Sydney’s music scene is still feeling a little down and out these days, what with all of the venue closures gripping this vibrant city. That’s why this news is just so damn beautiful. A piece of the city’s musical heritage is back from the dead with The Lansdowne Hotel reopening its doors over the weekend. After a near 90 year run, the historic venue closed shop back in 2015 following the introduction of the lockout laws, as well as a number of other setbacks.
Jake Smyth and Kenny Graham of Mary’s/Unicorn Hotel fame have teamed up with The Annandale’s Matt Rule to breathe new life into one of Sydney’s lasting mid-sized venues, following the demise of the Newtown Social Club. They have moved the live music portion upstairs and kept downstairs free for daily trade i.e. punters who just want to play a game of pool and throw back a Mary’s Burger pizza (as you do).
To announce their resurrection, the guys decided to throw a four-day-long party featuring a bunch of absolutely stellar names, including The Preatures, Palms, The Pinheads, Skegss, and Sydney’s own supergroup A Band.
Comprised of Elliott Hammond and Michael Tramonte (The Delta Riggs), Thomas Champion (The Preatures), Paddy Cornwall, Seamus Coyle and Freddy Crabs (Sticky Fingers), they belted out a slew of covers along with some special guests, including Royal Headache’s Tim “Shogun” Hall, Gideon Bensen, Hayley Mary of The Jezabels and Johnny Took (DMA’s) on slide guitar duties.
We snapped up all of this and Skegss at the tail-end of a massive Sunday lineup, flawlessly closing out the four-day bender.
Needless to say, we’re stoked to have The Lansdowne back and are looking forward to a sweaty mess of new memories.
A Band
Skegss
Photos: Dani Hansen
The Preatures had a relatively quiet 2016. Having dropped their last single I Know A Girl back in August, we’re hoping that their new album, the follow-up to 2014’s stellar debut Blue Planet Eyes, will soon be upon us – considering they recently had to pull out of March festival Party in The Park due to “commitments finishing and mixing this record,” we’re pretty hopeful. The group, who last year farewelled guitarist Gideon Benson, have kicked off 2017 with a couple live dates. Last week they headlined the University of Sydney’s O Week festival, playing at The Manning Bar on Thursday, March 2. Joining The Preatures was the wonderful Ngaiire on support, who released one of our favourite albums of 2016 in Blastoma.
Ngaiire
The Preatures
Photos: Tom Wilkinson
One of the best live bands going at the moment, The Delta Riggs have just released their third full-length album Active Galactic and are heading around the country with newly solo Preatures ex-pat Gideon Bensen and coastal boys The Vanns. We caught the action live in Sydney.
The Vanns
Gideon Bensen
The Delta Riggs
Photos: Dani Hansen/Howl & Echoes
Following their packed out show at Splendour In The Grass, Sydney band The Preatures have dropped their latest single after debuting the track live at the festival. In what would have been particularly emotional show for the band, as they said farewell to guitarist Gideon Bensen. I Know A Girl was released earlier this week, the first new music to be released by The Preatures since their 2014 debut album Blue Planet Eyes.
It’s a lush pop frenzy, channelling 80s icons like Pat Benatar and infused with a grunge edge to bring it back down to earth. The irresistible intro with its tight beats, skating electric guitar and atmospheric riffs is luxuriously nostalgic, and pretty perfectly delivered. Vocalist Izzi Manfredi gives out something between rock and diva, including the particularly sweet delivery of the line “I could do do anything / Kick her face in”.
Live at Splendour In The Grass. Image via media.
Manfredi gave her own synopsis of the track; “I know a girl is about the sisterhood, girls relationships and how they talk about each other”. There’s a pleasant bite to the song underneath the infectious melodies. Produced and mixed by lead guitarist Jack Moffitt, I Know A Girl was recorded at the band’s studio, Hibernian House, in Sydney’s Surry Hills.
Despite the elapsed time between The Preature’s debut, they have obviously made good use of the time. The band embarked on an eight month hiatus, although it has been no secret that they have been writing and recording in that time. Despite the announcement of Gideon’s departure, I Know A Girl holds the promise of some excellent new material to be expected from the band.
