Any street cred this blog ever had is going to go out the window, because I am about to write about Regurgitator. That’s right, you read that correctly. Regurgitator. My non-Australian readers are probably scratching their heads right now, befuddled. If you don’t want to read about a rather popular 1990s Australian electronic rock band who sang about apathy, agoraphobia and video games, I give you leave to tune out. My Australian readers are probably scratching their heads in befuddlement for a different reason. Why would I want to write about Regurgitator?

Quite simply because I think they were one of the best bands in Australia in the 90s. Their music, in particular in the albums Unit and …Art was a sign of the times as much as the adolescent shrieks of Silverchair and the melodic, barely suppressed anger of the Whitlams. These three young nerds from Brisbane (and why is it that so much of the best Australian bands came out of Brisbane? I can’t for the life of me think of anything else to recommend the place) captured something essential about the experience of teenagers and twentysomethings in the Howard years.

Our esteemed former prime minister claimed when he came to power in 1996 that he wanted Australians to feel ‘relaxed and comfortable’, not angsty about our past and frightened about our future. The burning debates of his predecessor, Paul Keating, about reconciliation with the Stolen Generation of indigenous Australians, about Australia’s relationship with Asia, about the environment, about the importance of the arts and intellectual life in Australian culture, were swept under the rug, out of sight but certainly not out of mind. And people were not happy.

One of the big differences between my generation and previous generations (aside from Gen X, whose attitudes and tastes did much to shape the tastes of us Gen Y types, much as both generations would prefer to deny it) is that we reacted to unhappiness and dissatisfaction not with protest and action, but with despair, withdrawal and ennui. Not for nothing are we known as the ‘whatever’ generation. We certainly weren’t relaxed and comfortable – in many cases we were simmering with rage, but we preferred a quieter, less public, form of revolution. We retreated inside. And for the first time, we had the technology to help us.

Regurgitator tapped into all of this. They were, now that I think about it, one of the first bands to recognising the potential for the internet and video games to exacerbate depression and disconnect. Take the lyrics for the song ‘Virtual Life’, the final song on …Art. It’s about a television, but it might as well be about the internet:

I’ve got everything
That I could ever need
It’s under lock and key
Just survive all alone me and my screens

(I hasten to add that this is only one way the internet might affect you. For me, the internet has been nothing but a joy, a source of many fantastic new circles of friends and a place that has taught me so much.)

What about ‘Everyday Formula’ and ‘Black Bugs’, which riff on the same theme, but in relation to video games? Again we find this same emphasis on raising the drawbridge, dropping the portcullis and closing the curtains as a reaction to profound fear of, and disgust at, society:

I got killed by black bugs on my video game
And although to myself it doesn’t mean too much
I keep dying and dying over and over again
But I feel I’m alive so I’ll just pretend

People think that because Regurgitator’s music is full of cheesy electronic notes that wouldn’t be out of place in an old school video game, because they recorded an album in a plastic bubble in the middle of Federation Square and because they pepper their albums with silly, scatological songs, that they are incapable of being serious. But they’re deadly serious when they’re talking about the plastic, fakeness of celebrity and society, as in ‘Polyester Girl’, ‘Happiness’ and ‘Freshmint!. Right when they’re at their most humorous, they’re at their most cutting:

I love pointless effluent
It seems to love me
It’s sticking to my heart like polythene glue
Making everything seem so sweet

Big wide world of bitterness baby
Poisoning up this tongue
Giving this life its sweet respite
Let’s rip that packet of fun

Rotting my brain once again
It’s always the same and never ends (x2)

Love me lovely cathode-ray
Mother me in your glow
I’ll do anything you say
If you tell me I’ll never be alone

Touch me shiny magazine
Touch me way down there
I can’t help but imagining
That you really care

Powerful stuff.

Regurgitator’s appeal always lay in the fact that we knew they were a trio of basement-dwelling nerds. But they were basement-dwelling nerds with something to say, deeply worried about what was going on in society, able to sum up the fears, passivity and neuroses of a generation which had collectively decided that what was going on in the world outside was intolerable, unendurable, and impossible to change. They never spoke about our dreams, because how could such a generation possibly dream? They were deeply, deeply daggy, and revelled in their dagginess. How could one forget ‘The Song Formerly Known As’, a riot of rejection, door-closing and denial?

As the song progresses, the singer rejects parties (‘I don’t go to parties baby/ ‘Cos people tend to freak me out’), discos (‘Won’t see me down the disco mama/ Bright lights really hurt my eyes’), concerts (‘I don’t go to concerts baby/ The music’s always up too loud’) and raving (‘Won’t see me tribal raving/ Cos I won’t ever look that good/ Rather dance in ugly pants/ in the comfort of a loungeroom in surburbia’). It’s the petulant whine, ‘no, no, no, I don’t do that, I don’t do anything, everything is too scary, it’s too much, it’s unendurable’ dressed up as a rousing nerd anthem.

Or is it? ‘The Song Formerly Known As’ is also a nerdy chat up line. (‘Things don’t get no better/ better than you and me’, after all.) It’s a rejection of all the meaningless externalities that get in the way of real relationships. Let’s raise the drawbridge, drop the portcullis and shut the curtains against all those vacuous discos, concerts and parties and stay at home, rejecting the world together. Everything out there is meaningless. Whatever. I don’t go to parties, baby.

I leave you with the video clip for ‘The Song Formerly Known As’. Enjoy!

When asked who my favourite band is, I am pretty quick to answer.

Although I have dozens of ‘favourites’, when it comes down to it, there are 2 bands that have always  had a massive effect on me.

Back in high school, I joined the school band. Sure, I was playing the dorky trumpet, and then tuba, but the point was that music was a constant in my life. Even way back to primary school when my mum encouraged us (me and my sister)to play piano, music has always been around me. And although those piano lessons didn’t get me much further than the Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, it did teach me to read music and appreciate that music comes in many forms.

