Indie. Punk. Rock. Brisbane.
Slow Riots LIVE
Tempo Hotel, Fortitude Valley
July 2012
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Playing new material and songs
off their Bored EP, the live sound
was nonetheless fat as ever. The power trio played their short and punchy
verses, which were complimented with lush interludes of sonic noise. At other times, their
chorus-saturated cleanliness gets instantly obliterated to nothing by ensuing
walls of crunchy noise. This music is not for lazy Sunday nights- the pulse and
power demands the energy of sweaty, intoxicating Friday nights. The band’s core
is Hilan’s guitar, with everything else falling behind.
The bass pulsed unassuming
rhythm and gave the needed low tone for when the guitar decided to cut into the
highs. The drum’s groove provided the anchoring beat for both stronger choruses
and for periods of droning, instrumental interludes that dotted their set. And
whenever Hilan was free from vocal duties he was jumping around; oblivious to all
else but his feel. It seems Slow Riots conceal stretched out, lengthened
melodic guitar behind super-crunched tones and euphoric rhythm. When they ditch
the distortion and thumping, what emerges is their core melodic guitar, which
usually hides under the impressive heavy.
Little Shadow
In the spirit of the Brisbane’s
melting pot of indie and punk circles, Little Shadow follows that organic fusion
with songs to match. They’re relaxed, they’re unassuming, yet the music’s got
energy and attitude. Members Ben, Nate, Mick, Shaun and
Cam (also bassist for Swan Song), have created the urgency of punk with the
attitude of indie rock. Their debut release, Possessions, shows a band who’ve made music to match Fires of Waco
and Swan Song. Hopefully this fresh sounding band can pull it off live. So sit
down, relax and get your mind blown by the sonic noise of Little Shadow.
Listen
to:
Altruistic, Tattoos are for Lonely People
See
More:
Young Griffo
Listen
to: Pennies, Tiny Islands
Digital Natives
Sparked by mutual interest in Tame
Impala, the resulting jams grew to the point where they could either ditch
their mountains of music, or start a band. Following the wise choice, Digital
Natives resulted. Their first single, Acid
Wash was released this year. The debut sound borders on solemn post-punk,
but with more dynamics and energy. With only one song released, it’s impossible
to get a clear idea of the guys. But it’s a great start, and hopefully they’ll stop teasing and learn to share.
Listen
to: Acid Wash
See
More:
The Young Professionals
Formed from the body parts of Brisbane's rock heads , The Young Professionals are a new bunch of guitar-savvy
indie rockers who will one day rape and pillage the world. Coming from local bands
such as Dreaming in the Real World, Orange and The Jaywalks, members Alex,
Condon, Bobby and Ben are just warming up with the Young Professionals. These
guys are keen to make your next house party. They’ll pre-drink, drink, and
maybe play a few of their tunes if you’re lucky.The 4 tracks on the Europa EP serve sonic noise with the odd scream that sneaks into the vocals. Young Professionals’ sound has respect for both solid songwriting and demented guitar solos. Each tune develops a solid base then goes off on a chaotic tangent. It keeps the songs fresh and free of mind-numbing repetition. Most of the songs sound great for the live setting, but the only judges for that on are their many fans.
Listen
to: Deathbed, Coming Into Money, Europa
Nova Scotia
Scratchy five-piece indie-rockers
Nova Scotia have been preaching their glorious live shows and fine music for
six years around Brisbane. In that time, they have gained a huge local following
and opening slots for the likes of Built to Spill and the Vivian Girls. The
three-guitar attack, clear melodies and dynamic rhythm makes me ashamed I
haven’t mentioned these guys earlier. After
two EP’s, early 2011 saw Nova Scotia release their self-titled debut album.
Teeming with ambiguous riffs and keen pop sensibility, Nova Scotia
have created an album that has brought the best of their earlier EP’s into one fiercely
beautiful collection of sound. Simple drums and supportive bass give much
needed room for their thick lattice of fuzzed guitars. The efforts of Dan, Nathan, Scott, Ash, Cam and the
production and mixing from Andrew White have resulted in an album that comes
across with ferocity from their tasteful layering and crunchy texture.
