X-Press #1202

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SOUTHERN METRO:

BIBRA LAKE Stock Rd. Market Tav BOUVARD Tavern CARLISLE Hotel EAST FREMANTLE Royal George EAST VIC PARK Franklins Tavern FALCON Cobblers Tavern KARDINYA Tavern LANGFORD Posters Tavern MADDINGTON Liquor Store MANDURAH Boat House Tavern MEDINA Pace Road Tavern RAVENSWOOD Hotel RIVERVALE Hotel

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COUNTRY :

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News Reactions/Comp Thing Flesh Music: The Big Pink/Future Festival Map & Playing Times Music: The Chevelles Music: Bob Malone Music: Soundwave Map & Playing Times New Noise eye4 Cover: The Detour eye4 News eye4 Music: The Saw Doctors eye4 Movies: The Blind Side, A Single Man

Tomas Ford Massive Attack

BUNKER BEATS

eye4

27 28 29 30 31 33 34 36 38 40

eye4 Movies Flickerfest/The Men Who Stare At Goats eye4 Arts: Love Me Tender/The Detour eye4 Arts:Rock the Cashbah eye4 Arts Listings eye4 Lifestyle: The Merch Stand/ eye2eye Salt Cover Salt News/Behind The Decks Salt Music: Boys Noize/Fat Freddy’s Drop/Lisa Lashes Salt Music: David Guetta/Salted: Precision Audio Salt Test Pad

Electro shock artiste Tomás Ford’s 8pm show at the Astor Theatre on Saturday, February 27, has sold out, prompting the entertaining electro cabaret artist to add a second 10pm evening show. Ford’s Disco Bunker is sure to be an incredible show, with word leaking out of some phenomenal new costumes and video works which are always a highlight of the Tomas Ford experience. Tickets are $20 from heatseeker. com.au, Planet, Mills. A limited amount will also be available on the door which will open at 9pm for the new 10pm show. More info at tomasford.com.

FROM THE MASSIVE, TO THE MASSIVE

UK’s ‘trip-hop’ pioneers, Massive Attack, return to Australia next month for the first time in over a decade. The Perth date at King’s Park, has nearly sold out, so you’ll need to get in quick. Many fans have already obtained their copy of Massive Attack’s new album, Heligoland, at no extra cost when purchasing tickets for the Australian and New Zealand dates. Be mindful, though, that this offer ends, at the stroke of midnight, Sunday, February 28. Ticket buyers purchasing after February 28 have the opportunity to purchase Heligoland at the discounted price of $15.00. Head to massiveattack.com.au to access this exclusive offer.

ELLINGTON BIRTHDAY

It’s hard to believe the time has passed so quickly, but The Ellington Jazz Club celebrates its first birthday on Friday, March 5. That’s 520 performances from 2859 musicians in 12 months. Two special nights will be held to celebrate the milestone. On Friday, March 5, Victoria Newton will be splitting the sets with another Ellington favourite James Flynn, with the house trio, The Graham Wood Trio, as a fine backdrop. On Saturday, March 6, Libby Hammer and Ali Bodycoat will shine, also with help from the Graham Wood Trio. On both nights Detour (featuring Danny Martin) will take things into the wee hours. Bookings are essential, head to ellingtonjazz.com.au.

THE WORLD COMES TO BUSSELTON Freedom

THAT’S FREEDOM

Salt

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Salt Club Manual Pub Scene Live reviews: Yo La Tengo/The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart/The Panics w/ WASO Rock xtras Tour Trails: Health Tour Trails Gig Guide Volume Feature Classifieds

X-Press Cover: The Big Pink play Wednesday March 3 at Amplifier Bar. Tickets through www.moshtix.com.au. Salt Cover: Boys Noize plays at Future Music Festival, Sunday February 28 at Ascot Racecourse. Tickets through www. ticketmaster.com.au

The Lotterywest Festival Films season continues with Freedom, a tale of gypsies from the acclaimed Tony Latif, director of Latcho Drom and Gadjo Dilo. Entertainment industry bible Variety called it “a magnificent paean to the mad ecstasy of freedom with a wholly original take on imprisonment”. Catch Freedom at UWA’s Somerville Auditorium from Monday-Sunday, March 1-7, and at Joondalup Pines from Monday-Sunday, March 8-14.

CLOUDY, BUT FINE

Novelist Tim Winton’s works have become a proud part of WA culture, so it comes as great news to hear that his 1991 book, Cloudstreet, is now in production for a movie that will premiere in 2011 exclusively on showcase (available on Foxtel and Austar). Cloudstreet won several literary awards (NBC Banjo Award For Fiction, the West Australian Fiction Award and the Miles Franklin Award) and was last year voted as Australia’s favourite novel in Australian book review. The film version of this World War 2 drama is being directed by Matthew Saville (Tangle, The King, The Surgeon, Noise) and stars Essie Davis, Stephen Curry, Geoff Morrel, Emma Booth, Lara Robinson and, highly respected WA actor, Kelton Pell.

Huey Lewis & The News

HIP TO BE THERE

If you’re heading to the Huey Lewis & The News (supported by 1927) show take note that the venue has changed from Leederville Oval to Challenge Stadium. The concert will still take place on Thursday, April 1. All existing ticket holders will be contacted by Ticketmaster to organise new ticketing arrangements. This will now be an all seated event.

It’s going to be a musical and cultural feast across this Labour Day long weekend in the historic grounds of Old Broadwater farm. Womubu World Music Busselton will to take you on a sweet ride around the planet with music, demos, workshops, stalls and rides and will unite and excite you with an incredible music program on the main stage. On Saturday, February 27, from 1210pm enjoy the Global Picnic featuring Xavier Rudd & Izintaba, Calexico, Depedro, Sunshine Brothers, Abbe May, Mellifluous, Mamadou Diabate, the Scottish Highland Pipe Band, Ancestrais Capoeira (Brazilian dance/samba drumming) and more. On Sunday, February 28, 3-10pm it’s a Global Party with Fat Freddy’s Drop, Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, Grace Barbe and Mamadou Diabate. Tickets are on sale now from heatseeker.com.au, obf.com.au and the usual outlets.

DO THE BUS!

Turnstyle

It’s been almost eight years since beloved Perth indie-geek-poppers Turnstyle played their final sellout show. Happy news for local music fans is that original Turnstyle members Adem K, PJ and Dean Davies are dusting off their Casios and cardigans and re-donning them for a special one-off reunion show at Amplifier on Saturday, March 6. Do the bus-dance to I’m A Bus and hit pop heaven with Portamento, Purple Crown and their ARIA Top 20 hit, Spray Water On The Stereo. Teaming up on the night will be Seja Vogel (Sekiden, Regurgitator), Boys!Boys!Boys! and Burgers Of Beef.

REFURBISHED, REVAMPED, REDECORATED, RENEWED, RESTORED

GRAND reOPENING FRIDAY 12TH MARCH, 2010 FROM 5:30PM NEW Chef is launching a NEW menu / Complementary Finger Food in the LOUNGE BAR / DJ VICKTOR playing chilled funky tunes on the BALCONY / Live Entertainment by DREAM LOGIC COLLECTIVE / Give-Aways Bookings recommended on (08) 9227 9596

The Brass Monkey Cnr James & William Sts, Northbridge www.thebrassmonkey.com.au

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X-Press is... Publisher/Manager Joe Cipriani

Got a Reaction? Email: editor@xpressmag.com.au

Editorial

LET THE BIRD FLY Dear X-Press, We’ve had some great small bars spring up in the city and Northbridge over the past year: no doubt all would agree that places like Ezra Pound, 399 Bar, Helvetica and Clarence’s have provided mature, intelligent and culturally minded young individuals in Perth interesting and valid alternatives to the mainstream commercial bar culture. Even better – most of these bars have been set up by individuals under 30, doing it off the skin of their back and a desire to enrich Perth’s small bar scene (we have one now!), rather than thanks to big corporate advertisement, or wheeling and dealing. One such young guy, Mike O’ Hanlon, is opening a small music bar in Northbridge called The Bird: it’s going to be a quaint little affair, an old building with the brick walls and wooden floorboards still intact, a little garden, and a stage, where indie and alternative Perth bands will play (it will be nice to hear something soft and original drifting through the Northbridge sky and will make a good alternative to the raucous pub cover bands and their awful renditions of Sweet Home Alabama). Mike applied for a normal tavern licence, so his bar could open ‘til midnight. However, the Director of Liquor Licensing, Barry Sargeant, has proposed to The Liquor Commission that The Bird only have a 10pm

closing time. Why? Oh, because these weedy indie bands are going to incite mass levels of street violence and raucous behaviour in The Bird’s audience, most of whom are intelligent, artistic individuals, and spend the majority of their time buried in fine art, theatre, music, film and literature. Sound reasonable? Of course it doesn’t! A 10pm closing time is ridiculous – no band will want to play before then, and it will be devastating to Mike’s business. If you’re a supporter of small bar culture in Perth and you’d like to see The Bird fly beyond 10pm, there’s a couple of things you can do. Firstly, join the Facebook page (1846 people are already signed up), so you can keep up to date with what’s going on, and be involved in any on the spot action. Secondly, send a letter or email to the Chairman of The Liquor Commission, illustrating why you believe The Bird should get the go-ahead (there is a template on the FB page if you’re short on time). This is the email address: rgl@rgl.wa.gov. au. Or here’s the postal address Attn: Chairman of the Liquor Commission Post Office Box 6119 East Perth, 6892 WESTERN AUSTRALIA

AN IMAGINARY LIFE Those lucky enough to experience Maly Drama Theatre’s Life & Fate at His Maj will know exactly what I mean when I say: never has Perth witnessed a more moving, expressive, palpable show of such magnitude. As a regular theatre goer I am often impressed by the calibre of theatre coming to, and originating from, Perth. I am also as often disappointed. But never have I been so entranced and moved by a performance as Lev Dodin’s adaptation of Vasily Grossman’s epic novel. We inhabit a maddening world which has been through so very much, yet 20th Century history seems long forgotten to the 21st Century’s excessive obsession with bogeyman terrorism. Life & Fate soulfully conveyed the trappings of ideology and religion – exposing them for the artificial constructs they truly are. Constructs that eventually led to many millions of deaths at the Nazi gas chambers and Stalin’s gulags. These are lessons that should not be forgotten. For those who missed Life & Fate I am truly, truly sorry. But there’s always the novel!

9213 2888

Managing Editor Julian Tompkin

editor@xpressmag.com.au

Local Music Editor David Craddock

Dance Editor

Danielle Marsland

localmusic@xpressmag.com.au danceeditor@xpressmag.com.au

Arts & Fashion Editor Emma Bergmeier

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Online Editor Dave Craddock

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Special Projects Editor Bob Gordon

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Photography

Matt Jelonek, Michael Wylie, Amy Vinicombe, David Chong

Contributing Writers

Alfred Gorman, Ash Keogh, Chris Havercroft, Alana Munnee, Grant McCulloch, Robert Penney,Tim Stewart, Drew Turney, Joshua Hayes, George Green, Angela King, Tanya McNaughton, Kate Gilbertson, Josie Smith, Brett Leigh-Dicks, Chris Gibbs, Benjamin Strick, Glen Canning, Glen Hayes, Reuben Adams, Yasmin Sheriff, Ben Watson, Amy Vinicombe, Clint Morris, Eddie Gnanapragasam, Adam Jones, Tilman Robinson, Petro Vouris, Laura Glitsos

Advertising

Frank, Subiaco

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Sales and Marketing Manager Chris Coufos

Bird Lover, West Perth

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Music Services / Bands Brian Newnham

Entertainment Venues / Live Promoters with Frances Tuohey

Send your name, address and daytime phone number to win@xpressmag.com.au with the name of the competition in the subject line. Entries close 4pm Monday. X-Press Magazine will not give your details to any third party or send unsolicited emails. Snail mail entries can be sent to: Locked Bag 31, West Perth 6872.

Airborne have wowed audiences at some of the worlds biggest festivals including Wacken, Mayhem, Download and Big Day Out, and have shared the stage with Iron Maiden, Motorhead, Rolling Stones and Motley Crue to name drop a few.The band are currently touring around Europe and we have five copies of their latest album No Guts. No Glory to give away!

PETER GABRIEL

JONATHAN BOULET

Sydney smart-aleck Jonathan Boulet kicked off his Australian tour earlier this month and will be in Perth on Saturday, March 6, to celebrate the release of his self titled debut album.We have three copies of his album plus three double passes to his show at Fly By Night.

Frances Tuohey

FUTURE MUSIC

Design + Production

It’s been a big year for French DJ/producer, David Guetta who is on his way back to Perth for the this Sunday, February 28, at Ascot. Fresh from winning a Grammy for Best Remixed Recording,we’re celebrating his success by giving away three copies of Guettas’s fourth studio album One Love. Get in quick!

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Production

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Art Direction Steve Makse

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Printing

Rural Press Printing Mandurah

Administration Receptionist

Frances Tuohey

Accounts

Lillian Buckley

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CAB AUDITED CIRCULATION

Deadlines EDITORIAL

General Arts Comp’ Thing Clubber’s Guide X-tras Gig Guide

Friday 5pm Monday 10am Monday Noon Monday 5pm Monday Noon Monday 5pm

ADVERTISING

Cancellations Monday 5pm Bookings / Copy Tuesday 12 Noon Classifieds Tuesday 4pm

Bones N Thugs Harmony

UNI 5 PREQUEL

Uni 5: The Prequel is a DVD rapumentary of Bone Thugs members, containing unseen footage of live concerts and wild backstage parties. With candid, honest group interviews and one on one, first hand accounts of their journey from the gritty streets of Cleveland to Grammy success, this is the most complete and revealing Bone Thugs N Harmony documentary. The film should be perfect for fans keen to gain a real insight into the true history of one of rap’s most enduring super groups. We have five copies to give away.

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Classifieds Linage

Seminal Melbourne indie rock band Gersey announces their return to the stage to play a run of headline shows later this month before returning to the studio to begin work on their fourth album. Gersey play at Metro City on Monday, March 8, and at Mojo’s on Tuesday, March 9, to which we have three double passes. Get in quick!

DAVID GUETTA

The 19th Annual Flickerfest is back in Perth for 2010. Held in Perth at Camelot Outdoor Cinemas from Thursday, March 4, to Sunday, March 7, we are offering one double pass for opening night and 10 double passes to attend the festival!

Soft Soft Loud takes over Fremantle Arts centre with a progressive series of extraordinary musicmaking. Over four nights in March, some of the world’s most renowned musicians collaborate to produce a genre-busting concert series that traverses classical, contemporary, jazz, blues, pop and electronic music. The first show of the series sees the Australian Brass Quintet return to the stage on Thursday, March 4, presenting a range of works from their collective interests.The ABQ are at home in any musical language, and give audiences a chance to see the best of brass in this unique setting. We have a double pass to give away.

Chris Coufos

Jacqui Brown

GERSEY

A very personal record from former Genesis If you haven’t already grabbed your tickets for founder, Peter Gabriel’s Scratch My Back is out now, the Future Music Festival then here’s your chance and we have five copies up for grabs! to get your hands on some passes, VIP style! We have an exclusive VIP entry pass which gets you prime viewing, cloakroom and VIP toilets, six A SINGLE MAN Torn apart by the shattering impact of the death of drink vouchers and free soft drink all day, not to his long-time lover, George experiences the most mention catering including lunch and dinner transformational day of his life, blending past and and a merchandise pack! There’s only one double present, desire and despair, and discovering that pass up for grabs so get those entries in quick, love persists even after the object of love is gone. Future Music is this Sunday, February 28, at Ascot Starring Colin Firth, we have in season passes to Racecourse. see A Single Man up for grabs.

FLICKERFEST

SOFT SOFT LOUD

Salt / Movies / Agency / Education Arts / Fashion / Lifestyle / Employment

AIRBOURNE

Jonathan Boulet

Luke Andrioff

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$FRXVWLF &DIH

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WARRANTY AND INDEMNITY

David Guetta

Advertisers and/or their agents by lodging an advertisment shall indemnify the publisher, and its agents, against all liability claims or proceedings whatsoever arising from the publication. Advertisers and/or their representatives indemnify the publisher in relation to defamation,slander,breach of copyright, infringement of trademarks of name of publication titles,unfair competition or trade practices, royalties or violation of rights or privacy and warrant that the material complies with revelant laws and regulations and that its publication will not give rise to any rights against or liabilities in the publisher, its servants or agents. Any material supplied to X-Press is at the contributor’s risk.

SAT FEB 27 8PM

SUN FEB 28 6PM

GW MCLENNAN TRIBUTE

SHAUN CORLSON, ADRIAN HOFFMAN, ANDREW POWELL, SELK & THE BONE SINGERS, BRUCE BEGLEY, FELICITY GROOM, RICHARD LANE, MICHAEL GABRIEL), HEAD FULL OF STEAM, MATT DE LA HUNTY, LUCY PEACH AND ROBBIE JALAPENO

COERCE (SA) GRIM FANDANGO ARTS MARTIAL SUN FEB 28 1PM

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MONKEY SPANNER

NICK SHEPPARD’S 50TH COMING SOON

FISHY STYLE MAR 5 / JOE KINGS + AUTO MASTERS MAR 6 / CASINO RUMBLERS MAR 7 / YVES KLEIN BLUE MAR 14

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Hittin’ the town since 1985


KINDRED SPIRITS

GAGA VENUE CHANGE

Steve Kilbey, singer/songwriter for The Church, heads to WA next month for a whistlestop tour performing with guitarist (and co-songwriter on their new collaborative album) Ricky Maymi from The Brian Jonestown Massacre. The Holy Duo tour will see Kilbey and Maymi supported by the father/son rhythm section team of Shaun and Adrian Hoffman. See the new lineup unveiled from Friday, March 12, at Clancy’s Fish Pub; Saturday, March 13 at The Royal Palms Resort in Busselton and Sunday, March 14, at The Oxford Hotel, Leederville. Tickets are $25 pre-sale (or $30 at the door) available from the venues.

International pop phenomenon Lady Gaga has announced that she is upgrading the production of her Australian tour meaning her Perth shows will now be moved to one show at the Burswood Dome. Gaga’s new staging, which was recently unveiled to her UK audience, will be flown to Australia on two Jumbo 747 aircraft and hauled around the country on 15 trucks with the help of Gaga’s 140-person crew. General admission ticket holders are advised that their tickets will gain them entry into the new venue but reserved seating ticket holders are required to exchange their tickets in-person at the Burswood or Regal Theatre Ticketek outlets. Ticket exchanges are available now with additional new tickets set to go on sale at 9am today Thursday, February 25.

Ego Lemos, Nannup Music Festival

LEMOS BE Lady Gaga

Ego Lemos released his debut album, O Hele Le, last October and has since won an APRA Award for Balibo (also featured in the film of the same name) and received rave reviews in Australia and Europe. Lemos returns for his second appearance in WA to perform at the Nannup Music Festival this weekend. Catch his sets on Friday, February 26 at 7.30pm and Saturday, February 27, at 1.10pm. For more details about the Nannup Music Festival, head to nannupmusicfestival.org.

MOONLIGHT SONATAS

The Ford Fiesta Moonlight Cinema season continues screening latest release, contemporary, cult and classic movies on the lawns of Synergy Parklands at Kings Park & Botanic Gardens. If you’ve not yet been along, make plans as it runs until March 14. This week’s films are the all-time classic Breakfast At Tiffany’s tonight, Thursday, February 25; Old Dogs on Friday, February 26; Tooth Fairy on Saturday, February 27; Inglourious Basterds on Sunday, February 28; Nowhere Boy on Tuesday, March 2, and In The Loop on Wednesday, March 3. Gates open at 6pm, screenings start at sundown (approximately 7.30 pm). For full details head to www.moonlight.com.au.

SWING BOWLER

Bluejuice are crazy chaps, but they know how to make good music. After getting an ARIA nomination for their track Broken Leg last year (which also got the #5 slot on the triple j Hottest 100!) the ’Juice have thrown a new single our way, Ain’t Telling The Truth, which is all about how much they love lying. Like we said: crazy. Catch Bluejuice when they roll into Perth in May, playing on Thursday, May 6, at the Newport Hotel, Fremantle; Friday, May 7, at the Prince Of Wales, Bunbury and Saturday, May 8, at the Capitol. Tickets through moshtix.com.au.

If swing means a thing to you, then head to the Mount Lawley Bowling Club on Friday, March 19. Swing With Earl will see Perth crooner-ofnote, Earl Cole, performing fave swing tunes from all the greats, joined (of course) by the Earl Cole Dancers. The oft-admired DJ Moogy will share jazz, bop and swing offerings between breaks and Heyder & Shears are providing the catering. In other words, it’s all class. Tickets are strictly limited and available now through heatseeker.com.au.

GREEN IN THE RING

CABIN FEVER

Bluejuice

ON THE JUICE

Fans of The Tom Green Show and Tom Green’s House Tonight will be thrilled to hear that the comedian is heading to Perth. A regular on David Letterman, Saturday Night Live and The Late Show, Green’s also graced the big screen in films like Road Trip, Freddy Got Fingered and Stealing Harvard. Head down to the Octagon Theatre at UWA on Tuesday, April 6, to get a piece of Tom. Tickets are $44.90 or $41.90 concession, available from BOCS.

TIERS OF LAUGHER

Irish comedian Tommy Tiernan is second only to U2 when it comes to entertainment tickets sales in Ireland. The legendary comic has appeared three times on The Late Show With David Letterman, and has completed a sell out run at Montreal’s Just For Laughs. In April 2009, Tiernan even set a new Guinness World Record for the longest ever stand up show by an individual – 36 hours and 15 minutes! Perth comedy fans have the opportunity to see this star of the international circuit at the Octagon Theatre on Tuesday, April 13 when he brings his new show Crooked Man to Australia. Tickets through bocs.com.au or 9484 1133.

Audrey Hepburn stars in Breakfast At Tiffany’s, Moonlight Cinema

Sydney quartet Cabins have recently toured nationally with Wolf And Cub and The Scare, and been cutting their teeth over in Sydney during the last 12 months. The band’s first single, Catcher In The Rye is now available as a free download as iTunes Single Of The Week and is a taste of their forthcoming mini-album, Bright Victory, set for release in May. For the first time ever with a Single Of the Week, iTunes is offering an exclusive pre-order of the forthcoming LP with every single download. Cabins are soon to set off on a national run with The Mess Hall and Bridezilla. Catch these new best friends on Thursday, March 25, at Mojo’s and Friday, March 26, at the Rosemount Hotel.

Cabins

KULCHARAL/ARKESTRAL

There’re all sorts of flavours to be had at Kulcha this Saturday, February 27, when Fremantle Global Arkestra take to the stage. The band’s music “transcends earthbound limitations by riding the flights of imagination” – and that ain’t easy! Their performance for this show will encompass the Tibet Suite and other original compositions, journeying through a maze of instruments including saranghi, bass clarinet and oud, whilst guitar, keyboard, bass, flute, saxophone and trumpets sound the alarm. It’s all about imagination and improvisation from 8pm, $15 entry at the door or to book online hit up kulcha.com.au.

Tom Green Photo: Neil Visel

RUDDY’S RHYTHMS

Those who caught Xavier Rudd’s set at Southbound earlier in the year will know that his new line-up, featuring master bassist Tio Moloantoa and drummer Andile Nqubezelo of the late afro-reggae legend Lucky Dube’s band, is smokin’ hot, and his deep global rhythms as tight as ever. Now, so you have the chance to preview tracks off Rudd’s upcoming album Koonyum Sun, Rudd’s playing a series of shows across the country, including a set at the Womubu Music Festival at Old Broadwater Farm this weekend. Tickets for the festival are on sale now from heatseeker.com.au. Otherwise catch Rudd at Metro Freo on Wednesday, March 3. Tickets also from Heatseeker.

Selina Teece, Spinifex Story

If you’ve ever left a concert wishing the band played a better selection of your favourite songs then The Pink Floyd Experience’s upcoming tour is for you. The tribute act have invited Pink Floyd fans to log on to pinkfloydexperience.com.au to vote for their favourite songs. The band will then put the 24 most popular numbers onto their set list before heading out on tour. Whether you’re a Syd Barrett purist or a fan of Wright and Gilmour’s output, The Pink Floyd Experience’s show at The Burswood Theatre on Saturday, May 15, is sure to appeal. Tickets available through ticketek.com.au.

COURT IN THE YARD Tommy Tiernan

A NEW DREAMING

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THE FINAL CUT

Australian Indigenous art today is recognised as one of the great contemporary art movement worldwide, and director of Artitja Fine Art Anna Kanaris is bringing two of the movement’s greatest talents to exhibit in South Fremantle. Lulu Teece began painting in the 1980s and her landscapes are a mixture of naïve realism and the fine dotting technique, whilst her daughter, Selina, is part of the new wave of desert artists who having grown up immersed in their elders’ art pursuits are interpreting their ancestral dreamings in a fresh, vibrant and contemporary way. Lulu and Selina will exhibit together in the exhibition Mother And Daughter: Lulu and Selina Teece. Head to Artija Fine Art, 330 South Terrace, South Fremantle, for the opening night on Friday, March 5, at 6.30pm. Exhibition runs until Sunday, March 21, with the gallery open 10am-6pm daily.

The Fremantle Arts Centre has been having a splendid summer of it with its Courtyard Music shows. And while summer sees itself to an end over the next few days, the musical season will continue. Courtyard Music presents performances by Felicity Groom this Sunday, February 28; Tonchi McIntosh & The Lonely Horse Band on Sunday, March 7; Simon & Tammy London plus Rachel & Henry Climb A Hill on Sunday, March 14, and the Flying Carpathians plus Krzysztof Piotrowicz and Mardae Selepak on Sunday, March 21. For full details head to fac.org.au.

Rachel & Henry Climb A Hill, Courtyard Music at Fremantle Arts Centre 11


THE BIG PINK

Gritty In Pink The Big Pink hit Australian shores for the first time ever, playing Amplifier Bar on Wednesday, March 3. YASMIN SHERIFF has a yarn with frontman Milo Cordell about how one of today’s most acclaimed bands came to be and the chance meeting that made an album. In the wake of the huge commercial success of rock/electronic fusion - a genre clogged with imitators – The Big Pink are pioneers rather than followers, as their debut A Brief History Of Love highlighted. The debut was met with an overwhelming welcome, which lead to a ‘fattening’ tour of the States and meetings with a new breed of fan. “Leo (Ross, bass) is really good at getting in the zone and finding the best local delicacy,” Cordell explains. “I gained a stone on my tour of America! We really embrace American music, unlike a lot of English bands. We really reference a lot of American bands, like Smashing Pumpkins and Nine Inch Nails. The Americans just like to rock – it’s just so ingrained in their history.” “In America there are all these types of vibes going in the crowd. There were like 40 or 50-year-old guys just loving it, then more in the back who love the wall of sound, just nodding along. Then there were the young girls in the front row screaming all the words. Weirdly, there was a wide group of ages.” With a varied fan base there is bound to be at least one wacko that took the cake for strangest fan.“There was this one really freaky girl,” Cordell laughs. “She was seven and was wearing a Joy Division shirt. She had translated Dominoes into a picture of all these girls on a conveyer belt turning into dominoes and getting their hearts pulled out by some machine. It was really freaky.”

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, ASCOT RACECOURSE GATES OPEN 12NOON STAGE 1 FUTURE MUSIC 08.45–10.00 THE PRODIGY 07.00–08.30 DAVID GUETTA 05.45–06.45 FRANZ FERDINAND 03.30–05.30 ERICK MORILLO 02.30 –03.30 STAFFORD BROTHERS 01.45–02.30 BAG RAIDERS 12.45–01.45 KENNY L 12:00–12.45 THE TRANSIENTS STAGE 2 FILTHY GORGEOUS 08.30–10.00 BOYS NOIZE 07.30–08.30 EMPIRE OF THE SUN 07.00–07.30 MASSIV TRAV 06.00–07.00 SPANKROCK 05.30–06.00 ZEKE 04.45–05.30 DOES IT OFFEND YOU, YEAH? 04.15–04.45 SKETCHISM & JACKNESS 03.30–04.15 OPERATOR PLEASE 03.10–03.30 HICKEY 02.30–03.10 TIM & JEAN 01.45–02.30 DEATH DISCO DJS 01.00–01.45 SPACE INVADAS 12.00–01.00 BENTMAN & SIPN 12

The Big Pink

Starting out in experimental noise is a world away from converting seven year old girls into obsessive fans – a transition which took some time to perfect. “We wanted to condense the beautiful brutality that noise can sometimes be and try and get that point across into three minute songs,” Cordell continues. “I remember songs. People remember songs – not a twenty minute experimental noise track.” In an effort to keep the sense of a sound, the boys produced most of the tracks on their debut themselves.“We just thought we could do it ourselves,” Cordell says.“We know what we want it to sound like.” After almost completing the record they were struggling with the final track, Dominoes. In a chance encounter they met Paul Epworth of Bloc Party and Primal Scream fame. “We met him and he seemed to have such great knowledge of music,” Cordell continues.“We struck a really good relationship with him. He’s a really intelligent and talented guy. We just went in (to the studio) and it just happened.” A Brief History Of Love was mixed almost

“WE REALLY EMBRACE AMERICAN MUSIC, UNLIKE A LOT OF ENGLISH BANDS. WE REALLY REFERENCE A LOT OF AMERICAN BANDS, LIKE SMASHING PUMPKINS AND NINE INCH NAILS. THE AMERICANS JUST LIKE TO ROCK – IT’S JUST SO INGRAINED IN THEIR HISTORY.”