In the school band I was surrounded by young, but talented musicians. Through them I discovered music that I probably would not have otherwise. One album that fell into my lap in 1989 was from a relatively unknown band called Living Colour. The first song on that album was a little gem called ‘Cult of Personality’. What stood out for me initially was the musicianship in this song. You see, I don’t hear lyrics generally, I hear the music behind them. If someone asked me to recite the lyrics to a song I’d heard a dozen times I’d probably struggle, but get me to hum a few bars and I’d be fine.

Vernon Reid on Guitar, Will Calhoun on Drums, Muzz Skillings on Bass and the enigmatic Corey Glover on vocals. They are all massively talented, including Doug Wimbish, who replaced Skillings from the Stain album. Each album they’ve released has progressed on from what they were on the previous. I love listening to soulful songs on their first album, Vivid, and then banging the head to ‘Go Away’ on Stain. They are anything but predictable.

It’s one of their more chilled and probably most popular songs from their 2nd album, Time’s Up, that always does it for me. Love Rears Its Ugly Head ranks as one of my favourite songs, from my favourite band of all time. Now, please don’t confuse the original version of this song with the ‘Soul Power Remix’. I actually dislike the remix version. It does not do the song justice at all.

If you haven’t heard it, do yourself a favour right now.

Check out the original film clip (can’t embed) or the live version below.

The 2nd part of the answer to my favourite band, is this band. My favourite Australian band. Regurgitator.

Again, it may be an unusual choice, but bear with me. I have a lot of bands I enjoy listening to, but it’s those bands that continue to re-invent, evolve and release material that isn’t necessarily in your Top 40 that really leave their mark with me. Regurgitator have evolved from being a thrashy rock outfit from Brisbane to a newage/electro/funk/rock/pop band. How did that happen? And which category do they fit in?

Me & Quan from The Gurge

The biggest thing to happen to Regurgitator was the making of their 2nd album, Unit. This album should be remembered as one of the best Aussie albums of all time. Not only did it define the direction that Regurgitator were going, it went on to show what was possible for Aussie bands in using a mixture of electronics, rock and funk. And it’s so goddamn fun.

I really don’t know how to describe my love for Regurgitator, but it grew even more after their ‘Band in a Bubble‘ concept which saw them locked inside a glass house in the middle of Melbourne for 3 weeks. I addictively watched that shit on Channel 802 of Fox as much as I could. Quan, Ben and Pete are just so damn real. Not rock star, not ego-maniacs and not fussed at their own fame, or lack of. They just do what they do and they love it.

So, which song of theirs did I pick? It was not an easy job.  I was going to go for the first big hit, Blubber Boy, I was thinking about Everyday Formula. Even their thrasy Track 1 was a contender for pure bouncing rocky goodness.

But, no I went with a song that really has no name other than ! or The Song Formally Known As. It’s the song that epitomises Regurgitator. Quan’s quirky lyrics. Modded Bass Lines from Ben. Synthesised Poppy Rocky Perfection.

So, that’s 7 down. Only 3 to go, and only a few days to vote.

I think I’m gonna make it!

hmm…so ol’ skool that I even spell it correctly. Haha…anyway, the old school sounds that I’m talking about is the stuff I use to listen to in High School. Stuff like Regurgitator, Jebediah, Something For Kate, the Superjesus etc etc etc. Someone posted up an old ‘gurge video on facebook and it got me thinking and reminiscing about it all!

So, just for you cats, here’s a few youtube videos!

First off, it’s Harpoon by Jebediah. Something For Kate did a cover of this track and made it really dark! But you can get some of them later on! Harpoon came off their first album, Slightly Odway.

Next up is Something For Kate. I tried to find the track I was thinking of (I’m not good with names). So anyway, I ended up with two! The first is 3 Dimensions. Is a killer track. Great great great Australian pop music. You can check out all their stuff here.

The second is this gem, Monsters

Third band up is the always awesome Regurgitator. I remember buying their album Unit when I was probably 14. My mum had to be there when I bought it because they had an 18+ sticker on it. Felt so very cool that my mum let me buy it. Anyway, because I’m cool (or so I like to tell myself), I’ve got an old clip of their as well as an mp3 of one of my favourite tracks off Unit.

First off, their track, I Like Your Old Stuff Beter Than Your New Stuff

Second, the shortest track of their album. The song is called 1234 and it goes for a massive 52 seconds. Is crazy fast punk, the way it’s meant to be.

Regurgitator – 1234

The Superjesus were seriously cool. I got into their second album – I still have it! But to start off with, here’s one of their first singles, Down Again, off the album Sumo. This was recorded live at the 1998 ARIA awards!!

Anyway, onto their second album Jet Age. One of my faves is the single Gravity. And, you know it, it’s down below just for you.

The Superjesus – Gravity

Finally, one of my definate favourites from the late 90’s. I love Grinspoon. They were the best hard rocking, drug taking, generally messed up and constantly pissed bands of the day! First up from them is the video for their track Black Friday.

Second up is their track Just Ace off their debut album, Guide To Better Living. This was THE TRACK for me for quite some time. I thought Phil Jamieson was just simply the epitome of cool. Haha…anyway, here it is, just for you

Grinspoon – Just Ace

So yeah, that’s about it! Long post, i know, but there was just too much great great stuff from that era. The bands i’ve mentioned are the ones that have stuck in my mind. Probably some indication that they’re good I reckon!

K. That’ll do the ramble for now.

original image by Miss Loisy

Greetings Shirleyphiles and welcome to another 40 minutes or so of low-fi lovliness!

Oh the world seems to be going to Hell in a handbasket doesn’t it? Honestly, there’s just so much “fiscal stimulus” one can bear, don’t you agree? So how are yours truly and her manservant coping with the current global climate of chaos and turmoil?

Well, I’ve been behaving like a classic 50’s hausfrau: tearing through my own little Valley of the Dolls wearing a taffeta gown, shot silk throw, sporting frilly aprons whenever the fancy takes me and washing down fistfuls of candy that’d make Susan Hayward proud and Patty Duke Astin choke! mr.Kenneth on the other hand has been his usual flatline self : sensible shoes, three meals a day and positively Yin to my Yang. How we’ve co-existed so long, is a complete mystery!

