Reverb Magazine - issue 72

music, arts & culture monthly

central coast | hunter | north coast

Jinja SafarI Within the lion’s pride

Xavier Rudd Conjuring up spirits

The Beautiful Girls

FREE #072 Aug ’12

Oh me, oh my oh MERCY

As one door closes…

also: Pennywise + Tim Rogers + The Black Angels + Alpine + Hunting Grounds

THE

Newcastle Panthers

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FRIDAY AUGUST 24

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August 2nd

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August 4th

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Jay Hoad

August 8th

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 28

roses for rachel, swallow your pride, they call me casper

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August 9th

little king

August 10th

Mr Kite, Master Jargo August 11th

Flight To Dubai

THE AMITY AFFLICTION

August 12th

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The suffer jets August 15th

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 29

Run Squirrel, Jen Buxton, Delta Lions, Adeline Pines

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August 16th

Swiss army wives August 19th

El elamein

August 23rd

Micheal peter and the magic fleas

MARTIKA

August 25th

Swarmy, mojo’s lab jester

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Bigger Cages, Markettown

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August 26th August 30th

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photo by kevin bull

No. 72

Reverb Magazine is locally owned & published by The Lockup Garage.

Printed by Spotpress, Marrickville: sales@spotpress.com.au

index

contents

News Alpine Hunting Grounds Pennywise Xavier Rudd Jungle Giants Jinja Safari Alex Bowen Tim Rogers Oh Mercy The Black Angels The Beautiful Girls Billy Talent Cartoon Horoscopes Live reviews Photography — Drew Hopper Motoring — Mercedes Benz A-Class Album reviews DVD reviews Film reviews Marke Kemp’s Batmobile Gig guide

8-13 14 15 17 19 20 21 22 23 24-25 27 29 30 31 31 32-33

The Tea Party

34-35 36 37-38 39 40 41 42-44

editor’s letter

Credits

About a month back, I received access to Splendour: I have never been. With the festival’s return to Byron, and Steve, our North Coast manager living in Ballina, I thought this was going to be the year. But as we crept closer to the production of the August issue, it became clear that there was no way I was going to be able to do both. So a week ago I made the heartbreaking decision to stay home, put on my Reverb hat, and knock out what you are currently holding in your hands. I did get to see Afghan Whigs last week, and I have Smashing Pumpkins coming up, but to be so close to going, and then miss out again was so disappointing. Next year, please hold Splendour mid-month, just for little ol’ me. Much love guys, Kevin

Editor

Senior Writers

Cameron Edney

Luke Saunders

Editorial

Kevin Bull

Birdy

Sean Frazer

Joe Swann

kevin@reverbstreetpress.com or 0410 295 360

Peter Douglas

Paul Frost

Chloe Webb

Sub-Editor

Nick Milligan

Matthew Glenn

Kate Hamilton

Matt Petherbridge

Charli Hutchison

Photographers

Sallie Maree Pritchard

Ashlee Kellehear

Joe Andersons

Mark Snelson

Roger Killjoy

Kevin Bull

Sales, North Coast

Jonathan McCallum

Clare Hawley

stephen@reverbstreetpress.com or 0458 559 938

Writers

Sophie Metcalfe

Richard Hedger

North Coast Mgr

Adam Barbuto

Jamie Nelson

Drew Hopper

Gig guide

Stephen Bocking

Helen Brown

Cormack O’Connor

Ashlee Kellehear

gigguide@reverbstreetpress.com.au

Kevin Bull

Amelia Parrott

Matt McIntyre

Cartoonist

Louisa Bulley

Terry Paull

Sam Paquette

Production

Tony Jenkins

Josh Clements

Thomas Peasley

Glen Pearson

cam@reverbstreetpress.com.au

Sean Degan

Max Quinn

Sean Roche

HOROSCOPES

Liam Demamiel

Chelsea Reed

Linda Wales

Postal address

Steve Burrito

Stephanie De Vries

Melissa Roach

Jessica Ward

PO Box 843, Woy Woy NSW 2256

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magazine issue #072 — Aug 2012

art director

Contacts

Cam Bennett

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Giveaways

INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION 2012

just email your postal address to editorial@reverbstreetpress.com.au. First come, first served

5 copies

Five copies of Hunger Games on DVD

5 copies

Five copies of Episodes on Blu-ray

5 copies

Five copies of Men Behaving Badly Series 7 on DVD

5 double passes

Win one of three double passes to see Illy, one each at the Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay, on Saturday August 11; Plantation Hotel, Coffs Harbour, on Wednesday August 15; Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle, on Thursday August 16.

1 double pass

Win a double passes to see Bluejuice at the SCU Unibar, Lismore, on Saturday August 25

beach house

5 copies

Five copies of Top Gear Series 18 on DVD

1 double pass

Win a double pass to see Stonefield at the SCU Unibar, Lismore, on Saturday August 11

1 double pass

Win a double passes to see Children Collide at the SCU Unibar, Lismore, on Wednesday August 22

album pack

Win a double passes to see Die! Die! Die! at the Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle, on Wednesday August 22, as well as a copy their current album, Harmony.

AU G U S T

Grand Junction Hotel 88 Church Street, Maitland 02 4933 5242 / Facebook

SUN

AUG Lloyd Spiegel 12

ALEX BOWEN

JORDAN MILLAR

FRI

AUG

24 THU AUG

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T H U 2 N D DAV I D K N I G H T FR I 3 R D M I L E S T O N E S SAT 4TH FRANK SULTANA AND THE SINISTER KIDS SUN 5 T H S U N D AY S C H O O L T H U 9 T H S H A U N K I R K F R I 10TH THE DENNIS BOYS BAND + PHEOBE DAICOS & ERLE DENNIS SAT 11TH SOHO STR AYS THU 16TH MELODY POOL FRI 17TH BENJALU + SUPPORT SAT 18TH PAPA P I L K O & T H E B I N R A T S S U N 19 T H T H E L U C K Y WONDERS THU 23RD DR PIFFLE & THE BURLAP BAND SAT 25TH THE WALKING WHO + SATIVA SUN SUN 2 6 T H M E T H O D F R I 3 1S T S T A R B O A R D C A N N O N S magazine issue #072 — Aug 2012

The Falls Music & Arts Festival has put together a gigantic invite list for their twentieth and tenth anniversaries, with friends from near and far journeying to our shores this summer to join in the celebrations. The following acts have just popped their RSVPs in the mail and are now preparing their party hats for Lorne (December 28 to Janu­ ary 1) and Marion Bay (December 29 to January 1). The Falls Music & Arts Festival 2012 features over 80 artists, including (in alphabetical order): Beach House, Best Coast, Bombay Bicycle Club, Boy & Bear, Coolio, First Aid Kit, Hilltop Hoods, Hot Chip, Maxïmo Park, Millions, Sampology, SBTRKT, The Flaming Lips, The Vaccines, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, with many more to be announced.

1 double pass/

w h i l s t a l l c a r e i s ta k e n , s o m e g i v e away s m ay c h a n g e d u e t o c i r c u m s ta n c e s b e y o n d o u r c o n t r o l

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FIRST FALLS Line-up ANNOUCEMENT

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Sunny Cowgirls

BALLINA COASTAL COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL IS BACK

Get your yee haa boots, hat and boardies on, the Ballina Coastal Country Music festival is back on the weekend of September 29 and 30. This year the festival will be headlined by the very sexy Sunny Cowgirls, with a bargain-priced ticketed gig at Ballina RSL. The rest of the festival, including a whole gaggle of supporting acts, in nine venues around town, a street stage, and a bundle of weird-arsed buskers on every corner, over two whole days, is all butt naked free. This one is a whole heap of fun for very few bucks. So if you’ve got a hankering to slip your Daisy Dukes on, let your hair down and get a little bit country fried, then Ballina Coastal Country Music Festival is your place. Trust us. Once you get a few Bundy rums down your neck, you’ll be boot scootin’ with the best of them.

STONE MOUNTAIN HIT THE SLIPPY

Northern NSW is known for its hippies, roots music (what the hell is roots music, anyway?) and pompous arseholes from Byron Bay that drive their mum’s Saab. But there is another product that the tropical north churns out on the rare occasion, and that’s some hard working, hard rocking bands like Grinspoon and Parkway Drive.

Well, with fingers crossed you might soon be able to add another name to that list Stone Mountain. Hitting the stage at the Slipway Hotel, Ballina, on Friday August 10 with support from local lunatics Jam Hog, the boys from Stone Mountain will be taking a lot of the new material from their soon-tobe-released debut album out for its first run in public. So, if you like your bands ugly and your music hard, this is the gig for you. If you’re a pea-hearted, cardigan-wearing, latté-sipping hipster that’s squeezed into his sister’s jeans, it’s not.

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Professional and amateur songwriters around Australia are being encouraged to showcase their talents as the International Songwriting Competition [ISC] announces its judges for the next round of the competition and accepts entries for the 2012 competition.

ISC founder and director Candace Avery says the competition can open doors for artists and start a career in music or elevate an already established music career to a higher level.

Past winners have included the likes of Gotye, Kasey Chambers, Kate Miller-Heidke and many more.

Musicians involved in the judging of this year’s competition include the likes of Jeff Beck, Tom Waits, Martina McBride, Suzanne Vega and Basement Jaxx to name a few. Industry executives judging in the 2012 competition include Monte Lipman (President / CEO of Universal Republic Records), Dan McCarroll (President of Capitol / Virgin Label Group), Lori Teig (VP of Talent at VEVO) and Albert Schilcher (VP of Music & Music Marketing at MTV International).

Avery says judges are carefully selected and the panel must represent a broad span of genres. “A lot of ISC judges have participated for many years, but each year, ISC also invites many new judges in order to assure that fresh ears are listening to the finalists’ music,” she says. “Another criteria is that ISC judges must be respected by both their peers and the public. Over the years, ISC has assembled an amazing group of judges including legendary artists representing every style of music.

Ms Avery says the ideal is for a song to have both qualities, and the ISC wanted to include both sides of the perspective in its judging. “Simply put, the judges are looking for great songs,” she says. “They are looking for songs that reflect the current trends in music and also project the timeless, classic quality of all great songs. They look for both technical skill and emotional connection.”

The ISC has grown from receiving 7,000 entries a decade ago to more than 16,000 entries for last year’s competition from 112 countries. The prize money and recognition has increased throughout the years, and today there is an incredible amount of prestige in winning the competition, which is recognised as one of the pinnacles of songwriting achievement.

Avery says the competition always enjoys receiving entries from Australian songwriters, and she hopes that artists who have previously entered will do so again. “And that new artists who have never entered the competition before will also do so,” she says.

“Let’s continue the fantastic ISC winning streak of Aussie artists. It’s a love affair made in music heaven.”

Entries for the 2012 International Songwriting Competition (and also ISC’s newest competition, Unsigned Only) are open now. For more information and to enter, please visit www. songwritingcompetition.com

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BROOMHALL RELEASES AND TOURS JANGLE HOUSE

opossum

IT’S A BLIND DATE WITH JINJA SAFARI, OPOSSOM AND WHITE ARROWS

August is set to have the nation coming together for an all-in blind date when three bands get to know each other whilst blazing a trail across seven cities. New Zealand’s Opossom, Los Angeles’ White Arrows and Australia’s very own Jinja Safari are combing their hair, shining their shoes and putting on their Sunday best for a tripleheadline tour that is sure to spark some long-term relationships with fans. As a taster, Jinja Safari have a brand new track, ‘Toothless Grin’, to get you shaking. For Kody Neilson, the mastermind behind Opossom, music is in each step, each breath and every waking moment. The 10 tracks on debut album Electric Hawaii are testament to Neilson’s devotion to music. “The music I’m making now is probably more similar to the original Mint Chicks demos I made at the end of high school,” explains Neilson.

“When I wrote Electric Hawaii, I didn’t have a specific line-up in mind, so I was free to play the songs the way I wanted to hear them, as opposed to writing for certain players. I was always heavily influenced by early rock and roll and psychedelic music. It probably shows the most in The Mint Chicks last EP Bad Buzz, but even the name ‘The Mint Chicks’ is very ’60s.” Rounding off this triple bill is White Arrows, of Los Angeles. Dizzying new single ‘Roll Forever’ saw the band take on the UK with their storming live set. Be sure to get in on all the action when Jinja Safari, Opossom and White Arrows perform at the Bar on the Hill, Newcastle Uni, on Thursday August 16.

NIMBIN ROOTS FESTIVAL

Australia’s own rock/roots larrikin, Asa Broomhall, is about to give us his fifth independent album. Recorded in an iconic old guitar shop in Brisbane, over the Easter 2011 break, Jangle House was truly a labour of love, and born out of necessity, as the studio where Broomhall’s previous albums were recorded and mixed was demolished following the January 2011 floods. Furthermore the album was mixed, and overdubs laid down, in a number of temporary home studios. Despite the numerous recording and mixing environments, Jangle House retains the polish of a modern album, with the added charm of a traditional release, recorded with a live feel. Asa Broomhall performs at the Brewery, Byron Bay on Fri­ day September 7, and the Pacific Hotel, Yamba on Saturday September 8.

CHANCE WATERS TOURS ‘MAYBE TOMORROW’

This August, Chance Waters is celebrating his recent success with his Maybe Tomorrow tour. Chance will play a string of dates along the east coast throughout August, following the success of recent single ‘Maybe Tomorrow’, which hit triple j rotation, and subsequently multiple stations, nationally. Upon its release the single flew to #9 on the Most Added National Radio chart and #4 on the Most Added Alternative National Radio chart. Recently the song has been synced to National Geographic’s trailer for its new series Doomsday Preppers, which documents the day-to-day lives of people preparing for the end of the world. The trailer is currently playing to an international audience on National Geographic worldwide.

This tour is a chance for fans to catch the innovative Chance Waters headline shows for the first time, when he performs at the Beaches Hotel, Newcastle, on Friday August 17, and the Plantation Hotel, Coffs Harbour, on Saturday August 25.

ash grunwald

GRUNWALD’S TROUBLE DOOR

The release of Ash Grunwald’s brand new album, Trouble’s Door, is the solidification of two years of change for Ash Grunwald, personally, and a reflection, as well, of the shifts in the world around us. In the new songs, Grunwald, along with his good pal and dubstep side-project partner, Fingers, has created his most internal album to date - one that found life through the fiery breath of injustice and the frustration of severe political and environmental mismanagement. “It’s some of my most personal songwriting,” Ash says of Trouble’s Door. “I had just done a benefit gig to stop coal seam gas mining.

There were other issues going on at the time — you can take your pick, really, and it occurred to me that our system just doesn’t work. We are experiencing the result of rampant unchecked capitalism.” Trouble’s Door is a novel, full of many colours and much food for thought, what pieces you take from it will be reflective of you. This time, when you shake your booty, shake your booty for change. Ash Grunwald performs at the Entrance Leagues Club on Friday Sep­ tember 28; Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs Har­ bour, on Saturday September 29; Star Court Theatre, Lismore, on Saturday October 20.

Nimbin Roots is a two-day festival, held at Nimbin’s famous heritage Bush Theatre, nestled amongst the trees, with a beautiful flowing creek creating a wonderful relaxed setting for all walks of life to come together and dance, laugh, eat and be merry. With 27 artists playing across two stages, the focus of this event is to embrace Nimbin’s unique culture and bring awareness to the splendour of this magical town and all that it has to offer. This event will be helping to fund an amazing new permaculture garden that is under development at Nimbin’s Jarlanbah Community, which aims to provide organic veggies, fruit, eggs, honey, herbs and fish to not only Nimbin, but surrounding localities.

The line-up for the event is Kingfisha, Yeshe, Rhythm Konnection, Fyah Walk, CC the Cat, Sunny Dread, Red Bantoo, Pacha mamma, Blaze Fire Sound, Marz, Selecta Bing, Euphonix, Kobya, Avoka, 28 Engine Sound, Rainbow Monkey, Blak Boi, Steldan, Friends of Addicts, Shea O’Toole, V Grant, George Peel, Agent E, Sista Lee, Johnny Ganja, Mick & Co, Essie Thomas, and happens August 4 and 5.

GOMEZ TURNS 15

Gomez are delighted to invite one and all to the Quinceanera (literally meaning “one who is 15”) Tour, celebrating 15 years of live action for the band. But this ain’t no ordinary show. Fans are invited to help choose the set-list for this event, through www.gomeztheband.com. If you want to ensure ‘Tijuana Lady’ makes the cut, or ‘Blue Moon Rising’ gets a shot, then this is the tour for you.

Gomez have a long and strong relationship with Australia. They first toured in 2000 and have been back many times to celebrate new releases, play festivals, and knock out shows for their loyal and loving fans. Gomez performs at the Coolangatta Hotel on Saturday October 13, and Newcastle Panthers on Thursday October 18.

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reverb magazine issue #072 — Aug 2012 9

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the big village crew

BIG VILLAGE, BIG THINGS, BIG TOUR

sarah blasko

SARAH BLASKO to shine AT THE STAR COURT

Sarah Blasko returns to Australia in August to perform three shows only. After releasing her platinum accredited and highly acclaimed third album, As Day Follows Night, in 2009, Sarah embarked on tireless international touring throughout 2010. Seeker Lover Keeper kept her busy for much of the following year. The much-loved collaboration with friends Holly Throsby and Sally Seltmann culminated in the national Heavenly Sounds tour of churches and cathedrals in December. This year, Sarah has been recording in Stockholm, Sweden, and Sofia, Bulgaria, with the Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra. The new album is due for release later this year. Sarah Blasko performs at the Star Court Theatre, Lismore, on Friday August 17.

ZOOBOMBS EXPLODE

Live from Tokyo, Japan, Land of the Rising Sun, birthplace of ninjas, samurais and seizure invoking cartoons, come the bombastic, one-of-a-kind, rock ‘n’ roll heavyweights The Zoobombs. If you’ve ever been to a Zoobombs show before, you’ll be flailing around like a kid high on three litres of red cordial by now. If not, you’re in for a treat. Imagine Guitar Wolf and Boredoms’ hyperactive lovechild and you’re getting close. Yes, they are that good. Born from the fevered mind of conductor/guitarist Don Matsuo, The Zoobombs traverse the treacherous outcrops of rock ‘n’ roll, psych, garage and funk without breaking a sweat, and have assured themselves a cultish devotion from fans across the world through their extraordinary live shows.

Fans such as The Flaming Lips, who were so impressed by their energy that they took The Zoobombs on tour across the States, cementing their reputation as one of the greatest live rock acts in the world.

With more scope for damage than a final battle between Godzilla and Mothra, fittingly this beast of a tour awakens this August when they perform at the Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle on Wednesday August 22.

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magazine issue #072 — Aug 2012

Big Village Records are genuinely thrilled to announce the forthcoming release of Big Things Vol Two — the label’s latest compilation, featuring exclusive new tunes from Big Village founding members Tuka (Thundamentals), Ellesquire, Daily Meds, True Vibenation and Loose Change, as well as collab tracks and solo tunes from Reverse Polarities, Suburban Dark, Rapaport, Klue and Tenth Dan. To celebrate, Big Village has undertaken the audacious task of taking their entire label on the road for the Big Things tour. The tour will feature the full roster of current label acts, including Tuka and Ellesquire performing a dual headline set, Daily Meds fresh from their Happy Daze album release and tour, and True Vibenation, who also recently completed their own national tour. Coming along for the ride are Loose Change, Reverse Polarities and speed-draw-freestyle-rap-gameshow Sketch The Rhyme, featuring Big Village members Rapaport, P.Smurf and Jeswon. The Big Things tour performs at the Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle, on Friday October 5.

PAUL GREENE TOURS EAST COAST

Paul Greene is cementing his reputation as one of the country’s most consistent songwriters, with the second single from his highly acclaimed seventh album, Behind The Stars, and his Australian east coast Seek What You’ll Find tour. Greene has been described as “a quiet achiever of the Australian music scene”, but critics have singled him out for his incredible voice, his songwriting ability and consistency and his willingness to take his music to rural Australia, as well as earning a huge metropolitan fan base. Paul Greene performs at the Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay on Sunday August 17; Cambridge Hotel, Newcas­ tle, on Saturday August 25; Lizotte’s Kincum­ ber on Sunday August 30; Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs Harbour, on Wednesday September 5.

COFFS BUSKing FESTIVAL: NINE DAYS IN SEPTEMBER

Coffs Harbour really comes alive in the upcoming September school holidays as street performers from around the world and all over Australia converge on Coffs Harbour for the 2012 Coffs Harbour International Buskers and Comedy Festival. It’s nine days of fun and entertainment with shows for the whole family and the action takes place on the streets during the day, and in and around the pubs, clubs and Botanic Gardens at night. Most shows are no cover charge but bring some money to put in the buskers’ hats. The festival happens between September 22 and 30.

