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The Drums “The Drums” – EP Review

Review: Natalie Salvo
The Drums are a young band from New York City who – like The Strokes before them – received a lot of hype very early on. But as their debut EP, Summertime! And now eponymous debut album have proved, this indie pop quartet are more about basking in the sunlit glow of a California beach than being inspired by yellow cabs or shopping on fifth avenue.

The guys ooze retro cool and like Peter Hook’s bass playing in Joy Division and New Order, their sound makes an immediate impact gaining your attention quickly with its old-yet-fresh style. But it seems this quality is also the group’s pitfall because when spread out over 12 songs, it becomes too repetitively simple and the buzz does tend to wear off a little. Like summer itself, you miss it when it’s gone but after enough humid 40+ degree days you can’t wait for winter or at the very least, autumn.
Continue reading The Drums “The Drums” – EP Review

The Oxford Art Factory, Sydney – September 2010 Shows and Tickets

Visit The Oxford Art Factory for full details.

  ELECTRIC EMPIRE – Oxford Art Factory – 08 Sep 2010
From the opening track of the debut album by Melbourne outfit Electric Empire, one could be forgiven for believing youd unearthed a collection of Curtis Mayfield or Al Green rarities, with a modern twist, channeling Stevie Wonder with The Beatles influence.

 
  FIRST AID KIT (SWEDEN) – Oxford Art Factory – 09 Sep 2010
First Aid Kit is Johanna and Klara Sderberg. In 2008, the exceptionally gifted Swedish teenage sisters caught the attention of music aficionados world wide when Fleet Foxes gave their nod of approval to the duo’s stunning version of ‘Tiger Mountain Peasant Song’.

 
  UP LATE WITH JIM SHIRLAW – Oxford Art Factory – 09 Sep 2010 – FREE
A band that lately have been more like a troupe of mad scientists, pouring over their cauldrons of EP magic; The Go Roll Your Bones re-materialise on stage to headline this week’s ‘up late with Jim Shirlaw’ hopefully spreading the love of some exquisite well-rehearsed studio time! In support, the joyous acoustic giant ‘Boy Lightning’ as well as the silver screen delight of Daniel Corboy’s gripping Western Sydney insight ‘Westland’ accompanied later in the evening with a DJ set by the film director himself aka Penrith Oil.
Visit The Oxford Art Factory for full details.
 
  MILES DYSON GER & KARTON ACT – Oxford Art Factory – 10 Sep 2010
Destination Sydney presents… MILES DYSON (Ger) & Canberra’s legends of breakbeat KARTON Oxford Art Factory

 
  THE RETREAT – Oxford Art Factory – 10 Sep 2010 – FREE
MEET THE RETREAT. Creating a sensitive approach to rock, an alternate approach to country and an imaginative approach to pop, their music rattles and rolls with heart-meltingly sweet lyrics over well-placed lead guitar pulses
Visit The Oxford Art Factory for full details.
 
  THE SALVAGERS RESIDENCY – Oxford Art Factory – 11 Sep 2010 – FREE
This is the sound of a band full of life. It’s the sound of the erratic, dark hours of an unscripted night out, followed by the reflective and somber time of a dawn walk home. The Salvagers are a Sydney band that combine rock with electronics and multiple vocalists into a unique sound that is quickly earning the four piece a solid fan base and a reputation for powerful live shows
Visit The Oxford Art Factory for full details.
 
  WASHINGTON – ‘I BELIEVE YOU LIAR’ NATIONAL TOUR – – Oxford Art Factory – 12 Sep 2010 ALL AGES SHOW
On July 30 Washington released their debut album ‘I Believe You, Liar’ with a sunset gig at Splendour In The Grass. Fast forward a few weeks & with a debut chart at number 3, sold out shows around the country, things are going along swimmingly

 
  WASHINGTON – ‘I BELIEVE YOU LIAR’ NATIONAL TOUR – Oxford Art Factory – 12 Sep 2010 – 18+ Show
On July 30 Washington released their debut album ‘I Believe You, Liar’ with a sunset gig at Splendour In The Grass. Fast forward a few weeks & with a debut chart at number 3, sold out shows around the country, things are going along swimmingly.

