No Culture Festival Review

This is taken from the Rave Magazine Website

Jubilee Hotel Sun April 8

Having never before set foot in the Jubilee Hotel for a drink, let alone for a show, it is with great trepidation that I enter the venue. With daylight still shining, first band Champagne & Rohypnol take the stage to the atmospheric ringing of keyboards, which is immediately silenced by chainsaw-like riffage, which in turn gives way to feedback and then back again. Channelling noisecore bands such as The Locust and Daughters, it’s kind of hard to take first up in the day. Heading upstairs, I find that the stage is in fact a lounge-room with the band set up in the center, but as Orlacs Hand break into their tuneful and progressive brand of Orchid-esque screamo I can appreciate the intimacy and crowd involvement which this setting allows. Back downstairs, Ryu Vs Ken hit the deck with a great response from the ever-growing crowd, and belt out an impressive set of jazzy and melodic hardcore in the vein of Hot Cross with instrumental leanings toward the Mars Volta, and at times Explosions In The Sky.

Back upstairs, Quiet Steps keep the late-nineties Level-Plane records vibe going with a melodic set which builds to a noisy and imposing crescendo. After the rawness of upstairs, Lorna Slavin hit the ground running with a tight and crisp set of atmospheric rock and hardcore. Combining the best elements of Hopesfall and the Deftones, this young group keep the listeners enthralled and more than entertained. From here on the night speeds up with flat-out frenetic performances by both Moments and Turnpike, the latter of whom are still getting better seven years after I saw them for the first time. At this point I am just going to throw this out there – Art Vanderlay are one of the most amazing live bands I have ever seen. Mixing the melodic elements of Alexisonfire with the power of Poison The Well, these guys are awesome!

ACT’s Brisk are tonight’s headliners and with a sound filled out by dual guitars and well used keys, they are a force to behold. With a sound and style reminiscent of early Bronx and Refused, these guys rally the crowd off their chairs, and in moments have everyone gyrating or at least furiously nodding for the entirety of their set till the lights come on.

PS: My apologies to the Night Crash, but after slight seafood-induced food poisoning and too many easter eggs, I missed their set. Soz.

PATRICK PERRIER

No Culture Festival

Lately I’ve been helping in the process of organising a festival in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane that will take place on April the 8^th 2007 (Easter Sunday).

I’ve put together some elements of the actual design/branding of the logo and flyer and also helped to style the Myspace page to reflect the nature of the festival. That sounds totally wanky but I’m used to speaking that kind of way in my job, and I guess in essence it is true.

There’s already a pretty amazing line-up of DIY, Hardcore, Indie and Screamo bands, from all across Australia, but mostly Brisbane.

Entry is cheap as and it will be a really incredible day. So please please come along. Check out more details on the event here at the Myspace page.

That is all for now.

Laneway Festival Official Release

 Initially when i found out about the concept of the Laneway festival I was quite intrigued about the whole idea, numerous underground bands in a ‘lane’ or ‘car park’ type area playing to an intermediate sized crowd for a reasonable price (or at least I thought?).  Looks now more like a festival for Triple J chart toppers at $80 a ticket?!!!?!?

Wondering now whether it’s worth the effort to see the few bands below which I’ve been hanging out to see.  I just don’t know.

We have Hoboken’s most revered and indie rock’s truest mainstays, Yo La Tengo playing the Sydney and Brisbane Laneway Festival. Where do you start with Yo La Tengo? Over arguably the most consistently diverse music-making history comes their strongest release to date: ‘I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat your Ass’. The trio have raised their game to unparalleled heights, creating a multi-genre masterpiece certain to win over new admirers and keep their fiercely loyal fans very happy. Yet believing is in the hearing and so having them on the Laneway Festival bill is about as big an honour as it gets for us.

With their first single ‘Young Folks’ all over the airways with its irresistible whistling and infectious bass line, super-fun Swedish pop trio Peter Bjorn & John head to Australia for the first time. We encourage you to discover this excellent band, combining clever and ironic lyrics with beguiling guitar-fuelled pop and lo-fi electronic samples. Peter Bjorn & John create songs bursting with imagination and heart-on-sleeve emotion.

