Thursday, 26 June 2014

That's Entertainment : EOFYS 2014


Hands up if you think we've got half way through 2014 way, way, wayyyyyy to quickly!?!?!?

Yep.  Me too.

It only dawned on me the last week or so because it's started to actually get cold.  And that's usually a good sign that winter is here.  

And the funny thing is, I was only thinking to myself a few weeks ago - geez, there hasn't been much 'new' music this year.  Which is false, because as I sit back to compile this column, and whittle it down to the 12 songs I think you should really check out from the first half of 2014, I'm having to be judicious with my selections.

So without further ado - Happy EOFYS 2014!!!  And here are my 12 hit-picks for your listening pleasure.

RAC feat. Kele and MNDR - Let Go https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeXBiXcEBkY
I first heard this on Triple J back in January when I started the car and drove Lee and the kids to Westfields.  The propulsive bass, drums and synth lines had me buttock-shimmying in the driver's seat the whole way.  One of my few instant I-tunes downloads, I had this song, and this song along, on my iPod whirling around and around.  The video clip is a masterpiece too, with a lady Hannibal Lecter and her suspecting boyfriend figuring out her secret.  A collective that collaborates with other artists - here, it's Bloc Party's vocalist Kele and MNDR - this song has rocketed to the top of my 'all time faves' list.



Australia's pre-eminent synth-pop act, Neuropa released their latest album Resistor in 2014, and they have once again delivered in spades.  I am also biased: I know vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Jason Last.  But that said, this veteran act creates some of the best electro soundscapes out there and really should be given more respect in this country.  Midnight Sun is a stunning track, one of the many highlights off the album.  Buy the album and check out Pain too - another cracking tune.


Skaters - Miss Teen Massachusetts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSaPHFsZTZo

I know very little about this band other than they are American.  I also saw this song on Rage early one morning and fell in love with the whole package - the vocal, the chiming guitar, the thrusting beat.   It's got an Oasis meets The Strokes flavour and the LP - Manhattan - is fantastic too.  If I could change your mind...



Dave Rennick is a member of Dappled Cities, truly one Australia's great bands of the past decade.  He has branched out on his own, and earlier in the year he dropped this debut solo single.  It reminds me of my youth and is a giddying piece of pop candy.  The video clip had to be removed from YouTube due to it's affect on viewers passing out in ecstasy (and maybe it had something to do with the strobe lighting too, LOL!).  This is one guy to watch out for and with an album promised by the end of the year, if Boys is a taste of things to come, this little retro-duck is going to be very pleased.


Band of Skulls - Nightmares https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxntDF0-5Uk

Band of Skulls are a UK act who recently released their 3rd album and toured last weekend (curses!!!  missed 'em!!!).  They make some really, really cool stuff, so I highly recommend checking out their new album Himalayas or the previous album Sweet Sour.  


Holy Holy - Impossible Like You https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ8kXQWAh2M

Holy Holy are another Australian act making waves with their dream pop.  Impossible Like You takes psychedelic Led Zep guitar tunings and spacey vocals to gift you trippy vibes.  The pre-chorus and chorus to this song is perfection and the guitar has more muscle than many 'hard rock' acts out there these days.


Manchester Orchestra - Top Notch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7o6ZJ2GJzo

Manchester Orchestra is an American act I got in to for one song about five years ago.  Then I heard a song off the album after it and loved it and began exploring their back catalogue.  In March, they dropped Top Notch as a prelude to their latest album.  Listen to it, decide for yourself.  Quite possibly my favourite 'rock' song of 2014 thus far.


I Know Leopard - Hold This Tight https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81pJvXdUeJ4

At various moments during the year, this has been my favourite song.  In fact, only the other day, Zach asked me to play the 'Leopard' song.  I put this on and he smiles, swaying his head and tells me 'it's a great song!'.  Having befriended [in the loosest possible way, via Facebook] the band, I let them know and so they're sending me out a CD copy of their debut EP Illumina only released at the beginning of June.  An Australian dream pop band, this is a sensual, sweet song made for summer - lilo in the pool, sunglasses and thongs, sizzling BBQ, cool drink.  It warms the cockles of a winter heart.


