Arthur Jackson

Locality

We should probably just re-name the column Cas-P-cality, as those insatiable rogues just can’t slow down. It’s just been announced that Casual Projects have taken out a place in the second round of The JD Set, alongside Calling All Cars and Borne. This’ll see Canberra’s favourite octet tour the nation in the near future, and also puts them in the running for the end-of-year grand prize, with all kinds of career-assisting goodies on offer. Stay tuned to www.myspace.com/casualprojects . The lads will also be playing a free show at the Transit Bar on July 11, so mark that in your diaries.

A lightning-fast reminder that the fabulous Variodivers are launching their highly-anticipated debut EP The Battle this Friday (June 27) at The Greenroom. It’s a snappy lil’ listen, resplendent in some of the best packaging seen housing a disc this year. Joining them on the night will be Melbourne’s Tin Alley and locals Spoil. Doors from 8pm, with the first 50 punters through nabbing a free stein, and all who enter grabbing a free copy of the EP. Ten big ones on the door - cheap!

2008 sees local punk stalwarts Lamexcuse notch up ten years as a group, and the band will mark the occasion by, amongst other things, releasing their debut LP Life. Like. Wild. in October. To grab a cheeky preview of the long-awaited LP, jump on the band’s myspace - www.myspace.com/lamexcuse And in further Lame news, the lads have scooped the converted support slot for the Strung Out/No Use For a Name double header at the ANU Bar on July 13.

For something a little left-field, the Serbian Club (5 Heard St, Mawson) will be hosting a night of big bands at the Folkus Room on June 28. It promises “a night of big band music from traditional swing to modern jazz, featuring four of Canberra’s hottest big bands and headlined by Jonno Zilber and the Zilberfish - Canberra’s answer to the Cherry Poppin Daddies.” Also on the bill are Kooky Fandango, Blamey St Connexion, Canberra Youth Music Big Band and In Full Swing. From 6.30pm. Tickets $20, for bookings Phone Cameron on 0422 842 605.

2006’s inaugural Megafauna Festival still holds a fond place in the hearts of Canberra punters. It saw Sydney hellraisers the Hell City Glamours and Ben Ely’s (Regurgitator) new project Jump 2 Light Speed mixing it with the cream of Canberra’s musical crop, including LOG, Super Best Friends, Australian Kingswood Factory, Red Menace and many more, all in the name of raising money for the Australian Cancer Research Foundation - a very worth cause indeed. Well, much like Slim Shady, it’s back! Megafauna Festival 2008 is happening at the ANU Bar on October 11. “Canberra’s finest will all be there, joined by some choice interstate acts,” says mainman Dave. “Keep an eye out for hairy, hairy monsters popping up around the place from about August. Meanwhile, reach us at www.myspace.com/megafaunafest .”

Just a friendly reminder that local hip-hop dynamos D’Opus & Roshambo will be launchin’ their long awaited debut LP The Switch at the ANU Bar on Saturday July 5. I had a crafty listen to the finished product last week and can happily confirm that it’s been worth the wait. Joining them for the launch at the ANU will be Axe Aklins with Bagdad, Carts2Deadly, Sydney’s Scott Burns and Newcastle’s Mathmatics. There’ll be freshly pressed CDs, limited edition 12” LPs and a new line of shirts for guys and gals on sale. Doors from 9pm, tickets are $15, or $10 for Uni students. Afterparty at the Transit from midnight. Woo!

And there’s no more room! Our beloved Carrie will return as of next issue, so forward all news to cazzed [at] hotmail [dot] com . It’s been wild, child.

Locality

Yep, it may be scarf ‘n’ mitten weather, but it’s also quite unmistakably CD launchin’ weather. After a mammoth double launch from Alice Cottee and The Andi and George Band the other week, which saw Wattle Street flooded with freaky beatniks and Public Servo suits alike, the local music gravy train shows no signs of slowing down. So get on board, I say! There’s room for many a’more.

It’s a little-know fact, but when Paula Cole sang “I don’t wanna wait for our lives to be over,” it was actually in reference to D’Opus & Roshambo’s debut LP. The old girl was overdoing it a bit, really, ‘cause while it has been an agonising wait, in reality it’s only been two years. After months spent slaving over a hot set of decks, the pair have just put the finishing touches to their debut LP The Switch. Due out on June 28 through Shogun, it marks a new chapter in the duo’s career. Pushing decidedly forwards, the pair explore different genres, sounds and themes with the likes of Supastition (US), Axe Aklins, Carts2Deadly, Hancock Basement, Cris Clucas and Minky Faber surfacing for guest slots. In order to give the record the ceremonial casting-off it deserves, a launch date of Saturday July 5 has been set at the ANU Bar. Good mates Axe Aklins with Bagdad, Carts2Deadly, Sydney’s Scott Burns and Newcastle’s Mathmatics will be on hand for support duties.

