, head to thedeaddaisies.com.
INJURED NINJA AND SARRY Lanie Lane has announced a national tour in support of her forthcoming Night Shade album, set for release on Friday, October 24. Three years have passed since Lane released her much loved debut album, To The Horses, which landed the ARIA charts at #12 and went gold. On tour Lane will bring her live band featuring Jez Mead, Sarah Belkner, Aidan Roberts and Tim Keegan, and will perform at The Bakery on Friday, November 7. Tickets from lanielane.net.
For the first time in almost three years, Injured Ninja is performing live and with a new line-up. Since their debut album, Injured Ninja vs. Skylazer, in 2012 they have been touring Japan and the US and supported the likes of Gang of Four, Health and My Disco to name a few. They’re being joined by Japanese duo, Sarry, who were last here in 2011. With support guests French Rockets and Mudlark, Injured Ninja and Sarry will perform at the Rosemount Hotel on Saturday, October 11. Tickets are $10 pre-sale and $15 at the door. For tickets hit up oztix.com.au.
Lanie Lane
Injured Ninja
LIFE IN THE LANIE LANE
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PRINT AND DIGITAL EDITIONS PUBLISHER/MANAGER Joe Cipriani
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SIDDHARTH Inspired by a heartbreaking incident experienced by the director - a man searching for his child, with no photographs, clues, or literacy skills - Siddharth follows a father’s search across India in search of his missing son. Surviving on the meagre earnings as a zipper-fixer, Mehendra sends his twelve-year-old son to work in a distant factory. In a region plagued by child trafficking, Siddarth’s disappearance is particularly worrying. Shot in Mumbai and Punjab, Siddharth has received a ton of praise, winning Best Film and Best Director at the South Asian International Film Festival and making Human Rights Watch’s Official Selection. Siddharth screens at Luna Palace cinemas from October 9. To win a double pass, check out the competition code via the app and send it to win@xpressmag.com.au.
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HOUSE SESSIONS Ministry Of Sound have just dropped another corker of a mix - House Sessions, available from Friday, September 26. It’s mixed by Brisbanian Danny T, who got his break as late dance legend Ajax’s Sweat It Out protegés, and Acaddamy, a Sydneysider who’s cut his teeth on tracks by Rudimental, Emoh Instead, and The Preatures. House Sessions features a string of homegrown bass music, international hits, and bangers from ZHU, RÜFÜS, Nicky Night Time and The Presets. If you’re keen for a copy, check out the competition code via the app and drop us a line at win@xpressmag.com.au.
EDITORIAL DEADLINES General: Friday 5pm, Eye4 Arts: Thursday 10am, WIN: Friday 5pm, Salt Clubs: Monday 5pm , Local Scene: Monday Noon, Gig Guide: Monday 5pm ADVERTISING DEADLINES Cancellations: Monday 5pm, Ads to be set: Monday Noon Supplied Bookings / Copy: Tuesday 12 Noon, Classifieds: Monday 4pm Published by: Columbia Press Pty.Ltd. A.C.N. 066 570 803 Registered by Australia Post. Publication No PP600110.00006 Suite 55/102 Railway Street, City West Business Centre, West Perth, WA 6005 Locked Bag 31, West Perth, WA 6872 Phone: (08) 9213 2888 Fax: (08) 9213 2882 Website: http://www.xpressmag.com.au WARRANTY AND INDEMNITY Advertisers and/or their agents by lodging an advertisment shall indemnify the publisher, and its agents, against all liability claims or proceedings whatsoever arising from the publication. Advertisers and/or their representatives indemnify the publisher in relation to defamation, slander, breach of copyright, infringement of trademarks of name of publication titles, unfair competition or trade practices, royalties or violation of rights or privacy and warrant that the material complies with revelant laws and regulations and that its publication will not give rise to any rights against or liabilities in the publisher, its servants or agents. Any material supplied to X-Press is at the contributor’s risk.
House Sessions
FANDANGO They call it a “transcendental queer art disco”, and it hits Connections Nightclub on Sunday, September 28. Melbourne art party freaks Disco Abyss are teaming up with local performance collective Voix De La Ville to create Fandango, a one-night-only surrealist spectacular. Step through the Connections looking glass and you’ll be met by BAFTA-winning drag performer Strykermyer, subversive vaudevillian Ash Baroque, and live installations from the likes of Anne Marie Therese, Claire Hysteria and Heather Anger. Also featured are rare grooves from Rex Monsoon, Modesty Blaze, Tim Brown, Mama Cass, and many more. If you’d be down to win a double pass, get in touch at win@xpressmag.com.au. Fandango
33,560 OCTOBER 2012 MARCH 2013 - AUSTRALIA’S HIGHEST CIRCULATING STREET PRESS
HOPE FLOATS Australian designer Dina Ochwada’s jewellery label, One Luv, have been making beautiful pieces in the spirit of French giants like Chopard since 2004. Ochwada’s work is intricate and playful, featuring whimsical origami, babushka, and harmonicainspired collections, necklaces based on Yves Saint Laurent’s trademark spectacles, and maritime pieces. One Luv just released their Hope Floats collection, a series of pendants featuring crystals trapped in glass chambers. We’ve got a piece from the Hope Floats collection to give away, so drop us a line at win@xpressmag.com.au. If you’re keen to check out OneLuv’s entire collection, head to oneluv.com.au, and use the promotional code LUVXPRESS for 25% off. Oneluv’s Hope Floats
OBVIOUS CHILD Fresh off the Sundance circuit, Obvious Child stars Parks And Rec’s Jenny Slate as Donna, a recently dumped Brooklyn comedian who falls pregnant to a one night stand. Things get particularly complicated when, through some casual stalking, she realises ONS is a conservative religious yuppie - definitely not her type, and almost certainly displeased with her decision to not keep the pregnancy. It’s funny, lewd, honest, and makes some cutting observations about contemporary women’s reality and rights. Obvious Child screens exclusively at Luna Leederville from October 9. We’ve got double passes for the Saturday, October 4 preview screening to give away, so if you’d like a chance to win, get in touch at win@ xpressmag.com.au. Jenny Slate in Obvious Child 6
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ITALIAN FILM FESTIVAL Lavazza’s Italian Film Festival is back in Perth from September 24 - October 15, and it’s gonna be a ball - 35 comedies, dramas, and a few Cannes contenders labelled “Top Shelf”. Highlights include Nouvelle Vague-style Darker Than Midnight, biopic of legendary drag queen Fuxia; Incompresa, featuring Charlotte Gainsbourg and a whole lot of superstitious symbolism; and the critically acclaimed The Wonders, a dreamlike family drama about apocalypse preppers. Also look out for the host of films with screwball titles like The Worst Christmas Of My Life and Blame It On Freud. We’ve got festival double passes to give away, so hit us up at win@xpressmag.com.au.
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Jessica Moro (right) winner of Top Student, Eveningwear and Costume categories Photography by Stefan Gosatti
FUTURE RUNWAY It’s Bright Alright Designs by the crème de la crème of Perth’s young fashion designers outshone the wet and windy weather last Sunday, with everything from hivis bodices to tissue paper dresses on show during this year’s Future Runway. PENNY LANE reports. Despite the howling winds shaking the walls and ceiling of what appeared to be a less-than-sturdy Fashion Paramount tent, the innovative and original designs by local student designers at the 2014 Telstra Perth Fashion Festival Future Runway quickly had guests shifting their gaze from moving roof to brightly lit runway. After the initial umming and ahhing from the audience about how long the tent
NEWS - INTERVIEWS - REVIEWS - CONTENTS
would last before it came crashing down, 60 of the best fashion students presented an inventive collection of Hi-Vis Fashion, Women’s Ready to Wear, Men’s Ready to Wear, Eco Designs, Costumes and Eveningwear, showcasing their versatility in a rapidly evolving industry. Perth fashion representatives including Wild Horses designer Natalie Donovan and Dale Emery from Method Clothing judged the clothes in each one of the six categories, picking a winner for each. It’s not often a designer wins more than one category at Future Runway, let alone two and the Top Student 2014 award, but this year there proved to be an exception with talented Curtin University student, Jessica Moro. Jessica took out the title as Top Student and was awarded the opportunity to create a custom mobile app for her budding fashion label, valued at more than $20 000. Along with the Top Student award, the designer won the Eveningwear category with her sexy, semi-sheer jumpsuit with cut-out sleeves and fluted pants; and the Costume category for her Game Of Thrones inspired piece – a regal style dress with armadillo-like, tiered sleeves. Joining the Future Runway winner were fellow Curtin students Alexandra Xu and Cordelia Gibbs. Alexandra won the new Hi-Vis Fashion section, which had the designers create garments made of neon-bright work vests – the basis of the category a reflection on WA’s fly-in fly-out community. She presented a V-neck dress clinched in at the waist with silver reflective strips. Cordelia’s outfit, which took out the top spot in Eco Design, included a camel-coloured jacket with black shoulder detailing, a linen low-high skirt and an earthy toned tank top. Suitably matched to the weather conditions outside, the clothing on show during the Women’s Ready to Wear and Men’s Ready to Wear categories boasted a number of cosy jackets and coats. Sheridan Savage from WAAPA received the award for Women’s Ready to Wear thanks to her black coat with white and black furry sleeves, while Rini Teng from Central Institute won the Men’s Award with an edgy collared jacket and black and white drop crotch pants. Other notable designs spotted on the runway included an Alien-inspired black and green figure hugging costume with black headpiece, a dress made of broken mirrors and an autumn leaves ball dress.
WA BEER WEEK LAUNCH
Through his various releases, appearances and collaborations Canadian DJ/producer Datsik, aka Troy Beetles, has emerged as a huge presence on the international dubstep scene, even more so with the establishment of his own label, Firepower Records. BOB GORDON checks in with him in the lead up to his performance at Villa Nightclub on Saturday, October 4. You’ve stated that dubstep is like the punk rock of electronic music. How’s it feel to be Johnny Rotten? (Laughs) Well it’s been a crazy road, so much travelling and amazing and bizarre experiences over such a short period of time. I feel very lucky to be caught in the explosion of electronic music. Never thought this would be my path when I was a youngster!
Jess, Jane
The Wu-Tang Clan were an early obsession for you, what was the primal attraction about them? I think it was strictly because it was so grungy and raw. Nothing else really felt like that at the time. Things may or may not have been out of key in certain songs; weird Shaolin noises and super gritty slanted out backpack rap somehow all came together in unison for something you could only really describe as The WuTang Clan. And it was somewhat dark. I think all these things are what pushed me in the right direction - and knowing it doesn’t have to be all done by the book. As long as it all sounds good and works in the end, that’s all that matters!
Photography by Matt Jelonek
Joni, Melissa Aaron, Roxy, Darcy
Cam, Anu, Ross
The Story Of Johnny Rotten
What was your upbringing like in British Columbia? Was there a strong musical presence in your family or friends that had a long-term influence on you? Music was never really very big in my household. It was more so audio and audio equipment that really got me interested. That being said I personally have always been really into music and hip hop through my older brothers. That, and my friends were all into hip hop, breakdancing and graffiti so that definitely was a major push in that direction!
Bob’s Bar Monday, September 22, 2015 Admirers, lovers, connoisseurs and indeed friends of beer made their way up to Bob’s Bar on Monday night for an exclusive peak at the 2014 Beer Week Guide. WA Beer Week will happen from Saturday, October 25, until Sunday, November 2, with more than 60 events across Perth and Fremantle. Head to wabeerweek.com.au for full details.
DATSIK
Did you have any mentors that helped show you the way or have you simply learnt, improved and achieved as you’ve gone along? I went to audio school earlier on, and had a couple great teachers that helped me better understand the fundamentals. From there, I really have taught myself most of the ‘unique’ things that create the Datsik sound.
Morgan, Vanessa, Burt
That being said, the whole scene - especially the bass music scene - tends to be really all on the same page with wanting to learn more and more techniques, and people love to share tips and tricks as well, which in the end when you combine everything you’ve picked up, really does end up translating. It really is a dope community, I’m stoked to be part of it. But, I really did enjoy working with a variety of producers and stepping outside of my box! Shout-out to Bassnectar, Diplo, Korn and Infected Mushroom for really allowing me to flex my versatility on certain projects! What have you learnt about success having attained it? It’s really hard to measure success - with music and being heard by people, you can always become a bigger artist. I think it’s just super important to remember why you’re do this in the first place and that it is your passion that’s helping you pay the bills! As long as you remember those things and don’t get caught up in the drama or bullshit which comes with the territory, then it’s all good. I am blessed for everyone that has helped me along the way to get to where I’m at right now and couldn’t be happier! Has constant travel had an effect on your creativity? Most definitely. I’ve wrote some of my favourite tracks while being on a tour bus across the States, or airplane to Asia, or a train across France. It really helps having a different environment or backdrop to spawn new ideas or different methods. It’s actually one of the most inspiring things, travelling, but often hard to translate it into music because of the lack of sleep. And if you live a crazy lifestyle you need to find a balance to make it work all in harmony. What do you look for or expect from the people you collaborate with? I love when other producers bring their style to the table and show me production techniques I may not have known before. I think collaboration is one of the most vital parts to progressing your sound, style and versatility. Coming in with little to no expectations is the best way to approach it as it helps you keep an open mind and write something you wouldn’t normally write, and that’s often times how hits are made! What’s 2015 hold? So many exciting new collabs, tons of big hip hop artist collabs, new styles, different tempos, more funk. And of course a tad of the sinister crush mode stuff people have come to love and respect!
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SOHO, SO GOOD FACTORY = BAKERY North London hypnotic post-industrial disco vendors, Factory Floor, have just announced their first ever Australian tour, which stops by our way on Saturday, December 13, at The Bakery. Making a special occasion even more will be the quality local support line-up of Kučka (live, solo), Sacred Flower Union (live), Allstate, Rex Monsoon b2b The Monarchy, Craig Hollywood and Lightsteed. Tickets are available from lifeisnoise.com,oztix.com.au and the venue. Factory Floor 8
Having spent 50 weeks on the ARIA album charts with Hungry Ghost, Violent Soho have announced their massive 23-date No Sleep ‘Til Mansfield tour, the last chance to see the quartet before they go into hibernation to write album number four. Violent Soho will be performing at the Prince of Wales, Bunbury, on Wednesday, November 19; Dunsborough Tavern on Thursday, November 20; Studio 146 in Albany on Friday, November 21, and Capitol on Saturday, November 22. Tickets go On sale from 9am Tuesday, September 23, via violentsoho.com.
This Saturday, September 27, the Rosemount Hotel will host a special two-stage extravaganza. Hosted by MC comedians Sam Cribb and Jurassic Palm, Double Dragon sees Day Of The Dead, Black River Ransom, LYTS, Wisdom 2th, The Darling Rangers, Amberdown, Like Junk, The South Wicks and Rich King Matthews. Nine bands, two comedians, $12. Doors at 7pm.
Violent Soho
Day Of The Dead, Double Dragon
DOUBLE DRAGON
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Newsdesk Win Flesh Music Slash, I Killed The Prom Queen, Veruca Salt Missy Higgins Heavy Metal Down Under, Screaming Jets New Noise Eye4 Cover: Josh Lawson, The Little Death The Little Death, Steve Tallis The Maze Runner, Skeleton Twins The Hit List, Fashion, Arts Listings Scene Cover: OKA EDM News, Safia, Briggs Hernan Cattaneo, Sharfla Live: Flamingos, Childsaint, Painkillers, 360 Local Scene: Maurice Flavel’s Intensive Care X-Press Guide Social Pics, Volume
FRONT COVER: Canadian DJ/producer Datsik heads to Villa on Saturday, October 4. SCENE COVER: OKA play five dates in WA this week.