City Calm Down - Pavement  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjWUv6d-hmQ

City Calm Down are a Melbourne band with one EP behind them - but oh what a debut.  Gaining international traction, City Calm Down are currently bunkered down, writing their new album.  Pavement - a taste treat released to tide the fans over, meshes retro synth sounds with trappings of the Church, a hint of Joy Division and more of that compelling drive that makes you want to dye your hair black and tap your toes.  If this is a sign of things to come, City Calm Down could well and truly be something big.  So get in now and claim them as your own before everyone else tells you they heard 'em first.  



East is a whipper snapper from the Central Coast who I heard on Triple J one night.  They had this song on Unearthed [a great place for downloads] and immediately had to add it to my collection.  Sounding much, much wiser and wearier than her youthful school age years, East is on the cusp of something special : this song was written and recorded in her bedroom, so I can only imagine what other gems will be coming our way.  It's pleasing - what with all my snobbery and bitching & moaning - that young talent can come to the fore without being on a reality TV show.


Andy Bull - Talk Too Much https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qIQLQEvsrg

Another Aussie releasing breezy electro-pop.  I know absolutely nothing about this guy.  He has an album coming out.  Am going to be checking it out.


Wavves - Demon to Lean On https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lG8HCFQa3OQ

Wavves are an surf-rock band hailing from the US of A.  They are another band I happen upon by chance.  The video for Demon to Lean On has this really cool Lord of the Flies vibe and has one of the best sounding choruses thus far.


Little Earthquake - Planets https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f8UpMS1WX0

Little Earthquake are another Central Coast act - must be something in the water up there - who I spied on Rage.  There's a real gleam to there music - it reminds me of The Fauves, though I hope they have more success than the travails that best that band.  Immediately, I wanted to adopt them like a puppy.  With their Bright Side EP out and them touring up and down the coast in the mini-bus, Little Earthquake are 'the little band that could' at the moment.  Taking a liberal dose of pop, rock and everything in between, Little Earthquake have the chops to become your second favourite band.  
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Thursday, 19 June 2014

That's Entertainment : Fischerspooner
In 2002, I lived in London with Lee.  I worked for a bookshop tucked in the corner of St James's Park Underground Station.  What I loved about working there - other than my boss and his 2IC who were genuinely wonderful, witty and yet absolutely dark and bonkers Scotsmen - was that for the first time in my life, I could buy all the English mags like Q and MOJO on the day of release, with the free CDs still gummed to the covers.  

Now, in the middle of 2002, with the soccer World Cup raging on the other side of the world - Korea and Japan - and Gascoigne and London going troppo, I remember being cooped up in this little bookshop flicking through the boss' NME, bored right out of my skull but I will never forget reading this article about 'the future' of music.  Sounds like a bit of a w@nk.  You see, whilst the World Cup may have been raging, according to NME, Electroclash was coming to the fore as an exciting scene fusing synth pop and electro aesthetics with the visuals of punkish performance art and vocoder homages.  At times promiscuous, there was a icy detachment but extravagant spontaneity and ridiculous glam to many of the performances.  At the forefront, was a NY group called Fischerspooner, who was allegedly burning cash (on costumes and OTT show pieces) and literally had the NME in raptures.

Now, usually, I'm very wary of the NME.  But I got caught up in their hype, and dashed out to purchase the subtly titled album, #1.

Jaw drops!!!

Seriously, if I can get Lee to listen to - nee, enjoy…like! - cold, austere electro pop…it has to be good.

Uh-huh that's right!

Emerge - the lead in single - would have to be one of the most infectious, deliciously hyper sensual synth songs of the 2000's and quite possibly ever.  I mean, I'm a massive Gary Numan fan, but Emerge gives him a run for his money.  But that's just scratching the surface.  Make your way through the entirety of #1 and you will find gem after gem.  A cover of Wire's The 15th is a delight; Tone Poem is an audio feast.  All inspire my science fiction writing; a flicker of life within the automaton; the cold emptiness of a disposable pleasure fabricant.

