Charity.

That's a nice word too, and what a coincidence that there are two worthy causes being addressed this week. The first one is on tomorrow:

Melbourne's music community has joined ranks to raise funds for local muso Dimitra Bucolo, who has been hospitalised due to complications from lupus. Dimitra has been performing since 1996 in various bands and solo projects in Australia and internationally, and is in need of significant financial help with her urgent medical and rehabilitation costs.
A gigantic benefit gig dubbed Dimitron: A Benefit for Dimitra is coming up at The Corner on Wednesday 1st December featuring The Drones, Zond, Hoss, Love of Diagrams, The Stabs, Kes Band, New War, Matt Bailey and Breathing Shrine, plus Eddy Current & Twerps DJs.

Just to make the night even more awesome, the great Dimitron Raffle has been announced with some mouth watering prizes to be won.
Dimitra was kind enough to play with Aktion Unit at the first Last Tram Home presents... show back in November last year. Here's wishing her all the best.
And then on Thursday:

After a few fairly painful if not downright agonising years, X frontman Steve Lucas has finally managed to get his crippling back injury operated on, but has been left financially crippled, so a bunch of friends are lending a hand. This would probably be worth going to for the Ears alone, I reckon, let alone Dollsquad, Brian Hooper and the rest.
If you can't make it along to either of these shows, you can still help out, by donating via Paypal- to Dimitra at dimitrafund@gmail.com, and Steve at slxaust@hotmail.com.
It's not a community unless you share, you know.

Fractured retrobilly boogie?

No, I don't know what it means either, but I like the sound of it:


I'm just pissed off I missed it- going on as I write. Next time, fer sure.
Meanwhile, I am morally and contractually obliged to mention that X are playing at the Espy tomorrow night (Friday) with Dollsquad* and the Sons Of Lee Marvin.

But gig of the week would have to be this:

Assassination Collective, Deaf Wish, Paper Planes, and Graveyard Train, presented by the Afterdark crew. It's an album launch and all, but even so, I think it's free. Or at least cheap. Not as cheap as those Ass. Co. boys, though. Watch out for that one in the pith helmet.

*any record label looking for a kick-arse girly garage rock album to unleash on the public, get in touch.

This weekend

Hmm, shaping up as a bit of a quiet one.
X and Dollsquad are playing at a relatively new place in Lygon St. Carlton called the Curtin Bandroom, which is upstairs at the John Curtin Hotel. Not sure what that costs. I've heard some of the tunes X's Steve Lucas has just produced for Dollsquad's (hopefully) forthcoming new album, and they sounded pretty good to me. X fans can get a double dose this week, of course- see the post below.
Also on Saturday, the Ooga Boogas are at the Great Britain in Church St. Richmond, with Super Wild Horses. I haven't seen SWH, but I want to. Of course the Oogas are playing tonight (Thursday) at Bar Open, with the Useless Children and while it's probably too late to get there now, I do like the poster:

What else...hmmm, I plan to go on a Vietnamese food safari in Springvale this weekend, and watch some DVDs, but that's not of great interest to anyone but me and my stomach. And eyes.
But there are some great things on the horizon- like this:

Get out.

The Sand Pebbles launch their new album "Ceduna" on at the NSC on Saturday. They went to the beach last summer and made a concept album inspired in part by an old travel diary- wait, wait, come back. It’s really nowhere as pretentious or silly as that makes it sound. Its much better indeed. So let’s re-phrase that- as the Drones did with ‘Gala Mill’, the Sand Pebbles went to a place and took some inspiration from it, which they have channeled into their new album. But there’s no over-arching narrative or theme beyond that, though- as they say in the liner notes, they got high, and they wrote these songs. All of which are well worth your eartime.
The launch features well-chosen supports from Ross McLennan (whose recent Mistletone LP, “Sympathy For The New World” is also truly excellent) and Andrew McCubbin and the Hope Addicts. All for $10.00

Also on Saturday- UV Race kick off the first week of their month-long Saturday afternoon residency in the Tote front bar. That’s free, from around 4.00pm. They don't have a CD out, but this is what their "Lego Man" single looks like:



From the youngest to the oldest- across town the legendary X are playing at the Espy with a few friends:

Production difficulties

Well, things got away from me earlier this week- here's a basic draft of the chatter that mattered. You'll figure it out, bright penny that you are.



Normal service will be resumed when I finish this bottle of red wine.

Phew.

Still recovering from last week's pig out, and think I'll be having a quiet one this weekend.
For the record- the Double Agents launch was great, Spencer Jones solo was great, Sixfthick were fucking explosive. A weekend of sweat, heat, beer & loud gritty music. I didn't get down to the Tiger By The Tail video shoot though- if you have a strong stomach there is a snapshot of proceedings here.
This weekend's details are in honour of and for the benefit of the mysterious G, author of the excellent blog Sex Kittens Compare Scratches , who is in town for a few days.


At the Espy Front Bar in St. Kilda tonight- Mach Pelican, The Havenots (Japan), The Gingers, Three Chord Disasters.

But they are up against the "Beasts VS. Drones" show at the Tote in Collingwood. This sounds a bit goddamn special, frankly- "Two of Australia's toughest and dirtiest rock bands attempt to out-cool each other in a rare solo challenge at The Tote, Fri 23rd of February with a special umpire in judicial mode. The night will feature solo sets from the old guards of oz rock: Spencer P Jones & Brian Hooper of The Beast of Bourbon, competing for street cred and raw sex appeal with the new wave: Gareth Liddiard, front person of the Drones, and Christian Strybosch, original Drones drummer. The totally impartial umpire in this death match, who will also grace the stage to break up the general machismo and any spontaneous punching-on, will be the gorgeous and delightful Laura Jean, making this a night of intimate performance from the cream of Melbourne's artistic crop. To enhance your listening pleasure, the normally sweaty Tote will be transformed into a sophisticated club atmosphere, with lounges, tables and candlelight, and all acts performing live in the pit. All that for only $12.00? Bargain.

There are rich pickings on Saturday too. Spencer P. Jones is doing his solo thing again at the idGAFF Bar in the afternoon, which you can follow with ECSR at the Corner Hotel, or maybe Dollsquad over at the Evelyn.

On Sunday , the Prayer Babies are at the Greyhound with accompaniment from the South Of The River gospel choir, from 5.00pm or so. Perfect end to the day.

For stubby holders, silly hats, fridge magnets etc, you're on your own, but they are all easily found in Swanston Street, just up from Chloe's Bar. Enjoy your stay, Greg.