The Hi Fi Bar Opens tonight in Brisbane

Why, hello there. Long time, no write. Well, it seems like it has to me anyway.

Just a quick blog mainly consisting of gloating - The Hifi Bar opens in West End, Brisbane tonight, and I was lucking enough to win one of the free tickets to go along and see THE DRONES kick off proceedings in Brisbane's newest live music venue. Interesting to see what it will be like!

Anyway, in the meantime, Andrew McMillen has written a great article on the new venue over at Mess+Noise. Read it by clicking here. Highly recommended!

Four Provinces

Hi all. No real blog today in any meaningful, critical way. Unfortunately, an essay on political realism has claimed my mind for the time being.

However, I do have something to share. I've been really digging the most recent record by THE WALKMEN, "You & I", that came out last year. LastFm told me I should like them based on my listening habits. I'm usually a bit skeptical of these things, but for once the internet was totally correct! Expect some more words on this record...later.

Anyway, one of the songs from the album "Four Provinces" (which I think is absolutely stellar) has been used in what I can only describe as a fan video, I don't think its the actual video or anything. The video, which is available on youtube, is really fun, whimsical with a romantic thread running just beneath its surface. Basically, its a guy and girl having a dance off.



In other news, I was aghast to learn that James Iha, formerly of the Smashing Pumpkins, has teamed up with Taylor Hanson, formerly of Hanson, to form some band called TINTED WINDOW. What in the hell. It seems unholy that a musical genius like Taylor Hanson should team up with such an untalented, disgraceful guitarist such as Iha. I'm turning up my nose.

Anyway, I'm off to listen to the best of Glen Campbell.

The Ideal Splendour Line-up

As you may know, Splendour in the Grass 2009 line-up was announced today. Again, I’m fairly disappointed. Not that I can go anyway, since I’ll be boarding in New Zealand the dates that it is on. I can only see few bands I’d be interested in watching – Decoder Ring, The Flaming Lips and Friendly Fires (who I saw last year at Glastonbury and were awesome).

My tastes are definitely changing. I cannot say that Splendour is no longer the festival it what it was once upon a time. I think festivals like Merideth and Golden Plains are far superior, I think. Most probably due to the laid back attitude and the relative absence of complete wankers.

I’ve been to a few Splendours and I don’t think any will top the year Brian Wilson played. That was indeed super awesome.
Got me thinking, what would be my ideal festival line-up. Not an original idea for a blog post, but at least it is a fun one. Here’s what I’d have (assume for a second that the band is capable of getting back together is not currently active).

International Acts

GUIDED BY VOICES, THE MAGNETIC FIELDS, BELLE & SEBASTIAN, WILCO, THE FRAMES, DEERHUNTER, AT THE DRIVE IN, PORTISHEAD, CARIBOU, THE SHINS, PIXIES, BECK, NEKO CASE, JENS LEKMAN, SPOON, BORIS, TEENAGE FANCLUB, OF MONTREAL, PHOENIX, NADA SURF

Attempted to mix it up a bit there, unfortunately I don’t particularly like hip hop or dance music – if I was forced to add something from those genres I’d elect to have BEASTIE BOYS, JURASSIC 5, THE PRODIGY, MASSIVE ATTACK, THE RADIO DEPT.

As for Australian acts…. (this is a bit harder nowadays, I feel myself a bit too disconnected with Australian music at the moment, I get the feeling that falling behind what is coming out of the States/UK)

HUNGRY KIDS OF HUNGARY, DECODER RING, SCREAMFEEDER, REGURGIGTATOR, THE EXPLODERS, PHILADEPHIA GRAND JURY (man, these guys are fun), THE DRONES, EDDIE CURRENT SUPPRESSION RING, CLOUD CONTROL, THE ZEBRAS.

I’ll probably think of a whole lot more the fact, but in the meantime feel free to suggest some!

