Mosh Pit Son

Creedence

2012-01-30T22:04:00.001+10:00

If you've been a reader of mine for any time longer than a few months, you're probably aware of my rather angry approach to Byron Bay Blues Fest and how it considers Brisbane to be next door, so we don't get side shows.

That in itself makes this show announcement confusing. But there's so many aspects of it that confuses the heck out of me. But first, who is it?

Well, it's John Fogerty. Lead singer of a little band from a long time ago that was known as Creedence Clearwater Revival.

Years and years ago, Cosmos Factory by CCR was one of the first albums my dad every bought. To this day, it still sits on my shelf and gets played to death. CCR is just one of those bands with a unique sound (southern swamp rock) that you just know and recognize anywhere. And a lot of this is due to John Fogerty's voice. So unique, that he got sued for sounding too much like himself. I shit you not.

He won, but had to pay a tonne of royalties to play any CCR song. Which brings me to confusing point number 2: this tour is him playing a classic album in full. Some towns get Cosmos Factory, some towns get Green River.

Brisbane, much to my disappointment, get Green River. But never fear, at the same time he'll play a lot of other CCR songs and even some of his classic solo hits, which he had a few of.

April 5th, Entertainment Centre.

The big problem for me, is that there are 3 other shows I'm desperate to see that day: Sublime (with Rome), Taking Back Sunday and the G3 guitar tour. CHRIST. Which one?!

One Sentence Album Reviews (#20)

2012-01-30T21:17:00.000+10:00

Ahhh! So close to the end of my 2011 list. A few more CDs and I'm moving on to the 2012 collection.

Howling Bells - The Loudest Engine (2011): another indie album from the ex-pats with beautifully haunting female vocals 3.7/5

The Subways - Money and Celebrity (2011): a very up-beat pop/grunge/punk album, with a beat great for jogging. It's very fun 4.6/5

Blink 182 - Neighborhoods (2011): After realizing it's not immature-joke punk, it's an album that grows on you. Reminds me of Boxcar Racer 3.7/5

Tori Amos - Night Of Hunters (2011): A very orchestral, almost cinematic album full of Tori's beautiful voice 4.7/5

The Smith Street Band - No One Gets Lost Anymore (2011): a masterclass in writing hella-emotional and catchy sing-a-long folk-punk 4.5/5

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - ST (2011): Surprising album that shows why he is a great songwriter. he's still got it 4.8/5

The Jezabels - Prisoner (2011): Obviously schooled in the Nick Cave style, this has dark lyrical content & a sound of great 80s post-punk 4.4/5

New Found Glory - Radiosurgery (2011): at their age can they still make pop-punk songs about teenage stuff? The answer: yes 3.8/5

Into It. Over It. - Proper (2011): Another one of those pop-punk albums that sound similar. Just can't get into it, I'm kind of over it 2.9/5

Tom Waits - Bad As Me (2011): Tom's most pop album yet? He still throws in so many random instruments and sounds though 4.5/5

Raein - Sulla Linea D'orizzonte Tra Questa Mia Vita e Quella Di Tutti (2011): Italian (real)screamo band's free album reminds me of how good scramz can be sometimes, without being extreme 3.8/5

No Anchor - Real Pain Supernova (2011): Imagine the bass from Fugazi being doubled up (2 basses!), lengthened and made into sludge metal 4/5

Bridge and Tunnel - Rebuilding Year (2011): it borders between orgcore and post-hardcore, but fuck genres, it's a rad punk album 4/5

Tony Sly - Sad Bear (2011): As far as former punks doing alt-country-folk goes, this is not that good. 2.5/5

Bush - The Sea Of Memories (2011): There's glimpses of their former past in there, but I still blame Gwen Stefani for making Gavin too happy 2.6/5

Samiam - Trips (2011): a good punk rock album that makes me think "this is what I want Alkaline Trio to always sound like" 4/5

Kasabian - Velociraptor (2011): Their stoner-indie-rock has lost a lot of its electronic edge to have a very brit-rock (even Beatles) sound 4/5

VA - (Ahk-toong Bay-bi) Covered (2011): Great covers by amazing artists celebrating U2's classic album. This is 100x better than the original 4.6/5

Florence + the Machine - Ceremonials (2011): Bringing opera and soul music to the indie hipsters since 2007, now to the pop-music world 3.5/5

VA - Come As You Are: A 20th Anniversary Tribute to Nirvana's 'Nevermind' (2011): My favourite tribute so far, includes a quirky mewithoutYou cover 4.5/5

The Black Keys - El Camino (2011): hard to believe it's 2 guys making such a sonically rich album; finally taking blues-roots mainstream 4.8/5

Snow Patrol - Fallen Empires (2011): the ultimate Greys Anatomy soundtrack now channels the Postal Service with more electronica 2.8/5

Los Campesinos! - Hello Sadness (2011): Lyrically dark & depressing twee-pop that makes you lonely and happy at the same time 4/5

Johnny Foreigner - Vs Everything (2011): punkier, less produced Los Campesinos! I listened to the 2 back-to-back and didn't notice a change 3.8/5

The Dear Hunter - The Color Spectrum (Complete) (2011): Epical prog-indie journey representing all colours. Misses sometimes, overall good 4.3/5

H2O - Don't Forget Your Roots (2011): A cover album of classic hardcore/punk songs, made kind of soft and pop-punky by H2O. 3.6/5

Spank Rock - Everything Is Boring And Everyone Is A Fucking Liar (2011): Okay beats under some less thank okay rapping 3/5

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones - The Magic Of Youth (2011): Who said ska is dead? Not these guys. They've still got it 4.5/5

Guthrie - ST (2011): my dad, the old blues loving soul that he is, loves the dirty modern blues of this album. So do I 4.4/5

Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto (2011): Every Coldplay album is radio pop, with one song I really love. This album breaks that mold. Not one good song 2.4/5

VA-ZZ Top:A Tribute From Friends(2011):Some good covers, even Coheed sounding 80's rock. But it has Nickelback ruining my fav song: Legs 3/5

Pangea - Living Dummy (2011): a garage rock record that sounds like it was lost from the 60's 3.8/5

Pianos Become The Teeth - The Lack Long After (2011): soundds like a dirtier/more falsetto Touche Amore. Very similar styles 3.5/5

San Cisco

2012-01-19T19:33:00.001+10:00

San Cisco is an indie band from Perth that obviously has their pulse on what the audience is digging right now. And that is that dreamy-surf-pop, with the male/female vocals and a very retro-beach feel. Because that's exactly what they are.

But unlike 75% of the music that paragraph just described, I really like San Cisco. There's something less pretentious about their music (at least to me). And you know, any band that makes it out of Perth has got to be good. It's hard competition over there, in the most isolated city in the world.

They'll be coming through Brisbane on February 17th to Alhambra. 18+. If you want to check out some of their music, for free, before hand, head to their Triple J Unearthed site.

Free Music Friday 36! The father-bonding edition

2012-01-19T19:27:00.003+10:00

My dad is the man to thank for all of my music tastes. He has influenced me over the years. And the thing he's big on is blues inspired rock. And zydeco, which may be where I got my ska love from.

I got a CD the other day that I just had to make him listen to. They're called Guthrie. And don't even think I'm going to post a picture of them, because it's a Google nightmare. So many musicians in the world with the name Guthrie.

What Guthrie, an Australian two-piece, do is make real raw and gritty blues-rock. It's almost downright dirty. These boys from Tasmania play the blues-rock you'd expect to come out of the dirty south of America, not Australia. There's a bit of lewd subject matter, but that suits them perfectly. You can draw many parallels to the White Stripes, Mess Hall and the Black Keys (all two-piece blues-ish inspired bands), but Guthrie just makes it heaver and dirtier. Which, if you look at a lot of what I blog, appeals to me.

So head on over to their Triple J Unearthed site and get all the free music of theirs that you can handle. I'd recommend a nice jug of whiskey to go with it.

2011: Best of Photos

2012-01-19T19:10:00.000+10:00

2011 was a big year for me in photography. I got my first SLR at the end of 2010 and up to July 2011 I only was able to take band photos in little venues after sweet talking the bouncers. By the end of 2011 I had photographed two massive festivals of international bands, broken 1 lens mid-Future of the Left gig, broken 1 camera mid-Soundwave Counter-Revolution festival, had photos printed in a magazine (in Canberra of all places) and been able to get up close with so many bands I loved.

It's been fun. I would like to thank Alternative Music Hub and Tone Deaf for allowing me to occasionally photograph for them. 2012 will see me dragging my camera wherever possible and hopefully being able to take some more larger bands/festival photos. If you're reading this and you want me to take photos for your publication/band/etc, please hit me up on photo@moshpitson.com.

Now that's all done, here's my favourite live music photos I took last year. This list has been impossible to make as I keep changing my mind and I tried to only limit it to 1 photo per show.

20. The Chariot, Sun Distortion Studios, April 20

This gig was absolutely insane. Despite being a small room with one small bulb from the roof making for horrible lighting, the band was so crazy that most photos turned out. Even this one of the bass player being carried out the door while still playing.

19. The Damned Things, Soundwave Counter-Revolution, Riverstage, September 24

Although not an action shot, I just really enjoy this picture of Damned Things/Every Time I Die lead singer Keith Buckley walking off stage. (See the full gallery here)

18. The Walkmen, Harvest Festival, Riverstage, November 19

I had been waiting the better part of a decade to see the Walkmen. This picture of the lead singer looking suave and slightly 1950s is everything I had ever imagined about this band. (See the full gallery here)

17. The Grates, Tivoli, October 28

Patience, the energetic lead singer, is generally the focus of attention in the Grates live show. However, in this picture, John shows he can still get his boogie on. (See the full gallery here)

16. Alesana, Soundwave Counter-Revolution, Riverstage, September 24

I may not be the biggest fan of their music, but their live show was sure fun to watch. Even though my camera was minutes away from breaking, this shot of the guitarist mid-dance at the back of the stage managed to capture some of the action. (See the full gallery here)

15. Army of Champions, the Jubilee, November 17

It was the first time I had seen, let alone heard of, this band and I fell in love. This picture captures all of them singing/shouting at once, in the Against Me! punk vibe they put out.

14. Man Overboard, The Globe, September 3

Whenever I watch a punk show, it's always my goal to get a picture of a guitar jump. It's bloody hard and very rarely works out. This shot was taken just as I put the flash on my camera and before I even had it set up properly and it needed a lot of post-editing to not be dark. The post-editing gave it a very old-school film feel I think. (See the full gallery here)

13. Raein, Sun Distortion Studios, December 31

This was one of the last photos I took in 2011, of the Italian screamo band playing the last Sun Distortion Studios show. The whole energy of the set was intense, with almost everyone in the band screaming into any microphone that was near them and just jumping around like madmen. Was a great way to see out 2011.

12. Periphery, the Zoo, July 29

The first gig I shot for any reason apart from for fun. Although I had to jostle with the crowd a lot to get shots, they were just fun to photograph. Every shot I took had them in different poses and it was really hard to pick a single photo for the best of list! (See the full gallery here)

11. Nuclear Summer, Sun Distortion Studios, December 31

Nuclear Summer will go down as one of my favourite local bands in 2011. This shot shows basically everyone you see regularly at gigs in Brisbane just getting into the song as well.

10. The National, Harvest Festival, Riverstage, November 19

The lighting, the mist, the composition... I think it really just goes hand in hand with the style of music that is the National. (See the full gallery here)

9. La Dispute, the Zoo, January 25

Adam Vass screaming into the mike. This was my favourite photo for the first half of the year.

8. Architecture in Helsinki, the Tivoli, September 25

I couldn't take my eyes or lens off the front man of Architecture in Helsinki. I think of this picture as the hipster music version of Egon from Ghostbusters. (See the full gallery here)

7. Every Time I Die, HiFi, September 23

The second Keith Buckley picture of the top 10. He's just such an an enigmatic front man, you can't help to take a lot of photos of him. This photo was part of a set of photos I took of him just tossing the microphone around in between singing. (See the full gallery here)

6. Trash Talk, Step Inn, February 25

This was taken the night before Soundwave festival, in a special flood benefit fundraiser in the small band room of the Step Inn. Trash Talk, as always, were absolutely nuts on stage and barely kept still. This photo made the countdown purely for the expression of the guy on the side of stage. That's what everyone feels like after watching the insanity and non-stop movement of the Trash Talk live show.

5. Jim Ward, Alhambra, August 13

If I was to give an award for the worst lighting in a venue to take photos in, it would be Alhambra. One spot light and a mirror behind the performer. But I managed to get this shot with the lights above the bar reflected beautifully in the mirror. Artistic almost. (See the full gallery here)

4. AC4, The Zoo, April 7

I was lucky enough to see Dennis Lyxzen (lead singer of Refused/International Noise Conspiracy) twice this year in different forms. Dennis is renowned for his stage performane, and at the Zoo in his hardcore band AC4 he showed us all why. Despite only landing in Australia a few hours earlier, he danced like a mad man and finished writhing on the floor while still singing.

3. Touche Amore, Old Museum, September 8

I got to take most of my pictures on stage, which is rare for me in such a large venue. I was singing along the whole time and this whole band photo, with Jeremy screaming, was turned into a poster for my friend Jess who's hand is sticking out in the crowd. (See the full gallery here)

2. Flaming Lips, Harvest Festival, Riverstage, November 19

Anyone who has seen a Flaming Lips show will know about how insane it is. The photo pit was packed and I took about 400 photos just of the first 3 songs of these guys. So much was going on it was so hard to keep up with the action. This is a shot of Wayne just as he unleashed streamers from his blow gun, with more streamers in the background and all of the photographers trying to get a good angle. (See the full gallery here)

1. Fucked Up, Alhambra, December 9

What you can't see is the fact that I'm singing like a manic into the microphone while taking this photo.

Bomb the Music Industry

2012-01-19T17:50:00.000+10:00

I've harped on and on about this band before and not just because of this awesome fan-made music video:

Or because every release they've ever done is available for free download on their website.

Or because they follow the Fugazi DIY method, cheap all-ages shows.

That all adds up, but I love them because of their goddamn fun punk and ska. Just listening to them makes you think a show would be ridiculous amounts of fun.

But that DIY methodology meant that there was probably no chance of them coming over. And then today I heard some news that made me go straight out and change my underpants twice over, because I was just that goddamn excited. Heck, as I type this now I'm smiling like a fool.

Yes, they are coming down under. And playing with the Smith St Band. In what basically amounts to a small room. Between the Walls. On the 1st of March. I'm so goddamn excited about this. I've got goosebumps right now. I went to buy tickets the second this got announced, but they're not out yet. But never fear, I've been checking every 30 minutes or so.

I can't wait. I'll be there, probably camera in hand and still skanking like an idiot.

Mountain Goats

2012-01-19T17:30:00.001+10:00

Regular emo music doesn't make me sad, unlike a lot of my friends. But for some reason, the down-to-earth honest folk music of The Mountain Goats does a thing on me. His real lyrics always touch me deep emotionally.

That song made me cry for most of 2005. The addition of sock puppets makes it even more depressing.

Despite being mildly obsessed with the Mountain Goats for a year or two in my early 20s, I never actually got around to seeing them. But (come on, you knew there'd be a but and a seque into announcing a tour) they'll be playing the Zoo May 4. Come cry with me.

Bluesfest third announcement; Chuck assumes the fetal position and spends the rest of the night crying

2012-01-19T17:24:00.000+10:00

I've been avoiding posting too much about Bluesfest, because it just makes me sad. I can't make the festival down in Byron, and because of their "Brisbane=Byron" stance (THEY ARE NOT EVEN IN THE SAME FUCKING STATE) we get zero sideshows. Most years, there's a few bands/acts (*cough*cough* Bob Dylan) that makes me incredibly upset. But this year it's basically the whole lineup. I don't want to rehash, so just go look here.

Normally third announcements are just filler, local bands and for-contractual-reasons late announcements, but fucking hell, this Bluesfest third announcement is just rubbing salt in my already open and bleeding wound.

Ziggy Marley.
Richard Clapton.
John Fogerty.

JOHN FUCKING FOGERTY. That voice so distinct that you can recognize a Creedence Clearwater Revival song anywhere. The voice so unique and amazing he got sued for sounding too much like himself. Bloody hell Bluesfest. I hate you.

Hoodoo Gurus

2012-01-19T17:14:00.001+10:00

I unashamedly love 80's Australian rock. Maybe it's part of my upbringing, but if you go through my record shelf you'll see lots of 7", 12" and casettes of great Australian pub rock bands of my dad's youth. A lot of it are Hoodoo Guru's 7" singles too. There's something about them I just love.

And it's not just their great fashion style.

Recently they've been still doing the pub-rock circuit, so it was with surprise that I saw an announcement today for them playing a very large Brisbane venue, the Tivoli. And then looking at the lineup, it's because it's going to be the ultimate retro-garage rock tour!

