First it seemed completely implausible but the more I thought about it, the more likely it seemed. If bands are to treat themselves as a business, which they are more than entitled to do considering it’s a vessel for money and a career, why shouldn’t they have an official ethos, or rules to share between members so they can ensure they become the band they want to be and enjoy subsequent successes? Kinda takes the spontaneity out of the live performance though. I don’t think the sweaty kid in the flat-brimmed cap at the front who got to shout the chorus to his favourite song would be entirely stoked if he realized he was granted his five seconds of awesomeness was part of a contractual obligation and that every salivating fanboy is granted that same opportunity at that point at every show. How much do you care if the show you are witnessing is pre-rehearsed?
I saw every performance on a huge national tour recently and noticed that the stage banter was identical every time which ordinarily would infuriate me, except for this particular banter was witty, unique and the audience lapped it up every time. So what then? It’s a bit disheartening to know what began as a base-level outpouring of passion in some old mate’s garage invariably ends in such a structured business plan. Personally, I think I’d prefer my frontmen to be reticent before they’re rehearsed.
Motley Crue have announced an Australian tour this September. The original lineup of Vince Neil, Mick Mars, Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee will head our way later the year. Promoter Andrew McManus proudly asserted, “This is going to be a rockin’ gig. The amount of emails I have received from fans begging to put on a show like this has been overwhelming.” The ‘Crue are also bringing Poison frontman and reality TV star Bret Michaels with them as well as Angels singer Doc Neeson. Catch the chaos at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday September 24.
Several metal tours were announced this week, starting with an east coast/Adelaide run from Suicide Silence. They’ll attempt to pack out Melbourne’s Billboard The Venue with two shows, one of which will cater to their underage crowd. See them on Saturday September 10 or the afternoon of Sunday September 11 if you’re but a wee, bright eyed button.
One of the other announcements finds the USA’s Periphery and UK’s Tesseract joining forces this July on the League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen Tour. They’re highly likely to blow the bloody roof off the Northcote Social Club when they play on July 31.
Local bands are kicking goals overseas lately. Following Adelaide band Dangerous’ signing to Epitaph worldwide, it was announced late last week that Melbourne band Dream On, Dreamer have signed to Rise Records in the USA, as well as UNFD in Australia. The band also revealed that their new album Heartbound has found a label in Japan. The album is released on August 5 but you can see them play with Emmure this Saturday.
Two of Fat Wreck Chords’ finest from (from their current roster anyway) will tour Australia this October. Pour Habit won many fans when they supported NOFX and Bad Religion a couple of years ago. I’ll remember them most fondly for their singer’s ability to vomit profusely all over the entire stage and continue to deliver a quality performance for a further 20 minutes. They’ll team with severely underrated Virginian band Smoke Or Fire. The East Brunswick Club is to host what will surely be an electric evening on pop punk on Saturday October 15.
Dead Letter Circus will launch a huge Australian tour this August. The tour, which sees them visit over twenty metropolitan and regional venues over the space of a month, is titled No Fracking Way Tour. They and are seeking to raise awareness of the many risks attached to coal seam gas and the method of Hydraulic Fracturing. Intrigued yet? Dead Letter will be supported by Closure In Moscow and Wolves for the first half of the tour, before Jericco and I Am Giant take the reins. Victorian dates include Geelong on August 22, Gippsland on August 23 and The Hi-Fi on August 25, buy tickets here.
Up and coming Kiwi band The Outsiders recently scored a slot at No Sleep Til and have played at Gainsville’s notorious The Fest. Now they’re heading to Australia to play at the Anchors album launch at The Tote on July 1. Their current album The Words Will Write Themselves is available now from Poison City Records.
Melbourne’s The Staple Group are having a garage sale at their Richmond offices this Saturday. You can score discounted band merch, out of press CDs, vinyl, Mistake and Atticus clothing and other Kill Your Stereo merch. Dream On Dreamer and Emmure will also be signing merch from 12pm. Every purchase will score a free Boomtown Records release. Not too shabby.
The very awesome Russian Circles are headed our way finally. The Chicago-based powerhouse have been making waves since 2004 with their instrumental, progressive metal and now they’re headed our way. They play at The Corner Hotel on September 8.
CORE GIG GUIDE
Thursday June 16:
50 Lions, Iron Mind, Ill Vision at Next
Friday June 17:
Ammadu, Charging North, Union Pacific at The Bendigo
Midnight Woolf, The Painkillers, La Bastard, Poison Oak at Yah Yah’s
Silent Rose, Bronson at The Evelyn
Saturday June 18:
Declaration, Nice Guys, Lazerface, Party Vibez at Pony
Emmure, Shinto Katana, Dream On Dreamer, Brooklyn at The Corner Hotel (underage arvo)
Emmure Shinto Katana, Trainwreck, Hallower at The Corner Hotel (overage evening)
The Eternal, Art Of War, Dawn Heist, Red Bird at The Prague
Hopeless, Further Earth, Distant Wreck at Bang
Sunday June 19:
Cavalcade, Mindset, Nice Guys, Palisades at Catfood Press