STAGE 3 THE LIKES OF YOU 09.00–10.00 BOOKA SHADE 07.30–09.00 JOHN DIGWEED 05.30–07.30 SVEN VATH 04.00–05.30 DUBFIRE 03.00–04.00 WAY OUT WEST 02.30–03.00 DARREN J 01.45–02.30 JUMP JUMP DANCE DANCE 12.45–01.45 MICAH 12.00–12.45 TURBINE 37

STAGE 6 SOLID GOLD ROLLERDISCO 09.00–10.00 JAMIE MAC 08.00–09.00 TCEE & FRIEND 07.00–08.00 PETROSEX 06.00–07.00 DAZZ K 05.00–06.00 CHARLIE BUCKET 04.00–05.00 ROK RILEY 03.00–04.00 AD-ROC 02.00–03.00 MICKEY JUICE

STAGE 4 ABOVE & BEYOND 07.00–10.00 ABOVE & BEYOND 05.15–07.00 JAYTECH 03.30–05.15 SUPER8 & TAB 01.45–03.30 MAT ZO 12.00–01.45 JASON CREEK

TRANSPORT:

STAGE 5 SILENT DISCO CHANNEL 1 ALL DAY DJ OD AND DJ STEVEN GUTS CHANNEL 2 08.30–10.00 07.30–08.30 06.30–07.30 05.30–06.30 04.30–05.30 03.00–04.30

NATHAN FRANCIS ADAM KELLY TOMAS FORD CRAIG HOLLYWOOD DECLAN LARA H

The normal Sunday Transperth bus and train timetable will apply on event day. Transperth and Mellen Events have organised free Festival shuttle buses travelling between Wellington St, Perth (outside Perth Train Station) and Ascot Racecourse from 11.00am until 6.30pm. At the conclusion of the event there will be also be a frequent Festival shuttle service from Ascot Racecourse to Perth Train Station, with special event train services on all lines. Please note, the shuttle buses will start departing from Ascot Racecourse from 7.00pm. Visit www.mellenevents.com for details, and more information on how to plan your journey is available at www.transperth. wa.gov.au or by calling the Transperth InfoLine on 13 62 13 (TTY: 9428 1999, TIS: 13 14 50). Make sure you check the website or call for any service changes or updates.

PARKING:

Loads of free parking is available off Mathieson Rd, the drop off/ pick up areas and taxi rank are located near Gate 1 on Mathieson Rd.

entirely by Rich Costley, but the band managed to convince iconic producer Alan Moulder to mix the song Velvet. “We talk about Alan Moulder like he is a pop star,” Cordell laughs. “All of our favourite records have a credit to Adam Moulder. We had the best time of our lives watching him work on Velvet. “The first time we met him, we had this big meeting with him we fucked it up because we hadn’t been to bed. The next time we met with him it was a bit better!” Surprisingly, Cordell has only recently stepped on to the stage as a performer – although he’d previously been in the music industry for quite some time as a manager for Merock Records, the team responsible for the early experimental noise releases from The Klaxons and Crystal Castles. “I just didn’t have the guts or determination to ask someone to be part of it with me,” he concludes. “(Robbie Furze, The Big Pink co-founder) was really the only person I could ask. The only person I trusted.”

COLLECTIONS & ENTRANCE:

If you don’t already have your tickets, we recommend you visit your local Ticketmaster outlet to collect them or if you bought them online, print them out before going to the event. If you have chosen the Ticketfast option then remember that you will need to log into your Ticketmaster account in order to print the tickets. If you can’t get them before the event, your tickets can be collected on the day from the Ticket Box.

UPGRADE TO VIP MARQUEE ON THE DOOR:

Upgrade to the luxurious VIP Marquee on the door! It’ll cost you an additional $210, and you’ll be seeing Future Music Fesitval in style with refreshments and gourmet catering on tap.

OVER 18S ONLY:

This event is strictly for those 18 years and over. Current photo ID will need to be shown upon entry to the event. The only acceptable forms of photo ID are: Current Australian Drivers License, Current Passport or Current Australian Proof of Age Card. Entry may be refused without adequate ID and there will be no refund on your ticket.

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY:

Please visit www.mellenevents.com/event/future_music_ festival_2010 to familiarise yourself with the conditions of entry (under the Event Info tab). Most importantly enjoy yourself and party safe!

PASS OUTS:

There are no pass outs for this event.

ATM:

There will be EFTPOS facilities onsite. Hittin’ the town since 1985


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13


THE CHEVELLES Hello Cleveland The Chevelles launch their new album, Accelerator, this Saturday, February 27, at Amplifier and are soon to head off to celebrate their 20th anniversary in the US. BOB GORDON reports.

The Chevelles

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It may seem unusual that Perth power poppers The Chevelles are celebrating their 20th anniversary with three shows in WA followed by a dozen spread over three weeks in the US. But as Tom Jones would insist, it’s not unusual at all. For it is overseas that The Chevelles have long been loved by anyone (and, in various cases, everyone). For some years now the band’s sporadic Perth shows have been dwarfed by jaunts to the US and Europe for festivals and various headlining dates. “It’s just something that kind of evolved,” bass player, Jeff Halley ponders. “The whole overseas-thing-versus-the-Perth-thing, if you can put it that way, wasn’t a conscious decision or anything like that. It just became evident pretty early in the piece that we just seemed to ‘fit’ overseas. Especially in parts of Europe and South America, they seem to be passionate and well into the whole Aussie power pop/garage rock thing. And it’s still the case, which is bizarre in a way, but it’s cool.” It’s a scenario the band have embraced though, older and wiser enough to focus on family and work concerns, then convene to record or play shows where there is most demand. As most of their ’80s power pop contemporaries have discovered, the

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loyal punters of yore grow older and are less likely to head out to gigs several times a week; meanwhile the newer ones flock to newer things. Longevity and locality do not necessarily go hand-in-hand for Perth bands looking at the longer-term existence. “Yeah they probably don’t go together,” Halley says. “I’ve given it a lot of though and I can’t think of too many Perth bands that have lasted 20 years. Were The Rolling Stones from Perth? (laughs). “That’s one thing about The Chevelles, although we haven’t been the most prolific band in terms of recorded outfit and live shows – though I won’t be too hard on us, we have done six original albums an multiple compilations and hundreds and hundreds of gigs – but we’ve never broken up.” There’ve been line-up changes, but The Chevelles have been resolute in their journey onwards. A succession of drummers in the mid-’90s earned a few Spinal Tap gags along the way, but by now even the new boys are of Ron Wood-like-status.

THE WHOLE OVERSEASTHING-VERSUS-THEPERTH-THING, IF YOU CAN PUT IT THAT WAY, WASN’T A CONSCIOUS DECISION OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. IT JUST BECAME EVIDENT PRETTY EARLY IN THE PIECE THAT WE JUST SEEMED TO ‘FIT’ OVERSEAS. “Our current drummer, Paul (Di Renzo, also of Gigantic), who we still call the new guy, has now been in the band for five years. Dave Shaw (ex Stems) was with us for years and I used to always call him the new boy and he’d say, ‘I’ve been in this for nine years, Jeff…’ (laughs). And it’s worth hanging around. A couple of years ago, renowned garage rock aficionado/broadcaster, Little Steven Van Zandt, of Bruce Springsteen’s E-Street Band and The Sopranos, invited The Chevelles to contribute a track to a garage compilation he was putting together. Impressed by their style, he issued a Chevelles best-of release for the US market and is now releasing the band’s new LP, Accelerator, through his label, Wicked Cool. Their 20th anniversary tour next month will see the band hit Austin’s South By Southwest conference, plus shows in LA, New York, Las Vegas, Chicago, Cleveland, Boston and other American cities whose names look great on tour itineraries. European dates loom later this year. The Chevelles are industry veterans. But this signing is proof to Halley that, just when you think you’ve seen it all and a little more besides, something wicked this way may yet be coming. “On our last trip to the US we met Steven for the first time and we went to the Wicked Cool office in this very cool Manhattan loft,” he recalls fondly. “There were these nice people there running the place and Steven came out and he was a very passionate, very humble man and was putting lots of praise upon us and saying how happy he was to meet us and it was a real honour. We were like, (in gobsmacked tone) ‘yeah… cool’. He had a Sopranos pinball machine in the office, which I was playing on. “Then he took us to this really cool Italian restaurant - the sort of place where it’s not easy to get a table unless you’re someone - and because we were with Steven we were ushered out into the back room and the table cloth was thrown down, the bread was put there and the red wine stacked on. “It was almost like I was living a scene from The Sopranos to be honest (laughs). That was pretty cool.” Wicked cool, by the sounds.

TICKETS ON SALE now from moshtix.com.au tuesday 16 - sunday 21 MARCH 2010 · SIX DAYS OF MUSIC, ART, SURF & STYLE for full details of the mass program go to www.drugawarepro.com

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16-21 MARCH 16-21 MARCH 19 MARCH CHILDREN DRUG AWARE FASHION FOR OF THE PRO FASCISTS STAR PRIME MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SUMMER STYLE PREVIEW R·EVOLUTION SIX WORLD QUALIFYING SERIES WITH SPECIAL GUESTS ART INSTALLATIONS VARIOUS VENUES AROUND MARGARET RIVER

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14

Hittin’ the town since 1985


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BOB MALONE Mammoth Of The Ivory Trade Hollywood based piano man Bob Malone will play at The Perth Blues Club’s New Orleans style Mardi Gras at The Charles Hotel on Saturday,February 27.DAVID CRADDOCKspoketothehardtouring musician about the importance of putting on an old-fashioned, entertaining show.

Blues and jazz pianist Bob Malone comes from the old school of American touring musicians. Touring around the world and coast to coast across America several times a year, Malone, through old-fashioned word of mouth, makes a living on his reputation for phenomenal live shows, rather than skyhigh CD sales or lucrative licensing deals. But with album sales continuing to nose-dive and with traditional recording industry models in flux, Malone’s hard-touring style is in many ways enjoying a renaissance. In a post-download world, the level to which a musician can cut it onstage is just as important as their performance on disc (or hard-drive for

Bob Malone

www.handsometours.com

pavement. australia 2010

ThE MOUNTAIN GOATS SUN 18 APR THE ROSEMOUNT w. SCHVENDES

Tickets from Heatseeker www.heatseeker.com.au & retail outlets & Moshtix www.moshtix.com.au & 1300 GET TIX (438 849) NEW ALBUM THE LIFE OF THE WORLD TO COME OUT NOW THROUGH REMOTE CONTROL

Mo nd ay 8t h Ma rc h Me tr o Ci ty w.G ers ey

com.au tickets from www.megatix. and or 1300 MEGA TIX (634 284) www.heatseeker.com.au s outlet or heatseeker retail ent

www.matadorrecords.com/pavem www.crookedrain.com

DIRTY PROJECTORS AUSTRALIAN TOUR MARCH 2010

THE

that matter). “I think you’ve got to be able to put on a really good show to be able to survive these days,” Malone rasps down the line while unpacking his suitcase from a gig at the Iridum Jazz Club in New York a week earlier. “ You’ve got to be willing to tour a lot and I’ve been doing that for a long time. That’s where I sell the most CDs as well – at gigs.” Malone grew up in New Jersey and, from an early age, developed an impressive talent for sight reading and classical music. But in a town which worshipped artists like Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel as gritty every-man gods, it was hard for Malone not to be seduced by the spirit of rock'n'roll. “We all loved Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Paul Simon and all the east coast rockers,” he recounts fondly. “Anyone who sang about New York and New Jersey and those places – they were big influences, as well as Southside Johnny and the Aztec Dukes.” “I was corrupted by rock and roll when I was 15, then jazz shortly after than, and then blues. All that stuff is obviously not notated so I used my ears, but I can sight read. I remember Ray Charles was the first person I heard that really got to me. That’s pretty much what I set my groove train to. It’s a combination of blues, jazz, pop songs and country. It covers all the American styles and that’s the kind of thing I wanted to do and not be locked in.” While the triumphant fist-pumping style of Springsteen-ian east coast rock may have been the soundtrack to Malone’s youth, as a pianist his style is more closely indebted to the ivory-tinkling greats of Louisiana. “The New Orleans pianists are also obviously an influence on me,” he explains. “It’s slow and fast. You’ve got to listen to Dr John, Professor Longhair and James Booker to hear that style. It’s hard to describe. When people say honky tonk they mean a lot of things that don’t always have a lot to do with what they’re hearing.” Malone’s trip to Australia to appear at the Perth Blues Club’s New Orleans style Mardi Gras will not be his first. Last October, the pianist conducted a short tour throughout the state which included performances in Margaret River, Perth, Broome and at a location that particularly sticks in Malone’s mind - Nannup. “Nannup was a living hell,” Malone laughs of his regional performance which was marred by a borrowed electric piano continually jumping into different keys. “The Perth shows were really fun. I’m really looking forward to coming back there but I’m not going back to Nannup. We drove for hours – there’s nothing along the way, just forest and I was like ‘are we lost’. I felt like we were in some weird twilight zone and we were just going to be on this road forever and there was nothing on it. “Then when we were leaving the next day and we had no gas and we were like ‘if we can’t get gas in Nannup we’re not going to be able to ever leave here’. We were saying ‘geez, maybe we could just get a house gig at The Nannup Hotel and they’ll let us live upstairs’. But I said ‘I’ll walk out of here if I have to’. Malone may warmly jest about the isolation of the Australian countryside, but he’s quick to point out that his Hollywood existence isn’t nearly as glamorous as one would think. Having moved to LA to be closer to the session work that complements his income, Malone says he doesn’t embrace the ‘La La land’ lifestyle. “It’s not that glamorous for me,” he explains. “It’s cool, but most people here are actually working. It’s nothing like it looks from the outside. I go to sessions and I play. I’m not hangin’ with celebs. But we’re all making a living playing music and that’s a very lucky thing to have.”

BIG PINK

“Stealthily addictive” THE GUARDIAN (UK) “...one of the more purely enjoyable indie-rock records in an awfully long time” PITCHFORK

SATURDAY 13 MARCH THE ROSEMOUNT

WITH PIKELET

Tickets from www.moshtix.com.au, 1300 GET TIX (438 849) and www.heatseeker.com.au, Star PERTH, Mills FREMANTLE, Planet Video MT LAWLEY Bitte Orca out now through Domino

T U E S D AY 2 M A R C H CAPITOL W I T H S U P P O RT

AN HORSE

Tickets from Moshtix: www.moshtix.com.au; 1300 GET TIX (438 849), Heatseeker: www.heatseeker.com.au, Mills Records and Planet Video A Brief History Of Love out now through 4AD / Remote Control “(A) brilliant debut” WWWW The Age

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1 MARCH PERTH MONDAY STEEL BLUE OVAL

AD GU ILF OR D RO

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19


ASH GRUNWALD Live At The Fly By Night Club Delta Groove Shock On a balmy October night last year Ash Grunwald took to Perth’s own Fly By Night Club for a set of fevered blues. Recorded and mixed by local talent James Newhouse and mastered by Perth sound-smith Shaun O’Callaghan, the energy of the night has been nicely canned and preserved and is now ready for mass consumption. Playing a set showcasing songs from his two most recent albums, and ending a year of international touring with his band, this release is a recording of an artist in his prime and fits neatly as a chapter in Grunwald’s body of work thus far. With a backup band consisting of junk percussion (including a car door), African drums and the sequencing software Ableton Live, fans who haven’t seen Ash in the last couple of years may be surprised by the evolution, captured on this album, of one of our nation’s finest blues artists. Driving a simple bass-line on his guitar and backed up by simple, full beats, Grunwald has put more emphasis on his vocals and rhythm sections, making for some surprisingly danceable blues - not an easy thing to pull off. If this marks the end of 2009 for Grunwald, then consider me signed up for the start of 2010.

table whilst remaining firmly within stylistic reach of each other. Take No More and Can We Go Back are rollicking pop gems. The latter is laced with urgent post-punk guitar flourishes and reaches an uplifting crescendo via a multipronged vocal attack. No London is an instantly accessible number which sounds effortless in its delivery despite containing subtle changes of time and a smorgasbord of hooks. At 22 minutes, Too Many Chiefs makes for short, sweet and blissful listening. One feels these talented South Australians wouldn’t have it any other way. _JOSH F HAYES

GIL SCOTT-HERON I’m New Here XL Recordings Remote Control

Often credited with being the founder of rap, the sixty year old cultural commentator Gil Scott-Heron returns with his first album in 13 years. Addiction and jail terms have come and gone between albums, but Scott-Heron is as vibrant today as he ever was. I’m New Here started to take shape when the XL Recordings boss approached _TOM VARIAN Scott-Heron inside Rikers Island Prison Facility in June 2006 with the idea of collaborating on a new album. This latest chapter to the ScottHeron story is book-ended by On Coming From A Broken Home (Parts 1 & 2) where the deep toned vocalist gives reverence to his heritage and upbringing. There is no doubting Scott-Heron’s influence on the likes of Public Enemy and Mos Def, but his reach is broader than that, as his cover of Smog’s I’m Not Here would suggest. The lyrics of the title track are made more poignant BACHELORETTE given Scott-Heron’s unforgiving baritone and My Electric Family by knowledge of the artist’s journey, whilst the Mistletone hip-hop beats of Me And The Devil are much Shock closer to the ground than you would expect the statesman to wander. Bachelorette's Annabel Alpers last left us with With varied backing tracks featuring 2007's Isolation Loops which, as the name suggested, was recorded by herself in an field recordings, beats, acoustic guitars and keyboards Gil Scott-Heron covers a lot of isolated cabin. The title for My Electric Family, however, relates to other humans being ground, making I’m New Here one of those brought in to Alpers’ equation along with all albums that works best when played in its their electric friends. But fans take note, Alpers entirety. folk-y style of home recording hasn’t been lost, her palette has simply been broadened. _CHRIS HAVERCROFT Instructions For Insomniacs starts the album unassumingly. Opening with a gentle guitar folk line, brushed drums and lyrics about day dreaming and death, it is as human as you can get. But slowly her electric family sidle in, ending the song with a crying theremin and polyphonic arpeggios that just scream Michael Mothersbaugh. A few tracks deep and the Kraftwerk inspired Technology Boy stars a stuttering vocoder singing about robotic reasoning, faulty programming and failing relationships. The cacophony of instruments, ranging from a children’s recorder to a family EVERYBODY WAS IN of synthesisers, rarely overwhelms, and for THE FRENCH the most part are layered excellently. Though RESISTANCE...NOW! at times the beeps and boops can border on Fixin’ The Charts dorky, the constant, rawness of Annabel’s vocals Cooking Vinyl Shock helps Family stay the course. All round an impressively well realised album, one that should be on the radar Constantly name-checking his favourite of anyone who appreciates do-it-yourself pop. musicians, albums and even personal mix tapes, Art Brut’s Eddie Argos has always seemed less _TOM VARIAN of a pop star and more of a music fan. By teaming up with girlfriend Dyan Valdes (The Blood Arm), his fandom is fully realised via a series of ‘response songs’ with his spin-off band Everybody Was In The French Resistance… Now!. Despite what it says on the tin, Fixin’ The Charts is hardly an aggressive attack on other music, rather lighthearted responses to classic tracks such as You’ll Never Walk Alone (Walk Alone), Billie Jean (Billie’s Genes) and Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright (Think Twice, It’s Not Alright). It’s mostly a humorous affair, with Argos applying the lyrics to Avril Lavigne’s THE SHINY BRIGHTS boyfriend-stealing hit single Girlfriend to his Too Many Chiefs own relationship. In G.I.R.L.F.R.E.N (You Know Independent I’ve A) he knocks Lavigne back, with lines like After spending 2008 winning bands comps ‘I’m very in love with someone else, we’ve got like they were going out of fashion, The Shiny concerns about your mental health… I don’t Brights have gone on to tour in support of know why you’re interested in ME!’ The result is acts including The Wombats and The Living very much the same as an Art Brut record, with End. Oozing a catchiness and energy that most Argos’ vocals delivered in his trademark talking indie-rock outfits could only dream of attaining, style. Although at times it seems the music it’s easy to see why this Adelaide five piece has enjoyed such a rapid propulsion up the musical occasionally takes a back seat to the lyrics, it’s mostly very clever, with far more replay ladder. Picking highlights out of EP, Too Many potential than any novelty record. Chiefs, is easy as ABC. Lulls are non-existent _ROBERT PENNEY and each tune brings something new to the 20

Hittin’ the town since 1985


LADY ANTEBELLUM Need You Now Capitol Records EMI Nashville appears to be one of those cities where nepotism rules and having family and contacts in the industry certainly helped to connect the members of Lady Antebellum. The trio includes country singer Linda Davis’ daughter Hillary Scott, as well as Charles Kelley – singer/ songwriter Josh Kelley’s brother. Since forming in 2006 the outfit have already collected a handful of awards and had a couple of number one hits to their name before releasing this, their second album, Need You Now. The wholesome looking trio combine pristine male and female vocals with big choruses that, for the most part, fail to be in danger of making the listener offended or obsessive. The exception to the rule is the title track that tells of drunken lust and fields the strongest lyrics and most likeable melody of this collection. Our Kind Of Love is cookie cutter big stadium Nashville country that the band does well but without ticking any new boxes. There is plenty of evidence of the new breed of country here with only tiny glimpses of the genre’s forefathers popping in for a look. It is Charles Kelley’s masculine vocal that is delivered with the most success, particularly on Love This Pain, with Hillary Scott coming across as a less daring Carrie Underwood. Need You Now is full of songs that tend to favour skill over feeling but that is a hiccup that these fancied up-and-comers are sure to remedy on future efforts. _CHRIS HAVERCROFT

SUCKERS EP Spunk EMI

imagery such as this from the titular track: ‘well you hit me just like heroin/I feel you coursing through my veins’. Their capitalisation of the current pro-vampire trend in teenagers is also a tad worrying in Draculina and Eating Me Alive. At least they know their market. Dine, Dine My Darling is a nod to their Misfits influences and certainly gives you the feeling you’ve heard this all before. Touted as a call-back to their roots, The Addiction certainly feels nostalgic, but it’s doubtful the intention was for it to sound like a 10 year old album. While not exactly fan service, the album is unlikely to win over many new listeners or change any minds. _BRENDAN HOLBEN

THE JEZABELS She’s So Hard Independent The Jezabels’ second EP release, She’s So Hard, is full of pulsating all-kit drumming, dynamic, yet classic sounding piano, driving rhythm guitar and vocals that fall somewhere between shrillness and elegance. When combined, these elements bring forth a swirling and dramatic brand of indie rock. Think, The Arcade Fire meets Florence And The Machine at the opera. Hurt Me is a clear stand out and brilliantly incorporates the above mentioned stylistic dimensions. Starting off with melancholy chords on the keys, it gradually gathers momentum via the introduction of a jungle-like rhythm, strumming reminiscent of U2’s Where The Streets Have No Name and Heather Shannon’s fervent voice. Another highlight is Easy To Love, in which Shannon manages to incorporate the lyrics ‘get your groove on’, without sounding like a hip-hop wannabe. Respect. While the remaining tracks don’t quite maintain the shattering pace set by the two openers, they stylishly cap-off what is an interesting, and at times, thoroughly exciting listening experience.

There must be no shortage of talent at New York art schools if the current swag of bands coming _JOSH F HAYES out of that scene is any indication. Suckers are long time friends of MGMT and Yeasayer and, like their mates, share the good vibes via their brand of hippy pop. Suckers’ debut EP has been kicking around for a while, but has only now been given a local release on our shores. EP hints at the band’s vibrant stage show which can include colourful makeup and tinfoil cloaks in a production clearly designed to get the listener on their feet and to the dance floor. The single It Gets Your Body Moving starts innocently enough with lazy vocals and meandering trumpet before it erupts into an effervescent sing-along. There’s also a clear reference to ‘70s pop during catchy opener Beach Queen, but it is Afterthoughts & TV that GREGORY PAGE is the highlight here. It’s hard to overlook this Bird In A Cage track’s rousing boozy chorus and college rock Code One feel before hitting the repeat button again. MGM Suckers have already been earmarked by many as one to watch. EP is reason enough American songwriter and crooner Gregory to start paying attention. Page had a significant leg-up in his music career. He is one of those lucky bastards born _CHRIS HAVERCROFT into a musical family who, by his own admission on this largely autobiographical album, was playing guitar by the time he was 12 years old. Now in his mid-40s, Bird In A Cage is Page’s twelfth album. Full of relaxed country and western flavoured roots music, it’s the perfect record for a chilled out Sunday afternoon. The number 12 is, in fact, a common theme here. In addition to himself, Page and co-producer Jeff Berkley assembled a dozen other performers, who have added everything from mandolin and banjo, to cello and piano. Despite the big group of players, the album retains a minimalist feeling throughout and ALKALINE TRIO the instrumentation is arranged subtly with The Addiction little reference to wall-of-sound production Heart & Skull styles. Shock With one of the tracks recorded in The Addiction marks Alkaline Trio’s seventh Brisbane, and with reference to Melbourne landmarks, Page clearly has a soft spot for studio album and the first on their label Heart & Skull. It is surprising then, that after 14 years Australia, too, which is kind of nice. All in all, the and seven albums, their sound has barely lyrics are earnest and inspiring: ‘it’s never too late to be the person you were meant to be’ he grown at all. Famous for gloomy, angst-ridden sings in Right Or Wrong. An old school album - nostalgic lyrics under typical pop-punk music, Alkaline Trio struck a niche in the genre, and this LP without being sentimental, crooning sans schmaltz. Worth a listen! shows no signs of the formula changing. On its own merits The Addiction is fun and subversive if you can get past the laboured _BEN WATSON www.xpressmag.com.au

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Tuesday 2 March Information evening Radiation Oncology (F block), Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Nedlands

save lives? Do you want to help

Radiation Therapists are an integral part of the multidisciplinary team involved in caring for cancer patients. It is both a scientific and clinical profession that continually expands and evolves with the technological advances of the modality. If you have completed or are about to complete an undergraduate degree in science or biomedical science and have an interest in health science and people, then come to this information evening.

Master of Medical Radiations (Radiation Therapy)

Off campus training here in WA In Western Australia, clinical radiation oncology departments collaborate with Monash University in delivering a two year off-campus graduate entry pathway into the radiation therapy profession. The information evening will explain how you can gain entry into this 72-creditpoint coursework degree which offers Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP).

Earn while you learn You will learn how the program enables you to concurrently study and work as a student radiation therapist whilst being financially supported. Upon successful completion of the course, graduates are eligible for registration and professional recognition. Facilities and services are expanding in WA leading to many exciting vocational opportunities within this sector.

To register your interest for further information contact: Michelle or Clare at: RTEDU.RadOnc@health.wa.gov.au or call (08) 9346 4916 or David at (08) 9381 2399.

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Hittin’ the town since 1985


Mundaring Weir Hotel Summer Festival in the Forest Bookings by phone Kate Ceberano and her band on 9295 6098 or online Saturday, 27 February, 8pm, $62 www.mundaringweirhotel.com.au

Sheyla Bonnicks Tribute to Boney M

Dave Hole

Saturday, 6 March, 8pm, $47

Saturday, 13 March, 8pm, $47

Lulo Reinhardt

Jane Rutter & Peter Cousens

Ian Moss and his band

The Whitlams

Sunday, 14 March, 8pm, $45

Friday, 19 March, 8.30pm, $46

Saturday, 20 March, 8pm, $47

Saturday, 27 March, 8pm, $50

www.xpressmag.com.au

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IT BURNS

Stand up sensation Brendon Burns will touch down in Perth this week for what promises to be a kick-arse show at the Charles Hotel’s Comedy Lounge on Sunday, February 28. Burns will be joined on stage by Perth’s own Michael Workman and Werzel Montague, ensuring a night of laughs, heckles and good times. Ahead of his show at the Comedy Lounge,Burns spared a few minutes to talk comedy with X-Press.

What’s the most bizarre thing a heckler has said or done during one of your shows? Only recently a posh English woman yelled while I was dying on my arse in the French Alps, “Stop stop! What you’re doing isn’t working! For the love of god try something else... Dance!”

PROJECT SUMMER

During February, the high walls of bamboo in Highgate will become massive screens for Projector, an outdoor summer film festival taking place on Sunday nights. Over thirty film makers, VJs, DJs and guest artists will project their work onto the screens, programmed by the Film and Television Institute. Each night will introduce a new local short film, and at the end of the season, three winners will get their short films produced with a budget of $20,000 each. Entry to Projector is free, doors open 6pm. The next Projector is on Sunday, February 28. For more info, head to bamboobamboobamboobamboo.com.

What made you decide to give stand up a burl; were you the class clown back in your school days? Interesting that you would ask a 38 year old man such a question. I can barely remember. It’s odd, no one ever asks a Quantum Physicist “So were you good at science?” Like my friend Adam Bloom says, “I became a comic because I’m a funny guy not the other way round. It’s not like a chef learns to cook and then goes ‘right, now I’d better master eating loads’.” Comedians were never the class clown. They were the weird ones analyzing what the class clown was saying and thinking,“Okay, that’s way too broad. A more left field approach would have been...” What’s your most embarrassing childhood memory? Peeing all over Luke Skywalker through my jeans in a toy store. Either that or being overheard while fondling a girl as a teenager utilising the immortal pick up line, ‘Oh go on, take your tampon out. Haven’t you heard I’m good?’.” Tickets for Burns’ show will be available on the door, or through BOCS. Doors open at 6.30pm, laughs Brendon Burns start at 7.30pm.

Projector

ANKLE BITERS

The pitter-patter of tiny feet will echo through the Cottesloe Civic Centre on Sunday,March 21,when Mathilda’s Market sets up shop to deliver fashionable toys, clothes and accessories to the parents of Perth. The Market will shine the spotlight on WA childrenswear designers,featuring handmade items from labels such as Marshmallow Kidz, Dottyspot Designs, Green Kids, MillaRuby Designs and many more. To find out more about the market, head to mathildasmarket.com. au. Mathilda’s Market will take place from 9am to 1pm at 109 Broome Street in Cottesloe.

ALL STARS

The music auditorium at the Western Australian Academy Of Performing Arts will come alive with music on Thursday, March 11, when the Academy’s All Star Big Band takes to the stage to showcase the skills of lecturers, graduates and students. Led by Tom O’Halloran, the All Star Big Band will perform classic jazz standards such as In The Mood, Bugle Call Rag, and the West Side Story Medley. Performance kicks off at 7.30pm; tickets are available from (08) 9370 6636.

Pitter Patter designs will be available at Mathilda’s Market

Last Friday...

