Don't call it a festival, don't call it half-cocked.

But it's not just about the Tote here in Melbourne.
Look at this- the Birmingham's second birthday, a bunch of strange noisy Brisbane stuff at the Gertrude Contemporary Art Space under the "Psycho Subtropics" banner, and the Community Cup have all aligned.this week.
This means that there are thirty five bands playing, over two days, at three unrelated events, for a grand total of $5.00- which is what it will cost you to get into the Cup. With a game of football thrown in, too.
Here, I've put them in alphabetical order to make it easy for you, with a note of who's on where:

Abject Leader GCAS
Alex Cuffe GCAS
Baptism Of Uzi Birmy
Big Smoke Birmy
Chaos Kids Birmy
Chloe Cogle GCAS
Cured Pink GCAS
Danni Zuvela GCAS
Dead Farmers Birmy
Dick Diver Birmy
Dozers Birmy
Gerald Keaney GCAS
Greasers Birmy
Grizzly Jim Lawrie Band Birmy
In Tongues Birmy
Joel Stern GCAS
Keggin Birmy
Little Freddie & the Pops Community Cup
Madonna Birmy
Nick Barker & the Reptiles Community Cup
Ross Manning GCAS
Sarah Byrne GCAS
Scale Free Network GCAS
Scraps GCAS
Ship's Piano Birmy
Sky Needle GCAS
Swamplords GCAS
Teen Archer Birmy
The Black Hill Five Birmy
The Blackeyed Susans Community Cup
The Living End Community Cup
The Priory Dolls Birmy
The Stabs Birmy
This War Birmy
Wil Wagner & the Smith St. Orchestra Birmy

And here are the relevant artworks/handbills/scrawl for each one, too:



I've gotta say, things like this make combing the fine print of street press listings kinda redundant.

The Birmingham 2nd Birthday Show

The Birmy's having their second birthday show this Saturday. It's gonna be pretty rad, check out the poster:

New band room

11.15 – 11.45 GREASERS

10.15 – 10.45 DICK DIVER

9.15 – 9.45 IN TONGUES

8.15 – 8.45 THE PRIORY DOLLS

7.15 – 7.45 BAPTISM OF UZI

6.15 – 6.45 BIG SMOKE

5.15 – 5.45 WIL WAGNER & THE SMIH STREET BAND

4.15 – 4.45 THE BLACK HILL FIVE

3.15 – 3.45 GRIZZLY JIM LAWRIE BAND

Existing band room

11.45 – 12.30 THE STABS

10.45 – 11.15 DEAD FARMERS

9.45 – 10.15 TEEN ARCHER

8.45 – 9.15 SHIPS PIANO

7.45 – 8.15 DOZERS

6.45 – 7.15 THIS WAR

5.45 – 6.15 MADONNA

4.45 – 5.15 KEGGIN

3.45 – 4.15 CHAOS KIDS

The night kicks off from 12 midday with a BBQ for both lunch and dinner, bands start at 3pm

and.... its FREE ENTRY!

Found it.

Thanks to Rene Schaefer for bringing this to my attention.

Boy, I hope Nick really does get that tattooed on his face.

Deaf Wish last show, Yah-Yah's Sat 29th

Deaf Wish are calling it a day this Saturday as Nick Pratt aka Soul Boy is moving further west to Perth. He's opening up a cafe with his woman i hear. Good luck Nick! Also playing is Teen Archer and The Stabs (They have some killer new tracks). Really going to miss seeing Nick and Jensen out-heckle each other.

I've heard they have a lot of new recordings that will hopefully see the light of day in the near future.

If you don't go to this show, you should move to another city.

Read about it in more detail by some other guy

Deaf Wish last show, Yah-Yah's Sat 29th

Deaf Wish are calling it a day this Saturday as Nick Pratt aka Soul Boy is moving further west to Perth. He's opening up a cafe with his woman i hear. Good luck Nick! Also playing is Teen Archer and The Stabs (They have some killer new tracks). Really going to miss seeing Nick and Jensen out-heckle each other.

I've heard they have a lot of new recordings that will hopefully see the light of day in the near future.

If you don't go to this show, you should move to another city.

Read about it in more detail by some other guy

Choose choice.

A bit more on offer this week.
On Friday, you may want to take a chance on the Thod, playing the last night of their May residency at the Royal Derby in Brunswick St. with a couple of others. Entry is free, and beers are cheap. Did you know I almost got bitten on the neck by a pet snake upstairs at the Derby, many years ago? It's true.

On Saturday, eternal sideman and all round nice guy Stu Thomas is playing at Pure Pop in St. Kilda, in support of his new album, "Escape From Algebra". I haven't heard it yet, but I have seen the Paradox a few times and they are always worth your time and attention.

