Across the Rooftops

Melbourne Big Day Out

2008-01-29T13:38:00.000+11:00

I’m happy to say that largely thanks to a handful of great performances, smart scheduling, minimal queuing, plenty of room and an aptly named Green Stage, the 2008 Big Day Out at the Flemington Racecourses was an overwhelmingly enjoyable experience.

There were a few negatives too of course. A festival of this size, appealing to so many people in a certain age group is never going to be the perfect environment to see your favourite bands (i.e. it’s not Meredith), but I guess you just have to take what's on offer. Perhaps if I was insistent on watching acts on the main stages, then I may not have been as pleased. Fortunately enough I am seeing Arcade Fire tonight so I didn’t feel as strong a need to face the masses and the dusty discomfort for their main stage performance. I’ve never been a huge Bjork fan but avoided her also for this reason.

Other gripes included the utterly ridiculous upfront requirement to purchase at least 30 bucks worth of alcohol tokens. Security’s overly liberal use of water hoses was annoying also.

Die! Die! Die!
First band on the ATR schedule was the fragile, brooding, yet surprisingly catchy New Zealanders. Despite starting at 11am, the trio ferociously tore into their set.

The lead singer jumped the barrier and joined the crowed on numerous occassions, which I guess some could find gimmicky. But to be frank, if you have the songs, you play mean and tight anyway, and the songs work with something a little unhinged, then it’s not a gimmick, its part of the charm.

Die! Die! Die! delivered their performance without even a hint of the pretentiousness perhaps expected for a band beginning at this hour on such a small stage, playing to a meagre handful of people. Brilliant.

Eddy Current Suppression Ring
One of my local favourites once again failed to disappoint. The set was made up of quite a few new songs, but if you hadn’t heard the band before it would have been very difficult to tell – such is their cohesion. And singer, Brendan Suppression is one of a kind. He’s a manic performer. Quite mental at times actually. And not in a ‘this is my stage persona’ kind of way.

While being interesting to watch, he’s also endearing. Always conscious of his command over a crowd, while at the same time appearing genuinely surprised by the reaction he and the band provokes.

Midnight Juggernauts
After a wonderful performance at Meredith, I was highly anticipating their BDO debut. Unfortunately they were a huge disappointment. Partly it was the setting. The main stage is ultimately for patrons with the most popular tastes, and to enjoy Midnight Juggernauts at the Big Day Out requires dancing among kids, which to me, feels a little strange.

The dusty surroundings didn't help either. While the Green Stage was set in one of the few lush corners of the Flemington Racecourse carpark, the mainstages were parked right in the middle of gravel, so whenever anyone moved it stirred up a huge cloud of dust.

But I think the main reason was they sounded pretty average. The thumping disco sections just weren’t loud enough. Too much drums and guitar in the mix it seemed. And Vince is pretty quiet most of the time, but was made to sound meeker than usual.

Spoon
For some reason I’ve overlooked them before, but will never again after yesterday. A perfect choice for a mid-afternoon slot while the sun shone down on the Green Stage.

Britt Daniel gave a supremely measured performance, emaphasising in a live context many of the intricate and elaborate textures buried within Spoon’s music. And not only can he play a mean guitar solo, but I didn’t quite realise how soulful they were until yesterday. To be honest, I can’t think of one other ‘indie rock’ band who would make me dance that much (The Underdog was the highlight).

It’s a shame I won’t be seeing them again on this tour, but regardless, I will definitely be digging into their back catalogue on the strength of yesterday’s performance.

Children Collide
Part grunge, part psychy Aus rock (think Gersey or Gaslight Radio) and in part sounding a bit like they are doing that post-punk revival thing, this Melbourne three piece played a relentlessly intense set on the local stage. Blasted away without even appearing to draw breath, or raise a sweat. It actually seemed remarkable that Heath and Johnny could still play their instruments the way they were throwing their bodies all over their stage.

Their music does lack a little restraint at times and it could do with a few more shades, but ATM they are awesome rock performers, and they are a young band so there is plenty of time to develop these extra elements. Look set for a big year, on JJJ at the very least.

Battles
Who said Melbourne crowds are stilted, and boring? A throbbing mosh to Atlas was one of the most surprising aspects of yesterday. To me, Battles’ incredibly complex music demands more time, space and ultimately comfortable surroundings so they didn’t quite make me react in this way. But the more bands like Battles they get along to the Big Day Out in the future, the more likely it is that I will continue to buy a ticket. Big points to Ian from Battles who played (complete with bright gold headphones) despite a broken eardrum!!!

LCD Soundsystem
I never thought I’d say this, but thank god for Rage Against the Machine. Because of the scheduling it meant that there was a decent amount of jiggling room to enjoy these critical darlings. The set was the same as Sydney BDO. All My Friends was even better than on record, and Time to Get Away – irrestibly good. I also never thought I could enjoy such monotonous lyrics before!

I’m always surprised when a seemingly electro oriented band have such an organic live setup, but LCDSS hardly rely on electronics at all in their live setup. Instead all the energy comes from the traditional heartstarters.

As expected with the Boiler Room, many of the viewers didn’t appear to be fans, and because of the distance between the stage and the audience, as well as the dim lighting, there was only a minimal band v audience dynamic. But from the strength of their tight live unit, I now expect big things for Thursday night’s show.

The National @ Corner Hotel, 19/1

2008-01-20T19:24:00.000+11:00

I know when I’ve really enjoyed a gig when I cannot stop playing their music when I get home. And today, The National have been on rotation all day.

For anyone that went on Friday, the performance was very similar, the only notable difference being that the whole band (minus Matt Berninger) wearing Fitzroy jumpers during the encore. Matt explained that he had left his in his hotel, although it emerged later that because of his muscular deficiency it may have been on purpose.

The set list and its sequencing were almost the same too, but instead of All The Wine we got Wasp’s Nest. Daughters of the Soho Rights (I fucking love this song) came right before Fake Empire last night, which ended the main set on both nights. The only other change saw the encore begin with Gospel instead of Green Gloves.

But even these slight changes in the set list seemed to make for a noticeably varied alteration in tempo. All the songs they only performed on Saturday were slower. This not only focussed greater attention on the relative poignancy of these songs, but also on the songs that were already in Friday’s set. Ada was one song that sounded more delicate to me because the tempo of the whole gig had changed.

Yet, it wasn’t just the slower songs that benefited from these changes. While there were similar renditions of all the songs that were repeated on both nights , the harder edged songs, Abel and Mr November sounded more frantic, more emotionally disturbed because they were surrounded by a slightly more varied track selection.

The main difference however appeared to be a better mix. For starters, it was welcomed that the drums were clearer, but it was themarkedly more lucid guitars that made the most difference to me . The Dessner brothers’ occasional short sharp blasts of feedback demanded attention on Saturday instead of floundering within a muddy mix on Friday.

So, while Friday night may have hinted that The National were a good live band, with some very minor changes, Saturday night suggested they are perhaps much much better than this initial assessment.

The National @ Corner Hotel, 18/1

2008-01-19T12:08:00.000+11:00

(Note: - Above not from Melbourne show)

Brooklyn's The National are one of my favourite bands right now, so, at the Corner last night it was great to be able to see their first ever show in Melbourne.

A big highlight of the performance was the delivery from two of the band members. The unbridled enthusiasm of Aussie multi-instrumentalist Padma Newsome was a joy to watch, irrepressibly devoting his efforts into two keyboards, as well as frenzied violin solos.

Also great was the impenetrably intense delivery from Matt Berninger, always impassioned - even to the point of delirium with his on-stage stumbling, and off-stage excursion during Abel reminding the audience that his ‘mind’s not right’.

The setlist was pretty much split between Alligator and Boxer, with the only exception being the final song of the encore. There were some regular peaks within songs that were quite inspiring, but it was actually hard to identify a song highlight. I guess this is a testament to the band’s consistency as songwriters and performers, but also an indication that this was probably just a solid, not an outstanding show.

It seemed a rawer, rockier performance than I’d imagined . This was to be expected to some of the angrier and more emotionally confused tracks of Alligator, but I’d imagined a touch more variety. I'd envisioned more meticulous, restrained renditions of songs such as Slow Show or Fake Empire.

I also didn’t think the sound seemed quite right. It didn’t seem loud enough (which was a bit at odds with the rawness of the show), and the mix seemed too heavily balanced in favour of the vocals, over everything else. Would have loved to hear more of the smooth, sharp snares.

All in all it was pretty good though, and I’m really looking forward to be seeing them again tonight.

It is worth also mentioning Deloris, who put in a great performance as main support. Energy, catchy tunes, guitar feedback. I kinda forgot them when I mentioned that list a few weeks ago about local stuff, cheap and live.

Sufjan Stevens @ The Forum, 16/1

2008-01-17T15:54:00.000+11:00

Like so many others, I dig Come on Feel The Illinoise. It’s bold and imaginative album. Quirky yet complex. A broad thematical and emotional scope but never too dense. At times playful, hopeful, sincere as well as chilling. A thoroughly engaging listen. (For some reason, I have never got around to hearing any of his other records)

A songwriter with such a grandiose vision is always going difficult to replicate in the live arena. However, after the assessments coming out of the Sydney blogosphere, it looked like Sufjan had done exactly that.

Unfortunately my assessment of his debut Melbourne show at the Forum last night failed to concur with the overwhelmingly positive feedback from my fellow bloggers. A noble attempt at majesty – no doubt, but one that felt a little flat in its execution.

The visual design of the show was commendable. A somewhat stimulating video presentation, vibrant colourful costumes, and, a highlight being an extravagant hula hooper on one of the tracks (2 hula hoopers if you include Sufjan!). Admittedly it did appear a little bit on the cheap side, and with so many performers on stage, this made it feel a little bit like a community group (or, dare I say it, a church group), design and performance. But this definitely worked in its favour. Too slick and it would have detracted from the honest offbeat qualities of his music.

But, I just don’t think there was the performance to match.

Apart from some movement from his female pianist and bass player, Sufjan’s band, for the most part, gave a very rigid performance.. Many of them acted like session musos, the only quirk being they were dressed up.

They sounded OK, but it seemed a bit dull. No songs or notes hit me the way I hoped. There were some abstract diversions but the performance wasn't as passionate as the wildly inventive music required, and much of the band performed as if reading off sheets of music.

Sufjan himself tried hard, and that was appreciated. From his interaction with the audience many of earlier songs clearly emerged as an escape from poverty - the introduction to Seven Swans recalled Sufjan growing up, at the same time powerfully and whimsically conveying the lack of options when poor, as well as subtly indicting his nation’s treatment of those in that situation.

But Sufjan always felt awkward as a performer, never quite displaying the comfort in himself, nor the control perhaps expected as the leader of such a large band, playing such huge and ambitious music.

Later in the show he admitted that it was a humiliating experience performing live and when he said that I felt quite empathetic. So much is expected of an artist who releases good music to come out a deliver a live performance that matches the record, and with the full band, the lights, the costumes etc. he was definitely aware of the expectations and tried to meet them.

So, points for putting in a big effort, and most people seemed to go away pleased. (Of course I did hear the obligatory ‘best gig eva’ remark on leaving), but it fell short of my expectations. With an artist as talented as him, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. He does set the bar very high.

Looking Back Down Low

2008-01-16T15:15:00.000+11:00

Last week I went along to the first (?) instalment of the Don’t Look Back series in Australia – Low performing their sombre and eerie master piece, Things We Lost In The Fire

I don’t propose to review this show, because, well, I just wasn’t in the frame of mind to fully absorb their rather morose musings. For one it was Friday night. Low seemed better suited when you’ve got the midweek blues, rather that euphoric Friday night feeling. Secondly, I had a shithouse sleep the night before for some reason. Thirdly, well, I should have known it wasn’t the best preparation but I had already indulged in some post-work celebrations. So even though they were sounding hauntingly beautiful, after about 30 minutes my mind began to wander.

So, that’s enough of that, this post wasn’t supposed to be about my Friday night sleepiness…

The real reason was the format, and I’m going to have a bit of a whinge. We didn’t get any dialogue about the album, the input from different musicians, the motivation behind the songs, the development of the songs, quirky anecdotes, album themes, etc, etc.

Nothing.

It was all a bit disappointing. I thought the whole reason for this Don’t Look Back series was to focus on a single record, and in doing so celebrate the album format, and provide some observations about what makes a disc of 10 or 12 songs such a great piece of work. Hardly seems like a celebration if they don’t even mention it. They even launched into to a few songs from other albums straight after they finished Things.

While I’m likely to go and see any band play an album in full if I really dig it, to get the most out of this concept, there needs to be more interaction, more explanation. Otherwise it just seems as though you’re watching a live rendition of the album. Which, in itself is fine as a purely nostalgic (or marketing) exercise, but not one that provides any particular interesting insights about the creative process.

Favourite Melbournian Albums in 2007

2008-01-12T12:00:00.000+11:00

While everyone else seemed to compile their best of 2007 lists before the year had even finished, I thought I would actually wait until the year finished so I could listen to few more local albums in the chance that they might make this highly subjective listing of albums whose release dates (for these purposes at least!) fell within a rather arbitrarily chosen 12 month period. Turned out I didn't listen to much else.

Anyways, here it is...Apologies to all those artists whose albums I didn't actually hear as well as those who released EPs that were also enjoyable (Actor/Model, and You Will Die Alone immediately come to mind here). Long live the album format!

1. Art of Fighting - Runaways
[web][myspace]

2. Midnight Juggernauts - Dystopia
[web] [myspace]

3. International Karate - More Of What We've Heard Than We've Ever Heard Before
[web] [myspace] [ATR comments]

4. Wagons - The Curse of Lightning
[web] [myspace]

5. New Estate - Is This Real?
[web] [myspace] [ATR Comments]

6. Pikelet - Pikelet
[myspace] [ATR Comments]

7. The Smallgoods - Down on the Farm
[myspace]

8. The Small Knives - Rain on Tin
[myspace] [ATR Comments]

9. Devastations - Yes, U
[web] [myspace]

10. Love Of Diagrams - Mosaic
[web] [myspace]

Pat.

Live in Melbourne '07

2008-01-01T16:21:00.000+11:00

Favourite Performances

!!! @ Golden Plains

Restless disco fun with a sexy, rhythmic and devastating percussion assault.

Bob Dylan @ Rod Laver Arena

Could barely see the man, but he played superbly.

Daft Punk @ Myer Music Bowl

Yes, it was a light show, but a damn fine light show.

Dan Kelly and the Alpha Males @ Northcote Social Club

Final show with the Alpha Males. Let's hope Dan returns to the live stage soon.

Eddy Current Suppression Ring @ Meredith

Hot Chip @ Prince Bandroom

I missed their BDO sideshow because it clashed with Joanna Newsom @ The Forum (That show just missed this list), but was fortunate enough to have another chance to see them.

M Ward @ The Corner

Two encores at this New Years Day gig. Great tunes, masteful guitarist, twin drum assault.

Midnight Juggernauts @ The Espy, Meredith

Lots of sweaty bodies but played a pulsating early morning set on Australia Day Eve. Also impressed at Meredith.

Patty Griffin @ Athenaueum

Perfect venu for an amazing voice.

Whomadewho @ Prince Bandroom

The Prince was only half full for this Sunday night gig in early March, but three middle aged Danes in skeleton costumes treated the crowd to an hour of thumping electro rock.
....................................................................................

Top 10 Locals for Under 15 Bucks

At the end of '07 these bands still charge only very small amounts to see them play, but all are super live performers.

The Basics
Children Collide
Eddy Current Suppression Ring
Little Red
The Lucksmiths
Mountains in the Sky
My Disco
The Nation Blue
SubAudible Hum
Wagons

....................................................................................

Most Disappointing

The Shins @ Metro

They played OK, but mostly went through the motions. Venue was too large for their relatively simple tunes and straightforward delivery. Crap sound.

Wilco @ Palais

First gig on their world tour was a bit underwhelming. Sounds like they improved by the time they went up to Sydney. Fingers crossed for a better show when they return in March this year.
.....................................................................................

Worst Performances

Camera Obscura @ Northcote Social Club

Sound was near perfect, but the band were completely disinterested. Tracyanne Campbell failed to raise a smile for the entire show.

The Slits @ Golden Plains

Oh dear!

Teenager @ Bootleg

Lead singer Nick Littlemore was a little too affected by substances to deliver any sort of commendable performance.

Pat.

Built to Spill @ The Corner, 29/12

2007-12-31T15:38:00.000+11:00

Having been a fan of winding fractured indie guitar stalwarts Built to Spill for some years, I was highly anticipating their first visit to Australia.

Their tour Australia kicked off with a show at the Corner on Saturday night. And did it live up to expectations???? Well, kind of.

It was a decent measured performance from the veteran quintet but perhaps a little inconsistent, displaying not only their mind blowingly brilliant yet splintering catchiness but also their sometimes overly introspective jam band tendencies.

Goin Against Your Mind was a major highlight early, the powerful rising ebb n flow dynamic energy accentuated after the band opened with three of their sharper, poppier numbers. Made Up Dreams was a perfect chaser.

The middle section however sagged a bit. It was probably to be expected with such a long set (approx 2 hours) in such heat, playing their intense meandering tunes but I wonder if meaty versions of Some or Mess With Time would have jolted me back into consciousness. In fairness to the band, the momentum wasn’t helped by some technical difficulties and the passing out of a dude down the front, both of which appeared to drag out the pauses between songs.

The band recovered their panache to end superbly with two of their best tracks, Conventional Wisdom and Carry the Zero, but the encore was a major disappointment. Randy Described Eternity started off in a blast but ended up floating around for far too long in improvised limbo.

Earlier in the evening, The Crayon Fields played OK, and it was great to hear previews of some of their new tracks, but, at the moment they are too shy to be a successful live act in front of such a large audience.

Gareth Liddiard, was his laconic, slurred yet intense self, sitting down and playing The Drones’ tracks solo over on the side stage. Unsurprisingly he could barely be seen or heard above the chatty and somewhat muscular crowd.

Meredith '07

2007-12-27T15:41:00.000+11:00

Now that I'm all rested up and all Christmas committments are complete, it's time to start delivering the noos from the rooves.

Firstly, while you folks are probably starting to look ahead to Golden Plains, I'm going to reflect on Meredith just past. Once again, it was a great weekend, and kudos again to the organisers for putting together a great lineup. Could have done with a tad more variety in the acts, and perhaps a reshuffle of the scheduling, but these are ultimately just minor criticisms.

Here's a few thoughts on every band I saw on the Friday and Saturday. Sorry there's no pics folks.

Lady Strangelove
Heavy stoner-psych in the mould of Wolf n Cub but only with more instrumental and tangential diversions. Still relentlessly loud though, and also not that interesting

Black Pony Express
My first time seeing this dark soulful and textured country sextet, and I was impressed. One of the unexpected pleasures of the weekend.

Ned Collette
Still can’t seem to enjoy his new approach. Many of the songs just seem to meander into nowhere, and with his dry soothing delivery, it was a weird choice for this timeslot. Would have been better suited to Sunday morning.

The Galvatrons
Ridiculously tight eighties synthy hair rock seemed to appeal to many, but after enjoying them early in the morning at Roxanne several months ago, my opinion has changed. If it's a joke then i'd prefer and see a comedy show. If they're serious then they have a limited lifespan with this type of music.

Dr Dog
I find their songs overly derivative, but I was expecting a fun, wacky and flowery performance that would overcome their deficiencies. Unfortunately it wasn’t quite there. Not as much energy as I hoped, the sound was boomy and the lead singer’s voice screeched and grated a little.

Eddy Current Suppression Ring
Admittedly I was pretty drunk at this stage but I had a crazy time up the front during this set. My highlight of the festival.

Crystal Castles
Lead singer Alice Glass had wonderful stage presence with her punk attitude, sultry pouting and bouncy energy. Like Yeah Yeah Yeahs had discovered electro. Unfortunately there was a bit of crowd inertia which suggested I was one of only a handful of admirers.

Devastations
Great way to kick off Saturday. Disturbed and seedy new sound was complemented perfectly by Conrad’s sleazy shoulder roles and hip movements. Guitarist Tom Carylon was a monster with the effects pedals. The squawking sprawling Rosa, a perfect closer.

Little Red
Fun as always with drummer Taka even cheerier than usual, mounting the drum kit for a joyous clapping routine, and some onstage dancing. Unsurprisingly they managed to win the crowd over with their enthusiasm, despite a few too many dud notes. Some of the new tracks sounded a bit too much like commercial R&B though.

The Black Lips
As with any fucked up rock band, the music was loud, raw and scuzzy. And then of course there was the confronting, and weird white trash rock n roll performance from this reportedly intelligent garage group involving vomit, blood, saliva and even a bandmate pash. Unlike anything I've seen before.

Andrew WK
I didn’t get close enough to the stage for this one, but simple themes combined with non-existent poetry, hair metal, elementary keyboard ability, and wacky interpretative dance isn’t just my thing. Maybe I just need to learn a little about L.O.V.E and instead just party party party?

Art Brut
Despite his obvious lack of vocal talent, Eddie Argos confirmed his reputation as one of the most dominant and witty front men around. The whole performance was really fun too, although at times it was over engineered so it was slightly irritating. Would have been great to get more vocals into the mix too to hear those deliciously ironic lyrics.

Midnight Juggernauts
Mysterious, sparkling disco stomp was rocked for this performance. Barely a still moment and more crowd interaction from Vince Juggernaut than I've ever seen before. One can only imagine the reaction if they had a later timeslot on Saturday.

Cut Copy
Started off quite flat, but hit their stride towards the middle of their set. Their fashionable synth washes over me fairly quickly but I still enjoyed them and were much better than in their Thursday night support set for Daft Punk. It must have been hard for them after the Juggernauts rocked the Amphitheatre earlier in the evening

The Gossip
Beth Ditto is, of course a great performer, but apart from her on-stage presennce, I didn't like them that much. Her ranting was quite tedious, and the music didn't seem to have much variation. A disappointing end to the night's live acts after Muscles was a late cancellation.

Pat.

Return to the Rooftops

2007-11-27T14:06:00.000+11:00

Hi folks

Thanks for those who left the kind comments on the post below. It’s nice to feel missed.

Just to confirm, it’s unlikely the weekly gig preview will continue. The prep time was just a little too long each week. Damn hard too writing anything original and interesting about the same bands when they play week after week.

BUT don’t fret ladies and gents, ACROSS THE ROOFTOPS IS NOT DEAD. We’ve just been taking a wee lil' break so, when we muster up our combined creative forces and get our shit together then we'll start posting again. Look forward to festival reviews and some end of year theorising over the coming months.

Yours

Pat and Dave (The Rooftoppers)

Love Of Diagrams - Pyramid

2007-10-23T18:24:00.001+10:00

For Dave

Bands 'n Stuff: October 17 to October 23

2007-10-17T19:00:00.000+10:00

Wednesday

The Small Knives + Ollie Brown (Art of Fighting) + Ned and the Meds
@Northcote Social Club, 8:30pm, $10

After a plug a couple of days ago for their new record, here’s a chance to catch The Small Knives live. Surely you haven’t anything better to do on a Wednesday?

Spider Vomit residency + The Ancients + Kill Boogie
@The Tote, 8pm, $6

Thursday

The Dead South + Sailors and Swine + Screwtop Detonators + Hate Club
@Ding Dong, 8pm, $6

Sailors and Swine have an EP out soon which I’m looking forward to, so do the Dead South who actually sound a bit similar to the Swine. Perhaps a bit like Tom Waits meeting The Birthday Party?

Nick Murphy with Shylo + Downhills Home
@Northcote Social Club, 8:30pm, $10+bf

Stop.Drop.Roll - Albert's Basement Fundraiser
Combover + Look! Bird Lament + Morning and the Sleepy Kids + E-Wah Lady
@Glasshouse, 8pm, $5

Friday

Light Says Solo EP Launch + Pitching Woo + Little Star + Charge Group (NSW)
@The Tote, 8:30pm, $10

The spacey, melancholic Light Says Solo features Dan Brownrigg who has produced a couple of International Karate albums and also provided on a few tracks. Emmy Heenings wrote a nice piece about Charge Group in the latest edition of Mess and Noise, which has me interested in them. Charge Group also have a gig at Gertrudes on Saturday if you can't make it.

Mia Dyson + Epicure
@The Corner, 8:30pm, $20+bf

Saturday

Aleks and the Ramps + Charge Group (NSW) + Oliver Mann
@Gertrudes, 8pm

Des Miller (NSW) + Owls of the Swamp + Retail Fireworks
@The Empress, 8pm

Only local gig of this brief visit from this highly regarded Sydney indie singer-songwriter

house party
Bang! Bang! Aids! + Macaca Mulatta + Femur + Spun Rivals
@38 Stafford St Abbotsford, 5pm

The Panics + Whitley + Oh Mercy
@Northcote Social Club, 8:30pm, $17+bf

The Panics have a new album out, Cruel Guards. It’s in their typical brooding and laconic style, but a more lush affair than their last record, Sleeps Like A Curse. I expect fans of The Panics will be very pleased.

Support also from Dew Process labelmate Whitley, who also impressed me with his album launch a few weeks back at the Toff. While he was let down a bit by a rowdy Friday night crowd, the music sounded pretty good with a full band (particularly The Submarine) and Whitley himself possessed a healthy dose of charisma, which suggest he will charm many an audience in the future.

This trio of acts are also playing to a sold out Friday night crowd.

Princess One Point Five + Registered Nurse + Alex Jarvis
@Palookaville, 9pm, free

A Pharmacy Records showcase.

Primitive
The Unheard (NSW) + Witch Hats + Frowning Clowns
@The Tote, 9pm, $10

Also a show at The Town Hall in North Melbourne for the headline act.

Weekender
International Karate + My Empires
@Ding Dong, 9pm, $10

This gig also doubles as a Klaxons afterparty so if you're averse to neu-ravers then it might be an idea to head elsewhere after a stellar set from International Karate.

Sunday

Bulls residency
@Old Bar, 7pm, free

Ce Garage La Country
The Palenecks + James McCann's Dirty Skirt Band + The Great Apes + Jacky Winter + Danny Griffith (SubAudible Hum)+ The Auralees + Matt Kulesza (Good Intentions)+ Shombi Rumbla
@The Tote, 3pm, $10

McCann and his Skirts are a good live act with their raw Australiana. Bombastic and druggy psych glammers, The Great Apes are a quite a bit of fun too. Make sure you get in early for the bbq. Last time I went to a Sunday barbie and gig at the Tote. they were in a bit stingy on the snags.

The Small Knives - Smoke and Ribbons

2007-10-15T20:00:00.000+10:00

I really enjoyed The Small Knives’ first record, Rain on Tin, released in 2004 through Candle. It’s a familiar bunch of slow, sad, earthy, but notable tunes - not only for some uncomplicated yet gorgeously sweet and tender melodies (see Flashlight, Paper Wings, Hardin Your Heart), but direct, personal storytelling and simple yet evocative lyrics – (‘The contour of her teardrop like a raindrop on a vine’ from Down The Line is perhaps the best example of their lyrical talents). However, despite a number of strong tunes, the record is a bit too stark and introspective towards the end so whenever I listen I usually avoid three out of the last four tracks.

The Small Knives latest album, Smoke and Ribbons, retains the intimacy and organic feel of Tin, but with less overall detachment, it radiates greater warmth both thematically and musically than its predecessor, Also, with a better sequencing of tracks than Rain on Tin, overall, it's a stronger record.

Some of the best moments on Smoke and Ribbons are when the Knives leave the sadness behind, and let the band go to town such as on the wonderfully rousing pair of Hey! and Easter Everywhere. Hey! sincerely recalls a lustful lovestruck adolescent (‘She takes off her green summer dress/I lie and listen to her breath) and is the closest thing to a radio friendly hit they have written to date. I’m not sure what they’re on about with the religious themed Easter Everywhere, but whatever it is, it feels quite inspiring and spirited.

It is also interesting to hear Richard Buckner’s influence on the album. Leo Mullins’ raw robust drawl and the driving metaphors in the lyrics of Turnaround are quintessential Buckner rock (There’s a window on the backseat and we’ll keep it wound down) , while the haunting closer Space and Time reflects the atmospheric yet earnest dreaminess of Buckner’s performance at the Corner earlier in the year.

Other highlights include Summer, which fondly recalls holidays of past with poetic aplomb (Underneath the mango tree/The heat all around us/We could disappear for hours), as well as the tender balladry of The Kitchen.

Smoke and Ribbons is unquestionably a thoroughly honest and affectionate record. While the Small Knives will never ever be one the coolest bands in Melbourne, after listening to this record, one would find it hard to argue they are not one of the finest.

Bands 'n Stuff: October 10 to October 16

2007-10-10T09:00:00.000+10:00

Wednesday

The Brutals + Schweinhund
@The Empress, 9pm

Band names can be deceiving sometimes. Second week of this Empress residency from this guitar pop group.

The support band features Matt Sigley of The Lovetones and singer-songwriter Marcel Borrack.

Spider Vomit + Panel of Judges + Lazy Stripper
@The Tote, 8pm,

Band names can also be quite apt. It’s the start of another Wednesday residency at the Tote from another band on the rise. This time its cathartic stoner noise quintet, Spider Vomit.

Thursday

Art of Fighting + Little Red

@Prince Bandroom, 8:30pm, $22+bf

Third local show of the year from the stunningly beautiful and melancholic Art of Fighting. I believe Peggy is singing again live, which should be reason enough to go for anyone who was thinking twice about attending this show.

Icecream Hands + Marisa Yeaman
@Manchester Lane, 8pm, $15+bf

An acoustic show from Chuck and co. It will be recorded too, so if all goes well, will be available as a release in the future.

Loene Carmen (NSW) + Gareth Liddiard + Poker Hearts
@The Toff

Raw garagey rock from Sydney singer-songwriter. Her live band includes both members of the Mess Hall which should guarantee a decent show. A solo show too from The Drones' Gareth Liddiard which is increasingly rare these days given The Drones' hectic overseas touring schedule.

Pretty Boy Crossover + Flying Scribble + ii
@Afterdark, 8pm, free

Headline show from the ambient electro duo who occassionally masquerade as two thirds of Mist and Sea.

Cmon Cmon
You Will Die Alone + Popolice + Dom
@The Evelyn, 8:30pm, $8

Two quality local acts who shouldn't need an introduction for regular readers.