So this episode is a little inside take on what I’ve been indulging in : a confessional of sorts, without the broom cupboard drama, detailing just a few of the favourite things which have been helping me wake up to the day, put one foot after the other and then lay the head back down on the pillow or plonk it forehead first into the oven. But no, this never happens on a Sunday! Only a few of my wicked wicked ways are name checked here. If I named everything which puts the tiger in my tank, the zazz in my piz or the wind up my kaftan, then we’d end up with show called “Shirley’s Ring Cycle” wouldn’t we? I mean, in these tough times, there are just far too many indulgences to mention!

mr.Kenneth has been a patient love as usual, risen to the ocassion and helped me select this soundtrack to the current shape I’m in. Yes Shirleyphiles, its messy. Yes, its all over the shop but we love it that way. Opening up this aural cabinet of curiousities are the Rolling Stones followed by The Champs, Regurgitator, Brenda Lee, Flying Lizards, Vincent Price, Sailor, Fischer-Z, Dean Martin, Kevin Ayers, The Pineapples From The Dawn of Time, Queens of the Stone Age, Terri “Cupcake” O’Mason and if that last track doesn’t get you doing the “Vitamin Mambo” then the fabulous B-52’s are bound to!

So Shirleyphiles, like the 52’s, gather together whatever deviant ingredients you have on hand, head on down that Martini mile and elevate yourselves to a very fine state of mind with mr.K and moi!

Until next time, take Absolut care and remember … play fair

*be smooched*
laShirl and mr.Kenneth

DOWNLOAD .mp3 (14mb) | STREAM via realplayer.

If you need the player, download here

We have had some very fun nights out in Hanoi and have found some local places to chill in the evenings as well as play Jenga – they seem to have it everywhere here. The Police are very strict about drinking after 12 in Vietnam. Most places close down or shut their doors before then so we have not had many late nights. There is a lot of corruption among the police and military – bribery and other things that I am sure we do not even know go on. It’s when you see things like that you realise you are in a very controlled socialist country.

We went to see the band Regurgitator [attractive name] a few days ago which was so awesome but really random that they came to Vietnam! They are an Aussie band and they are actually really good (not implying that Aussie music isn’t) It was just a strange experience to have in Vietnam because it was like being at a festival at home. It was basically a mini festival from 5 until 10 at night. It was outside, they had festival food and there was (of course) loads of Australians there. We could have been in Australia or even England (apart from the heat.) The music was great and their was lots of ‘moshing’. I crowd surfed too! A few of us did. It was very cool and I landed on my feet.

Seth, the other volunteer teacher at our school, has left because he became frustrated with the situation (they mess us about quite a bit.) Glen and Craig are going to take his place at the school, and be paid as much as me and em earn in a month in two nights work! (But never mind.) At least we have some extra help at the school and will be cool teaching with people we know. We met up with Seth today to talk about it, he’s a really nice guy and is going to cook us mac and cheese to apologise for leaving us behind. Hopefully the school will realise that they should treat us better now.

When the Meredith festival lineup was revealed, their were a few names I had no idea about. Sure MGMT, Saul Williams, Holy Fuck, and festival sluts Little Red, Muscles and Regurgitator were all announced, but their was one headliner named who I had no idea about. That was Ten East. 

Meredith Festival is always great at bringing out indie bands that fly way under the radar and it’s great to see a few I was keen to look up. Ten East caught my attention and boy am I glad they did.

Ten East started out in the mid ‘00s as a semi-improvised outfit and an excuse for old friends to get together, jam it out and put some tunes to tape. With a range of artists from Fu Manchu, Kyuss, Brant Bjork, Black Flag all joining in this rotating roster you know that you should stand up and take notice already. Guided by lead songwriter Gary Arce, these guys are the band Cheech and Chong would listen to, and should be the soundtrack to your next bong session. 

They are described by the themselves as “Black Sabbath goes surfing”, the album needs repeated listenings with each track having a mountain of layered guitars, guitar solo’s and guitar shredding.

Buy ”Robot’s Guide to Freedom” it will blow your mind, literally.

Well amost literally…

Some people thought that last year’s blockbuster lineup of Paul Kelly, The Waifs, and NZ wunderkid Scribe couldn’t be bettered, but Stonefest has done it again with the freshest, most exciting, most rad-a-rama lineup ever!

First up, those rockin’ young rebels Grinspoon prove to us that tight jeans and wild haircuts are still ‘in vogue’! Then the amazing talents of what no one calls ‘the biggest band in the universe’, The Dandy Warhols, all the way from the USA! With their new single “This Heart Attack”, Faker plan to set the world on fire! Let’s just hope the rest of their album is as single worthy as this or else they’ll have to push that single for 10 months and hope no one notices. Not that it matters because people will buy it nonetheless I’m sure!

Brisbane’s red cordial fiends, The Grates, are here as well! If you like bubblegum and kids parties, then this is for you! Yet another young upstart act is coming to Stonefest 2008 with Regurgitator planning to hit up Canberra. Kung Foo Sing your way to the front for these guys as they bring the hippest beats, and the hoppest rock to this side of Belcompton! Alan Braxe is coming!!! One half of the group Stardust (greatest hits album out any week now), expect to hear the 1998 classic ‘Music Sounds Better With You’ and relive your Year 7 social all over again!!

/sarcasm.

Seriously though, is this 1998? Really? Last year had The Mint Chicks. The fucking awesomeness that is MINT CHICKS, and we get this? God dammit! What a step down, and last year wasn’t that good at all… At least The Bumblebeez will be there. If they play ‘Step Back’, I’ll hastily lose my shit.

Please, festival bookers, I know you need to sell tickets, but please think about booking some awesome and electric younger live acts. Case in point: Something With Numbers @ BDO 2007. Stupidest pit I’ve ever seen, and I was in the stands, thank Christ.

10 seconds in, someone gets hammered. Crazy days and/or ‘When Bogans Attack!’

Anyways, here’s the lineup, get excited or don’t.

