Blank Gold Coast Edition 3, 5 Feb 2014

05 Feb ‘14

free

THE VERNONS worth standing in line for

issue #003

MUSIC

Earth Freq Festival Kip Casper Glass Towers Finch Bo Ningen

CULTURE

GC comedy Australia Day. Oops GC Art Festival Recycled love

SURF

Surf comp season Recreational Surfing Association

FOOD

Paleo pinup AVVIA Alfred’s apartment Barefoot Barista

ENVIRO

Sand dunes Music for orangutans

humans of Gold Coast

“How do you celebrate Australia Day?” “I like to carry on the tradition that I’ve grown up with; Heading to the beach with family and friends for a good ol’ Aussie BBQ and a day of beach cricket. Oh, and a portable radio to listen to the Triple J Hottest 100 countdown!

Can’t believe Royals wasn’t Number One!”

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#003 05 FEB 2014 Editor: Samantha Morris Design: Chloe Popa, Blunt Pencil Design Music coordinator: Mella Bunker Music feature: Christie Ots Photographer: Leisen Standen, Lamp Photography Contributors Andrew Scott, Anthony Gebhardt, Jake Wilton, Carmel E Lewis, Mic Smith, Kemii Maguire, Nev Pearce, Emily Hosking, Gina Martin, Christie Ots, Chris Lamaro, Jessie Ryan-Allen, Terry Tappa Teece, Katie Hooper, Marj Osborne, Catherine Coburn, Anna Itkonen, Pip Andreas, Christian Stranger, Bogdan Popa, Naomi Edwards With special thanks All of our writers are volunteers. Hell, every one of us working on this magazine is volunteering to bring you all of this groovy content every three weeks. It’s a punt – we’re working on the theory that if we’re passionate about GC culture, music and art that others will be too. So, thank you for your support and thank you to the incredible team of talented people who are putting this magazine together for the love of culture. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for all the news between editions.

Editorial: news@blankgc.com.au Advertising: advertising@blankgc.com.au Blank Gold Coast PO Box 878 Broadbeach QLD 4218 www.blankgc.com.au Blank GC is independently owned and published.

Opinons expressed in Blank GC are not necessarily those of the editor, publisher or contributors. www.blankgc.com.au

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point blank The Scientists are one of Australia’s most influential bands.

Hailing from Perth and led by Kim Salmon they’ve leant their influence to artists such as Mudhoney – recently on our shores for Big Day Out. With their original lineup, The Scientists will scoot into The Trans in Brisbane, 27 March.

We think there’ll be a scuffle for who gets the media pass for Blank.

They’ve spent the last 25 years free-pouring a righteous mix of mind-bending 60’s sound, heavy drug ‘n’ fuzz 70’s riffs and lashings of infinite psychedelic space rock. And in April, they hit Brisbane. Monster Magnet return to blow minds across Australia and play the Hi-Fi on Saturday 5 April.

For months, Australian indie dance oufit RÜFÜS have been exchanging strongly worded letters and colourful internal jibes about an existing US trademark on the name Rufus.

It’s meant that the band has had to change their name for their upcoming tour of North America. They’ll be known as RÜFÜS DU SOL. The move allows the band to release their number 1 ARIA debut record Atlas in North America.

They’ll be at SXSW for the first time and will be touring other parts of USA and Canada too.

Pharrell Williams just took home four Grammys including one for Producer of the Year for his work behind the scenes on Album of The Year, Daft Punk’s Get Lucky. And now he’s been announced as headline for Future Music Festival which comes to Brisbane Saturday 1 March. Pharrell Williams will be joined by Deadmau5, Macklemore and

RÜFÜS DU SOL

night. You can find the good grooves at Rabbit+Cocoon, home of the Miami Marketta, Studio 10. You can hit up the facebook page (nlnlgoldcoast) for more info or to request songs or themes.

They’re raw, there’s no doubt about it. Gold Coast swamp blues outfit Hell And Whiskey have released their first studio EP titled Can’t Beat the Blues. Armed with a guitar, a harp and two barbed-wire voices, these two fellas will shred your face off and blow your mind. You can see Hell And Whiskey play at a new blues bar in Byron called Jonson’s on Friday 14 February or at their regular jaunt, Southern Cross Tavern on 1 March. Check their music out on Reverbnation or Facebook.

You’d have to be my dad to not know by now that Vance Joy is absolutely killing it in 2014. As well as his single Riptide taking out Triple J’s Hottest 100 and scoring a slot in the UK’s Top 10 Singles Chart, it was also crowned the highest selling Australian single by ARIA. He’s just performed at Laneway and is embarking on sold-out shows of the UK and Europe as well as hitting up SXSW. To top things off, Riptide was iTunes’ Single Of The Week last week. And he hasn’t even released his debut album yet. It’s due in the second half of 2014.

It’s a shame Townsville is so far up the road, because Groovin the Moo has unveiled an impressive and diverse lineup for its 2014 events. With the addition of a sixth date in South Australia and a solid track record over recent years, it’s nearly worth making the trek north just to join the fun.

On the bill are Dizzee Rascal, The Jezabels, Vance Joy, The Presets, Parkway Drive, The Naked and Famous, Kingswood, The Jungle Giants and Violent Soho.

It might not be the most likely venue for four massive acts to descend on the GC, but EAST is playing host this month to Glass Towers, Willow Beats, JAWS and Von Villains.

Tickets are only $30 and the gig happens Sunday 23

Headland Peddler

Ryan Lewis, Phoenix, Hardwell, Rudimental and many more. Pharrell Williams also plays a sideshow at RNA Showgrounds on 12 March. Tickets are available through Oztix.

February. It’s being coordinated by local promoters Viral Brand Agency who also recently brought Wolfmother to Swingin’ Safari. Tickets will go fast, so we recommend getting in quick. Visit Oztix for more information.

No Lights No Lycra is one of the most inclusive forms of group exercise you can imagine. It’s a drug and alcohol free event, it’s only $7, kids are welcome and all you need to bring is comfortable clothing and water. The concept is growing in popularity – where a group of funksters get together in a dark room and dance their pounding hearts out. The good news is, it happens right here on the coast every Wednesday

Gold Coast lads Headland Peddler are releasing a song off their upcoming album. But they need your help to put together the video. They’re calling for people from across the globe to submit footage of themselves grooving to their song Some Days. So far they’ve got footage from Germany, Sweden, Cuba, Melbourne, and of course the Gold Coast.

For all the details, watch: tinyurl.com/headped and send

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your video submissions by the end of February to clasified@ hotmail.com.

The 2014 edition of Earth Frequency Festival is set to take place at an amazing new venue - Ivory’s Rock near Peak Crossing, in the lush setting of the Scenic Rim. Earth Frequency Festival is a music, arts, lifestyle and environment festival and has a strong focus on performance, art, transformation, healing and community spirit. It happens 14 – 17 February with OKA, Dubmarine, Kooii, Saritah, Wild Marmalade with Paul George, Chocolate Strings, Fyah Walk, Spakinhide and others making up the bill. Pre-sale tickets for the 4 day event are just $240 and can be purchased from Mandala Organic Arts Café, Happy Herb Shops at Coolangatta and Southport.

Get all the details at http://www.earthfrequency.com.au.

While some are lamenting the loss of Stone Temple Pilots from the Soundwave bill, others are rejoicing at The Living End stepping up to fill the vacancy. The US rockers had cited a clash before pulling out of their Australian commitment.

The Living End join Greenday, Avenged, Sevenfold, Megadeth, Korn and Placebo amongst others when the festival comes to Brisbane on Sunday 22 February.

Nicky Bomba’s tropical, shaking, six-piece band Bustamento pays homage to the upbeat rhythms of the Caribbean, embracing calypso, mento, early reggae and ska.

If that sounds like your thing, then you’ll want to head to Bond University on Sunday 23 March as they celebrate their 25th anniversary as part of Bleach*. It’s free and more information is available at bond.edu.au/bustamento.

Gold Coast City Council is launching its Cultural Development Program this month, with live music and networking at The Loft. It happens Tuesday 11 February from 5.45pm. For more information about how you can get involved, phone the Cultural Development Unit on 07 5581 6871. RSVP is essential.

OKA If you haven’t been to check out the comedic offerings at The Basement at the Arts Centre, February is as good a month as any. On Friday 7 February, Lawrence Mooney – a regular on Spicks and Specks takes to the stage. Bev Killicks puts on a special show for Valentine’s Day on Friday 14 February.

And Darren Sanders, a regular on Rove and The Comedy Channel hits town on Friday 21 February. More information and tickets are available at the Box Office on 07 5588 4000.

And special dinner and show tickets are available. More info at theartscentregc.com.au.

Send your news to news@blankgc.com.au.

Bleach* SOUNDLOUNGE

tickets online at

www.bleachfestival.com.au

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31/01/2014 12:13 pm

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BLANK GIVEAWAYS Thanks to the generous folks at Earth Frequency Festival, we have a single ticket to this special event to give away (read our story in this edition). To enter, send an email to news@blankgc.com.au with the subject heading “Earth Frequency Giveaway” and your name and mobile number in the body of the email. A random winner will be drawn at midday on Saturday 8 February.

We have 4 double passes to give away to the epic lineup going down at EAST on Sunday 23 February featuring Willow Beats, Glass Towers, JAWS and Von Villains. You do not want to miss this show. To be in the running for one of these double passes, send an email with “We love Viral Brand Agency” as the subject line to news@blankgc.com.au. You must include your full name, address and mobile phone number.

Winners will be drawn at random at midday Saturday 15 February.

Can’t get enough of the Von Villains? Be in the running to score a Von Villains EP by sending an email with “Von Villains EP Giveaway” as the subject line to news@blankgc.com.au by Saturday 22 February.

Thanks to the lovely ladies who make up Hussy Hicks, we have an autographed copy of their album The London Sessions. To enter, send an email to news@blankgc.com.au with the subject heading “Hussy Hicks Giveaway” and your name and address in the body of the email. A random winner will be drawn at midday on Saturday 22 February.

We also have a copy of The Jezabels’ new album The Brink to share with one lucky reader. You know the drill, send an email to news@blankgc. com.au with the subject heading “Jezabels CD Giveaway” with your name and address in the body of the email. A random winner will be drawn at midday on Saturday 22 February.

Tickets at soundlounge.com.au

February FRI 14 FEB

Saritah + Fyah Walk

GRANT WRITING WORKSHOP

FOR COMMUNITY & ENVIRONMENT GROUPS

FRI 21 FEB

Bandito Folk + The Phoncurves FRI 28 FEB

Tijuana Cartel

March FRI 07 MAR

Sunday 9 February, 7 The Avalon, Avalon Parade, Miami Cost $140 inc GST, refreshments provided Numbers limited and all resources included 9.30am – 2.00pm More information sam@wombatcreative.com.au

Bleach* Festival Opening Party

Elizabeth Rose + The Trouble with Templeton + Hey Geronimo FRI 14 MAR Bleach* Festival Event

Violent Soho + Bad//Dreems + The Sinking Teeth FRI 21 MAR Bleach* Festival Event

The Transparentsea Voyage Movie Screening with music by Band of Frequencies + special guests FRI 28 MAR

Sam has 20 years experience writing grants for a range of community sectors and is a dab hand at busting through the jargon so that you understand exactly what funders are looking for and the best way to write an application. This workshop is interactive and hands on and participants are encouraged to bring either half written submissions, guidelines and forms for grants they're keen to target, or half-baked ideas that need shaping into projects which will win funds and influence panels.

Mark Wilkinson

April FRI 11 APR

Uncle Jed THUR 17 APR

The Bad Shepherds Featuring Adrian Edmondson

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www.wombatcreative.com.au

WORTH STANDING IN LINE FOR Christie Ots sat down with Jonny and James, two of the members of The Vernons to discuss what’s ahead for the band, what lays behind and who exactly it is that wants to perform with Nikki Webster.

Last year was huge for The Vernons, and it seems like things are only going to get bigger in 2014. Having spent 2013 playing at Big Day Out, supporting Seasick Steve, The Rubens, and Wolfmother and touring the country, The Vernons are definitely on the way to great things.

Consisting of four Aussie lads: Jonny Nyst (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), James Nikiforides (lead guitar), Hugh Tait (bass) and Elliot Gooch (drums) the band has a blues and rock sound that goes down like good liquor…smooth, with a little bit of bite.

I was lucky enough to sit down with Jonny and James in a quiet studio, as the Miami Marketta raged around us, and OJ the resident puppy raced between us. With their first EP Volume I having been released last year I was curious as to how their latest tour to America had gone. Jonny, sitting on a lounge, shrugs modestly, “Yeah it was great touring internationally,” he says. James adds, “Jonny played shows in New York as well as the tour!”

One of the things that is most striking about these guys is how unaffected they seem by the attention they’ve received.

Having spent last year touring both nationally and internationally they are still quite humble. Though they do appreciate their privacy, and may not go into too much detail on some things, they’re still excited to share their upcoming plans.

James explains, “It’s going to be a big year, we have the second EP we’re releasing and the tour is booked for July.”

Jonny chimes in, “We have quite a few shows planned in Byron, Sydney, Melbourne, Sunny Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast and more. The last time we went down to Sydney the shows were sold out!” James laughs as he adds, “And some get pretty wild!”

Having seen these guys play live before, I’m well aware of how energetic the crowd can get when dancing to songs like Standing In Line, so my imagination is running wild picturing what may have occurred. James hints, “There was a weird one, some stuff happened at Commune,” but Jonny laughingly cuts in, “Yeah, but I don’t know if we want that recorded!” Nodding James says, “Jonny went crowd surfing once, not intentionally either. At Elsewhere, the crowd grabbed him and dragged him through.” Jonny laughs, remembering the hometown show, “Yeah, it was great. In a happy mob way it was great, pretty crazy. We usually try to keep things from getting too crazy.”

Something to get crazy about is the band’s next EP, Volume II, which comes out this year. James explains that they are probably going to continue to release volumes for the EPs,

but future albums will be different.

“To be honest it was just the easiest way for us to cut the list of names down,” laughs Jonny, “It’s so hard to choose, like band names, that easily took us eight months.” James interjects, “We had one, the Pescadores, but everyone thought we were some Mariachi band. That was upsetting because that’s my favourite music, it’s all I want to play.” Both guys are laughing as Jonny adds, “We originally had another name, which we sometimes play under, but that’s a secret.”

With four great tracks on the current EP, and more to be released on Volume II this year, I questioned the guys about their song writing. White Wine is a track that stands out on Volume I because of its quiet simplicity. Jonny’s voice resonates throughout the song, with his trademark velvety growl, and the guys keep the instruments effortlessly controlled.

Jonny explains, “I came up with the riff when we were playing at Black Bear Lodge, and the next day we were jamming at Elliot’s house, and we decided to do something with it. We started jamming and it came about. No epic story unfortunately.“ James adds as he laughs, “No, then we fought a dragon and…” Playing along, Jonny nods, “Yeah during my massive drug addiction, when I killed a guy,” he shakes his head and smiles, “No it was a pretty simple moment.”

Something not so simple is choosing which of their idols they would play with, if given the chance, “Nikki Webster,” Jonny says quickly and then laughs. James shakes his head and says, “For me it would be Keith (Richards), I just want to play like him, so I would love to meet the guy. He’s crazy; how he’s still alive I don’t know. He’s got that thing where he doesn’t care what people think, he was writing music for years and then people jumped on board.” “And all I could www.blankgc.com.au

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a dragon and…” Playing along, Jonny nods, “Yeah during my massive drug addiction, when I killed a guy,” he shakes his head and smiles, “No it was a pretty simple moment.”

Something not so simple is choosing which of their idols they would play with, if given the chance, “Nikki Webster,” Jonny says quickly and then laughs. James shakes his head and says, “For me it would be Keith (Richards), I just want to play like him, so I would love to meet the guy. He’s crazy; how he’s still alive I don’t know. He’s got that thing where he doesn’t care what people think, he was writing music for years and then people jumped on board.” “And all I could think of was Nikki Webster!” Jonny says while laughing at himself.

The lads go on to discuss Nikki Webster at length. “ She does have banging vocals though, where is she these days?” “You know her brother is Tom Webster, the guys who plays all the acoustics.”

“Okay, maybe I should say the Webster family then. I’m not sure actually, sorry,” Jonny says.

James shakes his head in disbelief, “Really, you don’t know which of your idols you would want to play with?”

After a second of thought Jonny has it, “Probably Ray Charles actually. I think if you jammed with Ray Charles, you would probably never want to play another song again.”

James laughs and warns, “I think you would walk out knowing how rubbish you are!” Nodding in agreement at the incredible skills of Ray Charles, Jonny sighs, “That’s true.

Maybe I should stick to the Webster family band.”

It’s clear from the joking, nods of understanding and looks the guys give each other that they are great friends. As OJ the puppy springs onto Jonny’s chair, the talk turns to my unusual guest. James is a firm supporter of having dogs at interviews, “ I think it needs to become a constant,” he says.

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Jonny chimes in while scratching OJ, “I would love to have a puppy on our Rider. That is a really good idea!” Getting excited, James explains to me, “We call our bass guitarist ‘pup’, he would love a dog on the rider!” Jonny interjects, “You might be in deep trouble with PETA or something, paint being thrown at you.” James seems dejected at the idea as he concludes, “Yeah, but I literally just want to pat it for a while.” Speaking of potentially troubling rider requests Jonny says, “I hear Mariah Carey asks for a rare plant that has to have a specific number of leaves on it. You only get to that level once you’ve been writing a Christmas album every year.”

One thing that is exactly the same in person as on stage is the enthusiasm they have. At the idea of a Christmas album James seems keen as he says, “I would love to do a Christmas album! A covers album of Christmas carols…stay tuned.”

be thankful for. The boys are savvy as to how the business works these days. James states, “Media has changed and so you have to keep up with that.” Whether it’s video, EPs or live shows these guys know how to satisfy an audience. “I’m a mean dancer,” James adds, “Actually Hugh knows how to dance!” Jonny explains, “Hugh’s a pop and locker, he likes his Hip Hop. He even has a blog.” The Vernons are a busy band and it’s easy to understand why they’re in high demand.

Heading into the studio in February to start recording their next EP Volume II, they’re still writing songs. “We’ve written a lot,” Jonny explains, “We’re always writing.” James nods, adding “Usually you want to go into recording knowing the songs you’re going to record, but we’re still writing, so it’s interesting. The hardest part is deciding what actually makes the EP. We’ve found that even amongst ourselves we have favourites. Plus everyone has a favourite; you’re parents have something to say, your friends something to say…even your

“You only get to that level once you’ve been writing a Christmas album every year.”

