What A Fucking Joke.

Kids, kiss goodbye freedom, festivals and fucking fun.

The future looks dark as early finish threatens music festival...

Now it's time for all things nice! PARADES.

A few months ago I spawned this little blogging machine and my first post was all about my favourite Sydney Indie band Parades!

At the time of print, the alternative group had just lost their magical, capricious female counterpart in a move best for the bands direction. At the time I was worried Parades might lose their niche and became increasingly stalkerish in attempt to gain details of a reformed line-up.

Sneaky Parades quietly surfaced with a female stand-in at the Jebediah concert at The Annandale in September, though unfortunately the shoe didn't fit and the the unlucky hopeful was sent packing. Not today disco lady.

Shortly after, a lovely young lass was plucked from Sydney's musical obscurity and with no more than a months practice Oriana De Luca was thrusted upon our feasting ears and eyes in a very intimate gig at Sydney's Spectrum.

It's safe to say I am their harshest (annoying) critic (apart from the band themselves and it's only out of love) and to be honest, I wasn't feeling the new addition. I probably jumped the gun too quick and maybe it was that I felt a loyal affection to the previous co-vocalist. As the gig progressed, Oriana became more and more comfortable on stage, her harmonies slipping into Daniel's and Parades began to form and come together like a perfectly constructed puzzle.

Still in love, I haul ass to Q Bar before 11pm (fright) a Friday or two ago to pledge my support and bring along some new ears, fellow blogger http://reel-around-the-fountain.blogspot.com/. Although I was almost too drunk to stand (I was actually requested by miss Reel to eat something) Oriana tore it apart and everything was perfect!
Co-voaclist and music extraordinaire Daniel, always the showman actually performed his drumming solo amongst the crowd in the middle of the floor! My jaw hit the sticky floor quicker than a teenage girls panties at a Jonas Brothers concert. Unbelievable.

Only getting better man, trust me, catch these guys it's too good to miss, even Triple J thinks so, putting the Spotlight on them for their famed comp Unearthed. Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! So rate them here, def worth it!
http://www.triplejunearthed.com/Artists/View.aspx?artistid=19421

And for you Coast people, I'm bringing them to you for Tubes 4 Googs this January so fear not.

http://www.myspace.com/parades

27 Dec 2008 8:00 P	The Hopetoun	Sydney, New South Wales
30 Dec 2008 8:00 P	Peats Ridge Festival w/ Pivot, Firekites, The Devoted Few, Sparkadia, + 195 more	Central Coast, New South Wales

Also check out www.t4g.com.au for line up info on the event including PARADES!


p e a c e.

You And Your Little Dog Too!

So my blog is pretty new, and I am still getting used to all that comes along with it, this includes criticism and open argument.

Yesterday I posted the below entry about Aussie rockers The Vines and I received some notable feedback which at first I didn't know quite how to take it, however I felt I didn't make myself clear.

Mental illness is a serious matter, so serious it is not something I take lightly nor something I base my music values on.

My blog below doesn't point the break down of the rock machine that is The Vines at mental disease or illness, but a troubled past and continuous chances post erratic behaviour.

Whatever the cause is behind The Vines pulling out of their tours, they are conducting their music and their lives in a public media sphere, ergo anything they do or do not do is subject to criticism to the public, no matter the cause.

We all watched the famous meltdown of Ms. Britney Spears late last year and you know what? Shit happens and when people act erratically in public or let down fans alas the backlash will no doubt follow.

Now my blog is just a place for me to review, and shout out bands I like and believe you me, it's not something I'd "quit my day job" for. However my day job is at MTV Australia where I am a published music news writer so I like to think I know a little about "what not to write".

If every blog was as ego stroking as the next don't you think you'd be a little bored? You're not going to agree with everything I write but in saying that I regret if I offended anybody who suffers mental illness or knows someone who does.

Be unmerciful. Be Honest. Be cool.

Sincerely wishing Craig all the good help he can get not to mention a speedy recovery, who knows, maybe I'm wrong?
:)

And The Curtain Is Closing.

Remember when you heard this rockin' new band in 2002?
And NME predicted a second coming of Nirvana whilst they graced the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine?...

