Breaking Punk IV

July 3

Four5Nine, Rosemount Hotel

It was subtitled ‘An acoustic folky punky thingy,’ and the line-up said it all. Performers from a broad range of Perth punk bands – some more folky than others – showcased the diverse range of punk-style bands we have here. Entering the room, regular revellers who may have been ready for a night of swaying and spilling lager froth had a sense that tonight was going to be low-key and loungey. In the half-renovated Four5Nine bar, Breaking Punk organiser Leigh F Sterne had brought in tables, stools and a couch. He arranged floating candles in whiskey glasses of water.

A substantial crowd had gathered to watch Noah Skape (Total Waste): a spectacle in his torn black jeans, polkadot suspenders, chain-and-padlock collar. His acoustic guitar had a bassy resonance that fittingly accompanied his theatrical voice, which both soothed and screeched as the crowd watched, aghast.

The dramatic tension was broken as larrikins Blonde Spit (Aaron and Ben from Blindspot) took over. The audience was settled and comfortable with Blonde Spit’s beer-jug-full of Aussie bloke charm. They both played guitar, with Ben leading vocals and Aaron harmonising, and playfully bantered with each other and the room.

Members of recently retired Grim Fandango joined the soiree and vocalist Tom Ware rose to the stage. The performance included a mix of Grim Fandango songs and Tom’s own new songs, with the same gravelly, growly voice, bounciness and jingly-jangly guitar that we’re used to from Grim. He seemed a little lost without the cocoon of the band, revealing self un-assuredness through comments like “I’ve never played any of these songs live. I feel so incredibly awkward,” and “I’m terrible at talking.”

Continuing the evening’s unbroken streak of excellent entertainment, Ben Elliott (The Decline, House Arrest) sung through a collection of fast-paced, jaunty folk punk songs. His open and clear voice carried well; his lyrics painted pictures and told stories like chapters in a book about his life. Delighted by the novelty of the setup, Ben remarked, “One of the best things about tonight is, if I fuck up, I fuck up by candlelight.” There was nothing to worry about – he had garnered the most enthusiastic applause thus far.

What a week for Dan Cribb (Dan Cribb & The Isolated). Street press mag The Music (of which he is the editor) printed its last edition before merging with Xpress. He probably appreciated this acoustic gig – a wind down of sorts. Accompanied by bandmate Scott Connor who added harmonies, Dan sung through a string of songs, mostly from The Memories Last EP. The pair had solid technical elements – pleasant voices and well-synchronised guitars – but lacked energy or emotion. Maybe the ambience of the room was a little too relaxing. Their finale, It Never Ends, had some spark with its catchy riff.

Self-proclaimed as ‘Australia’s Punk Rock Troubadour’ (see his business cards!), Benny Mayhem was lively and jovial with a well-projected voice. A Perth local who spends much of his time living in Europe, he has a core fan base who responded eagerly to his invitation for requests. He gave some background for Mornings Birds, which was “written on [his] mate’s back porch on the back of a pizza box.” It was a warm, friendly affair, and a sing-a-long, and requests were called out from the bar stools and longue chair until the last floating candle burned out.

Review by Rrocklobster of Perth.

Beaufort Street Songwriters Club

Defectors Bar, 

above The Flying Scotsman
Thursday June 18, 2015
 

Rain-spotted patrons sank into velvet couches with their friends, clutching glasses of merlot and cab sav that matched the rich colour of the walls and ceiling in the dimly lit longue. Their relaxed but definite presence complemented the comfort and sophistication of the warm décor with its plentiful sort furnishings and abundantly-stocked bar. Some folk cast loving gazes upon their best-friend entertainers; many others are regulars who gather in Defectors Bar every Thursday to indulge in the weekly line up of acoustic singers from Perth’s best bands. Put together by Mark Neale, Beaufort Street Songwriters Club is gathering momentum and becoming popular among a diverse crowd of music lovers.