Freshly minted copies of the disc will be on sale, as will limited edition 12”s for all you vinyl junkies, and there’ll also be a fresh new line of D’O & Row shirts for both guys and dolls. Doors from 9pm, tickets are $15, or $10 for Uni students. And when the main event’s over, those hooch-pimpin’ fiends over at The Transit will be keeping the partying going, hosting the official afterparty. More next issue, so stay tuned.

While they’ve been kickin’ ‘round the traps for some time now, local larrikins the Variodivers are only just releasing their debut EP. After years spent honing their chops alongside the likes of Grinspoon, Gyroscope, Something with Numbers, Front End Loader, Dallas Crane, British India and Love Outside Andromeda, the lads have finally committed their tunes to tape. And judging by the excellent squid-sporting sleeve alone, it’s been a worthwhile wait. Titled The Battle, in reference to the trials and tribulations the band experienced during its creation, it’s sure to sate all those thirsty for the band’s patented blend of rock, highly-infectious pop and sprinklings of electro. After takin’ out the Jammin’ for Justice comp in 2006, the trio used their prize money to hole up at Modern Music in Brisbane, and the results are now available for your aural, and indeed general pleasure. Joining them to launch the thing on Friday June 27 will be Melbourne’s Variodivers . Doors are flung open at 8pm, with customary two-for-one Jagerbombs ‘til 9, plus the first 50 peeps receive a free stein, and all shall receive a free copy of the EP. $10 entry - bargain!

The next instalment of Gangbusters at Bar 32, on Thursday June 19, will be a decidedly local affair. The Cherry Marines, who themselves are due a CD soon, will be doing their squelchy psych-noise-pop thing, while the enigmatic Jonny Telafone will do his lo-fi-hip-hop-drone-duffle-coat thing. Crazy names, crazy guys. From 9pm and, as always, whether it’s an international superstar or some local arts students, entry remains a reassuring $5.

A gaggle of young local upstarts, namely Yoko Oh No, Outcome Unknown, All in Brawl and The Toxicmen, will be playing alongside Wollongong’s Ruckus and The Throwaway Kids and Brisbane’s The Black Market at Punx in the Valley on Sunday June 15. I know Sunday’s traditionally your day of rest, but really, all the work’s been done for you. Four of yer finest locals, plus three interstarers for good measure, all for a measly eight squid. Head to the Tuggeranong Youth Centre from 2pm and catch some raw, four-chords-‘n’-trash-it-out Capital punk.

And like an astronaut who’s returned to earth, we’re out of space…

I’m here all week.

Send any local news ‘n’ info to editorial [at] bmamag [dot] com and it’ll duly find its way to me.

Locality

Yes, it certainly looks to be a big year for local music. We’ve already seen the likes of Haunted Attics, Casual Projects, Dave Bishop, Rafe Morris, Chris Canham and the Andi and George Band - who, incidentally, are launching their newie TODAY (May 29) at The Front in Lyneham - dusting off quality releases. And with slabs o’ wax from Switch 3, The Variodivers, D’Opus and Roshambo, The Missing Lincolns and Hancock Basement - to name but a few - in the pipeline, the stream of Canberra-forged rekurds shows no signs of slowing down. Ah, local produce… nuthin’ like it. Savour it, people.

Speaking of Casual Projects, the Cas-P juggernaut continues to power forward, unabated, with news that the lads have been selected to take part in round two of The JD Set. The JD Set pits up-and-coming bands against each other for a slot on a two-week, ten-date national tour, an hour long radio show on Nova, a professional recording of their live show and a personal mentoring session from a legendary artist. The Projects are up against stiff competition from the likes of The Hell City Glamours, Calling All Cars and The Checks, but with your help - that’s right, you! - Canberra’s finest will undoubtedly triumph. Voting started on Monday and will continue for a fortnight, so register online at www.thejdset.com.au and do your bit. G’arn!

In more internet voting-related news, Tooheys Extra Dry’s Uncharted comp has upped the ante and is giving one band the chance to play this year’s Splendour In The Grass, plus a music package including studio time, management mentoring and legal consultancy to the tune of $20,000. Local electro/hip-hop playboys Cool Weapon came perilously close to a finals spot in the first round, and now local purveyors of sludgy riffage, Looking Glass, are sitting pretty inside the top 80 for round two - so help inject some local blood into proceedings jump on www.uncharted.com.au and vote, damnit!

