The Good Ship Tour Double A-Side Single

If celebrating the oft forgotten musical genre of pirate-rock wasn’t enough to set themselves apart, The Good Ship have decided to make an impact with a big double single. The band is celebrating the release of the double A-sider “Bury Me/I Can Make Her Laugh” with an Aussie tour.

If you love a good sea shanty with questionable lyrics, this is your kind of tour. If you’re still not convinced, feast your eyes on this awesome animated music video for “Bury Me.” It’s probably better that I show you this than the one for “I Can Make Her Laugh” with the bondage mistresses!

You can catch those lovable rogues from The Good Ship at the following shows.

19 March 2011 – Pacific Hotel, Yamba
20 March 2011 – Treehouse on Belongil, Byron Bay
25 March 2011 – Brisbane Hotel, Hobart
26 March 2011 – The Hub, Launceston
1 April 2011 – Ruby’s Lounge, Melbourne
2 April 2011 – The Evelyn, Melbourne
9 April 2011 – Joe’s Waterhole, Eumundi
10 April 2011 – Rics Bar, Brisbane
17 April 2011 – Peregian Originals, Peregian Beach
30 April 2011 – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
7 May 2011 – Royal Mail Hotel, Goodna (3pm show)
7 May 2011 – The Joynt, South Brisbane (8 pm show)
20 May 2011 – The Great Northern, Newcastle
21 May 2011 – The Vanguard, Sydney
27 May 2011 – The Loft, Gold Coast

Show MofoIsDead Some Love

Brisbane act MofoIsDead has really impressed me with their debut single “Love Me.” It’s got some blistering guitars, an epic chorus, and some impressive rock vocals from lead singer Paul Galagher. As an added bonus, the video has cats. That’s always going to win me over.

The tune comes from the band’s debut album Nubile, which has been independently produced and released. I always appreciate a band that’s producing great music entirely under their own steam.

MofoIsDead are planning to tour the east coast late in May, so make sure you look out for them on the road!

Red Remedy One to Watch

Red Remedy may be one of Sydney’s best kept secrets.

This hard-rocking act almost packed out the iconic Annandale Hotel when they released their debut EP Oblivion late last year. Their single “The Fray” got a few airings on Rage, and was also heavily supported by local community radio.

The only question I’m asking is why these guys haven’t exploded in a major way. Their stuff is gutsy and anthemic. It rocks really hard, but the melodic undertones ensure the tunes stay accessible.

Sydneysiders looking to discover this amazing talent in their own backyard can see these guys live at The Excelsior Hotel on February 19 and the St. James Hotel on April 2. Hopefully Red Remedy get some gigs in the rest of the country soon. They’re too good to stay a secret for long.

Capital City Split, Announce Final Show

There must be something in the water this week. Hot on the heels of the announcement of Yves Klein Blue’s split comes word that Capital City are also calling it quits. After ten years, two albums, two EPs, and five drummers the Perth outfit has decided to call it a day. This video, for the band’s song “Let’s Throw Our Love Away,” is something to remember them by.

Capital City won’t leave us hanging though. They’ll say goodbye to all their fans with one final show at the Rosemount Hotel on March 5. Tickets go on sale today from Heatseeker, Planet Video, and Mills Record.

Fans will want to take a few extra dollars to the show. Capital City will offload all their remaining merchandise on the night, so you’re bound to get a bargain!

R.I.P. Steve Prestwich

While we were still reeling from the untimely death of Sherbet’s Harvey James, we learned that we’d also lost Steve Prestwich. The Cold Chisel drummer died from a brain tumour on Sunday at the age of 56.

Steve began to play with Jimmy Barnes, Ian Moss, and Don Walker in the early 70s outfit Orange. They changed their name to Cold Chisel in 1974, and the rest is history. He helped Don Walker write one of the band’s greatest songs, “Flame Trees,” and also put pen to paper for “When the War is Over” and “Forever Now.”

