LIVE REVIEW: The Horrors @ Metro Theatre, Sydney (03/02/12)
written by Chris Familton Jack Ladder was in solo mode in the early opening slot and he showed that the songs from last year’s excellent Hurtsville LP can work just as well when stripped back to that rich, melodramatic voice and a fantastic effect laden guitar sound. He only managed to play a handful of … Read more
NEWS: Iowa release new single Panic Attack…
Iowa continue their stellar string of single releases with Panic Attack, another dose of crestfallen vocals over churn and chime Mascis guitar squalls. They have a highly anticipated debut album Never Saw it Coming slated for release in April via Aerial Mines Records. Panic Attack and b-side Same Solution will be available to download from … Read more
INTERVIEW: With the directors of Autoluminescent: Rowland S. Howard
written by Chris Familton On the eve of the cinematic release of Autoluminescent, the new feature length documentary film about the life and music of Rowland S. Howard, FasterLouder chatted to directors Richard Lowenstein and Lynn-Maree Milburn about the global process of creating the visual document, their memories of Howard and the emotional journey … Read more
NEWS: Lee Ranaldo to release new solo LP…
Lee Ranaldo has timed things well with current question mark over the future of Sonic Youth in light of Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon’s split. He is set to release a new solo LP on March 20th via Matador who describing it as a “shimmering and melodic tapestry of sounds” and “ a fascinatingly approachable song collection”. … Read more
NEWS: Paul Weller announces details of new album Sonik Kicks…
Paul Weller is set to release his 11th solo record on March 26th next year. According to Weller’s website: Sonik Kicks reveals Paul Weller once again shaking up his palate and stirring his influences anew, mixing pop art punch with soulful communication, jazzy explorations into psychedelia and dub with razor-sharp melodies, abstract soundscapes with clear-eyed forest-folk. … Read more
DVD REVIEW: The Drones | A Thousand Mistakes
written by Chris Familton The Drones have been one of Australia’s hardest touring bands over the last decade with frequent trips to Europe where they have garnered a healthy following. Now, as they look toward the writing and recording of their next LP in 2012, they have decided it’s about time to release a visual … Read more
WATCH: Iowa | Complete Control
There have been a bunch of new local bands that have appeared on my radar this year, many of them hailing from Melbourne. Dick Diver, The Twerps and Iowa in particular stand out and the latter now have a video to go with their recently released single Complete Control.
ALBUM REVIEW: Twerps | Twerps
written by Chris Familton This has been a bumper year for wistful guitar music brimming with melodies and laidback vibes – perfectly suited to soundtracking either a dreary autumn day or the warming expectation of summer. Real Estate, Girls and Oh Mercy are at the more immediate end of the spectrum but not far behind … Read more
NEWS: Sydney Festival 2012 program unveiled…
The Sydney Festival has announced its official program for 2012 with an excellent music line-up as has become the norm over the last few years… Amiina AA Bondy Andrew Weatherall & Neville Watson Animagica Assembly Asa & Fefe Beth Orton CANT Clairy Brown and the Bangin’ Rackettes Dan Deacon Ensemble & John Maus Dan Sultan … Read more
LISTEN: to the new Witch Hats LP Pleasure Syndrome…
Witch Hats are one of those Australian bands that operate in the grey zone between the invisible underground and the marketing hype of the Triple J world. Possessing a post punk/90s indie guitar mood they follow the broken glass strewn path trod and beaten by their next of kin like The Scientists, Birthday Party, Jesus Lizard … Read more
FEATURE: Life in a Chord | Flying Nun Records
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Flying Nun, here is a reprint of a piece I wrote about the label last year… written by Chris Familton A record label at the right place at the right time can be integral to a music scene, often gaining revered status further down the track as history settles … Read more
NEWS: Hallelujah Picassos release compilation…
Hallelujah Picassos were one of the most original, visceral and genre mashing bands to come out of Auckland, New Zealand in the early 90s. They combined reggae, lovers rock, punk, dub, hip hop and garage rock with the end result being an overwhelming live experience. Frontman Roland Rorschach, bassist Johnnie Pain, guitarist Peter McLennan and drummer/singer Bobbylon were something … Read more
