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RODRIGO Y GABRIELA
ep FOCUS
Enmore Theatre 20/04/11
Mexican flamenco-metal duet Rodrigo Y Gabriela made their way to the stage fashionably late and, to much applause, proceeded to launch into Hanuman off their most recent album 11:11. From there it was a blur of lightning frenetic phalanges picking and rhythmical fingernail jams that lasted close to an hour and a half, with the close to capacity crowd clapping along at every opportunity and loving every minute of it (as much as a crowd could on a weeknight). Rodrigo’s lead and Gabriela’s rhythm are still something to behold in a career that has seen them play all over the globe and also start to foray into other areas such as film scoring. In between songs, Gabriela took the opportunity to inform the audience about what they have been up to since the release of 11:11, which included contributing music for the upcoming Puss In Boots (Shrek) movie spin-off and collaborating with composer Hans Zimmer on the soundtrack for the next Pirates Of The Caribbean movie. One of the charming things about her is the her casual use of the word ‘fuck’ (especially describing what are essentially children’s movies) between verbs and nouns – a habit she has said in the past she picked up during her and Rodrigo’s time spent busking in Ireland earlier in their career. Their ability to play drums on guitar better than this reviewer can play on the drums remains as astonishing as ever and their ability to intuitively know on the night where one another was within a song was part of the charm. Solos (percussion and sting) were never self-indulgent, nor did they overstay their welcome. This coupled with them having a good time and their aptitude in engaging the crowd was part of the enjoyment on the night. Also on display was their occasional foray into a cover song, which included Metallica’s Battery and Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here and a number of other tracks that were sometimes a little hard to place. Overall a great night of music and the word according to Gabriela is we can expect a new album (which they are currently in the studio recording with some “crazy, crazy Cuban musicians”) sometime next year – can’t wait! Adam Wilding
TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE FISHBONE
Metro Theatre 19/04/11 With a 25-year career under their belt, it can arguably be said that Fishbone pulled the majority of the crowd for this sideshow, despite playing the support slot. Effortlessly cool, they opened with a racing ska beat that had the dance floor pumping in seconds. The three-piece brass section seamlessly switched instruments for microphones, unleashing some glorious gospel-style harmonies. The drums kept a cracking pace as rollicking bass lines wandered from funk to rock to ska. Frontman Angelo Moore expertly worked the audience, achieving numerous rowdy calls and responses, which he met with impressive acrobatics. Not only did the man play three different saxophones (two alternately in the same song), but easily belted out soulful melodies complete with falsetto squeals. Their succession of short, sharp and catchy tunes were as diverse in genre as in subject and, despite the older crowd, energy flew around the room like a hurricane. Had they not already been running half an hour behind schedule, an encore would have been in order.
LOWTIDE
THE TIDE IS… This week at Petersham Bowling Club, there are a couple of events happening that will give you something to do should you be in the area. Friday night Melbournites Lowtide launch their debut 7”, Underneath Tonight, from 8pm, and Sunday from 2pm hear the beats of DJ Kojo, followed by Lost In The Woods and Wartime Sweethearts from 6pm.
THE CADRES FRENZAL RHOMB
IN A FRENZY Aussie punks Frenzal Rhomb team up with The Optionals to take on Bar On The Hill on Thursday, Wollongong Unibar on Saturday and the Annandale on Sunday.
To cap an already awesome night, all five swapped instruments for the encore and were faultless in their execution. It was an unexpected pleasure to behold such relatively unknown musical genius in the flesh and it is certain these boys will be going places (like straight to the history books).
The Animal Hours. The animal hours are the wee late night hours when a person just might have the time of their life if they can abandon their pride and remember that they are just animals that eat, f*ck and die. It’s about having a good time.
How many releases do you have now? This is our second. Our first, self-titled EP was released in October 2009.
its poll winners E held a 26 April 1964, NM ey Empire Pool, London, featuring on at Th … OW k Five. DID YOU KN concert at Wembl and The Dave Clar es on St ng lli Ro e s – The Beatles, Th as triple headliner
How long did it take to write/record? To write these songs, as with every song, it took our cumulative 90-odd years’ experiences. To record it – three days in the studio.
Was anything in particular inspiring you during the making?
THREE’S PLENTY
Doors open at 6.30pm and a meal and show package is available for $70.
Not sure about inspiring, but working with Eric at BJB on the production of the EP was a great experience.
The new band for TISM’s Damian Cowell, The DC3, will put in its first ever Sydney performance this weekend. The cheeky lads even have a single titled I Was The Guy In TISM, and the other two guys in the band have played with Cowell in the past as a part of ROOT!. Check out what they’re up to on Saturday at the Sando, with support from Toydeath.
HELPING TIMOR
What’s your favourite song on it?
DEEP AT TONE Creamfields is on during the day this Saturday, but the Keep Deep event at Tone that night is definitely not an after party of any sort. Nope. Not an official after party. At all. Make of it what you will. This is the second Keep Deep event, featuring Co-Op and Monkey Tennis DJs as well as guests That Keen Crew and Mr Danny Monk. If you email co_op_club@hotmail.com in advance for a guest list you can get $10 discount guest list entry, otherwise it’s $15 on the door from 9pm.
