Interview by: Ben Hosking
Annihilators’ Jeff Waters talks with Ben Hosking [LifeMusicMedia] about their new self titled album, touring, Hellfest, signature guitars and so much more. Jeff Waters opens up and gives us great insight into Annihilator – past, present and future.
Continue reading Audio Interview with Jeff Waters of Annihilator
Review: Ben Hosking
Click the image for photo gallery article [Photo: Ben Hosking] |
It’s 8pm on a Friday night in busy inner-city Darlinghurst. Yet here we are, presented with an awesome parking space right next to the Oxford Art Factory (OAF) where Sydney darlings Cassette Kids are due to take to the stage in just a couple of hours. Supported by New Zealand’s Kids of 88 and Victoria’s Howl; it was to be an interesting night of music, full of pop, and at times dance-infused rock.
First up was NZ’s Kids of 88 who tonight were boasting a full band line-up including a live drummer and guitarist. This more organic delivery of well known electro tunes such as ‘Ribbons of Light’ and ‘Just a Little Bit’ had the rapidly growing crowd moving. The group provided a lively and entertaining performance that will no doubt win them some new fans this side of the Pacific. |
Review by: Victoria Nugent
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Blame Ringo’s new single At The In-Between is one of those songs that sneaks into your head, and has you singing along before you know it. The energetic track is a tantalising glimpse of things to come on the band’s second album, due out later this year.
At The In-Between is an upbeat slice of indie rock with harmonious, yet catchy lyrics and a sound almost reminiscent of the sixties. The guitar riffs are impressive, and the drumming strong, resulting in the kind of song that makes you want to stop and listen. |
Continue reading Blame Ringo – “At The In-Between” [Single Review]
Photographer: Ben Hosking
Click the image to view the photo gallery
[Photo: Ben Hosking]
View the full Photo Gallery here
Headliner: Cassette Kids
Supports: Howl and Kids of 88
Venue: Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
Date: June 18, 2010
Continue reading Cassette Kids @ Oxford Art Factory, Sydney June 18, 2010 – with Howl and Kids of 88 [Photo Gallery]
By Denis Semchenko
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If indulging in French chic ever seemed like a good idea, The Powerhouse on the last day of the Queen’s Birthday long weekend certainly has a solution: the two-part musical program called So Frenchy So Chic and designed to bring the spirit of Montmartre to the River City. And so, as the French say, bienvenue – we’ve arrived to get our dose of Parisian charm.
At the Turbine Platform, the amount of hipsters in the crowd initially makes me think I’m on the set for The Bedroom Philosopher’s video – perhaps a similarly-themed follow-up to the notorious Northcote (So Hungover) – but we’re here to watch music rather that mingle with the trend-followers. For the first part of the evening, our host is the diminutive chanteuse Berry. Backed by two leather jacket-wearing, colourful-looking guitarists – one with long dreadlocks, |
another in shades (making him look like a cross between an old-time gangster and a French cabbie), she sways and smiles as she sings the chansons from her French hit album Mademoiselle. Continue reading Review: So Frenchy So Chic: Nouvelle Vague, Berry @ The Powerhouse, Brisbane June 14, 2010
Photographer: Stephen Goodwin
Click the image to view the photo gallery
[Photo: Stephen Goodwin]
Acts: Butcher Birds
Venue: The Step Inn, Brisbane
Date: June 11, 2010
Review: Lana Harris
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What deal did Jez Mead make with the devil to get that voice? He certainly didn’t trade his finger picking abilities (his mastery of the guitar is evident in this diverse mix of tracks), but the man surely gave up something for a voice that soars across octaves, that swings from gravel to whisper to a full blown resonance that seems to take up real, tangible space in the room. Beard of Bees is Jez Mead’s fourth recorded offering to the world, and a record that uses his vocal gift (no matter how it was acquired) to deliver a striking set of songs.
Let’s begin at the end: the last song on this album |
was the best. A gorgeous, chilled out track called ‘Crooked’ was a resplendent way to finish, with slow chords and soulful crooning and Jez humming low and full, a honey coated vibration that left goose bumps in its wake (and was not the only track to do so). ‘Devil’ (featuring Julia Stone as Mead’s duet partner) is similarly slow and haunting, a love song which includes such lyrical blues gems as ‘Devil wants my blood for making whisky’. Continue reading Jez Mead “Beard of Bees” [LP Review]
Review: Ben Hosking
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With the seemingly never-ending list of 1980’s bands reuniting over the last 10 years or so, all trying to recapture some of their former glory; it’d be easy to dismiss Canadian thrash legends Annihilator as just another in the line. However, founder member Jeff Waters and company never actually left and have been producing quality metal the entire time; unlike many of their fallen brethren.
