Sydney Tapes

Farewell

2010-10-19T12:42:00.003+11:00

At least for now.

As you have probably noticed I'm not really doing this so much anymore. It's been a productive two years and a lot changing during that time, but unfortunately I'm not feeling the passion for it anymore and feel as if recently it's becoming more of a chore that's taking away from my enjoyment of shows. I took a month of going to gigs in general and came back trying to tape Sun Araw and that was not a good experience, I might release that later. Hey, I might even come back to the blog later if I feel and resparked interest in it, or maybe if the Sydney scene really switches it up in the near future. That said it's been a fun 2 years, met a buttload of people, heard a lot of incredible music and I think I've captured a very important time in Sydney music on tape forever. Thanks to everyone that listened, commented, let me tape them, hung out with me at shows, let me know that my efforts were appreciated, Adam Lewis for having me on Radiant on FBi a few times, Papaiti for playing my tapes on his show in Wellington, and Chris over at Fan Made Recordings for getting me into this in the first place.

As for regrets, I regret never being able to record the following bands: Ether Rag, Thylacine, Yes, I'm Leaving, Let Me Down Gently, Jungleman, None Music, Ghoul, Michael Crafter, Carborator and plenty more from beyond Sydney.

And for the sake of numbers, my most downloaded shows were The Cure, Pavement, Rowland S. Howard, Glassjaw and Paul McCartney in that order, each downloaded tens of thousands of times each. I might do a few posts in the future revisiting my favourite shows.

I might have some new blogs up soon, something small for now that I run with Adam Lewis from Radiant on FBi fame is ausreleases, just an archive of albums released for free by Australian bands.

Royal Headache + Wollen Kits

2010-08-23T16:17:00.005+10:00

Photos by Dimity. Full set over at Two Point Eight.

I didn't get a chance to record Lowlife and the Warm Feelings as I was pretty all over the place at that part of the night, but they were pretty cool.

But before I start anything, fuck Newtown RSL. I haven't been there since I saw Animal Collective play there years ago, unless that Kiosk + Calvin Johnson show was after that, I forget. But the sound is fucking atrocious, at random points the sound would just totally blow out and either become all high end or get drowned in bass, and at the best of times it was like hearing the bands play through a hand held radio, also I know it's standard RSL fare but trying to tell people that live within 5kms that they need to get a membership is annoying as hell when you have an event such as this going on.

Woollen Kits played just as well as they did the night before, but with pretty poor sound, but less guitar cutting out.

Woollen Kits - Newtown RSL, Sydney, 20/08/2010 - 47mb - 30 minutes

Playing the shortest set of the night in true Royal Headache style, they stepped it up a notch and reminded everyone why they love them so much. No other band in Sydney can get a crowd going like these guys can and it's pretty awesome/fun to see that sort of reaction. It still amuses me how much they hate even the slightest suggestion of playing Honey Joy, despite the fact that song is pure genius.

Royal Headache - Newtown RSL, Sydney, 20/08/2010 - 33mb - 23 minutes

Woollen Kits + Bed Wettin' Bad Boys

2010-08-23T16:07:00.004+10:00

Photo by Dimity. Full set available at Two Point Eight.

Bed Wettin' Bad Boys played a set with Shortty (currently of Royal Headache fame) on drums. It's pretty cool that they switched things up but I definitely prefer it as just the 3 of them, it kinda took away from the amateur charm and made it all a bit stale.

Bed Wettin' Bad Boys - Gallery Bar, Sydney, 19/08/2010 - 41mb - 28 minutes

Woollen Kits came up to Sydney for the weekend to play a stack of free shows. The vocals sort of become over powering in the last song so everything else is mixed a bit lower throughout as a result, I might fix it later, but their brand of double-guitar-pop is just beautiful. First time getting to see them live so half the set was new music for it and I dug it all heaps.

Woollen Kits - Gallery Bar, Sydney, 19/08/2010 - 44.7mb - 31 minutes

First ever Absolute Boys show.

2010-08-11T21:38:00.003+10:00

Long long ago I got to witness and record Absolute Boys first ever show supporting My Disco, Holy Balm and Royal Headache. The recording was great, and they were great, but this has been unavailable since then. But as of right now I'm allowed to put it back up so everyone can hear, and I cannot recommend it more. Give it a spin. Here's what I said at the time:

"Who are the Absolute Boys? I only found out who they "might" be the night before and this was enough to make me excited, 1 part Eucalpyt, 2 parts Ohana, and the result was fucking awesome. Got about half way through the intro to the first song before realising this was going to be a great band. Pretty sure this was their first show."

Minimalist awesome.

Absolute Boys - Oxford Art Factory, Sydney, 24/09/2009 - 30.54mb - 21 minutes

Pisschrist farewell

2010-08-02T19:06:00.003+10:00

Supported by Pathetic Human and Teargas.

This was due to start at 4pm in Footscray Park, but this damn hyped up thing I've been hearing about all weekend called the "Arctic Blast" hit and just started pissing down, being windy as hell and into single digits of temperature, so we had to stand around for about an hour and a half while things were slowly set up, was actually quite painful but easily worth it.

Was really pumped to see Pathetic Human, I expected nothing more than the 10 minutes set they gave us, I couldn't see anything but they played well.

Pathetic Human - Footscray Park, Melbourne, 01/08/2010 - 15mb - 10 minutes

Never heard of Teargas but I am an instant convert, once again didn't see what they looked like. The power cuts out about half way through after one of the many dogs pull it out of the pole, followed by a human pyramid being built to plug it back in.

Teargas - Footscray Park, Melbourne, 01/08/2010 - 39mb - 26 minutes

And on to the final ever Pisschrist show, they were awesome, so damn awesome. BUT. They played for 50 fucking minutes. I was exhausted by the end, I granted that it was their farewell show but I had really had enough by this point with the weather/location and what not. Though huge fans of the band would have been loving it, and so ended my adventure to Footscray Park and Melbourne.

Pisschrist - Footscray Park, Melbourne, 01/08/2010 - 77mb - 51 minutes

Super Wild Horses album launch

2010-08-02T18:53:00.004+10:00

Supported by School of Radiant Living, Boomgates and Total Control.

So I went to Melbourne for the weekend, I had a bit of trouble trying to figure out which Victoria Hotel this was since the address I had been given was an actual hotel. Turns out the show was literally in a hotel, in a function room. Which turned out to be surprisingly good, as I'm sure they don't normally have gigs there so there was no limiter and it was preeeeeeeeetty pretty loud.

Boomgates were quite interesting to see, who are (correct me if I'm wrong) Rick from the Twerps, Steph from Dick Diver, Gus from Teen Archer, Brendan from Eddy Current Suppression Ring and maybe one other person. There are some really well thought out songs here, but they also played a few duds as well, a short set of all the good stuff would have gone over really well, but this dragged on a little. Brendan spent half the set shredding into a melodica and I don't think I heard a peep out of it once.

Boomgates - Victoria Hotel, Melbourne, 31/07/2010 - 45mb - 31 minutes

I was always looking forward to seeing Total Control, but did not expect them to be this good, one of the best sets I've seen all year, if I had to go down "x meets y" path I'd say Chrome Dome meets Brainiac. Best I saw all weekend, as far as I know Total Control is Mikey from Eddy Current Suppression Ring, Dan from the UV Race/Straitjacket Nation, Al from UV Race/Dick Diver and two other dudes that I'm sure people from Melbourne know.

Total Control - Victoria Hotel, Melbourne, 31/07/2010 - 41mb - 27 minutes

Super Wild Horses, seemed to be a bit of an off night and they played wayyy to long. I didn't even know they had this many songs, plenty of enjoyable moments through out though.

Super Wild Horses - Victoria Hotel, Melbourne, 31/07/2010 - 63mb - 44 minutes

Golden Staph + Super Wild Horses

2010-07-26T17:33:00.003+10:00

I missed all of Golden Staph's shows this weekend because shit was busy as and I'm lazy but they were awesome, regret only seeing them the once but that didn't take away from it at all.

Golden Staph - Repressed Records, Sydney, 25/07/2010 - 29mb - 20 minutes

First impressions from seeing Super Wild Horses back at Flip Out last year left me less than impressed. In fact I hated them, time to admit I was wrong because this was great.

Super Wild Horses - Repressed Records, Sydney, 25/07/2010 - 29mb - 21 minutes

Intentions + Dead China Doll

2010-07-26T17:26:00.003+10:00

Intentions rule. Simple as that. It's a bit jumpy at the start and the vocals are blaringly loud.

Intentions - Black Wire to Common Ground, Sydney, 24/07/2010 - 25mb - 17 minutes

Dead China Doll rule. Simple as that. It's a bit jumpy at the end and the drumming is amazing.

Dead China Doll - Black Wire to Common Ground, Sydney, 24/07/2010 - 26mb - 17 minutes

Sally Seltmann - Heart That's Pounding launch

2010-07-26T17:23:00.003+10:00

I don't normally go to shows like this, but I was entertained and Sally Seltmann writes a damn fine song. Darren from the Avalanches was on the drums as well. She plays quite a few New Buffalo songs as well, crowd was strange, 30-somethings trying to hold on to their youth through FBi vs. Triple J mouth breathers. The type of crowd that when the performer asks for quiet spends the entire song shushing each other.

Sally Seltmann - Oxford Art Factory, Sydney, 23/07/2010 - 91mb - 1 hour 5 minutes

Naked on the Vague + Southern Comfort

2010-07-26T16:07:00.003+10:00

I'm not 100% on what Southern Comfort is. It's just Harriet and Angela yeah with Jack filling in whatevers vacant? Every time I see them he's playing a different instrument. Anyway, pretty cool.

Southern Comfort - Spectrum, Sydney, 23/07/2010 - 40mb - 28 minutes

Naked on the Vague played a sort of stripped down set, a lot less keyboards and pedals and such and lots more guitar, the result was brutal, one of the best sets I've seen them play.

Naked on the Vague - Spectrum, Sydney, 23/07/2010 - 52mb - 36 minutes

Aktion Unit + Alps

2010-07-13T16:39:00.006+10:00

Went to the new Dirty Shirlows during the day for a set from Aktion Unit. It's pretty cool the way they've done it up, proper PA, a (wide but shallow) stage and even some lights. Didn't expect it coming in, so I guess that explains why they were closed for that time.

I guess Alps of NSW is just Alps now, but this set was el grande. I missed everyone before he came on though.

Alps - Dirty Shirlows, Sydney, 11/07/2010 - 34mb - 23 minutes

When Aktion Unit started it was some big band mode, there were 8 people on stage but my first impression that it was going to be some very low key ambient affair, but by about half way through everything was building up and by the end it was just an incredible cacophony of sound. A really great set all around. People were employing shit they'd learn from the Dead C the night before.

Aktion Unit - Dirty Shirlows, Sydney, 11/07/2010 - 24mb - 16 minutes

The Dead C for the Biennale

2010-07-13T16:39:00.005+10:00

The Dead C played their first show in 7 years in Australia as a free one at the SuperDeluxe Artspace. Spent the whole week pretty excited for this one and it met expectations, I missed the first minute or so because I was playing pool. Everyone seemed pretty stoked about when they started raking their guitars around during the feedback section at the end, I'm glad the sound quality turned out as well as it did because I had pretty low hopes at the time. There are at least 3 other recordings floating around out there if you don't like this one.

The Dead C - SuperDeluxe Artspace, Sydney, 10/07/2010 - 80.6mb - 55 minutes

In Sepia/Nim split launch

2010-07-05T00:54:00.002+10:00

Since it was just down the road from Black Wire, why the hell wouldn't I?

Hira Hira played, you know the deal, there's a bit of clipping from my shitty wire that caused problems all weekend. Sing-a-long good times.

Hira Hira - Jura Books, Sydney, 03/07/2010 - 25mb - 17 minutes

Been waiting a while to finally see In Sepia, totally entrancing stuff. They were really really great. One of those bands I realised I had never seen before until they mentioned that it was their first time in Sydney.

In Sepia - Jura Books, Sydney, 03/07/2010 - 44mb - 30 minutes

I had never heard of Nim before and assumed I like them by association. They frikken ruled, really showy stuff, but great, fun post-hardcore in the same vein of Life at These Speeds/Moving Mountains, but from Japan instead. A band I wish I had known of before going in, but what better way to discover them?

Nim - Jura Books, Sydney, 03/07/2010 - 59mb - 36 minutes

And so ends the most incredibubble weekend ever.

Black Wire to Common Ground in-store

2010-07-05T00:44:00.004+10:00

So Black Wire is pretty much the new Paint it Black. First time I've been there and it rules. Great room for gigs and they have every Murder City Devils LP for $12! Entirely volunteer ran.

The Fighting League represented Canberra and were basically a shit load of fun. I dunno if I wanna bother describing it, just listen.

The Fighting League - Black Wire to Common Ground, Sydney, 03/07/2010 - 36mb - 25 minutes

I've been pretty obsessed with Assassins 88 tape the past couple of months, but I didn't know what to expect from them live. Just assumed it would be a duo and the bassist would sing, but turns out they both sing, with the drummer doing most of it with a mic (Telephone receiver? Ribbon mic? Same thing? Neither?) duct taped into his mouth. Live gave me mad Lightning Bolt vibes, without sounding like them at all. Just loud as shit pop music with crazy drumming.

Assassins 88 - Black Wire to Common Ground, Sydney, 03/07/2010 - 27mb - 19 minutes

Bitch Prefect again. Awesome again. What a band. Come back soon.

Bitch Prefect - Black Wire to Common Ground, Sydney, 03/07/2010 - 51.5mb - 37 minutes

Naked on the Vagues - Heaps of Nothing album launch

2010-07-05T00:28:00.003+10:00

A friend reminded me before their set that I once said that Holy Balm flip flopped between being "Eh" and the best band in the world. I retract that statement now, they're consistently amazing. Another great set.

Holy Balm - Excelsior Hotel, Sydney, 02/07/2010 - 40mb - 27 minutes

Just the same as everyone else, after hearing Kitchen's Floor do Bad Decisions and deciding that it's pretty much the best song ever, I had to see Bitch Prefect. They are great not a single bad song all set, just really great pop music, me and everyone I've hung around in the days since have just been singing along to basically any song from this set.

Bitch Prefect - Excelsior Hotel, Sydney, 02/07/2010 - 46mb - 31 minutes

First chance I've had to see Naked on the Vague since releasing the best album ever. They ruled, had never heard Blank Minds live before, but the whole place basically turned into a metal gig when that was dropped, just heavy as hell. Band were at the top of their game at this show, a flooring set. Just the worlds darkest music with genius pop melodies is all.

Setlist
These Days
Mysterious Oven
New Song
The Joke
Wrong Room
Sacred Youth
Treading Water
Black Lettuce
Blank Minds

Naked on the Vague - Excelsior Hotel, Sydney, 02/07/2010 - 62mb - 43 minutes

Dualplover End of Financial Year Party

2010-07-05T00:10:00.010+10:00

Don't know how, but Lucas Abela managed to get Sydney's music scene to go to Home Nightclub. That was an odd experience.

I got there about 9pm, and now that the line up was basically nothing like it was originally planned, I don't know who the first couple of bands I saw were, I'm assuming I missed Godswounds, but the first I recognised were Crab Smasher, one of those bands that are awesome and on every line up, but I keep managing to miss. Was a good way to start the night, there's a short conversation I have towards the start of it, sorry about that, also I can't remember how much of the first song I missed, my gear has been fucking up recently, and I know exactly how to fix it, I just don't have the money.

Crab Smasher - Home, Sydney, 30/06/2010 - 23mb - 17 minutes

Drunk Elk played next I think, I've completely forgotten the order, and were a bit of a downer and didn't quite suite the night, but were still great. There's about 5 minutes I cut out in the middle of them just tuning their instruments.

Drunk Elk - Home, Sydney, 30/06/2010 - 28mb - 19 minutes

10 minutes of Rice Corpse next, don't know why so short, guess Lucas had better shit to do that night. Still mad regrets not taping them at Auralted States, probably the best I've seen them played, also the longest.

Rice Corpse - Home, Sydney, 30/06/2010 - 13mb - 9 minutes

Then in true Dualplover style it turned into some fucking weird rave-core rave for about an hour and a half and everyone acted like a bunch of fucking weirdos, after counting down to the new financial year. It was awesome.

I had been quite excited to see Horse MacGyver, (Probably better known as ///▲▲▲\\\, fucken #\\/\\/|†©|•| |•|▲µ§, too far? Too far.) so I was a bit shitty that he played a short set, and some cunt spent the entire set throwing shit at him, but when he got into the flow of things it was really fucking good, but by all accounts his set at Serial Space the night before was just mind blowing. Because I decided to consider that I was seeing him tonight and skip out on that show to go to my usual Tuesday Night Trivia at the Clare. I'm dumb.

Horse MacGyver - Home, Sydney, 30/06/2010 - 24mb - 17 minutes

I saw Teen Ax once before when they were Liz Hurly, and was really impressed, they were still really good but it occurred to me that night that the drummer is just fucking appalling, even playing shit as simple as this and everything about it is so weak. Here, have the potential award.

Teen Ax - Home, Sydney, 30/06/2010 - 20mb - 14 minutes

Whores rule. Whores fucking rules.

Whores - Home, Sydney, 30/06/2010 - 25mb - 18 minutes

Oren Ambarchi for the Bienalle

2010-06-27T22:24:00.001+10:00

Yeah I don't really consider going to the eastern suburbs for a gig a good time, but Oren Ambarchi blissed everyone and their free noodles the fuck out. I don't know how long Oren Ambarchi gigs normally go for but 25mins leaves me wanting a lot more.

Oren Ambarchi - SuperDeluxe Artspace, Sydney, 26/06/2010 - 33mb - 25 minutes

Graf Orlock/Dangers House show

2010-06-27T21:24:00.003+10:00

Yeah I went to a house show and took my recording gear, nerd alert.

Nice Guys opened up proceedings at the neighbourhood friendly time of 1pm, I only ever seen these guys one other time at their first show, and got damn they've improved. They got really good really fast. Eager to see them again after this.

Nice Guys - House Show, Sydney, 26/06/2010 - 29mb - 20 minutes

Dangers were up next, and my impression was that the vocalist was trying to murder the crowd, he at one staged jammed me into a fireplace. Pretty darn good set but there were times where the vocals verged into the yelping territory, but the rest of the time they were really solid.