GRINSPOON, THE DANDY WARHOLS,
FAKER, THE GRATES, REGURGITATOR,
ALAN BRAXE, BUMBLEBEEZ,
THE DRONES, BLUE KING BROWN, DEXTER, KORA, SPRUCE LEE, TZU, FOURTHSTATE, SNOBSCRILLA,
TWO TERRORBLE TABLISTS,
ASHLEIGH MANNIX

DEVO are coming to Adelaide!

And they’re being supported by Regurgitator!

Oh God, I am so excited.

They’re playing Thebarton Theatre on Monday, August 4. Tickets go on sale Thursday, June 12 from Venuetix.

This is going to be the best show EVER!

A few years ago, some friends and I travelled up to Sydney to catch the Sleater-Kinney concert. The ladies were out for what would essentially be their farewell tour, and there was no way we were going to miss checking them at their side show – they were also on the Big Day Out bill, but who wants a shortened set?

Anyway, that concert was as great as it should have been, packed on in to the Gaelic Club, but after that, a friend of mine suggested we head on down to Purple Sneakers, a popular indie night nearby Sydney Uni and UTS. Sneakers was a blast. Touring bands got to play dj sets (I think I saw Broken Social Scene spin there once, though I cant be too sure, and the night that Quan from Regurgitator played still rates as one of the best of my life). But, kind of exactly like my experience with the band that sang the song the night is named after, it was easy to both overload whilst simultaniously drift apart from the connection I felt with the regular Friday night dance party. For me, the crowd kept getting younger, and the music kept, more and more accomodating that. Now, far be it from me to tell people what they should or shouldn’t like, but it was beginning to become very rare to hear some ‘actual’ indie at the now Presets, MSTRKRFT and Teenager dominated Sneakers. So essentially we stopped going.

I arrived relatively early for their third birthday – seeing a disappointed ‘older type’ get told he wasn’t on the door list, only to then be saved by the founder of Sneakers, PhDJ, come, shake his hand, and usher him inside, much to the chagrin of the door girl who had failed to find his name on her list. She found mine ok, and overhearing that there was both Wons Freely playing upstairs a bit later, as well as Guitar Hero in the VIP, I headed straight up there.

VIP sections to me are always amusing. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an important person in one in my entire time of being invited to them, and certainly the ones making the most noise aren’t them. Two girls on the couches looked me up and down and decided I was no threat to their men (or something), and promptly ignored me. I sucked on a cigarette, eavesdropping on their phone conversations. Blondie was a bit drunk already, and I pegged her as about 20 years old, but definitely the one that was revelling in being upstairs.

“Oh, we will be down there in a bit, you should see if you can get up here but”

she demanded over the phone to whoever it was she had rung to brag about being in the VIP. Her little friend wanted to go downstairs, Blondie screwing her face at the thought of breaking the magic that an exclusive section should give. Her friend persisted for good reason though – there was no bar in the VIP, and to even deal with the banality of this section, we needed more drinks.

Indeed. I left before they could get their act together, going downstairs and grabbing a beer. And seeing the devastating impact Kevin Rudd’s new taxes on alcopops wreaked through busy bars like this one – the poor bar staff, run off their feet making mixed drinks, now that cruisers are up to $9.50 a pop. Mr Rudd should be made aware that at no point did the new taxes curb under-age binge drinking in my experience last Friday – it just made lines longer.

Don’t get me wrong – there were a lot of under-age people there. Id put it as high as 30% possibly. I met several. I was first alerted to this by a boy trying to hit on me, in a manner I had forgotten existed when I left school, so I replied with the old “Ah what school do you go to?” line from back then, and then he answered. “Year 12 huh?”

“Uh, yeah. Where do you go?”

I don’t, any more.

I took time out from interrogating little ones to dance for a while. Gosh I love that “Ruby” track by The Kaiser Chiefs, and I’m really happy it seemed to crop up once ever second set, as well as hear someone belt it out on Guitar Hero on on of my escapes back to the VIP couches. Chris Taylor from The Chaser was standing behind the decks with a massive smile on his face, I think letting most of the work be done by one of his friends, but “9 to 5″ by Dolly Parton is dance floor gold no matter where you are or who you ripped the idea from. so 10 more awesome points to you Chris. Jane Gazzo played a killer set too (actually, i don’t know if it was her – i couldn’t see, and didn’t look, but thats who it was listed as and I’m running with it). Wons Phreely is a pretty singer songwriter, who made me fall in love with one of his songs, that turns out not to be on the CD I acquired a day later. His CD is still kind of good though. All night, I was singing along, having a dance, and hearing heaps of my favourite songs played loudly. And with the constant reminder that even if the music was going astray, someone soon enough would drop some Kaiser Chiefs, it was all ok.

Despite my cynicism going in, the guests played awesome Sneakers sets, and by the time the regulars were stepping up, I was ready to step out. I slipped home, boozed but happy. I’ll go back in a year.

I’m back in Sydney and jumping back into the live music scene with the Essential Festival that was held on ANZAC Day at the Gaelic Club this weekend.

Embarrassingly I’m not a huge fan of Aussie homegrown music, with most of my obsessions targeted towards international acts. I was only keen to cover this gig because of Ratatat, who are an amazing band from New York, but was pleasantly surprised and blown away by the quality of the Aussie bands preceding them.

Despite not having many punters around due to their early set time, the Paper Scissors were full of energy and fun catchy pop songs.

Grafton Primary were also great danceable fun but Bluejuice absolutely stole the show with raw energy and amazing onstage presence. Bluejuice, you have a new fan – I LOVE YOU GUYS.

Ratatat were also great, but to my annoyance their lighting show consisted of killing the stage lights and playing some random projector display in the background. I didn’t have a flash on me so after a few minutes of trying to get a decent shot, I realised there was no point and closed my eyes and enjoyed the music instead.

The headliners were Regurgitator but I didn’t stick around long for them – they’ve got some ace songs up their sleeves but I’ve never been a fan of their onstage act and the surprisingly rough crowd they attract.

All in all, Essential Festival was a good night of great Aussie acts. And if you haven’t checked out Bluejuice live yet, do yourself a favour and buy yourself a ticket. They’re incredible!

To check out more photos from the Essential Festival click here.

Post dedicated to Sean B.