You could always hang around a bit after that, and check out what's on offer at the St. Kilda Film Festival , but I'd suggest heading over to Yah Yah's in Smith St. Collingwood to catch the last ever show by Deaf Wish. You would think that someone would get the coloured pencils out for such a great band's final gig, but try as I might, I can't find a poster for this anywhere. Supports are from the Stabs (who were in great form at the Old Bar last week) and Teen Archer. $12.00 gets you in, doors at 9.00, with Mikey Young DJing afterwards til 5.00am

Grong Grong - The Anal UFO Tour

This is a weird band. I can't get my head around them to be honest.

So Grong Grong were around years ago playing and scaring the town folk of Adelaide. During their absence they played in other groups fighting the mainstream. Grong Grong played a few reunion shows last year with good reports so i'm excited about seeing more of them. Good supports for the shows too - ZOND are also playing at the Old Bar show.

I haven't got the CD/DVD yet but i hear it really goes beyond the usual lazy re-issue. The DVD is chocked with interviews and live footage that none or most GG fans had ever seen before. I know of a couple of people travelling south from Sydney and Brisbane for this which is a sign that this band is better than this poster would suggest. Also worth mentioning for those who like to boogie for the Old Bar show, Mr. TJ Honeysuckle is Dj'ing. He's assured me to take a good dig through his old records and find the filthiest mess he can. I look forward to seeing this.

Grong Grong - The Anal UFO Tour

This is a weird band. I can't get my head around them to be honest.

So Grong Grong were around years ago playing and scaring the town folk of Adelaide. During their absence they played in other groups fighting the mainstream. Grong Grong played a few reunion shows last year with good reports so i'm excited about seeing more of them. Good supports for the shows too - ZOND are also playing at the Old Bar show.

I haven't got the CD/DVD yet but i hear it really goes beyond the usual lazy re-issue. The DVD is chocked with interviews and live footage that none or most GG fans had ever seen before. I know of a couple of people travelling south from Sydney and Brisbane for this which is a sign that this band is better than this poster would suggest. Also worth mentioning for those who like to boogie for the Old Bar show, Mr. TJ Honeysuckle is Dj'ing. He's assured me to take a good dig through his old records and find the filthiest mess he can. I look forward to seeing this.

So Grong, and yet so right.

DO YOU SEE WHAT I DID THERE?
Anyway, I'm either losing my touch or getting much more selective. This is another week where one show stands out- another visit by mighty back-from-the-grave Adeladians Grong Grong.

It's all there on that rather fine poster, I guess, expect for the fact that Saturday's Old Bar show now also includes ZOND as well as the Stabs as supports. And, er, me, DJing afterwards, from 1 til 3.00am, when I will be playing the most unholy mess of filthy noise I can dig out. Do come.

The best photo of me taken this year.

Split Lips. Born Loser.

Spooky Fest

Spooky Fest ruled, i took a bunch of photos, here's some favourites-

DIGGER & THE PUSSYCATS - First show back in Australia from their Euro tour

GENTLE BEN & HIS SENSITIVE SIDE

THE STABS




SIX FOOT HICK

Melbourne loves the Hick - that really isn't my hand, though i have an idea whose it is



The 6 Ft. Hick set on sunday with The Jacknives was good too, i dj'd with my brah's Jack and Jimi- the Pissing On The Mainframe dj's. Request us for your next birthday or banquet!

Spooky Fest

Spooky Fest ruled, i took a bunch of photos, here's some favourites-

DIGGER & THE PUSSYCATS - First show back in Australia from their Euro tour

GENTLE BEN & HIS SENSITIVE SIDE

THE STABS




SIX FOOT HICK

Melbourne loves the Hick - that really isn't my hand, though i have an idea whose it is



The 6 Ft. Hick set on sunday with The Jacknives was good too, i dj'd with my brah's Jack and Jimi- the Pissing On The Mainframe dj's. Request us for your next birthday or banquet!

Spooky Records Presents...

Spooky Records is having their 10 year anniversary this saturday at the TOTE- lots of bands, beer and a free BBQ!

Spooky Records Presents...

Spooky Records is having their 10 year anniversary this saturday at the TOTE- lots of bands, beer and a free BBQ!

Getting in early.

Getting these out early.
First up- just because I have a lot of time for the fine people at Spooky Records- is this:

Yes it’s no mean feat but it’s true, Spooky Records has survived 10 years in what has probably been the fastest evolving time ever in the music business. So to celebrate they’re taking over the infamous Tote, on Saturday 28th November and putting on a huge bash with most of the current Spooky bands getting up and doing a set. On the bill, SixFtHick, The Bakelite Age, The Stabs, Hugo Race and True Spirit, Kretch, Digger & the Pussycats, Sailors & Swine, and a rare performance from Gentle Ben & his Sensitive Side.
To keep it fair we’ve messed with the playing times so you’ll have to get there early cause it might just be your favorite opening the proceedings. But if not, to keep you all entertained we’ll put on a free BBQ and don’t forget to check out the merch stand cause there’ll be some wicked specials from the Spooky catalogue
Doors and BBQ are at 7pm sharp and definitely no presales so come early.

