Rosies = Dead

Rosies. Over the last few years it's been almost a second home to me. Smaller punk/hardcore/indie/metal bands have been stopping through there most nights during that time, playing some great shows to always keen crowds. Not to mention they had bloody reasonable prices for jugs.

Well, now it's over.

Rosies has been sold, and bought by the guys that own the Fox. As part of this sale, it appears that Rosies will no longer be for music. Instead it's to be restored to it's former glory (whatever the hell that is) and turned into a pub (maybe even a nightclub) with DJs. Maybe. They're not sure yet.

As most of us local music fans know, it just wasn't the gigs, but the weekly night clubs that brought together people of the same music tastes, that were hosted there that made it a great place. So what will happen to them?

The metal night, Monstrothic, will be moving upstairs at the Jubille starting June 10

Level Up looks like it will be killed for good, with the promoters looking to new projects.

And Thriller, the one that took most of my time, energy, money, dignity and hearing ability (seriously, turn down the music between bands) are undecided. But it looks like they will be moving to a new venue. But of course, expect all of these nights to go off with a bang. The first announced one is Thriller:


This is sad. Rosies will be missed. With Rosies and the Basement gone, there's really nowhere left in downtown Brisbane for live music at all.

Review: Defeater/Fires of Waco (The Alley AA and Thriller 18+), April 8/9, 2011

This review will cover two days and be simple, because... well, I got drunk this weekend. So it's been a bit since taking these photos and remembering what happened.

Fires of Waco. One of my favourite local bands. Always put on a tight show, even now they've dropped the crowd-pleasing At the Drive-In cover. More power to them though, they're starting to swell with popularity.

But the reason I went to the same show 2 days in a row was simply for Defeater. This year's album, Empty Days and Sleepless Nights, is one of my favourite albums of the year. Not just hardcore, but in general. So when they trooped down to our country, I just had to see them two days in a row. And what followed was one of the best gigs I've ever been to, and one of the worst.

The best was the Friday night all-ages show at the Alley. Earlier in the week it was announced the Alley is being shutdown to build a tax-office there (boo! HISS! RIOT! COMPLAIN!) So this was the second last show ever to be held there. And I'd hate to be the last show following up this penultimate one. Just amazing.

Hardcore kids love their music. Especially when they can go to all-ages. The lead singer walked out with his acoustic, sang the song I Don't Mind, put his guitar away... and then all hell broke loose.
The tiny venue, with the band playing on the floor, just couldn't with hold the energy the crowd put out to Defeater. They just rushed in, danced, jumped off speakers and left nothing behind.





The crowd was crazy, except for Jacob. That's him above, standing in the back, kind of looking away.

It was insane. The crowd disrupted every song, but it didn't matter. The guitarists played above the crowd. Something I haven't seen since my all-ages gig days.

And the Saturday night Thriller gig was the complete opposite. I don't know if the lead-singer had lost his voice, but he spent most of the time giving the microphone to the crowd to sing. We hardly heard him, which really just ruined it for me.

Slow news month

The blog, she's been a bit quiet of late. After the glut of concert announcements of February (and the glut of concerts) things have slowed down as we await the April/May insanity of touring. This weekend alone I've got at least 3 gigs to attend, and more that I just can't. To say I'm a little excited is on understatement.

So in my normal fashion, here's a listing of news and things I should've blogged about but just never got around to doing.

AC4/Star Fucking Hipsters
I've been ranting about this for a while, but on Thursday I finally get to see Dennis Lyxzen perform (in non-techno format). He's back in hardcore mode with AC4 and he's pretty much invented most dance moves singers perform these days.

The local bands for this gig at the Zoo are the Mercy Beat and the Quickening, two of the better heavy bands around. I'm especially in love with the Mercy Beat since seeing them at the Bronx and getting my hands on their album. Get there early for a great night of punk. An amazing night of punk.

Phantoms/Friends With the Enemy
More Australian bands that I love. Phantoms are awesome hardcore punk from Sydney that I've been following since a small basement show last year and Friends with Enemy are like A Wilhelm Scream with a female singer.

They're coming together for an awesome punk night at Girls and Boys (X & Y). April 14th, with special 2 for 1 entry if you're a student. And of course cheaper if you know the password.

The Beards
They are a band that sing songs about beards. While having massive beards. With a folk/humour angle. Basically, they're awesome. And the Beards are playing Rics on April 10th.

You can get some of their stuff from Triple J Unearthed. And after listening, you know you want to see this with a few beers. And beards.

Segression
When I was younger, and just moved to the USA, I got all nostalgic for Australian music. And at the same time I was obsessed with metal. All that together lead to me being obsessed with Segression. 15 years on and I had forgotten about them. They still sit their on my CD case though and once a year I pop it back in.

Turns out they are still going strong, and are about to hit the road again. Playing Rosies on May 20th.

MySpace

All these gigs mentioned are 18+.

