Cat Empire with Eagle and the Worm 10th Anniversary - Palace, 6th of May

My old High School Jazz teacher Nick was playing and had kindly asked if I wanted to tag along. Surely no one would turn down a free gig.

Eagle and the Worm

Cat Empire

Photos: Alean Penaflor

Last Dinosaurs and Papa vs. Pretty - Northcote Social Club, 25th of March 2011

Twas a cold Friday night, where the reek of hot chips being consumed by the person next to you, penetrated the multiple layers of your clothing. Despite the unpleasantness of that forever lingering oil smell, nothing could dampen the thought of a gig awaiting.

Melbourne band Loon Lake supported the co-headliners for the Melbourne leg of their tour. Having previously heard 'In The Summer' with its fair airplay on Triple J, it wasn't at all surprising to see their light and cheery sounds get the early crowd happily bopping along.

Co-headliners Papa vs. Pretty took to the stage next. What I didn't anticipate, was how the next 40 or so minutes would leave me turning to look at my friends repeatedly with wide-eyed awe. Lead Thomas Rawle had a definite hold of the stage, as if having played the guitar since he was conceived, if that were at all possible. The beginings of their energetic set mellowed into an almost atmospheric mood, as Rawle's melodious voice progressed through their songs. There's a joy in watching Rawle, bassist Angus Gardiner and drummer Tom Myers; they emanate this vibe of a good group of friends bound together by something they truely enjoy. It's insane to think that members of this band are in their late teens, yet have the ability to craft songs that ooze maturity beyond their respectfully young age. If anything, Papa vs. Pretty and the next band are prime examples of the extroadinary talent young Australian bands have.

As the rapidly strummed guitar chords of School Is So Easy cut through the hubbub of the eagerly awaiting crowd, it was apparent that Last Dinosaurs were the main attraction of the night. I always love seeing these guys live, as the Caskey brothers (Sean and Lachlan) aren’t afraid of utilising their stage space, so much so that when Sean dances, it were almost as if he was purposely circulating the perimeters of the stage. If drummer Dan Koyama weren't seated behind the kit, I'm sure he could cause a raucous riot too, whilst bassist Sam Gethin-Jones holds his place with understated cool.

The setlist saw a mix of tunes from the band’s earlier days, to tracks off their EP Back From The Dead (with the exception of Alps much to my disappointment). New tracks were tested and from what was happening around me, it was apparent that the audience liked what they heard. With dense and slightly darker harmonies combined with their signature bright riffs, there was a definite sense of the band having developed a tighter musical unit. One of the new tracks saw Lachlan Caskey (lead guitarist) showcase the depth of his so far unrevealed skill. This was the second time that I would find myself in a trance of complete awe, as Lachlan showed the gathered fans that they really hadn’t seen anything yet, as far as his guitar playing goes.

As the opening riff of Honolulu reached the audience's ears, you couldn't help but feel a change in the crowd. It was obvious that a majority had been waiting to hear this familiar and well-loved song, and gladly it was welcomed with open arms. This preceded the final song of the night, latest single Time and Place.

Photos: Alean Penaflor

St Kilda Festival

Admittingly I didn't find myself staying very long, as my friend and I found ourselves merely irritated and in search for better things. I guess it was sort of our fault for not trusting our past experience, but going anyway 'just for the sake of it'. We'd planned on seeing only two bands that day, one being Hungry Kids of Hungary and the other being Muscles. Both my friend and myself had previously seen Hungry Kids of Hungary at a smaller festival held in Moonee Ponds. We were slightly disappointed that for the second time, Hungry Kids failed to give any sort of energy. I mean, it probably isn't even of their doing, and perhaps it may've just been unfortunate that the both times I've seen them has been in broad daylight and in an open venue, but there's something very constricted about their performances. They're nice enough, conversing and just being generally friendly to the crowd so I'll just put it down to playing in the wrong 'venue'. Being stuck behind a big group of kids who found it extremely entertaining to crowd surf didn't help either, although us seething fellow crowd members got our revenge by dropping the bastards onto the floor. Deciding to head back into the city, we didn't end up staying around for Muscles' set.

Photos: Alean Penaflor

Two Door Cinema Club and Parades - Prince Bandroom Melbourne, 9th of February 2011

I've found that there is always an extremely terrible aftermath of attending gigs. That sickening feeling of lying in bed(or wherever you may graciously find yourself) in the wee hours of the next morning, wishing you were back in that claustrophobic, overheated and sans-personal-space, moshpit. You'd think I'd learn by now, but I refuse to accept encores and afterparties as an 'okay you've had your fun, may you please exit our premises now. If you won't, I'm sure our bouncer here can help you out'. That so called bouncer, who was once your bestfriend even for just some hours, has now also turned on you. To think what we had was real man, shame on you.

With support act Parades warming up those awaiting the arrival of the headliners, I couldn't help but revel in the fact that their music was the type you'd have as a movie soundtrack to something like a Sofia Coppola film(If Phoenix wasn't so involved), and I don't mean that in a bad way at all. They're heavily instrumental with minimal lyrics, and it works. Actually I don't know so much about the Sofia Coppola thing anymore, her soundscores are often more twinkling and whimsical whilst Parades has a bit more...oopmh.

The end of their set saw a half an hour break, comprising of dj tunes that suited more of a seedy nightclub (which is a shame because before the support act they were playing bands such as Clap Your Hands Say Yeah). Finally...

Admittingly, Ben the drummer is quite amusing to watch. Despite not being a part of the band's legitimate lineup, you can't help but jump up abit higher with him bouncing around behind the kit. Unfortunately, because of the almost red-cordial induced hyperactivity, I couldn't get a photo of him without it being blurred. A frantic frenzy swept throughout the gathered mass as beloved 'Something Good Can Work' broke through the speakers, whilst the heartfelt acapella version of 'What You Know' had the crowd bellowing the words back to lead Alex as he held the stage solo, up untill the rest of the band kicked in with the original tune. If anything's a certain, it's that Alex can sing. There's often a doubt that the voice on a recording is autotuned and polished, only to leave audiences disappointed when the flaws are heard at a live show. Alex proved this wrong however, as his voice was nothing but melodious and spot on.

The band graced us with 'Come Back Home' and 'I Can Talk' for their encore. My God, shit got crazy when they played 'I Can Talk' as their final ode to Melbourne. As the opening line goes by 'Uh oh, uh uh oh' ,was more than adequate. They were in big trouble, for having to leave us.

But as all good things go, everything must come to an end. Like a tasty Grill'd burger, there's that last morsel that we try to savour, in a desperate attempt of clinging onto what is left, and by that I mean I fought for the last setlist that once belonged to the crew.

Alex Trimble, you had me at the flip of your red hair.

Photos: Alean Penaflor

Philippines

Photos: Alean Penaflor

Dawg

Photo: Alean Penaflor

Milkshake

Two of my friends got into an amusing and non-serious argument yesterday.

It was over a mocha milkshake.

Friend 1 insisted that we tried this milkshake, because it's 'amazing'.

Friend 2 awkwardly whispered that she was lactose intolerant.

Friend 1 didn't care. 'You drink Big Ms all the time!'

Friend 2 'And after every single time I run to the toilet'