Another Telco on the block

Telecom - In my opinion, One of the most interesting artworks for a band that I've seen in a while, plus from Melbourne. This indie rocker band have a mp3 on their site Second Feature from "Modern Adventures" EP.

Bell & Sebastian

Sat 10 June 2006, the Forum
Suported by Even, this show was another fine example of how to play live, good sound and a tight performance. The croud was a mix of old and young, and well behaved to. Highlight was an impromptue cover of Jump due to the front man stuart hanging off a large sculpture on the side, which is a couple of stories up if you havent been to the forum. Also another early start from 9 - 10.50pm.

Playing around # 3

The Red Paintings - "Just People and Leaves" from Rain Single (2004) through Ashphalt Records. The Robot got me looking at this one, its great how they go through themes, this song looks like its from some sort of Mary themed album.

The Legs - "Mid December" From self titled Ep, throughWaterfront.
Fri 16th June Rob Roy Hotel, w/ The Fumes and Sons of Lee Marvin
Sat 17th June JB HI FI, Bourke Street,2pm
Fri 7th July The Old Bar, 10.30pm w/ Master Cardinal

Sodastream - "Welcome Throw" from The Hill For Company (2001). At Northcote Social Club, Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd July.

Playing around # 2

Smoosh - "Find a Way" from free to stay (2006). Playing with the Eels in 23rd & 24th of July The Atheneum.

City City City - "the 4am cavalry pt 2" from the perimeter motor show (2005). Playing at the East Brunswick Club Friday 23rd of June.

Clap Your Hands & Say Yeah - "Upon This Tidal Wave of Young Blood" from there debut album (self titled). The Hi-Fi, Thursday 20th of July

Playing around

Some links for bands who are playing around Melbourne.
Decoder Ring - Fractions, Spanish club sat 27 may
mates of state - fraud in the '80s, northcote social club 15 July
Sekidan - Up in the air, sun 21th may East Brunswick Club

Sons of Messengers - Selling Out
The Last Five Minutes - To your Door,

SHARON JONES AND THE DAP-KINGS

SHARON JONES AND THE DAP-KINGS
Date: 2006-04-23

This was probably the best gig I've seen for this year. Sharon and the Dap-Kings had an energy that I've never seen before (especially Sharon), plus it was a rear opportunity to see a live real Soul Band. Pitty about the crowd there (well this were the people upfront) rude, smelly and arrogant.Putting the punters aside, i left feeling pretty good and not tired, as sometimes bands over play and play for too long.

Unstable Ape Showcase

Unstable Ape Showcase, The Evlyn 31/03/2006

The first real cold night in melbourne for a while and somehow manage to find a smokey pub with plenty of cool kids (not including me). A few clues to growing old, the average punter is younger than you and your too tired to stay to the last band(well I had to get up the next day to work. However I did manage to catch Kes and Sir. One was very Gary Newman like and the other a rock band with a lead singer who slowely lost his voice.

The Sampler CD was well worth the $8 entry fee. Featuring some great new talents like Bird Blobs, Love of Diagrams and Laura Jean. The Unstable Ape Website needs a little update with some old headlines and some mp3 downloads that dont work.

MP3

- Snap! Crakk! "It Makes Me Warm" from the album And The Sea Closed...
- Laura Jean "Our Swan Song" from the album Our Swan Song (Due Aug 05)
- Bird Blobs "Nothin' At All" from the album Bird Blobs
- Love of Diagrams can be heard at there myspace.

The Cants, The hovercrafts & the Cheats

24 march at ding dong

The Ding Dong has probably lost a bit of its pretentiousness without having its guitar head taps at the bar. But the people were still there, especially tonight with its VB alive thing happening all over town, people taking photos of the punters, a bit to much like the clubbing part in beat and inpress.

The cheats probably have the biggest light show in Melbourne at the moment with instruments and amps covered in Christmas lights, as this was just for two guys. Without the lights they may of passed of as another two man outfit, but they were worth watching with some catching foot stompers.

The Hovercrafts played pop rock (quirky aus rock) that makes you want to dance. A band that I've been keen to see for a bit, however have always missed out. And some lucky girl had the classic 'today is your birthday performed exclusively for her.

The Cants (website is down) combining garage/beat, 70's/80's pop and punk, but something about them gives me hints of mud honey and the melvins, well maybe very tiny bits. My highlight was there super rendition of batman (from the adam west tv show, not prince's song). Find out more info on there record label Infidelity.

The Crustaceans

The Crustaceans at The Laundry. Friday 17 March 06 the laundry.

A balmy St Patricks night greeted us to the Laundries lounge like ground floor. Waiting for Sydney band the Crustaceans to come on for a free gig, with listened to there regular night call Geek Night.

The concept of a Geek night is strange, will you see guys with big glasses and bringing there Lan ready computers? I don’t think so. A DJ playing indie pop doesn’t constitute a Geek night does it? As Indie Pop has breached the main stream.

I was a strange atmosphere sitting in a lounge, drinking a brew and watching some guys on little stage playing right in front of you. I could have been at home watching them in a garage or something. This set the mood for the night, small crowd, with a small casual comfortable band. They probably didn’t reach they’re full potential or what I was expecting (but maybe that with most bands). They did play the Telecaster, my pick from there myspace, which is a solid indie pop song.

At the end of there set they dragged a few dazed people onto stage to play a range of rhythm instruments. It nearly happened to me, but I was a little bit confused or drunk to know what I was meant to do.

Minimum Chips + Panel of Judges & New Estate

Minimum Chips + Panel of Judges & New Estate
Thursday 16 March 06
Manchester Lane

Being a Jazz venue Manchester Lane, I find other bands playing there feel a little bit awkward. Such was the nights bands that set the stage. These bands are probably more accustomed to playing in pub with no chair and tables.

New Estate was interesting with there sound sitting in some time warp with experimental guitar bands from the 80's/90's. Panel of Judges started to play with some sort of aragant taunts 'Get my a beer' which in turn some dude in the crowd yelled out "JUST PLAY!" But they really started rocking when they switched over with the female vocals. A little to much stopping and starting for my liking. Minimum Chips finished the night off with a slow experimental sound, kind of only just put together, somehow reminded me of Stereolab and France, the country.

An interesting line up on a night where so much stuff was going on, shame it was advertised as much as other gigs going on.

MP3
Minimum Chips has a ton of tracks on there website, this one is from the Sound Asleep CD ED, "Cold Afternoon".

Panel of Judges has a couples of tracks on there website, this one "faux park", taken from there 2004 ep.