Watched by an intimate group of friends in the closest cluster of chairs, and onlookers scattered around the room, Mitch Mcdonald played a buzzing acoustic guitar and sang with a soft sweetness which is often drowned out by the steel-wool electricity of The Love Junkies. Included in the set were versions of the bands’ songs such as In The Belly of My Beast. The growing crowd tapped their feet, nodded their heads and swilled wine in time with this groovy, twisted ballad. An experienced stage performer, though more accustomed to playing an electric guitar, Mcdonald expressed his discontent with harsh strings of the acoustic. “This whole acoustic thing is fucking with me,” he said, shaking out his left hand. “It’s hard. It’s like playing a tree with bits of fucking wire on it. That’s pretty much a guitar really.”

The rabble busied themselves inhaling nicotine, refilling wine glasses and collecting pizzas from downstairs, as a new group of friends settled into the front row of couches. Through the windows the electric sky cracked and heavy rain fell. Grateful to be inside, everyone snuggled into velvet cushions and relished in the smooth sensuality of Aarti Jadu. She’s originally from Perth, but now lives in Melbourne with her band Aarti and the Cosmic Buffalo. Seated casually on a comfortable chair and speaking directly to the audience about the narratives behind her songs, she described the inspiration behind one whilst sipping whiskey from a stemmed glass. “I asked a bunch of people who I find interesting what they would do if they only had 72 hours to live.” Jadu’s guitar playing was intricate and intentional, and she sung with an understated soul and dexterity which had the audience entranced and frozen the point of barely breathing.

…or maybe all that red wine finally kicked in and they were just super relaxed

Snapping everyone out of their soothed state, Elle Walsh’s set gave context to the grungier side of The Love Junkies. Unaccustomed to being the focal point, though having done a handful of solo sets for obscure little shows like Teledex’s Chalk, she remarked “I’ve never played in front of this many people before.” The room listened intently to the descriptive and cathartic lyrics of Gloria To My Dysphoria. Soft, carefully drawled vocals and choppy, strummy chords played on the same buzzing guitar that Mcdonald had used earlier enhanced the downcast, gritty mood of the song.

A shiny new black-and-white Fender was plugged into an amp and Blake Byrne began without any introduction. He played the electric guitar with a capo for almost the whole set, giving a soft sparking diamond effect. Byrne’s demeanor was cool and effortless, and his voice had depth and sophistication at odds with his youthful appearance. He sounded almost exactly like Paul Dempsey, and it was a delight when he performed a point-perfect cover of Something For Kate’s Captain. If you haven’t heard of Byrne before, it would be well worth seeking out one of his solo shows or seeing his band, The Dead Capital.

Beaufort Street Songwriters Club is on every Thursday from 8pm. It’s cosy. It’s welcoming. It’s warm. There’s room for you and your friends to all sit together. You can order food from The Flying Scotsman downstairs. The only thing missing is mulled wine.

Article and out-of-focus photographs by Rrocklobster of Perth.

  

The Decline
Resister
Pee Records, June 2015







Announcing the departure of half their band in January this year, Perth's The Decline haven't skipped a beat. The year so far has been a flurry of touring, recording, and commissioning new merch designs. For the audience, it's like nothing ever happened. Seamless. Keep Punk And Carry On.

New members Ray Chiu (bass) and Ben Elliott (vocals, guitar) aren't really new at all. They're both long-time friends and fans of The Decline and have toured with them before. It's a different collaborative force with the same spirit, drive and professionalism that the band has always had; a level of proficiency that proves punks can take the job seriously too.

Maintaining a decade-long pattern of endearing vocals and madcap, expeditious skate-punk music, their new release Resister is full of the same sound you already know and love, with stronger power-harmonies and noticeably more introspective lyrics. Every song on the 13-track album carries value - there are no fillers here.