Friday

The Gin Club (QLD) + Derbeyfield + Loene Carmen (NSW) + Dead Letter Chorus (NSW) + Matheson
@The Espy, 9pm, free

The second visit to Melbourne in recent months from Brisbane folkies, The Gin Club. On their last trip down South, I saw them at the Tote. On the whole they had more than a few decent atmospheric and poignant tunes, and were unquestionably the tightest band on the day. They mix vocalists a bit too which generally worked, although one guy lacked a bit of range and volume.

At their last show, The Gin Club alluded to a poor turnup at their other show at the Toff, so it looks like they’ve gone for the safe option this time – Friday night at the Espy.

Midget (NSW) + Shooting at Unarmed Men + Blacklevel Embassy
@Northcote Social Club, 8:30pm, $12+bf

Regurgitator (QLD) + I Heart Hiroshima (QLD) + New Pants (CHN)
@The Corner, 8:30pm, $22+bf

Saturday

Flying Scribble + Light Music Club + Denim Owl
@Edinburgh Castle, 8:30pm, $2

Major Major EP Launch + Foxx on Fire + Jerry Falwell and the Gentiles + Detective Social
@Pony, 9:30pm

Plastic Palace Alice + Cuthbert and the Nightwalkers (NSW) + The Rocketsmiths (QLD)
@Rob Roy

So, the Rob Roy as we know it is finishing with the owners failing to renew the lease of the current operators. Coming only months after the closure of the Spanish Club, it’s another nail in the coffin to the once flourishing Fitzroy music scene.

There’s no confirmed word on the owner’s new plans for the venue, but, based on what I've heard, its unlikely that live music is in their plans. It will make that live CD released earlier this year an interesting collector’s item.

In the final show Plastic Palace Alice, who are launching their new video featured on this blog last week. If you haven’t seen them yet, tonight might be a great place to start, cause they’re a band with an intriguing and grand sound, and it’s likely they’ll be playing to a full house tonight.

The Nation Blue + Midnight Woolf + The Currency + Delta Reds
@The Tote, 8:30pm, $10+bf

Even if you’re not into angry raucous rock, it’s hard to disagree that The Nation Blue are one of the best live acts in Melbourne with their violently intense performances. Frontman Tom engages in a bit of behind the head guitar playing action too, and I do like a bit of novelty guitar playing.

Sunday

Albert's Basement
Love Is Science Fiction + The Psuche Ensemble + Seagull + Look Bird! Lament + The Pots n Pans + A. Wallace + Suamb
@The Tote, 4:30pm, $5

I believe these fundraiser gigs are to raise money to release a compilation vinyl with some of the bands that play at these shows. I’m yet to attend one of these Albert endorsed gigs, but it seems difficult to keep up. Every gig there are another couple of acts I’ve never heard of. The Basement just keeps popping out new bands.

Laura Jean + luluc + Light Music Club
@Manchester Lane, 7pm, $8+bf

Three of Melbourne's most sombre female singer songwriters

Silver Ray + Andrew McCubbin and the Hope Addicts + Danny and Ryan (SubAudible Hum)
@East Brunswick Club, 6pm, $10

A perfect fit for a cold Sunday night. Both The Ray and Andy have new albums out too. Also, an acoustic performance from part of SubAudible Hum to round out the lineup.

Tuesday

Oh Mercy + Simon Moore + Touch Typist
@Manchester Lane, 8pm, $8

Oh Mercy have big wraps on them for a young band, with an Unearthed nomimnation last year, and also having featured in the recent Wireless Bollinger series for upcoming bands. I like what hear on their myspace. Slightly warped but catchy folky pop songs, although from what I saw live a month or two ago they still have quite a bit of room for improvement.

On the other hand, I can highly recommend Touch Typist based on my previous experiences.

Souls on Board - Where The Dance Is

2007-10-08T23:14:00.001+10:00

Is there something in the middle of those lights which I'm missing? I think I need to change the resolution on my screen. But, if my monitor isn't the problem this is the most basic video ever made... Good song though.

Bands 'n Stuff: October 3 to October 9

2007-10-03T18:00:00.000+10:00

Wednesday

The Brutals residency with Extreme Wheeze
@The Empress, 9pm, cheap

Fun lazy pop at this residency. Support from the craziest member of Aleks and the Ramps with his offbeat fractured popadelics.

Cam Butler with Mike Noga
@The Retreat, 8pm, free

Solo performances from guys better known in other bands. Silver Ray and The Drones in case you didn't know.

Thursday

Mick Turner with Fabulous Diamonds + Chris Smith
@The Toff, 8pm, $12

A mind bending ride here with Dirty Three guitarist, Mick Turner releasing his solo album. Also gothic ethereal trippiness from bro-sis duo Fabulous Diamonds, and wicked loopy guitar from Chis Smith.

Friday

Gaslight Radio + Lady Strangelove + Jarvis + The Galvatrons
@The Espy Front Lounge, 9pm, free

Perhaps your only chance to see Adelaide's Lady Strangelove before they feature at the Supernatural Amphitheatre in mid December. A reasonably diverse mix of other bands too for the Espy.

Us Vs Them
Ben Birchall and the Corrections + Mist and Sea + Mission Control + The Galvatrons
@Roxanne, 9pm

There’s been five installments of Us Vs Them so far. I’ve only been to one. Nothing to do with the lineups though. In fact quite the opposite. They always seem to book a diverse selection, which methinks is just perfect for a Friday night.

I’ve not seen anyone on the bill before. Ben Birchall seems to have slipped under my radar somehow. His new album got a few decent reviews (I saw 4/12 stars somewhere) to almost prompt me to buy it, but then there were also a few mediocre ones which swayed my decision. A good gig tonight might sway me back, so shine for me tonight Benny Boy, and a small amount of cash will be coming your way.

I also missed the Mist and Sea residency at the Toff a month ago, so it will also be good to see them. Their new album Unless is a good one with some damn fine production. Sounds like a more electronic, more mentally stable version of Mercury Rev.

Kitschy power-synth from The Galvatrons at 2am if you’re up for a dance

Saturday

Ghostwood + Bachelor of Arts + Mission Control
@East Brunswick Club, 8:30pm, $10

The fourth Melbourne gig in less than two months for this new Modular signing. Supports filled by local bands with a revived arty eighties sound including the new romanitcesque Mission Control who back up from the previous night.

Hand Hell Album Launch + Ninetynine 10th Anniversary Show + The Stabs + The Holy Rose
@The Tote, 8:30pm, $10

Souls on Board + The Gentlemen Club
@Revolver

A week or two ago after I had eagerly purchased my Built to Spill ticket for their late December gig at the Corner, I was trying to think of who would end up supporting them, and actually found it difficult to think of a local band who would suit, except perhaps, Souls on Board. Some thoughts on their EP release late last year, Blood Face can be read here.

As an aside, I didn’t realise until recently that Anthony Petrucci, the guitarist, lead singer and chief songwriter of Souls also plays guitar in Deloris, and that drummer Clint Hyndman is with Something for Kate.

Zan Rowe, better known as the host in the mornings on JJJ also appears to be DJing at this gig

The Wellingtons + Deserters + Cooper St Exit
@Rob Roy, 8:30pm

What's going on at the Rob Roy? They haven't updated their website in a month.

Young and Restless + The Amazing Phillips Sisters + Outrun
@The Evelyn, 9pm, $15

Also an underage show here in the arvo.

Sunday

Bulls residency with Brendan J Black + Night Terror Blues
@Old Bar, 7pm, free

Another good residency starting up in Fitzroy. Another Fitzroy venue without an updated website. Get with the times Fitzroy.

Sly Hats with Guy Blackman + Sir + Ned and the Meds
@Northcote Social Club, 8pm, $10

Recent European tourmates bring the show they played overseas recently to a local audience. They play a little bit of Geoff, a little bit o’ Guy, but together in the same band.

Plastic Palace Alice - Empire Falls

2007-10-01T21:35:00.001+10:00

The Sandwich Club posted this clip on Friday but it's such a damn fine track it deserves a post from us too. A launch will be held at the Rob Roy next Saturday October 13. Their debut album is currently scheduled for a release early next year.

Touch Typist

2007-09-29T12:00:00.000+10:00

Last Sunday High Vibes was confirmed to me as the most enjoyable annual music festival in Melbourne with ace performances from Wagons, SubAudible Hum, Mountains in the Sky and The Exploders. Earlier in the day at North Bazaar a small audience of early risers were also treated to great performance from Touch Typist.

Fronted by Nick Huggins, the producer of the Whitley debut which I praised last week, Touch Typist are a three piece who craft soothing cloudy ambient soundscapes which sometimes sound as if they are trapped in a spaceless weightless timewarp. The debut album (of sorts) from Touch Typist You Cannot Kiss A Laughing will be available in November through the POWWOW series, an interesting idea from Feral Media featuring ten releases from emerging independent artists. You Cannot Kiss A Laughing is the fifth release in the series.

Huggins does have a release under his own name though, Shipwreck, released through the Two Bright Lakes label. The show last Sunday seemed to interdisperse songs from this album with those posted on myspace under the Touch Typist moniker. Check 'em out if you like what you see below.

Nick Huggins - The Movie We Made

Bands 'n Stuff: September 26 to October 3

2007-09-26T20:00:00.000+10:00

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.

Farewell to Batrider

2007-09-25T09:00:00.000+10:00

After moving to Melbourne from New Zealand earlier this decade, and having released this year’s Tara (with bonus disc Pink Guitars, Yellow Stars), Batrider are moving on again - this time to London - to find further inspiration and to seek a wider audience for their primal and damaged sound.

Tonight at the Empress is their final gig in Melbourne before they leave. This will be packed so get along early if you're heading here.

Support comes from everywhere men You Will Die Alone as well as Tetrode Kink and Three Months Sunset. Doors at 8:30

This is a live performance of Drought from the Pitz in Marrickville. This track can be found on the new album.

Pitchfork does New Buffalo

2007-09-24T18:01:00.000+10:00

However silly it may be, I always feel bit proud whenever I read praise for local artists from international critics.

This time my somewhat irrational patriotic pride is due to this review for Somewhere, Anywhere, the second album from New Buffalo. As they often are in Pitchfork, it’s a well balanced and well-written review. Sally Seltmann’s profile is already on the rise thanks to the song she wrote for Feist, 1,2,3,4, and this review should provide a welcome additional boost.

Here’s Cheer Me Up Thank You , the first video from Somewhere Anywhere .

Skipping Girl Vinegar - One Chance

2007-09-22T13:05:00.001+10:00

Here's a sweet animated clip from Skipping Girl Vinegar. A cool track too - a rootsy singalong romp.

Didn't quite have time to get this into the gig guide earlier in the week, but Skipping Girl Vinegar are launching this single tonight at the Toff. Definitely worth considering along with the other couple of gigs mentioned in the earlier post.

Whitley - The Submarine

2007-09-21T09:00:00.000+10:00

As you would have noticed, most of the plugs in this blog are normally confined to our weekly gig preview, but every so often, something comes along that’s deserving of an extra special mention. So even though young singer-songwriter Whitley was previewed in yesterday's Bands ‘n Stuff, his debut record The Submarine deserves an extra plug here.

The Submarine effortlessly breezes through ten tracks of earthy and poignant folk. While it’s a relatively short record at just over half an hour, it’s such a smooth and comfortable listen that it feels much shorter than that as you become whisked away into Whitley’s intimate and presumably personal tales. I’m not too familiar with Conor Oberst’s extensive back catalogue, from what I have heard, with his bittersweet alt-folk, Whitley displays a maturity but modern pop sensibility that will no doubt prompt some inevitable Bright Eyes comparisons.

The simpler heartfelt finger-picked ballads such as I Remember and More Than Life are probably the sweetest and most memorable tracks on the record and, from what I understand, the former has (deservedly) got a fair bit of airplay on JJJ. But, it’s the arrangements on some of the other numbers that provide additional confirmation of Whitley's talent (and also suggest he has been provided with a helpful budget from Universal Music).

The folktronica elements of the record are most evident on first single Lost In Time, the airy title track, and trippy White Feather, Strange Sights. While the arrangements are soft and unabrasive, and thus unlikely to upset conservative 'alternative' tastes, they sound fresh enough and vary extensively enough to ensure The Submarine still sounds interesting with multiple plays, but maintains that high degree of intimacy and catchiness that is necessary for a gentle record to catch the attention of a national audience.

Other memorable injections of smart production arrangements (kudos to producer and engineer Nick Huggins) include the sparse plucky banjo that opens on Cheap Clothes, the wistful strings that float around at the end of Lost In Time, the deep soulful shots of ‘Hey-ya’ in A Shot To The Stars, and the pious choir in All is Whole. All weave, bind and deliver each of the tales in fresh textures that experiment and deliver beyond the beautiful yet relatively risk free steel stringed barnyard balladry of the songs in their rawest forms.

A slight downside to me though is the Jeff Buckley cover, Mojo Pin. While it’s a decent stripped back rendition, I just don’t see the point of it amongst the great original compositions. Perhaps, like Jose Gonzalez, it's there to draw in the listeners who wouldn't otherwise be buying his records.

But regardless of whether or not you averse to this cover version, it's still a fantastic debut. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a simple folk tune, but also wants to be taken into the exciting new territory that pop music occassionally offers. I think there seems little doubt that Whitley is destined for big things.

Bands 'n Stuff: September 19 to September 25

2007-09-19T20:00:00.000+10:00

Wednesday

You Will Die Alone with Popolice + Van Diemen's Band
@The Tote, 8pm, $5

I saw these guys last week, and despite a crap Wednesday night crowd, musically, they gave a reasonable performance. Their epic grungey noise-rock creates an imposing wall of sound and Predators and Villains from their debut EP sounded particularly impressive.

The mix was a little muddy though, which I guess wasn’t entirely surprising. It must be difficult to mix their songs when there are three droning unhinged guitar riffs all competing for love at the same time. Also difficult I guess given that the focus needs to be altered so frequently over the course of one YWDA song. (Disclaimer: I know nothing about mixing, so bear in mind I could be talking absolute rubbish here)

This week the support comes from Popolice (Marc Regueiro-Mackelvie, who is also of New Estate). Popolice delivers smart catchy indie pop tunes amidst a sea of fuzzy feedback and homespun instrumentation. If you haven’t heard him before check out either of his EPs, last year’s Forceback or this year’s Middle Ground. If you have to listen to only one track of his, I'd go with Be Like Me.

Pat

Thursday

The Ned Collette Band (two sets)
@ The Edinburgh Castle, 8:30pm, free

Another week, another look at The Ned Collette Experience as they continue to get their band chops together over a couple of sets up at the Edinburgh Castle. We've talked about this residency a bit, so there's not much more to say. Neddy and the boys are consummate musos and take you pretty comfortably through a good couple of hours of music, with extended full-prog-jam edits of just about everything. My one criticism is that this sometimes leads to them getting a touch carried away and losing a little focus, but it's not hard to enjoy Ned's slashing axe work over Ben and Joe's gorgeous rhythm section-cum-gig highlight underpinnings.

And I have to add: try the pork belly - it's divine.

Dave

Thousand Cuts
The Paper Scissors Album Launch with Plastic Palace Alice + Y
@Ding Dong, 8pm, $8

Sydney bloggers, A-Reminder, Polaroids of Androids and The Sandwich Club have all talked up this band at one point or another, and from what they say, it appears they are one of the best live bands in Sydney at the moment. I don’t know much about them, but recommendations from these other bloggers is enough to get me along tonight. I expect fun ‘n funky.

A couple of JJJ Unearthed acts are filling the support slots tonight. Grandiose glam noir rockers Plastic Palace Alice have been hyped up quite a bit this year, and, while I agree that they promise exciting things, it’s good to see them working hard, and playing plenty of local gigs to increasingly build their capability in a live setting.

Pat

Friday

Whitley Album Launch with Seagull + Tom Cooney
@The Toff, 9pm, $10+bf

I had the chance to see Whitley back in March when he supported Calexico, but unfortunately a Saturday afternoon session at the pub left me feeling quite snoozy, so snoozy that a wake up alarm failed to wake me from my drunken stupor. I spent fifty bucks on that ticket too. Goddammit!

After giving Whitley’s excellent debut disc The Submarine quite a few spins this week (A review will be posted later this week), I’m looking forward to see if he can be as intimate in a live setting as he is on record.

There’s also quite a range of instrumentation on the new record so I wonder by what means he will choose to deliver these effects. Will there be a band? A string section? Or just Whitley, a twelve string, a banjo and a backing tape? Has anyone seen him live before?

Support comes from local folktronicists, Seagull, and a singer-songwriter from Brisbane, Tom Cooney. A reader of this blog recently tipped us off about Tom live so it might be a good idea to get to the Toff early if you’re heading along to this gig.

Pat

Saturday

Barrage 7" Launch with You Will Die Alone + Das Butcher
@Gertrudes, 8pm, $8

Right now everyone loves Muscles, and along with recent visits to Melbourne from Yacht and Panther, drawing a fair crowd, it appears budget indie electro is taking off.

While I didn’t previously think that one guy with a microphone and some pre-programmed laptop beats would always be the most interesting live experience, Yacht certainly challenged my prior assumption with his fun and hyperactive performances here a few months ago.

Another act who fits into this categorisation is Barrage. Supporting You Will Die Alone last Wednesday, Barrage’s performance wasn’t as confident as Yacht, but he does have some similarly catchy, energetic scratchy beats. Only Only, available on his myspace is a particularly good track.

You Will Die Alone return the favour to Barrage by supporting him tonight so if your’re interested, it’s also a good chance to see them if you can’t make it to The Tote on Wednesday this week or next.

Pat

Anonymeye (with band) CD launch with Francis Plagne + Y35.3 + ii
@ The Afterdark, 8:30pm

Your fill of experimenta this week is here, at this nice little venue north on High St. Semi-unpronounceable names to start us off: first ii, filling the venue with their pedal-riding soundscapes; then Y35.3 doing a similar yet different line in loopy noise. Francis Plagne follows, the latest from Melbourne's never-ending production line of broken-pop wunderkinds, playing some tunes from his recent album - it's sweet-as in places, yet a little too unfocused to really stick with me for long. Catch his riffs and croons and make up your own mind.

And at the top, the circling country-tinged guitar of Anonymeye. This Brisbane-boy-cum-Melburnian-guitar-god is releasing a three-inch, single track recording made at the exceedingly rock-'n'-roll time of Saturday morning - hear an excerpt on his myspace. Getting all broken on both country and western, his first Melbourne show with band (the boys from ii) promises to be a mind-expanding experience, even for those who aren't stoned.

Dave

Sunday

The 7th Magnificent Annual High Vibes Festival
@High St, Northcote, from 10am, Donation Entry Fee,

High Vibes probably draws the best combination of local acts out of any festival or gig in Melbourne. And it’s all for free, with about a dozen venues throwing open their doors for the occasion.

For readers of this blog many of the musical highlights this year are likely to be found at the Regal Ballroom and of course the Northcote Social Club.

This year the Regal Ballroom will be hosting one of my favourite live bands, country rockers Wagons, who will presumably be previewing new tracks from their forthcoming third album. The lineup also includes atmospheric rockers SubAudible Hum, J-rockers British India and the pulsating dreaminess of drums and electronica from Mountains in the Sky.

Over at Northcote Social Club, Love of Diagrams will play a set late in the evening. While, earlier we get to hear from Kim Salmon’s Darling Downs, Baseball, and a dose of garagey rawness from both The Exploders and The Specimens.

There’s plenty on at other venues also, including Touch Typist at North Bazaar at 12pm. (Incidentally this is the band of Nick Huggins, the producer of the new Whitley album), Ned Collette and Tobias Cummings are back to back at Punch in the mid afternoon, while Aleks and the Ramps hit the stage at Wesley Anne at 8pm.

You can find a complete timetable of High Vibes here.

Pat

Little Red - Waiting

2007-09-17T19:22:00.001+10:00

Here's another vid from a local group. In case you haven't seen it, it's the debut video from Little Red.

Art Of Fighting - Mysteries

2007-09-15T13:43:00.001+10:00

Second single from the best local release of the year so far. This one rocks out a bit, which is a bit of a change for the normally placid group

Bands 'n Stuff: September 12 to September 18

2007-09-11T23:18:00.000+10:00

Wednesday

You Will Die Alone with Pets with Pets + Barrage
@ The Tote, 8pm, $5

The Wednesday residency at the Tote looks like the perfect slot for up and coming local bands at the moment. Little Red and Good Intentions have both previously played in this slot, while it's Spider Vomit's turn next month.

In September, You Will Die Alone are the lucky residents on Wednesdays at the Tote. A couple of months ago I praised their blistering debut EP, Duets, a triple treat of epic axe driven journeys through groundbreaking lo-fi indie rock territory. Think Built to Spill meeting Dinosaur Jr. Tonight they kick off the residency, and preview material from their forthcoming second E.P, Treasure Kingdom.

Disturbed 'n eerie drums 'n keys from Pets with Pets as support, along with the seriously talked up Barrage first up - don't miss him.

Pat

Mist and Sea with Pretty Boy Crossover
@ The Toff, 8pm, $10/$8

This is a nice, a really nice gig. We've talked up this semi-residency the last couple of weeks, so there's little more to say really. I wandered along last week and my impression of The Toff as a nice little venue wasn't altered. It wasn't packed, yet very comfortable semi-empty with tables 'n' chairs. This week's incestuous gig, with one band supporting both band members' other band (makes sense?) promises to suit the space nicely; a swirling mass of pretty sounds filling the room without blowing the roof off.

Dave

Thursday

Stop.Drop.Roll
Albert's Basement Fundraiser
It's So Fucking Great to Be Alive, Humansixbillion, Rainbow Brite, TeamYes!
@ Glasshouse, 8pm, $6

OK, so I'll come clean here. I really like what Albert's Basement do, sure; they've got their clever, whimsical little fingers in a whole lot of Melbourne's tastiest musical pies; I'll surely pick up the compilation they're fundraising for here. And TeamYes! are intriguing; their loopy, lyrical freak-folk is much more similar to the ultra-amazing Animal Collective than much on the Melbourne scene. Rainbow Brite's twee-drone is, similarly, really worthy of your attention. And It's So Fucking Great to Be Alive, apart from an evocative band name, do bent, heavy folk with aplomb.

Yeah, I'm sure they're all great.

But I'll come clean. The only reason this gig's here is because I've listened to a track called Gathering Steam about fifteen times in the last week, since I saw humansixbillion support Mist and Sea at The Toff. Peter Head's band blindsided me that night; but oh so well. Go to their website - they've been generous enough to give you, and me, a full EP; it's hyperbole to say it's one of the best releases I've heard this year but it's also true. It scratches all my indie-pop-folk itches, a little bit twee, a little bit rocking, a little bit just fucking ace. I'm not even writing any more. Just go there and listen and then go to this gig, OK?

Dave

Filla!!!
Little Red EP Launch with Spun Rivals + Carnation
@ Revolver, 8:30pm, $6

Coca Cola, Waiting, Lil' Jackie Cooper. Yep, by now, we've all seen them umpteen times so we can all sing along their material. Now's your chance to singalong on CD because Melbourne's favourite and funnest allboy doowopping harmony group are releasing their first EP. It's a UK release though (out through Parlophone spin-off, Regal Recordings), so it won't make it into stores. But if you're like me and not really keen on journeying across the River for this gig, I'm sure given their hectic gig schedule there'll be plenty of opportunities to pick up a copy at another show. Try the East on Saturday perhaps. Otherwise, a national tour with Art of Fighting is next on their agenda.

Pat

The Ned Collette Band (two sets)
@ The Edinburgh Castle

Pat wrote last week about ol' baby-face Collette, and I can only agree with his words. The new single, The Country With a Smile, is frankly stunning; the gorgeous, smooth seventies synth layered throughout is magic, yet kept restrained so it never wears out its welcome. The song far surpasses anything on his impressive yet kinda patchy and monotonal debut album.

And it's a whole different gig these days, to see Neddy with band as opposed to just with trusty loop pedal. They sounded sweet in that nice room upstairs at Gertrudes in their first public outing together, though they hadn't yet gelled, and I expect they're gonna be a fair bit smoother and more compelling with practice. He's gonna be back overseas soon enough; see him now while you can.

Dave

Friday

Talamere with Light Music Club + Look Bird! Lament
@ Afterdark, 8pm

All manner of low-key singer-songwriter stuff going on this night at the Afterdark, as befits its couches-and-beer feel and semi-suburban location. I don't know Look Bird! Lament, but their myspace stuff reveals some impressively assured low-key production under classic sad-bastard vocal stylings. Worth turning up on time for this one, I reckon.

And you definitely won't want to miss Light Music Club, in the middle slot. Zoe Jackson's semi-divine voice and clean-yet-not-disposable classically-tinged piano lines are worth stopping your conversation for. You're gonna have to listen to Song for Sunday and just try, try your hardest not to be charmed.

And at the nominal top of the bill, another charming female voice, though a completely different one. Talamere - Vic Roberts - has a breathy contralto and simple guitar lines that are much more than a simple sum of their parts would suggest, as with all real songwriters. She draws you straight into her morose, shadowy world and lets you out, begrudgingly, leaving a pleasing tinge of melancholy. Good fun, in a perverse way.

Dave

Saturday

The Small Knives album launch with Sly Hats
@ The Toff, 8:30pm, $10

The Small Knives are criminally underrated in this town. Straight up and down calm n gentle acoustic country pop it is, but they've a penchant not just to write a beautiful melody but a memorable hook as well. Top it off with Leo Mullins' voice which has great pitch and carry and you have the makings of one of the most accomplished bands in Melbourne. No on stage theatrics in their live show because, well, they all seem like pretty sensible guys, but Mullins is a passionate singer and their live sound is very tight.

This show is launching their second record, Smoke and Ribbons. While I'm yet to hear it, they did preview several of the new tracks in their support for Deloris a few weeks back. The rousing Hey can be found on their myspace, while another track sounded very Buckneresque.

Introverted DIY Calypso-ish pop from Sly Hats as the only support in his first trip back to Aus after a brief international tour.

Pat

Silver Ray album launch (2 sets) with Oliver Mann
@ NSC, 8:30pm, $12+bf

Luscious rich and rambling instrumental rockers Silver Ray are launching their fourth album tonight, Homes For Everyone. So far there's been almost universal praise for this record. While my final judgement of this record will unravel to myself after future listens, at this stage I can say that it is undoubtedly a pleasant and relaxing record with no shortage of beautiful compositions, and one that I can recommend.

Start off the evening in the company of operatically enhanced solo artist Oliver Mann.

Pat

Wireless Bollinger '10 Bands to Watch' Showcase with Downhills Home + Little Red + Hot Little Hands + Good Intentions + Oh Mercy
@ The East, 8:30pm, $12+bf

A few months back local e-mag Wireless Bollinger published a series entitled '10 Bands to Watch' where ten up and coming Australian indie artists were featured. Tonight, five bands featured in the series audition their credentials together in front of an always criticial Melbourne audience.

Despite the series' heavy Melbourne bias, and a couple of questionable selections amongst the group, as a whole they made some good choices, and the series was a very well written and interesting insight into the motivating forces driving these bands, and some of their key members. It was very surprising to read that Matt Kulesza, lead singer and songwriter of Good Intentions is only 20 years old!

Tonight Byrsdian/early Wilco influenced country rockers Downhills Home head the lineup, with poptacular percussiony goodness from Good Intentions and the effervescent Little Red amongst the great local lineup.

Pat

Shooting at Unarmed Men album launch with Actor/Model + A Friend of Mine + The Jacks
@ The Tote, 9pm, $12

Look, I have to say. I think Shooting at Unarmed Men are this year's My Disco, for me. Both bands are good, even great, in the live setting. They can hold a room and really tear up a stage; different methods to that end, admittedly, but with plenty of similarities in volume and intensity. But. Last year's My Disco album, Cancer, failed to impress me. It just didn't get that volume and intensity, sounding flat and empty on disc. And I think the same has happened to Shooting at Unarmed Men. Their new disc, Triptych, has frankly annoying packaging (three EPs for twelve tracks? why not one LP?) and seems to alternately grate and bore - sometimes, in a feat, both at the same time.

Look, that sounds a bit harsh, and that's why ya gotta go to this gig to prove me wrong. It really hasn't struck a chord with me but I'm probably wrong. Supports here are good: Actor/Model's synth-punk is very good onstage; A Friend of Mine do a really good job of melodifying their heavy riffs and subterranean groove; and I haven't really heard The Jacks but their pacy garage-rock promises good things. It will be a great gig; I'm just not yet certain about the album that causes it to exist.

Dave

Bands 'n Stuff: September 5 to September 11

2007-09-04T10:54:00.000+10:00

Wednesday

Mist and Sea with Humansixbillion @ The Toff in Town, 8pm, $10/$8

Another week of the Mist and Sea residency of course means another support. Tonight the inclusion on the bill is Humansixbillion who, as mentioned a couple of weeks ago, has crafted the soundtrack for the new Aussie comedy Burke and Wills. They're a quirky folk group offering layers of verbose, intricate but rough edged pop songs. Download an EP from them online.

And, tonight is also of interest because it’s at the the most topical live music in town, The Toff. There’s been a massive whingefest over on M+N recently about all things Toff. While, there’s no doubt a night at the Toff is a more expensive night out if you’re a drinker, and that the place is a bit pretentious, IMHO the positives far outweigh the negatives. Not only is the sound system sweet, but you can see the band from anywhere in the bar and there’s always a spare table and chairs for the quieter gigs. I think its opulence also adds some extra variety to the Melbourne scene amidst the plethora of grittier venues like Pony, The Tote and Old Bar. Here to stay, I hope.

Pat

Thursday

The Ned Collette Band @ Edinburgh Castle, 8pm, two sets

Tonight, Ned and band begin their first stint at their Thursday residency at the Edinburgh Castle. Here, for every Thursday in September (for free!) they will be refining their live show before their new record, Future Suture, is released through Dot Dash later this month.

If you want to preview something off this record head to the myspace to hear new single The Country With A Smile. As you would expect, now Ned is with band, the new song sounds less like home studio recording than his previous efforts and is much stronger rhythmically. It still features Ned's throaty vocals at the forefront, but for this track at least, he is backed with a sleek and sparkly synth!

