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.