Check out the track below:
Image: the AU review
Words by Dani Hansen and James Tait.
With this year’s Splendour In The Grass happening in just a few days time, our excitement and anticipation levels are in overdrive. You may not have had the chance to peruse the timetables for each day and plan out who you’re going to see. We personally think you should be able to catch every single act on the Splendour bill, but that would be impossible without a time machine and a great deal of patience. Instead, our own recommendations are:
James:
Gang Of Youths
Sydney quintet Gang Of Youths are responsible for some of the most emotional and evocative rock and roll to come out of this country. A huge wall of sound, probing and introspective lyrics, huge soaring choruses and, most of all, raw energy. Frontman David Le’aupepe is as captivating a performer as you’ll ever find and his vocal range is enough to induce goosebumps.
There will be plenty of raised fists and hearts on sleeves as they rip through a ferocious Saturday afternoon set at the amphitheatre.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJzLc8Cj-AY
City Calm Down
Melbourne quartet City Calm Down had a breakout year in 2015 with the release of their album In A Restless House to rave reviews off the back of singles like Rabbit Run and Son. Giant synths buoying songs full of twists and turns and clever pop melodies that grab you and take flight, they’re a part of the new wave of Australian rock but City Calm Down are a band who play with the aplomb of a group well beyond their years and their live set will keep you mesmerised from start to finish.
Catch City Calm Down dishing out the chills like candy to many a weary head on Sunday at the amphitheatre.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26AQCCQKkcc
Spring King
Heading out to Australia for the very first time are Mancunian energy fiends Spring King. Having just released their debut album Tell Me If You Like To and blowing up in a big way after singles like City, Detroit and Rectifier took off. Harnessing the sound of the swinging 60s, yanking it into the 21st century and infusing it with so much raw energy and aggression, the mosh for Spring King on Saturday in the GW McLennan tent promises to be just ludicrous. There’s also something special and awe-inspiring about a drumming frontman and Tarek Musa’s ability to sing while his limbs are flailing almost impossibly everywhere will drop jaws.
Check out our interview with Tarek from Spring King.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yONyEewXraU
The Preatures
Sydney four-piece The Preatures are another frenetic and infectiously energetic live experience. Frontwoman Isabella Manfredi is rock and roll to her absolute core, able to alternate between the lightness of Stevie Nicks and the swagger of Joan Jett on a whim. The Preatures’ sound harkens back to a golden era for rock and they’re four of the best young musicians in the country to boot.
Good luck trying to watch their Sunday night set at GW McLennan and without dancing uncontrollably.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtDXezAhes8
Violent Soho
There may be few moshpits larger and more frantic in the history of Splendour than the one that will greet Mansfield heroes Violent Soho for their set this year. Having released one of the hottest records of 2016 with the devastating WACO, the Soho boys somehow survived a national tour with Dune Rats and DZ Deathrays and are here to leave a crater in their wake. Seriously, The Avalanches may not have a stage to play on after Violent Soho get done.
Look out for the return of the fabled gumboot bong as Violent Soho cause carnage on Friday night at the amphitheatre. Read our interview with guitarist James.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRWi-SvzviY
Dani:
The Strokes
Simply legendary. We saw guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. hit up Mountain Sounds Festival in February flying solo (what a set), and with the release of the band’s comeback EP Future Present Past in May, rumours were flying that we might just see The Strokes come to Splendour.
The same rumour seems to go around every year and we’ve been left disappointed, but now it’s actually, really, truly happening and you finally have your chance to see a piece of New York indie rock history in the flesh. Don’t mess this up, guys.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT68FS3YbQ4
Flume
Our forever-21-year-old-electronic-savant Harley Streten, the man otherwise known as Flume, has made it through his self-described “dickhead phase” and emerged… a genius (what we already knew tbh). Released in May, Skin is the highly-anticipated and very solid follow-up to his self-titled debut. After a four year hiatus, Harley recently announced a massive world tour to unveil his new live show, which we already received a taste of earlier this year at Laneway.
