Issue 750

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The Scene - Local Entertainment News

• Local Gig Guide

End the Year with a bang

Byron Bay's bound to be manic when it comes to New Years Eve celebrations, but if you fancy rocking out 2001, then the Great Northern is the place to be.

The night kicks off with Victor Martinez & the Martinez brothers. Described as 'one of the greatest Chilean avant garde guitarists ever', Victor, with sons Andro and Duano are incredible players who are bound to inspire anyone who loves guitar.

They all play six string acoustic guitars and also use their instruments as percussion. One minute they play in unison, the next in harmony, then across and against each other, it is calm then chaotic, beautiful then forceful.

From 11.30pm. Sydney rock funksters Machine Gun Fellatio - who managed to get themselves banned from Victorian universities (which shows just how Victorian they are...) - will be bring it on with songs like 'MF on motorcycle', 'Not afraid of romance', the unlikely country hit 'Butter my arse with a pidgeon' and the theme song for the TV series Love is a 4 letter word.

The latest effort from Pinky Beecroft and the MGF team is 'the Girl of my dreams is giving me nightmares' and the single is due out in January, as a teaser to a new album to follow up Bring it On.

They played the Great Northern last month, delivering one of the best gigs at the venue this year, so it's fitting they see 2001 out.

From 1.30am DJs Mullette will ensure you start the new year with a bop. Tickets for New Year's Eve at the Great Northern are only $30 from the pub - but make sure you get one before NYE, cause the Byron Nazis won't let anyone into the town unless they have a pass or ticket to an event.

I'll Drink to That

All-girl trio the Stiff Gins are just what the doctor ordered after new years day.

You can catch their lush harmonies and glorious pop at the Rails in Byron on Wednesday, January 2, at a free gig.

Slade's Goodbye Gig

One of Lismore's finest musicians, George Slade, is leaving the Northern Rivers this year after more than ten years performing around the region. But before he goes, he's putting on one last bash for his fans.

George is largely renowned as a master bass player, but he has also performed amazing guitar work and brilliant vocals, making him a much respected musician on the local scene.

A versatile performer, George has performed in popular acts such as Magik Lift, the Wild Zinnias, VERY, Dealer, Couch Funk and Isabella Accapella.

George will be leaving Australia at the end of December to take up a position in Korea teaching, but is treating Lismore to one last farewell gig before he goes.

The gig will feature a variety of local musicians including Matt Seaberg and many other of George's musician mates, who will jam until the wee hours of the morning. A great chance to listen to some fabulous local talent and farewell a musical icon.

The gig will be held tomorrow, December 21, at the Gollan Hotel from 8.30pm.

Easter Already?

It may only be Christmas, but the organisers of the 13th annual East Coast Blues & Roots Festival, already have their eyes on Easter and a bigger and better Bluesfest over March 28-31 & April 1.

A whopping 25 international acts are already confirmed including Buddy Guy, Steve Earle, Keb Mo, Luka Bloom, and Bela Fleck, plus plenty of Australian talent, including the return of seminal Australian garage band The Saints featuring Chris Bailey.

A limited number of discounted Earlybird tickets are once again on sale and selling fast. Check online at www.bluesfest.com.au for cut-off dates & ticket prices or phone the Bluesfest Box Office on 6685 8310.

Double Dose of Blues

In the first of a week-long, post-Woodford migration south via the Great Northern, you can see Australia's best blues guitarist Jeff Lang, teamed up with America's greatest blues axeman, Bob Brozman, for a brilliant night of blues on Wednesday, January 2. Tickets are $16.50 from the pub.

The following night, December 3, catch the super trippy blend of Celtic staples, and everything from acid jazz to Latin shuffles of Scots six-piece Shooglenifty. They were the hit of the Sydney Olympics arts events and $15 will get you a pretty wild night of traditional Scottish music, psychedelia and hip-hop. $15 lets you in.

On Monday, January 7, Ganga Giri rocks out with his percussive didj and pyrotechnical musical and visual feats.

Great Pop, by George!

Classically trained George showed they're special in 2001. Catch them at the Great Northern this Friday.

Brisbane five-piece george (doesn't the fact that everyone is now using the lower case mean it's no longer hip...) was one of the great finds of 2001, despite the fact that they're far from overnight successes.

Siblings Katie and Tyrone Noonan (both classically trained by their musical parents from the tender age of four) formed george in '96. The Noonans are equally at home on lead vocals and a multitude of instruments, along with drummer Geoff Green, guitarist Nick Stewart and Paulie Bromley on bass.

george first entered the ARIA charts early in 2000 with their EP You Can Take What's Mine. The follow up 'Bastard Son', coupled with 'Holiday', remained on the national charts for five months. But everyone started to sit up and take notice with 'Special Ones', which enjoyed a three week run at number one on the alternative charts and reached number 29 on the National Charts.

They recently released a second single, 'Run', a taste of their forthcoming debut. The single package also contains two live selections: a long-time performance favourite 'That's When You Come To Me', recorded at the Roma Street Parklands opening, on the former site of the Roma Street Railway Goods Yards; and a version of 'Holiday' recorded at The Metro nightclub in Sydney.

Run's not a brand new song - it was written by Tyrone Noonan several years ago - the arrangement was dreamed up on the day of its recording.

'I wrote it in '95 as a reflection at the time of a person coming to a spiritual awakening and a realisation of the world out there. It suppose it's a bit unusual because it's half a love song and half a political song, at the same time,' Tyrone explains.

A large chunk of winter was spent writing and recording at a Byron Bay retreat and the famed Mangrove Studios on the NSW Central Coast. Still awaiting the perfect title, the album will come out in March 2002. In the meantime, catch george at the Great Northern this Friday, December 21, with Speedstar playing support. Tix at the door.