We’re not planning to branch out into culinary reviews at ATR but from personal experience I can also say they do some great meals at the Edinburgh too so having a counter meal is also definitely worth considering if you're heading along to this gig.

Pat

Andrew McCubbin and the Hope Addicts album launch with Black Pony Express + Nathan Hollywood @ NSC, 8:30pm, $12

Andy McCubbin and his supergroup are launching their third album, Blue, a really good record full of deep, dark alt-country; summoning up real painful emotions just the way it's supposed to. From the Nick Cave-esque title track to, even, an obscure David Bowie cover, they wander through some desperate, dangerous territory filled with longing and unease. And notably supporting is the ever-wonderful Black Pony Express, a band who stalk similar themes with gusto - their album, Love in a Cold Place, was one of my favourites of last year. If that's what you feel like on a Thursday night then you've got to get down to Northcote and wallow in these exquisite depths.

Dave

Friday

East Timor Youth Fundraiser feat. Magic Dirt + Young and Restless + Cockfight Shootout + A Death in the Family + A Friend of Mine @ Collingwood Town Hall, all ages, 5pm

This is third all ages benefit gig for East Timor' s youth to be hosted at the Fitzroy Town Hall in recent months.

While Magic Dirt are the headliners for this gig, I'm sure many will be getting along to see Young and Restless. Karima Udomo, the petite and stylish frontwoman of Young and Restless has got a great ability to capture an audience’s attention from the pure power of her performance. Their music's not my thing, but Udomo certaintly can hold an audience's gaze as she screams her way through her fierce and angry chick routine.

Pat

Clinkerfield album preview with The Idle Hoes + The Orbweavers + Crystal Thomas @ The Tote, 8:30pm, $12, free CD to first 200 payers

We've talked up Clinkers round here before. The constantly mutating group play a really solid brand of blues-country-folk-rock, behind the one constant - Jimmy C. A frontman par excellence, you know the set's heating up when Jimmy strips down to his bluey and moves from drawling whisky-soaked confidences to belting hoarse rock screams. These guys really are the kings of Melbourne's alt-country scene, and as this is their last gig for a few months, get down to see them this week. Supports, The Orbweavers especially, are no slouches either.

Dave

Us vs Them feat. Witch Hats + Children Collide + Pets With Pets @ Roxanne, 9pm, $10

Us vs Them just keep on getting the top-notch lineups. This'll be a rollicking, dirty night. The openers seem a little out of place, with their Casio keys, but I'm sure they'll get into the spirit. And then there's the brutally rocking Children Collide. Watch in awe as the drummer breaks large pieces of his kit; squeal at the bass player prowling like a well-coiffed animal; marvel at the dirty grunge guitar, straight outta Seattle. And most of all, move your hips.

And then be ready, coz Witch Hats are a whole nother thing. Their EP was one of the best releases of last year and their new album is set to be the same of this. It's a hard sound to describe; I mean, yeah, there's the Birthday Party influence I guess, but I'm not that familiar with those guys. Let's just say that Witch Hats are bluesy and rocky and swampy and, most of all, completely unhinged. Just wait for the line "I'll have a kick with yer kids if they're not too buggered" and try not to shiver - even if you ain't got no kids. Fun for the whole family. Except the kids, obviously.

Dave

Saturday

My Disco + Love of Diagrams + ninetynine + The Stabs @ Trades Hall, all ages, 8pm, $15

Grinding jerky industrial art-rockers My Disco are one of the best live acts in this country right now. Musically, they are dynamic, confrontational, nihilistic and painfully intense. Texturally they can be quite repetitive also, but their brief sets mean they never approach the boundaries of tedium. Brevity equals maximum impact. It is also a joy to watch a band reach perfect syncrhonicity. No missed notes. No weak links. Tonight is a great chance for underagers to see what live music is all about.

Of course its also a chance for us overagers to see them before they're heading to the States to record their next album. Their only other gigs before they leave are supporting Battles, which if you're unfortunate not to get a ticket, are sold out.

Excellent supports for this gig too.

Pat

Cut Off Your Hands with teenagersintokyo + World's End Press + Spun Rivals @ The Tote, 8:30pm, $10

Buzzy and shrill new wave Kiwi guitar poppers Cut Off Your Hands impressed all with their fun and energetic performance at the Laneway Festival back in February. After releasing one EP as The Shaky Hands, they were forced into a name change, where they have since been signed by Levity (a label owned by Levi Jeans) and subsequently released an EP, which got a huge wrap by Mathieson over at Mess and Noise.

Tonight their fashionable indie sounds are on at The Tote, supported by another group of new wave revivalists who also have been talked up by M+N, teenagersintokyo. It's an interesting choice of venue for these two groups. Before i don't think there would have ever been a mass exodus from The Tote heading to Click Click.

Completing the supports tonight are two local groups. World's End Press are up the experimental end of the new wave revival. They have a new single out, Cause and Effect. Brtipop tinged garage rockers, Spun Rivals, are another young band who will be releasing material in the coming months.

Pat

The Inches single launch with Plastic Palace Alice + Kamikaze Trio @ NSC, 8:30pm, $10

Travel back to the late 70s with the glitter, glam and power chords of The Inches. Can't say I would get along to this gig based on what I've heard of the headlining act. But, some great supports with the emerging grandeur from Plastic Palace Alice, and pulsating sonic fuzz of Kamikaze Trio.

Pat

Sunday

Touch Typist + The Psuche Ensemble + Shiver Like Timber (QLD) + Patinka Cha Cha @ Irene's Warehouse, 5 Pitt St, Brunswick, 6pm - 10pm, free

To recover from your long, long weekend, and to take your mind off APEC, you've got to have a look at this, the most interesting gig of the week. Touch Typist is really the headline here; a young man named Huggins who writes some cracking indie-pop tunes and then twists them a little sideways, just enough to keep it moving; quite similar to Mist and Sea in some ways, but less dreamy. The others are less obvious, but keep to the low-key folky bent vibe, judging from the little I've heard of them. There will, at some stage in the evening, be a harp on stage, which is fun and important. A quiet, simple way to close the weekend.

NOTE: Venue change from Shingles, which apparently no longer exists, to Irene's Warehouse. Lineup no change. Prognosis still ace.

Dave

Bands 'n Stuff: August 29 to September 4

2007-08-28T10:48:00.000+10:00

Wednesday

Mist and Sea with Sir @ The Toff in Town

Mist and Sea have an open relationship. Vince, after all, used to get around as Underground Lovers, the defunct dreampop pioneers; and is now also with an interesting project called Raining Ropes. Jason and Cailan are Pretty Boy Crossover, sometimes even with Vince; but are non-exclusive, as they also gad about in places like School of Two and Mystery Twin. Spreading the love, I guess.

Good for us, though, regardless of the health implications. We get a good little album like Unless, and a strange three-week residency at The Toff; the first time they've done this since opening six months ago. It's a nice venue (despite the booze prices), with a gorgeous sound system well suited to trio's sound; layered, dreamy, but with Vince's soaring vocals indie-popping the folktronic swirl. Have a listen to Gestapo, at their myspace. Track of the month, at least.

And then there's Sir (Jesse Shepherd). Possibly the funniest man in Melbourne music, or the most heartbroken. Or both? On new record The Brando Room his dour, funereal and sleazy Lynchian chants charter the territory of a middle aged divorcee with the dry wit of a seasoned comic. Shephered delivers some killer lines but like any good black comedy, at its heart the material is so goddam depressing you have to question yourself whether it is really that funny.

Dave + Pat

Friday

Baseball with Kes + Bang! Bang! Aids! @ Northcote Social Club

I’ll be upfront at the start. I’m not a fan of anything that could be described as hardcore. Not that I despise it or anything. Just never felt the need to attend a gig, or wouldn’t really know when I would listen to it. Maybe when I’m really pissed off...? (Am I stereotyping too much here???)

But I am a big fan of the new Pikelet record, and as you probably know, the woman behind Pikelet, Evelyn Morris drums in some hardcore bands. One of which is Baseball, who have just returned to Melbourne after a couple of months in Europe and the USA.

I’m unlikely to start becoming a Baseball fan because of Evelyn Morris. Clearly that would taking fandom into the realm of obsessive. But, the contrast in styles between her musical projects is so significant it’s almost enough to get me along to this gig. Is she as placid as she is in her Pikelet persona, or does Baseball transform her into an angry and ferocious snare smasher?

Loopy and fracturured avant-garde psych from Kes and screamy art-rock from Bang! Bang! Aids! as support.

Pat

The Double Agents with The Ukeladies + Schvendes (WA) + Mike Noga and his Gentlemen of Fortune @ The Tote

If you're not into that other weak indie rubbish, rock it up at The Tote with this one. Bring your mates, your girl, your ole man, your hick cousins from the bush. If they like their Friday night tunes raw and dirty they'll all love it. A bit country, a bit soul, a bit punk, a bit garage, but at its heart The Double Agents just play cranking and rollicking Stonesy rock n roll. Tonight they'l be launching a single of their new album Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time.

Pat

The Lovetones (NSW) + Belles Will Ring (NSW) with Jarvis @ East Brunswick Club

One of my favourite live performances from an Aussie band this year has been Belles Will Ring @ The Toff just over a month ago. Prior to this gig I enjoyed their smooth jangly yet earnest psychedelically coolness both on their consistent debut Mood Patterns and also as a support act in a gig in Sydney, but neither the record or their live performance got me abnormally excitable.

But, their show at the Toff far exceeded my prior expectations. Their shimmering and swirling acidic tunes had an extra oomph and groove which I failed to hear before. I actually even felt like dancing.

At this week’s gig, Belles Will Ring make the trip down South again, this time as a double headline act with The Lovetones. I don’t know much about them, but from an initial listen they sound a little like BWR. If their performance is half as good as the Belles, this will be a great gig.

The first support is Melbourne's Garage to V entrants, barely post-adolescent stoner rockers Jarvis.

Pat

Portable Film Festival Party with Little Red + Tic Toc Tokyo @ Roxanne

Both Little Red and Tic Toc Tokyo have been written about before on ATR so to prevent us sounding like a broken record follow the links on this site and read what we’ve said in the past if you want something of a preview here.

If you’re up for a Friday drink and a dance then this gig should be great. But even though both these bands are good (especially Little Red of course), this gig will inevitably be more about the atmosphere and the party rater than the music so probably of interest to some more than others.

Pat

Saturday

Icecream Hands with Abby Dobson + The Wellingtons @ East Brunswick Club

We've written about these Melbourne lads before; speaking of this year's album,The Good China - it was about the guitars, the stories, the hooks, the harmonies. Then there was a sweet-rockin' everyone-on-form Northcote Social Club show which left me all warm and gooey inside on a cold night.

And now it's best part of three months later - winter's almost over - a melbourne-gorgeous power-pop spring stretches ahead - and that's where these boys fit in. See them if you like indie guitars played well, if you like old-school harmonies joining classic old-school hooks behind some magic lyrics, mostly from the pen of Mr Chuck Jenkins. See them if you like an assured yet endearing performance or if you like to rock. But most of all see them for that crescendo - In the Back Seat of a Stolen Car - it's still right up the top of my songs of the year.

(And you gotta get there in time for The Wellingtons; they'll kick off your power-pop spring like nothin' else; just the catchiest and best pop songs out there right now; Goodbye Heartbreaker; I'll be the embarrassing fanboy up the front singing all the words and air-guitaring all the hooks.)

Dave

The Lucksmiths with The Smallgoods + Hand Hell (duo) @ The Corner

The Lucksmiths have a new record out, Spring Leak, a double CD collection of B-sides, live recordings, remixes covers and alternate versions and anything else which isn’t available on an album. Amazingly, there is no crossover between either of their other compilation releases, Happy Secret and Where Were We? !!!

Thanks to the songwriting of Marty Donald – tuneful, literate and insightful about relationships, Melbourne life, and of course, the weather – The Lucksmiths always deliver a suburb’s worth of hummable witty and melodic gems. I’m sure that a big chunk of the massive 45 tracks here will be no different. Having said that, with 45 tracks I reckon there'll be a fair chunk of filler as well.

Live, The Lucksmiths rarely disappoint also, usually minus the additional horns, stings and backing voices which pop up on record, but still sounding as sweet as pickles, and full of impromptu gags. But, a plea to you if you are going. Please don’t sing along to T-Shirt Weather. Tali sounds much, much better than you.

Pat

Oliver Mann @ The Afterdark

An Ollie Mann gig is an experience like none other on the Melbourne music scene. Ollie - the brother of Grand Salvo's Paddy - is the proud possessor of what he calls an operatically-trained bass voice - but which to me sounds more like about five octaves of whisky-smooth tones and curly intonation - one of Melbourne's natural wonders right there.

And without his brother's beard to hide behind, Ollie has to resort to old-fashioned charisma to hold a room. And the voice. It can fill a room, end to end, without a mike; and Ollie can hold the stage, side to side, without any other performers. He drags you into his whimsical world of baroque tales, half-speaking, then hits you with a note so big and pure it dislodges all air from your lungs, all thoughts from your brain, all tension from your muscles. The Afterdark is the perfect little space for this man to stalk, majestically.

Interesting support, too, from Extreme Wheeze and the Nasty Coughs and E-Wah Lady.

Dave

Sunday

Adam Said Galore (WA) + Bum Creek + Extreme Wheeze + Josh Armistead @ East Brunswick Club

Veteran indie rock band from Perth make it over here prior to the release of their debut single of their new album. I haven't seen many promos for this gig and it is a Sunday night so it could be a bit empty but there's a reasonable lineup here so it also could be the highlight of your weekend. I have to admit I don't know much about the headline act, but I like what I've heard so far so it's a bit of a smoky for me.

Pat

Batrider + Pikelet + Alex Jarvis @ Manchester Lane

The week before last New-Zealand cum Melbourne art-grungers, Batrider, launched their new album Tara at Gertrudes. On Sunday night, it is their turn to launch the second disc on the CD, the acoustic, Pink Guitars Yellow Stars.

Similar to Magic Dirt with the release of their noise album Roky’s Room a few months back, no one can doubt that Batrider have challenged themselves by releasing material that lays outside the boundaries of their typically volatile sound. While ‘having a go’ may not actually translate into successful results, it is an interesting enough diversion, and one that may help them to find a new batch of fans.

Pat

Bands 'n Stuff: August 22 to August 28

2007-08-21T19:30:00.000+10:00

It's a bit of a different approach this week. See what you think...

1. The Brunettes @ East Brunswick Club, Saturday

SubPop always maintain a pretty cool roster of bands all across the indie spectrum, and right now it is no different, with great acts like The Shins, Loney Dear, Iron and Wine and Band of Horses on the books. (Incidentally, another SubPop band Shout Out Louds are at the Corner on Friday). One of SubPop's latest signings, breezy and intricate girl-boy pop duo The Brunettes, are here in Melbourne this weekend from across the Tasman, touring in support of their new record, Structure and Cosmetics. I haven’t heard this record in full but the songs I’ve heard have impressed me so I’m keen to seen them live.

This gig will also be a good chance to also hear Melbourne harmony popsters The Smallgoods who have just released their 2nd album Down on the Farm through Lost and Lonesome. But don’t stress if you can’t make it because they've scheduled more gigs later this month including an album launch on September 28.

Who: The Brunettes (NZ) + The Smallgoods + The Rise and Demise
When: Saturday, 8pm
Where: The East Brunswick Club
How Much: $15+bf

2. Love of Diagrams @ The Tote, Friday

After signing to Matador Records about a year ago Love of Diagrams became Melbourne's latest major indie export. But it’s not all hype, their urgent and jerky no-wave style produces some great tracks. Their album of this year Mosaic has been given a good rotation on my CD player over the last few month, Monika Fikerle is a extremely accomplished drummer, and the low end bass and distressing shriek of Antonia Sellbach gives the music a pretty distinct and harrowing texture.

They are pretty good live act too. If I had any criticisms though I would say they are a bit too one-paced and don’t engage with the audience enough. I personally think they should do a short set ala My Disco. Definitely worth catching though if you haven’t seen them before.

Who: Love of Diagrams + Panel of Judges + St Helens + Straight Arrows (NSW)
When: Friday, 8:30
Where: The Tote
How Much: $10+bf

3. Mercy Arms @ Northcote Social Club, Friday

This one’s all about the hype. Mercy Arms were on Capitol Records before being being dropped when they shed lots of acts late last year. They got a very positive live review in mess and noise last week, but when I saw them a few months back I thought they were pretty meh. Stylish post-punk but energetic, screamy, and quite theatrical. Of course it was much more polished than what you'd usually get for about ten bucks, but forgive me for sounding like I'm 65 years old, I found them a bit too noisy, and it was hard to see how there could be such a buzz around them.

Ghostwood are a recent Modular signing, also from Sydney and have just released a new EP. I haven’t seen them, but they’re also of the post-punk ilk.

I assume this gig will pull a great crowd so local art-rockers Bachelor of Arts who have just released an EP have been lucky enough to score the other support slot.

Who: Mercy Arms (NSW) + Ghostwood (NSW) + Bachelor of Arts
When: Friday, 8:30
Where: Northcote Social Club
How Much: $10+bf

4. The City on Film @ Northcote Social Club, Sunday

According to the Northcote Social Club website, The City on Film were one of the first emo bands. Don’t let that put you off though. For starters the first wave of emo was pretty different to the newer stuff. More intelligent lyrics, catchier tunes . See Sunny Day Real Estate for instance.

The second reason why this gig interests, are the local supports. I’m a big fan of melodic and heartfelt acoustic country pop group The Small Knives. I caught them last week at the Toff, and their new tunes of their soon-to-be released second record Smoke and Mirrors sounded pretty sweet. We’ve rabbited on all year about the other support - Pikelet.

Who: The City On Film + The Small Knives + Pikelet
Where: Northcote Social Club
When: Sunday 8pm
How Much: $15

5. Ned Collette @ Manchester Lane, Thursday

Ned’s back from his tour overseas with Joanna Newsom, has got a band now, and a new album coming out soon.

If you’ve seen him before it will be interesting not only to hear Ned’s new songs but also to see how he integrates his loopy delay pedal with a live band. If you haven’t, just enjoy the tunes of one of the finest contemporary musicians in this town.

Who: Ned Collette + Conway Savage + Andrew McCubbin and the Hope Addicts
Where: Manchester Lane
When: Thursday, 8:30
How Much; $10

6. Francis Plagne - Album Launch @ The Toff, Friday

Francis Plagne’s acoustic guitar pop and introspective sound art didn’t grab me at all when I caught him a few months back at Cloud City. But, he’s only young so probably prone to some bad nights, and some good people with respectable opinions think he has got the goods. Make up your own mind at the Toff on Friday when Francis launches his self-titled debut record.

Who: Francis Plagne + Barrage + more
When: Friday, 8pm
Where: The Toff in Town
How Much: $10

7. Mach Pelican – Farewell Show @ The Tote, Saturday

Visa issues are the reported reason for this farewell gig from Japanese punk rockers Mach Pelican. This is their final ever show in this country after spending more than ten years here. I’m can’t remember when I’ve seen this band before, but from memory they were very entertaining. Could it have been on Hey Hey It’s Saturday? Maybe Recovery?

A wide range of support acts will join them for the final show including fun fun fun from The Spazzys who appear to have scored the support slot for Marilyn Manson (?) for his Melbourne show on his upcoming Australian tour.

Who: Mach Pelican + The Spazzys + The Volcanics (WA) + The Shimmys
Where: The Tote
When: Saturday
How Much: $12+bf

8. The Pictures - Album Launch @ The Toff, Saturday

With You Am I on temporary hiatus, Tim Rogers has recorded a solo album due out later this year, while guitarist Davey Lane turns his attention to The Pictures.

Earlier in the year when The Pictures supported Canadian power pop pioneers Sloan I thought they stacked up pretty well. While you are unlikely to uncover any musical surprises with The Pictures, it’s unprententious, hook laden three minute rock 'n roll done very well. As Davey says on their myspace about the new record:

‘If it pisses off the 'mess and noise' types (which is probably a given anyway) we will know we have carried out the task at hand with GREAT SUCCESS!’

For everyone else, this gig’s destined not to disappoint.

Who: The Pictures + Chuck Jenkins
Where: The Toff in Town
When: Saturday 8pm
How Much: $12

9. 4x4: Four myspace songs from four bands @ The Tote, Thursday

Myspace has certainly been a useful tool for musos and music fans alike. For the artists it provides an wider opportunity to be heard, and cheaper way to promote. For fans it is amazing resource for learning and discovering new artists. In all likelihood this site would have struggled to get off the ground without its existence.

The theme of Thursday’s gig at the Tote illustrates the important role of myspace in the local music scence. Four local artists, Humansixbillion (composer of the soundtrack for new budget feature film Burke and Wills), Seagull, It’s So F**king Great to Be Alive and Touch Typist each will play the four songs they have posted on their myspace sites. Nothing more, nothing less.

Us Rooftoppers have never seen any of these guys live. I could post my initial thoughts after listening to each of their myspace tracks, but, instead I’ll let you guys follow the links and make your on mind up.

Who: Humansixbillion + Seagull + Touch Typist + It's So Fucking Great To Be Alive
Where: The Tote
When: Thursday, 8:30pm
How Much: $5

10.Owls of the Swamp - Album Launch @ Gertrudes, Friday

Owls of the Swamp (Pete Uhlenbruch) was unearthed last year by Triple J. A single of his, Heart of the Mountain had some airplay, and now he is about to release his debut album Smoky Bay.

His tunes are quite mellow, mostly finger picked acoustic guitar but generate plenty of atmoshpere. A major stated influence is a trip to Iceland last year, also where he formed a friendship with Svavur Knutur, who is on a brief tour of Australia and a support for tonight.

This one’s a bit too quiet for me for a Friday night, but the guy definitely has talent so if you're up for something more sedate on Friday then check this gig out.

Who: Owls of the Swamp + Svavur Knutur (ICL) + Young Weather
When: Friday, 8pm
Where: Gertrudes Brown Couch
How Much: $8

Bands 'n Stuff: August 15 to August 21

2007-08-15T18:25:00.000+10:00

GIGS O' THE WEEK

Three shows this weekend from Midnight Juggernauts to support their new debut full length release Dystopia. Two (Friday and Saturday), have already sold out so if haven’t got your tix yet, then it will have to be Sunday night. Reviewers have gone nuts about this album already, and if predictions are correct, it’s quite possible they could be spending a fair chunk of time in the Northern Hemisphere, so if you want to see them, it might be your last chance for a while. Might be a bit quieter too on Sunday which is an advantage if crowds aren’t really your thing...

Wednesday the 15th

residency
The Bedroom Philosopher + Skipping Girl Vinegar
@The Empress, 9pm, $8

residency
Et Al + Spun Rivals + Brilliant Fanzine
@The Tote, 8pm

Henry Wagons + Ned LaMarche-Jones
@The Standard, 9pm, free

The Orbweavers + Single Twin + Ildiko's Child

@Bar Open, 8pm, free

Thursday August the 16th

It's gotta be the Brother Sister album launch tonight. They're a great little artist run label making some really interesting sounds, and those sounds will be shown off to their full potential in that nice room upstairs at Gertrudes.

Brother Sister album launch
Inquiet + ii + Poland + Kharkov
@Gertrudes, 8pm, $6

Deloris + The Small Knives + Aleks and the Ramps
@The Toff, 8pm, $15

Filla
The Rise and Demise + Foxx on Fire + Clack Train
@Revolver Upstairs

The Scowlers + Bitch Slap (NSW) + Karate Party
@Pony

Stop.Drop.Roll
Space Liar + John Flannigan
@Glasshouse

residency
The Spoils
Edinburgh Castle, free

C'mon C'mon
Telecom + Dirty Pink Jeans+ Eurobeat 3
@The Evelyn, 8:30pm

Tom Woodward (ACT) + Svavur Knatur (ICL) + Owls of the Swamp
@Afterdark

Friday the 17th

The Batrider album's out, and sounding good, as is one from The Dust. But how can you go past the first gig at the newly-changed-hands Old Bar - an Elvis Tribute, nonetheless! With some great varied bands, from Little Red to Henry Wagons, who we've plugged in these pages.

album launch
Batrider + Dave Graney + Pets With Pets
@Gertrudes, 8:30pm

C.W Stoneking (2 shows)
@The Toff, 7pm +10pm, $20+bf

album launch
Dust + The Orbweavers + Khancoban
@East Brunswick Club, 8:30pm, $10

Elvis tribute
Dollsquad + Little Red + The Auralees + Henry Wagons + The Sound Particles + Sid O’Neil (The Vasco Era)
@Old Bar, 8:30pm, $10

Humansixbillion + Denim Owl + Seagull + Morning and the Sleepy Kids + more
@Afterdark

Jamie Robbie Reyne and the Paradise Three + Joni Lightning + Halfway + Potential Falcon
@The Espy Front Lounge, 9pm, free

Midnight Juggernauts + Damn Arms + Young and Restless
@The Corner, 8:30pm, SOLD OUT

Peeping Tom + Silver City Highway + Redfish
@NSC, 8:30pm, $12

Saturday the 18th

Very good lineup here at the Tote, but my money's on Winterfest, at Carni. It's not far north on High St and it'll be a great, friendly little gig, with some great Melbourne acts and art and all sorts of other things as well.

album launch
Actor/Model + Aleks and the Ramps + Kamikaze Trio + Barrage
@The Tote, 8:30pm

Bitchslap + The Scowlers + Ouch! My Face
@Old Bar, 9pm

album launch
British India + You Will Die Alone
@East Brunswick Club, 8:30pm, $12+bf

C.W Stoneking (2 shows)
@The Toff, 7pm +10pm, $20+bf

ep launch
In The City + Detective Social + Boy and Girl
@The Espy Gershwin Room, 8:30pm, $10

Jordie Lane + Halfway (QLD) + Gareth Eunson and the Graveyard Sons + The Spoils (duo)
@Rob Roy, 8pm, $10

Click Click
Learn the Splits + Antony of the Future (SA) + Lover (NSW)
@Brown Alley, 9pm, $14/$10

Martin Martini and the Bone Palace Orchestra
@The Evelyn, 9pm

Midnight Juggernauts + Damn Arms + Young and Restless
@The Corner, 8:30pm, SOLD OUT

Russian Roulettes
@Pony, 2am, free

East Timor Benefit Gig
The Spazzys + Legends of Motorsport + Midnight Woolf + Little Red + Good Intentions + one more
@FitzroyTown Hall, 2pm, $10

Winterfest
Light Music Club + Grand Salvo + Popolice + DJs
@Carni, 7pm, $10

Sunday the 19th

Just the rock at the Tote tonight, then?

C.W Stoneking
@The Toff, 7pm, $20+bf

Midnight Juggernauts + Damn Arms + Young and Restless
@The Corner, 8pm, $22+bf

Tote Doco Fundraiser
The Casanovas + Mustang + The Great Apes + The Tash Mints + Russian Roulettes
@The Tote, 5pm, $10

Tuesday the 21st

residency
Matt Walker
@Manchester Lane, 8pm, $7+bf

Stuffwelikelive #2

2007-08-13T18:02:00.000+10:00

A few months ago we made our first recommendation about great live local acts, and after seeing almost all again since, on reflection I'm pretty happy with our selections. I think The Basics and Wagons are two of the most the most entertaining local acts bar none, Pikelet has quickly gained a reputation for herself, while I'm confident dark horses Silver City Highway will start to impress a niche audience as they build up to their debut long player release of their stormy prog country crescendos.

Since then we've seen a bunch of good acts. Some like hipster neo-grungers Children Collide are signed to a major label and have national radio play, and have probably already been seen or are already known by most of you reading this post. Others such as Souls on Board, The Nation Blue and You Will Die Alone have been plugged here because of their studio recordings, but these bands have also been good enough to back up their talent with excellent live performances.

So for our second batch of recommendations we try not to focus on acts that have already established a reputation for themselves or we have already given a big plug on this site. Instead we try and recommend a new batch that took us by surprise or perhaps are lesser known on the Melbourne scene.

Emily Williams

Emily is a cellist…with a delay pedal. Her string plucks, body taps and bow glides are add layers of depth and shade to her moody compositions, but best of all is her soulful, seductive voice. It’s only used sparingly but it resonates like a sultry dub-like echo, reminding me of female voices in Wicked Beat Soundsystem or Moloko. Definitely enjoyed best at a quiet, intimate sit-down venue.

Emily Williams is performing at NGV late on Wednesday night until early October.

Et Al

Fierce dynamic art rock with a sharp pop sensibility. With shared vocal duties, bassy mix and flair for instrumental songs, Et Al are probably most comparable to Love of Diagrams out of any local band I’ve seen. But they have a stronger preference for structural variations and pacier blasts of guitar energy than a dedication to any distinct angular style. Given a few months of giggin’, and some decent audiences I wouldn’t be surprised if these guys start to rip it up live.

Et Al are playing a Wednesday residency in August at the Tote

James McCann

With his band The Dirty Skirts, James McCann plays a swaggering, reflective, outback Australian influenced blend of hard rock. As a solo artist (and sometimes with fellow Dirty Skirt, Jo Brockman) McCann’s music is an intimate and bluesy affair. While such a contrast would be beyond most artists, McCann is able to demonstrate his pure craftsmanship, paring back his songs so they only reveal a raw and honest emotional intensity.

James McCann is playing solo at the North Melbourne Town Hall on Friday August 17

Sailors and Swine

It’s the confrontational in-your-face performance of the lead singer of Sailors and Swine which makes them so interesting live. While his persona is a bit obnoxious, his relentless punk attitude is pretty rare with live performers these days. Its almost refreshingly provocative to see him thrusting himself into the music and spitting out the violent and damaged lyrics. A nice primal and throbbing swampy blues-punk rhythm section too. One to watch.

Tic Toc Tokyo

While the new revolution of new wave acts has been heavily criticised for displaying a lack of substance and originality, dark and danceable four piece Tic Toc Tokyo should be able to avoid most of these criticisms. Sharp bouncy guitar lines, tribalistic drumming and distressing wails from their small staid frontman mean these guys are a cut above many of the other local acts of this genre. Radio friendly but not cliched, sombre yet catchy, serious but not boring. Could do with some improved mixing though.

