propagandhi is coming to australia
January 21, 2009
ok so it’s old news to most that care, but just a reminder that amazing winnipegan punks propagandhi are coming to australia for the first time in 11 years.
they’re doing a comprehensive tour of the east coast, playing the sydney metro february 15 (licensed/all ages), as well as heading to perth and adelaide.
download free audio from propagandhi.com
buy tickets to the metro show here
| february 13, 2009 | brisbane, australia | arena | 18+ |
| february 14, 2009 | gold coast, australia | coolangatta hotel | 18+ |
| february 15, 2009 | sydney, australia | metro | licensed all ages |
| february 18, 2009 | newcastle, australia | bar on the hill | 18+ |
| february 19, 2009 | wollongong, australia | unibar | 18+ |
| february 20, 2009 | canberra, australia | weston creek community centre | all ages |
| february 21, 2009 | melbourne, australia | corner hotel | 18+ |
| february 22, 2009 | melbourne, australia | corner hotel | 18+ |
| february 24, 2009 | adelaide, australia | fowlers | licensed all ages |
| february 25, 2009 | perth, australia | capitol | 18+ |
propagandhi - stolen from socan.ca
FUN FACT: propagandhi members chris and jord also run g7 welcoming committee records which has released stuff by the likes of randy, subhumans and noam chomsky (!) among their own releases and a bunch of stuff that i’ve never heard of before (though will be looking in to and will post about anything worth mention).
eucalypt are so young, and so good. i love that playing on the floor as opposed to a stage really does break down that barrier of crowd vs band, and with eucalypt you really become part of their show. sadly, the gig on monday was the last chance that we had to experience it, as they’ve now broken up.
i saw eucalypt play for the first time at the tri-state carni chooch festival in march 2007. they, along with quebec from melbourne (who are also breaking up shortly, and have played their last-ever sydney show), blew my fucking mind that weekend.
talking to a member of eucalypt on monday, apparently one member had decided to move on, and as they work so closely (and so well) together, they decided that it couldn’t go on without him. this also gives an idea of what kind of band they were – they weren’t together to learn one person’s songs, or any typical rock-band deal, but were together because they all wanted to do the same thing, and do it together.
the show at sydney (one of my favourite venues ’round town) was great, from what could tell. as the space is small, and a lot of people came, not many people got to actually see the band. i’m sure it was pretty special up the front, but i couldn’t quite deal with the heat so i got the fuck out of the kitchen (actually, i ended up watching from the kitchen!). i’m glad i went along, because the great songs were still there, but i really should’ve made the push to the front line to get the most out of it. also, from what i could gather, the band were doing shout outs and dedications to each other in between songs, which could have been nice to hear (or not, guess i’ll never know).
here’s flyer that was handed out after their set:
i’m sad to see these guys go, but i’m sure they’ll all do something cool with themselves.
playing before eucalypt was the diamond sea, from melbourne. the space was already jammed, so i didn’t stay close for long, but what i heard was really cool! there were moments of thaw-like post hardcore, love of diagrams-ish vocals, and good energy all round. definitely see these girls and a guy if you can, my main memory is sweet melodies over duelling guitars and nice solid drums and bass.
the last act was off minor (mp3) from the usa, whom i had only heard of via their split 7″ with my disco. once again, toooo packed (and hot!), so we stood to the back of the top level to listen, and try and catch what we could sight-wise. i liked their stuff though, heaps. i’m sure that it went down a treat the next night at maggotville, too, but i couldn’t make it along. it’s awesome to see a hardcore show in a venue like sydney, but i guess i wasn’t feeling very hardcore.
FUN FACT: when the cops showed up for the second time this night (which was inevitable – it was so fucking loud out the front), they were rad. yup, the only time that you’ll ever here me say that cops are rad. after hearing from a resident of the venue that it was one of the band’s last gigs, and that there are only ’2 more songs to go’, they walked in to check it out. one was shaking his arms in the air along to off minor, before walking out laughing, saying to his mate ‘sick show’ or something. when two more cops walked in, as these dudes were leaving, he said ‘ no worries, it’s just a cool concert!’. or something to that effect. big ups.
i was worried about this gig. no offence meant for anyone, but after the reunion tours that we’ve seen come through sydney of late what are we to expect?