FREE B4 11PM

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Hittin’ the town since 1985


THE SAW DOCTORS Irish Eyes Irish favourites, The Saw Doctors, perform at the Fly By Night Club next Thursday, March 4. The Saw Doctors lead guitarist, Leo Moran, is a tad tardy with his phonecall. Turns out it’s for good reason. “Tonight we’ve just finished mixing our new album,” he says, happily. “That’s why I’m a bit late. We opened a bottle of champagne and had a bit of a celebration.” It’s no wonder the popular Irish band are popping corks, given it’s been four years since their last album release. “We’re not very good at getting those albums out,” Moran concedes with a laugh. “Though we’ve just hit a new patch of creativity and aside from finishing this album we have the start of yet another album now.” It does seem that way with The Saw Doctors. While their legend is built on live performance rather than prolific recording, once they hit a patch of purple, it’s all on… “That’s it, you know,” Moran agrees.“And you really can’t do anything about it - it either comes or it doesn’t. Then we get so busy touring and just minding ourselves and making sure we keep things moving and at times like those there’s a tendency not to concentrate enough on doing something like a new album. “Over the last 18 months now, we’ve worked very hard on this album. It’s an awful lot of time isn’t it? We constructed it like we’d construct a vehicle. We spent an awful lot of time polishing it up in the end to hopefully ensure that we’d be very satisfied with it.” It makes sense given Moran and cofounder/vocalist Davy Carlton’s 24-year history. As time goes on long-term artists often become harder on themselves as songwriters and in recording songs simply because they’ve been doing it longer and a standard has been set. “Yeah, because you’ve had a few songs that people have liked before, you want every song that you bring to the world to be as successful or find its own place,” Moran concurs. “You get a bit self-conscious about it and you become hard on yourself. “Everything that you’ve suggested in that statement is evident when you get to our stage, but luckily enough we have hit a patch now where we’re interested and we’ve got a few songs and a meaning of life. Our drummer, who has been with us for three years, has started writing songs and gives us a whole new impetus and energy towards just putting them out there and seeing what happens.That’s what you have to do.Very few people write songs or create anything and make good stuff all the time. You have to go through the stuff that doesn’t work, it’s all part of the process. “Over the years, as you suggested, I certainly did get self-conscious and almost felt like I couldn’t do it good enough, but you just have to do enough of it so that you end up with a critical mass of songs that work for an audience. We’ve been playing these new songs now, live, for two months and they’re all working. That’s all you can ask for, really.” While many have come and gone through the band over two decades, the constant input of various people over the years has aided Moran and Carlton considerably in terms of The Saw Doctors’ diversity and range. Importantly, with a new album about to be released the current lineup is clearly in tune with the founders. “Oh yeah we’ve got a great outfit now, a great line-up,” Moran enthuses.“The people in the band at the moment understand where the band came from and where we want to go – the essence of The Saw Doctors, whatever that is. I’d like to try and find it.We’re very satisfied that when we go out to do a show now we believe that we’re the best Saw Doctors you’ll ever see. And we believe that’s very important and that’s why we keep going. “If we felt that we were operating on an inferior level to what had operated on before, well then you’d really have to be philosophical about it and wonder why you even do it. But it’s not like that for us. I believe that this is our best album, but it’s not up to me and it’s very easy for me to say that. Hopefully when it’s out there people will feel the same way.” Well there’s nothing wrong with being confident… “Oh we’re very confident,” Moran laughs. “All I hope is that we can all retain our health and energy so we can keep doing it for longer because I think we reached a plateau there for a while in the past but we’ve gone up another level in the last couple of years.” Over the years The Saw Doctors have become infamous for the high degree of social comment in their songs, ranging from child abuse in the Catholic church to social networking sites. There’s still plenty for the creative fire in the belly? “The creative fire these days happens in a way that we don’t feel we want to retread the old ground we covered before, we want to do different stuff as well, or just be a band that makes catchy songs up,” Moran says. “We’re thinking about calling the album Back On The Rock’n’Roll. I’m not too fond of rhyming slang but that’s rhyming slang in Ireland for ‘back on the dole’. That’s a very difficult issue for a lot of people in this country at the moment. But as much as a lot of people in this country are back on the dole, The Saw Doctors are back on the rock’n’roll. “We really feel that we’re back rockin’ and if we can empathise with the people who have lost their jobs directly from the economic crisis it sounds like a title that works for me… and for both sides.” _ BOB GORDON www.xpressmag.com.au

The Saw Doctors

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A SINGLE MAN An Isolated Approach THE BLIND SIDE Never Mind, Bullock

A Single Man

Directed by Tom Ford Starring Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Matthew Goode, Nicholas Hoult, Jon Kortajarena An adaptation of a 1965 book by openly gay British novelist Christopher Ishenwood (the same guy who wrote the text that inspired the Directed by John Lee Hancock that those in-front of and behind the camera are musical Cabaret), A Single Man is an intimate Starring Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron, Tim even trying to press any buttons here – and maybe story that deposits us into a day and night McGraw they should’ve, it might’ve woken us all up from in the life of middle aged English professor, our slumber. Good on Bullock for just letting the George (Colin Firth), who is mourning the Lower the casket down, flick some daisies on story play out, but bad idea not to inject it with a death of his long-time partner, Jim (Matthew Goode) and living a solitary existence in 1960s top, and shovel the soil - Sandra Bullock’s career bit of oomph and rouse. is dead. The Blind Side tells the story of Michael Los Angeles. Through a series of close up shots, It’s a pity, the woman gave us some Oher (Quinton Aaron), a homeless, traumatised and darn fine entertaining films (Speed, Wrestling very tall young man, who, in later years, became an set to a plodding monologue, at the film’s beginning, we watch as the immaculately Ernest Hemingway, A Time to Kill, While You Were All-American football player and first round NFL Sleeping… even Demolition Man was a fun time), draft pick with the help of a caring but filthy-rich dressed George puts his outfit together; polishing his shoes, extracting a white shirt but the ageing former big-screen ‘it’ girl’s latest woman (Sandra Bullock) and her family. bunch of films (the best of the bunch being Miss Bullock’s reasonable enough in the still in its packet from the draw where several Congeniality and The Proposal – and that’s saying lead role, newcomer Aaron does an apt enough other unopened shirts lay – fans of Mad Men something!) have been about as lifeless as the piles job in the key role of Big Mike, and crooner-cum- will enjoy Ford’s attention to costumery; the of dry dust under the sleeve of the Two If By Sea actor Tim McGraw convinces us he can make close ups revealing texture. During his day, in between checking video. a decent cinematic nice guy, playing Bullock’s Bullock’s latest, though a commendable accommodating on-screen husband, but nobody out his belongings from the bank and rehearsing the logistics of his own suicide, George crosses effort (if only because she’s trying something new – and that’s not referring to her hair colour), might’ve is particularly awe-inspiring here – and there’s paths with a cashmere jumpered student, not a character here that you won’t forget 10 Kenny (Nicholas Hoult), bent on befriending been better served on a Wikipedia page than the big screen. It’s one of those flicks that, though minutes after exiting the theatre. And that’s a pity, and exploring what he believes to be his baring a sweet ‘true’ story, just doesn’t embody the considering the rather sweet story they’re telling lonely professor. On a trip to the shop to buy bullets he meets a hustler straight out of an emotional punch, or relatable characters, needed here. Writer/director, John Lee Hancock (who Almodovar, Carlos (Jon Kortajarena), and later in to draw an audience in. It’s like attending a work party other than your own – you don’t feel as helmed the equally disappointing wannabe feel- the night he dines with his best friend, former though you belong there, it takes you forever (if at good sports drama The Rookie, starring Dennis London socialite Charley (Julianne Moore), who all) to get to know people, and seeing as you don’t Quaid, a couple of years back), didn’t leave his has long been in love with George. Beauty radiates from start to finish of have much in common with those you’re sharing dish in the oven long enough – it’s undercooked, the punch with, you just to stare at your watch for pasty plain, and not that satisfying. What could’ve fashion designer Tom Ford’s directional debut. From the naked underwater body that writhes been the next Rudy instead plays like a twist on most of the evening. Not to say that films that feature John Hughes’ Curly Sue with Bullock playing the behind the film’s opening titles, to the contrast characters we can’t relate to, or stories that we snooty Kelly Lynch character, and Aaron playing of red blood on a pristine white snowscape haven’t personally experienced, can’t be affecting the underprivileged youngster who pot-boils her that follows minutes later, or the rich tonal saturation of scenes to come: Ford’s production – we know they can, especially with the aid of heart. Blah! values are exquisite – no doubt the result of Hollywood button pressing. But everyone must’ve had blistered fingers, because there’s no indication _ CLINT MORRIS years paying attention to visual composure in Sandra Bullock and Quinton Aaron star in The Blind Side

26

his designer collections. The narrative doesn’t veer or stray from its subject’s trajectory – aside from a smattering of flashbacks, our focus is wholly on the emotional journey of Firth’s character and his interactions with those around him. The benefit of this is that the narrative is never convoluted, allowing George’s existential concerns to quietly seep out. Yet this is to the detriment of the audience being able to emotionally invest in George’s relationships in the film, particularly with the young Kenny. Indeed, all that is external to George, characters included, seemingly function as part of the film’s beautiful scenery. Close up shots of brilliant blue eyes, lips that pulse red with sex…even George’s memories of Jim are highly stylised visuals. In one black and white flashback, the lovers lay bare-chested on the beach, sipping from Coca Cola bottlesit’s reminiscent of From Here To Eternity or a perfume advertisement - characters are not engaged with each other, they’re not used as realistic vehicles to instigate dramatic tension, but rather as props in art direction. George’s revelations seem to come from within, rather than through his interactions with others: one is required to be wholly imbedded within George’s character for dramatic fulfilment (luckily, Colin Firth is excellent, so this is not impossible). However, perhaps this is the point - the suicidal George cannot form genuine relationships with those around him, too consumed is he with loss: “Today is a cold reminder of yesterday,” intones George in his opening monologue, “Waking up actually hurts”. A Single Man is something like an unscented red rose: its appearance is stunning, but upon burying one’s nose in it in hope of an equally as lush scent to qualify its existence, one leaves bereft. _DANIELLE MARSLAND

Hittin’ the town since 1985


FLICKERFEST In The Blink Of An Eye The 19 th annual Flickerfest International Short Film Festival rolls into Perth’s Camelot Outdoor Cinema from Thursday, March 4 to Sunday, March 7. For the full program and ticketing details head to flickerfest.com.au.

Flickerfest, including Broome and Albany, as well as Perth, in WA. Although featuring the best in global short film from Hungary to Iceland and the US to New Zealand, Flickerfest is widely considered many Australian filmmakers’ golden ticket into the highly competitive world of The world of short film has come a long way cinema – being the country’s only Academy over the past couple of decades. Whereas once Award certified qualifying short film festival. upon a time the definition of a short film was And with news just in that Hannah Hilliard’s borrowing the uni’s antique Betacam, getting Franswa Sharl took out Best Short Film at the you mates together and filming them clowning Berlin International Film Festival (a film enjoying around in the backyard, today it’s the realm of its world premiere at Flickerfest) and Luke high art and poignant social commentary. A Doolan’s film Miracle Fish is up for an Academy genre where emerging filmmakers cut their teeth Award for Best Live Action Short Film at this and aging ones retreat from the mainstream to year’s Oscars, Flickerfest certainly boasts more than its share of success stories. create ‘art’ cinema. “ Th i s i s g o i n g to s o u n d re a l l y After 19 years in the business, Flickerfest has seen it all – the good and the not-so-good. controversial,” Miracle Fish director and Flickerfest And, with the festival’s entries up to 1,600 in 2010 entrant Doolan begins, having just flown in from from 1,300 the same time last year, Flickerfest’s LA where he’s been supporting his recent Oscar Festival Director Bronwyn Kidd explains never nomination, “and I’ll be beaten to death with a has the genre been so overwhelmed with stick for saying this: but I think (short films) are actually harder to do. It’s harder to make an quality – especially the Aussie contingent. “I think, progressively over the years, emotionally resonant film in a shorter amount we’ve come to make some of the best short of time. When you’ve got 90 minutes you’ve films in the world,” Kidd explains of Australian got 10 minute of setting up your characters, 20 filmmaking. “I think we have a great short film minutes of setting up your enticing incident, culture in this country. It’s been fantastic to see then you have the whole second act to mess the festival grow and audiences embrace the with your characters and tie it up. You’ve got so festival and enjoy the films – because that’s what much more leeway there – it’s a marathon not we’re about, showing people greats films they a sprint. A short film is a sprint. It’s apples and oranges.” can love and think about.” In total, 97 films will make their _JULIAN TOMPKIN way through 23 venues nationally as part of

THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS May The Force Be With You

be a success – but this is a movie; a seemingly Directed by Grant Heslov Starring George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, ‘big’ movie! One with actors far more talented than Artie Lange! Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacey Based on the book by Jon Ronson, Ewan McGregor must have a great sense the flick stars former Jedi knight McGregor of humour – there are more than a few as Bob Wilton, a washed-up reporter looking references to Star Wars in director Grant for the big story while in Iraq to talk to Lyn Heslov’s new film, and most of them at the Cassady (George Clooney), a chap who claims expense of the former lightsaber-wielding he’s employed by a division of the US Army Scot. You see, the core characters in the piece entitled The New Earth Army. The New Earth Army, the reporter compare themselves to Jedis - with McGregor ultimately declaring himself one too - but learns, uses paranormal powers to help the unlike the cats in George Lucas’ super saga, the army in their respective missions. It’s hardly guys that have awarded themselves the title a new division either, with Cassady soon aren’t efficient, dexterous, men of importance. retelling the story of his superior, Bill Django In fact, they’re essentially (technical term here) (Jeff Bridges), to Wilton. And there’s something about a whack jobs! It’s funny that, of all things in the member of the troop being kidnapped too – film, that’s the one thing I took home - the but quite frankly, I was struggling to keep my Star Wars references. If this was Fanboys, that’d eyes open by the time that little revelation be a good thing (since the latter was a love leaked. To be fair, the performances are good letter to George Lucas’ space serial), but this is The Men Who Stare At Goats, an all-star pic enough and the story is interesting enough about how psychics were used in the Iraq (although it could’ve been handled better). war. Surely one should recall something more But by and large, The Men Who Stare At Goats of note – like, say, the quirky dialogue, the is a big-time disappointment. It’s not just an interesting characters, the wacky script, or the odd film; it’s a languid film - one without much performances of lead actors McGregor, George of a point. So, in tribute to its best element, all Clooney, Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges? But I’ll say is ‘the force isn’t strong with this one’. Now let’s blow this thing and go no, a few weeks out from seeing the picture, and I recall nothing about it but... a Jedi joke, home! and a dodgy-looking moustache on Clooney. _CLINT MORRIS If it were a MadTV sketch, Heslov’s film would

Miracle Fish, screening at Flickerfest 2010

www.xpressmag.com.au

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LOVE ME TENDER

“Ancient Greece as a place to find stories is a place I endlessly go back to,” he tells X-Press while on a break from rehearsals in Sydney.“They are the basis of so much literature Love Me Tender opens at the Perth Institute and story telling that we have today. They were Of Contemporary Arts on Wednesday, created at a time when democracy and politics February 24, and runs ’til Saturday, March 6. were being invented for the first time, and Tickets are available at perthfestival.com.au they’re stories that have this incredible ability to pierce through questions about our world. or through PICA on (08) 9228 6300. “All the plays written around that For playwrights such as Perth’s Matthew time were written for a very clear reason – they were written in response to wars that were Lutton, mythology and tales from Ancient Greece are fodder for the imagination and happening or in response to political leaders. catalysts for creation. In 2009, Lutton presented They’re often incredibly poetic but they’re not a stunning production of Antigone for the just exercises of imagination, they’re conscious Perth International Arts Festival, and in 2010, he responses to the world. “Essentially, I keep going back to returns to the Festival with Tom Holloway’s Love Me Tender, a play inspired by Euripides’ classic them because they’re questions that are still necessary to be asking. The stories have such tale, Iphigenia In Aulis. rawness and immediacy emotionally that you can find those stories in our own world today. We haven’t finished telling these stories yet. I’m also interested in stories that deal with extraordinary events, the extremities; often about ordinary people in epic situations, and Ancient Greece is a great place to find those stories.” Though Love Me Tender is inspired by Iphigenia In Aulis, it’s not a re-telling or even an adaptation, as Lutton is quick to point out. “It’s not an adaption; it really just takes the thread of a father and his daughter. I knew the premise of the commission was to write something in response to the myth of Iphigenia and Tom [Holloway] often does that, where he takes a myth or a story and it’s not an adaption or a re-telling, it’s literally his response to the threads in it or his response to the questions of those plays. “In many ways, the questions in that play were about a king who was charged with the responsibility to sail a fleet to Troy and the only way he could do that was by sacrificing his daughter because God had provided no winds for the sails, so they couldn’t sail to the Trojan war. He’s told he needs to sacrifice his daughter to give wind to the ships and he does. The piece essentially explores the relationship between a father and a daughter and a very beautiful love between a father and a daughter that is then placed in a very extreme circumstance.” Combining the talents of Thin Ice, Company B Belvoir and the Griffin Theatre Company, not to mention the skills of Matthew Lutton and Tom Holloway, Love Me Tender is sure to be a favourite of the 2010 Festival. Love Me Tender _EMMA BERGMEIER

Ancient Inspiration

r e m um e ss ions

The Detour by Justin Spiers

THE DETOUR

Photographed predominantly on a 1950s Roleiflex camera, The Detour’s images provide an interesting feeling of nostalgia with The Castle soft grain and hazy appearance. The park is now a Justin Spiers’ The Detour is on display ’til shadow of its former self, and it becomes difficult Sunday, March 14, at the Fremantle Arts Centre to see through Spiers’ images how the theme park at 1 Finnery Street in Fremantle. Admission is may have once looked in the glory days. The Detour free, gallery is open seven days from 10am to is a photographic record of what remains after the crowds dissipate. 5pm. The shots were captured between 2006 A chance encounter upon a derelict theme park and 2009, and Spiers says when he last visited the park there were bulldozers levelling the castles to on the outskirts of Mandurah was the catalyst for make way for what a real estate agent described WA-based photographic artist Justin Spiers’ first as a ‘prime development opportunity’.“I managed solo exhibition, The Detour. to make a video work using the scale model of the Castle Fun Park was, in its hay day, a Neuschwanstein castle,” Spiers says. The video is miniature village of Bavarian castles surrounded by currently being edited for exhibition in Beijing. bush and loved by many local children. This kooky “The type of housing planned around theme park was complete with a ferris wheel, a this area of Mandurah resembles another type of swimming pool shaped like Australia, a King’s a theme park, one for adults with Tuscan fantasies,” throne for children to play on, a mini golf course Spiers says. “I’ve seen the Mandurians sailing and bumper cars. The owners have long since around their freshly made canals and then back packed up and closed shop, but over the years the to their ‘McMansions’ for barbecues and satellite once cheerful place has become victim to vandals, television.These newly emerging neighbourhoods bush fire, and the harsh Australian sun. are a more intensely constructed and artificial form “The park offered a very strange of reality than the Castle Fun Park ever was.” experience in its run-down state,” Spiers explains, Spiers admits that shooting the who is currently preparing for an exhibition in photographs presented in The Detour could get Beijing with fellow Perth artist Erin Coates. a little creepy. “There were people living there at “There were pockets of immense natural different times and the ground was strewn with beauty alongside the rather surreal structures deep holes and barbed wire,” he explains. “By day and debris. I thought that there was something there were always snakes around, but mostly the symbolic in this process of repossession, as the atmosphere of the decaying park was welcoming. Australian bushland engulfed the European It generally seemed like a nice place to have a medieval-styled structures. The decaying utopia picnic.” of the theme park seemed to signify the more generalised mismanagement of land in Australia.” _DAVID GEOFFREY HALL

Stage

PRESENTS

S

S

L I V E AT M O V I E S B Y B U R S W O O D GET SOME LIVE MUSIC INTO YOU EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT BEFORE THE MOVIE

Saturday, 27th

feature

feature

STILL FIRE Followed by a special double Bran Nue Day (PG) and Mao’s Last Dancer (PG)

February

www.moviesbyburswood.com March

THUR 25

AN EDUCATION (M)

MON 1

FANTASTIC MR FOX (PG)

FRI 26

DOUBLE FEATURE

TUE 2

CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS (G)

WED 3

THE TWILIGHT SAGA – NEW MOON (M)

THUR 4

BRAN NUE DAY (PG)

BRAN NUE DAY (PG) AND MAO’S LAST DANCER (PG) FRI 26

MIDNIGHT SCREENING SHERLOCK HOLMES (M)

SAT 27

DOUBLE FEATURE

SAT 6

AWAY WE GO (MA) SUN 28

February

TOOTH FAIRY (G)

NINE (M) PLUS + DID YOU HEAR ABOUT

IT’S COMPLICATED (M) AND

COMING UP

Friday, 26th February

Gates Open 6.30pm. Film starts 8:00pm thru to 17 April 2010

THE MORGANS? (PG) TUE 9

THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG (G)

THUR 11

THE ROAD (MA)

FRI 12

INVICTUS (PG)

STILL FIRE Followed by a special double It’s Complicated (M) and Away We Go (MA)

Saturday, 6th March

MICHAEL GABRIEL Followed by a special double feature Nine (M) plus Did You Hear About The Morgans? (PG)

GATES OPEN AT 6:30PM / BAND STARTS 7PM / FILM STARTS 8PM MOVIES BY BURSWOOD DONATES 100% OF ITS PROFITS TO CHARITIES Bookings and info at www.moviesbyburswood.com or phone 0403 560 684 28

Hittin’ the town since 1985


ROCK THE CASHBAH Born In The ’80s

Rock the Casbah is on at the Hayman Upstairs Theatre at Curtin University on Sunday, March 14, and Sunday, March 21. Tickets available at the door. For more information, head to haymantheatre.curtin.edu.au. The Hayman Theatre Company is set to open its 2010 season with a series of productions on Sundays under the appropriate moniker Sunday Night Theatre. The format of these Sunday nights involve two back-to-back short, one act plays, and Director Andrew Clark is opening this series with Rock The Casbah, a “comically nostalgic journey back to the ‘80s by those who have never lived in it�. The responsible parties, being part of the Hayman Theatre Company, have a long reputation to live up to. “Curtin’s Hayman Theatre Company, being WA’s longest established theatre course has a long and illustrious history of showcasing performance students works.� Having lost its eponymous venue several years ago, the Hayman Theatre Company has consolidated and produced work at the “upstairs theatre� instead. The Sunday Night Theatre series promises a healthy and diverse selection of productions. Clark assures that, “at Hayman Upstairs Sunday Night Theatre you’ll find wide a wide variety of shows, ranging from new original student written pieces to reimaginings of old favourites and of course our annual Pantomime�. All productions feature a completely student cast and crew.The company see this as a positive thing; ensuring fresh faces and new talent regularly get opportunities to perform on stage. Yet this does not imply a lack of experience, as all the performers in Rock The Casbah, for example, have had previous comedy experience. Rock The Casbah ushers in the season with an irreverent look at the decade that brought about the births of most of those involved in it.“It’s inspired by ’80s music videos, and uses songs from the likes of The Clash, The Police, Aha, etc, to link together a sketchy plot line that may or may not be interrupted by guitar and synthesiser solos.� The process has been a joyous one for Clark. “Making Rock The Casbah is proving to be an exceptionally fun and funky process. All the ideas that are pitched by the cast are truly hilarious and inspired. A good portion of

Rock The Casbah

our rehearsals are spent laughing before we can actually start the acting business. Not to mention the joy brought about by wearing the costumes, which I might add, are as awesome as David Bowie with an eyepatch.� Yet even being in the midst of such comedy and vibrant student participation comes with its own set of challenges. The lack of a proper auditorium theatre has weighed heavy on many of the Hayman Theatre Company. “Being confined to our upstairs space for the last few years has had its ups and downs. It’s great to have a setting where the audience is smack bang right in front of you, but we are always campaigning for a new theatre to complement our cosy home.� Clark assures that all is not lost, as the university website now promises one will be built in 2009. Until then, the company will be kept alive by productions like Rock The Casbah and by the enthusiasm of its students. Both deserve your support. _JOE LUI

THE RETURN OF JAPAN’S COMEDY MASTERS!

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PLEASE LAUGH, WE’RE RISKING OUR LIVES

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PREVIE CH 7 MAR WED 1H SAVE $9 RUS

REGAL THEATRE

Wed 17, Thurs 18, Fri 19 & Sat 20 March at 7.30pm

ON SALE BOOK NOW! ticketek.com.au 132 849

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29


VISUAL ARTS

Stimulus:Response, Alda’s Gallery And Project Space, Wolf Lane, Perth. Stimulus:Response continues Tané Andrews’ fascination with botanical illustration, repetition, mortality and the passage of time. Andrews has created a new series of drawings for Alda’s, with his signature painstaking technique of rendering using thousands of tiny dots to create images of specimens in metamorphosis, taking months to complete. Andrews will also exhibit for the first time a kinetic sculpture made in collaboration with local artist Philip Gamblin. Exhibition runs ’til Friday, March 12. Datadrum v.2.04, Fremantle Arts Centre, 1 Finnerty Street, Fremantle. From WA artists Sohan Ariel Hayes and Laetetia Wilson comes a collaborative artwork that invites the viewer to shape their own experience, and the experience of others... Developed during a residency in Singapore, Hayes and Wilson combine

Jeppe Hein, PICA, Perth Cultural Centre, Northbridge. As part of the Perth International Arts Festival, acclaimed Danish artist Jeppe Hein, will present a survey of major works, both inside the PICA galleries, and outside in the Perth Cultural Centre. Australian audiences will be able to experience Hein’s carefully constructed, playful and engaging work which will be set in the unique architecture of one of Australia’s leading contemporary art spaces. Hein often sets up encounters between the spectator, the object and their surroundings that are at once playful, but also deploy psychology, phenomenology and illusion. Overall, the exhibition seeks to illustrate the original way that Jeppe Hein radically combines art, architecture and technical innovation to create captivating and utterly contemporary works that create situations that challenge the rules and conventions that govern behaviour and one’s relationship to art. Exhibition runs ’til Monday, April; 5.

THINICE, COMPANY B BELVOIR AND GRIFFIN THEATRE COMPANY IN ASSOCIATION WITH PICA PRESENT

LOVE ME

TENDER Written by Tom Holloway Directed by Matthew Lutton

FEBRUARY 20 TO MARCH 6 2010 Book @ PICA 08 9228 6300 or pica.org.au

Part of the Perth International Arts Festival

their respective knowledge in animation, music and new media to present a model for the Sixth Dimensional City. Comprised of two towers and projected cityscapes, the changing landscape of the city’s community is controlled by an electronic drum kit. Pick up a drum stick and watch as every tap on the drum machine triggers sound and image events, altering the fate of those who reside within. Exhibition runs ’til Sunday, March 14.

research over many years, extensive information has been accumulated about the massacre of the Bindjareb Nyungars at the hands of a group led by Governor James Stirling in October 1834, in the small WA town of Pinjarra. This subject has been the most significant issue in the town for many years and through the research, continued observance of a memorial day and grass roots development ideas, this project concept emerged. The project concept was for artists to visually interpret the event or Nyungar life before or after. Research has uncovered 21 victims by name and each artist adopted one or more of these names, giving each of the 21 artworks special significance. The artwork that each artist has produced stands as a monument to honour that person. Exhibition runs ’til Sunday, March 14. Show Stoppers, Museum Of Performing Arts, DownStairs at the Maj, Hay Street, Perth. Make your way to Show Stoppers to be surrounded by fascinating artifacts taken from the overflowing shelves of His Majesty’s Theatre’s backstage storerooms.Take a look at silk programmes from Dame Nellie Melba’s gala performances at Covent Garden; see His Majesty’s very own collection of Beatles photos; view 19th ventury costume design;, study the painted portraits of Neville Teede and Dame Maggie Smith; read a note from Richard Brinsley Sheridan (entangled in Vivien Leigh’s feather boa), inspect movie posters not sighted since 1933 and peruse a collection of marionettes from Nutshell Puppet Theatre in 1973. Exhibition runs ’til Thursday, April 1, admission by gold coin donation.

Ragamuffins, Perth Centre For Photography, Brisbane Street, Northbridge. Perth is the most isolated metropolis in the world. In the current context of globalisation, our state’s capital bears resemblance to European materialist societies. This urban environment has inspired photographer Christophe Canato to create a series of photographs entitled Ragamuffins.The exhibition is a photographic series of abandoned couches and arm chairs throughout the streets of Perth, addressing issues of consumption, possession, abandonment, globalisation and homelessness. Exhibition runs ’til Sunday, March 14.

Year 12 Perspectives, Art Gallery Of Western Australia, Perth Cultural Centre, Perth. Year 12 Perspectives 2009 is a dynamic showcase of the energy, expression and talent of Western Australia’s finest young art students. Now in its eighteenth year, it gives access to the thoughts and feelings of the next generation of artists. As fresh as ever, it continues to inspire visitors and remains a popular component of the Gallery’s annual calendar. This year 71 works by 68 students have been selected from across Western Australia. The paintings, drawings, sculptures and photographs explore a range of subjects and themes important to young people today. Pinjarra Massacre Memorial, Prison Gallery, Exhibition runs ’til Monday, May 31. Fremantle Prison, The Terrace, Fremantle. The Pinjarra Massacre Memorial exhibition shows how the arts can break boundaries and a small PERFORMANCE town’s history can reach a large audience. This Behind The Veneer, Playhouse Theatre, Pier project has come about as Nyungar people have Street, Perth. previously had no outlet to share this story. Through Buzz Dance Theatre presents Behind The Veneer, highly physical and accessible dance theatre work that unravels the many and varied masks we wear. This provocative dance work provides an insight into the games we play to preserve inner most feelings and cover insecurities, and use a ‘veneer’ to function in different situations to stay in control, and keep relationships afloat. The work tackles themes of self-identity, investigating the facades we develop to hide and conceal our true identity. The appeal of the narrative will be magnified through understandable and intertwining relationships and situations between the dancers that audiences can relate to. Season opens on Wednesday, March 10, and runs ’til Friday, March 12. Bookings through BOCS.

SUNDAY COMEDY UPSTAIRS LEEDY

TICKETS ON THE DOOR

LAUGHS START AT 8.00PM WWW.VULTURECULTURE.COM.AU

30

Hittin’ the town since 1985


THE MERCH STAND

Come one, come all to the X-Press Merch Stand – a monthly look at the coolest band merchandise available on the web. This week’s edition of the Merch Stand focuses on indie darlings and their whimsical designs, perfect for those who like to wear their hearts on their sleeves.