Brisbane's date includes the Sonics and that band best known for their catchy song in Kill Bill, the 5.6.7.8's. It's a good line up, but I feel we miss out on the retro vibe, with some other cities getting the Hard-ons, Royal Headache, Died Pretty and members of Radio Birdman! And if you don't know most of the bands I'm talking about, you probably think classic Australian rock is just about Cold Chisel, nothing else. If that's the case, I pity you.

April 20, The Tivoli.

Brisbane almost gets a Laneway sideshow... almost

2012-01-19T17:05:00.001+10:00

Brisbane's not very well known for getting sideshows for music festivals. So when Laneyway was announced, I was 50-50 on going. There's a few bands I really want to see, but not enough to justify a whole festival expense. We never get sideshows though.

Then today, at rather short notice, a sort-of-Brisbane sideshow got announced. For the Drums, one of the bands I really wanted to see.

When I say "sort-of" I mean Byron Bay. Only a few hours drive away. It's January 29, at the Northern. I'm thinking it's a good reason to cram my car full of hipsters and go for a drive though.

Holly Throsby

2012-01-19T16:55:00.000+10:00

It sucks when you hear a tour and the first thing you go is "oh man, the Captain would love to go with that to me!" and then you realize the Captain passed away earlier this year. Well damn. Holly Throsby was definitely one of those acts that he'd go with me to see. Because you see, the Captain had a love of all things female singer-songwriters.

Well, on less depressing news, this will be a beautiful gig. For a handy sum of about $20, you can go see Holly at the old Troubadour, better known now as the Black Bear Lodge. It's on the 29th of March and I really can't imagine a better place in Brisbane suited for her.

The Exploited

2012-01-16T20:20:00.001+10:00

Not long after I first moved in with Clus, he had me listening to all sorts of punk music I didn't know much of. One of the bands he showed me, which I've become slightly obsessed with, is the Exploited.

Formed by a former Scottish soldier in the early 80s, they've spent 30+ years playing hardcore punk like the 80's never disappeared. Mohawks, stage diving, blood, fighting, riots, police and loud angry music is what epitomises their style. I bloody love it. Think of all of the punk show scenes in SLC Punk. That's what the Exploited is about.

Expect me to have a mohawk come April 26 at the HiFi.

Chuck's teen years: the tour

2012-01-16T20:13:00.002+10:00

If you were ever a passenger in my car in my teenage years, especially in summer, you would've listened to one of three albums: Taking Back Sunday's Tell All Your Friends, New Found Glory's Sticks and Stones and Bouncing Souls How I Spent My Summer Vacation.

The other day a tour was announced featuring all but Bouncing Souls. The little 16 year old in front of me jumped for joy. In fact, as I type this, I'm wearing my Taking Back Sunday shirt I bought at a show in Chicago circa 2002.

(I came way too close to getting lyrics from that song tattooed on me when I was about 18)

Sure, their first albums hold a special place in my heart, but over the last decade both of the bands have put out such strong and quality albums. If you want to relive your teen years with me, come to the Tivoli on April 5, but only if you're over 18.

Aqua

2012-01-16T20:09:00.001+10:00

If you're anywhere close to my age, you'll probably know all of the words to this song:

So why am I posting about a two-hit pop-music wonder from the 90s? Well, they're touring Australia. Not only that, they've already sold out two shows (one in Melbourne and one in Sydney). Amazing huh? Based off this news, I imagine there aren't many more tickets left for the Brisbane show a the HiFi on March 8, or at the Coolangatta Hotel on March 9. Both are 18+, because no one under the age of 18 will know who they are.

More Brisbane Soundwave goodness

2012-01-16T20:06:00.000+10:00

Given ticket sales across this festival season, I'd say Soundwave is by far the most popular one, being the only festival so far to sell out in the Brisbane/South-East Queensland area.

Sideshow #1
Going hand in hand with this is more sideshows in our fine part of the country! Two more have been announced for Brisbane. The first one features a punk band that seems to be on our shores every year but always puts on a good show to a large crowd. It's Unwritten Law, supported by Zebrahead and Royal Republic at the HiFi, February 28.

Sideshow #2
The other one is for music fans about 20 years younger than the Unwritten Law crowd. I'm not a big fan of this show, but I'm sure some of my readers may be interested. It's A Day to Remember, The Used and You Me At Six. This show is All Ages at the Eatons Hill Hotel on February 27.

Cancellation/replacement
In actual Soundwave festival news, the crazy metal band Dragonforce has had to pull out due to recording rescheduling. They've been replaced with two bands I know very little about: Switchfoot and Paradise Lost.

Small news

2012-01-16T19:28:00.000+10:00

This is a collection of music news that isn't large enough to warrant a whole dedicated post to itself.

Death Grips
The Death Grips show at the Zoo, one week from today, has been cancelled. Not sure why.

La Dispute
I'm not the only one in Brisbane that likes this band I guess, they've added a third Brisbane show to their tour, which is a second AA show. February 21 at Between the Walls.

Trapped Under Ice
I haven't listened to them much, hence no big blog post, but the 90's hardcore-sounding Americans, Trapped Under Ice, are coming to start mosh pits through out Australia. March 1, Snitch (X and Y) 18+, March 2, Between the Walls AA.

Good Australian folk music
I've talked about the Beards before, a folk comedy (I consider it more truth though) band that sings every song about facial hair. They are great fun and I suggest you get to the Zoo on March 30th to see them. It's only $15.

Good Brisbane punk music
One of my favourite local punk/ska/whatever they want band is the Black Market. They're playing a punk show at the Zoo this Saturday (the 21st) for $10. Can't think of any reason not to go to this.

Good Australian rock music
A few years ago, Children Collide were one of my favourite Australian bands. Although not hearing much from them lately, it turns out they are still going, recording a new album, releasing a new single and touring to support it.

March 16, Elsewhere Bar, Gold Coast
March 17, the Zoo.

Bah, copycats
Spin magazine, who've been music reviewing for a long time, have decided to do the same thing I do. Twitter reviews. If you want to read my reviews, nestled between whatever else I post, check out my Twitter.

Reunions et al

2012-01-10T21:55:00.002+10:00

Last week I was musing on Twitter about the rumours of two of my favourite bands reforming. I said that as much as I'd like to see either At the Drive-In or Refused reunite, I'd be afraid. They both left on amazing albums and have built a legacy and a legend that is way bigger than they ever were as bands. If they came back, like most reunions, it would shatter everything they once were about.

Well today both of them were announced as reuniting for Coachella. Just look at this line up:

I'm already looking up tickets to California just to attend. The Refused press release hints at it being a one-off show only. At the Drive-In's new website hints to something bigger. The thing about both bands though, is that they were known for outlandish small venue shows and showmanship. Having seen various members of both bands randomly throughout the year, I can vouch for this (AC4, Jim Ward, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez).

I want to see them, but goodness I hope it's short lived and doesn't undersell their value like the Pixies did.

Time will tell...

Free Music Friday 35!

2012-01-05T20:23:00.001+10:00

Today's free music friday is inspired by Adam Collins, the rad dude who drums, amongst other things, for a band named Japan For. He asked me the other day for some new ska recommendations. I must admit, I was stuck for a while.

Ska is my favourite genre. Well it was, but it's taken a back seat lately for no apparent reason. Sure I still listen to it, but I don't go and actively search for it like I used to. Luckily he rekindled my yearning for it, in conjunction with the radio station 4ZZZ.

You see, just the other day I was blaring 4ZZZ while driving around doing chores and they had a visting Sydney band do an acoustic set. And that set was awesome acoustic ska.

Further investigation, and hastily written notes on my hand while driving, lead me to find out this band was called Steppin' Razor, a punk-ska-reggae band from down south. And although they aren't as active these days, they have released every song they've ever done for free on their website. You can get it all by clicking right here.

If you're a fan of Rancid, Operation Ivy, Star Fucking Hipsters or anything of that vein, I don't see any reason why you wouldn't love this as well.

2011: Best of gigs

2012-01-03T09:08:00.000+10:00

2011 was my most musically productive year, in regards to gigs. Over the last 365 days I went to 64 gigs/festivals. This smashes my previous years by a long margin. I imagine the increase is due to my photography, but I like to think it was just a great year for live music in Australia!

There was the normal year starter of Future of the Left, followed by festivals in torrential rain, festivals in crazy heat, multiple trips to Melbourne and Sydney for shows, in-store performances, orchestras, flood-benefit shows, cover bands, friends' bands, classic bands playing arena shows, bands I've waited most of my life to see, my favourite band of all time and lots of new bands I'd never heard of before yet became instant fans. What a year.

Despite my bemoaning of the death of the festival, there were too many good ones for me to pass up this year. Most years I'll go to 2 or 3, but this year I went to 6, 2 of them as a photographer. Considering one of them was a 2 day festival (in torrential rain a few days before the floods), it was quite a tiring year.

With so many gigs (I think I saw 237 different sets), it's really hard to do a top 5, so I made an internal compromise and came up with my top 8 gigs of the year that was 2011.

8. Off With Their Heads/Against Me! (4 May, 2011 @ the HiFi)
If you've ever seen Against Me! live, you'll probably realise their inclusion in any best-gigs-of-the-year list is mandatory. Through an extended set you could just see them enjoying playing as much as we were enjoying watching. It's rare to get a synergy between a band and a crowd at a venue of a large size like the HiFi, but everyone in the band and the crowd had massive smiles on their face. Throw in a long set list full of classic songs designed to get the crowd pumping their fists and singing along, bring along another great international punk band in Off With Their Heads and you get a great night of punk rock.

(click here for the original review)

7. Sufjan Stevens (26 January, 2011 @ the Tivoli)
This was my first time seeing Sufjan. Although more of a fan of his acoustic-folk, I knew this set would lean towards his newer electronic stuff. I figured it was worth going just to see the few songs I really, really like. What it ended up being was an ethereal all-encompassing experience. Not just a gig, but a whole show. Sufjan conducted a light, laser and balloon show that added incredible depth to his music, allowing me to appreciate it at a new level. And he still played some of the folk classics.

(click here for the original review)

6. Melvins/Primus (3 March, 2011 @ the Palais Theatre, St Kilda)
No surprise this was going to be on my list. Primus is my favourite band, no matter what, and my trip to Melbourne was purely for this show. The venue was sitting only (heavily enforced by the ushers), but it was in ridiculously comfortable leather seats with plenty of room. Kim and I were right near the front of the upper balcony and we first watched an all-out aural assault by the Melvins with 2 drummers following a classic set of Primus, including a few new songs as well.

(click here for the original review)

5. The Chariot (20 April, 2011 @ Sun Distortion Studios)

Their first tour of Australia and they absolutely slaughtered the venue. The opening bands weren't really to my taste, but when the Chariot came on I no longer cared. The stage broke and was carried out in pieces. A yellow pages phone book was ripped in half and thrown in the air. The bass guitar broke a string, something I thought was nigh on impossible. The bass player was carried out of the venue still playing. Everything was destroyed in a full on noise-assault. It ended with everything in pieces and the band slumped to the floor and me wanting to see it all over again.

(click here for the original review, picture gallery and bonus video)

4. Modest Mouse (21 July, 2011 @ the Prince of Wales Bandroom, St Kilda)
I travelled to Melbourne just for this show. There was a fight in a mosh pit (what the fuck Melbourne indie fans?), there was no Johnny Marr, but it was still one of the best times I've seen Modest Mouse play. They played something off almost every album (fairly rare) even a few impromptu acoustic songs that Isaac has obviously forgotten most of the lyrics for... stopping to apologise at the second or third verse. The kicker for me though was the fact the encore saw them playing for an hour and a half longer than they were supposed to. Is there such a thing as too much Modest Mouse? No. Not at all.

3. Harvest Festival (Kevin Devine/This Town Needs Guns/The Holidays/The Walkmen/Mercury Rev/TV on the Radio/Clap Your Hands Say Yeah/Bright Eyes/Mogwai/The National/The Flaming Lips/Portishead) (19 November, 2011 @ the Riverstage)

Granted, any festival featuring the Flaming Lips will blow you away with their fully immersive spectacular. But this festival was enough to make me actually enjoy the whole day, instead of suffering through a day of mediocrity just to see one or two bands I really like. Harvest restored my faith in the music festival. It wasn't just about music, there was plenty other things to do that were actually interesting as well as plenty of art and installations. The grounds were laid out perfectly with no noise-pollution between stages and the bands were top-notch. I may have also cried when the Walkmen played The Rat. What a magnificent day it was. I wish all festivals were even half as good as this.

(click here for the photo gallery I shot of the day over at Tone Deaf)

2. The Mercy Beat/Trash Talk/H2O/The Bronx (25 February, 2011 @ Step Inn)

The night before the Soundwave festival and this was a hard-to-get-tickets-for flood fundraiser in the tiny-ass band room of the Step Inn. Originally supposed to be featuring Terror on the line-up, flight connections meant they missed out, but it didn't stop one of the greatest gigs I've ever been to. Trash Talk played an insane (as always) set, going all out with amazing energy. H2O showed why they are one of the best hardcore bands and featured guest spots by members of New Found Glory and Terror (who just showed up) and the Bronx wowed us all the way through to the wee hours of the morning, even playing a song they never play live: Strobe Life.

(click here for the original review and photo gallery)

1. DZ Deathrays/Fucked Up (9 December, 2011 @ Alhambra)

They put out one of the best albums of the year and then they came out on a stadium tour with the Foo Fighters. Luckily they threw this gig together quickly. Alhambra didn't know what hit it. Fucked Up played an awesome set that had security confused and saw Damian spend most of his time shirtless in the crowd with everyone going crazy (which of course is his normal routine, but it's still great to see). He even stopped the band and retrieved an evicted punter when security got a bit too over the top. It was full of great songs, DZ Deathrays were the secret opening band playing their first Australian show in god knows how long and Fucked Up were nice enough to stay behind afterwards and meet everyone. Of course there's a bit of fanboy-bias in this choice, but it was just an amazing night.

(click here for the original review and here for my Tumblr-based photo gallery)

2011: a retrospective

2012-01-03T08:44:00.004+10:00

Now that 2011's all wrapped up with a loud, screaming bang, it's time to begin the slow process of churning out best of lists. The big one, the albums list, won't be out until February probably, due to the massive stack of CDs still sitting on my desk waiting to be reviewed. But keep an eye out, being a man that loves lists, statistics and all things music related, I'll be putting a lot of random best of lists together in the next 2 months.

Review: Pallisades/Quiet Steps/Nuclear Summer/Loma Prieta/Raien, Sun Distortion Studios, December 31 2011

2012-01-03T08:41:00.001+10:00

I've had such a bad run of New Year Eve parties over the last few years that I decided to do something compeltely different: stay sober and watch some great bands play the last ever show at Sun Distortion Studios. There's been so many great shows there, but I probably won't miss it at all; probably because of the black-eye incident.

At least on NYE I got a good spot on the balcony area to photograph the bands without getting punched in the face. I can't really be bothered writing words for this, so here's some photos of what was a damn good night of scramz (and Quiet Steps) on NYE spent with some of my new friends I've made throughout this year.

Quiet Steps

Nuclear Summer

Loma Prieta

Raein

Free Music Friday 34! The "my new years eve plans" edition

2011-12-30T12:11:00.002+10:00

What are you doing for New Years Eve? Going to a club with 100's of other people, drinking overpriced champagne and generally just hating on humanity as you wait for the bus/train/taxi with 100's of other people after midnight?

I'm not. I'm getting my rock on at the very last Sun Distortion Studio show. It features some great bands from all over the world. The headliners are Italian screamo band Raein and American scream band Loma Prieta. It's going to be a great (and loud) night.

If you're deciding at the last minute to come along, check out Raein's new album "Sulla linea dell'orizzonte fra questa mia vita e quella di tutti gli altri" which you can get for free on their website!

Seriously, if you've got no other plans tomorrow night, get to Sun Distortion Studios. It's 20 bucks. It's BYO and their will be a tonne of great bands.

Murder By Death

2011-12-26T07:58:00.000+10:00

The year: 2003. An 18 year old Chuck sneaks into a bar in Iowa City (drinking age, 21, legal entry age, 19) to watch one of his favourite, yet really new bands, My Chemical Romance, put on a rip-snorting show to about 80 punters in a dive bar with a tiny stage and a low roof named Gabe's Oasis. Their set was high energy and amazing (never to be relived no matter how many times he saw them in the next decade) but it was the opening bands that he remembers fondly.

The first one was a post-hardcore band channeling Muse named Vaux, who's album still gets constant rotation in Chuck's car in 2011. The other was a country-punk band called Murder By Death.

