Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Shannon Noll: Poker Pin-Up

Shannon Noll is the latest face of Australian poker, but his new pin-up status has been criticised by anti-gambling experts.

Dr Matthew Rockloff from the Central Queensland University says Shannon’s spruiking could have a detrimental effect on his teen fans.

However, Nollsy insists poker is just a bit of fun. The soft rocker claims he has never played for money since he took up the card game 18 months ago.

“It doesn’t cost you anything and it’s a social event so people can get out and talk and meet new people,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

Shannon will play a few hands at the Wild Turkey APL Tournament of Champions at Luna Park on Saturday night.

He’ll join more than 220 players, including 2005 Poker World Series champion Joe Hachem, Monaco-based card shark Gus Hansen, Grinspoon’s Pat Davern, and rugby league’s Willie Mason. The unlikely players will compete for a share of $1 million dollars. Not bad for a night out!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Silverchair Reschedule U.S. Shows

After Silverchair’s embarrassing performance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, you could be forgiven for thinking the Aussie rock trio has lost their touch.

However, it seems that lead singer Daniel Johns is suffering from a bad case of laryngitis, which has forced the Aussie rock trio to postpone some of their upcoming American shows.

“Daniel caught the common viral infection of the throat earlier this week after flying Sydney/Los Angeles/Toronto/New York/Los Angeles over just four days. It severely impeded his vocal performance on the Tonight Show With Jay Leno on Tuesday,” according to a band press release.

Fans in Anaheim, San Diego, San Francisco, and Los Angeles will have to wait until November to see the band play. No doubt Daniel Johns and his bandmates will be in full voice by then. See Silverchair’s website for the new dates. At this stage, no other concerts on Silverchair’s U.S. tour will be affected.

Image source: Deep Ghosh @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jet To Play AFL Final

The AFL Grand Final will receive a dose of rock cred when homegrown heroes Jet perform.

The band will be super busy, performing before the game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, then providing post-match entertainment at Centre Square.

“Somehow Jet have earned a reputation for enjoying a night out, so we’re happy to add to that reputation and be part of the inaugural Centre Square post-match entertainment the AFL is putting on,” said the group’s frontman, Nic Cester. “We’ll be asking for dim sims and footy franks on our rider for sure.”

Time will tell whether the Melbourne boys will get to see their teams play on September 29. The Cester brothers are ardent Collingwood supporters, while Cameron Muncy and Mark Wilson both support the Geelong Cats.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Veronicas Design Clothing Line

It seems that punk poppettes The Veronicas have done it all. Now the sexy sisters are set to add another feather to their cap with the release of their fashion label.

The Veronicas’ style, utilising dramatic black makeup and colorful rock star clothes, has become their trademark around the world. The fashion label, available exclusively through Target stores, will give the twins’ tween fans a chance to dress like their idols.

“It’s a bit punk princess, mixed with rock ‘n’ roll,” Lisa Origliasso told The Daily Telegraph.

Her sister Jess said she hopes the clothing range will offer more diversity for young girls.

“In particular, the clothes that are out there for seven to 14-year-old girls are more princess and cute,” she explained. “We have that too, but with a cool edge.

“It’s just what we want to see little girls wearing, and there’s nothing in the range that we wouldn’t wear ourselves.”

The Veronicas for Target range will be in stores from August 25.

Image source: Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer @ Flickr.com

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pete Murray Hits Europe

Europeans will have the chance to see Australia’s singer-songwriter extraordinaire, Pete Murray when he promotes his See the Sun album this October. Pete will kick off his European tour on October 1 in The Netherlands, before heading to Ireland and Great Britain.

Pete made a name for himself around the world with the mellow grooves of his debut album, Feeler. In his second release, Pete delivered an album of greater optimism while still retaining his blues roots.

When he last toured Europe in November 2006 the shows sold out, so fans should get their tickets now! See Pete Murray’s website for a complete list of dates.

Image source: Jacob Simkin @ Flickr 

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Screaming Jets Split Shatters Rock Fans

I must admit, as a proud former Novacastrian, I read a recent story in the Sydney Morning Herald with great sadness. No, it wasn’t the floods or the Knights latest defeat that had me shattered. It was the news that Grant Walmsley and Dave Gleeson of the Screaming Jets are unsure when, if ever, they will play together again.