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SLASH I’m On Fire Iconic US rocker/guitarist, Slash, has just released a new LP with Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators called World On Fire. PAUL MCBRIDE reports. In 2001, former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash collapsed at a soundcheck, woke up in hospital and was given between six days and six weeks to live. A pivotal moment in the hard-drinkin’, heavy-druggin’ Los Angeles native’s life, it marked a turning point that saw the legendary axeman get sober and eventually begin writing and releasing records of his own. “I’ve gone through a lot of different stuff,” he says. “I was comfortable with a lot as far as when Guns N’ Roses was happening, but there’s been a lot of stuff I’ve had to go through to get to the point of where I’m at now, on my own. It was very hard. Maybe there were periods there when I probably had question marks in brackets around whatever I was doing, but I never really stop and specifically think about stuff like that. I just like doing what I do. “It seems insane to people that I don’t have a specific motivation now other than just liking music. I like playing live, I like writing, I like touring and everything that goes with it. Making records and going out in front of audiences; this is what I picked up a guitar for.” World On Fire is Slash’s third solo album, and the second on which the 49-year-old has worked with Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators. “It’s exciting, we finished it in May,” he says. “We’ve been doing this for five years now. It started off as nothing; I didn’t have any plans for this. It was just really a band that I’d put together to support my first solo record, but it turned out to be such a great bunch of guys that I decided to work with them to make the next record following that, which was Apocalyptic Love. Basically, at that point, it had already turned into a band and was one of those sort of magical combinations of people that I didn’t see coming, but turned out to be really great.” Produced by Michael ‘Elvis’ Baskette, World On Fire is 17 tracks of typically Slash hard rock, with plenty of big riffs and solos, and was recorded in double-quick time. “Usually it’s one or two songs a day,” Slash says. “But with this record we ended up
doing 17 tracks in six days. It was good. I write the stuff on the road, here and there, and then I work it up with Brent (Fitz, drums) and Todd (Kerns, bass) and start getting a real musical arrangement together. I then send it out to Myles so he heard. “I grew up in a very rock’n’roll environment, musically, and guitar solos are a very important part of rock’n’roll songs. They’re just a really exciting part of a good rock song.” An upcoming slot on the Soundwave 2015 bill will give Slash and co. a chance to play the new material to (East Coast) Australian audiences for the first time. “I’m excited about it. We did it in 2011 or 2012 – I can’t remember exactly. We did the tour and there was Slayer and a bunch of cool bands on the bill. It was a lot of fun, and was one of the coolest sort of moving tours that I’ve ever done. We are really looking forward to it. “Everything on the album is basically all recorded live. We don’t write songs with the intention of them being live songs, but when we go in to record it, we just play the songs live so much it just comes out that way. Everything on the record more or less comes from a live setting, so it should all translate great live, you know? We’re on tour now with Aerosmith in the States and then we start a world tour in November. It’ll basically run all the way through next year.” Despite Kiss’ Gene Simmons recently claiming rock music is dead, Slash is quick to come to its defence. “I’ve been hearing that same exact quote since the ’70s,” he says. “But anyway, I think rock music as a medium will never ever die or anything like that, but it’s going through a hard time. The way that the business has become is predominantly, if not 100 per cent, corporate at this point. When it comes to record companies and radio and all that kind of stuff, rock music doesn’t really have much of a place in it. But that’s what I love about what’s going on right now – there’s this really great underbelly of very genuine, spirited rock’n’roll happening. It’s starting to get that sense of rebellion back, which is really great. I think that’s important, and I think it should be us-against-them, you know? “I sort of like the way that things are going and I don’t see rock being dead at all. I see it in Europe and a lot just recently in America. I can’t speak on behalf of Australia, but I do know certain bands over there who have that same attitude.” With more than his fair share of hard living and dark times behind him, and his new band line-up set in stone, the only question that remains is whether one of rock’s great survivors is willing to drop the solo moniker and give his bandmates equal billing. “I’m not going to,” he laughs. “Never.”
VERUCA SALT Volcano Girls Revisited
I KILLED THE PROM QUEEN A New Hope Fresh off a reformation in 2011 and the release of their third studio album, Beloved, Aussie metalcore group I Killed The Prom Queen are on the road for the Rise Of Brotality Tour. Guitarist, Kevin Cameron, speaks with AARON BRYANS, ahead of their shows this Saturday, September 27, at Leederville HQ (all-ages) and Sunday, September 28, at Capitol. With two studio albums to their name, I Killed the Prom Queen were on the rise as one of Australia’s most-loved metalcore bands. However in 2007, vocalist Ed Butcher departed due to homesickness with the band disbanding shortly after. After four years away the band reformed and haven’t looked back with longtime friend Jamie Hope taking the microphone for the Adelaide-quintet. “There was idle talk between me and Jona (Weinhofen, guitar) for a couple of years,” Cameron reveals. “We were seeing a lot of bands emerge while we were on the hiatus and it sort of got into Jona’s head that we hadn’t reached the potential I know he wanted to get to with the band at that point. Initially we wanted to do two or three tours per year while people had other bands going on. When everyone freed up form those it turned into a full-time thing again and we’ve spent basically the whole year on the road at this point.” “Jamie’s been a friend of ours since 2004 and almost joined the band when Ed departed in 2007. We’ve been around him for a good 70 per cent of the band’s entirety so he slotted in quite well.” The band returned to form this year with the release of their third studio album, Beloved, which has receive widespread positive acclaim. “We wrote really quickly for the new record,” says Cameron. “We had a couple years of formulating a couple of ideas, but the main writing thing didn’t hit its stride until the last month or so 10
before we got into the studio. I think next time that happens we’re going to better prepare ourselves. We work really well under pressure but in terms of preparation, we’ve got a month off now where we’re going to start piecing together some ideas. We’re not going to need to write for another year, but just having those ideas around to show the others guys and rearrange a bit more will be good. “We’ve only done the Soundwave dates with that material so we spent most of the year out of the country fine tuning all of that material in preparation for this tour. Now that we’re at the top of our game playing-wise hopefully crowds are enjoying it and there’s definitely a lot of standout moments in the set every night during songs. It’s getting better and better.” The Rise Of Brotality tour has seen I Killed The Prom Queen return to Australian soil alongside with The Ghost Inside and In Hearts Wake, kicking things off in Canberra with the band performing in Perth this weekend. “We’ve got 22 shows in succession but it’s all been smooth sailing. We’ve got the days running to a good routine now, all the shows have been successful and all he bands get along great. “We’re playing predominantly new material off the album. The main focus of this one is pushing that new material rather then sticking to the decadeold material that we’d been pushing the last tour. It’s real good seeing the crowd react to all the new material, it makes it worthwhile.”
With friendships rekindled, reunited ‘90s indie rock darlings Veruca Salt are heading back to Perth for a show at the Rosemount Hotel on Saturday, October 4. Guitarist/vocalist Nina Gordon checks in with SHANE PINNEGAR. Riding high in the indie charts with alt-rock hits Seether, Number One Blind, Victrola and Volcano Girls from their first two albums, Veruca Salt seemed on the cusp of a major breakthrough when Nina Gordon abruptly quit in 1998. Her co-vocalist, guitarist and best friend Louise Post carried on with various line-ups, but things were never the same… until now. Despite their debut album, American Thighs, being 20 years old, Gordon says the band still feels energised playing those songs “When Louise and I first started playing together,” she explains, “all those years ago, and wrote the songs, we were young women in our early 20s, and we were extremely passionate about what we were doing. We had a lot to say. We had endless hours to write the music. That’s really all we did. “Because we took such a long break, the songs themselves still have so much life to them, for us at least, and we’re certainly not tired of playing them. “That is part of the reason we are writing new material and feel the need to write new songs because we’re in very different places in our lives, obviously, and there is a feeling of just needing to express ourselves in who we are now.” Two new songs (The Museum Of Broken Relationships/It’s Holy), however, surfaced on the excellent – and classic sounding - MMXIV EP, released earlier this year for Record Store Day. A new album is near completion, but a release date hasn’t been set.
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“We’re still in the process of figuring out if we are really, truly done - and I think we are, but we may want to run into the studio when we get back from Australia and record one more song,” Gordon explains excitedly. The band - also consisting of Gordon’s drummer brother Jim Shapiro and Steve Lack on bass – were incredibly influential, their music tapping into hearts and minds around the world. As axeslinging, take-no-shit riff merchants, both Post and Gordon inspired a lot of girls to pick up an instrument themselves, a fact they were always moved by. “We played shows back then and there were teenage girls who would come and say how important our music was to them,” Gordon recalls. “We could never really fully process it. It was always very moving and we were always super… I don’t know, just shocked and excited and really thrilled by that, but it was hard to really let it sink in. “It is a huge honour and certainly there are women that did that for me and for Louise, so the thought of being that to someone else is pretty powerful.” When the conversation turns to the Australian tour, and the fact that there are many people very excited to see the band live, Gordon can barely restrain her enthusiasm. “Yeah, we’re so excited to come to Australia! We always had such a great time when we’ve played there and I will say in response to your question earlier about whether we were aware of the impact that we had on young women, I will tell you that touring in Australia in 1997, we were very aware of it because there were so many incredible teenage girls - and boys, but I remember the girls mostly - who were just so articulate and passionate and interesting. “We loved meeting all of them. I’m hoping a lot of them will come back and see us so we can see how they’ve turned out!”
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INTERVIEWS
MISSY HIGGINS The Everyperson Missy Higgins’ new album, OZ, and book of the same name, have just been released. ADAM NORRIS chats with the beloved singer/songwriter ahead of her shows at Crown Theatre, on Thursday, October 16; Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre on Saturday, October 18, and the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre on Sunday, October 19.
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STORIES
You always hope to begin an article with ‘Soand-so really isn’t what you’d expect’. It suggests that not only is there a greater mystique to the artist that the rest of the world is ignorant of, but through being the savvy journalist that you are, you’re the one to finally reveal the truth about them to the world. In this instance, however, Missy Higgins turns out to be as lovely and approachable as you always suspected. Her latest release, OZ, is surprising for two reasons. Chiefly, it is an album of covers – a kind of Great Australian Songbook for tunes that many folk will be unfamiliar with. Secondly, it features what essentially amounts to an autobiography without, well, the autobiography. “I think my main objective with the book was to just have a bit of fun dabbling in writing,” Higgins explains. We’re chatting over a coffee table strewn with music journals, appropriately enough, though adding an element of surrealism to the conversation are the old tour posters plastered over the walls, featuring none other than Higgins herself. “I’ve always wanted to get into journalism or creative writing before I thought that I could ever make a living out of music,” she says. “That’s the direction I would have gone in a Sliding Doors scenario. I liked the idea of writing an actual memoir, but I didn’t feel that I’d quite come to that point of my life yet. I’m not sure anyone would take a memoir by me seriously.” She laughs, while a large friendly dog pads past the door. It’s the kind of casual, relaxed detail that hallmarks this interview; chatting with Higgins is a lot like catching up with a distant cousin. The atmosphere is relaxed, free of pretension. “I’m just not old enough yet,” she continues. “I still feel like I’m the middle of my career, it still feels like I’ve got plenty of albums to go. Also, you’d have to be able to take a big step back from your life, I think, and get a certain amount of objectivity to be able to project any sort of wisdom on your past. I’m just not sure if I’m there yet. But I don’t know what else I’d write about if I didn’t write about my life. I’ve always been quite a navel-gazer, I guess. I’ve done a lot of thinking about what I’ve been through, where I’m going, why I’m here, that kind of thing. It just made sense to create an extension of that.” For both committed fans and the casual radio listener, at the heart of Higgins’ output is an accessibility characteristic of Australian songwriting. She sings of universal truths without the need to dress up sentiment or inflate meaning. The result is a sort of everyperson story; lyrics that are direct and deep, that speak to us all.
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“I think along the way I figured out that what is the most potent kind of storytelling is the personal stuff. There’s a certain vulnerability that people appreciate in songwriters, and I think a song becomes universal when you’re being completely honest about how you felt. I think my songs are more about the feeling at the core of what’s going on, rather than what is actually going on. There’s not many things that are specific to time and place, it’s more what I was emotionally or spiritually going through. When you really get to the heart of the matter that way, I think something becomes universal.” There is an added bonus in avoiding specific details here. While Higgins is hardly anonymous these days – it’s no stretch to suggest she’s a household name now – there is still the capacity to maintain a level of privacy and control. Despite the often bittersweet frankness of her lyrics, we are still only being invited into a small portion of her life; the figure that many of her fans know and love remains something of a construct. “It’s interesting. In a way I’m very open and vulnerable in my songs, but on the other hand I’m only giving away a tiny bit of who I am. I can pick and choose exactly what I do give away because I’m not talking about specific experiences. I still keep my private life private, I’m not Instagramming pictures of my partner and I kissing everyday, you know? I like to keep that kind of thing sacred. But as far as human emotions are concerned, well, I’ll talk about that until the cows come home. There’s a lot that you can give away in a song without actually revealing much of who you are. I still feel like there are very few people who know who I am.” Ultimately, you suspect this is for the best. All fans fictionalise their heroes to some extent, and maintaining a personal connection to a song often comes at the expense of genuinely knowing the artist. This does not compromise the feeling of empathy and familiarity in Higgins’ body of work, however, and when she finds herself before an audience, the connection she feels is genuine. “The more vulnerable I am in my songs, the greater the high when I play them live,” she says. “You suddenly feel this connection between you all, this mutual understanding. Whether that’s real or not, you definitely feel as though there’s something – a revelry that’s almost church-like. You feel like you’re all somehow in it together, and I think that’s what keeps me wanting to write songs. Even if sometimes it’s hard at the time. I’d love to be able to just sit down and write a song about a guy I saw on the bus, because it wouldn’t be such a harrowing experience to get it out. But in the end, I think that’s the stuff that feels the best.”
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INTERVIEWS
METAL DOWN UNDER
Permanent Silver
Nick Calpakdjian tells SHANE PINNEGAR that his new documentary about the Australian extreme metal scene, Metal Down Under, is as much an historical document as it is a testament to the enduring power of metal.
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THE SCREAMING JETS
Extreme Dream
Australia is far more widely known for our unique brand of pub rock than for our contribution to the world of heavy metal, but over the three ‘episodes’ and more than 40 interviews that make up the largely crowd funded Metal Down Under DVD, writer/director, Nick Calpakdjian, attempts to explain the significance and influence of extreme metal from this country. “I thought it would always be more interesting the further back I went,” Calpakdjian explains, “just because I guess my place is in the middle. I started listening to Allegiance in ’91 or ’92. Now, I’ve explored it and there’s as much music before that point as there is after it. “I guess because the film covers so many years I’ve got different responses from different age groups of people. I’ve got a lot of people saying, ‘it was so good to look back on the ‘80s and remember what I was a part of’, as well as a lot of the younger generation saying, ‘I didn’t know metal existed before ’99’ or something like that.” The film highlights the different evolution of metal in the various capital cities of our country, especially during the ‘80s and ‘90s. Although Calpakdjian focuses heavily on his hometown Melbourne, bands from all over the country get a good look in, including a few Perth notables. Amongst the talking heads, local metalheads will recognise Joe Kapiteyn from iNFeCTeD (and more recently, The Devil Rides Out), Psychonaut’s Mark De Vattimo and co., as well as Tony Campo and Dave Harrison of Allegiance. One point made in Metal Down Under is that bands who were local heroes in Perth or other capital cities often never made it to the rest of the country,
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Celebrating their 25th anniversary with a new album and tour, iconic Aussie rockers, The Screaming Jets, will descend upon Capitol on Thursday, November 6. Vocalist, Dave Gleeson, speaks with SHANE PINNEGAR. Joe Kapiteyn back in his mid ‘90s iNFeCTeD days Pic: Tania Hoetmer
and vice versa. Calpakdjian says there is a vast untapped history of metal around the country. “I think so. I think it made for an interesting look at how the different scenes evolved independently of each other. What was going on in Perth might have been markedly different than what was happening in Brisbane or Adelaide. In Melbourne and Sydney, often we could get a lot more crossover of music because it’s a lot quicker and cheaper because you can drive between. “But I guess Perth being so isolated, it’s always had its own thing going on and evolved in its own way, and it still does. Now, I guess it is much cheaper and accessible for bands to travel. I think some of the regions within Australia will always evolve just a little bit differently to each other. I think that makes it a more exciting country full of music.” As anyone who has been buying records since before 1990 can attest, the term ‘heavy metal’ itself has evolved greatly over time. Back in 1987 metal was as much about Poison as it was about Metallica. Going back further, in 1981 AC/DC and Def Leppard were at the cutting edge of metal. For the purposes of Metal Down Under, though, Calpakdjian didn’t restrict himself by defining the term. “I didn’t really have any strict criteria of what had to be included in a band to be classified as metal,” the director says, pondering for a moment. “I think I might’ve made it easy on myself early on by just quickly glancing at AC/DC and Buffalo and these early bands that we’re not really going to consider metal today, but at the time they were the heaviest thing going around.”
With both the Screaming Jets’ forthcoming album and tour titled Atomic 47 - a 25th anniversary is traditionally termed as ‘silver’ and 47 is the metal’s atomic number - in celebration of the milestone, Dave Gleeson says the band are expecting the gigs to be suitably rambunctious affairs. “Yeah, well especially because it’s only a one-off!” he affirms. “Over in Perth, mate, there will be a party because we don’t get over there very much. We’ll have to celebrate with a bottle of champagne every night - but just some Spumanti or something like that,” he jokes. Gleeson promises a set chock full of classics, plus a few of the new tracks, and perhaps a couple of surprises from deeper down in their catalogue. “Obviously, you do the songs everyone knows and loves. I guess over the years we’ve recorded, including our own and cover songs, over 100 songs. It’s nice to go back. I was going through my old vinyl and I found a copy of the single of Better, one of the first pressings of it, and on the b-side is Rocket Man. “I get asked all the time, ‘mate, play Rocket Man!’ I’ll go, ‘what? Rocket Man? That Elton John song?’ They’ll say, ‘No, no - your song’. Alright, here it is. I put it on. I’m like, ‘I haven’t heard that song for 20 years’. There is a whole bunch of songs like that you can pull out and go, ‘yeah, we can maybe work it up in a different way, modernise it a little or whatever’. That’s a bit of fun for the band to get into.” Gleeson, who is also fronting another iconic band in The Angels these days, admits he never thought The Screaming Jets would ever have lasted a quarter of a century. “No!” laughs the singer, “When we started
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off, we always wanted to be a band like The Stones or like those enduring bands, The Angels and so on. You set your sights on that, then to reach it 25 years later is pretty amazing. It’s just nice to know that not only can we still play, but people are still willing to come and see us play.” In addition to original members Gleeson and bassist Paul Woseen, the line-up touring the country this year will feature guitarists Jimi Hocking and Scott Klingman and drummer, Mickl Sayers. Gleeson promises that the new album will be ready for the tour. “We’re working feverishly on it at the moment,” Gleeson laughs. “I just came off a 40-day tour with The Angels about two weeks ago, so we’ve just found some time, and I’ve locked all the boys in. Three of the guys live in Melbourne, so that’s where we’re going to base ourselves to do it and get something out and ready to go by the time we hit the road on October 17!” Gleeson doesn’t seem pressured by the idea of recording, mastering and pressing an album in under six weeks in the slightest, attesting that “we’re really lucky in that Scotty Kingman, our guitarist, is an absolute recording and mixing and mastering wiz. He’s recorded the last four or five James Reyne albums and Mark Seymour’s album and other stuff in his own studio. We’re just going to camp in there and beat it out of ourselves! “Paul’s written a whole bunch of songs. Then myself and Jimi Hocking had a few offerings as well.” Excitingly, Gleeson says to expect a classic Jets sound to the new material. “The thing is that it’s rock music and it’s not reinventing the wheel, but you want to say something when you’re doing it,” he says. “A couple of the old songs - Let Me Show You How To Do It and then Better - were really well lyrically thought out. The songs that I know and love from other bands and other artists, every word means something. We’re really trying to make sure that we get up front and don’t pussyfoot around. There’s one of the songs called Smack In The Mouth. It’s just… don’t mince words, get out there. It’s rock!”