Local madcap Luke Steele’s The Sleepy Jackson will play their debut Laneway Festival. The singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalists mix everything from electro-pop to alt-country to soaring, George Harrison-esque pop on their second release ‘Personality: One was a Spider, One was A Bird’. Eccentric and exhilarating, the Sleepies are a live proposition not to be missed.

It doesn’t take long to get hooked on Camera Obscura’s enchanting melodies and undeniable hooks. 2006 saw the release of the Glaswegians’ acclaimed third album ‘Let’s Get Out Of This Country’. Decidedly upbeat yet beautifully reflective, it is the sound of a band just hitting their stride.

Sweden’s Love is All are a true indie success story thanks to countless rave reviews in the blogging world. This Guttenberg pop punk five-piece create a collision of sounds (think dance-punk meets riot grrrl meets synth-pop) that is sure to send you careening wildly towards the dance floor. ‘Gloriously giddy, righteously rockin’ Scandi-scoundrels on a boredom banishing mission to ignite your heart’ says NME. We say this is one party band set to light the festival into a frenzy when they play Melbourne and Sydney Laneway Festival.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are proud to introduce another first timer to Australia: Ireland’s own Fionn Regan. His debut album ‘The End Of History’s’ startling maturity and originality is as spellbinding as anything the imagination could possibly conjure up. Folk has a new Pied Piper. Check out www.fionnregan.com for some of the best reviews on any debut album you are likely to see.

Straight outta south-west London and our favourite live act at this year’s SXSW comes the dirty psych rock sound of Archie Bronson Outfit. Sharing a knack for angular riffs and a keen sense of irony, ABO’s rollicking rhythms and intelligent lyrics earned them a nomination for Best New Act at the 2006 MOJO Honours List. It’s not quite pop, but this is music you can dance to. We’re gonna put these cats out in the alley around sunset to ensure a blissed out hour of psych-fi dancing in the streets. Nuts.

The Walkmen are a five piece out of NYC whose song ‘The Rat’ was a monster hit back yonder. Two years on, their latest offering ‘A Hundred Miles Off’ is the album of a band who should be way more famous than they are today. The five-piece are set to take their unique brand of blistering stomp-folk-rock to the Laneway Festival in 2007 and we are thrilled to the bone to have this electrifying Gotham outfit on the bill.

No-one could have predicted the massive success that 2006 bought Youth Group with the release of their third long-player ‘Casino Twilight Dogs’. The hit ‘Forever Young’ has ingrained itself into Australia’s collective consciousness but dig deeper into their latest record and you’ll find one of our finest lyricists in Toby Martin. It’s the delicate melodies, expressive vocals and nimble instrumentation that have won over a legion of new fans and made their loyal community of indie devotees proud.

Last year The Temper Trap rolled into St Jeromes and started hanging out at the bar and being friends with us all. We liked them instantly and hoped like hell that they were an okay band because we just put em on the line up because we thought they were ace. That’s why you start a festival, right? They played last year and blew people’s minds. Set to release their debut self-titled EP in November, the Temper Trap’s live shows are better then we could have imagined. Discover the exciting, dynamic and utterly compelling vision that is their sound.

We proudly present Australia’s finest hip-hop visionary, Macromantics. Macro pens sharp-witted hip hop that leaves you gasping for breath and begging for more. The feeling to her debut album, ‘Moments in Movement’ is so sexy, so fun, so alive and mysterious you can almost taste it. We consider this album one of Australia’s most important releases in years. So did legendary US record label Kill Rock Stars. The future looks very bright for Romy and DJ Amy and we are rapt they play the festival in 2007.

Ground Components are just the best! How many bands these days can honestly say that they have no comparisons? Loud, funny, dangerous and hypnotic, the Ground Components are drenched in some sort of demonic bewilderment that even they sometimes don’t seem to understand. Many argue that their debut record is a modern classic; we tend to imagine them becoming something of a true leader of the Aussie international assault over the coming years. Utterly inspiring.

Their beats are addictive, their synths have twisted personality and Melbourne’s Midnight Juggernauts have come a long long way in the past twelve months. We love bands that are truly DIY and these guys are the real deal with a live show arguably as good as anything you are likely to see on this line up… The swaggering duo brings their eminently danceable brand of indie-electro to the table and we can’t wait.

That completes announcement one with nothing short of six acts on the line-up playing in Australia for the first time. there are many, many more amazing acts to follow!