It was the first time I ever heard anything of this sort in my sheltered mid-west American musical upbringing. Of course, these days I'm obsessed with bands like Lucero that do this constantly. But at the time, it was something new and wonderful.

Even my great mate Wes, known more for his love of Christian punk rock, enjoyed them. We bought a matching set of these shot glasses to celebrate the night:

I hope he's still got his, I know I do and always use it when I hear this song... but that's another story.

It's been a long time since I first saw Murder by Death, but now they're bringing their unique style to Australia for the first time, and I imagine this little shot glass will be filled with a lot of whiskey before their show at Woodland on February 25.

Wait... what?! SOUNDWAVE DAY. Ah shit. This fucking blows. That being said, Woodland is notorious for late starting shows, I could probably do both in a day and then be exhausted.

Brisbane Soundwave Sidewave #2

2011-12-26T07:35:00.002+10:00

Marilyn Manson, supported by Coal Chamber and Wednesday 13.

Do I really need to explain this one to you guys? If I do, well then you weren't alive in the 90s and weren't interested in any of the more "heavier" or "controversial" music.

For me, this will be best for Coal Chamber. 13 year old me loved this band.

Eaton's Hill Hotel, February 24. All ages.

Sublime (with Rome)

2011-12-26T07:29:00.001+10:00

To me, Sublime was the soundtrack of my mid-teens, spent lounging around with my birthday buddy Tom, taking our guitars everywhere just playing music and wasting time. To this day, their reggae-ska-punk sound is my perfect summer album.

Of course, the whole Bradley Nowell death thing (RIP) happened before my time, so I never got to see them live. Over the last few years the rest of the band (who are extremely musically-gifted) have formed with a new lead singer (named Rome) to live out the Sublime legend, as well as record a new album, under the name of Sublime With Rome.

I understand what they are doing and it's still pretty good. But it will just never be the same as the original Sublime. Bradley Nowell is just one of those enigmatic people whose struggles and outlook on live is what made the music.

That being said, the new reincarnation of Sublime will be coming to Australia (for the first time in any form of the band) and it will be the only opportunity I will ever get to see these songs live.

April 5, HiFi, 18+

Brisbane Soundwave Sideshow #1

2011-12-22T05:49:00.002+10:00

With the news of Brisbane's Soundwave festival selling out, now begins the agonisingly slow trickle-feed of sideshow announcements, which unlike most festivals, will include a few in our wonderful city.

The first one is a huge metal lineup: Lamb of God, In Flames and the Black Dahlia Murder. I'm already growing my hair out long and strengthening my neck muscles for the black-shirt headbanging I'll be joining in.

It's February 28, all-ages and at the "suddenly having every medium size show ever" venue, Eatons Hill Hotel. Which truly is in the middle of nowhere, and according to my friend, has no public transport after 830. And also isn't technically in Brisbane.

Future Music Festival adds a great band (What the hell, I'll ruin it in the title: NEW FUCKING ORDER!)

2011-12-22T05:41:00.002+10:00

Future Music Festival is the dance festival that normally falls on the same day as Soundwave. For me, Future generally only has 4 or 5 bands I want to see, so it's an easy choice. However, this year, it's the weekend after. I've already blogged the first announcement, which included Aphex Twin and Fatboy Slim, which is almost enough for me to go for.

But now they've added one of the greatest bands the world has ever seen: New Order. NEW FUCKING ORDER (swoon).

Mark Ronson was also announced, but given my downtime in blogging, he's cancelled his appearance since then.

March 3, Doomben Racecourse

Florence and the Machine

2011-12-22T05:35:00.001+10:00

If you haven't heard of Florence and the Machine by now, you must have been living under some sort of sound-blocking rock. Seriously, everyone and their dog now knows this song:

This female fronted indie-pop band are on track to take over the world with their upbeat art-rock tunes. So it's not a surprise that their next tour of Australia will be an upgraded large venue tour. Entertainment centres and sports arenas Australasia-wide will be full of their music soon, or in our case, the Riverstage. May 26.

Hip Hop Holiday! (well just a party)

2011-12-22T05:25:00.002+10:00

Although not an avid fan of the hip-hop and related DJ genre, there's still quite a bit I like. And recently two upcoming shows have caught my eyes, purely for 2 of the names on the lineup.

First up, on January 4, is the (disputed) beatbox champion of the world: Rahzel.

He'll be playing at the HiFi with Pharoahe Monch and DJ jS-1.

The other one is February 25 at the HiFi and features the turntablist of Jurassic 5/Ozomatli, Cut Chemist!

Duran Duran

2011-12-22T05:17:00.001+10:00

I don't know whether to blame my parents or not, but one of my favourite types of music is 80's based synth-pop. It just makes me happy. My second favourite of this era (behind the mighty Tears for Fears) would have to be Duran Duran.

Back in my younger days, this was even our drinking song/music video:

In the real version it's just gratuitous nudity everywhere.

A few years ago I had the wonder, nay, amazement, of seeing them play at V Festival. Surrounded by people 20 years my elder, we all got together and just danced. It was fun and they put on a great show as a band.

I get to live it all again at the Entertainment Centre, March 17th. Unfortunately this time it's almost festival prices, with $99 giving you the far back seats.

Manchester Orchestra

2011-12-22T05:02:00.001+10:00

Manchester Orchestra are one of those bands that have slowly built a solid fanbase through almost word of mouth alone. Up until their latest album, Simple Math, I never really heard them get a mention in anything even close to mainstream.

Which is a pity, as they create some great indie music. Their albums just consist of absolutely beautiful songwriting. You just can't get enough of it.

I've yet to have the privelage of seeing them, but that will change come March 6th, when they play the HiFi. It's only ~$40, as far as international bands go, that's almost a steal!

Review: The week that was (Off!/Future of the Left/Fucked Up/Omar Rodriguez-Lopez Group)

2011-12-12T21:21:00.000+10:00

Last week was one of the best weeks of my life musically. From Sunday to Sunday there were so many bands I wanted to see and just not enough time to indulge it all. I still managed to get to 4 shows and each of them blew me away on exponentially increasing levels of awesomeness.

Off!/Dick Nasty/Mouthguard
December 4, 2011
The Zoo

It all started last Sunday with Off! Fronted by the first Black Flag singer Keith Morris, it was really a journey back to the good old days of hardcore punk. I felt as if I was back to where it all began. In a hot sweaty venue, listening to loud and fast punk, I was home.

The two local bands, Mouthguard with their skinhead punk and Dick Nasty with their comedic hardcore, complimented the night perfectly. Keith not only sang, he entertained us with stories of his past and even his preachier moments weren't too bad. When it came to the end of their set, they kicked it old school and just started playing their set again from the start as an encore.

This whole night made me wish I was back at the very start of Black Flag.

Future of the Left
December 6, 2011
TYM Guitar instore and The Zoo

The band so nice, I saw them twice! I managed to find out at the last second that Future of the Left were playing an instore at TYM guitars, so I headed over there to watch them play 4 songs for free, with about 50 other people. It was a great time, although slightly awkward. The band and the crowd weren't sure how to react.

A few hours later I was upstairs watching Future of the Left do what they do best. They made a lot of noise, played some old songs, played some new songs, played some McLusky songs and tore down their equipment in a large sonic blast at the end of the set, as pictured above. As always, a great bloody band to see live.

Fucked Up/DZ Deathrays
December 9, 2011
Alhambra

When Fucked Up were announced as the openers for the Foo Fighters/Tenacious D tour, I was mighty jealous. When Fucked Up announced they were going on hiatus not long after this tour, I made a pledge to go to wherever they were playing a sideshow. When the shows in Melbourne and Sydney turned out to be during work trips, I cried inside.

And then magically, a little over 2 weeks ago, they announced a club show in Brisbane. I was so excited I got ticket number 2. A pleasanst surprise came from the DZ Deathrays who were the secret opener, playing their noisy 2 piece drum+guitar rock in Australia for the first time in a very long time.

But then.. Fucked Up. Yes. Alhambra wasn't ready for it. The little barricade in front of the stage could barely hold the band or the crowd away from each other. The security didn't know what to do. They threw out someone next to me, but Damian stopped singing and went out and fetched him back in. The set included many songs old and new, playing my favourites Son the Fater, Police and a hardcore cover of Jingle Bells. There were guitarists crowd surfing, half naked lead singers going crazy throw the crowd, and me singing into the microphone while taking a photo (as above). An amazing night. So glad I finally got to see them play a club show.

Being the nicest guys in hardcore, they even stayed back afterwards and got photos taken with us, gave signatures and just chatted. What a night.

Omar Rodriguez-Lopez Group/Le Butcherettes/Coerce
December 11, 2011
The Zoo

No cameras were allowed at all to this gig, so no photos. It was also the busiest I've seen the Zoo yet this year. Sold out completely, the crowd was almost at capacity as Adelaide band Coerce won me over with their sludgy prog-rock.

Le Butcherettes were an experience, featuring Omar on bass and a girl on vocals/guitar/keyboard and another on drums, this Mexican garage punk band broke many hearts and surprised everyone else. The lead singer put in a performance that had everyone spellbound with the lead singer going absolutely nuts in her gothic Alice in Wonderland-esque blood stained outfit. To me, all I could think of was a combination of The Dresden Dolls with old school Yeah Yeah Yeahs and a bit of the Grates, but with a heck of a lot more attitude and energy. The music was great too. They definitely have a new fan with me.

But the reason everyone was there, was of course Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, of At the Drive-In and the Mars Volta fame. He, and his three-piece band, just played an hour of jam numbers characterised by that guitar sound Omar has made his personal trademark. The skill of these three musicians was amazing, especially Omar. And the best part was how thankful he was to be playing for us. This, from a man that has been selling out stadiums for over 10 years and has been the key guitarist of two of the most influential bands of my time. It was such a privelage to witness this.

I don't think I'll ever have another week of music as amazing as last week was. Time now to rest my weary ears.

Free Music Friday 33!

2011-12-08T18:37:00.001+10:00

I've been waiting for this album for what seems like forever now. And finally, it's here. And even better, it's free! The band is Nuclear Summer and they are from Brisbane. And I took this picture of the guitarist doing some finger tapping at Fat Louies.

I've been raving about this band for the better part of the year now, with their mix of noodly riffs, clean harmonies and thrash-like vocals (not surprising, given their lead singer is one of the two from Ironhide). They dub this sound Sunshine Metal... I like that tag.

Their first album is pretty damn good. Get it for free (or give them some a donation) over at Bandcamp.

You can also catch them touring around supporting this album on the following dates:
December 26, Billionaire (18+ and with Mourning Tide!)
December 30, House Show, Sunshine Coast
December 31, Sun Distortion Studios, supporting Raein and Loma Prieta (all ages)

That las tshow is one you do not want to miss out on. Seriously. I just bought my tickets today. It's an all ages show, so it should be done well before midnight so you can still go off and party for NYE and kiss your girl. It also features to great skramz bands, Raein from Italy and Loma Prieta from the USA. It's also the very last show Sun Distortion Studios will host. Which is sad, as it has been an amazing all ages venue in Brisbane.

One sentence album reviews (#19)

2011-12-08T18:05:00.001+10:00

Zebrahead - Get Nice! (2011): Just a fun pop/punk/rock album that doesn't take itself seriously at all, making it enjoyable to listen to 4/5

The Living End - The Ending Is Just The Beginning Repeating (2011): I promised not to write a review saying I miss their rockabilly days. So... um.. yeah. Very mainstream rock 3.4/5

The Horrible Crowes - Elsie (2011): The Gaslight Anthem's lead singer creates a stripped back folk album that is just beautiful 4.6/5

Saves the Day - Daybreak (2011): A surprising upswing in mood from their last 2 albums sees them lapse back in time to sound like 2003 4/5

Engineer - Crooked Voices (2011): Sludgy hardcore that seems to want to be metal, but just can't quite get there with it's vocals 3.6/5

Powerman 5000 - Copies, Clones & Replicants (2011): sounds like a bad nu-metal band butchers good songs to sound like bad new wave 2/5

VA - A Tribute To Alkaline Trio (2011): 39 mostly unknown mediocre artists for the most part butchering Alkaline Trio songs 2.2/5
There are a few good songs in there, but after a while they have the sameness that 90% of Alkaline Trio songs already have

Kevin Devine - Nevermind (2011): Sounds like a note for note copy musically of the Nirvana album, but with K-Dev's less gravelly voals. 3.9/5

VA - SPIN Presents Nevermind (2011): An interesting mix of different interpretations of Nirvana. Falls short on all but a few tracks 2.5/5

VA - Kerrang! Presents Nevermind Forever (2011): Heavier bands covering the Nirvana legacy. Some of the metal interpretations put a new spin on it. 4/5

Bombay Bicycle Club - A Different Kind Of Fix (2011): I'm definitely getting a Coldplay meets Radiohead and goes hipster vibe from this 3.7/5

Wilco - The Whole Love (2011): An uncharacteristically noisy, electric and long opening song gives way to the classic Wilco sound 4.5/5

M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming (2011): 70 minutes of lush and beautiful shoegaze. This will be my future album for long hot baths 5/5

Tokyo Police Club - 10 Days, 10 Covers, 10 Years (2011): When they cover indie bands they sound okay, but there's some horrible song choices 2.4/5

Ryan Adams - Ashes & Fire (2011): He's about 1 album and a few whiskeys away from being Neil Young now. 4.4/5

I Am The Avalanche - Avalanche United (2011): I was not expecting this to be the fun punk album it is. Preconceptions can be very very wrong 4.3/5

Bjork - Biophilia (2011): typical Bjork: layered, quiet, weird, discombobulated and full of odd instruments and wavering vocals 3/5

This Is Hell - Black Mass (2011): it truly is a strange time we live in when one of the best thrash albums this year is by a hardcore band 4.2/5

Kevin Devine - Between The Concrete & Clouds (2011): More of his style than his Nirvana album this year, but nothing that really stands out 3/5

Northington - Borrowed Time (2011): An orgcore album that harks back to some of the punk of my earlier years 3.8/5

Polar Bear Club - Clash Battle Guilt Pride (2011): Solid, but doesn't make me pump my fist in the air and sing along like their 1st album 3.3/5

Chuck Ragan - Covering Ground (2011): He was one of the first punks to go folk-country, and he's still the best 4/5

The Medics - Dance Into The Dark (2011): I dub these boys the Two Door Cinema Club of the Netherlands. But better. 4/5

Misfits - The Devil's Rain (2011): Sounds like they haven't changed sound in 20+ years. Which is not a good thing. 2.4/5

Star Fucking Hipsters - From the Dumpster to the Grave (2011): A great mix of old school punk, hardcore and ska. It's me, in an album 4.3/5

The DC3 - The Future Sound Of Nostalgia (2011): The song "I Was the Guy in TISM" sums up this album perfectly. Best TISM spin-off yet. 4.7/5

Skalapper - Go Along Sing Along (2011): Japanese ska-punk in poor English. Or is it just bad Japanese? I can't quite tell. 3/5

Jane's Addiction - The Great Escape Artist (2011): Unlike their previous albums, I like all of the songs on this, not just one good song 4/5

Dude Jams - How To Abuse Everything (2011): raw, rough and edgy punk which tips its hat to the sounds of the 70s and 80s 3.6/5

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Hysterical (2011): Another album of weird falsetto-vocals indie music. 2.8/5

We Were Promised Jetpacks - In The Pit Of The Stomach (2011): Embracing more of a post-rock sound on this album really pays off 4.3/5

Maylene & the Sons of Disaster - IV (2011): stepping away even further from their hardcore roots, this album is very mainstream US radio rock 3/5

The Kooks - Junk Of The Heart (2011): Embracing a 1960s Brit-pop sound, they've finally produced an album that lives up to their hype! 4.4/5

Andrew Jackson Jihad - Knife Man (2011): Quirky, acoustic-folk-punk. Although a common genre now, their more comedic take is a good spin 4.7/5

Nuclear Summer - ST (2011): locals' noodly heavy band's 1st album is good, with some ex-Ironhide thrash vocals thrown in for a surprise 4/5

Screaming Trees - Last Words: The Final Recordings (2011): a soft, for grunge, recording from the late 90s, highlighting Lanegan's brooding vocals mainly 3.6/5

Brisbane's Big Day Out Sideshows

2011-11-29T19:59:00.001+10:00

A recurring issue on my blog is the lack of festival sideshows in Brisbane. Big Day Out this year are doing an alright effort to overcome that. Sure we don't get the massive amount of sideshows Melbourne and Sydney gets, and we even miss the big ones (no Soundgarden and the Bronx... *cries*).

