It’s Been That Kinda Week
Plenty of action from Bluesfest and the Melbourne International Comedy fest this week
We take a look at the most popular news stories, interviews, blogs, reviews, videos and streams of the past seven days.
NEWS
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Dan Condon witnessed a shit-load of artists over the five-day event. Here's his list of who reigned supreme.
After a battle with cancer, The Angels bassist Chris Bailey has passed away, his bandmates have confirmed.
Melbourne punk identity and Inpress cartoonist Fred Negro was admitted to hospital on Good Friday after an incident involving a tram on Fitzroy St, St Kilda.
Aerosmith have joined the line-up for the Stone Music Festival alongside Van Halen at the expense of their existing Sydney show.
Australia's largest urban music event Supafest looked like it could have been headed for the scrap-heap earlier this year, but it has been saved for now, with its 2013 lineup announced.
Melbourne rock outfit British India have racked up their third top ten album this week with the debut of their new record Controller.
Wilco co-founder and frontman Jeff Tweedy has admitted the band may venture into alternate territory as they plan another record, stretching their already experimental rock to a whole new level.
There's a lot of buzz around the country about the Melbourne Ska Orchestra right now, and we're happy to add a littl to it this afternoon with the premiere of their new film clip.
Veteran music promoter Michael Chugg will MC a farewell tribute planned for much-loved tour manager Aaron Chugg, who died at the age of 53 earlier this month.
Nikki Sixx opened up to us about the band's plans to go out on a high and their own terms, saying "when we take our final bow, it's IT. I will cry. I cry thinking about it.”
INTERVIEWS
“I wanted it to be something beyond the human mind, beyond comprehension and something that you can't quite put your finger on.”
“I mean, I haven't really stopped writing but that was what I loved to do. Most of my life was simple then – it was music and school!”
“I'm a gag hag – all my besties are comedians, and I work [in radio] with a very good one in Dave Thornton.”
“That's a good question, I don't know – maybe I have taken in some of that critical shorthand that 'Wilco have played it safe' lately – and maybe even those twelve-minute songs are the safe way for us.”
“The stories are coming from lots of different places. Some of the songs are personal and they are drawn from my own life, and then others are drawn from more mysterious places.”
“I start talking about when I first started with my brother in 1963. We had a band and we went to see The Beatles just before they became famous and we went and played in Liverpool in The Cavern.”
"KISS is not just the music, it's everything, the whole visual appeal combined with the music, which has made the band unique and turned it into a timeless iconic longevity.”
“I'm in the middle of writing a new record and it's goin' great and there are quite a few new songs that I'm sure some will debut on a number of the festivals or our shows there in Australia.”
“We're happy that we had Cherry Wine – she sounds great on it – and it's my way of representing for a good friend who I shared the same birthday with, September 14th, which was really our connection.”
“I've had shows where I've felt like I've had nothing to talk about and it's miserable. I think every comedian has had those years.”
BLOGS
“The anticipation that comes each Easter Thursday afternoon is akin to that of a footy grand final, the last day of school or the hours before a first date.”
“By the time I do make it into the festival, it becomes immediately obvious that an enormous number of people have made their way in early.”
“Punk rock progenitors Iggy & The Stooges absolutely lay waste tonight; Iggy Pop bursts onstage and flails around during opener Raw Power and doesn't stop for the next hour and a half.”
“People hang off of Staples' every word in this gorgeously intimate environment, and so they should.”
“And, just like that, the five days is completed. There's a lot of emotions to be felt at the end of an event like this; sadness, tiredness, joy, relief and a certain sense of contentment.”
ALBUM REVIEWS
1. The Knife - Shaking The Habitual (Matt MacMaster)
“Make no mistake, this is an experience, and should be approached as a fully committed act, not something passive.”
2. The Knife - Shaking The Habitual (Chris Yates)
“It's a ridiculously hard album to describe in mere words, as the sounds themselves so rarely offer convenient comparisons.”
“It's good to hear Blake hasn't been stifled by 'second album syndrome', but rather seems to have flourished under the pressure.”
“An early candidate for album of the year: Parkway Drive – you've got company.”
“It's almost certain British India will lose this vital angst sooner or later, but for now they're doing fine.”
Paul Simon: Pic by Matt O'Connor
LIVE REVIEWS
“Of course everyone jumps to their feet for You Can Call Me Al and the dreamy glittering guitars of Graceland and we leave the auditorium to Sinatra's swinging version of Mrs Robinson – a playfully cheeky move on Simon's part.”
“His voice may never match the powerful, stirring heights captured in his records, but there are still many moments where he gives us long vistas into his glory days.”
“A surge of satisfied punters left the muddy festival ground and said a reluctant goodbye to Bluesfest for another year.”
“As Carlos had so passionately told the crowd earlier, “We'd play all night if we could”. And after such a performance, everyone wishes they would.”
“Rodriguez seems to have a soft spot for Australia, remarking that the last time he had as much fun was when he was here previously.”
COMEDY REVIEWS
“If you're looking for a cheeky tale about the fundamentals of family and fun then Jack Tandy is the comic for you.”
“You won't be rolling on the floor for an hour, but if you don't mind awkward, you might let out a few guffaws.”
“Rama Nicholas has got one hell of a show for you.”
“Ryan Coffey is a must see musical comedy experience.”
5. Phil And Me
“Phil and Me deals mostly in ethnic stereotypes to get its laughs but there is something charming and truthful about the characters that elevates the show to something special.”
STREAMS
VIDEOS
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