Perth Music

Perth rock legends Jebediah are playing three capital city shows but you can hardly blame them for being excited about their first foray across the Nullarbor since 2005!  The Jebs last tour around this big, brown land was in celebration of their ten year anniversary and also their final round of touring in support of their fourth album, Braxton Hicks. They then took a complete break from the band in order to cast their gaze across this world to see what else it had to offer. Somewhat under-whelmed by the results, it didn’t take long before they were back together, doing what they loved most and playing music.

In December 2007 Jebediah toured all over their home state of W.A and earlier this year ventured over to Adelaide. Now, they are finally making it over to the East Coast, playing a short run of intimate venues in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Expect to hear all the old favourites as well as a sneak preview of album number five, due in 2009 and now in production with Dave Parkin, (Red Jezebel, Snowman, Silents).

Tour Dates:
tix go on sale Friday July 18th

Thur 4th September - Evelyn Hotel, Fitzroy VIC - www.moshtix.com.au
Fri 5th September - Annandale Hotel, Annandale NSW - www.annandalehotel.com
Sat 6th September - The ZOO, Fortitude Valley, QLD - www.oztix.com.au

For more info visit www.jebediah.net or www.myspace.com/jebediahrock

Having already conducted two extremely successful tours in support of their number one album Breed Obsession, Gyroscope will take to the road throughout August and September to deliver a 36 date national tour. The Australia tour celebrates the release of the bands third single, fittingly titled Australia and is the largest tour ever undertaken by the band. Kicking off at Splendour in the Grass they’ll do a lap of the map, taking in major cities, regional towns, and suburbia along the way.

Released on Saturday July 12, Gyroscope’s new single Australia is testimony to a young band willing to challenge themselves and with this track they’ve superbly crafted an anthemic major crossover hit which has already been embraced widely by radio around the country.

Special guests for the Australia tour are Shihad who compliment one of the great bills to be seen in Australia this year with the announcement they are to tour almost everywhere with Gyroscope. Shihad return in splendid fashion with their new album Beautiful Machine which includes singles One Will Hear The Other and Vampires. Also touring are fellow WA rockers Sugar Army, one of the most exhilarating new young bands to come out of WA for sometime, who will certainly complete what will be one serious rockin’ ride on the Australia tour!

Finally, as a very special treat for their hometown fans, Gyroscope are pleased to announce their local buddies Jebediah will join the fanfare for the last major city show of the tour in Perth. It’s been a few years between drinks for Jebediah, however they recently rekindled the fire and returned to the studio to work on new material with a new album expected to be released later this year. WA fans can expect some serious rock’n’roll antics and much fanfare for what will be a fitting end to the Australia tour as all three WA bands take to the stage at Metro City in Perth!

Gyroscope – The Australia tour
All shows with Shihad and Sugar Army (except *)
Tickets for all shows $29+b/f on sale Thursday June 26 through www.gyroscope.com.au or www.ticketek.com.au