A Little Ray of Sunshine

Last year Christine Anu ended the year with a bang in a killer concert at the Great Northern. She's back this year spreading more sunshine (on hopefully not rainy days) with a gig on Friday, December 28.

Christine will be performing with her full band, singing songs from both her albums, including the wonderful 'My Island Home', 'Party', 'Coz I'm Free', and 'Sunshine On A Rainy Day'. Tickets are $15 + b/f from the Great Northern - but get in early, cause it's bound to be a sellout.

More Miles to the Gallon

The artist-formerly-known-as-Mark Lizotte, aka Diesel, plays Ballina RSL on Tuesday, January 8. Tickets are $15 from the club.

The nips are getting bigger than Ballina's Prawn when pub rock stalwarts Mental as Anything play Ballina RSL on Friday, January 4. Tickets are $16.50 from the club.

Going Down

One-time Northern Star reporter Emma Tom now moonlights as a pop star in The Titanics. Catch them at the Great Northern on January 1.

As a columnist, Emma Tom makes a great member of pop band The Titanics. The Weekend Australian's leading self-absorbed hack is bringing hubby, fellow Titanic and former Custard frontman Dave McCormack to Byron on New Years Day for a gig at the Great Northern.

They manage to mix pretty pop with dark lyrics and are just as likely to swing naked from the chandeliers (then write about it in Saturday's column) as they are to play an acoustic love song mid-set.

The trio has released two albums, Size Isn't Everything and the critically acclaimed Love Is The Devil, and they really are a good band live. Don't let the writing fool you. $10 gets you in the door.

Art & Craft Exhibit

The Yuraygir Arts Collective will hold their annual Art and Fine Craft exhibition from Saturday, January 5, to Monday, January 7, at the Minnie Water Community Hall.

The exhibition will feature artworks by a selection of Clarence Valley-based artists including Denise Deane, Karen Rooke, Jenni Worthing, Theresa Lord, Katrina Smith, Alex Douch, Peter Wright, Pamela Denise, Jessica Grantley and Dave Funnell.

Works include ceramics, metal sculptures, oil paintings, acrylic works, needlework and silk painting plus wearable and other decorative art.

The exhibition will be opened on Friday, January 4, by Grafton mayor Shirley Adams at the hall from 7.30pm. The exhibition is then open Saturday and Sunday from 9am-5pm and on Monday from 9am-1pm.

A poetry night will also be held on Saturday as part of the exhibition and anyone is welcome to read their poetry, both amateurs and professionals.

For more information phone Karen on 6649 7200 or Jenni on 6649 7701.

Lounge About

Recover from Christmas at the Great Northern on Boxing Day when Couchfunk pulls out the comfy lounge for an evening of chilled out sounds. The pace picks up a little the following night when Milk 'n' 2 sugars - featuring Scott Pullen and Kate Munroe funk things up. Entry is $10 at the door.

Sunday week, December 30, at the Great Northern, you can enjoy the Ska and swing of Newcastle lads The Porkers, joined by swingmeisters the Louisville sluggers. Tix are $8 at the door.

Wild about Woodford

If you haven't decided what you're doing for New Year's this year, then it's worth checking out the program for this year's Woodford Folk Festival, which promises six days of non-stop entertainment and activities.

The festival features a variety of workshops in anything from African dance and yoga to circus skills and filmmaking, plus there's market stalls, street performers, buskers and heaps more. Kids can learn street performing and storytelling among other things and there is a professional child-minding service for parents and carers.

The main attraction of the festival however is the diverse array of local and international talent that converges on a number of big top stages.

This year's huge line-up features international guests including guitarist Harry Manx from Canada, the Kopan Monks from Tibet, Andy Irvine from Ireland and Kristina Olsen from the USA to name a few.

Other performers include Australia's newest pop sensation Alex Lloyd, blues and roots band The John Butler Trio, FourPlay Electric String Quartet, Gorgonzola, country icon John Williamson and popular Brisbane five-piece george.

Hundreds more performers are in the line-up and the organisers have made sure there's something to suit every musical taste. This year the organisers are hosting more 'participation' events, where festival-goers can physically join in and be part of the Woodford atmosphere - whether that's as a lantern carrier in the fire event or a tree planter with the volunteers.

Tickets are $210 for the six days without camping for an adult and $260 with camping. A youth ticket (13-17 years) is $145 for six days without camping and $175 with camping. Children 12 and under, who are accompanied by an adult, are free for the entire festive.

Day and evening passes are also available, ranging in price from $38 to $77.

To book for the festival, obtain a full program or simply find out some more info phone (07) 5496 1066, email qff@woodfordfolkfestival.com or check out the website at www.woodfordfolkfestival.com.

Summer Drumming

If your son or daughter has always wanted to play the drums these holidays you can give them the opportunity to do so, without any of the noise that usually goes with it.

The Young Drums Percussion Orchestra, which celebrates its 10th anniversary next year, is hosting a Summer School and Percussion Workshop from Monday, January 7, until Friday, January 11, 2002.

The fun but intensive program is suitable for all ages and abilities, gift vouchers are available and it would make the perfect Chrissie present for any aspiring drummer.

Top tutors will instruct participants in the use of tuned percussion, drumkit, hand drumming and more. The five-day program will culminate in a showcase concert, giving the participants a chance to publicly show off their new skills. The Summer School can be a fast track into the Orchestra itself for particpants who are really keen.

Plus, if you book before the close of business tomorrow, December 21, you get a 10 per cent discount. For more information and bookings phone 6621 4888 or 6622 8384.

Local Gig Guide