Things of Stone and Wood @ Newtown Social Club, Newtown – 26 March 2017

I was just 13 when The Yearning, Things of Stone and Wood’s debut album, was released. Like so many Aussies, I adored the band’s blend of folk, pop, and rock, especially the super catchy breakthrough single “Happy Birthday Helen.” I always regretted that I was too young to get to a pub and see them live. As is the way with so many bands of the era though, I got another chance when they hit Sydney on the weekend.

Things have changed a little though. I can’t imagine the band playing a matinee back in the ‘90s. There was something lovely about shuffling in to the old Sando after a café lunch though, knowing that the gig would be all wrapped up in time for tea. That we’d be back on the Coast at a civilised hour! As we’re all getting older, these things matter.

Charming indie folk duo The Old Married Couple warmed up the crowd. The real life husband and wife pairing delivered honest and quirky love songs that quickly won me over with their whimsy, and use of unusual instruments like kazoos and whistles.

The crowd surged forward when Club Hoy took to the stage. I must admit, I’m not sure where I was when they came out originally. All I know is that I had absolutely no recollection of this band that seemed to mean so much to so many people in the audience. I could certainly appreciate them though. They reminded me a lot of the Indigo Girls with their beautiful harmonies and powerful, personal lyrics.

Things of Stone and Wood though. When they came out I was on much more familiar territory. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Yearning (seriously, where has the time gone?) the band promised to play the album in its entirety, from start to finish. Unlike so much music from the ‘90s, these songs haven’t dated one bit. The band also sounds just as good as they did on that recording, or perhaps even better with their producer James Black now on keys and mandolin. The chemistry between the members of the band and their connection with the crowd was electric. I’m struggling to recall a show in recent memory where there was so much palpable love in the room.

The big singles like “Rock This Boat,” “Share This Wine,” and of course “Happy Birthday Helen” were received rapturously. But in a concert like this, every song has a special place in the heart of the audience, so the energy level in the room never dropped. After wrapping up The Yearning, the band had delivered just what they promised. But none of us were done. So we were treated to an encore of songs from Things of Stone and Wood’s other releases. I was reminded just how good “Wildflowers,” a song I hadn’t thought of in years, is.

Honestly, as I re-entered the real world I marvelled at just how good Things of Stone and Wood are. While this show was about nostalgia and celebrating their landmark release, it also served as a reminder that this band continue to be one of the best Australia has produced. There are a couple of shows on this tour left. If you can get out and see them this week at one of these gigs, I promise you won’t regret it.

29 March 2017 – The Spiegeltent, Hobart
31 March 2017 – Workers Club, Geelong
1 April 2017 – Sound Lounge, Currumbin
2 April 2017 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane

Image source: own photos

4 Best Music Videos Made in Melbourne

The musicians generally take the focus in a music video, but when the beautiful city of Melbourne features it can be just as important as the artists themselves. Here are some of my favourite music videos starring Victoria’s capital.

4. “Happy Birthday Helen” – Things of Stone and Wood

“Happy Birthday Helen” is as much a love song to the city of Melbourne as it is to Helen. The band makes their way all over the city as they name drop about the Yarra River and the Taj. It was one of my favourite songs of the ‘90s, and I think it stacks up particularly well, don’t you? The only thing that beats it might just be that awesome parody The D-Generation did on The Late Show!

3. “Chances Are” – Invertigo

Invertigo were my great Melbourne love. They released just one album, yet I lost count of the number of times I saw them rocking out in pubs and festivals around the country. They even inspired one of my Melbourne holidays!

On that particular occasion friends took me to the spot where lead singer Christian Argenti walked while sopping wet in the “Chances Are” video. My memory’s a little hazy, but something tells me it wasn’t far from the Quality Hotel Batman’s Hill on Collins. At any rate, he walked, he looked gorgeous, and I was there. This clip might not show off the best of Melbourne, but it takes me back to a great time in that city.

2. “I Wanna Be Loved” – Elvis Costello

Aussies aren’t the only ones who film their clips in Melbourne. Long before Beyonce was in Brunswick, Elvis Costello sat in a phone booth in Flinders Street Station. It sounds pretty boring on paper, but it’s fascinating watching the singer be joined by different people in the booth.

Apparently filmmaker Evan English made Elvis stay up all night before the shoot and didn’t disclose who’d join him in the booth or what they’d do. Elvis actually said “What you see isn’t actually acting; it’s genuine emotion for what it’s worth.” The clip’s surreal but also one of the best made in Melbourne.

1. “It’s a Long Way to the Top” – AC/DC

AC/DC’s classic rock clip may be the most famous music video set against the backdrop of Melbourne. Bon Scott, Angus Young, and the gang travelled down Swanston Street on a flat-bed truck, which is only fitting considering the street’s buzzing live music scene. It’s where you’ll find venues like The Hi-Fi Bar and the Toff in Town and hotels like the Rydges on Swanston.

The clip’s so iconic you might not realise it was one of two music videos recorded for the song. The second, filmed on the same day as this one, featured the group miming the song on a stage in Melbourne’s City Square. It might have the members of the Rats of Tobruk pipe band as well, but it doesn’t sound anywhere near as cool. If you want to hunt it down you’ll find it on the Backtracks box set.

This post was written as part of the #HipmunkCityLove project. What’s your favourite Melbourne music video?

Things of Stone and Wood Play “Happy Birthday Helen” with Babaganouj

Frankly I’m happy for any excuse to post “Happy Birthday Helen,” one of the most awesome songs to come out of the 90s, on this blog. So when I heard that Brisbane band Babaganouj had recorded a cover with their childhood idols and the original artists Things of Stone and Wood, it seemed as good a reason as any!

Apparently all this came about because people starting raving about the cover which formed part of Babaganouj’s set on a monthly 90s night. Things of Stone and Wood got wind of it so decided to pay the young band a visit while they were in Brisbane.

“We were thrilled to hear that not only was a bunch of groovy youngsters like Babaganouj listening to our song, they were playing it as well!” said Things of Stone and Wood frontman Greg Arnold. “It was a great start to our tour to smash out this version with a new generation of rock road warriors – thanks for having us!”

If this has made you all nostalgic, there’s two more shows on Things of Stone and Wood’s 25th anniversary tour. Check them out at The Flying Saucer Club at Caulfield RSL tomorrow night, or The Republic Bar in North Hobart on June 8.

Things of Stone and Wood Reform for “Happy Birthday Helen” Anniversary

Can you believe it’s been 25 years since Things of Stone and Wood zoomed into the top 10 with their breakthrough single “Happy Birthday Helen”? It’s enough to make a blogger feel old, and probably the band members too!

If Things of Stone and Wood are feeling a little long in the tooth, they’re determined not to let it show. They’re actually using the anniversary as a great excuse to get back together for the first since 1997 for a limited run of shows. If you’ve missed this national treasure, make sure you head out and enjoy the nostalgia in the air at the following shows.

9 May 2014 – The Powerhouse Visy Theatre, Brisbane
10 May 2014 – The Gov, Adelaide
23 May 2014 – The Vanguard, Sydney
24 May 2014 – The Northcote Social Club
25 May 2014 – The Northcote Social Club (matinee)