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pigeon

PIGEON TOURS NEW SINGLE

Having just been announced as finalists in the upcoming QLD Music Awards (Electronic/Dance category), you’d think Brisbane five-piece, live, electronic dance band, Pigeon, might take even just a small moment to pause and reflect. But au contraire. The band have just announced a national tour to accompany the release of new single ‘Oh Hebe’, their first new material for 2012. The band have been locked away in their Brisbane studio and the result is a more refined and polished sound, showcasing a meeting point between organic and electronic music — an eclectic treat for the modern audience that craves diversity. Pigeon perform at the Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle, on Friday August 18, and the Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay, on Friday August 31.

GIN WIGMORE PLAYS THE GREAT NORTHERN

“Me? Well, my full name is Virginia Claire Wigmore, shortened years back to Ginny, then with a little more innocence lost, it got dwindled down to the even tidier Gin. I guess my Ma and Pa were always big fans of a few cheeky G&Ts, so it seemed a winning fit for all. The music? It all started rattling out of me around age 12. I can’t say it was all that great, but it seemed to pull a slightly misfit and unclean crowd of around 10 folks on a Wednesday night, so I guess it had some sort of legs.” These are the words of Gin Wigmore, and those legs have certainly grown, with an EP, the debut album Holy Smoke, and now Gravel & Wine available for our listening pleasure. Gin Wigmore performs at the Great Northern Hotel, Newcas­ tle on Saturday August 25.

DIE! DIE! DIE! IN HARMONY

Harmony is the brand spanking new album from Dunedin’s internationally acclaimed Die! Die! Die!, making this their fourth studio album. Harmony brings together the raw energy and emotion from their live shows, encapsulating savant pop elements with their DIY punk philosophy. Die! Die! Die! will tour their face-melting shows in Australia this August, continuing to evoke fierce loyalty in fans and burn as many bridges as they cross. Harmony is an album you want to hear and Die! Die! Die! live on stage is an experience you don’t want to miss when they perform at the Great Northern Hotel, New­ castle on Wednesday August 22.

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BRITT & ROGERS to TOUR

Alt-country and roots singer/songwriter Catherine Britt will release her fifth studio album Always Never Enough on August 10.

“I am convinced it takes several albums under the belt and some years of experience in the studio to have the conviction to make an album like this one,” Britt explains. “We recorded the whole album live in Austin Texas, in four or five days, with a dazzling band and a group of illustrious, unforeseen guests and musicians due to an open door policy. Always Never Enough is by far the optimum creation of my whole career and I just can’t wait to get it out to the world.”

Catherine Britt, with Tim Rogers, performs at Lizotte’s, Lambton, on Thursday August 9 and Sunday August 12; Lizotte’s, Kincum­ ber, on Friday August 10; Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay, on Friday August 24.

HEY LADY! LAUNCH DEBUT EP

Newcastle’s hottest female rock duo Hey Lady! are set to launch their self-titled debut EP with launch shows in Newcastle and Sydney. So sit down, stand up, grab a beer and prepare to have your ears sonically treated to frighteningly good drumming, tasty guitar riffs and a voice like no other.

You’ll be blown away by their stupidly catchy tunes. The two ladies, formally of rock outfit The Karma Cops, will be kicking a sound that’s fuller than a hoarder’s home. This is something truly not to be missed. Hey Lady! performs at the Northern Star Hotel, New­ castle on Friday August 10, and the Sly Fox Hotel, Enmore, on Sunday August 12.

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the lucky wonders

the m c clymonts

THE MCCLYMONTS TWO WORLDS COLLIDE ON TOUR

sydonia

SYDONIA, AND THE WORDS THAT DON’T EXIST

Sydonia will be touring nationally throughout August to promote their latest release, the EP Words That Don’t Exist, featuring their latest single ‘TL’. This Melbourne four-piece artfully meld melodic hooks with wall of sound guitars and precise percussive potency and have played enough shows in enough places to startle you with their professional, yet grass roots, approach to creating and performing. Still, without doubt, one of the must-see live acts in Australia.

According to Slipknot and Stone Sour guitarist Jim Root: “They’re a really amazing band, and the lead singer’s got a very unique voice”. “They’re really heavy but incorporate so many different vibes that it’s a little bit hard to categorise them, musically. I think, too, that’s something music’s sort of lost.”

Sydonia performs at the Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle, on Thursday August 23; Port Macquarie Hotel on Thursday August 30; Plantation Hotel, Coffs Harbour, on Friday August 31.

sarah humphreys

SARAH HUMPHREYS PREVIEWS NEW ALBUM

How long does it take to record an album?

For central coast lass, Sarah Humphreys, it was all done and dusted within a week. Her signing with ABC Music has already produced the ukulele laced covers EP, Him, but for many of her supporters, it is a new full-length followup to Teapot Trees and Love Birds (2007) that they are craving for.

The as-yet untitled album is due for release in September, but for those who would like a glimpse of the sweet tunes it will contain can catch Humphreys when she supports The Little Wonders at Lizotte’s Lambton on Thursday August 16.

Having toured extensively throughout 2011 in support of their Wrapped Up Good release, The McClymonts have delivered album number three, Two Worlds Collide, and will be touring Australia throughout August, September and October. Brooke McClymont said, “We are very proud of this new album. I think it will show a new depth to our songwriting. We have all grown up a lot since our last record both personally and musically. There is always a new energy and excitement added to the live show when you take out a new album to the fans. So I am really looking forward to adding all the new songs into the set and taking what will be a completely new show around Australia”. The McClymonts, with Wes Carr in support, perform at Twin Towns Services Club, Tweed Heads, on Friday August 24; Port M a c q u a r i e Pa n t h e r s o n T h u r s d ay September 6; Cex, Coffs Harbour, on Friday September 7; Club Forster on Saturday September 8; Lismore Workers Club on Friday September 14; Civic Theatre, Newcastle, on Monday October 15.

INDENT REGIONAL TOUR WORKSHOPS

the black sorrows

THE BLACK SORROWS RELEASE TRIPLE ALBUM

karise eden

KARISE EDEN HEAVENLY SOUNDS

Karise Eden, the 19-year-old winner of The Voice 2012, from the central coast, is set to perform her first live performances under the banner of the Heavenly Sounds tour this October. Set in the architectural splendour, rich acoustics and ethereal ambience of these church settings, Karise Eden will delight audiences with her distinct vocal style and personable approach. As she explains, it was Eden herself who chose to conduct her first major national tour in the enchanting setting of churches and cathedrals. “I was made aware of the Heavenly Sounds concept just after the show finished.

The idea of singing soul and blues in beautiful churches is so exciting. When we were planning the first tour, I really wanted to try and make these shows as unique as possible and keep them feeling intimate. Heavenly Sounds is the perfect way to do it. I’ll be playing songs from the current album as well as new material I have been working on.” Karise Eden performs at the Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle, on Monday October 29.

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magazine issue #072 — Aug 2012

2012 has been a big year for the Black Sorrows. After taking the band on the road throughout much of 2011, The Black Sorrows have continued their tour in 2012, journeying far and wide to bring us a new sound and CD, Crooked Little Thoughts. The new album is made up of 24 songs, three CDs and a deluxe book, with each song accompanied by a painting by acclaimed Australian artist Victor Rubin. Joe Camilleri has been making music for more than 45 years, but has never released an album quite like this.

Crooked Little Thoughts features a great bunch of new tracks that draw on the full breadth and depth of Joe’s experience and influences. On listening you can hear a smattering of The Falcons, the classic country flavoured Sorrows circa 1990 and a good dollop of Camilleri’s years of loving the blues. The Black Sorrows perform at Cabarita Beach Sports Club, Bogangar, on Thursday August 23; Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs Harbour, on Friday August 24; Ballina RSL on Saturday August 25.

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Ahead of this year’s regional Indent Tour, Indent is hitting the road to host a series of free music industry and event management workshops this August. In the towns that will be hosting the 2012 Indent Tour later in the year, young people are invited to participate in industry workshops that will put them in the driver’s seat of their local music scene. The workshops will give young people the skills to stage their own music events from start to finish – everything from booking bands and doing promo to production, logistics and budgets. Learn the skills that will ready you to work on the 2012 Indent Tour in November/December as well. The Indent Regional Tour Workshops happen at Youth Arts Warehouse, Gosford, on Monday August 6; Club Coffs, Coffs Harbour, on Tuesday August 7; Youth Activity Centre, Byron Bay, on Tuesday August 14.

ROYAL CHANT FINISH THEIR SLEEP

The slanted garage-rock trio Royal Chant have just released the fourth instalment of their Sleep Quintet, an EP culmination of a year long series of releases. Beginning in early 2012 with ‘Junk Theory’, the band slowly and methodically crafted a collection of songs that veer wildly across the sonic spectrum, capturing their haphazard nature of the band and its approach to music. To support the conclusion of Sleep Quintet, they are heading out of the road for one last set of shows before they pack their bags and head to the USA for an East Coast with their NYC besties, The Press. Come see what the fuss is about when they hit the Lismore Bowling Club on Thursday August 2, and the Byron Bay Brewery on Friday August 3.

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THE LUCKY WONDERS LAY DOWN THEIR ARMS

TheLucky Wonders’ acclaimed songwriting team of Emma Royle and Jessie Vintila have released Lay Down My Arms, a second collection of diverse, superbly crafted songs, securing their place amongst the growing ranks of fine Australian indie/folk artists. “I think it’s a natural journey for a band making their second album,” syas Royle.

“You learn a lot along the way, and I think we’ve come out sounding less naïve. There’s still a lot of love and optimism, but the new songs show us being a few years older and in some ways a lot more relaxed. These songs are about trust and acceptance of self, of life, of the challenges we face, and about counting our blessings and how hard that can be.” The Lucky Wonders perform at Lizotte’s Lambton on Thursday August 16 (supported by Sarah Humphreys), and Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland, on Sunday August 19.

THE SPECTACLES BLUES BOOGIE PEDIGREE

The Spectacles may not be a household name, but when you have a close look at each of the members, you start to realise that the band carries a lot of pedigree. Firstly, you get James T: vocalist, harmonica and guitarist from the world’s premier boogie band, Canned Heat. The rhythm section is held together by bassist Dirk Dubois (Chain) and drummer Kerry Jacobson (Dragon). Guitar duties are supplied by Chris Webbe from 80s stalwarts, Sweaty Palms. Put them on a stage together and you get a night that covers their respective bands plus a few special tunes drawn from that golden age of Oz rock and blues. The Spectacles perform at the Ballina RSL on Friday August 24.

loon lake

LOON LAKE’S CHERRY LIPS

In between tearing up the stage at Big Day Out, Groovin’ The Moo, Pyramid Rock Festival, selling out their own shows and supporting the likes of Kaiser Chiefs, Girls and Cage The Elephant, Triple J next croppers Loon Lake have been busy writing and recording, and are thrilled to announce the release of their next single ‘Cherry Lips’.

Resplendent with driving riffs, rolling vocals and peppered with just the right amount of handclaps, ‘Cherry Lips’ is a laconic pop gem that galvanises Loon Lake’s reputation as one’s to watch in 2012. Following on from the mighty track ‘Bad To Me’, ‘Cherry Lips’ is taken from Loon Lake’s forthcoming EP titled Thirty Three which will be released in early August. Loon Lake, with Cub Scouts and Glass Towers supporting, perform at Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle, on Saturday August 25.

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red hot chilli peppers

BDO LINE-UP ANNOUNCED

This summer, Big Day Out will play host to the only Australian shows by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. These will be their first Australian festival shows since their record setting headline performances in 2000. Big Day Out is also welcoming back festival heavyweights The Killers who return with a new album under their belts. Big Day Out also welcomes 30 first-timers to the tour in 2013 including Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Vampire Weekend, Band of Horses, Animal Collective, Against Me!, 360, Foals, B.o.B., Sleigh Bells, Jeff the Brotherhood, Off!, Jagwar MA, Delta Spirit, Every Time I Die and House vs Hurricane. The festival are also bringing out, for the first time on Australian shores, the Alabama Shakes, Childish Gambino, Logo, Death Grips, Adventure Club and Gary Clarke Jr. Rounding out the lineup announcement are The Bloody Beetroots, Kaskade, Crystal Castles, Pretty Lights, Grinspoon, Nicky Romero, Morgan Page, ME, Hunting Grounds, Toucan, Helena, Nina Las Vegas and Sampology. The Big Day Out happens at Sydney Showground on Friday January 18, and Gold Coast Parklands on Sun­ day January 20.

ILLY’S HEARD IT ALL

Off the back of his new smash single ‘Heard It All’, snowballing emcee Illy has announced a huge national tour throughout August and September. As well as major cities, the tour hits regional towns, and will be the first chance for fans to hear material from Illy’s soon-to-bereleased third album Bring It Back, live and in the flesh. Bring It Back is a positive departure from 2010’s The Chase and takes Illy back to his fundamental hip-hop roots.

The album features creative collaborations with his Aussie hip-hop peers including M-Phazes, Pez, Trials (Funkoars), Mantra and Reason. Illy, with Chasm Soundsystem feat. Scryptcha in support, will perform at the Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay, on Saturday August 11; Plantation Hotel, Coffs Harbour, on Wednesday August 15; Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle, on Thursday August 16.

LIVE & LOCAL AT LIZOTTE’S

Lambton Lizotte’s: Wednesday August 1, Brooke Harvey, Danica Browne, The Delta Lions, Skyepoint; Wednesday August 15, Kieran Wicks, Dead End Friends, Crazy O l d M a u r i c e , S m a l l To w n G i a n t s ; Wednesday August 29, Tim Hill, Allon Silove, Jacob Pearson, Ben & The Sea. Kincumber Lizotte’s: Wednesday August 22, The Lyrics, Adam Black, Duane Marnell, Sons of Alamo; Wednesday August 29, Jamie Patterson, Dear Monday, Valley of Kings, Two Steps Twice.

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reverb magazine issue #072 — Aug 2012 13

alpine

It has been a giddy ride for Melbourne six-piece, ALPINE, over the past two years. Hitting the J’s in record time and signing to the über-chic Ivy League, Alpine are now about to release their debut album.

KEVIN BULL spoke with vocalist and keyboardist, PHOEBE BAKER, about pre-release jitters and hitting the big festival stages.

happier or luckier to be signed to them. I don’t think it could have been any other way. They are so not what I would have expected, in terms of label folk — they are down-to-earth, hard-working music lovers [and] business savvy lads and lasses. No pressure, lots of fun, and we are content in the knowledge that they genuinely like our music and want to support it.

So how was your SXSW experience, and do you have any tips for artists heading over there for the first time?

Oh wow, it was amazing! One of the most incredible experiences of my life. Worth the long stormy flights and extra clams. It’s this giant, joyous cacophony of music and all things wonderful — games, film, food, people, whisky. We hardly got to see any of the amazing bands that were playing there, but it didn’t matter. Austin is incredible.

The people are incredible. The music is so varied and wonderful. I could go on and on.

The whole experience was almost too good to be true — it felt wrong (laughs). It’s eerie when things go so well. Tips are to go with no expectations and to eat Mexican food and chat to locals and not to worry if you can’t see all the bands you want to. The best music you come across most probably will be a band you’ve never heard of playing to 10 people.

Your debut album, A is for Alpine, is about to be released. Can you explain what the feeling is like while you count down the days until August 10.

It’s an absolute mixed bag! Incredibly excited, nervous, happy, proud, confused…

First album jitters! It feels good — we’ve put a lot of work into it.

Why was rural Gisborne the perfect place to record A is for Alpine?

Gisborne is so close to the city, yet feels far away — beautiful natural surroundings, paddocks, alpacas, fresh country air and glorious sunsets. Intoxicating in the best of ways, it helped us to breathe fresh air into the music.

What was your producer Dann Hume like to work with?

Dann is amazing! He was incredibly easy, and in fact blissful, to work with. The recording process was fun and full of laughs and wine and delicious dinners.

He’s a funky mad hatter, incredibly talented and inspiring — perfect for album creation time. One gets cabin fever when stuck in a room all day, listening to the same song over and over — somehow Dann kept us energised and enthusiastic.

How are the songwriting dynamics handled between six band members?

For us, writing a song is a bit of a pass-theparcel process. Christian (O’Brien, guitar) usually crafts the parcel first, then hands it over to me and Lou (James, vocals) for modifications, and then we hand it over to Ryan (Lamb, bass), Phil (Tucker, drums) and Tim (Royall, keys) and jam on it in rehearsal. It varies for each song and is constantly changing. It’s much more of a collaborative effort than it used to be.

Having signed to Ivy League not long after getting your first Triple J airplay, how have you found the label?

Ivy League are amazing, we couldn’t be

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magazine issue #072 — Aug 2012

Breathing In The Fresh Air

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2011 saw Alpine appear at Splendour, Falls and Southbound. Did the band, and your music, move easily onto these larger stages?

Oh yes! It feels so natural to be playing outdoors on those massive stages.

Breathing in the fresh air and being swept up in a festival’s vibe makes for a fun show.

There is more space for us to frolic and dance on stage, and it’s wonderful hearing the various acoustics that those different landscapes manipulate. Gimme more!

You are about to head off on an extensive tour in support of the album release — 16 dates in a month, in fact. What’s the best advice you have received for approaching such an adventure?

I’ve really been given no advice. My mum says, “just enjoy it!”. It’s a big tour and a lot of hard work, but I am sure I will do just that.

Alpine perform at the Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay, on Thursday August 16; Coolangatta Hotel on Saturday August 18; Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle on Saturday September 1.

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hunting grounds

Cherry Street Sports July GIG line up Fri 3 Aug Sat 4 Aug Sun 5 Aug Fri 10 Aug Sat 11 Aug Fri 17 Aug Sat 18 Aug

You Know You Want It After winning Triple J’s Unearthed High in 2009, Howl changed their name to HUNTING GROUNDS. They are now back with their debut album and are set to play Fat As Butter and Big Day Out. CORMACK O’CONNOR spoke to guitarist & vocalist MICHAEL BELSAR about the band’s meteoric rise.

How did Hunting Grounds form?

We started back in high school. Daniel (Marie, drums), Tim (Street, guitar) and I were put together by some teachers to play a song at assembly. We then just kept playing covers together until it got to a point where we decided to start a real band and write our own songs, so we got Lachlan (Morrish, vocals). We became Howl when we were about 17 and that’s when the others joined.

You mentioned you were formerly called Howl. Why the change?

We couldn’t release internationally because there was a sludge metal band with the same name. There was another band as well… Basically there was one in the US and one in the UK and Howl is also not Google-able. It comes up with the poem and the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club album among other things.

Tell me about winning Unearthed High.

We won in 2009 and we didn’t really expect to win. John (Crawford, bass) entered us and we didn’t really speak about it, even when we got into the Top 6!

A couple of days before the announcement we realised that we could actually win. We all thought it would go to this other band but we got it. The same day we got all these offers for shows and tours. It was crazy!

How did that change your musical career prospects?

It was a really good kick in the right direction. We were all doing year 12 and we weren’t really focused on the band. It was like here’s your shot at the band, take it.

Was there anything bad about becoming successful so quickly?

It was very intense. We had to figure out what kind of band we were and become real songwriters very quickly. We had to become a contender and a band that people wanted to listen to. It was the greatest motivation ever.

You’ve recorded a couple of EPs. When did you decide to do an LP? I guess after two EPs most bands decide it’s time to put out an album. We decided straight away. We started writing it in

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January 2011 and it took us six months to realise we didn’t want to write the same music anymore and changed our style a bit.

How was the recording of In Hindsight different to the EPs? We just had way more time. The first EP we recorded in three days and the second one we did in four. With this album we had a month to do 10 songs. We recorded ‘In Colour’ eight months earlier. It was very relaxed and we had more time to perfect things.

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What’s In Hindsight about to you?

It’s basically personal experiences. When we first started writing we decided that it would be really honest and everything in it is pretty personal.

What’s touring like?

Fun! Crazy! You wake up in a different city every morning with a hangover. I can’t really say much more.

How did the opportunity arise to play at Fat As Butter?

Our booking agent got it for us. My friends British India played it last year and they talked it up heaps. Our booking agent heard about it and chucked us on to it.

Who are you most excited about playing alongside?

Definitely Wheatus. I reckon it will be hilarious to reminisce on being a kid. I still own the ‘Teenage Dirtbag’ single!

Mystery Jets will be sick as well.

You guys got announced for BDO as well.

Tell me about it.

Once again — our booking agent. We sent a video to them trying to seduce them into putting us on the line-up. John was lifting weights and there was saxophone and an over-dubbed voice saying “You know you want it, Big Day Out”. It’s going to be amazing to play.

Hunting Grounds performs at the Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay, on Sunday August 5; Plantation Hotel, Coffs Harbour, on Wednesday August 8; Fat As Butter, Newcastle, on Saturday September 22; Big Day Out which tours nationally in January 2013.

