Posts By Sophie Benjamin

Epithets – ‘As Far Away As Amsterdam’

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Epithets – ‘As Far Away As Amsterdam’ (mp3)

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Nick Smethurst has been responsible, whether indirectly or indirectly, for many of the better things to come from of Brisbane’s music community. Sadly missed Valley venue 610 and the brilliant guitar work on Mr. Maps’ 2009 EP come to mind, as well as his membership in folk collective Lion Island.

Epithets is the latest incarnation of his solo work, and it’s best described as wistful pop-songs in the vein of Bright Eyes, Ben Gibbard and other sad white American dudes. The album is due out in late May – I eagerly await its arrival.

www.myspace.com/letsnotbutsaywedid

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Glenn’s Guide to Brisbane Nightlife

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While battling the massive time-suck that is Facebook, I stumbled across the group ‘Glenn’s Guide To Brisbane Nightlife’. I’m sure it was created as some sort of pisstake or in-joke, but it’s an outlet for a guy called Glenn Stewart  to vent his opinions and frustrations regarding Brisbane pubs, clubs and live music venues. Here are some highlights:

RICS

I’ve heard a lot of complaints that Rics is going to be shit now that RG’s has taken over. I’d like to talk on behalf of Brisbane’s finest indie kids. Fuck you RGs for keeping the place clean. Fuck you for hiring friendlier staff! Fuck you for conveniently putting an ATM inside your club so you don’t have to walk across the road! Fuck you for continuing the tradition of putting on free live music almost every day. And I heard you were getting beer on tap? That’s just such a fucking nightmare!

It’s also a very easy place to pick up chicks. Somehow indie girls think that if they listen to Nick Cave, it will cancel out them being a slut. Sorry ladies, doesn’t work.

Also, any guy or girl who wears an accessory to improve their self esteem or to look cool is a fucking idiot. Example – a necklace with a huge cassette tape on it. Or stupid, thick glasses when their vision is perfectly fine. You’re no less self absorbed than a 16 year old girl wanting comments on their newest myspace picture. Fuck you.

Rics gets 5/10. I have had a few good nights there.

THE FOX

The Fox is a stupid name for a pub/club (whatever the fuck it is). Their $2 bits of meat are a fucking joke, served with a side of salad they made in a bucket. I don’t understand why people think it’s good value paying $2 for scraps.

It seems the average age of the crowd are 15 – 19 year old girls, 19 – 21 year old engineering students, and fresh new business men who buy their suits from Lowes. I know that sounds like a few rape charges waiting to happen, but from what I can tell it’s pretty safe. There’s cheap beers, and plenty of fat chicks to share around if that’s your thing. For the ladies – there’s plenty of fresh tribal tatts, guys with new toyota’s and dudes who actually enjoy dancing (still don’t get it?!).

If you like walking up 5 stories to really bad music, and a weird mixture of annoying people than this place is probably for you. The cheap beer is definitely a bonus.

Another thing I’ll never understand is the attitude of some bar staff. You know the “I don’t smile, I don’t like anyone who orders a drink, I take my job very seriously, I am the best bar person ever” type of person? Well you’ll meet plenty at The Fox.

Again it’s a place where the toilets smell like vomit all the time…

3.5/10

I had a few giggles. Check out the group here. Sorry to exclude those of you without a Facebook account, but I’m sure the satisfaction of not being data-mined is enough consolation for you.

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‘Trailer Trash’ – Jackson Jackson, Sampology and caravans

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Brisbanites, are you tired of the same old club nights and night clubs? I know I am.

Luckily for us whingers, two guys with a penchant for making Brisbane more fun and interesting are putting on Trailer Trash – an event with the unbeatable combination of live music, art, caravans and a secret location.

A group of Brisbane artists will transform three dilapidated caravans into three AWESOME caravans with the power of art to a live soundtrack provided by Jackson Jackson and Sampology.

It’s happening this Saturday April 24th – tickets through Oztix. Don’t leave it until the last minute though – there are only 500 available and only ticket holders will be informed of the whereabouts of the secret location.

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The Optimen – ’80s Babies’ video

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The Optimen – 80s Babies from TheOptimen on Vimeo.

Very cool video game-inspired video. I’m always surprised The Optimen don’t get more kudos – they’re one of the better groups in the cesspit of strine that is Aussie hip-hop.

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Fires of Waco + Headaches @ Browning Street Studios

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The venue

awk·ward, adjective

1 obsolete : perverse
2 archaic : unfavorable, adverse
3 a : lacking dexterity or skill,  b: showing the result of a lack of expertness
4 a : lacking ease or grace  b : lacking the right proportions, size, or harmony of parts
5 a : lacking social grace and assurance  b : causing embarrassment
6 : not easy to handle or deal with : requiring great skill, ingenuity, or care

Riding in a full elevator is awkward. Finding out your boyfriend’s mum is about to become your step-mum is awkward. But somehow, spending a hot afternoon crammed into a small room with forty other people and watching melodic punk bands play wasn’t awkward at all.

(more…)

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Ironhide & We Lost The Sea @ 4ZzZFM carpark

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I’ve been battling glandular fever and the 14 hours of sleep a night I currently need to survive is really cutting into my gigging time. Luckily, Brissie community radio station 4ZzZFM puts on gigs in their carpark on Saturday afternoons. I’m liking these ad-hoc gigs; they’re free and all ages, but people can still knock back a few beers if they’re inclined.
Ironhide were heavy, fun and played a flawless cover of Mastodon’s “Blood and Thunder”. 5/5, would see again.
It was extremely difficult to shoot Sydney post-metal nine-piece We Are The Sea; all members mostly stood still, back to the audience throughout their whole set. I came, I saw, I bought the t-shirt.

power

Workplace Health and Safety do not advise the "throw extension cords out the window" method of powering a PA.

Ironhide - siq guitar.

ironhide wall

Ironhide

We Lost The Sea

We Lost The Sea - 8/9 members pictured.

You can see more at my Flickr page.

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