Something Sweet To Throw Away

CHAINSAW HOOKERS new clip! 'NEVER SLEEP AGAIN'

2012-02-09T23:25:00.000+11:00

Perth blood rockers Chainsaw Hookers have just unleashed their latest clip, 'Never Sleep Again'. It's from their forthcoming self titled debut album which is set to be released in April. The Hooker boys are having such a kick arse year! On last years Soundwave line-up, supports with OFF! and The Misfits amongst others and now the East Coast support with The Exploited! If you haven't checked them out yet, get on it... everyone loves a Hooker!

East Coast dates below where you can catch Chainsaw Hookers supporting the legendary punkers, The Exploited!!!

APRIL 26 @ THE HIFI, BRISBANE - Chainsaw Hookers, The Scam
APRIL 27 @ THE MANNING BAR, SYDNEY - Chainsaw Hookers, Topnovil, skinpin
APRIL 28 @ THE CORNER HOTEL, MELBOURNE - Chainsaw Hookers, Wolfpack

For more info you can also check out the Soundworks Touring site.

Fourteen Nights At Sea @ Northcote Social Club...

2012-01-21T22:16:00.002+11:00

Fourteen Nights At Sea
Northcote Social Club
Friday 20th January 2012.

I had an arthroscopy done on both of my knees at the beginning of December and am still recovering. The cabin fever has been somewhat excruciating at times especially as I’m used to going out to see bands usually 2 to 3 nights a week. My first gig was last Saturday at the kick arse HEAVY Mag launch at The Corner. A massive line-up headlined by SixFtHick and the mag is what has been missing in Australia since we lost our beloved Hot Metal. I am proud to say I am a part of the HEAVY beast!

Tonight’s Fourteen Nights At Sea set is my second venture out into the ‘real’ world and I’m stoked it’s to see a band like this as I know I wont be disappointed.

Driving in I was cranking Black Rainbows and psyched for the night ahead. Liam (Fourteen Nights At Sea’s drummer) dropped on Facebook earlier that tonight was going to be a doomy set. This should suit their instrumental style perfectly.

Last time I saw these guys play was at their double LP launch at The Old Bar. At one stage it was like they had 17 guest guitarists on stage at once, well perhaps there was only a few. A wall of sound was slowly crumbling the building down. Guitar necks were winding throughout muso’s and it was an amazing set.

After I walked into the Northcote Social Club and apologised to the guy at the door for asking how he was and not giving him time to answer, I wandered in to the band room to see it partly filled of punters mostly seated on the floor. What the fuck is this? A love in? I always find it weird when people are on the floor in a band room.

I mentioned this feeling of uncomfortable dissatisfaction to the bar man and he said the room was the same the night before with about 150 people seated for something like a banjo gospel one man band or something to that affect.

Setting up the band seemed straight faced and serious until I noticed one of the guitarist’s faux strum to the reggae house music and both crack a smile. I was standing between girls sitting and chuckling (probably about the fact that they are now permanently stuck to the sticky carpet) and a few guys talking about what seemed to be the benefits of humbuckers. It’s all very entertaining when you’re people watching waiting for your friends to arrive before the band kicks in.

The floor sitting seems to be like a plague and as the room starts to fill a bit more everyone is doing it. Luckily I don’t succumb easily to peer pressure. The house music fades, one of Fourteen’s guitarist’s motions for the stage lights to be turned down, a guitar pedal tapped on can be heard throughout the now quiet room yet still these arrogant fuckers sitting on the floor aren’t shifting. Hell, I had double knee surgery and I’m up on both feet!

As the red stage lights creep in and change the mood some flanged lightly finger picked guitar starts… gentle symbols keep the time. Subtle repetitive wanderings take us around and around… swaying from side to side. You can feel that Fourteen Nights are easing us into it with a very slow build with beautiful meandering. I’m thinking about Liam’s comment about a doomier set, I know it’s going to come but am trying to place where this sits right now, at this moment. Due to the finger picking it’s like a more melodic stoner rock yet on slowmo. The groove is minimally increasing, the room is captivated and the sound pulls you into a trance.

And there it is… what happened? I am not listening to what they’re doing, just feeling it, swaying in motion, then I realise that I haven’t even noticed the fuzz has kicked in and there’s a barrage of hardcore-like high end that’s cutting through the low’s like a razor. It’s chilled, it’s deafening, it’s ferocious and calming, it’s how I imagine it would fell like drowning, a beautiful end.

Between songs there isn’t always calm, erratic guitars are screaming out in pain as the pedals are twisted and turned, writhing and yelling. Distorted echoes and flange and then the next song starts to kick in with a tribal drumming and bass rhythm and heads start steadily yo-yo-ing in time.

Fourteen Nights At Sea is a fitting name to go with their music. Slowly drifting and rockin to the steady peaks and troughs in the middle of the ocean. A light breeze is echoing throughout the sails… then out of nowhere you haven’t even noticed a dark and ferocious storm cloud creep in and the white caps are now consuming the boat! There’s cracks of lightning over head and screams of terror coming up from inside the cabin…

The mellower sounds of the band can create an uneasy anticipation. You’re waiting for it to kick in and they drag it out longer… and longer… and then just as you think it will kick in… longer… At times being on the edge of your seat for so long can make you feel really unsettled. I like though how Fourteen delivers it. It’s not annoying and over the top but definitely a lot longer than most would ever venture. It’s a subtle build that asks you to let go of what you’re used to in a song and just go with it. To feel not just what they’re playing but also where they’re coming from. There are bands that have done it before and there’s going to be bands that will try and do it in the future, but right now, in Melbourne, these guys have got it right.

The heavier doom influenced storm that they bring with an unsuspecting smack right across your face is awesome. A full body heavy groove that I imagine they let go on for hours during rehearsals. They come and they go. Songs blend into one and each set unique every night from the way it’s approached with their battery of improvised effects and chaos screaming over the top. As my friend said “experimenting like a mad scientist”.

After the heavy grooves, the barrage and the noise… it all stopped… one of their guitarists stepped forward into the mic and before they all left the stage said… “Sorry about that.”

Happy Birthday Paul Stanley & KISS Australian Tour 2013!!?

2012-01-20T21:17:00.001+11:00

Happy 60th Birthday Paul Stanley! No wonder you are still wearing make up! You've replaced a couple of the others, when are you and Gene going to step aside? Maybe Sam Wiggle could get the job now he's free...

Anyway, let's not get bitter.

I still love KISS. The first band I really obsessed over and collected like crazy. The strange things is, I have never actually seen them either. I was too young back in the day when they came out in 1980. Then either the planets haven't been aligned or I've sort of thought, you know what... I don't want my childhood memories shattered by some half baked Rolling Stones in wheel chairs tour with pyrotechnics that even need Viagra to explode. So then I read that KISS are meant to be touring Australia 2013. I am there! I have to be and I also have to take my two young kids! They love singing their songs and even my four year old son cracks it when there's no KISS in the car. What a kick arse first gig for them to go to!

According to The Music Network "Rock and roll superhero supergroup KISS has confirmed that they will be touring Australia next year. Their manager, Doc McGhee, told The Music Network that they have plans to come to Australia "next year. 2013".

And just for the hell of it I've also included an embarrassing photo of me from when I was younger in one of my KISS shirts. Unfortunately the only photo in one I have and look at that imposter on the shirt in the bottom.... pfffft...

BLACK RAINBOWS - Behind The Line - NEW VIDEO!!!

2012-01-15T22:31:00.001+11:00

Kick arse German heavy-psych stoner band BLACK RAINBOWS have just released their latest clip for the second track lifted from their full length LP, Supermothafuzzalicious!! The track is Behind The Line. This song is as good as it gets! Killer riff to reel you in and get you rockin from the get go.

The LP topped Something Sweet's THOSE THAT ROCK 2011 List.
Check it out! It rocks!

Black Rainbows: Site // Facebook

Something Sweet's THOSE THAT ROCK 2011 !!!

2012-01-14T14:29:00.003+11:00

So what does this photo have to do with anything? I did intend to put up a bit more of a rock influenced photo but it's dress up day every day at our house. So if the Hulk wants to be included... you don't turn him down!

I thought that I would have loads of time to sit and write, catch up on reviews and more after having surgery on both knees about 5 weeks ago. Instead I've found myself annoying everyone with my constant Facebook posts and becoming way too addicted to MacGyver for my own good. Finally I feel it's time to start posting a few things I should have already long done... starting with Something Sweet's THOSE THAT ROCK 2011 list.

I am not doing the normal list like everyone does. There have been so many amazing gigs and releases this year, new bands I've been introduced to and some kick arse local muso's I've gotten to know. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL MUSIC SCENE! Damn straight! So how do you write a Top 10? Pffft... I don't know... who gives a shit anyway?!! It's my list right!! So I started with the top few and then just insert your own number from then on... whatever... they're all good! I have to add that #1 slipped in right at the end and snatched the top spot! Maybe because it's the flavour of the month and I can't stop playing it... or maybe just because it absolutely kicks arse!

Each year I think I should have a best of list to add to as we go through the months. Each year I don't and I forget loads of amazing releases... so here is what my memory will allow of itself to remember for now...

BANDS THAT ROCKED 2011.

	1. Black Rainbows - Supermothafuzzalicious. I seriously can' get enough of these guys at the moment. Heavy psych rock from Rome, Italy. They've got kick arse tracks and some catchy riffs that'll get you rockin in no time at all. BIG FAN! I am new to the Black Rainbows camp but man, I have reserved myself a permanent place to stay! Everyone I know that plays their tunes really digs them and feels the same. Jump in with your heart and soul and get taken away on rockin ride!
	2. River Of Snakes - Bad Blood. The highlight for me over the last year has been getting out to loads of local gigs in Melbourne and really getting to know some amazing Melbourne bands. ROS are definitely one of them. Oh so dirty and filled with fuzz. They're a throwback from the gutter of the 90's. Some of the guitars are so dirty that I feel like two-bit whore at the end of the set... and that's exactly how you should feel, totally spent like you've fucked your heart out.
	3. DEAD - THUNDAAAAAH!. Another Melbourne band. Sludgey doom ridden rawk. Punk fuelled and totally out there on their own. It's a MASSIVE LP! Especially for just a two piece. Bass and drums. But don't be fooled, they are heavy and with an incredible presence live that is an entirely new experience from anything you've ever seen before. Released through WeEmptyRooms, well worth adding everything from the label into your collection!
	KNALL are a psychedelic, fuzzed out, stoner improv band from Cologne, Germany. It seems everything they touch is drenched in a 60's acid haze with a 70's edge. I dig everything they do. I get the feeling that there must be hours and hours of recorded material that will never see the light of day. Recordings of freaked out jams that would send us out into a spaced out heaven, makes you feel like your in the acid on Hendrix's tongue.
	Adalita - Self titled debut. Australian rock goddess Adalita, Magic Dirt's singer and guitarist, opened up her heart and soul and let us all in for the ride. Stripped back guitars and vocals a world away from the 90's drenched distortion and feedback that we're used to hearing in her band. Adalita's solo shows are jaw-dropping. From the first strum the room holds their mouths agape as not a sound escapes until the cheers between songs. This solo album is long overdue but well well worth the wait. I feel this one will go down as one of the greatest Australian albums of all time. Adalita also released The Repairer / Hot Air 7" through the UK's The Passport Label (which features Australian artists).
	Ironweed... maaan, you should just buy their latest album Your World Of Tomorrow. It seems that everything guitarist Mike Vitali touches turns to gold. I really dig it all. He creates music with some very varied styles and this is the stand out for sure. Kick arse album out through Magnetic Eye Records / Small Stone Records. Beautiful sleeve art and coloured vinyl... (Insert Homer Simpson drooling sounds here). DOn't get me wrong, it's not all about Mike, the rest of the band can definitely hold their own! But while you're there, also check out Mike's other bands Carcinogenic Corpse & Love Kiss...
	There are some killer bands coming out of Perth at the moment and two that have been consistantly blowing minds are Chainsaw Hookers and The Devil Rides Out. The Hookers have just released the Texas is Hell 7" and CD to rave reviews and their self labelled style of Blood Rock fits perfectly. Their shows are full of energy and non stop ball tearing music! They have had a massive year supporting the likes of OFF!, Misfits, Guitar Wolf, Horrorpops, Mad Sin and playing Soundwave. The Devil Rides Out are a force to be reckoned with. With each release they grow stronger and tighter as a band and The Heart & The Crown is by far their best yet and it truly is fuckin awesome from beginning to end. The highlight for me is track 3 'Hard Love'. A cruisier whiskey soaked blues number with Joey's vocals really rasping out. The distortion is awesome and your drunken head can sway perfectly in time...
	FANGS - Monsters / Government Paycheck single. Fangs released their full-length The Junkyard at the beginning of 2011 and backed it up with the Monsters single at the end of the year. From garage to indie to just punked up mayhem, Fangs rock the shit out of every gig they play. First time I saw them was in a room with some young late teen looking hipsters that were too scared to move and just standing still in case it messed up their hair. I wanted to beat them with their VANS lo-tops and shake some sense into them. It was a disgusting display of missing out on something amazing as they were too worried about their precious peers watching them. Since then they have played in front of more suitable crowds and the Meanies gig at The Old Bar was especially awesome! Between those two releases has seen Fangs following grow immensely and this is definitely a band to keep your eye on.
	Seedy Jeezus - Stealing Someone Else's Crowd - Somewhere between Jimi Hendrix and Fugazi's Ian MacKaye sit Seedy Jeezus. A reckless bunch of crazies that you can't help but befriend and have to take them home to introduce them to your Mum... just to freak her out of course. Every gig is mind blowing with some killer guitars and a drummer that not only has an awesome style but also looks like the love child of Spike (the lanky awkward dude from Notting Hill) and Jesus Christ. This release is very limited and has a hand screened foldout sleeve. Beautiful!
	Kira Puru & The Bruise - The Liar. I was introduced to this band by way of covering this release for the awesome Z-Man Records. Instantly blown away by the sounds coming out of the speakers. Soulful and sexy vocals over cruisier blues or rockin guitars. The Bruise take you through several styles, all of which are amazing. When we got to see them live, wow. JUST WOW! They ooze sex appeal and are all brilliant muso's. I cannot recommend seeing them enough!

GIGS THAT ROCKED 2011.
1. Kyuss Lives
2. Kyuss Lives
3. Kyuss Lives
4. Kyuss Lives
5. Kyuss Lives
6. Kyuss Lives

(Photo: Kyuss Lives @ Amplifier / Capitol in Perth. Of course I was up the front!)

Honourable mentions... Foo Fighters was kick arse standing side stage (Thanx DUFBAUM!), MAMMOTH MAMMOTH (of course... sheesh!), River Of Snakes, DEAD, Seedy Jeezus, Sebadoh, Adam Harding, Meanies, Tumbleweed, oh Kira Puru & The Bruise was amazing! Fourteen Nights At Sea, Adalita, Amaya Laucirica, Hoodoo Gurus, Mark Lanegan, Isobel Campbell, QOTSA doing their self titled debut from beginning to end! HELL YEAH! Scul Hazzards, The Peep Tempel, Helmet, Mighty Elk, Motley Crue, Muscle Car, Budd, Craig Westwood, Fangs, Hard-Ons, The Bronx, Melvins, Slash, Gang Of Four were totally kick arse, Social Distortion, High On Fire fuckin blew my mind, Hotel Wrecking City Traders, Tool... this list could go on forever!

FUNNIEST THING THAT HAPPENED AT A GIG!
Perth blood rockers CHAINSAW HOOKERS had some gigs planned in Melbourne last June but due to the flight cancellations from the volcano ash coming from Chile they were stranded here. I honestly can't remember how many gigs they played, I saw half of them. I think it was something like 8 in 6 days or something... Now Chainsaw Hookers are a kick arse band who rock and give it their all but when guitarist ( I wont mention Jon's name to save him from continued embarrassment) drunkenly jumped from the stage and got his leg tangled in a bar stool and then fell on the floor, well it was fuckin hilarious! Stoked I captured him on the way down! Completely to his drunken credit though, he didn't miss a note!

VENUE THAT ROCKED 2011.
1. The Old Bar (Melbourne)

Honourable mentions... The fucking TOTE! (Melbourne), Cherry Bar (Melbourne), Tivoli (BrisVegas), Amplifier / Capitol (Perth).

STORE SHOUT OUTS 2011.
Thornbury Records (Melbourne, Australia) & Vinyl Grove (The Hague, Netherlands)

LABEL SHOUT OUTS 2011.
Blown Music (Melbourne), WeEmptyRooms (Melbourne), Bro Fidelity Records (Melbourne), Magnetic Eye Records (Albany, NY. USA), Tenzenmen (Sydney), Small Stone Records (Detroit, MI. USA), Munted Records (Melbourne), Z-Man Records (Melbourne), Heavy Psych Sounds (Rome, Italy), The Passport Label (UK), R.A.I.G. (Moscow), Sulatron Records (Germany).

ALBUM THAT SUCKED 2011.
It was never going to live up to the usual hype and going off their recent history and style of releases, it fits in well but what an absolute complete and utter watered down and filled with drivel piece of crap is I'm With You by the so-called masters of funk, punk and mayhem, the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Those that know me would know how obsessed I am with John Frusciante and classic Chili Peppers but this album for me just didn't connect. Josh Klinghoffer is an amazing guitarist and I loved it when he toured last with RHCP as a fifth member but it's like Dave Navarro all over again. It was suggested to me by a friend to listen to the album like it's just a release from any old band and take it as that, not a new album from the Chili Peppers. Well, maybe in time I will do that but unfortunately for now it's filed next to One Hot Minute.

Here's my reworked graphic of the album...

Check out my review on The 59th Sound
to read why it's appropriate!!!

If I've forgotten something, which I know I have... just post your complaints at the bottom. ROCK!!!

Oh and check these bands out too... Nudist Colonies of The World, Destroy She Said, Graveyard, Rwake, Dustaphonics, Oholics, Elvis Deluxe, Fister, Bandito, Admiral Browning, The Re-Stoned, Howlin' Widow, Electric Moon, Sula Basanna, Spider Goat Canyon, Speed Demons, Jaq Gallier, Chelsea Wolfe.

If you've stuck with me until the end... go pour yourself a drink.. you've earned it!

Walk Off The Earth doing an amazing Gotye cover...

2012-01-08T13:26:00.000+11:00

I just saw this and had to post it straight away. Walk Off The Earth doing an amazing cover of Gotye's 'Somebody That I Used To Know'. As well as sounding awesome I love how they're all playing it on the one guitar. The guy on the right is the coolest!

THOSE THAT ROCK 2011 - Teaser with KNALL

2011-12-18T23:42:00.001+11:00

We're only a few gigs away from the end of another year. Best Of... lists are coming thick and fast; Top 5 Songs Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Who's The Indiest Indie Rocker Of The Year... Something Sweet To Throw Away is posting a little teaser of what's to come here...

If you don't know them, check out German band KNALL. They will take you away into a psychedelic space rock that you just wont want to come back from. You can never have too much fuzz and KNALL have it set to overload. Check out their latest track 'BITCH'. Even available as a free download!

KNALL: Facebook // Myspace

Stay tuned for Something Sweet's THOSE THAT ROCK 2011 list... filled with songs released over the last year and bands that just blow me away!

CHAINSAW HOOKERS - 'Texas is Hell' Single & iPhone app!

2011-11-27T14:55:00.001+11:00

What's better than being the postman who's delivering mail and getting your ankles chewed off by terriers? Being on the recieving end of this sweet sweet 'Texas is Hell' package from Perth blood rocker's Chainsaw Hookers! These guys give the words FUCK YEAH! a whole new meaning! Listen to their songs and it's impressive, catch their set live and you'll see why it should be recommended to wear a helmet to all their shows! Crazy psycho mayhem every time and kick arse rock'n'roll!

Their latest release, 'Texas is Hell' has just been released on CD and even better limited edition 7" vinyl! They've revamped their website and also got a new FREE iPhone & Android app... They're also hooked up support slots for Misfits, OFF! and Guitar Wolf Australian tours! Now that's BLOOD ROCK!

I can't talk these guys up enough, one of my favourite bands going round at the moment.

Check out Chainsaw Hookers: Site // Facebook // Reverbnation

Face The Music Conference + The Hidden Venture

2011-11-23T00:32:00.005+11:00

I went along to the Face The Music conference last Friday and Saturday at The Arts Centre (Melbourne). I felt completely out of my element surrounded by so many professionals and was also so inspired by how absolutely amazing everyone was. So much wisdom, oh and 'what happens on tour stays on tour' type of stories to share. Met some very cool people and it was also so bizarre how many people looked familiar yet I had no idea who they were.

The conference is such a great idea and was so stoked to have gone and I've picked up some great info and made some great contacts. I highly recommend anyone to go next year who is or wants to be involved in the music industry in any way.

