Synk Magazine aims to promote and develop the skills of people under the age of 25. If you're a young writer, photographer, artist, designer… we want your soul.

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Artwork by EMMA FERGUSON Artwork by LACHLAN CLARKE exogenbreach.deviantart.com Contributors synk 1 Welcome to our issue five, staying alive... It’s been a year! A whole frigging year! You all thought we’d go under but we Contents showed you fuckers. ‘Another street press in Melbourne? No way! The other highly Writers: Photography: reputable street presses will eat you idiots alive.’ Bah! We laughed in the face of that The Hives ______2 Duane Jackson Smith Luke Kellett beast and it looks like it paid off. But, it has been quite a while since the last issue and Rhys McRae we know it’s been tough on all of you, not knowing what to do or where to go, aimlessly Ray Caesar______4 Cara Williams Editors: walking around in circles, stopping momentarily to reminisce all the fun times you Claire Stapleton Rhys McRae shared with the last issue. Well, to celebrate this special edition and to make up for our Migs______9 Isabelle Tolhurst Tommy Guo elongated absence, we present you with our Massively Epic Summer edition, featuring Jessika Keegan among others: The Hives (ooooo), The Victorian Roller Derby League (ahhhh), The Matt Kelly and The Keepers____12 Morgan Cataldo Creative Directors: John Steel Singers (aaaaw), the artful doger that is Ray Caesar and the usual amount of Lachlan Clarke Jessika Keegan witty banter that you’ve come to know and love. Vintage Fashion ______14 Jessie Ngaio Lachlan Clarke So what have we been up to that’s caused us to snub you loyal readers? Well personally, The Drones______16 Designers: Online Content Manager: I’ve been enjoying the fun and games of driving around the zoo in my ultra expensive Tommy Guo Frieda Handoko luxury car throwing wedding cakes at small children and berating their parent’s about John Steel Singers ______18 Christine Soriano their sexual history whilst playing Russian roulette with a panda bear. As for the others they’ve been diligently working their fingers to the bone crafting this beautiful specimen Emma Ferguson ______21 Jessika Keegan Managing Director: Lachlan Clarke Cara Williams of a publication just to satisfy your voracious appetites. So read it because for every issue I see in a bin I kill 100 endangered animals…the cute ones as well…not like the aye-aye Roller Derby ______24 Kon Mrnjaus Anney Tulloch (that thing looks like a badly burnt rat). Birds of Tokyo ______26 Front cover artwork: Ray Caesar, “Bubbles” It’s kind of hard to run an independent magazine; lord knows we can’t do it on the Back cover artwork: Ray Caesar, “Ebbtide” Derek Dale______28 awesome power of our own modesty. So if you’re a struggling writer, talented artist, resemble the monopoly guy or have this undying urge to spend a whole lotta money on Artwork: Courtney Brims young talent then give us a bell. The 1000th caller wins a night with Kevin Rudd! The Living End ______29 www.noise.net/courtneybrims Lord knows he needs a root. Left page “Blossom” Right page “Goldfish” Reviews ______30 For all media and advertising enquires please contact: "Bistros Are Running Right Over New Macaroni Cheese Restaurants And Estuaries". SYNK recommends ______32 [email protected] Barron McRae Giveaways ______34 www.synkmagazine.com.au Inventor of the horizontal acrostic poem © Synk Magazine 2008 synk 2 another record, but venture into new Album’, the band recalled Pharrell’s synk 3 “This is how it goes; We are territory with their latest release. Along previous offer, made contact, and flew the best band in the world”. came the bands fourth recording, ‘The over to his studio in Miami. “We learnt a lot Hives drummer Chris Dangerous blatantly Black and White Album’, a name which working with Pharrell”. Chris recollects. “A defines himself and his cohorts. “There’s stemmed from the Beatles ‘White Album’ guy like Pharrell records like 20-30 songs no person, no band, no God, that could be and Metallica’s ‘Black Album’. a week. We’re lucky if we can record the Hives and do a better job than we do. one. Previously when we record we’ve We’re dead serious about that. We think “If The Beatles could make a ‘White been so fucking anal about every single that we are fucking great”. Album’ and Metallica could make a ‘Black detail. It’s been the five of us looking at Album’, there was only one band who the fucking guitar amp for 8 hours, then It is this uncompromising and ego manic could make a record twice as good as discussing where we are going to put the attitude that made heads turn when The those two combined. And as far as sales microphone, then having a meeting about Hives burst onto the scene with the release go, The Beatles’ ‘White Album’ sold 11 which fucking microphone to put there and of their debut album ‘Barely Legal’ in million copies while Metallica’s ‘Black at what angle.” 1997. In an era when garage punk was Album’ has sold well over 16 million arguably at the peak of its popularity, the copies. The logic is undisputable: The “When we went to Miami to record with album highlighted the unmistakable force Hives’ ‘The Black and White Album’ will Pharrell, he’s like ‘Ok, we’ve got some that is The Hives. After a two year break, go on to sell 176 million copies, thus drums here, let’s record, let’s play, let’s the Hives released their second album, exceeding sales-wise anything The Hives have fun- let’s put that shit up and record!’. ‘Veni Vidi Vicious’, with singles “Hate to have released before, or any modern artist We were like, ‘What? Aren’t we supposed Say I Told You So”, “Main Offender”, “Die, since 1968”. Guitarist Nicholaus Arson to listen to one note for three days before All Right!”, and “Supply & Demand’. The eloquently states. we press the record button?’ We learnt band then released a ‘best of’ compilation to have fun and try to play different stuff album, titled ‘Your New Favourite Band’, Chris Dangerous recalls the lead up in instead of being so sure of exactly what which sent the world into Hives overdrive. recording the latest release. “Recording you’re gonna play and how you want it to ‘Your New Favourite Band’ was considered ‘The Black and White Album’ was a pretty sound.” to be The Hives breakthrough album, big challenge for us because we really reaching extraordinary record sales in the wanted to change everything. When we Under Pharrell’s guidance, the Hives UK and US. After extensive world tours, sat down and talked about our careers, we recorded three songs, two of which that the band retreated to their hometown of felt like we weren’t finished. So we thought made it onto the album, ‘Well All Right!’ Fagersta to record their third album. The ‘what the hell?’ Let’s do something very and ‘T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S’. Although Pharrell is result was 2004’s Tyrannosaurus Hives, different, let’s try something new that predominantly known for producing hip their first new material in four years. The will make recording as interesting as hop tracks, ‘The Black and White Album’ album includes the hit singles “Walk Idiot we possibly can for ourselves. We really still pays tribute to all that Hives fans Walk” “Two-Timing Touch And Broken wanted to focus on writing the songs and originally loved about them, high energy Bones” and “A Little More For Little You”. recording them properly, and not doing rock and roll, powerful riffs, catchy kicks, Emphasised by their eccentrically the business side of things that we had and of course a hell of a lot of bravado. energised stagecraft, sharp dress sense done for so long. So we got ourselves a “We received maybe four angry emails dd a cup of high A year since the release of and self indulgent ideals, The Hives manager and we changed so many things from 18 year old punk kids that didn’t like energy rock and roll, 5 their fourth studio release, became renowned as one of the most around the band too. It was really like we the fact that we recorded with Pharrell” tablespoons of audacity ‘The Black and White Album’, prominent iconic garage rock and roll wanted to re-invent ourselves”. Chris chuckles. “But there’s a saying. A bands of the time, and they had no You can’t talk shit about the Fins until and a sprinkle of amazing The Hives drummer Chris Dangerous gives Synk some problem sharing that accomplishment with In the past, The Hives had captured the you’ve been to Finland. People might have on stage attire, and you insight into the essential the world. attention of none other than producer thought that we were going to fuck up have yourself a recipe for the Pharrell Williams, who enthusiastically major by working with all these people. ingredients that make The Although the band promised themselves approached the band at the Summer Looking back at it we were very happy explosive Swedish sensation Hives the world’s greatest when they were 17 that they would make Sonic Festival in Japan, and offered his with the fact that we actually did it. And I that is The Hives. band. three records and call it a day, they made assistance with recording. When it came personally think the result speaks for itself”. the collective decision to continue on time to record ‘The Black and White ~Cara Williams synk 4

