Flashback to 1994. A momentous and tumultuous time for music.
The world tragically loses Kurt Cobain and tragically gains the Presley-Jacksons (yep, that happened); the Eagles reform and charge $100 a ticket for their shows; Woodstock re-hits New York state; Korn introduces nu-metal to the universe; "Parklife", "Definitely Maybe", "Grace", "Dookie", "Crooked Rain Crooked Rain" and "Stereopathetic Soulmanure" all hit the shelves… and somewhere amongst all of it, Sydney band Smudge releases its debut album, "Manilow".
After a slew of shorter releases on seminal indie label Half A Cow, "Manilow" kick-started a busy 12 months for Smudge with Australian tours being squeezed in between US and European trips including a slot on Reading Festival, a John Peel Session and runs with The Lemonheads, Superchunk and Sebadoh to name a few.
Fast forward to 2014. Smudge has been working feverishly; retweaking bits and pieces for the 20th anniversary release of "Manilow". Having seen reissues in both Europe (Fire) and Australia (Half A Cow), the trio has launched its own label (Smudge) to unleash a remastered, 180-gram virgin-vinyl longplayer. .
To coincide with the release, Smudge is pleased to announce a national Australian tour with lots of special guests and happenings to accompany. Stay tuned. The limited vinyl repress of Manilow is available for pre-order from here.
OCTOBER
SAT 18 NEWTOWN SOCIAL CLUB, NEWTOWN, NSW
Buy Tickets http://newtownsocialclub.com/
FRI 24 BRIDGE HOTEL, CASTLEMAINE, VIC
Buy Tickets http://www.oztix.com.au/OzTix/Events/tabid/744/Default.aspx?en=smudge&vn&st&dt=0
SAT 25 NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB, NORTHCOTE, VIC
Buy Tickets http://northcotesocialclub.com/
NOVEMBER
SAT 1 THE ASTOR LOUNGE, PERTH, WA
Buy Tickets http://www.liveattheastor.com.au/
SAT 15 THE GRACE EMILY, ADELAIDE, SA
Buy Tickets http://www.oztix.com.au/OzTix/Events/tabid/744/Default.aspx?en=smudge&vn&st&dt=0
SUN 16 BLACKBEAR LODGE, BRISBANE, QLD
Buy Tickets http://tickets.oztix.com.au/?Event=45276