I'd like to shout out a couple of big thank you's to:
Face The Music
Peter and Tania (The Push).

Friday 18th November:

The Live Landscape.
Facilitator: Jaymz Clements (triple j Magazine)
Panel of Melbourne booking agents:
Sarah Guppy (Revolver), Paris Martine (Grace Darling Hotel, Phoenix Public House), Mary Mihelakos (Yah Yahs), Andy Moore (Pony), Anita Nedeljkovic (Way Over There), Amanda Palmer (The Tote), Darve Smith (Ding Dong Lounge), Emily Ulman (Toff in Town), Neil Wedd (Greyhound Hotel, Regal Ballroom).

Some great tips for bands, agents and managers on trying to book at their venues. Great insight.

Festivals Of The World.
Facilitator: Seth Jordan (Songlines UK, Global Carnival, Limelight Magazine)

Panel made up of some of the worlds biggest and most amazing festival managers:
Jason Ayoubi (Future Music, Summadayze, AUS), Chris Frayer (Winnepeg Folk Festival, CAN), Jerome Galabert (Sakifo Festival Reunion Island, FRA), Christina Haetta (Riddu Riddu Festival, NOR), Malcolm Haynes (Glastonbury, UK), Peter Hvalkof (Roskilde, DEN), Fred Lachaize (Reggae Sun Ska Festival, FRA), Jason Mayall (Fuji Rock, JAP), Peter Noble (Bluesfest, AUS), Erwin Schellekens (Festival Mundial, NL), Warren Smith (Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, USA), Fruszina Szep (Sziget Festival, HUN), Annette Tripodi (Womadelaide, AUS).

I was only able to stay for the first 30 minutes as I had to head off to another panel but so worth just staying for that. Hearing the highs and lows from each panelist including the hilarious story of Fruszina from Sziget Festival in Hungary finally securing Prince through to the absolute tragedy of the 9 people that were killed whilst Pearl Jam were playing the Roskilde Festival in Denmark back in 2000. The look on Peters face was still all too much. Very very tragic.

What's Your Story? Tell it!
Facilitator: Jeff Jenkins (Freelance Author)

Panel: Dom Alessio (triple j), Evan Alexander (Heapsaflash), Shane O’Donohue (Inpress/Street Press Australia), Chrissie Vincent (Chrissie Vincent Publicity & Management)

This panel was for bands doing interviews and idea's on how to make them different to the usual and stand out. I went along hoping to get something from the other side of things as an interviewer although I also work with a band. This turned out to be one of my favourite panels of the day. Excellent.

Feature Interview with Dan Rosen (ARIA)
The Australian Music Industry: Where are we going & how do we get there

Facilitator: Lars Brandle (Billboard, The Music Network)

As CEO of ARIA and PPCA, Dan was a little too business for me :) but had some very interesting things to say about the future of music in Australia.

Doing It The Indie Way
Panel: Jess Beston (Tiny Monster), Vanessa Picken (Run DNA).

This was another great panel from two industry insiders that had both previously worked for large labels and left to pursue their own passions. A great insight into how an independent band could get themselves out there by really tapping into what the internet has to offer and more. Really enjoyed this a lot.

Saturday 19th November:

Viral Marketing is a Scam – Tell Everybody
Facilitator: Annmarie McMath (I Hear Motion)

Panel: Ben Abraham (Musician), Gerard Pidoto (The Statics), Nick Russo (Bright Knights), Mark Stewart (Jonesez)

I could not even begin to share the stories that we heard about ways to make your band go viral using Youtube! The craziest was Mark's about signing up to a medical trial to fund his next release and then documenting it all on the internet! Crazy but awesome. One thing though that I feel was missed was, yes, they all had stories that went viral on the net in varying degrees, but how exactly did that translate into raising the bands profile and sales.

APRA Songwriter Speaks with Paul Mac
Facilitator: Karl Broadie (APRA|AMCOS)

How Paul Mac works when writing, recording and collaborating with other musicians. Very enlightening and a great insight into an amazing songwriter.

Everything You Have Ever Heard Is True... And Then Some: Ted Gardner
Facilitator: Nick O’Byrne (AIR)

One of the world's most incredible and as it turns out, hilarious tour and artist managers. This was one I was really really looking forward to and I wish it went on for the next week. Some mind blowing stories about musicians Ted has worked with including Frank Zappa, Jane's Addiction, The Brian Jonestown Massacre and Tool to name only a few. Afterwards I asked Ted if he has written a book, he laughed. A question he would get asked every few minutes I would imagine, he said the problem is that most of them are all still alive! The guy is an absolute legend. I would like nothing better than to kick back and have a few drinks with him. Oh yeah, I also may have picked up a few useful things here and there... I can't quite remember as my sides are still hurting from the laughter!

I chatted with a few people across both days that were amazing, Tania Wilson - (The Push, missmanagement - Fare Evader / i, said the sparrow), Phoebe Pinnock (Heaven The Axe), Zerafina Zara (musician and vocal coach), Evan Alexander (Heapsaflash), Vanessa Picken (RUN DNA), Ted Gardner (Cross Section), Cassie Walker (Prince Bandroom, SYN Media), Jen Barratt (Rize Artist Management - The Hidden Venture / The Switchblades) and Alex Hayes (The Hidden Venture) to name only a few... there were a lot, apologies to those I have forgotten to mention! Mental overload!

I get a few CD's here and there handed to me, to listen to and I have to say that I am completely stoked that I met Alex from The Hidden Venture. I listened to it on the way into the conference on the Saturday morning and kept repeating it. 4 songs that are all absolute killers. From beginning to end the release is amazing. I have no idea why I haven't heard of them before. A Melbourne band definitely worth keeping an eye out for. Alex described them to me as something like where Stoner meets Rock. It is beyond Jimi Hendrix and Josh Homme's love child, The Hidden Venture kick arse!

The Hidden Venture - From The Drip Into My Arm (Live)

Amaya Laucirica / Melodie Nelson. The Workers Club.

2011-11-17T17:01:00.001+11:00

Amaya Laucirica, Melodie Nelson
The Workers Club, Fitzroy
Sat 22nd October, 2011.

Even though it’s raining tonight everything has that sharp, crisp look about it. The night is clean and seems wide eyed and ready to open its mind. I was on my way to The Workers Club to see Amaya Laucirica launch her latest EP, ‘Anywhere There’s You’. Whenever you get a chance to get along to see her play; you can never turn it down. Tonight though was going to be a little different for me, she was performing with her band. Each time I have caught Amaya live it has always been solo and oh so sweet, so I am intrigued to say the least.

I walked into the band room, bar down the right side and all surrounded by open style walls. The timber frames being utilised as shelves instead of covered with plaster. Behind the bar slots were cut out of the timber for wine glasses to slide into their home upside down. Bottles nestled into the recesses where they could stylishly fit. Out with those watching, tea light candles in glasses shone a tender light and danced in flickers to the chatter.

Melodie Nelson took to the stage as the opener. Standing timidly in front of a back drop of tree silhouettes painted on the wall behind, her green dress seemed to fit in with it perfectly. She stood there alone and looked nervous, fidgety, and uncomfortable. It gave the impression that maybe this may have been one of her first gigs. Once she started playing her little Casio keyboard it was instantly enchanting. Layers of wispy atmospheric vocals meandered in and out of themselves. Like her songs were lifted from a David Lynch soundtrack, they were haunting yet beautiful, sad yet uplifting. Melodie looked up a little self-consciously, “I should mention I usually have a band. I don't usually have a backing iPod” It didn’t matter. Those in the room were captivated by her voice, her sound and drawn in by her child like timidness. Looking up now and again and smiling shyly toward the crowd: whether from realising she knew someone or from feeling vulnerable singing alone on stage. Closing her eyes, Melodie falls into a large enveloping symphony of emotion and takes everyone with her. No one dare breathe or blink in case they disturbed the fragile ambience flowing from the stage. She finished the song, looking down around and then up shyly… “I’m just going to look for my wine… it's there”, finding it she takes a sip and rests it down gently, “Sorry you had to watch me drink. It's a bit weird.”

Song styles went from almost Patsy Cline-esque vocals to a psychedelic number that could have been in a Get Smart 60’s freak out scene. I had never heard Melodie Nelson before but was completely caught up in her creations… just beautiful. It was reminiscent of Portishead and their gentle and somewhat sensual delivery. It is then fitting then they play one of their tracks in the break.

The room starts to fill from the other bars in the venue as the band set up. People started to move a bit closer to the stage in anticipation as the members take their places. Opening with the softer ‘Most Times I Feel Alright’ is a perfect transition from Melodie’s set and from the outset all are captivated. As with realism in painting, Amaya’s vocals are so stunning you sometimes forget that they are created by a person. The lighting is a bit too bright and doesn’t set the appropriate mood, through Amaya’s direction the stage is a little more dimly lit and they continue on into a favourite ‘When I Think Of All The Places’. It’s easy to escape into the music and forget where you are when you’re listening to something like this. The songs are powerful and moving tales of thoughts and emotion, the bass beating along with your heart, the vocals; your soul.

The contrasting toe tapping up tempo ‘No Excuses’ see’s Amaya putting down her guitar and side-step dancing from foot to foot behind her keyboard. Her eyes are closed and she is enjoying it all.

Wondering if a band may drown out Amaya’s subtleties before the set, my thoughts were quickly put to rest. She is surrounded by some talented musicians. Incredible finger picking, accented symbols when necessary and the violin gave the songs such a beautiful ethereal quality.

Set list:
Most Times I Feel Alright
When I Think Of All The Places
Climb Up High
Anywhere She Went
It’s So Wrong
Sleeping In Your Shadow
This World Can Make You Happy
Sun On My Face
No Excuses
Two Stones
You’ve Got A Smile

The highlights of the night was the unearthing for me of such a natural talent in Melodie Nelson, Amaya as always and her guitarist, Andrew Keese, was truly amazing as well.

Amaya Laucirica’s ‘Anywhere’s There’s You’ EP is out now.
Site // Facebook

Melodie Nelson’s ‘Meditations On The Sun’ is also more than worthy.
Bandcamp // Facebook

Andrew Keese & The Associates.

GO-GO SAPIEN present THIS BODY IS WRONG FOR US. CD & DVD Release.

2011-11-15T17:17:00.000+11:00

For those of you that love living on the fringes of genre and the fine line between genius and down right crackpot, Go-Go Sapien’s second full length release, This Body Is Wrong For Us, will keep your mind and ears entertained. For those of you that don’t, well, you need to get out of that pigeon hole more often anyway.

Known for their theatrical lyrics and style shifting song writing, this album takes you to places where a young Bowie might have only looked on, where Dick Dale might find his surf guitar hanging out on the beach at midnight staring up at the stars on acid and where Iggy first thought about throwing himself at the floorboards. Go-Go manage to create worlds within their own universe, swaying in and out of one genre to the next effortlessly, not only with the individual tracks but also within each as well.

The opener ‘Recreational Derelict’ is a wandering thought within the writers mind; cruisy musings on loneliness and importance. ‘Altered Ego’ steps it up with some killer garage surf guitar. If Lux Interior collaborated with the B-52’s on a psychedelic track, this might just have been their very own style of upbeat Go-Go; the stand out track for sure. ‘Serpentine Starlight’ seems to be about settling for the love you have and has some great piano and guitar riffs with old school eerie sci-fi effects. ‘Sick Love’ brings us some stalker-ish love in the form of a messed up Easybeats 90’s keyboard pop song. Josh Homme would be proud to have ‘Hatewind’ included on one of his legendary Desert Sessions collaborations. A desert driven beginning morphs into some great atmospheric keys and ends in a frenzy of horns. The album continues on in this mash up of styles and wraps you up in everything from garage to pop and all tinged with a sci-fi flavour, all the while delivered with a band that knows exactly what they’re creating and blend it all together with Zappa-esque brilliance.

You get the feeling that the band are taking the piss and are in on something we aren’t but the songs are so damn catchy and there’s way more style here than on a 70’s catwalk full of coked up models in spacesuits and faux fur.

The Movie is a 45 minute below b-grade piece that features the songs from the CD. Written and directed by Go-Go front man Will Hindmarsh. He clearly has a love of the sci-fi schlock horror genre and has gone well above and beyond just trying to imitate it, he has succeeded and it keeps you sucked right in and needing to find out what’s going to happen next. I wont be giving anything away as you really need to experience it all for yourself except to say that it’s like one of those crazy idea’s you have whilst being completely blown out and sitting around the basement table on That 70’s Show. The only difference is that Will has gone through with it. His madness has been realised. There are some great cameos throughout including Kim Salmon, Dave Graney, Liz Stringer and Linda Dacio. Whether or not you dig the film is really irrelevant, you’ll find yourself glued to their out of this world lunacy anyway. It’s awesome that the idea's been followed through and by the look of the fun they must have had making it, more for themselves than the audience! I would suggest listening to the CD first though as it gave me more of an appreciation for their unique approach to music. If I had have heard the sounds for the first time accompanying the film, well, let’s just say I might’ve needed to drop some acid first.

I really wish I could’ve made it to the launch, I think that would have been pretty crazy! As they sing on track 6 “Science Friction changed the world’s opinion” and this release may very well do that just for you!

This Body Is Wrong For Us CD & DVD film is out now through Popboomerang.

Go-Go Sapien:
Site // Facebook

DEAD - THUNDAAAAAH!

2011-10-27T12:42:00.000+11:00

You’re walking through the back alleys of Melbourne at 2am and feel a presence. Hearing the footsteps following, you stop and turn… there’s no one there. You continue walking and your pace hastens. Feeling the heavy breathing on the back of your neck, once again you turn as you start running and still there is no face to the anticipation. Rounding a corner you run into something at full force knocking you to the ground. As the blood pours from your hands and knees, heart racing, your breath gasping, frantically you look around and realise that which was behind you, is in front of you, is all around you. There is no escape. Reeling backward and scrambling further into the darkness you look up to see what it is and catch a glimpse… it’s DEAD.

There really is no other like this band. Two humans brutalising their instruments and our eardrums the world over. Two guys with the sound of a 10 carriage train going over head at high speed. Two musicians that truly understand and feel what they’re doing which translates into an awe-gasmic feast for your senses. You have never heard anything or seen anything live like DEAD. After all they did book their first tour even before writing a song... now that's insane! If the rapture does come, I’m not hanging around in no field waiting for UFO’s, I’ll be at the Old Bar listening to DEAD at full volume!

Their latest release, THUNDAAAAAH! Is exactly that! The sound that you hear after the lightning, after the electrical storm from hell, after DEAD have been amplified and the brutality arrives. They are truly fuckin awesome.

It kicks off with the complete sense disabling 'You Just Lost My Appetite'. 3 minutes 18 seconds of battlefield explosive bass and limb annihilating drums. This is a great introduction of what to expect. No bullshit, warts and all ball tearing ferocity that circles around behind you and punches you in the back of the head. You really can't take it all in with only two ears. Try and borrow a mates too if you can. It's just that massive.

Each song is a testament to the band's strengths as musicians and honesty to play what they feel. DEAD are unique in their sound and approach. They strike a chord within us in the primordial sense. Their rhythmic and pounding, raw and primeval songs, can be felt vibrating through the floorboards and up into your bones.

Jace’s bass playing goes from gentle soft single note slides through to his cataclysmic thunderous chords. At times it sounds like there's a hell of a lot more going on than only one bass. The drum stool that sits under Jem has to be on nitro-fuelled hydraulics. When you see him live you realise he doesn’t like to sit still. Well, yes he is a drummer, but how he springs into the air from nowhere and lands full force bare foot onto his pedals is awesome. It comes across in the second track “Preventable Disease”. Raucous and complete and utter strength until it all stops and you hear Jem yell “Give me a power chord! Give me another power chord”. Then it’s all back on into a full throttle attack!

I love the absolute contrast of “Wherever You Go We Will Catch You” amongst the rest of the tracks. A chilled intro build up of crashing symbols with the bass. Jace drops the playing and starts whistling over the bare drums. It’s quite haunting in the middle of the sheer volume of the DEAD beast. And don’t worry, it’s at about the 4 minute 20 second mark that they do catch up with you and take you right back into the chaos with extreme and blood curdling vocals. A horror movie all unto itself.

DEAD really are a live band. To watch them in action is jaw dropping. I did wonder how their style of music would translate onto LP without their visual presence, though there was no need. It really works and I'm damn impressed. DEAD will never be a band you will see on Richard Wilkins Top Ten favourite releases for the year, of which I’m sure they’d prefer, but for those fans of punk, sludge, chaos and noise, you will absolutely be fuckin stoked! I also strongly advise that even if you aren’t to check them out, you wont be disappointed.

THUNDAAAAAH! Is available on LP now. Delicious hand-screened sleeve and inserts done locally by the guys on their own label WeEmptyRooms, limited to 200. The U.S. version is through Wantage. DEAD also released a limited number on cassette for their Southeast Asian tour last May. You may still be able to get a copy through Ricecooker (Malaysia) or Tenzenmen (Australia).

After the successful Southeast Asian and U.S. tours, DEAD are set to annihilate their home land. Co-headlining with Cyberne (Japan), this East Coast Australian tour is going to make every one of your senses scream in awe.

DEAD / Cyberne Oct / Nov Tour Dates:

Mon 31st Oct: Melbourne - The Prague - Thornbury
+ Bodies, Bowcaster, Scul Hazzards & Dude Mountin’

Tue 1st Nov: Melbourne (4pm Start) “Cup Day Carnage” - Brunswick Hotel
+ Spider Goat Canyon, King Parrot, Broozer, Swidgen, Moth & Gihan

Wed 2nd Nov: Newcastle (ALL AGES) - The Pharmacy, Wickham
+ TBC

Thurs 3rd Nov: Lismore - The Gollam Hotel

Fri 4th Nov: Brisbane (ALL AGES) The Waiting Room, West End
+ Iron Hide, Acid Snake & Black Hole Gazers.

Sat 5th Nov (2pm): Brisbane (ALL AGES) - Tym Guitars Instore performance

Sat 5th Nov (late): Byron Bay - Jack’s Shed

Sun 6th Nov: Tamworth - The Youthie - ALL AGES
w/Rara Avis and Crouching 80s Hidden Acronym

Wed 9th Nov: Sydney (Cyberne Only) - Sandringham Hotel, Newtown
+ Hard-Ons

Thurs 10th Nov: Wollongong - The Patch, Fairy Meadow
+ Baby Machine

Fri 11th Nov: Sydney (ALL AGES) - Blackwire, Annandale
+ Nunchukka Superfly, Battle Pope & Video Nasty.

Sat 12th Nov: Canberra (ALL AGES) - McAwley St. House
+ 4Dead, Reverend Jessie Custer

DEAD: Site // Facebook

Cyberne: Site // Facebook // Myspace

DEAD / Cyberne: East Coast Tour Event

WeEmptyRooms: Site

Tenzenmen: Site // Facebook

Ricecooker: Site // Facebook

Wantage: Site // Facebook

Check out previous DEAD reviews on Something Sweet To Throw Away...
The Old Bar - 28th April 2011 // The Tote (with Hard-Ons) - 3rd April 2011.

Nothing else needs to be said...

2011-10-25T14:56:00.001+11:00

FANGS 'Monsters' - New Single!

2011-10-19T13:16:00.001+11:00

From 80’s indie garage punk to straight up shit hot rock, FANGS have got what you want; they’re unparalleled and tight, furious and foaming with attitude.

The band are set to release their latest single, Monsters, backed with Government Paycheck. If you have never heard FANGS before, this is one hell of an introduction.

Monsters serves up robot rockin riffs and such a laid back can’t be arsed groove, but don’t be fooled. Fangs are the monster that certainly doesn’t creep up on you slowly. Turn your back on them live and they’ll pounce and devour you whole. These guys fuckin rock!

This first track gets your head banging well before you’ve even realised you’ve put a hole in the wall. Not as frenzied as some of their past material but just as strong and definitely as solid. You will not be disappointed.

Government Paycheck is back to more of the usual FANGS beat up that we’re used to. Punk fuelled mayhem and feedback fed solo, during which the use of stereo is just subtle enough to make your head freak right out! I love Tim’s use of tapping the strings on his SG’s pickups…

FANGS are set to release Monsters, recorded at Birdland Studios, October 25th through iTunes with the 7” and CD releases to follow. Available now through Bandcamp. Also check out some live vid's on Youtube.

FANGS will be officially launching the single at the Cherry Bar November 25th!

HUNTRESS 'Eight of Swords' - Video Premiere

2011-10-19T10:18:00.001+11:00

Huntress have unleashed their latest song, Eight Of Swords, and backed it in with an awesome clip!

Eight Of Swords was produced by Chris Rakestraw (Skeletonwitch, Danzig and Children of Bodom) and the clip's director, Simon Chan of Artificial Army, has also shot video for The Mars Volta, Coheed and Cambria, The Sword and Saviours.