You have achieved phenomenal feats in the art my work. I now understand that anything can that Wonderland is the world of the irrational and n my mind dreams are the foundation world, producing artworks that are as quality as be achieved in this world but first you have to the world of nonsense and madness and for me of which anything good can be yours, whilst still a canine. Before your mother entertain the dream and possibility that such a I was trying to exist in the rational world where Ibuilt upon and without that dream came to you in the dream, entertaining you thing can actually happen. In my mind dreams people had good, honest jobs and did a days work there can be nothing at all”. You truly with the prospect of one day showcasing all are the foundation of which anything good can for a days pay in jobs they didn't like. The world of wouldn’t believe visual artist Ray Caesar your work in galleries, had you thought much be built upon and without that dream there can Art to me was the world of madness and irrationality, was 50 years old. With the beautiful about your work being perceived by the be nothing at all. and I couldn't make that leap into giving everything honesty of a child still intact, Caesar world on that level? Referring once again to the dream of your mother, up just to make pictures... especially my kind of insists that we are all ‘just children I never really allowed myself to entertain the it was very interesting how you explained that pictures. For some reason I have never been able to with so much to learn and deal with’. thought that my work would ever be up on words were said ‘about following rabbits down make any other kind. I hated my very rational jobs but a wall for others to see as it was and still is holes’ - a direct reference to Alice in Wonderland. did them because I felt I was supposed to. When I went a rather excruciating process to even think Was that a subconscious inspiration behind the down that rabbit hole the entire world changed for me about. Putting art up on a wall for others young girls in your works or was that more from and I am still living in a kind of Wonderland. My work to see is sort of like the time my mother witnessing children from the hospital in Toronto has its roots in the children I saw at the hospital but also made me try on pants in the aisle way OR some other idea completely unrelated? they are archetypes for the "Divine Child"... the symbol of spiritual growth. My own childhood was difficult for many of the local dept store... standing there I had given up making art for many years and reasons, but working at "Sick Kids" in Toronto for 17 years waiting for pants is like showing it was late one evening in a small quiet hospital helped me deal with that and see that life is truly a gift. As art. I am a very shy quiet person room that my mother died in my arms... her eyes much as we don't want to think so, the adult is precariously that is a borderline agoraphobic looking directly into mine, and in her passing I balanced on the shoulders of that child that is in each and and obsessive compulsive, and the felt something physical move right through me, every one of us. Like the dream that becomes a reality... the making of pictures is more of an her body lasted a few more hours, taking short escape from the pressures that life child is the root of the adult... the core of who and what we Born in London, and being the youngest of four children Ray claims a career as a computer modeling/digital animation and visual effects agent for shallow breaths as she laid in a coma. I knew can hand out. It took me a long are... the dream the adult is based upon. We grow older and look that he was born a dog (subjectively speaking). As a young boy, he television and film. she had left and was waiting for the last breath time to understand that I truly older but it’s still the same fears and issues and things to learn explains that one of the ‘defining’ points in his life was when he received a just like everyone else in the room. My sister Produced is a very fine series of works after plummeting down his own personal and did love making images and that that continue with us from the very first day of our lives. We are G.I Joe doll for Christmas, in which he then insisted the name be changed also passed away shortly after, and I began to quite petrifying ‘rabbit hole’ for the self confessed 'staying indoors’ type of artist. the desire to do so wasn't some just old children and we still have so much to learn and so much to ‘Stanley Mulver’, attached grey wings to the doll and created various, strange experience strange episodes of sleep paralysis and First impressions of Ray’s work may be ‘dark’ or ‘disturbing’ but what you cannot sort of curse or one of life's to deal with. We have to work at mending the things that children outfits. Proudly wearing the doll around his neck, Ray declared, “SEE! This is the incredible lucid dreams and visions that didn't dismiss is how wonderfully true and precise they are to human kind. With practical jokes. I thought it was had to endure before we can be the wonderful creatures of love and man I will be, a good man, a kind man”. Young Ray Caesar was already exploring end upon waking... I had encountered similar light and hope that each of us was meant to be. an array of divine colours and textures, all digitally manipulated, one may an unhealthy obsession that things as a child. My mother knew I didn't like with confidence, the strangeness (as opposed to the ordinary) of his character. I would like to say how truly gratifying it was to read that you find find it quite confusing - the contradiction of meaning and presentation. had no practical purpose and small spaces, and to go where I needed to go I had Over the years (amidst attending obedience school), Caesar has worked in such jobs it ‘appropriate that [you] live your dreams for those that didn’t get a Something so beautiful, yet with so much hidden mystery. We are all I was completely unaware to face a few fears, so the rabbit hole was the first as ‘designing horrible buildings in architectural studios’, medical art facilities where chance to live theirs’ – referring to the sick children you worked with. guilty of our own pleasures, whether they are ‘approved’ in today’s that people liked to collect step... strangely I wasn't that familiar with the he witnessed ‘miracles’ performed on children who had serious conditions and casino Often art comes directly from our life experiences, what we have learnt, society or not… Let Ray Caesar’s work open your mind, your Art, and if they did they book by Lewis Carol but read it and ‘Through the computer gaming companies; all while attending art colleges. This eventually led Ray to felt, seen, heard, touched, etc… Do you sometimes preview your work heart and your soul... If only you will allow it. certainly wouldn't collect Looking Glass’ sometime after. I sometimes think

Artwork | Opposite Page :: Metatron | Image courtesy of Jonathan LeVine Gallery synk 6

years later, and still find more subconscious it doesn't have to! What we call Evil is the most work over many years into something akin to a A lot of the girls in your pictures are somewhat that is interested in the condition it is being studied ideas that you hadn’t yet understood on a fully weakest and frightened, fearful thing and it lurks miracle. All I know is there are mysteries in the ‘alien’ looking with the skin often pink or pigmented at the University of Waterloo in Canada and conscious level whilst creating them? in those dark places we are too afraid to go. dark and sometimes they turn out to be quite a looking. Why? seemingly has some connection with narcolepsy Each of us has a set of experiences in life that are Pictures are a way to bring those things to a light beautiful and a wonderful thing... all we need is Well... actually the girls are sometimes boys and are and those that research sleep paralysis believe the difficult to put into words... especially when words so bright it cleanses them. to go beyond our fear and take a look and work quite anatomically correct but they are in dresses as things I see are hallucinations... although I think can’t truly describe those feelings. "Art"... or more Your latest series previewing ‘In the Garden of a bit of magic with whatever we find. I like to mix things up a bit and in the 18th and 19th it is something else entirely. humbly... "making pictures" has always been a way Moonlight’ opened on the 28th of June. It is a What is the main idea behind ‘In the Garden of century boys were often dressed as girls without much Your series of work ‘Sweet Victory’ with images for me to communicate something from that dark beautiful series, but (like most of your work) on Moonlight’? Are there any messages you are of a second thought.I think boys are not taught to such as ‘Precious’ and ‘Suddenly’ are quite moonlit world of the subconscious to the conscious closer inspection, it is revealed to be what some trying to portray to your viewers? value feminine qualities in our society and that is why sexually provocative. The images are sort of may call ‘dark’ or ‘disturbing’ or ‘awakening’- most Edwardian style Era with the girls looking rather mind. We exist in these two worlds but we don't The garden of moonlight is the way I see my so many never learn empathy. The skin is most likely definitely ‘thought provoking’. Is there ever any ‘well to do’, but not doing ‘well to do’ things (so do a very good job of letting them communicate subconscious mind. It’s the same garden of the a sense of a combination of the translucent skin of a thought of how your audience may perceive your to speak). Has that ever been a message you with each other. With all the terror and destruction daytime or conscious mind but it has different newborn and that of an older soul powdered like a work before, whilst or after you have created it? have tried to convey? Individuals of that status and pain caused in this world... imagine if those creatures that populate it and different little tea cake, and as for being children I often think they and of that time weren’t always the prim and who are responsible for it could look inside their The dark things creep into my work without me dark places for things to hide. I give the souls are much, much older than us. Once at the hospital proper their parents raised them to be? That subconscious mind and see the pain and darkness even realizing it. We all live with a certain duality of this garden the spells and notions of the I had to draw a technical diagram the equipment humans will always have instinctual actions? there and bring a bit of that fear and hate into the in our lives... one of light and one of dark, one of creatures of the night world… the bats and cats around a tiny premature infant no bigger than my waking world for closer examination. I think if awareness and one of mystery. There are things and spiders and the things that swim to the bottom hand. Her skin was so translucent and in areas, Imagine a kitchen and a big pot of water and me they could see those dark fearful, hateful places both wonderful and terrible in this world and in of the pond. They are like the angels reaching into transparent. I always think of her and wonder in a very pig puffy chef ’s hat. I sort of work like inside them and see the cancer growing our subconscious world, and I don't think I can all the dark places to hold on to a little frightened where she is now… in this world or did she I am making a soup... I add ingredients because it in their heart and soul, I don't think they keep them out of my work if they decide to be hand and gently bring what lives there out into the move on to the next world? feels and smells and tastes right to do so... you don’t would be so ready to cause all the pain that there... it’s really just not a choice to be honest. cool moonlight and the infinite stars. My angels will I suppose the skin I use is my own and that of think about what you are adding... you add it because they do. I find it strange that we often don't I just try and take those dark things and look at then sit with them and nurture their fears until sunrise my wife, and I wrap that skin around a kind of you know it should be there. Sometimes it’s a hint of want to know our own minds and we leave them in a different light and in my own way try and let them travel on to a better place. This is just the doll and create a shell of flesh for some lost spirit sexuality or taboo and sometimes a bit of humour, and the dark side of our mind to its own devices to see the beauty in them. Two children might way I set things up in my mind as I work and it allows to live in again. In other ways I see them as the other times a smidgen of horror if it’s chopped up just rather than confronting it, and in so doing witness a horrific accident in their youth involving me to create a kind of connection to all the pieces that centre of who I am... what my own soul looks right and seared in oil. A bit of the past and a bit of the understand why we do the things we do. painful injury and death. One might spend are in constant flux. Its how I choose to see my own like, so in a way they are a form of self portrait. future, a pinch of prettiness and a soupcon of the things All it takes is remembering a few dreams their lives hiding from such fearful things and subconscious mind and what I want to communicate Sleep paralysis is often the culprit behind alien people never show one another... things they even hide and examining the actions we do without tucking them away so deep they become a thing to my conscious mind.... not so much in a message but visitations and other long forgotten myths from themselves. There are many herbs and spices and thinking and to ask ourselves about our fears. untouchable and another might work a kind of in a feeling or emotion of gentleness and kindness. of fairies from many cultures that those who slabs of meat and fresh hunted game in my kitchen Making pictures is one of the oldest forms of subconscious magic by setting a purpose and The garden in my own soul and subconscious isa have these experiences interpret them in many and lots of little bottles with strange names on. The communication and I suspect it was first used journey that by hard work and effort lead them place where I can grow ideas and like any garden, different ways. In experiencing what I do during one thing I understand about what its like to look as a way communicating something to oneself. to be a Doctor or Surgeon just by accepting that it has its own herbaceous borders and beyond those this state I have seen some very strange things, at Art is the nature of the voyeur... we look and we I suppose I know Evil exists in this world... but horrific moment and turning it slowly with hard are the dark forests of possibilities. but they no longer seem strange to me. For anyone pretend shock and modesty but the truth is we all

