Issue 1476

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NEWSDESK

LOCAL NEWS

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GLOBAL NEWS

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

DEFEATER

MATT GRESHAM

ANNA ALL OUT

Local acoustic artist Matt Gresham will be playing a one-off show in Mandurah to perform songs from his latest album, The Beautiful Emptiness. Gresham says that the album was inspired by the Australian landscape and the many towns he’s visited while touring the country. Gresham already has three albums, music awards and a dedicated following of fans among which is major artist John Butler who has praised Gresham’s music has soul and energy.

Catch Matt Gresham at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre on Saturday, May 30, tickets from manpac.com.au.

Australian DJ and dance queen Anna Lunoe is heading out on a six-stop headline national club tour. Lunoe’s EP, All Out, debuted at number five on the iTunes Dance Chart and she has collaborated on other releases with the likes of Totally Enormous Extinxt Dinosaurs and Sleepy Tom. Lunoe has also performed at Coachella, Lollapalooza and Hard Fest and toured with big names such as Flume, Disclosure and Weeknd. Catch her at Mondo at Ginger Nightclub, Friday, May 29. Tickets available at the door.

Anna Lunoe

Matt Gresham

Boston melodic hardcore band Defeater is heading over for two shows in Perth. With frontman, Derek Archambukt, finally recovered from hip replacement surgery, after two years of performing with a cane, the band is ready to bring all the music from their three albums with maximum energy. Joining them is fellow Bostonians Bane, showcasing their fourth and final album, Don’t Wait Up, released 20 years after their first. This will be their last ever Australian tour.

With locals Miles Away in support, catch Defeater at YMCA HQ, Thursday, May 28, (all-ages) and at the Rosemount Hotel on Friday, May 29.

Tickets from tickets.oztix.com.au.

Defeater

RTRFM FREMANTLE WINTER MUSIC FESTIVAL

DEF LEPPARD They last graced our shores way back in 2011, but now rock legends Def Leppard are heading our way again for a quick three-date Australian tour in the second half of 2015.

Def Leppard have been doing their thing for almost 40 years now, having formed in Sheffield back in ’77. They’re still best known for the monster 1987 hit album, Hysteria, which yielded such dad rock classics as Animal, Rocket, Love Bites and Pour Some Sugar On Me. Perth fans can catch them at Red Hill Auditorium on Saturday, November 21. Support comes from Live - who are hitting Australia for the first time with new frontman Chris Shinn, who joined in 2012 - and Baby Animals.

Def Leppard

DREAM TOUR Two years since their debut, rock’n’roll sisters Stonefield have returned with a new album and a national tour. A taste of their new music, first single Golden Dream from the upcoming album strips back the heavy rock sound we’ve heard previously from the sisters to create a more psychedelic, dreamier feel. The song and album due for release later this year were produced by Spiderbait’s Kram.

Catch Stonefield on their Golden Dream Tour with support from Magic Bones and Destrends, at Four5Nine at the Rosemount on Saturday, July 11, and Mojos on Sunday, July 12. Tickets from oztix.com.au.

RTRFM are heading to Fremantle for their ninth annual Fremantle Winter Music Festival. Spread across five iconic Fremantle venues, 24 West Australian bands and a selection of DJs will show off their ridiculously immense talents. Each venue will host a different experience for every musical taste.

For stripped back folk and alt pop head to Swan Hotel Lounge where Flooded Palace, Edie Green, Hayley Beth, Laurel Fixation and Patient Little Sister will be playing. Or descend to the Swan Hotel Basement to enter a cocoon of kaleidoscopic pysch and showgaze with Dream Rimmy, Golden Slums, Jimmy Chang, Mt. Mountain and Dream Jimmy DJs. For blues, country and rock’n’roll, North Fremantle Bowls Club is your place with Datura4, The Floors, Huge Magnet, Old Blood and Stoney Joe. If guitars are your thing then the Railway Hotel has Dianas, French Rockets, Koi Child, Sugar Army and Tired Lion for your auditory pleasure.

And finally, head to Mojos for all that is electronic and ambient featuring Leon Osborn, Mudlark, Ourobonic Plague, Sam Atkin and Spirit Level, or check out the courtyard where RTRFM DJs Alex Griffin (Out To Lunch), Britt Day (Out To Lunch) and Coel Healy (Golden Apples, El Ritmo) will be sharing their favourite tracks.

This all happens Saturday, June 27, tickets are $15 for subscribers and $20 for the general public from rtrfm.com.au. Gold and Platinum subscribers receive free entry.

Flooded Palace | Pic: Linda Dunjey

Stonefield

DJ OF THE ROUND TABLE

SAY WHAT World-renowned producer Mark Ronson has announced the star-studded line-up for his highly anticipated Perth visit. The Uptown Special Tour sees Ronson on stage with a full band and heavyweight guest vocals such as Kevin Parker, Daniel Merriweather, Andrew Wyatt (Miike Snow), MNDR, Alex Greenwald (Phantom Planet), Theophilus London and Keyone Starr.

Warming up the stage is Perth’s very own Pond, back from touring overseas, the band will be doing what they do best, treating audiences to their very own brand of psychedelic. Also supporting is Yolanda Be Cool, whose smash hit, We Speak No Americano, made it onto every good playlist worldwide.

The Uptown Special Tour hits Perth at Metro City, Wednesday, July 22. Tickets from oztix.com.au.

Mark Ronson

After a stint in the UK, Sydney DJ and producer Lancelot is returning a national club tour. The 25 year-old has already played clubs worldwide, from London to Shanghai to Los Angeles, and has supported the likes of Bashmore, Jamie Jones and Horse Meat Disco. As well as remixing tracks for artists as diverse as Matt Corby, Say Lou Lou and RÜFÜS, Lancelot has also dropped original tracks such as his latest seven-minute, atmospheric dance number Connection. He also composed the soundtrack for the ABC comedy series, Soul Mates.

To celebrate the release of Connections and his upcoming EP on W&O Street Tracks, Lancelot will be playing Geisha Bar on Sunday, May 31. Tickets via geishabar.com.au.

Lancelot

HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL

ROBBIE WILLIAMS X2 New Zealand reggae five-piece Sons Of Zion are taking over the Rosemount Hotel for an all-out roots, dub and reggae party. Having played the 2014 Natural NZ Festival in Perth and Brisbane last year, the band has now ventured across the ditch again to perform as part of NZ Music Month.

Some of the many guest acts at this massive show include Ben Merita, Cera Kymarni & Lioness Movement, NBA Rastas, 44 Degree, DJ ANtikz, Z. Kapella, Jordan H, David Mafua, Trojan John, Ma Rie, Manaaki, DJ Angry Buda and DJ Illict.

See Sons Of Zion and the Rosemount Hotel, Sunday, May 31, at 4pm. Tickets via rosemounthotel.com.au.

Surf blues musician Michael ‘Tricky’ Triscari will be unveiling his new single, Driftwood, from his upcoming album of the same name. The Australia coastline is what inspires Triscari to create his one man folk oceanic music with just a guitar, a stomp box and his voice. Supporting him at his single launch will be the avant garde folk of Shola Lee & The Wonder and the guitar surf tunes of Squid Live.

See Michael Triscari at The Odd Fellow in Fremantle, Friday, May 29. Doors open at 8pm, $10 entry.

World-renowned producer Mark Ronson has announced the star-studded line-up for his highly anticipated Perth visit.

The Uptown Special Tour sees Ronson on stage with a full band and heavyweight guest vocals such as Kevin Parker, Daniel Merriweather, Andrew Wyatt (Miike Snow), MNDR, Alex Greenwald (Phantom Planet), Theophilus London and Keyone Starr. Warming up the stage is Perth’s very own Pond, back from touring overseas, the band will be doing what they do best, treating audiences to their very own brand of psychedelic. Also supporting is Yolanda Be Cool, whose smash hit, We Speak No Americano, made it onto every good playlist worldwide.

The Uptown Special Tour hits Perth at Metro City, Wednesday, July 22. Tickets from oztix. com.au.

Sons Of Zion | Pic: Steve Dykes

Michael ‘Tricky’ Triscari

Robbie Williams

SONS OF ZION

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MICHAEL TRISCARI

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The Human Rights Arts & Film Festival is set to stop by Cinema Paradiso for three nights only. The festival’s aim is to give audiences the chance to engage with human rights issues via film and art.

This year sees three films coming to Paradiso. Tuesday, June 2, features I Will Not Be Silenced, the story of Australian Charlotte Campbell Stephen who, after being attacked and gang raped in Kenya, took her attackers to court, to not only provide justice for herself but to create advocacy for other rape victims in Kenya.

On Wednesday, June 3, watch Just Eat It: A Food Waste Story, a film about a pair of Canadian dumpster divers who survive solely on food waste for six months, exploring the issue of how much food we waste and the devastating impact this has on the environment.

On Thursday, June 4, see The Beekeeper, a German film about an immigrant from Kurdistan, Ibrahim Gezer, who takes comfort in his bees that have been a constant throughout the turmoil of surviving war in his homeland, and moving to his new home of Switzerland.

For more information and to buy tickets to any of these films go to lunapalace.com.au.

I Will Not Be Silenced

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WIN

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TO ENTER ANY OF OUR COMPETITIONS, JUST DOWNLOAD THE X-PRESS MAGAZINE APP FROM ITUNES OR GOOGLE PLAY.

POLTERGEIST 3D Eric Bowen (Sam Rockwell), wife Amy (Rosemarie DeWitt) and their three children move into their new house in the suburbs of Illinois. But when youngest daughter Maddy (Kennedi Clements) begins talking to an imaginary friend, or so the family thinks, sinister spirits begin wreak havoc in the home, holding Maddy captive and forcing the parents to consult a team of parapsychologists who engage the supernatural entities in a battle for the girl’s freedom. From filmmaker Sam Raimi (Spiderman, Evil Dead, The Grudge) and director Gil Kenan (Monster House), we have 10 movie passes to give away.

Poltergeist

BABYLON

TURN SEASON ONE Abe (Jamie Bell) is a farmer who unites with a group of friends to form The Culper, an unlikely group of spies who help to turn the tide in America’s fight for independence. Based on Alexander Rose’s critically acclaimed novel, Washington’s Spies, we have five DVD copies to give away.

Chief Constable of the London Police Force Richard Miller (James Nesbitt) needs help revamping the force’s public image. Enter Liz Garvey (Brit Marling), an American visionary who wants to run her PR with transparency and honesty. Babylon is a razor sharp British comedy that takes a wry look at the people and politics of the police force. Co-created by Danny Boyle, director of Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire, we have five DVD copies to give away.

Babylon

PRINT AND DIGITAL EDITIONS PUBLISHER/MANAGER Joe Cipriani

Turn Season One

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PARTISAN In a dystopian world, Gregori (Vincent Cassel) has collected a commune of troubled women and an army of child soldiers. He sends his son Alexander (Jeremy Chabriel) out of the commune on assassination missions and soon Alexander starts to challenge his father’s rule. This Australian film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. We have 10 movie passes to give away.

Partisan

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WARRANTY AND INDEMNITY

SPY Despite having solid field training, CIA analyst Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) has spent her entire career behind a desk. But when dashing agent Bradley Fine (Jude Law) is assassinated by Bulgarian arms dealer Rayna Boyanov (Rose Byrne), Susan steps up into her first undercover assignment to help capture Boyanov and avenge Bradley. From Paul Feig, director of Bridesmaids, we have 10 movie passes to give away.

SPY

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FLESH

NEWS - INTERVIEWS - REVIEWS - CONTENTS

STATE OF THE ART 2015 Way Of The West The State Of The Art Music Festival happens this Saturday, May 30, in the grounds of the Perth Cultural Centre. BOB GORDON catches up with some of the performers to share their thoughts about WA and its music. perhaps in WA, so many bands who started out here have gone elsewhere to establish themselves, that we keep them dear to us after they leave.

Greg Dear

GREG DEAR, THE HOLY ROLLERS It seems that WA, more than any other state, takes a real pride in the music and musicians who come from here. Do you agree and if so why is it?

I’m not sure. There is a great pride in Melbourne about homegrown talent there, but

You’ve had opportunity to revisit line-ups of bands from your past, what’s it like being able to add chapters to previously closed books?

With The Holy Rollers it has just been getting together to perform the old songs to new audiences or just for the fun of it among ourselves.

There are no expectations or pressure, so it is much more relaxed than it was back in the ‘80s when we were trying to get somewhere with what we were doing. With my band, The Beautiful Losers, who are gigging again with a new line-up - but still with Cliff (Kent, bass) and I who were the only members in every line-up back in the ‘80s and early ‘90s - it has also been more relaxed than it was back then, but it has also been invigorating.

I’ve found myself questioning why I ever took so much time out of the live scene. Re-working old songs and putting them alongside new material I’ve written in the past few years has been great fun.

Until I accidently glance at a mirror, I forget what age I am.

Looking ahead, what musical plans are afoot for you?

My current band, Beautiful Losers, are recording an album that is planned for release in August and we will be playing a few gigs in Melbourne late August to promote that and back in Perth promoting the album in early September. We also have a gig on Sunday, June 14, at the Railway Hotel in Freo. We are loving being back in the saddle again.

Downsyde

SCOTT ‘OPTAMUS’ GRIFFTHS, Birds Of Tokyo DOWNSYDE It seems that WA, more than any other state, takes a IAN BERNEY, BIRDS OF TOKYO

real pride in the music and musicians who come from It seems that WA, more than any other state, takes a here. Do you agree and if so why is it? real pride in the music and musicians who come from I think the West Coast has produced here. Do you agree and if so why is it? some amazing bands and songs over the years and I can’t speak for the other states, but everybody wants that fertile culture and history to I know I certainly do. Perhaps it’s the time spent continue. meeting local bands around Perth. Perhaps it’s finding the closest friends I’ve ever made through the scene, What’s it mean to you that Downsyde are playing an or just that Perth bands are awesome (laughs). event such as State Of The Art in 2015?

It is a monumental show for us in so What’s it mean to you that Birds Of Tokyo are many ways. SOTA has become a part of WA and its playing an event such as State Of The Art in 2015? homegrown talent. Having had a self-induced hiatus Personally, it means a lot to me. This is the means that this is a not only a comeback show but a first time Birds has played a show alongside some of show Downsyde and our fans will never forget. my favourite Perth artists. I’m a big fan of Rachael Dease and I’m a big fan of my old compadre, Brendan What acts are you looking forward to seeing?

Jay, from The Weapon Is Sound.

Marksman Lloyd, You Am I and Birds, all the MCs in the SOTA song battle. Too many!

Looking ahead, what musical plans are afoot in 2015 for Birds?

Looking ahead, what musical plans are afoot for you?

Birds, by all estimation, should be having a Downsyde is just about to drop our new very big year. There’s another bullet in the chamber album, ClassicILL. Be warned; that West Coast party that’s coming out if and when the single, Anchor, dies bangin’ hip hop is back in the house for 2015 and down. I’m excited, I shouldn’t get ahead of myself, but beyond! when I played the demo to my 11 year-old nephew and my 65 year-old father they both started frothing at the mouth (laughs). I felt a wave of confidencesmile-emoticon. Those two are my harshest critics!

IT’S BIG DEAL KINDA DAY

You Am I

TIM ROGERS, YOU AM I

Kim Salmon

KIM SALMON, THE SCIENTISTS

Novac Bull, Boom Bap Pow!

It seems that WA, more than any other state, takes a real pride in the music and musicians who come from here. Do you agree and if so why is it?

I think it’s a hangover from pre-internet times when Perth was not as connected to the rest of the world as it is today. Due to their isolation Perth artists felt that the odds of succeeding on the world stage as opposed to just the local stage were insurmountable. So even though we’ve had Tame Impala, Empire Of The Sun and before that the Hoodoo Gurus, The Stems and indeed, The Scientists succeeding in different ways at various levels in various places outside of WA, we’re still in the old mindset and never quite believe that we’re capable of such success.

This is possibly the first time that You Am I have been framed from the aspect of the band’s WA-ness...

That’s true, that’s true. Geographically the thing that’s often most thrown at us is the Western suburbs of Sydney and that’s pretty much where the band started, but I’m a Sandgroper and so is Rusty.

I don’t know if I’m particularly proud about that but I guess I am in a way that I enjoy when people ask, ‘where are you from?’ and I say, ‘I’m from Kalgoorlie’ it sounds like someone sort of cloying for an identity and I’ll wear that (laughs).

I think it does inform my character, somewhat. It definitely does for Russ and he and I as West Australians that’s one thing we’ve got in common.

And I guess there’ll always be that commonality, even if it’s just some little cheeky wink that you can give each other. The pointed part of that show is that I’m in Horsham in country Victoria the night before and driving overnight to make the plane to get to WA. Then we play that show and jump on a plane to London that night to go a play with The Replacements. It’s going to be a hell of a week (laughs)”

Really. The SOTA Surrounds stage will feature: Boys Boys Boys, Brad Hall, Custom Royal, David Craft, Dream Rimmy, Ensemble Formidable, Flooded Palace, Husband, Joni In The Moon, Legs Electric, Little Lord Street Band, Maurice Flavel’s Intensive Care, Moana, Odette Mercy And Her Soul Atomics, Our Man In Berlin, Patient Little Sister, Rachael Dease, Riley Pearce, The Weapon Is Sound, Wanma Presents: Decibel’s Stuart James Plays The Infinity Machine and Pinata Percussion, plus the return of the MC Battle.

Along with stripped back performances from Ben Witt, Charlotte Vinney, Claudia Tero, Helen Shanahan, Hindley, Jacob Diamond, Justine Walshe, Katie J White, Pete Byfield, Robbie Jalapeno, Russell & Tom, Segers and Xanthea.

Then there’s the Rough Love Sessions at PICA Bar showcasing some of Perth’s best up-andcoming DJs and producers from 6pm until late: Dave Samuel, Kid Deep, Lenard Lewis ft Giorgio Bano, Mot3k, +1 and Tenru.

Of course they’ll be joining Birds Of Tokyo, You Am I, The Scientists, Downsyde, Gareth Liddiard, Katy Steele, Sable, The Love Junkies, Timothy Nelson & The Infidels, Rob Snarski, Holy Rollers (Reunion Show), Rainy Day Women, We Two Thieves, Lois Olney, Mt Mountain, Lower Spectrum, Grace Barbe, Boom! Bap! Pow!, Koi Child, Hideous Sun Demon, Lilt, Rag N Bone, Marksman Lloyd and The Community Supergroup (feat. Diger Rokwell, Empty, Wisdom 2th and more).

