Ben & Bodies.

Bodies say they recorded their album in one night, and mixed it in six hours- Eddy Current, eat your hearts out. They are launching it at the Arthouse on Friday, with their buddies Fourteen Nights At Sea, Buried Horses and the Spinning Rooms:

That's a very reasonable $8.00 at the door- and an extra $10.00 gets you a copy of the album, too.
On Saturday, why not make the effort and actually go to the Tote, to see Gentle Ben and His Sensitive Side, down from Brisbane for one show only?

Support comes from Precious Jules and Nathan Hollywood's new project, Romance, a two piece electronic thing. I think this is only their second show, and I'm kinda keen to get along and check them out.

Gig of the year?

Probably.
Kim Salmon (in Precious Jules mode), Joel Silbersher (backed by the Baggage Handlers), and...Mark Lanegan. In a room with about 150 people.

Damn, it was good.

Fitting tribute.

I can't really add enything to the email I got telling me about this.

Ron Asheton Tribute Night featuring Bored! with guest vocalists Fiona Maynard and Mike Keane playing the songs of The Stooges and Destroy all Monsters! Also playing Kim Salmon, Mick Harvey and Deafwish! Its a benefit for injured wildlife in the Victorian bushfires so come on down!!!
$10, at Cherry Bar, in AC/DC Lane.

Summer shows.

On what is shaping up as the hottest week in Melbourne for 100 years, the weekend's shows are pretty damn hot too.

On Friday, two of my favorites from last year come together when the Sand Pebbles join with the Lurid Yellow Mist over at the Thornbury Theatre:

While Saturday sees the High Fangs launch a six track EP at the Birmingham, with support from the Bowerbirds, Wrong Turn, and Pretty Green:
Or if you prefer something a bit, err, noisier, Kim Salmon and the Surrealists are at Ding Dong with the Stabs: And yes, the Stabs are also launching a new record.

If you still need more, there are a stack of acts playing the 2009 St. Jerome's Laneway Festival in the city on Sunday, including the Drones, Stereolab, and Jay Reatard:
Really, you are spoiled for choice. This city amazes me sometimes, you know. Don't forget the sunscreen.

And more.

Yes, there's always more. More more more. Yes please.
On Friday, a big bill at Ding Dong:


The Surrealists haven't played for...oooh, quite a while. This show will also be the last for Witch Hats for a bit, as they will need to find a new drummer immediately afterwards, and mix their just-recorded second album. Pistons Misfire are a new outfit featuring Sam Agostino, from Kamikaze Trio/Digger & the Pussycats.
Or:

A Stax tribute night, for no particular reason I can see. Too many people playing to list- just read the poster, sucker. I like Yah Yah's- the stage is low, the bar is cheap and the bouncers are friendly.
Then on Saturday, after that Oogas gig mentioned previously, there are a couple of choices, like some more filthy garage rock from the Gruntled:

Seems like ages since I was at idGAFF. Note support from Selfish Gene- get there early, if only to see them all squash into the playing area.
While over in Richmond, a revamped Wrong Turn are playing:

I don't know why that came out so small. It's not my fault.

Saturday night, uh-huh uh-huh

Well, a big night at the Forum on Saturday. I couldn't find a poster, but I did find this excellent Forum logo, which made me laugh out loud, for some reason:



Guess you have to know the place, really. Anyway, the mighty Drones are playing, with support from Kim Salmon and the Surrealists and Kes Band. Not sure who is in this line up of the Surrealists, but I'm sure that they will be excellent anyway. This is kinda a launch for the Drones new LP 'Havilah', by the way, and I did find a pic of that:


And do remember that it's a big race day on Saturday, so there will be a fair bit of sluts in frocks action going on:

Try not to get too much puke on your shoes.

A month off

So, I took a month off from this, and a few other things, for various reasons. But I'm back, and as of next week will have some shit hot new portable wi-fi tools to play with, so may end up posting even more.
Anyway- THIS:

Really, nights like this come along all too rarely. Get there if you can.
On Saturday, if you rug up warm you can probably trot up and down Johnson St. and catch some of this, too:

Witch Hats- "Cellulite Soul" album launch 23 March

This promises to be a stormer.

I've had the album for a while now, and it's an amazingly assured piece of work. It summons up memories of a lot of my favorite sounds from the past, but in ways I can't quite put my finger on. There's nothing exclusively sonic, just more of a general feel. You can clearly hear the bands' willingness to push boundaries and play with elements, but still keep sticking in great hooks and choruses. As far as debut albums go, it's up there with the best.

They are planning launches in most capital cities, as well as a US tour later in the year.

Oh, and this is happening at the Northcote Social Club, if you were wondering.