Tuesday, April 29, 2008


Band: Juliet and the Licks with support by The Gingers
Venue: Prince of Wales, melbourne
Date: 27th April 2008
Reviewed By:Lyn Harder

Photographer: Mark Geisel

Many braved a cold night to see Juliet and the licks and from what I’ve heard about their music, we all knew it would be worth venturing out to see.

The Gingers opened the night with their great set of punk, fast paced, school garage rock music. I still find it strange that bands don't put a name on drum kit or somewhere. They are a 4 piece band from Melbourne and the crowd embraced them tonight. A song that stood out for me was ‘I wanna love you but i can't' a catchy doo wop song with groovy chorus.
We all waited in a room filled almost to the max to see Juliet and the Licks, a band who have been around for five years and are making their dint in the rock world. Many punters wore colourful feather head bands mimicking their singer, their hero.
Right on time the band enter, Todd Morse on guitar, Jason Womack on bass, drummer Ed Davis. I was wondering where Juliet was as the crowd was going nuts, and it wasn’t until she slinked up the microphone stand that I saw her and realised why the front of the room was cheering! She started singing 'Inside the cage' and the crowd go even more nuts. She plays to the crowd embracing their hugs. Juliet definitely knows how to work the stage; I’d say her former life as an actor has taught her this. Her jacket is removed after the third song and after lots of head shaking her feather head piece is shaken off and any composure (if there even was any) is gone now.
When 'bull shit king' is played the drummer shows us his impressive drumming skills. Juliet loves to swing her hair around; I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much hair flicking and leg kicking. Then we are given a song for the ladies and Juliet leaps into crowd and sings 'coming around'. Juliet runs off and we're left with bass music thumping through our bodies. Back she comes with costume change, blind folds herself and dancers erotically whilst singing ‘death of a whore' which is a groovy rock song, very theatrical with out all the costumes. Juliet really goes off like a fire cracker. She loves to talk to the crowd. When watching her sing 'Purgatory blues' I find I just can't stop watching her. One person tells me it’s almost like watching an aerobics class! Hmmm…not sure about that! The band puts in a show that is 110% rock. 'This i know' is a romantic song and one which stands out for me as she kisses the crowds hands and cheeks. Awesome guitar lead by Todd for 'hot deal' then the licks do a song for us ‘Aussies’, an ACDC cover of ‘dirty deeds’, Juliet grabs a hat from a punter as it looks like Brian Johnson’s. Backing vocals are fantastic in dirty deeds, they got that grunt going on, a few vocal mishaps but overall a great version.

Always been a dream of Juliet’s to get a band started and she feels amazing. 'Get up' is a song about leaving what she knows to pursue a musical career; this has cheery start to the music. 'So amazing' she sings with the audience, making them sing in sections of the room but this didn’t go for long, most people preferred her to do the singing! A short encore then ‘Pray for Latoya’ which is a song for the band because she can apparently be difficult to work with.
They go with bows and kisses and Juliet tells us it'll be a while till they're back as going to record new album.

Licks fever has come and gone and mesmerised us all and the punters face the brave cold night outside.

Messing with the Foo Fighters




Band: Foo Fighters with support Kaki King and The Mess Hall
Venue: Rod Laver Arena
Date: 26th April 2008
Reviewed By: Lyn Harder
Photographs By: Mark Geisel

