Drum Media Perth Issue #188

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37,500 COPIES DISTRIBUTED TO ALL THE RIGHT PLACES • THURSDAY 20 MAY 2010 • 188 • FREE

MOSCOW IN E R U S O L C

I N S I D E :

T H E

PLETE YOUR COMTIVAL GUIDE WAMI FES

HULZ ARKUS SC

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H O L D

S T E A D Y

•

N I L E

•

R I C K I E

L E E

TH RRE BISMU IE P W O R FRONT

J O N E S

•

P E N D U L U M

ALBANY • BUNBURY • BUSSELTON • DUNSBOROUGH • GERALDTON • MANDURAH • MARGARET RIVER • PERTH

Secret Sounds presents

Special Guests BOY & BEAR and JOHNNY FLYNN

PERTH

SUN 8TH AUG - CAPITOL Tickets from Moshtix Ph 1300 GET TIX (438 849) or www.moshtix.com.au; www.heatseeker.com.au;

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY 14TH MAY

I SPEAK BECAUSE I CAN OUT NOW ON EMI

www.lauramarling.com

THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010 • 3

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&+(&. :$0 $61 $8 )25 $// 7+( :$0, )(67,9$/ '(7$,/6 GOVERNMENT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Department of Culture and the Arts

6XSSRUWHG E\ WULSOH M

THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010 • 5

6 • THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010

THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010 • 7

8 • THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010

MANDURAH BAND COMP PRACTISE AND AUDITION S EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT @ T HE SLUG JAM SESSION

12 PINJARRA ROAD MANDURAH 9535 8866 Please ring if yo Entry form @ The Bar or u are coming in or email Email:Slughare@ and one will be sent to southwest.com.au you

: Y E N O M PRIZnEd $500 3rd $300

red. e 2 t n e 0 d 0 n 5 a 1 b $ 1st: each r o f r e h c u o $30 drink v THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010 • 9

news@drumperth.com.au

FOREWORD LINE GREAT SCOTT!

IN BRIEF

THU MAY 20 8PM

THE CLOCK STRIKES WAXMAN, ARRGGH BATS AND SELF MADE GURU FRI MAY 21 8PM

THE JOE KINGS

ROCK

AXIS OF AWESOME

With their new album The Crystal Axis due out on May 28, Melbourne trio Midnight Juggernauts are all set to reclaim their hold on the world. Following up their massively successful debut album Dystopia, the band recorded this album at Sing Sing studios in Melbourne, even producing it themselves. They’ve recently dropped their latest single Vital Signs and are heading to Europe for a bunch of festival dates. You can catch them launch the psych and synth rocking new sounds at Capitol on Saturday 14 August, proudly presented by Drum Media. Tickets from Moshtix and Heatseeker.

DILIP N THE DAVS, THE LAZY RAILWAY & THE CHINA BLUE EXPERIMENT

SAT MAY 22 8PM

THE DISGUISE

EP LAUNCH WITH DO THE ROBOT (QLD) SEAMS & KATHRYN TREE ROLLINS

SUN MAY 23 3PM WAMI FESTIVAL CLOSING PARTY

SCHVENDES, HARLEQUIN LEAGUE,

DANCE

FELICITY GROOM & THE BLACK BLACK SMOKE, CAPITAL CITY, SNEAKY WEASEL GANG, THE FLOORS, SELK & THE BONE SINGERS & KING GEORGE

MON MAY 24 8PM

)UHRV %,**(67 0RQGD\

WIDE OPEN MIC

JUSTIN WALSHE 0408 755 233

YOU LIKE, LIKES YOU

Democracy and Boomtick team up with The Likes Of You for the second round of techno madness with Stephan Bodzin heading up the line-up. Bodzin has worked with Oliver Huntemann, Thomas Schumacher and Marc Romboy, and remixed such heavyweights as Depeche Mode, Booka Shade and The Knife. His last Perth performance left jaws placed firmly on the floor, and now he’s set to whip out his Re:Live show for y’all. Italy’s Hugo brings his unique combination of electronic music along to Villa on Saturday 10 July, along with locals Progress Inn and Aarin F. Tickets $45 plus BF from Moshtix.

TUES MAY 25 8PM

STILLFIRE THE CHEVELLES

WED MAY 26 8PM )UHR %OXHV 5RRWV &OXE

SHONTAY SNOW

SETH LOWE PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS COMING SOON

MOJOS PIZZAS 5PM EACH DAY

3ULYDWH 3DUWLHV MAKE MOJO’S YOURS! (AVAILABLE JULY ONWARDS) CALL ANDREW 0408 934 256

10 • THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010

Forgot to hand in your application to the Next Big Thing competition last week? Fear not, the deadline has been extended and it now closes today, Thursday 20 May. Stop blaming the drummer and download your form from nextbigthing.net. au. As long as the app is postmarked with today’s date, you’ll be eligible to compete in the biggest band comp in the state, presented by Drum Media. Perhaps our Assistant Ed’s debut column Hogan Knows Best last week helped bring the bogan out, but Metallica fans raised their horns high with all 13 shows across Australia selling out in just over an hour. That’s over 215,000 tickets. Powderfinger’s got some competition. We love a good battle, particularly when fangs are involved. With True Blood Season 3 about to come air in the US, the bloody brilliant show is releasing a compilation of music from the second soundtrack. And it’s oh so better than Twilight’s so keep an eye out.

ONE THOUSAND YEARS

KING BROWN RECORDS MAY 27 / CLOUD CONTROL MAY 28 / BLOODSTOCK III MAY 29 / MOJO PROJECT & SQUIDY’S 40TH MAY 30 / MOJO RISING BAND COMP BEGINS!!! JUN 1 / GASOLINE INC JUN 3 / FISHY STYLE JUN 4 / JUSTIN WALSHE CD LAUNCH JUN 6 / 6 FT HICK & CAPITAL CITY JUN 19

From Radelaide rug rat to global pop princess, Sia Furler’s journey has been extraordinary. However, with new album We Are Born ready to be served, seems the pressures of success might be getting to her. Sia recently wrote a piece for The Times called ‘What It Feels Like To Hate Feeling Famous’, including candidly discussing how, amongst other things, the focus on her bisexuality once famous “made me withdraw, and I started to have panic attacks. It was then that I was prescribed antidepressants - fame made me develop a panic disorder… I want to be who I was before all this.” With some scarily obsessive fans, it’s no surprise Sia’s posts on Twitter often read like her one yesterday: “I’m a human being with mental illness, ptsd, panic disorder and for every 20 sweet amazing youse, there is a meanie. And I’m too sensy.” Leave her alone people!

ARTS

THEATRE ABSURD

Australia’s maestro of suburban absurdism Sam Simmons is bringing his awardwinning comedy show Fail to Perth. After an amazing, world-beating year in 2009, which saw him make his Edinburgh and Sydney Opera House debuts, the Simmons live show is like watching a man have an emotional breakdown on the monkey bars inside your mind. Joining Simmons at the Astor Theatre on Thursday 24 June is Sydney award-winning comedian Nick Sun, best described as an “amazing kinda Bill Hicks but with an absurd twist,” plus wild men John Conway and Josh Makinda. Tickets are $35 plus BF from Bocs.

Putting our Gossip Girl hat on and, with open bars leading to friendly affairs, it was no surprise to see Silverchair and Empire Of The Sun’s respective musical geniuses Daniel Johns and Luke Steele giggling like schoolgirls in each other’s company at a Groovin’ The Moo afterparty. Focusing all attention on each other, even their matching bleached blonde hair seemed to spell ‘collaboration’. Silver Empire album anyone?

Since her hot spinning debut in Australia’s chic nightlife playgrounds, Emily Scott has rapidly escalated towards becoming a very prominent female DJ in the industry, filling floors and widening eyes everywhere she goes. Catch Scott armed with the latest DJ weaponry for $15/10/5 on Saturday 5 June at Rise.

HUBBA BUBBA

Best known for his work in Screaming Trees, Queens Of The Stone Age and various other collaborations, Mark Lanegan has also released numerous critically acclaimed solo albums including The Winding Sheet and Bubblegum. Heck, his version of Where Did You Sleep Last Night? sounded a lot like the one that Nirvana covered a few years later on Unplugged Live In New York. Heading out to Australia on a rare solo tour, he takes in the Fly By Night on Sunday 11 July. Tickets from Ticketek and the venue from tomorrow, or presales until midday today.

HAIRY EVENINGS

If you’ve got a beard, or have ever even thought about acquiring one, then The Beards are for you. With their single If Your Dad Doesn’t Have A Beard, You’ve Got Two Mums racking up well over 100,000 hits on YouTube, the South Australian musical quartet are rapidly becoming part of Aussie folklore. Catch them on their Australian tour when they drop into Settlers Tavern on Friday 18 June; Civic Hotel on Saturday 19; and Mojo’s on Sunday 20 June.

BREAK IT DOWN

One of winter’s biggest dance events, the seventh Major Break is upon us. The biggest force in breakbeat, Napt heads up the extravaganza with his N-Funk Front attack, complete with house and electro. With a new sound, Black Noise rises from the ashes of Aquasky with a deafening roar. Completing the first announcement is remix king Peo De Pitte, the Swede who can feed all those interested in the tastes of Fake Blood, Krafty Kuts, Sinden and Plump DJs. It takes place at Villa on Saturday 24 July and tickets go on sale today for $35 plus BF from Planet, Mills, 78s, Moshtix, Boomtick and ITM.

THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE

With the first taste of their forthcoming album set to drop in the form of Mousetrap Heart, much loved Sydney group Thirsty Merc are heading back out on the road. Recorded in LA with super producer Andy Wallace (Faith No More, Maroon 5), the single introduces a dynamic new sound for the band. Catch them at the Prince Of Wales on Wednesday 21 July, and at the Fly By Night on Thursday 22. Tickets from the venues and Oztix.

WEST HEAD WEST

Melbourne based jazz sextet comprising of Vietnamese, West African, Sri Lankan and Australian players Way Out West have a growing international following and have performed at the Montreal Jazz Festival, Veneto Jazz Festival in Italy, Takatsuki in Japan and the EBS Space Festival in Seoul. Catch them at Thornlie’s Don Russell Performing Arts Centre on Friday 4 June. Tickets from www.gosnells.wa.gov.au.

SOUND SESSION

For the past decade, you’ve always been able to rely on the winter party power of the Ministry Of Sounds Sessions. This year, it’s set to be another big night with The Potbelleez headlining with their infamous live set. Joining them are electro firecrackers Boris Dlugosch (Germany), Stafford Brothers, Tommy Trash and filter freak Denzal Park, plus locals Micah, Mind Electric, Jus Haus, Chiari, Acebasik and DMO. It heads into Metro City just after uni exams finish, Friday 16 July.

AUTOEROTIQUE

MORE SOUNDS

Already boasting a massive line-up including Underworld, Crookers, Steve Aoki, Tiga, Felix Da Housecat and more, the We Love Sounds festival has added another big name to whet your appetite. In the Aoki led Dim Mak tent, Autoerotique have just been added to the bill with their seriously epic, electro sounds that have seen them remix everyone from Lykki Li to Weezer as they work on their upcoming first LP. Plus the locals have been announced with Ben Mac, Micah, Mono Lisa, Marty McFly, Philly, Lightsteed, Darren J, Thomas Hart, Jason Creek, Scott D & Yon Jovi, Death Disco DJs, Aarin F, Kastel and Jus Haus selected. Taking place on Sunday 6 June on the Foundation Day long weekend, tickets are $109 plus BF from Moshtix, ITM, Mills, 78 Records, Live and Planet.

20th MAY

SWAMP - Alt Country Rock’n Blues feat. Atlas Mountains with special guests Louis and the Hony Tonks and The Kirbens. Doors 8pm.

21st MAY

WAMI showcase: The Witness, Gilroy and the Cold Shoulders, Blackboard Minds and The Novacaines from 8pm. Be early.

22nd MAY

A rockin night with The Volcanics, Trigger Jackets, and special guests. Doors 8pm. Be early.

26th MAY

MINT WIND feat. Grace Woodroofe, Felicity Groom and Wolves at the Door. Doors 8pm.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS PRESENTS Cole Porter’s much loved musical

REGAL THEATRE 11 - 19 June BOOK NOW! 1300 795 012 TICKETEK.COM.AU

A HUGE SONG AND DANCE SPECTACULAR

Tonight & Tomorrow, 7.30pm

JAZZ IN THE THEATRE

TIN PAN ALLEY The music of Irving Berlin, George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter and other American songbook luminaries performed by: WAAPA Big Band, WAAPA Vocal Ensemble & Latin Ensemble

The Geoff Gibbs Theatre, ECU, Mt Lawley Tickets $22 / $17 con - 9370 6895 waapa.ecu.edu.au THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010 • 11

FOREWORD LINE

news@drumperth.com.au

JACK ACTION

BEST OF THE GIGNITERS

For almost a year, the Swan Basement has hosted Perth’s premier new bands night Gignition, proudly presented by Drum Media, and this Sunday 23 May is the biggest edition yet. In conjunction with the WAMi Festival, some of the best bands that have played the eves will return for encore sets in the form of Jack Action, The Silent Republic, Gombo, Bulls & Bears and Stunning In Red. Beforehand a discussion panel will take place, the session open to all independent bands. Speakers include promoter and venue booker Kevin Borruso, Dan Beard from Spaceship News, the Director of Street Press Australia Leigh Treweek, plus more guest speakers offering you advice on how to take your music further from 3- 4.30pm. The panel is free, or it’s $5 from 5pm if you just want to catch the band action.

WARWICK CAPPER

With more than one hundred million albums sold, Dionne Warwick is an international hitmaker and legend. Armed with such hits as Walk On By, Alfie, I’ll Never Fall In Love Again, Say A Little Prayer and dozens more, she will play her final ever show in Perth on Friday 16 July at the Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre with guest Kate Ceberano, who has a slew of her own hits. Tickets go on sale tomorrow from Ticketek.

SHWAYZE TO GO

A swag of the indie hip hop world’s current trendsetters are teaming up and heading out on an Australian tour. Shwayze is no overnight success story with self-titled debut album ushering him and his partner in crime Cisco Adler to unlikely heights. Fuelled by millions of Internet plays, the duo found themselves on the Vans Warper Tour and became MTV reality TV stars. Fellow hip hop duo The Knux have made the move to LA and share a management team with Blink-182 and Eminem, while DJ Jason Smith rounds out the line-up, which hits Villa on Friday 25 June. Tickets from Moshtix.

RED NOSED REINDEER

A star of global urban rock, Kevin Rudolf is all set to embark on his first big Australian tour. Playing songs from his first album Let It Rock through to his latest creation, the soon-to-be-released To The Sky, this is a rare opportunity to see the man who successfully convinced Lil Wayne to go rock on the track Let It Rock (discuss amongst yourselves). See Rudolf on Thursday 15 July at Metro City. Tickets $69.50 from Ticketek on Friday 21 May.

SNEAKER PIMPS

All set to unveil their debut compilation We Mix You Dance, Sydney’s Purple Sneakers are heading back to Limelite on a national tour. Boasting 29 tracks, the compilation will feature a ‘Booty Shakin’’ disc with Vampire Weekend, Phoenix, Hot Chip, La Roux and more, while the ‘Chin Strokin’ disc features The Drums, The Xx, Yeasayer and more. It’s out on June 11, and you can see the Sneakers at Metropolis Fremantle on Friday 25 June.

LET’S GO SKITZO

Having sold over a million albums, Nick Skitz is also responsible for five gold albums, 33 ARIA top ten albums and plenty of hit singles, and now he’s set to show off his latest release. Not one to follow music trends of playing what the ‘it’ kids think is cool, Skitz Rocks 3 is from another world. Catch the hard dance bandit at Rise for $20/10/5 on Friday 4 June.

EDITORIAL

DESIGN & LAYOUT

Managing Editor Andrew Mast Editor Aarom Wilson Editorial Assistant Matthew Hogan Interval Editor Daniel Crichton-Rouse

Dave Harvey, Stuart Teague, Samantha Smith

ADVERTISING Sales & Marketing Director Leigh Treweek Sales Executives Matt “Moose” McMullen, Aaron Rutter

12 • THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010

ADMINISTRATION Accounts Qing Shu

PHOTOGRAPHERS Shane Butler, Penny Lane, Cybele Malinowski, Brad Serls, Cat Sharland, Anthony Tran

CONTRIBUTORS Chris Archibald, Marisa Aveling, Paul Barbieri, Aleksia Barron, Steve Bell, Nina Bertok, Tristan

For many years, young stoners would have found it hard to have a ‘session’ without Cypress Hill’s seminal Black Sunday playing in the background. Now a whole new generation of stoners, and the ones that have grown up to become respectable members of society (cops, lawyers, former treasurers), can relive their youth when B-Real, Sen Dog and producer DJ Muggs smoke out Metro City with their full band on Wednesday 29 September. Peddling eighth studio album Rise Up, produced by Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine, grab your tickets from Moshtix and Heatseeker from June 3.

LOCAL LOVING

BRUCE LEE

After blowing away all comers at Ambar last year with a thumping, sleaze-filled bass heavy set, filthy beat pioneer Lee Mortimer is coming back to do it all again thanks to the Destination? crew. Recently collaborating with Laidback Luke and Foamo, the results can be head in Blau! and Superman, two of the hottest club tracks currently filling the airwaves. The Englishman behind the groundbreaking label Wearhouse Music returns to Ambar on Friday 4 June.

SMOKE CLOUD

There’s some mighty fine happenings going down right now in WA, and we ain’t just talking about the fact the Dockers’ recent success has their players behaving like Eagles…

DIAMOND SEA

Playing together and arguing together for a good five years now, Melbourne duo Fabulous Diamonds create overtly hypnotising music, full of lulling, sensual repetition with an undercurrent of friction. With their new album Fabulous Diamonds II hitting shops on June 19, the band’s announced a stop in Perth as part of their album tour. Catch the band that’s been praised by The Wire (the UK mag), Pitchfork and Fader, not to forget Perth’s own Drum Media, on Saturday 31 July at The Bird.

MASTERS REGATTA

In the third of its outstanding Master Series Concerts for 2010, the West Australian Symphony Orchestra team up with conductor Vladimir Verbitsky and pianist Maxwell Foster to perform the ever-popular Slavonic Dances by Czech composer, Antonin Dvorák. The program also includes excerpts from Wagner’s romantic opera Lohengrin and Piano Concerto No.9 by Mozart. It takes place at Perth Concert Hall on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 June from 7.30pm. Tickets $25 from WASO and Bocs.

WEIRD SCIENCE

Known for being one of the most prolific and diverse duos in drum’n’bass with a highly enviable discography stretching back over 15 years, Total Science are famous for their DJ sets all over the globe and are to release a new album this year. With the recently released Gangsta out on Shogun, the d’n’b kings are take in Shape on Friday 25 June. $20 door sales.

PARTY OF THE GODS

Now that earlybirds have sold out, get in quick to snap up final release tickets to the biggest club show of 2010, Godskitchen at Metro City on Friday 11 June. In addition to heavyweights Roger Shah, Markus Schulz and Gareth Emery, local supports have been added. Jason Creek opens the main stage, while Marko La Kucha, Darren J, Kenny L, Sketchism & Jackness, Jay Vicente, Nathan Francis and Jean-Paul play the Rouge Room. The promoters are also giving away five double passes every week, starting tomorrow. All you have to do is head to Mellen Events’ Facebook page, click ‘Like’ and change your profile pic to the Godskitchen Eflyer.

Broomhall, Jaymes Brown, Rick Bryant, Anthony Carew, Travis Collins, Dan Condon, Cyclone, Marcia Czerniak, Guy Davis, Sam Fell, SJ Finch, Tim Finney, Kim Fisher, Tomas Ford, Shannon Fox, Rueben Hale, Stu Harvey, Andrew Haug, Craig Hollywood, Jason Kenny, Angela King, Kim Kirkman, Jo Lettenmaier, Troy Mutton, Daniel Parkinson, Gareth Richardson, Ted Schlechte, Megan Smith, Michael Smith, Aimee Somerville, Kate Stephens, Scarlett Stevens, Kristy Symonds, Nic Toupee, Adam Trainer, Chris Wheeldon.

For a night that will appeal to your every visceral sensation, head down to The Phat Phunk Circus at Rosemount Hotel on Thursday 10 June. Featuring Odette Mercy & Her Soul Atomics, The Brow Horn Orchestra, Alec Ducak and Mistrust & The Pollinators, the night combines music, circus performers, professional dancers and even a snake handler. Presales from $12 plus BF from Mills and Freo’s Happy High Herbs. Best known for his work fronting Downsyde, Optamus is stepping out of the shadows with his new group aptly titled Optamus. The MC is joined by Chris Foster a.k.a. Mr Chops on keys and Jeremy Jonjsma on guitar and vocals. Having completed their debut album Forever & A Day, you can see it launched at Dunsborough Tavern on Friday 11 June; Rosemount on Saturday 12; Prince Of Wales on Thursday 24; Busselton on Friday 25; and at Albany’s White Star Motel on Saturday 26 June. Also launching at the Rosemount show is local MC Smiley, whose album features some production from Dazastah and plenty of guests. Folkies Miche Suite are gearing up to launch We’re All Going To Die as a single and film clip on Saturday 19 June at the Norfolk Basement with support from Luke Dux, Ruby Boots and Hootenanny. It will be the bands last show before heading to Broome to tour. Whiskey-soaked swamp punkers The Bible Bashers will release their debut EP at The Den on Saturday 5 June with a performance from The Bashettes and tunes from DJ Rex Monsoon. The EP was recorded with the Reverend Max Ducker. Returning to Scitech on Sunday 6 June is Analog To Digital for its second jam-packed edition of experimental tunes from your hometown. Heading up the occasion is none other than Erasers, who dazzled at In The Pines recently with their primitive beats, loops and chanting vocals. Joining them is Gilbert Fawn, Diode and Decibel. It’s $10 from 7pm. West Australian based sound artist Matt Rösner will release a limited edition cassette tape on Friday 28 May at Kulcha in Fremantle. He will be joined by The Ghost Of 29 Megacycles, who will be playing their last show in Perth, and DJ Adam Trainer, who also appears on the cassette. Tell us all about your upcoming launch, tour or lust for change by emailing music@drumperth.com.au.

EDITORIAL POLICY

PUBLISHER

The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. No part may be reproduced without the consent of the copyright holder. ©

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THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010 • 13

FOREWORD LINE 2010 RONNIE JAMES DIO, 1942 –

THE PASSING OF ONE OF METAL’S MOST ENDURING AND BELOVED FIGURES EARLIER THIS WEEK HAS SHAKEN THE METAL WORLD. THE ‘METAL HORNS’ ARE JUST ONE LEGACY THIS ICON HAS LEFT ON HEAVY MUSIC, AND TRISTAN BROOMHALL THROWS A HORNED SALUTE TO THE LIFE OF RONNIE JAMES DIO.

A

fter announcing in November last year that he was suffering from stomach cancer, Ronnie James Dio succumbed to the illness last Sunday 16 May. The news impacted the worldwide heavy metal community immediately and the Blabbermouth news service hosted by Roadrunner Records has been inundated with statements from artists as diverse as Billy Corgan, Sebastian Bach, Nikki Sixx and Slash. The common thread throughout the memories of all those who’ve been close to or met Dio is his approachability, kind words and smile, and the immeasurable influence his distinctive vocal style had on those who came after him. Dio had a lifelong interest in music and began his recording career in high school but the self-taught vocalist’s first steps towards heavy metal came with The Electric Elves, who changed their name to the more succinct Elf and recorded three albums between 1972 and 1975. Fortunately for Elf and Dio the band had attracted the attention of Deep

14 • THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010

Purple, leading Roger Glover and Ian Paice to produce Elf’s self-titled debut. The Elf years saw the band support Deep Purple and gain a level of fame before Dio, along with Elf’s bassist and drummer, were recruited for Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow and recorded on the debut album. Dio continued with Rainbow during their breakthrough early years and performed on three more albums before leaving the band. Without doubt the relatively short time Dio spent as the lead singer of Black Sabbath is what he’s still primarily known for. Joining the English metal legends in 1979 and enduring some of their most tumultuous years following the firing of Ozzy Osbourne, Dio left an indelible mark on group, bringing his distinctive vocal style and rejuvenating the band that was floundering following a period of drug excesses. Dio’s first album with Tommy Iommi and co. was the widely praised Heaven And Hell. In Steven Rosen’s The Story Of Black Sabbath: Wheels Of Confusion (1996), Iommi explains Dio’s innate musicality and the difference between the two vocalist’s styles –

news@drumperth.com.au

GIVEAWAYS giveaways@drumperth.com.au

“Ozzy was a great showman, but when Dio came in, it was a different attitude, a different voice and a different musical approach, as far as vocals. Dio would sing across the riff, whereas Ozzy would follow the riff, like in Iron Man. Ronnie came in and gave us another angle on writing.” While the band and fans tried to warm to Dio, well documented conflicts within the band undoubtedly shortened the time he spent with Sabbath and by the end of 1982 he’d quit the band taking Vinny Appice with him and formed a new group known simply as Dio. Shaking off the ‘guy who replaced Ozzy’ tag, in 1983 the group released their acclaimed debut Holy Diver, considered by many to be one of the greatest heavy metal albums ever recorded. The album’s title track and first single remain the reference staple for Dio’s career and a template for hard-rock mastery, and despite Dio threatening to take a razor blade to the master tape of Rainbow In The Dark, the song and its infectious keyboard hook became the album’s second single. Albums like Sacred Heart and Dream Evil kept fans coming back and, 10 studio albums later, Dio put the group that bore his name on hiatus and reunited with Black Sabbath members Tommy Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice to record some tracks for a compilation title Black Sabbath: The Dio Years. Following the recording the foursome embarked on a tour under the moniker of Heaven & Hell and despite insisting that the tour was a one-off, a full-length original album was recorded in 2008 and The Devil You Know was released in 2009. It was the last studio recording featuring Dio. On November 25, 2009, Dio’s wife Wendy announced that he’d been diagnosed with stomach cancer and that “after he kills this dragon, Ronnie will be back on stage, where he belongs, doing what he loves best, performing for his fans. Long live rock and roll, long live Ronnie James Dio.” His passing was announced by Wendy on Sunday. “Today my heart is broken, Ronnie passed away at 7.45am 16th May. Many, many friends and family were able to say their private goodbyes before he peacefully passed away. Ronnie knew how much he was loved by all. We so appreciate the love and support that you have all given us,” she wrote on ronniejamesdio.com.

After declaring himself North American Scum on his last album, LCD Soundsystem have found the cleanser with Dance Yerself Clean on new album This Is Happening. The dance punk disco act lead by James Murphy needs little introduction, and the album itself got a work out later in the mag that made it very difficult to decide what to pick as the Album Of The Week. To pick up one of FIVE copies of This Is Happening, send an email to giveaways@drumperth.com.au with “HAPPEN TO ME” in the subjectline. Anyone who dabbles in equine anatomy might be quick to point out that horses don’t have arms, but it’s now been proven that Band Of Horses have Infinite Arms. It’s the Seattle quintet’s third album, their first on their new label, and it’s released just in time for their shows in Australia as part of Splendour. The album saw a change in line-up – twice – and a bunch of the songs road tested when the band toured the US. To pick up one of FIVE copies of Infinite Arms, send an email to giveaways@ drumperth.com.au with “ARM ME” in the subjectline. They’re one of the world’s hardest working bands with over 200 shows a year and now Gogol Bordello have found time to release their fifth album. Trans-Continental Hustle saw the band head into the studio with music god Rick Rubin, who made the band focus around the soul of each song. When they play, they win fans effortlessly, and Trans-Continental Hustle allows the frenzy to continue long after their performance at West Coast Blues’n’Roots. To pick up one of FIVE copies, send an email to giveaways@drumperth.com.au with “GOGOL” in the subjectline.

Dio, may you ride the tiger into eternity.

THE DRUM MEDIA 18 MARCH 2010 • 17

THE NATIONAL

HIGH VIOLET The brilliant new album. Features guests Justin Vernon (aka Bon Iver), Sufjan Stevens and Richard Reed Parry (Arcade Fire). Includes Bloodbuzz Ohio

SOUND BY REMOTE CONTROL

“Anxious, personal songs projected onto wide screensâ€? Pitchfork “Grows in power with each listenâ€? The Guardian “The National are magniďŹ centâ€? Uncut

GOTAN PROJECT

NEW PORNOGRAPHERS TOGETHER

THE GHOST WHO WALKS

After 2 million album sales and 400 concerts worldwide, Gotan Project release their third studio album, Bringing tango in to the 21st century, mixing its traditional elements with chilled contemporary beats

Canada’s ďŹ nest, featuring Neko Case, deliver an album ďŹ lled with addictive choruses, magical middle eights and boy/ gal harmonies that’ll make you swoon. Includes Hands Together

An album ďŹ lled with tales of dashed hopes and crimes of passion. With Jack White producing and on drums and Patti Smith’s son Jackson on guitar

TANGO 3.0

KAREN ELSON

ENTER THE

FIRE! SANTA ROSA, FIRE!

PARADES

SEA PRIEST

FOREIGN TAPES

The Adelaide band’s debut album includes ‘War Coward’ and ‘Little Cowboys, Bad Hombres’.

The debut album from Sydney outďŹ t Parades, produced in band member Jonathan Boulet’s garage. Includes Dead Nationale and Past Lives National Tour June & July: see http://www.myspace.com/parades

BLOGOSPHERE remotecontrolrecords.com.au or follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/rcontrol free mp3s, tour dates, breaking news, Updated daily

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ALL IS BLISS FESTIVAL WORD ASSOCIATION Now kids it’s time to play Drum Media’s fastest growing quiz sensation, Festival Word Association: ROLLERCOASTER December 2009, Mandurah Foreshore Kevin: “Our friend Joe, who plays in Pond, he was feeling rather drunk and mischievous and I latched onto that and broke in commando style to their tent and stole some of Sneaky Sound System’s rider and some of their bread. We though it was so awesome that we went back for their furniture and stuff.� SOUTHBOUND January 2010, Sir Stewart Bovell Park Kevin: “I got stung by undercover police out in the audience.� V FESTIVAL April 2009, Across Australia Jay: “Me and Nick decided that [Razorlight’s] Johnny Borrell decided to put make-up under his eye to make him look more junkie-like on stage. SUMMERSONIC July 2009, Japan Jay: “Dancing on stage with The Flaming Lips in animal costumes.�

ON THE EVE OF THEIR DEBUT ALBUM RELEASE AND FIRST TOUR OF THE USA, KEVIN PARKER AND JAY WATSON OF TAME IMPALA TELL MATTHEW HOGAN ABOUT THEIR STRANGE PATH TO BECOMING THE MOST EXCITING YOUNG BAND IN AUSTRALIA.

I

t was in October 2006 when a band called The Dee Dee Dums took out the WA leg of the National Campus Band Competition at the Rosemount Hotel. They won in part thanks to a song that would also prove pivotal in helping the band secure a major record deal. The song was Half Full Glass Of Wine. After losing the national final over east, line-up changes and new songs led The Dee Dee Dums to henceforth be known as Tame Impala.

Soon thereafter the band had their first release on boutique label Hole In The Sky and offers started to roll in for the young trio. “It was Modular at first, but then it was just everyone,� recalls Watson. “Pretty much every label you could think of that puts out records in Australia got on the bandwagon. I guess that’s why we

I WANTED TO DO IT AS SIMILAR TO THE EP AS POSSIBLE... I WAS HAPPY TO DO IT AT HOME BUT THEY SAID WE NEEDED TO GO TO A DIFFERENT LOCATION SO I JUST TOLD THEM TO GET US A SHACK BY THE BEACH.�

“

“I thought it was necessary to change the band name just because I changed band names every single year,� recalls the band’s frontman Kevin Parker. “It just so happens that Tame Impala has stuck. We had all these plans to change everything and get Jay [Watson] to play drums.� Watson was in another hotly tipped band at the time, The Novocaines, and joined Tame Impala as a 17-year-old on drums. The name change signalled a new beginning for the Perth trio, completed by bassist (now guitarist) Dom Simper, who were growing weary of the Perth scene. “I was also going to make an endeavour to not play any gigs and not really offer the band up to anything. You know, like when you’re a band starting out and you take every gig that you’re offered because you should be grateful that you’ve been given a stage to play to an audience,� Parker says. “When I changed the name, we were only going to play at the Norfolk Basement. We would only ever play there. And a couple of our friends were outraged, and even our manager Jo[die Regan] – who wasn’t our manager at the time but is now – she thought that was a ridiculous idea.�

thought we should sign with Modular; not just because it seemed quite cool, but they were the first – they were the ones that found us on the MySpace and they were the first to offer us some money. I think they just really liked the [mouths the opening riff from Half Full Glass Of Wine], and then they were like ‘awww sweet!’ I think they didn’t realise that we only had one song like that, and that we were only going to have one song like that!�

Instead of gigging, the band got into the habit of recording music constantly. “It’s weird how many bands say it’s their life,â€? ponders Watson. “They might work a job and it’s their hobby, and they give everything to their band, but you see them out partying every weekend. Everyone always says that we’re super lucky or whatever, but I think we work harder on our music than most other bands we know in Perth‌ We do it daily, or compulsively, and I think that paid off in that gap anyway. Post name-change and pre-signing a record deal, we did it pretty hard.â€?

Once the band signed to Modular in mid-2008, they then spent that time up until now being one of the busiest bands in Australia, playing countless festivals and coveted support slots. Just before they embarked on an Australian tour with MGMT in December 2008, they recruited a fourth member, Nick Allbrook. “His first tour with a massive tour with catering and a rider, and MGMT offering him apple bongs at his first gig with us at the fucking Belvoir Amphitheatre,� laughs Watson. “It

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was just paradise. He was like, ‘Sweet, I can get used to this’, instead of just Wednesdays at the Swan Basement with Mink Mussel Creek or whatever!â€? Parker points out that having four people in your band adds to the group dynamic, in addition to creating a fuller sound on stage. “Touring with four people is easier than touring with three people because, when you’re at the hotel room, two people can go off to the pub while two people can stay at the hotel,â€? he explains. “But if there are three people, you pretty much have to be together the whole time, because if you don’t then one person gets singled out. The group dynamic is much easier when there are four people. And Nick’s our friend, so we always wanna bring in friends to enjoy what we’re enjoying as well.â€? After their self-titled debut EP was an essential part of any record collection, Tame Impala set out to make an album. Yet they didn’t always think Modular’s advice was the best. “There was a bit of encouragement from the label to go overseas and do the album, like any other band that’s just signed to a major label,â€? says Parker. “And we really didn’t want to do that because it was just such a formula; ‘band releases crusty EP from bedroom, gets signed to a major label, goes to LA and records‌’â€? Watson lists Wolfmother, Jet and The Vines before Parker continues, “Even down to bands that are smaller than us. I was like, ‘fuck this, Tame Impala can’t do that’ because it would just be this killer. Also I was apprehensive about changing anything about the way we had recorded before. I wanted to do it as similar to the EP as possible, but still in a more professional manner. I was happy to do it at home but they said we needed to go to a different location, so I just told them to get us a shack by the beach.â€? Working with a figure on their contract that said “minimum $50,000â€?, the boys headed down south to a “treehouse mansionâ€? to begin recording what would be Innerspeaker, but the record company didn’t think they could be trusted on their own, so they brought in Tim Holmes from UK band Death In Vegas. “Modular got him as a kind of a safe guard,â€? says Watson. “But

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SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS July 2010, Woodford QLD Kevin: “I’m just going to let Julian Casablancas know that we think his solo album is awesome.�

we all knew that Kevin could record music really good, but to them, we were probably little stoner shits from Perth who wouldn’t do as good a job as they would have liked, so they sent him over. He was really cool, and it turns out that he produced all this music that we liked, or engineered – like Block Rocking Beats by The Chemical Brothers and Spiritualized – and did some stuff with Kevin Shields. It was perfect. But he wasn’t a knob twiddler or a producer, he was more of a mechanic.� The match ended up being made in heaven and soon they recruited another major player in Dave Fridmann to mix. “I was going to mix it myself, but I couldn’t get what I wanted sonically,� Parker admits. “By that stage I wanted it to sound all explosive, and by that stage I didn’t care if it sounded as crusty as hell. But by the end of it I wanted it to sound a whole lot better than the EP, and I couldn’t do it. I was getting really frustrated and then Dave Fridmann popped up and emailed the label. We had a talk about it and I said, ‘yeah, we should get the album mixed there’. So I went over to his log cabin in Cassadaga [New York] and we mixed the album together there.� With Innerspeaker finally hitting shelves tomorrow, the first chapter in Tame Impala’s short but very exciting history is complete. The second chapter kicks off the day after they launch the album at Metropolis Fremantle next week, when they play the first in their month-long set of dates in support of MGMT in the USA. Needless to say, the band is vibing. “Those sorts of things are one of the few things that you can be certain,� reflects Watson, “that’s it’s just going to be fun. And it’s so good being the support the band. Nobody’s there to see you. Nobody cares.� Adds Parker, “Having nothing to live up to is just the best thing in the world.� WHO: Tame Impala WHAT: Innerspeaker (Modular/Universal) WHEN & WHERE: Thursday 27 May, Metropolis Fremantle

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CALLING ALL NZ CREW!