Dangers - House Show, Sydney, 26/06/2010 - 40mb - 28 minutes

Graf Orlock last. It's not every day you attend a gig where everyone shouts along to movie quotes, but these guys really brought it. The mics clip a whole heap when shit gets rough but I managed to get a good sound out of it, sounds a bit fucked up as well when a few guys and I tried to jam him through the bannister. Classic ending of doing a cover of the Jurassic Park theme while crowd surfing through the room, through the kitchen and out into the backyard.

Graf Orlock - House Show, Sydney, 26/06/2010 - 35mb - 25 minutes

Crow album launch

2010-06-10T14:28:00.003+10:00

So this was pretty cool, never had a chance to see Crow before, though they mostly played new songs, they were done alright, but the older material was amazing and refreshing to hear. The PA system in the venue sucked balls and there were tech problems galore. Notes is a Vanguard-esque venue, which means it sucks. Also middle-aged drunk people. Can't get enough of them.

Crow - Notes, Sydney, 04/06/2010 - 120mb - 1 hour 22 minutes

VIVD Festival: The King Khan & BBQ Show

2010-06-10T14:16:00.004+10:00

This show, quite simply, was weird.

It started off good enough, with King Khan walking off stage, out the fire exit and up onto the balcony where Lou Reed was seated to try and play a guitar solo, unfortunately the guitar dropped out and it was left up to Mark Sultan to fill the gap. From there on the show was up and down. Great parts included the music, Mark Sultan, getting everyone to throw a rubber snake around, and feeding everyone, the weird parts were King Khan being a general douche, being incredibly racist and getting the person he was being racist towards to dance for him still, cracking the shits with people in the crowd, kicking a dude in the fucking face, and desperate chicks getting up on stage being desperate.

It was easy to tell what was part of the King Khan and BBQ Show and what wasn't, seemed to me like King Khan was just trying to hard to impress Lou Reed, who greeted him mostly with his heroin face.

So yeah, The King Khan and BBQ Show ended after this show, and King Khan was banned from the Opera House. They are no more. Read King Khan's side of the story here, though he quite obviously left a lot out, what was written there wouldn't have caused Mark Sultan to break up the band, but it's all very sad, they were great together.

The King Khan & BBQ Show - Opera House Studio, Sydney, 03/06/2010 - 99mb - 1 hour 8 minutes

VIVID Festival: Melt-Banana

2010-06-03T12:37:00.004+10:00

This was awesome.

The set starts out with 15/20 minutes of the Yasuko Onuki & Ichirou Agata collaboration that was shown at Noise Night, once again in complete darkness with nothing but head torches, before the rest of the band joined them for an hours worth of awesome Melt-Banana material. Yasuko has the craziest eyes ever when she's not being adorable and Ichirou is still blowing my mind as a guitarist. Encore includes them covering the Specials covering Monkey Man.

Not that any one that has any say in this will read this, but I really think the Opera House should have gigs in the Studio like this more often, and not just for international bands/established Australian acts. The sound is amazing and it's got a good vibe, plus the novelty of being the god damn Opera House.

Setlist - Thanks to Wiebke's awesome Melt-Banana live archive.
Phantasmagoria
T for Tone
Slide Down
One Drop, One life
Lock the Head
In Store
Cat and the Blood
Dog Song
Dig a Pit
Chain Keeper
Shield for Your Eyes, a Beast in the Well on Your Hand
RRAGG
Spider Snipe
Heiwaboke Crisis
Cat Brain Land
Too Rough to Scoop
The Call of the Vague
Loop Nebula
Leeching
Circle-Jack (Chase the Magic Words, Lego Lego)
A Hunter in the Rain to Cut the Neck Up in the Present Stage
Pain in Ash
Cracked Plaster Cast
Green Eyed Devil
A Dreamer who is too Weak to Face Up to
Lost Parts Stinging Me So Cold
Blank Page of the Blind
Encore
Monkey Man
Spathic!!
Encore
Scratch or Stitch!

Melt-Banana - Opera House Studio, Sydney, 02/06/2010 - 113mb - 1 hour 14 minutes

VIVID Festival: Noise Night

2010-06-01T22:24:00.005+10:00

Holy. Fucking. Shit. What. Did. I. Just. Witness?

To start off it's hard to believe that these bands are all playing the Opera House, let alone all on the one night. Always knew tonight was gonna be special, but no idea it would end up being this huge. Not the loudest gig I've ever been to but definitely one of the most sustained.

We walk in to find about 30 people on stage setting gear up and just a dull drone that goes on for about 20 mins before the almighty Zond begin playing. Now if you went to Flip Out last year, you'd know barely anyone got a chance to see them since they opened the doors after they had already started playing, I was always bitter about this, this set was great though, album is out today on RIP Society in fact. The set ends with a massive drum solo from the drummer, doesn't make sense on the recording, but if you were there, you would have seen that like clock work, the entire stage was flooded with crew bumping out all their gear and setting up for the next band while the drum solo went on, they even removed and replace pieces of the kit while he was playing, then the bassist and guitarist from Melt-Banana come out and fill some time with feedback leading into their set.

Zond - Opera House Theatre, Sydney, 31/05/2010 - 32mb - 21 minutes

Melt-Banana weren't really suited for the seating environment, but I was blown away by them, the guitarist is beyond amazing. Some really cool sounds and great, punchy and fast songs. Based on this performance I've decided to go see them on Wednesday night as well now. Them pumping out 6-7 songs in their timeslot is pretty funny considering later on Boris only got through one.

Melt-Banana - Opera House Theatre, Sydney, 31/05/2010 - 31.6mb - 21 minutes

It was hard to tell but the next set was actually Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson & Sarth Calhoun. It was odd to see such a legend play so far back on the stage while the sound crew wheeled out all of Boris's gear, but it was actually really good, this is what I was expecting to hear last night, Laurie Anderson really added a lot to it.

Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson & Sarth Calhoun - Opera House Theatre, Sydney, 31/05/2010 - 19.4mb - 13 minutes

Oren Ambarchi played a short ambient set in the lead up to Boris, I've never had the opportunity to see him, I've only heard various live tapings of his and all sorts of praise from my friends. Totally blown away, this guy is amazing, I wish he was around more often. Some of the highest calibre of music I think I've ever heard.

Oren Ambarchi - Opera House Theatre, Sydney, 31/05/2010 - 15.1mb - 11 minutes

Oren Ambarchi remained on stage and joined Boris for one the most face melting 20mins of my life. This was just amazing, they only got through the final Untitled track from Smile, but all of it was amazing. This band, this is the band. Perfect way to close the first half of the set. People really got into it. Four fucking guitars at once though.

Boris & Oren Ambarchi - Opera House Theatre, Sydney, 31/05/2010 - 30.3mb - 22 minutes

Now there was an intermission, I don't know if people were only there for Boris, or didn't know there was an intermission at all but half the people left, to be honest I didn't know there was going to be one but had just assumed as such when the house lights came up, but I've heard a lot of stories of people missing the second half of the show, which is when shit got crazy.

Rice Corpse opened the second portion, Lucas Abela playing the fucking Opera House, too be honest it didn't really suit it, I find his performances to be quite confronting and a great time, but a lot of that comes from how close and involved in the crowd he usually is, rather than on a stage 15 or so metres away from anyone. If was after this set that I realised the second portion of the show would have really poor flow, though the biggest cheer of the night was when a vacuum cleaner was brought out to clean up Justice Yeldham's mess, with every cheering for it to be turned up. Noise Night guys.

Rice Corpse - Opera House Theatre, Sydney, 31/05/2010 - 17.3mb - 12 minutes

Bardo Pond were up next after a bit of awkward silence, with guest spots from Marc Ribot and Miles Brown. This was probably the loudest part of the night, shame it didn't go for longer but everyone had their time slot I guess. Marc Ribot was amazing to watch.

Bardo Pond, Marc Ribot & Miles Brown - Opera House Theatre, Sydney, 31/05/2010 - 27.7mb - 20 minutes

After a way to long intro, there was only enough time for the Night Terrors to get through 2 songs, I could see potential but there just wasn't enough time for them to do their own thing, will be looking out for a solo show of theirs soon enough.

The Night Terrors - Opera House Theatre, Sydney, 31/05/2010 - 22.1mb - 16 minutes

Though not on any of the line ups, Yasuko Onuki & Ichirou Agata from Melt-Banana returned to the stage with a different set up and basically trolled the crowd, playing off synth pads, drum machines and all sorts of pedals, they played in complete darkness with only head torches on, playing a constant stop and start set, only giving people enough time to begin playing before starting to blast them with noise again. To be honest, I really liked it. Felt like it went for a life time though.

Yasuka Onuki & Ichirou Agata - Opera House Theatre, Sydney, 31/05/2010 - 10.5mb - 7 minutes

Then there was the collaboration. This was amazing, thought I'd never see anything like it, has to be heard to be believed, once again, what I was more expecting from Metal Machine Trio.

Line-Up
Lou Reed - Guitars, Effects
Laurie Anderson - Violin
Sarth Calhoun - Programming (Metal Machine Trio)
Marc Ribot - Guitar
Ichirou Agata - Pedals (Melt-Banana)
Miles Brown - Theremin (The Night Terrors)
Tym Krasevac - Drums (Zond)
Marney MacLeod - Guitar (Zond)
Justin K Fuller - Guitar (Zond)
Matthew Brown - Korg (Zond)

Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson, Sarth Calhoun, Marc Ribot, Ichirou Agata, Miles Brown, Tym Krasevac, Marney MacLeod, Justin K Fuller & Matthew Brown - Opera House Theatre, Sydney, 31/05/2010 - 36.6mb - 25 minutes

After this, Lou Reed thanked us all and hoped we enjoyed it, and then just sat there while everyone walked out. About 80 or so people decided they weren't going anywhere and stared demanding a Zondcore. After much talking with the various people on stage, the lights went off again and a second jam started for the people who were smart enough to stay behind, this was the much better of the two improv sets at the end and was one of the best things I have ever seen.

Line-Up
Lou Reed - Guitars, Effects
Laurie Anderson - Violin
Sarth Calhoun - Programming (Metal Machine Trio)
Ichirou Agata - Guitar, Effects (Melt-Banana)
Jason Kourkounis - Drums (Bardo Pond, Hot Snakes, The Delta 72)
Oren Ambarchi - Drums
Miles Brown - Theremin (The Night Terrors)
Justin K Fuller - Guitar (Zond)
Matthew Brown - Korg (Zond)

Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson, Sarth Calhoun, Marc Ribot, Ichirou Agata, Jason Kourkounis, Oren Ambarchi, Miles Brown, Justin K Fuller & Matthew Brown - Opera House, Sydney, 31/05/2010 - 30.6mb - 21 minutes

If anyone knows any more info/people I left out from the collabs, let me know.

VIVID Festival: Lou Reed's Metal Machine Trio

2010-06-01T22:14:00.003+10:00

Don't know how I feel on this one. It wasn't quite as expected, I was hoping for a massive wall of feedback and noise with the associated feeling of discomfort through the whole thing, but it ended up being kinda pleasant. There were some very enthralling structured bits, but the improv used to link it all up was pretty sketchy at times. Lou Reed is looking pretty haggered these days, and he sorta just sits on his throne and orders his minions around to do the leg work for him, but overall this was very much worth it.

Lou Reed's Metal Machine Trio - Opera House Theatre, Sydney, 30/05/2010 - 127.45mb - 1 hour 29 minutes

VIVID Festival: Boris

2010-05-29T10:46:00.004+10:00

Simply floored. Amazing show. If not for Dirty Three, Boris would be the best thing I've seen all year. Opening song is amazing, closing song is even better, they did a bit of everything, a really varied night. Struggling to find the words, a must listen. The atmosphere in the room was great, the light show was stunning, though it wasn't as loud as expected, but that's hardly a bad point.

Can't wait to see them again on Monday, wish I was going tonight.

Setlist
Farewell
Rainbow
8
Message/Statement
Floorshaker
A Bao a Qu
16:47:52...
Akirame Flower
Pink
Korusu
1970
You Were Holding an Umbrella
[ ]/Untitled

Boris - Opera House Studio, Sydney, 28/05/2010 - 128.5mb - 1 hour 28 minutes

Circle Pit - Bruise Constellation Launch

2010-05-27T14:02:00.003+10:00

Supported by Lost Animal, Dead Farmers and Bed Wettin' Bad Boys.

I only had enough battery to record two bands, so naturally I picked the head liner + the band I had never seen before.

Lost Animal was interesting, some great tunes, backed up by this bassist who has been playing in pretty much every Melbourne band to visit Sydney lately, I saw him play with Pikelet a few weeks ago and then with Pets With Pets last week, and now Lost Animal. This is a set I think would be really interesting to see played with a live band, even if it's all synths and sequencers, could be really cool.

Lost Animal - Oxford Art Factory, Sydney, 26/05/2010 - 38.1mb - 26 minutes

Circle Pit owned. They owned. Tight as hell, vocals were spot on, there was guitar troubles here and there but over all a fucking awesome performance. Bruise Constellation is so freaking good. Really stoked on this band right now. Can't really say much more to be honest, a must listen.

Circle Pit - Oxford Art Factory, Sydney, 26/05/2010 - 59.4mb - 42 minutes

Batrider Return

2010-05-27T13:47:00.004+10:00

Supported by Dead Farmers, Pets With Pets and Brian Chase & Seth Misterka.

Good to see more shows being played at the Red Rattler, love this place. Dead Farmers up first played a pretty killer set to a pretty apprehensive room. The sound is a bit weird and there wasn't much I could do to it, but it's still quite good quality, and they had great amounts of energy.

Dead Farmers - Red Rattler, Sydney, 22/05/2010 - 27.6mb - 20 minutes

Always hearing a lot about Pets With Pets, I was somewhat suspicious watching them set up. Seemed like a bunch of overly image conscious people who just graduate from Rock and Roll 101, but once they started playing it was not what you'd expect at all from a band with a dedicated tambourine player who has a bandanna hanging off his mic stand. Really quite enjoyed this set, starts off very droney on the first song but because quite dancy towards the end. I accidentally tagged this one as being on the 26th of May. Oops.

Pets With Pets - Red Rattler, Sydney, 22/05/2010 - 49mb - 33 minutes

Bringing in the douchepatrol was Brian Chase & Seth Misterka. I only found out a week beforehand that they had been added to the line up, I didn't realise until I arrived there that the place would be full of Yeah Yeah Yeahs fans. They played exactly what I expected them to, which was quite refreshing compared to the rest of the line up, but naturally all the people who just knew Brian Chase ended up either sticking their fingers in their ears and turning around, or just talking loudly to their douche friends for the entire set. Short, but great set. I accidentally tagged this one as being on the 22nd of April, I'm getting bad at this.

Brian Chase & Seth Misterka - Red Rattler, Sydney, 22/05/2010 - 34.8mb - 24 minutes

I hadn't seen Batrider in years, but I mustn't have been paying close attention because I seem to remember there being 4 of them, and I didn't recognise the other 2 that were playing on this night. Great set though, pretty much what you'd come to expect from Batrider, hard to elaborate on it apart from that.

Batrider - Red Rattler, Sydney, 22/05/2010 - 49.1mb - 34 minutes

The Garbage and the Flowers

2010-05-16T15:01:00.004+10:00

Supported by Chris Petro, Holy Balm and Circle Pit.

I don't know what the reason behind this show was, but when Garbage and the Flowers play a show, you show up. I missed Chris Petro and have no idea who he is/what he's like but a friend said "You'd know who he was if you saw him."

So first up I saw Holy Balm, they are awesome again. This set ruled, there was a bit of an odd mix at times and very little drums to be heard, but they still played a great one.

Holy Balm - Red Rattler, Sydney, 14/05/2010 - 34.3mb - 23 minutes

I keep missing opportunities to tape Circle Pit, one of the best bands in the world. I taped them when the supported the Yeah Yeah Yeahs but assholes were talking shit (a common theme with Circle Pit) about them, one person of which happened to be directly to me. Not the best set I've seen them play, but the first time seeing them since getting my hands on Bruise Constellation. Fucken great set still. Felt like it dragged a bit in the middle but they played 2 or so new ones which were refreshingly rocking.

Circle Pit - Red Rattler, Sydney, 14/05/2010 - 50.4mb - 35 minutes

Garbage and the Flowers are a band that have always eluded me live, so for a first timer this set blew me away, it's always hard to tape a band of their sound but it turned out pretty well, captivating set. It's not often you get to see them.

The Garbage and the Flowers - Red Rattler, Sydney, 14/05/2010 - 60.3mb - 43 minutes

Nom goes to America.

2010-05-10T16:40:00.002+10:00

So my friend Nohemy Vivas went to America, saw a buttload of bands and recorded a few of them on an Edirol R-09HR that I lent to her. Due to the nature of the Edirol, some of them turned out with a few minor technical glitches, such as clicking or distortion, while others came out perfect. Quite a few don't start until a verse or so into the first song, but apart from that not much is missing. I'll get her to write some wonderful stories about them later and I'll throw up some setlists for what I know.

SXSW:
The Depreciation Guild - Wave Rooftop, Austin, 17/03/2010 - 45mb - 34 minutes
Fanfarlo - Galaxy Room, Austin, 18/03/2010 - 37mb - 27 minutes
Fucked Up - Emo's, Austin, 17/03/2010 - 52mb - 39 minutes
Memory Tapes - Emo's, Austin, 19/03/2010 - 38.6mb - 28 minutes - Mind-blowingly good set.
Midlake - Buffalo Billiards, Austin, 18/03/2010 - 57mb - 43 minutes
Oh No Oh My - Lovejoys, Austin, 19/03/2010 - 39.6mb - 30minutes
The Russian Futurists - Habana Calle 6, Austin, 17/03/2010 - 48mb - 36 minutes
So Cow - The Scoot Inn, Austin, 16/03/2010 - 45mb - 34 minutes
Surfer Blood - Emo's, Austin, 19/03/2010 - 25mb - 19 minutes - Really quiet.
Titus Andronicus - The Compound, Austin, 18/03/2010 - 62.6mb - 47 minutes
Toro y Moi - Lovejoys, Austin, 19/03/2010 - 36mb - 26 minutes
Washed Out - Lovejoys, Austin, 19/03/2010 - 46.5mb - 35 minutes - I got this a bit wrong, the first half of the set is actually Small Black, and the second half is Washed Out.

