Tenniscoats and The Pancakes at Serial Space

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

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

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

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

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

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

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