Released last month, single Giving Up Is A Gateway Drug introduced us to the bands' new incarnation. Presented in the skate-punk tradition of provoking motivation rather than protest, the lyrics prompt us to chase our dreams. Interest is created with contrast between fast-paced and slow and tentative sections, loud and quiet parts, and a balance of harmonies and individual vocals.

In Almost Never Met You, the U.S. west coast skate-punk sound is composed more adeptly that anything recently successful bands have been able to produce, and we hear a rare personal story from Pat. The track features a well-developed and crisp sound that we've come to expect from The Decline. It's radio friendly and tipped to achieve commercial success - are you listening, triple j?

Ben Elliott takes the lead in The Blurst of Times, which he wrote, and we become better acquainted with his vocal abilities. His folk-punk background and storytelling abilities shine through and he doesn't shy away from using caustic vocal techniques to express harsh emotions.

You Call This a Holiday starts with Pat's gentle voice, accompanied only by his own electric guitar. The stripped-back sound evokes the intimacy of performing for a small group of friends in a dimly-lit grassy backyard. Two minutes in, someone turns the punk back on and Pat is joined by Ben, Ray and Harry, helping the track to make sense in the wider context of the album.

Musician friends visit for group vocals in closing track Start Again, and it wouldn't be a Decline album without some audio sampling. This time it's Yoda. 

Inevitably growing up, moving forward, and developing a more refined sense of self, The Decline have recorded a collection of catchy songs that will make you feel like they're your friends and they want you to sing along. Of course, you could join them at their next show and sing along if you feel like it. They launch their album tomorrow night at Jimmy's Den.

Article by Rrocklobster of Perth.

"What do you like about Pheromones?"

Rrocklobster asked a few fans what they think of the new Hard Aches album. Here's what they had to say.

Pat Decline (The Decline and House Arrest)

“Things I like about the new Hard Aches record? I like Ben David, I like Upto, I like Mackey Whaleboy, I like Pheromones, I like St Helen’s, I like Braver Than I Am and You’re and Alarm Clock and Old Man Hands.”

Andy Storey (Being Beta and House Arrest)

Andy: “Put a less than symbol and then a three <3.”

Pat: “So, like a heart?”

Andy: “Yeah!”

Ben Elliott (The Decline, House Arrest, Ben Elliott and the Travelling Mulberries)

“I like The Hard Aches and they’re my friends. Just put that in there! Words of wisdom from Ben.”

 Bailey Lions (Lionizer)

“My favourite thing is hearing St Helen’s done with the full band. Ever since going on tour with Lionizer and The Hard Aches that track was just so cool to see live, and it’s really great to have that now. I can listen to it whenever I want. I think so many of their other great live tracks like Old Man Hands and Pheromones and I Get Like This just come out so strongly and so well. I think Ben’s voice is really kicking and really powerful and I dig the way that they’ve kept their sound, they haven’t beefed up and tried to be another Smith Street Band. They’ve kept that more jangly stripped-back tone and I think it really works for them.”

Shannon Lively (Illustrator at Shlives, Radio Host at RTR FM) and Ed

“It was like the heavenly harps of god playing straight into my brain. The drums and the guitars absolutely beautiful and top notch, the lyrics even more perfection. I can’t imagine a better album. A million out of a million stars.”

Oakly and Sam (Local music fans).

They haven't listened to the new album yet, but I'll make sure they do.

Photos by Rrocklobster of Perth.

Interviews and photographs took place outside The Good Shepherd in Leederville, before House Arrest played a show.

Rrocklobster of Perth Adelaide

The Hard Aches, Pheromones

(Anchorhead, May 2015)

The Hard Aches have built an army of friends and acquaintances who are always eager for them to tour. The growing success of the Adelaide band is a result of their everyone’s-invited party spirit, and the emotional connection that Ben David creates with audiences through the delivery of lyrics that tug at the heartstrings of hyper-emotional skate-punk kids who are surprised to find themselves in their mid-twenties.

