NEW BABY ANIMALS OUT THIS WEEK
They’re one of the greatest Oz rock bands ever – and all the more intriguing because it looked like their story was going to end with only two albums – but now the Baby Animals are back with This Is Not The End, their first album in over 20 years. It’ll be released on Friday May 31 via Social Family Records, and to celebrate the release of the album the band have will tour the east coast of Australia this June. They’ll be at The Hi-Fi on Saturday June 22. Aside from Suze DeMarchi and guitarist Dave Leslie, the band now includes Dario Bortolin on bass and Mick Skelton on drums. The album was produced by David Nicholas (INXS, Ash), while Nick DiDia (Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots) also lent his considerable skill on the record’s first single, Email. “I’m really, really proud of this album,” Suze says. “I love every track and I can’t wait to perform these songs on tour. I love playing live; gigs really are the pay off. We want to go wherever this record takes us.”
NEW GUITAR DAY: IBANEZ 8-STRING
I just got a new toy, an Ibanez RGIR28FE Iron Label 8-string from the Ibanez Guitar Centre in Adelaide, and it’s awesome. Now that 8-string guitars are becoming more commonplace (and more affordable) I can’t wait to see what kind of things heavier bands are going to do with them. There’s so much scope for creative, interesting stuff beyond the obvious (and obviously fun) Meshuggah covers and Periphery-style djentathons. Any other 8-stringers out there? Email me at [email protected] and I’ll put together a few links to your music in a future column.
THE NEW ALICE IN CHAINS – IT’S GOOD!
The new Alice In Chains album, The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here, is out now and it’s rather bitchen. It is, of course, their second album with vocalist William DuVall, although he’s in more of a ‘co-vocalist’ role alongside Jerry Cantrell than a ‘lead vocalist.’ This is really the way AIC were heading towards the end of their time with Layne Staley anyway, so AIC’s last few releases have felt pretty consistent with the direction the band was going in. And the new album is killer. Maybe not as many instantly catchy songs compared to Black Gives Way To Blue, but more of a sustained – and immense – mood. Check it out.
BRUCE BOUILLET RETURNS
Former Racer X/The Scream guitarist Bruce Bouillet releases his new album The Order Of Control soon, and from what I’ve heard it’s going to be awesome. I was lucky enough to hear some of the final mixes: producer James Lugo, who mixed the album, was working out of Pony Music in Hallam with Dead City Ruins when I swung by the other day, and if you’re into heavy instrumental guitar rock then this is going to tear your face off. Check out James Lugo’s YouTube channel for a series of videos from the mixing sessions.
THIS WEEK AT THE BENDIGO…
Catch Blackwater, Armoured Earth, They, Ordnance and Conscious Control at The Bendigo Hotel in Collingwood on Saturday June 1.
MINDLESS SELF INDULGENCE GIVE YOU LOVE
For more than 15 years Mindless Self Indulgence have been making their infamous electric madness for anyone who wants something unique. After successfully achieving the second highest Kickstarter campaign ever, Mindless Self Indulgence release their newest, most offensive and highly original work yet – How I Learned to Stop Giving a Shit and Love Mindless Self Indulgence, set for release on June 21 on 3Wise Records. A record that is all at once politically incorrect, profoundly sexual and amazingly catchy, if you thought getting older, getting married and having kids would slow the band down you are sadly misinformed.
FEAR FACTORY TO PLAY DEMANUFACTURE LIVE
Fear Factory’s Demanufacture changed metal. It fucking did. It showed us that you could be brutally heavy, hauntingly melodic, technically precise and crushingly industrial all at the same time. And bands are still trying to rip it off today. The band will be performing this classic album in its entirety for Australian fans in July. You should go. They’ll be at The Palace on Sunday July 7. Tickets from Ticketek and Oztix.
THE REVERENCE TURNS 1
Melbourne’s most excellent new pub and venue, The Reverence Hotel, celebrates its first birthday on Saturday June 1, and they want to share the momentous occasion with everybody! To celebrate, The Rev has booked a heap of their favourite bands (including The Smith Street Band, Infinite Void, The Gun Runners, High Tension, Genadiers, The Union Pacific and more) and done a bumper booze order, now they’re ready to turn it up to 11 (perhaps literally). In just 12 months, the former owners of the Arthouse have introduced a kick-ass Mexican and pizza bar menu, opened an amazing renovated back band room with excellent PA and staging specs and invited a diverse cross-section of Melbourne musical culture to share it with them. If you’ve not checked The Reverence out yet, here is the perfect opportunity. No excuses, just fun times delivered by good people, plus maybe a spot of dancing thrown in for good measure.
ENSLAVED SUPPORTS NAMED
The supports for the rescheduled Enslaved tour have been announced: Melbourne fans will be treated to Ne Obliviscaris and Hybrid Nightmares on Friday June 14 at The Hi-Fi.
