Month: November 2008

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

AC/DC Bigger Than The Beatles

It might have only lasted one week at the top spot in Australia, but AC/DC’s Black Ice continues to do massive things all over the world. It’s currently the number one album in USA, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Argentina, Canada, and Spain.

Black Ice actually topped sales in 29 countries, and more than 5.3 million copies of the album were shipped all around the world.

The American stats are really interesting though. Black Ice is the band’s first US number one, and they’ve achieved it easily will sales exceeding 1 million copies. With the sales of the newie and the back catalogue combined, AC/DC has outsold The Beatles in the United States this year.

No doubt these sales figures have been helped by the American leg of AC/DC’s world tour, which kicked off in Pennsylvania on October 28. Critics and fans alike have been going nuts for the performances which one reviewer described as “a celebration of all that is great about rock ‘n’ roll.”

Now if they would just hurry up and announce those Aussie dates!

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kings of Leon Announce Aussie Tour

Aussies sent Kings of Leon’s new album Only by the Night and massive single “Sex on Fire” to the top of the charts, and now the Nashville rockers are looking to give back. They’ll say thanks to their local fans when they visit in March.

The Kings are regular visitors to our shores, but this will be the first time we’ve seen them as headliners. And if the international shows are any indication, Aussie fans are in for a good time.

“The mysterious, evocative lyrics, tight, searing guitar interplay and pounding rhythm section kept the crowd supercharged,” gushed The Seattle Times after they recently performed in Washington.

If you want to see what the Kings of Leon can do, make sure you pick up your tickets when they go on sale on November 24. But take note kids: while the shows are all ages events, no one under 16 will be permitted in the standing areas.

8 March 2009 – Rock-It No. 10, Perth
11 March 2009 – Memorial Drive, Adelaide
13 March 2009 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
16 March 2009 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre
18 March 2009 – Sydney Entertainment Centre
22 March 2009 – Newcastle Entertainment Centre

Image source: Blank Slate Photography @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

"Night & Day" – mrben

Sydney rockers mrben will release their debut album Night & Day later this month, but I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek.

The opening track, “Memory,” draws you in with its smouldering verses and blistering chorus. Things slow down a little on “One Man,” but while it’s somewhat calmer the song is certainly no less intense. Ben Wever’s emotive vocals see to that. “When You’re Gone” is sure to become a live favourite with its crunchy guitars and hook-laden lyrics.

This album has been four years in the making, and it shows. Mrben has laid down 11 solid songs that beg to be played again and again. The sound is more polished than most debuts. Clearly those years playing Sydney venues like the Gaelic Club, the Cat & Fiddle, and the Bridge Hotel have served the lads well.

Singer-songwriter Ben Wever enjoys exploring the darker side of the human experience, but the energy behind the songs ensures they never get too gloomy. His raspy vocals wrap around his lyrics with genuine conviction. This is clearly a man who’s really lived. We’ve seen drummer Jeff de Araugo as part of Sarah Blasko’s band, but this meatier material allows him to really let loose. Bassist Leighton Holloway completes the trio, unifying the rich sound.

Sydneysiders can catch mrben launching Night & Day at the Annandale Hotel on Wednesday 19 November.

Image source: mrben website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Melbourne Lockout Scrapped

Melbourne partygoers have cause for celebration. The city’s 2 am lock-out has been scrapped after public protests.

Instead the state government will introduce “time-out zones” serving tea and coffee to revellers who’ve indulged in a few too many. Fifty extra police will also be put on the streets during weekends to curb disorderly behaviour.

The state’s premier John Brumby said the government’s decision to abandon the lockout was influenced by the huge numbers of pubs and clubs who sought, and won, exemptions.

So party on Melbourne!

Image source: Ugur Vidinligil @ Stock.xchng

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get Dave Anderson Tunes for Free

A few months ago I discovered Dave Anderson, a fantastic local singer-songwriter from Sydney. I was actually one of the first to review his debut album Wish It All Away. Since then he’s earned some big praise from the Australian media.

The Sydney Morning Herald gave it 4/5, commenting that “Some upbeat tunes cleverly cover up many of his personal frustrations while the quieter acoustic moments convey just the right amount of emotion without becoming maudlin.”

Dave also impressed The Sunday Telegraph who said Wish It All Away “would sit comfortably on the shelf next to your Pete Murray CDs.”

If you still haven’t heard Dave’s tunes, here’s your opportunity to check them out for nix. Just visit his website, sign up to the mailing list, and you’ll receive two free downloads. You’ll then get updated when Dave is playing near you, so you can see this talented independent artist for yourself! Sounds like a win-win to me!

Image used with permission from Dave Anderson

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Waifs Announce Aussie Tour

Western Australian folk darlings The Waifs are winging their way around Australia for a massive tour. They’ll play their home state with the fabulous Ani DiFranco before joining fellow folk singer Jez Mead for shows in the rest of the country.