Following Chisel’s demise in 1983, Steve joined Little River Band and helped “When the War is Over” become a hit all over again. But he was back for Chisel’s reunion shows.

I remember attending the Last Wave of Summer gig at Newcastle Entertainment Centre back in 1998. This was a band I never expected to see live, and I lapped it up. I am so thrilled that I got to see Steve Prestwich doing his thing, and so sad to see him taken from us all too soon. Here’s the music video of Cold Chisel doing “When the War is Over” to remember him by.

The Level Spirits Release “Take It Out” Music Video

The first music video to catch my attention this year is the quirkily cool “Take It Out,” the debut single from The Level Spirits. There’s an alt country vibe to this track, which features gorgeous vocals from Molly-Jean Morrison. I also love the film clip, which takes a fun look at the perfect nuclear family, with the addition of a handy voodoo doll. The Melbourne band has currently taken up residence at The Cherry Bar, so if you like this tune make sure you venture out on Wednesdays to see what they’re all about!

Bye Bye 2010, Bring on the New Year!

The bubbly is chilling and folks are getting together as we prepare to bid 2010 adieu. The year our Aussie artists produced some cracking tunes which should help get your NYE party started!

Sia has been a musical force for some time, but 2010 saw her step into the spotlight with her fab album We Are Born. It spawned so many singles, including the irrepressibly “Clap Your Hands.”

Washington was this year’s breakthrough artist and with good reason. Bucket loads of charisma, insightful lyrics, and some damned good tunes are a recipe for success in anyone’s language. “Sunday Best” was the song that had me dancing around my lounge room this year.

John Butler Trio’s “One Way Road” is a bit rootsier than the other tracks, but no less fun. I am in awe of the way JB manages to get his mouth around those rapid fire lyrics!

Amy Meredith definitely didn’t get the recognition they deserved this year. I enjoyed their first two singles, but they wowed me with the nostalgic “Young at Heart.” The fun retro feel sent me right back to my childhood! This is definitely the tune to play as the evening is winding down.

What will you be spinning tonight?

Kylie Clip Banned in Asia

When Kylie Minogue released her single “All the Lovers” in June, we said the sexy music video was the best part about it. But it seems that several Asian countries don’t agree as they’ve banned the raunchy clip from their screens.

Television stations in several countries including Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia won’t play the music video which features “all the lovers,” gay and straight indulging in a serious make-out session.

“I think, yes, it’s sexy but I also think it’s very touching and sensual and the message is love,” Kylie told Spanish private television station Cuatro when quizzed about the controversy.

I have to agree with her. It’s sexy but hardly pornographic. This sort of thing just makes you glad to live in (mostly) open-minded Australia, and in a world with the internet where anyone can see anything they please! So if you haven’t watched it yet, here it is for your viewing pleasure!

New Song Obsession: “All I Ever Wanted” by Mark Wilkinson

I pride myself on loving music of all genres, but there’s no denying that I have a special place in my heart for folky acoustic singer songwriter types. The latest to cross my path and worm his way into my subconscious is Mark Wilkinson.

It was love at first listen when I heard his new single “All I Ever Wanted.” The film clip, which was recorded in Cape Town, is every bit as uplifting. I can’t wait to hear more from this Sydneysider when he releases his debut album Truth Came Running in February.

Sydneyvision Winner Dyan Tai Asks “Why Sydney”

Anyone described as the Asian love child of Prince and Lady Gaga has enough going on to get me interested. And so it’s well worth taking a look at Dyan Tai, the recent winner of the Sydneyvision Song Contest. Think Eurovision for Sydney’s burbs.

Dyan won the title with this delightfully campy dance ode to his home city, “Why Sydney.” If you’re still searching for Mr or Miss Right in the big smoke, it’s likely to strike a chord.

“Why Sydney” isn’t a song that tries to be anything other than what it is. Don’t go looking for the deeper meaning because you’ll be disappointed. It’s fun and more than a little silly, but you’ll find yourself singing it long after the video ends!