Black Sorrows Rockin' Zydeco Christmas Party

Thornbury Theatre, Saturday December 12, $35 (I think)

Was a little disappointed as expected more Zydeco, talented Musicians, great PA at the Thornbury Theatre, and was also disappointed that I couldn't hear the slide guitar and accordion.

Penny Ikinger at Yah Yah's

Yah Yahs
Saturday 21/11/09
penny ikinger ep lauch with celery and orbweavers. $10.

Penny Ikinger - Poison Berries

Be Back Soon

Vivian Girls and Panel of Judges

Northcote Social Club30th September 2009
$35???
Miniature Submarines
Panel of Judges
Vivian Girls

To tell you the truth I nearly forgot about this gig, and just realized I hadn't posted anything on it, as I really use this site to document gig I see in Melbourne. I didn't get to see Miniature Submarines(from Melbourne) so no comments on them, did see Panel of Judges but they did not hold my interested and left to talk to mates in the bar.

The crowd flooded in when the Vivian Girls started, full of all the young and trendies who inhabit Northcote. They did rock, some great moments of instrumentals, but why does this all feel like a dream, maybe I'm to occupied with other matters.

 

East Brunswick All Girls Choir at High Vibes

Can't comment on East Brunswick All Girls Choir as the venue it was in, maybe a hairdressers, was way too loud. Also the kids were all sitting down, at a rock gig, you kids are strange.

More High Vibes stuff to come.

Dollsquad and The Gung Hoes at Yah Yah's

Yah Yah's 10th September 2009, free
DOLLSQUAD
THE GUNG HOES

Dollsquad was very cool, with there rock, leather clad, all girl group, felt very fresh with comparison to Tim Rogers outfit The Gung Hoes. The Gung Hoes are made up of Tim Rogers, Davey Lane, Pete Satchell (Dallas Crane) and Evan Richards (Cold Harbour). Yah Yah's filled up with punters wanting to here Tim new outfit, although I know a few people that got bored and went across the road to see cool new kids play some new music (see the bellow poster).

Old and New

Did a little venue hop on Wednesday 9/9/09.

Bar Open had IN BETWEEN WORDS: readings & performances, covers of songs by The Triffids & David McComb. I this gig I managed to see Blackeyed Susans Trio and Single Men’s Drinking Club. Both were very good. Single Men's drinking Club did this great cover of a Triffids song that I don't know the name, but it started with spoken word then went all prog rock. The old problem I find with Bar Open is that there are too many seats, hard to walk around in the dark then bumping into one, and way too many people. I was sweating like it was 40c in summer and make it even more annoying people all around me were breaking wind, which made me run out of the Blackeyed Susans Trio to take cover.

After that went to the Birmingham and caught last song by Into the Woods and a full set by The Thod.
Later went to see the thod, young kids who have small turn outs to there gigs. This was the third time that I have seen them play, for a small venue the sound was good, a very much relaxed gig, with a few of the band members sitting on the tiny stage, also the princible tamorinist cracks me up with his campy banter.

Another night at Yah Yah's

Thursday 3 September 2009
Yah Yah's, I know going there a little too much these days, probably should check out another venue, but there gig's are free.
THE SWINDLERS only caught there last song, can't really say much from that, but would like to hear more.
GOODNIGHT LOVING (USA) Short song, tight, some good guitar work, bit's of surf and country sounds.


Goodnight Loving. Yah Yah's. Thursday 3 Sep 09. on 12seconds.tv

Last Saturday at Yah Yah's

Saturday 29th August 2009, Yah Yah's, Free.

SUZIE STAPLETON - Solid performer, too many people talking in the background though, Isn't that a little rude though.

CRYSTAL THOMAS & THE FLOWERS OF EVIL - I've enjoyed Crystal live, some great guitar work, although a little loud, maybe this was why Crystal seemed to a little too loud to compete with the guitars.

JAMES McCANN'S DIRTY SKIRT BAND - He has some great song, although they went on a little bit, this was a really long set, and I grew tired, and so to the members of the band, and the keyboardist was seen at the bar on the last couple of songs (possibly a little self indulgent towards the end).

