Tag: The Grates

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Grates Annouce Splendour Sideshows

If you missed out on Splendour tickets to see The Grates, don’t worry. The Brisbane band will play a few sideshows under the banner of the Team Work Makes the Dream Work tour.

The Grates have developed an enviable reputation for their live show over more than a decade in the business. They’re set to play songs that span that career, including new single “Call Me” and others from the Dream Team album.

“It’s been ages since we’ve hit the road & performed live, and we’re stoked to be returning with rad legends Straight Arrows, and cold wave creepers Pleasure Symbols,” lead singer Patience Hodgson said in a press release. “Touring with people that you not only love watching on stage, but love hanging out with off stage, is as good as it gets.”

Tickets for the following shows are available from the venues.

8 August 2015 – The Triffid, Brisbane
14 August 2015 – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
15 August 2015 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne

Image used with permission from Secret Service Public Relations

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Grates Win Me Over with “It Won’t Hurt Anymore”

I must admit, I’ve struggled to warm to the most recent music from The Grates. I longed for the fun punky-pop they released all those years ago and didn’t quite get their new direction. But their latest single “It Won’t Hurt Anymore” really resonates with me. It’s raw, powerful, and passionate.

“This was the final song we wrote for the album,” explained The Grates’ frontwoman, Patience Hodgson. “Around then, I’d wake most mornings and watch a reality show on arranged marriages. Even though the show was repetitive and annoying I was completely captivated by the relationship baggage that burdened the participants, who all claimed to ‘do anything for love’ as long as they could all still hold their past hurts tightly. John and Ritchie were under the house playing, and I crammed my head next to the floor boards to hear them, and started to form what became the vocal melody.”

“It Won’t Hurt Anymore” is the second song lifted from The Grates’ fourth album Dream Team, which is in stores now.

Image used with permission from Secret Service Public Relations

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Alana Skyring Leaves The Grates

Queensland trio The Grates has just become a duo. Drummer Alana Skyring has left the band to pursue a career in culinary arts, leaving Patience Hodgson and John Patterson to continue as a two-piece.

The duo says they’ll recruit additional members for touring and recording. Recently they’ve worked with Brooklyn drummer Ben Marshall and bassist Gus van Go from their new American base.

With recording well underway, a new Grates album should be released around June. It’ll be interesting to see whether the loss of Alana changes the sound dramatically. Either way, I’m definitely looking forward to the new material.

Image source: Nika Vee @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Stonefest Celebrate the Big 4-0

Few music festivals survive a few years, let alone decades. So Stonefest’s 40th anniversary this year is cause for celebration. The Canberra music fest is pulling out the big guns this year, with a massive bill headlined by American indie gods The Dandy Warhols.

They’ll be ably supported by some massive local talent including Grinspoon, Faker, The Grates, Regurgitator, The Drones, Blue King Brown, and stacks more.

Any festival that can last four decades clearly knows how to entertain. This one might be worth a road trip for any interstate music lovers. It all happens at the University of Canberra on 31 October and 1 November. Tickets are available now through Ticketek. But sorry kids, it’s a strictly adults-only event.

Image source: JHT Photography @ Flickr