The Scene It’s More Than Just Music Issue One October 07

Long Live Local Music SeptemberContents 07 SeptemberEditori a07l

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t Hey Guys,

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s P Welcome to the first issue of The Scene

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r o music scene on the South Coast, from Nowra to

e H Sydney and everywhere in between. And here at the scene we know that there is more to music n; ! than just bands. This magazine is about everyone wa involved in the atmosphere of the local scene.

ad s From drummers to photographers.

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: F huh. Big deal, why do we need another one? But

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p the kind of recognition they deserve. We’re here to change that. This magazine is dedicated to you. The local artist, or producer, photographer or fan slogging News 4 Contents it out on the stage or in the studio or on the dance Wondering what’s happening in your local scene? floor, listening to, dancing to and loving the local music scene. Local Produce 6 This magazine isn’t about the artists on the Local Producer Jesse Fisher talks about his passion pedestal who you are only able to look at on glossy pages or in their videos. This is about the guys you Give Me A Shot To Remember 9 went to school with, the people you hang out with Rock Photographer Shanti Roy gets Lost through the Lens on a Saturday night, the kid you see hanging out in the CD shops, with the stretchys and the snake So You wanna Be Rock Superstar? 12 bites. Cause we’re all part of the same fight. What you can do to make that elusive big break So this is your magazine, read the pages, raise it high, but more importantly go to local gigs, buy AA 14 local EP’s, record locally. There is so much talent Your All Ages pass to the big show on the South Coast that there is noway these pages can cover it all. But it’s a start. Stealing O’Neal 15 Visiting band loves hugs... Long live local music.

Style 16 Its the clothes that make the man, so they say...

Afterwake 17 Local band on the rise Keely K Keely Kovacevic Reviews 18 Editor

Telling you what we really think

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h the State Finalsp P r Foremi Unsignedere Aw Bandards espite technical difficulties, Sydney and Western Sydney as well Vines didn’t get past state when they ntries for the MusicOz response. local punk band Reason as winners of the regional TAFE went after the prize. Awards have closed for Wollongong locals including the D Strikes took out the competition, determined the bands E2007. With over 1000 bands Watt Riot, Crash tragic and Inanimate RegionalS Band trComp on Thursdayike for the state Finals. entered, it promises to be even bigger Objects are all in the running this the 20th September at Wollongong To be held at Sydney Uni on the than last year. year, hoping to take out a major prize Uni Bar. They now move on to the 4th Oct, the state finals play host to The countries most prestigious in their fields. The public can vote State finals. some of the best unsigned bands in awards for unsigned artists will be for their favourite artists over the Three broken strings, sound the country. judged from a new location this year. MusicOz website. problems and the vocalist vomiting The Wollongong four piece, Originally based in Wollongong, Ranging from Pop and Rock on himself, wasn’t enough to Reason Strikes, will be in the 2007 sees it’s relocation to Sydney. to Christian and blues, there is a discourage the judges from letting the company of The Ends from Charles The first round of judging, where category to suit everybody’s taste. popular band through. Sturt, Wagga Wagga, and Mild Ryan, the top ten artists of each category Previous winners of MusicOz Playing first also caused no University of Western Sydney. They will be announced, takes place on the awards include Blue King Brown, problem, even though the bands will also be joined by the 2 winners 22nd of October. Final judging and the The Fumes, Blue Juice and last years