Tickets for the licensed all ages SOTA are $55 (plus booking fee) on sale from sotafest.com.au.

CONTENTS 4 6 8 9

Newsdesk Win Flesh: State Of The Art Music Festival Music Andrew Strong, Boris, Funkoars, sleepmakeswaves Gareth Liddiard, King Parrot New Noise

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Culture Hub Cover: The Song Was Wrong Lifestyle, Hitlist Partisan, Tomorrowland, SPY Feature: What’s On In June

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Scene Cover: Steve Bug Feature: Local & Launching Live: Motley Crue, Love Of Diagrams, Karnivool, Tenderhooks

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X-Press Guide Social Pics/Volume

had opportunity to revisit line-ups of bands NOVAC BULL, BOOM BAP POW! You’ve from your past, what’s it like being able to add It seems that WA, more than any other state, takes a real pride in the music and musicians who come from here. Do you agree and if so why is it?

I agree wholeheartedly with this! There just seems to be a real sense of community and camaraderie among the bands and musos in P-town.

No one’s out to ‘better’ another, if so more than anything, to support and barrack almost for their fellow bandlings. There’s a deep feeling of pride when you see mates getting their respective tunes out into the ‘big wide world’; particularly because of our geographical location and isolation.

chapters to previously closed books?

Well, interesting to say the least. This lineup of The Scientists is a case in point as it didn’t stay together long enough for the band to start festering and have the chemistry, if I can use that word, fizzle out. Generally bands reunite in the same mindset as when they finish up and that’s quite often not a very positive place. This line-up of The Scientists finished at a still very positive point and therefore reformed in that same point. Our last reformation felt like we were on the way up as opposed to being on the way down. It was lots of fun!

What’s it mean to you that you’re playing an event such as State Of The Art in 2015?

It means more than most care to consider.

One of the better line-ups we’ve been involved in in a very long time.

What’s it mean to you that The Scientists are playing an event such as State Of The Art in 2015?

Well, to me it seems like recognition of our contribution to the state of things now where Perth performers can start from a level footing to the rest of the world, which I have to say was not the case in the past.

What acts are you looking forward to seeing?

You Am I, Gareth Liddiard, The Scientists, Grace Barbe, The Love Junkies, The Community Supergroup.

Looking ahead, what musical plans are afoot in 2015 for you?

Writing, recording and a possible stint overseas in October. To be confirmed!

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Looking ahead, what musical plans are afoot for you?

I am just putting the finishing touches to what I consider my first real ‘solo album’ so getting that out into the world is what I’ll be preoccupied with. This project is where I’m at now so it’ll be a good thing to do after revisiting times from 37 odd years ago.

Real On WA Day

#RELAX Celebrate WA’s campaign this year asks people to Relax on the coming long weekend and to make a public pledge that they will commit to doing something relaxing that they enjoy or they feel is typically West Australian. So, you’re sharing your pledge via Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, use #WADay and #relax.

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Front Cover: The State Of The Art Music Festival happens this Saturday, May 30, in the grounds of the Perth Cultural Centre.

Scene Cover: Techno mainstay, Steve Bug hits The Factory on Sunday, May 31.

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MUSIC

VIEWS

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INTERVIEWS

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STORIES

“We were never a band. We just made a movie with a soundtrack and it did well.

But I am happy I did it and it made a lot of people happy.”

ANDREW STRONG My Way Andrew Strong heads to the Astor Theatre this Friday, May 29, to play all your favourites from the much-loved 1991 movie, The Commitments, supported

by Randa & The Soul Kingdom and The Healys. SHANE PINNEGAR reports.

To his credit, Andrew Strong isn’t content to carbon copy The Commitments tracks, preferring to put his own shine on the likes of Mr Pitiful, Mustang Sally and Try A Little Tenderness.

“The show I’m doing right now is basically me doing what I did in The Commitments, but I’m doing my own spin on it,” Strong explains in his soft Irish brogue.

“It’s more edgier, there’s a lot more guitars. I play guitar a lot in the show. People are kind of seeing another side to me and that was very important, as opposed to people just knowing me as the singer in the movie.

“When I do songs like Mustang Sally and Take Me To The River, they’re very different in terms of what’s on The Commitments’ records. They’re just harder. That was something I was very conscious of wanting to do before I took this whole thing onboard.

“I think people are seeing that other side to me,” he muses. “They’re like, ‘you can listen to The

BORIS Heavy Settings Japanese trio Boris hit the Rosemount Hotel on Monday, June 1, supported by Pissed Colas and Mt Mountain. DAVID JAMES YOUNG reports.

For over 20 years, the name Boris has been synonymous with all things heavy, noisy and abrasive – not only in their native Japan, but on a global scale.

It’s a reputation that is nigh on unshakable.

They’ve been flagbearers for the brutal and the belligerent across more than 20 albums (including collaborative records) and countless tours across the world – so much so that there is a real weight to the expectations around each release that comes along under the Boris name. One would understand and empathise if this were a burden on the band. Boris insist, however, that it’s water off a duck’s back.

“We have never intended to change our musical styles intentionally,” says founding member Takeshi, who provides bass, guitar and vocals. “Some may feel we do, but we don’t. As long as it still means ‘heavy’ for us, we play whatever music style sounds great to us. There is a certain signature sound and music that only three of us can play, and that will never end.”

The band’s most recent offering is an LP succinctly titled Noise. Described by Boris as their “most all-encompassing effort to date”, it saw them once again exploring the greater reaches of the Boris sound via both sprawling compositions and blunt brutality. It also officially marked their 19th studio album in 18 years – an insanely impressive feat any 10

Commitments stuff - it’s cool, but you’ve got to go see him live’. It’s just a totally different ballgame. It’s more engaging. It’s just more full-on. It just makes it interesting for me.”

After the Australian tour is done and dusted, Strong has plans to record a new solo album, and possibly even a documentary of some sort.

“We’ve been kind of recording a lot of video footage over, I’d say probably the last year or two years, here in Australia,” he says. “I don’t really know right now what we’re going to do with it, but it’s there in the can.

We just have to kind of go through it and just see what we’ve got going on there, you know?

“Basically as soon as I finish this tour I’m heading back home. I’ve just upgraded my studio and just basically I’m going to hibernate, man, between now and the rest of the year. Just sit down, write some tunes, work with different writers and possibly some different producers and stuff like that.”

That Commitments connection just won’t go away – testament to how loved the movie was by so many. Strong even admits that there has been talk over the years of a sequel.

“Yeah, there’s been talk about it over the years,” he says, dismissively, “but nothing’s ever really come of it, to be honest with you. Look, sometimes things are just better off left the way they are. I think that’s definitely one of those movies which should be.

I have never been presented any material or anything that remotely came even close to me, to even consider doing something like that. Not at all.

“Even for me to do the reunion tour (with the original Commitments cast, in 2011), it was a big decision for me because it doesn’t feel very natural this whole thing because we were just all a bunch of kids.

When you’re in a band, it’s like being in a marriage for 20 years. Then when you do a reunion, it’s organic, where that wasn’t. That was the big problem I had with it. I thought, ‘well, we were never a band. We just made a movie with a soundtrack and it did well’. But I am happy I did it and it made a lot of people happy.

“That’s one of the main reasons why I’m doing this tour right now - because I met so many people when we got together for those anniversary shows. People were practically crying. I just thought, ‘you know what, man? I’m just going to go out and I’m going to do my own spin on this. I’m going to show my appreciation to all those thousands of people’.”

way you cut it. As warmly as the album was received, Boris are adamant that the songs have become even better through playing them live.

“It is pretty exciting to see how our songs grow and are being developed with playing those songs in front of audiences and being accepted in an unpredictable way,” says Takeshi. “That feeling will lead a motivation to do a new one for us. We prefer to play new songs because we can show an audience our most updated sound and style live, and would like to present to our audience the latest one freshly.”

Despite this commitment to performing fresh music, one can never be sure what to fully expect from a Boris show, with literally hundreds of songs to choose from across their vast canon. Even when material is predominantly predetermined – as it was the last time the group was in Australia, playing the entirety of their 2000 LP, Flood – there’s still room for plenty more where that came from.

Takeshi admits that assembling what the band is going to be playing across any given tour is one of the more difficult tasks Boris face.

“Basically, Boris play our latest songs for the show – though it is pretty hard for us to decide the setlist,” he says. “We want to have both new and long-term fans enjoy shows at once. Boris have always tried to play enjoyable sets – not only for our audience, but also for us.”

The trio returns for a run of headlining shows this month, taking in Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, and two nights in Sydney. Takeshi enthuses that Boris always enjoy visiting Australia, and that the relationship they have with the country is strong – hence why they’ve kept coming back for so long.

“Wata (keyboards/guitar) was so happy when she held a koala and watched the kangaroos and the other animals last time,” he says. “Audiences in Australia look so excited… we can enjoy our own shows every time. We are all looking forward to the upcoming shows too!”

FUNKOARS

“For a while there was a struggle where it

Old Dogs, New Tricks

(hip hop) wasn’t considered a real form

Funkoars’ national tour takes them to the Prince of Wales in Bunbury on Friday, May 29, and Amplifier Bar on Saturday, May 30. JAI CHOUHAN reports.

Immersed in the Aussie hip-hop scene for close to two decades, Funkoars have had a front row seat to the scene’s transformation into what it is today. With four albums and a fifth on the way, it seems that the boys from Adelaide have still got it.

Reminiscing about its humble beginnings, Hons opens up about being a part of a transformation in a genre that wasn’t always respected.

“It has definitely changed a lot. We’ve been going to shows since the late ’90s.” The MC starts, “Everything’s changed so much. I remember going to shows where if you got 50 people in the room that was considered packed. Now, people are doing 5000-10,000 people shows. We’ve watched it sort of grow from pretty much nothing to the absolute monster it is today. For a while there was a struggle where it wasn’t considered a real form of music by a lot of people, but now it’s dominating a lot.”

Coming up alongside Hilltop Hoods before either got recognition; the group is now part of their long-time friends’ label, Golden Era. “We got taken under the wing from those guys and they helped unbelievably,” Hons says. “Our relationship has grown stronger and stronger and now

of music by a lot of people, but now it’s dominating a lot.”

that they have a label, they were nice enough to let us be a part of it and put our music out. It’s always risky mixing business and friends but those guys are just great as businesspeople and as friends. It’s definitely a very nice home to have.”

Releasing their last album on the label back in 2011, Funkoars have been somewhat under the radar since, only dropping the abrasive Dawn Of The Head EP last year. Fortunately, the trio from Adelaide will be returning to your headphones sometime this year with their new album, In Case Of Emergency.

“It’s our fifth album and yeah, we’re really excited for it. This is the first time we’ve gone into the studio and pretty much recorded the album as a whole. The other times it was a bit more spaced out with a half-finished track here and a half-finished track there, but this time when we’ve gone and recorded the album, we did a rough mix, learnt the songs, went into the studio and had a crack at about six songs a day. We got a lot of people playing live instruments as well, adding to Trials and Sesta’s beats, the samples and stuff like that.

“Trials and Sesta have just gone way beyond from the previous albums, learning actual instruments to add a lot to the beat which is what makes our group sound good, especially with a large audience.”

SLEEPMAKESWAVES Climb Every Mountain Touring in support of their latest album, Love Of Cartography, sleepmakeswaves play at the Rosemount Hotel on Saturday, May 30, with Gay Paris and Sparkspitter.

MATTHEW TOMICH reports. sleepmakeswaves are the hardest-working postrock band in Australia. The Sydney four-piece are at the tail end of a three-month world tour that’s seen them trek across Europe for the fourth time, but more exciting was their maiden voyage to Asia, where they played Singapore, Hong Kong and China for the first time.

“A big surprise for us and the really humbling experience was that China is possibly one of the most awesome and exciting places to play music on the planet, as far as the parts of the planet we’ve been to,” says bassist Alex Wilson.

“I think because it really is a new scene and there’s a lot to fight for, there’s a sense that those DIY values and doing things in an honest and straightforward way are really valuable and they matter a lot.”

While the Chinese tour was a huge coup, sleepmakeswaves are at an interesting point in their existence as a band. Despite the success of their second record – last year’s crowdfunded Love of Cartography – and their busy traveling schedule – which included multiple national tours both as headliners and as support for the likes of Karnivool, Dead Letter Circus and 65daysofstatic – sleepmakeswaves is not sustainable enough to become a full-time pursuit for its four members. Wilson was let

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go from his day job for taking too much time off to tour, and though the success of the band is enough to put a roof over his head and food on the table, he remains uncertain if he wants the band as his main source of income.

“I think being a full-time touring musician would probably be a lot like having a child,” he says.

“You wouldn’t know exactly how you’d feel about it until you’ve done it. Looking at it from the outside, it looks incredibly glamorous, but knowing a few people who are in that position and knowing them well personally, I know that they’re definitely not free of their own problems or their own struggles related to their career that are pretty significant, even if they’re in a position of earning their salary full-time from being in a band.”

Still, this is a band whose sound and ideology is founded on vitality, experimentation and progress. sleepmakeswaves know how to work hard; now they’re focused on working smart, financial security be damned.

“We’re not a band to rest on our laurels so a lot of what we’ve done over the past few years has just been, ‘why not do that? Why not try and climb that mountain?’ It’s worked pretty well so far, but thankfully we’re at a point where we don’t need to be as brutal with ourselves anymore. I think we feel a sense that sleepmakeswaves is just a thing that is going to be in our lives for the foreseeable future and we don’t need to run ourselves rabid trying to make sure that it doesn’t sputter and expire somewhere along the road.

“So that’s a really nice feeling and I think rather than killing ourselves with so much touring in the future, now we kind of want to focus on being a bit more selective with those shows and making the next record as great as we can make it.”

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GARETH LIDDIARD Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous Taking time out from a recording a new album with The Drones, Gareth Liddiard performs at State Of The Art in the Perth Cultural Precinct this Saturday, May 30.

ADAM NORRIS reports.

It’s been a busy year for Gareth Liddiard.

Currently gearing up for their return to Perth in time for State Of The Art, Liddiard and The Drones are also in the midst of recording album number seven, in addition to reissuing their entire back catalogue.

It’s an impressive feat, but then The Drones are indisputably a hard-working band.

Chatting with Liddiard, you come to suspect their work ethic was formed in his early years here in Perth, where he worked as a roadie when festivals rolled into town. The truth is somewhat more sketchy.

“I never set out to really do anything or learn anything from that work,” Liddiard remembers, his voice exactly the kind of rumble you would expect. “But I liked it, so that’s what I gravitated towards. I did lighting, roadie work, lugging stuff around. That was ’92 to 2000, when I threw it in to move to Melbourne and try being a musician. But it did mean that I never got weirded out by stages, because I was already standing on them straight out of high school.

“Gigs like Big Day Out, working stages in front of these huge crowds. But I never thought anything would ever come from that, and now I just love it. Plus you got to see some awesome bands from the side of stage. Rollins Band, Beasts Of Bourbon. It was a good little period of study.”

The Drones’ career has taken on a rather idiosyncratic trajectory, one which seems marked by elements that would generally seem quite stressful: legal dramas, an impressively exhausting touring schedule, the band itself morphing through different members. It sounds energising on paper, almost frantic, but experiencing it all in the flesh was a different beast altogether.

KING PARROT Phil’s Place

“To a degree it’s stressful, but then there are different kinds of stress,” says Liddiard. “There’s good stress, like how you can be stuck with the band in a van for 48 hours. But then there’s other things – internal tensions, all of the grinding touring. But I don’t think we’re exceptional in that case. Like, everyone gets screwed over when you’re on the road. It’s a strange business, and there’s just no regulation. You can just totally not get paid for a gig, and nothing will ever come of it. People can get away with murder.”

The band is currently celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Australian Music Prize-winning sophomore record, Wait Long By The River And The Bodies Of Your Enemies Will Float By. Its harrowing opening number, Shark Fin Blues, was recognised as the greatest-ever Australian song by a panel assembled by triple j in 2009. The Drones’ history is one brimming with such industry respect and popular accolades, and while they now enjoy the freedom to pursue whatever project takes their fancy, they find themselves still having to keep on their toes.

“We have to keep working, meet your responsibilities. It’s not the worst thing in the world.

We can still do what we want to, but we’re definitely not rich. There was some speculation in the past that we were rich, and that’s fucking hilarious. It started when someone saw us buying a bottle of scotch. I mean, we desperately needed scotch, we were off in the wilderness somewhere near this country town, and the last bottle of scotch they had there was Chivas Regal. So word got around somehow that that meant we were rich. Really we would have just preferred a bottle of 100 Pipers.”

Dead Set, the sophomore album from Melbourne thrashers King Parrot, reveals the fruits of two long and interesting years on the road. Bassist Wayne ‘Slatts’ Slattery chats to JESSICA WILLOUGHBY ahead of their shows at the Prince Of Wales, Bunbury, on Friday, June 5, and Amplifier on Saturday, June 6.

Phil Anselmo is synonymous with the journey of discovery that most metalheads go through in their salad days.

Yet to meet someone who doesn’t profess a deep affection for Anselmo’s former outfit, Pantera, in their formative years – the reach of this vocalist’s legacy has helped him build a career filled with great music as frontman of Down and head of Housecore Records. So what if he wanted to record your band’s next album?

“14-year-old Slatts definitely got a boner,” King Parrot bassist Wayne ‘Slatts’ Slattery jokes about the humbling experience. The fivepiece spent time recording their sophomore LP, Dead Set, at Anselmo’s property is Louisiana recently. After striking up a friendship, both bands joined forces to tour the US last year – but King Parrot never imagined they would be working with one of their idols shortly after.

“The last year-and-a-half has been fucking amazing,” Slatts tells X-Press. “Being on tour with Down was unbelievable and the people that we met.

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Jello Biafra (ex-Dead Kennedys, Guantanamo School Of Medicine) even got up onstage at one point too.

Even just writing this new album, we experienced things we’ve never done before. We had a month off in America because it was too expensive to fly back to Australia and then have to come back for the next tour.

