Tagged By rock

Blackmilk – ‘Rattle the Cage’

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Blackmilk – ‘Rattle the Cage’ (mp3)

Blackmilk sound like one of those easy rockin bands out of ‘Almost Famous’. They came together in the hills of Perth – not sure where that is? But it’s what the presser says. Maybe its where they make the meth for the miners… ‘Rattle the Cage’ is a laid back affair with a smooth hook, a nostalgic sound and good vocals by James Sherry. Their debut LP is due out soon, we’ll keep you posted.

Check out their page here – http://www.facebook.com/pages/BLACKMILK/35213651826

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Runner – ‘Flaws’

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Runner – ‘Flaws’ (mp3)

Oh man, it really pleases me to come across such talent from all over this fine land. I caught this band on the Fat Shan winter playlist and grabbed the ‘Indiana’ Ep on BandCamp. I pretty much instantly fell for the whole thing. I haven’t heard much of this sound coming from Perth at the moment (please write in and tell how wrong I am). There seems to be more love for vintage rock over there but these guys have the hazy instrumental sound of Gersey with the whimsical vocals of Sandpit. Yep, late 90’s stoner. The last track ‘Pilgrim’ is probably the odd-man out amongst a really coherent progression of melody. This is a standout Ep that kicks off with a nice instrumental piece leading into ‘Flaws’ and carries an understated tone throughout what is, well crafted indie dream pop.

Facebook them for upcoming dates here – http://www.facebook.com/runnerband

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Summer Flake – ‘On the River’

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Summer Flake – ‘On the River’ – mp3

Stephanie Crase’s first solo release and self-titled ep is ‘Summer Flake’. I’ve posted ‘On the River’ from this release, which you can download for free here. ‘The Summer Flake’ is a straight forward DIY (shudder at that term, but it’s accurate) recording of lo-fi indie rock tunes. So if your feeling like getting blue with some downer fuzz, this might be your bag. I’m rarely in that mood being that I left my angst in high school, despite what my mum says, but there is something catchy about this ep and it’s crept up on me a few times following Sui Zhen in my library. A real slow burner that is def worth a listen.

Facebook for Steph here – http://www.facebook.com/stephcrase

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The Ruminaters – ‘Timmy’

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The Ruminaters – ‘Timmy’ – mp3

These guys caught Mel’s attention with their first single ‘Deadstuff’ and this is their new one called ‘Timmy’. It’s a cabaret slacker-rock affair that’ll get you up doing the polka with your friends. Surfer guitar licks and a little story telling go along way when you add some back ground yelps and a damn catchy hook. Good times Ruminaters.

Go drink in their youth here – http://www.facebook.com/TheRuminaters

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Charlie Mayfair – 'Tell Her'

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Tell Her by Charlie Mayfair

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Queensland seems to be suffering from a relentless flood of fantastic music. Riding high on the wave are Charlie Mayfair, a folk-rock six piece based in Brisbane. They’re notorious for incredible live shows, filled with rolling drums, soaring multi-part harmonies and undeniable indie charm.

I heard Tell Her for the first time in a dingy alley in Brisbane after a gig. Someone threw me a rough mix and I’ve had it on loop ever since. It’s a track for dark days and harsh nights, filled with those pounding drums and heart breaking vocals. It’s a drug you can’t deny, filled with raw emotion and soul. It’s currently unreleased, but you’ll be able to get it right here in about a fortnight – and it’s so very worth the wait.

Charlie Mayfair are hopping around the country over the next few months, supporting Skipping Girl Vinegar & Emma Louise. They’re also joining Tin Sparrow for their EP launch tour – and all of that in the next month. Make the time to catch them live.

Charlie Mayfair on FB

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The Protectors

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The Protectors – All Systems Go (mp3)

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Coming out from Newcastle, two hours north of Sydney, four piece The Protectors are a new addition to the rock scene that always seems overcrowded, but they somehow managed to present a refreshing take and bring new energy to the tried and through format. This song is all summer fun times.

www.myspace.com/theprotectors

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Charge Group

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Charge Group – ‘Lullaby for the Apocalypse’

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Only on a rare occasion does an album affect you so profoundly you’re spouting its credentials to all and sundry, including that crazy lady on the street who claims she’s a Nazi and should have “punched her fucking teeth out.”

Whoops, I digress.

What I’m trying to say is relatively simple: Charge Group‘s debut record, Escaping Mankind, is brilliant. No two ways about it. From the ashes of the much-loved Newcastle outfit Purplene, Matt Blackman and co. have taken their time, slowly fashioning an album of 10 gorgeous tracks that hark back to the guitar rock of ’90s indie music, evoking images of Swervedriver, June of 44, Sonic Youth in their mellower moments and Fugazi. The inclusion of Jason Tampake on violin – who plays in the wonderful Firekites – lends the music a distinct colonial feel, which fits somewhere between The Drones’ instinctively Australian poetic incantations and The Dirty Three’s brooding indie-noir.

It’s refreshing to hear such an anachronistic sound, reminiscent of days when Something for Kate was releasing albums like Beautiful Sharks and How Machines Work was one of the most exciting bands on the Australian musical landscape.

Even though CERN’s Large Hadron Collider particle accelerator didn’t eviscerate the world yesterday, ‘Lullaby for the Apocalypse’ still feels like a fitting choice.

If you’re in a reading mood, one of my favourite local music writers, Emmy Hennings, wrote a fantastic piece on Charge Group for Mess + Noise entitled ‘A Process In The Weather of the Heart’. (Where the hell did she get that title from??) Read it here.

http://www.myspace.com/chargegroupmusic

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