That said, this – their 13th studio album to date – easily qualifies as their finest effort in the last 20 years or so. A self-titled album, ‘Annihilator’ is brimming with speedy, precise riffage that |
effortlessly melds old-school thrash with more modern technical metal that will surely have you damaging neck muscles in the bedroom, car or public transport.
Continue reading Annihilator – “Annihilator” [CD Review]
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David Campbell currently sits as Australia’s foremost entertainer. His past three albums have garnered multi-platinum status, and his position as one of the country’s most popular live performers is assured. Campbell’s next project takes him back to his natural home: Broadway.
Combining Campbell’s legacy as one of Broadway’s most acclaimed cabaret stars, and his status as a leading man of Australian musical theatre, the Broadway show promises to be a once in a lifetime project from an extraordinary performer. |
Continue reading David Campbell – The Broadway Show @ Concert Hall, QPAC, Brisbane 7th August 2010
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Metalheads Australia wide will be banging their heads with glee to hear that yes, the rumours are true, the mighty Testament will return to our shores this August.Testament have reigned as one of the world’s premier thrash bands for 25 years, since the birth of Bay Area thrash, always staying true to their roots, yet winning over new fans with each of their nine chart busting studio albums. |
Review: Stephen Goodwin
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Winter has arrived. In name if not entirely in earnest. Tonight, though, The Holidays are doing their utmost to defy the chill in the air, raising both temperature and spirits with a strong showing of their summery party tunes.
But first. |
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Mead is your quintessential musical journeyman, travelling the country from the east to the west coast and everywhere else in between, gigging at pubs, clubs, venues and festivals. Another gig, another town – such has been the troubadour life of Jez Mead for the past 10 years. Playing his own brand of blues folk fusion with an acute pop sensibility, Mead clocks up the clicks (50,000 last year alone), listens to endless old school cassettes and has amassed life experiences that all have been translated into an album of ingenious purity and startling beauty. |
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There are few self-managed independent Australian acts that can state, they’ve toured with the likes of Santana & Lauryn Hill, been broadcast live worldwide performing at Al Gore’s 2007 Live Earth and toured across the world captivating crowds, filling rooms & rocking festivals, from Sydney to LA, NY to London, Tokyo to Montreal, Berlin to Melbourne. |
Continue reading Blue King Brown Return with “Women’s Revolution” featuring Queen Ifrica
Dean Carroll – who performs under the guise of Earth Worker – launches his new single titled ‘Who’s Coming Along’ which is taken from his debut album due out towards the end of the year. The single will be available for free download via his official website www.earthworker.com.au and Dean will hit the road to launch it supporting ASH GRUNWALD on his New South Wales dates.
Dean Carroll was born December 23rd in Windsor, Sydney. Dean spent his infant years under the strict seven year schedule of classical piano directed and influenced by his Mother and older sister. From here Dean rocked his way through high schoolon guitar and bass guitar writing classic alternative hard rock and Metal. It was here Dean started teaching himself to sing and play anything he wanted. Years past and Dean found himself in five years of service singing for Sydney four piece Metal Core outfit. This gave Dean all his songwriting, singing and industry experience which finally led him to the writing of Seeds of Light his debut solo album due out Summer 2011.
Dean spent the best part of six months travelling Australia busking and writing the album – which is still blessed with riffs and melodies he’s held onto since 2007.
Originally beginning his journey down in southern NSW Perisher Valley, dean ventured back up the east coast of Australia all the way to Cairns and then across the desert and north to Darwin. With nothing but his guitar and Didge Dean survived and lit the way he envisioned his song writing to become.
Dean has now independently recorded and produced his debut Full Length Album ‘Seeds of Light’ which will be released and distributed by New Justice Records Summer 2011.
Dean will also be touring Australia this coming year and in to the next backing his album and single release sometimes
TOUR DATES:
Saturday June 19: Winter Magic Festival, Katoomba, NSW
Wednesday June 30: Baroque Bar, Katoomba, NSW
Thursday July 1: Steel Mantra body mod & piercing, Windsor, NSW
Friday July 2: Fitzroy Hotel, Windsor, NSW
Thursday July 15: Happy Yess, Darwin, NT
Saturday July 24: Happy Yess, Darwin, NT
