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Happy
Birthday to Bill..
1)
Mongolian Bill with the Robbos 2) Taswegian Peter Havery and
Bill's partner, Rose, huddle together for warmth
3)
Daryl wasn't allowed to bring his keyboards, but Roy doesn't
care 4) The Robbos again with Lance O'Reilly 
5)
Cenred was happy 6) My room with a view of the house 7) Natasha
says good morning Saturday
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Bill's
sixtieth b'day bash
31.3.07 - Bill's never been one for ceremony,
so it came as a surprise to discover he'd actually been persuaded
that his sixtieth birthday was one occasion that positively
demanded celebration. Getting to the party's location at Rosewood,
Rose and Bill's idyllic home in deepest Strathewen, was an adventure
in itself for most of us townies, but I don't think we lost
anybody, (on the way there, anyway), and by 8.00
there was a healthy crowd of well-wishers from suburbia and
Strathewen locals, (who all brought plates), and it was decided
that the music should begin. Bill and Rose and family had spent
the entire day setting up tarpaulins over the patio in case
of inclement weather, I'd brought up the band's PA and backline,
Robbo had brought his drums, and various other musos had brought
guitars etc, so the rest of the night, although quite
chilly, was pleasantly enough whiled away by substance-affected
musicians playing to an equally affected but forgiving audience.
Standout performances were in the minority, but I seem to remember
Lance O'Reilly's Irish jig certainly got the crowd excited.
Bill and Robbo are played all night - Bill because he wanted
to, and Robbo because he had to...
Rose had insisted I stay overnight, and in the event I slept
quite comfortably in Rose's studio, with another overnighter,
Natasha, taking Bill's studio. A civilised breakfast of eggs
and bacon was presented to the survivors this morning by Rose,
and we swapped stories in hushed tones about what we imagined
had occurred the night before and what we were planning to do
with the rest of our lives. It was a grand night, but thankfully
the last bloody sixtieth in the band for years now. |
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The Soulenikoes
celebrate |
Judgement
Day at Thomas Carr College
30.3.07 - I managed to get hopelessly lost
on the way to the Thomas Carr College, which is a pretty new
school back of Hoppers Crossing and wasn't even built when my
Melways was printed, but I was safely guided home on my mobile
phone by Richard Goodman, who'd been instrumental in suggesting
me as a judge in the first place. The kids were utterly oblivious
to who I was of course, but I was made very welcome by some
of the staff, especially Graeme Dent, who confessed that he
and his mates had even followed Ariel over to Adelaide when
we toured there! There were eight bands altogether, mostly around
the fifteen and sixteen years age bracket, and I was generally
very impressed with the standard, particularly given that at
that age I hadn't yet played a note on guitar. My co-judge Rob
Dellar and I had a tricky moment or two separating the top three
bands, and any one of them could have taken the top spot, but
the crowd-pleasing Soulenikoes
took the honours with a spirited and consistent performance.
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Life
is a cabaret, old chum..
1)
The New Capers' host, Ian Plummer, introducing 2) the old Blackfeather
in full flight
3)
The reverend Ross Ryan is plainly far too happy 4) Robbo and
Alana embrace
5) Robbo
with Mandi and Alekya 6) Mike and Bill don't know where to look
with aspiring rock guitarist Brayden |
Derek
Guille just enjoys life |
gig
report
Same old at The New Capers
25.3.07 - It started innocently enough with Neale Johns
and me doing a congenial interview with Derek Guille (pic
left) at the ABC on a warm and humid Friday evening, but
later that night the weather changed, and I awoke at 3.00am
to find the lounge ceiling leaking prodigiously - and my morning's
sleep was shot to pieces. Load-in at The New Capers at 4.00
the next afternoon was followed by a thorough sound check -
for Blackfeather, which naturally left no time for a sound check
for Spectrum. There was a good roll-up of punters though, including
some old friends, (pic 3), and we were treated to a
good meal before showtime. I took the opportunity to watch most
of Blackfeather's set, and thought the inclusion of drummer
Mick Holden had given the band some warranted transparency,
from which some of their subtler material clearly benefited.