Returning with Odyssey, they lavished listeners with Cloud, All We Are and Just Let Go three exceptional pieces of aural candy.  An even more elaborate - read : expensive - tour began in Europe and the label balked when Fischerspooner planned to tour it back at home.  Released from their recording contract, members went on to do other things before reconvening for 2009's Entertainment.  And boy was I glad they returned.  We Are Electric proved to be - to me - one of the most amazing tracks of the decade.  With it's arresting, eye popping video clip, a lyrical majesty and soaring, lilting score it reaches its peak and leaves this listener breathless. 

I clipped that article out of the magazine.  For a long time it was tucked in to the CD cover of #1.  The hype has given way to a sterling legacy.

So if you're looking for something artistically satisfying and outrageously creative whilst amazingly entertaining, Fischerspooner is your go.  

And if you hang around, I bet you'll fall for them too.

Uh-huh that's right!  



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Thursday, 12 June 2014

That's Entertainment : Foo Fighters


I was a BIG fan of Nirvana's Nevermind, but when Kurt Cobain died in early-1994, I didn't give it a second thought what the rest of the band - bassist Krist Novoselic and drummer Dave Grohl - would do next.  I just kind of assumed that Cobain was the 'genius' behind the band and that 'grunge was dead'.  I finished my high schooling and moved on to other things.

So imagine my surprise when in 1995, Dave Grohl returned with his own new 'band' called the Foo Fighters.  Released mid-year, I distinctly remember buying the self titled debut albums of both the Foo Fighters and Garbage at the same time and falling in love with both bands at the same time.  To me, Dave Grohl is one of the BEST drummers of ALL time.  To hear him rock out on guitar  was ad first 'different', even 'odd'.  And since 1998, he only really drums as a guest elsewhere, placing his faith in band drummer Taylor Hawkins.

For mine, Foo Fighters is a visceral album - a real rocking, crunchy album with the bare minimum of polish.  Yet it is stocked full of gems.  Absolute gems.  And sure Dave Grohl was mourning his friend's death and wondering what in hell he was going to do next after quite literally being a member of the 'biggest' band in the world, one that was a vanguard for musical, if not societal, changes, culminating in the 'alternative scene' becoming mainstream in America - but consider this: Foo Fighters was originally just demos of stuff Grohl wanted out of his system before he got serious about things.  He wrote, played and produced pretty much everything on the whole album.  There is only one guitar part credited to someone else and each song took about 45 minutes to complete.  Hoping to remain anonymous, Foo Fighters exploded, dominated radio play and charts around the world, and not because he was Nirvana's ex-drummer.  No, the album bristles, crackles, rocks and rolls.

And in no time, Dave had formed a band and was out there touring.  Songs like This Is A Call, I'll Stick Around and Big Me pulsed.  Without even trying, Dave Grohl became the 'coolest' guy in the world, more so when they filmed Big Me in Sydney.

By 1997, The Colour and the Shape arrived, with its explosive lead in track Monkey Wrench, quite possibly one of the riff-tacular songs of all time.  Even now, I get shivers.  Dave had grown the goatee, cut the hair and delivered a 2nd album filled with amazing rock outs and tenderness.  Yet for mine - and yes, they were singles - My Hero and Everlong - were two stunning sing-along monsters that had brilliant film clips, whilst Walking After You could bring you to tears.  It probably ranks up there as one of the best 'divorce' albums ever too; Grohl admits that the LP chronicles his change from 'chaos to newfound happiness'.  

Barely stopping for breath, There Is Nothing Left To Lose was released close enough to the end of the century and was another grab-bag of goodies.  Always ones to lampoon themselves and the industry whilst producing film clips with plenty of laughs, Learn To Fly roared on to TV with a cracker of a clip.  Stacked Actors was a scathing critique of Hollywood; Generator returned the talk box to the fore; Breakout is a belter; Next Year the song to wave a cigarette lighter to (it sounds a little Oasis for mine).  However, for mine, Aurora is one of those tracks that I resonated with and it is a soft piece from Grohl, whilst album closer Fraternity [released only on the Australian and Japanese editions] is my favourite track on the album.  The Foo Fighters were at their peak, the 'coolest' band in the world, and yet still remained 'rock & roll'  To prove it, Dave Grohl got busted on the Gold Coast driving a scooter whilst under the influence - losing his licence for 3 months and copping a fine.  He took it in good grace noting you shouldn't drink and drive after a few beers, no matter how capable you feel.