We arrived early to find Kaki King from NYC playing amazing slide guitar with groovy back beats. I was quite blown away with her sound, reminded me of John Butler Trio, but without the singing! The Mess Hall (Sydney), an awesome two piece band started with grunt. A nice big white sheet with their name painted on it was the back drop, effective without the cost! Set list includes ‘pils’ and the rock beat song ‘pulse’ then ‘metal and hair’ and finally their big hit ‘keep walking’. They didn’t play long to my disappointment. Great support act enjoyed by many who had already turned up for the show.
Tonight’s show is sold out. The crowd go nuts when Dave and co bound out. Long haired Dave runs down the walk way which is about ¾ length on the ground, his number one aim tonight seems to be obtaining applause. Tonight there are 8 members on stage including newest member on double bass, Jessie Green. Songs include ‘pretender’, ‘times like these’, ‘break out, and ‘learn to fly’. Dave plays and plays on the crowd’s vibe and love for him. He runs from one side to the other sinking his vibe into the guitar whilst creating pandemonium! The entire band give 110% to the show and certainly indulge in the attention. A long instrumental break (too long for my liking) then to the punters amazement a second stage descends from the rood about ¾ way on the floor and sits on the end of the run way. The FF head to it, again creating noise galore, and the less rock part of the night begins. ‘Skin and bones’, ‘marigold’ and ‘hero’ are the songs played. Ronnie on keyboards, Chris on guitar, Jessie on double bass, Drew on cow bell/chimes/triangle who gives us a bit of a solo of his instruments! Lucky last is Taylor on drums. Dave would go to any of the three microphones so all viewing aspects are covered of him to the audience. The introductions of all these band members went for way too long. Taylor sings rather nicely on ‘cold man’ then we hear ‘but honestly’ and ‘ballad of the Beaconsfield minors’ with Kaki King. Finally they run back to the rock stage and give us ‘monkey wrench’ and ‘one by one’. Encore and Dave amuses us with his videoing of himself talking to the crowd then they’re back with Jessie Green and Dave taking on a song together which worked well. Last songs include ‘long road to ruin’, ‘generator’ and lastly ‘best of you’.

Dragon Still Breathes Fire




Julie and Mark

Victor and Todd

Band: Dragon
Venue: The Palms at Crown Casino
Date: 18th April 2008
Reviewed By: Victor Wong
Photos by Julie Mitcheson

With the new reformed Dragon line-up, they still delivered the passion that was created in the 1970’s and 80’s. Marc Hunter who is best remembered as the lead singer of Dragon is irreplaceable but another Marc came close. Mark Williams who had a solo hit with “Show No Mercy” back in 1990, rocked The Palms Casino in Melbourne. Notably the only original Dragon member is Todd Hunter. Is this still Dragon or just a bunch of musicians getting together and Todd Hunter as an insertion?
The first half of the concert was “The Songs of Our Brothers”, a tribute to the Aussies deceased. The opener was Billy Thorpe’s “Most People I Know” set the mood for a great night. Other tributes included Bon Scott’s (AC/DC) “Long Way To The Top”, Michael Hutchence (INXS) “Don’t Change” and Steve Gilpin (Mi-Sex) “Blue Day”.
A huge absent from the deceased playlist was Graeme “Shirley” Strahan (Skyhooks) and even perhaps Ted Mulry (Ted Mulry Gang) could have included in Dragon’s memory lane repertoire. Most of the sedated Dragon fans were seated most of the night except one enthusiastic girl who bopped a lone figure in front of the stage nearly all night. Then, until “April Sun In Cuba” rocked the house. Then the flood gates opened when the way post-teenies hobbled towards the stage to sing and dance and mingle with the “lone girl”. The entire mood somewhat changed from tapping foot to get up and groove! It was time to “Get That Jive”! Now with the crowd singing and old joints moving, Dragon proceeded with favourites “Are You Old Enough”, “Dreams Of Ordinary Men”, “Still In Love With You”,“Ozambezi” and acoustically “Young Years”. The restored Dragon kept the fans happy with its high energy. I believe if they played on, other songs would have made it such as “Cry” and “Magic” but not “This Time”.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Bitch, Korn mustn’t have a problem tour!



Band: Korn with support from Biohazard, Chimera and Blood Simple
Venue: Vodaphone Arena
Date: 18th April 2008
Reviewed By: Lyn Harder
Photographs by Mark Geisel

Entering vodaphone I had missed the first two supports of the night. i did manage to see Biohazard (New Yorkers and a band who have released 8 studio albums in 15 years). This was the original line up we’re told! Playing oldies for the (and I quote) ‘hardcore mutherfu**ers’, the vodaphone arena is pumping tonight with punters thriving on the band. This is my first time seeing biohazard and their music is definitely hard core and fast paced. The singer/guitarist Billy Graziadei is a muscular, tattooed raw voiced bloke whose aim is to get the crowd pumping tonight and this includes a death pool i.e. lots of boys run around in a circle and bash into each other, all in the name of fun, and fun they seem to be having. Bassist/singer Evan Seinfeld, Drummer Danny Schuler and guitarist Bobby Hambel make up the rest of the band that is biohazard.