New local cats, the straight-forwardly titled Two Guitars and a Cello, are set to release their brand new material in the relaxed confines of The Front Café in Lyneham. Born out of the depths of contemporary folk music comes this dynamic range of deep tone, fused with fresh acoustic punch. The show’s on Saturday June 7, the strings swell at 7.30pm and entry is free. Easy Remember BucketJuice? They’re the group of hard-working folks who collected a shed load of local music memorabilia from the past 20 years and displayed it all as an exhibition of the same name, as well as putting on local band showcases at youth centres, the Greenroom and the ANU. Well they’re back! The team are now undertaking the mammoth task of digitising all the material with the aim of making a lo-fi coffee table book type thing. So if anyone has any artefacts they could contribute, get in touch Suzie on suziet8 [at] gmail [dot] com . A rough deadline of September has been set for submissions.

Fancy yourself as a dab hand on the ol’ trap set? Well local trio - now temporarily a duo - Dust wanna hear from ya. Dust fall somewhere between rock, punk and grunge, with influences ranging from Slayer to the Hard-Ons to The Stooges to Kate Bush. The only requirements are that you own a kit and a car. So if you fancy yourself as the Ginger Baker to their Bruce and Clapton, get in touch via www.myspace.com/dustoz (where you can also have a listen to their demos) or email dusteroonie [at] hotmail [dot] com .

And we out. Send any submissions to editorial [at] bmamag [dot] com and they’ll be passed on.

Locality

Generally a solo artist, Alice has been performing on her lonesome around Canberra since the very tender age of 13. And, like almost every Canberra musician at the mo’, you can also catch her ‘round town as part of the ever-expanding Andi and George Band empire. The very exciting news is that Alice has just recorded her first EP, titled Goodbye Winter. Alice herself pegs the sound as “as an atmospheric mix of folk and rock, plus a few epic ballads, backed by a two-man stringed orchestra.” It’s sure to send nostalgic shivers down your spine… Alice will be launching the disc, handily enough, at the launch of the Andi and George Band’s long-awaited double album, Sun and Moon, at The Front Cafe & Gallery in Lyneham on Thursday May 29. The festivities kick off at 7pm, and entry is $10, going towards funding both Alice and A&G on their east coast tour, beginning in early June. As anyone who’s attended one of the Andi and George Band’s legendary front gigs will attest, they’re basically just a massive, massive party. And who doesn’t like parties, eh?

It may be a well-kept secret, but local lads Hancock Basement will be opening for those affable purveyors of hip-hop/indie/funk/whatever Bluejuice this Friday May 16 at Transit Bar, from around 8.30pm. Make sure you get there bright and early to witness tunes from a forthcoming EP/mini-album that the boys have been recording at Sydney’s Bigjesusburger studios with Jorden Brebach (You Am I, Dappled Cities Fly, The Church). Keep your ears to Canberra’s pristine pavements for more ‘Cock recording rumblings soon.

This from Jamie Dohm, lead throat of System Addict and general patron of the metal scene: “After two successful shows in Canberra, Sydney’s metal gods Herratik are back to play a gig at The Basement on Saturday May 24.” Sure, that’s all well and good, but it’s not exactly local, now is it? Well, that’s where the cheeky scamp gets me once again. As always, there’s a stellar cast of local purveyors of the hard stuff in support. Local heavyweights System Addict and Machete (who have a very impressive pedigree, check the band profile on page 34 for more info) will be on hand, as will Tortured, playing their debut show. “This line-up is sure to tantalise the taste buds,” our magnificently bearded correspondent continues. “Ten big ones at the door and raise those hands in the air.” You heard ‘im…

While the space is usually reserved for over-excited primary school kids or doomed, early-twenties playwrights in berets, thoroughly charming indie pop kids Margaret Helen King are launching their new CD at The C-Block Theatre, Gorman House later this month. The show is on Friday May 23 and features the equally delightful Cashews and the intriguingly-named Jane, The Hula Hoop Wonder in support. 8pm is your time, $5 your price and fun is your reward.

Fresh from their jam-packed EP launch, those dashing rogues The Haunted Attics are ducking over Northside-way to the Pot Belly at the end of the month – in fact, quite literally the end of the month on Saturday May 31. They’ll be supporting local Perth legends The Holy Sea, who are touring on the back of their first album in almost eight years. Local upstarts Thickshake will also be there. Will you, eh?

The esteemed Carrie Dennes is currently dead centre in the middle of our sunburnt the country, attempting to make her fortune panning for gold. In the interim, please direct all emails to editorial [at] bmamag [dot] com and they’ll be duly passed onto our fill in guy, ARTHUR JACKSON.