However, we are getting these:

Hip-hop guys Das Rascist at the Zoo January 24. 18+ (This song reminds me of my younger, more confused days were I spent a lot of time at that store).
My Chemical Romance at Eatons Hill Hotel January 24 (I was obsessed with this album when it came out. They lost me quickly after it). And if you're wondering, Eatons Hill Hotel is north of Brisbane, even further out then the Entertainment Centre.
Former Sepultura and Soulfly boys in the Cavalera Conspiracy will play the HiFi February 6.
Foster the People play the Tivoli January 23 (my vote for the song most likely to get stuck in my head and annoy the crap out of me 2011).

Fucked Up

2011-11-28T20:36:00.001+10:00

Today at work, I was having a miserable day. Then I read something on Twitter that just turned my day around. It went by in what seemed like seconds after I heard the news. Fucked Up are doing a club show in Brisbane.

I've been preaching Fucked Up for a while, for good reasons. Their smart hardcore is amazing and not just for people that like hardcore. This year they release a concept album, David Comes to Life, which was just mind blowing. I remember thinking at the time "they're going to have to break up, they can never top this." Well it turns out my thinking was right, as they are going on indefinite hiatus very soon. But not before they finish a tour with the Foo Fighters.

Part of the tour was a few sideshows, of course in Melbourne and Sydney. I tried to get tickets to either one, but my work schedule would not allow me to make it. I was depressed. So depressed. Then today, a simple Tweet: Fucked Up playing Alhambra, next Friday. The 9th.

I squeed. I actually made the squee noise. And bought my ticket straight away. I missed Iron Maiden to see Fucked Up at Soundwave this year and it was one of the best decisions of my life. Strip that show down to the small stage of Alhambra... My god. Insane. I cannot wait.

Fucked Up. 18+. Alhambra. December 9

La Dispute

2011-11-27T08:00:00.001+10:00

I feel bad posting about this tour so late, as tickets are already on sale, I already have mine, and it will probably sell out. La Dispute are heading back to Australia.

Last year they came out and played two shows, an 18+ at the Zoo and an all-ages at Burst City. It was an amazing two days. And almost a year after that tour, which blew me away, they are doing it again.

(Photo I took at the Zoo show)

Their unique style of emotional and noodly hardcore is really on display in their newest album, Wildlife, which evokes more emotions in me than anything I've listened to in years. It's a cracker. I can't wait to see those songs, as well as their awesome back catalogue, played live.

February 8, the Zoo (18+)
February 9, Between the Walls (all-ages)

Brian Setzer

2011-11-27T07:54:00.001+10:00

If there's one man that you would consider the godfather, the legend, of Rockabilly, it's Brian Setzer. Whether with the Straycats, his big band, or any of the hundred of other combinations of rockabilly bands he's been in, he's been rocking the country-60's-hot-rod-rock 'n' roll sound for 40 + years. And goddamn, he's a legend.

His latest band is Rockabilly Riot! And it features:

Brian Setzer (of course)
2 stand-up basses
2 drummers, including Slim Jim from the Stray Cats
A honky-tonk piano

This is going to be insane rockabilly. Brian Setzer will be bringing this down under and be playing through his back catalogue. The hits, the covers, and then Brian and Slim Jim getting together for a special Stray Cats set. It's going to be an amazing night of classic Rockabilly.

So girls, get on your polka-dot dancing dresses; boys, slick back your hair and fire up your hot rods, and let's all get down and boogie at the Tivoli on March 28. 18+

Henry Rollins

2011-11-27T07:41:00.001+10:00

What happens when one of the greatest punks of all time gets old?

He goes from doing this:

To getting on his soap box and making angry, and very often hilarious, rants. Or in this video's case, letters:

Ahh Henry Rollins. The former front man of legendary punks Black Flag and now world acclaimed poet, comedian, angry man and just general all-round opinionated asshole and performer. I've never had the honor of seeing him stand on stage and do his stuff, but he's been coming to Australia for many years, winning over our crowds with his brutal honesty.

2012 will be my time to finally see it.

May 1, Tanks (Cairns)

May 2 and 3, Powerhouse (Brisbane)

British super-indie tour 2012

2011-11-27T07:35:00.001+10:00

It's good getting one of these bands coming over for a tour, but two? Together? On the same bill?

Headliners will be the long-serving British band Elbow, who have put together over 20+ years of excellent music.

And opening for them will be Bombay Bicycle Club, who if you ignore their abysmal cover album this year, actually do make good indie music.

March 24, the Tivoli.

Jay and Silent Bob

2011-11-27T07:26:00.001+10:00

Ahhhhhhhhhhh, what a classic rap (that is also part of their worst movie):

But even if we ignore this movie, and Jersey Girl, Kevin Smith is one of the directors of our generation. I still quote Mallrats on an almost daily basis, over 10 years since I first saw it as an impressionable 14 year old. Now I know this is a music blog (mainly), but a tour is coming to Brisbane, not music related, that I just have to share.

Jay and Silent Bob (Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith, the re-occuring comedy side-characters of all of the Kevin Smith universe) are doing a comedy tour through Australia. I hope it's not just Jay standing there with Silent Bob saying one sentence at the very end (like in his movies). But by all reviews I've seen, it's supposed to be quite funny.

April 19, the Tivoli.

Death Grips

2011-11-27T07:15:00.001+10:00

It's not often an album from an obscure American act, hip-hop at that, gets posted on my website (for free even!) It's even less often when a lot of people like it. It's even less often when the artist then gets booked on a tour of Australia.

But that's what we're getting with Death Grips. You can get the free album, that I posted way back in June, here. And to see them, get to the Zoo on January 25th. 18+.

Guttermouth

2011-11-27T07:07:00.001+10:00

It's been a little over a year since the crude and rude skate punks Guttermouth did a regional tour of Australia, but apparently we're a great market, because they're coming back to do it all over again, with even more dates!

And proving both their love of Australia and their old school punk-ness, here's them on Recovery in the 90s:

If you want to revisit your punk past, there's a handful of Queensland shows to see them: (all 18+):

January 27, Woodland (Brisbane)

January 28, Billy's Beach House (Gold Coast)

January 29, King's Beach Tavern (Caloundra)

February 2, Magnums (Airlie Beach)

February 3, The Venue (Townsville)

Festival second announcements

2011-11-27T06:54:00.001+10:00

While I sit here and recover from the awesomeness that was Harvest festival last weekend, here's the latest announcements for more festivals coming our way:

Soundwave third announcement
This lineup is already stunning, especially if you love 90s heavier music (which most of us at this age do). Somehow, to make it even more difficult to see all the bands you want to now, they've crammed more bands into the lineup. Of the list I'm keen for:

Bush
In Flames
Fireworks
The Black Dahlia Murder

The others I've never really heard of, but they are: Holy Grail, Hyro Da Hero, These Kids Wear Crowns, In This Moment, Conditions, Black Tide, Kids In Glass Houses, Cherri Bomb.

It's going to be a very long day on February 25, that's for sure.

Bluesfest second announcement
I'm trying my best this year to keep my Bluesfest hate-filled "why-no-Brisbane" rants down to a minimum, but there's a few bands on the second announcement that make me swoon. These include

The Specials
Crosby, Stills and Nash
Seasick Steve
Alabama Three

Seriously Bluesfest? Fuck you. Have a few shows in Brisbane. Byron for the festival is not something we can all do, especially over Easter. I'd love to see so many of those bands. You'll sell out, get huge crowds, make lots of money and still let us see NONE OF THE FUCKING BANDS. Argh.

April 5-9, Byron Bay. If you're able to get there.

Review: After the Fall (USA)/Anchors/Army of Champions/Friends with the Enemy/Milestones, Jubilee Hotel, November 17 2011

2011-11-18T20:49:00.001+10:00

Last night was a great night of Australian (and mainly Queensland) punk rock, topped off by the first Australian show by After the Fall (the New York band, not the Triple M rock Australian band). It was my first time at the upstairs bar at the Jubilee and although the crowds were small, they still had a great night.

First up was Milestones. I cam in late and didn't catch much of their set or get a chance to photograph it. One of these days I'll catch a full set of theirs I hope, as their sound was tight.

Next up were the female-fronted Friends With the Enemy. Imagine if you crossed A Wilhelm Scream with a cute punk-girl for a lead singer. That's what you get with this band.

They were great fun and it was good to finally catch a full set of theirs, even if I did accidentally knock the power cord out while trying to take a photo, causing the bass and guitar to go off for a minute. Sorry guys.

Army of Champions were a band I knew nothing about, except their drummer is the guy from Headaches. But after half a song I was head over heels for them. They're basically Queensland's version of Against Me. Their three singer combination though makes it even better. I found myself grinning like an idiot within about 3 songs, just enjoying it immensely.

You can get one of their tracks for free at their Triple J Unearthed website. Do it, if you like any of that folk-styled-punk in the vein of Against Me.

I'd seen Melbourne's Anchors once before, over a year ago, and were not that impressed with them. But at this gig they were a well-polished band and had a great mini-mosh going with the small crowd, much to the hatred of the bouncer.

They've also got a new track out that you can check for free. They played it last night and there were lots of fists pumping the air in time to it.

Finally, closing in on 1130 pm, After the Fall played for the first time in Australia. Looking a little bit jet-lagged, having only arrived at 6am that morning, they rushed through their set to try and fit as much in as possible before midnight. Live they sounded like a mix of NOFX and A Wilhelm Scream which got the crowd up and moving even more, despite the slippery floor.

If you get a chance, see them while they are on their short tour of Australia. These guys are rad and you will have a great punk night.

Death Cab For Cutie

2011-11-14T20:42:00.001+10:00

If there was ever a band that had my parents concerned about the music I listened to, it was Death Cab for Cutie. Not for the music, given the beauty of their songs, but more for the band name.

That song, nay, that whole album, just blew me away in 2008. I've never seen them (or should I say him?) live. Come February 27, that will all change (as long as I'm still alive after Soundwave). Death Cab will be playing at the Tivoli. Tickets are already on sale, so I really need to get my ass into gear.

Dresden Dolls

2011-11-14T20:30:00.001+10:00

One of the first gigs I ever went to in Australia was the Dresden Dolls in 2004. At the Zoo, with it's red curtains around the stage and with lots of live art surrounding the performance, it was pretty much everything the Dresden Dolls are about. And when they busted into a Sabbath War Pigs cover, I melted.

For a two piece, they are a great live act.

It's no surprise that Amanda Palmer (they keyboardist/singer) loves Australia. She's out here almost twice a year on solo or even ukulele tours. But it's been a while since we've seen the Dresden Dolls as a whole. Well.... January 5. Tivoli. It all changes. They are back.

Boris

2011-11-14T20:22:00.001+10:00

If there's a band I've fallen endlessly and madly in love with in 2011, it has to be Boris. They've put out 3 albums this year alone. THREE ALBUMS! Here's what I rated them:

New Album - Experimental metal band go electro J-pop... Confusing, But oh so good in a guilty pleasure way. (4/5)
Attention Please - Their 2nd album this year sees them make stripped back, yet bloody catchy, J-Pop, still with overtones of heavy rock (4.7/5)
Heavy Rocks - their only album of the 3 this year that channels their older metal sound, but with a garage rock twist (4.3/5)

That's a pretty damn good average score for 3 albums in one.

The thing about this Japanese band is that they push the boundaries and try so many new and interesting things. Consider this song from the album New Album:

Now consider some of their earlier work:

They did originally start as a doom metal band, but you know what, they'll try anything. And they'll do it great.

Boris
The HiFi
March 23

News news news!

2011-11-14T20:05:00.001+10:00

The best of the 90's
Lenny Kravitz and the Cranberries, together at last! In what would get so many of our 14 year old selves excited (surprisingly not me though, I wasn't the biggest fan of these two, although the Cranberries had some crackin' tunes), they are coming out for a tour. And to make it even more radio friendly, they've got Wolfmother coming with them!

March 24, Riverstage.

Now relive the magic!

I've had this video on my computer since I was about 12:

It's the Karate Kid guitar duelling Steve Vai. Amazing, right? Well Steve Vai is touring as part of the G3 tour next year, when 3 kick-ass guitarists go around showing us their chops. Next year it will be Steve, with Joe Satriani (who's casette I used to have lying around somewhere) and Steve Lukather. April 5th at the Convention Centre. For some reason it's also 18+.

Joy Divsion live (sort of)

Peter Hook, the bassist of Joy Division (and member of New Order) is set to cash in on the Joy Division legacy again this year, by once again touring a full band playing an entire Joy Division album. Last time it was Unknown Pleasures, but this time he will be playing all of Closer. To me, Closer was a dark and moody album, but the songs on it aren't really anything I remember when I think of Joy Division. The show is Black Friday, April 13 at the Tivoli. Maybe he'll do something extra special for it?

Ariel Pink

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti were out at the start of the year for the Laneway festival. I watched a few songs, but to be honest, it wasn't my thing. Their music is sort of a hipster psychedelia. Maybe it was just that he was playing on a bloody hot day under a tin shed, but I just didn't get into it. I'm willing to give it another shot though, as the recorded stuff isn't too bad. I can do that at the Zoo on the 8th of March!

Dan Deacon
Everyone's favourite electronic party animal is going on tour! He'll be partying it up in Woodland on January 12. Tickets are about $32. This will be a great party night.

Free Music Friday 32!

2011-11-10T21:09:00.004+10:00

Almost exactly a year ago to the day, I was in a very hot and humid Fat Louies on a Saturday night, camera in hand.

And I took some really awesome photos of the Adelaide band In Trenches.

These guys have a pretty good heavy music pedigree, featuring members of I Killed the Prom Queen and Day of Contempt. With the history of those two bands, it's not surprising that they have a very metal sound influenced by a fair bit of hardcore too. It's the kind of heavy music I like, mixing together the best of both worlds.

Their debut album came out a few years ago and is not the easiest thing to buy. But luckily they've put it up for free on their bandcamp. So get over there and get it.

Weekly news update

2011-11-08T20:57:00.001+10:00

I've given up fighting it, until things get less busy (which never happens at Christmas) I'm going to just post updates when I can, even if it means compressing them in one.

Eminem
He's decided instead of the Brisbane show on December 5, he'd do another Sydney show again. Sorry kids. C.R.E.A.M.

Omar Rodríguez-López Group & La Butcherettes
I'm not even going to say anything about this one. The legendary guitarist and producer of At the Drive-In and Mars Volta fame will be playing solo material, and bass in a mexican punk band in the one night. At the Zoo. Holy shit fan boy overload. December 11. 18+

Death Grips
I posted a link to his free album a while back and now he's coming to do a club tour of Australia! The only downside is, Brisbane is the only place yet to have a date booked... A bit dodgy if you ask me. If it does go ahead, it will be January 26th. TBD

Pigapolooza
This will be yet another night celebrating all things heavier in Brisbane music. Featuring bands like Numbers Radio (okay, maybe not all heavy), Dollarosa, Resist the Thought, the Kidney Thieves and Torn Usunder, it will also be headlined by a very non-Brisbane band, American death-core band All Shall Perish. It's a whole day event at the Tempo Bar over 2 stages, on November 27th. 18+

Bluesfest
There's literally no festival in Australia that gets me so excited but then makes me a bitter man as quickly as Bluesfest. Every year, without fail, the Byron Bay festival announces amazing bands. Then I realize that I can't possibly make it down there for it at all. And then, to top it off, they basically think Brisbane is Byron Bay (fuck off) and have no sideshows whatsoever. So next year, between April 5 and 9, I'll be missing out on bands such as the Pogues, Roger Daltry (performing Tommy (I may cry missing this)), Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Yes, Buddy Guy, Brian Setzer, My Morning Jacket and the Jayhawks.

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD WHY CAN'T BRISBANE GET A BREAK WITH THIS. If you can get more time off than I can, head to Byron Bay for this. Or you'll hate yourself as much as the alt-country guy inside of me is.

Ryan Adams
Speaking of alt-country, Ryan Adams is coming down to Australia to tour his red hot new album (which I'll be reviewing tomorrow on Twitter if I get a chance). March 1st at QPac. This should be a great show of just him (without his Cardinals). This will be incredible. If you haven't heard his album Ashes and Fire, get it now. He's the best thing to come out of Canada since Neil Young and Maple Syrup.

Brisbane punk night
What are you doing December 2? Nothing? Well get your ass over to the Basement on Brunswick St to see the reunion show of Brisbane punkers Stolen Bikes Ride Faster, supported by a bunch of awesome local bands including Friends with the Enemy. It's $10. YOU HAVE NO EXCUSES. I also imagine a lot of beer will be drunk. A LOT.

Nevermind: 20 years of tributes

2011-11-01T21:10:00.000+10:00

As I mentioned a while back, it's been 20 years since the release of an album that left us all wondering "could we be busted for child pornography for having this on our shelves?"

Yes, Nirvana's Nevermind. The kickstarter of the entire alternative music genre (if you ask some people). Whatever you think it's legacy is for music, there's no denying it's a great fucking album. But with a great album, comes even greater covers. And as part of the anniversary celebrations, I have been inundated with tribute albums, recreating the classic track by track. Here's a summary of what I've come across so far.