The Waifs love to play the music their fans want to hear, so they’re encouraging you to speak up. Just visit their official website and follow the links to e-mail the band your three top tunes. What a great opportunity for Waifs fans to hear those forgotten favourites!

Check out The Waifs at the following venues next year! Tickets are on sale from November 21 from the venues and your regular ticket outlets.

22 January 2009 – Fremantle Arts Centre
24 January 2009 – Wignalls Winery, Albany
25 January 2009 – Leeuwin Estate Winery, Margaret River
28 January 2009 – Queens Park Theatre, Geraldton
29 January 2009 – Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, Mandurah
31 January 2009 – Playhouse Theatre, Darwin
4 and 5 February 2009 – Hi Fi Bar, Melbourne
7 February 2009 – Peninsula Lounge, Moorooduc
8 February 2009 – Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
11 February 2009 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
14 February 2009 – Regent Theatre, Wollongong
15 February 2009 – Civic Theatre, Newcastle
17 February 2009 – A&I Hall, Bangalow
18 February 2009 – Tivoli Theatre, Brisbane
21 February 2009 – Civic Theatre, Townsville
22 February 2009 – Cairns Civic Theatre
4 March 2009 – Wrest Point Entertainment Centre, Hobart
5 March 2009 – The Saloon, Launceston
7 March 2009 – CMC Rocks the Snowys, Thredbo

Image source: Jeaneeem @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Juke Kartel Score World Cup Gig

Toby Rand might have missed out on the RockStar: Supernova crown, but life is pretty sweet for the Melbourne singer. He’s now fronting his own rock outfit Juke Kartel, and they’ve just scored a spot at the Rugby League World Cup Semifinal in Sydney!

The high profile slot is just one of many shows the band will perform over the coming months. They’re also the first chance for new drummer Jason Pinfold to show us what he can do. Catch Jason, Toby, and the boys at the following venues around the country.

13 November 2008 – The Zoo, Brisbane
14 November 2008 – Shark Bar, Gold Coast
16 November 2008 – World Cup, Sydney Football Stadium
21 November 2008 – Gaelic Club, Sydney
29 November 2008 – Hi Fi Bar, Melbourne
5 December 2008 – Enigma Bar, Adelaide
7 December 2008 – Hi Fi Bar, Melbourne (under 18s show)
31 December 2008 – Odyssey Festival, Gold Coast
3 January 2008 – Solar Festival, Mornington Racecourse

Image source: Juke Kartel press page

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Win "Rising" by The Go Set

I must admit, I haven’t had a lot of time for punk music lately. In the glory days bands like The Clash and The Pogues created tunes that were musically complex and lyrically revolutionary. But somewhere along the way it became all about three-chord wonders who think a few tattoos and piercings make you edgy. If you’re as tired of these homogenised punk outfits as I am, you’re going to love The Go Set.

This Melbourne band serves up classic punk music with a side order of traditional celtic and folk sounds. It’s a unique take, but when you consider that the founding members grew up with Irish/Australian parents it all makes perfect sense. I haven’t heard punk music played with a mandolin or set of bagpipes since The Dropkick Murphys!

Rising is The Go Set’s fourth album in as many years. That it features 10 solid original songs, plus an outstanding cover of Radio Birdman’s “New Race” is a testimony to their prolific talent. The CD sees a return to their punk rock origins and an exploration of some new ground. By dabbling in reggae and ska, The Go Set has created an eclectic collection of tunes.

The original blend of sounds on Rising makes it a lot more accessible than many punk recordings. It also makes The Go Set stand out in a world where I struggle to tell my Simple Plan from my Good Charlotte. If you’ve always dismissed punk music as being too simplistic and discordant, this might just be the album to change your mind.

I have three copies of Rising to give away to my loyal readers.

If you want to win one, just leave a comment to this entry telling me why you want to win! Too easy! Make sure you leave your e-mail address (this won’t be posted publicly) so I can get in touch with you if you win.

Entries close at 5 pm AEST on November 19, and I’ll announce the winners on Thursday November 20.

Image source: The Go Set MySpace

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Download Free Evermore Single

We all love something for nothing, especially when it’s from one of the hottest bands in the country. So it’s pretty exciting to hear that Evermore are offering their fans a free download of their new single “Between the Lines.”

Lead singer Jon Hume said the song was inspired by the different media coverage he saw looking at Thai and Sydney newspapers on a stopover in Thailand.

“They were both touting stories of the APEC and the G8 summit, but displaying almost everyone in a very different shade of colour. Policies, quotes, promises were different. It was charming editorialism at it’s best.  That was when I realized that if you don’t make up your own mind, someone’s gonna make it up for you. Therein was the theme of looking between the lines,” he explained in a press statement.

“Musically, the song came to us at the beginning of a search for a new musical experience for us as a band. We feel like this song is a big departure for us and wanna give everyone a chance to hear it. That’s why we’re giving it away. If you like us or hate us, give this new track a spin. It’s free music without the guilt!”

Jon makes perfect sense! Head to Evermore’s official website to download this fab new song!

Image used with permission from Warner Music Australia