Elsewhere:
Andrew WK - Big Ears, Knoxville, 26/03/2010 - 54.6mb - 41 minutes - This is a lecture.
Deerhunter - Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, 01/04/2010 - 54.6mb - 41 minutes - Supporting Spoon, the bass is incredibly loud in this due to big venue + being in the front row, but everything else is audible so I decided to throw it up on here, great set.
Nada Surf - Bowery Ballroom, New York, 25/03/2010 - 99mb - 1 hour 1 minutes- Once again, really bass heavy and distorted, but still listenable if you really like Nada Surf.

Sets by Beach House, jj, St Vincent and the XX were also recorded, but all come out like balls, and two of those bands suck ass.

Also blogspot wouldn't let me tag this properly, can only do 200 characters apparently, so I did most of the bands only.

Dead Farmers/Royal Headache double launch.

2010-04-26T16:59:00.004+10:00

I had heard only terrible things about 202 Broadway, and having walked past it frequently and never seen a soul in there, I wasn't expecting much. The band room in the basement however is pretty cool, I dug the vibe, an acoustic nightmare, but I really enjoyed seeing these bands there.

Dick Diver came all the way up from Melbourne to support, I hadn't seen them since they came to support Mum Smokes, and I was equally blown away this time, they've been one of my favourite bands since then and this set was solid as hell. What a band.

Dick Diver - 202 Broadway, Sydney, 25/04/2010 - 48.1mb - 35 minutes

The good thing about seeing Royal Headache every single time they play is that they tend to bust out 2 or so new songs each time. Tonight there were 3 new songs and all of them amazing, they did seem to cut out all the songs that required actual singing though, not bad though because this was easily the best set I've ever seen them play. Everyone was so into it, there did seem to be some people near me treating Royal Headache like gods, and they were on fire. For some reason though (and it was like this on the night) the vocals keep getting louder and louder as the set goes on, so the last song is basically awash with distorted vocals.

Royal Headache - 202 Broadway, Sydney, 25/04/2010 - 35.5mb - 25 minutes

Dead Farmers finished off the night of what was pretty much a perfect lineup and were as amazing as ever, I decided to not be in the first two rows for this one so I couldn't see shit, but they've always been an amazing band and they played an amazing set. The LP fucking rules as well.

Dead Farmers - 202 Broadway, Sydney, 25/04/2010 - 41.6mb - 30 minutes

Chrome Dome album launch,

2010-04-26T16:58:00.004+10:00

Supported by every band ever.

First band up was Liz Hurley, I didn't record them and I'm assuming first gig ever for them, but I dug it for what it was.

Somehow I've lost every recording I've done of Whores, but they were pretty good tonight, not the best I've seen them, but def up there. Also has some awesome Clarinet shredding by Nic De Jong on some tracks. Recording comes in during the first song and the sounds a bit iffy for 30 seconds, but good from then on.

Whores - Supper Club, Sydney, 24/04/2010 - 23.8mb - 15 minutes

I had forgotten Dead China Doll were on this bill so this was the best surprise ever, what a fucking fantastic band. Killer set, came out great as well. No idea why I haven't recorded these guys before but got quite a few opportunities coming up.

Dead China Doll - Supper Club, Sydney, 24/04/2010 - 33.4mb - 24 minutes

The Nevada Strange are getting better each time I see them, but they're not quite there yet, some great ideas going around though. About 14 minutes there's some insane feedback so you know, watch out.

The Nevada Strange - Supper Club, Sydney, 24/04/2010 - 37.8mb - 26 minutes

This was the point I realised it was going to be a long night and that a shit load of bands were playing. The Warm Feelings played but the recording turned out to be shitty as. Shame.

I was showing Justice Yeldham to my girlfriend for the first time and was expecting to blow.her.mind. but forgot that shits pretty toned down as Rice Corpse. Great set. GREAT SET. Amazing drumming.

Rice Corpse - Supper Club, Sydney, 24/04/2010 - 25.5mb - 17 minutes

Chrome Dome finally rounded at the night. All hail Chrome Dome. A must listen this one. Not even going to give details, fucking listen to it.

Chrome Dome - Supper Club Sydney, 24/04/2010 - 38.9mb - 27 minutes

Ivy St 7inch Launch w/ The Stabs

2010-04-24T16:22:00.003+10:00

Ivy St started off a night of very similarly themed music and played a killer set, probably my favourite from the night. Good effort coming all the way from Hobart. Recording cuts in during the first song.

Ivy St - Excelsior Hotel, Sydney, 23/04/2010 - 44.9mb - 31 minutes

No idea why I've never recorded the Holy Soul before, despite being a bunch of great song writers, I always find their sets to drag on for that little bit too long, still a great set. Wish they got through the entire cover of Candy.

The Holy Soul - Excelsior Hotel, Sydney, 23/04/2010 - 59.4mb - 41 minutes

The Stabs weren't as good as past sets, they were fucking stellar at Flip Out and at GoodGod, this time they just seemed... kinda there and nothing else. Was awesome to hear Wading and That's It. Also they should probably set up their drum kit before playing, thing fell apart each song.

The Stabs - Excelsior Hotel, Sydney, 23/04/2010 - 63.5mb - 44 minutes

Kitchen's Floor 7" Launch

2010-04-22T18:30:00.003+10:00

Supported by Bed Wettin' Bad Boys and Holy Balm.

Never been to the Friend In Hand before but I really quite enjoyed it, great atmosphere, don't know what the chances are of having more shows there in the future there are, but was a pretty good alternative to GoodGod Small Club.

Holy Balm were up first, I've been a bit on and off about these guys, sometimes I think they're the best band in the world, and sometimes I find them a bit dull, tonight they were the best band in the world. So. Amazing. Can't wait for the 7inch.

Holy Balm - Friend in Hand, Sydney, 17/04/2010 - 31.5mb - 22 minutes

One of my biggest regrets was not recording Kitchen's Floor last time they came down, they killed it, they were amazing, sound gets a bit iffy at points but it's more than listenable.

Kitchen's Floor - Friend in Hand, Sydney, 17/04/2010 - 42.7mb - 28 minutes

I was really tired so I went to sleep, next time BWBB.

Hira Hira/Little A split launch.

2010-04-22T13:08:00.001+10:00

Man. Fuck World Bar.

Little A was great and charming as hell. Sound is pretty fucked up in this one, drums machines come in incredibly loud at points. Remind's me somewhat of Best Coast, lyrically anyway.

Little A - World Bar, Sydney, 16/04/2010 - 37mb - 26 minutes

A while the "Bordello" has shitty sound, shitty lighting and is stupidly hot, Hira Hira fucking owned it. The energy was amazing and they blasted through the whole set. A few newies as well.

Hira Hira - World Bar, Sydney, 16/04/2010 - 44mb - 30 minutes

New Weird Australia

2010-04-22T11:01:00.004+10:00

Featuring Karoshi, Caught Ship, Alps of NSW and Paint Your Golden Face.

Photos by Tenzenmen. Full set here.

A show organised by the endlessly marvellous New Weird Australia.

Yeah yeah long time between updates and this was a long time ago. Plenty of reasons.
I missed Karoshi but they were by all accounts amazing, and only saw the second half of Caught Ship, and by my account were also amazing.

Alps of NSW played stuff I mostly hadn't heard, and all of it was great. Only plays three songs over 20 minutes, but I really dug it all, hadn't seen him since last August.

Alps of NSW - St Petersburg, Sydney, 27/03/2010 - 25.7mb - 24 minutes

When I heard Paint Your Golden Face's name, I knew it would be Liars influenced, but to be honest I just felt like I was listening to a poor man's Drum's Not Dead. Really not my thing, it was just lots of looping really simple drum beats without going anywhere with them. Though when it gets good, it's really great, but those times are way too far and few between.

Paint Your Golden Face - St Petersburg, Sydney, 27/03/2010 - 51.7mb - 36 minutes

Crowded House Fanclub Show

2010-04-01T14:17:00.003+11:00

I had never seen Crowded House before. When they played the Entertainment Centre in 2007, I was in Melbourne, when they played the Enmore in 2008, I was in Fiji. So I finally got to go to what was originally a secret fanclub show thanks to the grace of the fanclub, especially a man named Crimpies, who bought me a ticket so I could record it, and to all the others who approached me offering to, Crowded House has the nicest fanclub ever.

The main point of the show was to show off new tracks, and they were pretty good I must say, but they did play a whole bunch of old songs as well which blew me away, so happy to see them live. I've seen the Finn Brothers before and Tim Finn before, but to hear Crowded House play them gave it a bit more of a legitimacy. The vibe was really relaxed and they fucked around a whole heap, Neil "The Silver Fox" Finn is just the most charming bastard ever. But as a result of fucking around they went over time and I can only assume cut off an encore, there was so much more I wanted to hear, but then again that wasn't the purpose of the show. My only real complaint about the show was the mix, in no ways bad, but unexpected, just made the band and the songs (especially the new ones) seem really delicate and brittle, sometimes matched with over powering piano when Mick Hart went up back. Apart from that, stellar show.

Attn Fanclubbers: FLAC is coming soon.

Setlist
In My Command
Saturday Sun
Fall at Your Feet
Don't Stop Now
Amsterdam
Either Side of the World
Four Seasons in One Day
Twice if Your Lucky
Pour le Monde
Isolation
Whispers and Moans
It's Only Natural
Falling Dove
Archer's Arrow
Private Universe
Distant Sun
Encore
Fingers of Love
Elephants
Into Temptation
Video Killed the Radiostar (The Buggles) (Teaser)
I Got You (Split Enz)
World Where You Live
Don't Dream it's Over

Crowded House - Enmore Theatre, Sydney, 31/03/2010 - 194.7mb - 2 hours - 2 hours 15 minutes

Sydney Tapes on the Radio.

2010-03-23T14:53:00.003+11:00

So I'm going to be on Radiant on FBi next Monday night at 9pm. Listen to me pick some of my favourite live tunes and talk about stuff in relation to the questions I am asked. I have a fine fine fine selection of tracks, four from Sydney, one from Melbourne and one from beyond.

So tune into 94.5 if you're in Sydney, or else, stream it from the FBi website. It should hopefully be being podcasted as well.

As you can tell my blog is pretty much dying at the moment, simply put I have been unemployed for 4 months now and am dead out of money, so I have only been recording gigs that I bought tickets to 6 months ago. It's hardly been "Sydney" Live at all. Anyway, there's nothing much coming up either, I got a free ticket to see Crowded House in a few days and that's it. Sorry guys, once I get a job it'll be back to why I started doing this in the first place. If I do come into money, then expect heaps because basically from this weekend onwards, Sydney becomes awesome again.

Update: Now play one track from Melbourne, one track from Brisbane and four tracks from Sydney. Was gonna play a La Quiete one but it sounds like shit.

Pixies play Doolittle

2010-03-17T23:55:00.003+11:00

And that's exactly what they did, played Doolittle. They were tight and the show was awesome, but it just didn't reach the heights of the 2007 tour. Not much to say to be honest, 10 minutes of intro video was annoying, then playing the first 4 songs in pitch black, before turning all the house lights on for the final encore after filling the entire venue with excessive amounts of smoke.

If anyone bought one, wanna lend me the CD of the show that they were selling? Me have no monies.

Setlist
Dancing the Manta Ray
Weird at My School
Bailey's Walk
Manta Ray
Debaser
Tame
Wave of Mutilation
I Bleed
Here Comes Your Man
Dead
Monkey Gone to Heaven
Mr. Grieves
Crackity Jones
La La Love You
No. 13 Baby
There Goes My Gun
Hey
Silver
Gouge Away
Encore
Wave of Mutilation (UK Surf)
Into the White
Encore
Velouria
Nimrod's Son
Vamos
Where Is My Mind?

Pixies - Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, 15/03/2010 - 136.2mb - 1 hour 33 minutes

The Drones.

2010-03-07T16:49:00.004+11:00

Supported by the Holy Soul.

I don't know why the Drones are touring but it was a damn fine show, strange as hell set list was really heavy on old stuff, after last tours playing all but one song off Havilah. But the strange part was the show ended up being an incredibly aggressive one. Stage banter from Gareth was genius as usual.

Setlist
Jezebel
Nail it Down
The Minotaur
The Freedom in the Loot
Hell and Heydevils
Sharkfin Blues
Six Ways to Sunday
She Had an Abortion That She Made Me Pay For
The Miller's Daughter
Encore
The Cockeyed Lowlife of the Highlands
I Don't Ever Want to Change

The Drones - Annandale Hotel, Sydney, 05/03/2010 - 113mb - 1 hour 19 minutes

Pavement

2010-03-05T01:43:00.004+11:00

So it's safe to assume that a lot of people will be visiting my blog for the first time for this, if you are, take a second to read the introduction off to the side to see what goes on here, and thanks for checking this shit out, and have a look around, there's plenty of other goodies here.

It's good to get a reunion tour while it's still fresh and the band are still into it, which Pavement clearly were. Heart-warmingly so. They could have played the crappiest setlist (They didn't) and been sloppy as shit (they weren't) and I would have walked away happy, they were all so animated and happy to be there, even singing a long to song that didn't require them to sing. There's a lot of false starts but as a friend say, they just charmed you more. SM is pure entertainment, and Bob is accidental entertainment, they even had the occasional choreographed moved. Anyway, as for the set list, it was awesome, and they were hella tight, there's a few moment where they need to restart songs but you know, who cares? This was a great show, I could play the "I wish they played..." game all day but those songs wouldn't have made the show any better, it was amazing. Sit back and enjoy. Also props to the old guy behind me for pouring his entire beer on me during Cut Your Hair.

Wish I was going to tomorrow's show. Unfortunately I had to sell my ticket because I am really strapped for cash. Wish I was going to Golden Plains as well, seeing this in the Supernatural Amphitheatre would really be something else.

"As they say in the drum and base world... TUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNES!"

Setlist
Silence Kit
Stereo
Frontwards
Father to a Sister of Thought
In the Mouth a Desert
Trigger Cut
Date With Ikea
Grounded
Range Life
Unfair
Elevate Me Later
Zurich is Stained
Hexx
Cut Your Hair
Stop Breathin'
Summer Babe
Here
Gold Soundz
Kennel District
Conduit for Sale!
Fight This Generation
Encore
Debris Slide
We Dance
Shady Lane
Perfume-V
Encore
Fin
Spit on a Stranger

Pavement - Enmore Theatre, Sydney, 04/03/2010 - 156.2mb - 1 hour 50 minutes

Jimmy Eat World Sidewave

2010-02-26T12:33:00.004+11:00

Supported by Sunny Day Real Estate, Glassjaw, Motion City Soundtrack and Rx Bandits.

All the times were changed with very little noticed and Rx Bandits started an hour before doors were due to open so I missed them, slightly bummed. Motion City Soundtrack aren't my thing.

Glassjaw played a much shorter and more muted set than at Soundwave but they were really good tonight, I really enjoyed this one, hope they come back one day for a full tour with a crowd that's a bit more energetic and a lengthier set. The crowd just wasn't what you expected from a Glassjaw gig. I share the sentiments of "We waited 10 years for this" but getting negative doesn't help, what they brought was awesome.

Setlist
Mu Empire
All Good Junkies Go to Heaven
Ape Dos Mil
Gillette Cavalcade of Sports
Jesus Glue
Two Tabs of Mescaline

Glassjaw - Roundhouse, Sydney, 23/02/2010 - 48mb - 33 minutes

Sunny Day Real Estate fucking owned this show. They destroyed, an amazing set, absolute perfection. Not a single flaw. It wasn't until much later that someone pointed out that the set was only 45mins long, and then realise they didn't care because it was so immensely satisfying, also features the first Song #9 in about 17 years. I'm glad this band exists.

Setlist
In Circles
Seven
Song About an Angel
48
Iscarabaid
Song #9
J'Nuh
Sometimes

Sunny Day Real Estate - Roundhouse, Sydney, 23/02/2010 - 67mb - 46 minutes

I wrote very highly of Jimmy Eat World at Soundwave, and I got what I expected, they weren't quite that at this show. The set sorta dragged on in the centre and there was lots of new material (though the younger audience members loved it) so I was a bit lost, but they still had moments of utter greatness. It was good they did swap the setlist up so much from Soundwave, especially playing Goodbye Sky Harbour.

Setlist
A Praise Chorus
Big Casino
Crush
Work
Dizzy
In the Same Room
Lucky Denver Mint
Goodbye Sky Harbour
Pain
23
Bleed American
Let it Happen
Always Be
Blister
Hear You Me
The Middle
Sweetness

Jimmy Eat World - Roundhouse, Sydney, 23/02/2010 - 108mb - 1 hour 16 minutes

Man, did that lineup really just happen in Australia?

Soundwave 2010

2010-02-25T17:20:00.009+11:00

Flawless day, I ended up having so much fun and seeing some sick bands. A lot better organised than last year, but still hot as hell without any shade (The biggest cheer of the day being when the sun went behind a stray cloud for 30 seconds at about 3pm.) but you know, I thought this day was gonna be all about my inner early/mid-teenager but I ended up having an awesome day regardless. If anyone can help me out with any of these setlists would be appreciated.

First up and the criminally early time for one of the best bands ever was Sunny Day Real Estate. I never really consider it much but their set was truly ruined by being on so early in the day, they played perfectly and they were all pretty stoked to be playing but by half way through the day I had completely forgotten they'd even played, and they were the primary reason I had gone. But lucky I taped it because it's amazing.

Setlist
Song About an Angel
Seven
Theo B
48
Iscarabaid
J'Nuh
In Circles
Sometimes

Sunny Day Real Estate - Soundwave, Sydney, 21/02/2010 - 63mb - 43 minutes

Saw Isis next as nothing else much was on, they had me pretty enthralled for moments and completely bored for others, enjoyable overall though. I think they played 3 songs?

Isis - Soundwave, Sydney, 21/02/2010 - 51mb - 36 minutes

The Weakerthans, a surprise highlight for the day, it was between seeing them or Alexisonfire so I went with the band that probably will never come back. Really stood out from the rest of the lineup playing what was basically indie pop, and they were hella fun.

Setlist
Bigfoot
Tournament of Hearts
Our Retired Explorer (Dines With Michel Foucault In Paris, 1961)
Benediction
Reconstruction Site
Aside
The Reasons
Left and Leaving
Plea from a Cat Named Virtute
(Manifest)

The Weakerthans - Soundwave, Sydney, 21/02/2010 - 50mb - 35 minutes

For some reason, I only had to walk two stages over, but that took me some 20 minutes because Glassjaw/gLASSJAW/GlassJAw were already half way through their first song when I got there. Daryl Palumbo's voice is damn amazing and they played a tight set, I didn't recognise that many songs though so I found myself a bit lost at points. You always hear stories about Daryl being a wanker and such but god damn, he was a douche on stage at this show. He also had all sorts of cuts all over his body. His voice was spot on though, a great set. Sound is a bit jumpy at the start as I'm still walking towards the stage.