Yeah The Vines once had a A LOT going for them, it's been six years of turbulence and second chances though it seems no matter how many opportunities these boys get, they're destined to fuck them all up.

I say this with regret, one of my most life changing records is 'Highly Evolved' and my idea of sex is Craig Nicholls, so it saddens me to finally turn my back on the home grown lads and admit this ship has sunk.

You might remember their woeful antics in 2004 which saw the lads banned from giving interviews by management and being booed off stage. Not to mention the radio station boycotts and the paparazzi assault to which Nicholls was officially charged. Fuck.

'Winning Days' was in fact a production of losing all face and the lads disappeared into what most hoped a one-hit-wonder oblivion.

Alas, reformed and tail wedged firmly between legs, a new line-up Vines took to a bunch of secret shows promoting their unexpected third studio record 'Vision Valley'.

For those who saw the performances in 2006 will tell you just how agile and sorry Nicholls was, continuously thanking the crowd for their ongoing support and seemed genuinely thankful and anxious.

We've all seen rock stars, wreckless and living the dream giving countless unpredictable guitar smashing stage performances.

Nicholls seems almost retarded but resembles a grunge god all at once. Whether you appreciate his tanless bare body the singer will light up cigarettes in his glowing glory and remain shirtless for entire sets generating some kind or morbid sexy.

The return of The Vines was well received but it was not Rolling Stone profit worthy and the band still seemed a shaky mess at the end of all tours and promotion so back into the studio they marched.

This time around in 2008 The Vines released 'Melodia' and took to big stage with several highly anticipated shows booked around the country.

I myself checked out the show at The Metro theater which I was really quite excited about. The show was pretty darn good, Craig did his thing, demonstrating reflections of autism and mental instability but it came off sexy and sounded wicked. I was actually really impressed despite the thunderous "thank you's" and obvious anxiety.

This was on November 2nd, by now, Novemeber 18th, The Vines have canned the rest of their tour unexpectedly and pulled out of every Music Festival including the much anticipated Big Day Out festival they famously took by storm in 2003.

The Vines only cancelled a single show at first blaming it on Nicholls anxiety of flying and issued an apologetic Myspace bulletin to the fans. This was soon followed by the news of complete tour cancellation due to Nicholls decreasing mental health, also pulling out of their Japanese tour, heavy man

So, Craig Nicholls is a shitwreck, always has been but it seems they're finally blown their last chance. Will the fans actually welcome them back AGAIN or are we all just sick of their shit? I'm going to go with the latter, see how quickly their record company drops them?

Harsh but true.

If I were an alternate DJ for one set.

Okay, so I know nothing about getting a room pumping, but all I do know is what gets me off in a club.
Mostly undanceable tracks, and more sitting back sipping songs for me to just be like "ooh I like this one"..

Just so you know, I am so unqualified at this, I cleared the d-floor in Q Bar this Friday by requesting a Smiths song.. boourns.

If I were a DJ..

Idioteque - Radiohead
How Soon Is Now - The Smiths
Wash The Day Away - TVONTR
Kool Thing - Sonic Youth
Burn My Shadow - Unkle
Obstacle 1 - Interpol
Operate - Peaches
Laika - Arcade Fire
Gravel Pit - Wu-Tang Clan
Shove Your Hope - Santogold
Bigmouth Strikes Again - The Smiths
Right Here Right Now - Fat Boy Slim
Coffee and T.V - Blur

Click Click CAMERAS!

Delayed, but oh sooo worthy.

About 2 months ago I was reading, Drum Media or was it The Brag? One of the likes and in a tiny, itsy bitsy blurb I saw the names Cat Power and Radiohead. Now, these titles are like food to a homeless person to my eyes so I read the blurb for proper inspection and of course to check the names were not used in vain.

It went on to read how this Sydney band was a talent collision of the two prestigious sounds, that of melancholy, whimsical vocals and alternate bars and synthesis. If you know me, I instantly became wet at the though of something that magical deriving from out local Sydney suburbs.

