Punks not dead

What a bittersweet week.

I get home from my new favourite festival (more news on that later), the bombers lost and I have spent the last two nights at my favourite punk venue which is closing forever on Sunday.

The Arthouse is in its final week of shows before shutting its doors for the last time on May 1. All week bands have graced the small stage and thanked those who have made it possible for a scene to survive and thrive for the last 20 years. People have reminisced about the good times, the times when a homeless man got his junk out, the long nights and longer days after, the relationships that began there (a patient met his current girlfriend there 12 years ago, through mutual metal bands... ah love!) and the small bands that became legends in that pretty purple place.

Wednesday night saw The Nation Blue headline a fantastically frantic evening, sold out and not a dull moment to be found. Paper Arms, my favourite Adelaideians, opened the night with a solid performance. I stand by their 2010 album 'Days Above Ground' as one of the top local releases of last year and they consistently deliver live. They are currently writing and are due to record late this year, so look out for something new early 2012 perhaps. Sydneysiders Lungs came second, (also another fanstastic record from last year) but the greatest reception had to be for local boys Death in the Family, the band who pretty much lives, works and plays at the Arty. It was about then that the reality that this dirty place would no longer be here next week. There was a lot of love in every loud, fast tune pumped out by hometown heroes.

Thursday saw a blast from the past find their way home, BODYJAR! I personally had forgotten how much fun these guys are, and they certainly had an appreciation for a venue that raised them to the heights that they hit. Ably supported by Away from Now, Melbourne hardcore punks, and Daysworth Fighting, local up and comers, the night was a success, the crowd went wild. I did feel bad for the first few stage divers, as they caught the front line unawares and ate dirt... but they didn't seem to feel it, and it didn't stop a thing.

So that's 2 of 3. I am back in those friendly walls this Saturday to see HBLOCK101 who are playing the final set ever. There will be blood, sweat and tears.. and I will feel privileged to be there. If you aren't doing anything Sunday afternoon, come down for last drinks. A few beers to send off the greatest punk/hardcore/alternative venue that Melbourne has seen.

Punks not dead, but the Arty will be. Rest in pieces.

oh, and an easter present.

The Pains of Being Pure At Heart - Heart In Your Heartbreak by Slumberland Records

New record from those who brought you their pretty awesome self-titled offering a few years back. Check it out.

AND.

Canadians. Got to love them.

Love from the easter slow lumbering bear. Bunnies are so out.

Good Friday, indeed.

Sayonara, bitches.

(tell you all about it soon, I PROMISE)

From a far away isle.

So, I finally unpacked further and discovered that I had some albums yet unlistened to from the great jaunt OS. I developed a stupid habit of purchasing albums wherever I went, which was not convenient as I could not listen to them whilst on the road. BUT NOW, I am excited and have much new music.

Here is a lovely lady named Lisa O'Neill.

Lisa O'Neill - I'm Gonna Get Me To The Road by MondoManagement

I picked this up in a tiny store in Dublin on recommendation by a new friend. It is a dreamy folk album that is sweet in its simplicity, yet has layers that you pick up on each consecutive listen. With a distinctive voice in the vein of a Newsom or Torrini, Lisa takes the joy and honesty of irish folk music and adds a quirky, nursery rhyme feel to it.

Recommended!

The record stays still, whilst the world revolves around it.

And just a little something about tomorrow.

It is World Record Store day! Started in the good ol USA in 2007, Melbourne is firmly embracing its love of 3 things: music, Saturdays and the proclaimation of something as a "_____Day".

Many many things are happening.. so please get along to your local and support them by buying a cassette or two. But if you have the day off, and feel like having an adventure, these things are happening:

• Polyester is having a big sale (15% off storewide) as well as RRR outside broadcast from its fitzroy store, and a bunch of instore performances from the likes of Mick Turner (woo!) and Oscar & Martin, as well as a huge bunch of special releases. Get in early to get some Grinderman vinyl,, and get me one too as i'll be at work.

• Basement discs in the city are having a GLORIOUS day of instores, with Jeff Lang, Cash Savage, Little John, The Wolffgram Sisters and many more. Henry Wagons will be around, there will be a music quiz, specials and fun. Starts from 10am.

• Northside records on greville (just where the tram turns at the corner of smith) will be having the Firemen (most of the Bamboos but under another name) and others performing. Also, rumours are that the TACO TRUCK will be here. Win.

• In other northside news, they have combined with wax museum to throw a big party in celebration of a record map being released. Apparently there are 51 awesome independant record stores in Melbourne and surrounds, and now you can own your very own map to find them all! Party is at Croft, so get your mad scientist hats on and invent yourself a good evening.

• And if there is one that you definately pop down and support, make it The Last Record Store on smith. Such lovely people, interesting mix of old and new.. I have spent a few hours here. The word on the street is that rent is getting too much and they are moving on soon, so they are having a huge sale as well as Sime Nugent, Chris Wilson and Sarah Carroll and Archer playing through the day. Kids of all ages welcome.

There are other exciting things happening all over (greville, missing link, pure pop, dixons are all throwing events too), so have a look at what is near you.

The beginning of the end.

Gentle readers,


On a cold, dirty corner of elizabeth and queensbury there lies an old friend on life-support. Wracked with an incurable disease, the doctor has proclaimed that there is little we can do, that it's time to call the family around and enjoy the last weeks and remember the good things.


