Tag Archives: May 2012

Live Review | The Ocean @ The Hi-Fi, Melbourne with Sydonia, Lo! – 26 May 2012

Review by Billy Geary
The OceanThe Ocean are one of the more interesting bands of the past few decades. The brainchild of guitarist Robin Staps, The Ocean has, over the years, morphed into one of the most forward thinking and innovative metal bands in the world. Their show at Melbourne’s Hi-Fi bar on Saturday night was the second last leg of their maiden tour of Australia, and what a night it was.

Upon descending the steps below Swanston Street, Sydney’s Lo! and their brand of chaotic hardcore was reverberating around the room and up the staircase. First impressions were good, with the quartet proving dynamic on the Hi-Fi’s stage. Front man Jamie-Leigh Smith screamed his way around the room, both on stage and off it and gradually won over an oddly surly audience over as their set progressed. Coming across as a mixture of Converge and Mastodon, the sludgy riffs from Carl Whitbread sounded huge over the PA, really driving the band’s sound into the punters present. At the conclusion of their set, it was more than obvious why they were hand picked by The Ocean to support the entire tour.
Continue reading Live Review | The Ocean @ The Hi-Fi, Melbourne with Sydonia, Lo! – 26 May 2012

Interview: Thomas Oliver – The Thomas Oliver Band

Interview by Life Music Media

Ahead of their debut Australian headline shows The Thomas Oliver Band lead man Thomas Oliver takes time out with Life Music Media…

:: What track changed your life ::
Pleasure & Pain by Ben Harper, because it made me buy a lap-slide guitar.
 
 
:: What is your favourite Album ::
I can never decide between Dave Matthews Band : The Central Park Concert, and NOFX : So Long And Thanks For All The Shoes.

:: Favourite Quote ::
“Perfection is a quest, not a destination.”

:: When on tour, you can’t live without ::
My skateboard. There’s always something to do in fast food and supermarket carparks.
Continue reading Interview: Thomas Oliver – The Thomas Oliver Band

Live Review: Dead Letter Circus + Fair to Midland + Twelve Foot Ninja @ Ferntree Gully Hotel – 17 May 2012

Review by Billy Geary
Trekking all the way out to Ferntree Gully for a gig is always an interesting experience and Thursday night was no different, with a line up boasting some of Australia’s and America’s best alternative rock bands. With Brisbane natives Dead Letter Circus having been on tour with Texan five piece Fair to Midland in the States for the past few months, it was time to bring the party (and Fair to Midland) back home for their own national tour.

Local staples Twelve Foot Ninja have been given the support slot for the entire tour, and clearly loving the experience. Opening with ‘War,’ one of the band’s heavier numbers, the audience was instantly engaged. The most impressive thing about Twelve Foot Ninja is their ability to move between genres with the flick of a switch, this trait exemplified through ‘FEAR’ and ‘Manufacture of Consent,’ both featuring plenty of heaviness with a dash of reggae and dub influences. Similarly, new track ‘Shuriken’ will be one to look out for on their forthcoming album showcasing vocalist Nick’s outstanding vocals and a smattering of samples. Twelve Foot Ninja’s set came to an end via a powerful rendition of ‘Clarion,’ reminding punters exactly why they’re known as one of the tightest live acts in Melbourne.
Continue reading Live Review: Dead Letter Circus + Fair to Midland + Twelve Foot Ninja @ Ferntree Gully Hotel – 17 May 2012

Interview: Callum Stevens – The Arachnids

Interview by Life Music Media

Guitarist Callum Stevens of Brisbane four-piece The Arachnids takes time out with Life Music Media…
 

:: What track changed your life ::
Enter Sandman…that riff!

:: What is your favourite Album ::
Faith No More – Angel Dust

:: Name a band or artist we should checkout ::
Jake Diefenbach

:: Favourite Quote ::
Don’t sweat the small stuff
Continue reading Interview: Callum Stevens – The Arachnids

Interview: Jack Colwell – Jack Colwell & The OWLS

Interview by Stuart Blythe
With the imminent launch of his highly anticipated debut album ‘Picture Window’, Sydney’s classically trained composer (Conservatorium of Music) turned alt-pop pioneer Jack Colwell takes time out to chat with Life Music Media.
 
LMM: You’re about to release album “Picture Window”
How was the recording process and working with producer Chris Rollans (Lanie Lane, Cloud Control)?