Setlist
Tip Your Bartender
All Good Junkies Go to Heaven
Mu Empire
Ape Dos Mil
Gillette Cavalcade of Sports
Jesus Glue
Pink Roses
Two Tabs of Mescaline
Siberian Kiss

Glassjaw - Soundwave, Sydney, 21/02/2010 - 66mb - 46 minutes

Now I went to the mainstage to tape Placebo for a friend as nothing else was on and Paramore were still playing, so I thought it'd be funny to record That's What You Get and upload that, turns out it was only the third song of the set and I got to see all of it. tbh I've always thought Paramore write catchy singles but they were damn good live. I quite enjoyed it and Hayley Williams is like an energiser bunny.

Setlist
That's What You Get
Looking Up
Careful
Let the Flames
Pressure
Decode
Misery Business
Brick by Boring Brick

Paramore - Soundwave, Sydney, 21/02/2010 - 51mb - 36 minutes

Another reason I bought a ticket to this was The Get Up Kids. Best crowd of the day, everyone was so into it, and they were loving it. I had always heard stories of them being crappy live and what not but they went alright. I forgot to do a setlist for these guys, later.

Setlist
Holiday
I'm a Loner Dottie, A Rebel
Coming Clean
The One You Want
Woodson
Red Letter Day
Stay Gone
Close to Me (The Cure)
Action and Action
Don't Hate Me
Ten Minutes

The Get Up Kids - Soundwave, Sydney, 21/02/2010 - 56mb - 39 minutes

Due to the maintsage being an hour late, I ended up being able to see AFI as well. I'm walking into the D Barrier as Kill Caustic starts, I don't know what they played before then. But simple truth is, AFI have moved on and I haven't, this almost killed my inner-early-teenager. Though I did still enjoy hearing the Sing the Sorrow songs for a nostalgia trip, but the only time they went further back then that was for Love Is a Many Splendoured Thing. Oh well, they've got a shitload of fans now so it's working for them.

Setlist
Kill Caustic
Crash Love Song
Love is a Many Splendoured Thing
Crash Love Song
Dancing Through Sunday
The Missing Frame
Death of Seasons
Silver and Cold
Crash Love Song
Love Like Winter
Miss Murder

AFI - Soundwave, Sydney, 21/02/2010 - 58mb - 39 minutes

Jane's Addiction had their moments. I think people are taking them a bit too seriously, take it for what they are, a bunch of ex-junkie rockstars being ex-junkie rockstars, and it's a bit of fun. Perry pretended to have a three way with some dancers, he rolled around on the floor proclaiming himself a role model and never once looked at or acknowledged the presence of Eric Avery, but you know, this set was rock and roll. I've seen reunions where certain members aren't "into it" but Eric Avery looked downright pissed off to be playing.

Setlist
Up the Beach
Mountain Song
Had a Dad
Three Days
Whores
Been Caught Stealing
Then She Did...
Ocean Size
Ted, Just Admit It...
Stop!
Jane Says

Jane's Addiction - Soundwave, Sydney, 21/02/2010 - 95mb - 1 hour 7 minutes

I was extremely pleased when Jimmy Eat World were added at the last minute, and something seemed right about this set, something was clicking between them because what I saw is not what I ever hear about in reviews of Jimmy Eat World shows. It was fucking amazing. The set list was pretty damn great sing-a-long funtimes and the crowd were really enthusiastic. One of the best sets I've seen.

Setlist
Sweetness
A Praise Chorus
Let it Happen
Always Be
Lucky Denver Mint
23
Get it Faster
No Sensitivity
Work
The Authority Song
Futures
Big Casino
Blister
Hear You Me
Bleed American
Pain
The Middle

Jimmy Eat World - Soundwave, Sydney, 21/02/2010 - 98mb - 1 hour 9 minutes

And then I went home. Don't email me about Faith No More.

Ghosts of Television last ever show

2010-02-25T12:21:00.005+11:00

Supported by Dominic Talarico.

Arrived pretty late as I was at Yo La Tengo, so I missed Dominic.

Final show for Australia's best band? They did it perfectly. This show was fucking perfect. Not a single flaw, no better way to go out than the way Ghosts of Television did. Good to hear Know Weather for once as well.

Setlist
Hezbollah
New Flesh
Arhritis
Topsoil
Know Weather
Empty Thrones
Coelacanth
Juicy (Biggie)
Explosions
Buzzrd

Ghosts of Television - Gallery Bar, Sydney, 18/02/2010 - 63mb - 43 minutes

Yo La Tengo

2010-02-25T12:01:00.002+11:00

Supported by Songs.

Haven't seen Songs in a while, they were solid as.

Songs - Metro Theatre, Sydney, 18/02/2010 - 60mb - 42 minutes

Yo La Tengo were very different from the night before, begins to drag on in the middle but apart from that, a pretty good show. The ending is hilarious. Too bad they were totally blown out of my memory by Ghosts of Television who I saw afterwards. If someone help me with a setlist would be much appreciated.

Yo La Tengo - Metro Theatre, Sydney, 18/02/2010 - 161mb - 1 hour 55 minutes

Freewheelin' with Yo La Tengo

2010-02-22T10:58:00.002+11:00

Supported by The Twerps. Seen them once before at Repressed Records (Was overseas when they came up the time before that) but didn't record them then. This time was an acoustic set and it came off pretty well, so enjoy.

The Twerps - The Basement, Sydney, 18/02/2010 - 49mb - 33 minutes

Freewheelin' with Yo La Tengo? I wasn't quite sure how this would pan out but it turned out to be great, the questions were awesome, they have a lot of history and are great talkers. The Story of Yo La Tango was the highlight for me. There's quite a bit of phone interference in this so that's annoying, also you can't really hear the questions but you can infer what was asked.

Setlist
Big Day Coming
Nothing to Hide
Sugarcube
Nuclear War (Sun Ra)
The Story of Yo La Tango
Let's Save Tony Orlando's House
Drug Test
Government Centre (Modern Lovers)
How She Boogalooed It (Beach Boys)
Cherry Chapstick
Blue Line Swinger
Here to Fall
Mr. Tough
Encore
Autumn Sweater
Dreaming

Yo La Tengo - The Basement, Sydney, 18/02/2010 - 162mb - 1 hour 57 minutes

The Dodos

2010-02-19T12:52:00.002+11:00

I've had some pretty bad lucky recording the Dodos, I've seen them 3 times and they've all screwed up, so 4th time lucky. The show was pretty great, turned into a request fest by about the second song. They were also just so stoked to be here. That intro you hear at the start is the sound of a Vibraphone being played by 4 bows.

The Dodos - Oxford Art Factory, Sydney, 13/02/2010 - 122.3mb - 1 hour 25 minutes

Don't Look Back: Australia Day

2010-01-30T13:05:00.002+11:00

Featuring Laughing Clowns and Dirty Three.

Laughing Clowns performed History of Rock n' Roll Part 1, the first half was alright but the second half really picked up, started to really enjoy it then, but the mix is terrible. Can only hear half the drum kit and the bass is overpowering. I also cut out the intro because there was just crazy amounts of feedback during it.

Laughing Clowns - Enmore Theatre, Sydney, 26/01/2010 - 85.4mb - 1 hour

Dirty Three performed Ocean Songs. Simply, this is going in my Top 5. I had always heard Dirty Three were good live but I was not prepared for this at all. Some of the most amazing shit I've ever seen. Listen for yourself.

Dirty Three - Enmore Theatre, Sydney, 26/01/2009 - 139mb - 1 hour 39 minutes

Joanna Newsome in Wollongong

2010-01-28T10:12:00.004+11:00

Supported by Jens Lekman and Robert Forster.

I was seated in row F for the show really over to the side, so the mix isn't quite that even but I did what I could and it turned out alright. It was pretty hard to record as well considering the PA was quite low and every was incredibly loud between songs. Also I was sitting directly in front of the drums and not that far away from them so that had quite an effect.

I'm not allowed to records Jens Lekman but he was amazing and charming as all hell, probably my favourite set from the night. Argument With Myself is still genius.

Robert Forster was next and while he started off a bit slow, by the end I was really enjoying it. Played a song of Friends of Rachel Worth as well.

Robert Forster - Anita's Theatre, Wollongong, 23/01/2010 - 49mb - 35 minutes

Considering I only recognised only 3 or so songs in Joanna Newsom's set, she was completely captivating. Walked out hells impressed by her. New songs are damn fine, looking forward to the album.

Setlist
Jack Rabbits
Bridges and Balloons
Have One on Me
Ribbon Bows
California
Easy
Inflammatory Writ
Soft as Chalk
Autumn
No Provenance
Emily
Peach, Plum, Pear
Encore
Occident

Joanna Newsom - Anita's Theatre, Wollongong, 23/01/2010 - 149mb - 1 hour 49 minutes

Al Green in the Domain.

2010-01-15T11:53:00.003+11:00

Part of Sydney Festival first night, was pretty special. Al Green playing before some ridiculous sized crowd (In the range of the hundred of thousands) that I raced to get to from the Annandale. He played a pretty short set and it was pretty quiet, but it was damn fine, he's still got it basically. The medley he does in the middle really got everyone going. I love free shit.

Setlist
Intro
L.O.V.E. (Love)
Let's Get Married
Lay It Down
Let's Stay Together
How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?
Take Me to the River
I Can't Help Myself >
My Girls >
I've Been Loving You Too Long >
If You Ever Change Your Mind >
Dock of the Bay >
You Are Everything
Tired of Being Alone
Love and Happiness

Al Green - Domain, Sydney, 01/01/2010 - 78.7mb - 54 minutes

Ghosts of Television at the Annandale Hotel

2010-01-12T17:39:00.002+11:00

Supporting the Laurels and Love of Diagrams.

I only got time to see Ghosts of Television before I went off to go see Al Green play in the city. Worth it though, awesome awesome set, probably the best sound I've got of them.

Ghosts of Television - Annandale Hotel, Sydney, 09/01/2010 - 41.8mb - 29 minutes

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

2010-01-09T13:49:00.004+11:00

Supported by Circle Pit.

Yes yes, I got evidence of the time Circle Pit played the Hordern but the guy I was with talked through most of it and the crowd were pretty much assholes (a common theme for the night) so I won't be putting it up though. Fuck what everyone else thinks because they were great as usual.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs were pretty good. The set list order pretty much made no sense and they didn't really play the songs I wanted to hear, but I can't really fault it, I was distracted most of the time by the douchebags in the crowd, don't care what anyone else says a bad crowd can ruin a show and ruin it easily. Also $80 for an hour and twenty minutes of music.

Setlist
Shake It
Phenomena
Heads Will Roll
Black Tongue
10x10
Dull Life
Gold Lion
Y Control
Skeletons
Soft Shock
Pin
Zero
Cheated Hearts
Encore
Maps
Art Star
Date With the Night

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, 08/01/2010 - 118mb - 1 hour 21 minutes

God damn it. I tagged this wrong, it's not 2009 anymore. You may want to correct that when you download it.

King Khan and the Shrines

2010-01-09T13:36:00.004+11:00

Supported by Royal Headache.

Royal Headache were awesome, but I've decided that I've been recording them too much and feel pretty bad for it. I got the show but I'm not gonna put it up, gonna keep it that way for a while. They finally got their 7" coming out "soon" on RIP Society. Get on that shit.

King Khan and the Shrines were beyond awesome. 10 piece band crammed on to the OAF stage, a cheerleader, tight as hell playing and just some damn fine songs. Ending the main set with Know Your Product pretty much ensured everyone would go mental. I recorded this from up on the balcony to see if it would make sound any better and I'd say the results are damn fine. So stoked on this show, better than most things I saw last year.

Setlist
Intro
(How Can I Keep You) Outta Harms Way
Picking Up the Trash
Land of the Freak
Le Fils de Jacques Dutronc
Took My Lady to Dinner
Welfare Bread
Burnin Inside
I Wanna Be a Girl
Shivers Down My Spine
Stone Soup
Take a Trip
Know Your Product
Encore
Ghost Rider
No Regrets
Yes I Can't
Live Fast Die Strong

King Khan and the Shrines - Oxford Art Factory, Sydney, 06/01/2009 - 107mb - 1 hour 15 minutes

Meredith Music Festival

2009-12-21T00:31:00.002+11:00

While I was too smashed to be able to record anything at this festival, the nice fella who runs the Turn it Up blog up in Brisbane managed to grab quite a few sets, the highlights of which being Thee Oh Sees, Jarvis Cocker, Sia and Eddy Current Suppression Ring.

Click through here to get them.

And while there's nothing there yet, the nice people over at Fan Made Recordings may put one or two up in the near future. They may not, it's up to them.

It was an amazing weekend of music so grab what you can.

Animal Collective

2009-12-17T10:01:00.002+11:00

So I went down to Melbourne for a few days to go to Meredith Music Festival and then have a few days in Melbourne. This is all I recorded in that time, Meredith is pretty much my "Day Off".

Animal Collective were really good at Meredith, but as a friend said they had a really slow start and by the time it began being awesome it was over, the side show however was all awesome, the best set I've seen them play on this tour, love the setlist and the performance itself is spot on.

Setlist
Grace
Summertime Clothes
Leaf House
Lion in a Coma
My Girls
What Would I Want? Sky
Guys Eyes
Lablakey Dress
Fireworks
Bleed
Brother Sport
Encore
#1
Daily Routine
Who Could Win a Rabbit

Animal Collective - Forum Theatre, Melbourne, 14/12/2009 - 145.7mb - 1 hour 36 minutes

Thee Oh Sees at the Annandale Hotel

2009-12-08T14:16:00.003+11:00

With Eddy Current Suppression Ring, Royal Headache and Straight Arrows.

I'm sure you guys have noticed the immense amount of trouble I've been having lately and how much of a hassle this blog has become, but only Thee Oh Sees survived this night, no band before or after. Which is lucky though because Thee Oh Sees totally ruined everyone else's shit. They were amazing.

Thee Oh Sees - Annandale Hotel, Sydney, 03/12/2009 - 56.6mb - 40 minutes

Took me ages to fix everything so I wasn't able to grab them again on Saturday, but they were just as good despite playing at like... 9:30 or whatever. Will give it a shot at Meredith this weekend.

Scott Matthew

2009-12-03T11:15:00.002+11:00

Fact: You didn't go to this and you are an idiot because of it. Scott Matthew was really quite amazing. Really happy with the set list, playing most of what was easily my favourite album of 2008, and probably the past quite a few years. I cannot fault this really, his voice is beautiful and he really pulls it off live. Ends with a new song and a Radiohead cover. Being in a Church, the acoustics weren't great, and being a quiet show countered with moments of very high notes it was kinda hard to pull off but I'm very pleased with the end result.

Setlist
Little Bird
Language
Market Me to Children
Upside Down
Habit
Amputee
White Horse
Community
Friends and Foes
For Dick
Perscription
In the End
Encore
Abandoned
So This is Christmas
New Song
No Surprises

Scott Matthew - Paddington Uniting Church, Sydney, 28/11/2009 - 96.2mb - 1 hour 11 minutes

Gold Shoulder Friday #3

2009-12-03T11:11:00.005+11:00

Launch of the Mountain Fold Music Journal.

Free beer and free music journal. Sweet. Lakes was up first and fucking loud, I haven't seen Lakes in about 3 years (One of the very first of these kind of shows I went to) and I don't remember it being that good. He was great, hoping to catch him again real soon and actually get it to tape this time.

Royal Headache do what they do. Two songs I hadn't heard before in here.

Royal Headache - GoodGod Small Club, Sydney, 27/11/2009 - 39mb - 26 minutes

After being a bit iffy on them last time, the UV Race totally won me over this night. They were so so great. Awesome fun, wish I could have made it the next night. Also the vocals were distorting like that on the night, could be intentional.

The UV Race - GoodGod Small Club, Sydney, 27/11/2009 - 51.3mb - 36 minutes

Ghosts of Television LP Launch

2009-12-03T11:06:00.002+11:00

Supported by Hochman & Hopkins, Knitted Abyss and Whores.

For the launch of Forsaken Empire, which if I say so myself is easily the best album I've heard this year. Sure you could download it like every blog is telling you to, but you go figure that out yourself. The easier option is buy it.

I don't know what I did but I lost everything up until Ghosts of TV, I think I figured it out so it won't happen again but you know, bummer. Also lost the first song of Ghosts of TV, but here it is, it's awesome. Yeah the vocals are pretty loud but it makes Buzzrd pretty awesome even though you can barely hear anything but vocals. Also there's a Biggie cover in there.

Ghosts of Television - GoodGod Small Club, Sydney, 26/11/2009 - 45mb - 31 minutes

Lightning Bolt

2009-11-23T13:39:00.006+11:00

Supported by Primitive Calculators, Grey Daturas and Naked on the Vague.

I generally have pretty bad luck taping Naked on the Vague, but this however is probably one of the best recordings I've ever done, helped in large part by NoTV being fuck-awesome. They sound absolutely huge.

Setlist
These Days
Treading Water
Sacred Youth
Wrong Room
Abstract Figures
Black Lettuce

Naked on the Vague - Manning Bar, Sydney, 21/11/2009 - 45.1mb - 30 minutes

Last ever Sydney show by Grey Daturas. They were awesome, hearing it out of a huge PA was great as well.

Grey Daturas - Manning Bar, Sydney, 21/11/2009 - 44.4mb - 32 minutes

First Primitive Calculators show in Sydney in 30 years. Man what a night. But yeah, these guys were so into it, it was awesome, was great to finally see them. If you're downloading this you know what to expect. Wish I taped the sound check though.

Primitive Calculators - Manning Bar, Sydney, 21/11/2009 - 34.1mb - 23 minutes

Lightning Bolt. Jesus Christ. So I tried recording these guys from the second row so it clips every now and then but overall, I am very happy with how the sound turned out for this. I had a fucking great time at this show, and yes it was loud, not that I realised until it was over and everyone that spoke to me sounded like they had distortion on their voice. Because of the set up basically the left channel is all bass and the right channel is all drums. Also about 20 mins into it all my gear gets unplugged and stays unplugged for about 20 mins, so basically I'm putting up what survived of the recording. Can't wait for tonight.

Also I think I included the soundcheck at the start. I don't know I just assumed it was a song I didn't know. A pretty bad one at that.

