Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Vale Rowland S Howard

Howard's band The Birthday Party changed my life. Their final show was the first gig I went to in Melbourne. As a street press hack, Howard was one of the first people I ever interviewed. I was starstruck. For me, his version of 'Some Velvet Morning' (with Lydia Lunch) is the greatest ever recorded. More recently, his album Pop Crimes was sensational. And his gig at last year's All Tomorrow's Parties was a festival highlight. And, of course, he wrote what is one of the all-time greatest Australian songs - 'Shivers'.

'Shivers' - The Boys Next Door:

Saturday, December 26, 2009

The Waitresses - Xmas Flashing

'Christmas Wrapping' is still the best Xmas song ever recorded. Originally intended for NY disco punk ZE Records label's compilation A Christmas Record in 1981, the song by The Waitresses (who hit in Aus with 'I Know What Boys Like' in 1982) became a UK hit the following holiday season. The track has since been covered by Spice Girls, The Donnas, Kate Nash and Save Ferris plus there's a live version by data Panik (formely Bis) kicking around. But what better way to pay tribute to the original version than to be mesmerised by Xmas lights.

'Christmas Wrapping' - The Waitresses:

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Smile - Merry Xmas

who ran the iron horse?A reconstruction of The Beach Boys' lost LP 'SMiLE' (the album that was going to be the follow up to 'Pet Sounds'). Based upon the track listing of Brian Wilson's 2004 re-recorded/finished version, and compiled from commercially released tracks from the original sessions, plus a bunch of 1967-era bootlegs. It's probably a little sacrilicous, but I think Ryan Marks does a pretty good job reconstructing what could have been.

:)This has been floating around the interwebs for a little while, but hey - it's the thought that counts.

Download the Ryan Marks' version from Warnakey's Beach Boys blog... HERE.

Of course, you should buy the Brian Wilson version too.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Jimmy Hawk - Death Mix

is this a stereogram? i can't see the unicorn.
30+ minutes of golden-sound selected by Jimmy Hawk.

'Death Mix' by Jimmy Hawk (direct link)

TRACK LIST:
Nick Drake - 'Hazey Jane 1' (Island)
Blue Roses - 'I Am Leaving' (XL Records)
Kate Bush - 'Cloudbursting' (EMI Records)
Beach House - 'Used To Be' (Carpark Records)
Radiohead - 'House Of Cards' (XL Recordings)
She & Him - 'You Really Got A Hold Of Me' (Merge Records)
Django Reinhardt - 'I'll See You In Me Dreams' (Blue Note)
Tyrannosaurus Rex - 'She Was Born To Be My Unicorn' (A&M)

Jimmy's debut 4 track EP 'Born On A Mountain' is out now.
Track it down on iTunes, Amazon and eMusic.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Records I Stole From My Father - Pt.6


The Spencer Davis Group - 'It Hurts Me So' 1965

Another crackly piece of vinyl that has seen better days. The cover of this LP is also going mouldy, so it's joined the 'pile of shame' quarantine area in my record room. The British Invasion might have been a big deal in other record collections, but not much of it made it into our household. In fact, I think this is the only Invasion record that made it. My Dad has one album by The Beatles, but it's 'The Beatles Again' (a 1970 compilation) and I don't think that counts. The line-up on this album features a young Steve Winwood - not that the name rang many bells when i was growing up. I did think it was kind of amusing he had a relation (older brother) in the band called Muff though. Muff went onto to be a producer and A&R guy. He was responsible for twiddling the knobs on Dire Straits' debut album, but managed to redeem himself by signing The Psychedelic Furs and Sade to Columbia Records in the early 80s.

golden mouldy

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Mastie - Death Mix

do you have any coconut oil?
A rare and special Death Mix from Mastie. Recorded during a recent research trip to the Balearic Islands. Converted from Spanish to high quality MP3, and presented to you. The future sound of Cafe Del Mastie.

'Death Mix' by Mastie (direct link)

TRACK LIST:
Saint Etienne - 'Spring (Air France rmx)'
A Mountain Of One - 'Bones (Thomas' Way Of The Ancients rmx)'
40 Thieves ft Qzen - 'Don't Turn It Off (Brennan Green rmx)'
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - 'Higher Than The Stars (Saint Etienne rmx)'
Eddie Kendricks - 'Going Up In Smoke (Supa Value Edit)'
Jackpot - 'Night Flight'
The Phenomenal Handclap Band - '15 To 20'
The KDMS - 'Never Stop Believing (Munk Club Edit)'
Friend - 'Black Keys'
The Time & Space Machine - 'Children Of The Sun'
Patrick Williams - 'The Bob Newhart Show Theme'

Thursday, November 26, 2009

The Delicate Genius - Death Mix

catz eyezIn the grip of a female voice.