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pennywise

YoungBlood I n 2 0 0 9 , v o c a l i s t J i m L i n d b e r g b r o k e o n e o f h i s b a n d ’s m o s t i m p o r t a n t r u l e s w h e n h e l e f t P E N N Y W I S E — l o y a l t y. T h e b a n d h a s s i n c e b o u n c e d b a c k w i t h a n e w f r o n t m a n a n d a f r e s h new record appropriately entitled All Or Nothing. SE A N FR A ZER chats to FL ETCHER DR AGGE a b o u t t h e n e w P e n n y w i s e r e l e a s e a n d t h e b a n d ’s f e e l i n g s t o w a r d s t h e i r f o r m e r s i n g e r.

Let’s start with the new album, All or Nothing. You guys hadn’t released anything in four years and during that time Pennywise recruited Zoli Teglas on vocal duties. Were you guys feeling the pressure to get this one right?

Oh definitely, all eyes were on us. I think a lot of people thought that we couldn’t do it without Jim — losing him was a big deal.

We were pleasantly surprised that the album turned out the way it did and we were really stoked about it. Zoli has brought a youthful and energetic sound to the new record and it has all started to come back together.

We’ve heard a lot of feedback from the fans who have told us that it’s our best album in 10 years which is a strange thing to hear.

We just knew that we couldn’t put out a shitty album, and if we did, it would be all over for us. We worked really hard and we weren’t scared, we felt that we could pull it all together without Jim. Zoli seems to have slotted in really well.

What was it about him that sold it for you guys?

We had toured with Zoli a bunch of times before, with his other band. We would spend a lot of time with him on the bus, backstage and on-stage and we knew him pretty well. We knew all about his political beliefs which were very similar to [ours], which was a real bonus. We had been looking at getting back to that early Pennywise sound and Zoli could sing our

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early songs perfectly — he sounded almost identical to a “young Jim”. The fact that Zoli wants to be here — he wants to be a part of Pennywise and he really wanted to get to know the band, the crew and the fans, made him the best replacement.

The overall sound of the band hasn’t really changed, that’s obviously something you’re proud of?

Yeah, we get a lot of flack for it from the critics and I would say there are a fair share of Pennywise-haters out there in the journalistic world, that bag out on us saying that each record is the same old thing over and over again. But that’s what we’re basically trying to do. A lot of the bands that I idolise have records that sound similar to each other. I feel that when a band starts changing, I stop liking them. Bands that stick to their roots and continue on with what they started with are the bands that I always respect. At the end of the day we just try to put out records that we’re proud of and something that the fans will like.

I understand that you guys were quite upset about Jim leaving the band. What were Jim’s main reasons for quitting?

Jim told us that he didn’t want to tour anymore and that he couldn’t stand being too far away from his family. He told us that he wasn’t going to go on a 10-day tour of South America and we told him, “well, this is what we do and this is what we

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love — this is what we signed up for” and he said, “yeah, I understand if you guys want to get somebody else”. We confronted him on whether he was going to start another band, which he replied “yeah maybe, but just for fun. I’m not going to be going on the road”.

I told him that if he did go on the road with another band it would start to seem a bit suss.

What was it about his departure that got you guys so upset?

Well, after he left, he claimed that he started his new band a day later and that he was in the studio working on songs within a week. He then put out a record that sounded similar to Pennywise and the first tour he booked was for five weeks in Europe. It was crazy for us because we’d begged him to do three-week tours with Pennywise for the past 10 years and he wouldn’t do it. So it was basically a triple slap-in-the-face.

Do any of you guys still keep in contact with Jim? No, we’re not talking. I mean Pennywise has always been about brotherhood, friendship, having each others’ backs, loyalty, and sticking to your beliefs — that was what the band was built on. I believe that we may be friends again someday. I mean, he is a great singer, was a huge part of the band, and we would never be where we are without him. [But] at the moment there isn’t much happening in terms of

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communication between us and him.

Was there ever a chance that when Jim left, Pennywise might have called it quits?

No, not at all, Jim quitting the band was something that he had been threatening to do for quite a few years. It was something that we felt was inevitable. We tried everything in our power to keep him around. He actually talked to Zoli and thought that he was a good fit for the band. A long time ago we decided that we don’t stop for anything. When Jason (Thirsk) our original bass player died — he was one of the hugest forces in Pennywise, we could’ve hung it up then and walked away from it but we didn’t. We’re still out there dedicating ‘Bro Hymn’ to him every single night. We’re not stopping for anything, if I get hit by a bus tomorrow, I hope that the band finds a replacement guitarist!

Apart from the music, what else are you guys looking forward to doing when you arrive on our shores?

Oh, a little bit of everything, some surfing, drinking some good Aussie beer, maybe playing some golf at Bondi, you know, just the usual. For the most part, Australians know how to party and you’re all very cool and humble people so these gigs are hopefully going to be like backyard beer parties!

Pennywise perform at the Coolangatta Hotel on Thursday August 23, and UNSW Roundhouse, Sydney, on Saturday August 25.

reverb magazine issue #072 — Aug 2012 17

Love Police presents

THE ROCK & ROLL SHOW OF 2012

with special guests Royal Headache

ON SALE NOW! Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com.au

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magazine issue #072 — Aug 2012

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Spirit Man With an album that hit #2 on the ARIA charts as soon as it was released, over 200,000 followers on Facebook and tours across the USA, Canada, Europe, the UK, New Zealand and Australia, XAVIER RUDD would have to be one of our nation’s busiest soloists.

Rudd took time out to chat with MEL ROACH about a few of his favourite subjects — the rights of indigenous Australians, environmental conservation, political exploitation and wilderness protection.

Oh, and music.

Seeing you play live, I’ve noticed that you are actually quite buggered after a song. You play slide guitar and didge (among other instruments) and keep a beat with your stomp box. How do you keep up with yourself?

It’s kind of like dancing, I guess — all of my limbs are involved in movement. It’s a pretty natural expression.

In your music, you raise awareness and ask a lot of socially conscious questions about the rights of Aboriginal peoples, conserving the environ­ ment and political exploitation. Do you feel that these questions are finally being answered?

Yes I do. I guess it’s more of a sending out of awareness; opening eyes to the imbalances. It’s great to see that people are wanting to see change.

On your website you have streams of valuable information on what’s going on in the world from the conservation of wildlife, to international environmental interests to news on indigenous Australians. Have you ever tried to involve other artists in this movement?

No, not yet, we haven’t yet started to involve other artists but I’ve worked with artists such as Missy Higgins and John Butler on some other great causes. To create any kind of awareness anywhere and on any relative cause is great.

When you record, do you break it all down and

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play each part to be recorded or do you go hell for leather — surround yourself with mics and just go nuts?

I like to record live. I’m pretty much a live artist. I do a lot of multi-track recording, doing my solo thing. I can’t really break it down because my whole body is moving [as one].

Is it still offensive for women to play the didgeridoo?

Yeah, the yadaki is the traditional name for it. The name ‘didgeridoo’ actually came from whitefellas.

But yes, it’s still seen to be offensive [if it is] played by a woman. There are, however, women’s yadakis or didgeridoos, where there are woman spirits that have been painted on them.

A lot of artists collaborate with one another and have guest appearances with other musicians.

On your new album, Spirit Bird, you too have guest appearances — your guests, however, are the birds, what sounds like a children’s choir and sounds from the Aboriginal culture. How did you come to record this?

Well I found a guy in Queensland named David Stewart — he has dedicated his life to capturing the sounds of birds and animals, so I worked with him. The choir is around 260 kids from my son’s school up at Byron Bay. We recorded them in one take. The Aboriginal fellow is from around Hervey Bay. His name is Freddie Leone. He danced with me a bunch of times over the years — he’s great. I

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also had some Anishinaabe natives on the album — they are located near Niagara Falls.

Tell me about the track ‘Prosper’. Who is on it?

He’s an old preacher man who was walking along the streets of New Orleans. He had a megaphone and I recorded him with my mobile phone. I felt he channelled the voices of the ancestors, you know? I had galahs in there as the politicians and cane toads for obvious reasons. This also leads into the next song ‘Bow Down’ which is very self-explanatory.

Did you get him to sign a release?

No. I never actually saw him again. I hope he doesn’t sue me (laughs). I never spoke to him but I think he’d be a pretty cool person to know.

The Spirit Bird tour — I will be honest here and say that with all the national and international artists I have ever spoken with, I haven’t seen such an exhausting and busy tour schedule. Are you ready?

Well I’ve had a lot of time off and I’m ready to play. I’m staying fit and healthy and I just keep improving so I’m ready to pump it all out!

Xavier Rudd performs at the Coolangatta Hotel on Saturday September 1; YAC, Byron Bay, on Sunday September 2; Civic Theatre, Newcastle, on Thursday September 6.

reverb magazine issue #072 — Aug 2012 19

jungle giants

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Jungle Riot Having just completed a national tour supporting Boy & Bear, JUNGLE GIANTS are back on the road in support of their new EP, She’s a Riot. MAX QUINN spoke with vocalist and guitarist, SAM HALES. You’re just coming off the back of 30 dates around the country with Boy & Bear. Do you ever stop?

That was the most fun and most exhausting thing I’ve ever done, personally and also creatively. We became such good friends with Boy & Bear on that tour. As far as I’m concerned, they’re the perfect example of how a band should operate.

How is that?

Well to begin with they’re awesome musicians, but on top of that they’re all genuinely lovely people. It seems like they’ve all got equal input into everything they do, creatively. And on a personal level, they treated us with such respect and friendliness — they would pay for our dinners, let us ask them stuff. Sometimes they would even get their guitars out before a show and we would play through songs — some that they were working on, some that I was working on.

The last time I saw you, you were saying that they even went to the extent of giving you feedback on your demo recordings.

Can you tell me about that?

I asked Dave (Hosking, vocals) if I could send him some songs just to see what he thought. I didn’t really expect much by way of feedback, but he emailed me back with pages and pages of really detailed notes about what he liked and what he didn’t. It was a really helpful thing for me to get that kind of input.

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And, I can imagine, a huge learning experience too.

Totally. That’s very true of the whole tour.

We learned so much about ourselves, and we became tighter as a band and closer as friends. More than anything, it’s given us the chance to really polish the live act that we have at the moment. We’ve learned to be better writers and performers for having been in their company for such a long time.

Has that translated into the writing room as well?

Well, we have a different way of writing – I write the progressions and the melodies and then I bring them to the band. But on

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an arrangement level — totally. Cesira (Aitken, lead guitar) has taken a much bigger role recently with adding in her ideas. It helps so much to flesh things out because she has a unique take on writing her little riffs and melodic lines. That’s been a huge and very welcome addition.

In my opinion, bass player Andrew Dooris wins the most improved award for his harmonies. I love to watch people watching him when you guys play.

He’s nuts, hey? We’ve all become so much more confident over the last few months. We’ve blossomed as performers and it’s definitely validating to watch people cheer and clap for Dooris when he runs around like he does. He’s like a human jack-in-the-box. Also, recording played a huge part in allowing us to get things as tight as they have been lately.

Tell me about recording. The EP is out this month.

Yeah. We worked with this fantastic producer called Magoo and we got to record some of the songs we’d been playing live for a while.

My favourite song on the EP is ‘You’ve Got Something’ because it represents something entirely different about your band — it’s less about snappy guitars and more about the big, swelling sound that you conjure in a live setting. Tell me about that.

That’s my favourite song on the EP as well, pretty much for exactly that reason.

The song is kind of about a past relationship – trying and then failing and then getting up and going at it again because the person that you’re in a relationship with has something that you ultimately want on an instinctive level.

Musically, we tried to represent that — it starts quite minimally, but then we flick the switch and we make as much noise as we can. It’s one of the most fun ones to play for that reason. I don’t think people who only know the singles expect that kind of noise to come from a band like ours.

Jungle Giants performs at the Side Bar, Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle, on Friday August 24.

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jinja safari

Lion Kings

After meeting at a beach party on the central coast, MARCUS AZON and Pepa Knight formed the nucleus of what would become Jinja Safari. Over the past two years, the five-piece has enjoyed much love from Triple J, and graced Big Day Out, Splendour in the Grass and Falls Festival stages. JAMIE NELSON spoke to Azon about on-stage accidents, playing the music game, and being a wayward grandson.

The terms jungle pop and forest rock get thrown around when your music is described. How would you describe it?

It’s such a cliché for a band not to want to be categorised… but I guess people need that. It’s just a part of human nature isn’t it? I really wouldn’t know because there are so many musical genres and styles and tastes that we all love. Afro beat is definitely a part of what we do but it’s just one element. The fact that we’ve got two drummers is always going to push us into a more rhythmic jungle beat kind of groove because we’ve got the djembé and conga which gives us the old Lion King sound straight away.

When you and Pepa Knight (vocals, multi-instrumentalist) first started jamming, where did you think the project would go?

We were just recording songs to have fun. It was a nice way to meet a new person because I had just met Pepa and he’s a guy that I see eye to eye with, musically. Then by adding the two drummers into the mix it became a lot more of a group dynamic and it became something other than just the folk duo [a la]

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Simon and Garfunkel. The way we all perform live, particularly our percussionist - it just became something a bit more manic.

You’ve recently been to Uganda.

What did you discover there?

I’ve made a lot of discoveries. It was a bit of a last minute decision – I got a good tax return and I found a cheap ticket to Uganda and just went straight to Jinja. It was to meet my grandma and get to know her. I’d met her before but now it was in her environment. One thing I discovered was that we don’t get along at all. She asked, “are you having sexual relations with your girlfriend?” and I said, “well, I guess you could say that I am”. From then on, I think she saw me as the wayward grandson… but that’s probably an overstatement.

You have an incredibly energetic live set. How do you avoid running into each other with your wild dancing on stage?

Oh, no no, we don’t avoid it - it happens often. I used to get told off for jumping and climbing the scaffolding but now it’s sort of become part of what we do. The rest

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of the boys are finally in on it. Some in the band are less sure-footed than others. You’ve got someone with long limbs and [a higher] centre of gravity like Pepa, and he has axed himself in some horrible ways. In Brighton, he fell face first off one of the barricades between the [stage and the] audience and then he just lay there. You never want to see someone go down that hard, in front of that many people, but it happens.

It’s part of the fun.

What is something you find absurd about the contemporary music industry?

I don’t think it’s absurd, but it’s interesting that as a young band in Australia, the [only] way to get a leg up on your career is through Triple J. I think that community radio stations have a responsibility to support young bands, and even commercial radio stations should play more Australian music. FBI radio in Sydney do a fantastic job at that and I think more stations at that level could take a page out of FBI’s book.

How have you found the response of ‘Toothless Grin’ so far?

We’ve been releasing a few singles

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since we started and they’ve been well received. We follow the guidance of our managers almost blindly. So when they hear something they like in a song and think “well that will fit the mould of what a radio station needs to have high rotation”, or whatever, we just follow their lead. We are also working with this producer Chris Zane, a really cool guy. He restructured that song slightly — some very small moves to make it more of a pop structure. It sounds dirty but we are playing the game with some really great coaches, I guess you might say.

You’re playing with Opossum and White Arrows on your next tour.

What are you expecting?

It’s a blind date. We are all fans of Kody Nielsen (Opossom) and his brother Ruban’s band Unknown Mortal Orchestra. It’s going to be a lovely thing. We’ve been throwing around the idea of all getting on-stage together at the end of the night, if we get along.

Jinja Safari performs at Bar On The Hill, Newcastle Uni, on Thursday August 16.

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Having first stepped on stage with a guitar at the tender age of 15, local lad ALEX BOWEN recently stepped out of the collaborative band environment to set out solo. He spoke to KEVIN BULL about recording his solo debut EP. Why the need to ditch the Lucky Dutchmen and branch out solo?

It was more of a mutual and gradual agreement, with myself having the final decision to pull the plug. I really had a great time with the Lucky Dutchmen and we had some amazing experiences but it had come to the time in my career that I needed to express myself entirely and not write collectively. We were a selfmanaged and independent band that worked really well together, both musically and with managing the band. I have taken a lot away from the whole experience with the Lucky Dutchmen and am very honoured to have played with them.

How has your music changed by going solo?

Going solo has brought forward a lot of my soul and early blues influence.

Because it is now only me writing my music, I am able to string together all of my own influences and express them how I want. To me, it really makes my lyrics mean a lot more when the music behind the words is expressed in the same emotion. I listen to a lot of ballsy soul singers such as Joss Stone, Susan Tedeschi, Jon Stevens, and my guitar playing is influenced by players such as Jonny Lang, John Mayer, Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Your debut single, ‘Wait for Me’, was recorded at Grove Studios. Can you tell us what it was like recording in such an environment?

The experience at Grove was incredible. I had the debut single jitters on the morning of recording day but as soon as I arrived at the studio, I felt completely relaxed and focused. Even though Grove is situated right next to the freeway on the way to Sydney, the environment there, with beautiful rainforests and lots of greenery, really gives you a sense of seclusion. Engineer Ben Whincop and mixer Josh Telford gave me the full reins and were very easy to work with.

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Are you planning on completing the upcoming EP also at Grove?

I’m stoked with the sound that was captured at Grove, and very much intend to stay there for a few days at the end of the year, in their three-bedroom house connected to the studio, to finish the fivetrack EP which will be released late January 2013.

Your first live performance was alongside Paul Kelly. How did this come about?

This came about from my ex-drummer’s (Tom Myers, Papa Vs Pretty) father who worked at Tamberlaine Winery where the concert was held. We put together a quick home-recording demo and he pulled some strings to get us on the bill.

It was pretty surreal being only 15 and having a cup of tea with Paul Kelly backstage before the show. Paul was very welcoming to us young players and I hope to reconnect with him on another show somewhere along the line.

Does Newcastle have a blues underbelly that supports like-minded artists?

Newcastle has a blues scene that has slowly been rebuilt. Blues-influenced artists such as Benjalu, Zoe K, Funkwit, myself and many others are now spoilt with options for venues, who are more than happy to have blues riffs and soul singers fill their rooms. Venues such as the Great Northern, The Lass, Wickham Park Hotel and even the Cambridge are opening their doors to more blues artists now than any other genre. It seems the belly of the blues beast in Newcastle is beyond just being stirred up. The blues scene is as much part of Newcastle as the surfing and nightlife culture that the city has been renowned for for years.

Alex Bowen performs at the Brewery, Byron Bay on Saturday August 11; Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland, on Friday August 24; Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Islington, on Saturday August 25.

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t i m r o g er s

Congratulations on the album, Rogers Sings Rogerstein. Tell me about the songs and how the album came about.

Most of them I had written a long time ago — the music anyway, and I shelved them. Like a lot of my writing, I just started singing them in my head and thinking they were someone else’s songs but I couldn’t get rid of them. Shane (O’Mara, guitarist and producer) was really excited to get involved and we figured we would make another scuzzy blues/rock ‘n’ roll record; and then the next week I wanted to make a baroque psychedelic masterpiece; and then the next day I wanted to make a high energy trance record. I guess it’s pretty obvious I’m confused.

I particularly like ‘If Yer Askin’, ‘I’m Dancin’ and ‘All or Nothing’ — are they autobiographical?

It gets a little blurred — sometimes you are not really sure what’s autobiogra­phical or not. I tend to self-mythologise because I don’t find myself that interesting. I’m a bit of a try-hard bohemian and perhaps the songs are about a far better looking extension of myself.

Another new song ‘Beefy Jock Guys and Modern Day Music’ reminds me of crowds at Big Days Out over the last few years.

I didn’t think anyone would get that — it confirms that when I write, I can appeal to my own sense of humour and not worry that people might find it a little whingey — which is definitely not intended. Originally I wrote it as a modern dance track with a huge beat to it and then I kind of lost interest and it became a dinky little bluegrass song.

I think this is the least You Am I sounding album you have done — is there a deliberate effort to do that with your solo outings?

Not really. With You Am I, even though I start the songs, the sound is absolutely about the four of us. When we get together we all get really excited, get stuck into whatever’s available and generally try and make a racket. This album is pretty much

Catherine Britt — how did that association come about?

Catherine and I got a honky tonk band together with Bill Chambers called The Hillbilly Killers. She’s the real deal — she lives it, she breathes it. She’s like family — family that I want to put under lock and key and stop getting into trouble.

Try-hard Bohemian In between treading the boards and writing for a honky-tonk supergroup, eclectic troubadour TIM ROGERS has hatched another solo album brimming with fractured melodies and bittersweet tales. Rogers spoke to PAUL FROST. just Shane and I with some friends, making music in his kitchen.

Do you feel that your experience in the theatre has had an impact on your songwriting?

If anything, it makes me want to make

music that doesn’t sound like anything I’ve done before. In theatre you are writing very purposefully, and there is absolutely no purpose to these songs apart from examining my own rampant narcissism.

