The Corner Hotel will launch their history-encapsulating Corner Mag with a bloody ripper show
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The Corner Hotel will launch their history-encapsulating Corner Mag with a bloody ripper show

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The Corner Hotel is embedded in Australian music. Australian music’s landscape has seen vast changes over the years, but one thing remains the same – that bands keep coming back. In its early days, the Corner Hotel mainly played host to touring jazz bands in the 1940s jazz era. It was owned by a cooperative of the Carlton and United Breweries – the Melbourne Cooperative Brewing Company, but also was a stop-off for workers keen for a post-shift beer.

To capture the extensive history of the Corner Hotel is no easy task. This year, the Corner presents the 2018 Corner Mag, which will encapsulate its 21-year history.

Flicking through its 80 back-to-the-future style pages, you’ll find many things. Among these, photos, anecdotes and other stories that reflect on arguably the stickiest floor in music. The Corner has hand-picked long time Corner friends Bodyjar and some of their mates to help bring this zine to life.

Pondering the amount of times the beloved punk-rockers have played to the masses at the Corner, Cameron Baines of Bodyjar says, “More times than any band has played one venue.” Their 28-year history has included playing dozens – if not more – shows at the Corner Hotel. They first played a show at the venue supporting Nursery Crimes, believed to be sometime between 1993 and 1994. Has much changed for Bodyjar? “Heaps,” Baines says. “Better riders, and our guitars are more in tune.”

A lot more than just their rider has changed since that inaugural performance though. “I was at the Corner Hotel a while ago and I saw we got an item on the menu named after us. Something like the Bodyjar of pickles. It’s a big bowl of pickles named after us,” Baines laughs.

While many venues are coming and going, the Corner Hotel has consistently played host to artists of all genres in its 21 years of operation. Though it has changed hands numerous times since its opening, it’s maintained its ability to keep up with what bands are coming back for. The Corner thrives on its welcoming environment, and its reputation is at a high. It saw the ‘90s alt-grunge era, as well as the diverse range of artists of all types stopping off to play there now.

Of the special guests joining Bodyjar at the upcoming show, Baines says that it’ll be “just like old times”. David Quirk is a good friend of his. Game Over are reuniting especially for this show, and Baines is a huge fan of Area 7 and Young Offender. Hanny J is stepping out of Clowns to bring her “impassioned self-expression” to The Corner.

One thing the Corner is known for is its impressive PA. Musicians are able to consistently come back and expect a stellar sound system every time. Their staff are “the best in Australia” – with bands always welcome to kick back after their sets for a couple of beers. Asked about the facilities and staff at the Corner, Baines says he “fucking loves the joint” and he’s looking forward to a really fun show, full of mates, and lots of piss-taking.

Not only has the Corner put together this huge show, but they’ve added an extra point of interest for punters who are thinking of coming. The first 200 people through the door will receive their very own, complimentary copy of the limited-edition Corner Mag for 2018, which is definitely one for the trophy room.

Now is in fact your last chance to get your hands on tickets for the unmissable The Corner Mag 2018 Zine Launch. The Corner have promised a revved-up party, with the chance to see an eclectic mix of artists in the same spot that certainly doesn’t come around often.

The idea of pretending “we’re not old” is something Baines looks forward to. So what’s next for Bodyjar? There’s no immediate plans just yet for touring, but there’s an album in the works. “We just need songs and a producer,” he laughs.