So we wrote the album in a bar in Vermont – that was a highlight. Then recording the album in swampland in Louisiana at Phil’s place.

“The idea of Phil producing the album was kind of daunting for me personally. He’s kind of the biggest name in metal and I kept thinking ‘…what if it doesn’t work?’. After having time with him and his Housecore engineers, we got into it big time – they were definitely on our wave-length. It was a great experience.”

“The last year-and-a-half has been fucking amazing.”

The environment definitely rubbed off on the five-piece. Known for their short-fast numbers, they took the chance to write a few longer tracks on this release. Slatts says Home Is Where The Gutter Is, the debut music video from the album, is a good representation of just how intense this album gets – with a dash of the signature King Parrot humour thrown in for measure. The clip follows a day in the life of a homeless war veteran who gets his revenge on those who have mistreated him.

“We just put out the film clip for Home Is Where The Gutter Is and I think the theme of that is it doesn’t matter if you’re homeless or a businessman, people still get fucked up and can be arseholes,” he says.

“Youngy (Matthew Young; vocals) and the rest of us, have all been through the drug and alcohol taking years. The alcohol years never stopped, from my perspective. We know how shit things can get. I think this song shows how far we push ourselves in our songwriting, and the things we consider. We reject, we don’t comply.”

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NEW NOISE

For more album reviews head to xpressmag.com.au

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2.5 OUT OF 5

OUT OF 5

KODALINE

STRIKING MATCHES Nothing But Silence Caroline

Coming Up For Air RCA Victor/Sony

The television show, Nashville, has certainly been a godsend for songwriters Sarah Zimmermann and Justin Davis, who, as Striking Matches, have become regular contributors to the cast’s finest pairing, Sam Palladio and Australia’s own Clare Bowen.

Having songs on peoples’ iPods and in their lounge rooms counts for little if there is no way of backing it up, and this is what Striking Matches look to deliver on their debut, Nothing But The Silence. The palpable heartbreak and ache of the tunes like the couple has shared on Nashville poke its head up here every now and again, but it is the blues infused rock that drives the music on Striking Matches’ debut.

Trouble Is As Trouble does kicks things off with a frenetic burst of guitar playing from Davis to show that the band are more than a one trick pony.

Striking Matches version of the tunes that aired on Nashville are here with Hanging On A Lie given a bit of extra sass and When The Right One Comes Along proving to be a perfect ballad no matter who is holding the reins.

Driving rhythms, tasteful crisp production and a knack for harmony are delivered in spades on Nothing But The Silence. Debuts as accomplished as this don’t come around too often.

Reaching commercial status with their debut album, In a Perfect World, Dublin quartet Kodaline’s second LP, Coming Up For Air, just doesn’t seem to reach that same uniqueness and creativity. While they could well continue to reach higher success commercially, Kodaline have in the process sacrificed their previous charm and genuine character.

Sounding like a combination of Coldplay and Snow Patrol, Kodaline seem to play it safe with music you’d find on said band’s back catalogues.

They haven’t tested any new waters on their second album, rather than improving on their previous hit single, High Hopes - an emotionally charged song that hits anthemic heights - Honest, from this new album, represents an attempted dash to mainstream fame. While Honest still manages to tick the boxes of a well-written song, it lacks energy, often waiting for an uplifting chorus that the bands they aspire to are capable of.

Kodaline seem to be following the footsteps of their influences rather than taking a side step alongside them. While they do it well, experimenting outside their heartache safety zone will go a long way in establishing a wider variety of music that will hopefully lead them to their own unique sound.

CHRIS HAVERCROFT

BEN DILLON

3.5

3

OUT OF 5

OUT OF 5

SNOOP DOGG

DAN CRIBB & THE ISOLATED As We Drift Apart

Bush

Earlier in the year, Perth muso Dan Cribb announced his departure from punk act, The Decline. Focusing on more singer/songwriter type material, he has assembled a backing band and released As We Drift Apart.

Comparing this release to his last uncovers a massive graduation in sound. Whereas his debut EP The Memories Last relied on acoustic-driven tracks and more intimate instrumentation, As We Drift Apart sees Cribb take full advantage of his backing band, turning these songs into full-on ’90s punk rock tunes. The personal touch is lost in the translation, but the melodies are still there and perhaps even brought to fruition. The album is reminiscent of punk bands who are focused on melody, such as Lagwagon, Alkaline Trio and Blink-182.

Cribb’s vocals are definitely the highlight – they have a tone that conveys energy and emotion, especially on songs such as Fall Apart. When he sings, ‘I know I can see it’s not easy / It’s killing you / It’s killing me’, the conviction is clear. Kisschasy frontman Darren Cordeux lends his voice to Let’s Move To New York, one of the album’s shining moments.

Cribb has taken the sound on his debut EP to the next level, making everything bigger in the process.

Forgive the painfully obvious pun, but Calvin ‘Snoop Dogg’ Broadus is evergreen. At this stage in his career, he’s equally as celebrated by elder hip hop heads as he is by kids who weren’t even born when the seminal Doggystyle came into the world. He can do as many trashy pop cameos and shitty movies as he likes – everyone’s got time for Uncle Snoop.

Bush, Snoop’s 13th studio album, is helmed by hit machine and recent defendant, Pharrell Williams. It’s 10 years removed from their last major collaboration, the worldwide smash of, Drop It Like It’s Hot, and there’s something to be said about not retreading common ground. Rather, the pair have gone for a hugely melodic, windows-down California cruise, replete with state-oriented love letters (California Roll) and elegantly wasted urban pop (Peaches N Cream, So Many Pros). If the Doggfather’s last LP, Reincarnated, was guilty of anything, it was taking itself a little too seriously. Bush won’t have any similar issues.

It’s not a reinvention of the wheel by any means. It is, however, a slick customisation that allows for the rims to continue spinning long after the car has stopped.

SPENCER SCOTT

DAVID JAMES YOUNG

3

4

OUT OF 5

OUT OF 5

OSCAR KEY SUNG

PAUL WELLER

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Saturns Pattern

Altruism Warner

Since 2008’s 22 Dreams, Paul Weller has steered his sound away from the dad rock plod that plagued most of his albums in the early noughties. Instead, the former Jam and Style Council frontman has embraced a more diverse range of styles and approaches. Saturns Pattern, Weller’s 12th solo effort, is the fourth album into this new phase of sonic adventure.

The album starts off with the thunderous White Sky, a collaboration with production duo, The Amorphous Androgynous. The title track follows, taking the tone down to a languid summery saunter.

Going My Way starts out as a ballad but soon reveals itself to be far more complex, bringing together three distinct movements for an end result that has an early ’70s McCartney-esque feel to it. Anchored by a steadfast groove over which vocals and instrumental flourishes come in and out of view, Pick It Up gradually builds to a symphonic climax. At nearly six minutes, Phoenix is an epic psychedelic soul workout.

Few artists at Weller’s age (56) or older – or younger, for that matter – make albums as vibrant and unfettered as Saturns Pattern. It’s not just another run through the motions by a heritage artist – it’s something far more rewarding.

Oscar Key Sung has never been particularly worried about breaking from the norm in the electronic music space, and Altruism demonstrates a tentative foray into a more offbeat sound within the genre.

The EP’s opener, Skip, gently eases the listener into his peculiar world of electro, guiding them with strong beats and mesmerising repetition of the word ‘skip’. The aptly named Premonition is perhaps the most interesting track on the EP – experimenting with continuous loops and whispers hidden behind captivating lead vocals. It’s breathy and intriguing, and it’s here that we can see Key Sung really start to push the boundaries of his sound.

However, some of the tracks on this EP don’t make for particularly easy listening, as Inside Job and Light move in stranger directions. Twisting and turning with little regard for an overarching melody, things get more edgy and steer away from the norm.

Altruism is an interesting and clever release, but whether it can shine within the near-saturated electronic music scene is uncertain. Key Sung begins to explore a new sound, but doesn’t completely throw himself in, which is a mighty shame.

MICHAEL HARRT

ERIN ROONEY

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L I F E S T Y L E & C U LT U R E

Photo by Thinh Dong

Veteran of both stage and screen, George Shevtsov has certainly become a respected talent over the course of his career. His latest role is in an original work by the Perth Theatre Company. We caught up with Shevtsov to chat about working in a premiere piece, and how music has become an important part of his life.

The Song Was Wrong is a new work penned by Perth Theatre Company Director Melissa Cantwell. Based on a tale told in a Saigon bar many years ago, it is a love story about a pianist and a woman that spans three generations. “It’s always great to do a new work,” explains Shevtsov. “Because you can make a contribution, it’s a fascinating story. With all developments it is your contribution that gives direction (if it’s valid) for the writer. It’s all filtered through the writer’s idea of what she is trying to say. On stage, you also want an audience to come at things with fresh eyes. With this piece the audience can interpret it in multiple ways. It’s not scripted about how you see it, each member of the audience can make up their mind about what they are experiencing. That’s the best sort of theatre.”

The hardest task for Shevtsov was an unexpected one, a skill he surprisingly didn’t have when being cast as the elder musician. “I had to learn to play the piano, which was great. Fortunately we have a piano back home, which I didn’t play. It’s a family heirloom and really needs repairs, but we tune it every five years or so and it works. So at the end of last year I began teaching myself. Fortunately we had some beginner books, so I

got used to the piano and having my hands around it. Then I got some of the music I have to play in the piece and learnt how to play that. It inspired me. I’m going to fix the piano and continue learning.”

Although he loves working on both stage and screen, Shevtsov admits they are very different beasts to perform in. “They require a very different approach, very different energy, a whole different environment. Both are stimulating. What’s great about theatre is you have a long (well, maybe not that long) rehearsal process, and a chance to do it every night and keep it growing. In film and TV the takes are where you keep it growing till there’s one take that gets chosen and then gets manipulated in the editing room. In a way you haven’t got control over your performance, but it is thrilling to see it come out in the final cut. Both are rewarding and fantastic experience.”

Although with a bit of holiday time on the horizon, Shevtsov still has a few previously completed works coming later this year. He has just arrived back from the Tribecca Film Festival, where he premiered his latest film, Backtrack. An Australian supernatural thriller, Backtrack sees him sharing the screen with Oscar winner Adrian Brody. Closer to home, he also makes an appearance in local band Hailmary’s latest video. Shevtsov is the father of the drummer Vas, and stars as a chained-up hippie in the clip.

DAVID O’CONNELL

The Song Was Wrong runs from Thursday, June 4, until Saturday, June 20, at Studio Underground in the State Theatre Centre. Go to perththeatre.com.au for tickets and session times.

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A R T S & C U LT U R E

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POPDINING IMPACT Feed Thy Soul POPdining IMPACT is a new venture set up to connect young, upcoming entrepreneurs with our local leaders in business, through an innovative dinner event, The Entrepreneurial Dining Table.

We talk to organiser Ai-Mei Nguyen about what we can expect at this Saturday’s dinner.

EAT AT: TUCK SHOP CAFE This Newcastle Street eatery is never not crowded high time you found out why, hey?

What is POPdining IMPACT? POPdining IMPACT connects ideas, people and opportunities through the format of communal dining to provide information and inspiration to motivate aspiring individuals to reach their potential, to feel like managing a business they love is achievable, and to keep going until they make it happen.

Tell us about The Entrepreneurial Dining Table.

Our dinner conversation attracts driven individuals who want to pursue a meaningful life and make a living from their passions. The Entrepreneurial Dining Table is an opportunity for guests and other businesses attending to share brilliant ideas and more importantly enjoy a night of incredible conversations.

NEWS

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FAS H I O N

Many young would-be business people can’t access business development and entrepreneurial programs unless they are enrolled in tertiary programs, often with an affiliated university.

After doing plenty of research, we quickly realised entrepreneurship courses aren’t really offered directly here in Perth, nor is there a strong support network.

POPdining IMPACT intends to fill that gap – by offering dinners that will connect creative, innovative and passionate young people with organisations, opportunities and individuals capable of helping turn their business ideas into reality.

Why did you create this event?

We love surrounding ourselves with passionate people – it’s contagious and inspiring! We’ve shaped our business to associate only with positive and passionate, food-loving people for as long as we live.

We are genuinely committed to bringing together motivated individuals by connecting them with industry experts through the format of communal dining, where guests will have the privilege to sit down and learn, absorb and pick the brains of our their role models.

Is this your first event you’ve had through POP Dining IMPACT? Yes, the dinner event will be the introduction of POPdining IMPACT to give individuals, local businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs greater insight into the business and our mission.

What can people expect on the night?

Our vision is to create a night inviting local big thinking, creative and generous entrepreneurs to share back with the community their personal journeys and experiences to success to inspire, empower and provide guidance to the next generation of Perth Entrepreneurs.

The format of the night will be a three

THE DESIGN SKELETON Natasha Lea

DRINK AT: THE LUCKY SHAG As the weather turns, we’re running out of time to enjoy waterfront drinking - best to get down before the chill settles in.

The meticulous and striking hand drawn art of illustrator Natasha Lea is garnering more and more attention. Created with Copic Multiliners, black ink, and fine brushes, a piece slightly smaller than A3 takes around 35 hours to complete (she times herself out of curiosity), with the largest illustration from her most recent solo exhibition totalling 116 hours.

Lea says her art style comes from a mix of practice, convenience, and admiration for other artists.

“I’ve always been drawn to graphic novels and the old fashioned black and white inked illustrations. I also love pop-surrealism created with oil paints, and I used to paint, however when I was blessed with the arrival of my son DD I found oil painting was too fiddly and very inconvenient. I do plan on experimenting with paint again in the future.”

In terms of inspiration, “The world around me and the people I meet combined with my nostalgic past and the mood I am in are what drive me to create what I do,” says Lea. “Inspiration comes from everywhere at just about any time of the day.”

SHOP AT: VERONIKA MAINE Speaking of winter, make sure you’ll be warm and stylish with a new coat from this chic retailer.

CABERNET & CANVAS Alcoholic Art A social art event that offers a different night out, Cabernet & Canvas classes guide you step-by-step through a specific painting - not to mention there’s the possibility of alcoholic beverages to help unleash your inner artist.

GO TO: I HEART NEPAL GROUP EXHIBITION Get down to the Little Wing Corner Gallery this Friday, May 29, for this one-off group exhibition to raise money for earthquake relief in Nepal.

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“While drinks are not included in our ticket price, most of our public classes are held at licensed venues where participants are most welcome to purchase drinks and nibbles to consume during class,” says Ella Dent, owner and one of the artists/instructors. Dent says the classes are aimed at people with little or no experience with painting who wish to connect with their creative side in a fun and social setting. “Though our relaxed approach to the class means that people with more experience enjoy our classes as well.”

Class cost includes your art materials, and you get to take your masterpiece home. According to Dent Cabernet & Canvas was started in 2012 by an American expat and the idea is based upon the hugely successful Paint & Sip classes held across the United States. Class participants range in age from early 20s through to late 60s. “While the majority are generally women, the blokes always enjoy themselves too.”

The Design Skeleton

The name The Design Skeleton covers all of Lea’s creative paths, as well as allowing her to showcase other artists in the mix. “The design skeleton is actually a real term used in design, it’s basically a blueprint of something to be built, like a house for example. With my obsession with animal skeletons and slightly moody illustrations, I thought it was an appropriate use of the term.”

Classes are held at various venues around the Perth metro area, each one running between two and three hours. Cabernet & Canvases scheduled classes for May are booked out but places are still available for June. “All At Sea features a turtle swimming in WA’s warm turquoise waters and will be painted on the 4th of June at Rydges in Perth City.

June 11 sees us in Joondalup painting Monet’s Sunset In Venice, and on the 12th we’re back in the city to paint van Gogh’s Three Sunflowers at Rydges.”

Do changing themes mean people come back again and again? “Yes! Because each class features a different painting, people are able to choose the paintings they’re interested in from our calendar and paint a new work of art for themselves each time. It’s great to see our repeat customers returning and building on their skills and confidence with a paintbrush.”

You also don’t have to wait for a scheduled class to enjoy the concept; Cabernet & Canvas offer private parties, corporate functions and team building events for a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 60 painters. “We’re a mobile business, so are able to set up in any suitable venue that has the space for us, from people’s homes to workplaces, restaurants, galleries and pubs.

“Our most overwhelming feedback is from people saying they went into the class for a laugh but ended up leaving really proud of their paintings and amazed by how skilfully our artists guided them through the class,” says Dent.

One final question: is red wine or white wine more popular during the Cabernet & Canvas experience? “I think more people do opt for red wine, though there’s always a good representation of white wine, beer, and cocktails (depending on venue) as well.”

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Popdining IMPACT

course dinner where our guest speakers will provide a brief 10 minute talk between meals, sharing their personal journey about how they started their business (obstacles encompassed, how they tackled challenges on the way).

The night is expected to go for three hours and aims to be a fun, enjoyable knowledge sharing night for all!

PENNY LANE

A seamstress by trade who creates vintage frocks and custom wedding gowns, the last 18 months have seen Lea booked with so much illustration work she hasn’t had a lot of time to do much else, but interviewing other artists and featuring them on her site remains close to her heart.

“I’ve been focusing on growing The Design Skeleton name within the Perth art world as a name to trust, in terms of creating professional group exhibitions and supporting talented emerging artists. This is something I have been working on also.”

Lovers of Lea’s art are encouraged to contact her for commissions. “I am truly blessed by the following I’ve built up. People come to me with beautiful stories they want captured by my illustrations, such as a new baby coming in to the family, a wedding anniversary, a proposal, or a family portrait. I also have clients wanting massive collaborations of their fantasy ideas and my penmanship.

“The people who contact me most often want a symbolic illustrations that mean a lot to them, and looks like a magical illustration to others.

I get quite close to some of the clients that come through—sometimes as I do ask a lot of questions to get the feel right, and stay in contact through the process of the illustration.”

Her illustrations have also been tattooed on people’s bodies a few times. “What a compliment!!

Somebody out there wants to have my work on their skin for life to look at every day. It truly is amazing.”

According to Lea, the future is looking bright. “I’ve recently been contacted by Linton and Kay Gallery and am set to be exhibiting there and selling prints for some time in the year. This is exactly the step forward I would love for where I am at with my art right now.”