Anticipation starts for the arrival of Korn and when Jonathon’s covered microphone is placed on stage the crowd screams and when the cover comes off they even more nuts! Instrumental, first song from the new album starts the night, the newer members enter stage and start playing the music, then enter Fieldy (bassist), Munky (guitarist) and Jon (vocals). These are the three members of Korn. Crowd goes nuts. The Korn sound is amazing at vodaphone arena. ‘Right Now’ is the second song and the music is so crisp, loud and pumping. There is a strong crowd of 5,000 here tonight and the noise they make feels like there are double the amount of people. Jon’s voice just gets better and better each time I’ve seen them live. Terry Bozzio? plays two drum sets, throwing and twirling his sticks around . The rest of the band are amazing also (I didn’t catch names so if anyone can email them to me, that would be great). More songs include ‘love song’ ‘ADIDAS’ and ‘hold on’. Munky in a gorgeous long coat and outfit gives a strong presence on stage and in the correct light (and once coat is removed) his face and hands illuminate a green colour. Munky is an amazing guitarist; he plays the songs with passion. Right of stage sit a few people who wear gas masks or bandana’s over most of their face. On the right of stage are girls dancing and one in theatrical mask as well. The crowd truly love this band; everywhere I look I see black tee’s and majority are Korn’s. Fieldy throwing slap riffs which are a Korn sound. More songs include ‘did my time’ and for the old school fans ‘freak on a leash’ and ‘faggot’. Backing singer/percussion with long blonde rocker hair added plenty to the band with a great backing voice and hair girls would die for! The wonderful bagpipes were brought out for ‘Helmut in the bush’ then we hear ‘kill you’ and the band exit. After stomping and chanting from the crowd, Korn are back. ‘Blind’ starts the encore set (a fave of mine) then ‘somebody someone’ and lastly ‘got the life’. We are thanked many times for supporting/buying Korn's music and bringing them to where they are today.
Call them rock, call them nu-metal but Korn are a fantastic live band (one of my fave OS bands to see). I always leave a Korn gig looking forward to the next one.

BTW, the reason for the title is because they didn’t play the song of the tour title!

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

In Conversation with Nick Cave


Lyn and Nick

Mick and Nick

Band: Nick Cave and Mick Harvey
Venue: The ANZ pavillion at the Arts Centre
Date: 6th April 2008
Reviewed By: Lyn Harder
Photos by Lyn Harder and Mark Geisel

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I’d booked tickets to see ‘In Conversation with Nick Cave’. I have to say I wasn’t disappointed. How often do artists perform this type of show! Especially favourite artists! Wandering upstairs to the ANZ pavilion in the Arts Centre we almost bumped into Nick and Family who wandered in the foyer like general public before the show. When Nick was on stage the family was standing at the back which I thought was pretty cool.
A sold out show (this was the third session of the night, and the last), the crowd seemed to be wearing mainly black and present in an array of classic outfits, all waiting in anticipation of the show about to start. Nick Cave and his musical companion of many years, Mick Harvey, took to stage and sang ‘cos it’s a cool song” – Dig Lazarus Dig. Nick on piano and Mick on guitar. Then it was time for Q&A, as tonight was about the audience and what we wanted to ask Nick. Nick did say we could ask him anything we like, anything personal too. I was surprised no-one really dug all that deep into Nick’s life. There was a compare that moved the show along and asked questions to Nick also.
Being the last show of the night, Nick said they were feeling delirious by now. Questions ranged from his songs to Kylie, family, how to write love letters, school days (failing painting class that is) to working with Johnny Cash (Nick said he chose ‘The Mercy Seat’ for Johnny to sing). Nick spoke about his underwear, saying he was wearing white Calvin Klein’s, although he prefers the older style and not this new style which leaves him looking flat!
Questions were asked about his musical score and Nick said its almost easier writing a score for someone else than for his own music/band. If a question wasn’t understood Nick would say so and ad a bit of swearing and jokes at times. It was suggested a party in Nick’s hometown of Warracknabeal may happen and if Nick could come along for it. Nick said he would if a statue of him is erected in the town! Nick tells us he is often mistaken by writing melancholy songs and he’d be mortified if people sat around being depressed listening to his music. Nick was approached to write ‘And the Ass saw the Angel’, he got a dictionary and a thesaurus as he requested and the cost of these two items were deducted from his royalties! Hints of more scores in the future and then we’re told by his younger children that Dad isn’t cool and doesn’t sing bedtime stories. Blixa and Nick remain friends. Blixa changed the Bad Seeds by leaving the band and Nick felt this was a good thing as its changed complacency.
Nick enjoyed the exhibition at the Arts centre and although he has no interest in Nick Cave, he feels the people at the Arts Centre have done a great job; he says he gave all items to the Arts Centre. I won’t go over any more questions but overall we all saw a small insight into Nick’s life. I say small because 1.5 hours actually doesn’t cover much at all. In retrospective Nick seemed to give truthful but sometimes blunt answers. I’m glad we went to the last show of the night as I feel we received extra time for Q&A and after the show we were able to meet Nick where photos and signings took place. Thank you to Nick and Mick and thank you to the Arts Centre.

