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Mike
& Bill join the Art connoisseur crowd
1) Maddy Hayes 2) Tony Healey, Athol Guy,
Mike and his personalised bottle o' pinot
3) Tony
Cavanagh introduces Athol Guy 4) The bottle and the lavish art
program 5) The label |
gig
report
Mike & Bill at the Deutscher-Menzies Gallery
28.11.08 - My Molly Award has had an unexpected
corollary. (See A Separate Reality) Tony Cavanagh rang
a couple of days ago to see if Bill and I could play a couple
of tunes at the Deutscher-Menzies Gallery for an upcoming auction
preview. Apparently gallery owner Rod Menzies had been at the
In North Melbourne Tonight (ah, the penny drops!) evening
at the Czech Club, and he had been most impressed with the music
on offer and thought it might be diverting entertainment to
have some of the same artists at the preview.
So, Bill and I duly set up our PA at 5.00 and guests started
to filter in about an hour later. It was quite stifling before
the change came rolling in, so Bill and I amused ourselves by
acting as doormen while we waited for our spot. Athol Guy brought
his protegé Stefanie along to sing a song, and Maddy
Hayes (pic 1) brought her piano along to sing her
song, and finally Bill and I did our bit. We got some favourable
comments too, but the best part was when Tony Healey (pic
2) delivered my consignment of personalised pinot noire
(pics 4 & 5). Maybe I should have a competition with
a bottle as the prize - waddya think? |
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1)
Daryl's son Matthew and the Daz 2) Elaine and Jeff rushed back
from Ballarat to get to St Andrews for this pic |
3) 'I
don't know this red-shirted idiiot,' thinks Chris |
gig
report
Father & son day at last St Andrews of 2008
24.11.08 - At which point I exclaim helplessly,
'where did the year go?' Stan had the fire going, appropriately
for a change as the weather was bordering on downright inclement,
and there was a good crowd indoors when we started the first
set. I thought it fair to vary the repertoire a little seeing
we'd been there just a couple of weeks before, and so we immediately
embarked on an adventurous and slightly scary course. I made
some last minute changes to the Gee Whiz bass line
that threw Daz in a spin, and which he rightly pointed out might
necessitate some revisions to the recording, but it went OK
anyway.
As well as Daz's son being there, (pic 1), my son Chris'
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Vermont St crew showed up for lunch
and to take in the first set, so I was able to introduce Chris
to everybody at the start of the Xavier Rudd song.
(Incidentally, thanks to the lady who made sure Chris ate all
his fish).
There were quite a few of our regular friends in attendance,
but special mention goes to Jeff and Elaine. (pic 2)
It was Jeff's 53rd birthday and he risked life and limb to get
back from Ballarat in time for the last three numbers. Now that's
what I call dedication! |
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Just
in time for Christmas.. |
Support
Act releases Tribute CD
23.11.08
- Morning of the Earth producer, Amanda Pelman, sent me this
CD release info the other day. The accompanying press release
is reprinted in full.
In 2005 and 2006 these two shows were put together by Billy
and underwritten by Chugg Entertainment. Countless artists and
roadcrew gave their time and energy to raise funds for Pete
Wells and Lobby Loyde, as directed through Support Act Ltd.
Support Act Limited (SAL) was formed as a registered charity
in 1997 by a group of concerned music industry veterans, including
Michael Chugg, Meryl Gross and Jim White (ex Festival Records
) and Lindy Morrison (Drummer for The Go Betweens ) who could
see that there was a definite need for an organisation to assist
members of the industry who were in need or suffering hardship.
Billy Thorpe became a Director |
of Support Act shortly before his
death in 2007 and in his memory, the Billy Thorpe Foundation
has now been setup. It’s specific purpose is to carry
out Billy’s dream of creating purpose built spaces within
existing retirement homes for music industry veterans.
This recording will benefit Support Act and the families of
Pete Wells, Billy Thorpe and Lobby Loyde. All the artists on
the recording have given their time and their royalties to the
cause. Various industry organizations pitched in to pay for
the production of this project and they need to be applauded
for doing so. They include Bombora Records, Metropolitan Groove
Merchants, Chugg Entertainment, Andrew McManus Presents, Acer
Arena and Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Bob King and Serge
Thomann Photography and Mushroom Music.
New Support Act Director Brian Cadd comments : “The tracks
on this wonderful, uplifting and ultimately celebratory album
have come from two extraordinary works of love. The benefit
for Lobby Loyde and the benefit for Pete Wells.
For our old friend and much-missed giant of Australian Rock,
Billy Thorpe, it was a love for these two rock magicians that
drove him to put these two concerts together. It was also a
practical way to help these legendary musicians in need. And
that is what lies at the heart of what Support Act stands for.
”The idea that, in an industry where the most common form
of superannuation may be an old guitar or two, there are ever
increasing numbers of our brothers and sisters who have fallen
on hard times and need our help. Support Act is one of the beneficiaries
of the royalties earned from the sale of this music. On behalf
of all of those who have given so much to audiences over the
years and now or in the future may need our help, I thank you
from the bottom of my heart.”
Project Producer Amanda Pelman stated : “As manager of
the Estate for Billy Thorpe, my day to day duties include maximizing
Billy’s contribution to the Australian music industry
now he is no longer here with us to do so. Some days it is a
little like having a parrot on your shoulder – I can hear
him saying ‘Put the Rilen track straight after Lobby –
luv ya!’ Our relationship as friends and mutual Aries
drove us in life and the beliefs and opinions he held so dear
now drive me on after his death. He would have been extremely
proud of this release - I know he was overwhelmed by everyone’s
contributions. Now all he would say is ‘Go out and buy
the fucking thing’.”