 
  The JD Birthday Set – Oxford Art Factory – 15 Sep 2010
Mr. Jack is turning 160, so The JD Set is celebrating by paying homage to another legendary name in live music.

 
  DANIMALS – Oxford Art Factory – 16 Sep 2010
Having recently become the first Australian artist to sign with renowned US label Stones Throw Records, Danimals brings his live show to Sydney for a one-off headline show.

 
  VACATIONS + TIN SPARROW – Oxford Art Factory – 16 Sep 2010 – FREE
Vacations have been a band for only a few months. They are from Sydney. Theyve played 5 shows so far.
Visit The Oxford Art Factory for full details.
 
  UP LATE WITH JIM SHIRLAW – Oxford Art Factory – 16 Sep 2010 – FREE
Sydney’s very own legendary music outfit and world class music-collaborators The Holy Soul are the very exciting headline for this week’s ‘up late with Jim Shirlaw’ supported by new grunts on the live circuit, the ‘Metropolitan Quartet’ a refreshing take on the Blues zeitgeist.
Visit The Oxford Art Factory for full details.
 
  DUBRAVE FEAT. SOUTH RAKKAS CREW – Oxford Art Factory – 17 Sep 2010
Rugged dancehall, shameless pop, hipster electro bangers, rude dubstepfuck it, South Rakkas does it all. A duo comprised of Alex Greggs and Dennis Dow Jones Shaw, South Rakkas took an unusual path to become the dons of todays digital funk.

 
  RED BULL THRE3STYLE – Oxford Art Factory – 18 Sep 2010 – FREE
Featuring Katalyst, Frew Vs Wax Motif, DJ Perplex Vs DJ Kato, DJ Eko Vs Moriarty, Shipwreck Vs Typhonic, G-Mo Vs Dan Cares and MC Shantan Wantan Ichiban.
 
  THE SALVAGERS RESIDENCY – Oxford Art Factory – 18 Sep 2010 – FREE
This is the sound of a band full of life. It’s the sound of the erratic, dark hours of an unscripted night out, followed by the reflective and somber time of a dawn walk home. The Salvagers are a Sydney band that combine rock with electronics and multiple vocalists into a unique sound that is quickly earning the four piece a solid fan base and a reputation for powerful live shows

 
  THE LOVETONES WITH THE LAURELS AND THE PRAYER CIRC – Oxford Art Factory – 23 Sep 2010
The Lovetones released their debut album, Be What You Want in 2002 through Bomp! Records, creating a palpable buzz amongst critics from the likes of Creem and Rolling Stone magazine.

 
  SEABELLIES – BY LIMBO LAKE ALBUM TOUR – Oxford Art Factory – 24 Sep 2010
The lucious, layered instrumentation and melodic sound of Seabellies is captured beautifully throughout their debut album By Limbo Lake – released on August 20. The long awaited album is already drawing critical acclaim from the likes of Rolling Stone (bustling, widescreen indie rock) and jmag (a harbinger of brilliant things to come) – and will be heard live during September and October when the band play their headline tour across Australia.

 
  THE RETREAT – Oxford Art Factory – 10 Sep 2010 – FREE
MEET THE RETREAT. Creating a sensitive approach to rock, an alternate approach to country and an imaginative approach to pop, their music rattles and rolls with heart-meltingly sweet lyrics over well-placed lead guitar pulses

 
  GYPSY & THE CAT – TIME TO WANDER TOUR – Oxford Art Factory – 29 Sep 2010
After playing the main stage at Splendour in the Grass, plus supporting The Strokes and Foals on their Australian tours, Gypsy & The Cat will be back in Australia next month to play the national Parklife festivals as well as their own shows on the Time To Wander tour this September and October.

 
  INCUBATOR – Oxford Art Factory – 30 Sep 2010
INCUBATOR is a new trade event for the creative industries launching on Thursday, 30th September 2010.