While they may not have a Christmas album on the way, The Vernons are looking forward to their upcoming gig at Elsewhere on 21 of February. James says, “It’s going to be great, home shows are always awesome. The hometown shows, you come back to the Loft or Elsewhere and see everyone.” Jonny agrees, “They’re great fun, I do love a good Loft or Elsewhere gig!”

The band released music videos for Standing In Line and White Wine last year, which can be found on their YouTube page. With uncomplicated, but intriguing concepts the videos are another format that fans can fall in love with The Vernons through. Jonny says, “There will definitely be more coming up. People love their videos these days, so we make sure we put out visuals,” which is something fans can

dog has something to say.” The guys laugh as Jonny adds, “Also some songs go better with others, it has to be a whole piece of art.”

When asked what one thought they would like to leave their fans and readers with James smiles cheekily and says, “You can get cheaper tickets presale and like us on Facebook!”

Jonny laughs, “What’s the Bieber saying…never say never?

No that’s a joke. Just to be yourself, because you are awesome.”

You can catch the guys at Elsewhere on 21 February 2014 and presale tickets are available through Oztix right now.

TUNING IN TO THE EARTH’S FREQUENCY

WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE FreQ Nasty Born in Fiji, raised in New Zealand and forged in the dance music revolution in 90’s London, FreQ Nasty has released a slew of cutting-edge records, collaborating with and remixing a diverse range of artists including Fatboy Slim, Kelis, KRS One, Roots Manuva, Rodney P, Bassnectar, and Reggae legend Junior Delgado.

He is one of Burning Man’s most loved DJs, where he brings his signature mix of drumstep, glitch-hop, dubstep, and all things bass heavy every year.

Earth Frequency Festival started as a tree planting doof on the Sunshine Coast for about 300 people. From those humble origins the event has taken root and evolved to be a four day gathering with live and electronic music, artists, healers, visionaries and intellectuals. This year’s event is expected to attract some 3,500 people.

OKA A celebration of all that it is to be alive and free in the world today, OKA draws upon their indigenous connection to place and country through music. Their signature sound is an irresistible blend of influences spanning house, big beat, reggae-dub, roots, jazz and world music. A rhythm based sonic tapestry crossing cultural boundaries, embracing the future without losing sight of the past. At the creative heart of the music is Stu Boga Fergie (aka DidgeriSTU) who connects you to earth with the deep subsonic pulse and resonance of his Yidaki (didgeridoo).. The Collective includes Chris Lane on slide guitar, harmonica and woodwinds including bamboo, flute & sax and holding down the groove is Samoan-Australian Charlie Zappa.

Festival director Paul Abad says the festival has a specific intent: to capture the spirit of cosmic experience – to dance, share, gather, launch, love and educate through a positive gathering of different tribes.

“Every year it seems to grow a bit,” says Paul. “I guess a few years in I realised it had the potential to become something really special beyond its original concept, and so it’s been guided towards becoming the multi-faced festival that it is now.

And multi-faceted it is. With performance, visionary art, installations, multimedia, live art and harmonic spaces as well as live music from the likes of OKA, Dubmarine, Saritah, Kooii, Fyah Walk and live electronica from Freq Nasty, Birds of Paradise, Zen Mechanics and The Upbeats, the program is so extensive it’s nearly overwhelming. And that’s without even looking at the range of inspirational talks and workshop.

“The music we choose at Earth Frequency is pretty varied, a great combination of local, interstate and international talent covering everything from rootsy acoustic vibes right through to some of the most forward thinking electronic music around,” Paul explains.

“There’s something about the combination of inspiring talks and workshops, carefully curated, positive music and creative expression, a safe and friendly space for dancing and the beautiful Australian outdoors that seems to have this life changing effect on people!”

The festival this year moves to Ivory Rock, a well set-up venue in a beautiful location. Paul says Ivory Rock provides one of the most comfortable festival experiences Australia has to offer. “We’re hoping this will be our home for years to come,” he says. The new venue is one of several improvements to the festival for 2014.

“EFF2014 is a continuation but also a big step up for the festival,” Paul says. “We’re adding a 3rd stage, expanding a whole range of things such as our workshops and talks program, family space, offering a range of camping options, offering supervised swimming for the first time and a heap more. For those who have been before it will be an evolved and expanded version of what they know.”

Paul also has some special tips for those who might not have experienced Earth Frequency before. “As hard as it might be, make sure you get a bit of sleep every day!”

Saritah “Experienced festival goers plan their fun times and sleep times around seeing the acts they want to see and having enough sleep at other times to keep in good form.”

When we asked Paul about the challenges of directing a festival like this, he admitted it was tricky. “Musically I think a festival needs to be a balance between what the crowd/ community wants, and the vision of the team putting it on.

Too much either way and it can go stale.”

“Luckily I think EFF has a great community behind it and lots of tickets sell before we announce the first act ... i think that’s what separates it from a commercial festival which is all about the music and doesn’t foster a sense of community so much.”

It’s obvious that Paul loves his job and the energy of the event he curates. “Straight up I wouldn’t be doing this festival if I couldn’t enjoy the experience of it, and I actually think it’s important that a festival organiser is not locked up in an office while its happening... you have to stay in touch with what’s happening.”

He is quick to acknowledge that Earth Frequency Festival is a team effort with around 60 workers, more than 200 volunteers and a bunch of awesome contractors, musicians and artists working together. “It’s a massive team that makes it happen,” Paul says.

Earth Frequency Festival takes place in the majestic Scenic Rim from 14 – 17 February and tickets are an astoundingly cheap $270 on the gate (cheaper if you pre-book). Get all the juicy details, including the full (very full) lineup at www. earthfrequency.com.au.

Saritah Born in Seoul, South Korea, the country of her mother’s heritage, Saritah grew up by the Indian Ocean in the most isolated city in the world – Perth, Australia. A traveller from the time she was a few months old, however, she has always had a global perspective and has been exposed to and influenced by a diversity of music and culture from around the world. Inspiring, uplifting and playfully powerful, Saritah’s live shows are colourful celebrations of life. Lyrical affirmations, inspirations, and observations weave with sounds inspired by dancehall, reggae, soul, world and pop music. A festival favourite, Saritah loves to connect with the audience and her vocals are delivered with a captivating blend of attitude and grace.

You should try to get to Earth Frequency – a celebration of life at its best. But if you can’t, OKA hits the coast with Declan Kelly at a special gig at Miami Marketta in February and Saritah joins Fyah Walk (another Earth Frequency Festival regular) for a special Soundlounge show, also in February. Check the gig guide for all the details.

GIVEAWAY

Thanks to the generous crew at Earth Freq, we have one festival ticket to give away. To enter, simply send an email to news@blankgc.com.au with the subject heading “Earth Freq Giveaway” with your name and mobile number in the body of the email.

Winner will be drawn at random at midday on Saturday 8 February.

Samantha Morris www.blankgc.com.au

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PSYCH WIZARDS Roughly translated: Bo, meaning “human”, and Ningen, meaning “stick”. The UK based Japanese wizard psych-rock band may look like a bunch of stick men, but they also create third-eye rock music to alter the senses. After wrapping up their debut tour of Australia, thanks to the Big Day Out circuit, Bo Ningen now set their sites to much heavier touring through 2014 including Japan, the UK and two huge weekends at one of the world’s most renowned festivals, Coachella. Guitarist Yuki was kind enough to take some time out before Big Day Out to chat to Jake Wilton.

It’s fair to say that not many people would have heard of Bo Ningen at this point of their career, but with an electrifying new album Line the Wall now on the shelves, these men are about to become your new favourite band.

Excited to hit their first stages in Australia, the band are also searching for sunshine and beaches while in the country… which shouldn’t be too difficult. “[Apart from the gigs] we’re just going to relax considering we’ve been making a record. It’s been so intense, stuck in the studio for days, recording and mixing while it’s been raining outside. All we want to do is just relax and chill out with nice weather and the nice people.”

Bo Ningen obviously know their holiday destinations well if they’re after sun, drinks and vibes. And, as luck would have it, it seems the Big Day Out contains all of the above. Yuki is looking forward to soaking in the Australian sun while watching some first-rate international acts as they travel with the circus that is Big Day Out. “We wanted to see Primus, but our times clash unfortunately. We want to see Mudhoney as well but, again, our sets are on at the same time. Maybe we’ll just have to watch Snoop Dogg,” he laughs.

Defining Bo Ningen’s music is a tough thing to do and, according to Yuki, their brand of music defies genres between what’s recorded on the album and their live show.

“Of course you can call it psychedelic but… Bo Ningen differ from what you call psychedelic, the western adaptation of psychedelic, and even the Japanese underground psychedelic; it’s something in between. So [for the live show] expect something unexpected, something hybrid.”

“We have songs that allow space for improvisation and freedom, but at normal live gigs we play the songs.

Although, at the end of the set, we normally do a freakout jam session that usually stretches for about fifteen or twenty minutes. We don’t want to limit ourselves, we want to keep ourselves fresh.”

Yet, as Yuki continues, Bo Ningen’s genre-defying music translates a different story to individual audiences around 10

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the world. The band, originating from Japan but now based in the United Kingdom, see Japanese audiences stop and listen to the wizardry acid-rock. And although Bo Ningen’s lyrics are written in their native language of Japanese, they feel it doesn’t create a barrier between them and their non-Japanese speaking fans.

“Between the songs, there’d be applause and then silence.

[Japanese audiences] are more reserved and polite, they are actually listening to what we do, they’re paying super extra attention to the music we’re making. But compared to the Japanese audience, the UK people are more… just enjoying the sound and just want to have fun.”

“I’m not sure if I can say this or not but for our next album, our third album, we have made some English tracks as well.

I think it was quite hard for [Taigen, vocals/bass] this time around because he’s been singing only in Japanese until now; that’s the natural way for him to sing. He improvises his vocals sometimes too, live, not only his bass – he doesn’t really compose the lyrics like you would a guitar or drum part.

Obviously Japanese is his first language so when we play, he sings what he wants to say and Japanese is the easiest way to do that. So I think it was a nice challenge to think about the lyrics in a different language and I think it worked really well.”

This forthcoming yet-to-be titled third album from Bo Ningen won’t be the first time the band has used English lyrics in their recordings. The final track from Line the Wall features Jenny Beth from post-punk UK outfit Savages on the vocals. The track blends both bands’ strangely unique influences into each other forming a fast-paced, kaleidoscopic voyage. Bo Ningen have known the Savages girls since relocating to London and, as Yuki mentions, the timing couldn’t have been any better using Beth on Nichijyou as each band had their breakout year in 2012 respectively.

“At the time, last year, when we were looking for someone to collaborate with we wanted to create a real “English” track.

Our label, Stolen Recordings, suggested a female vocalist … so the only person we thought of was Jenny. We both know each other, we both respect each other’s music and bands so we simply asked her and she said, ‘Yeah, why not!’ In the end, it worked really well for both of us – it gave us some fresh air for Bo Ningen and for her as well, singing onto a Japanese track.”

Bo Ningen’s second studio album Line the Wall is out now through Stolen Recordings.

FINCH BURN TO RETURN Finch are back and their reunion shows have been selling out all over the world! Nev Pearce caught up with bass player Daniel Wonacott to talk about why they got back together and why Soundwave is the best tour on Earth.

What originally began as a couple of reunion shows to celebrate their much loved 2002 album What It Is To Burn, resulted in Finch being catapulted back onto the world stage and sparking a new fire in the members of the band.

“It was incredible. When we had the idea our old manager called us up and asked if we wanted to do a ten year anniversary show and that ended up turning into a year long tour.

We originally only planned on doing a couple of southern California shows but the response was overwhelming. Our fans are the best fans in the world as far as we are concerned and have been with us through all the ups and downs. It is a pleasure for us to do this.”

The band broke up in 2010 but it didn’t take them long to regroup and get back to what they love doing.

“I think enough time had passed from when we decided to stop but the premise was lets make this a celebration of What It Is To Burn and with that everyone was excited to participate.”

“There wasn’t a lot of talk of ‘Hey you have to join the band and sign on the dotted line’ it was just let’s get together and celebrate a record that is important to us and important to our fans, we have been very motivated by the fans’ response.”

While a new album isn’t on the cards just yet, The What It

Is To Burn tour will see a live DVD/CD to be released (due end January) to give fans and the band the chance to relive the shows.

“It was shot over four nights at the Glasshouse here in California. We booked one night and it sold out in minutes, we then booked another that sold out in minutes and then we booked two more that sold out in minutes, that was the highlight of the tour. It sold out incredibly fast: more than any of us anticipated.”

see Nine Inch Nails every night and we get to participate in the festival too, in the sense that we get to see our favourite bands play as well. We can’t wait to get back!”

In regards to the upcoming Soundwave tour and the bands he is looking forward to seeing, Daniel says “The line up looks really really killer. I’m very excited to see Rocket From The Crypt and especially Greenday. It’s funny I have been a fan of theirs since I was a kid and I have never seen them before. I had Dookie the day it came out but for what ever reason I never got a chance to see them, so to see Greenday five days in a row is going to be pretty cool for me.”

While Finch don’t have any plans right now for a new album that does not mean they are going away anytime soon.

“We made an announcement after our last What It Is To Burn show in LA that we aren’t breaking up even though we don’t have a clear cut plan. We are just really enjoying playing together right now.”

“We have a couple of shows booked in the states that aren’t What It Is To Burn shows but we don’t exactly know what we are going to do for them yet. We will figure it out,” he laughs.

Not only did the tour see Finch do a run of shows across the USA but also took them to one of the most famous venues on the planet, Brixton Academy in the UK.

Although it seems Finch are playing it by ear, Daniel reflects on the reason why they have been called back into the spotlight.

“Another highlight of the tour was our show at Brixton academy in London. We have a great fanbase in the UK. It was a sold out show and one of the biggest shows we have ever played. It was very, very special. We are all music fans and music geeks too, so to play Brixton is a notch on the belt for us.”

“We really have to give credit to our fan base for reminding us and showing us that this is all worth doing.

That they are there and are very appreciative of what we have done through the years. It is pretty humbling and also very exciting. We are looking forward to the future.”

The last time we saw Finch on Australian shores was for the Soundwave Festival tour back in 2009 before they called it a day.

“We still talk about it. It’s the best tour on Earth! We got to

Make sure you check out Finch at Soundwave Festival which hits Brisbane 22 February at RNA Showgrounds. Tickets are on sale now.

Check out the full interview at: www.spreaker.com/show/ rabid_noise_metal_podcast_s_tracks www.blankgc.com.au

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GLASS TOWERS Indie-rockers Glass Towers, straight out of Byron Bay released their debut album Halcyon Days in July last year and have been playing a massive line-up of shows around the globe. They’re set to hit the Gold Coast in February. Gina Martin caught up with Benjamin Hannam to discuss the writing process, new songs and playing SXSW. After only one year playing together Glass Towers was given the opening slot at Splendour in the Grass 2009.

That’s a major achievement for one of your early shows; can you tell me about that?

Yeah that was amazing, we were only 16 or 17 at the time and it was one of our first proper shows. When we arrived at the festival in the morning Bloc Party who I was really into at the time, were casually sound checking in front of us, it was like our very own private show. It was pretty surreal…

From your first EP release What We Were, When We Were in 2011 through to Collarbone Jungle in 2012 and arriving with Halcyon Days in 2013 has the creative process changed much for you?

Not really. 90% of the songs on each of those releases were written when we were still in high school so a good 4 to 5 years ago, so basically they’re just the songs that were written in my bedroom. What’s really exciting now for us is writing our second record, it’s so liberating and exciting to be able to write and record fresh new songs. The difference is like night and day, everything’s just sounding so much better as we’ve just naturally become stronger songwriters since we left high school. Maybe we’ll road test a new track at the show?

What was it like working with Jean-Paul Fung on the album?

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Jean-Paul was always the right guy to produce our debut.

He was so good at deciphering the ideas and sounds from my brain that I wanted on the record that normally I would have had difficulty explaining to anyone else. Plus it helped that he’s a super great guy and a friend, which just made the whole recording process so much easier!

Listening to Halcyon Days, it’s a brilliant representation of youth, young love and growing up on the east coast of Australia. Any stories or thoughts from this time you’d like to share?

That’s what we’ve tried to convey with the record so thanks!

The album is meant to be a kind of time capsule back to those events. Some of the stories on the album are about people I know so I probably shouldn’t divulge anything!

Massive congratulations on SXSW! This year’s festival is seeing a flourish of Australian bands. How does it feel to be a part of that?

It’s really exciting! We were supposed to go last year but one of us ended up dislocating their knee in a club in Sydney (funny story behind that) so we had to cancel. Yeah there are a lot of really cool Australian artists going but I’m more excited about discovering new acts. That’s what I found the most about The Great Escape (UK’s equivalent to SXSW) when we played that last year.

Are you planning an American tour around SXSW? We’ve got a booking agency over there so we’ll be planning more shows around the US as well, I’m really keen to explore as much of the country as I can.

Are you looking forward to heading up to the Gold Coast for the show at EAST in February? It’s a pretty stellar line up of acts.

We can’t wait! I know Willow Beats are playing, we played Fat As Butter together last year but I missed their set so I’m pumped to see them this time.

Glass Towers join Willow Beats, JAWS and Von Villains at EAST (88 Surf Parade, Broadbeach) on Sunday 23 February. You’d be mad to miss a lineup like this in such a unique venue. Tickets available through Oztix.

We have 4 double passes to give away to the epic lineup going down at EAST on Sunday 23 February featuring Willow Beats, Glass Towers, JAWS and Von Villains. To be in the running send an email with “We love Viral Brand Agency” as the subject line to news@blankgc.com.au. You must include your full name, address and mobile phone number. Winners will be drawn at random at midday Saturday 15 February.

KIP CASPER ARE THE LIGHT IN YOUR EYES Kip Kasper’s lead singer Mario met drummer Adrian at an open mic night at The Cave, they picked up guitarist Michael and started a band which gained a local following and built momentum. They then met bassist Ryan while he was working the mixing desk for them at a New Years Eve gig in 2012 and recruited second guitarist Eden to form Kip Casper.

They’re 5 local lads with a lot of local history and after taking out the People’s Choice Awards for ABC’s Exhumed Competition, they’ve started 2014 by releasing a brand new EP The light in Your Eyes.

Carmel E Lewis caught up with bassist Ryan just as they were launching the record.

Why did you record this album?

How would you describe your gigs?