Michael Chugg, Billy’s long time friend and manager :
“When Billy had an idea he didn’t let it rest until
it happened.
That was how it was for both the events he designed for Pete
and Lobby. I was happy to underwrite both ventures
in the spirit of solidarity that they were intended. On the
afternoon of The Palace show, Billy was everywhere, doing everything,
when he casually dropped the line ‘You’ll be doing
one of these for me soon!’ Our grief is that he is sadly
now included in this Tribute. Enjoy the energy in this music
– the last performances from Lobby, Ian Rilen –
and all too soon, from my mate Billy Thorpe. “
Angry Anderson of Rose Tattoo remembers his friend Pete Wells
: “we are one less now we band of few...
‘Tribute’
will be released through MGM Distribution and will be in store
on 6th December 2008 . The first three thousand copies will
include a bonus DVD including performances by Billy Thorpe and
Lobby Loyde.
For
further information please contact :Ferris Davies PR –
Rina Ferris / Katie Hardwick [email protected] Chugg
Entertainment : Amanda Pelman [email protected] |
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We snared
Vicki for this pic to prove we'd been there |
gig
report
Cranbourne RSL goes off!
21.11.08 - As I said to the audience before
we started, none of us anticipated when we were happily crashing
about Southside Six as mere toddlers, that we would be here
at the Cranbourne RSL some thirty or so years later checking
the toll the intervening years had taken on fellow punters.
It could've been salutory, but in the event it was actually
quite a bit of fun. The acoustic tiling was effective without
being totally stifling, so musically it was a happy experience,
and the audience seemed to be enjoying themselves. We sold bulk
Breathing Space EPs, we got a free feed, the management
seemed to be happy and we got paid. Isn't this what
life's all about? |
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1)
Greg from Blackbird at the 3MDR fund raiser 2) The Maldon crowd
goes berserk to see such fun
3)
Bill signs another Breathing Space for Dianne 4) Robbo gets
acquainted with a native |
5) Mike's
mate Vivienne Hamilton came to the gig |
gig
report
3MDR fund raiser and Maldon Blues Club
17.11.08 - I suspect that most of the
crowd that elected to be indoors on this fine spring Saturday
afternoon at the 3MDR fund raiser at the Elevation restaurant
in Emerald was there to see Spectrum. The acoustics were a little
brittle and Robbo was using the house kit, but we managed to
play a laid-back set and got a very fine reception. I think
we'll probaly do it again next year.
We left at 11.30 the next morning to get to the Maldon pub in
time for the arvo session, and when we started it looked as
if we weren't going to get as big a crowd as the last time we
played there, but it quickly filled up and every song received
rapturous applause. (pic 2) We sold a lot of CDs |
| too, and actually ran out of Breathing
Space EPs. Incidentally, I just received confirmation that
we'll be playing at the Australia Day celebrations at Bendigo's
Lake Weeroona again next year, so we'll no doubt catch up with
a lot of our Maldon pub friends then - I'll be sure to bring
more Breathing Space EPs... |
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1)
Party dude discovers the room is moving 2) Jan Stephenson (left)
and friend enjoy the day at St Andrews |
3) Bill
flexes his intelligence with Mick Newman at St Andrews |
gig
report
Party time in Altona and St Andrews
10.11.08 - It was very sweet of The Soundgarden's
Dave and Maree to dob us in for (another) Dave's 60th birthday
on Saturday night, and it was good fun too, despite the birthday
boy being the only one in the room who'd heard of us before.
Predictably the DJ was the big hit of the night. Maree gave
us some mini-Magnums to go home with, and Bill, who doesn't
usually eat ice cream, commented the next day Magnums were smaller
than they used to be..
St Andrews was the usual afternoon delight and we caught up
with some old (and new) friends - the next one (Sun. 23rd) is
the last one for the year!! |
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Peter
and Gwen Merrill are happy we're at their local |
gig
report
The Mulgrave Country Club
6.11.08 - On a politically momentous day,
whether you're thinking Barack Obama or Guy Fawkes, Spectrum
chose to peddle their musical wares at the Mulgrave Country
Club, nestled in the shadow of the last remaining stand at Waverley
Park, which looms out of the suburban landscape like some latter
day Coliseum. Dynamic Entertainment's Gavin Nolan said not to
expect too much crowd-wise because the room was in a 'building
phase', so we weren't bitterly disappointed with the smallish
group of locals that came along, especially as they were just
about all fans at one stage or another of our career, as evidenced
by the healthy CD sales. Quite an enjoyable night all told. |
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Mike's
unexpected Molly Award |
gig
report
The Royal not quite up to speed
3.11.08 - On the way to the gig,
a young bloke in a camel coloured Peter Jackson suit with muted
mustard stripes dashed out into the traffic and nearly got himself
knocked over by a four-wheel drive. The driver swerved and honked
his horn as you'd expect, and our party-boy gesticulated extravagantly
as if it was the driver's fault and staggered back to his unconcerned
friends on the footpath. I don't know if it was the same bloke
who turned up with his mates at the end of what was a very quiet
night at the Royal Park Hotel and commandeered my microphone
for no particular reason, but it might have been. The Spring
Carnival is THE event in town for aspiting virgins to put on
their finery and make complete idiots of themselves, and while
I'm well and truly over it, I was almost grateful for the diversion
in this case. Ironically, just down the road the following night
at the Czech Club, I was honoured with a Molly Award. (pic)
(see A Separate Reality) That's showbiz! |
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