Oxford Art Factory
38-46 Oxford St,
Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

The closest station is Museum Station, however both Town Hall and Central Station are within a ten minutes walk of the venue. Many busses travel up Oxford St, phone 131 500 or visit 131500.com for Sydney bus and train information.

PARKING

Darlinghurst offers limited on street parking in the back streets around the venue. The closest parking station is on the corner of Goulburn and Elizabeth Streets, Sydney – visit their website for prices and opening hours.

Visit the Wilson Parking website.

CLOAK ROOM

A cloak room is in operation at the venue during all ticketed events, items are charged at $3 each.

IDENTIFICATION

The Oxford Art Factory is a licensed venue for patrons over 18 years of age. When visiting the venue, one of the following forms of ID is required to gain entry: Drivers License, Proof of Age card or current Passport.

Any events held for under 18s will be clearly advertised as such.

Black Label Society “Order of the Black” – LP Review

  Review: Lana Harris

Zakk Wylde is known as one of the metal world’s best guitar players, particularly
when talking shredding abilities. He was Ozzy Osbourne’s guitarist for two decades, and didn’t let decadence overcome discipline – as well as working and touring with Ozzy, he completed an album a year from 1999-2006 with his side project, Black Label Society (BLS). BLS have their guitars firmly wedged in heavy metal/ hard rock – think Alice in Chains, a bit of Ozzy’s influence apparent in the vocals. But now Wylde’s no longer with Ozzy, and Order of the Black is the first album release by BLS in four years.

Continue reading Black Label Society “Order of the Black” – LP Review

PARAMORE announce RELIENT K as support for their 2010 Australia Tour

  “Move over Green Day, Paramore have created their own epic” – Spin Magazine

“Few bands play punk-influenced modern rock as proficiently”; and with that glowing endorsement from Spin magazine we are thrilled to announce that RELIENT K have confirmed as support for the upcoming PARAMORE Australian tour.

Continue reading PARAMORE announce RELIENT K as support for their 2010 Australia Tour

Interview with JOHN 5 [Audio]

Interview: Ben Hosking
There aren’t many guitarists out there displaying as much originality and commitment to their craft as John 5.

Long known as the axeman behind such artists as Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie, he’s also played with such luminaries as Rob Halford, David Lee Roth and Paul Stanley. When he’s not touring with Zombie, he’s playing session work with artists from a wide range of styles including Ricky Martin and recording his own solo albums; such as his latest effort, ‘The Art Of Malice’ which is available now.
Continue reading Interview with JOHN 5 [Audio]

Bec Plath “At The End of the Night” – Single Review

Review: Victoria Nugent

  This soft single is the latest release from Brisbane vocalist Bec Plath, best known for her vocals with local band The Bloodpoets. At The End of The Night follows Plath’s 2009 debut EP Unrequited, and gives a taste of what we can expect from her next EP.

The single starts with a smooth yet strong piano intro with guitar kicking in shortly before Plath’s melodious vocals. During the chorus, Plath’s vocals take on a slightly sharper edge, building in intensity before softening again for the verses. The piano remains a subtle but constant presence throughout the song, which flows effortlessly through key

changes which add to the track’s originality. Plath’s lyrics are introspective comments about living in a stressful world to which many people would be able to relate. Her vocals are imbued with both honesty and a sense of heart that makes listening seem like a deeply personal act. The music meanders for a while, almost seeming a bit lengthy, before coming to a powerful crescendo towards the end of the track, and then fading out softly. At The End of the Night is a slow-burner with a lot of emotion, and worthy addition to any compilation.

Bec PlathAt The End of the Night is available at iTunes:
BecBec Plath


Related Posts:
CD Review: Bec Plath “Unrequited”

Regurgitator National Tour 2010 – September 2010


RegurgitatorRegurgitator
  After dipping toes in the bubbling grease of contemporary dance for Rockshow in Nov 2009 they dropped the strainer in the chip fryer, frittered away on some new years festival appearances along with a few shows in the past few months. Back in their classic 3 piece mode, after approaching Rockshow in this guise, and with Seja embarking on her own solo career they recently played some stand out performances (including Seja’s last keyboard stand with them) at the Brisbane Powerhouse 10th birthday… and sold out shows in Sydney and Melbourne.