Lightning Bolt - Manning Bar, Sydney, 21/11/2009 - 51.1mb - 38 minutes

Gold Shoulder Friday #2

2009-11-23T13:30:00.004+11:00

Featuring The Stabs, Witch Hats and Ghosts of Television.

More music for the launch of the new Mountain Fold Music Journal.

My first listenable recording of Ghosts of Television. They are basically one of the best bands in Sydney and this set was really awesome, sound is a bit iffy at times but you know, who cares?

Setlist (Stolen from here.)
New Flesh
Hezbollah
Arthritis
Topsoil
Empty Thrones
Coelacanth
Buzzrd

Ghosts of Television - GoodGod Small Club, Sydney, 20/11/2009 - 40.4mb - 28 minutes

I don't think I "get" Witch Hats. Was weird that they had the longest set of all but yeah, I dunno I was kinda bored, the drummer is amazing though.

Witch Hats - GoodGod Small Club, Sydney, 20/11/2009 - 62.4mb - 44 minutes

I'm pretty sure I walked in during the Stabs first song, not too sure. But yeah, this was no where near long enough but seriously, Stabs, way to make everyone in Sydney look like a bunch of amateurs. Killer set.

The Stabs - GoodGod Small Club, Sydney, 20/11/2009 - 48.4 - 34 minutes

Basically it was so hot in La Campana that all my gear started to fall apart, yes it's all held together by tape, but still, I don't know how shits gonna go in the future if this is happening.

Gold Shoulder Friday #1

2009-11-22T23:00:00.003+11:00

Featuring Naked on the Vague, Free Choice Duo and Bed Wettin' Bad Boys.

Only taped Naked on the Vague at this show. They were awesome, really dig the two new songs. You all know what they sound like and what to expect, can't really hear the vocals for the first half.

Naked on the Vague - GoodGod Small Club, Sydney, 13/11/2009 - 50mb - 34 minutes

La Quiete at Jura Books

2009-11-10T09:10:00.003+11:00

Supported by Bare Arms, Intentions and Stalker.

All photos by Tenzenmen. Full set here.

Man, Intentions, just fucken download it. It's not the best sound but they're just so damn excellent.

Intentions - Jura Books, Sydney, 05/11/2009 - 18.1mb - 13 minutes

I think I've written enough about Bare Arms. You know how I feel. Probably the longest set I've seen them play, once again, sound at the best but it's still Bare Arms.

Bare Arms - Jura Books, Sydney, 05/11/2009 - 36.3mb - 26 minutes

La Quiete. Come back soon, again.

La Quiete - Jura Books, Sydney, 05/11/2009 - 43.5mb - 31 minutes

Halloween with La Quiete

2009-11-02T10:34:00.004+11:00

Supported by Crux, Holy Samolly, When Chimps Attack and Independent Thought Alarm.

All photos by Tenzenmen. View full set here.

Independent Thought Alarm are great. So so great. Pretty sure this was their first show, they did a cover of P-Power by Nation of Ulysses so they're cool by me.

When Chimps Attack were next, had I known this was gonna be their last show ever I would have made so much more effort yesterday, hadn't seen these guys in years but they were awesome. Pretty sure you can hear little kids running around the entire set.

When Chimps Attack - Hellen Rose-Shauersberger Laboratorium, Sydney, 31/10/2009 - 42.2mb - 32 minutes

I have seen Holy Samolly 3 times in the past 3 days and they're pretty great. Sam from Quebecs new band.

Holy Samolly - Hellen Rose-Shauersberger Laboratorium, Sydney, 31/10/2009 - 26mb - 21 minutes

I'm pretty sure this is Crux's final run of shows which is a real shame because they've always been so great, so enjoy.

Crux - Hellen Rose-Shauersberger Laboratorium, Sydney, 31/10/2009 - 48mb - 33 minutes

So yeah, La Quiete came back, who would have thought. No words, just so awesome. So so awesome. Cannot wait for the show at Jura Books, you're all gonna be there right? It's freaking La Quiete man you have to.

La Quiete - Hellen Rose-Shauersberger Laboratorium, Sydney, 31/10/2009 - 42mb - 30 minutes

To the North 12" Launch

2009-11-02T10:27:00.002+11:00

Supported by Bare Arms, Vera, Holy Samolly and When Chimps Attack.

Had I known When Chimps Attack were on first I would have shown up earlier and taped them.

Had I known Holy Samolly were playing at all I would have been in the room and taped them (last song was great though).

Had I known Vera were a powerviolence band I would have stayed outside.

I knew Bare Arms were awesome so I taped them.

Bare Arms - Sandringham Hotel, Sydney, 30/10/2009 - 24mb - 20 minutes

Absolute ripper by To the North, probably the longest I've seen them play and through a proper PA for once, the sound is great and the performance was even better.

To the North - Sandringham Hotel, Sydney, 30/10/2009 - 48mb - 32 minutes

Limited Express (Has Gone?) and Ni-Hao at Jura Books

2009-10-31T13:35:00.003+11:00

Supported by To the North, Hira Hira, Pockets and Holy Samolly.

9 bands in 3 hours. Somehow they did it. Show was moved from Dirty Shirlows (Which is hopefully only temporarily closed) and combined with Juracoustics. The result turned out pretty well.

Had I know Holy Samolly were playing I would have taped them, but I guess it's lucky I didn't because they only got through 3 songs and the technical problems were 10/10.

Last time I saw Pockets I don't think I "got" it because they were pretty good tonight.

Hira Hira played probably the best show I've seen them play, this was really, really great.

Hira Hira - Jura Books, Sydney, 29/10/2009 - 19mb - 14 minutes

To the North played a pretty great set with the vocals way too low as usual, the last song was friggin awesome though.

To the North - Jura Books, Sydney, 29/10/2009 - 28mb - 20 minutes

I decided to go down stairs to check out one of the acoustic sets that was going on down there and damn I wished I had heard of this girl earlier because she moved away to Newcastle the next day and she was really really good. I believe she was called A Dire Dawn. Need to do some research.

Went back upstairs for Ni-Hao and it was pretty awesome to see people in the room that's normally not seen at these shows getting really into it, Ni-Hao were a ridiculous amount of fun.

Ni-Hao - Jura Books, Sydney, 29/10/2009 - 24mb - 16 minutes

Limited Express (has gone?) you all know well about, they were sick. So sick.

Limited Express (Has Gone?) - Jura Books, Sydney, 29/10/2009 - 35mb - 25 minutes

Rowland S. Howard album launch

2009-10-31T13:28:00.003+11:00

Supported by DZ.

Can't stand DZ, so I went into the room next door and watched Megastick Fanfare.

Rowland S. Howard was pretty great, I only have Pop Crimes so I was pretty lost on anything that's not that but this show was great encouragement to go back and check it all out. Man... $27 is a lot.

Setlist
Pop Crimes
Dead Radio
Shut Me Down
She Cried
Wayward Man (False Start)
Wayward Man
Avé Maria
Life's What You Make It
The Golden Age of Bloodshed
Sleep Alone
Encore
Exit Everything
Autoluminescent

Rowland S. Howard - Oxford Art Factory, Sydney, 22/10/2009 - 105mb - 1 hour 15 minutes

Useless Children at the Sando

2009-10-19T12:07:00.003+11:00

With Pee Wee, Do Not Resuscitate and None Remain.

Do Not Resuscitate were awesome how ever I fucked up the recording. My fault. Did get a free demo tape off them though, keen to listen.

Next up were Pee Wee who was great as they always are and made the show a whole heap of fun, threw a whole crapload of free cash in to the crowd. Surprisingly enough the first chance I had to tape them.

Pee Wee - Sandringham Hotel, Sydney, 17/10/2009 - 30.5mb - 21 minutes

Useless Children was pretty much as expected, a really great set. Someone find me a way to buy the LP + Shirt deal on line, thanks.

Useless Children - Sandringham Hotel, Sydney, 17/10/2009 - 49.9mb - 36 minutes

Jens Lekman backyard show

2009-10-19T12:00:00.003+11:00

with Sly Hats.

This was actually a lot of fun, it was just Jens Lekman with a guitar, a tambourine, a laptop and sometimes Geoff on backing vocals. Did a lot of new songs and they were all really good. I accidentally (Some how) hit the pause button for the first song, which I am going to call Argument With Yourself, and I'm pretty cut because that song was genius. Sound came out pretty well for a backyard/low volume show.

Jens Lekman - Five Dock, Sydney, 17/10/2009 - 84.26mb - 1 hour 2 minutes

Ducktails at Serial Space

2009-10-08T12:11:00.002+11:00

Supported by Knitted Abyss and Pimmon.

I recorded this show using an Edriol R-09HR only rather than my usual set up, so the sound is no where near as good and the levels are a bit off but they turned out listenable.

First time finally catching Knitted Abyss. Was pretty darn sweet. No you know... melody or anything like that.

Knitted Abyss - Serial Space, Sydney, 06/10/2009 - 32.84mb - 20 minutes

Now Ducktails was sweet as, it's a shame he had to cut a song off the end but you know, was great for the short time it lasted. Just him playing solo. Also, what a chin.

Ducktails - Serial Space, Sydney, 06/10/2009 - 40.6mb - 29 minutes

My Disco at Oxford Art Factory

2009-09-26T14:31:00.005+10:00

Supported by Royal Headache, Holy Balm and Absolute Boys.

Who are the Absolute Boys? I only found out who they "might" be the night before and this was enough to make me excited, 1 part Eucalpyt, 2 parts Ohana, and the result was fucking awesome. Got about half way through the intro to the first song before realising this was going to be a great band. Pretty sure this was their first show.

Absolute Boys - Oxford Art Factory, Sydney, 24/09/2009 - 30.54mb - 21 minutes

Holy Balm were up next, first time I've had a chance to record these peeps, they are awesome but it was a bit messy. Still enjoyed.

Holy Balm - Oxford Art Factory, Sydney, 24/09/2009 - 32.31mb - 23 minutes

Yes I know I only saw Royal Headache 7 days ago but I was pretty excited to see them play in front of such a big crowd, and they nailed it.

Setlist
Splash
Eloise
Girls
Red Rocket
Don't Want To
Two Kinds of Love
Never Again
Surprise
Honeyjoy
Psychotic Episode

Royal Headache - Oxford Art Factory, Sydney, 24/09/2009 - 31.6mb - 22 minutes

I haven't seen My Disco since November last year but dayum, tonight was better than I've ever seen them. Each and every time they started a new song juuust before it started to drag out and kept it pretty tight, was probably also the quietest I've seen them play. I'm doing the set list off memory so let me know what's wrong.

Setlist
New Song
New Song
You Came to Me Like a Cancer Lain Dormant Until It Blossomed Like a Rose
Land
Unknown
New Song

My Disco - Oxford Art Factory, Sydney, 24/09/2009 - 57.7mb - 40 minutes

Love of Diagrams Album Launch.

2009-09-23T10:55:00.003+10:00

Supported by Dead Farmers and Royal Headache.

Pretty standard Royal Headache fare, they were fahking awesome.

Royal Headache - Annandale Hotel, Sydney, 17/09/2009 - 28 minutes - 32.1mb

Pretty standard Dead Farmers fare, they were fahking awesome.

Dead Farmers - Annandale Hotel, Sydney, 17/09/2009 - 29 minutes - 32.6mb

I know I had a bit of a bitch and moan about Love of Diagrams being boring last show, but they were genuinely great this time, new songs as well as jamming out on the end of others worked really well. Show ends pretty suddenly and I had to leave during the encore to get my train.

Love of Diagrams - Annandale Hotel, Sydney, 17/09/2009 - 41 minutes - 58.7mb

Tenniscoats and The Pancakes at Serial Space

2009-09-23T10:45:00.003+10:00

Supported by Kyu.

This was the second time seeing Kyu and to be honest, I can't really fault them that much, but they just bore me and seem kinda pointless. Also terrible lyrics. But I can see its appeal and a lot of other people seem to really enjoy them. Did not record.

I'm not usually a twee-as-fuck loving fuck but The Pancakes blew me away, she was just amazing. People compared it to amateur karaoke but I thought she wrote some awesome vocal melodies and made the show genuinely fun for the audience. One problem was that this show was very quiet, so the recording pretty much peaks like crazy at the end of every song when people cheer, so you may want to cover your ears.

The Panckes - Serial Space, Sydney, 11/09/2009 - 33 minutes - 45.75mb

Tenniscoats were awesome, awesome awesome awesome, but it doesn't convert at all into a recording and was just way to quiet to salvage. Hate to say it, but you had to be there.

Flip Out 2009

2009-08-31T17:57:00.006+10:00

Featuring Eddy Current Suppression Ring, James Arthur's Manhunt, Goodnight Loving, Naked on the Vague, Super Wild Horses, Pink Reason, Royal Headache, Ooga Boogas, The UV Race, Slug Guts, Deaf Wish, The Stabs and Zond.

It's been a long time (Probably something overseas) since I've been so excited for a gig. There are literally no "Not awesome" bands on this line up.

Zond started out the day, they were already playing when we walked in so I didn't think it was worth taping them (And I left the Dirty Shirlows show early due to almost falling over from sickness) so that's a bummer because they were fucking awesome, had been looking forward to them and they delivered.

The last time I saw Royal Headache was in some dudes backyard, and it was awkward. Before then it had been warehouses and record stores, so it was interesting to hear them out of an actual half-decent PA system. They were awesome. But you all know that right? Pitchfork olol.

Royal Headache - Manning Bar, Sydney, 29/08/2009 - 33.16mb - 22 minutes

Slug Guts next on the main stage with the amazing PA. Fuck that shit was loud. Pretty regular Slug Guts fare, recording cuts in half way during the first song because I was too busy picking up free Tenzenmen swag.

Slug Guts - Manning Bar, Sydney, 29/08/2009 - 33.78mb - 23 minutes

Someone somewhere at sometime once told me that the Ooga Boogas were never going to play Sydney. Which is silly because this was rather enjoyable. The slow build ups in two of the songs were waaaaay too long but apart from that, awesome and solid. Dude has awesome teeth.

Ooga Boogas - Manning Bar, Sydney, 29/08/2009 - 50.8mb - 35 minutes

Because of all the awesomeness, I decided that the best time to eat was during Naked on the Vague, apparently this was a mistake but you know, any other weekend guys.

James Arthur's Manhunt were the first of the internationals of the day to play, was p. good. Not much to say.

James Arthur's Manhunt - Manning Bar, Sydney, 29/08/2009 - 29.26mb - 20 minutes

I was overseas when Deaf Wish last visited Sydney, so this was my first time seeing them. Shit was brutal. Probably my favourite set of the day.

Deaf Wish - Manning Bar, Sydney, 29/08/2009 - 52mb - 36 minutes

The Stabs were the band I was looking forward to most, and they delivered, the Deaf Wish/Stabs double was awesome, drummer attempting to tell his story of falling down the stairs at Manning Bar was probably the highlight of the weekend.

The Stabs - Manning Bar, Sydney, 29/08/2009 - 53.6mb - 37 minutes

I don't dig Goodnight Loving, was time for food instead again.

I was actually really looking forward to the UV Race, but found it hard to concentrate at all on the set and the entire thing went over my head due to whatever the hell was going on on stage. Would have been bearable if for the most part it was sincere and not just an attention grab which is what it degenerated to after 2 or so songs. Listening back on it though it's pretty good. Look forward to seeing them again.

The UV Race - Manning Bar, Sydney, 29/08/23009 - 35mb - 24 minutes

Pink Reason started good, then played that song with the recorded, then played Free Bird. Yes. Free Bird. Do not like. I also turned all my gear off when they started packing up before deciding to play another cover. You guys miss out I guess.

Pink Reason - Manning Bar, Sydney, 29/08/2009 - 55.4mb - 38 minutes

Super Wild Horses? A little too Dash and Will for my tastes.

Eddy Current Suppression Ring, finally. What a long day. Tired as fuck but they were so good. My face melted. But yeah, they've crossed over, pretty sure the group next to me were doing the shuffle. Or crip walking. New songs are awesome. Brendan is just such a good front man.

Eddy Current Suppression Ring - Manning Bar, Sydney, 29/08/2009 - 91.3mb - 1 hour 4 minutes

So that was a fucking loud, awesome and long day. Thanks to Stained Circles, Arrght!, the organisers, all the regulars and blah blah blah. Flip Out 2010 plz.

If anyone has some contacts for the bands who played, send them my way. I think they'd would at least be somewhat interested in listening to these.

Charge Group Farewell Show

2009-08-16T13:36:00.002+10:00

Supported by Wifey and Seaworthy.

Charge Group were way way way better than last time. New songs are a bit out of place but yeah, it turned out well so enjoy.

Charge Group - Hopetoun Hotel, Sydney, 14/08/2009 - 92.72mb - 1 hour 2 minutes

I saw about a million other great bands this weekend but my mood generally dictates whether or not I record, and I was in a foul mood. But I did see someone else recording so if you're reading this, contact me because I wanna grab Ghosts of Television (which I'm pretty sure you play in) and Blank Realm off you.

Phoenix

2009-08-06T07:20:00.003+10:00

Supported by Catcall.

Its been a while since I've seen Catcall but I guess her new stuff is pretty alright. She does have two people who stand around on stage doing nothing for 30 minutes which is weird. Couldn't keep my eyes off the My Disco drummer though.

Phoenix provided me with infinite amounts of happiness for 1 hour and 20 minutes. They were amazing. Seriously. Recorded if from the second row and includes the "singing" (screaming) of the girl next to me the entire show, and it sounds kinda like shit, but that didn't take away from how amazing they were. And I really do think Rome is one of my favourite songs of the year, so happy they played it this time.

Phoenix - Enmore Theatre, Sydney, 05/08/2009 - 114.9mb - 1 hour 20 minutes

Setlist
Lisztomania
Long Distance Call
Consolation Prizes
Lasso
Napoleon Says
Funky Squaredance
Rally
Girlfriend
Sometimes in the Fall
Armistice
Love Like a Sunset
Run Run Run
Too Young
Rome
Encore
Everything is Everything
If I Ever Feel Better
1901

Mum Smokes - Easy and House Music Launch

2009-08-03T17:50:00.002+10:00

Supported by Dick Diver and Songs

Dick Diver were once again great, much better sound this time. My new favourite band pretty much.

Dick Diver - Spectrum, Sydney, 01/08/2009 - 48.2mb - 33 minutes

Songs played the usual Songs set, started off with a new one. This one is in mono because I spent the entire time talking shit into the left channel but it still turned out pretty well for a mono mix.