Brisbane Represent in the UK

A few Brisbane bands are milking up some of the scene in the old UK of A in the coming months. Specifically, I HEART HIROSHIMA and the JOHN STEEL SINGERS.

For my UK brethren, I implore you to swing by and check them out. To use a sweeping generalisation, you’ll find that these bands differ a lot from the usual Razorlight crap that seeps out of the majority of British radio.

According to their website, I HEART HIROSHIMA play the following UK dates in May, 2009

Thu 21 May UK London, Barfly
Sat 23 May UK Bristol - Dot To Dot Festival
Sun 24 May UK Nottingham - Dot To Dot Festival
Mon 25 May UK Glasgow, Twisted Wheel
Tue 26 May UK Manchester, Night & Day

They’re also gallivanting round Europe as well. Check the tour section of their website for more info.

The JOHN STEEL SINGERS (or as the acronym goes, the JSS) are also fucking off to ol’ blightly. They’re playing the Great Escape festival in Brighton on the 15th of May (wooh!). Their myspace speaks of other UK dates but no specific dates have been put up there. Keep an eye out, eh?

Pitcharse v Radiohead

You know Pitchfork really gets on my nerves sometimes. Occasionally it seems that I can’t pinpoint the reason precisely, but I think it has something to do with them battering records that I personally do not think are that bad at all. It seems that often they take a scapel to an artists work without reasoned or logical approach.

Take for instance their latest review of the first three Radiohead albums – the collectors editions. They rightly give The Bends and OK Computer perfect 10s (no argument there – these are perfect works of art), but proceed to give Pablo Honey a 5.4.

Keep in mind that they don’t really say why it was bad, simply using adjectives like ‘loose’ and ‘dreadful’ to describe some individual songs on the album without further qualification. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t require a bar by bar breakdown of each song, but a bit more information on how these songs are bad might not go astray.

Pablo Honey seems to be the ritual kicking dog of the Radiohead back catalogue. In my own (humble, honest etc.) opinion, it really isn’t as bad as Pitcharse make it out to be. Look, I admit, it may not be as good as the Bends, but then, few albums are. In terms of the context of Pablo Honey in Radiohead’s career, it was their first record, it had some catchy songs on it, a darn sight better than many other debut albums. To be completely honest, I prefer ‘Pablo Honey’ to ‘Amnesiac’ or ‘Hail to the Thief’.

I guess the point I’m trying to make here is not really connected to how good Pablo Honey is or not, and whether it should deserve more than a 5 out of 10 on some purely subjective scale developed in the mind of some stranger who writes for some website in a different country (the irony of writing that last bit hasn’t escaped me either), it is if you enjoy a particular song or record, you shouldn’t feel guilty for doing so. Music, like all art, is a purely subjective experience. Those who try to tell you what you should or shouldn’t like are simply trying to disrupt this experience. And that can’t be a good thing.

Oh and yeah, Pitchfork, I really like that song ‘I Can’t’ of Pablo Honey. Shame on you for calling it ‘run of the mill, ya bastards.

Brisbane Sounds Festival 2009

Oh, yes. Two posts in a day. Who'd have thought.

Anyway, the Brisbane Sounds project has just announced the line up for its annual concert, held at the Zoo on May 23rd. It looks to be quite intriguing with old guard Screamfeeder topping a very tight line up of local acts. The rest of the line up features Gentle Ben and His Sensitive Side, New Jack Rubys, Blackwater Fever, Vegas Kings, and the Mercy Beat. Sounds ace!

Cost is $12.00 (excluding that darn booking fee!!)

If you didn't already know, Brisbane Sounds aims to promote local Brisbane acts on both the national and international scenes. They produce an annual LP. The 2009 LP will be available at this gig for the bargain price of $10.00 and will include tracks by An Horse, Young Liberals, I Heart Hiroshima, The Danger Bunnies, Hits and Texas Tea.

Mark it in the diary people!