THE CHEMIST ep launch as part of the with young revelry, wolves & wolves at the door 8pm. $15.

THIS PARTY IS FOR YOU WITH THE BEST IN NZ BEATS HOSTED BY CYBER 1 ALSO FEATURING MC CHUCK UPU (COOK IS)

DJs BUDA - PARTS - HAMZ - PHAZE $15.00 ON THE DOOR

$11.00 HUNGIE FROM 7PM BE EARLY BEFORE IT RUNS OUT ! COMING SOON

ALL BLACK FEAT STATE OF MIND & KOBRA KAI 25/06/10 CHECK OUT WWW.LOADEDDICE.COM.AU FOR MORE INFO

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Foolsand Rush In, Chasing DJ Armee the Ninth, Further Tickets $20+BF or Earth, $25 at the Minute door from36 6pm $5 entry from 8pm

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DINNER SPECIALS tickets $40+BF. doors 8pm. MONDAY – special ďŹ lter student night THURSDAY free in the beer garden

SUNDAE SESSION free in the beer garden from 5pm www.rosemounthotel.com.au corner angove & ďŹ tzgerald st north perth 16 • THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010

DEBUT ALBUM

T H I S I S T H E WA R N I NG Big, Here We Divide The Space On The Wall

Featuring &

CD • DIGITAL • 2LP OUT NOW THIS IS THE WARNING NATIONAL TOUR

Fri 11 June - POW, Bunbury & Sat 12 June - Capitol, Perth www.deadlettercircus.com THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010 • 17

ACHIEVING TRANCE GODLINESS TOP TIERED DJS

FROM THE PITS OF DEPRESSION TO THE HEIGHTS OF CURRENTLY BEING PLACED AS ONE OF THE WORLD’S TOP TEN DJS, MARKUS SCHULZ HAS BEEN ON QUITE THE JOURNEY. RUEBEN HALE DISCOVERS HE’S STILL ONLY ON THE WAY UP, READY TO HOLD THE TORCH FOR THE NEW TRANCE MOVEMENT.

Since 1997, the DJ Mag 100, a publicly voted poll that ranks the best DJs in the world, has grown into the benchmark global rating system for DJs. The upcoming Godskitchen show boasts three top ranking DJs, with Markus Shulz ranking #8, Gareth Emery at #9, and Roger Shah coming in at #21 on the last annual poll. Let’s take a look at 2009’s top 10:

J

ust talking to Markus Schulz, you get the strong sense this is a man completely focused and dedicated to his craft, with amazing stamina to boot. He was the first artist to be signed to Armin van Buuren’s trance and house label Armada in 2005, and since then he’s been continuously touring the world with his Global DJ tours. Van Buuren asked him to come up with some fresh sounds and he’s succeeded in doing just that, with more than 100 releases to date under his sub-label Cold Harbor Recordings. He’s still also enthusiastic about his future, believing that there is a definitive change happening worldwide with trance as people grow tired of the same old sounds from the past. “Rainbow and unicorn is kind of clichéd and boring to a lot of people. What‘s getting people excited now is the rawness; the big trance sounds and square wave sounds that rip apart arenas,” says Schulz.

1. Armin van Buuren: For three years in a row, the Dutch trance master lord has taken out the top spot, his radio show A State Of Trance being beamed to millions of people across the world each week no doubt helping this cause.

Growing up was not an easy time for the trance heavyweight because of his battle with depression, but he immersed himself in music as a way to get out. Now he can laugh at the slight irony in his present situation, where his music obviously brings so much pleasure and optimism to people all over the world. “Making music was very therapeutic for me. I was able to get out of this depression. Now some of the tracks are a little more uplifting. It’s kind of hard to make tracks about being depressed when you’re living a dream. I think that’s being reflected in my music as well, because there’s a lot more optimism in the tracks now; a lot more positivity and positive messages in the music now, whereas on my first artist album I had a lot of baggage – emotional baggage that I was carrying on my shoulders – and it’s not there anymore. It has helped me to create music which is more optimistic.” Now he describes himself as being in the ‘thick of change’ with trance sounds and, in keeping with his commitment, promotes like-minded and up-and-coming talent. He is very excited about his collaboration with Khaz on his new single Dark Heart Waiting, which will also feature on the upcoming new album. “He’s one of the artists I was really happy to work with. He’s new and has got an amazing direction and vibe around him. Working with him was a lot of fun. One of the things though was it was probably the most commercial of all the tracks. We decided to go in that direction for the first release.” With a further show of support to new artists, Schulz has been doing a musical travelogue for many years, compiling what he thinks are the best sounds from artists in a chosen city. This year he released Las Vegas 10 after spending some time there and realising the place is not as it seems. “Last year I dedicated it to Toronto because I love the scene there, it is massive there. Like I said, it’s like a family; people go clubbing together and go to the after parties together. Las Vegas is going through this reinvention and, to be honest with you, it is not what you would expect. A lot of people think it is all this bling, bling and lights but, the truth be told, it has a rich history. It has one of the coolest rave scenes in the US. Many people don’t realise the music scene in Las Vegas has always been really cool, and a lot of the rave promoters and the kids that used to go to the raves are now grown up and go to the clubs. They still have the same passion and the energy for the music. Las Vegas is reinventing itself musically as well, and that is why I have dedicated it to the city this year,” says Schulz. The compilation truly captures the energy of Vegas. Amongst other tracks, it also features the big sounds of newcomer tyDi on the stadium-blasting Maaybe remix. “I’m really proud of him. I think of what he has done, and how he has progressed over the years – it is absolutely incredible. I’ve known him for many years now. In fact I told him just a couple of weeks ago how proud I was with what he has been able to accomplish. I see nothing but a bright future for him.” With the obvious next question about the likelihood of an Australian dedication, Schulz was pleasingly positive. “There are so many places that have an amazing scene and are growing in Australia which definitely need to be represented at some point. We’ll just have to wait and see on that one.” It is incredible that on top of an insane touring schedule (doing 180 shows last year alone), Schulz finds the time for yet another side project with the Global DJ Broadcast. The station is based from his residency at Amnesia based at Ibiza, and is broadcast to over 40 stations. It has been a proven success, running for over

2. Tiesto: Tijs Michiel Verwest has ranked in second for the last three years, but he had the first laugh taking out the top spot in 2002, 2003 and 2004. Perhaps his massive touring schedule, which saw him play three shows at Metro City earlier this year, will see him return to the top in 2010. 3. David Guetta: Going up two positions from the previous year, Guetta has been steadily rising since he first ranked in at #39 in 2005. Will he rise again this year after taking home a Grammy Award? Only time will tell. 4. Above & Beyond: Ranking at #4 for two years in a row, the British trance twosome have been 100 regulars since 2004.

THERE ARE SO MANY PLACES THAT HAVE AN AMAZING SCENE AND ARE GROWING IN AUSTRALIA WHICH DEFINITELY NEED REPRESENTING”

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five years and looks set to continue expanding. “The world tour concept is massive. We get so many requests from people and promoters to bring the world tour to their cities. The cool thing is we’ve been able to show people different scenes and not just how different they are, but also how similar. Whether it be in the Middle East, Asia, Australia, North America, South America or Europe, it truly is a global scene. The Global DJ Broadcast put an exclamation point to that.” The Global DJ Tour is scheduled to arrive in Australia in June – in Perth as part of the huge Godskitchen line-up – and Schulz says he is looking forward to it because he has always enjoyed the scene in Australia with the last visit in 2009 as part of the same tour. “It’s going to be around the time my new artist album gets released, so to celebrate that in Australia on the tour is going to be a lot of fun. My career is a constant growth, and I look forward to building on what I have been able to build there so far,” says Schulz. The new album Do You Dream is scheduled for release around the same time as the Global DJ tour hits Australia. It is named after the massive release of the single a few months ago and, as Schulz explains, is a reflection of his life where reality surpasses anything he could have ever dreamt of. In keeping with his eye for talent, he has promised some interesting collaborations. “There are some new artists I have worked with on this album and I really take pride in discovering them, and on this album we’ve managed to find some really talented ones.” It is also interesting to note the resurrection of his alter ego for what Schulz calls an “artistic escape”. “Last year I put out a Dakota album as a buffer between artist albums, but at the same time it was therapeutic for me because I was able to get a lot of those ideas that were in my head that maybe didn’t fit being Markus Schulz. I was unable to get those ideas out. The response has been incredible and I had a great time doing the album, and so I have put thought into doing a second Dakota album when I have finished with this one.” Anyone who tours as much as Schulz does is bound to see some crazy stuff go on but, like a true professional, Schulz refrains from giving too much away, apart from a wink. “Some of the funniest moments happen at the after parties that I go to. You can wind up playing a four-hour set in somebody’s living room. It can be pretty funny and pretty cool. The people that I meet on the tours are what make this so amazing. It doesn’t

matter what city you’re in, there is always a community of people; almost like a family; they go clubbing together all the time.” And the lounge rooms in question? “The after parties we like to keep as the after parties. It gets pretty crazy sometimes.” However, one wonders with all that partying how a constantly touring DJ keeps it together physically and mentally, but Schulz maintains he has learned to have a good time, but also be disciplined with his health. “I’ve always been into sports so every chance that I get I will try to play basketball or go to the gym. Instead of taking the elevator, I take the stairs. I’ve always been active, but I can’t say that it’s not a challenge,” laughs Schulz. It is an exciting prospect to have an artist like Markus Schulz so dedicated to the evolution of trance and the support of others doing the same. He says many of his contemporaries are doing the same thing and that can only be a positive thing. “The new generation of trance is really inspiring to me right now. Your really get a sense of change in the air. I respect everything Paul Van Dyk, Paul Oakenfold and Tiesto and all those guys have done. There’s a change; a shift in the sounds now, and people are hungry for change. I think that has been driving me and inspiring me lately – this whole change and reinvention of trance,” says Schulz.

WHO: Markus Schulz WHAT: Do You Dream (405 Recordings/Xelon Entertainment) out June 16 WHEN & WHERE: Godskitchen – Friday 11 June, Metro City, Northbridge

5. Paul Van Dyk: Picking up #1 in 2005 and 2006, the German trance man has ranked in all 13 polls. 6. Deadmau5: The Canadian mouse lover is one of the youngest rankers in the poll and this was his first appearance in the top 10. 7. Ferry Corsten: Always a bridesmaid but never a bride, this Dutch trance legend has never ranked higher than #5 in his 11 appearances on the list. 8. Markus Shulz: The German has come in at #8 two years in a row now. 9. Gareth Emery: The UK trance producer jumped the most out of all in the top 10, coming up 14 places. 10. Sander van Doorn: Dutch trance and techno producer, van Doorn made his debut in the list in 2008 at #13.

THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010 • 19

CLOSURE, FINALLY SINCE BEING THROWN INTO THE SPOTLIGHT OVER A COMPLEX BATTLE WITH SOUNDWAVE 2010, CLOSURE IN MOSCOW HAS MOVED ON. KATE STEPHENS SPOKE TO MANNY ZENNELLI AND CHRIS DECINQUE, TWO FIFTHS OF THE MELBOURNE BAND, TO FIND OUT IF SOME SPOTLIGHTS BURN.

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e don’t want to waste any precious energy or thought power on negative bullshit like that,” rants vocalist/ guitarist Christopher DeCinque of Melbourne band Closure In Moscow. For those who aren’t familiar with the details of Soundwave 2010 versus Melbourne’s Closure In Moscow, type the two names into any search engine and you’ll quickly find yourself immersed in a bitter scandal. Whilst both sides of the argument seem plausible, the end result remains, with Soundwave 2010 featuring no Australian act on their main stage, and Closure In Moscow, left in the middle of an unfamiliar situation for any young band. The band’s official response to the incident was extremely sincere and composed, but when Drum interrupted DeCinque and guitarist Manny Zennelli’s drive through Melbourne recently, and the topic of Soundwave came up, DeCinque was clearly upset still. “I mean stupid shit happens... but that’s definitely behind us.” When Soundwave question time comes to an end, both guitarists relax a little. They even become enthusiastic about the postSoundwave topics, throwing out answers over the top of each other, leaving the only calm voice in the car the female navigation system heard in the background. The Supreme Turbo Facilitator Tour, (a tour name with no justification other than DeClinque’s describing the title as an ‘orgasm of semantics’?) were the free replacement gigs for fans who missed them at Soundwave. Most venues were forced to turn away fans when capacity was reached early in the night, deeming the tour a success. The obvious costs to the CIM team may have been high, but they all knew it was what had to be done. “Some kids bought tickets for Soundwave just to see us, thinking it would be the only time, so they felt like they got let down. So we wanted to try to honour,” responds Zennelli before DeCinque jumps in with, “We were just trying to make up for a shitty situation, I guess, and make the best of what happened. I mean I thought it was the least we could do.” The Soundwave controversy is only one blimp on the almost perfectly planned CIM timeline. Beginning as a band of high school mates in 2006, and working their way around the Melbourne circuit, CIM began slowly making a name for themselves. After releasing their EP The Penance And The Patience, CIM – rounded out by guitarist Michael Barrett, bassist Brad Kimber and drummer Beau McKee – caught the attention of a few American labels, signing a deal with Equal Vision Records. Relocating to America was the next obvious step, before recording and releasing their debut album, First Temple. Still encompassing their dynamic songwriting, First Temple proved CIM’s EP was no fluke, and with electronic underlays, complex song structures and a knack for pulling out a killer chorus, CIM were bound to make an impact on the American audience. With their album up their sleeve, CIM began circling America. Yet, though the country will always be the Holy Grail for so many Australian artists, for CIM conquering America was not just about a being bigger market, but about accessibility, and none the less, a challenge they accepted. “It’s such a bigger beast over there compared to here,” responds DeCinque. “It makes it easier for a band like us, on our level, because you can just get in a van and be in a different city every day for two months straight.” Yet, being the Holy Grail it is, Zennelli knew that this US quest would take more than just a van and petrol money. “As soon as you go over to another country you start from scratch. But I think we were sort of helped out by the fact that we have an American label, American booking and American management, so we sort of hit the ground running. We played places where not the whole crowd knew who we were, but there were a few people there who knew us and would come out, and obviously as you go around each time your fan base grows,” replies Zennelli before he’s quickly cut off by DeCinque. “I was really pleasantly surprised quite a bit at who actually knew about us,” shouts DeCinque. “Like the kids in places that I’ve never thought about. I had people coming up and saying things like how much they really enjoyed the album, and that was really nice.” Having already made the trip around America “probably six times”, Zennelli admits he isn’t exactly sure anymore, CIM’s North American fan base has grown to a significant number. They’ve toured the US with the likes of Silverstein, Senses Fail and A Skylit Drive, as well as playing sets at 2009 SXSW in Texas. But they’re about to add one of the most famous punk/rock tours to their list, The Vans Warped Tour. The tour has over 100 bands on the line-up, CIM poised to share stages with bands like Motion City Soundtrack, Pennywise and Bring Me The Horizon. With few Australian bands able to place the annual tour on their resume, getting on Warped is quite an achievement, and DeCinque knows it. “A lot of Australian bands see the Vans Warped Tour like a milestone, and something they dream to play. And I don’t think we are any different. Like, I used to dream about playing Warped Tour and told myself one day I’ll play it, so we are just fortunate enough to be in a position were we can.” With Vans tying up the band until mid August, and talks of a hopeful European Tour in works, the upcoming Australian tour could be the last we hear from the fivesome for a while, which was in fact the reason behind the tour. DeCinque explains, “That’s sort of why we wanted to put on a headline tour in Australia, because we didn’t know the next time we would be coming back.” Though with Vans, which starts less than two weeks after their tour here finishes, being an almost two month straight Tour, Zennelli confesses their preparations for their biggest gig to date won’t be going to plan. “The best way to prepare for the Vans Warped Tour is to not play shows before the tour, so what we’re doing [Singularity Tour] is pretty silly.” With that in mind, Drum suggests taking it easy on their tour around Australia, a thought quickly shot down by Zennelli. “Ah no, definitely not; go balls deep as they say, why not?! I think our Australian, um, I hate the word ‘fans’ so I’ll say ‘friends’, our Australian friends, deserve as much as our American followers. So we’ll give them 110 percent.” WHO: Closure In Moscow WHEN & WHERE: Saturday 29 May, Civic Hotel, Inglewood; Sunday 30, YMCA HQ, Leederville

20 • THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010

CHANGE OF PACE BROOKLYN’S THE HOLD STEADY HAS FOUND A LOT MORE SPACE SINCE KEYBOARDIST FRANZ NICOLAY FLEW THE COOP RECENTLY. BUT APPARENTLY NOT EVERYONE HAS BEEN WON OVER BY THE BAND’S MORE LAID-BACK NEW ALBUM, HEAVEN IS WHENEVER. “THERE’S X AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST RESISTANT TO CHANGE AT ALL,” FRONTMAN CRAIG FINN TELLS STEVE BELL.

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hen it was announced a few months ago that the awesomely moustached keyboardist Franz Nicolay was leaving The Hold Steady, many were concerned that it was more than just the Brooklyn band’s visual aesthetics that would suffer from his absence. Yet while there’s no doubt that Nicolay’s adroit skills had made an impact on the band’s anthemic barroom music over the course of their last few albums, the release of the Brooklyn group’s fifth, Heaven Is Whenever, has more than allayed any fears in this regard, for – while it has a distinctly more laid-back vibe than their recent fare – the record proves without a shadow of a doubt that The Hold Steady’s rousing appeal has survived the change fully intact. “I think the songs just lead us there,” frontman and lyricist Craig Finn offers of the different direction displayed on Heaven Is Whenever. “I think a lot of it was because being on our fifth record we’ve played a million shows, which made us confident enough to try some new things and stretch out a little bit. I think the other thing is that Franz left the band, so we kind of got back to a four-piece for the writing process, and that puts ‘space’ into the back-end into the music that I really feels serves it well. There’s a little bit more room for the songs to breathe, and I think that that’s a big part of the record.

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THERE’S A LITTLE MORE ROOM FOR THE SONGS TO BREATHE, AND I THINK THAT’S A BIG PART OF THE RECORD.”

“The thing was that Franz came in late anyway – he wasn’t an original member of the band. It just freed up a lot of space, and maybe you can just hear the other four instruments better and it allowed us to really lock in as a four-piece a little more. So I think it definitely affected the songwriting process – we did use keyboards and piano, but only where we felt they were really needed.” As with all bands utilising a distinctive sound or persona, their devoted fans cling to this for dear life and are resistant to any change to what they perceive to be the group’s core motif. Accordingly, in the blogosphere many hardcore disciples of The Hold Steady have been somewhat nonplussed about this new direction. “Yeah, well I think if you look at it there’s X amount of people who are just resistant to change at all,” Finn laughs. “But I think for a band to stay interesting it has to grow a little bit, and that there’s things we’re going to have to constantly change musically to keep it interesting for us, and to keep it interesting for the audiences. I think one of the things is that we’ve done five albums now in seven years, so I feel like we can keep making records however we want to and it will always change a little bit because we do ‘em pretty quick.” While the band’s last two albums have covertly strived to encourage their fans to better themselves and look for the positives in the myriad of complicated scenarios that life often throws at us, their live shows – with the omnipresent ‘So much joy!’ mantra that Finn regales his fans with each night – also add to the band’s notoriously communal appeal. “I think that’s one thing I always wanted to do with the band, to inject some positivity into a rock’n’roll band or a rock’n’roll song,” Finn concurs. “I want our shows to be this big communal experience, and I think that’s something that we’ve been able to offer people. To offer a realistic but optimistic view on life, or just how they feel for that one night. We’ve done our thing in that regard, but the reaction has been overwhelming, because people really will go there with us. It can get pretty crazy some nights.” For long-term fans the ongoing narrative arc that unfolds over the band’s albums hasn’t completely disappeared, just now you have to delve a little deeper. “I think that there’s some songs on this record that relate to that and some that don’t,” Finn admits. “A also I think I’ve continued to keep it away from the proper nouns and explaining who’s doing what all the time because I do think that the beauty of a song is that people are able to inject their own emotions and own feelings about it, and I want to continue on that path – I think that’s more important to me than spelling out any sort of story.” One of the most obvious examples on the record is that close inspection of the lyrics to The Weekenders reveals that the characters are clearly those from the song Chips Ahoy, which was a cornerstone of 2006’s Boys And Girls In America album. “You know what, I was thinking about social networking,” Finn admits of the song’s background. “I’m not on Facebook but my girlfriend is, and I was thinking about all of these people getting back in touch with each other through Facebook – people she hasn’t talked to since high school – and I was kind of thinking of those two characters in Chips Ahoy and having them reconnect, or try to reconnect. It was kind of supposed to be like, ‘Well we haven’t talked in a few years, but I’m reaching out to you.’” Another standout track is We Can Get Together, a music geek’s wet dream which subtly namechecks a slew of bands such as Pavement, Hüsker Dü and Meat Loaf. “On that one I was just thinking about how when you meet someone who likes the same music as you, you can kind of go into this sort of static thing where you go, ‘Oh dude, have you heard this? Have you heard this,’” Finn chuckles. “And I think I wanted to try and capture that, along with the idea of two people sitting in front of a record player and creating their own little world. Because in some ways that’s what The Hold Steady does, we’ve created this alternate world where all these characters live, but I think that that’s what people do with rock’n’roll in general sometimes – you turn up, you put on your headphones and you kind of block out the world.” WHO: The Hold Steady WHAT: Heaven Is Whenever (Vagrant/Shock) THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010 • 21

FULLY IMMERSED AFTER NEAR ON A DECADE, DRUM’N’BASS AND ROCK GENRE BENDERS PENDULUM ARE STILL CONTINUING TO MAKE HEADLINES AT EVERY TURN AND, AS ANGELA KING DISCOVERS, A NEW REIGN OF METAL MIGHT BE THE NEXT ONE.

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mmersion is the third full-length release from Perth born world conquerors Pendulum. Upon first listen it is clear Pendulum can no longer be categorised as a drum’n’bass act; elements of metal, dubstep, break beat, electronica and rock permeate throughout the album’s energetic 15 tracks. According to Gareth McGrillen, the Immersion is a culmination of several years work and making it, unlike their last two albums, was a pleasant experience: “It’s been in the making since we hit the ground running after In Silico – so a couple of years – but the main work for the album was done intensively within the last eight months, and that was quite mental. It’s actually been more of a pleasure working on this album than the previous ones… I guess we’ve got more of a headspace on where we are at and what we want to be doing, so it was easier to balance this album and know which direction we wanted to go.” Collaboration work was a high priority when producing Immersion. The Prodigy’s Liam Howlett featured on track Immunize, while Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree lent his vocals and guitar skills on The Fountain. Much to the surprise of the band, Swedish melodic death metal outfit In Flames were most enthusiastic when asked if they wanted to work with Pendulum. McGrillen explains, “We gave our people a wish list of people we wanted to work with, and In Flames were low on the list in the sense that we didn’t think that they would want to work with us. We had a clear idea of it working because we have followed metal almost into drum’n’bass; we liked metal then got attracted to drum’n’bass because of its similar energy, so it made sense to us. We thought they would probably laugh at us but they turned out to be fans and had seen us do some headline slots at some big metal festivals, and so they were bang up for it. And next thing we knew, we had six big Swedish guys in our studio – it was incredible.” But will Pendulum ever exclusively turn themselves over to the dark side and become a purely metal band? “I think anything is possible,” McGrillen suggests, “At first I was going to say no, but you just don’t know. Rob [Swire] and I started out in Perth as a metal band, so yeah, we definitely have metal roots as well as electronic roots. “I guess Pendulum to me is mine and Rob’s musical playground where we are the directors of a film that can go any way that we want, anywhere that we want. That’s the cool thing about having a foot in different genres, we can smash them all together anyway we want. The main thing behind Pendulum has been just this creative project where we can combine different things.”

I GUESS PENDULUM TO ME IS MINE AND ROB’S MUSICAL PLAYGROUND.”

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Aside from Pendulum, star producer Swire recently lent his skills to a sound that couldn’t be further from his usual style; pop music. “Our manager had a hook up with Jay-Z and Rihanna’s people and asked us for some beats” McGrillen explains. “We sent them across some off-the-cuff beats, one of them was more of an entire tune, not just a beat – it had the melodies and music as well – and they really liked it, and so [Rob] is responsible for one of Rihanna’s number one hits. That was a good look for Pendulum.” As much as this kind of work can bring in the dollars (or pounds), McGrillen isn’t exactly enthused when asked whether more future pop partnerships will materialise. “It’s quite soulless and, even if it’s not successful, it feels so much better to be behind your own music than someone else’s. We never say never though. Personally I don’t see it as a future for myself – producing for other people, I always want to be in charge of my own thing. But I think Rob, being such a talented producer, he may get into it in the future.” Pendulum received major persecution from many within the d’n’b community in reaction to their last album, 2008’s In Silico. As the ever-optimistic McGrillen explains, although the band did retaliate to criticism at the time, they now refuse to be affected by trivial d’n’b politics. “I think the mental demons that we are all going to have to deal with – with people being turned off and stuff like that that all happened with the last album – I think we are all seasoned professionals when it comes to dealing with criticism. We just ignore it and don’t really read it anymore because when you have an entire festival of 100,000 people going mental, and when you have record sales and statistics coming in saying this, that and the other, you start to realise that someone out there likes it. Even if it’s a small amount of people or a large amount, it’s enough to keep you confident in making music. “It is very, very easy to dwell on that one person who just really cuts to the core of you with a comment because what they can be saying sometimes has an element of truth to it. It can be something you have already worried about and they can highlight that, so it’s best to just ignore it and just continue doing what you want to do. It will always matter but it’s just about learning to ignore it.” Controversy aside, Pendulum is a band steaming ahead in a realm of their own, and with no signs of slowing down. A content McGrillen muses over the band’s outwardly bright future, “Now we have wrapped up this record it’s time to take it on the road for the next 15 years,” McGrillen laughs. “We kind of live in the moment, all we really want to achieve is making something we are happy and proud of, and to do better than we did the last time. So if we tick those boxes I think we are quite happy.” WHO: Pendulum WHAT: Immersion (Warner) out May 24 22 • THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010

THE DRUM MEDIA’S GUIDE TO THE WAMIS

THE DRUM MEDIA FESTIVAL GUIDE TO THE WAMIS

WAMTASTIC! he had the message came from the Liquor Commission that one of the things that they wanted was it to have a 10pm closing time, which is obviously ridiculous,” recounts Bodlovich. “It’s a misdirected attempt to deal with perceived problems around public order around the Northbridge precinct. What a lot of people don’t realise, including those within Liquor Licensing, is that when the control act was changed a few years ago we lobbied around a whole bunch of inclusions for live original music to be included in there.

IT’S A DIRTY JOB, BUT SOMEONE’S GOT TO DO IT. WAM CEO PAUL BODLOVICH FILLS MATTHEW HOGAN IN ON THE THINGS WAM DOES BUT THE PUBLIC RARELY HEAR ABOUT.

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boom times, while you have one part of the economy running really hot, it makes for a different environment for everybody else,” reflects Bodlovich. “We actually started to have a point there where it was impacting on our capacity to retain and recruit staff, just because the salary levels were becoming so different from that sector. That was really hard. The collapse of the financial sector in some ways has made life easier, as a business that is not part of the mining industry, and I think that’s something that you probably see across our industry and across a lot of other industries.”

utting on the WAMi Festival, Business Conference and WAM Song Of The Year is only a small part of what the West Australian Music Industry Association does. Working with the organisation since 2002, WAM CEO Paul Bodlovich says they’re looking more at the bigger picture in their business plan, which is to develop the West Australian contemporary music industry. “Going back to my earlier years, there wasn’t much analysis done of why we might do things,” he begins. “If an opportunity came up where we might think it’s a good idea, we would probably do it, whereas now we think about the impact that it’s going to have on the scope of the industry economically. We’re also interested in how we can support releases, and grow the opportunities of bands to play live.”

201 Queen Victoria St, North Fremantle 9335 2725

@ SWAN BASEMENT

Bodlovich adds that the Global Financial Crisis™ also had something of a positive effect on WA music. “During

With it becoming harder and harder for new drinking establishments to get a ‘fair go’ from the Liquor Licensing department, WAM have helped venues that support WA original music to get off the ground firstly with the Astor Theatre and more recently with small Northbridge venue The Bird. “Mike O’Hanlon, who is the proprietor at The Bird, got in touch not long after

“The one thing that we did actually get inserted into the act was that one of the secondary objects brought into the act was that the use and development of venues for performance of live original music was actually written into the liquor act,” he informs. “So what that means, in the case of The Bird, is where the principle objectives of the act which are around regulating liquor, minimising harm, and supporting tourism and hospitality industries, we’ve got a thing where those things aren’t under threat – under the act the authorities have no course of action available to them other than to recognise that a venue like The Bird is actually delivering on the secondary objective, and therefore they have to support the application. I suppose we were able to help with that by acknowledging the legislative basis of that.” Bodlovich says another problem that has been facing WA music in recent times is a lack of local gig goers. He says WAM plans on targeting music consumers who go to festivals and buy music, and getting them to go to local shows. “The classic example is those who may spend an absolute fortune over summer going to a whole bunch of the big festivals all over town, but never think to go spend 10 bucks on local bands on the weekend through the rest of the year,” he explains. “I think that that’s a big part of the opportunity that’s there to grow the audience and grow the amount of opportunities for local bands to be performing. “The other thing too is that it’s a pretty homogenous audience base that’s out there,” Bodlovich continues. “There’s not a big audience of people post-30 that are regularly seeing local music. Therefore there’s not a lot of opportunity for bands where that might actually be their target market. One of our fairly long-standing policies as an organisation is that we think there’s more than an opportunity there for the Northbridge area to become a real hotbed of local music venues. And,

While the debut of the One Movement festival last year got criticised by the mainstream for not being a boxing match, Bodlovich questions whether it was supportive to WA music. “It’s always exciting to have big events

T’S A MISDIRECTED ATTEMPT TO DEAL WITH PERCIEVED PROBLEMS AROUND NORTHBRIDGE

I

come to town, and it’s caused us to change the development of the WAMis into the future, which may be a good thing or may be a bad thing,” he ponders. “I think the jury is still out on whether One Movement will a) be successful and b) deliver results for local artists. Most of the things that I heard that happened for particular artists were so it was an ‘Australian’ event rather than a ‘Western Australian’ event. Bands like Kate Miller-Heidke, Sarah Blasko and the Hilltop Hoods, they’re the ones that seem to have gotten the outcomes from it. The question now is whether that’s meeting the intentions of the funders.” And as for if we’ll ever see WAM and One Movement join forces? “We did a lot of promo of the event last year, which seemed to get missed by a lot of people,” Bodlovich informs. “We did help Sunset with a funding proposal that they put in for a showcase that targeted VIPs for WA bands as part of the event, but that wasn’t a successful funding application in the end. We’ve talked a lot about it with the organisers over time, but I think at some point we will come to something that will work, but at the moment there really hasn’t been anything that has made a lot sense to both sides. We haven’t really given much thought to One Movement this year – we’ve got a lot of other stuff on before that happens.” But really, who cares? After all, it’s WAMi time, and that’s all that should matter for the next few days.

SUNDAY 23 MAY

5-9PM, ENTRY $5

WAMI FESTIVAL PRESENTS GIGNITION “BEST OF” FEAT.

JACK ACTION T N E L I S E +TH C I L B U P RE +G

OMBO

+BULLS

AND BEARS

G N I N N U T S + IN RED 24 • THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010

for that matter, not just be six venues like the Rocket Room or what have you, so that people can come to Northbridge knowing that there will be some live music venues, but not so they necessarily have to make a choice before they get there.”

SUPPORTED BY IContact: NTERESTED IN PLAYING? luke@sweetmate.com.au

BETS ARE ON

THE DRUM MEDIA FESTIVAL GUIDE TO THE WAMIS

GONGS AWARDED ON MONDAY (WINNERS IN BOLD): BEST LIVE SOUND ENGINEER: Dave Carter; Ian Stewart; James Newhouse; Rene De Vries. BEST RECORD PRODUCER / ENGINEER: Al Smith; Dave Parkin; Max Ducker; Rob Agostini. BEST WA BASED RECORD LABEL: Firestarter Music; Good Cop Bad Cop; Jarrah Records; Walking Horse. MANAGEMENT AWARD: Jodie Regan; Laith Tierney; Philip Stevens; Steph Edwardes. BEST MALE VOCALIST: Brendon Humphries (The Kill Devil Hills); Ian Kenny (Birds Of Tokyo, Karnivool); Pat McLaughlin (Sugar Army); Will Stoker. BEST FEMALE VOCALIST: Abbe May; Felicity Groom; Hayley Beth; Novac Bull (Boom! Bap! Pow!). BEST GUITARIST: Andrew Ryan (Adam Said Galore, Felicity Groom & The Black Black Smoke, Fall Electric); Drew Goddard (Karnivool); Jay Marriott (The Novocaines); Luke Dux (The Floors, Timothy Nelson & the Infidels, Will Stoker & the Embers). BEST BASSIST: Anthonny Jackson (Birds Of Tokyo); Cameron Hines (Mile End/Mongrel Country); Ian Berney (Sugar Army); Ryan Dux (The Floors, The Kill Devil Hills, Will Stoker & The Embers). BEST DRUMMER: Adam Weston (Birds Of Tokyo); Ben Stacy (Tangled Thoughts Of Leaving); Jamie Sher (Sugar Army); Matt Maguire (Schvendes, Adam Said Galore).

WITH THE MAIN WAMI AWARDS TAKING PLACE TONIGHT, DRUM MEDIA’S FEARLESS (OR MISGUIDED) LEADERS AAROM WILSON AND MATTHEW HOGAN ATTEMPT TO PROVE THEIR PREDICTIVE SUPREMACY (OR LACK THEREOF) BY TIPPING THE WINNERS.