You are touring with Newcastle songstress

You’ll be 43 this year — how does the Tim Rogers of today look back on the formative years of You Am I? I don’t really give a shit (laughs). Even when things were really successful with the band it just doesn’t compare to now, and how much more fun and spirited things are for me now. I’m not embarrassed to look back on those times, but I’m just glad we all lived, because there are a lot of dear people close to us from around that time that didn’t make it through and the fact that we got through is miraculous. It’s not that we were living particularly dangerously, but we have been hurtling around the world for 20 years and we have maintained our love and friendship throughout. There is a lot of genuine affection and even if we never make another record, which I doubt, we have shared experiences that no-one else went through and that will always be ours.

And hopefully we have a lot of great, ugly, messy, noisy music still to make.

There is a beautiful refrain in your song ‘Part Time Dads’ that says “Tell me I was good for something”. What are you good for?

Not bad in the sack apparently. I can make a good gumbo. I’m a good rhythm guitarist.

I’m enthusiastic and I hate seeing people upset. And as evil as I look, I wish the best for everybody — except for people who vote to the right.

Tim Rogers and Catherine Britt perform at Lizotte’s, Lambton, on Thursday August 9 and Sunday August 12; Lizotte’s, Kincumber, on Friday August 10; Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay, on Friday August 24.

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reverb magazine issue #072 — Aug 2012 23

o h m ercy

Since the release of Great Barrier Grief in 2011, OH MERCY have been hitting the road hard. But they have still found time to release their third album, Deep Heat. MAX QUINN spoke to main man, ALEXANDER GOW, about becoming an arty ratbag.

The last time I spoke to you was just ahead of the release of Great Barrier Grief. It sounds like you’ve been pretty busy since then. What’s been happening?

A whole bunch of stuff. We toured Great Barrier Grief; then I did a solo tour and I played some shows with Dan Sultan; I toured as a part of ‘They Will Have Their Way’ — the Tim and Neil Finn tour; and then I toured as a guest musician and vocalist with The Triffids. That was the best thing I’ve ever done. Then I wrote a whole bunch of new songs; then we toured in the United States and we ended up in Portland, where we recorded the new album.

Tell me about that Triffids tour. It sounds like they’re an important band to you.

It was incredible — everything, from the rehearsals to hanging out at the airport with them, to the shows, was totally surreal. Unlike a lot of other groups, The Triffids have a mysticism around their music.

They have that real Australian, arty ratbag thing going on. It was lovely to be around them and they were really welcoming.

Are you an aspiring arty ratbag?

Oh, I’d like to think that one day I will reach the heights of artistic expression that The Triffids did.

And on that day, I think that, yes, I will be an arty ratbag. At this point, I think I’ll just settle for being a ratbag.

This new album is arriving hot on the heels of its predecessor. Are you bucking the trend of Australian artists taking their time between albums?

I suppose it’s something that I find really exciting — the idea of backing an album up quickly with another one. I would like to think it means nobody will pigeonhole me as a songwriter or as a musician.

I hate the idea that people think they ‘get’ what I do, and that [shapes] what they expect to receive.

So the idea of putting out records quickly keeps people guessing and it keeps it exciting for me.

That’s something that Elvis Costello did really well in the 70s. Each of his first three or four albums were only a year or 18 months apart and they were all so different.

It’s something that’s more difficult to do in 2012, given the way that the record industry works. But I’m really lucky to have a fantastic band and the help of EMI’s marketing team. We’ve been able to navigate that ‘in between albums’ status and exploit that, so that we can make a nod to yesteryear and put a record out really quickly. I feel really sorry for artists that get bogged down in three year touring cycles. It takes them three times as long as it should and they lose interest and then four-and-ahalf years later there’s an album. That’s not the way I want to work.

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So, the spontaneity of art is what makes it special?

Absolutely. That’s when art is expression, and that’s what I’m interested in. If, like you said, there’s a spontaneity to it and it’s an extension of a certain kind of moment or feeling, and if you’re clever enough to express that through your medium, that’s the heart of art. The expression of feeling is special, and losing that capability to be spontaneous is also losing some of the magic that people really want to hear.

Let’s talk about that magic. I feel like this is certainly a different record from your first two, in terms of songwriting.

Yeah. It is different. I feel like it’s a development of my writing. I’ve always written on the guitar or on the piano in a similar frame of mind, feeling positive and healthy, and hopefully I’ve had just the right amount of coffee. I’d like to think I’m getting better as a songwriter. But the main difference is the execution of this album. At the end of the touring cycle for Great Barrier Grief, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with this record, and that was to write a singer/songwriter kind of record, like I always have, but strip back anything from the music that gives a nod to that singer/songwriter schtick. You won’t hear a guy chugging away at an acoustic guitar through the whole song. We’ve let the bass imply the chord changes. What’s left is bass and drums and vocals. That sound is very exciting to me because I love groove bass records that are created by subtracting these things.

I remember prior to Great Barrier Grief coming out, we talked a lot about the arrangements, and how pared back they were in comparison to your debut. We’re now sitting here a year and a half later and there’s been even more layers peeled away.

When are you releasing your a capella album?

I don’t want to let that cat out of the bag just yet.

Ha. The difference between the last record and this is that there is nothing between the fence posts. There isn’t a chordal layer, so you can hear every word. It’s more conducive to making you want to dance as well. On the last record there was less need for audio trickery because we were in a studio for the first time instead of being in a bedroom. This is kind of full circle. We’ve gotten rid of the guitars this time, but we also have the resources to source different sounds in the studio.

There are flourishes of things we’ve never touched before — guitar pedals and horn sections and flutes. It’s something we’ve wanted to do for a long time.

Oh Mercy performs at the Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle, on Thursday September 27. Deep Heat is released August 24.

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the black angels

“We like the good stuff”, says Black Angels frontman Alex Maas, proceeding to reel off a list of influences and creative catalysts as varied as it is comprehensive. Having released their latest album, Phosphene Dream, in 2010, The Black Angels have been steadily touring in support, while juggling recording sessions.

The Harvest Festival will see the band once again grace Australian shores, for the second time in two years. “Our first tour to Australia was amazing,” says Maas.

“Growing up, it was always such a faraway place, [so] finally going there was a beautiful experience. I was really surprised by the reception and there were more people at the shows than I thought there would be.”

“Every single one of the bands on the [Harvest] bill is someone who I want to see.

I have seen many of them a few times but have never seen Beck live - I am really looking forward to that. Festivals can be hectic - there is generally not much of a sound check and you just have to get up there and hope for the best. But that is what festivals are about. The whole idea is to

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Aiming for the Sky Named after a Velvet Underground song, The Black Angels could have easily fallen into the trap of imitation — deferring to the classic psychedelic music that first brought them together. However the Texan natives have shown a keen interest in pushing the boundaries, rather than getting trapped by them. As frontman ALEX MAAS tells LIAM DEMAMIEL, the band never intended to be a genre tribute, despite what their critics assumed. celebrate music in all its different kinds.

We are looking forward to playing and bringing out some new songs.”

With lots of new material ready to go, the problem is whittling down the song list, says Maas. “When trying to make a record, we always have a lot of material and are always wondering what to do with it and which songs are good enough. Right now we have around 30 tracks that we are really confident about,” he says. “When you start writing you don’t know what you have. Like a person evolves, musically the new material will be different and we will do things we haven’t done before. It will sound

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like The Black Angels but perhaps a different colour. Whether it’s better is not for us to decide but for the fans.”

In addition to recording and touring, the band members are heavily involved in numerous side projects and organise the annual Austin Psych Fest, a music and arts festival that draws together prominent and emerging psychedelic and underground rock musicians. According to Maas, every Angel has the other band members’ full support when it comes to pursuing creative opportunities. “Anything I write I will first take to The Black Angels and use the coolest hook or idea for the band. But our

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guitarist Christian needs an outlet for his creativity and I don’t want to hold him back.” With bassist and founding member Nate Ryan having recently left the band to pursue other opportunities, Maas believes the arrival of sitarist Rishi Dhir brings new opportunity. “It’s overwhelming, like a new person joining the family. There is definitely new life in the band.”

With plans to release two full-lengths in the near future, followed by extensive touring, Maas says the Angels will be aiming for world domination, no less.

“Music is very important to me and to the band, and we want to manage it and tour and release things in quick succession. I want us to be like Wu Tang. Those guys took over the hip-hop industry and were everywhere. If The Black Angels can have 50 side projects, a festival, albums and collaborations, then I want it.”

The Black Angels perform at the Harvest Festival, Parramatta Park, Sydney, on Saturday November 17, and Brisbane Botanic Gardens on Sunday November 18.

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t h e be a u t i f u l g i r l s

Has The Beautiful Girls always been a stage name for Mat McHugh rather than the name of a trio?

People think the band is splitting up, but for me I don’t think it can split up. The Beautiful Girls has always been a name that I have put my music out under. Even from the start, I had the name written on demos and then roped in a couple of mates to flesh out the sound. Without ruining any mystique, [The Beautiful Girls] has always been a singer/songwriter project from the get-go. John Butler and these guys go out under their own names, but [the solo songwriting process] is exactly the same.

So your upcoming tour is a farewell to a name?

I felt the time was right for me to start using my own name. Splitting up suggests animosity — I’m not sick of the guys [bassist Paulie B and drummer Bruce Braybrooke]. I love them to death and we’ll probably continue together in some way, shape or form. It’s more about taking ownership of my songs and my music under my own name.

It begs the question, why didn’t you use your own name from the outset?

That is the $64,000 question, isn’t it? (laughs).

The truth of it is when I grew up I was a surfer, so my peers listened to punk rock bands, noisy electric guitar bands and grunge. On the side, I played acoustic guitar my whole life. The group that I grew up around — my peers that played

have any plans to release any music as The Beautiful Girls for the imminent future. But I don’t think a lot of these songs will ever stop getting played, because I still really like them — I consider them all fair game. Obviously, doing solo shows, it’s more acoustic-based, so I tend not to play much of the rocky or dub/reggae stuff. That’s the benefit of being around for 10 years. I have a pretty decent set of songs to choose from.

Your record Love Come Save Me is a return to your early, stripped-back acoustic sound.

Musically, have you come full-circle?

I’m always interested in doing different things.

My primary [reason] for releasing music [under] my own name has been to strip my music back to its essence. What suits me the best is playing simple acoustic music that is based around melodies, lyrics and a certain feeling. A lot of the decisions I made in The Beautiful Girls were somewhat reactionary, because we’d get lumped in with Jack Johnson so I’d try to do the opposite. But I’ve come to the point where I don’t care — if someone wants to compare me to Jack Johnson or Ben Harper that’s fine. You’re always going to get comparisons, but I’m just trying to express myself honestly in the most appropriate way. I’ll be interested in doing other projects, maybe like a heavier dub record, but I’ll just put it out under a different name, rather than calling it The Beautiful Girls.

I feel like I was pushing my luck a lot of the

Beautiful Beginnings

For a young songwriter growing up in a surfing culture, releasing music under your own name was not an option. So MAT MCHUGH took on the name The Beautiful Girls for his beach-fire ballads. Ten years later, after world tours and hundreds of thousands of records sold, the songwriter is putting his stage name to bed and taking his rightful place in the sunshine of the spotlight. McHugh explains his decision to NICK MILLIGAN.

music — nobody would even consider [releasing] their music under their own name. Even if they wrote it themselves — it was just not the thing.

Everyone would consider you a wanker. I also felt that [the moniker] was a protective mechanism. If people thought it sucked, it would be onceremoved from me. I guess I didn’t feel confident enough.

You have started releasing solo records under your own name — when you perform as Mat McHugh will you still perform your Beautiful Girls material?

On my solo tours for the last year and a half I’ve played Beautiful Girls songs. I love them. That’s the thing that I want to get across to people. This [tour] isn’t going to be the last time you hear the songs. When a press release goes out and it says “this is the last Beautiful Girls tour”, it’s sensationalised. But the reality is I don’t actually know what’s going to happen today or tomorrow.

What I try to get across to people is that I don’t

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time. Some of [The Beautiful Girls’ music] should have come out under a different name. It’s been a strange series of mini-cycles where we put out a record that was so different to the one before it. It took a year-and-a-half of touring for people to get used to it. By the time they were used to [our sound], I’d change it again. So we were always playing catch-up. It was interesting and fulfilling creatively, but I got to the end of that cycle and thought [acoustic music] is what I’m most comfortable with. I really enjoy just sitting around playing the acoustic guitar and singing some mellow songs.

I’m a mellow guy — that’s the truth of it.

The Beautiful Girls play the the Metro Theatre, Sydney, on Friday August 31; Entrance Leagues Club on Saturday September 1; Bar On The Hill, Newcastle Uni, on Thursday September 13; Port Macquarie Panthers on Friday September 14; Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs Harbour, on Saturday September 15.

reverb magazine issue #072 — Aug 2012 29

b i l ly ta l e n t

photo by dustin rabin

you toured for 20 months. Was that hard and are you going to do something like it again?

Yeah, touring for 16-18 months is pretty standard during the release of an international record. We’re kind of used to it and there’s breaks in between and stuff.

It’s not hard, it just has to be moderated.

Three weeks straight is about the breaking point.

Drop-D Gorgeous

Are you guys excited to come out to Australia?

Definitely! The last time we were there was for Soundwave a couple of years back and we had a blast!

What can you tell me about the new album?

We’ve recorded 14 songs for it. Eleven are finished so far and we still need to do some vocals on the others. We are then going to mix it in Los Angeles, in July. It’s turned out great and we think fans will be excited to hear it. It’s kind of a departure from what we did on our last album and it’s a bit of step back to what we did on Billy Talent II. Will it be called Billy Talent IV? No, I think we’re done with that.

You use drop-D tuning a lot. Does that sound still continue on this album?

Yeah, definitely. I think drop-D tuning has its own sound that lends its own writing

AUG 10

AUG 22 AUG 25

Is your sound still as heavy?

I think our sound has matured. Some songs are heavy while some are unlike what we’ve

Who are your influences?

As far as guitarists go, I’d say Andy Summers, Tom Morello, Jimmy Page and Kim Thayil. I think for a guitar part to be unique you have to be doing something very different and creative. As far as songwriting goes I’ve grown up on everything from Tom Waits to Neil Young.

I read that in support of the third album

I understand that you were originally called Pezz and there was some type of lawsuit. Tell me about that.

We were called Pezz for about six years. It was just a childish name that we chose. It was to do with Pez candy. Anyway one day I got an email from a lawyer in the United States saying that he represented another band called Pezz. It never got out of hand but we just changed it.

Billy Talent performs at the UNSW Roundhouse, Sydney, on Friday, August 10.

(Hardons)

THE SOMETHIN SOMETHINS KWINTON JAMES

+

OWL EYES

+

DUNE RATS

CHILDREN COLLIDE +

BAD DREEMS

B LU E J U I C E

with Phil Levy

DEEP SEA ARCADE THE PREACHERS

THE SIDETRACKED FIASCO +

T I X

What types of themes are you exploring?

This album touches on a lot of different things to do with what’s going on in the world right now. I guess being in the last year of the world as people say, the album has a lot to do with the world ending or people thinking that the world is going to end.

done before. There is a song that even starts with piano on the new album. I think there is a variance between the songs on this album. There is a nice flow.

STONEFIELD

+ + AUG 31

style in a way. I really like writing in it because I feel like I can do a lot more creative things with it.

Blackie + +

AUG 11

Canadian punk rockers BILLY TALENT are coming up on their twentieth year as a band. On the verge of releasing their fifth studio album and a world tour, lead guitarist IAN D’SA sat down with CORMACK O’CONNOR.

How did Billy Talent originally form?

We all met in high school in 1993 and started playing talent shows and stuff.

After that we just played billiard halls, clubs, small bars and stuff for nine years.

During that time we released a bunch of independent cassettes and CDs. In fact, it had gotten to the point where we were getting a little bit of a buzz around the city but none of the labels wanted to work with us because they thought we were too crazysounding and the indie labels thought we were too mainstream-sounding. We never really got offered any type of deal until we took six months off, came back together and then gravitated to more of a focused, aggressive sound.

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magazine issue #072 — Aug 2012

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t o e n a i l c l i p p i n g s — cr u n c h y f o rt u n e s

Beer of the Month – Little Creatures ‘Land of the Long Shadow’

The Little Creatures Brewery is renowned for producing some wonderful ‘off the shelf’ beers, with their Pale Ale being this beer-lover’s go-to beverage when the home brew runs out. So their single batch, ‘Day of the Long Shadow’, was a no-brainer. Let’s see what the LC brewers can deliver when their minds are not focused on the masses. Pouring with clear, dark copper tones and a multitude of spices to the nose, the label’s promise of a ‘Spiced Winter Ale’ is on the money, resembling a Christmas cake, rich with nutmeg, cinnamon and clove. The off-white head hangs around, adding to the warmth. On tasting, those spicy notes were clearly carried though, nicely matched with a touch of fruity sweetness from the UK Sovereign and Challenger hops. In the mouth, it is medium-bodied (perhaps a little under-fed for a winter beer) and lightly carbed. Overall, a very nice single batch brew, to suit a winter evening around the fire. This is a one-off production so grab them while you can - but at $8 for a 568ml bottle, very much a special-occasion beer. And be warned, it is 8.9 per cent alcohol. I have just knocked off a bottle while writing this review, and am no good to anyone now. ~Kevin Bull

fortunes

Steve Burrito’s crunchy fortunes

Leo: I’ve just discovered that Tom Thumb didn’t have any.

Very soon you’ll think you’re squeezing an empty bottle of sauce only to realise it’s actually a full bottle of queef. You’re lucky erogenous zone is in Dubbo.

Sagittarius: The half naked clown of your dreams will suddenly appear in the car beside you. Act normal, this stuff happens all the time. Your recording of Jimmy Barnes choking on emu shit will be the best track of his next album.

Aries: Why do the ugly people always get naked first?

Put your pants back on. Your true horoscope animal, the ancient horseshoe crab of the soul will depart on the 3:15 to the city. All out, all change.

Virgo: This month you will super sexy yourself with a pair of bacon pants. Your work has been cut out for you.

I cut it into the shape of a party hat. Come to the dark side Party Pants, we have beer, but we don’t have pants.

Capricorn: Beware bizarre, short blonde women standing in toilet bowls and shouting “Fatticus”. Far far away in a town called Port Macquarie, that shit is normal. The people of Portugal want to rub you for luck. You’ll love it.

Taurus: Your dentist thinks the chilli vibrator is a brilliant idea. Make a puppet face with your hand. That’s a naked muppet. Now check out your elbow bend.

What’s that bit? Dare you to rub it. Mmmm, lucky.

Libra: Very soon you will accidentally the whole thing.

Wear a leg rope. Your lucky thing just ran out of batteries. This month you will finally combine your love of hang gliding and pavlova to become the world’s first human seagull.

Aquarius: Your life will soon take a dramatic twist as you start to resemble a 70s porn star and you take up the kazoo. Beware anything marked “laxative” and “sleep”. It never ends well. Stop licking your lucky thing.

Gemini: If you don’t wear undies, you never get your panties in a bunch. This month your dedication to choc coating everything will go horribly wrong when the chocolate-coated cockatoo is presented as evidence.

Scorpio: You’re a ‘glass half full’ kind of person. It’s half full of straight rum, bubble gum and a duck. Grab a straw.

Don’t look behind you! It’s that horrid little monkey again. Your lucky thing this month makes your tongue numb.

Pisces: The last words you hear before you go to sleep will be “insane squirting ninja” and you will feel strangely satisfied, There’s no time to explain. Get inside the llama. Your lucky things to touch this month are hippies. You dirty hippy toucher.

Cancer: I’m sure that black nail polish will be fashionable again one day, just not on your teeth. This will be a beautiful month for you. There will be rings on your fingers. Bells on your toes. And there’ll be a plug.

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Herb of the Month What Hangover?

This month I’m road testing something called ‘What Hangover?’ from the guys at Happy High Herbs.

The blurb said something about protecting the liver from my excessive lifestyle. Now usually I’m pretty confident with these road tests, but this one is going a bit far. I’m bloody good at excess. But I’m a positive kind of guy, so being Friday lunch time, I’ve taken a ‘What Hangover’ capsule and I will now proceed to smash myself out of the ballpark for you. I’ll finish this review tomorrow. OK, if I texted you over the last 16 hours I apologise. And just ignore all that stuff on Facebook.

Oh god, I’ve sent something to Tony Abbott again. And if that girl with the tongue stud is reading this, call me. I think I remember you now. Anyway, this ‘What Hangover’ stuff seems to have done a reasonable job. I still have a bit of a headache, but that’s because the only non-alcoholic fluid I’ve drunk over the last 16 hours was a kebab.

However I don’t feel seedy at all. So, either I’m the party pig of steel, or this stuff works. But just to be sure sexy reader, I’m going to do it all over again.

