MUSIC NEWS
YOUR COMPREHENSIVE LOCAL GUIDE
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WE ALL WANT TO The new release No Signs from We All Want To is out now, taken from their forthcoming sophomore album Come Up Invisible. To celebrate, We All Want To will be touring their ‘90s-tinged set shining with audacious ambition and genuine conviction to a stage near you. See it all come to life in Melbourne on Saturday May 11 at The Public Bar in North Melbourne.
SONS OF LEE MARVIN TERM FOUR Head over to the Gasometer Hotel on Thursday April 18 to bless your eardrums with the sounds of some of the best new heavy music Melbourne has to offer. Term Four will be bringing heavy as bricks riffs to headline the night, with support from the abrasive hardcore four-piece Disasters. For the second act they’ve got chaotic NZ band Jurassic Penguin and awesome heavy setters Yachtburner tearing it up. Entry is $10, doors open at 8pm.
LET’S GET TRIVICAL It’s on Tuesday April 23 and it’s free. We’re saying this upfront because you should go. Laura Imbruglia is hosting the music trivia night, and you can win booze, meals and maybe even music. Be there from 7.30pm and get your knowledge on.
TRAINWRECK Embarking on their debut album tour, these young punk bands are making their way to the front of the queue and are not stopping for questions. Trainwreck, Pledge This, Ennui Breathes Malice, Good Will Hunting and Culprits open up The Gasometer Hotel in Collingwood with a sledge hammer of sound. Check it out Saturday April 20, $10 entry with a 7.30pm kickoff.
WAZ E JAMES Having been a regular fixture around Melbourne’s venues for decades, the high-energy acoustic country-blues of Waz E James and band has been steadily growing in popularity over the past few years. Waz’s skilful blending of the edgy and raw style honed in the grunge scene with his traditional knowledge of acoustic instrumentation showcases the guitar playing savvy of a seasoned performer. This Sunday April 21, an evening of country blues goodness begins with the Waz E James band at 4pm followed by Harmaniax at 6.30pm at The Drunken Poet.
THE SEVEN UPS Are you ready to get funky? Inspired by Sly Stone, James Brown, The Funkees and of course Fela Kuti, you would be hard-pressed to find a band more devout to funk than The Seven Ups. The all-instrumental and original eight-piece have a residency at The Evelyn every Tuesday in April, and each week hosts two new, and yes ‘funky’, supporting artists. This week join the troop with The Moon Project and Purple Tusks.
Two of Melbourne’s better exponents of guitar rock, Sons Of Lee Marvin and Little Murders, are teaming up for a couple of shows, Saturday April 27 at The Great Britain in Richmond and Saturday May 25 at The Bridge Hotel in Castlemaine. Sons of Lee Marvin, now into their ninth year, recently released their third album Cutthroats And Conjurers, which mixes their quietly spoken side with their no frills garage rock’n’roll. Little Murders began punching out power-pop tunes over 30 years ago, returning to the live scene in blistering form in 2011 releasing the album Dig For Plenty to impressive reviews. These shows are for lovers of pop and garage rock’n’roll.
JUNGAL Jungal are three powerful young women who create their own brand of Australian-flavoured indie roots-rock music. Their energetic live performance and powerful ‘60s-like rock feel comes to life through three harmonious voices creating the unique and powerful Jungal sound, setting these girls apart from other acts of their kind. Their musical flair is flaunted as each song is varied in sound and style, but all are underlain with the organic roots of Jungal – powerful, unique and female. They play The Retreat this Sunday April 21 with support from Genevive Chadwick and Faye Blais.
THE BENNIES In their short three-year existence, Melbourne band The Bennies have performed over 300 shows. Their expeditions to Japan, Singapore and Malaysia, together with a recent sold out national tour with friends The Smith Street Band, has seen their relentless touring schedule rewarded, carving a reputation as one of the country’s most exciting live acts. The band have announced the release of Better Off Dread, a fourtrack 7” inch vinyl released through Jackknife Records, that captures their high octane punk-rock rapture on wax. They launch it at their ‘Hazy Blazy 420 Smoke Out Session’ at The B.East on Saturday April 20, free entry.
ELIZABAND Elizaband, the solo project from Melbourne singersongwriter Rory Cooke, has just released the follow up to the 2011 debut album Firework Dogs with his EP Troubled Trees. It is a sonic reflection on outsider humanity, and a welcome new addition to Rory Cooke’s rich catalogue of DIY guitar art, which began as the founding member of the highly influential Gaslight Radio in Queensland in 1995. Elizaband play at The Spotted Mallard on Friday April 19 from 8.30pm with Chris Smith and Map Ends. Entry is $10.