NEW NOISE
For more album reviews head to xpressmag.com.au
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3.5 OUT OF 5
OUT OF 5
STEVE SMYTH
MISSY HIGGINS OZ Eleven
Exits Mushroom
Ten years on from her chart-smashing debut, The Sound Of White, Missy Higgins finds herself in very different surrounds. Rather than an earnest up-and-comer, she’s now an established name within Australian music, as well as an expectant mother and acclaimed songwriter over the course of three albums. It’s interesting, then, that someone so wellknown for the songs she has written herself has filled her fourth album with songs she didn’t write. OZ is a tribute to an endless array of Australian performers, ranging from contemporaries such as Dan Sultan and The Drones to older influences such as Slim Dusty and Don Walker. Each song is delivered earnestly and with a twist – Paul Kelly’s Before Too Long is re-imagined as a slow waltz with Amanda Palmer, while The GoBetweens’ brisk Was There Anything I Could Do? is slowed to a crawl and properly pined over. Swelling orchestration floats over several tracks, while Higgins’ distinctive vocals add a personal touch and a true connection to each song’s story. An inventive twist on the covers album, Oz is a serene, moving collection of homegrown songs that have been given a new lease on life. A completely unexpected charm.
Compared to Steve Smyth’s first album Release, his second album, Exits, is a much more robust venture. It’s a much better fit for this rugged world citizen whose vocal demands to be heard and whose look that belongs to the wilderness. On Exits Smyth unwraps a much more charmingly and somewhat manly vocal, demonstrating an ability to combine tenderness and tension, to powerful and deeply moving effect. Singles Written Or Spoken and Shake It are perfect examples of the gap bridged between balladry and the rootsy rock Smyth loves. Written Or Spoken is stripped down with a string-plucking guitar, soft bass and drums filled with Smyth’s beautiful blues voice, switching between English and French and telling the story of a relationship torn apavrt by distance. His lyrics are both poetic and romantic, a male Norah Jones, if you will. Shake It takes another turn with its catchy cranking riff and powerful vocal. It binds roots and rock’n’roll with staggered rhythms similar to The Black Keys. Exits is full of poetic and powerful vocals, crafty instrumental arrangements and wonderfully melodic harmonies. IDA CECILIE JOHANNESSEN
DAVID JAMES YOUNG
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OUT OF 5
OUT OF 5
THE TEA PARTY
SPLIT SECONDS
The Ocean At The End Sony
Neil Young And Dumb Independent The fresh-faced look of the chaps in Split Seconds doesn’t tell the tale of the amount of years that they have spent in and out of pubs as they cut their teeth in other bands. Split Seconds initially formed to play the tunes that Sean Pollard wrote while he was living in Europe, and has grown into the songwriter’s finest hours. Neil Young And Dumb is the first set of material that has been conceived in their new(ish) home of Melbourne. Of the six tracks here, Halfway There would be the most familiar to many as its been kicking around for a few months, with its stand out hook and Kathryn Rollins lending the chaps a hand with some earthy vocals. Pollard flexes his songwriting muscle with each song hitting a different part of the melodic spectrum. She Fell Into A Safe Pair Of Hands is the territory where Split Seconds shine the most. It is a slice of spritely Australian pop that sounds like it could have been penned by Grant McClennan, so it is then no surprise when Pollard references The Go-Betweens in the tongue-in-cheek acoustic romp (I Didn’t) Leave The House. When they were in our hometown, Split Seconds were the best band in Perth. With Neil Young And Dumb, they have since graduated to becoming the best pop band in Australia at the moment.
It’s good to have this band back. After a decadeand-a-half of cranking out some of the most eclectic and surprising progressive rock you will ever hear, this Canadian institution took a break in 2005, which lasted six years, and it has taken them another three to release any brand new music. All up, it is a full decade between studio albums for this classic power trio, but it’s most definitely worth the wait. The Ocean At The End makes it sound like they have never been away. In fact, it seems the breather has done them good; it’s revived them, and this album sounds fresh, powerful and typically enigmatic. It opens in typical style, the first three tracks being very Led Zeppelin and world musicinspired progressive power rock, before Daniel Lanois’ quieter, more ambient The Maker kicks in to provide a beautiful wash of dynamics. Main man Jeff Martin’s crooning voice soothes the soul and pleases the ears. Black Roses features bluesy and countrytinged moments, and makes it even more apparent that this isn’t just another rock album. In fact, it’s a real journey across extremely varied sound scapes. Overall, this is an excellent return, and should get Tea Party fans worldwide very excited indeed. ROD WHITFIELD
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OUT OF 5
CHRIS HAVERCROFT
2.5 OUT OF 5
RYAN ADAMS Ryan Adams Pax-Am Records/Sony
SHIHAD FVEY Warner Australian comedian Justin Hamilton has a great bit about people who are ‘right-on’ with their politics. “You inherently agree with them, but they say it in such a way that they think you’ve never thought of it before – to the point where you’ll want to disagree.” Essentially, that’s where many will find themselves on FVEY, the ninth album from evergreen Kiwis Shihad, which drives home the ‘money and greed is bad’ mantra to the point where you feel like crossing the picket line just to spite them. The album kicks off strongly enough with the ferocious riff and the incessant pacing of Think You’re So Free, which sounds like the band kicking back into gear after some time on autopilot (see previous LP Ignite and 2008’s Beautiful Machine). The track, sadly, is a red herring – it seems as though Shihad slept on the actual songwriting beyond their right-on lyricism, with constant repetition and a bleary, monotonous delivery. The band may well have been going for a swinging hammer on FVEY, but overall it appears the best it’s mustered is a cold fish. A record best left to completists, diehards and Shihad apologists. DAVID JAMES YOUNG
Ryan Adams is in the top couple of poster boys of the Americana scene and yet remains a character that people love to hate. Adams solo shows of a few years ago indicated that he’d developed a sense of humour and no longer sees his crowd as something to be ignored. The New York resident is constantly releasing limited 7” releases but when he puts his hand to a full-length album, he generally sticks to the road most travelled. There is an ‘80s classic rock sound to Ryan Adams that evokes thoughts of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. As per that era, there is an excess of stellar guitar tones, yet they are often coupled with some pretty ordinary drum sounds to square the ledger. First single, Give Me Something Good, may appear unremarkable at first listen, but the staccato guitar and clever hook heavy chorus seeps in deeper and deeper with each listen and takes hold. Not being backed by his band The Cardinals on this record results in there being very few overtly country elements which should again divide his fan base. In spite of this, Adams is in great voice whether he be turning up the ache on My Wrecking Ball or showing off his resilience for Feels Like Fire. Ryan Adams sits somewhere in the middle ground of Adams releases. It may not be his pinnacle but there is enough here appeal to the disciples.
RYAN ADAMS Ryan Adams Pax-Am Records/Sony Ryan Adams is in the top couple of poster boys of the Americana scene and yet remains a character that people love to hate. Adams solo shows of a few years ago indicated that he’d developed a sense of humour and no longer sees his crowd as something to be ignored. The New York resident is constantly releasing limited 7” releases (including a recent Replacementslike rock collection) but when he puts his hand to a full-length album, he generally sticks to the road most travelled. There is an ‘80s classic rock sound to Ryan Adams that evokes thoughts of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. As per that era, there is an excess of stellar guitar tones, yet they are often coupled with some pretty ordinary drum sounds to square the ledger. First single, Give Me Something Good, may appear unremarkable at first listen, but the staccato guitar and clever hook heavy chorus seeps in deeper and deeper with each listen and takes hold. Not being backed by his band The Cardinals on this record results in there being very few overtly country elements which should again divide his fan base. In spite of this, Adams is in great voice whether he be turning up the ache on My Wrecking Ball or showing off his resilience for Feels Like Fire. Ryan Adams sits somewhere in the middle ground of Adams releases. It may not be his pinnacle but there is enough here appeal to the disciples and turn a few new heads with some radio friendly moments. CHRIS HAVERCROFT
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A R T S & C U LT U R E
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FILM
With the new Australian comedy The Little Death, writer, director and co-star Josh Lawson (Any Questions For Ben?, House Of Lies) takes a look behind the doors and under the covers of a typical Australian neighbourhood and reveals the - often surprisingly sweet - peccadilloes that dwell there. It’s not an original refrain, but it’s one that rings true: a filmmaker - often an actor/filmmaker - is none too impressed with the fare on offer, so he decides to make something more in line with his own tastes. It’s what drove Ben Affleck and Matt Damon to make Good Will Hunting, and a similar urge propelled Josh Lawson to labour on his new film, the sex comedy The Little Death. “I have been critical of a lot of Australian films for a long time,” Lawson explains. “I have been dissatisfied as well and not just with comedy, but across the board. I can’t say that I love a lot of Aussie films - I wish I could, but I just can’t say it. So, for me, it was born out of the fact that I was tired of complaining about what wasn’t in the industry and decided to make the sort of film that I thought we should be making.” The result is a kind of multi-strand narrative that delves into the lives of five different couples, each at different stages of their relationship, each suffering through a different kind of crisis, and each focused on a different kind of kink. “I thought we should tackle sex. I thought it was an interesting topic, I thought there was plenty of comedy in it and I thought it was a bit risqué. I thought it was a topic I could choose that might
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NEWS
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get a bit if attention, you know? As opposed to your usual kitchen sink drama. I thought that if I did a comedy about sex that might be strong enough to get the attention of these Australians who don’t seem to want to see any Aussie movies.” While not setting out to shock, Lawson’s film does cast a wide net in terms of the fetishes it takes in, starting with the opening scene in which Maeve (Bojana Novakovic) confesses her rape fantasy to her boyfriend, Paul (Lawson). “The first one in the movie is the first one that I wrote. That’s where it all began. It was a risqué one, it’s one that if we handled it indelicately could have fallen really flat and I just wanted to make a splash - I really did. That’s why I started there and then the others followed. Over the years I developed it and the script matured and I grew and the script changed with me and ultimately we’ve gotten it made at the right time - I think the script needed time to be refined, because it’s such a delicate topic.” But though the film does go to some potentially dark and problematic areas, it’s saved by both Lawson’s assured understanding of tone and a crucial underlying factor: “I think the reason we can get away with it and what unifies them, even though they are all different, is that they are all love stories. As long as I kept the love between them, they could do pretty horrible stuff provided there wasn’t any malice. That’s the thing - no one’s being cruel. When they do awful things it’s actually to get closer to their partner. It’s trying to find an intimacy that’s not there and they decide to go through unusual or even dark means in order to find a connection with the person they love.” TRAVIS JOHNSON
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AGE SHALL NOT WEARY THEM Presented as part of Remembrance Week, Cis And Barbiche tells the story of two young lovers caught up in the turmoil and tragedy of World War II. Inspired by the letters that French airman Francis Usai wrote to his lover, Barbary Rigby, and the detailed diary that she kept, the play is written and directed by Jenny Davis and stars Mark Desebrock, Soibhan Dow-Hall and Alinta Carroll, with music by Nikki Dagostino. It runs at the Subaico Arts Centre from November 11 15. Tickets are available through Ticketek. Cis And Barbiche
FREE TUNES AT THE STC From October 31 until December 19, the courtyard of the State Theatre Centre will rock to the sounds of a series of free concerts. Perth artists as diverse and notable as Abbe May, Felicity Groom, Grace Barbe and Red Jezebel will be strutting their stuff in the Courtyard Club, and RTR will be broadcasting their 5pm Drivetime program love from the courtyard as well. All up, over 20 performers and DJS will be doing their thing at the STC, with Abbe May and DJS Holly Doll and Claire Hodgson inaugurating the series on October 31. For more info, hit statetheatrecentrewa.com.au Abbe May
BLOOD ON THE STAGE Described as “Wolf Creek meets Rocky Horror,” Welcome To Slaughter is a theatrical thriller like few others. It centres on Fawn and Oliver, a young, urban couple on a wilderness retreat who run afoul of the enigmatic Perdita, an eccentric counsellor bent on their destruction. Featuring projected outback landscapes and a powerful soundtrack, the play runs at The Blue Room Theatre from October 7 - 25. For tickets and session times, head to blueroom.org.au.
SURGING INTEREST Surge is new triptych of dance works by emerging choreographers Liesel Zink and Matt Cornell, who are joined by veteran dance designer Michael Waites. WAAPA’s LINK Dance Company will perform the works, which explore notions of protest, revolution, civil unrest and dystopia, at the West Australian Ballet Centre from October 16 - 18. For info, session times and tickets, go to waapa.ecu.edu.au/performances. Surge
ROCK AGAINST MENTAL ILLNESS Presented by the WA Youth Theatre Company, Punk Rock deals with the issue of mental illness, anxiety and depression among young people. The play tells the story of a group of young people who are preparing to leave high school and begin their adult lives, only to be forced to deal with the challenge of mental illness. Perth based DJ and model David J. Rose features in the play, which runs at the Subiaco Arts Centre from October 8 - 18. Book through Ticketek.