A brand new Death Mix from The Delicate Genius.
7 records from near (as in recently released) and far...

'Death Mix' by The Delicate Genius (direct link)

TRACK LIST:
Super Wild Horses - 'Blood' (Aarght!)
Pulsallama - 'Oui Oui (A Canadian In Paris)' (Y Records)
Camera Obscura - 'You Told A Lie' (4AD)
Stereolab - 'Tempter' (Sub Pop)
Effi Briest - 'Chromes On It' (Skinny Wolves Records)
Pollyester - 'Round Clocks' (Love In C Minor)
Bush Tetras - 'Things That Go Boom In The Night' (Fetish)

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Neighbourhood Watch - Harmon

and in my spare time...Upcoming release from MVO (Melbourne's Very Own) Harmon. How many styles can this man hold down? I've also posted the T-Rek dub of 'Play', which is a 2009 sleeper.

Harmon's 'Breakdancer' EP is out mid-December on Idiot House Records. Track it down on Beatport.

Harmon - Breakdancer (Harmon's Freestyle B-Side) (zShare link)

Harmon - Play (T-Rek Remix Dub) (zShare link)

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Records I Stole From My Father - Pt. 5

doo-wayne-eddy, one of many
Duane Eddy - 'Rebel Walk' 1960

Both of my parents have a stack of early rock'n'roll 7"s, which is a bit strange for me, because I don't really associate either of them with rock music. I guess it does help to explain why my Mum was so into John Farnham's career resurrection (the first one), and why Dad spent alot of his weekends listening to 3KZ (now Classic Hits Gold 104.3 FM radio) on a transistor radio and working away on our family car.

Grubby who?
There's a family rumor that a photograph exists of me wearing one of Dad's old three-quarter overcoats a la Whispering Jack. It's also said I had a haircut that featured 'short sides and some length at the back'. It all sounds a bit far fetched to me though...

Friday, October 23, 2009

Adam Askew - Death Mix

black & white & ...Excavated from the archives, this mix was originally broadcast on Kiss FM Melbourne on Tuesday 4th December 2007.

'Death Mix' by Adam Askew (direct link)

TRACK LIST:
Curve - 'Coming Up Roses (Kevin Shields mix)' (Universal promo)
Primal Scream - 'Higher Than The Sun (American Spring mix)' (Creation)
Severed Heads - 'Disease 23' (Nettwerk)
Soft Cell - 'Fun City' (Some Bizzare)
John Foxx - 'You Were There' (Metal Beat)
The Durutti Column - 'Without Mercy B2' (Factory)
Weekend - 'Drum Beat For Baby' (Rough Trade)
Pigbag - 'Wiggling' (Y Records)
Arthur Russell - 'Place I Know' (Audika)

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Records I Stole From My Father - Pt.4

summer whineNancy & Lee - 'Summer Wine' 1966

To the best of my knowledge, my Dad has never sported a moustache or owned an acoustic guitar. I don't recall experiencing anything close to a 'velvet morning' in the Askew household either. Ambiguous drug references and circus music was never really an eastern suburbs thing - at least not when I was growing up. I do remember summer wine being quite popular though. Specifically chilled cask wine, which was usually enjoyed during 'me time', in the 'good rooms', with the door shut and us (the children) outside.

Q & A with N & L...

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

One Movement - Two Drummers

ONE I HEART HIROSHIMA
ONE INJURED NINJA
ONE TOMAS FORD
ONE FERRIS WHEEL
ONE PERTH
Perth (or P-Town as one local referred to it) played host to international(esque) music conference/festival One Movement on the weekend. The music may have too often strayed close to the centre-of-the-freeway but there was enough buzz/fuzz-inducing moments to make those of us there want this to become an annual event (music + sun = fuck yeah!). And the crazy-ass drum-off by Sydney's Philadelphia Grand Jury that closed the weekend has already reached legendary status.