La Roux ou tote bag $12.50 from laroux.co.uk

Yeah Yeah Yeahs tee $25 from yeahyeahyeahs.com

Camera Obscura French Navy tote bag $10.60 from camera-obscura-shop.net

Gomez tee $20 from livenation.com

OH, THE HORROR The Rocky Horror Picture Show celebrated its 35th anniversary at Burswood Parklands on Friday in a special fund-raiser for Perth Inner City Youth Service (PICYS), who support homeless youth in Perth. Patrons went all out and didn’t disappoint the grand memory of this classic!

Fiona, Amy

Laura, Alana Belle & Sebastian Stressée Moi tee $26.50 from belleandsebastianshop.com

Kira, Margie, Tamara, Donna

Sarah Blasko tee $20 from outwiththenew.com

BEER AND CHEER The second Perth International Beer Festival came to Supreme Court Gardens on February 20 and 21, showcasing a massive selection of beers and some of Perth’s finest musical talent. They drank, the sang, they were merry. It was heaven, Homer-style.

Lauren, Zoe

John, Adam

Lynett, Carl

Alex, TJ, Tash

Samuel, Rob, Jarred

Lucas, Tahnee, Tobi

Ellie, Joel

Kat, Jess

Vasili, Kelly, Jade, Mano www.xpressmag.com.au

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Hittin’ the town since 1985


Boys Noize, AKA Alex Ridha, maintains that he would rather listen to “some fucked up back room production than a nice cheesy one�. REUBEN ADAMS delves deeper into the man’s refreshing but increasingly problematic musical ethos. Ridha is an artist with a completely recognisable sound; dirty, grinding, floor shattering electro, born out of the German techno scene. He credits his older brother as his primary inspiration, and a vinyl subculture that he got involved with very early on. “I think my main inspiration was my brother because he was older than me, so when I was a little kid he had all the first house records from the ‘80s. I just loved that type of music�, Ridha chuckles.“So, when I was 13 or 14, I started to buy all those old records from my brother and spent all my money on vinyl. It was cool, because at my school I was the only guy who was a DJ, so at the parties I was always the guy who would do the music. The DJing thing was really exciting for me, though for me it was a big cultural thing as well. I was totally addicted to vinyl, made mixtapes, worked in a record shop which for me was the coolest thing as well.� Like most international DJs these days, Ridha has made the jump to CDJ for obvious reasons, but that doesn’t mean that his addiction to vinyl has waned over time.

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The Story Goes: A PerthTribute to Rowland S. Howard Featuring The Painkillers Maurice Flavel with special guests Like Junk with guests from Cat Black & Airport City Shufe Gata Negra Dean Anthonisz DJ’sTyranny, Nasty Pasty & Maurice Flavel 6pm til close $10 entry (All funds go to charity)

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THURS karaoke / beatfix TUES quiz night www.rosemounthotel.com.au cnr angove and fitzgerald streets, north perth www.xpressmag.com.au

33


 FARJ OUT

SOUL KIND OF FEELING

DETOUR VIA THE ELLINGTON

If you love your R & B, funk and soul music, you’ll know that club night Soul Night Out has a great reputation for putting on quality soul nights. This weekend kicks off Soul Night Out debuting at their new home, Villa, in Highgate. Catch Nick Alexander, Brett Costello and Dannyboi on the decks, making of Villa’s pumping sound system and later license. Doors open 8pm.

Local outfit Detour hits the late session at the Ellington Jazz Club next weekend as part of the nightclub’s first birthday celebrations. Detour features well known local musician Dane Alderson on bass, and have a repertoire of neosoul stuff such as D’Angelo, as well as Tower of Power, Stevie Wonder and more. The late set kicks off at 11.30pm. Get your tickets early from www.ellingtonjazz.com.au as with all the birthday fervor in the air, this one’s likely to sell out. Friday, March 5, and Saturday, March 6 at the Ellington Jazz Club, Beaufort St.

HOUSE RULES

CH-CH-CH-CH-CHANGES We’ve already announced the news that hop/ indie crossover act Horrorshow are heading into Perth to play tracks from Triple J favourite album Inside Story, but heads up: the show planned for Friday, March 26 at the Wintersun Hotel in Geraldton has been cancelled. Instead, Horrorshow will play at the Brighton Hotel in Mandurah that night. The remaining shows remain unchanged: Thursday, March 25 at the Rocket Room and Saturday, March 27 at Mojos in Fremantle. Tickets available from www. heatseeker.com.au. While we’re talking changes, the Cobra Starship gig in Perth on Sunday, March 21, will now take the stage at The Astor Theatre instead of Metro City, due to licensing constraints regarding the staging of All Ages shows at Metro City in Perth. Despite the venue change, The Astor Theatre show will remain an alcohol-free event for all ages.Tickets issued for the Metro City venue will still be valid for this show. Tickets available through Ticketek: 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au.

Cobra Starship

Kelly Rowland

KICK OUT THE JAMS

What better way to start the Labour Day long weekend than with a truckload of classic hip hop, funky house and R & B tunes? Head down to Impact Bar, on the corner of Lake and James Street in Northbridge for House Party, where some of Perth’s hottest DJs Angry Buda, Headayke, J-Smooth and Wayne - will be ready and roaring to get you on the dancefloor. Friday, February 26. Entry $5 with Guest List or $10 on the door. Get your name on the list by emailing homeperth@gmail. com. Doors open 8pm.

We’ve been hankering for an urban pop music festival for a while now, and it looks like Jamfest has answered our prayers. A brand new music event in celebration of hip hop, pop and R&B music, Jamfest will give punters the chance to catch more than half a dozen chart topping, popular acts all performing nonstop on the one stage! So it’s kind of like a block party, with five hours of non stop music! Jamfest 2010 features Kelly Rowland, DJ Nino Brown, Akon, Pitbull, Chris Sorbello and more! Sunday, April 18 at ME Bank Stadium, Perth. Tickets on sale from this Friday, February 26 from www.ticketmaster.com.au or online from www. thejamfest.com.

MR EDDY Winner of Series 10 of the annual Rise DJ competition From Bedroom To Bigroom, local DJ Travis Eddy has since gone on to support big wigs like Aly & Fila, Stoneface & Terminal and Dash Berlin. His relentless passion and inimitable stage presence equals his excellent production skills: Eddy returns to the Rise decks to deliver an uplifting tech/ trance set next Saturday, March 6. Simon Barwood and Greg Packer support. Door sales only from 9.30pm. Free entry before 10pm. Rise members free before 11pm, $5 thereafter, non-members $5 before 11pm, $10 before 12am, $15 thereafter.

Aquatic Lab Records is Australia’s most recognised dubstep imprint, and features artists Caspa & Rusko, Cluekid, Zed Bias, Cotti, Truth, Seven as well as a swag of rising ANZ producers. The co-founder of Aquatic Lab Records, DJ Farj, is a pioneer of the Australian dubstep and garage movement, with 13 years’ DJ experience spanning Australia and the UK. Farj comes to Perth to celebrate the label’s ninth instalment. Friday, March 19, upstairs at Shape. Support from Rekab, Proximity Effect and Dr Space. Tickets $10 before 10pm or presale from the website www.shapebar.com.au, General Admission $15 after 10pm on the night.

SALTLIST

Farj

top

10

ALBUMS PUSHING OUR WRITERS’ BUTTONS THIS WEEK…

Yacht Club DJs

SAIL AWAY Mash up maestros Yacht Club DJs delighted Southbound fans earlier this year, not to mention tearing it up at Falls Festival Tasmania and Field Day in Sydney. On-stage nudity, crowd invasions, dancing on the decks and wild water sports and of course, hyperactive mash-ups, are all par and parcel of the Yacht Club DJ live experience, with tunes that could range from sugar pop to hardcore, punk and hip hop. Party with the Yacht Club DJs when they hit Perth, as part of their Kleptomania tour, playing on Friday, March 19 at Limelite, Metro Freo. Tickets $15 from www.limelite.com.au.

EWAN PEARSON We Are Proud Of Our Choices MASSIVE ATTACK Heligoland THE PRODIGY Music For The Jilted Generation VARIOUS MOS Underground 2010 VARIOUS/SILICONE SOUL Darkroom Dubs Vol. 2 VARIOUS/JOHN DIGWEED Bedrock 11 VARIOUS/MARKUS SCHULZ Las Vegas ‘10 FOUR TET There Is Love In You CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG IRM VARIOUS/CARL COX Global Underground 38: Black Rock Desert

Behind the decks - 2 minutes with h. . .

REKAB

Rekab (Pic: Angela King)

The past year has seen Perth dubstep talent Rekab opening up for big name players at events like Low: Fi and Big Day Out, not to mention taking out the revered accolade of Best Dubstep DJ at the recent Perth Dance Music Awards. A regular host on RTRFM’s Bass Check programme, Rekab’s destined for big things. Salt pulls him aside for a few quick questions. How did you first get your start in DJing? It began many moons ago with a bunch of lads getting together on Friday evenings for a drink and a mix at the ‘Rinse Room’, AKA the Friday Night Rinse, without those sessions I don’t think I would be DJing today. How would you describe your DJ style? Chaotic, as I tend to leave stuff to the last minute. But then I’m also in a bit of trance when I’m rinsing. What are the origins of your DJ name? It’s just my surname back to front. What has been one of the most memorable experiences you have had to date as a DJ? It would have to be Someone Say 34

Dubstep? Vol 1 with Caspa.. It was my first support set for an international dubstep artist. Such a fresh crowd, the system was heaving and the club was going nuts. Best DJ set you ever saw and why? This is really tough… Rusko was crazy, but I’m going to have to say Headhunter’s set [at Ambar for Someone Say Dubstep?] last year. The gig wasn’t that rammed but the set was just nuts. What track can’t you get enough of at the moment? Again, too many to choose from, but I’ll go with Breakage – Open Up. It’s a serious wiber. Who do you rate on the local scene? Kito, Kit Pop, Zeke, Shockone and Phetsta. Where can we catch you DJing next? Friday, February 26 @ Pure Knowledge monthly, Shape, East Perth; Saturday, February 27 @ Bass Check, Bar Open, Northbridge; Friday, March 19 @ Aquatic Lab, Shape, East Perth; and hosting Bass Check on RTRFM on Tuesday, March 2. Hittin’ the town since 1985


www.xpressmag.com.au

35


BOYS NOIZE

LISA LASHES TALKING DIRTY In a DJ world where male artists tend to dominate the landscape, one woman has emphatically made her mark across the globe. GLEN CANNING caught up with Lisa Lashes as she prepares for her long awaited return to Australia.

MAINROOM THURSDAY

Pasha’s Kitchen,

The Big Man cooking up Meaty Beats.

FRIDAY

Time Tunnel

brings you champion tunes from

Rok Riley, Joe 19 And Guests SATURDAY

TRANSMISSION

Perth’s essential pre club night for discerning music lovers bringing you indie, electro, rock, punk & club classics with Andrei Mazz 8pm Free Entry

SUNDAY

Pizza & Pint special with Nathan J, Dan tha Man and The Nisbit.

WEDNESDAY

UNI-QUE

kicks off at 8.30 with

DJs Nathan J & Nathan Nisbitt

DEFECTORS (UP-STAIRS)

THURSDAY

The {move} crew’s

Ben Taaffe and Perth’s pivotal prodigal producer Dave Miller, are teaming up to

bring a brand new weekly night for music enthusiasts of all varieties this summer season

FRIDAY

The Beat Suite

with Micah, Sharif Galal and Guests. 9pm Free Entry

SATURDAY

Flying High

Indie Rock, Avant Pop, Classic Rock and Party Faves with with RTRs Chris Wheeldon, Jamie Mac, Gemma Pike & Ryan Sandilands. Free Entry 8pm

SUNDAY

“Back to Mono”

Rare groove, ska, rocksteady, dub, funk, soul, reggae, afro beat. 5pm Free Entry.

WEDNESDAY

Beat Route records presents

TWIST

featuring Agent 85 plus special guest DJs spinning vintage vinyl. Garage, Indi, Powerpop, Ska, Surf,Psych, Rhythm&Soul. Free Entry.

THURSDAY

ISOLATION Dress up box party Dressing up to kiss, dressing up to be all this.Isolation is back, once more expanding the possibilities of what strange situations you can find yourself in on a Thursday night.

FRIDAY

OPEN DECKS SESSIONS

Feat Mad E, Benny, Chance, Smitler, Affilate, Tekneeqzz, Darkstorm . Register your interest at www.opendeckssessions.com.au

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Lisa Lashes Her Euhoria compilations have sold over 250, 000 running a record label and always looking out for copies worldwide, she’s the only female DJ to ever new sounds to incorporate and new producers to be voted into the top 10 in DJ Magazine’s Top 100 bring onboard.“ Lashes says. “I am always looking and she’s more often than not referred to as the at ways to push the boundaries of hard dance and ‘Best Female DJ in the World’; alternatively, the there are some amazing new talents out there ‘Queen of Hard House’. But it’s not just Lisa Lashes’ that I have been supporting such as Luca Antolini, Boys Noize mixing skills that are in demand; her striking looks Kidd Kaos & The Shy Brothers!” The Lashes sound “Well, I actually have started on vinyl have attracted attention away from the decks. has evolved over the years, adapting to the ever again because I recently did a mix for BBC radio When we sit down for a quit chat with Lashes, we changing landscape of EDM but admits she never 1, which I did on my vinyl. It’s really a different quiz her on a potential modelling career on the strays too far from her roots. mix that you do, and a different energy as well horizon: “I have always liked to play many styles because you look at the vinyl and you can read “My management are in talks with a of music but continued to play hard dance at every the arrangement, so sometimes you don’t play couple of leading brands at the moment to try gig as that’s what I’m expected to play. I still play a the record from the beginning, you just mix it in and get something locked in for sponsorship of lot of hard dance especially in the UK, Ireland and at a certain time. With the CDJs I always play the my Lashed events, so watch this space.” With the further afield in the likes of Australia and South record from the top, but then you have a lot more sponsorships aside, Lashes highlights her driving Africa, but I like to mix it up starting with trance and effects and stuff that you can do creatively in the ambitions for 2010.“We are relaunching my Lashed building it right up. I love djing!”The self-confessed moment. It’s a totally different thing,” he explains. events this year so that’s one of my major goals ‘Queen of All Hard & Dirty’ hits the Rise this Sunday “In the first seven years of my DJing I had three for this year, putting on great parties which flow and she’s planning on tearing it up the only way cases that I used to bring with me everywhere, so musically and can showcase the best of the global she knows how. for every night that you play you make a special trance and hard dance talent.” “I’ll be playing a total mixture of styles selection.” Ridha’s newest full length release, Power, Although Lashed Music was only building up from the tougher end of trance and is a step away from the wanton electronic abuse founded in 2008, the label has been working in then seeing where it goes from there. I never like to that was Oi Oi Oi, with the melody often thrust overdrive as Lashes explains: “We are up to our 10th plan a set and just go with the flow. I’m promoting to the forefront in a way which sets the stage for release on Lashed now and have released a variety my album I’ve just mixed for Masif called Hard the album’s most defining attribute. A notable of harder releases, more recently leaning on the Dance Icon’s Vol 3 so expect lots of tracks from track in this regard is Jeffer, which epitomises European sounding hard trance which has been this album to be showcased! See you on the the structure of Boys Noize’s former work but going down really well in my DJ sets over the past dancefloor!” highlights harmonic material more than with the year.” Despite a wildly fluctuating interest in the rhythmic tension that were manifest in his earlier hard trance sound over the past five or six years, work. Lashes is still generating an impressive amount of LISA LASHES So after establishing the Boys Noize label interest across the globe. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28 @ RISE, in 2006 which boasts the up and coming talents of “I think variety and diversity is the key to NORTHBRIDGE Djedjotronic and Les Petit Pilous, the release of the acclaimed Oi Oi Oi album in 2007, and his newest release Power, you would think that Ridha would be a very content man. What’s the problem? When asked if he was expecting his albums to receive the worldwide acclaim that they did from artists and New Zealand’s dub and soul superstars Fat Freddy’s Drop are bringing their punters alike, Ridha is very emphatic. “No. Obviously, when you look at all the renowned live show back to town. JOSHUA HAYES speaks with the group’s first releases of my own and of my label, Boys Noize keyboardist Iain Gordon about their latest album and upcoming gigs. records back in 2005, we only pressed vinyls, and only one thousand of them, and you could only find them in specialised DJ shops. So it was really just music for the DJ, pretty niche, but when a lot of DJs worldwide play your track you get a lot more exposure. But now with the availability of music it’s taken on a whole new dimension. This is great too, it’s just very different.” He chats comfortably about his success, but there’s an undercurrent of discomfort which seems to punctuate everything he utters. Being at the forefront of an electro scene in Germany that now enjoys widespread mainstream success, but which lacks the credibility of the underground, could have something to do with it. He attempts to explain. “It used to be the DJs who decided what was to be played, and I was always the guy Fat Freddy’s Drop you used to get all the promos from the record shop, but when the actual release came out and The seven piece dub and soul act from Wellington allow it to unfold and allow it to happen, we give it everyone started to play it, I didn’t play it anymore. have emerged as one of New Zealand’s most time to develop.” A lot of other DJs were the same. But now, it’s not popular and acclaimed acts, building a strong Fat Freddy’s Drop was founded on just the DJs that listen to new music, and it’s not following at home, across the strait and in Europe. improvising. Several members of the band, just the DJs who play the new music, either. However, their second album Dr Boondigga and the including Gordon and DJ Mu, played in a 15-piece “Yeah well, I was always the guy who Big BW didn’t immediately set the world on fire. jam band called Bongmaster before Mu pulled went against this sort of thing; when anything Despite a respectable two-times together a number of Wellington musicians in the got big, I would jump out the way. If everyone was Platinum certification in New Zealand, Dr late ‘90s to form Fat Freddy’s. playing a certain record I didn’t, you know?” Ridha Boondigga…, released in June last year, hasn’t The group first made their mark on doesn’t understand the copycat culture, he explains. achieved the same level of success as their the New Zealand music scene with their live “I’m not the producer who goes into the studio 2005 studio debut Based On A True Story, album Live At The Matterhorn, which captured the wanting to make a record that sounds like a tune which current stands at seven times Platinum. energy and spontaneity of their live performance that you like. You create your own sound and try to “It’s been an interesting response,” (and their capacity to jam on an idea – the 70 make something new out of that.” Therein lies the Gordon says of the group’s latest album.“Especially minute recording is made up of only four songs). problem for Ridha; he’s the hesitant, underground- in New Zealand, it’s taken a while for people to Gordon says that their next release may be loving flag-bearer for a burgeoning genre. A digest it because it’s a different album. From our another live recording. In the meantime they problem that most people would love to have. perspective it’s quite a progression from Based are planning to spend more time on the road. “I’d rather listen to a fucked up backroom On A True Story, so, I think then fans who were “We’re just going to tour as much as we production rather than a nice cheesy one”, he expecting the same kind of album as Based On A can,” Gordon. says “The whole music climate has enthuses.“The guys that chase the success always True Story were a bit surprised,” he adds, laughing. changed and touring is just where it’s at, really, for a have to do stuff that I can’t do and won’t do, so I “It’s just a slow burner I think, it’s continuing to go band like ours, so we’ve just got to get on the road really don’t care about it for that reason. On my out to these souls.” and go do it.” label I’m never the guy that wants to sign a hit; The different sound wasn’t a conscious It’s a good thing their live show is so if I wanted to sign a hit I would be somewhere decision on the group’s part, but simply the result dynamic - in fact, with their penchant for jamming else, hanging out with a different crowd. The of their creative process. Fat Freddy’s Drop’s songs and improvisation, no Fat Freddy’s Drop set is the people that like Boys Noize have more eclectic begin as jams and are workshopped live on stage same.And while Dr Boondigga… may still be a slow tastes. It’s weird, I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing and in the studio until the group is happy with the burner, the group’s performances will definitely fire mainstream stuff, it’s just not interesting for me. result. up the punters. “I just do what I like, and if people agree “It’s just the way that it unfolds,” Gordon then that’s cool; I do the music for myself, not for explains. “We don’t do anything for any specific FAT FREDDY’S DROP the success.” reason with Freddy’s, we just make up something SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27 @ FREMANTLE we like the sound of, and it’s just a reflection ARTS CENTRE; SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28 BOYS NOIZE of where we’re at musically. We don’t actually @ WOMUBU, OLD BROADWATER FARM, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28 @ FUTURE MUSIC consciously go down a particular path, we just BUNBURY FESTIVAL, ASCOT RACECOURSE

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DAVID GUETTA

PRECISION AUDIO

DOES IT GET BETTER?

The David Guetta (pronounced Ge-tta) story reads like a fairy tale: a young boy dreaming of being a musician and then taking himself on a journey to heights previously thought unimaginable. David Guetta tells RZ about living the dream. “It is something like that!” laughs the affable Frenchman Guetta in response to our ‘fairy tale’ proposition. “I started in the music game when I was 13 – it was when I was practicing basically every day. Of course, soon it became a little bit more professional and by the time I was 15 or 16 I started organising parties in the basement and I would ask for $1 to get in.” While Guetta reminisces with some fondness about those early days, it was that predisposition and commitment that has stood him in good stead for today. “By that time, I was listening to and hearing music like I hadn’t heard before and that started going further with production and remixing, doing special edits, that sort of thing. I was really excited about creating my own music and then I ended up doing all sorts of different things and now I find myself getting nominated for five Grammy awards!” Not that the road has been easy all the way – for there have certainly been roadblocks. But Guetta is focused and likes to keep things in perspective. Even with the changing technological paradigm, he sees opportunity, where many of his compatriots are complaining of poor record sales. “Well, even with the internet, everyone now has access to the same music and before you know it,you can be playing the same set quite easily as someone else. So having unique and exclusive stuff is over in some ways, because producers are all swapping records between themselves and it is harder and harder to become more unique.” So in all of that, where does one derive the oft-sought yet rarely found competitive advantage? Easy – produce it and edit it on the fly. “That’s really how I like to work,” chimes Guetta.“I try to play tracks that are not released yet – of course it is not always possible, but I can try. I was playing I Got A Feeling much before we actually

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PRECISE BEATS

Precision Audio Metro City, Northbridge Friday, February 19, 2010

David Guetta released it so people hadn’t heard it before. I do a lot of producing on my laptop as I travel so it is a great opportunity to test some of this music on the crowds around the world to see the reaction, before I release it. Then I might change it around a little bit until I think it’s perfect – and even then, I can do some special edits when I play the party.” Right now too, Guetta is touring and heavily promoting his new One Love LP. Recently released on EMI Records in France and around the world, it is his fourth artist work and bridges the divide between EDM and the urban cultures of Europe and the USA.“ I must admit, I’m really happy with the album because it was such a different direction for me. It was a really new project with collaborations with guys like Black Eyed Peas and I’m proud of the risks that we took with it – I guess I’m lucky that it really worked out and the things that have come from that success are really crazy!” Yet despite that success, Guetta remains as humble and down to earth as ever. He still sees himself as nothing more than a party DJ who is blessed to enjoy what he does – and make a living doing it. “What is funny,” Getta says, “is that I have always loved doing my little edits and creating my own music – nothing has changed there. People talk about the success we had with Black Eyed Peas, Akon and Kelly Rowland – I mean these just came about by accident almost. I wasn’t really expecting these things to happen and I’m honoured and excited to work with artists like that; I mean Kelly came up to me at a club where I was playing at Akon I met back stage at a festival and from there, we just decided to work together. We recorded Sexy Bitch in one night and from that Will.i.Am called me and that gave me even more new ideas.” DAVID GUETTA SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28 @ FUTURE MUSIC FESTIVAL, ASCOT RACECOURSE

Friday’s Precision Audio, a cross genre event of hip hop and drum ‘n‘ bass artists, marked local drum ‘n‘ bass promoters Inhibit’s first event at Metro City. While the acts were well known and talented, the turn out was minimal. With such an enormous space to fill and competition from other venues hosting international artists, there were bound to be issues. Warming up early were local Stiltz and British DJ A-Sides playing a selection of hip-hop tunes. Downsyde followed soon after, playing a fantastic set of tunes mainly from 2008’s All City album to a small but appreciative audience. It is clear why Downsyde have survived and flourished in their field when you witness how tight and slick their band is. The two finishers, Master MC and Speed Of Life were particularly impressive. MC Optamus voiced his appreciation for Inhibit’s choice of line-up before Speed of Life saying, “We love this cross-over shit.” With such a top act playing on such a fantastic stage the only down side (no pun intended) was the lack of punters. A-Sides returned to the decks, this time playing drum ‘n‘ bass. Known as a producer of fairly melodic and liquid music, it was disappointing to hear him play mainly dance floor oriented jumpup. In what looked like a moment of confusion, Aphrodite took the stage next half an hour early with New Zealander MC Tiki Taane (of Salmonella Dub fame) on the mic. Picking up where A-Sides left off, Aphrodite kept the momentum going with fresh jump-up tunes. The energy of the set began to dwindle when he switched to some of the more crowd-pleasing tracks such as Sub Focus’s Rock It and Follow The Light. It wasn’t until very late in the set that Aphrodite began to play the music he is famous for and what most of the crowd had come to see; amen-driven jungle. His Ganja Man sounded fantastic on the Metro City soundsystem, as did a new version of DJ Hype’s classic remix of the Fugees’ Ready Or Not. King Of The Beats brought roars of appreciation from the audience. But as abruptly as the jungle had come, it

Aphrodite

A-Sides (Pics: Matt Jelonek) was gone and the set was over early, disappointing many in the crowd. Rising star of the Hungarian drum ‘n‘ bass scene Jade took to the stage next, taking the music in a completely different direction. Delivering a blistering set of the hard hitting drum ‘n‘ bass that has become iconic of the ‘Budapest sound’, Jade destroyed the dance floor with music that proved too much for some punters. As the set progressed the dance floor filled again and his set was probably the most popular of the night. As Jade finished Metro City management decided to close early, denying Phetsta and Shock One a chance to play at all. Special mention has to be made of MC Bear, however, for doing a fantastic job of hosting the entire night and accompanying most of the acts. The confusion with line-up times and the early close may have been beyond Inhibit’s control. Metro City management, faced with a small crowd, began to dictate when acts were coming on and closed sections of the venue early in an attempt to get punters to leave. It is important to note that this is beyond the promoters’ control, as are the actions of security staff who were less than helpful on the night. Perhaps the event may have been more successful given a smaller venue. TILMAN ROBINSON

Hittin’ the town since 1985


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39


VARIOUS ARTISTS Temporary Secretary: Mixed by Dixon

A MOUNTAIN OF JOY Institute Of Joy

Dixon (along with Ame) runs the Berlin based Innervisions, purveyors of quality house music pushing that stark, modern German sound. Floating around the traps for a few months now, this sublime compilation of well chosen tracks is intricately put together. Starting with the lush, melodic sounds of Icasol’s Ongou, things slip into darker territory with the marvellous Fever Ray’s If I Had A Heart, before Dixon really gets to work, blending together six tracks in quick succession, pairing up Ame with Roland Bocquet, Jazzanova (Daniel Paul) and Precious System (Ben Klock). Dixon transcends the standard DJ mix, actually recreating many of the tracks with custom edits, combining and layering their elements, resulting in an amazingly smooth, seamless mix that comes off as a single winding piece. That’s not to say there’s no variation; the mix ebbs and flows, from the cruisey Ewan Pearson remix of Junior Boys’ Hazel to the twisted beat of Peter Kruder’s Law Of Return. Henrik Schwarz remix of Code 718’s (Tenaglia’s old moniker) classic Equinox is a welcome inclusion, though the most out of place track here. The sounds are cold and synthetic, whilst maintaining a certain, organic warmth. It’s somewhere between club music and home listening, and it’s a very nice place indeed.

Clearly followers of progressive rock,A Mountain Of Joy attempt some dark psychedelic grooves in the Pink Floyd vein with a splash of hypnotic post-rock. Despite the thick layering of woozy guitars and full band sound, the London-based group aren’t actually the aging prog-rock casualties their sound would suggest. Instead, they’re merely a pair of clever producers and multi-instrumentalists. This goes some way to explain their sonic expertise on the blissed-out Sky Is Falling and Lie Awake. But strip away some of the reverb and effects and the songs aren’t as strong as their expert knowledge of retro production would lead us to believe: for example, the ‘70s fuzz guitar solos as heard on Bones. That said, their ethereal cover of Leonard Cohen’s Who By Fire benefits from a dense orchestration and cosmic space-rock treatment. However, as a whole, their epic, mind-expanding dream-pop lacks some much needed substance.

[Innervisions/Inertia]

ALFRED GORMAN 4/5

VARIOUS Underground 2010: Mixed by Afrojack & Bass Kleph [Ministry Of Sound]

The Australian branch of Ministry Of Sound continues its divine conquest to cover every last corner of the dance music market – and does a pretty damn good job of it, too. Your everyman ‘Annual’ compilations are merely one of many different offerings MOS puts out: here we’ve got their follow up to 2009’s extremely impressive Underground compilation, a series that seeks to shine the spotlight beyond mainroom house. Straight off the bat, the CD doesn’t quite live up to the high standard set by 2009 debut, which combined Swedish newcomer Style of Eye, Dirty Bird’s Justin Martin and local compatriot Klaus Hill for a package that was extremely comphrehensive. However, hot Dutch newcomer Afrojack and Aussie stalwart Bass Kleph are both excellent choices for selectors. Afrojack offers up an edgy slab of electro house comprised mostly of his own excellent productions, though it fails to gel together as a whole. Bass Kleph’s disc, on the other hand, is an excellent package that covers plenty of ground, from techno to electro to house, and even a dash of tech trance. Overall, a solid package - but if MOS add another seasoned tech house DJ to the mix next time, they’ll restore the high standards of the original. ANGUS PATERSON 3/5

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[Pod/Inertia]

ROBERT PENNEY 2.5/5

VARIOUS Michael Jackson: The Remix Suite [Universal/Motown]

With all of the re-issues, remixes and re-releases of Michael Jackson’s work in the six months following his untimely death you can’t help but think that if he were alive he would have cleared all of his debts ten times over by now. Record labels have been jumping on the bandwagon right, left and centre trying to squeeze every last cent out of a mourning public. This album of remixes is one of the failures, an aural ordeal that is better left unheard. With such amazing source material, it’s anyone’s guess what went wrong. Of the 13 remixes on the album, only seven are listenable and of those only three are good. Stargate’s version of Skywriter, Dallas Austin’s remix of I Wanna Be Where You Are and Salaam Remi’s great dub version of ABC provide the only rays of light. Akon’s ‘remix’ of Ben is an abomination that fights with Benny Blanco’s massacre of Ain’t No Sunshine for bottom of the barrel. This album was obviously rushed and I doubt that any of the artists involved are happy with the outcome. If they are, they shouldn’t be. Undoubtedly, only the record companies are, having once again tricked us by destroying good music for financial gain.