GILLIAN O’MEAGHER

Cabernet & Canvas

For more information, head to cabernetandcanvas.com.au GILLIAN O’MEAGHER

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FATMAN RETURNS

BRAND ON THE RUN

Cult filmmaker and ‘90s veteran Kevin Msith is coming back to Australia, and he’s bringing his hetero lifemate, Jason Mewes, with him!

Smith made his bones with a string of indie stoner comedies, some well received - Clerks, Chasing Amy - and some not - Zack And Miri Make A Porno but he’s also an experienced and engaging raconteur, as evidenced by his popular podcasts and his An Evening With Kevin Smith spoken word engagements. The Jersey Boys Tour sees Smith and Mewes bring their particular brand of pop-culture-centric humour to the Riverside Theatre on Saturday, September 26. Tickets go on sale this Friday, May 29, at 10am via Ticketek.

Comedian/activist/comb disliker Russell Brand not only has a new movie out - The Emperor’s New Clothes - but he’s also embarking on a new stand up comedy tour. Trew World Order hits Perth Arena on Tuesday, October 20 - book through Ticketek.

Russell Brand

THE CATS COME BACK

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most popular musical, Cats, is coming back for a very limited Australian season.

The play has been reworked for its recent West End revival by the original creative team, including director Trevor Nunn and Lloyd Webber, and was nominated for two Olivier Awards in 2015. Catch it at Crown Theatre Perth from Saturday, April 2016 book via Ticketmaster.

Cirque Du Soleil - Totem

VISUAL ARTS

Cats

JAWS TURNS 40 Saturday, June 20, marks the exact 40th anniversary of the 1975 release of Steven Spielberg’s first blockbuster, Jaws. To celebrate, Celluloid And Whiskey are holding a special anniversary screening at The Backlot Perth, featuring a pristine, remastered print of the film, beer from Gage Roads, and giveaways from Diabolik Books And Records and Dive, Ski And Surf.

The 2pm session sold out in a day and the 6pm is selling fast, so book your seats now via eventbrite.com.au Jaws

Lana Pecherczyk at the Hunting For Witches launch

HUNTING FOR WITCHES Lana Pecherczyk Promotional text for the novel Hunting For Witches (recently launched at The Classroom in North Perth) states “Evolution is the Game. Gods are the Players. Humans are the Avatars, and Witches are the Glitch.” Author Lana Pecherczyk says the idea for the story sparked while she was listening to a Bloc Party song of the same name.

“The song is actually about the London Bombings, but my mind conjured images of real witches ‘taking our jobs and taking our women’. I turned this into an ‘evil body snatching witches’ concept. Then I thought, what if it wasn’t only witches, but another level of higher beings —gods? What if they were here first and used us to download their souls into, and play a game, masquerading as us to further their own evolution? Then that became, what if witches were the ‘far more sinister thing’ that evolved and there was a secret war going on between the two? The book centres around a girl, Roo, who is caught between both worlds–one hidden and one out in the open.”

Pecherczyk said upon finishing the novel she had to make a choice. “Either submit my book to agents and publishers, wait months, years – possibly forever– for a response, or do it myself. Before I made this decision, I asked myself, what can a traditional publisher offer me that I can’t already do myself? I’ve worked in marketing and design for years so I already have the skills to design my own book, website, and manage my marketing (you have to do most of your own marketing in traditional publishing). “ Self-publishing is becoming more prevalent, according to Pecherczyk. “There is less stigma around the process, and with the younger tech-savvy generations growing up it’s going to become even more popular. These kids don’t want to wait for the end of a two minute you-tube video to finish, so imagining these writers will wait 10 years, like JK Rowling did for Harry Potter, to be published doesn’t sound plausible. Sales on Amazon for self-published authors have eclipsed traditional in many genres—science fiction and fantasy is one of them. I know this isn’t the greatest example, but Fifty Shades Of Grey was originally self-published.

When it became wildly popular, the author was offered a publishing contract. This just goes to show that you never know what the public likes to read unless you put it out there. If you fail, so what? You’ve only found one way that didn’t work. Move onto another story and try a different way.”

As well as continuing to write and publish, Pecherczyk plans to share her services with other writers in the same position. “The writing community is large and very welcoming. I got my start joining some of the NaNoWriMo events. This is the National Writing Month Challenge held in November. Everyone is invited, and you don’t have to have writing degrees or loads of experience. I’ve started a business with a friend I met at one of these events and we hope to involve ourselves more in the community and help others realise their publishing dreams too. It’s called Creative Cartel Publishing and we are open for business, from book covers to websites. We hope to make the self-publishing experience smooth and attainable for everyone.”

For Love Of Country: The Art Gallery Of Western Australia Commemorating the centenary of World War One, this exhibition draws various works from the State Art Collection to present a fascinating look at how art has responded to war and conflict over the past century. It runs until Monday, July 20. Go to artgallery.wa.gov.au for full details.

Rebirth: The Art Gallery Of Western Australia Japanese artist Mariko Mori has created Rebirth, an immersive experience comprised of installations, LED sculptures, photographs, drawings and videos.

It’s on display until June 29. For more information, go to artgallery.wa.gov.au The Struggle Is Not Real: Koolroom This group exhibition by Perth-based art collective Ten K (RLSM, Cheeks, Debt and Ferly) looks at the choices and sacrifices we make to live and survive in the modern world. It runs from Saturday, May 30, until Friday, June 5. Hit up tenkblog.tumble.com for more.

Wilderness User: Paper Mountain Landscape artist Sheridan Coleman’s new solo show is a collection of multimedia works, including painted and molded miniature pieces and large photography and video works to examine the changing way we interact with the landscape in a digitally dependent society. It runs from Friday, June 5, until Saturday, June 21 - go to papermountain.org.au for more.

Hyper Vision: Midland Gate This year’s exhibition of works by local young people is built around the theme of “What’s Missing”, with the artists broadly interpreting it in a range of media. The works stay on display at Midland Gate from Monday, July 6, until Sunday, July 26. Go to hyperfest.com.au for more details.

THEATRE/DANCE/ PERFORMANCE Once We Were Kings: The Blue Room Theatre Written by Dure Khan and directed by Mustafa Al Mahdi, Once We Were Kings is a look at the world through the eyes of young, queer Muslims. The show is accompanied by a special art exhibition of pieces from artists who have been censored in their own countries. It runs until Saturday, May 30. Go to blueroom.org.au for tickets and session times.

Glengarry Glen Ross: State Theatre Centre Director Kate Cherry brings to life David Mamet’s prowling, venal powerhouse of a play with an all-star cast that includes Luke Hewitt, Peter Rowsthorn, Damian Walshe-Howling and Will O’Mahony. It runs until Sunday, June 14. Go to bsstc.com.au for full details.

The Song Was Wrong: State Theatre Centre An epic love story spanning three generations, Perth Theatre Company’s production of Melissa Cantwell’s new play stars Astrid Grant, Felix Jozeps and George Shevtsov. It runs from Thursday, June 4, until Saturday, June 20. Got to perththeatre.com.au for more.

Summer Of The Seventeenth Doll: The Old Mill Theatre Written by Ray Lawler, this classic of Australian theatre comes to the Old Mill courtesy of director Trevor Dhu. It runs from Friday, June 5, until Saturday, June 20. Go to oldmilltheatre.com.au for session times and tickets.

Wicked: Crown Perth The smash hit musical, which chronicles the exploits of the Wicked Witch’s exploits prior and parallel to the events of The Wizard Of Oz, runs until Sunday, June 28. go to wickedthemusical.com.au for session times and tickets.

Jesus: No Ordinary Life: The Blue Room Theatre Damon Lockwood’s sketch comedy looks at the religion of celebrity and the celebrity of religion in a wonderfully weird scenario wherein a PR outfit is hired to find just the right Jesus to promote the church’s brand. It runs from Tuesday, June 16, until Saturday, July 4 - go to blueroom,org.au for tickets and session times.

Cirque Du Soleil - Totem: Belmont Racecourse The latest show from the renowned circus troupe traces the evolution of the human species from our distant amphibian state to our ultimate desire to fly, drawing inspiration from numerous creation myths along the way. It runs from Friday, July 31, until Sunday, September 20. Go to cirquedusoleil.com/totem for full details.

FESTIVALS Audi Festival Of German Films The Goethe-Institut proudly presents this showcase of new German-language films, which runs at Cinema Paradiso from Thursday, May 28, until Sunday, May 31. Go to lunapalace.com.au for tickets and session times.

Independent Theatre Festival R u n n i n g at t h e S u b i aco A r t s C e n t re f ro m Wednesday, June 3, until Saturday, June 4, this enterprise from the Perth Theatre Trust sees a number of local indie stage projects reappear, including HorseHead, The Final Chase, The Night Guardian, How We Ruined MacArthur’s Markers and the boat goes over the mountain. For session times, head to ptt.wa.gov.au

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PARTISAN About The Boy Directed by Ariel Kleiman Starring Vincent Cassel, Jeremy Chabriel, Florence Mezzara Within the closed walls of an abandoned building, Gregori (Vincent Cassel) has created his own utopia.

He rules a harem of wives and a litter of adopted children with the charisma and control of a cult leader.

When the oldest child, Alexander (Jeremy Chabriel), begins to challenge the teachings of his adopted father, a conflict develops - a conflict that is further heightened by both the secret nature of Gregori’s family, and the deadly means both are capable of employing to protect it.

Partisan uses its enclosed environment to great effect, giving us minimal information about the outside world. The glimpses we do catch are full of Brutalist concrete architecture gone to seed, with the people that populate it worn but occasionally kind - far different than the sort Alexander has been dogmatically warned against. We have very little insight into this world other than it may be different than it has been portrayed by Gregori. The concentration of the film is in the other world created behind the walls of the compound, a world set up as an oasis dedicated to family, a world which operates with its own set of laws, and a world in which Gregori is king.

The whole film is such a carefully crafted

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piece on multiple levels. It gives its viewers just enough information to get by, but with enough depth to infer more about the characters and the world. This is a film that drip-feeds its audience information slowly, rewarding them for their patience with powerful storytelling and a richly evocative atmosphere that is immaculately shot. It is no wonder that Director of Photography Germain McMicking took out an award at Sundance for this work, finding such beauty in urban decay.

The relationship and growing conflict between Gregori and Alexander is key to Partisan, with both actors bearing the workload brilliantly. Vincent Cassel’s portrayal of Gregori is dripping in charisma, but with a deep sense of disquiet about it. He comes across with a likeable charm and gentle wisdom, but scratch the surface and there is blatant manipulation and a barely contained rage, guaranteeing that he must completely control a situation. When that is challenged, then there is a petulance that is almost childlike, but dangerous considering the lengths to which he is willing to go to. By contrast Jeremy Chabriel displays a quietness beyond his years. The young actor often dispalys the thousand yard stare of a combat veteran, but he is still capable of seeming innocent in his gleeful interactions with his mother (Florence Mezzara). It is the battle of wills between Cassel and Chabriel that we see the tension in Partisan, and it is phenomenal for such a young actor to manage his part in it so well.

First time director Ariel Klieman brings us a confronting and complex film. Simultaneously brutal and gorgeous, this is one that will haunt you.

DAVID O’CONNELL

FILM

TOMORROWLAND Where’s My Jetpack?

Directed by Brad Bird Starring George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Hugh Laurie Sometimes when a movie goes wrong, you can see how just a few subtle changes could have made the difference. At other times there is nothing that you can do but pop on your latex gloves and begin sifting through the smouldering wreckage to try and work out what happened. Welcome to the impact crater that is Tomorrowland.

After being arrested trying to halt the dismantling of the space shuttle launch site, scientific dreamer Casey Newton (Britt Robertson) discovers a curious badge in her possessions. Touching it gives her a strange vision of another world, where the future dreams of the Atomic Age have borne fruit. With the help of an oddly ageless girl, Athena (Raffey Cassidy) and a disillusioned former child genius, Frank Walker (George Clooney), she sets out to discover the utopia of Tomorrowland.

This is a movie that appears so full of promise, yet is strangely squandered. From the confused and stilted framing device, to the unearned pontifical ending, it is a failure of intention. This is a colossal pity, as there is huge potential here for a relaunch of utopian sci-fi based on a promise of a brighter future. Instead we get a poorly paced damp squib, overly reliant on a third act that could never deliver on expectations and fails

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utterly in any regard.

The fault for this lies predominantly in Damon Lindelof’s screenplay. Obviously the writer of Lost loves teasing with a good mystery, and does so again here. Lindelof keeps his cards so close to his chest that it utterly stifles any dramatic tension, instead forcing the film to play an extended game of “keep away” from the audience with almost any information about Tomorrowland. Consequently, although we are told the stakes are high, we only really see this towards the end of the film, instead being drip-fed cryptic prophecies of oncoming doom till the characters actually reach the titular land. To get there it takes almost 100 minutes of the 130 minute run time, and the pay-off for such patience is poor in the extreme. The last half an hour is a rush to the end, with little tension due to the rather passive nature of the antagonist.

This is a rare fail for the usually solid Brad Bird (The Incredibles). At the very least he manages to realise the vision of this retro future-that-never-was and bring its aesthetics to the screen in a visually stunning way. We even manage to get flashes of excitement in a number of the early set pieces (one battle in a comic book store gives a glimpse at how good this could have been). Yet the end result is so dramatically inert as to be an endurance rather than a joy.

As big a disappointment to sci-fi fans in 2015 as the lack of that hoverboard from Back To The Future 2.

DAVID O’CONNELL

FILM

SPY Danger Zone!

Directed by Paul Feig Starring Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Jude Law, Jason Statham Of late we have seen a reinvigoration of the spy genre, with the success of the spy-fi Kingsman: The Secret Service, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. slated for later this year, and even a new Bond film in production. Spy marks a differing take on this male dominated genre, being a comedy vehicle for Melissa McCarthy.

With an entire list of active field agents compromised and a tactical nuclear device being sold to terrorists, desk-bound analyst Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) heads into the field for surveillance work. Without the trust of her fellow agent Rick Ford (played straight down the line by Jason Statham) she must infiltrate an arms dealer’s network and regain the device.

Despite the numerous rounds Spy puts down the range, it manages to stray wide of the mark, which is a pity. There is something about the character of Susan Cooper that has some potential, and in the proper vehicle she could really resonate. Perhaps it is McCarthy playing against the traditional male power fantasy that is the high end spy milieu being such a rich ground for comedy, or maybe it is just the gender change that reinvigorates it, making the action seem fresh again. Whatever the case is, Spy gets really close to it, but isn’t quite consistent enough in its humour to

pull it across the line. It does show potential, though, and gives some hope for a tighter scripted sequel if the box office goes well.

However, as much as we can hope for the future, Spy does not live up to that potential here. It’s a mixed bag, doing as much wrong as it does right. On the positive side Feig really does know and respect the genre. The parody is lovingly handled and manages to skewer its target very well. He even manages to prove himself a competent action director, handling the typical situations and sequences we would see in a Bond film with a degree of competency. The downside is that in trying to create a plot full of twists it instead veers towards the ridiculous, stretching the film out and robbing it of its comedic potential. Add to this a large cast of characters that the script writers don’t entirely know what to do with and the whole process quickly comes undone.

McCarthy is probably at her most likeable since Bridesmaids. Cooper subverts expectations, starting off competent but lacking in esteem, and proving to be an utter beast. That growth into McCarthy’s traditional foul mouthed confidence really cements the character. Statham is also a pleasant surprise in this showing a great degree of talent as a straight man, parodying his tough guy roles to the hilt. It is a pity that the script seems unsure of where to take him, instead devolving him into Clouseaulike bumbler. The rest of the supporting cast is phenomenal, but again the film often seems unsure of how to use them to their best potential.

In the words of a famous predecessor, “missed it by that much.” Spy gets close, but misses its target.

DAVID O’CONNELL

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YO U R G U I D E TO W H AT ’ S O N I N J U N E

TOMÁS FORD The Spy Who Is Me Tomás Ford’s list of credentials is lengthy: cabaret king, electro pop star, Fringe World fiend, and with his new show The Final Chase he can now add spy to the list.

The Final Chase is a thriller cabaret that sees Ford play a James Bond-esque spy who is attempting to assassinate his nemesis in a big chase across South East Asia, while simultaneously falling to pieces. The show features 11 brand new songs, with the electronic arrangements audiences have come to expect from Ford but with added spy film flair.

The idea for the show started several years ago when Ford did a one off collaboration with pop artist and producer Ze called ‘Til Death Do Us Part.

“We worked on a track that was supposed to be a one-off ridiculous James Bond themed song,” Ford says.

“I got interested in the idea of what it would be like to be a James Bond character, but to actually experience all the emotions and all of the psychological trauma that would happen to you if you were a real person in that situation, rather than some comic book macho super hero. I found the material accidentally flowed out really quickly from that and I ended up with this show that I didn’t really mean to write but I really like.”

Ford has a loyal fanbase both in Perth and overseas at festivals such as the Edinburgh Fringe, and is well known for his hands-on approach with his audience such as in his multi-award winning show, Electric Cabaret. However The Final Chase has gained Ford a new kind of fan.

“When I took the show to Edinburgh I had it under a different title, Tomas Won’t Stop Killing People, thinking that my usual audience would be looking for me to continue the vibe of what I was doing,” he says.

“Over the course of 24 nights, I discovered that a large part of the audience, not all of them my traditional audience were coming as well, but a large part were older, mostly male, spy film buffs. And their reactions were the most fun. You’d see their family would be enjoying it on one level, but because they’re so deeply into their spy films and books they were just freaking out. They were like, ‘This is for me, I’ve gone to 100 contemporary dance pieces but this is for me!’ So I’ve changed the title and I’m trying to accommodate that audience a little bit more, which is a really weird

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PROFS AND PINTS

THE PLAYOFF

Ever wondered what would happen if you put leading scientists, theorists, practitioners and professionals in a room together to discuss current yet controversial science topics? Watch the banter unfold as Scitech presents the annual Profs And Pints series.

Held over four evenings in June and July, the general public are invited to attend one or all of the free events and hear from leading scientists and community members, as they deliberate contentious topics currently rousing debate in our society.

Profs And Pints is held at the National Hotel Fremantle, doors open at 5.30pm and the banter kicks off at 6pm. Audience participation is encouraged with a live Twitter feed showing the online conversation, questions and remarks.

