The Black Keys @ The Manning Bar, Sat 22nd June

Hello Halfassed readers,

I thought I should finally live up to my contributor status on this blog. Or perhaps I’m the half assed component? Hmmm. Anyway, last on Saturday arvo The Black Keys played Sydney Uni’s Manning bar. I haven’t seen a gig there before (being from Melbournia), and was pretty impressed with the venue choice – not too big, not too small, and sound balance was just about right.
The macho crowd looked like they enrolled in agriculture course at the uni in 1985, and hadn't left the Manning Bar since. There were sideburns galore, a guy with no perceptible waistline and a very thick neck, and plenty of authentic flannelette shirts.
On the downside, the bar line was insanely long throughout the gig – although we still managed to down three beers each, which isn’t bad for a Saturday arvo session.
The support acts weren’t announced prior to the gig, and both played short sets – Flying Foxes and The Dead Farmers. The names say it all really.
So, the Black Keys. I’ve seen them play twice before, and it’s reassuring to see that some things haven’t changed. Dirgy, dirty, low-fi Southern rock. Two guys who don’t muck around with small talk, working the simple combo of sublime guitar and pounding drums to hypnotic affect... oh also, the singer has now grown insanely long hair (see pic) which added a nice cave man element to the proceedings.
They played a pretty good mix of songs from across their four (?) albums, but the best stuff was still from ThickFreakness. Kicking off with ‘Girl Is On My Mind', and keeping a steady pace, they rocked hard (especially ‘Stack Shot Billy’), and then rocked some more. Considering they had booked another gig straight after, doors opening at 9pm, it was a pretty impressive and suitably sweaty effort.

On a sad note, they didn’t play my favourite cover at the afternoon show – ‘Have Love Will Travel’, but apparently the later show didn’t start til 11pm and had an aggressive over- sauced angry crowd vibe.

Viva la Techno!

Mandate My Ass

My addiction for this week.

Mandate your ass here.

Following The Herd

I was excited, Ben was excited, and the guys next to us were really excited.

But let’s not burst yet.

I’m always one to insist on seeing the support. We got there during Rapaports set and it was pretty cool. The more I watched and listened the more I got into it. It was a shame (as is the case more most support acts) that there wasn’t more of crowd for them to feed into because it would have added heaps to their act. I also couldn’t help but think he didn’t quite have the ‘look’ for being up on stage. (His female singer did look great though) One of his lyrics mentioned being a music teacher, and after that I couldn’t help but see it…….

Next up were Illzilla, who I’d heard ‘of’ before, but not much else. How I’ve been missing out! In ten seconds they had a empty dancefloor full, and from there on it was an amazing, upbeat, funky-ass funfair. From Melbourne, The Herd later called then the best live hip hop band at the moment, which I don’t doubt at all.

I couldn’t take my eyes off the lead singer- I couldn’t figure out if he was terribly cute, or if it was because of his hat. In the end I decided it didn’t matter at all because his charisma totally won me over. Totally cheeky and full of energy- it’s what every lead singer should be! Hopefully you can check these guys out cause the rest of the band are character to say the least……

Onto The Herd. Were they everything they expected? Did they live up to my (own) hype?
Yes and no- but it could be my own fault. I’m been dragged up to the front row, and I was 100% aware that where we were standing, the sound was crap (because the sounds was going past us). I made the choice though, either move back, and get good sound, or stay where I was, and be up close and personal.

I chose to stay for a couple of reasons:
1. Jane Tyrell is magnetic (though she did look really sick).
2. An unhealthy obsession with Unkle Ho.
3. Ozi Batla looking like hell- was he going to get through it completely fcuked up?
4. Urthboy in very fine form. I didn’t realize had it in him to put on a real show (I’m now kicking myself for missing him at the OAF)

I have to mention they did have a pretty crap opening- or maybe it was because I was too close. For there on, despite the bad sound, everything was amazing. Performances we’re totally on the ball, and lots of my favorite songs came up. They look like they’re having so much fun up there it hardly seems far!. Not sure what else to say. Discussing it later, one of the best things about The Herd is the fact that every single member is amazing talented. “No one in The Herd controls The Herd” rings completely true.

The next time they play is going to be in August at the Metro and I’m already there.