Back on the fries… they saturate the wrapper with new recordings, new tourings and a new soundtrack to cult classic Akira.
Continue reading Regurgitator National Tour 2010 – September 2010

The Angels ‘Dark Room’ Tour – October 2010

  Triple M and The Angels are both celebrating a 30 year Anniversary! Triple Ms amazing 30 years of Rock n Roll history on-air and The Angels who 30 years ago released the album The Dark Room.

Both legends will join forces to create an exclusive double anniversary weekend event. Not only will Doc Neeson from The Angels be co-hosting a live on-air celebration with the Triple M listeners, MAX will also join in on the fun by hosting a weekend of The Angels hits and singles.

Triple M is back with a vengeance, and The Angels are back on tour, both have promised fans and listeners, Rock n Roll will never die!!

Continue reading The Angels ‘Dark Room’ Tour – October 2010

Parklife 2010

Parklife organisers have announced that the Gold Coast festival on Saturday 25th September will be moved back to the Brisbane Botanic Gardens.


Click here for dates and tickets
  PARKLIFE DATES and TICKETS:
25 Sep 2010 – BRISBANE PARKLIFE 2010 – Buy Tickets Here
26 Sep 2010 – PERTH PARKLIFE 2010 – Buy Tickets Here
02 Oct 2010 – MELBOURNE PARKLIFE 2010 – Buy Tickets Here
03 Oct 2010 – SYDNEY PARKLIFE 2010 – Buy Tickets Here
04 Oct 2010 – ADELAIDE PARKLIFE 2010 – Buy Tickets Here

Continue reading Parklife 2010

Bluesfest 2011 Dates Announced!

After a successful Bluesfest’s 21st birthday celebration event during Easter 2010 – planning for Bluesfest 2011 is now in full swing.

The 22nd annual Bluesfest 2011 event will take place over five days between April 21 and April 25, 2011, once again at the festival’s new permanent site at Tyagarah, 12 minutes north of Byron Bay.

New awards and nominations for Bluesfest include: recognition as an international winner in The Greener Festival awards – for the fourth year in a row – a continuing tribute to the event’s long-term commitment to environmental sustainability. Bluesfest has also picked up a Silver Award in the ‘Major Festivals and Events’ category in the North Coast Tourism Awards. And lastly, Bluesfest has been nominated as finalists in the Australian Event of the Year Awards in two categories: ‘Best Cultural or Arts Event’ and ‘Best Achievement in Sustainability’.
Continue reading Bluesfest 2011 Dates Announced!

No Anchor w/ Fangs of a TV Evangelist @ Tempo Bar, Brisbane 27 August 2010 – Photo Gallery

Photographer: Stephen Goodwin


Photographer: Stephen Goodwin

Event: No Anchor w/ Fangs of a TV Evangelist @ Tempo Bar, Brisbane
Date: August 27, 2010
Venue: Tempo Bar, Brisbane
Acts: No Anchor, Fangs of a TV Evangelist


Click here to view the FULL photo gallery

NIMBIN MUSIC FESTIVAL – NIMBIN SHOWGROUNDS – 2nd-3rd Oct 2010

NIMBIN MUSIC FESTIVAL
2nd-3rd October 2010
Nimbin Showgrounds
Buy Tickets Here

The first Music Festival in Nimbin for over 30 years.
Not since Aquarius has an event like this graced the serene rainforests of Nimbin.

The Festival features over 50 acts, with a mix of local and international artists, all headlined by the amazing Bob Log III, born and bred Nimbin girl Diana Anaid, the legendary Grant Walmsley and the Agents of Peace, and the ever inspiring, entertaining, boundary pushing aussie heros REGURGITATOR!

