Entertainment News

1 Brighton Rd St Kilda. Ph: 9534 4189
Press Release
WINTER WARMERS
- open fire place
- food now available

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Wed 15 June
Public Bar: Pool Comp.
Bandroom: Jager Uprising w Redletter, The Divine + Rogue. 8pm free.

For three years CLOUD CITY has been developing a distinctive sound, instantly recognisable to the music fan. This strongly bonded quartet combines a tapestry of strong melodies, producing rock based grooves. Cloud City plan to see out 05 with more shows, both here and interstate, and plans to release an EP.

VOCODER is a six-legged “post-punk & roll” beat-combo from Wellington, Aotearoa.
The word “energy” comes up a lot in their reviews and they have a sound that has been variously described as “surf-inspired alt rock with huge lashings of eighties new-wave pop”, “post-punk” and “wall-of-sound pop”.

Vocoder’s latest release is The Collapsed Stars EP on Melbourne’s Popboomerang Records. The five-track EP features both Collapsed Stars and Falko, along with Count To Six which has just had an animated video released for it and a cover of the Kinks’ obscurity This Is Where I Belong. http://www.vocoder.co.nz/

Formed in 2000 on the Mornington Peninsula, VESPERTINE is infused with the diverse influences of its individual members, rendering it capable of anything from blistering rock and jarring dissonance to dream-like mellow moments of ethereal beauty.

The end result is music immediate and accessible yet endowed with a depth seldom found in today’s climate of disposability. http://vespertineband.tripod.com

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Thur 16 June
Public Bar: The Vagrants. 9.30pm free.

The Vagrants got their name from the obvious - life on the road with no home. The good times and the bad give their music its diversity, raw energy, edge and sweet tones. Happier on the road than at home, they have been gigging constantly in separate projects and have come together as on on stage to launch The Vagrants.

Getting compared to Ben Harper, Black Crows, The Allman Brothers, Baby Animals, The Stones and Jack Johnson says a lot about how hard it is to categorize the music.

James Spitfire is the throbbing rhythm of The Vagrants. Renate Ludwig is the voice that is ringing in your ears as you leave. Steve Cookie Iorio is the lead guitarist and main songwriter for the band. Peter G from WA on drums is the primal beat of The Vagrants.
Gentleman Jim Rintoul on bass is the lead foot on the gas pedal.

Bandroom: Monster Stomp, James McCann + Weedeater. Free 8.30pm.

When George Clinton played Sydney in 2004, he started the show by tossing around his birthday cake. Ex-Melbourne musical wunderkid Paul Huntingford was front row centre - and copped the funkadelic cake full in the face!

Days later, this experience alchemized into the formation of Sydney garage band Monster Stomp. This trio is tighter than a mosquito’s tweezer, yet pliable enough to sustain and release the funkified rock energy on that razor’s edge until ya just can’t stand it.

Like a hepped-up rerun of ’70’s legends James Chance + The Contortions - it’s an unrelenting controlled mess. Think Chilli Peppers minus the smack or Regurgitator before their desperate Fed Square gimmicks. Don’t believe it? Check out the reviews on the rockzoo website and then see ‘em at The Hound with ex Sydney rock maverick James McCann and indie rockers Weedeater.

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Fri 17 June
Bandroom: Beating The Fall CD Launch. $7, 8pm.
Dialysis, Winterun, Lucid Falls + .ammune_system

Dialysis - a 4 piece outfit from the Mornington Peninsula who are a strong up and coming
rock act currently making waves on the local circuit. With a sound that stands up as individual and unique whilst still reminiscent of some of rock’s greats Dialysis have combined a range of rock styles to create a perfect aural harmony.

Winterun like the rest of us like it low down, deep and dirty. Their sound rolls around like logs set loose down a mountainside. Indie and proud of it, Winterun funded their own debut release The Full Effect - which Beat Magazine likened to Kyuss or early Pearl Jam - tasty!

Lucid Falls is a 4-piece that is best understood through their music - heavy, hard and melodic rock straying across genres and moods, with a female vocal.

.ammune_system have an industrial/alternative sound that is unique but tight, an image of goth with a strong and entertaining live show. With a strong history of live gigs, they have performed alongside The Dead Things, Catwitch and The Almaboobies.

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Sat 18 June
Public Bar: The Re-mains. Free 9.30pm.

The Re-mains, country rock and roll renegades from Northern NSW, have released their new 15-track album, Field Conditions, and are touring Australia to promote it. Their most ambitious tour and album yet, this epic will take them right across the continent through every stare and territory in their old van and the odd airbus, playing inner city and outback venues alike.

The album, like the tour, is outlaw country rock and roll in its finest hour, teetering between full-tilt banjo-delic rock onslaughts (My Friend The Bushranger, Motherlode) and pedal steel-drenched alt-country sagas (Horse, White Dress), while the single, Quit Singin’ The Blues, is a crunching country-pop ballad worthy of Creedence Clearwater Revival or the Byrds.