Tickets on sale Thursday November 2.

Official Big Day Out 07 Press Release

Welcome to the official….. OFFICIAL 2007 BDO 1st ANNOUNCEMENT!–

Now that everyone has had their fun & had a go at their own announcements it is finally our turn…that is of course if you believe that this is the actual official first announcement.

So for those of you who are true believers read on…..

We hoped you liked the show in 2006: wasn’t Iggy great?

For us, it’s not just about great music but also about offering a great experience: not only for the audience, but for the bands and of course for the team that makes the shows a reality.

2007 will be the 15th year of the BDO. Over that time we have witnessed amazing performances from artists ranging from the obscure to the megastars. We, of course, intend to continue that tradition.

That said, we do feel it is time to turn up the volume for 2007.

A big show also means you need to take extra care of each other, pace yourself, play safe and get home in one piece. Please don’t forget about the getting home safely part of the day.

So, no more lectures, it’s meant to be fun.

The first announcement packs a lot of punch and we would recommend buying your tickets early. Rest assured, the second and third announcements will only reconfirm your decision.

So lets get to the actual real official, official first announcement.

BIG DAY OUT 2007 will host the heaviest modern metal experience of all, TOOL. After 15 years of breaking, shaking and earthquaking new musical ground, TOOL topped the charts in 2006 with their latest unique melding of art, prog and metal, 10,000 Days. With an unmercifully heavy set that reaches back over a decade to the still staggering Sober, BIG DAY OUT 2007 will feel the earth move under its feet as TOOL rumble and roar into life.

In the summer of 2004, JET wowed BDO audiences with blistering sets showcasing their worldwide smash debut Get Born. Sure, it was only rock‘n’roll, but we liked it! In 2007, JET return to the BIG DAY OUT stage with their new effort, Shine On, a rollicking LP jam-packed with rootsy Delta blues, British hard-rock and Everly Brothers inspired harmonies. Expect a show packing a swaggering rock‘n’roll punch as a new light shines on JET at the BDO.
Direct from outer space, BIG DAY OUT 2007 is thrilled to welcome the most thrilling operatic sci-fi carnival on the face of the earth, MUSE. The fuel powering this prog rock missile from Mars is Black Holes and Revelations, a No.1 album around the world, and a showcase of a band at the top of their game – a game no one else has ever dared dream of playing. In 2007, BIG DAY OUT will be ridiculous, overblown, ambitious and utterly brilliant – all thanks to the one and only MUSE.

In the beginning, there was the BIG DAY OUT. And in the beginning of the BIG DAY OUT, there was VIOLENT FEMMES. Fifteen years after they folk-punked the BIG DAY OUT into existence alongside some little band called Nirvana, VIOLENT FEMMES are back to reclaim what’s rightfully theirs. BIG DAY OUT 2007 will ring to the sounds of the FEMMES classics that have become part of the rock’n’roll fabric: Add it Up. Blister in the Sun. Kiss Off. Gone Daddy Gone. Gimme the Car. American Music… VIOLENT FEMMES at BIG DAY OUT: a rite of passage no self-respecting music fan can miss.

When SCRIBE first stepped up to ask the question “How many dudes do you know flow like this?” in his smash hit Not Many, this young New Zealand rapper was setting out on a crusade to bring a new flavour to the international hip-hop scene. The real deal alternative to gun-toting, bling-laden cash hip-hop, SCRIBE’s powerful stage presence, hard hitting, hook-laden rhymes are irresistible and have inspired all corners of the hip-hop community to wax lyrical.

BIG DAY OUT 2007 is buzzing about the arrival of the best band to come from anywhere, ever – THE KILLERS. The Las Vegas band, led by the “knicker-wettingly debonair” Brandon Flowers, sold 5 million copies of their debut album Hot Fuss, and delivered some of the best singles of the 2000s so far: Mr. Brightside, Somebody Told Me and Smile Like You Mean It. Now comes the new album, Sam’s Town, and a live show renowned for causing mass singalongs and hormonal hysteria. With the coming of THE KILLERS, BIG DAY OUT 2007 is going to be, well, killer.