Artwork | Opposite Page :: Sleeping By Day| Image courtesy of Jonathan LeVine Gallery synk 8 synk 9

are strange creatures when we are alone in a room, emotion in them that it often would almost knock and for some looking into a picture is like looking me to my knees. In answer to your question I don't into their soul... and if my own mind is an example of think I am trying to convey a message... I think I am what goes on in my mind I sometimes wonder what the trying to make sense of that hidden part of who we are as a hell goes on in every other persons mind, and there are 6 species... we all feel it and know it, it’s quite a dangerous side billion of us on this tiny planet. We are all like icebergs and that people keep hidden and tucked away but it’s there... the the little bit we see is nothing compared to who and what we hunter and feral side of us sleeping with the kind and gentle truly are. Everyone has their kinks and instincts and mysteries like brother and sister. We are a very strange animal indeed. and secrets and horrors, and I grew up in a family that had Is there any where else you would like to see your work going in more than most and I learned to see it in others. When I look terms of success or world wide? at people I think even the ones who know them well wouldn't In all honesty I am just happy to continue what I am doing. recognize what they would find if they could slip under the Success is the pure and simple joy of waking up each covers of that other persons mind and feel the flesh that morning and being allowed to continue doing what you lives there. The truth is I see the child in everyone and 17 love to do. I am 50 this year so I don't really think years walking the hallways of a children's hospital and of this as a career but more of a wonderful way to seeing the fear and grief and worry on the faces waste the rest of my life. I already have more of parents barely able to cope was enough emails than I could ever hope to answer so for me to understand what I was seeing I am not really wanting to be more "world in my mind’s eye. I have always had an wide" than that and have a suspicion the innate ability to soak in the emotions world is a very big place for someone and feelings of a place or object in that likes to stay indoors. I just love such a way that I feel a recording to make my work and I don't spend in what I can only describe as a sort too much time wondering where it of celestial wax... like the love of a all goes after it’s made... I just hope toy box you find in an antique store they find happy homes and bring a or touching a locket or wedding little happiness into the homes that ring. During those moments I feel find them. Every time I work on a piece something that has been left there... I wonder who will have it in their room the years in that hospital walking the and I try to make a doorway into a place old underground passageways lined with they wouldn't mind being in for a little ancient incubators and rooms with old while... even if that place is a bit odd. Filipino disenchantment, lusty forest creatures and good old iron lungs and machines whose function is MORGAN CATALDO Aussie racism are all examined in the works of Melbourne- lost in time carry so much of that embedded based artist Mike Chavez (aka Migs) who describes his style as “neo-expressionist, urban, dadaist pop”. Artwork | This Page :: Daybreak | Image courtesy of Jonathan LeVine Gallery MiGS There is an element of humour in one another with blue captions of synk 11 your work which seems wonderfully awkward romantic clichés such as absurd, yet also comes across “you had me at hello”. How do you as carefully considered. How do choose these images? you feel about people having a chuckle while viewing your work? I choose the subjects based on their visual appeal and composition. And I’ve always enjoyed making people laugh also, the cuter the animal, the nastier through my art. I was an animator they can be! before I started painting and before that I was a cartoonist, so humour is Your work deals with issues of a vital thread in my work. Actually, identity and ethnicity. I believe the topics I deal with in my paintings this is something a lot of people aren’t that different to those I can relate to, as we live in tackled as a cartoonist; politics, a world of globalisation and social issues, global concerns etc. I also think it’s great that people can integration. How have your own go to my exhibitions, see my work and experiences of these themes, as have a chuckle, because galleries can a Filipino who’s lived in both be intimidating spaces and can seem America and Australia, affected inaccessible to a lot of people. I your work? also like to upend the notion of what constitutes fine art because it seems I was three when I came to live in like a lot of the time the fine art Melbourne from the Philippines. It establishment has its head firmly up was just at the tail end of the “White its own arse. Australia” period so it was like landing on Omaha Beach on D-Day. When I am always fascinated to you’re called names like blackie, abo, know what kind of environment nigger, sambo, slope etc it stays with an artist works in and their you. When I’m working with the themes creative process. Can you give me of identity, ethnicity and racism, I a brief impression of an average guess it’s a form of therapy. day in the studio for you? Finally, we have a lot of young Starting out in the high pressure artists and contributors to this world of commercial art provided me magazine. You are an artist who with a great work ethic. Since day has had a good degree of success one I’ve always treated painting as and recognition at a relatively real job. A typical day in the studio young age. Do you have any words will consist of painting, painting and of wisdom to impart upon us more painting. (I like to do more than one work at a time so I’m not sitting aspiring young artistic types? around pulling my pud’ while paint dries). I also stretch my own canvases, Well, the old clichés of “follow your photograph them, upload images to my passion” and “be true to yourself” website, bubble wrap them, arrange are pearls of wisdom that apply to couriers etc. Then of course there’s everyone but especially artists who can the whole admin side of things… sometimes lose sight of their precious The latest series of work on your gift when the world bitch-slaps them. I would also add “be focused” “work website, “menagerie a trois”, hard”, and “be kind to animals”. shows monochromatic screen- Artwork Previous Page: 'Wannabe'. This Page: 'You hang up first'. '50 years in Hollywood'. Opposite Page : 'Fuck me gently'. www.migs.info | | printed animals encountering ~Jessie Ngaio synk 12 synk 13