One Movement in One Minute: Tomas Ford - Perth's cross between Dan Deacon and Patrick Wolf (his climactic group hug orgy was nice'n'sweaty); female singer/songwriters - too many doing the same thing, blame Kate Miller Heidke (who was a weekend lowlight); I Heart Hiroshima - Brizzy power pop punk trio who pulled off two mighty sets (it's love); taxis in Perth - it's quicker to walk; Injured Ninja - Luke & Kathy Steele's lil bro proves he's the real talent in the family, fusing tek nu-metal with post-punk funk jams and getting it right enough times to be worth watching; wasted spaces - too many no-name acts on the main stages while bands like Wagons and Vents played corker sets on hidden away stages; Matt Larsen - Perth tween on his way to Billy Braggdom (covering The Cure scored him extra points); the streets - acts playing down alleyways, random street corners and venues around the city centre gave the fest a real SxSW vibe. All up, this was a festival run as it should be, scoring extra kudos for the great sound systems everywhere.

But the highlight highlight? The aforementioned Philly J's 'encore' that involved their ex-drummer (now with Art Vs Science) and current drummer beating each other off (so to speak) while the organisers try to stop them and the rest of the band start dismantling the kits.

Please Note: I work for Street Press Australia who flew I Heart Hiroshima to Perth to play at their One Movement showcase with Philadelphia Grand Jury.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Adam Askew - Death Mix

thanks Jim!
After a short break we're back with another Death Mix!

This one was recorded LIVE last Friday 9th October @ South Side Hustle here in Melbourne.

30 minutes of capital 'H' House music.

'Death Mix' by Adam Askew (direct link)

TRACK LIST:
Over And Over And Over
Lolita Part 2
Rock Hard Love
Shame Shame Shame
Higher Tech Jazz
Em Kay Dub
Doctor In The House
T For 2

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Beyond The Wizards Of Grid

Remember The Grid? The '90s UK dance act who featured David Ball formerly of '80s electro pioneers Soft Cell? And they had the country/house hit (yes, really) 'Swamp Thing'? There was another guy in the band - Richard Norris? And in recent years he reappeared as one-half of Beyond The Wizard's Sleeve with Errol Alkan? And then as Alkan pulled more and more club anthems out of his pointy hat Norris re-imagined himself as The Time & Space Machine? Nuh! Well, then you won't care that The Grid are actually still recording and that Norris as Machine performs a great line in post-psydisco. He's also remixed like-minded types Woolfy and A Mountain Of One. And he has released the single 'Children Of The Sun' on Tirk.

The Time & Space Machine - 'Children Of The Sun'

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Records I Stole From My Father - Pt.3

turtle power!The Turtles - 'A Walk In The Sun' 1965

I re-borrowed this from my parent's house just the other week. The actual vinyl has "signs of play, but would make a good DJ copy" (ie. it's scratched to hell, but doesn't skip). Lead singer Howard Kaylan looks extra grumpy and just slightly out-of-place standing next to the other mop-topped group members on the album cover. The LP is bandwagonesque Californian folk-rock (there's three Bob Dylan covers), but stands up really well. Before transforming into The Turtles, the group was a surf-rock combo called The Crossfires.

who said pea coats are slimming?

Monday, September 14, 2009

Records I Stole From My Father - Pt.2

Samba Saravah
Francis Lai - 'Samba Saravah (vocal)' 1966

From the soundtrack to 'Un Homme Et Une Femme' ('A Man And A Woman'). I especially like the call-and-response vocal bits. I can picture myself listening to this while wearing a skivvy and enjoying a sip of cask wine, probably in the fantasy company of a girl who looks like Jane Birkin (circa 1969).

oui oui!
Sophisticated? Mais oui.

But, are you allowed to drink your father's Mosel? Mais non.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Neighbourhood Watch - Erasers

Supposedly Perth band Erasers have yet to play a gig. The lowkey two-piece include Shock! Horror!'s Rupert Thomas and the woman known-only as Rebecca. There's something primal about the outfit that makes them stand out above the crowd of post-punk wannabes... possibly the finest example of that, dare-we-say, UKesque early '80s scene that gave us Marine Girls and Au Pairs influence here since Jemima Jemima passed away (or split to Berlin...). Dreamy yet somehow disconcerting... maybe even scary. So before they gig they have issued an EP via the Owls label (what is with Perth and their current crop of lil bands and labels?) and it's worth more than just being fancy decoration on the end of your pencil.

Erasers - 'Outside Environment'

Friday, September 4, 2009

Records I Stole From My Father - Pt.1

While I might be a shining light of musical taste and refinement now, it wasn't always so. Growing up I would dive into my Dad's record collection and search for musical adventure. My Mum had a few 7"s, but Dad had a stack of 7"s and about 100 long players (and control over our Kriesler record player). More often than not I would walk away thinking - "why the hell did he buy THESE records?". 'Adult-contemporary', or maybe 'middle of the road' would be a good description for most of the collection.