I guess we now feel we are a complete unit with the recent addition of our second guitarist. The Band has finally felt complete and ready and with momentum behind us at the moment we needed this EP to give others that haven’t had the chance to watch us play yet listen to our sound. As it is a 5 track EP we selected a variety of songs that showcase the different styles and influences within the band.

Quite energetic. Mario has powerful vocals, so it doesn’t seem to matter which venue we play, he quickly captures the attention of everyone in the back of a room. We’re feeling tight on stage and love performing.

How would you describe the EP and Kip Casper more generally?

We’re a rock band. That’s a broad genre but that’s primarily who we are. Everyone has their opinion on who we sound like, but we’ve never tried to specifically replicate any one particular sound as we all have different influences we bring to a song. You might hear a hint of Faith No More, Incubus, Powderfinger perhaps? That’s what listeners tell us anyway.

The album is a mix of tracks that we developed throughout our journey of completing our band, showcasing our different styles. Rock and a bit of soul.

Kip Kasper is 5 different guys who all have varied influences that luckily are all on the same page when we create music. The different styles of soul pop and rock seem to come together for us so far. We all get along in the band and are good mates too which is great!

What about your music?

What are your hopes and expectations for the band and for the EP?

The song writing is progressing now from the completed band line up and we can’t wait to showcase our new material.

We are hoping this EP will allow us to be heard by a larger audience and gain a large fan base to build on. I guess it’s also something we can finally give back to the avid supporters we’ve had since day one. They’ve heard us play these tunes at our gigs and now they can play a few songs whenever they want.

What are you doing after the EP is released here on the Coast?

EP launch in Brisbane Tour the Sunshine Coast to Byron Continue the song writing process to vary our set list Enlist to every festival in 2014 Develop a brand and produce some merchandise

Continue writing music and make a full album this year. We are a relatively new band and we are excited for our future. www.blankgc.com.au

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SEASONS OF THE WEIRD Brisbane smeared-pop four piece Major Leagues have been smashing it out of the park to kick off 2014, scoring a coveted local support slot for the upcoming show of US indie legends Sebadoh. In addition the band will also be playing a run of their own headlining national shows in February AND they’ve recently dropped their fuzz-tastic debut EP Weird Season into the public realm. As things continue to heat up for the band, Anthony Gebhardt pitches a chat with the band’s singer/guitarist Anna Davidson.

Yes, we were chuffed with the Mess + Noise result and with the response to our music in general. I think we’ve been extremely lucky with all the support we’ve had in getting our music out there.

I see that Tim Morrissey of The John Steel Singers has produced some of your stuff. What was it like working with him and do you think he captured you at your best in the studio?

Tim is brilliant! He has helped us out so much since the beginning. He is a genuinely lovely guy, which made us feel comfortable in the studio. He is also a great musician, which was handy when we needed advice or encouragement with stuff like guitar tone and effects, vocal harmonies, and song structure. I’m hoping we can work with him again on our new material!

First of all congratulations on scoring one of the local support slots for the upcoming Sebadoh show at The Zoo, you must be pretty chuffed to be sharing a stage with Lou Barlow and company!?

Vivian Girls, Black Tambourine and The Breeders are a few of the musical touch-points that spring to mind for me when listening to your music. Are your influences as clear cut as this, or is there more than meets the ear?

Thank you! Totally, Sebadoh are one of our favourite bands ever, we are all extremely excited about that show. I am also anticipating quite a bit of nervousness on our part.

I think Jake really likes the Vivian Girls, and we are all big fans of Black Tambourine, and The Breeders. I think our influences as a whole are a little more diverse though. We all have different influences, although, when we are writing we don’t intentionally set out to create a song that sounds like a band or genre.

I also see that Blank Realm, another of Brisbane’s finest acts, is also on this bill. Have you played with them before? And are there any Brisbane bands that you share a particular affiliation with?

We’ve never played with Blank Realm before, although I’ve seen them play quite a few times. I listened to their new album Grassed Inn for the first time today, and am super impressed. It’s exciting to hear such interesting music coming from Brisbane. The local music scene is very close, so lots of our friends are in bands. Jake, our drummer, plays in Jeremy Neale’s band (Jeremy Neale is also an integral part of Velociraptor - Ed) and also in Tempura Nights, with his girlfriend Alice. Jaimee (Major Leagues’ other singer/guitarist) and I also play in another band called Pool Shop, with our mates Charles (also of Babaganouj, Rinse, and Little Scout) and Jack (also of Babaganouj and Dumb Blondes.)

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What’s the musical background of the band? Have you all played around the traps in other bands before, or is it first time lucky with Major Leagues?

Jaimee used to play in a band called Hello Yoko with Zoe from the band Cub Sport. And Jake has played drums in a few different bands. Vlada and I went to uni together and both played a little around the place, that’s how we met Jaimee and then Jake.

Your track Endless Drain made top 10 in the Mess + Noise top Australian songs of the year for 2013. Have you been knocked out with the positive response that your material has received so early on in the band’s life?

As well as the Sebadoh support in March, you also have a heap of your own headline shows going on during February, including Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Is this your biggest tour so far? And what can the rest of the country expect when Major Leagues hits town? I’m sure there’ll be some interesting tour shenanigans to tell (or not to tell!?)

It’s definitely the most extensive tour we’ve been on, which is really exciting. We’ve never been to WA and it’s also our first time headlining a tour, which is a little scary. We are playing all the east coast shows with The Ocean Party, and the WA shows with Gunns, who are both bands whose music we love, and whom we are looking forward to sinking some tinnies with. I don’t think the ‘shenanigans’ will get too crazy. Hopefully we will make some new friends, play fun shows and not eat too much Maccas.

The debut release for Major Leagues, Weird Season is available now, including limited edition mint coloured 10 inch vinyl - record nerds rejoice! The band also have some very cool deluxe merchandise bundles on offer, including t-shirt, tote bag and even a Zine.

And make sure you catch the band live at Alhambra Lounge in Brisbane on Thursday 20 February, as part of their Weird Season EP launch tour.

THE RABBIT REVOLUTION For those in the know of where to find their fix of local grass roots arts, culture, food and entertainment, the Rabbit + Cocoon (R+C for short) Creative Precinct in Miami is THE place to partake in such pleasurable pursuits. R+C is home to the bustling street vibe of Marketta Street Food every Saturday evening, as well as the mini-festival styled Miami Marketa on the first Friday of every month. Not to mention the precinct’s recent foray into regular live music and multimedia entertainment platforms.

And those with their (rabbit) ears attuned may also know of another frequency transmitting from amongst this teeming creative hub. Because tucked away in this vibrant metropolis of food, culture and entertainment resides Rabbit Radio, the Gold Coast’s first independent and progressive online radio station.

Broadcasting live from R+C every day of the week, Rabbit Radio’s frequency is attuned to the cultural heartbeat of the Gold Coast, delivering daily doses of vibrant music and cutting edge topical content across a range of genres and interests, with a particular focus on supporting the plethora of singers, musicians and bands bubbling away beneath the surface of this city of ours. And being that the Gold Coast is in fact the sixth largest city in Australia, an independent online radio presence is a vital lifeline in connecting the local population with the best of the arts, music and culture that this region has to offer - something well beyond the surface level ‘glitz and glamour’ vapidity so readily and lazily portrayed from the outside looking in.

To learn of the genesis of Rabbit Radio we chatted with local fly-guy Freddy Holler, who was one of the key players in getting the project off the ground from a mere hole in the wall to the bustling rabbit-warren that it is today. We asked Freddy about the early days of Rabbit Radio and how it all came about.

“The idea of an online radio station was being thrown around the R+C precinct for sometime, until one day my good friend and local PR Queen Kylie Mitchell-Smith convinced me to come and develop the idea with herself and kickass video producer Polly Snowden. We sat down and devised the Gold Coast’s first online cross-platform media ‘empire’ that would pump local culture out of a little shed, to be experienced on devices all over the world. It was exciting and I couldn’t wait to get my teeth into it!

“In the beginning, Kylie focused on programming the shows, co-ordinating presenters and seeking sponsors, while I produced and maintained the online platform, back-end systems and studio. At this time we also ran an online social media branding competition, resulting in the birth of the distinctive Rabbit Radio logo, designed by Perry Hawkins.

“Those behind the R+C precinct made the whole thing possible with providing a venue, start up capital and endless organisational support.

“The project was very fortunate in attracting some tremendously talented people as volunteers and interns from the get-go, some of whom have continued on in a more permanent role and played an integral part in Rabbit Radio’s development, such as our much valued Station Manager Mella Bunker.”

Freddy himself took on a very hands-on role in turning the Rabbit Radio concept into a physical reality…

“I had about six weeks to produce a physical studio, media website, subscriber system and broadcasting server, as well as program the music and develop some killer branding to represent the cutting edge Gold Coast flavour. After extensive research into studio designs and materials (and with the much appreciated support of Barry Martin from Love Street Studios), we came up with a practical, functional studio which delivered reasonable internal acoustics and, most importantly, blocked out all external noise - trucks, industry and the clang of dishes from the cafe on the other side of the wall.

“Two of my closest friends, Sebby and Dale, went above and beyond in constructing the sound bunker, with Gloffy Constructions providing the bulk of the materials. I designed and built the online platform and systems mostly from my home production studio, then worked away on aspects such as the social media campaign on my sawdust coated laptop in the warehouse driveway, while the boys constructed heavy duty sound walls.

“Once the burrow was built I went shopping and pulled together the materials required for a functional radio broadcast studio, such as computers and audio equipment. From there we were ready to hit the airwaves.”

The embryonic days of a community radio station are typically littered with trials and tribulations. Budget constraints combined with the involvement of passionate but inexperienced announcers has delivered its fair share of challenges and chortles, as Freddy illuminates…

“We faced the same road block that many arts/cultural projects face - financially challenged with minimal resources and no marketing budget. But thanks to the support of the Rabbit + Cocoon Precinct together with a whole heap of awesome locals contributing their time, we have been able to keep operating and develop the platform over time, despite the constraints.

Our concept was to invite super passionate volunteers to present our on-air content, and learn the radio-ropes as they went along. Combined with a shaky internet connection this resulted in the odd technical meltdown, random volume levels and the occasional offensive on-air content, some of which wouldn’t have even been on-air if the microphone had of been switched off while the song was playing - funny times!”

Just the Facts…

Rabbit Radio is exclusively an online radio station, so for those technologically challenged this means you can’t find it by fiddling on the dial of your old skool transistor radio. You can however tune into the rabbit Radio frequency at: www.rabbitradio.com.au or by accessing your favourite streaming radio hub such as TuneIn Radio.

A Rabbit Radio App, which was developed by Freddy Holler and Carey O’Sullivan, has just been added to the itunes store, so be sure to seek it out and add it to your portable device of choice.

The very first radio show broadcast on Rabbit Radio was Chris Lamaro’s ‘Do You Like Disco?’ which went to air in July 2012.

You can still catch the man and his music on Friday nights from 8pm – 10pm, on where else but Rabbit Radio.

There are currently more than twenty live radio shows hitting the Rabbit Radio airwaves each week, with a random automated playlist going out in the times that live to air shows aren’t being broadcast.

The range of live to air programs is many and varied, from breakfast shows with a twist through to genre specific programs focussing on whatever style of music you could possibly imagine, through to comedy and talk style chats and even an on-air book club of sorts! For a full list of weekly radio programs, go to the ‘What’s On’ section of the Rabbit Radio website.

Being an online radio station means that anyone who is anywhere in the world can tune in and listen! And listen they do, from such far flung locations as the USA, Germany, England, Portugal, Finland and Argentina.

Polly Snowden, one of the stations founding pioneers, has recently returned to the fold and is now producing multimedia events such as RabbitTV and Rabbit Radio Events.

Wanna help?

With Rabbit Radio still very much in its infancy, a vital component in keeping the station afloat and growing the support provided by public subscribers. Rabbit Radio has a range of subscription options for individuals, businesses and bands/artists, starting from as little as $18 per year. As well as the satisfaction of supporting local culture at a grass roots level, subscribers also receive some special Rabbit Radio themed privileges and gifts… sweet! For more information go to the ‘Join’ page at www.rabbitradio.com.au Oh and if you’ve got something to offer, are interested in pitching a radio show, or are just dead-set keen to be involved or gain experience behind the scenes, well Rabbit Radio would love to hear from you! If so, get in touch with Mella, the Station Manager at: mella@rabbitradio.com.au So the next time you’re down at the Rabbit + Cocoon Creative Precinct, at 23 Hillcrest Parade Miami, be sure to check out Rabbit Radio, tucked away near The Shed café.

Cheers Ears!!

Anthony Gebhardt

www.blankgc.com.au

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ANTIMATTER’S UNDERGROUND SOUNDS UNITY FLOORS Exotic Goldfish Blues Sydney two piece Unity Floors have a bit of a golf ‘thing’ going on it seems. Their debut EP from 2011 was called Women’s Golf, and featured a golf ball displayed prominently on the front cover. And their follow up release and first album, Exotic Goldfish Blues, continues the theme, with the album cover image showing the golf ball now immersed in a fish tank. What this means exactly I’m not sure, but as the Sydney duo of Gus Hunt on vocals and guitar and Henry Gosling on drums are longtime pals, my money’s on some kind of sniggering in-joke.

Although just starting out on their musical journey, the duo’s camaraderie and musical chemistry is clearly in evidence across the 11 tracks that make up Exotic Goldfish Blues. The band deliver a charmingly scrappy brand of 90’s inflected indie rock with catchy pop hooks, but with just enough fuzz and gunk underneath the fingernails to keep things authentic. Think early Teenage Fanclub crossed with something

that came out on Half a Cow (esteemed Sydney record label run by Nic Dalton of Lemonheads and Plunderers fame) in the early 90s.

Lead off track Nice Fit commences with a chanted 1-2-3-4 count in and then the band are away, simple, scuzzy riffs married to cryptic tales of exuberance and angst draped in a slacker Aussie drawl. These catchy suburban snapshots never outstay their welcome, with no one track clocking in beyond the three minute mark.

Third number Holy Hell is one of the albums highlights, a belter of a track with a driving guitar riff and urgent vocal melody which morphs into a slowed down, feedback laced middle section, before the anthemic guitar chug kicks back in for a brief thrill-ride to the the song’s conclusion... fantastic stuff!

Elements of youthful alienation and the embracing of non-complicated pleasures are recurring motifs, and penultimate track Want it All delivers a spikier and more sombre vibe not too far removed from fellow Aussie battlers Bitch Prefect in it’s wistful simplicity.

Final number Crash Cars, an early song reworked, delivers yet another dose of loose indie-guitar smarts, before a maelstromic guitar crescendo brings the whole shebang to a screeching halt.

For those pining for a dose of snappy vintage 90’s indie, meet your new favourite band...

at The Crowbar in Brisbane on 10 April. Tickets and details at www.metropolistouring.com.

Brisbane’s own The Schoenberg Automaton have been announced as the opening support for the Septicflesh & Fleshgod Apocalypse show at the HiFi on 14 May. Skid Row and Ugly Kid Joe are teaming up for a tour down under in April (seems to be a busy month right?). They will be hitting Eatons Hill Hotel in Brisbane on 26 April and tickets are on sale now through Oztix.

METAL BYTES Darkc3ll Soundwave have just revealed the bands for the 3rd and final announcement for the festival tour which now includes Gold Coast industrial juggernauts Darkc3ll and one of my own personal favourite bands FILTER! Also joining them is Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora, The Defiled, I Killed The Prom Queen, The Ghost Inside, Authority Zero, and The Danger Kids. For full line up, tickets and info go to www.soundwavefestival.com.au.

Teutonic thrash titans Kreator and Death Angel are teaming up for the ‘united thrash nations tour’ in April, Both bands will be shredding up a storm at the HiFi in Brisbane on 19 April.

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After releasing their debut album Eradicate-Reinstate and an Australian tour last year Silent Rose have big plans for 2014. Hitting the ground running they’ve again teamed up with the brilliant Dillon Pearce for their second music video Newspeak.

Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society will release a brand new album called Catacombs of the black Vatican on Friday 11 April. It is the first studio album to be released since 2009’s Order of the black and it will be released via Bullet Proof AU / Universal Music Australia.

Dawn Heist have released a new video clip for their killer track Escaping the Cornucopia from their new album Catalyst. NZ metal legends 8 FOOT SATIVA have also released a brand new video clip for the massive song Shadow Masters. Keep an eye out for tour dates very soon!

The Finnish invasion continues with the original masters of folk metal, Finntroll coming back to show us how it’s done this June. You can catch them at The Zoo in Brisbane on 18 June. Tickets at www.metropolistouring.com.

You can get all your metal news by tuning in to Rabid Noise on Rabbit Radio every Wednesday night from 9pm.

Canadian metal warriors 3 Inches Of Blood will be dominating our shores with a tour this autumn, kicking off

Nev Pearce

EXTREME DINNER DANCING WITH WOLFMOTHER. AT SWINGIN’ SAFARI? Three forces of nature converged, and history was made, giving birth to extreme dinner dancing one Sunday in January as one of the worlds biggest bands in rock ‘n’ roll gifted an exclusive performance to 300 passionate fans at local icon Swingin Safari.

MEETING MAR HAZE I love it when my job involves catching up with Sydney rock bands for a cuppa whilst over-looking Palm Beach swells. I feel I am living the dream. Turns out the boys of Mar Haze have been at it for years.

I have checked the film clip for their single Dancing in the Water. There is a scene where the boys are dressed in tuxedos whilst enjoying a hot tub with some bikini clad gals. I am curious and pose the questions “Is this happening on a weekly or daily basis away from when the cameras are rolling?” The boys are straight forward, “why do you think we look so tired?” Good answer.

Dean, Kane, Chris and Jarin all relax into the wonderful afternoon. I get a run-down of the band’s lifestyle and history. They are rockers. Plain and simple. So it has to be asked “which band member is mostly likely to be dared into eating a used band-aid off the ground”. Dean of course, and apparently he’s done worse. Like I should have known this just by looking at him. Beautiful.

I ask which band member is to be eaten in a life or death scenario. Taking one for the team. Supposedly Jarin is the most delectable. Plenty of meat. The bear in fact.

Providing a potentially warm fuzzy leather once skinned. The bear who falls victim to a surf game which involves diving from surfboards and wrangling the poor bastard. Now I am truly excited. If these guys invite me to hit the road, I’m leaving it all behind. I don’t need a job, I can do groupie.

For 2014, Mar Haze shall be releasing a single and EP. Including of course, another tour up north. Ditching the condensed cosmopolitanism of Sydney for road trips which include deodorant-torture attacks and crazy cat ladies… who wouldn’t want to.