Listen
to: Teeming With Voices, Everything is Perfect,
Doz Titanic
Discography:
- Bear Smashes Photocopier- EP (2007)
- Maritime Disasters- EP (2008)
- Nova Scotia- Debut Album (2011)
See
More:
Swan Song
A
newly formed project made up of members from Brisbane punk bands Fires Of Waco,
To The North, Epithets, Waiting Room and Shakes. Don’t know if they play this
stuff live yet, but the music they’re making on record is definitely worth the
mention.
Everything about this EP shows
how the coming together of separate parts makes the most interesting music. Its
melodic, but moody, relatable but disparate.
The production of Mark Perry and the greatness of the band has accomplished
making music with the mood of sombre post-punk at its heart. Everything has sense, like everything played
on tape is there only because it has to be.
The minimalist guitar of Ryan Sim underpins the melancholic and emotional lyrics of Steven Millar Scott ring
through. The bass of Cameron Gillard and drums of Simon Reynolds provide a
solid underlying rhythm that carries the melodies and notes to a far stronger
place. Hope these guys don’t make this project a once off- because
their chemistry in creation is obvious, otherwise these songs would not sound
as strong as some of these tracks do.
Listen
to: 2000 Years, Hold Up Your Right Hand
- Love is a Consciousness- EP (May 2012)
See More:
Junkyard Diamonds
Imagine mixing raw garage, post
punk and gritty attitude into a blender and never turning the thing off. That’s
one humble way of describing this 5 piece powerhouse. But who knows how much longer Junkyard
Diamonds will go before they explode? Hopefully their subtle pop sensibilities
will keep that meltdown at bay, at least long enough for their new EP to be
released.
Due out in August, Junkyard
Diamond’s self-titled EP screams with face-smashing crunch and dances with
moments of textured cleanliness. The songs are either drawn out and slow to change,
or they’re packed with punch and power. The gargling vocals provide a rare anchor
for a band flying around their tantalizing possibilities. More than anything,
the EP reveals a bunch of guys who are on the verge of fully harnessing their noise
and chaos. An example of their potential for awesomeness is blared out in full
glory with Chrysalis; a rare moment
on the EP where the fusion of rhythm, melody and rawness is easily jackhammered
into the brain. This EP seeps out signs of life from a band who are teasing
with their ability and possibilities. Their next release will show whether
these guys are headed for eruption or stagnation.
Listen
to: Chrysalis, Love Candle
Valley Vibes @ Fortitude Valley PCYC
Separated by car dealerships and community pools, Fortitude Valley's PCYC sits isolated from all the other live venues. It's definitely the king noisemaker of Wickham Street's northern end; given the closest contestant would probably be the local church's choir. After second-guessing the existence of a venue in such a place, it was nice to walk though the PCYC's doors and find a little nest of live noise. Full of animal costumes and all age rejoice, the vibe inside was completely insular to the nothingness of outside.
With a total of two stages, bands were divided between a basketball court and a tiny upstairs room- easily found by following the vibrating walls. The fact that these bands were playing all ages gigs should make people feel warm and fuzzy- but it probably won't. The festival featured bands from Brisbane, Gold and Sunshine Coast- from the noise of Those Clever Foxes to the cringey pop-punk of Double Lined Minority. There were dancing gorillas, stormed stages and more sounds than you could poke a stick at.
In the basketball court there was volume, room, and overused smoke machines. Head upstairs and it was the opposite. Everyone sitting down, mellowed out and entranced in the mild mood. That was until a band started on the basketball court. The volume boomed upstairs through the walls and floors, which resulted in herds of people migrating towards the tantalising rumbles. Apart from that, the festival seemed average for an all ages gig, and hats off to the bands though- playing to a sober crowd is always harder. Smoke machine abuse and sweaty costumes had taken their toll by the tender closing time of 9pm; just as the 18+ begin to swarm the venues of a Saturday Fortitude Valley.
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