I'm back, here's the news

After a great week spent rocking out in freezing cold Melbourne, I'm back with a musical todo list the size of Peter North's tackle. I went to shows, I drank a bit, ate some good food, met some friends, did some shopping and took pictures. I'll try and blog/share some of the shows information later on, but for now, here's the news that I missed:

Rise Against/Sick of it All/Break Even tour
Rise Against used to be one of my favourite punk-bands. Then they released the album Appeal to Reason. Sick of it All are one of the best NY hardcore bands ever. EVER. Yet they only ever come to Australia as opening bands for other internationals. And Break Even are swell dudes from Gero. Put them together, we have a great tour. I hope.

July 18, Entertainment Centre

I have a few problems with this tour. First, the price? $70. Second, the Entertainment Centre is a crap venue, especially for hardcore/punk. Third, I'd really only be going for Sick of it All, unless Rise Against's new album is a return to form.

Frank Turner
He was one quarter of number 5 in my 2010 best of gigs list, but now the hardcore-turned-acoustic Frank Turner is coming out for a solo tour. He'll be playing Thriller at Rosies on April 16. 18+ of course, and it may be worthwhile buying tickets in advance.

Frenzal Rhomb
They must be broke again, because it's been about a year since their last tour. May 6 at Coolangatta Hotel, May 7 at the HiFi. Both shows 18+ and will be full of drunken revelry and swear words.

Swans cancel
It was one of the highlights of my post-holiday 3-gig week, wrapping it all up in a noisy swath of post-punk bliss. But now it's been cancelled. The Swans gig for Friday at the HiFi is canned. It's the only show in Australia not happening and they've given no reason why. I guess I will never get to see them then.

The Wombats get another go
The Wombats are in the country for Groovin' the Moo, and they've already got one night slated for a Brisbane show. Apparently it's a popular thing, as they've announced a second, all-ages show on May 5 at the Tivoli.

Tim Barry

Number 5 in my top five gigs of 2010 was the Revival Tour. The punk guys doing folk music was just amazing. And one of the 4 guys participating was Tim Barry, former lead singer of Avail.

Going in, I knew nothing about Tim Barry. But watching him behind an acoustic guitar, I swooned a little. He was just so goddamn emotive and his voice and music so powerful. He's coming back in 2011 for a show by himself; well him and his acoustic guitar. If you like the punk guys doing acoustic stuff that's been touring a lot lately, do yourself a favour and see this. You may not know all of the songs, but his performance will be amazing.

April 2. Rosies. 18+

MySpace

Top Shelf Hardcore

It speaks abounds to the quality of some of Australia's hardcore bands, when they are ticketed above a great American band. But check out this poster for what will be a great tour:


Perth's Miles Away, above Defeater?! Huh. Random. But if you love your hardcore music to be more than just mosh breakdowns with stupid fashion and silly dancers, go to this. Featuring Defeater from the USA, Miles Away from Perth and our own rapidly-rising Fires of Waco (who have an incredible drummer and a new album getting ready to blow our minds away).

April 8, the Fort. AA
April 9, Rosies. 18+

Defeater
Miles Away
Fires of Waco

Old Music for Old People

Did you enjoy the punk ending to the No Sleep Til Festival? Did you grow up on a healthy diet of 90's punk? Then you should go to Thriller at Rosies on the 8th of January.


Old Music For Old People is a covers band featuring people form NSW punk bands such as One Dollar Short and Something For Numbers. And when they play Brisbane my old boss Scott will even jam with them a few times. So if you like plenty of Descendents, NOFX, Unwritten Law, Bad Religion, et al, head on in and sing along to your heart's content!

In the Walls

I don't know if there's an actual scene, but In The Walls are as local as it gets for me: Indooroopilly-core.

They're a metal/hardcore band with a sound that reminds me a little of I Killed the Prom Queen (and that's definitely not a bad thing). In the Walls have an EP coming out in the next few weeks and a slew of dates to support it.

Dec 31, Basement 243
Jan 1, Thriller (Rosies) 18+
Jan 8, the Fort, All Ages. This is their EP release and it shall be a crazy night.

They've got a few tracks on their Facebook, check it out. That is some great production for demo/EP tracks.

New Years Eve goodness

Billionaire, it's the Destroy All Lines nightclub the night before a public holiday. And what better night before a public holiday is there on the party calendar than New Years Eve?!

And what better band to party with than the Gold Coast's best party band? Mourning Tide! Nothing like 80's inspired hardcore to get you in a great party mode. It's all going down at Rosies on December 31. 18+.

28 Days cancel Halloween party

Time to put those costumes away punk kids, 28 Days have cancelled their appearance at the Halloween Thriller this Saturday.

Due to events beyond their control, 28 Days regret to inform that they are unable to play their Thriller date in Brisbane this Saturday night. The band sincerely apologise and will endeavor to return as soon as possible

The other bands will still be playing, although at 5 in the morning I can't remember who they are.

28 Days Pre-Halloween party

Rising up from the ghosts of Australian music past, 28 Days are coming to play a Halloween show in Brisbane. Well, the day before Halloween.

They'll be doing Thriller nightclub at Rosies on Saturday the 30th of October. I've seen them a few times in the past few years playing final tours, then reunion tours and basically doing the whole John Farnham thing.

