It's been a long time between drinks..

I assure you i have still been attending shows.
I just have not been blogging about them because my blog is no longer being marked. Thus the main incentive is gone.
However i want to start writing some reviews again, even if they are really short or lack original photos.
So i can keep a rough track of my musical conquests for the year.

Shows i can remember seeing across May-July but didnt blog about:
Julian Casablancas
Sticky fingers
Fbi- Choose your own adventure.. cloud control, holidays, jezabels.
Step Panther
King Khan and the BBQ show
Myth and tropics
Leroy Macqueen and the Gussets
Splendour in the grass
Broken social scene

The Vasco Era

Saturday 17 April 2010

Venue: Oxford Arts

I last saw The Vasco Era supporting Wolf and Cub and they are an impossible act to follow. I can barely comprehend the Vasco Era’s set because I’m just that blown away it is a monstrously powerful thing. Last nights ‘When it first showed up’ (sing her a love song...) absolutely slays. Some bands play, some perform The Vasco Era blew my freaking mind. They break down the barrier between band and audience, vocalist and guitarist Sid O'Neil is all smiles as he dares you to stand around, nurse your schooner, text a friend – Just try. I don’t know how his voice can take it you see his neck veins standing up as he screams a chorus and then can seamlessly go straight to a soft moment. He has a distinctive country like vocal that really suits their sound. They often do a cover of Elvis classic ‘Can’t help falling in love’ (take my hand, take my whole life too. For I can't help falling in love with you…) which I was eagerly expecting but instead last night to my shock disbelief and delight they played my favourite Smiths song ‘I know it’s over’. You never expect to hear this Smiths song when you’re out it’s always ‘this charming man’ or ‘panic’. What a surprise and what a reflection on the bands integrity and character. Their own songs have no problems with originality. They are amazing. They are unique. They are real. They are a mighty explosion of powerful vibrant noise. They are sweaty and passionate. They are energetic. They remind you not to lose faith in new music. I don’t believe in much these days but I believe in The Vasco Era. Really they are just that damn good. They ended the set with Honey bee (Sweet little honey bee more than just a friend, I’m gonna grow up to be yours 'til the end) and I reeled off into the night, deaf and happy. Best live show I have seen this year; aside from The Black Lips.

The Vasco Era are Sid O'Neil, Ted O'Neil and Michael Fitzgerald. Listen to their songs here.

Surry Hills Festival

Saturday 10 April 2010

Location: Ward Park & Shannon Reserve

Bands: Bearhug, Belles Will Ring, Fergus Brown, Jonathan Boulet

The Surry Hills Festival is presented by the non-profit non-government Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre. The Annual Festival is a major fundraising event for the community based centre’s activities. Funds are raised through gold coin donation.

This year the festival was located across both Ward Park and Shannon Reserve. I preferred this in comparison to last year’s location at the Prince Alfred Park (right next to Central station) as it provided two more intimate locations instead of everything being all bunched together. I also took pleasure in walking along the sunny footpaths between the two stages. There was plenty of music, market stalls with vintage clothes, food and art for sale to keep people occupied. Alcohol was not for sale at the festival this year and punters were encouraged to visit official sponsor hotels; Trinity bar (I am a fan) and The White Horse (Not a fan).

I’ll warn you. I wasn’t very impressed with the line-up. But all the bands were playing for free so expectations can’t be too high.

First band I saw was Bearhug; they reference Broken Social Scene on their Myspace as an influence. Website Twothousand when describing Bearhug say their influences are ‘hardly recognisable, and their sound is definitely their own.’ Implying they have their own unique sound. I disagree; I don’t feel they have a clear sound at all. Watching them felt like listening to a couple of guys jamming. Sparse vocals and too many similar instrumental moments, I thought perhaps Surry Hills festivals poor sound set up could be held responsible but the next band up Belles Will Ring showed what the sound system was capable of; definitely a more professional band. They took to the stage and had a presence. No muffled instruments. Belles Will Ring are seasoned players. They have been around for years and have perfected their live show of ‘beautiful harmonies and one of the best rhythm sections you’ll ever see’ (fasterlouder.com). I have never really been one to appreciate a band with a flute and I’m not really a fan of Belles Will Ring but the professional nature of their performance was clear in comparison.