BEST INSTRUMENTALIST: Alex Archer (The Kill Devil Hills, Abbe May, Felicity Groom & The Black Black Smoke); Chris Cobilis (The Tigers, The Sabre Tooth Tigers, smrts); Glenn Sarangapany – (Birds of Tokyo); Tristan Parr (Schvendes, Fall Electric). BEST ELECTRONIC PRODUCER: Tomás Ford; Naik; Trilby Temperley (Cloud Kollectiv, She Selexx); ShockOne.

MOST POPULAR ALBUM:

MOST POPULAR LIVE ACT:

MOST POPULAR MUSIC WEBSITE:

Eskimo Joe – Inshalla; John Butler Trio – April Uprising; Karnivool – Sound Awake; Sugar Army – The Parallels Amongst Ourselves.

Boys Boys Boys!; Karnivool; Sugar Army; Tomás Ford.

Fasterlouder.com.au; Perthbands.com; Rtrfm.com.au; Spaceshipnews.com.au.

BEST DJ: Charlie Bucket; Micah; Rex Monsoon; ShockOne.

HOGAN: “While it’s a bit confusing as to why this is publicly voted and the Best Media Organisation award isn’t, this one is a close category with four very different websites. Faster Louder is nominated for the WA part of the national website where up-and-coming writers and photographers hone their skills; Perthbands’ forum gives crybabies a chance to complain anonymously; RTRFM’s website is very professional looking but really is only a supplement to the radio station; and Spaceship is the dark horse here, as it’s only just relaunched. I think Faster Louder should win because it’s the most complete website of all nominated.”

OTHER INDUSTRY AWARDS TO BE PRESENTED AT THE WAMI CEREMONY:

AAROM: “Faster Louder will win, again, despite it really being the only website that hasn’t improved its local love much over the last year.”

MEDIA AWARD – ORGANISATION: Fasterlouder. com.au; RTR FM; The Drum Media; X-Press Magazine.

MOST POPULAR MUSIC VENUE:

GOLDEN WAMI: Dave Cutbush; Andrew Ryan; Peter Barr; Aarom Wilson.

Amplifier Bar; Mojo’s Bar; Rocket Room; Rosemount Hotel.

BEST ROCK ACT: Karnivool; Tame Impala; The Kill Devil Hills; Sugar Army.

HOGAN: “A tough one but, on the basis of how much time I’ve spent there over the years, and the quality of sound, this one goes to Amplifier.”

BEST COMMERCIAL POP ACT: Boys Boys Boys!; Eskimo Joe; Gyroscope; Tim & Jean.

HOGAN: “While veterans John Butler Trio and Eskimo Joe both debuted at the top of the ARIA charts, their efforts were not as well-received as previous albums, so I don’t think they will win. Assuming the majority of voters are Triple J listeners, I think Sugar Army will beat out Karnivool as they gathered the most steam from their debut album and are very much loved in this fair town.” AAROM: “I disagree. If we were to pick this on Triple J airplay then the ‘vool and JBT are much more firmly entrenched in the minds of J listeners after many years of hammering (the past year proving little different). However, Sugar Army get my vote here for being the ‘next big thing’, and looking a heck of a lot cooler than any of the nominated acts here (yes Joe, I’m particularly looking at your atrocious series of 2009-10 waistcoats).”

MOST POPULAR ACT: Birds of Tokyo; Gyroscope; Karnivool; Sugar Army. AAROM: “Last year Birds Of Tokyo took out both this and the Most Popular Album categories. This was the ‘vool’s year though and, since I’m going against Karnivool winning the MPAlbum this year, I think I had better pick them for this category. After all, selling out consecutive shows at Metro Freo isn’t easy.” HOGAN: “I disagree. While Gyro’s may not have scored another #1 on the ARIA charts this time around, they got pretty close. So Gyroscope all the way.”

MOST POPULAR SINGLE/EP: Eskimo Joe – Foreign Land; French Rockets / Injured Ninja – 12” Split + DVD; John Butler Trio – One Way Road; Umpire – Streamers. AAROM: “This is a tough one as these tracks come from such different families. As much as I’d love the perfect alt-pop bliss of Umpire’s Streamers or French Rockets and Injured Ninja’s experimental goodness to win here, this is a Most Popular category, so it’s really a numbers game, as opposed to one played on quality. Considering the John Butler Trio has completely dominated the charts for the last year like none other, One Way Road will take the cake here. Then again, will many JBT fans have access to the Internet to vote?” HOGAN: “It’s too close to call, so I’m going to go with Eskimo Joe because that song ticks all the boxes – Eskies’ struggles to come to grips with a fellow West Australian’s death while in New York makes Foreign Land this century’s answer to Gallipoli.”

HOGAN: “Boys Boys Boys! played a packed-out Amplifier album launch, had 50 people join them on stage at In The Pines, and played some solid festival spots along the way; Karnivool continued to dominate at the Big Days Out and in their biggest headline shows to date; Sugar Army did the same as the previous band but in an earlier slot; while Tomas Ford played Disco Bunkers and made more people uncomfortable than ever. Who will win? I think it will be the only band that wasn’t represented on another magazine’s cover last week (Karnivool). They’re a worldly, all-conquering live rock juggernaut, and usually that’s enough to win.” AAROM: “Well argued Hogan. Sadly, I can do nothing but agree. Though I’m also picking Karnivool because I went to one of the above-mentioned Metro Freo shows and they completely blew my winter socks off.”

FAVOURITE NEWCOMER: Emperors; The Jackards; The Joe Kings; Tim & Jean. AAROM: “The Jackards and The Joe Kings have been riding the hype machine hard of late, but they’ll be no match for electro pop upstarts Tim & Jean and semi-supergroup rockers Emperors. Tame Impala won this last year, so they’re big shoes to fill. And there are no bigger shoes that have strode so quickly than Tim & Jean in the last year. Racking up more international supports and big shows around the world than Tame have smoked suspicious substances in the last year, they’re sure fire winners.” HOGAN: “Tim & Jean sounds like a sure thing to me also, and they’ve had press in the dailies over here… so that certainly helps with the popular vote.”

MOST POPULAR MUSIC VIDEO: Blac Blocs – NVDA; Brash & Sassy – No Milk For You; Injured Ninja – IDDQD; Sugar Army – Tongues In Cheeks. AAROM: “Blac Blocs is the most conceptually impressive video here, but unfortunately won’t take the cake due to…being too conceptual. Brash & Sassy’s clip is one you definitely don’t need to think long or hard about, yet the milk fest to give dairy farmers wet dreams unfortunately hasn’t circulated as much as the others. Injured Ninja’s video is too damn scary for those weak of heart to vote for. As it’s Sugar Army’s year though, and considering they were robbed of this same category by Downsyde last year for their brilliant Acute, Sugar Army will win this easily. Oh, and the vid is actually bloody amazing.” HOGAN: “Agreed, Sugar Army took out a WA Screen Award, and they will take this one out too.”

AAROM: “As much as Hogan may like to think this competition is based on his own nocturnal habits, I am going to give it to the venue that manages to best balance high sound quality, touring acts and weekly crowd turnovers, and that venue would be…Amplifier. Though, since we’re beginning to have too many of the same predictions…I’m going to say Rosemount Hotel. After all, it’s the venue that’s put in the most effort over the last year to scrub up.”

MOST POPULAR MUSIC EVENT: Big Day Out (Perth); In the Pines; Soundwave (Perth); St Jerome’s Laneway Festival (Perth). AAROM: “It’s interesting to see last year’s winner Southbound has been forgotten this WAMi Awards round, though perhaps I wasn’t the only one who passed out for about half the festival. Sunset need not stress however, their newer baby St Jerome’s Laneway Festival really came to life this year with a stellar lineup and great vibe. Throw Florence’s legs in the mix and you have a winning combination.” HOGAN: “While St. Jerome’s brought us Mumford and Florence and all these other bands that didn’t exist a year ago and will be forgotten about next year, Soundwave brought us Faith No More, making it a no brainer.”

MOST PROMISING NEW ACT: Boom! Bap! Pow!; Emperors; Goodnight Tiger; The Joe Kings. INDIGENOUS ACT OF THE YEAR: Djiva; Moana Dreaming; Peter Brandy; Yabu Band. MEDIA AWARD – INDIVIDUAL: Aarom Wilson; Bob Gordon; Dave Cutbush; Mike Wafer.

BEST INDIE POP ACT: 6s & 7s; Boys Boys Boys!; Felicity Groom & The Black Black Smoke; Umpire. BEST HARDCORE / PUNK ACT: Break Even; Chainsaw Hookers; Project Mayhem; Extortion. BEST HARD ROCK / METAL ACT: Chaos Divine; Eleventh He Reaches London; The Devil Rides Out; Voyager. BEST BLUES/ROOTS ACT: Abbe May; Blue Shaddy; Cal Peck & The Tramps; The Kill Devil Hills. BEST FUNK ACT: Boom! Bap! Pow!; Funkalleros; The Brow Horn Orchestra; Sneaky Weasel Gang. BEST JAZZ ACT: Adam Hall & The Velvet Playboys; Jamie Oehlers Quartet; Johannes Luebbers Dectet; The Graham Wood Trio BEST MUSIC COUNTRY MUSIC ACT: Connie Kis Andersen; Jane Germain & The Yahoos; The Fancy Brothers; The Jayco Brothers. BEST URBAN HIP HOP ACT: Downsyde; Drapht; Mathas; The Typhoons. BEST ELECTRONIC ACT: Naik; The Transients; Tomás Ford; Voltaire Twins. BEST WORLD ACT: David Hyams & The Miles To Go Band; Grace Barbé; Ziggy New Generation; Zydecats.

THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010 • 25

SPEAK MY WAMI

THE DRUM MEDIA FESTIVAL GUIDE TO THE WAMIS

WAMI TIME IS NOT JUST ABOUT GREAT GIGS AND EATING CAKE, IT’S ALSO A TIME FOR LEARNING FROM INDUSTRY LEADERS. DRUM MEDIA GETS THE BACKGROUND ON THIS YEARS WAMI SPEAKERS.

REV. MOOSE

SCOTT ADAM

Vice President of Content, CMJ

Course Coordinator for Music Business at Central Music Industry Training (CMIT)

A quick personal background: Everything I listened to when I was growing up is still cool, even the stuff that was less cool then has gone full circle into being cool again. Although there were a few times over the years when I was fooled into saying something was good; that happened with Vanilla Ice’s rock album. I shouldn’t have said it was good though as I was really on the fence about it. Those are the tough lessons that you learn through experience. What is it about your job that inspires you? It used to be free music but now all music is free so then it was the guest list but now I don’t have as much time to go to shows so I guess I’m inspired by gluttony. There’s always room to be gluttonous. What music conferences have you given talks at before? What you should have asked is what does it take for me to stop talking. Biggest hurdle facing the music industry at the moment? You know those books you see about how to make money quickly or how to succeed in business? They seem like the kind of thing only an idiot would buy. There are a few people in this industry that would benefit from reading one of those tomes. What are some important things for a band to possess to succeed? Independent wealth and the occasional outburst of talent. How have you seen your industry sector change? We never used to call them sectors. You were either in the

music industry or you weren’t. Now, jackasses at phone companies think they work in the music industry. I say we all go back to the good old days of wax cylinders and smallpox. What are your fears and hopes for the future of music? I fear people will continue to record complete and utter shit trying to pass it off as some type of creative output that’s really a desperate attempt at prostitution within a reasonably respectful art form. I hope those that do get their shoelaces stuck in an escalator. More info: www.facebook.com/reverendmoose WHEN & WHERE: Thursday 20 May: Music Industry 101 (10–11.30am), Empyrean Theatre; Music Industry 101 Roundtable (11.30am–12.15pm), Empyrean Mezzanine; Speed Dating Sessions (1pm–5pm), Empyrean Foyer Bar; Building On The Basics Of Music Marketing (2.15–3pm), Empyrean Theatre; Distribution Panel (3.15–4pm), Empyrean Theatre. Friday 21: College & Community Radio Panel (10–11am), Empyrean Theatre; Speed Dating Sessions (1–5pm), Empyrean Foyer Bar; The Great Debate (4.20–5pm), Empyrean Theatre.

A quick personal background: Teaching for 14 years. Managing artists for 19 years. Ran Qstik Records for 10 years. Took a break from artist management for three years but getting back into it. What is it about your job that inspires you? Discovering new music all the time. Working with creative people and training next generation of people to hopefully work in the music business and further develop the industry in Perth. Love the challenges the music industry presents. What music conferences have you given talks at before? Music Industry 101 for the past three years. Artist Management panel WAMi Festival ’06. Biggest hurdle facing the music industry at the moment? Resistance to change. Preference for being reactive and resistant than proactive and persistent in business. What are some important things for a band to possess to succeed? Talent. Charisma. Work Ethic. How have you seen your industry sector change? More structure to music business training in Australia. Increased industry recognition that formal music business training has a part to play. More opportunities for managers to successfully assume or manage multiple roles allowing the artist to maintain their independence longer and operate a viable business in that time. Local examples would be managers for

MARYELIZABETH CARTER

STUART COUPE

Owner, The Underground Management

Director, Laughing Outlaw Records and Management.

A quick personal background: In the past 17 years, I have worked in every aspect of the music industry, toured the world a few times in vans to buses to jets, worked with some huge names and some baby bands, broke a few bones, won a gold medal for curling, etc. What is it about your job that inspires you? The Underground Management is a family. Knowing that my bands are out there every night busting their ass touring makes me want to work 100 times harder for them than I have ever worked at anything. Oh and a good cup of coffee…that inspires me. What music conferences have you given talks at before? I have been fortunate to speak at a number of music conferences. Some of them include SXSW, CMJ, guitar shows, DIY Convention. Biggest hurdle facing the music industry at the moment? As for hurdles, I could say downloading, 360 deals, blah blah blah but it seems like everyone is afraid to take a chance on something new. Everything is “too risky.” Think out of the box. What are some important things for a band to possess to succeed? There are quite a few things a band or an artist needs to succeed if we are to work together as a team. Some of those things include drive, passion, clean criminal record, talent, good hair, positive attitude, 30 guitar pedals when all they use is two, faith, bad tattoos, trust and a sense of humour.

Well, first everyone wore tight jeans. We all then wore baggy jeans where everyone’s bums were hanging out. Now everyone is back to these skin-tight jeans. What are your fears and hopes for the future of music? I am afraid that people will not follow through with their hopes and dreams out of fear. Unfortunately I see this with a lot of musicians or up and coming people who intern in the industry. I think that if you dream of something, if you truly want that something bad enough, then there is almost nothing that can stand in the way of achieving that goal – you will make it a reality. I know that sounds very Disney of me but it is true. You just have to work your ass off to get there and it will be yours. More info: www.theundergroundmanagement.com WHEN & WHERE: Thursday 20 May: Artist Management Panel (1–2pm), Empyrean Theatre; Speed Dating Sessions (1pm–5pm), Empyrean Foyer Bar; Building On The Basics Of Music Marketing (2:15–3pm), Empyrean Theatre. Friday 21: Songwriter Talks (11.30am–12.30pm), Empyrean Theatre; Speed Dating Sessions (1–5pm), Empyrean Foyer Bar.

How have you seen your industry sector change?

A quick personal background: Worked as a music journalist, publicist, concert promoter, record store owner, radio presenter, and manager (of artists such as the Hoodoo Gurus and Paul Kelly) and have been director of Laughing Outlaw Records and Management since 1999. My last book was The Promoters, a look at the concert promoting industry. What is it about your job that inspires you? I get to wake up every day, listen to music and work with creative artists. What’s not to like? What music conferences have you given talks at before? Loads – the IMMEDIA music industry conference in Sydney, many Music Business Adelaide conferences, etc. I’ve also attended the SXSW conference in Austin eight of the past 10 years and prior to that the CMJ and New Music Seminars in New York. And I was at Big Sound in Brisbane last year. Biggest hurdle facing the music industry at the moment? Trying to make a career in an era where music is ostensibly free. Creating totally new business models – and maintaining and developing them in such a rapidly changing environment. What are some important things for a band to possess to succeed? The ability to think laterally, a total level of commitment, an understanding of both business and music and realising that they are so intertwined – and a killer sense of humour. You’ll need it.

Karnivool, John Butler, Birds of Tokyo and The Panics. Decrease of arterial income (CD sales) has forced many labels to restructure contracts and tap into other income streams of the artist. What are your fears and hopes for the future of music? For as long as people want to pick up an instrument get together with some mates and write a few tunes, the future of music looks good. My fears for music is that other factors like building development and harmful legislation will get in the way of fans accessing new artists beyond a computer. WHEN & WHERE: Thursday 20 May: Music Industry 101 (10–11.30am), Empyrean Theatre; Music Industry 101 Roundtable (11.30am–12.15pm), Empyrean Mezzanine; Distribution Panel & Management Panel, (3:15–4pm), Empyrean Theatre.

How have you seen your industry sector change? It’s the most exciting time ever to be alive if you’re a music fan. It’s also the hardest for making a significant impact and building a career at all. Bands and artists aren’t really in the music business anymore – they’re in the t-shirt/ merchandise/live performance business. What are your fears and hopes for the future of music? I think fear (of change) has created the current situation. Hopes? That I get to hang around to hear more music because, seriously, I’m 53 and don’t listen to anyone who tells you music was more exciting in the ‘60s, ‘80s or whatever – NOW is the most thrilling time to be a music fan – and a musician/artist. More info: www.laughingoutlaw.com.au WHEN & WHERE: Thursday 20 May: Artist Management Panel (1–2pm), Empyrean Theatre; Distribution Panel (3.15–4pm), Empyrean Theatre. Friday 21: College & Community Radio Panel (10–11am), Empyrean Theatre; In Conversation with Joel and Stu of Eskimo Joe (1.30–2.15pm), Empyrean Theatre; The Great Debate (4.20–5pm) Empyrean Theatre.

TOM LUBLIN Writer/ Engineer/ Producer, TLC A quick personal background: Tom engineered and produced albums for 25 years with an array of leading performers including Jimi Hendrix, The Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin, Santana, Steve Miller, Dr. Hook, Herbie Hancock, Maynard Ferguson, Sly Stone, and Sonny & Cher, before moving onto other areas of media production and training for film, animation, games, multimedia and television. He has consulted to state and federal government in many of these areas as well as the methods of creative processes. Tom has been awarded the status of lifetime member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

What is it about your job that inspires you? When magic happens. What music conferences have you given talks at

before? WAMi, OzMusic, LA Songwriter Showcase, NAB, NAMM, US & Oz AES, International Pop Culture, US Jazz Assoc., etc.

How have you seen your industry sector change? I’m old. I’ve pretty much seen it all including platform shoes and bell bottoms come and go twice.

What’s the biggest hurdle facing the music industry at the moment? The successful evolution for music content companies to a new business model that accepts and works with the realities of the internet.

What are your fears and hopes for the future of music? That access to the internet could allow so much crap music to fill the digital ocean, that real talent will be overwhelmed and seldom discovered and nurtured. On the other hand the internet allows every possible music to find a market.

What are some important things for a band to possess to succeed? An understanding of music outside of their chosen genre. An understanding of who they are individually and collectively as people and as a creative team. Be greater as a band than the sum of their parts.

The Empyrean Function Centre is in the old IMAX building, at 12 Lake Street, Northrbidge. 26 • THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010

WHEN & WHERE: Thursday 20 May: A Master Class On How To Record A Great Vocal Performances (1–3pm), Empyrean Mezzanine.

WAM BAM BAND

THE DRUM MEDIA FESTIVAL GUIDE TO THE WAMIS

THE TRADITIONAL WAM SHOWCASES WILL TAKE OVER VENUES FOR THE GREATER GOOD THIS WEEKEND. DRUM MEDIA CHATS WITH JUST A FEW OF THE BANDS PLAYING.

THE MORNING NIGHT

CAL PECK & THE TRAMPS

Your band’s history: We all either met at school, through friends or at gigs. The current line-up has been playing together for about six months now. Our new album was just finished and the first single Someday will be launched on the Friday 21 May at the Amplifier Bar as part of the WAM festival.

Your band’s history: We have been playing for around Perth for about two years. We released our Cinnamon EP in August 2009 and we are about to release our second EP Kill For You which comes out in early July. Tell us about who’s playing at your showcase, and your tip for the band that will steal the show? Painkillers always put on a great show, Cat Black are always spot on as well, Project Mayhem and The Devil Rides Out will whip the punters into a frenzy, Bible Bashers will no doubt sleaze it up, and Mile End are an epic experience themselves. Good range of different genres of music.

Tell us about who’s playing at your showcase, and your tip for the band that will steal the show? Ryan Webb, Modular Man, James Teague, The Atlas Mountains, Ruby Boots and Split Seconds. The show stealing here is definitely up for grabs – this is a great line-up and all the acts are amazing! Our tip to whoever does steal the show is to give us tips on how they did it. Who do you think will win big at the WAMi Awards? Goodnight Tiger. Your favourite WAMi Festival memory? Sidney Brien getting his kit off on stage during a guest appearance on banjo with The Morning Night on Friday. Oh wait, that hasn’t happened yet... What is it that most excites you about being in a

band in Perth at the moment? The Perth crowd is becoming more and more supportive of local music. It’s really great and a pleasure to be a part of. That’s definitely what’s exciting us in particular at the moment. WHEN & WHERE: Friday 21 May, Amplifier Bar, Perth

Who do you think will win big at the WAMi Awards? I saw Tomas Ford has three nominations, it would be good to see him do a sweep. What’s your favourite WAMi Festival memory? We played at last year’s WAMi show at the Mustang Bar. It was great, the other bands were excellent the crowd was really happy and everyone seemed to be having a great time. It was a really fun afternoon.

UMPIRE

ART IN ALGEBRA

Your band’s history: Umpire formed as a studio recording and songwriting project when one of the members of our other band Mukiazake moved to Melbourne. The rest of us really wanted to keep writing and making music together, and it was an excuse for us to meet up once a week, drink beer and eat pizza. Eventually we had enough songs that we were happy with to put out an EP. This motivated us to work out the songs as a live band. We have been playing around for just over a year.

Your band’s history: We took our time in the beginning but seem to have picked up our stride since taking part in the Next Big Thing last year which opened a number of doors for us. We’d love to get another release out soon and maybe play some shows over east.

Tell us about who’s playing at your showcase, and your tip for the band that will steal the show? We are playing at the Saturday Spectacular showcase gig at Capital/Amplifier with, Will Stoker, The Scotch Of Saint James, Emperors and many more. Jebediah will be super-entertaining and really looking forward to hearing some of their new songs. What’s your favourite WAMi Festival memory? One of the other bands we are in, Adam Said Galore, did a WAM showcase in Margaret River one year. We did an all-ages show during the day and an overage show

at night. The previous week Turnstyle had been down there and something happened at their all ages show, so on the day we were playing the local paper had come out warning parents about sending their kids to these shows. I think we ended up playing to five cops!

Tell us about who’s playing at your showcase, and your tip for the band that will steal the show? Well there’s eight bands playing and out of those we know The Bullet Holes, Dylan Olliverre and Good Little Fox. We’re looking forward to all three but in particular I’m keen to catch GLF for my first time!

What is it that most excites you about being in a band in Perth at the moment? Getting a massive adrenaline rush off playing awesome songs with other awesome bands. Its really amazing to see the quality of the music coming out of Perth.

Who do you think will win big at the WAMi Awards? Well you’ve got your John Butlers, Eskies and Karnivool but I’d really like Sugar Army to get some plus The Joe Kings who we saw the other week and were blown away by.

WHEN & WHERE: Saturday May 22 Amplifier and Capital, Perth.

What’s your favourite WAMi Festival memory? First year for us. What is it that most excites you about being in a band in Perth at the moment? All the other great bands

GILROY & THE COLD SHOULDERS

LOOSE UNIT

Your band’s history: The Cold Shoulders originally formed to bring the acoustic tunes of Gilroy to the live format. Since then however, the full line-up has stamped its own unique character on both the songwriting and performance aspects of the group, resulting in a constantly evolving “folk’n’roll” sound.

Your band’s history: After releasing an EP and a single, our debut album House Of Piper Laurie was launched at the end of 2009 to a sell out Amplifie, followed with some headlining shows and supports around Perth and regional WA. We like to refer to ourselves as ‘pelvis grinding dirt rock’.

Tell us about who’s playing at your showcase, and your tip for the band that will steal the show? Another quality line-up demonstrating the sheer depth of songwriting and performance talent in the west. The Novocaines should bring the party but expect all bands to rise to the occasion.

Tell us about who’s playing at your showcase, and your tip for the band that will steal the show? I think all the bands will be equally impressive showcasing their own unique qualities which would make it impossible to tip. If you were going to tip one at the TAB the odds would be so low you would have to put your house on it to make anything back!

Who do you think will win big at the WAMi Awards? Forget about it, I’m not calling it from this field! There are several “favourites” this year, the Eskies should bag a few though. What’s your favourite WAMi Festival memory? Paris Hilton going down on Simon Roggio. That happened right? What is it that most excites you about being in a

band in Perth at the moment? The potential for all those new, smaller venues to support live music, at least of the solo or acoustic variety, let’s pray it happens. WHEN & WHERE: Friday 21 May, Norfolk Basement, Fremantle

Who do you think will win big at the WAMi Awards? Karnivool I think should be taking a few cakes home this year. They have come out with a world class album and live show which has to be recognised. Also Tomas Ford should really be in every category. That dude is a genius. What’s your favourite WAMi Festival memory? Playing the Hydey with The Volcanics and M16s.

What is it that most excites you about being in a band in Perth at the moment? I enjoy the variety of people that seem to be showing up at shows these days. I have seen many different age groups and styles of people at our shows. It makes for a really interesting feel in the audience. And of course more people seem to be dancing at shows, which is fantastic as it creates a more enjoyable atmosphere than blokes staring at you holding a pint. WHEN & WHERE: Friday 21 May, The Civic Hotel, Inglewood.

and people we get to meet; even if the shows aren’t always packed we can still rely on each other to make the night wild. WHEN & WHERE: Friday 21 May, Swan Hotel, North Fremantle

Everyone was so drunk that they did not realise the tinnitus their ears would inherit by the next day. But the combination of sticky carpet, stale beer and loud and raw rock’n’roll made for a memorable night. What is it that most excites you about being in a band in Perth at the moment? The focus on original Perth music is at an all time high with bands such as Karnivool, Gyroscope and Birds Of Tokyo promoting it more than ever. Also the fact that there are so many talented musicians emerging on the scene makes it evident that the hype is here to stay. WHEN & WHERE: Saturday 22 May, The Bird, Northbridge.

BLACKMILK Your band’s history: We started out about five years back and have released two EPs, done a couple of national tours and played with the likes of The Dandy Warhols, British India and Wagons. We’re currently working on our debut album in our home studio which will be out early next year! Tell us about who’s playing at your showcase, and your tip for the band that will steal the? Also playing are The Old Croak, Fear Of Comedy, Loose Unit, Generals

& Majors and The Faim! Project. Looking forward to The Old Croak! Who do you think will win big at the WAMi Awards? I’m gonna go with Boom! Bap! Pow! for most promising new act, and Tame Impala for best rock act. What’s your favourite WAMi Festival memory? 2008 Awards on the Esplanade was an amazing night.

band in Perth at the moment? There’s a real creative buzz in Perth which is always simmering away. It’s great to play with so many other bands which are really trying different things.

WHEN & WHERE: Saturday Spectacular – The Bird, Northbridge.

What is it that most excites you about being in a THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010 • 27

IN BED WITH LOVE of pillowcases is small, though Love is My Velocity has hinted they are at the ready to make more, should the demand arise. “We’ve been told by Joe Bludge [The Painkillers] to be prepared for the onslaught, so we thought we should offer to make some more so we can share the profits with the artists.”

MEGAN SMITH GETS UP TO SPEED WITH LOVE IS MY VELOCITY WHO HAVE COOKED UP A SPECIAL THREE-COURSE MEAL FOR THE WAMIS THAT INCLUDES A LIVE RECORDING STUDIO, A POP-UP SHOP AND A DOWNRIGHT INGENIOUS WAY TO HELP MUSIC FANS SLEEP WITH JOSH FONTAINE AND ABBE MAY.

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s there a local musician you’ve always wanted to sleep with? Thanks to the increasingly acclaimed local record label and creative collective that is Love Is My Velocity, five of Perth’s most prominent local musicians are a little easier to cuddle. The group are spreading the love with a WAMi month reprise of last year’s live music recording studio idea, plus the debut of a pop-up shop featuring collectible pillowcases among its wares. Yes, you read that right – pillowcases. The pillowcase project, which bears the tongue-in-cheek title Sleeping With The Band, paired five local artists with five musicians. The result of the collaboration is five sets of 10 limited edition silk-screen printed pillowcases with the likenesses of James Baker (The Painkillers), Josh Fontaine (6s & 7s), Felicity Groom, Abbe May and Sam Scherr (Capital City). Those five were chosen, says Love Is My Velocity’s Katie Lenanton, because “we thought

it would be funny or that people would appreciate the opportunity to lie down next to someone like Sam Scherr, who has a pretty notorious mouth and is quite an amusing fellow.” Asked to slip into something more comfortable and hop into bed, the musicians were happy to oblige. Lenanton says, “Most of the musicians were slightly baffled, but generally happy to run with it. Abbe [May] was quite flattered and Gemma [Weston] who worked with her, they went to school in Bunbury together and Abbe and Gemma did the cookbook artworks together, so they have a bit of history.” Each of the musicians was allowed to choose how they wanted to be presented, from the pensive, eyes-closed Fontaine to a guitar-rocking Abbe May and an almost taunting Sam Scherr. Because the entire project has been produced on a shoestring budget, the initial run

Becoming bedfellows with James Baker, Josh Fontaine and Felicity Groom is just the latest quirky art experiment from Love is My Velocity, who have previously released cookbooks which serve up delicious recipes and a guide to what’s arty in Perth. Because they are more community-minded than commercially driven, Lenanton says, Love Is My Velocity differs in focus from some other local labels. “Hidden Shoal for example, have a really amazing network and get into the U.S. and do a really great job of selling all their stuff. Ours is more a facilitating role and trying to create new works and creative events. We have an element of involving artists and getting them to work with the bands, like with the Sleeping With The Band pillowcases. It’s more trying to come up with projects that will promote talent that might not get huge exposure.” This penchant for catalysing projects makes them the perfect vehicle to host a live recording studio turned pop-up shop as part of the WAMis. The live recording studio idea materialised last year. In 2010 they have moved the initiative to a space on Lake Street in Northbridge, just across from The Elephant & Wheelbarrow. Over five days, the studio will see a mix of eleven artists that incorporate established local heavyweights, such as Schvendes and The Bank Holidays, and newcomers like Jane Harris and a collective of artists from the Owls music label. These acts will record a one-hour set for posterity and anyone who wanders in to listen. The sessions will also be played on RTRFM and available as a download from the Love Is My Velocity website. “To be able to promote them online and the free download component is great – it’s cool for the bands to have that gift of recording because Laurie [Sinagra] is a pretty experienced sound engineer and he’s a really great guy… The ones who may not have had the opportunity to record with a professional, it will be great for them to be able to share those songs and direct people to the free download. The others, it’s just archiving the stage they are at with their careers

THE DRUM MEDIA FESTIVAL GUIDE TO THE WAMIS

at this particular moment. And someone like Eleventh He Reaches London haven’t recorded live before, so it should be interesting.” Though all the acts warrant a listen, Lenanton has tipped a few highlights: “The Tigers have some new songs. And The Bank Holidays, they’re about to put out an album, so it’s great to have some live recordings of all of this new work.” Part of the live recording formula is the audience, and Love is My Velocity is pulling out all the stops to entice people to step off the Northbridge streets for a listen. James Crombie [The Bank Holidays] along with the Love Is My Velocity crew will transform the space into something that looks as good as it sounds – the studio will even have grassy knolls (with real grass) where people can watch and listen. Plus, the pop-up shop means the labels behind the acts have a chance to hawk some otherwise hard-to-find merchandise alongside the pillowcases. The pop-up initiative was born out of Love Is My Velocity’s work with On William. “They have done some great pop-up shops over the last couple of years, one in a bus and one in a shop, so we thought there was an opportunity to promote the local labels in WA,” says Lenanton, who believes the WAMis are the perfect time to set up shop with so many people coming the business conference. “It is worthwhile to sync up with that momentum and put together a place where people can come and check out a really great selection of local bands… because the conference is just up the road hopefully people will wander up. All the local labels have put together packs of stuff and we have encouraged people to put together creative merch.” So, is there any hope that the Takeaway Tunes won’t go away when the WAMis end? “I wish, that would be amazing. There is the redevelopment and APRA will have all of those buildings available for tender. It would be great to have a visionary business person with the financial clout to do that full-time.” WHO: Love is My Velocity and friends WHAT: Pop Up Shop, Sleeping With The Band & Takeaway Tunes WHEN & WHERE: 11am-9pm, 19–23 May – 54 Lake St, Northbridge (next to the Lake Street Bottle Shop and across from The Elephant & Wheelbarrow)

GOLDEN WAMTIME this year? Well, WAM festival director Sarah Norton certainly deserves one, but I guess that would make things a little awkward… Some of your fave WA music moments in the last year? In the Pines 2010 – it’s always a great day full of love and vigorously hot action. Which local acts do you think will make waves in the next year? Tame Impala will continue on their way to world domination, Umpire will be a reverse Cane Toad insurgence and invade the east. Boys Boys Boys! will be heard on the next three hot US teen dramas. What excites you the most about music in this city? The kids’ get-up-and-go attitude. People are keen to make things happen for themselves. There’s new things popping up everywhere. I think it’s a very exciting time for Perth music as positive momentum continues.

GOLDEN WAMI LOVE (FROM LEFT TO RIGHT – CUTBUSH, BARR, RYAN, WILSON)

What blows your goat/upsets the most? Venues closing down and infringement of civil liberties when entering venues.

THE GOLDEN WAMI AWARD IS ABOUT MORE THAN THE SWEET TASTE OF CAKE AND GLORY, IT’S ABOUT THE RECOGNITION OF SOME MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS TO THE LOCAL SCENE. DRUM MEDIA LOOKS AT THIS YEAR’S NOMINATIONS.

DAVE CUTBUSH Why do you think you’ve been nominated for a Golden WAMi? I work a fair bit with local bands as events manager and music director at RTRFM. Who deserves one the most, but wasn’t nominated this year? I think Luke Rinaldi or Bob Gordon deserve it pretty much every year. Those guys are amazing and their commitment to local music is without peer. Some of your fave WA music moments in the last year? That’s easy – just check out the gigs that RTRFM has put on and the local features we have had. For a top five in the last year I would go – Naik, Atolah, Tame Impala, The Bank Holidays and Diger Rokwell. What blows your goat the most? People who go on about the tyranny of distance – what a pile of bullshit. We are an affluent western city. Perth bands are great 28 • THE DRUM MEDIA 20 ,MAY 2010

for no other reason apart from their own hard work and creative talents. Your fave thing about the WAMi Festival? The feeling of good will is great during the WAMis. For all the flack that WAM get, they do a very good job with meagre resources. Who’s going to win the Golden WAMi this year? I have no chance but it’s nice to be nominated. Peter has already won two so it is unlikely that he will win it. Andrew probably deserves to win it as he is at the coalface 24/7. But I think Aarom will win it because he is always out and about and people respect what he does at Drum.

PETER BARR Who deserves one the most, but wasn’t nominated

Who’s going to win the Golden WAMi this year? I think that David Cutbush should win this year. His contribution to local music over the last 35 years and in the past year particularly is unmatched.