tactics are a band that it took me a long time to find, but when i did: wow. for the many of us that missed them the first time around, they formed in canberra in the late seventies, and moved to sydney around 1980. they released 4 studio albums, a live album, a b-sides compilation, and a bunch of singles. they have recently released 2 double disc volumes (the sound of the sound) featuring all of their recorded work (well, demo versions of some, and remastered versions of others, but most of it’s there in some way, shape or form). the gig on saturday april 5 at the annandale was to launch the 2nd volume.
tactics - the sound of the sound volume 2
i had interviewed david studdert, tactics songwriter, vocalist and guitarist the tuesday before, which made me really excited about the show (download the interview here [30mb - mp3]). he’s a cool guy and has the right ideas about music (well, i think so). the band, which lasted through the 80s, had a revolving door line up which seemed to change around quite a bit. it mostly centered around david’s writing, and was successful due to his enthusiasm/pro-activism.
i’m not sure about who else made up the line up tonight, sorry – it hadn’t crossed my mind to ask. david took centre stage to the room full of obvious old mates, and old enemies, as well as a bunch of new fans and friends. the fun started straight away, as did the stories of nights spent playing and writing these amazing songs. the band were obviously all really enjoying the night, which in any circumstance is good to see.
songs tonight included my favourites burning country, cleaning a gun, and coat tails, to name but a few. david’s dance style is something to be envied (and copied, should the chance arise), and the songs themselves haven’t lost any of their magic – they still sound so refreshingly original. david lives in london now, but i’m sure that well be treated to another tactics show and if i were you i wouldn’t miss it for the world.
cloud control were the middle support, and we’d never heard them before. they’re cute smiles and bubblegum melodies won us over at first, but it all seemed a little manufactured after a while. really talented musicians, though – killer bass lines, that’s for sure.
opening the night was peter fenton, who we sadly missed.
one thing of note regarding this gig was the crowd. anyone familiar with the annandale will know that it’s famous for rock n’ roll – and is famous for its rock pigs. not to say that they’re not nice people, but i’ve often ended up with beer on my sleeve and sore toes, which is of course all part of the rock n’ roll experience, i know. tonight, though, we were treated to a room full of polite, courteous punters (well, most of ‘em). there were some younger peeps, and a couple of yobs, but also a lot of older people (than us) sipping wine and chatting quietly. it sounds really lame, but it was really nice! it was like being at the basement without the snooty fucks.
FUN FACT: tactics went through at least 20 band members over the course of their 11 or 12 year career!
live: baseball (launch), ohana, dead china doll, psychonanny and the babyshakers april 4, 2008 at spectrum
April 9, 2008
so baseball’s first full length release finally came out this year, animal kingdom, which includes tracks from their ep of about 2 years ago baseball, taiwan – japan tour ep. this was the sydney launch for animal kingdom, at spectrum on oxford st.
i’ve always dug baseball, and was really into said ep. when the album came around i was looking forward to it. when i was looking at it i wasn’t so sure. enough has been said about this album cover on other blogs and forums, so i won’t go into it too much here, except to say that i hate it, and that it doesn’t make me think – even for a second – that the music on that disc would sound anything like it does.
baseball - animal kingdom
the way that the music sounds on the disc doesn’t do that much for me either, to be honest, but how could it? anyone that’s seen baseball live would know that there’s no way that you could capture that intensity without the visual accompaniment of the band. so, seeing as i hadn’t seen them play for some time, my interest had kind of waned. this show, though, was just what i needed to see to be reminded of how great they are – so much energy, such cool songs, such cool people. they brought the songs of animal kingdom to life, and i was really happy to have my interest rekindled.
just before them, thirroul 4 piece ohana (which loosely means family in hawaiian culture) had played a good set, troubled slightly by an unsuitable mix. vocalist/guitarist will is one mighty fine dude to watch, and his voice and their duelling guitars were on the money tonight. i think that ohana really suit an environment different to somewhere like spectrum, so if you see them on a line up at an unconventional venue – which they’re often on – try and make it along. also, buy their album weak wrists here.
we missed dead china doll this time ’round, as we were starving and last time we saw them our ears bled. dimitri’s pizza gets a 10 out of 10 for their chili bread and vege pizza though.
openers for the night were sydney rockabilly 4 piece psychonanny and the babyshakers. they’re the band that you always see on posters – it’s as though they have a street team sometimes – and that are often in a line up that’s unexpected for a band of its style. theyre good though! really good, if you like rockabilly. which i do. i wouldn’t say that what they’re doing is as original as baseball, and they’re not as tight as ohana, but who cares? they write fantastic songs and are heaps of fun to watch. once again the sound plagued them (or maybe just me) a little, and sonia’s voice was too loud, which detracts from the quality of it. she has the perfect voice for this stuff, as does lead vocalist/guitarist simon (her husband). they’re in the process of finishing up some recordings, and we should all be excited to hear them.
this was one of those shows that, although the venue is pretty awful, was really great to see. heaps of people were there right from the start, who all seemed to stick around, too. and although the genres were mixed (which i love, but which doesn’t always make for the best atmosphere), it all seemed to fit, and to maintain energy all the way through. super fun night, actually.