Bands 'n Stuff: August 8 to August 14

2007-08-08T20:00:00.000+10:00

GIGS O' THE WEEK

Gotye
+Mountains in the Sky
@Athanaeum, Fri, Sat, Sun matinee, Sun night, $22 approx

Wally transforms from a Basic into Gotye this week when he takes his orchestra on the road for a national tour. If you haven't managed to get tix for this yet, you're almost too late. Out of four shows, only one, the Sunday night, is yet to sell out.

Wednesday the 8th

If you're not heading to a Splendour side show or to the film festival then check out one of the residencies. If you want quiet go to the Empress, noise then it's the Tote. Simple as that.

Residency
The Bedroom Philosopher + Sean M Whelan + The Mime Set
@The Empress

Residency
Et Al + Red Light Union + Badcop Badcop
@The Tote, 8pm, $5

The Horrors (UK) + Children Collide + The Mercy Arms
@Hi-Fi Bar, $36.60+bf, 7:30pm

Hot Chip (UK) + Bumblebeez (NSW)
@Prince Bandroom, 8pm, SOLD OUT

Jordie Lane and Liz Stringer duo + Rosie Burgess + Oriel Glennen
@Clifton Hill Hotel, 9pm, Free

The Shins (USA) + The Ruby Suns (NZ)
@Metro, 8pm, SOLD OUT

Thursday the 9th

The pick tonight is our faves, Silver City Highway who have with them the bleakly dramatic 16mm and acoustic country from Ned and the Meds. Elsewhere, you could to the Glasshouse to see if Good Intentions and their ninety three members and their dancing and prancing can all fit on the stage, creepy avant-garde with Pets with Pets at Cmon Cmon, grungey avant garde with Dane Certificate at Bar Open or sonically distorted but sweet pop with Popolice at The Empress.

Bittersweet Kicks + The Loveslaps + Darkest Heartstrings
@Brunswick Hotel, 9pm, free

Filla
Braindead Lovers + Dirty Pink Jeans + Morals of a Minor
@Revolver Upstairs

single launch
Dane Certificate + Alex Jarvis + Gary Mangred
@Bar Open, 9pm, free

Stop.Drop.Roll
The Good Intentions + Dance Contest
@The Glasshouse, 9pm, $8

Cmon Cmon
Pets with Pets + Winter Park + The Cobra Massive + Eurobeat 3
@The Evelyn, 8:30pm $8

Popolice + Jerry Falwell Destroyed Earth + The No Real Need
@The Empress,

The Shoes + The Heist + Aurora + The Breaks
@The Espy Public Bar, 9pm, free

Silver City Highway + 16mm + Ned and the Meds
@, 9pm, $6

Friday August the 10th

Welcome back Pikelet with her return to Aus show at the Toff. You can also enjoy your 10 buck half steins of wietbier well pre and post Pikelet with Ned Collette and Martin Martini. But, if you're a bit of a cheapass and you would prefer to stick to your Carlton Draught head to the Tote where there is a good range of energetic bands including You Will Die Alone and new Modular signing Plug in City. It's some sort of camp out, so after plenty of jungle juice in your belly it might even be possible to pass out here without anybody noticing.

If you want to stay in the city though ex-Klinger frontman Ben Birchall is launching his debut album with his band at Ding Dong. Otherwise, southside, there's experimentally minded post punk with World's End Press, and the usual shenanigans from the very busy Aleks and the Ramps. For quieter times, the Empress has a soundtrack launch with some contemporary folk influenced solo artists. Spot a goth at the Evelyn.

67 Special + The Vandas + Mary Trembles
@The Corner, 8:30pm, $15+bf

CD Launch
Agnes Kain + Jerry Falwell Destroyed Earth + The Gentiles + Twin Vickers
@Gertrudes, 8:30pm, $10

The Bakelite Age + Chinook + Stompbox
@Old Bar, 9pm

Album launch
Ben Birchall and the Corrections + The Hovercrafts + The Brutals
@Ding Dong, 8pm, $10

Blueline Medic + Mere Theory + Coue Method
@East Brunswick Club, 8:30pm, $12+bf

Brillliant Fanzine + Goodbye Motel + Fourth Floor Collapse
@Rob Roy, 8:30pm, $5

The Cassanovas + Silver Night Drive + Dirty Harry and the Rockets + Killer Birds
@The Espy Front Bar, 9pm, free

Burke and Wills Soundtrack Launch
Humansixbillion + Seagull
@The Empress, 9pm, $5

Camp Tote
Plug In City + Group Seizure + You Will Die Alone + Love Cuts Kills + Bachelor of Arts + Little Athletics + Reptiles
@The Tote, 7:30pm, $10

Love Is Science Fiction
@Pony, 2am, free

Martin Martini and the Bone Palace Orchestra
@The Toff, 1am, free

Midnight Woolf + Bulls
@idgaff, 9pm $5

Pikelet + Ned Collette and Band + Jessica Says
@The Toff, 9pm, free

Psyche (CAN) + Schadenfreude
@The Evelyn, 9pm, $18

single launch
Worlds End Press + Aleks and the Ramps + Tank!
@Revolver Upstairs

Saturday August the 11th

Haven't been to the Corner for awhile? Well, head there tonight if indie hooks is your thing with something from across the Tasman, down from Bris Vegas and a bit of local action as well. If not, there's swamp rock at The Espy, Macaca and Atko do Idgaff, while local polished garage rock from The Exploders at NSC. Supporting the latter are the effervescent Little Red and fashionable Hot Little Hands. Has anyone seen their t-shirts? They seem to be popular at the moment

The Counterfeit Gyspies + The Band Who Knew Too Much
@Revolver Upstairs

single launch
Dane Certificate
@Pony, 2am, free

Danny Griffith (SubAudible Hum)
@Brunswick Green

The Double Agents + James McCann's Dirty Skirt Band + Sons of Lee Marvin + Bitter Sweet Kicks
@The Espy Front Bar, 9pm, Free

The Exploders + Little Red + Hot Little Hands
@NSC, 8:30pm, $12+bf

Macaca Mulatta + Anthony Atkinson + Fallelectric
@Idgaff, 8:30pm, $5

The Mint Chicks (NZ) + I Heart Hiroshima + New Estate
@The Corner, 8:30pm, $13+bf

The Night Terrors + Blacklevel Embassy + Quebec + Kids with Guns for Hands
@Arthouse, 9pm, $8

Oh Mercy! + Earthquakes in Tokyo + Fearless Vampire Killers
@The Espy Public Bar, 9pm, free

Sunday the 12th

Charles Jenkins
@Brunswick Green, 5pm, free

Jordie Lane + Brendan Welch
@Wesley Anne, 5pm, free

Shy Child (USA) + Love is Science Fiction
@The Espy Gershwin Room,8pm, free

Tuesday the 14th

Matt Walker + Jordie Lane
@Manchester Lane, 8pm, $7+bf

Bands 'n Stuff: August 1 to August 7

2007-08-01T20:00:00.000+10:00

Wednesday the 1st

Start the gig week by checking out the first stint in a couple of Wednesday August residencies. The Bedroom Philosopher has another crack at the residency thing at Empress. Tonight he is with D. Rogers (ex Klinger). Over at the Tote driving post-rock/post-rock three piece Et. Al start their month long stint. Three fantastic acoustic based acts at Bar Open, while emerging electro artists will try their hardest to get the dancefloor started at the Tote. The Cruel Sea's James Cruikshank is at NSC.

Ash (IRL)+ Ghostwood
@Prince Bandroom, 8:30pm, $51.70+bf

Residency
The Bedroom Philosopher + D. Rogers
@The Empress, 9pm, $8

Residency
Et Al + Howl at the Moon + Dance Contest
@The Tote, 8pm

Album launch
James Cruikshank + Matt Walker
@NSC, 8:30pm, $10/$20+CD

Royalchord + Khancoban + Josh Armistead
@Bar Open, 8pm

CD Launch
School of Two + The Emergency + Barrage
@The Toff, $10

Thursday the 2nd

I've been keen to see Summer Cats for ages now, so tonight I finally get my chance. If cutesy sweetie pie pop harmonies are not your thing then the Salmon and Batrider rock showpiece might be more down your alley. Elsewhere, Sailors and Swine are on the bill at the Evelyn. They are worth catching. Not sure what the venues are serving up, so maybe take a punt.

Baby 8 + Young Husband + The High Heals
@Pony, 9pm, $6

The Codebreakers + Chinook + Danny McDonald
@Old Bar, 8:30pm, $5

Stop.Drop.Roll
Fearless Vampire Killers + Junior Anti Sex League + The Baskins
@Glasshouse, 8:30pm

Filla
Goodbye Motel + Sake Sake + The Glorious
@Revolver Upstairs

Lily Allen (UK) + Macromantics
@Prince Bandroom, 8:30pm, SOLD OUT

Salmon + Batrider
@East Brunswick Club, 8:30pm, $12

Cmon Cmon
Sons of Lee Marvin + Sailors and Swine + Dirty York
@The Evelyn

Summer Cats + The Cananes
@The Toff, 9pm, $8

Friday the 3rd

The Saints battle for a spot in the eight tonight so maybe no gig for ATR? But, if footy doesn't interest you then The Lucksmiths are at the Toff. Bedroom indie pop from Julian Nation and a South Aussie band as support. Elsewhere, decent solo artists at idgaff, alt country is the main flavour at the Tote, rock at the East and Espy, or female folksters headline at NSC. Once this all finishes, put on your scarf and duffel coat and head to Roxanne. Yacht is headlining. I caught him last week and thought he was very good, even despite being clearly distracted by a drugfucked obsessive fan who wanted to jump in his pants.

Bloc Party + Midnight Juggernauts
@Festival Hall, 7:30pm, SOLD OUT

CWQ + The Wishing Well + The Gift Horse
@Old Bar, 9pm, $5

Editors (UK) + Mercy Arms
@Hi-Fi Bar, 8:30pm, $50.60+bf

Fi Claus + Emma Heeney + Skipping Girl Vinegar
@NSC, 8:30pm, $10+bf

Friends of the Earth Anti Nuke Fundraiser
Khancoban + Too Many Cars + La Colombi + Milk + Fly South + Dulcet Rose
@NSC, 8pm, $20/$15

CD Launch
Kamikaze Trio + Legends of Motorsport + Capital City (WA)
@East Brunswick Club, 8:30pm, $12

The Lucksmiths + Hit The Jackpot (SA) + Julian Nation
@The Toff, 8pm, $12+bf

Ouch My Face! + The Raskins + The Scowlers + Aprha's Cat
@The Espy Public Bar, 9pm, Free

Princess One Point Five + Henry Wagons + Fred Astereo
@Idgaff, 8pm

Rhythm Bell + Assassination Collective + The Time of the Assassins + guests
@Rob Roy, 8pm, $8

The Spazzys + The Orphans + Negative Waves (SPA) + Root
@The Espy Front Lounge, 9pm, Free

Telecom + Somersaults + skullsquadron
@Revolver Upstairs, 9pm, $8

The Vandas + The Hovercrafts + The Ashburys (ACT) + Ned and the Meds
@The Tote, 8:30pm, $12+bf

Us Vs. Them
Yacht (USA) + Panther (USA) + Love of Diagrams + Barrage
@Roxanne, 9pm, $15+bf

Saturday the 4th

The Espy has a lot on tonight in the Gershwin Room and the Front Bar so you and your mates should be able to keep you all pleased. Elsewhere noise rockers Spider Vomit launch their EP at the Toff. Apart from that, Clinkerfield are always good, or maybe Ding Dong's worth a crack.

The Boats + Retail Fireworks
@The Empress, 9pm

Capital City (WA)
@Pony, 2am, free

Clinkerfield + The Wasp Factory + The Get Go
@The Greyhound, 9pm

Darkest Heartstrings + The Styles + Loveslaps + The Eggs
@Old Bar, 9pm, $5

LP Launch
The Emergency + Flesh Vs Venom + Maximum Awesome + Bachelor of Arts + Braindead
@Ding Dong, 7pm, $8

The Loveslaps + Little Athletics + Hotel Wrecking City Traders + Reptiles
@Idgaff, 8pm

7" Launch
Majorca + Agents Abhorrence + more
@Cloud City, 8pm,

Martin Martini and the Bone Palace Orchestra + Curse OV Dialect
@Revolver Upstairs

OKGO (USA) + The Dirty Secrets
@Hi-Fi Bar, 8:30pm, $42.90+bf

Click Click
The Paper Scissors (NSW) + Winterpark + Debbie (NSW)
@Brown Alley, 9pm, $14/$10

EP Launch
Spider Vomit + Hi God People + Birth Glow (SA) + Rock Bottom
@The Toff, 9pm, $10

The Suits + Capital City (WA) + The Ashburys (ACT) + Fearless Vampire Killers
@The Espy Lounge, 9pm, Free

Tic Toc Tokyo + Et Al + Brilliant Fanzine + Big Cats + Brilliant Fanzine
@The Espy Gershwin Room, 8pm, $8

Sunday the 5th

Rock out with the gals at the Tote, or give a go to either of the two lesser profile but more interesting Splendour acts. My preference would be for the Hi-Fi where the wonderful Belles will Ring are supporting

3CR Presents Girls Rock Out #2
Bracode (NSW) + Blush Foundation (NSW) + Shoot The Genie + The Mystaken + Teko + Beau Heartbreaker + Liz Stringer + Red Cherries + Anoushka
@The Tote, 3:30pm, $10/$8

The Long Blondes (UK) + Belles Will Ring (NSW)
@Hi-Fi Bar, 7:30pm, $45.10+bf (get one free)

Tilly and the Wall (USA) + Soft Tigers (NSW)
@The Toff, 8pm, $35+bf

Monday the 6th

Rob Roy is clearly your best value gig tonight so if you're not seeing The Shins on Tuesday or Wednesday get your lazy ass down here.

Kaiser Chiefs (UK) + Wolf and Cub (SA) + Operator Please (QLD)
@Festival Hall, $66.60+bf

The Ruby Suns (NZ) + Aleks and the Ramps + Popolice
@Rob Roy, 8pm, $8

Tilly and the Wall (USA) + Little Red
@The Toff, 8pm, $35+bf

Tuesday the 7th

Arctic Monkeys (UK) + Operator Please (QLD)
@Festival Hall, SOLD OUT

Carus (solo) + Yanto Shortis
@East Brunswick Club, 8:00m, $12+bf

Magnolia Electric Company (USA) + James McCanns Dirty Skirt Band + Paper Planes
@The Corner, 8:30pm, $36+bf

Residency
Matt Walker + James Cruikshank
@Manchester Lane, 8pm, $7+bf

The Shins (USA) + The Ruby Suns (NZ)
@The Metro, SOLD OUT

Bands 'n Stuff: July 25 to July 31

2007-07-25T17:47:00.000+10:00

GIG O' THE WEEK

Saturday night at Cloud City is big for a number of reasons. Headlining two all ages shows is cute chamber pop cum electro twee indie pop exports Architecture in Helsinki who have with them a fine young gentleman from the US of A called Yacht who will be treating the Brunswick crowd to his electro pop mashups. But this night is also a big one because it’s one of the last ever gigs at Cloud City. If I interpreted the M+N forum post correctly, it appears a subletting agreement gone awry has led to its downfall. It’s a real pity, because, despite the poor insulation, Cloud City is a really neat little venue

Architecture in Helsinki
+ YACHT (USA)
@Cloud City
Saturday, 5pm + 9pm (SOLD OUT)

Wednesday the 25th

Earlier in the year, Melbourne audiences were treated to a couple of shows from David Kilgour, a member of The Clean, one of Sheep ‘n Kiwi Land’s most influential post-punk groups. This week, another member Robert Scott is in town, and tonight you can catch him at the Rob Roy along with angry arty grunge punkers Batrider who won’t be so angry tonight cause its their acoustic show. Also supporting is Kirsty Stegwazi under pseydonym Hand Hell.

In the next postcode it’s the last instalment of the August residency from sonic pop collective Good Intentions, and with them is a blast from the past, Brisbane’s Screamfeeder, as well as Seagull, a emerging singer-songwriter who creates ambient soundscapes ala Machine Translations.

Residency
Good Intentions + Screamfeeder + Seagull
@The Tote, 8pm, $5

Residency
Houlette + Phil Gionfriddo
@Old Bar

Robert Scott + Batrider (acoustic) + Hand Hell
@Rob Roy, 8pm, $10

Sime Nugent
@The Gem, 9pm, free

Thursday the 26th

Head on down to the Prince tonight for a free gig promoting fasterlouder.com.au. But you need to register by tonight if you’re keen, although I’m sure lots of people who registered won’t turn up so you can probably get in if you just show up anyway. Not only free but a great lineup of local rockers.

Over at The Evelyn, bring back some memories of ten or so years ago not only with ScreamfeederResidency, but also Even, who play an increasingly rare local show.

But the options don’t end here either. Literate and whimsical breezy Beatlesque pop from UK’s The Clientele at East Brunswick Club along with Bob Scott and new Popboomerang kittens Summer Cats. At NSC clever lyrics and introspective folk tunes from Bedroom Philosopher and band along with dramatic gothic glam alt-pop from Plastic Palace Alice and druggy psych pop boogie from The Great Apes.

Not sure what Nina Nastasia and Jim White (Dirty Three) do but I’m guessing it will be dark textured and a bit experimental. Try the Toff in Town if you want to give this a go. Grand Salvo is there too.

If none of the above go to Gertrudes for modern folk experiments, or for those on the Southside try Revolver for cheap drinks and decent bands.

The Bedroom Philosopher+ The Great Apes + Plastic Palace Alice
@NSC, 8:30pm, $10

The Clientele (UK) + Robert Scott (NZ) + Summer Cats
@East Brunswick Club, 8pm, $26+bf

Residency
Digger and the Pussycats
@The Tote – Cobra Bar, 9:30pm, $5

Cmon Cmon
Even + Screamfeeder + The Warm Guns
@The Evelyn

Nina Nastasia and Jim White + Grand Salvo
@The Toff, 9pm, $26+bf

Owls of the Swamp + Seagull + Jona Byron and Band
@Gertrudes

Paper Planes + Town Hall + My Volcano
@Bar Open, 9pm, free

Faster Louder Gig
Rocket Science + Children Collide + Shooting at Unarmed Men + Jarvis
@Prince Bandroom, 8pm, Free

Filla
Tic Toc Tokyo + Bachelor of Arts + Near Your House
@Revolver, 8pm, $6

Friday the 27th

Quite a few options tonight also. Eddy Cuz and Co at the East with some angry Danes (and angry Aussies). The Tom Waits tribute at Old Bar will be one for the fans, The Seabellies have a huge wrap from North of the border. They’re at the Espy. Gertrudes have a bunch of acoustic and electric indie pop stuff. Dramatic guitar tunes from Wellyn and SubAudible Hum at the Tote. One of the final ever shows from Japanese punk rockers Mach Pelican at the Espy. Folky roots pop from Duckdive at NSC, contempoarary singer-songwriters at Rob Roy, melodic melancholic country and folk at idgaff and The Toff.

Airbourne + Bugdust + Blackguns
@Corner, 8:30pm, SOLD OUT

The Boy Who Spoke Clouds + North Atlantic Audio + Tim McMillan
@Idgaff, $6

Braindead Lovers + Transformer + Sake Sake
@Ding Dong, 7pm, $8

Brendan Welch + Joni Lightning + Buckley Ward
@Rob Roy, 8:30pm, $8

Album launch
Duckdive + Skipping Girl Vinegar + The Triangles
@NSC, 8:30pm, $10

Eddy Current Suppression Ring + Gorilla Angreb (DAN) + Straightjacket Nation + The Focus (*)
@East Brunswick Club, 8:30pm, $10+bf

The Gin Club (QLD) + The Spoils
@The Toff, 8:30pm, $12+bf

Hazel Brown + Ainslie Wills + Seagull + Nick Huggins
@The Evelyn, 9pm, $8

EP launch
Humansixbillion + New Estate + Flywheel + Josh Armistead
@Gertrudes, 8:30pm, $8

Mach Pelican + The Cants + The Wellingtons + Urville
@The Espy Front Lounge, Free

Made Austria + Casio Nova + Mollinger
@Afterdark, 9pm

Nighthawks: A Tom Waits Tribute
The Sliding Electric + Sons of Lee Marvin + Palace Flophouse + Clinkerfield + The Black Swans of Trespass +Brothers Grim
@Old Bar, 8:30pm, $10

The Seabellies (NSW) + Plastic Palace Alice + Spargo
@The Espy Front Bar, Free

single launch
Wellyn + SubAudible Hum + The Red Tree + Amaya Lauricia
@The Tote

Saturday the 28th

If you can't make it to gig of the week then there should be a few other gigs to keep you interested. I like the Old Bar a bit angry a bit dancy a bit experimental. Something for everyone. Another show for Screamfeeder, and they have Little Red as support. A chance to catch the new Khancoban lineup (including Pete from Sodastream) is the highlight of the quieter gigs, while the pumping electro rock of Lost Valentinos and the NSC gigs will also be of interest to many.

Batrider + Karate Party + Popolice + Big Cats + Ouch My Face
@Old Bar,

Khancoban + Pitching Woo + Vicuna Coat
@Rob Roy, 8:30pm, $8

Lost Valentinos (NSW) + Starky (NSW) + Mission Control
@East Brunswick Club, $15+bf, 8:30pm

The Night Terrors + Spod + Red Light Union + Love Is Science Fiction
@The Tote, 8:30pm, $10

Negative Waves
@Pony, 2am, Free

Nina Nastasia and Jim White + Ned Collette Band
@NSC, 9pm, $26+bf

Residency
Potential Falcon + The Great Apes
@The Tote Front Bar, 5pm, free

Screamfeeder + Little Red + Oh Mercy + Warm Guns
@The Espy

Click Click
Treetops + Streetlight (WA) + The Seabellies (NSW)
@Brown Alley, 9pm, $14/$10

Weekender
Winterpark + Jarvis
@Ding Dong, 7pm, $10

Sunday the 29th

Four very decent options here. My favourite is the mini fest at the Tote, but also there will be a noisy farewell to Cloud City, and a good range of pop n rock acts at Bar Open and Rob Roy

Gorilla Angreb (DAN) + The Focus
@Cloud City, 7pm

Little Athletics + Spun Rivals + Gareth Eunson and the Graveyard Sons + Howl at the Moon + Fossett & Badger
@Bar Open, 5pm

Streetlight (WA) + The Seabellies (NSW) + Tetrode Kink + Macaca Mulatta
@Rob Roy, 4pm, $7

Wash Winter’s Willys Away With Whiskey
Clinkerfield + Silver City Highway + The Violent Mood Swings + The Idle Hoes + Kim Volkman + Jordie Lane + Gareth Eunson and the Graveyard Sons + The Gin Club + Halfway
@The Tote, 3pm, $12

Tuesday the 31st

Carus (solo) + Austin
@East Brunswick Club, 8pm, $12+bf

Us Vs Them - Friday August 3

2007-07-24T21:09:00.000+10:00

Next Friday night August the 3rd is the date for the fourth installment of Us Vs. Them, an occasional band night at Roxanne in Coverlid Place, Chinatown. To date there have been some very impressive acts performing at Us Vs. Them including Deloris, You Will Die Alone, Bit By Bats, Laura and SubAudible Hum. Next Friday's lineup is probably the best yet, featuring:

YACHT (USA)
Panther (USA)
Love of Diagrams
Barrage

Us Vs. Them have been kind enough to offer us a free double pass to giveaway to this event (valued at $30+bf).

If you're interested, email us at acrosstherooftops@gmail.com by 6pm Monday the 30th of July. In your email we want to hear about a few local acts you have really enjoyed seeing live in the last twelve months. You can tell us why if you want, but if you can't be assed then don't bother. We'll choose one of you to be the lucky recipient of the double pass. Haven't decided what sort of response we will select. It might be because you lead us to our new favourite band, 'cause we dig your tastes, or could be 'cause you're the only who sends us an email. Hope to hear from you.

Bands 'n Stuff: July 18 to July 24

2007-07-18T07:41:00.000+10:00

Wednesday the 18th

Another installment of the Good Intentions residency tonight, this time with a bubbly burst of pop energy from talented newbies Oh Mercy and Little Red. Acoustic country group Potential Falcon begin a big week of shows with their show at Bar Open, while the Houlette residency also continues just round the corner at Old Bar. But the Arthouse is probably the place to be tonight with My Disco on the bill.

Chuck Jenkins
@The Standard, 9pm, Free

Envy + My Disco + Brisk + Art Vandelay
@The Arthouse

residency
Good Intentions + Oh Mercy + Little Red
@The Tote, 8pm, $5

residency
Houlette + guests
@Old Bar, 9pm

Potential Falcon + Tom Woodward + The Tiger and Me
@Bar Open, 8pm, Free

Sime Nugent
@The Gem, 9pm, Free

Thursday the 19th

The NSC gig really stands out to me tonight with US tourists Charlemagne treating Melbourne to summery warped guitar tunes and supported by our own slice of indie, with surfy lofi hooks from Panel of Judges and hushed lullabies from Grand Salvo. Over at Stop.Drop.Roll the X comeback trail continues, and they have the tender yet tortured tales from The Bulls as one of the supports.

Elsewhere, Gertrudes has a few different shades of indie guitar pop, Rob Roy a few shades of artsy rock, raw and primal rock at the Tote (where else???), new wavish rock at Ding Dong, and just rock at the Espy Front Bar. Digger's residency continues at Cobra Bar, Little Red headline C'mon C'mon, while The Public Bar at the Espy is the night's best option for laid back sounds headlined by Potential Falcon who back up after Wednesday and Sydneysiders Dead Letter Chorus who start their Melbourne tour playing their modern shantiesh folk.

Charlemagne (USA) + Panel of Judges + Grand Salvo
@NSC, 8:30pm, $10+bf

Clinkerfield
@The Gem, 9pm, Free

Crystal Thomas + Matt Green + Les Fleurs Du Mal + Kim Volkman
@The Greyhound

Thousand Cuts
Dead Frenchmen + Big Cats + Quiet The Few
@Ding Dong, 8pm, $7

residency
Digger and the Pussycats
@The Tote – Cobra Bar, 9:30pm, $5

Fearless Vampire Killers + Benzene + The Drives
@The Espy Front Bar, 8pm

The Fit + Y + Bachelor of Arts
@Rob Roy, 8pm, $6

The Holy Soul (NSW) + The Bakelite Age + Negative Waves (SPA) + The Travis Hooper Experience
@The Tote, 8pm, $7

Les Fancy Boys + Talkshow Boy + Macaca Mulatta
@Pony

C'mon C'mon
Little Red + The Sneaker Trio
@The Evelyn

Peavine Special + Palace Flophouse
@Blue Tile Lounge

Potential Falcon + Dead Letter Chorus (NSW) + The Bitter Sweethearts + King Tebbutt and Whistler
@The Espy Front Bar, 8pm, Free

The Shake Up (NSW) + The Brutals + Brilliant Fanzine
@Gertrudes, 8pm, $6

TV for Cats + Paint Me a Phoenix + Slight of Build
@Afterdark, 9pm

Stop.Drop.Roll
X + The Bulls + Earthquake in Tokyo
@Glasshouse

Friday the 20th

Tonight's choice is unlikely to be made until the clock strikes 8. Perhaps the twin drum attack of the super version of Aleks and the Ramps might be your choice, but not just for them but also to see Extreme Wheeze with band. But if feeling like dealing with your work frustrations in a less jocular way, the Cobra Bar might be where you head. All acts feature highly regarded local acts who play very rarely, Witch Hats' drummer is here with solo project Drunk Hands, as is Geelong's finest underground loop pedal extraordinaire Chris Smith and another Karl E. Scullin project St. Helens.

Then again, if you didn't catch Charlemagne on Thursday he is playing at Forepaw, and with Kirsty Stegwazi who hasn't played locally for an eternity it seems (under her real name, anyway). The Corner gig has some new wavy Jrock, but if you want to head here it might be an idea to book ahead cause this one might sell out. The Kings of Leon clones Whiskey Go Go's are doing NSC, and they have with them, SubAudible Hum and also the violent and confrontational blues punk of Sailors and Swine who come highly recommended from this site. Also worth catching is James McCann who has scored a support slot for Magnolia Electric Co. when they play next month. Tonight he is playing at the Greyhound

Farewell and Hello Show
Aleks and the Ramps + Extreme Wheeze and the Nasty Coughs + Scissors for Sparrow
@East Brunswick Club, 8:30pm, $8

Charlemagne (USA) + Kirsty Stegwazi + The Shivers (USA)
@Forepaw, $8

Dead Letter Chorus (NSW) + Goodbye Motel + Brian Campeau + Agnes Kain
@Gertrudes

Drunk Hands + St. Helens + Chris Smith
@The Tote Cobra Bar, 9pm, $5

Expatriate + Bit By Bats + Dance With Voices
@The Corner, $12+bf, 8:30pm

The Holy Soul (NSW)
@Town Hall, 10pm, Free + @Pony, 2am, Free

James McCann and the Dirty Skirts
@The Greyhound

Mouse Trap Replica + Ichabod's Crane + Justin Ashworth’s Music To Fall Asleep To
@Afterdark, 9pm

San Lazaro
@The Toff, 9pm, $12+bf

Six Ft Hick + Russian Roulettes + The Dead South
@Ding Dong, 7pm, $10

single launch
Whiskey Go Go’s + SubAudible Hum + Sailors and Swine
@NSC, 8:30pm, $10+bf

Saturday the 21st

You can't go wrong at a benefit, and the Fitzroy Town Hall hosts a pretty decent guitary lineup tonight. Elsewhere, Batrider will hurt some people at Pony with their angry blues rock. Songs, songs and more songs at IDGAFF, with the hard-working D Rogers, and another good night at the city's newest indie night, Sideshow. Bit of a southside "eclectic" gig at the Espy, but best on that side of the river has to be the all-star lineup at Revolver - not sure how one melds pounding math-rock, sweet folky tunes and electro-dub but I'm sure they'll try.

And yeah, the soccer's on, Australia v Japan so don't miss that grudge clash. But gig of the night is The Smallgoods at the NSC. Their first band show for a while is supported by Ned Collette and his newly coalesced band, who're going from strength to strength, despite not having a formal name. Watch the football in the back bar during breaks.

