Hard Ons 25th Anniversary Tour

This Friday - Digger & The Pussycats are playing at The Tote, this is a pre Euro tour show and attendance is a MUST. Might be $10, maybe more!

The Hard Ons are about set off on a national tour for their 25th Anniversary.



Here's the dates - see them when they hit your town.

For the Melbourne show these are the supports:

"USELESS CHILDREN": powerful 3 piece from the ashes of CutSick. The drummer/singer is KILLER - plays as if her life depends on it.

"KILLER BIRDS": recommended to us via members of Cosmic Psychos, no surprise that they sound like them. Wonderful new band, 4 piece all-female powerhouse.

"WICKED CITY": time and time again, the best band in Australia, an exciting driving three piece, with lashings of musical virtuosity.

"DR. EL SUAVO": One man masked comedy wrecking ball, needs no introduction.

10 Oct 2009 8:30 P	Corner Hotel	Melbourne, Victoria
16 Oct 2009 9:00 P	Lonnie’s	Launceston, Tasmania
17 Oct 2009 7:30 P	Republic Bar	Hobart, Tasmania
23 Oct 2009 8:00 P	Mona Vale Hotel	Mona Vale, New South Wales
24 Oct 2009 8:00 P	Bizzo’s	Carringbah, New South Wales
30 Oct 2009 8:00 P	Rosemount Hotel	North Perth, Western Australia
31 Oct 2009 8:00 P	Prince of Wales	Bunbury, Western Australia
1 Nov 2009 6:00 P	Newport Hotel	Fremantle, Western Australia
5 Nov 2009 8:00 P	DEL PLAZA	SOUTHPORT, Queensland
6 Nov 2009 8:00 P	Step Inn	Brisbane, Queensland
8 Nov 2009 8:30 P	Bon Amici Cafe´	Toowoomba, Queensland
12 Dec 2009 8:00 P	Gaelic Theatre	Sydney, New South Wales

Hard Ons 25th Anniversary Tour

This Friday - Digger & The Pussycats are playing at The Tote, this is a pre Euro tour show and attendance is a MUST. Might be $10, maybe more!

The Hard Ons are about set off on a national tour for their 25th Anniversary.



Here's the dates - see them when they hit your town.

For the Melbourne show these are the supports:

"USELESS CHILDREN": powerful 3 piece from the ashes of CutSick. The drummer/singer is KILLER - plays as if her life depends on it.

"KILLER BIRDS": recommended to us via members of Cosmic Psychos, no surprise that they sound like them. Wonderful new band, 4 piece all-female powerhouse.

"WICKED CITY": time and time again, the best band in Australia, an exciting driving three piece, with lashings of musical virtuosity.

"DR. EL SUAVO": One man masked comedy wrecking ball, needs no introduction.

10 Oct 2009 8:30 P	Corner Hotel	Melbourne, Victoria
16 Oct 2009 9:00 P	Lonnie’s	Launceston, Tasmania
17 Oct 2009 7:30 P	Republic Bar	Hobart, Tasmania
23 Oct 2009 8:00 P	Mona Vale Hotel	Mona Vale, New South Wales
24 Oct 2009 8:00 P	Bizzo’s	Carringbah, New South Wales
30 Oct 2009 8:00 P	Rosemount Hotel	North Perth, Western Australia
31 Oct 2009 8:00 P	Prince of Wales	Bunbury, Western Australia
1 Nov 2009 6:00 P	Newport Hotel	Fremantle, Western Australia
5 Nov 2009 8:00 P	DEL PLAZA	SOUTHPORT, Queensland
6 Nov 2009 8:00 P	Step Inn	Brisbane, Queensland
8 Nov 2009 8:30 P	Bon Amici Cafe´	Toowoomba, Queensland
12 Dec 2009 8:00 P	Gaelic Theatre	Sydney, New South Wales

No pun, no fun.

Hmm, where to start?

On Friday night there is a special night on at the Tote:

A collective of bands are getting together for a series of gigs to raise funds for an operation for local musician Michael ‘Boof’ Hughes from the band Edward. Boof was in a near fatal car accident two years ago at age nineteen, which has left him permanently paralysed from the chest down. To raise money for cutting edge spinal treatment in India, the first in a series of benefit shows will be held at the Tote.

Which will be followed up toot sweet on Saturday when Sixfthick and Digger & the Pussycats do a two-backed beast of a single launch, with support from Little Athletics and Kretch.
Saturday is a bit problematic, actually- as well as the aforementioned, Dolly Rocker Movement are also doing a launch, just up the road at the Birmingham.



