Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Bands 'n Stuff: September 26 to October 3

Wednesday

You Will Die Alone + Council of Elders + Ships Piano + Parading
@The Tote, 8pm, $5

Last chance to get along to this residency. More gigs coming up soon though in case you can't make it.


Thursday

Alex Jarvis + Nick Craft + Hole and Craft
@Palookaville, 8pm

Palookaville seems to be booking some great acts of late. In case you don't know it, it's that saloon looking place at the North Eastern End of Brunswick St. Tonight its Alex Jarvis who hasn't been playing many gigs of late, but did release The New Patriosim back in January. Nick Craft is ex-Sidewinder, while I don't know much about his solo stuff (he also plays with The Zillions), his former Sidewinder bandmate and brother Martin does have a great solo record out.

The Ned Collette Band
@Edinburgh Castle, 8pm, free



I went along to this residency a couple of weeks ago expecting a lot, and I’m afraid that I came away not entirely satisfied. While I was grateful it was a free gig, and thus I expected to hear somewhat of a practice session for Ned and band, my main problem was that I found the new jazzed up jam-band renditions too introspective, unfocused and, quite frankly, a bit dull and boring. Yes, there was a high degree of technical expertise was on display from the band, but the overly long renditions failed to move me like I think they were supposed to.

Ned Collette is undoubtedly a talented musician and, after enjoying the studio version of his new single A Country With A Smile (also dressed up in a fair bit of improv the other night) I’m still looking forward to his new album. I just think the live show could do with some heavy editing, and wish it was a great deal more accessible than what I saw two weeks ago. A long winding journey into the musical abyss is fine here and there, but it only works for some groups, and for me, it didn't work for Ned and co.

On a brighter note, if you do make it tonight though, go with the Wagyu beef sausages. Mmmmm delicious!!!

Spider Vomit + Jarvis + Fearless Vampire Killers + more
@The Espy, 9pm, Free

A night of acidic noise and psychedelic rawk across both the Espy Lounge and Front Bar from three youngish Melbourne bands.

Stephanie Dosen (USA) + Tobias Cummings
@Northcote Social Club, 8:30pm, $15+bf

I haven't heard of Stephanie Dosen before, but her last record was released on Bella Union, home of Midlake, My Latest Novel, The Dirty Three and Explosions in the Sky so she must be doing something right. Support comes from melancholic singsong Tobias Cummings.


Friday

Beasts of Bourbon + Magic Dirt + Rowland S Howard
@The Forum, 8pm, $33+bf

Cosmic Psychos + KillerBirds + Bang!Bang!Aids!
@Northcote Social Club, 8:30pm, $17+bf

The Smallgoods Album Launch + Sly Hats + Pikelet
@East Brunswick Club, 8:30pm, $10+bf



The Smallgoods have just released their second album, Down on the Farm, which is quite spectacular. While I’ll save most of my comments to a future review, it’s an wildly imaginative record with a mix of material, often dreamy, sometimes warped and set within a rich, picturesque landscape. Plenty of harmonies of as well which I always like.

I saw The Smallgoods live a few weeks back when they supported The Brunettes. They were pretty tight, but on the whole, they were a bit static, and didn’t convey the same creativity as they do on record. Gus Franklin (also of Architecture in Helsinki) on drums has a lot of fun though. Good to watch also for his interesting grip on the sticks.

The Sparrows + Sailors and Swine + Chase Ego + The Galvatrons
@The Evelyn, 8pm, $8

I've plugged the damaged raw blues of Sailors and Swine before. Eighties revivalists The Galvatrons seem to be pulling some reasonably good gigs of late.

Treetops Single Launch + 16mm Album Preview + Fearless Vampire Killers
@Roxanne, 9pm, $8

Often there's not enough variation in gig lineups in this town, but here we get some nice soulful pop from Treetops, dense and dramatic melancholy from 16mm and classic Led Zeppish rock from FVK all on the same bill.

Saturday

Princess One Point Five + International Karate + Amaya Lauricia
@The Tote, 9pm, $12



Princess One Point Five, the solo project of Sarah-Jane Wentzki has had some mild indie success over the past couple of years. In 2005 she was awarded a significant grant and international travel vouchers through the Spirit of Youth Awards and last year her sophomore album The Truth scored a nomination in the Australian Music Prize long list (Top 25). The Truth was a bit too bleak for me, but it did include It’s All Gone to Hell, a very good track which scored some airplay on both JJJ and RRR.

Tonight she is launching her follow up record, an EP called Lolita

Tonight’s gig is also worth a look because of support from International Karate, who are a pretty freaking good band. Support also from Amaya Lauricia who also could be freaking good but I aint seen her before.

Spencer P Jones + James McCann
@Palookaville, 9pm

While many will be looking for somewhere to continue our grand final festivities elsewhere, the dose of the blues at this gig might just be what’s needed for some supporters mourning the ending of another season This will be a low-key Saturday night gig, but a good one nevertheless, as both of these Spooky Records labelmates are great solo performers.

Spencer Jones backs up from the Beasts of Bourbon show at the Forum on Friday.

Spider Vomit
@Pony, 2am, free

A reasonably high profile act for the late slot at Pony

The Temper Trap + Mission Control + Bird Automatic + Major Major
@The Espy, 9pm, Free

Might be bit of a hipsterish here, but another option worth considering for your post Grand Final celebrations.


Sunday

Silver City Highway
@Standard Hotel, 8pm, Free

If you've been reading this blog for a while you would know that we like this band a lot. They've a single launch at the Tote in about a month, but if you've nothing to do tonight, then sample them here for free before they become a household name amongst twenty to thirty something year old Melbourne giggoers.

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