‘What Hangover’ is the free giveaway in the mag this month guys. Drop down to Happy High Herbs and grab one, and then pop down to the pub and buy me a rum and a beer (and a rum and a beer and a rum). ~Steve Burrito Taking it for the team

reverb magazine issue #072 — Aug 2012 31

live Reviews Terror

Nine Sons of Dan

Say Anything

Ladyhawke

Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle Friday, July 6

Port Macquarie Hotel Thursday, July 12

Hi-Fi Bar, Sydney Saturday, July 14

Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle Thursday, July 19

©Joe Andersons

There are few live shows to rival Terror in terms of intensity. Praiseworthy supports at their Cambridge gig ranged from the straightforward chugga-chugga of Taken By Force, to the raging riffage of Iron Mind - a full-on hardcore smorgasbord that could only be topped by the kings of the modern game.

Frontman Scott Vogal exudes warmth, calling the crowd forward as the band launch into ‘Stick Tight’, and it takes less than seconds for the pit to explode into a whirling frenzy of circle pits and stage dives. The band is flawlessly tight - punishing riffs are thrown from the stage with relish, and breakdown sections are met with rapture by the moving masses. But it is the compelling positive aggression of the music that really sets a Terror show apart from other hardcore fare.

Despite Vogal’s plea that “nobody gets hurt tonight”, at least one punter stumbles, concussed, from the pit. But when you’re making an omelette as glorious as a Terror show, you gotta break a few eggs. ~Roger Killjoy

Karnivool Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay Thursday, July 19

©Sam Paquette

Call me bitter, but if you’re one of those people who hold up their phones to video a live gig, blocking the view of half the stage for everybody standing behind you... go home!

But let’s not dwell. After two years of absence from Byron, Aussie prog masters Karnivool were back, and ‘excited’ doesn’t even begin to sum up the vibe of the crowd at this sold-out show. Warm-up act, Redcoats, were stellar - a high-energy rock set by a group who look and sound like a Led Zeppelin tribute band. But as soon as Karnivool took the stage, the crowd erupted. This totally underrated band prove they have exactly what it takes every time they play - outstanding musicality, tight and effortless performance and the unmistakable voice of Ian Kenny which, in combination with some dynamic lighting, made for a brilliant set, comprising triple j favourites ‘Themata’, ‘Set Fire To The Hive’ and encore ‘All I Know’, which had everybody in the crowd singing along. They also trotted out a new song which had the crowd no less than awestruck. My ears are still ringing but boy, was it worth it. ~Thomas Peasley

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magazine issue #072 — Aug 2012

©Matt McIntyre ©jessica Ward ©linda wales

There’s been a fair bit of hype surrounding former Coffs Harbour kids Nine Sons of Dan, so heading down to their gig at my local was a no-brainer. The back bar of the Port Macquarie Hotel was filled to capacity and Nine Sons of Dan tore the Macca stage apart, opening their set with ‘You Took My Heart Again’ off their current EP, The New Kids. You could certainly hear their influences, with one punter summing it up quite nicely as he hollered over my shoulder to his mate at the bar: “fucking awesome bro – they’re like a cross between Blink 182 and Led Zeppelin”, these five lads who now call the Gold Coast home did not stop from the word go.

Frontman Jay Bainbridge commands respect despite his tender years and with young gun drummer/percussionist Morgan ‘Flakey’ Blake belting his kit, reminiscent of a young Col Hatchman (Screaming Jets), it took me half a song to notice the other three lads on stage.

Guitarists Daniel Cox and Alex Pidgey were two peas in a pod, their twin guitar attack in songs like ‘Diamond Skin’ and ‘Villain’ (with a tipping of the hat to the Foo Fighters classic ‘My Hero’ in the intro) allowed their prowess to shine. Bassist Will Player drove his instrument like a Mack truck down the Pacific Highway, furiously thundering through crowd favourite ‘She’s so Fine’, ‘Landslide’ and my personal fave ‘Animal’. Rest assured this band will go places, having toured and gigged with the likes of The Darkness and Simple Plan and with upcoming tours with Grinspoon and Heroes for Hire in the pipeline, these guys are well on their way to finding their own niche in the Australian music scene.

Closing out the 12-song set with ‘Hope Is Dead’ and ‘Fun (la da da da)’ the crowd were definitely not done with the show and demanded an encore. And these new kids obliged with Beastie Boys classic ‘Fight for Your Right (to party)’, earning a roaring ovation from the 200-strong crowd that would have been heard in Wauchope. Don’t let anyone tell you there are no good Aussie pop/punk acts coming through the ranks.

Adam Barbuto

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Say Anything are my favourite band and if you have anything bad to say about them I’ll come to your house at night and steal your shoes while you sleep. If you’re a fan of this band, it’s impossible to be objective, and the audience’s passion was reciprocated in spades by the California six-piece on Saturday night. They stormed through 90 minutes of material that, while spanning their entire career, left out none of the fan-favourites the Australian Say Anything cohort had been waiting eight years to hear. Frontman Max Bemis’ lyrics are the jet fuel that has propelled Say Anything to success, so it came as no surprise that all in attendance screamed every angsty syllable like gospel. What was surprising was the relative youth of the crowd – I’d say nobody over 24 – but this only made for a more frenetic show. The band finished their encore (‘Admit It’ - the emblematic, furious, Say Anything credo) and quickly departed, but not before taking time to sign autographs and take pictures with the fans, myself included, who had skirted the perimeter of the venue to wait girlishly for their heroes. The next day, I booked a flight to Brisbane to watch them ‘Admit it (Again)’. ~Max Quinn

Band of Skulls Factory Theatre, Sydney Friday, July 27

“so…if you’re here… you know you’re missing Lana Del Rey right?” The cheeky Russell Marsden was both charming and humble as Band of Skulls tore up the Factory Theatre.

This spacious industrial playhouse came alive with arguably one of Britain’s finest rock and roll acts. We get a drink and head in to be welcomed straight away by local support The Laurels. Their sound is immersive and straight to the point. They’re a delight to watch as there seems to be no hierarchy within the band; putting the ever-smiling drummer Kate Wilson centre stage. A loving and devoted crowd then spill their guts when Band of Skulls walks on. With brooding base lines and delicious riffs – Band of Skulls, I believe exceeded the expectations of even their most devoted fans. The chemistry between the three is infectious. Playing a healthy mix from both albums, the crowd did not go unnourished. Their set was impressively long, with Marsden indulging in more guitar changes than Hendrix probably had in his lifetime - each one more striking than the last. Tearing up ‘Death by Diamonds and Pearls’, and saying their initial goodbyes was only the prelude to an impressive three song encore. Jolly good show chaps! ~Sophie Metcalfe

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Pip Brown, aka Ladyhawke, brought her highly anticipated and much talked about album, Anxiety, to Newcastle on a wild and woolly winter’s evening. We made ourselves comfortable in the dingy but intimate surrounds of Newcastle’s best music venue, the Cambridge Hotel’s Glasshouse, beer and pizza to hand. The scene was complete with moody lighting, Ladyhawke photo booth and fairy lights on the mic as Brown took to the stage with her band, opening with a husky rendition of ‘Girl Like Me’. The crowd loved the heavier ‘Professional Suicide’, before the tempo hit the roof with the 80s pop sounds of ‘Magic’. To our delight the pop beats continued and we got our dance on with ‘Love Don’t Live Here Anymore’, ‘Better Than Sunday’ and ‘Vaccine’. Although her tunes were upbeat and packed a punch, the humble Ladyhawke ended every song with a shy “thank you” to her adoring fans. The last two were crowd-favourites, ‘Paris is Burning’ and ‘Delirium’, inciting a high-energy dance floor singalong. Powerful voice, catchy lyrics and poppy beats - just the thing for a cold and wet July evening. ~Stephanie De Vries

Afghan Whigs Factory Theatre, Sydney Thursday, July 26

Afghan Whigs came onto the stage for the second night of their first ever Australian tour to excited yells of “about fucking time” from the crowd. The anticipation, building since the band first got together a quarter of a century ago, exploded with the steady beat of their first song ‘Crime Scene, Part One’. There was a fair mix of ages in the crowd, with the older dudes proving that they could still dance and party as hard as any young whippersnapper from the wrong side of the tracks. The band absolutely killed with every single boot-stompin’ song, with frontman Greg Dulli sending the audience into a frenzy, with comments like, “if we’re gonna turn this motherfucker into a party, let’s do it now.” The crowd couldn’t believe their luck when Australian legend, The Church’s Steve Kilbey, got up onstage to play his song ‘One Day’ with the band, while dancing like a madman.

They finished with ‘Faded’, then came onstage for an encore with a rendition of ‘Fountain and Fairfax’ that just seemed to keep evolving.

Dulli finished with, “It was a pleasure and a motherfucking good time, Sydney. Let’s not wait another 25 years”. We can only hope. ~Louisa Bulley

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live Reviews Fun

The XX

The Tea Party

Metric

Metro Theatre, Sydney Wednesday, July 25

Metro Theatre, Sydney Friday July 20

Hordern Pavilion, Sydney Saturday, July 21

Hi-Fi Bar, Sydney Thursday, July 26

©clare hawley

©ashlee kellehear

First things first – who the hell reviewed Fun’s Some Nights for this here press and gave it a 1 out of 5… what the? Now I have that out of my system let me begin… Smoke covers the stage and three black flags that spell “FUN” are revealed. The audience screams, the lights dim and the trumpets erupt into Fun’s opening number ‘One Foot’. The crowd sings every word and I swear you can feel the ground shake. Each note is perfectly hit, the band is tight and frontman Nate Ruess is humbled as the crowd sings every word of ‘At Least I’m Not As Sad (As I Used To Be)’. Fun played a great mix from both of their albums and while Glee may have played a big part in Fun’s success here down under, the audience’s reaction to their hit single ‘We Are Young’ was no more than the rest of the set received.

A highlight for this reviewer was seeing Will Noon (ex Straylight Run) playing drums and the gorgeous blonde girl behind the keys. Fun put on a set that was fit for a stadium but I felt privileged to see them in this intimate atmosphere as I have no doubt next time they come to Australia they will be playing bigger venues. The band encored with their new single ‘Some Nights’, which led the audience into one of the loudest singalongs I have heard. Flawless. Fun finally get the credit they deserve. ~Sean Degan

The stage, minimal yet complex, the audience shoulder to shoulder, for the atmospheric entre of echoey guitar and Romy Madley Croft’s soft voice. ‘Islands’ was played early and the audience was entranced from the beginning, all eyes on the three silhouettes onstage. ‘Heart Skipped A Beat’ induced a crowd choir, until the voices from the stage were inaudible, which made the intimacy of the event more magical. The bass earthquaked through the Metro and a projector cast psychedelic images and colours behind the stage. During ‘Shelter’, there were minor issues with microphone feedback. But all was forgiven when the words “I can’t give it up!” were sung, followed by a flash of light and that familiar pulsing beat. People were dancing in unison. After what seemed to be their entire debut album, Madley Croft spoke quietly into the mic, “I hope you don’t mind if we play some new songs”. Oh, of course we didn’t. What followed was dark, dreamy and atmospheric, alluding to Beach House’s hallucinatory pop. Disappointingly, the constant chatter from the crowd drowned out the band. The lights compensated, as they were almost as impressive as the bands performance: jumping like the Aurora through a barren snowfield. Finishing with a series of melodic and monochromatic unfamiliar tracks, The XX disappeared off stage, the projector leaving a large white X in the otherwise pitch-black theatre. The encore cleverly began with ‘Intro’, then more delicious new material, before ending with ‘Stars’. Tickets to these Sydney and Melbourne surprise shows sold out swiftly.

Fingers crossed the release of Coexist in September means another visit is on the cards. ~Jamie Nelson

The Shins Hordern Pavilion, Sydney Wednesday, July 25

©Sean Roche

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Patrons young and old were out to catch a glimpse of Splendour-bound, indie staples, The Shins. Arriving at the Hordern Pavilion a little late, I casually walked straight to the front and centre of the barrier. As they came on-stage, to the glee of the crowd, the show was opened with ‘Kissing the Lipless’. The night followed suit with a drum-tight performance and great vibe. Disappointingly, the band wasn’t very talkative. In fact, one of the few times a band member spoke was to shout “Shut up!” at a couple of very noisy audience members, before smashing into the almost surf pop feel of ‘So Says I’, to great applause. Other highlights of the set included the acoustic stir of ‘New Slang’ and an emotional rendition of ‘Port Of Morrow’. I’m keen to see what they’ve got to throw at the world next. ~Cormack O’Connor

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©Richard Hedger

©Kevin Bull

Its not surprising to see that regardless if Jeff Martin is doing his solo thing or fronting the Canadian cult band, The Tea Party, he is still the consummate professional front man with his smooth dark voice that hasn’t lost its appeal and ability to draw the listener in.

After seven years separation, The Tea Party have finally joined forces once again and recently rocked the Horden Pavilion in Sydney, much to the enthusiasm of fans old and new alike. It was a well chosen blend of classic Tea Party songs with a twist of some well known covers such masterpieces as Led Zeppelin’s ‘Kashmir and Jeff Buckley’s ‘Last Goodbye’. The Tea Party have always had a well rounded catalogue of slow emotionally driven ballads and “punch in the face” solid rock, which was used to good effect at the Horden show. ‘Fire in the Head’ was a definite stand out rock moment that brought the crowd’s energy levels up quite a few notches.

In typical Jeff Martin style there was an abundance of great guitar solos and virtuoso moments. The twin neck Gibson made a few appearances to the joy of the fans that are guitar savvy, and no Tea Party gig would be complete without Jeff Martin doing his version of the Jimmy Page violin bow moment on his Les Paul Gibson guitar. Even though it’s back to the original Tea Party line up, one thing is evident, its still all about Jeff Martin being the rock god up front and loving it. The concert built momentum as it rolled along which included a full impact delivery of ‘Sister Awake” for the encore that combined the Rolling Stones’ ‘Paint it Black’ to add the final touches to the evening. With the reformation of the band comes the making of a new DVD which was being filmed during the Hordern concert. All in all it was great to see The Tea Party back and doing what they do best, being the tight, welloiled music machine that we have always loved so dearly. ~Terry Paull

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In what was a big night for Splendour in the Grass sideshows across Sydney, and with Splendour headliner, Jack White, selling out the Hordern Pavilion right across the street, Canadian indie-rockers, Metric played a near sold-out Hi-fi Bar to a loyal crowd. Making the trip south on the back of their fifth record, Synthetica, the four-piece played a 16-song set, geared heavily toward newer material, with more than half the set comprised of tracks from their latest album. Opening with the dreamy ‘Artificial Nocturne’, followed up by the edgy ‘Youth Without Youth’, perfectly showcased the allure of Metric’s frontwoman, Emily Haines - angelic one moment, anarchic the next. Ethereally bathed in blue light during more soulful tracks, and strutting about the stage with the sex appeal of Debbie Harry during heavier songs, wearing sequinned hot pants and a leather jacket, she played up for the cameras and the lucky fans in the front row. Three more tracks from Synthetica followed before older tracks, ‘Empty’ and crowd favourite ‘Help, I’m Alive’.

The set-list seemed more like an album showcase, with the band playing all but two tracks from Synthetica. The night was capped off with a three-track encore of older material, including ‘Monster Hospital’, ‘Gold Guns Girls’ and ‘Gimme Sympathy’. As someone who enjoys live performance as a means of getting to know the artist behind the recordings, I found the almost complete lack of talk between tracks disappointing. But as Haines explained before finishing the set with the simple and beautiful acoustic version of ‘Gimme Sympathy’, “There’s too much talking in the world and not enough music”. Hard to argue with her on that one. ~Amelia Parrott

reverb magazine issue #072 — Aug 2012 33

p h o t o g r a p h y — d re w h o p p er

Drew Hopper Drew Hopper is a professional landscape photographer from the mid-north coast. Fine art prints are available via the website.

Website Email Mobile

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www.drewhopperphotography.com drew@drewhopperphotography.com 0423 264 791

magazine issue #072 — Aug 2012

“ P eople often ask me what made me interested in landscape photography and not other areas of photographic art. The simple answer is ‘Mother Nature’. I find nature to be more compelling, mysterious and overwhelming than any facial expression, any man-made structure or materialised subjects. Nature inspires me to get outdoors and be creative with my natural surrounds. I find this to be the most precious gift life has to offer and this is why I share this sentiment with you.”

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reverb magazine issue #072 — Aug 2012 35

g e n er a l m o t o r i n g

r e vi e wed

Attack Mode From Benz

V

eedub owns the premium small hatch segment, with the bench­ mark Golf dominating. Other companies eye off Golf sales with wet and wanting eyes but there are few contenders, until now.

Volvo is about to launch a Golf competitor.

But for now, the big news is the five-door A-Class just released by Benz, in Europe at least, and streets ahead of the previous dumpy A-Class mini mum-bus. The Aussie spec A-Class is due here March next year.

That’s assuming Benz can make enough, with 40,000 orders already in the can before launch, and a recent commissioning of Finnish component supplier, Valmet Automotive, to ramp up and make whole (A-Class) cars.

Looks like Golf is in for a clubbing, particularly as the hit-off price for a new A-Class looks like being circa $36,000.

Benz realises that big cars are on a permanent slide and has addressed that with a series of five different models based on the same small-car platform as A-Class.

These vehicles include a small SUV with 2WD and 4WD, a glamorous coupé, possibly a sedan and possibly a sports car. Talk about leveraging a car platform. They will all arrive within the next two years. Our A-Class has an advantage on Golf in standard trim, with all models scoring a seven-speed, dual clutch, DCT ‘manumatic’ auto along with engine stop/start, self-park function and nine air bags. The clever Pre-Safe crash preparation

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Mercedes Benz A-Class r e vi e wed by

Peter Douglas

system is also standard across the range.

In deference to the projected Gen X, Gen Y and Gen Whynot buyers, designers have developed, with help from Apple, a communications system that even talks to the driver. It will be available as an option for about $2,000 and makes A-Class into a virtual smart phone on wheels, with 3D satnav and traffic information. It also allows seamless iPod or iPhone integration into the car. An Android version is under development and will make it for Aussie deliveries.

over-boost function gives an extra 11kW to the 250 Sport, which has 155kW normally.

In addition to direct fuel injection, a new cam system called Camtronic alters valve lift on the inlet side. It also has cylinder cut-off for fuel savings. The diesel A200 CDi is a 1.8 again, a new engine specifically developed for this new Benz, and is good for 100kW/300Nm. All pass stringent 2015 Euro 6 emissions rules, with extremely frugal fuel use down into the mid 4.0 litres/100km in the diesel.

THE RANGE

It has a five-star crash rating but that can be augmented with a swag of optional safety features, depending on your wallet — lane departure system, speed limit warning, Distronic radar cruise control, blind spot warning and the like. All our local cars get the collision prevention system that takes control of braking in a potential crash situation, if the driver doesn’t, and attention assist, if you start to nod off behind the wheel.

All models are turbocharged — three petrol and one diesel. The range starts with A180, then A200, then the high performance A250 Sport, all in petrol with the only diesel called the A200CDi. At the recent international press launch of A-Class, in Slovenia, we couldn’t find out what spec levels will be like, suffice to say Oz will probably get feature packs.

The 250 Sport will have plenty of kit as standard and is likely to come in at around $50,000, roughly the same as Golf GTi optioned with similar equipment.

THE ENGINES

New engines were developed for the new A-Class — direct injection on the turbo petrol units, in 1.6-litre capacity for the A180 and A200 and a 2.0-litre in the 250 Sport. Power runs from 90-166kW, depending on the model, with torque between 200Nm-350Nm. An

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SAFETY

THE LOOK

There’s not much difference between the proddy model and the concept that did motor show rounds over the past year or two, sporting an aggressive frontal treatment with a distinctive Benz look, bobbed rear end and sculpted side panels. The stunning pointillist grille made it through to the Sport.

Wild-looking LED daytime driving lights are on all models.

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INSIDE

Interior styling is influenced by the latest Benz SL and SLS sports cars. The carbon fibre-look dash on Sport is something else.

THE DRIVE

In Slovenia, we drove the A200 petrol and diesel. We got a lash at the 250 Sport on a makeshift race track marked out on a disused airfield. They are all impressive to drive and ride, delivering a decidedly sporty experience in terms of engine power, steering, gear shift and ride dynamics. You feel engaged with the car and in touch with what it’s doing on the road. They have been able to produce a combination in A-Class that will satisfy enthusiast drivers and commuters alike.

The DCT transmission is fantastic — rapidly flicking up and down gears or being used in D-mode like an auto. Noise levels are low and aerodynamics slippery to aid fuel economy. Sport takes everything to another level again, even if they were a little doughy off the line — the result of a hyper-active ESP system.

VERDICT

Wow, we’ll take one in red thanks. Either will do but the Sport has particular appeal if you can run to the dosh. Pssst! There’s an AMG45 all wheel drive, twin-turbo version in the wings — 250kW, 0-100kph in the 4.5 second range.

