Brutal and transcendent, Osees live up to their reputation

Details

By Edwin Garland

Edwin Garland

18 February 2023

Hits: 3176

Osees
+ R.M.F.C.
The Metro Theatre, Sydney
15 February 2023
Photos - Vic Zubakin / Look Sharp Photography

Osees have been landing on Australian shores for more than a decade and consistently leaving an impression as a “must see” band.  Over the years, I have been in conversationswith people who have raved about the powerful live experience, the guitar sound and the energy.

When I heard claims they were “one of the best live rock bands in the world” I was always dubious. Let’s face it: rock roll can be about hype and creating a myth.  Finally, I had an opportunity to witness what all the talk has been about.  

Band leader John Dwyer is someone who anyone making independent original music should greatly admire.   Over 26 years, there are 33 albums he has produced, or played on. Dwyer is the last of a breed: the rock ‘n’ roll outlaw and fringe dweller completely living the music.

In the last decade, with intense work, he has made a real impact, supporting his music with shit jobs like stacking shelves, with one focus:  Running his own label, creating art, playing in a band and driving his part of a cottage industry.

• sydney
• metro theatre
• osees
• john dwyer
• r.f.m.c.
• a foul form

Read more …

So epic it should be a soundtrack

Details

By Robert Brokenmouth

Robert Brokenmouth

14 February 2023

Hits: 1916

I Won't Be Civilised - Velatine (Spooky Records)

Melbourne duo Velatine is now a constant in my life, in the  same way that (say) disco was a constant in some people's lives every Friday and Saturday night, or punk was, or AFL every season, or cricket... you know?

I'm not alone, it seems - this week my local independent radio station, 3D in Adelaide, made it LP of the week. And it's not out till Friday.

However, I must be frank here. Velatine ain't for everyone. It ain't yer commercial radio fodder for sparkies and housewives. The independent radio stations should love "I Won't Be Civilised", but of course, you know. They have zero taste after being told for so long what's hip and cool by ... paint salesmen. Sorry, I mean “record executives”.

• loki lockwood
• velatine

Read more …

What's in a name change? Osees break the laws of pigeonholing

Details

By Patrick Emery

Patrick Emery

14 February 2023

Hits: 2600

Osees
Croxton Hotel, Thornbuy, VIV
Saturday, February 11 2023

My employer received some correspondence recently from a "sovereign citizen". It was, as so often the case with such sincerely composed missives, a rambling diatribe replete with muddled pseudo-jurisprudence  and wilful indifference to the symbiotic relationship between individual autonomy and collective responsibility.

We searched in vain for some discipline of reason, even a vague hint of cogent argument but, alas, there was only nonsensical assertion. It was, someone remarked, the discursive equivalent of a sugar-laden teenager playing free-form jazz on a cheap recorder over a concerto piece played on a defective turntable and then labelling it a work of artistic genius.

Later that night we went to the cinema to see “Tar”. Before Cate Blanchett’s titular character falls from grace, she explains the often mysterious movements of the orchestral conductor. Crudely, one hand represents timing and tempo, the other conveys the desired shape of the music.

Which brings us to Osees.

• croxton park
• osees
• oh sees
• john dwyer
• metro

Read more …

Warmth below an old man's skin

Details

By Robert Brokenmouth

Robert Brokenmouth

13 February 2023

Hits: 2205

Mercy - John Cale: (Domino)

I confess my age: I missed John Cale’s Australian tour in 1975 (being 11 is no excuse, of course) but caught him at the Tivoli in Adelaide in ‘83, and again a few years later. Heard and have many of his albums, but confess that some are hit and miss, while others are (for me) spectacular. 

I-94 Barflies will recall that Cale was one of two “foundation members” of the Velvet Underground (which didn't stop him from being booted when Lou Reed felt threatened) and, shortly after, he produced a record by a bunch of laid-back savages from Detroit. If you're not sure who I mean, ask The Barman, he'll fill you in.

• mercy,
• lou reed
• john cale
• velvet undeground
• domino
• fat white family
• actress
• weyes blood
• sylvan esso
• animal collective

Read more …

Taking the musical moral high ground

Details

By The Barman

The Barman

12 February 2023

Hits: 2115

 Superioridad Moral – Dr Explosion (Slovenly)

Long story short: Spanish garage rock band that’s been on hiatus for 11 years resurfaces on an American label with a German office that sells records to the USA, Mexico and Japan as well as the EU. Sounds about right in today’s digital world, but it’s also proof that rock and roll still spans multiple cultural borders.  

As a confirmed Monolingual, I know when I’m beaten. “Superioridad Moral” (“Moral Superiority”) is sung entirely in Spanish. I have no clue what Dr Explosion is singing about. But the songs sound strong with touches of psych rock and pop running prominently throughout.

• slovenly
• spain
• supeiroidad moral
• dr explosion
• jorge explosion

Read more …

Swing meets that old swagger with Dave and Clare

Details

By Robert Brokenmouth

Robert Brokenmouth

12 February 2023

Hits: 2004

"In a MistLY" - Dave Graney and Clare Moore  (Cockaigne)

It's an astonishing thing, the passage of time. One minute we're slavering over the new LP by our superstar heroes and the next, it seems, we're old, fat and bald and fuck me sweetly, is this the 24th Dave Graney album? 

Sorry, not counting his time with The Moodists, live LPs, compilation LPs and soundtracks... 

How the fuck did that happen?

(Looks down at unacceptably fat tum, peers bewildered into mirror at fat bald git) 

(Winces as recognises self)

Ah well, at least there's the Dave Graney and Clare Moore LP, “In a MistLY”.

• clare
• cockaigne
• dave graney
• moodists
• stu thomas
• in a mistly
• stuart perera
• dave gray

Read more …

Dez Dare continues his fuzz war

Details

By The Barman

The Barman

08 February 2023

Hits: 1721

• geelong
• dez dare
• perseus war
• blooodbath-on-hi

Anger is still an energy as Bikini Kill heads Down Under

Details

By Patrick Emery

Patrick Emery

08 February 2023

Hits: 4422

_{Photo by Allison Wolfe}

“Punk is many things and has so many different definitions but, definitely, yes it’s ideological,” says writer, musician and feminist activist Tobi Vail on the eve of an Australasian tour with Bikini Kill.  “In my definition, it’s counter hegemonic energy. It’s opposition, it’s questioning the status quo and creating an alternative.”

As founding member of the seminal riot grrrl band Bikini Kill, a punk rock polemicist and a protagonist in the Pacific North-West alternative scene of the 1980s and 1990s, Vail is in a privileged position to muse on the nature of punk rock.

• riot grrrl
• tobi vail
• bikini kill
• nirvana
• go team
• kathleen hanna
• kathi wilcox

Read more …

Magnificent offering served up by expat Plater

Details

By Robert Brokenmouth

Robert Brokenmouth

06 February 2023

Hits: 2051

Ghost Music - Michael Plater (Hypostatic Union)

Now, you may know that I've written about Michael Plater before for The I-94 Bar, and I know some of you have gotten out to see him play live, which is where I first saw him. The very first night, I wasn't sure. The second, with little difference between the two gigs, I absolutely was. In fact, I was bowled over. More or less accidentally I made the chap's acquaintance, to the point where I'd now call us friends.

I've tried to attend every gig the man's played here in Adelaide, and managed to see him in Melbourne and Sydney as well. I have a set-list covered in his blood (because, in case he's ever run over by an omnibus, I'm going to get the bugger cloned).

• michal plater
• ghost music
• hypostatic union

Read more …