ANDREW RYAN Why do you think you’ve been nominated? I’ve helped local music acts get their first show for the past eight years pretty much each day. I’ve played a pivotal entertainment programming role at the Hyde Park Hotel from 2002–2006, then Mojo’s from 2006–2010. I’ve developed my own publicity, programming and media company, Cool Perth Nights. Artistically, I’ve poured back into Felicity Groom & The Black Black Smoke, Adam Said Galore and Fall Electric. I’ve been volunteer broadcasting with RTRFM for the past eight years. Who deserves one the most, but wasn’t nominated this year? Laith Tyranny. He’s into music in a scene run by people that are more so into business/ego. He buys new albums and consistently sources new exciting bands – that’s what I mean by him being into music. Which local act do you think are going to make waves in the next year? Pond will develop and maintain a status closer to Tame Impala’s popularity

than people may expect. What excites you the most about music in this city? Its rich musicianship. People get up and play in Perth after learning how to play their instrument – in Australia this is actually rare. What blows your goat the most? The old guard, who are dying off by the way. These people are competitive, lazy and it’s been years since they were inspired or inspirational. I’m not naming names as these people are also rather vindictive. Your favourite thing about the WAMi Festival? How it appears to grow that little bit more each year. In 1996 I was part of WAM’s Act Of Youth program and the WAMI’s didn’t make as many waves then as they do now.

AAROM WILSON Who deserves one the most, but wasn’t nominated this year? Silly question... I mean, where to begin?! So many people make my job as Editor of Drum such a pleasure that it feels like a guilty pleasure being nominated in place of them. Local act predictions? Tame Impala are going to be bigger than Ben Hur, or maybe even MGMT. Erasers’ uncommon combination of niceness and coolness should prevail. Break Even wil start getting some of the international recognition they deserve. When Felicity Groom & The Black Black Smoke finally release an album, the world should be their oyster. ShockOne’s debut full-length will make Pendulum look silly. Comeback of the year might also go to The Silents. What excites you the most about music in this city? The fact we have so many different music scenes thriving simultaneously. Shaking the indie pop tag, we’re fast becoming a city renowned for many styles. What blows your goat the most? People that say there’s nothing to do in Perth. Go pose somewhere else. Who’s going to win the Golden WAMi this year? What about next year? As much as I’d love the The Rhino to win it, I reckon it will be a tussle between The Barr and The Cutter. As Cutter’s just leaving his post at RTRFM, I’m hoping it will be a well-timed victory. I will be disqualified for having no nickname, and a poorly spelt first name.

THE DRUM MEDIA FESTIVAL GUIDE TO THE WAMIS

BLOODY ROCK PROSTITUTES POP PRESCRIPTION DESPITE THEIR NAME, HOMETOWN LADS CHAINSAW HOOKERS ADMIT THAT SOME OF THEIR MATERIAL IS TO BE TAKEN WITH A GRAIN OF SALT. TED SCHLECHTE TALKS BLOOD, GUTS AND ROCK’N’ROLL WITH THE NOTORIOUS FOURSOME.

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ormed in 2003 (or 2004, depending on who you ask), Chainsaw Hookers have become renowned for their ridiculously tireless live performances. Claiming that they sound like the “Guitarmageddon”, this would be hard to dispute. Although influences such as Motörhead, The Misfits, Zeke and Turbonegro are by no means excruciatingly difficult to spot, the Hookers undoubtedly have a style all their own. Meeting up with all four members at a local pub just after they were finishing up their interview for a university documentary, the band was in high spirits. It has already been a big year for this outfit that takes their name from a 1988 comedy-meets-horror B-movie called Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers, but there are no signs of letting up for this motley crew. “It’s been nuts recently,” drummer Nathan Sproule (a.k.a. Salvadore Bruisie) exclaims. Entitled First Blood, the Hookers’ new independently released EP packs as tough of a punch as can be in a 14-minute timeframe. “Umm [long pause], yeah,” bassist and vocalist Andrew Rowcroft (a.k.a. Lucky Toscadero) laughs in the midst of trying to get his words together to describe the five-track affair. “There are a couple of older songs and a couple of newer ones on there,” he continues. “It’s a stepping stone for the upcoming album that we’re working on at the moment, which we’re hoping to release either later this year or early next year. Currently we’re trying to get our name out Australiawide as much as possible.” First Blood, which is even gorier than the Rambo movies of the same namesake, has nothing but confronting song titles (take Ride The Venom, Nazi Werewolf and

ON THEIR DEBUT EP, THE CHEMIST SHOW THEIR BABIES TO THE WORLD. JASON KENNY LEARNS ABOUT THE BIRTH AND ARCHITECTURE OF SONGS. Death Curse as notable examples). The lyrics are just as shocking, yet guitarist Alex Cotton (a.k.a. Eduardo Martinez) advises the masses not to take it all too seriously. “The words are more of a joke, really. If you watch a lot of horror movies, they are all more or less in jest,” he begins. “Every song of ours is based on a movie – they are the main themes.” The bastard child of Chainsaw Hookers, the upcoming Bloodstock shows – the third instalment in the mini-fest – promise to be the best to date. “We’ve always wanted to organise something with mainly all local bands, bringing together all of the sub-genres that are related to what we do. It is meant to be a local festival that is somewhere in between a normal show and a touring festival,” Russo reveals. “The reason that it is over two nights this time around is due to the fact that there were no venues, at least that we were interested in, that have two stages. “The first night is focused more on high-energy bands while the second night has bands that are more known around the scene. In my opinion, Bloodstock is really all about giving new bands the chance to get some exposure. We’ve always tried to showcase a line-up of the best hardcore, punk and metal bands around. There are plenty of groups out there, but there is just nowhere for them to play most of the time.” WHO: Chainsaw Hookers WHAT: First Blood (Blood Rock Records) WHEN & WHERE: Late Night Live – Friday 21 May, Rocket Room, Northbridge; Bloodstock – Friday 28 May, Rocket Room, Northbridge; Saturday 29 May, Mojo’s, North Fremantle

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or a few years now, Ben Witt and his band The Chemist have been winning praise on the local scene and beyond. Continuing to take bigger steps, The Chemist has now stepped out with their debut EP The Wolves’ Howl Shatter The Old Glass Moon, and will be releasing it as part of the WAMis. It’s a collection of intelligently written songs that fall on the soulful side of pop. “I’ve always sort of studied songs,” Witt explains from the tour bus, “the way they’ve been put together – taking notes and writing out the structure of different songs from bands I love – and tried to teach myself.” Most of the songs have been part of The Chemist’s set for a while. Stars was written in June ’07, Don’t Look Down and End Of July in mid-2008. “Some songs would take less time in the band room than others but I’d usually have an idea for the songs, say a drum pattern, then during the session someone will say why don’t we change the kick pattern to this or the snare pattern to that. I fall pregnant with a song and once I give birth to them we raise them ourselves, as a band,” Witt laughs. “We knew how we wanted it to sound but Joel [Quartermain, of Eskimo Joe] took it to another level.” Though the songs explore more experimental song structures, the band was conscious to make an enjoyable sounding release. “We wanted to make it feel energetic and fun and have some movement towards it so you can get your foot going while you listen to it,” Witt describes, adding that the songs reflect the live experience of The Chemist, but take advantage of what the studio offers. “A song like Stars, there’s a lot of layers on that. There’s stuff on there that’s hard to pull off [live] because there’s so many vocal harmonies and things like that going on, and more than one guitar. I think it’s still representative of what we do live but I guess the CD has a few more bells and whistles.”

The EP moves through a diverse lot of sounds and influences, from alt pop touchstones The Beatles and Pixies through Tom Waits and more left field influences. It shows the willingness Witt has to experiment with his songwriting and, more importantly, learn from his inspirations. “I realised a couple of years ago that it’s pretty good to step back and have a birds eye perspective of the song and what it is. Like being stuck in a maze and trying to find your way out, actually being in the maze you can’t actually find the route out but being above the maze you can trace where you need to go. I think that by doing that is how we, as a band, we keep the songs sounding cohesive with all the different stuff going through it. The Beatles are one of my favourite bands and I love the architecture of those songs, the way they flow perfectly and all the sections just sound right, but they still have some interesting parts and interesting sounds. I guess we were trying to achieve that kind of idea.” For the launch, the band have added some more musicians, including a backing girl group choir and a horn section. “In about a month we’re going on tour with Boy & Bear, and at the end of that tour we’ll be staying over east in Melbourne,” Witt says, “to make it more affordable to tour. So we thought that, since it’s our last gig in Perth for a while, that we push the boat out for the gig and go out with a bang. It should be a lot of fun.” WHO: The Chemist WHAT: The Wolves’ Howl Shatter The Old Glass Moon (Dirt Diamonds/Warner) WHEN & WHERE: Friday 21 May, Rosemount Hotel, North Perth

NOT QUITE LEAVING HOME WA MUSIC LEGENDS JEBEDIAH RETURN TO PERTH STAGES FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR TO HEADLINE THE WAMI SATURDAY SPECTACULAR. VANESSA THORNTON CHECKS IN WITH MATTHEW HOGAN.

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ebediah and the WAMi Festival have crossed swords on numerous occasions. Both kicking off in the ‘90s and holding strong going into the 2010s, they reunite again this year as seven-time WAMi Award winners Jebediah headline a jam-packed Saturday Spectacular. While the band’s bassist Vanessa Thornton vaguely recalls playing WAM shows at East Perth’s City Farm alongside the likes of Turnstyle and Adam Said Galore in the ‘90s. This time around, Jebediah will be playing old favourites alongside new, soon-to-be favourites. “We’ll definitely be playing some new stuff at the show,” Thornton reveals. “I think we even played one of the new songs at that WAMi Awards at the Music Box. That’s how long it’s been since we’ve been working on these songs.”

Set to finally follow-up 2004’s Braxton Hicks album and the 2005 Anniversary EP, the three-time WAMi Best Bassist reveals some details about the upcoming album: “We just started mixing yesterday, actually. So hopefully that will all be finished in a couple of weeks. I guess then hopefully we’ll have a record out before the end of the year. We’ve been playing secret squirrels and not really telling too many people about it,” Thornton teases. “Not really, we’ve been recording with Dave Parkin at Blackbird, which is where we did our last EP that we released, and I think it’s been nearly two years since the first session. Whenever somebody’s got a spare week or two, whenever we’re available at the same time, we’ve just been going into the studio. I think it was nearly a year between the first session and the second session. So it’s been a slow process. Just in bits and pieces.” She adds that frontman Kevin Mitchell a.k.a Bob Evans’ relocation to Melbourne and involvement in new

supergroup the Basement Birds hasn’t affected the recording process. “He only just moved there, maybe six months ago. It doesn’t feel like very long ago, I know he was still living here when we first started recording. But for someone who lives in Melbourne, he sure does spend a lot of time here,” Thornton laughs. After a few years of rare shows, the band came out of hiding in the last year playing a show each at Mojo’s and the Rocket Room, plus a couple of festival dates, including the ill-fated Blueprint Festival in Aravat, Victoria last September. “That was unreal. These people had never run a festival before, so there were probably a few things that they hadn’t quite thought of. But as for the night, there were heaps of people there; we got looked after really well. I pretty much had someone assigned to me, personally, as I walked into the backstage area and they simply ran around and kept bringing me out plates of food and making sure I had a drink.” Thornton also plays in Felicity Groom & The Black Black Smoke and, after she finishes her science degree at the end of the year, she’s looking at returning to her trade as full-time bass handler. “The Black Black Smoke have also just finished recording an album with Dave Parkin at Blackbird, which I think is starting to be mixed fairly soon after the Jebs record is mixed,” she says. “I’m a bit over-excited about having two albums on the go, which is not really doing much for my concentration and study, but what can you do?” WHO: Jebediah WHEN & WHERE: WAMi Festival Saturday Spectacular Closing Party – Saturday 22 May, Capitol & Amplifier, Perth THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010 • 29

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HER OWN PATH WORKING WITH EVERYONE FROM PRINCE TO DR. JOHN, BEN HARPER AND FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA, IT WOULD BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT TO SAY RICKIE LEE JONES HAS QUITE THE DIVERSE RESUME. REBECCA NEILSEN FINDS OUT THE GOSS ON THE NEXT CHAPTER.

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ot familiar with the work of the age-defying Ms. Rickie Lee Jones? She has been described as an “American pop-rock veteran”, as punk, pop, jazz, electronica, swing, as a “Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter”, and yet none of these words or phrases are very accurate in describing her as an artist. Instead Jones has spent the last 30 years swinging, scatting and crooning from album to album, defying any kind of pigeonholing with every new breath. “I have avoided classification in spite of people really trying to do so. To label me middle of the road, or to label me eccentric and weird, can one be both?” question Jones. “If there is one thing I have done consciously, it is to disallow classification. This is not only for myself – that I deserve better than being stuffed in some pre-made accidental container – but because I am, as each of us is, forging a road for others who will and are coming close behind. I owe it to them to fight the good fight and expand the path that women, that musicians, take. Courage, [it’s] that one thing can help some future genius who is going to blow us away with their honesty and music. So you never know what you are leaving behind, or what is coming up behind you.” Jones’s work either hits you between the eyes or it doesn’t register. Ambivalent is not a word anyone could use to describe her. “I am intensely personal, and I think that talks to the part of people who like feeling feelings. Doing that kind of work for 30 years has been death defying leaps of extraordinary imagination!” Because of the unclassifiable nature of Jones as a whole, reviews of her albums and live performances have been staggeringly diverse. “I don’t read these things, but they come back to me nevertheless, a general thread of respect, or of disrespect. One feels that sort of thing, and it matters. I mean I would be lying if I said it didn’t. It matters to be respected, it matters

HOUSE HEAD LAIDBACK LUKE TELLS STUART EVANS HE’S MORE EXPERIENCED THAN HIS FRESH FACE INDICATES, SHOWING NO SIGNS OF RAVAGES FROM THE SO-CALLED LOUDNESS WAR.

to be noted by your peers, it matters to be remembered and remembered correctly. And there is the rub. History rewrites what it was, and makes it a living thing that is relevant to any future time – like Marilyn Monroe, a kind of whore-y lower class actress whom history has decreed is representative of the plight of women, and who had a beauty that means much more than it meant. So understanding that the future will see you quite differently than your own time, you just keep hammering on. Like The Doors – who would imagine they would have become so popular? They were like, just okay, but a future time decided it liked sexy guys and made Morrison a hero. Not Dylan, not Malcolm X, not Ravi Shankar. Janis Joplin, the most relevant, most important woman of her generation was laid into a social as well as a physical grave when she died. As if her relevance was obsolete, like Flappers in the ‘20s, she was only important to her time. I personally don’t think that’s true. Sometimes someone is so big, so deep, that the future decades have to just get rid of them to move on. And then when it’s safe they look back and go, ‘wow, Joplin, how incredible was she?’ I keep waiting for that. I loved her. When I was 16 she was my hero.” There’s been a renewed interest in Jones over the last five years with an anthology released and tributes from the likes of Tori Amos and Quincy Jones. Hopefully the celebration of the last 30 years is a cathartic experience that can set the stage for the next 30. WHO: Rickie Lee Jones WHAT: Balm In Gilead (UMGD/Fantasy) WHEN & WHERE: Wednesday 26 May, Octagon Theatre, Nedlands

FULL-ON EVOLUTION ALMOST FOUR YEARS SINCE PLAYING THEIR LAST GIG, FULL SCALE ARE BACK, REFORMED AS FULL SCALE REVOLUTION. THEIR EX-MAMMAL FRONTMAN EXPLAINS TO KATE STEPHENS THE LATEST REVOLUTION.

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t’s his new band, or more correctly, an old band, that has Ezekiel Ox excitingly speaking to Drum Media on a Melbourne afternoon. Having severed ties with political rockers Mammal last November, Ox oozes with enthusiasm for his latest project, Full Scale Revolution. The name may sound familiar – the band began over 10 years ago in Perth as Full Scale Deflection, before becoming Full Scale, to now the newly resurrected FSR. At the start, Ox explains, the revival was just a one off gig to help raise money for refugees, an issue all members felt passionate about. But by the end of the night, Ox realised he had found something he had been missing for awhile. “At first it was a fundraiser idea but when we were up on stage at the Evelyn [Hotel, Melbourne], our comeback show; we raised a lot of money for the refugees, and a lot of awareness, and it just felt good. We had a great line-up together, which was a fresh line-up – it had four members of the original nine that had been part of Full Scale before. Then we decided that we would pursue it, and we booked a tour and we kept playing shows, and it felt good. That’s what Mammal hadn’t been, it hadn’t felt good for a very long time, it had been a weight that I’d been dragging behind me, as with the last days with the old Full Scale, which was the reasons why I decide I didn’t want to continue with that at the time.” The Full Scale timeline reads similar to Mammal’s; they make waves in the Australian hard rock community, become known for incredible live performances, release killer debut albums, and just as they begin to really dig their feet in, they break up. But the Full Scale era is only one part of the whole FSD/FS/FSR history. Despite the constant changes fans have always been loyal, selling out the first gigs in almost four years, something Ox puts down to the bands continuing friendships and beliefs. “We have had nine members, about six different line-ups, three name changes, but the same fan base because we have been able to keep the same ideology and the same ethics.”

TURN IT UP

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ow do you pronounce Luke van Scheppingen without sounding like a mumbling, dribbling fool with a mouth full of marbles? Thankfully his moniker, Laidback Luke, is easier to articulate. “I try to put as much energy as I can into music and performing. In music I’m not that laidback. Away from music my friends say I’m a relaxed and easy-going kind of person.” Van Scheppingen spent his formative years in the Philippine capital Manila, before moving to the Netherlands at four years of age. Before switching to house music, the young van Scheppingen was initially drawn to hip hop and graffiti values. It was at a high school party where he befriended his eventual mentor Dobre (Chocolate Puma), subsequently taking his hip hop skills and applying them to house music. Early production work, including We Can Not Get Enough, resonated. Production-wise van Scheppingen was on the money with a burgeoning reputation. Virgin Records took note and signed his seminal 2002 single, Rocking With The Best, then his debut album Electronic Satisfaction in the same year. So all was rosy with his production exploits, but his international DJ career was slower to take off. “I may not look like it but I’m a veteran of the scene,” he explains. “My career has had lots of ups and downs and at one point I was only known in my native country. After 2006 I finally got the chance to prove my DJing abilities. So it just took time to get out there.” His remix style is also second to none – Roger Sanchez, Martin Solveig and David Guetta have sought his particular brand of wizardry. And van Scheppingen is widely known as the informal fourth member of the Swedish House Mafia – his collaboration with mafia cohorts, Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso and Steve Angello, resulted in Leave The World Behind. “For me the Swedish guys have been the Daft Punk of the 2000s,” he states. “They won’t like me saying this but they basically invented the electro genre. In 2004 house music was

really stuck and searching for a new angle. The Swedish guys came along with this massive production sound and big basslines. They were a revelation.” House music is due for another change, he believes. “We’re going into a period where house music will come back into its old form. It used to be genres without boundaries. Back in 1992 house could be tougher, softer, funkier or harder but it was always called house music. I feel we’re getting back into that.” Yet van Scheppingen’s style incorporates many influences – fidget, hip hop and junkyard house to name a few. And therein lies a problem. According to van Scheppingen, he’s always been one step ahead of the pack, keen to test out sounds via the traditional bootleg. “I’ve always tried to remain ahead but people don’t always immediately understand my stuff until much later. I do have a sense of what’s coming up next and in the past it’s prevented me from being fully understood. These days I’m trying to push my mind backwards,” he says. The point is valid. Understanding his work doesn’t always come easily; like his tendency to produce tracks that send the bass needle into the red. Whilst some producers may fear mass sound distortion, he sees it differently. “I’m fully into this loudness war. I have the Swedish guys to thank for that,” he says. The loudness war is simple: make records as loud as possible. “It’s important to have a record that smashes you in the face. I’m really trying to be on top of the loudness but tracks need to make a really big impact on the floor.” WHO: Laidback Luke WHEN & WHERE: We Love Sounds – Sunday 6 June, Supreme Court Gardens, Perth

SAMPLE SMASH-UP “IT’S LIKE SEEING AVATAR AT THE MOVIES, WITH HULK HOGAN ALL OF A SUDDEN TURNING AROUND FROM IN FRONT OF YOU AND SLAPPING YOU IN THE FACE,” IS HOW SAMPOLOGY DESCRIBE NEW CREATION SUPER VISUAL SMACKDOWN – TO TED SCHLECHTE.

Ironically though, the same thing that brought FSR back together, was responsible for drawing the dividing line in Mammal. Strong political beliefs allowed Ox to revive FSR, yet if you take a look at Mammal’s last release Vol 2 Systematic/Automatic’s DVD component then it becomes clear how those strong beliefs were ripping the band in two. “Mammal was dying, and it had been for 12 months,” admits Ox. “But of course you don’t tell people about that, because you are trying to move a business forward. But the arguments we were having about racism, sexism and homophobia, we could not come to an agreement on. I wanted to spend my life smashing those things, and those guys wanted to spend their lives playing, um, I dunno, I don’t want to talk for them.” Whether this new reformation has a longer life expectancy than previous ones is still hard to determine, and some fans would be sensible to not get their hopes up. But whether this is another Mammal or Full Scale timeline, to Ox it doesn’t matter, because he believes the closing of one door is the chance to grow and learn, before opening the next. “I think that every time I come back, every time I form a new group, it gets stronger and the music gets better and the vibe seems to grow,” admits Ox. “So hopefully people are starting to follow what I’m doing and what Crutey [drummer] is doing, because we don’t stop; we keep going, making the music, trying as much as we can to ignore the bullshit.” WHO: Full Scale Revolution WHEN & WHERE: Wednesday 2 June, The Foundry, Cannington; Thursday 3, Prince Of Wales, Bunbury; Friday 4, Players Bar, Mandurah; Saturday 5, Amplifier, Perth; Sunday 6 June, Newport Hotel, Fremantle

T

hundering onto the scene in 2003 as a ravenous 17-year-old, Sam Poggioli (a.k.a. Sampology) quickly became one of Australia’s most capable and skilful DJ/producers. Since his initiation into the wonderful world of entertainment, the Brisbanite has had the pleasure of supporting some of his own musical inspirations in the midst of doing the festival rounds countless times. Poggioli has even gained the attention of everyone from DJ Yoda – who he played before earlier this year – and DJ Craze to Peaches and Pnau, yet he is still as modest as ever. Having had the pleasure of chatting to the curly-haired musician just over a year ago, it must be said that this time round he seemed to be much more comfortable with everything. Performance-wise, his showcases continue to amalgamate such a vast array of audio and accompanying videos – or it could be said that it is the other way round – that even one with the heftiest case of ADHD could remain enthralled from beginning to end. Fortuitously for all, the boundaries are still constantly being forced to new levels. “At the start of the year, I put together a solid set that I was happier to tour with, rather than just bits and pieces of stuff thrown together every weekend like I was doing about a year or so ago,” Poggioli begins. “The technology is still more or less the same, but I’m now integrating my MPC drum machine into it as well. I’m triggering audio samples, which actually trigger video samples, and I’m touring an extra assistant who will have cameras on my gear. “Ever since the show started, I’ve tried to push it further and further. I’m now incorporating more of my own preproduction and edits, rather than just playing video clips. It’s a bit of a jigsaw puzzle in the sense that there are so many elements, but all done live. There is definitely an element of risk involved.”

Putting together a set like Sampology’s is an arduous task. When asked about how long it took him to get Super Visual Smackdown ready, the reply was immediate. “Ages,” Poggioli chuckles. “I like lots of random stuff chucked in, but I also like one idea flowing into another. Sometimes I’ll hear a track and think of something from a video source to match, whereas at other times it is the complete opposite. It’s not like a sit at home all day and work, work, work. It’s more like the ideas just pop into my head. I’m quite random and exact, which is clear when you check out the new shows.” During the last chat, Poggioli mentioned his impending EP, a release that still has not hit the shelves. “It’s on the way, I promise,” Poggioli laughs. “I’ve got a bunch of finished tunes that I want to be put out as one solid release. I’ve also recently done a remix for Two Fresh, which features a UK grime MC called Lady Chann. I used to get stressed by not getting enough music out there, but at the moment I’m trying to make the most of the AV thing.” Always keeping up with the times, Poggioli reveals what may be seen in the not-too-distant future. “With all of these new movies coming out in 3D – and the capacity to do some of this in a set like mine – things could go in that direction. I just don’t know about this in the practical sense, though. Getting onto the mic at a festival and telling people to put on their 3D glasses may not work as of yet, but maybe at an arts kind of festival it could work. Saying that, I wouldn’t rule anything out as of yet.”

WHO: Sampology WHEN & WHERE: Super Visual Smackdown – Friday 28 May, The Manor, Leederville THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010 • 31

A NEW LEASE ON LIFE

MARK HEBBLEWHITE CORNERS NILE MAIN MAN AND EGYPTOPHILE KARL SANDERS FROM DEATH METALLERS NILE TO TALK ABOUT WHERE METAL AND THE PHARAOHS INTERSECT.

JAMES ZABIELA WAS ONCE THE PINUP BOY OF MODERN DJ TRICKERY, BUT ANGUS PATTERSON FINDS HIM NOW PRACTISING A MORE RESTRAINED APPROACH WHEN HE FRONTS A DANCEFLOOR – IRONICALLY AS HE RELEASES HIS MOST AMBITIOUS MIX SET EVER WITH THE MASTERS SERIES: LIFE ON RENAISSANCE.

T

he CD mix compilation has been one of the hallmarks of dance culture, something club fanatics race to get their mitts all over, barely able to contain their excitement in getting it home to devour those sparkly fresh sounds handpicked by their favourite DJs. But that was then and this is now, and increasingly it’s becoming an irrelevant format. How can it compete when dance enthusiasts are already so readily consuming free podcasts and live sets? Do you take Sasha’s lead, and heavily remix every last track in the way he did on his Involver releases? Or do you take the elaborate approach of Joris Voorn, and sit down over several months and stitch together over 100 tracks across the running time? If you’re James Zabiela, you face the sweeping changes in distribution head on – by giving it away for free at shows. “It’s just a way of getting more exposure, and getting it into the hands of more people,” he says. “Especially when I’m playing a lot of far flung places, where people might not even have an internet connection. Certainly, the amount of people that I play to isn’t reflected in CD sales, that’s for sure.” These reasons meant it was a valuable proposition for both James, as well as the diverse selection of artists. “Technically I’m still buying all the music,” he says. “So all the artists get the same royalties they would with a retail compilation, and we’re also doing a commercial release were you get much higher quality audio and packaging. To get the artists on our side we explained they’d still get their publishing money, and it wouldn’t be too different from any other compilation deal they’d done before, except with this one they’re more likely to get much more reward and exposure for it. Once that was explained, everyone was on board with it.”

32 • THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010

WHEN IN EGYPT

In line with his unconventional approach in getting Life out to more ears, Zabiela similarly tried to do something a little different with the way he put it together. He says it was a matter of taking in the overwhelmingly positive feedback he received for the opening disc of his debut Masters Series mix on Renaissance last year, where he fused a gorgeous selection of downbeat electronic music with haunting spoken word monologues, ambient sounds and ‘field recordings’ he’d collected across the globe. He wanted to try for something even grander this time – and as it turns out, he was equally influenced by the not so stellar feedback for the other ‘club’ disc. “I wouldn’t say that I’m ashamed of that second disc,” he says. “But it’s safe to say that it got rushed at the hands of the amount of time I spent on the first mix. So this time I was much more organised, and rather than put together two distinct styles, I wanted to shape one really long composition. Or at very least, make the second half of the mix compliment the first half. If you listen to the mixes as one big thing, you can hear the effort to try and get them to flow all the way through.” It makes for a mesmerising collection of different moods, styles and tempos across the two interconnected mixes. You get everything from the abstract strains of Lusine, the minimal aesthetics of Ellen Allien to the slightly noisier sounds of Boys Noize, and James says it took a fair amount of studio trickery – not that you’d expect it to be that much of a challenge for one of the most technologically gifted DJs to ever walk the planet. WHO: James Zabiela WHAT: The Masters Series: Life (Renaissance/Stomp) WHEN: Thursday 20 May, Villa, Perth

K

arl Sanders is metal. Pedigree up the wazoo (as a youngster he hung with the Morbid Angel boys), a back catalogue that spells brutality and not to mention an attitude to match. And then there’s his dog, who, insists on barking all through our interview. “Dude I have a Beagle that thinks he’s a Doberman, can you believe that?” laughs Sanders. Again – everything about this dude is metal. And nowhere is this more apparent than on Nile’s latest, and possibly greatest LP Those Whom The Gods Detest – a crushing mix of patented blast beat insanity and slower, more majestic riffs that immediately evoke the might of the Old Kingdom pharaohs. “We always try and mix things up,” agrees Sanders, who is of the philosophy that music offers up a range of opportunities and everything should be investigated. It’s this attitude that separates Nile from the pack. While there’s no shortage of bands that know how to blast with consummate ease, not many death metal acts can actually construct an album’s worth of memorable songs. “I see this all the time with some of the bands we see out on the road,” confirms Sanders. “If you can’t tell what song you’re listening to, or what band you’re listening to, what’s the point of it all? When there are all these bands that sound like each other, there ends up being no purpose to any of it. The aim is to make music that people want to hear again – and I hope that’s what Nile does.” As Sanders will confirm, it’s hard to make a living peddling extreme music. And that struggle was recently made harder for Nile when their latest LP was leaked before its release date. But whilst understandably bitter, Sanders is also realistic. “Look, I do tend to frown on people who want to characterise downloading as nothing more than a benign way for bands to get their music out to a wide audience,” he offers. “I mean the people who clicked on our album did so because they wanted the new Nile album – not some record by a

band nobody’s heard of. But that said, there is a bigger picture here. We’re living in a changing, though interim period for the music business. And until things are sorted out on how to control technology we have to wait for things to level out. “To be honest, part of me feels that music should be free. But then how do performers get compensated for their hard work? It’s puzzling really. I don’t want to see music lovers get beaten up for downloading, and I understand why people are tempted by free music, but it remains a problem” Thankfully, Sanders isn’t in this as a business proposition. For many years he’s combined his love of death metal and Egyptology to create a truly unique sound. Strange thing is, while he’s experienced a lot of death metal, he’s never been to Egypt. “Man, it’s a money thing – nothing else,” he explains. “I’d love to go to Egypt but working full-time in a death metal band doesn’t allow you to take long leisurely trips to Egypt. It’s ironic really. We have been offered trips to Israel – but again the money is never there and we can’t take them.” But for a bloke who’s never been to Egypt, Karl keeps a serious grip on the subject. “I love the Old Kingdom period,” he explains. “It’s more shrouded in mystique and therefore there are a lot of grey areas with which one can take artistic and polemic license. As a writer and artist that makes it the most fertile and gives Nile plenty to work with for you guys.” WHO: Nile WHAT: Those Whom The Gods Detest (Nuclear Blast) WHEN & WHERE: Tuesday 25 May, Capitol, Perth

THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010 • 33

SINGLES/EPS

WITH RICK BRYANT

cd reviews

ON THE RECORD

SINGLE OF THE WEEK VOLTAIRE TWINS Voltaire Twins Independent This electro, synthy EP from Perth’s Voltaire Twins is a strong piece of work. Their popular debut single D.I.L., released late in 2009, finds a place here, but it is overshadowed by the excellent Light Fears. A wellproduced track, it builds confidently to a memorable chorus and will surely become, if it isn’t already, a live favourite. Rounding the EP off are London and Knives, which offer more of the same agreeable, energetic pop – which is fine over the course of an EP, but would start to wear thin on full-length release.

THE HOLIDAYS

Moonlight Hours Columbia With its Calypso feel and positive spirit, Moonlight Hours has fast become a favourite on Triple J and is the first single to be taken from their soon-to-bereleased debut record. It’s a fairly dispensable piece of work but its summery bent will doubtlessly appeal to fans of the Art Vs Science variety; it’s curious, really, that the album’s going to hit in the depths of winter.

JANELLE MONÁE FT. BIG BOI Tightrope

Atlantic/Warner Packing a fantastic voice that’s incredibly versatile, this first taste from Janelle Monáe’s upcoming album The Archandroid, a peculiar-sounding concept album about a female android named Cindy Mayweather, is a deliciously soulful track. Bound to generate a great deal of interest, the record will be something worth waiting for if this track’s funked up vibe is a typical reflection of the remainder of the album.

ADEM K

200 Year Old Volkswagon

BAND OF HORSES

DIRECT INFLUENCE

Columbia

107 Entertainment

Once a vehicle for singer Ben Bridwell’s folky rock leanings that were realised on stage by a rotating cast of musicians, Band Of Horses is now a band and, just as significantly, banded. Bridwell has relinquished some of the writing duties with a view to recognising the great talent his bandmates have, but you’d be hard to pressed to find any discernible stylistic deviation.

The degree to which the eclectic jumble of sounds on Direct Influence’s debut works is proportionate really to how appealing you find them alone, as nothing new has really come of their mixing. It’s a reggae record through and through, yet it rather offhandedly also posits itself as something with ties closer to the swagger and sensibility of modern, conscious hip hop. But as reggae is a niche thing these days maybe this blurring between the genre-lines isn’t such a bad thing.

Infinite Arms

Bridwell’s fantastic voice is, as always, front and centre, but this time around there is more room given to the supporting cast; the spartan Evening Kitchen, with its single guitar lying beneath three woven voices, shows that this new arrangement can certainly work, but the track itself suffers from some overwrought melodies. Laredo would slide seamlessly onto the band’s previous albums with its slightly rocky edge, nagging chorus and expulsions of electric guitar that are dominated by hammer ons and pull offs. Simple though its elements are, they combine with such force in bridges and verses that it’s rendered totally memorable. The country twang of Older is about as close as Band Of Horses can get to throwing up something out-of-character, but it tends to meander along without any punch.

War In My Kitchen

Most of the tracks on War In My Kitchen unfold with a flagrantly un-tweaked take on Marley’s classic Buffalo Soldier swank, but without the lucidity of projects like J. Period’s Messengers tribute, or even an exculpatory sampling of that Marley sound. What works for Direct Influence, however, is the truly organic end-product of what a good portion of their heady ideas have fused to create. On top of Kitchen’s rather perfunctory foundation lies some often interesting inter-workings of sounds from disco and dubstep, and while the style of hip hop they’ve adopted leads one to expect every corner to yield a sample or soundbite.

DOVES

The Places Between: The Best Of Doves Heavenly For the better part of a decade Doves have sat side by side with fellow Mancunians Elbow as two of the most perennially underappreciated bands of recent times. Both were adored by critics from the start, releasing four albums each of increasing genius yet consistently average sales while contemporaries like Coldplay broke through stateside. Elbow finally received the accolades they always deserved with last year’s Mercury Music Prize win, but Doves’ equally impressive offering Kingdom Of Rust failed to better the sales of their previous three releases. Npw the band’s been put on indefinite hiatus comes their first official best of. Leaning heavily towards the band’s earlier material, The Places Between’s relatively short track listing may frustrate, but the sheer volume of classics on hand still can’t help but make this a fantastic release. There Goes The Fear and Pounding from second album The Last Broadcast still sound as soaring and uplifting as ever, while The Cedar Room is arguably the greatest debut single of the last decade. There is a noticeable lack of songs from their brilliant third album Some Cities, but the inclusion of new track Andalucia alongside classics like Caught By The River and Black And White Town emphasises the band’s ability to regularly pen brilliantly life-affirming anthems.