The arrival of album Pheromones was warmly received by their community of fans and there’s no doubt that fans would have spent much of the last week diligently studying the album ready for the mid-year examination (the album tour, which starts in Sydney tonight). Punchy tracks that we’ve come to expect from the Adelaide duo are sure to be audience favourites, including Old Man Hands and I Get Like This which has been building momentum ever since Rachael Barrett filmed that acoustic video in the backyard of The Bird last year.

Pheromones builds on the foundation that EP Organs and Airports laid, and proves that Ben David and Alex Upton are a well-synchronised pair that are obviously under each other’s skin. Perth fans are already discussing Ben David’s vocals, which have evolved into something much stronger and smoother than before. Opening track, This Year, starts with just Ben and his guitar. It’s a full minute until drums kick in to remind us that this is The Hard Aches and not another solo operation.

Upton’s drumming is well paced and matches the energy of each new moment on the album. A band can do well with less than a handful of instruments only if the music is well written and played and skilfully, two targets which The Hard Aches hit right in the bulls-eye. Projects this can’t happen without the collaboration of good friends*, and the pairs’ work is supported with a bassist throughout. Group vocals on We All Do are sure to be replicated by crowds on tour.

In typical Ben David fashion, songs are always sung to a mystery ‘you,’ and feature familiar themes like the struggle with adulthood, broken hearts and airports. Always airports. A vocal harmony appears on a few tracks including Old Souls, where she sings just a beat behind Ben and appears to finish his sentences. She disappears for a while and comes back just when you’re about to lose any hope you had of her return – symbolic or just a well-crafted song?

Thorough testing by the lobster proves this album is suitable for all scenarios, including but not limited to driving, cooking, sitting, standing and waiting. It’s great for early in the morning, and late at night. It’s predicted that the songs will become party favourites too.

Press the loop button and leave it on repeat all night.

Article by Rrocklobster of Perth Adelaide Radelaide Perth

*Names of collaborating musicians have not been included with the digital release.

Alex The Kid   

Unbearable Kid 
Single Release

Sharing time and members between Geraldton and Perth hasn’t stopped Western Australian five-piece punk band Alex The Kid from touring, recording new tracks, and partying with mates like they always have. They are set to release their latest single, Unbearable Kid, later this afternoon.

The single was recorded in Perth the same day The Bennies played at Amplifier Bar earlier in the year, and Geraldton compatriot Ken McCartney was stoked! The Rrocklobster had a chat with Ken in the Amps underground band room, but the free-flowing beer and raucous Melbournites proved far too distracting and no useful material could be salvaged. Later, the Rrocklobster clawed up some questions on the keyboard and members of Alex The Kid were eager to provide details.

Read what they had to say below, keep an eye out for their single release later this afternoon, and join the Rrocklobster at their single launch show on June 19* at Jimmy’s Den, with The Decline, The Hard Aches, The Bob Gordons and Blackwitch.

Where did you record?

Ken - "The drums were put down at Electric City Studio by local legend Harold Stuart Decline. The rest of the tracking was done with Rohan Martin (Window to the World and Jedi Sounds Studio). It was really cool. We did all our guitars/bass/vocals and sneaky organ in the comfort of his living room. Rohan let us do it all in spare time on weekends for nothing more than coca-cola, (he's an absolute legend), so it took us a while, sort of. We have shipped it off to Jay Maas and Daniel Florez, best known for their work with Defeater, for mixing and mastering."


What’s Unbearable Kid about?

Trent - "The lyrics for this song went through a few changes before the final recording. Ken and myself originally worked on the lyrics together, the final lyrics I suppose are about pushing through when times seem rough and that some changes are for the better."

Ken - "We're really proud of this track because all of us got our creative two cents in the music. Trent wrote the majority of the lyrics, while James and I contributed some. I wrote the line 'until the heavens open up and we're drinking beer in the pouring rain,' which is a bit dorky. To me, the song has a general theme of shitty monotonous days, but when everything pulls through it's pretty great. Specifically, my line was inspired by a photo of my brother who just finished seeding (wheat) and is sitting in the dirt drinking a swan draught with some clouds rolling in behind him. I thought it was pretty cool. I'll attach it so you can have a laugh. He will give me shit for it I'm sure."