Bill sat in with Blackfeather on lap-steel for a couple of numbers,
which was enjoyed by all. |
Spectrum's set felt slightly uneasy,
with some unresolved sound balances and buzzes courtesy of
the absent sound check , but we soldiered on. I tried to be
a little more adventurous with the programming than usual,
mixing ancient and modern with occasional annotations - and
I wore a tie, which apparently went down well with the sartorially
aware in the audience (pic 3).
Bill stayed overnight at my place for an early start to our
Shelford Grammar gig in Mt Eliza the next day. Thankfully
it didn't rain, (Bill was sleeping in the lounge), and as
I'd set the alarm for 8.00, we got away in plenty of time
for the projected midday start in Mt Eliza. It wasn't till
we were nearly at our destination that we realised that, due
to the ending of daylight saving that morning (!), we were
an hour early, so we adjourned to Mornington for a subdued
breakfast and coffee.
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Supergirly
goes over the Edge |
In the event we had a lovely afternoon playing
a mix of Volcano and other songs with the unflappable
Enza to the good Shelford Girls Grammar School parents and friends,
and I would imagine it might be something we'd all be up for
next year. We even managed to sell a couple of CDs.
After I got home I remembered I'd promised my sister-in-law
Kath that I'd to go to the Edge Theatre at Fed. Square to catch
a show there (as part of the Fina budgie smuggling celebrations)
starring my niece, Louise (Lulu) McClatchy (aka SuperGirly).
(pic left) I was happy to make the effort as I've never
seen her perform live, while she (and Miss Molly) have
caught a number of Spectrum gigs. It turned out to be a highly
entertaining hour or so - Louise has a wicked bent for adapting
current pop songs to make acid commentary on (mostly) other
female singers, and a host of other (mostly female) issues,
backed up by a happy ability to send herself up, not to mention
a pretty terrific voice. See her before she sees you.. Why not
check out her MySpace
site? |
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More
fab Humania and Spectrum shots
22.3.07 - These go back to the Don't Tell
Tom gig on March 3rd, but they certainly warrant having a gander
at. Sue Nicol sent a couple of hundred (!) shots on disc for
me to sort through, and I've selected a mere half dozen from
a dazzling bunch. Check
'em out. We're looking forward to working with Hugh
again when we're a little closer to the Aztec re-issue release
dates. |
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1)
Phil Kafcaloudes 2) Spotty Minnie's brother, Errol Bannister |
A
busy morning for Mike
21.3.07
- I haven't listened to Radio National for a few weeks, so although
the name Phil Kafcaloudes didn't really resonate, I put it down
to a program change when I was asked to do an interview with
Phil to promote the Capers gig this weekend in tandem with Blackfeather's
Neale Johns. We were warmly greeted by and Adelaine Ng, whom
I initially took to be the program director, but soon discovered
to be the show's co-host as it was beamed to all parts of Asia.
(So it was Radio Australia, not Radio National - we
got a text message from Brad in Cambodia, but I'm not sure he's
gonna make it to the gig). It was a fun |
| interview anyway - Neale
got them to play Blackfeather's soon-to-be released single,
(featuring Bill playing lap-steel), and I left a few CDs for
them to give away. After the interview I met with Errol Bannister
and Larry Ponting (Johnston Audio) at South Bank for a chat
over coffee. On the agenda was the projected ANZAC Day show
at Sydney's Entertainment Centre, similar to the one at Goodna
last year with John Schumann, but on an exponentially larger
scale. I'm going to be singing I'll Be Gone of course,
but I'm also obliged to do another with the theme of war, or
peace, or anything that relates to this wide brown land. Do
I have one of those? I might have to do a cover.. |
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Don't
panic!