There were no records by any black artists. The edgiest record - or at least the record with the most dangerous hair - was Rod Stewart's 1977 album 'Foot Loose & Fancy Free'. Still, my Dad had a few Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash records, and some interesting French albums, so it wasn't all bad. In retrospect maybe I was a little harsh at the time, because over the years quite a few of his records have found their way into my collection.

Boo!

Chet Atkins - 'Boo Boo Stick Beat' 1960

I always liked the wah-wah guitar and rockabilly drum break.


Friday, August 28, 2009

Neighbourhood Watch - Sidwho?

Sidwho?
Straight outta Adelaide (the city of churches, red wine, HMC and nangs) we present musician, producer and DJ extra-extraordinaire Sidwho?. Sid is a member of live disco band The Swiss (their debut 12" came out in 2007) and also plays bass for Empire Of The Sun when they're on the road.

Following up vinyl releases on Adelaide label Bark Bang, Sid has a bunch of stuff due out soon on Cage & Aviary's brand new label The Walls Have Ears.

due out September on TWHESidwho? - 'Vote Bowie For President' MP3 download

Head on over to Adult Arts Club for more info.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

A Holy Mountain Of One

With connections to ye olde Ibiza faves Chicane ('Offshore' was remixed to death in '96), A Mountain Of One seemed an unlikely contender to lead the way in all things psychedelically disco - but here it is. AMOO is made of Leo Elstob (the Chicane connection as he was in Disco Citizens with Chicane's Nick Bracegirdle - and that name still makes me snigger), Mo Morris and Zeb Jameson (played keys with indie types Dodgy and less indie types Travis). They've been kicking around a while but new cut 'Bones' is bound to garner them even more VIP buddies than they already have (they being down with Noel Fielding and all). But it's not so much the OG version of 'Bones' that's getting the peyote juices flowing (not that it's not a half-bad shuffler itself) but rather it's the Way Of The Ancients Remix that nails the desert disco balance where America (the band) meets Italy (the country). The remix is by none other than the Rub-N-Tug expert Thomas Bullock (also of Map Of Africa notoriety). Out on the Mountain label, you can buy it at Juno, Rough Trade or anywhere else that has a 'disco/nu-disco' section for stocking such releases.
A Mountain Of One - 'Bones (Thomas' Way Of The Ancients Remix)'

Monday, July 20, 2009

Woolfy & Clubby

NY disco baron Woolfy has finally released his official debut album (he released a Woolfy Vs Projections album last year - more on the dub disco tip). And it brings together cuts that have been floating around for nearly half-a-decade. The Woolfman's name has been linked to the likes of The Glimmers and, more importantly, DJ Harvey. He's remixed the likes of The Voices and The Tough Alliance and had his edits released on comps alongside Idjut Boys and Faze Action. He's been courted by hipster brands from Modular and Plant Music to Permanent Vacation and They Shoot Homos Don't They - and his name can be traced back to releases on Guidance at the start of the decade. The album, "If You Know What's Good For Ya!!" is part-strictly-disco, part-indie-dance... depending which period it's curated from. But it's the deeply disorienting disco that he does best and his 'Odyssey' single from '07 appears here in all its sinew-y stylised cosmic glory. The rest moves through shouty digifunk and the busy Heaven 17-grooves. There's everything from knees-go-elastic rhythms to a lump-in-your-throat ballad. Out on Rong, via DFA, and Stomp in Aus.

Watch the vinyl... it's an 'Odyssey':


Thursday, July 16, 2009

Monday, July 13, 2009

Super Star DJs - There They Go

Sick of all the rock dogs going on at you about how 'fucken awesome' and debauched rock bios like The Dirt are? Well, Motley Crue can go fug off (with their umlauts that I refuse to add to their name coz it's too much hassle) coz now we have our own bible of awesomeness and debauchery to turn too. Ex-Mixmag ed Dom Phillips has put together a tome documenting the rise and comedown of the superstar DJ lifestyle that was spawned by the UK's acid house/rave culture - a lifestyle that, like disco before it (and you can read about that in Hit Men), disappeared up noses on Lear jets. With wild claims like "a disproportionate amount of the major players in 1990s clubs were former hairdressers" and tales of Zoe Ball and Fatboy Slim off chops live on BBC radio, Super Star DJs offers up the dirt on all the DJs we once may have loved and, even better, the ones we definitely loved to loathe. The book is quite respectful of the early scene and treats its subjects without prejudice (for most of the time). And hey, it may well serve as a warning to the nu hedonism sweeping DJ-land.