The Playoff at Bar Indigo sees 20 of Perth’s best up-and-coming bands battling it out for the chance to win $5000 cash (courtesy of Bar Indigo, Leisure Inn & Champion Music), Castlerock Institute Of Music Sponsorship Package (recording, production, mixing and mastering of one single, video production of said single, band photo shoot), $200 worth of gear from Guitarworld Rockingham, Elite Sound Studios Rehearsal Package, X-Press Magazine Editorial/Promo Package, and a Your Scene 107.3 HFM Sponsorship Package.

Heat #3 on Wednesday, May 27, sees Amberdown, Jellybred, The Georgians and Reapers Riddle competing. Doors open 7.30pm, $5 entry.

Profs And Pints

process as up until now I’ve never really taken that approach to my shows before.

“I love the stupidity of a Taken movie or the brain-off middle class macho bullshit that is a James Bond movie,” Ford continues.

“But I’m also interested in what kind of messages those films are trying to send to men about masculinity. I think the suited white man that is James Bond is a masculine archetype that people look up to and I wanted to mess about with that and add a bit of humanity to what’s two dimensional.”

THE TRUE COST

The Milkmen, heat #2 winners of The Playoff Pic: Kyle Woolf @ Castlerock

ROCKIN CIRQ

The Final Chase shows at the Subiaco Arts Centre as part of the Independent Film Festival from Wednesday, June 10, to Saturday, June 13. Tickets available from ticketek.com.au.

The True Cost is an unprecedented documentary feature that invites you on an eye opening journey around the world and into the lives of the many people and places behind our clothes. Filmed in countries all over the world, from the brightest runways to the darkest slums, The True Cost asks us to consider, who really pays the price for our clothing?

All proceeds from ticket sales will go to grassroots projects in Bangladesh that support workers in their quest for safe and dignified working conditions. Join us as we pull back the curtain on the fashion industry for this exclusive Perth screening on Tuesday, June 2, from 6pm. For tickets head to madegram.org, for more about the film head to truecostmovie.com.

Roll up, roll up! Rockin Cirq will be a night of garage rock’n’roll and cabaret on Saturday, June 13, from 6pm-12am at Perth City Farm, East Perth. A unique and immersive event experience with a variety of local talented artists , it’s hoped that Rockin Cirq will fill the void created by much-loved venue closures across Perth, if only for a night.

The Caballeros, Junkadelic and Thee Gold Blooms will provide diverse flavours of live music, with The Beehives Go Go Dancers and fearless feats of excitement coming from Ivana B and Reverend Butcher, overseen by ringmaster extraordinaire, Magnus Danger Magnus and DJ Primal Vinyl. Tickets available via eventbrite.com.au.

LUCY RUTHERFORD

The True Cost

The Beehives Go Go Dancers, Rockin Cirq

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A preview of everything happening in the Perth scene this August! advertise: advertising@xpressmag.com.au

OSCAR KEY SUNG Beat And Meaningful AQWA SHARK MONTH

Oscar Key Sung makes his way to Perth for a show at Flyrite on Friday, June 19.

AUGUSTUS WELBY reports.

Torpedo designs, tails that can create a thunder-like crack, shaggy beard disguises, spikes with fins and fins that can ‘walk’ - from June 1-30 discover the amazing and unique features of AQWA’s shark squad while on an underwater journey to discover the spectacular marine life of WA. For the brave – plunge into AQWA’s Shipwreck Coast for the ultimate shark adventure a dive or snorkel with sharks, its available daily at 1pm and 3pm For the nearly as brave – see what shark skin feels like as gently you touch a baby shark in AQWA’s discover pool For the curious – make the most of the extra daily “meet the sharks” presentations from ocean guides For the quirky - Say “Arrrr” to our reception staff on world pirate day (June 26) to receive a free AQWA pirate patch For the trivia nuts – The second edition of AQWA collectors cards are out now. They’re shark squad-themed and free with every child ticket to AQWA – just mention X-Press Magazine though and you can have one too!

AQWA is open daily from 10am – 5pm and is just 20 minutes north of the city at Hillarys Boat Harbour. Head to aqwa.com.au for full details.

The 19th running of Perth’s premier indoor car show, the Hot Rod & Street Machine Spectacular, is coming up at Claremont Showgrounds on Saturday, June 13-14. There is a little over eight weeks before the doors are thrown open and the WA public can once again view the finest machinery this state has to offer.

With 150 vehicles on display, including a special 40-car display by the West Coast Street Rod Club to celebrate the club’s 50th anniversary, the Hot Rod & Street Machine Spectacular is the perfect place to see the best hot rods, street machines, muscle cars and motorbikes in the state.

For more information or to download an entry form, visit wahotrodshow.com.au. You can also find them on Facebook.

AQWA Shark Month

Hot Rod & Street Machine Spectacular

HOT ROD & STREET MACHINE SPECTACULAR

BACK 2 BASSICS This year Back 2 Bassics brings you an event of epic proportions. Set on the famous Bindoon rock site, there’ll be two stages with international and interstate acts, featuring Coming Soon, Chroma Tone, Rinkadink, Crictical Choice, Ticon, EMOK, Phony Orphants and many more, plus local DJs and acts to boot. There’s also delicious food and drink stalls, market stalls and workshops for your enjoyment! It all happens from 12pm Friday, May 29, ‘til 4pm Monday, June 1, at Telephone Road, Neergabby (about 45 minutes north of Perth in Lower Chittering).

Tickets are $65 via sticktickets.com. au/22416. For full details, head to back-2-bassics.com.

Coming Soon, Back 2 Bassics

It’s been 14 months since Oscar Key Sung released his breakthrough EP, Holograms.

This was a long enough delay to prompt rumours about the pending arrival of the Key Sung’s debut album. But it wasn’t to be, and the Melbourne songwriter/ producer has just returned with a new six-track EP, Altruism. Considering Oscar SlorachThorn (as he’s otherwise known) also teamed up with Andras Fox on the collaborative LP, Café Romantica, last year, perhaps there simply wasn’t time to produce a solo record. Though, a busy schedule isn’t the only thing delaying him.

“I keep almost making it, then deciding to make it into an EP and then putting songs aside,” he says. “I feel like I’m still improving and coming to terms with what I want to do as an album. I want it to be really good when I do it. EPs are a less high pressure scenario.”

Although he’s just 24 years old, Key Sung’s no novice when it comes to the creation of full-length records. Back in 2009, he released an LP with the experimental electronic group, Psuche. The following year, he and fellow Psuche member Martin King broke away to form Oscar + Martin, a fruitful partnership that culminated in 2011’s For You LP. When his focus shifted to Oscar Key Sung in early 2012, he had some specific stylistic parameters in mind.

“I wanted everything to have a restraint to it in the arrangements,” he says. “I wanted the elements to be limited so that there would be a lot of focus on bass sounds and sampled voice and then have the main focus be about the feel of things.”

The fundamental restraint of Oscar Key Sung’s material doesn’t limit its dynamic scope.

Among Altruism’s six tracks, the likes of Skip and Brush edge towards a straight-up pop sound, while Premonition and Light take a lateral look at R&B and Inside Job is an avant garde instrumental.

“I try to not just have five of the same song, but still try to create a thread,” Key Sung says.

“Basically there’s an idea I’ve got for the EP and within it there are the levels of extremity. So Inside

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Job is obviously on the exterior, then it kind of gets closer and closer to pop. That’s an aspect of it, but they’re also just the songs I made. If I made one track a certain way, I felt I didn’t need to repeat that idea in the next track.

“Something I’m still trying to think about in my solo stuff is spaces,” he adds. “The idea of going from a small room to a large room to an expansive space to an underground/ underwater space. That’s what I try to do through the tracks. Rather than adding a sax line, I’ll choose to go underwater for a bit.”

Akin to All I Could Do from Holograms, songs like Skip and Brush highlight Key Sung’s knack for writing instantly memorable electro-R&B numbers. While many songwriters would happily sacrifice limbs to possess such melodic flair, pumping out catchy hits isn’t what Oscar Key Sung is all about.

“The issues I have with some pop music is that sense of inevitability to the point of feeling a bit like a zombie while you’re listening to it,” Key Sung says. “What I really love is pop music that’s active.

Even if it is anti-maximal and really basic, it’s doing something that functions in a way you don’t expect it to. To me when a song comes together and starts to feel real, it’s about a cohesion between the tone of all the melodies and the intention of the words and the feel of everything. I think pop music should be somewhat meaningful.”

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“Everything is changing and it’s almost impossible to go back where you came from because you just know too much about certain things and just do it differently, it’s just a natural evolution.”

STEVE BUG

A Bug’s Life

Collaborating on the album, the group’s album. Okay, lets do that then’, and that happened.

Ahead of the release of their sixth studio to just keep layering things on because it’s fun to Techno mainstay, Steve Bug hits The Factory on Sunday, you have be available on all the platforms nowaffiliates as well that and it’s almost go back whereexciting you came do but May this is31. was harder andto took a lot longer.” friends and camedidn’t to be anchanging important part It wasimpossible somethingtothat was really when album, Why Make JAI CHOUHAN reports.Sense?, this Friday, even existthe when startingbehind the labels, of you definitely to Jones, adjust.” from because you just know back too much about certain things andkind When asked about inspiration the release. have “Sarah the drummer from the he came because it was really funny, The German DJ record has also just released EPwas of his own,part Coconut just do itenabling differently, just sounding a natural evolution.” album, Martin opens with the taking, live an band a huge of the sessions, of it’s unique and a bit of a departure for May 15, Hot Chip’s Felix Martin speaks the Entrenched in Germany’s house scene for over two‘about decades, Steve Paradise, Bug’s first of 2015.

Heading up fronts with and in a year-and-a-half to make’. recording to be set up more like a band.” us, three something that weDJing, haven’tproducing really dabbled toBug JAI has CHOUHAN. done it all. Juggling an international touring schedule, where you have A&R work, finds that his time is equally divided, with “There wasn’t one “I’ve thingalways that webeen werea fan of releases Mark Ralph, who was involved withSteve the Bug before.” curating his own releases and running three labels,inspired his life isby house from on forHot different no In one aspect over the other. that wecompletely sort of sat different down andtracks agreedto choose recordings Chip’s times last album, Our Heads,taking precedence With the album music and he’s keep itHot about on. that,Itthe music. of the for different clubs oralso justsat forindifferent The icons’ sixth release.

“Everything is taking a third of myreleased time. A this thirdweek, is was more just, as night, we went through the again for people. the electronic Stripping back thesomehow layers on managed Why MaketoSense?

Hot Chip will follow up with heavy touring Heading up his labels, Audiomatique, Dessous and Poker A-side is quite summery, that’s why it’s called Coconut Paradise, DJing, a third is producing and a third is running the labels withuntil “He’s just sort of part of the family really,” Chip have put their heads together for one of their sessions recording stuff, we would tend to have October, US and Europe. Although Flat,exciting Bug hasefforts seen the then like there’s a more it dubby, tune “He on B1, then my partner.

DJinghitting comesboth withthe a lot of travelling, and certain things in mind; we wanted to be techno-ish says Martin. getsand where we’re coming from Of andcourse, most yet.industry’s evolution first hand. there’s no Australian dates stone yet, I’m Martin “With still Audiomatique, wecomplexity, simply justitstopped vinylback,more of a classic Bug, weird sounds and ado, more that might part of it, but in set theinmeantime moredoing stripped we wanted it to Steve have fewer he bleepy gets what we wanna so it makes it easybe andthe biggest “There’s an element of is sureItthey’ll maketogether it out in time for festival season. because sales were like notwe good enough.”

Bugideas opens. elements, we wanted mind-screwing working on other stuff. all comes as one package, I it to have track.” something in fun to work with him.” was more just feeling wanted to have To his Dessous, Bug’s deep house label has Since his debut from release to making can’t think ofDe it as one without others. “ I ithe m ag i n e i t wo u l d b e i n yo u r common with the R&B productions theback earlyin 1994, Bug’s approach Also involved on Why Make Sense? was and feel confident in surprise, the simplicity of an idea rather struggled theitvinyl losing money with on a number releases. hasn’t per se, but La it has certainly developed.

“Down-time is rarely happening, I’m simply working all a he says. “We’ve always had such Soul’s Posdnuos, featuring on the second track of summertime,” 2000sofand late ‘90smusic that we reallychanged like. There were than feelingon like had market, to be accompanied “Butsounds,” with Poker Flat we’re says. fine. We “Inprinciples, the beginning, I was using very not following doing anything, my had mindsuch is still there. good there and a good time some release kind ofon guiding but there wasn’t the little album.gear. But now, with the time. Even if I’m more Felix Martin “It’spretty a lot much more do every vinyl unless artist says we’re notstuff doing it or there’s time-pressure the possibilitiesabout of what can do“It these days,kind having Withweevery person, even when you’re on vacation we’ll definitely be back.

I just don’t was just of like, ‘oh, couldself-employed just that I think a set of 10 commandments howcomputers we difficult to doan than just add more which is really because vinyl these days it can take so manywere months toto get collected synthesisers and drum machines, there are to contribute for three weeks, doing emails thinking what to maybe whatwith we’ve done in the past, we’ve tended knowstill where or when at and the moment.” going do it.” ask one of of ourcourse musical heroes to the you’re it ready and you want to release it before the summer. Of course different possibilities when working on music. Everything is do next.”

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VOYAGER

DAVE JOHNSON

Changing Seasons Voyager, one of Perth and Australia’s favourite progressive metal exports, is about to embark on an eagerly anticipated national tour to celebrate the launch of their new video for Seasons Of Age. JESSICA WILLOUGHBY talks to vocalist Danny Estrin ahead of their shows at Amplifier Bar on Friday, June 5 and the Prince of Wales in Bunbury on Saturday, June 6.

There is no denying the pull of a Voyager show.

Whether you’re a fan, or just simply there for the ride, the intensity of this band live is one of their biggest drawcards.

So when it came to deciding the theme for their latest video, Seasons Of Age, they decided to focus their attention on the people that helped make them what they are today. “The clip itself splices together live footage, which is something we’ve never done before,” vocalist Danny Estrin says. “What we wanted to do is to get a really up-close view of the Voyager live experience because a lot of our shows aren’t stadium shows. We like to get sweaty with the fans in a pub atmosphere. I even think there’s one crowd surfer in there (laughs).

“It’s a cool idea; it’s kind of up-close-andpersonal with the crowd from our last few shows in Brisbane and at the Rosemount (Hotel) in Perth. I think whether you are a fan or not, you can’t deny that Voyager shows are entertaining.”

Putting a call out via social media, they wanted to give fans every opportunity to be involved in the shooting of this clip. The response was well beyond expectations, according to Estrin. “Just before the Perth show, I felt really crap and down,” he tells X-Press. “As soon as we hit the first chord, it was just amazing. The place was just packed, from the front to the end. Home shows have a really special vibe to them.”

Creating a feature video for Seasons Of Age is an interesting choice, with the main theme focusing on getting older and the lack of control involved in this process. With Voyager now getting on in years themselves – having five full lengths under their belts – Estrin wasn’t necessarily commenting on his own band when finding inspiration for this song’s

Rise And Look Around You Fremantle singer/songwriter, Dave Johnson, launches his new album, On A Clear Day, this Saturday, May 30, at Clancy’s Fish Pub Fremantle with guests Simon Marks and Jamie David. BOB GORDON catches up for a chat with the singer/songwriter.

content. “But maybe subconsciously I was,” he says.

“Looking back at our history, we’ve come on a fairly long journey. If you listen to the first album, it is quite different – it was sort of more power metal and melodic stuff. We moved into a more bottom-heavy sound now. But we’ve always maintained catchymetal and catchy choruses – they’re paramount for Voyager. That’s stayed consistent for us.

“Seasons of Age is a pretty different song.

It’s actually my favourite song from the album. I think it shows a very different side of Voyager – it’s not a balls-to-the-wall, in-your-face kind of song.

But I think it’s quite an emotional song and I’ve never heard anything that sounds quite like it. When that chorus comes in, it just gives my goosebumps.

There’s something quite powerful about it. I think it’s also quite different for this album, but it’s still quintessentially Voyager – if that makes sense.”

“Ageing and getting older; it seems to be a common concept because as we get older, people start to question what we’re doing. You see a few grey hairs and that sort of stuff. I just thought that concept was really interesting, due to the fact you have absolutely no control over it. Both personally and from other people’s point of view.”

In the midst of the touring cycle for their current release, V, Estrin says punters can expect a “mixed bag” of new and classic Voyager selections on this tour. And that they are already looking towards their next opus. “The creative juices are definitely flowing,” he says.

After many years playing in bands such as The Fling, The True Believers and Push Humpty, you released your debut solo album in 2002. Given the amount of time that has passed since then, what did you want to convey on this one?

I t h a s b e e n a few ye a r s b e t we e n drinks. My original intention was to write a bluegrass album. I was playing a lot of tenor guitar and mandolin at the time and those two kinda lend themselves to that genre! However, the songwriting process took me on another journey into a world of lost souls and trainwreck relationships so I guess I ended up with more of an alt-country vibe with a bit of swagger and stumble.

Do the songs come from that whole period of time, or were they written more recently (or from another era within that time)?

I caught a good bag of songs last year. I made it a regular thing last year that every Tuesday night, guitar in hand, I’d stare at an empty page until a song appeared. Mix that with a few ups and downs in life and whammo, an album.

In the liner notes you describe your friends and collaborators Pete Stone and Kate Kelly as being ‘song doctors’. How so?

Pete Stone and Kate Kelly (Lamia, Pete Stone & The Assistance) are two amazing songwriters and incredibly wonderful people.

Pete’s got this stethoscope which he carefully holds against the sore bit of the song and asks the song to cough! The song then sheds all its foibles and shitty lines, clichés and waffle and skips out the door.

What was it like to write Force Of Habit with Neil Murray?

Force Of Habit was written with Neil Murray out the back of the Boab Inn, Derby, around 2004. Neil is a master! As a co-writer he hit the heart of the song straight away and really helped develop the tone of the story and the characters. Since his days with the Warumpi Band, Neil has released an album a year and they’re all gems. There are few Australian songwriters who have had such strong connection to country.

How has running the Starlight Hotel Choir influenced your own music?