FUN FACT: baseball is somewhat of an indie supergroup, and features thick passage from ninetynine and sandro (violin and vocals), monika fikerle from love of diagrams, sea scouts, jihad against america, the bites, the grimm and more (bass guitar, drums and vocals), evelyn morris, who is pikelet and is in true radical miracle (drums and vocals, and bass), and ben butcher from the grimm, assassination collective, jihad against america, fibonacci, and aardvark (guitar and vocals). all of these bands mentioned are great.
why did you bother touring? #2 The Jesus and Mary Chain
April 8, 2008
ok, so that’s a bit overboard; i’m actually glad that the jesus and mary chain toured. but, after seeing them twice in one week, i feel as though maybe don’t understand them as much as i thought that i did.
jmc then (stolen from kateblogsworth.files.wordpress.com)
jmc now (stolen from losanjealous.com)
v fest would have to be the best-planned festival (excluding the actual line up) since summersault. it was easy to get around, and there were just enough signs indicating where stuff was (ie: bar, toilets, food, stages, etc) to make people my age and up happy and comfortable. also, it seemed to be undersold just enough to make it relatively easy to move closer and further away from the bands that you wanted to watch (tix were $140 or so, no surprise that it didn’t sell out).
the day of v fest sydney (march 29, 2008) didn’t present very much to kat and i, but we made sure that we got there early enough to have the chance to see most of the main line up. and, although the below will pretty much be negative, we had a really fun day overall.
the first group we headed over to was modest mouse, and as soon as we got there, i remembered how little i like them. i’m sure they’re good at what they do, it’s just not my thing. we mosied back over to the bar and had a couple of $7 coopers (!), listening to the mish-mash of 2 stages either side of us.
from memory, the next group we actually bothered to get up for was the jesus and mary chain. this band was cool. when i first heard them, i couldn’t believe that this was the band i’d heard so much about… ‘people like this? with all that feedback all over everything? i love this, this noise; surely it’s not as popular as it seems?’
seeing them live for the first time on saturday, i couldn’t believe that this was the band i’d heard so much about… ‘people like this? these old fools standing still singing soul-less pop songs? i loved this at one point, this noise; surely it’s not as popular as it seems? it’s so… so boring! a ramones t-shirt?’
admittedly, it was pretty clear that they did NOT want to be there, and just to make it clear, singer jim reid growled into the microphone at one point ‘what the fuck are we doing here?!’ and, at the end of just like honey – as the crowd cheered – said, ‘oh, glad you knew that one’. oh.
the closer, reverence, got me a little bit excited, as it featured at least some volume and feedback – ie: a little bit of life – but it still wasn’t enough to save them. there just wasn’t enough – from the band or the sound system – to make their songs seem like anything other than mediocre brit pop.
we somehow forgot to/decided not to stick around for queens of the stone age, which in retrospect probably would have been the highlight. after a couple more beers, we attempted to see css, but either their time had been changed or we got mixed up. we checked out a couple of minutes of duran duran, who actually sounded amazing and definitely had the most energy out of everyone that we saw (which is pretty awesome. they’re old, huh?!). then, for nostalgia’s sake – and to satiate our curiosity – we headed over to check out smashing pumpkins.
yup, smashing pumpkins… wow. i was a really big fan of theirs in my early teens, as most people that i know – that are my age – were. i was so damn excited to see them back in ’96 on the mellon collie and the infinite sadness tour, more excited than pretty much every venue show up that i’d seen up to that point (which admittedly wasn’t that many). after that show, i didn’t listen to them for a very long time. why? because i hated their show. i really, truly, despised them live.
the sound itself was fine, from memory. it was at festival hall in brisbane (r.i.p.), which was always pretty great. but that’s really not what matters at the age of 16. what matters is that the stars live up to what you want them to be. instead, they lived up to their reputation; arrogant, obnoxious, and disinterested
consistency is important, right? and aside from the line up changes, smashing pumpkins‘ (with original members billy corgan and drummer jimmy chamberlain, plus 2 unkowns [to me at least]) v fest set was pretty similar to the ’96 wankfest. on top of new songs which only about 4 people seemed to know, their set was filled with tired renditions of old classics, no communication between members, lacklustre everything… i have to say that i was nice to sing along to some classics, in nostalgia and with only a hint of irony, and i wish that i could’ve been more positive about it all, and for longer.
