One of my fondest memories of this year’s SXSW festival in Texas isn’t catching the latest indie buzz band in a corner cubicle of a restored crematorium, and it sure isn’t the cues or abundance of Pabs Blue Ribbon available. It’s seeing Aussie bands tear up every venue they touched. Bands from little old Melbourne strutting around Texas’ raddest rooms while locals and industry types tried not to let their chin hit the floor lest it gather bottle caps and cigarette butts while it settles there for the set.
Watching King Parrott scare the living fuck out of everyone in attendance of their shows was the highlight. I dragged many a clueless yank to one of their final shows for the festival and spent a better portion of the performance watching their face contort into various shades of what-the-fuck throughout. First came hesitance, ‘Why do they look like that?’ Second came astonishment, ‘They can really play’. Third came distaste, ‘But why do they look like that?’ Finally came pure joy. A smile crawling across their lips, eyes still bulging, wobbling, their grip tightening on their PBR as their fists clenched. Some threw themselves into the pit as though the spirit of all things metal propelled them forth into the chaos. All stumbled onwards to the next showcase a changed person, perhaps ever so slightly convinced that music could be something a little different. Still shocking, still spectacular, still satisfying to the soul. Go see King Parrot this weekend.
So many great shows coming up in June including massive giggos from Story of the Year and The Bronx. Both headliners have announced which lucky locals will share the stage with them in Melbourne. The Bronx have invited Freak Wave to have some fun at 170 Russell on Tuesday June 17 and Story of the Year have decided Left For Wolves and Clowns are worthy of the 170 Russell stage on Sunday June 29. Tickets for both are still available.
Anberlin’s last ever Melbourne show sold out crazy fast so they’ve gone ahead and announced one more for Wednesday September 10. In a world exclusive, they’ll perform Never Take Friendship Personal in full (as well as the hits) at 170 Russell. Tickets are available now.
Violent Soho have added a fourth and final Melbourne show to their massive Australian tour. They’ll be joined by Tassie lads Luca Brasi for one extra gig at The Hi-Fi on Thursday July 17. Grab tickets now because they will bloody well sell out. You can count on it.
United Nations are back. The ‘all-star’ band which features some members of some excellent bands like Thursday, Glassjaw and Pianos Become The Teeth will release a new album later this year via Temporary Residence Ltd. The album, The Next Four Years, is expected to cop a release mid-July.
Sydney’s instrumental prog kings sleepmakeswaves will release their new album Love of Cartography on Friday July 4 then hit the road with Breaking Orbit and Teal. See ‘em at the Corner Hotel on Friady August 1. One show only. Get your slow mosh on.
Against Me’s Laura Jane Grace has publicly criticised Arcade Fire for their use of actor Andrew Garfield portraying a transgender person in their newest video instead of sourcing an actual trans actor. Arcade Fire have defended their decision, saying it was well thought out and not intended to offend but Grace rebutted once more saying, “The implication that a homeless Jamaican LGBT youth living in a sewer is going to feel empowered because a cis, straight white male actor in movies they can’t afford to see stars in a music video they’ll never watch?” She does add at her rant’s conclusion, “I really genuinely am a fan of the band. The Suburbs is a perfect album”.