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ALBUM Reviews album of the month

Hunting Grounds

Passion Pit

Baroness

Serj Tankian

Ratcat Sounds/MGM

Sony

Relapse Records

Reprise Records

4/5

3.5/5

4.5/5

3.5/5

In Hindsight

Hunting Grounds, formerly known as Howl - remember them? Triple j Unearthed High winners, they’ll “kill your brother and fuck your sister”. Now do you remember them?

They’ve thrown out another pleasing set of tracks here with a jump in genre, mashing spacious pop and post-punk to generate an evocative and, at times, hi-octane sound.

‘Flaws’ brings to mind an almost tripped out Temper Trap feel, with reverb flooding the song and refreshing piano revealing the band’s softer side. But don’t fret. Their raw energy and punk attitude isn’t lost.

‘Kill My Friends’, with its thrashing guitars, driving drums and gravelly bass, treads the familiar ground of their previous album, Brothers in Violence. This album effortlessly flows from softer tracks such as ‘Mind Decays’ and ‘Clearly See’, where a definite shoe-gaze influence pricks the ears, to the killer single, ‘In Colour’, which will have your body twitching and jolting.

(You may even want to jump and shout!). In Hindsight boasts a more refined sound that the sextet have developed in the studio.

Hunting Grounds have discovered the wonders of reverb and produced an tight but airy album that’s well worth running out and buying. So off you go. Treat yourself. ~Joe Swann

Rumer

Boys Don’t Cry Atlantic/Warner

2/5

Sarah Joyce, aka Rumer, gives new life to songs from the 70s on her sophomore effort Boys Don’t Cry. But its easy listening feel, with cheesy piano riffs and yawning strings, is reminiscent of the soundtrack of a bad soap opera. Joyce’s voice is beautiful and works well with her style but it all feels a bit too nice. The opening track ‘P.F. Sloan’ starts off with a choral sing-along, complete with tambourines, setting the tone for the rest of the album. You’ll know within 10 seconds whether this is an album for you.

Unfortunately it wasn’t for me but I’m sure my grandmother would appreciate it. ~COrmack O’Connor

The Offspring Days Go By Sony

1/5

There really is not much to enjoy about an album this woeful, by a band past its prime. The whole ‘reflective’ theme seems more ‘midlife crisis’, with music to match. ‘O.C Guns’ sounds like someone’s dad trying to rap at the family reunion, with too many beers under his belt, and ‘Cruisin California’ sounds as if the band have been taking songwriting lessons from Rebecca Black in a fruitless attempt to stay down wit da kidz, yo. There are rare moments where the old Offspring we all know and love pop up, but rare is the operative word here. As an Offspring fan, I feel violated... I think I need a hug. ~Thomas Peasley

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Gossamer

Yellow & Green

Passion Pit retain their upbeat instrumentation and high-pitched vocals for their second outing but lyrically it’s a much darker affair than debut LP Manners. First single ‘Take a Walk’ – ode to the American Dream gone awry, is the catchiest song on the album, contrasting nicely with the dark lyrics.

Most numbers sink their teeth in after the second or third listen. Standout track is ‘I’ll Be Alright’, which showcases Passion Pit’s mantra of shiny pop sensibilities, with sinister undertones. Towards the tail-end things become more straightforward (and less interesting), but Gossamer retains its charm. Recommended for anyone who likes their indie-pop with a twist. ~Matthew Glen

Sarah Humphreys Him

ABC/Universal

3/5

Yellow & Green, the third album from metal juggernaut Baroness, heralds a bold new direction for the band. This sprawling, but meticulously pieced together, double album sees Baroness trade their burly metal for daring experimentation, pop inflections and muscular alt-rock.

Yellow is the heavier of the two discs, featuring the full-blooded rock and catchy melodics of ‘Take My Bones Away’ and ‘March of the Sea’.

John Baizley has refined his trademark bellow and pushes his vocals to the limit as the album takes brave and unexpected turns.

‘Cocainium’ is an absorbing, keyboard-laden highlight, with a driving chorus and psychedelic twist, And emotion-charged semiballad, ‘Eula’, wraps things up with its enticing ebb and flow.

Green showcases a reflective, melancholy side of the band as they dabble further into gentle acoustics as well as folk and psychedelic influences. The upbeat indie-rock of ‘Board up the House’ is ripe for mainstream consumption, while moody ballad ‘Collapse’ is defined by its dark atmosphere and rich textures. ‘Stretchmarker’ is a beautiful instrumental with intricate acoustic guitar flourishes. Powerful rocker ‘The Line Between’ brings the mood up again, leading into the delicate album closer. Yellow & Green is a challenging, ambitious and richly rewarding opus. ~Luke Saunders

The Central Coast’s very own folk pop songstress Sarah Humphreys has returned with her new cover EP, Him. In case you’re shuddering at the thought of hits by the likes of Elton John and John Lennon being butchered by a gal with a ukulele (as I was), rest easy.

Humphreys’ vocal delivery is so natural and raw that she gives a whole new life to songs we all know. The backing uke and soft male vocals of ‘Beautiful Boy’ fit as perfectly as the hand claps and jazzy bass of ‘You Make My Dreams’. The six songs seemed too short and I found myself pressing the replay button more than once.

Humphreys has delivered a gleefully confident yet mellow slice of 60s-drenched folk pop that will have you smiling and humming listen upon listen. ~Cormack O’Connor

The Darkness

Linkin park

Liberator Music

Living Things

Hot Cakes 3.5/5

Warner Records

1.5/5

Call me nostalgic but Linkin Park’s Meteora (2003) was without a shadow of a doubt, the record of their career - nothing has topped that album.

Living Things, is arguably one of their better albums but nothing special. ‘Lost In The Echo’, is the strongest song on the album and a solid opener but unfortunately, that’s as good as it gets. The tracks thereafter tend towards repetitive, except for ‘Burn It Down’. The overload of electronica and lack of powerful riffs and gruesome screaming, characteristic of their older material, may be the main reason for my disenchantment. While the plainness of Living Things won’t surprise listeners who have come to expect average albums from Linkin Park, it still managed to crush the spirit of my twelve-year-old self, still rocking out to Meteroa somewhere deep inside. ~Ashlee kellehear

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A decade in the making, Hot Cakes opens with ‘Every Inch of You’, in which Justin Hawkins reintroduces himself as “an English man with a very high voice doing rock and roll”, before letting loose with his trademark falsetto. Add glam-rock harmonies and guitar mastery and you’ve got the recipe for Hot Cakes. Although there aren’t as many instantly catchy tracks on this record as perhaps there were on their debut, Permission to Land, Hot Cakes is better, musically. ‘Concrete’ and ‘Street Spirit’ are dark and gritty and showcase the band at its best - impossibly high vocals, driving guitars, furious bass and powerful drums.

Nor have they lost their sense of fun. Lyrics like, “I love you so much, like a rabbit loves its hutch”, and the album’s centrepiece, ‘Everybody Have a Good Time’, are testament to this. The Darkness are still creating serious rock without taking themselves too seriously. ~Amelia Parrott

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Harakiri

Serj Tankian has remained productive since the hiatus of System of a Down. Harakiri is his third solo release of politically-minded alt-metal, complete with trademark vocals, quirky inflections and Middle Eastern melodies.

Herein lies the problem - the shadow of his main band looms large, with his solo material sounding like a streamlined relative of SOAD’s. Despite its derivative leanings, Harakiri provides plenty of solid tunes and Tankian’s voice sounds as powerful as ever. The album starts strong with the wonderfully uplifting chorus, dynamic arrangements and heavy rhythms of ‘Cornucopia’. The high-energy, punkfuelled stomp of ‘Figure it Out’ has a killer breakdown and instrumental section.

Tankian’s clever lyricism and rapid-fire delivery highlight the quirky eclecticism of ‘Ching Chime’, and ‘Uneducated Democracy’ ups the ante in speed and heaviness. He treads interesting ground with the electronic textures and fragile melodies of ‘Deafening Silence’, breaking the predictable formula with pleasing results. The remaining songs are solid but relatively underwhelming in comparison to the stronger cuts, although musicianship and production cannot be faulted. Harakiri will appease the hordes of SOAD fans awaiting a return to the studio. But ultimately it will make the listener pine for the real thing. ~Luke Saunders

Fiona Apple

The Idler Wheel....

Sony

4/5

With a voice that is at times restrained, a la Regina Spektor, and, at others, a fierce riot grrrl growl, Fiona Apple’s fourth record, The Idler Wheel… showcases her musical refinement. Tracks like ‘Every Single Night’ and ‘Jonathan’ are tense and moody, with abrupt bursts of energy. Apple lays herself out emotionally on many of the songs, such as the tender ‘Left Alone’, in which she begs to be loved.

Revealing songwriting and sheer vocal talent elevate The Idler Wheel… above and beyond other albums of its ilk. ~Jonathan McCallum

House vs Hurricane

Crooked Teeth We Are United/Warner

3/5

This album sorts the glass half-fulls from the glass half-empties, with as many reasons to love it as there are to hate it.

Crooked Teeth is an undeniably consistent metalcore/hardcore listen, but a little too consistent. There are no terrible songs or album-ruining moments, nor are there any stand-out tracks. The breakdowns are good but not great; the screaming vocals are well-written and performed but with an awful exaggerated American accent; there are obvious Amity Affliction influences but very little originality. Average. ~Thomas Peasley

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ALBUM Reviews Feature albums

King Cannons The Brightest Light EMI

4.5/5

What an amazing album from an incredibly diverse band King Cannons debut, The Brightest Light, is simply spectacular. Fusing many different genres, including reggae, punk and classic rock ‘n’ roll, King Cannons will get you tapping your feet, singing along and turning up the volume. Already spawning two singles ‘Shot to Kill’ and ‘Too Young’, The Brightest Light is a musthave album with mass appeal and that rare thing – an album I loved from start to finish. From ‘Stand Right Up’ to ‘The Last Post’, you will be blown away. ~Cameron Edney

White Arrows

Dry Land is not a Myth Warner

4/5

Shoegaze, psychedelic, indie/rock, alternative and electronic are all labels which may help to describe genre-defying Los Angeles quintet White Arrows but they are a difficult act to pigeonhole. Their debut album, Dry Land Is Not A Myth, is one of the most interesting and refreshing albums of the year.

From the intricate, synthesised layers of ‘Get Gone’ to the raw, guitar filled ‘I Can Go,’ this is a work of contrast but not so radical that it lacks cohesion. Energetic tracks and catchy hooks reel the audience in. A great start for a very promising band.

For Fans Of: The Holidays, Vampire Weekend, Beach House ~Josh Clements

Oh Mercy Deep Heat EMI

4/5

Take a big pot.

Mix together some groove, Alex Turner’s lyrical theme, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and hopelessly catchy choruses with an Oh Mercy spoon and you have their latest album to a T. Veering from the sweet, acoustic path (and the softtoned album art which accompanied it), the Melbourne group have taken a heavier, more distorted direction, with dark and sexy undertones, on their third album Deep Heat. Rennie Ellis’ Brazilian carnival cover-art is a taste of things to come. Title track ‘Deep Heat’ showcases Alexander Gow’s change in tone, with suave bass - disturbing at first. But by the second song, ‘Rebel Beats’, the newfound fervour hits the spot. Gow gets gruff in the pissed-off ‘Fever’ (“so don’t pity me, cause I wouldn’t pity you”). And ‘Still Making Me Pay’ wails with a psychedelic guitar riff.

You can’t stay cutesy acoustic forever. ~Jamie nelson

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1929indian

Ash Grunwald

Dappled Cities

Independent

Shock Music

Inertia

4/5

3.5/5

4/5

The Dreaming

Trouble’s Door

Five tracks laced with synth and armed with excellent basslines form the first EP from Newcastle band 1929indian. Their unique sound is futuristic yet nostalgic: the musical equivalent to staring into the stars while camping with a bunch of friends. It makes you want to have a forest party, but would work just as well in a black light bar. ‘North Into The Sky’ is all for tearing us from reality and falling wildly in love, guitar tones omnipresent and vocals echoey; ‘Women In Cages’ is a pop wonder with standout flair; and ‘0.1 Lux’ juxtaposes the lonesome blues and an upbeat synth track with lyrics such as “We’re doing fine, let’s drown ourselves in wine”. Vocalist Tyler Gibbs has an interesting voice and the band’s sound offers a different take on the indie pop and 80s revival. Worth keeping tabs on. ~Jamie Nelson

Elliot the Bull Elliot the Bull independent

4/5

The EP format has become a popular way for new bands to showcase their best work - less committal than an album, but offering more depth than a single. So it’s no surprise that the competition for most impressive debut EP is increasing. Central Coast four-piece, Elliot the Bull are certainly contenders with this stunning debut. The opener ‘Paint the Sky’ has hit single potential, with its passionate vocals, uplifting chorus and clever chord progression. Elsewhere, there are hints of country/folk (‘Say You Love Me Too’), catchy pop ballads (‘Cup of Nestor’) and a closing track which hints at the band’s commercial pop/rock potential (‘Slept Through Winter’). This is a solid EP, wrapped up with classy production from Lachlan Mitchell (The Jezabels). Check them out before they hit the big time. ~Chelsea Reed

Deus

Following Sea Play it again sam

3/5

Belgian rockers dEUS have released their seventh studio album, Following Sea, by simply dropping it on the internet. It’s big and cinematic but somehow feels as if they’ve missed the mark. The opening track ‘Quatre Mains’ is relentlessly repetitive, despite its relatively short length, with its ominous chord progression and spoken word vocals. The music tells a story for much of this album, leaving Barman’s vocals somewhat irrelevant. It’s not all bad though - ‘Girls Keep Drinking’ is a highlight, with its poppy bass, danceable drum groove and upbeat personality. The poignant ‘Nothings’ and crazy ‘Fire Up The Google Beast Algorithm’ also show promise.

Perhaps the secret to enjoying this album is sticking it out to the end. ~Cormack O’Connor

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Award-winning blues & roots heavyweight Ash Grunwald returns with his sixth studio album of consistently solid tunes; meshing stout, bluesy foundations with contemporary influences to form his own eclectic brand. Grunwald’s inventive guitar work blends seamlessly with hip-hop beats and electronic textures.

Lyrically, Grunwald tackles serious political, social and environmental issues, countered by the upbeat vibe of his bluesy jams. His clever, though-provoking lyrics are complemented by wonderfully unique vocals with a rough, warbly delivery. The smoky twang of slow-burner ‘The Demon In Me’ kicks things off, before the addictive funk and groove of ‘Shake’, and irresistible hooks of single ‘Longtime’, are unleashed.

More gems unfold from the earthy soundscapes, including the politicallycharged ‘Nervous’ and percussive flair and sweet riffs of ‘Outta Time’. Elsewhere, the bluesy-electro groove of ‘Sail’ is tripped up by a grating vocal and ‘Ramblin Man’ is a rather dull, drawn-out affair. Both are forgivable blemishes on an otherwise enjoyable listen. Trouble’s Door is another solid addition to a first-class discography. ~Luke Saunders

Boy in a Box On My Mind

ABC Music/Universal

3/5

If The Gaslight Anthem was an Aussie pub rock band they would be Boy In A Box. Which isn’t a bad thing, but nor is it necessarily a good thing.

Boy In A Box’s EP, On My Mind is fairly generic, and doesn’t leave much of a lasting impression. Opening title track ‘On My Mind’ is a fun romp, with a shouted chorus and thrusting guitar lines powering it through. But there’s very little variation, the songs following a very similar formula throughout. Running just under 13 minutes, it’s over before you know it. On My Mind is a decent attempt, but some more diversity would be nice next time. ~Jonathan McCallum

Animal Collective Centipede HZ Domino/EMI

2/5

The experimental collaboration of solo artists that is Animal Collective brings an impressive resume of sampling, mixing and percussion with Centipede HZ - multi-layered sounds, chilled jungle beats, sinister chuckles, oriental squeaks and pops and tapping sticks, to name but a few. The opener, ‘Moonjock’, jumps into an eclectic mix akin to an 80s video game. Ever-changing tempos make it impossible to keep up, and paying too close attention will only further confuse. Case in point, ‘Monkey Riches’, is the audio equivalent of a cheesy action film montage. Overall, Centipede HZ conjures an acid-tripping nightmare and is better appreciated as background noise. The question is “why?”. ~Helen Brown

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Lake Air

Opener ‘Run With the Wind’ sets a solid beat for Dappled Cities’ new album Lake Air, after which the album flows like a drunken dance party – beginning with songs of hope and camaraderie, ‘Leopard’ and ‘Real Love’, before descending into the depression of the drunken state with ‘Work in the Mould’ and the title-track ‘Lake Air’, then leaving you dancing to ‘Waves’ on an empty dance floor, with a glass of red wine, before solid closer ‘The Weekend’. I’ll be adding this one to my party playlist. ~Louisa Bulley

Angus Stone Broken Brights Sony

3.5/5

A gallant move away from Lady of The Sunshine finds Angus Stone’s next solo gambit, Broken Brights, lingering between chaotic and pleasant.

Imagination running wild, I couldn’t help but wonder whether Stone enlisted his fellow forest gypsies to enchant him with some form of white witchery, enjoining his spirit with those of Neil Young, Bob Dylan and The Highway Men. The album’s seven tracks evoke the American south, with ‘The Blue Door’ and ‘River Love’ highlights. The only downfall is a lack of surprise in the storytelling. Best listened to on your front porch, in a rocking chair, accompanied by a whiskey on the rocks and an old hound at your feet. ~Chloe Webb

Expatriate Hyper/Heart Dew Process

3.5/5

Five years have elapsed since Sydney four-piece Expatriate dropped their debut album. The band has since relocated to Berlin and crafted a polished new album of sharp indie-rock coupled with 80s synth-pop and New Wave influences. Hyper/Hearts has an undercurrent of urgency within its fuzzy, heavy-hearted tunes. The mood is dark but the songs maintain an energised tempo.

Guitars, keys and synths intertwine with lively drumming and punchy bass lines, while the darkly melodic voice of singer Ben King reflects the morose angle of their sound. ‘Miracle Mile’ is a superb example of what Expatriate is capable of when they hit their songwriting straps - well-placed hooks wedged between a killer chorus and dynamic structure. The swirling keyboards and poppy melodies of ‘Do You Remember’ cement it as the catchiest song on the album. The hard-hitting ‘On the Inside’ has an electronic pulse and wonderfully catchy chorus. ‘Skool’ continues in a similar vein and sees the band playing to their strengths - meshing a dark atmosphere with memorable chorus and edgy musicianship. Several of the songs blend into each other without leaving much impact but otherwise Hyper/Hearts is a difficult album to fault. Expatriate wear their influences on their sleeves, and do so with style and heart. ~Luke Saunders

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DVD Reviews

DVD Marathon Navel-gazing

Whether they’re celebrating the early visionaries of cinema, a critical commentary on a particular film industry, or a self-aware parody of a television series, films about films, or films about television, often reflect the industry’s ambivalence about its place within contemporary popular culture.

Cinema Paradiso

Early cinema

Singin’ In The Rain (Stanley Donen, 1952) — the birth of sound brings a wealth of problems for a silent film star, not least of which is his co-star’s horrible voice.

Hugo (Martin Scorsese, 2011) — this touching film is primarily a celebration of Georges Méliès, one of the most inventive filmmakers of the early 20th century.

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The Artist r e vi e wed by

Sallie Pritchard r ated

5/5

The introduction of sound in 1927 was revolutionary for film. More than just a major technological change, it would fundamen­ tally alter the way filmmakers could tell their stories. Where cinema had moved from its static beginnings toward more innovation (the work of Georges Méliès’ La Voyage Dans La Lune for example), sound equipment necessitated a return to more static scenes. Filmmakers could rely less on gesture and performance and more on dialogue, requiring actors to develop new techniques to adapt to the changes in style and mode of production.

The Artist is the story of George Valentin

(Jean Dujardin), a screen star whose meteoric rise is halted by two great schisms: the introduction of sound in cinema and the Great Depression. Meanwhile, a former fan and aspiring actress named Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo) becomes a star.

A film that radiates sheer love of the cinema with every shot, The Artist is a nostalgic (but not overly sentimental) depiction of a turbulent time in the history of cinema. The performances are wonderful: the adorable but bold Bejo, the perfect woman to rescue George. Dujardin won a well-deserved Academy Award for his work in a deceptively complex role, which

required an acting style from a particular historical period and film style. While Dujardin is faultless, Uggie the dog is the star, and it’s an oversight that he was not also nominated for an Oscar.

Director Michel Hazanavicius has created a film that revels in celebrating the historical development of the cinema, and Hollywood’s response to major changes in technology.