THE LITTLE DEATH Sex, Lies And Idiot Japes Directed By Josh Lawson Starring Josh Lawson, Bojana Novakovic, Damon Herriman, Kate Mulvaney, Kate Box, Patrick Brammall In a moment of post-coital honesty, Maeve (Bojana Novakovic) admits to her long term boyfriend, Paul (writer and director Josh Lawson) that she harbours a secret rape fantasy. Paul, rather dumbstruck but wanting to please his partner, attempts to accommodate. With that, we’re off to the races with this Australian portmanteau sex comedy. Lawson delves into the disparate sex lives of a selection of couples who all live on the same suburban street, and who are all dealing with some manner of satisfaction-challenging sexual dysfunction or incompatibility. Dan (Damon Herriman) and Evie (Kate Mulvaney) experiment with role-playing to revitalise their marriage, only to come awry when he discovers a heretofore unrealised passion for acting. Richard (Patrick Brammall) and Rowena (Kate Box) are desperate to conceive, but complications arise when she discovers she can only climax when he is crying and seeks to
engineer a series of personal tragedies to ensure her satisfaction. And so on. There’s not much of a thesis underlying these loosely connected tales of titillation, but they are united by a playful sense humour and a commitment to not judging their hapless protagonists too harshly. As is the nature of this kind of anthology film, some scenarios work better than others: the story of Phil (Alan Dukes), who can only stand his nagging wife, Maureen (Lisa McCune) when she’s asleep and so begins drugging her, is easily the most problematic. For the most part, however, they work. There’s a kind of cock-eyed romanticism at the heart of even the most duplicitous acts - at one point Rowena kidnaps Richard’s beloved dog, while Paul’s attempts to fulfil Maeve’s fantasy show a commitment the equal of any of the great romances of history. It’s also, belly-laugh funny, with layered salvos of jokes in every scene. Lawson isn’t afraid to go for the slapstick and the lowbrow, but there’s also a number of long term pay-offs and some subtle sight gags in play, too. On occasion the film drifts dangerously close to melodrama, but there’s always a gag at the ready to course-correct (Kim Gyngell’s neighbourly sex offender is used to good effect in this function). The Little Death is not the best film you’ll see this year, but it is a rare bird in that it’s a fun, unselfconscious, immensely likeable Australian comedy. We don’t seem to get too many of those these days, so be sure to make the time for this one - it aims to please. TRAVIS JOHNSON
FILM
THE SKELETON TWINS Blunder Twins Powers Activate Directed by Craig Johnson Starring Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Luke Wilson, Ty Burrell, Boyd Holbrook Assured direction and honest performances elevate director Craig Johnson’s second feature, turning what could have been a rote relationship dramedy into something quite special. The Skeleton Twins sees estranged adult twins Milo (Bill Hader) and Maggie (Kristen Wiig) reunited when news of the former’s suicide attempt interrupts the planned attempt by the latter and she invites him to convalesce in the New York home she shares with her unassuming, good guy husband, Lance (Luke Wilson). As Milo, a gay failed actor, starts putting his life back together, working clearing scrub with Lance and reaching out to a still-cherished former lover, Rich (Ty Burrell), Maggie’s seems to be falling apart. Not only is she secretly taking birth control pills while ostensibly trying to have a baby with Rich, she has embarked on a series of passionless affairs, the 16
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latest with her scuba instructor, Billy (Boyd Holbrook with a horrible Australian accent). Somewhere in the middle they meet, rekindling their close sibling bond. Tragicomedy is hard act to pull off, but director and co-writer Johnson clearly understands that the way to make it work is not to whipsaw the mood back and forth but to imbue the funny scenes with pathos and the sad scenes with drollery. The soonto-be-famous Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now is a prime example - a furiously funny scene that still manages to teach us about the characters and histories of everyone involved. The cast are uniformly excellent. Eschewing the obvious “sad clown” analysis, let’s just say that SNL veterans Hader and Wiig bring warmth, selfdeprecation and fragile humanity to the roles of Milo and Maggie, whose closeness was forged by an unconventional childhood under the care of eccentric, self-absorbed parents (Joanna Gleason’s one scene as their hippy-dippy new age mother tells us everything we need to know) and sundered by a well-meaning act by Maggie that Milo is unable to forgive. Modern Family’s Ty Burrell communicates deep pain and self-loathing as the closeted Rich, while Wilson’s Lance would have been a one-note caricature in lesser hands. Ultimately, The Skeleton Twins is a very funny film about very sad people wanting what they can’t have and coming to some kind of peace with who they are and what they have through humour, empathy and absolution - both of each other and themselves. Insightful, funny and honest without being cynical or judgmental, it’s a true indie gem. TRAVIS JOHNSON
FILM
THE MAZE RUNNER Stuck In The Middle With You Directed by Wes Ball Starring Dylan O’Brien, Will Poulter, Thomas BrodieSangster, Aml Ameen, Blake Cooper There’s more than a touch of The Lord Of The Flies, along with the usual dose of now-fashionable Gnostic musings, to this adaptation of James Dashner’s YA sci-fi potboiler. The film sees a group of teenage boys marooned by unknown hands in a forested area called The Glade. Every month a new boy, wiped of all memory save their name, is deposited in The Glade, along with some fresh supplies. By the time our hero, Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) turns up, there are enough youths there to form a rudimentary society, headed by Alby (Aml Ameen). The ragtag tribe is kept in place by the vast, nigh-impenetrable artificial Maze that surrounds the Glade, which changes configuration every night. The titular Maze Runners are an elite group who patrol and map the maze, but thus far have failed to make it all the way to freedom. Will Thomas do something to fix that? You betcha... There’s nothing too original going on here, but first time feature director Wes Ball keeps things moving along at a decent clip, giving us likeable, distinct characters to follow through a familiar but robust and fast moving story. The young cast are the film’s best asset, each imbuing hastily sketched characters with enough personality and likeability to make them more than just generic ciphers. Dylan O’Brien, notable
for not much other than the recent supernatural romance TV reboot of Teen Wolf, shows off leading man chops. Will Poulter is saddled with the potentially thankless role of Gally, Alby’s right hand man who is suspicious of Thomas’s boat-rocking antics, but delivers a performance that goes beyond cardboard cut out villainy. Even young Blake Cooper, who plays comic relief tubber Chuck, brings a lot of pathos to the table. The film also goes a lot darker than might be expected (there’s an argument to be made about Minoan sacrificial imagery in YA fiction, with both The Maze Runner and The Hunger Games echoing the myth of the Minotaur). Ball’s film has a body count and it doesn’t shy away from killing off some of its cast in quite brutal ways. Add on to that the nightmarish Grievers - spider-like biomechanical monsters that roam the Maze after dark, killing anyone they come across - and you’ve got a movie which is most assuredly for teenagers, not children. The Maze Runner’s key problems are its lack of originality - a reasonably well-read teen will surely be familiar with all the sources the film is cribbing from - and the fact that, as seems inevitable these days, it’s more interested in setting up a franchise than telling a discrete story, ending in a big, clumsy info dump and sequel hook that is ultimately dissatisfying. Still, up until that point it’s a solid, fast moving, entertaining slice of dystopia; if that’s your jam, you’ll be well served. TRAVIS JOHNSON
STEVE TALLIS Agree To Degree
Steve Tallis launches his new LP, The First Degree, on Sunday, September 28, at Perth Folk And Roots Club (Mt Lawley Bowling Club); Tuesday, September 30, at the Perth Blues Club (Charles Hotel); Thursday, October 2, at The Buffalo Club and Wednesday, October 8, (solo) at Clancy’s Fish Pub, Canning Bridge. Journeyman. Shaman. Bluesman. Music man. Steve Tallis is all of these and once again his many sides have come to the fore on his new album, The First Degree. “It was written over the last six years,” Tallis reveals, “mainly when I was living in Paris, but also with some writing done in Beaconsfield where I stayed for a while. There were very big changes in my private life. I was blocked from recording a new album due to contractual problems with a French label I signed with, unfortunately. It was the first time I ever signed with a label and probably the last time I will ever do so.” That’s a fair bit to deal with and on separate sides of the world at that. However songwriting is a lifeforce for Tallis, and not something that will be influenced by any given events for any one release. “I just write songs,” he states. “Whatever happens, I just accept that they are my personal opinions, beliefs, feelings, emotions. I believe this is my most deeply personal album.” Accordingly, The First Degree teams Tallis with multi-instrumentalist, Skip McDonald, and drummer, Evan Jenkins. Their individual histories with Tallis are quite different, but they both bring much to the plate. “I met Evan in the late 1980s in Apache Dropouts,” he says, referring to his band of the time. “He recorded the Zombi Party album with me in 1993 and did some festivals in Rome and Edinburgh. He’s one of
my closest friends and there’s a telepathic connection musically - the only drummer in my mind when I was planning this album. “I met Skip through his manager on MySpace; I was always a big fan of his music. He suggested I send some copies of my albums to Skip who is a very private man. I finally met him at his invitation in London and we clicked and he said he wanted to do an album together one day. “He’s a very interesting man and musician. I believed he would bring something different to my music and I gave him total freedom in the production... he played bass, guitar, keyboards and backing vocals.” The album was recorded over two days and three nights, which may suggest a hive of activity, however... “It was a very focussed, calm process,” Tallis says. “I played the songs to Evan and Skip and we recorded live first take. Then put some layers down my usual recording process - and recorded and mixed in that time. And have enough new songs for another new album. “Also the engineer, Matt Smyth, was great to work with. He’s a young man who had never heard the music... but has a very creative mind and ears. I have always believed the engineer was critical in the recording process. This was very much a team effort and it always has been in the past.” With the album out Tallis simply plans to forge on playing music. As ever, as always... “My plans are to survive in this very difficult industry. Too many people expect music for free these days - recorded and live, it’s a total devaluation of music as a profession. “I want to keep playing live as much as possible, tour and return to Paris where I feel much more at home. I want to stay healthy and be happy and record another album as soon as possible, probably solo. I want to release more music... and continue to write songs.” BOB GORDON WWW. XP RE SS MAG.COM. AU
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of theatre set in the heart of the Pilbara and the intersection of Indigenous and White Australian culture. Brought to life by Big hART and the Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi people, it runs from September 29 - October 4. Go to statetheatrecentrewa.com.au for sessions and ticketing.
Every week we bring you the best in fashion, food, shopping and lifestyle.
FESTIVALS The Lavazza Italian Film Festival From the opening night film Marina, a biopic of accordion-slinging singer Rocco Granata, to the closing feature, the classic, Sophia Loren-starring, Marriage Italian Style, Cinema Paradiso and Luna On SX play host to the best movies Italy has to offer. The festival runs from September 24 - October 15. Go to lunapalace.com.au for info, tickets and session times. Little Big Shots Film Festival For Kids Coming to the Fremantle Arts Centre inner courtyard from October 7 - 9 is this family friendly showcase of short cinema, which features sessions suitable for everyone from toddlers to teens (two years to 15, to be precise). Go to fac.org.au for tickets and session times.
EAT AT: THE MOON CAFE The Moon has whole new brunch menu, and it is out of control. Braised lamb on sourdough, corn fritters, buttermilk pancakes, plus Irish coffee or a bloody mary - it’s the eye opener you’ve been looking for.
Fremantle Festival The 109th Fremantle Festival is almost upon us, bringing with all manner of joyous pageantry, fun, music, culture and festivities, from the Blessing Of The Fleet to the Norfolk Lanes Youth Festival. It runs from October 26 - November 9 - go to fremantle. wa.gov.au for full details.
The Moon Cafe
Hipbone Sticking Out
VISUAL ARTS Le Vol: Turner Galleries Melbourne artist Valerie Sparks creates large-scale works in the style of 19th century French scenic wallpapers, conflating multiple perspectives and locations into one landscape. The exhibition runs until September 27. Go to turnergalleries.com.au for more.
DRINK AT: THE AVIARY Home to some of the best views and one of the best Sunday Sessions in Perth. The Aviary
Palla Jeroff Presents Metamorphosis: Gullotti Pop-Up Galley, Claremont Quarter Running until October 2, this exhibition of sculptures by Chinese-born artist Palla Jeroff sees the renowned painter spread his wings by exploring the medium of bronze. Inspired by the vibrant colours and landscapes of the Outback, Metamorphosis marks the first time Jeroff has exhibited his sculptures anywhere in the world. For more information, go to gulottigalleries. com.au. Afghanistan - Hidden Treasures From The National Museum Kabul: The Western Australian Museum Once thought lost or destroyed under the Taliban regime, these 230+ pieces illustrate the complexity and variety of Afghani history. The exhibition runs until November 16 - go to museum.wa.gov.au for further information. Richard Avedon People: The Art Gallery Of Western Australia This collection of images by the famed photographer Richard Avedon spans his career from 1949 to 2002 and includes portraits of such notable figures as Truman Capote, Elizabeth Taylor, Twiggy, Malcolm X and Bob Dylan. It runs until November 17. Go to artgallery.wa.gov.au for more information.
SHOP AT: THE APPLE STORE Why resist? Replace your perfectly functional phone with a new, slightly better perfectly functional phone. You know you want to.
Otherworldly - Altered Objects And Artificial Spaces: Heathcote Museum & Gallery A group of artists, including Anna Nazzari, Gina Cinanni, Marzena Topka, Moira Doropoulos and Tanisha Burtnyk, will create a series of unusual objects and spaces to create dreamlike, unearthly environments. It runs from September 27 - November 2. Go to melvillecity.com.au for more.
The Apple Store
YOLOMEN YOLO, Man... GO TO: PERTH UPMARKET Head to UWA this Sunday, September 28, for this quarterly, one day pop-up market, redolent with fresh designs, on-trend fashion and foods and more. Go to perthupmarket.com.au for more info. Perth Upmarket 18
Luke Bannon and Luke Goodwin are the powerhouses behind Yolomen, a collection of dazzling jackets that are both smart, and ‘brilliantly absurd’. PENNY LANE speaks to Luke B about how it all began.
THEATRE/DANCE/ PERFORMANCE The Brain From Planet X: Phoenix Theatre Dark Psychic Productions present an off-the-wall musical spoof of 1950s alien horror movies, written by David Wechter and Bruce Kimmel and directed by Ryan S. McNally. It runs until September 27. Book through TAZTix.com.au.
The 2014 Light Up Leederville Carnival The City of Vincent and Leederville Connect are lighting up Leederville for another year of entertainment and attractions. Wander along Oxford Street adorned in lights offering a vast array of food, music, bars, fashion, art and children’s entertainment. This free family friendly event will take place on Sunday December 7 from 12- 8pm. Visit leedervillecarnival.com.au for more information.
Spike Heels: Melville Theatre A contemporary comedy of manners that delves into the mix-ups and misunderstandings inherent in a four-sided love triangle (quadrilateral?). Written by Theresa Rebeck and directed by Trevor Dhu, it runs until September 27. Hit up meltheco.org.au for tickets and session times. Letters Home: The Blue Room Theatre Joe Lui’s autobiographical show centres on his decision to flee his native Singapore to avoid compulsory military service and how that decision has affected his relationship with his parents, his culture and himself. It runs until October 4. Go to blueroom.org. au for more. King Hit: State Theatre Centre Yirra Yaakin’s production of Geoffrey Narkle and David Milroy’s play, based on the life of the former, dramatises the plight of the Stolen Generation via the lens of boxing. It runs until October 4. Head to yirrayaakin.con.au for more info. Falling Through Clouds: PICA Performance Space The latest production from The Last Great Hunt is a sumptuous visual feast that details the relationship between a captive crane - the last of his kind - and the scientist studying him. Incorporating puppetry, animation, live performance plus a soundtrack from Ashley Gibson Grieg, it runs until October 11. Go to pica.org.au for session times and tickets.
Desert Queen by Palla Jerroff
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Hipbone Sticking Out: State Theatre Centre Four years in the making, Hipbone Sticking Out is a funny, heartfelt and at times gut-wrenching piece
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What happens when you combine two colour-hungry fellas – sick of the ho-hum greys and blacks of the male fashion industry – with a night full of beers and ideas? You get a crazy concoction of bizarre floral prints, bright offcuts and bold colours wrapped into one streetstopping, head-turning Yolomen jacket. “We created Yolomen to fill a screaming void in men’s fashion in which people were wanting a non-mass-produced individual item of high quality which was outside the square,” Luke B says. “We had some samples made and did some trial runs in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The response we had from the public was just outstanding. People literally just come up and start talking to you, many wanting to know where to get one from, and the experience was so positive. We knew we had to get it out to others.” Luke says Yolomen – which is all about taking things less seriously and sticking two fingers up at conformity – was concocted during one boozy night out. “Like any good idea this one started out over a few quiet beers… then a few noisy beers, a few more beers, and a few ‘I love you, mate’ beers… We’ve all made these late night promises on revolutionary ideas, but this time we carried through on our drunken promises.” Part of the reason the boys decided to make their own jackets was that they couldn’t find anything like them around town.
“We couldn’t even come up with the correct jacket description on Google. To find them anywhere worldwide,” Luke says. “We had to go overseas to get the jackets made, and had to search through warehouse after warehouse sourcing the materials.” And the materials they found – from vintage to furniture coverings – are one-of-a-kind. “One thing for certain is that none of the material is available in large quantities and once it’s gone, it’s gone,” he says. The jackets are tailor made by the Lukes, who confess they’re not designers. “We have absolutely no formal fashion experience whatsoever (our little secret),” Luke says. “Fortunately blokes are very different to ladies in what they want out of clothing. We have taken a very classic cut men’s jacket but made it out of fabric not normally used in men’s fashion. The bright colouring, textured finishes and patterns are the clincher. As long as men feel comfortable (can play pool, hit the floor, do there work, etc.) and look great, they’re happy.” Luke says Yolomen clothes are like good quality red wine – they’re limited in number and stimulate all the senses. “The wearer will get a truly unique jacket experience,” insists Luke. “They are always a conversation starter. You get to meet people who would have otherwise just passed you by. It’s amazing how many strangers just want to come up and stroke you, just to feel the jacket.” Stroke away!
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Having been together for a decade and selling over 140,000 albums independently, there’s nothing stopping ever-diverse Australian troubadours, OKA. Stu Boga Fergie, aka DidgeriSTU, speaks with AARON BRYANS about the band’s incredible journey and success ahead of their Australian tour. OKA have been all over the globe spreading their infectious blend of experimental jazz and roots into every country they can. The trio are one of the most dedicated touring bands coming out of Australia today and they’d do it over and over again simply for the joy of music.
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“I’m paying for it right now with a bit of jetlag and my body’s pretty tired, but it’s going pretty good,” Stu Boga Fergie says. “We’re getting used to doing summers where we’d do a lot of shows. A couple of years ago we did 150 shows in 90 days, so we’re kind of getting used to getting through the pain barrier, but it’s all music so it’s fun. “We did a festival called Colours Of Ostrava that was in the Czech Republic. That was a big crowd; 20,000 people in this industrial, crazy environment. That was amazing energy. We did a support for George Clinton in the USA and that was an amazing time, too. “I think the only way you can keep going in music for a long time is to create a lifestyle, as much as you want to balance your family and your time off. We like to spend a lot of time just chilling and not doing too much, it is getting a lot busier as of late, but it’s good.” The break from endless touring hasn’t kept the trio down however, as they’ve been working on their fifth album and prepping for their spring Australian tour.
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“We’ve just got back from doing a big tour overseas in Europe and Canada so we’ve doing a bunch of new tracks all along that trip,” Fergie says. “It’s a big part of our process of writing. “Most of it is myself but our music is based around improvisation and jamming on top of things so I’ll just try an idea or something like that and then it will work or it doesn’t kind of work and if it works we just keep building and refining it that way. “We’re all just pumped to be able to play some of the new tunes from this tour. It was our first trip to Europe this year and we kind of got this whole bunch of new colours from the vibe and the music of Europe. I guess bringing that to WA is going to be pretty exciting.” Catch OKA this Wednesday, September 24, at Mojos; Thursday, September 25, at the Prince Of Wales, Bunbury; Friday, September 26, at Settlers Tavern, Margaret River; Saturday, September 27, at the Indi Bar and Sunday, September 28, at the Railway Hotel.
