THE AUSSIE BBQ SHOWCASE

Tuesday night was the Aussie BBQ Showcase at the Corner Hotel which featured two of my favourite Melbourne bands, the delightful Oh Mercy and romantic nerds the Crayon Fields.

It was put on by Stage Mothers (2 music lovers from Melbournio) who stage showcases of great Aussie bands overseas. All proceeds would go to help support all the bands attending the SXSW (south by southwest) festival in the states.

Check out the photos right here, right now

ALL THINGS JAPAYORK

Nothing better than a little synth-pop to brighten up the day. Japayork, formerly a resident of Japan and New York, is a 22 year old graphic designer and music man, who is now based in London. 'Our Now' is the first track I've heard of his and am very impressed. I've checked out his artwork and am amazed at this guy's seemingly limitless talent in all things creative.
Be sure to check out his work, both musicwise and artwise! WORD

JAPAYORK.COM

JAPAYORK - OUR NOW

GOOD VIBRATIONS

Brandon Flowers, The Killers

Basement Jaxx

Kid Cudi

Jack of Friendly Fires (DJ Set)

A week before the Good Vibrations festival was to take place in Melbourne, the only band I really wanted to see (Friendly Fires) pulled out; the Killers had to cancel their Sydney and Perth shows and things wern't looking promising. So when the day of the festival arrived, I left home with no expectations. However, I returned pretty happy with how things had turned out.

Kid Cudi was on early afternoon and had the crowd in the palm of his hand. He explained how Australia was his first home away from home and how it was here that he made his first big break. All the hits were played, but it was his stage presence that triumphed, pouring shots for a few lucky punters in the front, he had created a party atmosphere.

Although Friendly Fires couldn't make the festival, Jack the drummer still came down for a DJ Set. Dropping the occasional FF remix his set was predominantly deep house. Afterwards he came and mingled with the crowd and was more than happy to pose for a few photos with his fans.

For me the main stage was off limits for most of the day as the crowd was too intense, but as Basement Jaxx were about to grace the stage, I made a loyal and conscious effort to make my way to the front. After fighting my way through a sea of yuppies I managed to get close enough to witness the Jaxx in all their glory. Littering the stage with an assortment of performers and instruments, they played new and old, to a crowd well up for it. 'Where's your head at?' obviously their best moment.

The day was coming to an end, I had made my last trip to the bar and was ready for The Killers. Kicking off with 'Somebody told me', frontman Brandon Flowers strutted around the stage, with the crowd singing along to every word. From there onwards there was no filler, just hit after hit after hit. Clearly the highlight of the day, they had capped off what had turned out to be a pretty good festival.

Check out the photos here

VAMPIRE WEEKEND

Here's the new clip for Vampire Weekend's latest single 'Giving Up The Gun', which would have to be my favourite track off Contra. Check out the cameo's featured, Wu-Tang's the RZA would have to be the best. The band plays the Palace on May 4th with support tbc. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Monday. Gots mine already cos i'm a badass.

BEST IN CLASS

A couple of days ago I posted a clip of Soulwax's remix of Late Of The Pier's new track, 'Best In Class'. Well today I give you the brilliant new film clip to the original. I dunno if it's because I'm really freaking hungover and fragile, but the video really creeps me out. Make sure to watch it straight through, especially for the guy at the end ;)x

ZEF SIDE MOTHERFUCKER

WATCH AND LEARN SUCKERS

FRIENDLY GHOST, HOLY FIRES

Friendly Fires and Holy Ghost! have gotten together to release a split 7" single where they both cover one of each others songs. Friendly Fires take on 'Hold On' and Holy Ghost! take on 'On board'. Can't decide which I like better, as both are amazing covers.

Friendly Fires were scheduled to play at this Sunday's Good Vibrations Festival in Melbz but due to a family emergency they had to pull out. However, Jack (the band's drummer) will still be coming out to slam down a DJ Set. . .ooooo!

FRIENDLY FIRES - HOLD ON (HOLY GHOST! COVER)

HOLY GHOST! - ON BOARD (FRIENDLY FIRES COVER)

BLACK VAN

What do you get when you put one half of Moonbootica (aka KoweSix) and Kris Menace together? Well you get Black Van.
Signed to DFA, their first release is a gorgeous track called 'Yearning', with the mighty Emperor Machine on the remix. Be sure to keep an eye on these guys.

BLACK VAN - YEARNING

L-VIS LIVES

Ever since I heard L-Vis 1990's remix of Gucci Vump's - 'Sha Shtil!', I've been a fan. The young Londoner has been dishing out amazing originals and remixes recently and now has turned his hand to Delphic. Incedentally the Manchester band have just announced they'll be headin this way in March, playing at the Prince on the 26th. And I gotta say, when I heard they were heading this way I went from 6 to midnight. Giddy up!

DELPHIC - HALCYON (L-VIS 1990 REMIX)

LATE OF THE PIER + SOULWAX

Ch-ch-ch-check this shit out! This was taken from Erol Alkan's 6Mix on Saturday night for BBC6. It's Late Of The Pier's latest track 'Best In Class', which alone is pretty fucking amazing, but then those Belgian all round cool cats Soulwax only go and do a remix. Make sure you follow the link and go and listen to the whole mix! Erol Alkan is a God. . .I actually made a religion called BOLKAN. It's a combination of Marc Bolan and Erol Alkan. . .