CHEAP AS CHIPS Ahead of their appearance at the Gum Ball Festival this weekend, Brisbane reggae dudes Cheap Fakes roll into Beach Road Hotel tomorrow night to strut their stuff.
A LONG FLIGHT Young, British and oozing quiet acoustic honesty, Bobby Long is heading into The Vanguard this Wednesday.
The third annual Timor benefit show, in memory of Denis Kevans (Poet Lorikeet), takes place at Leichhardt Town Hall tonight. It’s a fundraiser for Leichhardt Council’s “Friends of Maliana” project and features sets from jazz quartet RAPT, Pat Drummond, Sonia Bennett, Snez, Dennis Aubrey, who will be launching his ANZAC-themed album, Xmas 1914, Margaret Walters, Dan Marjason and more. It kicks off 6pm and tickets are available on the door.
I’m going to answer that with another question: Do you have a favourite child or sibling?
Will you do anything differently next time? We’ll probably organise our artwork earlier next time. Artistically though, we’re always learning more about who we are and make music along that journey – we will get closer and closer too every time we record… Not sure if that’s something you do differently, just living.
BLAST OFF
Will you be launching it?
Perth’s Rocket To Memphis, promoting their third album, Jungle Juice, plays an instore at Mojo Records on Thursday. Expect a bunch of rollickin’ rockabilly fun.
For more info see:
POST ROCK OUT It’s a night of post-rock bliss at the Lansdowne on Friday, with Solkyri and Meniscus throwing in a set each, plus Grun and Lander Configurations. As always, entry is free and it kicks off 7pm.
DEEP DOWN Sydney electro-pop songstress Juliet Guterres, better known as Jugu, has released her first ever music video to accompany her track, The Deep, from her new EP,
Thursday – The Gaelic thecadres.com
Getting Closer. She officially launches it Friday at MUM, where the stage will be decorated with hundreds of tiny little paper boats.
THE FALLEN RISE Rapidly rising local metallers Our Last Enemy, who recently moved to LA for a three-month recording stint, are back in their hometown now with a new album, Fallen Empires, to show off. You can hear it live when the band comes to The Wall on Saturday.
LICK AND CHANT Lansdowne regulars The Licks and Royal Chant return there on Saturday, playing free from 8pm.
LIKE TIM AND JEAN Tim & Jean are playing Oxford Art Factory this Saturday on their Like What tour – tickets are $20 but there are a bunch of bundles with a ticket to the show and the limited edition version of their debut CD, or even with a singlet. We Say Bamboulee and Voltaire Twins will support.
Strangely, nearly half the audience left before the headliners began – a fatal error as Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue absolutely blew the roof off. Looking like a bunch of stereotypical band geeks, it took only the opening bars to confirm that these guys are talented. They pumped out ridiculously good fusions of jazz, rock, hip hop and classic ‘70s funk from Shorty’s new album Backatown. It was impossible not to dance as the music was infectiously feelgood. They worked together as a seamless collective, but it was during their solos that their exquisite musicianship really became apparent. Masters of their instruments, solo after solo produced a sea of dropped jaws amongst the audience. Trombone Shorty (aka Troy Andrews) made it perfectly normal to have trombone as the lead instrument. He played with so much expression, emotion and soul that words were unnecessary, although when he did flex his vocal chords the effect was just as heart melting (particularly on R&B number Something Beautiful). As much a virtuoso on trumpet as on trombone, Shorty astonished the crowd by holding a single note for well over a minute, circular breathing with amazing skill.
What’s the title of your new EP and where did it come from?
ESSENTIAL VIEWING
DARKER HALF
NIKKI THORBURN – WALKING IN CIRCLES Singer/songwriter Nikki Thorburn has put forth a super cute video for her new single from EP, To The Place, flitting between distinctly different settings. There’s a posh garden party where the restless Miss Thorburn drinks tea and throws spoons and sugar around, a wild outdoor paint-splattered dance party and a strict Victorian home where the kids keep their arms crossed and wear high-collared clothes, occasionally making surprising chaotic moves along to the music and eventually also becoming splashed in colourful paint. The song itself is a catchy little thing, balancing finely between indie and good old pop. A smile-soaked display of happy times from one of local music’s most adorable poppets. Directed by James Shepherd http://bit.ly/f47C86
ON A WHOLE Sydney metallers Darker Half play Friday at The Wall, their last headliner in Sydney before the release of their upcoming record, Desensitized. At the show, the band will focus on material from their first release, Duality. They’ll be joined by five-piece prog metal band Hemina, local lads Teratornis and Wollongong’s Celtic/folk metal boys Troldhaugen. Doors open 8pm, music starts at 8:15pm and it’ll cost you $12 to get in.
Alex Hardy
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THE DRUM MEDIA 26 APRIL 2011 • 57 •