The boys inform me that their ideal gigs are with the venues who allowed them space to get started in the first place. A loyalty which I believe commands respect. Knowing there will always be a chance to see them performing at the Loft. A rocking romance.

I ask for their professional, experienced advice for the high-school kid who keeps ignoring his text books to strum up a storm. “You can do both. Pursuing love for music can happen with career goals being met”. For all the boys and girls ready to throw it all away to become ‘rock ‘n’ roll’, maybe hand in your homework too.

Andrew Scott

Wolfmother were special guests at the Slippery Digits Sunday Sesh on 19 January. Supported by local bands GOVS and The Salvadarlings, the night will be forever etched in the memories of those present.

The gig was set up by an eye for an opportunity and a bit of front, when emerging GC music entrepeneurs Dean Pearce, and Kristian Nicholson through their Viral Brand Agency, simply asked...

Dean Pearce said “we couldnt believe our luck, [Wolfmother guitarist and keyboardist] Ian Peres was playing at our Sunday Sesh, celebrating his birthday the week before and I just suggested to the lead singer Andrew Stockdale hey why don’t you guys play here” he said “sure why not..when..?”

Ian Peres has been playing at Swingin Safari since his final year in school and university at Swingin Safari’s open mic nights, so he said “its just like coming home” Only now he is in one of the biggest names in rock ‘n’ roll as Wolfmother usually plays to tens of thousands of people in Europe regularly.

Swingin Safari has been credited with revolutionising Gold Coast nightlife as a frontrunner in the GC’s emerging creative arts scene. Still going strong after 10 years, it modelled itself on the dinner dance era of the 60’s and 70’s in which the GC nightlife was born with restaurants set up in old beach houses with bands so people could stay after dinner and enjoy a dance.

“Most of the people here enjoyed our street food menu and with Wolfmother as the band we have established a new genre: extreme dinner dancing!” said the venue’s creative host, Neil. “What’s great about the night is that its the perfect example of how working as a collective creates exceptional results and everyone wins.”

The strength of Swingin Safari is that its business model is based on treating the iconic beachouse, that’s been a restaurant for over 40 years as a collective for creative entrepreneurs to develop the art and create opportunity. The venue has helped launch bands such as Tijuana Cartel and A French Butler Called Smith. And The Hanlon Brothers and many others have had their start in the venue .

Check out Mar-Haze on facebook. JB Hi-fi are stocking their collection and of course i-tunes for the download. www.blankgc.com.au

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gig reviews DUNE RATS + DEAD BEAT BAND + VON VILLAINS + MOKA YOUNG + BAMBINI + SASSIN FRAS + ELECTRIK LEMONADE + DJ FREDDY FLYFINGAZ Cooly Hotel | Sunday 26 January For everyone not sitting in a blow up pool with lukewarm XXXX, the Coolangatta Hotel was the place to be for Australia Day. Starting at 5pm the night kicked off with local funk band Electrik Lemonade, who grooved through songs like Players Ball and Set Up as people jumped on a bouncing castle and downed drinks. The energy was high as the seven-piece band left the stage and the punters continued dancing as Sassin Fras took to the stage. This rock/pop duo have recently released their new single Madeline and as their unique brand of poppy grunge washed through the crowd Robert Crogroves’ vocals had the room shaking as bodies jumped. With catchy guitar riffs and drummer Adam Adams’ skilled rhythm making these guys were just what the transition from day to night needed. Gold Coast indie-pop band Bambini were up next and lead vocalist Sherridan Leigh was quirky and playful, bringing a light energy to the night. Their song Tough Night Out In The City resonated with a few unlucky punters who

that these guys can draw a crowd. Lead vocalist Jack Field handled the spotlight well as drummer Anthony Vallone banged out the set with passion and precision. Lead guitarist Voislav Ivanovski and bass player Lewi Hart vibed off each other and as the night wore on the crowd was well entertained.

When the next band Dead Beat Band stepped on to the stage it seemed there wasn’t a spare space in the venue and drummer Ryan Heterick started the set of with quick hits and huge energy. A crowd favourite was Gypsy Girl and vocalist and bass player Mickey Mandrusiak carried the song with his smiling expression and grooving. With songs like Sugar you imagine driving down the coast with your feet out the window and mates piled in the van (I don’t know what it is about our writers driving with their feet out the window – Ed). Lead guitarist and vocalist Joseph Treasures’ smooth sounds complete the band and there is nothing dead about this bands performance. These guys embody the punk rock sound, with a hint of surf and lyrics that are determined to have all the girls in the crowd smiling the Dead Beat Band are bound to be in demand.

As midnight approached Brisbane indie-poppers Dune Rats prepared to play. The boys brought their trademark “I don’t give a fck” attitude and swayed through their set, as they played hits like Red Light Green Light. Lead guitarist and vocalist Danny Beusa lead the guys through a big set that ended with sweaty people clamoring for fresh air to dry off from dancing. Drummer BC Michaels worked up the room, while bassist Brett Jansh smiled at the crowd. Overall it was a night full of mischief and malarkey, with music that made you move.

Christie Ots

It has been transformed into some strange hybrid suburban-beach-backyard. Truck loads of sand had been shipped in to cover the asphalt. A few patches of lawn/astro-turf wouldn’t have gone astray, but hey… or hay.

Ominous skies looming. If the heavens open its gonna be pretty damn up close-and personal in the few sheltered canopies round the perimeters.

Behind schedule before beginning, I was getting a bit weary of hearing, the super enthusiastic “Hey hey, hey .. Lunatics On Pogo Sticks are coming up real soon”- interspersed and over the top of the dj-ing.

Finally The Lunatics pogo on to the stage and get the party started for the early lunatics gathered and raring to part-ay.

Saw them at Falls Festival in Byron at New year. Impressed.

Three very young lads have leapt very quickly on to the national stage.

There were some very odd looking pirate-buccaneering dudes wandering about. When they assembled messily on stage I realised -thanks to my App, that they were Lagerstein’ I still haven’t quite formed an opinion on their music. Though they were certainly up-beat and entertaining.

Some gossip in the random group I found myself in under a canopy. “Do you know where they’re from.. are they Gold Coast?” Someone says, “Probably from that Pirate Ship down Currumbin Creek”.

I later chat to a few Lagerstein pirates and find they are just a wee bit off course. From Brisbane. And their ship is called something like “Tarago”.

Electric Horse amp it up next on stage. I’ve known Luke and Corey from way back in ‘King Mungi’ days… gee… must be 12 years ago. Still rocking it hard. Love it/them.

In his sort-of laid-back way, young Adelaide lad All Day had the hip-hop crew hopping. I’d just missed him a couple of times recently round the Coast, so yeah, was pretty pleased to catch this time. Good vibes.

Now what can you say about Funkoars except funky hip-hoppy fun fun. Bouncing all over the stage. The crowd bouncing all over the sand kicking up a sand storm.

Australia Day @ Cooly Hotel damaged themselves attempting the jumping castle and had the masses smiling.

The next act was Moka Young, an Australian soul and hip-hop artist who had a great band and DJ supporting him.

With quick lyrics and a heavy instrumental infusion this was my surprise act of the night. With songs like New Blud and Lose Me you would be forgiven for confusing his cover of Jay Z’s song Otis with one of his own, they flowed so seamlessly.

The dance floor began to flood with bodies as indie-rock band the Von Villains rocked into the spotlight. With their mellow, yet rhythmic, music they had every body in earshot writhing. Songs like Where You Been followed Deadly Affair and the audience sang along to Whisper, proving once again

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OZFEST: BIRDS OF TOKYO + FUNKOARS + ALL DAY + ELECTRIC HORSE + LAGERSTEIN + LUNATICS ON POGOSTICKS Miami Tavern | Saturday 25 January Sure don’t look like Kansas no more round Miami Tavern.

Well not in the old car park I’d traipsed through many a night over years of venturing out to see bands upstairs in the “Sharkie”.

And then Birds of Tokyo. Can’t believe I’ve managed to miss these guys by an inch for years now. Great way to round out a great precursor to Australia Day. Just when you think “I don’t know this song”. Oh yes I do. Automatically finding yourself singing a long. Subliminal?

The whole crowd in the sand-pit and the hoards hanging over balconies surrounding Miami Tav.. shouting gleefully out, “This fire, this fire, this fire..... “ “Take me to Miami”. Now who said that?

Carmel E Lewis

WOLFMOTHER + GOVS + SALVADARLINGS Swingin Safari | Sunday 19 January Arriving early to Swingin Safari on Sunday we did a lap of the place to check out the set up and were excited to see Wolfmother on stage doing their sound check. We sat in the shade outside, listening to Wolfmother jam. Much like a summer house party, the vibe was relaxed and welcoming and the beer pong matches had begun.

Salvadarlings seemed shy at first but soon relaxed into their performance. A beautiful yet haunting pop sound that has an edge, the 6-piece had caught the attention of the crowd. The psychedelic guitar sounds coupled with Ashley Goodall’s evanescent vocals had me captivated, unable to tear my eyes from the stage. In a dream like state, they ended and I woke; only wishing their set had lasted longer.

We headed outside for some fresh air and the reality hit us, this place is packed! We managed to squeeze our way back upstairs just in time for GOVS and oh my, I’m glad we did.

This was my first GOVS experience and I was totally blown away. Josiah Birrell, the Gold Coaster and mastermind behind GOVS, is a talented young man that cuts away from the norm and the sound he creates is something to admire.

The set was filled with dreamy pop tunes and brilliant builds that had me feeling excited one moment and melancholy the next. The thing is, it actually makes you feel. Telling by the group hugs in front of the stage, I was not the only one affected by GOVS! The ambience created by the lo-fi, blissed

GOVS @ Swingin Safari out tunes had overcome Swingin Safari and although GOVS seemed well prepared the set still felt spontaneous. It’s so refreshing to see a performance that captures an entire audience. I was truly moved by GOVS and again, when the set was over all I wanted was a little more.

Anxiously waiting for Wolfmother to start, I looked around the room, delighted by the mix of people. The vibe was ecstatic! Wild screams and cheering as Wolfmother stormed the stage, opening with Dimension the punters were bouncing. Leading man Andrew Stockdale encourages the crowd to sing with him and thrives off the participation.

With so much energy in the room the Wolfmother boys were looking at each other with surprise. I never thought I

would see such an energetic crowd at Swingin Safari but the enthusiastic spectators shocked me and there were bodies going mad, accompanied by frenetic dancing on stage and a whole audience moving as one. Stockdale was particular about the crowd being safe and respecting each other’s space: the audience settled into a solid groove and after a few hits and crowd favourites Wolfmother broke into an impressive new song Heavy Weight.

Wolfmother played their straight up, classic, three-piece rock with outstanding vocals from Stockdale. Playing effortlessly through the hits to a very receptive crowd, when it came to a close the cheers would not stop. I had a man turn to me at one point and say ‘this reminds me of my teenage years, back when Led Zeppelin were huge’. And all I could do was smile for this band stuck in a hazy time warp.

You can catch Wolfmother at the Coolangatta Hotel on Thursday 13 February.

Gina Martin

MUDHONEY + FEEDTIME + GRAVEL SAMWIDGE The Zoo Brisbane | Saturday 18 January It’s yet another sweltering BrisVegas evening, and the sweat of lubricated crowds hangs in the air and mingles with the ghosts of Lubricated Goat(s), to bear witness to a triple dose of seminal underground noise and classic garage-grunge grunt.

Wolfmother @ Swingin Safari Alas I only make the tail end of opening act Gravel Samwidge’s set, the veteran Brisbane outsider act peddling a pleasingly abrasive brand of primitive thug-rock thump which can be traced all the way back to their roots in the Black Eye Records underground rock scene of over two decades ago (which included the notoriously anarchistic Lubricated Goat, whose bass guitarist Guy Maddison went on to join the Mudhoney ranks!)

Next up we chart a course all the way back to 1979 inner city Sydney, for a rare reconvening of mythically low profile Australian act feedtime. The band have been acknowledged as highly influential in all manner of underground rock circles, as evidenced through the recent excavation of their

four long out of print 80’s albums on Sub Pop records. And Mudhoney front man Mark Arm, who works a day job in the warehouse of said record label, pays his respects by joining feedtime onstage late in their set to add random guitar outbursts.

Rick, Al and Tom (first names only) strip their music back of all excess, delivering heavy, pummeling doses of brutish rock with elements of minimalist post-punk and early blues, albeit bludgeoned and smeared. Vocals are largely drill sergeant barked, simple bass motifs lock in and chugg, with Tom’s individualistic drumming holding the whole careering thrill ride together.

The unique musical chemistry shared between these three grizzled survivors is a sight to behold as the band rumble along like nothing and no-one, loud, driving, primitive rock and roll stripped bare of all pretext and pretence, simply... feedtime (yes the band stand loud and proud in lowercase.) Tracks off their classic second record Shovel go down particularly well, but the whole goddamn set is a triumph of epic proportions.

And then it’s Mudhoney’s turn to deliver and who would have thought that they, of all the original 90’s grungers, would be one of the few still bearing the torch in the year 2014.

Their fuzzy garage-punk has lost none of its wild-eyed abandon and scream along moments of hyper enjoyment abound throughout their fuzz-blastingly kinetic set. Most of the back catalogue classics are present, including grunge anthem Touch Me I’m Sick, Suck You Dry, Fearless Doctor Killers as well as plenty off their debut compilation Superfuzz Bigmuff, simply one of the best garage punk records ever.

There’s also a healthy smattering of tracks off their new studio album Vanishing Point, which more than hold their own in the band’s impressive canon of work. Around half way through frontman Mark Arm strips himself of guitar duties to deliver a mini-set of Iggy inspired solo-frontman manouvres, his impassioned scream having lost none of its goosebump inducing wonderment and delivering this reviewer more than one youth-body-explosion moment.

The band also have a killer array of punk rock cover versions in their arsenal and tonight sees them burn it clean with the 1-2 wallop of The Money Will Roll Right In, by obscure US 80’s punk band Fang, and their most well known cover Hate The Police, originally performed by Texan rabble rousers The Dicks, which sees the band triumphantly exit the stage, leaving the enthralled crowd sweatily amped in their wake...

Anthony Gebhardt

THIRSTY MERC + THE OCEANICS Cooly Hotel | 15 January Any Merc fan (myself included) would know that their current NSW/QLD tour has been long awaited. With lead www.blankgc.com.au

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singer Rai Thistlethwayte moving over to LA to share the love of his new solo project (‘Sun Rai’) with the US, it’s been a slow few years waiting and hoping that the Merc would return to Australian stages.

And that they did with their first show of the tour hitting Coolangatta Hotel last month. Local boys, The Oceanics opened the stage with class and talent well beyond their years, and while the crowd was considerably smaller than previous Merc gigs, it wasn’t hard to tell that the room was full of dedicated Thirsty Merc fans, anxious to see the boys rock that stage yet another time.

I had every intention to be a sophisticated journalist (take note of what songs they played etc.) but as soon as the boys hit the stage it was a different story. I couldn’t help but find myself smack bang front and centre singing along to their countless hits at the top of my lungs and getting lost in the explosive energy of their music and stage presence. These guys sure know how to put on a show.

With a catalogue of hits the size of their set list, the Merc played each song (including In The Summertime, 20 Good Reasons and Someday, Someday to name a few) for the millionth time like it was the very first. The honesty and passion they have for their music is rare to find in any successful band these days and you can tell that they just dig playing their tunes.

While this was one of many Thirsty Merc gigs I’ve been lucky to catch, their energetic live shows never fail to impress. Being their first gig together in a while, you couldn’t help but feel the band’s brotherly-love and respect they have for each other as they rocked the night away. As always, the boys stayed behind after the gig to meet and greet their fans, and they did so in a way that makes it seem like they’re catching up with old mates. Great lads, and an even greater show.

MAT MCHUGH + KARL S WILLIAMS + BENJALU Miami Marketta (Rabbit+Cocoon) | 12 January When I walked into Rabbit+Cocoon the Summer Come Save Me tour was in full swing. Opening with an acoustic set by roots and rock act Benjalu, the crowd was building as Don’t Say from their EP Boondoogle floated through the mingling masses.

With a bouncing vibe and great lyrics this was the perfect opening to the day, as punters sipped local beer and wandered around the venue; which glittered with strings of lights. Next to the stage was local blues legend Karl S. Williams. With stunning melodies and a heart-wrenching voice, songs like Troubled Hearts and Darkest Cloud had even the most cynical eyes riveted to the stage. These tracks, off his album Heartwood, entranced listeners and he is definitely a throwback to another time…one that you never want to leave.

Finally, and to raucous cheers, Mat McHugh took to the stage. Joined by a fantastic brass section and guitarist, his music filtered through the crowd and within moments everyone was on their feet and dancing. Some of the biggest surprise moments of this set were the covers. Intermingling Just Be Good To Me and In The Air Tonight with his tracks like Fools and Love Come Save Me. Also covered were Sweet Dreams and Creep by Radiohead. I barely noticed there wasn’t a full band backing McHugh as the sound swelled and the atmosphere was charged.

His encore of Periscopes had everyone singing along and cheering. The night ended early, but full of energy, and was a show you would have to be dead to miss.

Christie Ots

Emily Hosking

Facebook feed posting videos and soundcloud links to all his major hits. (I think I saw Drop The Pressure linked about 1700 times throughout the day) But the time eventually came to head in and I was most excited!

As I entered the venue everyone was in super high vibes standing around debating and chatting about what Mylo would play in his set. As the 1.00am hour approached, Elsewhere music director and Friday night host Audun played some super sweeping disco and bass floor-fillers to get us in the mood and the floor was FULL! Then all of a sudden the music stopped. With an awesome introduction amp-up speech from Audun it was finally time for Mylo to have us in his arms baby, yeah! The volume jumped with an awesome kick coming in and I was dancing around like a kid on Christmas morning, and what better track for Mylo to open with but none other than Once in a Lifetime by Talking Heads. Once I heard this I knew we were in for a huge night!!

For the next 3.5 hours (yes 3 f#*%ing hours!!) we went on a journey through almost every genre of dance music.

Hearing tracks from Tiga through to Abba! At one stage we were dancing to Kim Wilde’s cover of the Supremes Keep me Hanging On, which I have to admit I sang my lungs out to. But at about 3.30am it seemed as though something was missing. And everyone was asking the question, is he going to “drop the pressure?” After about another 30 mins of acid house educating, we heard that saw-type synth being mixed in. We could all feel and hear what was coming, from all corners of the club everyone packed on to the flashy square dance floor as it was time for that vocoder computer voice to tell us “motherfuckers gonna drop the pressure.” And all of a sudden we were all jumping around as though we were at a festival in 2005!

