written by Chris Familton Sydney’s Circle Pit have been the subject of much online debate in recent months with their support slot for Yeah Yeah Yeahs, fashion spreads in Vice and assorted art and musical excursions. What they are primarily is a rock n roll band so it is a relief that they have finally released their debut Bruise Constellation to satiate the fans and … Continue reading REVIEW: CIRCLE PIT | Bruise Constellation
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
written by Chris Familton Youthful energy and a lust for rebellion has long been a driving force behind rock music. From rock & roll, garage rock and punk through to metal and grunge it has ignited the fire in the bellies of young men and women seeking to kill boredom and create art. inevitably most of them lose that initial spark, the magic dissipates and … Continue reading REVIEW: VIOLENT SOHO | Violent Soho
written by Chris Familton Over the course of five albums Jim Putnam has been the one constant in Radar Brothers. It is his austere voice that has constantly steadied the ship and prevented the band from slipping out of sight. The Illustrated Garden is employs a new rhythm section who subscribe to the ‘less is more’ policy and in doing so they provide some wonderfully … Continue reading REVIEW: RADAR BROTHERS | The Illustrated Garden
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)
written by Chris Familton Never underestimate Mr Jack White when he puts his mind to a task. He has proven time and time again with White Stripes, The Raconteurs, his label, studio and with the videos he directs that he throws himself wholeheartedly into every new move he makes. The Dead Weather project surprised many who thought he had covered similar territory with The Raconteurs … Continue reading REVIEW: THE DEAD WEATHER | Sea Of Cowards
The intimacy of songwriting is a difficult skill to master for the best of musicians. When they do you find yourself pausing, experiencing a physical reaction to the music as it halts your progress and you allow it to wash over you, taking hold of your emotions and ushering them inside the songs. This magical power of music was something I experienced when I sat … Continue reading REVIEW: MARK MOLDRE | The Waiting Room
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)
1 2 3 4 5 Reviewed for FasterLouder Back for album number 8, Quasi show no sign of slowing down or watering down their take on indie that embraces power pop, americana and psych influences with opens arms. They are a tricky band to categorise which is of course a good thing for music listeners who like their sounds to be complex and multifarious. Hailing … Continue reading REVIEW: QUASI | American Gong
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
written by Chris Familton, reviewed for FasterLouder Six full length albums in 8 years is a pretty impressive hit rate in these times of promotional release cycles. The work ethic of The Black Keys and their fertile creativity has seen then long outlast the early criticism that they were riding on the guitar/drums duo bandwagon. Many of course have followed in their well trodden path … Continue reading REVIEW: THE BLACK KEYS | Brothers
1 2 3 4 5 reviewed for FasterLouder From the americana stables come another group with high expectations born from glowing reviews and media hype. The Avett Brothers (Scott & Seth plus bassist Bob Crawford) aren’t new on the scene though, I And Love And You is their 6th studio album in the last decade, but they are just beginning to gain some momentum in … Continue reading REVIEW: THE AVETT BROTHERS | I And Love And You
Doubtful Sounds 