Three Gigs in One Night

The Thod at Revolver

Thursday 20th August

Revolver
$10
Neon, Royal Control, Shredded Vinyls and The Thod
I particularly went to this gig to see The Thod again as was unhappy with there last gig, nothing to do with them but the PA system at there last gig I went to was not the best quality, but I quite surprised with the Revolvers sound system as it was a treat, could hear everything that was going on stage, and there was so much in a 8 piece band. I highly recommend this young band, some great guitar work, and harmonica’s too.

Yah Yah’s
Free
CLEAR SPACEMEN SCHWEINHUND
Don’t know which one I saw, but the guitar and bass was great, really drew me in.

Blue Tile Lounge
Free
http://www.myspace.com/bluetilelounge
Don’t know who the band who was playing but they reminded me of Nirvana, and later I was told by someone that Nirvana

PUTA MADRE BROS and GO-GO SAPIEN

Puta Madre Bros, 1 man band x 3

Saturday 15 August
Yah Yah's
PUTA MADRE BROS
GO-GO SAPIEN
Free

Go-Go Sapien were on fire tonight, very tight, all wearing white, much more impressed than last show I saw them play at Yah Yah's.

Didn't know what I was going to see with Puta Madre Bros, it was a little hard to get a grip with the concept of a 1 man band x 3 (see above picture). They really did rock out to a packed crowd. There bio describes them as one-man-band-triplets of highly fuelled hi-speed knock-em-out mexicano-garage-soul music, but a work mate who came along describe them as Rockin Mariachi.

The Thod

The Thod, Free
Royal Derby, Fitzroy
Friday 14/8/2009
Jugs of house Draught Beer $10 Jugs, it was ok, cold.

I haven’t been to the Royal Derby for quite some time, and even thought it had closed down. I think last time I’ve been there was in 2000 to whack some balls around on the pool table.

I enjoyed listening to the Thod material, believe it was a pre release CD that I got, but the PA system didn’t do them any justice, maybe the PA was set to loud, and the band couldn’t hear themselves. I also wasn’t a fan of the stage as the wooden partition (something you might see in a restaurant separating tables) seem to box the 8 piece band in.

The last band that I saw reminded me of early 90’s music, take a little from the Stone Roses and some other band I can’t remember. This band didn’t interest me, but the crowd seem to swell to watch them play.

The outside area was packed, even though it was cold, with plenty of smokers and non-smokers, enjoying a conversation where you could hear each other, remember those?

The Gem

Friday 31st of July 2009

The Gem in Colingwood has plenty of Elvis pictures, including this clock. Although there were plenty of tables and chairs in the bar area, there wasn't enough places to stand and dance as it got packed fairly quickly.

The Band was Chris Altmann & Que Paso
"Celebrating first gig at the Gem, and Zane's birthday!"
Was I told that Chris is from Vandas/Paesanos who plays lap-string steel.

Soul a Go Go

Some shoe gazing at Soul A Go Go

Another great Soul Night in Melbourne can be found at the Laundry every first weekend of the Month. It was probably the most packed Soul Night at the Laundry I have been too, know doubt for Vince's 25th. I was going to take some video and pictures but it was so dark so even see through the view finder, lucky for photo's it had that green helper light thing.

THE GET GO and GO-GO SAPIEN

Friday 24 July
The Get Go (SINGLE LAUNCH)
GO-GO SAPIEN
$0 (Free)

Another Free gig, which maybe is something I"m getting into. It was fairly quiet at Yah Yahs, but from what I hear picks up after 11.30, when the rock DJ's start playing tunes to fill the floor.

Go Go Sapien play a Psychedelic/Garage/Pop and have enjoyed listening to there recordings, for me this didn't really replicate, but they were really energetic on stage.

I was impressed by The Get Go, played some nice pop garage which took me to another place. Only got to see them play about 4-5 songs, as I had to get the last tram back home. There was a few youngs tools or wankers in the Audience heckling the lead singers eye patch.