But they are better than John Farnham. Sure, they have a lot of bad hip-hop, but the band is back together as their hardcore-punk selves, with no DJ. Which has always been my favourite version of the band.

I was at quite possibly one of their worst shows ever last year, where they power went off and Jay lost his voice. But listen to it here and you'll remember just how many of their songs you know the words to.

Punk cancellation, announcement and possible album of the year??

SNFU Cancel tour (not their fault... maybe)

These Canadian punk legends were going to be out soon doing a long awaited tour. Unfortunately:

Is it possible to live the values of your sub-culture too completely? Can members of punk bands be accused of being "too punk"? SNFU never thought so. Unfortunately, the Australian Government doesn't seem to agree.

With fans eagerly awaiting their 2010 tour, we here at New Noise Agency have been informed by Australian Customs that a member has been denied a Visa, based on prior convictions – meaning he can't legally enter Australia. As much as we've tried to fight this decision and find a way around it, we've been left with no choice other than to cancel SNFU's forthcoming tour.

So they are no longer playing the Zoo in the next week.

Miles Away tour

WA's hardcore punkers Miles Away are heading our way again for some more shows.

Oct 1 The Fort Brisbane AA
Oct 2 Rosies, Brisbane (Thriller, 18+)

MySpace

Album of the year?

One of my new front runners for album of the year is now Norma Jean - Meridional. O God the Aftermath and Redeemer were some amazing albums that really took the heavier mathcore/hardcore scene to great places. Their latest, the Anti-Mother, was more melodic, but I didn't enjoy it as much.

But Meridional... wow. Get it if you like any heavy music.

Multiple concert details

I've ordered a new computer! Hopefully I'll have it within in the next week and I can get back to actually updating my blog, but for now, enjoy multiple announcements in one post!

Leatherface

British punk-rockers Leatherface are coming to Australia as part of some sort of show in Melbourne. But we're lucky enough to get them playing a solo gig. They've been a band for 22 years, mixing together gravelly vocals with folk-punk and touches of hardcore.

See them September 11 at Rosies for Thriller (18+)

Leatherface

Soilwork

No one does death metal like the scandinavians. Soilwork hails from Sweden, which might explain their slightly more melodic take on metal. You can catch them at the HiFi on the 21st of October. (18+)

Soilwork

Mary Jane Kelly

I first heard these guys on Triple J one afternoon and fell in love with them. How often does radio play heavy shit in primetime? The New South Welshmen's thrashier-hardcore earned them a spot on the Boys of Summer tour last year with Every Time I Die. I rocked up too late to see them, but I've heard lots of good things.

July 15 - Snitch (299), 18+
July 16 - The Fort, All ages

Death Before Dishonor

Hardcore from Boston. Lot's of people love these guys and it's easy to see why. I'm only just starting to listen to them, so I can't tell you much.

August 31 - 299, 18+
September 1 - The Fort, All Ages

Death Before Dishonor

Calling All Cars/Numbers Radio

It's good to see Australian bands do well and tour nationally together. I've seen both of these bands, with both being more heavier alternative rock. But both rock pretty hard. Brisbane locals Numbers Radio especially.

September 24 - Never Land (Gold Coast), 18+
September 25 - X&Y, 18+

Calling All Cars
Numbers Radio

Mourning Tide tour!

Have you always wanted your 80's glam-rock with a side of hardcore? Or maybe you've always wanted your hardcore to have bigger hair, blazing solos and (more recently) moustaches? Then the Gold Coast's Mourning Tide is for you:

Ignoring the fact that this is an old and one of their absolute cheesiest songs, Mourning Tide very successfully mix hardcore and 80's glam rock. Glam-core? Is that a sub-genre? Well, that's what they are.

They're about to embark on their headlining The Good, The Bad & The Ugly Tour. As a band, Mourning Tide are much better live. Their music, like a lot of 80's style rock, is made for playing loud to a crowd, with lots of showing off and band standing.

Catch them on a run of South East Queensland dates.

Fri 24th Sept - Brisbane All Ages - The Fort
Sat 25th Sept - Brisbane 18+ - Thriller ( Rosies )
Friday 1st Oct - Sunshine Coast 18+ - Diamond Nights ( 240 Nightclub )
Sat 2nd Oct - Gold Coast All Ages - Shed 5
Sun 3rd Oct - Sunshine Coast All Ages - The Blackbox Nambour ( Afternoon Show )

On this tour they'll be bringing two Sunshine Coast hardcore bands with them: Wish for Wings and Grace is Gone.

Mourning Tide
Wish for Wings
Grace is Gone

Cola Wars

The boys of Bodyjar are never ones to rest. Not long after Bodyjar finished forever, half of them are back with the band Cola Wars. Here's their new single:

It's more mainstream rock, that's for sure. But in a good way. And even though Cam's in the band, he doesn't seem to sing. Which creeps me out a little. You can see the distinctive outline of his Explorer guitar in the video, but that's about it.

They'll be playing Rosies on July 10th.

Now if only Burn the City gets back together in the fall out of Bodyjar...