Batrider + Daisy Buchanan + Badcop Badcop + Deathbag
@Pony

The Blow Waves + The Gingers + Y
@Ding Dong, 7pm, $10

East Timor Music Benefit
Blueline Medic + SubAudible Hum + Dardanelles + Runaway Boys + Girl vs. Ghost + more
@Fitzroy Town Hall, 2pm-8pm, $12+bf

D. Rogers + The Triangles + Ned and the Meds
@Idgaff, 9pm

Hellogoodbye (USA) + The Lucksmiths + Capeside
@The Corner, 8:30pm, $39.60+bf

Sideshow @ CBD
Little Athletics + Talons + Kill Boogie
@McKillop Lane, $12

Mark Seymour
@The Toff, 9pm, $25+bf

Martin Martini and the Bone Palace Orchestra + Baron Samadhi + Describe Eliza + The Commas
@The Espy Front Bar, 8pm, Free

Mollinger + Talkshow Boy + The Purple Duck
@Afterdark, 9pm

My Disco + The Small Knives + Fabulous Diamonds
@Revolver Upstairs, 9pm, $8+bf

Old Man River + Cuthbert and the Night Walkers + Lisa Mitchell
@Manchester Lane, 8:30pm, $12+bf

residency
Potential Falcon + Dead Letter Chorus
@The Tote Front Bar, 5pm, Free

The Shivers (USA) + Ainslie Wills + The Kites
@Old Bar, 9pm, Free

single launch
The Smallgoods + Ned Collette Band + Emily Ulman
@NSC, 8:30pm, $10+bf

Sons of Lee Marvin + The Holy Soul (NSW)
@The Greyhound

Sunday the 22nd

Hellogoodbye (USA) + The Lucksmiths + Capeside
@The Corner, 12:00pm, $39.60+bf

Justin Ashworth's Music to Fall Asleep To + David Shea + Mouse Trap Replica
@Bar Open, 8pm

Happy Birthday Wilson
The Vandas
@Idgaff, 2pm

Monday the 23rd

Blonde Redhead (USA) + Love of Diagrams + St Helens
@Hi-Fi Bar, 7:30pm, $40+bf

Tuesday the 24th

Liam Finn (NZ) + Emily Ulman
@East Brunswick Club, 8:00pm, $12+bf

Bands 'n Stuff: July 12 to July 17

2007-07-12T11:37:00.000+10:00

Bit late this week. Sorry. Seemed like a typical Wednesday night anyway. A few residencies that you can catch next week. A few acoustic singer- songwriters. Not much else.

Thursday the 12th

First to mention is the Dinosaur Jr gig, and not just 'cause they're supposedly one of the most of the influential noisy guitar bands ever, but also because they've gone with some great local supports. Eddy Current Suppression Ring is one, the other is dense soulful devastating instrumental post-rock duo Radiant City. The next best but first best for price is the Gertrude's gig where Ned Colette is headlining, playing his first gig after returning from Europe as support for none other than Joanna Newsom. Ned is playing a host of gigs in the next couple of months including a Thursday residency in September at the Edinburgh Castle, seems to be playing with a band from now on, and will be supported at this gig by two gorgeously quiet and tuneful folkies.

Elsewhere, grimy art rockers, Bachelor of Arts launch their single at Bar Open, cheap booze with electro ambience at Glasshouse (???), ex Art-Brut man, Chris Chinchilla takes new thing Macaca Mulatta to another venue, ex Midnight Oilers are on at Northcote Social Club, indie rockers at The Espy and The East, gothic new wavers at Filla, another 60s revivalist group The Shoes headline Cmon Cmon, Tote stalwarts Digger and the Pussycats continue their residency at Cobra Bar, and another option for quieter acoustic sounds at Old Bar

Stop.Drop.Roll
Anonymeye + ii + Shoab Ahmed and Man Killed
@Glasshouse, 8:30pm, $6

Bachelor of Arts + Bakelite (CAN) + Hotel Wrecking City Traders + Bang! Bang! Aids
@Bar Open. 9pm, Free

Chinook + The Duelling Aunts
@Cornish Arms, 9pm, Free

Residency
Digger and the Pussycats
@The Tote – Cobra Bar, 9:30pm, $5

Dinosaur Jr + Eddy Current Supression Ring + Radiant City
@The Forum, 8pm, $51.70+bf

Ghostwriters + Dallas Frasca + Jack Howard
@NSC, 8:30pm, $18+bf

Kinematic + Chuck Jenkins
@Manchester Lane, 8:30pm, $12+bf

Macaca Mulatta + Chase Ego + Darkest Heartstrings
@Pony, 9pm

Man Bites God + Clinkerfield + The Scholars
@East Brunswick Club, 8pm, $12

Mojo Rising + New Rules for Boats (WA) + The Battery Kids (SA) + Master Cardinal
@The Espy Front Lounge, 9pm, Free

Ned Collette + Talamere + Let’s Not (But Say We Did) (*)
@Gertrudes

Filla
Schadenfreude + Y + Jades of July
@Revolver, 8pm, $6

Cmon Cmon
The Shoes + Le Shlonk + Mt Augustus
@The Evelyn

Tom Woodward (ACT) + Owls of The Swamp + Earl Leonard
@Old Bar, 9pm

Friday the 13th

The third instalment of Us Vs. Them is on tonight at Roxanne and they’ve come up with the goods again. Laura will provide a wall of sound, SubAudible Hum the atmospheric guitar theatrics and Aleks and co. with costumes, hyperactivity and general craziness. At NSC post-rockers International Karate launch their greatly underrated new wave influenced third record, while also in Northcote at Afterdark, Extreme Wheeze hits the stage with his interesting brand of DIY acoustic guitar pop. The Tote has a great lineup too tonight with some Aus alt country acts, hiphop star Macromantics headlines at Revolver, some indie folk popsters visiting from Queensland are at Gertrudes, louder darker arty rock at Old Bar, and Heeney and Birchall at Wesley Anne

Bang! Bang! Aids! + Blacklevel Embassy + Grand Fatal + To The North (QLD)
@Old Bar, 9pm

The Darling Downs + Crystal Thomas and Les Fleurs Du Mal + Black Pony Express + Joni Lightning
@The Tote, 8:30pm, $12

Dynamo + Tash Mints
@Bar Open, 10pm, free

Emma Heeney + Ben Birchall + Tess Hildebrand
@Wesley Anne, 8:30pm

Extreme Wheeze + Look! Bird! Lament! + Rialto Decibel Choir + Let’s Not (But Say We Did)
@Afterdark, 8pm

EP Launch
The Follow (NSW) + The Mares (NSW) + Foxx On Fire
@East Brunswick Club, 8:30pm, $10+bf

album launch
International Karate + Princess One Point Five + The Dead Sea (NSW)
@NSC, 8:30pm, $10

Us Vs. Them
Laura + SubAudible Hum + Aleks and the Ramps
@Roxanne, 8pm, $10

Macromantics + Catcall + Miami Horror + Sleater Brockman
@Revolver, $12+bf

Mt Augustus (QLD) + A Man Called Son (QLD) + Jerry Falwell Destroyed Earth
@Gertrudes

Saturday the 14th

A pretty big Saturday for Melbs. Of interest to many will be the Toff gig where the pschyojangly pop group Belles Will Ring are launching their critically acclaimed debut album. Two upandcoming local acts are with them. Also of interest to those for an injection of indie guitar pop are the Revolver, Pony and Espy gigs all with more than a couple of great acts on the bill. For those with a more typical dirty, grimy yet arty Melbourne rock tastes go to Afterdark in the afternoon then head for the Tote Cobra Bar, or perhaps the second instalment of Sideshow@CDB. Or perhaps both? Sideshow bands don’t start until 11. For rock canines and swines the Nation Blue are also playing a free show at the Espy, and art-prog AMP nominees Knives of Neptune headline at Rob Roy. Easy going country folk will probably follow up the Potential Falcon residency with a counter meal and then Lisa Miller and friends at NSC, while newer new wave rock fans will like the lineup at the East. If you fancy indie folk then Afterdark is worth a try. Underground sounds at Forepaw too.

Albert’s Basement
Touch Typist + Our Hands in Grey + Let’s Not (But Say We Did) + Fickle Beasts + Mt. Augustus + Dance Contest
@Forepaw, 5pm

Belles Will Ring (NSW) + Little Red + Plastic Palace Alice

@The Toff, 9pm, $10+bf

Dardanelles + Tic Toc Tokyo + Teenagers in Tokyo (NSW) + Mission Control + Ouch My Face
@East Brunswick Club, 8:30pm, $10+bf

Dead Frenchmen + Brilliant Fanzine + Chinook + Summer Cats
@Revolver, $10

The Follow (NSW) + The Rocketsmiths + The Basics + Major Major
@The Espy Front Bar, 9pm, Free

Hand Hell + Batrider (acoustic) + Bang Bang Aids! + Hotel Wrecking City Traders
@The Tote Cobra Bar, 9pm, $8

Knives of Neptune + Somersault + The Mares (NSW) + Slight of Build
@Rob Roy, 8pm, $8

Lisa Miller + Matt Walker and Ashley Davies
@NSC, 8:30pm, $15+bf

Mt Augustus (QLD) + Fickle Beasts + Let’s Not (But Say We Did) + more
@Forepaw

The Nation Blue + Coue Method + Between the Devil and the Deep + Daysworth Fighting
@The Espy Front Bar, 8pm, Free

New Estate + Mid State Orange + New Rules For Boats (WA) + The Brutals
@Pony

New Memes + A Man Called Son (QLD) + Pat Elliott
@Afterdark, 9pm

Weekender
The New Black + Spun Rivals
@Ding Dong, 8pm, $10

Residency
Potential Falcon + Jordie Lane
@The Tote Front Bar, 5pm, Free

EP Launch
Quebec + Worms of the Earth + Quiet Steps + To the North
@The Tote, 9pm, $8

Regina Spektor
@Regent Theatre, 7pm, SOLD OUT

Sideshow@CBD
Rhythm Bell + Kids With Guns For Hands + Red Light Union
@McKillop Lane, $12

Young Breeder + Spider Goat Canyon + Man Killed
@Afterdark, 2pm, $5

Sunday the 15th

CD Launch
Devil Goat Family String Band + Redfish Bluegrass
@East Brunswick Club, 3:30pm, $15/$25 inc. CD

Humansixbillion + Blessington + Great Earthquake + Look! Bird! Lament!
@Bar Open, 8pm

Mineral Springs + Macaca Mulatta + Dance Contest + Go Genre Everything
@The Tote, 6:30pm, $6

Young Husband + Kathematics + Teko
@Rob Roy, 4pm, $5

Wagons - LIVE

2007-07-07T11:49:00.000+10:00

A few months ago in our post about decent local live acts we posted about Wagons, a country-rock sextet who I saw perform at Festa El Cheapo back in March at the Retreat. Recently, I have had the pleasure of seeing Wagons again and, for me, they have a live show which is one of the most entertaining from a local act at the moment.

The centrepiece of the band is a podgy, dishevelled, bespectacled character who goes by the name of Henry Wagons - lead singer and acoustic guitarist. Even if their music wasn’t very good it would be worth the price of entry just to see him perform. Part of the humour is ironical, funny because we’re seeing a educated slightly slobbish Melbournian singing trad country tunes. There is also an ironical chuckle from Henry’s serenading of an audience member during one of the group’s power ballads, and from the band’s experimentation with more ‘modern’ musical genres. The rest of the laughs comes from Henry’s banter. He has a dry self deprecating sardonic tongue and no-one is off limit - including the audience. But it's all in good fun, and he comes across as a witty, intelligent and likeable guy. His bandmates seem to appreciate him too even if they're also sometimes the butt of his jokes.

But this is not a band purely for comic relief – they also write some super tunes. The lyrics are poetic, and come from a dark place on the frontier where outlaws rule, death must be avenged, and souls are sold to the devil. Then there are the songs. There are no flat spots, but my favourites at this stage are toe tappin’ numbers such as High Rollin’ and an ode to country music legend Willie Nelson (a Wayfearing Strangers cover) where Henry rocks back and forth in a stomp fervently strumming his acoustic guitar. The band barely miss a beat too. The guitar solos from Richard Blaze soar. The washboard solos from Mark Dawson and Cy ‘The Philanthropist’ crackle. The falsetto backing harmonies from the Hassett brothers are pitch perfect and Henry’s crooning baritone is magnificent. You won’t be disappointed with this band.

Wagons are playing tonight at Hells Kitchen.

They have released two albums, 2002’s Trying To Get Home (Chapter) and 2004’s Draw Blood (Spunk). Both appear to be out of stock. Their next album will be released mid-August. Expect a range of shows from Wagons around this time.

Bands 'n Stuff: July 4 to July 10

2007-07-04T11:09:00.000+10:00

Probably no gig of the week this week, but, still, there's no shortage of gigs on. Starting with this evening...

Wednesday the 4th

A great night for the first Wednesday in July. My pick is the gig at Ding Dong where there is avant-garde sonic grunger Dane Certificate, along with lo-fi popster Popolice and post punk/rockers Readers' Wives who play their last for a while, possibly ever. If this doesn't appeal, there's a bunch of quieter gigs in Fitzroy and at the Wesley Anne - the pick of which is at Bar Open with the tender and gorgeous tunes of Royal Chord along with some decent supports. If not, the power pop 'n roll of Good Intentions at their Tote residency might cheer you up. Great support for them too from the cold and dense tones of Dead Frenchmen. Elsewhere, there's always the Espy, or see some old hats over on Chapel St.

Amaya Lauricia
@The Standard, 9pm, free

Kashmir Nights
Dane Certificate + Popolice + Readers’ Wives
@Ding Dong, 9pm, $5

Residency
The Good Intentions + Dead Frenchmen + Love Is Science Fiction
@The Tote, 8pm, $5

Residency
Houlette + special guest
@Old Bar, 9pm, Free

Collage
Ouch My Face + Firebyrd + The House of Slunk
@The Espy Front Bar

Royal Chord + Khancoban + Josh Armistead
@Bar Open, 8pm, Free

Revamp
Spidey and Whitt (Spiderbait) + Mary and Adalita
@Revolver Upstairs, Free

Tom Woodward + Earl Leonard
@Wesley Anne, 8pm, $5

Thursday the 5th

A difficult choice tonight. For something older, head to the Greyhound to see Bad Seed Conway Savage mix it up with seminal Aus hard rockers X, who are playing some tunes in support of a re-released record. If you're up for trying newer sounds, then there is melodic and driving instrumental rock with Bury the Sound at Pony, or perhaps the electro rock and disco groups at Filla. If you're looking for a taste of another era, then The Basics and Little Red are on again, the former with a couple of jokey folkies, the latter with relaxed harmonies from indie country pop group, The Brutals. If you're after bluesy music, then at Gertrudes you can see Palace Flophouse do it in a garagey rock kindaway while Digger and the Pussycats at Cobra Bar are a bit more brutal and raw.

But, if none of this appeals look no further than the Afterdark, with French guitar popster, Ladybird, and melancholic acoustic and piano lo-fi sweetness from Light Music Club, spot a couple of Mann brothers down at Manchester Lane, or just listen to some post modern inner suburban Melbourne rhymes from Talkshow Boy at Cmon Cmon.

The Bedroom Philosopher + The Basics + Scott Edgar and the Universe
@The Tote, 8pm, $8

EP launch
Bury the Sound + Esbatu + DJ Cam Farrar
@Pony, 9pm

Conway Savage + Kim Volkman + X
@Greyhound Hotel, 8pm

Residency
Digger and the Pussycats
@The Tote – Cobra Bar, 9:30pm, $5

Ladybird + Light Music Club + Biddy Conor
@Afterdark, 8pm, $5

Filla
Lemonsmile + Future Love + Superfunhappyband
@Revolver

Stop.Drop.Roll
Little Red + The Brutals
@Glasshouse, 8pm, $6

The Orbweavers + Oliver Mann + luluc
@Manchester Lane, 8pm, $10

Palace Flophouse + Peavine Special + Femur
@Gertrudes, 8:30pm, $6

Cmon Cmon
Talkshow Boy + The Dead South
@The Evelyn, 8:30pm, $8

Tobias Cummings + The Dawn Collective + Blessington
@The Espy Front Lounge, 9pm, Free

Friday the 6th

Eddy Current Suppression Ring are back and this time they'll be playing in front of the cool kids down at Roxanne. Get in early because this is likely to be pretty popular. Ramshackling indie pop dudes New Estate are on at the Old Bar, dance to some urgent rock rhythms with Tic Toc Tokyo at Gertrudes, become involved in the theatrical experimental show of Red Paintings at The East, or down a few whiskeys with the Australiana alt country and bluesy lineup at idgaff. Elsewhere, you can support community radio by paying an your entry fee to the Afterdark or support guys with acoustic guitars at NSC. Most interesting gig tonight could be at the Corner, but not just to see Magic Dirt's slightly altered direction, more to witness the reaction when JP Shilo(???) takes the stage. A very interesting choice for support!

Also, according to Beat, Black Cab and International Karate are supporting a band called MBR at HiFi Bar. Neither of their myspace sites have any info about this so I didn't put this in the gig guide. Hmmmmm?

Black Boned Angel (NZ) + Agonhymn + Agents of Abhorrence + Firewitch
@The Tote, 8:30pm, $10

Single Launch
The Black Popes + Etherland + Sons of the Sun
@Rob Roy, 8:30pm, $5

Des Peres + Made for Chickens By Robots + Marcelle and the Blow Waves
@Bar Open, 10pm, free

Primitive
Eddy Current Suppression Ring + The Dead Farmers
@Roxanne, 9pm, $10

I Heart Hiroshima + Regular John + Love Is Science Fiction + Orsan Eskabar
@The Espy Front Lounge, 9pm, Free

Junior Anti Sex League
@Forepaw, 9pm

3CR Benefit
Lakes of Russia + Through Lost Hope + Anonymeye + A. Wallace
@Afterdark, 9pm, $5

Magic Dirt + Young and Restless + JP Shilo + Spider Vomit
@The Corner, $19.80+bf, 8:30pm

album launch
Mick Hart + Dave Mann + Lincoln and Dallas + Dom Cooley
@Northcote Social Club, $10+bf, 8:30pm

New Estate + The Bad Luck Charms + Ladybird (FRA)
@Old Bar, 9pm, $6

Not Too Far + The Butcherbirds + Silent Reprise + Viva Computer Social Union (2am)
@Pony, 9:30pm

The Red Paintings + Loopstation (USA) + Battle Circus
@East Brunswick Club, $12+bf, 8:30pm

Silver City Highway + Crystal Thomas and Les Fleurs Du Mal + James McCann and Jo Brockman
@IDGAFF, 8:30pm, $6

Tic Toc Tokyo + Sailors and Swine + The Gems
@Gertrudes, 8:30pm, $8

Saturday the 7th

Low Transit Industries are launching a new website offering downloads, merchandise and other stuff, and tonight they're hosting a celebration down at the Corner with the cream from their label. Another launch of sorts is a new Saturday night indie club in the city, Sideshow@CBD, apparently taking the spot of a former goth club, and run by the team from Afterdark. If neither of the above appeals then try and make it out to the house party in Thornbury. Festivities kick off here just after lunch.

But if all you want is a regular gig then there's countryish stuff at the Tote from 5, another 3CR benefit gig at the Afterdark, upcoming eclectic bands at new all ages venue Forepaw on High St, Northcote, hard rockin' times at Old Bar and Roxanne, a range of alt stuff at Ding Dong, and mainly bittersweet alt-rock at Rob Roy. And, before I forget, possibly the best live band in Melbourne are playing at Hell's Kitchen. How do they fit a band in here? Does anyone know? Do they play behind the bar???

67 Special + Skybombers + Young Lovers + The Service
@The Espy Front Lounge, 9pm, Free

7” single launch
Dead Farmers + Negative Waves + Ships Piano
@Old Bar, 9pm

album launch
Downhills Home + The Vandas + Jordie Lane and Liz Stringer
@The Tote, 9pm, $9

The Hovercrafts + Jamie Robbie Reyne and the Paradise Three + Dirty Pink Jeans + Oh Mercy
@Ding Dong, 7pm, $10

House Party
Panel of Judges, Reign of Paranthropus, Hand Hell, Ladybird, Me Mu & Meow, Light Music Club, Rialto Decibel Choir, Viva Computer Social Union, Denim Owl
@House of Mokey, 62 Strettle St, Thornbury, Gold Coin Entry, 1pm

3CR Benefit
The Paul Kidney Experience + Ants + Me Mu and Meow + Grimswoon
@Afterdark, 2pm, $5

Potential Falcon + Sam J. Nicholson
@The Tote Front Bar, 5pm, Free

Click Click
The Scare + Cobra Massive + Orsan Eskabar
@Colonial Hotel, 9pm, $14/$10

single launch
Shooting at Unarmed Men + Legends of Motorsport + A Friend of Mine + Bad Luck Charms
@Roxanne, 9pm, $10

Sideshow@CBD
Spider Vomit + Bang! Bang! Aids! + Badcop Badcop
@McKillop Lane, 10pm, $12

LTI Digital Showcase
SubAudible Hum + Souls on Board + New Estate + Kissees Bah Buyee
@The Corner, 8:30pm, $12+bf

single launch
Tobias Cummings and the Long Way Home + The Dawn Collective + Ancient Free Gardeners
@Rob Roy, 8:30pm, $10

Wagons
Hell's Kitchen, 9:30pm, free

Viva Computer + Junior Anti Sex League + Charles Du Cane
@Forepaw, 9pm, Free

Sunday the 8th

A quietish Sunday except for the Aus. tour show of hip new androgenous glam rock singer songwriter, Patrick Wolf. This should be great. Also will be a good chance to see a rare show from the bleak and wry Sir. Any of the other gigs mentioned here should be worthwhile too.

Oliver Mann + Matt McBeath
@Wesley Anne, 8pm, $5

Patrick Wolf + Sir + Ladybird
@Manchester Lane, 7:30pm, $26/$40 including CD

The Spoils
@Edinburgh Castle 5pm, Free

Sweetheart of the Rodeo (The Byrds Tribute)
The Vandas (solo slots) + Downhills Home + Van and Cal Walker
@Shingles Bar, 8pm

Tuesday the 10th

Finish off the giggin' week with experimental sounds at the Tote

Shoeb Ahmed + ManKilled + M. Rosner and Simon Hampson + Blarke Bayer
@Afterdark, 8pm, Free

Bands 'n' Stuff: June 27th to July 3rd

2007-06-22T13:29:00.000+10:00

Gig o' the Week

Hey Hey, It's the Basics

Too easy this week, it's the all-singing, all-dancing good clean family fun spectacular at the Athenaeum on Saturday night! We've talked about almost everyone on this bill ad nauseum, so not much more need be said, other than "tickets from Ticketmaster". Never thought I'd say that when talking about Melbourne indie music. This'll be nuts.

The Basics
with help from
Spargo
Emma Heeney and the Daves
Little Red
Tokenview
Lawrence Leung
Andrew McClelland
Oliver Clark

The Athenaeum
Saturday June 30th
8pm
$13-$22 from Ticketmaster

Wednesday June 27th

A quiet night tonight, it's raining and getting cold and, well, probably easier to just stay home really? As we settle into the depths of winter only the strong survive. A highlight is gothic post-country superstars Silver City Highway at their final residency gig at the Old Bar. Elsewhere check out Sime at the Gem or the Standard for boys and guitars. Don't know a lot the other two gigs, to be honest.

Cactus, Deserters Rosie Burgess, Son Hawk, Kid Katana
@Bar Open, 9pm, $5

Fourth Floor Collapse, The Neurotransmitters, The Glorious
@Rob Roy, 8pm, $8

A Friend of Mine, Zeros, Paper Tiger
@The Tote, 8pm, $5

Silver City Highway, The Vandas
@Old Bar, 9pm, Free

Sime Nugent
@The Gem, Free

Danny SubAudible Hum, Nedd Wellyn
@Standard, 9pm

Thursday June 28th

Warming up now for the weekend. Out of the four ‘band nights’, I like upcoming indie pop group Oh Mercy at Filla and chilled out acoustic countryites Ned and the Meds at Stop. Drop. Roll. But then there is also like Ferg at IDGAFF, he's got a lot of friends and will make more with his low key alt-country ballads, or the magnificent country tricksters, Wagons at the Retreat. Elsewhere there is post-rock at the Rob Roy, indie kids at the Tote, songs at the East, but the best gig tonight is at the NSC, a real Candle records feel.

Anthony Atkinson and the Running Mates, Small Knives, D Rogers
@NSC, 8:30pm, $10

Monique Brumby, Kerri Simpson
@Empress, 9pm

Cmon Cmon
84, From Hell, Plastic Flophouse
@The Evelyn, 8:30pm, $8

The Dirty Romantics, Tokenview, The Chemists
@Pony, 9pm

Filla
Oh Mercy, Detective Social, Pitching Woo
@Revolver, 8pm

Jigzag, Matt Walters
@East, 8:30pm, $15/$10

Fergus Silver City Highway and friends
@IDGAFF, 8:30pm, free

The Spheres, The Black Hundred, Il, Underlapper
@Rob Roy, 8pm, $8

Stop. Drop. Roll
Ned and the Meds, J Hawk
@The Glasshouse, 8:30pm, $6

Straight to the Ace, Chinook, Alesha Joy
@Gertrudes, 8:30pm

Treetops, Telecom, Chase Ego
@The Tote, 8:30pm, $8

Wagons
@Retreat, 9:30pm

Friday June 29th

If it wasn’t Friday night I’d probably go and listen to the quietish sounds at the Afterdark. Nice gigs tonight too at IDGAFF and the East, different ends of the country/folk spectrum. Lots of JJJish stuff down at the Espy, Then there’s just straight rockin' at the Rob Roy. The Gertrudes gig will be interesting if you like ambience, and Yidcore haven't played for a while so if you can find Yarraville get down there. But, really, go to the Rochie for nostalgia's sake - remember when the DJ played that song and you danced and that boy was there? Yeah, that's the place.

The Apartments, Dave Graney and Clare Moore and the Lurid Yellow Mist
@NSC, 8:30pm, $16+bf

album launch
Lou Bennett and the Sweet Cheeks, Liz Stringer
@East, 8:30pm, $12+bf

Ben Birchall, Talamere, Benji Pee, Cindy and the Cindy's
@Afterdark

Blessington, Mousetrapreplica, Tinker
@IDGAFF, 9pm, $5

Blueline Medic, Daysworth Fighting, Magentaline, Of the Night
@Gershwin Room, Espy, 9pm, free

Panic - Last Ever
@Rochester Castle, 9pm, free

Offcuts, Lady Strangelove, Tokenview, Grand Atlantic, Spoonful
@The Espy Front Bar, Free

The Paper Scissors, Sailors and Swine, Boy+Girl
@Revolver

The Resignators, Yidcore, Schadenfreude
@Commercial, Yarraville, 9pm

Silver Night Drive, Jarvis, The Fearless Vampire Killers
@Ding Dong, 7pm, $8

Sin City, The Bakelite Age, Kids in Cults, Screwtop Detonators
@Rob Roy, 8pm, $10

album launch
Underlapper, Scissors for Sparrow, Anonymeye
@Gertrudes, 8:30pm, $8

Saturday June 30th

And, out of nowhere, a huge night tonight. Celebrating the end of the financial year? Nah, just celebrating the end of smoking in pubs. Sounds fucking good to me. So, there's the gig of the week, yes. And someone's gotta watch the Saints rebound from a good win. But how about Because of Ghosts' last show for the year, at the East? (They're heading overseas.) Chris Chinchilla's launching Antescene in this town at a Brunswick warehouse, with some great young indie bands - but on the other side of Brunswick, Cloud City are blowing away the walls with a great lineup. The awesome Nation Blue are playing a headline show. Add a decent Click Click, a good night at the Espy, harmony rich The Brutals at Weekender and it gets silly. Even sillier when you see who is doing the 2am slot at Pony. And the electronic-experimental Chris Willits at North Bazaar makes it impossible to choose.

Antescene Melbourne Launch
Macaca Mulatta, The Contrast, Love Is Science Fiction, Greengreengreen
@Irene's Warehouse (5 Pitt St, Brunswick), 7:30pm, all ages, $5

last Oz 2007 show
Because of Ghosts, Extreme Wheeze, Chris Smith
@East, 8:30pm, $10+bf

Click Click
Plug In City, Lady Strangelove, Mission Control
@Brown Alley, 9pm

Cloud City Soundproofing Benefit
Ground Components, My Disco, Grey Skulls, The Focus, Naked on the Vague (NSW), Quebec, Duck Duck Chop @Cloud City (14 Prentice St, Brunswick), 6pm, all ages, $15

album launch
The Commas, Sime Nugent @NSC, 8:30pm, $10+bf

Dynamo
@Greyhound, 9pm

The Hovercrafts, The New Black, The Detours, Panel of Judges (2am)
@Pony, 9am

LABJACD, Symbiosis, Shemesh
@Front Lounge, Espy, 9pm, free

Metal Wars
Terrorust, Synthetic Breed, Realm, Paroxysm, Immersion, New Skin
@Gershwin, Espy, 8pm, $12

The Nation Blue, Sky, Kids with Guns for Hands, These Hands Could Separate the Sky, Chainsaw Girls
@Arthouse, 8pm

Weekender
The Brutals, Big Cats
@Ding Dong, 8pm, $10

Christopher Willits (US), Touch Typist
@North Bazaar, 8pm, $5

Sunday July 1st

To recover, a quiet Sunday, but with some quality gigs. Guitar singer-songwriter action at the Toff, or indie rock at Bar Open from some cane toads. But IDGAFF is where it's at, celebrating a year of good gigs and beer with a big lump of folky, bluesy kids.

album launch
Fred Astereo, Rob Clarkson
@Toff, 7pm, $10

album launch
Grand Atlantic (QLD), Son Hawk, Goo Fang
@Bar Open, 8pm

First Birthday!
Steve Lucas, Quincy McLean, Van and Cal Warner, James McCann and Jo Brockman, Dan Warner @IDGAFF, 5pm, $10

Tuesday July 3rd

Jmag Launch
Children Collide
@Ding Dong, 6pm, free

Listen Before You Die

2007-06-21T07:00:00.000+10:00

You Will Die Alone, an experimental surfy grunge lofi jamster four piece, have had plenty of gigs around Melbourne the past few months, with slots at the Tote, Roxanne, and the Espy amongst other places. These gigs, playing alongside established acts such The Crayon Fields and Deloris, as well as a positive review on Mess and Noise led me to check out their debut three track EP Duets, just released on Hot Diamondz, and I have to say, it's a very promising debut.