But I think overall I want to see the awesome Beaches launching their self-titled debut album over at the NSC:

I've had a copy for a couple of weeks now and have been playing it constantly. It's another excellent Mistletone Records release, a solid if somewhat late entrant for album of the year in my book.

Cherry Rock not so cheerful

An update on this year's Cherry Rock festival hit mail boxes all over town last night:

URGENT MEDIA RELEASE

CherryRock008 moves to
Palace Theatre
(former Metro, 20 – 30 Bourke Street, Melb)

The CherryRock008 rock n roll music festival proposed for this Sunday 20 April from 12noon to 10pm in AC/DC Lane and at The Cherry Bar has had to change venue due to a liquor licensing issue. The event will now take place predominantly at The Palace Theatre (the former Metro, 20 – 30 Bourke Street Melbourne) and slightly at Ding Dong Lounge (18 Market Lane, Melbourne).

Cherry Partner James Young said, "blah blah blah".

The ten major acts from CherryRock008 (Supersuckers, Raveonettes, Hitmen, Galvatrons, X, 6 Ft Hick, Legends of Motor Sport, Hell City Glamours, The Exploders and The Devilrock Four) will now play at The Palace Theatre between 3pm and 10pm. And super keen rock fans can see the hot up and comers (Zombie Sex Gang, Bring On The Junta, Tigernauts and Killer Birds) beforehand at Ding Dong Lounge between 12noon and 3pm.

All purchased tickets remain valid for this new scenario and tickets will be available on the Palace Theatre door on the day for $70.

The liquor licensing issue in question is quite boring blah blah blah.

The important bit:

New CherryRock008 Stage Times

Ding Dong Stage

12 – 12.30pm Killer Birds
12.50 – 1.20pm Tigernauts
1.40 – 2.10pm Bring On The Junta
2.30 – 3pm Zombie Sex Gang

Not AC/DC Lane Stage: Palace Theatre

9 – 10pm Supersuckers
7:30 – 8:15pm Raveonettes
6 – 6.45pm Hitmen
4.45 – 5:30pm Galvatrons
3:30 – 4:15pm X

Not Cherry Bar Stage: Palace Theatre

8:15 – 9pm 6 Ft Hick
6.45 – 7.30pm Legends of Motor Sport
5.30 - 6pm Hell City Glamours
4:15 - 4.45pm The Exploders
3.00 – 3.30pm Devilrock Four

Hmmm, it appears someone can't organise a pissup in a Melbourne laneway- that's quite a feat. The re-jigged playing times seem OK, although the Bowerbirds have lost their slot completely. We'll see, I guess, but spending seven hours in the Palace is not going to be as pleasant a Sunday afternoon as I'd hoped for.

This weekend- New Christs and more

The New Christs are back in town, playing at the Espy on Saturday 5th April, just a few weeks after their Ding Dong show in late May. With Radio Birdman once again returning to indefinite retirement, this will be your last chance to catch Younger & Dickson live for a while- though European readers have a forthcoming New Christs tour to look forward to.
Supports include excellent locals Cold Harbour, who seem to be hitting the boards fairly regularly lately, and who I think have an album due out soon, as well as a stack of others including the Bower Birds and the Killerbirds. All this,and for free, too.
The post-development Espy is still an OK place to see bands, especially when they put on big line ups like this, otherwise it’s just a frustrating place to deal with the hordes of backpacker types who treat it as their local.

Halloween and onwards

So I write this sitting in the deepening twilight, with a bag of chocolate frogs and some glow in the dark M & Ms at the ready, listening to Kopper's special Halloween Savage Kick podcast

but none of the neighbourhood kids seem keen.

Anyway, there is lots coming up.
Friday at the Espy sees the Lime Spiders headline a massive bill of local and interstate acts- the sort of bill you usually only see on New Year's Eve, and for only $15.00

On Saturday the Bakelite Age are launching their (excellent) new album, "Return Of The Magical Molerat" at the Tote.

While on Monday, Route 66 are holding Wolfcall 2007 over at the Central Club in Richmond


AND FINALLY on Tuesday (officially known as "Horse Day" here in Melbourne)Wagons are showing off their newie, "Curse Of Lightning", over at the Northcote Social Club.


phew!

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:

This weekend

A few things on, but not too much. You could pretty much see all of these, if you wanted, and I think I'm going to try to.
On Friday, the Double Agents play the front bar of the (still kinda open) Spanish Club for free, from 9.30pm.

On Saturday, Sydney's 3D TV do a single launch at the Town Hall Hotel in North Melbourne, with Pretty Green and the allegedly awesome Ooga Boogas. That's free as well.