Kevin Devine
The lovely red-head is better known for his softer side of folk-rock. However, as was the time I saw him open for Brand New, he has a full band he sometimes put together for the whole rock show. On his Nevermind tribute, he's gone the electric path.

So, how does he do? Well, for starters, the music itself sounds almost note for note from the original Nirvana cut. There's a few differences in tone, but it's very minimal. In no way has he put his own spin on this. It's Nirvana, but with a slightly higher pitched voice of Kevine Devine. His voice is not so suited to the Nirvana sound, as it lacks that rough edge that was Kurt Cobain. I like Kevine Devine normally, but his Nevermind tribute is just copy, paste and nothing new added.

SPIN
Spin is offering this CD up for free at their website. Taking together a handful of old and new artists across varying genres, it offers a glimpse of the wide-range appeal of Nirvana. At times the tracks go lounge, cabaret, art-rock, twee, electronic and my personal favourite, the last "bonus" track goes all-out fuzzy noise-rock.

There are some great interpretations of Nirvana on this album. However, there are some horrible ones as well. The worst of all of the covers in my mini-review is from an Australian band too. It hurts me. Midnight Juggernauts Come As You Are has me hitting fast-forward every time. The album is a bit more indie than most Nirvana fans are used to, but it is a good bridging gap for old-school fans to check out the lighter and sometimes completely different side of things.

Kerrang!
It's probably not a surprise that the tribute album by British magazine Kerrang! is my favourite. It features two of my favourite artists (Dillinger Escape Plan and Frank Turner) and to me, their bias towards heavier music is more in tune to the Nirvana and Nevermind legacy: the way it helped heavier, alienating music cross to the mainstream.

This album still covers a bit in the heavier genre though, from acoustic punk to metal to hardcore to whatever the heck you want to call Dillinger Escape Plan. For me, this is the pick of the Nevermind tribute albums.

There's more to come though and as I dig my way through my giant inbox of CDs I'll add more to this.

Local Brisbane Music extravaganza

2011-10-31T20:46:00.000+10:00

Every few weeks I harp on about this, but goddamn Brisbane has some of the best local music around. So much good stuff is happening lately that I just have to share it with you all.

Snitch

I stole this picture from Jess. Sorry, but it was the only one I could find of the month's poster. I'm normally not a fan of any Destroy All Lines clubs. They have good bands ocassionally, but the crowd of scenesters isn't my favourite at all. They just kind of annoy me. But this month I'm going to have to make an exception with so much good music coming up at Snitch, their Thursday nightclub.

This Thursday, the 3rd of November, old Brisbane punk rockers The Gifthorse will be playing an acoustic set, while two of my favourite (and not to mention great) bands Fires of Waco and Quiet Steps will be playing full sets.

Then come 24th of November, my friend's band Castles Sunk Below the Sea will be playing their post-rock/emo stylings alongside Jud Campbell (former singer of the Disables doing acoustic), Fires of Waco and Perth's hardcore giants Break Even. It is two great Thursday night gigs of great Brisbane bands. Get on it.

Quiet Steps
Speaking of Quiet Steps, they will be playing the last ever show at Sun Distortion Studios. Come New Years Eve, they will be playing a show with Nuclear Summer as well as the awesome Italian screamo band Raein. I may have squee-ed out loud when I heard of this show.

Lofly records
Also on this Thursday night (but at the Zoo) the local record lable Lofly will be putting on a showcase of their local acts. Included on this will be Mr. Maps (who's new music video you can see me in) and Re:Enactment. It's $10 for great indie and post-rock.

Some more news

2011-10-26T21:15:00.000+10:00

These three slipped under my radar while I was updating a few minutes ago.

No Years
I always find New Years Eve to be the worst day of the year. There's so much anticipation for a huge party that'll be memorable, but it generally ends badly and in disappointment. From all reports, most people's are like that. So instead of being predictable with bars/parties/fireworks, why not go out and see some killer live music? That's the theory behind No Years at the Powerhouse anyway, which brings a kick-ass indie festival to New Years Eve. The first announcement this year has The Dum Dum Girls, as well as Australian acts Ball Park Music, Charlie Mayfair and Last Dinosaurs. There's more to be announced. December 31 at the Powerhouse, spread over 2 stages.

Track and Field

Track and Field is an occasional indie music night-club. It's been a while, but it's time for another incarnation, this time at the Arena. Featuring Bleeding Knees Club, Deep Sea Arcade (launching their new single all the way from Sydney) and Velociraptor, it'll be a good night of Australian indie. And drinks. Don't the two go hand in hand. The Arena, November 25.

After the Fall
I mentioned a while back that the awesome New Jersey melodic hardcore (not the Australian rock band) After the Fall are coming on a tour with Melbourne band Anchors. Well they've just named their local opening bands and it is shaping up to be a huge night, with Friends with the Enemy and Milestones opening. I'll be there early at the Jubilee come November 17.

The almost monthly "oh crap I ran out of time to blog so here's the big update" post

2011-10-26T19:59:00.000+10:00

See the title. I've been bad lately, I know. But here's everything I've had written down to share with you lately.

The Blanks
Ever watch Scrubs? I hope so, it's one of my all time favoure shows (pre season-5). You probably know Ted, the lawyer with horrible flop sweat. You may also know his acapella band that appears sporadically throughout the show.

Well, they are a real band. Called the Blanks. And they will be playing the Old Museum on March 12. 18+. I'm not even kidding. I'll be fanboy-ing there.

Chali 2na

He has one of the best voices in rap. It's so unique. If you hear it, you'll know him from Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli. He's done a bit of solo work lately and it's pretty good. He'll be coming down for a show at the HiFi on December 10. 18+.

The Casualties

These old-school punk rockers were supposed to do their first ever Australian tour (in decades of being a band) a few months back, but it got cancelled. Now it's going to be November 13 at the HiFi. 18+. UP THE PUNX.

The Damned

Speaking of old-school punk, the Damned are coming to Australia as part of their 35th anniversary tour. These gothic punk-rockers were one of the very first punk bands (see my history I did a while back) , so it's amazing to see them still going strong. January 19, the HiFi. 18+. Not that many people under the age of 18 will even know who the heck they are.

Bright Eyes

So many of my female friends just swoon at the mention of Bright Eyes, aka Conor Oberst. He's coming out for Harvest Festival in a few weeks time, but they've announced a sideshow. Which is weird, given Brisbane's history of not having sideshows for any music festival ever. November 17, the HiFi.

Supafest

There's been lots of announcements, cancellations, back-pedalling and rumour-milling surrounding an Ice Cube Australian tour over the last few months. I've posted nothing about it, but it seems that he's finally coming down, but as part of next year's Supafest. He'll be touring alongside Lupe Fiasco, Diddy, Kelly Rowland and more to be announced. Not normally my scene, but Lupe Fiasco, Ice Cube and Diddy together may be too good to pass up. April 14, RNA Showgrounds.

The Red Paintings

A former Brisbane band, I saw these art-rockers a few times before they relocated to the USA. Known for mixing together their orchestral indie sounds with live art , they put on an amazing and involving live show. At the least you'll get someone painting on stage to the music, at the best... well you don't know what to expect. The first time I saw them they covered Nick Cave's the Mercy Seat, in one of the most haunting and beautiful ways. Now when I listen to this music video, I still get shivers.

Their homecoming is January 7 at the HiFi. 18+.

Howling Bells

Another former Australian band that relocated overseas (this time to England) is the Howling Bells. I've loved their music for a while, which is like a moody-folky female-fronted slightly noisey indie. They even throw in a bit of country every now and then. They're coming back to support their new album which sees them play Alhambra on December 16. 18+.

Soundwave 2012, take 2

2011-10-26T19:30:00.002+10:00

Well, Soundwave festival has been quite busy in my blogging downtime of the last fornight. First off, Hole pulled out after a massive Twitter tiff between her and Soundwave promoter AJ Maddah. There's way too much back and forth for me to go into much detail, but basically she's a cow and a primadonna and he is... well.. I can't read her Tweets, they are just not English as far as I can tell. And now her Twitter seems to be gone.

Apart from that there was a 2nd lineup announced.

Bad Religion
Strung Out
Staind
Wednesday 13
Unearth
The Pretty Reckless
Cathedral
Shadows Fall
Tonight Alive
Motionless In White
Break Even
Heaven Shall Burn
Your Demise
A Rocket To The Moon
The Ready Set
The Menzingers
Dream On, Dreamer
Kittie
Dredg
Attack! Attack!
The Smoking Hearts
The Summer Set

It's a bit more punk related, and even some Australian acts (which is a rarity at Soundwave). But the big surprise there is Staind and Kittie. I can't believe how much of the 90s is coming out for this festival. It's amazing.

And for you metal fans, this festival will be the last shows that Cathedral will ever play. EVER. THE END. FINITO.

Also Melbourne has already sold out, and Brisbane is towards the end of its ticket allocation. So if you want to go on February 25 at the RNA Showground, you'd best hurry up and get your tickets. I picked mine up from the post office yesterday!

One sentence album reviews (#18)

2011-10-25T21:37:00.001+10:00

It's really built up lately, what with a 2 week blog absence and the push to review as many albums before the end of the year. But here we go:

Smith Westerns - Dye It Blonde (2011): Maybe it's the name, but I get a very country feel to this lo-fi rock 4.1/5

Social Jet Lag - The Monster Inside (2011): Generic modern post-hardcore, but with a female that can actually sing. She should do pop instead 2/5

Starfucker - Reptilians (2011): Hipster indie-dance. At times I think Flaming Lips, Of Montreal or Avalanches. The whole time I think "YES!" 5/5

Tennis - Cape Dory (2011): an album seemingly transported from the pop music of a hot 1960s summer 3.9/5

Whirl - Distressor (2010): The Jesus and Mary Chain, if they wrote good music after the 90s. 4/5

White Lies - Ritual (2011): Editors get drunk at New Order concert, hooks up with Interpol; 9 months later their baby sounds like this 3.8/5

Autre Ne Veut - ST (2010): It's a modern Prince album basically, with the same level of annoyance 2.3/5

Tim Blood & The Gutpanthers - Summer Of Our Discontent (2011): lofi pop punk, with a sound that makes me think of a non-folk Defiance Ohio 3.4/5

The Cab - Symphony Soldier (2011): If I was a teenage girl that likes soft contemporary rock, this would make me swoon. Too bad I'm male. 2/5

Nekromantix - What Happens In Hell, Stays In Hell (2011): Songs about ghosts and devils... Never would have guessed that in psychobilly 2.5/5

Kimbra - Vows (2011): A beautiful funky and jazzy album of soul from a talented kiwi female singer 4.2/5

Bomb the Music Industry! - Vacation (2011): The album starts nothing like a BTMI! album, but luckily the quirky ska comes back at the end 3.3/5

311 - Universal Pulse (2011): A 311 album in 2011 just sounds dated and so forced. Nothing even remotely funky about their current sound 2/5

Regurgitator - Superhappyfuntimesfriends (2011): As disjointed and random as any 'gurge album, but doesn't have a noticeable hit song on it 3.4/5

Staind - ST (2011): Less nu-metal than they used to be, but the song Wannabe makes me laugh so hard I can't take this album seriously 1.6/5

Frenzal Rhomb - Smoko At The Pet Food Factory (2011): Tyical Frenzal: fast songs with very non-PC yet hilarious subject matter 3.8/5

Puddle of Mudd - Re(Disc)overed (2011): This cover album takes everything I love about the original songs and destroys them forever 0.3/5

The Drums - Portamento (2011) & Dum Dum Girls - Only In Dreams (2011): surf rock albums almost identical, minus the female singer of Dum Dum Girls 3.3/5
(I had those 2 albums queued up back to back and I didn't notice when the album changed. They are so similar, except Dum Dum Girls is louder)

La Dispute - Wildlife (2011): an emotional trip with some of the best lyrics I have heard recently, each song is a story 4.7/5
(it took me ages to listen to the album, as seemingly each song is about dealing with death. Hits close to home. But unlike their last album, I don't think I heard the word "darling" once. In Wildlife the repeated word seems to be "cancer")

Mates of State - Mountaintops (2011): I listened to this 10 times without forming an opinion; which means it is still perfect lofi pop 3.8/5

Bury Your Dead - Mosh N' Roll (2011): In my world, this album is how I imagine all good straight edge hardcore to sound. 3.8/5

Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows - ST (2011): At times he gets close, but Craig Owens' new band just can't sound as good as Chiodos 2.3/5

Thrice - Major/Minor (2011): The post-hardcore sound is almost fully gone, but it has been replaced with some amazing rock song writing 4.6/5

Trivium - In Waves (2011): Enough heavier thrash for old fans & melodic metal for newer fans. Summary of their career really... 3.2/5

The Rapture - In The Grace Of Your Love (2011): They've lost the dance-punk edge and this album just sounds like modern elevator music 2/5

Red Hot Chili Peppers - I'm With You (2011): A watered-down version of their past (needs Frusciante!) that would be suited for AM radio 2.4/5

I Break Horses - Hearts (2011): This Swedish male/female synth-pop duo stands out from the pack because of their My Bloody Valentine influence 4/5

Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost (2011): They've lost a bit of the dreamy hipster sound and now almost sound alt-country. My Weakness! 4.3/5

Primus - Green Naugahyde (2011): The first new album from Primus in 12 years sounds as if it is from the Brown Album years. Funky and quirky 4.3/5

Ladytron - Gravity the Seducer (2011): Very quiet ambient synth music, like every Ladytron album. Just no stand out songs on this one 3.4/5

Eskimo Joe - Ghosts of the Past (2011): A very brooding mainstream-rock album, I can imagine the radio loving it. It just sounds cliche to me 3/5

Owen - Ghost Town (2011): Absolutely beautiful folk/indie/acoustic album, with just subtle touches of his noodly emo past showing 4.5/5

Skyway - Finders Keepers (2011): Imagine New Found Glory circa 2000, but Australian. That is this album. 3.6/5

Eminem

2011-10-24T18:20:00.001+10:00

It's been what, 12 years, and I still know all of the words to this song:

For those of you that have been frozen in ice like a prehistoric caveman for the past decade or so, the white guy in there is Eminem. One of the most popular rappers to ever emerge. And he's white. Oh so white. And more than controversial.

He is booked for a 2 date tour to Melbourne and Sydney soon, which sold out rapidly and tickets are being scalped for 3 to 4 times their going rate.

And then out of nowhere, he announced a Brisbane show. Suncorp Stadium. December 5. This will sell out ridiculously fast, so make sure you get on it quick.

EDIT: Apparently he changed his mind and he's now playing Sydney again, instead of Brisbane. Of course.

Crystal Castles

2011-10-24T18:14:00.002+10:00

Crystal Castles are a male-female electronic duo that dabble in lo-fi. You can't get any more cliche in this day and age than that, can you? But this Canadian duo has something that makes them stand out from the crowd. I'm not sure what it is, but I think it's the fact that they like pushing the boundaries on a lot of their songs and experimenting with sounds and noise. Lots of noise at times.

Like a lot of bands hipsters love, they'll be coming down in the new year for a southern music festival. Which means, of course, that we Brisban-ites get sideshows! January 4 at the Tivoli. Bring ear plugs, it could get very loud.

Mr Maps: A music video, and a cameo

2011-10-24T17:32:00.003+10:00

A while back I mentioned that Nabs and I were at a filming for the new Mr Maps music video. Well, here it is. And you can even see me after 2 minutes making an idiot of myself. I also saw flashes of me, camera in hand, in the first few minutes. Just flashes though.

Airwaves: a late pass

2011-10-10T22:33:00.000+10:00

I don't normally blog about albums individually, but I got my hands on one this week that has just blown my mind. The only problem is, it came out years ago. It's an odd collaboration between 2 Brisbane music collectives: Topology and Loops.

Together, with the archives of 100 years of radio transimissions, they've put together a 99 track album called Airwaves. This album features samples (in reverse chronological order) of some of the most important radio broadcasts in our history, put together with a jazz, and at times noodly post-rock, backing track. I sat at work today, enthralled by how it all worked together, at times the samples and the music were at complete opposites, but at times they worked magnificently together, especially the track Gough Whitlam: Well May We Say.

What makes this late pass even worse is that they performed it live less than a week ago at the Powerhouse. GAH! A chance to up my culture, history and general awesomeness and I just missed out.

There's something to be said for music that makes you sit back and really pay attention. Although I'm young, I still found myself listening to this and remembering where I was during some of these historical speeches (even though with me it was only the first few tracks that were relevant).

If you're willing to take a risk with something new and interesting in music, do yourself a favour, get this. And if you like what you hear, and have some management skills, Topology are looking for a new manager. This job popped up in my daily updates today, completely unrelated to the fact that I was listening to the band.

