I'm not going to review the new Kings of Leon stuff..

I'm just not.
I have to do some.. washing?

New Gotye

It seems Australia's favourite adopted Belgium has done it again! The blissful musical project known as Gotye by The Basics Wally De Backer, has just hit us with some new material and it's 3:07 of sheer essential summer bliss. The debut track is titled 'Eyes Wide Open' from Gotye's forthcoming album (no working title) due for release in 2011. This song is a little more upbeat than 2007's hauntingly beautiful 'Heart's A Mess', however 'Eyes Wide Open' maintains the eerie nature of Wally's musical experimentation whilst flirting with the sounds of pop. 'Eyes Wide Open' is really lovely and I can hear Summer. I'm looking forward to the rest of the new material to surface very soon!

Download 'Eye's Wide Open' for free here.

Copy Cats.

Is it just me being suspicious or does it somehow seem like the Laneway organisers are in bed with the Splendour guys? Twice now both festivals have borrowed from one anothers previous line-ups. This year Laneway boasted Florence and the Machine and Mumford & Sons, only for the two acts to reappear on the Splendour bill just a few months later.
Today St Jermome's Laneway Festival released their bill for the 2011 tour only to mention FOALS and Two Door Cinema Club who had just played Spendour. This isn't uncommon for local acts, but I just found it a little funny for these successful international bands to revisit our wonderful shores again so soon. Tit for tat? Same booking guy? I dunno. Either way, I'm still pretty pleased because I get to see FOALS as I missed them on their last visit. Celebration.

Check out the full line-up at www.lanewayfestival.com.au/.

Apparently Big Day Out tickets are going for a steep $170 (all bits and bobs included) this year.
Wow, get a fucking grip. I guess the benefit is they know idiots/veterans will pay it because they have no time to hesitate at check-out, but shiat. That is on expensive fucking ticket for a one day festival. I hate to sound like I'm old but my first BDO ticket in 2005 was $100. That's some serious fucking inflation.

Silversun Pickups Grace Australia

Since the release of California's Silversun Pickups sophomore LP 'Swoon', I've been dying to see them tour here in Australia. With every major festival line-up announced without the four-pieces presence, I began to feel like I was holding my breath beneath a sheet of ice. So, when Silversun Pickups appeared on the bill for Coaster Festival, I damn near spat my morning Coca Cola all over my Mac screen. Not to slag off Coaster, I mean it has done reasonably well in its own right, I just didn't expect this line-up to be the one to boast one of my favourite bands.

Angst aside, only momentarily, I was filled with joy. You may remember when I went through my huge Silversuns phase last year. I think that 'Carnavas' and 'Swoon' have been two of the more pivotal new records to me in the last two years. Although, frequently compared to Smashing Pumpkins, I sincerely shrug off the similarities and enjoy the music wholly and entirely as a standalone act.

There was more coke spraying when it came to light that Silversuns would NOT be playing their own sideshows, but only supporting Australian snorelax act Birds of Tokyo. I think the outrage was taken to the streets and the revolt got us here in Melbourne a very lucky chance to be the only city to see the band play their own show. The tickets went for a mere $30 or so, and sold out within minutes at The Corner Hotel.

On the night, Sydney lads Papa VS Pretty lads took to the stage first and performed to a near full house. PVP showcased some of their newer material, the crowd swaying and hypnotised. I was interested if people were there just to be early, but I saw many people mouthing the lyrics to 'Heavy Harm' and my frozen heart felt warm inside.

The Corner Hotel is a pain in my fucking ass when it comes to their bastard poles, so there was much moving around to get a look at Mr Brian Aubert and co. as the band graced the stage. Immediately falling into 'Swoons' 'Growing Old Is Getting Old', Aubert swayed playfully side to side and twisted his way through the song, swallowing the entire room with his distinctive vocals.

The set then moved into 'Carnavas' single, 'Well Thought Out Twinkles'. It was in this song I really noticed the talent of drummer Christopher Guanlao. His technique almost seems like it comes from some kind of emo-punk background. Call me an anti-percussionist but I very rarely notice a drummer but Guanlao is one talented fucking guy.

The four-piece played a healthy mix of both records, highlights include personal favourites 'The Royal We', 'Future Foe Scenarios' and 'Catch & Release'. It was clear the crowd favourites were 'There's No Secrets This Year', and an epic performance of 'Panic Switch'. There's just something so enchanting when Aubert lullabies ' I'm waiting and fading, floating away', followed by the crowd losing it as the song swings back in to chorus.

It was quite an interactive show, with bassist Nikki Monninger sweetly telling us a joke I still don't understand, all the while looking a million bucks. Also, there was a lot of apologies for an uncouth performance in 2007 at the Ding Dong Lounge, followed by a few references to Supper Club? I can only imagine what Melbourne did to Silversuns last time around, however they seem to look back on it affectionately hence choosing us as their only show. Eat shit, Sydney.

The set progressed from 'Panic Switch' straight into 'Carnavas' mega hit 'Lazy Eye'. This was a fine fucking performance and it was everything you would hope it to be. This song could honestly make a constipated Nazi smile.

After much applause Silversuns disappeared into the shadows of backstage and many wondered what else they could possibly close with, some even began to stray towards the door. I have always said the last three songs off of both records are my easy favourites, so when the band reappeared to play 'Substitution, 'Three Seed' and 'Common Reactor', it's fair to say I laid an egg right then and there.

It really was a perfect set full of the expected reverb and distorted guitars and all the songs I hoped they would play. I even caught them again at their supporting show the following Friday. Both shows were pretty fucking perfect and I can honestly say it was worth the wait.

Band To Watch - The Frowning Clouds

On a frosty eve this past winter, I was summoned by one of my trusted informants to check out a band that would surely blow my socks off. I'm often sceptical of bands that people say I will like, I often wonder if people know what music I actually do like. Every one's mate is in a band or their friend is doing sound for the 'next big thing'. Either way, I don't care. There are so many bands in Melbourne, it can often be difficult to wade through the array of mediocre acts to find something special. This was one of the few times someone wasn't talking out of their arse -- and then there was light, or at least a bunch of dudes playing instruments called The Frowning Clouds. It's been quite some time since a band got my attention quite like this.

These five Geelong lads wouldn’t surprise you if they were actually a Beatles cover band based on appearance -- haircuts and all. To quote Pavement, ‘But I don't care, I care, I really don't care, did you see the drummer's hair?’. I just dug the way they looked, maracas in hand and that's before they split the groove. The band do however stipulate that they do not do Beatles covers on their Myspace.
The first thing that came to mind when I first heard The Frowning Clouds was simply, London 1965. It's like you're taken back in time to a low-fi swinging sixties scene. Inhibitions at the door, twisting on the floor -- the music is immediately infectious. It's like you've heard it before but it's friendly not pretentious. Its attitude a sexy kitten with plenty of soul but not nearly intimidating.
So far I've recommended them to all my friends back home in the city of Sydney and friends are even traveling from the Central Coast to catch a taste of the ease and psychedelic beats of The Frowning Clouds.

I recommend you get to their nearest gig, maybe right now.
Click here for the lads Myspace for tour dates and tunes.

This week it's an IOU..

Still to come, Silversun Pickups reviews and Parklife.
It's been a long week of gigs and festivals, so please forgive a drunken blogger on her late entries.
Coming soon to a blog near you..