before Bruce Milne handed over the door stamp to the new management: So, yes, it was a good night. Pretty much everyone I expected/hoped to see there was there, the sightlines in the revamped bandroom are much better, and the beers were free. The new carpet and lack of stuff on the walls was the only noticeable difference, really. I don't know if this is the official end of an era, or the official start of a new one. But it's the Tote, and it has bands on again.
I guess it goes without saying that anyone who reads this blog should try and get along to this. On the 23rd of February, coinciding with the 34th anniversary of AC/DC’s famous ‘It’s A Long Way To The Top’ film clip shoot down Swanston St, S.L.A.M (Save Live Australia’s Music) is organising a protest in support and celebration of the music scene in Victoria where current liquor licensing laws threaten to pull the plug on live music. We will meet at 4pm outside the State Library and make our way along Swanston St and up Bourke St to Parliament House in Spring St where we will have guest speakers from 6-7pm. We have organised the RocKwiz Orchestra with guest performers to lead the rally, repeating the three chords from ‘It’s A Long Way to the Top’ in the back of a flat bed truck as we follow – ALL 10,000 + OF US – holding placards and instruments chanting down these ridiculous laws. Lack of support for this precious industry has gone on for too long. Celebrate the diversity of Victorian music – this will be a day to remember!
You can sign up here to show support and keep informed. See you there.
While the Tote hosts it's last show today, here's a glimpse of what happened there yesterday. In an unaccustomed move for him, Bruce Milne put himself right in the spotlight:
It was sincere, it was funny, it was stirring and it was all true. Feel free to pause at 2.59 for a shot of yours truly applauding wildly, by the way.
So, what next? Well, the company that owns the building have gone on record as saying they want it to stay as it is, as far as possible. And the team behind the Old Bar have put their hands up very publicly to initiate talks on a possible handover- for which Bruce has offered them all the help and support he can. But that may take some time.
In the interim, it makes sense for you to sign this petition, and also make a resolution to go out more often, to small local shows, not just internationals and festivals. How hard can that be to do in Melbourne?
A press release was sent out today: It’s last drinks at the Tote. This weekend. I know it’s sudden. I didn’t plan it to be like that. I can’t afford to keep fighting Liquor Licensing. The “high risk” conditions they have placed on the Tote’s license make it impossible to trade profitably. I can’t afford the new “high risk” fees they have imposed. I can’t afford to keep fighting them at VCAT. I can’t renegotiate a lease in this environment. So, come into the Tote this weekend to say farewell to the sad staff and to feel the sticky carpet for the last time. I don’t believe the Tote is a “high risk” venue, in the same category as the nightclubs that make the news for all the wrong reasons. Despite being on a rough little corner of Collingwood, the Tote has had very, very few incidents. As a local police officer once said, “The Tote’s the quietest pub in the area.” (!). It’s not dumb luck that the Tote has escaped serious violence. I believe the business has been run responsibly. People don’t come to the Tote to fight. They come because they have a passion for music and love to be in an historic venue that reeks of that same passion. The Tote is (sorry, was) an important cornerstone of Melbourne’s rich and diverse music community. It’s too late to save the Tote but not too late to try and save other inner city venues that are feeling the same pressures. I know the sudden closure affects a lot of people. Most importantly, the hard-working staff that are being forced onto the dole queue. And the bands and artists that have had their gigs pulled from under them. Anyway, I don’t want to get maudlin (or viciously angry). The era of the Tote is over. If you love the place, come and have a beer with us this weekend.
Regards, Bruce Milne
I don't know as there is much more I can add, or need to add, to that. I have been going to the Tote off and on since about 1983, and have had some of the best nights of my life there- most recently, seeing Sixfthick there on New Year's Day. I'll be there again on Saturday afternoon, for Teen Archer, Daddy Long Legs and a few others. As the man says, come and have a beer.
This Saturday at The Tote is the second week of Teen Archer's residency. I'm definitely going to this. It'll be the last ever Melbourne show for the Diamond Sea and Gold Tango are playing as well. The show starts at 5pm and it's free!
This Saturday at The Tote is the second week of Teen Archer's residency. I'm definitely going to this. It'll be the last ever Melbourne show for the Diamond Sea and Gold Tango are playing as well. The show starts at 5pm and it's free!
one and all. One of the people who gave me this psuedonym is dead. The woman who encouraged me put the breath of life back into it no longer speaks to me if she can avoid it. But many other kind folks have willingly offered me sofas, beers and cold hard cash (and yes, that is in descending order of importance) over the past twelve months.
The Barman still tolerates my antics now and again- and I owe him a beer. But, y'know, I still love doing this thing that I do, under whatever name, at whatever time or place.
Now, Russell Street on a Friday night is usually a place to avoid. But tonight I'm going to make an exception: The venue's own website has kindly provided copy for this: AARGHT! records and Radical Awesome tours present the show of the year at Billboard ''The Venue'' on the 18th of December. Australian Music Prize slayers and Frankston's biggest export Eddy Current Suppression Ring will go head to head with San Francisco's Pitchfork endorsed Thee Oh Sees for a night of silly season spastacularity. Melbourne shit-heads the Witch Hats will provide support along with local breeze pop favourites The Twerps. On Saturday, Deaf Wish launch their excellent new album "Reality & Visions"at the Tote. I have a copy of this, and it is a fucked-up masterpiece of noise and awesome. Supports will be courtesy of The School of Radiant Living and ’90s stalwarts/supergroup Breaking the Law. $12.00 There is all sorts of stuff happening on Sunday too, including a Kelley Stoltz show at the Workers Club, but it may be too much.
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!
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!