“Originally, our sound was majorly lyricism combine with faultless layers based around harmonies and melodies, of stunning harmonies, thundering bass “Matt is the main songwriter, and he brings and the rest of it was very vocally lines and powerful drumming, producing everything to the table”. Moloney reflects. based”. Kelly describes. “The sound atmospheric tracks described by Kelly “However, the sparkle and the shape that MATT KELLY expanded till it became larger and as ‘mystical’. gets brought to each of the songs are from larger- it’s very well layered now” all our different influences. There’s definitely and the keepers “I think we’ve all found our sound no pre conceived ideas on how our music will Onstage, front man Matt Kelly’s mystique together”. Kelly delicately considers. turn out, but it always ends up having that is as clear as it is contradicting. The unique sort of feel because it’s a fusion of Melbourne's hidden treasures Matt Kelly and softly spoken singer acquires an onstage "...The Sparkle And all our styles”. the Keepers are solid proof that word of mouth charm, equally alluring as the music is the finest method of building a healthy The Shape That Gets itself. His reflective and reserved nature Brought To Each Of The release of Matt Kelly and the Keepers reputation amongst music lovers throughout is the very essence of what makes Kelly’s debut EP, ‘Off the Ground’, saw the band Melbourne. The Songs Are From character so appealing; his personality All Our Different working with some of Melbourne’s finest is mirrored in his stark and confessional Influences." industry professionals. The record was A weekly residency at Brunswick Street’s Evelyn Hotel has seen Matt Kelly lyrics. engineered by Chris Thompson (Augie and the Keepers successfully cement their name into the minds of many awe- March, The Waifs) with SOUP (Miso) “We agree on the goal of the sound; inspired audiences, who have been fortunate to witness their unassumingly However, despite the gorgeous vocals lending a hand with the addition of glorious whatever feels nice is what we agree explosive live shows. and brooding, introspective lyricism electronic sounds. The inclusion of keyboard, on essentially. Perhaps because I write that Kelly offers, it is the tremendous compliments of Ben Davey, provides an the songs my influence comes out a lot, Throughout the course of a recent interview with Matt Kelly and the aptitude of drummer Daniel Moloney, atmospheric feel to each track, accompanied but Dan’s a jazz head and John’s one of Keepers, bassist John Gould recalls one of the bands more unforgettable a highly dedicated and gifted Jazz by the addition of luscious string and horn the best flamenco guitarists you’ll ever performances. “The roof collapsed onto us at our second show! It was an musician, and bassist John Gould, a arrangements. All in all, ‘Off the Ground’ hear... he’s just the random musician man inflatable wedding tent from India that was used for an outdoor festival. multi instrumentalist who earned a living is a release that will establish Matt Kelly who can play anything and everything. I wanted more bass, and there were two big bass amps. I blew the power, busking on the streets of St. Kilda for and the Keepers as an unstoppable force in I think that we all influence ourselves, and the whole tent caved in. We’ve got photos of people holding up the a number of years, that evokes the experimental rock music. because we’ve been working really hard roof… It was definitely our most memorable show”. precise spirit of the music and creates a on the sound together and have been truly magical sound. The addition of the ~Cara Williams Since their first live performance at the High Vibes Festival in 2007, Matt trying to create a mood”. two fellow band members see Kelly’s WWW.MYSPACE.COM/MATTKELLY Kelly and the Keepers have altered their line up and refined their sound. synk 14 synk 15 am. Someone in the office has obviously taken a look In the major artisan shopping strips in Melbourne, The hunt for the best vintage isn’t easy, and most shoppers should embrace around (not very far) and seen that vintage is extremely second-hand and vintage shops are thriving. This is the experience; happy to explore the haystack, rather than look for the needle. popular. Nearly a quarter of the shop is now dedicated reflected by the dedicated patronage of the astute solely to their vintage collections. (Where have they Melbourne shopper. The popularity of vintage clothes been hiding all this time!) Maybe they’ve been reading on the street is huge. Read any of the leading Melbourne blogs, street-fashion sites? But it’s more likely than not street-fashion blogs and websites that document the down at their local Westfield they’ve seen groups of girls style on the street and the overwhelming response wearing awful tan-coloured leather across the shoulder from the subject is, “It’s vintage”. A typical and common bags, $10 woven berets and black leggings, and thought response, this nonchalant reply is beginning to surpass “Hey, maybe there’s something going on here?” Not to the out-dated and crass declaration, “It’s designer”. Carnivàle is an instrument of the avant-garde, leading mention the many other vintage inspired abominations Not only does wearing vintage uphold the mystery and the way to the next generation of ideas. Ok Carnivale is hawked off by some of Australia’s leading retail brands. intrigue behind the item, concealing its true origins, a fashion concept which embraces the spirit of carnivàle. There is a lot to be amused by, when major retail brands but it reinforces an ideal that is shaping the Melbourne Launched in 2007 by designer Michelle Lewis, this unusual embrace the vintage aesthetic and culture; simply aesthetic. Second-hand and vintage clothing culture fashion label delves into Melbourne’s bohemian nightlife because it just doesn’t work. The vintage fashion culture gives so much more than just a piece of clothing. It and art scene, by catering for this unique collective of people. The current season (which of course is in shops is entrenched in the ideals of individuality, originality gives an interesting social history, and reflects trends now), My Grandma’s Closet, is a playful collection inspired and creativity. For a major retail brand to pursue this which will remain commercially relevant, so long as Retailers are embracing the move towards recycled and play around the clock to get you in the time-warp mood. by the childhood dress up box. Through a clash of vintage is a tad ambitious. It’s doubtful any discerning vintage contemporary fashion continues recycling the old. trends and modern concepts, Michelle Lewis has created pre-loved clothes, as shoppers flock to nab one-off and The best part, though, is the clothes. Original vintage enthusiast would pick a commercial brand over a It is a culture that promotes conservation, saving an avant-garde retrospective of 60s to 70s classics. Staying second-hand goods. Second-hand stores are quickly accessories, and rows, and rows, of the best second-hand genuine second-hand shop. money and reducing waste. Vintage pieces possess true to her roots as a dedicated op-shopper, she has sourced becoming the fashion Mecca for cash conscious, clothing and vintage collections in Melbourne. And I’m not using While fashion tastes are extremely subjective, and trends more integrity and substance than most designer or vintage fabrics that have been long forgotten in dusty local oriented shoppers. the word ‘vintage’ complacently, this is true vintage fair. are not, second-hand clothing culture has been a fixture commercial pieces could ever hold. It’s encouraging warehouses. These beautiful and distinctive materials are There’s gold, glitter, playsuits and pleather. That’s just the Most people have their own favourite clothing shops, but on the buying habits of the youth for years. It’s cheap, to see this culture embraced on the street, and to see featured throughout the range. The bright palate and trash. Authentic 90’s grunge, 50’s housewife, 60’s mod, outrageous humour behind Ok Carnivale culminate in an if you know anything about second-hand clothing, you fun to do with friends, and lends to a more individualistic people who aren’t afraid of ignoring the major trends, 80’s everything. I’m already dizzy. exciting new look- ‘Grandma with Attitude!’ To celebrate would know to keep your favourites to yourself. Tucked attitude. Being on the hunt for a new second-hand find looking like a bit of a nanna (a hot nanna) and keeping away in one of Melbourne’s moderately dangerous Being a faithful to the store, I’ve taken note that subtle the names of their favourite stores to themselves, if the launch of their new website this month, Ok Carnivale is does take more time and effort, and sifting through giving away a gorgeous printed fox-stole top. Oh! What a Northern suburbs lives the second-hand mega-store of changes have been creeping their way through the they’re smart about it. the boorish or tasteless offerings (of which there are great new (and cruelty free) way to wear a classic vintage my dreams. It’s hard to believe this place actually exists. door. Groups of fashion conscious young girls, around many) can be disheartening. But when you do find ~Claire Stapleton icon! Ok Carnivale is available around Melbourne at the Not that I’d ever admit it, or tell anyone else. Empty the age of 14, who look better dressed than most their those treasured pieces, the one-offs, it makes the whole following Australian Independent Design Boutiques: dressing rooms, un-pretentious staff, and cool classic hits age, are trolling the aisles, vying for the same pieces I experience worth-while. Pussycat Black, Lupa, NMBQ, I Like You and Blanc de Be sure to check out their website for more great celebration offers this month: www.okcarnivale.com Blancs. synk 16 synk 17