19.3.07 - Overnight
there has been a fundamental change wrought to this website
in that it's found a new server. There will be the odd link
or two that needs refreshing, so bear with me. If you find something
that needs attention, you could even let me know.. |
Aztec
release dates for Spectrum re-issues
20.3.07 - With all the excitement in changing
servers, I forgot to mention that I'd popped down to Aztec Music
last week and spoken with Aztec's publicist, Lou Ridsdale. It
seems the releases of Part One and Milesago
are going to be staggered over two months, which are now slated
for June and July, just a little later than we were
anticipating. |
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James
blows that thang..* |
James
Reyne does I'll Be Gone
10.3.07 - I got this from Brecon Walsh today:
'James Reyne and the Rockwiz Orchestra did I'll Be
Gone as James's (pic left) chosen tune last night
in front of about 8,000 at The Alexandra Gardens.to open Moomba
With Kutcha Edwards, Rebecca Barnard and the extended Rockwiz
band doing Long Way To The Top with didgeridoos and
bagpipes. Paul Kelly, Dan Kelly and Missy Higgins doing a new
Kev Carmody epic song. A wonderful and soulful rendition that
had the throng singing along. It was Daddy Cool's last ever
show and a truly magical gig and event captured for TV and later
DVD. I just thought you would like to know.' Thanks Brecon.
Alana Galea wasn't quite so uncritical: 'By the way, I saw James
Reyne performing I'll Be Gone yesterday - apart from
stuffing up the words he sounded great.' How can you stuff up
the words? (I know really). Alana's putting up a bunch of shots
on her site as we speak - check
'em out. |
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| * pic
Alana Galea |
Bill
and Mike talk down to Asylum's Paul Egan* |
Capers
show with Blackfeather coming up
9.3.07
- Mike, Bill and Robbo were just at Capers (see the report
below) but in their capacities as Debonair diners rather than
performers. Paul Egan, (pictured left interviewing Bill, and
Mike for Asylum TV at the Hey Gringo CD launch), has been instrumental
in putting together just the sort of nostalgic night's entertainment
that the new Capers seems to favour. Neale Johns and Blackfeather
are teaming up with Mike, Bill and Robbo to evoke a time that
wasn't cluttered with obese toddlers and their iPods, but on
the contrary, full of hope and garnished with young girls in
mini skirts. Not that our boys noticed, so dedicated were they
to discovering all they possibly could about making exciting
musical noises.. |
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| * pic
courtesy of Alana Galea |
1)
Bill met up with Joan, with an old family friend 2) Wilbur and
Allan Zavod play Thorpie's signature tune |
Debonairs'
respectful Thorpie send-off
6.3.07 - It's been a while since my last
Debonairs' luncheon, and Bill and Robbo haven't been before,
but as we couldn't get to Sydney for the official service, we
felt it was the right thing to do. The venue for the luncheon
has changed in the interim, moving from the Prahran Hotel to
(the new) Capers in Hawthorn, coincidentally the venue of Spectrum's
blockbuster gig with Blackfeather on Sat. 24th. Wilbur said
a number of words about the man and played an impromptu rendition
of Over The Rainbow with Allan Zavod, before racing
away to do his radio show. Bill, Robbo and I had a pleasant
hour or two chatting with all and sundry, while images of Billy's
last solo performance at Capers and then the DVD of the LWTTT
played on the big screen. |
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 .
I warned you about flashbacks - (mouse over image.) |
The
tip of the photographic iceberg..
5.3.07 - It's started - the predicted wave
of pics from Saturday night's very photogenic show with Hugh
McSpedden's Humania lightshow have begun to roll in. Jeff Turnbull
took this shot, (pic left), and I've got some large
versions of some of Jeff's shots for you to look at. Check
'em out. In pic 2, where we're playing I'll Be
Gone, the archival shot on screen is from circa 1983,
I think. (That's Ray Arnott on the left). Be warned: if you
ever attended the TF Much or Much More Ballrooms back in the
'70s, you may experience a flashback - it must have been something
in the hippy vegie-burgers you ate.. |
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SNIPPETS |
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Hey
Gringo on
Asylum TV This
Week!
