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.
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.
Sue/Ara, could you fill in the name of TMOC’s bass player, I can’t recall who he is! Ta.
With the stretch marks and face imprints still fresh on the walls from Saturday night’s Tumbleweed, The Mark Of Cain, The Fauves and Motorspirit doorbuster, Sunday instead saw both crowd and band members brush shoulders in a mutual appreciation of each other.
Continue reading “Tumbleweed; The Mark Of Cain; The Fauves, Planet, October 27, 1996”
Perth Entertainment Centre
REDRAFT. For inclusion in The Australian, Tuesday October 22
Firmly and forever entrenched on the conservative FM airwaves through his distinguished solo career and those heady days with The Police nearly twenty years ago, Sting is still musing on affairs of love and continues to send his now middle aged, middle class audience’s hearts aflutter.
From the look on the majority of the pimply bogan boys’ faces at the close of Metropolis on Friday night, Mr Bungle had done their job: confusion, utter confusion! Because as the fans of Mike Patton’s other band, Faith No More, spent their cash expecting to see more of the same flaccid and accessible muzak, Patton and the scary jazz beast that is Mr Bungle just left them cussing and thinking that the onstage wiring was faulty. Ha ha ha!
Having been on the receiving end of widespread dancefloor hugging and acclaim for each of their last few albums, Underground Lovers’ lead singer Vince Giarrusso tells ADAM CONNORS how they pulled out of the record company apparatus for their new album to keep their sound as pure as their swirling, sweeping sounds.
If you squint, just a little, the deserts of Texas and the deserts of Australia could look fairly similar to the untrained eye. ADAM CONNORS spoke to Mark Pirro, of Dallas’ Tripping Daisy, about yet another similarity.