TILMAN ROBINSON 1/5

Hittin’ the town since 1985


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

92.9 PARTY - THE PARAMOUNT

▶ THURSDAY 25/02 Broken Hill – Fixed – DJ Diewrekt Clancy’s (Canning Bridge) - DJ Wrighteous Clink – DJ Jinx Double Lucky – Surprise DJ Eve - DJ Tony Allen Euro Bar – Roger Smar t/The Tourist F l y i n g S c o t s m a n ( Ve l v e t Lounge) – Isolation Flying Scotsman (Main Room) Pasha’s Kitchen – The Big Man Flying Scotsman (Defectors) – Ben Taaffe/ Dave Miller Foundry- DJ Travis B Kalamunda Hotel – Tip Top Sound DJ Al Leopold Hotel- DJ James/ DJ Jack Liquid Nightclub – DJ Buda Llama Bar – Run Rabbit Run Pete E/ Bouncy Castles/ Craig Hollywood Mojos - Psyche Ward Crew – Soma/ Complete/ Intelekt/ Dyver/ Hunter/ Verdikt/ Defekt/ Kkt Sever/ The Apprentice Mustang Bar – DJ Giles Newport Hotel – Culture Clash – DJ Shannon Fox Niche - Johnni P/ Rob Blandford Onyx - Avicii Paddy Hannans - Dr Bogus Players Bar – Neon Lights - DJ Samuel Spencer Swinging Pig – DJ Simon The Boat – Dr Bogus The Clink – DJ Jinx The Cott – Crème - DJ L3ON T h e D e e n - Tr o p i ca l Fu n k Merchants - DJ Flex/ DJ Don Migi/ DJ Nano/ DJ Surge The East End - DJ Midfield The Queens – Weekend Warmup The Whistling Kite - DJ Gareth The Shed – DJ Andyy Universal Bar- DJ Crisp

▶ FRIDAY 26/02 GEISHA MARCO RESMAN is head honcho of Upon You Records, one half of Luna City Express and produces with Daniel Dreier under the name Phage and Daniel Dreier. Under his various aliases he releases on mobilee, Highgrade, Moon Harbour Recordings, Klang Elektronik, his very own Upon You and more. Since Marco began his exploration with DJing and production in the early 90’s he has worked on

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many collaborations with some of the finest in electronic music. On the mobilee front, Marco has also collaborated with the lady in charge, Anja Schneider. Marco frequents at clubs like Tresor and Watergate in Berlin a m i d s t h i s b u s y p ro d u c t i o n s c h e d u l e – h e’s a l s o m a d e time to play a set at Geisha tonight. Tickets $20 from aarin@ luciddreamingproductions.com or james@luciddreamingproductions. com, or on the door. Support from James Francis (Saved Rec), Aarin F, El Dario, Richard Lee and Massiv Trav. AMBAR DESTINATION One of Perth’s favourite labels and event agencies, Destination, returns for another fun filled year of dance music. The launch party goes down tonight, with the Destination? label DJs – Signal Drivers, Philly Blunt, Grantley Hyde, James Francis and Rikaché spinning funky, furious tracks all eve. $15 on the door from 10pm. Amplifier – DJ Shannon Fox/ DJ Jamie Ambar – Destination? - Signal Drivers/ Philly Blunt/ Grantley Hyde/ James Francis/ Rikaché Bar Open – Dorcia - Jus Haus/ Scott D/ Yon Jovi/ Time Travel Agent/ Arrigold Bar 138 – Lokal Black Bettys- Trubble Broken Hill Tavern – DJ Nick Alexander Capitol – Capitol Fridays Retro Mash - DJ Matty J Clancy’s (Canning Bridge) - DJ Boogie Como Hotel – DJ Gazz Devilles Pad - Disc Jocks Moogy/ Little Franco Berry Double Lucky – Full Circle – DJ Adam Kelly/ DJ Cee/ Josh Devlin Eve – Suga N Spice - DJ Maxwell/ Don Migi/ Skooby Euro Bar – DJ Roger Smart Flying Scotsman ( Velvet) – Open Decks Sessions - Mad E/ Benny/ Chance Smitler/ Affilate/ Tekneeqzz/ Darkstorm Flying Scotsman (Downstairs) – Time Tunnel - DJ Rok Riley/ Joe 19 Flying Scotsman (Defectors) - The Beat Suite – Micah/ Sharif Galal Geisha – Marco Ressman/ James Francis/ Aarin F/ El Dario/ Richard Lee/ Massiv Trav

Harry’s Bar - DJ Double L / Benny T / Luca Castelli High Wycombe – Fill In Da Gap Inglewood Hotel – DJ Simone Impact Bar – House Party Kingsly Tavern – Dr Bogus Llama Bar - DJ Morris/DJ Reuben Library – DJ Meezy/ DJ AZT/ DJ Fiveo Liquid Nightclub - DJ Matty / Ricky Lakers Tavern - DJ Adrian Manor – Norman Jay/ Ben M/Nick Sheppard Merrina Tavern – DJ Terry Mint – Club Retro – Chris McPhee Mullaloo B each Hotel – DJ Kenny Mustang- Swing DJ/ James MacArthur Niche - DJ Jonni Zimber Norma Jeans – DJ Phil Onyx Bar – Slick/ Adroc Oxford Hotel – DJ Sequeria Paramount – DJ Morgan / Jordan Principal Micro Brewery – DJ Simon Queens Tav – DJ Rueben Railway Hotel – DJ Messy Rise – Hixxy/ MC Storm Rocket Room – DJ Adam Round/ MC Tomas Ford Rubix –DJ Pascal Sail And Anchor - T-Mac/ DJ Frankie Button Sapphire Bar – SuperFly South St Ale House – DJ Jay Swan Lounge - DJ Benny Legge The Boat – Dr Bogus The Clink – DJ Jinx The Deen – DJ Birdie/ DJ Tony Allen/ DJ Nano/ DJ Surge The Eastern – DJ Midfield The Esplanade – Phrase The Manor – Norman Jay The Queens – DJ Rueben The Shed – DJ Andyy The Stamford Arms - DJ Anaru The Whistling Kite - DJ Jeff Tiger Lils – Paul Malone/ Joby / Alex K Toucan Club – DJ Armee Vic Park Hotel – DJ Melvin Windsor – Dj Riki and Ray

▶ SATURDAY 27/02 O L D B R O A D WAT E R FA R M BUSSELLTON WOMUBU WORLD MUSIC Some of the greatest artists from around the world come together for a giant music picnic in the historic grounds of Old Broadwater farm. Taking

THE DEEN

place over today and tomorrow, Womubu seeks to take you on a sweet ride around the planet, thanks to the sounds of Fat Freddys Drop, Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, Calexico, Depedro, Sunshine Brothers, Abbe May, Mellifluous, Mamadou Diabate and more, plus hip hop and Latin dancing demonstrations and food from around the world. Tickets $50 plus booking fee from www. heatseeker.com.au, Mills, Planet. A special all weekend ticket is available for $80 plus booking fee only via www.heatseeker. co m . a u o r w w w. o b f. co m . a u. ASTOR THEATRE TOMAS FORD is the showman who plays electro to punk kids, puts on confronting cabarets, dances on the every conceivable surface and has as much fun as he can with audiences. Ford brings a next level performance to Astor tonight: we’re talking about new costumes, video work, a unique performance environment and a series of happenings that may never happen again. Tickets $20 plus booking fee from www. heatseeker.com.au, Planet Video, Star Perth or Mills Records. Doors open 7pm, show starts at 8pm. BAR OPEN (UPSTAIRS) BASS CHECK Sibalance, Ben Elliott, Rek ab, Ylem, M issile, V ishnu, MC Prophec y and Proximit y Effect deliver dubbed out dark dancehall to wobbly tech sounds, experimental riddims and beyond. Tickets are available online now at rtrfm.com.au for $10 for RTRFM subscribers and $15 for general admission. Entry will be more on the door on the night if available. Gold subscribers get free entry on the door. 10pm until late. AMBAR JAPAN4 This Saturday nighter is a firm favourite of anyone whose ever attended, with consistently high quality local DJs pumping out excellent sets, week after week. If you haven’t tested the Japan4 waters, grab a bunch of your friends this weekend and hit the Ambar dancefloor. Fdel will be up behind the decks, as will Tee El, Marty McFly, Mono Lisa and Mr Wish. The fun continues every Saturday! $12 on the door, or $8 for loyalty card holders. From 10pm til late. Ambar – Japan4 – Fdel/ Tee El/

Marty McFly/ Mono Lisa/ Wish Amplifier – Pure Pop – DJ Eddie Electric Astor Theatre - Tomas Ford Bar Open (Upstairs) – Bass Check – Sibalance/ Ben Elliott/ Rekab/ Ylem/ Missile/ Vishnu/ MC Prophecy/ Proximity Effect Basement On Broadway – DJ Ricky Black Bettys- DJ Trubble/ DJ Jinx Broken Hill Tavern – DJ Nick Alexander Capitol (Downstairs) –Death Disco – Death Disco DJs Capitol (Upstairs) – 80s Classics – DJ Ryan Captain Stirling - DJ Dano Clink- DJ Cheese Club Bay View – Shake & Pop - DJ Zelimir Connections – Michy T / JJ / Brian Devilles Pad - Jumpin Josh/ Barbara Blaze/ Razor Jack Double Lucky – DJ Tim Brown D u s k – R e l o a d e d – Fu s i o n / Skinny/ Rowdy/ Skeem/ Prima/ L-Wood B2b J Felix/ Invictus B2B Affiliate/ Mash/ Chop East End – DJ BigA Eurobar – Roger Smart/ DJ Raci Eve – Temptation- DJ Kenny L/ Richie G/ Riki Flying Scotsman (Defectors) – Flying High – Sarah Tout/ Dave Owen/ Angie Boyce Flying Scotsman (Downstairs) – Transmission - Andrei Maz Fremantle Ar ts Centre - Fat Freddy’s Drop/Gilles Peterson Geisha – Joie - Adam Kytk a/ Dr Karl High Wycombe – DJ Matt Impact Bar – DJ Abstar Inglewood – DJ Leigh Leederville- DJ Loco Ren Library - DJ AZT/ DJ Fiveo/ DJ Jimmy Phatz/ DJ Zeke/ DJ L Street Liquid Nightclub - DJ Matty / Ricky Llama Bar – VJ Zoo/ DJ R u e b e n / D J To n y L o p e z Mint – Pop Life - Darren Briais Mustang – DJ Rockabilly/ DJ James MacArthur Niche – DJ Manda Power/ Cee/ Adam/ Kelly/Josh D Norma Jeans – DJ Dwayne Old Bailey Tavern – Dr Bogus Oxford Hotel – DJ Sequeria Paramount – DJ Meezy / Jordan / Reuben Queens Tav – DJ Gear Rocket Room – DJ Brett Rowe Rise – Jeer Rubix – DJ Pascal

Sapphire Bar – Filthy Gorgeous Sail & Anchor – Shannon James South St Ale House – DJ Jay Tiger Lil’s –Ben Sebastian/ Adam Kelly The Brighton - Philly Blunt/ Creek/ eSQue/ Kill D yl/ Mad Dogs The Deen - DJ Birdie – Zone 2 / DJ Tony Allen – Zone 3 / DJ JJ - Zone 5 The Eastern – Dr Bogus The Saint – DJ Matty The Shed – DJ Andyy The Whistling Kite - DJ Craig Toucan Club – Samuel Spencer/ Mr President Windsor – DJ Ray / Jinx The Victoria Park Hotel – DJ Melvin

▶ SUNDAY 28/02 ASCOT RACECOURSE FUTURE MUSIC FESTIVAL You’ve got your sandshoes on, your wide brimmed hat firmly fixed, your timetable laminated and highlighted and shoved in your jeans pocket, your sunscreen on and your ears squeak y clean. Which means you’re more than ready to get down to Ascot Racecourse today and enjoy international DJ stars playing world class sets under the sunshine. Join Above & Beyond, Empire Of The Sun, The Prodigy, Dave Guetta and more at Future Music Festival today – and it’s a public holiday tomorrow, so you can sleep in! Excellent. Tickets still on sale from www.ticketmaster. com.au or the usual outlets. BECKS MUSIC BOX DJ GILLES PETERSON A great month of music under the stars comes to and end tonight, with the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble playing the final show (sold out!). But stick around – after the band’s done, DJ and broadcaster Gilles Peterson will be throwing down tunes to keep your feet warm. peterson is famous for his genreexploding radio shows on BBC Radio 1 and global demand for his DJ sets is at an all-time high. The Esplanade, Perth. Free entry from 1030pm. MINT BOY BAND V GIRL BAND Take a step back to the ‘90s, when all boy and all girl bands reigned the charts. DJ Adrian and DJ Matt play songs from all of the world’s biggest single gender groups,

Hittin’ the town since 1985




DEATH DISCO - CAPITOL

MINT

from the Beatles in the ‘60s to the Veronicas of today, in a club version of 20 to 1. Dress ‘90s style to win prizes! Door sales only 9pm – 2am. Free before 10pm, $5 before 12 midnight, $10 thereafter. VILLA SOUL NIGHT OUT Your favourite soul DJs Nick Alexander, DJ Dannyboi and Brett Costello will be on the decks providing t h e s o u l , u r b a n a n d r ’ n’ b classics, as this club night makes its popular return at the Villa nightclub. With the larger venue and late license, Soul Night Out is the perfect way to celebrate t h e l o n g w e e k e n d. S u n d a y, February 28. Doors open 8pm. ASCOT RACECOURSE - Future Music Festival - The Prodigy/ Franz Ferdinand/ Empire Of The Sun/ David Guetta/ Booka Shade/ Erick Morilla/ Sven Vath/ John Digweed and more Bar Open (Upstairs) – Whoops A Daisy – Future Music After Party Mind Electric/ Tanktop/ Acebasik/ Andy Sadler Bar Open (Downstairs) - Zoo Becks Music Box - Gilles Peterson/ Hypnotic Brass Ensemble Captain Stirling – DJ Jay Clink – DJ Tony Allen Double Lucky – Paul Raf/ Alex K Euro Bar – DJ Flex Eve – Industry - DJ Birdie/MC Jex Flying Scotsman (Upstairs) – Back To Mono – Andy/ Nick Sheppard Flying Scotsman (downstairs) - Nathan J/ Dan Tha Man/ The Nisbit Geisha – Fork – Wilora K /Jus haus/Swee/ Cam Duff Hip E Club - DJ E-Funk Inglewood – DJ Shifty Mash – DJ Ricky Mint – Boy Bands Vs Girl Groups – Adrian/ Matt Mojos - Paul Gamblin/ Big Ear Chad/ Boogieman Jimmy Mack Mullaloo Beach Hotel – DJ Kenny Mustang - DJ Rockin Rhys Paddo - DJ PDS Paramount – DJ Morgan/ DJ Jordan Players Bar - DJ-Udas Queens Tav- DJ Rhys Worth Rise – Lisa Lashes Rosemount Hotel – The Story Goes - DJ Tyranny/ Nasty Pasty/ Maurice Flavel Roundhouse Tavern – DJ Glen

www.xpressmag.com.au

Oliver The Cott (Upstairs) – Miami Beats The Saint - DJ Anaru The Shed – DJ Andyy The Wembley – Deckeclectic Pow!/ Dead Easy/ Nago/ Kapitol P Villa - Soul Night Out - Nick Alexander/ DJ Dannyboi/ Brett Costello

▶ MONDAY 1/3 Eastern Hotel – Adam Morris Paddy Hannans – Dr Bogus The Deen – DJ Birdie T h e Pa d d o - D J J o h n Pa u l The Shed – DJ Andyy

▶ TUESDAY 2/3 Bar Orient - DJ Lyndon Double Lucky - Substance – DJ Paul Malone/ DJ JMC Eastern Hotel – Jon Edwards High Road Hotel - DJ Matty J High Wycombe - DJ Ricky The Cott (Upstairs) –Maxwell/ DJ Jus Haus/ Damian John The Paddo - DJ DPad

▶ WEDNESDAY 3/3 Basement On Broadway – DJ KB Broken Hill Hotel – Oasis - DJ Armee (Downsyde)/ Refresh/ Shaker/Cut-Nice/Jeremy C Captain Stirling – DJ Ricky Connections - DJ’s Joby / JJ / Rueben Double Lucky - Dirty Elegance - Art Attack Dusk – Blackbelt/ Aswon Eurobar – Wild Wednesdays - DJ iPod/Ben Pettit Flying Scotsman (Downstairs) – Uni-Que – DJ Nathan J/ Nathan Nisbitt Flying Scotsman (Defector) – Twist - Agent 85 Gold – Slick/ Adroc Oak & Iv y –PCJ/Son O f The Father Mint - Open House Party – DJ Matt/ DJ Adrian Mustang – DJ Giles Newport Hotel – DJ Tony Allen Niche - DJ Frankie Button Paddo - Ben Merito Rosemount – DJ Shannon Fox The Clink – Spin FX The Deen- DJ Zelimer / DJ Viper & DJ Benny T– Zone 1 The Eastern – DJ Jinx The Queens – Wriggle on

▶ THIS WEEK

▶ UPCOMING

Hixxy/ MC Storm Friday, February 26 @ Rise

James Blackshaw Thursday March 4 @ Rosemount Hotel

Marco Resmann Friday, February 26 @ Geisha Calexico Friday, February 26 @ Becks Music Box

NEW

Scott Brown Friday, March 5 @ Rise

Tomas Ford Saturday, February 27 @ Astor Theatre

Phatchance/ Coptic Soldier Friday March 5 @ Royal Palms Resort; Saturday March 6 @ Norfolk Basement; Sunday March 7 @ The Paddington Ale House

Fat Freddy’s Drop/Gilles Peterson Saturday, February 27 @ Fremantle Arts Centre; Sunday, February 28 @ Broadwater Farm, Busselton (FFD only at Busselton)

NEW

Phoenix Saturday, March 6 @ Belvoir Ampitheatre Art Vs Science Thursday, March 11 @ Paddington Ale House

Massive Attack Gilles Peterson/Hypnotic Brass Friday, March 12 @ Kings Park & Ensemble Sunday, February 28 @ Becks Music Botanic Gardens Box Showtek Friday March 12 @ Rise Future Music Festival - The Prodigy/ Franz Ferdinand/ Noob/Matt Welsh Empire Of The Sun/ David Friday, March 12 @ Ambar Guetta/ Booka Shade/ Erick Morilla/ Sven Vath/ John Housemeister Digweed and more. Friday, March 12 @ Villa Sunday, February 28, Ascot Racecourse Dirtyphonics/ Camo/ Krooked/ MC Lowqui Lisa Lashes Friday, March 12 @ Metro City Sunday, February 28 @ Rise

Helena Saturday, April 3 @ The Warehouse, Broome

Aquatic Lab 009 Launch - DJ Farj Friday, March 19 @ Shape Bar

NEW

Travis Eddy Saturday, March 6 @ Rise

Raekwon (Wu Tang Clan) Saturday, March 13 @ Villa

NEW

Forice Majure - Plaza de Funk/ DJ Fhurst Friday, March 5 @ Ambar

Bass Check – Sibalance/ Ben Elliott/ Rekab + more Saturday, February 27 @ Bar Open

Kid Kenobi Sunday, April 4 @ Ambar

Optimo (JD Twitch) Saturday, March 13 @ The Republic

The Gaslamp Killer Friday, March 5 @ Devilles Pad

The Polyphonic Spree Friday, Febrauary 26 @ Fremantle Arts Centre

Jeer Saturday, February 27 @ Rise

Anoraak Friday, March 12 @ Metropolis Fremantle

Kompakt/ Dominik Eulberg/ Tobias Becker Friday, March 19 @ Ambar

NEW

NEW

The Likes Of You – Oliver Huntemann/ Phil Kieran/ Seth Troxler Saturday, April 3 @ Villa Talib Kewli/ Jean Grae Thursday, April 15 @ Villa NEW

Jamfest – Akon/ Kelly Rowland/ Pitbull BoomBox Boat Party - Ben Jam/ Sunday, April 18 @ ME Bank Neil Viney/ Terry Waites/ James A Stadium Friday, March 19 @ Barrack Street Jetty Creamfields feat. Steve Angello/ NEW MSTRKRFT/Lifelike/Riva Starr/ Yacht Club DJs Ferry Corsten/LMFAO/ Dave Friday, March 19 @ Metropolis Clarke/Marco V/Dirty South/Kid Fremantle Sister/Oh Snap! + more NEW Sunday, May 2 @ TBA Xample/ Lomax/ Mayhem Saturday, March 20 @ Villa Groovin’ The Moo feat. Empire NEW Of The Sun, Miami Horror, Bag Cobra Starship / Owl City Sunday, March 21 @ Astor Theatre Raiders, The Slew, Muph & Plutonic, Funkoars, Illy, Ajax, La Roux Yacht Club DJs, Killaqueenz + Sunday, March 21 @ Belvoir more Amphitheatre Saturday, May 15 @ Pat Usher Foreshore Reserve Bunbury Horrorshow NEW Thursday, March 25 @ Rocket Boombox Boat Party - Ben Room; Friday, March 26 @ Brighton Jam/ Neil Viney/ Terry Waites/ Hotel, Mandurah; Sunday, March 27 James A @ Mojo’s Friday 19th March @ Carrack St Jetty Kissy Sellout/HiJack/ Solo Thursday, April 1 @ Villa BoomBox Boat Party - C J Mills/ Seth Troxler/Oliver Huntemann/ Rewind/ Mario Tavelli/ Flex Friday, May 21 @ Barrack Street Phil Keiran Jetty Saturday, April 3 @ Villa

AMPLIFIER

43


EVERY DAY

Brisk Bites Quick Lunches for $12.50 (every lunchtime till 5pm)

MONKEY BUSINESS

TUESDAY

The Brass Monkey Friday, February 19, 2010

Pizza plus large beer for just $15 (lunch & dinner) and Poker Night (Rego 6pm start 7pm)

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

From 5pm you can enjoy a delicious Graziers rump steak with chips, salad and gravy for just $13

THURSDAY

Burger plus large beer for just $15 (lunch & dinner)

A Perth icon located in the core of Northbridge, The Brass Monkey is the place to meet. The venue has 21 beers on tap in the main bar, an array of wines and cocktails available in Grapeskin, a chilled out courtyard area and a sports bar to offer. Add the upstairs balcony dining in the Brass Grill, with a great view of vibrant Northbridge, and it’s clear that The Brass certainly has something to offer everyone! Photos by Leah Hair

FRIDAY

Chris Murphy appearing live from 4pm-7pm

SATURDAY & SUNDAY

Cool courtyard plus cool drinks THE PLACE TO MEET AT THE CORNER OF JAMES & WILLIAM, NORTHBRIDGE

Tony, Sunny

LUCK OF THE IRISH

AY, CANNINGTON IGHW

U B.C O RY P

9

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M.A U

ALBAN Y

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Jarrad, Toni, Beth, Kelly

4 6 2 2 W W W.F O U N D

TRAVISPM START / FREE ENTRY SIDE FXPUNK+ROCDJ AY / 8:30 RSD THU K THUMPING RLY + PMCR/ POPAVROCE KLAHITSTE9PM / FREE ENTRY KARINSTARPATSGEHEREEA / ACOUSTIC 5:30 THE W’END HOWIE MORGAN PROJECT FREE ENTRY SLICK ROCK, FUNK AND GROOVE VIBES

Fenians Pub Friday, February 19, 2010 Perth’s original Irish pub is located in the heart of the city and is the ideal venue for a coldie, a casual meal or your next private function. Fenians’ new sundowner and functions packages are now available so call Steve or Joe to discuss your requirements for your next office party or birthday bash. Photos by David Chong

Elise, George, Sophia

/ 9PM START /

VDELLI TERS OF BADASS BLUES ROCK / 8PM START / FREE ENTRY PERTH’S MAS

Elise, George, Sophia

Joe, Kai, Bernie, Stacy

CAROUSEL SHOPPING CENTRE, ALBANY 44

HWY, CANNINGTON /

www.foundrypub.com.au Mel, Maiyu

Alex, Emily Hittin’ the town since 1985


ALL BACK TO MY PLACE My Place Bar & Restaurant @ Aarons Hotel Perth My Place Bar & Restaurant’s open design and funky furniture makes for a very welcoming and relaxed bar to enjoy in the heart of the Perth city centre, committed to friendly and memorable service. My Place is open seven days for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner or just a quick snack and a refreshing drink, with a menu that caters for all ages with and guaranteed to satisfy and tantalise all taste buds.

Lamb Shank & Mash

Toblerone Cocktail

MONDAYS

FRIDAYS

Kids entertainment by Cater 4 Kids - Face Painting, Games, Nintendo DS. From 5:30pm. Bookings essential.

3:00-7:00PM. Book for 10 or more people and the first round is on us, and a complimentary platter of bar snacks.

MUMS EAT FOR FREE*

* Conditions apply

SHOW US YOUR MUSSELS

1 kilo of mussels for $15. Your choice of Chilli, Thai Green or White Wine and Cream. Or “No Mussels” Grazier’s rump steak, chips and gravy for $15.

z

bars w brasserie y courtyard x www.thequeens.com.au

Start a new tradition...

SAINT SUNDOWNERS

Every Sunday for $9.95! 2'2. khZlm eng\a Zg] [hmme^ h_ [^^k Zm Ma^ >fihkbnf _khf **Zf&,if <aZg\^ mh pbg Ienl% ^gchr Z hg^ h_ Ë o^ ebo^ [Zg] bg ma^ ho^kgb`am lmZrl# <Zlbgh _khf ,if

FRIDAY

MONDAY TO FRIDAY

TUESDAYS

Continental Pizza

Complimentary Finger Foods For the FRIDAY after work crowd, 5-6pm FRIDAY Night from 8pm is My Place Karaoke Night

$15 LUNCHES

SATURDAY

Oblbm [nklphh]'\hf'Zn _hk fhk^ ]^mZbel'

SATURDAY Night is Cocktail Night From 8pm with DJ NAZDAR in the house

SUNDAY

My Place goes casual Every SUNDAY from 12-5pm, check out website for our $12 meal deal specials VIP HOLDERS & STUDENTS get 10% off their menus, Any time of the day SUNDAY to THURSDAY, just show your card!

# <hg]bmbhgl Ziier' Rhn fnlm [^ ik^l^gm mh pbg' @<X;<;-+2

70 Pier Street, Perth - 9225 6665 - www.my-place.com.au

Labour Day L o n g Weekend FRIDAY early:

Adam Hall & The VP’s

late:

with Swing DJ

& DJ James Mac

SATURDAY early:

The Continentals with Rockabilly DJ

& DJ James Mac

late:

SUNDAY early:

late:

10

yr

with DJ Rockin Rhys

Celebrating their 10 Year Anniversary!

with DJ James Mac

MONDAY

TUESDAY

Danza Loca Salsa @ 7pm

from 8pm

LIVE percussionists & free dance class

WEDNESDAY - BACKPACKER FEST The famous $5 BBQ Meal Deal from 6pm FREE Pool Comp from 8pm - Win $$$$$

& DJ James Mac

THURSDAY - HOUSE OF SPORT

Pool & Ping Pong Comps from 8pm WIN $$$$$$$$$

www.xpressmag.com.au

& DJ Giles

til late 45


PLAYING MR TOUGH YO LA TENGO Becks Music Box Saturday, February 20, 2010 The Becks Music Box had a glorious weekend of New York indie rock on show. Friday may have seen a new band playing some old sounds, but it was Saturday night headliners Yo La Tengo that would again play to a sell out crowd. The husband and wife team of Ira Kaplan and Georgia Hubley, with

IF THE PAIN PERSISTS…

their long time companion James McNew, have a breadth of songs so impressive that it is no wonder they are held in the same regard as Pavement and Sebadoh. The band appeared determined to use the whole two hours allotted to them, and began the smooth sounds of Periodically Triple Or Double before the queue to get inside the venue had even subsided. Kaplan, who looks like a bit like a grown up Ben Lee, pulled some quintessential ’60s keyboard sounds before the tune broke down into

Photo: Lisa Businovski

a swath of distortion and guitar histrionics. Autumn Sweater saw a quick change of instruments before the hushed voice of Hubley lead the trio through the poppy Avalon Or Someone Very Similar. Yo La Tengo are a band with many styles and flavours who play them all in an understated fashion. Hubley turned to brushes and slowed the tempo, while Kaplan aired some less than perfect vocals on Last Days Of Disco – but an early winner. Things continued in a similar vein with the lengthy drone of More Stars Than There Are In Heaven.

