Gig: Hoodoo Gurus & The Meanies

Kings of Moomba (Hoodoo Gurus) & The Meanies, The Corner, 10th Aniversery

Monday, 28th of November 2005

So The Corner had there 10 year celebrations, I’ve been to some good gigs and some fairly average ones (especially when I have ended up behind some tall dude or one of those lovely pillars). No Smoke, new bars and dinning area (which I didn’t check out) which will start the venue into there next 10 years.

The doors did open at 8pm and I was thinking, maybe it’s a start of a new era of early gigs, where I’m not home at a late time, but then I am getting old. I was a bit disappointed when I rocked up at 9 that I missed out on a free stubby holder, but I soon forgot about that as Wally Meanie told me I should buy a poster with a grin on his face.

The Meanies soon started after 9, transporting the corner back to the early nineties. The Meanies were my teenage heroes of music, and back in the 90’s I would venture into Au-Go-Go records to buy there latest CD or T-shirt. I was happy enough to see them and hear again Scum, Ranbo Mania and other classics. Also the DJ of the night was the owner of the record store, well that’s what a friend told me.

Next up was the Hoodoo Gurus, introduced by a cuddly Russian lass. That night they were call ‘The Kings of Moomba’ but don’t know if this was good for ticket sales or a hinderance (see poster, real names sold out first).

After the first Song the leading man, Dave Faulkner, proclaimed that they will only play song made before 1985. Later on in the night a friend told me that she heard a couple of girl complain in the toilet about there choice of set list. The punters didn’t care because every tune that was played was a crowed pleaser as they played there wonderful hybrid of trash pop tunes and infectious songs.

After watching two great live performances, I thought glad I don’t smell like smoke, but when I got home my girlfriend said to me “you smell like smoke”.

Berry Street Bash at The Retreat

Sunday 20/11/2005

Sunday was a fantastic day, not a cloud in site and a pub offering a range of live acts and cool beer. The Retreat Hotel in Brunswick had the “Berry Street Bash” plus the beer garden. Wrong I was. The bands were inside for day, which was such a pity, because I have seen some outside gigs at the Retreat and its great fun.

The line for the day included Hovercrafts, Tranquilisers, Crayon Fields, Kids from Russia, Hot Little Hands, Plug-In City, Red Ink Spills, Ned Collette, Gorgeous and DJ Dallas Crane. It was a shame they weren’t playing outside as I would of seen more of these acts.

It was one of the most missed opportunities I have ever seen at pub in Melbourne, not to put the bands outside, in the beer garden. There were so many more punters hanging out in the beer garden compare to the small and awkward band room. But at the end of the day it was to help a good cause.

GIG: THE KITS + THE BLACK POPES

Saturday 19th November 2005

OSTERBERG + THE KITS + THE BLACK POPES at The Rob Roy, Fitzroy

If you were writing an add for the Rob Roy Band Room you’d probably write something like “its small but cozy”. It’s a room that probably wasn’t built to be used as a band room due to some obstructions like the large door way near the stage and a pillar in the middle (like the Corner). But the Rob Roy does play an important part as it’s a great venue for showcasing up and coming bands.

Tonight’s show was a ep release of a band called Osterberg but I was there to see The Kits, lucky for me there were number two and I left after them (not very rock’n’roll).

First up was The Black Popes who played some pop/rock tunes that reminded me of a softened Marvelous 3.

After a fairly long intermission with some exceptionally slow music, that nearly made my better half and me fall asleep standing up, The Kits came to the stage. There music reminded me of early 90’s grunge, plus a hint of currant bands such as the Hives and The International Noise Conspiracy (or even old New Bomb Turks on their !!Destroy-Oh-Boy!! LP). All importantly The Kits got a bunch of people (well a bunch of girls) dancing up the front.

Links:

OSTERBERG website has mp3's but you have to sign up.

The kits website has 2 mp3's, 'City to City' and 'Young Girls'.

I couldnt find a link or website to the Black Popes.