First off, how were you recruited into band we don’t really listen to a lot of Isolation seems to have become a factor the time, which is nice, and everyone just The Drones? rock ‘n’ roll music; we listen to a lot of for the band when recording an album, has to follow me and bad luck to them. jazz and classical music and blues. In with Gala Mill and Havilah, is this better Well…funny story. I saw them play years a conscious sense we did bring a lot of then a studio environment? In a past interview you said that ago and they kind of blew my mind, I those influences in and make something “Australians may be waking up to decent thought they were amazing. Beautiful and we don’t have to get out and play every That’s another thing we’ve made a musical tastes and not just accepting powerful band, I’d never heard anything night and cut our fucking legs off and bash conscious effort to do. We’re not big the Video Hits crap fed to them by the like it before. I saw Gareth, the singer, our heads against our instruments. We’re fans of studios, they’re pretty sterile and media”, where are you seeing this and in a pub one day and I just went up to in our early thirties now and I don’t know you’ve always got your eye on the clock what do you see as causing this change? him. I was playing in some bands at the how long you can do that. You just end as your moneys ticking over. It’s a lot like time and I think he vaguely knew who I up morphing over time…so we focused going to work whereas it’s so easy these Haha, was that me? There are a couple was and I just went up to him and said, more on melody and structure of songs days to pack up a computer and a bunch of things that stand out to me. There’s “Look, my name’s Mike and if you ever as opposed to how much depressing dark of microphones and record anywhere you a thing called the Australian Music Prize need a drummer, then give me a call. I’ll noise we can make. want so why not do it in a beautiful place. which is based solely on good music and drop everything and play drums for you.” There’s no reason to go into a horrible not who sold the most amounts of records Then we swapped numbers and talked a What was the writing process for fluro-lighted studio, it just doesn’t make or what’s number one on the charts at the little bit and said goodbye. Three years Havilah? Was it different from past sense to us. With Gala Mill we went into moment. It just comes down to taste and later he called me and asked if I wanted albums? an old convict mill down in Tasmania and who actually made a good piece of art. to play drums for The Drones and I went, with this one Gav and Fiona are living up So that’s really encouraging to see. The “Yep, alright, cool” and that was it. The Yeah, it was completely different. With in the mountains in Northern Victoria at ARIA’s are just a joke, a complete fucking most romantic part of the story is that Gala Mill when we went in to record the moment. A big ski lodge type place joke, it’s disgusting. But maybe there is a when we first met and shook hands and that, the band hadn’t heard the songs that was perfect for recording. It’s good change in the air… I mean if a band like we talked about the things, we both knew that much and all the songs were kind of because if you want to put down a drum us, who aren’t everyone’s cup of tea…and that we’d always end up together, it was half written and we just kind of bashed part at four in the morning you can. we can be pretty noisy and pretty weird; fate. Very romantic. them out pretty quickly. Which was good, if we can make a living off this in this Before recording Havilah, Gareth said that but this time we spent a lot of time, for When you’re playing in the band, is it country then I think that’s pretty good Gala Mill was pretty “fucking depressing” us. Gaz was writing songs over a couple a major concern to play as close as you and we don’t take that for granted at all. One of the most innovative inventions to come out of Australia, and he wanted to “write something that of months and the rehearsal time was a can to the recordings? We’re pretty happy about that. The Drones’ idiosyncratic folk/grunge sound was first noticed wasn’t such an ordeal every time you month, kind of like nine to five, going into played it”. the office and clocking on and rehearsing No, not at all. We tend to go off on strange You can see The Drones at the Falls after their 2005 AMP winning album Wait Long by the River and all day five days a week. We’d never done tangents which can turn into a massive Festival and Big Day Out, and I don’t the Bodies of Your Enemies Will Follow. Now in 2008 they’ve Was this the attitude everyone was that before, so we really chopped the wank fest. With the new stuff a little think you’ll have to look far to find been all around the world and have released a further five going in with when recording Havilah? songs up and put them back together and more so because the songs are a lot more their new album Havilah. tried every possible angle. So the writing structured and there’s not as much room albums, the latest being Havilah which was unleashed this year. Yeah, I guess to a certain extent there process was pretty intense but it was for improvising but when we play some of - Rhys McRae SYNK spoke to Drones drummer Michael Noga as they prepare to was a conscious decision to not be so good…everyone had their input. Very kind the old stuff, its every man for himself. I THE DRONES take the stage at the Falls Festival and Big Day Out. bloody noisy for a start. I mean, in the of group effort, it was nice. can kind of take the conductor’s role all synk 18 voices to reach the hand held fans, and when the band held a band – seeing their fans singing arrive to the Hi Fi bar late on I Dictaphone in my possession. I gig launching the release of their along to songs throughout a live a Wednesday evening, where I am introduced to the band, which EP ‘The Beagle and the Dove’, performance is considered as am introduced to four of the six is followed up by an immediate the show subsequently sold a tremendous feat. “We played members of the John Steel Singers; quiz on what their names were. out. In fact, their distributor was a show in Canberra, and there Tim, Scott, Luke and Ross. The two They instantly discover one of faced with such an overwhelming were actually people singing along absent band members, Pat and Pete my many faults, as I have already response from the sales of the EP, to our songs!” Ross exclaims. are missing in action. I’m told this forgotten the name of Ross after that more albums were pressed “The fact that we’d never played occurs quite regularly. I encounter approximately 30 seconds. My in order to accommodate the there before and people actually an air of friendliness and merriment piece of paper with interview increasing amount of fans that knew the words to our songs as I am greeted by the band and I questions is quickly discarded as were desperate to purchase the obviously had an impact on us”. fast realise that there is no obvious the conversation develops, and I record. “Sometimes you’ll play a song tension with the John Steel Singers. find that it is far easier chatting to and you won’t get much audience The concept of these lads being part “It’s great to think that people we the boys, as opposed to sticking response”. Tim elaborates. “Then of a prolific band quickly disintegrates, don’t know are actually buying to a formulated interview process. you’ll finish the song and you get and I instantly feel welcomed by the our album!” sings Ross. “I’d like Throughout the conversation, I a great applause! And then with group. to think that somebody is doing learn that after leaving a previous the cleaning and rocking out other songs, people will dance It’s a busy night at the jam packed Hi band, songwriters Tim and Scott Fi bar, and the backstage area is of no formed the John Steel Singers • exception. The Polyphonic Spree, a 23 in late 2005. It wasn’t too long "I’d like to think that somebody is Photography: Luke Kellett person band are about to take stage, until the Brisbane boys recruited doing the cleaning and rocking out by and there is very little room and a Ross to play on drums. After themselves in their house to our EP" relatively miniscule time frame to run the release of a small EP, their • the interview. music was picked up by youth Regardless, the John Steel Singers radio station Triple J – a great by themselves in their house to throughout the entire song. That’s • JOHN STEEL SINGERS• take this in their stride and motion opportunity for the John Steel our EP”. Tim imagines earnestly. just how you can really tell if It’s been a spectacular year for the John Steel Singers. It wasn’t long after for me to retreat to a smaller, calmer Singers. Shortly after they were “That’s what I do to good records people like your stuff”. scoring a deal with Levi Jeans niche label ‘Levity’ and releasing their second corner of the room. We consecutively selected as one of Triple J’s ‘Next – how awesome would it be if Just as I am about to launch EP, ‘In Colour’ that the John Steel Singers were announced as Triple J’s lean, crouch or sit on surrounding Crop’ artists, along with winning someone was rocking out to our into my next question, the two Unearthed Artist of the Year. So we figured it appropriate to publish an walls space and amps, in order for us a ‘Big Day Out Unearthed’ records while mopping?” It seems ‘missing’ band members arrive interview that Synk ran with the 6 man band back in August 2008, whilst to find a position that will hopefully competition. From this the band fairly clear that it is the simple into the room, and squeeze their relentlessly touring with the Polyphonic Spree… allow for the many surrounding spawned a new found league of things that bring most joy to the way into our tight interview circle. synk 20 synk 21 “Photographic portraiture better. Works better for us”. He can catch a moment, an motions complimentary towards emotion; a truth about the the remainder of the band, who subject which you might nod in mutual agreement. With have otherwise missed…” so many musicians in one space, Melbourne photographer Emma all which hold an array of musical Ferguson seems never at a loss influences and differing tastes, I’m for inspiring words of wisdom, or curious as to whether difficulties of her uniquely crafted creativity arise when the band team up to in the form of portraiture write a song. “I guess it comes photography. down to a lot of jamming”, Scott Preferring an ‘original source suggests. “Generally we’ll bring of substance’, Ferguson chooses songs to the band room; we may manual over digital and completes not even have a song structure, her one of a kind works with just some melodies. We’ll take drawings, watercolours and various that to the band, and everyone other modifications. includes bits of their own. Or it may just be that one of us has a Ferguson’s background of really strong idea of how a song photography stems back to her should sound, and they try to father teaching her how to use his get the other guys to learn those manual SLR film camera. The rest, parts”. “I found it really interesting as they say, is much loved history. the way we used to jam a year or Not owning her own camera until so ago, and the way that we jam eighteen years of age, Ferguson’s now, I feel like we’re growing”. passionate interest for the subject musical acts that have an average technical problems”, he laments. suddenly realise the difficulty Luke chimes in enthusiastically. “It’s saw her formally studying at I of four band members? “I thought “Six people don’t fit into a five of running an interview with like we are constantly evolving as Photography Studies College. it was difficult until I started person hire car very easily. Six six people, and given the larger a group”. Nowadays you will be seeing her touring with the Polyphonic people are hard to organise for size of the band, leads me onto work in many exhibitions, including Spree!” Tim jokes. “When I saw a rehearsal. Six people are more ~Cara Williams my next question – have the her most recent in Brunswick their band I was like ‘Wow! expensive to fly than five. But John Steel Singers faced many Street gallery. We’ve got nothing on them!’” apart from all the ‘real life’ things, challenges in a six man band, in “I think we mainly encounter six people in a band are definitely comparison to the majority of INSIDE EMMA FERGUSON synk 22 synk 23 to form it in reality, most of the cameras, mostly analogue, including creative choices to consider such 126mm, 35mm, plastic cameras, as cropping, placing, design layout, pinhole, Polaroid and digital. proportions, colour and materials I think what draws me to used have mostly been already photography is the impact that a determined. photograph can have on you, and I have found that if I begin to work that each print is a moment of time on an image before it is clear in my encapsulated, a memory captured. mind how it will look completed, it is never as successful. In this case I have destroyed drawings and One of your most recent exhibitions displayed some extremely artwork, because in the manual Audrey Kawasaki and Mark Ryden process of creating them you can’t interesting works of people’s faces "The drawings are the covered with a detailed, skeletal most laborious and time are two of my favourite painters; undo certain processes, and once they deal in the same subject matter a mistake has been made you have drawing of different human body consuming aspect to Drawing inspiration from the likes appearance but also in what they in having an original source of a purpose and everything else is parts. What was the inspiration of portraiture, but each have an lost the image. my work, it would be a extremely distinctive and unique of street art, jewellery, to tattooist offer up to the camera, what they substance, something tactile and absent for a reason. In the case of behind this idea? reveal. Photographic portraiture can tangible. Something you can hold in my latest work, I wanted to create lot faster and easier to style. I love Audrey’s flawless skill Kat Von - Emma Ferguson’s art is I’m not sure what exactly inspired catch a moment, an emotion; a truth your hand and know that it is the an artificial reality, a dreamlike How long have you been layer the images and and technique, every aspect of her most definitely in its own category this series, it initially begun as a study work is seductive, particularly the about the subject, which you might real thing, not something that can circumstance, where there is no photographing for and how and of people, their anatomy, biology create them digitally, but of ‘unique’. have otherwise missed. be reproduced exactly the same by context of place, time or space. expression she captures in all of her when did your interest start in the and underlying it all, the human I think they would lose pushing print. medium? portraits. Balancing emotion with the condition. Each image breaks people that evidence of human The earliest memory I have of down to their mechanics. I also draw inspiration from William ‘mechanics’ of the mind and You prefer to use manual methods Your works are all a one off original, activity and creation". Griffiths who is a local Melbourne over digital manipulation- a very Some of your latest works have which can sometimes be a bit photography is my Dad teaching body, splurged with vibrant me how to use his fully manual artist and creates his artwork in the admirable thing to do, considering been painted with watercolour, risky just in case it is ‘destroyed’ Artistically, who are your inspirations form of jewellery. I love his use of watercolours and finer lines of that half of the world is upping giving an almost tie-dyed effect over in the process, as you have SLR film camera, and how I used personal hand drawings – this to love looking at his black and both for photography and iconography and subject matter and to the ‘latest’ technology to cut the images. How did this come previously noted. Have you had otherwise? the creativity he shows in crafting young lady’s visionary art costs and time. Why do you prefer about? Was this method purposeful any such happenings, or have all white handprints from the 70’s. I find a lot of inspiration in many such amazing pieces by hand. has already become another’s experimenting manually? or accidental? the ‘accidentals’ worked out to be This led to setting up a darkroom in my bathroom at home and sources ranging from street art to Another inspiration for me is the The drawings are the most Most choices in the creation of my beautiful mistakes? inspiration in it’s own right. learning how to develop my own more established commercial artists. amazing tattoo artist Kat Von D, laborious and time consuming work are with a purpose, although The techniques in which I produce film and prints. I furthered my Concerning photography, Sally Mann, who does incredibly detailed work aspect to my work, it would be a lot there are some things that are left work can come about as ‘beautiful interest in photography by studying Harold Cazneaux and Trent Parke in purely black ink. I think that What attracted you to the theme of faster and easier to layer the images up to chance, I still like to have some mistakes’ during experimentation, it formally at Photography Studies are a couple of my favourites. I really tattoos are a great form of personal Portraiture in photography? and create them digitally, but I think control over the serendipity of it. but the images themselves are College. I’ve always had a passion admire and appreciate their ability expression, and there must be no they would lose that evidence of usually predetermined in my mind’s The allure of using photography to In the construction of my images for photography but I didn’t actually to generate beautiful imagery from higher compliment than someone human activity and creation. I don’t eye. Therefore a large part of the produce portraiture is the visual I like to only include objects that have my own camera until I was what are everyday circumstances. wanting to wear your artwork. realism that is captured. Everybody like the cheap repetition of purely work involves creating the idea or contribute meaning to the image. A eighteen. Now I own many different They create the extraordinary out ~ Morgan Cataldo is unique, not only in their physical digitally formed images, I believe relevance. Everything present has concept first. So when it comes of the ordinary. Although this media attention is attracting that could have led to a major social and that’s really good because you get to synk 25 more skaters into the sport, according to concern if her plans had ever come to meet friends you would have never met President Scragwell, most of them don’t fruition. “Myself and Hotrod Stacey, captain in your life”. Scragwell explains. “I think really have a clue what it’s all about. “I of my team, The Toxic Avengers, were what we’ve experienced so far with the The Rules of the Derby: think to a certain extent what prospective at the time in the same band and were media, is that the media tend to focus on skaters think the derby is like, isn’t chatting online. We decided we wanted to the strange looking people, which is why There are three types of skaters necessarily what it is… [They think] it’s start, just for fun, an evil roller skating punk people might associate that look with easy to do or they can do it straight away gang where we could wear leather mini Roller Derby… the weird looking people The Jammer > Their job is to get past once they start. Lack of understanding skirts and get drunk and have flick-knives”, are really in the minority”. the blockers and the pivot on the of the rules and things that are legal… chuckles Scragwell. “I guess the media must be focusing too opposing team. For each opposition thinking that it’s just chicks on skates Now the president of the league, much on American style Derby. A lot of member they pass they score a hitting people”. Look at the requirements Scragwell is seeing the sport gain steam the leagues in the US have a sexy image. point. for Roller Derby and you’ll know what she with keen skaters coming out of the ‘We’re really hot and wearing short shorts’.” means. To make it into a Derby bout you woodwork. “When I joined it was kind Scragwell impersonates. “That’s not really The Pivot > She controls the speed have to pass a series of physical tests to of like the second little wave of people. what the VRDL wants to do because of the pack. She also keeps an eye prove you have the strength and agility to There were already maybe about five to that’s not what we do. Short shorts are on the jammers, calls her team's hold your own in a derby bout. Not only ten people interested, it wasn’t actually comfortable for skating in but those plays and acts as a blocker. that, you must be savvy to the extensive an official organisation at that point”, precious little fish nets underneath… it’s lists of rules which reads like government Scragwell reminisces. “Now we’re into the leggings, usually – fishnets burn”. The Blockers > Pretty obvious. Block regulations and are constantly altered just third or fourth little wave. It’s been great. One of the most impressive facets of Roller the jammer. to fuck with you, some may say. To get to We’ve had so many potential skaters get Derby is that it is completely volunteer- the level considered essential to play in in touch with us that we don’t know if based, from the merchandise makers to a team, it will generally take a prospect >> You can only score points during we have the time or space to train them”. the refs. Scragwell likens her involvement up to a year to gain the requirements; the two minute jam periods, which According to Scragwell the supporters in the sport to a second job, “Most league needless to say Roller Derby isn’t for the can be called off at any time by the have also grown immensely, “The crowds members are expected to do things faint of heart. lead jammer. are just getting bigger… especially in behind the scenes, whether it’s organising A sport that could only be invented in the the last bout; you couldn’t hear the ref the bouts or being on sponsorship… it’s a >> Players may block using body OF 70’s, back in the day bouts were played blowing their whistles because everyone lot of work”. The amounts of travelling the parts above the hips, excluding and televised in Festival Hall, but after a was cheering endlessly”. skaters do to get to their training sessions forearms, hands and head. while the sport slowly dwindled. However, Although the rockabilly/punk image two or more times a week in Dandenong “It’s not really a catty game at all.” justifies Felicity the actual game, but trust me, go down in the last few years Roller Derby has FIRE frequently accompanies skaters in Roller is a testimony to their dedication. The hard >> Games go for forty minutes, with Scragwell, President of the Victorian Roller Derby to Reservoir and watch a bout and you’ll undergone a massive revival. The Victorian WHEELS Derby, it appears to be just another of work that is going into the league looks twenty minute halves. League after running through a rather extensive soon be entrenched in the increasingly Roller Derby League’s official inception those dirty fictions perpetrated by the to be paying off, hopefully one day we’ll popular world of Roller Derby, was in April last year, and was founded succinct version of the rules of Roller Derby. Media. see it back at the height it was so many Check the VRDL’s website for details: by its first president Betty Bam-a-lam. The sport has attracted much attention over the past writes Rhys McRae. “We’ve had such a mix bag; we have no years ago. rollerderbyvictoria.wikispaces.com Scragwell joined the league prior to it few months, more so for the people who play it than one type of person that is skater or a ref, becoming official, after a conversation