Jack Colwell: Studio Ripple is a special studio as it holds a vintage feel, (think new york studio apartment 1964) It’s where Picture Window was recorded.
Chris Rollans is a producer who comes from a really ‘old world’ idea of recording, I’d gotten to know him over the years as he worked as the sound guy at a club where I was the band booker. He has a lot of really interesting ideas, mainly from Pink Floyd records and early 60s / 70s recordings which is what I wanted for my sound. I’d created lists down to every 30 minute block of the night recording sessions and I think Chris patiently worked through my meticulously organized schedule. My best memory from recording the album is attempting to imitate the vocals from ‘Great Gig in the Sky’ and our few discussions on Clare Tory’s vocal work on that track.

Continue reading Interview: Jack Colwell – Jack Colwell & The OWLS

Live Review | Public Enemy – Metro Theatre, Sydney – 11 May 2012

Review by Robert Pugsley
Looking over the crowd at the Metro Theatre in Sydney I was surprised to see that I looked like everyone else – Yes, White Middle Class Suburbia had come out in force to see Public Enemy, DJ Lord and the current S1W crew. Although it shouldn’t really surprise anyone, Public Enemy have been, despite their militant bravado, quite accessible to the average non rap/hip hop public.

It’s been 25 years since they started performing out as Public Enemy, their anger levels have risen and waned but through it all they have carried the message of equality and respect. The message of peace and equality can make performers look like self indulgent cocks but Public Enemy really put their money where their mouth is and have built up a reputation where they can push their message and people are going to lend them their ears. Which is just as well, as there was a lot of talking and preaching at this gig but the crowd listened appreciatively.
Continue reading Live Review | Public Enemy – Metro Theatre, Sydney – 11 May 2012

Photo Gallery: Groovin’ the Moo – Canberra – 13 May 2012

Photographer: Amy Lee Freshwater

Photographer: Amy Lee Freshwater
Continue reading Photo Gallery: Groovin’ the Moo – Canberra – 13 May 2012

Live Review: Ball Park Music @ The Hi-Fi, Brisbane with Cub Scouts & Yes You | 11 May 2012

Review by Lauren Sherritt
Word about the brilliance of Ball Park Music’s live show has swept the nation over the past year, as evidenced by their 180° tour selling out across many of the twenty shows and achieving no less for the final night in Brisbane.

The Hi-Fi filled quickly as BPM fans arrived to see support acts Cub Scouts and Yes You. Cub Scouts kicked off the evening, toting youthful charm in bucket loads and thrilling the audience with a remarkably well done cover of Destiny’s Child’s Jumpin’, Jumpin’. The dancing started with the band’s well-known track Evie, then the cheerful five-some departed the stage after giving yet more accolades to the upcoming Ball Park Music set.
Continue reading Live Review: Ball Park Music @ The Hi-Fi, Brisbane with Cub Scouts & Yes You | 11 May 2012

Live Review: The Maccabees @ The Metro, Sydney w/ Argentina – 10 May 2012

Review by Sibel Kutlucan

Thursday night got underway at 8pm when early punters began filling into the doors of the Sydney Metro. The darkened room was a hotbed of activity, buzzing conversation as indie fans alike milled around drinking beer and anticipating the first time visit of English indie rockers The Maccabees to Australia. The quintet who are visiting this autumn for the Groovin’ the Moo festival, has a local bunch of Aussie fans who are eager to welcome the boys to the country for an intimate sideshow.

Argentina, the first and only supporting act of the night was greeted warmly by early-comers. The Brisbane based indie act seemed to have a bit of difficulty with their first song, technical difficulties and possibly nerves got the better of them. Gladly, by the second song they had sorted out their problems and they delivered a really enjoyable sound. The vocals were fantastic, with songs “Bad Kids” and “Plastic Excuse” they definitely played to their strengths and let their softer indie side come through, focusing on delicate lyrics and a steady beat that wasn’t competing with the vocals. Argentina played with a lot of heart and have a bright future ahead of them.
Continue reading Live Review: The Maccabees @ The Metro, Sydney w/ Argentina – 10 May 2012

Live Review: The Darkness @ UNSW Roundhouse, Sydney – 6 May 2012

Review and Photos by Robert Pugsley
The Darkness are back and dare I say bigger and better than ever. They are pure performers and gave it all at their latest Sydney gig at UNSW Roundhouse.

Bursting on to the stage with ‘Black Shuck’, the crowd went nuts and The Darkness reciprocated with rock god swagger, style and boundless energy for the rest of the gig.

Justin Hawkins is a hell of a personality. Constantly moving, he rocked and jumped around the stage with the energy of a 4 year old drinking straight from the cordial bottle, it’s physically exhausting just watching him. Justin really is one of those rare sexual beasts, who, with his flaming groin tattoo, was rained upon by punters throwing underwear whilst receiving the adulation of topless female worshippers.
Continue reading Live Review: The Darkness @ UNSW Roundhouse, Sydney – 6 May 2012