Beastie Boys – Check Your Head

Mixing rap with rock and/or funk can lead to disaster. In this case, however, it leads to fucking brilliance. Fuzzy bass that will melt your head, dirty loops that wouldn’t be made into sounds by anyone else, great instrumental work, and distorted raps with the typical beastie charm. This is alternative music.

 Jane’s Addiction – Ritual De Lo Habitual

Perry Farrell and Dave Navarro before they turned into douche-bags. Where did all that creativity go? This album showcases astounding alt-rock songwriting and tight yet frenetic performances.

 Blur – Modern Life Is Rubbish

Better than ‘Parklife’. The best britpop album in my mind. Gritty and depressing pop music.

Weezer – Pinkerton

They got sledged by moving from the lovable pop-punk of their debut to more serious and emotional ground, but time has shown Pinkerton to be a mature and emotionally deep masterpiece (and with all the pop sensibilities that made them a name).

Beck – Odelay

The lyrics may be self-admittedly mostly nonsensical, but that odd-ball charm and left field production by The Dust Brothers (who also pulled off one of the 80s masterpieces, Beastie Boys’ Paul’s Boutique) made him one of the anti-heroes of the 90s. And for good reason.

DJ Shadow – Endtroducing…

And what an endtroduction.. erm, introduction it was. You can get lost in this trip-hop epiphany forever. Proof sampling can be a deep and intricate musical artform.

Regurgitator – Tu-Plang

The greatest Australian alternative album of the 90s. This saved me from bad music.

Air – Moon Safari

Poppy yet ambient, cheesy yet endearing, electronic yet instrumental. Like any good moon safari should be.

The Flaming Lips – The Soft Bulletin

Marks the point where The Flaming Lips went from being good to being untouchable. Brian Wilson would be proud of this. Dreamy and grandiose yet kitchen-sink in its recording and entirely unpretentious.

 eels – Electro-Shock Blues

Last but definitely not least. Incredibly dark and haunting pop music dealing with his sisters suicide, diseased alcoholic father, cancerous mother, and much more. Startlingly honest, confrontingly cold, amazingly endearing, and still manages to finish on a positive note. An utter masterpiece.

Australia Day long weekends rock.

Part 1 – Big Day Out 2008 – Sydney

Part 2 – Triple J’s Hottest 100 Countdown and trip to the Domain for the live broadcast

Part 3- 1st Best Picture Film seen and reviewed – Atonement

Part 1 – The Big Day Out 2008 – Sydney

A lot of planning is required for the Big Day Out.

What to take? What time to get there? How to get there? Which bands to see? Where to meet if we get lost?

Firstly, you take as little as possible.

My mate’s theory was, all you need is your drivers license, money, sunscreen and life savers.

I opted for Fruit Tingles.

We drove there, as I have done this the last 2 years and found that the $15 parking is worth it when you can just leave whenever you want and there is not much traffic.

Stupid me, I forgot to get money out before hand and I only had $50. There were announcements saying that there was only 1 ATM inside the BDO, so we looked at the ATM line outside and decided that waiting an hour for money was not worth it.

We handed over our beloved tickets (the almost lost tickets) and went through the Express ‘no bags’ line and we were in. There’s a great atmosphere in the air. It’s the festival atmosphere that you only get at a music festival.

The first thing we see when we get in? TWO ATM’s with hardly any people lined up. So I get some cash out in less than 5 minutes and we head to the Alcohol Arm-band tent. About 5 more minutes of lining up for the arm-band and then about 30 seconds for a beer and we were in, cashed up, arm-banded and downing a Tooheys Extra Day, all within about 15 minutes. It was 11.10am.

Time for some MUSIC!

The main stage timings had all changed because of the absence of Bjork. I heard about this in the car on the way to Sydney the previous afternoon, (and of course notified Bjork’s biggest supporter, Enny) and although I was a bit disappointed, I wasn’t about to get a refund. Mind you, if Rage Against The Machine had cancelled, I probably would taken my money and run.

Firstly we poked around the site getting the lay of the land. Checked out the Hot House, the main arena and then the Green and Essential stages. By this stage, British India were just starting up and we had a good listen to them. I really liked them, although some of their music got a little samey by the end. They are a good rocky band, but I forsee them going the way of Eskimo Joe and Kisschasy by heading down the mainstream track (not that there’s anything wrong with that).

I mentioned that I wouldn’t mind checking out the crowd reaction to Operator Please at the main Blue Stage. I had seen them only a few months earlier, so didn’t necessarily want to see their whole set. The crowd seemed to be going off to them as they started and they played one my favourite songs (Get what you want) while we watched, so that was cool. They are such a fun band.

We strolled our way back to the Essential stage as British India finished their set and found ourselves in front of Cut Off Your Hands. Wow. Fantastic sound. The speakers at these smaller stages were awesome. Really clear and really powerful. This Kiwi band went off. They have been making waves in the USA lately and the antics of the lead singer who loves to run about and climb on things has been widely reported. He did, unfortunately, break his ankle during some of these antics and was a little less energetic today, but there are reports they will be doing a live show in Canberra soon. Best so far!

Cut Off Your Hands – Lead singer cutting loose

Next band on the Green stage (next to the Essential Stage) was Josh Pyke. He was one of my favourite artists of 2007, so I wanted to see how he went at the BDO. There was a huge crowd there for him and we listened to him playing a few of his crooning, soulful tracks (including my favourite, Lines on Palms). Although the sound was again clear and loud, I felt that his backing band were a little too loud and perhaps he is better suited for a smaller gig inside than an outdoor stage. Never-the-less, he was still very good and after hearing about 5 tracks we headed on our way somewhere else.

Josh Pyke not really cutting loose…

My mate I went with was pretty much happy to go wherever, and didn’t have any preferences for bands, so I was pretty much dictating the order of events. I had used my little guide (thanks to Enny) to highlight the bands I wanted to see. Next on the agenda was Faker. They have really hit the airwaves hard with their latest album in the last 6 months, and the fact they were on the big Blue Stage and had 10 foot high letters spelling FAKER on the stage was testament to that. They rolled out a number of their hits on stage, but judging by the people around me, it seemed that This Heart Attack was the one they were waiting for. (as voted for in the Hottest 100 by me) Unfortunately, both my mate and I were getting a little bored of them and the action on stage just wasn’t keeping our attention, so we left before they even got to their big single which was presumably their finale.