Tue 5th August – Brother’s Leagues, Cairns QLD (15+)
Wed 6th August – Bombay Rock, Townsville QLD
Thu 7th August – Magnums Hotel, Airlie Beach QLD
Fri 8th August – Great Western Hotel, Rockhampton QLD
Sat 9th August – Young Australian Hotel, Gladstone QLD
Sun 10th August – Sugarland Tavern, Bundaberg QLD
Tue 12th August – The Arena, Brisbane QLD (Show Day Eve)
Wed 13th August – Sawtell RSL, Sawtell NSW
Thu 14th August – Club Forster, Forster NSW
Fri 15th August – Blacktown RSL, Blacktown NSW
Sat 16th August – Waves, Wollongong NSW
Tue 19th August – Caringbah Bizzos, Caringbah NSW
Wed 20th August – Souths Juniors, Kingsford NSW
Thu 21st August – The Cube, Campbelltown NSW
Fri 22nd August – Penrith Panthers, Penrith NSW (Licensed/All Ages)
Sat 23rd August – Newcastle Panthers, Newcastle NSW
Tue 26th August – The Metro, Sydney NSW (Licensed/All Ages)
Wed 27th August – Castle Hill RSL, Castle Hill NSW
Fri 29th August – Revesby Worker’s Club, Revesby NSW (Licensed/All Ages)
Sat 30th August – Doyalson RSL, Doyalson NSW *with Angela’s Dish & Sugar Army
Sun 31st August – Mona Vale Hotel, Mona Vale NSW *with Sugar Army & The Third Cycle
Tue 2nd September – ANU Bar, Canberra ACT
Wed 3rd September – Station Resort, Jindabyne NSW
Fri 5th September – Edge Hotel, Buronga NSW
Sat 6th September – Pretoria Hotel, Mannum SA
Sun 7th September – HQ, Adelaide SA
Tue 9th September – Billboard The Venue, Melbourne VIC
Fri 12th September – Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully VIC
Sat 13th September – The Pier Live, Frankston VIC
Sun 14th September – Hallam Hotel, Hallam VIC
Wed 17th September – Batman Fawkner, Launceston TAS
Thu 18th September – Warehouse Night Club, Devonport TAS
Fri 19th September – Sirocco’s Bar & Night Club, Burnie TAS
Sat 20th September – Showroom (Wrestpoint), Hobart TAS
Fri 3rd October – Metro City, Perth WA *with Jebediah & Sugar Army
Sat 4th October – Wild Oats Festival, Northam WA *with Spiderbait

The beautiful surroundings of the Somerville Auditorium in UWA was again host to the best local band music festival around, In The Pines. Although the weather was kind of gloomy and their had been rain the few days before today, the Somerville grounds were only slightly muddy and plenty of fans had brought their picnic rugs, blankets and pillows. 20 bands were playing today so it was a long, fun-filled day for those that arrived early but there were many people trickling through the gates all afternoon.

The first band I got to see were dirty rockers The Homicides and there were plenty of hardcore punks up the front giving as much shit to the band as the band was giving to the crowd. The music was loud, it was fast and it seemed that it was more of an attitude that fans appreciated than the lyrics or melody. Sure there were bottles of water and sticks thrown on stage and at the band but it all seemed that it made the show more interesting than just an average band playing average songs.

Up next on the second stage were indie rockers Kill Teen Angst and the mood of the grounds did a complete 360. It was like a polar opposite punk show to The Homicides. Instead of the angry, Sex Pistols style punk it was an almost emo, modern style punk show that concentrated on the music. The songs were played with talented precision - guitar, bass, drums and vocals were all outstandingly played to perfection and the crowd would not have even thought about throwing anything on stage during the set.

Another change in musical style saw The Tigers up next playing their avant/rock grooves that the band have been playing around Perth for many, many years. Their songs are more atmospheric than anything else and keyboard mixes beautifully with haunting guitars and great drums. With some tunes lasting 6-7 minutes and their set only allowed to be 30 minutes, there were only a few songs played but it probably worked out well that way as it was easy to lose interest after a little while. But The Tigers are an institution of the local scene and it was great to see them live again.

Felicity Groom and The Black, Black Smoke looked like they were still ecstatic from their four WAMi nominations earlier this year and the crowd felt that happiness ooze from the stage. Alternative country music has been a popular style with bands in Perth of late and this band was on top of it’s game today. It was a set that not only the people up front could enjoy but those that had gone to the trouble of bringing their picnic blankets could lay back and enjoy the music. Vanessa from Jebediah also got a bit of a warm up for later playing bass for The Black, Black Smoke.

Another member of Jebediah was up next with frontman Kevin Mitchell completing his set as Bob Evans. Looking very relaxed, Bob played songs from his two albums albums on his acoustic guitar, harmonica with a friend on accordion. It was great to hear the ARIA Award winner playing his contemporary style music and the crowd definitely got a lot bigger while he was playing. Don’t You Think It’s Time and Nowhere Without You were huge favourites with the crowd singing along and waving their arms in the air.

