one fellow's political coverage, music ramblings and general hijinks across decades under a range of guises at several locations often in a state of awe.
T’was the night before New Year’s Eve and pretty early on it seemed that the gig-going public was staying at home to do some of the more important things in life – taking down Xmas decorations, touching up gravel chips on the car duco, having a late night root canal, etc. Soldiering on, Spooky and Tilt got up at the Harbourside and played to about ten people, a number which got less and less as the night went on.
Continue reading “Tilt; Spooky, Harbourside Hotel, December 30, 1996”
Ah, summer in Fremantle, the final destination of yet another ballbreaking national tour by some of Sony Australia’s big hitters and bright prospects. The rumour that Ammonia, Jebediah and Big Heavy Stuff were only hours away from finishing a 26 date/30 day tour was reason enough to expect a little craziness, certainly befitting the extremities of a ‘peep show’ and the Jebs actually looking tired for the first time in their lives.
Continue reading “Ammonia; Jebediah; Big Heavy Stuff, Newport, December 14, 1996”
Energised with a huge young fan base, their energy and machismo overflowing, the upper echelons of the Australian scene finally deserve a clap. Case in point: Spiderbait nestled amongst the Xmas ‘Best Of’ pap in the charts. Truly a reason to be thankful.
The Regal Theatre, Subiaco
Have you ever felt that you have successfully progressed, set new standards, moved on … while everyone clings to your past glories? Such is the case with Toni Childs who, at the beginning of her latest Australian tour, is faced with having to let her latest material sit dormant while the wheels of industry cement her Best Of album at the top of the charts. This may be a nice little Xmas earner, but the strain and submission of having to resurrect old material for the sake of sales has never been more evident.
Sue, could you check Smudge’s bass player’s name? I think it’s Adam Yeo but I’m not too certain. Ta.
There exists, in your community, a widely unacknowledged subculture which is as delicate as a vegan, as opinionated as an anarchist and as stoic as a gothic purist. They are fanzine writers, and as the rustle of fake fur on notepad eminated about the relatively-full room you surely felt the religious gravity of the following situation – in indie label group hug.
Continue reading “Superchunk; Smudge, Planet, November 20, 1996”
Shonen Knife have grabbed power chords, cutesy Japanese culture and manic girlie yelps to be the most renown Japanese band in the world. Adam gets a slice of Shonen Knife from founder and ‘shouter’ Naoko Yamano (November 20 1996; 14 mins)
Continue reading “broadcast | Shonen Knife’s Naoko Yamano, November 20 1996”
On the release of Strange News From The Angels, one of Flying Nun’s fave bands, The 3Ds, and their guitarist/vocalist Dave Saunders, speaks to Adam Connors of the label’s prowess, their ties with Chapel Hill and New Zealand’s place in the musical world (November 18 1996; 14 mins)
Continue reading “broadcast | The 3Ds’ Dave Saunders, November 18 1996”
The Regal Theatre, Subiaco
Ably assisted by the most astute Mr Rex Horan, Bmus., and Cinema Prague bassplayer virtuoso.
It has long been the tradition of jazz artists to take popular tunes and adapt them into “standards”. Herbie Hancock’s latest album, The New Standard, has the prodigious pianist/composer lending his deft hand to numbers by Don Henley, Kurt Cobain (Nirvana) and Prince, and so it came as no surprise for Peter Gabriel’s Mercy Street to be given a solidly grooving Latin treatment to open Hancock’s latest Australian tour.
Continue reading “Herbie Hancock, Tuesday November 12, 1996”
If ever there was a reason to scoff loudly and pee on a concert ticketeer’s window due to the extravagance of today’s entry prices, Fugazi provided the body-warm ammunition for any number of forthcoming events. Hailing from Washington DC, their instant accessability was guaranteed with a $15 fee, their firm grasp of independence and identification with the kids being graciously returned with an 800-strong all-ages audience.
Burswood Dome
Was accompanied by one of those famous The Australian cartoons of a slobbering Brian Johnson and Angus Young at 2/3 of the broadsheet’s page. In color in the Eastern States.
Brian Johnson, lead vocalist of arguably the world’s greatest rock and roll band, AC/DC, knew just how to whip this parochial crowd into rousing air-punching. “Here is a song written in Perth, about Perth, by a guy born in Perth.” The song was The Jack, and for a 20,000 strong crowd fully aware that they inhabit the late Bon Scott’s birth and final resting place, who cared that the song he was refering to was a tale of venereal disease? They were proud.
