Monthly Archives: October 2011
Australia’s Best Live Band?
The Drones played at The Metro Theatre in Sydney on the weekend. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have high expectations. The Victorian based four piece DID. NOT. DISAPPOINT. I’d grown to love their studio albums, Gareth Liddiard’s violent yet poetic lyrics and delivery, clanging guitars and a distinctly Australian sound in a Midnight Oil kind of way. Seeing them live, predictably clad in black – Liddiard punctuating words with a puff of spit like a gymnast clapping his chalked hands and trashing his tremolo bar mercilessly, bassist, Fiona Kitschin deadpan with back to the audience, lead guitarist, Dan Luscombe the consummate professional and drummer, Mike Noga leading from behind with the unconventional anti-beats that characterise The Drones’ sound – was nothing less than awesome. So, could they be Australia’s best live band? Who else? The Living End? ACDC (do they count?) Personally I love Wolf & Cub but they don’t possess the grandeur of The Drones. Cold Chisel are touring again… The Bad Seeds? Grinderman? Children Collide? Food for thought…
Monday, October 31, 2011
Immigration Detention story for The New York Times.
Those living in Australia may have seen The ABC’s Four Corners programme on the Immigration Detention Centre’s in Australia. I made a very small contribution to a story by Nina Bernstein (assisted by Matt Siegel in Australia) for The New York Times on the company, Serco, which runs the facilities in Australia. It’s yet another alarming piece of very sad story. To see the article click here.
Monday, October 24, 2011
PJ HARVEY AT MONA
The stars have aligned. PJ Harvey will play a single show at The Museum of Old an New Art (MONA) in Hobart for the MONA FOMA Festival following two performances at The Sydney Festival and one in Melbourne. The Sydney shows sold out within hours of going on sale but MOFO has only just gone on sale now. PJ will be touring with her full band including members, Mick Harvey and John Parish and will be playing song from their latest, Mercury Music Award winning album, Let England Shake as well as songs from previous records. This is quite possibly my most highly anticipated gig ever… I hope you can make it too… aq
Monday, October 17, 2011