Fergus brown’s most recognised song is ‘nerds in love’. His myspace says Fergus Brown’s melodic guitar-pop is reminiscent of The Shins, Bon Iver and Ben Kweller. I hear no Ben Kweller in his music but I can see that he may be trying to be like a happier Bon Iver. I find his music uninteresting. His talking/singing style is a drag and tedious to listen to. Drum Media have said "Couldn't be any cooler..An endearing blend of wit and sincerity." It could be a hell of a lot cooler.

And last but certainly not least Jonathan Boulet, the primary purpose and saviour of my day. Described accurately by Modular people as; 'A precociously inspired 21-year-old skate rat from Sydney city’s northwest. Boulet makes a brand of ceremoniously uplifting, deeply colourful pop’. Jonathan Boulet and his merry band of uni and skate friends provoked the most crowd participation of the day. I enjoy their chanting and their tribal like use of drums. A lot of emphasis has been placed on the fact Jonathan Boulet (also drummer for Sydney band Parades) recorded the album by himself and played all of the instruments. Jonathan Boulet on triple j's Like a Version covered Eddy Current Suppression Ring's "Colour Television". Listen here. Scroll across to approx 11 mins in.

I do love Surry Hills festival it is a great day to spend with amazing people. Perhaps some better bands next year though. .

The Frowning Clouds

Thursday 1 April

Venue: The Bald Faced Stag aka ‘The Wall’

Support bands: The Walk On By, Snoozefests, Paper Moon

The Frowning Clouds are the epitome of 60’s. They sound 60’s, they dress 60’s and they have 60’s haircuts. Even though they are not presenting a new sound they are definitely digging it out of the dusty record collections of the past and showing it to new ears. These 5 teenagers from Geelong inspire hope against the plague of modern music; a generation of electro computer sampling falseness with no foundations.

My review is not heralding The Frowning Clouds as the saviours of new music. I mean to say I would like to hear more of what they are doing. I would like to see more bands inspired by 50’s, 60’s and 70’s music playing the Australian music circuit of today.

When I first heard The Frowning Clouds on their MySpace page Sydney band the Dolly Rocker Movement came to mind. ‘The Dolly Rocker Movement’ have been around since 2002 and are similarly influenced heavily by 60’s music but have a more psychedelic sound. I found it interesting to read on the inside cover of ‘The Frowning Clouds’ album in the Thank you section ‘The Dolly Rocker Movement’ are mentioned.

Patrick Emery – Beat Magazine – Nov 2007 when speaking of The Dolly Rocker Movement’s live show wrote “oozes the type of stage charisma you'd associate with the iconic rock stars who now dominate 60's pop memorabilia.” The same goes for The Frowning Clouds. It would not be hard to imagine them on a school girl’s lunch box. They really engage with the audience because they appear like they are genuinely having a good time on stage.

The Frowning clouds debut album produced and recorded by Mikey Young of ECSR and Mickster of Off The Hip is titled ‘Listen Closelier’ and holds many a song about girls. My pick is ‘Snake Charmer’.

The Frowning Clouds are playing MUM @ World Bar on the 30^th April and Mods May Day on 1 May at the Sandringham hotel Newtown.

An extract I enjoyed from The Frowning Clouds MySpace page:
“Primarily about Jangley textures, wild rhythms, throbin’ beats and wishful thinking instead of elongated guitar solos and ponytales we prefer to show what you can achieve as a sect rather than an individual of the group getting the spotlight, and dont say that shits quaint cause it ain't! mother”

I like this band a lot.