With a comparatively meagre 19-odd months between Band of Horses’ first two records, Infinite Arms had a longer gestation and, for the most part, it shows. The songs are fleshed out with string embellishments (the strong opener Factory) and, on its beautiful title track, there’s even space for twittering birds. Ultimately, however, it is a Band Of Horses record, and a very good one at that, and fans would be disappointed with anything else.

Some throwbacks do come dangerously close to being indistinguishable from the latter; the album beginning with what sounds like The Police’s Roxanne so convincingly, one almost reflexively breathes the famous “I loved you since I knew ya/I wouldn’t talk down to ya” refrain over the top. Elsewhere, the disco sound’s affected rather sleepily, though the thickly porous and dubstep-like synth influence stickily affixes the otherwise incongruous allusions to the variance of genres delightfully well.

RICK BRYANT

SAM HOBSON

KITT DI CAMILLO

While Elbow were always touted as underdogs simply waiting their turn, Doves seem forever destined to remain in the commercial shadows. As The Places Between shows though, they could just be the best kept ‘secret’ in music.

Independent Releasing under his own name for the first time, former Turnstyle frontman Adem K has hit the ground running with this insight into his full-length record, The Community Chest. 200 Year Old Volkswagon again displays his unwavering talent for writing strong melodies, but its grimier edge shows his admirable desire to keep things fresh. Replete with fuzzy vocals and wailing guitar solos, it’s a sure sign Adem K’s debut album will deviate from his poppy, sugary past.

ROKY ERICKSON/OKKERVIL RIVER

THE FLAMING LIPS

The Dark Side Of The Moon

LCD SOUNDSYSTEM

MANTRA

AntiTexan Roky Erickson teamed with Okkervil River is, on the surface a match made in heaven – or, more accurately considering Erickson’s tragic past, in the depths of hell. Here is a man whose schizophrenic voices got so bad, he had to drown them out with a cacophony of noise created by televisions and radios blaring at high volume. His return to the artistic world here is a triumph.

Warner

DFA/Parlophone/EMI

Obese Records

It’s a well known fact that The Flaming Lips don’t like to follow the rules. A mere 71 days following the release of their 12th album, the excellent Embryonic, Wayne Coyne and his merry men of space cadets returned with an interpretation of Pink Floyd’s opus Dark Side Of The Moon. After only being available via mp3, it’s finally out on hard copy.

The quintessential ‘00s artist; few if any have been able to match the fluid crossover success of LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy; appealing to indie kids, ravers, critics and disaffected thirtysomethings alike. Having raised the bar thus far, crowning it would be a hefty challenge, and adding to the suspense are Murphy’s hints that this could be their final bow.

If you haven’t heard of Mantra then you haven’t been listening hard enough. Virtually a legend in hip hop circles, he is widely regarded as the most skilled rapper in Australia and with the release of this, his debut solo album, you can certainly see why.

With the full title of the album being The Flaming Lips And Stardeath And White Dwarfs With Henry Rollins And Peaches Doing The Dark Side Of The Moon, the Oklahoma City boys have recruited a couple of big names to contribute to what turns out to be a very odd album indeed. Rollins’ parts consist of him doing what he does best, spoken word, and recreating the original album’s interview samples. Peaches performs the distinct vocals of The Great Gig In The Sky, while the Oklahoma band Stardeath And White Dwarfs features Coyne’s nephew Dennis Coyne, and they provide extra instrumentation throughout.

Well breathe easy; all the main ingredients are present and sounding essential ever. The trademark DFA production, with its obsessive attention to detail, still bursts from the speakers. The infamous Murphy wit rings throughout and is balanced with some touching moments of self-depreciation, such as on the shimmering nu-disco of I Can Change.

Goodbye Sweet Dreams

THE CHEMIST

The Wolves’ Howls Shatter The Old Glass Moon Dirt Diamonds/Warner Perth seems to have a propensity for producing bands that revel in rock/pop surrounds, and End Of July, the opener to The Chemist’s debut EP, continues this trend. It is a completely forgettable track. The Chemist is at their best when they imbue their tracks with a dirtier, more macabre feel, which they do with great success on Things Have Changed, but some of its strength is lost with a spoken-word outro that is a good example of creative licence gone very bad.

BOY & BEAR

With Emperor Antarctica Universal Armed with strong harmonies and folky roots, Sydney’s awfully-named Boy & Bear are treading the path cleared by acts like Fleet Foxes and Mumford & Sons. Despite the obvious similarities, this is a remarkably assured debut showing an impressive awareness for writing songs with contrasting tones. 34 • THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010

This Is Happening

While this new version of the album doesn’t come close to matching the brilliance of the original, it’s well worth a listen if you want a more druggy, more zonked out version of the album where much of the music has been changed to reflect the Lips’ distinct style, range of instruments and limited technical skill.

Best yet is the rambunctious Drunk Girls, which careers down the slippy boundary between good and bad taste, threatening to spill over like an inebriated shopping trolley, only to somehow escape with a sly grin and a knowing wink. It’s an experience that leads to One Touch; a tight, frustrated animal, driven by an interlocking feast of archaic drum machines. The only piece to miss the mark is the self-righteous You Wanted A Hit, a petty jibe at manipulative industry moguls. Given that Murphy seems to enjoy complete creative freedom, it’s hard to identify who this salvo is aimed at.

While the album is only good in parts, it’s still a notable and noble effort which sees one of the most innovative bands of the past quarter of a century reinterpreting the music of one of the most innovative bands in the quarter century before them, and how could that possibly be wrong?

Having embodied the ‘00s cross-pollination of indie and dance music, the imperative question was always going to be could LCD Soundsystem remain as vital in the next decade. On this evidence, if Murphy does call it quits, he’ll be leaving a considerable hole in the cultural landscape.

MATTHEW HOGAN

CHRISTOPHER H. JAMES

Power Of The Spoken

Power Of The Spoken isn’t an album for the mainstream Austalian hip hop audience. It has very few catchy choruses and no guest performances from high profile Oz-rap luminaries or international veterans (as is so often now the path most taken to respect). What it does have is straight lyricism delivered by one man with a flow so natural you’d swear he’d taught the rest to rap. Leading single I Hereby Stand produced by M-Phazes is a veritable minefield of career-making one liners and manifesto raps. Lines like “Equills was the template, ‘Zilla was the next phase, now y’all can see what’s on my chest like an x-ray” outline the emcee’s personal evolution through various Melbourne crews. On title track Power Of The Spoken, he demonstrates literally that, the power of the spoken word in history, religion and psychology. I Wanna Go Home addresses Mantra’s views on battle rapping with the oustanding opening lines; “Too many emcees got no heart musically, shows aren’t moving me/and truthfully ain’t shown any growth past puberty”. If you are a fan of deep, thick lyrical hip hop or you have an appreciation for the skill it takes to rock a mic this album is the one for you. Throw it on, sit back and learn why this is the one man that every emcee in the country fears in a battle. LEWIS RYAN

CD OF THE WEEK

TRENTEMØLLER SLASH Slash

TED LEO & THE PHARMACISTS

THE DEAD WEATHER Sea Of Cowards

Sony

The Brutalist Bricks

Third Man/Warner

From first look at this CD it is easy to tell that Slash hasn’t gone for any new look or experimentation in sound, and unlike the finicky Axl Rose with Chinese Democracy, collaborated with a number of musicians without being over controlling. While it could be said that Slash has put Guns N’ Roses behind him, on this we are reminded just how much of it was his guitar work.

Matador

Less than a year after releasing their debut, The Dead Weather stepped out of the studio with this, their second album, wrapped up. That much of the album had been written on the road and in soundchecks has gone some way towards the end result, drawing largely on their live dynamic.

Initial preconceptions may suggest that this is a just a mainstream ‘cash in’ but Andrew Stockdale’s vocals on By The Sword, Iggy Pop’s input on We’re All Gonna Die and even Fergie’s rock chick persona on Beautiful Dangerous don’t suck as much as you would think. An instrumental Watch This Dave stands out, and with no cliché lyrics getting in the way, Dave Grohl and ex-Gunner’s bassist Duff McKagan provide a fantastic rhythm section for Slash to strut his stuff. But there is also a fair share of horrible tracks; Gotten featuring Adam Levine and I Hold On with Kid Rock are just plain radio trash. For Slash to record with legends such as Ozzy Osbourne and Chris Cornell only to include artists you cringe at when you read their name on the back cover is inexcusable, for there was at least some dignity on this album without those songs.

Following the somewhat disappointing Living With The Living, Ted Leo & The Pharmacists have revisited some of the highly infectious punk energy that first caught many listener’s attention on 04’s Shake The Streets. The politically charged lyrics haven’t dried up post-Bush and his incredibly strong voice is the perfect vessel.

An older audience will appreciate the classic rock laced with Slash’s Les Paul tones and younger Guitar Hero crazed kids will probably go nuts for the polished LA sound but for an album that initially felt gimmicky, it exceeded this reviewer’s expectations.

Fiery opener The Mighty Sparrow gives a powerful start with the incendiary Leo roaring out “When the cafe doors exploded, I reacted too, reacted to you...” over some the Pharmacists’ tightest rhythms, evidence that Marty Key (bassist for the defunct (Young) Pioneers) has firmly found his place in the band. The Pharmacists are a bit of a muso spotter’s delight, most notably guitarist James Canty who played in the hugely influential Nation Of Ulysees. Canty and Leo’s guitar work is as hook-laden as ever and amongst the pop riffs there’s some hardcore roots shining through on tracks like the neo-Marxist The Stick. There’s little weakness on this release but it’s the middle that some of Leo’s best work appears, especially the travel inspired Bottled In Cork. It’s followed with one of the more interesting guitar oriented tracks – Woke Up Near Chelsea. The acoustic folk and natural ambience of Tuberculoids Arrive In Hop slows the album down towards the end but there’s two short bursts of frenetic pop and punk fury to finish up the best Pharmacists’ release in recent years and Matador debut.

SEBASTIAN D’ALONZO

TRISTAN BROOMHALL

The Difference Between Us is the first stand out track, building on Dean Fertita’s keys and a broken rhythm then moves into a strong groove from the two Jacks before shifting into a rocking break in the middle and settling back into the groove. It rings out into the rhapsodic I’m Mad, which deals on a strong beat for part of it before breaking into a whole other section. Old Mary closes the album with Jack White laying down a blues prayer. The way that most of the songs are constructed, so easily able to shift between sections without actually seeming disjointed, is testament to the musicianship and nature of the band. On first listen, Sea Of Cowards almost seems to underwhelm the expectations, not delivering in the diverse way that Hang You From The Heavens or Cut Like A Buffalo did on their debut and straying away from the blues atmospherics of Will There Be Enough Water. As the songs from this album spend more time on the stereo they carve out their own place, not so much sounding less diverse than on the debut but rather sounding more concise due to the time the group’s had playing together, discovering just what it is they can do.

Into The Great Wide Yonder In My Room/Rough Trade/Stomp Anders Trentemøller’s sophomore creation Into The Great Wide Yonder is a record that will take approximately 30 seconds to introduce itself as something that will revolutionise the way you listen to music. Opening with The Mash And The Fury, the listener is immediately seized by a sense of organic beauty that is sadly absent within a sizeable amount of today’s electronic releases. Instruments such as the acoustic guitar, the mandolin, the etherophone and even the music box can be picked up instantly and offer an analogical texture that is the mirror opposite to his digitally crisp ‘06 debut The Last Resort. Sycamore Feeling, which will be the first track released via his very own label In My Room, is simply far too good to be forced into one single collection alone. The intoxicatingly breathy vocals which arrive courtesy of Danish singer-songwriter Marie Fisker sit perfectly amongst the lush instrumentation which at times tips its hat to a ‘60s surf rock aesthetic, whilst also providing moments of pure down tempo bliss. Häxan and Metamorphisis offer the most danceable moments, which will no doubt receive widespread club type attention the world over. Even Though You’re With Another Girl is by far the standout of a piece that boldly signals the arrival of an artist who can be securely placed into the category of true musical genius. And the fact that this was solely created in Trentemøller’s home studio is something that will leave you wishing you’d paid a little bit more attention during those drawn out composition classes. CRAIG HOLLYWOOD

JASON KENNY

THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010 • 35

36 • THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010

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FEATURE REVIEW

GIG OF THE WEEK :

GROOVIN’ THE MOO

SILVERCHAIR @ GROOVIN’ THE MOO. PIC: SHANE BUTLER

HAY PARK, BUNBURY 15/05/10

WAMI SATURDAY SPECTACULAR

Proudly presented by Drum Media, the WAMi Saturday Spectacular is as action packed this year as always. A celebration of local music in two parts, the first half is free and takes place at The Bird, The Brass Monkey, The Court, Impact Bar, Mustang Bar, Universal Bar and ALL-AGES stages at Perth Cultural Centre and the Northbridge Piazza with Boys Boys Boys!, Boom! Bap! Pow!, Stereoflower, The Reserves, The Jayco Brothers and Rocket To Memphis among the 50 plus acts lined up from noon until 6pm. After 6pm, Amplifier and Capitol host the closing party featuring local legends Jebediah plus Abbe May, Umpire, The Scotch Of Saint James, Will Stoker & The Embers, Injured Ninja, Tomás Ford, Arts Martial, French Rockets, Emperors, The Jackards, Goodnight Tiger, Steve Parkin and more. Tickets are $22 plus BF from Moshtix. It all takes place this Saturday 22 May, plus of course there’s a multitude of WAMi action all over the shop. Check the guide in this edition to help you choose your local love-ins.

FRONTLASH

BACKLASH

WE LIKED TO MOOVE IT

FREO BLOWS

Who would have thought something with such a stoopid name could be so good. Top work Groovin’ The Moo.

We knew it was too good to be true that the Fremantle Dockers were suddenly playing with such confidence this year… Sniff sniff.

PERTH HAS TASTE

THE GOSPEL

Congratulations WA – Hey Hey It’s Saturday was less popular here than in any other state according to last week’s ratings. Maybe instead of having Usher on the set they should think about ushering the program to the sidelines, forever.

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

Seems a rumour has been floating about of a Splendour sideshow that might bring a few acts over here. Even if it’s nothing but gaseous goss, at least the rumour has given us enough hope to help us get through the heartbreak caused by the lack of announced Perth-bound sideshows thus far.

Despite everyone knowing politicians are more full of poop than a bullfighting arena in Spain, Tony Abbott conceding that he stretches the truth was an embarrassing moment for Australian politics. Ironically, what’s even more embarrassing is that twits are now giving him props for being candid and telling it how it is.

CLAIRE HOOPER

We’ve been holding back due to misguided patriotism, but can someone please teach her how to be funny? As pathetic as it was, we used to actually at least be able to handle watching Good News Week.

LISA MITCHELL (LEFT) AND EMPIRE OF THE SUN @ GROOVIN’ THE MOO. PICS: SHANE BUTLER

DRUM MEDIA PRESENTS : SHAPESHIFTER: JUN 12 Villa

ONGOING:

GIGNITION: Upcoming band showcases 5-9pm each Sunday at Swan Basement. WAMi Best Of Gigion Showcase on Sunday 23 May.

OPERATOR PLEASE, TIM & JEAN, CHAINGANG: JUN 18 Astor Theatre SUGAR ARMY: JUL 1 Indi Bar, JUL 2 Prince Of Wales, JUL 3 Amplifier, JUL 4 Mojo’s

NEXT BIG THING: WA’s biggest band competition, head to www.nextbigthing.net.au to download your entry form and get it today! ROCKET ROOM’S LATE NIGHT LIVE: Each Friday. This week catch Chainsaw Hookers and Raw Nerve. CUT & PASTE DVDs: Quarterly DVD street press. New edition out on the streets now! PERTH DANCE MUSIC AWARDS 2010 DEC

SHOWS:

DIRECT INFLUENCE: MAY 21 Settlers Tavern, MAY 22 Indi Bar, MAY 23 Fly By Night WAMI SATURDAY SPECTACULAR: JEBEDIAH, ABBE MAY, THE SCOTCH OF SAINT JAMES, UMPIRE, WILL STOKER

THE SOFT PACK: JUL 10 Rosemount SALLY SELTMANN: JUL 17 Rosemount KASABIAN: JUL 30 Metro City MIDLAKE: AUG 4 Capitol

CLOUD CONTROL & THE EMBERS, ARTS MARTIAL, EMPERORS, INJURED NINJA, FRENCH ROCKETS, THE JACKARDS, GOODNIGHT TIGER, STEVE PARKIN and more MAY 22 Capitol, Amplifier, Northbridge Piazza, The Bird, The Court, Impact, Mustang Bar & Universal Bar CLOUD CONTROL, RICHARD IN YOUR MIND: MAY 27 Prince Of Wales, MAY 28 Mojo’s, MAY 29 Amplifier PERTH TATTOO

CARNIVAL: MAY 28-30 Perth Convention Centre NABOO (THE MIGHTY BOOSH DJ SET): MAY 29 & 30 Shape CLOSURE IN MOSCOW, SECRETS IN SCALE: MAY 29 Civic Hotel, MAY 30 YMCA HQ GODSKITCHEN: MARKUS SCHULZ, GARETH EMERY, ROGER SHAH: JUN 11 Metro City DEAD LETTER CIRCUS: JUN 11 Prince Of Wales, JUN 12 Capitol

LAURA MARLING, BOY & BEAR, JOHNNY FLYNN: AUG 8 Capitol MIDNIGHT JUGGERNAUTS: AUG 14 Capitol ROTTOFEST: AUG 27-29 Rottnest Island HYPERFEST: AUG 29 Midland Railway Workshops ONE MOVEMENT FOR MUSIC: OCT 6, 7, 8 & 9: Perth Esplanade, Parmelia Hilton Hotel and surrounds SARAH BLASKO: NOV 5 & 6 Astor Theatre

A lot like what BDO used to be (for those old enough to remember), the WA debut of Groovin’ The Moo brought anything-goes acts to a crowd that packed the stages more than the bar. The wave of punk rock from Bunbury band competition winners and festival openers Silver Lizard reached the outskirts of the park as their energetic songs began warming up an initially stiff audience. The Scotch Of Saint James followed quickly on the MySpace stage, bringing the most impressive set from the local acts with their brand of rock. As audience numbers and enthusiasm picked up for locals The Words, so did their performance, no doubt earning them a few new fans. Finding a place where they could play loud and get away with it, Harlequin League took full advantage before some confusion towards the end of their set. “No Pooley! Don’t trash your keyboard, there’s still time for one more song!” In the Moolin’ Rouge tent, the Voltaire Twins continued to prop up the west coast end of Perth electro with a set that looked like Art Vs Science but sounded something darker. While the harmonies weren’t always in balance, perhaps a sound issue, the set snowballed in both momentum and numbers. The dance-worthy tunes kept coming as Sydney’s indie darling Jonathan Boulet brought the poly-rhythms and chorus vocals of his album to life for a set that lacked only a female backing voice to soften out the boyish skater rock. Illy hit it off with crowd favourite Pictures In The Sand before Salt N’ Pepa-but-nastier girl duo Killaqueenz threw down some mature-audience only lyrics and serious bass beats that made the whole tent feel like a boom box dance floor circa 1988. Kid Koala Presents The Slew were easily the most underappreciated act of the day. Rough and raw, they played like men possessed as Kid Koala threw vinyl down on six turntables and the rhythm section matched him brilliantly with bassist Chris Ross clearly reveling in the frontman role. On the main stages, Muph & Plutonic emerged with throw-yourhands-in-the-air hip hop and were the first act to get everyone nodding along. The under-18 crowd scampered over to sing, dance and clap along to Kisschasy who played Turnaround and the rest of their impressive catalogue. Ticking the folk box, Lisa Mitchell and band played well, but like many of the genre, fell a little flat in the festival setting. Melbourne indie rockers British India pumped out Tie Up My Hands and Run The Red Light but the best came from a cover of Nirvana’s Lithium. Miami Horror portended of craziness to come with some stage antics (including the best for the day when ‘Mister Vocals’ turned a clichéd climb up the side rigging into a spectacular series of moves including

a jumping splits and spin around MJ-inspired move, as well as a busted microphone) and dance anthems before Spoon steered the crowd through the awkward afternoon hours with one of the day’s tightest sets. Tegan & Sara had plenty of fans in attendance and the twins fed off the energy for a memorable set. Under the big top, Funkoars made a bid for best act of the day. A massive reception was helped by Pressure from Hilltop Hoods joining them on stage for The Light You Burned. Grinspoon pulled out some solid rock moves, bordering on cliché when Phil Jamieson brought out a megaphone. Oldies Lost Control and Chemical Heart had even the crowd up the back jumping and singing along. The most theatrical of the day, Empire Of The Sun was a blue latex-clad Prince video come to life, but given the number of festival circuits they’ve hit recently it felt a bit been there, done that. Still though, Walking On A Dream coaxed the most smiles of the day. Meanwhile in dance tent, Space Invadas once again proved that Steve Spacek is from heaven, his angelic voice almost bringing some to tears. For the most part though, their soulful grooves were far too chilled for the energetic crowd, and they slowly emptied a once-full tent to leave only a devoted few enraptured ‘til the very end. The insanity peaked with Vampire Weekend as the crowd swelled to see the Carribean-tinged American rock that sounded and felt like the circus had just rolled into town, and much more fun than a bunch of clowns. Silverchair switched between old and new along with plenty of tangents. Johns joked, “We’re probably the most unrehearsed band on the tour… but we really don’t give a fuck”. His ego-fuelled stage presence was undeniable as he laid down the tricks of the trade, played with his teeth, interacted with the crowd (including giving them the “cunt” treatment), fiddled with pedals to make foreign sounds and presented a couple of new songs, including the horrendous Machina Collector, amid the old gold. But it was Yacht Club DJs who stole the show and broke all the rules as they chugged Bacardi, scaled the scaffolding, surfed the crowd and somehow managed to mash up a genre-crossed set that could make two left feet break into an Irish jig. Unfortunately, following the crowd surf, the set was cut short as the DJ scrambled back on stage and begged, to no avail, for some turntable juice. The completely loose and messy mash up was a fitting end to GTM which may not have rocked ‘til the cows came home, but definitely milked this year’s collection of eclectic grooves for all they were worth. MEGAN SMITH, SEBASTIAN D’ALONZO & AAROM WILSON THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010 • 37

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tunes and MC Tomas Ford holdin’ it all together from 11.30pm this Friday 21 May at Rocket Room.

LAUNCH PAD

JERALDTON JAZZ

PINS & LADLES

FOR FOLK’S SAKE

JOHNNY TAYLOR

FREO HEAVE HO

UNDER THE INFLUENCE

Playing Amplifier as part of the huge WAMi Festival Saturday Spectacular Closing Party on Saturday 22 May is Emperors. Doors open 6pm and the night includes performances from Jebediah, Abbe May, Umpire, The Scotch Of Saint James, Will Stoker & The Embers, Tomas Ford, Injured Ninja and many more. Emperors hit the stage around 7.30pm, and tickets are only $22 plus BF from Moshtix.

Brief rundown of the history of your solo career? I’ve been in and out of Perth rock/alt bands playing guitar or singing or both for years. After a move to the country I found it hard to find like-minded musos so I took matters into my own hands and started working with an electric kick drum and vocal effects and plenty of guitar texture and it’s all just clicked into place; some sort of weird rock/grunge/roots hybrid with a hint of drum’n’bass. Tell us about your release: Skin & Bones was recorded last year at Bang Bang. It’s a four track EP and was recorded as a ‘rock band’ with the talents of some awesome local musos playing drums, keys and strings session. Live @ Bang Bang is an eight-track mini album that was recorded solo and 100 per cent live. Because it’s taken so long to release Skin & Bones I decided I would wait for the ‘live’ CD to be printed and launch them both in one hit.

GROOVE IS IN THE HEART

How did you go about recording it? For Skin & Bones I had Lee Jones on piano, my brother Woody (ex-Dirty Secrets) on drums and Tristan Parr playing cello. I’d done some pre-production at home on my analogue 8-track so I had a pretty clear vision of how the songs were to pan out. I laid down a backing track and Woody and I recorded drums and bass together respectively. Then Lee and Tristan worked their magic. Vocals went down last and quite quickly so it was straight off to master. Live @ Bang Bang is exactly that. Tell us about your launch party: I’ve got Lantana opening and Oishii playing the middle set before I hit the stage. Entry is $5 or $10 with a copy of both CD from 8pm. What’s next for you? I’ve got studio time booked in July at Bergerk!, so I’ll be recording another rock CD which will blend both my solo rock sound with the rock band vibe. WHAT: Skin & Bones and Live @ Bang Bang Studio (Independent) WHEN & WHERE: Saturday 22 May, Swan Basement, North Fremantle

Geraldton’s L’Attitude 28 Bar presents the Shameem Taheri-Lee Jazz Trio on Sunday 23 May from 5pm as part of their monthly jazz sessions. An exciting up-andcoming jazz vocalist, with a fresh and invigorating style, Taheri-Lee is equally at ease singing soulful ballads, swinging jazz standards or sultry Brazillian grooves. Entry is free.

Bringing the music of the folk and acoustic scene in Perth to the masses is Folklore. Featuring 18 tracks from grassroots artists around Perth, Folklore is a compilation available for free download from www. scudleyrecords.com. The bands of Folklore will launch the album at the Charles Hotel on Saturday 22 May with Miche Suite, Heath Marshall, Pete Usher & The Global Pandemic, Pins & Ladles, Siobny and Brendan Gaspari hitting the stage. $10 from 7pm.

With their debut album War In My Kitchen released on April 2, Melbourne two-piece electro-pop infused rock hip hop outfit Direct Influence create a unique crossover sound that is set to captivate the world in 2010. As they tour Australia and New Zealand with their mix of Kiwi reggae and drum’n’bass and dirty Aussie rock and rap, you’ll have the chance to see them at the following Drum Media presented gigs: Friday 21 May at Settlers Tavern; Saturday 22 at the Indi Bar; and Sunday 23 at the Fly By Night.

After a year-and-a-half living in retirement, the old Western Australian blues and roots cult legends are back. The return of The Groovesmiths is official! With Angus Diggs taking over the drum stool, Gavin Shoesmith and Alex Dew are set to roots rock and reggae your souls. Their first gig is at Clancy’s Freo on Friday 21 May followed by a show at the Fremantle Blues and Roots club at Mojo’s on Wednesday 23 June. Viva la groove’n’roots!

The ever busy duo of Jane Germain & Ian Simpson will be playing this weekend at the X-Wray Cafe on Saturday 22 May from 8.30pm, and at the E Shed Harbour Stage on Sunday 23 May at 1pm. Playing a mix of songs from their new album Lonesome Road, lots of blues, bluegrass, and much more will be on offer.

EMPEROR WAMI GORENG

MORE DEMI Following the success of their CD launch at Mojo’s, Demi-Monde are returning to the venue this Tuesday 25 May. This time the band are joined by Stillfire and The Chevelles, who are fresh back from a three week tour in the USA. This night is set to take off into the stratosphere with supersonic rocking sounds from 8pm for $6.

ROBOT WARS Brisbane dreamy harmonic popster two-piece Do The Robot have just got home from touring Japan and already they’re heading to the land of the falling sun, Perth! Catch them when they play at The Disguise’s last ever show at Mojo’s this Saturday 22 May with support from Seams and Tree, and at The Bird on Sunday 23.

LOVE OF THE GAME The Ellington is giving the WAAPA Contemporary Music students a chance to showcase their talents to the public this Tuesday 25 May. Entitled Four The Love Of It, the night will see the second year students perform in their four ensembles performing covers of influential artists ranging from Jimi Hendrix to Amy Winehouse to Sia. Kicking off at 7.30pm, tickets start at $10.

CHAINSAW RAW The hard and fast blood rock thunder of Chainsaw Hookers gets a look in after midnight when Drum Media’s Late Night Live strives to keep the wham in the WAMi’s and stop the kids going Lady Gaga! Later on, Raw Nerve hits it with shit-hot hooks and rock’n’roll zoo tunes. No other WAMi show keeps going live until 3am so dig in and go hard with the help of DJ Jessica Kill spilling the

Money For Artists, Arts Projects and Arts Workers July Funding Round The Department of Culture and the Arts invites applications from individuals, groups and organisations requiring financial assistance to undertake activity in all artforms (except film, television and radio) in the following categories: • All Applicants and Art Forms Development, Distribution and Marketing • Publishing Assistance Program Applications close 5pm, Friday July 2, 2010 Please check our website for further details www.dca.wa.gov.au or, contact your Project Officer on 9224 7300 for more information on how to apply for an Arts Grant.

BULLS & BEARS

CHAMPIONSHIP GLORY Playing for 18 months and currently writing material for their first EP, which will be out at the end of the year, Bulls & Bears’ shows are something to watch as their love for being on stage really shows. They’ll be capturing all of the energy of their upcoming EP this Sunday 23 March at the Drum presented WAMi Best Of Gignition this Sunday 23 May at the Swan Basement.

FEEDBACK GIGNITION

SOCIAL DISTORTION

PUNK AND HARDCORE WITH STU HARVEY Epitaph Records have signed Social Distortion and are planning to release their first studio album in almost six years towards the end of 2010. Social D entered a Burbank studio in March to record their yet to be titled seventh studio album, produced by Mike Ness. Social D have still never toured Australia, not that I’m holding a grudge. The great man, Mike Ness commented on the signing: “We feel that Epitaph has a natural understanding of Social Distortion; both the history of the band and the direction we want to go. Combine that with their successful track record and it felt like a good next step for us. We’ve always been open to new ideas and pushing the envelope, but we have also been very conscientious about the decisions we’ve made. We considered a lot of options, but in the end, Epitaph feels like the right home for us.” After releasing an album and two brilliant EPs in the space of two years, Sydney’s Lungs have taken a longer, more considered road towards delivering their eagerly awaited second full-length. Recorded over the past three months with Lachlan Mitchell at Production Avenue Studios (Frenzal Rhomb, Hard Ons) and mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side, NY, titled The Two Chief World Systems delivers the trio’s most potent and cohesive group of songs to date, complemented by world class production. Former hardcore act Avenged Sevenfold are releasing a brand new digital single this week. You can head to iTunes to check out Nightmare, their first song following the death of original drummer James ‘The Rev’ Sullivan.

SHORT FAST REPORT TOP 5 Parkway Drive: They have announced the new album Deep Blue will be hitting stores June 25. Last night on Short.Fast.Loud. we chatted to the band and premiered a brand new song! Bring Me The Horizon & Cancer Bats: They had so much fun together touring Australia last year, they’ve announced they’re coming back in September, to support Bullet For My Valentine. Tickets on sale May 25 for Sunday 5 September at Challenge Stadium.

Swan Basement, North Fremantle 16/05/10

La Dispute: Looks like the boys who charmed all who saw them, when they toured Australian last July will be back in Australian in January!

Opening last week’s Gignition was a young five-piece called Almost Sunday. Led by a lone female on a bill full of all male bands, the group’s solid vocals and natural way with a chorus came to the fore on set highlights Nothing I Planned and Can’t Let Go. After a nervous start the band quickly gained momentum and showed potential with their brand of yearning pop rock. Wing It was up next, an energetic four-piece who looked comfortable onstage from the outset. With strong song structures and the funniest between-song banter of the night, the Ballajura band tore through a set of aggressive pop punk culminating in the anthemic closer Dancing All The Way Down. Third on the bill was a talented group by the name of Grudge Baby. The band’s amazing rhythm section provided an excellent springboard for some heavy stoner rock jams that had the crowd applauding all the way through. Their riff heavy originals were bookended by a range of covers, opening with a fairly standard rendering of Silverchair’s Freak, but ending the set in a blaze of glory with The Who’s My Generation and a blistering version of Come Together by The Beatles. The former ended with an amazing drum solo worthy of Keith Moon himself, while the latter was brought out after calls for an encore from an enthusiastic audience. Closing the night was three-piece 10 Past 6. With their own banner displayed proudly beside them they bounced their way through an endearingly messy set of catchy pop punk. The shouted vocals and youthful impatience of their own material sat comfortably alongside a cover of Brand New’s Seventy Times 7, with snotty original My Way proving the highlight of the set. An energetic showing from a likeable bunch of guys.

Dropsaw: The Newcastle blokes spent quite a bit of time in the US working on their new album Hard Justice. Recorded in San Diego with As I Lay Dying frontman Tim Lambesis, Kelly Cairns and Daniel Castleman (Austrian Death Machine, Winds Of Plague, Sworn Enemy, Impending Doom) the album is out now.

KITT DI CAMILLO 38 • THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010

SHORT FAST REPORT

Jamie + Joey + Tony: Joey Cape (Lagwagon) and Tony Sly (No Use For A Name) hit town last night as did Jamie Hay (A Death In The Family) at Amplifier – what a tour!

GRACE WOODROOFE

HANDLE WITH CARE Recently launching her EP Handled featuring two songs from her upcoming album, Grace Woodroofe’s songs are available digitally on iTunes as well as a limited edition 7’’ record available at shows. The next phase of her career is about to get exciting as she is set to sign with Modular. Catch her Sunday 23 May at The Moon from 8pm, and Wednesday 26 at the Norfolk Basement for Mint Wind alongside Felicity Groom and Wolves At The Door.

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HAVE YOU HE ARD

FEEDBACK VAMPIRE WEEKEND & CHRIS BAIO DJ SET

Metro City, Northbridge & Shape Bar, East Perth 16/05/10 Last Sunday was an emotional time for fans of Vampire Weekend as the New York quartet were playing their first ever show in our city, which ironically doubled as their last show of the Australian Contra tour. Judging by the line stretching down Roe St, not many were keen on missing out. Fortunately that line moved quickly so most arrived in time to catch Sydney four-piece Cloud Control, currently riding their own wave of buzz thanks to a few high-rotation singles on Triple J like Vintage Books, Gold Canary and Buffalo Country. With a quick intro revealing a massive backdrop of that lovely lady gracing the cover of Contra (complete with light-up eyes), Vampire Weekend then wasted no time opening with White Sky before rapturous applause for the ensuing Holiday. With two albums’ worth of such strong material, every song received massive applause as they started, often complete with sing-alongs. Keyboards, drum machines and a stand-up bass graced the stage for an incredibly entertaining set with the four-piece hardly missing a beat; the key lying in short, sharp and punchy tunes that allowed for little more than a quick boogie, sing-song and cheers with friends. With an obligatory encore featuring Horchata and Mansard Hall, frontman Ezra Koenig announced there was only two minutes left, much to everyone’s dismay, then joy, for Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa capped off a fine set from one of the world’s most feel-good and fun bands of the moment. For those left wanting, a quick trip over to Shape found VW’s bass-player Chris Baio manning the decks for a set of what threatened to be an eclectic selection of tunes but mainly stayed in the safe realms of electro/house, with some lashings of disco and pop. New Order received a couple of spins, along with flavour-of-the-month We Speak No Americano, as well as some deeper-house remixes of Cut Copy and Hot Chip. All in all, it was a fun way to close out an intimate evening with those uber-cool New Yorkers,

who couldn’t come back soon enough. Next time, just be sure to get from the live venue to the afterparty with enough time to dodge Perth’s archaic Sunday lockout laws. TROY MUTTON

BRITISH INDIA Amplifier, Perth 14/05/10

DEMI-MONDE

Perth band Emperors are some enterprising bantlings on the music scene. Opening for British India at Amplifier on Friday night, the five piece have an atypically barefaced, no fuss stage approach. Flamboyant in flanno and lankily fringed, Emperors aren’t grandiose as their name might suggest. Rather, they are frank, loud and resonant. Their sound is filled with true pop rock anthems, great drums and caustic guitar. Jarring distortion was working against them, but the Triple J Unearthed-winning Favourite Colours especially raised deserved appreciation right from its squalling intro. Performing songs from new album Avalanche, British India kicked off in hair trigger mode. Hood and scream on, lead vocalist and lyricist Declan Melia formed an instant rapport, all noisemaking faucets on full. Raucous, harmonic and thrashing its rousing hooks, British India’s set was replete with all the right sounds in launching tunes 90 Ways To Leave Your Lover and Safari. The self-proclaimed ‘voice of disenchanted youth’, ‘Brindia’ allegedly took its name from that of a clothes shop in Singapore, which falls in line with Gen Y’s postmodern attraction to the arbitrary. But they also have the capacity for the simply profound; their performance of new song Vanilla was crowd stirring and sublime. British India have a reputation for being hardworking and their performance was appreciably polished through all its fervor. Run The Red Light, Said I’m Sorry and Tie Up My Hands were carried flush with their smooth belligerence and vehement delivery. They squandered Beneath The Satellites – their big shot song from Avalanche – in favor of a clichéd Nirvana pullout. But the Melbourne four-piece delivered their amorous brand of garage rock with characteristic exuberance and left a chuffed crowd calling for more.