This little gem starts off with a slow burner, You Will Die, It's the perfect late evening summer song to match the glorious pinkish setting suns on the cover art. It might be even one to drift off in the banana lounge to, if it wasn't so comprehensively interesting, with duelling layered guitars riding and crashing into the eardrums. The amps are cranked up a bit more on the next track, Predators and Villans, kicking the listener back into full consciousness with a thumping bass drum and crashing cymbals. The guitars respond with some soaring reverby hooks and solos, before calming down, picking up and launching into the searching, liberating solo journeys again. Like all the tracks on the EP, the vocals are sparse, muffled and fairly incomprehensible and with the raw production it combines to give the record a very arty indie cred. But this is just a bit of icing, for me it's the killer solos which are the balls of this record. This is confirmed with Knife Fightz, a more urgent offering, but still with a deliciously pulsating improv six string attack. If you're into pioneering 80s indie rock, or you just are dying to bring out your complex air guitar manoeuvres you should definitely buy this record.

Purchase Duets from Missing Link.

See You Will Die Alone tonight at Pony, their last gig for a while before vocalist and guitarist Ben Pellatron heads to U.S.A.

Bands 'n Stuff: June 20th to 26th

2007-06-20T12:59:00.000+10:00

Lots on this week though, gotta say, I can't find me a gig of the week at this point. Thursday night - the Winter Solstice - is huge, presumably because it's the longest night of the year and we're looking to scare the dark away.

Wednesday the 20th

Guitars at the Espy? Edgy at the Arthouse? Rootsy at the Rainbow? Post at the Tote. Supporting two great radio stations at the Spanish Club is a fine way to see the back room out, if you didn't do it last week. But I'll be over the road at the Old Bar, seeing supergroup Silver City Highway continue their residency.

A Friend of Mine + The Black Hundred + Kids with Guns for Hands
@The Tote, 8pm, $5

Collage
On Like Kong + Zeptepi + Deadly Are the Naked
@Espy Front Lounge, 9pm, Free

Drugs in Vegas + Talkshow Boy + CMYK Love
@Arthouse

Andrew McCubbin and the Hope Addicts + Black Pony Express (duo)
@Retreat, 9pm, Free

Never Get Out of This World Alive: The Songs of Hank Williams
Susannah Espie + Sarah Carroll + Tracey and Loretta Miller + Mark Ferrie + Andy Baylor + Gary Young + Peter Baylor
@Rainbow, 9pm, $8

RRR/PBS Megahertz 10th Birthday
British India + The Bowerbirds
@Spanish Club, 7:30pm, $10/$15

Silver City Highway + James McCann
@Old Bar, 9pm, free

Matt Walker
@The Standard, 9pm, Free

Thursday the 21st

The longest night of the year provides choice. I like the look of the Tote gig, with a bit of variation. Don't know the headliners but Souls on Board are great, so get to the Evelyn for that. The fundraiser at Cape Cafe is your first and last chance to go there for a good gig, but it's a worthy cause. Great twee at the Glasshouse, noise at Bar Open, and experimental instrumental at the Toff. Our new faves are playing at Pony, as well. But it's the Rob Roy for me, cause I've been listening to this Raylenes album a fair bit.

The Brutals + Flywheel + The Smallgoods + Ned and the Meds
@The Tote, 8pm, $8

The Bulls + Black Widow + Twin Vickers
@Afterdark, 9pm

C'mon C'mon
The Exploders + Souls on Board + Sailors and Swine
@The Evelyn, 8:30pm, $8

Filla
Learn the Splits + Grow Fins + Clack Train + DJ Speak 'n' Spell + Commission Flats
@Revolver, $6

Hotel Wrecking City Traders + Wog + Aux Assembly + Baboon Brothers
@Bar Open, 8pm, Free

Lorazi Red + Cilla Jane
@Gertrudes, 8:30pm, $6

Mash Out Launch
Pateras/Fox + David Shea and Stephen Magnusson + DJ Oren Ambarchi + DJ Nervous Jerk
@Toff in Town, $12/$10

The Raylenes + The Bedroom Philosopher + Josh Earl
@Rob Roy, 8pm, $8

Researchers for Asylum Seekers Fundraiser
Light Says Solo + Clinkerfield + Ryal Sterling
@Cape Cafe, $10

Edinburgh Fundraiser
Sista She + Lawrence Leung + The Monkey Brigade + Polytoxic + Andy McLelland and Bec Hill + Liz Stringer + Jordie Lane + Anni Davey + Wes Snelling + Quiche Lorraine + The Tongan Youth Group + Carla Yamine
@East, 8pm, $13+bf

Stop.Drop.Roll
Seagull + It’s So Fucking Great To Be Alive + Touch Typist
@The Glasshouse

Thousand Cuts
Plug in City + Bachelor of Arts + DJ Black Night
@Ding Dong, 7pm, $7

Wagons
@Retreat, 9:30pm, free

You Will Die Alone + Batrider + Pets With Pets
@Pony, 9pm

Friday the 22nd

The ball up in Northcote will be great fun, but the Sly Hats album launch is where the real coolsies will be. Well, those who aren't at the East getting their dance on, or at the Old Bar with the kids. Old fashioned new soul at Wesleyanne, and guitars at the Tote, just for something different.

The Brutals + Royal Chord
@The Empress, 9pm

album launch
Carus and the True Believers + Greg Arnold + Hazel Brown
@Northcote Social Club, 8:30pm, $16+bf

The Double Agents
@The Spanish Club Front Bar, 10pm, free

Earl Grey (NSW) + Tom Cooney + Leena
@Wesleyanne, 8:30pm

The Go Set + Mick Thomas + The Mahones
@Prince Bandroom, 8:30pm, $15+bf

Tomorrow Is Today Tribute CD Launch
The Sand Pebbles + 3DTV (NSW) + Ash Naylor + The Love Letters (WA) + Tarantula
@The Tote, 9pm, $10

album launch
Sly Hats + Always + Francis Plagne
@The Toff, $10

The Temper Trap + Hot Little Hands + Major Chord
@East Brunswick Club, 8:30pm, $10

Tic Toc Tokyo + Et Al + Pets With Pets
@Old Bar, 9pm, $5

album launch
The Vasco Era + Whiskey Go Go’s + Little Red
@The Corner, 8:30pm, $16+bf

album launch
Walking to Winter + Donnie Dureau + Pitching Woo
@Evelyn, 9pm, $10

Winter Solstice Ball
Moscow Schoolboy + Big Shot Manoeuvre + The Reefers + DJ Declan Kelly + Queens of the Crossbones + The Hot Slush Puppies
@Regal Ballroom, 8pm, $25

Saturday the 23rd

The Casanovas are pimping their latest joint at Ding Dong - that'll be a helluva show. Clothes ads galore down at the Corner, and young people hitting their instruments with fervour at the Tote. The gig of the night, however, seems to be the 2am late slot at Pony - Barrage have a huge rep with those in the know.

3D TV (NSW) + Pretty Green + The Ooga Boogas
@Town Hall Hotel, 10:30pm, free

Blueline Medic + The Currency + Kim and Jamie
@The Arthouse, 8pm

Carus and the True Believers + Greg Arnold + Hazel Brown
@Northcote Social Club, 8:30pm, $16+bf

The Casanovas + Mustang + Showcard
@Ding Dong, 8pm, $12

Click Click
Outrun + Pets With Pets
@Brown Alley, 9pm, $14/10

Dappled Cities Fly + Red Riders + Dances With Voices
@The Corner, 8:30pm, $16+bf

Made Austria + Dance Contest + Casionova + I=it + Barrage (2am)
@Pony, 9pm

Mark Seymour + Jess McAvoy
@The Espy – Gershwin Room, 8:30pm, $20+bf

The New Black + Spun Rivals + Littlestar
@Rob Roy, 8:30pm, $8

The Spazzys + Mink Jaguar + Little Red
@The Tote, 9pm, $12

Spencer P. Jones
@The Retreat, 5pm

Sunday the 24th

Quiet times everywhere. If you haven't seen Clinkers for a while then it might be nice to sit out the back of the Standard and listen to them - there's a retractable roof, ya know. The Tote has an uncharacteristically quiet line up of sweet twee, or there's country-side bods at Bar Open. Or, of course, Spencer.

Clinkerfield
@The Standard, 7pm

Light Music Club + Duckdive + Broken Flight
@The Tote, 7pm, $7

Spencer P. Jones + Nick Murphy + Shylo
@Shingles Bar, 8:30pm, $10

Wellyn + Sixteen Millimetre + Owls of the Swamp
@Bar Open, 8pm

Cold Weather, Icy Hands

2007-06-15T16:18:00.000+10:00

It's strange that I've liked Chuck Jenkins more solo than with band. I think I was turned off Icecream Hands in the late 90s because they seemed too JJJ. (The national youth station's propensity to play too many bands that sound similar blurs the lines between good and shit - hence The Used.)

Icecream Hands - The Good China (Dust Devil Music, 2007)

Everyone in Oz was doing it then, the guitary power-pop thing. Snout and The Fauves were great, Custard were fun for a while, Jebediah, Spiderbait and Regurgitator, even early Powderfinger. In there somewhere, Jenkins' boys, perservering. I remember the title Sweeter Than the Radio and I'm sure I'd recognise Spirit Level Windowsill, but apart from that it didn't cut through the sea of tunes.

Then last year I listened a bit to Chuck's second solo album, The City Gates. Open Road became a bit of a theme song for part of France, seen from train windows as weeks stretched out ahead without mileposts. Great lyrics, good hooks, simple and effective production.

And that was part of my turning back to guitar pop. I've been listening to it a lot this year. Smudge and The Lemonheads, for instance. The Wellingtons and New Estate are polar opposites in most ways, but they both realise that guitars run best on smooth, high-octane hooks. So do Icecream Hands.

But what they do better than either of these bands is tell stories. The story Chuck tells over the top of an ecstatic, pounding rock backing in In the Back Seat of a Stolen Car is all about love and regrets and betrayal and endings: "there's not too many places to hide/ on this side of the river, on this side of town". That gets me every time, that feeling that you've finished with the whole city.

From there, into Holding On, a great ballad which could be a Harry Nilsson outtake, fitting well with the current 60s revival. But it's the rocky tracks which do it for me most, the simple Say That You Want Me Some More following, without a heap of substance but a good simple pop song.

The album's full of really good songs, but the stories do it for me. Launceston, a multi-city tale about a girl loved and lost. And the second highlight, My Mother Was a Dancer, which reminds of Paul Kelly in its Aussie-childhood subject matter (When I First Met Your Ma?) and the Beach Boys in its sweet harmonies.

It's such a simply Aussie album, it feels like growing up and losing and loving and living. At least to me. You better buy it to see for yourself. Tell ya what, if you see me at the gig on Saturday night, you can demur in person. But do it after their set, just to be sure.

[buy The Good China from Sanity online]

[see Icecream Hands, Saturday June 16th at The Northcote Social Club with Emma Heeney and D Rogers - beautiful songs aplenty]

[visit Icecream Hands at their myspace]

Bands 'n' Stuff: June 13th to 19th

2007-06-13T12:24:00.000+10:00

This week's a bit quiet in places but sprinkled with a series of ball-tearing shows. It's really the week of the Spanish Club, with a huge Oyster Club tonight, Even on Friday, the closing party on Sunday (including the last ever front bar flamenco show) and then the RRR/PBS Megahertz 10th birthday next Wednesday. And that one's the last, last, last gig at the venue, so get on down there and show your appreciation for the last couple of years.

All things must end, unfortunately, no matter how good they are.

Gig o' the Week

Spanish Club Closing Party

Sunday 17th June
from 2pm
@ Spanish Club
$15

LABJACD (11pm)
Bob Log III (10pm)
The Meanies (9:20pm)
The Nation Blue (8:30pm)
Sissies and Sluts Theatre (8pm)
Adam Simmons' Embers (7:15pm)
Little Red (6:25pm)
Root! (5:30pm)
Et Al (4:40pm)
Trash Ivory (3:50pm)
The Gingers (3pm)
The Loveslaps (2:15pm)

Flamenco Show (7:30pm front bar)
Emily Ulman (6pm front bar)
The Spoils (5pm front bar)
The Orbweavers (4pm front bar)

Something for everyone, here. We don't often plug LABJACD, because we find them a little boring, but they'll close the venue with some nice bounce. That's if there's any stage left after The Nation Blue have torn it up into small pieces - let's hope the sound regulator's turned off for that one. And the other two headlines should be pretty special too, the Meanies doing an infrequent gig and Bob Log who's always mad.

And take note that in the afternoon, just before the omnipresent Little Red, a band called Root! This is one for those TISM fans out there who've been feeling bereft since the boys hung up the balaclavas a couple of years ago. It's big Humphrey B Flaubert, in his new flannelette shirt as D.C. Root. Have a listen to the testimonial on the myspace, direct from the PM, and find out what to expect. It'll be just like the Alabama 3 except without the Sopranos soundtrack tie-in and associated minor success.

I love TISM. I can't wait. If you never saw them - let's just hope Root get close.

Wednesday 13th June

The Silver City Highway residency's always a good bet, competing with some comedy over the road at the Oyster Club. Otherwise, pretend you're watching Scrubs at the Prince, with Ozzie Col Hay.

Colin Hay
@ Prince, 8pm, $27.50+bf

Silver City Highway, Ned and the Meds
@ Old Bar, 9pm, free

Oyster Club
Tripod, Sista She, The English Gents from La Clique, Andrew McLelland, Kate McLennan, Asher Treleaven
@ Spanish Club, 8pm, $20

Thursday 14th June

First chance to catch Birushanah, making a shitload of noise at Pony. Coolsies at the Evelyn, and coolsies with better musical chops at the Glasshouse. Songs, though, at the East. That'll be a nice gig.

Birushanah (Jap), Firewitch, Bowl of Dick, Bachelor of Arts
@ Pony, 9pm

C'mon C'mon
Oh Mercy, If She Floats, Poly and the Statics
@ Evelyn, 8:30pm, $8

Darren Hanlon, Laura Jean
@ East, 8:30pm, $18+bf

Definite Article, Little Red, Norbert Oliver
@ Rob Roy, 8pm, $6

Stop.Drop.Roll
Love Is Science Fiction, You Will Die Alone, Popolice, All Made of Rubies
@ Glasshouse, $8

Friday 15th June

Believe or don't believe the hype about The Cops, depending on how much JJJ you've heard recently. The old school action at the Corner is the opposite - it's all about dirty street cred. The Even show at the Spanish Club will be a corker, but if you want something a little quieter and sweeter, it's gotta be the Afterdark. Most interesting tonight is the experimental gig elsewhere in Northcote, at Forepaw Gallery. And then there's some stalwarts playing at the Toff in a great little gig.

Guy Blackman, Crayon Fields, Ground Components, Minimum Chips
@ Toff, $10

The Cops (NSW), Sparkadia (NSW), Plastic Palace Alice
@ East, 8:30pm, $13+bf

Cosmic Psychos vs The Celibate Rifles, Cockfight Shootout, Killer Birds
@ Corner, 8:30pm, $20+bf

Drunk Hands, Hey Lady 2 Leopards, Brendan J Black, All Made of Rubies
@ Forepaw, 8:30pm, gold coin

Xmas in July!
Even, Lisa Miller, The Vandas, Amaya Laucirica, Sons of Katie Elder (NSW)
@ Spanish Club, 8pm, $17+bf

The Gallant (QLD), Foxx on Fire, Junior Anti-Sex League
@ Gertrudes, 8pm, $8

Smallgoods (duo), Popolice, Blessington
@ Afterdark, 9pm

Saturday 16th June

Revivalist pop, pop, pop at the East. The NSC has the pick of the night, though, with the Icecream Hands album launch - these guys do great work and deserve any plaudits they can find. Tear out your eardrums at the Arthouse, or be hip wid da kids down south at the Espy. Or our old mates, Clinkerfield, at the Old Bar, for a night of beer and ciggies.

The Bawdies (Jap), The Basics, Little Red
@ East, 8:30pm, $12+bf

Clinkerfield, Gareth Eunson and the Graveyard Sons
@ Old Bar, 9pm, $5

album launch
Icecream Hands, Emma Heeney and the Daves, D Rogers
@ NSC, 8:30pm, $15+bf

Ohana, Dr. Invisiablo, The Black Hundred, Luka Brasi
@ Afterdark, 2pm, $6

Popolice, Dane Certificate, Dance Contest
@ Brunswick Hotel, 9pm, $5

Terrorust, Agents of Abhorrence, Five Star Prison Cell, Roskopp
@ Arthouse, 8pm

Tic Toc Tokyo, Mission Control, You Will Die Alone, Et Al, Poly and the Statics
@ Espy, 9pm, free

X, Six Ft Hick, The Jarrah Thompson Band, The Breaks
@ Gershwin, Espy, 8:30pm, $12

Sunday 17th June

Be noisy at the East or painfully hip at the Toff, it's up to you. But I'll be at the Spanish Club with the gig of the week, personally.

Birushanah (Jap), Dad They Broke Me, Agents of Abhorrence
@ East, 7:30pm, $8+bf

Freshly Waxed Magazine Launch
Hot Little Hands, Learn the Splits, Paris Wells
@ Toff, $10

Tuesday 19th June

The Bawdies (Jap), The Tash Mints, The Ooga Boogas, DJs Emma Peel and Il Cattivo
@ Tote, 8pm, $10

Bands 'n Stuff: June 6 to June 12

2007-06-06T15:29:00.000+10:00

GIG O’ THE WEEK

Beasts of Bourbon
+ Children Collide
+ The Vandas
@Prince Bandroom, Friday, $27.50+bf

You can't really go wrong with this lineup.

Wednesday the 6th

Silver City Highway are one of our favourites here at ATR. This is perfect music for winter, and you have a chance to lap it up every Wednesday in June at their Old Bar residency.

A Friend of Mine + The Auralees + The Jacks
@The Tote, 8pm, $5

Khancoban
@The Standard, Free

Potential Falcon + Lost Note Foundation
@Brunswick Hotel, Free

Silver City Highway
@The Old Bar

Thursday the 7th

Apart from the Gertrude's gig I mentioned earlier today, there are also a range of other high quality options for your Thursday night. The glorious Art of Fighting return for another headline gig up High St way, while in the City there'll be a sunset showdown soundtrack from the fantastic Wagons. A new band night is debuting at Revolver with Spider Vomit and an international mystery guest (???) as the debutants, while over at the Glasshouse in Collingwood there is another band night which has been booking some great acts. This time its headlined by riot grrlish Teko. The Prince should be reasonable too with UK electro rock group Infadels.

Art of Fighting + Hot Little Hands
@Northcote Social Club, $22+bf

Fourth Floor Collapse + Red Light Union + The New Electric
@Cmon Cmon (The Evelyn), $8

Infadels (UK) + Dukes of Windsor + Dance With Voices + Agent 86
@Prince Bandroom, $32.50+bf

Macaca Mulatta + Burgers of Beef + Readers’ Wives
@Gertrudes, $6

Saint James + Master Cardinal + Alsatians
@The Tote, $5

Spider Vomit + international mystery guest???
@Filla (Revolver Upstairs), Free

Teko + Dance Contest + Fantastic Sailors
@Stop.Drop.Roll (The Glasshouse), $8

Wagons + The Vandas (acoustic) + The Smoking Muskets
@Manchester Lane, $10

Young Lovers + Hot Little Hands + Winterpark + White Boyz Can’t Funk
@Ding Dong, 7pm, $8

Friday the 8th

Tenniscoats add to the huge number of Japanese bands that have come our way, and like their countrymen Yura Yura Teikoku, they have some great supports. The Fauves' 1000th show should be an awesome affair, and bound to provide you with a few chuckles as well. A pub crowd with a range of psych, pub rock and indie pop at the Tote, while there'll be a party crowd with the post-punk influenced bands at Roxanne. It's almost always interesting at the Afterdark and Gertrudes, one of the bands at Pony, Tiger by the Tail was plugged by Missing Link in that Nokia recommendations thing, while mellower country and folky arrangements at the Toff. Gig of the week is on tonight too.

Bit By Bats + Worlds End Press + Big Cats
@Roxanne

Bowerbirds + more
@Exile on Smith St

The Darling Buds + Airway Lanes + The Passouts
@The Evelyn, $8

The Fauves + Dave Graney and Clare Moore feat. The Yellow Lurid Mist + Burgers of Beef
@East Brunswick Club, $16+bf

The Great Apes + Clinkerfield + Paper Planes + Electric Jellyfish
@The Tote, $10

Little Athletics + Tiger By The Tail + Tijuana Souvenirs
@Pony

Offcuts + Special Patrol + The Tom Budge Goodtime Band
@Rob Roy, $12

Que + Popolice + Patinka Cha Cha
@Afterdark

Tenniscoats + The Crayon Fields + Chris Smith
@Northcote Social Club, $15+bf

Tetrode Kink + Taste the Venom + The Scowlers
@Gertrudes, $7

Transformers
@Pony, 2am, Free

Whitley + Old Man River + Donnie Dureau
@The Toff, $12

Saturday the 9th

The Espy is hosting one of its pre public holiday parties, although this one comes a day earlier. At the Tote there is also a big lineup - this one is for a chick whose gear was stolen. Tenniscoats back it up at eveyone's favourite all ages venue - Cloud City, and they have another couple of good support acts along for the ride. Zulya, the new Melbourne goddess of Balkan music is launching her album with her underground kiddies at Toff. Vocal nodes will be severely damaged with the angriest performers in Melbourne , and new favourites of some, Young and Restless launching a new record at NSC, while for calmer alt rock tastes try the Empress or the East. If money is tight try the free gig at Greyhound, while there'll be definite casualties with the late night headliner at Pony.

Aux Assembly + Francis Plagne + Patinka Cha Cha + Marden
@Afterdark, $5

Clinkerfield + Silver City Highway + The Get Go
@The Greyhound, Free

Grey Daturas + Dad They Broke Me + Birushana + Robotasaurua
@The Arthouse

Intercooler + Mary Trembles + Peabody
@East Brunswick Club, $10+bf

James McCann + Jo Brockman
@Mi Corazon, 4:30pm

Monstrous Blues + The Bakelite Age + The Wardens + Hotel Wrecking City Traders
@Pony

The Onyas + Hoss + Dynamo + Tiger By the Tail + more
@The Tote, $10

Rhythm Bell + The Truth + Midnight Woolf + Kids With Guns For Hands
@Exile on Smith St

The Stabs
@Pony, 2am

Tenniscoats (JPN) + Panel of Judges + Scissors for Sparrow
@Cloud City, $15

Tic Toc Tokyo + Bachelor of Arts
@The Empress

Young and Restless + Cut Off Your Hands (NZ) + All Made of Rubies
@Northcote Social Club, $10+bf

Youth Group + Dexter + Oh Mercy! + Little Red + Saint James + Morals of a Minor + more
@The Espy, $13+bf

Zulya and the Children of the Underground + Tangazo
@The Toff, $15+bf

Sunday the 10th

Heather, the girl whose gear was stolen is having another benefit gig - this time at idgaff!!! Elsewhere Dallas Crane rock the Hi-Fi Bar. Martin Martini will entertain the Toff crowed, a good lineup at Rob Roy and Canadian power pop heroes Sloan at the Corner

The Bulls + Deaf Wish + Twin Vickers
@The Tote, $5

Burgers of Beef + Fred Astereo + Go You Huskies! + Emma Heeney
@Rob Roy, $7

Dallas Crane + 67 Special + The S.I.G.I.T
@Hi-Fi Bar, $20+bf

Dardanelles + Outrun + Love Is Science Fiction
@Revolver Upstairs, $15

Martin Martini and the Bone Palace Orchestra + Curse OV Dialect
@The Toff, $12

Neil Murray + Jordie Lane + Rachel Taylor
@East Brunswick Club, $22+bf

Sloan (CAN) + The Pictures + The Hovercrafts
@The Corner, $38.50+bf

The Specimens + Cockfight Shootout + The Legs
@Northcote Social Club, $10

The Vandas + Jacky Winter + James McCann + Sly Fawkner + Joel Silbersher
@Idgaff, 5pm, $10

Young Lovers + Y
@Weekender (Ding Dong), 7pm, $10

The Brown Couch

2007-06-05T17:20:00.000+10:00

Gertrude’s Brown Couch has been hosting some great acts of late. Black Pony Express were there a couple of months ago, and in the last three weeks punters at this relatively new venue would have also heard tunes from top acts such as Ollie Mann, Owls of the Swamp, Julian Nation as well as Sly Hats.

This Thursday Gertrude's is hosting the Melbourne debut of Macaca Mulatta,

After reading the above sentence you may be thinking ‘Who the fuck are Macaca Mulatta?’ Well, I’d probably be doing the same until I discovered a juicy bit of info last night. Macaca Mulatta is actually the band of Chris Chinchilla, ex songwriter and guitarist of UK band Art Brut. For anyone that doesn’t know, Art Brut released one of the most critically acclaimed album of 2005, Bang Bang Rock ‘n Roll. Everyone seemed to love it. The Village Voice Pazz ‘N Jop poll which compiles the opinions of a huge number of critics (795 in ’05) put it at 23, while that other hip institution that I refer to far too often – Pitchfork - gave it 8.9 and had it at no. 3 in their best of list.

Last year Chris Chinchilla left Art Brut (citing personal reasons) and formed Macaca Mulatta back in England. This year Chris has made his way to Melbourne, has since developed his knowledge of the local scene, and is now playing with a different lineup under the same name. Thursday night is their first local gig.

While I haven’t heard the Art Brut record, it sounds like Chris is doing a similar thing with Macaca Mulatta to what he did with Art Brut - fun slightly bratty Brit Invasion punk with some angular guitars, but perhaps not as forceful rhythmically as Art Brut and sounding more like Billy Bragg. But check out the myspace tracks. They sound pretty decent. Given it is their first gig on Thursday I wouldn’t be expecting too much from them, but they’ll probably be a band to watch over the coming months. Especially on the local scene, where arty punk acts are few and far between (as far as I can tell). The Pommy accent sounds pretty fresh too amidst our many American accented guitar rock groups.

But it’s not only these guys who you can catch at Gertrude’s – the other acts might be pretty decent also. I especially liked what I heard from the myspace of of Readers’ Wives. They seem to be a mix of post-punk and post-rock sounds. There's a dark twangy bass and some hostile and urgent guitar work. Reasonably dense too from what is apparently a three piece .

My third favourite but by no means a dud is Perth band Burgers of Beef who are over here for a long weekend . They seem to be doing a slightly wacky Weezerish indie pop thing but a bit cleaner and with some female vocals to boot. These guys are also supporting The Fauves at their 1000th gig celebrations on Friday night, and have a headline gig at the Rob Roy on Sunday with Fred Astereo and Emma Heeney.

So all in all, Thursday is shaping up to be a good one. I’m afraid I can’t be there so have one for me. Doors at 8. Only $6 entry.

Bands 'n Stuff: May 30 to June 5

2007-05-29T18:44:00.000+10:00

GIG O THE WEEK

Cut Copy
+Mercy Arms
+Riot in Belgium
@Prince Bandroom
Friday, SOLD OUT

Cut Copy are huge now – this gig sold out in a matter of days. So popular in fact, that a severe backlash is just around the corner. But until then, and the powers that be decide that newer wave, floppy hair, tight black jeans and bright collarless t-shirts are no long fashionable, I have no other option than to make this gig of the week.

Wednesday the 30th

Apart from the sold out Cold War Kids gig, 72Blues are doing a live recording of their NSC gig which you can actually pre-purchase with your ticket and there is the final Little Red Wednesday in May residency gig. They play at least two gigs a week (next supporting The Raylenes on Saturday night) so no dramas if you can’t make it and haven’t seen them yet. I also like the moody sounds of The Orbweavers who are on at the Old Bar, but unfortunately I haven’t seen a live show yet.

72Blues + Collard Greens and Gravy + Midnight Woolf
@Northcote Social Club, $12/$35

Hazel Brown + Kid Sam + Martha Brown
@The Empress

Cold War Kids (USA) + guests
@Hi-Fi Bar, SOLD OUT

Grinspoon + Children Collide
@Prince Bandroom, $39.90+bf

Andrew Keese and the Associates + The Orbweavers
@Old Bar, Free

Dave Larkin
@The Standard, 9pm

Little Red + Spun Rivals + Magnum Gumbo Detector
@The Tote, $5

Thursday the 31st

See Pikelet for the last time before she heads off to Europe with Baseball for a couple of months. Get in early though because last week at Cloud City was almost a full house. The highly regarded Extreme Wheeze is one of the supports. Over at Gertrudes, The Crayon Fields’ Geoff is doing his Sly Hats thing. His album is out very soon.

The Bedroom Philosopher + Josh Earl and Matt Kelly
@Wesley Anne, $10

Bitter Sweet Kicks + Screwtop Detonators + Chainsaw Girls + Kimbo Girls
@The Espy Public Bar, Free

Rosie Burgess
@Palookaville

The Good Intentions + Clack Train
@Shake Some Action (Onesixone), $8/$6

The Hutt River Solution + Gareth Eunson and the Graveyard Sons + The Get Go’s
@The Tote, $5

Mercy May + Seagull
@Cmon Cmon (The Evelyn), $8

Paper Planes + Chase Ego + Sarkest Heartstrings
@Exile on Smith St

Pikelet + Extreme Wheeze + Thug Quota
@Stop, Drop, Roll (The Glasshouse), $7

Sly Hats + Barrage + Failing Star
@Gertrudes, $6

Friday the 1st

For all the hipsters who missed out on Cut Copy tickets, there’s plenty on at Roxanne where Pop Levi and Temper Trap are highlights. Aussie punk is at Northcote Social Club, the very interesting eclectic gysysish Martin Martini is at Bar Open, decent Sydney rockers The Camels venture to East Brunswick, while loudish acts will be tempered by a Batrider acoustic set at The Tote. Local rockers Borne play a rare Melbourne show after signing to an international label a few months back. Perhaps recommened by that record company after the Jet article appeared in The Age last Saturday? For poppier stuff head to Gertrudes which seems to be booking some decent gigs of late

Bitter Sweet Kicks + Ouch! My Face + No Through Road + Batrider (duo)
@The Tote, $10

Borne + Special Patrol + Mosaik
@The Espy Front Bar, Free

The Camels + The Cants + The New Black
@East Brunswick Club, $12

Goyouhuskies! + Errol JM
@Gertrudes, $6

Martin Martini and the Bone Palace Orchestra
@Bar Open, Free

Nursery Crimes + The Meanies + The Losers
@Northcote Social Club, $15

Pop Levi + The Temper Trap + more
@Roxanne

The Rumours + Joni Lightning + The Idle Hoes
@idgaff

Solid Waste
@Pony, 2am

The Sonar Radars + The Boy Who Spoke Clouds + Farspeedelay
@Exile on Smith St

Talkshow Boy + Dane Certificate + Teko + The Gentlemen Club
@Pony, $6

Saturday the 2nd

You could be kept busier simply from the two house parties that are on. But elsewhere there are video launches for SubAudible Hum and Souls on Board at Revolver. Your last chance to see the latter band before they piss off to the recording studio for a few months. The Unstable Ape showcase should be great too - headlined by Ninetynine who back up after their live PBS show earlier in the week. Rob Roy is hosting a typically noisy lineup to celebrate its birthday. Brighter acts at the East and the Tote, The Cavish Spoils play the Retreat which you may head to after taking in an afternoon set from James McCann at another Brunswick venue. There is also international pop/psych fare with Pop Levi at Northcote Social Club.