The 10-minute opus complete with impeccably controlled feedback and squalling guitars was more dynamic than the recorded version. There had been little interaction between band and the crowd to this point, but Kaplan did explain that they would be playing plenty of tunes from their latest album Popular Songs.The spouses traded vocals during the almost twee If It’s True and followed with the meandering Here To Fall. McNew is an enormous mass of a man with a voice that belies his stature.His underutilised sweet tones during I’m On My Way resembled that of Scottish supergroup BMX Bandits. As the acoustic guitars came out, the band admitted to assuming they would be playing at an indoor venue and had planned some intimate numbers.They swung Tom Courtney on its head by turning down the ampage and handing the microphone to Hubley.Yo La Tengo were never in fear of ruining one of the greatest tunes of their generation! The restrained mood continued as Hubley’s thin voice worked through the delicate When It’s Dark. There were slick instrument changes aplenty throughout the set, and when McNew took to the drums some punk rock flare was added to a rollicking Cherry Chapstick. With the newer material retired for the moment the New Jersey act pulled out some fan favourites. Kaplan delivered the words to Big Day Coming as if he were a television evangelist and launched into a guitar heavy Sugarcube. There is no shortage of songs that the band could draw from during an encore, but it appears that radio play dictated… and it was Mr Tough. But things returned to their usual high standard for Our Way To Fall. They may not look like much – and don’t fall for all the excessive trappings of many bands – but Yo La Tengo are a frighteningly good live unit. _CHRIS HAVERCROFT

THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART/ Bachelorette Becks Music Box Friday, February 19, 2010 It’s rare to witness a misfire at the Becks Music Box but Bachelorette’s set, in support of New York indie outfit The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, was one of those moments. The New Zealander’s ornate, electronic-infused pop is sublime on record, but in a large open venue, and with the odd technical hiccup along the way, her muted delivery and wispy vocals failed to capture much attention. The softly spoken solo artist’s intense tunes require a bit of patience and an intimate connection with the listener - a warbling crowd of Becks-quaffers waiting for their favourite fuzzy indie band probably wasn’t the best place to find that. Although they didn’t fall as flat as Bachelorette, The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart may have disappointed some with the, ‘sameyness’ of their set. On record, the bands classic ’80s indie guitar-band sound (which will remind some of The Smiths, Orange Juice or even Belle And Sebastian in quieter melodic moments) is raw but sweetly-nostalgic in a ‘remembering

Photo: David Craddock a first kiss’ kind of way. Live, the band were certainly able to conjure up this spirit, but in the second half of the set – when the same chord changes and familiar melodies began rearing their heads for a second time – the show began to feel laboured and repetitive. Signature song Young Adult Friction provided an early highlight with its driving pop rhythm and sweet call and response lyrics. However, a swampy, fuzzy mix (perhaps deliberate) robbed the song of some of its more

delicate moments with Frontman Kip Berman’s voice sounding much less fragile and clear than on record. Twins was a set highlight with its reverb-y, venue-filling guitar sound and melancholic “I didn’t mean to let you down” chorus. Berman had the ’80s indie frontman thing down pat with his stone-faced, awkward and shoe-gazey delivery. Keyboard player Peggy Wang provided a counterpoint to Berman’s melancholy, with her cute-as-a-button

PANIC IN THE PARK THE PANICS & WASO Kings Park & Botanic Garden Saturday, February 20, 2010

Photo: David Craddock 46

It always comes as a great compliment to a band when WASO approaches them to join forces for the annual Pops In The Park concert at Kings Park & Botanic Garden. Then comes the reality. A tight gang of people used to ducking and weaving with each other suddenly have to come to turns with the reality of playing with a large orchestra, with newly dreamt arrangements. It’s not an easy task for any contemporary group. And so it was that The Panics walked a little tentatively onto the stage at Kings Park last Saturday night, knowing that this wasn’t just another gig, but a show they’d remember for the rest of their lives. Easing into an opening instrumental, Southern, it was clear that the intent was there and certainly the quality, but one could feel the tentativeness. It was understandable and somewhat endearing – but a crowd of near 5,000 people rooting for them and a hard week of rehearsals in tow meant that this performance was soon to be on the upward swing. Ruins followed, more wilful and assured and by the time Creaks was unleashed with all its Morricone-

harmonies and a cheeky smile popping out from under her mop of hair every so often. As Berman recently told X-Press, The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart play “Noisy pop music about feelings”. Although there wasn’t a lot of ‘light and shade’ or variation throughout their set, there was certainly noise, and plenty of sweetly, not-cheesily, articulated feelings. They did what it says on the packet. _DAVID CRADDOCK esque possibilities shining through, the stage was truly set for thing of splendour to proceed. The General Calling came on like a warm rush in a cool breeze, as Jae Laffer’s voice drifted in layers across the park. The most sincere chap you could ever meet, his stage banter was modest, often betraying the nerves that his singing voice hid so easily. Jules Douglas offered dry witticisms, a nice foil to the gracious Laffer. One Too Many Itches pulled on both heartstrings and string sections, but it was My Best Mistake and Sleeps Like A Curse that were the mid-set highlights, the latter as sublime as it was surely destined to be in this setting. It was wonderful to be sitting in nature with a symphony and hear Laffer reminisce about the Flying Scotsman. He also said hello to his grandmother, who was in attendance – it was suitably local as this was a great night in Perth music history. Importantly, it didn’t feel like it was dragging, as occasionally these things do once everyone has gotten the point. From the band’s oldest song, Give Me Some Good Luck, to the weighty applause that greeted their smashesthit, Don’t Fight It and then the closer, In Your Head, this was clearly a WASO collaboration that was meant to be. The Panics may be a little too modest onstage for their own good sometimes, but they know how to work a moment when they’re inside of one. Happily all those assembled in Kings Park last Saturday night were inside it too. _ BOB GORDON Hittin’ the town since 1985


Edited by David Craddock Email your news and pics by 12 noon, Monday to: localmusic@xpressmag.com.au

GOIN’ SOLO BLUES

The Goin’ Solo night is taking a trip down the road from its usual venue at The Moon, for a night at The Blue Room Theatre. Victorian Jimmy Stewart, Seven Weapons and Heathcote Blue will be playing their favourite summer tunes as part of the theatre’s 21 Summer Nights series. Entry $10 from 7.30pm.

NICE PECKS

Cal Peck And The Tramps bring their modern mix of rock ‘n’ roll, blues and country to the demonic surrounds of Deville’s Pad on Friday, February 26. The band are currently mixing and mastering their second EP Kill For You which has been recorded at Debaser Studios with Andy Lawson. Free entry before 8pm, $10 after 8pm.

State Of Order

A NEW PACT FOR THE DEVIL

WAMi award winning heavy rockers The Devil Rides Out have announced that they’ve been STATE OF ORDER signed to Impedance Records. The local outfit will Perth hard rockers State Of Order will launch their fourth release in four years, the Acousma EP, launch their debut album The Heart & The Crown at Amplifier on Friday, February 26. The tight, intricate-riffing, rock outfit have achieved national on the label which also has Mondo Generator, Nick airplay on community stations and had their recent video clip for Bullet Generation given a three- Oliveri, The Sword Priestess and The New Christs week rotation on Rage. Here’s what the lads had to say when X-Press asked them about their latest on its roster. EP: The Devil Rides Out’s hotly awaited “We tried to improve on this release musically by introducing other instruments such as debut will be released on June 4, but fans needing violins and keys to add more depth and colour to our sound. As we record and produce our own a fix can catch the band supporting Clutch at recordings with our sound engineer Phil Galhardo, we made an effort to improve the quality of Amplifier on Tuesday, March 2. our sound. “We’ve been letting go of our own personal boundaries and learning how to incorporate different styles to try and grow as a band. Some of these may have been a little risky but we were willing to take a chance to try get noticed a little more.”

Wormhole

WORMHOLE

The Rocket Room will be awash with modern progressive and psychedelic rock on Saturday, February 27, when Wormhole launch their new single The Design. Mastered at Abbey Road, the track blends the band’s signature psychedelic sound with hard hitting retro rock. Supports are Eye Spy, Bat Country and Dr Preposterous. Doors 8pm.

REMEMBERING ROWLAND

A group of appropriately noisy local musicians are banding together at the Rosemount on Sunday, February 28, to pay tribute to influential Australian post-punk pioneer Rowland S. Howard who passed away last December. Paying homage to his solo career and work in The Birthday Party, These Immortal Souls and The Boys Next Door - local acts The Painkillers, Maurice Flavel, Like Junk, Cat Black, Gata Negra and Dean Anthonisz will all perform on the night. Entry $10 with all funds going to charity. Doors 6pm.

BARKER GOING BUSH

To cap off a well-received WA homecoming tour, UK-based songstress Emily Barker and her band The Red Clay Halo will play at the Becks Music Box in support of Dan Sultan on Thursday, February 25 (free entry to Barker’s set from 10pm); the Nannup Music Festival on the afternoon of Sunday, February 27, and the morning of Sunday, February 28; and at Redcliffe On The Murray in Pinjarra on the same Sunday afternoon. More info at myspace. com/emilybarker.

The Devil Rides Out

RUSSIANS FLY SOUTH

With a new keyboard player (Trent Dhue formerly of Halogen) and a DCA production grant in the bank, indie rockers Russian Winters are heading down south to celebrate. The band will play Settlers Tavern in Margaret River on Friday, February 26, and at Three Bears in Dunsborough on Saturday, February 27.

GOT A LIGHT?

Grimey rockers The Fags begin their March residency at the Norfolk Basement on Thursday, March 4, at 8pm. The band will be joined throughout the month by acts like The Automasters, King George, The Belle Ends, Goodnight Tiger and The Fancy Brothers. See myspace.com/thefagsband for full details.

The Fags JB O’REILLY’S Thursday night is curry night at J.B.’s from 5-9pm with live music from The Murder Mouse Blues from 8pm. On Friday, February 26, the craic’s guaranteed with The Healys from 8.30pm. Saturday, February 27, features Tea for Two from 8.30pm. Sunday, February 27, is Original Music Night with Mal Cook, Scott Nicholas & The Imps from 6.30pm. Remember to also to check out our Open Irish Session on Wednesdays from 8pm. Bring an instrument, sing a song, or just sit back and enjoy. ROCKET ROOM Thursday, February 25, is the very special invite only Rocket Room Renovator Re Launch Party to celebrate Rocket Room’s makeover (email rsvprenovator@yahoo. com to get your name on the door if spots are still available). The Kill Devil Hills, Abbe May and the Rockin’ Pneumonia and The Scotch of St James will all be warming up the new pad. On Friday, February 26, feel the dark electronica pain of the Creptter Children with Reapers Riddle, Matty Trash and the Horrorbles, and Parallel 26. After midnight Copious and Martyr Days play Late Night Live with MC Tomás Ford and DJ Adam Round til 3am. Saturday, February 27, sees Wormhole launch their psychedelic prog masterpiece single The Design with support from Bat Country, Eye Spy and Dr. Preposterous. Rocket Fuel takes over from twelve with tag team Kickstart and DJ Brett Rowe. RAILWAY HOTEL Friday, February 26, catch local hip-hop from Rukus Napalm Syndicate, DJ Messy and Original Fortune. Doors 8pm, entry by gold coin donation. Saturday, February 27, catch the world music and reggae vibes of Dunumba in the Railway Beer Garden. Doors 8pm, tickets at the door. Monday, March 1, the Railway hosts Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra (USA) with special guests www.xpressmag.com.au

Tijuana Cartel, Sunshine Brothers and Grace Barbe in the Beer Garden. Doors open 6-10pm. Entry $45 (plus booking fee) from Mills Records, Star Perth, Planet Video and heatseeker.com.au. SWAN BASEMENT Friday, February 26, catch Parker Experience, Pockets Of Resistance, Hyte and Seer Cya. Doors 8pm, entry $8. Saturday, February 27, catch Roy MacKonkey, Lantana, The Midnight Condition and Indie Starts Fires. Doors 8pm, entry $10. Sunday, February 21, the Gignition new band showcase nights continues, this week featuring Mudguts, 10 Past 6, Blackjack and The Scene and Herd. Doors 5-9pm, entry $5. CAPITOL On Thursday,February 25, Capitol hosts a long-awaited show by the Brian Jonestown Massacre who are touring Australia to promote their latest album Who Killed Sergeant Pepper. With the addition of Matt Hollywood, this is as close to the original line up as we are ever going to see. Support from Demon Parade. Doors 8pm. Sunday, February 28, America’s The Get Up Kids play a sideshow while they are in town for Soundwave. Support from fellow American Soundwave acts Motion City Soundtrack and Set Your Goals. Doors 8pm. AMPLIFIER Friday, February 26, local four-piece State Of Order launch the Acousma EP (see Rock xtras for full story). Support from Hailmary, Xtortya and Thursdays Page. Doors 8pm. Saturday, February 27, sees Perth rock royalty The Chevelles launch their latest album Accelerator. Still together after twenty years, the local kings of power-pop rock are still very much alive and kicking! Make sure not to miss this show, as the lads will be heading off on a tour of the USA following

this show! (see p. 14 for full story). Support from The Kelly Gang, Travis and Desertship. Doors open 8pm. On Tuesday, March 2, Maryland’s favourite sons Clutch will finally visit Western Australia, playing not only the Soundwave festival but a headline show at Amplifier. They will be joined by Perth powerhouse The Devil Rides Out. Doors 7:30pm. Wednesday, March 3, UK duo The Big Pink play as part of their inaugural Australian tour (see cover story for more details). Supporting them will be An Horse. Doors 8pm. ROSEMOUNT HOTEL On Thursday, February 25, the Rosemount continues its weekly karaoke night in the main room and Beatfiiix drum n bass in the beer garden. Doors 8pm, entry free. On Friday, February 26, local metal heroes The Ascent launch their new CD with special guests Pyromesh, Red Descending, Ill Vision and Surrender. Doors 8pm, entry $10. Saturday, February 27, Adelaide noise merchants Coerce play with special guests Grim Fandango, Emperors, Wolves, Eunuch Schools. Doors 8pm, entry $10.On Sunday, February 28, the Sundae session continues in the beer garden, free entry from 4pm. The main room on Sunday hosts a Rowland S. Howard tribute starring The Painkillers, Maurice Flavel, Cat Black, Like Junk (with guests from Airport City Shuffle), Gata Negra and Mile End frontman Dean Anthonisz. Doors 4pm, entry $10. Tuesday, February 30, is the Rosemount’s weekly quiz night - see quizmeisters. com.au for more info. On Wednesday, March 3, catch Hailmary, Eye, Day Of Kings and Over Unity. Doors open 8pm, entry is $5. In the beer garden catch DJ Shannon Fox for the Rosemount’s student night. MOJO’S Thursday, February 25, 32 Crew and King Brown Records present the Psyche Ward Crew launching their new

Robbie Jalapeno

BETWIXT & BETWEEN

For the latest in a series of tribute shows at Mojos Bar, a bevy of local songwriters will gather at the venue on Saturday, February 27, to pay tribute to influential Go Betweens songwriter Grant McLennan. DAVID CRADDOCK spoke to tribute organiser Robbie Jalapeno. The tragic death of Grant McLennan in 2006 meant Australia had lost one of its finest and most influential songwriters far too early. With his Go Betweens songwriting partner Robert Forster, McLennan brought melancholic, intelligent, intensely emotional and distinctly Australian pop writing to the world stage. After paying homage to McLennan’s contemporary David McComb last year, a group of local acts will gather together at Mojos Bar on Saturday, February 27, to celebrate the artist’s life and musical legacy. “It’s basically about getting fans together to enjoy the music,” event organiser Robbie Jalapeno explains of the tribute, which has been given the personal blessing of Robert Forster who happens to be playing in Perth on the week of the Mojos show. “And to celebrate what we’ve all got in common - what’s been a great influence.” The quality of local performers selected to appear suggest McLennan’s songs are in safe hands. Appearing on stage will be Selk & The Bone Singers, Felicity Groom, Richard Lane (The Stems), Head Full Of Steam, Shaun Corlson (Salvage Diver), Andrew Powell (Jayco Brothers), Michael Gabriel (The Quixotics), Adrian Hoffman (The Morning Night), Bruce Begley (The Honeys), Lucy Peach and Jalapeno himself. Jalapeno says he allocated songs to each artist on a first-come, first-served basis, with Felicity Groom apparently pencilled in to perform the coveted Streets Of Your Town. Adrian Hoffman from local indie rockers The Morning Night has also volunteered his band’s services as a backing group for anyone who wants to give their selected song some extra oomph. With the sincere emotion already written into McLennan’s songs being added to and reinterpreted by so many great local artists, Saturday night’s tribute is sure to be a very special event. Jalapeno’s songs selection itself, Dusty In Here, reveals just how deeply The Go Betweens’ music affects people to this day. “It’s a very slow and sad song which appealed to me straight away as a young fella’,” he explains. “I was about 14 or so at the time, and I think it was just after my own father died. I found out subsequently that this song was about Grant writing about his dead father. I’d connected with the song before I knew that, so there’s obviously something else going on - it’s a very sub conscious thing. mixtape release. Also performing are Soma, Complete, Intelekt & Dyvers Feat. Hunter, Verdikt, Defekt & Kkt Sever, & The Apprentice. Entry $5 from 8 with a free copy of the album. Friday, February 26, Jen Cloher & The Endless Sea play tunes from their album Hidden Hands, which was named as one of the top ten releases of 2009 by The Age. Support comes from fellow Melburnian’s Liz Stringer & Suzannah Espie and The Morning Night. Entry $20 on the door from 8pm. Presale tickets from heatseeker.com.au. Saturday, February 27 is the Grant McLennan tribute night (see Rock xtras for full story). Entry $15 from 8pm.Sunday, February 28, kicks off with Monkey Spanner, a new Sunday session at Mojos from 1pm - 5pm. Featuring ska, dub, rockers, rock steady, jazz, soul, latin, funk, rhythm & blues, If it makes you dance, then you’ll hear it at Monkey Spanner. DJs this week are Paul Gamblin, Big Ear Chad, Boogieman and Jimmy Mack. We’ll also be celebrating Nick Sheppard’s 50 th birthday! On Sunday, February 28, Coerce bring their brutal indie art rock and jarring hard rock play to Mojo’s. Support from Grim Fandango and Arts Martial. Entry $10 from 6pm. Monday, March 1, is Wide Open Mic hosted by Justin Walshe who accepts bookings on 0408 755 233. Musis kicks off at 8PM. Tuesday, March 2, Acoustic Café returns with Jimmy Stewart, Davey Craddock, Jesse Woodward and Khin Myint. Entry $6 from 8pm. Wednesday, March 3, the Fremantle Blues and Roots Club host Cats Blue Velvet, Robbie Jalepeno and Simon Kelly band. Entry $10/$5 for members from 8pm. FLY BY NIGHT On Friday, February 26, The Fly by Night launches ‘Members Lounge’ starring Fly by Night hostages or, um.., members The Black Board Minds and Silent Republic. Tickets $10 from flybynight.org or at the door. Doors 8pm.

47


HEALTH Radio Dada

Health

Californian experimental noise band Health are dedicated to being a band at the forefront of modern music. They play at the Becks Music Box on Saturday, February 27. DAN WATT reports. Health bass and ‘noise player’ John Famiglietti takes no time to identify what Health are about: “We’re very dedicated to being a new band and a relevant band for the kids (because) the best thing you’ve got is the copy of something really, really old,” he begins. In the original spirit of DIY music, Health started off touring the West Coast of America doing any show available. Famiglietti talks about the muted excitement of the mid 00s when he and Health’s other members – Benjamin Jared Miller, the ever dextrous Jake Duzsik and Jupiter Keyes – were first starting out. “We were just so excited about what was going on in LA at that time and just really anxious about getting a band together to play Il Corral, which was the main DIY venue at the time,” he explains of Il Coral, an allages club in LA that was the teething ground for many underground DIY acts. Famiglietti’s nostalgic tone now takes on a tinge of disbelief as he recounts the band’s first tours across the US.“We were DIY proper for about two years, playing basements, booking shows on MySpace,” he continues. “We’d drive through the snow to Nebraska, for example, to play a show in someone’s basement off no sleep to a handful of kids. It was very exciting.” Once a solid reputation and keen interest had developed in the group, Health put out their

HIGH ROAD HOTEL

excessively noisy and purposely inaccessible self-titled debut (casually known as You Will Love Each Other) featuring the song Crimewave, which would go on to be remixed by Crystal Castles and became a club hit. Health’s sophomore album, Get Colour, came out last year and has been described as ‘Aphex Twin meets 1983’ or, more appropriately when referring to the washed out ethereal vocals of Keyes and Duzsik, ‘Enya on crack’. Famiglietti seems genuinely surprised by these responses because he thinks of it more as Health’s pop album. “You know, people say it’s challenging (to listen to) but we eventually want to get to a point where it’s automatic,” he muses. “Every time we get in the studio we’re just trying to get better and make a really great album and I guess the goal is to make a classic.” Well if idiosyncratic tones and enigmatic zeal are the hallmarks of a classic album then Health are well on the way with Get Colour. The song titles in particular reek of the Dada-inspired randomness of art-punk bands The Locust and now defunct The Blood Brothers. “We thought the lyrics were more discernable on this record but, arrrgh, apparently they are not,” Famiglietti laughs.“The titles are always thought of separately, usually… I always have a constant text file on my computer of every great song title I can think of.”

www.bohemianrhapsody.com.au

Presents

Wednesday

WEDNESDAY NIGHT STUDENT NIGHT $10.00 JUGS $12.50 PIZZA

KARAOKE Friday

Thursday

AIRBAG LIVE ON STAGE WITH DJ SIMON EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT AT 9PM

ALL NEW PUB ROCK SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE BANDS STARTING AT 9PM HIGH ROAD RIVERTON WA 6148 EMAIL: HTL6730mgr1@coles.com.au (08) 9457-0477 48

Saturdays

The Ultimate Tribute To Queen

Relive the magic of the music of Queen and Freddie Mercury Live At The Charles Hotel Friday March 5th Admission: $35 single / $65 double Doors Open 8pm

Tickets from venue (9444 1051) or through bocs - (9484 1133) dinner menu available great food, great music, great night! Hittin’ the town since 1985


THIS WEEK THE HUSSY HICKS

February 25 Gypsy Tapas

DAN SULTAN February 25 Becks Music Box

FAT FREDDY’S DROP / GILLES PETERSON

February 27 Fremantle Arts Centre Febrary 28 Old Broadwater Farm, Bussleton

HYPNOTIC BRASS ENSEMBL February 28 Becks Music Box

FUTURE MUSIC FESTIVAL (The Prodigy, Franz Ferdinand, Empire Of The Sun, David Guetta, Booka Shade, Erick Morilla, Sven Vath, John Digweed, Operator Please, The Stafford Brothers, Sven Vath, Above & Beyond and more)

February 26 Becks Music Box

MARDI GRAS 2010 (Bob Malone, Seamie O’Dowd, Adam Hall & the Velvet Playboys, Diamond Dave & the DooDaddies, Mo’ Candy, Simon Cox Band, Div Craft & the Big Ol’ Bears and more) February 27 The Charles Hotel

February 28 Supreme Court Gardens

SOCO CARVIVALE - THE POLYPHONIC SPREE

ROY MACKONKEY

THE GET UP KIDS

WOMUBU (Xavier Rudd, Izintaba, Calexico, Depedro, The Sunshine Brothers, Abbe May, Mellifluous, Mamadou Diabates)

SOUNDWAVE (Faith No More, My Chemical Romance, Jane’s Addiction, Janes Addiction, Placebo, Paramore, AFI, Jimmy Eat World, HIM, Alexisonfire, Taking Back Sunday, Trivium and more)

BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE February 25 Capitol

CALEXICO

February 26 Fremantle Arts Centre

JEN CLOHER & THE ENDLESS SEA February 26 Mojos

SEAMIE O’DOWD February 27 The Charles Hotel

NANNUP MUSIC FESTIVAL (John Butler, Harry James Angus, Liz Stringer, Jordie Lane, Eleanor McEvoy, Tinpan Orange, Ego Lemos, The Yabu Band, Mama Kin, The Hussey Hicks, Pugsly Buzzard and more) February 26-March 1 Nannup Amphitheatre

HEALTH

February 28 Capitol

February 27 Swan Hotel

February 27 Old Broadwater Farm, Busselton

March 1 Steel Blue Oval

GRANT McLENNAN TRIBUTE February 27 Mojos

THE MOTOWN EVENT (The Four Tops, The Temptations, Mary Wilson, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, The Miracles and more)

February 28 Sandalford Winery, Swan Valley

February 27 Becks Music Box

WOMUBU (Fat Freddys Drop, Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, Grace Barbe, THE POINTER SISTERS February 27 Pioneer Women’s Mamadou Diabate) Memorial, Kings Park & Botanic February 28 Old Broadwater Farm, Busselton Garden

ANTIBALAS AFROBEAT ORCHESTRA / TIJUANA CARTEL / SUNSHINE BROTHERS March 1 Railway Hotel

CLUTCH

March 2 Amplifier

THE BIG PINK

March 3 Amplifier

PLACEBO

March 3 Metro City

XAVIER RUDD

EDDY CURRENT SUPPRESSION RING March 19-20 ZEP BOYS March 19-21 MASS MUSIC FESTIVAL (Gyroscope, Cog, Eddy Current Suppression Ring, Tame Impala, Philadelphia Grand Jury and more) March 20 LA ROUX / BERTIE BLACKMAN /TIM & JEAN March 21 OWL CITY March 21 COBRA STARSHIP / OWL CITY March 21 LYLE LOVETT / KASEY CHAMBERS March 22 MACHINE HEAD March 22 BRIAN KENNEDY March 23 BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME March 24 CHRIS SMITHER March 24-25 CABINS March 25-26 THE MESS HALL / BRIDEZILLA & CABINS March 25-26 HORRORSHOW March 25-27 THE WHITLAMS March 26 SHORT STACK March 26 THE SUNDANCE KIDS March 26-28 HARRY CONNICK JNR March 27 GYROSCOPE March 27 PIXIES March 27-28 WEST COAST BLUES ‘N’ ROOTS (Crowded House, John Butler Trio, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck and more) March 28 THE GIPSY KINGS March 28 AS I LAY DYING March 28 ANGUS & JULIA STONE March 28-April 1 THE DEAD WEATHER March 29 BRAND NEW March 31 DAMIEN LEITH March 31-April 4 28 DAYS March 31-April 4 HUEY LEWIS & THE NEWS April 1 LADY GAGA April 2 EOSTRE FESTIVAL (Jeff Martin,

COMING UP

March 3 Metropolis, Fremantle

THE SAW DOCTORS March 4 CASINO RUMBLERS March 4-7 TINPAN ORANGE March 5 AL DI MEOLA WORLD SINFONIA March 5 PHATCHANCE / COPTIC SOLDIER March 5-7 AC/DC / WOLFMOTHER March 6-7 PAVEMENT March 6 JONATHAN BOULET March 6 EDDI READER March 8 GERSEY March 8-9 SPINNERETTE March 9 FYAH WALK March 10-13 NO FUN AT ALL March 11 BACARDI EXPRESS OFF THE RAILS March 11 DINOSAUR JR March 12 MAMA KIN March 12 MASSIVE ATTACK March 12 STEVE KILBEY / RICKY MAYMI March 12-14 GRINSPOON March 12-14 YVES KLEIN BLUE March 12-14 DIRTY PROJECTORS March 13 THE BLACK SEEDS March 13 WILD OATS MUSIC FESTIVAL (Grinspoon, Jebediah, The Novocaines, The Trigger Jackets, The Sneaky Weasel Gang and more) March 13 A DAY ON THE GREEN (Tom Jones, David Campbell) March 14 CALLING ALL CARS March 14 CONVERGE / GENGHIS TRON March 16 STATUS QUO March 17 DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT March 18 COLIN HAY March 18-20 THE SCREAMING JETS March 18-21

J Cortez, Dave Mann, Jaimi Faulkner, VJ Zoo) April 3 DECAPITATED / PSYCROPTIC / ORIGIN / MISERY INDEX April 6 NEW FOUND GLORY April 7 PAUL DEMPSY April 8-10 FAIRBRIDGE FESTIVAL April 9-11 KENNY BARTLEY April 11-21 BEHEMOTH/ JOB FOR A COWBOY/ GOATWHORE April 12 SPANDAU BALLET / TEARS FOR FEARS April 17 THE MOUNTAIN GOATS April 18 10CC April 18 JAMFEST – AKON / KELLY ROWLAND / PITBULL April 18 MM9 April 22-25 KELLY CLARKSON April 22 JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE April 22-23 ELVIS MEETS BUDDY April 23-24 REVIVAL TOUR – CHUCK RAGAN / FRANK TURNER / TIM BARRY / BEN NICHOLS April 28 THE VASCO ERA April 29-May 1 CREAMFEILDS (The Bloody Beetroots, Death Crew 77, Steve Angello, MSTRKRFT, Ferry Corsten, LMFAO, Dave Clarke, Marco V, Green Velvet, Dirty South and more) May 2 DEEP PURPLE May 5 BLUEJUICE May 6-8 TEGAN & SARA May 14 SPOON May 14-15 VAMPIRE WEEKEND May 16 GTM (Silverchair, Vampire Weekend, Empire Of The Sun, Grinspoon, Tegan & Sara, Spoon, British India, Lisa Mitchell, Miami Horror, Kisschasy, Bag Raiders and more) May 15 PATRIZIO BUANNE May 19-20

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HDWLQ· GULQNLQ· HPSRULXP WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY 8PM 30

7.30PM 30

OPEN IRISH SESSION! FRIDAY

MURDER MOUSE BLUES

NEW! 25,*,1$/ 086,& 681'$< 7+ )(%

SATURDAY

0$/ &22. 6&277 1,&+2/$6

8.30PM 30

8PM 30

THE HEALYS

TEA FOR TWO

SUNDAY

TRADITIONAL SUNDAY ROASTS

8PM 30

6.30PM 1221 ² 30

ORIGINAL MUSIC NIGHT

EVERY SUNDAY

PIE & PINT DEAL $15 308PM 30

EVERY WEDNESDAY

7+( ,036

5(67$85$17 23(1

CURRY & PINT DEAL $15 30 30 30 30

EVERY THURSDAY

&DPEULGJH 6WUHHW :HVW /HHGHUYLOOH ZZZ MERUHLOO\V FRP DX RUHLOO\V#LLQHW QHW DX

'$<6 /81&+ ',11(5

7KH %LJJHVW 6HOOHU RI *XLQQHVV LQ $XVWUDOLD $+$:$ %HVW 7KHPHG %DU $ZDUG :LQQHU

141 SCARBOROUGH BEACH ROAD MT HAWTHORN www.xpressmag.com.au

Monkeys Cheeky 9pm Live from

Cold Chisel Revived Open until 11pm

Ph: 9242 3077

Mar 02

MON

Mar 03

live from 9pm

TUE

Gun Shy Romeos

Mar 04

$10 entry on the door.

WED

Coerce (Acoustic Set)

COMING SOON

SUN

Mar 01

SAT

Feb 28

FRI

Feb 27

TONIGHT Feb 25

LABOUR DAY LONG WEEKEND AT THE PADDO: OPEN UNTIL 11PM SUNDAY NIGHT!!!

www.paddo.com.au

Rick Steele

live every Monday in March

$10 Stella Jugs plus Quizmeisters trivia DJ Dpad in the front bar

POW!!