they did a pretty much unnoticed britney spears cover, and ended on a song which i can only guess is on their latest album zeitgeist. i suppose that this last track was really what left the bitter taste, something about america?? the real stinker was the us national anthem done in the theme of hendrix – i mean really, who do they think they are? we wandered toward the gate as the park became awash in self-indulgence and just plain… shit.
not wanting to let the v fest experience tarnish our opinion of the jesus and mary chain for ever, we went to check them out at the enmore the following wednesday. apologies to ghostwood and the rakes, whom we missed due to dinner arrangements. we actually only made it for the last half of jmc or so, and it was a lot better than the v fest performance.
this was mainly due to the volume and density of the sound – a lot more full and convincing. even so, it still left a lot to be desired. they were slightly more engaged, even though one of the only things that jim reid said that i understood was,’you can’t even understand what the fuck i’m saying, can you?’
from what i could gather they played the same set as v fest (or pretty close), but saved reverence for an encore. that was nice, and i’m gald that i saw it, but nope, still not enough.
overall it was worth going, but not really. does that make sense? it will if you were there.
FUN FACT: smashing pumpkins haven’t released an album that even their fans have liked since 98′s adore.
why did you bother touring? #1 Sinead O’Connor
April 2, 2008
perhaps this should be titled ‘why did you bother going?’ but really, with icons such as sinead o’connor you just never know! it will either be mind-blowingly special, or goddamn awful. but i guess in this case, i should’ve known.
stolen from sineadoconnor.com
sinead o’connor was in australia for the first time ever for bluesfest 2008, and did 3 sideshows in sydney at the state theatre. kat and i went along for the 3rd show (wednesday march 26), which was also the last show of her/her band’s one year world tour.
after letting us know this at the start of the set, while her rent-a-guitarist had trouble with a lead, she dropped that this tour had made them all feel very tired, and therefore we would be privy to a very relaxed show. “that’s cool”, the crowd cheered excitedly. i mean, that might even make a better show, right? a more engaged, enjoyable show…
no. no fucking way. first of all, she was reading off a screen the whole time (well at least for the 4 songs that we bothered staying for). either that, or there was something extremely interesting on the centre-right fold back speaker. also, she spent the first couple of songs telling the sound-person to turn her fold back up or down, and playing with her radio mic.
we were obviously way out of our league at this show, because everyone in the theatre seemed to not only think that ms o’connor was very witty and clever, but also that she sounded fantastic!
i feel as though we go to a lot of live shows, like at least two or three a week, and quite often to see pretty loud and heavy bands in pretty small rooms. still, i had my fingers in my ears trying to block the tormented cat strangling coming from the stage – then they turned her vocals up even louder! it really wasn’t my night.
ok, to be fair, the music that they played is totally not my thing anyway. also, i didn’t know what to expect as i haven’t heard an album of sinead’s since 1990′s i do not want what i haven’t got (yep, the one with nothing compares 2 u). so yeah, when they cranked out the irish radio rock, i was a little shocked. but i just needed something to hang on to, and the only thing worthwhile hanging on to was the railing on the stairs on my way out.
side note: they wouldn’t let anyone take alcohol in after the show started, so if you wanted another beer, you had to stand out in the foyer! the foyer! nuts to that, not when most people payed over $100 for their ticket. the foyer?
you shouldn’t trust me though; pitchfork media recently said about one of her live performances, “a great singer singing great songs… o’connor is a master of dynamics, turning her body into a personal mixing board with violent shakes of the head, swooping arm gestures, and childish hopping up and down.” (wha?!)
and, george palathingal of the brisbane times, ripped in to her a bit and then said “…yet, for all these shortcomings, this was a largely mesmerising show. it was, helpfully, full of her most memorable songs, new and old, sung with that enthralling combination of tender and tough that few can pull off but o’connor does effortlessly.” (really?!)
so maybe we just saw a shit show. either way, the reason she was shit was due to her lacklustre performance, which definitely happened. so for me; she’s off the artistic roll call. forever.
FUN FACT: nothing compares 2 u was not only written by prince, but the sinead o’connor version was also produced by beresford romeo (jazzie b.) and nellee hooper, 2 members of the group soul II soul!