The track has just premiered on Noisecreep. Check out the site for info and to watch the clip.

Huntress are one of my favourite metal bands. Combining former members of Professor, Skeletonwitch and Dark Black with "an operatic banshee with an unparalleled four-octave range and lust for the occult", the band kick arse! If you haven't heard them, you can download free tracks on their bandcamp site.

Vocals: Jill Janus
Lead Guitar: Blake Meahl
Rhythm Guitar: Ian Alden
Drums: Carl Wierzbicky
Bass: Eric Harris

Huntress:
Noisecreep Premiere
Site // Facebook // Myspace // Bandcamp

Jaq Gallier - Spotlights (with Eric Matthews)

2011-10-14T21:56:00.000+11:00

Put on your headphones, close your eyes, fall in and float away... just stunning.

CHAINSAW HOOKERS - New site up and cutting!

2011-10-12T12:03:00.002+11:00

Perth blood-rockers, Chainsaw Hookers have a new site up and running! It looks sweet and includes more content than before, Bio, Photos, Videos and a link to their store where you can pick up some of their kick arse merch. Including their new 7" Texas Is Hell which is being launched this Friday 14th October at Perth's Rocket Room.

I suggest you check out Chainsaw Hookers if you haven't already.... everyone loves a good Hooker!

Chainsaw Hookers: Site // Facebook

Rewiggled - A Tribute To The Wiggles

2011-10-12T11:37:00.003+11:00

Some of Australia's greatest musicians covering the best kids band in the world! I am not sure who will be more excited, myself or my two little munchkins! Yes, definitely me...

From the ABC Music site:

In celebration of The Wiggles’ 20th birthday, ABC Music has brought together some of Australia’s finest contemporary music artists to pay tribute to the undisputed legends of children’s entertainment, The Wiggles. Rewiggled features 20 all time favourite Wiggles songs interpreted by The Living End, Washington, Jebediah, Sarah Blasko, Architecture In Helsinki, Spiderbait, Bluejuice, Frenzal Rhomb, Clare Bowditch, The Snowdroppers, Busby Marou, Adalita, Papa VS Pretty, The Audreys, Dead Letter Chorus, Oh Mercy, Angie Hart, Sons of Rico, Steve Lane and the Autocrats and Paul Greene.

“ABC Music has been the record label partner of The Wiggles since the release of their first album 20 years ago, and it’s been a great privilege for us to have played a part in their remarkable success over two decades. Creating this tribute album is our way of congratulating The Wiggles on this significant anniversary. The willingness and enthusiasm of all the artists involved is further proof of the esteem and affection in which The Wiggles are held.” – Robert Patterson, Head of ABC Music

“For 20 years, The Wiggles have given children the pure joy of music. Rewiggled features the cream of the Australian music scene, who've re-worked Wiggles songs for fans from the early days who are now adults. And then there are those who will just dig the bands and these highly contagious melodies! I've never had so much fun!” – Paul Field, Managing Director, The Wiggles

Including

The Living End – Hot Potato
Washington – The Monkey Dance
Jebediah – Getting Strong!
Sarah Blasko – I Love It When It Rains
Architecture In Helsinki – Wiggly Party
Spiderbait – Rock-A-Bye Your Bear
Bluejuice – Wake Up Jeff!
Frenzal Rhomb – Captain’s Magic Buttons
Clare Bowditch – Georgia’s Song
The Snowdroppers – Wags The Dog
Busby Marou – Dressing Up
Adalita – Get Ready To Wiggle
Papa VS Pretty – Can You (Point Your Fingers And Do The Twist?)
The Audreys – Cowboys And Cowgirls
Dead Letter Chorus – Wiggle Bay
Oh Mercy – Toot Toot, Chugga Chugga, Big Red Car
Angie Hart – Our Boat Is Rocking On The Sea
Sons Of Rico – Shaky Shaky
Steve Lane And The Autocrats – Fruit Salad
Paul Greene – Henry’s Spinning
Sampology – The Wiggles Mash-up / Remix

----------------------------------------------

Also check out Rhys Muldoon's I'm Not Singing.

A kids album for the whole family! Co-written by Kram and featuring guest vocals by Tex perkins!!!

Out now through ABC Music.

Legends Of Motorsport, River Of Snakes, The In The Out @ Old Bar

2011-10-10T16:09:00.005+11:00

I was unintentionally drunk before I even figured out where the tram was. Eventually it came by, I clambered on and sat with my head facing down in case the need arose and I was forced to have to slur to a stranger.

I got off and wandered toward to one of my favourite Melbourne venues, The Old Bar. On the way there I ran into an old friend I hadn’t seen in a loooong time heading in as well… awesome! Good times ahead! Dufbaum! As we entered the place was full of punters talking loudly and the small TV up behind the bar unsuccessfully vying for our attention.

The first band up was The In The Out. I have no idea who they are but my friend knew them. Apparently so did everyone else as the room quickly filled to the first strum.

There were people around me standing on the floor, posters on the walls, red light looking down upon the stage and doors occasionally breaking the monotony of a straight wall. The bass was low, the drums were being hit and there was lots of hi end strumming. I really couldn’t tell you much else other than I was really digging them. The singer / guitarist looked like he was out of Kings Of Leon and seemed to be breaking hearts of those single ladies around me.

I started feeling too drunk. You know that type of drunk that hits you and you're not sure if you're banging your head at the right pace. Are you 3 beats behind the band? Are you seeing things in real time? Are you still banging your head after they've left the stage and everyone else has gone out to the beer garden for a smoke? Who the fuck cares? I'm enjoying my own space with or without the band! I'm still hearing them and that's all that matters.

New York Dolls were also playing this same night... I thought “Pffft, we've got our very own Melbourne Dolls rights here...”

A couple more mates arrived in time for the killer River Of Snakes. I was irresponsibly getting sober at this point and so can sporadically remember parts of the evening. Like trying to find Snakes guitarist Raul’s “Civil War” Big Muff that was pictured on Tym’s Facebook page… it looks beat up but very much loved! I’m not sure if the band were messing with my head on purpose as they played my favourite song, I Lied, somewhat faster than usual. A little less swamp ridden blues and a bit more kick arse rock. Was it me or was it them?

Sex Shark is an instrumental plucked straight out of the dirty rancid crotch of the fuzzed out 90’s. Loads of distortion, riffs that would make Tumbleweed wet their pants and that ol’ Magic Dirt feedback driven solo that sends you crazy! Drink was fittingly dedicated to friend of the band Emmy who’s leaving town – so raise your glass and wish her all the best! Bad Blood’s almost tribal and animalistic feel makes it instantly a favourite. The Harsh Light Of Day was also a fav for the night. You can’t be fooled by that babydoll dress when Elissa screams! It would curdle Kat Bjelland’s blood!

Back out to the courtyard for old and new friends to meet and greet. It was great catching up and just hanging out. Unfortunately we were having such a good time that we stayed out there when Legends Of Motorsport started. I haven’t seen them for years and maybe even since they supported Queens Of The Stone Age on their first Australian tour. Now I’m a huge QOTSA fan and their set rocked but it was the slaughterfest that was Legends that left their unexpected impression on me. So many bands though and I just haven’t gotten around to seeing them again. We eventually went back inside but I revisited my The In The Out phase of the evening and remember hilarities rather than musical genius.

Like the guy in front of us that was wearing a bow on his back and pink skin tight ¾ pants! I guess that now is the time to explain that I clearly didn’t take any photo’s of the bands, hence my sketches… but I had to get a photo of this guy! Was he on a buck’s night? Was it his usual preferred choice of gig clothing? Was he still stuck in the 80’s with a penchant for the bows on the back of bridesmaid’s dresses? Link Meanie was standing between the bow and I so I invited him to take part in my only gig photo of the evening! Link is a champ!

Legends style of making you feel like you’ve been put through a musical blender still holds fast and the room packed full of punters was testament to that. When Link got up for Ton Of Bricks the place went nuts! I was standing at the back of the room but I still held up my mobile to record this moment for Old Bar posterity. Check out the appalling footage but killer sound below!

It’s the busiest I’ve seen the Old Bar for ages. Such a great vibe at that place and some kick arse muso’s were amongst it… Adam (Magic Dirt), Link Meanie, Adam Harding, Ben (Warped), Roman (Rocket Science), Steve (Useless Children), Jem (DEAD), Mikeey (High Times). Melbourne, a gold mine of talent!

We had a final chat after the last of the Legends chaos drifted off as the amps were cut. Said our goodbyes and headed in different directions. I walked to catch one of the last trams of the night and thought “I can smell cauliflower... weird what you smell when you're walking down the street...”

DESTROY SHE SAID - Music For Muscle Cars EP

2011-10-03T00:09:00.002+11:00

Pub rock is a loosely used term and thrown around all too often, included by myself. Destroy She Said are what it’s really all about: plenty of hard rock with more guts than a slaughterhouse (with some metal thrown in). Their new EP, Music For Muscle Cars, has everything you need to keep you rockin the whole way through. There’s hell raising riffs, pounding rhythms and vocals that have been pulled across a cheese grater that’d have Bon Scott down the front raising his glass!

Music For Muscle Cars is a perfect example of why EP’s work. Every track packs an Ali punch and keeps it rollin on to the next. Some albums should really have a few tracks cut so the momentum isn’t broken and I’m sure that DSS could’ve added more to this release but there’s just no need. There’s enough power behind their guts, grit and guitars that’ll get you breaking speed limits in your ‘69 Camaro in no time at all!

Kicking off with the appropriately named “Drivin’ Machine”; dirty distortion rolling around the tires on your V8, rumbling bass and more of those early Bon vocals every flannie wearing beer swiller from the burbs loves.

You can feel the 70’s and 80’s hard rockin edge come crashing through in “Fanta Pants”. With Dio growls, metal guitar squeals and the strength behind the bass drum, it makes this song a definite stand out on the EP. It hits the nitro and takes it up a notch.

If every release has a love song, track 3 is definitely Destroy She Said’s. The chilled intro is sung with their very own style of love and affection. Then it kicks into more of the rockin and rollin riffage. And of course nothing says love more than the lyrics of “Squirter”. Do yourself a favour; buy it if not just for this!

The feel of “Game Over” took me straight back to the 90’s and Circus Of Power. Simple riff, perfectly timed and instantly a foot tapper. Dave’s solo is killer on this track. Sounds like he’s teasing it out of his guitar at first and just ends up throttling the fuck out of it! Ball busting vocals and powerhouse rhythms.

DSS got their name from a 1969 Marguerite Duras film Destroy, She Said. An obscure erotic art house film set in a French provincial hotel. A bizarre movie that wouldn’t and doesn’t necessarily need to be known to most, the band on the other hand, definitely should be.

DSS are: Simon McCullough – vocals, Gary Young – rhythm guitar, Dave Walker – lead guitar, Scampers – bass, Greg Aldridge – drums.

Destroy She Said will be launching the Music For Muscle Cars EP Saturday October 15th at The Espy front bar with special guests MAMMOTH MAMMOTH, China Vagina and AC/DShe. The EP is available on October 9th through their site.

DSS: Site / Myspace / Facebook.

Mötley Crüe - Rod Laver, Melbourne. 25-09-2011.

2011-09-26T13:24:00.001+10:00

Mötley Crüe kicked arse! So much better than the previous tour. Pyro, lighting even Vince remembered the lyrics! The guys looked liked they were actually enjoying themselves. Compared to last time when they didn't looked like they gave a shit. Good times!

Tommy Lee's rollercoaster set up was awesome! He even pulled out a guy from the crowd, strapped him in behind him and took him round for a spin!

Check out my Disgracebook for some b-grade photo's...

Check out the clips below. Bit shaky and dodgy quality but sound ok. Filmed on my trusty iCrap.

They throw barrels of fake blood out at the end of Kickstart as it's the last song of the night...

HAPPY 20th !!! Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magik !!!

2011-09-25T04:03:00.000+10:00

Red Hot Chili Peppers released the perfect Blood Sugar Sex Magik back on September 24th, 1991. Damn, where did that time go?

The second album to feature guitarist John Frusciante after the untimely overdose of Hillel Slovak in 1988, it was seen that the Chili peppers may never recover. Frusciante's debut as a Pepper, 1989's Mothers Milk, oozes his two main influence's, the aforementioned Slovak and Jimi Hendrix. Mother's Milk is a kick arse album but it wasn't until he'd spent more time in the band that he really drew upon his own natural talent and Blood Sugar Sex Magik was born.

The album broke the band internationally as well as Frusciante's own fragile state of mind and he left just before they were set to tour Australia for the first time. That was heart breaking for me. He was then and still is to this day my favourite musician.

There was a strange occurrence back when we found out that really freaked us out! After we heard the news we jumped in my mates car. I opened the glove box to put on the BSSM cassette... I had copied it from my tape for Matt's car and run the sleeve through a fax machine, sticky taping both sides together. When I got it out to play John's face on the copied cover had vanished!!! Holy fuck! [Insert Twilight Zone music here...] Well, sticky tape over fax copies does eventually make whatever's on there fade and disappear. But still... Fwoah!

It was beyond amazing finally getting to see Red Hot live when they did get to Australia. I remember going with some mates, Adam and Lack, and walking down to the front of the Hordern Pavillion in Sydney as they came out on stage. My feet stuck to the floor. "Get fucked! There's Flea!" No Frusciante though. Arik Marshall is a talented musician but all those beautiful nuances of John's were lost. The bends, the tap-ons, were either more robotic and practiced or just not quite there. Then the Navarro tour.. let's just say I love Dave Navarro and Jane's Addiction, but he was no Pepper. First time I saw John live and admittedly probably every time since I get tears in my eyes at the genius that he is. I long to see him play a solo set.

That first tour at the Hordern I saved all my pennies up, being the broke young skater boy that I was and bought one of everything they had at the merch stand. I had my arms full! Took it all back to a mates car and filled his boot. Think it was something like 9 t-shirts, shorts, caps and who know's what else! I already had a few shirts and things and was known for a while in my country town where I was living at the time as "the guy in the Red Hot shirt"... this I guess cemented that!

One day after doing a couple of loads of washing I hung my clothes out on the line at the block of flats I lived at and went out. I knew better. Got home later and a few of my all time fav shirts had been stolen. I try not to hold hatred for long, but I tell you what, to this day if I found out who did that I'd beat the absolute hell out of them! One of the shirts was the first Australian tour shirt. A while later while seeing Soundgarden at Selina's in Sydney, I saw a girl wearing one. I had to have it. I walked up to her and told her the story and that she could have every cent I had on me (except enough for a coke as I'd just come out of the Soundgarden mosh!) if I could just please have that shirt! She explained it wasn't hers and it was her sisters. I ended up twisting her arm to call her sister and she talked her into selling it to me! She took it off right there in front of me and put on the flannie she had tied around her waist. We said our goodbyes and I was ecstatic! Well, until I realised I had lost my mates for the night, it was too late for public transport, I was broke and stuck on the opposite side of Sydney to where I was staying!

Thinking about this album just brings up so many amazing memories. Such a ground breaking album and still kicks arse to this day. From each killer track to the artwork to the Funky Monks video, all amazing pieces in their own right. I love watching the video, seeing Chad playing piano, John's crazed explanations, Flea playing the kids piano, all of them banging the shit out of things whilst recording Breaking The Girl and something that has always stuck with me is when Flea was talking about how the space between the notes is just as important as the notes themselves. I lifted this quote from the BSSM Wikipedia page...

"I was trying to play simply on Blood Sugar Sex Magik because I had been playing too much prior to that, so I thought, 'I've really got to chill out and play half as many notes'. When you play less, it's more exciting—there's more room for everything. If I do play something busy, it stands out, instead of the bass being a constant onslaught of notes. Space is good."

The Chili Peppers use of stereo is amazing. Throw on your headphones and crank Blood Sugar! Some of the subtleties are incredible. It's cranking in mine right now!

I have always wanted a reworking of Frusciante's octopus tattoo in the same spot and have finally started getting some of those tatt's I've wanted forever. Had a few little ones, little RHCP style sun a friend Sam drew, my kid's names, Josh Homme's signature tattooed over from Kyuss / QOTSA and now finally last Feb started the mission I have wanted for years. First part is a portrait of John. Fuckin Awesome! Loads more to come! Thanx Khan.

I have lost count of how many times I've seen the Peppers over the years. I think it's now 15. To say I'm disappointed in their latest album, I'm With You, is an understatement, (read my review on The 59 Sound). I love listening to all of Hillel's work and to Mother's Milk, but Blood Sugar Sex Magik is one of those albums that has a hell of a lot more than you could even wish for as a listener and lover of music. It's just fuckin perfect.

So here's a massive HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY to the release of the album that brings back so many awesome memories and still gives me goose bumps every time I hear it. Yes, if I could marry it I would!

CHAINSAW HOOKERS - TEXAS IS HELL!

2011-09-22T22:11:00.000+10:00

Perth's Chainsaw Hookers are set to release what is going to be one hell of a motherfuckin album! They've dropped a sneak peak on their Disgracebook page and as usual it's got more action goin on than Charlie Sheen in a whorehouse full of snow!

Check out the gig poster to the left, 'Texas Is Hell' is the first installment and will be released on 7"! Everyone loves Hookers 'n' vinyl!

The track starts off with a spoken intro taken from Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 and leads straight into kick arse Blood Rockin riffs! The self-confessed genre that perfectly describes their sound. Fast and furious enough to kick you on your arse in a single strum and with vocals that would give Lemmy a hard-on!

Check out the link below... 'Texas Is Hell'... FUCK YEAH!

CHAINSAW HOOKERS - TEXAS IS HELL by ChainsawHookers

NEVER MIND THE BOLLOCKS, HERE'S DEAD !!!

2011-09-22T21:35:00.000+10:00

Melbourne band DEAD always do everything their own way. Screen printing their own t-shirts on recycled / op shop shirts, screening their own covers and of course beating the shit out of every punter's senses at every venue they play.

Before they left Australia in August for a U.S. tour with Unstoppable Death Machines, DEAD set up a Postcard Event on Facebook...

"DEAD are on the road in The USA. We don't wanna lose touch with our killer fans and we don't have much acces to the internet which can be a bit impersonal anyway.

So in an effort to maintain our ties we are sending everyone postcards from the road. If you want a crappy postcard from some place you've never heard of send us your address. We will send 1,000 of the bastards if we have to."

Of course I had to be included in such an unthinkable thought this day and age... "Postcards you say? How extremely odd!" So here's mine! Love it guys, it's absolute gold! Filled with amazing insights from their U.S. gigs... including um...the Royal London Wax Musuem in Canada.... Hilarious!

Something Sweet has again finally got the turntable up and running again so coming up soon will be a review of DEAD's latest creation.... THUNDAAAAAH!

Buy the LP and digital download NOW through bandcamp.

Check out previous Something Sweet DEAD live reviews...
3rd April 2011 with Hard-Ons @ The Tote
28th April 2011 @ Old Bar

Kira Puru & The Bruise - The Liar EP

2011-09-16T17:12:00.001+10:00

I walked down the stairs off the street. It was dark in the stairwell. The hour was late though the night was young. As I opened the door, chattering and laughter bellowed out and upward. I took a few steps in and stopped, looked around. It was hard to see through the smoke but I saw them. They were down the front at the stage and up against a wall. The red velvet flocked wallpaper told me this place was stylish, the cheap cigar smoke didn’t. After greeting some old friends and making some new acquaintances, I sat as the waitress placed a gin down in front of me. It was fuller than what I was used to but it will probably be needed. Poker dens and back alley bars are usually my thing. Not these up market looking clubs with their labelled bourbon and tailored jackets. Still, it was worth it being here, as I had heard this singer had a golden voice.

The curtains opened, the bass thumped and a snare intro’d her footsteps as she sauntered out. Kira Puru was dressed in a lo-cut sassy number, fur draped around her neck and hair as black as the devil’s night. She stopped to pick up her microphone from a stool, turned her head, looked right at me and winked. The hairs on the back of my neck jumped to attention. She’s got it, she knows she’s got it and things are about to get crazy. I shivered in anticipation.

Well, that’s how I imagine it might have gone down had I been dressed to impress and hitting the town to see Kira Puru & The Bruise. Instead I am at home, sitting at my desk and although I’m listening to them on CD, their power is not to be underestimated.

Oozing with style and sophistication yet dirty enough to be yelling “give it to me” in a back alley brothel, this Sydney four piece give a whole new authority to the term soul.

Kira Puru has a very powerful force behind that voice. Summoning up the pain, love and torment of her peers like the originals, Etta James, Billie Holiday and more recently Amy Winehouse and Paloma Faith. She can make you cry and tear out your heart at the same time. Strength, charisma, sass and sex appeal are awash throughout this EP and Kira is in charge, you will listen.