It hit UK shelves earlier this year and has appeared sporadically in shops here (go check a non-Borders bricks'n'mortar store and order it the old-fashioned way... it's out through Ebury Press). It also serves as a timely reminder as to how important a role the UK played in bringing the sounds of Chicago and Detroit to the world in the late '80s - and how beautifully raw those first UK attempts were at recreating that American sound. Just recently we lost a UK club pioneer in the passing of Ian Loveday. A little known name, he was part of the scene that gave us S'Express/Mark Moore, Baby Ford and Bizarre Inc. He recorded as Eon, RRash, Ian B, Minimal Man and Tan-Ru - released on labels as varied as Hooj Choons and Kitsune. Most importanly, his 'Cuban Jackin' track, released under the guise of Rio Rhythm Band in 1988, is widely considered one of the first UK house tracks released.

Before there were super star DJs:

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Death Of A Disco Dancer – Fayette R.I.P.

In a period that will be remembered for the passing of Michael Jackson, some other recent musical deaths may be overlooked. Not only have we recently lost Sky Saxon of notable ‘60s garage band The Seeds but also music executive Allen Klein has passed away – he could not only count The Animals and John Lennon amongst his clients but he was also producer of 1973’s crazy cult psychedelic film The Holy Mountain (many alt.pop and disco acts currently cite it as a major influence). But for disco dancing dabblers, the saddest news comes in the form of the death of Fayette Pinkney. As one-third of Philly girl band The Three Degrees, Pinkney’s biggest success came during the disco era. Wearing flashy LaBellesque outfits, The Three Degrees delivered classy harmonies and choreography. But the ladies were a cut-above the cookie-cutter club kids of the day because they were borne out of the ‘Philly sound’, their funky pop was awash in lavish strings, brass and percussion. Considered by many as Philadelphia’s answer to The Supremes (but “bigger and stronger and melodic” according to Gamble & Huff), they first signed with regional Philly label Swan Records to record local Philly hit 'Gee Baby', working in the studio with musicians who would become the backbone of the Philly soul scene. They then scored a wider hit with 'Contact' on Warner before signing with the legendary Gamble & Huff’s Philladelphia International Records in 1972. Breaking out with disco anthem 'Dirty Ol’ Man', they next achieved iconic status by teaming with MSOB to record 'TSOP (The Sound Of Philladelphia)' as the theme for the definitive black music TV show of the day, Soul Train. International fame followed as they charted globally with disco ballad 'When Will I See You Again' (since covered by Barry White, Boys Town Gang, Love Tattoo, Erasure and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – that last one probably related to the fact that Prince Charles named the trio as his favourite group…). They even got to appear in the Hollywood box office smash The French Connection performing 'Everybody Gets To Go To The Moon'. But with the disco backlash, their career waned – although they continued to do well in the UK – and Pinkney left the group in 1976. After recording a solo album (One Degree), Pinkney returned to study and was most recently working in healthcare, although it is believed Pinkney joined a gospel choir and continued to offer her services as a vocal coach.

Can you keep your hands to yourself during this?

Thursday, June 25, 2009

The Delicate Genius - Sincere Treasure 2

For part 2 in the 'Sincere Treasure' mix CD series, DOADD proudly presents a Psychedelicate (un)mix from The Delicate Genius!

55+ minutes. 13 records and one CD.
Featuring new and old sounds.

'Sincere Treasure 2' by The Delicate Genius (direct link)

TRACK LIST:
Munk - 'In The Creamfields'
Clinic - 'Hijack'
The Temptations - 'Ain't No Justice'
Tame Impala - 'The Sun (Fred Cherry's eclipse)'
Frank Zappa - 'Envelopes'
Nacho Patrol - 'Mind World'
The Chances - 'Can I Touch It?'
? - hmmm
The Sabres Of Paradise - 'Edge 6'
Contra Communem Opinionem - 'Silence In The Morning'
They Came From The Stars - 'The Motherlode'
Zongamin - 'Street Surgery 2'
Common - 'Ferris Wheel'
Cheval Sombre - 'Hyacinth House'

'The Delicate Genius EP' is out now on Hole In The Sky.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Black & Orange