After the Noongar ‘Welcome To Country’ and Djiva as well as some food, New Rules For Boats were up next on the first stage. Brother and sister duo Sean and Miranda Pollard shared vocal duties for the rock/pop set as the sun was setting and the atmosphere was getting exciting. There were a few in the crowd that looked like they had been drinking all afternoon and it was starting to take it’s toll but the music was infectious enough to get everybody grooving.

Adam Said Galore are another local band that have been around for years and years and as proof of the years of hard work their live show is perfection. Skillfully playing a wide range of music from their past albums, Adam Said Galore were a crowd favourite for the day and even with a bit of sound trouble, they made it look and sound great. The set was very interesting in that it started off with soft, gentle type songs but by the end it was rocking out with the speakers almost exploding with sound. For a band that have been around since 1994 it was great to see them live once more.

Capital City have built a reputation as one of Perth’s best live bands going around and after this evening’s set they had proven that reputation true. The songs were great, the attitude was fantastic and the band must have made plenty of the crowd proud that they were from Perth. Another band that are one of the best live, local bands going around is The Bank Holidays and they were up next on the second stage. With a small string section helping them out for a few songs, they sounded great and with a cover of The Beatles Helter Skelter as a finisher they had earned a huge applause from the crowd.

Headliners Jebediah were up last and even with a short set they proved they still had it after the extended break over the last year or two. Starting with oldie Monument, the crowd sung along and I am pretty sure I saw at least one girl crying in happiness. New song Comet was played next and sounded fantastic, followed by Fall Down and No Sleep. Another new song, To Your Door, was played and then Kevin Mitchell announced that “this song was written when they were very young and smoked too much pot” before Jerks Of Attention exploded onto the crowd. Final song Star Machine is always a great set finisher and as the band walked off and the crowd screamed for an encore, it was announced that the local council did not allow for music after 10pm which it was now. Jebediah showed they are worthy of the top notch on any local gig and gave just a sneak peak at their new album which should rock just as much as their previous albums.

RTRFM 92.1 have just announced that they will again be entering the serene surrounds of the Somerville Auditorium, UWA for In the Pines. Mark down Sunday April 20 in the diary for the most beautiful day on the local music calendar.

Since the early 90s, after the Perth Festival film season ends, Perth’s community radio station has had access for a one day local music festival in the beautiful pine ringed arena on the campus of the University of Western Australia, The Somerville Auditorium.

The chain will drop at midday in the Somerville and the 20 local bands will not stop until after 10pm.

Over the years some of WA’s greatest bands have gone on from In The Pines to very lofty heights, like: John Butler, The Sleepy Jackson, Snowman, Little Birdy, The Panics and oh so many more… This year the tradition continues with another stellar line up of local legends and super fresh talent. And the host will be double Gold WAMi winner and breakfast ham, Mr Peter Barr.

Presale tickets are available for General Admission from Planet Video, 78 Records and Mills Record Bar for $25.

Subscribers can get their tickets from the station for $20. Gold subscribers will get free admission on the day at the Somerville.

In the Pines 2008 - Playing Times
9.30pm Jebediah
9.00pm Bank Holidays
8.30pm Capital City
8.00pm Adam Said Galore
7.30pm New Rules For Boats
7.00pm Djiva
Noongar Welcome to Country
6.30pm Bob Evans
6.00pm Felicity Groom and the Black Black Smoke
5.30pm The Tigers
5.00pm Kill Teen Angst
4.30pm The Homicides
4.00pm Harlequin League
3.30pm Slim Pickins
3.00pm Hooper’s Store
2.30pm Mink Mussel Creek
2.00pm French Rockets
1.30pm Cease
1.00pm Mile End
12.30pm Will Stoker and the Embers
12.00pm Captains of King

After another stellar year of album releases from Western Australian artists, the 2008 WAMi Awards see some of our finest acts battling it out for Most Popular Album. The nominees are Birds of Tokyo ‘Day One’, John Butler Trio ‘Grand National’, The Panics for ‘Cruel Guards’ and Red Jezebel for ’How I Learnt to Stop Worrying’. The Most Popular Live Act award sees some of WA’s best loved acts rate a mention; nominees include Gyroscope, Karnivool, Snowman and Streetlight.

