Category: News

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hey Hey It's Back!

When I was growing up Saturday meant just one thing: a night around the television with Hey Hey It’s Saturday. Daryl, Ossie, Dickie Knee, Red, Wilbur and the gang brought variety into our loungerooms and supported local musicians in a way no other variety show has done since. Ten years since it left our screens it’s back, at least temporarily.

Channel Nine has commissioned two live reunion specials to screen later this year. If they rate well, there’s talk the program will return as a regular weekly series.

“It is exciting. There’s been a lot of talk about the show coming back and it has finally happened,” he said.

“We are ringing various cast members to say it is going to happen 10 years after it last happened. It is emotional for us as a cast and it must be for the audience who have missed the show over the years.”

The announcement comes after 18 months of negotiations, and a massive push by fans through Facebook. More than 43,000 supporters joined a Facebook group to bring back the show. The work’s not quite done, but this is certainly the first step.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pink Bounces Back in Brisbane

Pink is back in action tonight following the postponement of Monday night’s show.

The pop star delayed the Brisbane show due to a nasty bout of laryngitis, but her touring agent Michael Coppel says tonight’s show will go ahead as planned.

Remarkably Monday’s show is the first she couldn’t perform in two years. If that’s not commitment, I don’t know what is. The show has been rescheduled, and will now take place next Monday, July 27.

Image source: INF

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

2009 ARIA Hall of Famers Announced

Mental as Anything, John Paul Young, Kev Carmody, Little Patti, and The Dingoes will join the illustrious artists in the ARIA Hall of Fame next month.

“I do feel proud and humbled to accept this Induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame, on behalf of my Culture, my Community and my Family,” Kev Carmody said in a statement.

Little Patti is thrilled to be the second member of her family to be honored. I’m sure all the Amphletts will be celebrating with her!

“This induction into the ARIA Hall Of Fame comes as such a surprise, I wasn’t expecting it, I am so thrilled and honoured. It’s incredibly special to be joining my cousin Chrissy (Divinyls) in receiving this recognition,” she said.

“It is an honour to be inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame alongside all the great Australian acts who are already there and those that will be included in the future,” Reg Mombassa said, on behalf of the Mentals. “We had no inkling of such things when we did our first gigs as an art school party band in 1976. I would like to thank the fans who have supported us and all the people in the industry that we have worked with over the years.”

Broderick Smith from the Dingoes said, “The last time I was inducted, it was into the army. This certainly feels a whole lot better. Seriously, the band feels honoured and privileged to be recognised by our peers by being inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. For all of us, it’s going to be one hell of a reunion!”

“It’s an honour to be inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, now point me to the lounge room, I wonder who’s in there,” said John Paul Young.

The ARIA Hall of Fame ceremony will be held on August 27 in Melbourne.

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Empire of the Sun Get Eclipsed

Solar eclipses are big news for science nerds, but not so riveting for music fans … until now. The forthcoming solar eclipse on July 22 will have a little musical flair thanks to Aussie electro outfit Empire of the Sun.

A little after 1 pm AEST Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore will log on for a very special webcast, scheduled to last six minutes and 39 seconds. It’s precise I know, but it’s not entirely coincidental that the solar eclipse will last just that long. The content of the event is shrouded in mystery, which should make you ever more eager to tune in!

To join in the fun head to the brand new Eclipse of the Sun site!

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Family Tragedy Brings Shannon Noll Back Home

Shannon Noll has cut short his stint in the European production of War of the Worlds following the deaths of three grandparents.

“When I was over in the UK in March, my grandfather died,” Shannon told The Daily Telegraph.

“When I’d just got back over there to start the tour, my grandmother died and about two weeks before the end of the tour my nanna died, which was unexpected.”