Let me tell you, folks, I was shooting at Laneway and never have I seen a photo pit so packed in my life, staying and watching the entire set just mesmerised. Compared to the last live performance from three years ago, his live show and on-stage presence have considerably evolved to be simply incredible and the beats are second-to-none. Also, a highly collaborative album means a high chance of special live guests, as we saw at Laneway with Kai, KUČKA and Vince Staples all joining Flume on stage. Best buckle-the-hell up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fAzM5cI5FM
King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard
Melbourne garage rockers King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard are no stranger to hard yakka. Over the span of their four year career, they’ve released a ridiculous eight studio albums, with another four projects supposedly set for release next year alone. Nonagon Infinity, released earlier in April, is a much heavier answer to 2015’s all-acoustic Paper Mâché Dream Balloon, with frontman Stu Mackenzie maintaining it’s “not really metal but… inspired by stuff like that.”
Where these guys seriously impress though (that is beyond their insane artistry), is seeing them in their sweaty, bent-over, hair-flying, psychedelic glory onstage. If Mac DeMarco crowdsurfing during their Falls set in Marion Bay earlier this year isn’t any indication of what to expect, I honestly don’t know what is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f78_Tf4Tdk
Fat White Family
“The most rebellious act is to revel in your own misery and patheticism,” chimes Lias Saoudi, frontman of this raucous five-piece from Brixton. The band had barely released their first album before they were swaddled and hailed on high by the likes of NME, Rolling Stone, even Letterman.
Anti-establishment, anti-gentrification, anti-Arctic Monkeys, they’re overly portrayed as some kind of Sex Pistols-esque train wreck whose implosion is imminent but, honestly, who doesn’t appreciate a bit of sobering vulgarity? Their reputation as a brilliant live band is to be seen in their constant crowdsurfing or stripped naked guitar playing or the general ramshackle and extremeness of any given performance of theirs. If you want a band that’s not there to run through the motions, Fat White Family are what you’re looking for.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKNt_qq6N7o
Green Buzzard
Fresh meat from the I Oh You family who have been working with some amazing acts of late (DMA’s, Violent Soho, MOSSY, City Calm Down etc.), Green Buzzard are a five-piece Sydney garage outfit who, I swear, get better every time I see them.
I caught their second ever gig supporting Palma Violets and The Vaccines on their Splendour sideshow last year, so for them to be playing at the festival this year is a huge step up. Live, they’re a wall of utterly satisfying fuzz, smoking speakers and all. Their newly released EP Eazy, Queezy, Squeezy is a lo-fi delight, reminiscent of the whole 90’s Britpop thing, as well as Dinosaur Jr, Weezer, Sebadoh etc. Worth the watch and worth the listen.
Check out our interview with Green Buzzard.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtMbPm7Q8Ec
Image: Your Friends House
There’s more than a little influence from the Thin White Duke on The Preatures’ Gideon Benson’s new single, All Time Low.
Evocative of Davie Bowie circa Young Americans, Benson’s soulful vocals purr while synth licks zap and sizzle above the track’s pulsing beats. Striving to capture the aggressive edge of hip hop acts N.W.A, Bomb the Bass and Kendrick Lamar, Gideon has recruited the mastering talents of producer Leon Zervos, known for mixing down some legendary beats for both the Beastie Boys and the Wu Tang Clan. The combination of flickering drum sequences also instils the track with the throbbing industrial grooves of Bowie’s industrial flirtations circa Earthling.
Inspired by the grinding and transitory realities of life on the road, the dark timbre of the track’s instrumentation underpins it’s bleakly solipsistic lyrics. “This’ll be the price to pay for the silver and gold,” Benson repeats with fevered intensity. The end result is some seriously ominous but undeniably catchy electro soul.
There’s also no shortage of talent on the track. Channelling New Wave influence Siouxsie And The Banshees Gideon’s friend Megan Washington doubles the tracks melodic vocal hooks. Preatures bandmate Jack Moffitt works in some crunchy funk guitar licks while Carlos Adura of Melbourne’s The Tambourine Girls also lends a hand on drums.