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WAM BLOCK PARTY 2014’s WAM Festival promises a string of incredible performances, events, and speakers, and it’s all capped off with the WAM Block Party on Saturday, November 8. With help from whiskey hipsters Ezra Pound, the Roe St Wilson Car Park will be teeming with bars, food and performances from future-bass duo Slumberjack, rapper Coin Banks and producer Kučka, as well as beloved surf-pop band Gunns and The Love Junkies. Entry is free, but priority is given to WA Music Conference pass holders - check out more info at WAM.org.au.
Girls into girls (and trap, hip hop, and general party bangers): Yaya’s new event, tastefully titled Snatch, launches this Friday, September 26. Expect to find DJ SZ-12, Natalie Daws, and vodka, vanilla and chocdipped cherry shots. Presale tickets ($10) available from LickEntertainment.com. Yaya’s also hosts Arcadia All-Nighter this Saturday, September 27, with DJs Jordan and Cookie dropping sick beats from 9pm.
Slumberjack
DJ SZ-12 and Natalie Daws play Snatch
GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN
HERNAN CATTANEO Let The Music Do The Talking Argentine house maestro Hernan Cattaneo has taken the long road to the top. Retaining his credibility and unique style, he’s gained respect and a dedicated fanbase along the way. Currently touring with the upcoming release of his new Balance mix, he speaks to ALFRED GORMAN ahead of his sold out set at Geisha this Friday.
GOT 2 LUV YOU (LIKE...WO) If you’re a millennial with misplaced ‘00s nostalgia, get keen - dancehall chart-topper Sean Paul is bringing his Full Frequency tour to Australia in November, and he’s bringing RnB artist Mýa. Better known for Temperature, Give It Up To Me, and verses on Beyonce’s Baby Boy and Blu Cantrell’s Breathe, Paul released his sixth album, Full Frequency, in 2013. Mýa, meanwhile, has been building up an impressive filmography alongside those gold records, with spots in Chicago and Dancing With The Stars (she made the finals with a paso doble to We Will Rock You). Sean Paul promises to “give it to all girls”, and he hits the HBF Stadium on Saturday, November 15. Tickets available from Ticketek.
The next instalment of an incredible series of Potencia events is Under The Dome, scheduled for Sunday, October 19 at Rigby’s Bar and Bistro. Featuring progressive house best-seller and label boss Jerome Isma-Ae, Under The Dome is bringing Perth legend Alex H out of retirement, features a massive lineup of 15 support acts, and offers VIP packages. The nationwide festival kicks off in Perth, and it’s a good way to catch Jerome in an intimate setting before he hits up Stereosonic. Tickets available from Potencia.com.au.
Sean Paul
Jerome Ismae-ae
UNDER THE DOME
Many DJs strive for the limelight, and in aiming to be famous overnight, play the game and make compromises. That’s never been Cattaneo. “I’m not here for that, and I’m too shy too,” he says. “Music is the best way to speak.” He is a man of few words, and even those are in broken English, but what he does say is direct and to the point. It’s not hard to pick up the man is humble, passionate and lives to DJ. One of the pioneers of dance music in his native country, the South American’s love affair with house music began in the ‘80s with the sounds coming out of Chicago and Detroit. Then, in the ‘90s, he was
swept up in the excitement of the UK house scene. His natural talent for weaving magical sets was noticed by touring superstar DJ Paul Oakenfold, who signed him to his Perfecto label and was instrumental in taking Cattaneo from Buenos Aires to the world stage. After many years based in the UK and Barcelona, touring all over the world, he has now moved back to Argentina, where he’s currently on holiday in Ushuaia, the very tip of South America. “I try to take a week off every month to spend with my family. They are all skiing, but I can’t ‘cause of a bad back.” A DJ of his stature could rest on his laurels, but he still makes a point of incessantly touring the globe, which is how he built his name – bringing the music to the people – always impressing with his expertly crafted sets of deep, lush, melodic house, classic progressive and tribal techno. He plays from the heart, and continues to scour the far flung corners of the globe for unique new music that sets him apart from his contemporaries. “I love going to all the continents, sharing music and giving people a good time,” says Cattaneo. “I like producing too, but DJing is my main passion. I’ve never followed trends. No one will respect you if you change styles every two years. Music personality is crucial. I listen to as much as I can. You can find cool melodies in many places.” The Melbourne-based Balance label’s mix series has risen to become one of the world’s premier, and while Cattaneo has long been part of the esteemed Renaissance roster, he felt it was time to make a change. “I always hoped I would get to do one for Balance and then luckily I got the call! I really like the people behind it, and the DJs they choose.” On his upcoming instalment he’s crafted something special. CD1 is quite different to anything we’ve heard from Cattaneo, with a really interesting, diverse and downtempo vibe. “CD1 is pure melody and atmosphere, whereas CD2 is the club sound one,” he says. He’s also included a swag of unreleased material off his Sudbeats label. “More than half the tracks are exclusives for the album that I’ve reworked with producers like Guy Mantzur and Soundexile. They are musicians and I’m the DJ, bringing the main ideas. We all have input and go back and forth until everyone’s happy.” Cattaneo has been a regular visitor to our shores for many years and feels there is plenty of talent here. “I’ve always been a fan of Jamie Stevens. We’ve released Rich Curtis’ stuff, and Progress Inn are really good too. I really enjoyed the Australian crowds on my first visit over 10 years ago, and since then I’ve been coming back every year. Last year in Perth was off the hook, so really looking forward to another dose!” HERNAN CATTANEO FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 @ GEISHA BAR
SAFIA If You Are The One Appearing on the EDM scene a mere two years ago, Canberra trio Safia have since performed alongside fellow Canberraneans Peking Duk and opened for pop phenomenon Lorde during her Australian tour earlier this year. They’re now on a nonstop nation-wide tour, finishing in Perth on Friday, October 31. PENNY LANE speaks to producer Ben Woolner about the band’s distinct brand of electronica, listening to old school records, and Safia’s Middle East fan base. Despite what their single Listen To Soul, Listen To Blues might suggest, Safia’s Ben Woolner, Michael Bell and Harry Sayers aren’t prejudiced when it comes to genre. “We listen to everything – we’re really openminded with music,” producer and lead vocalist Woolner says. “It doesn’t matter what genre. A lot of the times, especially when we’re on tour, we usually just go back to the classics that we used to like.” The classics sound nothing like the type of music these talented Canberra locals produce. “Cinematic, soulful techno-electronica” is what you can expect to hear, Woolner says. “When we play live it’s the hybrid between real genres like guitar and bass, but there’s also samplers, synths and stuff like that.” Techno synths are teamed with Woolner’s vocals, the deep soulful melodies attributed to his younger years hanging out with his dad. “I grew up listening to a lot of dad’s jazz records and soul records and developed a kind of twang in my voice just by listening to it and mimicking it as a kid,” he explains. Safia’s live performances have helped project the trio from Triple J Groovin’ The Moo competition winners to supports for the likes of RÜFÜS, Disclosure, Rudimental and, most recently, global darling Lorde. “I remember getting that email, and just being like, ‘What?!,’” he recalls. “When we started the band and 22
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we started doing well, I still never thought we’d get to play at places like The Gordon [TAFE, in Geelong], playing the kind of music we do.” The name, though shared with millions of women across the globe, was actually developed from the title of one of their earlier songs, Sapphire. “The funny thing is, though, we found out later that it was actually a very common Arabic female name. It means ‘pure’ in Arabic. So initially when we started, the social media was mainly from places like Jordan because of the name.” Now, the fellas have a huge following, both internationally and on home soil. Woolner says he’s impressed with the support Perth fans have shown. “We’ve always had a kind of strong following in Perth, which is awesome, and they really come and get into the shows.” The boys are currently on their You Are The One tour. “Perth’s going to be an awesome show because for starters, that’s the end of the tour,” he says. “It’s going to be a big Halloween celebration. So I’m really looking forward to that show, it’s going to be a massive party.” SAFIA FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31 @ THE BAKERY
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SHARFLA Pill Poppers Sydney-based electronic dance pop duo, Sharfla, is the fusion of singer Roncey Horton’s Scottish inflections over fresh, floating vocal hooks and producer Paul Worth’s highly structured, minimalist approach to rhythm. Now, five years since the pair first started working together, their latest release, the Bitter Pill EP, is the next big step in their musical journey. SHAUN COWE chats with the duo about the process behind their distinctive songs. “In the early days, we had to learn what we were both good at, and also how to communicate our ideas to each other. It took a lot longer to get the results we were happy with,” says Horton. “It’s kind of like learning a new language. Now our process is so much
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more streamlined. We both know what fits each other’s individual styles, and we know what will work and what won’t, so it’s kinda like a telepathy now.” Eschewing the natural career path for their newfound superpower of world saving and/or domination for a life of dance pop, one of the obvious questions that presents itself is what the dynamic duo draw their inspiration from. Horton is quick to point to one source. “For me, it’s definitely the landscape of Scotland. So bleak and grand, and grey and beautiful. Living in Edinburgh, a medieval city, has definitely affected my lyrics and the vibe of the songs. There’s quite a lot of romanticism associated with Scotland, it’s so wildly different from Sydney!” Having moved from Scotland’s rugged shores to the sunny Sydney coast, the pair are now trying to get settled in their adopted country. One of the biggest questions now hanging in the air is how the sea change will affect their sound, which has such a distinctive Northern electronic feel. “At the moment most of our energy is going into getting our new live set happening. Most of our studio stuff is still in a shipping container at sea, but we’ve got a mobile setup to keep us going in the meantime. We certainly feel there’s a difference, but it’s hard to say at this point!” One of Sharfla’s biggest musical drawcards is their varied approach to composition. With plenty of influences outside the world of electronic music, the band tends to vary from track to track, with harder dance songs giving way indie pop-influenced tracks. A lot of this might be explained by the pair’s juxtaposed backgrounds. “Although I came from more of a jazz and funk background as a drummer, dance music was always around me in the places I hung out, and I always loved the beats and the basslines that took me to another place,” says Worth. “A lot of my friends were starting to put together their own home studios, sampling and using sequencers, and I always thought it was something that I’d like to get into. I also did music production at The BRIT School [For Performing Arts and Technology in London].” Horton’s musical pedigree, however, comes from her time as the universal indie archetype, a trait that is still represented in the melodies she sings. “I’ve always loved lots of different types of music, in my teens I was singing in indie bands, but also clubbing and hitting the raves and doofs,” she says. “I never really thought about writing electronic music at the time I just thought of myself as singer/songwriter. When I moved to the UK, there was a point when I was living in small town in Scotland, with nothing happening, no clubs, no bands, and I thought how can I still have a creative outlet? I bought a laptop, and started learning how to make electronic music.”
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BRIGGS The Rural Juror Clown prince, doting dad and the residing king of Shepparton – BRIGGS is ready to take his tales of a remote and regional life to the world. Ahead of his appearance at Flyrite on October 9, the Golden Era MC got on the line with DAVID JAMES YOUNG. Built like a rugby player and with a voice that can be heard the next suburb over, Adam Briggs – better known by his mononymic surname – has quickly become one of the most outstanding and undeniable figures in the realm of Australian hip-hop. However, as is documented in his recently-released second LP, ShepLife, it hasn’t exactly been the most pleasant of rises to prominence.
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“I just try and capture the moments that I’m in and turn them into music,” he explains. “When I was writing and recording this album, I was living in Shepparton – I’ve been there about three or four years now; and I was working on this album for about two of that. Everything that is in the record is everything that I was surrounded by. I wasn’t sure if I was going to come across as too preachy or if people were prepared to hear as much honesty as I was putting down on these tracks.” In spite of his initial uncertainty, Briggs persevered with the record – and listeners will reap the rewards for it. ShepLife is far and away the best material he has ever put out; the kind of record that truly feels as though it couldn’t have come at any other time in his life. It’s a sentiment that Briggs himself is inclined to agree with. “When I was making [debut EP] Homemade Bongs and [debut album] The Blacklist, I didn’t give a fuck,” he says. “I was just making rap songs. Then, I got to the point where I was making tracks and I was getting bored. I kind of quit, in a way. I just stopped. I was still playing shows, but I wasn’t actively making new music. I had all of this stuff built up, which was going to become the album. I wasn’t sure about it – up to that point, all I’d ever really done was ‘punch-you-in-the-face’ rap. I didn’t know if this was the kind of record I wanted to deliver. It was scary, to be honest, but I went for it.” Briggs is set to bring the songs of ShepLife out to the rest of the country on a month-long national tour. He will be joined on the tour by Hau, formerly of Koolism and currently the host of the Triple J Hip-Hop Show. “He’s been a great mentor to me,” says Briggs of his touring partner. “He’s given me a lot of great pointers over the years, and I’ve bounced a lot of tracks off him to get a vibe and some advice on where to take them. He gave me a lot of confidence in what I was doing on this album.” In addition to performing at these shows, Briggs has included some hilarious VIP packages to pre-sale tickets. For an extra three dollars, you will get a signed medical certificate to justify a sickie for the next day. For an extra four dollars, Briggs will call you on the day of the show. And for an extra five? You can split a cab with the man himself to the show. “It was just about fun, as well as making it accessible for all of my fans,” explains Briggs. “Charging 300 dollars or whatever just to meet someone or get a photo with them... that would never sit right with me. I’d never do that at all. Every pre-sale ticket is an invitation to my soundcheck to do a meet-and-greet, so that should be a lot of fun. The whole thing cracks me up.” BRIGGS, HAU THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9 @ FLYRITE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10 @ MOJOS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11 @ DUNSBOROUGH TAVERN
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360 - Photo by Matt Jelonek
360 Hopsin/PEZ/Miracle/ Lunar C Astor Theatre Saturday, September 21, 2014 Fans young and old packed out Astor Theatre as the next generation of hip-hop/rap artists took the genre to new heights, immersing incredible production, meaningful themes and proactive crowd interactions, providing an unforgettable, head-bopping night. English rapper Lunar C kicked off the night, attempting to warm up the crowd with his quick succession of abruptly ending tracks, however the delivery came across awkwardly and it wasn’t until he hilariously sang about his “big fat slag” of a sister that he was able to receive a strong response. Lunar himself lacked energy, swaying around the stage, whilst his lyrics seemed to be focused more on spewing as many curses out as he could in one go. Soon enough the night truly kicked off as upcoming Sydney artist and Perth regular Miracle came out to a strong response. Hands rose, swaying back and forth and side to side as Miracle’s infectious beats, including recent single Party Of The Year, kept punters and his attending family pleased. The Aussieborn rapper is set to become a huge piece of the hiphop scene with a fitting voice and an (endless rap that doesn’t tire). If the crowd weren’t pumped up enough, PEZ received a brilliant introduction through his DJ, endless raps that don’t wear out slammed through a
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remix of recent top hits before bringing the Melbourne rapper out. The set was highlighted by the smooth transitions between PEZ’s bopping raps and harmonic choruses as Hailey Cramer provided flawlessly clean vocals. Recent One Life and The Game were strong additions, with the latter bringing a rush of patrons into the crowd as PEZ led them through chants and hand flailing; however it was The Festival Song that had the crowd belting out lyrics and screaming their hearts out. Chants for Hopsin started early and soon their calls were answered as the US rapper burst onto the stage with intense vocal speeds generating a battle rap atmosphere. The crowd sang along in virtually every song as Hopsin’s entertaining personality shined. He undressed, he crowd surfed and rapped, he even stood up in the crowd and rapped; there was nothing stopping him. As the crowd flocked from the back and the upper levels into the mosh, the bass cranked up to a deafening level and 360 hit the stage. Showing off his ability to not only rap but sing an amazing vocal range, 360 owned the stage, interacting with the crowd throughout his versatile performance as stunning visuals lit up the stage. Lunar C would reappear to perform Sixavelli - surprisingly energetically compared to his prior set. Miracle and PEZ would also make appearances throughout the set to perform duel raps whilst the crowd played a vital part in helping ‘60 sing Gossling’s lyrics in Boys Like You and Price Of Fame as she was absent for the Perth leg. Crowd-favourite Killer sent the audience into a frenzy as ‘60 continued to own the stage and his vocal lines. To top the show off, all of the artists came back on stage during the encore for a special rendition of Tell These Bitches to close what had been an incredible night of hip-hop. AARON BRYANS
Childsaint - Photo by JF Foto
CHILDSAINT Delay Delay/Dream Rimmy The Bird Friday, September 19, 2014
lead work of Jack Gaby and cosmic vocal harmonies characterised Otherside, while friendly onstage banter broke up the driving, energetic second half of the set. Catchy pop hooks, simple I-V chord movements and the trademark, convulsive abandonment and droning vocals of frontman (and recent Big Splash competition winner) Dean Eyeball had the crowd gripped for the last couple of songs. In The Sunshine finished up the set, a strong, well-crafted pop number, though guitar lines dragged somewhat. Headline act Childsaint came out with Suicide Soda: melancholy lyrics, haunting vocals and harmonies between Chloe McGrath and Jane Azzopardi that washed listlessly over a dark, tripletdriven guitar melody and achingly slow drums. Stone Roses cover I Wanna Be Adored was a tactical choice for the band, with the classic, feather-light chorus suiting the McGrath/Azzopardi vocal combo well and stylistically similar to their own number, Dessert. The dark, intimate confines of The Bird swayed to plangent tones and sparse, painstaking minimalistic instrumentation, while deep despair-ridden melodies, such as Cold Summer, cut to bone and stained bloodred the stage. The girls themselves were dark and brooding, working well together and strumming out a tight, well-rehearsed set. As the night settled down to dark ennui and patrons were politely shepherded out into the streetlight Northbridge evening, the discordance of the emotional, heartstring ecclesiam within The Bird and the bright, neon jubilee of Friday night took jarring hold. The crowd dispersed into the night.