synk 26 synk 27 • So you are thinking about letting Tim Palmer, the guy who mixed your most recent album ‘Universes’… You’ve toured Australia and someone take over production how did you recruit him and what was his influence? have played the Big Day Out, for the next album? I think our guitarist Adam Spark he was the clued on sound engineer which you have recently been Fresh off a sold out Australian tour, rock sensation BIRDS OF TOKYO I guess we’ll cross that bridge had been researching a few people and we definitely had a lot of announced at playing at again have recently been announced to bring in the New Year at the Pyramid when we get there…but offers options here in Australia but when Tim Palmer’s name popped up and in 2009… how were these as have been flying our way for we knew he had worked with Pearl Jam, and U2 and The Cure and performance experiences? Any Rock Festival, and play on the Big Day Out tour in 2009. Synk had the a couple of years now and what not, we thought ‘this could be interesting!’ and I think it was more favourites? pleasure of chatting to ADAM WESTON (drums) from BIRDS OF its not attractive to us. We of an excuse to spend 3 weeks of debauchery in Los Angeles.. .but yeah Well playing live is just such a honestly feel that we will be in it turned out to be a fantastic decision, Tim was a very good guy to blast! And fortunately for us the TOKYO…and let me tell you they certainly are in full flight. a better position by remaining work with…very patient and he really knew what the record needed. turnouts have always been very independent, well in Australia A lot of people think it was about getting some big American hot-shot good and supportive, which • anyway, and if anything else mixer, but really it was just good times! makes us have a better night. eventuates…we’ll just have to I enjoy playing to 200 people wait and see! in a pokey little Ballarat room as much as I would when I’m You’ve been together for about four years now and you’ve come an Who do you identify with "We’ve always had a very ‘do-it- on stage at the Big Day Out. I incredibly long way in such a short period, including the independent musically or who do you see as appreciate every show. release of two albums…how do you think this was made possible? an inspiration? yourself’ ethic even before we took on We’ve always had a very ‘do-it-yourself’ ethic even before we took on Oww...this could open a can of And finally how are you management or anything like that, and we just did everything ourselves. worms. Well there’s so many management or anything like that, and we anticipating playing the Pyramid We’ve all done a lot of different work in the industry and looked after other Australian artists …everything Rock Festival on New Year’s bands. We’ve never had to outsource any further help to get where we from Regurgitator to Blood just did everything ourselves." Eve? want to be. But having said that now that we do have help and branch out Duster…but again because I’m Oh yeah that’s going to be a