Future Music Festival

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

The summer of music festivals is all coming together nicely right now, with a second announcement today. This time Future Music Festival. I've never made it out to the Future Music Festival as it nearly always falls on the same day as Soundwave, which for my music tastes, is a better value for money. But this year it's the week after!

Here's the first announcement of the lineup and I've bolded the ones I want to see:

Swedish House Mafia
Fatboy Slim
Paul Van Dyke
Tinie Tempah
The Wombats
Chase and Status (live)
Skrillix
Jessie J
The Rapture
Aphex Twin (live)
Frank Ocean
Die Antwoord
Gareth Emery
LCD Soundsystem DJs (James Murphy and Pat Mahony)
Naked and Famous
Hercules and Love Affair
Sven Vath
Alex Metric
Azari and Ill
Jamie Jones
Holy Ghost!
Horse Meat Disco
The Juan MacLean
Benoit and Sergio
Stafford Brothers

Much like Laneway, it's not a stellar cast, but between Fatboy Slim and Aphex Twin I could almost be talked into going.

March 3, Doomben Raceourse

Laneway 2012

2011-10-10T21:10:00.001+10:00

Festival season rapidly approaches! Two announcements today, the first of which is next year's Laneway festival. I went last year for the first time ever, and had a reasonably good time, purely for Les Savy Fav. The rest of the bands were a bit similar sounding and the day was a bit of a let down due to the non-chalance of the predominantly "hip" audience.

Well this year is looking the same again... almost. Presenting, the Laneway lineup!

There's some good bands there, but the ones that really get me going are M83, Girls, Portugal the Man, the Drums and Yuck. M83, I saw at V-Fest a few years ago, Portugal the Man aren't playing Brisbane and the Drums seem to be touring here every 6 months or so now. So almost not worth it. But then, there's Yuck. This band sounds like a noisy reincarnation of the great 90's Brit-rock sound. This band is my front runner for album of the year. At the start of the year I was more than mildly obsessed with them. And M83 always put on a good show.

So yes, I am weighing up the advantages of going. We'll see how much the tickets are. January 28, in the usual RNA laneway area.

Soundwave 2012: for reals yo

2011-10-07T14:54:00.001+10:00

I was close, but I got a few big ones wrong. Especially bummed at lack of Tea Party, Kyuss, Ministry... maybe the second announcement?

Here's the full lineup as of today:

Soundwave 2012

2011-10-07T14:40:00.000+10:00

Warning: I'm pre-blogging this because I will be at work on a railway line in the middle of the Darling Downs when the announcement is made. So this is going purely off my information ascertained from many sources. $10 says I'm wrong. But here's the additions to Soundwave 2012, that I've yet to mention.

Limp Bizkit
Marilyn Manson
Ministry
The Offspring
System of a Down
Slipknot
Kyuss
Alice in Chains
A Day To Remember
Bush
Chimaira
Dragonforce
Biohazard
The Tea Party

Oh yes, Allan of the 90's/2000's is very excited for this festival. Oh so excited. Of course there's more I didn't mention and don't know about it.

February 25, RNA Showgrounds.

I'll update this when I get home and can check against the actual list.

Free Music Friday 31!

2011-10-06T21:44:00.002+10:00

Last night the ever wonderful Kelly won tickets to see Japanese post-rock band Mono and was wonderful enough to bring me along. As good as Mono were, I was blown away by one of the local opening bands. They consisted of 2 bass guitars and a drummer.

I fucking love bass guitar. So much. Two bass guitars in a band? They have to be amazing. And they are. They are No Anchor.

I've heard a lot of buzz about these guys lately. But I've never had the chance to see them. Until I got lucky last night of course. Their two bass sound borders between crazy detuned sludge hardcore/metal, post-rock (their 5 minute feedback bridge last night an excellent example of this) and even a bit of drum and bass, with some parts giving me a DFA 1979 vibe. But all around, it's the kind of music I just like.

They have a few albums, but their latest one is free over at their Bandcamp. Get on it, and support a great local band.

And if you really dig it, get on over to Waiting Room in West End this week, where they are playing 7 days of shows. All at 8pm, all with different bands, all $5 and all BYO. Every night from October 15 to October 21st. My picks will be October 15 with local hardcore punks Dick Nasty, or October 21 with the USA Shoegaze band Happy New Year.

Southern Indie Music Festival Sideshows Coming North to Brisbane

2011-10-06T21:24:00.001+10:00

Apologies. I promised myself I wouldn't do this ever again, but there's been so much news updates in the last 2 or 3 days and I have so little free time that the only way I'm going to get it out to you right now is in one of those "one-size-fits-all" blog update. Except this one size happens to be Shaq-size. So there's plenty of room for all of the news.

The following news items are in no way in an order of importance, more or less just which tab I have open in my browser closest to the blogger editing window.

The Kooks
The weird thing is, I saw this on a bus stop near my shopping mall days before the official press release. But yes, indie darlings the Kooks are coming to Australia for all the southern New Years festivals, which means we get sideshows up north! January 2nd at the Tivoli.

Beirut
Appearing at some of the same festivals will be the folky indie sounds of Beirut. We get them at a full gig, January 12 at the HiFi.

Deerhoof
Let's just presume every indie band playing in that fortnight is on one of these festivals. Deerhoof would be one of the ones I'm most excited for though. Their experimental indie style is quite an inspiration to many modern indie bands, and they are playing Woodland for like $24! It's on the 10th of January. I can guarantee it will be a sweatbox, but bloody hell, it'll be great.

Fleet Foxes
Is this folk-rock band playing a southern New Years festival?
Yep.
Are we getting a sideshow?
You bloody well know it.
January 11, the Tivoli.

J Mascis
The creative genius behind the legendary noise band Dinosaur Jr is also coming out for some festivals, but in his solo acoustic mode (which is still bloody good). He'll be playing sideshows at the Sound Lounge on the Gold Coast on January 7 and the Powerhouse on January 10. Given Woodland's late starts, you could probably do this before Deerhoof. I'm thinking of that plan anway...

Kings of Leon
Despite the rumours of their break-up, alcoholism, etc, they are coming down under to play their postponed tour from last year. This band really polarises me. Their first two albums, were amazing. I still love them to this day. They inspired me to relearn guitar when I had given up on it, and they blew me away on their first Australian tour oh so many years ago. Then they released a bunch of tripe. And continue to. But hey, if you like them now, they've added a new Queensland date on their tour, at the Gold Coast Convention Centre. It will be November 9, the day after their show at the Entertainment Centre.

Off!
Switching genres now, Off! are a band made up of former members of Black Flag, Circle Jerks and Rocket From the Crypt. I don't think you can get anymore punk credibility there. But they're bringing their old school style of skate-hardcore punk to Australia.

If you can't see the tour poster above, I'll tell you what's on it. We get two shows. Dec 4 at the Zoo for the 18+ and Dec 6 for an all-ages at Sun Distortion (this will be insane). I cannot wait.

Quiet Steps

2011-10-06T19:02:00.001+10:00

I may almost be too late for this, but I got sidetracked with life/work/free tickets to Mono last night. I bang on and on about how good Brisbane bands are, and some of my favourites are playing tonight at Snitch at X and Y. Quiet Steps and Nuclear Summer to be exact. Rad dudes, good music, not too expensive drink prices.

If it's too late notice (and I don't blame you if it is) never fear, you can still catch Quiet Steps playing the afternoon of October 16 in the 4ZZZ car park in Bowen Hills.

As for Nuclear Summer, this may be the last chance you ever get to see them, as one of their members is off overseas. Which sucks, because they are about to release their debut album. So let's hope it's just a temporary thing. Here's a track off it though:

Endless Kickflips Forever (unmixed/unmastered) by Nuclear Summer

Abbe May

2011-10-03T21:15:00.001+10:00

Although most of you know Abbe May for her new album cover where she's in a bra wearing a steer's skull (and looking pretty damn good at the same time... odd) she does excellent female led blues/in your face rock.

It's quite refreshing.

Normally whenever I hear of a female releasing an album under her own name, I just think it's going to be the normal singer-songwriter fare. Which is great, don't get me wrong, but it can take me a while to listen to it or even distinguish it from the rest. I wish I hadn't waited with Abbe May. Her rock and roll style is refreshing for a solo artists and her new album, Design Desire, is just bloody great.

You can catch her November 20 at the Tivoli

Here's another good song of her latest album:

Taurus Chorus - Abbe May by sgcmedia

Bon Iver

2011-10-03T21:05:00.000+10:00

I was going to do a great big blog about Bon Iver and his shows in Brisbane in March, but the tickets went on sale the day it was announced, then sold out, then a new show was announced then that sold out. All within a few hours while I was at work. Crazy.

So unless you were quick, you won't be seeing Bon Iver at the Tivoli on March 15 or 16 next year.

Big Day Out first announcement: as it happened

2011-10-02T21:05:00.001+10:00

For 2012's Big Day Out, the promoters took a leaf from the Soundwave festival school of promotion: they leaked the artists one at a time over Twitter. However, unlike Soundwave, they did it over 2 nights, instead of just whenever they hell the feel like it for months at a time. And now, here's the list, with my initial reactions as I sat at my computer:

But before we start, let us not forget what you will see a lot of during your day if you do decide to go: bad patriotism tattoos.

Why yes, that is the map of Australia. And yes, the interior is the Australian flag over a bunch of $100 bills. And yes, apparently Tasmania isn't part of Australia. (I took this picture during Matt and Kim this year. Couldn't stop laughing).

Anyway, the first announcement, with my reactions:

Best Coast "huh.. first band announced, and I'll probably want to see them. This could be a good year... maybe..."
Foster the People "Triple J listener's cliche band of the moment at the festival."
Cage the Elephant "Yes, I'll see them. They're good and a lot of people won't see them! They'll be on a side stage outside of the crowds"
The Getaway Plan "Christ I saw this band like 100 times in 2004-2008. Pass"
Girl Talk "An artist that will get me to the boiler room this year!"
Frenzal Rhomb "Already seen them twice in the last year, they must be desperate for money now!"
OFWGKTA "Weren't they here a few months back? Probably still trying to cash in their short-lived earning potential. Don't want to see them though"
The Jezabels "They are becoming one of those Australian bands that play every festival now!"
Battles "YES! Highlight of a Big Day Out a few years ago... But are they as good without their old frontman now?"
Architecture in Helsinki "They wrapped up a tour only a few days ago. Back on it already?!"
Mariachi El Bronx "OH HELL YES. I hope that means the Bronx does a sideshow too!"
Parkway Drive "HAHAHAHAHAHAHA"
Boy And Bear "More Australian music content filler. Should not be as high up over some of these great overseas bands"
Hilltop Hoods "well it's not a Big Day Out unless the Hilltop Hoods play... is it?"
Royskopp "Was not expecting this... More of a V-Fest or Laneway band, but could be excellent late in the afternoon"
The Living End "It's not an Australian music festival unless they play it"
My Chemical Romance "They've never been the same since their first album. Glad I saw them in lots of small club shows when I was younger"
Kasabian "ohhhhhhhhhhh yes. Excellent festival band"
Soundgarden "wait.. Back up. WHAT?! They're back together? HECK YES"
Kanye West "not a logical choice. He was too expensive for Splendour (yet still played it) and they didn't even get close to selling out. Just gives me a reason to leave early"

So will I go? At the start it was a definite no. Now it's a maybe. Soundgarden together again will probably be the one band that tips me over the edge into "fuck it, I'm going." But we'll wait for the second announcement.

January 22. Gold Coast Parklands

After the Fall

2011-09-29T22:20:00.000+10:00

Being Australian, this tour announcement today made me go meh. After the Fall? Washed up Australian radio rock I first heard when I was like 12?

But no, I just had to read a bit further. After the Fall... from the USA. Melodic-hardcore-punk of awesome.

Seriously, would the Australian After the Fall wear a Black Flag shirt? I doubt it. I gave these guys album from 2010 a 4.5/5. It was damn good punk.

I wasn't expecting this at all, but they're coming out to Australia! Touring with Melbourne's punk rockers Anchors. It's going to be a great show. The Jubilee, November 17, 18+. You've probably never heard of them, so head to their MySpace to hear many songs, including one featuring Make Do And Mend.

Free Music Friday 30!

2011-09-29T21:44:00.003+10:00

Ahhhhhhhhh... Chino Moreno. I musically man crush on this man:

Lead singer of the Deftones. Although I like their first album the best (Adrenaline... so good), their musical output has always kept me entertained, even in recent years when it's become almost ambient electronica with overtones of heavy rock.

For anyone that has listened to the Deftones over the last few years, or Chino's side project Team Sleep, this Free Music Friday will be something you embrace. It's ††† (Crosses) his collaboration with a few other artists. Like other Chino work, it's very beautifully constructed almost ambient electronica, but with overtones of hard rock (less so on this EP). He's obviously onto a winning formula here...

You can grab their EP for free at their Facebook page. It sounds very similar, but goshdarn if I don't enjoy it...

Massive update

2011-09-29T20:48:00.000+10:00

It's been such a long time since I've done this, but because I've fallen behind, I think it's time I updated my blog in one huge hit. So here's all the tours and news I've been saving over the last 2 weeks to blog about.

Coal Chamber are playing Soundwave 2012
Yes, one of those first nu-metal bands that got me into heavy music are reforming and coming out our way for Soundwave next year! I'm actually quite excited to see them...

Other bands confirmed for Soundwave next year include: Trivium, CKY, Shadows Fall, Devin Townsend, Gojira, The Used, Hellyeah, Dillinger Escape Plan, Dashboard Confessional, Hole, Machine Head, Hatebreed, Kvelertak, Mastodon, Zebrahead and Saves the Day (including a second set of them playing Weezer songs). Wow. Already looking to be a big festival.

Foxy Shazam
One of my favourite bands from Soundwave this year have pulled out of the Harvest Festival to focus on the UK.

Vasco Era
Noisy indie rockers the Vasco Era are heading out for an Australian tour, playing the Coolangatta Hotel on October 29 and the Zoo October 30.

Vanilla Ice
He's too legit to quit and as such he will be playing Jupiter's Casino, on the Gold Coast. November 13.

Opeth
The Swedish progressive-death-metal-rock band will be playing the Tivoli on December 15. Expect lots of long hair, black shirts, and extended solos to fast drumming.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
These indie-rockers are coming out for the Harvest festival, but have also decided to play an intimate sideshow at the Zoo on November 20.

Free Triple J concert
Triple J, to celebrate the launch of their new digital radio station playing "unearthed" Australian music, are having free shows Australia wide on October 5. Ours will be at the Arena, featuring Bleeding Knees Club, Emma Louise and The Medics. Doors are at 7pm, it's free, but it's first in best dressed.

Valley Fiesta
Free music will be invading the streets of Fortitude Valley on October 7 and 8 with two stages playing great music. For FREE! You can catch Hungry Kids of Hungary, Kidney Thieves, Laneous and the Family Yah and much more. Head here to find out.

Incubus

2011-09-29T18:07:00.001+10:00

The second concert I ever went to. The first band t-shirt I ever bought. Formed a band based on mutual love of them. Own every CD. One of the big motivators to buy a bass guitar. Incubus is one of those few bands that have been there through my entire life.

And it's not hard to see why. They are a good music factory. Churning it out for over a decade.

Starting as funk metal (dear to my heart at that young age) they were one of those few bands that matured on each album, trying new things and actually succeeding with it most times. Although their departure from the faster and funkier sounds towards a more alternative/indie sound didn't strike the same chord with me, they still put out music I enjoyed. I kept buying their albums. They lost Dirk (the bass player) and I was heartbroken. I thought there'd be no more funk. But then they brought in Ben (from the Roots) who added his own style and continued their growth.

I've only seen them twice, which given my concert frequency and time I've been in love with this band, is quite sad. But they are finally coming back out to Australia, almost 4 years since they last came out.

February 10th, Convention Centre.

Be there to watch girls my age swoon, as Brendan Boyd will undoubtedly take his shirt off at some point.

A weekend (in pictures)

2011-09-26T21:06:00.000+10:00

Well, what a weekend for me musically (and photographically). 2 gigs, 1 festival, 17 bands and me lagging all my camera equipment around.

First up was Every Time I Die/The Acacia Strain/The Word Alive at the HiFi on Friday night.

Every Time I Die as always had great energy and put on a killer set. You can view the full gallery of all three bands at AltMusicHub (click here).

Saturday was the Soundwave Counter Revolution festival at the Riverstage.

Highlights include Scott Ian's beard (see above). Lowlights include my camera dying halfway through the day. I was so bummed. I had never photographed a music festival before, let alone bands in the daylight. Looking through my photos of the day, I think it's some of the better ones I've ever taken. And then my camera had to die. Enjoy the gallery over at AltMusicHub of the first 11 bands (of 19) (click here).

