Cameras LIVE on FBI!

Tune into FBI radio 94.5 today from 3pm to catch CAMERAS interview and acoustic performance. If you haven't got a radio stream it on the interwebs!

Here's a taste of the melodic beauty that is Sydney's Cameras!
www.myspace.com/camerasband

Yves Klein Blue - May 28th @ Supper Club

So I remember once I wrote their bio for MTV and I remember they actually got their start through said worldwide music channel during one of their 'Unearthed-esque' competitions called Kickstart.
From memory they won about two years ago but I'd never heard a whole lot of them until their catchy little number 'Polka' appeared on some car add on free to air.
I remember my boyfriend liking it and pointing it out at the time, though I never remember what the add was about I always jumped around a little in my chair.

So last night the foursome took to the stage at the Oxford Hotels Supper Club, an elegant (maybe even too nice for me) venue where waitstaff actually bring out tapas and so forth. I felt out of place but basically it was a Thursday night hull for the who's who of the industry with some big shots from Channel V and other local idependent artist and scenesters filling the room.

The invite said there was due to be no support and that the gig would kick off at 8pm. Never one to be late, fellow blogger Reel-around-the-fountain and I conversed of some very tall glass beers and waited for the band to take the small level stage.

At around about 8:30pm the four YKB boys made their way through the crowd and affectionately kissed fans and friends on the cheek and shook hands along the way. I always love it when bands keep it personal.

I've never really been a fan though all songs were new, aside from 'Polka', I honestly wouldn't of known. Front man Michael Tomlinson fashionably dones the old school flapper haircut, straight edge and stern browed he's absolutely fierce. The kick off and already I'm doing my boarder line retarded knee dance that I do when I like what I'm hearing.

The songs are solid and I'm enthralled. I can see friends around the room but it's hard to make eye contact because everyone can't stop staring at Tomlinson and he can't stop staring at you.. He actually doesn't really blink and bares the infamous Ian Curtis nature, that almost epileptic look in the eyes and you can hear him giving every song his absolute all, songs often ending in gasps of exasperation.

It's been sometime since I've seen a performer so immersed in the upbeat yet deeper than the service lyrics. You almost feel exhausted watching them yet you can't look away.

Every song is perfect, sometimes bearing obvious influences such as Modest Mouse and even commented Vampire Weekend-esque new tracks.

The highlight of the show would have to be a solo performance Tomlinson provided acoustically about some past romantic endeavor. The lyrics are so genuine and I mean the role of an artist is to make you believe what he's singing, what he felt when he wrote it and I fucking do when this guy sings. I actually found my mouth on the ground when he utters the words "I care about the future, I do".

'Ragged and Ecstatic' is due out this June and their new single 'Getting Wise' just release on the 22nd of May.
I will buy this record. No doubt.

It was so refreshing to catch a band who aren't so full of themselves and offer to hang round for beers after the show and actually insist we don't wander off aimlessly to the kebab store.

You must see them live to see what they're about, though catchy on track it's just something you need to appreciate. Artists who are clever and give a fuck.

Listen to the vibe here;
http://www.myspace.com/yveskleinbluemusic

Or go to their website for ticket information for when these cats will be playing near you!
www.yveskleinblue.com/

I don't know if you kids knew..

But Phoenix were a band before two thousand and nine.
A fellow blogger and I were discussing over a beer at the Yves Klein Blue listening party last night that it's been some time since a band has experienced such a solid comeback..
It's like they're fucking brand new..
I mean Phoenix are being welcomed in the way Axle had of hoped, but alas epically failed...
It's kind of like when Tegan and Sara released 'The Con'.. the girls, they flocked and were like..twisting hair calling it a debut..

Cool, but weird.. just sayin'..

Code Red - Chaingang - Watch This Space.

Fierce! That's one word describe Sydney's groundbreaking new pop/rock and all round punk four-piece Chaingang.

The exciting boy/girl foursome really do put on a show of shows - collecting the who's who of Sydney's independent scene including Jake Grigg from Something With Numbers and Paul Mac also spotted in the depths of Chaingangs explosive Friday night show.

Sticking to fashion as their status quo and heavy riffs that make New York's Yeah Yeah Yeahs wish they were their first record. Chaingang have set the independent scene on fire with live performances wowing industry favourites and bringing back female-fronted punk.

Catching these guys is an energetic event. Front woman and soon to be fashion icon Hayley Foster ignites the stage with an eccentricity unseen and unchallenged since The Grates breakthrough circa 2006. Foster controls the stage, exuding attitude, mic chord in her mouth - is she she your best friend or do you think you wanna fuck her? Patience better watch her back.
It doesn't stop there, Fosters strong vocals mixed with the solid percussion's of the scantly clad and tattooed sleeved drummer Scarlet Saramore keep the tongues wagging while Dan Duque-Perez (guitar) and Mike Jeffery (bass) wipe the floor with killer riffs. Sydney needed a change of pace, something explosive and Chaingang are it!

Check it.

Just and inch of what's keeping me sane.. Silversun Pickups!

A lot of people are partial to implying Silversun Pickups are a mere imitation of the melancholy expertise that is, well was Smashing Pumpkins. Sure I can see the similarity, the soft feminine vocals that are not harsh nor severe, washed with riffs of angst driven temperament.
All similarity aside, I've always liked Silversuns because of their sound, and yeah I am a SP fan but I'm not offended by the influence in their music.

'Swoon' is an angrier side of the Californian rockers, and you can tell with the opening track 'There's No Secrets This Year'. The record breaks open with a riff you'd expect off of a Pumpkins b-side. But the lyrical depth is different, I could go on comparing but I'm sick of it. Let's look at it as though it's its own release, relax.. you'll enjoy it more.

It's a bit dirtier than 'Canarvas' and I like that. The first single off of the record is 'Panic Switch' which is no 'Lazy Eye' as it were but definitely holds some weight. My only criticism is that this record is not particularly memorable as it is just good. I suppose my opinion is a bit wishy-washy but I think as far as music goeth, Siversun Pickups aren't doing anything different, they're just good. Good is great in this day and age, what with all the shit spewing out onto the airwaves these days.

I get angry about new music, I mean it's a bit rude to say but it just isn't what it used to be anymore. Where's the "fuck you"?.. I want a big fucking revolution. I am not going to commence a soap box induced rant about how music was better before I was born.. I'm just sayin'..

Either way, this record is worthy of a hard copy purchase. It's not wanky, pretentious or bullshit. It's a good record start to finish. Put it on and read a book. I give 'Swoon' three and a half OWM stars and below is one of my favourite of the the follow-up. Enjoy.

I've left you high and dry.

I'm sorry kids.
I am the worst blogger in all the land.
Probably the most self obsessed in all the land.. Been tearing up the personal one for all it's been worth but alas, I have exciting news!

I've just been taken on board The Brag as a new contributor so keep an eye out for my shiz the awesome weekly music mag.

I've got a lot of gigs to write up, such as The Lazys and Parades - Who has been hearing them all over Triple J? I know I have been! So many exciting things going on.

Oh, and the new SIlversuns? Amazing right? AH.. all coming soon!!!