With their last album (Thank You For Supporting Country Rock and Roll) receiving rave five star reviews and high rotation on ABC radio, the band have high expectations for Field Conditions, considering it their best work yet.

“… an enviable hard rockin’ twang … The Re-mains have found a better way to rock.”
- Jeff Glorfeld, The Age

“Wilco and Uncle Tupelo fans will require very little convincing.” - Tom Jellet, The Weekend Australian

Bandroom: The Drag Show. $8, 8pm.

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Sun 19 June
THE BEST SUNDAY IN TOWN!

Public Bar: COUNTRY CAPERS with Shonkytonk. 4pm, free.

Bandroom: KAOS COMEDY LAUNCH 6.30pm
MC Damian Clark, Geraldine Hickey, Tom Siegert, Troy Kinne, Jimmy Limatos, Richard McKenzie & Dave Grant
Entry $10/$7 conc. 2 for $10 with flyer (available around St Kilda)

KOOKY KARAOKE with Fred Negro, Steve Prictor + guests free from 8.30pm.

Happy Happy Hours 5.30 - 7.30pm

There’s something for everyone @ The Hound on Sundays. From 4pm we kick off with Country Capers - something a little bit country, a little bit blue. This week - it is the infamous Shonkytonk - fronted by the one + only (thank the good lord) Fred Negro.

Next up at 6.30 pm for you jaded city slickers is Kaos Comedy - bringing back some much needed laughs to St Kilda. Put together by well-known Melbourne comic Marty Lappin, Kaos Comedy promises to present great comedians every Sunday. Greg Fleet, Lawrence Mooney, Wayne Deakin + Joanne Brookfield are all coming up soon.

The laughs keep flowing with Kooky Karaoke hosted by Fred + Steve Prictor and their special guests. Get jiggy with it and win some prizes - show us your best and your worst - we’ll still love ya in the morning. Free entry, no shame but plenty of fame!

The Happy Hours (5.30 - 7.30) will get you well and truly lubricated, and food is now available to keep you upright and functioning throughout the day n’ night!

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Tue 21 June
Public Bar: FAME Trivia Night - win prizes, free entry from 8pm.

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Wed 22 June
Public Bar: Pool Comp.
Bandroom: Jager Uprising w Cloud City, Vocoder + Vespertine. Free 8pm.
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Coming Soon
* Rock N Roll Wrestling w The Sin Shifters - 24/6

* Kaos Comedy - Greg Fleet, Dave Williams, Fox, Oliver Clark, Dave Hamley aka Hammertime + Dana Katz - 26/6

* Open Mic Nights - 1st Sunday of the month - 3/7

Greyhound Hotel
1 Brighton Rd St Kilda. Ph: 9534 4189
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Wed 4 May
Public Bar: Pool Comp.
Bandroom: Jager Uprising w 3to2, Cut Diamond + L Bandits. 8pm free.

Melbourne based Hip-Hop group 3to2 have been striving towards their dreams of a successful music career since a young age. Sectah8 and Minutz once formed 3to2, many set goals were achieved. Motivation and initiative is high, complete commitment shown towards their music is second to none. Both members grew up heavily influenced by rock and Hip-Hop. Playing in many different bands in school, establishing and influencing their strong musical background. 3to2 were always drawn to writing and performing original music.
3to2 have a unique stage presence, initiated by two MC’s with intricate styles and blistering scratches provided by DJ Plasma. Constantly delivering energetic live shows, leaving their crowds on a high, a fixture on which all their performances are based.

Not only do 3to2 pride themselves on their live performances but they are a ‘no fuss’ group. Requiring no more than 4 on-stage inputs, a set time and road map, 3to2 will be ready on time, every time. There isn’t a shred of themselves that Sectah8 and Minutz don’t put into their stage show or their love of hip-hop.

Listen to their music and you will see a unit that walks its own path and has not allowed itself to be in the shadow of any precedent. With a never say die attitude they will show you a rarely seen mind state expressed in today’s stereotyped Hip-Hop. Also on the bill, Cut Diamond + The L Bandits.

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Thur 5 May
Public Bar: Ophelia’s Gun. 9.30pm free.
Bandroom: Dialysis, Darkness Bleeds + One Dead Dream. Free 8.30pm.

Ophelia’s Gun create a uniquely full sound for a trio. Fronted by female vocals and keys, their music is an eclectic mix of songs shifting from alternative rock mayhem to upbeat melodic tunes.

Within the trio each instrument takes on a distinct role creating an impressive blend of musical ability. With Monica’s angelic yet intense soprano voice harmonised with climactic piano, Tom’s energetic drumming, and Rhett’s heavy, resonant bass these three create a
distinctly memorable sound. Try Ophelia’s Gun on for size.

Dialysis - new sounds and unique melodies. From the depths of the Mornington Peninsula, Dialysis came to be in 2004 after the complete lineup was formed with Lee on drums, Justin on Bass, Wayne on guitar and Rob on vocals.