a bit more…we’ve definitely taken the weight off our shoulders and started

working with so many local Who does the lyric writing for Birds of Tokyo? bit of a messy one I’d say! But I

working with a lot of other people. bands and up-and-coming talent, think we’re actually playing on Ian Kenny definitely writes all of his own lyrics…I think it would be • • I honestly draw more inspiration the New Year’s Eve and the very pretty weird to write some poetry and get someone else to sing it! BIRDS What should we expect from Birds of Tokyo in the future? I read that you from those who are closer to me next day we have to fly straight guys are already working on a third album? and around me. Those I get to out because we play the South Yeah…it’s just kind of odd because this ‘Universes’ record came out so kind of soak up every weekend... And are they personal tales for Kenny or just grand metaphors? Bound Festival on the 2nd of OF soon after our first record. It’s been a bit full on a couple of years. I think because as far as other bands are Well…I’m not too sure. You honestly think I would know more about January! So I think it’s going to Karnivool may have plans to drop their long awaited record next year so concerned I listen to everything what he does sing about but I don’t! But yeah I believe there are some be a few hectic days in there! I’m kind of looking forward to maybe having some time off with Birds during from jazz to metal to whatever! songs that he holds pretty close…but then there are others that By Isabelle Tolhurst 2009….well I say that now, but I reckon it’ll still be pretty full on…so we I probably listen to more music admittedly make no sense at all! And Kenny and Sparky definitely feel might not see another album until 2010. from the 50’s and 60’s than that melody is far more important than lyrical content…so music first TOKYO checkin’ the charts sort of stuff. and words later! synk 28 synk 29

||| Quite often this man would only the corner of his eye, he noticed a lasted about forty-five minutes The Living End An epic love story is one that lasts through the ages. Take desire a woman for a few hours group of young, attractive women at which point the man was the classics, for example; Romeo an afternoon or for a mid-morning waving. He turned to face them struggling to keep up with the their formation. Their youth had the there was more to the world than passion for music. ‘We returned and Juliet, Cinderella, Beauty meal. He was known for his and realised they were trying to ladies and their ‘chatting’ needs. boys following very much in the the few suburbs that surrounded with more juice in the tank and and the Beast and, to a lesser magical way with women and all gain his attention! He decided to The man decided to head to the extent, Shane and Simone. I’m the women in the fair land wanted head over to the group and was bathroom for some relief; there footsteps of their idols, the band us…’. Asked if Owen and the boys so much more enthusiasm…the Derik Dale and I don’t fall in love, to experience his magic, often a confronted by four very attractive he discovered the second lady’s ‘Stray Cats’, adopting the trio style had been budding political activists thought of it not happening scared number of times in a session. It ladies. One of them recognised father’s special pills which enable therefore I cannot share an epic him from his show the previous so inherently rockabilly, and Cheney trying to spread their message, he us so much it made us realise why love story of my own. However, wasn’t unusual for these women him to ‘chat’ with his wife all night to return time and time again. night. She told him how much of a long. He decided to take a couple insisting that Owen abandon the replied defiantly, ‘We never camped we wanted to do it in the first I can share an epic love making fan she was and how excited the story, if you catch my drift? The man would welcome them of these special pills, branded piano and adopt the stand-up bass out on the steps of parliament place…’ with open arms, whilst often they show had made her, if you catch with a ‘V’. After sitting down for would come running back with my drift? The man blushed. The a while and thinking about what as his weapon of choice. ‘I saw house with billboards…we don’t Once upon a time there lived a group of ladies then invited him Having played at a phenomenal man (me, Derik) who was often open legs. There was a time in had taken place and what was yet the Stray Cats as being something use our songs as a soapbox for this mans life when his magical back to one of their places for a to come the man was up and on list of gigs and locations including mistaken for a god-like figure coffee and he politely accepted. extremely exciting compared to the selling our ideas and beliefs to because of his amazing physique, powers were not as refined as his feet ready to go. He left the the USA/ Canada Warped Tour they are today, however, he bathroom to have his last one on rest of the music that was around people. It’s more a case of making supreme good looks and perfectly Once back at the house one of the and supporting the Rolling Stones brushy moustache. reached a point at which all of this one ‘chat’. This particular ‘chat’ at the time…it was about hot cars people aware that they have the changed. ladies made her intentions clear; lasted just under two hours. After The Living End journey has during their Australian leg, The This man also she was fed up with the buzzing and dressed up girls and dressed up tools to make their own opinions… boasted the power (not the buzzing of the bees that the four ladies and the man certainly had its hiccups, but as the Living End now look toward a It was spring time, the birds were decided to have a ‘group chat’ of having any of course, haha). This became old adage goes whatever doesn’t dudes, cool shirts, cool shoes and hows that for motivational speaking!’ hectic summer, most notably the woman he flapping and the bees buzzing. obvious to everyone else there which lasted on and off for the cool haircuts…’. However when desired instantly Though, with the mans powers and all the ladies started to follow next two days. Fun times were kill you only makes you stronger… However such motivation and Pyramid Rock Festival over New fall in love with not yet at full strength and her lead. Soon the man caught on had! This was just the beginning and strong indeed are the trio of asked if Owen is still seduced by empowerment lapsed as the Years, and perhaps Australia’s him. considering the number of single and became nervous and anxious. of what would become his such imagery he simply replied ladies sitting at home alone, the legendary love making abilities. Chris Cheney, Scott Owen and band was forced into hiatus when biggest gig, the Big Day Out in He had not yet been in such a with a chuckle, ‘Our horizons have bees weren’t the only things situation with as many women Andy Strachan. SYNK had the Cheney was involved in a car 2009. ‘The Big Day Out is always Tips: buzzing, if you catch my drift? The before this point in his life (now it’s pleasure of speaking to bass player certainly broadened since those accident on the Great Ocean Road a massive buzz…for punters and afternoon was hot and sunny; the a weekly occurrence). He decided - Always talk to girls on the formative years…we O.D.-ed a bit man was happily walking along to play his cards right, though in beach. and vocalist Scott Owen. in 2001 rendering him unable to bands alike…it’s just a good thing the beach checking out the local this situation he wasn’t the one on rockabilly’. - Don't pop pills. Plucking their name from the play for some time. Similarly the for Australia to have a festival like talent. There were many, many playing, nor were cards involved. - Viagra is the exception. With their lyrics and ideology band endured another significant that; a festival with such diversity…’ beautiful women soaking up the He decided to have a ‘chat’ with 1956 musical ‘Rock Around the rays. The man was minding his each of the ladies, one at a time. Clock’ The Living End found their likened to that of musical greats break as Cheney himself took time and when providing an insight to own business until, out of The ‘chat’ with the first lady lasted such as The Who, The Jam and off in 2007 as the heaving tour how the band were anticipating just over an hour (not unusual for footing in the love child of rock n him), and was enjoyed by both roll and country music; rockabilly, Iggy Pop, The Living End certainly schedules and hectic life of the rock Pyramid, only a few wise words parties. Next the man planned to have something important to say. star became too much for him. He were necessary. ‘New years eve… ‘chat’ with the lady who lived in only to further inseminate the the house. As they were walking genre with a dash of punk and With often anti-establishment and found sanction and a deep sense of anything can happen.’ And no doubt to a private room she informed anti-authority undertones, Owen calm in yoga and time spent in the the same is true of the bands For more advice, check out: file themselves under the hybrid the man that she still lived with provided insight to where such domestic sphere. Although it was future…anything can happen. her parents but assured him they ‘punkabilly’. But the details of were on holidays. After having www.myspace.com/derikdale beliefs were formed. Growing up feared to be the final curtain call - Isabelle Tolhurst "Who wants a moustache ride?" such genre experimentation are entered the room they had a in a suburban paradise, he says that for The Living End, Owen ensured very intense ‘chat’ which only surpassed when the result is a crisp Catch the boys at The Pyramid lasted half an hour. unique sound that still defines the Wheelers Hill ‘gave us a sense of me that the break was a worthy Rock Festival over New Years and the fight of the underdog…that one and served only to affirm their The ‘chat’ with the third lady group nearly fifteen years after the Big Day Out! Photography: Alex Lamb XBOX360 PC, XBOX360 Holy shit. synk 31 Virtual dogs are awesome. Genre: FPS