Do you have plans to record more tracks this year?

Ken - "We do but it's super secret and if we tell you, Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones will come to your house and wipe your memory. We'll make an announcement soon though :)"

Will there be a single launch show?

Ken - "Originally I was planning a bowling and pizza party at AMF: free copy of the single for anyone who wants to beat us in bowling. But now we've got something in the works. It'll be a huge show for many reasons. If the album launch show with THE DECLINE, and HARD ACHES are is announced by the time this hits the stands, include this paragraph, if not, just black out the words THE DECLINE and HARD ACHES ;)"

Ken is back in Geraldton now. 
How has this changed the way the band works?

James - "Ken's moving has affected jamming but that's about the extent of it. We don't mind the travel for shows and Ken living in Geraldton gives us a place to party and crash."

Trent - "Ken moving back wont affect the song writing too much; we always have ways of recording song ideas and sending them through the inter webs and the rest of the band can always get together for jams to keep from getting rusty and share ideas. Recording won’t be too hard to do either. We usually spend a few days on the drums then track one by one so Ken only really needs a weekend in Perth to put down his bits. The shows now seem more special as we are playing here and there as [compared] to once when we were almost playing every weekend, so they seem a bit more exciting at the moment which is great."

Ken - "There's so much less to do here in Geraldton which makes guitar time more easy! Plus with my boyfriend Trent being long distance, it will give my lyrics more emotion and longing. "I miss you Trent baby baby" will be the name of the album. Did I say album? I meant not album. I think it's going to make way for exciting fast paced on-the-fly writing."


You guys had a national tour last November. 
What are your favourite memories?

Ken - "Canberra was wild. Melbourne was wild. So was Brisbane. And Sydney and Adelaide. And of course Perth. My favourite part was "tour manager" Steve who did nothing but drink red wine with James each morning, talk to girls on Tinder and wake us up wrestling James on the hostel floor of Byron Bay. Oh and he booked us one hotel room. He was a walking party machine."

James - "Tour was insane! So much fun, Trent and I nearly didn't make it due to arriving at the wrong terminal for our flight from Perth to Adelaide!"

Trent - "Tour was awesome, even though I got a bit sick I still had a lot of fun. I'd say meeting new friends and catching up with old ones was the best, plus all the partying. Tinder was also great - I know you’re out there my Tinderella....."


How important has the local band scene been for you?

Trent - "The local scene has helped Alex The Kid so much along the way. Perth has so much talent and there were always a bunch of local bands that I really wanted to play with because they were amazing and seemed like genuine people with the same musical tastes as ourselves. Which has led to making many great friends in Perth just by playing shows and finding out we have similar interests and have things in common, so its pretty awesome."

Ken - "One of our first goals as a band was to play with our local favourites Grim Fandango. Super stoked to have done that, and gutted that they're breaking up."


What’s the best thing about being in Alex The Kid?

Ken - "Writing fun music with great friends."

James - "Getting free drinks sometimes, and being able to play music with friends."

Trent - "Being able to write fun music and do it all with mates. We all have quite similar interests in the band so we get along pretty well, which is awesome. Also free beer, I like free beer."


What’s motivating you to keep your band going?

Trent - "I think our songs are developing as we go along, so I’m always so keen to find out what our next songs are going to be like. Also just seeing the band progress keeps me motivated and hopefully it can lead to some exciting and fun times ahead, which I'm already looking forward to!"

Ken - "Writing fun music with great friends. Plus I'm nearly married, I need a good excuse to keep running off on party trips!"

 

*June 19 show is also The Decline Album Launch Show

Interview and article by Rrocklobster of Perth.
All photos provided by Alex The Kid.