Their music is drawn from many influences including Butterfly Effect, Def Tones and Tool. Dialysis opens the door to you and leads you down the shady path of dark rock to give you a unique audio experience never granted to your ears before.

Support on the night is from Darkness Bleeds + One Dead Dream - free.

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Fri 6 May
Bandroom: The Amazing Zig Zag Circus + Her Torturing Embrace 8.30pm $6

Their kooky and their crazy, their bound to entertain you and sure to shock as well.
The Amazing Zig Zag Circus Sideshow has been playing around Melbourne for about two years. At first Zig Zag started playing at the nightclubs between the bands. As his catalogue of crazy stunts grew he started playing his own shows, one of which was for the Jim Rose circus dvd launch.

Over the past two years Zig Zag has played to over 40,000 people, largely due to the appearance made on the Melbourne leg of the Crusty demons nine lives tour. He has also performed with many great local bands such as Sydonia, Alpha state, Sunk loto, Spider goat canyon, Firewitch and Frankenbok.

Made up of 3 members - Zig Zag who performs the stunts, Kimma “princess of the sideshow” who assists Zig Zagand “The String Puppet” who plays guitar.
The Amazing Zig Zag never fails to deliver a mind blowing, glass eating, set yourself on fire, hammer a 4 inch nail in your head, walk on broken glass, shoulder dislocating while in a straight jacket show - while having enough time to set rat traps on himself and lift heavy objects from his eye sockets, nipples and genitals and a finale that will leave you gasping, speechless and eager for more daringly crazy stunts.

Music on the night from Her Torturing Embrace.

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Sat 7 May
Public Bar: Black Smith Hopkins + Lobby Lloyd. Free 9.30pm.

Blues rock singer, Black Smith Hopkins (Nicholas Hopkins-Smith) began his musical career in Melbourne in 1996 and his self-titled debut album was released in 1997 through Shock records. Music journalist and radio personality, Billy Pinnell stated that Black Smith Hopkins is the best blues based rock singer to come along this decade.

The Australian Encyclopedia of Rock and Roll called that album, the most exciting blues album ever issued in Australia. USA magazine, Blues Revue in 1998 reviewed Black Smith Hopkins as, The love child Iggy Pop and James Brown never had.

Since then this respected artist has released 6 more critically acclaimed albums, and continued to perform live around the country. Catch him as performs with the legendary Lobby Lloyd in the Greyhound’s public bar.

Bandroom: The Drag Show. $8, 8pm. Glitz, Glamour & more.

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Sun 8 May
Public Bar: Finger Pickin’ Sunday Sizzle w Andy Gorwell Band + India Mau. 4pm, free.
Melbourne based blues/roots musician Andy Gorwell has been playing and recording music from an early age. Originally from the Mornington peninsula Gorwell moved to the Melbourne in the late 90’s to pursue his musical interests and has been performing in Melbourne’s vibrant live music scene ever since. Over the last 6 yrs Andy has played at many of Melb’s venues and has supported artists such as Ross Wilson and Kevin Borridge.

Andy tried his hand at songwriting, and in 2002 released his debut album Uprooted which is currently distibuted by MGM (www.thegroovemerchants.com). The album, a collection of roots country originals recieved widespread acclaim both in Australia and overseas scoring national airplay across Aust, in Europe, Canada and the US making the Americana charts(US) . The album also recieved favourable reviews in these countries.

Andrew has only recently teamed up with Peter Pascotto on Drums and Scott Shaw on bass to form a 3 piece blues/rock outfit. The trio is currently recording a new cd to be released around mid 2005. Be sure to check them out at a venue near you. www.geocities.com/andygorwell

Bandroom: Karaoke free from 8.30pm.

Fred Negro & Steve Prictor encourage the next generation of stars in their own special way, with performances by leading and not-so-leading local luminaries.

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Wed 11 May
Public Bar: Pool Comp.
Bandroom: Jager Uprising w The Rex Wicked, Mondo Cane + Krill. Free 8pm

“To invent you need a good imagination and a pile of junk” - Thomas Edison…In a remote central Queensland basement filled with guitars, keyboards and effects, five music junkies had the junk, and an imagination much bigger than their sleepy home town of Yeppoon. They moved to Sydney and became KRILL - a small fish in a big sea.
Uptempo, frenzied pop, with generous portions of gritty electro rock’n'roll. Need some names? - think equal parts The Killers, Franz Ferdinand, Dallas Crane, Little Birdy and The Dandy Warhols…hell, just get to a show and hear it for yourself.

The live shows are pumping! - it’s about good times, and lots of ‘em!!! KRILL is in Melboune recording their debut EP “the sweet side of cider” - don’t miss them while they’re in town! www.krill.com.au

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Coming Soon
* Bag O Nails - Thursdays in May from 12th.
* Rock N Roll Wrestling with The Speed Demons - Fri May 13
* P-Tex - Sat May 14
* Louis King + The Liars Club - Sun May 15