Elizabeth Cowley

The Getaway Plan - Planning for greatness

The Getaway Plan

Since the release of their album Other Voices Other Rooms earlier this year, THE GETAWAY PLAN or TGP as they are affectionately known to their legions of devoted fans, are fast becoming the most celebrated alternative rock group to come out of Melbourne’s underground scene in a long time. For a band who when first started performing would not have been allowed to attend their own shows, they’ve come a long way from the emotional pre-pubescent young boys we once knew. Following the success of the single, Where the City Meets the Sea, the dynamic foursome have just released their latest single Shadows and are gearing up for their biggest headlining tour yet, and I was lucky enough to have a chat with the band’s beat-boy drummer, Aaron Barnett.

When starting out in 2003 the members of the band thought “it was more of a hobby than anything but now it’s definitely a job… but saying that, it’s still very much enjoyable.” Since he was in year six Aaron says, “I wanted to be in a band, so I’ve always wanted to play music, but I’ve never thought I’d get to where I am now so yeah, it’s definitely very, very cool.” And I’m sure it is, considering Aaron was recruited to the group at a house party.

When quizzed on how the band retains such a uniquely diverse sound, I was told, in between yelling at the rest of the band to “shut the fuck up”, that it was simply because they all “listen to totally different things… that’s what I think is so good about us, and why we work so well together, coming from different pages of music.” I was also told that Aaron simply “could not choose one or two bands that would be an influence on the band.” However, he did tell me their two favourite bands to perform with were “Closure In Moscow… ’cause they’re good friends of ours… and My Chemical Romance… in a massive arena; it was the first time we’ve done something like that.”

For a band that are non-stop touring machines, and boast one of Australia’s most elaborate rock shows it is no surprise that the boys are looking forward to getting back on the road in the next few weeks. Barnett tells me, “I get sick of home, when I’m home… when we are away we’re always busy all the time… we just had a two, three week break. It killed me, I get so bloody bored. It drives me insane… I think we’re all the same.” He also tells me how the group have mixed feelings on whether they prefer their all ages gigs or over 18s shows. “Our under age shows are always crazy, like energetic, but it’s always really satisfying when you have a really good over age show.” He also tells me that Adelaide used to be the bands’ favourite place to perform, but has recently “died in the ass”, but you’ll be happy to know my fellow Canberrans that Canberra is up there on their favourite places to play, and the group are looking forward to taking the stage for Trackside in November.

TGP are a band that when they have been on tour, anything that may go wrong probably has gone wrong. From “being way too drunk for our own good, and playing like absolute shit, shows where we’ve stuffed up songs pretty bad, tours where we’ve busted tyres. Broken down vans, missed our flights, lost our gear… if anything could happen on tour, it has happened!” They seem to back each other up pretty well, Aaron says, “we’re all like a tight little family, it’s really cool, we’re like brothers.” He secretly plans that they could “maybe move into a little house together or something.” So let’s hope the band make it to Canberra in one piece.

The Getaway Plan play at Trackside on Saturday November 22 alongside The Living End, Gyroscope, Cut Copy, The Panics, Bliss N Eso, Sparkadia, Muph & Plutonic, Carpathian and a whole stack more!

DEAD RIOT

WHAT: BRISVEGAS PUNK/REGGAE
WHERE: THE GREENROOM
WHEN: SUNDAY OCTOBER 5

Young Brisbane punk reggae outfit, Dead Riot are preparing to bring their unique brand of punk, reggae rockabilly to our humble city in order to celebrate the launch of their brand new video clip. That’s right youngsters, prepare yourselves, Dead Riot are going all out with this one; never ones to shy away from mixing it up, they will be featuring an eclectic line up of support acts from Free Agent Crew, All in Brawl, Ashton Skies, and The Toxic Men. The band formed less than three years ago and has already played with bands such as The Basics, Rob Hirst and the Ghostwriters, Unpaid Debt, Bomba and The Skins, Blue King Brown, Casino Rumblers, Stepping Razor, Grassroots Street Orchestra, Wiseacre, The Fumes and many more. You won’t want to miss out on this one kids as it’s sure to be a hell of a time, so jump on your scooter and get your pretty little selves to the Green Room on Sunday October 5 or this kickin’s all-ages show. With a promising album behind them, Dead Riot are a band to watch. Tickets are $10 at the door, and doors open at 1pm.