ARCANE SAINTS
JACK ON FIRE
Local Melbourne four-piece rockers Arcane Saints are heading to Nashville to record their so far untitled debut album. The guys are playing a show that doubles as a farewell gig and album fundraiser this Friday April 19 at Revolver. Support will be provided by Wolf Vs Fire, Virtue and Redfield, plus it’s just $12 at the door.
Powered by a steady musical diet of old time country legends and modern day guitar bands, Melbourne outfit Jack on Fire hit the Great Britain Hotel in Richmond on Saturday April 20. Originating in Perth, the band relocated to Melbourne in 2008 and have been kicking it locally ever since. They’ll be joined by good mates 100 Acre Woods with their swamp-rock, surf guitar tinged sound and fierce vocals. Entry is free and doors open at 9pm.
SHAUN KIRK Blues and soul multi-instrumentalist, Shaun Kirk has released his brand new album and accompanying DVD The Wick Sessions. Recorded and filmed at Wick Studios in Melbourne, Shaun’s latest release was inspired by Freddie King’s In Concert: Dallas, Texas – 1973 and sees Kirk take his one-man-band set up of guitars, harmonicas, pedals and gadgets to a whole new level. To celebrate, Shaun will be launching the record this Thursday April 18 at The Northcote Social Club with support from Al Parkinson and Blue Eyes Cry. Doors open 7.30pm and tickets are $10+bf through the venue website or $15 at the door (if still available).
Original indie folk musician Joe Forrester has a Sunday evening residency at the Great Britain Hotel in Richmond. His emotional, hard-driven, acoustic sound has the ability to melt hearts and lift sunken spirits. Plus, Forrester has been lucky enough to hand-pick four of his favourite local acts to support him each Sunday so you can expect the best of the best. Don’t miss Joe Forrester’s last few shows before he settles down to record his debut studio album in May. Doors open at 7.30pm with free entry.
AS A RIVAL
To celebrate the launch of their EP Falling Awake, progressive rock band Shortfall will be hitting the Evelyn Hotel on Friday April 19. These guys never cease to amaze, introducing new feels and dynamic interpretations in every song they create. With awesome support from high energy rockers Lung, Hawkai and InVolume the night is sure to be ace.
Head down to The Bendigo Hotel on Thursday April 18 and check out four awesome local punk-rock bands: As A Rival, armed with a new drummer and triple j airplay; Take Your Owns who return for their first show in six months, also with a new drummer; and Fever Teeth and Idle Hands who will open and close the night with catchy tunes and punchy vocals.
Fifteen girls, one band. Yes you read that right, 15. This Thursday April 18 Cherry Bar’s stage will be taken by the world’s largest all-girl group, singing songs inspired by the girl group era of the ‘50s. Don’t miss The Rebelles, only $10 entry with doors opening at 8pm. Beat Magazine Page 60
Thursday April 18 at Bar Open, see the reverbdrenched, overdriven guitars and a blasting melodic wall of sound, as The Quivers excite your mind and assault your senses. With a Kraut-rock, psychedelic and shoegaze bent, they are sure to create an intensity that will leave you quaking. Alongside them are newcomers Gamma Rays and the blissful noise of Lunaire.
VICE GRIP PUSSIES The loud and unapologetic Vice Grip Pussies headline the Prince Public Bar this Saturday April 21. It’s a free gig, with support from My Left Boot and The Council.
There’s another cruisy Sunday afternoon in the Reverence Hotel’s front bar this Sunday April 21. Tunesmiths will be Between The Wars trio with an acoustic set, A Commoners Revolt and Dead Peasant. Entry is free, and it starts around 3pm.
SOMEBODY’S SUN Having met via a shared passion for popping corn and pouring post mix, five chums have teamed up to create a little something called Somebody’s Sun. They play Bar Open on Sunday April 21. They’re joined by a cracking new band Pretty City and their lover-band pals Bluejay.
MOUNTAIN AND SWAMP The Gasometer Hotel will be featuring live Old Time, Stringband and Cajun Music every Sunday at 5pm until 7pm. Each week will feature a different lineup for afternoons of relaxed live music.
KAISHA
OLIVERS ARMY Ryan Oliver of the Barossa Valley channels the airy reflective soul of the South Australian valleys. Described as an eclectic mix of folk storytelling and indie rock, this musician will have your toes tapping and your soul dancing. Olivers Army play at The Spotted Mallard on Thursday April 18 from 8.30pm and entry is free.
THE ALAN LADDS The Alan Ladds bring together the classic sounds of fiddle, mandolin, pedal steel, double bass, flat top guitar and drums. Executed with grit and panash, they inject themselves into classics, modern classics and personal statements in song with a swinging Honkytonk sensibility and wreckless precision. The Alan Ladd’s will be performing with special guests every Wednesday in April at The Spotted Mallard, free entry, 8:30pm.