French Canadian "moog rock" outfit Duchess Says are strange. They claim to worship at the altar of the Church Of Budgerigar so it's apt that the new clip for their old anthem 'Black Flag' features what seems to be footage of orange people. The clip is made by Pil & Galia Kollectiv, reportedly from found footage - allegedly from an old VHS about new age conspiracies... 'Black Flag', though already out previously on an album, has been reissued as a part of the band's new Begging The Three Ts EP, out on Back Yard Recordings.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Pair Shaped - Drowning In A Sea Of House

AKA Robert Owens - 'Your Mind (Passion)' unreleased



Dickie Goodman - 'Mr Jaws' (Cash Records, 1975)

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Remember The Members

It may be starting to look like Lost In The ‘80s around here, but who can resist that misunderstood decade when so much of it keeps returning to the fore. This month’s return is extra horns-inducing as it’s UK baggy new wavers The Members, who have announced a reformation. Known as one-hit wonders in Australia for the 1982 dance punk hit 'Radio', they barely raised an eyebrow outside Britain. Originally working with the more vanilla producers Steve Lillywhite and Rupert Hine, the band hit their funky strides joining forces with Martin Rushent (producer for The Human League, The Stranglers, Buzzcocks, XTC, The Rezillos, Altered Images, etc), dad to Late Of The Pier’s James. The lads have reportedly played a few secret reunions since their split in 1983, but this time they will be undertaking a bona fide globe trot with their website reporting plans to hit Scandanavia, the US and Australia after shows in the UK. To commerorate the occasion they have revamped their old Offshore Banking Business cut as International Financial Crisis - reimagined with the aid of long-term collaborator, and Cure producer David M Allen.

The Members – 'The Model'

Friday, May 8, 2009

Constanze Zikos - Death Mix

tardis style!Brand new mix from Constanze Zikos. When he's not creating, curating, or fighting the good fight... Constanze also finds time to DJ around town (at select venues, of course). Here's 30+ minutes of synth pop, electro and minimal wave.

'Death Mix' by Constanze Z (direct link)

TRACK LIST:
Michael Hutchence - 'Rooms For The Memory' (WEA Records)
D'as Hirth - 'Niente' (Not On Label)
The Human League - 'The Black Hit of Space' (Virgin)
The Klinik - 'Black Leather' (Antler-Subway)
Das Ich - 'Unschuld Erde' (Danse Macabre)
Chromagain - 'Satisfied' (Supporti Fonografici)
Abolsute Body Control - 'So Obvious' (Body Records)
Pete Shelley - '111 (extd version)' (Immaculate Records)
Eric - 'Boy or Girl' (Break Records)

You can catch CZ live and in-person every Saturday night at the Carlton Hotel, and every other Friday at the Windsor Castle (both in Melbourne).

Friday, April 24, 2009

Adam Askew - Death Mix

in your belfry!I love alot of music.

I love alot of music from New Zealand.

I love alot of music on the Flying Nun record label.

AND, of course... I love The Bats.

So... here's ten of my favourite songs from The Bats. Starting near the beginning of their recording career in the mid 1980's, and going all the way up to their latest album.

'Death Mix' by Adam Askew (direct link)

TRACK LIST:
The Bats - 'Joes Again' (Flying Nun Records)
The Bats - 'Had To Be You' (Flying Nun Records)
The Bats - 'Daddy's Highway' (Flying Nun Records)
The Bats - 'Get Fat' (Flying Nun Records)
The Bats - 'Ten To One' (Flying Nun Records)
The Bats - 'Smoking Her Wings' (Flying Nun Records)
The Bats - 'Slow Alight' (Mammoth Records)
The Bats - 'Things' (Magic Marker Records)
The Bats - 'Later On That Night' (Arch Hill)
The Bats - 'Like Water In Your Hands' (Arch Hill)

The Bats' latest album, 'The Guilty Office', is out now on New Zealand label Arch Hill (due for wider release soon). And... keep your eyes out for a brand new Songs/The Bats split 7" on Sydney label The Spring Press.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Blancmange Back In The Kitchen

While UK '80s duo Blancmange may be best remembered as the 'zany' electro pop team behind break-out club hit 'Living On The Ceiling', pop culture vultures tend to overlook the team's darkly funky side that emitted the likes of 'God's Kitchen'. It's 27 years since they released the Happy Families album that was home to those aforementioned cuts, but they have returned with new material... and if it seems odd to say it was 'worth the wait'... well, it was. It's modern. It's still electric-ish. It's certainly less shameful than their '80s electro/dance contemporaries who hawk their arses on the retro circuit and way ahead of their non-retro-rollicking contemporaries Depeche Mode and Vince Clarke's Erasure, both who seem content rehashing sounds they settled on post-heyday.

