A quick look at The Tote...

Mon 18/12/06 - A quick look at The Tote caught Spencer P Jones and Dynamo for $5. I came a bit late, nothing but dregs on that plate of snags.

Dynamo maybe described as a rock band with a horn section? Well that's what I thought.
Was fairly Aus, playing in the backyard of a pub, with a BBQ giving some greasy snag smell definitely added to this Aussie band party sounds.

On the flipside Spencer P Jones was another big band, but had more of a Rock Country twist.
If you've been to tote or haven't there like drop in the floor, like a pit, square in front of the stage. This was where Spencer P Jones and Band Played, kind of awkward for the punters with all the pilers around trying to get a good position, or this could be a good thing getting nice and right in your face.

Spencer P Jones - "Clementine" from 'Fait Accompli'

myspace.com/spencerpjones

Hazel Brwon at the Evelyn

A nice Sunday night saw some child out sounds. The Evelyn got steadly packed, which I was amazed as it was a Sunday. Great for Aussie acts.

Hazel Brown - 'Calligraphy' from Rivers & Veins. A song which is very catchy. She had a great full peice band, with a double base. You could make comparisons to Fiona Apple and Clare Bowditch. (myspace)

Sarrah Callender also played and another guy(please leave a msg if you know who he is, must take a note pad) at the start, both playing by themself.

The New Pornographers at the Prince

The New Pornographers at the Prince

Came in just as those weedy kids (tight black jeans they're all the craze) had finished (was it the Crayon Fields) - comments 'better than last time... Could loose a Band member...'.

What another Solid gig, pop sensation, made me walk out of there with a huge smile. My mate whom I went with (as well as my X who I miss) got a compliment by a drunk on the way out 'I can tell you saw the New Pornographers'. It was fantastic big band well 7, crowd wasnt to bad either for a Tuesday night, tight and snapy sounds, lets dance the night away.

“Twin Cinema” from ‘Twin Cinema’

MySpace
Web The New Pornographers

Crayon Fields MySpace

Crayon Fields "Lovely Time" from a demo

The New Pornographers - All For Swinging You Around

Midlake

Midlake + Art of Fighting, The Corner, 10th December 2006

I strolled into the Corner about half way through Art of fighting's set, some friends claim they are slow and borring, but I claim easygoing and picturesque.

Midlake (who I still think its funny they are from Texas) played a tight set, plenty of moving pictures behind them, recreating tracks sucessfully from there albums. Punters were young and old, maybe a few more girls than guys. Some people did walk out straight after they'd Played Rosco, which was a little sad, so much more to give.

MP3
Midlake "Balloon Maker" from there Bamnan and Slivercork album, myspace

Art of Fighting myspace

Could've Moved Mountains

The thing I like about residency's is that you can see a band progress through the weeks will they change or stay the same, also this one free. Free gig's are great because if you don't like it you can leave and you don't feel hard done with parting with your hard earnd cash.

Another Indie band from Melbourne, with a bit more atmosphere - Could've Moved Mountains
Warm
A ghost

Tote *Front Bar Residency*
This weekend guests Billy Whims & Marcus Hobbs
4-7pm, free

Dukes of Windsor

Found this one on the JJJ website, 'The Others' by Dukes of Windsor, Melbourne band, playing an electro/rock which is all the rage.

myspace.com/dukesofwindsor

Special Patrol

Special Patrol (from SA, correct me if I'm wrong), nice guitar indie pop tune, from a thematic album that tells a story. They've also travelled extensivly through Australia and have recently played in Melbourne.

Changing Emily [6.50MB] from Handy Hints from the Undertaker.

Plug in city

Plug in city - broke on a wheel

One of my favorite band playing around, hints of 80's with keyboards and a taste of disco rock.

Posters

A couple of posters that were cool


Ariel Pink & Legends of Motor Sport

Legend of Motor Sport, Mess it up - from the Album Rements of the Big Band

Attack The Drones

The Drones at The Hi Fi, Sat 16/09/2006

I managed to catch Darling Downs, which has Kim Salmon (The Scientists, Beasts of Bourbon, The Surrealists) on accoustic guitar and Ron Peno from Died Pretty. They managed to get some sort of attention from the crowd but sort of folk tunes, arms movement from Ron like he was flying, got some people to stand up and buy some beers.

After some time, the drones came on the stage, awarding winning band, I had heard some of there music, bought a CD of there's and was also keen to see what all the hype was about. The crowd was mixed, sprinkled with a range of gigs goers from Bogans to Museos. They're music you could say is very Australian sounding (WTF does that mean, I don't know), lots of guitars doing stuff, with some vocals. When they did come on stage they did announce we're playing new stuff, but as I'm not a crazy fan, unlike the guy who stood next me, I couldnt tell you if this was true.

After watching them, seeing what the hype was about, wasnt the most inspiring gig, lots of people out there doing music with guitars, which in the end of the day is starting to get borring.

The Drones 'I Don't ever want to change' from there new album.