With the heartrending release of local dark rock fourpiece, Childsaint’s debut EP, Sick, set to be launched at The Bird, the group assembled two of Perth’s dream music alumni for a night of astral pop and dark rock to a packed crowd of eager fans. Shoegaze duo Delay Delay cut through the dull buzz of bar conversation with a steady, sombre guitar intro by Stewart Bank – layering thickly reverbed lines together for opening track, Ulcers. Drummer and vocalist Aedan Sykes added to the compositions with suspending weighted, breathy vocals above Bank’s legato lines. Song structures focused on swirling movements from soft to loud, with Sykes’ drum parts going from beat-pushing syncopation to simple, heart-pulse rhythms. Bank showcased a developed ear for orchestration, with the music taking natural, logical swells with a barren, arid feel and some organstyle harmonies, though the looping process led to some lines becoming repetitive and dragging on. Dream Rimmy moved the night from introspective shoegaze to engaging, psychedelic pop rock. Bassist Nick Perkins and drummer George Foster locked down a deep, intuitive rhythm section groove that propelled the sunny guitar work. The bright SHAUN COWE
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FLAMINGOS OPENING NIGHT feat. ZEKE BEATS Chang, Yung Emperor, Midsole Club Kahuna Friday, September 19, 2014
The Painkillers Pic: Kelvin Craig
THE PAINKILLERS CD LAUNCH Mojos Bar Saturday, September 20, 2014 Mojo’s in North Fremantle was at near capacity for the launch of a new EP, Garage Sale Girl, by longrunning local heroes, The Painkillers. The evening’s entertainment commenced with an acoustic set by Homicides frontman, Donny Rat. Appreciative early birds were treated to several selections from his most recent project, The Mystery Eels. Raw, personal and minimalistic, tracks such as Heartdrop Ballad, Small Gods, and Save Yourself were by turns dark and tender. Emu Xperts were one guitarist down for the night, but not short on enthusiasm. You Wouldn’t Like Me When I’m Sober and Dexy’s Midnight Hummers were highlights of a set filled out by covers of the Cosmic Psychos and Zeke. Shirts-off set closer, I’m An Xpert, sealed the deal.
Aborted Tortoise demonstrated why they’re fast becoming Perth’s favourite garage punks and with such a busy gigging schedule there are plenty of opportunities to catch them live. As there are with Catbrush, whose swamp/punk sound is both raw and engaging. What a difference a bass makes. Richard Lane and Martyn P. Casey have filled out The Painkillers’ sound very nicely and have made them a more dynamic proposition. Adding these two guns to James Baker’s inform drumming and Joe Bludge’s ever clear and reliable voice gives their older songs new depth. Honey Bees was a mellow one early on, but they soon kicked a donkey’s ass with tunes from their new Garage Sale Girl EP, including the title track as well as Animals, Rapunzal and A Red Headed Woman. It’s nice to see a band that’s been around a while still improving, and they certainly kicked the most goals on the night. It’s the best they’ve ever been. Python stepped back onto a stage for the first time in several years but apart from some facial hair made it seem like they’d only been gone a week. They played the late, late slot and after spilling as much Jack Daniel’s as he drank, singer Johnny Ajax led his old rock’n’roll soldiers through a savage version of Wildcat Fever, and they of course closed with their big hit, Hot Pussy. KELVIN CRAIG
Featuring some of Perth’s best local trap/hip hop selectors, Bad Vacation’s fortnightly Friday event, Holidayse, hosted at the Good Shepherd in Leederville, has been achieving increasing prestige throughout the year. Having been lucky enough to attend the majority of these delectable excursions, the gains in size of both the line to the door and the swell on the floor have been noticeable. And for good reason: they’ve played host to a burgeoning scene of friendly vibes, banging tunes and a collectively wavy atmosphere, all coupled with some of Perth’s more affordable beverages. When Bad Vacation announced their plans to take over Subiaco every second Friday with the new Flamingos event, hosted at Club Kahuna (formerly Red Sea), it was already an intriguing proposition before the unravelling of a starstudded local line-up. At the top of this bill was Zeke Beats, who has been an utter delight to watch in the build-up to his upcoming EP release with Saturate Records, and this set would prove no different. Featuring frequent interspersings of unheard previews with already known and loved forthcoming tracks Co-motion and Pay Attention, as well as single Doge, recently dropped in Perth by visiting trap lord UZ. When these imminently game-changing bass monsters are coupled with rare oldschool bass singles from fellow Saturate producers (such as Drop A Track by Boats or Oh Allright’ by Joney), it makes for the creation of a truly unique trap/bass music set, of a quality rarely replicated anywhere in the world.
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Chang. Pic: Sean Finney
Chang was up next, having held down the resident headliner slot at Bad Vacation’s Holidayse events previously. The residency has seen him throw down long multi-genre sets, that whilst remaining trap- and hip hop-based, occasionally wandering into dubstep and DnB. This set was no different, bringing back the same energy and creativity that have marked Chang’s sets throughout the year. Zeke Beats and Chang were supported on either side by Yung Emperor and Midsole, Bad Vacation and Good Shepherd regulars, both putting up reliably bouncy and uplifting trap sets. The raw quality of Perth’s best beat curators definitely proved the showcase it promised to be. Filled with inflatable flamingos that felt right at home in the midst of palm trees and totem poles, Club Kahuna was a fittingly larger setting which allowed the overwhelming opening night lines to file in with speed. The free flow of merry spirits, assisted by the parading of champagne bottles and opening night excitements, ensured that familiar Bad Vacation-shaped smiles were plastered on the faces of many patrons. After a quality evening of good music shared with happy clientele, the doors were shut on an opening night that will hopefully lead to more of the same. If you ever want somewhere wavy to soak up those good party vibes on a Friday in Perth, there is now always a place you can go. JOSH LLOYD
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Noah Skape - Photo by DanMac Photography
The Novocaines
GET FRESH WITH FAT SHAN
GET THE BABUSHKA BEAT
The grand final of Fat Shan’s Fresh Talent Band Competition is going down at Four5Nine Bar this Friday, September 26. The Worst, Bad China, Black Stone From The Sun and The Limbs will be going head to head in a battle to the death hosted by Noah Skape And The Teenage Wasteland. Doors open at 8pm, entry is only $5.
Babushka presents an awesome lineup of local rock and roll talent this Friday, September 26. The Novocaines, The Order Of the Black Werewolf, Sprawl and Ohayo will be storming the stage of the Leederville venue from 8pm. entry is $10.
Axe Girl
Moana - Photo by Rachael Barrett
KISS MY AXE
MORE FROM MOANA
Charity gigs are something we love, and this one’s a killer. This Thursday, September 25, you can help save the Beeliar Wetlands from the Roe Highway extension plan by getting down to The Odd Fellow and copping an earful of Axe Girl, ParmeZan, MC Armani and J-Kash. Doors open at 8pm, entry is $10 on the door.
Friday, September 26, Moana continue their run of incredibily creativity and productivity with a show at Mojos, with Apache, King Cactus, Doctopus, Hyla, and South Side Cobras on support duties. What’s more, the night features the live debut of Apollo’s Son and Jamie Turner of The High Learys on the decks. Doors open at 7.30pm, entry is $10.
ALL IRELAND FOOTBALL FINALS The Shed Sunday, September 21, 2014 The colours were out for Donegal Vs Kerry in Gaelic Football Finals, and The Shed had all the action! Photos by Matt Jelonek
Michelle, Marisa, Karyn
Arlene, Aisling, April, Ross
Nicola, Emma
Daniel, Maria
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Richard, Kane
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You’ve played music for many years in a lot of bands. In terms of your history, how would you describe this new album? Well I have only ever played in my own bands. I have had a lot of people play in my bands over the years, a few that have gone on to be well known, which is great. Anyway, on this release there is a couple of songs from the past that were never recorded which I really needed to record and they have come out well with the same intensity in which they were originally played. The songs show very contrasting styles - there’s grunge and whitey gospel without Jesus and a beautiful slow song with girl backing singers. It’s really an sample of where I want my next recording to go, it feels like a new beginning. Peter Gordon (guitar), Miles Hitchcock (drums) and Stefan Hamilton (bass) have been musical cohorts of yours for a long time. What does it mean to you to still have these guys in your corner, creating music? It is nice to know that after all these years that when people go away - like Stefan and Miles - for a long period of time they may have changed and other priorities are in their life but then when we get together we still have that wonderful feeling of making music and that the connection is still strong . It’s fantastic to have a stable band where you don’t have to worry about not showing for rehearsals, getting people to gigs or playing in other bands as they are mature and well organised and it allows me to concentrate on songwriting. It’s also great for songwriting as you can show them how the basics of a new song goes with new ideas in my head and they have enough musical know-how to polish and perfect what I’m trying to say. When you have fantastic friendships in a band it makes it easier to create without all the ego bullshit. Stability is something I have always been longing for, as so many people play in lots of different bands in Perth it is very difficult to manage sometimes You have a full backing singer situation happening, what’s it like being able to write songs and have that explored? There’s five or six of us singing together, sometimes I wish I could have another 10 more. It is a great feeling when you are the songwriter and you have backing singers all joining in, it allows you to stretch certain songs out or break them down with beautiful harmonies and it becomes a very spiritual feeling. It sounds corny but when you’re singing all together and you’re not playing a musical instrument it makes you feel the music inside as it’s coming from your body and not just from you ears and hands. It can really emphasise what your are trying to sing with certain words to make them stronger and it makes the band have to turn down the volume so you can hear the vocals! Maurice Flavel
MAURICE FLAVEL’S INTENSIVE CARE Stability Boss Maurice Flavel’s Intensive Care launch a self-titled album this Friday, September 26, at the Rosemount Hotel, with help from The Painkillers and Childsaint. BOB GORDON checks in with the rock’n’roll veteran.
What kinds of songs are you writing these days? What are they about? I am still writing about the same subjects. I always have written about love, sex, death, war and hope. I like to write basic songs with basic words, but now with more vocals it’s a great challenge to see where the ideas of backing singers can go without being samey. As someone described, some of my music is sounding like a mantra so you have to think of a bigger sound and how you can make the songs more uplifting. I’m bored with just guitar rock so I just want to write well thought out songs that weren’t written in five minutes and have some depth and longevity. I have a keyboard/synth player (David Sireon Cizza) in the band now, so it will be interesting to see where the next lot of songs will go. With the album released, what are your plans and indeed hopes for it? Even though I have spent a fair bit of money on this release, I’m really hoping to use this as a stepping stone to record my next release as it’s expensive to do a good recording. So hopefully get some airplay, tour over East again, follow up with another release and play plenty of decent shows.. and ask for some favours from my now famous ex-bandmates!
The Decline
DECLINING STANDARDS
Limpin’ Dave Foley And The Straight Legged Freaks
WALK STRAIGHT, YA FREAK This Thursday, September 25, get down to The Rosemount hotel to catch the broken, folk-punk majesty of Limpin’ Dave Foley And The Straight Legged Freaks, plus Battle Of The Planets and Silent Deeds. Doors open at 8pm, entry is $5.
Perth punk stalwarts The Decline are not only heading out on yet another national tour, the Simp-tastically titled Man Gets Hit By Football Tour, but they’re kicking it off with a show at Amplifier on Grand Final Day (that’s this Saturday, September 27) which will be recorded for an upcoming release. Joining them are Puck, Ratking, Blindspot and Ben Elliot. Doors open at 8pm, tickets are $13.60 via amplifiercapitol.com.au
26/09
MAURICE FLAVEL’S INTENSIVE CARE CD Launch @ Rosemount Hotel
03/10
THE HIGH LEARYS Clear My Mind Single Launch @ The Bakery
04/10
THE LAMMAS TIDE Barefoot Electric Album Launch @ The Odd Fellow
10/10
ROSWELL No One Lives Here Anymore EP Launch @ YaYa’s
16/10
VILLAIN The Other Side EP Launch @ Flyrite
16/10
VISHNU Water Tones Album Launch @ the Bird
23/10
BESIDE LIGHTS Half Heart EP Launch @ The Rosemount
07/11
VARIOUS Stormrider 2015 Compilation @ The Civic
21/11
NUCLEUST Self Titled EP Launch @ The Civic WWW. XP RE SS MAG.COM. AU