The Starlight Hotel is a choir that I run out of a local homeless shelter in Fremantle. I guess my main goal here is to share a bit of what music has given me over the years. Have a good sing and a bit of fun. Sometimes music can get a bit shallow when it’s under stage lights. For me, it keeps it real.

With the album out, what are your plans for it?

I’m just pretty chuffed that after a couple of decades in the music industry I’m still recording albums and doing gigs. I’m looking forward to doing a bit of a tour through Victoria and Tassie in July; besides that guess we’ll have to see how it lands.

James Baker and Cath Podger, I’m Flipped Out Over You

LOVE IS KING!

Victor Fallis | Pic: Bob Gordon

STONED CROW OPEN MIC REUNION TOUR

The show’s called I’m Flipped Out Over You and no wonder. It’s named after the b-side to The Victims potent 1977 single, Television Addict, and is the wedding reception of legendary Perth drummer James Baker (Victims, the Scientists, the Hoodoo Gurus, Beasts of Bourbon, The Dubrovniks, The Painkillers and more) and his sweetheart, Cath Podger - two of Local music stalwart Victor Fallis is the best rock’n’roll people there ever were. turning 70 years old this Friday, May 29, and he’s about to celebrate in the most The line-up, featuring Baker on drums in every band, is a love story in itself, suitably appropriate way possible. curated for a coupla crazy kinds in love.

The show features The Frantic Romantics, The Dubrovniks, The Painkillers, The Television Addicts, Kim Salmon & Spencer P Jones - plus Spencer P Jones (solo), and Greg Dear (solo). It is a gathering of legendary Australian punks - Dave Faulkner, Kim Salmon, James Baker, Rod Radalj, Boris Sujdovic and more will playing (and being) the classics.

BUT THAT’S NOT ALL! In the last week the original lineup Le Hoodoo Gurus line-up (James Baker, Dave Faulkner, Roddy Radalj and Kimble Rendall) have been added to an already impressive bill. Stoneage, backstage, punk and outrage indeed.

I’m Flipped Out Over You happens on Saturday, June 6, at the Rosemount Hotel. Tickets are $55 (plus booking fee) from rosemounthotel.com.au.

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Fallis was the first Irishman in WA to stage an open mike musicians jam night. He also played lead guitar for show band, The Chad; bass guitar for the Irish country n’ western band Big Matt & The Bonanza Band and lead guitar for the excellently named Wankers and Stinger & The Sandbasters. Prior to the venue becoming Mojo’s, Fallis ran the Stoned Crow’s jam night for seven years.

So to celebrate his 70th, Fallis and his current outfit, The Dice Band, are staging the Stoned The Crow Wine Bar Musicians Reunion Jam Tour. It’s an open, friendly policy in regards to having a jam or just coming along, so head to the Railway Hotel this Friday, May 29, and Mojos on Wednesday, June 3.

Make sure to wish Victor a happy 70th.

W H AT ’ S N E W I N LO C A L M U S I C

from Thee Gold Blooms recorded it in one day in a granny flat in Connor’s (Lane, guitarist) back yard.

Jase mixed it and our good friend Meagan did the sick artwork for us. We’re pretty happy with the response so far. Everyone that came down to the launches and bought a copy was a total legend! I think we’re just real stoked to finally have it out and get to work on getting our newer material out.

Was doing a vinyl release important to you?

We were all pretty adamant on releasing it on vinyl. I think that’s going to be a recurring thing with our releases providing that we can afford it. We have no problem with CD or online releases but I think we feel that the sort of music we play really belongs on vinyl.

ABORTED TORTOISE Garage-punk outfit Aborted Tortoise count The Ramones, The Saints and The Kinks among their influences. Their selftitled debut EP is out now. Drummer Alex Patching gives us the skinny.

Tell us about the EP. Are you happy with the response so far?

We recorded our EP in February 2014. Jase

You guys seem to be gigging almost constantly - is that key to building an audience in the current clime?

We do gig a fair bit but not as much as we used to. Last year we would rarely go a week without playing at least one show. Playing shows is definitely important to building an audience. For us, though, playing heaps was never really a preconceived strategy to get a big following or anything, we just really enjoy playing shows and if we didn’t play shows we’d just be sitting at home playing GTA V or something anyways.

What’s up next for you guys?

We’ve already recorded a double A side that we’re hoping to release on 7” as soon as we can. We recorded that with Brod from SpaceManAntics on reel to reel so that was fun. We’ve also recorded an album that we’re hoping to release pretty soon too. Other than that we’re keen to start organising some shows over east in the near future.

FLOWER DRUMS Having just finished touring, dream-pop exponents Flower Drums are playing at the third instalment of Amplifier Wednesdays tonight, May 27, along with Hip Priest, Steppes, Eteana, Craig Niman and Rhys B Hussey. Their new EP, 28 Mansions, is out now. We talk to main man Leigh Craft.

we booked a rehearsal room and started working on a set. We played our first gig in June 2013 and dropped our first EP, The Dead White Demo Tape, in February the following year. Since then we have been playing shows in and around Perth fairly regularly.

What’s your sound?

The easiest way to explain it is punky, grungy hip-hop noise. Our sound is pretty much the middle ground of all our influences like: Mudhoney, Nirvana, Mclusky, NWA, Cypress Hill, Sepultra and a heap of other loud, abrasive music from a heap of genres.

DEAD WHITE MALES Punk/hip-hop four piece Dead White Males recently launched their EP, Unplugged & Uninterested, at Bar Four5Nine. Singer/guitarist Bradley Jones fills us in on how it all went.

Who are the Dead White Males?

The four of us met while working for live entertainment group Explosive Pro Wrestling.

We all had been involved in musical projects or were playing in bands at the time so we naturally gravitated towards each other and started sharing demo CDs. After a few months of demo sharing What’s your sound? You tend to eschew labels.

I suppose it’s electronic based pop music, but we’ve never had any preconceived ideas on what genre of music we want to fit into. I’m not sure if we have any specific influences either, I suppose the sound is restricted by the instruments we own and that somewhat dictates the writing process. I think if you dive into the endless world of plug-in synths and drum samples you’d never complete anything, so restrictions can be good in that sense.

Tell us about 28 Mansions.

28 Mansions is a group of songs that came from a year or so of experimenting, we wrote and recorded enough for two albums, but as our sound progressed we decided to continue writing until it seemed right. These five are the survivorsfrom a pretty large pile of songs. One day we’ll probably

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So, this is an unplugged release?

We decided to ambush the guests at our drummer’s housewarming party with an unplugged set which we self-recorded. The set included versions of songs from our first EP and some that will be on our next studio EP. We had an extremely limited pressing done where we had local artist Stuart Redman hand draw individual designs on each disc. The physical copies are pretty much all gone but it can be downloaded for free from our Soundcloud page along with our first EP How did the launch go?

Really well. The show opened up with our buddies the Discordians, When Autumn Falls and the Hacks, who all played killer sets. There was a sizable and loud crowd in attendance, which is what we were hoping to play in front of. The highlight was the chaos and noise we finished our set with. Generally this results in at least one us having to fork out money we don’t have to get an instrument fixed, but this time we got off pretty light, considering the level of ridiculousness was at an all time high. release all of them, but writing new stuff is way more exciting at the moment.

How did the tour go? Any war stories?

This tour was huge for us, it’s the first time we’ve played to decent crowds outside of Perth who are there specifically to see us. It felt so weird having strangers singing alone to our songs, I actually found it really funny for some reason.

What does the future hold?

We’ve started recording our next release!

It’s by far the most accomplished music we’ve writing, the overall feel is much bolder and there’s a lot more emphasise on creating unique sounds. We’ve been making our own synth sounds with vocal laying, the beats are bigger and the vocals are much more powerful.

We’re all really excited about the next six months!

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2009 we saved up all of our money and went to the USA to work on our first album, I’m Not Gonna Lie To You, at Blasting Room studios with Bill Stevenson of Descendents. When we came home we pretty much started touring Australia straight away. We’ve done it heaps of times now, and we’ve even been over to Europe when we launched our second album, Are You Gonna Eat That, and done a sick tour in Japan with Useless ID and Implants. Last year we got to play at Soundwave, and along the way we have played with heaps of our favourite bands like Descendents, Lagwagon, Frenzal Rhomb and Propagandhi.

Tell us about Resister.

It comes out on Friday, June 12, on Pee Records in Australia, Bird Attack Records in the United States, and Cargo Records in Germany. We are looking at doing a UK release and a Japanese release later in the year.

THE DECLINE Perth punks The Decline wrap up the launch tour for their third album, Resister, at Jimmy’s Den on Friday, June 19, with help from Adelaide outfit The Hard Aches, Bunbury doom merhcants Blackwitch, Alex The Kid and The Bob Gordons. Guitar slinger and vocalist Pat Decline drops some wisdom on us.

You seem to be having a lot of fun.

Well, being in The Decline has been an awesome time so far - we’ve been going since ‘06 and heaps of rad stuff has happened since then so it’s hard to mention it all, so here are some of the highlights: In

How does Resister differ from your p revious offerings?

Resister takes the fast paced stuff we’ve done before and puts a more melodic, pop-based spin on it. The songs are all personal rather than sociopolitical like our first albums were, and I think lyrically it’s got a much darker feel. However, sound-wise it’s much happier. I don’t get it either.

How have you recent lineup changes affected you and your sound?

The new line up changes have really given us a new set of lungs. This record sees us try some things we wouldn’t have ever thought of doing before. The songs are a lot more dynamic this time.

For example, we have lots of really weird quiet, kinda pretty sections than build up into our usual fast paced stuff, and there’s a whole bunch more emotion behind everything this time around too. It’s amazing what bringing a fresh set of ears into the practice room can do to your songs.

GRAVITY PUNCH The debut self-titled EP from rock quartet Gravity Punch is out now. We speak to guitarist Scott Davies.

What’s the story with Gravity Punch?

We started the band in January 2013. We all met through ads on GumTree. We were all looking

DAN CRIBB & THE ISOLATED He’s not so isolated any more -what began as a solo(ish) project for Dan Cribb is now a three piece. Following a successful launch of the debut EWP, As We Drift apart, at Amplifier Bar, we caught up with the eponymous Mr Cribb.

What’s the Isolated story?

In 2012 I set out to record an acoustic EP. The idea sort of snowballed when I sent The Swellers frontman Nick Diener an email, and he ended up playing bass, electric guitar and more on the recording. There was no way I could play the songs live without a band, so I got some friends together for some people to jam with and see where it goes.

The band has been a great experience for us over the past couple of years. We’ve all enjoyed writing and playing together, and we’ve gained a whole new circle of friends because of it.

We find it hard to define our own sound.

I usually say that we’re kinda hard rock, but some others have said that we’re kind of alternative rock.

People have said some of our stuff has reminded them of Queens Of The Stone Age and The Offspring.

Tell us about your EP. The EP is just five songs long. Four of them are probably our newer songs and one of them is actually the very first song we ever wrote. We

and we started gigging. Our sound slowly developed as we played more shows, I traded my acoustic for an electric guitar, and now we’re a pop punk band.

Tell us about As We Drift Apart.

It’s our debut record, and something we worked hard on for most of last year. The core of The Isolated as far as writing goes is guitarist Scott Connor and Nick. Scott and I spent months writing and demoing before we hit the studio, and then Nick, once again, grabbed the tunes and drowned them in sweet harmonies and guitar riffs. Darren Cordeux of Kisschasy sings guest vocals on our track Let’s Move To New York, and we have David Liebe Hart (Tim & Eric) in the music video for The Last Time.

How do you overcome the challenges in working long distance with Nick Diener?

Thanks for the wonders of Dropbox, it’s fairly straightforward. The downside is not being able to bounce ideas off each other and write in a more collaborative way. But it works well, and sometimes the distance/separation of ideas means the songs can take on a new direction. It’s sort of like writing the first page of a story and then sending it to Nick to write a second page. It might go a different direction to what I was expecting, but he’s a great songwriter and musician, so any surprises are good surprises. recorded it at Vision Studios down at East Victoria Park with John Prosser. It went really well, we recorded it all live with only a few bits and pieces or some touch ups recorded separately. We were very pleased with the final result.

What’s up next?

After this show our bass player is going away for six weeks and shortly after he leaves our drummer leaves for a couple of weeks as well, so we might take a little break. Once they return though we’ll be back to our biweekly practices, writing more material and looking for more gigs. Hopefully in future we’ll be recording more songs and we hope to either release another EP or even a full album.

THE BIG SPLASH BAND COMPETITION LAUNCH Mojos Bar Friday, May 22, 2015 CONTACT TIM@XPRESSMAG.COM.AU NOW!

This year’s Big Splash got launched in fine style on the weekend, with performances from Dream Rimmy, Hunting Huxley, The Long Lost Brothers and Pat Chow keeping the crowd entertained.

In the next few weeks 32 bands and artists will compete over eight heats for their shot at the $10,000 grand prize, including Cool Band, Hindley, Mugwump, the Wheelers Of Oz, Elli Schoen, Galloping Foxleys, Mister Wolf, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Agamous Betty, Figurehead, Shit Narnia,

The Methamphetaqueens, Beach Aunty, Bliss In Berlin, The High Learys, Valdaway, Good Try, Jacob Diamond, Oakland, Rag N Bone, Flighflow, Couldbeat Jenako, The Southwicks, Visceral, Bri Clark, Eteana, Foam and Divorce Party. The first heat takes place at Mojos on Thursday, June 4, featuring Apollo’s Son, Black River Ransom, Hip Priest and Verge Collection.

TENILLE & JANE

JAMIE & SIAHNE

LIAM & WINONA

RONNIE & FELICTY

Photos by Daniel Grant

Emberville

28/05

Them Sharks 5am Fuzz/Tsoukalos Single Launch @ Prince of Wales

29/05

Emberville Skeleton Single Launch @ YMCA HQ

29/05

Michael Triscari Driftwood Single Launch @ The Odd Fellow

30/05

Digital Order Single Launch @ The Velvet Lounge

30/05

Fight The Morning 1833 EP Launch @ The Paddington

06/06

Methyl Ethel Oh Inhuman Spectacle Album Launch @ The Bird

12/06

The Leap Year 7” Launch @ The Astor Lounge

19/06

The Decline Resister Album Launch @ Jimmy’s Den

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VENUES

MOTLEY CRUE Motley Crue - Photo by Maree King

Alice Cooper/Amberdown Perth Arena Saturday, May 23, 2015 Judging by post-show debate, one’s enjoyment of Motley Crue’s final tour seems to hinge on how accepting you are of Vince Neil’s vocals. Never the strongest voice in town, Neil has developed an, ahem, laid back style, and with his vocals placed well down in the mix, he was sometimes difficult to understand.

Still, one doesn’t go to McDonalds looking for filet mignon, and what Crue give us was an explosive two hours of hits, pyro and theatre.

First up were local lads Amberdown, who made the most of the opportunity with a confident set of muscular originals.

Alice Cooper only getting a fifty minute set seems a travesty, and many would have preferred the headliners and his band trade places, but his band deliver a set that makes full use of every minute, cherry picking classics that his triple-guitar-attack frontline - guitarists Ryan Roxie and Tommy Henrickson trade solos and spotlights, but defer to blonde rock chick Nita Strauss more often than not - flesh out with all the showmanship you’d expect.

Apart from a longer set, no-one could have asked Alice to bring more from his bag of tricks: live snake; guillotine; Frankenstein’s monster; a psychotic nurse; straight jacket… his set is undiluted rock n’ roll theatre, especially during an epic Ballad Of Dwight Fry when he is beheaded.

Culminating, as always, in a riotous School’s Out, Alice Cooper, rock’s ultimate showman, comes extremely close to showing up the headliners.

R.I.P. Motley Crue. After three and a half decades they are (allegedly) hanging up their leather codpieces and quitting touring. If this is the case, then they threw Australia a booming farewell party.

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Opening with the biographical Saints Of Los Angeles, the foursome made a fiery entry to the stage before channelling the carnal spirit of 1987, with scantily dressed leather-clad young ladies on backing vocals, pyro, chrome, leather and decibels all in abundance.

Following a similar all-killer-no-filler mandate, fans were thrilled with old favourites Wild Side, Smokin’ In The Boys Room, Dr Feelgood and Shout At The Devil, Love Of Diagrams - Photo by Daniel Grant but as the two hour set wore on it became clear that distributing the time a little more evenly between Dianas/Erasers Cooper and The Crue might have made for a more The Bird Saturday, May 23, 2015 vibrant show.

Nikki Sixx may be the primary songwriter behind Motley Crue, but Mick Mars proves himself A sizeable crowd gathered at The Bird on Saturday the musical heart and soul of the band. Extracting night for the long awaited return of Melbournian progressive and defiant sounds from his guitar, he indie legends Love Of Diagrams. Carrying with them radiates disdain and punk energy – unlike the band’s their long awaited new record Blast, the evening was neutered cover of The Sex Pistols’ Anarchy In The orchestrated by mystery rabble rousers Semi-Decent, U.K., (roadies spraying the front rows with water in collaboration with local label Pouring Dream and guns=the least punk thing, ever), and an unconvincing Brisbane’s venerable Bedroom Suck Records. As the first event that Semi-Decent have curated, and if it is Motherfucker Of The Year.

The Crue were students of Alice Cooper and any indication of what we might except to see in the KISS before they were a band themselves, and made future then Perth is in for a sweet treat.

DJs Mr Sinclair and Sandilands set the sure that guitars and microphones and half the set were ablaze with jets of fire that could be felt right to the back tone for the night, spinning ambient and house beats, before local minimalist drone duo, Erasers, of the cavernous room.

Tommy Lee’s Cruecifly drum train takes him took to the stage. Standing opposite each other, the on a journey not only over the heads of the crowd, but multi instrumentalists Rebecca Orchard and Rupert also revolving him 360 degrees while playing. It’s as Thomas, throw hypnotic beats and keyboard drones pointless and gratuitous as the empty techno music he back and forth, gradually building intense webs of sound for Orchard’s vocals to glide over. Their set plays along to, but it’s a fun spectacle none-the-less.

The set picks up towards the end with a featured a mix of older material with distinctly funkier searing Live Wire and Kickstart My Heart. For their new songs, but the impact was the same; as the encore the band walk through the crowd to a B Stage crowd fell into a trance like state.