The Pictures, Dave Larkin and Crystal Thomas with Spencer Jones

THE PICTURES, DAVE LARKIN, CRYSTAL THOMAS + SPENCER JONES Retreat Hotel, Brunswick. 9pm. Free

Got to love a free gig. This went so quickly, partly due to the nice cold drinks and secondary the company. Crystal Thomas was very cut back, just her self and Spencer Jones. This gig is now a blur and I should wright it up the next day.

PETE ROSS & THE PAESANOS and SEAN McMAHON

PETE ROSS & THE PAESANOS and SEAN McMAHON(Solo) at Yah Yahs (Free)

I was really captivated by Sean McMahon, who played an acoustic guitar and sometimes used a harmonica. He reminded me a little of the eals.

Pete Ross(the former guitarist from Dan Brodie & The Broken Arrows) and the Parsanos (was told later that the Parsanos were the Vandas?) had some great guitar and slide guitar action. Some Guitar solo's really took me away to another place.

JE SUIS ANIMAL, THE CRAYON FIELDS & THE ZEBRAS

JE SUIS ANIMAL (Norway) with THE CRAYON FIELDS and The Zebras
The Edinburgh Castle
$12

Great price for an international act and 2 local bands.

I just rocked up to miss out on The Zebras who were said to be, by my friend, to have a Smiths sound.

The Crayon Fields were ok again, short sweet indie pop tunes, lead singer sometimes has annoying banter. I’ve seen them so many times I think I’ve lost all my feelings for them, if that makes any sense.

JE SUIS ANIMAL had some sweet female vocals, they reminded of Stereo Lab, but more pop, with tastes of 80’s Indie and 60’s psychedelica.

I think there playing again on the 27th of June at The Edinburgh Castle, I wonder if this will be a charged gig, Edinburgh Castle often has some nice free gig’s for a great little pub venue in the front bar.

Mark Pritchard & Steve Spacek are Africa Hi-Tech Sound System

Cost $15

This was the set list for Saturday night

Upstairs:
21:00-22:30: JPS
22:30-23:30: Dexter (did not do a set, he was sighted though)
23:30-01.00: Declan Kelly
01.00-03.00: Africa Hi-Tech Sound System

Downstairs
21:00-23:00: Dust
23:00-01.00: Inkswel

The night when from Soul/RnB style to more of a minimalist techno.
I was really disappointed that Dexter didn't play.
When Africa Hi-Tech Sound System it was really packed upstairs, go barely move, heaps of music like nerds that were probably taking it a little to serious. It was great how down stairs had up stairs pumping through the speakers, as here was a little more room to move.

Ratatat

Ratatat, Qua and Worlds End Press(did not see) at the Corner Friday 15th, $30+BF

Qua was very hypnotic, 2 piece, Laptop, Synth, Electronic Drums and Sampler/Loop machine(I think)
Ratatat had some great guitar riffs and visuals, with plenty of electronic beats and samples.
I was up the front for most of it, but couldn’t stand it, seams that all the f*** heads are up the front, they tend to get a little overexcited, pushy, violent to others, and all the mellow people who would like to have a non intrusive dance stand up the back.

www.myspace.com/quamusic
www.quamusic.com/

www.myspace.com/ratatatmusic
www.ratatatmusic.com/

Richie 1250

Ventured into the Old Bar on Friday to see Richie play with his band the Brides of Christ. Did happen to hear a little of Howl at the Moon, very tight and Toot Toot Toot, very challenging.


Richie was really intense on stage, really getting into the moment, dancing into the crowd. Also the guitar was really tight, and the whole band too.

Richie Myspace
Bands Myspace

Soul a Go Go

This was probably the best Soul a Go Go I've been to. Crowd was a little over 28's, and started off being a little quiet at 10 but then got packed around 11. Highlights were Vince, Paul Sadot (in the soul room) and DJ Prequel.

Bored

Great to here some interpretations on Stooges classics. Cherry bar was packed. Didn't look any different since the fire, possibly even cleaner.