Songs of the night included: Dig Lazarus Dig, Love Letter, The Mercy Seat, Lucy and More news from nowhere.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Sea legends of the Cruel Kind


The Cruel Sea

Vasco Era

Band: The Cruel Sea with support from Vasco Era
Venue: Prince Of Wales
Date: 21st March 2008
Reviewed By: Lyn Harder
Pictures by Mark Geisel

Last week reviewing a gig it was icky hot and now this week I get a cold night, welcome to Melbourne and welcome to changing weather. A sold out crew packed out the POW to see a band that have been around for donkey’s years, The Cruel Sea. Last time I saw TCS would have been about 6 years ago at The Corner Hotel where Tex wore white thongs with his outfit and played his trademark mouth accordion (actual name escapes me).
Unfortunately I missed the first support band called The Fumes who I am told, are excellent. However I did see ‘Vasco Era’. First song starts with singer and guitar, Sid O’Neil. A good strong voice carried through the crowd, then enters the drummer, Michael Fitzgerald, and bassist, Ted O’Neil, and they were just insane! I couldn’t take my eyes of the later two, drummer pounding the drums like he’d been told to destroy them and the bassist grinding away like he was on heat with the bass. The band hail from Apollo Bay in Victoria, two brothers and the third considered a brother. Explosive rock and bluesy rock moves from a very mesmerising band.

Following this show was about a 45 minute wait then the band we had all come to see came to stage. I couldn’t help but notice drummer Jim Elliot's hair is now white and guitarist Danny Rumour looks very withdrawn since I’d seen them last, but appearances aside, these guys put on a tip top show. There was no white thongs or mouth acordian this time!
TCS played for nearly 2 hours and in that time we had 19 songs. Songs included, ‘Anybody but you’ ‘better get a lawyer’ (can’t get enough of those lazy bass riffs from Ken Gormly) ‘hard times’ and ‘delivery man’. ‘sell your soul’ we’re told was a hit in Spain for 2 weeks...hmmm....we got a reggae version of 'cocaine' with luscious keyboards from James Cruikshank and bouncing crowds. The ever popular ‘black stick’ with zesty, raw sounds, and a favourite for me ‘I don’t worry anymore’. Tex asks the crowd, "do we want to receive what we want?" and shoves the mic into a girls face who says ‘honeymoon is over’ and then we receive this song that Tex knows a lot of punters want and a lot of punters would be disappointed if they didn’t hear. The song goes off like a raw prawn and I get the feeling that Tex would skip this song if it wasn’t such a hit.
Encore comes around way too quick and the crowd burst into noise and whoop loudly and naturally TCS come back to play a few more, ‘naked flame’ groovy situation’ ‘and I don’t think they could not include ‘this is not the way home’ which was our last song of the night and definite a crowd pleaser.
What a fantastic night and welcome back to the fantastic Aussie band that is The Cruel Sea