Pulling the crowd out of their Erasersriser as Tommy Lee plays the piano intro to Home Sweet Home. It’s a nice touch and regardless of your thoughts induced reverie, Dianas got things pulsing with their on the vocals, it’s impossible to deny that the kings of guitar-pop tunes. Despite lying low as they work on new recordings, the local three-piece have long sleaze rock have put on a great show. been Perth favorites, and it is always a captivating SHANE PINNEGAR pleasure to see them live. The dreamy vocals of

LOVE OF DIAGRAMS

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Nathalie Pavlovic and Caitlin Moloney transported the audience to a sweet land of dream pop, filled with beautiful weaving bass and guitar rhythms and punchy drum beats from John Lekias of Doctopus.

Never ones to overstay a welcome, Dianas played a short set that kept their eager fans hungry for more.

However, Love Of Diagrams and their new record were the focal points of the night, and The Bird was bursting with eager fans to hear the long awaited and anticipated release. Having been making waves in the Australian indie scene and beyond since 2001, it was no surprise that the Bird had swelled to bursting by the time the Melbournians finally took the stage. Famed for their live shows, they did not disappoint, with Antonia Sellbach howling out complex melodies to match Luke Horton’s singularly angular guitarwork. Their set relied heavily on Blast, with relentless material like Double Negative setting a powerful, urgent tone. The fuzzy, distorted guitars, pounding drums, and back and forth vocals left my ears ringing, but it was worth it for the punishing, vivid shoegaze sound that’s hard to find in Perth.

Overall the night was a beautiful curation of drone, dream pop, and shoegaze with mesmeric female vocals weaved through each set. Semi-Decent have knocked it out of the park on their first hit, and I hope it’s just a taste of what’s to come for bringing over ambitious music from over East.

CAITLIN FRUNKS

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VENUES

KARNIVOOL Cairo Knife Fight Metro City Friday, May 22, 2015 This was Karnivool’s last stop on their 12 day tour marking the 10th anniversary of their debut album, Themata. The much-loved prog-rock gods from Perth played the entire album in full, and it was no surprise that it was to a full house.

Cairo Knife Fight came all the way from New Zealand, a little two-piece band with a lot of noise and oomph behind their performance. The guitarist George Pajon Jr, had the simple task of just playing his guitar for the evening, however fellow rocker Nick Gaffaney was the master of drums, vocals, bass and loops. There were a mix of sounds coming from the guys, but what stood out most is their tone and set-up, which was almost a heavier, metal and rock, all-male version of The White Stripes.

Karnivool hit the stage with an almighty roar from the crowd, and the Perth lads kick off with the first track of the album, COTE, before moving on to Themata. The screaming fans roared with each beat, and vocalist Ian Kenny showed he knows how to hypnotise the crowd with every note.

Kenny welcomed the crowd, and all the guys - guitarists Drew Goddard and Mark Hosking, bass master Jon Stockman and drummer Steve Judd - took a moment to do so too, thanking the fans for always supporting them through the journey, because this is where it all began.

Themata was not only important to the band, but has gone on to be one of the most important records in Australian music history, and put Karnivool always a cut above the rest as far as talent, music exploration and eclectic abilities are concerned. They are Australia’s prog rock band, and the evening certainly showed this. I have been to so many ‘Vool gigs, and Themata’s birthday raised the bar, being one of the best ever live performances from the group.

Guitarist Drew Goddard stepped forward, thanked the ‘Vool army and dedicated the track Lifelike to Ray, ‘Vool’s original drummer. The bellowing screams and pounding beats sent every soul in the venue wild, there was not one person who wasn’t jumping, singing or moshing along with the guys.

The night followed the Themata track listing from start to finish, but it also represented how far Karnivool have come on their journey, by diving into Simple Boy from Sound Awake and We Are from

TENDERHOOKS Tenderhooks - Photo by JF Foto

Matthew Delahunty/Tracksuit/The Coalminers Sect/Community Chest Jimmy’s Den Saturday, May 23, 2015

Karnivool - Photo by Denis Radacic

their current album, Asymmetry. The evening was an evolution of Karnivool, showing how with each track and album they have raised the benchmark.

So the night came to an end. If this was your first time to see a ‘Vool gig because your mate dragged you along, you chose a great night, but I’m sure you vowed it wouldn’t be the last.

KRISTINA SIMICH

Those who arrived at the opening of the doors were treated to a rare outing from accomplished songwriter Matthew Delahunty who shared tales of love and tolerance, before Tracksuit peddled a set of their meat and potatoes rock.

The Coalminers Sect were initially a five piece, but are shedding members at a rapid rate so as their personnel no longer outnumber the amount of chords in their tunes. Towards the front end of their set, the trio played their simpler pop numbers to good effect. Jason Cleary has spent some time with Joe Algeri and come away with a stripped shirt and a touch of jangle, before the Coalminers Sect moved into their more familiar garage territory. It was a compact set that could have benefited from another guitar.

Community Chest have been slowing going from strength to strength since starting as a solo project for Adem K. Having filled stages for the past couple of years, they are a tightly run unit.

Community Chest put in a confident performance that was aurally and visually appealing. De Kerimofski is more involved with each outing, adding guitar

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to her repertoire and leading a few tunes with her sweet, cherub-like vocals. Cyclops Extreme chugged nicely and some moments sounded like Turnstyle slowed down, with a newer tune even verging on the good side of pub rock. The Community Chest were a fuzzed-out tonic.

Tenderhooks are the band that Dan Durack and Stu Loasby have been planning on forming for more years than can be remembered.

Durack’s return from the UK has meant that the outfit, born out of a love of classic rock, have finally got a full length to present to the patient punters.

Always chaps with a fine turn of phrase, Tenderhooks opened with I Weakened On The Weekend, a tune full of pop sensibility and warm guitars.

Jimmy’s Den is a bit more flash than a hall in downtown Bunbury, but that didn’t stop Durack from commenting that he felt like he was playing at a ‘70s wedding. Whether in leather pants and a t-shirt or tonight’s outfit of a velvet jacket and highwayman’s hat, Durack is a commanding figure.

A rougher edge appeared in the second half on the set, to warm the cockles of any Three Orange Whips fans. A cracking set of tunes, played in a way that oozes character and an encore of Pictures Of Matchstick Men with The Foxettes joining the stage to dance up a storm - what more could you ask for?

CHRIS HAVERCROFT

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X- P R E S S G U I D E

R.A. THE RUGGED MAN, JUNE 5.

HARTS, JUNE 12,13,14.

TO URS THIS WEEK DEFEATER with BANE 28 YMCA HQ (all ages) 29 Rosemount Hotel ANDREW STRONG 29 Astor Theatre PANOS KIAMOS 29 HBF Stadium DARYL BRAITHWAITE 29 Charles Hotel 30 Wintersun Hotel ANNA LUNOE 29 Mondo @ Ginger DENMARK FESTIVAL OF VOICE 29 – 31 Denmark Civic Centre PERTH INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL 29 – 31 Venues around Perth BACK 2 BASICS 2015 MUSIC & LIFESTYLE FESTIVAL ft.

RINKADINK, TICON, EMOK, DJ MISSFIT, ZOKU, MISS BEHAVIOUR & many more!

29 – 1 Telephone Road, Neergabby THE FUNKOARS 29 Prince of Wales 30 Amplifier DAVE WARNER 30 Charles Hotel MATT GRESHAM 30 Mandurah Performing Arts Centre STATE OF THE ART MUSIC FESTIVAL ft.

BIRDS OF TOKYO, YOU AM I, THE SCIENTISTS, DOWNSYDE, KATY STEELE & many more!

30 Perth Cultural Centre LANCELOT 31 Geisha BORIS 1 Rosemount Hotel IN HEARTS WAKE 2 YMCA HQ JUNE 2015 IN HEARTS WAKE 3 Metropolis Fremantle BEN HOWARD 3 Fremantle Arts Centre AGAINST ME! with JOYCE MANOR 4 Rosemount Hotel RILEY LEE 4 St. Paul’s Church VOYAGER with KLONE 5 Amplifier 6 Prince of Wales R.A. THE RUGGED MAN 5 Game Sports Bar DIESEL 6 Charles Hotel YNGWIE MALMSTEEN 6 Astor Theatre KIM SALMON & SPENCER P. JONES BAND

7 Mojos DEEZNUTS 9 YMCA HQ 10 Amplifier BRIAN KENNEDY 10 Victoria Hall THE GETAWAY PLAN 12 Rosemount Hotel HARTS 12 Amplifier 13 Settlers Tavern 14 Newport Hotel HERMITUDE 12 & 13 Metropolis Fremantle KARISE EDEN 12 Ravenswood Hotel 13 Charles Hotel THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER 18 Capitol ART OF SLEEPING 20 Amplifier KHAN MANUEL 20 Astor Lounge KUCKA 20 The Bird EMMYLOU HARRIS & RODNEY CROWELL 21 Perth Concert Hall SCHNEIDER KACIREK 21 Four5Nine Bar CHEECH & CHONG 22 Perth Concert Hall SONGS IN THE KEY OF MOTOWN 24 Mandurah Performing Arts Centre 25 Astor Theatre JEBEDIAH 26, 27 & 28 Astor Theatre 1927 27 Charles Hotel 28 Ravenswood Hotel FREMANTLE WINTER MUSIC FESTIVAL ft. OLD BLOOD, TIRED LION, DIANAS, DREAM RIMMY, FRENCH ROCKETS, KOI CHILD & many more 27 Fremantle 5 SECONDS OF SUMMER 29 Perth Arena MACHINE HEAD 29 Astor Theatre JULY 2015 TITLE FIGHT 1 Amplifier 2 YMCA HQ THE CLOWNS 3 Prince of Wales 4 Four5Nine Bar 5 Mojos DEAN RAY 3 Charles Hotel ALPINE 4 Metropolis Fremantle YELLOWCARD 4 Metro City AUSTRALIAN ROCK WITH ANGRY ANDERSON

FEATURED GIG

STATE OF THE ART MUSIC FESTIVAL PERTH CULTURAL CENTRE MAY 30 28

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STONEFIELD, JULY 11,12.

4 Charles Hotel THE MANFREDS 4 Astor Theatre TIM ROGERS & THE BAMBOOS 4 Rosemount Hotel COSMIC GATE 5 Metro City JIMMY BARNES 10 Crown Theatre STONEFIELD 11 Four5Nine Bar 12 Mojos THE CHURCH 16 Settlers Tavern 17 Prince of Wales 18 Rosemount Hotel LITTLE SEA 16 Astor Lounge SAN CISCO 17 Settlers Tavern 18 Bunbury Entertainment Centre JOHNNY MARR 18 Metropolis Fremantle CLARKSON, HAMMOND & MAY LIVE! 18 – 19 Perth Arena DEAD LETTER CIRCUS 19 Rosemount Hotel ADAM HARVEY 22 Albany Entertainment Centre 25 Astor Theatre JAY ELECTRONICA 22 Capitol MARK RONSON 22 Metro City TIGERS JAW 22 Amplifier 23 YMCA HQ THE WOMBATS 23 Metro City JOSH PYKE with WASO 24 Perth Concert Hall VINCE JONES 24 Fly By Night 25 & 26 Ellington Jazz Club JA RULE & ASHANTI 25 Metro City EARL SWEATSHIRT 29 Villa BLUR with JAMIE T 30 Perth Arena AUGUST 2015 RUBBER SOUL REVOLVER 1 Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre IAN MOSS 1 Charles Hotel KITTY, DAISY & LEWIS 5 Rosemount Hotel PHIL JAMIESON 5 Dunsborough Tavern 6 Highway Hotel 7 Leisure Inn 9 The Saint Hotel, Innaloo DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE 6 Metro City HOODOO GURUS with ESKIMO JOE 8 Cable Beach Amphitheatre … AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD 12 Rosemount Hotel GOOD RIDDANCE 12 Amplifier SETH SENTRY 12 Judd’s, Kalgoorlie 13 Pier Hotel, Esperance 14 Studio 146 15 Settlers Tavern 19 Dunsborough Tavern 20 Prince of Wales 22 Astor Theatre THE AUSTRALIAN BEE GEES SHOW 15 Regal Theatre 16 Albany Entertainment Centre YOB 19 Rosemount Hotel PEACE TRAIN: THE CAT STEVENS STORY 21 Astor Theatre 22 Albany Entertainment Centre LLOYD SPIEGEL

21 Settlers Tavern 22 Indi Bar 23 Mojos 25 Perth Blues Club JAMIE LAWSON 22 Jimmy’s Den ANDREW MCMAHON 26 Amplifier THE BEATLES FOREVER 27 Albany Entertainment Centre ELVIS MEETS THE BEATLES 28 HBF Stadium HIATUS KAIYOTE 29 Rosemount Hotel HELLYEAH 31 Capitol SEPTEMBER 2015 THE STORY SO FAR with MAN OVERBOARD 2 Amplifier 3 YMCA HQ JAMES REYNE 5 Astor Theatre TYLER, THE CREATOR 8 Capitol TYLER OAKLEY 9 Perth Concert Hall BLOOD SWEAT & TEARS 9 Regal Theatre JULIA MORRIS 11 Regal Theatre ROY ORBISON & THE EVERLY BROTHERS 12 Crown Theatre XAVIER RUDD & THE UNITED NATIONS 23 Goldfields Arts Centre 24 Esperance Civic Centre 25 Albany Entertainment Centre 26 Belvoir Amphitheatre 27 Three Oceans Winery, Margaret River THE TEN SOPRANOS 25 Astor Theatre CELTIC WOMAN 25 Perth Arena BEHEMOTH 29 Capitol JOAN BAEZ 30 Perth Concert Hall OCTOBER 2015 KISS 3 Perth Arena ROBBIE WILLIAMS 9 & 10 Perth Arena SNOT 21 Amplifier AT THE GATES 28 Amplifier 10CC 28 Astor Theatre HOZIER 28 Belvoir Amphitheatre FLEETWOOD MAC 30 Domain Stadium NOVEMBER 2015 ANATHEMA 1 Rosemount Hotel NEIL DIAMOND 14 Sandalford Estate 16 Perth Arena DEF LEPPARD with BABY ANIMALS & LIVE 21 Red Hill Auditorium AC/DC 27 Domain Stadium UB40 28 Metropolis Fremantle DECEMBER 2015 ED SHEERAN 2 NIB Stadium THE SCREAMING JETS 3 Prince of Wales 4 Settlers Tavern 5 Charles Hotel 6 Ravenswood Hotel CHRIS CORNELL 8 Perth Concert Hall JANUARY 2016 NIGHTWISH 15 Metropolis Fremantle

FOR ALL WEEKLY EVENTS DOWNLOAD OUR FREE MAGAZINE APP AVAILABLE FROM DOWNLOAD OUR FREE EVENTS GUIDE APP Deadline Monday 5pm. X-Press Guide is a service to advertisers listing all entertainment events. All inclusions are at the discretion of X-Press. Email guide@xpressmag.com.au

ABBE MAY, MAY 27.

SMRTS, MAY 28.

WEEKLY WEDNESDAY 27/05

AMPLIFIER Amplifier Wednesdays: issue #3 ft.

Skullcave Hunting Huxley MUGWUMP Arlo/Esnat Beau Jones Eloise Ashton DJ Matt Saeglopur (Tired Lion) THE BEAT Street Wednesdays THE BIRD Chicken + Beer is F*ckin’ Up My Social Life CLANCY’S CANNING BRIDGE Songwriter’s Night ft.

Matt Cal Leah Miche CLANCY’S CITY BEACH Quiz Night CLUB RED SEA Ch33k ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Carl Mackey Farewell Show Night Cap Sessions HULA BULA BAR Island Nite INDI BAR Club Acoustica ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Carl Mackey Farewell Show Night Cap Sessions METROPOLIS FREMANTLE Next Gen MOJOS Abbe May Kitchen People David Craft THE MOON CAFÉ Sam Atkin Naked News MUSTANG BAR Wild Wednesday Backpacker & Student Night Blue Gene NEWPORT HOTEL Newport Wednesdays 459 ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Braves Villain Ku Kraft Gryff ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Occasional Symmetry Fly The Flag East of Eden The Feds ROSEMOUNT HOTEL (BEER GARDEN) Student Night ft.

DJ Anton Maz THURSDAY 28/05

AMPLIFIER Last Night: Welcome to the UV Jungle ft.

Emberville

ASTOR THEATRE Drumscene Live ft.

Jojo Mayer Todd Sucherman Jason Heerah Ric Eastman THE BIRD SMRTS Mu Zerodent Chris Cobilis (solo) CAPITOL Chaos Theory Launch DEFECTORS BAR Songwriters Klub ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Abbey Foster Falle Night Cap Sessions HULA BULA BAR Rhum Club INDI BAR Open Mic MOJOS Swamp Riders Suntones Matt Cal THE MOON CAFÉ Jacob Diamond Lucy Peach MUSTANG BAR Thumpin’ Thursdays ft.

Kickstart DJ James Mac 459 ROSEMOUNT HOTEL The Fruity Whites Furniture Fuzz Toads Agamous Betty SWAN LOUNGE Sevenhurtz The Second Alternation Bead UWA BNOC Hot Dub Time Machine Slumberjack VELVET LOUNGE Shimmergloom Dry Dry River Los Ducks Kraill YMCA HQ Defeater Bane FRIDAY 29/05

AMBAR Main Course (CAN/ USA) AMPLIFIER Jungle Giants & special guests ASTOR LOUNGE Wanderlust ASTOR THEATRE Andrew Strong Randa & The Soul Kingdom The Healys THE BIRD Nathan J Nathan Nisbet

FEATURED GIG

JUNGLE GIANTS AMPLIFIER BAR FRIDAY, MAY 29

CIVIC HOTEL Zemlja CLANCYS CANNING BRIDGE Boullibass DJ Boogie CLANCY’S CITY BEACH Sunset Belly Dancers CLANCY’S DUNSBOROUGH Jazz by the Bay Festival Launch Party ft.

Ali Bodycoat CLANCY’S FREMANTLE The Fab Three (Beatles Tribute) ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Barney Mcall Trio PIJF Jam Session ft.

Timo Volbrecht (USA) Keisuke Matsuno (GER) FLY BY NIGHT Gypsies, Pirates & Punks Party ft.