This was one experience of club life that will go down in history. A dance music legend that shaped the last decade playing tunes right here on the Gold Coast. I have seen many of my DJ/producer hero’s perform live and this one is right up there with the best of them.

Chris Lamaro

MYLO Elsewhere | 10 January

Thirsty Merc @ Cooly Hotel

It’s not every week that a celebrity fashion designer/dj/ producer/record label owner gets married in our part of the world. But when they do, they invite other superstars as their guests. And in this case, legendary producer Mylo was invited to share the joy of Dan Single and Bambi getting hitched in Byron Bay. And we were lucky that the team at Elsewhere were quick to get in touch and invite him along to perform for an amazing night of song and dance at the social club while he was in the country.

Since releasing the Destroy Rock n Roll LP back in 2004 we’ve not really heard much more production from the synthpop Scot. So this night was set to be something very special indeed.

The day started quite funnily with almost everyone on my

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off the record Move no matter what I was feeling, it goes away. It’s like a release for me and I will be forever grateful to my mother for playing this constantly when I was a child.

It is my stern belief that if everyone were to listen to King’s song Beautiful every morning when they woke up the world would be filled with happier people. That’s what I love about this album; it’s filled with emotion and has the ability to bring that out in a person. King manages to produce pop songs that are easily relatable to everyday life and when she performs everything seems to come so naturally.

I have always admired the female musician and to see so many amazing female artists on this years St Jerome’s Laneway Festival line-up has been refreshing. From Haim, Adalita and London based post-punk group SAVAGES all the way to Australia’s new favourite import, Lorde. The ladies are definitely stealing the show this year!

I go through stages sometimes where all I want to listen to is female bands and in the post Laneway days, that is exactly what I’m going through.

For this edition of Off The Record I dug through my dad’s collection as well as my own to find some of my old and new favourites to share with y’all.

NEW RELEASE Sometime in early 2011 I was riding the bus to work with a friend and she asked me if I’d heard that WARPAINT song Undertow. I responded with a ‘no’, wondering who this WARPAINT band were that had got her so excited. I couldn’t stop thinking about it all day and as soon as I got home I looked up the film clip on YouTube and played it about 6 times over. I will never forget the first time I heard that song, ever.

late I caved and bought it digitally. Amazing Australian drummer Stella Mozgawa joined the LA based band after the release of the 2010 debut album The Fool, so the band had never written an entire album with the current line-up.

Listening to the self-titled Warpaint after the 2010 debut The Fool you can really see this band beginning to grow and experiment with different sounds. It seems heavier on keys with spacey drum sounds that give this album a heavy atmosphere. There is definite progression on the album and although maybe not as many ‘hit’ songs as The Fool, Warpaint has an obscure yet effortless flow. Man, these girls are so darn talented! Standout tracks for me include Keep It Healthy, Teese and CC.

After the debut album from WARPAINT in 2010 and having the pleasure of seeing them live at Splendour in the Grass in 2011 I have been anxiously awaiting anything new from these gals and finally, the sophomore album Warpaint, has arrived.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

I pre-ordered my double LP on red vinyl and tried my darn best not to stream it online before it had arrived. Released digitally worldwide on 20 January with the vinyl running

To this day Carole King’s 1971 album Tapestry remains one of my favourite albums of all time. I throw it on the turntable and as soon as I hear those first notes of I Feel The Earth

Carole King is up there with some of the most successful singer/songwriters in history and Tapestry is proof of that. In 1972 she received 4 Grammys for Tapestry including Album of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. James Taylor recorded You’ve Got A Friend and it appeared on his 1971 album Mud Slide Slim. In fact, the recording of King and Taylor’s records overlapped and they and Joni Mitchell appear on both of the albums.

With familiar tracks like It’s Too Late and Will You Love Me Tomorrow? this album just feels like home to me. King has created a timeless record that is a staple in any collection and will continue to be appreciated for generations to come.

ODDBALL

At my Dad’s place, we start flicking through his collection in search of this John Robinson album he has wanted to show me for a while when we stumble across Pattie Amphlett’s debut album from 1964 The Many Moods of Little Pattie.

Dad was all excited and started telling me stories of growing up in Maroubra and the culture of the time. He’d played me the record a few times before and after hearing his stories I couldn’t wait to get it home and play it again!

At the age of just 14 Little Pattie had released a split single He’s My Blonde Headed, Stompie Wompie, Real Gone Surfer Boy and Stompin’ At Maroubra that was sitting at number two on the Sydney music charts. At 15 she had released her debut album, The Many Moods of Little Pattie and continued to have songs in the charts. At age 16 Little Pattie was voted Australian Female Singer of the Year and at 17 she became the youngest person to entertain troops in Vietnam during the war. By the time Little Pattie had reached her 20s she had accomplished so much in her career already.

The Many Moods of Little Pattie is filled with surf-pop, catchy tunes that capture the surf culture of Sydney’s Maroubra at the time. Little Pattie has been singing contemporary adult music throughout her adult life and is playing at the South’s Juniors Club in Maroubra at a book launch party celebrating the release of a book titled The Golden Age of the Bra. Gina Martin

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album reviews

MALAKYTE

THE JEZABELS

IDLE FRET

Human Resonance

The Brink

Resist Not Evil

Since their formation, Brisbane thrash metal band Malakyte have been going from strength to strength. Not only have they played with legendary bands Anthrax, Municipal Waste and Alestorm, but they also shared the stage alongside many well respected bands at the 2013 Soundwave Festival and after listening to their album Human Resonance, it is obvious as to why they have.

Being one of Australia’s largest current exports in the music world is a tough occupation to fulfil. The Jezabels have held a secure position in the heart of Australia’s thriving music scene, and after a staggering amount of singles from their three EPs and debut album Prisoner back in 2011, have risen from the gloomy studio to unleash their sophomore beast, The Brink. Dramatic and elegant storytelling with the power and ferocity of desert licked guitar lines – it’s what the Jezabels are known for, but on this second full-length effort from the Sydney four-piece, it all just feels too proverbial.

And they say that noisy guitar rock is dead? Not if these guys have anything to say about it.

Before the release I was lucky enough to preview a couple of tracks off Human Resonance. I liked what I heard and looked forward to hearing the album in full but it really didn’t prepare me for what was to come. What was unleashed was a full thrash assault and a reminder of what makes the genre so great.

The album starts off with the instrumental track 7.38 which is just the calm before the storm. As soon as Embodiment kicks in, the album doesn’t let up until Skeksis which is just a short breather until it hits you in the face again more furious than ever. Human Resonance is fast, heavy and everything you would want in a thrash album and it deserves to be filed in your collection right next to the thrash masters that came before them.

Human Resonance is a very strong debut and if Malakyte stay on the path they are currently travelling then they can’t go wrong. I personally look forward to hearing what they come up with next, but until then grab your bullet belts and a beer and turn this up loud.

Nev Pearce

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ARIA award winning Prisoner felt like a gigantic leap for The Jezabels and resulted in sell out tours in Australia and the support slot for cult classics Depeche Mode in Europe.

While their debut held intense pop classics such as the heaving Long Highway and spin-chilling opener Prisoner, thanks to Hayley Mary’s commanding voice, The Brink’s opener of the same name, while it starts with a kick, falls a little flat. The eleven track album is bookended with some of the group’s highlight material with the meat of the record acting as filler and nothing more. Beat to Beat is the closest the Jezabels will get to becoming a hip-hop group, new single Look of Love tries to recapture the heart and fiery soul which won many Australian’s over with Endless Summer yet only gets as far as that.

The Brink holds some pop gems which are prime for goosebump territory, but it all feels very familiar.

Jake Wilton

Introducing Albury’s own rock ‘n’ roll exports Idle Fret.

They’ve been around since 2010, came within a whisker of playing Sydney’s Big Day Out and in 2013 released one of the standout Australian discs of the year, Resist Not Evil.

You know what you’re getting with Idle Fret. They don’t seem to mess around with ‘production’ and ‘polishing’; they are a raw heavy rock band and Resist Not Evil shows the band in fine form. Exploding out of the blocks with Mad Dog with a hard and heavy opening with enough guitar squeals and face melter solos to satisfy even the ‘metalist’ of rock fans.

Vocalist Hayden Edwards has a bit of Ozzy Osbourne about him with a vast range and engaging presence. He is gloomy and atmospheric in the title track and scratchy and aggressive in other songs like Fuck The Law and DTA. Resist Not Evil is the standout track on this EP. In a few movements the track represents a band with a maturing sound, offering layered guitars and harmonised vocals showing their song writing skills are running deeper than previous releases but they still retain the hard rock swagger and bravado that this Australian band is becoming known for.

Christian Stanger

singles BRODIE GRAHAM I Can’t Go Wrong The new single from blues man Brodie Graham, I Can’t Go Wrong is a fun upbeat tune with an equally light-hearted video clip.

Showcasing his signature lyrical momentum on guitar, the song is a self affirmation anthem with an old school comic humour.

THE REVEREND HORTON HEAT

THE GROWLERS

REV

Gilded Pleasures

REV is the eleventh album for Texan roots-blasters The Reverend Horton Heat, and long time fans will be pleased to know that not too much has changed in their retro-rockin’ world.

Too short to call an album and even though it’s being passed off as an EP, Gilded Pleasures is, technically, too long to be called an EP. Whatever you want to call it, Gilded Pleasures simply maintains The Growlers’ disarming formula of scuzzy indie country and beach goth.

Commencing with the driving instrumental Victory Lap, the band keeps their foot on the gas for the majority of the 13 tracks, delivering high octane doses of punked-up, old time rock and roll stylings with a twist of surf, twang and rockabilly.

Sharply attired front-man Jim Heath aka ‘The Reverend’ is an old school preacher-man of a singer in the vein of a Little Richard or Gene Vincent, in turns crooning and hollering, with the band scorching along for the ride.

Smell of Gasoline is a twisting thrill-ride of psychobilly infused mayhem, while Zombie Dumb is not too far removed from spiritual musical comrades Southern Culture On The Skids.

Spooky Boots is a roughed up, spaghetti-western heat haze and My Hat delivers authentic old time 50’s call and response rock and roll. Meanwhile Mad Mad Heart is classic, swinging rockabilly, with the masculine thump of double bass wielder Jimbo driving the point home.

And final track Chasing Rainbows is the sound of Dick Dale being pursued by a bunch of mutant, leather clad greasers.

With REV, The Reverend Horton Heat deliver another quality dose of decades-spanning rock and roll, as is befitting a band who’ve been honing their craft for more than 25 years.

Anthony Gebhardt

And no doubt that grimy, sexy vibe opens the EP on Dogheart II with swanky frontman Brooks Nielsen singing, Little girls don’t last forever / enjoy them while you can. And Nielsen continues on those themes for, basically, the duration of the EP with Humdrum Blues telling the tale of a fed up girlfriend wanting, something tangible, like a ring on her hand.

Compared to The Growlers’ back catalogue, Gilded Pleasures is quite simple and minimal with these nine songs offering a high level of nostalgia. Gilded Pleasures introduces a heavier application of delay and reverb on Nielsen’s vocals, giving a certain Julian Casablancas swagger to their beachy dreariness.

Tell It How It Is holds an odd connection to Pulp Fiction in the sense that it plays almost similar to Chuck Berry’s You Never Can Tell but if it were compressed, slowed and John Travolta and Uma Thurman jigged their infamous dance on a Californian beach. Whereas EP standout Pretend I’m Gay injects a final dose of nostalgia harking back ‘50s rock ‘n’ roll – delightful licks of the guitar and the rolling, simple support of the drums which empower the voice of Nielsen. Gilded Pleasure is a fine refreshment of swampy indie tunes to cater for breezy Sunday afternoons Jake Wilton

Far from a new comer Brodie has released an album and follow up self-titled EP, that has seen him perform at Woodford Folk Festival, Caloundra Music Festival and the Australian Blues Music Festival.

To check out Brodie’s new single and tour dates head to www.brodiegraham.fm.

Jessie Ryan-Allen

FOSTER THE PEOPLE Coming of Age Foster the People have unveiled the first taste of their upcoming sophomore album with an anthemic, uplifting tune that sees the band taking many more beneficial risks in their music. Coming of Age was in fact the last song written for Foster the People’s second record Supermodel – soon to drop in March of this year – but the first song to tease the fans.

First thing you would notice on this track is that it’s far more guitar-driven than any other material you’d find on Foster the People’s debut, Torches. Coming of Age’s dense guitar textures doesn’t necessarily replace the band’s previous indie dance sound, it only makes progress. Torches held a very high standard of production value, but mostly contained songs with bouncy synths or rolling keyboard lines. While Mark Foster (vocals/guitar/keyboards) did don the guitar on the debut record, it certainly wasn’t a main focus of the songs. Although on the band’s brand spanking new track the guitar shines bright and still resonates a sparkling quality of production, sure to be found on the entirety of Supermodel, no doubt.

Foster the People may have only just given us a small offering of what their second album is going to sound like, but Coming of Age is a large enough signal that the band are well and truly on top of their game. You thought they had talent three years ago? Well get prepared to be dominated by another whirlwind world tour – Mark Foster said he’d see Australian shores sooner rather than later.

Jake Wilton www.blankgc.com.au

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gig guide FEBRUARY Thursday 6 February The Love Junkies, Sassin Fras, Kit Lightning and The Revelators, The Loft Chevron Island I Am Giant, Mass Sky Raid, The Rev Fortitude Valley Friday 7 February Jack and the Giant Killers, Sarah Frank, Tuesday’s Good, Kenny Slide, The Loft Chevron Island The Swiss (live), Elsewhere Surfers Paradise Brewhouse Bash: Barefoot Friday, Burleigh Brewery Seavera, Real Talks, Tommy Sheehan, Soundlounge Currumbin The Love Junkies, The Badlands, Sassin Fras, the Northern Byron Bay Saturday 8 February River Rock Music Festival: Double Lined Minority, RedStarBorn, Daves Pawn Shop, River Rock Music Festival Toogoolawah Sarah Frank, The Cave MTNS, GOVS, Bilby, The Loft Chevron Island OKA, Declan Kelly, Miami Marketta Sunday 9 February Ottomans, Headcloud, Hypnotic Bed, Swingin’ Safari Surfers Paradise Jackson Dunn, Southern Cross Tavern Coolangatta (3.00pm) Mark Godden: Neil Young tribute, Tugun Seahawks Football Club (1.00pm)

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Thursday 13 February Wolfmother, Cooly Hotel Friday 14 February Sarah Frank, Café Urbia Burleigh 5.30pm Street 66, Astro Travellers and Anika Mantell, The Loft Chevron Island The Aston Shuffle, Elsewhere Surfers Paradise Cheap Fakes, Miami Marketta Hell and Whiskey, Mr Jonsons, Byron Bay Saritah, Fyah Walk, Soundlounge Currumbin Friday Brew James: Fletch, Burleigh Brewery Saturday 15 February Sarah Frank, Genki Café, 6.00pm Velvet Martini, Marketta Street Food, Rabbit+Cocoon Miami Rick Price, Casey Barnes, The Basement Arts Centre Gold Coast Sunday 16 February TSUN, White Lodge, Baskervillains, Swingin’ Safari Surfers Paradise Sarah Frank, The Village Markets 9.00am Friday 21 February The Vernons, Elsewhere Surfers Paradise Alex Bowen (Newcastle), Aquila Young, Scott Dalton, The Loft Chevron Friday Brew James: Nix, Burleigh Brewery Bandito Folk, The Phoncurves, Soundlounge Currumbin The Babe Rainbow, The Northern Byron Bay Saturday 22 February The Lyrical, Marketta Street Food, Rabbit+Cocoon Miami The Floating Bridges, Jahkaya, Rohan Nitschke, The Loft Chevron Bromance Records tour: Louisahhh!!!, Maelstrom, Elsewhere Surfers Paradise Sunday 23 February Glass Towers, Willow Beats, Jaws, Von Villains, EAST

Friday 28 February Tijuana Cartel, Soundlounge Currumbin Pirates Alive, Elegant Shiva, Elsewhere Surfers Paradise Friday Brew Jams: Dakuta, Burleigh Brewery Cheap Fakes, Miami Marketta

Bleach*: Band of Frequencies presents The Transparentsea Voyage, Soundlounge Currumbin SLAPSHOT, Shackles, The Lost Cause, Driven Fear, Bitter Lungs, Coolangatta Hotel Billy Bragg, The Northern Byron Bay

MARCH

Sunday 23 March Bleach*: Nicky Bomba and Bustamento, Bond University

Saturday 1 March Hell and Whiskey, Southern Cross Tavern Coolangatta Sticky Fingers, Cooly Hotel Tijuana Cartel, The Northern Byron Bay Sunday 2 March Caravana Sun, Miami Marketta Thursday 6 March The Growlers, Cooly Hotel Friday 7 March Bleach*: Elizabeth Rose, The Trouble with Templeton, Hey Geronimo, Soundlounge Currumbin Sarah Frank, Genki Café Frenzal Rhomb, Cooly Hotel Sunday 9 March Sarah Frank, The Bluff Café Thursday 13 March Jon Cleary, The Monster Men, The Northern Byron Bay Friday 14 March Bleach*: Violent Soho, Bad//Dreems, The Sinking Teeth, Soundlounge Currumbin The Sunnyboys, The Northern Byron Bay Sarah Frank, Mandala Organic Arts Cafe Saturday 15 March The Sunnyboys, The Northern Byron Bay Baby Animals, Coolangatta Hotel Friday 21 March

Thursday 27 March The Scientists (original lineup) 35th anniversary tour, The Trans Brisbane Friday 28 March Sarah Frank, Café Urbia Mark Wilkinson, Soundlounge Currumbin Sunday 30 March Dub FB, Opiou (Australian album tour), The Northern Byron Bay

APRIL Friday 11 April Uncle Jed, Soundlounge Currumbin Thursday 17 – Monday 21 April Bluesfest Byron Bay

Send your gigs to news@blankgc.com.au

BURLEIGH SINGLE FIN FESTIVAL

Images Courtesy Leisen Standen, Lamp photography

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SURF COMP SEASON SURVIVAL GUIDE We are now into February, and the surf season is well and truly upon us.

Not only are cyclone swells due in town but so is the pro-surfing circus and the world’s best surfers. It gets pretty crowded down the southern end of the Gold Coast for the next few months, as everyone who thinks they are anyone, is in and around Snapper Rocks. Terry “Tappa” Teece has the low-down on surf comp season, and some tips to help you through.