Looks like a bargain at $18.00. AND I get to grab a new tshirt, cheap.
Then after that, why not head up the road to the Old Bar?

You may miss Heinz Reigler, Lee Memorial and Ninetynine, but you will get to hear me DJing again. Til 3.00am. Don't call it an "after-party", just call it a party.

Action all the time.

As the early summer heatwave kicks on, there's a couple of amazingly diverse but equally attractive shows on this weekend.
Veteran rock troupers the Hitmen return to the stage, behind the release of their new album "St. Valentine's Day Massacre". Recorded in Sydney last year, it see them teaming up onstage with genuine Detroit legend Niagara, for a run through some classics by the likes of Destroy All Monsters and the Stooges. The Hitmen reissue run continues too, with their 1984 live album "Tora! Tora! DTK!", coupled with 1991's "Moronic Inferno" plus a heap of added rarities, out now.

I can only imagine what a sweatbox Cherry Bar will be.
But if that doesn't do it for you, hop across the imaginary fence between Guitarland and Synthville, and catch Primitive Calculators, ZOND and others instead.

The two forms of music aren't mutually exclusive, you know. Just sayin'.

That and some cold beer should get you through the weekend.

Then early next week, there's this:

Now ordinarily, I wouldn't ask anyone to consider paying $8.00 to watch videos in a city bar. But when you figure the night includes the debut showing of Matt Givoni's clip for the Stabs' "Split Lips", it may be more enticing. Add to that the attendance of many of the (ahem) stars of said clip, and it looks like a winner.

Overload.

Guh.
It's been a busy few days. Lemme see if I can remember it all.
Thursday- Rowland S. Howard at the Prince of Wales.
Friday- Witch Hats and the Stabs at the Tote.
Saturday- YIS at the Tote.
Sunday- Mark Steiner & Thomas Borge at the Sporting Fox.
Monday- the first "Last Tram Home presents" night at the Old Bar.
I've been busy. Last night at the Old Bar was great- Aktion Unit played as a four piece, Crystal Thomas teamed up with Kim Volkman, and the Late Arvo Sons blew the roof off. Then I got to play old singles til 3.00am Thanks to everyone who came along- we are already planning the next one.
But now, I am going back to bed.

Album of the week- the Stabs: "Dead Wood"

Now, this is a fine fine thing. It's been a while since the Stabs hit us with "Dirt", and although they haven't been lazy- they play pulverising live shows pretty regularly, all over the place- it's good to have something new to annoy the neighbours with.
The music here is dark, and thick, with an air of controlled violence and anger. But it's personal, not political. Top picks here are probably "Split Lips" and "No Hoper" , though it'd be hard to call anything weak.
The Melbourne launch date is at the Tote, on October 30th, with Fabulous Diamonds and Witch Hats, not sure about dates in other cities but they are being put together.
I'll post that film clip as soon as it's finished. Been a while since I had so much fun at an inner-city/share house party.

The Stabs new album Dead Wood

The Stabs have just released their second album entitled "Dead Wood", it's out on Spooky Records. Really excited to see it finally come out.

They've got their Album launches real soon, which are also Witch Hats EP launches for Sydney and Brisbane.

Melbourne Album Launch 30th of Oct @ The Tote w/ Witch Hats + The Saddests

Brisbane Albums Launch 13th of Nov @ The Clubhouse w/ Witch Hats

Sydney Album Launch 20th of Nov @ The Sandringham w/ Witch Hats

Then Spooky Records' 10th Birthday Patrty @ The Tote 28th of November

29 Nov @ THE NATIONAL HOTEL Geelong with Lightning Bolt and Grey Daturas

The Stabs new album Dead Wood

The Stabs have just released their second album entitled "Dead Wood", it's out on Spooky Records. Really excited to see it finally come out.

They've got their Album launches real soon, which are also Witch Hats EP launches for Sydney and Brisbane.

Melbourne Album Launch 30th of Oct @ The Tote w/ Witch Hats + The Saddests

Brisbane Albums Launch 13th of Nov @ The Clubhouse w/ Witch Hats

Sydney Album Launch 20th of Nov @ The Sandringham w/ Witch Hats

Then Spooky Records' 10th Birthday Patrty @ The Tote 28th of November

29 Nov @ THE NATIONAL HOTEL Geelong with Lightning Bolt and Grey Daturas