Three broken strings, sound problems and the vocalist vomiting Ranging from Pop and Rock to Christian and blues, on himself, wasn’t enough to discourage the judges there is a category to suit everybody’s taste

usual high-energy crowd was less of the North regional final, which televised Enmore showcase rock winner Solver. enthusiastic. was held at Newcastle University’s will then be held on the 22nd of Public ticket sales for the Enmore In their 20 minute set, Reason Bar On The Hill on the 18th November. Musicoz awards go on sale through Strikes played their popular song September. With prizes including recording ticketek in October. “Revolution” as well as crowd The winner of this heat will then time in Sydney’s prestigious 301 favourite “Sinking Ship,” which move on to the national final to be studios, photo shoot with rock appears on their debut EP ‘The Art held in Melbourne later this year. photographer Tony Mott, $25,000 Of Chaos.’ Past winners of the tittle include Myspace.com/reasonstrikespunk advertising package and air-play on The Regional finals, which Eskimo Joe, Jebedia and the Vasco NOVA radio stations, it’s no wonder included bands from Wagga Wagga, Era. But not to be disheartened, The this year has achieved such a high 4 The Scene The Scene 5 SeptemberProducer 07 SeptemberProducer 07

hen Jesse Fisher was between pop and rock with almost 17, his dad recorded an endless enthusiasm. Walbum at Main Street Since they started in 2005 they Studios. Playing rhythm guitar to his have supported big acts such as father’s original songs, he saw the Gyroscope, Karnivool, Something production process for the first time. With Numbers and most recently Five years on, Fisher has his own Switchfoot at the Big Exo Day at production company and backyard Sydney Showgrounds. studio -helping local bands make that But Fisher, guitarist and vocalist elusive big break. with Afterwake, says he would prefer Big Fish Studios, a joint venture to be on the other side of the mic Local with his father, started as a pipe dream. “About two years ago I About two started ranting on about building this studio, thinking it could never years ago I started happen, and then one day, dad just said, ‘When do we start?’,” Fisher ranting on about says. building this studio... Born in Wollongong, Fisher’s love of music started at an early age. one day, When he was seven, his dad bought him his first guitar, a travel size Dad just said, ‘When Ibanez acoustic that he would play do we start?’ for hours. Fisher’s penchant for music was encouraged by his father, aka Big check. “If it came down to it, I’d Fish (the studio is named after him), rather be a producer. That would also a guitarist. just be the best job in the world. But “Dad doesn’t really know anything I’d love to do both, playing with the Produce boys in the band on the side.” Fact: Cd’s Dont about production, all the technical stuff. But he’s a really good guitarist, When Fisher talks about make themselves. and he taught me everything I production, his eyes light up and it’s know about that. As far as the other hard to understand his words because stuff goes, his support was more he won’t sit still or stop smiling. The Scene talks to financial,” Fisher says. “It’s really creative. You’ve got Picked up from countless hours a soundstage and you’ve got to put young Wollongong playing with his production software the instruments in the right spots. ProTools, Fisher’s technical skills You can try a million different things producer Jesse didn’t develop overnight. and add your own flair to it as a “I probably recorded my sister producer,” Fisher says. Fisher about his about a dozen times, myself closer “There’s endless tones and sounds to a hundred, people from church, that you’re able to get, I’ll try to copy studio, his band my friends, anyone that walked into sometimes. I usually get a CD that I and the coastal my room. I was just experimenting like and compare mine to it and keep with everything that I could. Slowly comparing it and try to get a similar town he loves. I started noticing I could actually sound to it,” he adds. do this, and that’s when dad and Other than the two demos he has I started drawing up ideas for the produced for Afterwake, he has studio,” he says. also cut two albums and five other Finished earlier this year, the first demos for local bands. And with to record in the new backyard feature word getting around about his studio, was his own band Afterwake. Fisher demand is growing. y “There just isn’t anywhere for a o is “one half” of the band’s writing band on a budget to go. Most studios i R team.

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a A regular in the Wollongong h punk scene, Afterwake fill that void 50% less than that,” Fisher says.