Faker and their big letters

We left the arena and after I ate a dodgy kebab (with Chilli) and soaked in some sun for a but we headed over to the Boiler Room. Now, this place is enormous. If you haven’t been there, imagine an aeroplane hangar and then triple it. It’s high, long and fits a crap load of sweaty, young tripped out punters. I was talking up the fact that Funktrust were going to doing some ‘Cock Rock’ tributes in their DJ set on stage (as they said on JJJ the night before). Of course, there was no such luck as we watched them for about 20 minutes and got constant DJ Rave beats. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but we were very sober, very un-drug-fucked and with nothing to watch on stage other than 1 portly and 1 skinny DJ waving their hands in the air (like they just don’t care), we decided to go for a walk and come back for Dizzee Rascal that I had lots of wraps on. On the way we saw Regurgitator first couple of songs. I felt a little unloyal to my favourite Aussie band, as I was wearing their T-Shirt, but wasn’t in the mosh. I justified it however with the fact I have seen them about 6 times before and there were other artists to see.

The Main Arena – Big Day Out 2008

I love a couple of Dizzee Rascal songs that I have heard, especially new single, Flex. I had read that he was very good live. Unfortuantely after we went for a walk during Funktrust and then came back, the Boiler Room population had just about exploded and we were relegated to standing behind the sound desk to the left, when before we had a nice position in front of the stage. Dizzee came on and played a few tracks, repeatedly telling us how he was going ‘Old School’. He even stopped a track mid way and told the crowd to stop pushing. Not that we could tell as we were about 50 metres away. I realised that although I wanted to hear Flex, I didn’t really feel like listening to any other songs, so we wandered back outside where some rain had been falling to cool things down. This might have also been the reason the Boiler Room was so full. It’s pretty much the only venue that is undercover.

We walked out, and all I wanted to do was see The Gurge again. So, we headed back to the main arena and into the ‘D’ to watch the last couple of songs of their set. So – Freaking – Good. I still love them, no matter what they do. They were all decked out in white and for their last song, Song Formally Known as.., 2 girls came out in bridal dresses to rock on down. One of them was of course Yumi, from Channel V, who is also Ben Ely’s (the Gurge Bass Player’s) girlfriend. I was a bit disappointed that I hadn’t seen their whole set, but I know that I will see them again when they’re back in Canberra.

The Gurge are so good live. White and all!

On the other stage in the main arena was now Midnight Juggernauts. They area another one of those bands that has come out of nowhere for me and became one of my favourites for 2007. I was impressed by their large banner on stage, but was unfortunately less than impressed by their sound. They played some of my favourite songs, (Road to Recovery, Ending of an Era, Dystopia), but I just found it hard to get into them. I really wasn’t drunk enough obviously. I also noticed my mate was getting decidedly bored and wasn’t really into them (he was in the US for the last 5 years or so and didn’t know most of the Aussie acts that were there). So we moved out of the ‘D’ and back into the fray.

The Midnight Juggernauts and their big banner

It was now about 4.30pm and we knew that we’d have to start thinking about our tactics to get into the ‘D’ for the final acts, most importantly, Rage Against The Machine. The D is the very front section that spreads across both main stages and can only be entered via a funnel-like entrance at the middle of the round bit of the ‘D’. There are no toilets in the ‘D’. No Alcohol Allowed either. So, it’s impossible to stay in the D all day, unless you decide to pee in a bottle or pour grog into a water bottle and take it in. (with both options being utilised by many people).

From experience, I knew that the squeeze to get into the ‘D’ starts early, and it’s a long wait for the ‘red’ and ‘green’ lights that control the flow of entry. As my mate and I listened to the end of Spoon (Sounded ok) and then the start of The Nightwatchman (Tom Morello’s band), we felt the tension and anticipation of RATM rising. Even as Tom Morello sang his own raspy political version of Dirty Deeds by AC/DC, we were concentrating on the job to come…

Surviving in the ‘D’ for the last 5 hours of the day.

As 5.30 rolled around and with our bladders drained, we headed into the main arena and into the queue that was the ‘D’ entry. What followed was 1 hour of the most enormous crush you will ever experience. Imagine hundreds of people pushing their way towards an entry the length of a car. It was intense. The years before could not prepare me for the effort it took to make out way 10 metres from where we entered the queue to where we made it into the ‘D’. Girls were getting crushed (or faking it so they could get passed over the barrier into the ‘D’), guys were pushing from behind. Sweat was being transferred between all parties and as Grinspoon and then The Hilltop Hoods tore up the main stages. I couldn’t watch at all as I was squished in this human sardine experiment. Finally, at around 6.30pm we made it in. The relief to entering the ‘D’ was amazing. The desperation to get in was huge. Just as we got in, a guy jumped over the fence and was immediately tackled by security staff. His ‘Big Day’ was over.

So, we were in. We stepped over the people sitting down in the crowd to get a good position near the front. The Hilltop Hoods were still playing on the other stage and sounded great. I have wanted to see them for ages, but there are things you have to sacrifice to get a good position for the bands you want to see. I was now in front of the stage that was going to have Zach running around on it in a matter of hours.

The view over to Hilltop Hoods from in front of RATM

But first, we had Silverchair to watch. Now, I went to the Powderfinger/Silverchair double-header earlier in the year and I had big wraps on Silverchair’s show. I thought they outplayed Powderfinger and gave the crowd a fantastic show. Today, was a different kettle of fish. Most of the crowd were there to watch Rage. They, like me, were in position solely to see them. Silverchair was just something to fill the time until then.