The Close of the Arena

Well, you might know the news already, but iconic Fortitude Valley music venue the Arena (or the Roxy if you remember the golden olden days) has officially closed its doors for live music (allegedly its a fire hazard). The venue had its last hurrah last Thursday night playing host to several artists (all of whom I’d never heard of). The arena and I had some good times and some ordinary times. It does hold a special place in my heart I suppose. I went to my very first ever ‘valley gig’ here, catching Swedish punksters Millencollin at the height of their powers back in 1999. I was a pale 18 year old, mostly unawares of the ways of the world. That fact really doesn’t have a lot to do with the story, but allow me to reminisce for a moment.

In years to follow, I saw countless acts at the venue. The ones that stick out are (i.e. the ones I can remember attending) were A Perfect Circle, The Shins, Doves, Death Cab For Cutie, Hot Hot Heat and Roots Manuva. I also recall seeing many local and Australian acts here: Girls Germs, Bantha Fodder, and the Giants of Science amongst others.

The venue itself I thought was adequate, though to be perfectly honest I preferred the Zoo. The Arena had these two annoying pillars stuck close to the stage, obscuring views from the left and right sides of the venue. I do admit that they were holding up the roof, so I guess I can’t complain that much.

Yet again, another piece of Brisbane’s music history has been deleted. Not all is lost however; the new Hifi Bar is set to open very soon in West End, promising some big acts over the coming year. Let’s hope it can at least fulfil the hole left in the music scene left by the Arena.

International Relations Tour: Washington, Philadelphia Grand Jury, Hungry Kids of Hungary

I ventured out to Fortitude Valley on Good Friday night with a few compadres. The streets were thankfully mostly devoid of the usual miscreants that seem to frequent the clubs around the main strip. The Valley Studios was open, and a few artists were playing – Washington, Philadelphia Grand Jury and Hungry Kids of Hungary, collectively formed under the grand banner of the 'International Relations tour'. I'd never seen any of these bands, but since I am actually doing a Masters of International Relations I felt somewhat obliged to attend. In the end, I'm glad I did.

I got there at nine o’clock on the rocket clock to witness quite an abundance of slightly over inebriated but willing punters. Oh yes, The Valley Studios has a very generous BYO licensing policy! Huzzah.

Unfortunately, I turned up too late to catch the fitchin' looking melbournite Megan WASHINGTON. I did manage to check out her rather fashionable looking glasses from a distance though. She's quite an attractive lass and therefore, she must have been good, because we all know only hot people make good music.

PHILADELPHIA GRAND JURY took the stage and were immediately imposing. They have a Hives/Electric Six vibe about them, minus the snazzy clothing. The bassist was an imposing man with an even more imposing beard. His dance moves were also quite hilarious, and their songs were extremely entertaining. I especially enjoyed watching the drummer play his instrument with 101% passion. They finished with a cracking rendition of a song I assume was called 'We Don’t Want to Party' (going by the fact that seemed to be the only lyric), nearly destroying instruments and the stage in the process.

The HUNGRY KIDS OF HUNGARY are up next, playing an energetic set of pop music. Harmonies are through in without restraint. They play some great little tunes including 'Set it Right' and 'Scattered Diamonds' and clearly enjoy performing live. At one stage, the aforementioned Megan Washington got up to play some kind of bell instrument which is barely audible above the mix. But hey, it's all part of the show. The conclusion is rapturous, with a whole bunch of people getting up to do some sort of beatle-esque sing along complete with an avalanche of tambourines.

And that was the end of that. After chatting to a hilarious random named Hannah out on the street (whose karate chopping stories will live long in my mind), my friends and I attempted to catch I Heart Hiroshima playing a midnight set at Rics Café, but was prevented to the huge amount of people congregated around its entrance. It seems the miscreants had returned.

