This is the first solo project for Step-Panther main man Steve Bourke and it finds him shelving the noise and sci-fi surf rock of that band for a gentler, pastoral approach. The nervous energy and frantic flailing has dissipated into six lazily strummed and finger-picked songs that bring to mind Kurt Vile and Christopher Owens. There is still a stoned vibe to Bourke as the … Continue reading REVIEW: S M Jenkins – Out There In The Zone EP
For a couple of years now there’s been talk of a 90s revival in music from the slacker tones of Yuck to the many vying for the title of the new Dinosaur Jr (J is still the king). Locally here in Australia there doesn’t seem to be quite the same desire to slavishly replicate the heroics of past compatriots from that era but those doing … Continue reading EP REVIEW: Hope Springs – Sooner Or Later
by Chris Familton Mix small town pessimism, youthful optimism, suburban nihilism and a lo-fi aesthetic and you have some of the ingredients that make the essential sound of Bad//Dreems on their superb Badlands EP. The Adelaide natives have been teasing/threatening us for a while now with a string of singles (Chills, Tomorrow Mountain and Caroline) and now those songs plus another trio of equally terrific … Continue reading REVIEW: Bad//Dreems | Badlands EP
by Chris Familton The biggest thought on most punters minds as they awoke was how the weather was going to affect the Sydney leg of this years Laneway Festival. Showers and wind were forecast, a contrast to previous years of hot sunny days encased in the sandstone walls of Rozelle’s SCA. The anticipated weather did intermittently sweep through the grounds but as is usually the … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: St Jerome’s Laneway Festival @ Sydney College of the Arts, Sydney (02/02/13)
by Chris Familton Residents of Auckland New Zealand, Cool Cult are a post punk trio who released their six track self-titled EP a few months ago and though I was impressed on first listen it is only now, coming back to it again that I’m struck by how mature and sonically engaging the songs are. Comparisons with fellow NZ’ers Die Die! Die! are inevitable as … Continue reading EP REVIEW: Cool Cult | Cool Cult
by Chris Familton Dissonance and controlled aggression have always been hallmarks of rock n roll, it is just the context that has changed as the pop culture landscape has evolved. Over time the emergence of sub genres and sub sub genres has been an important factor in the continued relevance and progression of rock music. Post rock, noise rock, math rock, post punk – call … Continue reading EP REVIEW: Sweater | Sweater
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 document of some of their most incendiary performances alongside an … Continue reading DVD REVIEW: The Drones | A Thousand Mistakes
Just got back from a screening of this as part of the celebrations for the 20th anniversary of the release of Nirvana’s Nevermind. It was definitely worth seeing it in the cinema to get that ‘in your face’ volume which is kind of essential for music like this. One of things that separates this concert film from others of the band is that it is the only … Continue reading REVIEW: Nirvana | Live At The Paramount
written by Chris Familton As with last year’s Big Day Out the weather gods decided to test the endurance of the masses with another hot and sweaty day in the concrete sauna of the Sydney Showground. The event that is as much a rite of passage for teenagers as a music festival had this year gone with somewhat of a best-of lineup that glanced back … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Big Day Out 2011, Sydney Showground 26/01/11
written by Chris Familton The Verlaines formed around 30 years ago in New Zealand and wrote some classic songs like Death & The Maiden, Doomsday and C.D., Jimmy Jazz & Me. Graeme Downes went on to be a a professor of music at Otago University – still writing and recording albums both solo (the brilliant Hammers & Anvils) and more recently Pot Boiler and Corporate … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: The Verlaines & Songs @ Annandale, Sydney 30/01/11
written by Chris Familton Metal comes in many shades and those at the Annandale bore witness to 3 variations of the genre. Baroness were touring as support for Metallica but took the time to play a show at the much smaller pub venue to honour their fans and get up close and personal with the punters. Up first were locals Summonus who progress their sound … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Baroness @ Annandale Hotel, Sydney 13/11/10
written by Chris Familton Fat Freddy’s Drop are at their best when they are on-stage in front of a heaving, swaying audience. Their patient slow-build and dedication to the mood and groove of music is a sight and sound to behold so a new live album is a real bonus for those seeking to bottle some of the experience or hear what all the fuss … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Fat Freddy’s Drop | Live At Roundhouse London
Doubtful Sounds 