Some of my very first concert experiences were Screaming Jets shows. For many, being slammed up against a stage, the only female amongst a throng of drunk, rowdy men probably doesn’t sound like fun. But I was in heaven. Watching the chemistry between this passionate vocalist and brilliant songwriter/guitarist was truly something to behold.

Yet the musos, who met as high school students 17 years ago, haven’t spoken since last October. The Jets continue to play gigs, but Grant’s absence is notable.

“Since we finished the album in Melbourne it’s been a parting of ways and a realisation that after 17 years some relationships don’t work,” explained Dave.

“Maybe it will work out one day, but at the moment we are in different directions and have different commitments.”

While Dave and the boys are keeping the Jets legacy alive, Grant’s new band Agents of Peace will release their debut album in October.

No one’s sure why the boys aren’t talking, but one thing’s for sure – The Screaming Jets will be a lesser band because of it.

Image source: Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer @ Flickr.com

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kylie Joins The Doctor

Aussie pop darling Kylie Minogue will return to her acting roots, for a very special appearance on British sci fi series Doctor Who.

Kyles cut her eyeteeth playing Charlene on popular soapie Neighbours, before finding fame and fortune in the music industry. She will appear on Doctor Who’s hour-long Christmas special called Voyage of the Damned. Filming will reportedly take place in Wales later this month.

There’s no word yet on what Ms Minogue will be, but a British broadcaster has confirmed she will play a “major lead role.”

“It’s an incredible thrill to be joining David [Tennant] and the entire Doctor Who production for this year’s Christmas special,” Kylie told Reuters.

“Doctor Who enjoys a unique history and it is going to be very exciting to be a part of that.”

Image source: sosodave @ Flickr.com

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tim Freedman Leaves Whitlams Behind in the U.K.

It’s always seemed like The Whitlams is simply a vehicle for the music of Tim Freedman. So it’s no surprise that this talented singer/songwriter is leaving his band mates behind to promote Little Cloud in the U.K.

It was released under The Whitlams in Australia, but when Little Cloud is sold in the U.K. only Tim’s name will be attached. He’ll celebrate this independence with two shows at London’s Museum of Garden History at the end of the month.

On his return to Australia, Tim plans to rejoin his fellow Whitlams for a series of symphonic concerts in September, October and November. The band will join symphony orchestras in New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland for these very special performances. See The Whitlams website for a complete list of dates.

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Bands for Splendour

Punters who’ve already secured their Splendour in the Grass tickets are in for a real treat. A swag of new bands have been added to the line up of the sold-out festival.

Irish folkie Damien Rice, alt rockers Ash, and local stars Sneaky Sound System, The Herd, and Paul Kelly are new additions to Saturday’s bill. They join the already stellar lineup which includes Lily Allen, Powderfinger, Kaiser Chiefs, and Grinspoon.

On the Sunday, fans will now be treated to performances by indie treadmill kings OK Go!, and local heroes Spiderbait, Kisschasy, and Holly Throsby. They will join the Arctic Monkeys, Bloc Barty, Hilltop Hoods and heaps more.

Splendour in the Grass hits the Belongil Fields in Bryon Bay on August 4 and 5. If you’ve got your tickets, it looks like you’ll get more bang for your buck. If not, there’s always next year.

Image source: Splendour in the Grass website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Shows for Crowded House, Powderfinger, and Silverchair

It’s hardly surprising, but punters have snapped up tickets for the upcoming Crowded House and Powderfinger/Silverchair concerts.

It took just one hour for Crowded House to sell out Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on Friday. The venue seats 14,000, which means an amazing four tickets were sold every second.

They also did a roaring trade in New South Wales and Western Australia. A new Melbourne show is currently on sale, while additional Sydney, and Perth shows will go on sale tomorrow. EMI Music claims these will be the last shows announced, so fans had better get in quickly.

Fans also bought up big when Silverchair and Powderfinger tickets were on sale on Monday morning. Within 30 minutes, all tickets to the bands’ shows in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, and Wollongong were gone.

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