With six WAMi Award nominations, including Most Popular Album, for their debut LP ‘Day One’, Birds of Tokyo lead the nomination charge in 2008! Alongside Most Popular Album, Birds of Tokyo were also nominated in the Best Rock Act, Best Drummer (Adam Weston), Best Vocalist (Ian Kenny) Best Guitarist (Adam Spark) and Best Instrumentalist (Glenn Sarangapany) categories!

The John Butler Trio had another big year, touring at large on home soil and abroad after the release of his fourth studio album ‘Grand National’. JBT scored five WAMi Award Nominations, including Most Popular Album for ‘Grand National’, Most Popular Act, Most Popular Music Video for ‘Good Excuse’, Best Blues and Roots Act and Best Guitarist!

Nominated for Favourite Newcomer and Most Promising New Act, both Abbe May and the Rockin’ Pneumonia and Felicity Groom and the Black Black Smoke scored 4 nominations, alongside Sugar Army who were nominated for Most Popular Act, Most Popular Single/EP, Best Rock Act and Best Bassist (Ian Berney).

Nominees in the Industry only voted category for the Golden WAMi for contribution to the WA Music Industry in 2007 are:
Heath Bradby (Director Fidelity Corporation, co artist manager for Bob Evans, Downsyde, The Silents, Snowman, Jebediah, Karnivool)
Juliet John (Manager of Schvendes and Publicist for Saturation)
Peter Barr, (RTRFM 92.1 Breakfast Presenter, FreshBlast Co ordinator)
Steph Edwardes (Manager of Sugar Army, Editor of Rockus.com.au and Assistant Manager at Fidelity Corp)

All are contenders for the Golden WAMi Award, raising the WA music industry profile over the past year.

Voting for the WAMi Awards is open to anyone in the world. Voting commences on Thursday January 17 at http://myspace.com/musicwa (.) You’ll need to register an account, and only one vote per person will be counted. Voting closes on Monday February 13.

The WAMi Award winners will be announced at the Perth International Arts Festival Beck’s Music Box (on the Esplanade, Perth) on Thursday 21 February! The WAMi Awards will include live performances by Jebediah, Birds of Tokyo, Blue Shaddy, Yabu Band with special guests Groovylips and the Yang, Felicity Groom and the Black Black Smoke and DJ’s Dan the Man & Rok Riley. Tickets are on sale now from www.heatseeker.com.au and the usual outlets.

For all WAMi Festival information, including the full list of WAMi Award nominees and the WAMi Festival Guide, head to http://myspace.com/musicwa or http://wam.asn.au(.) The WAMi Festival runs from February 15 – 24.

After a 26 month open ended hiatus where the band members had lives, careers, a rest from the incredible racket in their rehearsal room and a variety of other musical projects, the 8 legged rock and pop band Jebediah have dusted off the guitars, hit the rehearsal room and are pleased to announce they will be hitting the stage once more. It’s been a matter of conjecture we know, but people can stop asking “that” question now as Jebediah are about to answer it in the only language a rock band should speak!

Chris, Brett, Kevin and Vanessa have been working away in the rehearsal room on album number 5, and are gearing up for a run of regional WA dates as well as limited metro shows. These are Jebediah’s first gigs since August 2005 so there will be a fair bit of pent up energy to expend for both the Jebs and their loyal fanbase.

Expect a lot more activity from Jebediah in the next 6 months, with plans for national tours (yes, there will be shows outside WA) album releases and all the fun things that go with being a living, breathing rock and roll band again. In the meantime it gives us great pleasure to announce Jebediah’s Back In The Saddle tour of WA.