84
@Pony, 2am

Albert’s Basement
The Girlfriend Pillow + Fulton Girls Club + Guns for Saint Sebastian + Oscar’s Psuche + Great Earthquake + Humansixbillion + Johnny Saw Horses + Extreme Wheeze + Jerry Falwell Destroyed Earth + Popolice + Low Rise Estate + Seagull + Patinka Cha Cha + Wolfie Marmalade + Jessica Says + Touch Typist
@61 Albert St, East Brunswick, 1pm, $4

James McCann + Jo Brockey
@Mi Corazon, East Brunswick, 4:30pm, Free

The Night Terrors + Good Intentions + Bang! Bang! Aids! + You Will Die Alone + Rose Cottee
@38 Stafford St, Abbotsford, 6pm, Gold coin entry

Pop Levi (UK) + Mercy May + The Falls
@Northcote Social Club, $30

Radiant City + Blacklevel Embassy + These Hands Could Separate The Sky + Kids With Guns for Hands
@Rob Roy, $8

The Raylenes + Ben Birchall + Little Red
@East Brunswick Club, $12

The Roys + Hot Little Hands + The Transformers + Combover
@The Tote, $10

Sons of Lee Marvin + Screwtop Detonators
@Exile on Smith St

The Spoils + P Tex
@The Retreat, Free

SubAudible Hum + Souls on Board + Moscow Schoolboy
@Revolver Upstairs, $10

Unstable Ape Records Showcase
Ninety Nine + No Through Road + Jessica Says
@Pony, $7

The Wellingtons + Dirty Pink Jeans
@Weekender (Ding Dong), $10

Sunday the 3rd

Another sold out Cut Copy gig. Countryish stuff elsewhere.

Cutcopy + Mercy Arms + Riot in Belgium
@Prince Bandroom, SOLD OUT

Dollywood, Tennessee and Western Shirts Party
The Joelenes + Downhills Home + Nashvegas + Andre Camilleri and the Broken Hearts
@Spanish Club Sal

Dan Warner + Dave Evans
@The Marquis of Lorne, 5pm, Free

Bands 'n Stuff: May 23 to 29

2007-05-23T19:30:00.000+10:00

Been busy this week so I'm afraid my comments are few and far between.

GIG O' THE WEEK

Pikelet
Fabulous Diamonds
Francis Plagne
Josh Armistead
@Cloud City, Saturday

She's everywhere. You can even read all about her below. One of the supports, experimental duo Fabulous Diamonds have a buzz about them too.

Wednesday the 23rd

It's hard to go past the rock spectacular that is Salmon. If not I'd probably go with the Townes van Zandt thing or go and see Little Red on one of their last Tote residency gigs.

Hazel Brown + Touch Typist
@The Empress

Little Red + White Boyz Can’t Funk + Combover
@The Tote, $5

Salmon + The Shimmys
@Northcote Social Club, $20

Townes Van Zandt Tribute
Spencer P. Jones + Matt Walker + Dave Larkin + Penny Ikinger + more
@Shingles Bar, $10

Thursday the 24th

Go to the Empress. No questions asked. For a backup plan try Afterdark.

The Bedroom Philosopher + Mal Webb
@Wesley Anne, $10

Emma Heeney and the Daves + The Basics
@The Empress, $8

The Hovercrafts + Foxx on Fire + Teko
@Cmon Cmon (The Evelyn), $6

Seagull + Nick Huggins + Oscar’s Psuche + Whimlot
@Afterdark, Free

Silence Dead Silence +The Lightning Strikes + The Truth + Kill Boogie
@The Tote, $6

Friday the 25th

This time last week New Estate would have been gig of the week, but I'm afraid I was a bit dissappointed by them at the Hi-Fi Bar for their support gig for CHYSY, but here's your opportunity to make up your own mind over at Exile on Smith St. Ex Sleepy Township bandmates are one of the supports with new band Panel of Judges.

If not heading here, there's lots of alternatives as always. I'd probably go for Julian Nation who plays his first gig in a while. Silver Ray appeals too, and a reasonable lineup at the Tote.

The Audreys + Andrew Morris + Hazel Brown
@The Corner, $22+bf

Catcall + Gameboy/Gamegirl + Sleater Brockman
@The Toff

Even
@The Espy – Gershwin Room

Kinematic + Andrew McCubbin and the Hope Addicts + Ben Birchall
@Northcote Social Club, $14

The Little Stevies + Marshall and the Fro + Austin
@The Evelyn, $10

Mid State Orange + Downhills Home + Potential Falcon + Little Athletics
@The Tote, $10

Julian Nation + Big Cats + Jerry Falwell and the Gentiles
@Gertrudes, $5

New Estate + Panel of Judges + Lindsey Low Hand
@Exile on Smith St

Scul Hazzards
@Pony, 2am

Silver Ray + Dead Salesman
@The Empress

The Time of the Assassins + Spun Rivals + Sons of the Sun + Small Town Fiasco
@Rob Roy, $6

Saturday the 26th

A good afternoon gig at Afterdark. At nighttime there's gig of the week, a couple of emerging bands at the East, fantastic instrumental stuff at Rob Roy, drone metal favourites at Exile, and the return of prodigal sons at NSC. The Nation Blue are on too who are rated highly by another Rooftopper

Cor’delle + Popolice + Helix
@Afterdark, 2pm, Free

Cordrazine + Hot Little Hands + Matt Roberts
@Northcote Social Club, $15

The Double Agents + Royal Saloon + The Cheats + Young Husband
@The Tote, $12

Grey Daturas + Skul Hazzards + The Truth
@Exile on Smith St

The Hutt River Solution
@Pony, 2am

The Nation Blue + Brisk + Identity Thefit
@The Espy – Gershwin Room

Operator Please + Treetops + Little Red
@East Brunswick Club, $10

This Is Your Captain Speaking + J.P Shilo + The Red Tree
@Rob Roy, $10

Sunday the 27th

The Black Hundred + Electric Jellyfish
@Bar Open, $5

The Checks + Whisky Go Go's
@Espy Front Bar, Free

Solomon Islands Benefit Gig
All India Radio + The Ribbon Device + Tim McMillan + Bonjahbango
@Loop, 4pm, $10

Tuesday the 29th

The Checks (NZ) + Bowerbirds + Treetops (acoustic)
@The Tote, $8

Serving Suggestion

2007-05-23T16:29:00.000+10:00

She's sweet and layered and so hot right now - it's Pikelet.

It's not surprising, really. Her tale - hardcore drummer turned one-girl-and-a-loop-pedal twee balladeer - is compelling. The songs are nice and short and easy and whimsical (sorry Emmy) and quirky, and nicely produced, almost Newsom-esque, adding up to straightforward alternative radio fodder (cue RRR Album of the Week). And the loop pedal thing is zeitgeisty right now, what with Neddy Collette off in Europe and Andy Bird releasing close to album of the year, to name the obvious couple.

If you're going to write her off, as a good underground music snob, just because what she does sounds too obviously appealing, too easy, then go nuts. But you'll miss out.

For everyone else, the story is that Pikelet is Evelyn Morris, also drummer for Baseball and True Radical Miracle. She's just released her first album, self-titled on Chapter Music (how great are they?), and it's good, very good. It's very nearly as good as seeing her live, which is saying something, because as previously plugged here, she's a surprisingly compelling presence on the stage.

I think this is because of her mastery of all the bits of equipment surrounding her, the glockenspiel, tom-tom, guitar, piano accordion, all feeding into that trusty loop pedal. She hits most notes and when she misses, gently chiding herself and laying it down again, it's with perfect awareness of the audience, but no bashfulness. This is strange and reassuring as the songs are twee - "they never talked about his tiny body" or "why oh why sewerage man?" - and sound as if she could easily slip into a Crayon Fields-style embarassment and hurry. But no, she continues to build, layer the song with full confidence in her considerable abilities.

So, yeah, it's a good album. Plenty of good influences mixed in, though not dominating. Sewerage Man sounds like Joanna Newsom, though it's not exactly harp, just clean, pure plucked guitar. Bug-in-Mouth could be a New Buffalo track though the musicianship is better. The tom underlying A Bunch has echoes of Mimi's drumming for Low.

And then there's standouts like, Size Matters and Miss Hen, which aren't obviously of anyone else other than Pikelet. The harmonies she sings with herself throughout the latter are beautiful; and the craftiness of the underlying glockenspiel riff, kicking up to double speed to change the whole feel - it has to be seen live to be properly appreciated, but it's great here as well.

The album's not perfect, the second half losing a little, falling into a bit of reverb, and losing most of the gorgeous melodies of the first half. But it's a very good debut for Pikelet.

[listen on her myspace]
[buy the album direct from Chapter]

Souls Revisited

2007-05-18T16:29:00.000+10:00

In Tuesday’s review of International Karate’s new record, I also flagged that a post on one of the support acts for tonight - Souls on Board - would be coming your way later in the week. In making this promise I forgot that back in Jan my fellow Rooftopper had already posted a review of their second EP Blood Face.

I hadn’t listened to this record before this review was posted, but I have to say, and not just for maintaining blog buddy harmony, I think it’s pretty spot on.

While this means it’s not necessary to write another review of Blood Face, there are still a few observations I’d like to add.

The main reason why I think this EP is so promising is because it doesn’t really follow any generic formula. It’s one thing to record five or six killer decent tracks, but it’s another thing to do it while crafting a unique sound. And to find some originality just by using a guitar, a keyboard, drums and bass, is even more difficult. How often do you pick up a record and can tell the songwriter/s have just ripped off (or been heavily inspired by!) A, B and C?

While I’m not going to boldly suggest that Souls on Board are forging a new direction in rock ‘n roll, and I admit there are many holes in my pop music historical knowledge, to me, their influences fade much deeper into the background than many other ‘alternative independent rock bands’. And this is not to denigrate many of the bands that are clearly influenced by bands of yesteryear. The band reviewed yesterday - New Estate, along with others such as Eddy Current Suppression Ring and even The Devastations have all released great records in the past year or two but are nevertheless clearly influenced by the sounds of certain performers before them.

To me though, Souls on Board are a bit different. Sure, the keys and guitar are a bit psychy in an introspective, edge teetering kind of way, but usually neo-psych bands (The Sand Pebbles for instance) seem heavily indebted to the mind bending, drugged up sounds of the 60s and early 70s. Souls on Board, in contrast, seem firmly rooted in an urban, modern, nocturnal soundscape, the jams are much cleaner and poppier than the distorted messiness of your regular psychedelic group. And when the record quickens, the band bustles and bristles with arrangements crafted for current day alienation, angst and paranoia rather than appropriating a historic aesthetic. There is also a slightly garegey rawness to the production, but it’s not the focus like so many revivalist bands of today, its more to expose just a touch of grit and grime to the busy and bouncing guitar and bass lines.

So, apart from writing 5 out of 6 great tracks (I agree with the previous ATR review – the closing track is filler), I think what makes this EP special is that it’s not following any special trend or infatuation with a particular sound and shows a level of imagination and creativity which is uncommon with many of today’s ‘alt-rock’ bands. Their first album, which will be released later this year, is now officially anticipated.

You can see Souls on Board tonight at the Spanish Club as support for International Karate or tomorrow night at the Tote supporting Yura Yura Teikoku. On Saturday June 2, Souls on Board will be launching a video along with SubAudible Hum at Revolver Upstairs.

The Fourth Estate

2007-05-17T08:27:00.000+10:00

Fuck I'm glad New Estate exist, cause otherwise I woulda had to invent them.

I should explain. It's just that this whatever-revival we're currently mired in seems too often to pick style over substance. Look at the pretty but uninspiring nu-post-punk JJJ-fodder of The Temper Trap or Young and Restless. The self-consciously choreographed art-wack of Aleks and the Ramps. Even faves The Basics and Little Red are as much about the sharp suits and classic-hits covers as the catchy tunes.

New Estate aren't so photogenic.

And yes, I picked the worst photo I could find to prove the point, but forget that - it's the tunes that make this. Is It Real? is my favourite record of the year.

The touchstones are old Sonic Youth and The Pixies and Pavement and My Bloody Valentine - but I never really got into any of them, not like I was supposed to. At the time I was listening to U2 and M Jackson on Sun FM, and by the time I caught Loveless or Doolittle there was such an incredible burden of appreciation that I never felt the excitement and energy.

But fuck, that's all I've ever asked for from music, and that's what New Estate have given me. They're kids in a recording studio, playing straight through it twice then moving on, popping pills to make the most of the time, everyone taking in turns to swing at the vocals until someone nails it at the very edge of their range - or missing it, who cares? The riffs appear from nowhere just in time, the bass player's got his eyes closed and a ciggie in his mouth but he's got the notes, everyone's in the moment, and the drummer runs out of drums halfway through the fill but sticks the landing, just.

Among about six great tracks, two tracks make the album. Herge is the single, for want of a better term, requiring about thirty seconds to catch the "if I were you/ I wouldn't go there" whole-band chorus over nimble guitar and a tearing Sonic Youth-feel. It's over in two and a half minutes and on repeat.

"I've had many but there's been none like you"

But even better is the preceding track, The Rubber Carpet, an oh-so-gentle dual guitar jam, steady beat, simple strings, wistful vocals. The first sign of what's to come is the two-octave vocal jump halfway through the first verse; quickly pegged back, but showing the purpose. And, after four-and-a-half minutes, after the meandering bridge - everyone screaming at once, strings in echo, the bass at the front of the stage, drums rolling, rolling - a glorious indie-rock climax. And everyone in the room's right there with them.

Not to mention Let Somebody Down. And that riff at the start of While You Were Talking. And OK Alright. At times they push a little too close to the influences - Last Train to Belgrave is a little too Pixies - but still not in a bad way.

And from a pragmatic point of view, it's pretty likely there's a grunge revival just around the corner (after all, Dinosaur Jr just released a new album). If and when it gets here, these guys are gonna sign with Geffen and get a weekly residency at Rod Laver Arena, and all these coolsie kids will be putting their skinny jeans away and coming along for lessons. You should get in early.

GIG: Album Launch at Exile on Smith St, May 25th, with Panel of Judges and Lindsey Low Hand.

SUPPORT: Following Clap Your Hands Say Yeah around the country (for us it's the Hi-Fi next week).

MP3: Get Herge from my previous post.

BUY: New Estate tracks on the JB Hi-Fi site.

Bands 'n Stuff: May 16 to May 22

2007-05-16T16:45:00.000+10:00

GIG O’ THE WEEK

Love of Diagrams
The Crayon Fields
Spider Vomit
@Northcote Social Club, Friday
$12+bf, 8:30pm

Another busy weekend in Melbourne and even though yesterday’s blog entry plugs a rival gig, for many of you with stylish tastes it'll be hard to go past Love of Diagrams and co. at the Northcote Social Club. In case you missed it, they have just received a great review in Pitchfork for their new record, Mosaic so maybe they can share insights with The Crayon Fields about what it's like to receive praise from hip independent rock critics? Support also from the unfortunately named Spider Vomit, who have a great opportunity to preview their material in front of a savvy crowd before they release their first EP on Unstable Ape in June.

Wednesday the 16th

Three high profile gigs tonight with internationally acclaimed Howling Bells, national legends Tex Perkins and Charlie Owen (with fellow Bourbon Beast Spencer Jones as support) and also local grooves and melodies from the increasingly popular and very catchy Little Red.

Howling Bells + The Temper Trap + Whiskey Go Go’s
@The Corner, $20+bf

Little Red + Squeaks and Squeals + Magnum Gumbo Detector
@The Tote, $5

Sime Nugent
@Gem Bar & Saloon, Free

Tex Perkins with Charlie Owen + Spencer P. Jones
@Northcote Social Club, SOLD OUT

Thursday the 17th

If you’re up for something different, check out the underground pop acts at Bar Open, the gig at the Pony, which varies between DIY female vocalists with bells and whistles and dark, dense and loud post-rock, or hear some fine tunes crafted from across the Tasman at the Tote.

The Basics are on again of course, although this might not be your sort of crowd, while it is your only chance to see a full show from fuzzy blues guitar and drum duo The Black Keys if you haven’t got your hands on tix to their other sold out gigs.

For a harder edge head to the Rob Roy, or if you’re hanging out with a crowd then there’s raw and stifling pop noise from Dane Certificate at Cmon Cmon.

Also, the residencies of Heeney and The Philosopher continue, a bunch of Melbourne alt-country fixtures are at Northcote Social Club and there's a great opportunity to see Tim Rogers perform in silence at Bennett’s Lane.

The Basics, Cross Eyed Mary
@Shake Some Action (161)

The Bedroom Philosopher + Fred Astereo
@ Wesley Anne, $10

The Band Who Knew Too Much + Dan Warner + Clinkerfield
@Northcote Social Club, $10

The Black Keys (USA) + Kill Devil Hills
@Hi-Fi Bar, $50+bf

Fourteen Nights at Sea + Cor’delle + Light Music Club
@Pony, $6

Emma Heeney and the Daves + Duck Dive
@The Empress, $8

Learn the Splits + Dane Certificate + Star Diner
@Cmon Cmon (The Evelyn), $8

Midnight Woolf + The Truth + Bulls + Green Green Green
@Rob Roy, $6

The Ribbon Device + Pramsnatcher + The Pirates + Tim McMillan
@Bar Open, Free

Tim Rogers + Louis Macklin
@Bennett’s Lane, $30+bf

Tom Watson & Friends (NZ) + Flip Grater (NZ) + The Raylenes
@The Tote, $7

Friday the 18th

If the gig of the week or bands at Spanish Club don't tickle your fancy then there's likely to be something else to keep you happy. Brothers Oliver and Paddy Mann will compete for the mellow tastes at Gertrudes and The Tote respectively. Paddy (aka Grand Salvo) is part of folk-noir group The Orbweavers, who were plugged on fellow blog Sandwich Club recently. See them as support for The Palenecks at their EP launch. Over on Gertrude St we also get Strip for Cash and Owls of the Swamp. Although their name would suggest they are a godawful cover band, Strip for Cash actually are a piano based bluesy ballad and pop/rock group while Owls of the Swamp crafts earthy Icelandic influenced folk songs. Both are worth seeing.

Apart from the above, Japanese psychout freakanoids Yura Yura Teikoku are here with fantastic support at the East, there’ll be a party atmosphere with fake blood and fangs at Brown Alley, lofi electro and ukuleles at Afterdark and probably broken glass and prison tattoos at Exile. Bennett’s Lane, Prince Bandroom and Corner also are hosting popular acts none of who need an introduction.

Airbourne + Hell City Glamours + The Shine
@The Corner, $12+bf

The Black Keys (USA) + Kill Devil Hills
@Hi-Fi Bar, SOLD OUT

CasioNova + Anal Cookie, Rose Turtle Ertler
@Afterdark, Free

Dukes of Windsor + Batrider + The Fearless Vampire Killers
@80’s Vampire Costume Party (Brown Alley), $25

Bob Evans + Machine Translations + Farryl Purkiss (RSA)
@Prince Bandroom, $22+bf

International Karate + The Answering Belles + Souls on Board + Sixteen Millimetre
@Spanish Club Salon, $12

King Daddy
@Pony, Free, 2am

Love of Diagrams + The Crayon Fields + Spider Vomit
@Northcote Social Club, $12

The Palenecks + The Orbweavers + The Loveslaps + Jimmy Stewart
@The Tote, $10

Tim Rogers + Louis Macklin
@Bennett’s Lane, $30+bf

Straight Arrows + The Ooga Boogas
@Exile on Smith St, $7

Strip for Cash + Oliver Mann + Owls of the Swamp
@Gertrudes

Yura Yura Teikoku + The Basics + Little Red
@East Brunswick Club, $20+bf

Saturday the 19th

The Tote is the place to be tonight. Not only are Yura Yura Teikoku backing it up from the previous night - this time with two more fantastic supports, but there’s also some dirty, swaggering country and blues influenced rock upstairs in the Cobra Bar for only five bucks.

Solo sets from Grey Daturas are on again - this time at Pony. By all accounts this initiative was a success when it debuted at Bar Open a few weeks ago. But if this doesn’t sound like it’s for you and you still like it loud and droning, the Rob Roy gig could be an alternative option.

Head to Click Click if you wish to see Sydney electro rockers The Valentinos for the last time before they change their name, dust off the bandana and tracksuit if heading to the Corner, catch Dave Graney (not last week as previously reported) at the East, indie rock/pop at Northcote Social Club and Gershwin Room, or just have a counter meal and beer before taking in the tunes at the Wesley Anne.

If you’re free during the day, you can also head down to Greville Records to see The Black Keys play a free gig at 12pm.

The Black Keys (USA) + Kill Devil Hills
@Hi-Fi Bar, SOLD OUT

Blueline Medic + A Death in the Family + Responder
@Northcote Social Club, $15

Dave Graney and Clare Moore feat The Yellow Lurid Mist + Conway Savage + Stu Thomas Paradox
@East Brunswick Club, $15

Grey Daturas (solo sets) + Whitehorse + Y35.3 & Nigel Wright (NZ)
@Pony, $7

Midnight Woolf + James McCann’s Dirty Skirt Band + Bulls + Thee Stagknights
@The Tote, $5

Rhythm Bell + The Black Hundred + A Friend of Mine + Little Athletics
@Rob Roy, $8

The Ockerino Variety Show
Curse OV Dialect + Mountains in the Sky + Makkenz + Toecutter + Sukkafish + Anal Cookie + more
@The Corner, $15

The Straight Arrows
@Pony, Free, 2am

Marcus Teague + Little Star + Camille Dean
@Wesley Anne, $5

The Valentinos + Y + Schadenfreude
@Click Click (Brown Alley), $14/$10

The Wellingtons + Quarter Life Crisis + The Young Lovers + Honeymaker
@The Espy - Gershwin Room, $13

Yura Yura Teikoku + Ground Components + Souls on Board
@The Tote, $20+bf

Sunday the 20th

Happy folk pop melodies and harmonies at Northcote Social Club as The Triangles launch their new album Seventy Five Year Plan. For something a bit different there’s some latin funky jazz at Bar Open which might be worth checking out.

San Lazaro
@Bar Open, Free

The Triangles + Duck Dive
@Northcote Social Club, $10

Monday the 21st

Has anyone else heard that CYHSY song on a new ad? I think it was for a car. Anyway, sing along with this jingle at the Hi-Fi Bar as one of the most hyped acts of last year makes it to Aus after cancelling their tour down under last year. There’s also a great opportunity to see New Estate as well, who have scored this support slot in Melbourne to warm them up for their headline gig at Exile on Smith St on Friday the 25th.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah + New Estate
@Hi-Fi Bar, $39.60+bf

Tuesday the 22nd

And again...

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah + New Estate
@Hi-Fi Bar, $39.60+bf

Tim Rogers + Louis Macklin
@Bennett’s Lane, $30+bf

Karate Kids

2007-05-15T00:35:00.000+10:00

Over the next two weeks in Melbourne, three local bands whose latest releases have all been on high rotation on my CD player and iPod, International Karate, Souls on Board and New Estate all play live shows across Melbourne. So I thought it'd be a good opportunity to put together a few ATR blog entries about why these are super CDs.

First up it’s grandiose post rock purveyors, International Karate.

On the only other IK release which I've had the pleasure of hearing, their second album, 2004’s A Monster in Soul, you can find a series of compositions which compare admirably with more heralded post-rock artists such as Mogwai and Explosions in the Sky. IK utilise the same quietly beautiful, slowly intense ebb and flow song structures which are the trademark of the genre, but their MO is to deliver the package with less shards of distorted noise, experimentation and general angst but with more melancholy and melodrama than their contemporaries.

On their latest release, More of What We’ve Heard Than We’ve Heard Before International Karate mix with the post-rock formula to shape a more defined niche for their sounds. For starters there is the production. Darkness still invades many of the soundscapes but the shades are more pronounced, more vibrant and awash in a dreamy echoey synthy haze rather than hidden beneath the cleaner ebony and ivory driven rhythms of their previous creations. Often accompanied by a tighter slappier bass and electric drum kit, emphatic chiming creaking guitars and starker production the record feels like a soundtrack from a modern re-creation of an 80s science fiction noir.

There are still a handful of epic crescendos on their new record, but where previously they have gracefully emerged, now they unwrap themselves more purposefully before calmly settling back into the atmosphere. On A Shadow Told Me and Geography, IK even deliver their sonically retextured peaks and troughs under three minutes.

IK further extend themselves in other ways too. Vocals are now embraced more warmly. Guest Laura Jean poignantly delivers the shimmering and murmurous Falling Water, while two of the other non-instrumental tracks, Only Good Will Come of This and Movement are thriving urgent disco pop songs.

For all this posturing though, some may find International Karate’s genre experimentation too varied, too eager perhaps to shed a perception of post-rock imitators. For me this is not the case, the sequencing, while not seamless, is not aurally abrasive because of the consistent emotional murkiness of the mix. International Karate have bravely challenged themselves with More of What We’ve Heard Than We’ve Heard Before and succeeded by delivering a thoroughly interesting, gallant and enigmatic new record.

International Karate play the Spanish Club this Friday. Support from The Answering Belles, Souls on Board and Sixteen Millimetre. All of IK's records are released on the Sensory Projects label.

Bands 'n Stuff: May 9 to May 15

2007-05-09T20:09:00.000+10:00

GIG O' THE WEEK

Art of Fighting
SubAudible Hum
Tom Budge Goodtime Band
Saturday @ The Corner
8:30pm, $22+bf

The sounds of understated melancholic beauty will grace the Corner this Saturday when Art of Fighting play their first Melbourne show of the year. Although this is not a universal ATR opinion, their new album Runaways is the best release I have heard this year, and for me it will be difficult to top.

To prepare you for this gig, I suggest you read this article on the band in the latest edition of Mess and Noise. There are some very insightful observations about the band’s intricacies, subtleties and insecurities, and for me, author Emmy Heenings perfectly captures how emotionally affecting Art of Fighting’s music can actually be. You can also read more from Emmy on her blog, and through links on this site to her other reviews and articles.

Wednesday the 9th

Little Red start their Wednesdays in May residency tonight and not surprisingly, the barely post-teen harmony kings are gradually gaining greater notoriety in this town. Check out this reference in the Green Guide.

If this doesn’t interest you there are some off-kilter sounds and eerieness for free at Bar Open, organ destroying international metal theatrics at Hi-Fi Bar or some more typical Wednesday night mellowness at idgaff, the Gem or the Standard.

Extreme Wheeze and the Nasty Coughs, Seth Rees, Scissors for Sparrows
@Bar Open, 9pm, Free

Charles Jenkins, Davey Lane
@The Standard, 9pm, Free

Kate Miller-Heidke, The Hampdens
@The Corner, 8pm, $17+bf

Little Red, Good Intentions, Aldous
@The Tote, 8pm, $5

Sunn O))) (USA), Boris (JPN) + special guests
@Hi-Fi Bar, 8pm, $38.50+bf

Dan Warner, Dave Evans
@Idgaff, 9pm, $10

Thursday the 10th

The Bedroom Philosopher continues with his great lineup of support acts. This time it’s from a man who really does sound like he composes in his bedroom - Julian Nation. Emma Heeney’s Thursday residency also continues at the Empress, tonight with support from folk pop girl boy harmony group, The Little Stevies, who were recently Unearthed by JJJ.

The Age’s readers will probably be heading to The Toff to see Lisa Miller, while if you’re inkling to test out your moves try Cmon Cmon. For a more eclectic lineup go to Rob Roy. For more mainstream tastes there's the mini-fest at the Corner.

The Bedroom Philosopher, Julian Nation
@Wesley Anne, 8:30pm, $10

Ben Birchall, Stop Drop Roll
@The Glasshouse, $6

Cmon Cmon
Hot Little Hands, Winter Park, The April Machines
@The Evelyn, 8:30pm, $8

Duck Dive, Hanabi, The Weekend People, Megan Washington
@Spanish Club Salon, 7:30pm, $8

The Fit, Dane Certificate, The Greenmatics, Knucklehead McSpazzatron
@Rob Roy, 8pm, $5

Emma Heeney and the Daves, The Little Stevies
@The Empress, 9pm, $8

Lisa Miller, Dog Trumpet
@The Toff in Town, 9pm, $16+bf

Warm up for Winter
iOTA and the Beauty Queens, Custom Kings, Rob Sawyer Band, Dan Sultan + more
@The Corner, 6:30pm, $16+bf

Friday the 11th

Take your pick. Another awesome free gig at the Espy Front Bar, head out to Northcote Social Club to take in noughties Aus pop with The Steinbecks, see a great lineup of underground alt rock of Melbourne’s newest indie night at Roxanne in Chinatown, or catch Lisa Miller again at the Toff. Two of the better JJJ favoured acts are in town too - Josh Pyke at Hi-Fi Bar and Youth Group or the Corner, although the Josh Pyke gig is sold out. You may also see dancing in Readings bookshop early in the evening as the white collar brigade, retirees and uni kids alike celebrate the beginning of the weekend with The Basics. Intimate and textured ambient sounds at the Empress too.