Featuring: Jason Ayres, Manni and Chris Gibbs Trio

Phatchance (Sydney MC) live Sunday March 7th

Home of the 141 Club 49


Charles Hotel

509 Charles Street, North Perth, WA 6006 Ph: 9444 1051 Email: enquiries@charleshotel.com.au

WINNER OF AHA BEST LIVE ENTERTAINMENT VENUE OF 2009 Khin Myint, Tuesday at Mojo’s

THURSDAY 25th FEBRUARY

HEAT 8 OF RAW COMEDY

FRIDAY 26th FEBRUARY

RAW COMEDY SEMI FINAL SATURDAY 27th FEBRUARY

SUNDAY 28 th FEBRUARY

PERTH JAZZ SOCIETY

MONDAY 1 st MARCH

THE NECKS

PERTH JAZZ SOCIETY

LONG WEEKEND SHOW

THURSDAY 25.02 BELGIAN BEER CAFÉ Ben Pettit BENNY’S Howie Morgan BLUE ROOM THEATRE Jimmy Stewart Seven Weapons Heathcote Blue CAPITOL The Brian Jonestown Massacre The Demon Parade CASTLE Sean Brown & The Red Lights The Lathams The Silent Republic Smokin’ Aces ELEPHANT & WHEELBARROW Gun Shy Romeos ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Shelly Addison Band FENIANS Pearce Ward FOUNDRY SideFX HIGH ROAD HOTEL Robbie King Karaoke INDI BAR Bex’s Open Mic IMPACT BAR Vdelli JB O’REILLY’S Murder Mouse Blues LUCKY SHAG James Wilson MARRI PARK TAVERN Open Mic Night MARKET CITY TAVERN Donna Iverson Blazin Entrails The Proletariate The Midnight Condition MOJO’S Psyche Ward Crew MOON & SIXPENCE Bar Code MUSTANG Wikid OCEAN ONE BAR Living large PADDO Ben Merito PADDY HANNANS Dr Bogus ROCKET ROOM The Kill Devil Hills Abbe May & The Rockin’ Pneumonia The Scotch Of Saint James ROSEMOUNT Beatfiix SETTLERS TAVERN Coby Grant Trio SOVERIGN ARMS David Fyffe SPICE LOUNGE Courtney Murphy THE SHED Darling Buds Of May UNIVERSAL BAR Off The Record WANNEROO TAVERN Keith McDonald

FRIDAY 26.02 AMPLIFIER State Of Order EP Launch Hailmary Xtortya Thursdays Page

BALMORAL James Wilson BALLY’S Free Radicals BAR ORIENT One Island East BLACK BETTY’S Smokin Section BRASS MONKEY Chris Murphy BROKEN HILL HOTEL Benjamin Glynn CAPITOL Oats Supply CAPTAIN STIRLING Janece + Rene CASTLE The Blazing Entrails Aaagh Bats!!! Kuillotines The Lathams CIVIC HOTEL (Backroom) John Robertson Joel Creasy Jimmy James Eaton CLANCY’S (Freo) The DomNicks COTTESLOE BEACH HOTEL Open Mic Night DEVILLES PAD Cal Peck & The Tramps DUSK Redstar EAST END Stratosfunk ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Annie Neil Amanda Dee ESS BAR Flavor EURO BAR Switchback FENIANS The Clan FITZGERALDS (Bunbury) Playthings FLOREAT HOTEL Greg Hastings FLY BY NIGHT Black Board Minds Silent Republic FOUNDRY Crave Karin Page GREENWOOD HOTEL In The Groove HALE ROAD TAVERN Lush HIGH WYCOMBE Fill In Da Gap IMPACT BAR Skinny Lane INDI BAR Vdelli INDIAN OCEAN BREWING COMPANY The Bluebottles JB O’REILLYS The Healeys KWINANA LODGE HOTEL Chisel Revived LEFT BANK Bumpy Johnson MARGARET RIVER HOTEL Parker Avenue MOJO’S Jen Cloher & The Endless Sea Liz Stringer & Suzannah Espie The Morning Night

Michael Strong And The Ghost Highway, Saturday at The Civic MOON & SIXPENCE Motherfunk MOONDYNE JOES Dave Gillam Trio MOUNT HENRY TAVERN Full Circle MUSTANG Adam Hall & The Velvet Playboys Cheeky Monkeys NEWPORT Felix NORFOLK BASEMENT The Silents The Four Walls OLD BAILEY TAVERN Rockstar PADDO Gun Shy Romeos PADDY HANNAN’S Blue Gene PADDY MAGUIRES 43 Cambridge PARAMOUNT Flyte PEEL ALE HOUSE Nick Landsberg PUBLICAN BAR Alfredo RAILWAY HOTEL Rukus Napalm Syndicate Original Fortune RAVENSWOOD HOTEL John Buckley ROCKET ROOM The Creppter Children Matty Trash and the Horribles Reapers Riddle 26 Parallel Copious Martyr Days ROSEMOUNT HOTEL The Ascent CD Launch Pyromesh Red Descending Ill Vision Surrender ROSIE O’GRADYS (Fremantle) Countdown ROUNDHOUSE TAVERN Jason Euphoria SAIL & ANCHOR Easy Tigers SETTLERS TAVERN Russian Winters Seamie O’Dowd SOUTH BEACH HOTEL Open Mic With Jasmin SOUTH ST ALEHOUSE Robbie King Karaoke SWAN BASEMENT Parker Experience Pockets Of Resistance Hyte Seer Cya THE BOAT Living Large THE BURRENDAH Keith McDonald THE CHASE Better Days THE DEEN Slim Jim & The Phatts Clayton Bolger THE GATE Mike Nayar THE SAINT James Wilson

Sunshine Brothers, Monday at The Railway

THE SHED Kick Start THE VIC (Subiaco) Nat Ripepi Julius Lutero UNIVERSAL Funksta UWA Brett Harwick VIC PARK HOTEL Ivan Ribic WATERFORD TARVEN Bogan Bingo WHITFORDS TAVERN Alan West

JB O’REILLY’S Tea For Two METROPOLIS (Freo) Hi NRG MASH (Bunbury) Nick Landsberg MOJOS Shaun Corlson Adrian Hoffman Andrew Powell Selk & The Bone Singers Bruce Begley Felicity Groom Richard Lane Michael Gabriel Head Full Of Steam Matt De La Hunty SATURDAY 27.02 Lucy Peach Robbie Jalapeno AMPLIFIER The Chevelles Album MOON & SIXPENCE Milhouse Launch MOUNT HENRY The Kelly Gang TAVERN Travis Aaaron Woolley Desertchild MUSTANG THE BALMORAL The Continentals Ben Petit The Damien Cripps BAR 120 Band Flyte BELGIAN BEER CAFÉ NEWPORT Crave Chris Murphy NORFOLK BENNYS BASEMENT Housequake The Joe Kings BLACK BETTY’S Valiant & Louise Love Red Star The Hates CASTLE OLD BAILEY Diamond Eye TAVERN Pictures Of Sarah Peace, Love & All Nemacyst That Stuff Thirty3Victims PADDY HANNANS Mordecai Decoy CLANCY’S (Freo) PARAMOUNT Tom Fisher & The Felix Layabouts PLAYER’S BAR The Joe Kings (Mandurah) Show Of Hands 3 Corner Jack CIVIC HOTEL PRIORY LODGE (Backroom) (Dongora) The New Year Chisel Revived Screaming Life RAILWAY HOTEL The Milkmen Michael Strong & The Dunumba RAVENSWOOD Ghost Anyway HOTEL COMO HOTEL Harlequin Gypsies Switchback COTTESLOE BEACH ROCKET ROOM Wormhole HOTEL Bat Country Kristy Keogh DR Preposterous The Essence Eye Spy CRANKED COFFEE Kickstart Julius Lutero ROSEMOUNT DEVILLES PAD HOTEL Rocket To Memphis Coerce ELEPHANT & Grim Fandango WHEELBARROW Emperors Timeout Wolves ELLINGTON JAZZ Eunuch Schools CLUB ROSIE O’GRADY’S Fiona Lawe Davies (Fremantle) Jade Crompton Flavor ESS BAR ROSIE O’GRADY’S Gun Shy Romeos (Northbridge) FENIANS Blue Gene Shanks Pony ROUNDHOUSE FITZGERALDS TAVERN (Bunbury) Helen Shanahan Skinny Lane SAIL & ANCHOR FOUNDRY Vdelli Howie Morgan SETTLERS TAVERN Project Blackheart FREMANTLE ARTS StrangeLove CENTRE Andrew Winton Fat Freddys Drop STAMFORD ARMS Gilles Peterson Blue Hornet GREENWOOD SUBIACO HOTEL HOTEL Off The Record Riddum Shak SWAN BASMENT INDI BAR Roy MacKonkey Blue Shaddy INDIAN OCEAN Lantana BREWING The Midnight COMPANY Condition Nathan Gaunt Indie Starts Fires

EARLY START DOORS OPEN 4.30PM SHOW STARTS AT 6PM

TUESDAY 2nd MARCH

RORY ELLIS, CHRIS MAWER BAND & SIMON COX DOORS OPEN 7PM RESTAURANT OPEN FOR DINNER FROM 6PM

WEDNESDAYS

FUNKY BUNCH TRIVIA WITH $12 CHICKEN PARMIGIANA

www.charleshotel.com.au 50

Hittin’ the town since 1985


Listing deadline is Monday 5pm. The Gig-Guide is a service to advertisers listing bands. All inclusions are at the discretion of X-Press Magazine. Email reception@xpressmag.com.au or fax 9213 2882.

The Painkillers, Sunday at The Rosemount SWINGING PIG Blue Hornet THE CHARLES HOTEL Bob Malone Seamie O’Dowd DivCraft & The Big Old Bears Adam Hall & The Velvet Playboys Simon Cox Diamond Dave & The DooDaddies Trevor Jalla The Sun Orchestra Rufus & The Night Herons Zydecats THE DEEN Nujackcity THE GATE Retrofit THE SAINT Threeplay THE SHED Huge THE WANNEROO Tod Woodward Christian Thompson UNIVERSAL Soul Corporation WHITFORDS TAVERN Jimmy James WOODVALE TAVERN Slim Jim & The Phatts

SUNDAY 28.02 BALMORAL The Recliners BELGIAN BEER CAFÉ Alex Lewinski BROKEN HILL The Bluebottles CAPITOL The Get Up Kids Motion City Soundtrack Set Your Goals CASTLE The Jephasuns G-Train Old Boy The Bob Gordon’s West End Riot Aaagh Bats!!! The Silence InBetween Arkarion CIVIC HOTEL Better Days CLANCY’S Zydecats COMO HOTEL Nat Ripepi COMMERCIAL TAVERN Karaoke In The Garden COTTESLOE BEACH HOTEL Tourist ELEPHANT & WHEELBARROW Gun Shy Romeos ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Penny King Quartet EVE Pheonix FREMANTLE ARTS CENTRE Felicity Groom Andrew Ryan GOSNELLS HOTEL Chris Gibbs GREENWOOD HOTEL Ben Petit HIGH ROAD HOTEL Shawne + Luc

INDIAN OCEAN BREWING COMPANY Retrofit Sneaky Weasel Gang INDI BAR Minky G & The Effects Peter Usher Duo Adrian Wilson JB O’RIELLYS Mal Cook Scott Nicholas The Imps KALAMUNDA HOTEL Benjamin Glynn LAKERS TAVERN Jamie Powers MARKET CITY TAVERN Julian Silburn MOJO’S Coerce Grim Fandango Arts Martial MUSTANG Peter Busher & The Lone Rangers NEWPORT The Corner Hyte Fallen Away NORTH FREMANTLE BOWLING CLUB Tom Bomba Murder Mous Blues Band Project Earthbone Dunumba Drummers PADDO Chisel Revived PADDY HANNANS Flyte PUBLICAN BAR Open Mic RAVENSWOOD HOTEL John Buckley REDCLIFFE ON THE MURRAY Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo ROSEMOUNT HOTEL The Painkillers Maurice Flavel Like Junk Cat Black Gata Negra Dean Anthonisz SETTLERS TAVERN Andrew Winton SOUTH ST ALE HOUSE The Freo Grasshoppers SWAN BASEMENT Mr Gentlemen & The Birthcake Show The Freeworld Seams Ruby’s Letter SWINGING PIG 2 Tenors THE CHARLES Julius Lutero THE GATE The Other Guys THE MOON Paul McCarthy Luke Dux THE SAINT Howie Morgan Project THE SHED The Healys Renegade THE WANNEROO Chris Gibbs THE WHISTLING KITE James Wilson

Silent Republic, Friday at The Fly By Night VIC PARK HOTEL Damien Cripps UNIVERSAL Retrofit YMCA HQ Born Into Suffering Arturo Chaos Skyshark Carnage Begins Saviour In Your Honour

MONDAY 01.03 BAR ORIENT James Wilson INDIAN OCEAN BREWING COMPANY Mike Nayar IMPACT BAR Groove Karaoke KULCHA Totally Gourdgeous MOJO’S Open Mic MUSTANG Marco & The Rhythm Kings RAILWAY HOTEL Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra Tijuana Cartel Sunshine Brothers Grace Barbe THE DEEN Plastic Max And The Token Gesture THE SHED 5 Shots

TUESDAY 02.03 AMPLIFIER Clutch The Devil Rides Out BAR ORIENT

Travis Caudle, Saturday at The Amplifier

Mike Nayar COTTESLOE BEACH HOTEL The Mad Agents ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Sean Little FENIANS James Wilson FLOREAT HOTEL Open Mic Night IMPACT BAR Open Mic Night LLAMA BAR Karin MOJO’S Cats Blue Velvet Robbie Jalepeno Simon Kelly Band PERTH BLUES CLUB Chris Mawer Band Rory Ellis Duo Simon Cox Bob Patient Angus Diggs MUSTANG Danza Loca Salsa

WEDNESDAY 03.03 AMPLIFIER The Big Pink An Horse BAR 120 Felix BLACK BETTY’S SideFX BENNY’S Howie Morgan COTTESLOE BEACH HOTEL Kirsty Keogh’s Open Mic CLANCY’S (Freo) Chet Leonard ELLINGTON JAZZ

CLUB Bob Malone EURO BAR Ben Pettit FENIANS Cranky FOUNDRY Vdelli JB O’REILLY’S Open Irish Session KULCHA Eleanor McEvoy LLAMA BAR One Island East LUCKY SHAG Howie Morgan MOUNT HELENA TAVERN Open Mic Night MUSTANG Circus PADDO Chris Gibbs Trio Manni Gilliland Jason Ayres PADDY HANNANS Murphy’s Lore With Courtney Murphy PUBLICAN BAR Open Mic Night Tunesmiths ROSEMOUNT Hailmary Eye Spy Day Of Kings Over Unity SETTLERS TAVERN Open Mic Night SPICE LOUNGE Thierryno THE MOON CAFÉ Jimmy Stewart Anton McKay Emlyn Johnson UNIVERSAL Strutt

Kill Devil Hills

ROCKET ROOM RENOVATOR RE-LAUNCH PARTY WITH KILL DEVIL HILLS ABBE MAY AND THE ROCKIN’ PNEUMONIA THE SCOTCH OF ST JAMES DJ BRETT ROWE

TONIGHT, THURS 25TH TIX STRICTLY LIMITED. RSVP FULL NAME AND ADDRESS TO RSVPRENOVATOR@YAHOO.COM

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INDI SHOWCASE WITH:

26th FEB.

The Silents with special guests The Four Walls. Doors 8pm

27th FEB.

Blues Rock and goodness… The Joe Kings, Valiant & Louise Love and the Hates. Doors 8pm

KWUQVO [WWV " Thurs in March > The Fags... Sat 6th March > Phatchance www.xpressmag.com.au

MINKY G AND THE EFFECTS PETER USHER DUO ADRIAN WILSON COMING SOON ZARM MAR 6TH MATT GRESHAM MAR 13TH

PAUL UBANA JONES MAR 17TH THE GO SET MAR 18TH WWW.INDIANOCEANHOTEL.COM 51


52

Hittin’ the town since 1985


Status Quo guitarist Rick Parfitt (left) and Francis Rossi

STATUS QUO Pitch Parfitt

While, Rick Parfitt, Francis Rossi and Alan Lancaster may all have tasted success with psychedelic bands, it took Status Quo’s third album Ma Kelly’s Greasy Spoon for the boys to throw away the paisley and musical-meandering to focus on their strengths – solid, driving rock ‘n’ roll. The move could easily have been seen at the time as giving the band a shortened shelf life, but the sound of a Rick Parfitt’s ‘65 model Fender Strat coupled with a crunchy Marshall amp formed the backbone of one of rock’s most distinctive, lucrative, and long-running acts. Forty-odd years since their inception, ‘the Quo’ have now seen it all - been the biggest, played with the biggest, rocked all over the world and by all accounts, had a bloody good time along the way. And as guitarist Rick Parfitt explains – it’s all been done on the back of three good chords and a whole lot of feel.

have believed it. When we started out, both Francis and myself thought that if we could maintain this for five years it would be fantastic. We would have all the money we ever wanted and we could just walk away and do something else.

Was it a big decision to go back to simple rock, when the experimental bands around that time were probably viewed in higher regard? We did kind of take a chance because we were initially a rock and roll band, that’s all we really wanted to play. We were playing covers, and just enjoying it. Then The (Pictures Of) Matchstick Men came along in ‘67 and we had a hit with it and it kind of changed everything. Not only did it make Quo an internationally known name, but it also changed the image of the band. We were seen as psychedelic rockers all of a sudden, because we were wearing these pink, frilly shirts and had black in our hair and all sorts of stuff like that. BY BRIAN NEWNHAM When we got involved with this pop malarkey, we were being told how to move, how to dress, what to do, ‘you can’t do this, you can’t do that’ and we started thinking ‘this is bollocks, So, how’s life been Rick? we don’t like being told what to do. This is OUR group.’…These people were kind of holding us Well it’s been fantastic, I mean if someone told me forty two years ago that in forty back because we wanted to break out and hit people hard with rock ‘n’ roll. We knew we had two years you would still be rocking and, still be at the top of your game, I would never ever it in us so we just took a chance to do it our way and see if it works Continued page 60

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53


GET IN THE VAN Desert Island Rigs The Volume team recently asked guitarists of local, national, and international levels to answer the following hypothetical question: if you were on tour in one van, and could only take one guitar, one amp, and one effects pedal, what would your choices be? Here are their carefully considered, and often humorous, responses.

ZORAN TRIVIC (GYROSCOPE)

Jozef Grech of Project Mayhem

Steve Vai

STEVE VAI

Guitar: Ibanez Jem Steve Vai Signature guitar Amp: Carvin Legacy Steve Vai Signature VL100 amp (X2) & C412T cabinet (x2) Effect: TC Electronics G force Rack-mounted multi effects Processor Steve seems to be stretching the boundaries of the exercise here, with two amps and a multi-effects unit. Here’s how the conversation went: SV: Wow, that’s a question that should never be asked of a guitarist! Let me see, can I run my amps in stereo? CG: OK, Steve, you’ve got stereo… SV: Ha! See, I knew I could squeeze more in. Now let’s see what else I can get out of you.

STEVE LUKATHER (TOTO)

Guitar: Music Man Steve Lukather Signature Guitar Amp: Marshall JCM 800 Head and 4X12 Quad Box Effect: Ibanez Tube Screamer Steve says: “That would do it. Make sure you mention my signature guitar man. I’m 50 years old now, I need to make some money, you know?”

JOZEF GRECH (PROJECT MAYHEM)

Guitar: Gibson ES 335 Dot Amp: Orange AD30HTC & Mesa Boogie Recto Cabinet Effect: Mi Audio Blues Pro Jozef says: “My recent purchase, the Gibson ES-335 dot with a tobacco sunburst figured top is a semi-hollow guitar, complete with f-holes -think Clapton and B.B. King. The hollow nature of this guitar makes it warmer than the smouldering remnants of a large bonfire, with two ‘57 classic humbuckers that if not harnessed, can be decapitating. Pretty much the perfect instrument! “The Orange AD30HTC is a 30-Watt, 2-channel head with minimal controls: volume, gain, treble, middle, and bass. These amps simply don’t need the bells and whistles that come with many of their modern-day counterparts. The first channel gives a nice range of clean sounds that break up slowly. However, it is channel two that I’m most interested in: with the gain control set to 10, this channel will make your ears bleed. Although only rated at 30-Watts, this all-tube Class-A amplifier delivers a rich tone and plenty of volume. “The effect is a tough one! I use many pedals in my current rig. I guess if I had to choose one, it would be the MI Audio Blues Pro.

NEW TOYS Product Reviews ZOOM Q3 HANDY VIDEO RECORDER

With so many musicians promoting their art utilising online facilities such as YouTube, it makes sense that audio-visual products would begin to cater towards quick and easy recording, editing, and upload of video performances. Zoom have weighed in with the Q3, allowing high quality audio to be recorded with video in a compact, easy-to-use package. The Q3 shines by remedying the problem of poor audio quality on live clips. Audio is recorded in stereo by two fixed microphones, and a gain setting function allows the user to choose the level at which the audio is recorded. The high gain setting suits more intimate performances such as a solo acoustic sets while the low gain setting is the way to go for full band performances. An auto function is also on hand to limit the upper recording level in case volume spikes occur. The Q3 captures the sound of the room, and replicates tonal range faithfully, allowing an insight to what the audience is actually hearing, unlike a recording from a live mixing-desk which is rarely a true impression of what performances sound like. In terms of video, the Q3 is very simple. There are no focus or zoom functions, no lighting settings, and no effects settings. What you see is what you get. The screen interface options include watching clips, deleting clips, and setting the sound quality. The included SD card will record around forty minutes of video, or around three hours of audio if the Q3 is being used purely for sound. A USB connector also enables coupling to a computer for saving, editing, and uploading movies. The included Easyshare software auto-loads files without requiring further installation but the editing function allows only the simplest editing, so more ambitious users wanting to create titles, credits, and effects may want to upload to alternative editing software. And there lies the only downside to the Q3: movies are saved in .MOV format, meaning that some form of file conversion program is required before more complex editing can be achieved given that many movie-making software packages will not run .MOV files. Battery life on the video setting tends to be up to four forty-minutes for recordings, longer if the Q3 is used only for audio. A line in for recording from a mixing desk would have been a cool additional feature, but maybe a little out of the Q3’s focus given that this device is designed to ‘capture the moment’. The Q3 is an invaluable musician’s tool for recording live performances, rehearsals, and lessons, and its user-friendly features take the headache out of uploading clips, as well as providing high-quality audio for live music videos. After all, it’s sound that makes the movie. _CHRIS GIBBS

were replaced with ‘50s spec pots, switches and wiring. “Add to this recipe a dual function OD Guitar: Fender Telecaster 1952 Re-issue and distortion like the Wampler HotWired, which Amp: Bogner Shiva 80 Watt Head & 1960TV is specifically calibrated for single coil pickups (it Marshall Cabinet was designed with and for Brent Mason - a Tele Effect: LINE 6 DL4 Delay Modeler player), and you’re away. All I need now is a little more talent” Zoran says:“I can’t live without the ’52. Played by a heap of my favourite musicians, from Springsteen to Tom Petty and even Elvis Costello and Tim Rogers, this workhorse of a guitar was built for the working class to be written on, sweat on, and bled on. It helped to shape rock n’ roll from the early 50’s up until today. What more could you ask for? “The Bogner amp is the best I’ve played JOESATRIANI in ages. It has two amazing channels. The first is Guitar: Ibanez JS 2000 a clean channel that pays homage to a nice rich Amp: Fender Twin Reverb AC30 crossed with a crispy Fender Twin Reverb, Effect: Vox Joe Satriani and the second is a dirty channel with a throaty Signature Big Bad Wah growl that sounds a bit like a JMP on steroids. Both channels have a boost option that is pretty sweet Joe says: “That’s a tough for a decent Slash-inspired lead break if keen, one! All endorsements and this amp also has an amazing spring reverb. aside, this stuff would Awesome amp and a great tool to tour with. get me through it.” “I have a bunch of pedals that I’m using at the moment, but my favourite would have to be Joe Satriani my LINE 6 DL4 or Delay Modeler.

BRETT KINGMAN (JAMES REYNE BAND)

JEFF MARTIN (THE TEA

Guitar: Fender Stratocaster Eric Clapton Signature PARTY, THE ARMADA) Model (with Mick Brierley pickups) Amp: Laney Lionheart 5 Watt A Class 1x12 Guitar: Gibson Recording Model, Black, 1973 A m p : S u p r o A m p, s i n g l e 1 0 ” s p e a k e r, Combo 1960–something(?) Effect: Wampler Hotwired OD/Distortion Effect: Fulltone Tube Tape Echo Brett says: “With this combo I have some serious versatility. The Lionheart gives me two amazingly JOHN MCLAUGHLIN voiced channels - clean and drive. It houses a Guitar: Godin Freeway SA Electric Guitar single 12” Celestion Greenback and it’s small and Amp: Meas Boogie V Twin Rack Mount Preamp reasonably light. Because it’s Class A, its 5W power Effect: MXR Chorus rating betrays it. This amp is LOUD. Gloriously so. “Next up we have the Strat. I didn’t John says:“I love that guitar, it’s very expressive. The particularly like the noiseless pickups and amp set-up allows me to walk straight into a gig electronics that a standard Clapton Strat ships and plug directly into the mixing desk, no heavy with so I unceremoniously tore them out and speakers. I’m too old for that now!” replaced them with some vintage/modern spec hand wounds by Mick Brierley. The electronics _CHRIS GIBBS

YAMAHA TYROS 3 ARRANGER WORKSTATION

Yamaha’s flagship model, the Tyros 3, is a complete keyboard workstation with limitless applications. While the basic set-up, appearance, and layout of controls is in keeping with all Yamaha products, the Tyros 3 achieves a versatility of operations and quality of tones not previously available in one instrument. The possibilities for live performance, composition and recording that this workstation provides are nothing short of amazing. Technology comes to the fore with the high-resolution, 640x480 colour Yamaha Tyros 3 Arranger Workstation LCD screen, which makes browsing, altering and creating tones easier and more intuitive than ever before. The Super Articulation controls, which are powered by a unique Yamaha technology called Articulation Element Modelling, simulate the individual expressive techniques typical of non-keyboard instruments: bends, slides, breathing sounds and fret noise - it’s all there and the authenticity is incredible. Lush, complex backing arrangements in limitless styles can also be played along to, or can be altered in real-time to suit an alternate chord change or melody. A microphone input is included for vocal recording and in-built vocal harmony options provide high-quality post-production on vocal tracks without exporting tracks to another device. Entire music projects can be written, recorded, and mixed without the need for any other devices. The Tyros 3 features an 80-gigabyte hard drive and a USB input for data storage. High-quality stereo speakers and a sub-woofer are included, allowing users to plug in and play immediately. The instrument even charts what you record, so creating music charts for other musicians is simple and easy to edit in case of any errors. Technology aside, at the end of the day it all comes down to sound, and Tyros 3 truly is an instrument that needs to be seen - and more importantly heard - to be believed. _CHRIS GIBBS The Yamaha Tyros 3 was reviewed at Guitar Gallery Morley and demonstrated by Alf Demasi for Yamaha.

VOX AC4TV PRACTICE AMPLIFIER

Featuring an EL84 power tube and a 12AX7 pre-amp tube, as well as switchable wattage (four, one, or a quater watts), the AC4TV is the perfect high-quality practice amp for guitarists with discerning ears. Despite the small speaker (eight inches), the overall power available makes this amp a serious contender for rehearsals and small gigs. There’s not a lot to this amp control-wise. Volume, tone and a wattage selector provide considerable tonal choices, from sparkling clean sounds which work best on the four-watt setting to surprisingly saturated overdriven sounds on the quarter-watt setting. Although the tone control seems a little too subtle on clean settings, the sweep from lows to highs on overdriven settings are wide enough to change the overall sound quality from muddy and understated to brittle and in-your-face. Named after the television-style front on the original 1958 Vox AC15 amp, this Class-A, all-valve amp packs a hell of a punch not only for its size but its price tag. _CHRIS GIBBS The Vox ACTV4 was reviewed at Guitar Gallery Morley. Zoom Q3 54

Hittin’ the town since 1985


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55


ROB AGOSTINI A Sound Objective For several years the home recording market has been expanding, particularly in recent times when high quality software and affordable home recording hardware solutions have become more accessible. Professional studios have continued to evolve, however, offering more services and high production values for artists wanting to take their art to the next level. One such studio is Soundbaker. Volume recently caught up with producer Rob Agostini to discuss the benefits of traditional studio recording. What do you consider to be the three biggest advantages of recording in a studio? An outside person’s perception of the songs is number one - to look at the lyrics, tempos, arrangements and the song-writing aspect of the recording. That is not a recording engineer’s usual task, but I am involved as a producer in pretty much everything I record. So that is unique. Secondly would be the capturing of those ideas from a performance aspect. Some people might go ‘oh that’s good enough’ or ‘I’ll just tune that in Protools LE, it’ll be fine’ - there’s corner cutting you know? The third thing would be an overall technical perspective. I have always tried to invest in high-end equipment, one because it separates the studio from the home users, and two because the more years I’ve been doing this, the more discerning my ear has become. It gets to a point where I need to cater to my hearing - digital converters, microphones, compressors, room monitors, room treatment, stuff like that. Looking around the studio, one thing that strikes me, having been involved in music production at home and studio level, is the sheer space available to place musical equipment and record it. But back to your first point, is your role on a project often discussed with the client prior to the recording? It really depends on the people that approach me. Some people have a very clear idea of what they want and their songs are well-written and arranged. It’s hard to say before I’ve heard the songs or have met the

people involved. In a lot of instances when people have done albums, they bring me the songs, the arrangements work, they’ve been gigging the songs for a year, or ten years, and they work. On the other hand, people bring me a song, there might be things all over it that I disagree with. In that case, if I hear something, I usually say it. Like I’ll have a band in to do a song, and the guitarist wrote the song, but the vocalist is singing it. And I can just hear that something is wrong, and I don’t know why because I’ve just met the band. All of a sudden the guitarist is telling the vocalist how to sing it, and it sounds better, so I’ll say ‘well why don’t you just sing it?’. That’s been a bit tricky but if I hear it, I’ll mention it, and be honest about it. Talking about objectivity, the advantage of home recording is the freedom to do endless takes and experiment, but the advantage of having a producer in a studio is that outside guidance during takes remedies a loss of objectivity during the recording process. It can be radical. I remember a couple of instances where people have brought me some songs, I’ve had a listen to the demos, which I like to hear before starting anything. Someone will go ‘these are my songs, what is your input?’ and I’ll go to town on it. I’m not nasty to anyone, but they are not close friends of mine, I don’t have to say that everything is great. For example choruses that go forever. I’ve chopped out choruses, and pre-choruses have become the chorus. Something else becomes a bridge. If I was to hear those songs again today, I would have the same opinion now. I’m pretty sure that those people were happy with how their stuff turned out. Your studio has done a lot of projects over the years, and it can be pretty hard to get a booking here. Which recordings have come through Soundbaker that are the most widely-known? There are a couple of things in the pipeline, but to date I’d say there’s the work I did on a product that was signed up to Mushroom, and the songs were played on television across the world, twenty three countries on Home and Away and Neighbours. That was pretty good. There have been a couple of Triple J Unearthed

Rob Agostini

artists like Tim and Jean. Before they went to the states we put five songs together, they now have some major record deals on the table. I have also been doing a lot of live mixing with them at festivals. Luna Parade, I really enjoyed working on their stuff, they were open to ideas. A couple of their tracks got a bit of airplay on Triple J. I went to their rehearsal space before we recorded. Is that typical of your style, to get into the band’s environment and check it out first? Yeah, if they are open to it. If we can arrange a date and they’re organised, then I don’t mind going out to a rehearsal space. I think some good things came out of that. They had a song, a big sort of anthemic song, after about four minutes it tapered off, I said ‘what about a reprise, just come back in?’. Just things like that, which add a little more power to it. They were open to it.