Guineafowl

Thursday 18 March 2010

Venue: Oxford Art Factory

Support band:The Cadres

When I was invited to see Guineafowl I went because it was free and I like Oxford Art Factory. I’ll admit I was pretty sceptical that I would actually enjoy Guineafowl because all I had read was that after making a few demo recordings on his laptop the lead musician/vocalist began performing solo e.g. in someone's kitchen before getting a band together. By the sound of that I thought they would be a very electro computer generated based band. Especially as Guineafowl have been labelled as ‘Indie-tronic’.

When you approach a band with this kind of scepticism it reflects wonders on the band if they are able to actually flip your initial judgment completely and win you over. This is what Guineafowl did for me. I would opt to see them again even over a much more established band.

There are definitely enough band members with instruments in tow to ensure this band is not too on the computer sampling side of things. I would even go as far to say they look pretty cluttered and could lose at least one member. They are described well on polaroidsofandroids.com as "creating a lovely brand of cluttered jangly electro pop". Guineafowl have strong guitar riffs but it is the lead singer’s voice that really makes this band. His voice has been described by triple j presenters as having similar qualities to Talking Heads singer David Byrne. I notice this likeness most in track ‘Little Fingers’; the chorus sounds exactly like Byrne.

Guineafowl definitely don’t give off the all too familiar Sydney band vibe of trying to present themselves as being too cool for anything. They have catchy lyrics and a really fun feel. I’ll admit I have become very friendly with their my space page over the last week.


I expect big things from this band. ‘Botanist’ the song has been played on Triple J as well as receiving regular airplay on Fbi Radio. I recommend you go along and see them sometime soon for a dance. They are playing at Good God Small Club Wednesday 31 March with Bridezilla.

There’s an interview with Guinea fowl here.

And I’ll end with a quick mention to The Cadres; indie-rock four piece. This band are not afraid to be loud and appear to be quite Nice guys if you care to read this article. You can find their music here.

PIXIES

Sunday 14 March 2010

Venue: Hordern Pavilion

Support band: The Art

The re-united Pixies are celebrating the two decade anniversary of their classic album Doolittle with a massive tour. I attended the first of three Sydney shows at Hordern Pavilion.

When I walked in to see support band ‘The Art’ (Sydney band from Newtown) I thought Wow! All girls; it’s a Riot Grrrl band. Then shortly later realised that there was actually only one girl in the band and the other three members were just really skinny long haired make-up’d men who sounded faultlessly like women. This realisation really took the novelty away. Seeing them live was fine the main vocalist was moving around keeping the audience interested enough but when I listened to their songs at home I cringed immensely, especially at the line in track ‘I wanna know’ – “The truth is just like Christmas Santa Claus isn’t real” such a ridiculous lyric. I encourage you to make up your own mind though by visiting their myspace page.

Next up; the prestigious Pixies. Pixies Music Documentary loudQUIETloud issued by Music Video Distributors is as good a way to define the Pixies sound as any. The Pixies are one of my all time favourite bands. I missed out on the chance to see them when they played at V festival in 2007 and was devastated because I thought I would never get the chance to see them before I died.

I found out about the Pixies when I was much younger and going through an extreme Nirvana stage because The Pixies were the main influence on Kurt Cobain and Cobain’s acknowledgement of his debt to the Pixies along with other alternative bands ensured the Pixies legacy. The Pixies and the band Dinosaur Jr started virtually around the same time and were equally responsible for injecting late 80’s alternative rock music with large amounts of pure guitar noise. Dinosaur Jr also had a Sydney show recently which was reviewed by blogger Kicking Against The Pricks which I encourage you to check out.

The Pixies began the set playing four related B-side tracks. I am no expert at writing a set-list but I think it would have been more ideal to start off with a classic from the album and then slip b-side tracks in between album tracks through out. I understand the cool factor of hearing B-side tracks live especially as Kim Deal (bassist) remarked ‘Some of these b-side tracks have never been played live’ but it is not a good way to get the crowd going.