Gently the sounds behind Kira follow her emotion, ethereal at times in their charm and rockin out erratically the next, yet always beautiful. The Bruise are suitably named. Just when you are sitting back in your seat and taking in all of Kira’s haunting and soulful voice, you’re picked up by Jamieson Shaw’s bass and thrown into the drum kit, smashing everything in your path including Chas Jagger, who by now is on the floor under his kit. Geordie Malone wanders over and guitar slaps you across the face with his dirtiest, meanest, blues soaked solo he can find.

The Liar EP taps right into the heart and the soul of the listener and you can’t help but connect. It’s raw, it’s animalistic and you just want to pick it up in both hands and feast on all it’s glory.

Check out Kira Puru & The Bruise on Facebook / Myspace

Pick up a copy of The Liar EP in person or online at Thornbury Records.

Love Kiss - Amplexus EP

2011-09-10T23:11:00.001+10:00

My eyes opened at midday. I rolled over and fell out of bed. Oh that wasn’t good. My head landed on something hard… my skateboard. Eventually standing I slap the on button and Therapy? starts cranking on my turntable. Last nights beer bottles and ciggy butts litter the floor amongst naked LP’s missing their covers. Tool, NIN, Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, Ministry, Pop Will Eat Itself and einstürzende neubauten, amongst others.

Peeking out the window I realise how big a night I must’ve had. My head feels like it’s caved in as the sun sears through the hole the acid has left behind… scattered thoughts start to emerge of dancing around the loungeroom coffee table, painting on the walls, sitting in the garden outside the pub and laughing at passers by. Wondering if they had a little Jim in them. Do they hold the key that Morrison possessed to take them to the other side? Do they see what I see?

I laugh out loud and they look at me. We get up and walk straight through them bullet proof. Al Jourgensen is screaming “THIEVES! LIARS!” They are inconsequential to our fun and can’t see their true selves…

I light a cigarette and stare up at the street light. The moths haphazardly rotate around it like Saturn’s rings on acid. Yeah, this is good tonight.

“HEY! Let’s go and jam the rest of this one out!”

Love Kiss takes me back to this place in the 90’s. Beautiful, chaotic, serene, mesmerizing, rockin, peaceful, extreme. So many headspaces delivered in the 5 track demo EP that is Amplexus.

It’s a mixture of style and styles, blending and holding your attention. Everyone that likes the previously mentioned bands will find something in here to dig. They're not borrowing from these bands, just evoking similiar emotions by taking you to new places. Industrial beats and noise, kickin guitars and flowing ambience breathes so much space and life into these tracks.

A lot of the bands I seem to be listening to at the moment are stripped down and have fewer members, two and three piece, like DEAD, The Peep Tempel, River Of Snakes, Seedy Jeezus, Useless Children. Less instruments, less to get caught up in and every person is just strangling the life out of their instrument and giving their all across to the punter to do with it what they will. Love Kiss are also a three piece, though you don't think of them in the sense of a regular band, how many instruments or members there may be. They fill your mind with soundscapes to heighten your emotions. Layers of programming, guitar, vocals, all with the same effect, taking you away within the music. They do it so well. Like a group of mates that rush you once you open the front door, Love Kiss circles you, throws it’s arms around your shoulders and welcomes you in to their world. I strongly suggest you get Amplexus, crank it up and close your eyes... it's awesome.

Featuring Mike Vitali (Ironweed, Ajna Chakra, Carcinogenic Corpse) on guitars / programming / vocals, Rocco DiDonna (Carcinogenic Corpse) on vocals and Baird Buchanan (Great Day For Up) on guitars.

Amplexus is released through Magnetic Eye Records and available now at CD Baby.

Check out Love Kiss on Facebook.

Here's the clip to my favourite off the EP, Ecstasy.

Red Hot Chili Peppers - I'm With You

2011-09-08T13:14:00.002+10:00

Check out my review of the new Red Hot Chili Peppers album, I'm With You as posted on The 59th Sound.

Here's my reworked graphic of the album... check out the review to read why it's appropriate!!!

River Of Snakes, Scul Hazzards, Adam Harding @ Old Bar

2011-08-29T00:19:00.002+10:00

The Old Bar, Fitzroy.
Saturday 27th August 2011.

I could feel it walking down the street…

We were talking about The Old Bar being my favourite venue in Melbourne and the 90’s fuzz was oozing out the door.

As we entered I just wanted to curl up inside the distortion. It’s warmth keeping me safe and it’s creator, Adam Harding taking me along for the ride…

A great band and to be honest I would normally pay attention to everyone but there I was soaking in the guitar. Without the others it wouldn’t haven’t been so incredible and complete. Adam held all the cards though and it was a royal fuckin hell!

Seemingly a quiet person with a massive passion for creation; film making and music. Speaking of his circle of friends you would say the same. Go on drop some names… NO! You go and do some research you lazy shit! It’s worth it!

Ahhh, the scattered review done at 4am when you get home the night of the gig… it starts out with the best of intentions and before you know it you’re on a highway… eyes closed… the breeze is blowing… Camaro’s are flying past at breakneck speed… spinning round… landing on the asphalt… hand up in the air and grab hold of anything… there’s some helping hands… eyes open and adjust to the light… Adam Harding is squeezing the soul out of his guitar and your heart. It’s perfect.

I was told to check out Scul Hazzards. They happen to be on in between those I was here to see, sure… The Camaro’s had gone but their sinister 18 wheeler was here for your soul and baby you better hand that bitch over! The Scul Hazzards are a beast that’s gonna eat you alive.

All killer muso’s… Drummer, Leigh Fischer, looks like he has a penchant for slaying goats at the alter of Death Metal. Guitarist, Steven Smith, an amazing guitarist with a frenzied chaos mismatching his pretty white Strat. Tonight though it seems I’m focusing only on one in each band. I was at the time alcohol sober but drunk on kick arse bass.

The Rickenbacker fuelled rhythms had more balls than Lemmy teabagging Rose Tattoo. Bassist Tiffany Milne has such strength and a killer style. Sometimes you notice heavier or punked up bass players use a lot of extremely low end and don’t beat up all the notes on the fret board. Hers was a bloodied mess. Chord fights and finger picking more and more of them. Standing there with confidence and getting the praise she deserved.

I wish I took a few photo's but as we came after the set had started we slid into the back of the room...

Shaun who suggested I check them out was right… “SCUL HAZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZARDs” are worth their weight in the sheer volume of blood shed that trails behind them…

I saw River Of Snakes about 5 weeks ago for the first time… I was completely blown away. Completely. I have been waiting, increasingly more and more impatiently, for tonight.

I had little devils in my ears telling me to go and see the Hard-Ons again, but I saw them last night. To go and see Celibate Rifles “you haven’t seen them since like I dunno… the 90’s!!!”. To go see Seedy Jeezus but that was down in Geelong and I’m too exhausted… I took down those little devils one by one and paid them no attention.

Well who do you focus on in River Of Snakes if you’re ears have been glued to one member in each band for the night…

Dante sits behind the kit like he’s squashed right up against the wall. How the hell is he going to play like that? Who cares? He didn’t! He’s one hell of a drummer! None of this 17 symbols and 28 different toms, it’s just ‘here’s what’s needed and I’m going to make these suckers pay for their sins!’

He looks like a poet from the south of France, I have never spoken to him but I imagine an accent. Something smooth. His name also matches perfectly. Dante may have self published 3 books of his own prose. The first a collection of pieces called Silence Dead Silence encompassing his inspirations from such luminaries as Kyuss, Sabbath, Zeppelin et al. The second, Midnight Woolf shares some similar marvels as his third, though is written more in the style of Garage / Surf. The third of course of which I speak of is the masterpiece, River Of Snakes…

Am I trying to be clever? No, it’s stupid o’clock and I’m up way too late several nights in a row and delirium has kicked in!

Snakes bassist Elissa first grabbed my attention tonight walking across the room carrying her bass head wearing heels. I imagine that is no mean feat! Her style isn’t as bad ass as Tiffany’s in Scul’s but Elissa knows how to hit that E like the pick’s gotta go through it. Which I swear it did as I saw it fly across the stage. She just does it with an air of nonchalance.

Elissa seems more introverted than the others in the band. Swaying gently with a smirk as friendly heckles or in band jokes call for the need. Then, just when you think that’s her thing, the set is well underway and she leans into the mic, screams and shreds the fuckin skin from your face like you’re running through a car wash of hydrochloric acid! I love it but we just don’t get the mic volume loud enough. I’d like to hear her sing more… I dig her tones and think she has more to offer the band and the punters by way of voice…

Raul… guitarist to the stars… I don’t know why I wrote that but it just came to mind and I thought it sounded pretty good. Let’s run with it.

When J Mascis is having a mental block by way of the amplified kind… who does he turn to? When Jimi’s great Wah in the sky just ain’t cutting it… whose band room does he haunt? When Slayer’s wall of cardboard cut out Marshall Stacks isn’t loud enough… who do they call? RAUL… Guitarist to the stars!

There seems to be a revival going on of 90’s bands that either broke up and are getting back together and touring or one’s that didn’t split but are touring more… That’s awesome but the sound never left my head. Or my turntable for that matter! Raul has always continued the lineage and brings a hell of a lot to the table. A killer song writer and style that really can’t be compared. Slacker 90’s stoner riffs that cruise in and out of a smoke fuelled haze, rough as guts garage from the nastiest pubs in the burbs to blues from the swamps of distortion, I fuckin love it.

The band really does take you on a journey throughout their entire set and you feel spent after. It’s not exhausting to watch them but appropriately you just feel like you’ve fucked your brains out with a dirty little amp you found in a hock shop.

What a crazy ending to the River set… Raul pushing over and climbing on top of Elissa as they both tried to play on… he got off and kept playing as she was finally able to get back up… Raul getting down on his knees and shoving his guitar’s neck right into the bass drum and gratifying it mercilessly, only for it then to be joined by Elissa’s bass… He truly corrupted the kit tonight creating some sort of German instrument porno. Finally getting up with Dante in his sights, musters all strength and slithers over the top of the kit taking the drummer to the floor with him. And almost like a final salute and to let us know all is ok on the floor out of sight, up comes a hand and lazily hits a symbol….

Oh look at that… three stand outs… River Of Snakes are perfect for me. 80’s garage, 90’s fuzz, feedback and noise to soothe my soul, crazy on stage antics and a hell of a great band!

This piece of shit review has come to you unedited for the thrill of the ride by the writer. He holds all the opinions but none of the right word and editing skills at this hour of the morning. Good luck and I fare thee well….

River Of Snakes
Scul Hazzards
Adam Harding

You can pick up their vinyl and some of those smaller round shiny things from Thornbury Records...

Hard-Ons, Don Fernando, Hy-Test, MAMMOTH MAMMOTH, Battleaxe Howlers

2011-08-27T19:52:00.000+10:00

Friday 26th August, 2011.
at The Espy.

Battleaxe Howlers: Oh yeah!
MAMMOTH MAMMOTH: Hell yeah!
Hy-Test: Woah yeah!
Don Fernando: Shit yeah!
Hard-Ons: FUCK YEAH !!!

River Of Snakes, Useless Children, Blacklevel Embassy, Bonnie Mercer

2011-08-17T19:42:00.000+10:00

River Of Snakes
Useless Children
Blacklevel Embassy
Bonnie Mercer (Dead River)
Adalita - DJ

Friday 22nd July, 2011
The Tote, Collingwood.

I have been hanging to see River Of Snakes live and the time had finally arrived. The line up tonight for their Bad Blood EP launch at The Tote was massive.

Bonnie Mercer was up on stage as opener. Dead River were originally first up but their drummer hurt her back and couldn’t play so Bonnie was doing it solo tonight.

The stage was fairly lit as the rest of the room sat quietly in darkness waiting for her to start. Bonnie picked up her guitar and looked at home like she’d done it a thousand times before. This was to be Dead River’s first gig at The Tote (their first ever gig was April 25th), now it was all Bonnie’s night.

At 9:20pm ambient semi-feedback lead into gentle distorted strum. She eased us into her set and the punters slowly grazed in and then stood transfixed.

As Bonnie twisted and turned the dials on the pedals, the airplane engine started with an aurally violating attack. We went numb, motionless and the fuckin noise was awesome! Giving Lee Ranaldo's 1987 ‘From Here To Infinity’ a run for it's money!

Caught in her own trance, then a twisted grimace and SLAM goes the head of her guitar into the stage and distorted echoes chorus throughout the room.

9:37pm, it finishes on an another echoing and fading distortion as Adalita kicks in as DJ...

“Loud, Loud, LOUDER!” There was a mic soundcheck, Blacklevel Embassy were up next. Straight into it, furious and tight. If Fugazi beat the shit out of Helmet in a dark alley stand off… the Embassy are the spoils of the alley war. They are a killer band with tight as hell start stop riffage.

Though unfortunate on this night the high end was literally just too ear splitting and blood was screaming out of my ears begging for it to stop. I’m the first to admit that feedback and noise soothes the soul but it was getting ridiculous and the beer garden called.

Blacklevel Embassy are playing The Old Bar Friday 27th August, well worth checking them out… just take along your industrial strength Class 5 Thunder Muffs. You know… just in case.

Useless Children are one of my Melbourne favourites. I have long since tagged them as bi-polar punk. A chilled groove one minute and then sort of like someone has broken into your house and woken you by belting you in the face with a shovel. A chaotic frenzy wipes you out in one foul FUCKIN BANG! Screams from the bowels of hell over the top of punked up mayhem.

Punk? A friend I was with said to me that it wasn’t punk. Well, that’s my description. Punk to me isn’t necessarily a “unified melodious front”, to him it is, which is cool. We come from different backgrounds when it comes to a love and understanding of music. Punk to me is defined more in the way the music is approached, the way it is played and the passion and brutality that is thrown into your face. Like Rock, there are loads of different styles of punk… if you’re lead in the wrong direction by my wording; you’ll understand what I mean when you see them live. To me Useless Children kick more arse than Kim Kardashian could stuff into her tighty whiteys.

With this being said and I do realise that music is a subjective art form, just as is anything creative, it comes down to taste. I find myself walking off to the bar to get a drink at the beginning of their set. Smile across my face and head having mini spasms in time. Walking past a girl who clearly wasn’t coping I think I must have laughed out loud. She looked like she was in agony. Eyes squinting, furrowed brow and at that first moment when I noticed her, the body language of a Nun who was getting hit on by a dirty old man!

All I can say to that is the chaos was beautiful, the music hypnotic and the volume disturbingly perfect. The drumming almost tribal as the layering bass effect put you in a stoner trance. I love how the guitars abuse your senses. Awesome! Useless Children fuckin kick arse!

River Of Snakes sweat the sounds and atmosphere of a band that have been together longer than the Stones. Confidence with no bullshit.

I’m drowning in what I love, 90’s distortion but with a bit of an 80’s song writing sensibility that I just can’t quite put my finger on. There’s a feeling of familiarity that makes you just fall straight into their sound but yet it’s new and refreshing enough to get you hyped and excited to be standing there. It’s so cool when nothing else around you exists and you are just completely consumed.

I dig everything about River Of Snakes and ‘I Lied’ is a favourite. Soaked in pain, bluesy guitar twang and a bass to keep the emotion steady. The symbol crashing with each heart break and the solo, oh the solo is just a perfect treatment to the suffering that’s being shared.

During ‘Bad Blood’ I feel someone rush past me and it’s Adalita taking tequila shots up and putting them on stage. The set is killer but it would be oh so much sweeter if she joined Raul for some noise. The L7esque guitar sound took me back again to the 90’s, which is exactly where I love to be, the deep bass rumbling through the Tote.

Dante’s drumming is tight and keeps it all together. I have to say that I love his use of his symbols, he emphasises what needs to be. Wrecking Ball would be my perfect example.

One stand out that belted me for six was Elissa. Loved her bass playing, she looks so gentle at times and lets go when the feeling takes her. But when she hit that microphone with such a powerful blood curdling scream… she created an entire horror genre all unto herself!

Raul climbed up on his amp and threw his guitar down at the stage. Jumping after it he picked it up and wielded it round like a sword on the battle field striking out at the Tote mercilessly. Eventually it was scattered across the stage in pieces as Elissa sits on the floor, her bass upside down next to her, also exhausted.

“Ok thankyou see ya later, have a great night.”
They leave us with an all consuming noise fest that’s reverberating off into the distance.

River Of Snakes releases sound amazing; though live they just take you to another level of devotion. There is so much I wanted to write but this is one of those bands that need to be seen and heard live to honestly give it justice for how their music is felt. YES! Oh yes, I am a believer!

They are the perfect amount of heavy, the perfect amount of noise and way too much fuckin awesome just to see them once… that’s why I’ll be seeing River Of Snakes again Saturday 27th August at the Old Bar. Who else is on the bill? The amazing Adam Harding – film-maker and musician.

TONIGHT! (Wednesday 17th August) Raul Sanchez (River Of Snakes, Midnight Woolf, Magic Dirt) & Dave Fazza (Mourning Sons) will be at The Retreat Hotel.

Check out the links below to find out more about the bands… and Thornbury Records to buy some sounds… more importantly, some vinyl!

River Of Snakes
Useless Children
Blacklevel Embassy
Dead River
Adalita

Frances Bean Cobain photo's by Hedi Slimane

2011-08-15T23:48:00.001+10:00

Frances Bean Cobain had a photo shoot with Hedi Slimane (posted on his site 2nd Aug 2011). A stunning set of black and white photo's that not only shows off her stunning looks and some of her tattoo's but also the striking resemblance to both her parents, Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love.

The shoot also supposedly features some of Kurt's keepsakes that Frances has including the cross pictured below.

Frances Bean is also an amazing artist in her own right with her pieces selling instantly. Under the pseudonym Fiddle Tim, Frances debuted a collection titled "Scumfuck" in an exhibition at the La Luz De Jesus Gallery in Los Angeles in July 2010. (Click on the gallery Link / go to July 2 - August 1 / Fiddle Tim)

These photo's seem to have already done the rounds but they're just so beautiful I thought I'd share the love once again... Click on the photo's below to enlarge and also check out Hedi Slimane's site too for the entire shoots as well as some more rockin photo's including Amy Winehouse posted on the 24th July, 2011.

All photo's in this post are copyright Hedi Slimane 2011.

Howlin' Widow

2011-08-15T21:59:00.001+10:00

Howlin' Widow..... my new best friend.

This photo taken by Darkside Events captures their sound so well... Dirty and raw riffed up heavy arse 70's guitars with raspy vocals... these guys are my new fuckin hell yeah band! I only just heard about them a few days ago and just can't stop listening to them... thanx to Fuzzed Out!

Check out Howlin' Widow...
Facebook // SoundCloud

Found this on Youtube... 'No Trial Run' - Live - 15th October, 2009...

Soundwave Revolution CANCELLED !!!

2011-08-09T17:12:00.001+10:00

It's a damn shame that Soundwave Revolution has been cancelled. I'm not speculating on any reason why it's happened, already heard so many rumours... but with bands like Van Halen, Alice Cooper, Machine Head and loads more, it would've been a killer fest. It seems that a lot of the bands will still be coming and just doing sideshows.

One of my friend's who is a massive Van Halen fan sent me a text... "Shit shit fuckin shit fuck!". I think that says it all.

The Soundwave fest itself will still be going in 2012 which is awesome news... let's hope that they get Soundgarden, Whitesnake and Kyuss Lives on board! As well as having it somewhere that's actually in the vicinity of Melbourne...

Below is from Beat Mag online.

Soundwave Revolution Cancelled!

According to an interview with NovaFM, the highly coveted Soundwave Revolution festival has been cancelled.
After appearing out of nowhere earlier this year, and following much speculation and rumours over the past fortnight, promoter AJ Maddah has officially pulled the pin on the follow up to the sold out summer metal extravaganza.

Social media networks have been ravenous all day with rumours following a tweet from Stix Zadinia, the drummer with LA hair metal band Steel Panther, stating “Soundwave Revolution is cancelled. I am bummed.” This following the delayed headliner announcements which were rumoured to be replacing the drop out of Van Halen.

In his interview with Nova, AJ stated:

"The situation as we know it has been cancelled. The situation is that we were scheduled to make a second announcement on the 1st August which had our festival co-headliner on that announcement. Their circumstances changed at the last minute and they had to pull out. And unfortunately we don't have enough time to replace them. And we didn't really want to go ahead with an incomplete line-up.

"We were supposed to make the public announcement this evening anyway. But what we wanted to do—because a lot of those bands are still coming and we are creating packages and what have you, for them to do in clubs and other venues—we wanted to be able to make the full announcement at 1pm [today]. So that we could say the festival in its format is no longer happening. That these shows are taking its place. Unfortunately one of those artists jumped the gun.