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TOURS THIS WEEK ANGUS & JULIA STONE 24 & 25 Perth Concert Hall ANDREA BOCELLI 24 Perth Arena TUBA SKINNY 24 Fly By Night 25 The Jazz Cellar 27 Wave Rock Weekender 28 Clancy’s Dunsborough BOY & BEAR 25 Albany Entertainment Centre 26 Bunbury Entertainment Centre 28 Fremantle Arts Centre REBEL SOULJAHZ 25 Capitol DMA’S 25 Mojos Bar 26 Amplifier Bar COURTNEY BARNETT 26 Fly By Night KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD 26 The Bakery 27 Wave Rock Weekender BLUEJUICE 26 Capitol 27 Red Earth Arts Festival, Karratha THE CAT EMPIRE 26 Fremantle Arts Centre 27 Metro City WAVE ROCK WEEKENDER 27 - 28 Wave Rock Caravan Park RISE OF BROTALITY TOUR ft. I KILLED THE PROM QUEEN, THE GHOST INSIDE, IN HEARTS WAKE 27 YMCA HQ 28 Capitol BARRY HILTON VS. MIKE KING 27 Regal Theatre LISTEN OUT PERTH 2014 ft. FLUME, CHET FAKER, ZHU AND MORE 28 Ozone Reserve MIAMI HORROR 27 Red Earth Arts Festival, Karratha 28 Newport Hotel OCTOBER THE HIGH KINGS 1 Crown Theatre HANDS LIKE HOUSES 1 YMCA HQ 2 Amplifier Bar THE YEARLINGS 2 Clancy’s Fremantle THE DIRE STRAITS EXPERIENCE 3 Perth Concert Hall ANNA VISSI 3 HBF Stadium THE MEANIES 3 Rosemount Hotel STACEY PULLEN 3 Geisha Bar MANJIMUP BLUEGRASS & OLD TIME MUSIC WEEKEND 3, 4 & 5 Manjimup GENERIK 4 Metropolis Fremantle 2014 AWESOME FESTIVAL 4 – 13 Perth Cultural Centre VERUCA SALT 4 Rosemount Hotel BRITISH INDIA 5 Scarborough Beach Amphitheatre JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE 8 & 9 Perth Arena
INVENTIONS 8 Rosemount Hotel 10 YaYa’s 11 YMCA HQ SLAVES 8 Amplifier Bar THE TEA PARTY with SUPERJESUS 9 Crown Theatre BRIGGS 9 Flyrite 10 Mojos Bar 11 Dunsborough Hotel HILLTOP HOODS 10 Nipper Roe Oval, Broome T-PAIN 10 Metropolis Fremantle DEAD KENNEDYS 11 Capitol JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE 11 Astor Theatre RHYS DARBY 13 & 14 Astor Theatre ADAM BRAND 15 Friends Restaurant 16 The Deck, Busselton 17 New Centurion Hotel 18 Charles Hotel 19 Ravenswood Hotel THE SELECTER 14 Rosemount Hotel ALL DAY 15 YMCA HQ 16 Prince of Wales, Bunbury 17 Amplifier Bar SAY ANYTHING 15 Amplifier Bar COMEBACK KID 16 Amplifier Bar SHEPPARD 16 Astor Theatre MISSY HIGGINS 16 Crown Theatre 18 Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre 19 Mandurah Performing Arts Centre ALLDAY 16 Prince Of Wales, Bunbury JOHN WILLIAMSON 16 Albany Entertainment Centre 18 Astor Theatre ANDREW DICE CLAY 17 HBF Stadium JOHNNY CASH THE CONCERT 17 Astor Theatre CHRISTINE ANU 17 & 18 Ellington Jazz Club DRAGON 17 Charles Hotel 18 New Centurion Hotel JASMINE RAE 17 New Centurion Hotel 18 Charles Hotel 19 Ravenswood Hotel THE GRISWOLDS 18 Amplifier Bar SOLE MIO 19 Crown Theatre REGGIE WATTS 21 Astor Theatre COMMON & YASIIN BEY aka MOS DEF 22 Metro City MILEY CYRUS 23 Perth Arena BRAZOUKA 23 – 26 Regal Theatre BALL PARK MUSIC 24 Astor Theatre 25 Settlers Tavern, Margaret River BEN OTTEWELL 24 The Odd Fellow 25 459 Rosemount Hotel
FEATURED GIG
FLUME
LISTEN OUT
OZONE RESERVE SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
28
WOLFPACK 24 YaYa’s 25 Prince of Wales, Bunbury 26 Osborne Park Bowls Club WELCOME TO THE VALLEY 25 Belvoir Amphitheatre THE AUSTRALIAN SANTANA EXPERIENCE 25 Charles Hotel HOLY HOLY 25 Dunsborough Tavern DEVIN TOWNSEND 25 Hale School LIL JON 26 Metro City THE ROLLING STONES 29 Perth Arena KATIE NOONAN & FRIENDS 30 Artbar THE KIN 30 Mojos Bar 31 Rosemount Hotel KATCHAFIRE 30 Settlers Tavern 31 Metropolis Fremantle SHIHAD 31 Mojos Bar NOVEMBER THE ROLLING STONES 1 Perth Arena SHIHAD 1 Rosemount Hotel KATCHAFIRE 1 Capitol WE TWO THIEVES 1 The Odd Fellow 2 Astor Lounge SASHA 2 The Court Hotel JOELISTICS 1 459 Rosemount Hotel 2 Mojos Bar MARIAH CAREY 2 Sandalford Estate AQUA 5 Metropolis Fremantle MARIANAS TRENCH 5 Astor Theatre THE SCREAMING JETS 6 Capitol RODRIGUEZ 6, 7 & 9 Kings Park & Botanic Garden THE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS 7 Rosemount Hotel MADDEN BROTHERS 7 Crown Theatre LANIE LANE 7 The Bakery SETS IN THE CITY 7 Riverside Drive KATY PERRY 7 & 8 Perth Arena BLACK VOICES 8 Perth Concert Hall MIX 94.5’S CLASSIC HITS ALL DAY 8 King’s Park & Botanic Garden RADIO BIRDMAN 9 459 Rosemount Hotel GOSSLING 9 The Bakery JACK CARTY 9 Rosemount Hotel JOE SATRIANI 11 Astor Theatre JIMMY EAT WORLD 11 Metro City YES 12 Crown Theatre KRISIUM 12 Amplifier Bar THIRSTY MERC 12 Friends Restaurant 13 Rivendell Winery 14 New Centurion Hotel 15 Charles Hotel 16 Ravenswood Hotel PAUL UBANA JONES 13 Northshore Tavern 14 Ravenswood Tavern 15 Collie Hotel 16 Settlers Tavern 19 Music Shack, Pinjarra 21 Howling Wolf Winery, Yallingup JOHN DIGWEED 14 The Stables Bar DUSKY 14 Ambar THELMA PLUM 14 Players Bar 15 Amplifier Bar 16 Newport Hotel NOFX 15 Metro City THE MARK OF CAIN 15 Rosemount Hotel SEAN PAUL 15 HBF Stadium CELTIC LEGENDS 16 – 17 State Theatre Centre 18 – 19 Mandurah Performing Arts Centre
21 Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre 22 Albany Entertainment Centre TORI AMOS 18 Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre RADICAL REELS 18 – 21 The State Theatre Centre JIMMY BARNES 19 Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre 20 Albany Entertainment Centre 22 & 23 Kings Park & Botanic Garden VIOLENT SOHO 19 Prince of Wales, Bunbury 20 Dunsborough Tavern 21 Studio 146, Albany 22 Capitol STEVE SMYTH 19 459 Rosemount Hotel 20 Prince Of Wales, Bunbury 21 Redcliffe On The Murray 22 Mojos Bar 23 Indi Bar SETH TROXLER 21 Villa THE DELTA RIGGS 21 Prince of Wales Hotel 22 The Odd Fellow HEY LADY! 21 Mojos Bar 22 459 Rosemount MOTOWN ON THE ROCKS 21 Quarry Amphitheatre JUSTINE CLARKE 22 Crown Theatre NEIL FINN 22 Sandalford Winery NATURAL NZ MUSIC FESTIVAL 22 Red Hill Auditorium C.W. STONEKING 22 Rosemount Hotel 23 Mojos Bar THE BLACK SEEDS 23 Clancy’s Dunsborough BROODS 26 Capitol NICK CAVE 27 & 28 Fremantle Arts Centre BUSBY MAROU 27 Mojos Bar 28 Prince of Wales, Bunbury ILLY 28 Astor Theatre BUSBY MAROU ACOUSTIC DUO 27 Mojos Bar 28 Prince Of Wales BEN FOLDS & WASO 28 & 29 Perth Concert Hall HAND OF MERCY 28 Elliot St Bar, Bunbury 29 Villa 30 YMCA HQ COLAB FESTIVAL 29 UWA Oak Lawn THE SMITH STREET BAND 29 Rosemount Hotel DAVID BRIDIE 29 Astor Lounge 30 Mojos STEREOSONIC 29 & 30 Claremont Showgrounds HOODOO GURUS 30 Scarborough Amphitheatre DECEMBER JOAN ARMATRADING 4 Astor Theatre THE DEAD DAISIES 4 Rosemount Hotel HUSKY 4 Dunsborough Hotel 5 The Bakery 6 Prince Of Wales, Bunbury NAHKO & MEDICINE FOR THE PEOPLE 4 Settlers Tavern YACHT CLUB DJS 5 Amplifier Bar UB40 & BLUE KING BROWN 5 Red Hill Auditorium HILLTOP HOODS 5 Bovell Park, Busselton 6 Red Hill Auditorium PIERCE BROTHERS 5 Settlers Tavern 6 Indi Bar NE OBLIVISCARIS 6 Amplifier Bar TIG NOTARO 6 Regal Theatre SLEEP 8 The Bakery TY SEGALL 11 The Bakery
THE DATSUNS 11 Leisure Inn, Rockingham 12 Prince of Wales, Bunbury 13 Astor Lounge 14 Railway Hotel DEAD LETTER CIRCUS 12 Capitol 13 Prince of Wales, Bunbury FACTORY FLOOR 13 The Bakery THINGS OF STONE & WOOD 13 The Charles Hotel 14 Dunsborough Hotel THY ART IS MURDER 17 YMCA HQ 18 Capitol WATSKY 18 Prince Of Wales, Bunbury 19 Leisure Inn 20 Amplifier Bar FUNK CLUB’S NYE COUNTDOWN – 2015 EDITION 31 Salt On The Beach, North Fremantle JANUARY 2015 SOUTHBOUND 3 & 4 Sir Stewart Bovell Park, Busselton MARDUK & INQUISITION 12 Amplifier Bar EVERY TIME I DIE 14 Amplifier Bar OZ ROCK BUSSELTON ft. ICEHOUSE, ABSOLUTELY ‘80S, WENDY MATTHEWS, ROSS WILSON, DIESEL, JAMES REYNE 24 Barnard Park, Busselton RED HILL AUSTRALIA DAY EVE CONCERT ft. ICEHOUSE, JAMES REYNE, DIESEL 25 Red Hill Auditorium SUZI QUATRO 28, 29 & 31 Regal Theatre JOHNNY MARR 29 Astor Theatre DOCTOR WHO SYMPHONIC SPECTACULAR 31 Perth Arena FEBRUARY 2015 CHIODOS 4 Amplifier Bar PASSENGER 7 Red Hill Auditorium EVENING ON THE GREEN – THE ANGELS & CHEAP TRICK 8 Kings Park & Botanic Garden LANEWAY FESTIVAL 8 Esplanade Reserve, Fremantle YNGWIE J. MALMSTEEN 12 Astor Theatre ROXETTE 14 Perth Arena THE EAGLES 18 & 19 Perth Arena ONE DIRECTION 20 Patersons Stadium PAUL SIMON & STING 21 & 22 Sir James Mitchell Park GUY SEBASTIAN 28 Perth Arena MARCH 2015 FROM THE JAM 5 Capitol SANDRA BERNHARD 10 Regal Theatre KYLIE MINOGUE 14 Perth Arena INGRID MICHAELSON 14 Rosemount Hotel ROXETTE 14 Perth Arena VANCE JOY 20 Astor Theatre ROD STEWART 21 Perth Arena APRIL 2015 THE BLACK KEYS 14 Red Hill Auditorium MAY 2015 SAM SMITH 4 HBF Stadium RICKY MARTIN 8 Perth Arena PALOMA FAITH 16 Perth Concert Hall JUNE 2015 THE GETAWAY PLAN 12 Rosemount Hotel 5 SECONDS OF SUMMER 29 Perth Arena
THE CAT EMPIRE, SEPTEMBER 27
MAURICE FLAVEL’S INTENSIVE CARE, SEPTEMBER 26
WEEKLY WEDNESDAY 24/09 ADELPHI GRILL Bernardine THE ALBION HOTEL Quiz Night THE BAKERY 2014 Lavazza Italian Film Festival – Opening Party THE BALMORAL Randa And Soul Kingdom THE BIRD Chicken N Beer ft. Nik N Andy Nathan J Henry Sims Ben Taaffe BRASS MONKEY Backpacker Night THE BROWN FOX Acoustic Chill Out THE CARINE Open Mic Night Shaun Street CAPITOL Harlem Wednesdays Philly Blunt Olithvgxd Genga CHARLES HOTEL Funky Bunch Trivia CITRO BAR Ben Merito CLANCY’ CANNING BRIDGE Songwriter Night ft. Jordan McRobbie CLUB RED SEA Cheek sports night THE COURT Wicked Wednesdays ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Joyce Mathers with Avenue FLYRITE Northbridge Nightly Now FLY BY NIGHT Tuba Skinny GOLD BAR Famous THE GOOD SHEPHERD Thinkfar GROOVE BAR (CROWN) 5 Shots HULA BULA BAR Island Nite INDI BAR Buddy Phoenix LLAMA BAR Akuna Club LANEWAY LOUNGE Adam Hall & The Velvet Playboys THE LUCKY SHAG Howie Morgan MALT SUPPER CLUB MARGEAUX Wednesday METROPOLIS FREMANTLE Next Gen MOJOS BAR Oka Markandeya THE MOON CAFE Going Solo ft. Jake from Methyl Ethel Mei saraswati
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MUSTANG BAR Backpacker & Student $5 Fest Easy Tigers DJ Giles NEWPORT HOTEL In the Mix Awards After Party Tour 2014 Newport Wednesdays NICHE BAR Karma Wednesday THE ODD FELLOW The Parlour DJ Crew – Beryl Streep & Friends THE PADDO Dove PERTH ARENA Andrea Bocelli PERTH CONCERT HALL Angus & Julia Stone PICA BAR Anea Duratovic Gabriel Fatin 459 ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Light and Shade Braves Spilt Cities Archer & Light Steve Bailey Oakland ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Pat Decline Being Beta Priority One One Last Thing ROSEMOUNT HOTEL (BEER GARDEN) Best Years of Your Life Student Night ft. DJ Anton Maz ROSIE O’GRADY’S NORTHBRIDGE Laugh Resort Comedy Open Mic Night ft. Dave Fyffe SOVEREIGN ARMS Wednesday Cocktail Night DJ Five O SWINGING PIG Open Mic Night Greg Carter UNIVERSAL BAR Virtual Insanity VILLAGE BAR Village People Wednesdays VOODOO LOUNGE Fantasy Wednesdays YAYA’S HipHop @ YaYa’s ft. DJ Bace Cadet DJ Richo Kidd Illdok Tanzmute Fitzy Macshane Divine THURSDAY 25/09 ALBANY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE Boy & Bear THE BIRD Camp Doogs Fundraiser ft. Rabbit Island Flower Drums Kitchen People The Long Lost Brothers Sacred Flower Union
BRASS MONKEY James Ess Open Deck Night Rhythm Bound Karaoke THE BRIGHTON Siren Song Enterprises BROOKLANDS TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke CAPITOL Rebel Souljaz CAPTAIN STIRLING Trivia Night THE CAUSEWAY BAR Xport Thursdays THE CLAREMONT HOTEL Institution Thursdays DJ Lukas Wimmler CONNECTIONS NIGHTCLUB Bingay hosted by Hannah Conda DEVILLES PAD Rock n’ Roll Karaoke Magnus Danger Magnus DUNSBOROUGH TAVERN Open Mic Night Kris Buckle ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Cathrine Summers & The Fellas FLY BY NIGHT Hami Swings By The Fly THE GATE Greg Carter GRAND CENTRAL PARK Ben Merito GROOVE BAR (CROWN) Switch HULA BULA BAR Hi-Fi Lounge INDI BAR Open Mic Night THE JAZZ CELLAR Tuba Skinny LAKERS TAVERN Dove LANEWAY LOUNGE Allira Wilson Trio LEISURE INN DJ Misschief LOBBY LOUNGE (CROWN) Jack + Jill LOST SOCIETY The Collective THE LUCKY SHAG James Wilson MARITIME MUSEUM Cliff Lynton MOJOS BAR DMA’s The Creases Scenic MOON & SIXPENCE Bob & Clem THE MOON CAFÉ Jacob Diamond Trio MUSTANG BAR Beers & Bands The Limbs Lunar Universe DJ James MacArthur NEWPORT HOTEL The Newport Record Club NORTHSHORE TAVERN Nathan Gaunt Duo THE ODD FELLOW Parmezan Axe Girl MC Amani
MIAMI HORROR, SEPTEMBER 27-28 OCEAN ONE BAR Turin’s Open Mic Night THE PADDO Matt Angell PEEL ALE HOUSE Open Mic Chris Kinna 459 ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Diger Rockwell Beckon Hindley D-JEONG ft. Wisdom 2th Yarkhob DJ Silence ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Battle Of The Planets Limpin’ Dave Foley & the Straight Legged Freaks Silent Deeds ROSIE O’GRADY’S FREMANTLE Rick Twine RUBIX BAR Scotty Day-Vee THE SAINT Thursday Music Quiz SETTLERS TAVERN Wagons SWALLOW BAR Jessie Gordon Duo UNIVERSAL BAR Off The Record YAYA’S The Morning Night Night Signals Necter The Hounds FRIDAY 26/09 AMBAR Fresh Produce ft. Kovaxx Meina Jaawa Lifetime Grime Grynd AMPLIFIER DMA’s THE AVIARY Paradise Paul NDORSE THE BAKERY King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard THE BALMORAL The Mojos BAR ORIENT Reggae Club BEAT NIGHTCLUB (UPSTAIRS) Friday Night Live BEAT NIGHTCLUB (DOWNSTAIRS) PLAY BELGIAN BEER CAFÉ Mike Nayar THE BELMONT Light Street BEST DROP TAVERN Driven By People THE BIRD RHYTHMATISM 40 {MOVE} x U.S.A THE BOAT Ben Merito BRASS MONKEY DJ Vicktor James Ess THE BRIGHTON Frenzy BUNBURY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE Boy & Bear
CAPITOL Bluejuice Farewell Tour Capitol Fridays Roger Smart CAPITOL (UPSTAIRS) I Love ‘80s & ‘90s Darren Tucker THE CARINE J!mmy Beats THE CAUSEWAY Showtime Saturdays CITRO BAR David Broadway CIVIC HOTEL Latin Night ft. Yambeque Orquestra Yambeque Fuego Son Tres DJ Mateo CLANCYS CANNING BRIDGE DJ Boogie CLANCY’S CITY BEACH Zarm Duo CLANCY’S FREMANTLE Free Friday Fiesta ft. Limelights Jazz Beleza Dancer The Crux CORNERSTONE ALEHOUSE Reload CRUISING YACHT CLUB Gee Whiz DEVILLE’S PAD Mojo JuJu Shotdown From SugarTown Archer DJ Razor Jack Double Trouble Molls EAST 150 BAR Adrian Wilson EDZ SPORTZ BAR 2 Tenors ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Rai Thistlewayte Ben Vanderwal Late Night Groove ft. Cian Caton EMPIRE BAR Howie Morgan EVE NIGHTCLUB Recharge Fridays FLYRITE DEADWEIGHT! Fridays FLY BY NIGHT Courtney Barnett D.D Dumbo FREMANTLE ARTS CENTRE The Cat Empire THE GATE Chris Gibbs GEISHA BAR Hernan Cattaneo GILKISONS DANCE STUDIO Methods of Movement GINGER NIGHTCLUB Mondo Fridays GOLD BAR Fox Friday’s THE GOOD SHEPHERD HOLIDAYSE ft. Chang Bunj Grecia Sake GOSNELLS HOTEL The Gypsy Minions THE GREENWOOD Acoustic Aly GROOVE BAR
