THE MEDICS head into the Summer of 2012 with smiles on their faces. The goodwill surrounding the band keeps on growing – now topped by their announcement as one of Triple J’s Next Crop. Previous Next Crop artists tipped by Triple J include the likes of Boy & Bear, The Temper Trap and Angus & Julia Stone to name only a handful.
Continue reading THE MEDICS start their golden summer as part of the Next Crop →

Laneway Radio 2012 by lanewayfest

Review by Billy Geary

Much has been said about alternative rock band Thrice’s ability to write and record consistently excellent albums, whilst managing to reinvent themselves at every opportunity. In fact, it could be argued that Thrice have created defining albums across a number of different genres, which by no means an easy feat. Oddly enough, the band’s latest output Major/Minor is their most surprising to date; not because they changed styles completely but instead

because it is essentially the natural progression of their previous record, Beggars. Because of this, Major/Minor is perhaps Thrice’s most significant record to date in both quality and in relation to their back catalogue.
Continue reading Thrice – Major/Minor | Album Review →

[Photo Credit: Zo Gay]

On 23rd February 2010, the SLAM rally saw 20,000 people march through Melbourne to the tune of AC/DC’s definitive ‘Long Way to the Top’, in protest against the Victorian Government’s misguided policy link between live music and violence. Out on the streets of our city, we showed our support and love for a truly great live music community.

The SLAM rally was the largest cultural protest in Australia’s history.
Continue reading SLAM Goes National! National SLAM Day – February 23rd 2012 →

Ghost Walking is the hard-hitting first single from Resolution, Lamb Of God’s seventh studio album. Resolution is out on January 20 through Roadrunner Records
Continue reading Lamb Of God – Ghost Walking →

COLD CHISEL to headline Bluesfest! Bluesfest is excited to announce that COLD CHISEL will headline the 2012 event, with the legendary Australian band’s exclusive festival appearance closing the main stage on Thursday 5th of April 2012. It will be the first time that an Australian artist has ever headlined this iconic musical event.

Bluesfest’s announcement is testament to the special place Cold Chisel’s music has come to occupy in Australian hearts and minds.
Continue reading COLD CHISEL to headline Bluesfest! →

Review by Matthew Mercieca

Once upon a time there was a world where youtube, facebook and itunes didn’t exist. Grunge rock was king and Australian group The Clouds were a favourite, not only on late night Rage (ABC), but also with music lovers around the Country. The Clouds, whom have most recently reformed and are touring the country after a very long hiatus, would this evening be gracing a very excited crowd at the Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide.

This evening the Governor Hindmarsh had a nostalgic feel to it, with Nirvana playing through the P.A system it was almost as if going through a time warp.

To kick things off this evening were Adelaide indie punk trio Hawks of Alba, taking the stage with a whirlwind of energy, not letting the lack of a crowd deter them at all. After a song or two the rather quirky trio insisted the audience gather around, which was done without any hesitance. The group played through a strong setlist of their indie/punk style of music, always seeming charismatic and of course promoting their free e.p giveaway at the show. Hawks of Alba were nothing short of spectacular for an opening, this is one group that with time will flourish and hopefully gain a stronger national presence which they no doubt deserve. This is definitely one group to watch and if given the chance see in a live setting.

Next on the evening’s bill were Adelaide indie sweethearts, 20th Century Graduates. If you are a regular gig going punter in Adelaide you would no doubt be familiar with the groups funky sounding indie rock and of course the famous brass sections, which seem to give the band their distinctive sound. The group played through a strong repertoire of material, which included some old crowd favourites and some new material to mix things up. Without any doubt the music seemed to keep the crowd happy and dancing. Crowd favourite ‘Keeping up with the Jonses’ was as always was received with much energy from the crowd. 20th Century Graduates know exactly how to warm up a crowd and get a reaction, which is exactly what they did this evening.

As the night progressed the 100+ strong crowd gathered by the stage in anticipation of The Clouds to take their headlining spot.