Like Mel Brooks’s 1976 film Silent Movie, The Artist is a film interested in resurrecting an out-dated mode of production as a genre, and while it’s a relatively small genre right now, with such wonderful examples as this, it’s sure to grow.

The Artist (Michel Hazanavicius, 2011) — this month’s release employs the silent era’s mode of production to trace the introduction of sound in the cinema, and the effect it has on a successful silent film star.

Filmmakers who can’t direct their life

Kaagaz Ke Phool (Guru Dutt, 1959) – the director of a film adaptation of the iconic novel Devdas sees the themes of love, social standing and failure mirrored in his own life.

8 ½ (Federico Fellini, 1963) – a director’s life begins to crumble around him as he is gripped by a creative block.

Hollywood’s underbelly

Sunset Boulevard (Billy Wilder, 1950) – a writer can’t help narrating the story of his own death.

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The Player (Robert Altman, 1992) – a Hollywood executive discovers the morals his films expound don’t translate to real life when he murders a screenwriter.

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The Screenwriter

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21 Jump Street Sallie Pritchard

State and Main (David Mamet, 2000) – a playwright is hired to write the script for a troubled production that has taken over a small town.

5/5

“ T he guys in charge of this stuff lack creativity and are completely out of ideas. So what they do now is recycle shit from the past and expect us all not to notice.”

The above is not a quote from a negative review of this film but from the mouth of Officer Hardy (Parks and Recreation’s Nick Offerman) as he reveals their new assignment to officers Jenko (Channing Tatum) and Schmidt (Jonah Hill).

Made during the era of Ronald Reagan and the ‘Just Say No’ anti-drugs campaign, 21 Jump Street was a mostly serious 80s television series concerning a group of youthful-looking police officers sent into high schools to fight crime. The series’ biggest claim to fame was that it provided Johnny Depp with his big break.

Cashing in on the trend for big-screen adaptations of successful television series, directors Phil Lord and Chris

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Adaptation (Spike Jonze, 2002) – Charlie Kaufman was asked to write an adaptation of Susan Orlean’s The Orchid Thief. This was the result.

Streets Ahead Miller, along with writers Michael Bacall and Jonah Hill, are spot-on when it comes to timing (post-Glee and Hot Fuzz), and laughs — the two genres inherent in the original television series are the perfect ingredients for an awesome comedy.

On the one hand, this is a teen nostalgia film like 1999’s Never Been Kissed — two guys whose high school experiences weren’t ideal, get the chance to re-live them and, with the knowledge they’ve gained in the ensuing years, try to correct their previous mistakes, with mixed

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results. On the other hand, it’s a buddy cop comedy in which the their friendship and loyalty is tested by their differing approaches to the job. The ultimate lesson is the realisation that their styles complement each other, making them the perfect partners.

Hill, Brie Larson, Ice Cube, and Dave Franco all shine in the film, but the surprise standout is Channing Tatum — this is the kind of role he should be shooting for (no more boring Nicholas Sparks adaptations, please). Against all odds, 21 Jump Street may be the best comedy of the year.

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Films about making a film

Ed Wood (Tim Burton, 1994) – a biopic of Ed Wood, culminating in the making of his greatest film — Plan 9 From Outer Space, said to be the worst film in history.

TV on Film

The Brady Bunch (Betty Thomas, 1995) – the Brady family is transported to the 1990s, but still behave as though they are in the 1960s, proving the best approach is a loving spoof.

Charlie’s Angels (McG, 2000) – originally depicted as former cops posing as cheerleaders, or infiltrating evil day-spas, the Angels are now ‘an elite crime-fighting trio backed by an anonymous billionaire’.

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Film Reviews

Batman Returns Triumphantly Fans of Batman have been well looked after since Christopher Nolan revamped the series for film, accurately portraying Gotham City and its protector as it was intended from the very beginnings of the comic book. The first two films were incredible. Nolan has not dropped his guard here, and delivers a staggering end to the series.

The Dark Knight Rises picks up the story eight years after the previous film. Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) has become a recluse in his mansion, and Batman has not been seen since he took the rap for the death of Harvey Dent. Commissioner Gordon and his force seem to have a lid on the organised crime that once riddled the streets of Gotham, leaving no need for a vigilante hero donning a bat suit. That is until a formidable villain, who goes by the name

of Bane, emerges from the city’s sewers with an army of highly trained soldiers, with a plan to spread anarchy and chaos across the streets of Gotham. He starts by hitting the stock exchange and then imprisons the entire police force in an underground trap.

Bane is a muscular and fearsome character who hides behind a life-sustaining mask, with a voice not unlike Darth Vader.

With his city in a state of disarray, Wayne decides it is time for Batman to reclaim the streets. But he is not as fit as he was and the Wayne estate has suffered from the economic downturn, making the expensive gadgetry a little harder to come by. Bane relishes the news that Batman has returned and makes it a priority to destroy him. Meanwhile, a mysterious cat burglar by the name of Selina (Anne Hathaway) has busted a safe in the

r e vi e wed

The Dark Knight Rises r e vi e wed by

Mark Snelson r ated

4.5/5 Wayne mansion which sidetracks an infatuated Batman.

Bale was always the perfect choice to play Gotham’s tormented hero, and he works his magic in the role once more. Hathaway is both seductive and cheeky as the Catwoman and Tom Hardy is great as the brutish Bane.

The regulars are back in their supporting roles (Michael Caine, Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman) and Joseph Gordon-Levitt joins them as the young and determined

police officer, Blake. Nolan co-wrote this with his brother, Jonathan, and it is a pitchperfect script that explores the conflicted personality of Wayne/Batman like no one has before. Nolan also takes his time setting up the movie, allowing the audience to get to know the key players and what motivates them. Then the action kicks in and it is breathtaking — the last 45 mins of the movie are an absolute rollercoaster ride of seamless special effects, stunning chase scenes, explosions and impressively choreographed fights.

Those with short attention spans are probably better off with the likes of Iron Man or The Avengers. But if you demand more substance from your superhero flicks, The Dark Knight Rises offers storytelling on a grand scale and is a fitting conclusion to the best superhero trilogy ever made.

LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS In Darkness is by no means a date movie.

The subject matter here is as bleak as it gets. It is a Holocaust film portraying the true story of a handful of Jews hiding out in the sewers to escape certain death at the hands of the Nazis. But director Agnieszka Holland (Europa Europa) handles things in a deeply humane manner with a message of hope despite the horrors that her characters face.

It is 1941 in the Polish town of Lvov and the Nazis are hunting down the remaining Jews housed in the ghettos. A group of them have been hard at work tunnelling down to the sewer system below in preparation for this day. But once down in 40 reverb

magazine issue #072 — Aug 2012

their new hiding place they run into Poldek, a petty thief who uses the sewer network to serve his criminal needs. Poldek knows he could earn a lot of cash per head if he turns them over to the Nazis. But he decides not too when he realises that there could be more to earn by charging them for his protection.

As the Nazi occupation drags on in Lvov, the money from the Jews starts to run out.

At this point it becomes clear that Poldek’s protection has become less about money and more about humanity. He risks his own life and his family’s lives to ensure their safety. There is the constant threat of the Nazi forces discovering their hidey hole,

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In Darkness r e vi e wed by

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4/5

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not to mention disease and potential flooding adding to the suspense.

To emphasise the dreariness of the world inhabited by its characters, the movie is shot in desaturated tones and many scenes, only by torchlight. This gives the viewer a realistic insight to the claustrophobic world of living underground. Holland brings us a powerful story that is quite graphic and hard to watch at times. But she does remember to inject humour in unexpected places so as not to bludgeon the audience with misery. In Darkness is a harrowing tale but it is also a story of the outstanding capacity for human perseverance in the face of adversity.

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marke kemp

Wayne Manor, NSW With The Dark Knight Rises in the cinemas and Batman on the minds on all superhero fanatics, we meet a man who owns the ultimate piece of Batman machinery. Central Coast auto creative MARKE KEMP has built a replica 1960s Batmobile. He spoke to KEVIN BULL. What possessed you to put together a replica 1960s Batmobile? Does this stem from a childhood love of the TV series?

As a child, I had a husky 1966 Batmobile toy car and I still have it to this day. I always loved the TV series when I was a kid. I used to see the 59/60-model Chevs drive past, and said, “one day, I’ll buy one of them and cut the roof off, paint it black and put bats on the doors”. I’ve built some out-there cars in the past, like the replica cars from Mad Max, the Bopper and the Black Interceptor. After making the kits for the Max cars, I went to a few car shows and they started to turn up everywhere, so I sold the Max cars, and spent the funds on the Bat tribute.

For those who are saying, “I would love to have one of those”, can you explain what went into the build of your Batmobile?

I checked with the engineer I dealt with for the Interceptor. I showed him a picture of the US Batmobile replica kits and said, “How could I get one of these street-legal, here in Oz?”. He looked and said, “No, can’t be done”. So I built my own and complied with the Australian design rules.

You can cut the windscreen of a car pre-1971. I replaced the screen with wind deflectors at a certain height so my eye was over the top of the wind deflectors and I could see a line on the road 11 metres from my bumper. The material for the wind deflectors had to have automotive compliance — that was a big hurdle to jump. I found one company

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that had that, in the States, and got permission off them to stamp it onto each screen. It took three years, seven months and two weeks to get to the stage [where I could] send her to Warners Bay old-school body works, to fine-tune the panels and paint her. At one stage, I was ready to put a hammer through it and I had to walk away for a while.

Now to scare everyone off, can you put a dollar figure on what this has cost you?

I bought a base car for $8,000. The wife was really impressed when I brought it home. “Wow, what a nice car,” she said. Then I put a grinder to it; 70-litres of resin and glass; custom-made wheels; redid the interior; $8,500 paint job; $1,500 engineers report and various bits and pieces, to the total of $32,000, with me doing all the work.

It looks amazing, but what does it drive like?

Well, great for the local area. The local police are pretty used to it by now but you get the out-oftowners still pulling you over. You can’t drive it on a hot day as it’s got black seats and you get burnt very easily and, at around 100kph, you can’t talk with the wind rushing past your head. If it looks like rain, she stays in the garage as she has no roof and no wipers. The seats are marine vinyl and waterproof carpet just in case. She’s registered as a roadster and she only has two seats, so it’s no good to take the family out.

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I can imagine that going to the shops for bread and milk in it gets a lot of attention.

Add an hour to fill up at the local servo. People chuck u-turns when they spot it, to chat and take pictures. I get people on motorbikes, behind me, pulling out mobile phones while riding, to take pictures; cars at traffic lights taking pictures. You leave it out the front of Coles and bingo, a big crowd — you can’t get into your own car. I have had, on many occasions, cars follow me home and then bring back their family to get pictures in it.

“And can you take my kid to the formal?”. But that’s what I like about it. Who has a Batmobile? It’s every kid’s dream, and for some reason it puts a smile on people’s faces.

Does the in-car bat-phone work, and can we call the missus up to say we’ll be home late from the pub?

Yes, the phone has a very long extension lead on it.

Remember it’s old school, the satellite navigation is a compass. Don’t ask about the missus, she’s over it. The questions and the comments — “is she Batgirl?”, “does she have the costume?”, “hey, is that Robin?”, “nah nah nah nah nah nah, Batman”.

Finally, if I have a problem with my hot water system, can I call you up and have Batman take a look at it?

I can don the costume; I have atomic batteries for power and turbines for speed, but I know fuck-all about hot water systems.

reverb magazine issue #072 — Aug 2012 41

NEWCASTLE Don’t forget — Live & Local every Wednesday night 3 Aug

Bondi Cigars

gig Guide Newcastle Wed, August 1

King Street Hotel, Newcastle

Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle

Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Wickham

Harms Way, Phantoms, The Hollow

Great Northern Hotel, Newc

Sunday School, Speedwell, Tad Poedee

Lizotte’s, Lambton The Delta Lions, Skyepoint

9 Aug

The Ruby Revue Tim Rogers

Thur, August 2 Bar on the Hill, Newcastle Uni Hilltop Hoods, Horrorshow, Briggs

10-11 Aug Ian Moss

Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland

12 Aug

Tim Rogers

Great Northern Hotel, Newc

16 Aug

The Lucky Wonders w/

Martyr Privates, Sewers, Rat King, Boston Bob

17 Aug

James Reyne

Jack’s Bar & Grill, Erina

18 Aug

Ross Wilson,

Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Wickham

Musical theatre,

Deep Water Blue Baby Snakes Dan Southward Think Rock n Food Trivia

Lizotte’s, Lambton

Glenn Shorrock

Terrace Bar, Newcastle

31 Aug

Vince Jones

Wickham Park Hotel, Islington

Gleny Rae Virus Terrible Truths, Rites Wild, No Art Sunday School

2 Sep

Father’s Day w/

Fri, August 3

Into the Mystic - The

Catherine Hill Bay Hotel Steve Edmonds Band

Entrance Leagues Club

6 Sep

Lanie Lane

7 Sep

Mahalia Barnes

8 Sep

Mark Seymour

9 Sep

Margaret Urlich

Jack’s Bar & Grill, Erina

15 Sep

Drag!

Kincumber Mountain

1927

Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland Milestones

Great Northern Hotel, Newc Good Ship, Sunday School, The Heavies

Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Wickham Strangers With Candy, Capitol, The Duke of Erlington Mick Hart Bondi Cigars

Stag & Hunter Hotel, Mayfield

Spy vs Spy feat. Paul Greene

29 Sep

Ziggy - The Songs

Lander Configurations, Faspeedelay, Hopes DV8

Sat, August 4 Catherine Hill Bay Hotel

information,

Civic Theatre, Newcastle

phone (02) 4956 2066

Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland

Midnight Mojo The Man In Black - Tex Perkins Frank Sultana and the Sinister Kids

Great Northern Hotel, Newc

Side Bar, Cambridge Hotel, Newc

Side Bar, Cambridge Hotel, Newc

The Main Guy and the Other Guys,

The Jimmy Bazil Project, Galleri,

Kira Puru & Shanna Watson, Glowing Embers

Hydrophonics

Stag & Hunter Hotel, Mayfield Ninemile

Wickham Park Hotel, Islington

Rubicon

Wickham Park Hotel, Islington Plastic Voyage

Milestones

Sat, August 11

Sun, August 5

Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle

Catherine Hill Bay Hotel

Catherine Hill Bay Hotel

Theaves Horse Box

Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland

Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland

Sunday School

Soho Strays

Great Northern Hotel, Newc Outlands, Savage Track Record

Jack’s Bar & Grill, Erina

Hamilton Station Hotel, Islington Flight to Dubai

Side Bar, Cambridge Hotel, Newc

Jack’s Bar & Grill, Erina

Tim Barry, Josh Small, Brad Vincent

West Leagues Club, Lambton

Supernova

Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Wickham

and The Easybeats

Pornskas, Leather Feather, Pucko & Wal

Lizotte’s, Lambton

Wickham Park Hotel, Islington The Blues Bombers, Dave and the

Ian Moss, Ollie Brown

Northern Star Hotel, Hamilton

Demons

Nick Raschke

Wed, August 8

Stag & Hunter Hotel, Mayfield The Big Bang Quartet

Wickham Park Hotel, Islington

Bar on the Hill, Newcastle Uni

The Ride Ons, Kirsty Larkin, Good Corn Liquor

The Preachers

Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle The City Shake Up, Anything For Now

Sun, August 12 Catherine Hill Bay Hotel

Rosetta, City of Ships, Safe Hands

Hamilton Station Hotel, Islington

Rock Monster

Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland

Roses For Rachel, Swallow Your Pride, They Call Me Casper

Lloyd Spiegel

Hamilton Station Hotel, Islington

Lizotte’s, Kincumber

The Suffer Jets

Jack’s Bar & Grill, Erina Eye On You

Thur, August 9

King Street Hotel, Newcastle

Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland

Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Wickham

Alison Wonderland

Shaun Kirk

K.L. & the Kytes

Lizotte’s, Lambton

Little King

Tim Rogers, Catherine Britt

Lizotte’s, Lambton

Premier Hotel, Broadmeadow

Northern Star Hotel, Hamilton

Steve Edmonds Band

Wickham Park Hotel, Islington Montezuma, Swiss Army Wives

Wickham Park Hotel, Islington Tooksie Collective

Wed, August 15

Fri, August 10

Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle

Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle

Enmore Theatre, Sydney

Swallow Your Pride

Postal, Shields

Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland

Bell Biv Devoe, Genuwine

Great Northern Hotel, Newc

The Dennis Boys Band, Pheobe Daicos & Erle Dennis

Bright Yellow

Hamilton Station Hotel, Islington

Great Northern Hotel, Newc

Hamilton Station Hotel, Islington Disparo, Jesus Christ Posse, Lennin Lemon

Run Squirrel, Jen Buxton, Delta Lions, Adeline Pines

The Havelocks, Incredible Kicks, Teal

Hamilton Station Hotel, Islington

Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Wickham

Mr Kite, Master Jargo

HQ Bar, Terrigal

Jack’s Bar & Grill, Erina

Mike McCarthy, Ness Muir

Jack’s Bar & Grill, Erina

magazine issue #072 — Aug 2012

Hey Lady!, Holographic Cocoon

Mark Wells

The Owls

42 reverb

Northern Star Hotel, Hamilton

Tim Rogers, Catherine Britt

Wickham Park Hotel, Islington

Steam

Shannon Noll

Nick Raschke

Hamilton Station Hotel, Islington

Loose Bazooka

Terrace Bar, Newcastle

of David Bowie For bookings and

or visit lizottes.com.au

Seven Seas Hotel, Carrington

David De Vito

Lizotte’s, Kincumber Lizotte’s, Lambton

27 Sep

Mingara Recreation Club, Tumbi

Red Fire Red, The Throsbies

Great Northern Hotel, Newc

Supajam, Chris & Cha

Chris Brookes, David Bull

Darren Percival

Northern Star Hotel, Hamilton

Ian Moss, Ollie Brown

Bluejuice, Deep Sea Arcade,

Dexter Moore, Ollie Moylette Trio,

21 Sep

Lizotte’s, Lambton

The Life and Story of Stevie Wright

Backsliders

Tim Hart (Boy & Bear)

New Orana Hotel, Blacksmiths

Kaz

1 Sep

20 Sep

Tim Rogers, Catherine Britt

Jay Hoad

25 Aug

Darren Percival

Lizotte’s, Kincumber

Bondi Cigars

Hamilton Station Hotel, Islington

Mick Hart, Mark Wells

Northern Star Hotel, Hamilton

19 Sep

Half Nelson

Loko

Lizotte’s, Kincumber

mature content

Music of Van Morrison

De’May

Kamakazi Kowboyz, King Shakey,

Hamilton Station Hotel, Islington

23-24 Aug The Wild Party

Unfit For Human Consumption,

Stag & Hunter Hotel, Mayfield

David Knight

Sarah Humphreys

with Rhys Zacher

Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Wickham

The Voodoo Express

Brooke Harvey, Danica Browne,

4 Aug

J-Trick, James Frew, Kyro & Bomber

The Jimmies, Savage Track Record,

Lizotte’s, Kincumber

Merewether Fats

Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Wickham

King Street Hotel, Newcastle

Tom Piper and Timmy Trumpet

Iguana Factory

Lizotte’s, Lambton

Crunch Time, Chris & Cha

Karuah Hotel

Kieran Wicks, Dead End Friends, Crazy Old Maurice, Small Town Giants

Thur, August 16 Bar on the Hill, Newcastle Uni Jinja Safari, Opossum, White Arrows

Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle Illy

Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland Melody Pool

Hamilton Station Hotel, Islington Swiss Army Wives

Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Wickham Mark Whitiker

Lizotte’s, Kincumber James Reyne, Ollie Brown

Lizotte’s, Lambton The Lucky Wonders, Sarah Humphreys

Northern Star Hotel, Hamilton Clint Boge

Terrace Bar, Newcastle Pop Singles, Housewives, Hell Setzer, Polyfox & the Union of the Most Ghosts

Wickham Park Hotel, Islington Funk Party, Psycho Pucko

Fri, August 17 Emma’s Soup, Newcastle Ainslie Wills

Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland Benjalu

Great Northern Hotel, Newc Pigeon

King Street Hotel, Newcastle Ajax

Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Wickham Bye Bye Birdy, The Tooksy Collective, Phoebe Daicos

Lizotte’s, Kincumber Ross Wilson, Gerard Masters

Lizotte’s, Lambton James Reyne, Jay May Jane

Side Bar, Cambridge Hotel, Newc The Delta Riggs, Money For Rope

Stag & Hunter Hotel, Mayfield Haze

Wickham Park Hotel, Islington Milestones

Sat, August 18 Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle Jay Smith

Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland Papa Pilko & The Bin Rats

Great Northern Hotel, Newc Wolf & Cub, The Guppies

Jack’s Bar & Grill, Erina Jellyfish

Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Wickham Zoe K. & the Shadow Katz, Galleri