And whilst this article isn't about Dave Grohl, he really is the Foo Fighters.  Around 2001, they recorded the 4th album, but the band was in-fighting, a heroin overdose for Taylor Hawkins, bickering over tame million dollar demos, Grohl lost confidence in the album and the band looked like breaking up. Which is funny, because Grohl looks like he's mates with everyone - Jack Black, Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen, John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin and guesting as a drummer on numerous albums, including the Queens of the Stone Age's Songs for the Dead.  Grohl also has an amazing love of many genres of music and does session work, whilst forming side projects like Them Crooked Vultures and Probot, amongst others.  Holding it together, they finally released One By One in late 2002, with much heavier material including All My Life, Low and Times Like These.

Taking time out to help John Kerry on the 2004 Presidential Campaign, Dave Grohl wrote an album of acoustic material.  Taking it to the band, they eventually decided to try something different, and release the 2-CD In Your Honor.  One album was acoustic, the other rock.  No Way Back was the song I really quite liked off this set, whilst I have to say that Best of You was absolutely, positively and chronically played to DEATH by radio stations in this country, to the point I can barely listen to it now.  And the thing I find ironic is, despite the acoustic album being full of wonderful songs, many people don't consider it 'real' Foo Fighters, go figure!  But check out Miracle.  Love it!

Backing up with Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace in 2007, The Pretender came out swinging, decrying the state of things, whilst the band returned to spoof territory for the video for Long Road To Ruin, which continued their penchant for gloriously funny film clips.  For Aussies, it contains The Ballad of the Beaconsfield Miners, a tribute to Brant Webb and Todd Russell.  When trapped underground, they requested an iPod with In Your Honor on it, and Dave Grohl sent a personal message to the miners telling him he had two cold beers waiting for them.  When eventually rescued, Dave Grohl lived up to his offer and the two saved miners met their hero.  

Displeased to be contractually obligated to release a best of album, they returned with their most recent album in 2011 - the fierce Wasting Light.  With blistering tracks like Rope, White Limo (featuring Motorhead's Lemmy in the clip), Bridge Burning, whilst I like Back & Forth and Walk, tucked in as the final track on the LP.  Walk has a real beauty to it, and check out the Falling Down inspired film clip (with the right amount of humour).  Declaring post tour they were calling it a day, it was seen as the band having done all it could, with some even suggesting Grohl had passed his use by date.  However, in 2014, 20 years after being that 'ex-drummer from Nirvana' and creating an enviable catalogue of music, it has been confirmed the Foo Fighters will release another album and probably be playing at a festival near you soon, and you'll see another 'funny' film clip.

For me, the Foo Fighters are part of the furniture now.  They're just wonderful.  Consistent, fun and energised but never pedestrian or predictable.  They give you want you want, plus more, and deliver in spades.  Dave Grohl IS the coolest rock star in the world.  He's becoming an elder statesman of rock, comfortable like warm slippers.  But every time, he jabs you with something from left field.  He'll give you that absolute riff-a-rolla monster or achy breaky heartstring puller.  He plays the industry game but does things his own way…he is that 'ex-drummer from Nirvana' after all, and for mine, he can do whatever the hell he pleases.  I'd hate to see a day when Dave Grohl wasn't in our lives anymore, so let's hope the shows goes on.  And whilst Nirvana are rock n roll greats, for me, the Foo Fighters are the ones who make great rock and roll and make rock and roll great!














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Friday, 6 June 2014

Plug It In: Little Earthquake


The Central Coast isn't all beaches as I recently discovered.

Getting a whirlwind of play on RAGE, Little Earthquake are chugging around the country in support of their new EP - Bright Side - and the song that hooked me in would have to be Planets.  The 'new' song, Brightside is quickly becoming a fan fave too.

