Skipping Girl Vinegar Get Wasted

Being as it’s a Saturday it seems only right to chat about Skipping Girl Vinegar and their new song “Wasted.”

Inspired by a big night out at Melbourne’s Corner Hotel, the track is deliciously organic with a drum kit found in a dumpster, rubbish bins, and roadside hard rubbish all providing percussion. It’s raucous and just the kind of song you want to play as you head out for your own Saturday evening.

The song is a sneak peek of what lies ahead for the band, a little taster of what to expect from the as-yet-untitled sophomore album which should hit stores early next year. Skipping Girl Vinegar can’t wait that long to get in front of their local fans though, so they’re heading out next month on their Drown It Out single tour.

3 September 2010 – Troubadour, Brisbane (with special guests Autumn Sun & The Lucky Wonders)
10 September 2010 – Fitzroy Hotel, Windsor
11 September 2010 – Funk N Grooves Festival, Hunter Valley
11 September 2010 – RAVAL, Sydney (with special guest Ruby for Lucy)
18 September 2010 – The Toff In Town, Melbourne (with special guests Hello Satellites & Young Werther)

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Who’s Comin’ Along to Earthworker’s Tour?

After supporting Ash Grunwald around the traps in June, Earthworker, or Dean Carroll as he’s known to his mates, will set out on his own for the Who’s Comin’ Along tour.

The tour supports the single of the same name, which is the first cut from Earthworker’s debut album Seeds of Light, due to hit stores in January. The single’s release will be accompanied with a music video which sees Earthworker do his upbeat blues rock thing live, with just a hint of pirate. And don’t we all need more pirate in our lives?

If you do, make sure you get along to these shows next month. He’ll perform some with a four-piece band, and others solo and intimate, so you’ll never know quite what you’re going to get. I love an artist that keeps you guessing!

2 September 2010 – Hotel Maroochydore, Maroochydore
3 September 2010 – Coolum Beach Hotel, Coolum
5 September 2010 – Doing Dads Proud Festival, Sunshine Coast
11 September 2010 – The Chippo, Darwin
25 September 2010 – Fitzroy Hotel, Windsor

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Re:enactment Spruik Single on East Coast Tour

Upbeat Brisbane electro rock act re:enactment are heading out on the road to promote their double A-side single “Talent for Retail,” which features the songs “Problematic” and “Nintendogs.” There’s even a bonus B-side “Don’t Even” and a live version of fan favourite “Steel Drums” to add value.

Honestly, with physical singles being on their last legs thanks to the introduction of digital downloads I’m thrilled to see a band offering so much in this format. If you are too, make sure you get out and show your support at re:enactment’s upcoming shows.

18 September 2010 – The Troubadour, Brisbane (with Hunz, Moon Jog and Toy Balloon)
23 September 2010 – The Old Bar, Melbourne (with Sleep Decade and Cast& Crew)
25 September 2010 – Pony, Melbourne (with Caught Ship, Tantrums and No Real Need)
30 September 2010 – Excelsior, Sydney (with World Champion, Lumiere and Solkyri)
1 October 2010 – World Bar, Sydney (with Paper Moon, Howl at the Moon, Convaire)

Image used with permission from Shiny Entertainment

U2 Bring 360 Degree Tour to Australia

The rumor mill’s been buzzing for a while, and now it’s all official: U2 will visit Australia this November with their 360 Degree Tour.

The show is supposed to be a spectacle unlike anything Aussie audiences have ever seen, with a 57 meter bug-like four-legged spaceship nicknamed The Claw and 120 trucks needed to transport the production.

Refreshingly tickets will be available to suit all budgets, with the cheap seats starting from just $39.90. Don’t expect to see too much for a mere $40, but it’s a great option for anyone who’s counting their pennies before Christmas. I’m thrilled that a band is happy to offer their show to all fans, not just the elite that can afford the hefty price of admission.

“U2 has always been at their best when surrounded by their audience, and this extraordinary production makes that happens in stadiums,” U2 manager Paul McGuiness said in a statement. “It was important to the band that we were able to bring the whole production to Australia and New Zealand so fans could experience the latest of U2’s legendary productions.”

Tickets go on sale on September 3 from the usual outlets.

Lead singer Bono (C) of Irish rock band U2 performs a concert at the Olympic stadium in Turin, northern Italy August 6, 2010. U2 singer Bono is ready to rock after back surgery sidelined him for two months, and forced the band to postpone its North American tour by a year to May 2011. The Irish rockers began the second European leg of their 360 Degree world tour on Friday in Italy. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini (ITALY - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)


1 December 2010 – Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
8 December 2010 – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
13 December 2010 – Olympic Park, Sydney
18 December 2010 – Subiaco, Perth

Recoil on the Road

Sydney metal heads Recoil have been pretty busy of late. They’ve just released their debut album The Will to Sin, the single “And a Hard Place” and its accompanying video, and they’re also getting out and doing it live.

“We wanted to focus on the playing and the music itself hence the white background,” said the band’s lead singer Wade of the video’s concept. “We wanted the main focus on us as a band, no distractions and just let people see who we are when we play live.”

The song captures the band’s signature raw heavy metal style. I’m not really into metal, so my reaction might be more extreme than fans of the genre, but it blew my head off. If you’re digging it though, you won’t be disappointed by the band’s live set.

“[Fans] can expect a loud in your face but very tight performance with plenty of energy,” Wade said.

If that sounds like your kind of thing, make sure you get along to one of the following gigs.