Amplifier Machine, The Spheres, Spit (NZ)
@The Empress, 9pm

Antony of the Future
@Pony, 2am, Free

The Basics
@Readings Carlton, 6:30pm

Spencer P. Jones and the Escape Committee, James McCann and the Dirty Skirt Band, Russian Roulettes, Tash Mints
@Espy Front Bar, 9pm, Free

Lisa Miller, Dog Trumpet
@The Toff in Town, 9pm, $16+bf

Josh Pyke, Old Man River, Melanie Horsnell
@Hi-Fi Bar, 8:30pm, SOLD OUT

Spidergoat Canyon, Kids with Guns for Hands, Hotel City Wrecking Traders, Ahkmed
@Pony, 9pm, $8

The Steinbecks, The Guild League, Daytime Freaquency
@NSC, 8:30pm, $10

Us Vs Them
Deloris, The Dead Frenchman, You Will Die Alone
@Roxanne, ?, 8pm

Youth Group, Gersey, Ben Birchall
@The Corner, 8:30pm, $20+bf

Saturday tht 12th

Start off in the arvo at Cloud City. You could stay here until around midnight, but if you’re keen to head elsewhere, and you're not going to Art of Fighting then the bands at the Empress are of a similar vein. But, otherwise, maybe unleash yourself amongst the mayhem at Exile, be impressed by the most stylish man in Melbourne at the East, or mix with electro cool at Roxanne. I’m almost sick of plugging these bands but you won’t be disappointed with what’s on at Click Click either.

Albert’s Basement Party
The Rational Academy, Seth Rees, Do the Robot, It’s So Fucking Great to be Alive, Popolice, Sly Hats + more
@Cloud City, 12pm, $12

Art of Fighting, SubAudible Hum, Tom Budge Goodtime Band
@The Corner, 8:30pm, $22+bf

Baseball, Shooting at Unarmed Men, The Bad Luck Charms, Kind Winds
@Exile on Smith St, 8:30pm, $12

Click Click
The Basics, Little Red, Major Major
@Brown Alley, 9pm, $14

Damn Arms, Dardanelles
@Roxanne, 9pm

Dave Graney and Clare Moore feat The Yellow Lurid Mist, Conway Savage, Stu Thomas Paradox
@East Brunswick Club, 8:30pm, $13+bf

Extreme Wheeze and the Nasty Coughs, Dane Certificate, Three Month Sunset
@The Empress, 8:30pm,

Marcus Teague
@Rooftop Bar

Sunday the 13th

Witness the beginning of a new direction from Architecture in Helsinki and friends down at the Prince. Probably other stuff on too but I'm in a rush.

Architecture in Helsinki, Muscles, Soft Tigers
@Prince Bandroom, 8pm, $20+bf

Where the Bands Play

2007-05-08T17:32:00.000+10:00

About this time last week I shared with you a rumour that I had heard regarding the closure of The Salon at Melbourne’s Spanish Club in Johnston St. While this closure has yet to be officially confirmed, two other smaller venues did close their doors for the last time last week. The Spoon Café in Victoria St, Brunswick, which hosted a variety of DIY indie acts, hosted its last act last Saturday after the existing operator was evicted, while the Public Office in North Melbourne which favoured underground noise rock and punk acts, is set for the wrecking ball after the venue was sold.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. The Edinburgh Castle on Sydney Rd has been playing host to country and folk acts since December. Hipster kids have another bar option in Roxanne, which is hosting headline gigs, indie nights and DJs, while renovated cabaret joint, The Toff in Town is a new option for smaller seated and standing gigs.

Of most interest to me though is the Brunswick all-ages venue, Cloud City, which is located in a warehouse in 14 Prentice St, Brunswick not far from Sydney Rd. This venue has hosted gigs since February and has so far attracted a range of performers including Camera Obscura, David Kilgour and Batrider.

As an all-ages venue you may think Cloud City is just a venue for the kids, but this isn’t necessarily the perception of the performers. While out here touring with new band The Evens in Febraury, Ian MacKaye best known from hardcore punk pioneers, Fugazi explained on an interview on RRR that the attraction of playing at an all aged venue such as Cloud City was not simply about attracting a wider audience or giving underage fans a chance to hear their music live which I previously somewhat narrowly and perhaps cynically assumed, it was more about experiencing playing music in an environment which wasn’t surrounded by alcohol. But MacKaye wasn’t on an anti-alcohol rant. He explained that he loved a drink but he believed that alcohol sometimes limited the experience from live gigs – enjoying art through music needed to exist beyond simply pubs and bars and instead should be extended more widely to other performance spaces.

The obvious reason why all aged venues are not more common is that live music venues earn a substantial amount of revenue through alcohol sales. The recent births of Edinburgh Castle, Roxanne and The Toff demonstrate that the Melbourne music scene is resourceful enough to create new live music venues, and also a perception from new operators that the scene is vibrant enough to support these venues. However, all aged live music venues are a bit of a different story. Land value and rental inflation have a much greater effect on venues such as Cloud City and subsequently reduce availability in the inner suburbs of Melbourne for other alternative spaces.

Of course maintaining diverse venues such as Cloud City will only be possible if interest from the fans is strong enough. Support from underagers is one way of surviving but I would imagine this would not be sufficient. So, if eclectic underground music does interest you and you agree with Ian Mackaye and would like to get away from plastic cups, sticky carpet and drunken idiots and experience some live tunes in a different environment I suggest you go and check out Cloud City. It may not be around for very long.

Your next chance to see music at Cloud City will be on Saturday where there are 16 bands for $12 from 12pm. Highlights include The Crayon Fields’ Geoff O’Connor dreamy tropical pop side project, Sly Hats, fractured slacker rock from Popolice and anti-folkster, Owls of the Swamp. Plenty of other shoegazing, ambience and experimentation. More about it in the gig guide tomorrow.

Bands 'n Stuff: May 2 to May 9

2007-05-02T19:00:00.000+10:00

Melbourne is celebrating the first week of May in style with a brilliant listing of local gigs. There are so many highlights I suggest you cancel any plans from Thursday to Sunday and just see gigs. I don’t care if it’s your grandmother’s funeral, your anniversary or whatever. It’s just not that important, when you see what the Melbourne music scene has to offer over this weekend.

For that reason, there is no gig of the week this week.

Well, that’s not entirely accurate. Another reason is because the arrogant, drug affected performance from Nick Littlemore of the headline act from last week’s gig of the week, Teenager was so awful I don’t feel confident enough to make a gig of the week recommendation. Since I’m on the topic though, this gig wasn’t all a downer. I’ve seen Dance with Voices two weeks in a row now, and even though new wavish rock is not typically the ATR genre of choice, if you are at all this way inclined (or your girlfriend is) this band are worth catching live.

But, enough of this. I'm getting sidetracked. Find a comfortable seat and get relaxed ladies and gents ‘cause this week’s offering of gigs is spectacular.

Wednesday the 4th

To start off just a typical Wendsdie night with a little bit of strummin' and singin'.

Ben Birchall Duo
@The Standard, 9pm, Free

Sime Nugent
@Gem Bar & Saloon, 9pm, Free

Dan Warner, Marcel Borrack
@Idgaff, 9pm, $10

Thursday the 3rd

Now we get into it.

Yep, The Basics are at it again, charting their good ship of classic catchy pop tunes all around town before their debut album Stand Out/Fit In is released in stores on Saturday. See them at the Spanish Club headlining the Human Rights Art and Film Festival Fundraiser.

Former wildkids of Aus underground rock, X, are relaunching their album At Home With You at Ding Dong. There will also be anger. mayhem and plenty of distortion from the Y generation with Witch Hats also performing. After supporting The Scientists a couple of weeks ago, is it safe to conclude that Aus underground rock legends are very impressed with these lads?

There’s also a couple of May residencies beginning tonight that will be worthwhile catching. Emma Heeney will kick off her Thursday slot at the Empress, while comic folkster, The Bedroom Philosopher will do the same at the Wesley Anne. Support for the latter from the glorious Pikelet.

The Bedroom Philosopher, Pikelet
@Wesley Anne, 8:30pm, $10

Cmon Cmon
Learn the Splits, Dane Certificate, Drugs in Vegas
@The Evelyn, 8:30pm, $8

Tim Downey and the Little Souls, Princess One Point Five, Touch Typist
@The East, 8:30pm, 10+bf

Emma Heeney, D. Rogers
@The Empress, 8pm, $8

Human Rights Art and Film Festival Fundraiser
The Basics, The Conch, Wassa Wumba
@Spanish Club Salon, 8pm, $8

The Smallgoods, Joni Lightning, Fearless Vampire Killers
@The Tote, 8:30pm, $10

X, Witch Hats, special guests
@Ding Dong, 8pm, $10

Friday the 4th

St Kilda is the place to be tonight. No, that isn’t just because we're hopeful of a super impressive return to form from the Sainters at the Dome against the Blues, but because of some sensational gigs.

Eddy Current Suppression Ring are headlining a free show in the Espy Front Bar with their tense and anxious garage punk rock. Eddy Current are electric live and have a core group of dedicated fans, so get in early or you will be disappointed.

But if you miss out in the Front Bar, the Gershwin Room at the Espy also has an impressive bill. The hypnotic Black Cab will be showing off their mind bending sounds in their last local gig for the year. Swirling atmospheric alt rock from SubAudible Hum and twelve string compositions from Cam Butler as support.

Also in St Kilda, sweaty bodies, cool kids (and me) over at the Prince Bandroom to see pulsating disco rockers Midnight Juggernauts launch their new single, Road to Recovery. Lo-fi electro with the increasingly popular Muscles as a support act, as well as The Temper Trap and a DJ set from K.I.M (from The Presets). I’m afraid this gig is sold out though, so if you haven’t already got a ticket you will have to consider something else.

Alternatives can be found with cranking dirty Aussie rock stars Dallas Crane at the home of Click Click, Colonial Hotel with the everywhere men, The Basics supporting. Also at Ding Dong, Children Collide are playing a return gig in Melbourne after receiving acclaim at SXSW .You can also catch Deloris frontman, Marcus Teague up at the Rooftop Bar (could be a bit chilly though!)

Children Collide, Young Lovers, Bang! Bang! Aids
@Ding Dong, 8pm, $10

Dallas Crane, The Basics
@Colonial Hotel, 9pm, $20

Eddy Current Suppression Ring, Pink Fits, Les Fancy Boys, Jack Nasty Face
@Espy Front Bar, 9:30pm, Free

Khancoban, The Raylenes
@Exile on Smith St, 9pm, $8

Midnight Juggernauts, Temper Trap, Muscles, K.I.M
@Prince Bandroom, 8:30pm, SOLD OUT

Mushroom Giant, Knives of Neptune, Locus Scene, Alaska Ratio
@Rob Roy, 8pm, $8

Russian Roulettes
@Pony, 2am, Free

Marcus Teague
@Rooftop Bar - Curtin House

Saturday the 5th

In the afternoon, there are bunch of bands, headlined by New Estate, at Melbourne’s newest all age venue, Cloud City where they are raising money for a zine.

At night, get along to the East Brunswick Club to see The Lucksmiths play their first show after the Candle Records benefit gigs in Feb. Hopefully we’ll hear some new tunes here, ‘cause it’s been more than eighteen months since Warmer Corners was released so I’m getting a bit toey. Sweet melodies here also from Brisbane's The Zebras and upcoming local twee popsters, summer cats.

If this doesn’t interest you there is angsty post punk rock with Moscow Schoolboy at the Tote, bluesy guitar with Jeff Lang at Northcote Social Club, or you could head to the Toff in the Town gig where the eerie Sir launch their album The Brando Room.

But, if you feel like a night in, The Basics are live on Charbusting 80's on Channel 31 at 10:30 and there is a The Go-Betweens tribute show on ABC at 11.

Broad Meadows, Popolice, Little Athletics, Talkshow Boy
@Pony, 9pm, $6

Cutty Sark
@Pony, 2am, Free

Jeff Lang, Jordie Lane
@NSC, 8:30pm, $15+bf/$20

The Lucksmiths, The Zebras, Summercats
@The East, 8:30pm, $12+bf

Moscow Schoolboy, The Dead South, Moonbase
@The Tote, 9pm, $8

Sir, The Crayon Fields, Jane Badler
@The Toff in the Town-Curtain House, 8pm, $10

You Zine Anthology Benefit Gig
New Estate, Made Austria, Extreme Wheeze, Rose Turtle Ertler, Dane Certificate + more
@Cloud City, 2pm

Sunday the 6th

Rock ‘n fuckin’ roll down to AC/DC Lane for Cherry Rock 007. There’s nothing like a festival at any time to get the adrenalin pumping but what better way to do it than with this ballbreaking lineup including Eddy Current Suppression Ring, Shooting at Unarmed Men and the return of Rocket Science. My Disco were also supposed to be on the bill but aren't any more for some reason.

In the evening, New Buffalo (a.k.a Sally Seltmann) will be hosting an intimate night in front of the piano at Viva la Cabaret on Smith St. I haven’t heard her new record yet but Sally has been getting some smashing reviews so this gig should be a good way to finish a tiring weekend.

Cherry Rock ‘007
Rocket Science
Blood Duster
Eddy Current Suppression Ring
My Disco
Shooting At Unarmed Men
The Devil Rock Four
+more
@AC/DC Lane, ?, $50+bf +beer money

The Hired Guns
@The Standard, 7pm, free

New Buffalo
@Viva La Cabaret, 7pm, $12+bf

Something for Kate, Bit by Bats
@The Corner, 8pm, $28+bf

Noticias

2007-04-30T18:53:00.000+10:00

Unconfirmed Rumour
I've heard through the grapevine that the Salon at the Spanish Club is to close its doors in August. I assume that noise disputes with nearby residents would be the main factor.

If the news is true, this venue will be sadly missed. The Salon is large enough to support a decent crowd but it's never crowded enough to feel uncomfortable. The lighting is always bright enough as well so it's a good place to enjoy a beer (unlike the sterile East Brunwick Club for instance). I guess it also has its pitfalls as well though - the noise from the back of the room sometimes can drown out the tunes.

Theft
20 copies of the new EP from experimental electro popsters Actor/Model Gossip About Guys was stolen from their CD launch at Exile on Smith St on ANZAC Day eve. This is a big kick in the pants for a local band. According to their posts on Mess and Noise, a market umbrella and a sign outside were stolen outside and something in the games room was trashed. This suggests drunken c**ts may have been the culprits.

Splendour Side Shows
After appearing at Splendour in the Grass The Shins will be playing in Melbourne on Tuesday August 7 at The Palace (Are they groans I hear?). Tix on sale from Ticketmaster, Polyester and Palace Online from Friday 11 May for $55+bf. Support from a Kiwi band I've never heard of before - The Ruby Suns.

Neu-ravers Klaxons are playing at Billboard on the same night as the Shins at Billboard nightclub. Tix are $45+bf from Moshtix and Polyester

The Hold Steady may not actually be coming any more so no side show news for them.

Bands 'n Stuff: April 26 to May 1

2007-04-26T19:21:00.000+10:00

Hello all. Hope you all had an enjoyable day off yesterday, and had an awesome Tuesday night (hopefully taking in some live music). I went along saw Souls on Board, who were brilliant and confirmed them as one of my favourite indie rock acts in Melbourne at the moment. I especially enjoyed their closing number, How to Make a Fire. A downside however was the Weekender crowd who were more intent on getting blotto, than taking in the magnificent sounds Souls on Board served up. Indie nights might be great for getting a crowd in the door but when the crowd just ignore what's on the stage , I reckon it would preferable playing in front of an empty room.

Anyway, now to what's on this week.

GIG O' THE WEEK

Teenager
Damn Arms
Dance with Voices
Mission Control
@Bootleg, Geddes Lane,
Saturday, 8pm, $15approx

Yes, after bagging out an indie night, I've just gone and recommended and indie night gig for gig of the week. That's a bit inconsistent you might say. Maybe, but I think the criticism doesn't necessarily apply when you got an electro infused lineup like this one. I might change my mind after Saturday though...

Thursday the 26th

Get along and see The Basics for the last time at their Empress residency gig. But don't fret if you miss it. There's about half a dozen more gigs they're playing in the next couple of weeks so you should have another chance to see them. You could also get along and see the last of The Vandas or Amaya Lauricia's residency gigs, or see one of the huge influences on indie pop today, Lloyd Cole at Prince of Wales. Geoff from The Crayon Fields is also backing up after his support gig for Lloyd last night - this time with his side project, Sly Hats.

The Basics, The Saturns
@The Empress, 9pm, $5

Birds of Tokyo, Regular John, Day of the Dead
@Corner, 8pm, $16+bf

Blessington, Sly Hats, Lindsay Phillips
@NSC, 8:30pm, $8

The Black Hundred, The Red Tree, Ants, Tetris Nightmare
@The Tote, 8pm, $7

Lloyd Cole, Rob Snarski
@Prince Bandroom, 8pm, $40+bf

Amaya Lauricia, Lachlan Franklin (The Smallgoods)
@Spanish Club Front Bar, 9:30pm, Free

The Vandas
@Idgaff, 9pm, Free

Zeptepi, Plastic Palace Alice, Darn Thorn and the End of the World
@Laundry, 9pm, $5

Friday the 27th

Saints are on tonight so no gigs for ATR. If I wasn't watching the footy, I'd probably go to the Northcote Social Club. I haven't heard of Ninetynine previously but they've been touring their album in Finland (Translation: 'a little bit exotic') and from what I've heard, they sound pretty interesting (self description: 'indie rock stylings with tuned percussion and layerings of casio keyboards'). It might be also worth going to check out The Bulls who got a great wrap in Inpress this week for their live show.

Blue King Brown, Diafrix, Natty Sistren Sound
@Prince Bandroom, 8:30pm, $15+bf

Downhills Home, Burke, Chinook
@The Empress

Mink Jaguar
@Pony, 2am, Free

Ninetynine, Bulls, Matt Bailey
@NSC, 8:30pm, $10

Plastic Palace Alice, Token View, Spargo, Major Major
@Espy Public Bar, 9:30pm, Free

Six Ft Hick, The Stabs, Rocky Outcrop, Screwtop Detonators
@The Tote, 8:30pm, $10

Sixteen Millimetre, Armen Firman, Razor Cartel, Kate Lucas
@Rob Roy, 8pm, $6

Wolf and Cub, Snowman, Little Red
@Corner, 8:30pm, $16+bf

Saturday the 28th

Apart from the gig of the week, Jimmy Clinkerfield and friends (including the superb Silver City Highway) are on at the Tote, there's a cool house party in Richmond with a great lineup including New Estate who have just released a cracking album, some prog electro and prog rock at a venue I've never heard at before on Smith St, The Blue Tile Lounge, and Little Red keeping up their weekly quota in Chinatown.

Black Mustang
@Pony, 2am, Free

Clinkerfield, Silver City Highway, Downhills Home, The Vandas
@The Tote, 8:30pm, $10

Little Red, Blackbelt
@Wintergarden Room, Exford Hotel, 10pm, $6

Mutiny on the H.M.S. Bounty
Hotel City Wrecking Traders, New Estate, Bachelor of Arts, Strangebird/Strangetown, Schadenfreude
@House of Smut, 79 Baker St, Richmond
7pm, gold coin entry

The Orbweavers, The Sea Trees
@Tote Front Bar, 5pm, Free

TV for Cats, The Ribbon Device, The Black Hundred, The Bletchley Girls
@The Blue Tile Lounge, 8:30pm

The Underminers, John Kennedy, The Beautiful Few, Brother Man Dude
@The Empress, 9pm

Sunday the 29th

You could do the cookup thing at the Corner, although its not really about the music there. Otherwise, Silver Ray are always good, or there's a bunch of more mellow acts on. The Birds of Tokyo acoustic gig will be of interest to fans.

Birds of Tokyo (acoustic), Will Stoker
@Bar Open, 8pm , $15

The Blackeyed Susans (trio)
@The Standard, 7pm, Free

The Good Shepherd’s Circus Pie Classic Feat
The Meanies, Six Ft Hick, Little Red, Wayfearing Strangers, Joelistics, more
@Corner, 4pm, $15+bf

Penny Ikinger, Malcolm Hill
@Exile on Smith St, 6pm, Free

Silver Ray
@Marquis of Lorne, 5pm

Emma Tonkin, Richard Easton
@NSC, 8:30pm, $15

Musings on a Melody Metropolis

2007-04-25T15:08:00.000+10:00

As you may have noticed last week (and already blogged in Aus by Decomposing Trees) The Crayon Fields have received a first class review of 7.8 in Pitchfork for their highly acclaimed release of last year, Animal Bells. For those who aren’t regular visitors to Pitchfork, anything over 7.5 is pretty darn good and given the readership of this highly influential site I would think it will go a long way in helping them secure international distribution of this album. The band just need Geoff to relax a bit more on stage for their live performances to match their studio quality, but I should say that their new drummer is a great new addition, giving the band some bounce and vibe which they seemed to lack a bit previously.

Anyway, even though I think The Crayon Fields are fantastic, and this post probably could stand alone on itself, but it just got me thinking about how many high quality indie pop artists there are from Melbourne just now. And for the sake of clarification I’m not talking 60s pop revivalist bands, like the ever prescent The Basics and Little Red or the acts highlighted in ATR Friday power pop special a couple of weeks ago. Use Belle and Sebastian as your international reference point.

For starters, the quintessential Melbourne band, The Lucksmiths are still around on the scene while their Candle Records contemporaries The Mabels and The Simpletons disbanded long ago. The Lucksmiths have inspired bands and fans alike with poignant and witty lyrics, melodies for all seasons, and joyous live performances.

Another band of this generation who are still alive and kicking but stack up well against the Candle crew are The Steinbecks. These guys also play catchy hook-laden pop songs but are further up the rock end of the spectrum than The Lucksmiths. They're so indie though, they actually played a bike only gig at the Brunswick Velodrome a few weeks back!

In recent times we have also seen several new additions to the scene. Last year Julian Nation released an 18 minute full length gem, We Are All Writers on Swedish label, Book Club Records. The record is full of intimate and quirky pop songs of the lo-fi home recorded variety, and it was well received amongst many in the blogging community, particularly in Europe.

There's also The Motifs, who is the musical project of just one woman - Alexis. The Motifs also do a DIY in your bedroom twee pop thing but her tunes are mostly acoustic and more cute less raw than Nation. Last year a select few (not me unfortunately) got their hands on the first release from The Motifs, a CD-R version on DIY Swedish label, Music is My Girlfriend, which sold out in a matter of days. Her next release a full length record, Away has just been released on a Japanese label, Lost in Found.

Also into DIY indie pop is summer cats, who received a positive track review on Pitchfork recently after releasing a CD-R single on a Miami label, Cloudberry Records last year. They don't have a recording deal yet, but I would expect there would be one just around the corner. If you don't believe me, just check out the sweet infectious goodness of those girl-boy harmonies.

So here's just a selection that all compares well with The Crayon Fields (and, which, in my opinion, is superior than most of what Architecture in Helsinki have done). If there's anything else you would recommend we would love to hear about it!

Upcoming Shows

The Lucksmiths are playing at the East on Saturday May 5. summer cats are one of the supports. The other support is The Zebras - Brisbane's best indie pop group.
The Steinbecks are launching their new album, Far From the Madding Crowd at the Northcote Social Club on Friday May 11.
Julian Nation is supporting The Bedroom Philosopher during his residency at the Wesley Anne on Thursday May 10.
You can catch Geoff, the creative brains behind The Crayon Fields with his side project Sly Hats at the Northcote Social Club this Friday.

Bands 'n Stuff: April 18 to 24

2007-04-18T09:27:00.000+10:00

Welcome to Wilco Week ladies and gentlemen

GIG ‘O THE WEEK

Wilco, Glenn Richards
@Palais, $80approx
Wednesday (SOLD OUT), Thursday, 7:30pm

Possibly the best band in the world are in town tonight and tomorrow night and what better way to celebrate than to bestow them the highly sought after honour of ATR gig of the week (Sorry local acts). We'll be there tonight of course. I’m wishfully predicting gig of the year. Fingers crossed for no migraines from Tweedy though. I'll bring Panadol for him just in case.

Wednesday the 18th

If you’re not at the Palais, maybe go and check the Kiwis who are playing their third Melb gig in the past week before heading home.

The Renderers (NZ), The Garbage and the Flowers
@NSC, 8:30pm, $10

Thursday the 19th

Still tix left for this Wilco gig so if you haven’t already done so buy one. If not, the next big thing of Aussie pop, The Basics have their second last residency gig at the Empress. And in case you weren’t convinced we’re not the only blog who reckons they’re pretty sweet (Check out A Reminder and Who The Bloody Hell Are They). If neither of these appeal, there is world class instrumental ambience at the East and four great free gigs, all with an alt-country bent, although the range is much more diverse down at the Espy.

The Basics, Major Major
@The Empress, 9pm, $5

Groundswell, The Wellingtons (trio), Rumours
@Rob Roy, 8pm, $8

Amaya Lauricia, Royalchord
@Spanish Club Front Bar, 9:30pm, Free

Joni Lightning, Aleks and the Ramps, Potential Falcons
@Espy Front Lounge, 9:30pm, Free

The Orbweavers, Andrew McCubbin and the Hope Addicts
@Retreat, 9pm, Free

Thee Mysterious Tape Men, Dance Contest, Made for Chickens by Robots, Made Austria, Casionova, The Baboon Brothers, Dane Certificate
@The Tote, 8pm, $10

This is Your Captain Speaking, All India Radio, Emily Williams
@The East, 8pm, $10

The Vandas
@Idgaff, 9pm, Free

Friday the 20th

Get your hands on some tight black jeans before tonight ‘cause they’ll be essential if you want to feel part of the crowd at the East. Fashion tips aside though, this will be fun fun fun so get on down if this is the way you like your Friday night. A few good things at the Tote too with EP launch from psychy indie rockers You Will Die Alone with support from cardigan adorned twee poppers the Crayon Fields and new Mistletone boys Fabulous Diamonds. You could also check out 2 of ATRs live recommendations, Silver City Highway and Black Pony Express, the latter who are supporting The Double Agents

Ben Birchall and the Corrections, The Good Intentions, Oh Mercy
@Ding Dong, 8pm, $10

Bit By Bats, Dance With Voices, Dead Frenchmen, The Fancy Boys
@The East, 8:30pm, $12

Bertie Blackman, Big Cats, special guest
@NSC, 8:30pm, $18

The Double Agents, Black Pony Express, The Bulls
@Spanish Club Salon, 9pm, $12

Leadfinger, Swedish Magazines, Wrong Turn
@Exile on Smith St, 8pm, $8

Martin Martini and the Bone Palace Orchestra, Sneaker Trio
@Revolver Upstairs

Plastic Palace Alice, Pitching Woo, Johnny Got His Gun, The Papernecks
@Rob Roy, 8pm, $8

Silver City Highway
@Greyhound, 9pm, Free

True Radical Miracle
@Pony, 2am, Free

You Will Die Alone, The Crayon Fields, Fabulous Diamonds, Ships Piano
@The Tote, 8:30pm, $12

Saturday the 21st

Kick off the afternoon down at the 'G watching the Saints pump the Bombers, blow out the cobwebs at the clumsily named Afterdark with some loud stuff, or smile along to sunny melodies at Pure Pop Records with the Steinbecks launching their new single. There'll be a BBQ and giveaways as well! Don’t worry if you can’t make this performance though. There’s a headline show at NSC nex month.

At night there’s world class country with Buckner at the Corner, although it’s a pity he’s not with band. Little Red on again as well. This time at Old Bar.

Aleks and the Ramps, Mysterious Tapeman, Made for Chickens by Robots, The Great Apes
@Pony, 9:30pm

Bachelorette (NZ), Flying Scribble, Francis Plagne, Ross Manning @Wesley Anne, 7pm, $5

Richard Buckner (USA), Edith Frost (USA), J. Walker
@The Corner, 8:30pm, $36+bf

Click Click
Spider Vomit, Kill Boogie, Barrage
@Brown Alley, $14

King Brothers (JPN), Backseat Romeos, Trough Lollies, Tash Mints
@Exile on Smith St, 8pm, $10

Leadfinger, The Naked Eye, Alcatrash
@Idgaff $5

Leadfinger
@Pony, 2am, Free

Little Red, Polar Sounds, Archestar
@Old Bar, $6

Rhythm Bell, Radiant City, Hotel City Wrecking Traders
@Afterdark, 2pm, Free

The Steinbecks
@Pure Pop Records, 3pm, Free

Sunday the 22nd

Welcome back live music to the Standard. There'll be stuff on twice a week. Acoustic on Wednesday. Bands on Sunday. Tonight's the opening night.

Cocky’s Cracker 2
Readers’ Wives, Dane Certificate, Popolice, Talkshow Boy, Dance Contest, Fantastic Sailors
@Rob Roy, 4pm, $5

Coco’s Lunch (2 sets)
@The East, 8pm, $20

The Hired Guns
@The Standard, 7pm, Free

Penny Ikinger
@Exile on Smith St, 6pm, Free

Zeptepi, The Codebreakers, Wyreless, Junior Anti Sex League
@The Tote, 6pm, $5

Tueday the 24th

A difficult choice. Rock out with the Nation Blue at the Tote? Shimmy and shake with Little Red at Click Click? Bounce and freakout to experimental synthy popsters Actor/Model at Exile on Smith St? Tap, nod a bit, and drink a tankload at the Espy Rootsfest? Or just soak up the winding indie guitar melodies at Weekender with Souls on Board?

Actor/Model, The Bachelorettes (NZ)
@Exile on Smith St, 8pm, $8

Click Click
Little Red
@Eurotrash, 9pm, $14/$10

The Counterfeit Gypsies, Waiting for Guinness, The Crooked Fiddle Band
@The East, 8pm, $15

Deep Roots Festival
Feat Cornerstone Roots (NZ)
+Custom Kings
+Ash Grunwald
+Dan Sultan
+Josh Owen
+more
@The Espy, 8:30pm, $15+bf

The Inches, Royal Parade, Nicholas Roy
@Rob Roy, 8:30pm, $10

Miso, Princess One Point Five, The Guns for Saint Sebastian
@NSC, 8;30pm, $15

The Nation Blue, King Brothers (JPN), Young & Restless, These Hands Could Separate the Sky
@The Tote, 8pm, $12

Weekender
Souls on Board, Carnation
@Ding Dong, 8:30pm, $10