This was the first show I have been to where it was being recorded for the purpose of being able to purchase a CD copy straight after the show and I found it interesting that they could record, edit and sell such large amounts of ‘high-quality CDs’. Perhaps there was only basic editing or no editing at all.

There were a lot of people yelling (including myself) "I love you Kim" in the gaps between songs. I have never before witnessed such love for a bass player. But Kim Deal is not just any bass player. She is songwriter, lead vocals and guitar for band ‘The Breeders’ with four studio albums to their name and hit single "Cannonball".

Kim Deal is lead vocals on Pixies track ‘Into the White’ which was accompanied by a white smoke machine in the show, symbolising the transition between the end of Encore one and beginning of Encore two. Yes, there were two encores which included tracks from the album Surfer Rosa ‘Where is my mind’ and ‘Gigantic’. The Pixies full set-list from the night can be viewed here.

Everyone naturally knew all the words to every song (except the B-sides) and sang at the top of their lungs. Which shows passion but I obviously wanted to hear Frank Black’s version. I know that is what comes with every live show; if you want to hear just the band listen to the CD at home but I feel with classic bands like the Pixies the crowd participation is much more intense than usual and can really overpower the performer.

I think because my expectations were so high leading into the event I was really only setting myself up for some degree of disappointment. Don’t get me wrong. The Pixies were amazing. I love that I had the opportunity to see them. But because I was not born in my preferred generation I missed out on the chance to see them at their prime. I would have preferred to see just a straight Pixies show with a mixture of tracks from all of their albums instead of just a Doolittle based concert. But you take what you can get and all factors considered I still adore the Pixies and would see them again in a heartbeat.

WASHINGTON

Thursday 11 March 2010

Venue: Brass Monkey Cronulla

Support bands: Rat vs Possum and Scott Spark

I will start this review off with a quote from Edgar Allan Poe “I wish I could write as mysterious as a cat.” I shall now commence to write not quite as mysterious as a cat but hopefully not as obviously as a dog.

Support Scott Spark sang solo on his keyboard. It was as simple as - he tried and he failed. His music was without any lustre of potential; boring and uneventful. Rat vs. Possum the second support however were entrancing with their crazy tribal drumming fuelled pop and communal screams. Definitely a band to take a look at (www.myspace.com/ratvspossum).

Washington I am now a convert. When I first saw her at Falls festival I paid little attention as a general musical preference I don’t like female voices in a pop context so I boxed her as just another sweet pop-y girl with no real talent and nothing new to offer. But after seeing her at such an intimate setting I see why she has generated so much attention. Megan Washington took to the stage in a black top with feathers pointing up all around her neck instantly engaging with the audience making a remark about the flexibility of a girl she’d seen at Northies; she had obviously just witnessed Northies very classy (sarcasm) pole dancing Thursday nights. The drummer shared the joke ‘a skeleton walks into a bar and asks for a beer and a mop’ and it must have been a personal joke with Megan as she began to laugh hysterically. Megan’s talking to the crowd and her band throughout the set created a really relaxed friendly atmosphere.

Her songs are catchy; not in a bad commercial radio way designed to be put in the next available advertisement kind of catchy just fun and hard not to like. She played a few songs without the backing band; just her keyboard and a cover of Sublime’s ‘Santeria’ coming across really genuine. She has a strong voice and has already received a lot of accolades; in November 2008 they were announced as Triple J’s Unearthed winners and in December 2009 Megan won the inaugural Vanda and Young song writing competition.

After this headline tour in support of their ‘How To Tame Lions’ EP they are off to Texas to play the SXSW festival (the festival I have dreamed of attending for the last few years and will one day attend). Many bands generate a lot of attention after playing this festival and go on to do great things. I wish them the best. I personally don’t intend on buying their album once it’s released as it’s not really my thing but I think once an album is released it is sure to be a success. And if I get the chance to see her live again I would because she provides the bang for your buck as far as entertainment is concerned; her personality shines through and sells the live show.

Listen to Washington here.