REVIEW Fable 2 Genre: RPG Rating: M REVIEW Left 4 Dead Rating: M Usually choices in video games, where the town is transformed either into a downtrodden Primarily online based, Left 4 Dead, down, who would have thought it’d be zombies they appear at all, are rather arbitrary. They often don't shanty town or an upmarket district. In one instance, like many of Valve’s multiplayer games (Counter- that’ll teach us to care for thy neighbour. And like have any major consequences and lack a certain you receive discounts at stores around the town, in Strike, Team Fortress) don’t rely heavily on story. all games, there are bosses, and in zombie games, impact, both emotionally and on the universe you the other you make certain contacts earlier in the But for the keen, it goes something like this… there are zombie bosses, and these guys are tough. inhabit. Kill a guy and you'll get a few 'evil points', or game than you would otherwise. You can't have There is a widespread global virus that turns people They may come at any time, each with different maybe sent to the local virtual jail to 'pay a fine', after your warrants and eat them too, as they say. into zombies (think Dawn of the Dead, 28 Days abilities, from zombies that fire projectile vomit which you're free to go and introduce more villagers Later), these “Infected” are hungry for brains, and calling in hordes of the Infected, zombies that to the sharp end of your sword. That is, when you can "You become attached to the the only brains around are those of the four motley have grappling tongues which strangle you or even kill the villagers at all. More often than not, you world not because it's epic, but “Survivors”, who must fight their way through lumbering hulks that hurl slabs of concrete at you. find the worlds of video games are little more than a because it's so unique and has these hordes of zombies to well… survive. It is This really brings zombie survival to a different static backdrop to the stories the designers wish to a charm all its own." pretty much like any other zombie movie plot. level, especially when other players can actually tell (I'm looking at you, Final Fantasy.) make a friend of a stray, who inevitably becomes So, if you prefer to be a gunslinging pistolero, then But it’s not that, it’s everything else, from the bone control these boss zombies too, to give them an filters such as film grain, and colour correction we must mention Valve’s dedication to their games, You might be wondering why you should care really adds to the mood and horror of the game. they have promised to provide continual updates to about changing Fable's world. The answer is that, your faithful companion. The dog points out treasure you'll more quickly be able to level up your ranged chilling music to the cliché movie poster loading even more threatening touch. In “Versus” mode Fable 2, in many ways, is much the same. For better chests you might have otherwise missed, and can weapon skills. If you prefer to use all the abilities at screens and especially the fact that each Survivor you can even fight against another team of players The content may seem short and simple, and if you their games, adding new maps, weapons, modes really, you shouldn't. Nobody is going to make you. decide to only play it once through, you’d probably and other extras. But even before then, the game’s or for worse, you're stuck performing errands for the It's not a condition of purchase. However, Fable is sniff out dig spots where treasure is often buried. your disposal, you'll find your skills will level up more look and act in their own unique ways, casually to see who are better at surviving or infecting, both great and honourable purpose of saving the world. Again, on paper, the dog seems like little more than slowly, but using combinations of your abilities are interacting, cracking jokes, saying those awesome teams take turns and performing tasks to obtain complete most of the game in 5-7 hours; pretty modifiability, has allowed the online community presented in such a way that it's likely you wont be disappointing for something you spent good to already develop many maps and extra features However, how the world is saved is largely up to you. able to help yourself. a glorified arrow. But the dog's actions are so realistic, generally the best way to play the game. one-liners, that really does make it feel more like points, which will determine the winner at the Fable is not so much about telling its own story, as it and so ridiculously adorable, that you'd have to Dick you’re playing a movie than a game. end, sort of like a zombie cricket scoring system, money on. But the “Director” must be recognised, for the game. A custom map of Crossroads Mall is about letting you tell yours, and how one person Cheney not to feel some kind of empathetic response Ultimately, Fable is a quirky, enjoyable experience. the Survivors as the batters and the Infected as the an intuitive AI which observes and reacts to the from Dawn of the Dead has already been made, The world of Albion is presented as an almost progress of the players, adjusting the difficulty, and there’s plenty more rolling out the door. can change the world around them. satirical version of mediaeval Britain. Between to it. And this is coming from someone who hates Although it might not be the best game in the In L4D, the zombies die from one well place shot fielders. There’s also some strange feeling of utter dogs. Besides, it's a damn useful little arrow. world, it most definitely has one of the best worlds to the head, easy enough? Wrong. When there are achievement about spewing on an unfortunate musical score and pacing of the game to create the exaggerated accents of the populace, to the an always changing experience for the players. L4D is packed full of goodies and moments that The first instance of this is a decision you can make in a game. 50+ zombies running, screaming and clawing at individual and watching them getting clawed to trademark off-white British humour, on paper you'd Playing over a dozen times of the same campaign, will either make your sleep uneasy, or sometimes at the beginning of the game. You're tasked with think it would be hard to take the world seriously. Beyond charm and choices, Fable 2 has an excellently your face all at one time, shotguns, Uzis, miniguns, death. collecting warrants for a town guard, which have executed, if rediculously easy (you can't die!), combat Our verdict: Buy you’ll need to reload eventually. Good thing your zombies, supplies, basically everything will be in even crack up laughing at the other team’s And in that regard, you'd be right; and it works. different locations. Trust that the Director loves to misfortunes. Left 4 Dead is definite must for all been scattered around the slums of Bowerstone You become attached to the world not because it's system. Three buttons are assigned to three different friends are great shots, and can hopefully pick L4D has 4 “Campaigns” with 5 levels each, ranging by an errant gust of wind. When said warrants are actions; performing melee attacks with your sword, them off you before you become zombie chow… from the classic city escape, climbing to the roof top toy with you players, just when you think you have the new zombie fans of the generation. I mean, epic, but because it's so unique and has a charm all everything planned and set up, the Director will what better way is there to prepare for the evitable collected, you're given the opportunity to either give its own. ranged attacks with your firearm and spells with right? You better hope they are, because this game of a hospital, to the dark and eerie rural countryside them to the guard, like you agreed, or to hand them your... uh, hands. Depending on what you use is all about teamwork – believing your friends will survival. Valve use many of the new technologies know exactly how to completely throw that plan zombie apocalypse? So grab the game, grab some out the window; there’s nothing more humiliating mates, and fight the Infection. over to certain criminal elements. Depending on your However, what will pull you in to the world of Fable, to maim, blast or burn your opponents, you're be there with the pain killers when you’re limping they’ve developed, such as advanced use of decision, when you return 10 years down the line, rewarded with experience points specific to that skill. around or butting that zombie that’s got you dynamic lighting and shadowing, and cinematic then being zombie-dragged into your very own more than anything else, is the Dog. At a point you “foolproof” Molotov trap. Also in terms of content, Our verdict: Buy synk 33 SYNK RECOMMENDS

Slite Return Slite Return are moving organ drenched classic rock into the modern era and are probably the closest thing you’re ever going to get to Deep Purple or The Doors. Their mission statement? To bring sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll back to an otherwise WHITE BOYZ CANT FUNK mundane world. Slite Return has just landed on the scene but isn’t showing any THE HOLY SEA Ladies and gentleman! Popular Music. But enough of the propaganda, signs of the nerves that tend to plague Introducing the great, the funky, These boys will have you it’s up to you! Get down to a newbies to the stage. With a killer live The Holy Sea have been making waves the unbelievable White Boyz dancing in the streets with Lydon show! Buy an EP! CHECK THEM show, you should check them out. on the Melbourne scene with their second Can’t Funk! Johnston (tenor sax) and Liam OUT! - Chances are they’ll be album ‘A Beginners Guide to the Sea’ McGorry (trumpet) providing a playing this weekend, and the coming out earlier this year, . Originally Straight from the ‘burbs of sharp orchestra behind twins Joe next, and the one after that...well, from Perth, the band was started in 1999 Melbourne comes a new breed and Kieran Daly’s contagious you get the picture. but broke up when lead singer and guitarist of Funk. Worshipping the likes rhythm section. Patrick Lundin Henry F. Skerritt relocated to Melbourne. of Sly Stone, the Breakestra, (drums) kicks and crashes his Now up and running again, The Holy Sea James Brown and The Meters; way through the frenzy and For more recommendations: are gigging all around town. With some of their sound has gradually shifted Jonathan Resaicher’s infectious the best drinking songs to date, The Holy to incorporate other aspects of vocals will have you singing their Sea are a must see. Hip-Hop, Blues and Jamaican tunes for days. To be in the running all you need to do is register your details at: www.synkmagazine.com.au

5 brand new Polyester Manga girls t shirts worth $30 each These groups support the SYNK revolution... For your Polyester fix go to: LOOP City of Moonee Valley www.polyesterbooks.com.au The Foundation for Young Australians

Special Thanks: Courtney Brims (Artist)

Vintage Fashion story: Clothing: Ok Carnivale Thanks to the crew at Photography: koukei OK Carnival, Synk is giving Hair: Tashi Make-up: Natascha Verkaik away a special piece of fashion. Jewelry: Hexotica For your OK Carnival fix go to: Backdrop Art: same (same) www.okcarnival.com This is our one year birthday issue, keep a look out for issue 6 and support SYNK. We want your soul!

Artwork by EMMA FERGUSON