Somewhere in Space This May All Be Happening Right Now

I don't have a whole lot to talk about today. Most of my brain was removed by an assignment I had to complete for my Ethics and Human Rights course (part of my masters program) over the last week. Brain regrowth is currently in progress. I'd thought I'd do some random updating of things I’m reading all music related.


Skatterbrain have an interesting interview with Kevin from KNIGHT SCHOOL. You may remember I did a review of their recent long-player "The Poor and Needy Need to Party". It is quite a good album. Kevin talks about his influences (which include Guided by Voices! Good choice) and how he would love to play Aerosmith’s "Dream On" for all eternity.


I Guess I’m Floating have linked to a preview of Papercuts new album to be called "You Can Have What You Want". You can download one of the tracks ('Jet Plane') from the website, or alternatively have a listen over at Papercuts's myspace thingamajig. While I haven’t listened to it yet (though I will do soon), I did really enjoy Papercut’s last release "Can't Go Back", so I can only expect good things.

I also received in the mail my copy of "Stranded: A Compilation of Brisbane Music 2007-2008" put together by the guys over at Before Hollywood with a heap of help from local Brisbane artists. It is really quite an achievement. I’ve listened to the first CD and I can already tell it’s a winner (I love the I Heart Hiroshima and Little Scout numbers).

If you enjoy Brisbane music and don't have a copy of this anthology, go shoot yourself in the head now, then order a copy, and use the postal packaging that it comes in to plug the gaping hole in the side of your head, and put one of the three volumes in your ghetto blaster and have a listen. Tip: try not to blow off your ears. You can purchase it through Before Hollywood. Click here.

Finally, I'm about to shell out some money to buy a drum machine. I'm sick of these crappy software drum machines that seem harder to operate than a US Nuclear submarine. I think I'm going to purchase the Zoom Rhythmtrack 231. It is small and apparently fairly good (see picture above, though the picture alone won't tell you if it is any good obviously….but it looks good eh?).

Anyway, have nice and safe Easter. Till we meet again.

Jurassic Park Baby!

Last night, while I was finishing off an essay on ethics, while my eyes were being ripped out of my skull by abstract notions of political realism, and generally I just felt like crap, I remember thinking "I could really go some good-times music".

Lo and behold, my friend Yaz sent me the link to a local band I had never heard of before, named LAST DINOSAURS.

After a few listens, I have come to the following conclusions: I really enjoy their sound. I really want their album. I also want to steal their babies. Why? Well, for instance their influences include Takeru Kobayashi, a japenese competitive eater. With influences like that how can you not have indie credentials?

A cautionary look at their myspace site reveals some insight as to what we can expect from the group this year.

"2009 is not actually the year of the ox. It’s the year of the last dinosaur. This year we are gonna go hard and give it our best shot, maybe try rehearsing more than once a month and actually playing a few shows. That not is idea good?"

LAST DINOSAURS are playing a whole lot of local shows over the next few months, including this Sunday the 12th of April at the Alhambra Lounge, then some dates at the Globe theatre, the Step Inn and Ric'c Café. They’re also playing various dates in Sydney and Melbourne. You should check them out. I know I will. For all their upcoming shows, its best to check out their myspace.

HUNZ!

Local Brisbane artist Hunz is preparing to release a new debut album (I probably should check my facts a bit better, this ain't Hunz's debut).

I had the chance to watch Hunz in action at the Connect4:Play event last week and him, along with his group, were pretty impressive. (My associate Shez has some great photos of the event which you can see here).

He has notified the world that you can in actually listen to the whole thing by clicking right.......here. Enjoy.

When I get a few minutes later on, I'll have a listen through and perhaps give you a few thoughts.



An aside: I couldn't help but notice how much Hunz looks like the Sheriff of Rottingham, from Mel Brook's "classic" 'Robin Hood: Men in Tights' (played by Roger Rees). What do you think?

*edit* Also, non-Brisbane band Deerhunter are playing the Zoo in June. Tickets on sale now! Yippee!