A fortnight ago was the 'first' Noise Etc Live show. I was pretty nervous but excessively excited at the same time. I'd never organised a group of musicians to play at a venue before. Turns out its pretty easy, so I'll probably organise more in the future if I can find suitable performers to prod and pester. The vague idea of a Noise Etc Live series was to promote and feature musicians who might not play live as often as I'd hope. So, for August 17, I asked Peter Escott to debut his electronic experiments; Carl Higgs to make his once-a-year solo appearance (though, he did play a few days later as a duo with Charles Du Cane); and Splash Mountain to try and make a proper debut.
Most of the night went according to plan (Splash Mountain were still a little unprepared, but they did clear the 10-minute mark as I awkwardly claimed in promo), and the turnout was decent enough for a Wednesday night local show. It was fun and I fully plan on organising more every few months if I can find performers willing to participate. If anyone has any hidden solo/side/bedroom-projects that they want to present to little Hobart town, do get in touch.
Below are three videos from the night, click through at the bottom to watch a few more, including Peter cover Morrissey and Carl cover Chris Isaak. Covers.
Peter wrote this song on the night, about the night. The first minute or so didn't get filmed but I'll spoil it for you - it's about his work shirt that he didn't get the chance to change out of.
Carl's upbeat Italo Disco track. Fun, fun, fun.
Splash Mountain's first song of their 12 minute set.
Did everyone have a good past week? Hobart Music, right? Right!
Last Saturday afternoon, Moe Grizzly and Drunk Elk played a house show before the Broken Social Thylascene show that happened. Walking distance to both beers and the next show made it pretty ideal, it sounded decent and the house was full of good people/conversation. Moe Grizzly are sounding really good with the addition of Phoebe on trombone, it kind of highlights the melody a little more, particularly in older songs. Drunk Elk made a few mistakes at the end of a couple of songs - nerves - but they otherwise played a good set. They might have played a few newer songs, which sounded similar in vein to the songs they've been playing for the past year, maybe a touch heavier.
Drunk Elk
Moe Grizzly
Two more Elk videos and another Moe Grizzly song (with trombone) through the break. If anyone knows the names of these songs, feel free to leave a comment. I have a couple more Drunk Elk songs on tape if anyone is interested.
Crappy videos from an all ages show last weekend with No Action, Bears, Treehouse and Driftwood at the Brisbane Hotel. My video of Bears stuffed up sorry.
These guys were alright, they're a young Rosny College band. The singer has a nice New Zealand-ish voice which gives them a bit of identity already (this was only their second show). The drummer shouldn't sing though; it doesn't compliment the lead vocals at all, nor contrast with it in any interesting way. More annoying than anything.
Treehouse played some new songs, this one is called "Drunk Elk". They've recorded this plus a bunch of others for an upcoming cassette/release which should be fun. Their set was mostly new songs - less lo-fi punkish and more like the song above. They still played "Party", though.
No Action are from Adelaide and they make emo music, I think? I don't know these genres very well. They went down pretty well with the small crowd and sold a few 7"s.
Here's two tracks from Hobart power pop trio The Lucky Dips, who are launching their debut 7" this Saturday at the Grand Poobah. Brief, guitar-based Buzzcockian punk. "Obsession" is the A-side, while "Assistance" is their inclusion to the upcoming Community 2 compilation.
The Lucky Dips launch their 7" at the Grand Poobah tomorrow (Saturday 13th August), with support from Mess O' Reds and The Crunch. $5 entry, doors at 9:30pm, Facebook event here.
Edit: This was good. The Crunch were pretty boring but had lots of 30somethings dancing; Mess O' Reds played some really good songs; and The Lucky Dips played a good set with an added rhythm guitarist. Fun time. You can now buy their 7" at Tommy Gun Records for $10.
Sea Scouts were a Tasmanian noise-rock band in the 90s. If you've every hung around Hobart music circles, you've probably heard their name referenced a few times, usually reverently. While the legend of the Sea Scouts does get played up a lot (Melbourne thirty-somethings seem to be particularly fond of the group), its not without reason. They're good. Here's 'War As A Weapon', a song they released on Zum Records when they toured America in 1999. You can even still buy that same 7" from the label directly - $3 US plus shipping. It comes with B-side 'Burn Down Your Local McDonalds'.
Hammering The Cramps were a Hobart band circa 2006. Their unreleased debut recording will be released through Wormwood Grasshopper Records on vinyl next year, if all goes according to plan. It features musicians who went on to play in bands like Drunk Elk, Wendy In The Mountains, etc.
