This Christmas, I’m not letting friends and family get in the way of my generous gift giving. This Christmas I’m buying something for myself. Something that I’ve needed for years but didn’t even realise. Something only I can purchase for myself. A gift that will continue to give well into my retirement, resentful shift into an aged care facility and eventual demise: earplugs motherfucker.
My ears are literally screaming for protection these days. I can hear the tiny stereocilia begging for mercy and cowering every time I venture into a live music venue. I’ve started resorting to plugging my ears with my index fingers at gigs on occasion which is not only rather unsanitary but also incredibly rude, especially if you’re within eyeshot of the band on stage. No-one wants to gaze into a throbbing crowd only to see someone clutching her beer pot, her teeth git grimacing while cupping at her earlobes.
There’ll be more Australia Day celebrations in 2014. Once again a huge group of bands will be combining forces to raise money for Oxfam and the Refugee Council of Australia. Next January 25-26 Luca Brasi, Damn Terran, The Sinking Teeth, Batpiss, Outright, ANchros, Stockades, Cavalcade, Ceres, Regrets, Old Love, Sunbather, Lincoln Le Fevre, Grenadiers, Ribbons Patterns, Hoodlum Shouts, Initials, Have Hold, The Union Pacific, Darren Gibson, Summerhill, TNNL CNTS and Mightiest Of Guns will play over two days at The Reverence Hotel. Add to that Mexi food all night and a raffle of various prizes from local businesses and you’ve got one quality weekend on your hands.
New Found Glory announced last week that they would be parting way with guitarist and chief songwriter Steve Klein. “We’ve had our differences with Steve over the years that have led us to this decision. We love Steve however personal differences have guided this decision and we no longer feel we can work with him.” They added “Rest assured that New Found Glory will still go on!…We hope you stick by us during this difficult time”.
Luca Brasi will release their second album By A Thread on Poison City Records next March. The Tassie boys will then embark on a national tour with labelmates Postblue. You can expect to see them launch the album at John Curtin Hotel on Friday March 21, and they’ll also be appearing on Labor Day’s Push Over Festival on Monday March 10.
D At Sea will tour nationally this summer with Millie Tizzard. The Summer Chills runs in support of his Unconscious EP. Go get your swoon on at Geelong’s Barwon Club on Thursday February 20, Fitzroy’s Workers Club on Friday February 21 or Wrangler’s All Ages Studios on Saturday February 22.
The Smith Street Band have returned from their overseas touring adventures and refused to rest. The band were added to 2014’s Groezrock lineup recently and now they’ve announced a big ol’ Australian tour with Philly legends The Menzingers and WA’s Grim Fandango. They’ll take on the Corner Hotel on Saturday March 15. Tickets are available now.