Or you could hit the Tote, for Little Red, Mink Jaguar & the Spazzys
I guess that may mean Ally & Kat Spazzy will be nursing hangovers on Sunday, when they turn out for the Sacred Heart Community Cup at the Junction Oval in St. Kilda. As usual, the Espy Rockdogs will take on the RRR/PBS Megahertz, and as usual, I'll be barracking for the 'Hertz.
Pre match entertainment is from 11.00am- the Killer Birds, Double Agents, and the Rockwiz Orchestra, half-time sees Mach Pelican play one of their last gigs. Bob Log III will be singing the national anthem before the kickoff.
Only a $5.00 donation to get in. This is always a great day out. Beer, kid & dog-friendly, bring your footy.

More time out.

Well, it appears I now have bronchitis to go with the tinnitus. So, I'll be spending all day tomorrow on the sofa trying to catch up on some live and CD reviews for the I94 Bar (apologies to the Sacred Cowboys, Cold Harbour, X, the Killer Birds, the Kamikaze Trio and many others for the delay) and trying not to smoke too much, before fullfilling my annual obligations to the shareholders of Lindt and Cadbury.

I guess this means I'll miss the Scientists show at the Espy on Sunday...fuck.


Hopefully I can get caught up and back on my feet for the Double Agents album launch at the Spanish Club on the 20th.
Thanks to Patrick Emery for the use of his Scientists piece

A tough call.

Take a deep breath. There is a tough call to make for Friday night.
On the one hand, a reformed X are playing with the Killer Birds and Cold Harbour at the Greyhound. On the other, the SXSW-bound Beasts of Bourbon with the Double Agents and Legends of Motorsport at the Corner. Both headliners are legends, all the supports acts are good.
The Double Agents (who launch their new album in a couple of weeks) are on at 9.00, the Killer Birds (who are almost done mixing their new EP before a long run of shows) also kick off at 9.00. On the other side of the river. There is no way to do both. And this is without worrying about what else might be going on at the Tote, the Espy, the Prince, or anywhere else.
Whatcha gonna do, punk?

No flags required.

Lots to put in here for the Australia Day weekend, so I'm getting it in early.

On Friday, the Greyhound has a BBQ on in the beer garden from 5.00pm, followed by the Violent Mood Swings super group- essentially anyone in St. Kilda who owns a musical instrument will be there. No link for this- it seems they have stopped updating their gig guide, now it has been confirmed that live music will stop there (at least temporarily) at the end of February.

Meanwhile , the Killer Birds will be working hard, mixing their album under the watchful eye of Cosmic Psycho Ross Knight during the day, then playing at "Cocktails in the Gutter II" in the Ian Rilen Room at Torquay Football Club, with HOSS, in the evening.

Fiona Lee Maynard has a busy weekend too- the Tijuana Souvenirs are giving away Big Day Out tickets at the idGAFF, where they play with Kids In Cults:

while the Souvenirs and Fiona's other band Femme Royale are both playing an invite only show in Footscray on Saturday.

Also on Saturday, Dern Rutlidge reunite as youngbreeder at the Tote , and if you are up for a really long long weekend, Spencer P Jones is at the Gem in Collingwood on Sunday night- I think this is the last weekend of his residency.

And me? Well, Saturday's undecided, but on Friday I'll probably eat some lamb, then go and race a plastic duck with the Lord Mayor.

True. Go, number 3648!

I was on a mission on Friday night

I was on a mission on Friday night.
I had to get over to a place called the idGAFF (yeah, I don't know what it means either) Bar in Collingwood for a drink with Spencer Jones, Graham Hood & Billy Pommer- 3/4 of the Johnnys- then down to St Kilda Bowling Club for Killer Birds & HOSS.

Was nice to have a quiet chat with Spencer. There was an interesting discussion about the fact that Hoody's daughter & Billy's son have BOTH set up myspace accounts for the Johnnys ( Highlights Of A Dangerous Life and Dead Men From Boot Hill if you are interested)
But I had to bail earlier than I would have liked, and ride that 246 bus all the way down to St. Kilda Junction.

Despite my best efforts, I was late, and so only caught the last song by Killer Birds. They are three girls from Bendigo, they rock out to a fair degree, and the drummer's mother is an old friend. I saw part of a set at the Greyhound a few weeks back, and really wanted to catch this. Ah well, next time.

Joel broke a couple of fingers doing his laundry the other week (yeah, I know, don't ask me, even he can't figure it out) so was off guitar duties tonight. The sound was still thunderous, though, and he moves/acts very different with the mike in his hand, rather than being tied to the stand.

Had a chat with John Nolan afterwards, he is getting very frustrated at not playing these days. With Tim Hemensley gone, the Powder Monkeys will never reform, but he seemed quite wistful as he fingered chords and strummed riffs up and down his walking stick.

I didn't catch the last tram home, I walked.