Shannon jumped on the next available plane and arrived home just in time for a memorial service for his grandparents and funeral for his nanna. He originally intended to rejoin the War of the Worlds cast in Amsterdam, but has opted instead to stay home with family ahead of his Australian tour, which kicks off in Sydney later this month.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Deer Republic Win Tooheys Extra Dry uncharTED

The Deer Republic has taken out this year’s first Tooheys Extra Dry uncharTED competition. The Sydney band won the title in front of a home crowd at the Oxford Art Factory last night. The prize includes a slot on this year’s Splendour in the Grass bill and an artist development package worth $25, 000. The band beat out other finalists Hot Little Hands and Foxx on Fire.

Nick Andrijic of The Deer Republic described their win as “Phenomenal; ecstasy; fantastic! I’m not just saying this because we’re gracious winners; the other two bands that played tonight are fantastic … It means the world to us to play at Splendour … the fact that we’re going to be sharing the stage with some of them [our favourite bands], it’s indescribable at the moment, I don’t think it’s going to hit me for a couple of days … we’re looking forward to it.”

This year’s second Tooheys Extra Dry uncharTED comp is now open for entries. If you’re a solo artist of band looking for your big break, head to the competition’s website to register. Who knows? It could be you winning the glory next time around!

Image used with permission from Peer Group Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

ARIA Awards Head to Nine

After months of negotiations, the Nine Network has won the broadcasting rights for this year’s ARIA Awards.

Longtime broadcaster Ten ditched the telecast due to its million-dollar production costs, and there was some early speculation that it may go to pay TV.

The Nine deal also includes a weekly ARIA singles chart countdown, to be launched later this year. Because goodness knows with Rage, Video Hits, and Eclipse we need another video clips program on free-to-air television.

But it is good news that the ARIAs aren’t leaving our television screens. We’ve lost so many award shows to pay TV in the past, including the Grammys and the AMAs, so I’m thankful for whatever we get. It also seems likely that the Channel Ten contracted Rove won’t be hosting again, which is also a wonderful thing.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pink Holidays in Queensland

After a massive 27 shows in Australia, and with plenty more still to come, Pink has definitely earned herself a holiday. With no concerts scheduled this week, the American pop-rock princess and her husband Carey Hart are taking a little R’n’R in Queensland.

But don’t think Pink’s the type of gal to spend a week lazing on a beach idly. Instead the pair will tour the state on two wheels.

“We’re going on a motorcycle trip,” she told The Daily Telegraph.

While exploring the great outdoors, she’s crossing fingers that her paths don’t cross any of the country’s creepy natives.

“How is anyone still living in this country?” she mused when discussing our native wildlife.

Come on Pink, we’ve only got the world’s deadliest spiders and snakes. You’re not chicken, are you?

Image source: Bauer-Griffin

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kram Offers Words of Wisdom Ahead of uncharTED Grand Final

Kram burst onto the Aussie music scene as the drummer for indie darlings Spiderbait. Now he’s making waves with his solo career, and on Thursday July 9 he’ll headline the uncharTED Grand Final at Sydney’s Oxford Art Factory.

Kram says competitions like it “are always worth supporting as they give bands a chance for people to check them out and maybe win some dollars, which always helps.”

While these comps often help artists “make it big,” Kram says that should never be the end goal.

“Honestly, don’t try and make it big,” he advises. “You’ll smell of it a mile off. Just make the best music you can and try to do your own thing. Don’t care too much and hope for some luck.”

These nights always have winners and losers, but Kram says it doesn’t really matter which side you’re on.
“Winning is great but losing is not too bad either. I mean you’re playing music not shovelling shit and life is short so good luck to all!”

Image source: Stuart Sevastos @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Michael Jackson Dominates Australian Charts

Following global trends, Michael Jackson’s albums and singles have dominated this week’s ARIA charts. The late King of Pop has an amazing 15 albums in the top 100, and another 34 singles in the charts this week.

MJ is holding down the top three spots on the album charts with The Essential Michael Jackson, #1s, and Thriller. Thriller’s title track is also leading the singles charge, sitting pretty at number three ahead of “Black or White,” “Billie Jean,” and “Man in the Mirror.”

The Michael Jackson sold 62, 015 albums last week, which equates to 29.6% of all albums sold. Not a bad effort at all I’d say!

Click below to see just how Michael charted this week.

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