Songs - Spectrum, Sydney, 01/08/2009 - 30.4mb - 37 minutes

As for Mum Smokes, I left very disappointed. I had so much expectation for them but I guess it was just an off night. On the side, I made an awesomely amateur mistake and forgot to put the hold button on my iRiver on when I put it back in my pocket so I bumped the stop button at 4 minutes into the set. Awesome.

Electric Jellyfish - Dirty Shirlows

2009-08-03T17:43:00.003+10:00

Supported by the Nevada Strange, Dead Farmers and Naked on the Vague.

Walked here after the Repressed Records show, what a good night of music.

The Nevada Strange gave the usual show. Nothing special to report.

Dead Farmers were awesome. AWESOME. Forget that Hopetoun show, this is what Dead Farmers sound like.

Dead Farmers - Dirty Shirlows, Sydney, 31/07/2009 - 31mb - 22 minutes

Didn't fuck up Naked on the Vague this time, was really good, still like them as much as the last time I saw them. 4 piece is awesome.

Naked on the Vague - Dirty Shirlows, Sydney, 31/07/2009 - 46.2mb - 32 minutes

Electric Jellyfish? Nah, not my thing, left half way through the third song so I could get my last train home.

Dick Diver Repressed Records In-Store

2009-08-03T17:40:00.003+10:00

Supported by Carborator.

Carborators first show, featuring the drummer from Songs, Dave from Dead Farmers, dude with the skinny legs from Bed Wettin' Bad Boys and some dude that I'm pretty sure beat me at basketball once. They had two awful songs and three amazing ones. I wish I had taped them. But alas.

First time actually seeing Dick Diver (Only their second Sydney show after Thursday night) and I'm an insta-fan. Totally blew me away. Sound is a bit iffy but it's an instore, what did you expect?

Dick Diver - Repressed Records, Sydney, 31/07/2009 - 38.5mb - 29 minutes

The Flaming Lips Australian Tour

2009-07-29T13:53:00.004+10:00

Supported by Midnight Juggernauts

Everyone was dreading the Midnight Juggernauts, but to be honest they weren't that bad. Though you could definitely tell the new songs from the old songs by quality.

As for the Flaming Lips. It was beautiful. Best Flaming Lips show I've seen, waaaay to many moments to specficy. Awesome entrance, awesome vibe, awesome set list, great sing-a-longs, and I really cannot specify more. The visuals were beautiful and the recording came out amazing. Oh, and a marriage proposal happened on stage. For those of you who know my story from when I saw them in Phoeinx, I so could have fit into that Caterpillar suit. The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song is one of the best live songs I've heard. Could of done with more Soft Bulletin but there's really nothing to complain about.

The Flaming Lips - Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, 28/07/2009 - 142.2mb - 1 hour 40 minutes

Setlist
Intro
Tah-Dah
Race for the Prize
Silver Trembling Hands
The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song
Fight Test
Enthusiasm for Life Defeats Internal Existential Fear, Progressive
Convinced of the Hex
Moutainside
Vein of Stars
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt 1
Pompeii am Götterdämmerung
The W.A.N.D.
She Don't Use Jelly
Encore
Marriage Proposal
Do You Realise??

Fabulous Diamonds

2009-07-28T11:38:00.005+10:00

Supported by Moonmilk, Holy Balm and Naked on the Vague.

I missed Moonmilk, saw Holy Balm and they were amazing. Don't really know what else to say.

My first time seeing the 4-piece Naked on the Vague, and I really dig it. I think it's fucking great. Unfortunately I screwed the recording (Actually, it's unfair to say I did it when those mother fuckers at Church Audio forgot to put shielding, amongst many other things, on my cables so my mobile caused interference every 20 seconds.) Lucky I will have a million other chances to catch them. This Friday for example.

Fabulous Diamonds weren't the best I've seen them, though still damn good, apart from all the inebetween song bullshit. Sound quality is alright.

Fabulous Diamonds - Sandringham Hotel, Sydney, 25/07/2009 - 62.1mb - 42 minutes

The Laurels 7-inch Launch

2009-07-19T19:00:00.004+10:00

Supported by Warhorse, Dead Farmers and Whores.

This was the first time I had recorded a show at the Hopetoun Hotel and I had never been looking forward to it. The speaker stacks are asymmetrical, pointed at different angles and have various obstacles. For a first time there these came out pretty good, they needed a bit of work and the sound is a bit harsh due to a mistake I made but here they are.

Whores were great. Didn't get to tape them though. Was a slightly different set up from when I last saw them (Which was a long time ago.)

Dead Farmers played a pretty decent set. Not the best I've seen from them.

Dead Farmers - Hopetoun Hotel, Sydney, 18/07/2009 - 30.4mb - 22 minutes

Next up were Warhorse, who were as fucking awesome as all ways. Hoping I get many more chances to tape these guys, it was good to have the bands blessing for once. There are 4 skips in this recording due to a corrupt file, it took me quite a while to recover the whole thing but over all it's pretty much unnoticable considering at first it was looking like it was going to only be 10 minutes worth of this recording that would survive. There's nothing I enjoy more than a band with a self-titled song.

Warhorse - Hopetoun Hotel, Sydney, 18/07/2009 - 52.17mb - 36 minutes

I'm under the impression I had the Laurels permission to tape them as well. Sweet as. I thought they were absolutely amazing but a few of my friends thought it was either too long or just a bore. I loved every long, long second of it. It was pretty freaking loud as well.

The Laurels - Hopetoun Hotel, Sydney, 18/07/2009 - 92.37mb - 1 hour 3 minutes

La Dispute/To the North Australia Tour - Dirty Shirlows

2009-07-13T12:51:00.000+10:00

Supported by Intentions, Dining in Tuscany and Bare Arms.

This is the first "Non-Commercial" venue show I've recorded purely due to confidence issues. I hope to do a whole lot more because that was actually the original intention of me starting all this. I still felt like a fuckwit though.

I had hoped (or any word other than intended) to record Intentions, but they came on first and also see previous statement. I'll have many more chances though.

Bare Arms played after Dining in Tuscany and played a killer set, the vocals are a bit low but all things considered (acoustics wise) I'm pleased with how this one came out.

Bare Arms - Dirty Shirlows, Sydney, 12/07/2009 - 31.7mb - 22 minutes

To the North are just awesome. You all know this. No technical problems until the last song and you can actually here Max this time. The vocals go from being barely audible, to crystal clear, to peaked and back again all throughout the recording.

To the North - Dirty Shirlows, Sydney, 12/07/2009 - 38.1mb - 27 minutes

And finally, La Dispute, I'm hoping this isn't the last time I see them because they have played some of the best shows I've seen to some of the most passionate crowds I've been in.

La Dispute - Dirty Shirlows, Sydney, 12/07/2009 - 39mb - 27 minutes

Once again, thanks to To the North, thanks to Dirty Shirlows. If anyone has a contact for La Dispute please let me know, I want to get these recordings to them. Also thanks to those of you on the day who were ridiculously nice to me for no reason.

Also I'm trying to get to the Wollongong show. I can get there easy but getting back is a problem. If anyone has any ideas/a ride/a place to crash contact me. (Contact is mozzac at gmail dot com)

La Dispute/To the North Australian Tour - Spectrum

2009-07-12T10:53:00.000+10:00

Supported by Schrodingers Cats and Hira Hira.

I've never really liked Schrodingers Cat and this performance really did nothing to change my mind about them. So I didn't tape them.

Next up was Hira Hira playing their usual set of freaking awesomeness. Nothing out of the usual here except that Spectrum was pretty much full at this point.

Hira Hira - Spectrum, Sydney, 11/07/2009 - 35.9mb - 24 minutes

To the North are probably my favourite Australian band at the moment (Only because Ohana doesn't exist anymore.) and I've seen them every chance I have to. They started out pretty poorly due to a lot of technical difficulties, restarting the same song 4-5 times. But once they got into it they were as awesome as ever. They also had a horn player for one song but you couldn't hear him over the guitars and drums and yelling. It's a shame we only got 5 songs out of them.

To the North - Spectrum, Sydney, 11/07/2009 - 44.1mb - 30 minutes

God damn La Dispute, totally blew me away. Never seen a band so stoked to be in Australia. I never knew they had such a crossover fan-base but it didn't matter because everyone in the room knew every lyric.

La Dispute - Spectrum, Sydney, 11/07/2009 - 47.4mb - 32 minutes

Extra extra thanks to To the North for brining La Dispute to Australia, one of the best shows I've seen in Australia this year. Leaving now to see them at Dirty Shirlows.

Love of Diagrams 7" Launch

2009-07-11T12:27:00.000+10:00

Supported by Songs and Pageants.

Same bands, in the same venue, playing the same sets, for 15 dollars. No questions as to why this was half empty.

Pageants came on first and were alright. Each song sounded like they were trying to be a different band but beyond that they were pretty good. I'm no "A Bands First Show in Sydney" analyst.

It's been a while since I have last seen Songs (for obvious reasons) and I forgot just how good live they are, and they've sure switched it up a lot since I last saw them. Also this recording happens to be leagues better than I've ever been able to do on them before. It does them justice to say the least.

Songs - Spectrum, Sydney, 10/11/2009 - 59.7mb - 41 minutes

Love of Diagrams came on next and played a positively boring set, only playing one song different from last time, but still an improvement. I didn't appreciate their last set until I sat down at home and listened to it again, but then it turned out that they're just really boring to watch, because this isn't so bad to listen to (Sound quality is way better than last time and they did play better overall.) My friend said that they're really great on record but live they're just boring. I have to agree. Especially when you have Songs supporting.

Love of Diagrams - Spectrum, Sydney, 10/11/2009 - 63.07mb - 43 minutes

I do have to say these are a testament to how far I've come with my recording, compare these to the exact same bands recorded in the exact same venue 8 months ago and the difference is huge.

The Story So Far

2009-06-25T18:14:00.001+10:00

Deerhunter

2009-06-20T18:53:00.000+10:00

Set was awesome, no idea how it was last time but it turned into this awesome request fest and they played an absolutely unexpected set list. Bummer I could barely keep myself from collapsing the entire time.

Also got to chill with some cool dudes and meet a reminder!

I collapsed through the door after the show at 2am last night and slept immediately. I only just woke up. I believe this is jet lag.

Setlist
Cryptograms
Never Stops
Backspace Century
Like New
Hazel St.
Nothing Ever Happened
Operation
Game of Diamonds
Lake Somerset
N. Animals
Spring Hall Convert
Disappearing Ink
Saved By Old Times
Cover Me (Slowly)
Agoraphobia
Heatherwood
Encore
Microcastle
Twilight At Carbon Lake

Deerhunter - Annandale Hotel, Sydney, 20/06/2009 - 136.8mb - 1 hour 38 minutes

Bonnaroo Day Four

2009-06-14T20:30:00.000+10:00

This is the final set I was able to record as my batteries ran out half way through Band of Horses, can’t believe I made it this far. Andrew Bird wasn’t too shabby, not the amazing bonerific show that everyone who saw him at Sydney Festival made it out to be though.

Setlist
G Swirl
Masterswarm
Opposite Day
Fitz and Dizzyspells
Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left
Fiery Crash
Oh No
Effigy
Anonanimal
Cataracts
Imitosis
Tables and Chairs
Fake Palindromes
Skin, is My
Why
Don’t Be Scared

Andrew Bird - Bonnaroo, Manchester, 14/06/2009 - 137.3mb - 1 hour 29 minutes

Bonnaroo Day Three

2009-06-13T20:26:00.000+10:00

Finally getting to see Bon Iver makes up for missing him in January. Seeing him twice even more so. This set is excellent, the sound is spot on and has a guest appearnce by Elvis Perkins in Dreamland for a few songs, including a cover of a Yo La Tengo song. The sound is a lot better than the Sasquatch recording however the atmosphere didn’t even come close.

Setlist
Creature Fear
Skinny Love
Lump Sum
Blood Bank
Beach Baby
Brackett, WI
Flume
Feel Like Going Home
For Emma
Regarding Stacks
Wolves

Bon Iver - Bonnaroo, Manchester, 13/06/2009 - 95.5mb - 1 hour 4 minutes

THE BEST OF MONTREAL SHOW I HAVE SEEN. The only bummer? Atrocious sound and it really comes through on the recording, it’s completely burried in bass. But man, they were on fire at this show, just spazzing out on stage the entire time and having a blast. Also, they finally played the Past is a Grotesque Animal. Made my day. Not to be a dick but you really had to be there.

Setlist
Nonpareil of Favor
Bunny Ain’t No Kind of Rider
Id Engager
Rapture Rapes the Muses
The Party’s Crashing Us
Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse
October is Eternal
A Sentence of Sorts in Konsvinger
Beware Our Nubile Miscreants
Girl Named Hello
For Our Elegant Caste
Touched Something’s Hollow
An Eluardian Instance
She’s A Rejecter
The Past is a Grotesque Animal

of Montreal - Bonnaroo, Manchester, 13/06/2009 - 109mb - 1 hour 11 minutes

It was alright I guess. Probably the worst Mars Volta show I’ve seen, but by no means a bad show. A few tech problems, such as Cedrics mic cutting out whenever he goes to belt it out, also Omar forgetting how to play Goliath. Sound turned out pretty well though. Also playing during the day (7:15 - 8:45pm in America is still day time) did them no favours.

Cedric also needs to not talk on stage. Ever.

Setlist
Goliath
Roulette Dares (The Haunt of)
Cotopaxi
Viscera Eyes
Luciformes
Drunkship of Lanterns
Wax Simulacra
Cygnus…. Vismund Cygnus

The Mars Volta - Bonnaroo, Manchester, 13/06/2009 - 131.4mb - 1 hour 23 minutes

What about me and my blue collar?

What you are looking at here is the only known recording of Bruce Springsteen at the E Street Band at Bonnaroo. Bonnaroo has an open taping policy, however Bruce asked that his set not be taped, and being Bruce the festival honoured this, I did not know this until after the set when I arrived at Nine Inch Nails and all the tapers seemed to be ecstatic that I was able to record all of Bruce Springsteen.

This set is AMAZING. I have never been in a crowd so huge in my life (85,000) and the atmosphere was perfect, just one big 3 hour sing-a-long. I was pretty far back but right on the barrier that went from the stage to the soundboard, turns out Bruce would walk down this path 4 or 5 times, and I sure as shit got to high five him. Also seeing Bruce walk through the crowd collecting signs off people for song requests was quite a moment.

The sounds a bit jumpy, the crowd is loud, whenever Bruce walks down the aisle I get bum rushed so the sound is affected, but over all I am very pleased with how this turned out. Absolutely killer set list as well. Bruce Springsteen is a mother fucking performing and an amazing entertainer. 80% of the set was drummed by Max Weinberg, the rest by his son Jay.

Setlist
Badlands
No Surrender
My Lucky Day
Outlaw Pete
Out in the Street
Working on a Dream
Seeds
Johnny 99
Youngstown
Raise Your Hand
Request Time
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Growin’ Up
Thunder Road
Waiting on a Sunny Day
Promised Land
The River
Kingdom of Days
Radio Nowhere
Lonesome Day
The Rising
Born to Run
Encore
Hard Times
Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
Land of Hope and Dreams
American Land
Rosalita
Glory Days
Dancing in the Dark

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band - Bonnaroo, Manchester, 13/06/2009 - 267.4mb - 2 hours 54 minutes

Nine Inch Nails’ last ever US show. If you believe they really are over.

Was an amazing show, setlist differs wildly from their Australian show and they play some awesome rarities. Can’t believe they did I’m Afraid of Ameircans. Playing from 1am until 3:30am was a perfect slot for them, they absolutely owned it and the crowd was incredibly packed.

Setlist
Home
Terrible Lie
Discipline
March of the Pigs
Piggy (Nothing Can Stop Me Now)
Metal
Reptile
The Becoming
I’m Afraid of Americans
Burn
Gave Up
La Mer
The Fragile
Banged and Blown Through
Non-Entity
Gone, Still
The Way Out is Through
Mr. Self Destruct
Survivalism
The Hand that Feeds
Head Like a Hole
Wish (featuring Dillinger Escape Plan)
Encore
Echoplex
The Good Soldier
Dead Souls
The Day the World Went Away
Encore
Hurt

Nine Inch Nails - Bonnaroo, Manchester, 13/06/2009 - 208.3mb - 2 hours 13 minutes

Bonnaroo Day Two

2009-06-12T20:19:00.001+10:00

Portugal. The Man’s first ever acoustic set. I enjoyed this a lot more than the previous night. They were on a much much smaller stage and the atmosphere was just right, the first bit of sunshine we had gotten the festival when they came on. It of course being an acoustic set, the crowd is extremely loud compared to the music so this recording is peaksville when there is cheering. There’s a few new songs in this one as well.

Portugal. The Man - Bonnaroo, Manchester, 12/06/2009 - 41.4mb - 27 minutes

From the David Byrne Curated Staged.

I had never really listened to Dirty Projectors much before this set, but I have to say I’m quite the fan now. Was an el grande set. The crowd was pretty small but when they introduced David Byrne to perform Knotty Pine with them everyone went mental and it suddenly turned into the biggest crowd crush of the festival, was a great moment.

Setlist
Two Doves
Cannibal Resource
Remade Horizon
Ascending Melody
Fucked for Life
Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie
Thirsty and Miserable
Rise Above
Stillness is the Move
Useful Chamber
Temecula Sunrise
Knotty Pine (featuring David Byrne)

Dirty Projectors - Bonnaroo, Manchester, 12/06/2009 - 81.7mb - 52 minutes

A pretty damn good set. The sound is kinda messed up but I’m still pleased with it. The crowd was fucking atrocious, but ten times as huge, the stage was announced as being “At Capacity” for the Which Stage which means 30,000+ people. Crazy. Also it’s good to see that Animal Collective rotate set lists like a mother fucker. No where near as good as the Las Vegas show (Which I reccomend highly if you’re into Animal Collective, they also play 3 new songs in that set) but still a damn fine festival set.

Setlist
Lion in a Coma
My Girls
Summertime Clothes
Guys Eyes
Slippi
Comfy in Nautica
Daily Routine
Fireworks
Brother Sports

Animal Collective - Bonnaroo, Manchester, 12/06/2009 - 117.5mb - 1 hour 12 minutes

And with this, TV on the Radio become my most taped band. I put this show up there with the Metro one, was fucking great, takes a while for the sound to get right though. Also the first time I’ve seen them play Halfway Home and with good reason too. The song very suddenly changes tuning half way through and requires Dave Sitek and Kyp Malone to throw off their instruments and start playing new ones within a beat.