RECOGNIZE

THE DISCO KINGS OF RADELAIDE

Erol Alkan, Fake Blood, Aeroplane, Sinden and Annie Mac all love Modular's disco kings The Swiss, and it's not hard to see why. Their remix of Sydney band The Holidays single 'Moonlight Hours' has got me dancing, I can't help but jump around everytime I play it. Their song 'Bubble Bath' has got to be one of my favourite tracks of the past few months and Knightlife has taken a more laid back approach on the remix.
Tony Manero aint got shit on these guys!

THE HOLIDAYS - MOONLIGHT HOURS (THE SWISS REMIX)

THE SWISS - BUBBLE BATH (KNIGHTLIFE REMIX)

DANGEROUS DAN

This man is a freak of freakin nature. One half of Ksubi, brother to Kitsune' sensation, Beni and Bang Gang member. Havn't heard anything from him since he teamed up with Nicky Van She to release 'Around the World again'.
But he's back again with 'The Ritz', which samples the 1929 classic 'Puttin' on the Ritz'.
Get naked. Turn it up and SWEAT!

DANGEROUS DAN - THE RITZ

HEY STYLO

Gorillaz 'Plastic Beach' drops early next month and I am HANGING! 'Stylo' is the first single off the new album and I wasn't sold at first but after a few listens, I'm in love.
The first remixes come in the form of Alex Metric & french superstar Yuksek.
For some reason though, the Alex Metric remix was rejected. .who the fuck knows why, cause it could be his best work to date. .

GORILLAZ - STYLO (ALEX METRIC REMIX)

GORILLAZ - STYLO (YUKSEK REMIX)

VALENTINE'S GAY

It's Valentine's Day tomorrow and to help get you in the moood I've got a very love-ly mix from those überlicious kids FLOSSTRADAMUS!

Bon Appétit!

VALENTINES DAY MIX TAPE

SHAI - IF I EVER FALL IN LOVE AGAIN
ALAN BRAXE & FRED FALKE - IN LOVE WITH YOU
FUNKYSTUFF 2 - SPECIAL LOVE
LIFELIKE - SO ELECTRIC
DYNASTY - I DON'T WANT TO BE A FREAK
MADISON AVENUE - DON'T CALL ME BABY (12" MIX)
XINOBI ft. JOSH JAKUBENKO - THE BEST OF ME
SWV - WEAK
R KELLY - BUMP N GRIND
H-TOWN - KNOCKIN' BOOTS
CHANGING FACES - STROKE YOU UP
LINDSTROM & CHRISTOBELLE - LOVESICK
SADE - SOLDIER OF LOVE
DISCOVERY - SWING TREE
MARIAH CAREY - HONEY
EVE - GOTTA MAN
THE XX - CRYSTALIZED
THEOPHILUS LONDON - GREY X SAGE
GUI BORATTO - NO TURNING BACK

NEW YOUNG PONY CLUB

CHAOS

NEW YOUNG PONY CLUB - CHAOS (RORY PHILLIPS REMIX)

These girls sure know how to make a boy moist. . . New Young Pony Club are back with their new album 'The Optimist', which is due for release next month. It's been nearly 3 years since their debut 'Fantastic Playroom' and they've been sorely missed. 'Chaos' is their new single and Rory Phillips has pulled off another marvel on the remix!

Proper lush!

YEASAYER

Holy shit! It's only February and we've got a contender for album of the year. 'Odd Blood' is the second album from them Brooklyn boys, Yeasayer.
Filled with twisted imagination, apparently the album was inspired by doing acid in New Zealand (according to Rolling Stone). O.N.E is the follow up single to Ambling Alp and could be the best track on the record.

Do yourself a favour. . .

YEASAYER - O.N.E

ST ALI'S YARRA PLACE LANEWAY FESTIVAL

MEGGS

REKAONE

OTIS CHAMBERLAIN

PHIBS

KID ZOOM


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1994

I was reading an old issue of SELECT (October 1994). On the cover was Suede lead singer, Brett Anderson and a new band called Oasis. As i read through I came across one paticular paragraph that didn't really shock me but still made me laugh.

It read:

Five months ago, no-one was interested in them (Oasis) except their mums and Alan McGee. Now they might just be the greatest band of the nineties. Select was there the week Oasis went supernova. . .

Backstage at the Forum, the Oasis dressing room is packed with liggers after an incredible sell-out show. Suddenly, the room falls into disbelieving silence as Paul Weller walks in and introduces himself to Noel Gallagher. Both visibly caned, they start chatting. . .

Weller: "That was pretty good, but you should do encores."

Noel: "I've seen you do six encores and it fuckin' bored the tits off me. I'm glad you brought out 'Wild Wood', though. It gave us an album to better."

Weller: "But you won't better it."

Noel: "Listen pal, we already have."

Weller: "You fuckin haven't."

Noel (bullish): "We have. You wait and see."

Weller (now nose-to-nose): "We'll see, then."

Noel: "Alright then, we'll see. And get out of my dressing room. And tell me I'm God."

FOOKIN MADFERIT!

HELSINKI 78-82
Cruising