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.

Richmond Station special.

Guh. How could I forget this?


Graveyard Train, Melbourne’s own chain smashing, foot stomping, horror country pioneers are launching their third album "The Drink The Devil and The Dance" at the Corner Hotel on Friday the 23rd July. Special guests on the night will be Melbourne rockers the Dacios as well as the psychedelic bluegrass crooning of Little John.

The album’s out on Spooky Records, of course, and you can snag free downloads of the single ‘Mummy’, as well as another track, 'Run, Billy, Run' right here.
And if you happen to be passing the Rochester Castle in Johnson St. Fitzroy, anytime soon, do stop and admire the striking artwork currently adorning an unused billboard on the side of the building.

Back to the futu...well, the past, actually.

Hmm, another retrospective weekend. I don't apologise for this- as far as I can see, it's all part of one wide spectrum, and any part of it can and should be enjoyed by anyone.
Anyway, I mentioned the Little Murders reissue earlier this week- it's getting an official launch at the Tote on Friday.

That should be a fine sweaty night, and it's only $10.00
On Sunday afternoon, a bunch of folks are gathering at the Corner for a one-off (yeah I know everyone always says that, but I think this time it's actually true) reformation show by the Ears.

Hot on the heels of the recent "Dogs In Space" re-release, this promises to be pretty big. And it's being co-presented by Dolores San Miguel- if that's not a mark of quality for the era in question, I don't know what is.

Short, quick, busy.

The Drones open a national tour behind new album "Havilah" with shows at The Corner on Thursday and Friday, with both featuring supports from Kev Carmody and the Witch Hats. Now that's a bill that could either flop like a pancake or rise like a souffle. There's a lot of respect for Carmody in the Drones camp- they covered one of his most incisive songs, "River Of Tears" on a tribute album- here's hoping that translates across to the crowd.

While on Saturday, Crystal Thomas & the Flowers Of Evil play their first show for 2009 at Yah-Yah's in Collingwood. Their album was one of my faves from last year- it's good to see them back.

Harem Scarem- reformation.

Well, as noted previously, these boys hit the boards again recently, in front of a packed house at the Corner. Many old friends and faces there, and a great set. I got punched in the head by an over-zealous security guy when I ripped this from the stage:

even though the encores were over.
It was a great set- Chris, Charlie & Barry seemed to be enjoying themselves hugely. Mark Ferrie played bass like the goddamn pro he always is. Personally, I woulda liked to have heard some harmonica in there, and considering "Dirty" Kurt Lindner was in the crowd, and willing to step up, I'm a little puzzled as to why there was none.
Whatever, here's hoping they do it again.

Ed & the Drone Hats

Look, I know I go on about Witch Hats a bit, but trust me they deserve it. Last week's Tote show was excellent, as is their new single, "Before I Weigh", out now on In-Fidelity.
And you've got to hand it to a band who score a prestige support with the Drones for one big Melbourne date, at the Corner

and come up with their own poster:



My, Fiona Kitschin must be feeling flattered. Or should that be "flattened"?

Tomorrow (Friday) night sees a fairly special show by Ed Kuepper at the East Brunswick Club, as follows:

To celebrate the release of ‘Jean Lee and the Yellow Dog’, Ed Kuepper and the newly christened Kowalski Collective (Peter Oxley and Jeffrey Wegener), will take to the road for an extensive national tour. The EBC audience will be even more spoiled when the Collective extends to a seven piece with the addition of keyboard/cellist Jane Elliott and a three-piece horn section. Kuepper, of course, being no stranger to the use of brass having successfully experimented with the format for the Saints albums Eternally Yours and Prehistoric Sounds and using it as the centre-piece for his post-Saints outfit Laughing Clowns. And if that wasn't enough, at select shows, Ed Kuepper & The Kowalski Collective will play two sets each night. The first being a highlights package of past glories while the second set will see a run through of ‘Jean Lee and the Yellow Dog’ in its entirety.

I have a copy of "Jean Lee", and it is excellent. Details on this and more are here at the I94 Bar.

the return of La Femme

Yes, yes, I know the Celibate Rifles are in town this weekend, playing with the Double Agents at the Corner, and, yes I know that Sixfthick are playing their last Melbourne show before their European tour at the Rob Roy, but for my money there is only one show worth going to- the return of a rejuvenated La Femme.
I never saw them live back in their heyday, so I'm really looking forward to it. More details here at the I94 Bar. If you can't make the show, at least have a listen to the recently reissued album.

Thanks to Ian & Stuart for giving me that intro para, too.