I highly recommend you support this Aussie band, and download the 4 track EP off I-tunes.  You won't regret and the songs will burrow in to your eardrums, leaving you with a beaming smile and a warm fuzzy feeling.

And if you're so inclined, go see 'em out while they're on tour, or go 'like' on FB and follow up.  Surely, with this mini-slab of goodness, a full LP isn't far off.
  






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Thursday, 5 June 2014

That's Entertainment : The Angels


If you grew up in the late 1970's and 1980's in Australia, there was a smorgasbord of Aussie acts plying their trade in the pubs on every corner and there was something for everybody.  

One band that was immediately adopted by Aussie audiences was a band whose debut single - though not a huge charting song - had a chorus that would go on to become a part of the Australian lexicon.

The Angels released Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again in 1976, and to this day, most people chant the 'unofficial' lyrics of the chorus.

Shall we try it?

Am I ever gonna see your face again? No way!!! Get fucked. FUCK OFF!!

It doesn't hurt that the guitars chime and the bass chugs along and the drum beat pounds in the back with that nasally, drawling vocal up front.  And at first, when the chant began, The Angels thought they were being politely told by their 'adoring' crowds to exit ASAP and the extra lyrics took on a life of their own forcing national broadcasters to have nervous censors reaching for the beep button.

The core of the band were vocalist Doc Neeson and the brothers Brewster - Rick on lead guitar and John on rhythm guitar - with Chris Bailey on bass.  Whilst Doc Neeson was wildly extroverted up front, Rick Brewster donned sunglasses and stood stone motionless at every gig.  

Things moved quickly for the Angels, with an album a year for over a decade, endless tours and gigs, a string of catchy and/or rock out hit tunes, appearances on Countdown and the ups and downs associated with an Aussie act in the 1980's making it big in their own pond and trying their luck in the USA to mixed results.  I guess, legacy wise, Aussies would - or should - know many of their hits - Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again, Take A Long Line, No Secrets, Marseilles, Shadow Boxer, Let The Night Roll On, Dogs Are Talking, Tear Me Apart - however, it's bands like Guns N Roses, and even Pearl Jam, who cite The Angels (as well as Rose Tattoo) as influences as how to rock out!

Their live show was always electric and NYE 1979 saw 100,000 watch them on the steps of the Sydney Opera House.  It was cut short due to a riot occurring and bottles being hurled.  Ironic that in 1992 Tear Me Apart would be adopted by the Federal Govt for an anti-alcohol violence ad campaign.  They also completed a number of iconic film clips in that 1976-1982 period - even being a 'pub rock' band, their theatrical side would win out too.  Finally, in 1990, when many Aussie acts of the era released that last 'big' LP (twas the end of the vinyl era too) - whilst also being the album that got me on board - Beyond Salvation - roared up the charts to #1 and blunted our earholes.

By the mid-1990's, times had changed, tastes had changed, and like many Aussie rock bands of the 1980's, The Angels floundered, finding it difficult to get traction with audiences who no longer bought LPs or saw them as dinosaurs, and the group eventually began splintering in to fragmented bands with the members each claiming ownership of the name, image and catalogue of The Angels.  Even recently, Dave Gleeson (formerly of the Screaming Jets) has been singing for The Angels (and even released a couple of albums with them) whilst Doc Neeson toured solo.

In 2013, singer Doc Neeson was diagnosed with a brain tumour, thwarting any possible 'reunion'.  Sadly, on Wednesday 4th June, Doc Neeson, quite possibly one of Australia's greatest vocalists and entertainers (at least up there in the top 10), passed away.  It's moments like this that you realise your youth is long gone, and only the memories survive.  For Doc Neeson (and the rest of the band - despite the angst over the past decade), the music will always survive.  And so it should!

So please, raise a glass of your favourite throat gargle and repeat after me:

Am I ever gonna see your face again? No way!!! Get faffed. Faff off!!!

RIP Doc Neeson 




Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again


Marseilles

Take A Long Line

No Secrets


Shadow Boxer


Let The Night Roll On


Dogs Are Talking


Tear Me Apart






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