Setlist
Love Dog
The Wrong Way
Blues From Down Here
Halfway Home
Golden Age
Wolf Like Me
Crying
Dirtywhirl
Staring at the Sun
Red Dress
Shout Me Out
Dancing Choose
Family Tree
Young Liars
Satellite

TV on the Radio - Bonnaroo, Manchester, 12/06/2009 - 119.2mb - 1 hour 14 minutes

You heard me rave about David Byrnes show at the Opera House earlier this year, well this was just as good. Amazing set list, amazing performance, amazing stage show, and thankfully, it sounded great on tape. Do enjoy.

Seltist
Strange Overtones
I Zimbra
One Fine Day
Help Me Somebody
House in Motion
My Big Nurse
My Big Hands
Heaven
Life Is Long
Cross-Eyed and Painless
Born Under Punches
Once in a Lifetime
Life During Wartime
Feel My Stuff
Take Me to the River
The Great Curve
Encore
Air
Burning Down the House
Encore
Everything that Happens Will Happen Today

David Byrne - Bonnaroo, Manchester, 12/06/2009 - 158.4mb - 1 hour 40 minutes

Officially the most unsatisfying set ever. Only 45 minutes (Shortest set of any band at the festival that wasn’t on the Sonic Stage), all of it pure awesome but it felt like it was over in a flash. Considering how much they had to work with they spread the set list out pretty well. Also this crowd is very talkative, but the show was a fucking party while the rest of the festival was off pretending to be interested in Phish and their 6 hour sets.

Seltist
Lisztomania
Long Distance Call
Consolation Prizes
Napoleon Says
Lasso
Run Run Run
Armistice
Love Like a Sunset
Too Young
1901

Phoenix - Bonnaroo, Manchester, 12/06/2009 - 72mb - 47 minutes

Pretty standard Public Enemy fare. Recording is a bit jumpy during the first song and then sweet from there on out. Performing It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back from start to finish.

Public Enemy - Bonnaroo, Manchester, 12/06/2009 - 155mb - 1 hour 41 minutes

Bonnaroo Day One

2009-06-11T18:56:00.000+10:00

First band of the first day of this amazing festival. Started at 7pm and I was only able to record MURS and Portugal. The Man before the monsoon/thunderstorm started which didn’t give up until 10am the next morning, so I didn’t get to record much on the first day but this set left me quite impressed, being a festival it sounds a bit flat (Most of the Bonnaroo recordings do) but still, here it is.

Setlist
Better Than the Best
H-U-S-T-L-E
VANS
Dreadlocks
Can It Be
Yesterday and Today
UNI
I Know
Walk Like a Man
3:16
Badman!
Silly Girl
Me and this Jawn
Break Up
Int’l Players Anthem (I Choose You)
Road is My Religion
Rok U
Murray’s Revenge
Boyz N the Hood
LA Show
Aaah
To Protect and Entertain Everything

MURS - Bonnaroo, Manchester, 11/06/2009 - 81.2mb - 51 minutes

First of two sets by Portugal. The Man. I was ultra pumped to see them, I had listened to them religiously in Year 10 and the only way I got to see them was by travelling to buttfuck Tennessee. To be honest, they kinda dissappointed. The sound in the tent was bad, it had just began to monsoon so everyone was piled into the tent and honestly, when these guys released their first album, they were criticised as being a crappy Mars Volta knock-off, it seems like everyones forgotten this except the band who are trying their hardest to be a crappy Mars Volta knock-off. Jamming on the song that got me into you in the first place to prove you have soul without playing a note from the original song was heart breaking. Still, I left satisfied at least.

Setlist
Church Mouth/One
Lay Me Back Down
And I
New Orleans
Bellies are Full
People Say
My Mind/How the Leopard Got its Spots
Horse Warming Party
1989/Our Way
AKA M80 the Wolf

Portugal. The Man - Bonnaroo, Manchester, 11/06/2009 - 92.5mb - 1 hour

Animal Collective

2009-05-30T18:51:00.001+10:00

An amazing show in the weirdest venue I’ve ever been to with the strictest security I’ve seen. This was inside the Mandalay Bay Hotel and feature the highest stage I’ve ever seen and a whole bunch of crazy shit (advertisements) on the wall. Support was excellent (Grouper) but no one was paying attention. Also props to Animal Collective for crazy rotation of set lists, the only songs that stayed the same between shows were the MMP ones and Fireworks.

Also the stage set up Animal Collective use at the moment is pretty cool. They all have their tables of knobs and fiddlers draped in white cloth with lights put underneath them to light them all up, and then suspend a huge ball in the middle of the stage and shoot projections on to it. Also there’s a massive huge version of the Merriweather Post Pavilion album cover/wallpaper backdrop. They could really benefit from having a live drummer again. Oh and by playing the Purple Bottle 7 times.

Also happens to have the best sound of any of my Animal Collective recordings.

Setlist
Bleed
Also Frightened
My Girls
Lion in a Coma
Slippi
What Would I Want Sky
Guys Eyes
Fireworks
Daily Routine
Brother Sport
Encore
Comfy in Nautica
Summertime Clothes

Animal Collective - House of Blues, Las Vegas, 30/05/2009 - 135mb - 1 hour 36 minutes

Sasquatch! Festival Day Three

2009-05-25T18:21:00.000+10:00

So the next morning starts with every packing all their shit up and then getting the hell to main stage with Deerhoof into Grizzly Bear and it’s the perfect combination. Deerhoof were beyond excellent and need to tour soon.

Had to get up pretty early to catch these guys after Memorial Day madness but it was worth it. They were bloody amazing, a good replacement for Japandroids considering they weren’t even on the schedule. They were also blessed by the main stages awesome sound.

If anyone could write up a set list it would be appreciated, I’ve yet to listen to Offend Maggie.

Deerhoof - Sasquatch!, Quincy, 25/05/2009 - 45.5mb - 32 minutes

Next up is Black Moth Super Rainbow who get points for being the ugliest band ever, but the music is so so good. They are followed closely by Bishop Allen and all the Kings of Leon fans come back out and everyone is bored. School of Seven Bells blow everyone away with general awesomness on the smallest stage there is and get a crowd double that of most other bands on the bigger stage.

Pow! Recording Number 100.

Pretty solid set. Nothing else much to say really. Gave me no particularly strong memories.

Setlist
Iamunderdisguise
Wired for Light
Conjur
Half Asleep
Face to Face on High Places
My Cabal
Sempiternal

School of Seven Bells - Sasquatch!, Quincy, 25/05/2009 - 58.5mb - 39 minutes

Gogol Bordello somehow manage to get the entire crowd (I really do mean the entire crowd) to mosh in 40 degree weather, I was up on the hill and it was the most amazing sight to behold. Turns out Fleet Foxes music perfectly matches the Gorge and they shit all over their performance at Coachella.

Fleet Foxes mountain music absolutely perfectly suits the Gorge. They fucked up the drums yet again though. But at least the recording survived this time. Also between these guys and Band of Horses, musicians with beards give the best banter.

Setlist
Sun Giant
Sun it Rises
Drops in the River
English House
White Winter Hymnal
Ragged House
Your Protector
New Song
New Song
He Doesn’t Know Why
Mykonos
Blue Ridge Mountain

Fleet Foxes - Sasquatch!, Quincy, 25/05/2009 - 76.4mb - 53 minutes

Beach House play on the same stage as School of Seven Bells and indulge us with their 10,000 technical problems, kinda pissed me off after what happened when they played Sydney and I had to spend the show sitting on a train without power, but I still thoroughly enjoyed.

I’ve had some pretty bad luck with Beach House, when they toured Australia in August last year, I got stuck on a broken down train on the way to the show. Finally 10 months later I get to see them and they are just having the craziest technical problems the entire show. But still they were absolutely amazing. I was pretty cut when I got home to find that the recording was corrupted, but I was able to recover all but the last one and a half songs (You Came to Me and Heart of Chambers).

I really want to see them properly one day, at their own show and without everything breaking.

Setlist
Apple Orchard (False Start)
Apple Orchard
Gila
Used to Be
Astronaut
New Song
Master of None
You Came to Me (Fade out)

Beach House - Sasquatch!, Quincy, 25/05/2009 - 53.8mb - 39 minutes

I walk over to Girl Talk and the crowd is ridiculous, at least 40,000 people and it’s kind of not interesting at all. I go to see Erykah Badu and all it is her band playing the same 4 bars over and over and over until they realise this is annoying everyone and play Lil Wayne for the next HOUR AND FIFTEEN MINUTES UNTIL SHE FINALLY ARRIVES. I piss off to Explosions in the Sky for the most perfect end to the festival imaginable. The set list is perfect and the crowd is awesome and what was probably the best weekend of my life is over and I smell like shit, I’m 18 shades darker than what I started out like and I have a visible layer of dirt over my entire body.

Setlist
Catastrophe and the Cure
Yasmin the Light
The Birth and Death of the Day
Your Hand in Mine
Greet Death (I think)
Welcome, Ghosts
The Only Moment We Were Alone

Explosions in the Sky - Sasquatch!, Quincy, 25/05/2009 - 91.1mb - 60 minutes

Any questions?

Sasquatch! Festival Day Two

2009-05-24T18:21:00.001+10:00

Somehow I manage to sleep right through until 10am. Wake up, eat my awesome breakfast of 3 apples, 4 museli bars and a burrito, we build shade city and generally sit around cooking in the heat and being drunk. We go see the Walkmen who were about 10 times younger than I expected but awesome followed by Calexico who I must not get or something. St. Vincent is next, it’s hot, she’s hot, everyone’s happy.

Pretty sweet way to start the day. Regretted not recording her solo show at the Spiegeltent earlier in the year. Set gets hilariously messed up during Marry Me.

Also SWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON.

Setlist
Your Lips are Red
The Strangers
Now, Now
Actor out of Work
Marry Me
Black Rainbow
Just the Same, But Brand New
Marrow

St. Vincent - Sasquatch!, Quincy, 24/05/2009 - 66.2mb - 44 minutes

Aziz Ansari, now I haven’t seen that much stand up but he is STUPIDLY hilarious. I never wanted him to leave. Sat next to Dave Sitek while I watched him.

Had to run from there to see the Murder City Devils play the best show I have ever seen hands down. Spencer Moody is off his tits drunk, stumbling around and basically hurting everyone who gets in the way of his microphone stand, he spends 5 mins in between each song screaming his tits off about how he hates jocks, loves faggots, girls shouldn’t let men disrespect them and how we don’t know shit about Iggy and the Stooges, and then when they play a song it’s tight as. He continually makes out with the guitarist, jumps into the pit and makes out with whatever guy he can, chases the photographers in the pit around with his cock out and then runs back stage, takes this guys shirt off and starts sucking on his nipple. Turns out this guy is the dude from M83 when the camera finally gets a shot of him.

Cuts in during the first songs.

Setlist
I Want a Lot Now (So Come On)
Dancing Shoes
Somebody Else's Baby
Idle Hands
Bear Away
Dear Hearts
Midnight Service at the Mutter Museum
Get Off the Floor
It's In My Heart
Murder City Riot
Rum to Whiskey
I Drink the Wine
18 Wheels
Broken Glass

The Murder City Devils - Sasquatch!, Quincy, 24/05/2009 - 65.2mb - 45 minutes

Zach Galifianakis is in the Comedy Tent and not doing too well because someone is heckling him pretty bad and he’s not dealing with it very good. He does a song with Annie Clark though. I seee the Dodos, pretty much exactly the same as the last two times I saw them. I eat dinner, watch 3 songs of TV on the Radio and then go to watch M83. I don’t know what people where on about when they played the Metro because they were SO GOOD. Did not see it coming at all.

Amazing, starts off slow but turns into a pure party. Crowd was reaallly into it as well. Sound is a bit flat, this stage had terrible sound the entire weekend. Just imagine M83 on album, and then make it 10 times as epic.

Setlist
Graveyard Girl
Teen Angst
We Own the Sky
Kim and Jessie
Sitting
Skin of the Night
Don’t Save Us from the Flames
Run Into Flowers
A Guitar and a Heart
Coleurs

M83 - Sasquatch!, Quincy, 24/05/2009 - 80.7mb - 55 minutes

I run to the main stage, watch 5 songs of Nine Inch Nails and they do a Gary Numan cover. I fucking shit you not. A Gary Numan cover, I am so far away from the stage that by the time the sound travels to me the visual is like 3 seconds out of sync. It’s awesome. I go back and get a good spot for of Montreal. Dear Australia, you got jipped. Well over 40 extras, better suits, better choreography, and Kevin Barnes’ voice was like, 10x what it was in Australia, he’s doing all these crazy screams and everything is working out perfectly. They did a Prince cover but I didnt’ pay attention because someone standing two people over from me had a seizure so that was a bit more important.

Pretty big decision between this and Nine Inch Nails. But I think I made the right one because this blew me away. Only played 2 songs they hadn’t played at the Manning Bar but Kevin was so spot on for the entire show. of Montreal has only ever trashed their gear at the end of a set twice and I’ve been there both times, cliche but damn it’s exciting. Only started this time because Kevin thought Brian had smashed his when all he had done was dropped it. Also includes a Prince cover.

Setlist
Nonpareil of Favor
Bunny Ain’t No Kind of Rider
Sink the Seine
Cato as a Pun
Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse
Teenage Unicorn Fisting
For Our Elegant Caste
Touched Something’s Hollow
An Eluardian Instance
Id Engager
The Party’s Crashing Us
Computer Blue
October is Eternal
A Sentence of Sorts in Kongsvinger
She’s a Rejector

of Montreal - Sasquatch!, Quincy, 24/05/2009 - 86.6mb - 58 minutes

Jane’s Addiction play and give the exactly as expected rock and roll show. Perry Ferrell still jumps around like a mad man. All of TV on the Radio are standing near by and ALL getting way into it and being over excited about seeing Jane’s Addiction, was awesome. Also Jane Says live is perfect.

I expected a rock and roll show, a fucking weird Perry and a shirtless Dave and that’s exactly what I got. Eric Avery knew this was all about him and was lapping it up. Sound is excellent as you’d expect from a headliner, the show suddenly takes 10 steps up when they bust out Jane Says. If you’ve got the 90 or so dollars, see them at the Hordern.

Also some one tell Perry Farrell that George/Quincy isn’t Seattle. This is tagged as "Sasquarch" so you may want to fix that.

Setlist
Three Days
Whores
Ain’t No Right
Pigs in Zen
Then She Did…
Mountain Song
Had a Dad
Been Caught Stealing
Ted, Just Admit it…
Ocean Size
Summertime Rolls
Encore
Stop!
Jane Says

Jane's Addiction - Sasquatch!, Quincy, 24/05/2009 - 120.9mb - 1 hour 24 minutes

We get back to the Campsite and by the time we get there its memorial day, so it’s this huge party, lots of fireworks, lots of awesome. Also everyone had this habit of someone, anywhere in the campsite would start cheering and it would slowly grow until the entire campsite was cheering, repeat every 30 minutes.

Sasquatch! Festival Day One

2009-05-23T18:21:00.000+10:00

GETTING TO FESTIVAL STARTS HERE:

My bus was supposed to leave Vancouver at 5am, as I do not have an alarm clock I had to stay up all night and then walk 2 hours to get this bus, with my rucksack, bag, tent and a sign to try and hitch hike with when I get into Quincy, as it is a 6 hour walk away from Sasquatch and there is no public transport. So I get on the bus and it turns out that these busses don’t sell out, they only add more when one gets full. So three bus loads of people, 80% going to Sasquatch get on and head to Everett 4 hours away. We arrive in Everett where we meet up with all the people going to Quincy coming from Seattle, this now means we have seven bus loads of people. The next 4 hours of the bus ride and astonishingly beautiful. I knew Washington was full of mountains and shit, but I thought they would be off in the distance, we were weaving in between them constantly beside white rapid river and all this fancy shit it was AWESOME. We also went through “Germantown” which was supposed to be like “Ye Olde Europe” except with Subway and KFC written in script on their signs. So everyone on the bus finally starts talking to one another and we all realise that none of us have the slightest plan and are as clueless as to how to get to the festival as the next person. We pull into Quincy and the bus driver is like “So you guys all going to Sasquatch?” and the bus goes mental “Well I’ll tell you what, after this, I have no more passengers, so lets go see if I can go talk to the charter manager and see if we can’t take you all down to the festival” everyone goes mental again. “Oh by the way, I am the Charter Manager.” so we go to a grocery store, I buy like 30 apples, 20 bottles of water, a case of beer and 4 boxes of museli bars and we’re on our way. We get the sickest camping position about 40 tents without cars taking up one lot, this is all done by 3:30pm, we then get drunk, play frisbee, listens to music and be dickheads before everyone realises they’ve been up for ever and goes to sleep after being exhausted from 37 degree weather.

ACTUAL FESTIVAL SHIT BE HERE:

So it turns out it’s true. At 8am we’re all up and bored and burning in the sun. We go to the general store where it turns out you can buy cases of beer for reasonable prices and burritos and then cook them in the kitchen. We go into the festival site and go watch Owl City, worst decision ever. They are terrible. Adorable even. So we decide to go check out the main stage. We get to the top of the hill and everyone who has walked in has stopped there for some reason, turns out everyone is gawking at the most amazing scenery ever. Words cannot describe the Gorge. It’s stupidly beautiful. I suggest to everyone that we roll down the hill, so about 6 of us get in a line and roll down the hill. It’s awesome. Turns out security chased us screaming the entire way down and we get a stern lecture. Gaslight Anthem play on the main stage and they are nothing special. It is now something like 40 degrees and not a single cloud. I walk around, buy some 9USD food. Urgh. Then go to see Passion Pit and the crowd is huge. HUGE. And it’s full of “KinGs of nEOn” fans. Turns out Kings of Leon fans are a world wide plague. So when everyone finally pisses off I move in for King Khan and the Shrines and it is amazing. Lots of nudity, cheerleaders, jumping around, confetti and just general awesomness. One of the best shows I have ever seen.

Probably one of the highlights of Sasquatch! Festival. They had everything, horns, a dancer, costumes, flying dicks, a crazy crowd, 40 degree heat and a guest appearance from Mark Sultan. I get crowd surfed over (somehow in a crowd that had basically 0 density) and have one of my mics ripped off (in a way that convinces me its broken forever) but it’s fine but the sound conks out for about 2 or so minutes while I fix it.