KIAI ACADEMY

WHAT: SYDNEY ALT/POST-PUNK
WHERE: TUGGERANONG YOUTH CENTRE
WHEN: FRIDAY OCTOBER 10

Prepare yourselves fellow Canberrans, Sydney’s Kiai Academy heading out on their Artillery of Words tour, in order to launch their new EP. Kiai Academy’s sound is raw, soulful, intelligent, personal, and infectious - just the way music should be. This young rock/post punk/alternative outfit are set to have tongues wagging when they play the Tuggeranong Youth Centre on October 10. With a fresh sound all of their own,  and delivering every song with passion and intensity, you won’t want to miss out. Kiai have made it their mission to defy trends and produce an individual EP that pushes the boundaries of how we perceive music. This is a band that are constantly changing the way we think about music and will keep pushing those boundaries for a long time to come. So kids, chuck on your Cons and get yourselves to the Tuggeranong Youth Centre on October 10. Tickets are $10.

THE GREENS

WHAT: ART FOR A GOOD CAUSE
WHERE: THE FRONT, LYNEHAM
WHEN: OCTOBER 7-12

Art4TheGreens is a collection of Canberra and Australia’s most promising up and coming artists.  The ACT Greens have collected some of the best artworks from such artists as Judy Horacek, Geoff Pryor, Catherine Bennetts-Cash and Emily Blenkin, as well as up and coming artists who are soon to become Australia’s best artistic talents fresh out of the ANU Art School. Some of Canberra’s most prestigious art collectors have given up their piece of Australia all for the ACT Greens’ cause. So don’t miss it - get yourself down to the Front Gallery on Wattle Street, Lyneham where art will be exhibited from the October 7 - 12. The art will be auctioned off to anyone who wants to own their own little piece of Australia, and auctions will start at 7pm on October 9,  featuring live music from Amy Dunham.

MEGAFAUNA FEST

WHAT: ROCKIN’ BANDS FROM THE ROCKIN’ REGION
WHERE: ANU BAR
WHEN: SATURDAY OCTOBER 11

Megafauna is back! The hairiest show since David Hasselhoff was last in Canberra! One of Canberra’s best rock festivals, Megafauna will be returning October 11 at the ANU Bar, so be sure not to miss it. Featuring 15 of your favourite bands across two stages for a massive ten hours! But it’s all for a good cause, with all the benefits going towards the Australian Cancer Research Foundation. This year’s line up is even better that last, featuring acts including The Nation Blue (Melbourne), Casual Projects, Pod People, Cuthbert & the Night Walkers (Sydney), Hytest (Wollongong), Hancock Basement, Super Best Friends, Boonhorse (ex LOG), Penguin, Cool Weapon, The Cherry Marines, Tres Terros Cuntos, Inside the Exterior and Pink & Diabolik. And let’s not forget the circus sideshow, barbeque and prizes! So for a rockin’ good time, get yourself down to the ANU Bar this October 11. Tickets are only $20 at the door so be sure to get in early, and it’s strictly 18+.

CHICK FLICK

WHAT: CHICKS THAT ROCK
WHERE: THE PHOENIX
WHEN: SATURDAY OCTOBER 11

Brisbane’s very own all girl rock group, Chick Flick are preparing to make a Lycra-clad appearance at The Pheonix on October 11. Chick Flick have been breaking down gender barriers in a highly male industry for five years now, and they aren’t showing any signs of slowing down. Including some of the hottest middle aged women I’ve ever seen dressed in gothic lingerie, you won’t want to miss their guitar driven tough riffs and wailing vocals in their energetic live act. Whilst most mums sit at home watching Mornings with Kerri Anne, these gals have created their own brand of rock and roll which has been described as the female version of AC/DC. The girls have just finished recording their second EP Ladder 69 and are preparing to jump in the Tarago to bring us the very best of their sexy rock show to us lucky Canberrans. So tell your mum to get off the couch, and join you at The Phoenix on October 11, to see just how cool they could be.

SURVIVAL

WHAT: LONG-TIME D&B MASTER
WHERE: MERCURY BAR
WHEN: FRIDAY OCTOBER 3

Survival, aka Steve Kielty, is one of drum and bass’ most respected names. Well and truly living up to his name, Survival is preparing to make his comeback after being in the industry for 15 years, not just as a performer but also producing and engineering with other artists since 1993, which was when he started his musical career as a studio engineer and working on projects such as Akustic Research and Banaczech. Steve took a break from producing and worked as a studio manager until 2005 when he resurfaced as Survival. After releasing several songs, people took notice. His distinctive style, organic sound and studio skills have come from years of experience resulting in an extremely high demand for his music as well as a reputation as one of the pioneers of drum and bass. So prepare yourselves ladies and gents for a lesson in the art of drum and bass from the master, but only if you can survive the night.