Teasing fans with a taste of what’s to come on his debut EP in February Benson’s All Time Low kicks things off to a flying start.
Gideon will be showcasing his new sounds a two one-off shows in Melbourne and Sydney, February 2016.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj8OUVfKtAU&feature=youtu.be
Tour Dates
Fri, 12 Feb: Sheebeen Bandroom, Melbourne
Tickets available here.
Sat, 13 Feb: Newtown Social Club, Sydney
Tickets available here.
This is my first review of a band playing at Brisbane’s The Met, a place I’m barely familiar with due to its frightening lack of tap beer and abundance of EDM that just isn’t my regular cup of Earl Grey. Tonight though I’m braving the strange and the unknown for a look at the Sydney rock and roll act swiftly making a name and blazing a trail for themselves around the country, The Preatures, as well as some special guests of theirs as they touch down in Brisbane for their Cruel Tour.
The set times are unfathomably early for a Saturday evening, with opening act The Furrs going onstage at 7. After navigating my way through two separate Uber drivers who just cancelled my pickup for no reason (they can do that?) as well as a pretty sizeable line outside The Met trying to get in, I end up missing what must have been the shortest and sweetest of sets from the band.
I’m Incredibly disappointed that I missed them considering how fantastically singer Gabriella Cohen slayed her set at BIGSOUND just last week. In any case, The Furrs play a mesmerising, bluesy brand of rock with a liberal dose of 70s nostalgia and they’re an act you should do your absolute civic duty to check out should the chance arise, flaky Uber drivers be damned.
I am thankfully not going to miss Brisbane band The Creases. They’ve been one of my favourite local acts of the last 12 months and every time I see them live they seem to get better and better. They play a setlist full of belters, from the infectiously jangly I Won’t Wait, to How Long ‘Til I Know and Gradient from the EP of the same name right up to latest single and crowd-pleaser Point. The Creases create a massive wall of sound and their vocal harmonies are so on point.
The band squeeze in a rendition of David Bowie‘s Let’s Dance that is up there with the best cover songs I’ve heard all year, the growing crowd obliging their request and getting all kinds of funky as the band absolutely hammer a classic out of the building. Static Lines is their set-closer and its live arrangement is a supercharged end to a great set that the headline act is going to have to work real hard to top.
And boy, did The Preatures deliver the shit out of this one. The top rafters are packed to the brim and the mosh pit is an absolute sardine tin so I have to settle on a spot with a limited view of the band, but what I could see whenever the 6’6 gentleman in front of me did the courtesy of moving his head was the same unbridled and high energy performance crowds have come to expect from frontwoman and overflowing fountain of talent and charisma, Isabella Manfredi.
The amazing record that was last year’s Blue Planet Eyes translates so comfortably to a live environment, there’s an extra bite to the guitars and Manfredi rips into her vocals with an added splash of aggression. Somebody’s Talking gets everybody dancing. So does pretty much every song the band run through. Rock And Roll Rave hasn’t been played in a more appropriate venue than this one and Two Tone Melody cuts the set down the middle real nicely, allowing everyone sweating out on the dancefloor a sublime sounding breather, Manfredi’s vocals are nothing short of amazing all set.
She dedicates a through the roof version of It Gets Better to a dude in the front row who is apparently somehow falling asleep. I salute his prowess in that department, he must be deaf or on painkillers given the sheer volume and energy of the set going on in front of him. Manfredi asks everyone if they’re ready to dance and the band drop their sparkling signature tune Is This How You Feel on the crowd like a bomb. The moshpit is visibly shaking and everyone goes positively apeshit when guitarist Gideon Benson gets to sing his part of the second verse. There are a pair of girls standing next to me who haven’t stopped dancing once all set. Not even once. Hats off to the pair of them.