Your sound: Music to make you fizz.

PRINCESS HORATIONA

Next gigs: Tuesday 25 May @ Mojo’s.

VAMPIRE WEEKEND BY BRAD SERLS

ROCKET FUEL After picking up their first ever WAMi Award nomination for their 12” split release with Injured Ninja in the Most Popular Single or EP category, French Rockets are busy writing and recording their second album. Taking time away from writing the band is pleased to announce they will close the Amplifier stage at the WAMi Saturday Spectacular this Saturday 22 May. Tickets are $22 plus BF from Moshtix.

JACKED UP As part of the WAMi Festival, Jack Action will be tuning up their instruments and rocking your socks of at the Swan Basement for the Best Of Gignition this Sunday 23 May. Also playing is The Silent Republic, Gombo, Bulls & Bears and Stunning In Red and this event is proudly brought to you by Drum Media. $5 from 5pm.

CITY OF ANGELS Hitting Mojo’s this Sunday 23 May for the WAMi Festival Wrap Party is the great Capital City. Along with Schvendes, Harlequin League, Felicity Groom & The Black Black Smoke, Sneaky Weasel Gang, The Floors, Selk & The Bone Singers and King George, the big show kicks off at 3pm for $15 entry. Capital City hit the stage at 6.30pm.

Band’s name comes from? France, I believe it’s a class of woman of doubtful reputation. Band’s greatest strength? Combining musical backgrounds of folk, funk, metal and drum’n’bass to produce rock. Band’s worst gig ever? I guess it was the one with the power cut. Band’s best gig ever? And again the one with the power cut... it kind of added to the whole rock’n’roll vibe. Best achievement? Filling Mojo’s on a Tuesday. Any gig in history which would it be and why? Tough one... Probably would be one of The Who’s early gigs at the Railway Tavern, Harrow, London where an accident resulted in rock’n’roll history being made. Fave hangover cure? Upside down in a corner, drinking mushroom juice with a straw, whilst feet are tickled. Favourite Perth bands playing at the moment? Tracksuit. Best 3 bands EVER to come out of Perth? Jebediah, The Panics, Abbe May. Any releases out? Core Of Me single. Any releases on their way? Album late 2010. More info: www.ozjam.com.au/band/demimonde

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FEEDBACK SPOON The Astor, Mount Lawley 16/05/10 On a cold Friday night in Mount Lawley, the Astor Theatre welcomed Texan rockers Spoon to Perth for the first time since the 2008 Big Day Out tour. Opening the night were local band The Leap Year, offering some well crafted atmospheric pop to a slowly growing crowd. Despite lacking a great deal of stage presence, the band’s relaxed performance and self-deprecating humour still won over a large portion of the audience. Spoon have built a career out of a minimalist approach to songwriting, sharp pop rock relying more on sublime hooks and melodies than solos and it is that no nonsense attitude that defines their live show. Opening with two tracks from their latest release Transference, Britt Daniel and his bandmates breezed through a set list covering the last decade of a career spanning over 15 years. The Way We Get By was an early highlight, and

Trouble Comes Running provided a much needed boost of energy mid-set. A rockin’ version of Small Stakes from 2002’s Kill The Moonlight was the clear standout, while the pop bliss of You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb had people dancing down the aisles. With not much in the way of between song banter, the band’s note perfect renditions at times felt like little more than a playback of their studio recordings. The band’s phenomenal back catalogue meant a great set list was a given though, and was matched by the venue’s impeccable sound. An impromptu Jonathon Fisk brought the night to an appropriately upbeat finale. KITT DI CAMILLO

WAM UPDATE

BARTLETT BROTHERS

CONTEMPORARY MUSIC INDUSTRY NEWS WITH JUSTINE THORNLEY

TOO SOLID INDIGEOUS CD LAUNCH Come along to the Too Solid Compilation CD Launch night and showcase, as part of the 2010 WAMi Festival! It’s happening at the Charles Hotel in North Perth – Friday 21 May from 6.30pm. Tickets are $20 at the door including a copy of the CD! This is a very special event featuring some of WA’s finest Indigenous talent including Lorrae Coffin, Bartlett Brothers, Old Flames Band, Warangka Band, Black Poet, Wayne Barker, John Bennett, with a special guest performance by Neil Murray.

DAN SULTAN

SULTAN OF BRUNEI His star has been on the rise in recent times, just in time for Dan Sultan to head back to WA for a series of headline shows. His sophomore album Get Out While You Can has topped AIR Independent Album Charts week and remains one of the highest selling independent albums in the country today. Catch Sultan and band at the Fly By Night on Thursday 27 May (tickets from venue); Prince Of Wales on Friday 28 (Moshtix and Heatseeker); and Settlers Tavern on Saturday 29 May (Oztix and Heatseeker). Support comes from New Zealand songstress Gin Wigmore.

HEYTESBURG ADDRESS Dark, atmospheric and utterly disturbing, Heytesburg represent a modern take on psychedelic and industrial rock. New to the Perth music scene, yet eager to show off their unique sound scapes, they appear alongside The Silent World, Like Junk and Mercy, Mercy & The Success Of Saturn, Thursday 20 May at The Den from 8pm.

NORTHBRIDGE GETS HAUNTED Keeping it busy in WAMi time this year is none other than The Ghost Hotel. Catch them this Saturday 22 May as part of the Saturday Spectacular in Northbridge from at the Perth Cultural Centre (outside PICA) at 2.40pm. You can also catch the band doing a live recording at the Love Is My Velocity Takeaway Tunes store, located at 54 Lake Street, Northbridge, on Thursday 20 from 6-7pm.

HAILSTORM The monster rock and relentless riffs of Hailmary headline the WAMi installment this Saturday 22 May at Rocket Room. Homebrewe’s V8 superrock rolls along for the ride beside State Of Order firing on all cylinders combining classic rock, metal and grunge. The driving desert rock and stoner-metal of Blackwater Station provides the perfect party starter.

HUNDREDS & THOUSANDS In an age of pop icons and indie fads, One Thousand Years inhabit a piece of the universe in which both time and space is entirely their own. Their music is, in a word, rock; and their sound is as if Muddy Waters joined Led Zeppelin and they started playing Ziggy Stardust. Catch the Drum Media single of the week winners at the Railway Hotel this Friday 21 May as part of the WAMi Festival.

FULLY AMPED Heat three of the AmpFest ALL-AGES band competition takes place this Friday 21 May at Memorial Hall, Mosman Park. Competing for a chance to join Goodnight Tiger and heat two winners Fay Jackal in the grand final will be Citizen, Georgi K, KiB, Minute 36 and Tracksuit. AmpFest’s final showcase takes place at the Subiaco Church Hall next Friday 28 May, and will be headlined by The Novocaines. Both events are free entry and all-ages.

THE VEST OF TIMES Action violence, coarse language and sexual references 40 • THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010

A rare anomaly in the space-time continuum over Kulcha has brought cellist Peter Grayling, supreme guitarist Rod Vervest, and their friend Dave Clarke together. Clarke’s Gray Vest is one of Perth’s best-loved bands, performing the blues, rags, originals, and jazz classics. See them from 8pm this Saturday 22 May.

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FUN-RAISER ARTISTS FOR EDUCATION RETURNS WITH A MASSIVE LINE-UP OF LOCAL MUSIC TO RAISE FUNDS FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED KIDS. DRUM MEDIA CHECKS IN WITH THE GROUP’S FOUNDER DAMIEN THORNBER.

RESIST THE THOUGHT

THOUGHT PROVOKING Five-piece Sydney-based band Resist The Thought blend bonecrushing breakdowns with fast, technical riffs to create a new brand of modern metal. Their recently released debut album Damnation explores the theme of humankind being responsible for its own destruction. Catch them at The Den on Saturday 22 May with support from Born Into Suffering, I Am Eternal, Surrender and Saviour; and YMCA HQ for an ALL-AGES show on Sunday 23 with support from Make Them Suffer, Arturo Chaos, Against The Tide and Carnage Begins.

Last time you held a fundraiser, it was for kids with the South China Sea project. Who are you raising funds for this time around? The festival was called Artists For Education. This year is the second year. VOW Educational Services runs several projects for under privileged kids. One of them is a school for orphans in the south of China the other main one of interest is music workshops for kids in remote Indigenous communities. A member of VOW Education group was recognised as a finalist in WA Young Australian

of the Year. How did this honour come about? Dr Bernadette Poynter is the founder of the school in China and is also the vice chairperson of VOW. She has done amazing things there. What is in store for the second Artists For Education Festival? Are they all donating their time for this cause? Yes everyone that plays, performs, dances, drums or displays their art/film/work or time at our event is donating it, including Peter Farmer who has donated a huge painting to be sold on the day. The whole day is a massive culmination of donated time, services, professional advice and equipment. Tell us about what the 2010 Desert Feet Tour will entail. The Desert Feet Tour is a music workshop program we run for kids in remote indigenous communities to inspire them to develop their talents. We provide

NATHAN GAUNT, ONE OF THE MANY ARTISTS PLAYING A4E the workshops to school kids in communities for free as a part of our reconciliation incentive. However we also employ indigenous musicians to facilitate the workshop and act as role models. We also host concerts on the communities. WHAT: Artists For Education WHEN & WHERE: CD Fundraiser - Sunday 30 May, Railway Hotel, North Fremantle

DOCTOR WORM Set to release their new single The Design at Bunbury’s Prince Of Wales Hotel this Friday 21 May is Wormhole. Mastered at Abbey Road Studios in London, The Design takes Wormhole’s signature psychedelic sound and infuses it with hard-hitting retro rock. Opening the night will be I, Said The Sparrow, followed by The Book of Lilith and Dr Preposterous. Doors at 8pm.

THIRSTY CAINES Local indie publisher Ampersonic Music are happy to announce the placement of The Novocaines song Leaving In The Sunrise in the latest Hollywood vampire flick Lost Boys: The Thirst. The Novocaines track is featured during a 30 second scene with the main character as he drives towards a showdown with the vampires puffing away on a rather dubious cigarette. You can catch the band playing a couple of WAMi shows this week; Friday 21 May at the Norfolk Basement; and Saturday 22 at an ALL-AGES gig at The Vault.

FORD FOCUS Head to the Amplifier and Capitol for the official closing part of the WAMi Saturday Spectacular where electro punk showman Tomas Ford will be dropping serious party bombs on the Amplifier beer garden. Also playing on the night in non-clashing timeslots are Injured Ninja, Jebediah, Will Stoker & The Embers and heaps more, plus everyone who enters the building gets a bonus copy of the WAMi CD/DVD.

NUGGETS & CHIPS Promising to be a great night out, be sure to witness the spectacle that is Nugget tonight Thursday 20 May at the Rosemount Hotel. Opening the night, Nugget will be followed by The Kuillotines, Desert Ship and Aaagh Bats in what promises to be a night of rock so tight, you can set your watch to it!

FEEDBACK THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN Capitol, Perth 16/05/10

Opening what swore to be a swell Sunday night, Washington DC’s Periphery kicked things off with a short ‘enterlude’ before launching into a set that showed why this young six piece (an average age under 20) have had so much positive talk surrounding them. With lead guitarist Misha Mansoor exposing the audience to some of his “bedroom faces”, the band were clearly chuffed to be playing with such highly respected bands, on the other side of the world. A great performance that delivered even more intensity and groove live then their impressive debut. Up next was Maylene & The Sons Of Disaster. What appeared to be a strange choice on paper proved to be an absolute winner as the gang delivered a set of southern swagger that made Lynyrd Skynyrd sound like Savage Garden. The group who come from a place called “The South”, delivered balltearer after ball-tearer, without a moment of mediocrity. It was a set of outright fun that managed to squeeze in a guitarist spewing on stage (confessed to be a first for him), the frontman singing into a water bottle after he threw the mic into the crowd, and a bunch of tech metal-heads banging along to some heavy southern rock. And then the reason we all weren’t tucked up in bed assessing the newest additions to RedTube, The Dillinger Escape Plan hit the stage and… well the rest is a blur. Anyone who’s seen the band before knows it’s somewhat of a religious experience, as well as near impossible to explain. Put simply, the mathcore moguls are the tightest, most technical, most intense and most entertaining live band any punter is likely to see, and did I mention; tight?” Playing a widespread set of songs new and old, Sugar Coated Sour and Milk Lizard to name just a couple, the highlight of the night had to be the piano driven, jazz inspired croon Widower. Black Bubblegum stretched the crowd’s upper register, Fix Your Face their screams, everything in between was purely brutal. Mind melting and ejaculation evoking, this reviewer’s ears and brain still hurt. LUKE BUTCHER THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010 • 41

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AN RTRFM EVENT

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HAVE YOU HE ARD

SAT. 26 JUNE

RAILWAY HOTEL, MOJO’S BAR, SWAN HOTEL

RICHARD IN YOUR MIND FROM: Sydney Next gigs: Thursday 27 May @ Prince Of Wales, Bunbury; Friday 28 @ Amplifier, Perth; Saturday 29 @ Norfolk Basement, Fremantle.

RTRFM’S FREMANTLE WINTER MUSIC FESTIVAL 2010

Your sound: Blazing imaginations and A.D.D. Band’s name comes from? A psychic technique known to only those with the name Richard, in which one travels into another’s mind. Other notable travellers are psychedelic guru Richard Alpert and film director Richard Linklater. Band’s worst gig ever? A Tuesday at Spectrum. It was like we were dipped in rancid honey, everything was in slow motion as we watched it going wrong, equipment fuck-ups, playing fuck ups... It got reviewed. Fave bands from your state? Cloud Control, Shady Lane, Kyu, The Laurels, Des Miller & The Magnetic heads, Spod. Any members play in other bands? Pat plays drum in Space Invadas and Good Buddha as a bass player, Jordy and Conrad play in Shady Lane, Brent is Spod plus he plays with Tucker B’s too.

MOJO’S BAR

Any releases out? The Future Prehistoric came out ‘08. Summertime EP last year on the first day of summer.

SWAN HOTEL

RAILWAY HOTEL

Releases on their way? My Volcano out soon. More info: myspace.com/richardinyourmind

A SONG IS A CITY With artists lining up to be included, the wealth of talent of offer at The Ellington’s Song Lounge means it’ll be going for a while yet. May’s showcase on Monday 24 May sees Perth’s hardest working songstress Toby play a rare intimate show with Jessica Gethin on violin; her last duo show before commending a seven week US tour. Support from Craig Pinkney and Milly James.

FLAME GRILLED PIAZZA After the hugely successful launch of their brand new EP Fuses To Flames, The Reserves complete a run of shows this weekend to further promote their latest release. Catch the band in full flight at the WAMi Saturday Spectacular in the Northbridge Piazza this Saturday 22 May. Entry to this ALL-AGES performance is free.

PULL THE TRIGGER It just keeps getting better in the Trigger Jackets club house, as they first picked up a Gyroscope support then a Sugar Army support and now the indie rock four-piece are taking part in the Saturday Spectacular this Saturday 22 May. Catch them at the Impact Bar at 4.15pm and see what all the fuss is about. Entry is free.

CHINESE DEMOCRACY Fremantle’s folk country extravaganza The Justin Walshe Folk Machine unleash their much-anticipated sophomore album Walking To China at the Nannup Hotel this Saturday 22 May; before taking in Albany’s Whitestar Hotel on Saturday 29; Settlers Tavern on Sunday 30; Mojo’s Bar on Sunday 6 June; and the Charles Hotel for Perth Blues Club on Tuesday 8 June.

WEBB OF DECEIT Having taken out the Singer/Songwriter prize in the UK’s annual Festival4starslive competition for his track Midnight Drive, Ryan Webb & The Method return to the live circuit at Amplifier this Friday 21 May for a WAMi Festival show then the Charles Hotel on Saturday 22.

STEELING GLEE

FEEDBACK

COURTYARD

TEGAN & SARA

Fremantle Arts Centre 14/05/10

MAIN BAR

BASEMENT

UPSTAIRS

A perfect fit for the sentimentally butch Tegan & Sara crowd, Sydney’s The Jezabels were a revelation in the opening slot. With an understated and endearingly geeky demeanor, the band had little stage presence, but with a sound as big as theirs, they didn’t really need one. Lead singer Hayley Mary worked a vocal range and repertoire that warrants (and perhaps even surpasses) the Sarah Blasko comparisons. Her talent, like Blasko’s, was made even better because of the band behind it, particularly Nik Kaloper who laid it down sharp as cheddar on the drums. Their set of emotive indie pop sliced right through the crowd, causing far more chills than the cold weather. Next up was Tegan & Sara’s handpicked international support Astronautilus, his combination of man, mic, mac sounding like Tom Waits meets Eminem at an evangelical revival, and felt about as awkward. Failing to connect with the crowd, he salvaged what he could by throwing himself madly into each song and when that still came up short, he drew cheers by simply promising the Canadian twins were soon to come on. And so Tegan & Sara did amid cheers and wolf whistles from their unfalteringly obsessive fans, who tellingly gave their biggest cheer of the night when Sara took off her coat halfway through the set. Whether it was tour fatigue or just an off night, the pair’s early harmonies weren’t quite there and came across tinny against the backdrop of their increasingly rock-based sound. The latter half of the set, however, found its feet admirably, as the pair dug into older tracks Walking With The Ghost, Nineteen, Living Room and Back In Your Head, the last of which was part of their non-encore encore, when they sent the band off-stage and closed it out as two singer-songwriters capable of spinning some fine musical yarns of obsessed love. MEGAN SMITH

With the 2010 Artbar season off and running after Paul Dempsey took to the amphitheatre next to the WA Art Gallery, the next show is ready for the unique venue. Now living and recording in New York, Katy Steele is set to return home to play a rare solo show with just her and a guitar on Thursday 27 May while Little Birdy remain on hiatus. Year 12 Perspectives 2009 will be the featured exhibition of the night. Tickets to from Bocs or the Art Gallery Shop.

LAUNCH PAD

THE DISGUISE Give a brief rundown of the history of your band from day to now: 2005: Debut in campus bands competition. 2006 – 2009: Songwriting, precious few live shows, the odd line-up change. 2010: Last show/album launch. Tell us about your release: This is our debut album Fly Close To The Ground, though considering the span of material it covers we considered naming it “Best Of”. 12 tracks of mid ‘90s guitar pop nostalgia. How did you go about recording it? We did it ourselves, over a few months in a few different bedrooms and basements. It was great not paying for studio time, giving us time to try out different gear and play around with stuff like mandolin and glockenspiel overdubs. Then we got it mastered with Simon down at Forensic Audio just in time for pressing!

MORE DEETS: WWW.RTRFM.COM.AU 42 • THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010

NON-DROWSY

Tell us about your launch party: Down at Mojo’s on Saturday 22 May. Do The Robot are a Brisbane band that we’re massively into and we decided to bring them over for the launch, they should have a new cassette available on the night. Also supporting are Seams and Tree. WHAT: Fly Close To The Ground (Man In A Boat Records) WHEN & WHERE: Saturday 22 May, Mojo’s, North Fremantle

Strong horror violence

IN CINEMAS MAY 20 THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010 • 43

20 MAY

2010 TEN THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT AUTECHRE

AUTECHRE

1. Released a 12” in 1991 under the name Lego Feet. 2. They realise their name can be baffling to pronounce, and have said that it should be pronounced any way that you see fit.

Criminal Justice and Public Order Act of 1994, which would have made it illegal for nine or more people to be present when rave music was played.

7. Often played Belgian techno alongside their own work when they had a show on IBC Radio, a pirate station in Manchester in ’91. 8. Often use deliberate misspellings in their releases. 9. Rob Brown has retrospectively called their work cheesy. 10. Are heading to Australia for their first shows here in 15 years.

3. The duo met through Manchester’s graffiti scene when they started swapping mixtapes.

5. The packaging of the Anti EP suggested DJs have a lawyer present when it was played to point out that no bar was identical in order to get around the Act’s definition of rave music.

4. The Anti EP in ’94 was released as a protest against the proposed

6. Have customised much of their own hardware and software.

NEXT GIG IN PERTH: Thursday 27 May, Capitol, Perth

Club’s Something Good Can Work and Crazy P’s remix of DJ Mujava’s Township Funk. Like many artists of this ilk, Miami Horror now takes the form of a live four-piece band, with main man Benjamin Plant taking vocal and guitar duties for the set’s entirety. While live instruments sometimes struggle to recreate the tightness of electronically-produced sounds, they definitely make for a much more energetic and fun set which is what the sold-out venue was treated too. Plant counts Prince as one of his bigger influences and it showed with the man doing quite an impressive impersonation in the fashion stakes. Opening with Moon Theory and then popular single Don’t Be On With Her, the songs flowed together much like a DJ set, which

is definitely the way to play this kind of music live. Closing out with Sometimes left the crowd sweaty and satisfied, but one couldn’t help wondering if these guys are just filling the void left by a certain M.I.A. three-piece who had a very quiet 2009. The dance floor didn’t complain about their performance, though the complaint of the space being too tight for such a crazy crowd was one heard here and there. Taking over once again, Fkn Midas kept the party going before Cooker & Malone ramped up the energy with some harder electro to close out the evening.

DEATH DISCO @ CAPITOL

STEAMWORKS @ VILLA

DIGER ROKWELL YOUR STYLE? Psychedelic instrumental lo-fi beat music (a.k.a. prog hop, a.k.a. psyche hop, a.k.a. trip hop). WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR BREAKY TODAY? Porridge and a double shot latte. WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE? Samples, Ableton, Akai APC40, Microkorg XL, Nord Electro 2, Fender five string bass, guitar, Kaosilator, Moog Little Phatty. YOUR FIRST OFFICIAL DJ SET? Vibes On A Summer’s Day with Ill 66 in 2000 on a local stage organised by some friends of ours. BEST DJ IN PERTH: Any one named Ben or Beni: Ben M, Ben Elliot, Ben Taaffe, Beni Chill and Sibalance (Ben Hoare), plus Zeke (not named Ben, but ill all the same). WHAT DO YOU DO IN REAL LIFE? Secondary high school teacher: Indonesian, Social Studies and English.

WHO’S THE MOST FAMOUS PERSON TO COME OUT OF YOUR SCHOOL? Rregula from Bad Robot and The Dirty Whittler fame. IF YOU COULD PICK ANYONE IN THE WORLD TO BE YOUR BESTIE, WHO’D IT BE? The Dalai Lama or Erkhart Tolle. THE BEST TRACK THAT NEVER FAILS ON THE DANCEFLOOR? Jump Around by House Of Pain. MUSICAL INSPIRATIONS? Psychedelia, world music, old music, The Community and Paper Chain artists like Ylem, DJ Silence, Mathas, Taku and Naik. FAVE SET YOU’VE EVER PLAYED? The Earthhead launch, Parklife 2009, Naik Launch. WHAT CREWS/NIGHTS DO YOU BELONG TO/PUT ON? The Community, Paper Chain, The Community Represent at the Velvet Lounge and Co Lab at The Moon Café.

PHOTO BY ANTHONY TRAN

ANY RELEASES OUT, OR IN THE PIPELINE? The Earthhead released 2009 through The Community Records; Digerbodia: Remixes And Beats From The Khmer Kingdom through The Community Records and Paper Chain this Saturday. We Are All Related released mid/ late 2010 through The Community Records and Paper Chain. BEST PLACE IN PERTH TO: A) ROCK OUT: My studio B) CHILL OUT: City Beach C) PASS OUT: Work D) PICK UP AND GET OUT: Perth Airport. GIGS YOU HAVE COMING UP? WAMi Groove Music showcase – Friday 21 May @ Leederville Hotel; Digerbodia launch – Saturday 22 May @ The Bird, Northbridge; Original Production Showcase – Thursday 27 May @ The Bird, Northbridge.

FLOORED KING TITO’S DIRTY DISCO @ EAST END BAR Friday 7 May 2010 is set to be a big year for Melbourne disco/electro-poppers Miami Horror. Having already had a great 2009 thanks to breakout single Sometimes, the former remixer-cumproducer is set to release his debut LP this year. Before that though, a quick tour to celebrate the release of latest single Moon Theory, kicking off at the newly re-opened and very trendy East End Bar in Fremantle. Taking opening duties was local mix-master Fkn Midas, getting people in the mood with a funky disco set that warmed up an already rather crammed dancefloor thanks to fun nu-disco tunes like The Twelves remix of Two Door Cinema

TROY MUTTON

SOUND DIMENSIONS HIP HOP, SOUL, R&B AND URBAN WITH MARISA AVELING “I’m me, and I’m like nobody else,” – Lena Horne This week’s edition of Sound Dimes starts off with a farewell to actress, singer and civil rights activist Lena Horne. The Brooklyn native passed on Sunday 9 May at the age of 92. At age 16, Horne was hired as a chorus dancer at Harlem’s famous Cotton Club, where she met jazz artists including Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday. In her 20s, she became one of the first black women to ever sign a major movie deal with a film studio and took a personal stand for black rights within the overbearingly racist entertainment industry. During the ‘50s, Horne spent more time on record than onscreen, with her 1957 record Lena Horne At The WaldorfAstoria becoming the best-selling album by a female singer in RCA Victor’s history, and she continued to record well into the ‘90s. Current artists such as Janet Jackson and Queen Latifah paid tribute to Horne and her legacy after her passing, with Latifah calling her an icon, saying, “She always had this amazing beauty, talent and warmth”. Even though Sound Dimes wasn’t going to weigh into the whole mess surrounding Guru’s death, news has come to light that indicates that Solar may be one of the foulest men in hip hop. Technology is both a weapon and a wonder, and two weeks ago an anonymous female hacker took control of Solar’s email, Twitter and MySpace accounts and unearthed some particularly heinous acts by Guru’s so-called “best friend”. The emails released so far

FLOORED

SLS

THE SLEW @ ROSEMOUNT

FAITHLESS

Friday 14 May

appear to be authentic, and have pointed to Solar committing such terrible crimes against Gu including forcing him to tour instead of get medical treatment, masquerading as Gu whilst he was in a coma to receive his royalty checks, and revelling in his newfound “fame” due to the unfortunate circumstances of Guru’s decline in health. The world works in mysterious ways, and we have no doubt that Solar deserves whatever is coming to him. One of our favourite female artists and arguably one of the most recently prolific around, Georgia Anne Muldrow, will release a jazz album titled Ocotea next month. Muldrow is swapping artist names for this one, going by the name Jyoti, which was given to her by family friend (and Flying Lotus’s great aunt) Alice Coltrane and means ‘light’ in Sanscrit. Ocotea is the first in a series of jazz projects we should expect from Jyoti, and the preview track The Black Mother harks back to the traditional jazz of Charles Mingus, whilst also paying tribute to the fusion of Herbie Hancock via synths, and

DANCE MUSIC HUB CHART

the otherworldliness of Sun-Ra. We have a feeling that Muldrow is overflowing with unreleased tracks that expand into hip hop beats, her own vocal tracks and now evidently jazz, and Sound Dimes is particularly interested to see what kind of level she takes it to in the future. Since Perth is heading into drearier weather, it’s more important than ever to keep those dopamine levels up with a bit of dancing. An event where you can do that as well as support your local purveyor of awesome is at the annual RTRFM Fremantle Winter Music Festival. Good tunes come guaranteed thanks to local sonic warriors including the Underground Solution Soundsystem, the curly haired slayer Nic Elliott, everyone’s favourite Rok Riley, local beatmaker Ta-ku, Meupe label owner Traianos a.k.a. T-Pak, as well as the mind behind Grave New World and many other projects, Camryn Rothenbury. The Freo Winter Music Festival will hit Mojo’s Bar, the Railway Hotel and the Swan Hotel on Saturday 26 June, with $10 member and $15 general admission tickets from RTR’s website.

Rock and hip hop, back together at last, together and together fittingly. This is The Slew. Dan The Man returned home from Melbourne to play with his on and off again band, Squid Ink. A quite unique blend of darker beats, loop-laden guitars and up-tempo drum patterns. All together this gets a little repetitive live but would love to hear it recorded. Local beatmaker Naik brought his own multi-instrument ensemble to the stage. His 2009 release In The Shadow Of Thunder Mountain was a true triumph, to see this live and on stage was a better treat. Featuring Kit Pop on decks, Naik’s performance transcended the idea of hip hop and delved into the world of live electronic music and did it damn well.

So too The Slew. For those unaware, The Slew is New York turntablists Kid Koala and Dynamite D with former rhythm section of Wolfmother. A strange blend but it works and it works really well in a live setting. With Koala and D, leading the melody with their turntables, creating live music through the use of other music and the rhythm section churning out thunderous bass lines and drum fills, there is something unique here in a world of copycats. Problem Child and Right Side Of The Tracks were stand out tracks in a set that encompassed so much. This was not a hip hop show, nor was it a rock show; perhaps for the first time there is a happy medium. CHRIS WHEELDON

THE SLEW BY BRAD SERLS

2. LOSE CONTROL DATAMOTION 3. COME ON LET’S GO (PH ELECTRO REMIX) SIDNEY SAMSON FEAT. LADY BEE AND BIZZEY 4. WEAPON OF CHOICE 2010 (LAZY RICH REMIX) FATBOY SLIM FEAT LAZY RICH 5. SHE’S A NYMPHO (MAX FARENTHIDE CLUB MIX) BERNASCONI &F ARENTHIDE 6. MUSIC SOUNDS BETTER WITH YOU (MINISTRY OF FUNK WMC EXTENDED) OLI VIBEZ 7. WIZZLE (MOTEK REMIX) DANNY BONNICI 8. BOULEVARD OF BROKEN DREAMS (KECRIN FM MIX) BLAKKERS 9. KIDS (ORIGINAL EXTENDED) ROBOKIDS 10. WHAT IS LOVE 2K9 (BODYBANGERS REMIX) KLAAS MEETS HADDAWAY

DJ KUTZ @ SHAPE

KING TITO’S DIRTY DISCO @ EAST END BAR

VAMPIRE WEEKEND DJ SET @ SHAPE

WEEKEND @ RISE

MIAMI HORROR BY TROY MUTTON

1. WE NO SPEAK AMERICANO YOLANDA BE COOL & DCUP

YOUTUBE VID OF THE WEEK

If like us you were slightly nonplussed by the teaser single Escape Velocity from the forthcoming Further longplayer from The Chemical Brothers, take heart – the follow-up Swoon is possibly the best single they’ve dropped in a decade, a euphoric slice of psychedelia which is sure to incite hands-in-the-air behaviour wherever it is dropped for years to come. Set your course for a record store on June 7 for the full story. THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010 • 45

20 - 26 MAY

2010 THURSDAY JAMES ZABIELA @ VILLA

DANCEFLOOR OF THE WEEK

Support from Progress Inn, Darren J and Tom Budden. $30 plus BF from the usuals or more on the door.

CULTURE CLASH @ NEWPORT Alternative rock, electro pop and other indie flavours from DJ Shannon Fox. Free entry from 8pm.

B-BEATS @ SAIL & ANCHOR Funky organic beats and breaks from Shannon James from 8.30pm.

FRIDAY BOOTLEG BROTHERS

BOOTLEG @ AMBAR Come on down for this booty bumping bonanza as the Bootleg Brothers bring their massive party Bootleg swinging back in full effect. Firing off with the funky Basschild, Ambar DJ virgin Tom Drummond will take over before the dynamic duo of Mama Says Yes! brings a bunch of tracks from their Waks Traks label. Closing out the night are the Bootleg Brothers and Bulk China. $12 from 10pm.

WAMI FUNK @ LEEDERVILLE The Brow Horn Orchestra, Naik and Diger Rokwell head up this WAMi Festival event for a night guaranteed to impress you with the state of Perth’s beat and live funk scene. $10/5 from 8pm.

WAMI ELECTRO @ THE BIRD Kick off your WAMi Festival weekend with the best in local electro from The Transients, Voltaire Twins and Resort, plus a special electric edition of the Cut & Paste Soundsystem to keep the dancefloor going from 8pm ‘til midnight. $10 entry.

DEATH DISCO @ CAPITOL

THE RIGHT SIDE @ THE BIRD Okay, so this won’t be the biggest event in what’s a jam-packed week, but it’s one that’s got the poorly rhyming poet in Drum rather exited. The debut edition of fortnightly running The Right Side night will see Hip Hop Kara’Yo!’Ke in da house. “What the wack, daddy crack?” you hit back! Well, it’s a night where you can make your rap dream a reality...at least for a night anyway. Here’s how it works: Pick a song from a rather jammin’ list of hip hop classics (including cuts from A Tribe Called Quest, Beastie Boys, Cypress, De La Soul, Dr Dre, Jay-Z, Madvillian etc) and then when you get called on the night it’s your turn to get jiggy from behind the mic. BOOM! Nathan J takes care of the DJing side of thangs. Free entry ‘til 8pm, $5 thereafter. Prizes include a $100 bar card from the venue. Select. one half of Symbiosis Joe Benger, Machine Events’ Gary Watson, Flash’s Dylan Curtis and Swilky – there will be a stonking wide variety of trance and progressive on offer for your partying please. It’s $15/10/5 from 9.30pm.

BOOM BOX BOAT PARTY @ BARRACK ST. JETTY Traversing everything from tech house to techno, Mario Tavelli, Flex Vs CJ Mills and Puff will keep the party going as your boat cruises down the Swan River. Tickets are $75, including an open bar from octaneentertainment.net or contacting Jon Perkins on 0411 292 253. It departs from at 7.30pm. CHRISTIAN LUKE

Yeahs, N.A.S.A, Datarock and more, Sena will be joined by Scott D & Yon Jovi, Time Travel Agent, Destruct, Pearly Whites and Arrigold across both levels of Bar Open from 10pm.

POWER OF PERTH @ SHAPE Headed up by a massive two-hour twosome set from ShockOne & Phetsta, they’ll be joined by the one and only Qbik, and Sempy b2b Concept, J Felix b2b L Wood and MCs Bear, Assassin, Stylee, Xsessiv and Rtilery round out the line-up. $5 before 11pm or $10 thereafter from 10pm.

SO FINE FRIDAYS @ IMPACT Born in Kingston, Lukie D is a solid dancehall singer influenced by the likes of Frankie Paul, Tenor Saw and Supercat. With support from Sydney’s Nick Toth, General Justice, The Empressions, Trooper and Tat, entry is $45 on the door.

