Bonfire Nights

Just thought I’d give a shout out for my friends Ruth (ex-Hot Liquid Sex) and Steve (Black Mustang) and their new musical project Bonfire Nights.

They’ve been doing some recording of late and have produced some new ear candy that certainly sounds quite good. Have a listen to the highly dance-able “We Don’t Care About Anything Else” and their interesting and refreshing interpretation of The Undertones seminal song ‘Teenage Kicks’. There are also some other tunes up on their myspace page.

They have allowed me to put these songs up for download, so you can sample them yourself. Do so by clicking on the links below (right click - save as, to download).

We Don't Care About Anything Else

Teenage Kicks

Enjoy!

Breaking News: The real winner of the JJJ 2009 Hottest 100

I know you might have heard elsewhere, but the real story is that the ABC spoiled Invasion Day for everyone by revealling that Powderfinger's latest album took the top 12 spots in the JJJ Hottest 100. That was then followed by the entire tracklisting of Muse's latest effort, followed by every band David Grohl was involved with or mentioned during the course of 2009. The poll was rounded out by several tracks featuring Kings of Leon covering Eagles songs.

Sunset Sounds: Day 2

Many had been more impressed by the lineup for day two of Sunset Sounds. On face value, day two had more popular international acts, but I don’t think it was any more hugely superior to day one (which was quite good).

I arrived in time to see the start of locals Hungry Kids of Hungary, who were, once again, playing their great brand of 60s inspired indie rock. This band, in combination with a soothing mild ale, were a great way to kick off what was an incredible night.

I was very impressed by multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird's 2009 record “Noble Beast” and his inclusion on the bill was one of the main reasons for me going to Sunset Sounds. Turns out, I was not disappointed. While arguably it took a while for Mr Bird to get into the swing of things, by the time 'Anonanimal' gets introduced, we’re beginning to see the real musical genious behind Andrew Bird. Truthfully, he is a phenomenal musician.

I managed to catched melbournians Oh Mercy, whose debut album was a great little release. Despite the smallish crowd, I found their set enjoyable. While perhaps Alexander Gow needs to improve his crowd banter, their breezy pop music is perfect for the late afternoon heat. 'Seemed Like a Good Idea' and 'Get You Back' are highlights.

Wandering around the grounds, I heard Lisa Mitchell play a dire cover of Dire Strait’s “Romeo and Juliet”. I watched perhaps three songs of Yves Klien Blue’s set at the hibiscus stage and before the urge for nausea nearly overcame me. Look, I'm sorry, but I just cannot get anything from this band. When one song is described as being about “really good sex”, I decided I’d had enough.

While I could write a thesis on the Grizzly Bear set, I have to say it was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. This is truly a special band. Excuse the melodrama, but this set induced some raging reflective emotions that have rarely appeared within my conscious during live music. I can’t describe it any better than this – it was overwhelmingly brilliant.

So I head over to Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Despite my dislike of the band and their songs (apart from the quite good A-Trak remix of “Heads Will Roll”), I decide to give them another chance. Perhaps it was a bit premature. Apart from the last ten minutes of the set, I didn’t enjoy any of it. Their music seems derivative, tired and is more about posteuring than anything artistic. Of course, coming from Grizzly Bear half hour before, anything was going to look poor by comparison.

Well, in summation, Sunset Sounds was fairly good. The highlights were Grizzly Bear, Andrew Bird, and Dappled Cities.

Of course, that’s just what I think. What did you think?

Sunset Sounds: Day 1

So last week was pretty mad. Not only am I preparing to leave for the States next week, I had to move out of my house on the weekend, leaving little time for pretty much anything really. However, I did get time to head to Sunset Sounds festival for some R&R before I depart. Here is my quick view on some of the performances that I witnessed.

I walked in on the first day to catch the last song of what looked liked a great set from local group DZ. From there, I headed over with my good friend Andy to see the end of what turned out to be a fairly disappointing performance from The Middle East. Despite the large crowded gathered to see them, I felt a distinct lack of engagement. In fact, they looked quite tired.