"Well the people that have already bought their tickets, I think it's nice enough that people have already purchased their tickets by with credit card, in which case those tickets are automatically refunded. And the small percentage that might have bought it from outlets they'll be able to get a refund I expect.

"Had we had been able to have our second headliner and make our second announcement I think we wouldn't have had any issues with that. And it wasn't the fact of not being able to attract the artists, I guess we were victims of certain artists circumstances or what have you. I still think the festival market is very strong.

"Obviously we love our fanbase and we try to do what's best for them. And we could have taken the option of limping through with the line-up as we have [it] now. It still would have obviously still been a much better financial outcome for us than to go through the road we have – but we just didn’t want to put an inferior product on the market.

"Revolution was a one-off but yes, Soundwave 2012 will be back in February and the line-up is massive."

60 seconds with MAMMOTH MAMMOTH...

2011-08-05T14:41:00.000+10:00

Mammoth Mammoth in this weeks Beat Magazine.

Unedited version 60 seconds with Bones!

Q: So then, what’s the band name and what you ‘do’ in the band?
A: We're MAMMOTH MAMMOTH.
My role is make to sure our singer, Mikey doesn’t wreck too much shit at gigs and rack up a bill the size of the national deficit - then I drive him home. On top of that I do a bit of drumming.

Q: Bearing the terrible clichéd nature of this question, what do you reckon people will say you sound like?
A: Motorhead and AC/DC doing mushrooms with The Butthole Surfers, channelling the Birthday Party at a Black Sabbath concert with the sound of a thousand Unicorns screaming for mercy in the background!

Q: Full on. What's the best bit?
A: Watching Cuz pull his big-hairy-girly-moves and sex-faces on stage; and Mikey strangling himself with the mic cord while simultaneously demolishing our whole rider.

Q: What do you hate about the music industry?
A: They never send us Christmas cards

Q: If you could travel back in time and show one of your musical heroes your stuff, who would it be and why?
A: I’d audition for the Runaways, Sandy West (RIP) was good but I too look hot in high-waited, skin tight flairs and make up.

Q: If you could assassinate one person or band from popular music, who would it and why?
A: I’d opt to set fire to Short Stak!
All that hair product would go up like a fucking box of crackers in a napalm attack. Just the spectacle itself would be well worth it.

Q: What can a punter expect from your live show?
A: Brain damage. Spontaneous combustion. Hardening of the sphincter and Enlightenment - or all the above.

Q: What you got to sell CD-wise?’
A: Zero. Both our CDs are sold out. That is unless you go to itunes store.
Our new DOUBLE EP, titled ‘MAMMOTH & MAMMOTH’, should be out around the middle of next year though.

Q: What happening next for MAMMOTH MAMOTH?
A: The Prague, Fri Aug 12. With Muscle Car, Thrill Killers, Boozer, The Feel Goods and White Veins and The Espy, Fri Aug 26. With The Hard-Ons and Don Fernando

Q: Anything else to add?
A: These are our first shows since we lost our original bass player to a nudist romping-peyote popping cult in South America, so we strongly recommend you call your lawyer, rob your dealer and come and worship getting fucked up in his honour.

Words...

2011-08-03T23:51:00.000+10:00

i got these things crawling all over me... they're like ants on their way home from the pub. all jumbled and chaotic. i can't keep them ordered or following one another in a straight line as destiny dictates for them. they wander, they squander, they make me ashamed. i try to tame them but they scream, they shout, they beg forgiveness... then the drunken fools fall over and look at me to blame. they make me itch, they make me scratch and when i do the little buggers are harder to catch. look at you as you look at me watching you fall over your punctuation. i need an out, somewhere to hide and someone to take me away... anyone, anything, just something to take me away...

Mike Vallely / Kien 'Donger' Lieu poetry...

2011-07-26T22:09:00.001+10:00

I love words. They have always been a part of me. Always loved writing as well as reading amazingly put together stories, poetry, songs.

I started skating in the late 80's and love so much about it. I haven't skated for years due to my poor broken body but it will always be a part of me. Two of my favourite skaters are Mike Vallely and Kien 'Donger' Lieu. They both have such killer styles when it comes to the board. These guys also have the ability to write some amazing poetry, both well constructed and also very meaningful.

Below are two of my all time favourite pieces of writing that happen to be from these guys. The first 'Fear' by Donger, I saw written on his griptape in a skate mag back around 1990. I tore out the photo and still have it somewhere. I also wrote those words down on a piece of paper and have kept it safe all these years. I wrote to Donger and he replied that it was written 4th February, 1990.

The second, from Mike V, I can't remember where it's from but am pretty sure I saw it on a New Deal ad as I also have this on a piece of paper and wrote New Deal 1991 after it. I have a 1990 Transworld with an interview with Mike, photo's and some of his poetry. I got him to sign it years after and have been lucky enough to interview him a couple of times. The first time I asked him if he could possibly recite another piece that was in that Transworld, 'Parrot Girl', if he remembered it. Another one of my all time favourite pieces of writing. We were sitting down at a skate park and I just turned up to see him skate and asked if I could interview him. He was cool with it. Mike has always been so giving of his time. We were chatting, I was soooo nervous. I asked him about the poem, which he recited perfectly. I looked up and didn't even realise a crowd had gathered and were around us everywhere. It meant a great deal to me that day. One of my first interviews, it was with one of my favourite skaters and he recited one of my favourite pieces of writing. Mike V = Legend.

The above photo is Donger by legendary photographer, J. Grant Brittain. Below is from the first interview I did with Mike V where he recited 'Parrot Girl'. He signed it next time I saw him.

'Fear'.
The walls! The walls! The walls! The walls I see are confronting me. Looking, staring, they're all I see. Silent but loud, an enormous sight. Employ your mind, grab a hold on it tight! Lights out a feeling rushes your brain. Fear is felt struggling through your veins. Under the covers from fear I hide, into the same darkness, but another side. Lights on, the darkness has seeped away, into the walls for another day. I find my keys and unlock the door. Key one, key two, key three, key four. Through this time I've developed fear, only in mind, far back in the rear. It only comes forth when I call upon its time. Fear is not around you, it's only in your mind.
- Kien 'Donger' Lieu.

Freedom from freedom, will we ever be free? Free from what binds, confines and defines reality. So the question must be put forth - what is the reality in me? It's time to breakdown the walls of tradition, censorship and authority - and set the true self free.
- Mike Vallely. New Deal. 1991.

Cock No.7 - Prostitution Issue

2011-07-21T11:51:00.001+10:00

Cock No.7 is not just a zine or even due to it's size, an A4 magazine, it's a gathering of like minded creative individuals that use it as an outlet to express their creativity. Musicians, writers, photographers, artists, all coming together to put forth to the public whatever the theme inspires them to. It's a great read, looks awesome and is well put together!

It stands out as a masterpiece. "That's a pretty heavy calling isn't it?" I hear you ask. Well in terms of it's editors willingness to allow freedom of expression and creative openness, yes it is. Perhaps that's why this editions theme is Prostitution.

A topic that sometimes gets glossed over, swept under the rug and hidden from society, Cock No.7 has decided to put it out there in the world for you to decide.

It also comes with some extra goodies, but you'll have to buy it to find out!

Some talented individuals contribute and this is a killer issue. From the writing, art and fashion right through to the fishnet cover, grab a copy, check out their site and 'Like' their Facebook page. I am stoked to now be a part of Cock No.7 and have an article and some music reviews in this issue. Click on the links below to check them out, have a read and let me know what you think...

Cock No.7 - A few pages to check out...

In my pages:
Get A Leg Up mentions Craig Westwood, The Scarlets, Toad, Fare Evader, Spun Rivals, Chainsaw Hookers, Mosh, Noise Alternative Nightclub.
The reviews feature Adalita, River Of Snakes, Adam Harding, Mammoth Mammoth, Mighty Elk, Barbarion, The Devil Rides Out, Useless Children, DEAD, Paris Wells.

Introduction

Contributors / Contacts

Contents

Get A Leg Up - Page 1

Get A Leg Up - Page 2

Get A Leg Up - Page 3

Get A Leg Up - Page 4

Reviews - Page 1

Reviews - Page 2

Reviews - Page 3

The Peep Tempel @ The Old Bar...

2011-07-16T10:51:00.002+10:00

The Peep Tempel
7th July, 2011.
The Old Bar, Fitzroy.

The Peep Tempel are a well oiled machine. Although opening for the much loved Graveyard Train, receive the praise of a headline act.

As I walked up to the door the punters spilled out onto the foot path. A Facebook update at 8:13pm had said “Sold out. Sorry.” Graveyard Train were playing a three day straight residency at The Old Bar. It was the busiest I have ever seen.

Friends were hugging, toasting drinks and wrapped in scarves trying to keep warm around the bar near the entrance. Everyone looked at each other as new comers walked by in case they knew them, a feeling of friendship and closeness making the room even cosier than its size.

The Peep Tempel kicked off and then the room filled from the sides like a bowl being pushed under water. From the get go the band impress. Up front energy that grabs you and pulls you to the stage.

Blake’s vocals jump from the speakers with an authority and emotional honesty that just can’t be compared. Gazing through the punters heads in front he’s not playing chords he’s throttling his guitars neck, tensing his own and baring his soul.

Steve sits behind his kit like he was born there. From locomotive building beats and short, sharp bursts, he didn’t need to learn to play, it had to learn to tame him. A kit of essentials that keeps the Peep Tempel timing so precise.

Matt's bass keeps the machine moving forward. Adding strength to what was previously a two piece. No over the top pedals to distort the volume and power it adds to complete the trio.

Blake sways side to side and stares at the mic, lowering his voice and holding the room in his hand. The room quietens to a stand still as he taps his guitar gently. All are hypnotised and swaying in return as he sucks in the anticipation in one foul swoop and yells “ARRRRRRRR!” The room explodes!

A broken string. Usually a moment with silence and chattering. Blakes offers up “I’m just going to deal with that while these boys do something special.” The other two kick into Groove Is In The Heart. Blake spontaneously breaks into song about what he’s doing as he untangles two strings.

They’re a three-piece with a stripped back sound with more depth and spirit than a vat of Bourbon. They don’t hide behind effects and walls of sound. They simply throw themselves right at the feet of the punter, all heart and possessed with pure fucking rock’n’roll.

I could only muster enough time to catch these guys and missed Strangers From Now On and Graveyard Train. As I squeezed out through the sold out Old Bar and into the cold of winter, I must’ve been smiling like I had just set up an intricate practical joke. Sometimes I just can’t believe the talent bands possess. More and more I’m finding the bands I listen to are mainly Melbourne’s own and tonight this town was The Peep Tempel’s.

Every week throughout September, the guys will be at The Old Bar for a Wednesday residency. I strongly suggest you get off your couch and take yourself down there. They do not disappoint.

Check out The Peep Tempel's Bandcamp for digital downloads and their 7" releases.

It's over.

2011-07-03T01:01:00.000+10:00

As I looked up I saw the sweat roll in beads down her forehead. She struck with force, a malice not intended to bounce back. Her swing was hefty with a weight behind it from all her demons. A past she tried to run from but could only forcefully beat out of herself. She swung again in speedy succession, one after the other, her eyes never leaving the target and her hands racing against one another. The ridges above her brow deepening as she slammed in another left, another right and another demon down. “Die motherfucker!” she screamed within herself as she slayed her memories past. Her dreams died long ago and now it was another’s turns. “Fuck you for what you did to me!”. She struck again and over clocked it spinning round, beads of sweat flying off her in spirals as she threw herself to the floor and landed in a heap. She lay still except for her raging heart and pumping fury. Her blood boiling and screaming through her body to get up but exhaustion had the better of her and she lay, still, trying to let it go. She released maybe one, maybe two, but not as many terrible memories as she’d hoped. She lay there in a pool of hatred and stank of liars and beggars and thieves of her innocence. She was a product of all her partners. She was a product of their brutality and self absorbed ways. She laid their still dying inside but today, she had a small victory that would keep her going until tomorrow. She killed him in her mind. She let this one go. She unsteadily got to her knees; arms trembling and legs shaking she caught her breath and got to her feet. She stumbled off to have a shower before she left the gym and headed home. Tonight, she would leave him.

Helmet @ The Hi Fi Bar.

2011-06-30T23:35:00.000+10:00

Helmet
25-06-2011. Hi-Fi Bar, Melbourne.

You Gave Me Exactly What I Wanted.

As I walked down the stairs into the Hi-Fi you could feel that the place was packed and there was an excitement building as to what was about to hit the stage.

They’re a four-piece outfit that can only be described as one of the tightest bands around. Their timing is so sharp and precise that you could split a hair with a single riff. I was about to see Helmet.

I hit the doorway and came to an instant stand still. Punters trying to make their way down the front tangled with those hurrying to get a last minute drink before the band kicked in. I was like a cat squeezing through a gap half as narrow as I and probably sounded like one being sat on as the air was forced out of me. I thought the mosh was meant to be at the other end of the venue?

I grabbed a drink and headed my usual way down the front where there always seems to be room. After battling through the first couple of walls of sardines squashed in a can I walked through to an open sea and claimed my spot on the edge of the stairs right at the barrier. A perfect view of what would be some perfect riffage.

Helmet has graced our shores a few times since I last saw them in 1994 but I just haven’t been able to get along. Tonight was going to make up for that.

The house music mix of honky tonk blues was a strange match for the night but as the founding and only original member, singer / guitarist Page Hamilton was spotted doing a quick stair run side stage and off into another room, the first wave of roars for started. The punters were ready, willing and capable of going completely nuts!

Helmet’s drummer, Kyle Stevenson was wearing a shirt that appropriately said “Bowlers have bigger balls” because if that’s the case he must bowl a hell of a lot! From the outset he was uncompromising and tough. A mean machine is needed to keep the beast that is Helmet going and he drives them with authority.

There was actually some space in the mosh which usually means fans run a bit more wild. They’ve got the room to move and they’ll use it. That’s exactly what a few already drunk did. There were some moments fights nearly broke out and as soon as the bouncers came up the same guy seemed to step back, tap his chest gently with both hands with a look of bewilderment on his face as if to mime ‘who me?’. It didn’t take Page long between songs to let them know there’ll be “none of that fighting shit. Come on seriously man, grow up!”

They charged through some old faithfuls like the opener Milquetoast and Blacktop and every time when Page asked between songs for requests it always seemed to be for Meantime and Unsung. The latter being one of their finest examples of driving bass and that, for them, effortless yet so precise start / stop riffage they are so well known for. There are not many others that pull it off quite the same as Helmet. After most of the shout outs they would play something else so when they finally played one after the other everyone went nuts! The biggest frenzy and roar from the crowd!

The entire set was amazing, although a few seemed a bit annoyed at the sometimes lengthy breaks between songs but when you’ve come all this way and written some of the biggest kick arse songs of a generation, I say do what you want! It rocked! And even more so when Page looked over at me during the set and said “I like your shirt man. That's a fuckin old one! Meantime.” Page, you’re a legend.

For old and new fans of the band, if you haven’t picked up a copy of their Seeing Eye Dog LP released last year, do yourself a favour, you wont be disappointed.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is the extended review of the version up on The 59th Sound.

Unsung (filmed on my iPhone).

Milquetoast (filmed on my iPhone).

Exactly What You Wanted (filmed on my iPhone).

MONSTER MAGNET AUSTRALIAN DOPES TOUR!

2011-06-30T11:12:00.000+10:00

Lock up your daughters and strap yourself in for the ultimate sonic powertrip through time;
Monster Magnet return to Australia this September to reignite the eternal majesty of their brand of galactic, mind-warping rock debauchery.

To say New Jersey five-piece Monster Magnet defined a genre seems a slight understatement. As many know, they unleashed an untamed beast in the mid 90s that still roams the bowels of hefty amps across the land, pushing capacities to their limits. Their unique blend of grungy galactic doom and throbbing psychedelia spawned many imitators during their reign and in a time when rock and roll was wildly fanciful, dripping with excess and boundaries were being pushed, Monster Magnet led the charge in decadent, unharnessed, stadium rock.

The defining album of Monster Magnet’s career is surely the breakthrough release Dopes To Infinity, which saw the band transcend the clutches of an adoring underground fan base and tantalise an unsuspecting mainstream audience with their behemoth riffs. Featuring lead single Negasonic Teenage Warhead, the 1995 album created a soundtrack for a generation that was “sexy, dark, melodic, celebratory and, above all, huge”- Rolling Stone.

After blowing thousands of unsuspecting minds with their wall-of-rock assault on Soundwave earlier this year, Monster Magnet are returning to take you on a thunderous journey even further into the vortex - to the climax of ROCK!

Watch the groupies form an orderly queue this September when Monster Magnet return to shake Australia to it’s very foundations, this time reliving Dopes To Infinity in it’s entirety as well as performing a selection of their greatest hits.

Founder and renowned frontman Dave Wyndorf reached out to his Australian fans with this explanation:
“When I wrote “Dopes” in 1995 I envisioned a hard-rock, tripped-out journey exploring the many sounds and styles of the “great psychedelic era of 1968-1974″. I carefully sequenced the album to take the listener on a “roller-coaster ride” of engaging words and music. I sang songs of love, hate, lust, joy and desperation in a style I hoped would fire the listener’s imagination, bringing the everyday emotions that we all share to mythical heights. Thankfully, the fans and critics told me I succeeded. Now I’d like to bring that experience to the stage. “Dopes To Infinity”: Live! In it’s entirety. A complete trip from beginning to end. I can’t wait!”
–Dave Wyndorf. 27/5/11

Monster Magnet Dopes To Infinity Australian Tour

On Sale Friday July 8 at 9am

Perth - Sunday September 11- Capitol
MOSHTIX - www.moshtix.com.au - Ph: 1300 438 849
78 RECORDS - 914 Hay St, Perth - Ph: 08 9322 6384

Adelaide - Tuesday September 13 - HQ Complex
TICKETMASTER - www.ticketmaster.com.au - Ph: 136 100
KRYPTON DISCS - 34 Jetty Rd, Glenelg - Ph: 08 8295 3044

Sydney - Wednesday September 14 - Metro Theatre
TICKETEK - www.ticketek.com.au - Ph 132 849
UTOPIA - Basement, 511 Kent St, Sydney - Ph: 02 9571 6662

Melbourne - Friday September 16 - Palace Theatre
TICKETMASTER - www.ticketmaster.com.au - Ph: 136 100
Polyester Records - 387 Brunswick St, Fitzroy - Ph: 03 9419 5137

Brisbane - Saturday September 17- The Hi Fi
THE HI FI Brisbane - www.thehifi.com.au - Ph: 1300 843 443
Kill The Music – Level 1, 161-163 Elizabeth St, Brisbane – Ph: 07 3012 7751

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Dopes tour was such an awesome gig! PSYCHED!!!
The Negasonic Single also features my favourite Monster Magnet song... Eclipse This!

The...

2011-06-26T23:06:00.000+10:00

"The sooner you fall behind, the more time you have to catch up."

Rick Rubin talks about new RHCP album...

2011-06-22T01:21:00.001+10:00

RHCP Album producer Rick Rubin recently spoke to Billboard about the Red Hot Chili Peppers New Album, ‘I’m With You’ released on August 30th 2011.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers tenth studio album, “I’m With You” comes out Aug. 30, following 2006′s “Stadium Arcadium” and marking the debut of new guitarist Josh Klinghoffer. “Josh is fantastic,” Rick Rubin says. “Josh Klinghoffer played with John Frusciante for many, many years and he actually toured with the Red Hot Chili Peppers before, so he’s sort of part of the extended family. He’s stylistically very close to John Frusciante but has a completely different trip. It sounds like the Red Hot Chili Peppers that you’ve never heard before.”

Rick Rubin says the Red Hot Chili Peppers were prolific during their sessions and could well have done another double-disc like “Stadium Arcadium” but ultimately “felt like we did that. It was painful not to share all of the material that we had, but we felt it would be too much. We really wanted I’m With You to be 12 songs long but it ended up being 14 just because nobody could agree on which 12.”

From: Billboard.com

"I'm With You" track listing:
Posted June 12 on the RHCP site....

1. Monarchy of Roses
2. Factory of Faith
3. Brendan’s Death Song
4. Ethiopia
5. Annie Wants a Baby
6. Look Around
7. The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie
8. Did I Let You Know
9. Goodbye Hooray
10. Happiness Loves Company
11. Police Station
12. Even You Brutus?
13. Meet Me at the Corner
14. Dance, Dance, Dance

Happy 63rd Birthday to the 33 ⅓!

2011-06-21T17:07:00.002+10:00

On this day in 1948, the Columbia Record Company introduced the 12" LP 33⅓ rpm microgroove record at a press conference in New York.

Just a quick Happy 63rd Birthday you old bastard!!!

Most Amazing Vinyl Packaging Award goes to....