Really want to rub shoulders with the rippers?

Well if you really do; break out the black tie or the cocktail dress, part with a big slice of your coin, and grab a ticket to the ASP Ball. See all the champions lauded, and be in the same big room with the who’s who of surfing. Go 5 star class, or otherwise for no cash spent give them a big cheer as they walk in on the blue carpet. Yes blue! It’s like doing the Academy Awards for surfing!

Industry parties For a large percentage of the time you will not see that many of the surfers that compete in the event at these nights, as they are preparing for a possible heat the next day. But if you know someone who knows someone, you can get an invite to some of these shindigs. Normally the free drink train disappears pretty quickly but they can be a hell of a good time. There is one nearly every night of the first week of the contest, and the Tracks party is normally one of the biggest: surf groupie central, and if you like people watching you will not be bored. Just remember you’re only one exhibit in the zoo!

Image courtesy of Steve Berardi The biggest of the big surf events heading to town are the Quiksilver and Roxy Pros held at Snapper Rocks from 1 - 12 March. Other events will see the biggest and longest running teams challenge in the World, The Kirra Teams Challenge which takes place 13 – 15 March, and the finals of the Jim Beam National Surftag Competition from 27 - 30 March.

Both of these events are held at Duranbah Beach.

and cool, but a day in the Gold Coast sun can really dehydrate you, and a dose of sunstroke is not a good thing to pick up at the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro. Join the crew

So you are a big surf fan? You want to watch the world’s best surfers live, and maybe even get the chance to grab an autograph and say hello? Can you survive 2 weeks of industry parties? Well here’s a few tips to help you survive those hectic days of the pro circus.

You may decide to enjoy a few sparkling sports drinks at the Rainbow Bay Surf Life Saving Club, which is the place to be even if you’re not VIP. Go get a membership and you too can see some of the who’s who after the day finishes, and also catch a good break from the heat in the air-conditioning.

The surfing is also streamed live inside the club so you can watch live from the deck, then duck inside for the replay.

Getting there

Looking for autographs and photos?

It is very popular down at the Quiksilver/Roxy Pros, and car parks are like diamonds at Snapper Rocks, so it is best to look for car parks near the Jack Evans Boat Harbour, or even better take the bus, get off at Twin Towns walk 200 metres and you are there!

One thing to remember is that these guys and girls are all professional athletes, and when they are going to surf, it is their job and they are totally focussed. Before a heat they are in the zone, and most are not going to sign autographs just before a heat which can change their career. I call it courtesy: but wait until the heat is over, most surfers will happily sign autographs or pose for photos. The best place is after they have finished their media interviews. Kelly Slater is one guy who has been known to spend time after his heat seeing the fans, as do most of the other surfers. Be polite, pick your time and you might just score a signature from the stars.

Look after yourself First thing: it is like any other day at the beach, except on steroids. Zinc up, coverup, and don a big floppy hat and sunnies. A big bottle of water is also a must to keep you hydrated over a long day on the beach. The sea is refreshing 26

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The real party though, is if one of the local lads or ladies wins the event. Every publican in town wants to throw a party for the winner, but that is only known to those in the know, and it happens basically straight after the event. Once again, it can be either what you know, or who you know to get you in there.

In the water with the pros?

When I was a grom, I remember watching in awe as the pros of the day were out there warming up, and practicing before and after competition days. To be honest nothing is like watching these guys and girls from the water. Don’t expect to get many waves though, with a large slice of the top 32 men and top 16 women in the line up, plus Snapper locals, friends, family and entourage of the pros all having the same idea. There are not many waves to go around, but seeing it live and up close is amazing. That is something unique about surfing, you can’t get on the tennis court with Rodger Federer or Raphael Nadal, and you can’t be on the field when your footy team is training. But you can be in the water watching Fanning, Slater, Parko and Steph do their thing.

But like I said, don’t expect many, if any waves, and whatever you do don’t get in the way. Getting a wave out there is like being a seagull with a broken wing trying to get a chip.... no chance unless you are lucky, or someone takes pity on you.

Well there you have it; a few tips if you want to go out and enjoy the show in real life. Remember to look after yourself, have a happy vibe, and breathe in and feel the atmosphere at the event.

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RECREATIONAL SURFING ASSOCIATION

Image courtesy of Simon Williams

AUSTRALIA’S CENTURY OF SURF

100 GREATEST WAVES

by Tim Baker

by Casey Koteen and the editors of TransWorld SURF

When you pick this book up and look at a few pages, there’s no doubt it’s a coffee table book. You know the ones left on display, that people flick through without paying too much attention?

Well if you do that with this book, you’d be making a grave mistake – you’re missing an amazing journey.

Tim Baker has done some mighty research here, and has turned up stories which help tell the story of Australia: growing up to become the number one surfing nation in the world. There are ten chapters which cover the pre-1912 era right through to the 2000s with all the adventures and misadventures in between.

The book is full of stories about the pioneers, the lost but found era, the drug culture of the 1960s and 70s and the leap to professionalism of the surfing world today. The there’s the stories of the pioneers in the country towns in Northern NSW and Western Australia, on the other side of the world almost, but all on that journey to find the perfect wave.

The imagery and the history is amazing, and surfers of any age will be drawn to the tales of how it was back in the day.

And don’t get me wrong about the coffee table book thing.

The photos are amazing and timeless, and even a non-surfer will be drawn in by the great collection of photos which put the icing on the cake of this book.

My Dad is 76 and a surfer, albeit retired from the board now, but I cannot wait for him to see this book and drift back to those days like I did, reading and looking at the past, and admiring tales and images. This book is a visual and mind stimulating treat. It looks good and it is good.... and you can’t say that about too many things nowadays.

A voice for recreational surfers and beach lovers has emerged on the Gold Coast with the aims of protecting the beach and surf amenity. The Association’s ultimate objective is to have Gold Coast’s coastal strip from South Stradbroke Island to Coolangatta declared as a World Surfing Reserve.

The Association evolved from the efforts of local communities to save Kirra Beach from development.

The team at TransWorld SURF know surfing. So when this book showcasing the world’s 100 greatest waves landed on my coffee table I thought to myself, although a little sceptical, ‘this should be a good read’.

As I started flicking through the pages I was hit with some amazing surf photography, which is exactly what you would expect from this type of publication. All of the usual suspects seem to pop up on the glossy pages, from Dave ‘Rasta’ Rastovich to Dusty Payne and Jay ‘Bottle’ Thompson. Probably the most impressive part of the book is that it showcases the waves themselves rather than the surfers shredding them.

The book is set out by region and country giving it a travel feel from the beginning, with each wave showcased being accompanied by a short description touching on the location and setup. From a surfer’s and traveller’s perspective this book is a great start to planning a surf trip. You can flick through, find some waves in a specific part of the world and start calling the crew to talk plans.

Of course as it turns out some of the best waves in the book are often just down the road. All you have to do is get on your bike and fight the Sunday morning crowds: so pick up a copy and let your imagination run free.

Bogdan Popa

A local stewardship committee will include representation from Traditional Owners, Governments, surfing and surf lifesaving, boardriding clubs, business and media and will meet this month to prepare a coastal study to inform the process of establishing a World Surfing Reserve.

The Association has already commenced talks with the World Surfing Reserves committee based in California who support the concept of a Surfing Reserve on the Gold Coast.

You can follow this campaign: facebook.com/recreationalsurfing-association.

Affordable Websites Tailored to suit your needs

Starting at $750 Helping hand through decision-making plus tailored support booklet and training so you can take over.

0421 252 153 mel@BlueBeeConsulting.com.au

Terry “Tappa” Teece www.blankgc.com.au

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SAND DUNES BUILD BEACHES Dunes are vital to the health of our beaches and act as buffer zones, reducing the impacts of shoreline variability on our city.

10,000 years ago, major sand deposits of south east Queensland were formed, while the frontal dunes we are more familiar with were created around 2000-3000 years ago.

Beach ridges are hills of sand accumulated along a beach due to wind action and are usually aligned parallel to the waves and wind environment. The younger, bare and sandy ridges are closest to the shoreline, while the more stable sand deposits are further inland, which feature a more fertile soil profile and supports vegetation structure.

Low dune mobile sand sheets usually face the direction of the prevailing wind with the sand being blown about by the wind, meaning that they are always changing. These sand sheets are typically less established by vegetation and what we consider the active beach zone.

Dunes can withstand variable conditions as the vegetation is incredibly resilient and, within the dune community itself, each vegetation species plays a role in providing structural protection and nutrient supply. Natural forces can damage dunes and the vegetation, such as storm surge and waves generated by cyclones and storms, saltwater inundation, strong winds and sandblast, droughts and fires, as well as insect and parasite attacks.

This is why dune management plans are important for the protection of the dunes and the beaches we all adore. In particular, management ensures the primary function of dunes, to build beaches, is protected to enhance beach recovery after erosion events.

On the Gold Coast, the dunes are narrow, however, still provide a softening interface between the urban and natural coastal environment. We can all help protect the dunes by keeping off the dunes, not sand boarding and only accessing the beach via designated pathways.

How does sand reach the beach?

Sand accretion or the build up of sand on the beach occurs through two types of short-term processes due to wave action.

In contrast to erosion where sand is moved rapidly offshore due to large waves and strong currentsto form protective storm bars, the process of accretion allows for the beach to 28

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‘repair’ under calmer conditions by returning sand to the visible portion of the beach.

Accretion can be a slow process. As smaller, longer waves travel towards the beach, they stir up the sand grains into suspension. Gentle currents then sweep the sand gradually towards beach – each time depositing more sand one part closer to the beach. Providing calm conditions prevail over time, this process deconstructs the storm bar to re-build the beach.

Beach spinifex and other dune plants help hold the dunes together to build our beaches

What happens to sand during erosion events?

When a wave approaches the beach, the energy of the wave picks up millions of sand grains. Depending on the energy of the waves, this can either move sand towards or away from the beach.

During periods of intensified wave energy and storm surge, high energy waves have the ability to remove sand from the beach and deposit it offshore, leaving behind erosion scarps and rapid changes to the beach morphology.

Strong currents are also generated due to progressive breaking and reforming of the waves as they approach the beach, this process results in sand being eroded from the beach. In extreme cases, sand can be ferociously sliced from a once walkable beach and moved offshore, as the visible portion of the beach and dune system is ‘submerged’ creating a storm bar. Interestingly, this creation of a storm bar limits the height and destructive power of additional waves within the nearshore zone as they will break further out to sea on the storm bar.

The predominate sand bar parallel to the coast contributes to the delivery of sand to the beach

In simple terms, the ocean may borrow the sand for a period of time. During such times there will be very little walkable beach, eroded dunes and deep gutters, which together can present dangerous conditions for beachgoers. Though in time, as calm conditions prevail, sand will soon accrete back onshore and help with the natural recovery of the beach that is adored by the Gold Coast community.

Beach Bits is produced by Griffith Centre for Coastal Management as a snapshot of topics addressing coastal processes and management. For more information contact gccm@griffith.edu.au Naomi Edwards Griffith Centre for Coastal Management

Sand lost from erosion is submerged offshore leaving little walkable beach

ECO-BYTES A major climate adaptation conference is coming to the Gold Coast. It’s here from 30 September through 2 October at the Convention Centre and is hosted in partnership with CSIRO. More details at www.nccarf.edu.au.

A master development plan is out now for public comment on Fleay’s Wildlife Park. You can submit comments or find out about an online survey at tinyurl.com/fleays. Comments close 21 February.

Wombat Creative is hosting a grant writing workshop focussed on sustainability – both environmental and cultural. It takes place Sunday 9 February with a drastically reduced registration fee of $150 for Gold Coast locals. Contact sam@wombatcreative.com.au for more information or to register.

The SEQ Natural Resource Plan is everyone’s Plan. Over the next 12 months, land managers and residents of SEQ can help plan for the management of natural assets. A meeting is taking place on the Gold Coast on Tuesday 11 February at 5pm to discuss the plan. For more information or to register, contact Andrew Davidson on 0400 910 695 or email adavidson@seqcatchments.com.au.

More than 4000 people attended The Big Paddle Out to protest development of Kirra Beach and other coastal assets last month. You can still email the Premier to tell him your thoughts on the development of public open space and the sale of public assets to private developers. thepremier@premiers.qld.gov.au.

An Energy White Paper will set out an approach to energy policy for Australia. Comments must be submitted by Friday 7 February and more information is available at ewp. industry.gov.au.

Gecko – Gold Coast & Hinterland Environment Council is hosting Clean Up Australia Day events across the entire length of the coast. The event celebrates its 15th anniversary here on the coast this year. The event takes place Sunday 2 March and you can either register a site or participate as a volunteer at sites already confirmed.

Visit www.cleanupaustraliday.org.au for more information.

Surfrider Foundation Gold Coast and Climate Wave Enterprises are hosting Eco Challenge Gold Coast. The first event is a wooden surfboard expression session which will take place on Sunday 16 March from 9.00am at Currubmin as part of Bleach* Boulevard. Find them on Facebook (Eco Challenge Gold Coast) to get the lowdown.

AUSTRALIAN ARTISTS JOIN FORCES TO SAVE THE ORANGUTAN Some of Australia’s most talented artists have joined forces to released single Nightingale Floor alongside two distinguished short films in a bid to raise funds for the Orangutan Land Trust. Those involved are trying to highlight the plight of the orangutans whose habitats are being destroyed with the development of palm oil plantations.

Dedicated to the original ‘people of the forest’, Nightingale Floor is being released as a three minute single and a twentyminute string orchestra opus written for an 11-piece string section, featuring three soloists and exotic folk instruments including nyckelharpa, baritone bowed psaltry, hammered dulcimer and 5 string violin.

Brisbane musician Sallie Campbell kickstarted the project last year enlisting a host of gifted musician friends to join her – some of which included Kate Miller Heidke and Daniel Denholm (Powderfinger).

You can visit www.nightingalefloor.com.au to educate yourself on palm oil and donate. You can also download either the full piece, the short film or the instrumental clip.

All funds raised will go to the Orangutan Land Trust.

“Nightingale Floors were cleverly built in ancient Japanese castles to creak and sing when walked upon to warn of intruders. Similarly, we need be the ‘new nightingales’ who signal danger to our fragile ecology,” explains Campbell.

Nightingale Floor Music credits - Sallie Campbell: Composer, mandolin, five-string violin, nyckelharpa, hammered dulcimer, baritone bowed psaltry. John Rodgers: violin and banjo. Rob Davidson: double bass. Keir Nuttal: electric guitar. Vocals: Kate Miller-Heidke. Music producer: Daniel Denholm (Australian Chamber Orchestra, Powderfinger). Engineer: Chris Kneehause. Recorded at: Judith Wright Centre Brisbane

“The situation is urgent, the last wild orangutans on the earth live in Malaysia and Indonesia and their habitat is being threatened by the development of Palm Oil Plantations. Unsustainable Palm Oil is in 50% of supermarket items and if people knew the food and products they were consuming everyday were wiping out forests and all the beautiful creatures there, they wouldn’t buy them,” she said.

Campbell said the most important thing people could do to save the orangutan was to insist that the palm oil used in products was produced in a sustainable way, and not at the expense of orangutans and their forests. “As consumers we can do so much. We must demand proper labelling on palm oil products and tell companies that use unsustainable palm oil that we won’t buy them until they change to a sustainable source… there is even a free application being developed for smart phones, a palm oil scanner which will be such a powerful tool”

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fringe dweller

VOCs are most commonly found in paint, solvents, aerosol sprays, household cleaners and disinfectants, moth balls, air fresheners, glue, coloured markers, tobacco smoke, new cars and furniture, pesticides, even cosmetics and dry-cleaned clothing.

THE MYSTERY OF VOCS I lived for many years, blissfully unaware of the many toxicities lurking around us day in, day out. It wasn’t until I found myself on the green revolution and planning on a funky children’s bedroom that it even occurred to me to ask detailed questions about what exactly was in carpet, vinyl, treated wood, paint and wallpaper. The answers I found were scary and eye opening. But so, so fascinating. It is just amazing how much we don’t know about the most intimate aspects of the world we live in – the world of our house. We strive to find knowledge in our careers, our larger world, but sometimes it’s the things closest to us which matter the most that we continually overlook.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are chemical additives found in many consumer products. The volatile parts are the gases these compounds vaporise and emit, long after they’ve dried. Paint for instance emits only half of its VOCs in the first year, and many continue emitting for five years.

The VOCs are the organic solvents which serve as the carrier for the paint pigment. The odour smelled after paint dries is the evaporation of VOCs. Some of the more common VOCs in paint are formaldehyde, benzene, lead, cadmium and chromium.

Many of these chemicals are responsible for short and long term health problems. Benzene for example is known to cause cancer. Other compounding long term exposure problems include kidney and liver damage, issues with the central nervous system including the brain, asthma attacks, as well as more minor short term exposure complaints like nausea, fatigue, dizziness, vision and memory problems, headaches and irritation in the eyes, nose and throat.

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What is really frightening is that concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors than outdoors (up to ten times as much). People particularly at risk from VOCs are pregnant and breastfeeding women, small children and obviously those working in the relevant industries.

Some solutions: • dry clean as sparingly as possible and when you do, air items outside for a few days before you return them to your wardrobe. The chemical most widely used, perchloroethylene causes cancer in animals in laboratory studies.

• when it comes down to it the only household cleaner you really need is vinegar and bicarbonate of soda, together these two natural products can battle the toughest stains.

• always choose water-based over oil-based, as oil is a high carrier of VOCs. • don’t use vinyl floor coverings, and most carpet is high in toxicity too. Go for natural flooring, tiles, or presealed hardwood.

• when wallpapering, always unwind the wallpaper outside to ensure most of the off-gassing occurs there, and not in your house.

The level of VOCs in your house increases up to 1000 times after painting. Paints are the second largest source of VOCs after new cars. That ‘new car’ smell is actually very bad for your health.

So my solution? – go for a low or no VOC paint. They don’t really exist at the standard hardware stores (look carefully, they need to be at maximum 97g/L). I bought mine from an eco paint place in Byron Bay. It is more expensive but to me, the health and peace of mind of my family is priceless. And ‘low odour’ is not the same as ‘low VOC’ as VOCs can be disguised using other chemicals.

Finally, even eco paint needs to be disposed of properly, take it to the waste processing plant at your local tip. Don’t keep partially full or unneeded chemicals as gases leak even from properly sealed containers, anything you do keep, make sure it’s stored in a well-ventilated area.