Turns out, lead singer and keys artist Eleanor Dunlop is Triple J unearthed alum. The talented songstress has intended on going solo for some time though when Fraser Harvey (vocals, guitar) pressed the idea of starting a band for the last time Dunlop conceded to the idea. With Ben Kingssott (drums) in tow, they were then ‘Cameras’. Rad.

Anyway, after obsessing about these guys for months I finally caught wind of a show they were doing at The Hopetoun. I was on that train so fast I am pretty sure I left my keys inside, which I do a lot.

The three piece were competing in the Hopetoun Homebake Incentive, which takes place every Monday up until well, Homebake.

The first song they played is by far my favourite ‘Defeatist’, which features Harvey predominately on vocals and Dunlop harmonizing in the background. The contrast and dissimilarity between male and female vocal harmonies always portray that effortless edge of melody.

'The Bolshelviks' is a second favourite. It bears a more psychedelic influence, that of The Rolling Stones and old rock and roll. It's a considerable variation from the other tracks but isn't too left field and just picks you up if you're doing a roll through all the tracks.

Most songs feature focuses mainly Dunlop on vocals as her huskily smooth voice as sexy as that of Chan Marshall. Her haunting melodies lull you into some kind if indie hypnosis.

CAMERAS.
See them, you'll know what I mean and their Myspace player creates excellent ambiance for the whimsically sleepy.

Check them out here;

http://www.myspace.com/camerasband

From The U.K to Kalifornia - The Subways

Ladies and gentlemen, I write to you from a grimy train on its way to the often-misunderstood Gosford City, and often referred to by me as, well G-town. Fortunately, this entry is far more appealing!

The Subways. I love them, I love them.
They played at Big Day Out in January 2006 and because I was ignorant enough to make no effort due to unheard sounds, I missed them. In Early March I heard a song in Sanity that just grabbed me. I had to have ‘Young For Eternity’. So in saying that I confirm that yes, most advertising does work on me.

I took the record home and sure enough, every other song rocked me. I was going through a messy break-up at the time and though I had learnt the singer was actually engaged to the saucy bass player, they touched the torture and frustration of love so bitterly, I could just relate.

The raw energy of ‘I Want To Hear What You’ve Got To Say’ still executes me. Though that time in my life had passed and that angst of someone not loving you back had disappeared, I can still feel it in my stomach.

The 2006 release suffered an extreme case of high rotation and received plays from multiple car stereos, which resulted in the loss of the disc, leaving me only with the case. Nothing burns me more that a scratched CD. Utter disrespect to a rarity, some people feel the same, someone I know would burn copies of all his records for the pure suicide of the disc traveling. He also hated this CD, which doesn’t surprise me it was his car it disappeared in..? Hmm.

Other than the plays it amounted from moi, The Subways remained frightenly quiet in Australia. Hailing from the U.K, I often questioned if they’d be back and when the news broke of the split between Billy Lunn (guitar/vocals) & Charlotte Cooper (bass) honestly doubted another record let alone a show.

Thankfully, the two somehow (and I just don’t know how they could be in a room together let alone a band) co-wrote music throughout the break-up and produced the new record ‘All or nothing’.

It amazes me and I can hear the pain in songs like ‘Shake Shake’. You can witness the need for attention yet the anger. The lyrics “I got a need to feel so I shake, shake! You got a problem with me say it” that run over an angry riff personifies the hostility not only in the band during the split but even the relationship itself.
I just love the repetition of “I COULDN’T CARE IF WE LOSE”. And I can’t help to think if this was penned in the event of the demised union.

I just fucking love these guys and I’m normally anxious of Vines’esque follow-up but the U.K kids have prevailed and are coming to Australia in 2009!

I will die.

Im Not Dead.

No, not the p!nk record, just me.

Little old blog abandoner, you know, I'm sorry. lalala.

I've been such a busy bee and I'm not over you and I'm not full of fat excuses.

I have some stuff to go up on some hot bods like Cameras, The Vines, The Subways and general tirades of rubbish.

However until then, in case you hadn't already, here are some of my MTV articles you might just like ;)
Music Industry Support Obama
http://www.mtv.com.au/news/946/
The Smiths to reunite
http://www.mtv.com.au/news/930/
Award smoes
http://www.mtv.com.au/news/906