GEORGIA FIELDS

Georgia Fields - Sinking Relation Ship

Saturday 14th March 2009, The Thornbury Theatre $15

8:30pm YELKA
9:30pm FUTURE HAPPINESS
10:30pm GEORGIA FIELDS
Was pleasantly surprised with Georgia Fields, I think there was about 12 people on stage many people coming on and off. She finish off with her take on a Gun and Roses classic sweet child of mine.

The Big O

The Big O (thebigotour.com) – Queensbridge, 1 Queensbridge Road, South Melbourne. Feb 25

Haven't been to Queensbridge before, small pub like place in the bottom with a huge event are upstairs. The evening was fairly quiet for a O week event.

8pm Ben Lee (Didn’t see)

9:15 The Fratellis (Don’t know why they are so popular, but the kids like them)

10:45 The Music (Flavour of the month, but the backpackers got into this)

7:30 Casette Kids (Didn’t see)

9:00 Yves Klein Blue (Inde rockers, who I preferred there recent release)

10:20 Bluejuice did see (Party Band)

11.00 The Music - Once flavor of the month, was lifted up by all the backpackers

CSS and Yacht

(above Yacht)

I have like what I heard from a Yacht CD that I was given but live they sung(or seemed like) over a backing track or music from a computer. At the start they had a little slide show and didn't mind some of the video loops they had going in the background.

Streetparty DJ wasn't too bad playing a lot of hit good and bad, from what I remember going from Salt n Peppers 'Push It' to 'Pop Corn' to the Pixies 'Debaser'.

CSS was quite different in contrast compare to Yacht as they are a full band, which was a big change for the night. I really like there energy they had on stage. Probably went for around an hour including an encore.


www.myspace.com/canseidesersexy
www.myspace.com/yacht

No Internet

I've just moved house and have no Internet access, expect no updates for a little while.

Thanks

Greg

Newtown Workers Club

This may be old news but The Rob Roy has new owners and will be renamed 'Newtown Workers Club' which I don't get as it's in Fitzroy maybe the Fitzroy Workers Club would be a better name. The new owner is Jerome Borazio, the man behind St Jerome's, Sister Bella and Happy Palace. From what I read in the Age on Monday, it will be more of a restaurant and have some gigs later at night. Hopefully this will not be like what happen to the Punters turning into Bimbo Deluxe.

I'm now posting here...

... although you'll find out who I am.

http://uplateinmelbourne.blogspot.com/

I'll still be posting gig reviews here, but they'll be double posts.

Giles Peterson at Brown Alley

Brown Alley 1/1

Potts of Carlton Draught $4 and Cascade Light Stubies $7(whats with that?)

Brown Alley or as I like to say the Pub on the Corner of King and Lonsdale Street, where sometimes you enter via Brown Alley. I really don’t know why this place is called Brown Alley, apart from this back door entry; it seems like some sort of gimmick.

At the start as I walked in I really felt like the odd man out as it was really clubby, and I don’t really do the club scene. A lot of people were out of it, very much a bunch of slow disco dancing zombies.

I was really disappointed by the bad sound of Brown Alley, it seemed to have way to much base, which meant the music lost a lot of it subtle qualities.

Platinum Pied Pipers, were good, the sound didn’t do them justice. They were a modern rhythm and blues type band, but from the future. Also they had a backing tape of female’s singers which would have been great to have live. Also would of like to see them in another venue, such as Northcote Social Club or even the Thornbury Theatre.

Giles Peterson played an eclectic range of tunes playing a hug array of music from Jazz, Soul, Drum’n’Bass, twostep, reggae, disco and other mind boggle sounds. I was a little scared of the MC that came with Giles, that he was going to be being a saw thumb by doing some awkward shout outs and singer, but he seemed to fit in, or maybe this was due to the bad sound. Giles went over an 1 or was it close to 2 hour and was worth the $50 odd dollars entry.


Gilles Peterson Worldwide Podcast - Vol.01, No.32 :Paul Bradshaw explains "Paraphernalia"

More Giles Peterson Podcasts here.