And if I thought The Creases had given us one of the covers of the year earlier this evening, The Preatures absolutely smacked me for six and gave me all of the Splendour 2014 nostalgia goosebumps when the opening riff of Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again blasted out of the amps. They’ve been playing it as part of their live set for over a year now and according to Manfredi it’s being retired after this tour (boo). It’s a rip-roaring cover but I’m worried for about five seconds that the relatively young crowd (it’s an all ages gig) aren’t going to be steeped enough in Australian rock lore to know the customary response to The Angels timeless chorus. Those fears are put straight to bed though and I’m a little sheepish for doubting the crowd in the first place, Manfredi asking whether she’s ever going to see our faces again and absolutely everyone hollering back the appropriate response of ‘no way, get fucked, fuck off!’.
Beautiful.
They end their set with a rapturous run through of Cruel, the good old time rock and roll vibes getting every last person with a soul boogie-ing right out of their shoes. The Preatures run back onstage for another crack and play us a brand new track that I didn’t quite catch the name of and then end their encores with their first hit Take A Card. I’m a little disappointed to see more than a few people heading for the exits while the soulful and raucous party that is this song is still playing out. This was the tune that introduced me to The Preatures and it is still my absolute favourite, but different strokes and all that I guess.
What a great night all up though, a showcase of some of the best young bands in the country, all on the upswing. The Preatures are an amazing live act, a troupe of disgustingly talented young musicians fronted by a vocalist who takes all the best qualities of the premier frontwomen of years gone by in the vein of Marie Fredriksson, Pat Benatar, Joan Jett and the late Chrissy Amphlett and brings them roaring into the 21st century, still as relevant and as powerful as ever.
Bring on the future for all of these bands. Hot damn.
Sydney’s The Preatures have long since established themselves as one of Australia’s greatest pop-rock acts. Since their earliest days (back when they were known simply as The Preachers) up until their long-awaited debut album Blue Planet Eyes and beyond, the five-pieces have taken the world by storm. As well as playing legendary local venues and festivals like Falls Festival and the Sydney Opera House, the five-piece have toured the globe, taking their smooth tunes to huge festivals like Bonnaroo and Glastonbury. Their 2014 debut spawned mammoth singles like award-winning Is This How You Feel, Somebody’s Talking and Two Tone Melody, and anyone who has seen them live knows that it’s a sight to behold.
So, we’re very excited to be giving away one double pass to the Brisbane all ages show at The Met on September 19!
It’s super easy to enter:
1. Like and share Howl & Echoes on Facebook.
2. Email info@howlandechoes.com with “PREATURES” in the title and your name in the email.
We’ll notify the winner on Thursday, September 10 via email.
Here’s the full tour dates for those of you who haven’t yet bought tickets!
THURSDAY, 20 AUGUST 2015 – ARTBAR, PERTH, WA, AUSTRALIA TICKETS
FRIDAY, 21 AUGUST 2015 – NORTH WEST FESTIVAL, PORT HEDLAND, WA, AUSTRALIA TICKETS
THURSDAY, 27 AUGUST 2015 – ANU BAR, CANBERRA, ACT, AUSTRALIA TICKETS
FRIDAY, 28 AUGUST 2015 – THE METRO, SYDNEY, NSW, AUSTRALIA (ALL AGES) TICKETS
SATURDAY, 29 AUGUST 2015 – ENTRANCE LEAGUES CLUB, BATEAU BAY, NSW, AUSTRALIA TICKETS
FRIDAY, 4 SEPTEMBER 2015 – TANKS ARTS CENTRE, CAIRNS, QLD, AUSTRALIA (15+) TICKETS
SATURDAY, 5 SEPTEMBER 2015 – FLINDERS SOCIAL, TOWNSVILLE, QLD, AUSTRALIA TICKETS
THURSDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 2015 – KAY STREET ENTERTAINMENT, TRARALGON, VIC, AUSTRALIA TICKETS
FRIDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER 2015 –170 RUSSELL, MELBOURNE, VIC, AUSTRALIA TICKETS
SATURDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER 2015 –THEATRE ROYAL, CASTLEMAINE, VIC, AUSTRALIA (ALL AGES) TICKETS
SUNDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 2015 –KAROVA LOUNGE, BALLARAT, VIC, AUSTRALIA TICKETS
SATURDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 2015 –THE MET, BRISBANE, QLD, AUSTRALIA (ALL AGES) TICKETS
FRIDAY, 25 SEPTEMBER 2015 –THE GOV, ADELAIDE, SA, AUSTRALIA (ALL AGES) TICKETS
FRIDAY, 2 OCTOBER 2015 –THE CAMBRIDGE, NEWCASTLE, NSW, AUSTRALIA TICKETS
SATURDAY 3, OCTOBER 2015 – YOURS & OWLS MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL, WOLLONGONG, NSW, AUSTRALIA (18+) TICKETS
SUNDAY 4, OCTOBER 2015 – YOURS & OWLS MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL, WOLLONGONG, NSW, AUSTRALIA (U18’S) TICKETS
Two of Australia’s biggest current exports are heading out on tour! We’ve got the scoop right here.