2011-06-20T23:41:00.002+10:00

I have been waiting to get my hands on this little baby for some time. When I first saw the photo's of this online there was no question of if, but when it would be in my collection. Thanks to the champs down at Thornbury Records, they got one in once it had been released!

Explosions In the Sky's latest release 'Take Care, Take Care, Take Care' is nothing short of possibly being the greatest packaging an album has ever had the pleasure of being inside.

Firstly a 36" x 36" double-sided foldout poster literally lays the ground work. The image on the top is above ground and of course the image underneath is... underground. The um double gatefold sleeve thingy that the double LP lives inside folds out to a be house!!! The artwork alone is just beautifully put together, then you have the design and construction, what else is included and of course the music... well actually, I couldn't tell you about that yet!

The included download link for the MP3's didn't work... oh well, guess I have to get them the old fashioned way for the car... illegal download!

As well as the poster, double gatefold thingy (they actually call it a quadruple gatefold) and unusable download card, there is also a cool postcard, catalogue and the paper sleeves the LP's go in even look amazing. Printed up to look all old school and dirty. This Double LP is actually a 3 sided double with the fourth side laser etched with the timber floorboards on the printed sleeve. Just stunning.

Even without any music, the packaging alone is an extremely amazing and beautiful piece of art that deserves to be in every collection! If Explosions In The Sky's previous releases are anything to go by, the music will also blow your mind!

So what do they sound like? Well, I don't think I could write it any more hipster than Wikipedia...
"The band has garnered popularity beyond the post-rock scene for their cinematic, elaborately developed guitar work, narratively styled instrumentals, what they refer to as "cathartic mini-symphonies," and their enthusiastic and emotional live shows."

Seriously great band and absolutely insane packaging!!!

Explosions In The Sky: Site / Facebook / Myspace

Most Securely Sent Vinyl Award goes to....

2011-06-20T21:23:00.000+10:00

This year I was ridiculously excited about Record Store Day. So many amazing releases! On the day I actually only picked up Adam Harding's 7". A lot of the one's I was after either didn't make it to Australia in time (though since have arrived) or weren't even going to be sent to start with! The shock! The horror!

One of the main one's I was after was a particular Rekords Rekords release. A 10" picture disc...

The day is perfectly marketed at those obsessive collector freaks out there... meaning me. It became a mission to try and track down some of the releases. Two amazing friends ended up getting me some of them! Legends! One of which arrived in the mail today and as well as being stoked at adding this to my collection, the packaging also takes out this years Most Securely Sent Vinyl Award!

I had seen a couple of photo's before this was sent but when I picked this up and saw it in person, I was sincerely blown away! The ingenuity and the care taken to make sure this arrived safely is perfect. Lightweight yet strong, secure yet easy to undo, simple yet I haven't quite seen anything like it before!

David, you are a legend!

At first glance you realise it is well done but it's not until you start to get right into undoing it that you truly come across the packaging smarts of the constructor!

You can see them hiding underneath the tape... you peel it back and there are the screws holding the lightweight 3 ply to the sides.

I'm not sure what those sides are made out of, as light as Balsa yet a lot stronger!

The top was put in with screws to make life easier to undo the packaging. The bottom was nailed on to keep it that extra bit secure, then all taped over the top.

I carefully worked through the deconstruction process. Not as I was worried about mauling its contents, I was merely marveling at its brilliance!

A crowd gathered as I pulled out the first screw... (does my cat count?) and then as more and more escaped from their overseas lodging others gathered... (what about kids passing through chasing each other?) and when finally I took off the lid like Indiana Jones with sheer wonder, the light shone out like a beacon from the heaven's above!

OK, so clearly I'm getting carried away and that didn't happen but there was some serious building that went on here. I imagine David down in his basement, working under a slowly swinging light barely allowing him to see as he hovered over his Frankenstein box. He steps back once completed and lets out an almighty cackle!!! "IT'S ALIVE!!!"

Followed by his wife upstairs yelling down "SSHHHH! McDreamy's about to make up with Meredith again!"

OK, maybe these things just happen in my world!

Check out the photo's... as I took the top off not only was the 10" secured in bubble wrap inside it's wooden cocoon, there was also a rim of rubber keeping it safe! A travelling condom for the vacationing vinyl if you will! Nothing gonna fuck with this thing!

Rekords Rekords RSD 10" picture disc tracks:
A1) Alain Johannes “Endless Eyes”
A2) From Desert Sessions 7 & 8 “Nenada”
B1) Queens Of The Stone Age “Regular John”
B2) Mini Mansions “The Room Outside”

If you don't have this or didn't even know about it, at the moment you are asking yourself "Are you fuckin serious?" and yes... I fuckin am! Because this is 'WHERE THE "SHIT" HITS THE FANS"!!!

THANX DAVID !!! FUCKIN AWESOME !!!

veri.live magazine.

2011-06-17T20:59:00.004+10:00

Do you ever come across something that really connects with you? It could be a painting, a song, a book you’ve just read. It seems to have been created just for you. It’s reaches your every expectation and continues to just get better.

veri.live magazine is exactly that.

Black and white, beautiful paper filled with Gonzo style journalism and more grit than a dirt road. Not since Hot Metal have I been this excited about words and photo's in print. I love the internet and how easily you can come across new writers and musicians on those late night search tangents, “How the hell did I get here?”, but there is truly nothing like holding something tangible in your hands. Like a printed photo to a jpg and like a record to an mp3, this magazine is the romantic notion that there is still love out there for those obsessed with the printed. Speaking of vinyl, did I mention the magazine comes with a free 7”? HOLY SHIT RIGHT! Issue 02 features The Vines and Children Collide! It could only be better if it sucked you inside it and threw you a party with all the bands that grace its pages.

You know what else I love… the mags lack of interest when it comes to capital letters when writing headings and names… that’s how I like to roll but the man has been twisting my arm for years. RISE UP AND CHALLENGE!

From Stone Temple Pilots to Mammoth Mammoth, it not only covers the big guns but also those that hit the stage hard every set and deserve to be up and out there on billboards, on the bigger stage and on the printed page.

I highly recommend everyone go and grab a copy and you will not be disappointed.

Could it get any better? Yes it can, I have also joined the veri.live team, so keep an eye out for my words on those damn awesome pages.

veri.live: site // facebook // stockists.

You can even grab it from the best record store in Melbourne, Thornbury Records. As well as Issue 02, which is out now, you can still grab Issue 01 which is no longer available at newsagents! This is not just a mag, remember it’s also a collectable 7”! Debut issue features Anna Salen & Money For Rope!

Pick up a copy for the kick arse Mammoth Mammoth live review by Stephen White & loads more!!!

When Chimps Attack / Groan / Thalamus / Black Lizard / Magic Meredith / Choke The Palm Tree

2011-06-03T23:47:00.001+10:00

I've been on a journey of discovery. Wandering the great landscape that is the internet looking for some new tunes... I checked out here and there and then pretty much got as far as Planet Fuzz and have just been hanging out there the last few hours! I've put some of my fav's below... no descriptions, just crank it and rock!

When Chimps Attack by tenzenmen

Check out Groan

Check out Thalamus

Check out Choke The Palm Tree

Check out Magic Meredith

Seedy Jeezus @ The Grace Darling

2011-06-02T21:48:00.000+10:00

SEEDY JEEZUS
Friendly Yen

The Grace Darling
Collingwood, Melbourne.
Sunday 29th May, 2011.

I was over indulging in Mother’s Milk. Lapping it up and splashing about in its sheer energy, driving into Collingwood to the mayhem that is the (earlier) Red Hot Chili Peppers. The mix is an amazing use of stereo. That blend of punk rock and funk and leading us to a promised new land, a land of John Frusciante’s first album with the band. Even 4WD wankers cutting in couldn't bring down the funk cause even Stevie know’s nobody gonna bring you down!

I walked up the stairs to the band room and ordered a drink. As the barman sat it down toward the bar, with his free hand he smoothly slid a coaster under it. I was outta my hipster league up here. It was cool, perhaps just a little too much. Traditional clipper ship artwork adorned the wall next to the bar. The stage sat nestled in the opposite corner. A stair well led down past wine bottles sitting on a ledge with melting candles hanging out like the ‘in’ crowd at a high school dance, in a dark and smokey corner. The pool table in the other room peered through a hole renovated out of the wall, an ornate chesterfield leather lounge sat with its back to the window, uninterested in those not amongst its company.

The second band were about to begin. Friendly Yen started in a Motley Crüe-esque Kickstart My Heart down-tuning roar. Then it threw me. I thought they were going to rock it out but a reggae beat and strum followed with some chilled high end smooth vocals. The guitar kicked it up a notch and started to rock it out a little more. Stoked I listened to the Chili Peppers on the way in. This lead into a funk wah solo with a rockin attitude. The first song got me reeled in. Not what I expected, not what I would usually go out to see but they were pretty good muso’s. The vocalist had a great voice that was perhaps a little too Australian Idol for my usual liking but I really dug it. They had a great vibe, or it could’ve just been the Pies scarf draped over the bass amp!

There is always one in every crowd… you know like when I saw Mammoth Mammoth headline at Yah Yah’s last November and there was that crazy drunk dude running around more than lead singer Mikey (I know…impossibility we thought!). He was doing some sort of crazy arse aerobics off a milk crate… there is always one at every gig. This night at The Grace Darling was no different and the guy must have thought to himself… “Hey, every gig needs a Peter Garrett”.

I ended up chatting to friends and missed a lot of the Friendly Yen set but did catch this beautiful line… “We just did our new clip in Sweden, pity we couldn't be there for it.” Classic.

Check out Friendly Yen. Myspace // Facebook.

Seedy Jeezus are a band that straight away seems like their punching below their weight. Even as you watch them set up on the corner stage, coloured reflections from the mirror ball above their heads slowly rotating to the Morello riffage of Audioslave, you know they've got more going on than a chilled Sunday night gig at the charming Grace Darling. The venue is a beautiful place for a drink, chatting with mates or to listen to Amaya Laucirica melt your heart, but Seedy belong on a greater stage with probably a little more attitude.

It was perfect timing as Lex plugged in his guitar lead as it crackled to Cornell's throaty yeaaaaah! Lex's strat, violated way too much beyond it's years looks like a prize fighter that just keeps on giving. It may look beaten and bruised, nose broken too many times and that swollen brow just wont ever go down but if you meet it back stage in the darkness, you know who’s gonna come out on top.

“Were going to jam on a song to get our levels right...” Fuckin smooth jamming...

They kicked into the first song ‘Sun In My Car’, an at times frenzied guitar lovechild of Hendrix and Ian MacKaye. I wish I had captured this on film. There were a few highlights of the night, like Mr Frumpy and Smokin Billy Sundae, but this first song as an intro just set up their set perfectly. These guys play themselves down, like most great bands I guess and when you talk to them are very modest. And believe me, they know their shit… when it comes to playing and bands in general. Lex will tell you that Mark is deaf and can’t hear anything up there behind his kit, Mark will tell you as he couldn’t hear anything he actually discovered he was lost several times but managed to sneak back into it and you can always talk to Chris about how awesome QOTSA is if you’d like, but talk themselves up, never. There’s really no need, take that first step if you haven’t and experience them live.

They are an amazing band and on Myspace have written Psychedelic / Rock as their genre, they play to so many other sounds as well. Throw some chaotic punk, three pinches of funk, maybe a teaspoon of surf guitar in 'Go Go Go', even some Stoner in ‘Pick Up’ and a hell a lot of fuckin awesome and you’ve got Seedy Jeezus.

It’s true… great instruments don’t necessarily make great musicians. One’s of Mark’s symbol’s has a bigger crack than a Broady plumber bent over in a ditch, gives it a nice hi-hat crash FARK kind of sound… But it goes to prove that you can give killer muso’s shit instruments and they’ll knock you on your arse!

I love these guys as a band and as fellow appreciators of fine music. Might I add they’re also bloody hilarious!

As I drove home and continued the Peppers mayhem, I wondered if I’d drive past a pink Hummer, now personified in Melbourne rock legend as the beast that drives Seedy Jeezus from gig to gig. Apparently Lex has been known to be spotted lounging in the spa with inflatable flamingo’s. Ahhh, the life of a rock star.

Seedy Jeezus: Myspace // Facebook.

Up coming Seedy gigs:
Fri 3rd June - Yah Yah’s. Collingwood.
Thurs 9th June - Pony. Melbourne.
Sat 11th June - The Barwon Club. Geelong.
Thurs 23rd June - The Old Bar. Fitzroy.
Fri 24th June - The Rock Bar, Melbourne.
Fri 24th June - The Blue Tile Lounge. Collingwood.
(One of these dates is wrong... will amend when I find out!)
Fri 8th July - Public Bar. North Melbourne.
(this one's with the awesome Mighty Elk & My Left Boot!)

Catching up...

2011-05-27T21:09:00.000+10:00

Been catching up on things lately and seems like Something Sweet has been missing out...

Coming up soon...
CD Reviews that start with the letter 'F': Fort // Fangs // Fire Witch
Live: Who knows... how far behind can one person be?

If you think I should check out a particular band... let me know...

For a tease (literally!) the photo on the left is the back of the Fangs CD!

Susy Blue...

2011-05-18T18:41:00.000+10:00

I was scouring the internet for tangents earlier today. Random finds of sites and sounds. Then along comes Susy Blue!

Beautiful songstress and musician. A voice that fills you with warmth and love. A familiarity like a long lost friend and a welcome snuggle.

Since coming across her sounds I just can't stop listening to her music, especially Moose Hooves! Absolutely awesome. Those of you that usually read my blog are more used to me posting about heavier. more rockin & stoner sounds, but I dig listening to anything with heart and soul, that comes from within and Susy Blue is already a favourite. Stunning.

Susy Blue: Site // Facebook // Bandcamp // Myspace // Moose Hooves Live

KYUSS LIVES! Australian Tour!

2011-05-16T21:23:00.002+10:00

KYUSS LIVES! Australian Tour!

I seem to have been strangely quiet since returning from 8 days away... according to others and rightly so.

I called it after 3... the best 6 gigs of my life!

Kyuss Lives in Australia was a fuckin phenomenon! I have seen Nick Oliveri and Brant Bjork more than a few times live before, never seen Bruno "The Fever" Fevery and especially the master of all vocals John Garcia!!! Garcia's voice live was a religious experience. The messiah rasping out "YEAH"s here and there amongst a sea of bass driven groove and a frenetic mass of punters! It was amazing and I feel blessed to have been a part of it all...

Though I am spent and exhausted and stoked to be home. I have been regenerating and trying to grasp a hold on reality since the end in Perth.... Tumbleweed were awesome and Fort was absolutely mind-blowing! I will post some photo's and more words somewhere down the line but my friends, one word to describe it perfectly is....

Mighty Elk. Brunswick Hotel. Sun 1st May, 2011.

2011-05-02T01:23:00.002+10:00

Often gigs like tonight's go unnoticed, especially on a Sunday night Cherry Rock weekend in a cool pub in rainy Brunswick. It's not like me to be 'The Devil' free when Jesse Hughes is in town but sometimes you just can't do everything. Jesse did an in the end not so secret set at Ding Dong, then DJ'ed at Cherry, then strutted his good ol' boogie rock there the next night, all the while I was elsewhere.

Tonight I went to see some mates play at the Brunswick Hotel. Mighty Elk. Stoner / Psych rock that is just aurally orgasmic. Layers and layers that sounds like they're more monstrous than a four-piece.

This is only their third gig and they've said they're still trying to find their feet playing live. They must be wearing concrete boots cause they are rock solid! There's so many elements to their sound that creates a killer set that flows through 60 and 70's psych and prog, 90's and beyond stoner, all meandering through one another's playground.

And what better way to celebrate the start of the Kyuss Australian tour week than with Mighty Elk! This up coming week and then some of Kyuss is more than a massive fuckin deal and guess who's off on a whirlwind tour as well?

Anyways... I digress... If you read my blog you would know I only bother talking about bands and muso's I really dig... Mighty Elk - Check them out! Playing The Prague on Friday 13th May!

Dukes Of Hazzard / Mustang / Boogie Van

2011-05-01T17:13:00.000+10:00

Today's garage sale score!

Stories From The Dukes Of Hazard LP - 1983.

Only the best show on earth! Features 5 stories from the Dukes. "Stories from The Dukes Of Hazzard are narrations, with incidental background music, of the goings on in Hazzard County from the TV Series. The Duke boys are always ready to race The General either in a chase,or by being chased by the car with the flashing lights on top. These stories create the excitement and drama of car chases, fun and adventures the Duke boys get up to. But the good guys always win in the end". Phew!

Two Mustang books (1993 & 1997) featuring the greatest car ever (besides The General of course!), the 1967 Mustang Fastback. The beast that is pure muscle and can get a chick pregnant with one rev of it's "King Of The Road" 428 Cobra Jet motor. How insane is the '65 Shelby on the cover!!!

Then parked down the street from where these were picked up was the coolest Boogie Van I have ever seen. Well, not so much of a Boogie Van as a Boogie Machine! A Bedford Tradesman. It was huge and smooth as hell! The seats behind the front looked like bucket swivel. Roof to floor tinted windows along the side not pictured. Faded retro stickers, fluffy dice on the rear view mirror, hula girl on the dash. I was waiting for Hyde from That 70's Show to get out in a cloud of smoke.

Ferry Tails...

2011-04-30T22:05:00.001+10:00

So it seems those links on the side of your Facebook page that suggest you check out pages friends like are actually useful.

Clay from Spun Rivals had suggested I 'like' Ferry Tails. I thought I should check it out. He's in a cool band and co-owns the best little vinyl store in town, Thornbury Records.

Also seems Clay is keeping secrets. I didn't know he was now in Ferry Tails, or actually in fact who they were until 15 minutes ago and have been listening to their Myspace page since. They're also playing tonight with Midnight Woolf! Quick... ahh too tired but will definitely be checking out this band... follow the links and have a listen...

Ferry Tails: Site // Myspace // Facebook.

WIN SOME CD's !!!

2011-04-30T18:57:00.000+10:00

Would you like to win some killer Game Two Records CD's?

Doom All Over The World - 2CD Compilation. 2010
Sixty Watt Shaman - Ultra Electric. 1998.
RawRadarWar / Deer Creek - Split. 2007.

I would like to expand on the Something Sweet readership. I write first and foremost for myself. More readers though would be awesome. I have met some great new friends through writing this and come across some new bands that I never otherwise would have heard of, that's what it's also all about!
.
Most blogs or Facebook pages that try to build their followers is just for numbers sake. Sure I would like more but would rather have quality not quantity. More followers that actually dig what I'm on about.

Shut up and get to the point!

So whoever comes up with the best competition to get Something Sweet some more worthy followers will win this awesome Game Two Records 3 CD pack! Then the winner of said competition will also win another of the same packs!

How's that sound? Pretty damn sweet I think!

Leave a comment or message me through Facebook...

By the way, the CD's are all new and sealed! And they all kick more arse than Kim Kardashian can carry!

DEAD @ Old Bar. 28-04-2011.

2011-04-29T13:59:00.002+10:00

As I drove home after the gig I realised something, besides my hearing, wasn’t right. Something felt different and that’s how a live band should make you feel. The emotion, the volume, the intensity should leave you affected and changed, wanting more. Music needs to be felt inside. It needs to grab you, take hold of your entire being, get inside you, take control and then throttle the fuck out of everything you know and throw you against the wall.

However you try and describe the power, the force and brutality of DEAD, it will clearly be underestimated by the reader. People often say, myself included, “oh you really need to check out this band because their music just doesn’t translate into a recording”… blah blah blah… but DEAD are the band that everyone is really talking about when they tell you to experience live music.

These guys are the nightmare that High On Fire’s Matt Pike wakes up screaming to. They’re the wet dream Acid King have and the hell that only Lemmy can try to imagine. They are truly fuckin powerful.

You don’t often see a drummer set up a kit with such precision but so quickly. As Jem tightens the tension bolts you can see their grimacing faces as they know they’re about to be beaten to fuck. The bass drum pedal is taped to the floor, not so much from stopping it sliding forward but more to stop it from running away through fear of being jumped on repeatedly. Jem’s style is heavy. Heavy sound, heavy action and the way he jumps up at times and lands on the pedal, heavy landing. It produces a literally ground breaking beat that fractures ribs and floorboards.

Jace’s playing style travels all over, though he usually stands pretty much still. Strings assaulted singularly or in a chord. Low thundering grooves and melodic fuzz. But all the while it’s just a massive MASSIVE behemoth of destruction. I love Budd, that is some of the chunkiest bass playing I have ever heard. You need a chainsaw to get through it. Jace see’s your Budd and raises you a Weedeater.

Last time I saw them was at The Tote, it’s not a massive venue and it gets pretty loud in there. Throw DEAD in The Old Bar and it’s x10! A tsunami of sound that knocks you off your feet. It’d be like having Motörhead playing a gig in your toilet. I love leaving a venue feeling battered and bruised after only standing still. The vibrations, the force, the magnitutde of amplified terror and bass driven brutality violating your entire being. Killer set guys, thanx.

