Yellow Brick Road + Other Things

Hey kids,

I've been a little slack on ye olde blog these days, it's probably because I've been spending all my free time at shows and other times well I'm asleep. :)

First thing to note would be the impressive Sydney line up at Yellow Brick Road @ Oxford Arts the past month or so. Basically any favourite Sydney indie band we love to donate out ten to fifteen dollars to once a month have headlined this terrific free night.

Just to name a few I've been able to catch new Arts residency band The Spirits, my favourite smalls fry/big sound Papa VS Pretty, the soulful Cameras and the majestic Parades. With a change of sound guy the shows are becoming more and more successful with Parades pulling one of the bigger crowds I've seen thus far and also sounding the best.

Parades normally have a bit of trouble with their sound guys, but Mark Smithers seemed to capture everything just right, setting The Gallery alight. The Sydney folks I virtually dedicate this page to have experienced an amazing response from Australian radio giant Triple J with their new track 'Dead Nationale'. I also hear it is only 4 days now before they release a new track which is supposed to be well, earth moving.

Another mention to Cameras who are playing their first big festival, you can catch these cats at Sydney's Come Together Festival. It truly makes me happy when the ball starts rolling and people start to pick up on the sounds.

An unusual place for me to hang in is Kings Cross Club 77, though last week I found myself there two nights in a row to catch my favourite grunge act The Waysiders and Central Coast indie/pop-rock outfit The Inheritors.

So turning up to the venue I'm getting flash backs of some very dank and almost embarrassing nights spent in the generally grimy club from last Winter (I may have had a StarFuckers phase, don't judge me). What I do like? You can smoke inside so it's like a real gig and essence of marijuana is lingering and the air con's on so it's cool and well the amps are fucking loud. Cold, smelly and loud.

What I don't like? Well.. The fruit flies in the toilet.. Not nice. Also the girls in Target clothes making fools of themselves. The three dollar vodka special when the Vodka tastes like fucking Tequila or toilet water.

So anyway back to the bands.. The Waysiders.. I'd marry them, but it wouldn't work out. We'd all fight about washing up or something trivial like that. Haha okay, maybe not.

So they played a new track or two but their music, it's almost too good for the undiscovered Australian scene. I think if any of the indie kids should pick up a residency it should these three boys. They just sound so good in the background, they look so good and it's new age grunge, smooth and edgy. I know I dance round my room to 'The Inferno', it just reminds me of Thurston Moore in NY 1990's with a hint of psychedelica and when you're watching it live in the deep dark room in 77, nothing is more rock 'n roll than right there and then with your best friend stoned and a fake severed head on the DJ booth glaring at you.

I'd like to see them play more shows and write more songs, I really think it's something (their vibe) is something no one else is really trying anymore and I don't know why.

Dance in your underwear and click here.

After my taste of grungy post punk fun the Thursday night before, I drag myself down to catch a friends band from the Central Coast, otherwise my home town.

I will always support music coming out of my hood, because not a lot does sparing Something With Numbers and up and coming The Lazys.

Why do I like The Inheritors? Because it's been a fucking long time since I've liked a pop-rock band and I'm not saying it because they're from the Coast, I actually feel happy when I watch them. Maybe it's all the rainbows and bare feet on stage, or the headbands or even the vests?

It's just happy and I can see it getting some solid radio play and it doesn't make me shudder for once because I think it's something anyone can enjoy.

The lads had a EP launch at local venue Woodport Inn which has housed many indie acts like British India and Evermore and such. Apparently the crowd were through the roof, the place completely covered head to toe in giant colourful rainbows, the literal and musical kind. Otherwise a complete success.

I think keep an eye on the guys, who just recently finished touring with Kisschasey and if I can recommend a song I'd say my favourite is 'Fever'.

www.myspace.com/inheritors

Other than that there is lots more to come V Fest Inclusive, though not much went down.. Just a lot of food and also some MTV Awards adventures. I know I'm a few weeks late but better late than never :)