Gig - Strike Anywhere & Paper Arms @ The Evelyn 18/7

Cold Saturday evening? What better to do than hang out with great bands at the Evelyn?


Arriving I just caught the tail-end of the first act, but was pleasantly
surprised to learn that not only had we not missed Paper Arms (my new favourite
adelaide band), but caught the last show from Geelong-based Lost Boy Found.
Who knows why it was their last show, but they sure made the most of it... fast, funny
show followed by one of the members being at the bar at all times for the remainder
of the evening.


A quick changeover brought Paper Arms onto stage. I bought their album a few weeks
back from the good guys at Poison City Records, and must admit that it somewhat
got overlooked. All that has changed now, as their live performance really highlighted
that they are a band to watch. Raw vocals from frontman Josh Mann brought an energy without
the cliche jumping around for no particular reason that comes along with this genre.
Simple melodies intersperced with driving guitar made for interesting listening. Think Gyroscope
with a more substance and grit. Highlight was title track 'Above Ground'... even better live.


Strike Anywhere, the political power from Richmond, Virgina, took to the stage with the dangerous ethos: "the stage belongs to everyone", and it set the tone for the ferocious and immensly likeable set. Fighting through the ever-failing equipment and breakages after every song, SA offer refreshingly smart hardcore sounds, showing that the scene is not dead and buried in the teen-warped-commercialism of anarchy that floods the airwaves. Songs from new album "Iron Front" featured heavily, but not without the crowd pleasers from the back catalogue, which produced a well-rounded set. The crowd left satisfied without an encore, sweaty and energised by the messages of gender equality, political fairness and animal rights.


My tip: buy Iron Front... and make damn sure you get to Poison City Records "Weekender" to see Paper Arms in cohorts with Break Even, Grenadiers, Gun Runners & Hawaian Islands.
It will be a night to remember.

Catchy poptastic!!

Let me introduce to you (if you have not already had the pleasure) to Needles/Pins.

http://www.myspace.com/needlesxpins

Their new EP, 'First World Problems' is available for free download from their myspace (click on the album artwork)... and do yourself a favour and push yourself over the download limit for this. I haven't wiped the smile off my face since I heard the catchy-fun that is 'Like an Idiot', and it is only the beginning. They take the Beach Boys, mix it some straight up drumming and raw production values and throw in a bit of good ol' danceability for good measure. (Yes, that is a word. Well, in my books anyway.) Boy, does it make for a good time. These guys would be fun live... Pity I'm on the other side of the world.

Happy Thursday!

Like Women?

Holiday music surfing... What could be better?


From the label that brought you bon, check out the new WOMEN offering - Eyesore @
http://www.myspace.com/womenmusic
- interesting post-punk sounds that are a perfect winter warmer for the record player. Will be interesting to hear the new album 'Public Strain' when it hits stores soon. Until then, enjoy their first self-titled album. It is beautiful summery indie fun. No substitute for my explorer socks and gloves, but certainly helping to create the warm vibe.

Oh July July

BOUGHT:
My tickets to Bouncing Souls/Hot Water Music @ The Corner in Dec. Brilliant.

Paper Arms - "Days Above Ground" & The Gun Runners - "A Few Friends". Reviews coming soon.



SEEN:
Single Twin residency @ Edinburgh Castle.

Get on this now, cause Marcus Teague & company are going places. Perfect set for a cold wintery evening at a tavern, ST delivered simple melodies with deft storytelling. You get hooked by the hypnotic lilt of the lyrics almost as much as what Teague is singing, and I for one wasn't disappointed. Eclectic choices of instruments, including a mini-accordion, created a fuller feel to some of the more stripped back songs, but didn't detract from the core message. Highlight was 'Came Home Dead', (and not just because I knew the words!) because the stage brought a new angle to the already stellar song.

Playing with Silver City Highway this Sat 17th @ Old Bar. Oh, and check out their myspace for little gems of downloads.
http://www.myspace.com/singletwin

Eagle and the Worm Single Launch @ Northcote Social Club

Black Hill Five opened the NSC in grand style on Sat, bringing their dancing pop to one of the most eclectic shows I have ever seen. All I can say is that my new favourite band is Barbarion (with such classic hits at "Matilda, my favourite wife") and my new favourite thing is Lasers.

http://www.myspace.com/eagleandtheworm
http://www.myspace.com/barbarionoz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3wJsUhpzhY
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Black-Hill-Five/114345383650



FOUND:
Blown-a-wish. http://www.myspace.com/blownawishmusic

Londonite making beautifully dream-like music; the "from-the-bedroom" production enhances the echo-y and lingering melodies.
Throwbacks to "the sundays" sound of the 90's, a melancholia presented so gently and unobtrusively, but will haunt long after you have finished listening.


Punk Not Profit. Great little blog that offers old school downloads for a lot of underground 70's & 80's punk.
http://punknotprofit.blogspot.com/



Have you noticed yet that I have music Bipolar disorder? Embrace it. I have.
-r

Album Review: American Slang - The Gaslight Anthem (2010)

I missed The Gaslight Anthem when last they toured (apparently it is one of my worst decisions to date, thanks KM), so when given a copy of the new album American Slang, I was eager to make up for lost time.

American Slang feels like a little bit of a nod to the last few years, and a reflection on what has brought lead singer Brian Fallon and band to where they are today. Rising from a promising new sound with the bold and brash debut Sink or Swim (2007), to early EP Senor and the Queen (2008), and the more restrained and refined The '59 Sound (2008), The Gaslight Anthem has come a long way from their hometown of New Brunswick, New Jersey, and I reckon American Slang is their way of taking stock and paying tribute to where they have been, and those who got them there. The comparisons to Bruce Springsteen's quintessentially American lyrics and voice have been made time and time again, and the influence is clear. Yet the growth and progression of the Gaslight has shown that they have the perseverance and originality to make it their own, without losing the sincerity. Standout tracks include The Queen of Lower Chelsea, Orphans and the soulful closing track We Did it When We Were Young, but you could easily give honorable mentions to the rest of the album. Overall, it doesn't quite have the same sparkle and excitement that the first two offerings possessed, but this does happen with a 3rd album, especially one following a successful second album (no, that isn't an oxymoron).

Most importantly, this album, like its predecessors, is for driving. Put it on, play it loud and head for the horizon.It will inspire and spur you on to adventure, with visions of muscle cars, dirty roadside bars, friends and foes and the 'American dream'. Whatever you decide that should be.

(album art care of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:TheGaslightAnthem-AmericanSlang.jpg)