Everyone’s favourite Fremantle prodigies ESKIMO JOE run away to join the BIG DAY OUT circus this summer with their third album Red Wine and Black Fingernails in tow. With throbbing drums, warm keyboard atmospheres and ethereal guitars, the Eskies are wildly charismatic showmen with sex appeal to boot. Not afraid of a little rock‘n’roll they are not to be missed at BDO 2007.

BIG DAY OUT 2007 gets back in black with the coming of my CHEMICAL ROMANCE. Beloved by black-clad music fans everywhere for their incendiary hits I’m Not Okay (I Promise), Helena and The Ghost of You, my CHEMICAL ROMANCE are set to leave the pretenders choking in their dust with their new, epic concept album The Black Parade. Led by an iconic performer in Gerard Way, my CHEMICAL ROMANCE will put the pomp and punk pageantry into BIG DAY OUT 2007.

BIG DAY OUT 2007 has a warm, fuzzy feeling now that PEACHES & HERMS are coming to rub us up the right way. PEACHES, the self-made, self-produced, do-it-yourself leader of the electro punk movement comes armed with her third album, Impeach my Bush, and her first band, HERMS. The all-star line up features Samantha Maloney (Hole, Courtney Love, Eagles of Death Metal) on drums; Radio Sloan (Courtney Love, The Need) on guitar; and JD Samson from Le Tigre on keys. With this all-girl onslaught, the Peaches live experience will be even more of a sheer rock ‘n’ roll free for all. So it is with a sense of exhilaration and palpable danger that BIG DAY OUT 2007 announces the return of PEACHES & HERMS.

EVERMORE have come a long way since the initial release of their impressive album debut Dreams; after a phenomenal season of touring on the live circuit, winning hearts in Oz and overseas, the three Hume brothers picked up a swag of awards and found themselves with a multi-platinum selling record. In 2006 EVERMORE have returned with a new album Real Life and we welcome them to the BIG DAY OUT for the first time, to deliver their dynamic rock, melodic harmonies and uplifting lyrics.

Get ready to shake ya ass. SPANK ROCK will bring the party, the rhythms and the raunch to BIG DAY OUT 2007. Hyped by DJs from Freq Nasty to Laurent Garnier, some call SPANK ROCK the figureheads of a sound known as Baltimore Club. We just call ‘em funny, catchy, clever, fearless and most of all, innovative. Representin’ their debut set, YoYoYoYoYo, Baltimore’s SPANK ROCK will be doing fresh, funky and filthy things with hip hop at BIG DAY OUT 2007.

Masters in the business of making music to lift the soul, Perth’s rock‘n’roll genius THE SLEEPY JACKSON return to play the BIG DAY OUT in 2007. With a vision unmatched in modern pop, The Sleepies have the ability to carve out nuggets of pure musical gold; from sublime acid-country to Who-like power pop, they deliver it all. Get ready for songs from their new album Personality: One was a Spider, One was a Bird, a heady concoction of sumptuous symphonic beauty, strings and massed choirs included!

Inspiring anticipation, awe and respect all at once, THE HERD has a reputation for fiery, electrifying live shows. With an unconventional line up, THE HERD take to the stage as an eight-piece outfit with three MC’s and two singers. With stage antics that turn the fun up to eleven, THE HERD will get the crowd grooving in flow-motion from the outset. Touring for the first time in 2007, catch them at a BIG DAY OUT near you.

Oozing excitement and an unparalleled energy with everything they do, Melbourne all-girl three-piece THE SPAZZYS bring their brash three-chord power chaos back to the BIG DAY OUT this summer. Since arriving to tear up the scene with their vibrant Ramones-esque punk pop rock, the band has kicked formidable amounts of arse! Don’t miss their red hot performance.

Stay tuned for our next announcement, when we reveal the latest additions to amplify your summer of music.