Opening with ‘fear the moon’ the group was instantly at home on stage this was easy to see as by how relaxed and genuinely happy the group was. The band were not the only ones who seemed to be happy, the crowd gave a very strong reaction with many punters dancing or in true Adelaide fashion having a bit of a mosh.

The group was without a doubt well-rehearsed playing through each song with precise perfection, each song seeming to captivate anyone who might have been watching, each and every eye in the venue was glued on the group for the entirety of the performance. Most notably were the great crowd reactions to such favourites as ‘Hieronymus’ and ‘MaryAnne’, which when performed live seemed to get same power and energy as when were released and performed so many years ago.

Musically the group was solid, the fuzzy and distorted guitars giving the group their distinct sound which so many fans love. Guitarist David Easton never without a smile on his face, was able to re-create his unique guitar styling on stage perfectly and quite often could be caught be caught rocking out.

After a strong set, the group retired off stage, however as many regular gig going punters know this was usually time for an on-chore. The group returned on stage much to the delight of the crowd and performed a five song strong on-chore, which is something you do not normally witness in a live show.

If The Clouds have proved anything through the entirety of their reunion tour, it is that they have the same amount of passion and energy for live performances as they did when they first started and possibly even more so. There show left many punters talking and wanting more, and who could blame them and whilst the world might have changed the quality of the group’s music was something that has not.

Review by Matthew Mercieca

Review by Billy Geary

Progressive rock in its classic sense is, sadly, a mere afterthought in Australian music. Though, who can blame the general public when the quality of the ‘newer’ style of prog rock in Australia is of such a high quality (think Karnivool and Dead Letter Circus’ latest records). However, Perth natives Voyager are about to change all of that. Being most accurately described as a combination of Dream Theater and Opeth’s more mellow moments, it’s completely and utterly refreshing to hear an Aussie band go back to the roots of progressive rock.

Continue reading Voyager – The Meaning of I | Music Review →

Acclaimed U.S band MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA return to our shores in March 2012 on the back of their critically revered and fan beloved new album Simple Math.

Continue reading Manchester Orchestra – Australian Shows – March 2012 →

Performing for the very first time in Australia, Cavalera Conspiracy are set to cause mayhem around the nation performing at all Big Day Out festivals and select east coast shows. Tickets for the sideshows happening in Newcastle, Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne are on sale today!

Cavalera Conspiracy was created following a decade long silence between Max and Iggor, the two brothers who formed the legendarily trailblazing heavy metal band Sepultura as teenagers together in 1984. Across six studio albums the Brazilian punishers perfected the art of metal (look no further than thrash classics like Beneath the Remains and Arise) while exploring the underbelly of third world political issues and broadening the genre’s horizons with an exploration of indigenous culture, culminating with the landmark Roots album in 1996.

Max left Sepultura and formed Soulfly in the late 90’s, whose seven albums have garnered worldwide success and acclaim. Iggor stayed in Sepultura for a few more albums before splitting himself in January, 2006. A few months later the phone rang. It was Iggor calling Max to set aside the bullshit that had pursued them both in the press during the ten year period since they had last played together.
Continue reading Cavalera Conspiracy Australian Tour – January/February 2012! →

Review by Ben Connolly

So this world’s a pretty fucked up and funny place, eh? Apparently so, according to Brisbane’s chief shit-stirrer Evil Eddie, better known as the cheeky protagonist for fringe hip hop-come-heavy outfit Butterfingers, who is now on the cusp of releasing a debut solo effort Welcome To Flavour Country. The first two singles “Queensland” and “(Somebody Say) Evil” drew shots across the bow in terms of what was being offered.

Continue reading Evil Eddie – “De-Sex Your Ex” | Review →

Photographer: Markus Ravik

Photographer: Markus Ravik
Continue reading Paul Dempsey @ The Zoo, Brisbane – 01 December 2011 | Photo Gallery →