Deadline Monday 5pm. X-Press Guide is a service to advertisers listing all entertainment events. All inclusions are at the discretion of X-Press. Email guide@xpressmag.com.au
TOURS • LIVE • DANCE
I KILLED THE PROM QUEEN, SEPTEMBER 28 (CROWN) Tod Johnston & Peace Love DJ Crazy Craig THE HERDSMAN Shades of Indigo HULA BULA BAR Shakin’ It HYDE PARK HOTEL (COURTYARD) Kevin Curran INDI BAR Pale Blonde Mexicans KALAMUNDA HOTEL Retriofit Wesley Goodlet Jamboree Scouts LANEWAY LOUNGE Astrid Ripepi Quartet LIBRARY Sneaky LLAMA BAR Honey THE LUCKY SHAG DJ Richie G THE MANOR Motel Six ft. James Ireland Sleepyhead Aslan Benny P Genga MAHOGANY INN Adam James METRO CITY Asia Cocktail 2014: Haunted House ft. DJ Shann DJ Ben Renna METRO FREO C5 I Love 80s & 90s METROPOLIS FREMANTLE FUTURE Fridays ft. Michell Woodham Criminal Bass Kosha Funk Adam Hankinson Scratcher Scanlan Trash Banger Conor Breslin DMC Paddy Sweeney Stephen O’Reilly MINT Club Retro MOJOS BAR Moana Apache King Cactus Doctopus Hyla South Side Cobras Apollo’s Son DJ Jamie Turner MOON & SIXPENCE Soul Corporation
DMA’S, SEPTEMBER 25
MULLALOO BEACH HOTEL Jam Jar Friday’s Ladies Night MUSTANG BAR Adam Hall & the Velvet Playboys Swing DJ Flash Nat & The Action Men DJ James MacArthur MY PLACE Karaoke NEWPORT HOTEL FLUKE Fridays Madam Montage NORTHSHARE TAVERN Howie Morgan Project THE PADDO Craig Reilly Flyte PADDY MAGUIRE’S Rock Candy PARAMOUNT Paramount Party Crew PARKER Black Betty’s Reunion ft. REDSTAR PEEL ALE HOUSE Siren Song Enterprises PIRATE BAR Bernardine PORT KENNEDY TAVERN Steve Spouse Duo THE PRINCIPAL Scotty Day-Vee Duo PUBLIC HOUSE Neil Viney RENDEZVOUS HOTEL (LOBBY BAR) Grant Hart 459 ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Fat Shan’s Band Comp 1st Grand Final! ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Maurice Flavel’s Intensive Care The Painkillers Alex Archer Childsaint ROSIE O’GRADY’S FREMANTLE Gunshy Romeos SAIL & ANCHOR James Wilson THE SHED Crush DJ Glenn SETTLERS TAVERN OKA SOVEREIGN ARMS Thank God It’s… Funky Lounge Fridays DJ Az-T
FEATURED GIG
BLUEJUICE FAREWELL TOUR CAPITOL FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
SWINGING PIG Greg Carter UNIVERSAL BAR Nightmoves UWA TAV Connor Minervini VERNON ARMS TAVERN Greg Carter THE VIC Nathan Gaunt WINTERSUN HOTEL Leon Tioke YAYA’S SNATCH Launch Party ACE Fridays DJ Ace SATURDAY 27/09 THE ALEXANDER Back2Back AMBAR Japan 4 AMPLIFIER The Decline Puck Ratking Blindspot THE AVENUE Lokie Shaw THE AVIARY NDORSE Beni Chill Zel THE BAKERY It Takes a Village – 2014 Fundraiser for OrphFund THE BALMORAL Third Gear The Wire Birds BAR ORIENT Saturday Night Fever BASSMENT 004 ft. Badklaat Dinolife Dubbla Mewsician Elayche Blackfoul Equation Fat Al It Ain’t Herlude Tremorz Tom Kennedy BAYSWATER HOTEL Acoustic Saturdays BEAT NIGHTCLUB (UPSTAIRS) CANVAS BEAT NIGHTCLUB (DOWNSTAIRS) Big Kidz THE BELMONT The Mojos THE BIRD DJ Mitsu The Beats Ben Taffe Ben M Henry Sims Henry Maxwell BOAB TAVERN James Wilson BROOKLANDS TAV Organ Grinders CAPITOL (UPSTAIRS) Cream Of The ‘80s THE CARINE Roger Roger Frankie G CLANCY’S CANNING BRIDGE Steve Parkin CLANCY’S DUNSBOROUGH Deep Sea Disco ft. DJ Swami Adima
STRYKERMYER, SEPTEMBER 28. CLANCY’S FREMANTLE AFL Grand Final THE CLAREMONT HOTEL Antics Tim from Tim & Jean COCONUT CLUB Saturdays CONNECTIONS NIGHTCLUB DJ Kitty Glitter THE CRAFTSMAN Madam Montage CROWN (MAIN GAMING FLOOR) Howie Morgan Duo THE CRUISING YACHT CLUB Guy Tucker DEVILLES PAD Black Magic Disco JO19 Feminem & Her Femme Fatales DUNSBOROUGH TAV Jonny Taylor DUSK NIGHTCLUB Ratchet 002 ft. DJ Bounce EAST END BAR & LOUNGE HOME ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Rai Thistlewayte Ben Vanderwal Late Night Groove ft. Jade-Lori FLY BY NIGHT Miss Burlesque WA 2014 Final FLYRITE Father THE GATE Mike Nayar GEISHA BAR Habitat DJ Comp Finals ft. PoeticKinetics Kevin Stark Trash Banger DJ Sophie Visser Nando Cesar Baux Escue Daniel Matthews GINGER NIGHTCLUB Inceptive Concepts ft. Sphere Aaron P DVS GOLD BAR Pure Gold GOSNELLS HOTEL Baby Piranhas THE GREENWOOD James Wilson GROOVE BAR & LOUNGE (CROWN) Switch Decoy DJ Matt HULA BULA BAR Sailor Saturdays HYDE PARK HOTEL Threeplay Adam James Band INDI BAR Oka KALAMUNDA HOTEL Celebrations Karaoke LAKERS TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke LANEWAY LOUNGE Retriofit Soothe LEISURE INN (BAR INDIGO) Easy Tigers
THE LIBRARY MKT ft. Riki Vicktor LLAMA BAR Laundry LOST SOCIETY Chalk M ON THE POINT Rhythm 22 MERRIWA TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke METRO CITY Cat Empire METROPOLIS FREMANTLE Can Do Cancun Saturdays METRO FREO C5 I Love ‘80s & ‘90s MOJOS BAR Mister & Sunbird Mutima BiZ Project MOON & SIXPENCE Damien Cripps Band MUSTANG BAR The ReChords DJ Holly Doll Milhouse DJ James Mac NICHE BAR Surrender Saturdays NORTHSHORE TAVERN Adam James Band Third Gear THE PADDO Cheeky Monkeys PARAMOUNT Felix PARKER Parker Saturday PEEL ALE HOUSE One Trick Phonies Electrophobia PORT KENNEDY TAVERN Scotty Day-Vee Duo RED EARTH ARTS FESTIVAL, KARRATHA Bluejuice Miami Horror Bonjah Crooked Colours REGAL THEATRE Barry Hilton vs. Mike King RENDEZVOUS HOTEL (LOBBY BAR) Domonic Zurzolo 459 ROSEMOUNT HOTEL King Cactus Sexy Robot Sprawl The Stokies Stealth Bush Alien Lady Malice ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Double Dragon 2 Stager ft. Jurassic Palm Sam Cribb Day of the Dead LYTS Wisdom2th The Darling Rangers Amberdown Like Junk The Southwicks Rich King Matthews ROSIE O’GRADY’S FREMANTLE Flava ROYAL PALMS RESORT Big Steve Spouse Band
KING GIZZARD AND THE LIZARD WIZARD, SEPTEMBER 26-27 SAIL AND ANCHOR The Gypsy Minions THE SAINT Frenzy SETTLERS TAVERN Ben Merito THE SHED HUGE SWALLOW BAR DJ T King SWINGING PIG Frenzy UNIVERSAL BAR Soul Corporation WAVE ROCK CARAVAN PARK Wave Rock Weekender ft. King Gizzard Tuba Skinny And many more! YAYA’S SASS ft. DJ Jordan DJ Cookie YMCA HQ The Rise of The Brotality tour ft. I Killed The Prom Queen The Ghost Inside In Hearts Wake Bury Tomorrow Hellions SUNDAY 28/09 THE AVIARY NDORSE THE BALMORAL Andrew Winton THE BAKERY Some Like It Yacht THE BELMONT Acoustic Aly BENTLEY HOTEL Kizzy BOTANICA BAR & BISTRO Botan-Fest – Queens Birthday Long Weekend ft. DJ James Yelland Death Disco DJ Reuben Jaymee Franchina Wasteland JMC Vi-Son THE BRIGHTON Becs Scrivener Duo BROKEN HILL HOTEL Acoustic Royale BROOKLANDS TAVERN Frankie G CAPITOL The Rise Of The Brotality tour ft. I Killed The Prom Queen The Ghost Inside In Hearts Wake Bury Tomorrow Hellions THE CARINE Chris Gibbs THE CAUSEWAY Acoustic Sunday CHASE BAR & BISTRO Halo CIVIC HOTEL Troy Nababan CIVIC HOTEL (BACKROOM) P!nked Cruise Control CLANCY’S CITY BEACH Sunday Brekky Sesh The Limelights Jazz
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BOY & BEAR, SEPTEMBER 25-28
CLANCY’S DUNSBOROUGH Tuba Skinny CLANCY’S FREMANTLE Breakfast Session Stielgutz Guitar Duo Special Brew Sunday Sesh CLAREMONT HOTEL Sunday Session DJ Yujin Choong DJ Jordan Scott COMO HOTEL Two Frets Down CONNECTIONS NIGHTCLUB FANDANGO ft. STRYKERMEYER Ash Baroque Claire Hysteria & Heather Anger DJ Mama Cass Salut Barbu Rex Monsoon Modesty Blaze Tim Brown Tan Gent Coco Onslow DUNSBOROUGH TAVERN Kris Buckle Scotty Day-Vee Duo ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Rick Webster FLINDERZ HILLARYS Adam James THE FLYING SCOTSMAN Infinite Jest September: Greatest Hits FREMANTLE ARTS CENTRE Boy & Bear THE GATE Mike Nayar THE GREENWOOD Luke O’Connell Best of British Tributes to Freddie Mercury, Rod Stewart & Annie Lennox GROOVE BAR (CROWN) Hi-NRG DJ Crazy Craig HOTEL ROTTNEST Howie Morgan Duo HULA BULA BAR Tiki Time Sundays INDI BAR Pimps Of Sound INDIAN OCEAN BREW CO. Retriofit THE INGLEWOOD Third Gear IRIS BAR & RESTAURANT Dean Anderson KALAMUNDA HOTEL The Mojos LAKERS TAVERN Gypsy Minions Electrophobia LANEWAY LOUNGE Perth Jazz Society LAST DROP TAVERN Barry Gee LATITUDE 32 Adrian Wilson LOBBY LOUNGE (CROWN) Thierryno THE LUCKY SHAG DJ Richie G METRO CITY The Animal House: Rap Edition METROPOLIS
FREMANTLE Sunday 28th Long Freakend DJ Esi DJ Tikelz DJ Tito DJ Illicit Donell Lewis METRO FREO C5 Next Gen: Queens Birthday Throwdown MOJOS BAR God Said Yes Mad Hatters 1 Pinky Left DJ Tim Esteban Aliaga Rosco Adam Munro Lewis Viljoen Peter Dorrington M ON THE POINT Nathan Gaunt MANDOON ESTATE Fleer Ultra MULLALOO BEACH HOTEL Sunday Sesh MUSTANG BAR 15th Birthday Tailgate Sunday ft. Bang Bang Betty & The H-Bombs Pete Lee & The Deacons Shot Down From Sugar Town DJ Holly Doll Madam Montage DJ James MacArthur NEWPORT HOTEL Miami Horror OZONE RESERVE Listen Out Perth 2014 ft. Flume Chet Faker Zhu And more! THE PADDO Superseeds PARKER Listen Out Official After Party PEEL ALE HOUSE Chris Martin PEPPER WINE BAR David Sofield Kate Laird PERTH FOLK & ROOTS CLUB Steve Tallis Keith Anthonisz John McNair PIRATE BAR Sunday Jazz Session ft. Owen Measday PORT KENNEDY TAVERN Greg Carter THE PRINCIPAL Timothy Nelson THE QUEENS DJ Five O Sam Spencer RAILWAY HOTEL Oka THE ROSE & CROWN HOTEL Blackbirds ROSEMOUNT HOTEL (BEER GARDEN) The Get Down ft. DJ Aslan John Safari Klean Kicks ROSEMOUNT HOTEL (CARPARK) The Golden Days Vintage Markets
MOANA, SEPTEMBER 26
ROSIE O’GRADY’S FREMANTLE Gang Of 3 THE SAINT Sunday Funday SETTLERS TAVERN Sunday Sess ft. Ben Merito THE SHED Blue Hornet SOUTH ST. ALEHOUSE Open Mic Night STRINGYBARK WINERY Nathan Earl Mayers SWALLOW BAR The Limelights Jazz Trio SWINGING PIG Choppa Duo UNIVERSAL BAR Retriofit VERNON ARMS TAVERN Kevin Curran WANNEROO TAVERN Steve Hepple WAVE ROCK CARAVAN PARK Wave Rock Weekender WHISTLING KITE Polka Dots James Wilson THE WINDSOR Justin Cortorillo WOODVALE TAVERN Rock N Roll Live Sundays MONDAY 29/09 BRASS MONKEY Monday Madness Student & Industry Night CLANCY’S CANNING BRIDGE Scotty’s Quiz Night GROOVE BAR (CROWN) Justin & Mike MOJOS BAR Wide Open Mic PARKER Manic Mondays ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Comedy Trivia YAYA’S Big Tommo’s Open Mic Night TUESDAY 30/09 THE BIRD Barefaced Stories
BRASS MONKEY Open Mic Night Shaun Street CLANCY’S FREMANTLE Quiz Night CONSERVATORY ROOFTOP BAR Rooftop Comedy ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Chamber Jam ft. Elise Keeley Ad Lib Basement Sax GROOVE BAR (CROWN) Flava Dee LANEWAY LOUNGE Open Mic Night Josh Terlick LLAMA BAR Ruby Tuesdays LOBBY LOUNGE (CROWN) Hans Fiance THE LUCKY SHAG Ben Merito MERRIWA TAVERN Celebrations Karaoke MOJOS BAR Collections ft. Della Fern The longneck tosspots Lammas tide Tim Gordon (solo) MUSTANG BAR Danza Loca Salsa Night THE ODD FELLOW Gringo Bingo OCEAN ONE BAR Overgrowth Open Mic Night THE PADDO Quiz Meisters PERTH BLUES CLUB Steve Tallis & The Holy Ghosts John Meyer’s Blues Express The Warm Ups ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Bex & Turin’s Wide Open Mic SETTLERS TAVERN Open Mic Night SWINGING PIG Siren Song Enterprises YAYA’S Raksha Japanese Tongue Sisters Jesse Middleton Tashi
FEATURED GIG
RABBIT ISLAND
CAMP DOOGS FUNDRAISER THE BIRD THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
29
NEWS
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INTERVIEWS
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REVIEWS
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LIVE
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EVENTS
AMPLIFIER BAR
THE CAUSEWAY
THE COURT HOTEL
DELICIOUS @ ROCKET ROOM
METRO FREO
THE SHED
MUSIC GEAR & TECHNOLOGY
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CLASSIFIEDS
VOX STRAIGHT 6 DRIVE PEDAL
Gear and tech reviews by Chris Gibbs
Part of the company’s ‘Tone Garage’ range, the Vox Straight 6 Drive borrows from the world of vintage hot rods in both name and design. Gloriously gaudy in a lime green finish, with white chicken-head control knobs and a visible 12AX7 tube proudly place on top of the unit, the pedal opts for a ‘bigger is better’ physical presence where other manufacturers are more often presenting smaller, more compact pedals in these ‘pedal board real estate’-conscious times. In fact the overall look may very well have players decide whether they are in or out before they even play a note, so that’s a pretty bold statement in itself. Possessing more controls than it realistically needs – on/off, volume, bass, tone, gain, and a brightness switch – this unit takes a little more finessing than other overdrive pedals to get a great result. There is of course the argument that more controls means more ability to tweak, but if a competing model delivers great tone with less work then maybe said controls are superfluous. Nevertheless, there is some sonic joy to be found here with a little bit of experimentation, and players who like their overdrive a little more raucous and edgy will get a kick out of this stylish tearaway. The Vox Straight 6 Drive retails for $219.
DOD OVERDRIVE PREAMP 250 PEDAL Through Digitech/Harman, the analog DOD Overdrive Preamp 250 is back. The new version of the DOD 250 captures all of the classic tone of the original. The 250 features true bypass (which the original model did not offer) and 9V DC power supply input. Like the original, The DOD Overdrive Preamp 250 has simple controls: on/off, gain and level. The pedal essentially serves two purposes: to provide overdrive to a signal, or to create a volume boost for solo sections. The pedal is reasonable effective at creating a useable overdrive, but players looking for that ‘dollop of cream’ will look elsewhere as this unit is far more aggressive in tone and frequency. As a volume boost for solos or as a general amp boost, this effect comes into its own. It’s not likely to turn many heads as a standalone overdrive solution, but will prove itself a reliable workhorse when considered as part of a pedal chain or effects board. The DOD Overdrive Preamp 250 is a nice look (and listen) back into the past and retails for $179.
DOD Overdrive Preamp 250 Pedal
Vox Straight 6 Drive Pedal
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All products reviewed at Sound Centre Morley.
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