<>FRIDAY JANUARY 19th AUCKLAND MT SMART STADIUM
Maurice Rd Penrose. Gates open 11am
Tickets $110 +bf from all Ticketek Outlets, phone and credit card bookings 09 307 5000 or www.ticketek.co.nz, Real Groovy, Sounds, ECM, all good music stores nationwide and our website www.bigdayout.com

SUNDAY JANUARY 21st GOLD COAST PARKLANDSSmith St Southport. Gates open 11am
Tickets $115 (inc GST) +bf* from Ticketek outlets/Phonecharge 132 849, Rockinghorse Records (Brisbane), Skinnys Music (Brisbane),Butter Beats (Fortitude Valley), Woodys Music (Woodridge), Sunflower (Pacific Fair), Atlantis Music (Southport), Parklands Gold Coast (Southport), Pines Music Station (Elanora), Mosh Pit Music (Maroochydore), Hotel Great Northern (Byron Bay), ABC Centre Ballina (Ballina), HMV Cairns (Cairns) and from our website www.bigdayout.com

THURSDAY JANUARY 25th SYDNEY SHOWGROUND
Showground Rd Sydney Olympic Park. Gates open 11am. Event closes midnight.
Tickets $115 (inc GST) +bf* from Red Eye (Sydney Ph 02 9299 4233), Ticketmaster outlets/Phonecharge 136 100, and from our website www.bigdayout.com

SUNDAY JANUARY 28th PRINCES PARK SOUTH
Royal Pde North Carlton, Melbourne. Gates Open 11am
Tickets $115 (inc GST) +bf* from Ticketmaster outlets/Phonecharge 136 100, Missing Link (Melbourne), Corner Hotel Box Office (Richmond), Polyester (Fitzroy), Greville (Prahran), Central Station Records (Melbourne), Platos (Frankston), Island Surfboards (Cowes P.I), Leading Edge Music (Horsham, Shepparton, Echuca, Ballarat), Mellbergs Music (Mildura), Capricorn Leading Edge (Warrnambool), and from our website www.bigdayout.com

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 2nd ROYAL ADELAIDE SHOWGROUND
Rose Tce Wayville, Adelaide. Gates Open 11am
Tickets $115 (inc GST) +bf* from CIB Phonecharge 08 8231 1891, Venuetix outlets/phonecharge 08 8225 8888, Big Star (Adelaide,Magill, Norwood, Marion), Krypton Discs (Glenelg), dB Magazine (City West), Midwest Trader (City East), Live Clothing (Rundle Mall), Elevator (Seaford), Mr V Music (Semaphore), Sonic CDs (Smithfield), Globalize (Rundle Mall, Elizabeth, West Lakes, Harbourtown, Modbury, Marion) Surround Sound (Victor Harbour), DVD & Music Centre (Renmark), Music World (Port Lincoln) and from our website www.bigdayout.com

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 4th CLAREMONT SHOWGROUND
Graylands Rd Claremont, Perth. Gates Open 11am
Tickets $115 (inc GST) +bf* from Ticketmaster outlets/Phonecharge 136 100, 78 Records (Perth), Mills Records (Fremantle), Planet Video (Mt Lawley), Live Clothing (Perth, Morley, Whitford City, Claremont, Karrinyup, Booragoon, Harbour Town, Cannington), Da Da’s (Perth), Malibu Dive (Perth), Rokeby Records (Subiaco), Leading Edge (Joondalup), Bassendean Newsagency (Bassendean), Melville Heights Newsagency (Melville), Jumbo Entertainment (Bicton), Trax (Mandurah), Nob’s Musique (Bunbury), Blue 62 (Busselton), Dunsborough Hotel (Dunsborough), Geraldton CD Centre (Geraldton), Swellsounds (Margaret River), Kalgoorlie Sound (Kalgoorlie), Vibes (Albany), Chinatown Music (Broome) and from our website www.bigdayout.com

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY 13th OCTOBER
For full show information and internet ticket bookings check out the website
www.bigdayout.com
*booking fees may vary pending on outlet & mode of purchase

In life and in song.

I’m alive, I’ve just written a 300 word post that has disappeared on me!  How can such a thing be summed up quickly and effectively.

Well.

• Work has been great. Oxygen have been busy with new and exciting projects, from small to large.
• My Sites Leonperkin.com and Inspired Web have not been forgotten, I’m working on an update for inspired web right now.
• Thanks to a friend of mine Blaze, I’m now set to teach web design at a graphic design college 1 day per week.
• I’ve got myself a new guitar, a Black Gibson SG and 4 pedals linked up.  My music gear is finally sufficient.
• Musically & Lyrically, I’ve been writing a lot.  Quiet Steps have been playing shows and we’re heading into the studio mid October which is extremely exciting.
• I’ve have a lot of web design news and ramblings to catch up on.  New techniques, tools, ideas, tips and tricks - but I’ll save these thoughts for my web design blog which I will be updating shortly.