CLUB RETRO @ MINT JUS HAUS

FORK @ GEISHA Joining banging Forker Jus Haus is Cam Duff, Marko La Kucha, El Dario, Richard Lee and Nathan Francis.$10 from 11pm ‘til 12.30am, $15 after.

ASCENSION @ RISE For a night of promised heavenly bliss and pure energy, ascend to Rise for Ascension. Featuring Perth and Australia’s hottest DJ – trance lord Jason Creek, Bedroom To Bigroom champion Travis Eddie,

46 • THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010

of DJs hosting underground house nights in the Nottingham area, Kinky Movement have long been involved in the UK free party scene. Since they’ve started their own label in Replay Recordings and now they’re heading to Shape and have recruited Terry Waites, Neil Viney, Flex, James A and Ben Jam to support. Tickets are $20 from Shape and the nights kicks off at 10pm.

Chris McPhee unleashes ‘80s/‘90s party hits and retro classics. Free before 10pm or $5/10 thereafter.

LIMELITE @ METRO FREO

LOKAL @ BAR 138

Heading over from the eastern seaboard, Christian Luke epitomises quality, sophistication and cutting edge beats that gets every dancefloor convulsing. With just four years experience, Luke has ARIA Club chart hits including a remix of Hook N Sling’s The Best Thing. Catch the house tech connoisseur along with Mind Electric and Zelimir from 9.30pm at Limelite.

Your Lokal lovers of electronica bring in a whole new team of night warmers. Free from 6pm.

DORCIA V DIMMAK @ BAR OPEN The annual Dorcia Vs Dim Mak party sees Dan Sena jet in from LA for this huge night. Having produced remixes for the likes of Yeah Yeah

SATURDAY DIGER ROKWELL @ THE BIRD The first chapter in a series of “beat tourism” beat tapes, Diger Rokwell is launching Digerbodia. With support from Mathas, Ill 66, Ben M and Miranda Menzies, $20 will get you entry and a copy of the CD.

KINKY MOVEMENT @ SHAPE Starting out in 1997 as a collective

Indie banging from the Death Disco DJs. $10 entry fee.

FORE @ DEFECTORS Minimal and tech DJs James Francis, Aarin F, Carl Drake and Richard Lee. Free entry.

JAPAN 4 @ AMBAR Banging tunes from Buda, Prizzy, Oli, Wish and Len Bones. $12/8 from 10pm.

JOIE @ GEISHA Deep and funky house with Mitch Bruce Smith, Steve H and Gully.

MAYDAY @ CONNECTIONS

TIKI PARLAY @ ROSEMOUNT Catch Tilki Parley featuring Cyber 1 with MC Chuck Upu plus DJ Buda, Parts, Hamz and Phaze $15 entry.

SUNDAY BACK TO MONO @ DEFECTORS Fine and funky tunes from Anton Maz and guests DJ Razor Jack and Nick Sheppard spinning tunes designed to soothe those hangover blues. Free entry.

REGGAE SESSION @ KULCHA The fruits of DJ Aswon’s top shelf reggae collection. Free entry from 5.30pm.

JUST GOOD MUSIC@ SCOTSMAN Funky DJs from 5pm with pint and pizza specials.

WEDNESDAY BEAT MASH @ BAR OPEN (DOWN) The d’n’b and beyond silliness continues. Entry is free from 8pm until 10pm and then $5 thereafter.

Mayday production plus Tim, Cinnamon, Dave, Fem, JJ and Brian Edwards. Free before 10pm or $20/15 thereafter.

BIG WEDNESDAYS @ NEWPORT

OPEN HOUSE @ BAR OPEN (DOWN)

DÉJÀ VU @ EVE

Sexy tech house with Jus Haus, Kastel Vs. Acebasik, Dmo and Kill Dyl for $10/5 from 10pm.

POP LIFE @ MINT House, dance, retro, R&B and Top 40 from DJ Darren Briais. Free before midnight for Pop Life, $5 before 2am, $10 thereafter.

REVOLUTION @ RISE

DJ Tony Allen spins tunes from 8pm ‘til midnight. Urban, dancehall and reggaeton tunes from DJs Don Migi, Skooby and more. $10 from 9pm.

GROUPIE @ LUXE Cocktails and dancing with Paul Malone. From 8pm-2am.

ISLAND NIGHT @ HULA BULA Lady Carla plays ska, reggae, rocksteady, calypso, mento and dub. Free entry from 6pm.

Perth’s finest resident DJ line-up of Greg Packer, Rousa, Daze and Simon Barwood with MC Xsessiv hyping the crowd.

LMW @ CONNECTIONS

ROCKET FUEL @ ROCKET ROOM

STUDENT NIGHT @ ROSEMOUNT

DJ Benny Mayhem and Kickstart keep the R.R. panel van rockin’ until 4am.

SATURDAYS @ EVE DJs Don Migi, Skooby and Tony Allen spinning all your favourite dance and urban anthems. $15/10/5 from 9pm.

SATURDAYS @ DEEN DJs Birdie, JJ and Tony Allen on the decks and live band Booty Jooce.

SATURDAYS @ LIBRARY Resident DJs Paul Malone, Tommy A and Charlie Bucket with funk galore.

SATURDAYS @ PARAMOUNT Felix and chart mix master DJ Meezy ‘til late. Upstairs, DJs Jordan and Reuben dish out the dance beats. Free entry from 8pm.

Lesbian Mud Wrestling with DJs Joby and JJ and MC Sandy Beaches. Free entry from 10pm. DJ Shannon Fox brings you postpunk, indie-pop, rock and electro goodies in the courtyard. Free entry.

UNI-QUE @ SCOTSMAN Overlords Dave Jackson and Armee select their finest tunes from 8pm.

WEDNESDAY @ HIP-E CLUB DJ Roger Smart plays the latest house hits. Doors from 10pm.

WILD WEDNESDAYS @ THE EURO DJ iPod and Ben Pettit provide the audio goodness at this student night. Free entry.

STUDENT NIGHT @ MANHATTANS Tasty tech selector Massiv Trav brings the party. Free entry.

UPCOMINGS MAY AUTECHRE – May 27 @ Capitol OXIA – May 28 @ Geisha SAMPOLOGY – May 28 @ The Manor DJ LORD – May 28 @ Shape ZANY – May 28 @ Rise + TENZIN – May 28 Metropolis Fremantle THE ASTON SHUFFLE – May 29 @ Villa NABOO (THE MIGHTY BOOSH DJ SET) – May 29 @ Shape, May 30 @ Villa

JUNE HEAVYWEIGHT SOUNDZ: LONDON ELEKTRICITY, MC AD, BAD COMPANY, MOVING FUSION, UMAN – Jun 4 @ Metro City NICK SKITZ – Jun 4 @ Rise EMILY SCOTT – Jun 5 @ Rise + WE LOVE SOUNDS: UNDERWORLD, CROOKERS, STEVE AOKI, TIGA, FELIX DA HOUSECAT, LAIDBACK LUKE, JOACHIM GARRAUD, PROXY, SETH TROXLER, ZOMBIE NATION, FELIX CARTEL, THOMAS VON PARTY, SONIC C, AUTOEROTIQUE and more – Jun 6 @ Supreme Court Gardens GODSKITCHEN: MARKUS SCHULZ, GARETH EMERY, ROGER SHAH – Jun 11 @ Metro City CAUSE 4 CONCERN – Jun 11 @ Shape PAUL RITCH – Jun 11 @ Geisha TOM NEVILLE – Jun 11 @ Ambar + DJ KRMAK – Jun 11 @ Villa SHAPESHIFTER – Jun 12 @ Villa KLUTE – Jun 12 @ Rise COMMON, KID CAPRI – Jun 18 @ Metro City DJ PREMIER – Jun 18 @ Shape + NADASTROM, TIMMY TRUMPET – Jun 18 @ Metropolis Fremantle CHASE FEAT. LARIKEN – Jun 24 @ Mojo’s TOTAL SCIENCE – Jun 25 @ Shape + SHWAYZE FEAT. CISCO ADLER, THE KNUX, DJ JASON SMITH – Jun 25 @ Villa + ROBERT HOOD – Jun 25 @ Ambar + PURPLE SNEAKERS – Jun 25 @ Metropolis Fremantle + ALI B – Jun 26 @ Ambar

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THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010 • 47

gigguide@drumperth.com.au

GIG GUIDE THU 20 Ben Pettit Belgian Beer Cafe Howie Morgan Bennys Karin Page Duo Botanica Celebrations Karaoke Brooklands Patrizio Buanne Burswood Dome Clayton Bolger Como Htl Jon Madd’s Rock’n Roll Karaoke Devilles Pad Acoustic Night Double Lucky, Leederville Gun Shy Romeos Elephant & Wheelbarrow Chelsea Gibson & The Juice Extractors Ellington DJ Durra, Side FX Foundry Chris Murphy Kingsley Tavern Bill Chidgzey Legends Bar James Wilson Lucky Shag The Clock Strikes, Waxman, Aaagh Bats, Self Made Guru Mojos Nth Fremantle WiKid, DJ Giles Mustang Bar DJ Shannon Fox Newport Htl Dr Bogus Paddy Hannans Burswood Aaagh Bats, Desertship, The Kuillotines, Nugget Rosemount Htl Fenton Wilde Rosie O’Gradys Fremantle Cyclone Jason & The Stirling Rangers Settlers Tavern Margaret River David Fyffe Sovereign Arms Courtney Murphy Spice Lounge Burswood Kim McDonald, Robbie Jalapeno, Arons Crusade Swan Lounge The Silent World, Heytsburg, Mercy Mercy & The Success of Saturn, Like Junk The Den Off The Record Universal Bar

FRI 21 Midnight Rambler 7th Avenue Bar The Morning People, Split Seconds, James Teague, Ruby Boots, The Atlas Mountains, Ryan Webb, Modularman Amplifier Bar Free Radicals Bally’s Bar James Wilson Balmoral Groovetime Belmont Tavern Faces Bennys Ben Pettit Broken Hill Toy Box Carlisle Htl Frisky Business Castle The Devil Rides Out, Mongrel Country, Mile End, Cat Black Civic Htl Backroom The Groovesmiths, Earl Grey & The Crumpets Clancy’s Fish Pub Clayton Bolger Como Htl Special Brew, Cheeba Cheeba Man, Vintage Red Burlesque, Les Sataniques Devilles Pad Redstar Dusk Lounge Bar Supanova East End Bar Graham Wood Trio, Andy Fisenden, Bronwynn Sprogowski, The Ill

Ones, Sean Curtis, Joey Kartel Ellington Spritzer Fitzgeralds Mia & Good Company Hale Rd Tavern Shawne & Luc Indian Ocean Brewing Company Ryan Carbray Kalamunda Htl Chris Murphy Kingsley Tavern Good Karma Merriwa Tavern Havana Brown Metro City The Joe Kings, Dilip N The Davs, The Lazy Railway, China Blue Experiment Mojos Nth Fremantle Adam Hall & The Velvet Playboys, Cheeky Monkeys, DJ James MacArthur Mustang Bar Gun Shy Romeos Paddo Blue Gene Paddy Hannans Burswood 43 Cambridge Paddy Maguires Slim Jim & The Phatts Players Bar Mandurah Diamond Eye, Stellas Kitchen, The Bronze & One Thousand Years Railway Htl Benjamin Glynn Rivervale Htl Eleventh He Reaches London, Grim Fandango, Tangled Thoughts Of Leaving, The Proletariate Rocket Room The Chemist, Young Reverly, Wolves At The Door Rosemount Htl Switchback Sail & Anchor The Blue Bottles Saint Zino & Caroline Settlers Tavern Margaret River Robbie King Karaoke South St Ale House David Fyffe Sovereign Arms Courtney Murphy Spice Lounge Burswood Good Little Fox, The Bullet Holes, Art In Algebra, Laced Afair, Cim Ciaru, Michael Strong & The Ghost Anyway, Control Control, Dylan Ollivierre & The TN’s Swan Basement Damien Cripps, Bar Code Swinging Pig Mod Squad The Boat Project Mayhem, Cap Peck & The Tramps, The Painkillers, The Bible Bashers The Den Chris Murphy The Principle Micro Brewery Nat Ripepi The Vic Hotel Ivan Ribic, Dj Melvin Victoria Park Htl J Babies Woodvale Tavern

SAT 22 Jebediah, Abbe May, The Scotch of Saint James, Umpire, Will Stoker & The Embers, Arts Martial, Emperors, Injured Ninja Amplifier Bar Benjamin Glynn Balmoral Flyte Bar 120 Chris Murphy Belgian Beer Cafe Redstar Black Bettys Howie Morgan Project Broken Hill

48 • THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010

2 0 M AY - 2 6 M AY 2 0 1 0

The Fit Swimmers Brooklands Miche Suite, Heath Marshall, Pete Usher, The Global Pandemic, Pins & Ladles, Brendan Gaspari Charles Htl Toby Clancy’s Fish Pub James Wilson Como Htl Jerry Lee Lewis Show, Razor Jack, Les Sataniques Devilles Pad Ivan Ribic Eastern Midland Htl Victoria Newton, Jamie Oehlers, Tara Del Borello Ellington Ricky Peterson & Sheila E Fly By Night Fremantle Three and a Half Men Foundry Retrofit Gate Riddum Shack Greenwood Hotel Adrian Wilson Hotel Rottnest The Other Guys Indian Ocean Brewing Company Unstoppable Glue, FKN Midas, Micky Juice, Lightseed, Ben Edit, Boy Crazy Stacey Manhattan’s Havana Brown Metro City The Disguise, Do The Robot, Seams, Kathryn Tree Rollins Mojos Nth Fremantle Blaze Moon & Sixpence The Big Old Bears, The New Invincibles, The Fancy Brothers, Khancoban, Rocket To Memphis, Moonlight Wranglers Mustang Bar Just Ace Newport Htl 3 Corner Jack Players Bar Mandurah The New Year, The Milkmen, Ethereal, Still Railway Htl HailMary, Homebrewe, State Of Order, Blackwater Station, Kickstart Rocket Room Cyber 1, MC Chuck Upu, DJ Buda, Parts, Hamz & Phaze Rosemount Htl Blue Gene Rosie O’Gradys Northbridge The Blue Bottles Sail & Anchor The Lucky Wonders Settlers Tavern Margaret River Huge Shed Off The Record Subiaco Htl Jonny Taylor, Oiishi, Lantana Swan Basement Blackhart Strangelove, Filthy Mono, Kim McDonald, Tane Tanner Swan Lounge Resist The Thought, Born Into Suffering, I Am Eternal, Surrender, Saviour The Den Free Radicals The Principle Micro Brewery Adam Kelly, Charlie Bucket Tiger Lils Mod Squad Wanneroo Lush Woodvale Tavern

SUN 23 Good Karma 7th Avenue Bar Steve Hepple Bally’s Bar

Cranky Balmoral Damien Cripps Belmont Htl Adrian Wilson Bentley Hotel Sweetest Taboo Botanica Midnight Sun Broken Hill Chris Gibbs Brooklands Zydecats Clancy’s Fish Pub Chris Murphy Como Htl John Meyer & Blues Express Eastern Midland Htl Mark Ginsburg Quartet, Judy Campbell Ellington Direct Influence Fly By Night Fremantle The Other Guys Gate Christian Thompson Gosnells Hotel Wesley Goodlet Jamboree Scout, Courtney Murphy & Murhpy’s Lore HBF Fun Run (WACA) James Wilson High Road Htl Riverton Retrofit Indian Ocean Brewing Company Stella Donnelly Kalamunda Htl Jamie Powers Lakers Tavern Clayton Bolger Merriwa Tavern Schvendes, Harlequin Leauge, Felicity Groom & The Black Black Smoke, Capital City, The Sneaky Weasel Gang, The Floors, Selk & The Bone Singers, The King George Affair Mojos Nth Fremantle Acoustic Inc Moon & Sixpence Sundays Notes, Nebula Mosmans Restaurant Rusty & The Dragstrip Trio, The Damien Cripps Band, DJ James MacArthur Mustang Bar Applebite, The Beggars On Acid, Mudguts, FoulPLAY Newport Htl Flyte Paddy Hannans Burswood Pockets of Resistance, Paltiva, Helix To The Sun, 10 Past 6 Railway Htl The Recliners Sail & Anchor Howie Morgan Project Saint Heddy Fraze Settlers Tavern Margaret River Louis & The Honky Tonks South St Ale House Ivan Ribic Sovereign Arms Kevin Conway Stamford Arms Jack Action, Silent Republic, Gombo, Bulls & Bears, Stunning In Red Swan Basement The P-Whack Express, The Seals, Burn The Evidence, Fishpants Swan Lounge Nat Ripepi Swinging Pig Grace Woodroofe The Moon The Select Few The Principle Micro Brewery Retrofit Universal Bar Matt Milford Victoria Park Htl Damien Cripps Wanneroo Ryan Carbray Woodvale Tavern Resist The Thought, Make Them Suffer, Arturo Chaos, Against

UPCOMING TOURS

The Tide, Carnage Begins YMCA HQ

MON 24 James Wilson Bar Orient Fremantle Helen Matthews & Ray Walker, Jessica Gethin, Karl Florisson, Sophie Walker, Gary Howard Band, Ali Bodycoat Charles Htl Song Lounge Ellington Peter Busher & The Lone Rangers, DJ Rockin Rhys Mustang Bar Courtney Murphy Spice Lounge Burswood Plastic Max & The Token Gestures The Deen

TUE 25 Nile, Abigail Williams, Hate Eternal Capitol Howie Morgan, John Meyer Band, Gary Cox Band Charles Htl FOUR the love of it Ellington Open Mic Night Impact Bar Demi Monde, Still Fire, One Thousand Years, The Chevelles Mojos Nth Fremantle Marco & The Rhythm Boys Mustang Bar Rocket Rosie O’Gradys Fremantle Open Mic Night, Adrian Wilson Sail & Anchor Courtney Murphy Spice Lounge Burswood

WED 26 Chris Murphy Bally’s Bar Switchback Bentley Hotel Side FX Black Bettys Tom O’Halloran Trio Ellington Fenton Wilde Hale Rd Tavern Trevor Jalla Trio Llama Bar Howie Morgan Lucky Shag Massiv Trav Manhattan’s Shontay Snow, Seth Lowe Mojos Nth Fremantle Tree, Stu Orchard, James Teague Moon Cafe Danza Loca Salsa Mustang Bar Grace Woodroofe, Felicity Groom, Wolves At The Door Norfolk Basement Cim Ciaru, Silent Republic, Hand Stands For Ants, Goodnight Tiger Paddo Fools Rush In, Chasing the Ninth, Further Earth, Minute36, DJ Shannon Fox Rosemount Htl David Fyffe Rosie O’Gradys Fremantle Wayne Teixera, Joel Turco, Sanduets, Adrian Wilson Sail & Anchor Open Mic Night, Elliot Morris, Brett Wilson Settlers Tavern Margaret River Satan Himself, Montage Of Jesus Swan Lounge Clayton Bolger The Principle Micro Brewery Strutt with Ses Sayer Universal Bar

MICHAEL BUBLE – MAR 4 & 6 2010 @ VARIOUS SANDALFORD WINERIES PATRIZIO BUANNE: MAY 20 Burswood Theatre DARYL BRAITHWAITE: MAY 21 Friends Restaurant DIRECT INFLUENCE: MAY 21 Settlers Tavern, MAY 22 Indi Bar, MAY 23 Fly By Night * RICKY PETERSON & SHEILA E: MAY 22 *CANCELLED* RESIST THE THOUGHT: MAY 22 Civic Hotel Den, MAY 23 YMCA HQ * DO THE ROBOT: MAY 22 Mojo’s, MAY 23 The Bird MARK GINSBURG QUARTET & JUDY CAMPBELL: MAY 23 The Ellington NILE, ABIGAIL WILLIAMS, HATE ETERNAL: MAY 25 Capitol RICKIE LEE JONES: MAY 26 Octagon Theatre TAME IMPALA: MAY 27 Metropolis Fremantle KATY STEELE: MAY 27 Artbar CLOUD CONTROL, RICHARD IN YOUR MIND: MAY 27 Prince Of Wales, MAY 28 Mojo’s, MAY 29 Amplifier DAN SULTAN, GIN WIGMORE: MAY 27 Fly By Night, MAY 28 Prince Of Wales, MAY 29 Settlers Tavern TROY CASSER-DALEY: MAY 27 Friends Restaurant, MAY 28 Ravenswood Hotel, MAY 29 Divers Tavern Broome, MAY 30 Pace Road Tavern Medina MOUTHGUARD: MAY 28 Dunsborough Tavern, MAY 29 Mojo’s, MAY 30 Newport Hotel JOHN FARNHAM: MAY 29 Ord River Kunanurra BATRIDER: MAY 29 South Street Ale House CLOSURE IN MOSCOW, SECRETS IN SCALE: MAY 29 Civic Hotel, MAY 30 YMCA HQ THE CORONAS: MAY 30 Fly By Night FULL SCALE REVOLUTION, TIM MCMILLAN BAND: JUN 2 The Foundry, JUN 3 Prince Of Wales, JUN 4 Players Bar, JUN 5 Amplifier, JUN 6 Newport LIZ STRINGER: JUN 3 Settlers Tavern, JUN 4 Norfolk Basement, JUN 5 Quindanning Hotel, JUN 6 Redcliffe On The Murray DAN KELLY, EAGLE & THE WORM: JUN 4 Amplifier STRUNG OUT, THE LOVED ONES: JUN 4 Prince Of Wales, JUN 5 Capitol * WAY OUT WEST: JUN 4 Don Russell Performing

Arts Centre Thornlie

Restaurant

DENMARK FESTIVAL OF VOICE: MR PERCIVAL, DYA SINGH and more: JUN 4-6 Denmark

* COTTON, KEAYS & MORRIS: JUN 25 Charles Hotel

GYROSCOPE: JUN 5 Prince Of Wales, JUN 6 Metro City HARRY MANX: JUN 5 & JUN 6 Fly By Night * WE LOVE SOUNDS: UNDERWORLD, CROOKERS, STEVE AOKI, TIGA, FELIX DA HOUSECAT, AUTOEROTIQUE & more: JUN 6 Supreme Court Gardens UNEARTH, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER: JUN 6 Amplifier HOLLY MIRANDA: JUN 8 Manhattans YUSEF ISLAM: JUN 10 Challenge Stadium BIRDS OF TOKYO, MIDNIGHT YOUTH: JUN 10 Metro City CHILDREN COLLIDE, CABINS: JUN 10 Prince Of Wales, JUN 11 Rosemount

* VALIANT SWART: JUN 25 Fly By Night CASSETTE KIDS, KIDS OF 88: JUN 26 Amplifier 1927: JUN 26 Astor Theatre BERMUDA, SILENT SCREAMS, BURIED IN VERONA: JUN 26 YMCA HQ (early), Rosemount Hotel (late) PAUL DI’ANNO: JUN 27 Amplifier HOPE SANDOVAL & THE WARM INVENTIONS, MICK TURNER, DIRT BLUE GENE: JUN 28 Astor Theatre JONO MCNEIL: JUN 30 & JUL 1 The Ellington THE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS, WASHINGTON: JUN 30 Prince Of Wales, JUL 1 Metropolis Fremantle, JUL 2 Settlers Tavern, JUL 3 Divers Tavern Broome

GANGA GIRI: JUN 11 Fly By Night, JUN 12 Dunsborough Hotel

SUGAR ARMY: JUL 1 Indi Bar, JUL 2 Prince Of Wales, JUL 3 Amplifier, JUL 4 Mojo’s

DEAD LETTER CIRCUS: JUN 11 Prince Of Wales, JUN 12 Capitol

BRUCE MATHISKE, GREG YOUNG: JUL 8 Fly By Night

RICHARD TOGNETTI & WASO: JUN 11 & 12 Perth Concert Hall

GRACE KNIGHT: JUL 8 Friends Restaurant

MILES AWAY, BREAK EVEN, HOPELESS, THE BRODERICK: JUN 11 Amplifier, JUN 13 YMCA HQ * MENTAL AS ANYTHING: JUN 12 Charles Hotel KATIE NOONAN & THE CAPTAINS: JUN 12 & 13 Fly By Night ALESTORM, CLAIM THE THRONE: JUN 17 Amplifier STORY OF THE YEAR, SAOSIN, BLESSTHEFALL: JUN 17 Capitol DAPPLED CITIES, THE JOHN STEEL SINGERS, FIRE! SANT ROSA, FIRE!: JUN 17 Mojo’s, JUN 18 Prince Of Wales, JUN 19 Rosemount Hotel OPERATOR PLEASE, CHAINGANG: JUN 18 Astor Theatre SIX FT HICK: JUN 18 Rocket Room, JUN 19 Mojo’s * THE BEARDS: JUN 18 Settlers Tavern, JUN 19 Civic Hotel, JUN 20 Mojo’s THE VIBRATORS: JUN 20 Rosemount Hotel FOSTER & ALLEN: JUN 20 Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, JUN 21 Perth Concert Hall THE DRIFTERS FEAT. BILLY WASHINGTON JR: JUN 24 Friends

THE SOFT PACK: JUL 10 Rosemount * MARK LANEGAN: JUL 11 Fly By Night * DIESEL: JUL 14 Friends Restaurant, JUL 16 Fly By Night, JUL 17 Charles Hotel STRIKE ANYWHERE, PAPER ARMS: JUL 14 Amplifier * KEVIN RUDOLF: JUL 15 Metro City SNFU: JUL 16 Rosemount * DIONNE WARWICK, KATE CEBERANO: JUL 16 Perth Convention Centre BECC SANDERSON: JUL 16 & 17 The Ellington SALLY SELTMANN: JUL 17 Rosemount KARNIVOOL: JUL 21 Capitol * THIRSTY MERC: JUL 21 Prince Of Wales, JUL 22 Fly By Night THE TEMPER TRAP: JUL 22 Metro City 30 SECONDS TO MARS: JUL 24 Challenge Stadium CHARLIE LANDSBOROUGH: JUL 29 Bunbury Entertainment Centre, JUL 30 Albany Town Hall, AUG 1 Fly By Night YOUNG HERETICS: JUL 29 Prince Of Wales, JUL 30 Norfolk, JUL 31 Amplifier, AUG 1 Indi Bar

SWAN BASEMENT, FREMANTLE

Doors open from 7pm

THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010 • 49

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Our international engineers of Unprecedented Reputation are now available for consultation and advice with no obligation. A NEW, SENSIBLE MUSIC MASTERING SERVICE. Super fast upload/ download turnaround with incredible results... You won’t be disappointed, you won’t believe who we are.

Cool Perth Nights weekly mailout features all the coolest live music, theatre, indie film screenings and art exhibition happenings in and around Perth Western Australia. Sign up via www.coolperthnights. com and receive this clean presented and very fun info each Wednesday lunchtime WST. iFlogID: 4351

LOVE IN A KINGDOM - FILM OPERA

Using; P Audio, B & C, JBL and E.V. Top quality drivers in all our custom built bins. Top boxes, mids, subs, wedges to spec. This online pic is our new folded horn with one 18inch challenger, putting out 137db – 140+ when coupled. Call us for a free quote. 0414355763 iFlogID: 3102

PHOTOGRAPHY BAND PHOTOS Looking for a photographer for your band?Checkout theartofcapture.com to see examples and portfolio of work. Studio and location shots.All states.Contact Kane Hibberd Kane@theartofcapture.com or call 0419 570 660.

The Guitar is an easy instrument to play BUT it is an extremely difficult instrument to learn. Taking from 4 to 7 years to reach the competency level. The problem is the blank Fretboard. InteGuitar solves this problem by giving the Fretboard a temporary VISUAL INTERFACE to play the rudimentary OPEN and BAR chords of guitar in Weeks/ Months not years. Play songs on guitar INSTANTLY For the price of $49.99 kit of 4 X Interfaces and Tutorial CD. The Interfaces DO NOT interfere with the playing of the guitar. Call us now on 0405 044 513 iFlogID: 2716

BLUES HARP LESSONS

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PHOTOGRAPHY

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MASTERING

May Madness sale on now at Engadine Music. Call 02-9520 3044

MASTERING BY PAUL GOMERSALL

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Learn to play from some of Australia’s best guitar teachers. G4 GUITAR is a network of over 100 teachers across Australia using the latest learning techniques to ensure students the absolute best tuition available. Backed by the G4 GUITAR METHOD our teachers have the reputation to take you from beginner to pro. Please visit our website to find your closest teacher and grab a free download. www.g4guitar.com.au or Phone 0405-274456

Coming soon to a movie theatre near you, this sensatonal new and original film opera / musical. A dramatic and compelling medieval adventure set to classical music and song. Contact Duncan on mob: 0402 136 335 or at duncan321sunrise@yahoo. com.au View associated website at: www.loveinakingdom.webs. com myspace.com/duncansmusicsunrise iFlogID: 4473

MUSIC FOR FILM TV RADIO MEDIA

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Photography...Get the right shot the first time at an affordable cost.. Contact Mike 0447572106 iFlogID: 4631

POSTERS

Learn Blues Harmonica all styles from Ragtime, Country Blues , Chicago Blues styles. Private lessons in Sydney with Blue tongue & Workshops across Australia with Bluetongue, Ian Collard & Doc Span. web- http://www.bluetongueharmonica.com.au p-02 80037132 m-0412 668575 iFlogID: 3683

ABLETON CERTIFIED TRAINER

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YAMAHA NP30 DIGITIAL PIANO May Madness sale only $349 Power adapter an extra $29 Call 02 9520 3044 or email shop@ engadinemusic.com iFlogID: 4414

YAMAHA PSRE413 USB KEYBOARD

MIXERS STUDIO GEAR FOR SALE Digidesign C24, new in box with RTS cable kit, 15K new, will sell for 10Kono. Custom studio furniture, dual “isobox” style cabinets with master kb tray, $500ono. Korg X5D kb, great sounds, $350ono. Lots of ProTools plugins also for sale cheap. Call Brent 0406501192

OTHER USA BAND SHIRTS & HOODIES

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Great deals on Kawai Pianos for the month of May at Engadine Music Call 02 9520 3044.

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Yamaha Woodwind May Madness. Woodwind instruments at great prices, call 02 9520 3044.

HUGE SELECTION OF PRINT MUSIC

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SPEAKER REPAIRS - ALL MODELS

Custom bass drum heads ensure your bands name gets remembered after the gig. The sickest, best quality custom bass drum heads, banners, backdrops, stickers, and full drum wraps! www. kustombassdrumgraphics.com.au sales@kustombassdrumgraphics. com.au

DUPLICATION/ MASTERING

Yamaha Brass instruments at great prices for the month of May. 02-9520 3044.

YAMAHA KEYBOARD MAY MADNESS

CUSTOM BASS DRUM HEADS

tion albums that will be featured on iTunes worldwide. All genres are welcome and we’ll also be offering a Worldwide Digital Deal to a band or artist that we think we think we can market on a global scale! This will include $5000 worth of online marketing and a worldwide release on all the major digital stores. Submit your tracks (1 per band/ artist) along with bio and contact details to - info@valleyarm.com

RODE MICROPHONE MAY MADNESS

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OTHER

Using; P Audio, B & C, JBL and E.V. Top quality drivers in all our custom built bins. Top boxes, mids, subs, wedges to spec. This online pic is our new folded horn with one 18inch challenger, putting out 137db – 140+ when coupled. Call us for a free quote. 0414355763

Australia’s first online booking agency with a difference!!!! For Artists & Promoters

YAMAHA BRASS MAY MADNESS SALE

A rarely used example of this classic and much sought-after synthesizer in excellent condition. Price includes delivery to any destination on mainland Australia.

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ROCK MEMORABILIA

Authentic Rock Memorabilia and reprints from around the globe. www.rockgodsandlegends.com

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Professional high end analog and digital mastering. Online service available with highly competitive rates. www.forensicaudio.com.au mobile 0401 499 667

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KORG TRITON EXTREME88

AKAI MPD24 $310 ONO, NEAR NEW

GUITARS FENDER GIBSON MARTIN

READ THIS BEFORE YOU BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY! Receive a FREE $500 Resort Voucher to more than 500 Australian resorts and 7500 International resorts when you register for FREE as a customer and make an $8.00 purchase. www. grabonlinebargains.com/fortunate to register. Ph 0423831660 for more details

KEYBOARDS

At the special price of $399 Power adapter to suit this keyboard $29

FENDER TREMOLUX HEAD AND 2X12 CAB.made in 1965 IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. ONLY $3499 CALL US - 07 54743033 MUSIC@NOOSA

HEADROOM SOUND

Rode Microphone May Madness sale, call Engadine Music now on 02- 9520 3044

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Akai MPD24 usb midi pad controller hardly used, excellent condition, comes with usb cable, box, manual and drivers cd. $310 or nearest offer. sic_flip@hotmail. com for enquiries.

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Engadine Music is offering great deals on Laney Amps for May. Call now on 02 9520 3044

PA EQUIPMENT

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MUSIC@NOOSA’S HUGE SALE

DJ EQUIPMENT

GUITARS

LANEY AMP MAY MADNESS SALE

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MUSIC SERVICES

Behringer DDM4000 DJ Mixer for $450, or $500 including midi to usb cable. about 3 months old, not used very often, excellent condition. For further enquiries email sic_flip@hotmail.com

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sion, Megadeth, Metallica, MGMT, Minor Threat, Misfits, Nirvana, Opeth, Parkway Drive, Pearl Jam, Pink Floyd, Ramones, Slayer, Sonic Youth, Tool, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and more! T-shirts, fleecy hoodies, caps, beanies, bags and loads of other cool stuff. Shop now at www. tsp.net.au.

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BEHRINGER DDM4000 MIXER $450

BRAND NEW 3 CHANNEL 100WATT 2X12 COMBO - WITH FOOTSWITCH, ENGLISH MADE, 5 YEAR WARRANTY. HAS SOME SHOP WEAR. RRP $3399 OUR PRICE $1799 CALL US 07 54743033

Using; P Audio, B & C, JBL and E.V. Top quality drivers in all our custom built bins. Top boxes, mids, subs, wedges to spec. This online pic is our new folded horn with one 18inch challenger, putting out 137db – 140+ when coupled. Call us for a free quote. 0414355763

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SELF-EMPLOYMENT

bands instock and ready to ship including Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, Burzum, Dark Throne, Children of Bodom, Black Flag, Pearl Jam, Him, Sublime, Tool, Black Flag, Ministry, Motley Crue, Guns N Roses, Van Halen, Wolfmother, ACDC, KMFDM, Metallica, Manson, Megadeth, The Doors and more. Check out our website today!!! www.merchnation.com.au

AAA+++ Licensed USA band merch and street wear! We have shirts, hoodies, belts, ladies tops, lighters, shotglasses, wallets and buckles. We have Hundreds of

The Directory is a sourcebook for all the contacts in the Australian music market. Over 5,000 listed companies and individuals in 70 sections covering all business sectors from Artists cross referenced by Agents, Managers and Record Labels, Music Media, Online and Mobile Music, Venues, Lawyers,Promoters, Associations, Publishers and much more! We have 3 versions of our latest book (March 1), the 44th edition available in Print $55 (incl. GST & post)-6 Month Online Sub $40 -- iPhone App,$19.95(from Apple iTunes Australia Store). To purchase your copy call the IMMEDIA! Office on (02) 9557 7766 or purchase online at www.immedia.com.au/amid

Trust your next mastering project with Paul who’s been working with major international artists for over 25 years..you’ll probably find his name on CDs you own.....For a limited time song transfers through the ATR100 - the worlds finest 1/2” tape machine - is absolutely FREE!! (Worth up to $100 a song)...So for only $88 per song you can get the results you want at the price you can afford..-..-Post - Upload, or call in......For further details visit --- www.gomersall.com --- Call Paul 0407 488 697 iFlogID: 2857

MATTHEW GRAY MASTERING - $99

Music for Film, TV, Radio, and Media. Composition of songs, jingles, commercials, themes, scores and classical pieces. Most genres undertaken: classic pop-rock, easy listening, acoustic, country, folk, comedy, lyrical and classical. Accomplished and experienced composer/ writer/ vocalist/ musician. All enquiries contact Duncan on 0402 136 335. duncan321sunrise@yahoo.com. au www.myspace.com/filmtvradio www.filmtvradio.webs.com www. loevinakingdom.webs.com www. adventuresofjack.webs.com iFlogID: 4488

BANDS NEEDED FOR ITUNES!!!

