Midnight Juggernauts @ Fabric, London:

So I’m in London having a look about the live stages here, and first on the Australian agenda is Australia’s electro outfit Midnight Juggernauts who played a late night slot in one of London’s most well-known nightclubs. Though it’s not my late night haunt of choice, it was 2am when the Melbourne duo plus ex-Valentinos tin-master came out on stage. On record, I think The Jugger’s have some killer dance tracks, but have yet to impress me live. In their defence, the mix wasn’t great, with the dials set at “blow your ear drums out with VOOM”, it was definitely a show for the ravers. Nonetheless, the UK kids seemed to dig it, and there were a few familiar faces in the crowd.

www.myspace.com/midnightjuggernauts

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Former Child Stars – ‘These Demons’

Former Child Stars is an Adelaide indie-rock five piece who formed in 2006 and have since released a debut EP, which was recorded at HotHouse Studio in St Kilda, Melbourne with engineer Finn Keane. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to listen to the EP, yet if the songs on their myspace are anything to go by then they have a knack for song writing, with the tunes baring catchy hooks not unlike the Strokes, yet without the jadedness of the New Yorkers. The band are getting stacks of good press around Adeliade, and much love from fans (not just the female fans either) on their myspace.

They are as dashingly handsome as the biggest major label band and though I haven’t seem them live, they seem to be a golden child of Triple J, with the demo of The Next In Line featured on Triple J before the band had even done a show. Former Child Star have a number of shows planned in Melbourne and Adelaide in the upcoming months, with plans to get to Sydney soon. Have a listen and let us know how bright you think they shine.

www.myspace.com/formerchildstarstheband

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The Holidays – ‘Apparently Nothing’

Rumour has it that The Holidays haven’t even been together a year, but chances are if you have been to a local Sydney gig in the last 5 months you would have seen them play at least twice, maybe even three times. Earning their stripes as a likable support act on a number of bills, most recently, opening for UK sensation Jamie T at Candy’s apartment, they seem to be the flavor of the month. I saw them opening for Wolf and Cub and their tunes are well written and to be completely honest, they’re boyishly handsome look and indie scruff appeal didn’t go unnoticed. Style over substance I hear you ask, definitely not! If the sudden shift into cooler weather has you feeling a little down, take a listen to this recording of ‘Apparently Nothing’ and let me know what you think of this musical holiday.

myspace.com/theholidays

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Expatriate – ‘Are You Awake’

Finally, two years after releasing that much loved 2005 Lovers le Strange EP, Expatriate have released their debut long player In The Midst of This. After spending a whole week with this record, I’ve come to like a number of the songs. It’s a stellar recording with plenty of atmospheric synths, effected guitar and dreamy vocals. The themes are rather sorrowfully romantic, and watching them at an intimate album launch party in Sydney, I noted how much the band has changed since that first EP and when I saw them over a year ago supporting The Presets at the Gaelic Club.

Not only is Expatriate looking like a major label band (Note: Ben Kings transformation into an Australian equivalent to The Killers Brandon Flowers) but they are sounding like one too, the album being incredibly polished and professional. They collaborated with producer John Goodmanson of Wu-Tang Clan and Blonde Redhead fame in Seattle and the results are evident, and honestly- quite good. There are some cheesy moments too (The intro to ‘Are You Awake?’) but the “I truly love you I do…” lyric in ‘The Spaces Between’ gets me every time. *Sigh*

www.myspace.com/expatriateband

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Silverchair – ‘Straight Lines’

If you don’t know who Silverchair are, I don’t care if you are Australian or not, then there really is no help for you. This post isn’t aimed at informing you about the band itself but more just recognition of album number five, Young Modern, and a tribute to an Australian band whose credentials might far out live most current Australian bands. I guess I am totally biased since Silverchair’s 1997 Freak Show tour was the first rock concert I saved my penny’s for to actually buy a ticket too, with my Dad waiting outside to pick me up at the end.

But I think the progression of Silverchair as a band is really interesting. With a career spanning twelve years and all original members remaining, they have transformed with every new album, with the most recent installment still baring the signs of Daniel Johns friendship with Paul Mac and work as part of The Dissociatives. ‘Straight Lines’ is an incredibly good and catchy song, and even though I’m less partial to The Chair these days, they still make me rock out a little when I hear them on the car radio.

www.myspace.com/silverchair

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The Scare – ‘Bats!Bats!Bats!’

The Scare‘s ‘Bats!Bats!Bats!’ is without a doubt the best punk song about at the
moment. It’s sweating sleaze, screaming for rebellion and quite frankly, the
sexiest bloody song to come out of Australia (dare I say) ever! The band
originally come from Queensland but resides in the UK. Though they were
briefly back in Australia a little while back to play some shows and record
with Scott Horscroft of Big Jesus Burger Studio, another praise worthy slap
in the face for this band is a recent stint supporting Gallows, a UK punk
band causing more than a riot in the UK. I think it could well be the year
of The Scare! I too will be relocating to the UK for a bit and can’t wait to
get to one of their UK shows (the last Sydney one was sensational).

www.myspace.com/thescare

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The Straight Arrows – ‘Can’t Count’

Out late one Friday night I was rather incoherently talking to the door
staff at Spectrum (one of my favourite smaller live venues in Sydney) when
Alex from the Red Riders appeared at the door with an arm full of music
gear. Hhmm, an unadvertised Red Riders DJ set perhaps? Not totally. The
Straight Arrows were playing a late shift gig upstairs. But who the hell are
The Straight Arrows? The band is new, but over flowing in experience, Owen
Penglis is the main man, Al from Red Riders, Angie from Kiosk on bass and
Adam on drums.

But most importantly what do they sound like? They are a late night dream of
filthy guitar, beaty drum and foot shifting pop. But Al said it best,
“…Everything’s getting super electro and slick again, so we’re going the
other way into the depths of feedback and mess and spirit.” Brilliant.
Defiantly not an 8.30pm support band, have a listen to Can’t Count122 and
before you know it, you’ll be striding down to the darkest, smokiest bar,
whiskey in hand ready to shake.

www.myspace.com/thestraightarrows

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