REVIEW: NOISE NIGHT @ Opera House, Sydney 31/05/10

written by Chris Familton There was something exciting about attending a celebration of noise, drone and experimental music at the Opera House, a venue that normally hosts music and theatre of a more classical and structured form. Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson are to be congratulated for their Vivid Festival curatorial selections and the variety of music they have included across the event. On arrival … Continue reading REVIEW: NOISE NIGHT @ Opera House, Sydney 31/05/10

Doubtful SoundsJune 23, 2010Leave a comment

Live Reviews

REVIEW: The Cult @ Big Top, Luna Park, Sydney (06/05/10)

written by Chris Familton In support, The Black Ryder did a great job filling the cavernous venue with their droning psych rock. Featuring tracks from Buy The Ticket, Take The Ride, the band have developed into a great sounding live band. Aimee Nash was sultry and at times menacing while Scott Von Ryper worked his guitar pedals industriously. The swelling crowd were more receptive than … Continue reading REVIEW: The Cult @ Big Top, Luna Park, Sydney (06/05/10)

Doubtful SoundsJune 22, 2010Leave a comment

Live Reviews

REVIEW: THE BATS @ OAF, Sydney 23/04/10

written by Chris Familton The Bats returned to Sydney for the 2nd time in two years, a treat for fans of their low key strum and jangle that has sees them ambling towards their thirtieth year with their reputation and continued creativity intact. This time they upgraded from the Hopetoun to the more club-like OAF and attracted a larger crowd as a result. Sydney’s The … Continue reading REVIEW: THE BATS @ OAF, Sydney 23/04/10

Doubtful SoundsJune 18, 20102 Comments

Live Reviews

REVIEW: Ricky Peterson & The Peterson Brothers with Sheila E. @ The Basement, Sydney (23/05/10)

A pot-luck gathering with the first family of Minneapolis written by Razza G On a cold Sunday night in Sydney it’s an effort to leave the house, and that effort can set you to muttering “This better be worth it.” Or, as the woman standing next to me says, “Tough crowd to warm up.” That unenviable task falls to Professor Groove and the Booty Affair, … Continue reading REVIEW: Ricky Peterson & The Peterson Brothers with Sheila E. @ The Basement, Sydney (23/05/10)

Doubtful SoundsMay 26, 2010Leave a comment

Live Reviews

REVIEW: SIMON CARTER @ Spectrum, Sydney 30/04/10

written by Chris Famiton In this day and age pop music is somewhat of a dirty word now that it has been acquired and bastardised by hip hop, r&b and dance music. Melodic pop of the guitar kind gets called indie or tagged with some new hipster-ism to make it seem like a new revelation. Friday night at Spectrum saw two acts that proudly embrace … Continue reading REVIEW: SIMON CARTER @ Spectrum, Sydney 30/04/10

Doubtful SoundsMay 20, 2010May 21, 2010Leave a comment

Live Reviews

REVIEW: THE CHECKS @ Annandale, Sydney (22/04/10)

New Zealand’s The Checks have had a pretty eventful 8 years together with Ian Broudie producing their debut album touring with R.E.M and The Hives and opening for Oasis. For a group of guys still in their early 20s they’ve already achieved more than most will in an entire career. It was surprising they were only playing to a mid-sized audience at the Annandale on … Continue reading REVIEW: THE CHECKS @ Annandale, Sydney (22/04/10)

Doubtful SoundsMay 11, 2010May 12, 2010Leave a comment

Live Reviews

REVIEW: JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE @ Factory Theatre, Sydney 09/04/10

Justin Townes Earle is certainly doing the hard yards to grow his audience in this part of the world. This tour is his his third visit to Australia in the last 16 months and he seems to be garnering larger crowds and wider praise each time he plays here. Fresh from Bluesfest, Earle was doing a run of shows down the east coast including the … Continue reading REVIEW: JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE @ Factory Theatre, Sydney 09/04/10

Doubtful SoundsApril 29, 2010April 29, 20101 Comment

Live Reviews

REVIEW: HENRY ROLLINS @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney 19/04/10

As Henry Rollins told us, he has visited Australia more than 20 times over the years and he would have few qualms about moving here if America didn’t want him back. We’ve heard these lines from visiting bands since rock n roll was invented but from the mouth of the unstoppable, straight-shooting Rollins it comes across as a genuine confession. Spoken word shows have been … Continue reading REVIEW: HENRY ROLLINS @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney 19/04/10

Doubtful SoundsApril 27, 2010May 17, 2010Leave a comment

Live Reviews

REVIEW: THE BLACK SEEDS @ Metro Theatre, Sydney 19/03/10

New Zealand dub and reggae has experienced an explosion of activity over the last decade with acts like Fat Freddy’s Drop, Salmonella Dub, Pitch Black and Kora all contributing their own angle to it’s rhythms and rhymes. The Black Seeds are the most accessible of the bunch and with four albums (and a remix album) under their belt they have also shown longevity and proficiency. … Continue reading REVIEW: THE BLACK SEEDS @ Metro Theatre, Sydney 19/03/10

Doubtful SoundsApril 4, 2010Leave a comment

Live Reviews

REVIEW: THE DEAD WEATHER @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney 26/03/10

written by Razza G. I’m not sure what ‘dead weather’ is, but if it’s humid and airless then the weather is perfect for this gig at the Enmore. The carpet has never felt stickier, the beer has never been warmer or less refreshing, the crowd never sweatier, the air never swampier. The staging sets the mood, with deep blue lights and a prog/goth backdrop (brain … Continue reading REVIEW: THE DEAD WEATHER @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney 26/03/10

Doubtful SoundsMarch 31, 2010March 31, 20103 Comments

Live Reviews

REVIEW: DIRTY PROJECTORS @ Metro, Sydney 10/03/10

Sounding like Manhattan Transfer on an African safari with Talking Heads… Three months into 2010 and we’ve been graced by the presence of two of the more interesting and creatively adventurous indie bands of recent years. Grizzly Bear entranced many at their Sydney Festival shows and though a little lower on the radar, Dirty Projectors showed at the Metro what a truly unique and rewarding … Continue reading REVIEW: DIRTY PROJECTORS @ Metro, Sydney 10/03/10

Doubtful SoundsMarch 25, 2010Leave a comment

Live Reviews

REVIEW: THE DRONES @ The Annandale, Sydney 04/03/10

The Drones are apparently about to knuckle down and bury themselves in the recording of a new record so this mini tour of Melbourne and Sydney was a great chance to see them before their set list changes and a new raft of epic tales and guitar maelstrom is added to their songbook. The Annandale has always been a great place to experience The Drones … Continue reading REVIEW: THE DRONES @ The Annandale, Sydney 04/03/10

Doubtful SoundsMarch 22, 2010Leave a comment