My small group of friends swung by to see Dappled Cities play at the Hibiscus stage. I’d see Dappled Cities play a few years back and I had found them boring back then. Times have changed though. They put on, what I believe, one of the best sets of any bands at the festival. Guitarist Tim not only rocked his usually high falsetto, but also a mean set of boardshorts. Many of the songs of the latest album “Zounds” were performed to perfection.

Norwegian geek-rockers, Datarock, were creating a storm at the Riverstage, employing their usual brand of fun filled disco-dancing tunes. Every time I see them, I always reflect on the uncanny resemblance between the keyboardist and my friend D. Kelso. I swear to god he is playing in Datarock.

Emiliana Torrini played a soulful set which, in retrospect, was just what I needed considering the number of alcoholic beverages I had consumed during the afternoon. She played the garden stage as the sun was setting, and it was quite enjoyable. I’m not the biggest fan, but I thought she, and her band, played very well. The singles from “Fisherman’s woman” (Heartstopper and Sunny Road) got a good response.

Not really having much to do except to wait for Moby to start, I wandered over to the Riverstage where Hilltops Hoods were playing. I don’t particularly like Hilltop Hoods so it could be expected that I don’t have much positive to say about their set. To me, all their songs sound are made up of the following formula: Song seemingly about “drinking beers” + beats + panpipe sample + frequent yell outs to “DJ Debris” as well as name checking themselves. That said, many people were gyrating like limping baboons, enjoying themselves. So who am I to complain eh?

I had been told Moby always puts on a great show. Though I wasn’t expecting much, I got more out of it than I thought possible, but perhaps less than what I should have believed from the amount of hype he got. He started off well, but his frequent allusions to his own genius soon got tiring. ‘Bodyrock’, ‘Go’ and ‘We’re all Made of Stars’ made the setlist. He did do a cover of ‘Ring of Fire’ and played a punk-song he wrote when he was 17, both that I found more appealing than the rave mania numbers that closed out his set.

With the benefit of hindsight, I should have gone saw Rodrigo y Gabriella whom I’m told were phenomenal. Damn.

Thus ended Sunset Sounds, day one. My thoughts on day two to follow.

Sunset Sounds Is Upon Us!

Well, I’m about to head to day one of Sunset Sounds, the Brisbane version of the “Falls Festival” without the camping nor, apparently, the bogans (though this remains to be seen).

Some interesting local and international acts are playing. From the Australian contingent, I will hoping to catch the Middle East, Dappled Cities, The John Steel Singers, Hungry Kids of Hungary, and Oh Mercy. Of the international acts, I’ll have a gander at Datarock, Jamie T, Kaki King, Seasick Steve, Moby, Andrew Bird, Editors, Grizzly Bear and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

I’m particularly looking forward to the Grizzly Bear set, apparently their Falls appearance was excellence. Andrew Bird will also keenly anticipated. Moby, while I’m not his biggest fan, apparently puts on a great live show.

If you’re there, have a great time. Keep an eye out for my thoughts in the next week or so.

Review: Future of the Left - Live @ The Zoo 03/01/2010

Jonathan Chapelle enters the Zoo stage right wielding his bass like some kind of infantry weapon and shouts at the crowd “We’re fucking Belle and Sebastian”. What follows is an onslaught of punk-edged aggression from legendary, and now sadly departed, welsh alternate rock group mclusky. That was 2004.

In 2010 you’ll find that mclusky has long since dissolved. It seems that guitarist/vocalist Falco* and Chapelle were unable to work together after a bust up over some stolen equipment while on tour in the States. Chapelle moved to Australia, while Falco and the other member of the mclusky triad, drummer Jack Egglestone, linked up with ex-Jarcrew bassist Kelson Mathias to form Future of the Left, a band which weaves intense tales about unknown and perhaps deranged individuals with names such as Rick and Colin channeled through distorted and bouncy bass lines and chainsaw-like guitar riffs. Thus far, they’ve released two excellent records, “Curses” (2007) and “Travels with Myself and Another” (2009). They graced to the Zoo in Brisbane this week to share a few saucy tales. And what a fine night of entertainment it was.