Jebediah’s ‘Back In The Saddle Tour’
with special guests
Presented by WAFM and RedFM (excluding Rollercoaster)

Wednesday November 21 – Breakers, Geraldton
Thursday November 22 – Motor Hotel, Kalbarri
Friday November 23 – Sandhurst Tavern, Carnarvon
Sunday November 25 – Roebuck Bay Hotel, Broome
Tuesday November 27 – Newman Worker’s Club
Thursday November 29 – Judd’s, Kalgoorlie
Friday November 30 – The Esperance, Esperance
Saturday December 1 – Nsomniax, Albany
Thursday December 6 – Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
Saturday December 8 – Crown Hotel, Collie
Sunday December 9 – Newport, Fremantle
Tickets available from the venues and usual outlets

Saturday 29 December – Rollercoaster 07, Mandurah
Hall Park, Western Mandurah Foreshore

The Third Annual ROLLERCOASTER MUSIC CARNIVAL
Saturday 29th December 2007
3.00pm – 11.30pm
Hall Park, Western Mandurah Foreshore

All Ages with 18+ Areas.
No BYO. No Passouts
Featuring:
HILLTOP HOODS, BLACK KEYS, SHIHAD, JEBEDIAH, KISSCHASY, BIRDS OF TOKYO, ASH GRUNWALD and more.

The 2007 edition of Rollercoaster has just been announced and this year looks to be one of the best.

Rollercoaster is now in it’s third year and is becoming an iconic show in the WA calendar because of it’s simple an effective formula; an event with an awesome line up, a well priced ticket, a beautiful location, a generous grassy venue and all on offer at a time of year where people are relaxed, happy and ready to party.

Another defining feature of Rollercoaster is that it isn’t afraid to rock! Most festivals have reverted to gentler line ups these days but Rollercoaster bucks the trend by embracing music with attitude, energy and an edge to put some yay in your day, some zing in the thing and more power per hour than any other annual outdoor event.

The line up this year is a corker - a heady mix of Australian and international, new and established, great and awesome bands. Without further ado, here it is!

HILLTOP HOODS
Talk about ending the party with a bang! Australia’s undisputed kings of hip-hop play their first show in WA since the release of the restrung version of their platinum selling Hard Road album.  Here come the Hoods!! Bringing incendiary beats and rhymes with a string section in tow.

THE BLACK KEYS
Direct from Akron, Ohio USA - this incredible 2 piece blues/rock band are four albums into their career and are one of the most smokin’ live bands in the world. Primal rhythms, tough and soulful vocals and a warm buzzsaw guitar with deep blues grooves served raw! They’ve completely sold out their trips to WA in the past and this is a chance to see them in full flight after the WA summer sun dips over the horizon.

SHIHAD
Back on the buzz with a new record about to explode…SHIHAD never disappoint and are the living definition of rock and roll itself.  Driving guitars, pounding beats and the lean, mean rock and roll machine Johnny Toogood out front ignoring the risks associated with putting 1000% into a rock and roll show. Killer!!

JEBEDIAH
WA’s legends and one of most successful bands of all time are back for a special festival appearance. They’ve been deep in rehearsals and writing since front man Kevin Mitchell aka Bob Evans finished extensive touring for his gold selling solo effort of 2006 and will play all the hits and a guaranteed sing along with their trademark bouncy brand of zingy guitar pop.

KISSCHASY
Dominating the place where punk meets rock in Australia - ROLLERCOASTER’s old pals Kisschasy make a welcome return to the Mandurah Foreshore for the 2007 event off the back of their huge HYMNS FOR THE NONBELIEVER album.  The quiet achiever on the Australian live circuit at the moment – watch the pit go when they crank up!

BIRDS OF TOKYO
One of WA’s most successful independent bands of the moment they’ve been congesting request lines on all respectful radio stations around the country and jamming rooms nationally all year off the back of their DAY ONE album .  Their powerhouse live delivery and the commanding presence and delivery of frontman Ian Kenny means that if anyone is going to reach out to the Rollercoaster faithful….the Birds will do it!

ASH GRUNWALD
Host of JJJ’s popular Roots and All programme - this magnetic, down-to-earth and smokin’ blues maestro will bring us all together early as we laze around the grass and get a dose of killer blues.

Plus more great local WA acts still to be announced.