Countdown...one more sleep

I'm so damn excited about seeing The Herd tomorrow night at the Factory Theatre that I think I'm going to burst.

I'm so excited that walking down King Street last night, I impulsively bought Unkle Ho's album Circus Maximus. I'm not sure if you know, but I'm pretty sure he's a genius.

I'm lovinggg track the Hiroshi Waltz. I'm pretty sure if I were to be seduced, playing this track wuold be the first thing on the list.

Sigh.

Spoonbill @ the Loft

I was supposed to be not talking to Benji for not coming to my party. Then I get a message saying his cousin, Jim was playing at the Loft at UTS, “new material I believe”.

Damn.

Seeing Spoonbill play is always an absolute pleasure. I’m always surprised and disappointed at the lack of turnout whenever he’s in Sydney- I can’t help but feel like everyone is missing out. Which of course they are.

If you haven’t heard of Spoonbill yet, in essence, he’s a Melbourne producer who samples everything and anything and makes it sound damn good. His first album, Megafauna, wasn’t something to get down and dance to, but it made you wish you could. It was album of the week on FBI, and the video for the main track “Gum Tree” won 2 awards at the Electrovision comp in 2004. Won over yet?

The new material was indeed worthy of trekking out on a cold rainy school night. Up with Vj King Aphid, it was the place to be for me. The show is always entertaining and I love his facial expressions and just how into he gets. The new tracks are a lot more danceworthy, and had a great flow to it- a direction that I love. I’ve just started listening to the new (well for me) album Nestegg and so far so good. His albums take a little while to get into (you have to be in the zone for something slightly unexpected), but I’m already excited!

Stephan Bodzin and Dubfire @ Arq

I haven’t been out clubbing for a while, or even to Arq, but I’m glad Ben bought tickets to this and told me I was going. The main act for me was always going to be Dubfire. I was told earlier in the night (at work of all places) that Bodzin was going to be way better, and I could see the potential, but on the night it was just a bit too cut and paste for me.

Dubfire rocked it, and got me up dancing even when I thought I couldn’t go on any longer. I could probably comment more, but it got a little hazy. All I know is, but there seemed to be a fair few gay guys at the end of it with their shirts off slightly confused and wondering where the rest of the gay fun was.

Also got to witness the unthinkable for a dj (specifically, David Choe), by seeing his laptop freeze, go nuts then blackout. Which in essence means no music. At all. One of the few times you are actually happy the room is half empty. Talk about handling a situation well though! Respect.

Falling for the Firekites

The Firekites have been a band I’ve been excited about for a little while. And for the good reason too. From Newcastle, these guys make music that makes me wish I was wandering the streets in the rain with someone I was hopelessly in love with.

I had a feeling I wasn’t the only one who felt this way, and not surprisingly, the Hopetoun was packed by the time they came on. They didn’t disappoint at all. For a band just releasing their first album, they were incredibly solid and tight. Looking at their album later, I found they started recording way back in 1995 (which explains why the production is so damn good). I haven’t been able to stop listening to the album and neither has anyone else who have listened to my rants about them.

One of the highlights for me was also seeing the amazing Jane Tyrell (despite her commenting she was sick). Also playing as part of The Herd, to me, she is one of the most interesting and exciting women in Australian music at the moment. Seeing the contrast between her two projects rocks my world and I can’t wait to see The Herd in hip hop mode next week.

Signed to Spunk (a label with more and more cred), the Firekites are a band bound for bigger and better things- watch out!

Also worth mentioning were the two supports- Lola Flash (who get points for an awesome name) and the Sly Hats. How to describe Lola Flash? You know how Portishead are really awesome but at the same time kinda make you sleepy and all emo like? Yep. That’s them. The emo screaming freaked me (and others) out a little, but I’m pretty sure there’s a good time and place.

The Sly Hats are a Melbourne band that my Melbourne friend was excited about. The crowd was absolutely awful the whole way through and dare I say, completely rude. If the Firekites made music that made me wish I was in love in the rain, then The Sly Hats make me wish I was running wistfully in a field, basked in the golden setting sun. Gorgeously nervous and nerdy, I can’t wait to check out these guys again with an audience they deserve….