That comes back to objectivity. If a band has had song in their set for a year or longer, their going to be fairly set in their ways by the time you record it. They may be selling the song short without even realising it until a fresh set of ears comes along and says ‘what if?’ And if the band is serious, they’ll listen. Yeah that’s right. I consider myself an artist in reference to what I do here. I have invested a lot of money in my stuff. If you believe in your product, then continue to do that and invest in it. Otherwise there’s Australian Idol, or YouTube! Perth’s got a lot of great songwriters. Part of my job is to get out there and hear those songs. The best songs we’ve never heard are probably in a bedroom somewhere. The best gear you can find is a good song. I think that’s very true. _CHRIS GIBBS

THE ROCKET ROOM Ready For Relaunch

On Thursday, February 25, the Rocket Room will open its doors for a special VIP, invite-only relaunch party (email rsvprenovator@yahoo.com with your full name to get on the door if places are still available) featuring The Kill Devil Hills, Abbe May and The Rockin’ Pneumonia and The Scotch Of St James. Volume spoke to Rocket Room production manager Chris Hodgson and owner Peter Mullins to find out what the changes mean for bands and local gig-goers. With the closure of the Hyde Park hotel further diminishing the list of suitable venues for emerging local bands, the Rocket Room’s renovations couldn’t have come at a better time. Intended to enhance the venue’s live music capabilities, the renovations include a full power-system upgrade meaning the venue can now accommodate larger touring acts as well as emerging local talent. Aesthetic changes such as new carpets and tiles, as well as the removal of a DJ booth and sound desk which once divided the dance-floor area, should also ensure a more enjoyable experience for local music lovers. “It’s going to sound better and it’s going to look better,” production manager Chris Hodgson explains. “When you walk in there’s now more space for people to cram up the front and really enjoy the bands.” As well as providing patrons with a spacious, slick new interior, the renovations sound will also please musicians with a discerning ear for quality sound. “Because we’re a late night venue we have some really good upcoming bands play here, but we also support a lot of touring artists who want a good place to go hang out after they play a gig,” Hodgson says. “My vision for the venue has always been that the sound needs to be good if musicians are going to appreciate it – it needs to be above and beyond anything they’ve experienced in a little pub like that. “We’ve updated the amps and we’ve updated the fold-back so the way we process the sound is better.” With big-name acts like The Datsuns and Jebediah already going down a hit at the venue in the past, Hodgons says he’s confident the Rocket Room can now accommodate the needs of larger acts even more comfortably. “The way the production is now - we can cater to bands like that any time,” he explains. “They demand a certain high level of production, so now we’ve really got that infrastructure in place so that we can cater for anyone.” But as owner Peter Mullins stresses, the renovations won’t only be to the benefit of those on stage. “The original room served our clients well but we like our clients to feel a sense of pride,” he explains. “And to have a nice environment in which to come watch and listen to their favourite local bands.”

The new interior renovations

Another Rocket moment with The Devil Rides Out

Rocket Room renovations and highlights from the venue’s past

Happy punters 56

Kav Temperly of Eskimo Joe performing at The Rocket Room Hittin’ the town since 1985


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57


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Rosco Stewart and Matt Johnson of Ampersonic

AMPERSONIC

Ampersonic Music is a boutique independent publishing company and recording studio situated in the heart of Leederville’s café strip in Western Australia. The publishing company is run by Rosco Stewart and Matt Johnson who are both well known in the Western Australian independent music scene, having helped many bands find a pathway to success over the last 10 to 15 years. Rosco opened up independent distribution into WA with MGM and helped The John Butler Trio, The Waifs, The Sleepy Jackson, The Panics, Karnivool, Birds of Tokyo, The Dirty Secrets and many more WA bands get on the road to success. Matt helped develop the Panda Band and New Rules for Boats and currently runs Walking Horse Records Ampersonic Music is APRA registered and has placed songs by WA writers on major US and Australian TV shows including, Ghost Whisperer, Gossip Girl, Samantha Who, CSI Miami, CSI New York, Big Brother and many more. The studio is a hidden gem and has been used by several local engineers as well as international producers. The studio is currently tracking the new Novocaines album with Tokyo based Canadian producer Alan Brey. The control room has a nice loung-y feel and is flat listening responsive, surrounded by a larger live sounding room for drums and vocals and a smaller dead room for cabinets and other uses. The equipment list combines Protools HD technology with the best of vintage analog including; 32 channels TAC scorpion desk, Universal Audio valve pre amps, Tube Tech multi-band valve compressors, Urei LA4 compressor, Urei LA76 compressor, Distressor, Vintage Orban Parametic EQ’s, and more. The mic list includes a Neman U87, matched AKG 421’s , a Vintage Shure 5SS, Vintage AKG202, several SM57s and Beta 57s as well as a selection of Rhodes and various other mics.

SOUND SUITE

Sounds Suite is what we like to call our creative space, somewhere to feel at home, relax, be creative, and fully explore your musical potential. Rehearse: The rooms at sounds suite are all well isolated, with very little spill form the surrounding rooms. Each one has its own character and sound so you can pick the one that best suits your band. Chill out in the comfy lounge and front verandah, or take advantage of the kitchen facilities, make yourself at home. Record: We have 16-track digital recording with the latest Protools, plus the warmth and quality of valve pre-amps, compressors and four-track reel to reel. Five isolated live rooms are also available for total separation. Our affordable rates let you make the right decision for your music, not decisions based on budget! Record in a friendly and helpful environment to make sure you get the most out of your recording.

Sound Suite

Perform: Once you have rehearsed your music and recorded your CD, why not invite everyone over and have a party at ours! We have a courtyard and stage for hire for small events and parties that would be perfect for your next CD launch or private party. We supply the venue, PA system, lighting - the lot. Just bring your friends and have a good time!

REVOLVER

Recording engineers learn their techniques through devoting their lives to capturing and tweaking sound. Secrets are hard earned, and passed down to their apprentices at big studios. If you have a modern software package or hardware digital multi-track, you have all these tools too, - Well you have a very watered down digital version at least. What you don’t have is the experience. If you buy all the gear then you have to learn how to use it and that takes time away from your core focus - becoming a better musician. What you need is to write and play well, that makes you a better musician. The same applies for equipment and an engineer at a studio. Good equipment alone will not make an excellent engineer but it definitely enables a good engineer to be able to pull some pretty amazing sounds. You know that the most expensive guitars, drums, bass and keyboards you can buy won’t make you the best player. So are you sure you want to spend a lot of time and money on building a small studio just to realise you’re not really an engineer and end up going to a better studio with an engineer/producer who can stand aside and give you a more objective view point of your music. At Revolver the difference is the experience of knowing what works, not what 58

Garry Pickford of Revolver

looks cool. All you have to do is listen to the sound or as George Martin said, “all you need is ears”. We don’t try to impose our sound onto your music; we try to create what you want. Too many engineers impose their sound on others people’s music, instead of finding out what the band wants and capturing it. Keeping the environment focused and fun is the other trick of creating the sound artists want, because bands sound best when they feel like themselves and that is reflected on the recording. Why are (bigger) studios better? Because they sound better, it’s a simple as that.

Hittin’ the town since 1985


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59


Status Quo continued from cover…

DJ HEADAYKE Beat Your Way In

In forty years, you’ve used all three chords and you’ve rarely branched out. It’s a pretty simple formula really. We’ve always been really proud of what we do. For about the last thirty-five years, people have been saying ‘as soon as one of your song starts, you know its Quo’, and that in itself is just magic because if you’ve got a sound and a certain rhythm and a certain feel and people recognise it immediately, that is so valuable. Everybody sounds like everybody else these days, with a few exceptions, but for the most part you don’t know who it is until, say the vocals start, or whatever. I think with Quo, as soon as the first bar of any of our songs starts, you know it’s us. I’m not wishing to blow my own trumpet, but that’s what people have been saying over the years. I guess it’s true, it is an unmistakable sound and I think we’ve been extremely lucky to have that individual sound that nobody else sounds like. The beauty of it is, when others try to do it, people turn around to them and say ‘look you can’t do that because you sound like Status Quo’. That in itself, is fantastic

Aaron Gonsalves , or DJ Headayke as he’s known to Perth party people, has held down a coveted Saturday night residency at Metro City for the past four years. DAVID CRADDOCK spoke to the DJ about the equipment and skills he relies on to start the dance floor night after night.

don’t remember a single thing. Where I went for the whole day, I have no idea. I don’t know how I got on that stage, how I got home…I don’t remember nothing of it at all. It was a phenomenal performance, and that was it. It was so incredible to be a part of it though - to say I’m pleased is an understatement. I would have so hated to have missed that. I’m so proud that we were a part of it, particularly that we opened. It was just the most amazing day. It was incredible…well the performance was, anyway. I don’t know anymore than that.

As a DJ you must have to keep incredibly up to date with new releases. Do you make a concerted effort to do that? Absolutely, you’ve got to be at the forefront of music. Obviously being in one of the So it’s been 40 years of performing three most isolated cities in the world it’s good to break out the new tracks and try and educate the crowd chords, seriously, does it ever get tedious? It never ceases to be a turn on, I promise by giving them the newest music from around the you. You’re playing to a different audience every world. night and that’s what you’ve got to remember. You’ve got to get it across to the audience, you’ve How important is it for DJs to have good quality got to get them to enjoy themselves. You know, and reliable gear? At the end of the day, using high quality the songs are there, they’re great, its rock n roll, equipment is part and parcel of being a good solid it’s Quo. We enjoy it, that’s what we do. DJ. If the equipment stuffs up at the club you’re Status Quo play in Perth at Challenge Stadium working at then it’s not the club that people frown upon, it’s the DJ, it looks like he’s done something on Wednesday, March 17. wrong. Whenever I go to a nightclub or a venue Live Aid was the biggest event ever in music, I always make sure that I have a look at their and all for such an important cause. But technical specs, because at the end of the day it’s through all the footage I’ve seen, as well as on you. You’re the one that’s rockin’ the party. from the Band Aid song, I’ve always wanted to ask: did you and Francis really take the What would advice would you give to starving kiddies seriously? young people looking to buy their first DJ We didn’t take anything seriously in equipment? those days (laughs). It really was sex, drugs and People always come up to me and say ‘I rock ‘n’ roll. Most of the time, Francis and I we bought this and I bought that’ but what I tell them were out of our trees. We were living the rock n is to make sure you don’t buy rubbish. It might roll lifestyle, drinking and doing cocaine. be cheap and it might be affordable but at the We saw that day out at the recording end of the day DJing is quite an expensive hobby studio (Band Aid) with all the other famous with expensive equipment and it doesn’t pay off people and it was just another day for us. We if you’re playing on rubbish. If you get a set at didn’t really think about it. When I look at that a nightclub, they have equipment that are ten footage, I can’t believe the state of myself, I mean times better, so you’ve got to use the stuff that is I was out of my fucking tree. We had a great day renowned or that is the standard in nightclubs. though, from what I remember about it. Don’t buy cheap equipment because it’ll break and The same thing happened at Live you can’t learn as well as you can on high quality Aid. We went on and did our performance equipment. and I remember how wonderful it felt and the awesomeness of the whole thing and. Then we What setup do you practice on at home? came off stage and I did and interview, and do At the moment I’m using two Stanton you know what? I don’t remember another thing STR8-150 turntables which are quite commonly for the whole day. I’ve seen some footage. I was Rick Pargitt used now around a lot of the clubs in the world. back on stage at about ten o-clock at night but

60

DJ Headayke

I’ve heard Ministry Of Sound in London is using these now rather than the Technics 1200 which have been the club standard for a long time. I’m running a DJ M600 which is quite a solid mixer and I’ve never had any problems with that so I’ve kept with it. Do you bring any of your own gear to venues or do you use what’s provided? With corporate gigs and private gigs you may find you bring your own gear but I always bring in Serato Scratch Live, which is made by Rane. I bring my laptop as well, my needles and timecoded vinyl which only works with playing Serato. Most clubs have their own needles, but I like using my own needles and my own slip mats. What DJs do you look up to or idolise? Jazzy Jeff. Grandmaster Flash, DJ Cash Money and DJ Premier. These are all guys who have been around for years and really pioneered the hip hop movement and things like that. I really get into Artful Dodger who really took off in the UK garage scene. People like Armand Van Helden and all the new guys that are coming along are really stepping up to the plate, playing some good tunes and rocking the crowd. How can aspiring young DJs in the Perth scene get out there and get more exposure? When I started out five or six years ago I just started doing parties and things like that. It’s one of those things where you can’t expect to land a gig at a club straight away, especially when you’re young. Most guys start when they’re 15 or 16 years old and experimenting, so breaking into the nightclub scene isn’t that easy. Doing private events, weddings 18th, birthdays, 21st Birthdays – whatever it is – those things are where you get recognised. Just stick at it. I used to put together little mix tapes and just hand them out to my mates.

Hittin’ the town since 1985


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61


HOW DO I GET THAT SOUND? Scott Ian Thrash metal legends Anthrax are visiting Perth on Monday, March 1, as part of the Soundwave festival with rhythm guitar powerhouse Scott Ian in tow. Having founded the band in 1981, Scott is the only member of Anthrax to have remained in the line-up since its inception. Although the band have never achieved the commercial success of some of their counterparts in ‘the big four’ (a term referring to Anthrax, Slayer, Metallica, and Megadeth as the four most prominent thrash metal bands of the eighties) their discography is ambitious, impressive, and some might say more consistent than their big four cohorts. Much of this consistency in approach is due to Scott Ian’s chunky, rapid-fire rhythm work. Over the years Scott has experimented with different guitars on Anthrax recordings, starting with ESP until he secured a Jackson endorsement, and later an endorsement with Washburn, whom he currently has three signature models with. Scott’s sound, by his own admission, is pretty simple. He does not often rely on effects, and occasionally employs a Digitech Multi Chorus Pedal and Digitech Whammy Pedal for colouring tones. Recently, Digitech has added the Scott Ian Black 13 Artist Pedal to its unique range of signature effects. Eric Clapton, Brian May, Jimi Hendrix, and Disturbed’s Dan Donegan have also been given the Artist Pedal Series

treatment. The concept with this line of pedals is to replicate the seven most popular sounds used by the artist. In the case of Scott’s Black 13 pedal, the signature tones replicated are guitar sounds from his songs I Am The Law, Madhouse, March of The S.O.D (from side project Stormtroopers of Death), Protest And Survive, Room For One More, What Doesn’t Die, and Finale. This selection of songs enables the Black 13 to feature Scott’s tones from 1985 through to 2003. The first thing that struck me when plugging this pedal in was the immediate ‘realism’ of the tones. I ran the Black 13 through a Vox AC4TV valve amp set to a clean sound, and I trialled the tones on offer with a Music Man Sterling Series John Petrucci guitar and an ESP MH1000 guitar. Immediately the set-up sounded much bigger than what I was actually running, and a bit of a volume kick created tones more akin to an overdriven stack. The Black 13 features simple controls: level, control 1, control 2, and signature tone selection. Controls 1 and 2 adjust lows and highs on tones 1 through 6. On tone seven (Finale), controls 1 and 2 adjust pitch and delay. I found that the best way to get a nice, fat tone on any setting was to roll off the highs to around 45% and run the lows at around 55%. A common error when utilising effects pedals to generate distortion is running the EQ too hard which just saturates the sound to the point where

but essentially it’s a pedal with a really usable selection of distorted tones, already dialled in and waiting for you to rock with. Apart from tone seven which features the pitch/delay effect from Finale, there are absolutely no effects added, so the Black 13 provides a gloriously heavy canvas for players to add their own colours to. Die hard Anthrax fans will get a kick out of the authenticity of the Black 13’s tonal range and Scott’s chunky, chromatic riffs sound great when played through this pedal. As with most Digitech products, there are two outputs, one to go directly to an amp and the other to go directly to a mixing desk with speaker cabinet emulation. The Black 13 looks decidedly wicked as well, matching its aural attack. Digitech are not releasing any more Artist Series effects pedals, presumably the idea was to place limited stock into the market to create some collectability. So the Black 13, along with the other pedals in the signature range, will only be available for as long as current stock exists. That is all the more reason to seek out a BLACK 13 today and fire it up. And don’t forget Digitech Black 13 Scott Ian signature pedal to see the man himself on stage with Anthrax everything sounds small. at Soundwave on Monday, March 1, at Steel Blue The signature tones themselves are Oval. tight, even, and surprisingly versatile. Basically the first six tones are similar, with the gain level _CHRIS GIBBS and EQ frequency providing subtle differences. That’s what I really enjoyed about the Black The Digitech Black 13 pedal was reviewed at Guitar 13: the first six tones are replicated faithfully, Gallery Morley.

VOLUME NEWS What’s Buzzing ng In In-Store S A NEW CONCEPT

PAGE TWO

Having been open in Perth for nearly 30 years, Concept Music has become a reliable retail favourite for local musicians needing well-priced gear. Just in time for another year of trading, Concept recently unveiled its newly expanded and renovated Wembley store. The new store space now features dedicated amp and acoustic rooms where customers can try out instruments without worrying about disturbing other shoppers. New purpose built shelving to display sheet music, a large electric guitar area, a recording equipment display, and new cabinets for wind and brass instruments have also been installed. Long time owner and manager Graham Hoskins says he’s finally fulfilled his wish for a bigger shop floor and more space for product testing. The changes resulted from a feedback drive conducted by Hoskins to determine what Perth musicians wanted in a music store. Armed with the results, the owner set about renewing Concept accordingly. “We have doubled our size, but Concept Music will never become a low-service, mega-store,” the owner explains.“Concept Music is built on providing the best customer service and experience, without pushy sales staff - just honest advice, great products and value.”

Jimmy Page “Number Two” Les Paul

If Jimmy Page’s recent appearance in It Might Get Loud Lou whet your appetite for some crunchy, double hum-bucking Les Paul action, then the newe newest release from the Gibson Custom Shop may be of interest. Created in the spirit of the Led Zeppelin axeman’s legendary ’59 Sunburst Les Paul, the Jimmy Page ‘Number Two’ is a precise, inch-by-inch replica of Page’s trusty pr second guitar, complete with the unique pushse pull modification to each volume and tone p knob which made the original so innovative. Two mini toggles hidden under the pick-guard, coupled with switches incorporated into the volume and tone knobs make the tonal, and phase-changing, possibilities of this guitar endless. A hand selected Eastern maple body, a mahogany back and a thin C-profile mahogany neck identical to Page’s original modifications also help the instrument mimic the natural tonal characteristics of the original. To ensure that the guitar met Page’s standard, the final painstakingly created ‘Number Two’ prototype was given to the guitarist to play in his London home. Once Page was satisfied with the prototype, authorisation was then given to create a limited edition of 325 instruments – 20 of which will be made by Gibson vintagereproduction master Tom Murphy.

EFFECTS FOR ME

A SHURE THING

Shure PSM 900

Whether you front an indie rock act or a hardgigging Northbidge cover band, chances are that at some of stage of your career a dodgy fold-back mix has frustrated you and your band throughout a show. Shure’s recently released PSM 900 personal monitoring system is one way to ensure that you can clearly and accurately hear exactly what the rest of your band is playing without the hassle of poorly mixed or shoddily placed folk-back speakers. Using Shure’s advanced digital stereo encoding and patented Audio Reference Companding technology, a signal is sent from the desk to the unit that is more natural and dynamic than that provided by similar personal monitoring systems. The PSM 900’s Mix Mode technology even allows the wearer to set their own levels, giving performers, and especially singers, greater independence on stage to get exactly the mix they want. Being the thinnest on the market, the PSM 900’s P9R body-back is also perfectly suited to high-energy performers who might previously have been turned off by big, bulky heavy units. 62

Another new produc t launched at the National Association of Music Merchants trade show in California last month was effects giant BOSS’s new ME-25 multi effects processor. The floor-based unit has the kind of sturdy, bullet-proof construction BOSS is known for, featuring three foot switches and an expression / wah wah pedal. The ME-25 incudes 60 in-built effects including all the standard distortion, overdrive, modulation, delay or reverb treatments a gigging or bedroom guitarist could ask for. Particularly impressive, is the unit’s ability to accept tap in delay times The new Marshall JDM:1 family and the ability to fully organise and archive effects on your computer through full USB BEST OF BOTH WORLDS connectivity. Cakewalk Sonar 8.5 LE also Marshall recently unveiled at the NAMM Trade comes bundled with the unit, making multiShow the newest addition to its amplifier family. track recording a breeze. The BOSS ME-25 is The JMD:1 series combines the simple pleasures available from Kosmic Sound. Price TBA. of Marshall’s much loved raw valve power, with an advanced digital pre-amp and an extensive library of on board multi effects. Sixteen pre-amp settings can be dialled STRAT TODAY, in from a single knob which are broken up into NOT TOMMOROW clean, crunch, overdrive and lead categories - all The Fender American Special Stratocaster intended to reflect a wide range of current and was another exciting product development vintage Marshall amps. The classic vibes are to come out of this year’s January launch recreated using complex algorithms that replicate s e a s o n’. Fe a t u r i n g Fe n d e r ’s l e g e n d a r y past and present amplifiers at a component level, American build quality, but at an extremely affordable price, the new Strat model features rather than simply mimicking old sounds. In terms of effects the JMD:1 series offers an alder body, three Texas Special pickups, all the most needed modulation, delay and reverb a vintage style synchronised tremelo and a colourings. Tap-tempo delay, independent reverb, gloss urethane finish. The new range comes chorus, phaser, flanger and tremelo are but some in classic two-colour sunburst or candy apple of the effects offered that can all be controlled by red. A slightly hotted-up HSS model has also been released which features an extra bite-y a dedicated dry / wet mix control. The Marshall JMD:1 series comes in Atomic humbucking pick-up in the bridge various amp, cabinet and combo configurations position. Kosmic are currently retailing the and is available at Kosmic Sound starting at American Special Strat at an intermediate guitarist friendly price of $1799. $1599.

Allen & Heath XD-53

EAR SPLITTINGLY GOOD

Designed to match their renowned mixers, Allen & Heath’s Xone XD-53 headphones are currently being offered by Kosmic at a special price of $289. The specialty monitoring headphones have been designed to specifically isolate ambient noise – a useful trait in any busy club environment. The independently rotating ear-pieces will also allow for easy monitoring without having to take your ears of the track driving the dance floor.

VESTAXTIC

VFX-1 FX

Last month Vestax finally lifted the lid on its long awaited VFX-1 FX midi controller. Designed to be incorporated with Serato’s ITCH software, the VFX-1 is a slimline unit which makes it easy to execute beats and effects seamlessly into your set. Kosmic currently have the unit priced at $399. Hittin’ the town since 1985


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Display ads: musicservices@xpressmag.com.au Deadline: 4pm Tuesday Credit cards welcome

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REHEARSAL STUDIOS

STREET TEAM NEEDED for rock promoter. E-mail interest to altstate@iinet.net.au.

**NEW** HOMEWOOD REHEARSAL STUDIOS Five large, new, air-conditioned rooms. 86 President St, WELSHPOOL. Ph. 0415 267 263. CVP Private Rehearsal studio, excellent facilities. Protools, Recording and Mastering. Demos to albums, Musos avail. Ph 9349 9365, Yokine area. www.clearviewproductions.com.au PLATINUM SOUND ROOMS Professional rehearsal rooms, airconditioned, quality PAs mob 0418 944 722 S T R E A M S T U D I O S Th e p l a c e t o r e h e a r s e i n P e r t h . P h o n e : 0 4 0 3 15 2 0 0 9 w w w. s t r e a m r e h e a r s a l . c o m . a u VHS Good facilities & vibe. Unit 5 /16 Peel Road, O’Connor. Phone 9418 5815 bus/hrs or 0413 732 885 After hours

RECORDING STUDIOS $1250/EP, $500/Single, $500/Demo Fremantle Records’ Producer Brian Mitra RTR, JJJ, Nova & Rage airplay in 2009 & 2010 0433196224 brianmitra@iinet.net.au ALAN DAWSON’s WITZEND RECORDING STUDIO Professional quality albums or demos, large live room, experienced engineer, analog to digital transfers, mastering.Ph: 0407 989 128 ANDY’S STUDIO International multi award winning songwriter / producer. No band required. Broadcast quality. A songwriter’s paradise. Ph 9364 3178 ARE YOU GOOD ENOUGH FOR LONDON? Free appraisals by producer, 20 years working in London. Great studio also available arrangement and production help included if required. Call Jerry on 0405 653 338 / 9362 2252 www.jerichomusic.com.au AVA L O N R E C O R D I N G , M I X I N G A N D MASTERING STUDIO- BIBRA LAKE 32 track, 2 live rooms, running Pro Tools and Logic, Avalon and Joe Meek pre amps and compressors, vintage analogue effects, plus the latest digital plug ins. Vintage amps and key boards, valve mics plus more. Call Tony 0411 118 304, avalonstudios@bigpond .com CUSTOM BEATS, BACKING TRACKS Production & mixing. Studio specialising in Pop, R’n’B & Hiphop. goldustconstruction.com 0408 097 407 CVP Digital, Protools, Recording and Mastering. Productive environment, songwriters welcome. Session musos available. Ph 9349 9365, Yokine area. www.clear viewproductions. com.au PRO TOOLS LESSONS One on one. Call Steve 0419 040 981. RECORDING MIXING MASTERING PRODUCING Fremantle location. Call Pete Kitchen Cooked Records. Ph 0407 363 764 / 9336 3764 RECORDING, MIXING OR MASTERING with WA’s largest collection of tube recoring equipment. Classic analog tape recorders combined with the very latest audiophile digital converters. Record your band using the worlds finest Analog and digital rock’n roll equipment at Poons Head Studios. “Today’s sound with vintage soul”. www.poonshead. som / Ph 9339 4791 REVOLVER SOUND STUDIO Ph 9272 7505. www.revolverstudio.com.au SOLO STUDIO specialising in singer/song writer music productions. No band required. John 9330 6168 or mob 0419 794 683. STUDIO INNOVATIONS Tel: 08 9437 2151 One of Perth’s finest recording studios, south of the river. www.studioinnovations.com.au

TUITION A A A C L E AV E R A C A D E M Y O F V O I C E S i n g i n g / V o i c e t r a i n i n g . Fo r a d va n ce d s i n g e r s a n d b e g i n n e r s. Professional training all styles and levels. Special rates for new enrolments. Have some fun - learn new singing skills! Phone 9272 4497 for info. W/Per th & Mt Lawley ***GUITAR LESSONS*** The Guitar Specialist. New term enrolments. Latest techniques, styles and songs. Guaranteed results. Begadv, all levels including bass. Cliff Lynton Guitar Institute. Mt Lawley 9342 3484 / www.clifflynton.com BASS LESSONS Rock, funk & jazz. Tony Gibbs 9470 6131 DRUM KIT & PERCUSSION TUITION Beginners - intermediate. Good rates Contact George 0415 926 645 - Clarkson / Nth suburbs. DRUM LESSONS The Drum Shop has Perth’s biggest drum academy with 12 teachers. Drum kit, African drumming and orchestral percussion tuition. See ad Below. Lessons from $18. DRUM TUITION: PRIVATE LESSONS with Warren Daley. Beginners welcome.Hire kits avail. Ph: 9349 8594 (Osb. Park) GUITAR LESSONS Learn guitar by ear from a prof with over 20 yrs exp in teaching & performing. All levels & ages. blues & rock specialist. Results guaranteed. Phone Ian Wilson “The Teacher That Students Recommend” on 9403 3212 GUITAR TUITION (Beginners- Professional) One on One lessons. Burswood Ph 9361 1444 www.gvkschoolofmusic.com.au GUITAR TUITION All styles, inc rock, blues, slide, electric, acoustic, bass. Beginners to advanced. Phone 0420 496 664 GUITAR TUITION with exp qualified teacher Kathryn Andrews. Now at Riverton studio. Indiv lesson program for all styles and levels of guitar, bass and music theory. Learn only your chosen material for fast results with tab or music notation. Phone 0401 352 090 MEGA MUSIC LESSONS D r u m s , G u i t a r , Keyboard & More! SOR, All Ages! academy@ megamusic.net.au or 9330 2777 SINGING LESSONS Voice production. Problem voices, health for singing or speech. All Levels, styles. Margaret Jones 0427 853 083. www.mixmargaret.com

THE DJ FACTORY Exclusive agents for Allen & Heath Xone DJ Mixers. Sound advice on all leading brands in DJ hardware, studio software/hardware, sound & lighting. For quality customer service and the lowest possible price, Check out W.A.ís award winning vinyl & DJ hardware store.

9228 1911

U1/222 James St, Northbridge info@thedjfactory.com.au

www.xpressmag.com.au

www.soundssuite.net * soundssuite@hotmail.com www.myspace.com/soundssuite

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Hittin’ the town since 1985


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