LIZARD PUNCH Lizard Punch are returning to The Public Bar for their first ever Sunday Session on April 21. Don’t be fooled by the early start time of 2pm, there will be plenty of beer and partying. Joining The Punch will be the crazy kids from Foley with their infectious sing-along pop-punk tunes and the ever-entertaining covers duo Anarchy In The Ukulele. This is a free gig, so head down and enjoy a brew, enjoy some tunes and be home in time to iron your undies for work on Monday.
DEAD CITY RUINS London’s hard rock legends Dead City Ruins are on Australian soil for a residency at Cherry Bar every Wednesday in April. They’ve got different support acts each week to spice it up, don’t miss them at 7pm with free entry at Cherry.
Melbourne-based artist Kaisha released her second EP in February 2013 through her independent label SnakeEye Productions. After receiving wide praise including NCIEA and Darebin awards for her first self-titled EP, she has spent the last two years in the studio where she has self-produced, written, mixed and engineered as well as played all instruments on her latest EP, The End Of The Divide: Chapter 2. Kaisha occupies a unique corner of the Australian music scene, merging intensely rhythmic middle-eastern rock with lyrical sensitivity, straight from the ancient soul of her Armenian-Australian background. Kaisha launches her new EP at The Wesley Anne in Melbourne on Saturday April 20.
HOLY MOSES HEARTACHE Holy Moses Heartache bring their varying degrees of facial hair, intelligence and musical ability – not to mention their intoxicating brand of what could only be called folk music – to The Tote each Wednesday in April. With songs about sex, death and a man’s genuine love of his horse, there’s bound to be something that strikes a chord in even the shallowest of hipster hearts. There’ll be awesome support acts too from Beloved Elk, Colourwheel, The Promises, Jules Sheldon, Noriko and Monkeys Pirate just to name a few. So take the following morning off, get down to the Tote early, get settled and make a night of it.
60 SECONDS WITH… HUG THERAPIST
MO SESTO Returning with an even more impressive list of supporting instrumentalists than ever, Mo Sesto is back at the Paris Cat, accompanied by Italian jazz powerhouse saxophonist Mirko Guerrini, long-time friends Sonja Horbelt, Jon Chidgey and Australian jazz legend Bob Sedergreen. This ensemble is both dynamic in their energy and nuanced in their performance. With a unique blend of jazz and pop, this gig will showcase original music, new arrangements of contemporary pop tunes plus some good old jazz standards. It happens on Wednesday April 24. Tickets from pariscat.com.
Define your genre in five words or less: Tear-jerking punk. If you could assassinate one person or band from popular music, who would it and why? Delta Goodrem, then watch her try do her sickening closed-eyes chair dance. Uhhhh, gross. What’ve you got to sell CD-wise? Brand new EP Tearjerker.
JOE FORRESTER
SHORTFALL
THE REBELLES
BETWEEN THE WARS
THE QUIVERS
What do you think a band has to do these days to succeed? Totally awesome mic tricks.
CHELSEA SESSIONS
WILSON
SOUL
Thursday nights in April Chelsea Wilson brings soul and funk to the Retreat. Featuring Ivan ‘Choi’ Katchoyan on drums (Cookin’ on 3 Burners), Lucas Taranto on bass (Gotye), Mitch Power on guitar (Deep Street Soul) and Adam Rudegeair on keys (PBS FM’s Black Wax) Chelsea will sing tracks from her EP Bitterness and preview new songs from her forthcoming self-titled debut album. Special guests include one of Melbourne’s finest female soul vocalists, Lisa Faithful from Soul Safari.
ZOOPHYTE Emerging from East Melbourne suburbia to tickle eardrums across the city, Zoophyte will be bringing their high energy performance to the Espy each Monday. Following the release of their album Somewhere Elsewhere last year, the four piece rock band has spent the past 12 months sharing stages with the likes of Eskimo Joe, Grinspoon, Tex Perkins and INXS. Catch them at the Espy in the front bar, free entry.
WATCH INTERVIEWS, CHATS & AWKWARD SILENCES... BEAT.COM.AU/TV
When are you playing live/releasing your album/EP/ single/etc? We’re releasing Tearjerker on Friday April 19 at the Reverence Hotel with Japan For, Right Mind, Outlines and Kings Cup. How do you balance making and playing music with your other commitments? Put in a fairly half-arsed effort with most other aspects of life. Describe the worst gig you have ever played. A restaurant/café on a sunny Sunday afternoon while people were trying to have lunch. We cleared that room quick smart. Bearing the terrible clichéd nature of this question, what do you reckon people will say you sound like? Not sure, but someone once called one of my old bands “the gay Linkin Park” so that was a special moment. What part of making music discourages you? Venues dropping original local bands in favour of cover bands or even worse, DJs.