Another pointless day off.

So, another Australia Day rolls round.
I'm quite happy to be an Australian, but I don't go for all the rah-rah, especially in the current climate of Southern Cross tattoos, flag capes, and migrant bashing. That said, as with Melbourne Cup Day (another public holiday whose ethos leaves me cold) there are always a few good shows on the night before. Like these.

Yah Yah's has put together a great (free) bill- Gruntbucket, Crystal Thomas & the Flowers Of Evil, and the Vandas- which is well worth a look.

Up the road and round the corner, the Old Bar are hosting folkie/bluegrass legend Charlie Parr, with some supports still TBA.

While over in Brunswick, Thee Wylde Oscars and Dynamo are at the Retreat. That one runs late, and will probably pack out.
They really went all out on that poster design. Shame Goanna aren't actually playing anywhere on the 26th, as far as I can find.

Sixfthick poppin' cherries

Brisbane's finest, SixFtHick, hit town this weekend, for two shows.
First up, at Ding Dong, on Friday 18th, with Ben Corbett's side project, Gentle Ben and His Sensitive Side supporting

Then on Sunday 20th. they'll be gracing the AC/DC Stage at Cherry Rock 008.

If you can't wait until Sunday to see the Supersuckers, they are playing at the East Brunswick Club on Saturday 19th, with Dynamo and Nici Blue Eyes. If you are really keen, why not take the kids along to the 'Suckers instore at Route 66 in Prahran on Saturday afternoon, and introduce them to the scarey men who sing "Born With A Tail"?
Not a lot of other sideshows confirmed for other acts, though. I thought the Hitmen might have jammed one in, but apparently not. And I didn't look too hard for any Galvatrons shows.

Constructing Fear and other entertainment

Aah, things are slowly getting back on an even keel round these parts.

On Friday afternoon I stopped by Missing Link Records to catch short in-store sets by the Stabs and the Straight Arrows. The Stabs played a good half hour or so of excellent all new material- they are heading out on tour soon, too. The Straight Arrows were running late, or had technical problems, or something, but managed a slamming twenty minutes of shit-hot garage punk.

On Saturday we got political. Well, a bit political anyway- Melbourne film maker Joe Loh has made a documentary about the recent changes to the law that oversee unions on building sites. Or, as the film's official site puts it: A documentary exposing the activity of an industrial inquisition targeting building workers across Australia. “Constructing Fear” shows how these workers are the front line in an attack on civil liberties that has implications for every Australian.
It was showing at ACMI, for only $10.00, and the ticket also got you into Cherry Bar later in the evening, for a show featuring Dynamo and Eddy Current Suppression Ring, who both contributed music to the soundtrack. The place was packed of course, with an odd mix of old school union types and the young ubercool. Both bands were fantastic. The song ECSR recorded for the documentary, "Devil's Demands", is available for free download from the site above, by the way, as is the film itself.

Anyway, I've got to get back to work on that Lethal Weapons feature mentioned below. Here's a bit of a taster- an eyewitness account by someone who was there at the time, and is still active in music today:

In the end it was a storm in a teacup. Suicide quickly dissolved, Mushroom retaining only the Teenage Radio Stars (who would later morph into The Models) and The Boys Next Door, who finished one album in which Mushroom were totally disinterested and were let loose to develop into The Birthday Party. All the bands moved on to the next stage of development and the scene flourished, particularly in Melbourne where it reached a kind of artistic peak from 1979 through to 1983.
Ironically the experience firmed our resolve about such issues and we proceeded to be staunchly independent for over 20 years, never again working with the Australian Music Industry.

You'll just have to wait to find out who that's from.

Hmm, a wet weekend looms

Well, there's a wet weekend on the horizon, which will probably see me staying at home.
I have a stack of 11 new CDs to get through, including the Killer Birds ep and new albums from the Kamikaze Trio and The Super Insurgent Group of Intemperance Talent, with a few more on the way from Rich at Dropkick Records as well.
There are a some things that might tempt me out, though. Tijuana Souvenirs for free at the Pint on Punt tonight is an option, or maybe the Apartments with Dave Graney & Clare Moore's Lurid Yellow Mist at the Northcote Social Club

Saturday there are a few things happening- not least of which are the almighty Dynamo at the Greyhound, maybe, or Nation Blue and others over at the Arthouse. Or try getting drunk and taking a ride in that big Ferris Wheel in Birrarung Marr, in the rain. In the dark. And the howling wind.

And I have long, slow, cold-brewed high hopped batch of beer to bottle...

Looks like this will have to wait until next week, then:

Distractions and other shit

I hate to whine here but really, this is getting ridiculous. I still don't have anywhere to live. My latest batch of beer (a highly hopped pale ale, brewed early for good summer drinking) stalled in the fermenter due to this cold weather. And my new project is eating time, patience and bandwidth in roughly equal proportions, and it's barely started yet. Here's a sneak preview, for those with eyes to see it:

And I missed both Penny Ikinger's gig at the Greyhound and the screening of the Rachel Lucas documentary, too.
Oh well. There have been some positives, though.

Last Saturday's show at the Tote was excellent. A lot of old friends there, some good news (hi, Anna & Alexander) and some excellent music. Them Wrong Turns are well worth keeping an eye on. A guitar and drums duo who manage to sound different to any other guitar and drum duo you may have heard, they draw more on straight rock than anything else, and have a huge, full sound courtesy of some quick pedal work. Dynamo did their Dynamo thing as well as ever, though for some reason I couldn't get into it. Sadly Tiger By The Tail were playing their last show, and due to illness they played it as a three piece, too. Nothing precious here- the set list was a copy of each CD, turned face down on the stage, and they were happy enough to take requests for anything anyone wanted to yell from the floor. (Watch this space for details of Dave Thomas' new project, by the way.) HOSS were in fine form, and the Onyas were a great way to close.

All this and a Wu-B-Q as well.

Spanish Club to close

This did the rounds a couple of days ago:

Hello Everyone,

After a lot of rumours, the sad news is that the Spanish Club in Johnston Street really is closing down in June. There are many reasons, and too many to go in to. However there will be a bunch of farewell gigs and parties.
The official end of lease party for the Salon (backroom) is on Sunday 17th June with a mighty line up of live music all day from 2pm. The line up includes LABJACD, BOB LOG III, THE MEANIES, THE NATION BLUE, DYNAMO, LITTLE RED and THE GINGERS, with more to be announced. We also have a return of (Xmas) EVEN a little sooner this year on Friday 15th June along with LISA MILLER, THE VANDAS and AMAYA LAUCIRICA.

There will be one more show in the Salon of the Spanish Club on held on Wednesday 20th June - a RRR/PBS Megahertz benefit a couple of days before the Community Cup footy match. This fundraiser was booked before we knew the venue was closing. The first function that was ever held in the Salon of the Spanish Club was a RRR Radiothon party, so it's nice to finish.

The final shows in the Spanish Club front bar will be on Friday 22nd June ( THE DOUBLE AGENTS) and on Saturday 23rd June (THE REEFERS) .

The Spanish tapas kitchen will also be closing down.

So please come down to the club over the next month or so and enjoy the tapas, some drinks and live music for one last time. Thanks to everyone who has played, dined, drank and seen live music, films, theatre and soccer at the Spanish Club Hope to see you all at the club soon over the next few weeks. Cheers.

The Spanish Club, 59 - 61 Johnston Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. open Tue-Sun from 5pm (kitchen open 6 - 10pm)

I understand this may have something to do with a coordinated campaign of noise complaints from some local residents, and difficulties in soundproofing an old building. Whatever, for the sangria and the decor alone, it will be missed.