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For a town with such a dynamic band that is technically really good, So why would I want to leave when Shanti Roy is better known as Rock Photographer local music scene, Wollongong is and they are quick to record because there are so many friends to make?” ‘Lost through the Lens’. The 21-year-old Nowra sorely lacking recording space. The they just get it, and they sound good. native began shooting bands in 2004. Over the last only options being the pricey Main With others it’s more about finding three years she has captured the intensity of over 100 Street Studios or the student run 313 what they are trying to say in the bands including Alexisonfire, 30 Seconds To Mars, studios. There isn’t much choice for music and getting it through in the Fall Out Boy and Australian favourites You Am I bands wanting to make the move recording. and Kisschasy. from stage to CD. Blaminghan herti loveRoy i sof b emusictter k nowfor inspiringn as Rock her pho- It’s more about finding what they are trying to say in the tographyPhot careerogra, pherRoy ‘Lagreesost thr thereough isthe more Lens’ to. ! rocke 21- photographyyear-old than Now justra aiming native b ae gcameraan sho otinglens. bands in music and getting it through in the recording 2004. Over the last three years she has captured the intensity of over 100 bands including Alexisonfire, S30“It’ Sse notcond justs T othe Mars band, F allon O theut Bstageoy and or Atheustrali satisfacan - ftionavour youite sfeel You after Am Inailing and Ki ssa cgreathasy . shot. It’s the people Big Fish Studios is situated in That’s the reason for a producer. Blyouaming meet her and love the of perks music of f orthe inspir job: ingyou her can see your residential Towradgi, catering That’s what I’d love to be able to photfavouriteograph bandy car withouteer, Roy havingagrees ttoher reache is mor intoe tyouro roc k for groups and individuals, with do,” he adds. wallet,”photogra shephy said.than just aiming a camera lens. musicians available for solo But don’t get the wrong idea. “It’s not just the band on the stage or the satisfaction performers. With recording booths This 22-year-old, part-time courier you feel after nailing a great shot. It’s the people for vocals and instrumentals, the isn’t about to leave his family run While she rarely charges for her services, Roy wants toyou make mee ta and career the pofer herks of passion. the job: you can see your studio even comes with its own operation. Instead of dreaming about favourite band without having to reach into your lighting ambience. Dimly lit red working in Sydney or L.A., Fisher “Iwalle wantt,” s tohe besaid. able to get to shoot festivals like Taste tones to get you in the mood to rock. wants to build up his skills and While she rarely charges for her services, and currently of Chaos or even The Big Day Out,” she added. But with studio time sometimes reputation in Wollongong. doesn’t live off of photography alone, Roy wants to running for days and production “I want to just make it a full time make a career of her passion. time up to a couple of weeks, small job. I want to just be able to help “IAnd wan thet t obest be abandble to she’ get st oever sho otshot? festiv Whileals lik shee Ta admitsste of bands often have difficulty fitting young bands out and I’d like to be Ca haosofts spotor even for !Thee BigHot D Lies,ay Out Roy,” she isn’ addet pickyd. . recording into their budget. If it’s that a part of the pub scene, I’d like the And the best band she’s ever shot? While she admits a expensive, why bother? Surely a mic bands that play here to know about “Anysoft sp bandot for that !e isH otactive Lies ,on Roy stage, isn’t picespeciallyky. if they and a tape recorder is sufficient? the studio. pull“Any outband the tha rockt is acmovestive on becomes stage, especially if they pull “Its not just a matter of recording,” The whole Wollongong music aout favourite the rock of move mines b toec omeshoot,”s she said. Fisher says. “Sometimes you get a scene is about building friendships. a favourite of mine to shoot,” she said. 8 The Scene The Scene 9

Opposite page: Tim Rodgers: You Am I, Ben Windsor: After the Fall, Stephen Christian: Anberlin. This Page: Ben Fletcher: Devoted Few, Phil Jameison: The Lost Gospel, Mark Warner:

After the Fall, Luke y

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l A 10 The Scene The Scene 11 ...September To Rock 07 September... To Ro c07k around, talk to everyone at gigs, and festivals are on his to do list. make friends with other local bands, “The best part is that our job is generally put yourself out there for almost a mystery…not many people your music. know what we do every day,” Sharp “A lot of the music industry is all says. “It’s satisfying to set goals for Check me out about networking. You can send each individual artist and reach them. recordings to management companies Every artist is different, and at the Top five ways to get and they will listen but it’s usually end of the day I do what I do because ANYBODY to notice you best to play as many good shows, of the music,” he adds. write great music and network well. And while his job means he spends 1 Tour Tour Tour If you do these things, eventually most of the day on the phone to a I know it sounds obvious, but people will begin to talk about bands manager, Sharp, is still pretty if no-one sees you, no-one you, and you might get asked by a picky about what kind of artists he will notice you. Other than a rock superstar? company to join up.” represents. being mega fun, it also gives So you wanna be you a chance to hone your live And in the mean time? “They need to be willing to work “Build a solid fan base in your own hard, but the most important thing is performance and really bond region or state. When management for the band to be enjoying what they with your band mates. companies are looking for bands to do. They need to have a passion and support their bands on tour, they will a love for music.” 2 MySpace look at bands that can pull well in Agents primarily take on bands The internet is where it’s at. local areas,” he says. after seeing their live show. Sharp Panic At The Disco were signed Ponniah thinks there is definitely agrees that while a band with a from Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy) one other important thing that an following is a bonus, the music is the stumbling over their MySpace

unrepresented band has to have going most important thing. page. But even if this doesn’t y

o for them. happen, it’s still the best place

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a The most important thing is for the h band to be enjoying what they do

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o Well, maybe not. But if you h p “Passion. Many, many bands still “Let your music do the talking,” play every show like your have day jobs in between putting he says. “Keep working hard, enjoy headlining Wembley (or the ive large, big house, five of organising the band’s recording that they can use to push themselves out records and touring. Being a what you are doing, keep writing Win Entertainment Centre) cars? Well, so does every schedules, tours and media,” he says. in the right direction. A freelance professional band is not something songs, try and organise as many gigs someone is bound to notice. Lother dude in every other Ponniah believes that there ideally manager is equally as good, but an that comes easily, so if you don’t as possible, and if you are any good, And where’s the fun in playing band. The question is how do you should be no hierarchy between band established company usually looks have a great passion for it, its more you will get noticed,” Sharp adds. rock music half cocked. get noticed? You know the old and manager. Both needing to work after more than one band, so will than likely it won’t work out. Be And though success does depend together to get the music out into the generally have more resources to 4 Self Promote saying it’s not what you know but prepared to be light on cash during on the ambition of the band, Sharp public and to ensure the band is as use,” Ponniah says. your career. Writing a few good tunes has seen first hand the benefits of a Don’t be afraid. Say it loud, say who? Meet your new best friends: prosperous as possible. The use of resources is important, it proud, ‘My Band kicks ass’. The Manager and the Agent. doesn’t hurt either.” good agent. When thinking about elevation, both for booking shows and self- “Can your band survive without an Promote your shows, posters, there comes a time in a bands career promotion. And while he does The Booking Agent stickers, T-shirts, whatever you The Manager agent? Yes. Will your band achieve when the mate that’s booking the consider it a good promotional tool, a lasting career without an agent? can afford. If people see your shows just isn’t cutting the mustard. Ponniah offers words of wisdom What can an agent do for you Probably not.” name hanging around, they are Melodic Music Management The next choice is the freelance regarding the MySpace craze. that a manager can’t? Other than far more likely to check you is one of the country’s premiere manager or the company. “I’ve heard stories of bands who taking another ten percent of your out. management companies. Focusing roster themselves to be online at hard earned cash, that is. All you’ve on a small, select group of artists, I’ve heard ‘peak times’ to answer comments and been told is that you need one and 5 Worship The Music including Kisschasy, Angela’s Dish add people. It’s a much better use you know that they won’t take your Lets be honest, your band and Stealing O’Neal. stories of bands who of your time to be out there writing demo. doesn’t really stand a chance if Johann Ponniah is a manager at the songs and pulling good numbers of Assistant agent at Australia’s your set list is lagging. Practice, hands on company. He works with roster themselves to people to shows,” he says. leading booking agency, Jeremy practice, practice, and always artists and looks after the business be online at ‘peak Without the numbers at shows, it Sharp describes his job as “acting as remember that an ego doesn’t side of their music. seems highly difficult to secure swap the creative input for the band.” sell a CD, but a catchy hook “We deal with labels and booking times’ tours or support slots with touring Working for The Harbour Agency, just might. agents and coordinate with the bands. However, one thing you can Sharp looks after all aspects of a band, to push them in the way they “A management company provides do if your band is still working on bands live performance. Everything want to move. We also take care the band with a wealth of resources filling stadiums is to network; flit from booking tours, corporate events 12 The Scene The Scene 13 September A A 07 SeptemberPro"le 07