It’s kind of unfortunate for the ‘chair’ fans and for the band that they had to endure the rubbish that was thrown at them during their set. Bottle of ‘yellow’ liquid were thrown towards Daniel Johns, and a guy standing right behind me threw his shoes at him. He was then threatened with a punch in the head from other people around us after doing this. The show itself was good. They are a talented band, no doubt. But why does Daniel Johns have to be such a fucktard? His constant “Scream for me one time, two times, three times” bullshit was just getting on everyone’s nerves. His weird gospel accent was also stupid and his little hands wave things when strumming. I just think that their performance was probably not appreciated as much as it could have been, but if you were a big fan you would have seen their show the ‘Across the Great Divide’ tour anyway.

While the urine filled bottles were cleaned off the stage and a cloak was cast over it, the Arcade Fire launched into their big, multi-instrumental, extravaganza on the other stage. It was, however, very hard to enjoy the show from where I was standing, or more accurately, where I was getting pushed back and forth in every direction. The mosh had started already in front of the Rage stage, but the band was still over an hour from appearing! For some Silverchair fans it was too much. How to escape the crush when there is a wall of people behind you? The crush eased off after about 15 minutes and then it was just time to wait while we listened to the cacophony of sounds coming from the left of us. From what I heard and saw it looked to be a pretty amazing show. I like some of their songs, but don’t know stuff from their first album. They are just a little bit overly fancy and grand I reckon, but it was a good soundtrack while we waited.

Waiting…waiting. Some of the people just waiting to crush..

And waited…and waited…and waited.. That hour was sooo slow as we peered onto the stage waiting for them to come out. Rain threatened, but hardly anything fell that could have cooled off the sweaty crowd. The Lords Of Lightning did their electricity dance to our left, but still we waited.

I had been waiting almost half my life to see them, I realised as I was standing there. It has been 15 years since I first heard the distinctive chords at the start of ‘Killing in the Name‘. I also clearly remember the first time I ever listened to the whole debut album. I was on a bus heading to Orange for an eisteddfod in the orchestra I used to play in. I was listening to it on my mates walkman, and I remember how amazing it sounded. The guitars, the riffs, the singing. They were all so original and like nothing I had ever heard before.

Finally. They came out. The crowd pulsed and tensed with excitement. They belted into Testify and everyone erupted. It was easily the most intense mosh I have ever been in. I wish I was 10 years younger so I could have survived and jumped along with a much energy as everyone younger than me. Bulls on Parade came next and the crowd was alive. It flowed from left to right, forward and back. People fell over, but they were being pulled up and they continued to mosh. After watching others fall and helping then up, I was the one to go down. I was on my arse as the mosh collapsed and my legs just wouldn’t work. I tried to stand up as people tried to grab me (and the 10 other people that went down), and eventually I found the ground and the energy to push myself up and get back into it.

But that was enough for me. I had to retreat. I hate to admit it, but it was at the point where the struggle to survive in the pit was overriding the ability to see the band. I made my way backwards, which was almost as hard as going forwards, as the band rolled into People of the Sun. I reached the back and realised that it was just as packed back there as it was at the front. People were moshing in the section between the D and the back part. It was chaos! There was no way I was exiting the ‘D’ that I’d worked so hard to get into, so I ploughed my way back in again until I was positioned midway back in the ‘D’, directly in front. I watched the rest of the amazing performance from here.

They played all the hits.

Testify
Bulls on Parade
People of the Sun
Bombtrack
Vietnow
Bullet In The Head
Know Your Enemy
Renegades of Funk
Guerilla Radio
Calm Like A Bomb
Sleep Now In The Fire
War Within A Breath

— Encore
Freedom
Killing In The Name

I am sure they slowed down Bombtrack to try and calm the crowd down, and Renegades of Funk was also one that gave the crowd a breather. The highlights were Bullet in The Head, Know Your Enemy and Freedom. 3 of my favourite songs. During Freedom, there were 2 ‘circles of death’ around me. One behind and one in front. While the music surrounded me I dove in and moshed my little butt off. It was a frigging dream come true to see these guys and I was going to make the most of it.

Zach really seemed to be having fun as well. He often had a smile on his face as he watched the crowd and was enjoying seeing everyone bounce. I can’t imagine the feeling he’d have watching 40,000 people watching him, but I think I’d have a smile on my face as well.

When finally “Fuck You I Won’t Do What You Tell Me” echoed around the arena, the crowd was spent. The lights came on, and the sweaty, half-naked, moshed out youth made their way from the Showgrounds.

It was all worth it.

The staying up till 3am to get tickets ; The panic of almost losing the tickets ; The sweaty shirtless bogans rubbing against me ; The hour long squeeze to get into the ‘D’ ; The Silverchair and Arcade Fire build-ups and the crazy mosh.

It’s what loving a band is all about. That live music experience and everything that comes with it.

We decided after Rage that no other band was going to be worth seeing, even though Paul Kelly was chilling it on the Green stage and Carl Cox was pumping it in the Boiler Room. We jumped in the Odyssey and drove back to the city. In 30 minutes we were home. My shirt was saturated with my and others’ sweat. My in-grown toenail was a bloody mess and was killing me in the mosh pit everytime someone STOMPED THE SHIT out of it. Or so it felt.

So The Big Day Out was done and dusted for another year.

Will I make it 4 in a row next year? I think I am now at the point where I would consider going to other festivals if the line-up is better. There is so much competition from other festivals now that the best bands are spread around all of them instead of the BDO snagging the best of them. I would like to go in 2009, but if the line-up is no good I might skip it. Here’s hoping Metallica make it over for next year, because then I would definitely go!

Phew. Was that long enough for you?

Did any of you make it all the way through?

Tomorrow is my review of the Hottest 100 and the songs that made it and songs that didn’t.

ROCK ON!

I did it in 2004.

I did it in 2005.

What happened to 2006? I was so slack.

Not to worry. It’s time for Micks’ Top 5 Albums of 2007!

I have relished being back in the country and listening to all of the new stuff that has come out this year.

So many good song, artists and albums, proven by the list of nominations for the J Award post.