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SHOP FOR BAND MERCH ONLINE! Shop online 24/7 at www.tsp. net.au for Australia’s biggest and best range of official licensed band merchandise. Hundreds of bands, thousands of products! AC/ DC, Blink 182, David Bowie, Dead Kennedys, Escape The Fate, Iron Maiden, Jimi Hendrix, Joy Divi-

$99 per song +gst for online mastering via our secure servers. Analog chain, digital chain, mix evaluations, online mastering and attended sessions - we ensure your mastered product sounds amazing. www.matthewgraymastering.com. iFlogID: 3422

Valleyarm Digital are looking for bands to be included on compila-

Professional illustrator available for any project. Book covers, children’s books, album art and much more. Based in Melbourne, drawing world wide! Excellent rates. www.paulikin.com -Phone: 0403 996 129 or email paul@paulikin. com iFlogID: 4701

Ableton certified trainer and author of Ableton video training for Groove 3 (USA) Craig McCullough is available locally in SE Qld for private Ableton and music technology training. Video training is also availble from www.groove3.com. Mobile: 0431 556 746 email: abletontrainer@optusnet.com.au iFlogID: 4154

MUSICIANS AVAILABLE SINGER

RECORDING STUDIOS

LOOKING FOR LIFE TIME BAND

ATTENTION ALL STUDIOS!!

genuine music man searching life time members.

Attention all studios and music producers! Want to become an agent for Valleyarm? Valleyarm are a global digital music supplier and are seeking studios and producers Australia wide to be official agents, you’d be responsible for signing new bands and artists to add to our catalogue. If you ever have bands asking how they can get their songs on iTunes then this is the perfect chance to bring in extra revenue with excellent monthly bonuses available! Training and point of sale is available to get you started straight away. Email info@valleyarm.com or Call 03 9525 5589 iFlogID: 4684

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MUSICIANS WANTED BASS PLAYER BASS PLAYER WANTED We are a rock covers band playing classics from the 70’s to current styles. AC/DC is a big influence along with Guns N’ Roses, Pearl Jam and Hendrix. We are easy going down to earth people looking for the same. We’re looking for someone who is committed and doesn’t take themselves too seriously. We have a view to play local gigs around Wollongong and even-

tually doing originals and touring. If you’re interested in rocking your way to the top then look no further. Call Dale on 0409 408 596 iFlogID: 4573

DRUMMER BLUES & ROOTS DRUMMER WANTED to join established acoustic guitarist. Rehearsal and touring a must. Blues/roots/rock style, easy going and dedicated. www.myspace. com/aidenvarrosolo 0402 881 233 iFlogID: 3980

SONS OF GENGHIS NEED DRUMMER!

apply to become a teacher please visit our website at www.g4guitar. com.au or phone 0430-426137 iFlogID: 2631

NOEL GALLAGHER-OASIS COV BAND OASIS cover band requires a NOEL GALLAGHER. That means good singing ability and tight rythm ability. Lead not essential. Please be a fan of the music, have your own transport and some good gear. Call Blake 0420 774 819

ACOUSTIC ACTS WANTED

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OTHER MUSICIANS AND AUDIENCE WANTED

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GUITARIST GUITARISTS WANTED TO TEACH

Details: http://hotelwilliam.yayabings.com.au This is the underground melting pot of music jam sessions, organised by the Yayabings Music Club with the JazzKatts romping the Fusion Bar. Musicians/ singers, comedians and artists at all levels perform by coming in on that evening. Totally impromptu and musicians may improvise with other musicians/singers or perform their own set. Local/Backpackers/ Internationals all welcome.

GET YOUR MUSIC ON RADIO!

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SINGER G4 Guitar is an Australia wide network of Guitar Teachers who teach from their own homes and studios. With over 100 teachers we are the No.1 name in guitar tuition. We welcome both inexperienced and experienced teachers and we provide online training and support. To

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OTHER PARTY & FUNCTION PHOTOGRAPHY

SINGERS FOR ACCAPELLA GROUP

Inspire Design Studios provides meaningful, smart and economic design solutions that communicates clearly with a given market. From website design, to branding, we can take you through the entire process of creating an identity for your organization. Maybe you just need some business cards, or maybe you need a completely new look. From logo design, to website creation, to company apparel, and anything in between. To provide you with the most competitive pricing contact us to discuss your requirements without any obligation. Special prices Static website (within 5 pages) $495 CMS website (within 7 pages) $695 Online shopping site $795 No hidden charges or on-going monthly fees To find out more please visit www. lydiay.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN WANT A LOGO FOR YOUR BAND?

NOEL GALLAGHER-OASIS COV BAND OASIS cover band needs a Noel Gallagher. That means a good singer with tight rythm guitar ability. Lead not essential. Good gear and transport required. Call Blake 0420 774 819 iFlogID: 3159

Professional, experienced singers required for Accappella Group. Looking for 4-5 singers. Bass, Tenor, Alto, soprano. Think accapella songs by Manhatten Transfer, Boyz to Men etc Must be competant harmony singer. The Group will be lead by Award Winning Singer Songwriter Storme. www.storme.com.au. Please email your interest/and for auditions to info@storme.com.au. iFlogID: 4325

SERVICES BEAUTY SERVICES

100 Full Colour A4 Gloss Posters = only $40 100 Full Colour A3 Matt Posters = only $50 100 Full Colour A3 Gloss Posters = only $80 and many more options to choose from Posters • Flyers • Handouts • Business Cards We can print a sample for you while you wait and complete the job within the hour. bsd@zip.com.au www.blackstar. com.au iFlogID: 4552

PI BAND ART AND DESIGN

ON-LINE SHOPPING & NEWS

Trust the professionals to capture the fun and magic of your party or event! 21st parties, sports clubs, nightclubs, promoters, concerts, seminars plus corporate and social functions! We’ve been awarded “Best scene Photograph” PDMA in 2009, member of the AIPP and have extensive experience in photographing events from parties through to music events of 40,000 revellers, so you can be assured of affordable quality and professional photos for your party or event! Check us out or make a booking today at www.atomikarts.com

Discover tygarbright for your shopping needs http://tygarbright. com http://multimedia.tygarbright. com http://shopping.tygarbright. com http://unbeatablesales.tygarbright.com http://makemoney. tygarbright.com Enjoyable, quick, easy - links to Amazon, Yahoo Best Regards, Abra - 0416013269

ity, professional short courses in Digidesign Pro Tools 8 designed to improve your music and audio postproduction skills. PT 101 12-13 July PT 110 14-16 July PT 201 19-20 July PT 210M 21-23 July Logic Pro 101 7- 9 July Ring 9514 9931 or go to http://www. utsproschool.uts.edu.au to book your place iFlogID: 4586

TUITION P&O/DJ BOOTCAMP CRUISE

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IMMORAL FASHION P&O have teamed up with DJ Bootcamp to bring u Australias first 8 day/3 island professional DJ Course Cruise.Learn DJing and enjoy, food,entertainmet,accommidation and 3 islands!Early booking discounts.Go www.djbootcamp.com. au to book 95472578 info. Sails August 29, 2010

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LEGAL SERVICES

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100% devotion to music and the packaging it comes in. Pi (Paul Ikin) has a Complete Design Studio aimed at album cover design, packaging and Band Websites. Based in Melbourne Central Complex its easy to get to. Some of the services include * Art Layout design for CD’s/Digipack/Gatefolds, * Vinyl Sleeves 12” & 7”, and professional Band Websites. Feel free to visit our site to find out more about our services www.paulikin.com iFlogID: 4626

ILLUSTRATOR AVAILABLE

ImmoralFashion.com.au - For some of the best and the cheapest alternative footwear and fashion for Guys and Gals in Australia. New Rock, Demonia, Tripp NYC, Dusk Moth and more to come... iFlogID: 4429

Get that contract checked by a lawyer before you sign it. For commercial legal advice, contact James Irving, Lawyer, 0449-865807, www.irvinglaw.com.au

WANTED OTHER WANTED NEW FASHION DESIGNERS

1100 FULL COLOUR POSTERS = $80

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Want a logo to differentiate yourself from other bands? We can make you stand out from the rest! Boggleworks are currently offering a special price of $250 (RRP $349) for your very own custom designed logo. Visit www.boggleworks.com for more info. Be sure to enter the promotional code “IFLOG” for the special discount! iFlogID: 2808

WEB & GRAPHIC DESIGNSYDNEY

Do you need an affordable Illustrator? Freelance illustrator Paul Ikin has a 3 year Advance Diploma in Illustration and can create a range of styles for your project. No hidden cost at an affordable price. Album Covers - Book Sleeves Children Books - Online Images - Fliers - Posters - Editorial Artwork. Visit www.paulikin.com - T: 0403 996 129 World Wide based in Melbourne iFlogID: 4160

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Want to get your music heard on radio? Australian Broadcasting Media(ABM) has over 30 radio stations so getting your music out there is no problem! Interested? email andy@zfmcountrywide.com

anyone anywhere. www.paulikin. com ---Paul:0403 996 129

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GOSPEL SINGERS WANTED

Five world-class passionate vocalists wanted for a Gospel music CD project. Must have beautiful, passionate, powerful and devotional delivery. Sydney Based “Sons Of Genghis” need versatile drummer, if you play like primus meets Chilli Peppers, Faith no more meets Pantera,this is the band for you and we want your chops!! Check the sounds at www.myspace.com/sonsofgenghis. Call Jono 0410 330 702 or Andy 0420 771 357.

ONLY $80

Inner city (Perth) venues are seeking acoustic talent. Upmarket, new, sleek and stylish bar/restaurants. Currently booking April/May/ June Paid shows. PA is supplied. E-mail: info@jasonayres.com Please include link to your website, myspace or youtube. Solo/Duo preferred. . .

100 COLOUR POSTERS

ILLUSTRATOR AVAILABLE!

Visit our website for an extensive price list and other services! Qualified and trained. Freelance illustrator for childrens books, album cover, book covers, you name it! Based in Melbourne Central Complex but can do work for

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PRO TOOLS/LOGIC TRAINING

Launch my label fashion show is looking for new up and coming Australian fashion designers who want to showcase their collection on 27th May.Please contact chicpetiteevents@hotmail.com iFlogID: 4052

UTS:Pro School offers high qual-

THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010 • 51

ROTTOFEST CALL OUT FOR FUNNY FILMMAKERS Rottofest Film Festival, held Friday 27 August to Sunday 29, are calling out for Australian filmmakers to submit comedy skits (filmed) and short films to be shown during the festival. There are two categories in which you can enter: comedy skits of up to three minutes and comedy short films of between three and 15 minutes in length. The top 20 skits will be screened at the festival, while the top 15 short films will also be screened (The Strawberry – pictured – by director Stefan Radanovich, screened last year). Head to rottofest.com.au for entry form and entry details.

LAURA AND THE ANTS BAZ MCALISTER TALKS TO LAURA DAVIS ABOUT HER DEBUT SOLO SHOW, ANTS DON’T SLEEP.

P

erth comedian Laura Davis has steadily gained a foothold in the comedy mecca of Melbourne over the last couple of festivals, after taking out the Raw Recruit honour and last year performing as one-quarter of the Comedy Zone show. But this year the young comic took that huge step and put together her very first onehour solo stand-up show, Ants Don’t Sleep, which is now coming home. “It is so liberating to be able to sculpt a whole one hour and have it be exactly what you want it to be and

have it say exactly what you want it to say and have the poster look exactly how you want it to look,” she says breathlessly. “Okay. You’ve caught me there – I’m a control freak. But I also really love that I get to spend a proper amount of time with the audience. Other shows and gigs have felt rushed and crammed and controlled by somebody else. Doing this solo show has been like going on a lovely long date with the audience rather than speed dating. Yeah. That’s the analogy I want to use. It’s a rendezvous. Open mic comedy is like speed dating.

Short spots are quick coffee catchups. A full show is dinner, a movie and a long walk on the beach. Can you tell I’m single?” Davis says that Ants Don’t Sleep is a fun show themed around animals and her interesting observations about them. It’s part fun, part surrealism – she describes it as “a biology lecture on mushrooms”. Davis says her decision to do a show loaded with useful information stems from a fascination not with zoology per se, but with facts in general.

7

A FREEZE IS COMING TO PERTH Sydney contemporary artist Ben Frost will present a selection of new works at Wasteland Gallery from Saturday 29 May, called Tales Of Terror. Having made a name for himself bastardising corporate logos, Frost’s combination of street art, contemporary design, humour, and biting satire makes him one of the most valuable artists in Australia’s scene. Highly recommended.

UP

ROTTOFEST - THE STRAWBERRY

THIS WEEK IN THURSDAY 20 Chick Chick Boom – all-female line-up of stand-up comedy from Felicity Ward, Andrea Gibbs, Kerry O’Sullivan. Astor Theatre, 7.30pm. How Satan Got His Groove Back – stand-up comedy from Jeff Hewitt and friends. Astor Theatre, 9.15pm. Over The Fence Comedy Film Festival – a collection of funny (and some weird) films screening as part of the Wild West Comedy Festival. Cinema Paradiso, 8.30pm. Ben Cousins: A Rock Opera – the brainchild of Matt Walsh, Michelle Wilson, and Sean Burke, this comedy show satires one of Australia’s more notorious sports players. Hellenic Centre, 8.30pm. Ants Don’t Sleep – local funnygirl Laura Davis delivers her debut solo show, having previewed it at Melbourne Comedy Festival earlier in the year. Harry’s Bar, 7.15pm. Femme, Folk, And Fable – contemporary art from Amanda Shelsher, Simone Maynard, and Yvonne Zago. Opening night. Linton & Kay Contemporary, 7pm.

FRIDAY 21 How Satan Got His Groove Back – stand-up comedy from Jeff Hewitt and friends. Astor Theatre, 9.15pm. Ben Cousins: A Rock Opera – the brainchild of Matt Walsh, Michelle Wilson, and Sean Burke, this comedy show satires one of Australia’s more notorious sports players. Hellenic Centre, 8.30pm. Ants Don’t Sleep – local funnygirl Laura Davis delivers her debut solo show, having previewed it at Melbourne Comedy Festival earlier in the year. Harry’s Bar, 7.15pm.

SATURDAY 22 How Satan Got His Groove Back – stand-up comedy from Jeff Hewitt 52 • THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010

ARTS and friends. Astor Theatre, 9.15pm. Over The Fence Comedy Film Festival – a collection of funny (and some weird) films screening as part of the Wild West Comedy Festival. Cinema Paradiso, 8.30pm. Ben Cousins: A Rock Opera – the brainchild of Matt Walsh, Michelle Wilson, and Sean Burke, this comedy show satires one of Australia’s more notorious sports players. Hellenic Centre, 8.30pm. Ants Don’t Sleep – local funnygirl Laura Davis delivers her debut solo show, having previewed it at Melbourne Comedy Festival earlier in the year. Harry’s Bar, 7.15pm. Peter Berner and Jeff Green – the face of BackBerner and one of the funniest performers from Melbourne Comedy Fest respectively, the two team up to make Perth find their funny bones. Astor Theatre, 9pm. Stewart Hunt and Raymond Grenfell – poetry readings at Perth Poetry Club, Moon Café Saturday 22 May, 2pm.

SUNDAY 23 Over The Fence Comedy Film Festival – a collection of funny (and some weird) films screening as part of the Wild West Comedy Festival. Cinema Paradiso, 4.00pm. Ants Don’t Sleep – Harry’s Bar, 7.15pm.

MONDAY 24 Over The Fence Comedy Film Festival – a collection of funny (and some weird) films screening as part of the Wild West Comedy Festival. Cinema Paradiso, 8.30pm.

WEDNESDAY 26 The Magicians Double Set – Adam Dean and Adam Mada take you through a comedy show featuring sleight of hand and sleight of mind. Opening night. Hellenic Centre, 7pm.

TITLE = PLOT By Cam Grace

COMEDY WITH AN EXTRA DIMENSION

1. Snakes On A Plane (2006) 2. Mars Needs Women (1967) 3. Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living And Became Mixed-Up Zombies (1964) 4. Bela Lugosi Meets A Brooklyn Gorilla (1952) 5. Zack And Miri Make A Porno (2008) 6. Zombie Strippers (2008) 7. Bambi Meets Godzilla (1969)

For one of the more unique comedy experiences at Wild West Comedy Fest, you don’t have to go far. Perth musical comedy star Zack Adams will be presenting 3D: The Live Concert at Festival Club at Brass Monkey Thursday 20 May to Sunday 23. Audience members will be given 3D glasses to experience the enhanced show. Head to zackadams. homestead.com for more info.

SHOT SNAP-

UNTITLED, 2010 ROBERT JENKINS

Displaying as part of an exhibition of works by Robert Jenkins, held at Kurb Gallery, Northbridge this Saturday to Friday 28 May.

THE REAL THING MATTEO GARRONE’S GOMORRAH WASN’T THE ONLY ITALIAN MAFIA FILM OF LAST YEAR THAT DEALT A HEAVY PUNCH OF REALISM. THERE WAS ALSO THE SICILIAN GIRL, WHICH SCREENED LOCALLY AT THE ITALIAN FILM FESTIVAL. OUT ON DVD THIS WEEK, ALICE TYNAN TALKS TO ITS DIRECTOR, MARCO AMENTA.

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icilian-born director Marco Amenta is giving the mafia a new face in The Sicilian Girl. Based on the true story of Rita Atria, a 17-year-old girl who spoke out against the mafia after they killed her father and brother, Amenta has actually created a feature film adaptation of his own 1997 documentary One Girl Against The Mafia: Diary Of A Sicilian Girl (Diario di una siciliana ribelle). “The documentary had a lot of success around the world, it got a lot of prizes,” Amenta says. “Because of this, I knew that the story was so powerful, and a feature film could reach more people…and I needed something more than documentary because I wanted to express the psychological journey of this girl. “For me it was important to have this other [avenue] of expression; [a] feature film can allow you to tell the story with the images, with silence, with the faces of the characters.” For Australian audiences The Sicilian Girl may well seem reminiscent of the gritty portrayal of the Neapolitan mafia in Matteo Garrone’s Gomorrah.

In fact the two films were produced around the same time. “It means that probably there is a consciousness in [Italian] cinema to go towards realism, because we have seen so much fake[ness],” he says. “I mean, there were great films like Godfather, and all the American films, with great cinematography and great actors, but [they are] a little bit fake because it’s too romanticised. [The mafia] became like heroes. “I grew up in Sicily and I was a photographer, so I know these people. [Garrone and I took] almost a journalistic approach, and we tried to portray real people and not copy the stereotype of the mafia world. Because a lot of films now take from [other] films, and copy from the archetype of the image that movies have created. So if you portray the mafia boss you have to look at Al Pacino.” Amenta’s commitment to realism has seen him sued by members of the Sicilian Mafia. After his 2006 documentary about Cosa Nostra boss Bernardo Provenzano The Ghost Of Corleone (Il fantasma di Corleone),

Amenta was taken to court. “They sued me because now the Sicilian mafia is more clever,” he says. “They prefer not to threaten or to kill a journalist or director because they understand [it] is better for them to stay silent. The Camorra [the Neapolitan mafia that threatened Gomorrah writer Roberto Saviano], that mafia is more aggressive, more primitive, let’s say. The Sicilian mafia is more organised, [and] more wise because they saw as soon as they threaten or they kill, the public opinion is against them and the journalist has something to write about the mafia.” This uneasy truce is at the heart of

Amenta’s ‘love/hate’ relationship with his home country and the reason he sees Rita Atria’s remarkable story as “metaphoric of a possible change”. “The hero is not a big mafia boss; actually, the bosses are seen for what they are really: cowards, not big, courageous and charming men. The only courageous [person] is this little girl, who has the courage to fight against them. [Rita] changes values completely from starting [out as] the mafia girl; she [becomes] a normal girl who believes in justice.” WHAT: The Sicilian Girl WHERE & WHEN: Out now on DVD

C U LT U R A L

CRINGE

WITH ALEKSIA BARRON If your Thursday is going anything like mine usually are, you’ll be in desperate need of a laugh right about now. Fortunately, this weekend we are well catered for in dear old Dullsville, with the Wild West Comedy Festival in full swing. Of course, the big events have had promotion coming out the wazoo, so I won’t bang on about them too much (although it’s nice to see Peter Berner on a stage – does anyone else miss BackBerner on the ABC?) However, much like a music festival, often the greatest joys are stumbled across on the smaller stages, the sort you find accidentally on the search for the elusive no-queue portaloos. To help you stumble in the right direction, here are some tips. Check out How Satan Got His Groove Back (Upstairs at the Astor, Thursday 20 May to Saturday 22), written by local lads Jeff Hewitt, Adam Scott, and John Robertson. It follows the Devil (Hewitt) as he undergoes a mid-life crisis, with the always-hilarious Robertson as his counsel and films from WA Screen Awards nominee Scott. Alternatively, providing you never met John Wayne Gacy, Jr as a child, you might enjoy Bad Clown over at Lazy Susan’s Comedy Den, from Thursday 20 May to Saturday 22. The name should really be a good enough reason to bag a seat at this exploration of what goes on behind the curtains of the Big Top. Also, don’t forget the Critical Mass Debate (see

GREEN PHOTOGRAPHY PAINTS PORTRAITS

G A L L E RY

what they did there?) at the Astor on Monday 24. Despite the rather obvious pub, this is a highlight in the making, more or less guaranteed to make you choke on your Cheezels. If drinking top-shelf liquor and looking bored (but impressed) is more your style, you might want to head down to the Grey Door Gallery – a small bar (another one?) that strives to capture that so-Melbourne feeling (another one?!) – on Friday 21 May to check out Double Feature, a dual exhibition from local artists Ryan Boserio and Timothy Rollin. You’ll be caught off-guard by Boserio’s surreal anatomical studies, which blend “traditional” artistic technique with digital manipulation. It’s an interesting contrast with Rollin’s illustrative style, which so carefully treads the boundaries between art and kitsch. Grey Door’s a nifty little venue with quality booze, and anything that exhibits local art gets my vote. It’s behind the Claremont Hotel. Finally, it can be tricky to keep tabs on all the cultural happenings sometimes. Occasionally, things slip through the cracks. For your humble columnist, one such faux pas is that I have not seen The Hurt Locker – that little film about a bomb squad in Iraq that only, oh, snatched the Best Picture/Director Oscars from under James Cameron’s expectant nose. Luckily, I will be able to nullify my shame on Monday 24 May, when Luna Leederville screen it alongside Invictus in a Monday Doubles.

PROFILE

Tell us about the gallery. Established in 1990, the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA) is the focal point for contemporary arts in Western Australia. Housed in an iconic building in the heart of Perth, PICA is the only place where West Australians and visitors to the state can experience the best of local, Australian and international contemporary visual, performing, new media, and hybrid arts. What are some of your past highlights? Early in 2010, PICA was pleased to present the first solo exhibition by Danish artist Jeppe Hein, in partnership with the Perth International Arts Festival. This exhibition featured a survey of his key works inside the gallery, as well as the extremely popular

PICA Perth Cultural Centre, James St, Northbridge pica.org.au

Appearing Rooms that took over the Perth Cultural Centre for two months. What’s currently exhibiting? Currently in PICA’s galleries is Hatched 2010: National Graduate Show. Now in its 19th year, this exhibition features the work of 39 graduates from 20 art schools from around the country. The exhibition features an extreme mix of expanded drawing and painting practices, soft architecture and aural environments – amongst other eye-, mind- and ear-bending aesthetic experiments! Hatched runs until 13 June. Looking to the immediate future – what’s on the cards? We’re really excited about our third exhibition programme of 2010, which opens on 25 June with all-new work by Bevan Honey in the Westend Gallery, who has made a burnout

machine amongst other sculptures and a 30-metre long drawing. The main space is being taken over by eight of Perth’s up and coming artists for ROUNDS – where 32 new works have been generated out of a creative call and response cycle of four six-week rounds of production and art making. In the screen space during this time is the first Australian showing of The History Of The Typewriter recited by Michael Winslow by German based artist Ignacio Uriate. The title of the work dictates the content of the film as the title phrase is typed repeatedly through the keystrokes of 32 different typewriters, each mimicked by actor/comedian Michael Winslow, famous for his role in the Police Academy movies.

Photographer Jake ‘Dr Green’ England is hosting an exhibition at Kurb Gallery, Northbridge, from Tuesday 1 June titled 31 In 30 Days. England set out to capture 31 different people, on a 50mm lens, over a period of 30 days, and pays tribute to late American photographer Richard Averdon. Head to kurbgallery. com for more info.

31 PEOPLE IN 30 DAYS JAKE ENGLAND

A LITTLE INSANITY WITH YOU IMPROV The winter season of Spontaneous Insanity’s Theatre Sports takes over Subiaco Arts Centre for the next four Sundays, 23 May, 30 May, 6 June, and 13 June. Hosted by Glenn Hall (Spontaneous Broadway) and featuring the musical direction of Courtney Murphy, Theatre Sports will bring together comedians, actors, improv artists, and others. Head to bocsticketing.com.au for tickets.

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THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010 • 53

FEW ARTISTS CAN ENTIRELY DISORIENTATE VIEWERS QUITE LIKE PIERRE BISMUTH, WHO GAVE BIRTH TO ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND. JASON KENNY TRIES TO GET A HOLD ON IT.

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ierre Bismuth’s work thrives on creating a reality, then pulling the rug out from underneath. The popular culture high water mark of his long career would be creating the idea and synopsis behind Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind, which saw him earn an Oscar with his co-writers Charlie Kaufman and director Michel Gondry. The film is not the only example of Bismuth messing with the perceptions of reality, since all the ideas are connected to his other work. “The idea is coming from my brain,” he explains in a thick French accent, “so I suppose it is connected with my other work, but it does in fact. There is a lot of connection with questions of erasure and memory that are regular in my work. I’m a son of a doctor so I was always interested in these kind of questions about how the brain works and how you understand things and how perceptions function.” He met Gondry in the late ’80s and the two have had some work in common, though strictly speaking, not collaborations. “They say that Michel was always interested in my work and he used, with my permission, some of my video work with some of the musical pieces he did. He mentioned it in one of his DVD sets. “If I want to be totally honest I don’t think I’ve ever worked with Michel.

FILM

Either he was inspired by some of the things I have done or in the case of Eternal Sunshine, he bought the rights to the synopsis. And in the case of the All Seeing Eye, we talked about the principle and then I realised it myself. I never really worked with Michel more than spending two hours together on a project.” All Seeing Eye is one piece that Bismuth is bringing to the Fremantle Arts Centre for an exhibition of his work and some open talks of his art pieces. “The All Seeing Eye is another nonnarrative version of Eternal Sunshine. When we did the film I proposed to do an artwork so we did the All Seeing Eye after.” The link between the film and the art piece is quite apparent, along with themes of deconstructed logic that run through Bismuth’s work. “It’s a 360 degrees rotating camera that is scanning an apartment, a private apartment,” Bismuth describes. “What happens is that with each revolution makes objects disappear until there’s nothing left in the room. You start with the classical bourgeois apartment and you end up with an art gallery, in a way. It’s like if the camera was absorbing everything it’s looking at.” The two pieces, Eternal Sunshine and the All Seeing Eye, seem to provide a great introduction to his work. The common theme is built up in different

ETERNAL DECONSTRUCTION

ways, exploring the ideas Bismuth says are central to his art. “I like to dismantle logic and to reconsider things in a different order,” he says, adding he does it for his own interest more than any perceived audience. “I have a tendency to dismantle things and find out how it works and maybe to put it back in a different order because I think it’s more interesting.” Another major work that he brings to the FAC, and one that he’s put back into his own order, is his reinterpretation of Walt Disney’s version of The Jungle Book. The world spanning essence of the Disney corporation has provided Bismuth with a unique take on the tale. “This is a project I have done some years ago,” he says. “I always loved The Jungle Book when I was a kid and I tried to get all the different languages. When I started this collection I realised it was very interesting to go from one language to another and I decided to just mix all the languages in one film so each character in the Jungle Book is in a different language that is provided by Walt Disney itself. So I didn’t really create anything, I’m just redistributing the languages through the characters in the film.” Despite having collected versions of the film in 19 languages, Bismuth says his linguistic skills are quite limited. “Very little,” he claims. “Very bad English, very bad French, and – that’s it.” While in Fremantle for the exhibition, and a special screening of Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind, Bismuth will hold discussions of his work and of the film. Though

his English might not be perfect, his passion is for talking about art even if talking about art is not a natural process. “Not natural,” he describes, “I’m trained for it. If you mean do I do it easily? Then yes. “I like to do it but because I’m used to it, not because it’s a natural quality. I think a part of the reason you do art is because you like to talk about the ideas around it. I’m not somebody who is obsessed about putting anything more [on the artwork]; I just enjoy sharing ideas and learning. The process of making art is a mix. It’s not purely producing, it’s being part of a discussion that’s broader than just producing things.” Next on Bismuth’s agenda is another feature film, though this time he’s more involved throughout the whole process. “I’m working on mainly a few projects. The main one is a film that is going to take place in the Californian desert and it’s a search for an art piece that is hidden in the desert. It’s partly scripted by me and realised by me.” Since the one feature he’s been involved with has become something of a cult classic, it will be something to look out for. WHO: Pierre Bismuth WHEN & WHERE: Screening of Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind, Millenium Cinema Sunday 23 May; Pierre Bismuth exhibition, FAC Wednesday 26 May to Sunday 18 July; Pierre Bismuth In Conversation, FAC, Saturday 29 May (2.30pm)

MOVING ON

REVIEWS

FIONA O’LOUGHLIN TALKS TO TOBY WALKER ABOUT THERAPY THROUGH STAND-UP.

FOOD, INC.

FOOD, INC. If we are what we eat, then we sure as hell should know where our food comes from. So sayeth director Robert Kenner and his two journalist talking heads Eric Schlosser and Michael Pollan (authors of Fast Food Nation and The Omnivore’s Dilemma respectively) in the illuminating documentary Food, Inc. Though it’s a bit laboriously repeated, Kenner’s main thesis centres on ‘lifting the veil’ of multinational controlled food production, and challenging the ‘pastoral fantasy’ that bewitches American consumers. And the reality is indeed shocking. From crammed-in chickens, allowed no skerrick of daylight, to hectares of cattle ‘farms’ with nary a blade of grass in sight. No, these aren’t farms, Kenner points out, they are factories. Divided into a series of revealing vignettes, Food, Inc. hammers home the frightening power multinational corporations hold over consumers ‘from seed to supermarket.’ Pressured farmers, exploited workers, staggering politics, E-coli fatalities and the obesity driven diabetes epidemic are all elucidated in a well paced film that is provocative enough to capture your attention, but not so gory as to sour the experience of watching the documentary. 54 • THE DRUM MEDIA 20 MAY 2010

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HARRY BROWN Unfortunately, for those who choose to watch the film, it may well be a case of preaching to the organic eating converted, but it is nonetheless an important and well-produced voice to join contemporary debates about education, health care and corporate responsibility. And most importantly, as the tagline promises, Food, Inc. will definitely change the way you look at dinner. WHEN: Screening in cinemas from 20 May ALICE TYNAN

HARRY BROWN There is something odious about Harry Brown. No, it’s not that musty old man smell (that surely doesn’t afflict the likes of Sir Michael Caine), it’s the stench of scandalous sensationalism. For that’s what director Daniel Barber serves up, couched in a Gran Torino style senior citizen revenge tale. But where the Clint Eastwood vehicle actually crafted a socio-economic, cross-cultural dilemma with regards to the film’s antagonists (albeit a rather questionable one), the council estate kids Caine’s eponymous ‘hero’ ruthlessly dispatches are characterised as nothing more than frenzied animals.

The abject amorality as well as the horrific violence of Harry Brown is actually quite stomach churning. From the film’s opening, senseless murder to Caine’s supposedly justified rampage, the spurting blood and pumping music is the utterly unnecessary result of video game violence brought to vicious life. Any supposed thrills that are meant to be enjoyed at the sight of Caine knocking heads and dealing justice (which, to be fair, he does with aplomb) are completely stymied by the heinous stance of the film which in no way problematises or humanises the realities of the council estate gangs. Instead they are mere cannon fodder for Barber and screenwriter Gary Young’s misanthropic and bloody fantasies, with Emily Mortimer’s thoughtful police detective thrown in for a bit of climactic feminine distress. Barber and cinematographer Martin Ruhe (Control) are clearly skilled at bringing a stylish, well paced and atmospheric thriller to life. If only they hadn’t so thoroughly undercut themselves with such an offensive storyline. WHEN: Screening in cinemas from 20 May ALICE TYNAN

or the last eight months a large white elephant has attached itself in a nationally prominent way to comedian Fiona O’Loughlin. The elephant follows her up the stairs every time she walks on stage or plonks down beside her every time a camera swings in her direction. The aforementioned elephant first appeared in July last year following O’Loughlin’s disastrous, boozeaffected stand-up performance in Brisbane – the fallout of which resulted in her going public about her battle with alcoholism. Due to make her first appearance on Dancing With The Stars the following week, the timing of O’Loughlin’s admission ensured her story received the maximum tabloid touch up, and allowed everyone with an opinion and an internet connection to side with competing choruses of support or indignation. O’Loughlin admits to having trawled online forums to read some of the nasty posts written about her in the wake of the media coverage; something she says she did out a sense of self-loathing and responsibility, but won’t be in a rush to do again anytime soon. “Some people are a bit confused about why I’m so public about it, but the more I talk about this loudly the safer it keeps me,” O’Loughlin says. “I’ve almost seen it as a bit of a privilege. A lot of people battle alcoholism anonymously while I can’t walk into a bottle shop in the country.

“I actually had a panic attack yesterday after a day of doing interviews and talking about [the battle with alcoholism] and I asked that question of myself, [am I talking about it too much?] There were a few rumours circulating while I was doing Dancing With The Stars that the whole thing was a publicity stunt, but that would have been a 10-year plan. Not even I’m not that good.” Far from appearing the wearied performer tired of comedy’s late night carousel, O’Loughlin’s crackling laugh still comes easily first thing in the morning. However, the mother-of-five’s personal and confiding approach to comedy means there’s no escaping the subject of drinking – at least for now – and while she doesn’t shy away from talking about it when asked, she is also

keen to avoid being seen as exploiting her situation for a cheap laugh. “Because I’ve always been kind of autobiographical this [show] kind of wrote itself,” she says. “I’ll only talk about [alcoholism] for a year in my show though. I’m hoping it won’t define me, but I’ve got to wear this and I’m aware of that – and I’m happy to talk about it; that’s how I cope with everything. “But I might have to start shoplifting or get a personal assistant and start bashing her over the head with a mobile phone.” WHAT: Fiona O’Loughlin: On A Wing And A Prayer WHEN & WHERE: Tuesday 25 & Wednesday 26 May, Astor Theatre

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