21 August 2010 – The Basement, Canberra, ACT
3 September 2010 – Club LED, Newcastle, NSW
2 October 2010 – SFX, Sydney, NSW
8 October 2010 – BAM Festrival, Ivory Rocks, Brisbane, QLD (All Ages)
22 October 2010 – The Home Tavern, Wagga Wagga, NSW

Jimmy Barnes Headlines A Day On the Green Birthday Shows

A Day on the Green will celebrate its 10th anniversary with an Aussie music spectacular. Jimmy Barnes will headline the string of winery concerts this November, and he’ll take some very special friends along for the ride.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 05:  Jimmy Barnes of Cold Chisel performs during a Cold Chisel concert at ANZ Stadium on December 5, 2009 in Sydney, Australia.  (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)


“I think that a day on the green has been like a breath of fresh air to the Australian music industry,” Jimmy said in a statement. “No longer do people have to settle for being crushed up the front of a suburban pub to be able to get a drink and see their favourite bands at the same time. They can now do it in style and sit back in some of the best locations. Eat, drink and listen to the best music in the world. What more could you want?”

Vanessa Amorosi, Tex Perkins and The Dark Horses, and Dan Sultan will play at all shows, along with a rotating list of the very best local acts. If you love Aussie music, you’ll want to be at these shows. Tickets go on sale on Monday August 23.

7 November 2010 – Leconfield Wines, McLaren Vale (Jimmy Barnes, Vanessa Amorosi, Tex Perkins & The Dark Horses, Mark Seymour, Ian Moss, Ross Wilson & The Peaceniks, Richard Clapton, Dan Sultan, Michael Spiby, Swanee)
13 November 2010 – Bimbadgen Estate, Hunter Valley (Jimmy Barnes, Vanessa Amorosi, Tex Perkins & The Dark Horses, Mark Seymour, Richard Clapton, Diesel, Dan Sultan, Mahalia Barnes, Michael Spiby, Swanee)
14 November 2010 – Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton (Jimmy Barnes, Vanessa Amorosi, Tex Perkins & The Dark Horses, Diesel, Mark Seymour, Richard Clapton, Dan Sultan, Mahalia Barnes, Michael Spiby, Swanee)
21 November 2010 – Kings Park & Botanic Garden, Perth (Jimmy Barnes, Vanessa Amorosi, Tex Perkins & The Dark Horses, Diesel, Dan Sultan, Vika & Linda)

Matt Corby Announces Intimate EP Shows

Matt Corby is refusing to sit still in the months leading up to the release of his EP Transition to Colour. He will head to London to record his debut album in September before returning home for two shows.

Following the EP’s release on October 8, Matt will play the Northcote Social Club in Melbourne on October 13, followed by Melt Bar in Kings Cross on October 14. Matt plans to invite several  guests to share the stage with him, so the nights are promising to be something special. These gigs are somewhat of a teaser before Matt embarks on a full length EP tour.

Tickets are available from the venues and by clicking the links above for these intimate shows.

Image used with permission from Shiny Entertainment

Ed Kowalczyk Makes Aussie Return

When Ed Kowalczyk toured Australia last August he promised he’d be back soon. He’s now making good on that vow with the announcement of a tour this October and November.

While he was in acoustic mode last time, the former Live frontman will be in full band mode this time around. He’ll play all the old Live favourites as well as songs from his first solo release Alive. We got a taste of some of these tracks during the last tour, and I can’t wait to hear them amped up with a full backing band.

Tickets for the following shows go on sale on August 19. Get them; you won’t be disappointed.


31 Sunday October 2010 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
2 Tuesday November 2010 – The Hi-Fi, Brisbane
5 Friday November 2010 – The Forum, Melbourne
6 Saturday November 2010 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
8 Monday November 2010 – Metropolis, Fremantle

Image source: own photo

From Las Vegas to Oz: Human Nature Come Home

The lads from Human Nature are coming home for Christmas. The Sydney boys will take a three-week break from their Las Vegas residency to play shows all around the country inspired by their overseas stint.

The Direct from Las Vegas tour is Human Nature’s first Aussie tour in three years. They’re promising to play the Motown tunes they’ve made famous in Vegas, favourites from their original back catalogue, and a few tracks from their new album.

This disc will feature covers of songs inspired by Sin City. Think Elvis, Barry Manilow, and Tom Jones. If I don’t hear their spin on “Danke Schoen” I’ll be disappointed. Having said that, isn’t it about time Human Nature reminded us of their own pop talents and recorded an album of originals? They’re so much better than simply becoming a covers act.

The boys will jet back to Vegas after these shows, so if you want to see them make sure you snap up your tickets for the following shows on August 16 from the usual outlets.

3 December 2010 – Wrest Point Casino, Hobart
7 & 8 December 2010 – Festival Theatre, Adelaide
10 December 2010 – Convention Centre, Melbourne
12 December 2010 – Kings Park, Perth
15 December 2010 – Convention Centre, Brisbane
17 & 18 December 2010 – State Theatre, Sydney

Image source: The Harbour Agency

The Script Make a Return Visit to Oz

When I saw The Script last September they put on one of the most enjoyable shows I saw all year. At the time they were all over radio with their singles “Breakeven” and “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved,” but the buzz has died down just a little. Rest assured, it’s about to kick off again.

The band are returning to our shores to spruik their sophomore album Science and Faith. They’ll also be ably supported by the lovely Michael Paynter. What a shame it’s all on while I’m enjoying a well-earned holiday in Adelaide! There are only two dates announced, so hopefully it won’t be too long before we see them back for a full scale tour. I’m keeping my fingers crossed!

I can’t make one of these gigs, but you really should. Snag your tickets on August 13 for the following shows.

43176, GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - Saturday July 31 2010. The Script perform at the In:Demand Live concert at the SECC in Glasgow.  Photograph:  Fred Lee, PacificCoastNews.com


5 October 2010 – Palace Theatre, Melbourne
6 October 2010 – Luna Park Big Top, Sydney