5.3.07 - If you missed
the launch for Hey Gringo's latest album Live FromThe Vault
- available in stores now JB Hi Fi, Readings, The Basement
Discs, The Last Record Store,
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Offbeat Music etc. check
it out on TV. Hey Gringo with guests Spectrum, Neale Johns,
Marcus Alexander & Brenden Mason are on Channel 31 tomorrow
night (Tuesday 6th March) at 11.00pm and again on Thurs 12:30am
and Sat. at midnight. |
Hanna
OK
8.3.07 - Bill rang me in a tiz today and
said he'd been told that Ross Hannaford had suffered a heart
attack, and as he was on the way to a guitar lesson, asked if
I could find out more. So I rang Ross Wilson. Ross happened
to be in mid- |
rehearsal with the other Cool dudes, and told
me that Hanna had experienced chest pains about ten days ago
and had spent a couple of days in hospital while they did some
tests. In the event they turned out to be clear, so everybody's
alright! Hooray! |
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All
the fun of the fair at the Knox Festival
1) Bossanation
plays in the rotunda to the happy throng at the Knox Festival
2) Jane
Clifton talks food in the Miele tent 3) Malcolm Russell models
his hip headgear
4) Mal
Leishman dropped in to say hullo 5) Boat people shelter from
the rain in the rotunda |
6) Bill
finally meets his match |
gig
report
Mike & Bill at the Knox Community Festival
4.3.07 - For some reason I failed to review
last weekend's gigs at the Lomond and St Andrews. Well, in a
word, sublime! It was very nice to get back to our comfort zone
and the audience and band enjoyed both gigs in equal measure.
Yesterday (Saturday) was always going to be challenging, with
Bill and I playing at the Knox Festival in the arvo, then trucking
down to Brunswick to join Robbo, Daz and Hugh McSpedden at Don't
Tell Tom for a preview of the Aztec and Breathing Space
CD launches. In the event, the festival was a pleasurable
doddle, and there was even some variation in the weather to
keep things interesting (pic 5). Former Queenscliff
Festival booker, Malcolm Russell (pic 3) booked the
gig, and he and the rotunda crew made life as easy as possible.
We even knew a few people there, including Jane Clifton (pic
2) and Mal Leishman (pic 4) - Ralph Clapton was
just beginning his set as we left for Brunswick. |
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Meanwhile,
in downtown Brunswick..
1) Ray
Moon takes in the moonlight 2) Hugh doesn't like the flash 3)
Music Box interviewer Aidan
4) Miranda
Worthington on camera and mic girl Schy 5) Pauline White &
Colin Rochford were in the massive audience |
gig
report
Spectrum and Humania at Don't Tell Tom
4.3.07 - Well, as I suggested, this gig
was always intended as a test run for the upcoming CD launches,
(still no firm dates incidentally), so I wasn't overly concerned
that there weren't a hell of a lot of punters. The fact that
everybody who came seemed to be wielding a camera of some sort
means that I'm expecting a veritable flood of fantastic shots
in the next few days, so that'll be something to look forward
to - being the guys pointed at the audience means that the band
never gets to see anything, and the comments about the light
show suggest we missed something really special. Miranda Worthington
and her team from Deakin were there with movie cameras recording
the night for the Music Box show, and she's just got in touch
to say she's sending me an mpeg of some of the highlights,
so I'll be able to get some idea there too.
Musically speaking, we played a few songs (old and new) we haven't
played for some time with mixed results, and resident DTT sound
engineer, Ray Moon, did the best he could with the sound, given
the rather fragile acoustics of the former Brunswick PO. All
in all though, it's whetted my appetite for a really creative
liaison with Hugh over the next few months - I know a whole
lot of people are going to get very excited when they see it. |
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