Phew. How about that Soundwave, eh? Last week was a fucking huge one for Melbourne metal fans, with a million sideshows as well as the big day itself. During the week I caught Periphery at The Espy, Stone Sour and Linkin Park at Rod Laver, This Is Hell, Anthrax and Fozzy at The Hi-Fi, and had interviews with Misha and Nolly from Periphery, Corey and Josh from Stone Sour and Adam and Jesse from Killswitch Engage, so look out from a few words from those folks in the coming weeks when it’s time to talk about their new album releases.
Gig Alert: Kings And Queens at The Espy
Australia is overflowing with alternative music talent, and Melbourne event management company Gunn Music are tapping into that talent and allowing it to shine. Once a month, Gunn Music presents Kings and Queens, a night of alternative rock at The Espy in St Kilda. Friday March 8’s lineup includes Melbourne rockers Ten Thousand, who manage to deftly walk the fine line between the ‘80s hard rock and ‘90s hard rock scenes; the heavier and more progressive Branch Arterial (who are farewelling their drummer Darren), technical wizards Quarterdrive, as well as Copse, Giants Under the Sun, The Tesla Theory and Anti Violet. Presented by Off Ya Tree.
Gig Alert: Metal At The Bendigo
A couple of killer nights at the Bendigo in Collingwood this week: Uins, Black Jesus, Metal Storm and Sewercide from 8pm on Saturday March 9, and Cemetary Urn, Nocturnal Graves, Destruktor and Maniaxe on Sunday March 10 from 8pm.
New Iggy & The Stooges In April
Better 40 years later than never: Iggy & The Stooges will release their first album of all-new material tougher since their proto-punk masterpiece Raw Power. Ready To Die features Iggy Pop, guitarist James Williamson and drummer Scott “Rock Action” Asheton as well as legendary bass player Mike Watt (filling in for the late Ron Asheton). It’ll be out on April 26 via Warner Music Australia and Fat Possum Records. The results are the closest thing to a time capsule to 1973 – or at least to Iggy’s subsequent efforts with Williamson, including 1977’s Kill City and 1979’s New Values – that rock’n’roll is likely to proffer in this millennium. Iggy & The Stooges will be at Festival Hall on Wednesday March 27.
Gig Alert: Whole Lotta Love
The Aussie Led Zeppelin tribute Whole Lotta Love is celebrating its tenth anniversary with a May 10 date at the Palais Theatre, featuring Steve Balbi (Noiseworks), Simon Meli (The Widowbirds), Jimmy Cupples, Dallas Frasca and Natasha Stuart alongside musical director/guitarist Joseph Calderazzo, Gordon Rytmeister (drums), Greg Royal (bass), Stuart Fraser (guitars, Noiseworks), Robert Woolf (keyboards), Tony Azzopardi (percussion), Adrian Keating (violin), Rachel Thompson (viola) and Charlotte Roberts (cello).
New Bowie Streaming Now
iTunes is streaming David Bowie’s brilliant new album The Next Day until its Australian release on Friday March 8. Go check it out! A few of us media folk were treated to a preview last week before the stream was announced and it’s classic Bowie, blending parts Scary Monsters and Heroes with scatterings of other Bowie eras as well. The two songs that have been released as singles so far aren’t really a clear indication of the rest of the album. So will he tour? Who knows? Rumours vary from “It’s 50/50 as to whether he’ll tour,” to “Maybe a show in New York and one in London” to “No.” But knowing Bowie, that means he’ll probably do the opposite of what everyone expects and show up at Pure Pop in St Kilda or at someone’s house for an afternoon set some day.
Brendan Small Brings Galaktikon To The Stage
Brendon Small (Dethklok/Metalocalypse) debuted the live incarnation of his solo project, Galaktikon, over the weekend, featuring Bryan Beller on bass, Tim Yeung on drums, Mike Keneally (Frank Zappa, Steve Vai), Rick Musallem (Mike Keneally Band) and Jude Gold (Musicians Institute) on guitars. They played at WesFest 8, an annual show at the Roxy in West Hollywood in to benefit the Wes Wehmiller Endowed Scholarship at Berklee College of Music. Here’s hoping for more dates in the future!
Satriani Names New Band, Jams With You
Speaking of Keneally and Beller, they’re both part of Joe Satriani’s new live band, along with drummer Marco Minnemann (who plays with Keneally and Beller in KMB, and with Beller and guitarist Guthrie Govan in The Aristocrats). Very incestuous scene. And just a reminder: Thump Music will give fans the opportunity to jam with the one and only Joe Satriani during his Australian masterclass tour in April. To enter, upload a video to YouTube of yourself jamming to a Satriani song, including ‘Thump Music’ in the title and place your full name, ticket ID and state in the video description. Thump will post the videos on their Facebook page for the public to vote, and the most likes wins. The players from the top three videos in each state will be invited to jam with Joe at the clinic. The competition closes on Friday March 29. Tickets for the masterclass are $80 per person and there will be giveaways and extras, from pedals and strings to instruments. The Melbourne clinic is on Saturday April 13 from 12pm to 3pm.