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p Its back! Listen to some local music, hang out in some beautiful scenery and don’t spend more than your gold coin donation! Yep. Kemblastock 8 has Stealing O’Neal been announced. Raising money and awareness for very few months or so they’re If you were stuck on a desert island, doesn’t find it embarrassing whatsoever. the ongoing restoration for the American Creek, hanging around Wollongong with a CD player and three CD’s, what There’s a lot of beauty sessions with the straighteners and the moisturisers. Kemblastock means you get to hang out with again. Eating our chips, would they be? drEinking our tequila and playing at Some sort of Christmas album, like It’s kind of embarrassing. your mates, rock out and do a good thing for the our venues. Sure they aren’t locals, but Bing Crosby does the Christmas hits. environment all at once. Melbourne boys Stealing O’Neal are a If we’re stuck on a desert island, we’ll Any musician living or dead, who would you most want to avoid? This (pretty much) free all ages festival is on Sunday, kick ass band. probably need some S Club/ Venga Boys December 16th at Mt Kembla Oval from 11am to7pm. to lighten the mood. Or a compilation Maybe the newest member of the Pussy Cat Dolls, Asia. Bands haven’t been finalised yet, but keep your eyes Who are you guys? album like 100% hits ’97. Probably have to chuck in Blink’s Dude Ranch for old on The Scene’s pages to find out who is going to rock Stealing O’Neal, a rock band from Melbourne. Formed through high-school times sake. off your environmentally friendly socks. in 2003. Current line up: Chris (Vox) Tim We’re trying (Guitar) Jack (Guitar) Tom (Bass) Ryan What has been your best gig so far? Money To Rock With (Drums) We were lucky enough to play on the to bring the fun Coca Cola Live n’ Local, Melbourne show. We won a competition where we back into the Fancy yourself a budding promoter? Indent, an How would you describe your music in three words? opened for Hot Lies, the Veronicas and industry initiative that’s been supporting the All ages scene Energetic, fun and interesting. Evermore. We played to 6 000 kids. since 2001, have got $100,000 to give away to groups It was unbeatable really, words can’t of young people looking to help out their local music Who are your biggest influences? describe it. What is the most surprising thing scene. I think it started off with pop punk What happens on tour stays on tour. about the band? All you need to do is get 4 friends (age 14-24) bands like Blink 182 and New Found Glory, and it kind of evolved into what Not anymore. What’s one thing that you Our live performance. People don’t together to organize a drugs and alcohol-free event, we sound like today, bands like Death boys get up to? expect it to be so fun. I think people just apply for funding through the indent website (www. Cab and Bloc Party. Pop Punk going into A lot of hugs. A lot of boy-to-boy dig the way we move. indent.net.au) and you might be bringing your favourite pop rock. hugs. Cause there’s no one else there, What’s your best release? bands to your town. and sometimes you wake up and our new drummer will look so cute in his sleeping Our first release “Spin For Me”. The initiative hands out grants for anything from a If JT is bringing sexy back, what are you bringing? bag and you just have to give him a hug. Released three months ago through a gig to a festival to a CD launch. So don’t just wait for Fun back. But fun’s coming soon. And in saying that you sometimes just Sydney-based label Taper Jean who the bands to come to you, get out there and apply for We’re trying to bring the fun back into want to get as far away as possible. And have been really good to us. It’s available funding, save the all ages scene and prove that rock has the industry. It’s not happy anymore. that’s probably 80% of the time. at JB Hi-fi, JB online no age limit. Back in the pop punk days, no one cared. Who has the most embarrassing habit www.myspace.com/stealingoneal We’re trying to bring the attitude from pop punk into today’s scene. on tour? www.stealingoneal.com [Tim] likes to get naked. But he 14 The Scene The Scene 15