Chet Faker
He is already working on new stuff, but today Chet Faker decided to share an unreleased track from his highly praised debut album. Bend, which premiered on Triple J this morning, was originally supposed to be on Built On Glass, but was replaced with To Me. “Ever since it got cut from the album it’s just been sitting on my iTunes, sitting there looking at me,” Faker said. Luckily for us, the guilt eventually got to him.
Despite the fact that he already had a massive tour at the beginning of the year, he has announced that he will be on the road again in October to promote this perfectly effortless track. For the Built On Live Tour, Faker will be performing some previously unheard tracks and will be joined by some guests. Faker will start in his home city, Melbourne, at the end of October before heading to Brisbane and then Sydney. Get ready East Coast, tickets were high in demand last time so you’d better get in quick!
Friday, 30 October – Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne
Saturday, 31 October – The Riverstage, Brisbane
Friday, 6 November – Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Sydney
Tickets available from June 25th HERE.
The Preatures
Also touring in the coming months, The Preatures released a new video clip for Cruel yesterday. To go with the 80’s feel of the song, the video has a cool live show setting with coloured lighting. The camera work in made to look amateur and slight low quality to reflect the style of music videos back then, giving the video a more personal atmosphere.
Their incredible performance at festivals Groovin In The Moo and Dark Mofo have proved that a live show from The Preatures cannot be missed. After their Cruel Tour starts in Perth on August 20th, they will move around the West, East and South coasts of Australia, before ending up in Wollongong for the Yours & Owls Music & Arts Festival on October 4th. They will be joined by Brisbane pop group The Ceases in most locations.
Thursday, 20 August – Artbar, Perth WA (U18)*
With special guest Hamjam
Friday, 21 August – North West Festival, Port Hedland WA *
Thursday, 27 August – Anu Bar, Canberra ACT
With special guest Low Lux
Friday, 28 August – The Metro, Sydney NSW (All Ages)
With special guest Low Lux
Saturday, 29 August – Entrance Leagues Club, Bateau Bay NSW
With special guest Low Lux
Friday, 4 September – Tanks Art Centre, Cairns QLD (15+)
Saturday, 5 September – Flinders Social, Townsvilled QLD
With special guest Sam Wright
Thursday, 10 September – Kay Street Entertainment, Traralgon VIC
With special guest The Rolling Blackouts
Friday, 11 September – 170 Russell, Melbourne VIC
With special guest The Rolling Blackouts
Saturday, 12 September – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine VIC (All Ages)
With special guest The Rolling Blackouts
Sunday, 13 September – Karova Lounge, Ballarat VIC
Saturday, 19 September – The Met, Brisbane QLD (All Ages)
With special guest The Furrs
Friday, 25 September – The Gov, Adelaide SA (All Ages)
With special guest Glass Skies
Friday, 2 October – The Cambridge, Newcastle NSW
Saturday 3 & Sunday 4, October – Yours & Owls Music & Arts Festival, Wollongong NSW (18+)*
*The Creases not appearing
Get you tickets HERE.