DEAD are leaving next week “to South East Asia for touring & glory”. I think they’ll be leaving a trail of ‘Holy FUCK’ behind them.

DEAD Site // Facebook // WeEmptyRooms Label

This review is also featured on the The 59th Sound!
Check out the site for great reviews, news, interviews & photo's.

DEAD live clip I took on my shitty little digi-cam last night....

Nirvana / Sonic Youth (1991 The Year Punk Broke) DVD

2011-04-29T12:25:00.000+10:00

From We Got Power Films:

Take a trip with Sonic Youth and Nirvana as they stumble thought their 1991 European club & festival tour! Let filmmaker Dave Markey put you on stage, off stage and backstage! Witness the boredom! The cynicism! And rock harder than you may have ever rocked before! Featuring Dinosaur Jr., Babes In Toyland, Gumball, The Ramones and a surging wave of punk rock fanatics!

See You In The Pit!

We are very happy to announce that the long awaited DVD will be released in the fall of 2011 by Universal to celebrate the 20 year anniversary of this historic tour, featuring

• 42 minute Bonus Movie entitled "(This Is Known As) The Blues Scale" with previously unseen mind-blowing Sonic & Nirvana performances (including "Inhuman", "White Kross", "Orange Rolls/Angel's Spit", "Eric's Trip", "Chapel Hill", and "In Bloom") and plenty of revelatory and rockin' (and hilarious) never before seen off-stage and on-stage material

• Running audio commentary track by Thurston Moore & Dave Markey

• Rough Edits of performance material

• 2003 Panel Discussion (on the film) at the Arclight in Hollywood, with Thurston Moore, Dave Markey, Lee Ranaldo, Steve Shelley, and J. Mascis

• A photo slide show

• Theatrical trailer

• More surprises!

"1991 is a celebration. Its joiie de vivre is infectious. Even the hints of tragedy- a glipse of the late roadie Joe Cole, a too-high Cobain- merely make the claim in the film's title more crucial."
- Village Voice

"Director Dave Markey strives for a kind of cinema verite-meets-homemade-fanzine appeal and succeeds almost too well." - Entertainment Weekly

Watch previews of "(This Is Known As) The Blues Scale"
A 42 minute feature post-script to "1991 The Year Punk Broke" put together by David Markey in 2004 featuring never before seen performance and off-stage material from Sonic Youth and Nirvana
Read Dave Markey's 1991 tour journal

Watch a never-before-seen outtake with Thurston Moore and enjoy this Sonic Youth performance of “Schizophrenia” as seen in the movie.

Jimi Hendrix Guitar Pick Portrait

2011-04-29T12:05:00.001+10:00

FENDER PRESS RELEASE:

"ONE-OFF JIMI HENDRIX MOSAIC UP FOR AUCTION AT CHARITY EVENT

LEADING UK mosaic artist Ed Chapman has created a unique Jimi Hendrix mosaic out of guitar plectrums, to be auctioned tonight at Cancer Research UK’s Sound & Vision event at the iconic Abbey Road Studios (24th February 2011).

The image is created from over 5,000 different coloured plectrums from Fender, whose guitars Hendrix was most often seen playing, and has a guide price of between £12,000-16,000. The funds raised from the auction will go towards Cancer Research UK’s lifesaving work. Those attending the sold-out event will have the opportunity to bid for the mosaic as well as a host of music one-off memorabilia.

Ed Chapman said: “I’m delighted to be supporting Cancer Research UK at this year’s Sound & Vision event. The John Lennon piece I created for 2009’s event raised £6,000 for the charity, and I hope the Jimi mosaic can do the same this year. “

Ed began creating mosaic works in the 1990s, fascinated with bringing a contemporary twist to an ancient medium. His work has a number of high profile collectors including world-renowned musicians, sports stars and TV personalities and has received substantial national and international press coverage.

Sound & Vision is being headlined by Tom Jones, The Feeling and Eve Selis and is hosted by patron BBC Radio 2’s DJ ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris and Nicky Campbell with Al Murray as MC and auctioneer.

Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading charity dedicated to research into beating cancer. It receives no government funding so events like Sound & Vision are essential in helping to fund its life saving work."

The piece finally sold for £23,000!!!

FLOGGING MOLLY - NEW ALBUM!

2011-04-23T17:18:00.001+10:00

Flogging Molly's latest full length will be released on the 31st May but is now available for Pre-Order! It'll be their 6th studio album and released through the band's own Borstal Beat Records.

These guys are such an awesome live band, I can't wait to see them again. One of those bands where the songs kick arse, the energy is always huge and everyone is right there with them digging it the whole time.

They also have the best skater ever in their band playing accordian / concertina as well, the legendary Matt Hensley!

Can't wait to hear their new album!
Pre-order a Limited Edition Fan Pack here.

Check out there latest clip for Don't Shut 'Em Down. It's the first single from Speed Of Darkness.

Check out this link for Matt Hensley talking about his skating, some of his decks and to see some killer footage. "Matt, Matt who, Matt Hensley" is a fuckin legend!

Video's: Loading Data, Fare Evader, River Of Snakes, Mammoth Mammoth

2011-04-22T01:09:00.000+10:00

No words... Just music.

Loading Data - 'Do It On The Beach'.

Fare Evader - 'Think Slow'.

River Of Snakes - 'Smashing The Beat'.

Mammoth Mammoth - 'Slacker'.

Vote for Fangs - Triple J Unearthed!

2011-04-20T22:00:00.002+10:00

Vote for Fangs 'One Punch' in Triple J's Unearthed!

When I walk into a pub and find myself inadvertently tapping my foot against the edge of the bar as I order a drink, I want to be able to turn my head and see Fangs crankin out this track. These guys have a fury and intensity live that is seldom caught in a recording but they've managed to do it here. Tightly wound rhythm section unrolling over the top of you as the guitar whips you into a frenzy. This captures their kick arse riffs and steam rolling rawk and if it’s true that “it only takes One Punch to kill”, then I’m dead!

Check out the Fangs gig Something Sweet review from March.

Fangs will be playing:
The Espy in St Kilda on Saturday 30th April.
The Prague in Thornbury on Saturday 14th May.
Check 'em out! You'll be stoked!

RECORD STORE DAY !!!

2011-04-16T17:03:00.000+10:00

ARRRR!!! QUICK UPDATE BETWEEN RSD THINGS TO DO !!!

I can't believe it's here already! I am the perfect sucker for this kind of marketing genius! Limited edition vinyl! GOD DAMN!

Just wanted to wish you all happy hunting!!!

Stay tuned for a Something Sweet diary of my day!

Hard-Ons / Wicked City / DEAD @ The Tote

2011-04-09T01:39:00.002+10:00

Saturday 3rd April, 2011.
Hard-Ons / Wicked City / DEAD
The Tote, Collingwood, Melbourne.

I was supposed to head down to the Nash in Geelong to see the Hard-Ons play the night before. Hell hath no fury like hayfever taking revenge on your body for something you must have done in a previous life. I missed out on seeing the almighty Hard-Ons and also a mates band, the awesome Muscle Car.

So when my head started to clear up like Delta Goodrem’s face on a late night infomercial, I was stoked to get on down to the Tote. No Muscle Car on this night but from what I later found, another force also to be reckoned with.

We got in there even before doors. I’ve said it before like many others and I’ll say it again, how fuckin awesome is it to see members of a band manning their own merch table. As we walked in Blackie was setting up. Sometimes you forget that they don’t know you like you “know” them. I said hey and shook his hand. Earlier in the day I was looking on the WeEmptyRooms site and found out that there is also an Australian version of the Hard-Ons / Manges split. I didn’t even realise. I asked Blackie if the one on the table was the Australian version, he shrugged, picked it up and had a look. It was overseas. Thank god, the moths in my wallet wouldn’t have allowed me to purchase another copy when I have the 3 o/s colours already!

I saw a kit being set up at the right side of stage, a bass player on the left. I thought, this looks pretty interesting. Fuckin understatement of the year!

When DEAD started playing they tore shreds of fuck from our heads. If King Buzzo’s break down took punk brutality out the back of the venue and violated it sexually to the extreme, DEAD would be the bastard child born to walk out and brutalise our senses. Frantic, frenzied, chaotic, rhythmic grooves, rumbling distortion and all mesmerising. I have never heard anything like it before and the drumming was fuckin mind blowing. Then again, so was the bass! DEAD are the reason you go to see live music, you have to go to see every band on a bill, that you even pick up an instrument and jump around on your bed only to bounce off and put your head through the wall. The bass was so loud that I could feel the denim on my skinny jeans trying to vibrate against my legs. The very fibres wearing through from the sheer energy coming up through the floor. The last song they played was pretty cool. During part of it bassist Jace was only whistling for a while as Jem drummed along on the snare rim and bass drum. Eerie and haunting groove.

The DEAD guys are also from Fangs Of… amongst other bands. They also run WeEmptyRooms, a record label reasonably new to my heart. A love of vinyl, random one off hand-made packaging and limited releases, kick arse music and awesome muso’s themselves. Perfect. I wonder how the power of the band killin it live would translate into a recording? "So we are waiting impatiently for our album to be mastered, at this stage there will be a cassette release in May for the South East Asia tour and then vinyl/download in August for USA tour and the rest of the universe". They're supporting Unstoppbale Death Machines for the U.S. tour.

Wicked City were up next. I saw them support Spiderbait and Money For Rope at The Meanies 21^st Birthday Celebration at The Hi-Fi in June last year. Check out the Something Sweet gig review. Awesome riffed up carnage but tonight for me carnage was the word. After the longest running sound check in history we didn’t think there would me much time left for the set. To me wearing earplugs is like wearing a helmet when you’re skateboarding. It’s a good idea for your own health and safety but it just feels way too weird and throws out your balance. Once they were actually ready to start I was psyched to hear some kickin music but the vocals mix was just too painful to bare. I have been to some louds gigs in my time (Ministry still being one of the loudest to date!) but I just had to get the hell outta there! We went outside in the cold and it actually sounded better. Wasn't the band's fault and it was a pity as I know they’re a great band. I just can’t let it be so long between drinks before I see them again.

Funny point of interest, when the Wicked bass player Patto was leaning forward, with the lighting and his hair style he looked like Bob Downe… Not the best highlight, but we had a chuckle…

I like that feeling of finally arriving home after a long trip away when you go to see old favourites like the Hard-Ons. That sense of family, of finally catching up with old friends. You never lose touch and always have a soft spot for them but you just don’t get the time to see them as often as you’d like.

It seemed to be a bit of a mix of old fans, oddballs and a few punkers thrown in tonight, though all psyched to see the Hard-Ons blow the hell out of the Tote. It’s always balls to the wall full on with the guys. I love it. Never seen a show yet where they didn’t kill it, where Blackie didn’t rock out with the best guitar stance in the world and Ray didn’t throw out a much needed opinion on the knuckle heads on the planet. The Hard-Ons will always be one of the greatest bands you’ll see live.

There are too many highlights at any Hard-Ons gig to remember! The entire set, the comedic talents of Ray, the kick arse music and just being stoked to be a part of it!

I was standing on the left in front of Blackie and kept wondering who this girl was standing on the stage just next to Ray. First she was wandering through the crowd and must have been saying random things by the looks people were giving her. Then I noticed her up on stage. Then she started to get closer to Ray. I thought she must be friends with them or something. Then at the end of 'Don’t Wanna See You Cry' Ray said “No offence but can you get off the stage”. She wouldn’t budge! Ray got more and more stern as she wasn't listening. Blackie walked over to her and gave her a peck on the cheek! Blackie later told me that Ray had "asked her to get off because she was motioning her friends to come up with her". Check out the footage below.

It was a killer set as always. After I got a few things signed and chatted to the guys. Pete was saying Front End Loader are releasing a new album in May and set to tour. He said they still rehearse once a week. Psyched! Ritardando is to be released May 6^th with a May / June tour to follow! I wanted to grab a photo with one of them as I was wearing my mates store t-shirt from the Netherlands (Vinyl Grove) and thought it would be cool to post on his Facebook page. When all of the band were on stage I asked them for a photo with all three. Too funny! I have never done that before! The guys are so giving of their time and fuckin cool. Thanx for a killer night and hanging out and chatting!

Check out my Facebook page for more photo's.

Thanx Guys... You're fuckin awesome!

HOTEL WRECKING CITY TRADERS & GARY ARCE - LP

2011-04-07T20:33:00.000+10:00

I just read this on Chybucca Sounds and had to share...

Release Date: May 2011.

Record Label: Bro Fidelity Records/Cobraside Distribution.

Gary Arce, a founding father of the desert rock movement in the late ‘80s, is one of the most hard-working musicians on the planet.

A permanent fixture in Yawning Man (as well as the cross-Atlantic collaboration of Yawning Sons), a contributor to Brant Bjork’s Ten East project and a fully-fledged member of Big Scenic Nowhere (not to mention his own solo project Dark Tooth Encounter), Arce is a man in demand.

Set for a limited edition release in May via Ben Matthew’s Bro Fidelity label (as well as Cobraside Distribution) this self-titled 12” marks a coming together of contrasting styles.

On the one side of the Pacific you have Hotel Wrecking City Traders; two brothers from Melbourne who thrash out noise- inspired psychedelic rock, and up until recently, were asking fans for small financial contributions to help with the making on this and other future projects. On the other side is Gary Arce.

It would be unfair to list their accolades side by side; however, together they have created a record that is enhancing and full of scope. ‘Coventina’s Cascade’ juxtaposes melodic intensity, as Arce’s reverb-inducing trance is offset by repetitive rumbles and feedback flowing distortion – a 10-minute atmospheric experience that builds to a calm, yet climatic conclusion.

Whereas Arce focuses more on tone and technique, the Melbourne brothers of destruction bring the aggressive; most notably during ‘Traverse of the Oxen’, where their speaker-shattering notion is comprised of Black Sabbath sludge and druggy dream-pop – two contrasting genres that co-exist side by side. Quite rightly, this release is a triumphant for both parties.

Hotel Wrecking City Traders Facebook Page

Yawning man Facebook Page

* Also remember to go and donate to the making of HWCT new LP on Indie GoGo.

Layne Staley...

2011-04-05T23:28:00.001+10:00

As well as losing Kurt Cobain on this day, we also lost another amazing and talented musician... Layne Staley.

Frontman for the kick arse Alice In Chains. I don't need to tell you if you are bothering to read this what an impact they had on the scene. Fuckin mind expanding songs like Sea Of Sorrow, Bleed The Freak, It Ain't Like That... I can't even get off Facelift.

The good ol' days of RAGE for those in Australia, seeing music clips of songs you'd never heard before. I was introduced to so much sitting up at stupid o'clock in the early hours of the morning. Man In The Box was my first taste of AIC and I was hooked.

Their 1992 tour is still one of the greatest and scariest I have ever been to. The mosh was an insane whirlpool. When the first song kicked in, the whirlpool circled in on itself and I spent that first song or so on the bottom of a pile of people just holding my head and yelling "FUUUCK".

It was truly awesome.

When they toured again in February 2009 I wasn't going to go. How could I see them without the almighty Layne. On the day I must have been going through cold sweats. My wife, the perfect friend that she is, jumped online and there were still tickets available. She bought me one! It was a great set. I forgot how much Cantrell's singing backed in the vocals and atmosphere of the songs.Killer muso's. William DuVall is a great singer. Close enough to Layne to give the songs the feeling they deserve but he was far enough removed and singing his own way to not sound like a cover band. Though it was pretty close! He must draw major influence from Layne and those in a similiar vein.

Remembering another truly talented individual.
Layne, you're a fuckin legend.

Layne Thomas Staley
August 22, 1967 – April 5, 2002.

Kurt Cobain...

2011-04-05T20:40:00.000+10:00

It's been 17 years since I was sitting next to the counter in my parents surf and skate store on a wooden stool covered in 80's stickers. It had one leg that always seemed to need a little bit of fixing. I'd sat on that store loads of time before this day and loads of times after. Others had sat on the same stool to chill and chat about the waves, what skate spots they'd been at or to check out the latest photo's we had up on the pin board behind it at the time.

What set this day apart from others was that my father walked into the store and told me 'that the guy I like, that sings in that band, just died'. After throwing questions out and trying to narrow it down, I was shattered, it was Kurt Cobain.

People harrass fans for saying that his lyrics spoke to them and that they felt connected to him. Everyone feels music differently and that is the beauty of what music is. It was a sad sad day and many musicians have died before Kurt and many will continue to but there was definately and unquestionably something special about his talent. I felt those songs deep, whether it was the words or the music, it struck a chord.

Like others, I wonder what he would be like today. If he'd be coping with things differently, fame, personal issues and what his songs would be like. There are different trains of thought about whether he actually did commit suicide or whether he was murdered. Either way Frances Bean was left without a talented and amazing father and I'm not here to speculate or offer an opinion. I'm just writing this to continue to remember how fuckin amazing Nirvana was as a band, how their music will always kick arse and how Kurt Cobain was a fuckin brilliant song writer.

Kurt Donald Cobain

February 20, 1967 – April 5, 1994.

Record Store Day

2011-04-01T10:56:00.001+11:00

How far behind am I? I haven't posted for weeks... I'm so busy and I have more than several pieces unfinished, kind of started and reviews mounting up. Haven't posted anything about QOTSA playing their solo album in its entirity, Soundwave, Stone Temple Pilots, Motorhead and it goes on... slacker!

Will the posts arrive? Who can tell, but I tell you what is coming up and that's Record Store Day!

Mark April 16th on your calendar!

It's become a massive event for bands to release limited edition vinyl and CD's as well as punters to get out there and support local record stores and get their rawk on live.

Some of the amazing limited edition releases coming out just for the day:
Red Hot Chili Peppers / Ramones - Havana Affair 7" Split
Rekords Rekords - Alain Johannes, Desert Sessions, Mini Mansions, QOTSA vinyl
Flogging Molly - Don't Shut 'Em Down 7"
Jimi Hendrix - Fire 7"
Nirvana - Hormoaning LP
Mastodon - Live At The Aragon LP
Syd Barrett - An Introduction LP
Pearl Jam - Immortality / Rear View Mirror 7"
Omar Rodriguez Lopez - Telesterion CD & 4LP Box Set

& the list goes onnnnnnn!
Check out the Record Store Day site list.

There's a few stores that I have loved over the years, in Sydney (Waterfront, Red Eye, Phantom, Half A Cow, Utopia, Silver Rocket), Melbourne (Greville Records, Collectors Corner, Missing Link, Dixons), Brisbane (Skinnys) and there's others I have forgotten to mention at this moment of writing.

The two main stores I suggest you get to / write to / check out on the internet and shout out to the sky about is Melbourne's Thornbury Records and Vinyl Grove in the Netherlands. Both have shit hot music, cool as hell people running them and deserve to keep it rockin. Let's not let the little guys suffer at the hands of chains or the likes of eBay and other such sites that don't give any money to the local guy and also importantly to the bands themselves.

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SCENE.
SUPPORT INDEPENDENT STORES.
SUPPORT RECORD STORE DAY!!!

Check out the Record Store Day site // Wikipedia // Facebook.

Read Something Sweet To Throw Away reviews on:
Vinyl Grove.
Thornbury Records.
My Vinyl Obsession.

One moment in my life.

2011-03-16T00:35:00.001+11:00

Here I am. Writing words. Sometimes they don't mean much, sometimes I drown in the meaning and get a little lost in the lack of supposed correct punctuation.

I hear them all the time in my head. They say things to me. Sometimes they even reply. I am not sure which words to listen to and which ones to write. Which are right? To be honest with myself can be dishonest to who I currently am.

I was walking down the street a few days ago staring up through the gaps in the leaves and beyond to the sun. It was beautiful but also burnt my eyes. The words in my head are sometimes like this.

I cross the road and look both ways, it's safe to cross and then some random comes flying around the corner and nearly knocks me off my feet in his beat up piece of shit. The words in my head are sometimes like that.

I sit in silence and stare into space doing nothing. Pushing myself to get things done but yet I am still, latent, bereft. The lack of, the emptiness, the missing, the longing. The words in my head sometimes do that.

I walk up to my son's Kindy. I wait for the door to open as they call each child's name for their parent to step forward. As he steps up and turns round to see who is picking him up, his smile knocks me off my feet in an explosion of infinite happiness. He bounds across the room charging through all in his way and wraps his arms around my legs almost cutting off the circulation yelling "DAAAAADDDYYYY!!!!". The thoughts of my family can only do that.

Yet I still sit in the almost darkness and sip on my nearing room temperature Southern and Coke pondering the meaning of these words and what they bring to me. What they mean. What they do to me. How they are seen.