The Jezabels

Saturday 6 March 2010

Venue: Town Recital Hall

Tonight was the re-opening night of Sydney’s Town recital hall. It was one of the most beautiful venues I have ever had the chance to visit. Walking up those big steps (where a red carpet had been layed for the event) into rooms with the highest ceilings, hanging lights and stained glass windows was impressive. There is a massive organ behind the stage that gives an almost church like grandeur feel and a white marble grand stair case that sweeps up from the foyer to seating levels above. As per the town hall website the venue was designed in a ‘shoebox shape, proven worldwide as the ideal shape for hearing western classical music. Based on the classical configuration of the 19th century European concert hall’.

The event was free in spirit of the re-opening but didn’t seem to be very widely publicised reflected in the lack of numbers. Bands that performed on the night included; Jack Ladder, The Jezabels, Decoder Ring and Bertie Blackman. For a good review of Decoder Ring’s performance on this night please visit this fellow blogger House of the Risin’ Sun’s post.

The Jezabels are a 4 piece band from Sydney; vocals, drums, guitar and a keyboard. They’re genre is classic pop sound blended with rock and folk elements. Hayley Mary can really sing. Her voice is truly sophisticated and emotionally raw at the same time. If she was to be replaced I’m not sure if someone else could sing the Jezabels lyrics with her intensity. They have 2 E.P’s out. The most well known tracks would be ‘Disco biscuit love’ and ‘Hurt me’. When both these songs were played the whole band really seemed to light up and come together more powerfully. I have seen the Jezabels play before and Hayley can be a bit stiff at times but she took her shoes off towards the end of the performance and started moving around a lot more. They’re due to support Tegan and Sara for their Australian tour in May this year. I think the Jezabels are still trying to find an audience; not that they don’t have a small one already but they have supported a variety of acts over the last few years and they need to find a larger following that really gets behind them. Interestingly they have received airplay in the United States, where they hit #4 on the most added chart of US college radio in August 2009 so maybe there is something for them to pursue over there.

Follow this link to check out some of their music.

Phoenix

Tuesday 2 March 2010

Venue: Hordern Pavilion

Support band: Miami horror

I really like Miami horror. I would not buy their c.d. but they’re a good band to see live. Having seen them recently at falls festival counting down to the new year they brought back good memories. Miami horror are an electro-pop act who sample so many bands it would be hard not to enjoy them. Their remix of Datarock’s FaFaFa is a highlight. If you want to read more about Miami horror there is an interview with them here. I think it’s always going to be hard for this kind of band to fill the support slot. Because they really produce at their core dance music in the sense that you need to dance with it to enjoy it and at shows I have noticed people are usually too nervous about dancing at the beginning of the night (they need to get a few drinks into them first).

It was an all ages event and I’ve now discovered Hordern is one of the best venues to have an all ages show because it is so dark that you don’t even notice you’re surrounded by juveniles and since not everyone is 18 the line for the bar is short and sweet.

And now to Phoenix, well I’m not going to spend nearly $80 to see a band I don’t care much for so my review is definitely on the favourable side. Phoenix are an alt-rock French band who started out as the backing band for a remix of Air’s ‘Kelly watch the stars’ single. They have since released 4 studio albums and are a Grammy award winning act; definitely conquering the world of soft rock. Music webzine Pitchfork captures my opinion of phoenix well in a review posted after Phoenix’s 3^rd album was released commenting ‘(music) that could slot into the playlists of hipsters and receptionists alike.’ I last saw phoenix when they came out in August and played at the Enmore. Usually when a band progresses to a bigger venue you lose a lot of intimacy. But when you go to see Phoenix I think you are just looking for a good time and a dance and Hordern is great for that. They ploughed neatly through the set list and it was exactly like dancing to Phoenix in a club but Thomas Mars (vocals) is actually there with you. The crazy lighting that accompanies their live show is to blame for my lack of photographs and at times made it hard to see the band. That aside, it was a very good night out.