More info, views and thoughts to go up soon – if you’re in brisbane come join the band on the 14th or 15th of October in Fortitude Valley for a Beer.

Soobiesta Brisbane

Over the weekend I attended the Soobiesta Festival presented by Straight out of brisbane.  For $25 you couldn’t really ask for much more in a festival, with 4 different stages – Electro, Rock, Hip-Hop and Diverse, there was something for everyone.

I was there predominantly to see my Brother’s band ‘the french horns’ play their last gig, but there were definately a selection of exciting acts I was anxious to see.  My night went something like this.

Frou Frou Foxes

After turning up at about 8.30 there was no time to waste, so I headed straight over to the Rock stage where alternative youngsters Frou Frou Foxes were having sound difficulties, a little bit frustrating for onlookers, but I was glad to have turned up before their performance begun.  Finally they started playing, their sound is obviously very influenced by The French Horns and a couple of other established brisbane bands.  Their driving guitars and crashing drums hold together well with the exeption of breaking 2 guitar strings which seemed to knock their confidence out slightly.  All three members of the band took turns to sing, they all appeared to love what they were doing and executed it well.

Flamingo Crash

I definately don’t *love* this band, but many people do I found out while waiting for the band to set up in the overcroded upstairs Electro stage.  Finally after balancing their sounds they begun playing, these guys are tight! They know what they’re doing and do it so well, although it’s not my ideal choice of music, their flow and confidence is damn impressive.

My Disco

What can I say, these guys blew me away, their angular gutars, consistently taking unexpected twists, while the dark bass riffs with an evil tone (hear Meshuggah) and off timed drum sequences somehow gelled in a totally unique way.  Then finally after a few minutes of playing tricks on my mind the vocals enter, Think June of 44 meets Shellac.  The songs hold together so nicely and constantly surprise me with deep, dark progressions of undefinable goodness.  The only downfall I can see is the similarity between songs – that may however just be the environment they were playing in.

Limited Express (has gone?)

Wow, crazy Japanese! These guys don’t for a second look like they could produce the sound they do.  I can’t even begin to explain their sound and even watching them – it’s hard to believe they can pull it off..  Think The Hives crossed with Boris.. I don’t know how else to really explain it? the bass guitar/electric guitar work together to produce some of the most well flowing and driven progressions you could imagine, while the drummer shmashes away and holds the songs together so neatly at the same time, then come the amazing screams, I couldn’t for a second make out what this petite little asian girl was saying, but I tell you, I bet they were strong words – a highly recommended act.

Amateur Party

Just hillarious! There were only about 30 odd people watching these guys and it’s such a shame to think.  They’re amazing at what they do and my gosh do they do it well.  These guys show us the way PUNK music should be, or should I say, what real punk music is.  I’m so glad I got to see the show and witness what I would call as some of the funniest moment’s all night.

The French Horns

As usual, the French Horns seemed to draw a crowd from behind the shadows.  People emerged to see the band play their final gig ever.  With a few sound difficulties (mostly due to Lachlan/Bass/Vox) they played a pretty captivating set, Matt (on guitars) was obviously struggling with sound due to borrowing a Mashall Stack which he wasn’t used to however came through in control by the end.  All in all these guys managed to play every show throughout their relatively short life and involve the audience in someway, reaching out to the drunken front row and never wasting a minute.

A very great festival – see you all next year.

Last .FM – lovin it

In January 06 I created an account on www.last.fm – at the time there was quite a bit of hype going around about this neat little system but being busy at the time I never really found the time to try it.

Over the last couple of days I’ve really gotten into it all and explored how the system works – I must say it’s very addictive, to track and quite a fun tool in discovering music and people alike.

There are some interesting restrictions – for instance I tried joining a ‘group’, which denied me as I had to have a certain number of top listened artists under their most popular list to qualify – I guess a feature like this is both good and bad, interesting none the less.

For anyone interested, my profile can be viewed here I believe I will keep playing with this and see what features are added over time.  Very cool site statistically – also allows you to be nosey and see what your friends are really listening to.

if you haven’t already, check it out here I can see this page being another frequently opened window for me and many others.