Lizotte’s, Lambton Ross Wilson, Rhys Zacher

Stag & Hunter Hotel, Mayfield Incognito

Sun, August 19 Bradford Hotel, Rutherford Steve Edmonds Band

Catherine Hill Bay Hotel Dan Granero

Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland The Lucky Wonders

Hamilton Station Hotel, Islington El Elemein

Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Wickham The Doctor’s Wife

Wickham Park Hotel, Islington Lachey Doley, Speedwell

Tues, August 21 Entrance Leagues Club Bluejuice, Deep Sea Arcade, Preachers

Steve Edmonds Band

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gig Guide North Wed, August 22

Sun, August 26

Thur, August 2

Sun, August 5

Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle

Bar on the Hill, Newcastle Uni

Beach Hotel, Byron Bay

Beach Hotel, Byron Bay

Self is a Seed

Great Northern Hotel, Newc Die! Die! Die!, The Go Roll Your Bones

Great Northern Hotel, Newc Zoobombs, Mesa Cosa

Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Wickham Hey Lady!, Swiss Army Wives, Natalie Thoroughgood

Lizotte’s, Kincumber The Lyrics, Adam Black, Duane Marnell, Sons of Alamo

Lizotte’s, Lambton Hayes Carll, Kirsty Akers

Wickham Park Hotel, Islington Flash Jam Night

Thur, August 23 Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle House vs Hurricane, Confession, In Heart’s Wake

Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland Dr Piffle & The Burlap Band

Great Northern Hotel, Newc Sydonia, Beggars Orchestra

Hamilton Station Hotel, Islington Michael Peters and the Magic Fleas

Wickham Park Hotel, Islington Ezra Lee

Fri, August 24 Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland Alex Bowen

Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Wickham The Main Guy and the Other Guys, White Knuckle Fever, De’May

Lizotte’s, Kincumber Ian Moss, Chris Byrne

Loft Youth Centre, Newcastle House vs Hurricane, Confession, In Heart’s Wake

Newcastle Panthers Stan Walker, Young Men Society

Northern Star Hotel, Hamilton Kingswood, Boy in a Box, Young Romantics

Side Bar, Cambridge Hotel, Newc The Jungle Giants, Toucan

Stag & Hunter Hotel, Mayfield Velvet Covers

Wickham Park Hotel, Islington The ReChords

Garrett Kato

Bodyjar, One Dollar Short,

Catherine Hill Bay Hotel

Secret Squirrel

Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland Hamilton Station Hotel, Islington Jack’s Bar & Grill, Erina

The Walking Who, Sativa Sun

Great Northern Hotel, Newc Gin Wigmore

Hamilton Station Hotel, Islington Swarmy, Mojo’s Lab Jester

King Street Hotel, Newcastle Denzal Park

Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Wickham Yae Tiger, Outlands, Alex Bowen

Lizotte’s, Kincumber Ian Moss, Chris Byrne

Lizotte’s, Lambton Glenn Shorrock, Zoe K

Northern Star Hotel, Hamilton Allon

Side Bar, Cambridge Hotel, Newc Paul Greene, Nicole Brophy, Bec Willis

Stag & Hunter Hotel, Mayfield The Downunder Duellin’ Piano Show

Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Wickham

Ballina Country Music Club

Wickham Park Hotel, Islington Steve Edmonds, Dave & the Demons

Wed, August 29

Wed, August 8

Fri, August 3

Coast Hotel, Coffs Harbour

Ballina RSL

Henry Rous Hotel, Ballina Scott Day

Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs Harbour

Ebb n Flo

David Strauss

Brewery, Byron Bay

Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Wickham

Lismore City Hall

Royal Chant, Vernons, James Bennett

Brunswick Heads Hotel

Jordie Dwyer

Lizotte’s, Kincumber

The Trail

Valley of Kings, Two Steps Twice

The Willow Tree

Federal Hotel, Bellingen

Ben & The Sea

Wickham Park Hotel, Islington

Thur, August 30

Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs Harbour

Allphones Arena, Sydney

Lennox Point Hotel

Clay Blyth

Slipway Hotel, Ballina

Bart Thrupp

Gee Wizz Nightclub, Gosford Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland

Ballina RSL

Tightrope Alley

Westower Tavern, West Ballina

Jordan Millar

Hamilton Station Hotel, Islington Jack’s Bar & Grill, Erina Ukelele Club Paul Greene, Steve Lane & The Autocrats

Lizotte’s, Lambton

Ballina RSL

Federal Hotel, Bellingen

Midlife Crisis

Neil Anderson

Elektric Lemonade

Cherry St Sports Club, Ballina The Purple Drippers Jay Hoad Dan Clarke

Formula

Wickham Park Hotel, Islington

Ben Francis

SCU Unibar, Lismore Kwinton James

Seaview Tavern, Woolgoolga

Kryptic

Empire

Paul Hasselgrove, Rusty Steel

Vince Jones

19 Sep

Tim Hart (Boy & Bear)

20 Sep

Jeff Duff

25 Sep

Krystle Warren (USA)

Rails, Byron Bay

Blackie, The Somethin Somethins,

Rails, Byron Bay

Northern Star Hotel, Hamilton Stag & Hunter Hotel, Mayfield

Sex Panther

No. 5 Church St, Bellingen

Eugene Hideaway Bridges

15-16 Sep Darren Percival

Cupa Soup

The Aquacatz, Wilson Cooper Band

Lizotte’s, Lambton

Mark Seymour

Port Macquarie Hotel

Sawtell Hotel

Never Land Bar, Coolangatta

Lizotte’s, Kincumber

Lazy Sunday lunch w/

The Lyrical

Lennox Point Hotel

Ben & the Sea, Halcyon Days, Soorleys

Plantation Hotel, Coffs DJ Breno

Henry Rous Hotel, Ballina

Glovecats, Phetsta

Fairchild Republic, The Throsbies

Side-tracked Fiasco

Federal Hotel, Bellingen

Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Wickham

Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs Harbour

Pacific Hotel, Yamba

The Soul Shakers

Supernova, Chris & Cha

CBD Dub Project

Paul Masters, MC Kitch

Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland

King Street Hotel, Newcastle

9 Sep

Jay Hoad

Brunswick Heads Hotel

The Royal Artillery

Mahalia Barnes

Never Land Bar, Coolangatta

Fri, August 31

Jack’s Bar & Grill, Erina

8 Sep

Shaun Kirk

DJ Daniel Webber

Starboard Cannons

Margaret Urlich

Lennox Point Hotel

Brewery, Byron Bay

Great Northern Hotel, Newc

7 Sep

Love Like Hate, Shiny Shiny

Cherry St Sports Club, Ballina

Beach Hotel, Byron Bay

Heart Attack and Vine

The Real Deal

Sat, August 4 Ballina RSL Bowling Club

Mark Wells

Vince Jones

CC the Cat, The Lion I Band

Tight Knit, Tim Sladden, Emily

Col Finley

Lazy Sunday lunch w/

Brewery, Byron Bay

Pink Zinc

Lizotte’s, Kincumber

2 Sep

Beach Hotel, Byron Bay

Glenn Massey

Yamba Shores Tavern

Eye On You

Abby Dobson

Fri, August 10

The Lamplights

Slipway Hotel, Ballina

Liberation Front, Pants Optional

1 Sep

Scott Davey

Rails, Byron Bay

Bad Dreems

Eugene Hideaway Bridges

Rails, Byron Bay Mescalito Blues

Port Macquarie Hotel

Children Collide, Dune Rats,

31 Aug

Sunday School

No. 5 Church St, Bellingen

Entrance Leagues Club

Matty Devitt

Lazy Sunday lunch w/ Glenn Shorrock

Jay Hoad

Blackie, Incredible Kicks,

Electric Lemonade

Rockwiz

Thur, August 9

Port Macquarie Hotel

Mick Bateman

Civic Theatre, Newcastle

26 Aug

Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs

DJ Buzz, DJ Penny Drops

The Beach Boys

24-25 Aug Ian Moss

Rails, Byron Bay

Beach Hotel, Byron Bay

Thora Zoo

Henry Rous Hotel, Ballina

Flash Jam Night

Ross Wilson

The School for Wives

When in Rome

Jay Hoad

Tim Hill, Allon Silove, Jacob Pearson,

17 Aug

Hunting Grounds, Stereo Addicts

Coast Hotel, Coffs Harbour

Lizotte’s, Lambton

James Reyne

Plantation Hotel, Coffs

Cherry St Sports Club, Ballina

Jamie Patterson, Dear Monday,

16 Aug

Jamesy

Push

Teal, Fushia

Tim Rogers

Frog Mouth, Keogh

Beach Hotel, Byron Bay

Great Northern Hotel, Newc

10 Aug

Hunting Grounds, Gung Ho

Matt Buggy

Glenn Shorrock

Bondi Cigars

Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs Harbour

Kellie Knight, Dr Baz

Lizotte’s, Kincumber

4 Aug

Great Northern Hotel, Byron

Slipway Hotel, Ballina

J.K.L.

Milestones

Find us on Facebook

Quick Fix Jay Hoad, Bart Thrupp

Wickham Park Hotel, Islington

Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland

Albare

Cherry St Sports Club, Ballina

Rails, Byron Bay

By The Fire

Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle

Method

Royal Chant, Substation

Port Macquarie Hotel

Bigger Cages, Markettown

Northern Star Hotel, Hamilton

Catherine Hill Bay Hotel

Byron Community Centre

Plantation Hotel, Coffs

Method

Don’t forget — Live & Local every Wednesday night

Brunswick Heads Hotel Madison Kat

Lismore Bowling Club

Sarki

Sat, August 25 Loon Lake, Cub Scouts, Glass Towers

The Crew, DJ Captain Kane

Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs Harbour

For Amusement Only, Irrelevant

CENTRAL COAST

Slipway Hotel, Ballina

For bookings and information, phone (02) 4368 2017 or visit lizottes.com.au

Slipway Hotel, Ballina Stone Mountain

Westower Tavern, West ballina

Marshall

Westower Tavern, West Ballina

Jesse

Yamba Shores Tavern

Scott Day-V

Yamba YHA Backpacker Resort

Slipsteam

Kiara Jack

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reverb magazine issue #072 — Aug 2012 43

gig Guide North Sat, August 11

Thur, August 16

Never Land Bar, Coolangatta

Ballina RSL

Beach Hotel, Byron Bay

No. 5 Church St, Bellingen

Kellie Knight & Barry Ferrier

Ballina RSL Bowling Club Bob Walton

Devola

2 in the Groove

Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay

DJ Todd James, DJ Nowak

Brewery, Byron Bay Alex Bowen, Side-tracked Fiasco

Brunswick Heads Hotel Jay Hoad

Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs Harbour

Rockatok

Nat Col and the Kings, Bright Yellow

Hekyl & Jive

Courthouse Hotel, Mullumbimby Starboard Cannons, Mr Cassidy

Federal Hotel, Bellingen Sunday School

Goonellabah Tavern The Hombres

Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay Henry Rous Hotel, Ballina The Real Deal

Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs Harbour Vanessa Lee, Roadtrain

Lalaland, Byron Bay Lennox Point Hotel Nathan Kay and the Drumseeds

Never Land Bar, Coolangatta

DJ Brown Sugar

Rails, Byron Bay

Beach Hotel, Byron Bay The Hombres, DJ Nowak

Brunswick Heads Hotel

Pink Zinc

Cherry St Sports Club, Ballina

Whales Alive fundraiser w/ Jeff Lang, Ash Grunwald, Cram, Paul Greene

Mum Says Rock

Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs Harbour

DJ Buzz, DJ Penny Drops

Mick Hart, Kane Cahill

Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs Harbour Lazy Sundays

Stonefield, Owl Eyes

Slipway Hotel, Ballina Hector Brown

Star Court Theatre, Lismore Bernie McGann Quartet

Westower Tavern, West Ballina

Gleny Rae Virus & Her Tamworth Playboys

Rails, Byron Bay

No. 5 Church St, Bellingen Paul Bulyani All Stars, Ultrafox DJ Breno

Yamba Shores Tavern Salad Finger DJs

Yamba YHA Backpacker Beach Resort Scott Day-V

Sarah Blasko

Beach Hotel, Byron Bay Soul Brothers, DJ Chris Bradley

Brewery, Byron Bay Kindling

Yamba Shores Tavern

The Big Gig w/ Dave Jory, Greg Sullivan

Sat, August 18

Fyah Walk

Byron Community Centre

Pennywise, The Menzingers, Sharks

Bright Lights

Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay Stonefield, Owl Eyes

Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs Harbour Mambo Slammers, Josh Matheson

Rails, Byron Bay The Romaniacs

Wed, August 15 Coast Hotel, Coffs Harbour Dave Strauss

Henry Rous Hotel, Ballina

Beach Hotel, Byron Bay

Rails, Byron Bay

DJ Longtime

Star Court Theatre, Lismore

Sabotage Push

Coolangatta Hotel Alpine, Clubfeet, Georgi Kay

Goonellabah Tavern Brian Watts

Gunshy

Illawong Hotel, Evans Head

Ben Francis

Plantation Hotel, Coffs Harbour Illy, Chasm Soundsystem Feat Scryptcha

Rails, Byron Bay

Josh Taylor

Lennox Point Hotel Kellie Knight and the Dayz

Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs Harbour The Troubadours Cassian

Never Land Bar, Coolangatta Surecut Kids

Chance Waters Nathan Kaye Kollective

Sawtell Hotel Strauss & Co

Fri, August 24

SCU Unibar, Lismore

Ballina RSL

Seaview Tavern, Woolgoolga

Polaroid Frame, The Kookabrothers

Brewery, Byron Bay

Slipway Hotel, Ballina Neil Anderson

Westower Tavern, West Ballina

Sunday School

Bevan Spiers

Brunswick Heads Hotel Kit Bray

Yamba Shores Tavern

Sun, August 26 Beach Hotel, Byron Bay Lisa Hunt

Brunswick Heads Hotel OKA

Byron Community Centre WOW Film Festival

Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay Children Collide, Dune Rats, Bad Dreems

Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs Harbour Pink Zinc, Ben Francis

Rails, Byron Bay Sunday School

Wed, August 29 Coast Hotel, Coffs Harbour Bobby Lea

Henry Rous Hotel, Ballina Richie Williams

Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs Harbour Damo

Rails, Byron Bay Surf Report

Thur, August 30 Beach Hotel, Byron Bay Nathan Kaye

Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs Harbour Tim Baker

Port Macquarie Hotel Sydonia, Beggars Orchestra

Rails, Byron Bay Andy Jans Brown, COZ*MIC

Slipway Hotel, Ballina Matt Buggy

Fri, August 31 Ballina RSL Dirty Channel

Beach Hotel, Byron Bay The Soul Shakers, Greg Kew

Brewery, Byron Bay Yummy

Brunswick Heads Hotel Phil and Gaz

Coast Hotel, Coffs Harbour Matty Devitt Band

Federal Hotel, Bellingen Aunty Hu Hu and the Big Lazy

Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay Pigeon

Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs Harbour Quick Fix

Lennox Point Hotel Due Wave

Ocean Shores Tavern Dave Cavanagh

Plantation Hotel, Coffs Harbour Sydonia, Beggars Orchestra, The Outcome, Matty Effin Morrison

Port Macquarie Hotel Diana Anaid

Rails, Byron Bay Pink Zinc

Sawtell Hotel Sabotage

SCU Unibar, Lismore Side-tracked Fiasco, Slow Riots, Substation

Seaview Tavern, Woolgoolga Mambo Slammers

Slipway Hotel, Ballina Willie Hona

Westower Tavern, West Ballina Two B Two

Yamba Shores Tavern Vanessa Lea, Road Train

DJ Cool Tempoze

Cherry St Sports Club, Ballina Two Face

Bluejuice, Deep Sea Arcade, Preachers Mick Hart

Beach Hotel, Byron Bay

Richie Williams

Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs Harbour

Roo

Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs Harbour

Dave Graney and the MistLY

The Spectacles

Henry Rous Hotel, Ballina

Goonellabah Tavern

Rails, Byron Bay

Glenn Massey

Cherry St Sports Club, Ballina

Josh Taylor

The Mid North

Slipway Hotel, Ballina

Leopard’s Treat

Freemason’s Hotel, Nimbin

Plantation Hotel, Coffs Harbour

The Shooflys

Brunswick Heads Hotel

Manbo Slammers

No. 5 Church St, Bellingen

Keogh

Brewery, Byron Bay

Fathom

Mark Easton

Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs Harbour

Roger Munsle

Brunswick Heads Hotel

Lennox Point Hotel

The Black Sorrows

Coolangatta Hotel

Ballina RSL Bowling Club

Pandamonium DJs

Lalaland, Byron Bay

A Little Province

Cabarita Beach Sports Club

Ballina RSL

Beach Hotel, Byron Bay

Cath Simes

Beach Hotel, Byron Bay

Glenn Massey

Brunswick Heads Hotel

Thur, August 23 Ballina RSL

Josh Matheson

Bangalow Catholic Hall

Coast Hotel, Coffs Harbour

Children Collide, Dune Rats, Bad Dreems

Westower Tavern, West Ballina

The Black Sorrows

Occa Rock

SCU Unibar, Lismore

Mumbo Jumbo

The Edge

Cherry St Sports Club, Ballina

Marshall

V Grant

Sun, August 12

Bluejuice, Deep Sea Arcade, Preachers

Rails, Byron Bay

Star Court Theatre, Lismore

Yamba Shores Tavern

Lindsey Pollak

House vs Hurricane, In Heart’s Wake

Josh Taylor

Jo Rigby

Al Alderman

Plantation Hotel, Coffs Harbour

Ben Francis

Shaw Bay Hotel, Ballina

Westower Tavern, West Ballina

Ballina RSL Bowling Club

Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs Harbour

Sunday School

Clockwork Orange

Twin Towns Services Club, Tweed

Coast Hotel, Coffs Harbour

Glenn Massey

Seaview Tavern, Woolgoolga

Secret Squirrel

Slipway Hotel, Ballina

Ballina RSL

Rowland Moye

Sawtell Hotel

Matty Devitt

Wed, August 22 Henry Rous Hotel, Ballina

A Little Province

The Soulshakers

Sawtell Hotel

Sat, August 25

Chris Cook Band

Slipway Hotel, Ballina

Guy Katchel

Jetty Memorial Theatre, Coffs No. 5 Church St, Bellingen

The Raw Deal

Harry’s Lookout

Rails, Byron Bay

The McClymonts, Wes Carr, O’Shea

Flamenco inspired Bandaluzia

Andy Murphy

Port Macquarie Hotel

Seaview Tavern, Woolgoolga

Late for Woodstock

Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay

Tony Fallon

Coast Hotel, Coffs Harbour

Plantation Hotel, Coffs Harbour DJ Brown Sugar

Sun, August 19

King Louise, DJ 1iSAMURAi

No. 5 Church St, Bellingen Guy Katchel

DJ Salad Fingers

Dubmarine

Lennox Point Hotel Kamakazi Thundercats

Yamba YHA Backpacker Resort

Brewery, Byron Bay

Lalaland, Byron Bay Potbelleez DJ set

Ballina RSL Beach Hotel, Byron Bay

Hoey Moey Hotel, Coffs Harbour The Black Sorrows, Coastal Soul

DJ Kay

Rails, Byron Bay

Hearsay

SCU Unibar, Lismore

Sheoak Shack, Fingal Head

Yamba Shores Tavern

Plantation Hotel, Coffs Harbour

Goodship

Sawtell Hotel

Tim Rogers, Catherine Britt

Fri, August 17

Lennox Point Hotel

Kindling

Plantation Hotel, Coffs Harbour

Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay

Dr Bob

Ray Cat

Federal Hotel, Bellingen Glen Heath and the Deep Blue Sea

Westower Tavern, West Ballina

Lalaland, Byron Bay

Propaganda

No. 5 Church St, Bellingen

DJ Brown Sugar

Thrillbilly Stomp

Henry Rous Hotel, Ballina

Rhys Bynon

Dale Nougher

Slipway Hotel, Ballina

Slipway Hotel, Ballina

Brunswick Heads Hotel

Illy

The Jo Bloomfield Band

Starboard Cannons

Bo Jenkins

Coast Hotel, Coffs Harbour

Rasa Mandala, Carmella Baynie,

Broadfoot

Rails, Byron Bay

Coorabell Hall, Byron Bay

Brian Martin Trio, Christie Schlenker,

Rails, Byron Bay

Owen Shannon

Port Macquarie Hotel

Shaun Kirk

Cherry St Sports Club, Ballina

The Zone

Plantation Hotel, Coffs Harbour

Alpine, Clubfeet, Georgi Kay

Beach Hotel, Byron Bay

Coast Hotel, Coffs Harbour

Yamba YHA Backpacker Resort Tim Stokes

Loren

44 reverb

magazine issue #072 — Aug 2012

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also: Billy Talent + The Jungle Giants + Pennywise + Batman + Tim Rogers