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ront man and self proclaimed funny guy BEN GRIF- If you could support anyone who would it be? FITHS sits down with The Scene and shares some Any band that Tom Delonge’s in so… Blink 182, Boxcar candid information about his band AFTERWAKE. Racer AF fterwakore Angels & Airwaves. I’m in love with him and all the songs Who are you guys? he writes. So I’d love to meet him. Two lead singers/guitarists (Me and Jesse Fisher), base (Matt Tyler) & drums (Beny Drew). Favourite own song? ‘Cool’written by Jesse. It’s such a flipping mad song; don’t Describe your music? know where he pulled it from. I get into it so much on stage. It’s rock. We always try to write rock songs. Its definitely When he’s singing it I feel like kicking him in the balls, punk tinged though. With two song-writers with different styles pushing him off stage and singing it myself. It’s so good and so of writing (one riff based and one melody based) we get a catchy. Do yourself a favour and come to one of our gigs. We’ll mixture of sounds. play ‘Cool’ for you

Main influences? Favourite local band? ic

v The Used, Karnivool, Tool & Foo Fighters Crash Tragic. I’ve only heard half of one of their sets and I hadn’t exactly gone easy on the beers that night. I still managed

vace to pull myself together and just sit and listen to the few songs o Why do you bother playing music? What’s the point?

You’re suggesting playing music is a “choice”. It’s not. We they had left to play. Really good band. Do yourself a favour y K y l and check them out. They wont play ‘cool’ though. e don’t “bother” playing it, we just do because we love it. It e doesn’t exactly pay the bills (just yet) but we always make time What one band would you want to cover one of your songs?

o: K o: for it and our band is high on the priority list in all our lives. t

o Music is a release of energy, it’s clichéd, but it’s the truth. Boxcar Racer. They could cover our song ‘Rockstars.’ h

p You gotta release that emotional s**t somehow. Scene You gotta release that emotional shit somehow Nowhere is safe when The Scene is on the prowl. !is month’s unsuspecting victim, Wollongong No, I think most of the worlds bleach population went Band member most likely to be found in the gutter at 3 am? local Beth Connolly answers all our fashion Favourite local spot to play? into my hair. I wouldn’t be surprised if it snaps off if a The Roadhouse when it was up and going, probably just Well Matt doesn’t go hard enough on the beers. Beny’s questions… wind picks up. because it’s the biggest venue we’ve played at so the closest allergic to rainwater, and I always bunk up with hobos who Style let me use their four and a half star boxes. So that leaves one What would you say would be your stand out fashion thing we’ve had to a ‘rock ‘n’ roll’ experience. Who are you wearing? feature? member, Jesse Fisher, AKA ‘Crack head.’ Na, he’s a good !e skirts some old thing I think I got from valley girl, Probably my hair. It looks good with everything. Best gig ever? bloke with a good head on his shoulders, but he does like to get loose sometimes. the jacket my sister sent over for me from London and And you’re never without your… Playing with Gyroscope, closely followed by Big Exo Day the shirt is my new favourite shirt in the world, its my (the Christian version of Big day out) so we couldn’t do lines iPod. Or Sunscreen. It’s a tough call when you’re a Best Release? White Stripes shirt. on stage like we normally do. pasty music fan. Our Demo, which you can pick up from any of our gigs. And the Hair? Are you naturally a blonde? Favourite Local Band? Grab a t-shirt too. And a badge. We’ll give you a sticker free. Well im naturally blonde, but im not normally white. Probably !e Watt Riot. 16 The Scene The Scene 17 SeptemberReviews 07 SeptemberReviews 07