But there can be only 5, so with no further ado and in no particular order, here are Mick’s Top 5 Albums of 2007:

Regurgitator – Love & Paranoia
I am unable to hide my love for this band. Any new album they release become an instant favourite and this one was no different. They push the boundaries, they make it fun and they make you dance like no other. The inclusion of a female voice (and keyboardist) on this album gave it that something extra that made it even more refreshing to see The Gurge kicking on in 2007

Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace
It’s rare for a band to produce hit after hit after hit, but the Fooeys can do just that. I seriously can not think of one Foo Fighters song that I dislike. This album seriously blows any other Rock album out of the water. ‘The Pretender’ is easily one of my songs of the year and the texture of the album works from start to finish. Can’t wait to see them perform this live in May and already can’t wait for their next release.

Midnight Juggernauts – Dystopia
The ‘Juggers’ have taken Australia by storm and soon, the world. I like to call it ‘Cosmic Dance’. They have a great feel to their music as it is melodic, rhythmic but also able to put you in a trance. I forget that they are Australian sometimes because it sounds like something you’d hear from The Chemical Brothers or Mody. They are ours and deserve all the international accolades they get.

Klaxons – Myths of the Near Future
When Triple J started playing Golden Skans earlier this year I thought, “Who the Hell are Klaxons?”. I’m sure lots of others thought the same thing. They have produced this cracker of a little album, that not only scored them the coveted Mercury Music Prize in the UK, but also a sell out tour of Australia, (plus a broken leg for the lead singer). Here’s hoping they manage to follow-up this album with something equally as fun, but I can tell you first hand they are a talented bunch when they put themselves to it and well worth listening to.

Josh Pyke – Memories & Dust
It started with the cute, almost novelty like, ‘Middle of the Hill’ in 2006, but Josh Pyke is so much more than a novelty. This album is tender, exquisite, full of love and fun. It has easily had the most plays in my iTunes out of any album in 2007. That doesn’t mean it’s necessarily my favourite, but it means that I have been in the mood to listen to Josh more than any other band in this list. Why? Because he speaks to me and in the end that is one of the biggest talents a singer/songwriter can have.

——–

There we have it. It was a bloody hard choice, but these 5 definitely stand out for me this year. I thought about doing 10 this year. I have included The Editors, Kaiser Chiefs, John Butler Trio and The Shins. There were so many good albums!

What are yours?

Finally, the 2nd lot of bands have been announced for the 2008 Big Day Out.

They are:

silverchair, Spoon, Augie March, Brand New, Regurgitator, Anti-Flag, Karnivool, Carl Cox, Pnau, Kate Nash, Josh Pyke, beXta, Shy Child, Gyroscope, Enter Shikari, Operator Please, Unkle (live), Goodwill, Krafty Kuts & MC Dynamite, Die! Die! Die!, The Nightwatchman (Tom Morello acoustic),Blue King Brown, Dr Octagon with Kutmaster Kurt, British India, Aceyalone, Krill

It’s an interesting list. Lots of Oz on it, which is good to see. (seeing as though I am missing Homebake)

Of course I am ecstatic about the Gurge playing there again. Even though I saw them a couple of months ago, I’d love to see them in a festival atmosphere.

Pleased to see Operator Please included. They are my “Next Big Thing” band and I’d like to see them play their album live.

I’m also excited about Karnivool, beXta, Pnau, Gyroscope, The Nightwatchman and British India. Soooo many bands. Only one day!

I will have to do my research with Dougall (my BDO buddy) before going to work out who we are going to fit in.

Oh, and the inclusion of silverchair? It’s a little pointless seeing as though they finished a HUGE tour of oz anyway.

I see the main stages looking like this for the end of the night:

Orange Stage:

4.00 – 5.00 – Hilltop Hoods

6.00 – 7.00 – Arcade Fire

8.00 – 9.00 – Bjork

Blue Stage:

5.00 – 6.00 – Grinspoon

7.00 – 8.00 – silverchair

9.00 – 10.00 – Rage Against The Machine

It will be HUGE!

Regurgitator seem to be back on track (despite the title) with a sound reminiscent of their Unit album here. They really do deserve more recognition outside of Australia (I loved Polyester Girl , ! (The song formerly known as), Everyday formula and all of Unit way back when).

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I look a little worse for wear.

My shirt was dripping with sweat.

Quan looks cool as can be.

He’s a freaking legend.

The Gurge rock my world.

This gig just about topped it for me. Great feel. Great crowd. Just so awesomely fun.

They played about 5 of their new songs and they all seemed to go off well with the crowd.

There are some bands that you can tell, just do it for the fun.

The Gurge always seem to be having fun on stage.

Quan and Seja did an excellent version of “Romance of the Damned”.

Gah. I could gush all day. I want to go and see them at other places on their tour!

If you can. Check them out. You will never be disappointed at a Gurge gig.

New South Wales

The Metro Theatre – 6th of October
Sodens Hotel – 10th of October
The Great Northern – 19th of October
Bar On The Hill, Newcastle Uni – 1st of November
Fitzroy Hotel – 2nd of November
Manly Fisho’s – 3rd of November

Victoria

Peninsula Lounge – 11th of October
Corner Hotel – 12th of October

South Australia

Night Train – 13th of October

Queensland

Southport RSL – 18th of October
The Sands Tavern – 20th of October
The Met – 21st of October
Seven Niteclub – 24th of October
Leichardt Hotel – 25th of October
McGuires – 26th of October
Bombay Rock – 27th of October
Brothers Leagues Club – 28th of October

Tasmania

Siroccos Bar and Nightclub – 9th of November
Batman Fawkner Inn – 10th of November

Western Australia

Indie Bar – 13th of November
The Foundry – 14th of November
Odessy – 15th of November
The Dunsborough -16th of November
Amplifier Bar – 17th of November
The Leopold – 18th of November

Way back….To February.

It was nearly 8 months ago that I was stoked to be seeing The Gurge at the Gaelic.

But, as the history books (aka blogs) will tell us, that didn’t actually happen. Instead, something even better happened.

So, 8 months have passed. That something better has turned into something fantastic, but yet, I still haven’t seen The Gurge live for 2 years.

Tonight. That will change!

I have been thrashing their awesome new album, “Love and Paranoia” (review coming soon) and am itching to see Quan, Ben, Pete and new member Seja (on keyboards).

HAPPINESS is a KONG FOO SING!