'Drive Me' - Blancmange:

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Adam Askew - Death Mix

change! makes you wanna hustleRecorded live Friday 13th March 2009 @ 'South Side Hustle', Melbourne.

30+ minutes of ba-ba-ba-bumping disco and new wave!

'Death Mix' by Adam Askew (direct link)

TRACK LIST:
Capricorn - 'Capricorn (inst.) ' (Emergency)
Patrick Cowley - 'Mind Warp' (Megatone Records)
Den Haan - 'Night Shift' (Dissident)
The Delicate Genius - 'Mz Honda Bassline' (Hole In The Sky)
Two Tons Of Fun - 'Do You Wanna Boogie (Music Works dub)' (BBE)
Thieves Like Us - 'Fass' (Kitsune Music)
xVectors - 'Your Love' (O.S.C.a.R.R.)
The Delicate Genius - 'Up Down Turn Around' CDr
Love Supreme - 'Pork Chop Express' (Tirk)

Monday, March 23, 2009

SXSW - 5 Awesomely Random Austin Highlights

MEETING BENJY FERREE (LEFT) AND DREW MILLS (RIGHT)
SEEING PEOPLE FIND ANY SPOT THEY COULD TO APPRECIATE THE HOMOSEXUALS
HAVING MICACHU & THE SHAPES POSE FOR US AFTER A CORKER SHOWCASE THE NIGHT BEFORE (As reported on Day 3: "Cute as buttons, the playful Brit trio steal sound ideas from ‘90s dance and churn it into chirpy leftfield pop."
FINDING THE FUNK OF SAO PAULO'S GAROTAS SUECAS
HUNX & HIS STRIPTEASE AT QUEERLAND (Apologeez for the poor quality but just had to share)

Sunday, March 22, 2009

SXSW - Day 4; Couldn't Escape If I Wanted To

SHOOTING PAINS UP THE BACK
DON'T MESS WITH CRYSTAL ANTLERS
THE SOFT PACK
FINAL GLANCE AT SXSW
In the last day of SxSW musical activities it’s the final chance to catch any acts that have continually fallen off your ‘must catch’ schedule in the preceding week due to time table clashes, missed buses, sore feet, getting lost, getting too drunk, etc. It’s all about quality not quantity in these closing moments. First up it’s an in-store at Waterloo Records where NY’s The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart are earning their festival buzz reputation with an impressive set of indie-flecked nu gaze (still allowed to use that term?). Then, at the Mess With Texas massive open-to-the-public, all-ages, free party in Waterloo Park, the week’s most impressive line-up is underway. After The Bronx finish scaring the native fauna (and stirring up a swarm of wasps that has descended upon the area) two more of the fest’s buzziest bands impress. On stage, Cali lads Crystal Antlers appear far less intense than their prog-heavy recordings would lead you to expect, live their compositions breathe with soulful percussion, psych guitar and garage rock keys – appropriately, an aroma of dope drifts through the crowd on the spring breeze. And following one of the quickest change-overs ever, The Soft Pack appear. Now, this is the way to end the week. The post-mod quartet from San Diego give a nod to Husker Du and rip through a smart set of the week’s catchiest tunes, ending with what many would say could be the festival’s theme – 'Parasites'. Time to go home.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

SXSW - Day 3; Austin's All Right If You Like...

FERREE & MILLS LOOK FOR AN ESCAPE ROUTE
COULD YOU WHACK THE COOKIE MONSTER?
WHAT FELL FROM THE BAG AFTER A DAY IN THE BURBS
HUNX BEFORE THE CLOTHES CAME OFF
6TH STREET ON DAY 3
HOMOSEXUALS BASHING

As a new day dawns so does a new realisation – the best SxSW action doesn’t necessarily happen in the downtown area around the festival’s convention centre. In the centre of Austin a SxSW virgin is initially astounded to find that block after block of 6th Street is closed for the four days that music takes over the town. It is gob-smackingly amazing to see an entire city’s traffic re-routed for music fans. Pub after pub, bar after bar, venue after venue, cafe after café, empty block after empty block, street corner after street corner - every millimetre plays host to music entertainment. Then on the outskirts and in the convention centre there are bigger gigs (tonight it was Metallica… or so I’m told) and industry forums (“Catch Jarvis Cocker with a whiteboard!”). But it doesn’t end there. Start strolling away from the city centre and you discover the inner suburban streets have also given way to music: car parks, backyards, stores, church grounds and bus stops are all used to stage gigs featuring local and/or visiting talent.