!e Watt Riot Lost In Line 67 Special Friday 24th August 2007 Nightmare on Love Voodoo Pins and Oxford Tavern, Wollongong Street Violins Independent Independent !e Oxford was over-crowded. People were spilling out release release onto the street by the time Tokyo Spares took the stage. Broken Collection had finished their mismatched, awkward set leaving way for the band from Foxground who have been getting solid supports up and down the Eastern seaboard. Unfortunately, they were a huge disappointment. Writhing around on the small Oxford stage, the singer failed to capture the imagination. She dressed, sounded and acted like a non- Album opener Loving Tree may resemble early While it catches glimpses of the magic of the charismatic version of Patience Hodges from !e Grates. Vasco Era, but Wollongong locals !e Watt Riot local band, the production on independently !eir music lacked any oomph, and their set, which seemed produced Voodoo Pins and Violins doesn’t give to go overtime, left you feeling empty. aren’t copying anyone. !ey are a bluesy tight rock Tokyo Spares give you that horrible thought, that maybe outfit churning out high intensity music with more justice to Lost In Line’s blistering live show. there really is no original pop music left in the local scene. swagger than the Fonz. And it’s not hard to see Rightfully known as one of Wollongong’s hardest 67 Special was like a light in the dark, when all hope was

why they scored themselves one of the coveted working bands, Lost in Line play a blitzkrieg of y thought lost. !e Melbourne 5 piece exploded with rock

o Unearthed awards this year. a live show that packs every venue around the and roll intensity. !eir blues infused Indie rock was loud,

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t unashamed and clung to you like sweat, seeping into every All Or Nothing with its catchy sing-along’s and Illawarra. !ey are loud unabashed punk band. n a pore on your tingling skin. choral shouts accompanied by the most interesting !is EP, however, at times seems forced. h Playing tracks off their new album “!e Devil May