Sunday, after a lot of crying over my dead camera, I managed to secure a loaner camera and headed into the Tivoli to see Architecture in Helsinki.

They are currently at the peak of their hipster stage, that's for sure. Doesn't that picture above look like a clip from Revenge of the Nerds? Anyway, the full galleries are over at ToneDeaf.
Mitzi
Oscar + Martin
Architecture in Helsinki

The camera is currently in for repairs, so I guess it's a forced 10 day vacation for me from gigs.

The Getaway Plan

2011-09-26T08:48:00.001+10:00

The Getaway Plan were one of those bands that just seemed to have existed in my youth. Whenever I went to some sort of "heavier" music show they would always be there, opening, even though they weren't from Brisbane. The first time I saw them was in 2006, opening for From Autumn to Ashes were I recognized this song:

For you radio-listeners of that era, it actually got quite a bit of play on Triple J 5 years ago. From that point onwards they got a bit more alternative-rock, lost a few members, gained a few members, gained some popularity (apparently) and broke up.

Well like any band these days, you're not really ever broken up, are you? So it was not really a surprise when they announced they were back together, recording an album and playing shows. They were up for Big Sound a few weeks back, but they are about to head out on a full Australia tour. We'll have them stopping by the HiFi on November 23. It's 18+, with supports from the always good West Coast hardcore band Break Even.

Rob: a mixtape

2011-09-23T08:55:00.000+10:00

The blog's been even quieter of late, but this time it's for a reason. A very sad reason. Rob, a long-time blog reader who's greatest complaint to me was "you post too much, I can't keep up. Just tell me the good parts" passed away in a skiing accident last week.

Not only was he a blog reader: he was a close friend, one of the first people I met at university, and he also slept mere metres from me as he was my housemate. Not as close as this picture... which sees me passed out at a friend's 21st.

Rob had a varied taste in music, almost as much as mine. We went to a tonne of concerts together: Presidents of the USA, Tool, Rage Against the Machine, Get Up Kids (a few weeks ago), Mars Volta, and many more than I can remember. We were even going to go to Dropkick Murphys/Lucero in the next few weeks.

So for some odd reason, it fell on me and a few close friends to pick out the music for his memorial. It was tough to shortlist it all down, but we finally put together a mix tape for him. RIP Captain.

1. Audioslave - I Am the Highway

As I helped clean out his room the other day, I found tickets for Chris Cornell in a few weeks. He was a huge Soundgarden and Rage Against the Machine fan, so this song combined both perfectly (and with that little bit of sombre edge too).

2. Incubus - Wish You Were Here

Well... we do Rob.

3. Pearl Jam - Black

If you get the feeling that Rob liked his 90's alternative rock bands... well you'd be right. And this song is just bloody sad. I can't hear it now without getting a little teary.

4. Rage Against the Machine - Beautiful World

Rob was a huge Rage fan. I remember going with him to the Big Day Out to see this band. The gates to the D were closing early and it was a crush to get in... Unfortunately I was the only one to get in at the time. Tim and Rob had to sit on the outside and watch it. I still kind of rubbed that in to him every now and then. As for this song, it is a Devo cover, but the only really soft song Rage have.

5. The Mars Volta - Televators

One of the first (if not the first) gigs I went to with Rob was the Mars Volta at the Arena. 3 hours of the Mars Volta. I had a swollen head and had just gotten out of the emergency room, but dammit, nothing was going to stop us. We saw the Mars Volta a few times together over the years.

6. The Roots - Don't Feel Right

This was a recent addition to Rob's musical collection. Only this year did he start listening to rap music, I think from the suggestion of his workmates. He borrowed my Roots CDs and apparently this was one of his favourite songs.

7. The B-52's - Rock Lobster

As long as we were going to pubs, we'd always put this song on. And drink during the "down, down, down" part.

8. Frank Sinatra - Come Fly With Me

Rob was a huge "Frankie" fan (as he would say). He would always ask for Frank Sinatra to be put on when I was digging through my vinyl. And of course, the Captain was a pilot. So this song is doubly fitting.

9. Queen (ft. David Bowie) - Under Pressure

Not much can be said of this song. It's another one we always put on the jukebox.

10. Sarah Blasko - Always Worth It

Amongst us, Rob will forever be known for his love of female singer-songwriters. I am not sure, but I have a feeling Sarah Blasko really started it for him. He loved her music.

11. Stone Temple Pilots - Interstate Love Song

Another of that great era of 90's bands he loved.

12. Bjork - Hyperballad

His love of female singer-songwriters had nothing on his love of Bjork. I struggle to understand her at the best of times, but I was with him when he finally saw her and her magnificent stage act.

13. David Bowie - Starman

I couldn't help but sneak another Bowie song in. Although it's about flying to the stars, it can still apply to our favourite pilot.

14. Muse - Feeling Good

One of the modern bands Rob loved was Muse and I was also lucky enough to see Muse with him. A lot of their "space jams" aren't too appropriate, but this cover is.

Rob, there was hundred more songs I wanted to put on here, but I hope this does you some justice mate. Miss you already. RIP.

Free Music Friday 29!

2011-09-16T04:49:00.002+10:00

I love pop-punk. But not in the style that most people think pop-punk is these days. None of that scene crap with breakdowns and whiny singing. I just like punk that's a bit upbeat and fun. Because that's the way pop-punk should be.

Tim Blood and the Gutpanthers are the kind of pop-punk I like.

I can't find many pictures of them, but their promo picture is fun. Like they are.

Their style of pop-punk is just playing fast and hard, with a bit of distortion and yelling to give it a lo-fi edge. I don't know why, but to me it makes me thing of punk bands in the style of Defiance Ohio, but with 80% more punk.

Of course, their album is free. So check it out.

This is Fucked Up

2011-09-13T17:31:00.004+10:00

Regular readers of my blog will know that I love the Canadian hardcore band Fucked Up and their genre I like to consider "smart" hardcore.

Their live shows are legendary, with the singer Pink Eyes going nuts in the crowd. I was lucky enough to be next to him as he lost his shit at Soundwave this year.

Taking all of that into account, it's kind of weird that they have been announced as the support for the Foo Fighters tour. Less than a year after coming out, they'll be playing in giant stadiums. It doesn't seem like their thing, but goddamn I want to go to this show. Foo Fighters, Tenacious D and Fucked Up? Will they even be allowed to advertise their name on the posters? Why can't they play some club shows in Brisbane?! Please.. Please.. I'd consider even financing it out of my own pocket if I knew how to. But no, as always, the only Fucked Up sideshows will be in Melbourne and Sydney. I don't think I can afford to travel for that.

December 10, Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast.

*runs away to cry*

Harvest Festival, it gets better

2011-09-13T17:25:00.000+10:00

I am so stoked for this indie festival already. I bought tickets on early presale. Who would've thought that the brains behind most hardcore and punk tours could do a great indie and arts festival? Check out the original lineup here and then brace yourself, because this second announcement is just as good.

Yep. Mogwai. The band that most people think of when they think of post-rock. Joining them will also be TV on the Radio, Kevin Devine (off the back of his cancelled Soundwave Revolution appearance) and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.

I am so incredibly excited for this day. I've wanted to see so many of these bands for so long.

Misfits

2011-09-13T17:19:00.000+10:00

It was almost a year ago when the legendary horror-punk outfit Misfits announced they were coming out to Australia, only to cancel on us. I had some friends that were distraught by this.

The Misfits now are without the lead singer Danzig (sad) but includes members of Black Flag (yay!). And they will finally be touring as promised, December 2 at the HiFi. This is all in celebration of their new album which is supposedly out later this year.

I know everyone says this, but without Danzig, it's not the Misfits. What this tour should be instead is the best damn cover band ever. Imagine if they just split a set of Black Flag and Misfits songs?! I would totally pay to see that. We could call them the Misflags. Or the Black Fits (which sounds like a racist slur to someone with who has seizures). A boy can dream...

If I ever write a song with a comedy title, it will be "no one ever remembers the third member of Nirvana"

2011-09-11T19:16:00.000+10:00

Nirvana.
Everyone says they started the push of alternative rock to the mainstream. They kickstarted grunge. They made heavy music more accessible to the world. To this day there's arguments over everything to do with Nirvana in the history of music, but we can all agree on one thing: they made great music, that to this day still speaks heavily to us.

Next week it will be 20 years since their groundbreaking album Nevermind was released. 20 years. Gosh, I feel old. To celebrate this anniversary, there will be a worldwide one-night-only screening of the only live Nirvana show recorded on film. Included with the ticket will be a double CD re-release of Nevermind with a tonne of extras on it.

On September 23, for $35, you can catch this one off event at any Birch Carrol and Coyle in Brisbane, or at Dendy Portside or the Blue Room in Paddington.

You get to experience the magic yourself. And see Dave Grohl with ridiculously long hair.

Arrows

2011-09-11T10:33:00.003+10:00

So many of my friends are obsessed with Arrows.

I can understand why. If you're into that noodly style 90's emo stuff that is having a popularity resurgence right now you would dig Arrows too. What makes it better is they are a band (mainly) from Brisbane. My roomate even works with one of the dudes. I keep saying it, but we do have some of the best music in the country right in our city.

I saw them once, in Melbourne of all places, opening for This Town Needs Guns. A perfect combination for a perfect noodly concert. They are a very hard bunch to catch live, as they don't play a lot of shows. However, we're going to get our second Arrows show in the last few months very soon.

October 1st, at Thriller. This will be my first time heading to Thriller since they moved from Rosies. It's now halfway between the Valley and the city at Hotel Orient. I'm hoping this venue is better than Rosies was for quieter bands. During Frank Turner all I could really hear was the music from the dance floor one room over.

Opening for Arrows is the always wonderful Jamie Hay. A former hardcore singer, he now does his own style of acoustic folk rock. But which former hardcore singer doesn't do that these days?

Arrows (with free MP3s)
Jamie Hay

Review: Title Fight/Touche Amore/Break Even/Headaches, Old Museum, September 8 2011

2011-09-10T09:54:00.003+10:00

The Old Museum. Is there a stranger place for a hardcore show? For what could possibly be the best hardcore/punk show of the year? There probably is, but I can't think of any more odd than a 120 year old heritage building that used to hold a museum and is used mainly for orchestral stuff now.

That being said, it was a bloody nice and big venue inside. A huge stage, great lighting a more than adequate PA and lots of space in front of the stage. The problem was, being the kind of building it is, they took the "no moshing" rule to an extreme. Throughout the course of the night we were repeatedly warned that if one person stage dived or got out of control, the show would be over immediately.

Locals Headaches were up first and played to a fairly big crowd (of people wearing mainly La Dispute shirts). They were solid as always, but played only about a 20 minute set.

Break Even are the Australian band doing the whole tour with the Americans. They put on a solid set with the crowd really getting worked up and into it.

The crowd participation was closely scrutinised by the security on the stage. If it looked like one person was even close to getting out of control, they bore down on them like a hawk. At one point, someone jumped up to sing along and grabbed the lead singer's shirt. He was ejected quickly.

The guitarist from Fires of Waco was standing in front of me in the crowd and Break Even passed the microphone down to him to sing a song. The security didn't like that either. They kept trying to grab it back out of hands, despite the band reassuring him it was okay.

Touche Amore was the band I was really excited for. Their unique style of hardcore lends so well to a live setting and they just blew everyone away.

The set was quite heavy with songs from their latest album Parting the Sea Between the Brightness and Me, which I managed to pick up a special Australian tour 12" press of at the show for $20. In fact, all their merch was $20. Good on them!

The crowd was very well behaved following the repeated warnings by people before and during the set. But then again, they didn't need to get on stage to get involved, because the lead singer kept coming down to the crowd for sing alongs.

It was great to watch from the side of the stage. If you turned away from watching the band at any point and saw me, you would've seen a guy holding a camera and screaming along to the lyrics while pumping his hands in the air and occasionally taking a photo. To say I enjoyed it was an understatement.

Everyone cleared out after Touche Amore. I honestly thought they wouldn't come back for Title Fight, but as the guitar started swelling up, you could see everyone running back in. I don't know much about this band having only listened to their album Shed once or twice, but they were goddamn enjoyable live. Their punk/hardcore/orgcore style was great fun and led to a lot of guitar jumps. A lot.

I was standing next to another photographer on the side of the stage and we kept having competitions to see who could get the better guitar jump on film. It was a tough contest, but I like to think we both won, by just watching this band.

By the time they announced their last song, you could tell that things were about to get hectic. The crowd had been fairly well behaved but they were itching to really get into the music. Apparently Title Fight are always about stage dives.

When they started playing YoureYeah everyone started bumrushing the stage. People started jumping into the crowd and moshing like crazy. Security tried to stop them and it got quite physical. One of the "volunteers" (not one of the security guards) picked up a kid and tried to throw him off the stage to get him out of the way. The band manager did not take kind to this and tackled this volunteer. Right in front of me. The volunteer looked so scared and took off running.

Needless to say, halfway through the song the power was cut and all you could hear was the drums. The bass player threw down his guitar in disgust and the show was over.

I tried to get some photos of it at this point, but my flash ran out of batteries and it was dark. Of course it would happen at this point.

I have no anger towards the security at this gig. They did their job well. Moshing and stage dives were banned and they enforced it well. The crowd went along with it fine too. It was actually a job well done by all to keep a hardcore show in quite good check. My beef goes to the organiser. Why choose this venue? You know that the crowd was going to behave exactly like it did. And you know the venue bans it. So why have the show there? We were actually just lucky that everyone was so well behaved and the gig went as long as it did.

Still, a great night all around. So happy to photograph it. You can view the full gallery over at AltMusicHub.

Blog Update

2011-09-10T08:50:00.000+10:00

Apologies readers. I've been a bit slack lately with blog updates. As I'm sure you're aware, I've started taking concert photos more often for more than just shits and giggles. The result of this taking up a whole bunch of my free time, coupled with work, travelling for work, girlfriend and napping has seen me not update as often as I would like.

It's not that I don't want to. I have a "To Blog" list in my email drafts box that's huge. It'll get done soon. I promise. I'll still bring you all the concert announcements. They won't be within 2 minutes of the announcement, like other music blogs, but I'll put them up in plenty of time. I'll still post all the rants, mix CDs, photos, reviews and other goodies whenever I get a chance too. Especially Free Music Friday. I love that.

So no, I haven't forgotten about you. It's just I get to go places now and take photos of people playing instruments. And jumping. While playing instruments.

Stay tuned this week. I'll be pumping through my "To Blog" list. Which will hopefully also include some web page improvements all around.

Meanwhile, enjoy my recent galleries for AltMusicHub.

Title Fight/Touche Amore/Break Even/Headaches, Old Museum, September 8 2011
Man Overboard/I Am Villain, The Globe, September 3 2011
Jim Ward/Jud Campbell, Alhambra, August 13 2011
The Get Up Kids/City Riots/We Set Sail, August 5 2011
Periphery/Tesseract/Iron Hide, July 29 2011

The Arena: a tribute

2011-09-10T07:14:00.000+10:00

Last night's Teenage Bottlerocket and Frenzal Rhomb gig was a blast from the past. Not because of Frenzal Rhomb (although they did play a plethora of really old songs) but it was because it was the first time the Arena has played host to a concert in years.

Ahh, the Arena. For 5 years it was a second home for me. One of the first shows I ever saw after moving back to Australia was Cypress Hill there. Inside the painted black walls with the sticky floor and the slightly dive-bar atmosphere, it just seemed right that everyone would light up joints right in front of security. Because that is the beauty of the Arena, no matter the band, they never seemed out of place. Over the years I saw indie, hip-hop, metal, punk... I pretty much was able to satisfy all my musical desires in the one venue.

Walking back through the thick red doors last night, it all came flooding back to me. I felt bad for Michael, my friend who was with me, as he moved up from Adelaide after the venue shut. As such, he had to listen to me ramble as I strolled down memory lane. I had to explain to him about the low ceiling in the men's toilet, and how the air conditioning vent at one corner meant you had to limbo to get to the urinal. About the dancer's cage on the second floor that used to be able to hold people, but would probably collapse now. The beauty of having bars both upstairs and downstairs and how they would only open the upstairs ones during all-ages shows. The two giant poles in front of the stage, right in the mosh where you don't want to get pinned to it. The couches hidden at the back and the even more secret back room on the second floor, full of couches and away from the noise.

But you can't blame me for this old-man reminiscing. I've seen so many good shows at the Arena that for a person like me, with such a religious-like link to music, it is my temple. I still can't forget when the Norma Jean lead singer climbed up to hang off the roof in their final song (Memphis May Burn maybe?).

Or the first time I saw Rise Against. I lost my belt in the mosh, then my pants, but I stayed up the front singing along to their acoustic cover of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. I was probably the only person in the crowd who knew the song.