Magnifique! j'aime Phoenix

COLOURS

Wednesday 24 February 2010
Venue: Oxford Art Factory

Oxford art factory consists of two rooms the gallery bar and the main stage.
Two band nights were operating side by side; the gallery had its weekly ‘Yellow Brick Road’ night where fresh upcoming bands are presented at the bargain price of $6. The first and only band I watched in the gallery was Convaire I found them mediocre; in the sense that the happy pop rock genre isn’t usually my cup of tea anyway but also because they weren’t adding anything original to it. The main stage presented ‘Revenant club’ which was free (always a plus). Bands featured were; Danimals, Dark bells, Colours, Virgo Rising and Domeyko/Gonzalez. I am only presenting a review of ‘Colours’ as I feel they were the stand-out band of the night.



Colours are a Sydney band described on their Triple J unearthed page as rock, punk with 90’s, 60’s and 80’s influences. It was their first live show and they create a definite atmosphere around them that really engages and draws in the audience.
I liken them to classic band Joy Division in the sense that music critic Jon Savage was quoted “(Joy Division) were not punk but were directly inspired by its energy”. I’m not even sure if the members of Colours even like Joy Division (although I think they would) but it is the most ideal way for me to explain their sound. Post-punk influenced in its dreamy, gloomy and provocative rock nature. The bands stage presence was laid back but effective. Unfortunately it is always hard to hear the lyrics clearly at a live show and even on the bands my space page (www.myspace.com/colourssound) the lyrics aren’t very clear. Hopefully they will soon have the opportunity to record professionally. You can rate and review Colours at www.triplejunearthed.com from what I can tell they have a debut EP coming out early this year. I’m interested to see how this band will progress; always a sucker for a band with a tambourine.

The Cribs

Friday 19 February 2010
Venue: Manning bar
Support band: Bridezilla

My friend and I arrived at the Manning bar slightly after the support band had started and asked the ticket guy who was on, to our luck the support band was Bridezilla! So we ran straight up the stairs to watch them. Bridezilla are a Sydney band with 5 members; 4 girls and a token boy on the drums. I was surprised they were the support band for the Cribs because they play more folk inspired rock and roll. I have seen them previously supporting Architecture in Helsinki, and at big day out and Laneway festivals. They always put on a good show with the violinist being particularly theatrical. Their debut studio album has recently come out (October 2009) and has been graced with good reviews.



It felt like only a short intermission before The Cribs took the stage. The Cribs are an English 4-piece rock band which had previously consisted of twins Gary and Ryan and their brother Ross Jarman but have recently been joined by prestigious ex-The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr. Q magazine has described the band as "The biggest cult band in the UK". I have been following the Cribs from 2005 when their 2nd album ‘The New Fellas’ was released. They played a solid show. I was worried they would just play a majority of their latest album ‘Ignore the Ignorant’ but they presented a good mix of old and new keeping all punters satisfied.



There was a definite sense of star struck being only a few metres away from Johnny Marr (currently 46 years old; looked more like 25) I had only just the night before been watching a documentary on British music to which Johnny Marr was interviewed. Lee Ranaldo from Sonic Youth collaborated with the band on their third album. The track "Be Safe" is a Ranaldo spoken word piece, and backed with The Cribs' music; so when they played the song imagery of Ranaldo was projected onto a screen at the back of the stage.




Overall it was a good night. There was even a little bit of crowd surfing from some of the audience members which is a rarity these days. I shouldn’t have expected anything more than they provided. Although I will say that because The Cribs have been known for their raucous and unpredictable live shows I did expect more. I understand that it would be hard for a band night after night to come out and play the same material but they have spiced things up a bit with a new album and a new member. Don’t get me wrong there was enthusiasm there definitely and from other bands the level would have been fine but and I mean this remark as a compliment; I think the Cribs are of a different and more genuine caliber than most bands so I would have enjoyed a little bit of banter with the crowd instead of just playing the songs. I respected that they did not have an encore. As soon as their set ended the lights came on. None of this modern day planned encore rubbish too which most have become accustomed.