King Khan and the Shrines - Sasquatch!, Quincy, 23/05/2009 - 63.7mb - 42 minutes

I go see Todd Barry in the Comedy Tent because that happens to be the ONLY piece of shade in the entire festival, turns out he’s funny. Next I watch the first 20 minutes of Animal Collective, they seriously have the worst projections ever but they were pretty good.

Dunno what happened but I only got 18 minutes of this set, the end of the set was probably the best I have ever seen them play the the Gorge setting was perfect for them. But here is what I got of them anyway.

Setlist
Summertime Clothes
My Girls
Essplode (Intro)

Animal Collective - Sasquatch!, Quincy, 23/05/2009 - 27.7mb - 18 minutes

I leave to see Tim and Eric but everyone raves on about how good the end of Animal Collective was, I guess I’ll find out on Saturday. Tim and Eric bombed. BOMBED BOMBED BOMBED. It was so fucking terrible. The first two sketches were hilarious, but then there’s costume changes and the DJ starts doing the worst stand up ever, then after 10mins they finally come back and the next skit goes nowhere, piss off again for another 10 mins, then they kick a plug and all the backing tracks stop and they are forced to improv. Turns out they can’t. I leave and watch Sun Kil Moon who is perfect. Back to the main stage to watch the Decemberists and they were pretty good, but too bad everyone was distracted by this couple who thought they were having secret cliff side sex but instead were being watched by 80,000 people and the band. Mos Def is next who is just fun as all hell and then Bon Iver. I don’t know if he played with a band when he did Sydney Fest but the two drummer set up is just great and his voice is never ever even close to being off.

I recorded this one way off centre as the crowd for him was huge, he played a perfect slot (Just as the sun had gone down he came on stage) and the atmosphere was amazing. Crowd participation is a lot better here than what was at Bonnaroo as well. He also happened to be 45 minutes late but that was Mos Def’s (who was awesome) fault. I would love to say that this was the best set of the weekend but it’s got some mighty tough competition, Sasquatch had way too many “moments”.

But yeah, taking part in Wolves (twice) is an amazing experience.

Setlist
Flume
Brackett, WI
Lump Sum
Wolves
Skinny Love
Mercury
Blood Bank
For Emma
Creature Fear

Bon Iver - Sasquatch!, Quincy, 23/05/2009 - 72.8mb - 49 minutes

Now there are no bands playing except for the main stage so I go watch Kings of Leon who actually didn’t suck. And by didn’t suck I mean were really good. Bummed they didn’t play King of the Rodeo though. So we walk the 30mins back to camp and everyone dies from exhaustion.

kINgs of NeoN. Recording cuts in during the first song and features a minute of me pushing through the crowd to get a spot and then features probably the best sound I got all weekend. Unforunately this one came with a lot of errors and cuts out during the last song as well, it’s also in a very low bitrate and I have no access to the .wav files so what’s here is all there will ever be.

They didn’t suck. I’ll give em that. But come on. King of the Rodeo guys. You know it’s your best song.

Setlist
Crawl (Fades in)
My Party
Be Somebody
Taper Jean Girl
Molly’s Chambers
Fans
Milk
Four Kicks
Charmer
Sex on Fire
The Bucket
Notion
On Call
Cold Desert
Use Somebody
Closer
Knocked Up
Manhattan
Black Thumbnail (Fades out)

Kings of Leon - Sasquatch!, Quincy, 23/05/2009 - 72mb - 1 hour 20 minutes (?)

The Horrors

2009-05-17T18:28:00.000+10:00

I hope you aren’t hoping for any old songs. But yeah, they were quite excellent but the sound is pretty flat. Also you get to enjoy the constant sound of the girl in front of me texting the whole time. They played in between Magic Wands and the Kills. The Kills of course sucking beyond belief, pretty bummed they got such a short set.

Setlist
Mirror’s Image
Three Decades
Do You Remember
I Can’t Control Myself
Scarlet Fields
New Ice Age
Who Can Say
Sea Within a Sea

The Horrors - Wonder Ballroom, Portland, 17/05/2009 - 52.9mb - 37 minutes

The Vaselines

2009-05-10T18:29:00.000+10:00

Pretty bloody amazing, also quite hilarious. They also had an unnannounced support which ended up being the Tydes first show in 5 years so that was pretty sweet. El Rey Theatre is such a nice venue as well. The Vaselines backing band was comprsied of a member of 1990s and two members of Belle and Sebastien. Also they look NOTHING like the cover of Enter the Vaselines. Yep.

Setlist
Son of a Gun
Monsterpussy
The Day I Was a Horse
Molly’s Lips
Oliver Twisted
New Song
Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam
Lovecraft
Bitch
New Song
Slushy
Let’s Get Ugly
No Hope
Sex Sux (Amen)
Dying For It
Encore
Rory Rides Me Raw
You Think You’re a Man
Dum-Dum

The Vaselines - El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles, 10/05/2009 - 100mb - 1 hour 11 minutes

Abe Vigoda

2009-05-08T18:25:00.000+10:00

Supporting Spectrum out near Echopark in Los Angeles. Cuts in during the first song but apart from that a very solid set. Wish I had recorded the opening band (Called the Entrance Band fittingly enough) because they were really really good. If anyone can help with a setlist, would be appreciated.

Abe Vigoda - The Echo, Los Angeles, 08/05/2009 - 30 minutes - 45.4mb

McDowell Mountain Music Festival

2009-04-25T18:16:00.001+10:00

I pretty much attended this just to see the Flaming Lips, it was only 20 bucks anyway. I saw a lot of awesome bands in the time in between but I didn't record much, I had better things to do.

When I saw Matisyahu at Splendour in the Grass in 2006, he played a “meh” set until King Without a Crown when he and his band suddenly became the most fun, loud and tighest machine on the planet. This time it was just meh the whole way.

Matisyahu - McDowell Mountain, Phoenix, 25/04/2009 - 1 hour 1 minutes - 87.9mb

The Flaming Lips were totally and completely amazing. People at home better have their tickets to this already. Confetti, Teletubbie suits (that don’t fit me), gongs, megaphones with smoke machines, awesome covers and huge screens. It was weird that 2 out of the 3 Yoshimi songs they played were basically turned into crowd sing-a-longs minus any instruments.

Wayne played a guitar with two necks, one of the necks being a Guitar Hero guitar, as well as a bugle, appropriate for ANZAC day. Drozd played another double necked guitar, but with one neck broken off. At one point a pink robot costume was thrown at the stage and the band took turns in wearing it.

I did catch a drum stick. Score again. Makes up for trying on a purple Teletubbie outfit and being told it doesn’t fit and to return to the crowd while d-bags like Johnny Knoxville and Steveo get to keep theirs.

Recording is in Mono.

Setlist
Intro
Race for the Prize
Lightning Strikes the Postman
Purple Rain (Partial)
Borderline
Fight Test
2009
The Process
Happy Birthday
Vein of Stars
Mountain Side
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 1
Pompeii Am Götterdämmerung
The W.A.N.D.
She Don’t Use Jelly
Encore
Do You Realise???

The Flaming Lips - McDowell Mountain, Phoenix, 25/04/2009 - 1 hour 34 minutes - 79mb

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival Day Three

2009-04-19T17:37:00.000+10:00

The day that contains all the reasons I went to Coachella. Cured all my technology problems (though the first two bands I taped of the day, No Age and Vivian Girls, fucked up, but that was my fault.)

The Night Marchers? JON REIS! Absolutely amazing. Very similar to Rocket From the Crypt and a few Drive Like Jehu elements to it. The crowd was absolutely tiny, but then again it was 1pm. It was so good to finally see John Reis in the flesh but it was weird to see that he recognised and personally welcomed half the crowd.

The Night Marchers - Coachella, Indio, 19/04/2009 - 53.2mb - 37 minutes

Fucked Up were one of many bands to start early, I missed the first song but it’s sweet from there on in. Crazy crazy crazy show. I don’t know what he did but he cracked his head open during the second song and spent the entire show bleeding on the crowd. Also played a Black Flag cover with No Age. Really enjoyed this one. Sound is real dodge at the start as I'm putting my mics on but it gets decent a little bit into it.

Fucked Up - Coachella, Indio, 18/04/2009 - 66.8mb - 44 minutes

Pretty regular Brian Jonestown Massacre fare, no rambling. Features Matt Hollywood and Joel Gion. Also Zia McCabe on Not If You Were the Last Dandy on Earth. Not a single word was spoken by Anton the entire time.

Setlist
Whoever You Are
Vacuum Boots
Got My Eye on You
Nevertheless
Servo
Not if You Were the Last Dandy on Earth
Anenome
Who?
That Girl Suicide
When Jokers Attack
Oh Lord
Satellite

Brian Jonestown Massacre - Coachella, Indio, 19/04/2009 - 72.9mb - 50 minutes

Antony and the Johnsons were absolutely beautiful. Lots of problems with the PA though. They came on stage 10 minutes early and only played for 30 minutes when they were supposed to play for 50 which was odd, but all of it was fantastic. Pretty sure the set got abandoned due to all the problems and for "trying something different"

The way the music is played live is completely different from what I ever would have expected.

Antony and the Johnsons - Coachella, Indio, 19/04/2009 - 47.6mb - 33 minutes

Man, Yeah Yeah Yeahs are popular in America. The crowd was huuuuuuuuuge and was the only time I encountered douchebags at Coachella, the rest of the time they were amazing.

Warning time though, this recording is pretty average. Only download if you really want to hear the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, if you’re all uppity about your quality turn away, about half way through I get bored and walk off to buy some water, and then I start pushing my way through the crowd to get a spot for My Bloody Valentine.

Setlist
Runaway
Dull Life
Gold Lion
Honey Bear
Black Tongue
Human Fly
Zero
Cheated Hearts
Skeletons
Soft Shock
Maps
Heads Will Roll
Y Control

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Coachella, Indio, 19/04/2009 - 83mb - 57 minutes

Absolutely bloody amazing. My Bloody Valentine along with the Cure are the two main reasons I came this festival. We were handed ear plugs on the way in, I knew it was going to be loud. They really eased us into it, the first minute or so was actually quite quiet, but then it took a huge step up, then another huge step, and then another huge step and then my ears hurt, they also turned all the speaker stacks on in stages as well, so the sound jumps around a bit in I Only Said. I peaked way to early, I went nuts when they played When You Sleep second. I couldn’t have been happier with this band than I was on Sunday.

And yes, there was 15 minutes of feedback.

Setlist
I Only Said
When You Sleep
You Never Should
Cigarette in Your Bed
Only Shallow
Thorn
Nothing Much to Lose
To Here Knows When
Slow
Soon
Feed Me With Your Kiss
You Made Me Realise

My Bloody Valentine - Coachella, Indio, 19/04/2009 - 100.9mb - 1 hour 10 minutes

The Cure? Only like my favourite band ever.

Absolutely perfect. Set starts off a bit slow but really picks up. I had several pant shitting moments, when they didn’t open with Plainsong I thought all hopes of hearing Disintegration were gone, I actually dropped my camera when they played the intro, I thought I was imagining things, and I finally got to hear Fire in Cairo.

They played 40 minutes past curfew and had the power cut on them, but they still continued to play with just the stage amps and monitors, I was close enough to be able to capture all this with my mics. The sing-a-long to these songs are probably the highlight of my show attending career. They even had a lady who stood on the wings of the stage facing the crowd that did sign language to every word of every song. So pleased with everything about this show. Pleased abot being fourth row. Pleased with the set list. Pleased with the atmosphere. Pleased with the best ending to a show I’ve ever experienced.

Setlist
Underneath the Stars
Prayers for Rain
A Strange Day
alt.end
The End of the World
Love Song
To Wish Impossible Things
Pictures of You
Lullaby
From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea
The Perfect Boy
Wrong Number
Push
In Between Days
Just Like Heaven
Primary
Shake Dog Shake
The Hungry Ghost
Disintegration
One Hundred Years
It’s Over
Encore
If Only Tonight We Could Sleep
The Kiss
Encore
At Night
M
Play for Today
A Forest
Encore
Three Imaginary Boys
Fire in Cairo
Power Out
Boys Don’t Cry
Jumping Someone Else’s Train
Grinding Halt (Intro)

The Cure - Coachella, Indio, 19/08/2009 - 246.6mb - 2 hours 50 minutes

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival Day Two

2009-04-18T17:20:00.000+10:00

Started my day with Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, was pretty straight forward but very good. Ariel Pink is honestly a miniature person. This recording is in mono.

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Coachella, Indio, 18/04/2009 - 27.6mb - 36minutes

Finally got to see Liars, absolutely killer set and the day was just excessively hot by this point. Left channel screws up a little bit in the first minute or so and is then fine from then on in. Also in a long series of bands to come on stage 10 minutes early but I missed nothing, that’s just him sound checking as I turn my equipment on.

Setlist
To Hold You, Drum
Freak Out
New Song
A Visit From Drum
The Garden Was Crowded and Outside
New Song
Clear Island
New Song
Loose Nuts
Be Quiet Mt. Heart Attack!
Plaster Casts of Everything

Liars - Coachella, Indio, 18/04/2009 - 62mb - 42 minutes

TV on the Radio on the mainstage. Pretty solid performance, nothing on their Metro Show, shat all over Big Day Out. Features Katrina Ford on Wolf Like Me and Staring at the Sun. I also tagged it as the wrong date if you want to fix that.

Setlist
The Wrong Way
Golden Age
Crying
Wolf Like Me
Blues From Down Here
Young Liars
Red Dress
Dancing Choose
Staring at the Sun

TV on the Radio - Coachella, Indio, 18/04/2009 - 65.4mb - 45 minutes

I don't think Band of Horses really suit festivals, just every they've ever recorded is amazing so you miss out on so much no matter what. Really enjoyed this set.

Setlist
The Great Salt Lake
Is There a Ghost
Weed Party
The General Specific
Marry Song
No One’s Gonna Love You
The Funeral
Wicked Gil
New Song
Ode to LRC
New Song

Band of Horses - Coachella, Indio, 18/04/2009 - 70mb - 48 minutes

At this point I had a complete technological melt down, my iRiver kept pretending it was full, my camera just mysteriously died and basically there is no documentation for the rest of my night. If I knew what I knew now the full sets I did manage to get before running into the error would have still survived, but alas, no Fleet Foxes, Junior Boys, Glass Candy, Chemical Brothers, Turbonegro or Gang Gang Dance for you guys.

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival Day One

2009-04-17T17:04:00.000+10:00

I'm here! I'm fucken here!

I'll probably skip through all the hoo-haa bout how all amazing this was and skip all the bands I saw and didn't record, because who wants to hear me speak about those?

I’ve always been half-half on Los Campesinos! They make incredibly awesome music but have some of the most cringe worthy lyrics ever. They were the first band I saw at Coachella and they were all kinds of awesome. Gareth jumped into the crowd during a song and managed to try and gouge my eyes out. The entire band crowd surfed to the back of the tent during the last song and then walked off casually. I caught a drumstick and generally had an awesome time. I am no longer half-half on them. Probably like 90-10 now.

Setlist
Ways to Make it Through the Wall
The International Tweexcore Underground
Documented Minor Emotional Breakdown #1
My Year in Lists
Death to Los Campesinos!
Miserabilia
This is How You Spell “HAHAHA, We Destroyed the Hopes and Dreams of a Generation of Faux Romantics”
Knee Deep at ATP
Box Elder/You! Me! Dancing!
We are Beautiful, We are Doomed
Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks

Los Campesinos! - Coachella, Indio, 17/04/2009 - 68.7mb - 47 minutes

Because I went totally AWOL at Laneway this year I missed Buraka Som Sistema and heard nothing but rave reviews the next day. They were intensely fun. Highlight being when they got the entire crowd to get down on the ground and then just go nuts on the count of 4. The sheer energy of this set actually comes through really well on the recording.

Buraka Som Sistema - Coachella, Indio, 17/04/2009 - 49.3mb - 35 minutes

How's this for an amateur mistake. Went and saw the wonderful Leonard Cohen, pressed record, didn't flick the hold switch on, dropped it back in my bag and hit the stop button accidentally about 8 minutes into the set. He was amazing though guys.

Finally see Morrissey in the flesh. Left quite disappointed. He just wasn’t into it at all, someone in the crowd said that he was probably bitter about always playing second billing but I don’t know about that. Made a lot of comments about meat and then pretended that he couldn’t sing Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others because he needed to gag over the smell of burning animal flesh.

And you can bet that he for sure as shit took his shirt off. Three times.

Setlist
This Charming Man
First of the Gang to Die
Black Cloud
Girlfriend in a Coma
Irih Blood, English Heart
How Can Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel?
When I Last Spoke to Carol
Some Girls are Bigger than Others
I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris
Seasick, Yet Still Docked
The Loop
Sorry Doesn’t Help
Ask
Let Me Kiss You
How Soon is Now?

Morrissey - Coachella, Indio, 17/04/2009 - 85.7mb - 56 minutes

Paul bloody McCartney!

In the Top 5 shows I have ever seen. I cannot fault this performance in anyway. He dedicated My Love to Linda McCartney who died 11 years ago that day, the crowd was completely silent. The pops you hear during Live and Let Die are the sounds of the craziest pyro/fireworks show I’ve ever seen during a performance. He played everything I could of dreamed of hearing and more. The only thing that bummed me out was that he played A Day in the Life as part of a medley but it was a totally insigificant point within the entire performance. Just read the set list for proof of him playing ev.ry.thing.

Another problem with the performance that’s reflected in the recording is that as the set went on it kept getting louder and louder so it starts to distort a bit of the way into it. Not too bad though, kinda dissappointing though.

Setlist
Jet
Drive My Car
Only Mama Knows
Flaming Pie
Got to Get You Into My Life
Let Me Roll It/Foxy Lady
Honey Hush
Highway
The Long and Winding Road
My Love
Blackbird
Here Today
Dance Tonight
Calico Skies
Mrs. Vanderbilt
Eleanor Rigby
Sing the Changes
Band on the Run
Back in the USSR
Something
I Got a Feeling
Paperback Writer
A Day in the Life/Give Peace a Chance
Let it Be
Live and Let Die
Hey Jude
Encore
Birthday
Can’t Buy Me Love
Lady Madonna
I Saw Her Standing There
Encore
Yesterday
Helter Skelter
Get Back
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)
The End

Paul McCartney - Coachella, Indio, 17/04/2009 - 218mb - 2 hours 29 minutes