Or the very first time I saw Frenzal Rhomb and was in fact pinned up against the pole on the left side of the stage.

Or the very first time I saw NOFX. Phil got knocked out in the first song, but I had my shirt torn off me by the third song by a violent mosher and the rest of the night was a blur of a minor concussion.

Or the entire crowd singing Sink Florida Sink while impatiently waiting for Against Me to get on stage.

Or how the dickhead Frenzal Rhomb crowd kept spitting on the Lawrence Arms to get them off stage so Frenzal could play.

Or the epic 3 hour Mars Volta set (no opening act) with one of the first times they ever played the song Frances the Mute live.

Or when the firehose got pulled out during Less than Jake and sprayed all over the crowd and stage, shorting out the equipment.

Or when Moneen joined Alexisonfire on stage to sing Accidents together. After that song I lost Phil, only to find him walking the streets of the valley wearing only a single sock.

And especially who can forget the Parkway Drive show. The one that supposedly sounded the death of the Arena and the changing of the all-ages licensing laws in Queensland, seeing the demise of all-ages shows in licensed venues. The riot police, the fire alarms, the little kids going crazy and apparently the fire lit in the venue that started it all.

After that night, the venue was doomed to shut down. A few months later Frenzal Rhomb played the last show there. It then became an R & B nightclub. Oh how my heart ached at the misuse of the venue! All the shows that would normally play there got moved to the HiFi. The HiFi, don't get me wrong, is a lovely venue. It's just too nice. It lacks the gritty character and even to this day, after the amazing shows I've seen there, it still doesn't seem to have a connection with me. It's a great venue, but it has no soul or spiritual signifigance to me. It's just a venue.

I hope now the Arena comes back in some form. Walking through the doors last night you could tell things had changed. The walls had satin material. The dance floor had been relaid. The toilets fixed (and a bloody odd mirror placed directly above the urinal). The couches were nice and new. There were plants inside! The bar fixed. New lighting! Most importantly, a working air conditioning system. But under that slight face lift, it was still the Arena I know and love. That little bit of botox and cosmetic work could not hide what the venue truly is. As I moshed along to Teenage Bottlerocket, continuously slipping on the floor, I couldn't help but smile. The old girl, she's back.

Cancelled: Monster Magnet

2011-09-05T17:48:00.000+10:00

I was really looking forward to this gig next week: Monster Magnet playing their great album Dopes to Inifinity in full! But nope, it's been canned. Here's the statement:

A number of circumstances have conspired to form the perfect storm and we are disappointed that this planned tour has been a casualty. The Monster Magnet “Dopes” tour will visit Australia at a more appropriate time. We appreciate
your continued support.

Considering they were out here in February, maybe ticket sales weren't as good as they had hoped? It's sad the amount of international tours getting cancelled in the last year or so. It breaks my heart.

Refunds available from the point of purchase.

A musical tribute to god

2011-09-05T17:43:00.000+10:00

When I say god, it's obvious I mean the god of Australian music, Mr Nick Cave.

I'm pretty sure if there were some sort of statistics about the song most people commit suicide to in Australia, this would be number one. Heck, it even featured in He Died With A Felafel in His Hand as the suicide scene.

He's been one of our country's best performing artists for almost 40 years, across everything from his early post-punk music, his sad singer-songwriter stuff, his movies, his books and even some gospel and pop music. This man is good at everything he tries. Right now he's kicking ass with the garage rock band Grinderman.

It's good to see that I'm not the only person that thinks this, as Triple J are putting on a Nick Cave tribute concert to celebrate his career. The artists performing in the tribute includes:

Abbe May
Adalita
Alex Burnett (Sparkadia)
Ben Corbett (SixFtHick)
Bertie Blackman
Dan Sultan
Jake Stone (Bluejuice)
Johnny Mackay (Children Collide)
Kram (Spiderbait)
Lanie Lane
Lisa Mitchell
Muscles
Tim Rogers (You Am I)
Urthboy (The Herd)

I'd pay money to see a lot of those performs together, but with the musical catalogue that is Nick Cave's entire career? This will be one spectacular night.

November 20, the Tivoli.

One sentence album reviews (#17)

2011-09-04T21:48:00.000+10:00

After some constructive criticism over drinks this weekend about my Twitter reviews, there may be a change soon. But for now, here's the ones I've posted recently:

The Vines - Future Primitive (2011): It's been 11 years since they were hailed the future of rock and they still sound the same: Whiny. 2/5

The Weeknd - House of Balloons (2011): a modern RnB album with a lot of dub/electro overtones. Great rainy day or laid-back romance music 4.7/5

William Elliot Whitmore - The Death Valley Sessions (2003): Sounds like Woody Guthrie soundtracking O brother Where Art Thou in an open field 5/5

The Wonder Years - Suburbia I've Given You All and Now I'm Nothing (2011): A pop-punk album with a theme. The songs show depth not known to the genre and aren't generic or whiny. 4.5/5

Noah and the Whale-Last Night On Earth (2011): He seems to be much happier than his last album and thus migrated to radio friendly rock 3.6/5

Wugazi - 13 Chambers (2011): It's Wu-Tang songs mixed with Fugazi songs. This does not need a description to why it's amazing 4.4/5

The Airborne Toxic Event - All At Once (2011): At stages sounds like AFI, The National and Titus Andronicus. A bit confused, but well rounded indie 4/5

Big D & The Kids Table - The Damned, the Dumb & the Delirious (2011): An album where they finally balance their ska-punk & dub-reggae sides 4/5

Limp Bizkit - Gold Cobra (2011): The musical trip down nostalgia lane is quite excellent... until Fred opens his mouth. Worst. Lyrics. Ever 3/5

Junior Battles - Idle Age (2011): yet another Canadian band that sounds similar to Billy Talent, but a hell of a lot more pop-punk! 3.9/5

Portugal. The Man - In The Mountain In The Cloud (2011): an indie album that sounds dangerously like a 90's pop album 3.7/5

August Burns Red - Leveler (2011): a rare "metalcore" album that is composed of more than just breakdowns and screaming for no sake 3.8/5

Algernon Cadwallader - Parrot Flies (2011): fairly lo-fi midwestern emo album. The lo-fi makes it more raw and shows more emotion 3.4/5

Cake - Showroom Of Compassion (2011): Without the wit and comedy of their old stuff, it just sounds like a poor man's Presidents of the USA 3/5

Departures - When Losing Everything Is Everything You Wanted (2011): dark and dirty hardcore that just attacks you with raw emotion 4/5

Sublime With Rome - Yours Truly (2011): He has a voice like Brad, but not the lyrical ability or background to write the gritty songs 1.5/5

Eddie Vedder - Ukulele Songs (2011): Ukulele = happy. Eddie Vedder = sad songs. Ukulele + Eddie = a surprisingly odd yet enjoyable serious album 3.8/5

Dead By April - Stronger (2011): An album that sounds like a really shitty techno synthesiser collided with a real crappy metal band 1/5

Farewell To Freeway - Filthy Habits (2011): Alright metalcore, which doesn't have one hint of synthesizer or auto-tune (bonus point!) 3/5

The Fresh & Onlys - Play it Strange (2010): I kept thinking I'd picked up a 1960s garage rock vinyl from a thrift shop 3.3/5

Haram - Drescher (2007): Another good album from the old school of post-hardcore, but with a bit more of a jangly guitar element 3.8/5

Have a Nice Life - Deathconsciousness (2008): a 2 hour trip through a shoegaze, garage rock & ambient landscape that I want to do again 4.7/5

Hold Tight! - Can't Take This Away (2011): A nice DIY styled pop-punk/orgcore band; takes me back to the good old days of late 90s punk 4.2/5

The Hotel Year - It Never Goes Out (2011): This is shaping up to be the year pop-punk gets good again, thanks to great albums like this 4.6/5

Joyce Manor - ST (2011): Quirky and fun orgcore/pop punk. Fun to listen to. 4.4/5

Lionheart - Built on Struggle (2011): The most typical "good" hardcore album ever: breakdowns, gang vocals, catchy lyrics & short solos 3.6/5

Millionyoung - Replicants (2010): I think I finally understand what the chillwave genre is. It's this. And this is happy lofi-pop music 4/5

New Lows - Harvest Of The Carcass (2011): hardcore with a low and sludgy sound that makes you wonder if they used broken recording equipment 3.5/5

Salva - Complex Housing (2011): good dubstep album (it exists!) in that it's more of a minimalistic techno feel than just wub-rinse-repeat 3.8/5

Cancelled: The Casualties

2011-09-01T20:50:00.004+10:00

I may be a bit slow on this, but one week out from their gig I was informed that the Casualties have cancelled their show at the HiFi. I wanted to see this, so you think I'd be sad. But, I'm not. You see, it's the same night as Touche Amore/Title Fight, which had precendence for me.

The HiFi says

ALL tickets remain valid from the 8th September postponed event for this show. Refunds will not be accepted after Fri 16 September 5pm.

So if you want your money back, jump on it this week.

Free Music Friday 28!

2011-09-01T20:23:00.003+10:00

What happens when the guitarist of the Gaslight Anthem (the greatest modern working-class punk band with huge shades of Bruce Springsteen et al) gets together with his friends?

Something you were never expecting happens. You get a sludgy hardcore album. Ever since I first heard the band Dangers (at which point I decided to make a blog, name it after them and spread the love of their awesomeness) I've been in love with this style of hardcore. Taking a lot of credit from metal and grindcore, they keep it really low and deep, fast, slightly depressing and full of anger.

This is the kind of band that Something About Death or Dying are. It's glorious to me. Maybe not to all of you.

They have an EP out which you can get for a small donation at their Bandcamp page. Or if you look hard, you can see there is a link for the free copy nestled in their too.

I'm not going to lie, I think I like this more than the Gaslight Anthem.

Jim Ward, August 13 2011

2011-09-01T20:14:00.004+10:00

My photos from the Jim Ward gig are finally up online at AltMusicHub. Check them out.

It was a great night. I fan-boied so much over seeing Jim. At the Drive-In and Sparta where such big bands to me when I was younger and his solo stuff is just amazing. Being able to stand less than a metre from him and be allowed to take photographs was a privelage.

Unfortunately, Alhambra is a moody nightclub, and it shows in the pictures. There was only one stage light, from the right hand side and the mirror behind him made it difficult, but I think I still got some good ones in there. The picture above is my favourite, because the lights above the bar can just be viewed and it looks almost mystical.

Fat Louies: a tribute

2011-08-29T18:33:00.004+10:00

For years, every Monday night, you'd find me and my mates at Fat Louies, throwing down half price drinks during happy hour, playing our own version of pool and getting so pissed off at the jukebox playing bad Asian rap that would waste our money playing the only good songs on there, which happened to all be 80s ballads.

Ah yes. It's my kind of bar. Dingy, pool tables, cheap drinks and not many people around to bother you. Heaven.

Then I found out they did shows. The first one I went along to was In Trenches and Anchors. A great hardcore and punk night. And I got some great pictures.

I didn't realize it was a common thing. But then one night, I got dragged there for some karaoke with the girl's friends. On the way into the booth I noticed a grindcore band playing. Which to me is about 100 million times better than karaoke. So I just sipped my beer and watched the bands instead. A great night was had.

See Fat Louies on weekends transforms into something else. It becomes a venue for great Australian music. Screw the crappy DAL clubs that are full of scene kids that don't give a rats ass about the music (even though the clubs get better international bands) you'll find the real punks, the real hardcore guys, the real music fans of those scenes in Fat Louies most weekends. It's all free and if you don't like the music you can just go around the corner and play some pool. Or around the other corner and make your own music in the karaoke booths.

The best part of these Fat Louies shows is that they feature the best of Australian bands, especially Brisbane bands. If it's an Australian band I've raved about, chances are I've seen them in Fat Louies. It's a great place to find new music, because you don't have to pay anything beyond the drinks you purchase. And they are reasonably priced.

I wish I was getting paid for this, but I'm not. I was just there on Saturday night, after watching my West Coast Eagles win their AFL game, sipping a whiskey and watching Headaches when it dawned on me how awesome Fat Louies is, and how encouraging they are of the music I like.

Check out their facebook for upcoming gigs, or just show up on a Friday or Saturday night. Not too early on the Friday though, their happy hour is becoming quite popular and packed.

Thursday night you can see Waiting Room and Nuclear Summer
Next Thursday you can see Stolen Youth
October 15th the Mercy Beat are playing there

Already, that short list has some of my favourite local bands. Fat Louies, how I love you.

The Grates

2011-08-29T18:15:00.007+10:00

1) I'm in love with Patience of the Grates.
2) I love this song so much:
(removed the video because it auto played. Click here instead)

3) Did I mention I'm in love with Patience from the Grates?

She's one of the best performers I've ever seen. She dresses up, dances around to every beat of every song and just looks like she's always having the best time of her life.

Oh she's very cute too.

And writes some great music.

She, and the band she is part of, the Grates, will be playing a bunch of shows in our area to celebrate their new album.

October 27, Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
October 28, the Tivoli
November 17, Coolangatta Hotel
November 18, Kings Beach Tavern

EDIT: Someone should hook me up with a photo pass to this. I'd love to photograph her dance moves. It would be a fun challenge.

Roxette

2011-08-29T18:07:00.002+10:00

With the bottom apparently falling out of the live music industry, festivals being cancelled or barely selling, venues half full, it seems promoters are going back to their history books and pulling out the moves that got them started.

And by moves, I mean bands from the past.

The next one to be gracing our shores on a reminscing tour will be Roxette.

If you and your significant other is into 80s music, mix it up on Valentines day next year by rocking out with Roxette at the Entertainment Centre. February 14, 2011.

Future of the Left

2011-08-29T17:41:00.003+10:00

I don't ever need a calendar to tell when Christmas is coming up. All I do is listen for a Future of the Left tour announcement. The last two years they've played January 3rd at the Zoo. Maybe they've got some sort of odd daylight savings in Future of the Left-land, because they've just announced they're coming out again but a few days early.

December 6th the Zoo.

If you don't know Future of the Left, you haven't lived. Rising up from the ashes of scuzz/noise/garage rock giants McLusky, they went on the same path, but with a lot of quirkiness. It's music that makes a lot of noise, with a lot of jokes and a lot of unexpected surprises.

The band has had a shakeup, losing a member, gaining a member and having the old bass player from Frank Turner's hardcore band Million Dead slotting in. They've still got the heavy (very much so) and are not afraid of playing a few McLusky songs if you're well behaved.

No matter what kind of music you like (as long as it falls inclusively between metal and indie) you'll probably enjoy this gig. Every time I see them I'm surprised by the great crossover between all of the musical scenes in the crowd, until they rock my socks off and remind me why they're awesome.

Hall and Oates

2011-08-29T17:33:00.002+10:00

I wish I owned a yacht, just so I could get away with listening to yacht rock without being looked at weirdly by all of my contemporaries. I just can't help it though, there's something I love about the laid back adult rock. It just always makes me feel good.

And the kings of the yacht-rock world would have to be Daryl Hall and John Oates. You probably don't know them by name, you'll know them by their songs though.

If not, you'd know them from that damn catchy Toyota ad of a few years ago.

To cement their spot as yacht-rock legends, they're playing A Day on the Green at Sirromet winery, like so many of their fellow yacht-rockers. February 5, 2011. Opening for them will be legendary Australian rockers, Icehouse. Who of course wrote one of our few unofficial anthems.

Every Time I Die

2011-08-29T17:22:00.002+10:00

Every Time I Die hold a special place in my heart, as they've been the opening act in two of my all time favourite gigs (Norma Jean and Dillinger Escape Plan). Plus, wherever they go, they bring a party. Even in a skate rink.

If you get a chance, chase down their Shit Happens DVDs. These guys not only make some great rock and roll, they have a great bloody time doing it.

They were coming out as part of the Soundwave Revolution, which of course has been sent to the scrap pile of music festival history, but they weren't added into the reorganised festival. Which is just as well as they are now doing their own headlining show: September 23, at the HiFi. Expect a lot of drunken antics and moshing. 18+ of course.

The Man in Black

2011-08-20T09:52:00.003+10:00

I have no idea how this escaped my attention, there's so many aspects of it I love.

Number 1: this man:

I have so much of his vinyl. In fact, I have the vinyl from that video. He's probably the reason I got into collecting vinyl, it was the easiest way to get Johnny Cash music.

Number 2: this man. Ignore the cheesiness of the cover, he's a man, just his work with The Cruel Sea and Beasts of Bourbon shall prove it.

So what do the two together make? The Man In Black. From August 31 to September 9 at the 12th Night Theatre Tex Perkins will be performing Johnny Cash's songs as well as telling us the story of one of the greatest musicians ever.

I'm getting Chills just thinking about it.