Unfortunately, I’m too late to catch local stalwarts Giants of Science. I arrived at 9.30pm, immediately ordered two scotch and ginger ales and found a spot at a decent distance from the stage hoping to avoid the mosh pit onslaught that will inevitably follow with the emergence of the headliners. Always punctual, Future of the Left arm themselves with instruments on the dot of 9.45, and immediately smash into “Travels…” opener ‘Arming Eritrea’ with the trademark scathing guitar and bass attack. This is quickly followed by ‘Chin Music’, and the brutal ‘Small Bones, Small Bodies’.

Much of “Travels with Myself any Another” is on display tonight, including a great version of ‘Stand by Your Manatee’ as well as ‘I am Civil Service’. Songs from “Curses” also get a good run, the roof of the Zoo nearly lift during ‘Plagues of Onces’. Later in the set, Mathias gives the crowd the option of ‘The Lord Hates a Coward’ or ‘Drink Nike’. How democratic. The crowd selects the latter with a voracious roar of approval.

Falco gives his voice a bit of a beating as he screeches in time to the razor-sharp sound of his own guitar. I’m surprised he hasn’t ripped his voice box to shreds by now. He switches to his Roland Juno-60 keyboard to perform ‘Manchasm’, ‘You Need Satan More than He Needs You’ as well as ‘Yin/Post Yin’, and a song that drummer Jack is fonder of than his band companions. I know because they make it plainly obvious in the pre-song banter.

Speaking of banter, Falco and Mathias are both genuinely funny guys readily engaging in tirades or making mock observations about the state of the world as we know it, exchanging verbal spars between themselves and with the crowd. At one stage Mathias takes a gift of a bottle of ballatynes scotch from a punter in the crowd morosely hoping that it is not laced with rohypnol. During another pause in the set, Falco pauses to expresses his admiration and desire for Susan Boyle. By the end of their regular set, the band announce that they don’t usually do encores, but state that when they walk off, should the crowd make a limp attempt to applaud, they would be back on in under two minutes.

Things proceed exactly as directed, and they emerge to finish the night off with a few short numbers such as ‘The Hope that House Built’ amongst what turns out to be an extended noise jam in which Falco gradually moves parts of Egglestone’s drumkit to different sections of the stage , reducing the percussionist to simply a hit-hat at one stage. Though, that doesn’t stop him from beating the living crap out of his cymbals though.

Might as well close the books on the ‘best Zoo performance of 2010’ award already, I’m not sure if any band in 2010 will top Future of the Left’s efforts on this sweaty January night.

* Not the same character from the Nintendo game Starfox, but certainly a character.

4ZzZ Hot 100 and other lists of importance

Congratulations to I Heart Hiroshima for taking out top spot with their tune 'Shakeytown' on the annual 4ZzZ poll. They did some great stuff in 2009 and managed to even do some overseas dates including a few shows in Cambodia (of all places!).

The Top Ten were:

1 I Heart Hiroshima – Shakeytown
2 Hits, the - Sometimes you just don't know who your friends are
3 Vegas Kings, the - You'll never work in this town again
4 I Heart Hiroshima - Pink Frost
5 Texas Tea - Billy
6 Butcher Birds, the - Bare Arms
7 Butcher Birds, the - Millions
8 Flight of the Conchords - Hurt Feelings
9 Drones, the - Your acting's like the end of the world


You can see the full list by clicking here. You'll notice that, as usual, many local entries made the list, a testament to some of the awesome local music that we're treated to largely thanks to 4Zzz.

* You'll note that my title is misleading. Thats because I originally planned to write about some other stuff then I got side tracked and then forgot the end.