Is it wise to be so open and honest in a world where every word is used against you to steal who you are? To use it against you. To take it all away.

It is possible that by throwing them out into cyberspace I am also throwing away the demons that some words bring? Does it bring me closer to me or does it disconnect me from it all?

Whatever the words in my head say, I like to write them down as they happen, as they leave my head and exit my body through my fingertips and onto the screen. This is how these words find you. This is the first draft, the last draft, the unfinished short story of one moment in my life. There could be mistakes, as there could be in my life. It could be perfect, as are some aspects of my life. There may need to be changes, as there needs to be in some places in my life. But these are the words that I give to you all on this night. May you use them, read them, discard them, leave them, as you need to and as you will.

Fangs @ Revolver

2011-03-10T01:30:00.003+11:00

Chapel Street tonight seems to be the usual young and pretties wandering the blend of supposedly funky clothing stores and cafes, closed on this rainy Wednesday night. I guess why I usually don't go down is that they'll put me in the window of the Bazaar one day. Not because I'm cool but I'm getting way too close myself to retro for the Chapel St 'it' crowd.

As I walked up to the Revolver door two Police walked out. Cool I thought to myself, hopefully the hipsters tonight are causing some shit! I got upstairs and most of them were standing still like their arms were taped to their sides. They seemed like they were more worried about showing off the new angle of their fringes rather than what they were listening to.

I saw Sarah who suggested I come along. She's got great taste in music so if she says listen, you know you really should. I mean hey, she was right about the Bronx. I finally got to see them live and they absolutely killed it at Soundwave! And yes, the photo's and words about that weekend will be posted soon.

Thank god not all bands are about dreary 17 word names and get straight to the point. Fangs is the reason why I was there. Straight to the point in their name and straight to the point with their sharp and quick punch punk songs.

They have a familiar sound, you instantly love it but it doesn't come across as a rip off of anything particular. The are a three piece and the rhythm section of Mackie on bass and Doggy on drums ( I wont ask how he got that one... what happens within the band stays in the band...) are awesome. Driving beats and rockin bass that draws you in and keeps your head going and foot tapping even though I'd never heard them before. If I wasn't so tired I would have been rockin out myself a little more but the crowd seemed like they'd be more at home in Led Zeppelin's Dazed And Confused clip, just sitting there literally dazed. MOVE PEOPLE, Fangs are kickin it bigtime!

Both the guys are great muso's and I really dug what they were doing. Although at one stage I thought that Mackie may have been too drunk to even tune his own bass but it may just have been that he was trying to take his foot out of his mouth from trying to tune women instead. The stand out for me though was singer / guitarist Tim. His style seemed at times a bit erractic, in a good way. Frantic and fast Fugazi style strumming to finger picked solos and even some wah thrown in for good ol warm and fuzzy measure. Really dug his style and that pulled me in even further.

On their Facebook page they describe themselves by saying "Mix the best parts of punk with the dirtiest rock ‘n’ roll, add a shot of stoner groove and a face full of ear-bleeding noise... you are listening to Fangs!" It is hard to try and pigeonhole their sound. When you listen to their recordings online it sounds way cleaner than live. I know that's the usual thing with bands and that's why I prefer to listen to live recordings to capture the true essence of a band. At times they were punked up and furious with short and sharp songs, then they'd throw in some hints of stoner or some dirty swamp blues and that got me really hooked. Fuckin awesome solo's as well!

Fangs have that sound that a lot of Aussie bands in the 80's had. That style of distortion and energy that you can just rock out to, that makes you feel right at home and just cut loose. I can't wait to see them again, have a few drinks and rock out with my mates. Lucky I was on my best behaviour tonight as Tim's parents were there. I bet Mackie gets a talking to!

Check out Fangs at Northcote Social Club Supporting Trial Kennedy this Saturday 12th March. Well worth it!

You can download their latest album Junkyard for only $9 at Bandcamp!
Or the in the flesh version will be available any day...

Fangs: Myspace // Facebook // Bandcamp

Also check out the upcoming Beyond The Pale poster art exhibition at Revolver Upstairs. Mark Wednesday 23rd March on your calendars RIGHT NOW! John from Beyond The Pale is one of the coolest guys you will come across and he has amazing art in his store. John introduced me years ago to some of my now favourite artists like Ken Taylor and especially Rhys Cooper, an amazing and talented artist who puts out shit hot work every time! The exhibition will feature limited edition prints from some of the coolest bands on the planet, Queens Of The Stone Age, Mark Lanegan, Metallica, Eagles Of Death Metal and more...

Mötley Crüe, Poison, New York Dolls U.S. Summer Tour

2011-03-02T22:23:00.002+11:00

This is absolutely ridiculous news! I was just saying while stupidly drunk on Saturday night that the one band I really want to tour more than anyone is Poison! How awesome would it be to be up there rockin out with CC to Nuthin But A Good Time or singing along side Bret to Fallen Angel!

Maaan I am already buying up the hairspray bigtime in anticipation! Unfortunately they have only announced a U.S. Summer tour at this stage. Of course New York Dolls would kick arse and hopefully Mötley Crüe is way better than the disappointment of their last tour. Yeah, it kicked arse as I walked in to Looks That Kills but seriously, it was promoted as a circus show and the only thing close to resembling anything entertaining was the entire thing was a joke. I grew up on the band and really digging them, so yeah, awesome seeing them but they could've put way more effort into it. Still, hearing Looks That Kill and Kickstart My Heart live again... oh yeah!

I didn't think we'd ever see a Poison tour of Australia. Bret Michaels has been through some health issues with his heart amongst other things and then of course been busy with his comedy career, Rock Of Love. Although Wikipedia describes him in that part of his work as a reality television personality!

Taken from the Mötley Crüe site.

March 2, 2011

MÖTLEY CRÜE TO HEADLINE SUMMER TOUR WITH

SUPPORT FROM POISON AND SPECIAL GUESTS

NEW YORK DOLLS

SUMMER’S BIGGEST ROCK TOUR KICKS OFF JUNE 7TH IN DALLAS;
TICKETS ON SALE STARTING MARCH 11TH

Los Angeles, CA (March 1, 2011) – Mötley Crüe, one of the world’s most iconic rock bands,
have announced initial details today for their summer headlining tour with support from Poison
and special guests New York Dolls (not to be confused with Poison’s solo tour, “Glam-A-
Geddon 25”). The official announcement by Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee and New York Dolls’ David
Johansen was made on the syndicated radio show, Sixx Sense with Nikki Sixx Tuesday March
1st at 7:00pm local time (check http://www.sixxsense.com/ for a list of stations). Additionally, the
announcement can be heard on SixxSense.com, iheartradio and on the new Sixx Sense XM
161 Channel. The trek will kick off June 7th in Dallas, TX and hit approximately 40 cities before
coming to a close in early August. Tickets will be available to fan club members beginning
March 11th and a national on sale starts the weekend of March 18th. All tour information can be
found at http://www.motley.com/.

Mötley Crüe has played to millions of fans around the world, adding this summer’s tour to
recent successful outings including Crüe Fest 1 and 2 taking out such notables as Sixx:AM,
Godsmack, Buckcherry, Papa Roach, Theory Of A Deadman and many others. For ticket and
tour information and information about Mötley Crüe, please visit: http://www.motley.com/.

For more information on Poison, please visit: http://www.poisonweb.com/.

For more information on New York Dolls, please visit: http://www.nydolls.org/.

Mötley Crüe, Poison and New York Dolls Summer Tour Dates

JUNE
7	Dallas, TX	Gexa Energy Pavilion
9	San Antonio, TX	AT&T Center
10	Houston, TX	Toyota Center
12	Albuquerque, NM	Hard Rock Pavilion
14	Los Angeles, CA	Hollywood Bowl
15	San Francisco, CA	Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
17	Phoenix, AZ	Desert Sky Pavilion
18	Las Vegas, NV	Venue TBD
19	Salt Lake City, UT	USANA Amphitheater
21	Kansas City, MO	Sprint Center
22	Maryland Heights, MO	Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
24	Minneapolis, MN	Target Center
25	Milwaukee, WI	Bradley Center
26	Cincinnati, OH	Riverbend Music Center
28	Toronto, ON	Molson Ampitheater
29	Clarkston, MI	DTE Energy Music Theatre

JULY
1	Tinley Park, IL	FMB Amphitheater
2	Noblesville, IN	Verizon Wireless Music Center
3	Nashville, TN	Bridgestone Arena
5	Hollywood, FL	Seminole Hard Rock Live Arena
6	Tampa, FL	St. Pete Times Forum
8	Biloxi, MS	Mississippi Coast Coliseum
9	Pelham, AL	Verizon Wireless Music Center (Mötley Crüe & NY Dolls Only)
10	Atlanta, GA	Aaron’s Amphitheater at Lakewood
12	Charlotte, NC	Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
13	Hershey, PA	Star Pavilion at Hershey Park
15	Uncasville, CT	Mohegan Sun Arena
16	Camden, NJ	Susquehanna Bank Center
19	Mansfield, MA	Comcast Center
20	Uniondale, NY	Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
22	Darien Lakes, NY	Darien Lakes Performing Arts Center
23	Saratoga Springs, NY	Saratoga Performing Arts Center
24	Pittsburgh, PA	Stage AE
27	Cheyenne, WY	Frontier Days (Mötley Crüe Only)
29	Youngstown, OH	Covelli Centre
30	Frederick, MD	Outlaw Jam 2011
31	Scranton, PA	Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain

AUGUST
5	Tomah, WI	Fort MCoy

NOW YOU BETTER ANNOUNCE AN AUSTRALIAN TOUR !!!

Soundwave 2011 - Melbourne final time table.

2011-02-25T10:53:00.000+11:00

Friday 4th March.
Melbourne Showgrounds.

Click on the timetable below for the official Soundwave PDF to open in a new window.

Psyched for QOTSA as always! Also going to their sideshow (Thursday 3rd March). So many I want to see, Melvins (of course), Primus (it's been a while - mid 90's!), Fucked Up, The Bronx, Slash, Kylesa, Slayer, Monster Magnet (on a bit early team Soundwave?!?), maybe a few others... I'll definately have to check out Iron Maiden. I wont be able to see their whole set so hopefully I'll fluke hearing Number Of The Beast... yes, I know it's their "most well known" song, but it's fuckin awesome and I love it!!!

Missing loads of sideshows but with STP, Eddie Vedder solo and every KYUSS LIVES gig coming up, it's a monster effort ahead already!

Congrats to all the Triple J Unearthed Soundwave winners... especially the awesome Chainsaw Hookers for Perth! You guys kick massive arse !!!

RAWK'n'ROLL lml

Adalita (Magic Dirt) Solo Debut & Tour news.

2011-02-22T19:38:00.000+11:00

The goddess of Australian rock is set to release her debut album through Liberation on March 4th. Magic Dirt's Adalita has an awesome career behind her with some of Australia's best releases from the band. The last couple of years have seen her play a handful of solo gigs leading up to a National support slot with Blondie and The Pretenders in December of last year. She released the 'Hot Air' EP on November 26th and had been steadily working toward finalising the release of the album. I'm sure it's been a long road after losing her long time friend and band mate Dean Turner who also worked with her on the recording of the album. I interviewed Adalita before her Empress solo show on 31st July and asked her how she felt finshing the album "So it feels like a big weight is just about to be lifted off cause its been really hard work getting it all together. Every step of the way its been very hard work but worth it."

Her solo gigs have been some of the best I have ever been to. The raw emotion that fills the room and completely captivates your attention is overwhelming and such a pleasure to be a part of. The songs are personal and Adalita puts so much more of herself out there without the band behind her. It is something that everyone should witness.

To conincide with the release of her debut, there is also a string of tour dates with special guest Amaya Laucirica, another Melbourne singer-songwriter. Amaya is Melbourne's very own Hope Sandoval and is just beautiful to hear.

Grab a copy of the EP now. It features 'Hot Air', taken from the solo album, 'Fur Seal' and 'Taxi Club', two unreleased new tracks and 'Wrapped Up', a cover of an Eddy Current Suppression Ring song.

Adalita & Amaya tour dates:
Thursday 24 March - The Great Northern, Byron Bay
Friday 25 March - Old Museum, Brisbane
Saturday 26 March - Miami Tavern, Gold Coast
Friday 1 April - The Loft, Warrnambool
Saturday 2 April - ECU Bowls club, Mt Lawley
Sunday 3 April - Indi bar, Scarborough
Thursday 7 April - Bended Elbow, Geelong
Friday 8 April - Karova Lounge , Ballarat
Saturday 9 April - Toff In Town, Melbourne
Thursday 14 April - Transit Bar, Canberra
Friday 15 April - The Great Northern, Newcastle
Saturday 16 April - Sandringham Hotel , Sydney
Sunday 17 April - Clarendon Guesthouse, Katoomba
Wednesday 20 April - Irish Murphy’s, Launceston
Thursday 21 April - Republic Bar, Hobart
Thursday 5 May - Grace Emily, Adelaide

Adalita on Myspace.
Amaya Laucirica.com.
Check out the Something Sweet solo reviews for The Retreat // The Empress & The Empress interview.

Muscle Car / Speed Demons @ the Tote.

2011-02-22T10:35:00.000+11:00

Flood Relief 2011 @ the Tote.
Sunday 20th Feb, 2011.

An awesome day of killer bands and saucy burlesque with everyone donating their time to raise some much needed cash for those affected by the floods.

Their were quite a few punters keen to check out the day, sausage sizzle, beer, bands and burlesque - what else do you need? I must've walked in not long after the Cosmic Psychos had finished their set. I haven't seen them live for years. That would've been perfect. The band room was pretty packed as a burlesque starlet strutted her stuff. While she was pouring potions and making cocktails, giggles and wolf whistles could be heard throughout the smiling crowd. I saw a couple of burleque dancers and they rocked it. Women all dressed up, from tattooed jungle queen to the cutest girl next door dream, they put on a show that sometimes even made the girls all blush!

Next up was the driving machine that is Muscle Car. They sounded the best I've ever heard them. Muscle Car is an understatment, Roadtrain is more appropriate. Rory's drums were a thundering giant hellbent on destruction. MC pride themselves on being loud. They were fuckin loud. It was awesome. Damo was on fire tonight, jumping around a bit more than usual and revving the hell out of the punters. There was a few friendly heckles referring to the band sounding somewhat familiar and although Damo likes to let everyone know they blatantly rip off Motorhead, which is also always worn with pride, the machine was more than well oiled and rockin their own sound. The band are tight, fast and come at you like a tornado. They are killer and well worth getting along to a gig to see them live. I would have liked to have heard James lead a bit louder at times, it looked like he might have been thinking the same thing. He plays some mean guitar so why not stick to the motto - play it loud! Dave's dreads are a weapon. He was rockin it too but I'd like to see him up against Puffy from Faith No More in a mosh to the death.

Muscle Car are about to begin writing and recording some new material... keep an ear out...

In the meantime, check out the live recording of "Sandra Sully" from the set. I just filmed it on my digital camera, not the best for footage, so keep that in mind as it not only loses quality but some of the fuckin rawk of pub rock guts and glory!!!

Speaking of which, have you ever seen the Speed Demons live? I hadn't and saw them setting up after Muscle Car. I was there to support the mighty Muscle Car but thought to myself that these old punkers look pretty intriguing. The kit looked like the Rising Sun had beat the shit out of Meg White's kit and appropriately won. It's owner like a smooth rockabilly dude wearing a slight smirk like he'd just set up a prank that no one else knew about yet. The bass player was tall and lean with a hint of nonchalant Uncle Fester about him. The guitarist was the guy who sparked my interest most. A slightly happily crazed looking old schooler covered in tatts, a mohawk that says "I'm here, but I've been there and done that so I don't need to be 6ft high and spike your eyes out to prove nothin". He was weilding an axe that Dimebag Darrell would've loved. I asked a mate about them and from what he said thought, yeah, I'll hang around for this.

The minute they started it was awesome. After seeing Muscle Car and then Speed Demons, it was like both of Motorhead's bastard son's had returned to the scene of the crime to burn the fuckin house down! This is the shit that all these pansy arsed 90's punk bands wished they sounded like. Fast and rough as guts. Smeer's vocal training has clearly been in the smokey pubs he's played in over the years yelling abuse at all the pretty girls that are too scared to go down the front. They killed it! I'd never heard them before but am 200% converted. With songs like Mutha Fuckin Trucka and Do You Wanna Fuck, who wouldn't love 'em!

As well as kick arse music, the on stage rants between songs were pretty funny. Yelling out at the girls to get down the front because "This is real no bullshit rock'n'roll! We are the sensational Speed Demons!". Yes you are. Fuck yeah!

I was spewin I couldn't find their merch slut after the set to pick up a CD, but Grant the bass player was no where to be found. Had a quick chat to Smeer after, cool guy that as well as playing in bands for 30 years, he's also been a tattooist for 24 yeats and currently works out of Taboo Tattoo in Blackburn.

Rub And Tug Records have released a live Speed Demons album 'Play Hard, Go Fast' as well as a live CD from Smeer's legendary 80's hardcore band Depression.

Muscle Car: Myspace // Facebook.
Speed Demons: Myspace // Facebook.

For more photo's of the gig, check out my Disgracebook page...

Mammoth Mammoth, BUDD, King Parrot @ The Prague

2011-02-17T23:12:00.002+11:00

KING PARROT play The Prague Friday 25th February.

I had to post this massive because it looks fuckin awesome!!!

If you haven't been to The Prague yet, you're in for a treat. It's not all about Fitzroy and Collingwood anymore if you want to rock out north of the city. It's moving further up the tram lines and out to where it's needed. Northcote Social Club has been crankin for some time, Thornbury Records has recently opened it's doors and The Prague has come a long way with its current booker. There are some shit hot bands playing and loads of space inside to take in whoever's killin it up on stage.

Saturday 12th saw Budd, Mammoth Mammoth, Devilrock Four and Battle Axe Howlers get the punters more than a little crazy. It was Battle Axe Howlers first gig and they brought their Sunbury crew down for one hell of a good time. Glasses were raised and friendly heckles were had. They rocked out and got the crowd wanting more. Devilrock Four were a little more polished and I didn't see most of their set but they had everyone rockin.

Once the mighty strength of Mammoth Mammoth hit the stage it was unquestionable that the rawk had us buy the throat. Featuring new bassist, Spliff Burton, their pub rock style of balls-in-your-back-pocket and swinging-from-the-rafters venue annihilation was well underway by the first riff. There was no cover of Kyuss' Green Machine this time round, just their own killer sounds to make you bang your head. Stoked that Engulfed By Flames found its way into the set. Shit hot song that features Mikey's vocals a little more than the usual and a kick arse drum solo by the bigger than Bonham beats of Bones.

Budd are always a force to be reckoned with. You need a chainsaw to cut through their sound. Chunky bass driven low end grooves that leave your ears bleeding and wanting more. These guys have had a loyal following since the early 90's and some of the old crew were there yelling out between songs for Chopsumfuckinwood and Petrol. OK so it was me yelling out for Chopsumfuckinwood... They didn't disappoint opening with Pivot, 12minusone and Venturi, all from 1998's Prana. Nothing unortunately from my fav, 1993's Yakfat. The epitome of all things bass driven with more bottom end than Kim Kardashian.

The Prague were awesome and know how to put on a good night. I'd be getting on down to check out some gigs and support the building northern scene. If we get to these venues and support them we can keep them going and getting shit hot bands to kill it live.

King Parrot is one of those bands.

They may be new on the scene but they know their shit. Featuring past and present members of some of the Australia's most kick arse pub bands, Bloodduster, Cockfight Shootout, The Wolves, Stiff Meat, Watchdog Discipline & The Berzerker. On their Facebook bio they say "The songs are short and hard delivered with blistering intent. Uncompromising. And they will stop at nothing to deliver a kick in the face." You can't ask for more than a broken nose.

Also playing are The Day Everything Became Nothing, Party Vibez and Maniaxe.

Mammoth Mammoth: Myspace // Facebook
Budd: Myspace
Devilrock Four: Myspace // Facebook
King Parrot: Myspace // Facebook
The Prague
Thornbury Records

Check out some more dodgy photo's on my DisgraceBook page...

+ the Something Sweet To Throw Away write up on Thornbury Records...

See you there.

Chainsaw Hookers - Need your help!

2011-02-10T12:34:00.001+11:00

If I was going to be bludgeoned to death by a speaker, I would want Chainsaw Hookers screaming out at me!

These guys are killer live and make you want to head butt the dude standing still next to you. "What are you thinking? Put your Cruiser down and move your fuckin arse!"

They need you to get onto the Triple J Unearthed site and rate their tunes...

Chainsaw Hookers:
Site // Myspace // Facebook // Bandcamp.

Have a read of the Mammoth Mammoth / Chainsaw Hookers - Something Sweet review.

Check out the Ride The Venom clip... it's fuckin awesome!