!e opening recording noises of Burn !e World o: S

riff of the EP is the albums stand out track. While t Care” like album opener ‘Sold Your Little Sister For A Red o Motorcar’ and single ‘Killer Bees’ as well as the hooky-as- Rock ‘n’ Roll lives up to its namesake and delivers seem almost clichéd and Surrender, a song that h earthy, distorted blues guitars and repetitious vo- forces fist raising at their gigs, barely makes your p all-hell ‘Shot At !e Sun’, the Spesh’s set dragged you into chest swell. But that isn’t to say this is a bad album. the night. Blues inspired 10-minute instrumentals and vocal cal lines that make you wonder if this is what !e larrakinisms seemed effortless in between songs. When has a CD ever lived up to a live show? Wollongong University Band Comp Final Vines might sound like if they still had grunt. 13th September 2007 Bigger bands haven’t been as tight and tighter bands Nightmare On Love Street is an EP that actually !e choral melodies and patented guitar riffs Unibar, Wollongong haven’t been as good, but 67 Special made you fall in flows. So often bands put their only good songs are there, and the magic of !e Lost Letters is still love from the first 12 bar progression to the last aching on a record, slap a label on it and call it an EP. But as poignant as ever. Moving Car is one of the best It’s Band comp time again, where only one sixth of the reverb. And by the time 1.30am rolled around, no one left songs to come out of the local scene, and Lost In attendees leave happy. !e rest leave muttering under their disappointed. with !e Watt Riot’s first release we’re handed a And a special mention to that one fan who thought that Line’s second EP testifies to that. breath, “you were robbed,” “the judges must be deaf” and thoughtfully produced and decisively whole record other more explicit references to the winning band. It’s not nothing screamed ‘I love these guys’ more than pissing that leaves us thinking there’s definitely more Nothing will ever beat their live, sweaty, cramped the kind of thing that really brings people together. herself. where these riffs came from. set, but if you’re stuck at home, this EP is the next Ironhide opened. !e Van Halen inspired band seemed best thing. to falter under finals night pressure. Producing a less than stellar performance, their hair metal set failed to live up to the buzz that surrounded them following the heat. Still, in 67 Special Wollongong’s punk and Rock dominated scene, a little bit of metal is refreshing to the ears. were like a light in the dark, Punk band Reason Strikes pulled out a tight set. !eir catchy chorus’ and dirty guitars were definitely the high light when all hope was of the night. !e pit was seven deep with frantic fans towards thought lost the end of the 20 minutes. (Security had to escort some from the building for their ‘enthusiasm’). Taking out the overall judge’s vote, Reason Strikes move to the regional finals. Performances from !e Greenroom, GUT and Tokyo Spares were tight but average; there was nothing in their sets that felt magic. And though !e Greenroom scored second wor- place and Tokyo Spares an unannounced fourth, don’t rush beautiful rock music, yes, organ included, that seemed thy of more than their disappointing third placing. out to pick up their cd’s. Showing off the talents of the university is the whole point What Remains, a watered down rock band your mum of Band Comp. The intensity of the local music scene, across would like, gained a mixed response. !ough their front man all genres, isn’t calming down any time soon. Nights like this resembled an obnoxious version of Anthony Callea does just make you wish the audience could high-five the winners, ‘rock’, their guitarist was the best performer of the night. On instead of leaving in a huff. stage he was like Chris Cheney, Phil Jamieson or Gerard Way. With a charisma and stage presence that is unmatched in the local scene. !e Last band of the night, We Stole !e Organ, produced a fun Indie rock closing to the competition. !ey produced R18 The Scene eviews The Scene 19 September 07 ox ocks

“What do you think of the local live music scene?” V “The live musicR scene is vibrant at the moment. Where other areas of the industry are currently in turmoil, the live scene is in a very strong position, and will continue to improve with the help of self-promoting sources like the internet.” – Jeremy Sharp, Assistant Agent, Harbour Agency, 24

“It’s in dire need of a re-vamp. Roadhouse closed down, the Oxford is closing down, so that take out your two prime spots. And it’s just jumped to mine palm court closed down. The three best spots to play music. Leaves us and other local bands no where to play, therefore no opportunity to do what they love. The Wollongong council needs to put their thinking caps on and look at strategies to make Wollongong a “creative community”. This looks at promoting all forms of arts and brings a hell of a lot of money into the area.” – Ben Griffiths, Afterwake Guitarist/Vox, 22.

“I think that there is the odd good band that I would make an effort see, but it’s not often that you see a band that blows your mind. I don’t think enough people are willing to go and try out new bands in Wollongong.” – Liz Wiese, Music Fan, 23

The Wollongong council needs to put their thinking caps on and look at strategies to make Wollongong a “creative community”

“A lot of people feel as though there is a lack of good bands coming up and out of the local scene but I feel as though at it’s flourishing. Bands that I have seen move up and out of the local scene are now gaining some real commercial success. Bands to look out for in the Sydney area are The Mission In Motion and Fifty Sixx. A lot of bands that have been around for a while are now also putting out albums, such as Trial Kennedy, Horsell

bs

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i Common and Angelas Dish. Interstate there are also some great

l G new bands emerging from the local scene, like Kiss Montana in e Adelaide and British India in Melbourne,”

o: M – Johann Ponniah, Artist manager, Melodic Music, 18

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