King of the Travellers Ensemble Formidable Rumskull FLYRITE Baked Goods GEISHA BAR Phase ft.

James A x Declan Craig Hollywood x Wil Bixler Phil Stroud Gravy Murphy Polyrhythmic DJs Methods of Movement DJs GINGER NIGHTCLUB Mondo Fridays ft.

Anna Lunoe GOLD BAR Fox Fridays HERDSMAN LAKE TAVERN Sanzu The Ritual Aura Necromancer Sexpiss HULA BULA Friday Frendzee INDI BAR Manalion JIMMY’S DEN Gang of Youths THE LIBRARY Dorcia METRO CITY Nameless MOJOS BAR Pulp ft.

DJ Munch & guests MUSTANG BAR Adam Hall & The Velvet Playboys Flash Nat & The Action Men NEWPORT HOTEL Friday Fiesta THE ODD FELLOW Michael Triscari Seth Lowe Shola Lee & The Wonder PRINCE OF WALES Funkoars Mathas Eloji RAILWAY HOTEL Victor Fallas & the Dice Band 459 ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Punktured ft.

Them Sharks Blindspot The Light The Dark At The Spacejam Castle Bravo Hope Street ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Defeater (USA) Bane (USA) Miles Away Truthseeker SETTLERS TAVERN Carus Thompson Band SWAN BASEMENT Icarus Lives & guests

CRAIG HOLLYWOOD, MAY 29.

SWAN LOUNGE Indecision Yaqui Yeti Sunshine Punch Robby Davis VILLA Hot Dub Time Machine SATURDAY 30/05

AMBAR Japan 4 AMPLIFIER Funkoars & special guests BABUSHKA Earthrot Ratking Warthreat Cursed Earth Truthseeker THE BIRD Maurice Flavels Intensive Care Doctopus Man The Clouds Jaime MarcelleMatthews CLANCY’S CITY BEACH Fifi Mondello Trio CLANCY’S DUNSBOROUGH Timo Vollbrecht Keisuke Matsuno CLANCY’S FREMANTLE Dave Johnson (Album Launch) EAST END BAR & LOUNGE Home FLYRITE Father GILKISONS DANCE STUDIO At the Pile ft.

Roland Tings GOLD BAR Pure Gold THE GOOD SHEPHERD Chocolate Jesus THE HERDSMAN Noughties Metal Night ft.

Skygazer 13 Circles Nevsky Prospekt King Onion HULA BULA Sailor Saturdays INDI BAR Blue Shaddy LLAMA BAR Laundry METRO FREO Metropolis Saturdays AllDay MOJOS BAR Gang of Youths GRRL Pal Ellie Schoen MUSTANG BAR The Roadmasters Milhouse DJ James Mac THE ODD FELLOW Red Engine Caves The Southern River Band Apollo’s Son THE PADDO Fight The Morning (EP Launch) Enemy Minds Last Week’s Heroes PARKER ALGO PERTH CULTURAL CENTRE State of the Art Music Festival ft.

Birds of Tokyo You Am I The Scientists Downsyde Katy Steele & more!

RAILWAY HOTEL Sanzu Facegrinder Bloodklot Maleficar Deadspace

REPUBLIC, NORTHBRIDGE Control: The Resurrection ft.

Jaymee Franchina Sausage Queen Keddie Daws Yon Jovi ROSEMOUNT HOTEL SleepMakesWaves (NSW) Gay Paris Sparkspitter SETTLERS TAVERN Manalion SHAPE HUSH SKYE BAR DJ Richo HUGE SWALLOW BAR DJ T King VELVET LOUNGE Digital Order (Single Launch) Sly Withers The Drools Crusoe SUNDAY 31/05

AMBAR Sharam Jey Justin Jay THE AVIARY Rooftop Sessions ft.

Coin Banks THE BIRD Sparkspitter Race to your Face Dougals Casino CAPITOL Clique City Bitch CLANCY’S CITY BEACH The Limelights Jazz CLANCY’S DUNSBOROUGH Odette Mercy & Her Soul Atomics CLANCY’S FREMANTLE Casual Sets Bobstock – Bob Gordon’s Birthday Jam DEFECTORS BAR Open Sesame – Mt. Lawley Open Mic Night ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Troy Roberts Quartet PIJF Jam Session ft.

Abbey Foster Falle THE FACTORY, PERTH Secret Garden ft.

Steve Bug FLYRITE MVMNT Safari GEISHA Lancelot HULA BULA BAR Tropical Sundaze INDI BAR Maiden WA JIMMY’S DEN Robert Owens (UWA) Dave Jackson Deepsoundz THE LIBRARY Tom Piper METRO CITY Friction Linguistics Joe Ford Rene Lavice MOJOS BAR Hells Bells MUSTANG BAR Tailgate Sunday ft.

The Vibrolators Johnny Law & The Pistol Packin’ Daddies Bang Bang Betty & The H-Bombs DJ Holly Doll Decoy DJ James Mac NORTHBRIDGE PIAZZA Sunday Sounds ft.

Travis Caudle Robbie Jalapeno & The Bureaucrats

THE GOLDEN STRING, JULY 4.

VOYAGER, JULY 5.

ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Sons of Zion (NZ) Ben Merito Cera Kymarni 44 Degreez DJ Antikz Z. Kapella Jordan H David Mafua Trojan John Ma Rie Manaaki DJ Angry Buda DJ Illicit ROSEMOUNT HOTEL (BEER GARDEN) Get Down ft.

Aslan Klean Kicks Pawel Good Company DJs Sleepyhead Beni Chill Jo Lettenmaier Tim King SETTLERS TAVERN Sunday Session ft.

Manalion SWALLOW BAR John Bannister Duo SWAN LOUNGE Jodie Boni Latehorse Grace & Kye VILLA Syndicate ft.

Pegboard Nerds Tomsize Boombox Cartel

INDI BAR Club Acoustica JIMMY’S DEN Edde METROPOLIS FREMANTLE In Hearts Wake We Came As Romans Beartooth Storm The Sky MOJOS BAR Victor Fallis’ 70th Birthday ft.

Dave Band & special guests THE MOON CAFÉ Steve Hensby Ku Kraft MUSTANG BAR Wild Wednesday Backpacker & Student Night ft.

Frenzy NEWPORT HOTEL Newport Wednesdays 459 ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Hip Priest The Gizzards Reef & The RiffRaff Junior Horn ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Rock n Roll Karaoke ft.

Magnus Danger Magnus ROSEMOUNT HOTEL (BEER GARDEN) Student Night ft.

DJ Anton Maz

MONDAY 1/06

AMPLIFIER Last Night THE BIRD Golden String DEFECTORS BAR Songwriters Klub HULA BULA BAR Rhum Club INDI BAR Open Mic MOJOS BAR The Big Splash Band Comp 2015Heat #1 ft.

Apollo’s Son Black River Ransom Hip Priest The Verge Collection MUSTANG BAR Thumpin’ Thursdays 459 ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Wolf Arrow Field Salt Tree Black Stone Brwers ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Against Me Joyce Manor SETTLERS TAVERN Open Mic Night ft.

Claire Warnock SWAN LOUNGE Brufield Rooftop Fiction The Dirty Feels Matt Waring VELVET LOUNGE Pat Chow

Marko La Kucha House Shaddow Brothers Om Fom Bunj MOJOS BAR Fisherman Style ft.

Yt Earthlink Sound KBI Sound System DJ Corby Choppa Crucial NEWPORT HOTEL Friday Fiesta 459 ROSEMOUNT HOTEL The Wine Dark Sea (EP Launch) 10 Bit Tonsil The City Views ROSEMOUNT HOTEL I, Said The Sparrow Avastera Lights of Berlin Available at the Counter SETTLERS TAVERN Lurch & Chief SWAN LOUNGE Robbie Jalapeno & The Bureaucrats The Shops Sky Electric TBC VIC PARK BOWLING CLUB The Reptilians Cavalier Union Dr. Bumface

THURSDAY 4/06

BRASS MONKEY Monday Madness Student & Industry Night CLANCY’S CANNING BRIDGE Scotty’s Quiz Night MOJOS BAR Wide Open Mic ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Boris (JPN) Mt. Mountain The Pissedcolas TUESDAY 2/06

CLANCY’S FREMANTLE Quiz Night ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Angela Lumisici – The Music of The Carpenters LLAMA BAR Ruby Tuesdays MOJOS BAR Freo Sounds ft.

Celery Tashi Kenny Austin NEWPORT HOTEL Quiz Show PERTH BLUES CLUB The Warmups Toby Flamin’ Crow ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Bex & Turin’s Open Mic Night TORCH BAR Quiz Meisters YMCA HQ In Hearts Wake WEDNESDAY 3/06

THE BIRD Shake CLANCY’S CANNING BRIDGE Songwriter’s Night ft.

Josh Johnstone Chris Rowe CLANCY’S CITY BEACH Quiz Night CLUB KAHUNA Ch33k ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Gianni Denitto Night Cap Sessions FREMANTLE ARTS CENTRE Ben Howard (UK) HULA BULA BAR Island Nite

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SATURDAY 6/06

AMBAR Japan 4 ft.

NGHTMRE AMPLIFIER King Parrot & special guests ASTOR LOUNGE Michael Bednall & The Perth Saxophone Collective ASTOR THEATRE Yngwie Malmsteen BABUSHKA Frown Drohtnung Lila Chanesar Dirac Sea Territory THE BIRD Methyl Ethel EAST END BAR & LOUNGE Home FLYRITE Father GEISHA BAR Kinky Malinki GOLD BAR Pure Gold

SKULLCAVE, JULY 6.

THE GOOD SHEPHERD Chocolate Jesus HULA BULA Sailor Saturdays JIMMY’S DEN The Devil Rides Out Skullcave Kaan Black Stone From T.he Sun LLAMA BAR Laundry MATISSE BEACH CLUB NiCe7 METRO CITY Club Atlantis ft.

Paul van Dyk Mark Sixma METRO FREO Metropolis Saturdays MOJOS BAR Lurch & Chief THE MOON CAFÉ Little Lord Street Band China Doll THE ODD FELLOW Oakland Braves David Craft PRINCE OF WALES Voyager Klone ROSEMOUNT HOTEL I’m Flipped Out Over You ft.

The Frantic Romantics Le Hoodoo Gurus The Dubrovniks The Painkillers The Television Addicts Kim Salmon & Spencer P. Jones Greg Dear (solo) SETTLERS TAVERN Morgan Bain SKYE BAR DJ Richo HUGE SWALLOW BAR Razor Jack VILLA REWIND SUNDAY 7/06

208 MAYLANDS Frown Lytta Population Control Alzabo Self Harm Territory ASTOR THEATRE Lilly Singh CLANCY’S DUNSBOROUGH Dave Mann Collective

CLANCY’S FREMANTLE Old Blood FLYRITE MVMNT HULA BULA BAR Tropical Sundaze MOJOS BAR Kim Salmon & Spencer P. Jones The Wilds Luke Dux & Todd Pickett THE MOON CAFÉ Little Lord Street Band China Doll NORTHBRIDGE PIAZZA Sunday Sounds ft.

Elk Bell Kyle Bonser Band 459 ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Lurch & Chief Figurehead ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Bad Manners SETTLERS TAVERN Sunday Session ft.

Morgan Bain SWALLOW BAR Jessie Gordon Duo MONDAY 8/06

BRASS MONKEY Monday Madness Student & Industry Night CLANCY’S CANNING BRIDGE Scotty’s Quiz Night MOJOS BAR Wide Open Mic ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Comedy Trivia TUESDAY 9/06

CLANCY’S FREMANTLE Quiz Night ELLINGTON JAZZ CLUB Greg Lloyd LLAMA BAR Ruby Tuesdays MOJOS BAR Mojos Monthly Comedy ft.

Greg Sullivan (QLD) NEWPORT HOTEL Quiz Show PERTH BLUES CLUB David & Brad Capper The Chess Set Mindfreaks ROSEMOUNT HOTEL Bex & Turin’s Open Mic Night TORCH BAR Quiz Meisters YMCA HQ Deeznuts

FRIDAY 5/06

AMBAR MONARCH ft.

Bear Grillz (USA) AMPLIFIER Voyager Klone ASTOR THEATRE Anh Do CLANCY’S FREMANTLE The Fling GINGER NIGHTCLUB Mondo Fridays GOLD BAR Fox Fridays FLYRITE DJ Cash Money (USA) HULA BULA Friday Frendzee JIMMY’S DEN Todda T THE LIBRARY Sneaky THE MANOR TILT ft.

Amber Akilla x Daws Nate Whiskey 29

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MUSIC GEAR & TECHNOLOGY

Gear and tech reviews by Chris Gibbs two with a single Gain control. This innovative design provides everything from pure unity-gain buffer to a clean boost and all the way through to a warm, earfriendly overdrive.

Additionally - and a must for many guitarists – The Saucy Box features a passive tone circuit that will play react well with guitars of any pickup configuration. This pedal will run on either batteries or an optional AC adaptor.

The Way Huge Saucy Box Overdrive pedal retails for $219.

Way Huge Saucy Box Overdrive Pedal

WAY HUGE SAUCY BOX OVERDRIVE PEDAL

COMPETITION: WIN TICKETS TO DRUMSCENE LIVE

From Jim Dunlop’s Way Huge line comes the latest in the brand’s ever-growing selection of overdrive effects, the Saucy Box Overdrive. Similar to the Pork Loin Overdrive, the Saucy Box creates significantly higher versatility from combining individual clean and overdrive signal paths, to deliver a more organic, amp-like overdriven tone. However, to give users a quality overdrive with simple controls, the Saucy Box Overdrive eschews individual clean and drive controls in favour of an automatically balanced ratio of the

If you want to get some drumming tips from the best of the best, there’s no better place to be than the Drumscene Live Australian Tour 2015.

Taking place this year at The Astor Theatre on Thursday, May 28, the clinic features Jojo Mayer of Nerve, Todd Sucherman of Styx, and X-Factor finalist Jason Heerah, plus a special appearance by Ric Eastman.

X-Press has four double passes to give away simply email win@xpressmag.com.au with DRUMSCENE LIVE in the subject line for your chance to win.

MUSOS WANTED

ANALOG MASTERING VINTAGE TAPE, TUBES & TRANSFORMERS with the latest state of the art digital converters. Clients include: Melody’s Echo Chamber, Pond, Gossling, Knife Party, Felicity Groom, The Floors, Jeff Martin & The Panics. World class facility, World class results. www.poonshead.com. 9339 4791 ANDY’S STUDIO International multi award winning songwriter / producer. No band required.

Broadcast quality. A songwriter’s paradise.

Ph 9364 3178 GOLDDUST Production Mixing, recording and composition. Leederville $80 p/h. 0408 097 407 RECORDING MIXING MASTERING PRODUCING Fremantle location. Call Pete Kitchen Cooked Records. Ph 0407 363 764 / 9336 3764 REVOLVER SOUND STUDIO Ph 9272 7505. www.revolverstudio.com.au

Guitarist or Co Male Vocalist 45+ Wanted for Aussie Rock Acoustic Act 0430695287 PRODUCTION SERVICES CD & DVD MANUFACTURE Check out our latest CD & DVD specials online at www.procopy.com.au 9375 3902 MATRIX PRODUCTIONS AUSTRALIA Lighting, staging, sound systems, smoke machines, night club FX, intelligent lighting, strobes & mirror balls, crowd barriers, video projectors. 9371 1551 RECORDING STUDIOS ALAN DAWSON’S WITZEND RECORDING STUDIO Prof quality albums or demos, large live room, experienced engineer, analog to digital transfers, mastering. Alan 0407 989 128 www.witzendstudios.com 30

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REHEARSAL STUDIOS

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CLASSIFIEDS

YAMAHA MG10XU MIXER Aiming for an intuitive, user-friendly interface, the Yamaha MG Series features models ranging from six to twenty channels suitable for a diverse range of users and applications. For both recording and live music settings, the solid construction and simple design of these consoles deliver peak performance and the level of sound quality and reliability that Yamaha have become so well known for.

Much like to the larger 12-channel version reviewed recently, the 10-channel MG10XU mixer includes several key features vital for great live sound reproduction. Firstly there are the D-Pre mic preamps, which provide excellent sound replication.

Couple those with a one-knob compressor - which really evens out vocals and acoustic guitars without sounding too obvious - and half of the mixing battle is already won. Beyond that the SPX digital effects chain offers a choice of 24 effects patterns with single-knob parameter adjustments and individual channel levels to colour the tones. The first four channels are line or mic input with three-band EQ and feature phantom power if required, the remaining channels are stereo inputs featuring two-band EQ. Plugging into some 12-inch powered speakers (a necessity as this series of desk is passive) demonstrated just how powerful the mic preamps are;

PLATINUM SOUND ROOMS Professional rehearsal rooms, airconditioned, quality PAs mob 0418 944 722 TUITION ***GUITAR LESSONS*** New Year enrolments.

Online bookings. Children & adults. Beg to adv. AMEB and WAAPA accreditation. Cliff Lynton Guitar Institute. Mt Lawley 9342 3484 www.clifflynton.com BASS GUITAR LESSONS AVAILABLE by WAAPA tutor. A practicle approach to learning. .All styles.

Years of experience. Tony Gibbs 9470 6131 GUITAR LESSONS Learn guitar in a modern studio in Belmont. Learn finger style, classical, rock & blues using state of the art techniques. Great rates. Call 0433042503

BIBRA LAKE REHEARSAL STUDIO Air Conditioned Room. Great Facilities. Superior VOICE COACH SINGING TEACHER 30 years sound to hear yourself and your band. experience. All levels, all styles. Student discounts.

10 mins from Freo. Phone Nick: 0410 485 588. NOR 0407 260 762 WWW. XP RE SS MAG.COM. AU

Yamaha MG10XU Mixer

compared to the settings on a competitor’s desk, all levels had to be reduced significantly to achieve a balance, meaning that this series of mixer will leave plenty of headroom, even if performance volume requirements are quite demanding.

This series of affordable mixers combines live and studio requirements for musicians, even going so far as to provide a free Cubase software download for anyone who purchases one of the XU line.

The Yamaha MGXU10 retails for around $329, most Perth music stores are currently offering a significant saving on the RRP. CHRIS GIBBS

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