It was in this spirit that today I dared to venture beyond the CBD (Central Badged District – official festival participants take out a mortgage to get a coded passport that is their entry into anything officially SxSW (those who can prove they are local are afforded the opportunity to purchase a less expensive wristband that also allows doors to open). A long wait for cabs meant sharing taxis. This lead to the first swag of the day as folk from Blackland Records got on board with us and slipped us three releases of their’s. I mention this coz they were nice enough to split the fare!

Just off Cesar Chavez I found the Okay Mountain Gallery hidden behind a piñata-bedecked frontage. Within was the man who was top of the must-see list for this trip – Benjy Ferree. His Leaving The Nest album is one of the greats. His music has brought me so much joy in recent times that I half expected him to be sixty foot tall and bringing dead kittens back to life while steering tornadoes away from towns. The Great Ferree is a mix of indie troubadour in The Apartments kinda way and classic country folk in a Hank Williams sorta style. Today, accompanied by the suave Drew Mills, he supplied a simple acoustic (in that plugged-in way) set of sweet melodies and, most importantly, whistling (like a bird… not a like a Peter, Bjorn or John – not that’s anything wrong with that kinda whistling). And, like a nerd, after the gig I cornered them, drooled on their lapels, discussed Nick Cave and forced them to look happy to be photographed with me. Next time a tornado miraculously misses your town remember to give thanks to Ferree.

Next stop: Queerland. If you are familiar with the filthy faggy antics of Oakland’s Gravy Train!!!! (if Wikipedia says their has to be four exclamation marks, who am I to argue?) then the lure of a solo project from band member Hunx is too much. Hunx & His Punx do NOT disappoint. Before the band even starts today’s set Hunx can be seen on stage applying lipstick to his band members who are also shedding street clothes for their varying degrees of showtime near-nakedness. As an audience member shrieks, “He was wearing those undies yesterday”, you pretty much can guess where this one’s going… Gay garage rock has never sounded so good. Nor has it ever been stripped, flipped and quipped so inelegantly. And where else do you get to glance away from the stage for a second only to look back and see a pair of fish-netted legs appearing where the singer’s face was just seconds ago? (If you have an answer to this question please send the address…)

And there’s only one direction to go after that. It’s off to see The Homosexuals at Ms Bea’s, found to the far east of the festival centre. This tiny bar is the real deal – nothing but beer served here and a sprawling backyard/carpark (the actual bar interior is but a speck in this space) plays host to the best party of the day. A relaxed mix of punks, students, music nerds, hipsters and creaking old men don’t give a fuck that the band schedule is way behind – unlike the military precision of the gig timetables in town. But thankfully the times are awry coz it means I get to experience the Brazilian boogie of Sao Paulo’s answer to The Rolling Stones – Garotas Suecas. It seriously seemed like the whole neighbourhood dropped in to dance – actually, what do the neighbours make of all this mayhem?

Then Britain’s original punx The Homosexuals take the floor. It begins with a sermon (no mount) about the band’s place in punk history – they were first but hold no grudges to those who walked away with the notoriety (to prove there is no malice a Sex Pistol lyric is slipped in and a Stranglers lick sneaks by later). They cum to preach love not hate. And jeez, these guys aren’t just still ripping music a new arsehole, they rip it a new vagina, a new cock hole, a new nasal cavity and a new colostomy hole! They can quote Chaucer, smash out mad beats and scream their lungs out… in the most delightful way. They are also one of most musically adept acts around - these guys jump from funky arrangements to jagged melodies as if to say, “hell, isn’t it meant to be that easy?”. At one stage their bass player swaps from drumstick to bottle to pound his instrument with while the rest of the band hover round the drum kit and somehow all seem to be swirling in frenzied circle as lips are cut, guitarists are electrocuted and bass drums are jumped on. It’s no wonder people are hanging from trees to get a view of this. Jeez this gig is fucking joyous, I hang at the party even though most of the following acts weren’t on “the list” for the day.

Only the promise of an appearance by Moistboyz (is there a theme building here?) even further into this suburban area, at the Long Branch Inn, can eventually lure me away (along with the fact that I’m pretty sure someone threw a bottle at me… a Guy Sebastian fan must have snuck in – see yesterday’s comments). So the day ends with balls-to-the-wall rock – which you expect from a band featuring Nick Oliveri, a Butthole Surfer and a Ween. Can only head even further into the burbs after that…