My old friend is The Arthouse.
The disease, greed and stupidity of the landlord.
And the family is every punk left in Melbourne who has been to a show, tripped up the stairs to the garden, lost at pool to some sharking tiny girl in eyeliner, danced like an idiot to the interim music (somehow they can read my mind and know every back catalogue punk album I love), scrawled graffiti on the toilet walls and drank too many beers to remember.

The Arty will close its doors for the last time on April 30, and in true style they are going out kicking and screaming. They, and I, will be found smiling when we die here, we wanna burn our eyes out on the sun (guess the reference!). If you do not have tickets to this last show, SHAME, but get along to the bar and take a look at the lineup for this last month. Frenzal is back, Bodyjar (!!), Mid Youth Crisis, The Nation Blue, Antiskeptic, A Death in the Family, Paper Arms, Lungs... and HBLOCK101!! Everyone who has loved the Arty is here to see it out.

Including the mighty English folk-punk, Frank Turner, who played to a sold out crowd this Wednesday just gone. Jet-set, jet-lagged but not jaded, Mr Turner had just flown in from Berlin and wasn't going to lie down just yet.

No stranger to the Arty, Frank brought a warm and genuine set to the eager crowd.. who knew the words, knew when to shout and knew when to play the air harmonica. The latest tour is in support of his newest release, England Keep my Bones (the name taken from a Shakespeare play that FT freely admits he has never read...ha), which is his fourth album in as many years. Purveyor of songs about love, life and the road.. FT is the wandering minstrel of the new millenium, with a mileage card and drinking habit.

Highlights included a Weakerthans cover ("Do you like the weakerthans? Of course you do, you have ears"), new song I Still Believe and of course old favourites Ballad for my friends, journey of the magi and the real damage.

Its simple, acoustic and mostly about girls. But Turner never pretends to be anything else, and his cock-eyed optimism and drive is infectious in its genuine and beautiful nature. You can't help but get swept up in the honest tunes where he admits his faults, but doesn't hide them, and just asks you to love him anyway.

And I do Frank. I do.

Frank Turner - Photosynthesis by Hunchblog

So please friends, get along to the Arty soon. I will be there, a lot, if not for a show just for the people there and the cheap beer on tap. Support those who have kept a scene alive even though MTV forgot it existed after the 90s.



Long live the (corner of) queen(sbury st).

Mail is the best!

This is what arrived on my doorstep this afternoon.

It came with free goodies from the dears at Lost and Lonesome.

I am now having a loungeroom danceparty/sing-a-long for one.

It. Is. Amazing.

Review later, dance now.

and another thing...

....

Beautiful video from a beautiful group. Don't you just wish you could have been in that paddock that still summer day?

A trip down memory lane...

So this week has been all about the old... (friends/happiness/flames/tunes/bread/feeling my eyes get at 3am).

- Cherry Poppin' Daddies @ The Corner, 9/4/11

You can't help but get that familiar feeling of fondness when you hear this Oregon band mentioned. They've been kicking it (whatever this proverbial it is) for about 21 years now, and although they may have tamed their wild ways slightly, the pure energy and excitement emanating from stage was still like crack to my jungle rhythm-loving feet. I literally kicked off my shoes and showed that I still knew how to dance to the infectious mix of swing/ska/rockabilly... and I was not the only one. The crowd was wide-ranging in age, but the brass solos, scat-singing double bass player, the lead guitarist who looked as if he were 12 and the very flappable Steve Perry on vocals made sure that all barriers were forgotten and cares left at the door.

Ably supported by the hard-working and consistently brilliant Melbourne swingers, Frankie Wants Out, the night was a complete success. Highlights were FWO's classic 'The Melbourne Way', the rioting that followed Ding Dong Daddy and brilliant encore of Irish Whiskey by the Daddies.

- The Lucksmiths

Possibly my favourite band of all time, and as I was sitting on the tram this evening, the light/city/funny old people conspired to remind me just how much I love almost everything they ever released. Words do not suffice to describe precisely what this little Northcote band makes me feel.

Please go to Lost & Lonesome or Matinee (If you are not in good ol' Oz) and buy anything you can from their back catalogue... Including their last ever 7" and DVD of their farewell show. Last time I ordered something they send me a handwritten postcard too. Hooray.

- Melting Pot @ Vibe on Smith (now actually signless, which confused me no end, and apparently called Seraphim? What-the-evs.)

This was something new for me, but it had a very old vibe (forgive me) to it. It made me think of the early Jeff Buckley recordings when he used to just play in cafes to whomever was there.

Set up with 3 chairs and 3 mics in the centre of the room, with couches, stools and benches haphazardly arranged around them, the upstairs gig room became someones lounge room, if they had invited all their extended friends and family over. 3 songwriters then took it in turns to play a tune or ditty, and they ranged from the soulful to the comical, the rocking to the lullaby. In all, a beautiful evening out... and it happens every week on a Friday! I advise you to get on down and experience it for yourself. Have musical talent? Contact the lovely folks and get yourself a spot... it really is a warm and inviting atmosphere to bare your soul in.

This was the last song of the evening, a beautiful cover done by Lucy Roleff and Sarah Martin of Cloud City. Care of the Cloud City website.

So that was this week. Next I week shall bring... who knows what. But I for one can't hardly wait.