Katie Hooper

FIBRO COAST In the era before motels and resorts, a holiday at the Gold and Sunshine coasts usually meant either pitching a tent and camping by the beach or staying in a simple cottage owned by family or friends. Simplicity, informality, individuality and increasingly a design that acknowledged a connection to outdoor living were the hallmarks of these humble places.

Despite rapid change to the urban fabric of the Coasts currently taking place, a few of these buildings remain, and hold with them many layers of memory of this holiday history of relaxation and escape.

So, an exhibition featuring works by artists who holidayed here from the 1920s will be especially popular when it hits the coast this month.

Spanning 15 February through 23 March, the exhibition will present the cultural, artistic, arthitectural and design story for the humble fibro beach house of the Gold and Sunshine Coasts from the 1920s to the present. It takes place at the Arts Centre Gold Coast The exhibition features works by Judy Barrass, Elaine Campaner, Anna Carey, Byron Coathup, Dean Cogle, Kelly Hussey-Smith & Alan Hill, Kymberley McElroy, Bruce Reynolds, Rebecca Ross and Susan Schmidt.

Entry is free and the full program is available at www.fibrocoast.net.

RECYCLE YOUR LOVE Recycle your love with these clever products Katie Hooper has selected from around the globe. Love doesn’t come wrapped up in shiny plastic, and neither should your gifts this Valentine’s Day.

A.

B.

C.

D.

A.

RECYCLED BOLGA BASKET: Created from over 270 plastic bags and 2 yards of scrap cloth the skilled weavers of Ghana receive above fair trade wages for their gorgeous baskets. $95.00, www.thetoucanshop.com

B.

FIREHOSE IPHONE CASE: Up the heat in your relationship with this vintage decommissioned fire-hose Iphone case. Lined with reclaimed parachute silk and packaged with old tea sacks and end of line labels. $49.00, www.upcyclestudio.com.au

C.

SPICE TRAIL THROW RUG: Made from salvaged cotton clippings from industrial t-shirt manufacturers you can feel good snuggling up under this throw with your loved one knowing you’ve helped to reduce landfill. $150.00, www.ecochic.com.au

D.

PAPER ART HEART: Hand-made and unique, this heart is created from books destined for paper pulp and now repurposed into beautiful artwork. $285.00, www.zambella.com.au www.blankgc.com.au

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COMEDY CULTURE It all started with a phone call. “Hey man, you keen to go see some stand up?” I squealed like a school girl, went to put on my best underwear and was cruising toward the Arts Centre within minutes.

The whole drive was spent sharing anecdotes from our all time favourite comedy acts. Eddie Murphy, Bill Hicks and Louis C.K. were all celebrated with poor impressions. We were ready to laugh.

We strode confidently up to the door to be greeted by a most friendly host. “Did you guys book seats?” Oh shit. The sting in the side was brutal. We looked to each other. Panic, disappointment and self-loathing. We are so stupid. The stunned silence lasted just seconds. Tracey reassures us, “a table for four hasn’t shown up yet. Actually you know what?

We’ve probably got some standing room. Follow me.”

We walk apprehensively down the dark stairs into The Basement complex. Once in the doors we are blasted by an atmosphere that makes all senses tingle. It is so sexy! The lighting, the banter and OMG, the people! Everybody is done up to the nines. Where are we?

Tracey makes a big fuss over us. No standing room wedged uncomfortably at the bar for us. She has swooped on some spare bar stools. She does everything but offer to shine our shoes. I think she has mistaken us for gentlemen.

A period of shocked silence follows. Wtf just happned? I turn to my friend. He is grinning like a Cheshire cat. We are in. We are in and there is magic in the air. The first and most obvious question… “Why have we waited so long to do this?”

Fast forward to this morning. I sit content with the steps I’ve undertaken to research Gold Coast comedy culture. I love comedy and with Blank I intend to share this love. Let’s start with the science.

An online article in the NY Times makes mention of research carried out by Dr Robin Dunbar: an evolutionary psychologist working from Oxford. “The physical act of laughing. The simple muscular exertions involved in producing the familiar ha, ha, ha, trigger an increase in endorphins, the brain chemicals known for their feel-good effect.”

If I keep my nerd hat on long enough, I can fill the rest of this magazine with the science of giggles. A quick search in Google “why does laughing feel good?’’ and an endless stream of articles lie waiting. An act we all take for granted has a deeply rooted history in our evolution. The stand-up comic, in essence, is there to trigger your primal responses and make you feel good.

I’m sure that before being aware such scientific evidence existed, you already revelled in the joy associated with

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laughter. Why then, with professionals circulating our coastal clubs are you not attending? How did a night in watching Biggest Loser become the activity to be boasted about at the water cooler? I posed this question to Lindsay Webb. A headline performer from our night at the Arts Centre. His response, “It is easier to enjoy what we are told is good”. Hmm. I hope you’re paying attention you reality TV junkies.

The research must go on. The Arts Centre gig was a demonstration of many professional hands at work. An experienced history of hosting professional comedians was noticeable in every corner of the event. A superb, sophisticated night out. But where does it all begin? Like the local rock band at their first handful of performances. It’s not, strum, drum and off to the Entertainment Centre. First the local pub needs to welcome you for a night of experience. Where is this happening for the comedians? Off to The Loft, Chevron Island.

Chris Begg of Touch Of Red Entertainment is the man responsible for keeping the comedy warm on Chevron. We have corresponded in advance and I’m pumped for open mic night.

The clouds roll in this night and the rain flows freely. I am concerned for I know Gold Coast locals are allergic to anything but sunny clear skies. However, just before the MC takes the mic, an intimate crowd of die-hards has created the foundation for atmosphere. The show will certainly go on.

My first observation is the contrast of mood to that at the Arts Centre. This truly is where the grass roots are sprouting. There is anxiety, fear, excitement and hope all churning powerfully together. It is f*cking brilliant.

Chris has informed me that all performers have had at least a handful of turns with mic in hand. A few have even graced the stages periodically over years. It’s a bit clumsier but it’s raw. There are a few comics who I think are going to buckle.

My stomach churns under the pressure I can feel for them.

Every single performer dashes to the end of their skit and I am enthralled by this. I can’t help imagining myself in this exact predicament. Cowering like a baby, running from the stage with soggy soiled pants.

I am sold. This is even more than I bargained for. Bargain being an understatement, five bucks at the door! It surely can’t be the entrance fees which are turning away your average Joe. I ask Chris during the half time break about his thoughts on this phenomena. “There is a lack of publicity.

Stand Up Comedy isn’t being promoted like music and other arts”.

I am also deadly curious as to how somebody ever attempts this style of performance. Alone and vulnerable to judgement and attack on stage. How does the funny guy graduate to on-stage funny? Chris suggests “hit the open mic nights. There are courses but they are not essential. Wait for

that first laugh, you will be hooked”. That moment we agree can be likened to the surfer who stands on his first wave. It takes some balls to paddle out, get knocked around but that buzz will have you back.

So where to from here for GC Comedy? There are other venues, including The Casino, Courthouse and Vault in Southport to explore. If you’re feeling particularly inspired, hit up your local pub/tavern manager. “Why aren’t we hosting any comedy?” Sure the cover bands are keeping a predictable and consistent atmosphere. Why not risk, even once a month, the next thriving stand-up night in your local venue?

Andrew Scott

GOLD COAST ART FESTIVAL The Gold Coast Art Festival and everything that goes with it, is an artistic endeavour with a difference. Through collaboration, Gold Coast Art Festival Supporters Club and Gold Coast Art Festival Artist Network run a gallery, organise urban art opportunities for businesses and artists and assist artists in other ways. It is simple - the not-forprofit organisation is solely run by artists for the benefit of artists.

The Gold Coast Art Festival has been held at the beautiful Broadwater Parklands in Southport annually for two years.

The three-week long gathering of culture includes sculpture exhibitions, workshops, sculpture symposium as well as a full program of music and performing arts. As with many young art events finding their form and shape, the festival is moving to new venues for its third year in 2014; an outdoor and indoor exhibition will take place at the Arts Centre Gold Coast as well locations in Southport and Surfers Paradise.

The Arts Centre will also host the wonderfully engaging Sculpture Symposium and a range of workshops.

The artist run gallery is your fast-track to the collective through the year. In their third location now at the second floor of Scarborough Centre at the corner of Scarborough Street and Nerang Road in Southport, the gallery exhibits an impressive range of creative talent from the Gold Coast. The pieces vary from larger scale metal sculpture to very expressive paintings and pieces of urban graffiti art. And if you ever wanted to make a purchase, unlike the commercial galleries, this gallery doesn’t charge a commission and therefore the prices are very reasonable and wholly and fully benefit the artist. But don’t be surprised if you don’t find them there in a few months’ time as a little bird told me that this pop up style gallery might be relocating to Surfers Paradise.

True to the artistic nature of the organisation and the coordinators, further details of the festival program and locations will not be available on their website until a lot closer to the date. In the meanwhile, you can always become their Facebook friend and learn a bit more about all the weird and wonderful things they do or simply pop into the gallery for an artistic treat and a chat!

The Gold Coast Art Festival runs from 9 until 24 March.

Visit their website www.goldcoastartfestival.com.au.

Anna Itkonen

SO HOW’S THAT NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION GOING? The lovely ladies at my local cafe have assured me that New Year’s resolutions can’t logically start till after Australia Day because that’s when the partying officially ends and the serious work of the year begins. If I’d paid attention to those sages, I’d be about another 3 kilos heavier and my mind would be even fuzzier from alcohol induced neural damage.

No, not I. My bodily detox and mind enhancement commenced on January 2nd. It couldn’t have logically begun on January 1st because the mind was in no fit state for enhancement and the body required coffee, a fried breakfast and a rest.

I had begun planning the detox well before Christmas with a visit to the doctor and a script for HCG. That’s Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin to the uninitiated, and to those who are more enlightened, yes it’s the pregnancy hormone. I am well aware of how crazy it sounds to be taking a pregnancy hormone to lose weight and detox, but there is method to my madness; stay with me on this.

The last time I tried to lose weight, over 4 weeks, I dieted and exercised and put on a kilo! I hate fad diets, and had assumed that the HCG diet was another one. It may well prove to be when the new fad comes along (Garcinia Cambogia anyone?) and I only decided to give it a try because the tummy and hip fat just wasn’t budging. HCG is present in high amounts during pregnancy apparently to mobilise the mother’s fat stores for energy, whilst preserving muscle. A diet based around much smaller injectable doses was developed by a British endocrinologist, Dr A.T.W. Simeons in the 1950’s. The hormone, along with a 500 calorie per day diet for 3 weeks, supposedly mobilises stubborn fat stores whilst resetting the hypothalamus in the

brain to accommodate the new weight. Critics of the diet say that anyone on a 500 calorie diet will lose weight. Not so, say its proponents. If you eat 500 calories a day without HCG your body will just go into starvation mode, slow down the metabolism, and conserve fat stores. The homeopathic form of HCG available on the internet may well be fueling the critics’ argument. The hormone has to be injected or given via nasal spray or it is ineffective.

After three weeks, I lost five and a half kilos and 6cm off my waist. Trouble is, I felt like crap. Maybe I should have listened to the naysayers who said that eating 500 calories a day, even if it is only for 3 weeks, is dangerous. Or maybe it’s because I felt like crap my entire pregnancy and I was taking the very hormone that caused me to feel tired, weak and irritable those 9 long months. God I hated being pregnant!

Still got a way to go with the weight loss but the mind enhancement is coming along nicely. I’m back at my weekly Monday night meditation group and meditate every day in between. I finally got around to reading Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda, and it’s inspired me to read more books about Kriya Yoga. Now all I need is a guru to initiate me into the Kriya method of chakra meditation so that I can attain perfect Self Realisation.

Or maybe my expectations are a little too high. I have, after all, got a friend’s birthday party to go to in Brisbane next weekend................

Pip Andreas

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AUSTRALIA DAY. OOPS It’s been 226 years since the HMAS Supply landed at Sydney Cove and Captain Arthur Phillips raised the British Flag.

The story generally goes the First Fleet landed at Sydney Cove on January 26, but actually it wasn’t as orderly as the old oil paintings suggest.

The first Australia Day was a very long day.

If you could ask anyone in the First Fleet who wasn’t on the HMAS Supply, they’d tell you the dramas they had.

The First Fleet actually arrived in Botany Bay a week before January 26, 1988. They’d been given orders to set up a settlement there, but apparently… oops… it wasn’t very nice.

So on January 25 Captain Phillips ordered them to weigh anchor and set sail to somewhere nice, Sydney Cove.

A storm hit.

Oops.

Anyway this Australia Day 2014 saw indigenous Sydney Swan’s footballer and anti-racism campaigner Adam Goodes win Australian of the Year.

In his acceptance speech he said it was important to have conversations about racism, “… what it looks like, how hurtful and how pointless it is.”

I’m a Collingwood supporter so I’m not going to go on about Adam Goodes’ achievements as a footballer with the Sydney Swans. Go the Pies!

However I am going to remember that Swans game against Collingwood where Mr Goodes took offense to a racist comment from a mouthy young girl in the crowd.

The 13 year old had called Mr Goodes an ape.

He stopped play, pointed her out to security staff and they escorted her from the ground.

Ten out of the 11 ships lost control in the gale, some of them crashing into each other, losing booms and sails, running aground and onto rocks. If that wasn’t enough, a couple of French ships turned up by surprise… oops… and got a hammering as well.

She later apologised for the remark and he publicly forgave her on Twitter.

Odd start to this little British penal project that King George 3 deemed necessary after losing the American Revolutionary War. Oops.

A week later I was tutoring an Indigenous student in the Gumurrii Student Support Unit at Griffith University. A poster of Adam Goodes saying “Racism. It stops with me” was on the wall.

Had there been an Australia Day Award then, Captain Phillips would have won hands down.

Firstly because back then only white people would have been considered. But secondly as the only captain out of 11 to get his ship out of Botany Bay without mishap and up to Sydney Cove by early Australia Day morning to plant the flag, it would have made him a shoe in.

To the victor goes the glory, but what about the others. They arrived much later in the day… a little flustered.

January 26, 1988 had all been a bit random for the overwhelming majority of the First Fleeters.

The ugly reality of Botany Bay then the gale’s unexpected tumult after eight scurvy months at sea must have left a nasty taste in their mouth.

It might have scared them.

It may have damaged their confidence, their composure, their faith or their sense of self.

Or for the convicts it may have been just another negative experience in what was probably a long journey to hell.

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At the time I remember quietly thinking he was making mountains out of mole hills.

The Human Rights Commission campaign “Racism. It stops with me,” invites all Australians (and anyone else I’d hope) to reflect on what they can do to counter racism, wherever it happens. http://itstopswithme.humanrights.gov.au/ I asked one of the Gumurrii staff what they thought of Goodes’ reaction.

Day after day, year after year, molehills of racist remarks do add up to mountains, the staff member explained.

Every insult leaves a little hurt and the hurt adds up.

I know that from my own experience that negative comments affect me. So it was a little lesson for me. What had Goodes done to counter racism? He had identified it and held the person accountable (very publicly accountable in this case).

But more than that he accepted her apology and he forgave the girl and asked everyone to move on.

Clearly he didn’t think it was too big a mistake to be undone.

Just as the 10 ships of the First Fleet that missed the big event at Sydney Cove patched things up and made their way to Sydney Cove in time for dinner.

Thousands of games of beach cricket are played on Australia Day every year round the country. Australia day is a day to have a look at our country, all the positives and negatives.

The Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who presented the award to Mr Goodes, has also shown some of that spirit. In 2009 Mr Abbott admitted it was “a mistake” for then PM John Howard not to apologise to the Stolen Generation of which Adam Goodes’ mother is a member.

We all make mistakes. We’re only human, only Australians.

Congratulations Adam Goodes. Go the Pies.

Mic Smith

CLOTHING, OP-TIONAL Whether it’s my childhood experiences of rummaging through clothes and toys at the community market that has influenced my regular op-shopping ventures, I don’t know.

What I do know is that this trend is gaining momentum, especially with the popularity of vintage and retro fashions among young people. Second hand shopping is also much easier on the wallet and it’s an ethical way to shop.

Charity and opportunity shops receive donations of mainly clothing, furniture, kitchenware and books from the community. Because volunteers staff most op shops and merchandise is donated, prices of items are generally very low and it’s easy to pick up a bargain. In recent years many young people are choosing to shop second hand and it has become a way of life rather than a way of shopping.

There are well known organisations that manage op shops like The Salvation Army (Salvos), St Vincent De Paul (Vinnies) and Lifeline that are commonly found around the Gold Coast. Be sure not to neglect your smaller, hidden gems though that are often managed by churches and smaller organisations like the Animal Welfare League. It’s in these little known op shops I have nabbed some of my greatest bargains. All of these global and community organisations have helped less fortunate people in times of need and the continued support and loyalty of many opportunity shoppers has contributed greatly.

Second hand clothes have made up the majority of my wardrobe for as long as I can remember, but over the last 18 months it has become more that just the fashion and prices that appeal to me. I started asking questions about where my clothes were coming from and after hearing a few horror stories about garment factories, wages and treatment of garment workers in Cambodia and Bangladesh I shifted my shopping habits solely to second hand or Australian made.

HANG 5: GOLD COAST OP SHOPS

When it comes to op shopping for clothes I have a few pointers: 1. Have an open plan – have a general idea of what you’re looking for, this way you won’t come home with things you don’t need. Maybe you are attending a wedding in a couple of months so look for an appropriate dress.

It’s great to be prepared but always keep an open mind with op shopping because you never know what else you might find.

2. Just because it’s cheap doesn’t mean you need it – I am so guilty of this! I see a pair of shoes that are not that great but are only $2 so I buy them. Then they sit in my wardrobe for months until I decide to donate them. REMEMBER, we are trying to keep things from ending up in landfill but that doesn’t mean your wardrobe should become a dump.

3. What’s the point of buying something if it doesn’t fit you? You wouldn’t buy something new if it didn’t fit, so don’t buy it second hand either. Sometimes a skirt might just need to be taken up but if you have no intention of doing this than don’t bother buying it.

4. Take a bag – Always take an environmentally friendly bag! Australians drop over 36,000 tonnes of plastic into landfill every year and the numbers keep increasing.

Every plastic bag you don’t use is helping to reduce that number.

5. Where to go - Currumbin. Not as busy as Burleigh Heads and Palm Beach so prices are lower and there is heaps of good stuff! Three op shops within 100m of one another along Currumbin Creek Road.

Don’t forget the inland suburbs for op shopping joy. Rents are cheap, space is vast, you’ll get lost for days.