So come and stay in Nimbin for the long weekend. Camp out with your friends, listen to some amazing music, visit the famous Nimbin town. It’ll be a weekend you’ll never forget!
Continue reading NIMBIN MUSIC FESTIVAL – NIMBIN SHOWGROUNDS – 2nd-3rd Oct 2010

Bastardfest @ The Globe Theatre, Brisbane – 28 August 2010 – Live Review

Click to see more images
Blood Duster

[Photo: Stuart blythe]
  Review: Hannah Collins

Bringing together some of Australia’s most notable and long standing metal acts; Astriaal , Pod People and Blood Duster ; The Globe Theatre opened their doors on Bastardfest last Saturday to let the shred ignite the stage and appease those curious enough to have been lined in entry.

Punters of all shapes and sizes graced the venue and packed the bar, but although The Globe seemed full up, it was more of an illusion caused by the tinned sardines hovering in the foyer when in reality we were quite short of a sell out. Numbers may be have been lacking but it contributed only, to make the experience more personal.

Continue reading Bastardfest @ The Globe Theatre, Brisbane – 28 August 2010 – Live Review

The Cat Empire @ The Tivoli, Brisbane with Clairy Browne and The Bangin’ Rackettes – 25 August 2010 – Live Review

Review: Victoria Nugent

  It may have been mid-week, but that didn’t deter the crowd at The Tivoli who flocked to see The Cat Empire perform on their Cinema tour.

As the evening kicked off, Clairy Browne and the Bangin’ Rackettes warmed up the crowd with their soulful stylings. Clairy Browne had a powerful presence as frontwoman, with an Amy Winehouse

style beehive and a deep, dulcet voice. The three Bangin’ Rackettes crooned backing vocals at the side of the stage and the band provided old style soul music to flesh out the sound, with punctuating saxophone. Champagne featured bright keys, rounded saxophone beautifully melodious verses and a less polished but more upbeat chorus. The band’s unique cover of Bang Bang from Kill Bill was a standout song, with the tempo slowed right down, giving it a more mournful sound than one would think possible. One memorable moment was the duet between Browne and her sister Natalie (one of the Bangin’ Rackettes) about not letting a man treat you badly, the classy soul punctuated by more modern one fingered gestures. T he group’s sultry sensual cover of a Tina Turner number, complete with red lit silhouettes further emphasised the band’s great range. Browne was at her powerfully smooth voiced best with Stephanie, a bitter song about the dangerous woman trying to steal your man. Clairy Browne and The Bangin’ Rackettes make music that is purely intoxicating, combining dirty doo-wop with sultry soul, slow hips and unison fingersnapping.
Click the image to view the photo gallery

[Photos: Cody Alexander]
Continue reading The Cat Empire @ The Tivoli, Brisbane with Clairy Browne and The Bangin’ Rackettes – 25 August 2010 – Live Review

JEFF LANG Tour dates – September 2010

  Australian-based musician Jeff Lang has earned worldwide acclaim as a virtuosic guitarist, a dynamic songwriter and a startlingly unique live performer.

With a back catalogue of 14 studio albums, Jeff has been featured at major festivals, pubs, clubs, arts centres and venues internationally for the past decade. Blending rock, roots, folk, blues, ballads, instrumentals, improvisation and a devastatingly high level of musicality, Jeff Lang is a singularly unique performer in our world.

Jeff has been showered with achievements and awards throughout his career – the most outstanding would be his six ARIA award nominations, as well as his win in 2002.

Lang has built up a devoted, almost cult-like, following with his live performances. Working without a set list and allowing the unique energy of each night to shape the songs, taking the audience along for the ride, has seen word of mouth bloom into a successful career.

Its been widely acknowledged that Jeff Lang is an extraordinarily individual musician. What enhances his unique nature is his steadfast adherence to a prolific and diverse musical palette and output. A songwriter, a collaborator, a virtuosic guitarist and a stunning lyricist, Jeff Lang crafts songs as novella – rich with depth and vision, yet with an open breath for individual interpretation.

“In a world where music is diluted by money and plasticine, give thanks that Jeff Lang is out there… He paints pictures in sound.” Beat Magazine
www.jefflang.com.au

September 9th 2010 – The Clarendon Katoomba, NSW
September 10th 2010 – The Basement Sydney, NSW Tickets
September 11th 2010 – East Brunswick Club Melbourne, VIC

Visit Jeff Lang for full details.