Furniture is another big op shop attraction, especially for young people just moving out of home. My entire house is furnished with second hand buys and that’s just the way I like it. Character and originality are huge factors in today’s furniture market and everyone is looking for that special one-off piece that completes a room. It may take years to whittle out the bad bits from the good but the satisfaction of having a uniquely complete room just doesn’t compare.

Another great thing about old furniture is that is usually isn’t very hard to restore. You can recycle it and add your own little touches. Timber furniture just gets more beautiful with age and sometimes all it takes for a table to come back to life is a sand back and a new coat of polish. Many people are going for the shabby chic look now and this is also easy to achieve with second hand wooden furniture.

When op shopping for furniture I have a few pointers: 1. Again, have a plan – A little less open than with clothes have something you need in mind like a bedside table or couch. From there you can see what’s available and decide whether or not it will work in the space. For big items especially, have measurements! Take it from me; there is nothing worse than having to lift a dining room table up over a balcony because it won’t fit through the front door!

2. Check condition and stability – If you’re buying a bed base, make sure all the pieces are there and it’s not too wobbly. If you’re buying a table, chairs or couch make

3.

4.

1

RSPCA West Burleigh, Township Drive – everything from knick knacks to lounge suites.

2

Lifeline Ashmore, Industrial Ave – you’ll lose yourself for hours. Books, baby goods, furniture, kitchen appliances and clothes for miles.

3

Change Gear Pre-Loved Fashion, GC Highway Mermaid Beach – for lovers of second hand designer clothes (you can also sell your clothes on consignment)

4

Buttons ‘n’ Beans Op Shop & Coffee House, Railway Street Southport – a social enterprise supporting freedom, social justice and growth.

Shopping and coffee. Yes please!

5

Canungra Op Shop, Lawnton Lane. OMG, a treasure trove of goodies. Clothes, books, shoes.

You can even find them on Facebook.

sure the legs are secure and are not going to come apart at the first sitting. If the condition of the fabrics or the cushions on a couch won’t withstand much more, maybe consider something else.

Have an end goal – Furnishing a house with second hand buys is a long process. Be patient. Have a picture in your mind and build your living spaces up to that because when you get there you truly enjoy spending time in those spaces.

Where to go – West Burleigh RSPCA Bargain Barn.

Huge warehouse, heaps of great couches, tables and dressers.

Choosing to op shop is fun, inexpensive and creative and it helps to minimise on waste. Next time you feel like a bit of retail therapy instead of going to the multi-million dollar shopping centres, head to your local charity store and see what you can find.

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been there done that

ALMOST APPRECIATING ART ‘Getting’ art is a challenging and confusing concept. As a recent gallery attendee, I can boast having battled the experienced appreciators mob. I did it all. Staring blankly into canvases covered and scowling at sculpture. Trapped in an atmosphere filled by those who ‘get it’ all the time feeling I am inferior. The mind convincing, “If you don’t get it, you’re an un-cultured bogan who belongs at the ham-stand”. That’s right, the ham-stand. It was there too with some cheese and crackers. You following?

I shall take the invite to almost anything. When an art exhibition is on offer in Byron on a beautiful Friday evening, I’m there. The ham is just a bonus.

Before entering, I plan an attack for the small party I’m with.

“Let’s all choose the one piece of art we would most definitely display with pride in our homes”. This keeps it simple. I can tell you why I like a song. I can tell you what joke I think is funny. I can even tell you why one sport interests me more than the other. Ask me why a piece of art interests or doesn’t interest me and I might just pass gas and slither away.

The pavilion we enter is rather grand. I refuse eye contact with the crowd. They’ll know that I don’t belong. They’ll see the intruder and I will be reprimanded for being uncultured.

Taken away and refused the ham.

Throughout the whole experience, I am certain there is an etiquette which I am just pissing all over every clumsy step of the way. How long can you pause and appreciate? How close can you get? Are you allowed to use phrases like “what the fuck is that?”

Just when the anxiety is beginning to suffocate, a strange French woman with a moustache and cigarette stick urges herself into our party. She makes some cultured comments in a horrible French accent and I visualise myself head-butting the wall and knocking myself unconscious to escape the pressure-cooker I leave the room with relief and pause one final time at giant photo selling for $1600. On display in this piece are two sets of blurry legs. A light bulb goes off. Instead of insisting that this is bullshit, I think, if my mate took that photo, I’d tell him he screwed up and needs to do it again. My thinking graduates to ponder. Maybe it’s a voyeuristic angle snapped by a heartbroken man who has captured his ex and best friend cosying up on the couch. My heart starts racing.

Totally tits! I suddenly feel like I’m winning at art. I get it.

My friend approaches and I explain to him my profound insights to this masterpiece. He tells me it’s shit and he’s hungry. I agree. We leave. The end.

Andrew Scott

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Then the conversation turns, as we skim over the latest research which points the finger away from fat as a bogeyman to inflammation and inflammatory foods as a main cause of disease.]

We’re only beginning to see nutrition as preventative medicine. It’s just the start of this movement. We’ve so much more to learn...

GFGC: It’s been a tough time for some restaurants. How has the market responded to the changes in your menu?

Peter: Much of Caffe Republic’s menu is still the same as it was when we took over. Regulars have their favourite dishes, and consistency of product is the key – all handmade, sourced from local producers, organic where possible. But everything on the Specials Board is paleo, as well as everything in the display cabinet and 2 or 3 desserts. You can see the nutritional information displayed for those dishes.

A PALEO PINUP A paleo pinup? Peter Dufty would be really uncomfortable with that tag, but there’s an element of truth in it.

From Versace to raw, (and we’re not talking clothing), Pete’s one of Gold Coast food’s quiet achievers – a classically trained ‘master chef ’ who has jumped the culinary fence from haute cuisine to healthy eating, leaving behind 30+ kg on the way!

It’s amazing to watch such ‘Pygmalionesque’ change not only in his restaurant, Caffe Republic, but also in Peter’s own physique. He doesn’t go banging on about it, you won’t see his photo splashed on billboards beside the Light Rail, but that doesn’t make his journey any less significant. Slowly we’ve watched a healthier person emerge butterfly-like from his physical chrysalis. We ask Peter about his story...

GFGC: Many chefs have mothers who either cook very well or very badly. Which was it for you? Where did your food journey begin?

Peter: [laughs] Well, both my parents shared the cooking responsibilities, creating a passionate environment for real food. I really became interested in being a chef at high school in Home Economics, as it was known then, when I realised that I could make a career out of cooking. I realised that if I became a chef I’d always have a job and I could travel as well. That was my dream.

Cuisine (master chef) working with Executive Chef Steve Szabo.

In 2009 my wife Leena and I decided to start a business of our own for lifestyle reasons. That’s when we bought Caffe Republic.

GFGC: There’s a 2012 meal we had at Caffe Republic that beeped on our radar: ‘Mushrooms on toast’ featuring four different types of mushroom! Soon afterwards, you started advertising the nutritional composition of some of your dishes (fat, carbs, sugar etc.) Nobody else was doing that.

What brought about the change?

Peter: [laughing] Yeah, I remember that special!

We’d been involved in a lot of things up until that point – getting the business up and running, having kids... Things we’d done were great, but they’d taken their toll. We were in our early 30s, so we figured it was time to concentrate on ourselves, to bring the balance back into our lives. I started training at Vision Personal Training Bundall with Michelle Edwards, and took a look at performance and how I could fuel my body better [with Jeff Osborne].

GFGC: So that’s when you adopted a basically Paleo diet?

It’s really helped business, because the word has got out and now people from the gym come and eat here, as well as others who want a healthy meal, plus knowing what’s in it! We found the gap in the market.

I’ve also held a series of dinners [with Jeff from Vision] where we focus on healthy food choices, teaching people how to make the recipes on the dinner menu, as well as a talk about a specific lifestyle topic. They’ve been received really well.

GFGC: You say that 2013 has been the best year of your life.

Peter: Yes, in every way. I feel more focussed, I sleep better, enjoy higher energy levels and a better attitude to life.

It’s funny. People see me and say, ‘Are you the same bloke?’ [laughs] Initially, I started changing my lifestyle for selfish reasons, but now it’s about other people as well. I can’t really tell anyone what they should be doing. I can only tell them about what has worked for me; the great results that a change in lifestyle has brought me.

With more information coming out about lifestyle, more research shedding light on nutrition, I also feel that I have the confidence to talk more about my philosophy and to make greater changes to the café’s menu, giving other people the same opportunity [to enjoy this food].

Peter: I’d rather call it a lifestyle, not a diet. I’d tried diets before, but this encompassed a whole philosophy, a way of life.

Did you know that the word ‘diet’ actually means ‘way of life’ in Latin and Greek?

GFGC: So, could 2014 be the year of our first paleo café?

GFGC: What have been some of the defining moments in your culinary journey?

[Looking it up later, ‘diet’ is from Latin diaeta, from Greek diaita mode of living, from diaitan to direct one’s own life.]

Peter: After working in Brisbane at Avanti (Italian), Fridays Riverside and then at [the highly influential all male ‘sanctum’] The Queensland Club, where I was finally qualified as a chef, I followed every chef ’s rite of passage and worked in London for a year. It helped me to realise how well off we are in Australia [with chef training]. Our level of skill here is really high. Despite the UK’s reputation, there’s a lot of cooking going on there without cooks even having an apprenticeship. We’re streets ahead!

For me, it means that we need to move (I try to get an hour’s exercise every morning), get enough sleep so that our bodies can recover and heal, drink plenty of water, limit our intake of alcohol, and eat a high protein, high (but good) fat diet, with no refined sugar, dairy or wheat (especially no gluten), with food in as natural a state as possible (50% raw if possible) in 5 – 6 smaller meals per day.

The idea is to get people healthy without them even realising it, because the food not only looks and tastes great; it is good for you.

After I came back I worked in Cha Cha Char, and then in fine dining – Restaurant Bespoke, Peppers Spicers Peak Lodge (which won the SAVOUR Restaurant & Catering Award while I was there), and Palazzo Versace, where I was Chef de

[We talk a bit about the old food pyramid drummed into our heads, with its low fat, high carb mantra, and how research has turned that theoretical model on its head. Peter gives me a quick summary of the origins of a paleo diet: basically, cavemen were on the run along the plains hunting to kill food.

When times were lean, they ate a few berries which their bodies stored as energy...

Peter: [laughs] 2014 will see big changes to Caffe Republic’s menu - lots more alternative paleo specials.

[We talk some more about personal battles, the wins and losses of two fighters in the arena of life...]

And so [he turns to me]...What can I do for you?

Caffe Republic, Bronberg Plaza, Slatyer Ave., Bundall.

Marj Osborne Read more of Marj’s reviews on Good Food Gold Coast http://www.foodgoldcoast.com.au

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AVVIA 1383 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach Avvia….what a wonderful little find! For years I’ve been driving past this unsubtly hidden spot on the corner of 23rd Avenue and the GC Hwy in Palm Beach, and I’ve never felt the need to explore what lay behind its walls. However upon doing a Trip Advisor search for a great Gold Coast breakfast to take visitors, Avvia’s name came up with repeated five star ratings. It was time to finally check it out. Once I read their breakfast menu I had no hesitation in cancelling our original breaky reservation.

For the past year I’ve been lamenting that there is just nowhere on the Gold Coast that really shines in the breakfast department. They all do OK, but with few standout dishes. The exception of course is Connor’s in Burleigh, but that’s a review for another day. Avvia is the answer to my prayers with exotic dishes like Shashouka – eggs poached in smokey tomato ragout with Turkish bread, and Haloumi and Zucchini frittata with smoked salmon and poached eggs.

It made choosing just one breakfast each all the harder, but we eventually settled on Japanese style eggs Benedict Okonomiyaki containing the usual with cabbage, green onion and BBQ sauce. It came out like 2 huge pancakes with perfectly poached eggs – a real hit! Another winner was the Croque Madame with bacon, mushrooms, white sauce and

Avvia

ALFRED’S DINER

2389 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach Where do you go when you’ve reached the pinnacle of success? When you’ve drunk from the sweet cup of praise and glory, what’s next? For the Black Coffee Lyrics team, the answer was simple: go back to your roots and create something new.

In a move from the ‘hood to the ‘burbs, the BCL guys have just opened Alfred’s Diner in collaboration with the Neilsen boys, proprietors of Alfred’s Apartment. It’s hallowed ground for the sons of the Brothers Neilsen, who had began their

Alfred’s Diner

perfectly fried, but still runny, eggs on top. Finally two of us had the overwhelmingly delicious cornflake and cinnamon crusted French Toast with banana caramel sauce. I also got a side of creamy scrambled eggs and bacon – some pieces still soft, others amazingly crispy and a great addition to the dish.

And I just love a place that can say on their menu they make their own hollandaise sauce, fresh each day. That’s a pretty powerful statement of serious intent to provide superior food.

Combine this amazing fare with proper ‘hot’ coffee, heavenly milkshakes like Double Choc Brownie and great service from almost all of the staff (one lady was surly), not to mention it’s BYO… and you have a recipe for success on your hands!

It would be remiss of me to forget the seats… hands down the most comfortable indoor café seats to date. The kind of seat that invites you to linger over your food, savour every mouthful, and keep ordering more and more. There is nothing worse than the millions of cafes out there who have what I call a ‘30minute maximum seat’ – i.e. deeply uncomfortable, always the wrong height and just plain irritating.

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Avvia, I will be back…for more breakfasts (I have to work my way through the menu now) and to try what sound like fantastic lunch and dinner menus. Oh, and did I mention the Gold Coast lifestyle realistic opening hours? From 6am most days… I like a café that respects its patrons. Well done!

And in case you’d forgotten you were on the gold coast (although with glimpses of the ocean this is unlikely) you can remind yourself of just what a special place it is by following your divine breakfast with a walk on the beautiful Palm Beach.

Katie Hooper

www.blankgc.com.au

menu, and nothing’s over $13. My Falafel Burrito is a modern take on a ‘7-layer burrito’, a fresh soft tortilla packed full of just made falafel and tabouleh, insanely yummy! Meat Man drools over the Pulled Pork, his dish of the moment!

I comment to co-owner Nic that when Black Coffee Lyrics started just three years ago, they probably could not have imagined their huge success. “No, it’s been insane,” he says.

We chat and joke about the ‘just like Melbourne’ comments, the restaurant’s glowing reviews and awards, as well as the ‘performance expectations’ it’s all created.

“The kitchen at Black Coffee Lyrics is so tiny, and the menu’s evolved into something far more sophisticated than when we started, so we had to close during the day to complete the level of dinner prep we needed. Then people weren’t happy, because they didn’t understand why we were closed.”

Yes, I had been one of those, I think sheepishly.

“People don’t understand that you have to pick what you want to do.” Especially when you do things so well, I think.

[I’ll cop that one on the chin!]

Success can be a difficult mistress. Like an author who’s just created a blockbuster first novel, there’s been intense pressure on the BCL team to keep raising the bar. The time had come for them to go back to their roots, to renew and recreate themselves with a new project. “We’re starting

Barefoot Barista

business in a disused garage in Mermaid Beach not far from here.

In this extension to Alfred’s, the carpark has been transformed into a backyard lawn diner, filled with freshly recycled garden furniture, beach umbrellas, cushions and rugs. It’s been a labour of love, much of it crafted by hand, including their purpose-built coffee cart.

Like Black Coffee Lyrics, Alfred’s Diner uses the excellent Ty coffee from Moonshine Coffee Roasters, grown and roasted in the Byron hills. They’re bottling their own iced coffee, and using daily delivered boutique cold-pressed juices and tonics from the local Living Juice Company.

It’s relaxed, with groups sprawled out on rugs under the trees or sitting at tables chatting, a chilled out sort of place where you can drop in straight off the beach to chat over a coffee or grab a quick bite to eat with friends. The hole-in-a-wall kitchen serves breakfast and lunch: fast flash modern worldinfluenced street food. Pulled pork burritos, Americano hot dogs, Open salsa or ragu sourdough are on offer, alongside Açai bowls and Wild Rice Pudding with activated buckwheat. Somehow it all sits comfortably on this short

simple,” says Nic, “and we’ll see how it evolves. We wanted to create a spot that we’d like to hang out; a place where a surfer could drop in off the beach and feel really comfortable. There are six loading zones out the front. You can grab a coffee and a quick brekkie and keep on going.”

There really is that relaxed beach feel here, almost as though we’re having a barbie in a friend’s back yard! “Food and fun for the normal surfer, that’s what we’re on about,” says Nic. “We’ve come back to where the people are, with 100% local trade. It’s great to know people by name, to see the same ones coming back for breakfast and lunch several times a week.”

It’s as though the guys have come back home to revitalise themselves in the surf culture where it all started. And the neighbourhood has embraced them with open arms.

“We’ve been in the dungeon, and now we’re in the light,” says Nic. “Yep!” he adds, “it’s great to see sunshine!

Marj Osborne Read more of Marj’s reviews at www.foodgoldcoast.com.au

BAREFOOT BARISTA 5/10 Palm Beach Ave, Palm Beach Love for Barefoot Barista dominates my facebook feed. So when I asked a friend whether they were worth the visit her squeals of excitement convinced me I needed to sample their wares.

Of course I chose Australia Day, possibly the busiest day of the year, to visit Barefoot Barista, which was absolutely chock full of people busting for their daily caffeine hit.

I thus expected to wait a long time for my coffees, but was pleasantly surprised at how quickly they came out.

I was informed by the friendly server that the short black was their best coffee, and it is easy to see why as it is oh so easy to drink with its initial sharp bite to the tongue that smooths out into a rich nutty, fruity and full bodied delight.

The long black in comparison had a distinct floral aroma, which is bound to draw any coffee lover into this sweet honey and fruit like beverage.

In sampling their macchiato it had a surprising sharp acidity, which mellowed out into a sweet taste.

Barefoot Barista Ethiopian yirgacheff, Columbian supremo and Nicaraguan sourced beans.

The Madman, which I sampled in piccolo form at Shiv’s recommendation, is bold with big chocolate notes and is comprised of Ethiopian yirgacheff, Java, Sumatra and Nicaraguan beans.

The Madman piccolo had a comforting roasted marshmallow aroma, which drew me into a rich and creamy nutty chocolate heaven.

This was easily my favourite drink of the day so thanks Shiv!

Barefoot Barista is open every day from 5am to 4pm.

Catherine Coburn

The welcoming and informative Shiv took me on a grand tour of Barefoot Barista’s store next door, where you can buy their two bespoke bean blends, the Hoochiemama and the Madman, and other coffee paraphernalia.

The Hoochiemama beans are used in their black coffees due to their delicate roasted blend of

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